Four Personal Offenses To Contemplate For Appreciating Nityananda Prabhu

“In the Gaura-ganoddesha-dipika (115) it is said that the two brothers Jagai and Madhai were formerly the doorkeepers named Jaya and Vijaya, who later became Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. Jagai and Madhai were born in respectable brahmana families, but they adopted the professions of thieves and rogues and thus became implicated in all kinds of undesirable activities, especially woman-hunting, intoxication and gambling. Later, by the grace of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Shri Nityananda Prabhu, they were initiated, and they got the chance to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi 10.1.20 Purport)

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Shrila Rupa Gosvami uses the words “maha vadanyaya” to describe Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This is high praise considering the many previous known and celebrated appearances of the Divine within this world. Mahaprabhu, who is also known by names such as Gauranga and Nimai, is the most munificent avatara because He kindly shows the way towards acquiring love for Krishna, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Sanskrit is “krishna prema pradayate.”

Mahaprabhu did not appear alone, however. There was the spiritual brother named Nityananda Prabhu by His side. It is said that as merciful as Gauranga is towards the fallen souls, Nityananda, who is also known as Nitai, is even more merciful. The objective is to have others chant the holy names of Hari. The recommendation enthusiastically presented and ebulliently repeated is “Haribol.” To get an idea of the kindness, mercy, and magnanimity of Lord Nityananda, we take a hypothetical situation of trying to convince someone of something. It might be a casual conversation. It does not have to be a high-stakes game, where conversion makes the difference between winning and losing. We consider the following potential defeats, where the other side is hostile to our message.

1. They were not receptive to my message

I tried to teach them the difference between matter and spirit. I emphasized that the human birth is precious because it is our best opportunity to identify the distinction. The animals do not have this luxury. They can only operate off the four basic instincts: eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. The animals cannot explain to you what an animal is and what a human is. They cannot anticipate guaranteed death. Endowed with such capabilities, the human being should utilize their intelligence for moving towards the highest gain.

When I spoke soberly and rationally, these people did not listen. They were not interested at all. I cannot believe it. Why would they be so closed-minded? Do they not understand how important my message is? Do they not respect how much time I have spent putting these thoughts together? I know they are suffering. I know they are miserable. If only they would allow me to help.

2. They were critical of me

More than apathy and a passing negative glance, these people accused me of horrible things. They said my objective was to ruin people’s lives. Even those supposedly born into the tradition affiliated with my education said that I should wait until people are older. If children happen to hear my message, it will spoil their ambition. They will want to retreat to a cave and start meditating. Who will support the parents in old age, then? These people said that I should mind my own business, that I should go away and bother someone else.

3. They succeeded in embarrassing me

A popular television sitcom from the 1990s in America once depicted a scene common to many. A person is at the office doing something, while other colleagues take notice. One of the colleagues decides to poke fun. They embarrass the other employee with a joke. This specific situation happens to involve eating. The person on the receiving end of the joke is busy eating shrimp. The other colleague makes the joke that the ocean called and is complaining about running low on shrimp. Everyone else in the room laughs.

The person being made fun of tries to laugh it off, but they are filled with rage on the inside. They want to make a comeback, but they are not quick-witted enough. They stew on that anger, trying to think of the best response. They test out an idea of saying that the “jerk store” called and says that they are running low on that person who made the original joke. Of course, this joke is not as good, but the scene depicted is humorous since it is so common.

Imagine, then, if when trying to spread the message of bhakti-yoga someone makes fun of me. For the way I look. For my lack of hair. For my diet. For the words that I repeat, in the mantra I am trying to pass along. This person makes fun of me in a manner similar to the scene depicted in the television show. Others join in. They laugh at me. I feel humiliated.

4. They physically struck me

Imagine if the person on the other side breaches the boundaries of the law. What if they actually attack me? What if my physical wellbeing is in danger? What would I do? Would I not seek some sort of revenge? Why should I be on the receiving end of abuse when I am only trying to help? Why does someone feel the need to exploit my supposed weakness for their gain? Are they so pathetic that they have to make fun of devotees of the Supreme Lord in order to elevate their stature? They feel the need to dominate a weaker party in order to attract friends?

Imagine if in each of the above described situations I was to look the other way. More than having to give myself a pep talk. Beyond looking up a verse from a book on the need to stay level-headed. I am genuinely unaffected. I have not moved from my benevolent posture. I am still wishing these people well. I still think there is a chance for them. I do not want that chance to be spoiled, even if one of my closest friends is offended by the treatment I received.

This is exactly the mood of Nityananda Prabhu. We have the historical example of the incident with the hooligans named Jagai and Madhai. They were brothers from a high parentage who later fell down. They were known for drinking and causing trouble. Nityananda was struck on the head and cut simply for trying to reform the two with kind words. When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu heard what happened, He was prepared to deliver lethal punishment. It was only on the plea of Nityananda Prabhu that the brothers were spared. Witnessing such kindness, they immediately gave up their sinful ways and became devotees.

In Closing:

So grossly to offend,
Loss of words to defend.

That in the embarrassment to stew,
Day by day my resentment grew.

Imagine if forgiving it all,
And understanding of the fall.

Despite troubles wishing them well,
Mercy of Nityananda to tell.