SRI VISNUPRIYA DEVI

Sri, Bhu and Lila are three of the energies of the supreme personality of
Godhead. Sri Visnupriya-devi is the manifestation of Krsna's "Bhu" sakti. She
is also known to be the same as "Satyabhama" in Krsna-lila. She has appeared
with Sri Gaurasundara to assist in the distribution of love of Godhead and His
Holy Names.

There lived in Navadwip one brahmana, Sanatan Misra by name, who was a great
devotee of Lord Visnu. He used to maintain many people, providing them with
food and cloth and he was renounced as a great scholar (raja-pandit).

In Dvapara-yuga he was the King Satrajit. As he was a great devotee of Lord
Visnu, from the fruits of his faithful worship of Him, he obtained a very
beautiful jewel of a daughter endowed with all good qualities, by the name Sri
Visnupriya. From her very childhood she used to take bath in the Ganga two or
three times a day and in imitation of her elders she would perform various
worship ceremonies, vows and service to the Deity and Tulasi devi. When she
would offer her obeisances, Sacimata would in turn bless her saying "Yogya pati
hauk." (May you get a qualified husband). Saci Mata used to think to herself
that this would make a very fine daughter-in-law.

In the meantime Nimai was married to Lakshmipriya, who after a short time
passed on to the next world. Ma Saci was very aggrieved at this and the days
passed on. Then she thought to get her son married again. All of her relatives
and close friends all felt this would be a good idea.

Sri Gaurasundara didn't oppose His mother and gave his consent. Saci Mata sent
one of the servants to call Kasinath Pandita, the match-maker. Receiving her
summons, the Pandita immediately came to see Ma Saci, who brought up the point
of Sri Gaurasundara's marriage. Kasinath Pandit thought this was a very good
idea, and urged that the marriage take place as soon as possible. When he
inquired if she had any suitable bride in mind, Sacima replied, "Sanatan
Misra's daughter - Visnupriya". Kasinatha exclaimed, "Thakurani! I was also
thinking to mention her name." Saci Ma replied: "But I am very poor. Do you
think he will want to present his daughter to us? You please discuss this
matter with him."

Kasinath replied, "Thakurani, if Sanatan Misra doesn't give his daughter to
such a beautiful boy and a qualified son as your Nimai, then who will he give
her to?" Having spoken these consoling words he set out for Sanatan Misra's
house. Sanatan Misra, seeing that his daughter had attained marriageable age,
was also looking for a suitable bridegroom. But in Nadiya there was no one more
qualified than Nimai Pandita. He was the most handsome, had the best qualities
and was still quite young. One would be considered very fortunate indeed to be
able to give their daughter to such a young man. Sanatan Misra was thinking
like this, but was feeling shy to mention his plan to anyone. Simply in his
mind he was praying to the Lord, "O my Lord, Oh Hari, if I had accumulated any
pious merits in my previous lifetimes then let the result of those be that my
daughter gets Nimai Pandit as her husband." Finally he brought up the topic of
their daughter's marriage with his wife. Just then who should appear at the
door, but Kasinatha Pandit.

Sanatana Misra got up to receive him and after having respectfully seated him
brought some sweetmeats and water. As he thought to himself, "Certainly he has
some news of a suitable bridegroom", he inquired, "Panditji, what is the news"?
Smiling broadly the Pandit replied, "You should give your daughter in marriage
to Visvambhara Pandit. After having considered the matter in every respect,
this is the best decision. With this in mind I have come to see you. That
excellent boy is the most qualified for your daughter, and your daughter, being
extremely chaste, is the most suitable for him. As Sri Krsna and Rukmini devi
are mutually compatible, so are Visnupriya and Nimai Pandit." [C. B. Adi
15.57]

Having received this proposal, Sanatan Misra and his wife felt such joy that
they forgot themselves, "The all-cognizant Supersoul has fulfilled my desires."
Sanatan Misra spoke to Kasinatha, "In this regard, what can I say? If there is
any good fortune in my family, then I have a hope to obtain such a
son-in-law." Some of the others present spoke up, "Unless one is highly
fortunate, is it possible to get such a boy? If your daughter is lucky enough
then certainly she will get such a husband." Thereafter Misra Mahadaya
discussed various matters in order to finalize the betrothal agreement. Having
arranged everything suitably, Kasinatha returned to Saci Mata's house and
informed her of the proceedings. Sacimata replied, "The Lord is looking out for
me, because I have no one else to."

