Nityananda Prabhu is Spiritual Strength

Srila Prabhupada instructed devotees pray to Nityananda Prabhu and seek His mercy for their deliverance, just as He delivered the downtrodden brothers, Jagai and Madhai. He is the merciful and kind Baladeva, who gives spiritual strength with which one can approach Lord Krishna.

Therefore devotees chant “Nitai-Gaura.” Nityananda Prabhu is the original spiritual master. The spiritual master is the representative of Nityananda Prabhu. So when Nityananda Prabhu is pleased, then we become detached from this material attraction and get shelter of Lord Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada states:
“Nityananda Prabhu is Baladeva, Baladeva-tattva.
vrajendra-nandana yei, saci-suta haila sei,
balarama haila nitai

“Who was formerly the son of Nanda Maharaja, He has appeared as the son of Sacidevi.” Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mother’s name was Sacidevi. So Krsna… Krsna is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Balarama is Nityananda Prabhu. Now…

vrajendra-nandana yei, saci-suta haila sei,
balarama haila nitai

So Balarama… In the Vedic literature it is said, nayam atma bala-hinena labhyah; na bahuna srutena. So bala means strength. Sometimes some rascal philosophers, they take it that bala means bodily strength. They propagate this philosophy that “Unless you are bodily stout and strong, you cannot achieve spiritual salvation. You must be very strong and stout and eat meat and fight, and then you’ll get next spiritual birth” No. This bala, this strength, is different. This is spiritual strength….” Nityananda Prabhu is strength, spiritual strength and without mercy of Nityananda Prabhu you cannot approach Krishna."