Nityananda Caritamrta

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Lord Nityänanda’s Grand Bathing Ceremony at the House of Räghava Paëòita
all sides. Everyone raised their hands and exclaimed, “Save us!”
They all became absorbed in the ecstasy of kåñëa-prema.
Lord Nityänanda, absorbed in His own blissful mood,
glanced at everyone, showering love of God upon them. He ordered,
“Räghava Paëòita, make a garland of kadamba flowers
and bring it to Me quickly. I am very fond of kadamba flowers.
In fact, I always reside in a forest of kadamba trees.”
Räghavänanda folded his hands and said, “Lord, it is not yet
the season for kadamba trees to flower.”
“Go to your home and look carefully,” Lord Nityänanda told
Räghava. “There may be a flower or two somewhere.”
Räghava Paëòita went straight to his house. To his great
surprise, he saw something most wonderful! Beautiful kadamba
flowers blossomed on the lemon tree in his courtyard! How wonderful
were the colors and fragrance of those flowers! Just seeing
them freed one from material bondage. Seeing those beautiful
kadamba flowers, Räghava Paëòita began losing consciousness
in ecstasy. Controlling himself, he quickly made a garland of
kadamba flowers and then brought it before Lord Nityänanda.
Nityänanda Prabhu was very pleased and put the garland
around His neck. The sweet fragrance of the kadamba flowers
overwhelmed the Vaiñëavas and they all felt very blissful.
Suddenly, the most wonderful thing happened. Everyone could
smell the scent of another wonderful flower. The enchanting
aroma of damanaka flowers filled the ten directions.
Nityänanda Prabhu smilingly said, “Listen, brothers. Can
you tell Me what you are smelling?”
They all folded their hands and replied, “We smell the fragrance
of wonderful flowers. The fragrance is coming from all
directions.”
Nityänanda Prabhu, out of His causeless mercy, began to
explain a most confidential topic: “Listen all of you to this mystery,
for you must know the truth in detail. Today, Caitanya
Gosäi came here from Néläcala to hear our kértana. He wore a
garland of damanaka flowers and sat in a tree, unseen. The four
directions are filled with the aroma of that wonderful garland.
To see your chanting and dancing, the Lord came here from
Néläcala. Give up all other affairs and always sing the glories of
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