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SRI HITAHARIVAMSA MAHAPRABHU'S ARRIVAL
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THE INCARNATION OF DIVINE FLUTE, SUPREME RASIC DEVOTEE
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Childhood Pastimes: That was 4 'O' Clock in the early hours. Tara Rani (Mother of Harivamsa) was undergoing labour to deliver her baby. Her husband Sri Vyasa Mishra was a Gouda Brahmin. He was a renowned astrologer and they belonged to a village by name Devavan in the Shaharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. The local king admired his knowledge of astrology and awarded him a superior chair in his court. The king always wanted Mishraji to accompany him whenever he went outside the country. On that occasion also Mishraji was accompanying the King who was proceeding to Agra. But Mishraji had to stop at a village by name' Baad' near Agra due to labour pains of his pregnant wife. It was suddha ekadasi of Vaisakha (11th day after new moon of month Vaisakha i.e.April/May of 1502 A.D.) Thousands of people after taking bath in the Holy river Yamuna were reciting the holy names of Lord Sri Krishna. Mishraji to his amazement saw sudden changes in the environment. Dazzling light replaced darkness of early hours. Melodious play of instruments was heard a few moments later. In such auspicious moments delighted servant maids informed Mishraji that he was blessed with a charming son.
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Sometime later Vyasji left for his sister's house. The residents of Vraj beholding the baby spontaneously sang songs in joy and delight. The boy's maternal uncle Nrisimhalal was an ardent devotee of Lord Narasimha. At about the time of boy's birth his uncle was immersed in meditation watching the transcendental form of his beloved Lord. To his astonishment he saw a small boy replacing the form of his beloved Deity. Immediately he prayed Swami, "My Lord, I always behold your Holy Form in meditation. But today I saw a small boy in your place. Who is this boy my Lord". Moments later Lord himself appeared there and said "This baby is the son of your sister Tara Rani. The Vamsi (the Flute) of Sri Krishna assumed the form of this boy and incarnated in your family. I cannot explain the great fortune of your sister". And the Lord disappeared.
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A few days hence Nrisimhalalji visited his sister's home at Devavan. Beholding the boy he said, "Tara, your boy's name is already decided. Lord himself told he is none other than the incarnation of Vamsi of Sri Krishna. In the boy's life super natural events will be seen occasionally. He will be great intellectual too". Later he named the boy as 'Harivamsa'.
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Ha- Hari (Lord's Name)
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R- Radha
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Va-Vrindavan
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Sa- Sakhi (companion of Sri Radhaji)
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Thus he explained the significance of the name given to the boy to Vyasji and Tararani. He further said, "This boy will become so great and extraordinary saint that he would transform Vrajadham into Rasadham. All the above four glorious kalas (transcendental magnificence) of Radhakrishna together assumed the form of the boy"
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Once day Nrisimhalalji was swinging the cradle of the boy and his mother Tararani was in the kitchen. To his amazement Nrisimhalalji experienced a supernatural play. He started hearing melodious voice of angels, coming out of the cradle. "Where the Vamsi of Radhaji lives such divine happenings are very natural". Nrisimhalalji thought. Then the Divine voice began to sing a verse:
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| Yasyaha kadapi vasananchala khelanotha |
| dhanyati dhanya pavanena kritardha manee |
| Yogeendra durgama gatirmadhusudanopi |
| Tasyahanamostu Vrishabhanubhuvo disopi |
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Feeling the touch of gentle breeze emanating from whose chelanchal (garment covering shoulders) Sri Madhusudan - invisible Divine personality even to Yogis of Higher Order, regards Himself extremely blessed. I salute in reverence to the direction of the daughter of King Vrishabhanu.
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Every day he used to hear one sloka from the cradle. Nrisimhalalji could not perceive the origin of the sweet voice that was singing the Sloka (verse) in the beginning. Gradually by the grace of Radhakrishna he could comprehend the divine intention. He announced that within these verses the ocean of love of Priya Priyatham (Radha and Krishna) is manifested. Pure and resplendent intensity of Divine Ecstasy and magnificent expression of Bhava were flowing naturally within these extra-ordinary verses. Creation of such majestic verses of Rasa is possible only to masters of Rasa blessed with the Grace of Radhaji, not to ordinary devotees or to poets of excellence.
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Devotees who are not attached to Rasa cannot receive the grace of Radhaji. Because of absence of such devotees in the congregation of saints listening to Srimad Bhagawat Pravachan (narration) of Sri Suka Deva, we do not find the mention of either Radhaji or Her companions(Sakhis) in the scripture.
