By Damodarlila dasa (Maharashtra Padayatra leader)
Nityananda Trayodasi, the auspicious appearance day of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, was observed by the padayatris on February 22, 2024, at a temple in Wadegaon village in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region. It was a grand celebration of fasting till noon and remembering the most merciful Nityananda Rama.
In padayatra Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundar are always with us, guiding us and taking us to various places for preaching. They are our leaders and we all follow Them. Our life rotates around Them, and the padayatris are always under Their protection. When I was driving the tractor towing our trolley filled with books and luggage through the village the trolley rolled while making a turn. By Their Lordships’ mercy no one was injured or it would have caused havoc.
On the festival morning we went on nagar sankirtan and upon returning performed abhisheka of Sri Sri Nitai-Gaurasundar attended by all the devotees. We had invited devotees from Khamgaon and Akola to be with us for the occasion and the assembled devotees joined us in sankirtan as we sang the glories of Nityananda Prabhu. After abhisheka, a special arati took place and ISKCON Akola centre leader Vaidarbhicaran dasa led a wonderful sankirtan that made all of us dance. Srila Prabhupada disciple Akhildhara dasa then described the glories of Nityananda Rama in his katha. It is a great fortune to have a senior devotee like him with us in padayatra. He is a guide and inspiration for us.
Sri Nityananda Prabhu – Balaram – represents the guru-tattva. The Supreme Lord cannot be understood by the strength of one’s erudition or power of mental speculation: nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo na medhayā na bahunā śrutena (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.23). He can be known only by one who has the mercy of the Lord. To understand Lord Krishna, we need the help of a guru, and without the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu we cannot realize our true self and the supreme self, Lord Krishna.
Nityananda implies everlasting joy. We strive to discover contentment in the material realm through any means necessary, but these pleasures are fleeting. While our search for solace persists, we can seek refuge in Nityananda Prabhu and become enlightened with spiritual knowledge that grants us true happiness and liberation from all anxieties.
Nityananda is an embodiment of compassion and is revered by devotees as the Lord of Mercy. Through His mercy we receive the required spiritual strength. On this auspicious day we prayed to Sri Nityananda Prabhu for His blessings to make progress in our spiritual life.
That evening we went for sankirtan and distributed prasadam to the villagers, who appreciated being part of the festival.
Nityananda Rama ki jai.
