Gauri Dasa Pandita Temple
Gauri dasa Pandita’s temple is situated in a little town called Ambika Kalna, which is inside the current district of Barddhama, across the Ganges from Santipur.
His revered Deities Sri Gaura-Nityananda still reside there in all their majesty.
On the Howrah-Navadvipa line, Ambika Kalna has a railroad station.
Rickshaws are available to take you to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Mandira from there.
An antique copy of the Bhagavad-gita on palm leaves that Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu allegedly penned is kept in the shrine.
Also Read:- ISKCON Temple Janmashtami 2024
The Story Behind the Gauri Dasa Pandita
The two Lords Caitanya and Nityananda once paddled their boat from Santipur to Kalna.
Gauri dasa received the oar from Lord Caitanya after He entered his home and instructed him to use it to cross the ocean of material existence while carrying all living things with him.
Surya dasa Sarakkali, the oldest sibling of Gauri dasa Pandita, had two daughters named Sri Vasudha and Jahnava Devi. He married Nityananda Prabhu with them.
When Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to adopt sannyasa near the end of His Navadvipa pastimes, He travelled to Kalna to say goodbye to Gauri dasa. Gauri dasa, at that moment, started to suffer greatly from separation. The following song nicely captures what happened at the time:
Lord Nityananda chanted “Hari! Hari!” while Lord Gauranga danced ecstatically and whirled around in the Thakur Pandit’s home. But Gauri Dasa was sobbing unceasingly and pitifully.
He knelt before the Lord and pleaded with Him not to leave them. Stay here in Ambikanagar—this is my final submission at your lotus feet—and kindly abide by this one request. I’m certain to pass away if You leave. Don’t try to mislead me by using some lofty theory about Your “Bhava-murti” as you did to the gopis (or anything like that). I have to keep You here where I can see you. Stay with me, you two brothers, and everyone will be set free. I’m asking You one more: Please don’t abandon me as “Gaura Hari.” Then I’ll understand that You are the one who rescues the unfortunate.”
“Gauri dasa!, Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu retorted. Abandon this notion. You can serve My Deity form because I am also present in that form personally. You should be aware of this reality. Just consider what I’m saying to be the truth.”
“Gauri dasa merely sighed deeply at the knowledge and kept sobbing piteously. The two brothers tried to comfort him once more, but his heart was unmoved. Dina Krsna dasa is pleading for the two brothers to stay at the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya. As a result, Gauri dasa’s love brought the two of them together, and as a result, the Lord is referred to as bhakta-Vaisala or one who is affectionate toward His devotees.
“When Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu noticed how upset Gauri dasa was, he gently talked to him, saying, “All right, We’ll stay with you. Please be certain that We two boys will remain in your home. Whichever two you select, you can keep in your room; the Lord spoke to him once more. The two Lords and two Deities approached him and comforted him in this manner. Panditji was astounded to see the four of them standing before him, and while tears still streamed from his eyes, they were no longer those of despair.
Any two of Us that you can identify will remain with you and rely on you to provide for Our food. Recognize this as the truest of all truths in your heart.
Gauri Dasa Pandita Used to Cook Food for Their Lordships
Gauri dasa used to prepare a wide variety of veggies each day and offer them to Their Lordships. He was unaware of his physical discomfort because he was always engrossed in their service. Gradually, as the years passed, he reached an advanced age.
He nevertheless continued to prepare a wide range of dishes for his Lordships. One day, Sri Gaura-Nityananda pretended to be angry and refused to eat because he had to work so hard to cook so much food. It infuriated Panditji, who responded, “If you’re happy not eating, why do you have me prepare in the first place?” He then stopped talking after saying this. Lord Gauranga said quietly with a smile, “Your culinary skills are impressive. You cook a lot of different vegetables, including rice. If we ask you to stop making so much, but we can’t stand to see your toil, you won’t listen. The finest options are those that you can prepare quickly.”
Gauri dasa responded after hearing their assertion, “Please take whatever I have prepared for today. I won’t be feeding you with so many preparations starting tomorrow. Just some sak on Your dish for now.” The two Lords laughed after hearing Gauri Dasa’s response and started to eat. Gauri dasa occasionally wished to adorn Their Lordships.
Why was Hrdayananda Very Fortunate?
Hrdayananda started to get everything ready as per his teacher’s instructions. His guests started to show up gradually, but when they learned that a festival was being hosted along the Ganges riverfront, they went there first. Hrdayananda chanted and danced ecstatically in the presence of the numerous followers. Their Lordships, Sri Gaura-Nityananda, came to participate in the dancing and singing because the sankirtan was so pleasant and alluring. Hrdayananda was lucky to witness everything.
Gauri Dasa was also throwing a festival in his home simultaneously. The pujari, Boro Ganga dasa Pandita, entered the Deity room when it was time to make an offering, but he was disappointed to see that there were no Deities inside. He told Gauri dasa right away. Gauri dasa, who clearly understood the situation, smiled, took up a stick, and walked toward the kirtana celebration along the banks of the Ganges.
They entered the temple of Hrdayananda’s heart softly and rapidly. When he got there, he noticed the two transcendental brothers dancing ecstatically. Additionally, Sri Gaura-Nityananda observed Gauri dasa coming toward them while furiously brandishing a stick. When Gauri Das saw this, he was unable to contain his joyous tears. He ran with his arms extended toward Hrdayananda, putting his anger aside. He hugged him firmly and whispered, “You are very lucky! Your name is Hrdaycaitanya as of now.”
Conclusion
Keep reading our blogs for more such tales and information about Lord Krishna. Hare Rama Hare Krishna!!
Must attend Iskcon Janmashtami Celebration | Krishna Ashtami
