SRI SYAMANANDA PRABHU

1)

He was born in a sadgopa caste. His name as a youth was "Duhkhi va Duhkhini"
and "Krsnadasa". BRK. 1.351-352,359,401 and 6.52 explains that Syamananda
came from the village of Dandesvara. His parents were Sri Krsna Mandal and
Durika. The family originally lived at Dharenda Bahadurpur. Syamananda was
born In 1456 Saka (1534 A.D.). At the time of his birth his elder brother and
sister died, thus his parents called him Duhkhi.

Syamananda was a disciple of Hrdaya Caitanya. A detailed biography of
Syamananda came be found in Syamanandaprakasa, Abhirama lilamrta, Premavilasa,
Bhaktiratnakara.

Syamananda's father was from Gauda and later moved to Dharenda Bahadurpura,
located in Dandesvara in Orissa. His parents arranged for him to acquire an
adequate education. In Vaisnava works Syamananda is hailed as "the incarnation
of Lord Advaita."

From his early childhood Syamananda manifested strong religious tendencies. At
the age of twenty he went on pilgrimage. Arriving at Amvikanagara he was
overwhelmed with ecstasy upon seeing the Deities of Gaura-Nitai installed
there by Gauridasa Pandita. Hrdaya Caitanya, a disciple of Gauridasa, was
deeply impressed with the boy's spiritual advancement and gave him diksa.
Syamananda first made an extensive tour of Bengal. Thereafter he visited all
the holy places of India, eventually arriving in Vrndavana where he studied
Bhakti sastra and engaged in devotional service under the direct guidance of
Jiva Gosvami

Once, while Syamananda prabhu was cleaning the Rasamandala in Vrndavana, he
found the anklet of Srimati Radhika and as soon as he touched it to his
forehead a mark of tilaka shaped like an ankle bell appeared there. Since that
time descendants of Syamananda prabhu's family wear a similar tilak mark on
their foreheads.

In 1504 Saka (1582 A.D.) Syamananda, Narottama and Srinivasa Acarya carried
all the Gosvami's writings from Vrndavana to Bengal to be printed and
distributed there (See "Srinivasa Acarya").

Toward the later years of his life Syamananda settled at Nrsimhapura in Orissa
and vigorously preached the message of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He converted a
large number of Muslims to Vaisnavism. Out of Syamananda's numerous disciples,
the foremost was Rasikamurari. Syamananda installed Deities of Radhagovinda at
Sripata Gopiballavpura (BRK. 15.63-65)

Syamananda died in 1552 Saka (1630 A.D.) in the house of Uddanda Raya Bhuiyan
at Nrsimhapura.

2)

Sri Symananda made his appearance at Utkala in the village of Dharenda
Bahadurpur. His father's name was Sri Krsna Mandal and his mother's name was
Sri Durika. Sri Krsna Mandal, who descended in the line of sad-gopas, had many
sons and daughters who unfortunately passed away before the birth of this son.
For this reason this son was named Dukhiya. Everyone said that this child
would be a very high-souled saintly person. "On the full moon day of the month
of Caitra he has taken his birth at a very auspicious moment, by the mercy of
Lord Jagannatha. It is as though Lord Jagannatha has personally brought him
here in order to propagate His teachings, and therefore He is personally
maintaining him. He looks just like a new cupid. One's eyes and mind are
soothed just to look upon him."

As time passed, the purificatory rites, his first taking of grains, tonsure
(the hair-cutting ceremony) and the rites for beginning his education were
performed, one after the other. The scholars were astounded to see his
profound intellect. Within a short period he completed his studies of grammar,
poetry and rhetoric. When he heard of the glories of Sri Gaura-Nityananda from
the Vaisnavas of his village, a very deep attachment to Their lotus feet
developed in him. Sri Krsna Mandal was himself a very advanced devotee. Seeing
that his son was always absorbed in thinking of Gaura-Nityananda he told him
that he should be initiated into the divine mantra. The boy replied, "Sri
Hrdaya Caitanya is my guru. He is at Ambika Kalna. His guru is Sri Gauri dasa
Pandita. The two brothers, Sri Gaura-Nityananda, are eternally present in his
house. If you give your permission, I will proceed to there to become his
disciple."

His father asked, "But Duhkhiya, how will you get there?" "Father, there are
many people from here who go there to bath in the Ganges. I will go with
them." His father deliberated for a great while on this matter and after going
so he finally gave his permision. Thus Duhkhiya set out for Gaudadesa.
Gradually he came to Navadwipa, then Santipur and finally Ambika Kalna, where
he inquired from the local people where he might find the house of Gauri dasa
Pandita. Outside the gate of the mandira, he fell down and offered his
dandavats.

