Page 28 - Rasikananda - Eng

12 The Story of Rasikänanda

Rasikendra and they worshiped him exclusively in full surrender.
He called them his servants and always protected them. Their only
interest was worship, meditation, austerity, recitation of the holy
names, and they were expert even in the eightfold yoga system.
Lord Kåñëa is the friend of the needy, and He should always be
worshiped. However, devotees should be worshiped even more
than Him. Thinking in this way, the whole family of Rasamaya
would stay at the lotus feet of Rasika day and night.
Every year, Rasika’s uncle Tulasé Öhäkura would repeatedly order
me: “Just see the love that all the inhabitants of the holy land of
Utkala have developed for Lord Kåñëa. You should describe Rasika’s
success.” Since I knew that Rasika Prabhu would be ashamed to
hear of his own qualities, I did not dare to do it openly. Some time
later, Rasika smiled enthusiastically and asked everyone, “Is there
a fortunate person in Çyämänanda’s group who can describe the
method of service to Lord Kåñëa according to their regulations?
It will be very helpful if someone can describe all the groups
of Çyämänandés.” Receiving this reassurrance, I accepted the
responsibility and immediately bowed my head at Rasika’s lotus
feet. Thinking of the lotus feet of Çré Kåñëa, I, Gopé-jana-vallabha,
a servant of Çyämänanda, have the audacity to sing the glories of
Rasika.

The glories of a devotee are like a vast, bottomless ocean, beyond
the reach of even Brahmä, Çiva, Indra, and other demigods.
Indeed, the glories of a devotee are greater than those of Lord
Kåñëa Himself. Thus, we should always desire to take the dust from
their lotus feet.

Rasika Muräri was one such exalted devotee, extremely dear to
Lord Kåñëa. I cannot describe his magnificent qualities even
with millions of mouths. I am merely a fallen and wretched soul,
miserable and condemned. Therefore, whatever I say is only by the
grace of Rasika, the lord of my life. Who could describe his pastimes,