Sri Shyamananda Pandita, Narottama Dasa Thakura, and Srinivasa Acharya were all intimate devotees of Lord Chaitanya. They came to this world to distribute love for Krishna after Mahaprabhu's departure.
Srinivasa Acharya
Mother: Lakshmipriya
Once, when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was living in Jagannatha Puri, and Lord Nityananda had gone to preach in Navadvipa, Lord Chaitanya asked the devotees from Bengal how the preaching was going in Navadvipa. He was told that there was no preaching in Gauda, and Advaita Acharya had rejected the doctrine of devotion and was preaching ideas of liberation.
Mahaprabhu's Mercy
Chaitanya became terribly saddened and began to think how He would fulfill His mission to spread the Holy Name all over the world. Then He called Mother Earth and asked her to give all the love she felt for the Supreme to the person He would indicate.
Lord Jagannatha told Mahaprabhu in a dream that a devotee brahmana had prayed for the Lord's mercy. His wife Lakshmipriya was a very chaste woman, so if Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to give His mercy to someone, He could give it to Chaitanya Dasa.
Then Chaitanya Mahaprabhu called Bhumi and told her that Chaitanya Dasa and Lakshmipriya were expecting a son, and Bhumi must give the love she received from the Lord to their son. At that time, the Earth, unable to contain that love within herself, began to tremble. Just then in 1509, a son named Srinivasa was born to Chaitanya Dasa, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu sent His love for Krishna to him.
Sarasvati Gives Knowledge
When Srinivasa tried to study under Jagadananda Pandita, the latter said that Srinivasa had already taken all knowledge from him. When he lay down to sleep, the goddess Sarasvati appeared to him and told him that by the order of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, she was giving him all knowledge in all fields, and thus he would become a genius. From then on, Srinivasa stopped reading all books and simply chanted the Holy Name.
Journey to Vrindavana
Srinivasa set out for Nilachala to see Gadadhara Pandita, who was waiting for him to teach him the Bhagavatam. However, it turned out that his Bhagavatam was soaked with tears and therefore illegible. Gadadhara asked him to bring a new copy, but when Srinivasa returned, he learned that the Pandita had already left the world.
Later, traveling to Vrindavana, he learned that Rupa Goswami had also just left the world. Having no hope to live, Srinivasa felt completely devastated. Unexpectedly, he saw two golden figures before him: Rupa and Sanatana, who began to encourage him and sent him to Jiva Goswami.
Narottama Dasa Thakura
Lokanatha Swami (born 1485) was a beloved devotee of Lord Chaitanya. Lord Chaitanya Himself, before accepting sannyasa, sent Lokanatha to Vrindavana. It was very difficult for Lokanatha to bear separation from the Lord.
The Lord appeared in his dream and told him to stay in Vrindavana, because soon Rupa and Sanatana would arrive in Vrindavana, and after some time Narottama, an empowered devotee of the Lord who would deliver the suffering conditioned souls with his kirtans, would arrive in Vrindavana and become Lokanatha's disciple.
Jiva Goswami named him Sri Thakura Mahashaya for Narottama's education and intelligence. Thus he was called by all the devotees.
Kheturi Festival
In a dream, the Lord appeared to Narottama and told him to travel to Gauda and spread a new type of kirtana there. Everyone who takes shelter of Narottama's lotus feet will attain love for Krishna. Finally he arrived at Kheturi, which was his destination, and began to meditate on his devotional service. Here Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared to him and told him to take His Deity from a basement full of snakes.
Miracles of Preaching
In Navadvipa, many people found shelter at Narottama Thakura's feet. Among them were two Shakti worshipers: Harinama and Ramakrishna. They were going to buy goats for their rituals, but upon meeting Narottama and receiving his mercy, they became Vaishnavas.
Narottama and Ramachandra Kaviraja became inseparable friends and practiced bhajana together.
Sri Shyamananda Prabhu
Shyamananda was born on the Purnima day of Chaitra month in Utkala. It is said that Lord Jagannatha Himself sent him here to preach His teachings, so He personally took care of Shyamananda. The child looked like Cupid. The eyes and mind would soften just by looking at him.
When he heard from the Vaishnavas of his village about the glories of Gaura-Nityananda, a deep attraction for these personalities arose in his heart. Sri Krishna Mandala himself was a very advanced devotee. Seeing that his son was constantly thinking about Gaura-Nityananda, he suggested that his son get initiated into the divine mantra.
