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D espite being learned, handsome, noble and highly spiritual, Nimayi was not wealthy. However, poverty did not perturb Nimayi in the least. He was happy as ever.

It was customary in those days for Pundits to visit various places along with their worthy students. The householders of those places received and treated them with honour. They offered them food, clothing and money. Nimayi, too, became interested in undertaking a tour of East Bengal. After obtaining permission from his mother and leaving behind his wife Lakshmi under the care of her father, he set out on his intended tour. He crossed the Ganges and entered Rada Desa.

Ganges has two branches in Bengal. The main one flows eastwards into the Bay of Bengal and is called the Padmavati. The other, known as Bagirathi, flowing through Navadweep merges with the Ganges. The land from the southern shore of Brahmaputra upto the river Padma is referred to as Rada Desa. The northern part is known as Gauda Desa. People of Gauda Desa think and act differently.

As Nimayi's fame was wide spread his visit was eagerly awaited in Rada Desa. The Students of that place rushed to Nimayi as he entered their place and praised him openly, "Your arrival has purified this land. Your knowledge is unmatched! Your grammar Text is highly praise-worthy and of immense use in our study."

Fear lurked in the hearts of those who had accompanied Nimayi regarding his mischievous nature. They hoped that he would refrain from throwing unreasonable questions at the pundits there. However, Nimayi was very majestic in his behaviour, as would befit a pundit. Instead of interrogating the Vaishnavites Nimayi preached the parth of devotion, the power of the divine names and answered the questions put to him, with poise.

He emphasized on the importance of devotion in Kali Yuga, its simplicity as also its wholesomeness with many examples from the shastras thereby kindling devotion in all their hearts. He visited the prominent places in Rada Desa. He spent the evenings with his students and friends bathing in the river Padmavati and also enjoyed long hours of solitude. With the grains and cereals that were offered to Nimayi by the people of that place his disciples prepared their meals. Thus they all spent their time in the tour happily.

One day while Nimayi was seated alone a brahmin of radiant form came to him. His lustre and humility revealed his eagerness in accepting Nimayi as his Master. He chanted the Lord's Holy names unceasingly. He took hold of Nimayi's feet and sobbed. Nimayi lifted him up tenderly and embraced him lovingly. Nimayi then stroked him with his soft hands and said, "You are indeed a venerable one! Why do you fall at the feet of a young boy like me?" The Brahmin neither let go of his hold on Nimayi's feet nor stopped sobbing. He did not hear Nimayi's words at all.

Nimayi pacified him once again and asked, "Why do you cry so bitterly? Please let me know your problems. The all-auspicious Lord will do good to you. What is it that troubles you?"

The brahmin spoke thus, "Lord! I am a very lowly person. I have not done any spiritual practice. Till today I had not learnt the purpose of human life and the means to attain it. I know not how to pray or praise the Lord. I only keep asking the Lord to make known to me the way I should call upon Him and the goal of my life. God, the indwelling Being, has answered my prayers. In my dream, last night, an exalted person appeared and said, 'Do not consider Nimayi Pundit, who is at present touring East Bengal to be an ordinary learned man. He is truly the incarnation of Lord Narayana. Take refuge in him and learn the goal and means of this existence.' Upon waking I have come rushing to you. Today my birth has become fruitful. The vision of Your Holy Feet, the true wealth, has made me wholesome."

Nimayi heard all these with a gentle smile. He then said, "oh! Fortunate one! Sri Krishna's Grace has filled your being. Possessed of a pure heart, you see God everywhere and that has given you this divine dream. Consider it to be true and let not anyone else know of it." The brahmin, who was known as Tapan Mishra, pleaded with Nimayi, "Lord! You should never forget me, for, I have surrendered wholeheartedly unto your Holy Feet. I beseech You to accept me."

After a brief pause, Mahaprabhu spoke thus, "Oh! best among Brahmins! The goal of human life is only realization of God. Different paths had been prescribed for the different Yugas. Meditation in the Satya Yuga, great sacrifices in the Treta Yuga and worship of the Lord in the Dwapara Yuga were the means shown to attain God. But, in Kali Yuga the easiest of all means has been shown and that is singing the name of Kesava. It has been said -

'Harernãma Harernãma Harernãmaira Kevalam
Kalau nasthyeva nasthyeva nasthyeva gatiranyata'

He added,

'Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare'

This mantra possessed of sixteen names and thirty-two syllables is the only important Sadhana (spiritual practice). Set aside the confusion regarding what is to be attained. Keep chanting this mantra and the goal will come to you on its own."

Mishraji felt elated on hearing this. Tears flowed from his eyes as he prayed, "You have cleared all my doubts and shown me the path by Your infinite grace. Please let me be in proximity to your Holy Feet always."

Nimayi advised, "Go to Kasi (Varanasi) and live there. I will come there in due course and we will meet again." Obeying his Master's instructions Tapan Mishra went to Kasi.

Nimayi prepared to return for Navadweep.

To be continued......

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