Page 34 - Viveka Satakam - Eng
P. 34

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                                                   Introduction


       “Prabodhānanda,  Rāmabhadra  and  Jagadānanda  made
       Kali-yuga  blessed.  They  were  the  crest  jewels  among
       sannyāsīs and maintained the highest religious principles.”

       In  the  commentary  (dated  1712  AD)  to  the  above
       paragraph, Priyādāsa  says:
                            6
       śrī-prabodhānanda  baḍe  rasika  ānanda-kanda  śrī-caitanya-
       canda jū  ke pārakhada pyāre  haiṁ  | rādhā-kṛṣṇa-kuñja-keli,
       nipaṭa  naveli  kahī,  jheli  rasa-rūpa,  doū  kie  dṛg  tāre  haiṁ  ||
       vṛndāvana  vāsa  kau  hulāsa  lai  prakāśa  kiyau,  diyau  sukha-
       sindhu, karma dharma saba ṭāre haiṁ | tāhī suni suni koṭi koṭi
       jana raṅga pāyo, vipina suhāyau vase tana mana cāre haiṁ ||
       “Śrīla  Prabodhānanda  was  a  great  rasika  and  a  beloved
       associate of Lord Caitanya, bliss personified. He gave fresh
       descriptions  of  the  amorous  pastimes  of  Śrī  Śrī  Rādhā
       and Kṛṣṇa in the groves of Vraja. He relished Their forms
       and rasas and made Them his dearmost. In his poems, he
       revealed the splendour of residing in Śrī Vṛndāvana and
       thus merged the devotees in an ocean of happiness. He
       became aloof from all materially motivated activities and
       religiosity. Listening to his poems, millions of people fell
       in love. While residing himself in the beautiful Vṛndāvana,
       he sacrificed his body and mind in Their service.”

       In  the  first  chapter  of  the  Bhakti-ratnākara,  Narahari
       Cakravartī  says:
                  7
       6. He was a disciple of Manohara dāsa.
       7.  He  lived  in  the  first  half  of  the  18th  century  and  belonged
       to  the  disciplic  succession  coming  down  from  Gopāla  Bhaṭṭa
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