Birth:
Shri Neh Nagaridas was born around 1590, under the Gondwana region of Madhya Pradesh, in a rich Panwar Kshatriya family in a village named Berchha.
Spiritual Life:
He was a devotee and was inclined towards sage service since childhood. Once Radhavallabhiya Rasik Shri Chaturbhuj Das Ji, who was a resident of a village called Gadha of Madhya Pradesh, visited his village along with the saint congregation. With his satsang, he got attracted towards Nitya Vihar Upasna.
Vrindavan Arrival:
Under the influence of Shri Chaturbhuj Das's satsang, Shri Neh Nagridas Ji left home and went to Vrindavan. Along with him, his benevolent queen Bhagmati of Orchha also went. After going there, both of them took initiation from Radhavallabh Acharya Goswami Vanchandra Ji and started their practice of Nitya Vihar Upasna.
He has introduced himself as follows.
"Sundar Shri Barsano Nivaas Aur Baas Bason Shri Vrindavan Dham Hai.
Shri Neh Nagaridas was born around 1590, under the Gondwana region of Madhya Pradesh, in a rich Panwar Kshatriya family in a village named Berchha.
Spiritual Life:
He was a devotee and was inclined towards sage service since childhood. Once Radhavallabhiya Rasik Shri Chaturbhuj Das Ji, who was a resident of a village called Gadha of Madhya Pradesh, visited his village along with the saint congregation. With his satsang, he got attracted towards Nitya Vihar Upasna.
Vrindavan Arrival:
Under the influence of Shri Chaturbhuj Das's satsang, Shri Neh Nagridas Ji left home and went to Vrindavan. Along with him, his benevolent queen Bhagmati of Orchha also went. After going there, both of them took initiation from Radhavallabh Acharya Goswami Vanchandra Ji and started their practice of Nitya Vihar Upasna.
He has introduced himself as follows.
"Sundar Shri Barsano Nivaas Aur Baas Bason Shri Vrindavan Dham Hai.
Devi Hamaare Shri Radhika Nagri Got Saun Shri Harivansh Naam Hai.
Dev Hamaare Shriradhikavallabh Rasik Anany Sabha Vishram Hai.
Naam Hai Nagridasi Ali Vrishbhan Lali Ki Gali Ko Gulam Hai.”
Barsana Arrival:
Shri Neh Nagridas Ji had great faith in the Vani of Shri Hitharivansh and in the Nitya Vihar of Shri Shyama Shyam. He would take up one of the poems of Hit Vani every day and do contemplation day and night. In front of Hit Vani, the story of Rasleela and Shrimad Bhagwat also seemed to have faded. Therefore, he often stayed away from joining it. Some non-devotional worshipers of Vrindavan used to criticize his behavior.
Once upon a time, Goswami Shri Nagarvar Ji, son of Vanchandra Ji was telling the story of Bhagwat in the temple of Radhavallabh Ji. Opponents complained to him for not being involved in the narrative of Nagaridas. On this, Nagarwar Ji called Nagaridas and said, 'Nowadays the story of Dasam-Skandha is going on. You must listen to this. Nagridas Ji appeared in the Katha-Mandap on that day by obeying the Guru's son. Dhenukasur-slaughter's story was going on. As soon as the story was heard that Shri Krishna holding the legs of Dhenukasura's assistant's asses and slamming, Nagridas Ji stood up in a hurry and went out of the hall. Due to this behavior, all the people present there were upset. On the second day when Goswami Nagarvar Ji called him and asked the reason for accidentally getting up from the Katha Mandap, he said - 'At that time I was absorbed in the poem of pastimes of Shri Hitacharya, in which Shyamsundar was persuading Shri Radha by holding her chin with his tender hand.
Aaju Nikunj Manju Mein Khelat, Naval Kishor Naveen Kisori.
Hari Ur Mukur Biloki Apanpau, Vibhram Vikal Maanjut Bhori.
Chibuk Suchaaru Praloi Prabodhit, Piy Pratibimb Janai Nihori.
Neti Neti Vachnamrit Suni Suni, Lalitadik Dekhati Duri Chori.
Hit Harivansh Karat Kar Dhoonan, Pranay Kop Malavali Tori.
Meanwhile, in my ears, the words of Shri Krishna holding Dhenukasura's associate asses and banging. The thought came into my mind how Shri Krishna, who is holding Priya's tender chin, will hold the donkey's leg with his lotus hand.
Chibuk Sucharu Praloi Prabodhit,
Tinkar Gadahani Paga Kyon Sobhit.
Unexpected disruption ruined my inner sentiment and I rushed out. With this explanation, Goswami Nagarwar Ji got him heartily after finding the high spiritual status of Nagaridas Ji. Despite this, the cynics did not stop pursuing him. So, being disgusted, he left Vrindavan and went to Radha Ji's Pastimes place Barsana. The true expression of despair and helplessness arising out of the malicious behavior of cynicists is found in his following Saakhi -
Jinake Bal Nidharak Hute, Tei Bairi Bhaye Baan.
Tarakas Ke Sar Saanp Hvai, Phiri-phiri Laage Khaan.
In Barsana, he built his hut on the hill of Gaharvan, which is famous today as Mor Kuti.
Shri Radharani Darshan:
It is said that one day, Shri Radhaji, along with his friends, appeared and gave him darshan. As soon as he saw the splendid celestial form of Shri Radha, he became dumb. In this situation, he heard Radha Ji saying -
Bhukhe Hain Ham Aadhi Rain, Ya Biriya Khvaavai Tab Chain.
Barsane Mein Asthal Karau, Meri Barasgaanth Ur Dharau.
(We come here every day to play here. We feel hungry at midnight. Can you give us food at midnight? Build my temple in Barsana and organize my birth anniversary regularly.)
Nagaridas Ji gave a very delicious meal to Radhaji at midnight and continued to live this rule of Nishith-Bhog (kheer and puri). At that time, Radha Ji had said to build a temple in Barsana and celebrate the birth anniversary every year. For this, Nagaridas Ji, with the help of his benevolent queen Bhagmati, built the Shri Radha Temple there and established the tradition of celebrating Radhashtami festival with great pomp, which is still going on uninterruptedly.
Text composition:
The works of Neh Nagaridas can be divided into three sections according to the subject - Siddhanta Dohavali (verses: 35), Ras Padavali (verses: 232) and Padavali (verses: 102). In these, respectively, Glories of Shri Hita Harivansh and the representation of devotion-theory propounded by him, Vihar Lila of the adorable couple, Glory of Raas, Vrindavan and Barsana, Emotional representation of subjects are enlightened.
Nagaridas Ji's name is foremost among the Rasik's who have given a systematic shape to the Shri Hrit Harivansh Goswami sect by his personality and work. Shri Dhruvdas and Chacha Vrindavandas have mentioned him as a devoted devotee.
Nagaridas Ji gave a very delicious meal to Radhaji at midnight and continued to live this rule of Nishith-Bhog (kheer and puri). At that time, Radha Ji had said to build a temple in Barsana and celebrate the birth anniversary every year. For this, Nagaridas Ji, with the help of his benevolent queen Bhagmati, built the Shri Radha Temple there and established the tradition of celebrating Radhashtami festival with great pomp, which is still going on uninterruptedly.
Text composition:
The works of Neh Nagaridas can be divided into three sections according to the subject - Siddhanta Dohavali (verses: 35), Ras Padavali (verses: 232) and Padavali (verses: 102). In these, respectively, Glories of Shri Hita Harivansh and the representation of devotion-theory propounded by him, Vihar Lila of the adorable couple, Glory of Raas, Vrindavan and Barsana, Emotional representation of subjects are enlightened.
Nagaridas Ji's name is foremost among the Rasik's who have given a systematic shape to the Shri Hrit Harivansh Goswami sect by his personality and work. Shri Dhruvdas and Chacha Vrindavandas have mentioned him as a devoted devotee.