Lord Nityānanda's Causeless Mercy

Lord Nityānanda is the primal spiritual master and the source of spiritual strength for all devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that without the mercy of Nityānanda Prabhu, it is impossible to approach Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Nityānanda is akrodha-paramānanda—He never gets angry and is always situated in supreme bliss. His specific function is to deliver the most fallen souls who have no other hope, making His mercy the foundational step in spiritual life.

Access to the Divine Couple

The author of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, frankly admits that his attainment of the shelter of Vṛndāvana was not due to his own qualification but solely due to the mercy of Lord Nityānanda. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights this point to teach us that access to the transcendental abode is not a matter of intellectual prowess but of humble submission to the Lord's representative. Without Nityānanda's sanction, the path to Rādhā-Govinda remains closed.

• All glory, all glory to the lotus feet of Lord Nityananda, by whose mercy I have attained Sri Radha-Govinda.
• I (Krsnadasa Kaviraja) have attained all this by coming to Vrndavana, and this was made possible by the mercy of Lord Nityananda.
• 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?

Deliverance of the Wicked

The story of Jagāi and Mādhāi is the ultimate testament to Nityānanda's compassion. When these two drunken brothers assaulted Nityānanda Prabhu, Lord Caitanya became furious and invoked His Sudarśana cakra to kill them. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it was Nityānanda Prabhu who interceded, begging the Lord to spare them. This act proves that the mercy of Nityānanda exceeds even the mercy of Lord Caitanya, as He saves those who have committed offenses against Him.

• Caitanya Mahaprabhu, did not tolerate the misbehavior of Jagai and Madhai. When they harmed Lord Nityananda Prabhu, He immediately became angry and wanted to kill them, and it was only by the mercy of Lord Nityananda Prabhu that they were saved.
• It was Srila Nityananda Prabhu who delivered persons like Jagai and Madhai. Therefore, Lord Caitanya says, amara - duskara - karma, toma haite haye. Jagai and Madhai were delivered solely by Nityananda Prabhu's mercy.

The Symptom of Mercy: Freedom from Desire

How does one know if they have received the mercy of Lord Nityānanda? Śrīla Prabhupāda often quotes the song Nitāi-pada-kamala by Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura, which states that the symptom of this mercy is the disappearance of material desires (saṁsāra-vāsanā). When one is empowered by Nityānanda, the knot of worldly attachment is cut. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that if one wants to be free from the dark well of ignorance, one must cry for the mercy of Nityānanda Prabhu.

• Narottama dasa Thakura says that one who has actually received the causeless mercy of Nityananda, he has no more any material desire. That is the symptom. Samsara-vasana means desire for material enjoyment, when it will become very insignificant.
• The living entity must get strength from Nitai-Gaura, or Krsna-Balarama. Without the mercy of Nitai-Gaura, there is no way to come out of this dark well of ignorance.
• Nitai Pada Kamala, 1969 - If you are actually serious about going back to home, back to Godhead, then please seek after the mercy of Nityananda.

Spiritual Strength and Literary Empowerment

Not only does Lord Nityānanda deliver the fallen, but He also empowers the great ācāryas to distribute transcendental knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī was able to write the Caitanya-caritāmṛta in his old age only because of Nityānanda's mercy. Similarly, Lord Caitanya instructed Nityānanda Prabhu to show mercy to Rūpa Gosvāmī so that he could describe the mellows of devotional service. Thus, all spiritual strength comes from Him.

• I am writing this book by the mercy of the lotus feet of Govindadeva, Caitanya, Nityananda, Advaita Acarya, other devotees and the readers of this book, as well as Svarupa Damodara, Rupa, Sanatana, Raghunatha dasa, who is my spiritual master, and Jiva.
• Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Advaita Acarya and Nityananda Prabhu, "You should both show Your mercy wholeheartedly to Rupa Gosvami."
• All glory, all glory to the merciful Lord Nityananda, by whose mercy I have attained shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Sanatana.

Conclusion

Lord Nityānanda is the reservoir of all spiritual benedictions. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that anyone who wishes to escape the material world must take shelter of Nitāi-Gaura. By pleasing Lord Nityānanda, one automatically pleases Lord Caitanya, and by Their combined mercy, the difficult path back to Godhead becomes easy.

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