SRI RASIKANANDA DEVA GOSVAMI

In the Christian year 1590 (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright
fortnight of the month of Kartik, during the night of the festival Dipamalika,
when the houses are decorated with rows of lamps, Sri Rasikananda Deva made
his appearance in this world. His father was Sri Acyuta Deva, the king of
Rohini. After passing many years without having a male issue, Sri Acyuta Deva,
by the mercy of Sri Jagadisa (Jagannath), was blessed with this jewel of a
son.

The village of Rohini or Royni was situated within the country known as
Mallabhumi, encompassed on one side by the Suvarnarekha River (Suvarna meaning
golden and rekha, a line). This Suvarnarekha River cleansed the sins of all
the local people. Near Royni was another village of the name Barayita, by the
side of which flowed the Dolanganadi River, whose banks were adorned with
beautiful gardens. Raja Acyuta Deva very affectionately maintained his
subjects and was famous for impeccably observing the rites attendant upon
kings.

In the village of Royni the son of King Acyuta appeared as the sun appears in
the eastern sky and became dearly beloved by the people. He was known as
Rasikananda and also Murari. As he grew up, shining qualities appeared by
degrees in his person that caused the further exaltation of his family, just
as the waxing moon gradually expands its influence in the night sky and causes
the sea to rise.

At a very young age he became quite proficient in all of the scriptures. He
was very devoted to his parents, especially his mother, whose name was
Bhavani. His father married him at very young age. Murari's wife Syamadasi was
a mine of good character who hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila, not far
from Royni on the banks of the Suvarna Rekha, where in days of old the
Pandavas had lived in exile.

One day, Murari was sitting in a lonely place, wondering when and where he
might become so fortunate as to get shelter at the lotus feet of a spiritual
preceptor. Just then a voice from the sky addressed him, "Don't be in anxiety,
you will become the disciple of Sri Syamananda."

Having heard this proclamation, Rasik Murari became very jubilant, and began
to repeatedly murmur the name Syamananda, as though chanting japa. From moment
to moment his eagerness increased without diminuition, as tears flowed from
his eyes by his chanting of the name of Syamananda. He was in such a state
that he spend most of the night sleeplessly, calling to his master Syamananda.
Finally, towards the early morning, he drifted off to the land of dreams,
where he saw his spiritual master, the very figure of charm and grace.
Smilingly, Syamananda informed him, "When tomorrow the eastern sky becomes
tinged with pink, you will obtain me." Saying this, Syamananda disappeared.
Rasikananda's heart began to swell in ecstatic bliss. Then, with the first
rays of morning which dispel the dense darkness of the world, the wise Murari
sat silently watching the path. After some time Syamananda approached from the
distance, looking as beautifully effulgent as the sun and surrounded by his
disciples like Sri Kisora dasa and others. His smiling face was like the lotus
flower that opens to greet its friend the sun, and his chest was as broad as a
door. His captivating appearance was made all the more irresistable by the
sweet sounds of 'Sri Krsna Caitanya-Nityananda' emanating from his lotus
mouth. Absorbed in intense love he moved along the path like the clouds move
in the sky.

When Rasika caught sight of this divine form, he fell down in front of him to
touch his lotus feet. In great ecstasy Symananda embraced him and began to
bathe him with his tears of ecstatic love. Sri Rasika Murari then felt himself
to be one of the most fortunate living beings within this universe.

On an auspicious day Syamananda initiated Rasika and his wife in Radha-Krsna
mantra. After that, Rasikananda began to travel with his guru, during which
time he became a very intimate disciple. Syamananda then bestowed upon him the
service of Sri Radha-Govinda Deva at Sri Gopiballabhapur. Rasikananda became
totally engaged in their Lordships service, and the devotees were charmed by
his excellent services. At Gopiballabhpur and other places he began to
seriously take up the preaching of the message of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. By his
influence many atheists and unbelievers were transformed into devotees of Sri
Gaura-Nityananda.

