Author Archives: Sevak

Why is this island named Rudradvipa?

 

The village Radupura is situated on the eastern side of the Ganga. Some people also call this place Rudrapura. Rudradvipa is said to be divided into two portions. One portion is on the eastern bank of the Ganga and the other portion is on the western bank. Due to the movement of the Ganga sometimes a portion on the western side of the Ganga moves to the eastern side and vice-versa. Thus the exact location of various places is difficult to ascertain. Sri Isana Thakura, during his parikrama with Srila Srinivasa Acarya, came to this place and gave the following explanation: “This place is now known as Radupura but previously it was called Rudradvipa. The village of Radupura has since disappeared and now only some uninhabited land remains. I will now tell you why this place was known as Rudradvipa. Sri Rudradeva was very happy within his heart knowing that Sri Gauracandra would appear in Nadia. Rudradeva, along with his followers, became mad while describing the glorious qualities of Lord Gauranga. All around him was the sound vibration of drums and various other instruments. Mahesvara was dancing ecstatically with wonderful bodily movements. By the weight of Rudra’s every step the earth was shaking. 

Rudradeva

Who would not become impatient to have darsana of that dance? Who would not dance when Lord Rudra is dancing? From heaven the demigods started to sprinkle flowers. Happiness increased within the hearts of all the demigods, who said, ‘Now all living entities will be free from all kinds of suffering. Before the appearance of the Lord, Rudradeva is chanting the glories of His birth. This means the Lord will appear in Nadia very soon. Our hearts will be filled with happiness to witness the birth pastimes of the Lord.’ Speaking in this way, all the demigods in heaven started dancing. Rudradeva forgot himself while chanting the glories of Lord Gauranga, who therefore became concerned about Rudra’s condition. He appeared in front of Rudradeva, invisible to anyone else. The Lord then pacified Mahadeva by saying, 

‘I will fulfil your desire. I will appear very soon along with My associates.’ By hearing the words of the Lord, Rudradeva became peaceful and filled with great happiness. 

He offered various prayers, glorifying Lord Gauracandra. Sri Gaurasundara embraced Rudradeva and then disappeared, leaving him very perturbed due to losing the Lord’s darsana. After some time, by the mercy of the Lord, Rudradeva again became pacified. Lord Rudra sits here along with his associates and distributes the nectar of gaura-katha. This place is very pious because Rudradeva had some pastimes here and therefore it is known as Rudradvipa. 

Why this place was known as Mahatpura

The reason behind the name Mahatpura is explained in the Bhaktiratnakara. Isana Thakura said, “This place is known as Matapura. Previously it was called Mahatpura. I will explain to you the story of why people called this place Mahatpura. By the desire of Sri Krishna, the Pandavas were sent to reside in the forest. During this time they experienced much enjoyment, traveling to many countries. Those places that were not visited by the Pandavas were considered by intelligent people to be “Pandava-varjita-desa”, lands deprived of the Pandavas’ visit. The many great qualities of the Pandavas are described in the Puranas. They had killed many demons and rakshasas at different places while traveling and they eventually found themselves in Gaura-desa. They chose to settle in Radhadesa, in a village called Ekacakra. Bhimasena became very famous by killing many demons who were disturbing the people of the Ekacakra area, and the Pandavas, along with Draupadi, engaged in unrivalled welfare work for humanity in general. They lived a solitary existence in Ekacakra, always remembering Sri Balarama and Sri Krishnacandra. By seeing the beauty of Ekacakra, most learned Yudhishthira thought to himself, ‘I have visited many places. But never have I seen a place like this. No other place has attracted our minds in this way. I can therefore understand that this must be a pastime place of Lord Sri Krishna. I can only understand the glory of this place if Lord Sri Krishna will reveal it to me.’ Yudhishthira remained fixed in such meditation throughout the night and eventually, by the desire of Sri Krishna, he fell asleep just as the night was ending. In his dream, the son of Rohini, Lord Balarama, appeared to him in His most incomparably attractive form. Lord Balarama, while smiling affectionately, told King Yudhishthira, ‘Some distance from here is a place called Navadvipa which is surrounded by many rivers and looks very beautiful. During the first sandhya of Kali-yuga, Sri Krishna will appear there in a brahmana family. He will be disguised to magnify His pleasure. His dear associates will take birth at various locations. I will appear here in Ekacakra by His desire. This Ekacakra village is the place of My pastimes.’ Having said this, Lord Baladeva disappeared. King Yudhishthira was very surprised by his dream and saw Ekacakra village as non-different from Svetadvipa. While looking at the beauty of the land, he woke up. In the early morning he informed all of his brothers about his dream. From Ekacakra the Pandavas came to Navadvipa. By seeing the beauty of Navadvipa they were extremely happy and King Yudhishthira wondered, ‘Will I see something in my dream as I did in Ekacakra village?’ and became anxious to have a similar experience. Then, by the desire of Sri Krishna, he fell asleep. In his dream both brothers, Sri Krishna and Sri Balarama, appeared in Their most gorgeous forms. Sri Krishna spoke to King Yudhishthira with a broad smile, ‘This Nadia city is My birthplace. I will appear here in Kali-yuga along with My associates, wildly absorbed in sankirtana, and engage the world in this sublime process. I will enjoy with all of you on the seashore. (The Pandavas would appear in Puri as five brothers, one of whom was Ramananda Raya.) I will give all of you the rarest nectar of love of Vraja.’ Speaking in this way and understanding the mood of the king, Sri Krishna transformed Himself into the most beautiful Lord Gauranga. The great emperor Yudhishthira lost all control witnessing this form of Sri Krishna and Sri Balarama. With great ecstasy he began shedding tears and fell at the lotus feet of both the brothers. The Lords embraced the king and left only after pacifying him. King Yudhishthira became very much perplexed when he awoke to see it was already morning time. He then informed his brothers about this wonderful dream and stayed there for a few days. Yudhishthira Maharaja was the greatest among all “mahats” or great people. Because he was staying here, this place is known as “Mahatpura”. Previously there were five banyan trees here offering their cooling shade. There was also one tila here known as Yudhishthira-tila. By the desire of the Lord, all those places are now hidden. Thus the Pandavas, who were staying here incognito, went to Orissa by the order of the Lord. They resided in Utkala, near Puri, inside a beautiful garden. There they got information that the deity of Sri Madhava was being held by some rakshasa. Bhima proceeded to kill the demon by hitting him with his club (gada) and established the worship of Sri Madhava among the people in general. Till now these most fortunate people are engaged in the service of Sri Madhava. In this Mahatpura, Sri Gauranga along with His associates manifested many wonderful pastimes with great joy. If anyone is fortunate enough to take darsana of Mahatpura even once, he will easily obtain the priceless wealth of bhakti. If anyone so much as takes darsana of a person who has developed an interest in the subject matter of Mahatpura, he will become free from all negative thoughts.

