The Disappearance of Śrī Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura Mahāśaya
The following is adapted from the eleventh chapter of Śrī Narottama-vilāsa by Śrī Narahari Cakravartī, which describes a slow build-up of events leading to the disappearance of Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura:
Prabhu Vīracandra and Śrīnivāsācārya Journey to Kheturi
In Yājigrāma, Ācārya (Śrīnivāsa) spent his time in great delight with his companions, constantly discussing the bhakti scriptures. When he heard of Śrī Narottama’s kind deliverance of many dacoits and heretics, he was delighted beyond words. The very moment he thought to himself, “I should go to Kheturi soon,” he began to see many auspicious signs. Indeed, just then someone came and said, “Vīrabhadra has come!”
Ācārya was overjoyed and went to the edge of the village to see. When Prabhu Vīracandra saw Ācārya Ṭhākura, he quickly got down from his palanquin. Ācārya paid his obeisance on the ground, along with his associates. Vīracandra Prabhu embraced him tightly, asking him how he was. Holding Ācārya’s hand, he walked very slowly. Ācārya very humbly and keenly inquired of his sudden arrival. Prabhu replied, “I was in Khaḓadaha thinking I will go to Kheturi via Yājigrāma. I toured Nadiyā with my companions and then quickly came here, via Śrī Khaṇḍa.”
The Ācārya brought Vīracandra Prabhu home and sat him in his own seat, as if he were the master of his house. His wives, Draupadī and Śrī Gaurāṅga-priyā paid their respects and washed Vīracandra Prabhu’s feet. The Ācārya’s three sons and three daughters all fell at the Prabhu’s feet and Vīracandra Prabhu was very affectionate to them all. Śrīnivāsācārya’s wives prepared fragrant rice soaked in ghee, along with śāka and other vegetable dishes. All this was offered to śālagrāma-candra and the govardhana-śīla Nityānanda Prabhu had given to Prabhu Vīracandra.
Everyone bathed and performed their āhnika with Vīracandra Prabhu and then sat to partake of prasāda. Vīracandra Prabhu requested Śrīnivāsa Ācārya to sit next to him and eat with everyone. Though Śrīnivāsa Ācārya expressed his reluctance to do so, Vīracandra Prabhu caught hold of his hand and made him sit. After eating and taking a little rest, they discussed kṛṣṇa-kathā for the rest of the day and into the night. The next day, Prabhu Vīracandra and Śrīnivāsa Ācārya left Yājigrāma along with Rāmacandra Kavirāja and headed to Kheturi.
Arrival in Kheturi
Having received news of their imminent arrival, Ṭhākura Mahāśaya (Śrī Narottama) prepared yogurt, curd, mangoes and other fresh fruits as well as various types of mango pickles and many other delicious preparations. He cleaned his whole home and then kept watch of the road with his associates. His eyes were soothed to catch sight of the party in the distance and he went to receive them with utter delight in his heart. Narottama fell at Vīracandra Prabhu’s feet and Vīracandra embraced him, losing control of himself. He could not check his heart’s emotions and Narottama was drenched in the tears from his eyes. Narottama, meanwhile, kept falling at Vīracandra Prabhu’s feet again and again.
Ācārya Ṭhākura and Ṭhākura Mahāśaya then escorted Prabhu to the Gaurāṅga Ālaya “the courtyard of Śrī Gaurāṅga”, where Prabhu had darśana of Gaurāṅga, Vallabhī-kānta, Śrī Vraja-mohana, Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, Rādhā-kānta, and Śrī Rādhā-ramaṇa. Vīracandra began to weep and fell to the ground again and again, offering obeisance. Who knows what moods kept arising in his heart? Finally, he composed himself and the pūjārī brought out śrī mālā-prasāda.
Ācārya and Ṭhākura Mahāśaya then brought him to where Īśvarī (Jāhnavā Ṭhākurāṇī) had stayed. There, all the Vaiṣṇavas became overwhelmed with emotion, but somehow managed to reign back their tears and compose themselves.
The residents of Kheturi all came running to have darśana of Vīracandra Prabhu and were so very enchanted by the beauty of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu’s son. Some said, “Now our lives are successful.” Others said, “We are so fortunate to live in Kheturi, as Ṭhākura Mahāśaya fulfills all our desires.”
Ācārya Ṭhākura, laughing, gently and sweetly addressed Vīracandra Prabhu, “Today you will eat a cooked meal. Everything was arranged prior to your arrival.”
