Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura

 

Written approximately 120 years ago, these Godruma Kalpaṭavi newsletters describe a transcendental market wherein the Lord’s holy names are systematically distributed to faithful customers who are willing to accept such a spiritual product. Based upon the “currency” of one’s faith and devotion for the Supreme Lord, everyone – regardless of cast, creed, color, or religion – is eligible to purchase the holy name. Specific descriptions of roles and duties, as well as cautions and guidelines, are provided by Bhaktivinoda Thakura to his Nama Haṭṭa “employees,” the distributors of the holy name amongst the general populace. (Sri Godruma Kalpatavi Introduction)

The root of Śrī Nāma Haṭṭa is established at Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma, at Śrī Surabhī Kuñja, Śrī Godruma-kṣetra, and its branches and sub-branches are spread throughout India. (Sri Godruma Kalpatavi – Fifth Desire Tree)

For further reading, please refer to :
Sri Godruma Kalpatavi (The Desire-tree Grove of Godruma) by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura – A collection of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s articles describing his Nāma Haṭṭa (marketplace of the Holy Name) preaching programme.

Fortunately, at that time, we got a great Vaiṣṇava savant and scholar, Ṭhākura Kedāranātha Bhaktivinoda, who wrote widely and successfully created an interest among the educated public in Vaiṣṇava religion and literature. His discovery of Śrīdhāma Māyāpur, the birthplace of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, which was so long hidden from the public eye, gave a new impetus to its propagation. The age of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism set in. Thereafter, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Ṭhākura took hold of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism with a vow to propagate it in its true perspective, even as it was practiced with unparalleled and unprecedented transcendentalism by Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmīs, followers of Śrī Caitanya. In proper time, he got a great personality who readily shouldered the . . .”
(760119 – Conversation – Mayapur)

Bhaktivinoda Thakur has written this song ”Godruma Dhame Bhajana”. The official Name for this song is ”Bhakti Anukula Matra Karyera Svikara Song 2″. This song is taken from the book Saranagati. Bhaktivinoda Thakura tells us the importance of the Dham Godruma which is non different from Nandagram. He talks about the significance of tilaka markings, tulasi beads as well as taking the names of Lord Krsna and Nitya nanda through Krishna Kirtan.

(1)
godruma-dhame bhajana-anukule
mathura-sri-nandisvara-samatule
 
(2)
tahi maha surabhi-kusja-kutire
baithobun hama sura-tatini-tire
 
(3)
gaura-bhakata-priya-vesa dadhana
tilaka-tulasi-mala-sobhamana
 
(4)
campaka, bakula, kadamba, tamal
ropato niramibo kusja visal
 
(5)
madhavi malati uthabun tahe
chaya-mandapa korobun tanhi mahe
 
(6)
ropobun tatra kusuma-vana-raji
juthi, jati, malli virajabo saji’
 
(7)
masce basaobun tulasi-maharani
kirtana-sajja tanhi rakhabo ani’
 
(8)
vaisnava-jana-saha gaobun nam
jaya godruma jaya gaura ki dham
 
(9)
bhakativinoda bhakti-anukul
jaya kusja, musja, sura-nadi-kul
 
 
(1)-(2) On the banks of the celestial Ganges River I will dwell in a cottage at Surabhi-kunj in Godruma-dhama. This land of Godruma is very conductive for performing devotional worship of the Supreme Lord and is nondifferent from the sacred place called Nandagram, located in the holy district of Mathura.
 
(3)-(4) I will put on the garb that is dear to the devotees of Lord Gaurasundara and wear the twelve Vaisnava tilaka markings on my body and beautiful beads of tulasi wood around my neck. Then, by planting flowering trees like Campaka, Bakula, Kadamba, and Tamala, I will make an extensive grove by my cottage.
 
(5)-(8) I will put madhavi and malati creepers on the trees and in this way make a shady bower. I will sow a variety of flowering forests and different kinds of jasmine like yuthi, jati andmalli. All these will be present there, arrayed in a charming fashion. I will install the empress tulasi on an elevated throne on the terrace, then procure all necessary paraphernalia for having kirtana, such as mrdanga drums, karatalas (hand cymbals), and gongs, and place them there.