Maṅgalācaraṇa (Auspicious Invocation) –

jaya jaya jaya śrī-śacī-suta
jaya jaya jaya śrī-avadhūta (1)

All glories, all glories to Śrī Śacī-nandana, the son of Mother Śacī! All glories, all glories to the avadhūta Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu! (1)

sītā-pati jaya bhakata-rāja
gadādhara jaya bhakata-samāja (2)

All glories to the king of devotees, Śrī Advaita Ācārya, the lord of Sītā! All glories to Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita and the society of devotees! (2)

jaya navadvīpa sundara-dhāma
jaya jaya jaya gaura ki nāma (3)

All glories to the most beautiful Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma! All glories, all glories to the holy name of Śrī Gaura! (3)

nitāi sahita bhakata-gaṇa
‘hari hari’ bali’ cale takhana (4)

Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita and the other devotees called out “Hari, Hari” and proceeded along with Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu. (4)

(Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu completely intoxicated by the wine-like rasa of Hari –)

bhāve ḍhala-ḍhala nitāi cale
preme ādha-ādha vacana bale (5)

As He was talking, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, being carried away by prema, swayed and stammered as if intoxicated. (5)

jhara-jhara jhare āṅkhira jala
‘gorā’ ‘gorā’ bali’ haya vikala (6)

Streams of tears flowed from His eyes and, overwhelmed with emotion, He called out, “Gaura, Gaura.” (6)

jhakamaka kare bhūṣaṇa māla
rūpe daśadik haila āla (7)

All of His ornaments glittered and His transcendental form illuminated the ten directions. (7)

(The dance of Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita and Śrī Jīva –)

śrīvāsa nāciche ‘jīvera’ sane
kabhu kāṅde, kabhu nāce saghane (8)

As Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita danced with Śrī Jīva, they sometimes wept and sometimes danced with carefree abandon. (8)

āra jata saba bhakata-gaṇa
nācite-nācite cale takhana (9)

All the other devotees also danced as they proceeded onward. (9)

alakānandāra nikaṭa āsi’
balena nitāi ānande bhāsi’ (10)

bilvapakṣa-grāma paścime dhari’
mandākinī āse nadiyā gheri’ (11)

When they reached the river Alakānandā, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu spoke blissfully: “O Jīva, the river Mandākinī surrounds Nadiyā, keeping the village Bilvapakṣa on her western side. (10–11)

suvarṇa-vihāra dekhile yathā
mandākinī chāḍe alakā tathā (12)

“At Suvarṇa-vihāra, which you saw previously, the rivers Mandākinī and Alakānandā part from each other. (12)

Śrī Harihara-kṣetra

alakānandāra pūrava pare
harihara-kṣetra gaṇḍaka dhāre (13)

“Harihara-kṣetra is situated on Alakānandā’s east bank and on the bank of the Gaṇḍakī. (13)

śrī-mūrti prakāśa haibe kale
sundara kānana śobhibe bhāle (14)

“At the right time, a deity will manifest here and a beautiful grove will adorn this place. (14)

(The pilgrimage place named Kāśī in Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma –)

alakā paścime dekhaha kāśī
śaiva-śākta seve mukati dāsī (15)

“Just see Kāśī, which is situated on Alakānandā’s western bank. Śaivites (worshippers of Śiva) and Śāktas (worshippers of Śakti) are trying to attain liberation here. (15)

vārāṇasī ha’te e dhāma para
hethāya dhūrjaṭī pināka-dhara (16)

“This Harihara-kṣetra is superior to Vārāṇasī (Kāśī). Here Dhūrjaṭī (Śiva with matted hair) reigns splendidly, holding a ḍamaru drum. (16)

(Lord Śiva, carrying the ḍamaru drum, dances as he chants the name of Gaura–)

‘gaura’ ‘gaura’ bali’ sadāi nāce
nija-jane gaura-bhakati yāce (17)

“Śīva is always dancing here, chanting ‘Gaura, Gaura!’ and praying for his followers to obtain gaura-bhakti. (17)

(The bhaktas reproach liberation –)

sahasra varaṣa kāśīte basi’
labhe se mukati jñānete nyāsī (18)

tāhā ta’ hethāya caraṇe ṭheli’
nācena bhakata gaurāṅga bali’ (19)

“The liberation obtained by sannyāsīs after living in Kāśī and practising jñāna (speculative, impersonal knowledge) for a thousand years is here kicked away by the devotees as they dance and chant the name of Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu. These devotees consider themselves fortunate just to drink the nectar of Śrī Gaura’s name. (18–19)

