| Nityananda |
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| vaishnavism | |
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Nityananda ( 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, Lord 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 , 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 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
from the writings of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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