Another side of Bhaktivinoda 13: The glories of Ramai Thakur
In chapters 13 ,14, and 15 our guru puja yatra in Goloka Nabadwip will take a brief rest so that we can hear about three Gaura parshads who lead Thakur Bhaktivinoda's guru parampara: they are Ramai Thakur, Jahnava Thakurani, and Vamsivadan Thakur. This chapter will present a study of Ramai Thakur's life that his nephew-disciple Rajaballabha Goswami tells in Muralī-vilāsa. As Ramai is nitya-siddha, it is not surprising that Rajaballabha became kṛpā-siddha by his sanga and blessings
Muralī-vilāsa's Story
To learn about Ramai, we will first need to know something about Vamsivadan, since Ramai is Vamsi's second avatar. Hence Muralī-vilāsa begins with this mangalacharan:
jagad-ākarṣiṇī śaktir nitya-prema-svarūpiṇī
tvaṁ vamśīvadanānanda vande tvāhaṁ jagad-guro |
śrī-caitanya-priyatamas tadīya-prema-vigrahaṁ
vande tac-caraṇāmbhoja-makaranda-pipāsayā ||
Once during Gauranga’s kishora pastimes He was dancing with bhuvan mohan Vamsivadan while performing sankirtan with the bhaktas. But when Gaura nataraja embraced Vamsi to His chest Gauranga's purva raga (romantic feelings) suddenly awakened for Gadadhar!
Although Gauranga is often called bhuvan mohan because His exceptional beauty captivates the whole universe, here Vamsivadan is enchanting the Lord and His bhakta with his madhura ākarṣiṇī śakti. Hence Muralī-vilāsa’s author refers to Vamsi as the jagad-guru and Gauranga's dearest bhakta. Shortly after this, however, Nimai told Vamsi: “if you want my piriti, you'd better get married.”
Here is good example of Gauranga's family planning: to preach Vaishnava dharma, He requested Nitai (who was a renunciate) to marry. And thus, the “Nityananda vamsa” began. Nitai's two wives are Vasudha and Jahnava. Vasudha had a son and a daughter from Nitai whom they named Birchandra and Gangadevi. From these two, numerous branches on Nityananda’s family tree were procreated. Because Jahnava had no issue from Nitai, she later adopted Ramai.
Vamsivadan's two sons were named Chaitanya and Nitai. After teaching them the shastras, Vamsi got them married. But when Vamsivadan was about to pass away, Chaitanya Das's wife started weeping pathetically. So to pacify her, Vamsi gave her a blessing: "O Ma! Don't cry, for I shall soon take birth as your beloved son!”
Muralī-vilāsa tells how this extraordinary birth took place. One day Jahnava came to visit Chaitanya Das and his wife and informed them: “You will have two great sons. May I request that after the second son is born, that you kindly offer the first one to me?”
They both considered Jahnava’s proposal and agreed – since they firmly believed that Nityananda's sakti is Ma Jahnava. By Jahnava’s grace Ramai then took birth, and we must say that he was incredibly beautiful to behold – his luster resembled molten gold and his transcendental body was universally captivating. On his auspicious abhirbhava (birthday) Jahnava, Vishnupriya, and Sita Thakurani all came to bless him, along with Vasudha, who was carrying the newly born Birchandra in her arms.
When Ramai became a new youth, his younger brother Sachinandan was born. Hence Jahnava soon returned to remind Chaitanya and his wife about their promise. But owing to their great attachment for Ramai, they just couldn't give him up! Thus Vishnupriya came to help Ramai’s parents surrender him to Jahnava. Perhaps because she happens to be Vamsivadan’s Gurudevi.
When Jahnava initiated Ramai, she first gave him the Hare Krishna mahamantra, then the 10 syllable Gopal mantra (gopijana vallabhaya svaha) and then the kama gayatri. At this instant, Ramai fully surrendered himself to Jahnava's lotus feet, saying: “You are Gauranga's ballabha (nitya consort) and jagat-isvari. My only desire left is to be the servant of your servants.”
When Jahnava and Ramai started for Khardaha with a large procession of Vaishnavas, Birchandra came to greet them with an even larger procession of Vaishnavas. This is when Ramai and Birchandra first met. Because they are both Jahnava's disciples – they both offered a pranam to her lotus feet, and pledged: “From today onward we shall be two brothers with one soul.”
Arriving at Khardaha, Ramai went straight to Nityananda's wife Vasudha and offered his sashtanga pranam. Then he met Nityananda's daughter, Ganga, who is Gangadevi herself, and affectionately greeted her. But as Ramai started to lament for not getting Sripad Nityananda's darshan, everyone started crying intensely – and this invoked His avirbhava! He directly came to pacify them. But before disappearing, He told Ramai: “You should visit Sri Vrindavan.”
Jahnava's then taught Ramai the Vaishnava shastras. Here is a highlight of her teachings:
Ramai asked: “Ma, can you tell me about bhāvollāsā-rati, the sthāyi-bhāva of the manjaris?”
She replied: “Son, bhāvollāsā-rati is only found in Vrindavan where Kishora and Kishori perform their nitya lila. There Rupa, Ananga, and the other manjaris all serve Them then day and night and submerge in an ocean of bliss! Although the manjaris serve Radha with their mind, body, and soul, their piriti for Krishna is like a sanchari bhava. Thus, during Radha's conjugal union with Krishna, Her ecstatic symptoms appear on their bodies also – as they enjoy seven times more pleasure than Her. But if Radha arranges their loving union with Krishna, She enjoys a million times more pleasure.
Rasa Analysis
Here is something wonderful: Radha feels indebted to her manjaris for their steadfast seva, and She earnestly wishes to reciprocate so that Krishna gets to enjoy them. Radha's pleasure then becomes a million times greater. As Jahnava has spoken this siddhanta, it is certainly correct, as she is Ananga manjari in Vraja. The Caitanya-caritāmṛta supports her version:
yadyapi sakhīra kṛṣṇa saṅgame nāhi mana
tathāpi rādhikā yatne karaye saṅgama
nānā chale kṛṣṇa preri saṅgama karāya
ātmā sukha saṅga haite koṭi sukha pāya
anyonye viśuddha prema kare rasa puṣṭa
tā sabāra prema dekhe kṛṣṇa haya tuṣṭa
Readers, just consider: are the manjaris not concerned about Radha's happiness? And if Radha's should send Krishna to enjoy with them - wouldn't this be for making Krishna happy? And if the manjaris agree, Radha becomes a million times happier. So now could we say that “to agree” will certainly be a wonderful way to make Radha and Krishna very happy – and nourish our own prema, as well?
