Sri Visnupriya devi

VISNUPRIYA DEVI


She was the second wife of Lord Gauranga. In her past incarnation she was Bhusakti and Satyabhama (GGD. 48). The following is her genealogical line:



Durgadasa Misra

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Sanatana Misra Kalidasa Misra

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Visnupriya Madhava Misra

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Yadava Misra



According to another view, Visnupriya was the daughter of Durgadasa Misra and his son was Yadava, while Yadava's son was Madhava. Prema-vilasa states that Yadavacarya took diksa from Visnupriya and served the deity of Lord Gauranga. Descendants of Yadava are referred to as belonging to the `Visnupriya family.' As a child Visnupriya bathed three times daily in the Ganges, she had great reverence for her parents, and received the blessings of Mother Saci (CBh. 1.15.46-48).



The marriage between Visnupriya and Visvambhara was negotiated by Kasinatha Pandita (CBh. 1.15.49-214).



Visnupriya's reaction after hearing of Lord Gauranga's decision to accept sannyasa, and the words of comfort offered to her by Her husband are recorded in Caitanya-mangala 2.12.1-40.



Later, Lord Caitanya listened to news of Visnupriya conveyed by Jagadananda (Advaitaprakasa 21).



After the Lord's acceptance of sannyasa Visnupriya always remained within the house, with the exception of taking bath daily at the Ganges along with Saci devi. When devotees went there to partake of prasadam, they saw only the feet of Visnupriya. Never did they see her face, nor hear her voice. A constant flow of tears continually streamed down her saddened face. She ate only the remnants of food left by Mother Saci, and constantly chanted the holy name. She installed a picture of Lord Gauranga and offered service to it with great love and devotion.



Ghanasyama in BRK. 4.48-52 describes Visnupriya's suffering in separation from the Lord as follows: "Due to separation from the Lord, Visnupriya lay on the floor with wide-open eyes, seldom able to sleep, and her bright golden complexion grew pale. She gradually became extremely thin, like the moon on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight. While chanting the holy name she collected a few grains of rice which she cooked and ate. No one knew how she maintained her life."



In a dream Lord Caitanya commanded her to shower mercy upon Srinivasa Acarya (BRK. 4.25-36). Thus with deep affection she placed her feet on the head of Srinivasa (BRK. 4.44.46)



The following is a narration from Prema-vilasa 5 which explains how Visnupriya practiced namabhajan: "Come brothers, listen to how Isvari (Visnupriya) was chanting the holy name of the Lord, as it arouses in the listener a feeling of what lila is. She would place two fresh earthen pots on either side of her. One pot was empty and the other contained grains of rice. After chanting one round of japa she placed one grain of rice into the empty pot. She thus continued her japa until the third quarter of the day. Those grains which she had placed in the empty pot where then cooked and offered to the Lord with tears. Day and night she chanted the holy name..."



The following is taken from GPC:



The supreme power of God is divided into three categories Sri, Bhu and Lila. Sri Visnupriya is the manifestation of `Bhu' and she was also formerly Satyabhama. In Gaura-lila, Sri Visnupriya Thakurani appeared to assist in the preaching of the holy name.



Sanatana Misra, a brahmana and ardent devotee of Lord Visnu, lived in Navadvipa. He used to maintain many families and was famous as a court-pandita. In Dvapara-yuga he was King Satrajit. By virtue of worshiping Lord Visnu, Sanatana Misra had a very beautiful daughter named Sri Visnupriya who was adorned with all good qualities. From her early childhood she bathed in the Ganges twice or thrice daily. In worshiping or observing vows she was most interested in following her elders. Whenever she happened to meet Mother Saci on the river side she offered her respect in a very gentle way. Mother Saci was eager to have her as a daughter-in-law.



While the Lord was absorbed in His activities, Mother Saci constantly thought of the Lord's marriage. Sri Sanatana Misra was a pious and charitable brahmana, a benevolent and pure-hearted devotee of Lord Visnu. He lived in Navadvipa where he was engaged in serving guests and assisting less fortunate people. Born of a noble family, he was truthful and self controlled. As a scholar he earned the title Raja Pandita and as a gentleman in Navadvipa he personally maintained many needy people.



