“My only hope is Doyal Nityananda! The grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu presupposes some selection, but Sri Nityananda Prabhu’s grace has no selection. Quick progress without a good foundation invites a negative reaction, so the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu is our primary necessity.”
A Collection of 17 quotes on Nityananda by Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Maharaja, first and foremost sannyasa disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada and the shiksha-guru of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
● 1. He Cried Out “Doyal Nityananda” For His Last 6 Months
We have seen Srila Guru Maharaj (Srila Sridhar Maharaj is the first Sannyasi-disciple of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Prabhupada, the Shiksha-guru of Srila Swami Prabhupada, and the Sannyasa-guru of his Sannyasa-guru) show us that he is always depending on the mercy of Nityänanda Prabhu. Up to his last days (at least 6 months) when Srila Guru Maharaj was in his zone, upstairs in his room or on his veranda, he was always chanting, “Dayal Nityananda! Dayal Nityananda!” Always his consciousness was under Nityänanda Prabhu’s mercy, and he was always thinking of Nityananda Prabhu. He forgot his position, everything, he was only asking for the mercy of Nityänanda Prabhu, chanting, “Dayal Nityananda! Dayal Nityananda! Dayal Nityananda!”
When Srila Guru Maharaj would show sickness, his servant Gaura Krishna prabhu would try to give Srila Guru Maharaj some relief. He thought only Harinam could help and would offer Srila Guru Maharaj his japa mala. He would ask, “Shall I give you your chanting beads? You will get some relief.” Guru Maharaj replied, “No, no, no, give these chanting beads to Govinda Maharaj. My only hope is Doyal Nityananda!”
It was very clear. He was always calling “Dayal Nityananda! Dayal Nityananda!” Lastly Guru Maharaj was completely attached to Nityänanda Prabhu’s merciful glance. This was a miracle for me.
Prabhupäda Saraswati Thakur gave Srila Guru Maharaj exclusive charge of the Rupanuga line, but Srila Guru Maharaj said that without Nityänanda Prabhu you will not be able to enter that line. After entering you can get everything, but you will not gain entrance without Nityänanda Prabhu’s mercy.
(In Sri Nityananda Mahimamrta by Srila Bhaktisundar Govinda Maharaj, the personally appointed Successor Acharya by Sridhar Maharaj)
It is very fortunate when the opportunity to engage in direct service to Krishna comes to the jiva souls, and Krishna gives that through Guru. Therefore Nityananda Prabhu, that is Sri Guru, is the only hope in our lives. Lastly we have seen how Srila Guru Maharaja was always chanting, “Doyal Nityananda, Doyal Nityananda, Doyal Nityananda.” He said, “My only hope is “Dayal Nityananda, Dayal Nityananda.’”
Nobody could understand the meaning within that, but by the mercy of Srila Guru Maharaja I immediately guessed it. Srila Guru Maharaja is showing us the proper line. He has crossed over all stages of the practicing life; that is called paramahamsa, and now he is showing us our fortune, that is Dayal Nityananda. By the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu we must be successful, therefore our practicing life must go in that direction.
This is my advice to you all and also I am trying, and praying to Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas, “Please give me that type of increasing inspiration and power to preach to others and be successful as a servitor myself.”
(In Exclusive Guardianship of Gurudeva by Srila Bhaktisundar Govinda Maharaja)
Download Nityananda Charitamrita PDF Book.