Prabhu Vīracandra took the govardhana-śīlā out of its gold case for the bhoga to be offered. All the preparations were carefully brought before the śīlā and once the bhoga was offered, Prabhu put the śīlā back in its case. A wondrous feast ensued. Prabhu relished the meal and ate heartily. After washing, he sat happily in his seat and chewed tāmbula.
Ācārya Ṭhākura, Ṭhākura Mahāśaya, and their associates blissfully spent the day and night absorbed in discussions of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and Caitanya Mahāprabhu with Vīracandra Prabhu. The next morning, Śrī Santoṣa came before Vīracandra and presented him with very fine, fresh garments. Prabhu looked so beautiful and soothing to the eyes in his fresh garments. All the Vaiṣṇavas accompanying him were also given new clothes.
Prabhu then set about serving his govardhana-śīlā, decorating it with flowers, tulasī, and sandalwood paste. He offered many delicious items and then removed the bhoga and offered many obeisances. His cooks then very quickly prepared an unprecedented feast and offered that to the śīlā. When that was cleared away, Prabhu put the śīlā back in its case.
They then had darśana of Śrī Gauracandra’s ārati and took prasāda with everyone. After chewing tāmbula and resting for some time, he and everyone else came together and sat down. Prabhu Vīracandra then expressed to Śrīnivāsa Ācārya that he wished to hear saṅkīrtana.
Saṅkīrtana in Kheturi
Everyone came running from all around when they heard saṅkīrtana was to begin. They filled the whole courtyard from all directions. In the late afternoon, Vīracandra came from his residence to the temple courtyard and beheld the utthāpana-ārati (waking of the deities). The pujārī brought garlands and Ācārya painted beautiful designs in candana on Prabhu’s forehead.
Mahāśaya (Śrī Narottama) then began saṅkīrtana with many singers and musicians in tow. Gokula rained down nectar as he performed ālāpas, and Devīdāsa Rāya played khola most wondrously. The sound of the khola, karatāla, and the various ālāpas pierced the sky, shocking the demigods. The auspicious sound of Śrī Mahāśaya’s sweet voice brought forth an ocean of nectar that had everyone lose composure.
Prabhu Vīracandra was resplendent, surrounded by that enchanting entourage of Vaiṣṇavas. His limbs shone more beautifully than gold and his movements stole the pride of Cupid. He began to dance, absorbed in great prema, throwing his long arms in the air and moving in all directions. His face so beautiful, he kept calling out, “Hari, Haribol!” as tears flowed from his eyes. He wanted to dance with everyone and kept looking around at everyone to join him.
Śrī Ācārya and Mahāśaya joined him with their associates, dancing in the bliss of prema. What wondrous and auspicious dancing that was. The Earth shook with the weight of everyone’s footsteps. The song, dance, and music was anew and fresh at every moment. There is no comparison to be made with it in all the three worlds.
Everyone forgot themselves. Some roared loudly, others jumped and leaped. Others’ bodies trembled like lightning. Some fell at Vīracandra’s feet, weeping. Others rolled uncontrollably on the ground. Prabhu Vīracandra himself became overwhelmed, his limbs covered with the dust he kicked up as he danced. He roared loudly, just like a lion, again and again, and at one point, took Narottama into his lap and would not let him go. He held Śrī Devīdāsa’s hands to his chest and said, “What wondrous playing!” Thus tears flowed from his eyes. He ran his hands over Gokula’s face and said so many things to him, losing his composure. He held Śrī Govinda Kavirāja’s hands and said, “Your poetry could slay me. You know the glories of Nityānanda! This is the power of Ācārya’s mercy.” Again and again, he said to Gokula, “Sing, sing! Soothe my soul.” Hearing this, Gokula sang with great excitement.
The saṅkīrtana carried on late into the night, lit beautifully by hundreds of oil lamps. When the saṅkīrtana calmed and then concluded, everyone sat in the temple courtyard and discussed kṛṣṇa-kathā till morning. Everyone then took bath and went to see Prabhu Vīracandra, who was worshipping his govardhana-śīlā. Still absorbed in bliss, he could not remain composed. Again and again, he requested Rāmacandra Kavirāja: “Sing us something of the Śrī Rāsa pastimes.”
Rāmacandra’s voice was like a torrent of nectar. He recited verses from Bhāgavatam and explained them in such a way that everyone was filled with sheer wonder. Vīracandra was overjoyed and embraced Rāmacandra again and again. After some time, he composed himself and very sweetly said to Ācārya Śrīnivāsa, “Will we ever have such rare association again?” As he said this, his eyes flooded with tears. Ācārya and everyone else began to cry.
