Disappearance Day of Sri Ramananda Raya
Disappearance Day
All day
What is the Disappearance Day of Sri Ramananda Raya?
The disappearance day of Sri Ramananda Raya marks his entry into the Lord's eternal pastimes. A governor and a poet, he was one of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's most confidential companions in Jagannatha Puri. In 2027 the day falls on Tuesday, 25 May.
Significance
On the bank of the Godavari, Mahaprabhu asked Ramananda Raya to explain the goal of life. The Lord called one answer after another external, from duty in varnasrama to knowledge mixed with devotion. Only when Ramananda Raya spoke of pure devotional service, and then of loving service in servitude, friendship, parental love and conjugal love, did the Lord accept his words. Srila Prabhupada translates the whole conversation in Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, chapter eight.
Pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot be had even by pious activity in hundreds and thousands of lives. It can be attained only by paying one price — that is, intense greed to obtain it.
Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 8.70
After their talks, Mahaprabhu asked Ramananda Raya to leave government service and join Him at Jagannatha Puri. There he and Svarupa Damodara recited verses to comfort the Lord in His separation from Krishna.
How to observe it
Read the Godavari conversation slowly, noticing how each answer goes deeper. Householders can take heart from Ramananda Raya's example, since he served the king and still stayed absorbed in Krishna. Chant the holy names with Madhya-lila 8.70 in mind, and pray for that intense greed to serve rather than for any result.
Questions
When is the disappearance day of Sri Ramananda Raya in 2027?
Sri Ramananda Raya's disappearance day is on Tuesday, 25 May 2027, according to the Vaishnava calendar for Kurukshetra.
Who was Ramananda Raya?
Ramananda Raya was a devotee, poet and scholar who served as governor under King Prataparudra of Orissa. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met him on the bank of the Godavari and later asked him to join Him at Jagannatha Puri.
What did Ramananda Raya teach Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu?
He explained the stages of devotion, from duty in varnasrama up to pure devotional service. He then described the loving moods of servitude, friendship, parental love and conjugal love, which is highest in Srimati Radharani's love for Krishna.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Tuesday, 25 May 2027
- Met Mahaprabhu at
- The bank of the Godavari
- Wrote
- Jagannatha-vallabha-nataka
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.