Page 20 - Rasikananda - Eng

4 The Story of Rasikänanda

in Utkala, this moon of the gopa dynasty has blessed the people
with the path of loving devotional service and thus removed the
darkness of sin. Indeed, he is an ocean of bliss and mercy, and he
*
possesses a mind-enchanting beauty that can conquer over the
three worlds. Rasika Prabhu is an ocean of love of God, and a
sea of nectar. He is the most fortunate person in all respects and
possesses an immeasurable treasure. He can remove the agony of
the three worlds. His compassionate words can melt any heart.

Çyämänanda, the crest jewel of the mellow of conjugal love,
appears in every age to perform his pastimes. O Prabhu, son of
Durikä, bestow your favor on me so that I may sing the glories of
your dear devotee, Rasika Muräri. I worship the feet of the three
Öhäkuräëés, the wives of Çré Guru, by whose favor I have learned
about loving devotional service to Kåñëa. O wives of Çyämänanda,
please favor me by allowing me to sing the glories of Rasika. You are
images of love of Kåñëa and personifications of devotion, famous
in this world as disciples of Hådayänanda.
I worship the Supreme Lord, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, who
bestows love of Godhead to all living beings. The son of mother
Çacé appears age after age to annihilate the miscreants and protect
the devotees. Seeing that the ominous Age of Kali had come and
being compassionate on all beings, He advented in Navadvépa
along with His associates and servants. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu
is the life of those devotees who have nothing to do with this
material world. Brahmä, Çiva, and Indra meditate on Him. Be
merciful to me, O son of Jagannätha Miçra! Please enable me to
narrate Rasika-maìgala.
Now I worship Lord Nityänanda, who is nondifferent from Lord
Balaräma and whose incomparable beauty defeats that of millions
of Cupids. He is the deliverer of the three worlds. He freely

* Utkala—the present state of Odisha in eastern India.