Departure from Kheturi
Some days later, Vīracandra Prabhu suddenly told Ācārya that he wished to leave the next day back to Khaḓadaha via Ekacakrā. “How far will you accompany me?” he asked.
The Ācārya responded, “Who has the power to do anything other than what you wish.”
Vīracandra laughed and said very softly, “I cannot go against whatever you say. I simply spoke what came to my mind. Consider matters and do as you wish.”
Ācārya Ṭhākura went to Narottama and told him gently, “Tomorrow, Prabhu will leave with me….” Hearing this, Mahāśaya became extremely distressed. Ācārya Ṭhākura made every effort to pacify him. And what they spoke of in confidence, no one could comprehend.
Vīracandra Rāya and Śrīnivāsācārya were formally bid farewell in the temple courtyard. They went back to their accommodations and sat for a short while. Everyone gathered there and then they all quickly went to the banks of the Padmāvatī. No one could maintain their composure.
Śrī Mahāśaya’s disciples bowed so very humbly at Vīracandra Prabhu’s feet and paid their obeisance at Śrī Ācārya’s feet. These two showered everyone with blessings. Rāmacandra spoke with Śrī Mahāśaya, reassuring him he would be away for only a few days.
Ācārya made sure Hari-Rāma, Rāma-Kṛṣṇa, Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa, Śrī Govinda Cakravartī, and others stayed back with Mahāśaya. He spoke many reassuring words to everyone who had come from the village of Kheturi to bid them farewell. When he and Vīracandra Prabhu cast off in their boat, everyone’s composure gave way. Rāmacandra and others got in their boat and the captain set off quickly. A cry rose from the banks of the Padmāvatī that would have split stones and trees.
Ācārya and Śrī Vīracandra went to Budhari-grāma on the other side of the Padmā. Back in Kheturi, Mahāśaya was completely overwhelmed. He came into the Gaurāṅga-Ālaya courtyard with everyone and had darśana of the deities. Everyone quickly bathed and performed their morning rites, and then partook of prasāda with Mahāśaya. They spent that day and much of the night relishing the rasa of kṛṣṇa-kathā.
Śrī Ṭhākura Mahāśaya’s Separation from Rāmacandra Kavirāja
From that day forth, Mahāśaya was changed. At times he was very grave. The next moment, his heart was extremely anguished. After some days like this, Rāmacandra returned, delighting Mahāśaya. Everyone’s heart was delighted. Day and night, Mahāśaya remained immersed in the performance of saṅkīrtana with Rāmacandra and Govinda in the temple courtyard of Śrī Gaurāṅga.
After some days, Śrī Ṭhākura Mahāśaya told Govinda Cakravartī, Gaṅgā Nārāyaṇa and others that they should return to their homes for a while, as it had been quite some time since they had been back home. Though no one wished to go, they went, fearing disobedience of his order.
Rāmacandra and Śrī Ṭhākura Mahāśaya spent many blissful days together. One day, the two of them sat together in seclusion. No one knows what they discussed, but when Rāmacandra Kavirāja left to Yājigrāma a few days later, he was deeply anguished at heart. Some days later, news returned from Yājigrāma that Śrī Ācārya Ṭhākura and Rāmacandra Kavirāja had gone to Vṛndāvana.
One day, Mahāśaya could not compose himself. “What happened?” he kept saying and weeping. He began to sing mournfully:
gaurāṅga sahacara, śrīnivāsa gadādhara
narahari mukunda-murāri |
śrī-rūpa dāmodara, haridāsa vakreśvara
e saba premer adhikārī ||
The associates of Gaurāṅga, Śrīnivāsa and Gadādhara
Narahari, Mukunda, and Murāri
Śrī Rūpa, Svarūpa Dāmodara, Haridāsa, and Vakreśvara…
These all were the rightful possessors of divine prema
karite je saba līlā, śunite galaye śilā,
tāhā muĩ nā pāilũ dekhite |
takhana nahilo janma, nā bujhilũ se nā marma
e nā śela rahi gelo cite ||
All these personalities performed such pastimes, hearing of which melts stone.
I could not witness those pastimes.
I do not understand why I was not born then?
