The small deity of Sri Shyamsundar was given to Shyamananda Prabhu by Srimati Radharani herself. The legend goes as follows:
Early Life and Initiation
Srila Shyamananda Prabhu was born with the name Dukhi. From his very childhood, Dukhi’s heart was filled with devotion to Lord Krishna. On Phalguni Purnima in 1554 AD, he received initiation from Sri Hridaya Caitanya Adhikari Thakur, a disciple of Sri Gauri Dasa Pandit (who was Subal Sakha in Vraja). Upon initiation, he was given the name Dukhi Krishna Dasa. Following the instructions of his spiritual master, he set out on a pilgrimage to all the holy places in India, including Sri Vrindavan Dham.
Meeting Srila Jiva Goswami Upon arriving in Vrindavan, he met Srila Jiva Goswami. Dukhi Krishna Dasa, being a disciple in the tradition of Sri Gauri Dasa Pandit, was initially a devotee in the “sakhya rasa” (serving the Lord as a friend). However, after meeting Jiva Goswami, he developed a strong inclination towards the “kunja-seva” of Sri Sri Radha Shyamsundar and expressed a special desire to engage in ‘sadhan-bhajan’ (devotional practices). Recognizing him as a worthy aspirant, Srila Jiva Goswami began training him in the stream of “madhurya rasa” (serving the Lord in the mood of a conjugal lover). Thus, Dukhi Krishna Dasa was granted the opportunity to serve under the guidance of Srila Jiva Goswami, who also entrusted him with the rare privilege of cleaning the sacred groves of Seva-kunj. In this manner, he rendered service for twelve years, making significant progress in his devotional service to Lord Krishna.
The Divine Vision One day, while sitting in his bhajan-kutir (a small hut for worship), Dukhi Krishna Dasa was deeply immersed in the sweet and nectarean pastimes of Radha and Krishna. He envisioned Shyamsundar dancing and singing with the beautiful damsels of Vraja in the grove. Srimati Radharani and the gopis had formed a circle around Shyamsundar, holding each other’s hands, appearing like the moon encircled by the stars. Some gopis were dancing while others sang melodious songs. In the midst of this, Srimati Radharani began to dance even more attractively, giving immense joy to Sri Shyamsundar and causing Him to be overwhelmed with ecstasy. During this divine dance, a golden anklet named Manjughosha, adorned with precious gems, slipped from Srimati Radharani’s left foot and fell unnoticed in the dancing arena.
The Discovery of the Anklet
The following morning, Dukhi Krishna Dasa awoke and, as usual, set out to clean the groves. Upon reaching the spot where the divine pastime had taken place, he noticed more signs of merry-making than on previous days. The creepers lay scattered here and there, yet all the trees and plants were filled with fragrant, blooming flowers. Within the grove, he could see the footprints of Radha, Krishna, and the gopis. Overwhelmed with ecstasy and divine love, Dukhi Krishna Dasa began rolling on the sacred ground. After controlling his emotions, he resumed his work of cleaning the groves. Suddenly, he spotted a glittering object under a pomegranate tree, illuminating every corner of the grove. He rushed to the spot and was astonished to find a transcendental anklet studded with precious stones, known as Indraneel mani.
Immediately, a prophecy from the sky instructed him to guard the anklet carefully. Dukhi Krishna Dasa lifted the anklet, touched it to his forehead, and felt a wave of intense devotion surge through him. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and his body displayed symptoms of divine ecstasy as he danced, uttering the holy names of Srimati Radharani. With great effort, he concealed the anklet under his garment and continued beautifying the dancing arena and groves of Seva-kunj.
Srimati Radharani’s Disguise
During this time, Srimati Radharani, accompanied by Her associates, came to the grove in disguise, searching for the anklet. She hid behind a creeper and instructed Lalita sakhi to look for the anklet. Lalita sakhi, in the guise of a poor old Brahmin woman, approached Krishna Dasa and explained that her newly married daughter-in-law had visited the grove the previous night to pluck flowers. However, upon seeing a lion (symbolizing Krishna) nearby, she had fled in fear, inadvertently losing an anklet from her left foot. Lalita sakhi inquired whether Krishna Dasa had found the anklet.
