APPEARANCE (Source: Sri Navawipa-dham mahatmya)
Sri Nimbarka Acarya comes in the line of the Kumara Sampradaya and is
believed to have lived around the 11th and 12th centuries. Born in the
modern Murgarapattam in the southern Dravidian province, he was the son of
Aruni and Jayanti, a very pious brahman a couple of the Tailanga order.
He was a great ascetic of the Tridandi order. He wrote many books
according to the Dvaitadvaitavada and he lived most of his devotional life
at a place called Nimbagrama near Govardhana at Vrindavana.
While at Nimbagrama, he defeated a great Jain pandit in a discussion. The
Jain had refused to dine with him saying that the Sun had already set and so
he would not take any food. At this, Nimbarka by his own potency made the
sun appear from a Nimba tree and the astonished Jain accepted his
hospitality. It is said that his name Nimbarka or Nimbaditya has been
derived from this miracle of Aditya or Arka meaning sun from a nimba tree.
Once in a village near the forest of Bilva Paksha, a group of brahmanas
came to engage in the worship of Lord Siva. Just as Lord Visnu is very much
pleased when He is offered the leaves of His most beloved Tulasi, so Lord
Siva is pleased by offerings of leaves from the bilva or bael tree. Thus the
brahmanas worshipped Lord Siva by offering bilva leaves, for a period of one
fortnight and satisfied Lord Siva greatly.
Amongst those brahmanas was one whose name was Nimbarka. He had been
particularly attentive in his worship of Lord Siva. Being especially pleased
with Nimbarka’s devotion, Lord Siva personally appeared to him.
“Nimbarka,” said Lord Siva, “at the edge of this village is a sacred bael
forest. There, in that forest, the four Kumaras are absorbed in meditation.
By their mercy you will receive transcendental knowledge, for they are your
spiritual masters, and by rendering service unto them you will receive all
that is of value.” After saying this Lord Siva disappeared.
Nimbarka immediately went to that place and with great determination he
searched for the four Kumaras in every direction, until he finally found
them, shining as brilliantly as the sun. They were seated on a very
beautiful natural platform beneath a tree and they appeared like fire
blazing on an altar. They were all very young, seeming to be no more than
five years in age, but they appeared most noble in character as they sat
there naked, rapt in meditation. Nimbarka was so excited that he cried out,
“Hare Krishna!”
This sudden sound startled the four brothers, breaking their meditation.
Opening their eyes, they saw before them the blissful form of an ideal
devotee, and with great pleasure they embraced Nimbarka, one after another.
“Who are you,” they asked, “and why have you come here? We are certainly
ready to answer all your prayers.”
Nimbarka fell at the feet of the four brothers like a rod, and with great
humility he introduced himself.
With a sweet smile on his face Sanat Kumara then said, “The all-merciful
Supreme Personality of Godhead, knowing that Kali-yuga will be extremely
troublesome for the living entities, resolved to propagate devotional
service to Himself. With this goal in mind, He has empowered four
personalities with devotion and sent them into this world to preach.
Ramanuja, Madhva, and Visnuswami are three and you are the fourth of these
great souls. Laksmi accepted Ramanuja as a disciple, Brahma accepted Madhva,
Rudra accepted Visnuswami and meeting you today we have the good fortune of
being able to instruct you. This is our intention. Previously we were
engaged in meditating on the impersonal Brahman, but by the causeless mercy
of Lord Visnu, we have been relieved of this sinful activity. Since I have
realised that it is essential to preach pure devotional service, I have
composed a literary work entitled Sanat Kumara Samhita. After taking
initiation from me, you should follow the instructions I have set forth
therein.”
Nimbarka was greatly enlivened at the prospect of taking initiation and
he immediately ran to take bath in the Ganges. After this he quickly
returned and prostrated himself once more before the effulgent brothers.
“O deliverers of the fallen,” said Nimbarka, in all humility, “please
deliver this low-born rascal.”
The four Kumaras gave him the Radha-Krishna mantra and instructed him in
the method of worshipping Radha and Krishna with the sentiments of great
love called Bhava Marga.
In that sacred bael forest Nimbarka began to worship Shri Shri Radha
Krishna according to the Sanat Kumara Samhita and he chanted the mantra they
had given him. Very soon Radha and Krishna revealed Themselves to Nimbarka.
They stood before him, spreading an effulgence which illuminated all
directions. In sweet voices They addressed him thus: “Nimbarka, you are very
fortunate, for you have performed Sadhana in Shri Navadwipa. We both
combine, and assume one form, as the son of Sacidevi.” At that moment Radha
and Krishna combined and displayed Their form of Gauranga.
Beholding this splendid vision, Nimbarka began to tremble. “Never,” he
said, “Never have I ever seen or heard of such a form at any time.”
Lord Gauranga then said, “Keep this form, which I now show you, a secret
for the time being. Just preach about devotional service and the pastimes of
Radha and Krishna, for I gain great satisfaction from this. When I make My
appearance and perform My education pastimes, you will also appear. Taking
birth in Kashmir as a great pandit, you will tour all over India defeating
all opposition. Your reputation and learning will be celebrated everywhere
and you will be known as Kesava Kashmiri. While wandering in Shri Navadwipa
you will come to Shri Mayapur. Simply by hearing your name all the great
pandits of Navadwipa will flee. Intoxicated with scholastic pride, I will
take great pleasure in defeating you. However, by the mercy of Mother
Sarasvati, the goddess of learning, you will realize My true identity.
Giving up your false pride, you will take shelter of Me and I will reward
you with the supreme gift of loving devotional service and will again
despatch you to preach. Thus you can satisfy Me by preaching the philosophy
of dvaita-advaita. Keep My identity a secret. In the future when I begin My
sankirtan movement, I will personally preach, taking the essence of your
philosophy and the philosophies of Madhva, Ramanuja and Visnuswami.”
After instructing Nimbarka in this way, Lord Gauranga disappeared, and
filled with intense ecstacy, Nimbarka began to shed tears of love. After
worshipping the lotus feet of his gurus and taking their permission, he left
Shri Navadwipa to begin his preaching mission.