A Descendant of Divine Lineage
Śrī Nandakiśora Dāsa Gosvāmīpāda was born in a most sanctified lineage, being the seventh-generation descendant of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu. His father was the illustrious Śrī Rasikānanda Prabhu from Puruniyā Pāṭā in the Bākurā district of Bengal. As a descendant of Nityānanda Prabhu, he was revered by all Vaiṣṇavas, regardless of their social position or spiritual stature.
However, such honor and reverence deeply pained Nandakiśora’s heart. Being a true Vaiṣṇava, he considered himself utterly fallen, and unworthy of even a trace of respect. His inner desire was not to be worshiped, but to worship—to become the lowliest servant of the servant of the Lord.
The Struggle for Bhajana
From childhood, Nandakiśora longed to perform bhajana under the guidance of a self-realized soul. Yet, because of his divine ancestry, no saint would accept him as a disciple, considering it improper to initiate one born in such a sacred lineage. This created an inner turmoil, as he found himself revered by society but deprived of a guide on the spiritual path.
Another challenge came from family tradition. The descendants of Nityānanda Prabhu typically lived as householders, accepting disciples and giving dīkṣā. Their livelihood was maintained through offerings made by those disciples. His parents, therefore, expected him to follow this custom—marry, give initiation, and sustain the family tradition.
But Nandakiśora had decided. He would remain celibate. He would not initiate anyone until he had realized Kṛṣṇa. When his parents arranged his marriage, he found himself at a crucial junction.
The Great Renunciation
Unable to bear the pressure, Nandakiśora quietly left home and traveled to the divine land of Vṛndāvana. There, incognito, he performed intense bhajana under the tutelage of the illustrious Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, a brilliant ācārya of the Caitanya-sampradāya.
For a time, no one in Vṛndāvana knew his true identity. But back at home, his mother was anguished. She sent many people to search for him, one of whom finally located him in Vṛndāvana. When the messenger informed Śrī Viśvanātha Cakravartīpāda of his disciple’s background, the ācārya devised a gentle way to send him home.
The Guru’s Loving Instruction
“My dear child,” said Viśvanātha Cakravartī, “you have committed an offense by hiding your identity. Since you have accepted me as your spiritual guide, will you offer some guru-dakṣiṇā?”
“Certainly,” Nandakiśora replied humbly, “please command me.”
“Then go home and marry, for that is my dakṣiṇā.”
Obeying his guru’s desire, Nandakiśora returned home, married, and even had a son. But his heart remained absorbed in remembrance of Vṛndāvana. In 1872, he returned again to the Holy Dhāma, bringing with him the divine Deities of Śrī Śrī Nitāi-Gaurāṅga. He installed Them at Sṛṅgāravaṭa, a sacred spot where Kṛṣṇa once decorated Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī under a banyan tree. Even today, Their worship continues there.
The king of Jodhpur was so impressed by Nandakiśora’s devotion that he donated property and land in Vṛndāvana, which continues to serve the Deities to this day.
Bhondu, the Simple Servant
Among Nandakiśora’s servants was a young disciple named Bhondu. He tended the cows and was known for his simple, guileless nature. Though not intellectually sophisticated, he was childlike, pure, and utterly innocent.
One day, Bhondu heard that Nandalāla—Kṛṣṇa Himself—grazes cows in Bhāṇḍīravana with His sakhās. Bhondu, overflowing with innocent faith, began weeping daily, yearning to meet this flute-playing boy from Nanda’s family. He cried and cried, his heart saturated with simple devotion.
And how could Kṛṣṇa, who is conquered only by love, resist such tears?
One glorious day, Kṛṣṇa appeared in Bhāṇḍīravana, surrounded by His cowherd friends and cows. From then on, Bhondu would daily feed Nandalāla and play with Him.
An Invitation from Śrīpāda
Once, as Bhondu left the temple to graze cows, Śrī Nandakiśora asked, “What are you carrying?”
Bhondu replied with a smile, “Dāla-baṭī for Nandalāla and His friends.”
The astonished guru asked, “Which Nandalāla?”
“The one who grazes cows in Bhāṇḍīravana!”
Though skeptical, Nandakiśora could not disbelieve Bhondu’s words. So he instructed, “Then please invite Nandalāla and His friends to Sṛṅgāravaṭa for a feast on my behalf.”
Bhondu cheerfully promised to do so.
A Test of Love
The next day, Bhondu offered the invitation, but to his surprise, Nandalāla said, “I will not go.”
Bhondu’s heart shattered. With tears flowing, he said, “If You have nothing to do with my guru, I have nothing to do with You!” Saying this, he separated his cows from Kṛṣṇa’s and walked away.
Now Kṛṣṇa was shaken. The Supreme Lord—He who is worshiped by Brahmā and Śiva—ran after Bhondu.
“Wait, Bhondu! Listen! You misunderstood Me. It is not that I reject Śrīpāda’s invitation. But Baladeva cannot go to Sṛṅgāravaṭa—it is Rādhārāṇī’s resting place. If Śrīpāda comes here instead, we shall all feast together!”
Satisfied, Bhondu said he would arrange it.
The Divine Feast
The next day, Śrīpāda arrived with preparations. Kṛṣṇa warmly received him. The purpose of Śrīpāda’s life was fulfilled—he saw Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma face to face and served Them with love.
After the feast, the entire party of cowherd boys vanished.
Though Bhondu was accustomed to such divine play, Śrīpāda was overwhelmed and fainted. In that state, Kṛṣṇa appeared and instructed, “Describe the līlā-sthalīs (places of My pastimes).”
Thus, in obedience to that divine command, Śrī Nandakiśora Dāsa Gosvāmī wrote two transcendental works:
- Śrī Vṛndāvana-Līlāmṛta
- Śrī Śrī Rāsa-Kalikā
Lesson to Be Learned
- True humility is the ornament of a devotee: Though born in a revered lineage, Nandakiśora Gosvāmī sought only to become a humble servant.
- The Lord is conquered by childlike, innocent love: Bhondu’s simplicity and heartfelt yearning drew Kṛṣṇa to appear daily.
- Kṛṣṇa is subordinate to His devotees: The Supreme Personality of Godhead ran after a cowherd boy out of affection.
- Obedience to guru leads to divine realization: Even when painful, following the guru’s order brings the highest reward.
- Vraja-līlā is revealed only through purity and surrender: The pastimes of the Lord are not mechanical—they manifest to the surrendered soul.
Source
Saints of Vraja by Dr. O.B.L. Kapoor — Chapter I: Śrī Nandakiśora Dāsa Gosvāmīpāda
