Introduction :
Shri Nabhadas Ji has written about Shri Nanddas Ji in 'Bhaktamal' -
(Shri) Nanddas Anand Nidhi, Rasik Su Prabhu Hit Rang Mage.
Leela Pad Ras Reeti, Granth Rachna Mein Naagar.
Saras Ukti Jut Jukti, Bhaktiras Gaan Ujaagar.
Prachur Payadh Laun Sujas, Rampur Gram Nivaasi.
Sakal Sukul Sambalit, Bhaktapad Renu Upaasi.
Chandrahaas Agraj Suhrid, Param Prem Pai Mein Page.
(Shri) Nanddas Anand Nidhi, Rasik Su Prabhu Hit Rang Mage.
- Shri Nabhadas Ji, Bhaktamal (110)
Shri Nanddas Ji was always immersed in the love of Shri Krishn, and became very proficient in composing the nectarine text of the divine pastimes. His heart was filled with the nectar of devotion, and he was very proficient in rhetoric and singing. He was a resident of the village “Shrirampur” and became famous throughout the world. Despite being the best Brahmin among all the Brahmanas, he used to serve the feet of the devotees of the Lord. Shri Nanddas Ji was always immersed in the love of Shri Krishn.
Birth :
Shri Nanddas Ji was born in the year 1513 AD in Rampur village near Soron in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh. His father's name was Jivaram and his uncle's name was Atmaram. He was a Shukla Brahmin and a resident of Rampur village. Goswami Tulsidas Ji was his elder godbrother. Nanddas used to look upon him with great prestige, respect, and reverence. Later, Shri Nanddas Ji became one of the prominent poets of the Ashtachhap poets of the Vallabh sect (Pushtimarg). He became a disciple of Gusain Shri Vitthalnath Ji.
Shri Nanddas Ji was endowed with poetic talent since birth. He used to sing verses of the Lord.
Education and Spiritual Life:
Shri Nanddas Ji used to study with Shri Tulsidas Ji while staying in Kashi. His worshipful deity was Shri Ram. Shri Nanddas Ji was fond of Rasleela. Wherever Rasleela was organized, Shri Nanddas Ji would go to see Rasleela.
Arrival in Braj :
One day some saints were going to Dwarka to have darshan of Shri Ranchod Ji. Shri Nanddas Ji also became eager to have a darshan of Shri Ranchod Ji in Dwarka. He sought permission from his elder Godbrother Shri Tulsidas Ji to go to Dwarka. Shri Tulsidas Ji was an exclusive devotee of Shri Ram, so He refused Nanddas Ji to go to Dwarka. But Nanddas Ji did not agree and went with the saints.
Those saints reached Mathura directly from Kashi. The saints stayed in Mathura for a long time due to which Shri Nanddas Ji left them all and went alone to Dwarka. Shri Nanddas Ji forgot the way to Dwarka and reached Nandgaon via Kurukshetra. Shri Nanddas Ji stayed at Nandgaon.
There lived a moneylender Kshatriya in Nandgaon who was a Vaishnava. Shri Nanddas Ji went to his house to take alms. The moneylender's wife was very beautiful and Nanddas Ji was fascinated by her beauty. Now Nanddas Ji used to sit in front of that moneylender's wife's house throughout the day. When Nanddas Ji used to see the face of that moneylender's wife, then only He used to return to his hut. Many days were passed by doing this.
