Page 36 - Rasikananda - Eng

18 The Story of Rasikänanda

you and bestow the gift of devotional service to all the living
beings. Bless them with the sixteen syllables of the Hare Kåñëa
mantra, and preach about pure love of God according to the
gospel of Çré Caitanya. In this way, deliver everyone in the land of
Utkala.” Hearing this, Çyämänanda felt embarrassed and begged
to be empowered to fulfill this order. He also requested that he be
allowed to go for pilgrimage. After staying with Hådayänanda for a
while, he bid him farewell and commenced his travels. Please hear
an account of his pilgrimage for it bestows the treasure of love of
Kåñëa upon all.
He first visited Vakreçvara and Vaidyanätha, then quickly
proceeded to Gayä and Käçé, the abode of Lord Çiva. In the
*
month of Mägha he arrived at Prayäga, where the Gaìgä flows in
the southern direction, and then hastily moved on to Mathurä.
He bathed in the river Yamunä at Viçräma-ghäöa and went to
see Govardhana. He then entered Våndävana and had darçana
of Madana Gopäla and Govindadeva Deities. Wandering from
one sacred grove to another, he visited all the temples. He toured
the twelve forests of Våndävana and visited Gokula. Çyämänanda
stayed in Vraja for some time, exhibiting both great renunciation
and strong attraction to Lord Kåñëa. He wandered about impelled
by his own sweet will, and his entourage could not keep pace
with him. He happily went to see Hastinäpura, the site of the
Päëòavas’ residence, and then quickly left for Dvärakä. With great
pleasure he saw Raëachoòa Räya there and stayed for some days
at Dvärakä. He performed difficult austerities, being unmindful
of his body. Whenever a desire to move elsewhere arose within
his mind, he started on his way. Not knowing what was north,

* Vakreçvara—a temple of Lord Çiva situated in what is now the Birbhum
district of West Bengal.
Vaidyanätha—a temple of Lord Çiva situated in what is now the state of
Jharkhand.