Dwaitadwaitavada Acharya Sri Nimbarka
“One time some brāhmaṇa devotees of Śiva worshiped him by offering the leaves of his favorite tree, the bilva, or bael, tree for a fortnight’s duration. Siva was pleased with the brāhmaṇas and gave them kṛṣṇa-bhakti. Amongst those worshipers was Nimbaditya, who had been very attentive in the worship. Siva spoke to him, ‘At the edge of this village is a sacred bilva forest. Within that forest, the four Kumāras are sitting in meditation. By their mercy, you will receive transcendental knowledge. They are your gurus. By serving them, you will receive all that is of value.’ Saying this, Lord Siva disappeared.
“Nimbaditya searched and found that place. On an attractive platform in the forest near Śiva, he saw the four brothers—Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanātana, and Sanat-kumāra—sitting unseen by others. They were young, naked, and noble in character. Nimbārka cried out in excitement, ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa! Hare Kṛṣṇa!’
“On hearing the holy name, the Kumāras’ meditation broke. They opened their eyes and saw before them an ideal Vaisnava. Satisfied by this sight, one after another they embraced Nimbaditya. Who are you?’ they asked. ‘Why have you come here? We will certainly fulfill your prayers.’
“Nimbarka offered his obeisances and humbly introduced himself. Sanat-kumāra smiled and said, ‘Knowing that Kali-yuga would be very troublesome, the all-merciful Supreme Lord decided to propagate devotional service. He empowered four men with devotional service and sent them into the world to preach. Rāmānuja, Madhva, and Visnusvāmi are three of these men. You are the fourth of these great devotees. Śrī, Lakṣmi, accepted Rāmānuja, Brahma accepted Madhvācārya, Rudra accepted Visnusvāmi, and we, meeting you today, have the good fortune to teach you. This is our intention. Previously we were engaged in meditating on the Brahman, but by the Lord’s mercy that sinful act has gone away. Now that I know the sweet taste of pure devotional service, I have written one book named Sanat-kumāra Samhita. You should receive initiation into its teachings.’
“Seeing his guru’s mercy, the wise Nimbārka quickly took his bath in the Ganges and returned. He offered obeisances and humbly said, ‘O deliverer of the fallen, please deliver this low rascal.’ The four brothers gave him the Radha-Kṛṣṇa mantra and instructed him how to worship Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa filled with sentiments of great love, called bhāva-marga. Having obtained that mantra, Nimbaditya resided at this sacred place and worshiped according to the injunctions of that samhitā.
“Radha and Kṛṣṇa bestowed Their mercy by appearing before Nimbarka. Lighting up all directions and gently smiling, They said, ‘You are very fortunate. You have performed sadhana in Navadvipa, Our dear abode. Here We take on one form, as the son of Śacidevi.’
While saying this. They combined in one form as Gauranga. Nimbarka was astounded on seeing that form and exclaimed, Never have I seen or heard of such a remarkable form anywhere!’ Mahaprabhu said, ‘Please keep this form secret now. Just preach krsna-bhakti and the pastimes of Radha and Krsna, for I am very happy in those pastimes. When I appear as Gauranga, I will enjoy educational pastimes. At that time, you will take birth in Kashmir and tour India as a champion scholar out to defeat all opponents. Your name will be Kesava Kasmiri, and you will be celebrated everywhere for your great learning. While wandering on tour, you will come to Mayapur. The learned scholars of Navadvipa will flee when they hear your name, but I will be intoxicated with learning and take pleasure in defeating you. By the mercy of Sarasvati, you will realize My identity, give up your pride, and take shelter of Me. Then I will give you the gift of bhakti and send you out to preach devotional service again. So you can satisfy Me now by preaching the philosophy of dvaitadvaita (monism and dualism), keeping My identity secret.
“Later, when I begin the sankirtana movement, I Myself will preach the essence of the four Vaisnava philosophies. From Madhva I will receive two essential items: his complete defeat of the Māyāvāda philosophy, and his service to the Deity of Kṛṣṇa, accepting the Deity as an eternal spiritual being. From Rāmānuja I will accept two great teachings: the concept of bhakti unpolluted by karma and jñāna, and service to the devotees. From Visņusvāmī’s teachings I will accept two main elements: the sentiment of exclusive dependence on Krsna, and the path of rāga-bhakti. And from you I will receive two excellent principles: the necessity of taking shelter of Rādhā, and the high esteem for the gopis’ love of Krsna.”
“When Gauracandra disappeared, Nimbārka wept out of love. After worshiping the feet of his gurus, he left for preaching kṛṣṇa-bhakti.”
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 16)
There are four lines of disciplic succession: one from Lord Brahmā, one from Lord Śiva, one from Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, and one from the Kumāras. The disciplic succession from Lord Brahmā is called the Brahma-sampradāya, the succession from Lord Śiva (Śambhu) is called the Rudra-sampradāya, the one from the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmījī, is called the Śrī-sampradāya, and the one from the Kumāras is called the Kumāra-sampradāya. One must take shelter of one of these four sampradāyas in order to understand the most confidential religious system. In the Padma Purāṇa it is said, sampradāya-vihīnā ye mantras te niṣphalā matāḥ: if one does not follow the four recognized disciplic successions, his mantra, or initiation, is useless.
At present there are many apasampradāyas, or un-bona fide sampradāyas, which have no link to authorities like Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, the Kumāras, or Lakṣmī. People are misguided by such sampradāyas. The śāstras say that being initiated into such a sampradāya is a waste of time, for it will never enable one to understand real religious principles and surrender to Kṛṣṇa.
(A Second Chance, Chapter 21 – Confidential Knowledge)