Preface

A translation of the preface to the original publication of
Sri Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya written by
Srila Bhakti Vinod Thakur

"As there are books about the glory of other Dhams, so there should be a book about the glory of Sri Nabadwip Dham"—long ago this desire arose in the hearts of the sadhus. But because such a book cannot be published until Sriman Nityananda Prabhu desires it, it has remained unpublished. Now that a suitable time has arrived by the inspiration of Sriman Nityananda Prabhu, and with the sanction of the Vaisnava sadhus, I have published this book.

Using the descriptions of the Dham in Sriman Narahari Das's Bhakti-ratnakara and Navadvipa-dhama-parikrama-paddhati, and those made by Sri Narottam Thakur, Sri Paramananda Das, and other writers as a basis, I have visited all the villages within the thirty-two mile circumference of Sriman Nabadwip Dham, collected verbal accounts from knowledgeable residents of those places, gathered all the clues about the Dham within the scriptures, and then composed this book.

In scriptures such as the Vedas and Puranas, there are numerous clues about Sri Nabadwip Dham. Upon reading the verse from Srimad Bhagavatam (7.9.38) cited below, it is easily understood that the scriptures have also described the hidden Avatar (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) in a hidden way:

dharmam mahapurusa pasi yuganuvrttam
chhannah kalau yad abhavas triyugo 'tha sa tvam

["O Supreme Lord! You protect the dharma in accordance with each age. Because You are hidden in the Age of Kali, You are known as Triyuga, He who appears in three ages."]

The small map included in this book was prepared from a government authorised topographic map. Therefore, it should be considered accurate. As the map's scale is small, only the names of the principal places have been given.