Radharani's Blessing
Krishna Dasa asked Jiva for a special service. Jiva told him to sweep the grove in Seva Kunja every day. From that day on, he began to perform his service with great pleasure. As he swept, he would weep and tears flowed from his eyes.
The Lord of Vrindavana and His consort were very pleased with Krishna Dasa's service and wanted to give him their darshana. One day, while Krishna Dasa was cleaning the kunja, his heart filled with love. Just then he saw a very beautiful anklet lying on the ground in front of him.
The next morning, the sakhis were very surprised when they noticed that an anklet was missing from Srimati Radharani's left foot. Radharani explained: "Yesterday when I was dancing in the kunja, it fell off My foot. Please find it and bring it to Me." When the gopis came to look for the anklet, Vishakha Devi noticed Krishna Dasa sweeping the kunja. She asked: "Did you find an anklet here?" Krishna Dasa replied that he had found it, but wanted to return it personally to the owner.
After a few moments, Vishakha Devi returned with Srimati Radha Thakurani. Duhkhi Krishna Dasa completely forgot himself looking at the dazzling, resplendent glory of Sri Vrishabhanunandini. In great joy he handed the anklet to Vishakha.
Then Srimati Radharani decorated his forehead with tilaka using the anklet and kumkum from Her lotus feet. "This tilaka will remain on your forehead. From today you will be known as Shyamananda."
Gurudeva's Test
When news of the new tilaka reached Ambika Kalna, Shyamananda's guru Hridaya Chaitanya became very angry and came to Vrindavana. Seeing the "unauthorized" mark, he even began to beat his disciple, but Shyamananda tolerated everything with love.
That night Hridaya Chaitanya dreamed of Srimati Radharani, who said: "I Myself changed his tilaka and name, because I am very pleased with his service. What do you have against that?" Waking up, the guru embraced his disciple with tears in his eyes, realizing his great fortune.
Preaching Activities
Shyamananda traveled to Utkaladesha (Orissa). First he arrived at his birthplace Dharenda Bahadurpura. The inhabitants were very happy to see him after so many years. He stayed there for a few days and preached Krishna consciousness, as a result of which many people became attracted and took shelter at his lotus feet.
Radha-Govinda Installation
The people of Gopiballabhpur especially asked him to install a Deity of Sri Radha-Krishna. Thus, from their donations, a temple was built with a sankirtana hall, kitchen, rooms for devotees, a pond, and gardens. Afterwards, Acharya Sri Shyamananda performed the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda and a great festival was held.
After traveling the length and breadth of Orissa and preaching the message of Sri Gaura-Nityananda, Shyamananda returned to the lotus feet of Sri Hridaya Chaitanya Prabhu in Ambika Kalna.
Journey of the Goswamis' Books
The Goswamis called a meeting and decided that these three should be sent to Gaudadesha to preach Mahaprabhu's teachings as presented in the Goswamis' literature. One day Srila Jiva Goswami called the three of them together and informed them of this decision.
Theft of the Books
In 1574 Shyamananda, Narottama, and Srinivasa set out for Gaudadesha carrying the Goswamis' books. However, Vira Hamvira stole the books. Later, the same robber accepted initiation from Srinivasa Acharya. Shyamananda went to Utkala, and Narottama Dasa, having visited Kheturi, went to Navadvipa.
Kheturi Festival
Shyamananda was invited to the festival in Kheturi, which he attended with his disciples. He was reunited with his old friends Srinivasa and Sri Narottama. The three swam in an ocean of happiness, exchanging love and embraces. Sri Jahnava Mata, Sri Raghunanadana Thakura, Sri Achyutananda, Sri Vrindavana Dasa Thakura, as well as many other stalwarts of Mahaprabhu's preaching mission were also present at that time.
QUESTIONS
Self-Check Questions
- Why did Chaitanya Mahaprabhu send His love for Krishna to Srinivasa Acharya?
- How did Narottama Dasa Thakura get the name "Thakura Mahashaya"?
- Tell about Shyamananda's meeting with Srimati Radharani.
- What happened to the Goswamis' books on the journey to Gaudadesha?
- What was the contribution of these three Acharyas to the expansion of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's movement?