Sri Navadvipa Dhama Parikrama - By Harsha Lalita devi dasi

13. Why is this island named Antardvipa?  This island represents the devotional process of “Atma-nivedanam, the full surrender to the Supreme Lord.” “Let Krsna tightly embrace this maidservant, who has fallen at His lotus feet. Let Him trample me or break my heart by never being visible to me. He is a debauchee after all and can do whatever He likes, but He is still none other than the worshipable Lord of my heart.” Non-different from Gokula: The petal island of Antardvipa in the lotus flower of Navadvipa dhama is non-different from Gokula of Vrndavana. And in the center of Antardvipa is Mayapur, which is non-different from Mahavana forest, the center of Gokula. It is the smallest island and is in the center, just as the stamen of a lotus flower is the smallest part of the flower and rests in the center. Antardvipa’s secret revelation: Antardvipa was previously known as Atopur. 5000 years ago, Brahmä came here to worship Lord Gauränga.  Once, 500 years ego, Isana Thäkura took ...

12. The Procedure for Parikrama of Sri Navadvipa Dhama – Srila Bhakti Vinoda Thakur  All glories to Lord Caitanya, the moon of Navadvipa and son of Mother Saci! All glories to Nityananda Raya, the Avadhuta!  All glories to Sri Advaita Prabhu!  All glories to Gadadhara and Srivasa Pandita!  All glories to Navadvipa-dhama, the essence of all dhamas, which advented along with Gauracandra.  Now hear, brothers, of the places that I will describe within the 16 krosas of Navadvipa-dhama.  There eternally exists 16 rivers within the 16 krosa area of Navadvipa. On the eastern bank of the main Ganges are 4 islands and on the western bank there are 5 islands. The different tributaries of the Ganges surround these islands and give the dhama its splendor. The main Ganges always flows in the middle, while other pious rivers flow in various tributaries. Near the Ganges flows the beautiful Yamuna, and the Sarasvati flows within another river. East of the Yamuna are the lon...

11. Different Types of Parikrama of Sri Navadvīpa Dhama: Nityananda Prabhu said to Jiva, “The order in which we have proceeded till now is the authorized order of parikrama with the best effect. When Śri Caitanya brought His associates to purify the Kazi with an evening kirtana contingent of 14 mrdangas, His starting point was Mayapur. Through the period of one night, which extended to one night of Brahma due to the sweet kirtana, Gauranga wandered through His land. After that, every Ekādaśī tithi My Lord went on sankirtana, wandering over the sacred islands. Sometimes He wandered around within the 5 krośas of Antardvipa, and sometimes, according to His desire, within the 8 krośas.” “From His house, He went first to Bārakoņā ghāța, then around Ballal- dighi, and then to Śrīdhara's house. From there, He would go to the edge of Antardvipa and thus easily complete a 5 krośa tour. From Simuliya, He would go to the Kazi's house. After talking to Śrīdhara, He would go to Gādigāchā (G...

10. Parikramā of Navadvīpa: How to do it? Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura describes that one of the symptoms of bhāva is to have affection for the places of the Lord’s pastimes.  When a devotee performs parikramā of Śrī Navadvīpa dhāma he will inquire in the following way. “O residents of the Dhāma! Where is the birthplace of the dear most master of our life? By which direction did the kīrtana party of Mahāprabhu previously pass? Please tell me at which place Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to perform His forenoon pastimes with the cowherd boys?”  The residents of Navadvīpa dhāma will reply, “This place where we are standing is Śrī Māyāpur. Directly in front of us on that high place surrounded by a tulasī grove is the very place of the most precious appearance of Śrīman Mahāprabhu. Just see the villages of Gaṅgānāgara, Simuliya, Gagigarha, Majidha, and others. The incomparable saṅkīrtana party of Śrīman Mahāprabhu used to pass through these same villages.” Hearing these sweet, prema-s...

9. Sri Navadvīpa Meditations: Śrīnivāsa Ᾱcārya, a disciple of Śrī Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, regularly associated with Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura and Śyāmānanda Prabhu. Although he was always travelling and preaching, he was very expert in meditation. (1) The delightful abode of Navadvīpa, where all the 6 seasons abound in lusciousness, is loved even by the demigods like Brahmā. Navadvīpa is always beautified by various kinds of aromatic flowers, blooming plants and creepers. Cuckoos and other birds forever fill the air with pleasing songs. Within Navadvīpa there is a wonderful place known as Śrī Māyāpur which removes all the sorrows of life.  One day Śrīnivāsa Ᾱcārya sat in a solitary place meditating on Lord Caitanya’s pastimes in Navadvīpa. Within his love softened mind Śrīnivāsa could visualize Lord Gaurasundara sitting upon a gorgeous throne surrounded by His dearest followers. Absorbed in that wonderful sight of the Lord and His companions, Śrīnivāsa began to lovingly apply sandalwoo...

8. Prayers to Sri Navadvīpa Dhama: “Oh, when will I wander here and there weeping in the shade of the trees and creepers along the banks of the celestial Ganges river in Navadvīpa? I will cry out “Oh Rādhe! Oh Kṛṣṇa!” and will completely forget about all the so-called pleasures of the material body.” “When will I be able to live so simply by begging some food from the homes of the untouchables? I will drink the water of the Sarasvatī river, and in ecstasy I will roll about of the banks of the river, raising a loud uproar of “Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa!” “When will I bow down to all the inhabitants of the holy land of Navadvīpa and humbly beg for a drop of their mercy? I will smear the dust of the Vaiṣhṇavas’ lotus feet all over my body and will wander around wearing the dress of a madman.” “When will I make no distinction between the holy land of Gaura-maṇḍala and Vraja-maṇḍala? At that time, I shall be transformed into a Vrajavāsī. Then I will see the true form of the transcendental realm opening b...