Sri Hrdaya Caitanya happened to be passing by at this time. Hrdaya Caitanya
Prabhu looked at him for a few moments and then asked, "Who are you?" Dukhiya
replied, "I have come to serve Your lotus feet. My home is at Dharenda
Bahadurpur. I was born in the caste of sad-gopas. My father's name is Sri
Krsna Mandal. My name is Duhkhiya." Sri Hrdaya Caitanya was very pleased by
this sweet speech. He told the boy, "From now your name is Krsna das. Since
early this morning I was feeling that someone would come today."

Sri Krsna dasa began his service with great devotion, and on an auspicious day
his guru initiated him into the divine mantra. Sri Hrdaya Caitanya could see
that his new disciple was extremely intelligent and at the same time very
devoted, so he ordered him to go to Vrindavana to study the literatures of the
Gosvamis under the tutelage of Srila Jiva Gosvami. Sri Krsna das bowed his
head in assent, and on an auspicious day he set out for the holy dhama. At the
time of his departure, his guru gave him many instructions and conveyed
through his disciple his obeisances to the lotus feet of the Gosvamis of
Vrindavan.

Duhkhi Krsna das first came to Navadwipa. After inquiring from someone as to
the whereabouts of Sri Jagannatha Misra Bhavan, he came there and went inside.
Seeing Sri Isana Thakura, he fell down and offered his obeisances. Isana
Thakura then asked him who he was, and so the boy introduced himself. Isana
Thakura blessed him and he remained there that day. The next day he set out
for Mathura with a party of pilgrims. Upon coming to Gaya Dham he took darsana
of the lotus feet of Sri Visnu there. He remembered Mahaprabhu's lila of
accepting initiation from Sri Isvara Puri here and became ovewhelmed in
ecstatic love. From Gaya he came to Kasi Dham where he met with Tapan Misra,
Candrasekhara and the other devotees, and he offered his salutations to their
lotus feet. They in turn blessed him.

He finally entered Mathura Dhama. After taking bath at Visrama Ghata, he took
darsana of Sri Adikesava and rolled on the ground in ecstasy in the dust of
the birthplace of Sri Krsna. From here he proceeded towards Vrindavana where,
after learning the whereabouts of Srila Jiva Gosvami, he offered his
obeisances to the lotus feet of that great acarya. After being asked, he
introduced himself with full particulars. "Guru deva has committed me to your
charge. His petition to Your Divine Grace is, ' I am entrusting Duhkhi Krsna
das to your care. Please fullfill his mind's desire and send him back to me
after some time.'" Srila Jiva Gosvami was extremely happy to receive Duhkhi
Krsna dasa into his care. Krsna das very carefully began to serve Jiva Gosvami
as well as study the literatures of the Gosvamis. Srinivasa Acarya and
Narottama dasa Thakura also came to Sri Jiva at this time to study under him.
Thus Krsna das had the opportunity to meet them.

Krsna das requested Srila Jiva Gosvami for a special service. Sri Jiva
instructed him to sweep the forest grove of Sevakunja everyday. From that day
he began to carry out this service with great pleasure. He felt that his life
had become succesful. As he swept, tears flowed from his eyes. Sometimes he
would loudly chant the names of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda and sometimes he would
become inert while remembering Their pastimes. Sometimes he would put the
broom, which was full of dust, on his head. Even Lord Brahma and Lord Siva
pray to receive a little of this dust of Vrindavana on their heads. The Lord
of Vrindavana and His consort were very pleased with the service of Krsna das,
and desired to grant him Their darsan.

One day while Krsna das was cleaning the kunja, his heart filled with love.
Just then he happnened to notice a very beautiful ankle bracelet lying in the
dust. He picked it up, touched it to his head and then bound it in the corner
of his upper cloth. "I'll give it to whomever it belongs to when they come to
look for it," he thought. The next morning the sakhis were quite shocked when
they noticed that Srimati Radharani's left ankle bracelet was missing.
Radharani explained, "Last night, when I was dancing in the kunja, it must
have fallen off. Please look for it and bring it back to me, whoever finds
it."

