Mayapura
Out of the sixty-four practices of devotional service, Lord Caitanya taught Sanatana Goswami that living the holy dhama (the places where God makes His appearance and performs His pastimes) is among the five most important practices.
In the present age of Kali, the most important dhama is Sri Navadwipa, the place where Krishna, in the form of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu made His most recent appearance and where He begins His merciful campaign to distribute love of God liberally to everyone.
Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes:
“What one obtains in the seven holy places after one hundred years is obtained in Sri Navadvipa by residing there a single night. That Navadvipa-dhama is the essence of all holy abodes. In the Kali-yuga the living entity can cross over the ocean of material life by taking shelter of Sri Navadvipa.”
In Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.33, Karabhajana Muni describes Lord Caitayna’s lotus feet as, tirthaspadam: the shelter of all holy places. This means that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is so merciful that just by worshiping His lotus feet, anywhere in the world, one “receives the benefit of having visited the supreme holy place.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.33; purport)
Therefore, even if one cannot physically visit Navadwipa dhama due to one’s external circumstances, (although it is highly recommended by scripture and the great Acaryas that one try to do so) one can attain the same benefit by sincerely worshipping Mahaprabhu’s lotus feet – especially by performing Sankirtana and spreading the Sankirtana Movement.
Vaisesika Dasa
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