CANDRASEKHARA ACARYARATNA

Sri Candrasekhara Deva or Candrasekhara Acaryaratna was the uncle of
Mahaprabhu, the husband of the sister of His mother. According to
Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, he was one of the nine Nidhis. Along with other
residents of Sri Hatta he came to live at Navadwipa, near the house of
Jagannath Misra, in anticipation of the Lord's appearance, for which they had
all been praying.

Candrasekhara and his wife were present in the home of Jagannatha Misra and
Sacidevi since the time of the birth of their child Nimai, and took part in his
upbringing. Sometimes they would take Nimai with them to their house, and as
they had no children of their own, they considered Nimai to be their own son.

After the disappearence of Jagannath Misra, Candrasekhara accepted the
responsibility of looking after the family. Sacimata would always consult with
him before undertaking any important activity. Later on, Sri Gaurasundara used
to hold congregational chanting at Candrasekhara's house as well in Srivasa
Pandita's courtyard.

One day Sri Gaurasundara expressed his desire to put on a play at
Candrasekhara's house. Just before sunset all the devotees gathered at
Acaryaratna's house. No one had ever before anticipated such happiness at the
prospect of witnessing a dramatic performance. Advaita Acarya, Srivasa Pandita,
Haridasa Thakura and Candrasekhara Acaryaratna each appeared in various guises
and acted our their parts on the stage with Sri Gaura Hari.

Sacimata was present along with Visnupriya. Sri Gaurasundara entered the stage,
dressed as Laksmidevi. Everyone thought that the goddess Herself had descended
from Vaikunthanagar, and thus they were stunned. Sacimata inquired, "Is this
the goddess Laksmidevi herself?" Acaryaratna's wife replied, "Can't you
recognise your son Nimai?" Startled, Sacimata wondered, "That's my Nimai? No it
couldn't be."

For some days, Mahaprabhu enjoyed this pastime with His devotees, holding
dramatic performances, and this increased the ecstasy of the inhabitants of
Navadwipa.

Candrasekhara was also present during the Lord's pastime of holding a torchlit
nama sankirtan procession in defiance of the Kazi.

Amongst the thousand names of Visnu recorded in Mahabharata one is: sannyaskrt
samah nistha santi parayanah. Eventually the time came for the Lord to enact
this pastime. It was as though the ocean of nectar became severly agitated by
great waves. The devotees' hearts became greatly afflicted by anticipation of
the pain of separation. Candrasekhara fell to the ground unconsious. As he
regained his senses the earth became soaked with his tears. Nityananda consoled
him saying, "Candrasekhara, if you want to witness the further divine
transcendental pastimes of the Lord, then try to get the hold of yourself.
Prabhu will remain by your side, bound by your love for Him."

Candrasekhara came to the Lord's house in the evening. Unable to bear the pangs
of impending separation, he broke into tears while gazing at the serenely pure
face of the Lord. Mahaprabhu could understand everything and so He got up and
embraced Candrasekhara very firmly. Candrasekhara asked Him, "Are you going to
plunge Nadia into darkness by going away?" Mahaprabhu replied, "Acaryaratna,
just try to be patient. I am eternally bound by your love for me. How lovingly
you raised me as a child!. Do you think that I will ever be able to make up
this debt to you?"

As He spoke, tears welled up in His eyes. Candrasekhara caught hold of Sri
Gaurasundara and held Him tightly to his chest. For some time the two of them
silently shed tears. Finally Mahaprabhu said, "My pastimes are meant to deliver
all living beings. Even though I may accept sannyasa, I'll always remain bound
within the temple of your heart. Please don't be impatient. You have to perform
the requisite ceremonies for my acceptance of sannyasa."

Hearing these words of Mahaprabhu, Candrasekhar was a little consoled. As per
the instructions of Mahaprabhu, Candrasekhara came quietly to Keshava Bharati's
asrama. As his guardian, Candrasekhara, though his heart was splitting in two,
performed the requisite rites. After completing the ceremony, Mahaprabhu sent
Acaryaratna back to Navadwipa. When the devotees heard from Candrasekhara what
had transpired, they sent up a heart-rending cry. Acaryaratna tried to console
everyone and informed them of Lord's future pastimes. [C.B.Ant 1.33]

When after wandering in Radhadesa for three days, Nityananda managed to bring
Mahaprabhu to Santipur, Candrasekhara, Sacimata and the other devotees from
Navadwip came there to meet Him. Then, after passing a few months in great
distress, they came to Nilacala during the rainy season to again see the Lord
of their life. When they reached Atharo Nala, Mahaprabhu came to greet them and
presented flower garlands from Lord Jagannatha to Adwaita Acarya, Srivasa
Pandita and Candrasekhara. Then He embraced them all while everyone shed tears
of ecstasy.

After taking up their various residences there, they all began to extend
invitations to Mahaprabhu. The first was from Sita Thakurani, then Malinidevi
and then Acaryaratna's wife, whom Mahaprabhu considered as nondifferent from
his mother. She herself had cooked many preparations and those preparations
which Sacimata had sent, these also she fed Him. With great affection
Mahaprabhu told his aunt, "Masima, please offer my obeisances to my mother and
inform her that I come to visit her every day. She thinks that she is seeing a
dream but I actually come there to take my meal."

The main branch of Sri Caitanya Matha was established at Braja Pattan, the home
of Candrasekhar, by Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura.