Jagai and Madhai were born into a highclass brahmana family in Navadvipa. Their names were Jagannatha and Madhavananda Raya, the sons of Raghunatha Raya. Due to bad association they became meat-eaters, drunkards, debauchees, gamblers, and murderers. Because they caused so much disturbance, respectable people avoided them completely. When Lord Caitanya inaugurated the sankirtana movement He told Nityananda Prabhu and Haridasa Thakura to go door to door and request whomever they met to chant the holy names of the Lord. Since Jagai and Madhai were the most fallen, the two preachers decided that they were suitable candidates to receive the Lord’s mercy. They approached Jagai and Madhai and asked them to chant the holy names of Krishna. Jagai and Madhai became enraged and chased Nityananda and Haridasa, who had to run for their lives. The next day, Madhai struck Nityananda on the head with a piece of an earthen pot, making Himbleed. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard this, He immediately came to the spot, ready to punish both brothers. But when the all-merciful Gauranga saw Jagai’s repentant behavior, He immediately embraced him. By seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead face to face and being embraced by Him, both of the sinful brothers were at once cleansed. Thus they received initiation into the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra from the Lord and were delivered. This place is approximately 30 meters north of Mahaprabhu-ghata.
adyapiha cihna ache
caitanya-kripaya
‘madhaira ghata bali’
sarva-loke gaya
“By the mercy of Lord Caitanya, theruins of that place still exist, whicheveryone refers to as Madhai-ghata.” (Sri Caitanya – bhagavata ,Madhya – khanda 15.94 )
After the deliverance of Jagai and Madhai, Madhai met with Nityananda Prabhu in a solitary place and said,
“Oh, My Lord! You are present within the heart of each and every living entity. I have harmed many such living entities. If I knew all whom I have harmed then I could beg forgiveness from them, but I do not know as there have been so many. Please tell me how all those people, against whom I have committed so many offenses, might become pleased with me. If You are merciful upon me then kindly advise me what to do.”
Lord Nityananda replied, “Please listen, I will instruct you. Regularly go and clean the bathing ghata on the Ganga. When the people take bath there happily then all of them will bless you. If you serve Ganga-devi who eradicates all offenses then what more good fortune is there for you than doing this service? You should also offer obeisances to everyone with great humility. If you do this then all will forgive you for your offenses.”
After receiving this advice Madhai circumambulated Lord Nityananda many times and then left. Everyone saw how Madhai was preparing the bathing ghata on the Ganga very nicely while chanting the holy name of Sri Krishnaand shedding tears. Madhai would show much respect to anyone who came to the Ganga and offer them his humble obeisances. He would beg for forgiveness saying,“I have committed many offenses, knowingly and unknowingly unto you. Kindly excuse me for all my offenses and bless me.” Everyone would cry when they saw the tears of Madhai and would remember Lord Govinda. Madhai began performing severe austerities their and became famous as a brahmacari. He stayed on the bank of the Ganga absorbed in her darsana and with the help of a kodala (spade) he worked hard repairing the ghata. By the mercy of Lord Caitanya the ruins of that place are still visible and known by all as Madhai-ghata.
Directions: Thirty meters north of Mahaprabhu-ghata.