(Lord Śiva chants the name of Gaura in the ears of the jīvas –)

niryāṇa-samaye ekhāne jīva
kāṇe ‘gaura’ bali’ tārena śiva (20)

“If any living being leaves his body in this place, in his final moment, Lord Śiva chants the name of Śrī Gaura in his ear and thus liberates him. (20)

mahā-vārāṇasī e dhāma haya
jīvera maraṇe nāhika bhaya (21)

“This holy abode is also called Mahā-Vārāṇasī, because the living entities here need not fear dying [considering that they will definitely attain a transcendental destination upon hearing the pure name of Śrī Gaura emanate from Lord Śiva’s mouth]. In other words, they need not worry about their destination after death.” (21)

eta bali’ tathāya nitāi nāce
gaurahari-prema ‘jīvere’ yāce (22)

Saying this, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu began to dance and prayed that Śrī Jīva may also attain prema for Śrī Gaurahari. (22)

(Lord Śiva offers his respects at Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu’s lotus feet –)

alakṣye takhana kailāśa-pati
nitāi-caraṇe karila nati (23)

Unseen by anyone else, Lord Śiva, the master of Kailāsa, respectfully bowed at Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu’s divine feet. (23)

gaurī-saha śiva gaurāṅga nāma
gāiyā-gāiyā pūraya kāma (24)

Lord Śiva resides here with Gaurī Śrī Pārvatī, constantly chanting Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu’s names and thus fulfilling all of his desires. (24)

Gādigāchā-grāma (Śrī Godrumadvīpa)

svatantra īśvara nitāi tabe
bhakata-saṅgete calila jabe (25)

gādigāchā-grāme pauṅchila āsi’
tathāya āsiyā kahila hāsi’ (26)

godruma-nāmete e dvīpa haya
surabhi satata ekhāne raya (27)

The independent Lord, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, walked with the devotees and arrived at the village of Gādigāchā. Laughing, He said, “The name of this island is Godruma. Surabhi resides here eternally. (25–27)

(During the time of śrī kṛṣṇa-līlā, Indra, filled with pride, sent rains on Gokula–)

kṛṣṇa-māyāvaśe devendra jabe
bhāsāya gokula nija-gaurave (28)

govardhana-giri dhariyā hari
rakṣila gokula yatana kari’ (29)

“Being subjected to Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s māyā, the proud Indra showered Gokula with torrents of rain. At that time, Śrī Hari lifted Girirāja-Govardhana and carefully protected Gokula. (28–29)

(The crushing of Indra’s pride –)

indra-darpa-cūrṇa haile para
śacī-pati cine sāraṅgadhara (30)

“When Indra’s pride was completely crushed, he recognized Sāraṅgadhara Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (30)

(Indra takes shelter of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet –)

nija aparādha mārjana tare
paḍila kṛṣṇera caraṇa dhare (31)

“To rectify his offence, Indra fell to the ground and caught hold of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet. (31)

(Indra’s fear and prayers to Mother Surabhi –)

dayāra samudra nanda-tanaya
kṣamila indrere dila abhaya (32)

tathāpi indrera rahila bhaya
surabhi nikaṭe takhana kaya (33)

kṛṣṇa-līlā mui bujhite nāri
aparādha mama haila bhārī (34)

“Although Śrī Nanda-nandana, the ocean of mercy, forgave and pacified Indra, the fear in Indra’s heart did not diminish. Indra said to Surabhi, ‘Because of not understanding Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, I have committed a dreadful offence. (32–34)

śunechi kalite brajendra-suta
karibe nadīyā-līlā adbhuta (35)

“‘I have heard that in Kali-yuga Śrī Vrajendranandana will perform His astonishing pastimes in Navadvīpa. (35)

(Even upon attaining the post of Indra, there is reason to fear –)

pāche se-samaya mohita ha’be
aparādhī punaḥ haye rahiba (36)

“‘But I fear that at that time I will again be bewildered by the illusory energy (māyā) and commit offences. (36)

tumi ta’ surabhi sakala jāna
karaha ekhana tāhāra vidhāna (37)

“‘O Surabhi (Kāmadhenu), you know everything about how to be saved from committing offences. Please now explain this to me.’ (37)

(Mother Surabhi’s advice –)

surabhi balila, calaha jāi
navadvīpa-dhāme bhaji nimāi (38)

“Surabhi answered, ‘Let us both go to Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma and there worship Nimāi (Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu).’ ” (38)

The Place of Bhajana of Indra and Mother Surabhi

devendra-surabhi hethāya āsi’
gaurāṅga bhajana karila basi’ (39)

Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu continued: “Thereafter Indra and Surabhi worshipped Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu at this very place. (39)

gaurāṅga-bhajana sahaja ati
sahaja tāhāra phala-vitati (40)

“It is very easy to worship Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu. Although the result is also easy to attain, it is the topmost. (40)

(Indra and Mother Surabhi attain darśana of Śrī Gaurahari –)

gaurāṅga baliyā krandana kare
gaurāṅga-darśana haya satvare (41)

“Both of them constantly chanted Gaurāṅga’s name and wept. Quickly they attained darśana of Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu. (41)

kibā aparūpa rūpa-lāvaṇi
dekhila gaurāṅga-pratimākhāni (42)

They had darśana of Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu’s astonishingly graceful, divine form. (42)

(The supremely munificent Śrīman Mahāprabhu bestows a boon –)

ādha-ādha hāsi varada rūpa
preme gadagada rasera kūpa (43)

“Śrīman Mahāprabhu was smiling gently, having assumed the posture of one giving a boon. Mahāprabhu, who is the storehouse of rasa, was Himself overwhelmed with ecstatic love (prema). (43)

hāsiyā balena ṭhākura mora
jāninu vāsanā āmi ta’ tora (44)

“My Lord Śrī Gaurahari smiled and said to Indra and Surabhi, ‘I know of your desire. (44)

alpadina āche prakaṭa-kāla
nadīyā-nagare dekhibe bhāla (45)

se līlā-samaye sevibe more
māyājāla āra nā dhare tore (46)

“‘I will soon appear in Navadvīpa. At that time you will also take birth in Navadvīpa and serve Me in My pastimes there. Now the snares of illusion will not be able to touch you.’ (45–46)

(Mother Surabhi resides permanently in Godruma –)

eta bali’ prabhu adṛśya haya
surabhi sundarī tathāya raya (47)

aśvattha nikaṭe rahilā devī
nirantara gaura-caraṇa sevi (48)

“Saying this, Mahāprabhu vanished, and Śrī Surabhi-devī began living underneath a pīpal tree, continuously serving Śrī Gaurahari’s divine feet. (47–48)

(The reason for the name Godrumadvīpa –)

godrumadvīpa ta’ haila nāma
hethāya pūraya bhakata-kāma (49)

“Since then, this island is called Godruma(2). All the desires of the devotees are  fulfilled here. (49)

hethāya kuṭīra bāṅdhiyā bhaje
anāyāse gaura-caraṇe maje (50)

“If someone makes a hut here and performs bhajana, he will easily become engrossed in service to Śrī Gaurahari’s lotus feet. (50)

The Story of Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi’s Coincidental Arrival in Godrumadvīpa

ei dvīpe kabhu mṛkaṇḍa-suta
pralaye āchila kathā adbhuta (51)

“Once Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, the son of Mṛkaṇḍa, came to this island at the time of universal devastation. His story is truly wonderful. (51)

(Although Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi had received the benediction to have a lifetime as long as seven kalpas, or days of Lord Brahmā, he had to face a sorrowful situation at the time of devastation –)

sāta-kalpa āyu pāila muni
pralaye baḍai vipada gaṇi (52)

jalamaya haila samasta sthāna
kothā vā rahibe kare sandhāna (53)

“Although the sage had received a life span of seven kalpas, he had to face great danger at the time of devastation, because every place became inundated with water. The sage began searching for somewhere to stay. (52–53)

(Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi’s lamentation –)

bhāsiyā-bhāsiyā caliyā jāya
kena hena vara lainu hāya (54)

“As he was carried away by the water, he thought, ‘Alas, alas, why did I ask for such a boon?’ (54)

(Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma is not covered by water, even during the devastation –)

śola-kroṣa mātra nadīyā dhāma
jāgiyā bhakate deya viśrāma (55)

“Only Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma, extending sixteen kosas, remained to give shelter to the devotees [while all other places became inundated with water]. (55)

jalera taraṅge bhāsiyā muni
ajñāna haiyā paḍe amani (56)

“Tossed about in the waves, the sage became unconscious [upon reaching Śrī Navadvīpadhāma]. (56)

(Mother Surabhi’s mercy upon Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi –)

mahā-kṛpā kari surabhi tāya
yatane munire hethā uṭhāya (57)

“Surabhi saw the sage floating in the water. Out of mercy, she carefully lifted him out of the water. (57)

(Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi attains the darśana of Śrī Godrumadvīpa –)

samvit labhiyā mṛkaṇḍa-suta
dekhila godrumadvīpa adbhuta (58)