When the gopis came to search for the bracelet, Visakha devi noticed Krsna das
sweeping the grove. She asked him, "Have you found an ankle bracelet here?"
Duhkhi Krsna dasa was so mesmerized by her sweet words and radiant form, which
was like that of a demigoddess descended from heaven, that he simply stared at
her dumbfounded. Again she asked him, "Have you found an ankle bracelet here?"
Duhkhi Krsna made obeisances and humbly replied, "Yes, I found it. Who are
you?" "I am a cowherd girl." "Where do you stay?" "In this village." "Is it
your ankle bracelet?" "No it isn't mine. It belongs to a new bride in our
house." "How did it get here?" "She came here yesterday to pick flowers and it
must have fallen off then." "All right, then please tell her she can come and
collect it from me." "No, you can just give it to me." "No, I want to give it
to her personally."

After a few moments, Visakha devi returned with Srimati Radha Thakurani who
stood in the shade at the foot of a large tree. Visakha called out to Krsna
dasa, "Bhakta, the person who lost her ankle bracelet has come to receive it."
Duhkhi Krsna das completely forgot himself while gazing, even though it was
from some distance, at the unparalelled, brilliant spendor of Sri
Vrsabhanunandini. In great joy he handed the ankle bracelet to Visakha. At
this point, Duhkhi Krsna dasa could sense that something very profound was
about to take place. His eyes filled with tears and he fell down on the ground
to offer his obeisances. In great ecstasy he rolled in the dust.

Visakha then told him, "O best of the devotees! Our Sakhi wants to give you a
benediction to express her gratitude." Duhkhi Krsna dasa saw the holy waters
of Radha kunda before him. After offering his obeisances, he immersed himself
in her waters. Thus he attained a transcendentally beautiful feminine form.
Coming out of the sacred kunda, he stood before Visakha devi and offered
prayers. Taking this 'forest sakhi' by the hand, Visakha approached Srimati
Radha Thakurani, and the new sakhi fell down at Her lotus feet. Then Srimati
Radharani decorated her forehead with tilaka using the ankle bracelet and the
kumkum of her lotus feet. "This tilak will remain on your forehead. From today
you will be known as Syamananda. Now you can go."

After She said this, Srimati Radha Thakurani and Her sakhis were no longer to
be seen. Dukhi Krsna dasa's trance broke and he found himself as before, alone
and in his male body: yet with the tilaka applied by Srimati Radharani still
on his forehead. Being overwhelmed with emotion, he repeated over and over,
"What have I seen? What have I seen?", while tears of ecstasy rolled down his
cheeks. After reciting prayers hundreds and hundreds of times to Sri Radhika,
he finally returned to Srila Jiva Gosvami.

Sri Jiva Prabhu was struck with wonder when he saw the brilliant new design of
tilaka on his young student's forehead. After offering his prostrated
obeisances, Dukhi Krsna dasa, his eyes brimming with tears, recounted at Jiva
Goswami's request his experience in Sevakunja. Hearing of his great fortune,
Sri Jiva was elated, but cautioned Dukhi, "Don't reveal this blessed event to
anyone. From today, just carry on with the name Syamananda."

Noticing that Dukhi Krsna dasa's name and style of tilaka had for reasons
unknown been changed, the Vaisnavas naturally began to discuss this strange
development amongst themselves. The news finally reached Ambika Kalna. When he
heard of the seemingly unauthorized behavior of his disciple, Hrdaya Caitanya
Prabhu was unsettled and angered. He immediately set out for Vrindavana.
Arriving there some months later, he let it be known he wished to see Dukhi
Krsna dasa. Syamananda came and offered his prostrated obeisances at his
gurudeva's lotus feet. Seeing his disciple's tilaka, Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu
was enraged and exclaimed , "Your conduct towards me is completely
abominable." He continued to chastise him and even began beating him. The
Vaisnavas finally managed to restrain and pacify him by offering various
explanations on Syamananda's behalf. Shyamananda simply tolerated it all with
an unfaded countenance and continued to serve his gurudeva faithfully.

That night, Sri Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu had a dream in which Sri Radha
Thakurani appeared in a very severe mood. She rebuked him by saying, "I am the
one who, being very satisfied by Duhkhi Krsna dasa's service, changed his
tilaka and his name. What do you or anyone else have to say about it?" Hrdaya
Caitanya Prabhu prayed for forgiveness at the lotus feet of Sri Vrajesvari and
considered what an offender he had become. The next morning he called for
Syamananda. Taking him in his lap, he embraced him again and again in great
affection. With his eyes brimming with tears he repeated, "You are so
fortunate." Sri Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu remained at Vrajadhama for a while and
then, after instructing Syamananda to remain with Sri Jiva Gosvami for some
more days, he returned to Gaudadesa.

