Chapter 17
The Lord Travels to Vṛndāvana
The following summary of the Seventeenth Chapter is given by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya. After attending the Ratha-yātrā ceremony of Śrī Jagannātha, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu decided to start for Vṛndāvana. Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī selected a brāhmaṇa named Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya to personally assist Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Early in the morning before sunrise, the Lord started for the town of Kaṭaka. North of Kaṭaka, He penetrated a dense forest and visited many tigers and elephants, whom He engaged in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Whenever He had a chance to visit a village, He would beg alms and acquire some rice and vegetables. If there were no village, He would cook whatever rice remained and collect some spinach from the forest to eat. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very pleased with the behavior of Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya.
In this way the Lord passed through the jungle of Jhārikhaṇḍa and finally reached Vārāṇasī. After taking His bath at the Maṇikarṇikā-ghāṭa at Vārāṇasī, He met Tapana Miśra, who took the Lord to his place and respectfully gave Him a comfortable residence. At Vārāṇasī, Vaidya Candraśekhara, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's old friend, also rendered service unto Him. Seeing the behavior of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, one Mahārāṣṭrīya brāhmaṇa informed Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī, the leader of the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs. Prakāśānanda made various accusations against the Lord. The Mahārāṣṭrīya brāhmaṇa was very sorry about this, and he brought the news to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, inquiring from Him why the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs did not utter the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. In reply, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said that they were offenders and that one should not associate with them. In this way the Lord bestowed His blessings upon the brāhmaṇa.
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu next passed through Prayāga and Mathurā and then took His lunch at the home of a Sānoḍiyā brāhmaṇa, a disciple of Mādhavendra Purī. He bestowed His blessings upon the brāhmaṇa by accepting lunch at his place. Thereafter the Lord visited the twelve forests of Vṛndāvana and was filled with great ecstatic love. As He toured the Vṛndāvana forests, He heard the chirping of parrots and other birds.
TEXT 1
gacchan vṛndāvanaṁ gauro
vyāghrebhaiṇa-khagān vane
premonmattān sahonnṛtyān
vidadhe kṛṣṇa-jalpinaḥ
SYNONYMS
gacchan—going; vṛndāvanam—to Vṛndāvana-dhāma; gauraḥ—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; vyāghra—tigers; ibha—elephants; eṇa—deer; khagān—and birds; vane—in the forest; prema-unmattān—maddened by ecstatic love; saha—with; unnṛtyān—dancing; vidadhe—made; kṛṣṇa—Lord Kṛṣṇa's name; jalpinaḥ—chanting.
TRANSLATION
On His way to Vṛndāvana, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed through the forest of Jhārikhaṇḍa and made all the tigers, elephants, deer and birds dance and chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Thus all these animals were overwhelmed by ecstatic love.
TEXT 2
jaya jaya gauracandra jaya nityānanda
jayādvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vṛnda
SYNONYMS
jaya jaya—all glories; gauracandra—to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; jaya—all glories; nityānanda—to Nityānanda Prabhu; jaya—all glories; advaita-candra—to Advaita Ācārya; jaya—all glories; gaura-bhakta-vṛnda—to the devotees of Lord Caitanya.
TRANSLATION
All glories to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityānanda! All glories to Advaitacandra! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord!
TEXT 3
śarat-kāla haila, prabhura calite haila mati
rāmānanda-svarūpa-saṅge nibhṛte yukati
SYNONYMS
śarat-kāla haila—autumn arrived; prabhura—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; calite—to travel; haila—was; mati—desire; rāmānanda—Rāmānanda Rāya; svarūpa—Svarūpa Dāmodara; saṅge—with; nibhṛte—solitary; yukati—consultation.
TRANSLATION
When autumn arrived, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu decided to go to Vṛndāvana. In a solitary place, He consulted with Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī.
TEXT 4
"mora sahāya kara yadi, tumi-dui jana
tabe āmi yā�ā dekhi śrī-vṛndāvana
SYNONYMS
mora—of Me; sahāya—help; kara—you do; yadi—if; tumi—you; dui jana—two persons; tabe—then; āmi—I; yā�ā—going; dekhi—shall see; śrī-vṛndāvana—Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma.
TRANSLATION
The Lord requested Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī to help Him go to Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 5
rātrye uṭhi' vana-pathe palā�ā yāba
ekākī yāiba, kāhoṅ saṅge nā la-iba
SYNONYMS
rātrye uṭhi'-rising at night; vana-pathe—on the road to the forest; palā�ā yāba—I shall go away secretly; ekākī yāiba—I shall go alone; kāhoṅ—anyone; saṅge—with Me; nā la-iba—I shall not take.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "I shall leave early in the morning and go incognito, taking the road to the forest. I shall go alone and not take anyone with Me.
TEXT 6
keha yadi saṅga la-ite pāche uṭhi' dhāya
sabāre rākhibā, yena keha nāhi yāya
SYNONYMS
keha—someone; yadi—if; saṅga la-ite—to take company; pāche—behind; uṭhi'-getting up; dhāya—runs; sabāre—everyone; rākhibā—please stop; yena—so that; keha—anyone; nāhi yāya—does not go.
TRANSLATION
"If someone wants to follow Me, please stop him. I don't want anyone to go with Me.
TEXT 7
prasanna ha�ā āj�ā dibā, nā mānibā 'duḥkha'
tomā-sabāra 'sukhe' pathe habe mora 'sukha' "
SYNONYMS
prasanna ha�ā—being pleased; āj�ā dibā—give permission; nā—do not; mānibā duḥkha—become unhappy; tomā-sabāra—of all of you; sukhe—by the happiness; pathe—on the road; habe—there will be; mora—My; sukha—happiness.
TRANSLATION
"Please give Me your permission with great pleasure and do not be unhappy. If you are happy, I shall be happy on My way to Vṛndāvana."
TEXT 8
dui-jana kahe,--'tumi īśvara 'svatantra'
yei icchā, sei karibā, naha 'paratantra'
SYNONYMS
dui-jana kahe—the two persons replied; tumi—You; īśvara—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; svatantra—completely independent; yei icchā—whatever You desire; sei—that; karibā—You will do; naha—You are not; para-tantra—dependent on anyone.
TRANSLATION
Upon hearing this, Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī replied, "Dear Lord, You are completely independent. Since You are not dependent on anyone, You do whatever You desire.
TEXT 9
kintu āmā-duṅhāra śuna eka nivedane
'tomāra sukhe āmāra sukha'--kahilā āpane
SYNONYMS
kintu—but; āmā-duṅhāra—of both of us; śuna—please hear; eka nivedane—one submission; tomāra sukhe—by your happiness; āmāra sukha—our happiness; kahilā—You have already stated; āpane—personally.
TRANSLATION
"Dear Lord, kindly hear our one petition. You have already said that You will derive happiness from our happiness. This is Your own statement.
TEXT 10
āmā-duṅhāra mane tabe baḍa 'sukha' haya
eka nivedana yadi dhara, dayāmaya
SYNONYMS
āmā-duṅhāra—of us two; mane—in the mind; tabe—therefore; baḍa—very much; sukha haya—there is happiness; eka nivedana—one request; yadi—if; dhara—You accept; dayā-maya—merciful.
TRANSLATION
"If You will please accept just one request, we shall be very, very happy.
TEXT 11
'uttama brāhmaṇa' eka saṅge avaśya cāhi
bhikṣā kari' bhikṣā dibe, yābe pātra vahi'
SYNONYMS
uttama brāhmaṇa—a high-class brāhmaṇa; eka—one; saṅge—along; avaśya—certainly; cāhi—we want; bhikṣā kari'-collecting alms; bhikṣā dibe—will give You food; yābe—will go; pātra vahi'-bearing Your waterpot.
TRANSLATION
"Our Lord, please take one very nice brāhmaṇa with You. He will collect alms for You, cook for You, give You prasāda, and carry Your waterpot while traveling.
TEXT 12
ana-pathe yāite nāhi 'bhojyānna'-brāhmaṇa
āj�ā kara,--saṅge caluka vipra eka-jana'
SYNONYMS
vana-pathe—on the forest path; yāite—going; nāhi—there is not; bhojya-anna-brāhmaṇa—a brāhmaṇa whose food can be accepted; āj�ā kara—please give permission; saṅge—along; caluka—may go; vipra—brāhmaṇa; eka-jana—one person.
TRANSLATION
"When You go through the jungle, there will be no brāhmaṇa available from whom You can accept lunch. Therefore please give permission for at least one pure brāhmaṇa to accompany You."
