SRI NABADWIP DHAM MAHATMYA-MUKTA-MALA

Ritudwip (archanam: Deity worship)

Sri Vidyanagar

Continuing our Sri Nabadwip Dham parikrama, we have now come to Sri Vidyanagar, which is situated in Sri Ritudwip. We find the description of the glories of this ancient town in Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur’s holy scripture, Sri Nabadwip-dham-mahatmya. Coming to this place, Sriman Nityananda Prabhu told Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhu:

At the time of universal dissolution, the eternal abode of Sri Nabadwip remains as a lotus and is never destroyed; at this time, all incarnations of the Lord, as well as some fortunate souls, stay here at Nabadwip Dham. On this island of Ritudwip, there exists a supremely pure place called Sri Vidyanagar. This is the place where the Supreme Lord, assuming the form of a fish, held up all the Vedas, and all rishis, munis as well all knowledge (vidya) lived here, taking shelter in the Vedas – that is how this place got its name Vidyanagar (lit. ‘town of knowledge’).

One day, Lord Brahma decided to create the world again; however, he felt deeply dejected to see his previous universe being destroyed during the universal annihilation, so he prayed to the Lord. Out of compassion for Brahma, the Lord bestowed His mercy upon him: when Brahma opened his mouth to pronounce his prayer, Saraswati Devi was born on his tongue, so when Brahma prayed, empowered by the potency of Saraswati Devi, he felt very happy.

By the mercy of the Lord, it was so arranged that during the creation of the world Maya stays on the bank of the Viraja River and pervades all directions, covering the entire material universe with her three modes. Then, the universe becomes manifest, and many rishis come to the world and try to reveal knowledge: they take shelter in Saraswati Devi and start studying knowledge in various places on earth, dispelling ignorance.

The place where these rishis reside exists eternally within this island of Sri Ritudwip. It was here that Valmiki studied poetry, Dhanvantari studied ayurveda, Visvamitra studied archery, and Sanaka, Sanatana, Sanat, Sananda and others studied Vedic mantras. Even Mahadev learnt about tantras in this place. It was here that the four Vedas manifested from the holy mouth of Brahma. Kapila Muni also lived here and composed his scriptures on logic and logical argument. Patanjali, Kanada Rsi and Jaimini composed their scriptures on yoga here. Even Vedavyas wrote many of his scriptures (Puranas, etc.) here. Narad Muni also lived here when he composed his book Pancharatra. So, this is a very important place.

One day, when Upanisads were worshipping Gauranga Mahaprabhu in this charming place, they heard in the sky a divine message from Mahaprabhu, ‘Your hearts have become polluted by misconception, so you will not get Me in this form of sruti (aurally transmitted scriptures) that you hold now. However, when you are born as My associates at the time when I come to perform My pastimes in this world, you will get to see Me just by dancing and chanting My glories.’ Hearing these words, Upanisads stayed here and waited for this blessed Kali-yuga to come.

Such is the glory of Sri Vidyanagar.

Jay Srila Guru Maharaj ki jay.

(At Sri Vidyanagar)

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