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Sripada Nimbarkacarya
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To: alt-hindu@uunet.uu.net
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Subject: Sripada Nimbarkacarya
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From: nparker@crl.com (Nathan Parker)
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Date: 18 Mar 1995 09:19:10 -0800
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From nparker@crl.com Sat Mar 18 12: 08:21 1995
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Newsgroups: alt.hindu
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Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access (415) 705-6060 [Login: guest]
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NIMBARKA
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Sri Nimbarka Acarya comes in the line of the Kumara Smpradaya and
is believed to have lived around the 11th and 12th centuries. Born in the
modern Murgarapattam in the southern Dravidian province, he was the son of
Aruni and Jayanti, a very pious brahman a couple of the Tailanga order.
He was a great ascetic of the Tridandi order. He wrote many books
according to the Dvaitadvaitavada and he lived most of his devotional life
at a place called Nimbagrama near Govardhana at Vrindavana.
While at Nimbagrama, he defeated a great Jain pandit in a
discussion. The Jain had refused to dine with him saying that the Sun had
already set and so he would not take any food. At this, Nimbarka by his
own potency made the sun appear from a Nimba tree and the astonished Jain
accepted his hospitality. It is said that his name Nimbarka or Nimbaditya
has been derived from this miracle of Aditya or Arka meaning sun from a
nimba tree.
Once in a village near the forest of Bilva Paksha, a group of
brahmanas came to engage in the worship of Lord Siva. Just as Lord Visnu
is very much pleased when He is offered the leaves of His most beloved
Tulasi, so Lord Siva is pleased by offerings of leaves from the bilva or
bael tree. Thus the brahmanas worshipped Lord Siva by offering bilva
leaves, for a period of one fortnight and satisfied Lord Siva greatly.
Amongst those brahmanas was one whose name was Nimbarka. He had
been particularly attentive in his worship of Lord Siva. Being especially
pleased with Nimbarka's devotion, Lord Siva personally appeared to him.
"Nimbarka," said Lord Siva, "at the edge of this village is a
sacred bael forest. There, in that forest, the four Kumaras are absorbed
in meditation. By their mercy you will receive transcendental knowledge,
for they are your spiritual masters, and by re ndering service unto them
you will receive all that is of value." After saying this Lord Siva
disappeared.
Nimbarka immediately went to that place and with great determination he
searched for the four Kumaras in every direction, until he finally found
them, shining as brilliantly as the sun. They were seated on a very
beautiful natural platform beneath a tree and they appeared like fire
blazing on an altar. They were all very young, seeming to be no more than
five years in age, but they appeared most noble in character as they sat
there naked, rapt in meditation. Nimbarka was so excited that he cried
out, "Hare Krsna!"
This sudden sound startled the four brothers, breaking their
meditation. Opening their eyes, they saw before them the blissful form of
an ideal devotee, and with great pleasure they embraced Nimbarka, one
after another.
"Who are you," they asked, "and why have you come here? We are
certainly ready to answer all your prayers."
Nimbarka fell at the feet of the four brothers like a rod, and
with great humility he introduced himself.
With a sweet smile on his face Sanat Kumara then said, "The
all-merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead, knowing that Kali-yuga will
be extremely troublesome for the living entities, resolved to proagate
devotional service to Himself. With this goal in m ind, He has empowered
four personalities with devotion and sent them into this world to preach.
Ramanuja, Madhva, and Visnuswami are three and you are the fourth of these
great souls. Laksmi accepted Ramanuja as a disciple, Brahma accepted
Madhva, Rudra a ccepted Visnuswami and meeting you today we have the good
fortune of being able to instruct you. This is our intention. Previously
we were engaged in meditating on the impersonal Brahman, but by the
causeless mercy of Lord Visnu, we have been relieved of this sinful
activity. Since I have realised that it is essential to preach pure
devotional service, I have composed a literary work entitled Sanat Kumara
Samhita. After taking initiation from me, you should follow the
instructions I have set forth therein."
Nimbarka was greatly enlivened at the prospect of taking
initiation and he immediately ran to take bath in the Ganges. After this
he quickly returned and prostrated himself once more before the effulgent
brothers.
"O deliverers of the fallen," said Nimbarka, in all humility,
"please deliver this low-born rascal."
The four Kumaras gave him the Radha-Krsna mantra and instructed
him in the method of worshipping Radha and Krsna with the sentiments of
great love called Bhava Marga.
In that sacred bael forest Nimbarka began to worship Sri Sri Radha
Krsna according to the Sanat Kumara Samhita and he chanted the mantra they
had given him. Very soon Radha and Krsna revealed Themselves to Nimbarka.
They stood before him, spreading an e ffulgence which illuminated all
directions. In sweet voices They addressed him thus: "Nimbarka, you are
very fortunate, for you have performed Sadhana in Sri Navadwipa. We both
combine, and assume one form, as the son of Sacidevi." At that moment
Radha an d Krsna combined and displayed Their form of Gauranga.
Beholding this splendid vision, Nimbarka began to tremble.
"Never," he said, "Never have I ever of such aform at any time."
Lord Gauranga then said, "Keep this form, which I now show you, a
secret for the time being. Just preach about devotional service and the
pastimes of Radha and Krsna, for I gain great satisfaction from this. When
I make My appearance and perform My educa tion pastimes, you will also
appear. Taking birth in Kashmir as a great pandit, you will tour all over
India defeating all opposition. Your reputation and learning will be
celebrated everywhere and you will be known as Kesava Kashmiri. Whilst
wandering in Sri Navadwipa you will come to Sri Mayapur. Simply by hearing
your name all the great pandits of Navadwipa will flee. Intoxicated with
scholastic pride, I will take great pleasure in defeating you. However, by
the mercy of Mother Sarasvati, the goddess o f learning, you will realize
My true identity. Giving up your false pride, you will take shelter of Me
and I will reward you with the supreme gift of loving devotional service
and will again despatch you to preach. Thus you can satisfy Me by
preaching the philosophy of dvaita-advaita. Keep My identity a secret. In
the future when I begin My sankirtan movement, I will personally preach,
taking the essence of your philosophy and the philosophies of Madhva,
Ramanuja and Visnuswami."
After instructing Nimbarka in this way, Lord Gauranga disappeared,
and filled with intense ecstacy, Nimbarka began to shed tears of love.
After worshipping the lotus feet of his gurus and taking their permission,
he left Sri Navadwipa to begin his preach ing mission.
(extract Sri Navawipa Dham).
Nimbarka's philosophy is known as dvaitadvaita. Brahman is
Ramakanta; Purusottama. Radha Krsna is the transcendental form served by
the gopis. The qualities of Brahman are described as having dual nature -
advaita and dvaita or Nirguna and Saguna - like serpant and coil. The soul
is atomic, individual, possessing knowledge and it is dependent on Hari -
like the sea and waves or the sun and its rays. Creation is the
transformation of Brahman, who is both the efficient and material cause.
The cause of bond age is contact with karma resulting from ignorance,
which is beginningless. The process of release is through uninterupted
worship (Bhagavata). The goal is realisation of the self, in natural form,
no power of creation.
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