TEXT 13
prabhu kahe,--nija-saṅgī kāṅho nā la-iba
eka-jane nile, ānera mane duḥkha ha-iba
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied; nija-saṅgī—of My associates; kāṅho—anyone; nā—not; la-iba—I shall take; eka-jane nile—if I take someone; ānera mane—in the mind of others; duḥkha ha-iba—there will be unhappiness.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said,"I shall not take any of My associates with Me because if I choose someone, all the others will be unhappy.
TEXT 14
nūtana saṅgī ha-ibeka,--snigdha yāṅra mana
aiche yabe pāi, tabe la-i 'eka' jana
SYNONYMS
nūtana—new; saṅgī—associate; ha-ibeka—must be; snigdha—very peaceful; yāṅra—whose; mana—mind; aiche—such; yabe—if; pāi—I get; tabe—then; la-i—I take; eka jana—one person.
TRANSLATION
"Such a person must be a new man, and he must have a peaceful mind. If I can obtain such a man, I shall agree to take him with Me."
PURPORT
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu formerly went to South India, a brāhmaṇa named Kālā Kṛṣṇadāsa went with Him. It was Kālā Kṛṣṇadāsa who fell victim to a woman, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had to take the trouble to free him from the clutches of the gypsies. Therefore the Lord here says that He wants a new man who is peaceful in mind. One whose mind is not peaceful is agitated by certain drives, especially sex desire, even though he be in the company of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Such a man will become a victim of women and will fall down even in the company of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Māyā is so strong that unless one is determined not to fall victim, even the Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot give protection. The Supreme Lord and His representative always want to give protection, but a person must take advantage of their personal contact. If one thinks that the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His representative is an ordinary man, he will certainly fall down. Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not want a person like Kālā Kṛṣṇadāsa to accompany Him. He wanted someone who was determined, who had a peaceful mind and who was not agitated by ulterior motives.
TEXT 15
svarūpa kahe,--ei balabhadra-bhaṭṭācārya
tomāte susnigdha baḍa, paṇḍita, sādhu, ārya
SYNONYMS
svarūpa kahe—Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī said; ei—this; balabhadra-bhaṭṭācārya—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; tomāte—unto You; su-snigdha—affectionate; baḍa—very; paṇḍita—educated; sādhu—honest; ārya—advanced in spiritual consciousness.
TRANSLATION
Svarūpa Dāmodara then said, "Here is Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya, who has great love for You. He is an honest, learned scholar, and he is advanced in spiritual consciousness.
PURPORT
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted a new man, not a person like Kālā Kṛṣṇadāsa who would fall for women. Svarūpa Dāmodara therefore immediately pointed out a new brāhmaṇa named Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya. Śrī Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī had studied this person very thoroughly and had seen that he had great love for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Not only did he love the Lord, but he was also learned and honest. He was not duplicitous, and he was advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. According to a Bengali proverb, ati bhakti corera lakṣaṇa: "Too much devotion is a symptom of a thief." A person who assumes himself to be a great devotee but mentally is thinking of something else is duplicitous. One who is not duplicitous is called sādhu. Svarūpa Dāmodara immediately pointed out that Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya was quite fit to accompany the Lord because he was a learned scholar and was simple and had great love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He was also advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness; therefore he was considered appropriate to accompany the Lord as a personal servant.
The word snigdha (very peaceful) and the word su-snigdha (affectionate) are used in verses fourteen and fifteen, and they are also found in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.1.8): brūyuḥ snigdhasya śiṣyasya guravo guhyam apy uta. "A disciple who has actual love for his spiritual master is endowed, by the blessings of the spiritual master, with all confidential knowledge." Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī has commented that the word snigdhasya means prema-vataḥ. The word prema-vataḥ indicates that one has great love for his spiritual master.
TEXT 16
prathamei tomā-saṅge āilā gauḍa haite
iṅhāra icchā āche 'sarva-tīrtha' karite
SYNONYMS
prathamei—in the beginning; tomā-saṅge—with You; āilā—came; gauḍa haite—from Bengal; iṅhāra icchā—his desire; āche—is; sarva-tīrtha—all places of pilgrimage; karite—to go see.
TRANSLATION
"In the beginning, he came with You from Bengal. It is his desire to see and visit all the holy places of pilgrimage.
TEXT 17
iṅhāra saṅge āche vipra eka 'bhṛtya'
iṅho pathe karibena sevā-bhikṣā-kṛtya
SYNONYMS
iṅhāra saṅge—with him; āche—is; vipra—brāhmaṇa; eka—one; bhṛtya—servant; iṅho—this man; pathe—on the way; karibena—will do; sevā—service; bhikṣā-kṛtya—and arrangements for cooking.
TRANSLATION
"In addition, You may take another brāhmaṇa who would act as a servant en route and make arrangements for Your food.
TEXT 18
iṅhāre saṅge laha yadi, sabāra haya 'sukha'
vana-pathe yāite tomāra nahibe kona 'duḥkha'
SYNONYMS
iṅhāre—him; saṅge—along; laha—You accept; yadi—if; sabāra haya sukha—everyone will be happy; vana-pathe—on the path through the jungle; yāite—going; tomāra—Your; nahibe—there will not be; kona—any; duḥkha—difficulty.
TRANSLATION
"If You can also take him with You, we will be very happy. If two people go with You through the jungle, there will certainly be no difficulty or inconvenience.
TEXT 19
sei vipra vahi' nibe vastrāmbu-bhājana
bhaṭṭācārya bhikṣā dibe kari' bhikṣāṭana
SYNONYMS
sei vipra—the other brāhmaṇa; vahi' nibe—will carry; vastra-ambu-bhājana—the cloth and waterpot; bhaṭṭācārya—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; bhikṣā dibe—will arrange for cooking; kari'-performing; bhikṣā-aṭana—collecting alms.
TRANSLATION
"The other brāhmaṇa can carry Your cloth and waterpot, and Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya will collect alms and cook for You."
TEXT 20
tāṅhāra vacana prabhu aṅgīkāra kaila
balabhadra-bhaṭṭācārye saṅge kari' nila
SYNONYMS
tāṅhāra vacana—his words; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; aṅgīkāra kaila—accepted; balabhadra-bhaṭṭācārye—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; saṅge kari' nila—took with Him.
TRANSLATION
Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted the request of Svarūpa Dāmodara Paṇḍita and agreed to take Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya with Him.
TEXT 21
pūrva-rātrye jagannātha dekhi' 'āj�ā' la�ā
śeṣa-rātre uṭhi' prabhu calilā lukā�ā
SYNONYMS
pūrva-rātrye—on the previous night; jagannātha dekhi'-seeing Lord Jagannātha; āj�ā la�ā—taking permission; śeṣa-rātre—near the end of night; uṭhi'-rising; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; calilā—started; lukā�ā—without being seen.
TRANSLATION
On the previous night, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had visited Lord Jagannātha and taken His permission. Now, near the end of night, the Lord got up and started immediately. He was not seen by others.
TEXT 22
prātaḥ-kāle bhakta-gaṇa prabhu nā dekhiyā
anveṣaṇa kari' phire vyākula ha�ā
SYNONYMS
prātaḥ-kāle—early in the morning; bhakta-gaṇa—all the devotees; prabhu—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; nā dekhiyā—not seeing; anveṣaṇa kari'-searching; phire—wander; vyākula ha�ā—becoming very anxious.
TRANSLATION
Because the Lord had departed, the devotees, unable to see Him early in the morning, began to search for Him with great anxiety.
TEXT 23
svarūpa-gosā�i sabāya kaila nivāraṇa
nivṛtta ha�ā rahe sabe jāni' prabhura mana
SYNONYMS
svarūpa-gosā�i—Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī; sabāya—unto everyone; kaila—did; nivāraṇa—forbidding; nivṛtta ha�ā—being restrained; rahe—remain; sabe—all; jāni'-knowing; prabhura mana—the mind of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TRANSLATION
While all the devotees were searching for the Lord, Svarūpa Dāmodara restrained them. Then everyone fell silent, knowing the mind of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 24
prasiddha patha chāḍi' prabhu upapathe calilā
'kaṭaka' ḍāhine kari' vane praveśilā
SYNONYMS
prasiddha—well-known; patha—public way; chāḍi'-giving up; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; upapathe—through a bypass; calilā—began to walk; kaṭaka—the city of Kaṭaka; ḍāhine—on the right side; kari'-keeping; vane—within the forest; praveśilā—entered.
TRANSLATION
The Lord abandoned walking on the well-known public road and went instead along a bypass. He thus kept the city of Kaṭaka on His right as He entered the forest.
