Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā

During the rainy season in India, on guru-pūrṇimā (vyāsa-pūrṇimā), devotees of all sampradāyas – Rāmānuja, Madhvācārya, Viṣṇusvāmī, Nimbāditya, and even Śaṅkarācārya – worship Śrīla Vyāsadeva.
In Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes, as that day was approaching, Mahāprabhu asked Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, “Where will we perform Vyāsa-pūjā?”
Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita boldly said, “I have all the paraphernalia for worship in my house, and I have the book that contains all procedures for the observance of Vyāsa-pūjā (Vyāsa-pūjā Paddhati). So, I request it be performed at my home.”
Mahāprabhu then declared, “Tomorrow will be Vyāsa-pūjā; everyone should come.” The next day all of Mahāprabhu’s associates came. Everything was ready, but Mahāprabhu was purposely somewhat late in entering the area of the worship.
Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita told Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, “Mahāprabhu is a little late, but we should begin. Please give the garland to Śrīla Vyāsadeva and let us begin Vyāsa-pūjā.” In an evasive way, Nityānanda Prabhu began to make the sounds “hmm, hmm,” and said, “I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it.”
When Mahāprabhu finally arrived, Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura complained to Him, saying, “Your Śrīpāda (Nityānanda Prabhu) is not performing Vyāsa-pūjā.”
Mahāprabhu then approached Nityānanda Prabhu and told Him, “O Nityānanda Prabhu, do it now.” Now seeing Mahāprabhu before Him, Nityānanda Prabhu took the garland and all the paraphernalia for worship, and offered them to Him – to show everyone that He is the supreme guru. Mahāprabhu is the guru of Vyāsa and all Vyāsas (all the Vyāsas that have appeared in the creation thus far). Thus, Nityānanda Prabhu declared that Mahāprabhu is Kṛṣṇa Himself.

―Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Mahārāja

error: Content is protected !!