Jiva Gosvami - Disappearance on Dvadasi

SRILA JIVA GOSVAMI
Sri Sanatana, Sri Rupa and Sri Vallabha were three brothers, all employed in the service of the Badsa Hussain Shah. Amongst the three, there was only one descendent, Sri Jiva. Having been rewarded richly by the Badsa for their services, their household life was very opulent. There was nothing lacking in whatever was necessary for the upbringing of the only son. The house was illuminated by the effulgence of the child's golden complexion; his eyes were like the expanded petals of the lotus; every part of his body was graced with a lustrous, radiant splendor.

When Sri Gaurasundara came to Ramakeli, Sri Jiva was blessed by having darsana of His worshipable Lord, though he was just a baby at the time. Placing the dust of His lotus feet on the child's head, Mahaprabhu indicated him to be the future sovereign preceptor of the Gaudiya sampradaya. Though he was only a child, Sri Jiva kept the form of the Lord, which fascinates the entire world, within his heart. As he grew up, while eating, lying down, in his dreams, while he was awake, at all times, he would meditate on that form.

Later on, when his father and uncles renounced their family life in order to be with Mahaprabhu, the only child, Sri Jiva, was left with his mother in the family palace at Fateyabad. Lying in her lap, which was wet with tears of separation, he gradually began to grow as the waxing moon. Seeing that the mother and the child's face were always wet with tears, their friends also fell under the shadow of sadness and only with great difficulty managed to assuage their grief. Whenever Sri Jiva would remember his father and uncles, or the lotus feet of Sri Gaura Hari, he would lose consciousness and fall to the ground.

As he got a little older, Sri Jiva took up the worship of the Deities of Sri-Sri Rama-Krishna. He would carefully decorate Them and offer bhoga and aroti, serving Them with his full attention. Even in his play, whatever games he played were connected with Sri Krsna's pastimes.

While studying under the local panditas he became proficient in grammar, poetry and rhetoric. Noting his great intellect, his teachers commented, "Such brilliance is not often found in a child as young as this. No doubt he will be a very elevated, saintly person."

Even while engaged in his studies Jiva always thought of Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga. Once he saw in a dream that Sri Rama-Krsna had taken the forms of Nitai-Gauranga and were dancing. [B.R.1.732] Giving him the dust of Their lotus feet, the Two Lords then disappeared. Having seen such a wonderful dream, Sri Jiva was consoled somewhat. Then he began to think, "When will I be able to crawl out of this well of family life and devote my full time and energy, my very self, to serving these two most magnanimous Lords?" But he was the only son of the family. Only in his company could his mother forget somewhat the pangs of separation in her heart. When Sri Jiva learned that his father had given up his life on the banks of the Ganga, he was completely unsettled. After that his eyes were never dry. The family members and friends tried to console him but to little avail. Family life had become the source of his utter sadness.

Someone suggested to Jiva to go to Navadwipa and bathe himself in the coolness emanating from the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda Prabhu so that his mind and body, burning with with grief, could be refreshed. Thus Sri Jiva set our for Navadwipa with a group of pilgrims. [B.R.1/741]

Nityananda Prabhu, the omniscient Lord, could understand that Sri Jiva was on his way to Navadwipa. Therefore He also left for there from Khardaha. After a few days, Jiva arrived at Navadwipa. Seeing the beauty of that place he was charmed. Falling down on the ground, he offered his dandavats to Mother Ganges. Inquiring from the villagers the directions to Mayapura, he learned that Nityananda Prabhu was residing at Srivasa Pandita's house. At last arriving there, he fell down at the door to offer his dandavats. Nityananda Prabhu came out with Srivasa Pandita and picked him up and embraced him, asking, "Are you the nephew of Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana?"

