Sri Navadvipa Dhama Parikrama - By Harsha Lalita devi dasi

14. Sri Mäyäpur dhama: tvam hi mäyä hareh sakti-durghatana-patiyasi  cin-mayam antar-ädityam äcchädayasi sämpratam  tato mäyäpura-khyätir yoga-pithasya bhü-tale  praudhä mäyä tava khyätih sarvatra vartate priye  Lord Siva said to goddess Pärvati, “You are the mäyä potency of Lord Sri Hari who is expert in making impossible things possible. In the form of the external mäyä potency of the Lord you hide the sun-like Lord of Antardvipa from the vision of materialistic people. Therefore Yoga-pitha is known as Mäyäpur (the city of mäyä) on this earth planet. Mäyäpur is covered by mäyä so that non-devotees or materialistic people cannot see the brilliant Lord. Dear goddess, you are therefore famous as Praudhä Mäyä everywhere.” (Navadvipa Dhäma Mähätmya, Pramäna-khanda 4.27-28) Sri Mäyäpur is situated in the center of Antardvipa. The circumference of Sri Mäyäpur measures 3.5 miles and the diameter measures just over one mile. In his Navadvipa-bhäva-taranga Srila Bhaktivinoda...

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...

7. Prayers to the islands continued... 7. Jahnudvīpa (Represents Vandanam): Jahnu Muni did tapasya here and got Lord Caitanya’s darśana. Once Jahnu Muni swallowed the entire Ganges river, who then came out of his thigh (jahnu) to appear as his daughter Jahnāvi (daughter of Jahnu). The Gaura-ārati song refers to Gaṅgā devī with this name: jāhnavī-taṭa-vane jaga-mana-lobhā, Lord Caitanya’s beautiful form on the banks of the Jāhnavī (Ganges) attracts everyone in the universe. Jahnudvīpa is non-different from Bhadravana of Vraja.” (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya)  “Birth after birth I pray to become a blade of grass in the transcendental land of Jahnudvīpa, which is worshiped by Indra. This would be my greatest joy.” (Navadvipa Sataka)  8. Modadrumadvīpa (Represents Dasyam): In the branches of the trees sit cuckoos who incessantly sing the glories of Lord Gaurāṅga, Sītā and Rāma.  In a previous kalpa, Lord Rāmacandra, Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa stayed here. Ayodhyā is situated here. It is n...

6. Prayers to the islands continued... 4. Madhyadvīpa (Represents Smaranam): “May merciful Madhyadvīpa allow me to see Mahāprabhu’s majestic pastimes. May all the sacred places there like Brahmā-kuṇḍa, and the wish-fulfilling creepers grant my wish to see Mahāprabhu’s midday pastimes at Madhyadvīpa.” (Navadvipa Sataka) “When in Madhyavīpa will I see that astounding long-armed golden form of Gaura, wearing a garland of forest flowers and loudly calling out, ‘O brothers, everyone together, chant the holy name!’”  Lord Brahmā told the Sapta Ṛṣis to go to Navadvīpa and chant Gaura-nāma to quickly get prema. Absorbing themselves in Gaura-nāma, they gave up all eating and sleeping. At noon which is the middle (or Madhya) part of the day, Gaurāṅga and the Pañca-tattva appeared to the sages. So, the island where Gaurāṅga appeared in the middle of the day is called “Madhyadvīpa”. Today in Kumarāhaṭṭa there are 7 hillocks representing the 7 sages who once lived here.  “When will I, alon...

