Introduction to chapter 7

This chapter describes the topics of Nityānanda’s stay at the house of Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita, Mālinīs service to Nityānanda in the mood of vātsalya, Mahāprabhu’s shedding tears while reciting the name ‘Puṇḍarīka’, Gadādhara and Mukunda’s visit to Vidyānidhi, Gadādhara’s doubt on seeing Vidyānidhi’s opulent surroundings, Puṇḍarīka’s transformations of ecstatic love on hearing Mukunda’s recitation of a verse from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, Gadādhara’s proposal to accept initiation from Vidyānidhi in order to manifest the pastime of counteracting the offense committed against the Vaiṣṇava, and Puṇḍarīka’s approval of this proposal.

Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu continued to reside at the house of Śrīvāsa in Śrīdhāma Māyāpur. At that time He constantly remained absorbed in the mood of a child, and Mālinīdevī served Nityānanda as her own son. One day when Mahāprabhu called out the name of His dear associate Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi and began to cry, the devotees could not understand His intention and inquired about this from Mahāprabhu. The Lord informed the devotees about the identity of Vidyānidhi and also informed them that Vidyānidhi would soon arrive in Śrī Māyāpur.

Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi then came and enacted the pastimes of a gross materialist while secretly residing in Navadvīpa. Since Mukunda, the best of the Vaiṣṇavas, appeared in Caṭṭagrāma, he was conversant with the glories of Vidyānidhi. As the indwelling Supersoul, Mahāprabhu was happy to know of Puṇḍarīka’s arrival, but He did not disclose the news to anyone. Vāsudeva and Mukunda were fully acquainted with the glories of Puṇḍarīka Vidyānidhi. One day, promising to show him a wonderful Vaiṣṇava, Mukunda took Gadādhara to Vidyānidhi, who inquired from Mukunda about the identity of Gadādhara. When Mukunda informed Vidyānidhi about the identity of Gadādhara, Vidyānidhi was very pleased and began to converse with him. On seeing Vidyānidhi’s activities such as chewing betel nuts like a materialist while sitting on an opulent throne, Gadādhara, who was renounced since his birth, became somewhat doubtful. At that time Mukunda, who knew very well the heart of Gadādhara, recited a verse from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam indicating the glories of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. As soon as Puṇḍarīka heard this verse, he could not control himself. He fell unconscious to the ground due to love of God, and various transformations of ecstatic love manifested in his body. By his kicking, all the surrounding items were scattered here and there. On realizing Vidyānidhi’s exalted position, Gadādhara began to repent on account of being disrespectful to him and proposed to Mukunda that he would counteract his offense by taking initiation from Vidyānidhi.

Learning the intention of Gadādhara, Mukunda became happy and praised him. After about six hours, Vidyānidhi regained his external consciousness. When Vidyānidhi saw that Gadādhara’s eyes were filled with tears, he embraced him affectionately, and Gadādhara stood there with great awe and reverence. Thereafter, when Mukunda informed Vidyānidhi about Gadādhara’s desire, Vidyānidhi happily praised his own good fortune for receiving such a disciple. He then fixed an auspicious day for awarding initiation to Gadādhara. One time, late at night, Vidyānidhi came to Mahāprabhu and due to ecstatic love could not offer obeisances to the Lord. He fell unconscious to the ground and after regaining consciousness shortly thereafter, he began to cry with various words of lamentation. On seeing his dearmost devotee, Mahāprabhu also began to cry while uttering his name. Mahāprabhu embraced Vidyānidhi and shed tears of love. Thereafter, when Mahāprabhu regained His external consciousness, He introduced Vidyānidhi to all the Vaiṣṇavas and profusely glorified him. After regaining external consciousness, Vidyānidhi offered obeisances to Mahāprabhu and showed due respects to the assembled Vaiṣṇavas. When Gadādhara begged Mahāprabhu’s permission to take initiation from Vidyānidhi in order to counteract his offense of disregarding Vidyānidhi, the Lord happily gave His approval.

Thereafter Gadādhara took initiation from Vidyānidhi.