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{{Copy edit|date=April 2021}}
{{Refimprove|date=April 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{other uses|Nityananda (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Hindu leader
|name = Śrī Nityānānda Prabhu
|image = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Idol of Nityananda Prabhu, Nitai Bari, Nabadwip 1.jpg
| photo1b = NityanandaPrabhu.jpg
| position = centre
| size = 300
| spacing = 2
| color = white
| border = 1
| color_border = black
| foot_montage =
}}
|religion = [[Hinduism]]
|spouse = Jahnva and Vasudha
|Parents = Hadai Pandit (father) Padmavati Devi (mother)
|caption = Left: Wooden Idol of Nityananda Prabhu, Nitai Bari, [[Nabadwip]], Right: Archa-Vigraha of Śrī Nityānānda Prabhu, ISKCON Mayapur
|birth_date = circa 1474
|birth_place = [[Rarh]], [[Bengal Sultanate]] (present-day [[West Bengal]], [[India]])
|guru = [[Madhavendra Puri]] (mantra guru)
|philosophy = [[Bhakti yoga]], [[Achintya Bheda Abheda]]
|known_for = Expounded [[Gaudiya Vaishnavism]], [[Bhakti yoga]] along with [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu|Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahaprabhu]] and [[Advaita Acharya|Śrī Advaita Ācārya]]
|free_label = Associates
|free_text = [[Advaita Acharya|Śrī Advaita Ācārya]], [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu|Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahaprabhu]], [[Gadadhara Pandita|Śrī Gadadhāra Pandita]], [[Srivasa Thakura|Śrīvāsa Thakura]], [[Haridasa Thakur]] and others
}}
{{Vaishnavism}}
{{Hindu philosophy}}

[[File:Panca-tattva_Altar.jpg|thumb|[[Pancha Tattva (Vaishnavism)|Pancha Tattva]] deities installed on a Vaishnava altar. From left to right (click on feet to go to article): Advaita Acharya, Nityananda, Chaitanya, Gadadhara Pandita, Srivasa.]]

'''Śrī Nityānānda Rāma Prabhu''' ({{lang-bn|শ্রী নিত্যানন্দ}}; born circa 1474), or '''Nitai''', was a primary religious figure within the [[Gaudiya Vaishnava]] tradition of [[Bengal]]. He was an expansion of the Hindu god [[Balarama]].<ref name=Sen1917>{{cite book | author = Sen, D. |author2=Sen, D.C. | year = 1917 | title = Chaitanya and His Companions: Being Lectures Delivered at the University of Calcutta as Ramtanu Lahiri Research Fellow for 1913-14 | publisher = University of Calcutta}}</ref> Nitai was [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]]'s friend and disciple. They are often mentioned together as ''Gaura-Nitai'' (''Gaura'', "golden one", referring to Chaitanya, Nitai being a shortened form of Nityananda Rama) or Nimai-Nitai (''Nimai'' being another name of Chaitanya).<ref name=Dimock1958>{{cite journal | author = Dimock, E.C. | year = 1958 | title = The Place of Gauracandrika in Bengali Vaisnava Lyrics | journal = Journal of the American Oriental Society | volume = 78 | issue = 3 | pages = 153–169 | doi = 10.2307/595285| jstor=595285}}</ref> Followers often refer to Nitai as 'Sri Nityananda', 'Prabhu Nityananda' or 'Nityananda [[Rama]]'.

According to Gaudiya-Vaishnava tradition, Śrī Nityānānda Rama is an incarnation of Balarama, with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu being his eternal brother and friend, [[Krishna]].<ref>[http://vedabase.net/cc/adi/5/6/en1 Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila, 5.6] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503154531/http://vedabase.net/cc/adi/5/6/en1 |date=3 May 2008 }}</ref> He is considered the 'most merciful' incarnation of the ''[[Svayam bhagavan|Supreme Personality of Godhead]]'' <ref name=Rosen2004>{{cite journal | author = Rosen, S.J. | year = 2004 | title = Who Is Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu> | journal = The Hare Krishna Movement: the Postcharismatic Fate of a Religious Transplant | isbn = 978-0-231-12256-6 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mBMxPdgrBhoC&pg=PA63&dq=Nityananda+Prabhu | access-date = 2008-06-07}}</ref> (a term popularized by [[A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami]]).

