The Saintly Lineage
Genealogically, Śrī Nandakiśora Dāsa Gosvāmī Prabhu belonged to the seventh generation of the descendants of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu. He was the younger son of Śrī Rasikānanda Prabhu of Puruniyā Pāṭa in the district of Bakura, Bengal.
Being a descendant of Nityānanda Prabhu, he was, according to Vaiṣṇava tradition, revered by all devotees—young or old, rich or poor, householders (gṛhasthas) or renunciants (tyāgīs). Yet, this reverence deeply pained his humble heart, for from childhood he considered himself the lowliest of the lowly.
More than a social discomfort, this reverence became a serious obstacle for him as a sādhaka—a practitioner aspiring for divine realization. He longed to perform bhajana (devotional discipline) under the guidance of a siddha mahātma, one who had realized Śrī Kṛṣṇa. However, no one was willing to accept him as a disciple. “How,” they thought, “can one who is a descendant of Nityānanda Prabhu, a born ācārya, become someone’s pupil?”
The Dilemma of Family Tradition
There was another difficulty. The family of Nityānanda Prabhu had a long-standing tradition: they married, accepted disciples, and gave dīkṣā (initiation), receiving offerings as their means of livelihood. His parents expected him to follow this same path.
But Nandakiśora had resolved to remain a lifelong celibate and would not give dīkṣā to anyone until he had personally realized Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
When his parents began arranging his marriage, Nandakiśora stood at a crossroads—should he obey his parents, or quietly leave home to pursue his spiritual calling in Vṛndāvana? He chose the latter.
In the Shelter of Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravartī
Without disclosing his identity, he slipped away to Vṛndāvana and began performing bhajana under the guidance of Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, the eminent teacher of the Caitanya-sampradāya at that time. For some time, no one knew that he was a descendant of Nityānanda Prabhu.
His mother, however, was heartbroken. She sent people in all directions to find her lost son. One messenger eventually reached Vṛndāvana, revealed Nandakiśora’s identity to Viśvanātha Cakravartī, and conveyed his mother’s plea—that her son return home and marry.
Viśvanātha Cakravartī said to Nandakiśora Prabhu,
“You have committed an offence by concealing your identity. But you have accepted me as your śikṣā-guru. If I ask for guru-dakṣiṇā (a token of gratitude), will you give it?”
“Why not, Gurudeva? Please tell me what dakṣiṇā you desire,” Nandakiśora replied.
“In lieu of dakṣiṇā, you must return home and marry.”
Bound by his guru’s word, Nandakiśora obeyed. He returned home and married, and in due time, a son was born.
Service in Vṛndāvana
In 1872, Nandakiśora once again journeyed to Vṛndāvana, this time taking with him the deities of Śrī Nitāi-Gaurāṅga. He installed Them at Śṛṅgāra-vaṭa (literally “the banyan tree where Kṛṣṇa once decorated Śrī Rādhārāṇī”), where They are still worshipped today.
The King of Jodhpur, impressed by Nandakiśora Prabhu’s devotion and learning, presented him with extensive land and property in Vṛndāvana, which continues to be used in the service of the deities.
Bhondu – The Simple-Hearted Servant
Among Nandakiśora’s servants was a simple disciple named Bhondu. The name “Bhondu” means “simpleton,” but though he lacked worldly cleverness, he was pure in heart, honest, and childlike in his faith. Every morning he would take the cows across the Yamunā to the forest of Bhaṇḍīravaṇa to graze.
Someone once told him that Nandalāla—Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda—also came to Bhaṇḍīravaṇa daily to pasture His cows. From that day, Bhondu’s heart overflowed with the hope of meeting Nandalāla. He imagined how they would dance, sing, and play together.
His longing grew stronger each day until he could not bear separation. Seeing the pure yearning of Bhondu’s heart, Nandalāla, ever compassionate toward His devotees, decided to appear before him.
One day, as Bhondu grazed the cows, Nandalāla appeared with His cowherd friends and herd of cows. From then on, Bhondu became His intimate companion, bringing Him various tasty foods every day, which Kṛṣṇa and His friends relished joyfully.
The Feast for Nandalāla
One morning, as Bhondu was leaving the temple, Nandakiśora Gosvāmī noticed him carrying a load on his head.
“What are you carrying, Bhondu?” he asked.
“I am carrying dāl-baṭī for Nandalāla and His friends,” replied Bhondu cheerfully.
“Dāl-baṭī for Nandalāla? Which Nandalāla?”
“The flute-player who grazes cows in Bhaṇḍīravaṇa!”
“What does He look like?” asked Śrīpāda curiously.
