Srila Rasikananda Goswami - Appearance

In the Christian year 1590 (Sakabda 1512), on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartik, during the night of thefestival Dipamalika, when the houses are decorated with rows of lamps, Sri Rasikananda Deva made his appearance in this world. His father was Sri Acyuta Deva, the king of Rohini. Afterpassing many years without having a male issue, Sri Acyuta Deva, bythe mercy of Sri Jagadisa (Jagannath), was blessed with thisjewel of a son. The village of Rohini or Royni was situated within the country known as Mallabhumi, encompassed on one side by theSuvarnarekha River (Suvarna meaning golden and rekha, a line). ThisSuvarnarekha River cleansed the sins of all the local people. Near Royni was another village of the name Barayita, by the side of which flowed the Dolanganadi River, whose banks were adorned with beautiful gardens.Raja Acyuta Deva very affectionately maintained his subjects and was famous for impeccably observing the rites attendant upon kings.In the village of Royni the son of King Acyuta appeared as the sunappears in the eastern sky and became dearly beloved by the people.He was known as Rasikananda and also Murari. As he grew up, shining qualities appeared by degrees in his person that caused the furtherexaltation of his family, just as the waxing moon gradually expands its influence in the night skyand causes the sea to rise. At a very young age he became quiteproficient in all of the scriptures. He was very devoted to hisparents, especially his mother, whose name was Bhavani. His fathermarried him at very young age. Murari's wife Syamadasi was a mineof good character who hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila, not far from Royni on the banks of the Suvarna Rekha, where in days ofold the Pandavas had lived in exile. One day, Murari was sitting in a lonely place, wondering when and where he might become so fortunate as to get shelter at the lotus feet of a spiritual preceptor. Just then a voice from the sky addressed him, "Don't bein anxiety, you will become the disciple of Sri Syamananda." Having heard this proclamation, Rasik Murari became very jubilant, andbegan to repeatedly murmur the name Syamananda, as though chanting japa. From moment to moment his eagerness increased without diminition, as tears flowed from his eyes by his chanting of the name of Syamananda. He was in such a state that he spend most ofthe night sleeplessly, calling to his master Syamananda. Finally, towards the early morning, he drifted off to the land of dreams,where he saw his spiritual master, the very figure of charm and grace. Smilingly, Syamananda informed him, "When tomorrow theeastern sky becomes tinged with pink, you will obtain me." Sayingthis, Syamananda disappeared. Rasikananda's heart began to swell inecstatic bliss. Then, with the first rays of morning which dispelthe dense darkness of the world, the wise Murari sat silentlywatching the path. After some time Syamananda approached from the distance, looking as beautifully effulgent as the sun andsurrounded by his disciples like Sri Kishora dasa and others. Hissmiling face was like the lotus flower that opens to greet its friend the sun, and hischest was as broad as a door. His captivating appearance was made all the more irresistable by the sweet sounds of 'Sri Krsna Caitanya-Nityananda' emanating from his lotus mouth. Absorbed inintense love he moved along the path like the clouds move in thesky. When Rasika caught sight of this divine form, he fell down in front of him to touch his lotus feet. In great ecstasy Shyamananda embraced him and began to bathe him with his tears of ecstatic love. Sri Rasika Murari then felt himself to be one of the most fortunate living beings within this universe. On an auspicious day Syamananda initiated Rasika and his wife in Radha-Krsna mantra. After that, Rasikananda began to travel with hisguru, during which time he became a very intimate disciple.Syamananda then bestowed upon him the service of Sri Radha- GovindaDeva at Sri Gopiballabhapur. Rasikananda became totally engaged intheir Lordships service, and the devotees were charmed by hisexcellent services. At Gopiballabhpur and other places he began toseriously take up the preaching of the message of SriGaura-Nityananda. By his influence many atheists and unbelieverswere transformed into devotees of Sri Gaura-Nityananda. "By thetremendous influence of Rasikananda's preaching, many rogues, robbers and atheists were delivered from their sinful activitiesand received his mercy. He distributed the jewel of devotion evento the infidel Mohammedans, as he travelled from village tovillage, in the company of his disciples. He even converted thewild elephant which was sent for his destruction into his disciple and engaged him in the service of Krsna and the Vaisnavas. That wicked miscreant who sent the elephant, a Mohammedan, bowed at his feet when he realised his mistake. It is not possible to count the number of living entities that were extricated from the ocean of material existence by Rasikananda Deva's association. He was always intoxicated with the chanting of the Holy Name. Who cannot but beoverwhelmed by hearingabout his uncommon qualities?" [B.R. 15.86] By Sri Rasikananda'smercy many Mohammedans, who were actually just impious and wicked atheists, became worshipers of the Supreme Lord. Also many virtuous kings and zamindars such as the king of Mayurbhanj named Vaidyanatha Bhanj, the king of Patashpur known as Gajapati andCandrabhanu, the king of Moyna, took shelter at his lotus feet.What to speak of those pious and noble gentlemen, even the sinful zamindar Bhima, the Mohammedan Suba Ahmadbeg and the wicked atheist Srikar also surrendered themselves at his lotus feet. A vicious,wild elephant was tamed by Rasikananda's transcendental influenceand henceforward was known as Gopala das. Later, two jungle tigerslike wise gave up their ferocious nature. Accepting the order of his guru, Sri Syamananda, on his head, Rasikananda preached the messageof Sri Gaursundar in the world for approximately 16 years.Thereafter he entered into his eternal pastimes through the lotus feet of Gopinatha at Remuna. On the first day of the brightfortnight in the month of Phalguna, Sakabda 1574 (Christian year1652), Rasikananda quietly slipped out of the village Santa without anyone's notice and walked to Remuna. Arriving there, he discussed Krsna-katha with the devotees there for a while and instructed everyone to serve Sri Krsna with devotion. Then, after requesting them to begin sankirtana, he entered the temple of Sri Gopinatha, and after touching Kshira-chora Gopinatha's lotus feet, which bestow complete fearlessness, he entered into their ultimate shelter.