Directions: Turn left onto the road when leaving the Saranga Murari temple. Take the first right turning and proceed for approximately 3-4 kilometers. The site is located on the left of the road beside the Ganga River. It is a backwater of the Ganga River that used to flow here. This area is located on the northwestern boundary of Modadrumadvipa. Although presently known as Matapura, the scriptures call this place Mahatpura. There is a factory in the old bed of Ganges. There was a big sacrifice arena here five thousand years ago and also there were 5 huge banyan trees. But now they have disappeared.

Lord Gauracandra manifests to Madhvacarya

Lord Gauracandra manifests to Madhvacarya

At this place (Mahatpura), Madhvacarya and his disciples stayed for a few days as dhama-vasis. Sri Gaurasundara mercifully revealed His most attractive form to Madhvacarya in a dream. Gauracandra smilingly said, “Everyone knows that you are My eternal servant. When I appear in Navadvipa-dhama, I will accept your sampradaya. For the time being, travel everywhere and root out the philosophy of mayavada which has been described in asat-sastras. Manifest the glories of sri-murti and I will spread your pure verdict.” Having spoken these words, Lord Gaurasundara disappeared. Madhva Muni then woke from his sleep and fainted. He started weeping and said, “Shall I again see that most beautiful, molten-gold form of the Lord?’’ An ethereal sound, daiva-vani, manifested in the clear sky saying, “Worship Me secretly and come to Me.” Madhvacarya became pacified by hearing this and proceeded to defeat all the mayavadis.

Lord Gauranga manifests to the Panca-Pandavas at Mahatpura

While describing the magnificent topics of Vaikunthapura, Lord Nityananda and the other devotees reached Mahatpura. Lord Nityananda said, “This place is Kamyavana. Please take darsana of this place with utmost devotion. Previously panca- vata (five banyan trees) were growing here, but by the desire of the Lord all these trees have disappeared. Now this place is known as Matapura. But according to scripture it was previously known as Mahatpura. During the period of their exile, the five Pandavas along with Draupadi devi had come to Gaura-desa. While they were staying in the village of Ekacakra, Yudhishthira Maharaja saw the glories of Nadia in a dream and became very anxious. The next day, with great hankering to visit Navadvipa-dhama, all of them happily came to this place. By seeing the beauty of the dhama, the Pandavas praised the good fortune of the inhabitants of Gaura-mandala-bhumi. They stayed here for a few days and killed many demons and rakshasas. All of you please look, this is Yudhishthira tila and here you can see Draupadi kunda. Understanding the glories of this place King Yudhishthira stayed here peacefully for a few days. One day in his dream he saw the transcendental form of Lord Gauranga. That incredible form of the Lord was dazzling all directions. While smiling Lord Gauranga said, ‘Behold My most confidential form. I as Krishna, son of Nanda, always stay at your house as your friend. This Navadvipa-dhama is the best among all the dhamas. This dhama manifests in Kali-yuga to dispel the darkness. All of you are My eternal servants and will take birth during My manifested pastimes. I will stay with you constantly in Purushottama-kshetra which is situated in Utkala-desa on the coast. Now please go from here to Orissa and purify that land to reduce the suffering of the living entities.’ Yudhishthira described this dream to his brothers and then all of them, along with mother Kunti, proceeded to Orissa. It was very painful for them to leave Navadvipa, but they had to follow the order of the Lord.”