All glories to Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Who has appeared as the son of Mother Sachi in the holy land of Navadvipa dhama! All glories to Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu Who is mad in ecstatic love of Krishna! All glories to Sri Advaita Prabhu, and all glories to Gadadhara Prabhu and Srivas Pandit! All glories to Navadvipa dhama, the cream of all the holy dhamas! All glories to the sacred residents of Navadvipa who are all eternal associates of Lord Sri Chaitanya!

Taking shelter at the lotus feet of the pure devotees of the Lord with respectful obeisances, I now will begin the brief explanation of Navadvipa dhama and its glories. The sacred land of Navadvipa Mandala possesses unlimited transcendental glories which even great demigods like Lord Brahma, Shiva and others cannot fully comprehend. Therefore, who is capable of describing them? The divine Ananta Sesa incarnation of the Lord with thousands of heads singing simultaneously the glories of Navadvipa Dhama is not capable of describing all of its glories. Then how can I, an insignificant living entity, possibly be capable of doing so? Without a doubt, the glories of Navadvipa are unlimited, as even holy saints, great demigods, and even Lord Siva do not find any limit to its glories. However, the personal desire of the Supreme Lord Sri Chaitanya is more powerful than anything.

It is under the control of that personal desire of the Lord that His pure devotees give their transcendental commands. Thus, since it is the personal desire of Lord Sri Chaitanya that the glories of Navadvipa should be described, the devotees have ordered me to do so accordingly, and thus being empowered by their order, I am able to relate the glories of Navadvipa Dham by their mercy.

In this regard there is one other subject matter which is extremely confidential. Although I have no personal desire to discuss this topic, on the other hand it cannot remain untold. Lord Sri Chaitanya ordered His pure devotees that after His departure from this material world, the transcendental glories of the holy dhama (the transcendental place of His pastimes and appearance) and lila (transcendental pastimes) of the Lord should be broadcast. Of all the incarnations of the Supreme Lord, Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's incarnation is the most confidential and mysterious, yet nonetheless, as He is the Lord of my life, I know His glories.

The confidential pastimes of the Supreme Lord are described in the revealed scriptures in a confidential form that is understandable by His pure devotees alone, while the nondevotee scholars are unable to comprehend the real significance of those descriptions. Although the information regarding the transcendental pastimes and appearance of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was ever existent within the revealed Vedic scriptures, Mayadevi, the illusory potency of the Lord, has kept these confidential scriptural references covered from the understanding of the nondevotees of the Lord. In various places, there are many authorized scriptures still undiscovered which contain many transcendental evidences about the birth and appearance of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His holy dhama, Navadvipa. In the already known revealed Vedic scriptures, there are many references to the pastimes of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the glories of Navadvipa dhama. The evidences of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Navadvipa dhama which are to be found in the above mentioned known Vedic scriptures as well as the authorized Vedic scriptures yet to be discovered, have been kept hidden for the time being from the perception of the nondevotee scholars by Mayadevi, the illusory potency of the Supreme Lord.

When Lord Gauranga had completed His confidential pastimes in this world and returned back to the spiritual sky, Mayadevi, His obedient maidservant, knowing the inner purpose and desire of the Lord, ended her deceitful activities and lifted the illusory covering from the eyes of the conditioned souls, broadcasting the hidden truths of Lord Chaitanya in this material world. Suddenly the authorized Vedic scriptures that had remained hidden for so long, as well as the evidences in the known revealed Vedic scriptures regarding Lord Chaitanya, became manifest before everyone's vision, thus removing all the obstacles for understanding the mysteries in relation to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

All glories to the all-merciful Lord Nityananda Prabhu, Who has revealed the transcendental truths of Lord Gauranga in the hearts of the conditioned souls of this material world. Actually when Mayadevi, the illusory potency of the Lord, received the order from Lord Nityananda to lift the illusory covering sealing the truths about Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, then the sincere devotee scholars received the priceless treasures in the form of scriptural evidences regarding the mysteries of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's Appearance. After understanding all of the evidences revealed by the mercy of Lord Nityananda from the authorized Vedic scriptures regarding the truth of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Navadvipa dhama, if someone still remains in doubt, then truly he is a most unfortunate soul. Why should such an unfortunate soul maintain his useless life?!

At the time when the Supreme Lord distributes His transcendental mercy, the highly fortunate souls are very happy to receive it and derive transcendental pleasure from it.

On the other hand, my dear readers, you all will be able to recognize when a person is highly unfortunate by the following symptoms: it is he who tries to understand everything by his own limited reasoning power, accepting his material intelligence to be supreme. Thus he refuses to accept the understanding of the revealed scriptures given by the Lord's mercy, and by wasting his time in useless arguments due to a poor fund of knowledge, he falls into the pitfalls of maya again and again.

"Come! Come, you Kali-yuga fallen souls! Give up your duplicity and false pride! But without delay take this priceless gift of pure ecstatic love for Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu!" Loudly call out Lord Nityananda Prabhu again and again! Still, in spite of such heart-rending calls, those falsely puffed-up and unfortunate persons do not accept. Why would anyone not affectionately and immediately embrace the opportunity to accept that priceless gift of pure and ecstatic love for God? Consider what I am about to say and you will immediately understand:

In this material world the fallen souls are busy creating their various theories, presenting their arguments and performing different processes of yoga, all in pursuit of happiness. They renounce this material world and flee away into the forest for penances and austerities, simply in pursuit of happiness. Rulers of one country wage war against the rulers of other countries in pursuit of happiness. People are running madly after beautiful women and wealth in pursuit of happiness. Artisans produce their products, and scientists make their discoveries all in pursuit of happiness. In pursuit of happiness, people give up happiness and learn to tolerate all kinds of misery. Jumping in the middle of the ocean, people drown and die, all in pursuit of happiness.

Lord Nityananda Prabhu calls out, raising His two lotus hands:

"Come, fallen souls! Giving up your attachment for your miserable fruitive work and mental speculation, come now! Since you are trying to get happiness, that is just what I will give you! And in exchange for that happiness, I won't take anything! For this there is no difficulty; it won't cost anything; and you don't have to suffer any pain. Without any care, simply sing out the holy names of Gauranga and dance in ecstasy! Thus I will give you a happiness for which you will never find an equal-- uninterrupted, pure transcendental ecstasy, which never fails to fully satisfy!"

In this way Lord Nityananda Prabhu is freely distributing prema, the pure liberated realization of ecstatic love for Godhead, to everyone. Those who, suffering under the effects of their previous sinful activities, do not want this inconceivable mercy, are simply unfortunate and nothing more. For those who chant the holy names of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu even one time, the unlimited results of all the sinful activities of their previous births are immediately washed away.

Now listen, all my readers, there is another confidential topic I will disclose. In this present Age of Kali, the treasure house of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's pastimes is the only means by which we can obtain the highest perfection of life. It is Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, known as Gaurahari, or the Golden Avatara, Who is in the sacred dhama of Vrindavana as Their Lordships Sri- Sri-Radha-Krishna, infinitely enjoying transcendental pastimes in association. From the revealed scriptures, the conditioned souls have learned the truths of the pastimes of Vrndavana. The glory of Vraja, or Vrndavana, is the eternal pastimes of Their Lordships Sri-Sri-Radha-Krishna.

The whole world knows from the evidence of Vedic scriptures that the transcendental glories of Lord Krishna's holy name are unlimited. However, in spite of these revelations, the people in general do not achieve the priceless jewel of pure love for Krishna, krsna-prema. Kindly consider what is the cause for this. For this paradox there is important spiritual truth, Conditioned fallen souls being overwhelmed by the material illusion are not able to comprehend. Worshipping Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, continuously for many, many births, a devotee sometimes may fail to achieve pure love for Krishna. This is most certainly because that devotee has accumulated piles of offenses in his devotional service. Being freed from all offenses, constantly chanting the holy name of Krishna. then one achieves continuous krsna-prema, or pure love for Krishna.

The symptoms of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabu's incarnation into this material world are unique and different, because by the mercy of Lord Chaitanya the fallen souls are able to achieve pure love for Krishna in spite of so many offenses. Offenses cannot obstruct one who loudly chants the holy names of "Nitai! Chaitanya!" Rather, pure krsna-prema is searching for such devotees whose eyes are always filled with tears of pure love for Krishna.

Chanting the holy names of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His eternal associates, one's offenses are quickly mitigated, and one's heart becomes completely purified. Since the fallen souls of this Age of Kali are under the burden of unlimited offenses against the Supreme Lord, there is no hope for their deliverance except chanting glories of Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu. Therefore, the emphatic proclamation of the Vedic literatures is that in this Kali-yuga there is no other alternative than to take shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu has risen like the rising moon in the sacred land of Navadvipa. Navadvipa Dhama is the topmost of all pilgrimage places, being the most merciful of all. In other places of pilgrimage, an offender is severely punished, but in Navadvipa offenses are always being forgiven. For example, consider the two brothers, Jagai and Madhai. Although they committed grievous offenses, ultimately they received the shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya and Nityananda Prabhu. Yet, when even in Vraja dhama, the sacred place of Krishna's pastimes, the offending demons are destroyed, there is no utility in discussing lesser places of pilgrimage. How will it be possible to be forgiven from offenses there? But in Navadvipa dhama, even if one commits hundreds and hundreds of offenses, by the mercy of Lord Nityananda Prabhu one easily obtains deliverance, achieving the supreme destination. For that reason, the great sages sing again and again the glories of Navadvipa dhama situated in the ancient provinces of Gaudamondal (Northern India, or Bengal).

Similarly, my dear brothers, one who is a resident of Navadvipa dhama is the most fortunate of all because he gains ecstatic loving devotion for Krishna simply by residing there. What to speak about residing in Navadvipa, even if someone simply visits Navadvipa for some time, that person becomes freed from all offenses. "The sum total of all the pious results that one gets by making a pilgrimage to all of the holy places is achieved simply by remembering sacred Navadvipa dhama," sing the Vedic hymns. If one is able to even see Navadvipa dhama, then that fortunate soul receives the priceless gift of pure love for Krishna birth after birth. Devotees who visit Navadvipa dhama without pure devotion, but rather desire various material fruits in reward for their pilgrimage to Navadvipa dhama are also blessed, for they shall never be forced to take birth as a human being again.

The glories of Navadvipa dhama are revealed in the Vedic literatures. If one is so fortunate to wander about the sacred lands of Navadvipa dhama, he achieves the pious results of millions of Asvamedha sacrifices at his every step. By sitting in silent meditation on the mantra given by the spiritual master in Navadvipa dhama, one is delivered without delay because Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu personally takes the form of the meditator's mantra and delivers him. Therefore, in any other holy place what a yogi can achieve by performing various penances and austerities for a period of ten years can be achieved in Navadvipa by remaining for three nights. The liberation of brahma-jnana, or realization of the impersonal aspect of the Absolute Truth, that is achieved by residing in one of the various holy places of India, is achieved simply by taking one's bath one time in the sacred Bhagirathi Ganges river in Navadvipa dhama. In Navadvipa dhama one may easily get any of the five types of liberation, namely salokya (living on the same planet as the Lord), sarupya (having a transcendental form sililar to the Lord's), sarsti (having opulence almost equal with the Lord's), samipya (living in direct transcendental association with the Lord), or nirvana (merging into the existence of the Lord), even without being very knowledgeable about the transcendental science. It is in Navadvipa dhama that by simply falling down at the lotus feet of a pure devotee of Krishna, one is elevated to such an exalted position that personified material benediction and liberation stand like maidservants at the door ready to render services. The pure devotees, however, are not interested in these two attendants, and instead they kick them to drive them away, but even then these maidservants cannot give up the transcendental association of the lotus feet of the pure devotees, and they remain there without fleeing. What is the use of visiting the seven holy tirthas, my dear brothers, when what one can achieve in a hundred years in those holy places can be achieved simply by spending one night in Navadvipa dhama?!

Considering above reasons, Navadvipa dhama is the topmost amongst all the sacred places of the Lord's pastimes, and by taking shelter there in this Kali-yuga, age of Quarrel, the fallen souls in this universe get deliverance from the material bondage and go back to Godhead in pure Krishna consciousness. Thus Navadvipa dhama is perfectly rendering the greatest service to the residents of the dhama by bestowing upon them twin enlightenments: first, the cessation of all material miseries, and second, pure Krishna consciousness carrying one out of the material world back to the eternal abode of the Lord.

Praying to remain always in the cooling shade of the lotus feet of Their Lordships Sri-Sri-Nitai-Jahnava, always desiring Their mercy, that Bhaktivinode sings the glories of Navadvipa dhama, tasting nectar at every step.

Thus ends the first chapter of The Glories of Sri Navadvipa Dhama.

All glories to Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Who has appeared!

All glories to Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the eternal Lord of the sacred abode of Sri Navadvipa dhama, Who has appeared as the son of Mother Saci!

All glories to Lord Nityananda Avadhuta!

All glories to Sri Navadvipa Dham, the topmost of all transcendental abodes, where Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has descended into the material world!

The fruit that one achieves by living for one's whole life in all of the other holy abodes and places of pilgrimage can be achieved, my brother, in one day in the transcendental abode of Sri Navadvipa dhama.

May all you devotees of the Lord listen to the description of the circumambulation of Sri Navadvipa dhama.... and discussed in the Vedic literatures. The written words of the Vedic literatures (shastras), the spoken words of the pure devotees of the Lord (Vaishnavas), and the orders of the Lord--these three things are the most cherished treasures in my life. Taking shelter of these three authorities in transcendental knowledge, I am now going to explain the rules and regulations for visiting the abode of Sri Navadvipa dhama and the other holy places contained therein. Kindly listen, everyone, to these important discussions.

When Sri Jiva Goswami, the youngest of the six Goswamis and the nephew of Sri Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis, left his home for practicing Krishna consciousness, he cried out, "Nadiya! Nadiya!"--"Oh, Navadvipa dhama, oh, abode of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!" being anxious due to feeling separation from the transcendental abode of the Lord. Since the moment he left Chandradvipa, his two lotus eyes were flowing with the water of tears of love continuously as he was walking along the roads to Sri Navadvipa dhama. In this transcendental mood, Sri Jiva Goswami repeatedly said, "Ha Gauranga - Nityananda! Oh, my Lords Sri Chaitanya and Nityananda Prabhus, You are the very life of Jiva Goswami! Oh, when will that day be mind, my Lords, when out of Your causeless mercy You will reveal Your transcendental forms to me! Oh! Oh, Sri Navadvipa Dham, topmost of all transcendental abodes of the Lord! When will I be able to see you!"

Sri Jiva Goswami was a handsome young man possessing all beautiful and auspicious bodily features, and to see him situated in the highest level of complete renunciation was the most wonderful sight! In this way, for some days the young Sri Jiva Goswami traveled until finally he reached the abode of Sri Navadvipa dhama, always permeated with the quality of pure love for Krishna. When he could see Sri Navadvipa dhama from a distance, he fell down like a stick in prostrated obeisances to the holy abode of the Lord, and being overwhelmed with transcendental ecstasies almost became unconscious. After a little he controlled his mind and proceeded. As he entered into Sri Navadvipa dhama, he was filled with transcendental ecstasy and the hairs all over his body were standing on end!

When he reached the Barakona bathing ghat, he began asking everyone, "Where is Lord Nityananda? Where may I see Him?!" Seeing Sri Jiva's transcendental mood, some great devotee immediately took him to where Lord Nityananda Prabhu was residing. In the meantime, Lord Nityananda Prabhu was laughing very loudly, and because Sri Jiva was going to come, He was feeling very happy inside. Then He gave the order to His servitors to bring Sri Jiva to Him. Immediately many Vaisnavas went to call Sri Jiva to come to the Lord. They could recognize Sri Jiva immediately when they saw his body being transformed by ecstatic symptoms of pure devotional service, and they called out to him, "Jiva! Jiva!" Everyone made him come. Someone stepped forward and, filled with great love, announced Lord Nityananda Prabhu's order to Jiva Goswami. No sooner did Jiva Goswami hear the transcendental name of Lord Nityananda Prabhu than he became overwhelmed with transcendental ecstasy and fell unconscious to the ground. However, he soon became conscious and got up saying, "I am most fortunate! Although I am the most insignificant and fallen soul, I have received the mercy of Lord Nityananda Prabhu!" Then Jiva Goswami offered respectfully his prostrated obeisances to all of the Vaishnava devotees present, and as he was offering them obeisances, Sri Jiva's heart became overwhelmed with happiness.