As an answer, Jiva again fell down on the ground at the lotus feet of Nityananda Prabhu. This time Nityananda Prabhu brought him in the house and began to inquire after the welfare of his family at Fateyabad. Then Sri Jiva was introduced to the devotees present in Navadwipa; he offered his salutations at their lotus feet. Everyone was very happy to meet the nephew of Sri Rupa and Sanatana. That day Sri Jiva received the remnants of Nityananda Prabhu's prasadam.

The next day, the two of them came to Saci Mata'a house. Seeing the birthplace of Sri Gaurasundara, which was filled with such splendor, Sri Jiva was greatly pacified and fell down on the ground to roll in the dust. In the large courtyard the devotees were singing songs praising the glories of Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Seeing Nityananda Prabhu, everyone stood up and then fell down, offering their dandavats at His lotus feet. Then Jiva saw Saci Mata sitting on the veranda.

Dressed in white with silk chadder around her shoulders she looked radiant, the white of her hair blending with her white sari. Though her body trembled with old age and was very thin, still the courtyard was illuminated by her divine effulgence. Forgetting herself in remembrance of Sri Gaurasundara, she was sitting with her eyes closed. Becoming aware that Nityananda Prabhu had arrived, she covered her head with her sari and called her servant. "Isana! Sripada has arrived. Please wash His feet."

After this was done, Nityananda offered namaskar to the mother of the Supreme Lord and took His seat. He then introduced Sri Jiva to her. Saci Mata placed her hand on his head to bless him, and Sri Jiva floated in the ocean of happiness. Saci Mata then requested the two of them to honor the Lord's prasada. "Take prasada here at your mother's house today, my children. I offered there preparations in secret to Sri Gauracandra."

Sri Jiva spent some days with Nityananda Prabhu, touring the nine islands of Navadwipa, in order to have darsana of the holy places of the Lord's pastimes there. Then, as ordered by Nityananda Prabhu, he set out for Kasi (Varanasi) . At Kasi he studied Vedanta under Sri Madhusudana Vacaspati, a disciple of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. The conclusions of Vedanta contained in Srimad-Bhagavatam that were expounded by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya in Puri had been in turn taught by the Bhattacarya to Madhusudana Vacaspati, who established a tol at Kasi. From him, Sri Jiva mastered the same conclusions.

From here Sri Jiva set out for Sri Vrindavana where he received shelter at the lotus feet of his two uncles, Sri Rupa and Sanatana. They were very pleased to see him and received from him all the news. Jiva stayed with Sri Rupa, who began to teach him Srimad-Bhagavatam. After initiating him with the divine mantra, Rupa engaged him in the service of Sri Sri Radha-Damodara. According to Sadhana-dipika, this Deity of Damodara was fashioned by Rupa Gosvami's own hand for his dear disciple Sri Jiva. Sri Sri Radha-Damodara are presently being worshipped in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Seeing that Jiva had quickly become conversant with the conclusion of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Sri Rupa engaged him in proofreading his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. At this time Sri Jiva compiled a commentary on Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu called Durgama-sangamani. In the year 1476 (Sakabda) Sri Sanatana Gosvami compiled Sri Vaisnava-tosani, a commentary on the tenth canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, which he gave to Sri Jiva for proofreading. Under the order of Sri Sanatana, Sri Jiva compiled a commentary on that, named Laghu Vaisnava-tosani, in the year 1500 (Sakabda). His writings, along with those of Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana, Sri Gopal Bhatta, Sri Raghunatha Bhatta, Sri Raghunath das, Sri Krishna das, Sri Kasisvar Pandit, and Sri Madhu Pandit, completely captivated the learned men of that time. It was the beginning of a golden age at Sri Vraja-dhama.

Sri Jiva regularly brought water for Sri Rupa and Sanatana's bath. He massaged their heads with oil, cleaned their ashram, worshiped the Deity, cooked and corrected manuscripts.

After the disappearance of Sri Rupa and Sanatana, Sri Jiva continued the tradition that they had inaugurated. Once Sri Jiva travelled to Agra to debate with the Rajputs concerning the glories of Jamuna and Ganga rivers. He established that Yamuna is more glorious than Ganga as Ganga emananates from Krishna’s lotus feet whereas Yamuna is His own consort. At this the Moghul emperor was very much satisfied and wanted to present him something. Sri Jiva replied that he would accept some blank papers. So the emperor presented Jiva some stained paper. (At that time paper was very rare and most manuscripts were usually composed on leaves.) There is also a legend that once, when a Moghul emperor (possibly Akbar) wanted to confer something on the Gosvamis of Vrindavana, they requested a ferman (emperor's order) that no living beings would be killed within Vraja. As a result of this no king would come to hunt there anymore. The disciple of Lokanatha Gosvami, Narottama dasa Thakura Mahasaya, Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami's disciple Srinivasa Acarya Prabhu, and the disciple of Hrdaya Caitanya Prabhu, Sri Syamananda Prabhu, were greatly favored by Srila Jiva Goswami. Under his tutelage they studied all the literatures of the Gosvamis. Later he sent them to preach this knowledge in Bengal.

Srila Jiva Gosvami composed many literatures, amongst them:

Harinamamrta-vyakarana, Sutra-malika, Rasamrta-sesa, Gopala-virudavali, Sri-Madhava-mahotsava, Sri-Sankalpa-kalpavrksa, Brahma-Samhita-tika, Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu-tika (Durgama-sangamani), Ujjvala-nilamani-tika (Locana-rocani), Gopala-campu, Sat-sandharbha (Tattva-sandarbha, Bhagavata-sandarbha, Paramatma-sandarbha, Krsna-sandarbha, Bhakti-sandharbha, Priti-sandarbha), Srimad-Bhagavata-tika (Krama-sandarbha), Laghu-vaisnava-tosani (Tenth Canto Bhagavatam commentary), Sarva-sambadina (commentary on Sat-sandarbha), Gopala-tapani-tika (Sri-Suhkha-bodhini), Padma-puranastha-yogasara-stotra-tika, Gayatri-vyakhya-vivrti (a commentary on the Gayatri mantra as described in the Agni Purana, chapters 216-217) Radha-Krsnarcana-candrika, Dhatu-sangraha, Bhavartha-sucaka-campu.

Birth: 1533 (Christian calendar), 1455 (Sakabda), 12th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadra. Disappearance : 1540 (Sakabda), 3rd day of bright fortnight, Pausa. Age: 85 years

[Source: The archives of veda.harekrsna.cz.]

The story of Sri Jiva Gosvami's sending Narottama, Srinivasa and Syamananda to Bengal to introduce the Gosvami Granthas is well known. The fourteenth wave of Bhakti Ratnakara presents letters sent by Jiva to Srinivasa and others.

13.-18. Srinivasa Acarya’s pure devotion had no end. Srila Jiva Gosvami was very respectful to him. Who has the power to describe the affection Sri Jiva felt for Srinivasa? From Vraja he mercifully sent many letters to Srinivasa Acarya. One day Srinivasa Acarya said to his associates, “A letter will come from Srila Jiva Gosvami. Why would there be any delay?” At that moment an intelligent devotee named Sri Vasanta Raya, who was carrying a letter, entered Srinivasa Acarya’s assembly. With a few words he told the news from Vraja. Then he gave Srila Jiva Gosvami’s letter to Srinivasa Acarya. Very respectfully Srinivasa Acarya accepted the letter. Tears flowing from his eyes and onto his chest, he read the letter.

“Glory to Sri Krishna, the master of Vrindavana!

Greetings at the feet of Sri Sri Srinivasa Acarya, whose feet bring all happiness to me. He who bears the name Jiva offers respectful obeisances and gives you the following information:

“I always wish you well. For many days we have not heard news of you. You bring us great happiness. At present I and the others are in good health. The only exception is Bhugarbha Gosvami, who surrendered himself, body and soul, before Lord Krishna, who is Vrndavana ‘s master. Among your own followers, please write to us about Sri Vrndavana dasa. Does he read yet, or not?

“Also, where is Sri Vyasa Sarma, and how is he doing? I ask the same of Sri Vasudeva Kaviraja.

“Also, the editing of Sri Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, Sri Madhava-mahotsava, Sri Gopala-campu’s Second Part, and Sri Hari-namamrita-vyakarana is not yet complete. They will not be ready this year. If the Supreme Lord is favorable, I will finish them eventually. Everyone here offers respectful obeisances to all of you there. Please also give my blessings to the saintly king.”

19.-22. The Vrindavana dasa mentioned in this letter is Srinivasa Acarya’s eldest son. In Vraja there was talk of Srinivasa’s son. Srila Jiva Gosvami happily mentioned his name. Vyasa and Vasudeva are two disciples of Srinivasa Acarya. The saintly king’s name is Birahambira. After some days another letter came for Srinivasa Acarya. Srinivasa read it aloud in the assembly of devotees.

“Glory to Sri Krishna, the master of Vrindavana!

“Greetings to Srinivasa Acarya, who has all virtues, and who is my dear friend.

“The person named Jiva from Vrindavana offers his obeisances, his embrace, and his wish that all will be auspicious for you. These greetings are an offering of respect from a person who resides in Vrindavana. I was very eager to ear about you. When I did not hear about you or heard inauspicious reports, I became sorrowful at heart. Now that I have heard from you, I feel comforted.

“This letter is in reply to your most recent letter. This we say: Even if the body and senses bring many sorrows and obstacles, the devotee should persevere. In this way a devotee will make an end to all sorrows.

“Sri Syama dasa Acarya is a devotee who knows the true goal of life. He wishes to be with you. He is learned and affectionate. His explanations of devotional service to the Lord give the correct conclusions. With help like the help he gives, the blasphemers will be crushed into pieces. Now I am editing and re-considering the books Vaisnava-tosani, Durgama-sangamani, and Gopala-campu. Now I am engaged with these books. I am myself carefully editing and re-considering these books. This must be done.

“Previously I sent you the Hari-namamrita-vyakarana. If that book and its commentary are studied then all misunderstandings (of Sanskrit grammar) will be corrected. The other books are in the final stage. The second part of the Gopala-campu is now finished. It needs only the final touches. When I become fortunate I will hear news of you. From afar I think of your welfare. I think of the welfare of Vrindavana dasa and the others. I also think of the welfare of the devotees headed by Sri Gopala dasa. This letter is addressed to Srinivasa Acarya.”

23.-32. The Syama dasa Acarya mentioned in this letter is the son of Vyasa Acarya. Vrindavana dasa is Srinivasa’s son. “The others” mentioned after him are his brothers and sisters. Sri Gopala dasa is the son of King Birahambira. Sri Jiva Gosvami reveals his name here. That devotee became famous everywhere by the name Sri Dadhihambira. Sri Jiva Gosvami thinks of the welfare of him and his associates.

When he received this letter from Srila Jiva Gosvami, Srinivasa Acarya sent a letter in reply. As they came and went between the two places, the Vaisnavas carried letters. I cannot describe the bliss these letters brought. At that time Srinivasa Acarya Thakura enjoyed pastimes at Yajigrama. His heart yearend to see Ramacandra dasa. Ramacandra, Narottama, and Sri Govinda, these three were always as if intoxicated by performing sankirtana at Sri Khetari-grama. One day, as the three sat together, a letter from Srila Jiva Gosvami arrived. Overcome with ecstatic spiritual love, and very respectfully placing the letter to his head, Govinda read the letter aloud.

“Glory to Sri Krishna, who is like a moon shining in Vrindavana!

“Greetings to Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja, Sri Narottama dasa, and Sri Govinda dasa, who are praised by all the Vaisnavas, and who are a great treasure of happiness for persons like myself.

“I, who bear the name Jiva from Vrindavana, embrace you and humbly speak these words: I give all respect to you and I wish for your welfare. Out of great affection I always wish for your welfare. Out of affection for me please send me copies of your songs. Then I will consider myself very fortunate. What more need I say? You three are affectionate without limit. One should always be rapt in devotional meditation. This is described in Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, in the verse beginning with the words ‘seva sadhaka-rupena’ sadhana is performed with the external material body. Siddha devotional service is performed by meditating on performing devotional service as one desires with one’s original spiritual form. That is the meaning of this verse from Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu. Siddha devotional service performed according to desire (raga) is of many kinds according to time, place, and pastime. How many words could be employed to describe it? Sadhaka devotional service is of three kinds and it follows the descriptions found in the Agamas and other scriptures. The great acaryas teach sadhaka devotional service. For us sadhaka devotional service is the be-all and end-all of our lives. What more need be said? This letter was written on the caturdasi day of the month of Vaisakha.”

33.-36. After hearing Srila Jiva Gosvami’s merciful letter, everyone joyfully sang Srila Jiva Gosvami’s glories. Bidding everyone farewell, Sri Govinda Kaviraja departed from Khetari and went to Budhari-grama. Sitting down in a secluded place, with a joyful heart Govinda collected together his jewel-like songs. At that time another letter came from Vraja. After first touching the letter to his head, Govinda dasa read it.

“Glory to Sri Krishna, who is like a moon shining in Vrindavana!

“Greetings to the great devotee Sri Govinda Kaviraja, who is the abode of sublime spiritual love. Jiva Gosvami always thinks of your welfare. Our friendship shines with great splendor. There I yearn always to hear that all is auspicious for you.

“Previously you sent me some songs you had written describing Lord Krishna. Tasting these songs sweet like nectar, I became very pleased. However, I am still not satisfied. I yearn to get your most recent songs. Please be merciful and send them.

“I received a copy Syama dasa made of Srinivasa Acarya’s commentary on Brihad-Bhagavatamrita. This new commentary removes all doubts. What more need be said? This letter to you, who are merciful, glorious, and auspicious, was written on the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Caitra.

“Please give my blessings to Narottama and (Ramacandra) Kaviraja. Many obeisances to Sri Krishna dasa.”

37.-39. In the last paragraph of this letter the word Kaviraja refers to Ramacandra Kaviraja. Narottama and Ramacandra were often mentioned together in this way. The words “Sri Krishna dasa” in this letter refer to Krishna dasa Kaviraja Gosvami. Reading this letter, Sri Govinda dasa was overcome by feelings of ecstatic spiritual love. He sent his collection Gitamrita (the Nectar of Songs) to Srila Jiva Gosvami.

QUOTE(Advaitadas @ Sep. 18 2002,15:39)

In which shastras are the meeting of Jiva with Saci Mata and his parikrama of the 9 islands of Navadvipa mentioned?

The only elaborate reference I can recall is Bhaktivinoda's Navadvipa Bhava Taranga, Parikrama Khanda. He relates this event as taking place after Jiva's leaving home and before going to Vraja. OBL Kapoor mentions this briefly in his "The Gosvamis of Vrindavana", chapter nine. The meeting with Saci Mata is related in NBT, PK, chapter 18 as taking place at the end of the parikrama, right before his departure from Navadvipa to Vrindavana.

It is a good question, though, whether the descriptions of Navadvipa Bhava Taranga are to be taken as historical events or not. It is well known that Bhaktivinoda wrote several novels in which he mixed historical persons and fictive characters, examples of which are Jaiva Dharma and Prema Pradipa, particularly the former, in which Gopala Guru and Dhyanacandra participate in the narration.

The first wave of Bhakti Ratnakara (684-780) describes the earlier life of Sri Jiva, his leaving home and his meeting Nityananda Prabhu in Navadvipa as follows:

Sri Jiva had grown very discontent in Gauda and he was pulled by his attractions to his uncles in Vrindavana. The visit to Vrindavana by Sri Jiva was a peculiar incident.