Śrīla [[Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati]] Ṭhākura Prabhupāda writes: "Nityananda is the Primary Manifestive Constituent of the Divinity. Nityananda alone possesses the distinctive function of the guru. In Nityananda, the function is embodied. Nityananda is the Primary Manifestive Constituent of the Divinity. Nityananda alone possesses the distinctive function of the guru. In Nityananda, the function is embodied. Nityananda is the servant-God."<ref>'Associates of Sri Caitanya – Part Two, Sri Nityananda Prabhu'</ref>

==Life==
{{Refimprove-section|date=May 2021}}
[[File:Chaitanya sankirtan.jpg|thumb| Sri Chaitanya and Nitai, is shown performing a '[[kirtan]]' (devotional song) in the streets of [[Nabadwip]], Bengal. ]]
Nityananda Rama Prabhu appeared to a religious Bengali Brahmin, known as Pandit Hadai and Padmavati<ref>Sen, Sukumar (1991, reprint 2007). ''Bangala Sahityer Itihas'', Vol.I, {{in lang|bn}}, Kolkata: Ananda Publishers, {{ISBN|81-7066-966-9}}, p.293</ref> in [[Ekachakra]]<ref>[http://vedabase.net/cc/adi/13/61/en1 Chaitanya Charitamrita Adi-lila,13.61, purport] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503151557/http://vedabase.net/cc/adi/13/61/en1 |date=3 May 2008 }}</ref> (a small village in [[Birbhum]] district of present [[West Bengal]]) around the year 1474. His devotion and great talent for singing Vaishnava hymns ([[bhajan]]) were apparent from a very early age. In his youth, he would generally play the part of [[Lakshman]], Rama's younger brother, in dramatic re-enactments of Lord [[Rama]]'s pastimes, along with the other boys of Ekachakra.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}

At the age of thirteen, Nitai left home with a travelling renunciate ([[sannyasi]]) known as [[Lakshmipati Tirtha]]. Nitai's father, Hadai Pandit, had offered the travelling sannyasi anything he wished as a gift. To this, Lakshmipati Tirtha replied that he was in need of someone to assist him in his travels to the holy places (he was about to begin a pilgrimage) and that Nitai would be perfect for the job. As he had given his word, Hadai Pandit felt his heartbroken at the thought of separating from Nitai, but he agreed to know that the request of a saintly person is always most auspicious, and Nitai joined him in his travels. This started Nitai's long physical and spiritual journey through India, which would get him in contact with important [[Guru]]s of the Vaishnava tradition. Apart from Lakshmipati Tirtha, who at some point initiated him, he was also associated with Lakshmipati Tirtha's famous other disciples: [[Madhavendra Puri]], [[Advaita Acharya]], and [[Ishvara Puri]], the [[guru|spiritual master]] of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}

===Jagai-Madhai episode===
{{Unreferenced-section|date=May 2021}}
[[Image:Gaura Nitai shrine at ISKCON temple, Delhi.jpg|right|180px|thumb|''Gaura Nitai'' shrine at [[ISKCON]] temple, [[Delhi]]]]
The episode of Jagai-Madhai relates to Chaitanya and Nitai. There are a few versions of the story, but the basics outline of the traditional tale is as follows:

Once, while chanting the name of [[Krishna]] in the streets, Nitai was attacked by Jagai and Madhai, two irreverent drunk brothers. Madhai threw an earthen pot, which cut his forehead. At this, point Nitai is said to have uttered the now-famous sentence, "Merechhish kolshir kana, tai bole ki prem debona?" (Shall I stop giving you love because you have hit me with an earthen pot?). Chaitanya heard of the episode, flew to a rage, and wanted to kill the brothers with his divine [[Chakram|Chakra]]. Nitai begged him to pardon them and they became Chaitanya's disciples, converted by Nitai's compassion.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}

===Marriage and descendants===
{{Vaishnavism}}
[[File:Prabhu Nityananda, Mata Vasudha (left), Mata Janhava (right).jpg|thumb|200px|Prabhu Nityananda, Mata Vasudha (left), Mata Janhava (right)
(Srivas Angan, Nabadwip, WB)
]]
Nitai married two daughters of Suryadasa Sarakhela, Vasudha and Jahnava. After marriage, he settled in [[Khardaha]] in [[24 Parganas]] district in West Bengal. He had a son, Virachandra Goswami or Virabhadra, and a daughter, Ganga, by his first wife, Vasudha. Virabhadra was later initiated to [[Vaishnava]] rites by his stepmother Jahnava.<ref>Sen, Sukumar (1991, reprint 2007). ''Bangala Sahityer Itihas'', Vol.I, {{in lang|bn}}, Kolkata: Ananda Publishers, {{ISBN|81-7066-966-9}}, pp.236, 321-2</ref>

==Legacy==

The exploits of Chaitanya and Nitai have had deep religious and cultural implications in Bengal. They are credited with the revival of [[Hinduism]] in Eastern [[India]], plagued mainly by the [[caste]] system, which they denounced. Much of Vaishnava literature, regarded as one of the finest literary heritage of medieval Bengal, came from them or their disciples. Even in secular literature, their brotherly love towards each other has been celebrated.{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} As [[Bhakti Ananda Goswami]] expresses the Gaudiya Vaishnava view of Nitai, “Nityananda-Balarama has broken-open and plundered the Store House of the Holy Name! He has distributed the Contents without any regard for those who are qualified or unworthy to receive The Great Treasure of The Holy Name of HARI!”<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/groups/InterspiritualOnomatodoxy/permalink/777004252485578/]</ref>

==Principal sobriquets==
{{Unreferenced-section|date=May 2021}}
{{Hinduism}}
* '''Nityananda''' -- He Who embodies eternal bliss
* '''Avadhutendu''' -- The Moon of divine madmen
* '''Vasudha-prana-vallabha''' -- The beloved of the life-breath of Vasudha
* '''Jahnavi-jivita-pati ''' -- The eternal divine husband of Shrimati Jahnavi-devi and the maintainer and sustainer of Her life and soul
* '''Krsna-prema-prada''' -- He Who bestows ecstatic love for Krishna
* '''Prabhu''' -- The Lord and Master of the devotees
* '''Padmavati-suta''' -- The dear son of Padmavati
* '''Sriman''' -- He of splendorous transcendental majesty
* '''Saci-nandana-purvaja''' -- The older brother of mother Saci's son
* '''Bhavonmatta''' -- He Who is maddened in overwhelming ecstatic emotions
* '''Jagat-trata''' -- The savior of the universe
* '''Rakta-gaura-kalevara''' - He Whose complexion is golden tinged with red

These words from the writings of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, are usually combined into a single prayer:
<poem>
Nityananda vadhutendur,
vasudha-prana-vallabha
jahnavi-jivita-pati
krsna-prema-prada prabhu

Padmavati-suta sriman,
Saci-nandana-purvaja
bhavonmatto jagat trata
Rakta gaura kalevara.
</poem>

"Pranam Mantra of Nityananda"
<poem>
Nityananda mahang vande, Karne lambita mouktikam,
caitanya aagraja rupena, kritarthi kritabhutalam.</poem>

==See also==
*[[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]]
*[[Gaudiya Vaishnava]]
*[[Mayapur]]
*[[Pancha Tattva (Vaishnavism)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Internet Archive author|name=Nitai}}
* {{Internet Archive author|name=Nityananda}}
* [https://www.thegaudiyatreasuresofbengal.com/2018/07/03/nitai-karuna-sindhu-lord-nityananda-ocean-mercy/ Learn more about the Life and pastimes of Lord Nitai. Checkout this widely appreciated enlightening book : Nitai Karuna Sindhu (Lord Nityananda – An Ocean of mercy)]

{{Krishna}}
{{Caitanya sampradaya}}
{{Modern Gaudiya Vaishnavas}}
{{VaisnavaSampradayas}}
{{Jagannath}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1474 births]]
[[Category:16th-century Hindu religious leaders]]
[[Category:Bengali people]]
[[Category:Bengali Hindus]]
[[Category:Devotees of Krishna]]
[[Category:Devotees of Jagannath]]
[[Category:Kirtan performers]]
[[Category:Scholars from West Bengal]]
[[Category:Gaudiya religious leaders]]
[[Category:Hindu revivalists]]
[[Category:Indian Vaishnavites]]
[[Category:History of West Bengal]]
[[Category:Vaishnava saints]]
[[Category:Year of death missing]]

Nityananda - Revision history

Montanalqn: updated details

imported>Chrisjazz: fix dup punctuation