ÇRÈ PRABANDHÅVALÈ
was Mahåprabhu’s servant, His brother and His guru also. How was he Mahåprabhu’s guru? Mahåprabhu’s guru was Èçvara Purî, the guru of Èçvara Purî was Mådhavendra Purî and the guru of Mådhavendra Purî was Lakßmîpati Tîrtha. Nityånanda Prabhu was also a disciple of Lakßmîpati Tîrtha, but because his guru departed from this world when he was at a young age, Nityånanda Prabhu received nearly all of his instruction from Mådhavendra Purî. Whoever gives instruction on bhakti is the representative of Bhagavån, and therefore Nityånanda Prabhu always considered Mådhavendra Purî to be his primary guru. When Mådhavendra Purî became his guru, then Èçvara Purî became his godbrother, and since Nityånanda Prabhu was therefore on the level of Mahåprabhu’s guru, Mahåprabhu respected him in that way. Although we see that Nityånanda Prabhu had three relationships with Mahåprabhu – as a servant, a brother and a guru – still, Nityånanda Prabhu always considered himself a servant. When Mahåprabhu was absorbed in kîrtana, generally it was Nityånanda Prabhu who protected Him. When Mahåprabhu was dancing in His usual way, Nityånanda Prabhu would catch Him for His own protection, and only when Mahåprabhu became absorbed in rådhå-bhåva could Nityånanda Prabhu not touch Him. Nityånanda Prabhu would engage in all types of service, always following the order of Mahåprabhu. Mahåprabhu told him, “Please go to Bengal! The bråhma√as there, being very proud, don’t perform bhajana of Bhagavån. Preach something to the bråhma√a class, but mostly preach to those who are considered fallen in society, because they are not really fallen. 102