Now the discussion about this act has spread in the whole society. The husband of that lady and her father-in-law thought that now we should not live in Nandgaon. Thinking like this, the whole family left for Gokul as all were disciples of Shri Gusain Ji. When Nanddas Ji got information about this, He also started following them from a distance. Now the Kshatriya family reached the banks of Yamuna and boarded the boat and landed across the Yamuna. The Kshatriya gave some money to the boatman and said that do not take that Brahmin (Nanddas) across the Yamuna because he is following us. That boatman did the same and Nanddas could not cross the Yamuna. That Kshatriya family came to Gokul and bowed to Shri Gusain Ji. Shri Gusain Ji said to the Kshatriya "Why didn't you make that Brahmin cross the Yamuna, why did you leave him on the other side of the Yamuna." Then Kshatriya thought that someone must have informed Gusain Ji or else Gusain Ji himself must have come to know about this. Thinking of this, the Kshatriya started repenting. After this Gusain Ji sent a servant and called Nanddas Ji. Shri Nanddas Ji came to Gokul and had darshan of Shri Gusain Ji. On having darshan of Gusain Ji, Nanddas Ji saw that he is Shri Krishn himself. Nanddas Ji bowed down to Gusain Ji and stood there with folded hands. The vision of which Shri Nanddas Ji used to see in the eyes of that moneylender's wife, now the same vision he started seeing in Shri Gusain Ji. Now Nanddas Ji's mind turned away from the moneylender's wife and got engaged to the lotus feet of Shri Gusain Ji. Shri Gusain Ji asked Nanddas to come after taking a bath. Nanddas Ji came after taking a bath. Then Shri Gusain Ji gave initiation to Nanddas Ji in the presence of Shri Navnitpriya Ji.
After this Shri Gusain Ji had food and gave Mahaprasad to all the Vaishnavas. Shri Nanddas Ji also sat down to get Mahaprasad and as soon as he ate Mahaprasad in his mouth, his body became still and his mind got immersed in the divine pastimes of the lord. Many pastimes started manifesting in his heart and now it is morning but Shri Nanddas Ji is still sitting and immersed in the pastimes. In the morning Shri Gusain Ji saw that Nanddas Ji had been seated since night. He said in the ear of Nanddas Ji, "Nanddas, get up and have darshan".
Shri Nanddas Ji got up and after seeing Shri Gusain Ji, sang this verse -
"Praat Samay Shrivallabhsutako Uthatahin Rasana Leejiye Naam"
On waking up in the morning, the name of Shri Vallabhacharya's son Gusain Shri Vitthalnath Ji should be chanted.
On waking up in the morning, the name of Shri Vallabhacharya's son Gusain Shri Vitthalnath Ji should be chanted.
After this Nanddas Ji went to have darshan of Shri Navnitpriya Ji and on having darshan, Shri Krishna's childhood pastimes manifested in his heart. Then he sang a verse -
"Balgopal Lalanko Mod Bhari Yashumati Hulrawat"
Mother Yashoda is playing Balagopal (child Krishn) with great joy and love.
Mother Yashoda is playing Balagopal (child Krishn) with great joy and love.
Now Shri Nanddas Ji was constantly immersed in the pastimes of Shri Krishn. That moneylender's wife was seen many times on the path but Shri Nanddas never looked at her. Such a grace Shri Gusain Ji bestowed on him that Nanddas Ji's mind was removed from worldly affairs and got engaged at the lotus feet of the Lord.
A Context of the youthful pastimes of Shri Krishna manifested in the heart of Shri Nanddas Ji:
After some time Shri Gusain Ji came to Govardhan with Nanddas Ji. Shri Nanddas Ji had darshan of Shrinathji, seeing his beautiful form, the youthful pastimes of Shri Krishna manifested in his heart and he sang a verse -
Banate Sakhansang Gaayanke Paachhe Paachhe Aavat Mohanlaal Kanhayi. 1
Vanate Aavat Gaavat Gauri. 2
Dekh Sakhi Hariko Vadansaroj. 3
Ghar Nandmaharke Mishimis Awat Gokulki Nari. 4
Shri Krishn with his friends is following the cows from the forest. 1
While coming from the forest, Shri Krishn is singing Gauri Raag. 2
Oh friend, look at the beautiful lotus body of Shri Krishn. 3
The gopis of Braj are coming to the house of Maharaj Nanda and Yashoda Rani again and again on one pretext or the other with the longing of Shri Krishn Darshan in their mind. 4
Shri Krishn with his friends is following the cows from the forest. 1
While coming from the forest, Shri Krishn is singing Gauri Raag. 2
Oh friend, look at the beautiful lotus body of Shri Krishn. 3
The gopis of Braj are coming to the house of Maharaj Nanda and Yashoda Rani again and again on one pretext or the other with the longing of Shri Krishn Darshan in their mind. 4
After this Shri Nanddas Ji sang many more verses. Sometimes he would have been in Govardhan, sometimes he would have lived in Gokul and was always immersed in divine pastimes. The world now seemed to be in vain to Shri Nanddas Ji. Nanddas Ji did not come and go anywhere except Govardhan and Gokul. He always contemplated the form of Shri Mahaprabhu, Shri Gusain Ji, Govardhan, Shri Yamuna, and Braj. He had no interest at all in the other abodes of the Lord.
