
ABHIRAMA GOSWAMI

By Vidhubhusana Bhattacharya


CHAPTER ONE

Appearance of Sri Caitanyadeva and His associates


The Hindu kingdom in India had come to an end.  The glorious flag of the
Muslims had been flying very proudly in the sky of India.  The huge tree-like
Hindu religion with its many branches and twigs had become uprooted by the
blow of the bigotry of the Muslims of their inclination towards one particular
religion.  The Mohamedan preachers had been trying to seduce the low caste
people of the Hindu society to convert themselves into Muslims.  The low caste
Hindus being hated by the brahmins began to run after muslim religion.  The
Muslim kings began to destroy the Hindu temples to erect their Masjids there.
At this precarious condition of India, the brahmins who were once very
powerful and influential in India, had gradually become helpless to protect
the Hindu religion with all its sanctity.  They began to regard the new
Muslims as sinners and their shadows as most harmful.

The spiritually superior Hindu society had been heading towards destruction
due to the lack of proper religious teachings.  Above all the laws and rituals
of Hindu religion were very stiff and hard to grasp.

The socialist brahmins paid no heed to this tremendous draw back and never
tried to reform all these things.  They used to absorb in their studies. As
they tried to release God through these dry scriptures, gradully they became
less devotional and loving of God.  The once religious-minded Hindus now
became professional in their outlook. So selfish interests began to preoccupy
their minds and cheap enjoyment of life became predominant.

Observing the wretched condition India which had once been the abode of God
Himself, Advaitacarya and some of the great men became very much aggrieved and
they began to pray to God, "Oh God, why this eternally blissful India which
had once been the abode of Your divine sports and had once given birth to
great men like Dhruva, Prahlada etc. has now become so devoid of love and
devotion and has become full of selfish people?"

"Oh Narayana, why this India which had always been rewarded by your grace and
had been the place of great sages like Suka, Narada and others, has now become
the fighting ground of the heretic Muslims whose sins have made India like
this?"

"Even if any place in India used to face any impure attack on religion, you
used to appear there yourself taking any feature to protect the wise and
virtuous, to destroy the sinners and to deliver them from damn. But why do not
you do this this time, oh my deliverer of sinners!"  "Hey Prabhu, when India
had been suffering from the tyrannical rule of Kamsa and Jarasandha, you
appeared as Hari, the destroyer of demons, to protect the helpless and to ruin
the tyrants."

"Oh Prabhu, why aren't you hearing us?  Where is You, our Lord of life, why
aren't you coming to rescue us? Please do come, oh my Lord, in Your loving
feature and wipe the whole country by the wave of Your grace and favour.  This
place has become a desert. Please come as an oasis in it."

These earnest prayers of the devotees most probably moved the heart of God. He
Himself began to cry to observe the helpless condition of His favorite land."
So he decided to appear in India.

At the end of the Dvapara-yuga, God had appeared in Vrndavana, washed by the
water of Yamuna and had performed many sports not only with the gopa boys and
girls but also with the grown up gopinis, the most significant of whom was Sri
Radhika, daughter of Vrsabhanu and she had no other love than Krsna. That God
i.e. Krsna Himself reappeared in a brahmin family of Navadvipa village
situated near the bank of Jahnavi (Ganga).


CHAPTER TWO

Sri Caitanyadeva sent Nityananda to Vrndavana to Bring Sridama to Navadvipa


Having appeared in Navadvipa, Narayana became known as Nimai. Nimai was a love
to everybody in Navadvipa because of his divine beauty, extreme knowledge and
wonderful gestures and postures.  Even the great scholars of Navadvipa could
not be offended though invariably they used to be defeated by Nimai in
debates.

When Nimai was a bright youngman, he left his house as an ascetic.  From that
time he became known as Sri Caitanya.  He used to be ecstatic in the love for
Sri Krsna like Sri Radha to whom Krsna was the life.  He became very eager to
distribute this divine love to one and all.  To assist him in this job God
Nityananda, great devotee Advaitacarya etc. used to meet him. Prabhu
Nityananda being the right hand of Caitanya, began to help Caitanya to great
extent.  Even the laymen became so impressed by the qualities of Nityananda
that when Nityananda used to request them to do or sing Harinama, however
heretics they might be, they used to do that unhesitantly.

Even getting the company of Nityananda, Caitanya could not be satisfied
because he began to think that if he could not get the company of Sridama who
had been the main help to Krsna in His Vrndavana-lila, his project of
distributing the love for Krsna would be half-hearted.  After thinking a lot,
he told Nityananda, "Oh my brother, though there is no flaw in your sincere
service in distributing Krsna love, yet it is my request to you that you
should go to Vrndavana and fetch Sridama who has been lying in the cave of
Govardhana hill in a trance. It is my assumption that without him, we aren't
be able to accomplish this great job." Prabhu Nityananda became glad to hear
this and without hesitation started for Vrndavana to fetch Sridama.

Now in modern times, it may be seemed so, was he really Sridama of Dvapara-
yuga who came to Navadvipa four or five thousand years later at the time of
Sri Caitanya?  Could he live for such a long time? Was Sridama of Dvapara-yuga
be Abhirama of Kali-yuga?  To remove them doubt, I request them to think
seriously that there will be no impossibility in the dictionary of a superman
who has transcendental power like God Himself.  In period after period all
incarnated persons had appeared in this world having some transcendental
powers by which they used to enlighten this world.  Thinking about their great
contributions to mankind, our heads used to bow down spontanesouly.  So all
these assumptions about Abhirama may not be exaggerations at all.


CHAPTER THREE

The meeting of Nityananda and Sridama in Vrndavana


Nityananda reached Vrndavana.  While taking rest on the bank of Yamuna, he
could commemorate the Vraja-lila of Dvapara.  He could see how he as Balarama
used to play with Krsna and Sridama and other gopa boys in Vrndavana.  So he
became so restless that without any delay he started for Govardhana hill to
fetch Sridama.

Coming near to the hill, Nityananda became absorbed into trance.  He began to
feel as if he had been living in Vrndavana as Balarama of Dvapara-yuga, as if
Krsna to protect Vrajabhumi from the fury of King Indra had been lifting
Govardhana most easily.  The continuous rain had become a failure to do any
harm to Vrajabhumi.

Nityananda in a trance started to walk round Govardhana and to shout in name
of Sridama.  His sincere call ruined the eternal sleep of Sridama who had been
lying in the cave of the hill.  He came out of the cave and found that a
divinely beautiful person had been standing there.  As soon as Sridama looked
at Nityananda, his heart seemed to leap in joy as if he had seen someone very
dear to him.  His heart became full of divine pleasure and most lovingly he
asked Nityananda, "Who are you?  Your sight has been giving me a wonderful
divinely pleasure which one can get only from a dear one.  Speak out quickly
who are you?  I cannot keep my patience any longer."

Nityananda answered, "Oh my dear friend Sridama, do you not recognize me? I am
your most favorite Valai."  These words at once made Sridama dumbfounded and
he used to stare at Nityananda for a while.  Then he asked, "If you are Valai,
see how I am starting to run and catch me." Saying so Sridama began to run
very fast.  Nityananda began to run after him.  While Sridama completed four
rounds of Govardhana by running, he found that Valai had been standing behind
him.  Then Sridama embraced Nityananda very lovingly and said, "Ah, you are my
Valai because no one except you can catch me in this way.  I failed to
recognise you because you are lacking that georgeous dress and that
mesmerising beauty, oh my brother, you are very tired.  Now take some rest."
After some discussions, Sridama asked Nityananda why he had come to Vrndavana.

Nityananda said, "The human being of Kali-yuga has become very heretical and
has given up sadhana and bhajana fully.  The lay people are giving up their
own eternal Hindu religion and are becoming interested in the religion of the
heretics.  To remove this type of obstacle from the path of Hindu religion
Krsna has appeared in the brahmin family of Navadvipa in the name of Nimai.
The aim of Sri Krsna is to bring the flood of love in the country and to do
this He himself will practise it in this life. He will guide the people how to
obtain the grace of God.  We, the friends of His Vraja-lila, have all appeared
with him.  Only you are absent.  So Nimai has become very much eager to get
you with him and for this reason he has sent me here to fetch you.  So don't
make any delay and go with me."

After listening to Nityananda, Sridama told him, "My dear brother, I do not
want to go to Navadvipa in this utterly dark Kali-yuga.  I shall stay here and
spend my days in the practice of yoga.  I don't want to suffer the pain of
remaining in anyone's womb again.  If I want to be with you I have to do this.
So go back to Navadvipa and tell Krsna that I am helpless to keep the
request."

Nityananda told Sridama, "Oh my brother Sridama, go with me in this body.  If
Sri Caitanya, the incarnation of Sri Krsna, permits you to be in this body,
then with this body and energy, you can assist him in his task."

So Sridama without leaving his Dvapara feature started for Navadvipa with
Nityananda for meeting Sri Caitanya.  Being very inquisitive about the
different changes in the Kali-yuga, Sridama began to ask many questions to
Nityananda on their way to Navadvipa lying on the bankside road of the river
Ganga.


CHAPTER FOUR

Sridama came to Navadvipa and met Sri Caitanya


Sri Caitanya heartily welcomed Sridama in Navadvipa and asked, "Oh my brother
Sridama, why were you living in a cave of Govardhana lonely without coming to
us? Don't you know that I used to appear with my companions in period after
period in this Bharatabhumi to protect the religion?  You are my best help.
So I had sent Nityananda to you.  Now come on and help me to complete my
sport! Meeting Sri Caitanya as the incarnation of Sri Krsna, Sridama became
overwhelmed in joy and began to shed tears of joy. Embracing Mahaprabhu, he
began to say in a chocked voice, "Krsna, why do you appear in Vangadesa
instead of Vrndavana?  And where is Sri Radha, the supreme power of yours? Why
have you given up your gorgeous dresses of Vrndavana and are wearing a dress
of an ascetic?  I cannot bear this."

Sri Caitanya seeing him so perturbed said in a smiling face, "This Navadvipa
has the center of all knowledge and scriptures in the whole of Bharatabhumi.
But the over educated and proud brahmanas by their dry discussions have become
less interested in God Himself.  I have taken my birth here to defeat them in
debates and for this reason I had made myself a great scholar.  The heretics
of Kali have no faith in Prematattva. They understand bodily pleasure only. So
I avoided to appear with Sri Radha.  In this Kali-yuga, I shall be Sri Radha
and teach a lesson to the people how to attain God through divine love.  So to
attract their attention towards devotion, I have rejected my "mohanavesa"
(beautiful dress) and accepted the dress of an ascetic. I want to teach the
mankind what is Krsna-lila and for this reason I have to perform
Caitanya-lila. So I shall be known as Sri Krsna Caitanya in Bharata and you
will be Abhirama."

Then Caitanya told Nityananda, "From now on you should call Sridama as
Abhirama and mind that as Sridama was to Krsna, so Abhirama is to me."
Nityananda said, "He can be Abhirama but his big and stout physique won't be
suitable for this Kali-yuga."

The super-human power by which Krsna had done so many transcendental
activities in Vraja, that same power, Sri Caitanya, the incarnation of Krsna,
wanted to use to minimize Sridama into Abhirama.

Nityananda and Sri Caitanya began to swing from the shoulder of Sridama by
holding his two hands and with the help of the power of the Godhead, Abhirama
became short in his figure.  He became ecstatic in joy and began to dance
madly.  Then Sri Caitanya told the ecstatic Abhirama, "Friend, all my friends
of Vraja have come here and met me but where are the loving gopinis of Vraja?"

Realising the mind of Sri Caitanya, Abhirama said, "Oh the great lover, you
know everything.  But I know that you have raised this question just to test
me.  However I am telling you about the Vraja ladies.  All of them to satisfy
and complete your sports have given up their women features and appeared in
Navadvipa in male features.  Except me and Vrndavati will help you by
remaining in two opposite sex."

Caitanya said, "Oh my friend, you are a genius.  Sri Krsna and you are the
same.  I have no objection if you and Vrndavati want to teach lesson of love
to the world.  You are so powerful that still you are able to keep your
Dvapara feature with the help of yoga.  You are addicted to the love of Krsna
in such a great extent that if the change of your feature tried to stand as a
hindrance in the way of Krsna love, you used to lie in the cave for a long
time because your desire was to disappear in the soul of Krsna at long last.
You are the embodiment of divine love.  Let you with your Vrndavati madden the
men and women of Bengal in the love for Krsna. But my firend, your appearance
has filled my heart with blissful pleasure. Now I am very eager to observe the
holy places of Vrndavana where Krsna used to perform his sports with Sri Radha
and the gopinis who were mad for Krsna."

Observing the ecstatic condition of Sri Caitanya, Abhirama said, "My friend,
if you really wish to visit Vrndavana, then hand over all the duties to
Nityananda and start for Vrndavana."


CHAPTER FIVE

Conversation Between Sri Caitanya and Abhirama in Vrndavana


Sri Caitanya being ecstatic in love for Krsna started for Vrndadavana with
Abhirama.  Then he used to visit all the places of Vrndavana one by one where
Krsna used to perform his sports with Sri Radha.  He became overwhelmed in
joy.

He asked Abhirama, "Friend, you are dearer to me than my heart.  I cannot
explain how I feel excited when I used to listen to the episodes of Vraja-lila
from you.  I am always bound by your extraordinary qualities." On hearing this
Abhirama said humbly, "Oh my dear, my Prabhu, I am a worthless man.  I have
only Radha in my heart.  As Radha used to be maddened in love while looking at
the face of her love Krsna, so I am to look at your face.  I used to forget my
own entity and only try to please you by any means.  I used to fetch fruit for
my sakha Krsna when he used to remain in the duty of cattle grazing.  I used
to be mad in joy if my sakha used to be happy to take the taste of the fruits.
I used to regard myself the most fortunate creature if I can please my Kanai.
His hapiness was mine, his sorrow was mine. Both of us used to become the
single unseparable soul."

"Now my dear friend, you have created a madhura bhava in me.  You are Radha
and Krsna both and you have become absorbed in your created love. As fire and
fuels are the same, so also Krsna and Radha.  The love between Radha and Krsna
is divine and it is above the touch of material pleasure.  To make people
realise this sort of love, you have appeared in this world."


CHAPTER SIX

Sri Caitanya's Return to Navadvipa


In this way while conversing happily over the topic of Radha-Krsna lila,
Abhirama and Sri Caitanya used to spend their days in Vrndavana.  Being
ecstatic in love for Krsna, Caitanya forgot everything.  His all world became
full of Krsna.  So he forgot the duty of teaching the maya and kama-bound
mankind the lessons of divine love for which he had appeared in this world.
Speculating all these bhavas of Caitanya, Abhirama began to think in his mind,
"Kali-yuga, you are fortunate, and Navadvipa, you too. Radha Krsna in one
feature like Sri Caitanya has appeared in this world to flood the whole
country in the waves of divine love. But Prabhu by coming to this place of
sport of Dvapara-yuga has become absorbed in that bhava of Dvapara."

One day Caitanya used to float in the waves of Yamuna which was full of the
fragrance of sandal and began to cry like Radha in the name of Krsna and his
lotus like eyes began to shed tears like streams of a river. He used to laugh
sometimes and to cry sometimes.  Sometimes he used to request invisible
somebody. His whole body began to shed sweat and tremble.  At that time
Abhirama by putting his hand on the body of Caitanya, began to say, "Oh my
friend, have you forgotten the aim of your taking human feature?  Your
devotees of Navadvipa have become very restless for not seeing you.  So
control yourself and let us return to Navadvipa."

The words of Abhirama brought back Caitanya to senses.  He became very eager
to perform his duty.  He said to Abhirama, "Come on my friend, let us return
to Navadvipa.  As you and me are the same, I don't want to return to Navadvipa
alone."

Being unable to avoid the request of Sri Caitanya, Abhirama told him, "Oh my
friend, it is impossible for me to disobey your request.  Your happiness is
mine.  When in the Dvapara-yuga, you had left me without my knowing, I used to
remain absorbed in your dedication from that day. Oh Gauranga, now you are the
united entities of Radha and Krsna and you are now grown up enough.  But I
have not got my Vrndavati as yet I shall stay in Vrndavana until I find
Vrndavati."

Caitanyadeva replied, "If Radha-Krsna in one feature had appeared in this
world for teaching divine love to loveless mankind of Kali-yuga, then
Vrndavati, the foremost sakhi of Sri Radha also had appeared in this world. Go
with me and I am sure you will get Vrndavati in Vangadesa."

Abhirama said, "Oh my friend, let me see through mediation where is my
Vrndavati now.  In the meantime you go to Navadvipa. Very soon I shall meet
you there."

Caitanya said, "No it cannot be!"

Abhirama said, "Gauranga, you should not waste your time here.  It will hamper
your sport there.  You won't be going alone because Ramadasa, a great Krsna
devotee will go with you.  This Ramadasa is empowered by me. Accepting him due
to hearing to his advice, Caitanyadeva with Ramadasa Mahanta left Vrndavana
and after a few days reached Navadvipa.


CHAPTER SEVEN

Appearance of Vrndavati


Caitanyadeva started for Navadvipa and Abhirama sat for his meditation.  In
his trance, he came to know that Vrndavati had taken her birth in Kazipura
vilage of Vangadesa.  Nowadays Kazipura is known as Khanakula in the Arambag
jurisdiction of Hoogly district.  Some of the Vaisnava poets have written that
after attracting Vrndavati in this world Abhirama had empowered her and made
her a beautiful woman by his power of Godhead. Then he used to put her into a
wooden box and threw in to the wave of Yamuna which at last reached the bank
of Triveni near Hoogly. Here Ganga has been divided into three courses and
began to flow towards the sea.  That wooden box floating in the river
Sarasvati at last reached at a flower garden on the side of the river near
Kazipura.

As soon as the wooden box touched the land of the garden, all the dry branches
of the trees began to bloom into leaves and flowers.  Their fragrance used to
fill the air of that place. The sudden change of the trees made everyone
started.  The gardeners ran to the garden and saw the miraculous scene. They
became overwhelmed in joy and thought that perhaps a certain saintly person
had come to their place and had done all these things.

They began to search in the garden but had not got anything. Then one of them
in searching went to the river side and found wooden box. He became
overwhelmed in awe and began to tremble. Suddenly he fell on the ground being
unconscious.  The other men came running to him and helped him to come to
sense.  The former person attracted their attention towards the wooden box. He
said "This wooden box has done all these.  Come on and carry this to our
home."

They all agreed and did that gladly. Then they opened the box and found a
beautiful woman in it.  They took her as a Deity and paid the respect. That
beautiful woman sat near the door.  Her glitering beautyl ightened the whole
atmosphere.

That gardener with his family bowed to her feet.  The women of the gardener
class washed her feet and drank that water with all their family members. Then
the housekeeper asked her with folded hands, "Oh mother, have you come on this
place to favor us all?  As you are kind enough to us, then please tell me who
you are."

Hearing this humble question of the gardener, Vrndavati in sweet smile said,
"You are a very pure-hearted man.  I shall stay at your home like your
daughter. You all will call me as Malini. I haven't ate a long time.  Oh my
father, give me some food soon. After eating I will give my identity." The
gardener became very pleased and gave her different varieties of food and
sweets. Malini first of all offered all those food to Krsna and after saying
"Jai Abhirama" began to eat.

After taking her food, she said to the gardener, "Father, I am the Sakhi of
Sridama, the friend of Krsna.  Sridama had appeared in this world for
distributing love for Krsna to mankind. He will come here soon taking the name
Abhirama. To help my Prabhu, I have come here in a wooden box floating in the
streams of Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati.  On my coming your dry garden has
become full of flowers.  Now I am completely under your control. Please look
after me until I get the darsana of Abhirama."

The gardener became very glad to get the sakhi of Sri Radha as his daughter
and began to look after her very carefully.  With her touch all miseries and
poverty of the gardener vanished.  The villagers became very jealous at this
prosperity of the gardener and went to the Kazi and explained everything to
him.  They also revealed their suspicion that she must be a magician and for
some forbidden cause she used to take shelter in the house of the gardener.


CHAPTER EIGHT

Kazi Listens to the Report on Malini


The Kazi became very astonished to hear these reports on Malini. He sent his
armed men to bring the gardeners to him as prisoners. That person who lead the
team of armed men went to the house of the gardener, "You all should go at
once with us as it is the order of His Highness Kazi Sahib.  If you show any
reluctancy, then we shall take you binding with ropes.  So don't make delay
and go with me."

The gardeners became very frightened at this and became at a loss what to do.
The man harshly asked them what they would do. Otherwise they would be taken
as prisoners.  Then the head gardener asked them in a trembling voice,
"Mahasay, the order of Kazi Sahib is all to us but please explain the real
charge against us."  That man replied loudly that he did not know anything
about the charge.  If they made delay anymore, they would be taken as
prisoners.  Saying so, he started walking and the gardeners began to follow
him without any word. After some time they reached to the Kazi's place.  The
gardeners bowed before the Kazi in trembling bodies and politely submitted to
him.  Kazi asked them whether they had got any golden box full of precious
stones, jewels and ornaments which they had kept hidden in the houses. They
replied submissively that his charge was correct but that box was wooden and
not golden and it did not have any precious thing what he had been asking.

The Kazi became furious and ordered his men to bind them by chains. Out of
anger he ordered them to speak the truth. Otherwise he would behead them. Then
the gardeners tried to establish their truth and began to describe what they
had found in it.  So they described the episode of Malini and from her
auspicious appearance, all their miseries had gone.  After a long time of
listening to the story, the mind of the Kazi became soft and his heart became
full of devotion.  He at once released the gardeners and told them politely
that he had become ashamed of his misbehaviour.  Now he requested then to
bring that goddess lady before him.  He is very eager to meet her.  The
gardeners told him, "This cannot be possible because you are a Muslim. How can
you accept a Hindu goddess whom we used to worship. We cannot do this by any
means."  "Apart from this, if you take her as an ordinary Hindu woman and feel
an infatuation for her, then mind that you will be perished with your family.
So leave that desire.  We can show you that box only."

The Kazi became very sorry to hear this and told them, "I have become very
sorry to hear this. I have become very much eager to see the goddess because
hearing about her episode my mind has become full of devotion. I want to
gratify myself by seeing her. I am sinner as I have possessed so many
misconceptions about her. Please bring her to me and I shall look after her as
my own daughter.  God never thinks of caste discrimination. I am sure when she
will hear all these, she will be agreed to see me."

The gardeners became very happy and took to their heels to report everything
to Malini.  Malini had already understood the mind of Kazi and told them that
God had appeared in this earth in a human form to distribute divine love to
all whether they belonged to high or low castes.  She also told, "As I have
appeared as the power of Abhirama, then I cannot ignore the prayer of the Kazi
who has become a devotee. But one of you first go to him and tell him about
certain rules which he should take into mind.  I won't take any other things
to eat except sweets and won't live anywhere except in the room where cows
used to live."

One gardener went to the Kazi and informed him about the conditions of Malini.
He directed the Kazi to clean the room of the cows by his own hand. The Kazi
became very glad and accepted all the conditons. That person returned to
Malini in singing the glory of the Kazi.  He reported her about the devotional
qualities of the Kazi and told her that they all had understood that it was
all her grace that had made the Kazi to behave like that.


CHAPTER NINE

Malini Went to the House of the Kazi


So Malini agreed to go to the house of the Kazi.  The gardener father went
with her.  The wife of the gardener began to cry in grief. Malini consoled and
blessed them all. She assured them that from time to time she would meet them.

While Malini had been going to the house fo the Kazi, the whole circumference
used to be glittering by the brightness of her body.  A huge crowd used to
assemble on both sides of the road to observe her going.  The women of the
village used to throw their pranamas, shower flowers on her and blow the
conch. The whole of Kazipura became full of joyful sounds.

So long Kazi had been waiting eagerly for her.  When he saw that she was
advancing to his house, his heart leaped in joy.  He at once advanced forward
with a beautiful chariot to welcome her.  He saw in the way that a huge crowd
was going with her.  He almost ran to her and fell on her feet. The big crowd
began to make sounds of ovation.  Malini lifted the Kazi very affectionately
by holding his arms.  The Kazi with his knee folding told her, "I am very
fortunate as today I have your darsana.  Be merciful to a sinner like me."
Malini devi became very pleased and told him, "Criticising or torturing the
saintly persons is a terrible sin because the saints have come on this earth
to do good to mankind.  Those who try to oppress them become very unpleasing
to God.  Now with the feeling of devotion in you, you have become free of all
guilts.  Now for your misbehaviour to the wise gardener, you must ask for his
mercy."

The Kazi at once held the feet of the gardener by his hands and begged his
mercy. Everyone present there began to praise the Kazi.  The gardener also
felt very awkward at this.

Then Kazi requested Malini devi to forgive him for all his sins and cast a
favorable look at him.  Malini Devi got on the chariot but there was so big
crowd on the road that the chariot could not advance a step forward. Then due
to the transcendental power of Malini Devi, the chariot climbed up in the sky.
Everyone became startled at this when the chariot vanished in the sky, all of
them began to shout in sorrow. The condition of the Kazi became out of any
saying.  He began to behave like a mad man. When he tried to cut his own head
by his sword, suddenly the chariot came down and Malini appeared before him.
Observing her lightening-like beauty, he fell on the ground in a trance.  All
the people began to sing loudly the glory of the Devi.

Devi hurriedly got down of the chariot and lifted the Kazi from the ground and
put him into the chariot.  She began to chant the name of Krsna and gradually
the Kazi came back to his sense.  He saw as if a goddess mother had been
sitting by his side singing the name of Krsna which had began to shower nectar
into his ears.  He became ecstatic and his eyes began to shed tears. After a
long time he controlled himself and began to sing the eulogy of Malini Devi.

The chariot reached the gate of the Kazi's house.  He took her to the dwelling
place of the cows.  The gardener and others also accompanied them.  Kazi
welcomed them properly and offered seats.  Kazi sent somebody to call the
sellers of sweets.  But he met the sweetsmakers in the way who had been coming
to the Kazi's house with many buckets of sweets.  The sweetmakers came to the
Kazi and told him, "Oh lord, why have you sent a person to us?  We have
already heard about the coming of a devi in your house and for her we have
brought so may sweets."  Kazi told them, "Today my life has become successful.
You should bring sweets every day in my house for her eating. I will reward
you." They told him, "Today we won't take any price for these sweets because
they are for the devi. From tomorrow, do as you please." Saying so they all
bowed to the feet of devi.  Devi blessed them and asked them to take their
seats. Then the gardener father offered the sweets to Malini for eating. After
her eating they all took the prasada. In this way Malini Devi very happily
began to spend her days in the house of the Kazi.  The villagers used to stay
there by giving up their eating and drinking.  The whole of Kazipura became
full of bliss.


CHAPTER TEN

Abhirama Came to Virbhuma and Manifested His Transcendental Powers


After leaving Vrndavana, Abhirama alone advanced towards Bengal and at last
reached the western frontier of Bengal (i.e. in Virbhuma). He saw there all
the people absorbed in irreligious activities.  They were practising all sorts
of illegal ways of life.  Observing all these tortures toward the eternal
Hindu religion, the soft heart of Abhirama began to ache.  A strong desire to
correct these ill-acted people arose in his mind. He became determined to use
his supernatural powers for the sake of attracting the devotion of the people
because he realised that this would be the suitable way to fulfill his
desires.

Being guided by this judgement, Abhirama, a highly powerful man began to visit
all the Deities of Virbhuma.  But all the idols began to crack by his single
glance.  He explained to the overwhelmed people that all these idols had
become powerless.  So there was no use of worshiping these idols.  The
ordinary people took him as a superman and a deity.  They lost every faith on
those idols.  On the contrary they became very devotional minded towards
Abhirama.  They began to ask questions to Abhirama on religion.  So the desire
of Abhirama became fulfilled.  He started sowing seeds of devotion in their
minds.  Their devotionless hearts began to be soaked in nectar-like Krsna
nama.

Abhirama began to teach religion indiscriminating to high and low castes.  He
did not bother about caste or creed. The untouchable class was all along hated
by the high caste people. No one had ever tried to correct them and bring back
into a devotional life.  Now finding Abhirama as a superman, they began to
worship him as a God and became fully devoted to him.

The transcendental activities of Abhirama Gosvami might not be accepted by the
modern people but as Sri Caitanya Deva, an incarnation of Krsna, needed the
help of Abhirama in completing his sport, then Abhirama can not be an ordinary
person. It is also to be noted that the Hindu devotees would be very much
shocked to deny the supernatural powers of Abhirama who was a friend of Krsna
in Vraja-lila and who could live 4 thousands years at a stretch.


CHAPTER ELEVEN

Abhirama Visits Village Kenduvilva, the Birthplace od the Vaisnava Poet
Jayadeva


Due to Abhirama's efforts, the neglected castes of the Hindu society began to
feel gratified by Abhirama and the hatred of the high caste towards the low
caste began to vanish from the country.  The principle of fraternity again was
established in the country.  The people began to worship Abhirama as god and
Abhirama also began to spend his days very gladly in doing nama sankirtana
with them.  People from various parts of the country began to come and observe
Abhirama in crowd.

One day, some Vaisnava from Kenduvilva village came to see Abhirama and began
to sing sweet songs from Gita Govinda. Hearing those beautiful songs based on
the love of Radha Krsna, Abhirama became ecstatic and went to faint again and
again.  He began to think as if he had been with his dear friend Sri Krsna and
he had been sending Suvala to Sri Radha to inform her about grievous condition
of Shyama caused by her separation.  As if hearing the news of the condition
of her lord, she took to her heels and jumped into the love ocean of her
lover.

On hearing Gita Govinda, Abhirama in an ecstatic mood began to visualise the
divine Radha Krsna lila.  He also began to visualise the rasa-lila in his
mind.  He was observing that all the tree creepers had been undulating in soft
spring breeze. The trees had been burdened by fully blossomed flowers and the
cuckoos had been cooing being covered by the flowers.  Their cooing had
created a nectar-like atmosphere there.  In this beautiful weather, Rasabehari
Krsna had been engaged in his rasa sport.  On seeing Krsna sporting with other
sakhis, Radha became very much hurt and had entered into a flower grove to
show her huff.  Her moon-like face had become wet in tears and her soft body
had been shivering in the fire of separation.  While thinking about her
Shyama, she sometimes fainted and sometimes began to laugh hysterically.
Sometimes she used to wear the dresses of Krsna and thought of herself as
Krsna. Again she used to fall unconscious.

The lover of His devotees, Rajraj Krsna understood everything and by leaving
the gopies, he had been searching Sri Radha earnestly.  Then coming to Radha,
Krsna began to say, "Oh my beloved, please give up your meaningless huff on me
and look at my face by lifting your moonlike face.  Your beautiful white teeth
can destroy the darkness of my mind.  My love, you are my ornament, you are my
life." Radhavallava saw that his so many words failed to break the ice-like
huff of Srimati.  Then he used to take the feet of Radha in his hands and put
them on his head. Observing this, Abhirama cried out saying, "You are great
Srimati.  Your devotion-like love is uncomparable in this world." "And you,
the God Himself, what am I to say to you?  It is quite impossible for an
ordinary man like me.  Insulation, rebuking, negligence of a devotee are more
desirable to you than the eulogies of Vedas."  Devotee and you are same and so
also you and Sri Radha."

Then Abhirama addressed the singers of Gita Govinda by saying, "Oh the great
devotee Vaisnavas, I am very glad to hear your songs.  Now please disclose to
me the life history of that great devotee Jayadeva." The singers very humbly
began to describe that Jayadeva, the writer of the Gita Govinda was born in
Kenduvilva village in a brahmana family.  In his boyhood, this poor son of a
brahmana took an ascetic life and went to Purusottama (Puri) Kshetra without a
penny and began to live under a tree.  God Jagannatha also became very
favorable on him.

One day a brahmana offered his daughter to Jagannatha for he had to fulfill
his vow of doing so to Jagannatha.  Jagannatha ordered the brahmana to
dedicate her daughter to his great devotee Jayadeva.  So did the brahmana and
told his daughter that from now on due to the order of Jagannatha Deva, he
(Jayadeva) was her husband.  So after leaving her there, the brahmana went
away. The beautiful girl Padmavati remained sitting there in front of
Jayadeva.  When Jayadeva ordered her to go away, her lotus-like eyes became
full of water.  She told him, "Oh my prabhu, my father has left me here due to
the order of Jagannatha and offered me in your hands.  Now you are my husband.
You may leave me but I cannot evade? for my life's sake."

So helpless Jayadeva married her and began to live in a cottage.  He employed
his wife in the worship of his Radha Madhava.  At that time Jayadeva had
written his beautiful book Gita Govinda on the love of Radha Krsna.  The love
poetry is uncomparable in this world.  Jayadeva once began to hesitate to
write a pada when he reached that part of the episode where Krsna had been
holding the feet of Radha on His head.  So he left the duty of writing and
went for a bath. In the meantime Sri Krsna in the form of Jayadeva finished
the unfinished line of the verse that is "dehi padapallavamudram" and
disappeared.  After some time Jayadeva came back from his bathing.  His wife
Padmavati astonishingly told him, "You have just come to home to complete the
line of your book.  How do you come back from your bathing in such a short
time?"  Being very astonished on hearing her, Jayadeva hurriedly opened his
book and what he saw was enough to make him mad in the love for Krsna.  He
began to cry ecstatically and by holding the feet of Padmavati said, "You are
great Padmavati, your life is precious because in a short while ago whom you
have seen in my form was Krsna Himself.  He is your real husband.  He is the
husband of the world."

So Abhirama took Jayadeva as a great devotee and wanted to visit his place.
The Kenduvilva dwellers gladly became the guide of Abhirama in his visit to
Kenduvilva.  Abhirama, whose life is Krsna, became overwhelmed to observe the
beautiful feature of Jayadeva.  He sang the glory of Jayadeva in various ways
and paid his homage to Jayadeva regarding him as a master.  Formerly the idols
of the deities used to be cracked by the bowing of Abhirama, but now the idol
of Radha Madhava of Jayadeva became very bright by the bowing of Abhirama.
That idol became alive and all the people witnessing the sight fell to the
ground in devotion.  The nectar-like Radha Krsna nama began to be uttered in
millions of mouths filling the atmosphere in sublime bliss.


CHAPTER TWELVE

Visit to Visnupura and Darsana of Deity Madana Mohana


From Virbhuma, Abhirama came to Bankura.  The people of this place became
overwhelmed to observe the devotion and supernatural power of Abhirama and
became very devotional in their minds.  The king of Visnupura heartily
welcomed Abhirama and requested him to impart religious lessons to his
subjects.

One day Abhirama with some of his devotees started Krsnanama sankirtana and
advanced towards the temple of Madana Mohana. Before entering into the temple,
his whole body began to tremble in ecstasy. He with his devotees started going
round the temple in singing sankirtana.  When he bowed his head on the door of
the temple, the whole temple began to tremble as if an earthquake had been
started.

Abhirama with a thrilling heart entered into the temple.  He began to feel a
divine joy to see the deity as a dear friend and used to feel like when he met
his dear friend after a long time.  He wanted to show to the people whether
there was any power in the deity or not.  So by his first bow the deity
remained as usual but by his second bow the deity in the pretext of return
bow, mimicked a little bit. Everyone became startled to see it and bowed to
the feet of Abhirama Gosvami.

Abhirama told everybody, "To deliver the mankind of Kali-yuga, Sri Krsna has
appeared in Navadvipa.  In this life he will be a great example of Krsna
devotee and will show this to the whole world.  Due to his wish, I have also
come here in Bengal.  To show you that the idols of Krsna are not only
lifeless I am doing all these miraculous activities.  All of you become
devotees of Krsna, sink into the depth of love of Krsna and all your miseries
and agonies will be gone.  Your lives will be full of bliss and you will be
able to obtain the favor of Krsna."


CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Darsana of Krsna Raya of Vagadi (Vaguda)


By living in Visnupura for some days Abhirama maddened the people of that
place in love of Krsna.  Then he went to Vagadi to see the deity of Krsna
Raya.  Abhirama began to sing the glory of Krsna Raya by standing before the
beautiful idol.  The whole body of Krsna Raya became sweaty.  Then Abhirama
told everybody in shouting, "Look, my dear friend's beautiful body has become
sweaty.  He is smiling sweetly. It seems my friend has become very tired after
grazing his cattle and is now standing under a tree in his usual threefold
posture. I feel as if my friend is calling me helplessly.  Please give me a
fan and I shall fan my friend to take away his tiredness."  The devotees
hastily gave him a fan. Abhirama was then in complete trance and in that
condition he began to fan his friend.  The devotees observing this beautiful
scene began to sing Harinama loudly.  Everyone came to know that Abhirama was
truly a friend of Sri Krsna.


CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Visit to Bayada


Then Abhirama Gosvami came to Bayada.  At that time Bayada had been ruled by a
powerful sakta King Ranajit Raya.  He used to dig a big lake and tried to
build a huge "Maljat" (a pillar made of iron) in the middle of the lake.  Many
strong persons were employed to do this job but they could not even pick it up
by their strength.

Endowed by supernatural power, Abhirama in the meantime had been passing by
that place.  He became queer to know what had been going on there and so he
halted for sometime on the bank of the lake.  When he saw that those strong
persons could not even pick up that pillar, Abhirama wished to do the job by
himself.  When Abhirama expressed his desire to the king, the latter agreed to
his proposal.  Then the friend of Govardhana lifter, Krsna, Abhirama, very
easily lifted the pillar and threw it into the lake. Everyone began to
appreciate his strength.  King Ranajit became so happy that he began to pat on
the back of Abhirama.

