Nityananda
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Nityananda (Bangla: শ্রী নিত্যানন্দ) (b 1474 CE) is famous as a Vaishnavite saint. His importance in Vaishnavism, and especially Gaudiya Vaishnavism in Bengal, is central. Nityananda was Chaitanya's friend, disciple and spiritual mate. They are often mentioned together as Gaura-Nitai (Gaura, "golden one", referring to Chaitanya) or Nimai-Nitai (Nimai referring to Chaitanya). Followers often refer to Nityananda as 'Sri Nityananda', 'Prabhu Nityananda' or 'Nityananda Rama'.
According to Gaudiya-Vaishnava tradition Sri Nityananda was an incarnation of Lord Balarama, with Chaitanya being his eternal brother and friend, Krishna. He is famous as being the 'most merciful' incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Life
Nityananda was born in Ekachakra, a small village in present West Bengal, around the year 1474. He was born to a religious Brahmin family. His devotion and great talent for singing Vaishnavite hymns were apparent at an early age.
At 13, Nityananda is said to have left home with a travelling sannyasi Lakshmipati Tirtha apparently at Tirtha's request. This started Nityananda's long physical and spiritual journey through India which would get him in contact with important Gurus of the Vaishnava tradition. Apart from Lakshmipati Tirtha, who at some point initiated him, he was also associated with Lakshmipati Tirtha's famous other disciples: Madhavendra Puri, Advaita Acharya, and Ishvara Puri. Ishvara Puri was the spiritual master of Chaitanya and that was another link that brought them together.
Nityananda met Chaitanya in 1506, when He was 32 years old and Chaitanya 20. Vaishnava tradition has it that their meeting was tearful and filled with ecstasy of meeting soulmates after a long time. They would later be revered as brothers, Chaitanya an incarnation of Krishna and Nityananda of Balarama.
The Jagai-Madhai episode
The episode of Jagai-Madhai is arguably the most well known of tales related to Chaitanya and Nityananda. There are a few versions of the story, but this a traditional Vaishnavite version in a nutshell: Once while chanting the name of Krishna in the streets, Nityananda was attacked by Jagai and Madhai, two irreverent drunk brothers. Madhai threw an earthen pot which cut his forehead. At this point Nityananda is said to have uttered the now famous sentence, "Merechhish kolshir kana, tai bole ki prem debona" (Shall I stop giving you love because you have hit me with an earthen pot?). Chaitanya heard of the episode, flew to a rage, and wanted to kill the brothers with his divine Chakra. Nityananda begged him to pardon them and they became Chaitanya's disciples, converted by Nityananda's compassion.
Legacy
The exploits of Chaitanya and Nityanada have had deep religious and cultural implications in Bengal. They are credited with the revival of Hinduism in Eastern India, plagued mainly by the caste system, which they denounced. Much of Vaishnava literature, regarded as one the finest literary heritage of medieval Bengal, came from them or their disciples. Even in secular literature, their brotherly love towards each other has been celebrated.
Principle Names of Lord Nityananda
- Nityananda -- He Who embodies eternal bliss
- Avadhutendu -- The Moon of divine madmen
- Vasudha-prana-vallabha -- The beloved of the life-breath of Vasudha
- Krsna-prema-prada -- He Who bestows ecstatic love for Krsna
- Prabhu -- The Lord and Master of the devotees
- Padmavati-suta -- The dear son of Padmavati
- Sriman -- He of spendrous transcendental majesty
- Saci-nandana-purvaja -- The older brother of mother Saci's son
- Bhavonmatta -- He Who is maddened in overwhelming ecstatic emotions
- Jagat-trata -- The savior of the universe
- Rakta-gaura-kalevara - He Whose complexion is golden tinged with red
See also
External links
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