An incident from Shri Nanddas Ji's exclusive devotion to Shri Krishn:
Shri Nanddas Ji did not leave Braj and go anywhere. One day his elder Godbrother Shri Tulsidas Ji heard that Nanddas had become a disciple of Shri Gusain Ji. So he thought that Nanddas has left Shri Ram and become a devotee of Shri Krishn, he has given up his virtuous religion. Considering this, Tulsidas Ji wrote a letter to Nanddas Ji -
"You left your Lord and started worshiping Shri Krishn in place of Shri Ramchandra, why did you do this."
When Shri Nanddas Ji read this letter, he wrote this jokingly -
"Shri Ramchandra is devoted to a single wife, how will he handle another wife, he could not handle only one wife, Ravana took away his wife. Shri Krishn is the lord of infinite wives, and they all have no fear of being a wife. Krishn gives happiness to an infinite number of wives at the same time, so I have now made Krishn as my husband."
After reading this letter, Shri Tulsidas Ji started thinking that Nanddas Ji will now stay in Braj, he never goes out of Braj, and in the place of Ayodhya I am living in Kashi, so Shri Nanddas Ji is a great devotee than me.
An incident of Shri Nanddas Ji's reverence in the words of Gusain Ji :
One day Shri Nanddas Ji thought that my elder Godbrother Shri Tulsidas Ji has composed Shri Ramcharitmanas, a commentary in the local language of Ramayana, in the same way, I will also do commentary of Shrimad Bhagwat. When the brahmins came to know about this, they all came to Shri Gusain Ji and requested him that if Nanddas Ji will compose the local language commentary of Shrimad Bhagwat, then our livelihood will be destroyed, then who will call us to narrate Shrimadbhagwat.
Hearing this, Shri Gusain Ji ordered Nanddas Ji, "Don't do commentary of Shrimad Bhagwat and don't fall into the troubles of Brahmins, it is not good, you should sing the verses of pastimes of Braj."
Shri Nanddas Ji gave up the idea of the commentary of Shrimad Bhagwat on the order of Gusain Ji. Shri Nanddas Ji had such faith in the orders of Shri Gusain Ji.
An incident of Shri Tulsidas Ji, the elder godbrother of Shri Nanddas Ji:
One day Shri Tulsidas Ji came to Braj from Kashi to meet his godbrother Shri Nanddas Ji. When Tulsidas Ji reached Mathura, he bowed to Shri Yamuna Ji. Then he came Govardhan and met Nanddas ji. Then Tulsidas Ji said to Nanddas Ji, "Please come with me, if you are interested in the village, then reside in Ayodhya, if you are interested in Puri, then reside in Kashi, if you are interested in the mountain, then reside in Chitrakoot and if you are interested in the forest, then reside in Dandakaranya. Shri Ramchandra Ji has purified so many places."
Hearing this, Shri Nanddas Ji sang a verse as an answer -
Jo Giri Ruche To Vaso Shri Govardhan, Gaam Ruche To Vaso Nandgaam. [1]
Nagar Ruche To Vaso Shri Madhupuri, Shobha Sagar Ati Abhiram. [2]
Sarita Ruche To Vaso Shri Jamun Tat, Sakal Manorath Pooran Kaam. [3]
‘Nanddas’ Kaanan Ruche To, Vaso Bhoomi Vrindavan Dham. [4]
- Shri Nanddas, Nanddas Granthwali, Padavali (22)
If you wish to reside in a hill, then reside at Shri Govardhan, if you wish to reside in a village, then reside in Nandgaun. [1]
If you want to reside in the city then reside at Madhupuri (Mathura) which is an ocean of unparalleled beauty and offers boundless happiness. [2]
If you find solace by the riverside, then reside on the bank of Yamuna that fulfills all the loving desires of the heart. [3]
Shri Nanddas says, If you wish to dwell in a forest, then reside in Vrindavan Dham. [4]
Nagar Ruche To Vaso Shri Madhupuri, Shobha Sagar Ati Abhiram. [2]
Sarita Ruche To Vaso Shri Jamun Tat, Sakal Manorath Pooran Kaam. [3]
‘Nanddas’ Kaanan Ruche To, Vaso Bhoomi Vrindavan Dham. [4]
- Shri Nanddas, Nanddas Granthwali, Padavali (22)
If you wish to reside in a hill, then reside at Shri Govardhan, if you wish to reside in a village, then reside in Nandgaun. [1]
If you want to reside in the city then reside at Madhupuri (Mathura) which is an ocean of unparalleled beauty and offers boundless happiness. [2]
If you find solace by the riverside, then reside on the bank of Yamuna that fulfills all the loving desires of the heart. [3]
Shri Nanddas says, If you wish to dwell in a forest, then reside in Vrindavan Dham. [4]
Hearing this verse, Shri Tulsidas Ji said that "Which is that sin in this universe which will not be destroyed by the name of Shri Ram, so you should worship Shri Ramchandra."
Hearing these words of Shri Tulsidas Ji, Shri Nanddas Ji again sang a verse in the form of answer -
Krishnnaam Jabaten Mein Shravan Sunyo Ri Aali Bhooli Ri Bhavan Hon To Baavri Bhayi Ri.
Bharbhar Aaven Nayan Chitahun Na Pare Chain Mukhhun Na Aave Vain Tanaki Dasha Kachhu Aur Rahiri.
Jetek Nem Dharm Vratkeene Ri Main Bahuvidh Angon Ang Bhayi Main To Shravan Mayi Ri.
Nanddasprabhu Jaake Shravan Sune Yah Gati Madhuri Moorat Kedhon Kainsi Dayi Ri.
O friend, ever since I heard the name of Krishn, I am wandering here and there forgetting my home.
Tears start falling from my eyes again and again, my mind can't find peace anywhere, words don't come out of my mouth, the condition of my body has become different now.
I have done a lot of pious works and fasting, but by hearing the name of Krishn, every part of my body has become ears.
Shri Nanddas Ji says, "If such a condition has happened just by hearing of whose name, then how will that sweet beautiful form be."
O friend, ever since I heard the name of Krishn, I am wandering here and there forgetting my home.
Tears start falling from my eyes again and again, my mind can't find peace anywhere, words don't come out of my mouth, the condition of my body has become different now.
I have done a lot of pious works and fasting, but by hearing the name of Krishn, every part of my body has become ears.
Shri Nanddas Ji says, "If such a condition has happened just by hearing of whose name, then how will that sweet beautiful form be."
Hearing this verse, Shri Tulsidas Ji remained silent. After this Nanddas Ji went to see Shrinathji, Tulsidas Ji also came back and forth to the temple. When Tulsidas Ji had darshan of Shrinathji, he did not bow down to him. Nanddas Ji understood that he would not bow his head in front of anyone other than Shri Ramchandra. Shri Nanddas Ji thought that I should make Tulsidas Ji have darshan of Shri Ram here and in Gokul, then he will understand the majesty of Shri Krishn. Thinking like this, Shri Nanddas Ji requested Shrinathji -
Aajaki Sobha Kaha Kahoon, Bhale Viraaje Nath.
Tulsi Mastak Tab Name, Dhanushbaan Leo Hath.
Oh Lord, today you are looking very beautiful, which is not possible to describe, but Tulsidas Ji will bow down to you only when you take the form of Shri Ram and hold bow and arrow in your hand.
Oh Lord, today you are looking very beautiful, which is not possible to describe, but Tulsidas Ji will bow down to you only when you take the form of Shri Ram and hold bow and arrow in your hand.
Hearing this, Shrinathji thought that I should accept the request of the servant of Shri Gusainji. Then Shrinathji appeared to Tulsidasji in the form of Shri Ram and Tulsidasji bowed down to Shrinathji. Shri Tulsidas Ji came out after having darshan of Shrinathji. After this Nanddas Ji came to Gokul and Tulsidas Ji also came along with him.
Shri Gusain Ji was seated in Gokul. Shri Nanddas Ji bowed down to Gusain Ji and Tulsidas Ji also bowed down to Gusain Ji. Then Tulsidas Ji told Nanddas Ji that just as you got me to have the darshan of Shri Ram in Govardhan, get me to have the darshan done here too. Hearing this, Nanddas Ji requested Gusain Ji, "Jai Jai, he is my godbrother Tulsidas Ji, he will not bow down to any other form except Shri Ram, so please make him have darshan of Shri Ram Ji."
Then Gusain Ji told Tulsidas Ji that you sit here. Shri Raghunathji, the fifth son of Gusainji, was standing nearby, and Shri Raghunathji was married recently. Shri Gusain Ji said to Shri Raghunath Ji "Raghunathji, your servant has come, give him darshan."
Then Shri Raghunathji and Daughter in law Shri Janaki Ji appeared to Shri Tulsidas in the form of Shri Ram Sita. Shri Tulsidas Ji did darshan and bowed down and sang a verse -
"Varano Aawadhi Gokulgaam"
After singing this verse, Shri Tulsidas Ji went to Kashi by taking farewell.
So Shri Nanddas Ji was such a devotee of God, on whose request Shrinathji appeared to Tulsidas Ji in the form of Shri Ram.
Composition :
Shri Nanddas Ji composed many texts, some of which are named -
Ras Panchadhyayi, Siddhant Panchadhyayi, Anekartha Manjari, Maan Manjari, Roop Manjari, Ras Manjari, Virah Manjari, Bhanvar Geet, Govardhan Leela, Syam Sagai, Rukmini Mangal, Sudama Charit, Bhasha Dashamskandha, Padavali.
Disappearance :
Shri Nanddas Ji attained Goloka in 1583 AD. He used to live on the Mansi Ganga at that time. Once, in the court of Akbar, Tansen was singing the famous verse of Nanddas
"Dekhau Dekhau Ri Naagar Nat Nirtat Kaalindi Tat"
Look at the beautiful form of Krishn, he is dancing on the bank of Yamuna.
His last line was -
"Nanddas Tahan Gaavai Nipat Nikat."
Nanddas is present there and watching the pastime very closely while singing.
The emperor was astonished at how near Nandadas was in the pastime. He along with Birbal went to Mansi Ganga to meet him. Akbar sought the solution of his doubts from Nanddas. Nanddas was filled with love, he sang this -
"Dekhau Dekhau Ri Naagar Nat Nirtat Kaalindi Tat"
Look at the beautiful form of Krishn, he is dancing on the bank of Yamuna.
His last line was -
"Nanddas Tahan Gaavai Nipat Nikat."
Nanddas is present there and watching the pastime very closely while singing.
The emperor was astonished at how near Nandadas was in the pastime. He along with Birbal went to Mansi Ganga to meet him. Akbar sought the solution of his doubts from Nanddas. Nanddas was filled with love, he sang this -
Mohan Piy Ki Musakani, Dhalkani Mormukut Ki.
Sada Baso Man Mere Farkani Piyare Pat Ki.
May the smile of Shri Krishna, the drooping of his peacock crown and the pulsation of his Peetambar (yellow robes) always remain in my heart.
May the smile of Shri Krishna, the drooping of his peacock crown and the pulsation of his Peetambar (yellow robes) always remain in my heart.
Shri Nanddas's eyes closed forever. Gosain Vitthalnath appreciated his fortunate entry to the abode of the Lord. Shri Nanddas was such a great devotee.