Ramai meets with Gauranga's Bhaktas
One day Ramai was considering that life is short like an imaginary dream. So in desiring to do something meaningful, he came to Mother Jahnava with a prayer: “O Ma! Some of Mahaprabhu's nitya parshads are still living in this world, will you please let me go for their darshan?”
Desiring to test Ramai, Jahnava answered: “O Ramai, why don't you return to your parents? As they greatly suffer in your separation, you can make them happy by getting married.”
“O Gurudevi!” Ramai implored, “How can you suggest such a thing? Please bless me that I can always serve you, I don’t want anything else.”
Ramai's answer pleased Jahnava, thus she called Birchandra and requests him to arrange a palaquin for Ramai with many servants. But in hearing that Birchandra wants to go along, Jahnava answered him: “Bir, if you go too, then who will look after Shyamasundar's nitya seva?”
Ramai then meekly informs Jahnava: “Ma, if I travel in such luxury, won't I become proud? Then how will I beg prema from the Vaishnavas?”
Birchandra objects, saying: “Ramananda Raya was living in great opulence, yet Mahaprabhu would daily come to hear Krishna katha from him.”
Seeing that an argument is ensuing, Jahnava finally insists that Ramai accept the palaquin. Then she arranges that Parameshwar Das go along as Ramai’s guide; for he previously made the journey to Nilachal with Nityananda Prabhu.
After receiving the blessings of Jahnava, Vasudha, and Birchandra, and then circumambulating Shyamasundar four times, Ramai's yatra begins. The bugles are blaring tumultuously, the bearers start carrying the luggage, two persons hold up the kunthis in front (the Vaishnava tilak insignia), and the others carry flags as they dance along in sankirtan. As Ramai rides in the palaquin, he appears like a stunning raj kumar (prince). There are also two servants fanning him with big, fluffy chamaras.
Heading South they soon reach Raghava Pandit's house in Panihati. Hearing the sankirtan's tumult, Raghava comes out to greet Ramai. “O lad,” he inquired, “Please tell me who you are?”
“I am Vamsivadan’s grandson and Jahnava's servant,” he replies. “We are heading for Nilachal to meet Mahaprabhu’s bhaktas.”
Raghava then takes Ramai into his arms, and they both become overwhelmed with prema! That night Ramai hears Gauranga's līlā-guṇa-kathā from the pandit, and after having a Ganga snana the next morning, their party starts off again. Visiting village after village they set up a nocturnal sankirtan festival wherever they camp for the night. Ramai's madhura dancing and rasa kirtan amazes everyone, and large crowds assemble wherever they stay.
Arriving at Remuna, they have Gopinath's darshan, and hear Madhavendra's story from the pujari: how Gopinath stole khira for his dear devotee, and how he got Gopal's mercy.
In Cuttack, they take Sakshi Gopal's darshan, and that evening relish His adhamrita. Then they hear some amazing stories about the deity. The next morning, when reaching Nilachal, Ramai sees the breathtaking spire of the Jagannath mandir from Ataranala, and faints! When their sankirtan heads for Narendra Sarovara the lush tropical scenery of the dhama reminds everyone of Vaikuntha.
When arriving at Jagannath's mandir, the pandas escort them inside. As Ramai views Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra from the Garuda stambha, prema awakens sattvika bhavas and he falls unconscious! That day, the pujaris invite them for prasad, and the next morning Ramai meets Gadadhar Pandit beside the singhadwar.
Rasa Analysis
Some of the lilas in Muralī-vilāsa will baffle the historians because Gadadhar, Ramananda, Kashi Mishra, and others have already left this world before Ramai arrives in Nilachal. Similarly, Muralī-vilāsa will later tell how Jahnava and Ramai meet Rupa, Sanatana, and other Vraja Goswamis at a time when they were not historically there. So we can find reason to doubt Muralī-vilāsa’s authenticity. But there is a good explanation for all of this: Because Ramai and Jahnava are nitya-siddha, and the Gaura bhaktas they meet are also so, why wouldn't their meeting be possible? As Ramai and Jahnava deeply hanker to meet these exalted parshads, they can certainly appear to give their darshan. And wouldn't they also wish to meet Jahnava and Ramai? Hence, we can accept these lilas as meaningful and true.
Upon meeting Gadadhar Pandit at the Singhadwar, Ramai falls at his lotus feet. And when they embrace they shed tears. Upon inquiring about the Gaudadesh bhaktas, Gadadhar hears about their viraha distress, and comments: “Just as Krishna left us to cry for Him when going to Mathura, our Prabhu left us by taking sannyasa!”
That day Gadadhar invites Ramai for Tota Gopinath’s prasad, and his party camps in the garden. The next morning Gadadhar gives Ramai a tour of the places Mahaprabhu performed His lila. And when they arrive at Gambhira, they find Kashi Misra in a state of deep viraha. In meeting Ramai, however, he regains some composure. Kashi Mishra shows Ramai where Mahaprabhu took prasad, rested, and performed His nirjan bhajan. But when seeing the place where Prabhu rubbed his face against the wall, Ramai faints! That evening Mishra tells Ramai about Prabhu's astonishing Nilachal lilas. When he gives the account of His leaving the world by entering Gopinath, however, he falls unconscious!
Early the next morning, Ramai bathes in the sea and quickly heads for Jagannath's darshan. After morning prasad, Mishra shows Ramai the Gundicha mandir, Indradyumna Sarovar, and Haridas Thakur’s samadhi. Then they visit Ramananda Raya, who is found deeply panged in separation from Mahaprabhu. Nevertheless, when Misra introduces Ramai to him, he replies: “Lad, in seeing your incomparable beauty my troubled heart has become soothed.”
That evening Ramai begins hearing about the talks that Ramananda had with Mahaprabhu, and the deep meaning of his vilāsa-vivarta verse. their Istagosthi goes on for many nights, and Raya Mahashay also teaches Ramai the confidential secrets about gopibhava bhajan. In this way, Ramai remains four months at Nilachal, and after the Ratha Yatra, he returns to Gaudadesh.
Meeting the Gaura Mandala Bhaktas
Upon arriving in Nabadwip, Ramai first goes to meet Vishnupriya devi. Falling at Her feet, he offers sashtanga pranam. Then She affectionately feeds and blesses him. As the timing of this lila happens well after Vishnupriya's historical departure date, we can know that that She appeared in her avirbhava to give Ramai Her darshan. Since Vishnupriya is Vamsivadan’s gurudevi, She has motherly affection for Ramai as well.
When Ramai meets his parents, it appears to them that their life has returned and they celebrate with a sankirtan festival. After remaining a few days at home, Ramai's parents suggest that he get married. In refusing their offer, Ramai reminds them of life's temporary nature and the influence of Maya. Seeing his learning and detachment they are amazed and bless his life of renunciation.