5. Prayers to the islands: The secret of pure devotional service rests in those who take shelter of Lord Caitanya’s holy place, where my Lord Hari, His transcendental from filled with the nectar of splendid divine love, assumes the role of Śrī Rādhā. Wandering in Navadvīpa Dhāma is the best of all opulences, the best of all religious principles, the best of all kinds of worship, the best of all perfections, the best of all glories, and the best of all oceans of sweetness. (Navadvipa Sataka)  The following quotes come from Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda’s Navadvīpa Dhāma Mahātmya or Navadvīpa Bhāva-taraṅga, unless otherwise noted.  1. Antardvīpa (Represents Atma nivedanam): Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s yogapīṭha lies in Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur, which is in the center of Antardvīpa which is the middle of the 9 islands. In Dvāpara-yuga after stealing Kṛṣṇa’s cows, Brahmā did penance here. Kṛṣṇa appeared here as Gaurāṅga and gave brahmāntara (secret) teachings about Rādhā and the saṅkīrtana movement...

4. Sri Jiva Hears About 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 the topmost dhama, Navadvipa, where Sri Caitanya advented! Whatever benefits are attained by residing in all other tirthas can be achieved by staying in Navadvipa for only one day.  Listen, O saintly people, as I sing this description of Navadvipa parikrama referring to scripture. The statements of sastra the words of the Vaishnavas, and the teachings of the Lord, these three are my life. Taking shelter of these three, I will describe the rules for circumambulating Navadvipa. Listen everyone!  When Sri Jiva Gosvami as a young man left his home in Candradvipa, in great eagerness he cried out “Nadia, Nadia!” As he travelled along the paths, he lamented with tears flowing from his eyes like streams, “O Gauranga! Nityananda!” You are the life of the living entities. When will Y...

3. Measurement and Form of Sri Nvadvipa 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 Navadvipa-dhama, the essence of all spiritual abodes!  Who could describe the truth of Navadvipa?  Navadvipa-dhama within Gauda-mandala is served by the Ganges and situated in eternal splendor. This Gauda-mandala is 168 miles in circumference, with the Ganges running through the center. Gauda-mandala takes the form of a hundred-petaled lotus with the most beautiful Navadvipa in the center. The circumference of the central stamen of the flower, or Antardvipa, is 10 miles, and the circumference of the eight-petaled flower, or Navadvipa, is 32 miles. Outside this are the 100 petals of Gauda-mandala, whose circumference measures 168 miles. According to the scriptures, the diameter of Gauda-mandala is 56 miles, and the radius is 28 miles. The center point, situated w...

2. Glorification of Sri Navadvipa Dhama – By 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, the Supreme Lord!  All glories to Sri Gadadhara and Srivasa Pandita!  All glories to Navadvipa-dhama, the essence of all dhamas!  All glories to the residents of Navadvipa, the associates of Gauranga!  Offering obeisances to the feet of all the devotees, I will now briefly describe Sri Navadvipa dhama. Even the demigods headed by Lord Brahma do not know the unlimited glories of Navadvipa mandala, so who can possibly describe that dhama fully? Since the thousand-mouthed Sesa cannot describe it completely, how can I, an insignificant living entity, do so? Even Lord Siva can find no end to the unlimited glories of Navadvipa-dhama. Nevertheless, the desire of Sri Caitanya is powerful, and according to His wish the devotees have given me an...

1. Sri Navadvipa Dhama: It is not proper to limit the size of the dhama as it is all-pervading and unlimited. In Navadvipa-dhāma, all the Vaikuntha planets are resting. Śrila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written that in just one portion of Navadvīpa dhāma all the sacred places, sages, munis, demigods, Vedic scriptures, and mantras reside. But for the benefit of our limited vision, the acāryas have mentioned different area sizes of the dhamas. Navadvīpa-dhāma is situated at the centre of Gaura-mandala-bhūmi, which is shaped like a 100- petalled lotus. Its circumference is 270 km (168 miles), its diameter is 90 km (56 miles), and its radius is 51 km (32 miles). The Ganga flows through the centre of Gaura-mandala-bhūmi. Śrī Gauranga performed His pastimes throughout Gaura-mandala-bhūmi. It is stated, gauda-mandala-bhūmi, yebä jäne cintamani, tara haya vraja-bhüme vasa One who understands the transcendental nature of Navadvīpa and its surrounding area, where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu enacted His...