TEXT 25
nirjana-vane cale prabhu kṛṣṇa-nāma la�ā
hasti-vyāghra patha chāḍe prabhure dekhiyā
SYNONYMS
nirjana-vane—in a solitary forest; cale—walks; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kṛṣṇa-nāma la�ā—chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; hasti—elephants; vyāghra—tigers; patha chāḍe—leave the path; prabhure—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dekhiyā—seeing.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord passed through the solitary forest chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, the tigers and elephants, seeing Him, gave way.
TEXT 26
pāle-pāle vyāghra, hastī, gaṇḍāra, śūkara-gaṇa
tāra madhye āveśe prabhu karilā gamana
SYNONYMS
pāle-pāle—in flocks; vyāghra—tigers; hastī—elephants; gaṇḍāra—rhinoceros; śūkara-gaṇa—boars; tāra madhye—through them; āveśe—in ecstasy; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; karilā gamana—passed.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord passed through the jungle in great ecstasy, packs of tigers, elephants, rhinoceros and boars came, and the Lord passed right through them.
TEXT 27
dekhi' bhaṭṭācāryera mane haya mahā-bhaya
prabhura pratāpe tārā eka pāśa haya
SYNONYMS
dekhi'—seeing; bhaṭṭācāryera—of Bhaṭṭācārya; mane—in the mind; haya—there was; mahā-bhaya—great fear; prabhura pratāpe—by the influence of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tārā—they; eka pāśa haya—stand to one side.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya was very much afraid to see them, but by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's influence, all the animals stood to one side.
TEXT 28
eka-dina pathe vyāghra kariyāche śayana
āveśe tāra gāye prabhura lāgila caraṇa
SYNONYMS
eka-dina—one day; pathe—on the path; vyāghra—a tiger; kariyāche śayana—was lying down; āveśe—in ecstatic love; tāra gāye—on his body; prabhura—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; lāgila—touched; caraṇa—lotus feet.
TRANSLATION
One day a tiger was lying on the path, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, walking along the path in ecstatic love, touched the tiger with His feet.
TEXT 29
prabhu kahe,--kaha 'kṛṣṇa', vyāghra uṭhila
'kṛṣṇa' 'kṛṣṇa' kahi' vyāghra nācite lāgila
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said; kaha kṛṣṇa—please chant Hare Kṛṣṇa; vyāghra uṭhila—the tiger got up; kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kahi'-chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; vyāghra—the tiger; nācite—to dance; lāgila—began.
TRANSLATION
The Lord said, "Chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa!" The tiger immediately got up and began to dance and chant,"Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa!"
TEXT 30
āra dine mahāprabhu kare nadī snāna
matta-hasti-yūtha āila karite jala-pāna
SYNONYMS
āra dine—another day; mahāprabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kare—does; nadī snāna—bathing in the river; matta-hasti-yūtha—a herd of maddened elephants; āila—came; karite—to do; jala-pāna—drinking water.
TRANSLATION
Another day, while Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was bathing in a river, a herd of maddened elephants came there to drink water.
TEXT 31
prabhu jala-kṛtya kare, āge hastī āilā
'kṛṣṇa kaha' bali' prabhu jala pheli' mārilā
SYNONYMS
prabhu—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; jala-kṛtya kare—bathed and was chanting the Gāyatrī mantra within the water; āge—in front; hastī—the elephants; āilā—came; kṛṣṇa kaha—chant Hare Kṛṣṇa; bali'-saying; prabhu—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; jala pheli'-throwing water; mārilā—struck.
TRANSLATION
While the Lord was bathing and murmuring the Gāyatrī mantra, the elephants came before Him. The Lord immediately splashed some water on the elephants and asked them to chant the name of Kṛṣṇa.
PURPORT
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was the Supreme personality of Godhead playing the part of a very great advanced devotee. On the mahā-bhāgavata platform, the devotee makes no distinction between friends and enemies. On that platform he sees everyone as a servant of Kṛṣṇa. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā:
vidyā-vinaya-sampanne
brāhmaṇe gavi hastini
śuni caiva śvapāke ca
paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ
"The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brāhmaṇa, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater [outcaste]." (Bg. 5.18)
A mahā-bhāgavata, being learned and advanced in spiritual consciousness, sees no difference between a tiger, an elephant or a learned scholar. The test of advanced spiritual consciousness is that one becomes fearless. He envies no one, and he is always engaged in the Lord's service. He sees every living entity as an eternal part and parcel of the Lord, rendering service according to his capacity by the will of the Supreme Lord. As Bhagavad-gītā confirms:
sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo
mattaḥ smṛtir j�ānam apohanaṁ ca
"I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness." (Bg. 15.15)
The mahā-bhāgavata knows that Kṛṣṇa is in everyone's heart. Kṛṣṇa is dictating, and the living entity is following His dictations. Kṛṣṇa is within the heart of the tiger, elephant and boar. Therefore Kṛṣṇa tells them, "Here is a mahā-bhāgavata. Please do not disturb him." Why, then, should the animals be envious of such a great personality? Those who are neophytes or even a little progressed in devotional service should not try to imitate the mahā-bhāgavata. Rather, they should only follow in their footsteps. The word anukara means "imitating," and anusara means "trying to follow in the footsteps." We should not try to imitate the activities of a mahā-bhāgavata or Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Our best efforts should be exerted in trying to follow them according to our ability. The mahā-bhāgavata's heart is completely freed from material contamination, and he can become very dear even to fierce animals like tigers and elephants. Indeed, the mahā-bhāgavata treats them as his very intimate friends. On this platform there is no question of envy. When the Lord was passing through the forest, He was in ecstasy, thinking the forest to be Vṛndāvana. He was simply searching for Kṛṣṇa.
TEXT 32
sei jala-bindu-kaṇā lāge yāra gāya
sei 'kṛṣṇa' 'kṛṣṇa' kahe, preme nāce, gāya
SYNONYMS
sei—those; jala—of water; bindu—drops; kaṇā—particles; lāge—touch; yāra—whose; gāya—body; sei—they; kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa—Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa; kahe—say; preme—in ecstasy; nāce—dance; gāya—sing.
TRANSLATION
The elephants whose bodies were touched by the water splashed by the Lord began to chant,"Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa!" and dance and sing in ecstasy.
TEXT 33
keha bhūme paḍe, keha karaye citkāra
dekhi' bhaṭṭācāryera mane haya camatkāra
SYNONYMS
keha—some of them; bhūme—on the ground; paḍe—fall down; keha—some of them; karaye—perform; cit-kāra—screaming; dekhi'-seeing; bhaṭṭācāryera—of Bhaṭṭācārya; mane—in the mind; haya—there was; camatkāra—astonishment.
TRANSLATION
Some of the elephants fell to the ground, and some screamed in ecstasy. Seeing this, Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya was completely astonished.
TEXT 34
pathe yāite kare prabhu ucca saṅkīrtana
madhura kaṇṭha-dhvani śuni' āise mṛgī-gaṇa
SYNONYMS
pathe yāite—while passing on the path; kare—does; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ucca—loud; saṅkīrtana—chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa; madhura—sweet; kaṇṭha-dhvani—the voice from His throat; śuni'-hearing; āise—came; mṛgī-gaṇa—she-deer.
TRANSLATION
Sometimes Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu chanted very loudly while passing through the jungle. Hearing His sweet voice, all the does came near Him.
TEXT 35
ḍāhine-vāme dhvani śuni' yāya prabhu-saṅge
prabhu tāra aṅga muche, śloka paḍe raṅge
SYNONYMS
ḍāhine-vāme—right and left; dhvani—vibration; śuni'-hearing; yāya—they follow; prabhu-saṅge—with the Lord; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tāra—their; aṅga—bodies; muche—pats; śloka—verse; paḍe—recites; raṅge—in great curiosity.
TRANSLATION
Hearing the Lord's great vibration, all the does followed Him left and right. While reciting a verse with great curiosity, the Lord patted them.
TEXT 36
dhanyāḥ sma mūḍha-matayo 'pi hariṇya etā
yā nanda-nandanam upātta-vicitra-veśam
ākarṇya veṇu-raṇitaṁ saha-kṛṣṇa-sārāḥ
pūjāṁ dadhur viracitāṁ praṇayāvalokaiḥ
SYNONYMS
dhanyāḥ—fortunate, blessed; sma—certainly; mūḍha-matayaḥ—foolish, without good sense; api—although; hariṇyaḥ—she-deer; etāḥ—these; yāḥ—who; nanda-nandanam—the son of Mahārāja Nanda; upātta-vicitra-veśam—dressed very attractively; ākarṇya—hearing; veṇu-raṇitam—the sound of His flute; saha-kṛṣṇa-sārāḥ—accompanied by the black deer (their husbands); pūjām dadhuḥ—they worshiped; viracitām—performed; praṇaya-avalokaiḥ—by their affectionate glances.