Having heard that Nimai Pandit's wedding was to take place, everyone became
very jubilant. His disciples began to discuss among themselves, "We'll all
donate some things for Panditji's wedding." Buddhimanta Khan, who was quite
wealthy spoke up, "I will bear all the costs of the wedding." To this
Mahaprabhu's friends Mukunda and Sanjaya replied, "Our dear brother, won't you
even share some of the expenses with us. This wedding has to be so gorgeous,
that no prince has ever seen the likes of it".

News spread throughout the whole of Navadwip about the upcoming marriage of
Nimai Pandit, and gradually the preparations for the wedding began. First a
huge canopy was suspended above the actual place where the marriage ceremony
would take place. On the ground various floral and other auspicious designs
were painted with rice flour and then the pavilion was decorated with banana
trees, water pots, mango leaves, lamps, paddy, yogurt and other auspicious
articles. All the Vaisnavas, brahmanas and other noble and virtuous gentlemen
who lived in Navadwip at that time were invited to the invocation ceremony
preceeding the wedding. On the evening of that day the musicians began to play
on their instruments, while the courtyard of Saci's house began to fill up with
relatives and friends. First the worship of the Lord was performed followed by
arati and the offering of foodstuffs, all conducted with great pomp and gaiety.
Then the preliminary ceremonies to be performed by Sri Gaura before the wedding
were smoothly executed. Within the inner apartments of the house, the ladies
contributed their efforts to the ceremony by yodelling and blowing conchshells,
while the Vaisnavas filled the sky with the vibrations of the Lord's Holy
Names, "Hari! Hari!"

In all directions an ocean of happiness began to swell, in anticipation of the
Supreme Lord's marriage ceremony. Following this preliminary ceremony sweet
preparations of betel nuts and pan leaves were served, as many as anyone
wanted. Gaurasundara personally applied sandalwood paste and garlanded with
flower garlands all those Vaisnavas and brahmanas who attended the function,
and in turn they very cheerfully offered their blessings. No one had ever
before seen such a pleasant adhivas ceremony (the function preceeding the major
ceremony). Nadiya-nagara began to float in the midst of an ocean of bliss.

On the next day a very vast arrangement began to take place in preparation for
the actual wedding ceremony. In the afternoon Sri Gaurasundara put on an
excellent dhoti and upper garments and then after first making salutations at
the feet of His mother and other Vaisnavas present, He ascended the palanquin
and took his seat within. First they came to the banks of the Ganges where Sri
Gauranga got down out of the palanquin, to the accompaniment of the playing of
instruments and auspicious shouting of "Jaya! Jaya!", which filled up the sky
in all directions, the party began to again proceed along the banks of the
Ganga. Thousands and thousands of lamps were glittering in the evening like so
many little stars coming out. The musicians played their various instruments
while some engaged in singing and dancing.

During the Go-dhuli lagna (the time when the cows return home from the pasture
and the dust from their hoofs fills the air), the bridegroom and his party
entered the courtyard of Sri Sanatan Misra's house. Sanatan Misra and his wife
presented various articles of worship before the bridegroom, thus welcoming him
and at the same time offering their blessings.

Meanwhile the new bride had been decorated with various ornaments and she was
now brought out of the house and into the wedding pavilion. The Supreme Goddess
of Fortune, after seven times having circumambulated her eternal consort, Sri
Gaura Narayan, offered her entire being at His lotus feet. Sri Gaura Ray, after
having seated His eternal consort on his left side, then exchanged flower
garlands with her.

"First of all the Goddess of Fortune, the Mother of the Universe, kneeling
before the lotus feet of the Lord, placed a flower garland around His neck,
thus surrendering herself to Him. Then Sri Gauracandra, smiling slightly,
placed a flower garland around Sri Visnupriya-devi's neck. Thus having
exchanged flower garlands Sri Sri Laksmi-Narayana began Their divine sports."
[C. B. Adi 15.176]

Sri Sanatan Misra thus having presented his daughter to Sri Gaurasundara, with
a large dowry, became himself crowned with success. As Janaka Raja presented
Sita-devi to Ramacandra, as Bhismaka Raja presented Rukmini to Sri Krsna, so
Sanatan Misra presented Visnupriya devi to Sri Gaurasundara. After the wedding
ceremony, the bride and bridegroom entered their bridal suite and lay down on a
bed of flowers. That night the bliss of Vaikuntha made its appearance at the
house of Sri Sanatan Misra. Practically the entire night the musicians played
on their instruments while others sang and danced. In the early morning, Sri
Gaurasundara and his wife Laksmidevi, got up from their bed, and after having
washed Their hands and mouths they completed Their morning bhajan. Sri Sanatan
Misra, along with his family and relatives, having had arranged this grand
festival, enjoyed such pleasure as is not possible to describe. [C. B. Adi
15.199]

