After the order of his guru, Sri Syamananda, Sri Rasikananda preached Sri Gaursundar’s message in the world for around 16 years. Later, he entered the eternal pastimes through Gopinatha’s lotus feet at Remuna. Know in detail about Sri Rasikananda Appearance Day.
In this article, we share the appearance of Sri Rasikananda, his life, preaching and how to pray at Rasikananda Prabhu’s samadhi. The samadhi is at Kshira-chora Gopinath Temple at Remuna.
Birth of Sri Rasiknanda
Sri Rasikananda Deva appeared in this world about 1590 AD (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the light fortnight of the month of Kartik. It was the night of the festival Dipamalika when the dwellings are decked with rows of lamps. Sri Acyuta Deva, the king of Rohini, was his father.
The Rohini or Royani village was located in the country called Mallabhumi, surrounded on one side by the River Suvarnarekha (“Suvarna” means “golden” and “Rekha” means “a line”). The holy Suvarnarekha River was known to cleanse the sins of the local people. Near Royni was the Barayita village, by the side of the Dolanganadi River, which was surrounded by beautifully adorned gardens. Raja Acyuta Deva was known for perfectly observing the customs associated with rulers and for maintaining his subjects with great affection. As the sun rises in the eastern sky, King Acyuta’s son appeared in the town of Royni and quickly won the hearts of the locals. He was popularly known as Rasikananda or Murari.
How He Met His Guru?
Murari was sitting by himself one day, contemplating how and when he could be lucky enough to find shelter at the lotus feet of a spiritual master. Suddenly, a voice addressed him from the sky, “Don’t be anxious, as you will be the disciple of Sri Syamanada.” After listening to this proclamation, Rasik Murari felt happy and started to repeat the name of Syamananda.
With every passing moment, his eagerness kept increasing without diminishing. During his mantra meditation and chanting of Syamananda’s name, tears kept flowing from his eyes. Most of his nights went sleepless, calling the name of his spiritual preceptor, Syamananda. Finally, when he was dreaming one morning, he saw his master who was a figure of grace and charm.
With a pleasant smile, Syamananda informed him, “When the eastern sky becomes pink tomorrow, you will obtain me.” After that, Syamananda disappeared and Rasikananda’s heart became joyous and full of ecstatic bliss. Then, when the first morning rays dispelled the darkness of the world, Murari started watching the path silently.
After some time, Syamananda approached and was looking as bright as the sun. He was surrounded by his disciples, including Sri Kishora Dasa and more. His smiling face resembled a lotus flower that often opens to greet the sun. And, his chest was very broad like a door. The lovely sounds of “Sri Krsna Caitanya-Nityananda” flowing from his lotus mouth added to his alluring aspect, making him even more alluring. He proceeded along the route as the clouds do in the sky, completely absorbed in his deep love. Rasika knelt in front of the holy figure to touch his lotus feet as soon as he caught sight of it. Shyamananda embraced him and started to bathe him in his joyful tears as he was in a state of extreme love.
How Sri Rasikananda Devoted His Life to Preaching?
After meeting his spiritual master, Sri Rasika Murari felt like one of the most fortunate people in this universe. Syamananda introduced Rasika and his wife with the Radha-Krsna mantra on a fortunate day. After that, Rasikananda started travelling with his guru after becoming his intimate disciple. Then, Syamananda gave him the privilege of serving Sri Radha-Govinda Deva in Sri Gopiballabhapur. The devotees were charmed by Rasikananda’s wonderful services as he fully immersed himself in their Lordships’ service. In Gopiballabhpur and other locations, he started to take the preaching of Sri Gaura-message Nityananda seriously. After Rasikananada’s preaching even non-believers and atheists started converting into devotees of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. The influence of his preaching also relieved many atheists, rogues and robbers from their sinful activities. He spread the jewel of devotion to many people, along with his disciples, as he kept travelling from one village to another.
One day, he also transformed a wild elephant that was sent for destruction into his disciple. He further engaged the elephant-turned-disciple in the service of Vaishnavism and Krsna. Later, the wicked miscreant who sent the elephant also realised his mistake and bowed at the feet of Rasikananda.
Rasikananda Deva’s association also freed several living entities from the ocean of the materialistic world. After all, he was often intoxicated with holy Hare Krishna chanting.
Many honourable kings and zamindars sought refuge at his lotus feet, including Candrabhanu, the king of Moyna, the king of Patashpur known as Gajapati and the king of Mayurbhanj named Vaidyanatha Bhanj. Even the impure zamindar Bhima, Suba Ahmadbeg, and the perverse atheist Srikar submitted to his lotus feet. What about those virtuous and honourable gentlemen? Rasikananda’s spiritual influence also tamed another dangerous, wild elephant that afterwards went by the name Gopala das. Later, two jungle tigers also lost their viciousness.
His Love for God Jagannath
One year, Rasikananda Deva was preaching during Lord Jagannatha’s Ratha-yatra celebration. But then he realized that it was time for Ratha-yatra. So, he stopped everything and ran like the wind to reach Nilacala in time for the event.
However, the festival had begun already. Lord Jagannath, who felt the same separation from his beloved devotee, Rasikananda, made the Rath stop. Although the king ordered elephants to keep pushing the Ratha, the elephants were not able to move even an inch. Seeing the king getting frustrated, Lord Jagannatha, informed him that he was waiting for Rasika, his devotee.
Finally, Rasikananda Deva reached, carrying several offerings of silk clothes and other gifts. He got down offering his dandavats before Lord Jagannatha. The king requested him to start pulling the rope to move the cart along the road on time.
Conclusion
Sri Rasikananda also had three sons: Sri Krsna-Govinda, Sri Radhananda and Sri Radha-Krsna. Their descendants are the current servants of Sri-Sri Radha-Govindadeva at Gopiballabhapur. In addition to other hymns and songs, he wrote the Sri Shyamananda-Sataka and the Srimad Bhagavatastaka. By taking a railway to Khavagpur and a bus from there to Gopiballabhpur, one can get to His Sripat Gopiballabhpur from Calcutta. Even in Puri, there is a Rasikananda temple.
