श्रीरुद्रद्वीप की महिमा

Rudradvipa has been cut in two pieces by the Ganges. See how this western island has now moved to the east bank. By the Lord’s desire, no one lives on this side now. From here see Sri Sankarapura. Even from a distance, see how it beautifies the bank of the Ganges. When Sankaracarya went out to defeat all opponents, on his way to Navadvipa, he first arrived there. Within his heart, he was the topmost Vaisnava but externally he played the role of a mayavadi, a servant of Maya. Actually, he was an incarnation of Siva, and by the Lord’s order he expertly preached a covered form of Buddhism. While engaged in this way, he came to Nadia.

When Sankaracarya came to this place, Gauracandra appeared to him in a dream and mercifully spoke to him in sweet words, “You are My servant. Following My orders, you are preaching effectively the Mayavada doctrine. But as Navadvipa-dhama is very dear to Me, the Mayavada philosophy has no place here. On My behalf, Vrddha Siva and Praudha Maya spread the imaginary impersonal interpretations of scriptures, but only to those people who envy the devotees of the Lord. In this way I cheat them. Since this Navadvipa-dhama is generally a place for My devotees, not for the envious, you should go somewhere else. Do not contaminate the inhabitants of Navadvipa.”

Realizing the truth about Navadvipa in his dream and with devotion instilled in his heart, he went elsewhere.

In this Rudradvipa, the eleven Rudras reside. Headed by Nila-lohita Siva, the Rudras chant Gauranga’s glories and constantly dance in bliss. As the demigods watch their dancing, they become happy and shower flowers from the sky.

One time, Visnusvami came here during the course of his tour to defeat opposing philosophies. He stayed the night with his followers here in Rudradvipa. The disciples began dancing and singing, ‘Hari bol’ while Visnusvaml recited prayers from the Sruti. Pleased by the discussion of bhakti, Nila-lohita mercifully appeared there. Upon Siva`s arrival in the assembly, Visnusvami became startled. He folded his hands in prayer and recited appropriate praises. Siva spoke to him, ‘All of you Vaisnavas are dear to me. Your discussion on devotional service has pleased me. Ask a boon, and I will grant it. There is nothing I will not give to the Vaisnavas.

Visnusvami offered his dandavats and, filled with ecstatic love, he said, ‘Give us this one gift; that henceforth we will perfect a sampradaya teaching devotional service.

In great bliss, Rudra consented and named the sampradaya after himself. Thus, Visnusvami’s sampradaya is called the Rudra-sampradaya. With the mercy of Rudra, Visnusvami stayed here and worshipped Gauracandra with a desire to attain love of God.

Gauranga appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘By Rudra’s mercy you have become My devotee. You are fortunate to attain the treasure of bhakti in Navadvipa. Now go out and preach the philosophy of suddhadvaita (purified monism). The time of. My appearance on earth will soon come. At that time you will appear in the form of Sri Vallabha Bhatta. You will meet Me in Puri, and you will perfect your sampradaya when you go to Mahavana.’

O Jiva! Sri Vallabha is now in Gokula. When you go there, you will be able to see him.” Saying this, Nityananda happily went south to Paradanga in Sri Pulina. Here he showed the place where Sri Rasa-mandala and Dhira-samira of Vraja were located. He said, “O Jiva, this is Vrndavana. One can see the Vrndavana pastimes here.” Upon hearing the word ‘Vrndavana,’ Jiva began trembling and tears flowed from his eyes.

The Lord continued, “Gauranga brought His devotees here, and they performed kirtana describing the rasa-lila. The place of the rasa-lila in Vrndavana is situated here on the bank of the Ganges. The rasa-lila pastimes, with the gopis, which are eternally enacted here, are sometimes seen by fortunate persons.”

Listen sober-minded one, west of here, see Sri Dhira-samira, a nice place for worship of the Lord. In Vrndavana, Dhira-samira is situated on the bank of the Yamuna, and here it lies on the bank of the Ganges. Actually what you see, however, is not the bank of the Ganges, but that of the Yamuna, which flows on the western side of the Ganges. As this beautiful Pulina lies on the bank of the Yamuna, Visvambhara therefore calls this place Vrndavana. You should know that all the pastime places of Vrndavana are situated within this place. Make no distinction between Vrndavana and Navadvipa nor between Gauranga and Krsna.

In this way, overwhelmed with ecstatic love, Nityananda Raya took Jiva and showed him around Vrndavana. Then, heading some distance to the north, they spent the night in Rudradvipa.

With the lotus feet of Nitai and Jahnava as my only wealth, Bhaktivinoda sings this glorification of Nadia.