Page 23 - Rasikananda - Eng

Prologue 7

I worship Navadvépa on the bank of the Bhägérathé as the great
abode of Çré Caitanya-candra Mahäprabhu. I worship the famous
Gaìgä-sägara. I worship the pious Navadvépa and Tämralipta. I
worship heaven, earth, the nether world, and especially the holy
places contained within them.
I request all of you to favor me and allow me to describe the
pastimes of Rasika. By the grace of Rasika I am mentioning briefly
a few senior devotees to whom I offer obeisances.
I bow down to Gopé-ramaëa, an associate of Çré Caitanya. I offer
obeisance to Çré Räma Öhäkura, an abode of all good qualities.
I worship the lotus feet of Kåñëänanda, Dvärikä, Acyuta, and
Bhaväné, who were all very dear to Lord Kåñëa. I worship Prasäda
Öhäkura and Balaräma Däsa, who lived with the brothers of
Çyämänanda. I worship the lotus feet of the devotionally emotional
Manohara, the renunciate Kåñëa-jana, and the teacher Kiçora.
I worship Çré Tulasé Däsa, a master of saìkértana who remained
with Çré Rasika throughout his life. Before starting saìkértana,
Rasika would first worship Tulasé Däsa by offering him clothes and
ornaments. And whenever Rasika did not have a chance to water
the tulasé plant, he would wash the feet of Tulasé Däsa and happily
drink the water.

I take hold of the lotus feet of all my superiors and beg them to
allow me to always sing the praise of Rasika. I humbly bow down
to Çyämänanda Prabhu and the lotus feet of all the devotees. I will
briefly enumerate a few senior Vaiñëavas. Although the order will
not be correct, I shall gradually mention all of them.
I worship Yädavendra Däsa, the elder brother of Nityänanda. I
worship Kiçora Däsa, Bälaka Däsa, Vaiñëava Däsa, Gopénätha Däsa,
Manohara, and Dämodara Prabhu, the servant of Kåñëa. Dämodara
was immersed in pure love of God. His voice would choke and his
eyes would fill with tears. Always absorbed in the ecstasy of Kåñëa