● 2. Nityananda gives everything
Kaviraj Goswami, who is the giver of the highest conception of the truth says,
jagai madhai haite muni se papistha
purisera kita haite muni se laghistha
mora nama sune yei tara punya ksaya
mora nama laya yei tara papa haya
(Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Adi 5.205, 206)
“I am worse than a worm in stool. When Jagai and Madhai came in the relativity of Mahaprabhu they were considered to be the worst sinners, but I am worse than them. My sins are so dirty no one can even dream such things. I am such a great sinner that whoever will hear about me, dirt and sin will enter him through his coming in contact with my name. Sin will enter one who once hears my name, and his good qualities will vanish.” Kaviraj Goswami continues,
“I am a person of the worst type, but the grace of Nityananda Prabhu possesses such a high degree of disinfection that He has given me so many things: He has taken me to Vrndavana and has given the relationship of Rupa, Raghunath and Govinda. There is no qualification in me but all is the grace of Nityananda Prabhu.” By this he wants to express his highest gratitude to Nityananda Prabhu:”It is shameful to speak about one’s own life but still I do this. Why? If I do not do so then I shall be ungrateful to the grace and magnanimity of Nityanada Prabhu. So fallen am I but Nityananda Prabhu has given me all these things: Vrndavana, Rupa, Sanatan, Govinda, Mahaprabhu, Ragunatha Dasa, and so much else. It is all the gift of Nityananda Prabhu. It is His unconditional gift to this one with no qualification, and therefore I have mentioned: ‘Yes, I have such things.’ If I do not say so then I shall be an offender to Nityananda Prabhu’s grace, so I am compelled to confess that I am so sinful and fallen but by His grace I have received these things.”
(Source: Chapter Six: Humility in Service, Part 1, Sermons from the Guardian of Devotion Vol.1)
● 3. Praying to Nityananda is Most Fruitful
Devotee: The process is to recognise the defect and then to pray to Paramatma? Srila Sridhara Maharaj: Yes, Paramatma, to Guru, that is more to Guru and devotees, to Mahaprabhu, Nityananda Prabhu, Krsna. To pray to Nityananda Prabhu, that should be most fruitful. His incarnation is meant only for the fallen. Easily we can get His help, Nityananda Prabhu, the Lord of the fallen, the chosen Lord of the fallen, Prabhu Nityananda, Guru Nityananda. (Source: Virtue is its Own Reward)
● 4. Nityananda gives mercy to those who don’t want it
It is the nature of divine mercy to extend itself without caring for any law. The only consideration is our eagerness to accept it. Mercy is offered in this way: “Do you want this?” If we simply agree, “Yes, it is wonderful and most tasteful, then we can have it. If our prayer is genuine, then nothing else is required It is a simple transaction. If we want it, we will get it. Krsna consciousness is most simple. Whether one is fit or unfit is unimportant. Anyone who simply wants it may have it. And what of those who don’t want this divine gift? For them, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu distributed special mercy through His most magnanimous canvassing agent, Shripada Nityananda Prabhu. Nityananda Prabhu won’t allow even those who want to avoid Krsna consciousness to escape. If someone says, “I don’t want it,” Nityananda Prabhu won’t allow it He will say, “No! You must want it I request you earnestly take it! Use it and you will be able to feel the value of Krsna consciousness.” To capture the market, a clever merchant may distribute free samples of his product to his customers, saying, “Take one free! There is no question of paying any price now I am giving this away Use it, and if you feel the value, the utility of my product buy it”. And then afterwards everyone will purchase.
● 5. Nityananda gets pleased very easily
Nityananda Prabhu is our only hope, He is so benevolent, so generous, so gracious, that very easily we can draw his attention and we can get his recommendation. Gaurangadeva will not be able to disregard his recommendation, and when we have got the grace of Gauranga then the RadhaKrsna lila is within our fists. Nityananda Prabhu´s grace means to get Mahaprabhu´s grace within our clutches and to get Mahaprabhu, means to get Radha Govinda, Vrndavana, and then everything is within our fists.
(Source: The Magnanimous Nature of Sri Nityananda Prabhu)
● 6. Nityananda accepts those who are rejected by Gaura
Nityananda Prabhu’s mercy sometimes exceeds the mercy of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Because it may create a bad precedent, Mahaprabhu sometimes cannot accept certain fallen souls. He has to consider their status as well as other things. Nityananda Prabhu’s mercy, however, does not care for any unfavourable circumstances; His mercy is very lavish and almost blind. He does not discriminate between different degrees of sinners. His mercy is all-embracing. And Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu cannot dismiss His recommendation. Even those who Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu rejected, Nityananda Prabhu sheltered, and gradually Mahaprabhu had to accept them. So the grace of Nityananda is greatest both in magnitude and circumference, and that is our solace, for by His mercy even the most fallen souls can attain the supreme goal.