TRANSLATION
"Blessed are all these foolish deer because they have approached the son of Mahārāja Nanda, who is gorgeously dressed and is playing on His flute. Indeed, both the does and the bucks worship the Lord with looks of love and affection."
PURPORT
This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.21.11) spoken by the gopīs of Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 37
hena-kāle vyāghra tathā āila pāṅca-sāta
vyāghra-mṛgī mili' cale mahāprabhura sātha
SYNONYMS
hena-kāle—at this time; vyāghra—tigers; tathā—there; āila—came; pāṅca-sāta—five to seven; vyāghra-mṛgī—the tigers and deer; mili'-coming together; cale—go; mahāprabhura sātha—with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TRANSLATION
While Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was passing through the jungle, five or seven tigers came. Joining the deer, the tigers began to follow the Lord.
TEXT 38
dekhi' mahāprabhura 'vṛndāvana'-smṛti haila
vṛndāvana-guṇa-varṇana śloka paḍila
SYNONYMS
dekhi'—seeing; mahāprabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; vṛndāvana—of the holy land of Vṛndāvana; smṛti haila—there was remembrance; vṛndāvana—of Śrī Vṛndāvana; guṇa—of the qualities; varṇana—description; śloka—verse; paḍila—recited.
TRANSLATION
Seeing the tigers and deer following Him, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately remembered the land of Vṛndāvana. He then began to recite a verse describing the transcendental quality of Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 39
yatra naisarga-durvairāḥ
sahāsan nṛ-mṛgādayaḥ
mitrāṇīvājitāvāsa-
druta-ruṭ-tarṣaṇādikam
SYNONYMS
yatra—where; naisarga—by nature; durvairāḥ—living in enmity; saha-āsan—live together; nṛ—human beings; mṛga-ādayaḥ—and animals; mitrāṇi—friends; iva—like; ajita—of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa; āvāsa—residence; druta—gone away; ruj—anger; tarṣaṇa-ādikam—thirst and so on.
TRANSLATION
"Vṛndāvana is the transcendental abode of the Lord. There is no hunger, anger or thirst there. Though naturally inimical, both human beings and fierce animals live together there in transcendental friendship."
PURPORT
This is a statement from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.13.60). After stealing the cowherd boys, calves and cows of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Lord Brahmā kept them asleep and hid them. After a moment, Brahmā returned to see Kṛṣṇa's condition. When he saw that Kṛṣṇa was still busy with His cowherd boyfriends and animals and was not disturbed, Lord Brahmā appreciated the transcendental opulence of Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 40
'kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kaha' kari' prabhu yabe balila
'kṛṣṇa' kahi' vyāghra-mṛga nācite lāgila
SYNONYMS
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kaha—chant Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa; kari'-in this way; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; yabe—when; balila—uttered; kṛṣṇa kahi'-chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; vyāghra-mṛga—the tigers and deer; nācite lāgila—began to dance.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said,"Chant Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa!" the tigers and deer began to dance and chant, "Kṛṣṇa!"
TEXT 41
nāce, kunde vyāghra-gaṇa mṛgī-gaṇa-saṅge
balabhadra-bhaṭṭācārya dekhe apūrva-raṅge
SYNONYMS
nāce—dance; kunde—jump; vyāghra-gaṇa—the tigers; mṛgī-gaṇa-saṅge—with the does; balabhadra-bhaṭṭācārya—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; dekhe—sees; apūrva-raṅge—with great wonder.
TRANSLATION
When all the tigers and does danced and jumped, Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya saw them and was struck with wonder.
TEXT 42
vyāghra-mṛga anyonye kare āliṅgana
mukhe mukha diyā kare anyonye cumbana
SYNONYMS
vyāghra-mṛga—the tigers and deer; anyonye—one another; kare—do; āliṅgana—embracing; mukhe mukha diyā—touching one anothers' mouths; kare—do; anyonye cumbana—kissing one another.
TRANSLATION
Indeed, the tigers and deer began to embrace one another, and, touching mouths, they began to kiss.
TEXT 43
kautuka dekhiyā prabhu hāsite lāgilā
tā-sabāke tāhāṅ chāḍi' āge cali' gelā
SYNONYMS
kautuka dekhiyā—seeing this fun; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; hāsite lāgilā—began to smile; tā-sabāke—all of them; tāhāṅ chāḍi'-leaving there; āge—forward; cali' gelā—advanced.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw all this fun, He began to smile. Finally He left the animals and continued on His way.
TEXT 44
mayūrādi pakṣi-gaṇa prabhure dekhiyā
saṅge cale, 'kṛṣṇa' bali' nāce matta ha�ā
SYNONYMS
mayūra-ādi—beginning with peacocks; pakṣi-gaṇa—different types of birds; prabhure—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dekhiyā—seeing; saṅge cale—go with Him; kṛṣṇa bali'-chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; nāce—dance; matta ha�ā—becoming mad.
TRANSLATION
Various birds, including the peacock, saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and began to follow Him, chanting and dancing. They were all maddened by the holy name of Kṛṣṇa.
TEXT 45
'hari-bola' bali' prabhu kare ucca-dhvani
vṛkṣa-latā--praphullita, sei dhvani śuni'
SYNONYMS
hari-bola—the vibration of Hari-bol; bali'-chanting; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kare—makes; ucca-dhvani—a loud sound; vṛkṣa-latā—the trees and creepers; praphullita—very jubilant; sei—that; dhvani—sound; śuni'-hearing.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord loudly chanted "Hari bol!" the trees and creepers became jubilant to hear Him.
PURPORT
The loud chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra is so powerful that it can even penetrate the ears of trees and creepers-what to speak of animals and human beings. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu once asked Haridāsa Ṭhākura how trees and plants could be delivered, and Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied that the loud chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra would benefit not only trees and plants but insects and all other living beings. One should therefore not be disturbed by the loud chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, for it is beneficial not only to the chanter but to everyone who gets an opportunity to hear.
TEXT 46
'jhārikhaṇḍe' sthāvara-jaṅgama āche yata
kṛṣṇa-nāma diyā kaila premete unmatta
SYNONYMS
jhārikhaṇḍe—in the place known as Jhārikhaṇḍa; sthāvara-jaṅgama—moving and not moving; āche—there are; yata—all; kṛṣṇa-nāma diyā—giving them the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa; kaila—made; premete—in ecstasy; unmatta—mad.
TRANSLATION
Thus all living entities-some moving and some standing still in the forest of Jhārikhaṇḍa-became maddened by hearing the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa vibrated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
PURPORT
The great forest of Jhārikhaṇḍa is a great tract of land including Āṭagaḍa, Ḍheṅkānala, Āṅgula, Lāhārā, Kiya�jhaḍa, Bāmaḍā, Bonāi, Gāṅgapura, Choṭa Nāgapura, Yaśapura and Saragujā. All these places, which are covered with mountains and jungles, are known as Jhārikhaṇḍa.
TEXT 47
yei grāma diyā yāna, yāhāṅ karena sthiti
se-saba grāmera lokera haya 'prema-bhakti'
SYNONYMS
yei grāma—which villages; diyā yāna—the Lord goes through; yāhāṅ—where; karena—takes; sthiti—rest; se-saba—all those; grāmera—of the villages; lokera—of the people; haya—there is awakening of; prema-bhakti—ecstatic love of God.
TRANSLATION
In all the villages through which the Lord passed and in all the places He rested on His journey, everyone was purified and awakened to ecstatic love of God.
TEXTS 48-49
keha yadi tāṅra mukhe śune kṛṣṇa-nāma
tāṅra mukhe āna śune tāṅra mukhe āna
sabe 'kṛṣṇa' 'hari' bali' nāce, kānde, hāse
paramparāya 'vaiṣṇava' ha-ila sarva deśe
SYNONYMS
keha—someone; yadi—when; tāṅra mukhe—from His mouth; śune—hears; kṛṣṇa-nāma—chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra; tāṅra mukhe—from the mouth of such chanters; āna śune—someone else hears; tāṅra mukhe—and from his mouth; āna—someone else; sabe—all of them; kṛṣṇa—Lord Kṛṣṇa's holy name; hari—another holy name of the Lord; bali'-chanting; nāce—dance; kānde—cry; hāse—smile; paramparāya—by disciplic succession; vaiṣṇava—devotees; ha-ila—became; sarva-deśe—in all countries.
TRANSLATION
When someone heard the chanting of the holy name from the mouth of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and someone else heard this chanting from that second person, and someone again heard this chanting from the third person, everyone in all countries became a Vaiṣṇava through such disciplic succession. Thus everyone chanted the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and Hari, and they danced, cried and smiled.
PURPORT
The transcendental power or potency of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is herein explained. First, the holy name is vibrated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. When someone hears from Him directly, he is purified. When another person hears from that person, he also is purified. In this way the purification process is advanced among pure devotees. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and no one can claim His potency. Nonetheless, if one is a pure devotee, hundreds and thousands of men can be purified by his vibration. This potency is within every living being, provided he chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra offenselessly and without material motives. When a pure devotee chants offenselessly, another person will become a Vaiṣṇava, and from him another Vaiṣṇava will emerge. This is the paramparā system.
TEXT 50
yadyapi prabhu loka-saṅghaṭṭera trāse
prema 'gupta' karena, bāhire nā prakāśe
SYNONYMS
yadyapi—although; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; loka-saṅghaṭṭera—of crowds of people; trāse—being afraid; prema—ecstasy; gupta karena—keeps hidden; bāhire—externally; nā—does not; prakāśe—manifest.
TRANSLATION
The Lord did not always manifest His ecstasy. Being afraid of a great assembly of people, the Lord kept His ecstasy concealed.
TEXT 51
tathāpi tāṅra darśana-śravaṇa-prabhāve
sakala deśera loka ha-ila 'vaiṣṇave'
SYNONYMS
tathāpi—still; tāṅra—His; darśana—of seeing; śravaṇa—of hearing; prabhāve—by the potency; sakala—all; deśera—of countries; loka—people; ha-ila—became; vaiṣṇave—pure devotees of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not manifest His natural ecstatic love, everyone became a pure devotee simply by seeing and hearing Him.
PURPORT
Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has described Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as mahā-vadānya-avatāra, the most munificent incarnation. Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is not physically present now, simply by chanting His holy name (śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda) people throughout the world are becoming devotees. This is due to the ecstatic chanting of the holy name of the Lord. It is said that a pure devotee can see the Lord every moment, and because of this he is empowered by the Lord. This is confirmed in the Brahma-saṁhitā: premā�jana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared five hundred years ago, but it cannot be said that now the potency of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is less powerful than it was in His presence. By hearing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu through the paramparā system, one can be purified. Therefore in this verse it is said: tathāpi tāṅra darśana-śravaṇa-prabhāve. It is not that everyone is able to see Kṛṣṇa or Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu physically, but if one hears about Him through books like Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta and through the paramparā system of pure Vaiṣṇavas, there is no difficulty in becoming a pure Vaiṣṇava, free from mundane desires and personal motivations.
TEXT 52
gauḍa, baṅga, utkala, dakṣiṇa-deśe giyā
lokera nistāra kaila āpane bhramiyā
SYNONYMS
gauḍa—Bengal; baṅga—East Bengal; utkala—Orissa; dakṣiṇa-deśe—southern India; giyā—going; lokera—of all the people; nistāra—liberation; kaila—did; āpane—personally; bhramiyā—touring.
TRANSLATION
In this way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally toured Bengal, East Bengal, Orissa and the southern countries, and He delivered all kinds of people by spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
TEXT 53
mathurā yāibāra chale āsena jhārikhaṇḍa
bhilla-prāya loka tāhāṅ parama-pāṣaṇḍa
SYNONYMS
mathurā—to Mathurā; yāibāra—of going; chale—on the pretext; āsena—came; jhārikhaṇḍa—to Jhārikhaṇḍa; bhilla-prāya—like the Bheels, a kind of low people; loka—people; tāhāṅ—there; parama-pāṣaṇḍa—without God consciousness.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came to Jhārikhaṇḍa on His way to Mathurā, He found that the people there were almost uncivilized and were devoid of God consciousness.
PURPORT
The word bhilla refers to a class of men belonging to the Bheels. The Bheels are like Black Africans, and they are lower than śūdras. Such people generally live in the jungle, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had to meet them.
TEXT 54
nāma-prema diyā kaila sabāra nistāra
caitanyera gūḍha-līlā bujhite śakti kāra
SYNONYMS
nāma-prema diyā—bestowing upon them ecstatic love and the holy name; kaila—did; sabāra nistāra—liberation of all of them; caitanyera—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; gūḍha-līlā—confidential pastimes; bujhite—to understand; śakti—the power; kāra—who has.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave even the Bheels an opportunity to chant the holy name and come to the platform of ecstatic love. Thus He delivered all of them. Who has the power to understand the transcendental pastimes of the Lord?
PURPORT
As evidence of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mercy, we are experiencing that the people of Africa are taking to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, chanting and dancing and taking prasāda like other Vaiṣṇavas. This is all due to the power of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Who can understand how His potency is working all over the world?
TEXT 55
vana dekhi' bhrama haya--ei 'vṛndāvana'
śaila dekhi' mane haya--ei 'govardhana'
SYNONYMS
vana dekhi'—seeing the forest; bhrama haya—there is illusion; ei—this; vṛndāvana—Vṛndāvana forest; śaila dekhi'-seeing a hill; mane haya—considers; ei govardhana—this is Govardhana Hill.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed through the Jhārikhaṇḍa forest, He took it for granted that it was Vṛndāvana. When He passed over the hills, He took it for granted that they were Govardhana.
TEXT 56
yāhāṅ nadī dekhe tāhāṅ mānaye--'kālindī'
mahā-premāveśe nāce prabhu paḍe kāndi'
SYNONYMS
yāhāṅ—wherever; nadī—river; dekhe—sees; tāhāṅ—there; mānaye—considers; kālindī—the River Yamunā; mahā-prema-āveśe—in great ecstatic love; nāce—dances; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; paḍe—falls down; kāndi'-crying.
TRANSLATION
Similarly, whenever Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw a river, He immediately accepted it as the River Yamunā. Thus while in the forest He was filled with great ecstatic love, and He danced and fell down crying.
TEXT 57
pathe yāite bhaṭṭācārya śāka-mūla-phala
yāhāṅ yei pāyena tāhāṅ layena sakala
SYNONYMS
pathe yāite—while passing on the way; bhaṭṭācārya—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; śāka—spinach; mūla—roots; phala—fruits; yāhāṅ—wherever; yei—whatever; pāyena—he gets; tāhāṅ—there; layena—he takes; sakala—all.
TRANSLATION
Along the way, Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya collected all kinds of spinach, roots and fruit whenever possible.
TEXT 58
ye-grāme rahena prabhu, tathāya brāhmaṇa
pāṅca-sāta jana āsi' kare nimantraṇa
SYNONYMS
ye-grāme—in whatever village; rahena—stays; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tathāya—there; brāhmaṇa—brāhmaṇas; pāṅca-sāta jana—five or seven persons; āsi'-coming; kare—do; nimantraṇa—invitation.
TRANSLATION
Whenever Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited a village, a few brāhmaṇas-five or seven-would come and extend invitations to the Lord.
TEXT 59
keha anna āni' deya bhaṭṭācārya-sthāne
keha dugdha, dadhi, keha ghṛta, khaṇḍa āne
SYNONYMS
keha—someone; anna—grains; āni'-bringing; deya—delivers; bhaṭṭācārya-sthāne—before Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; keha—someone; dugdha—milk; dadhi—yogurt; keha—someone; ghṛta—ghee; khaṇḍa—sugar; āne—brings.
TRANSLATION
Some people would bring grains and deliver them to Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya. Others would bring milk and yogurt, and still others would bring ghee and sugar.
TEXT 60
yāhāṅ vipra nāhi tāhāṅ 'śūdra-mahājana'
āsi' sabe bhaṭṭācārye kare nimantraṇa
SYNONYMS
yāhāṅ—wherever; vipra—brāhmaṇa; nāhi—there is not; tāhāṅ—there; śūdra-mahā-jana—devotees born in families other than brāhmaṇa; āsi'-coming; sabe—all of them; bhaṭṭācārye—to Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; kare nimantraṇa—make invitation.
TRANSLATION
In some villages there were no brāhmaṇas; nonetheless, devotees born in non-brāhmaṇa families came and extended invitations to Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya.
