Prema Vilasa

Prema Vilasa, is one of the several histories that were written by Gaudiya Vaisnavas just after Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhus disappearance. In Prema Vilasa, Nityananda Dasa, a disciple of Jahnava-mata, described the lives of such great persons as Srinivasa Acarya, Narottama dasa Thakura, and Syamananda Prabhu. He also provided a glimpse into the training such Vaisnavas received at the hands of the Vrndavana Gosvamis, including Sri Jiva Gosvami, and the early efforts these Gosvamis made to popularize Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhus mission. Therefore we read of Srinivasa, Narottama, and Syamananda carrying copies of Rupa and Sanatanas bhakti literature to Bengal and the events that followed; of Narottama dasa Thakura establishing an annual Gaura-Purnima festival at Kheturi, inviting all the Gaudiya bhaktas; of the conversion of kings, dacoits, skeptical brahmanas, and common villagers to the Vaisnava understanding; and especially of the deep spiritual emotions and the undying compassion the great acaryas, imbued with Mahaprabhus sakti, felt and expressed. Caitanya Mahaprabhus pastimes are ever-relishable, but what makes them most relishable is His loving exchanges with His devotees and theirs with Him. Prema Vilasa is filled with such exchanges, and will therefore enlighten and enliven the reader to understand how Caitanya Mahaprabhu remains present in His mission and available to those who participate under the direction of His great devotees. Readers will find this book a very delightful and inspiring reading, especially those who are familiar with classic literature like Sri Caitanya Bhagavat and Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Infact, this book, Prema Vilasa, is like a supplement to these two great scriptures on the account of life and teachings of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates. Prema Vilasa takes the reader into more esoteric significant of the Lords devotees, especially how they conduct their loving devotional activities.

Contents from the book: 

The Birth of Srinivasa Acarya
The Birth Ceremony of Srinivasa Acarya
Srinivasa Acarya ’s Childhood Pastimes
Pastimes of Srinivasa Acarya Prior to Going to Vrndavana
Srinivasa Acarya Receives Initiation and Instruction from Gopala Bhatta Gosvami
Lokanatha Gosvami and Bhugarbha Gosvami Visit Vrndavana
Lord Caitanya Saves Love of God for Narottama dasa Thakura
The Birth of Narottama dasa Thakura
Narottama dasa Thakura Leaves Home
Narottama dasa Thakura Takes Initiation from Lokanatha Gosvami in Vrndavana
Srinivasa Acarya and Narottama dasa Thakura are ordered to go to Bengal
Srinivasa Acarya Recovers the Stolen Books and Converts the King
Srinivasa Acarya Meets Rämacandra Kaviraja and Govinda Kaviraja, and Attends Narottama dasa Thakura’s Festival at Kheturi
Sri Jahnavä-mata Meets Narottama dasa Thakura and Then Travels to Vrndavana
Sri Jahnava-mata Meets the Gosvamis of Vrndavana and Then Returns to Bengal
Viracandra Prabhu Initiates Srinivasa Acarya’s Son; Instructions by Narottama dasa Thakura The Deliverance of Harivamsa by Gopala Bhatta Gosvami; the Deliverance of Candraya by Narottama dasa Thakura
The glories of Ramacandra Kaviraja.
The glories of Syamananda Prabhu.
Narottama dasa Thakura’s Celebration of Gaura-Purnima.
The glories of Viracandra Prabhu.
The Disciples of Srinivasa Acarya, Narottama dasa Thakura, Syamananda Gosvami, and Ramacandra Kaviraja
The Deliverance of Jagai and Madhai
The Glories of Pundarika Vidyanidhi and Gadadhara Pandita
The Unique Characteristics of the Lord’s Eternal Associates Glories of Advaita Acarya and Nityananda Prabhu