The artistry of the exalted abode of Navadvipa
Text 7
astadala-padmanibha dhama nirmala
Kotichandra jyotsna jini atiba shitala
Koti surya prabha jini ati tejo-maya
Amara nayana pathe haibe udaya
Translation –
The dham resembles an eight petalled lotus and is exceedingly pure. It is so soothing that it defeats the pleasant rays of millions of moons.It is more effulgent and brilliant than the rays of millions of suns. When will this dham appear before my eyes ?
Purport –
Following is an excerpt from Lord Nityananda’s description of Navadvipa to Jiva Goswami –
“Crossing the viraja river and the brahman effulgence, beyond the Vaikuntha planets, one comes to Svetadvipa, Sri Goloka.Going further, one reaches, Gokula Vrindavana or Krishnaloka. In Krishnaloka, there exists two states of emotion – madhurya (sweetness) and audarya (munificence). Audarya exists in fullness within madhurya and madhurya exists in fullness within audarya.However, that part of Krishnaloka, where madhurya is predominant, is known as Vrindavana, whereas that portion where audarya is predominant is known as Navadvipa.There is no difference between Vrindavana and Navadvipa. Only the different manifestation of rasas (mellows) make them distinct. Navadvipa is eternal, spiritual and unlimited.
Navadvipa extends over sixteen krosas.Within the sixteen krosas of Navadvipa, which are non different from Vrindavana, there are nine islands, which form an eight-petaled lotus floating on water.In the middle of the eight petals lies Antardvipa. And within Antardvipa, lies the very central point, Mayapur. The eternal pastimes of the Lord take place within Yogpeeth (His birthplace) and the circle of Mayapur, the circumference of which measure three and a half miles and the diameter measure just over one mile. Yogpeeth, the birthplace of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, is the most glorious of all places”.
Text 8
Astadvipa astadala madhye dvipa-vara
Antardvipa nama taar atiba sundara
Taar madhya bhage yogpeeth mayapur
Dekhiya ananda labh kariba prachur
Translation –
At the center of these eight islands ,which resemble just like eight petals, is the very best of the islands. The name of this extremely beautiful (ninth) island is Antardvipa. At the center of Antardvipa resides Yogpeeth and Mayapur. I shall derive immense bliss taking darsana of this exalted place.