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On reaching Gaya, Nimayi bathed in the Brahma Kunda along with the others. He then performed the rituals due to the ‘pitrus’ (dead ancestors) and went over to have darshan of Vishnu Pãda. The Panda there was loudly describing the glory of Vishnu Pãda. “It is from these Lotus Feet that the great (river) Bãgiirati has been born. It is these Lotus Feet that Lakshmi Devi worships with reverence. It is these Lotus Feet that the Yogis meditate constantly in their hearts. It is by placing these Lotus feet on the head of Gayasura that the Lord bestowed liberation on him.” There was a huge crowd around him. The Pandas were asking them to offer dakshina.

But, in this huge crowd Nimayi lost awareness of his body as he listened to the glory of the Divine Lotus Feet. His body shivered terribly. Tears flowed down in a gush. The face became very lustrous. He ran towards Vishnu Pãda. When he was about to fall down in a swoon a sanyasi (an ascetic) suddenly appeared from nowhere and held him up. Those who had accompanied him managed to take Nimayi out of the crowd.

When he regained consciousness Nimayi looked around as if he had just woken up from sleep. He found a glowing sanyasi. He ran up to him and caught hold of his two feet tightly. By Nimayi’s mere touch the sanyasi fell down in a swoon. Both, the sanyasi and Nimayi lost consciousness of their bodies. This sanyasi was none other than Sri Ishwarapuri, the chief disciple of Sri Madhavendrapuri. It is this Ishwarapuri whom Nimayi had earlier taken to his home for ‘bhiksha’ and had permitted him to look at him (Nimayi) to his fill. A little while later Niamyi said to Ishwarapuri, “Prabho! My Gaya pilgrimage has become fruitful by your darshan,” and took leave of him.

When he was preparing food at his place of stay, Nimayi found Ishwarapuri walking towards their place. He immediately rushed out to receive him and invited him for ‘bhiksha’ this time, too. Ishwarapuri accepted the invitation. After food Nimayi with folded hands prayed to him, “Prabho! Kindly grace me with Sri Krishna bhakti!” Ishwarapuri said to Nimayi, “You are ‘swayam’ (yourself) Sri Krishna swaroopa (form). How can I bestow bhakti on you?” But, Nimayi pleaded, “Prabho! Do not punish me. Please bestow Krishna Mantra upadesa on me.” Ishwarapuri, “I may give you Krishna Mantra because of your demand. But how do I merit this? Am I worthy of bestowing Mantropadesa on such a Mahapurusha as you are?”

However, Nimayi would not hear these words of Ishwarapuri. Since he pleaded with him incessantly, Ishwarapuri said, “You who are powerful enough to drown the world in ‘prema sãgara’ (ocean of Love) have honoured me by making me your Guru. Bound by this order of yours I offer Mantra Diksha to you.” And gave the Dashãkshara Mantra of “Gopijanavallabhãya Namah” in Nimayi’s ears.

The moment Nimayi listened to the Mantra he fell in a swoon. It was a long time before he regained bodily consciousness. But when he did he was in a strange state. He laughed loudly. Suddenly he cried out loudly, “Ha! Krishna! Ha! Pita!!” and wept. Declaring, “Right away I am going to Vrajabhoomi (Vrindãvan) to Krishna” he began running. When he was stopped he shouted like a madman trying to get away from their hold. He cried out with tears in his eyes, “Hey! Beloved! Where have you gone forsaking me? Ha! Krishna!” To his friends he said, “All of you return to your town. I am going over to Vrindãvan and live there.” Those who were with him were worried due to this extraordinary behaviour of Nimayi.

At midnight, while all were fast asleep Nimayi began running towards Vrindãvan with tears flowing down his cheeks. He then heard a Divine voice, “The time has not yet come for you to come to Vraja Bhoomi. After bestowing joy to the devotees of Nawadweep with your company you may come to Vraja Bhoomi when the time is ripe.” Bound by this order Nimayi returned to his place of stay.

“If Nimayi, who is the very form of Divine Love, offers respect and honour to me as is done in the world to a Guru I will not be able to bear it”, thinking thus Ishwarapuri disappeared after offering Mantropadesa to Nimayi.

The next morning all who were with Nimayi found his dress totally drenched in tears. They somehow managed to bring back Nimayi, who was ever in ‘Krishna Viraha’ (deep longing for Krishna), to Nawadweep. On the return journey when they reached a village named Kumãrhat, Nimayi took the soil of the village and tied it in his clothes saying, “This is the birth place of my Guru. The Lotus Feet of my Guru must have stepped on this soil. Therefore, this soil is very sacred to me. It is purer than a lakh of sacred rivers.” Thus, Nimayi showed the glory of the Guru to his disciples.

To be continued......

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