● 7. Nityananda’s mercy exceeds that of Gauranga
Mahaprabhu’s grace presupposes some selection, whereas Nityananda’s grace has no selection. The grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu presupposes some selection, but Sri Nityananda Prabhu’s grace has no selection. He gives His grace to whoever He comes across. Nityananda Prabhu is so magnanimous that He saves whoever He comes across on His way. His mercy is so raw, undiscriminating, and broad. Nityananda Prabhu is most benevolent. Mahaprabhu has a sort of discrimination, but Nityananda Prabhu does not care for any discrimination whatsoever. Whether one is a fit or an unfit candidate, he is still counted as worthy. Such is His mercy. Never dare to approach Sri Sri Radha and Krsna, neglecting the grace of Lord Nityananda (hena Nityananda vine bhai, radha krsna paite nai). So, our revered Sripada Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaja laid stress on Nityananda Prabhu. Nityananda Prabhu is Lord Balarama. Nityananda Prabhu’s grace is stressed for the fallen; His grace is real wealth for them because discrimination has hardly a place in it. Although not much, we nonetheless find some sort of discrimination in the magnanimity of Lord Gauranga. But Nityananda Prabhu is more generous. So first go to Nityananda Prabhu, and by His grace you will go to Mahaprabhu. And by the grace of Mahaprabhu you will easily reach Sri Sri Radha Govinda in Vrndavana. (Source: Chapter Twelve: Every Word is a Song, Sermons from the Guardian of Devotion Vol. 1)
● 8. Nityananda gives Gaura. Ekachakra gives Navadvipa
By the grace of Nityananda Prabhu we can receive the grace of Mahaprabhu. There is no other alternative for us, the fallen souls, especially the beginners. Heno Nityanander bine bhai, radha krsna paite nai by the grace of Nityananda we shall receive the grace of Gauranga and by the grace of Gauranga we shall receive the grace of Radh aGovinda. That is the general waythe grand trunk road that was even foretold by Lord Brahma: krsna bhakta haya yadi balavana, bidhira kalama kathi kore khan khan “If a devotee of Sri Krsna is very powerful, he can easily cut into pieces that which is written down as his destiny.” Then when I came from Vrndavana to take my permanent residence here at this aparadha bhanjan patha, Koladwip, I thought, “I am going to take my shelter in Nabadawip Dham permanently.
But Dhamesvara, the Master of the Dham, is Nityananda Prabhu, therefore before going to Mahaprabhu’s birthplace I must visit Nityananda Prabhu’s birthplace at Ekachakra and beg his permission. If He is propitiated then I may live in Nabadwip Dham safely, otherwise it will be impossible.” So before I came here I went straight to Nityananda Prabhu’s birthplace and made my prostrate obeisances with the prayer, “You are patita pavana, saviour of the fallen, and I crave Your mercy. Please grant me permission to stay permanently at Koladwip in Nabadwip Dham, that I may have my shelter there.” At that time I had already chosen this place at Gupta Govardhan.
(Source: Chapter Three: Personal Glimpses, Sermons from the Guardian of Devotion Vol. 1)
● 9. Without Nityananda, Radha’s service is not achieved
Our highest aspiration is to achieve the service of Shrimati Radharani, but in the beginning, we must approach Shri Nityananda Prabhu through His manifest representation, the guru. Nityananda Prabhu consolidates the foundation which helps us progress further in devotion. Quick progress without a good foundation invites a negative reaction, so the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu is our primary necessity. This approach culminates in the service of Shrimati
Radharani (Nityanandayer karuna habe braje radha krsna pabe).
(Source: Sri Nityananda Rama: The Most Magnanimous)
● 10. Nityananda is Adi Guru Who Awards Sense Control
The original spiritual master is Nityananda Prabhu. He is the general representation of guru. In the spiritual world, he is the gurutattva principle in the four primary mellows of devotion, excluding the conjugal mellow. In madhuryarasa, Baladeva’s representation is Ananga Manjari, the sister of Radharani. The position of Nityananda is greater than that of Baladeva. Why? He is distributing prema, divine love. And what is prema ? It is higher than all other achievements. If one can give divine love, then all others must be subordinate to him. If Krsna is subordinate to Mahaprabhu, then of course, Balarama is subordinate to Nityananda. They are similar, but when magnanimity is added, Balarama becomes Nityananda. That Balarama who can distribute divine love, who can perform that higher function has come here as Nityananda. Our foundation must be solid and proper. Then the structure should be erected. Otherwise the whole thing will go down (heno Nityananda vine bhai radha krsna paite nai ) . We can get a solid foundation from Nityananda Prabhu.
One day Nityananda Prabhu came to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s house in Mayapura. Mahaprabhu’s mother, Saci devi, and Visnupriya devi, his wife, were also there, as well as other devotees. Suddenly, Nityananda arrived, quite naked. Mahaprabhu managed to give him some cloth. And perhaps He was concerned that the devotees might have some misconception about Nityananda Prabhu. So, to prevent this he asked Nityananda Prabhu for his kaupina, his loincloth. He tore it up and distributed it amongst the householders that were present, instructing them, “Keep a piece of his loincloth, as a kavaca, an amulet, and tie that with a thread to your arm or wear it around your neck. Please keep it with you. Then you will be able to achieve sense control very soon.”
Nityananda Prabhu has control of his senses to the extreme degree; he does not know anything of this world. His vairagya, indifference to the world of mundane transaction, is of such a degree that he can appear naked amongst both male and female. So, the grace of Nityananda Prabhu will construct a firm foundation for us. If there is a firm foundation, then we may build a great structure over it. If we have faith in Nityananda then that faith can bear any amount of weight. It won’t betray us.
So, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has laid stress amongst the Westerners on devotion to Nityananda. First, we must get His mercy. And then, afterwards, we can get the mercy of RadhaKrsna. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu means RadhaKrsna (sri krsna caitanya radhakrsna nahe anya ). First achieve the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu, and then Gauranga Mahaprabhu, and then Sri Radha Govinda. In these three stages, we must raise ourselves up.
(Source: Chapter Four: The Original Guru, Sri Guru and His Grace)
● 11. Nityananda forgives Vaisnava Aparadha
We pray to Nityananda Prabhu. We want to come to an adjusted position: “If I have committed any offense, aparadha, when dealing with so many subtle things about the great personages, please, Nityananda Prabhu, absolve me of that offense and restore me to my normal humble position.” Vrindavana Dasa Thakura says, “I bow at the feet of the Vaishnavas; may there be no offense in my attempt to serve them.” sarvavaishnavera pa’ye kari namaskara, ithe aparadha kichu nahuka amara
When we deal with so many great things, such as trying to speak about great personalities of the highest order, we should beg Nityananda Prabhu to pardon us for our audacity. He is patitapavana, savior of the fallen souls. He is adoshadarshi—generally He does not take any offense. (Source: Follow the Angels)
● 12. Nityananda Acts Through Us
He was so simple; so great and so simple at the same time. Anyhow, Mahaprabhu, our Gurudeva has done through him a tremendous inconceivable thing. Even one Maharaj, who could not tolerate all these things, because he was first in charge to go to the West, and could not get the desired success, but the other day, when coming from Mayapura, that Maharaj said, “It is achintya: inconceivable. He did not want to give recognition, but from his mouth, the word came out. That’s what Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj did, that is achintya: it is inconceivable. So, it is divine. It is inconceivable what he has done, what Nityananda Prabhu, what Baladeva has done through him, that is inconceivable. (The Guide)
● 13. Nityananda reveals Vrindavan
