SRI CAITANYA BHAGAVATA

          Adi Lila Chapter 9


          All glories to Sri Krsna Caitanya, the unlimited ocean of mercy. All glories to Lord Nityananda, the dearest friend of the distressed.

          All glories to Lord Caitanya, the life's treasure and soul of Sri Advaita Acarya, and the priceless treasure house of Sri Gadadhara Pandita. All glories to Lord Visvambhara, the son of Sri Jagannatha Misra and Mother Saci. All glories to all the devotees who are such dear associates of the Lord.

          Lord Ananta Sesa appeared in the Radha district on an order given previously by Sri Caitanya. He remained in the material world according to Mahaprabhu's transcendental desire.

          Sri Nityananda Prabhu, the Lord of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, appeared in the village of Ekacakra. His father was a brahmana named Hadai Pandita and his mother was Srimati Padmavati devi.

          From His early childhood Sri Nityananda Prabhu had a serene disposition and was highly intelligent. He was a reservoir of excellences. His charming beauty overshadowed the attractiveness of millions upon millions of Cupids.

          From the time of Nityananda's birth, everything became auspicious in the district of Radha. Famine, poverty and all kinds of disturbances were totally dispelled.

          On the day of Lord Caitanya's appearance in Navadvipa, Sri Nityananda, who was still in Radha, roared with jubilation.

          The sound of that roar filled the universe and robbed everyone of their senses.

          Some people speculated, "It must be a thunderclap." Others thought it was the sound of some impending disaster. Still others said, "We know the reason for this sound. Lord Nityananda, the Lord of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas, is roaring in ecstasy."

          People offered different opinions on this subject, but no one actually knew Lord Nityananda in truth due to his illusory potency.

          Lord Nityananda concealed his identity and played gleefully with the other young children of His age.

          The various games Lord Nityananda played with His young friends were actually manifestations of different pastimes of Lord Krsna.

          The children got together and formed a divine council where some of them took the role of Mother Earth and submitted a petition.

          Those children were accompanied by many others when they went to the bank of the milk ocean and offered their choicest prayers to Lord Krsna.

          A certain young boy unseen by anyone called out in a loud voice, "I shall appear in Gokula, Mathura."

          On some evenings, Lord Nityananda gathered Hfois young friends and enacted the marriage of Sri Vasudeva with Devaki devi.

          Closing all the doors and windows to the room to create a dungeon, Lord Nityananda enacted the birth of Lord Krsna which took place deep in the night while the rest of the world slept.

          Then they carried baby Lord Krishna to their imaginary Gokula dhama and exchanged Him for the baby girl Mahamaya, the external potency of the Lord. Thus they tricked the wicked King Kamsa.

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