PURPORT
Actually a sannyāsī or a brāhmaṇa will not accept an invitation extended by a person born in a lower family. However, there are many devotees who are raised to the platform of brāhmaṇa by their initiation. These people are called śūdra-mahājana. This indicates that one who is born in a non-brāhmaṇa family has accepted the brāhmaṇa status by initiation. Such devotees extended invitations to Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya. A Māyāvādī sannyāsī will accept an invitation only from a brāhmaṇa family, but a Vaiṣṇava does not accept an invitation from a brāhmaṇa if he does not belong to the Vaiṣṇava sect. However, a Vaiṣṇava will accept an invitation from a brāhmaṇa or śūdra-mahājana if that person is an initiated Vaiṣṇava. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself accepted invitations from śūdra-mahājanas, and this confirms the fact that anyone initiated by a Vaiṣṇava mantra can be accepted as a brāhmaṇa. One can accept an invitation from such a person.
TEXT 61
bhaṭṭācārya pāka kare vanya-vya�jana
vanya-vya�jane prabhura ānandita mana
SYNONYMS
bhaṭṭācārya—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; pāka kare—cooks; vanya-vya�jana—all varieties of forest vegetables; vanya-vya�jane—by such forest vegetables; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ānandita mana—the mind is very happy.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya used to cook all kinds of vegetables gathered from the forest, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very pleased to accept these preparations.
TEXTS 62-63
dui-cāri dinera anna rākhena saṁhati
yāhāṅ śūnya vana, lokera nāhika vasati
tāhāṅ sei anna bhaṭṭācārya kare pāka
phala-mūle vya�jana kare, vanya nānā śāka
SYNONYMS
dui-cāri—two to four; dinera—of days; anna—food grains; rākhena—keeps; saṁhati—in stock; yāhāṅ—wherever; śūnya vana—the solitary forest; lokera—of people; nāhika—there is not; vasati—habitation; tāhāṅ—there; sei—those; anna—food grains; bhaṭṭācārya—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; kare pāka—cooks; phala-mūle—with roots and fruits; vya�jana kare—he prepares vegetables; vanya—from the forest; nānā śāka—many kinds of spinach.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya used to keep a stock of food grains that would last from two to four days. Where there were no people, he would cook the grains and prepare vegetables, spinach, roots and fruits collected from the forest.
TEXT 64
parama santoṣa prabhura vanya-bhojane
mahā-sukha pāna, ye dina rahena nirjane
SYNONYMS
parama—very much; santoṣa—satisfaction; prabhura—of the Lord; vanya-bhojane—in eating vegetables collected from the forest; mahā-sukha pāna—gets great happiness; ye dina—on which day; rahena—stays; nirjane—in a solitary place.
TRANSLATION
The Lord was always very happy to eat these forest vegetables, and He was even happier when He had an opportunity to stay in a solitary place.
TEXT 65
bhaṭṭācārya sevā kare, snehe yaiche 'dāsa'
tāṅra vipra vahe jala-pātra-bahirvāsa
SYNONYMS
bhaṭṭācārya—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; sevā kare—renders service; snehe—in great affection; yaiche—exactly like; dāsa—a servant; tāṅra vipra—his brāhmaṇa assistant; vahe—carries; jala-pātra—the waterpot; bahirvāsa—and garments.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya was so affectionate to the Lord that he was rendering service just like a menial servant. His assistant brāhmaṇa carried the waterpot and garments.
TEXT 66
nirjharete uṣṇodake snāna tina-bāra
dui-sandhyā agni-tāpa kāṣṭhera apāra
SYNONYMS
nirjharete—in the waterfalls; uṣṇa-udake—in warm water; snāna—bath; tina-bāra—thrice; dui-sandhyā—morning and evening; agni-tāpa—heating by a fire; kāṣṭhera—of wood; apāra—without limit.
TRANSLATION
The Lord used to bathe three times a day in the warm water of the waterfalls. He also used to heat Himself morning and evening with a fire made of the limitless wood.
TEXT 67
nirantara premāveśe nirjane gamana
sukha anubhavi' prabhu kahena vacana
SYNONYMS
nirantara—always; prema-āveśe—in ecstatic love; nirjane—in a solitary place; gamana—going; sukha anubhavi'-feeling happiness; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kahena—says; vacana—statement.
TRANSLATION
While traveling in this secluded forest and feeling very happy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu made the following statement.
TEXT 68
śuna, bhaṭṭācārya,--"āmi gelāṅa bahu-deśa
vana-pathe duḥkhera kāhāṅ nāhi pāi leśa
SYNONYMS
śuna—please hear; bhaṭṭācārya—My dear Bhaṭṭācārya; āmi—I; gelāṅa—traveled; bahu-deśa—many countries; vana-pathe—through the forest path; duḥkhera—of unhappiness; kāhāṅ—anywhere; nāhi pāi—I do not get; leśa—even a trace.
TRANSLATION
"My dear Bhaṭṭācārya, I have traveled very far through the forest, and I have not even slightly received any trouble.
TEXT 69
kṛṣṇa--kṛpālu, āmāya bahuta kṛpā kailā
vana-pathe āni' āmāya baḍa sukha dilā
SYNONYMS
kṛṣṇa—Lord Kṛṣṇa; kṛpālu—very kind; āmāya—upon Me; bahuta—greatly; kṛpā—mercy; kailā—showed; vana-pathe—on the path in the forest; āni'-bringing; āmāya—unto Me; baḍa—very much; sukha—happiness; dilā—gave.
TRANSLATION
"Kṛṣṇa is very merciful, especially to Me. He has shown His mercy by bringing Me on this path through the forest. Thus He has given Me great pleasure.
TEXT 70
pūrve vṛndāvana yāite karilāṅa vicāra
mātā, gaṅgā, bhakta-gaṇe dekhiba eka-bāra
SYNONYMS
pūrve—formerly; vṛndāvana—to the holy place of Vṛndāvana; yāite—to go; karilāṅa—I did; vicāra—consideration; mātā—mother; gaṅgā—the Ganges; bhakta-gaṇe—and devotees; dekhiba—I shall see; eka-bāra—once.
TRANSLATION
"Before this, I decided to go to Vṛndāvana and on the way see My mother, the River Ganges and other devotees once again.
TEXT 71
bhakta-gaṇa-saṅge avaśya kariba milana
bhakta-gaṇe saṅge la�ā yāba 'vṛndāvana'
SYNONYMS
bhakta-gaṇa-saṅge—with all My devotees; avaśya—certainly; kariba—shall do; milana—meeting; bhakta-gaṇe—all the devotees; saṅge—along with Me; la�ā—taking; yāba—I shall go; vṛndāvana—to Vṛndāvana-dhāma.
TRANSLATION
"I thought that once again I would see and meet all the devotees and take them with Me to Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 72
eta bhāvi' gauḍa-deśe kariluṅ gamana
mātā, gaṅgā bhakte dekhi' sukhī haila mana
SYNONYMS
eta bhāvi'—thinking like this; gauḍa-deśe—to Bengal; kariluṅ gamana—I went; mātā—My mother; gaṅgā—the Ganges; bhakte—devotees; dekhi'-seeing; sukhī—happy; haila—became; mana—My mind.
TRANSLATION
"Thus I went to Bengal, and I was very happy to see My mother, the River Ganges and the devotees.
TEXT 73
bhakta-gaṇe la�ā tabe calilāṅa raṅge
lakṣa-koṭi loka tāhāṅ haila āmā-saṅge
SYNONYMS
bhakta-gaṇe—all the devotees; la�ā—taking; tabe—then; calilāṅa raṅge—I started with great pleasure; lakṣa-koṭi—many thousands and millions; loka—people; tāhāṅ—there; haila—became; āmā-saṅge—My companions.
TRANSLATION
"However, when I started for Vṛndāvana, many thousands and millions of people gathered and began to go with Me.
TEXT 74
sanātana-mukhe kṛṣṇa āmā śikhāilā
tāhā vighna kari' vana-pathe la�ā āilā
SYNONYMS
sanātana-mukhe—from the mouth of Sanātana; kṛṣṇa—Lord Kṛṣṇa; āmā—unto Me; śikhāilā—gave instructions; tāhā—that; vighna kari'-making a hindrance; vana-pathe—on the path through the forest; la�ā—taking; āilā—came.
TRANSLATION
"Thus I was going to Vṛndāvana with a big crowd, but through the mouth of Sanātana, Kṛṣṇa taught Me a lesson. Thus by making some impediment, He has brought Me on a path through the forest to Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 75
kṛpāra samudra, dīna-hīne dayāmaya
kṛṣṇa-kṛpā vinā kona 'sukha' nāhi haya"
SYNONYMS
kṛpāra samudra—ocean of mercy; dīna-hīne—unto the poor and fallen; dayā-maya—very merciful; kṛṣṇa-kṛpā—the mercy of Kṛṣṇa; vinā—without; kona—any; sukha—happiness; nāhi haya—there is not.