This has become a spear lodged in my heart.
prabhu sanātana rūpa, raghunātha bhaṭṭa yuga
bhūgarbha śrī-jīva lokanātha |
e sakala prabhu mili, kailā ki madhura keli,
vṛndāvane bhakta-gaṇa sātha ||
Prabhu Sanātana, Rūpa, Raghunātha, and the two Bhaṭṭas
Bhūgarbha, Śrī Jīva, and Lokanātha
All these masters performed such sweet pastimes
with the devotees in the Vṛndāvana
sabhe hailā adarśana, śunya bhelo tribhuvana
ādhala hoilo e nā ā̃khi |
kāhāre kahibo duḥkha, nā dekhi chāra mukha,
āchi jeno marā paśu pākhī ||
They have all disappeared. The three worlds are empty.
These eyes have become blind
To whom shall I share my sorrow? I cannot look upon my vile face
I am like a dead animal or bird
ācārya śrī śrīnivāsa, āchilũ jā̃hāra dāsa
kathā śuni juḓāite prāṇa |
teha more chāḓi gelā, rāmacandra nā āilā
duḥkhe jīũ kare ānacāna ||
Ācārya Śrī Śrīnivāsa, whose servant I am,
Whose words soothe my soul
He has gone and left me, Rāmacandra has not come
The two of them distress me so
je mora manera vyathā, kāhāre kahibo kathā
e chāra jīvane nāhi āśa |
annajala viṣa khāi, mariyā nāhika jāi
dhik dhik narottama dāsa ||
To whom shall I speak of this anguish in my mind?
There is no hope to this worthless life of mine
I eat poisoned food but do not die
Fie, fie on this Narottama dāsa
As Śrī Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura uttered these words, the news came that Rāmacandra Kavirāja had disappeared. Śrī Ṭhākura Mahāśaya could not contain himself and wandered into the forest, weeping loudly: “O Rāmacandra! Where did you go, leaving me behind?” Saying this, his voice choked and he fell to the ground and stayed laying there.”
Rājā Narasiṁha, Rūpa-nārāyaṇa, and others watched from a distance, their eyes drenched with tears. As Mahāśaya lay there on the ground, everyone surrounded him at a respectful distance, weeping. After some time, Mahāśaya came back to external awareness and accompanied everyone back to Gaurāṅga’s courtyard. For some moments, he was calm as he received the Lord’s darśana there.
First Disappearance and Miraculous Resurrection
Five or six days later, he told everyone he wished to take bath in the Gaṅgā. Ensuring everyone who stayed back would be very attentive to the worship of the deities, he quickly went to Budhari, and from there, to Gāmbhilā, on the bank of the Gaṅgā. Suddenly a fever spread throughout his body and he ordered his associates to quickly construct a funeral pyre.
Mahāśaya was silent and his disciples became extremely distressed, but Gaṅgā-Nārāyāṇa was there to pacify them. Meanwhile, the brāhmaṇa scholars had arrived with their retinues. Mahāśaya would see people, but not speak to them. In this way, he spent three days and then, before everyone’s eyes, separated from his body.
They quickly bathed Mahāśaya and set him atop the pyre on a divine āsana. The brāhmaṇas smugly remarked, “This is the result of making disciples of brāhmaṇas when you are from a lower caste. Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa is such a scholar, yet he became Narottama’s disciple and abandoned his religious duties. We have seen what happened to the guru. Now, what will happen to the disciple?” In this manner, they kept saying things about Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa, even to his face, and even laughing.
Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa felt sorry for them and approached the funeral pyre. He folded his hands and said repeatedly, “You delivered so many sinners. Now these wretches cannot understand what is happening. They blaspheme you and are disturbing everyone. They are headed to a ghastly, hellish destination for this. Please save them. Give them your merciful glance.”
That same instant, due to the fervent prayers of Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa, Mahāśaya came back into his body. He called out “Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Caitanya!” and rose from the pyre, shining like the Sun. All around, people cried out “Hari! Hari!” and the demigods showered flowers.
From a distance, those blasphemer brāhmaṇas watched and became terrified of the offenses they had just committed. They hit their heads with their hands and wept. They fell at Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa’s feet and begged him to protect them. They were too ashamed to approach Śrī Mahāśaya themselves. They had Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa go forth for them and beg forgiveness on their behalf. Then they came behind and fell at Mahāśaya’s feet, begging for forgiveness, taking full shelter of him. Seeing them so distressed, Śrī Ṭhākura Mahāśaya embraced them all, giving them the gem of bhakti.
Śrī Ṭhākura Mahāśaya’s moods of separation
Śrī Ṭhākura Mahāśaya then took bath in the Gaṅgā and went to the home of Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa. From there, they all returned to Kheturi, constantly engaged in discussing kṛṣṇa-kathā. There in the courtyard of Śrī Gaurāṅga, Śrī Ṭhākura Mahāśaya danced till his body was covered with dust. He wept, gazing longingly at the faces of his beloved deities and sang:
hā hā prabhu gaurāṅga ballavī-kānta kṛṣṇa
karuṇā karaho juĩ viṣaya satṛṣṇa
Alas, alas! O Lord Gaurāṅga! O Kṛṣṇa, beloved of the gopīs!
Have mercy on me and deliver me from my hankering for the objects of the senses.
ohe prabhu rādhā-kānta śrī vraja-mohana
saṁsāra jātanā haite karaho mocana
O Lord, beloved of Rādhā! O enchanter of Vraja!
Deliver me from the torment of material existence.
re rādhā-ramaṇa more rākhaho caraṇe
tomā nā bhuliye jeno jīvane maraṇe
O Rādhā-ramaṇa, please keep me at Your feet.
May I never forget You, in life or death.
He made countless entreaties like this, hearing which even birds and animals wept. However, seeing the crowd of people, he would sometimes retreat somewhere private and chant the names of the Lord and His associates, becoming utterly overwhelmed:
ohe navadvīpa-candra gaurāṅga-sundara
ohe nityānanda padmāvatīra kumāra
ohe sītānātha advaita dayāmaya
ohe śrī paṇḍita gadādhara premamaya
ohe karuṇāra sindhu paṇḍita śrīvāsa
ohe vakreśvara śrī murāri haridāsa
ohe śrī svarūpa rāmānanda dāmodara
ohe śrī ācārya gopīnātha kāśīśvara
ohe vācaspati sārvabhauma bhaṭṭācārya
ohe sūryadāsa gauridāsa paṇḍitācārya
ohe śrī paṇḍita jagadīśa śuklāmbara
ohe śrī govinda ghoṣa dāsa gadādhara
ohe puṇḍarīka vidyānidhi mahāśaya
mukunda mādhava vāsu-ghoṣa dhanañjaya
ohe śrī jagadānanda sañjaya śrīdhara
ohe śrī mukunda narahari vijñavara
ohe śrīmad-rūpa sanātana guṇa-sindhu
ohe śrī bhūgarbha lokanātha dīna bandhu
ohe śrī gopāla-bhaṭṭa patitera prāṇa
ohe raghunātha bhaṭṭa guṇera nidhāna
ohe kuṇḍa-vāsī svarūpera raghunātha
ohe jīva gosvāmī karaho dṛṣṭipāta
ohe gaura-nityānandādvaita priya-gaṇa
karaho karuṇā mui lailũ śaraṇa
O Gaura, Nityānanda, Advaita, and all your dear associates…
Have mercy on me for I take shelter of You
dekhi ati pāmara more nā upekṣibā
mora abhilāṣa pūrṇa avaśya karibā
Do not neglect me seeing that I am so fallen
You must surely fulfill my desires
Constantly speaking in this manner, he could not maintain his composure and would soon start calling out:
kṛpā karo he lalitā!
śrī viśākhā sucitrā śrī campakalatikā
raṅgadevī sudevī parama-guṇātmikā
tuṅgavidyā indulekhā sakhī sucaturī
śrī rūpa-mañjarī rati-mañjarī kasturī
lavaṅga-mañjarī mañjulālī sarva-jane
rākho more śrī-rādhikā-caraṇa sevane
he rādhike kṛṣṇa se tomāra prāṇeśvara
tāra pāda-padma-sevā deho nirantara
O Rādhikā, Kṛṣṇa is the Lord of Your life
Give me incessant service of His lotus feet
tomā dõhā basāibo ratna-siṁhāsane
netra-bhari dekhibo veṣṭita sakhī-gaṇe
I will seat you both on a jewelled throne
And fill my eyes, gazing at You surrounded by the sakhīs
sakhīṅgite cāmara vyajana kari sukhe
samarpibo tāmbula dõhāra cāndamukhe
At the indication of the sakhīs, I will happily fan you with a cāmara
I will offer tāmbula into Your two shining, moon-like faces
hoibo ki pūrṇa ei maner abhilāṣa
Will this cherished desire of mine be fulfilled?