Sanatana Misra's daughter was like Laksmi Devi in beauty and character. As soon as Mother Saci saw her, she was convinced that this girl was the best choice to be her son's wife. From early childhood the young girl bathed regularly in the Ganga two or three times a day. She was dedicated and obedient to her parents and she had no other interest than devotion to Lord Krsna. Everyday when she met Mother Saci at the bathing place in the Ganga, she humbly offered her respects. Mother Saci reciprocated and blessed her saying, "May Krsna bless you with a suitable husband." But as Mother Saci bathed she thought, "This girl should marry my son." Sri Sanatana Misra and all his near relatives were equally eager to have the Lord as a son-in-law. One day Mother Saci sent for Kasinatha Pandita and told him, "My dear sir, I have a proposition: go tell the Raja Pandita that if he so desires he may offer his daughter's hand in marriage to my son." Kasinatha Pandita proceeded immediately to Sri Sanatana Misra's house, repeating the Lord's name in silent joy.



When the Raja Pandita saw Kasinatha Pandita at his door he immediately offered him a seat with due respect. "What brings you here, my dear Sir?" asked Sri Misra.



"I have come with a proposal, and if you so desire I will reveal it to you,, replied Kasinatha Pandita. "You should offer your daughter Visnupriya in marriage to Visvambhara Pandita. I think it is a perfect match. He is a divine personality, suitable in all respects for your daughter. Your daughter, who is chastity personified, will be the best for him. Visnupriya and Nimai Pandita remind me of the divine couple Krsna and Rukmini, so perfectly suited they are for each other."



Raja Pandita disclosed the news to his wife and near relatives and waited for their advice and comments. Unanimously they agreed, "What is the need for further debate? This is a perfect proposition. Quickly make all the necessary arrangements." The Raja Pandita happily replied to Kasinatha Pandita, "I have decided to marry my daughter to Visvambhara Pandita so I will proceed with all the arrangements. If the Lord desires my family and ancestors will be greatly blessed by this marriage for my daughter. Kindly go to their house and tell them everything, I am fully in favor of this marriage."



Sri Kasinatha Pandita was extremely satisfied with the outcome of his mission and he promptly told Mother Saci everything that had transpired. Mother Saci was relieved that everything had gone smoothly. Without wasting further time she began the preparations.



Nimai's students were jubilant when news of His marriage reached them. A rich gentleman named Buddhimanta Khan immediately offered, "I shall bear the cost of the entire marriage."



But Mukunda Sanjaya objected, "My dear brother and friend, if you take all the responsibilities, then what am I supposed to do?"



"Listen my dear friend," said Buddhimanta Khan "I will not allow this marriage to become another poor brahmana's wedding, I will make such arrangements for Nimai Pandita's wedding that everyone will think a prince is getting married."



Adhivas, an important ceremony before the day of the marriage, was held at an auspicious time amidst great joy and festivity. The area set aside for the actual marriage ceremony was decorated with colorful hangings around the sides and across the tops. Water pots with intricate designs, ghee lamps, grains, yogurt, and strings of young mango leaves were hung all around. Different auspicious ingredients required for such an occasion were placed on the floor which had been beautifully designed with colored rice paste.



The Vaisnava devotees of the Lord, the brahmanas and all the gentlemen and of Navadvipa attended the auspicious occasion. Invitations had been sent to all of them requesting them to attend the feast in the evening of the day of the adhivas. By early afternoon the musicians had already arrived and began to play. Loud and melodious sounds of mrdanga and other drums, shani, and cymbals were carried in all directions. The priests began to chant the Vedic mantras and the ladies ululated, adding to the festive mood. The crest jewel of the brahmana race, Nimai Pandita, seated Himself in the midst of the Vedic chanters. The priests and brahmanas around Him felt a surge of joy in His presence. Different objects required to formally receive the guests were brought to Nimai Pandita. He garlanded the respectable gentlemen with flowers and applied sandal wood paste on their foreheads, offering each of them a betel nut and betel leaf according to the custom of the time.



The brahmana population in Navadvipa was large in those days, so countless gentlemen came and went with one keeping track. Some amongst them were very greedy and returned again and again, mixing with the crowd and pretending they had just arrived in order to receive another gift. Having received invitations, people came from distant localities and were unknown to each other, but despite such anonymity there was a strong festive spirit. The Lord was in a joyful mood and He played the perfect host.



"Give all the flower garlands, sandal wood paste and other gifts to the guests at least three times," ordered Nimai. "Do not think about the cost, just give freely to everyone. The greedy brahmanas who were endeavoring to take the free gifts several times were suddenly checked and felt ashamed because of the Lord's generosity. The brahmanas were dear to the Lord and He wanted to protect their religiosity. Some men were committing offenses by deceitfully collecting extra gifts, therefore He gave the instruction to give the gifts three time to any person. After receiving the gifts three times, no one wanted anymore. They were satisfied.



