SRI NABADWIP DHAM MAHATMYA-MUKTA-MALA

Jahnudwip (vandanam: offering obeisance, prayer)

Sri Jahnudwip

Continuing Sri Nabadwip Dham parikrama, we have crossed Sri Ritudwip and have now come to Sri Jahnudwip. There is no temple in this island, but we stop and sit in the middle of the forest in Sri Jahnudwip for some time to speak about the glory of this island.

This enchanting forest is Bhadravan of Vrindavan Dham. In ancient times, a great sage Jahnu lived here and practised austerities for a long time, as a result of which he attained the darsan of Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

When we went to Ganganagar, we spoke about the Ganges: we spoke about how Bhagirath Maharaj took Ganga Devi to the ocean to rescue his ancestors. One evening, when Jahnu Muni was sitting here, a pot that he used for the worship of the Lord fell into the swift current of the Bhagirathi Ganga and was carried away. When Jahnu Muni saw it, he drank all water of the Ganges.

In the meantime, Bhagirath Maharaj noticed that the Ganges was nowhere to be seen. He searched and searched for the Ganges and eventually understood what had happened. He came to Jahnu Muni and explained to him everything very humbly, but Jahnu Muni did not say anything. Then, Bhagirath Maharaj stayed here and started worshipping and meditating on the sage to attain his mercy. After a long while, Jahnu Muni took pity on the king – he split his thigh open and let Ganga Devi come out of it. This is how Ganga Devi got her name Jahnavi (‘born of Jahnu’).

Long after that, in Dvapar-yuga, Ganga Devi’s son, Bhismadev, came here to meet with his mother. Seeing her dear son, Jahnavi Devi showed much affection to him and took him to the house of her father, Jahnu Muni. Bhismadev lived in the ashram of Jahnu Muni for a long time and studied dharma from the sage (he later taught these same teachings to Yudhisthir Maharaj). By staying at this Sri Jahnudwip within Nabadwip Dham and by receiving the treasure of devotion, Bhismadev became a great Vaisnav.

This is the glory of this beautiful island Sri Jahnudwip.

Jay Srila Guru Maharaj ki jay.

(Seated at one of the spots in a charming forest of Sri Jahnudwip.)

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