Sri Syamananda, Srinivasa and Sri Narottama began to pass their days in great
bliss, studying the literatures of the Goswamis and begging a little to eat
from door to door. The three of them resolved to continue in this way and thus
devote the better part of their time to serving and worshiping Sri Krsna in
Vrindavana. The Goswamis held a council together and decided that these three
should be sent to Gaudadesa to preach the teachings of Mahaprabhu as presented
in the Gosvami literature.

One day Srila Jiva Gosvami called the three of them together and informed them
of this decision. Thus the three of them accepted that order on their bowed
heads. Thereafter, on an auspicious day Srila Jiva Gosvami sent them on their
way with a large, nicely decorated container filled with scriptures. But the
books were stolen by the dacoit king, Sir Hambhir, in Bisnupur. There
Srinivasa Acarya prabhu remained behind to recover the books while Narottama
continued on towards Kheturi and Shyamananda proceeded to Ambika Kalna.

Arriving there, Syamananda paid his obeisances to his guru, and Sri Hrdaya
Caitanya Prabhu embraced him and inquired about the well being of the Gosvamis
of Vrindavana. When he heard that the books of the Gosvamis had been stolen in
Bishnupur, he was very concerned. Syamananda served the lotus feet of his guru
in great happiness and in this way passed his days. At this time most of the
devotees of Lord Caitanya in Orissa had all passed away. Thus the preaching of
Mahaprabhu's teachings had all but come to a halt. Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu
considered this a very serious problem and finally instructed Syamananda
Prabhu to go there to carry on the preaching of Mahaprabhu's mission.
Syamananda was at first very sad that he would have to be separated again so
soon from his spiritual master, but Sri Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu explained
clearly that he had other alternative but to accept this order on his head.
Syamananda set out for Utkaladesh (Orissa).

After entering Orissa he first went to his birthplace at Dharenda Bahadurpur.
The villagers were overjoyed to see him after so many years. He remained there
for some days and preached Krsna consciousness, the result of which was that
many people became attracted and took shelter at his lotus feet. From there he
came to Dandeshwar, where his father, Sri Krsna Mandal, had previously
resided. The people there were similarly delighted to receive him and a
festival of Hari katha was held there for a few days. Here also many people
were attracted by his spiritual potency and became his disciples. Thus, by the
auspicious arrival of Syamananda Prabhu in Utkala the teachings of Mahaprabhu
revived.

On the banks of the Suvarnarekha River lived one pious and devoted landholder
by the name Sri Acyuta deva. His only son was called Rasik. From his very
childhood Rasik was very devoted to Lord Krsna. As he gradually attained the
appropriate, age his father engaged some panditas to see to his education.
However he didn't have much regard for material knowledge. He had already
ascertained that the greatest goal in life is devotion to Lord Hari. Rasik
became anxious to take shelter at the lotus feet of a bonafide spiritual
master. One day as he was sitting alone, contemplating on this subject, when
he heard a divine voice: "Rasik! Don't be in anxiety anymore. Very soon a very
great personality of the name Syamananda will arrive here. Just take shelter
of his lotus feet."

Hearing this, Rasika was encouraged and took to continuously waiting and
watching for the arrival of Prabhu Syamananda. After a few days Shyamananda
prabhu, accompanied by his disciples, came to the village of Rohini, situated
very beautifully on the banks of the Suvarnarekha River. Rasik's happiness
knew no bounds. After offering his prostrated obeisances, he very humbly led
Syamananda prabhu into his house and worshiped his lotus feet along with his
family members, wife and sons, who all surrendered completely to Shyamananda.

On an auspicious day Syamananda prabhu initiated Rasika into the Radha-Krsna
mantra and Sri Rasik Deva began a festival of nama sankirtan in his home. He
invited all of his friends as well as the tenants of his estates and everyone
was so attracted by the teachings of Sri Gaura Nityananda, as expounded by
Syamananda prabhu, that they immediately wanted to take shelter at his lotus
feet. Thus many people of Rohini became disciples of Syamananda prabhu.

There lived a very well known yogi in Rohini by the name Damodara. One day he
came to have darsana of Syamananda Prabhu. He became captivated. Even from a
distance he saw a brilliant effulgence emanating from his body. Coming closer
he offered salutations at the Acarya's lotus feet. Syamananda in turn offered
his greetings. With tears in his eyes, Shyamananda requested the yogi, "In
your purified state you should always chant the holy names of Sri
Gaura-Nityananda. They are extremely merciful, and they will bestow upon you
love of Krsna." Hearing these statements of the Acarya, the yogi Damodara's
mind became softened in love, and he replied, "I will worship the lotus feet
of Gaura Nityananda. Please be merciful to me." And so the Acarya blessed him.
Thus the yogi became a great devotee and continously sang the glories of
Gaura-Nityananda with tears in his eyes.

