Purusottama dasa Thakura–Appearance Day–March 6, 2003

The twenty-third and twenty-fourth prominent devotees of Nityananda Prabhu were Sadasiva Kaviraja and his son Purusottama dasa, who was the tenth gopala. From birth, Purusottama dasa was merged in the service of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu, and he always engaged in childish play with Lord Krsna.

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura writes in his Anubhasya, “Sadasiva Kaviraja and Nagara Purusottama, who were father and son, are described in the Caitanya-bhagavata as maha-bhagyavan, greatly fortunate. They belonged to the vaidya caste of physicians. Text 156 of the Gaura-ganoddesa-depika says that Candravali, a most beloved gopi of Krsna’s, later took birth as Sadasiva Kaviraja. In texts 194 and 200 it is said that Kamsari Sena, the father of Sadasiva Kaviraja, was formerly the gopi named Ratnavali in Krsna’s pastimes. All the family members of Sadasiva Kaviraja were great devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Purusottama dasa Thakura sometimes lived at Sukhasagara, near the Cakadaha and Simurali railway stations.

All the Deities installed by Purusottama Thakura were formerly situated in Beledanga-grama, but when the temple was destroyed the Deities were brought to Sukhasagara. When that temple merged into the bed of the Ganges, the Deities were brought with Jahnava-mata’s Deity to Sahebadanga Bedigrama. Since that place also has been destroyed, all the Deities are now situated in the village named Chandude-grama, which is situated one mile up from Palapada, as referred to above.”

Without Nityananda’s grace, one cannot make advancement. Narottama dasa Thakura is aspiring for the day when Nityananda Prabhu will be pleased upon him. Jagai and Madhai were delivered by the mercy of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, so we have to pray to Nityananda Prabhu. He’s very merciful. He’s so kind, He gives spiritual strength. Then we can approach the Supreme Lord. Therefore we chant “Nitai-Gaura.” This is the process. We cannot change this policy. Pancha-tattva must be worshiped. Nityananda Prabhu is the spiritual master. Or the spiritual master is the representative of Nityananda Prabhu. So when Nityananda Prabhu is pleased, then we become detached from this material attraction. (CC Adi lila 11:38, 39; Lecture Mar.4, 1974)

“When will Lord Nityananda have mercy upon me so that I can realize the uselessness of material pleasure? When will my mind be cleansed of all material dirt so that I will be able to feel the presence of spiritual Vrndavana? When will I be attracted to the instructions of the Gosvamis so that I will be able to understand what is Radha and Krsna and what is Vrndavana?” (Srila Narottama dasa Thakura: Prarthana 1)

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare