Sri Nityananda Caritamrta:
An in depth study and review
Introduction
I first heard of the Sri Nityananda Caritamrta in a lecture by His Holiness Jayapataka Swami speaking about the glories and pastimes of Lord Nityananda. He was responding to a question where someone was inquiring if there were any scriptures or books dealing solely with Lord Nityananda. He listed a very short list and that is where he mentioned the Nityananda Caritamrta, but he then went on to explain that it is not very authoritative and its contents are questionable due to being composed by sahajiyas. So you can imagine my surprise when I heard that it was being published by an ISKCON devotee!
I remember asking Satyaraja prabhu about this book and if he had ever heard of it and he explained that there are actually two different Nityananda Caritamrta's. One he said is by the sahajiyas and the other is compiled by Srila Vrndavan Dasa Thakura. He also mentioned that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura had recommended that all of his disciples read this book. So upon hearing this I was excited at the thought of a book solely dedicated to the pastimes and glories of Lord Nityananda and I became very eager to get a copy! It is said in the introduction of the Sri Nityananda Caritamrta by Isvara dasa: "This book is an authentic Vaisnava literature compiled by Srila Vrndavan Dasa Thakura. It contains what is presently in the Caitanya-bhagavata about Lord Nityananda, but Srila Vrndavan Dasa Thakura has given additional information. Therefore this book, Sri Nityananda Caritamrta, is very similar to Sri Caitanya-bhagavata."
Shortly after this I saw an article that it would soon be available in the US. I called the Bhaktivedanta Archives to reserve a copy. The devotee was amazed that I already knew about the shipment that was coming and assured me that they would send me a copy as soon as it arrived. Somehow not many devotees had heard of this book. What is very interesting is that you never find Srila Prabhupada making any reference to this book. Even Satyaraja prabhu was surprised to hear that it was being published. I was also quite amazed that after so long no one had even thought of translating it or making it available to the greater ISKCON society. It was like this hidden gem just waiting to be revealed.
So what you will find here is a chapter by chapter study and review of this great work. As mentioned above it is very similar to Sri Caitanya-bhagavata in many places, almost verbatim, as it is simply select chapters from the Sri Caitanya-bhagavata. Still there is a special sweetness in reading all of this nectar in one book! My purpose in this endeavor is simply to relish that sweetness and to go deeper and deeper into the transcendental ocean of Lord Nityananda's pastimes until we are drowned in that ocean of bliss. As it is said in Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi-lila, 8.23) that simply by talking about Lord Nityananda we will awaken our dormant love for Krishna, that transcendental cowherd boy.
I must admit my frailties and weaknesses in making such a presentation. I am not a great scholar, nor am I even a very sincere devotee. I am firmly bound by my mind and senses and addicted to sense-gratification. I am fully under the control of maya-devi and covered by the three modes of material nature. I completely identify with this physical body and subtle mind. I am a fallen, conditioned jiva who is struggling to become a genuine Vaisnava. I am definitely far away from being a genuine Vaisnava, but still I am possessed to speak about and glorify Sri Nityananda Prabhu. I'm not saying these things to be humble, rather it is just the plain truth. I am speaking about Lord Nityananda for my own purification and to petition Him for His causeless mercy. Speaking about and glorifying Lord Nityananda is my only solace, my only shelter and my only hope...