Abhirama became very much annoyed at this and looked at the king angrily.
Though his glance had even pierced the stone idols of different deities, yet
this time the king could bear his look and this very much astonished Abhirama.
Then through deep meditation, he came to know of the supernatural power of the
king.  He now realised that the king was a great sakta and some supernatural
power was always protecting him.  He also realised that being overpowerful the
king had become an upstart. So kind man Abhirama for the good of the earth,
decided to correct the king by exacting all his powers.

The king had been able to establish a vast kingdom due to the grace of Devi
Sakti.  Being an ordinary Hindu Zamindar, he was able to defeat the Nawab's
armies and became a well known hero in Bengal.  None of the then kings were a
match to him.  All these powers and fame had made him a very proud person.  He
just forgot the grace of the supernatural power by which he had become so
powerful king and was about to misuse that power.  He became indulged in
material pleasure like an ordinary human being and for this reason God decided
to curb his person and sent Abhirama to carry out His plan.  A great powerful
man Abhirama without doing any harm to Ranajit only had exacted his
supernatural power.  Then Abhirama left Bayada and advanced towards
Krsnanagara.  On the way all persons being impressed by his simplicity,
kindness, love and transcendental powers became his great admirers and
devotees.


CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Abhirama Meets Malini


Abhirama reached the outskirts of Kazipura village near Krsnanagara.  One day
in the morning he had been on morning walk on the bank of the river and saw
that Malini Devi was bathing with her companions on the other bank of the
river.  Abhirama became very glad to see his life-like lady love Malini and
being overwhelmed he addressed her.  Malinidevi also saw him and at once
jumped into the river and swam across it to come to him. All the female
companions of Malini devi became stunned to see her swimming across the river
and stood like wooden dolls.  They could not even speak a word.

Malini devi reaching to him, fell flat on the feet of her love. The great
lover Abhirama lifted her by holding her hands and then they began to walk
elsewhere in talking to each other. When the companions saw that she had gone
with an unknown saintly man they rushed to the home and reported everything to
the Kazi.

After hearing all the incidents, the Kazi became very angry. He at once called
his armies and went across the river to search her.  He reached the village
named Villoka and after searching for some time, he got her sitting with a
saintly man on the bank of the river.  This scene broke his patience and he
burst into anger.  The sword in his hand began to dazzle.  With a view to
beheading the saint, he advanced towards them.  But as soon as he looked at
the dazzling eyes of the saint, all his powers seemed to be destroyed.  His
body began to lose its balance and his head began to reel.  He became very
afraid. He then put his sword in its case and advanced towards them slowly. He
told the saint in a scolding tone "You are a sannyasi, you have given up all
material pleasures, then why do you want the company of a woman? If you are
not satisfied even then enter into family life again and marry. Don't spoil
the santity of asceticism by accepting an unknown woman."

With an awed heart, the Kazi went on scolding Abhirama but the latter kept on
sitting like a dumb.  In the meantime the villagers came to speculate the
incident.  They all began to criticise the sannyasi. They decided to oust the
sannyasi from their village.  While everyone began to criticise Abhirama the
latter began to think of demonstrating the transcendnetal power of Malini
before them.  While thinking in this way, he saw a huge piece of wood fallen
on the bank of the river.  He knew that all the persons gathered there could
not lift that wood.  Abhirama at once went to the river bank and lifted the
wood and he addressed all of them to lift it by their hands.  The people in
wondered gaze had been observing his strength.  They began to think that this
sannyasi must be a very powerful person whose strength had been God gifted.
They all surrendered to Abhirama.  The Abhirama addressed Malini to do the
job. Malini devi understood Abhirama and walked up to him slowly and lifted
the piece of wood at ease. Everyone became startled to observe her strength
and thought that this woman was not an ordinary human being.

Abhirama understood the pulse of the people and easily transformed the huge
piece of wood into a small flute.  Then he with Malini sat under a tree and
began to sing Radha Krsna nama with the flute.  The people became so
astonished that they began to listen to the nama forgetting everything and in
a short time they became ecstatic in emotion.  They also began to sing
Harinama kirtana and at last fell to the feet of Abhirama and Malini devi.
They repeatedly asked for their mercy for thinking otherwise of them.

The Kazi also in folded knees before Malini Devi began to ask for her mercy
and favor.  Malini Devi told him that he was fortunate enough that she had
come to his house.  Now he had been fully purified and eligible to lead a life
of a devotee.  She assured him that from now on her powers would always
protect him from any kind of misfortune and miseries.  This Kazipura would be
known as Khanakula.  The Kazi became very glad but he asked Malini Devi why
she had changed the name of the village.  Then Malini Devi smilingly explained
the incident by saying, "Among the food which you used to offer me, I
sometimes used to reject some kinds regarding them as impure and used to dig
them on the bank of the river.  As "Khana" (means food) used to be dug in the
ground on the "Kula" (bank) of the river, so the name became "Khanakula."  Now
go to your home."

Then Kazi leaving Malini Devi there returned to his house with a disheartened
mind.  But since then he became a completely changed man. He gave up all
Muslim rituals and became a Vaisnava.  He used to be absorbed in Radha Krsna
nama all the time.  Peace now began to overrule his heart by filling it with
nectar-like devotion.


CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Keeping Malini in a Hidden Place at Khanakula, Abhirama Gosvami Came to
Navadvipa and Met Caitanya