Sri Jiva Goswami said, "Out of your causeless mercy, you have been most kind to me! All the Vedic literatures reveal that to achieve the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu is the greatest good fortune!" Sri Jiva Goswami, being overwhelmed with his good fortune, celebrated by taking the dust of the lotus feet of some of the Vaisnavas present. Then everyone together took Sri Jiva Goswami where Lord Nityananda was. Surrounded on all sides by pure devotees, Lord Nityananda Prabhu was discussing the topics of Krishna (krsna-katha). When he saw the transcendental form of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Jiva Goswami's own body became exceedingly beautiful, being overwhelmed with transcendental ecstaties in love of Godhead. Sri Jiva Goswami said, "What a beautiful form I have seen today!" Being overwhelmed, Sri Jiva Goswami fell unconscious on the ground.

Absorbed in a mood of great mercy, Sri Nityananda Raya raised Jiva Goswami from the ground and gave him the shelter of His own lotus feet. Sri Jiva Goswami quickly stood up, and with folded hands he offered the following prayers unto Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, "You are the same divine universal form! You are the shelter of all the universes! You are Lord Sri Balarama, the original expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I am an insignificant jiva (soul). How can I understand you, my Lord, Who possesses unlimited transcendental qualities? You are my eternal master, and I am Your eternal servant! My only desire is to always reside in the shelter of the shade of Your lotus feet! Whoever You give Your causeless mercy to easily achieves the shelter of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and thus is swept away in the flood waters of pure love for Godhead, but without Your mercy no one can achieve the lotus feet of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu even if they worship His lotus feet for a hundred births! Even if Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu intends to punish someone, and if You protect that person, then he is saved! On the other hand, those offenders whom You punish are also punished by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore, my Lord, I have accepted the shelter of Your lotus feet in complete surrender on the strength of my accumulated devotional assets. Kindly have Your mercy upon me! Give me Your blessing that I may see with pure spiritual vision Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and that I may have spontaneous ecstatic loving devotion for that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu known as the Golden Avatar, Lord Gauranga!"

When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited the village of Ramakeli, my two maternal uncles (Sri Rupa Goswami and Sri Sanatana Goswami) accepted the shelter of the Lord's lotus feet. At that time I was merely a small child, but I forgot myself when I saw the beautiful golden form of Lord Chaitanya, and my eyes filled with tears of love. Even now that transcendental sight always awakens in my mind! Then I fell grabbing on the lotus feet of Lord Sri Gauranga and offered prayers. Touching the completely spiritual body of the Lord gave me immense spiritual bliss. At that time Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu said unto me, 'Oh, Jiva! You should study all of the Vedic literatures, and after completing all of your studies, you should go to My abode, Sri Navadvipa dhama, where you will achieve the abode of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, and by His transcendental mercy you will achieve everything.'

"I accepted that order of the Lord on my head, and although I am insignificant and possess nothing, I gained an education to the best of my ability. At the place known as Candradvipa, I studied Sanskrit literature and all related studies, but I couldn't find a professor of Vedanta to my liking. However, the Lord has given me the order to study Vedanta and to broadcast the glories of pure devotional service to Krishna which is authorized according to Vedanta philosophy. Thus I have now come to this abode of Sri Navadvipa dhama at the shelter of Your lotus feet. I shall act exactly according to Your instructions. If Your order is that I go to Sri Kshetra, Jagannatha Puri, under the shelter of the Lord's lotus feet, then I can study Vedanta at the house of Sri Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya."

Hearing the sweet words of Sri Jiva Goswami, Lord Nityananda Prabhu embraced him and sat him on His lap, and no longer being able to contain Himself cried in ecstatic love! Lord Nityananda Prabhu said, "Listen to what I am about to tell you, oh, Jiva Goswami, for this is the most confidential information. Sri Rupa Goswami and Sri Sanatana Goswami have realized all of the transcendental truths of the Absolute Truth. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu gave Me this instruction to tell you: 'Don't go to Jagannatha Puri (Sri Kshetra), and don't remain here.' You and the two brothers, Sri Rupa Goswami and Sri Sanatana Goswami, are all single-pointed pure devotees of the Lord, and this is known by all. The Lord's order to you is that you should go to Varanasi and study Vedanta from the great pandit, Vachaspati. After completing your studies, you should at once go from there to Vrindavana dham, the eternal abode of Lord Sri Krishna's pastimes (in north India), and there Sri Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis will have their transcendental mercy upon you.

"As the followers of Sri Rupa Goswmi establish the worship of Sri-Sri-Radha-Krishna in conjugal love as the end of spiritual knowledge through the presentations of Vedanta and other revealed scriptures and Vedic literatures, the Srimad Bhagavatam is the topmost of all Vedic literatures. Establish through your preaching that it is the ripened commentary of the Vedanta-sutra (of Lord Vyasadeva, the literary incarnation of Godhead who wrote all of the Vedic literatures). Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had given His causeless mercy to Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya by explaining the Brahma-sutra (Vedanta-sutra) following directly the natural commentary of the Srimad Bhagavatam (as written by Vyasadeva, the himself the author of the Vedanta-sutra). That transcendental knowledge was taught by Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya to Sri Madhusudana (...) at Jagannatha Puri (Sri Ksetra dhama) with great care and attention. Sri Madhusudana, who is also known as Madhuvacaspati, or Vacaspati for short, was ordered by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to go to Varanasi, the famous holy place, and since then he is residing there. Go there and you will surely find him.

"Externally Madhusudana Vachaspati appears to be in the disciplic succession of the followers of the Vedanta, and he teaches the sannyasis initiated in the Sankaracharya sampradaya or disciplic succession in the knowledge of Vedanta-sutra. Gradually he shows these impersonalist sannyasis compassion and teaches them the explanation of Vedanta-sutra as propounded by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu during His classes on the Vedanta-sutra.

"Now a separate commentary on the Vedanta-sutra is not required. Simply explain how the Srimad Bhagavatam, the great Purana, is to be accepted as the natural commentary on the Vedanta-sutra. When, in due course of time, need of a direct commentary on the Vedanta-sutra will be necessary, at that tiome the commentary known as the "Sri Govinda Bhasya" commentary will appear. Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya's relative, Sri Gopinath Acharya, will also hear Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's explanation and commentaries on the Vedanta-sutra along with Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya. In due course of time, according to the wish of the Lord, Gopinath Acharya will again take birth in the world as Baladeva Vidyabhusana, and at that time he will go to Jaipur and there reveal the commentary on the Vedanta-sutra known as the commentary spoken by Sri Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Krishna). In this way he will do a great service to Lord Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by delivering the fallen souls from the darkness of material ignorance. All of these confidential subject matters shall be further explained to you by both Sri Rupa Goswami and Sri Sanatana Goswami in Vrindavana dhama."

Hearing the transcendental words of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Jiva Goswami became overwhelmed with transcendental ecstasy. Loudly crying, he fell on the ground and, losing all external consciouness, was rolling back and forth while he was weeping. �Lord Nityananda Prabhu, feeling great compassion, in mercy to Sri Jiva Goswami placed His two lotus feet on the head of Sri Jiva, thus giving him the blessing of great transcendental strength. "All glories to Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, known as Lord Sri Gauranga, the Golden Avatar! All glories to Lord Nityananda Raya!" Sri Jiva Goswami shouted loudly and began to dance in ecstasy there amongst the assembled devotees of the Lord. At that time Srivas Thakur (of the Panca-tattva) and many other personal associates of the Lord were present. All of these powerful devotees of the Lord were fortunate to see the wonderful pastime of Lord Nityananda Prabhu bestowing His causeless mercy upon Sri Jiva Goswami. Seeing the unlimited mercy of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, they also became overwhelmed in ecstasy, and everyone began to dance and sing out loudly the Holy Names of Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda Prabhu: "Sri Gauranga! Nityananda!" Thus a tumultuous sound arose from the place which was resounding with transcendental vibration, filled with the congregational chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord.

After some time, the ecstatic chanting and dancing ended, and then Lord Nityananda Prabhu took Jiva Goswami and sat down together with him. Jiva Goswami was given residential quarters at the house and garden of Srivas Pandit. At sunset Jiva Goswami again went to take audience and transcendental association of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, whom he found sitting privately expounding the glories of Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's transcendental pastimes, qualities, etc. Sri Jiva Goswami immediately came forward and fell down, paying his obeisances at the feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu. Showing compassion on him, Nityananda Prabhu gave him a seat close to Himself. Jiva Goswami, with folded hands, began to pray in great humility, "Oh, Lord Nityananda Prabhu, please have Your mercy upon me and explain to me the transcendental truths of this sacred abode of Sri Navadvipa Dham, explaining them in detail."

Lord Nityananda Prabhu said, "Oh, my dear Jiva Goswami, I will explain the glories of Sri Navadvipa dhama and related subjects to you, but the most confidential subject matters you must keep to yourself and not tell others. These subject matters are not to be broadcast to the people in general during the period when the pastimes of the Lord are being performed in this world. After the Lord's pastimes in this world are no longer visible to the people in general, then all of the secrets about the Lord, His pastimes, and His sacred abodes may be revealed.

Of all of the sacred abodes of the Lord, this abode of Sri Navadvipa dhama is situated on the topmost level of spiritual existence. Its existence lies far beyond the Viraja River separating the material worlds from the spiritual sky, and also far beyond the impersonal Brahman effulgence which is emanating from the spiritual planets known as Vaikunthalokas. After crossing beyond the self-effulgent Vaikuntha planets of the spiritual sky, one comes to the highest region of the spiritual sky to the spiritual planet called Krishnaloka. Within Krishnaloka the highest of all places is known as Sri Gokula and is also called Svetadvip, Sri Goloka, and Vrndavana. In this topmost spiritual planet, there are two distinct mellows of loving reciprocation between Krishna and His devotees, namely madhurya- bhava, or loving exchanges in the mood of conjugal loving affairs. and audarya-bhava, the loving ecstasy manifested by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with His associates. The transcendental mellow of audarya exists fully within the transcendental mellow of madhurya or conjugal loving affairs, and the mellow of madhurya loving exchanges is contained fully within audarya, the mellow of unlimited transcendental mercy and compassion (exhibited in Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's freely distributing the priceless gem of pure love of Krishna to the fallen conditioned souls). Nevertheless, that part of Krishnaloka, the supreme planet in the spiritual sky, where madhurya conjugal loving affairs are most prominent is known as Vrindavana by the fully realized and highly fortunate devotees of Lord Sri Krishna. On the other hand, that eternal abode where the Lord of unlimited mercy and compassion, in distributing pure love for Godhead, is most prominent is glorified by all the Vedic literatures as Navadvipa dhama, which is also ever-existing in the Krishnaloka spiritual abode. The spiritual abodes of Sri Vrindavana dhama and Sri Navadvipa dhama are non-different, being on the same absolute platform. Only when considering the flavors of relishing different transcendental mellows, amorous pastimes, and magnanimous pastimes, are the characteristics of these two supreme abodes seen differently. Otherwise they are one.