While heading for Shantipur, the vibration of Ramai's sankirtan party is tumultuous! Thus hundreds of Shantipur residents come running out to greet them and Sita Thakurani sends Achyutananda to bring Ramai to Her. Ramai offers Sita Thakurani his sashtanga pranam and She blesses him. When Sita speaks about Her husband's glories She and Achyutananda become overwhelmed, and this brings about Advaita's abhirbhava! He appears in order to console them and, before disappearing, He blesses Ramai to go and visit Sri Vrindavan. Ramai stays with Sita Thakurani and Achyutananda for ten days, and then goes to meet Gauridas Pandit at Ambika Kalna.
Gauridasa’s life-size Gaura Nitai vigraha are breathtaking – for they really appear like Gauranga and Nityananda. Ramai stays with the pandit for three days hearing his Gaura katha. Next he heads for Khanakula Krishnanagar to visit Abhiram Thakur (who was previously Sridham). Ramai then goes to meet Narahari Sarkar and Raghunananda Thakur at Srikhanda. In this way, he visits many other bhaktas, and finally returns to Jahnava's lotus feet at Khardaha.
Coming before Birchandra, Ramai deposits more than 500 gold coins with him, the dakshina he received while traveling. That evening he joins with Birchandra, Jahnava, Vasudha, Ganga, and Subhadra (Birchandra's wife) to tell them about his traveling adventures. After hearing about them, Birchandra congratulates Ramai, saying: “ You are fortunate to get Sri Jagannath's darshan, but more fortunate to have gotten that of those mahanta Vaishnavas, more fortunate to have received their loving embraces, and even more fortunate to have received their prema. But you are most fortunate to have attained the prema by which you can attain the Divine Couple.”
After some days, Ramai comes to privately request Ma Jahnava: “Many bhaktas have advised me to visit Sri Vrindavan; will you kindly grant me your permission so that I may go?” But Jahnava decides to also visit Vrindavan along with Ramai and she selects Uddharan Datta to be their guide.
This time Jahnava rides in the palaquin as Uddharan Datta and Ramai lead the procession on foot. Upon arriving at Gaya Dham, they bathe in the Phalgu River, and have darshan of Sri Vishnu's pada padma. After spending three days there, they head for Kashi, and stay at Chandrasekhar Acharya's home. For three nights he speaks about Mahaprabhu's Kashi lila. From there they go to Prayag and take darshan of Beni Madhava. While in Ayodhya, they go on parikrama for five days. During this time, Jahnava's tells some amazing stories about Sita and Rama: that in their aprakata Lila, Sita expands into limitless forms to enjoy rasa lila with Rama. After bathing in the Sarayu River on the last day, they head for Mathura.
With the news of Jahnava’s arrival in Mathura, hordes of Vaishnavas come for her darshan and beg for her mercy. She remains there four days. Meanwhile, Rupa and Sanatan send Jiva Goswami to escort Jahnava and her party to Vrindavan. And when they arrive at Rupa's bhajan kutira, the Vraja Goswamis all offer their sashtanga pranams to her lotus feet. In return, Jahnava offers them her deep respect and blessings. When Rupa hears about Ramai's identity from Uddharan Datta, he comes to offer him his pranam, and Ramai offers him and the other Goswamis his pranam in return. Ramai's unquestionable prema bhava astonishes them, and they beg for his mercy, and Ramai begs for their mercy as well.
Jahnava requests Rupa to first show her Govindaji, then she will begin cooking. Coming before Govindaji, however, Jahnava's body erupts in a fascinating display of sattvika emotions, and this reminds the Goswamis how Chandramukhi Radha views Krishna! After Jahnava cooks a marvelous feast for the Goswami community, Rupa and Sanatana request her with folded hands: “O Thakurani, will you kindly take prasad first, then we shall honor your remnants."
But Jahnava replies: “If the Vaishnavas first relish the Prasad, that will make me happy.”
Sanatana replies: “Then let us follow your order to please you.”
Raghunath Bhatta's Bhāgavata path at Govindaji mandir is a major attraction that is regularly attended by the Vraja bhakta community, and today he personally invites Jahnava to listen. Ragunatha recites the verses very melodiously in several meters, and when he explains the lilas, his voice cracks with emotional prema. During today's discourse, however, Rupa stands up and requests Ramai: “We shall be honored if you speak something that will soothe our ears.”
Ramai first declines out of humility, but in seeing Jahnava insisting, he begins to relate Prahlada's story and siksha, and his commentary amazes the assembly!
The next day, Sanatan invites Jahnava for Madan-mohan's darshan, and there she cooks another feast for the Vaishnavas. That evening, Jahnava performs sandhya arati for Madan-mohan, and afterwards she has an ishtagosthi with the Vraja Goswamis. Then she tells about Govindaji, Madan-mohan, and Gopinath's origin, and with clairvoyancy she relates their history in three different stories that amaze them. The next day, Gopal Bhatta invites Jahnava for Radha-ramanji's darshan, and there she cooks another feast.
When Jahnava begins a Vraja Mandal parikrama, all of the Goswamis accompany her. During that time, they get the feeling that she is Radha and they are her sakhis. Nearly two months later, everyone arrives at Kamyavan for Gopinath’s darshan.
That day Jahnava cooks Gopinath's noon-time offering. After taking prasad, the Goswamis retire for a rest. In the evening, after sandhya arati, Jahnava enters Gopinath's mandir to place malati garlands around His neck and chura. But before she can come out, Gopinath catches her orana and pulls her to Him! And this is how Jahnava disappears from our world!
Ma Jahnava's amazing departure astonishes the Goswamis, but Ramai breaks down in tears…
“Oh, what has happened?” he implores!
“Surely you must know the mystery,” Rupa answers, “Your beloved Jahnava is Ananga Manjari.” Then with folded hands, Rupa recites his Anaṅga-mañjarī-aṣṭakam, as tears stream from his eyes.
Jahnava Thakurani’s viraha mahotsava begins the next day, and as it attracts nearly every Mahatma and Vaishnavas of Vraja Mandal, the maha mahotsava lasts more than a week. After the festival, when Rupa and Sanatan are about to leave, they suggest to Ramai that he remain in Kamyavan to carry out his sadhana and bhajan here. Ramai takes their request to heart and sometimes goes to joins them. After a short while, however, Jahnava appears to Ramai in a dream and orders him: “O son! Quickly return to Gaudadesh, for I want you to perform Krishna’s seva and Vaishnava seva there.”