In the afternoon, Sri Gaurasundara along with his new bride, proceeded to His
own house, being accompanied by the party of musicians, singers and dancers. As
they passed through the town of Nadiya, along the banks of the Ganga, the local
inhabitants, gazed at the unprecedented beauty of Sri Sri Visnupriya-Gauranga,
and began to comment: "This highly fortunate girl must have served Laksmi and
Parvati for many lifetimes" (in order to get such a husband). Someone else
said: "They look like Hara-gauri (Lord Siva and Gauri)" and some one else
commented: "I think they must be Laksmi and Sri Hari." "No they must be
Kamadeva (Cupid) and Rati". While someone else offered: "I think they look like
Lord Indra and Saci." Another suggested: "They must be Ramacandra and Sita."
Like this the pious ladies of Nadiya made various remarks as the procession
passed their houses. [C. B. Adi 15.205].

Even after executing penances and austerities for many lifetimes, the yogis are
still unqualified to see the divine pastimes of the Lord, but the ordinary
inhabitants of Nadiya, down to the very lowest, were able to have darsana of
this divine pastime of the Lord  therefore He is called Dinanatha. The
brahmanas and family members were presented with valuable cloths and all of the
dancers, performers (panegyrists) and beggers who were present were also
presented gifts of cloths and money by Sri Gaurasundara. Thus they went on
their way feeling quite happy. Then the Lord Visvambhara lovingly embraced
Buddhimanta Khan who had born all of the expenses of the wedding.

Hereafter Sri Vrindavan das Thakur only occassionaly mentions Sri Visnupriya
devi in Caitanya Bhagavat. When Lord Caitanya returned from Gaya dham, Sri
Visnupriya, who had been suffering great separation, became again very happy.
But Mahaprabhu was a completely changed person. Sacimata thought that perhaps
he had become afflicted with some disease. She worshipped Mother Ganges and
Lord Visnu for the welfare of her child and brought Sri Visnupriya and sat her
down before her husband. However, Mahaprabhu, even though looking in her
direction, didn't even see her. He simply used to call out "Krsna! Krsna!", all
the while crying. Another time His mother brought His meal, and placing the
plate before Him, she also sat down in front of Him. Meanwhile Visnupriya was
watching everything from within the other room. Mahaprabhu was always absorbed
in various ecstatic moods. One day He came to hear of some oppressive behavior
of some atheist miscreants and exclaimed, "I will destroy them!" Sacimata
couldn't understand what was going on and told Visnupriya to go and sit next to
Him. Seeing Visnupriya Mahaprabhu started to beat her. But then he regained His
external consciousness and felt embarrassed. [C. B. Mad 2.87].

One day Sacimata and Sri Gaurasundara were sitting in the room talking, while
Visnupriya was quietly sitting outside listening. Sacimata told Gaurasundara,
"Today in the night, I saw a dream in which You and Nityananda were playing
with our Deities, Rama and Krsna. As the four of You sat down to take some food
and ultimately you ended up fighting with one another. In this way I saw so
many of your sports!" Gaurasundara replied: "Such a wonderful dream, Mother!
But don't tell anyone. Rama and Krsna are personally living in our house. So
many days I saw that someone is stealing and eating their prasad. I used to
doubt your daughter-in-law. But now I don't have this doubt anymore (i.e.
Balaram and Krsna are directly eating what is offered to them). Sacimata
exclaimed, "Baba, You shouldn't speak like that". Then Visnupriya who was
overhearing everything began to laugh.

Another day, the Lord Visvambhara was sitting with Laksmidevi (Visnupriya) in
His room. Laksmidevi was feeling such happiness in being able to serve her
husband by giving Him tambula (pan and betel nut) and in this bliss she wasn't
aware whether it was night or day. Whenever Laksmi would stay by Visvambhara's
side, then Saci would feel very content. [C. B. Mad 11.65]

The Lord Gaura-Narayan eternally engages in His divine lila with Laksmi
(Visnupriya) in Nadia. Visnupriya is supplying Him tambula and chewing that He
feels very happy. She, by her husband's happiness forgets whether it is day or
night. This is the subject of meditation for the eternal worshiper of Sri Sri
Gaura-Visnupriya.

When Mahaprabhu played the part of Rukmini devi in a drama enacted at the house
of Sri Candrasekhara Acarya, Visnupriya accompanied Sacimata when she went to
see that performance. [C. B. Mad 18.29].

Hereafter, in the descriptions of the Lord's acceptance of the sannyasa order,
Sri Vrndavan Das Thakur hasn't mentioned Visnupriya's name anywhere. Srila
Krsna das Kaviraja Goswami has only described briefly her marriage with Sri
Gaurasundara in the 8th chapter of the Adi lila of Caitanya Caritamrta.

Locana dasa Thakura, however, in his Caitanya Mangala, has given the following
narration about the instructions that Mahaprabhu gave to Sri Visnupriya on the
night of his departure for acceptance of sannyasa: "(You can write this down).
Everything that you see in this universe is completely false; the only reality
is Bhagavan and his devotees; everything else is for nothing (and this is fit
to be sung). Sons, husbands & friends; all of these family relationships are
false. In the end no one belongs to anyone else. Besides the lotus feet of Sri
Krsna, we have no other refuge. Krsna is the husband (master) of everyone, and
besides Him everything else is His energy - but no one understands this. Your
name is Visnupriya; if you worship Sri Visnu, then your name has been given
substance. Don't feel any sorrow needlessly; I am explaining to you the genuine
Truth. Just fix your mind at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna".

Visnupriya replied: "You are the Supreme controller, therefore please withdraw
your illusory energy. Then Visnupriya can be cheerful." Then Visnupriya felt
her sadness and affliction leave her and her heart full of ecstasy, she found
herself gazing at the four-armed form of the Lord. Nevertheless, she couldn't
give up thinking of the Lord as her Lord (husband) and falling at the lotus
feet of the Lord, she told Him, "I just have one thing to say - I have come
into this world, a completely vile and abominable wretch, but you are my life,
my Lord. My worth is that I am your servant. Now, for what reason am I
condemned to become a useless nothing again?"

Then Mahaprabhu replied: "Please hear me, Devi Visnupriya. I am telling you
this - Whenever and wherever you think of Me, I will immediately come to be
with you, please know this to be a firm fact." Hearing the order of her Lord,
Sri Krsna, Visnupriya thought to herself - "You are the Supreme, independent
Lord. Whatever makes you happy, you should do that. Who will try to obstruct
you? Therefore I have no further reply."

In the middle of the night, leaving the side of Visnupriya, Mahaprabhu came
before his Mother's door and offered His salutations to her. Then after
revealing some of His transcendental opulences and leaving her in a bewildered
state, by speaking some words to her, he crossed the Ganges by swimming and set
off in the direction of Katwa. Sri Vasu Ghosh Thakur has described the state of
Visnupriya and Sacimata when they woke up at the end of the night: "Visnupriya,
thinking that Sri Gaurasundara was lying by her side, put her hand out to touch
Him, but found simply emptiness beside her. Touching that empty space, a
thunderbolt fell on her head. "Alas! Providence has cheated me."

Crying very piteously & without binding her hair, she went to Sacimata's room.
Visnupriya's crying was rending the very earth itself and the birds, beasts,
creepers and trees, even the rocks were also crying. "Oh why is it that, being
such a sinful person, my life is not leaving this body?" Falling down and
rolling on the ground, her piteous wail caused her breath to come in gasps. Her
mouth dried up and her body was trembling. Feeling such intense separation from
Mahaprabhu, sleep renounced the eyes of Sri Visnupriya. If sometimes she might
sleep for a little while, then she would lie down on the ground. Though her
bodily radiance could defeat that of gold, now she appeared very pallid, like a
jewel covered with dirt. Her body was as thin as the moon on the fourteenth day
of the dark fortnight. She would count the chanting of Harinama with the aid of
grains of rice, and however much rice would accumulate, that she would cook and
offer to Mahaprabhu. Then a small amount of that she would accept as prasadam.
No one could understand how it was that she was maintaining her life." [B. R.
4.48]

In the diary of Murari Gupta is a description of the appearance of Mahaprabhu's
Deity and Sri Visnupriya devi's worship of that murti. Mahaprabhu's very own
expansion, in the form of His Deity, was present before Sri Visnupriya. He
intimated to her, "Sri Krsna is present in this form." Laksmi devi, as
Visnupriya engaged in the worship of this Deity. This Deity is at present being
worshiped in the form of Navadwipa as "Dhameshvara."

After Mahaprabhu went away from Nadia, Isana Thakura (a servant in the house of
Saci mata) used to look after Visnupriya and Sacimata. Sri Vansivadan Thakur
also used to stay with them. Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu received the darsana of
Visnupriya when he went to Navadwipa.

