SRI NABADWIP DHAM MAHATMYA-MUKTA-MALA

Ritudwip (archanam: Deity worship)

Sri Ritudwip

The village of Sri Chapahati is situated between Koladwip and Ritudwip, so as we continue our way with the parikrama, we proceed from Sri Dvija Vaninath’s temple and now, by the mercy of Sri Gurupadpadma, have entered Sri Ritudwip. Because all six seasons (spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, pre-winter, winter) exist here beautifully all together, this island is called Sri Ritudwip (ritu means ‘seasons’). Among the nine kinds of devotion, this island is the place of archan, or Deity worship.

Sriman Nityananda Prabhu came here with Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu and a few other devotees. When He saw this enchanting island, He immediately became spell-bound. The environment at this place – with its trees, breeze, flowers, bumble-bees, etc. – is very beautiful and sweet, non-different from Sri Vraja Dham. Coming to this place, we remember a sloka that was composed by Srila Jayadev Goswami Prabhu and that we heard from the holy lotus mouth of our Srila Guru Maharaj:

lalita-lavanga-lata-parisilana-komala-malaya-samire
madhukara-nikara-karambita-kokila-kujita-kunja-kutire
viharati harir iha sarasa-vasante,
nrtyati yuvati-janena samam sakhi virahi-janasya durante

‘My friend! At the coming of the spring, the gentle fragrant flower-bearing trees, touched by a soft breeze, are such a charming sight; the sweet humming of bumble-bees and coos of cuckoos resound at the solitary forest cottages. Sri Hari is enjoying Himself with young damsels at this amorous time of spring – alas! this unbearably awful spring season makes those afflicted with separation feel miserable!’

Coming to this enchanting Ritudwip and becoming overwhelmed with this mood, Sriman Nityananda Prabhu spoke in the agony of separation:

‘Come! Come! Quick, bring My horn! The calves have gone far, and Kanai is sleeping like a baby! Where is Subal? Where is Sridam?’ Seeing His wondrous state, devotees said, ‘Dear Nitai, Your brother Gauracha̐d is not here. Making us pathetically destitute, He has taken sannyas and left for Nilachal!’ Hearing this, Nityananda Prabhu’s joy immediately vanished – He fell on the ground and began to weep, ‘No! Oh no! Kanai has left us and left for Nilachal! I cannot live any longer! I will jump into the Yamuna!’ Not being able to tolerate the pain of separation, Nityananda Prabhu fainted and fell on the ground. A long time passed, but He did not wake up. When, in the end, devotees started chanting kirtan in glorification of Gauranga Mahaprabhu, Nitai suddenly woke up and said to everyone, ‘This here is Radha Kunda, and look, over there is Shyama Kunda. We used to chant kirtan here with Gaura’s devotees. There is no other place in all three worlds that could compare to this place. Those devotees who live here attain transcendental love for Lord Sri Krishna – their hearts become very serene and cool.’

(At Sri Radha Kunda in Ritudwip)

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