| But he was
greatly perplexed about the means of removing this treasure, when the God again appeared,
and directed his village, it was miraculously conveyed to the river side, and floated down
the stream of its own accord to the landing stairs at Ballabhpur, where the devotee was in
the habit of bathing. "Rudru set to work immediately on the stone, and by the aid of
the sculptor obtained an image, which is celebrated for its beauty. The mysterious origin
of the image soon attracted worshippers, and the proprietor was enabled, from their gifts,
to construct the temple. In process of time, the
encroachments of the river brought the temple within 300 feet of the edge of the water,
and it became necessary to seek some other abode for the God, because no Brahmin is
allowed to receive a professional gift or meal within that distance of the sacred stream.
The forsaken temple was subsequently purchased by the Reverend David Brown, and the image
was removed to another spot, a quarter of a mile inland. Where a temple was built at the
expense of the wealthy family of the Malliks of Calcutta.
"The splendor of Radhaballabh's establishment is, however, of more recent origin than
the celebrity of the image. Raja Nubukissen of Calcutta, the Munshi of Clive, and
the first native, who rose to wealth and distinction after the birth of the British Empire
in India, took a great fancy to this god. When he was called to perform the funeral
obsequies of his mother, he employed the great influence he enjoyed in the country, to
convey to his own residence in the metropolis the three images to which Agradwip, Chardah
and Ballabhpur owe their distinction.They were carried down to the river on a stage, on
the shoulders of Brahmans - for it would be an act of sacrilege for any but the twice born
to touch an image inhabited by the spirit of the Gods - and were conveyed from the ghat in
Calcutta to the Raja's residence on the same sacerdotal shoulders. |