Astonishingly, the next evening Ramai has another dream: Krishna and Balaram appear, asking him to serve Them. Then a miracle happens: when Ramai goes for and early morning Yamuna snana, the beautiful darumaya murtis of Krishna-Balaram come floating into his arms! their forms are most captivating, so Ramai doesn't hesitate and he takes then to Kamyavan to inaugurate their seva-puja. Although Ramai couldn't possible desire to leave Vrindavan, he surrenders to Mother Jahnava's request and prepares for his Gaudadesh yatra. After bidding farewell to every one of the Vraja Goswamis, he carries Krishna-Balaram in his arms. With two servants following him, he travels for two months before arriving at a dense forest near Ambika Kalna.
While contemplating how he will fulfill Jahnava's wish (to perform Krishna seva and Vaishnava seva) Ramai carefully places Krishna and Balaram under a tree. Just then a dangerous, man-eating tiger appears! The two servants are scared stiff, but Ramai calmly addresses him: “O tiger, taking on this animal's body you have killed many people, a sin for which you will certainly go to hell. So take Krishna’s name and be delivered!”
Ramai then utters Krishna’s name in the tiger's ear, and it falls to the ground to offer pranama. Then the tiger starts running, jumps into the Ganga, assumes a devata's body and ascends to heaven! [Let us note: this is a miracle befitting the Lord's nitya-siddha parshad, for who else could perform such a feat?]
Now how did Ramai inaugurate Krishna seva and Vaishnava seva? That day about ten to twelve villagers come searching for their lost calf. Upon seeing Ramai, they warn him: “O Mahasaya, don't remain in this jungle, for there is a dangerous tiger living here!” Then they see Krishna-Balaram and feelingly offer a pranama. Owing to Ramai and Krishna-Balaram's darshan, their hearts are transformed, and they blissfully offer an invitation: “O come with us, we shall provide you with food and shelter.”
Their seva mood pleases Ramai, so he goes to lift Krishna and Balaram, but They won't budge! Seeing the wonder, the villagers come up with another idea: they start cutting down the jungle to make a place for Krishna-Balaram and Ramai. Ramai's prema and amicable behavior attracts lots of people. They excavate a pond, plant fruit and flower bearing trees, prepare a vegetable garden – and they even construct a mandir for Krishna-Balaram’s nitya seva. As time goes on the place becomes a wonderful ashram where countless people come to assist Krishna-Balaram's seva, view their arati, perform kirtan, and relish their prasad.
News soon reaches Birchandra at Khardaha that Ramai has delivered a tiger and converted his dangerous domain into a nava Vrindavan for Krishna’s amritamaya seva. Thus he comes up with a plan to test Ramai's divinity: He calls for his 1200 Neraneri followers (a fearsome group of tantric hooligans who love to stir up trouble wherever they go, and for Birchandra's satisfaction they can lay down their lives).
Thus Birchandra commands them: “You Neraneris should quickly go to the new tirtha “Baghnapara.” There you will find a Vaishnava serving Krishna-Balaram. Just demand that he feed you something unmentionable. Then if he fails to satisfy your hunger, let the sky come falling down on his head!”
Getting Birchandra's incentive, those 1200 Neraneris set off to harass Ramai. They arrive at midnight and start raising a commotion that breaks Ramai's sleep. Thus going to the front gate, Ramai sees the Neraneris, and with folded hands, he humbly submits:
“O surely there is some important reason which brings you all here so late at night? Well, since I am your servant, just order me: What can I do for you?”
“All of us are very hungry,” the Neraneris reply, “and we want you to feed us.”
Hearing such a demand throws Ramai into a dilemma. Nevertheless, he cordially asks them to sit down, and inquires where they are from.
“We are from Sripat Khardaha,” they reply. On hearing “Khardaha,” Ramai falls silent as he solemnly takes Jahnava's shelter: “O Ma! Please protect me from this calamity,” he prays.
To place their order, the Neraneris smilingly request: “If your serve us Ilsa fish with mango chutney and rice, we shall be very happy.”
“Let your order be fulfilled” Ramai answers humbly.
Now just consider, at twelve o’clock, midnight, the markets are closed, and it is now the winter season when mangoes are not available, so what does Ramai do? In remembering Jahnava, he goes to the pond and earnestly prays – and many big ilsa fish come jumping onto the bank! Then he goes to the Cuta trees, and while remembering Ma Jahnava, he again prays. Aho! Many ripe mangoes come falling from the branches! Somehow or other, Ramai then arranges that a huge meal be prepared, and the Neraneris are delighted to see such a feast! They sit down and eat to their full satisfaction.
After returning to Birchandra, the Neraneris praise Ramai's glories. Hence, Birchandra’s Neraneris, whose might make the whole world shake in fear are defeated by Ramai's unwavering faith in Jahnava's divine sakti.
Rasa Analysis
Muralī-vilāsa describes four supernatural events:
1) Ramai and Jahnava's meeting with Mahaprabhu’s parshads who were not physically present then;
2) Jahnava's leaving through the Gopinath vigraha;
3) Ramai's delivering a tiger with Harinam;
4) Ramai's satisfying the Neraneris with an extraordinary meal.
Now why do Mahaprabhu's nitya parshads perform such miracles? Although there can be many reasons, the overriding consideration is to help the faithless become faithful. To believe in God, most people require proof. So when they see a saint perform a miracle, this awakens their faith, and that saint can then engage them in Bhagavan's seva.
It was Mahaprabhu's desire that Vamsivadan promote Krishna’s vigraha and Vaishnava seva. Thus he was destined to appear a second time as Ramai Thakur. When Ramai established the Baghnapara Sripata after delivering a tiger, this miracle attracted many people who took his shelter. But after fulfilling the Neraneris’ despicable demand, the news of his divine sakti spread even further. Thus the Lord's desire started manifesting as Krishna's seva and Vaishnava seva were promoted through him.
Now we could ask: How could Ramai arrange a meal that includes fish on the menu? Yet here we should remember that the Neraneris are a fierce band of avadhutas who don't follow social convention. Thus, by the will of Providence, Ramai performed a miracle that transcends all worldly considerations. This made the feast more sensational than to simply rely on rice, dal, and sabji which were readily available at the market.
Another consideration is that to nurture Ramai's Krishna prema, Mahaprabhu desired that he meet Gadadhar Pandit, Ramananda Raya, Vishnupriya, the Vraja Goswamis, and others leading Gaura parshads. Because of their sakti and blessings, Ramai became further empowered to carry out the task that the Lord has in store for him. Hence, it was the Lord Himself who arranged Ramai’s meeting with them at a time they were not physically present.
In Vraja Mandal, who has more influence than the Six Goswamis? Yet, when Jahnava arrived there, they began worshipping her lotus feet. By seeing her bhavas and prema they were constantly reminded of her exalted position. Thus it was only befitting that Jahnava disappear before their eyes by merging into Gopinath – a display that only those of Isvara tattva can execute.