Rasikananda prabhu’s samadhi is at the Temple of Kshira-chora Gopinath at Remuna just in front and to the right as you go in themain gate, with the temple to the left, and admin’ offices straight ahead.

Sri Rasikananda had three sons: Sri Radhananda, Sri Krsna-Govindaand Sri Radha-Krsna. The present servants of Sri Sri Radha-Govindadeva at Gopiballabhapur are their descendents. He composed Sri Shyamananda-sataka, Srimad Bhagavatastaka as well as other hymns and songs. His Sripat Gopiballabhpur can be reached from Calcutta by taking a train to Khavagpur, and a bus toGopiballabhpur from there. There is also a temple of Rasikananda at Puri. One year, during Lord Jagannatha's Ratha-yatra festival, Rasikananda Deva was preaching somewhere in the country, but when he realised that it was time for Ratha-yatra he dropped everything and rushed like the wind in order to come to Nilacala in time forthe festival.

But in the meantime the festival had already begun. Lord Jagannath,Who felt reciprocal separation from His dear devotee Rasikananda,caused the Rath to stop. Though the king summoned his elephants to push the Ratha, under no circumstances could they budge it, not even an inch. Then Lord Jagannatha, seeing that the king wasbecoming frustrated, informed him that he was waiting for His devotee Rasika. Finally Rasikananda Deva arrived, carrying with him many offerings of silk clothes and other presents. He fell down to offer his dandavats before Lord Jagannatha, and the king requested him to pull the rope at which the cart began to easily move along the road, just as the clouds move in the sky. Later the king requested Rasikananda to accept a gift of land so he might establish a temple there. Rasikananda requested the place known as Fultota Math, which is now known as Kunja Math. There he installed the Deity of Sri Bat Krsna. The Deity is now known as Sri Sri Radha-Rasika Raya.