"The transcendental abodes of Lord Sri Krishna, Sri Vrindavana dhama and Sri Navadvipa dhama, are eternally liberated, situated in transcendence without any material tinge, being made of the fully conscious cit-sakti energy of the Lord; and are unlimited, being all-pervasive in nature. These eternal abodes of the Lord can never be approached by the materialistic mentality of non- devotees. Neither can they understand their real nature, as these spiritual truths are only revealed to the devotees of the Lord. By the opulence and influence of Lord Krishna's transcendental pleasure potency known as the hladini potency, the living entities fallen to this material world give up this materialistic way of life and become situated in pure devotional service to the Lord. This is possible because they are simultaneously experiencing the transcendental pleasure potency of the Lord and achieving perfect knowledge, thus achieving their original constitutional position as eternal servitors of the Lord.

The whole abode of Sri Navadvipa dhama is manifested directed from the spiritual yogamaya potency of the Lord. There Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya descends into this material world as the Golden Avatar, Lord Sri Gauranga, and enjoys pastimes with His eternal associates. By ordinary material eyesight, the people in general see the holy abode and pastimes of the Lord as materialistic affairs of this temporary world because mahamaya or the illusory potency of the Lord conceals the real spiritual characteristic of this eternal abode of the Lord. the spiritual abode of Sri Navadvipa dhama is always beyond the influence of this mayamaya potency of the Lord and is also beyond the materialistic considerations of time and place. In other words, the abode of the Lord is transcendental to all the complications of this materialistic world and its conditioned souls. Yet on account of the karmic fruitive reactions produced by the living entity's materialistic activities, the living entity is controlled by the illusory energy and thus becomes bound up in this material world, and is therefore not able to see the real spiritual form of Sri Navadvipa dhama but instead sees the superficial material covering, thus mistaking it for an ordinary material place. It is when one is fortunate enough to get the association of pure devotees of the Lord that one's original spiritual love, prema, for Lord Krishna is awakened. Whenever this occurs, then a spiritually awakened person can see the real abode of Sri Navadvipa dhama, fully spiritual, alive, non-different from the Vaikuntha planets of the spiritual world. Thus with pure spiritual vision, the liberated soul situated in pure love of Godhead sees Navadvipa dhama as a transcendental land situated in eternal time, as an eternal abode of the Lord in which all of the objects are eternally liberated and made of spiritual energy. These things are easily seen when one achieves pure Krishna consciousness.

"Now, my dear Jiva Goswami, I have explained to you the eternal truths about the transcendental abode of the Lord �(manifesting in both the spiritual and material worlds), and specifically about Sri Navadvipa dhama. Now you may consider all that I have explained to you and try to understand these eternal truths with your consciousness in pure goodness (free from the material influence of goodness, passion and ignorance, i.e., transcendentally situated above the three modes of material nature)."

Thus this Bhaktivinoda, who is ever-aspiring for the eternal shelter of the lotus feet of Their Lordships Sri-Sri-Jahnava- Nitai, propagates these most confidential truths of Sri Navadvipa dhama.

Thus ends the translation by the humble servant of His Divine Grace Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura's compilation of the Fourth Chapter of the Navadvipa Mahatmya, entitled "Sri Jiva Goswami Hears Confidential Subject Matters About the Spiritual Abode."

All glories to Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Who has appeared as the son of Mother Saci! All glories to Lord Nityananda Prabhu, Who is the very life and soul of Sri Jahnava Devi! All glories to the topmost of all spiritual abodes, Sri Navadvipaa dhama, where the Golden Avatar, Sri Krishna Chaitanya, appears in this Kali-yuga, the iron age of irreligion.

Kindly listen. Lord Nityananda Prabhu is speaking: "The abode Sri Navadvipaa dhama is the same size as its counterpart, Vrindavana dhama, the sacred abode of Lord Krishna's childhood pastimes, namely 16 krosa (32 miles) in circumference. Within the 16 krosa (32 mile) perimeter of Sri Navadvipa dhama, a total of nine transcendental islands are situated, just as an eight- petalled lotus floats in the water. The eight petals of the lotus flower are eight of the transcendental islands, and the center is the island known as Antardvipa. The exact middle point of this center island of Antardvipa is known as Sri Mayapur. Sri Mayapur is also known as the Lord's Yogapith, or the place where the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, descending from the spiritual world, first contacts or appears in this material world. This abode, Sri Mayapur dhama, is ever-existing as the replica of Goloka in the spiritual world, as here the multitude of Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's eternal pastimes are being performed in various moods of devotional service. The circumference of Sri Mayapur dhama is proven to be 3,000 dhanus (3.5 miles oblique) and 1,000 dhanus in diameter, according to the revealed scriptures.

"The Pancatattva, or the five personal manifestations of the Absolute Truth, namely Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Nityananda Prabhu, Lord Sri Advaita, Sri Gadadhara Prabhu, and Sri Srivas Pandit, are seated in the middle of the Yogapith, appearance place of the Lord. Compared to other places, the exact location and glories of the appearance place of Lord Sri Chaitanya shall quickly become hidden according to the transcendental desire of the Lord, and thus the people in general will no longer know this location. This shall happen when the rising flood waters of the Ganges River, known as the Bhagirathi, shall flood and cause everything to become almost completely covered. However, again according to the powerful desire of the Supreme Lord, the flood waters of the Ganges shall recede, and the spiritual abode shall again appear along with its islands. The eternal abode of the Lord sometimes disappears but never is permanently lost. Rather, it appears again in due course of time.