At the end of each chapter, Muralī-vilāsa’s author concludes by saying:
jāhnavā rāmāi pāda-padme abhilāṣa
ei rāja ballabha gāya muralī vilāsa
Thus Rajaballabha Goswami sings Muralī-vilāsa while desiring the pāda-padma-sevā of Jahnava and Ramai.
Muralī-vilāsa's Story
To learn about Ramai, we will first need to know something about Vamsivadan, since Ramai is Vamsi's second avatar. Hence Muralī-vilāsa begins with this mangalacharan:
tvaṁ vamśīvadanānanda vande tvāhaṁ jagad-guro |
śrī-caitanya-priyatamas tadīya-prema-vigrahaṁ
vande tac-caraṇāmbhoja-makaranda-pipāsayā ||
The Vamshi is Krishna's nitya-prema-svarūpiṇī, and her divine shakti produces a melodious vibration that enchants the whole universe. She has now appeared as Vamshivadan, the jagad-guru, and Gauranga's dearest parshad. Therefore my heart yearns to relish the ambrosial nectar that comes from serving his lotus feet.In his Bhāgavatam’s rāsa-līlā commentary, Vishwanath Chakravarti says that the Vamsi's sweet vibration is none other than the kama gayatri which initiates the gopis in Krishna's prema seva. Thus she is the jagatguru and Krishna’s dearest companion. In Muralī-vilāsa's third chapter, however, Vamsi plays a similar role:
Once during Gauranga’s kishora pastimes He was dancing with bhuvan mohan Vamsivadan while performing sankirtan with the bhaktas. But when Gaura nataraja embraced Vamsi to His chest Gauranga's purva raga (romantic feelings) suddenly awakened for Gadadhar!
Although Gauranga is often called bhuvan mohan because His exceptional beauty captivates the whole universe, here Vamsivadan is enchanting the Lord and His bhakta with his madhura ākarṣiṇī śakti. Hence Muralī-vilāsa’s author refers to Vamsi as the jagad-guru and Gauranga's dearest bhakta. Shortly after this, however, Nimai told Vamsi: “if you want my piriti, you'd better get married.”
Here is good example of Gauranga's family planning: to preach Vaishnava dharma, He requested Nitai (who was a renunciate) to marry. And thus, the “Nityananda vamsa” began. Nitai's two wives are Vasudha and Jahnava. Vasudha had a son and a daughter from Nitai whom they named Birchandra and Gangadevi. From these two, numerous branches on Nityananda’s family tree were procreated. Because Jahnava had no issue from Nitai, she later adopted Ramai.
Vamsivadan's two sons were named Chaitanya and Nitai. After teaching them the shastras, Vamsi got them married. But when Vamsivadan was about to pass away, Chaitanya Das's wife started weeping pathetically. So to pacify her, Vamsi gave her a blessing: "O Ma! Don't cry, for I shall soon take birth as your beloved son!”
Muralī-vilāsa tells how this extraordinary birth took place. One day Jahnava came to visit Chaitanya Das and his wife and informed them: “You will have two great sons. May I request that after the second son is born, that you kindly offer the first one to me?”
They both considered Jahnava’s proposal and agreed – since they firmly believed that Nityananda's sakti is Ma Jahnava. By Jahnava’s grace Ramai then took birth, and we must say that he was incredibly beautiful to behold – his luster resembled molten gold and his transcendental body was universally captivating. On his auspicious abhirbhava (birthday) Jahnava, Vishnupriya, and Sita Thakurani all came to bless him, along with Vasudha, who was carrying the newly born Birchandra in her arms.
When Ramai became a new youth, his younger brother Sachinandan was born. Hence Jahnava soon returned to remind Chaitanya and his wife about their promise. But owing to their great attachment for Ramai, they just couldn't give him up! Thus Vishnupriya came to help Ramai’s parents surrender him to Jahnava. Perhaps because she happens to be Vamsivadan’s Gurudevi.
When Jahnava initiated Ramai, she first gave him the Hare Krishna mahamantra, then the 10 syllable Gopal mantra (gopijana vallabhaya svaha) and then the kama gayatri. At this instant, Ramai fully surrendered himself to Jahnava's lotus feet, saying: “You are Gauranga's ballabha (nitya consort) and jagat-isvari. My only desire left is to be the servant of your servants.”
When Jahnava and Ramai started for Khardaha with a large procession of Vaishnavas, Birchandra came to greet them with an even larger procession of Vaishnavas. This is when Ramai and Birchandra first met. Because they are both Jahnava's disciples – they both offered a pranam to her lotus feet, and pledged: “From today onward we shall be two brothers with one soul.”
Arriving at Khardaha, Ramai went straight to Nityananda's wife Vasudha and offered his sashtanga pranam. Then he met Nityananda's daughter, Ganga, who is Gangadevi herself, and affectionately greeted her. But as Ramai started to lament for not getting Sripad Nityananda's darshan, everyone started crying intensely – and this invoked His avirbhava! He directly came to pacify them. But before disappearing, He told Ramai: “You should visit Sri Vrindavan.”
Jahnava's then taught Ramai the Vaishnava shastras. Here is a highlight of her teachings:
Ramai asked: “Ma, can you tell me about bhāvollāsā-rati, the sthāyi-bhāva of the manjaris?”
She replied: “Son, bhāvollāsā-rati is only found in Vrindavan where Kishora and Kishori perform their nitya lila. There Rupa, Ananga, and the other manjaris all serve Them then day and night and submerge in an ocean of bliss! Although the manjaris serve Radha with their mind, body, and soul, their piriti for Krishna is like a sanchari bhava. Thus, during Radha's conjugal union with Krishna, Her ecstatic symptoms appear on their bodies also – as they enjoy seven times more pleasure than Her. But if Radha arranges their loving union with Krishna, She enjoys a million times more pleasure.
Rasa Analysis
Here is something wonderful: Radha feels indebted to her manjaris for their steadfast seva, and She earnestly wishes to reciprocate so that Krishna gets to enjoy them. Radha's pleasure then becomes a million times greater. As Jahnava has spoken this siddhanta, it is certainly correct, as she is Ananga manjari in Vraja. The Caitanya-caritāmṛta supports her version:
“Although the sakhis (and manjaris) don't try to enjoy Krishna themselves (as they focus on Radha’s sangam with Him) Radha will carefully arrange their Krishna sangam. In fact, Radha will make sure by various means that Krishna gets to enjoy with them. This pure and magnanimous behavior of Radha and Her sakhis nourishes their prema and makes Krishna very happy.” (Madhya 8, 211-213)
Ramai meets with Gauranga's Bhaktas
One day Ramai was considering that life is short like an imaginary dream. So in desiring to do something meaningful, he came to Mother Jahnava with a prayer: “O Ma! Some of Mahaprabhu's nitya parshads are still living in this world, will you please let me go for their darshan?”