Hearing this, Krishna Dasa was somewhat satisfied but still anxious. He asked, “Who was she? And where does she live?”
Lalita sakhi replied, “She is a Kanya-kubja Brahmin lady from a village near Yavat in Mathura. Her name is Radha Dasi.” She added, “Since you clean the groves every day, I have come to inquire about the anklet.”
With great humility, Krishna Dasa responded, “You are correct. I did find a wonderful anklet studded with Indraneel mani. When I touched the anklet, I was filled with divine energy, overwhelming happiness, and a profound love for Srimati Radharani.”
However, he continued, “This anklet surely does not belong to an ordinary lady. There is some mystery behind it. Wise people say that such extraordinary things are possessed only by those who are truly deserving, not by ordinary people.”
He further added, “Since your daughter-in-law is an inhabitant of this material world, this transcendental anklet cannot belong to her. My mind does not feel comfortable giving the anklet to you, as you seem to be just an ordinary material entity, and this divine ornament cannot belong to you.”
Pointing to Lalita sakhi’s ordinary attire, he said, “Your simple garments speak of your poverty. An anklet embedded with Indraneel mani cannot possibly belong to the daughter-in-law of a poverty-stricken lady.” After thinking for a moment, he agreed on one condition: “If your daughter-in-law comes before me and shows the matching anklet on her right foot, I will return the anklet in the presence of the villagers.”
Radharani Reveals Herself
Srimati Radharani, who had been listening to the conversation between Lalita sakhi and Krishna Dasa from behind the creeper, realized that Lalita sakhi was no match for Krishna Dasa in cleverness. She stepped forward and said, “O saintly person! You have said that this transcendental anklet does not deserve to be given to anyone in this material world, but don’t you know that everything in Vrindavan is transcendental? Does any ordinary person of this material world have the right to enter Vrindavan?”
Cleverly, Krishna Dasa replied, “Your words are true: all objects in Sri Vrindavan Dham are indeed transcendental. However, these objects are not visible to the ordinary material eyes. While this land appears earthly, as described by the shastras and wise people, it is actually filled with touchstones and desire trees.”
Listening to Krishna Dasa’s astute response, Lalita sakhi laughed gently, but remembering her mission, she said, “Your observation is correct. The anklet you found is truly transcendental, and its owner is equally divine in her beauty, nature, dress, characteristics, and virtues.”
Krishna Dasa, now even more perplexed, pointed to the old lady who had spoken in such mysterious terms and said, “I do not understand your words, as I lack wisdom. Please explain clearly what you wish me to do.” Lalita sakhi then revealed their true identities, saying with confidence, “This lady standing to my right is the owner of this transcendental anklet. She is Srimati Radharani, the daughter of King Vrishabhanu, resident of Yavat, and the beloved of the King of Gokula, Sri Krishna.”
This revelation left Krishna Dasa speechless. His body was overtaken by symptoms of ecstasy, and he fell into a trance. After some time, he regained consciousness and, with hesitation, said, “I am troubled and fail to understand how Srimati Radharani’s anklet fell on the ground in the dancing arena. I wish to know the full story, as my heart feels uneasy and restless.”
The Divine Pastime
Sri Lalita sakhi then narrated the events: “When night fell, the moon, lord of the stars, appeared in the sky in all its beauty. As the full moon rose in the east, everything was tinged with a reddish hue, and the entire sky seemed to be smeared with red kumkuma. The forests were filled with fragrant flowers, and the atmosphere was cool and festive.
Sri Shyamsundar was immersed in performing the rasa lila with the beautiful ladies of Vraja. During the dance, a golden anklet named Manjughosha slipped from Srimati Radharani’s left foot and fell unnoticed in the dancing arena. A parrot, its mate, and a female monkey named Samyagya warned that the night was ending and the sun would soon rise. They also cautioned that Jatila, Radharani’s mother-in-law, might soon discover the meeting between Radharani and Shyamsundar. Hearing Jatila’s name, Radha and Krishna decided to return to their homes. In her haste, Srimati Radharani did not notice that her anklet was missing until she arrived home, where she grew restless. The anklet had been a gift from her mother-in-law the previous night. She wondered whether it had fallen on the way home or in the grove during the dance. She advised the gopis to consult each other and decide on a course of action.