How is it that the sound of Krsna’s flute, the sound of His name, and a picture of His form are nondifferent from Krsna Himself? Idealism. In Hegel’s words, ideal realism. The absolute idea is not to be dismissed as an abstract thing; rather, it is the basis of all existence. Reality is there, but it is ideal realism. And the foundation of the reality of Vrndavana is given by Nityananda, Baladeva: Nityanandayer koruna habe, braje radhakrsna pabe, dharo Nityanandacarana du’khani. (Source: The Service of Sri Radha)
● 14. Nityananda enables Radha Krishna’s Worship
Sreyah covers the grace of Nityananda Prabhu, for it is by His Grace that we may be allowed to worship Radha and Krsna in Vrndavan (Nityanander karuna habe, braje radha krsna pabe.) (Source: Our Inner Treasure)
● 15. Nityananda is fully transcendental
Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu once told His followers, “Even if Nityananda Prabhu is found with a fallen girl of the lowest kind” drinking wine in a wine shop, still you should know that He is above all these things. Although you may find Him apparently engaged in lower activities, He is never implicated. He may appear connected with so many fallen activities, but you should know that He is always revered by the creator of the universe, Lord Brahma, and other exalted devotees. Nityananda Prabhu’s mercy is so powerful that if one simply takes a piece of His loincloth and wears it respectfully on his body, He will be saved from all the disturbances of the mundane senses. Therefore we pray, “May my mind always stick to His holy feet; I offer my obeisances to Shri Nityananda Prabhu.”
If we neglect Nityananda Prabhu and Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, our aspiration to serve Radha Govinda will be a dream, an abstract imagination without reality. Nityananda Prabhu is the refuge of all fallen souls. He is the most generous hearted aspect of guru tattva; we must bow down our head to Him, accept His holy feet, and surrender to Him.
(Source: Part 1, Chapter 3: Friend of the Fallen, Golden Volcano of Divine Love)
● 16. Ontological Position of Nityananda
In the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha, Nityananda Prabhu is represented as Sankarsana, the Supreme Lord who is considered to be the foundation of everything in existence. All possible existence is maintained by His energy. Nityananda Prabhu is the original Baladeva, the Personality of Godhead. Therefore, we should view the pastimes of Nityananda Prabhu with full consciousness of His dignified position, although He used to roam about here and there, rolling in the dust with tears in His eyes, saying, “Take the name of Gauranga and I will be sold to you.”
Although He posed in this lower position, still, He should be considered in light of His actual dignified position. We must surrender to Him with that attitude. Shri Krsna prema, divine love, is an inconceivable substance which is very pleasing and ecstatic. Great saints who get a taste of that wonderful substance throw away all sorts of aspirations, including salvation, which is lavishly praised by the Vedas. So Nityananda Prabhu, although one with Baladeva, is greater than Him. Why? He is distributing divine love.
What is divine love? It is so important and valuable, so much higher than all other sorts of achievements, that one who can give divine love is far superior to those who can give duty, wealth, pleasure, and even salvation (dharma, artha, kama, moksa). If we conceive that Krsna is subordinate to Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, then of course Balarama is subordinate to Nityananda Prabhu. In all other respects the two of Them are similar, but when magnanimity is added to Balarama, He becomes Nityananda Prabhu.
First, the position of divine love must be established: the great saints discard salvation and other things after they get a slight scent of divine love. Once the position of divine love is established, we can understand that one who can give it must necessarily be superior to the givers of all other things. So Nityananda Balarama is superior to Karanadakasayi Visnu, the Supersoul of the collective universes, Garbhodakasayi Visnu, the Supersoul of this universe; and Ksirodakashayi Visnu, the Supersoul of all living beings. And that Balarama has come here as Nityananda Prabhunot with majesty, grandeur, or power, but in a human formto distribute divine love.
(Source: Part 1, Chapter 3: Friend of the Fallen, Golden Volcano of Divine Love)
● 17. Nityananda’s Peculiar Strategy
Nityananda Prabhu’s approach was somewhat peculiar. His strategy was to uplift the most hopeless. Like Napoleon, whose policy was to attack the strongest position of the opposing army, Nityananda Prabhu wanted to capture the most lost. (Source: Part 1, Chapter 3: Friend of the Fallen, Golden Volcano of Divine Love)