No one amongst the milling guests knew that the flower garlands, sandalwood paste and betel leaf they had received were actually expansions of Lord Ananta Sesa, serving his master, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nimai Pandita. In the profuse distribution of gifts, some flowers, sandal paste and betel leaf fell to the ground, and the quantity of those remnants would have sufficed from five opulent weddings, not counting those gifts which were taken home by the guests. Every visitor was impressed by the arrangements and left the wedding praising the opulence of the ceremonies. Even the wealthiest men of Navadvipa were impressed for their father's had not spent so lavishly for their weddings. The profusity of flowers, sandal paste, betel leaf, betel nut and other gifts had never been seen in Navadvipa. Raja Pandita, Sri Sanatana Misra, was extremely happy. He and his close relatives attended the adhivas, laden with valuable gifts. At an auspicious moment, he joyfully applied tilaka to the Lord's forehead, just as the Vedas recommended. The excitement of the moment was heightened by the loud chanting of Lord Hari's name accompanied by the musicians and the ululating ladies.



Having completed all of his ceremonial duties Raja Pandita returned home. The relatives of Nimai Pandita then went to Raja Pandita's house to perform the same adhivas ceremony for Visnupriya. Whatever was customary for a marriage in those days was performed in the midst of great festivity. Early the next morning the Lord went for His bath in the Ganga, and on returning he went directly to the temple to worship the Supreme Lord Visnu. Thereafter He sat with His close relations to offer obeisances to their forefathers for their satisfaction. The festive mood was maintained by the musicians, dancers and singers performing loudly enough for everyone to hear. Every corner of the house was decorated, there were beautiful designs on the floor, water pots, grains, yogurt, lamps and strings of auspicious mango leaves hung everywhere. Colored festoons fluttered like flags in the wind, and the air was filled with festive excitement. The chaste ladies of Navadvipa accompanied Mother Saci while performing all the customary and traditional rituals. First they went to the Ganga for their bath and then, followed by musicians, they visited the village deity Sasti where they prayed for her blessings. From the temple they visited the house of different relatives and then returned home. She distributed khol, bananas, oil, betel nut, betel leaf, and vermillion to the ladies who had accompanied her and satisfied them in every respect. By the will of the omnipotent Supreme Lord, there was no dearth of anything so mother Saci generously distributed her gifts to the ladies several times over. Not a single lady was dissatisfied. They happily rubbed oil on their bodies and bathed.



Visnupriya Devi's house was also in a state of great excitement; her mother bustled with happiness. Caught in the waves of ecstasy, Raja Pandita spent lavishly and offered his daughter wholeheartedly to Lord Gaurasundara.





After completing all of His rituals the Lord sat down to rest and from that place He humbly distributed food and clothes to all the assembled brahmanas. He offered respects to each person according to his position and gave in charity to satisfy each person's need. The brahmanas blessed the Lord and returned to their houses fully satisfied.



In the afternoon the relatives came to dress Lord Gaurasundara for his marriage that evening. They decorated his entire body with sandalwood paste and applied aromatic perfumes on different parts of his body. On his forehead they drew a half-moon shaped tilaka with sandalwood paste, placed a beautiful crown lightly on His head and draped His neck with fragrant flower garlands. A fine, expensive silk dhoti was tied expertly around His hips; it shone golden yellow like the setting sun. His pink lotus-shaped eyes were smeared with kajal ointment, black as the bumblebee. He held the auspicious three-bladed grass and the pit of a banana tree, while exquisite and expensive golden earrings swayed from his ears and other valuable jewelry decorated His upper arms and His neck. Each of the relatives decorated the Lord according to his own taste, hanging different types of jewelry on different parts of His body. Men and women both marvelled at the Lord's exquisite beauty. They forgot themselves fixed as they were on the beauty of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.



Almost an hour before the time of marriage the relatives decided that the Lord should proceed to the house of the bride. "Let us begin the journey," they announced. "For an hour the bridegroom will parade through the town before arriving at the bride's house." Buddhimanta Khan appeared suddenly with a beautiful palanquin. The musicians started up afresh and the priests began chanting Vedic mantras; singers, dancers and guests all joined in a jubilant clamor. The Lord first circumambulated Mother Saci and offered her respects, then offered respects to the brahmanas and sat on the palanquin in the midst of the joyful confusion which included the ululating ladies.



