Syamananda Prabhu then went to Nrisinghpur where Narottama Dasa Thakura came to meet him after arriving from Nilachala. When Narottama Dasa Thakura went back, Syamananda Prabhu went to Chakulia accompanied by Rasikananda.
There lived a very well known yogi by the name Damodara. One day he came to have darsana of Syamananda Prabhu and became captivated. Even from a distance he saw a brilliant effulgence emanating from his body. Coming closer he offered salutations at the Acarya’s lotus feet. Syamananda in turn offered his greetings. With tears in his eyes, Syamananda spoke to the yogi with this words:
“In your purified state you should always chant the holy names of Sri Gaura Nityananda. They are extremely merciful, and they will bestow upon you love of Krishna.”
Hearing these statements of the Acarya, the yogi Damodara’s mind became softened in love, and he replied:
“I will worship the lotus feet of Gaura Nityananda. Please be merciful to me.”
And so the Acarya blessed him.
Thus the yogi became a great devotee and continuously sang the glories of Gaura-Nityananda with tears in his eyes.
Bhakti Ratnakara[1] tells the story of that conversion.
“There was a practitioner of yoga named Damodara. Syamananda mercifully flooded him with devotional rasa. After becoming Syamananda’s disciple, Damodara cried and chanted the names of Nitai Caitanya. Who could remain untouched by his ecstatic absorption! He danced, crying out “bhakti is the best of all!” After delivering Damodar, Syamananda continued to travel about, distributing the jewel of devotion to all.”
Syamananda was constantly immersed in the joys of kirtan in the association of these disciples. Poets have described his wonderful pastimes for the pleasure of everyone[2].
In 1609 AD Damodara, his mother and his two wives took initiation from Syamananda Prabhu, gave up the path of yoga and engaged exclusively in pure devotional service.
[1] 15.55-8.
[2] Bhakti-ratnakara 15.62-66.
This is a section of the book “Syamananda, the Joy of Radharani (English)”.
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