"By the tremendous influence of Rasikananda's preaching, many rogues, robbers
and atheists were delivered from their sinful activities and received his
mercy. He distributed the jewel of devotion even to the infidel Mohammedans,
as he travelled from village to village, in the company of his disciples. He
even converted the wild elephant which was sent for his destruction into his
disciple and engaged him in the service of Krsna and the Vaisnavas. That
wicked miscreant who sent the elephant, a Mohammedan, bowed at his feet when
he realised his mistake. It is not possible to count the number of living
entities that were extricated from the ocean of material existence by
Rasikananda Deva's association. He was always intoxicated with the chanting of
the Holy Name. Who cannot but be overwhelmed by hearing about his uncommon
qualities?" [B.R. 15.86]

By Sri Rasikananda's mercy many Mohammedans, who were actually just impious
and wicked atheists, became worshippers of the Supreme Lord. Also many
virtuous kings and zamindars such as the king of Mayurbhanj named Vaidyanatha
Bhanj, the king of Patashpur known as Gajapati and Candrabhanu, the king of
Moyna, took shelter at his lotus feet.

What to speak of those pious and noble gentlemen, even the sinful zamindar
Bhima, the Mohammedan Suba Ahmadbeg and the wicked atheist Srikar also
surrendered themselves at his lotus feet. A vicious, wild elephant was tamed
by Rasikananda's transcendental influence and henceforward was known as Gopala
das. Later, two jungle tigers likewise gave up their ferocious nature.

Accepting the order of his guru, Sri Syamananda, on his head, Rasikananda
preached the message of Sri Gaurasundara in the world for approximately 16
years. Thereafter he entered into his eternal pastimes through the lotus feet
of Gopinatha at Remuna. On the first day of the bright fortnight in the month
of Phalguna, Sakabda 1574 (Christian year 1652), Rasikananda quietly slipped
out of the village Santa without anyone's notice and walked to Remuna.
Arriving there, he discussed Krsna-katha with the devotees there for a while
and instructed everyone to serve Sri Krsna with devotion. Then, after
requesting them to begin sankirtana, he entered the temple of Sri Gopinatha,
and after touching Ksira-cora Gopinatha's lotus feet, which bestow complete
fearlessness, he entered into their ultimate shelter.

Sri Rasikananda had three sons: Sri Radhananda, Sri Krsna-Govinda and Sri
Radha-Krsna. The present servants of Sri Sri Radha-Govindadeva at
Gopiballabhapur are their descendents. He composed Sri Syamananda-staka,
Srimad-Bhagavatastaka as well as other hymns and songs.

His Sripat, Gopiballabhpur, can be reached from Calcutta by taking a train to
Khavagpur, and a bus to Gopiballabhpur from there. There is also a temple of
Rasikananda at Puri. One year, during Lord Jagannatha's Ratha-yatra festival,
Rasikananda Deva was preaching somewhere in the country, but when he realised
that it was time for Ratha-yatra he dropped everything and rushed like the
wind in order to come to Nilacala in time for the festival. But in the
meantime the festival had already begun. Lord Jagannath, Who felt reciprocal
separation from His dear devotee Rasikananda, caused the Ratha to stop. Though
the king summoned his elephants to push the Ratha, under no circumstances
could they budge it, not even an inch. Then Lord Jagannatha, seeing that the
king was becoming frustrated, informed him that he was waiting for His devotee
Rasika. Finally Rasikananda Deva arrived, carrying with him many offerings of
silk clothes and other presents. He fell down to offer his dandavats before
Lord Jagannatha, and the king requested him to pull the rope at which the cart
began to easily move along the road, just as the clouds move in the sky.

Later the king requested Rasikananda to accept a gift of land so he might
establish a temple there. Rasikananda requested the place known as Ful-tota
Math, which is now known as Kunja Math. There he installed the Deity of Sri
Bat Krsna. The Deity is now known as Sri Sri Radha-Rasika Raya.

Appearance: Christian year 1590 (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright
fortnight of the month of Kartika.

Disappearance: The first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Phalguna,
Sakabda 1574 (Christian year 1652).

