The Ganga merges with the ocean at Ganga-sagara. The ocean is known as Samudra and flows all the way up to Samudragarh to serve the lotus feet of the Lord, under the shelter of the Ganga who is also known as Jahnavi. Samudrasaid, “Jahnavi! You are very fortunate to have Lord Gauranga staying on your bank and bathing in your water.” Jahnavi replied, “Oh, Sindhu! Yes, I am indeed very fortunate to have the Lord here. But unfortunately my Lord will leave Navadvipa after some time and go to reside on your shore.” The ocean then informed Ganga, “O, Devi! Please listen to me. Saci-nandana never leaves Navadvipa.

Even if He goes to stay on my shore for some time, He eternally resides in Nadia in His un-manifested form.Navadvipa is the eternal abode of the Lord. The Vedas explain about the prakata (manifested) and aprakata (unmanifested) pastimes of the Lord. O, beautiful one! I will stay here under your shelter and serve Navadvipadhama and Lord Sri Gaurahari.” To this day the ocean known as Payonidhi (the milk ocean) remains in Navadvipa and constantly meditates upon the eternal pastimes of Lord Gauranga. This topic has also been described by Isana Thakura in Bhakti- ratnakara: Isana Thakura came to Samudragadi village, also known by some asSamudra-gati. At this place the topic of the Ganga and the ocean is very pleasing to hear. Samudra flows here taking shelter of the Ganga. One day Samudra said to Ganga-devi, “There is no one as fortunate as you in this whole universe. Everyone says that purna- brahma Sri Gauranga will appear and manifest His pastimes in Nadia. Along with His associates He will always perform His pastimes on your banks, manifesting unlimited happiness. Just as the Lord enjoys water sports in the Yamuna of Vrajamandala, so Gaura Raya will play here in your waters.” Hearing this Gangadevi revealed her heart to Samudra with these sweet words, “I do not know to whom I will tell my suffering. The Lord will give me happiness in the beginning but later He will give me so much distress. He will leave Nadia, take sannyasa and go to live on your shore. He will manifest the most amazing pastimes there and thus will eternally increase your happiness. Everyone will sing your glories. Instead of speaking this truth, you are unnecessarily joking with me.” Samudra replied, “What you have said is correct, the Lord will go to Puri and live there on my shore, but He will go there after taking sannyasa wearing the simple dress of the renounced order. My heart will break to see Him dressed in this way. Just by remembering the Lord in that cloth I feel uncomfortable within my heart. Therefore I have taken shelter of you. You will show me that most attractive form of Gauracandra in this city of Nadia. I will never forget seeing the curling hair of the Lord. As the Lord is wonderful to behold, so too are His dear associates. I will see all of them by your mercy.” Ganga-devi and Samudra discussed in this way while waiting for the advent of the Lord. Here Ganga-devi and the ocean are always in ecstasy by meditating on Sri Gauracandra. Both the Ganga and Samudra were very eager and came to know that the time for the Lord to descend had arrived. At the time of the Lord’s advent everything was very auspicious. On the pretext of a lunar eclipse everyone was chanting the holy name of Lord Hari. The land of Navadvipa became very effulgent. The house of Jagannatha Misra became very beautiful. All kinds of inauspiciousness were removed. Everyone was floating in an ocean of bliss. The rishis were chanting different types of prayers. Brahma and all the demigods were showering flowers. As soon as the Lord appeared as the son of Saci-devi, the news spread all over the universe. When the Lord appeared, the ocean (Samudra) with great eagerness asked Ganga-devi to show him the Lord’s different pastimes, including His appearance lila. By taking shelter of the River Ganga, the ocean came to Navadvipa every day and saw the pastimes of Sri Gauracandra.