TRANSLATION
"Kṛṣṇa is an ocean of mercy. He is especially merciful to the poor and fallen. Without His mercy, there is no possibility of happiness."
TEXT 76
bhaṭṭācārye āliṅgiyā tāṅhāre kahila
'tomāra prasāde āmi eta sukha pāila'
SYNONYMS
bhaṭṭācārye—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; āliṅgiyā—embracing; tāṅhāre—unto him; kahila—said; tomāra prasāde—by your kindness; āmi—I; eta—so much; sukha—happiness; pāila—got.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then embraced Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya and told him, "It is only by your kindness that I am now so happy."
TEXT 77
teṅho kahena,--"tumi 'kṛṣṇa', tumi 'dayāmaya'
adhama jīva mu�i, more ha-ilā sadaya
SYNONYMS
teṅho kahena—Bhaṭṭācārya said; tumi kṛṣṇa—You are Kṛṣṇa Himself; tumi—You; dayā-maya—merciful; adhama—the lowest of the low; jīva—living entity; mu�i—I; more—unto me; ha-ilā—You have been; sa-daya—favorable.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya replied, "My dear Lord, You are Kṛṣṇa Himself, and therefore You are merciful. I am a fallen living entity, but You have bestowed a great favor upon me.
TEXT 78
mu�i chāra, more tumi saṅge la�ā āilā
kṛpā kari' mora hāte 'prabhu' bhikṣā kailā
SYNONYMS
mu�i—I; chāra—most fallen; more—me; tumi—You; saṅge—with; la�ā—taking; āilā—have come; kṛpā kari'-showing great mercy; mora hāte—from my hand; prabhu—my Lord; bhikṣā kailā—You accepted food.
TRANSLATION
"Sir, I am most fallen, yet You have brought me with You. Showing great mercy, You have accepted food prepared by me.
TEXT 79
adhama-kākere kailā garuḍa-samāna
'svatantra īśvara' tumi--svayaṁ bhagavān"
SYNONYMS
adhama-kākere—the most condemned crow; kailā—You have made; garuḍa-samāna—like Garuḍa; svatantra—independent; īśvara—Supreme Personality of Godhead; tumi—You; svayam bhagavān—the original Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
"You have made me Your carrier Garuḍa, although I am no better than a condemned crow. Thus You are the independent Personality of Godhead, the original Lord.
TEXT 80
mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ
paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande
paramānanda-mādhavam
SYNONYMS
mūkam—a person who cannot speak; karoti—makes; vācālam—an eloquent speaker; paṅgum—a person who cannot even walk; laṅghayate—causes to cross over; girim—the mountain; yat-kṛpā—whose mercy; tam—unto Him; aham—I; vande—offer obeisances; parama-ānanda—the transcendentally blissful; mādhavam—Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
" 'The Supreme Personality of Godhead has the form of sac-cid-ānanda vigraha, transcendental bliss, knowledge and eternity. I offer my respectful obeisances unto He who turns the dumb into eloquent speakers and enables the lame to cross mountains. Such is the mercy of the Lord.' "
PURPORT
This is a quotation from the Bhāvārtha-dīpikā commentary on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.1.1).
TEXT 81
ei-mata balabhadra karena stavana
prema-sevā kari' tuṣṭa kaila prabhura mana
SYNONYMS
ei-mata—in this way; balabhadra—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; karena—offers; stavana—prayers; prema-sevā kari'-rendering service in love; tuṣṭa—pacified; kaila—made; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; mana—the mind.
TRANSLATION
In this way Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya offered his prayers to the Lord. By rendering service unto Him in ecstatic love, He pacified the Lord's mind.
TEXT 82
ei-mata nānā-sukhe prabhu āilā 'kāśī'
madhyāhna-snāna kaila maṇikarṇikāya āsi'
SYNONYMS
ei-mata—in this way; nānā-sukhe—in great happiness; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; āilā—came; kāśī—to the holy place named Kāśī; madhyāhna-snāna—afternoon bath; kaila—took; maṇikarṇikāya—to the bathing place known as Maṇikarṇikā; āsi'-coming.
TRANSLATION
Finally the Lord with great happiness arrived at the holy place called Kāśī. There He took His bath in the bathing ghat known as Maṇikarṇikā.
PURPORT
Kāśī is another name for Vārāṇasī (Benares). It has been a place of pilgrimage since time immemorial. Two rivers named Asiḥ and Varuṇā merge there. Maṇikarṇikā is famous because, according to the opinion of great personalities, a bejeweled earring fell there from the ear of Lord Viṣṇu. According to some, it fell from the ear of Lord Śiva. The word maṇi means "jewel," and karṇika means "from the ear." According to some, Lord Viśvanātha is the great physician who cures the disease of material existence by delivering a person through the ear, which receives the vibration of the holy name of Lord Rāma. Because of this, this holy place is called Maṇi-karṇikā. It is said that there is no better place than where the River Ganges flows, and the bathing ghat known as Maṇikarṇikā is especially sanctified because it is very dear to Lord Viśvanātha. In the Kāśī-khaṇḍa it is said: saṁsāri-cintāmaṇir atra yasmāt tārakaṁ sajjana-karṇikāyām. śivo 'bhidhatte saha-sānta-kāle tad gīyate 'sau maṇi-karṇiketi. mukti-lakṣmī mahā-pīṭha-maṇis tac caraṇābjayoḥ. karṇikeyaṁ tataḥ prāhur yāṁ janā maṇi-karṇikām. According to the Kāśī-khaṇḍa, if one gives up his body at Maṇikarṇikā, he is liberated simply by remembering Lord Śiva's name.
TEXT 83
sei-kāle tapana-miśra kare gaṅgā-snāna
prabhu dekhi' haila tāṅra kichu vismaya j�āna
SYNONYMS
sei-kāle—at that time; tapana-miśra—a brāhmaṇa named Tapana Miśra; kare gaṅgā-snāna—was taking his bath in the Ganges; prabhu dekhi'-seeing the Lord; haila—there was; tāṅra—his; kichu—some; vismaya j�āna—astonishment.
TRANSLATION
At that time, Tapana Miśra was taking his bath in the Ganges, and he was astonished to see the Lord there.
TEXT 84
'pūrve śuniyāchi prabhu karyāchena sannyāsa'
niścaya kariyā haila hṛdaye ullāsa
SYNONYMS
pūrve—formerly; śuniyāchi—I have heard; prabhu—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; karyāchena sannyāsa—has accepted the renounced order of life; niścaya kariyā—ascertaining that; haila—there was; hṛdaye—within the heart; ullāsa—great jubilation.
TRANSLATION
Tapana Miśra then began to think, "I have heard that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has accepted the renounced order." Thinking this, Tapana Miśra became very jubilant within his heart.
TEXT 85
prabhura caraṇa dhari' karena rodana
prabhu tāre uṭhā�ā kaila āliṅgana
SYNONYMS
prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; caraṇa—lotus feet; dhari'-touching; karena—does; rodana—crying; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tāre—him; uṭhā�ā—raising; kaila—did; āliṅgana—embracing.
TRANSLATION
He then clasped the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and began to cry. The Lord raised him up and embraced him.
TEXT 86
prabhu la�ā gelā viśveśvara-daraśane
tabe āsi' dekhe bindu-mādhava-caraṇe
SYNONYMS
prabhu la�ā—taking the Lord; gelā—he went; viśveśvara-daraśane—to visit the temple of Viśveśvara; tabe—thereafter; āsi'-coming; dekhe—see; bindu-mādhava-caraṇe—the lotus feet of Bindu Mādhava.
TRANSLATION
Tapana Miśra then took Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to visit the temple of Viśveśvara. Coming from there, they saw the lotus feet of Lord Bindu Mādhava.
PURPORT
This Bindu Mādhava is the oldest Viṣṇu temple in Vārāṇasī. Presently this temple is known as Veṇī Mādhava, and it is situated on the banks of the Ganges. Formerly five rivers converged there, and they were named Dhūtapāpā, Kiraṇā, Sarasvatī, Gaṅgā and Yamunā. Now only the River Ganges is visible. The old temple of Bindu Mādhava, which was visited by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, was later dismantled by Aurangzeb, the great Hindu-hating emperor of the Mogul dynasty. In the place of this temple, he constructed a big majīda, or mosque. Later, another temple was constructed by the side of the mosque, and this temple is still existing. In the temple of Bindu Mādhava there are Deities of four-handed Nārāyaṇa and the goddess Lakṣmī. In front of these Deities is a column of Śrī Garuḍa, and along the side are deities of Lord Rāma, Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa and Śrī Hanumānjī.