Desiring to test Ramai, Jahnava answered: “O Ramai, why don't you return to your parents? As they greatly suffer in your separation, you can make them happy by getting married.”
“O Gurudevi!” Ramai implored, “How can you suggest such a thing? Please bless me that I can always serve you, I don’t want anything else.”
Ramai's answer pleased Jahnava, thus she called Birchandra and requests him to arrange a palaquin for Ramai with many servants. But in hearing that Birchandra wants to go along, Jahnava answered him: “Bir, if you go too, then who will look after Shyamasundar's nitya seva?”
Ramai then meekly informs Jahnava: “Ma, if I travel in such luxury, won't I become proud? Then how will I beg prema from the Vaishnavas?”
Birchandra objects, saying: “Ramananda Raya was living in great opulence, yet Mahaprabhu would daily come to hear Krishna katha from him.”
Seeing that an argument is ensuing, Jahnava finally insists that Ramai accept the palaquin. Then she arranges that Parameshwar Das go along as Ramai’s guide; for he previously made the journey to Nilachal with Nityananda Prabhu.
After receiving the blessings of Jahnava, Vasudha, and Birchandra, and then circumambulating Shyamasundar four times, Ramai's yatra begins. The bugles are blaring tumultuously, the bearers start carrying the luggage, two persons hold up the kunthis in front (the Vaishnava tilak insignia), and the others carry flags as they dance along in sankirtan. As Ramai rides in the palaquin, he appears like a stunning raj kumar (prince). There are also two servants fanning him with big, fluffy chamaras.
Heading South they soon reach Raghava Pandit's house in Panihati. Hearing the sankirtan's tumult, Raghava comes out to greet Ramai. “O lad,” he inquired, “Please tell me who you are?”
“I am Vamsivadan’s grandson and Jahnava's servant,” he replies. “We are heading for Nilachal to meet Mahaprabhu’s bhaktas.”
Raghava then takes Ramai into his arms, and they both become overwhelmed with prema! That night Ramai hears Gauranga's līlā-guṇa-kathā from the pandit, and after having a Ganga snana the next morning, their party starts off again. Visiting village after village they set up a nocturnal sankirtan festival wherever they camp for the night. Ramai's madhura dancing and rasa kirtan amazes everyone, and large crowds assemble wherever they stay.
Arriving at Remuna, they have Gopinath's darshan, and hear Madhavendra's story from the pujari: how Gopinath stole khira for his dear devotee, and how he got Gopal's mercy.
In Cuttack, they take Sakshi Gopal's darshan, and that evening relish His adhamrita. Then they hear some amazing stories about the deity. The next morning, when reaching Nilachal, Ramai sees the breathtaking spire of the Jagannath mandir from Ataranala, and faints! When their sankirtan heads for Narendra Sarovara the lush tropical scenery of the dhama reminds everyone of Vaikuntha.
When arriving at Jagannath's mandir, the pandas escort them inside. As Ramai views Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra from the Garuda stambha, prema awakens sattvika bhavas and he falls unconscious! That day, the pujaris invite them for prasad, and the next morning Ramai meets Gadadhar Pandit beside the singhadwar.
Rasa Analysis
Some of the lilas in Muralī-vilāsa will baffle the historians because Gadadhar, Ramananda, Kashi Mishra, and others have already left this world before Ramai arrives in Nilachal. Similarly, Muralī-vilāsa will later tell how Jahnava and Ramai meet Rupa, Sanatana, and other Vraja Goswamis at a time when they were not historically there. So we can find reason to doubt Muralī-vilāsa’s authenticity. But there is a good explanation for all of this: Because Ramai and Jahnava are nitya-siddha, and the Gaura bhaktas they meet are also so, why wouldn't their meeting be possible? As Ramai and Jahnava deeply hanker to meet these exalted parshads, they can certainly appear to give their darshan. And wouldn't they also wish to meet Jahnava and Ramai? Hence, we can accept these lilas as meaningful and true.
Upon meeting Gadadhar Pandit at the Singhadwar, Ramai falls at his lotus feet. And when they embrace they shed tears. Upon inquiring about the Gaudadesh bhaktas, Gadadhar hears about their viraha distress, and comments: “Just as Krishna left us to cry for Him when going to Mathura, our Prabhu left us by taking sannyasa!”
That day Gadadhar invites Ramai for Tota Gopinath’s prasad, and his party camps in the garden. The next morning Gadadhar gives Ramai a tour of the places Mahaprabhu performed His lila. And when they arrive at Gambhira, they find Kashi Misra in a state of deep viraha. In meeting Ramai, however, he regains some composure. Kashi Mishra shows Ramai where Mahaprabhu took prasad, rested, and performed His nirjan bhajan. But when seeing the place where Prabhu rubbed his face against the wall, Ramai faints! That evening Mishra tells Ramai about Prabhu's astonishing Nilachal lilas. When he gives the account of His leaving the world by entering Gopinath, however, he falls unconscious!
Early the next morning, Ramai bathes in the sea and quickly heads for Jagannath's darshan. After morning prasad, Mishra shows Ramai the Gundicha mandir, Indradyumna Sarovar, and Haridas Thakur’s samadhi. Then they visit Ramananda Raya, who is found deeply panged in separation from Mahaprabhu. Nevertheless, when Misra introduces Ramai to him, he replies: “Lad, in seeing your incomparable beauty my troubled heart has become soothed.”
That evening Ramai begins hearing about the talks that Ramananda had with Mahaprabhu, and the deep meaning of his vilāsa-vivarta verse. their Istagosthi goes on for many nights, and Raya Mahashay also teaches Ramai the confidential secrets about gopibhava bhajan. In this way, Ramai remains four months at Nilachal, and after the Ratha Yatra, he returns to Gaudadesh.
Meeting the Gaura Mandala Bhaktas
Upon arriving in Nabadwip, Ramai first goes to meet Vishnupriya devi. Falling at Her feet, he offers sashtanga pranam. Then She affectionately feeds and blesses him. As the timing of this lila happens well after Vishnupriya's historical departure date, we can know that that She appeared in her avirbhava to give Ramai Her darshan. Since Vishnupriya is Vamsivadan’s gurudevi, She has motherly affection for Ramai as well.
When Ramai meets his parents, it appears to them that their life has returned and they celebrate with a sankirtan festival. After remaining a few days at home, Ramai's parents suggest that he get married. In refusing their offer, Ramai reminds them of life's temporary nature and the influence of Maya. Seeing his learning and detachment they are amazed and bless his life of renunciation.