“Upon regaining consciousness, Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi beheld the amazing Godrumadvīpa. (58)

śata-koṭi krośa vistāra sthāna
nada-nadī śobhā prakāśamāna (59)

“He saw that it extended for two billion miles and that it was beautified by countless flowing rivers and waterfalls. (59)

taru-latā kata śobhaya tathā
pakṣi-gaṇa gāya śrī-gaura-gāthā (60)

“A variety of lush green trees and creepers adorned this place, and the birds sang the glories of Śrī Gaurahari. (60)

yojana-vistāra aśvattha hera
surabhike tathā darśana kara (61)

“He saw a pīpala tree that extended over one yojana (eight miles), under which Mother Surabhi was sitting. (61)

([A life span of seven kalpas is not at all significant.] Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, afflicted by hunger, prays to Mother Surabhi –)

kṣudhāya ākula muni takhana
surabhira prati bale vacana (62)

tumi bhagavati! rākhaha prāṇa
dugdha diyā more karaha trāṇa (63)

“The sage, afflicted by hunger, said to Mother Surabhi, ‘O Bhagavatī, please save my life. Please remove my distress by feeding me with your milk.’ (62–63)

(Mother Surabhi gives her milk –)

surabhi takhana sadaya ha’ye
piyāila dugdha munire la’ye (64)

“The compassionate Surabhi gave her milk to the sage to drink. (64)

(Mārkaṇḍeya Muni’s repentance –)

sabala haiyā mṛkaṇḍa-sūnu
surabhira prati kahaya punaḥ (65)

tumi bhagavati! jananī mora
tomāra māyāya jagat bhora (66)

“Having regained his strength, the son of Mṛkaṇḍa again spoke to Surabhi. ‘You are Bhagavati, you are my mother. Your illusory energy is spread throughout the entire universe. (65–66)

nā bujhiyā āmi la’yechi vara
sapta-kalpa jīva ha’ye amara (67)

“‘Without thinking properly I asked for a boon to remain alive for seven kalpas. (67)

pralaya-samaye baḍai dukkha
nānāvidha kleśa, nāhika sukha (68)

“‘But, O mother, the time of devastation is fraught with much distress and trouble, and therefore completely devoid of happiness. (68)

ki kari jananī! balago more
kise vā jāiba e dukha ta’re (69)

“‘O mother, what shall I do? Please be merciful and tell me how I can be freed from this unhappiness.’ (69)

(Mother Surabhi instructs Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi –)

surabhi takhana bali’la vāṇī
bhajaha gaura-pada du’khāni (70)

“After hearing his words Mother Surabhi answered, ‘Stay here and worship Śrī Gaurahari’s lotus feet. (70)

(The glories of Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma –)

ei navadvīpa prakṛti-pāra
kabhu nāśa nāhi haya ihāra (71)

“‘This Navadvīpa is beyond material nature and is therefore never destroyed. (71)

carmacakṣe ihā ṣoḍaśa krośa
parama vaikuṇṭha sadā nirdoṣa (72)

“‘Although the material eyes perceive it as extending for sixteen kosas, this supreme realm of Vaikuṇṭha is eternal and completely faultless. (72)

aprākṛta deśa-kāla ekhāne
jaḍa māyā kebā keha nā jāne (73)

“‘Here, space and time are always above material existence, and no one here knows anything about the material illusory energy. (73)

navadvīpe dekha apūrva ati
cāridike beḍe virajā satī (74)

“‘Please behold this wonderful Navadvīpa-dhāma. It is surrounded on all sides by the virtuous river Virajā [which separates the material from the spiritual world]. (74)

śata-koṭī krośa pratyeka khaṇḍa
madhye māyāpura nagara gaṇḍa (75)

“‘Each part of this dhāma measures two billion miles and its centre is the grand town of Māyāpura. (75)

aṣṭa-dala āṣṭa-dvīpera māna
antardvīpa tā’ra keśara sthāna (76)

“‘The eight islands of this dhāma are likened to the eight petals of a lotus flower. Antardvīpa is in the middle and is like the stamen. (76)

(The residence of all holy places, demigods and sages –)

sarva-tīrtha sarva devatā ṛṣi
gaurāṅga bhajiche hethāya basi (77)

“‘All holy places, demigods and sages reside here worshipping Śrī Gaurāṅga. (77)

(The request to take shelter of Śrī Gaurahari –)

tumi mārkaṇḍeya gaurāṅga-pada
āśraya karaha jāni’ sampada (78)

