Page 65 - SBV (English)

Early Life 5

love. Kindly embrace us.” When will that day come? That day
will witness the holy transcendental Vaiñëava-prema to be the
only dharma, and like rivers meeting the ocean, all narrow
creeds will mix with the unlimited Vaiñëava dharma. When
will that day come? 1

Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura’s promotion of the pure, original teachings
of Lord Caitanya had made some headway in bringing his predictions closer
to fruition. Still, his longing for East and West to unite in Kåñëa-bhakti might
have seemed merely quixotic. Then one night in a dream Lord Jagannätha told
Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura, “I didn’t bring you to Puré to execute legal matters,
but to establish Vaiñëava siddhänta.” Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura responded,
“Your teachings have been significantly depreciated, and I lack the power to
restore them. Much of my life has passed and I am otherwise engaged, so please
send somebody from Your personal staff so that I can start this movement.” Lord
Jagannätha directed him to pray to the deity of Bimalä-devé. In this way, just
as Caitanya Mahäprabhu had appeared in response to the call of Çré Advaita
Prabhu, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté was sent by Lord Caitanya to fulfil
the prayers of Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura. Even before Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta
Sarasvaté’s advent, his great-grandfather had predicted from his deathbed
that an extraordinary sadhu would take birth in Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura’s
house.
An astrologer commissioned to calculate the natal chart declared that the
newborn’s body possessed all thirty-two symptoms of an exalted personage, as
delineated in scripture:

païca-dérghaù païca-sükñmaù sapta-raktaù ñaò-unnataù
tri-hrasva-påthu-gambhéro dvätriàçal-lakñaëo mahän

The five large parts are the nose, arms, chin, eyes, and knees. The
five fine parts are the skin, fingertips, teeth, hair on the body, and
hair on the head. The seven red parts are the eyes, soles, palms,
palate, nails, and upper and lower lips. The six raised parts are the
chest, shoulders, nails, nose, waist, and mouth. The three small parts
are the neck, thighs, and male organ. The three broad parts are
the waist, forehead, and chest. The three grave parts are the navel,
voice, and existence. 2
The astrologer further averred, “I have done many horoscopes in my life, but
have never before seen one replete with all the signs of an eminent personality.
This child will become world famous as a teacher of the ultimate goal of life.”