“Oh, He is so beautiful! His complexion is a lustrous blue. He wears a yellow garment around His chest and a garland of forest flowers around His neck. His head is crowned with peacock feathers, and a gentle smile never leaves His face. Oh Śrīpāda! I cannot describe how wonderful He looks!”
Śrīpāda was struck with awe. He knew Bhondu was not capable of lying, yet what he described was beyond ordinary vision.
Then Śrīpāda said, “Very well, Bhondu. Invite Nandalāla and His party to a dāl-baṭī feast on my behalf here at Śṛṅgāra-vaṭa. Will He come?”
“Yes, certainly. I shall bring Him tomorrow,” Bhondu replied with confidence.
Nandalāla’s Refusal
The next day, as Bhondu went to Bhaṇḍīravaṇa, he eagerly imagined Nandalāla’s joy at the invitation. But when he told Him, Kṛṣṇa replied, “No, Bhondu, I will not go to Śrīpāda.”
Startled, Bhondu pleaded, “No, Nandalāla, You must come! I have promised him!”
“I will not. What have I to do with Śrīpāda?” said Kṛṣṇa firmly.
Hearing these words, Bhondu’s innocent heart broke. Tears flowed down his cheeks. Unable to bear what seemed to him Kṛṣṇa’s disrespect toward his guru, he separated his cows from those of Nandalāla and began to walk away.
The Lord Runs After His Devotee
Seeing Bhondu leave, Nandalāla called out, “What are you doing, Bhondu?”
“I am going away. If You will not have anything to do with Śrīpāda, my guru, then I will have nothing to do with You!”
The Supreme Lord of the universe, who commands Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva, was moved to tears. He ran after Bhondu, crying, “Wait, Bhondu! Listen!”
This scene is astounding. The Lord of countless worlds is running after a simple-hearted devotee! But this is the mystery of Vraja—where Kṛṣṇa’s aiśvarya (majesty) is completely hidden by His mādhurya (sweetness). In Vraja, He is not a distant God but a cowherd boy, intoxicated with love for His devotees.
As the Bhāgavatam (9.4.68) declares:
“I am completely dependent on My devotees. I am not independent at all.”
When Bhondu’s love refused to compromise, Kṛṣṇa could not bear the separation.
The Reconciliation
When Kṛṣṇa caught up with Bhondu, He said tenderly, “Bhondu, you misunderstood Me. I did not mean to reject Śrīpāda’s invitation. He is your guru and very dear to Me. I only meant that Balarāma could not go to Śṛṅgāra-vaṭa because it is Rādhārāṇī’s special place. If Śrīpāda comes and arranges the feast here, we shall all enjoy together.”
Relieved, Bhondu smiled and said, “Then I shall ask Śrīpāda to come tomorrow and arrange the feast here.”
“Yes, but tell him not to bring anyone else,” said Kṛṣṇa with a mischievous smile.
The Divine Feast
The next day, Nandakiśora Gosvāmī went to Bhaṇḍīravaṇa with all the ingredients for preparing dāl-baṭī. Nandalāla received him with loving affection.
The purpose of Nandakiśora’s life was fulfilled—he not only had darśana of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma, and Their companions but also personally served Them a feast and witnessed Their divine pastimes.
When the feast ended, everything suddenly vanished. Bhondu was used to these divine appearances and disappearances, but Śrīpāda was not. Overwhelmed, he fainted.
In that state, he heard Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s voice:
“Do not be restless. Go home and describe the places connected with My pastimes.”
In obedience to this divine instruction, Nandakiśora Gosvāmī wrote two immortal works: Śrī Vṛndāvana-līlāmṛta and Śrī Rasa-kalika.
Reflection
This beautiful narrative reveals the power of śuddha-bhakti—pure devotion born from a simple heart. The Lord, who is the ruler of the universe, becomes subservient to the love of His devotee. Bhondu’s loyalty to his guru was so pure that even Kṛṣṇa Himself could not resist it.
A true devotee does not compromise between his love for the Lord and his reverence for his guru. In serving the guru, one serves Kṛṣṇa Himself. Bhondu teaches that simplicity of heart, sincerity, and faith in the spiritual master open the door to divine realization far more than scholarship or social standing.
Śrī Nandakiśora Gosvāmī’s life reminds us that the real goal of all sādhana is to awaken that innocent love which makes even the Supreme Lord run after His devotee.
Prayer
O Śrī Nandakiśora Gosvāmī, pure descendant of Nityānanda Prabhu,
May your humility awaken in our hearts.
May your devotion to your guru and your vision of Vṛndāvana
Inspire us to serve Śrī Kṛṣṇa with simplicity and love.
O Bhondu, embodiment of guileless faith,
Teach us the sweetness of simple-hearted devotion,
That we too may one day see Nandalāla running toward us
With love overflowing in His eyes.
Source: The Saints of Vraja
