BGIS Nityananda Trayodashi 2020
Published On: 2020-02-11
brajendra-nandana jei, śacī-suta hoilo sei,
balarāma hoilo nitāi
dīna-hīna jata chilo, hari-nāme uddhārilo,
tāra śākṣī jagāi mādhāi
[Lord Kṛṣṇa, the son of the King of Vraja, became the son of Śacī, and Balarāma became Nitāi. The holy name delivered all those souls who were lowly and wretched. The two sinners Jagāi and Mādhāi are evidence of this.]
The Bhaktivedanta Gurukula and International School celebrated today the Sri Nityananda Trayodashi in Ajhai Vrindavan.
Lord Nityananda's birth in this world is called Nityananda Trayodashi. Lord Krishna appeared in Navadvipa as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to establish the Sankirtana Movement (the Yuga Dharma for this age). To assist the Supreme Lord in His mission, Lord Balarama appeared as Nityananda Prabhu. He assisted Lord Chaitanya by spreading the holy name of the Lord throughout Bengal.
Sri Krishna as Lord Chaitanya is in the compassionate mood of giving the highest conception of God and pure service to Krishna. Lord Chaitanya is considered as the most magnanimous incarnation of God. And Lord Nityananda is His chief associate to assist in His distribution of love of Godhead. Thus Nitai (Lord Nityananda) is even more merciful, or the extension of Lord Chaitanya’s mercy. While Shri Chaitanya gives love of Godhead to the deserving, Lord Nityananda gives even to the very unqualified, who don’t even want to have it.
The glorious celebration of the appearance of Lord Nityananda was held at the assembly hall of the Academic Building. The event started with invocation prayers followed by a beautiful bhajan, “Hari Hari Bhipale Janama Gonainu”, which was led by His Grace Harikesh Prabhu (BGIS Principal). His Grace Piyush Prabhu gave an inspiring class in glorification of Lord Nityananda. Then, the Primary Boys exhibited their stunning talents in playing musical instruments. The students of Srikant Prabhu, the Gurukul Music Teacher made a wonderful rendition of the song by Narottama Das Thakura, “Nitai Pada Kamala”. This song reveals the secret of enjoying everlasting spiritual happiness in this material world by taking shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda.
nitai-pada-kamala, koti-chandra-sushitala
je chayay jagata juray
heno nitai bine bhai, radha-krishna paite nai
dridha kori dharo nitair pay
“The lotus feet of Lord Nityananda are a shelter where one will get the soothing moonlight not only of one, but of millions of moons. If the world wants to have real peace, it should take shelter of Lord Nityananda. Unless one takes shelter under the shade of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, it will be very difficult for him to approach Radha-Krishna. If one actually wants to enter into the dancing party of Radha-Krishna, he must firmly catch hold of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda.”
After the heart-warming bhajan, the Middle School performed an amusing and vigorous drama of “Lord Nityananda Delivers the Thieves”. Everyone enjoyed the funny gestures of the performers and they were amazed by their dazzling acts. This hilarious drama was directed by Sanjay Prabhuji. After this, the Primary School, the team of Kavita Mataji came on the stage for another wonderful presentation, the “Deliverance of Jagai and Madhai”. The expressions and acting of the Gurukul boys were out of this world. Truly they transcended everyone to the glorious era of Lord Nityananda and Lord Chaitanya.
The abhisekam or bathing of the deities of Sri Sri Gaura Nitai proceeded after the dramas. The students and teachers participated in the bathing ceremony and Their Lordships were bathed by milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, sweet water and other sacred and auspicious articles. During the abhisek, the Gurukul Boys performed an energetic harinam sankirtan and everyone was swept in waves of ecstasy and danced joyously for the pleasure of Sri Nityananda and Sri Gauranga. Then the pujaris did the offering of different non-grain preparations, followed by an aarti at the temple hall. The splendid occasion was concluded by a sumptuous feast of Prasadam.
