Nityānanda Prabhu's Moonlike Lotus Feet

The lotus feet of Lord Nityānanda are the ultimate shelter for the conditioned souls. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that for a humanity suffering in the blazing fire of material existence, the only true relief comes from the shelter of Nityānanda Prabhu. His lotus feet are described as being as cooling as millions of moons, extinguishing the heat of birth and death and opening the door to the eternal pastimes of Vṛndāvana.

As Cooling as Millions of Moons

Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently references the song Nitāi-pada-kamala by Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura to illustrate the nature of Lord Nityānanda's mercy. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the material world is like a blazing fire, but the shade of Nityānanda’s lotus feet is koṭi-candra-suśītala—soothing like moonlight multiplied millions of times. Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that if the world wants real peace, it must take shelter of this cooling energy.

• Nitai-pada-kamala means the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda. Koti-candra-susitala. It is just a shelter where you will get the soothing moonlight not only of one, but of millions of moons.
• Srila Narottama dasa Thakura has sung, nitai pada-kamala, koti-candra susitala, ye chayaya jagat judaya. He describes the shade of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda as being so nice and cooling.
• If the world wants to have real peace, then it should take shelter under the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, which is supposed to be cooling like the shining moon, millions in number.

The Only Path to Rādhā-Govinda

Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly warns that one cannot jump over to the worship of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa without the sanction of Nityānanda Prabhu. Quoting Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that unless one grasps the lotus feet of Nityānanda, one's attempt to approach the Divine Couple will be difficult, if not impossible. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī also attributes his attainment of Govinda solely to the mercy of Nityānanda's feet.

• What will be the result of accepting the shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda? He (Narottama dasa Thakura) says that "Unless you take shelter under the shade of lotus feet of Nityananda," - it will be very difficult to approach Radha-Krsna.
• Therefore who can describe the mercy of the lotus feet of Him (Lord Nityananda) by whom I have attained the shelter of this Lord Govinda?
• Narottama dasa Thakura says: "My real riches are Nityananda Prabhu and the lotus feet of Sri Radha and Krsna". He further prays, "O Lord, kindly give me this opulence. I do not want anything but Your lotus feet as my property."

Benedictions on the Great Souls

The practical application of this mercy is seen in the lives of the ācāryas. Śrīla Prabhupāda recounts how Lord Nityānanda physically placed His lotus feet on the head of Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, which led to the famous Daṇḍa Mahotsava festival. Similarly, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Jīva Gosvāmī received this same benediction. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that following in the footsteps of these great souls means accepting Nityānanda's feet as one's personal property.

• Then Lord Nityananda Prabhu called Raghunatha dasa near Him, placed His lotus feet upon Raghunatha dasa's head and began to speak.
• Because of Jiva Gosvami's relationship with Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami, who were greatly favored by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Lord Nityananda Prabhu placed His feet on the head of Srila Jiva Gosvami and embraced him.
• Anyone who follows in the footsteps of Kaviraja Gosvami also accepts the lotus feet of the above-mentioned lords (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Nityananda, Advaita Prabhu, Svarupa Damodara, Rupa Gosvami, Raghunatha dasa) as his personal property.

Transcendental Reality vs. Illusion

Śrīla Prabhupāda strongly refutes the idea that Nityānanda Prabhu is a mundane historical figure or a product of illusion (māyā). Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the lotus feet of Nityānanda are eternal, transcendental facts (satya). He warns that forgetting this truth and thinking the material world is real constitutes the "material disease." Śrīla Prabhupāda urges us to understand that Nityānanda is the source of Viṣṇu, and thus His feet are the foundation of all existence.

• Narottama dasa Thakura confirms that "The lotus feet of Nityananda is not illusion; it is transcendental fact, satya." - And anyone who is engaged in the transcendental loving service of Nityananda, he is also transcendental.
• One may not misunderstand that as he has caught hold of this maya, similarly, the lotus feet of Nityananda may also be something like that maya, illusion.
• Due to forgetting the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda and being puffed up by material possessions, wealth and opulence, one thinks the false, temporary material world to be an actual fact. This is the material disease.

Conclusion

The path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is paved with the mercy of Lord Nityānanda. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that whether one is seeking relief from material suffering or aspiring for the highest confidential service in Vṛndāvana, the shelter of Nityānanda’s lotus feet is the only recourse. By clutching these lotus feet, as advised by Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura, one enters the realm of eternal peace and bliss.

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