One of her sakhis guessed that the anklet might have fallen on the way back home, while another suggested that it could have been lost in the grove. While they were discussing, wise Vrinda-devi appeared and consoled Srimati Radharani, informing her that she had heard from the parrot named Vichakshan that a very fortunate person had found the anklet in the dancing arena. Vrinda-devi advised them to go to the grove and retrieve the anklet from this person, and the sakhis agreed.
When they arrived, Lalita sakhi asked you to return the anklet so that we could return quickly before Srimati Radharani’s short-tempered mother-in-law, Jatila, wakes up. We are willing to give you anything in exchange for the anklet.”
The Gift of Transcendental Vision Hearing all of this, Krishna Dasa was filled with delight and fell at Lalita sakhi’s feet. He took out the anklet from his garment, touched it to his head, and handed it to Lalita sakhi. With folded hands, he humbly asked, “May I have darshan of your divine form?”
Lalita sakhi affectionately replied, “It is difficult, if not impossible, for you to see my divine form with these material eyes.”
But Krishna Dasa persisted, saying, “If you are kind enough to shower your mercy upon me, I will surely be able to see you. Please, I beg you to fulfill this desire of mine.”
Moved by his devotion, Lalita sakhi empowered him with transcendental vision and revealed her divine form. Upon seeing her, Krishna Dasa trembled with ecstatic waves of love and fell unconscious to the ground. Lalita sakhi touched him, and he regained consciousness.
The Blessings of Srimati Radharani
Regaining his senses, Krishna Dasa requested, “Please grant me the opportunity to serve Sri Radha Shyamsundar in Goloka Vrindavana.”
However, Lalita sakhi gently declined, saying, “This will only be possible after you leave the material world. Please ask for something else.”
Krishna Dasa then requested to have darshan of Srimati Radharani’s lotus feet. Lalita sakhi became concerned, but Srimati Radharani, hearing Krishna Dasa’s humble plea, instructed Lalita sakhi: “Give him My mantra and have him bathe in Radha Kunda. He will then assume the form of a ‘Manjari’ and be able to have My darshan. Please do not delay, as Krishna Dasa is extremely dear to Me.”
Following Srimati Radharani’s instructions, Lalita sakhi gave Krishna Dasa the Siddha-Radha mantra, a hymn specially composed for the worship of a Deity, which was imbued with six divine qualities. As soon as Krishna Dasa bathed in Radha Kunda after chanting the mantra, he attained the transcendental form of a ‘Manjari’. His body now resembled molten gold, his waist was as slender as a lion’s, and his beautifully arched eyebrows were like a bow that could shake even Cupid. He was adorned in fine silken garments. Holding the anklet on his head, he entered the temple of Srimati Radharani. Lalita sakhi presented him at Srimati Radharani’s lotus feet, saying, “Please place Your lotus feet on his head and consider him Your own follower.”
Srimati Radharani gravely said, “In your previous birth, you were Krishna-priya and My companion. Because of this, I will show My special favor to you by placing you among My own followers.”
She then instructed Lalita sakhi, “Mark his forehead with the sign of My anklet.”
As soon as Lalita sakhi touched his forehead with the anklet, his Harimandir tilak transformed into a transcendental tilak in the shape of Srimati Radharani’s foot. Srimati Radharani then mixed kumkum, sandal, and camphor adorning Her breasts with honey and rubbed them on a stone known as Chandrakant. Using the front part of the anklet, She drew a bright round mark in the center of the Noopur Tilak on Krishna Dasa’s forehead.
Seeing this round mark, Lalita sakhi said to Radharani, “This new tilak adorning Krishna Dasa’s forehead will be known as ‘Shyam Mohan Tilak’. This sakhi (Krishna Dasa), upon whom Srimati Radharani has showered Her blessings, has delighted Her greatly. From now on, he will be known as Shyamananda.”
Vishakha sakhi, seeing his new form, addressed him as ‘Kanak Manjari’.
Srimati Radharani then said to Kanak Manjari, “You are very dear to Me, like Lalita and Vishakha, because you have pleased Lord Krishna and have brought joy to My eyes.”
Lalita and Vishakha sakhi, deeply moved by Srimati Radharani’s words, praised Kanak Manjari, saying, “Kanak Manjari has become glorious by Your grace. Having found Your anklet under a pomegranate tree in the grove, she has attained a special status among Your companions. Saci, Savitri, and other godly women will always long to sit at her feet because You have recognized her among Your distinguished followers.”
The Deity of Sri Shyamsundar
Addressing Krishna Dasa, Srimati Radharani said, “With all My associates, you have given Me great pleasure. Now, return to the material world to complete your assigned work. With My grace, the remembrance of this event will continue to bring you unlimited joy.”
Hearing these words, Kanak Manjari began to weep in distress. With tears in his eyes, he pleaded with Srimati Radharani, “You have been so kind to bring me here to serve Your lotus feet. Please do not send me back to the material world. Allow me to serve Your lotus feet only.”
Srimati Radharani, deeply touched by his heartfelt plea, fondly stroked his head and said, “You are My eternal companion, yet you have been sent to the material world for a specific purpose. After you complete your mission of liberating the conditioned souls, you will return to serve Me. Since your separation from Me is causing you great distress, I am giving you a Deity that is very dear to Me. By serving Him with deep love and devotion, you will be able to bear My absence, and the desires of all living beings will also be fulfilled by serving and seeing this Deity.”
Saying this, Srimati Radharani manifested the most beautiful and unique Deity of Sri Shyamsundar from Her lotus heart and handed it to Kanak Manjari through Lalita sakhi. While delivering the Deity to Shyamananda Prabhu, She said, “O Shyamananda! The living entities affected by Kali-yuga are short-lived and often devoid of devotion to the Lord. I am giving you this Deity as a simple means of liberation for these living entities.”
She further instructed Shyamananda Prabhu, “Whoever has darshan of this Deity, even once with full faith, shall go to the divine abode of Lord Krishna, gaining love of Godhead. Misfortunes, miseries, and heinous crimes shall not enter his home.
- The past and future ten generations of the person who has darshan of this Deity daily shall go to Goloka Vrindavana. In this world, that person will enjoy life with desired happiness and opulence, along with his sons, grandsons, and kith and kin, like the demigods.
- Whoever engages in the work of cleansing, brushing, and sweeping the temple of Shyamsundar shall go to the abode of Lord Krishna after enjoying the pleasures of heavenly life and shall reside there as a courtier of Krishna. The maternal and paternal families of that person, as well as the paternal family of his wife, shall not have to face hell for any sin.
- The sins of a person who mounts the flag atop the temple of Sri Shyamsundar and decorates the temple with banners and flags shall cease to exist.
- All the desires of a person who worships this Deity shall be fulfilled. He shall attain the power to deliver the entire universe.
- A fortunate person who gifts new garments to the Deity shall go to the abode of Sri Krishna after residing on the moon. Such a person shall become rich, fortunate, and free from disease, beloved by all, and shall attain the abode of Lord Krishna after receiving the fruits of performing Ashvamedha and Rajasuya sacrifices.
- A person who offers precious ornaments studded with gems to the Deity shall find a place in the land of Krishna after becoming a most fortunate Chakravarti ruler, sin-free and beloved by all, earning the fruits of performing Ashvamedha and Rajasuya sacrifices. Seven generations of that person, who sees the well-dressed Deity of Shyamsundar adorned with golden jewelry, shall be liberated.
- A fortunate person who offers flower ornaments, canopies, and beds to the Deity shall go to the self-effulgent abode of Krishna after enjoying worldly opulence.
- All desires of a fortunate person who offers the best dishes and drinks to the Deity shall be fulfilled. He will become rich, powerful, handsome, free from worries and diseases, and after earning the fruits of performing Agnishtom, Atiratra, Ashvamedha, and Rajasuya sacrifices, he shall attain liberation.
- A person who circumambulates the temple of the Deity four times shall receive the fruits of performing ten Ashvamedha Yajnas, visiting all the holy places, circumambulating them, and bathing in their waters. He will surely be promoted to Goloka, and all his desires will be fulfilled.
- A person who has darshan of Shyamsundar during His arati ceremony will receive full blessings. Despite any obstacles, he will be transferred to the divine abode of Krishna. All his sins, including the killing of a Brahmana, shall be completely washed away.
- The future and past lineages of a person who constructs, renovates, or cleanses the temple of Sri Shyamsundar will surely go back to Godhead, and all his sins will be entirely erased.”
Srimati Radharani further instructed Shyamananda Prabhu, “O Shyamananda, beloved of Sri Krishna, I am giving you this Deity for the welfare of the world. You must engage in His service and worship Him throughout your stay in the material world for the well-being and liberation of the conditioned souls. After that, you will return to us for eternal service.”
The Warning Sri Lalita sakhi then advised him, “O Shyamananda, do not narrate this pastime to anyone except Srila Jiva Goswami. If you disclose it publicly, you will have to embrace death, and you will be deprived of the service to Srimati Radharani.”
She also assured him, “Whenever you are in trouble, you will have my darshan by chanting the divine Radha Mantra I have given you.”
With these words, Srimati Radharani disappeared along with Lalita and Vishakha sakhis, after bestowing Her grace upon Shyamananda Prabhu.
Return to Srila Jiva Goswami
Afterwards, Sri Krishna Dasa, now transformed, left the grove. His iron scraper had turned into a golden scraper after being touched by the anklet. With tears of joy and overwhelming ecstasy, Krishna Dasa presented himself before Srila Jiva Goswami in his hut, bearing the Noopur Tilak on his forehead, the name “Shyamananda” inscribed on his chest, the golden scraper under his armpit, and the unique Deity on his head. Seeing Krishna Dasa, Srila Jiva Goswami was astonished. He noticed that the fair-complexioned Krishna Dasa now had a golden hue, his Harimandir tilak had changed to the new Noopur Tilak in the shape of Srimati Radharani’s lotus foot with a radiant round mark within it, and the iron scraper had turned into gold. Moreover, he was in possession of a wonderful, transcendental, and marvelous Deity of Krishna.
Srila Jiva Goswami asked, “O Krishna Dasa! Where have you been all this time? How has your complexion changed? You should tell me everything sincerely. I believe you have been blessed either by Krishna or Srimati Radharani.” As a highly realized soul, Srila Jiva Goswami sensed that something miraculous had occurred.
Krishna Dasa took Srila Jiva Goswami to a solitary place and narrated the entire story word for word in a choked voice, with the clear instruction from Lalita sakhi not to disclose anything to anyone except Jiva Goswami. Hearing about the transcendental favor bestowed upon Krishna Dasa by Srimati Radharani, Srila Jiva Goswami became overwhelmed with love for Krishna, felt immense joy, and began dancing. He started shedding tears of deep love, and embracing Krishna Dasa, he said, “You are the most blessed soul in this world, as Srimati Radharani has not bestowed Her blessings on anyone else like this before. Just by touching you, I also feel blessed by Her. With your boundless and unwavering divine love, I feel completely devoted to you. In the Vaishnava sect, you will be known as Shyamananda, the one who pleases Srimati Radharani, and your tilak will earn fame as the Shyamanandee Tilak. The unique and transcendental Deity gifted to you by Srimati Radharani will be known as Shyamsundar, and He will continue to grant darshan and liberate the conditioned souls. O Kanak Manjari! I say again, you are the most blessed soul in the entire world.”
This Deity of Shyamsundar continues to grant darshan to devotees even today in Sri Vrindavan Dham.