While heading for Shantipur, the vibration of Ramai's sankirtan party is tumultuous! Thus hundreds of Shantipur residents come running out to greet them and Sita Thakurani sends Achyutananda to bring Ramai to Her. Ramai offers Sita Thakurani his sashtanga pranam and She blesses him. When Sita speaks about Her husband's glories She and Achyutananda become overwhelmed, and this brings about Advaita's abhirbhava! He appears in order to console them and, before disappearing, He blesses Ramai to go and visit Sri Vrindavan. Ramai stays with Sita Thakurani and Achyutananda for ten days, and then goes to meet Gauridas Pandit at Ambika Kalna.
Gauridasa’s life-size Gaura Nitai vigraha are breathtaking – for they really appear like Gauranga and Nityananda. Ramai stays with the pandit for three days hearing his Gaura katha. Next he heads for Khanakula Krishnanagar to visit Abhiram Thakur (who was previously Sridham). Ramai then goes to meet Narahari Sarkar and Raghunananda Thakur at Srikhanda. In this way, he visits many other bhaktas, and finally returns to Jahnava's lotus feet at Khardaha.
Coming before Birchandra, Ramai deposits more than 500 gold coins with him, the dakshina he received while traveling. That evening he joins with Birchandra, Jahnava, Vasudha, Ganga, and Subhadra (Birchandra's wife) to tell them about his traveling adventures. After hearing about them, Birchandra congratulates Ramai, saying: “ You are fortunate to get Sri Jagannath's darshan, but more fortunate to have gotten that of those mahanta Vaishnavas, more fortunate to have received their loving embraces, and even more fortunate to have received their prema. But you are most fortunate to have attained the prema by which you can attain the Divine Couple.”
After some days, Ramai comes to privately request Ma Jahnava: “Many bhaktas have advised me to visit Sri Vrindavan; will you kindly grant me your permission so that I may go?” But Jahnava decides to also visit Vrindavan along with Ramai and she selects Uddharan Datta to be their guide.
This time Jahnava rides in the palaquin as Uddharan Datta and Ramai lead the procession on foot. Upon arriving at Gaya Dham, they bathe in the Phalgu River, and have darshan of Sri Vishnu's pada padma. After spending three days there, they head for Kashi, and stay at Chandrasekhar Acharya's home. For three nights he speaks about Mahaprabhu's Kashi lila. From there they go to Prayag and take darshan of Beni Madhava. While in Ayodhya, they go on parikrama for five days. During this time, Jahnava's tells some amazing stories about Sita and Rama: that in their aprakata Lila, Sita expands into limitless forms to enjoy rasa lila with Rama. After bathing in the Sarayu River on the last day, they head for Mathura.
With the news of Jahnava’s arrival in Mathura, hordes of Vaishnavas come for her darshan and beg for her mercy. She remains there four days. Meanwhile, Rupa and Sanatan send Jiva Goswami to escort Jahnava and her party to Vrindavan. And when they arrive at Rupa's bhajan kutira, the Vraja Goswamis all offer their sashtanga pranams to her lotus feet. In return, Jahnava offers them her deep respect and blessings. When Rupa hears about Ramai's identity from Uddharan Datta, he comes to offer him his pranam, and Ramai offers him and the other Goswamis his pranam in return. Ramai's unquestionable prema bhava astonishes them, and they beg for his mercy, and Ramai begs for their mercy as well.
Jahnava requests Rupa to first show her Govindaji, then she will begin cooking. Coming before Govindaji, however, Jahnava's body erupts in a fascinating display of sattvika emotions, and this reminds the Goswamis how Chandramukhi Radha views Krishna! After Jahnava cooks a marvelous feast for the Goswami community, Rupa and Sanatana request her with folded hands: “O Thakurani, will you kindly take prasad first, then we shall honor your remnants."
But Jahnava replies: “If the Vaishnavas first relish the Prasad, that will make me happy.”
Sanatana replies: “Then let us follow your order to please you.”
Raghunath Bhatta's Bhāgavata path at Govindaji mandir is a major attraction that is regularly attended by the Vraja bhakta community, and today he personally invites Jahnava to listen. Ragunatha recites the verses very melodiously in several meters, and when he explains the lilas, his voice cracks with emotional prema. During today's discourse, however, Rupa stands up and requests Ramai: “We shall be honored if you speak something that will soothe our ears.”
Ramai first declines out of humility, but in seeing Jahnava insisting, he begins to relate Prahlada's story and siksha, and his commentary amazes the assembly!
The next day, Sanatan invites Jahnava for Madan-mohan's darshan, and there she cooks another feast for the Vaishnavas. That evening, Jahnava performs sandhya arati for Madan-mohan, and afterwards she has an ishtagosthi with the Vraja Goswamis. Then she tells about Govindaji, Madan-mohan, and Gopinath's origin, and with clairvoyancy she relates their history in three different stories that amaze them. The next day, Gopal Bhatta invites Jahnava for Radha-ramanji's darshan, and there she cooks another feast.
When Jahnava begins a Vraja Mandal parikrama, all of the Goswamis accompany her. During that time, they get the feeling that she is Radha and they are her sakhis. Nearly two months later, everyone arrives at Kamyavan for Gopinath’s darshan.
That day Jahnava cooks Gopinath's noon-time offering. After taking prasad, the Goswamis retire for a rest. In the evening, after sandhya arati, Jahnava enters Gopinath's mandir to place malati garlands around His neck and chura. But before she can come out, Gopinath catches her orana and pulls her to Him! And this is how Jahnava disappears from our world!
Ma Jahnava's amazing departure astonishes the Goswamis, but Ramai breaks down in tears…
“Oh, what has happened?” he implores!
“Surely you must know the mystery,” Rupa answers, “Your beloved Jahnava is Ananga Manjari.” Then with folded hands, Rupa recites his Anaṅga-mañjarī-aṣṭakam, as tears stream from his eyes.
Jahnava Thakurani’s viraha mahotsava begins the next day, and as it attracts nearly every Mahatma and Vaishnavas of Vraja Mandal, the maha mahotsava lasts more than a week. After the festival, when Rupa and Sanatan are about to leave, they suggest to Ramai that he remain in Kamyavan to carry out his sadhana and bhajan here. Ramai takes their request to heart and sometimes goes to joins them. After a short while, however, Jahnava appears to Ramai in a dream and orders him: “O son! Quickly return to Gaudadesh, for I want you to perform Krishna’s seva and Vaishnava seva there.”
Astonishingly, the next evening Ramai has another dream: Krishna and Balaram appear, asking him to serve Them. Then a miracle happens: when Ramai goes for and early morning Yamuna snana, the beautiful darumaya murtis of Krishna-Balaram come floating into his arms! their forms are most captivating, so Ramai doesn't hesitate and he takes then to Kamyavan to inaugurate their seva-puja. Although Ramai couldn't possible desire to leave Vrindavan, he surrenders to Mother Jahnava's request and prepares for his Gaudadesh yatra. After bidding farewell to every one of the Vraja Goswamis, he carries Krishna-Balaram in his arms. With two servants following him, he travels for two months before arriving at a dense forest near Ambika Kalna.
