Page 38 - Rasikananda - Eng

20 The Story of Rasikänanda

He also visited Kaliìga, the palace of Caidya, and Çré Anantapura
on the southern sea (Thiruvanantapuram). He happily traveled
to the Païcäpsarä-sarovara, Gokarëa, Kulänaka, Trigartaka, and
Durveçana. He visited the deity of Äryä-devé. He saw the rivers
Nirvindhyä, Payoñëé, and Revä. He visited Mähiñmaté Puré, Malla-
tértha, Çürpäraka on the western coast, and then turned to the
east toward Setubandha.

Çyämänanda traveled to a holy place as soon as he heard about it.
He did not care whether this meant going backward or forward.
At Dhenu-tértha he heard about the kidnapping of Mäyä Sétä.
He visited Avanté (Ujjain), Jiyaòa-nåsiàha-kñetra, the banks
of the Godävaré, Trimalla, and Kürma-kñetra. In great bliss, he
then arrived in Néläcala (Jagannätha Puré). Upon seeing Kåñëa
and Balaräma, the Lords of his life, he began to tremble and cry
continuously. Indeed, his happiness knew no bounds. Seeing the
moonlike face of the friend of the world, he felt his long-standing
desire fulfilled. During both day and night he blissfully toured the
holy spots in Jagannätha Puré and conversed with all the temple
priests. From Puré, Çyämänanda went to Gaìgä-sägara and then
touched the soil of his own birthplace. He returned to Mathurä,
where he spent many days by his own sweet will. Ignoring the
opinions of his servants, he roamed endlessly around Vraja. He
moved from one sacred grove to another in great devotion with
his voice constantly choked, his eyes always tearful, and his body
covered with goosebumps. When he went to Räsa-sthala (the site
of the räsa dance) in Våndävana he began to roll on the ground
and cry out, “When shall I get the Lord of my life, Çré Kåñëa?”
His mind was affected with the bliss of detachment and he spoke
courteously with all the devotees of Kåñëa in Våndävana. He always
stayed in the company of Çréla Jéva Gosvämé and Hari-priyä Däsa.
He studied the devotional scriptures under their tutelage and
shed tears, overwhelmed with the ecstasy of Kåñëa consciousness.