It was early evening and the marriage procession went first to the bank of the river Ganga. The waxing moon hung nearly full above their heads and shimmered in the water of the Ganga. Hundreds of lamps were lit and music played on with undying enthusiasm. In front of the Lord's palanquin were two long rows of Sri Buddhimanta Khan's estate employees followed by the festoon holders bering colored flags. In their midst were the jesters, joking and evoking laughter. There were a variety of dancers performing many different dance styles, while the countless musicians played at least five kinds of drums, cymbals, conch shells, flutes, bells, kettle drums and a variety of horns. Excited young children danced amongst the musicians and caught in the festive atmosphere, even older people abandoned their reserve and joined the children while the Lord smiled at the happy sight. On the bank of the Ganga they stopped for a while singing, dancing and playing the instruments before proceeding to the bride's house. After offering flowers to Mother Ganga, the entire procession turned towards town. Whoever witnessed the parade was struck with wonder at its opulence. "I have seen many extravagant marriages, but I have never witnessed anything like this one before," said one person. The residents of Navadvipa were fortunate to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead in person as He swayed past them in His palanquin.



The brahmanas who had beautiful, unmarried daughters in their homes all lamented. "It is a great pity and certainly my misfortune that I could not give my daughter in marriage to this handsome young man. But what can I do?" I offer my obeisances at the feet of all the residents of Navadvipa who witnessed this transcendental joyful pastime of the Lord.



After the procession had passed through all the different localities of Navadvipa they arrived at the house of Sri Sanatana Misra, the Raja Pandita. Everyone came out of the house, ululating and making other loud sounds of welcome for the procession. Raja Pandita came forward to receive the Lord from the palanquin, helped Him step down and took Him inside where a seat had been prepared. The joy Raja Pandita felt was indescribable and the love and respect he felt for the Lord was visible on his face as he escorted Nimai Pandita into his house. He showered flowers on the Lord as a blessing and welcome. The reception party from the bride's side consisted of relatives and priests who came forward with fine clothes, jewelry and other precious gifts for the Lord. The bride's mother placed the auspicious three-bladed grass on the Lord's head and then worshipped him with seven ghee lamps. At that time Visnupriya devi, who had been dressed exquisitely took her seat. The relatives of Nimai Pandita were both impressed and satisfied to see such a beautiful bride. They lifted the Lord onto His seat according to the marriage ritual. They hung a curtain around the Lord and Visnupriya Devi circumambulated Sri Gaurasundara seven times. Then facing Him with folded hands, she offered her respectful obeisances. The relatives threw flowers on the couple, and the air filled with loud music and the ululations of the ladies. Visnupriya Devi placed a flower garland at the lotus feet of her Lord offering Him her life and soul. The Lord picked up the flower garland and smiling sweetly, placed it around her neck. Again the divine couple was drowned in a shower of flower petals. Unseen by the common men, demigods like Lord Brahma also showered flowers on Sri Visnupriya Devi and Sri Gaurasundara. Lord Gaurasundara's group competed with Visnupriya Devi's group in showering flowers and making joyous sounds. Absorbed in the contest, everyone forgot their own cares and worries. Sometimes the Lord's side seemed to be victorious and at other times Visnupriya Devi's side seemed more enthusiastic. The Lord was pleased to see everyone enjoying themselves in such a wonderful way.



Thousands of lamps shed bright light everywhere and the loud and joyous sounds of song and instruments filled the sky. By the time the moment came for the bride and bridegroom to exchange glances, the universe seemed inundated by tumultuous and joyful sounds. Then the divine couple sat down and Raja Pandita sat with them to officially offer his daughter to Lord Gaurasundara. In the midst of all the rituals and chanting of mantras, the marriage began with Raja Pandita offering his daughter and praying for the Lord's pleasure. Along with his daughter Raja Pandita also gave nice cows full of milk, lots of land and property, beds and furniture, maids and servants, and other valuable gifts. Visnupriya Devi sat on the left of the Lord as the brahmanas lit the fire and began the `Homa'. After all the customs and traditional rituals were completed the bride and the bridegroom went into a well decorated reception room.



Raja Pandita's house was transformed into Vaikuntha, and the guests came in to enjoy the marvelous feast. Countless people came and all left fully satisfied. The newly-wed bride and groom spent the night in Visnupriya Devi's house amidst great joy. The happiness Sanatana Pandita felt can not be described. He reveled in the same inconceivable good fortune which befall great sages such as Nagajit, Janaka, Bhisma and Jambuvan who also became the fathers-in-law of Lord Krsna or Lord Ramacandra. The divine couple passed the night and next morning till mid-day in Sanatana Misra's house. Then the Raja Pandita and his relatives bid farewell to Lord Gaurasundara and Visnupriya. In the midst of music, kirtana, the blessings of the brahmanas and the chanting of mantras appropriate for such a journey, Nimai offered His respects to the elderly members of His father-in-law's family and left with Visnupriya Devi on a palanquin for Saci Mata's house.