While contemplating how he will fulfill Jahnava's wish (to perform Krishna seva and Vaishnava seva) Ramai carefully places Krishna and Balaram under a tree. Just then a dangerous, man-eating tiger appears! The two servants are scared stiff, but Ramai calmly addresses him: “O tiger, taking on this animal's body you have killed many people, a sin for which you will certainly go to hell. So take Krishna’s name and be delivered!”
Ramai then utters Krishna’s name in the tiger's ear, and it falls to the ground to offer pranama. Then the tiger starts running, jumps into the Ganga, assumes a devata's body and ascends to heaven! [Let us note: this is a miracle befitting the Lord's nitya-siddha parshad, for who else could perform such a feat?]
Now how did Ramai inaugurate Krishna seva and Vaishnava seva? That day about ten to twelve villagers come searching for their lost calf. Upon seeing Ramai, they warn him: “O Mahasaya, don't remain in this jungle, for there is a dangerous tiger living here!” Then they see Krishna-Balaram and feelingly offer a pranama. Owing to Ramai and Krishna-Balaram's darshan, their hearts are transformed, and they blissfully offer an invitation: “O come with us, we shall provide you with food and shelter.”
Their seva mood pleases Ramai, so he goes to lift Krishna and Balaram, but They won't budge! Seeing the wonder, the villagers come up with another idea: they start cutting down the jungle to make a place for Krishna-Balaram and Ramai. Ramai's prema and amicable behavior attracts lots of people. They excavate a pond, plant fruit and flower bearing trees, prepare a vegetable garden – and they even construct a mandir for Krishna-Balaram’s nitya seva. As time goes on the place becomes a wonderful ashram where countless people come to assist Krishna-Balaram's seva, view their arati, perform kirtan, and relish their prasad.
News soon reaches Birchandra at Khardaha that Ramai has delivered a tiger and converted his dangerous domain into a nava Vrindavan for Krishna’s amritamaya seva. Thus he comes up with a plan to test Ramai's divinity: He calls for his 1200 Neraneri followers (a fearsome group of tantric hooligans who love to stir up trouble wherever they go, and for Birchandra's satisfaction they can lay down their lives).
Thus Birchandra commands them: “You Neraneris should quickly go to the new tirtha “Baghnapara.” There you will find a Vaishnava serving Krishna-Balaram. Just demand that he feed you something unmentionable. Then if he fails to satisfy your hunger, let the sky come falling down on his head!”
Getting Birchandra's incentive, those 1200 Neraneris set off to harass Ramai. They arrive at midnight and start raising a commotion that breaks Ramai's sleep. Thus going to the front gate, Ramai sees the Neraneris, and with folded hands, he humbly submits:
“O surely there is some important reason which brings you all here so late at night? Well, since I am your servant, just order me: What can I do for you?”
“All of us are very hungry,” the Neraneris reply, “and we want you to feed us.”
Hearing such a demand throws Ramai into a dilemma. Nevertheless, he cordially asks them to sit down, and inquires where they are from.
“We are from Sripat Khardaha,” they reply. On hearing “Khardaha,” Ramai falls silent as he solemnly takes Jahnava's shelter: “O Ma! Please protect me from this calamity,” he prays.
To place their order, the Neraneris smilingly request: “If your serve us Ilsa fish with mango chutney and rice, we shall be very happy.”
“Let your order be fulfilled” Ramai answers humbly.
Now just consider, at twelve o’clock, midnight, the markets are closed, and it is now the winter season when mangoes are not available, so what does Ramai do? In remembering Jahnava, he goes to the pond and earnestly prays – and many big ilsa fish come jumping onto the bank! Then he goes to the Cuta trees, and while remembering Ma Jahnava, he again prays. Aho! Many ripe mangoes come falling from the branches! Somehow or other, Ramai then arranges that a huge meal be prepared, and the Neraneris are delighted to see such a feast! They sit down and eat to their full satisfaction.
After returning to Birchandra, the Neraneris praise Ramai's glories. Hence, Birchandra’s Neraneris, whose might make the whole world shake in fear are defeated by Ramai's unwavering faith in Jahnava's divine sakti.
Rasa Analysis
Muralī-vilāsa describes four supernatural events:
1) Ramai and Jahnava's meeting with Mahaprabhu’s parshads who were not physically present then;
2) Jahnava's leaving through the Gopinath vigraha;
3) Ramai's delivering a tiger with Harinam;
4) Ramai's satisfying the Neraneris with an extraordinary meal.
Now why do Mahaprabhu's nitya parshads perform such miracles? Although there can be many reasons, the overriding consideration is to help the faithless become faithful. To believe in God, most people require proof. So when they see a saint perform a miracle, this awakens their faith, and that saint can then engage them in Bhagavan's seva.
It was Mahaprabhu's desire that Vamsivadan promote Krishna’s vigraha and Vaishnava seva. Thus he was destined to appear a second time as Ramai Thakur. When Ramai established the Baghnapara Sripata after delivering a tiger, this miracle attracted many people who took his shelter. But after fulfilling the Neraneris’ despicable demand, the news of his divine sakti spread even further. Thus the Lord's desire started manifesting as Krishna's seva and Vaishnava seva were promoted through him.
Now we could ask: How could Ramai arrange a meal that includes fish on the menu? Yet here we should remember that the Neraneris are a fierce band of avadhutas who don't follow social convention. Thus, by the will of Providence, Ramai performed a miracle that transcends all worldly considerations. This made the feast more sensational than to simply rely on rice, dal, and sabji which were readily available at the market.
Another consideration is that to nurture Ramai's Krishna prema, Mahaprabhu desired that he meet Gadadhar Pandit, Ramananda Raya, Vishnupriya, the Vraja Goswamis, and others leading Gaura parshads. Because of their sakti and blessings, Ramai became further empowered to carry out the task that the Lord has in store for him. Hence, it was the Lord Himself who arranged Ramai’s meeting with them at a time they were not physically present.
In Vraja Mandal, who has more influence than the Six Goswamis? Yet, when Jahnava arrived there, they began worshipping her lotus feet. By seeing her bhavas and prema they were constantly reminded of her exalted position. Thus it was only befitting that Jahnava disappear before their eyes by merging into Gopinath – a display that only those of Isvara tattva can execute.
At the end of each chapter, Muralī-vilāsa’s author concludes by saying:
ei rāja ballabha gāya muralī vilāsa
Thus Rajaballabha Goswami sings Muralī-vilāsa while desiring the pāda-padma-sevā of Jahnava and Ramai.
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