Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Maharaja was the chief of Vaisnava Sarvabhauma and was respected by the entire Vaisnava community. Some beautiful stories connect him with the discovery of the birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recorded in Sri Navadwipa Dhama Mahatmya.
Later, his servant Bihari Lal carried him in a basket on his shoulder, but when he heard “Kirtan” or participated in “Kirtan,” his body was from the banyan tree in the basket. Growing like beauty, he shouted out: “Nitaikinam Enechele! Nitaikinam Ditekure!” “Sir Niti Ananda, what a wonderful name you brought! It was a great name! “
Story of Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji
The Story of Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji from a long time back. He ate from the big brass plate “Prasadam” that he gave the borrowed people and lived in his tent. The cast of a puppy born nearby started eating from the plate of Jagannatha Dasa Babaji Maharaja, but he did not object. But Bihari Lal appeared there and got angry seeing puppies sharing the same plate as Babaji Maharaji and hushed away the puppies.
Babaji Maharaja got angry and said if puppies won’t share his food, he won’t have it and ordered Bihari Lal to send his servants and loom for the puppies. When the puppies returned, he was happy and exclaimed, “All glories to the ‘dhama’ dogs!” In this way, he showed immense love and respect for all the holy “Dhama” members.
Since the Ganges has changed its course several times, a few parts of the sacred ‘dhama’ of Navadwipa (nine islands) have changed. The famous Bhaktivinoda Thakura (Kedarnath Datta) called Srila Jagannath Dasa Babaji, the commanding chief of the devotees seeing his pure devotion for the almighty. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura offered Srila Jagannath Dasa Babaji to search for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s actual birthplace.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura surprisingly came to know that the modern-day city names Nawadwipa was not even 100 years old, and it was not the actual birthplace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Different people said different things about the place. Many believed that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s birthplace was not in the Ganges, while few said it was in the city of Navadwipa.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura was very disheartened but did not stop searching for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s actual birthplace. He collected information from antiquarian maps, government records, and authentic books written at the time of Lord Caitanya. All the information he collected concluded that Mayapur Navadwipa Dhama is situated on the east bank of the Ganges.
It was wrapped in local rumors of strange light and sound, so the owner didn’t go there believing it would be haunted. However, many ancient Babaji tribes believed that this was the actual birthplace of the Sri Caitanya Prabhu.
Inspired by Jagannatha Dasa Babaji and convinced that it was true, Bhaktivinoda went where Jagannatha Dasa Babaji was in the basket. Due to his old age, Thriller Jagannath Dasa Babaji could not open his eyes, but he had to walk, so to speak, to open his eyes with his fingers.
He was in a basket by Bihari Lal when he went somewhere. Still, when Babaji Maharaja reached a metaphysical place, he jumped out of the basket and danced in ecstasy, shouting “Haribol!”. And “Gaulanga!” Clearly shows that it is the same birthplace of Lord Chaitanya.
Also Read: Ekadashi Fasting
Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji lived as an ascetic
He liked to sing aloud in both Japa and Kirtana. During Kirtana, he sang: Nitai ki nama enechi re! Ki nama enechi rei Ki nama diteche re! “0h Lord Nityananda, what a wonderful name You have brought. 0h Nitai, what a wonderful name You have given.” The next morning, after singing most of the night, he dedicated 1,108 Dandavats to the gods. He was always keen to serve Vaishnavism.
He lived as an ascetic after a strict diet and an annual Chaturdashi (four-month fast). In the first month, he ate only four bananas in the evening. Guava only in the second month. Whey only in the 3rd month; in the 4th month, I just boiled banana flowers without salt.
Krishna Prema explained by Babaji Maharaja.
Once, he asked for a Roti (flatbread) from the Street Sweeper in Vrindavan. When the main Vrindavana men heard about this, they told Jagannatha Dasa Babaji and said hearing someone criticize you afflicts us. Everyone is against you. People say Babaji has gone mad. What happens to society when he goes against ancient traditions?
Babaji Maharaja replied. Not sure how important the dust in Vrindavan is? It’s full of Krishnaprema, so even Lord Brahma wants to be a particle of Vrajaraja (dust of Vrindavan). Therefore, he is not always a duster in the dust van. Do you breathe in, roll and bathe more purely than anyone else? Silence filled the air, indicating that everyone accepted Babaji Maharaja’s answer. He didn’t protest, even when some puppies ate his plate.
His servant, the Biharis, was fed up with the dog devouring his guru Prasad and drove him away. Jagannatha Dasa Babaji scolded the Biharis. “These puppies are the inhabitants of the Holy Dhama. They are not ordinary creatures. I will not eat anything until they come back from my plate to share the Maha Prasadam.”
Babaji Maharaja gives instructions.
Jagannatha Dasa Babaji had many disciples. He regularly gave the subsequent instructions:
(1) “You should keep away from women, guys who companion with women, or with a person who in any manner friends with a person who friends with a woman.
(2) “To understand the very best purpose of existence, you should repeat Harinama frequently and steadfastly. Steadiness is so essential that it should be maintained even on the value of one’s existence.
(3) “Never overlook Gaura, who’s extra merciful and benevolent than Krishna. Krishna is a simple ruler who considers your offenses in His justice management. Gaura does now no longer consider your offenses. Whereas Lord Krishna is extra interested in the dispensation of justice, Gaura is extra interested in the distribution of mercy.
(4) “Krishna is the avatara of Dvapara-yuga. Gaura is the Kali-yuga avatara. We must sing glories of the avatara in whose age we live; simply as in a nation, we reward the ruling king.”
The Sonar Gauranga Temple in Gopala Bagh, Vrindavana homes Gaura-Nitai Deities used to worship Shri Jagannatha Dasa Babaji in Surya-Kunda. He serves as Rasika-manjari in Sri Krishna lila.
Conclusion
“You are all learned, people. Don’t you know the importance of the dust of Vrindavana? It is so surcharged with Krishna Prema that even Lord Brahma desires to become a Vraja raja (dust of Vrindavana) particle. Therefore, isn’t a Vrindavana sweeper who is constantly serving the dust, breathing it, rolling in it, and bathing in it purer than anyone else?” – Srila Jagannatha Dasa Babaji. Hare Krishna chanting is the only to peace. Keep chanting learning more about such important personalities.
