Page 67 - SBV (English)

Early Life 7

Räja Kåñëänanda and bestowed mercy upon him. The 7th
generation from Kåñëänanda saw the appearance of Madana-
mohana, whose piety was so famed that it is recommended
to remember him in the morning. He was venerated by all
*
the residents of Bengal, especially all respectable persons of
Calcutta. He fostered the prestige of varëäçrama-dharma by
establishing temples and other such structures in Banaras and
similar holy places, by having bodies of water excavated in
many locations, and by constructing the steps at the preta-
çilä in Gayä. The generosity and prosperity of his eldest son,
†
Räma-tanu, was in recent days spoken of in every home in
Calcutta. A great-grandson of Madana-mohana was Änanda-
candra Datta, who gave his third son, our Öhäkura, the name
Kedäranätha. 3
Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura had appeared in 1838 as the most distinguished
descendant of a lineage that was already renowned for both worldly and religious
merit. With the advent of Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté, the family line
became even further enhanced. Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté was certainly
not an ordinary mortal belonging to a particular race or caste. He was neither
Bengali, Indian, nor käyastha, but a resident of Vaikuëöha come to exhibit the
character of the spiritual world and reclaim fallen souls.

Childhood and Youth

Bimalä Prasäda was five months old at the time of Lord Jagannätha’s
Ratha-yäträ, an annual festival attracting lakhs of pilgrims. His father’s house
was situated along the parade route on Grand Road. Although the procession
usually finishes in a few hours, this time Lord Jagannätha’s cart stopped for three
days outside the home of His dear devotee Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura. During
‡
that period Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura arranged for a continuous saìkértana

* It is a principle of Vedic culture that immediately upon awakening, one should recall
greatly pious persons and their outstanding qualities, thus invoking their blessings and
setting an ideal to emulate throughout the day.

† Preta-çilä—a specific stone upon which oblations of food are offered to deceased
forefathers.
‡ Lord Jagannätha allows Himself to be carried onto a cart and pulled by His devotees
as if dependent on them, but by His wish the cart sometimes malfunctions or becomes
immovable.