The people they met along the way all blessed them and congratulated them, ladies spoke respectfully of the good fortune of the bride saying, "She is very fortunate, she must have worshipped Laksmi Devi for many births."



Others commented, "This couple is just like Lord Siva and Gauri."



Still others said, "They must be Laksmi and Sri Hari."



"They are Cupid and Rati, or Indra and Saci, or they must be Ramacandra and Sita Devi."



Truly, the good fortune of the residents of Navadvipa is unfathomable, for they were able to see the Supreme Lord and His eternal consort. Such was the extent of their piety. The whole of Nadia was blessed and the residents experienced unrestrained joy by being able to see Visnupriya Devi and Lord Gaurasundara, Narayana.



Finally the divine couple arrived at the house of Mother Saci. Accompanied by other ladies, Mother Saci went out to jubilantly welcome the divine couple into her house, where she seated them amidst joyous sounds and music. How can one express the joy Mother Saci and everyone else felt at the presence of Visnupriya and Gaurahari? So magnanimous is the Supreme Lord that one becomes completely free from all sinful activities and their reactions just by looking at the transcendental lustre of the Lord. Moreover, he becomes eligible to enter the spiritual sky, the Vaikuntha planets. Everyone from all walks of life could see the Lord and His spiritual effulgence. Therefore He has been called the most compassionate, the only friend of the fallen souls.



Nimai Pandita freely distributed clothes and gifts to all the performers, dancers and the beggars who had come to the house of Mother Saci. To the brahmana relatives and friends, He gave sufficient gifts to satisfy then all, and satisfy Himself as well. To Buddhimanta Khan the Lord gave a tight and affectionate embrace, leaving Buddhimanta Khan in indescribable ecstasy (CBh. Adi 15). After describing the marriage ceremony, Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura seldom mentioned the name of Sri Visnupriya devi again.



Later, when Mahaprabhu returned from Gaya He began expressing ecstatic love for Lord Krsna. On seeing his divine sentiments, Mother Saci thought that her son had been attacked with a severe disease and so she began to intently worship Lord Visnu and goddess Ganga for the protection of her son. She also placed Visnupriya in front of the Lord in order to give Him company, but Mahaprabhu stared at her with a vacant look in His eyes (CBh. Madhya). When Mother Saci tried to feed her son with rice offered to Lord Krsna, Mahaprabhu simply chanted the holy name of the Lord incessantly while the devoted wife Visnupriya watched everything from within her room. Absorbed in love of Godhead, Mahaprabhu displayed extraordinary symptoms which Mother Saci could not understand. Sometimes He became agitated and shouted loudly. When Mother Saci advised Visnupriya to sit near Him, the Lord would sometimes try to assault Visnupriya. When he regained His external consciousness, He felt ashamed of his behavior (CBh. Madhya).



Sometimes Visnupriya would offer her husband betel leaf, and the Lord would express His satisfaction while chewing it. On seeing Mahaprabhu in a happy mood, Visnupriya became delighted. Mahaprabhu used to sit with Visnupriya to satisfy his mother.



When Mahaprabhu danced, absorbed in the feelings of Rukmini, in the house of Candrasekhar, Sri Visnupriya went to watch the performance along with Mother Saci. After describing the Lord's acceptance of the sannyasa order, Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura never again mentions the name of Visnupriya. In CC. Krsnadasa Kaviraja only describes the marriage ceremony of Mahaprabhu (CC. Adi 15).



On the night when Mahaprabhu took sannyasa, leaving His house, He gave instructions to Sri Visnupriya. This is described by Locana dasa in Caitanya-mangala.



When Visnupriya was asleep, Mahaprabhu decided to leave the house. He approached Mother Saci and worshiped her. He convinced her by exhibiting His divine power and then crossed the river Ganges by swimming and proceeded towards Katwa. Vasu Ghosh has elaborately described the reaction of both Visnupriya and Sacimata at dawn. In the early morning Visnupriya did not find Mahaprabhu in His cot. As if stricken by a thunderbolt she realized what had happened. She did not even comb her hair, but crying incessantly rushed to Mother Saci.