Many wealthy gentlemen lived in the village of Balarampur. When they heard of
the glories of Syamananda, they became very eager to see him, and a few came
to beseech him to visit their town. Syamananda very mercifully accepted their
invitation and, with Rasikananda, Damodar and some of his other disciples, he
very triumphantly entered Balarampur, where the noble and upright citizens
very ecstatically received him by worshiping his lotus feet and making
arrangements for his meal. A festival of Hari-katha was held over the next few
days during which many people accepted shelter at his lotus feet.

From here Sri Syamananda Prabhu went to Sri Nrsimhapur, where many atheists
lived. But when Syamananda stayed a few days, these atheists got the chance to
hear his nectarian talks, which melted their hard hearts in love for Krsna.
Thus, in this place also, he gained many disciples. Day by day the glories of
Syamanada spread throughout Utkaladesa.

From Nrsimhapur he came to Gopiballabhpur. Here again, many well-to-do people
were attracted to his lotus feet and so took shelter there. The people here
especially requested him to install the Sri Vigraha of Radha-Krsna. Thus from
their contributions, a temple for the deity complete with a hall for
sankirtana, a kitchen, quarters for the devotees, a pond (bathing tank) and
surrounding gardens were constructed. Thereafter Acarya Sri Syamananda
performed the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda and a great festival was
held at which it seemed the greater part of the population of Bengal, Orissa
was present. Seeing the graceful, sweet loveliness of the transcendental forms
of Sri Radha and Govinda, the peoples' hearts were fully satisfied. Syamananda
Prabhu entrusted Sri Rasikananda with the worship.

After traveling throughout the length and breath of Orissa and preaching the
message of Sri Gaura-Nityananda, Syamananda returned to the lotus feet of Sri
Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu at Ambika Kalna. After offering his prostrated
obeisances at the lotus feet of his guru, Syamananda narrated how the victory
banner of Sri Gaura Nitai was now flying throughout Utkaladesa. Sri Hrdaya
Caitanya very affectionately embraced him in gratitude.

Syamananda was invited to the festival at Kheturi, which he attended with his
disciples. Once again he was united with his old friends Srinivasa and Sri
Narottama. These three floated in an ocean of happiness as they exchanged
affections and embraces. Sri Jahnava Mata, Sri Raghunanandana Thakura, Sri
Acyutananda, Sri Vrindavana dasa Thakura, as well as many other stalwart
leaders of the preaching mission of Mahaprabhu of this time, were also
present.

After the conclusion of the celebrations, Syamananda took leave from the
Vaisnavas there and set out for Utkala desa. When he came to Kantaknagar, he
again met with Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu, and in Yajigram he saw Sri
Raghunandana Thakura once more. He was informed that by this time many of the
last remaining personal associates of Mahaprabhu had recently disappeared from
this world.

Gradually, Syamananda Prabhu entered Utkaladesa. Along the way he stayed at
the homes of different devotees and blessed them with his mercy. In this way
he again came to Gopiballabhpur.

Here he received the news that his guru, Sri Hrdaya Caitanya prabhu, had also
departed from this world, and he fainted dead away. After recovering his
consciousness, he wept for some time, terribly distraught. Sri Hrdaya
Caitanya appeared to him in a dream and comforted him.

The greatness of Syamananda became known throughout all of Orissa and the
worship of Sri Gaura-Nityananda was inaugurated in many, many places. Sri
Rasika Murari, Sri Radhananda, Sri Purusottama, Sri Manohara, Cintamani,
Balabhadra, Sri Jagadisvara, Sri Uddhava, Akrura Madhurana, Sri Govinda, Sri
Jagannatha, Gadadhar, Anandanandana and Sri Radha Mohan were among the
intimate and dear disciples of Sri Syamananda prabhu.

After conquering in all directions Syamananda returned to Gopiballabhpur where
he observed a great festival for some days. Then he came to Uddanda Raya
Bhui's house, at Nrsimhapur where he held a great festival.

On the first day of the dark fortnight in the month of Asar Sri Syamananda
Prabhu left this world. Syamananda Prabhu's puspa samadhi and the place where
he found Srimati Radharani's ankle bracelet is just across the street from Sri
Sri Radha-Syamsundara's temple in Vrndavana. Sri Sri Radha-Syamsundara are his
worshipable Deities. Today, he is still worshiped regularly at his samadhi.