The Spiritual Abode of Sri Mayapur

"The spiritual abode of Sri Mayapur is situated on the eastern bank of the sacred Ganges River, known as the Bhagirathi in the Vedic literatures. There in Sri Mayapur lives my eternal master and worshipable Lord, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. According to worldly vision, Lord Sri Chaitanya, who is known as Visvambhara, apparently accepted the renounced order of sannyasa and left His abode in Sri Navadvipa dhama to travel throughout different lands. But in reality my golden Lord Sri Chaitanya never leaves the perimeter of Sri Navadvipa dhama nor the village of Sri Mayapur (just as Lord Sri Krishna never leaves the abode of Sri Vrindavana dhama). In fact, the dear devotees of the Lord see the transcendental pastimes of the Lord in Sri Navadvipa dhama being performed just as continuously. Oh, Jiva Goswami, now you too also look! See Sri Chaitanya in His form as Lord Gauranga dancing!"

"In the spiritual abode known as Sri Mayapur, the central island (of Sri Navadvipa dhama), known as Antardvipa, is beautifully situated. It is in this spiritual island of Antardvipa that Lord Brahma (the creator and first living entity in the universe) was able to see the transcendental form of Lord Sri Gauranga. Oh, listen, my dear Jiva Goswami, if you want to see all of the transcendental places of the Lord's eternal pastimes, then you should definitely perform the circumambulation (parikrama) of the holy abode, and by this means you shall become successful."

When Jiva Goswami heard the divine instructions of Lord Nityananda, his eyes were filled with tears of love. He fell on the ground like a stick, paying his obeisances unto the lotus feet of the Lord. Then he prayed, "Oh, my Lord, if You have Your causeless mercy upon this poor and insignificant soul, then I beg You to kindly take me along with You, personally taking me on the circumambulation of Sri Navadvipa dhama!"

Hearing the prayer of Jiva Goswami, Lord Nityananda Prabhu agreed by saying, "Tathastu" ("So be it"). Then Lord Nityananda Prabhu said, "Oh, Jiva Goswami, first let us see Sri Mayapur, as tomorrow we shall tour many places." Saying this, Lord Nityananda Prabhu arose and started to walk away. Then Jiva Goswami, overjoyed, jumped up and followed closely behind Lord Nityananda Prabhu.

Lord Nityananda Prabhu was moving very slowly and gracefully, and due to His being filled with pure love for Lord Sri Chaitanya, His transcendental body became overwhelmed with ecstatic symptoms. The all-enchanting form of Lord Nityananda Prabhu was swept with waves of transcendental ecstasy, and this caused the ornaments of gold and jewels covering His body to sparkle and glitter beautifully as they moved. The lotus feet of Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu (Who is non-different from Lord Baladeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead) are the objects of intense meditation by Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, who in spite of their intense meditation are not able to directly see these lotus feet. Now those lotus feet are giving their transcendental mercy to Sri Jiva Goswami by walking before him. Sri Jiva Goswami, remaining behind, reaches down and takes the sacred dust from the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu and then anoints his entire body with this lotus foot dust, proceeding forward in a great festive mood.

The House of Jagannath Misra

Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu entered the house of Sri Jagannatha Misra, the father of Lord Sri Chaitanya, followed by Sri Jiva Goswami. Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu introduced Sri Jiva Goswami to the lotus feet of Sri Sachi Devi, the mother of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and said the following affectionate words, "My dear mother, now see here, this is the exalted Sri Jiva Goswami. He is the highly fortunate confidential servitor of your son, Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu!"

As Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu was speaking, Sri Jiva Goswami became overwhelmed with transcendental emotion. Being stunned in ecstasy, he suddenly fainted and crashed to the ground like a tree uprooted in a big windstorm. Sri Jiva Goswami offered his prostrated obeisances at the lotus feet of Mother Saci, and being filled with ecstasy, he began to roll back and forth on the ground. His body became transformed by the eight symptoms of ecstatic love for Godhead (crying, quivering in the body, hair standing on end, laughing, etc.) very intensely and loudly. The divine mother, Sri Saci Devi, showed her causeless mercy upon the young Sri Jiva Goswami and blessed him.

That day Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu and Sri Jiva Goswami received their mid-day meal of pure Krishna prasadam (sanctified foodstuff ofered to Lord Krishna) there in the house of Mother Saci. Mother Vishnupriya Devi, the consort of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, began to cook various kinds of vegetables, chutneys, etc., and rice under the instruction of Mother Sachi Devi. After the cooking was completed, a great devotee by the name of Sri Vamsivadana Prabhu took the preparations on the offering plate and offered everything to the Deity of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with great devotion. Another devotee, Isan Thakura, prepared the sitting place for Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Who quickly sat down and ate the prasadam in great transcendental pleasure. Mother Saci, being filled with maternal affection, said to Lord Nityananda Prabhu, "Eat, my child Nityananda, here at the home of Your mother. Here I have been secretly feeding Gauracandra, and if You also accept prasad here, I will be very happy!"

Honoring the words of Mother Saci, Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu ate the prasadam with great pleasure, and after he was finished, Sri Jiva Goswami ate the remnants of His mahaprasad. Sri Jiva Goswami said, "Now I am most fortunate! Here in the house of Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, in the sacred abode of Sri Mayapur dhama, I have taken the mahaprasad rice prepared by Mother Saci."

After the mahaprasad dinner was complete, Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu offered His respects to the lotus feet of Mother Sachi Devi and, taking leave, departed. Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu took Sri Vamsivadana Prabhu (the personal attendant at Mother Saci's house) along with them. Sri Jiva Goswami offered his respectful obeisances at the lotus feet of Sri Vamsivadana Prabhu. Lord Nityananda Prabhu said to Sri Jiva Goswami, "This Sri Vamsivadana Prabhu is known by all of the devotees as the dearmost flute of Lord Sri Krishna. It is the mercy of Lord Krishna's flute which creates intense attraction for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna, in the heart of the individual souls, and everyone becomes thirsty for tasting the great mellow of transcendental ecstasy in devotional service. My dear Jiva Goswami, in this house our Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu took Me and all of the associates and performed uncountable transcendental pastimes. See here the temple of Sri Jagannatha Misra where He used to perform His daily worship of the Vishnu Deity with great reverence and devotion. Here in this house He would serve (atithi), giving them all hospitality. Here behold the Pralisi shrine (pralisi-mandap) where Pralisi is worshipped. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the maintainer of His devotees, observed all of the duties that were performed by His father as long as He remained in his household. Now, since Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has left, all the household affairs are under the responsibility of Sri Vamsivadana Thakura, who is assisted by Isan Prabhu in all the daily duties. And here at this place stood the great neem tree under which Lord Chaitanya was born. After the disappearance of the Lord, the tree also disappeared."

