Sri Vishnusvami blessed by Sri Rudradeva and Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu

Sri Vishnu Swami

Lord Nityananda said, “One time Sri Vishnu Svami went traveling as a Digvijayi, conquering all directions. When he reached Rudradvipa, he stayed there for the night along with his disciples, who were dancing, chanting the holy name, ‘Hari Hari!’ Sri Vishnu Svami was reading the sruti and smriti scriptures. Sri Nila-lohita (Lord Siva) was pleased to see this display of bhakti and decided to grant him his darsana. When Sri Rudradeva arrived in the assembly of Vaishnavas, Vishnu Svami was surprised to see him and he respectfully offered prayers with folded hands. Lord Rudra mercifully said, ‘All you Vaisnavas are dear to me, I am very pleased to see all of you discussing bhakti. You may ask from me any boon, out of my mercy I will fulfil your desire. I can give anything to Vaisnavas.’ 

Vishnu Svami offered prostrated obeisances and in great ecstasy he asked, ‘Oh my Lord! Please give us the boon that all of us may achieve perfection in the bhakti-sampradaya.’ With great pleasure Lord Rudra granted the wish of Vishnu Svami and accepted his sampradaya as his own. Since then the Vishnu Svami-sampradaya has been famous as the Sri Rudra-sampradaya. By the mercy of Rudradeva, Sri Vishnu Svami resides at this place, worshiping Sri Gauracandra in order to achieve pure love or prema. Once Sri Gauranga appeared in his dream and said, ‘You have received the blessings of My devotee, Rudradeva. You are blessed to receive the wealth of bhakti in Navadvipa. Now you should go and preach the philosophy of suddhadvaita. During My manifested pastime you will appear as Sri Vallabha Bhatta and after having My darsana in Sri-kshetra you will attain perfection in your sampradaya by going to Mahavana.’” Lord Nityananda continued, saying, “O, Jiva! Sri Vallabha is now in Gokula. If you go there you can receive his darsana.”