From the day of Rupa and Sanatana's going to Vrindavana a peculiar feeling began to grow in the mind of Sri Jiva who decided to give up all pleasures regarding ornaments, beautiful dresses, comfortable beds and voraciousness etc. In discussions of royal affairs or worldly matters he simply felt bored.

Observing Sri Jiva in his perturbed state of mind, someone commented, “O my dear friend, from the sons of Kumeradeva three became great vaisnavas and scholars of scripture: Sanatana; Rupa and Vallabha. I have never seen such stocism and neutrality as exhibited by Sri Vallabha in his detachment from worldly pleasures. When he died on the bank of the Ganges his young son Jiva was stunned. But Sri Jiva also had no interest in wealth or riches. My heart breaks when I think of him. One day I saw him in a lonely place crying bitterly.”

But another person replied, “My dear friend, this is natural. It is the blessing of Lord Krishna which makes Sri Jiva behave like this. He has become very reserved and does not think of anything but Srimad Bhagavatam, which has become his very life. He loves to swim in that ocean of happiness created by discussions about Krishna. No one dares speak anything to him but topics about Krishna. He must have met Prabhu privately because I have seen him faint on the ground after crying out the name of Sri Krishna Caitanya. My heart aches when I see him rolling onthe ground crying so bitterly that his body is soaked with tears. I cannot bare to hear his lamentation.”

“My dear friends, it is certain that Sri Jiva will soon leave his house for ever.” “But he is merely a boy,” someone argued. “How will he tolerate the troubles of travelling from place to place.” “His love for Prabhu knows no bounds,” commented another man. “He is the light of the brahmin class,” said another. “The whole village will sink into utter darkness if he leaves.”

The discussion of Sri Jiva continued amongst the village gentlemen. They could not even return to their homes leaving Sri Jiva in that condition. At the same time Sri Jiva sat wondering when he would leave his house. One evening, he sat alone crying and singing the holy name. Although he tried to control himself, he finally broke down and cried out, “O my Prabhu Sri Krishna Caitanya! O Nityananda! O my Prabhu Sri Advaita candra the ocean of mercy! O dear associates of Prabhu! Please be kind to this wretched fellow!” Throughout the night his lamentation kept him from sleeping.

Once before in Ramkeli Sri Jiva had had a dream in which he saw Prabhu and His associates dancing in sankirtana and enchanting the world with a flow of love unobtainable by Lord Brahma. Tonight he saw tht same scene in his dream. Lakhs of people came forward to join that sankirtana, uttering the name of Hari which filled the earth and the sky. Suddenly Prabhu disappeared and as the dream faded Jiva awoke up in a sorrowful state. Again he fell asleep and a second wonderful scene appeared in his dream. I will tell you later what he saw in his dream, but now I want to acquaint you with the former history of Sri Jiva.

When Sri Jiva was only a boy, he avoided playing with his friends or other activities which had no connection with Krishna. He would make images of Krishna and Balarama, worship them with flowers and sandal paste and dress them with fine clothes and ornaments. When he would bow on the ground before them he would weep. He offered them various kinds of sweetmeats and then enjoyed eating the prasad of the deities with his friends. He loved the deities of Krishna and Balarama so much that even when he was alone he would play with them. At bed time he would clasp the deities tightly to his chest and sleep. His parents could not separate their son from his deities although they thought he was merely playing. Everyone was happy to see Jiva’s love for Krishna and Balarama.

Caitanya and Nitai were so bound by his love for them that they appeared to him in a dream. Krishna and Balarama also appeared in a dream, and Sri Jiva was enchanted to see Krishna in dark blue color and Balarama in white color. They looked like Kandarpa and enchanted the universe with their beautiful postures. Suddenly Krishna and Balarama were replaced by Gaura and Nitai and the universe was perfumed by the scent of their bodies. Overjoyed with his vision Sri Jiva wept and fell at he feet of the two masters.