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Harivamsaji's life shows us that he possessed absolute grace of Radhaji. Some of the events took place in his life were so extra-ordinary that such events had never visible in the life of any saint in the religious history of the world. This fact is known only to those who had thoroughly studied his life or to the devotees who are filled with Radha Bhav.
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Thereafter in an inexplicable manner 271 sloka emerged one per each day. These verses (Sanskrit) compiled as a magnificent treatise on devotion of Rasa (Rasika Bhakthi) known as 'Sri Radhasudhanidhi'. Within a short time Sri Yugal Kishore Seva Samstha (founded by the author of this book) will publish these verses along with detailed purport and comment. (This book was released in two volumes during the year 2008 in Telugu Language).
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Amazed Yogi Nrisimhalalji asked his personal God Lord Narasimha "How such sweet divine verses are flowing from the house of boy Harivamsa?" Swami replied, "My son, I have already told you. Do not forget that many such majestic events would be seen in the boy's life. He is dearest companion of Radhaji and is none other than the incarnation of Divine Flute-Vamsi. Even Lord Shiva or Vishnu cannot comprehend the supreme powers of Radhaji. Now, my son I will reveal a secret to you. My Deity of worship is Sri Radhaji. So you too do not leave Her meditation under any circumstance". Narasimhalal forthwith said, "My Lord, you are my fovourite Deity ( ishta devata). How can I worship Radhaji ignoring your Lotus Feet? Swamy said, "My son, for a devotee 'my worship' is the initial step in the path of Nivritti (redemption). I show the path of salvation (Moksha) to such devotee. But by the meditation of Radhaji he will attain Radha Bhav and becomes eligible to enter the Divine Play of Radhaji (i.e Raas Leela)" Thus Lord Narasimha enlightened His disciple about the Final Step in the path of Nivritti.
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One night boy Harivamsa suddenly woke up and started weeping as he got very hungry. That was exact mid night. He wanted his mother the holy water (charanamruta) of Radhaji. Then Vyasji said "my dear, how to get holy water at this hour. Syamasyam are sleeping. We should not disturb them". The boy forthwith replied, "they are playing now, not sleeping'. Then Vyasji went into the worship-room and astonished to see the paraphernalia of worship were strewn all around. "To day we did not remember to offer Bhog (food) to Swami, nor did we offer even drinking water. Possibly due to this reason the boy had woken up at this hour and started weeping". Vyasaji thought with amazement.
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The eternal play (Nitya Leela) of Radha Govind is not visible even to Vaikuntha ( Abode Srimannarayana). Only Rasik Devotees see such confidential Divine Plays. At that very time new dishes of Bhog appeared in the worship-room surprisingly. Among them a few do not belong to earthly plane. Mahabhava swaroopini (embodiment of highest divine consciousness) Sri Radhaji's plays are not comprehensible to ordinary beings.
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One day evening five year old Harivamsa was playing with his friends in the garden. Suddenly the boy had an inner impulse that inside the nearby well an idol of Syamasundar was emplaced underneath. Next moment the the boy jumped into the well. Hearing the cries of children, parents of Harivamsa came to the well weeping. Everyone believed that the boy will safely come out of the well. Meanwhile firmly holding the idol of Gopla Deva Harivamsa gently emerged out of the waters of the well sitting in a Yogic posture. Many people witnessed the event. Delighted children danced in joy on his safe arrival. Harivamsa named the idol that had majestically come out of the well as 'Navrangee lal'. The charming idol of Gopala can be seen even today in the village 'Baad". By that time it was clear to one and all that whatever beheld by Harivamsa has been the direct truth but not an illusion.
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One day evening in the spring season Harivamsa's parents intended to celebrate Jhoola (the swing) festival in their house. Vyasaji told the boy, "Hari, you gently move the swing of Laadili Lal (Radha and Krishna) back and forth. I will come back after Bhog is prepared." Vyasaji left the house. A few minutes later Tara Rani heard a melodious tone of small girl. Curious mother hurriedly came out of the kitchen to the Jhoola. She found only Harivamsa was moving the swing backward and forward but not a girl. Many times the boy appeared as a girl and while appearing as a girl tends to return to boy's form. As predicted by Lord Narasimha events that were contrary to natural phenomenon had been taking place. This is one of the many transcendental events in his life. People of the village soon realized that the boy's life was supernatural and he was a great divine incarnation descended to the earth on a spiritual mission. The followers of Radha Vallabha tradition believe that he was an incarnation of the Flute ( Vamsi ) of Radhaji. His name itself indicates this fact and none otherthan Lord Narasimha revealed his arrival.
