Nityananda Caritamrta

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The Birth of Véracandra Prabhu and Disappearance of Lord Nityänanda
evening. The mark of black ointment on his eyes extended to
his ears. His forehead was marked with a dot of cow dung. His
curly hair was tied in a topknot. Whoever saw him wanted to
keep him within his heart.
Abhiräma came and looked at the child without blinking
his eyes. He felt as if his eyes were being smeared with an ointment
of nectar. The sight of the child calmed his entire body.
The child lying on his cot appeared like the morning sun arisen
within the room. He had a raised nose and a beautiful forehead.
His arms were long and his chest was broad. His two lotus feet
bore the signs of an exalted personality and defeated the beauty
of the full moon.
Upon seeing the child, Abhiräma became very happy. He
went near his feet and offered obeisances three times. The Lord
in the form of a sleeping child then woke up from His yoganidrä
and began to smile. He began licking His feet just like
an ordinary child. Abhiräma repeatedly offered his obeisances
and then circumambulated the child. With great joy, he began
to chant the holy names of Lord Hari. He played his flute and
horn before the child and then came out from the room.
Nityänanda Prabhu respectfully offered Abhiräma a place
to sit. Abhiräma was decorated with a peacock feather and
guïjä bead garland. He wore earrings shaped like fish and thin
bangles on his wrists. He had a waistband with bells and anklets
on his feet with bells. His complexion was the color of a ketaké
flower and he was strongly built. He was the eternally perfect
cowherd boy, Çrédäma, the son of King Våñabhänu, having now
appeared as Abhiräma. He stayed at the house of the Lord for
one night and then joyfully departed for other places.
Vérabhadra Prabhu would often reveal Himself during His
childhood pastimes, and thus He gave immense pleasure to
Lord Nityänanda. Advaita Äcärya came from Çäntipura and,
after seeing the child, carefully concluded: “A child born in the
house of a thief will naturally be a thief. But, how to catch this
thief?”
Advaita Äcärya was naturally expert in speaking riddles.
Only one He favors can understand His words. After circling
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