“‘O Mārkaṇḍeya, you, also, should take shelter of Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu’s lotus feet, knowing them to be the only true wealth. (78)

(The instruction to take shelter of the spotlessly pure bhaktidharma –)

akaitava dharma āśraya kara
bhukti-mukti-vāñchā sudūre dhara (79)

“‘Completely give up the desires for sense enjoyment (bhukti), liberation (mukti), etc. and take shelter of pure bhakti-dharma. (79)

(The result of worshipping Śrī Gaurahari –)

gaurāṅga-bhajana-āśraya-bale
madhura prema ta’ labhibe phale (80)

“‘By worshipping Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu you will quickly attain the fruit of madhura-prema. (80)

(The sādhaka’s condition upon attaining prema –)

sei prema jabe hṛdaye ba’se
bhāsāya vilāsa-kalāra rase (81)

braje rādhā-pada-āśraya haya
yugala-sevāya mānasa raya (82)

“‘When prema appears in someone’s heart, it drowns him in the nectar of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s various loving pastimes. He will attain the shelter of Śrī Rādhā’s lotus feet in Vraja, and his heart will always be immersed in service to the Divine Couple. (81–82)

(Incomparable happiness is attained only through service –)

sevāra sukha atula jāna
abheda nirvāṇe apārtha jñāna (83)

“‘You should clearly understand one thing: By serving the Lord one can attain incomparable happiness. In impersonal liberation, the happiness is only insignificant and imaginary.’ (83)

(Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi’s inquiry –)

surabhi-vacana śuniyā muni
karajoḍa kari’ bale amani (84)

śrī-gaura-caraṇa bhajiba jabe
āmāra adṛṣṭa kothāya ra’be (85)

“After hearing Surabhi’s words, Mārkaṇḍeya Muni folded his hands and asked, ‘If I serve Śrī Gaurahari’s divine feet, what will happen to the ripe (prārabdha) and unripe (aprārabdha) results of my fruitive activities?’ (84–85)

(Mother Surabhi’s answer –)

surabhi kahila siddhānta-sāra
śrī-gaura-bhajane nāhi vicāra (86)

“[After hearing his question,] Mother Surabhi explained the essence of all established philosophical truths (siddhānta). ‘There is no consideration of rules and regulations in the worship of Śrī Gaura. (86)

śrī-gaura baliyā ḍākibe jabe
samasta karama vināśa ha’be (87)

kichu nāhi ra’be vipāka āra
ghucibe tomāra bhava-saṁsāra (88)

“‘When you call out the name of Śrī Gaurahari, all of your karma is destroyed. You will not experience difficulties any more, and your disease of material existence – repeated birth and death – will be removed for good. (87–88)

karma kene ekā jñānera phala
ghucibe samūle ha’ye vikala (89)

“‘Not only is karma destroyed, the result of mental speculation (jñāna) is cut at the root. (89)

tumi ta’ majibe gaurāṅga-rase
bhajibe tāṅhāre e dvīpe ba’se (90)

“‘You will be immersed in the loving mellows of Gaurāṅga by staying on this island and worshipping Śrī Gaurahari.’ (90)

mārkaṇḍeya śuni’ ānande hāse
‘gaura’ bali’ kāṅde kakhana hāse (91)

“Mārkaṇḍeya Muni smiled blissfully upon hearing Mother Surabhi’s words and called out ‘Gaura, Gaura!’. Sometimes he cried and sometimes he laughed.” (91)

ei dekha ‘jīva’ apūrva sthāna
mārkaṇḍeya jathā pāila prāṇa (92)

Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu said, “O Jīva, just behold this unprecedented place where Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi regained his life.” (92)

gaurāṅga-mahimā nitāi-mukhe
śuni ‘jīva’ bhāse parama sukhe (93)

Śrī Jīva was inundated with supreme bliss when he heard the glories of Śrī Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu emanating from the mouth of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu. (93)

se sthāne se-dina yāpana kari’
madhyadvīpe cale baliyā ‘hari’ (94)

That day they took rest at that place and started towards Madhyadvīpa the next morning, chanting the name of Lord Hari. (94)

(The author’s prayer for obtaining service –)

nitāi-jāhnavā-caraṇa sāra
jāniyā bhaktivinoda chāra (95)

nitāi-ādeśa mastake dha’re
nadīya-mahimā varṇana kare (96)

Knowing that service to Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu’s and Śrī Jāhnavā-devī’s lotus feet is the essence of life, and holding the order of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu on his head, this insignificant and lowly Bhaktivinoda is describing the magnificence of Nadiyā. (95–96)

Thus Ends Chapter Eight