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That was about 4 'O' Clock in the early morning. Harivamsa was sleeping. The sacred name Sri Hari is recited all around. Harivamsa felt as if Radhaji was waking him up. He was 11 years old by then. He hurriedly got up and said, "Amma, you have come! What a great fortune I had? He prostrated before Her. Looking at the boy affectionately Radhaji said, " I came to bless you with my mantra." Amazed Harivamsa replied, "Your endless mercy is my life and I don't live a moment without your presence, then why do I need you mantra Amma. When the presiding Deity of the mantra (Sri Radhaji) is shining within me what is your intention in giving me the mantra, Amma?" Sriji smiled and said replete with love, "Sakhi, it is true that you always reside in my Sri Nikunja. But don't you know that the mantra is not for you elevation. Did you forget the purpose behind your arrival to this world? You are my beloved Sakhi (companion). You are the embodiment of well-being of this world. Having absolute faith in you I did send you to the Earth. So far Divine incarnations only eliminated the wicked persons and demons to re establish Dharma ( Spiritual order). By mere killing of wicked real good did never come forth. The wickedness should be eliminated without touching the demon. Only then real well being of the world will be unfolded. Sakhi! You are not Sudarsana, but a most enchanting endless dispenser of Rasa to the Jeevas. You are the manifestation of our Vamsi. To realize such well being of the world powers of usual incarnations will not be sufficient. You task will be to reform and elevate the hapless, feeble beings without even touching them, to higher worlds.
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Amma, you have come! What a great fortune I had?
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He prostrated before Her. Looking at the boy affectionately Radhaji said
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I came to bless you with my mantra.
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Amazed Harivamsa replied,
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Your endless mercy is my life and I don't live a moment without your presence, then why do I need you mantra Amma. When the presiding Deity of the mantra (Sri Radhaji) is shining within me what is your intention in giving me the mantra, Amma?
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Sriji smiled and said replete with love,
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Sakhi, it is true that you always reside in my Sri Nikunja. But don't you know that the mantra is not for you elevation. Did you forget the purpose behind your arrival to this world? You are my beloved Sakhi (companion). You are the embodiment of well-being of this world. Having absolute faith in you I did send you to the Earth. So far Divine incarnations only eliminated the wicked persons and demons to re establish Dharma ( Spiritual order). By mere killing of wicked real good did never come forth. The wickedness should be eliminated without touching the demon. Only then real well being of the world will be unfolded. Sakhi! You are not Sudarsana, but a most enchanting endless dispenser of Rasa to the Jeevas. You are the manifestation of our Vamsi. To realize such well being of the world powers of usual incarnations will not be sufficient. You task will be to reform and elevate the hapless, feeble beings without even touching them, to higher worlds.
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Now I offer you the Hldadini Shakthi (unique power of Radhaji) embodied in the form of Mantra. My swaroop (form) is Hladini Shakthi. You are my amsa (part). You are my beloved Vamsi.
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Oh Mother! You are the protector and controller of all universes. To bless the Holy mantra why do personally come to me Amma. Any of your representatives would have come.
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Harivamsa asked.
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Priya Sakhi!(beloved companion) You have this doubt. Sakhi, you always drink the ecstasies offered by my Priyatham (Krishna). Who else will give you mantra than me? I am not only your Sakhi, but one and only Sadguru (Spiritual guide or Master) of all the universes. More over me is the Goddess of worship of Sri Krishna. Haven't you perused this in the Veda?
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Oh! Divine Mother, by the power of your Mantra and with your benign grace ordinary being like me is blessed with power to dispense prema rasa (Divine ecstasies) to the beings of this world which is beyond reach of even Gods like Brahmaji. Sri Radhe, kindly enlighten me the path of dispensation of Rasa and forgive this innocent Sakhi questioning you this way.
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prayed Hita Harivamsaji.
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Priya Sakhi! Did you forget your transcendental form? You are the voice of Priyatam Rasikasekhar (Sri Krishna). Your voice enchanted countless cows, cowherd boys and girls. Don't forget that Rasikasekhar's voice is your own. In the realm of Venu (the Flute) there is no place for arguments. As venu swaroop (the Flute) you are dispensing the ecstasies by continuously chanting Radhe..Radhe.. Listening to your majestic voice wild animals danced in joy. Forests blossomed. Even the river Yamuna forgot to move towards the sea and turned backwards to dispense 'Rasa' to the beings of this world.
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Rejoiced by the sweet instruction of Radhaji Hita Harivamsaji extolled Radhaji,
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Hey! Swamini, how beautiful is your instruction. The spiritual steps revealed by you are incomparable and majestic. What a great fortune I had today? Each step is better than the other.
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