Nityananda Trayodasi

Today is the appearance day of Lord Nityananda.

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the most merciful incarnation of Krishna - maha-vadanyaya - but Lord Nityananda is even more merciful than Lod Caitanya. Srila Bhaktivinoda Tahkur describes in his song Sri Nagara Kirtana (The Market Place of the Holy Name) that Lord Nityananda is freely distributing the holy name of Lord in exchange for just a little faith. Lord Nityananda is mercifully delivering the holy name in this way by the order of His Master - Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

If we are eager to receive the mercy of Lord Caitanya we must first attain the mercy of Lord Nityananda. How do we receive the mercy of Nityananda? Srila Prabhupada says this it is possible to receive the favor of Nityananda by preaching to the Jagai's and Madhai's of this age. Furthermore, he assures us that in this age of Kali-yuga, everyone is to be considered on the level of Jagai and Madhai.

In his purport to Manah-siksa, by Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, Srila Prabhupada gives an illuminating explanation of the nature of fact as distinguished from material illusion.

"Why are these human animals acting in this way? Ahankare matta hoiya, nitai-pada pasariya. They have become maddened by a false concept of bodily life, and thus they have forgotten their eternal relationship with Nityananda. Asatyere satya kori mani: such forgetful persons accept the illusory energy as factual. Asatyere refers to that which is not a fact, or, in other words, maya. Maya means that which has no existence but is a temporary illusion only. Persons who have no contact with Nityananda accept this illusory body as factual.

Narottama dasa Thakura then says, nitaiyer koruna habe, braje radha-krsna pabe: "If you actually want to approach the association of Radha-Krsna, you must achieve the mercy of Lord Nityananda first. When He is merciful toward you, then you will be able to approach Radha-Krsna." Dharo nitai-carana du'khani. Narottama dasa advises that one firmly catch the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda.

Then again he says, nitai-carana satya. One should not misunderstand and think that as he has caught hold of maya, similarly the lotus feet of Nityananda may also be something like that maya, or illusion. Therefore Narottama dasa confirms, nitai-carana satya: the lotus feet of Nityananda are not illusion; they are a fact. Tahara sevaka nitya: and one who engages in the transcendental loving service of Nityananda is also transcendental. If one engages in the transcendental loving service of Nityananda in Krsna consciousness, he immediately achieves his transcendental position on the spiritual platform, which is eternal and blissful. Therefore he advises, nitai-pada sada koro asa: always try to catch the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda."

To view video of Nityananda Trayodasi festivities in Sri Vrindavana Dhama, click here.