As Lord Nityananda Prabhu was describing the places of Lord Chaitanya's transcendental pastimes, He cried profusely in transcendental ecstasy, and as much as He was crying, Sri Jiva Goswami and Sri Vamsivadana Thakura also cried in love. As they were seeing all the transcendental places, Sri Srivas Prabhu also joined them, and then the four of them left the house of Sri Jagannatha Misra, the paternal home of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and proceeded to the north.

Sri Srivas-Angan

One hundred dhanus (one dhanu equals approximately six feet) to the north is the house and garden of Sri Srivas Thakura, known as Srivas-Angan. Lord Sri Nityananda Prabhu's attitude became very joyful as He showed Sri Jiva Goswami Srivas-Angan. Sri Jiva Goswami remembered the transcendental pastimes of the Lord (it is here that He danced every night will all of His devotees, congregationally chanting the holy names of Lord Krishna), and Jiva Goswami began rolling back and forth on the ground of Srivas- Angan where the Lord Himself had danced. When Sri Jiva Goswami rose, he was able to see an astonishing sight there before Him: Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with all of His intimate associates �was dancing in harinama sankirtan. The son of Sri Ballabh, Sri Jiva Goswami, saw the great sankirtan where, amidst all of the devotees, Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was performing the most beautiful dancing. There were Sri Advaita Prabhu, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, Gadadhara Prabhu, and Sri Haridas Thakura, all there dancing by his side. All the other devotees were singing loudly the holy names of the Lord. Suklambar Brahmacari was dancing along with hundreds and hundreds of devotees.

Seeing this transcendental vision, Sri Jiva Goswami became filled with ecstatic love for Godhead (Krishna prema), and being overwhelmed, he fell unconscious. When his consciousness returned, the vision of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates was no longer visible. Sri Jiva Goswami began to cry in separation of the Lord and His associates. As tears were pouring from his eyes, he called out, "Alas! Alas! Why was I not born even a little earlier?! It was not my good fortune to experience that transcendental ecstasy of chanting with Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu! By the causeless mercy of Prabhu Nityananda, which is boundless and unlimited, I was able to have this great fortune even for a moment. My desire is to remain here in Sri Mayapur dhama forever and in this way all of my material contaminations and attachments will become completely eradicated. Yet the desire of the servant is subordinate to the order of the master, and for this reason my heart is beating wildly with even the thought of leaving Sri Mayapur dhama!"

Lord Gouranga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, after hearing the prayer of Lord Brahma, said the word "tathastu," thereby granting Lord Brahma the fulfillment of his wish. Lord Gouranga said, "During the time when I shall manifest my eternal pastimes here in this universe, you shall take birth in a family of meat eaters or "yavanas." Due to your fallen birth, you shall always consider yourself very insignificant, and you shall be free of all false ego and false pride. You shall be known as Haridas, or the servant of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the uplifter of His devotees. The Holy Name of Krishna shall dance on the tip of your tongue 300,000 times every day. At the end of your life, I shall be present with you, and as you leave your body you shall, in full concentration, have your vision fixed upon Me. Thus on the strength of these practices of devotional service, at the end of the second half of your life, you shall achieve the sacred abode of Sri Navadvipa Dham to relish eternally the nectar of devotional service.

"My dear Brahma, listen as the topics I am about to explain to you are very confidential. And I shall not reveal these anywhere and everywhere within the revealed scriptures. I shall appear in this world in the mood of a devotee, and I shall taste the nectar of devotion to Myself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I shall propagate the rare transcendental process of sankirtan, the congregational chanting of the Holy Names. All of the various devotees who have assisted Me during My previous incarnations shall appear in this world to assist Me in My transcendental pastimes. I shall engage them in drinking the nectar of My Krishna pastimes of Braja Dham. Srimati Radharani's pure love shall be fixed within My heart. I shall make My appearance by having her ecstasy of devotional service and her bodily color. Whatever transcendental happiness Radharani experiences by engaging in my loving devotional service, that same transcendental ecstasy of devotional service shall be tasted by me, and when I adopt Radha's loving mood, from today you have become My disciple. In the form of Haridas, you shall serve Me constantly in devotional service."

After saying all this, Mahaprabhu disappeared from sight. Suddenly Lord Brahma fell upon the earth unconscious. Again awakening, Lord Brahma cried, "O my dear Gouranga, o friend of the fallen! O compassionate one to Your devotees! When shall I again achieve Your Lotus Feet?!" In this way, for many days Lord Brahma remained crying in separation of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Thereafter Lord Brahma, regaining control of his faculties, returned to his own planet, Brahmaloka, to organize his responsibilities as the Brahma, or creator, of this universe, to prepare for his appearance with Lord Chaitanya. The glories of Nadiya are being sung by this most unfortunate, insignificant fallen soul whose only desire in life is to achieve the eternal shelter at the lotus feet of Sri-Sri-Jahnava-Nityananda.

Thus ends the Fifth Chapter of The Glories of Sri Navadvipa Dham.