Disappearance day of Sri Rasikananda Dasa Goswami - Feb 22, 2012

Sri Rasikananda Deva appeared on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartika in 1590 A.D. It was during the night of the festival Dipamalika, when the houses are decorated with rows of lamps. After passing many years without having a male issue, Sri Achyuta Deva, by the mercy of Sri Jagadisha (Jagannath), was blessed with this jewel of a son. He was the king of the village Royni on the banks of the Suvarnarekha river.

Rasikananda Deva was also known as Murari. He was proficient in the scriptures at a young age. He was very devoted to his mother, Bhavani. He was married at a very young age. His wife Syamadasi hailed from the village of Ghonta Sila.

Sri Shyamananda initiated Rasika and his wife in Radha-Krishna mantra. Rasikananda began to travel with his guru, and he became a very intimate disciple. Shyamananda then bestowed upon him the service of Sri Radha-Govinda at Gopiballabhapur. On the order of his guru, Rasikananda took up the preaching of the message of Sri Gaura-Nityananda in the surrounding places for about sixteen years. Due to his preaching many atheists and unbelievers were transformed into devotees of Sri Gaura-Nityananda.

Rasikananda Deva was always intoxicated with the chanting of the Holy Name. Many kings and zamindars took shelter at his lotus feet.

On the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Phalguna, 1652 A.D., Rasikananda slipped out of the village and walked to Remuna. He discussed Krishna-katha with the devotees and asked them to begin sankirtana. He entered the temple of Sri Gopinatha, and after touching His lotus feet, he entered into Their ultimate shelter.

Sri Rasikananda’s samadhi is at the temple of Kshira-chora Gopinath at Remuna.
He had three sons - Radhananda, Krishna-Govinda and Radha-Krishna. The present servants at Sri Sri Radha-Govindadeva at Gopiballabhapur are their descendents.

Sri Rasikananda composed Sri Shyamananda-sataka, Srimad Bhagavatastaka as well as other hymns and songs. There is also a temple of Rasikananda at Puri. One year, during Lord Jagannatha's Ratha-yatra festival, Rasikananda Deva was preaching somewhere in the country, but when he realized that it was time for Ratha-yatra he dropped everything and rushed to come to Nilachala in time for the festival.

But in the meantime the festival had already begun. Lord Jagannath, Who felt separation from His dear devotee Rasikananda, caused the Ratha to stop. Though the king summoned his elephants to push the Ratha, they could not budge it. Then Lord Jagannatha, seeing that the king was becoming frustrated, informed him that he was waiting for His devotee Rasika.

Finally Rasikananda Deva arrived, carrying with him many offerings of silk clothes and other presents. He fell down to offer his dandavats before Lord Jagannatha, and the king requested him to pull the rope at which the cart began to easily move along the road. Later the king requested Rasikananda to accept a gift of land so he might establish a temple there. Rasikananda requested the place known as Fultota Math, which is now known as Kunja Math. There he installed the Deity of Sri Bat Krishna.  The Deity is now known as Sri Sri Radha-Rasika Raya.