Gaura-Nityananda Rai, the twin oceans of mercy put their feet on the head of Sri Jiva and embraced him affectionately. Whatever they spoke fell like nectar on the ears of Sri Jiva. In ecstatic love Sri Gaura sundara offered Jiva to the gracious feet of Sri Nityananda. But Nityananda repeatedly instructed Sri Jiva, “Let my Gaura Prabhu be your life and soul.” When Sri Jiva bowed against their feet, they disappeared and Sri Jiva fell into an abyss of disappointment. When he woke from sleep, the dawn was breaking and he prepared to leave for Vrindavana on the pretext of studying there.

The people of Navadvipa knew he was going to Vrindavana. He bid farewell to his followers and left Fateya with only one servant. n the ecstasy of love, Sri Jiva wandered hypnotically arousing the curiouslity of the other travellers on the road. “Who is this young man?”, they wondered. “He must be a prince with a complexion of gold like a champaka flower. What a beautiful face! Just see his attractive wide eyes, nose, eyebrows, forehead, ears and curly hair. See his neck, his chest and his nails and fingers on his lotus like hands! How beautiful are his thighs, knees and legs.”

They all admired the tulasi garland hanging around his neck and the milk white sacred thread lying across his chest. Someone said, “My dear friend, I cannot take my eyes off him. I wish I could die carrying away all misfortune which might befall him. They said, “We cannot understand why we are feeling so perplexed to see him? We wish we can get ourselves initiation to him.” Although the people talked, Sri Jiva continued his journey rapt in ecstasy.

When he entered Navadvipa, everyone acknowledged him as he was the nephew of Rupa and Sanatana. Being overwhelmed by Sri Jiva’s scholarship and devotional practices, the brahmans discussed with him. Sri Jiva was enchanted by the beauty of Navadvipa. That holy dhama covered sixteen krosa of land with many beautiful flower gardens, tanks, forests, groves, cottages and the banks of the Ganga.

As he wondered, Sri Jiva saw many Vaisnavas who were happy to meet him and took him directly to the cottage of Srivasa Pandita where Nityananda Prabhu and his associates were sitting. Nityananda had already foretold Sri Jiva’s arrival to Srivasa and Srivasa gladly informed Prabhu when Sri Jiva was waiting outside the cottage door. Nityananda was glad to hear it and requested someone to call him in. Sri Jiva’s eagerness to meet Nityanada made him cry uncontrollably and he fell humbly at the feet of Prabhu.

Nityananda Prabhu affectionately placed his feet on the head of Sri Jiva. He raised Sri Jiva from the ground, embraced him warmly and said, “I have come here from Kardaha simply to meet You.” In this way he pacified Sri Jiva in various ways and asked Srinivasa and other Vaisnavas to favor him. He kept Sri Jiva in his association for some days and then requested him to go West. At the time of his departure Sri Jiva bowed at the feet of Nityananda in the sadness of their intimate separation. By placing his feet on the head of Sri Jiva he affectionately embraced him and said, “Go to Vrindavana soon because it is the order of Mahaprabhu that your family should be settled at that place.” Sri Jiva offered his respects to the feet of all the Vaisnavas and then left for Vrindavana. Srivasa and other devotees blessed Sri Jiva in various ways.

From Navadvipa Sri Jiva went to Kashi where he met Sri Madhusudana Vachaspati, the professor of all Sastras who was as great as Brihaspati. The scholar was pleased to eet Sri Jiva and kept him at his place for a long time during which he gave him lessons on Vedanta and other sastras. Sri Vachaspati was impressed by the scholarly capabilities of Sri Jiva that he glorified him throughout Kashi and he soon became respected as the foremost scholar of Nyaya, Vedanta and other scriptures. From Kashi, Sri Jiva went to Vrindavana and got the mercy of Rupa and Sanatana.