Saying this, Mahāśaya would exhale heavily and remain silent for some time. Then his heart would shift towards the pastimes of Navadvīpa. He would raise his arms in the air and sing:
dekhibo ki netra-bhari nadiyā vihāra
Will I fill my eyes to their utmost content with the pastimes of Nadiyā?
caturdike śrīvāsādi prabhu-priya-gaṇa
sammukhe advaita deva bhuvana-pāvana
The Lord surrounded by His beloved associates like Śrīvāsa and others
In the presence of Lord Advaita, savior of the world
nityānanda dakṣiṇe bāmete gadādhara
madhye vilasibo navadvīpa-sudhākara
With Nityānanda to the right and Gadādhara to the left
The Moon of Navadvīpa plays in the midst of them
dekhibo ki aiche gaṇa-saha gaura-rāya
Will I ever behold this Gaura Rāya like this with His associates?
Who can understand Mahāśaya’s activities? Day by day, his agitation grew, yet he stayed absorbed in performing nāma-saṅkīrtana with his dear associates. One day, he said to them, “Why has Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa delayed so long?” Just then Rāma-Kṛṣṇa and Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa arrived along with several of the brāhmaṇas who had been delivered. They fell at Śrī Mahāśaya’s feet and wept, overwhelmed with bhakti-rasa. Śrī Ṭhākura Mahāśaya kindly initiated some, seeing their eagerness. Others he had initiated by Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa.
One day, early in the morning, Mahāśaya became very distressed. His eyes flooded with tears. He exhaled long, heavy breaths like flames. He fell to the ground and lay there for a long time. His face, like a lotus flower, appeared to wither. In a choked voice, he moaned, “Alas, alas! What happened? Fate has become contrary to me. How will I ever attain that abode of all virtues?”
vidhi more ki karilo śrīnivāsa kothā gelo
hiyā mājhe diyā dāruṇa vyathā
guṇe rāmacandra chilā, seha saṅga chāḍi gelā
śunite nā pāi mukhera kathā
What has fate done to me? Where has Śrīnivāsa gone?
He has given a fearsome pain within my heart.
The virtuous Rāmacandra was there, but he left my company
I can longer hear the things he would say
punaḥ ki emana habo, rāmacandra saṅga pābo
ei janma michā bahi gelo
yadi prāṇa dehe thāko, rāmacandra boli ḍāko,
tabe yadi jāo sei bhālo
When will I have Rāmacandra’s company again?
This life has gone in vain
If there is still life in my body, then call Rāmacandra
Better yet if I go
svarūpa rūpa sanātana raghunātha sakaruṇa
bhaṭṭa-yuga dayā karo more
ācārya śrī-śrīnivāsa, rāmacandra jā̃ra dāsa
punaḥ nāki milibo āmāre
O Svarūpa, Rūpa, Sanātana, merciful Raghunātha,
and the two Bhaṭṭas, have mercy on me
Ācārya Śrī Śrīnivāsa, and his servant Rāmacandra
Will I not meet with them again?
nā dekhiyā sei mukha, vidariyā jāya buka,
viṣa śare kuraṅginī jeno
ā̃cale ratana chilo, kona chale kebā nilo
narottamer heno daśā keno
I cannot see their faces and my chest splits open
Like a doe pierced by a poison arrow
I had a gem wrapped in my veil. By some trick, someone took it.
Why has this become Narottama’s condition?
Saying this, Mahāśaya fell silent. Hearing this, no one knew what to say. Understanding the hearts of his dear associates, Mahāśaya consoled them at length. Later, he visted the temple and bid farewell to the sevakas there. He then went again to Budhari with Govinda and others and stayed there a night. Mahāśaya consoled everyone there with very sweet words. They all spent the day and night absorbed in śrī nāma-kīrtana. From Budhari, they quickly went to Gāmbhīlā. There Mahāśaya bathed in the Gaṅgā and sat in its shallow waters, near the shore. He asked Rāma-Kṛṣṇa and Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa to cleanse his body. As they touched his body, it turned to milk and mixed with the waters of the Gaṅgā. Suddenly the Gaṅgā filled with waves, flooding the banks. Everyone was astonished and no one could maintain their composure.
Gaṅgā-Nārāyaṇa took everyone who was there to his home. Everyone there helped each other compose themselves. There in Gāmbhilā they held a grand festival. Then they quickly returned to Kheturi and held an even larger festival. There such a wondrous saṅkīrtana took place during the course of the festival that many witnessed Śrī Narottama appear once again, dancing amidst them. Later, he appeared to many of them in dreams and consoled them.