Pañcaveṇī (Maha-Prayaga)

 

Nityananda spoke, “Listen everyone! This is Pañcaveṇī, where five rivers join the Ganges. The Bhāgīrathī mixes with the Mandākinī and the Alakanandā, and the Sarasvati flows here hidden from view. From the west, the Yamuna flows along with the Bhogavati. The Manasa-ganga also quickly flows there. This place is called Maha-Prayaga by the rṣis, who performed millions of sacrifices here along with Lord Brahmā. The glories of this place are incomparable. If one takes bath here, he will not take another birth. Who can describe the glories of this place? All other tirthas become like dried up rivers in comparison. One who leaves his body here on the earth, in the air, or in the water will attain Śrī Goloka Vṛndāvana. This place, known as Kuliyā Pāhāḍa, is situated on the bank of the Ganges and is raised up like a mountain. This place is called Koladvīpa in the scriptures. Now hear one story from Satya-yuga.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 11)

Near Uccahatta is Pañcaveni, the holy place where the demigods come to rest. At this place the three streams of the Ganges (Bhagirathi, Mandakini, and Alakananda), as well as the Yamuna and the Sarasvati all join together with a desire to serve Gauranga.
Gauranga and His associates purified this tirtha of the sins of Kali-yuga by taking bath here. Vyasadeva and the rsis have not seen any place in the fourteen worlds that compares with Pañcaveni.
When will I remember the lotus feet of Sri Gauranga after bathing in the waters of the Pañcaveni? After filling my hands and drinking the water that washed the lotus feet of Gaura. I will be blessed and intoxicated remembering topics of Gauranga.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)

When Rūpa Gosvāmī . . . he was minister in the government of Nawab Hussain Shah. At that time, very exalted personality. He could understand Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission. Therefore when he first met Him at Allahabad, Prayāga, he offered his respect with these words: namo mahā-vadānyāya, the most munificent incarnation. Why? Kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te: “You are distributing kṛṣṇa-prema. It is very difficult to understand Kṛṣṇa, but You are so kind that You are immediately delivering love of Kṛṣṇa.”
(740325 – Lecture BG 04.05 – Bombay)

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