Modadrumadvipa

Process of Devotional Service: Dāsyaṁ (Becoming a servant)

Devotee Who Attained Perfection Through This Process: Hanumān

By adopting only one of these nine principles, the following renowned devotees of the Lord were able to achieve the highest perfection: …. (7) By rendering personal service to the Lord, Hanumān attained the desired result.
(Śrī Īśopaniṣad 17)

All glories to Gaurahari, who has manifested Himself as the Pañca-tattva! All glories to Navadvīpa-dhāma, the topmost abode!
Arriving at Mamagachi village, Nityananda explained to Jiva, “Here, in Modadrumadvipa is Ayodhya. In a previous kalpa, when Rama was banished to the forest, He came to this place with Lakṣmaṇa and Janaki. He built a hut under a huge banyan tree here and lived happily for some time. Seeing the effulgence of Navadvipa, the son of Raghu began to slightly smile.
“How attractive was that form, green as new grass, with lotus eyes and a graceful bow in hand! Wearing the dress of a brahmacārī and His head piled with matted locks, He stole the minds of all living entities. Seeing Rāma smiling, Sītā, the daughter of Janaka, asked Him the reason.
“Listen, Sita, here is one very secret story. When the glorious age of Kali advents, I will display a yellow complexioned form here in Nadia. I will take birth in the womb of Saci in Jagannatha Misra’s house. I will give all the fortunate souls who see My childhood pastimes the supreme gift of prema. At that time, I will enjoy My beloved educational pastimes and reveal the glories of the holy name. I will then take sannyāsa and go to Puri, and My own mother will weep with My wife in her arms.’
“Hearing this, Sītā asked, ‘O lotus-eyed one, why will You make Your mother cry? Why will You give up Your wife and take sannyasa? What happiness is there in giving sorrow to Your wife?’
“Śrī Rāma replied, ‘O dear one, you know everything. But you are acting ignorant just to teach the living entities. Listen Sītā, My devotees relish prema-bhakti in two ways. In union with Me they enjoy sambhoga, and in separation from Me they enjoy vipralambha. My eternal associates desire sambhoga, but I mercifully give them vipralambha. The devotees know that distress due to separation from Me is actually the topmost bliss. After separation, when union occurs, they feel happiness so much greater than before—a million times multiplied. That is the explanation of how there can be happiness in separation. You should accept this mood which is described in the four Vedas.
“She who is known as Aditi in the Vedas is now mother Kausalya and will become mother Saci in Gauranga’s pastimes. And you, Sītā, will serve Me as Visnupriya. In separation, you will worship My Deity and spread My glories. Separated from you, I will worship a golden Sītā Deity in Ayodhya. But this topic is very confidential, Sītā. Do not reveal this to the people now.
“This Navadvipa is My dear place, even Ayodhya is not equal to it. When Kali-yuga comes, this huge banyan tree, Rama-vaṭa, will disappear from vision and stay here in an unmanifest form.’
“In this way, Rāma passed His time here with Lakṣmaṇa and Sītā. Later, He went to Dandakaranya to complete His activities. See here the place where His hut stood.
“By the desire of the Lord, Rama’s friend Guhaka took birth here in a brahmana’s family. His name was Sadananda Vipra Bhaṭṭācārya. He knew nothing in the three worlds except Rāma. He was present in Jagannatha Misra’s house when Gauranga was born. At that time all the demigods came to see the child. The exalted Sadananda realized by the demigods’ presence that his Lord had taken birth. In great delight he returned home, and, while meditating on his worshipable Lord Ramacandra, he saw Gaurasundara.
“Lord Gauranga was seated on a throne and surrounded by the demigods, headed by Lord Brahma, who were waving camaras. Then Sadananda saw Ramacandra, green as grass. On Rama’s right was Lakṣmaṇa, the abode of Ananta. On His left was Sītā, and in front was Hanuman. Seeing this, the vipra understood the truth about the Lord.
“The vipra went to Mayapur in great ecstasy, and, unseen by anyone, he feasted his eyes on the form of Gauranga. Blessed am I, blessed indeed! Ramacandra is present before me as Gauracandra!’ Later, when the sankirtana movement started, Sadananda took part by dancing and chanting the name of Gaura.
“O Jiva, here the pure devotees see the Bhāndira forest.”
Hearing the topics and seeing the places in the eternal dhāma, the devotees surrounded Nityananda and danced. Jiva’s body displayed symptoms of ecstasy as he shouted the name of Gauranga.
That day Nityananda stayed in the house of Nārāyaṇī. And Nārāyaṇī, the pure chaste mother of Vedavyāsa (Vṛndāvana Dāsa Thakura), served the Vaiṣṇavas. The next morning, after walking some distance, they entered Vaikunthapura.
To carry out the order of Jāhnavā and Nitai, this worthless wretch sings the glories of Nadia.
(Sri Navadvipa-Dhama-Mahatmya, Chapter 14)

This forest is nondifferent from Sri Bhandiravana of Vraja. where the birds and beasts are all spiritual entities. In the branches of the trees live cuckoos who continuously sing the glories of Gauranga and Sītā-Rāma. The countless banyan trees spread their branches out to block the sun. When will this place, where Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma displayed Their pastimes, be visible to my eyes?
When will I wander about observing the splendor of the forest and suddenly see the cottage of Lord Ramacandra. Then I will see Rāma Himself, whose body is the color of durva grass and who is dressed like a brahmacārī, sitting with Lakṣmaṇa and Sitā. Seeing Ramacandra’s enchanting form. I will fall unconscious in the forest. I will be overwhelmed with love and unable to speak as I drink the beauty of His form with my two eyes. Lakṣmaṇa will mercifully come slowly forward to give me some fruit and place His feet upon my head. “My dear son, please eat this fruit. Living in the forest, this is all we have to offer our guests.”
As He says this, the vision will disappear, and I will weep as I begin to eat the fruit. In my heart I am thinking of that inconceivable form. “Will I ever see that greenish form of Rama again?”
O Bhandiravana, land of transcendental gems, my heart weeps without end to leave you! At that place, on the pretext of herding cows. Balarama and Krsna performed many pastimes. In the same way. Gauranga performed pastimes here in Modadruma, becoming drunk with the sound of kirtana in the company of His friends.
(Sri Navadvipa Bhava-taranga)