9. Sri Navadvīpa Meditations

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 sandalwood paste to the transcendental body of Gaurāṅga. He adorned the Lord with a garland of scented flowers. Then with his heart melting in dedication, he began to fan the Lord with a cāmara. 

Śrīnivāsa became overwhelmed with Gaura-prema as he drank the nectar from the moon-like face of Gauracandra. Tears of pure love of Godhead flowed from his lotus eyes, and his mind moved with waves of emotion as he fell to the ground in a swoon. Pleased by the sincere service of Śrīnivāsa, Gaurahari gave His garland to His dear devotee. The touch of these flowers sent Śrīnivāsa swimming in an ocean of joy. 

Upon regaining consciousness of the outer world, Śrīnivāsa was surprised to find that the garland which the Lord had given him in his meditation was hanging around his neck! The beauty and celestial fragrance of that garland was beyond description. Bumblebees swarmed from all directions just to smell it. To avoid recognition, Śrīnivāsa quickly tried to hide the garland, but someone noticed it. 

Although Śrīnivāsa was always absorbed in meditation on Lord Caitanya’s pastimes in Navadvīpa, he tried his utmost to keep it secret. In a similar way, he also meditated on Rādhā-Mādhava’s pastimes in Vṛndāvana, and thus floated in the pleasurable ocean of Vraja-rasa. (Bhakti Ratnakara) 

(2) Bathed by the beautiful, purifying Ganges, whose waters are filled with waves; its golden charming shores filled with beautiful blossoming trees and vines, and freshened by gentle breezes; swans, lotus flowers and bumblebees abound; where there are splendid holy places studded with jewels; and the dust is decorated with the impression of Lord Gaura’s lotus feet-- shines the most auspicious Śrī Navadvīpa dhāma-- which is a great flood of bliss, filled with many kinds of flowers, fruits, trees and vines, served by great souls, and vibrating with the sounds of many kinds of colourful birds, whose sweet songs please the ear and heart. 

Many brāhmaṇas and pious people have their homes in the city of Navadvīpa. There are beautiful courtyards, groves, gardens, and splendid pastime places. The devotees are always celebrating various transcendental festivals. In every home the deity of Lord Kṛṣṇa shines with great splendor. 

Lord Gaurāṅga Hari’s delightful place is encircled by a golden wall which eclipses the sun’s effulgence. The palace has a grand entrance gate, a large saṅkīrtana courtyard, a tempḷe of Lakṣmī-Nārāyaṇa, a kitchen, dining room, bedroom and a rooftop balcony. The bejewelled palace has a roof of diamonds, 4 doors with 8 jeweled panels and awnings of rubies. In the middle of the palace is a wonderful six-petal lotus decorated with mantras and yantras (mystic patterns). 

A brilliant siṁhāsana stands in the middle of the lotus. Its base and sides are rubies, legs of sapphires and back of lapis lazuli. Wonderful pearls and other first-class jewels cover the throne which holds soft, silk covered cushions. The throne rests on an octagonal golden base inscribed with an eight-letter mantra for meditating on Lord Hari. (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya) 

(3) I meditate on Śrī Navadvīpa, which eternally shines with great spiritual bliss on the very charming shore of the purifying Ganges in Bengal. 

I meditate on Śrī Navadvīpa, which some say is the spiritual sky of Vaikuṇṭha, some say is the realm of Goloka, and they who know the truth say is Śrī Vṛndāvana.

I meditate on Śrī Navadvīpa, where in every direction are cooling breezes, and many trees where Lord Gaura enjoyed His noon pastimes. 

I meditate on Śrī Navadvīpa, where the waves of the great Ganges playfully splash against the golden shores decorated with golden stairs. 

I meditate on Śrī Navadvīpa, where there are numberless beautiful golden palaces, all the eternal homes of the goddess of fortune. 

I meditate on Śrī Navadvīpa, where the people are glorified by the great sages, demigods, Siddhas, and are filled with knowledge, mercy, tolerance, the results of all Vedic yajñas, and the 6 great opulences. 

I meditate on Śrī Navadvīpa, within which is the blissful home of Jagannātha Miśra, opulent with Lord Gaura’s pastimes of His birth. 

I meditate on Śrī Navadvīpa, where golden Lord Hari, by wandering everywhere and chanting the holy name with great love in the company of His devotees, plunged into the brilliant ocean of ecstatic love of God. 

“May one who with a joyful heart reads these 8 verses full of meditation on Śrī Navadvīpa Dhāma attain pure love for Śrīman Śacīnandana’s lotus feet.” (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya)