Mahaprabhu & Simantini Devi at ISKCON RAJAPUR “4K”

Описание: One time in Satya yuga, Lord Siva was madly dancing and chanting the names of Gauranga. Parvati asked him, “Who is Gauranga? By seeing you dancing and hearing the name of Gauranga my heart is melting.” Siva then told her that Krishna would descend during Kali yuga and take birth in Mayapur in the womb of Saci-devi, and in His form of Gauranga, He would distribute the nectar of love of Godhead to everyone without discrimination through the chanting of the holy names.

Parvati-devi then went to Simantadvipa, and island near Mayapur, and meditated on Gauranga, constantly chanting His name. After some time Lord Caitanya appeared and asked Parvati-devi why she had come to this place. She told Him, “You have appointed me as the keeper of this realm. As Maya-devi I bind all the living entities in the material world who show aversion to You. People say that wherever Krishna appears there will be no Maya. But I am Maya! I am therefore forced to remain outside of Your spiritual domain.” She wept at His lotus feet and begged to be able to see His pastimes.

Mahaprabhu replied, “Supreme goddess, listen carefully to My words. You are My energy, you are not separate or different from Me. My one energy has two forms. Within the spiritual kingdom, My original energy has one form as Sri Radha, but for carrying out activities in the material world She has expanded Herself as you. Without you, My lila cannot not be accomplished, for in the form of Yogamaya, you are necessary in My pastimes. In Vraja, you are eternally present as Paurnamasi, and in Navadvip you are present as Praudha Maya, along with Ksetra-pala Lord Siva, guardian of the dhama.”

Saying this, Gauranga disappeared, and Parvati became overwhelmed with love. She bowed her head in the dust marked with Mahaprabhu’s footprints, and the dust settled in the part of her hair (simanta). Thus the place where she sat was from that time known as Simantadwipa.

Parvati stays in one form as the goddess of Simantadvipa, and in another form as Praudha Maya in Mayapur, which is the temple inside the huge banyan tree in Navadwip’s centre. The temple of Simantini Devi was the design and creation of talented American artist Drdha Vrata Gorrick, who spent many years studying in South India and lives in Mayapur. The bas relief pillars are unique in design, and the effect is stunning. The deities inside the small temple are Lord Gauranga (standing) and Parvati Devi as Simantini Devi, who sits at her Lord's feet in meditation.