Today is traditionally a fast until noon in observance of the appearance anniversary of Lord Nityananda. Nityananda Prabhu appeared as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s principal associate for spreading the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. He appeared in 1474 in the village of Ekachakra, now in West Bengal. He especially spread the holy name of Krishna throughout Bengal. His beauty was so enchanting and He was so full of ecstatic love for Krishna that, wherever He moved, crowds of people would follow and become lovers of God. He is considered an incarnation of Krishna’s principal expansion, Balarama.
More:
- Article: Lord Nityananda, adapted from “Sri Panca-tattva: The Five Features of God,” by Satyaraja Dasa (Steven J. Rosen)
- Audio: Pastimes of Lord Nityananda—Lord Nityananda’s Pastimes from the Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata, by Srila Vrindavan Das Thakura, narrated by Harinam Chintamani dasi.
- Video: Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Acarya, from the Lives of the Vaishnava Saints series with Chaturatma dasa
- Lord Nityananda in the Chaitanya Charitamrita (Adi-lila, Chapter 5)
(Image shows Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (left) and Nityananda Prabhu dancing.)