5. Prayers to the islands

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. (Navadvipa Bhava Taranga) 

Within the 32 square miles of Navadvīpa, which is Vṛndāvana, there are 9 islands, which form an eight-petaled lotus floating on the water. In the middle of the 8 islands, which are the petals, lies Antardvīpa, and within Antardvīpa lies the very center point, Śrī Māyāpur. The eternal pastimes of Lord Caitanya took place within the area of Māyāpur. Because the Pañca-tattva are seated at the Yogapīṭha in Māyāpur, it is the most glorious of all places. (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya) 

Māyāpur is non-different from Gokula Mahāvana of Vraja. In the southern portion of Māyāpur, on the banks of the Ganges near its junction with the Sarasvatī, is the grove called Īśodyāna. May that forest be the place of my eternal devotions. O residents of Navadvīpa and Vṛndāvana, quickly establish me in Īśodyāna, the abode of the Lord. That is certainly within your power, for it is your place. I am simply a servant, and by assisting in your service to Their Lordships, I may attain residence in the dhāma. (Navadvipa Bhava Taranga) 

“When will I wander in the beautiful forests of Navadvīpa, and fall unconscious upon beholding the wonderful, youthful form of Lord Gaura dancing happily with His associates? My life and soul is Lord Gaura’s home in Śrī Māyāpur where He performs His blissful pastimes of youth. The ground is soft to the touch, and it is illuminated with the effulgence of many gems and filled with various playful animals. Splendid trees covered with creepers and fragrant flowers emit pleasing music from their resident birds.” (Navadvipa Sataka) 

2. Sīmantadvīpa (Represents Sravanam):

Once in Satya-yuga Lord Śiva was ecstatically shouting, “Gaurāṅga! Gaurāṅga! Gaurāṅga!” Upon Śiva’s advice, his wife Pārvatī came to Sīmantadvīpa and chanted Gaura-nāma. When Kṛṣṇa appeared before her as Gaurāṅga, Pārvatī took Gaurāṅga’s foot dust and placed it on her hair part, which is called sīmanta. Gaurāṅga blessed Pārvatī, saying that she and her husband would become Prauḍhā Māyā and Vṛddha Śiva to serve as guardians of Navadvīpa Dhāma. 

3. Godrumadvīpa (Represents Kirtanam):

In some other place one may find millions of cintāmaṇi jewels or receive the personal darśana of Lord Hari. But refusing to go anywhere else, I’d rather remain covered with the dust of Godruma. (Navadvipa Sataka) 

Nārada Muni said, ‘One who chants Gaura’s name will get the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, and he will be able to live in Vṛndāvana. One who worships Kṛṣṇa without chanting the name of Gaura will get Kṛṣṇa only after a long time. But he who takes Gaura’s name quickly gets Kṛṣṇa, for offenses do not remain within him.’

After Kṛṣṇa-līlā, Indra and the surabhi cow came here and worshiped Nimāi. By chanting Gaurāṅga’s name and crying they soon got darśana of Gaurāṅga. Indra left, but surabhi stayed here under a banyan tree (druma) worshiping Lord Gaurāṅga. Godrumadvīpa is named after the cow (go) who lived under a tree (druma). Go also means senses or desires, and druma means kalpa-druma or wish-fulfilling trees. Therefore, at this place the devotees’ desires are fulfilled. 

Here surabhi instructed Mārkeṇḍeya Ṛṣi, ‘By worshiping Gaurāṅga, you will become peaceful, completely pure, and obtain the sweet fruit of Kṛṣṇa-prema. When prema sits in your heart, you will drown in the nectar of Rādhā-Mādhava’s delightful pastimes. Attaining Vraja and the shelter of Rādhārāṇī, your mind will be absorbed in serving the Divine Couple.’ Godrumadvīpa is non-different from Nandīśvara, Nanda Mahārāja’s home in Vṛndāvana.” (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya) 

Nṛsiṁha Pallī is the place where Lord Nṛsiṁha washed His hands and rested after killing Hiraṇyakaśipu in Satya-yuga. “When will I see the beauty of this place? Here I will roll about the ground in ecstatic love, begging for pure love of Kṛṣṇa. In my heart reside duplicity, insincerity, the desire for fame, and the 6 enemies lust, anger, envy, fear, illusion and intoxication. Therefore, I will pray at the feet of Lord Nṛsiṁha to purify my heart and give me the desire to serve Kṛṣṇa.”

“Weeping I will beg Lord Nṛsiṁha that I may worship Rādhā-Mādhava in Navadvīpa, free from obstacles. Although this form of the Lord is terrible for the evil, He is exceedingly auspicious for the devotees headed by Prahlāda. When will Lord Nṛsiṁha become pleased to mercifully speak to me, a worthless fool, and remove my fears?” 

“Dear child, stay here happily in Gaura Dhāma. Worship Rādhā-Mādhava, and develop attraction for the holy name. By the mercy of My devotees, all obstacles are transcended.” After speaking like this, “when will that Lord joyfully place His feet upon my head? At that moment, by Lord Nṛsiṁha’s mercy, I will exhibit symptoms of ecstatic love for Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa and will roll on the ground by the door of Lord Nṛsiṁha’s temple.” (Navadvipa Bhava Taranga)