In the province of Mahārāṣṭra is a state known as Sātārā. During the time of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, the native prince belonged to the Vaiṣṇava cult. Being a brāhmaṇa, he took charge of worshiping the Deity. He was known as Śrīmanta Bālāsāheba Pantha Mahārāja. The state still bears the expenditure for temple maintenance. The first king in this dynasty to take charge of worship in the temple, two hundred years ago, was Mahārāja Jagatjīvana Rāo Sāheba.
TEXT 87
ghare la�ā āilā prabhuke ānandita ha�ā
sevā kari' nṛtya kare vastra uḍā�ā
SYNONYMS
ghare la�ā—taking to his home; āilā—came; prabhuke—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ānandita ha�ā—in great happiness; sevā kari'-rendering service; nṛtya kare—began to dance; vastra uḍā�ā—waving his cloth.
TRANSLATION
With great pleasure Tapana Miśra brought Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his home and rendered service unto Him. Indeed, he began to dance, waving his cloth.
TEXT 88
prabhura caraṇodaka savaṁśe kaila pāna
bhaṭṭācāryera pūjā kaila kariyā sammāna
SYNONYMS
prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; caraṇa-udaka—the water used to wash the lotus feet; sa-vaṁśe—with his whole family; kaila pāna—drank; bhaṭṭācāryera—of Bhaṭṭācārya; pūjā—worship; kaila—performed; kariyā—showing; sammāna—respect.
TRANSLATION
He washed the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and afterwards he and his whole family drank the wash water. He also worshiped Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya and showed him respect.
TEXT 89
prabhure nimantraṇa kari' ghare bhikṣā dila
balabhadra-bhaṭṭācārye pāka karāila
SYNONYMS
prabhure nimantraṇa kari'-inviting the Lord; ghare—at home; bhikṣā dila—gave lunch; balabhadra-bhaṭṭācārye—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; pāka karāila—he had cook.
TRANSLATION
Tapana Miśra invited Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to take lunch at his home, and he had Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya cook.
PURPORT
While at Vārāṇasī (Benares), Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stayed at the house of Tapana Miśra. Near Tapana Miśra's house was a bathing ghat known as Pa�canadī-ghāṭa. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to take His bath daily at this ghat, and He used to see the temple of Bindu Mādhava. Then He took His lunch at Tapana Miśra's house. Near the Bindu Mādhava temple is a big banyan tree, and it is said that after eating, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to rest beneath the tree. That banyan tree is still known today as Caitanya-vaṭa. Gradually, due to changes in language, the name became Yatana-vaṭa. The local people still call that place Yatana-vaṭa.
Presently, beside a lane there is a tomb of Vallabhācārya, but there is no sign that Caitanya Mahāprabhu ever lived there. Vallabhācārya was also known as Mahāprabhu among his disciples. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu probably lived at Yatana-vaṭa, but there is no sign of Candraśekhara's or Tapana Miśra's house, nor is there sign of the Māyāvādī sannyāsī Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī, with whom Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu discussed Vedānta-sūtra. A little distance from Yatana-vaṭa is a temple of Gaura-Nityānanda established by Śaśibhūṣaṇa Niyogī Mahāśaya of Calcutta. This temple is now managed by the mother-in-law of Śaśibhūṣaṇa and his brother-in-law Nārāyaṇa-candra Ghosh.
TEXT 90
bhikṣā kari' mahāprabhu karilā śayana
miśra-putra raghu kare pāda-samvāhana
SYNONYMS
bhikṣā kari'-after finishing His lunch; mahāprabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; karilā śayana—took rest; miśra-putra—the son of Tapana Miśra; raghu—Raghu; kare—does; pāda-samvāhana—massaging the legs.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took His rest after lunch, the son of Tapana Miśra, named Raghu, used to massage His legs.
TEXT 91
prabhura 'śeṣānna' miśra savaṁśe khāila
'prabhu āilā' śuni' candraśekhara āila
SYNONYMS
prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; śeṣa-anna—remnants of food; miśra—Tapana Miśra; sa-vaṁśe—along with his family; khāila—ate; prabhu āilā—the Lord has arrived; śuni'-hearing; candraśekhara āila—Candraśekhara came.
TRANSLATION
The remnants of food left by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu were taken by the whole family of Tapana Miśra. When news spread that the Lord had come, Candraśekhara also came to see Him.
TEXT 92
miśrera sakhā teṅho prabhura pūrva dāsa
vaidya-jāti, likhana-vṛtti, vārāṇasī-vāsa
SYNONYMS
miśrera sakhā—friend of Tapana Miśra; teṅho—he; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; pūrva dāsa—former servant; vaidya-jāti—by caste a physician; likhana-vṛtti—by profession a clerk; vārāṇasī-vāsa—resident of Vārāṇasī.
TRANSLATION
Candraśekhara happened to be a friend of Tapana Miśra's, and he was long known to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as His servant. He was a physician by caste, and by profession he was a clerk. At the time he was living in Vārāṇasī.
TEXT 93
āsi' prabhu-pade paḍi' karena rodana
prabhu uṭhi' tāṅre kṛpāya kaila āliṅgana
SYNONYMS
āsi'—coming; prabhu-pade—at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; paḍi'-falling down; karena—does; rodana—crying; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; uṭhi'-standing; tāṅre—unto him; kṛpāya—out of mercy; kaila—did; āliṅgana—embracing.
TRANSLATION
When Candraśekhara came there, he fell down before the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and began to cry. The Lord, standing up, embraced him out of His causeless mercy.
TEXT 94
candraśekhara kahe,--"prabhu, baḍa kṛpā kailā
āpane āsiyā bhṛtye daraśana dilā
SYNONYMS
candraśekhara kahe—Candraśekhara said; prabhu—my dear Lord; baḍa kṛpā kailā—You have shown Your causeless mercy; āpane—personally; āsiyā—coming; bhṛtye—unto Your servant; daraśana dilā—gave Your audience.
TRANSLATION
Candraśekhara said, "My dear Lord, You bestowed Your causeless mercy upon me because I am Your old servant. Indeed, You have come here personally to give me Your audience.
TEXT 95
āpana-prārabdhe vasi' vārāṇasī-sthāne
'māyā', 'brahma' śabda vinā nāhi śuni kāṇe
SYNONYMS
āpana-prārabdhe—because of my past deeds; vasi'-staying; vārāṇasī-sthāne—in the place known as Vārāṇasī; māyā—māyā; brahma—and brahma; śabda—the words; vinā—except; nāhi śuni—I do not hear; kāṇe—in the ear.
TRANSLATION
"Due to my past deeds, I am residing at Vārāṇasī, but here I do not hear anything but the words māyā and Brahman."
PURPORT
The word prārabdhe (past deeds) is important in this verse. Since Candraśekhara was a devotee, he was always eager to hear about Kṛṣṇa and His transcendental pastimes. Most of the inhabitants of Benares were and are impersonalists, worshipers of Lord Śiva and followers of the pa�copāsanā method. The impersonalists imagine some form of the impersonal Brahman, and to facilitate meditation they concentrate upon the forms of Viṣṇu, Śiva, Gaṇeśa, Sūrya and goddess Durgā. Actually these pa�copāsakas are not devotees of anyone. As it is said, to be a servant of everyone is to be the servant of no one. Vārāṇasī, or Kāśī, is the chief holy place of pilgrimage for impersonalists, and it is not at all suitable for devotees. A Vaiṣṇava likes to live in a viṣṇu-tīrtha, a place where Lord Viṣṇu's temples are present. In Vārāṇasī there are many hundreds and thousands of Lord Śiva's temples, or pa�copāsaka temples. Consequently Candraśekhara expressed great unhappiness as he informed Lord Caitanya that he was obliged to live at Benares due to his past misdeeds. In the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu it is also said, durjāty-ārambhakaṁ pāpaṁ yat syāt prārabdham eva tat. "According to one's past misdeeds, one takes birth on a lower platform." In the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.54) it is said: karmāṇi nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhājām. There is no karma attached to the past deeds or misdeeds of one in devotional service. A devotee is not subjected to karma-phala, the effect of fruitive activity. Karma-phala is applicable to karmīs, not bhaktas.
There are three kinds of devotees: those who are eternally on the transcendental platform (nitya-siddha), those elevated to the transcendental platform by the execution of devotional service (sādhana-siddha), and those who are neophytes advancing toward the perfectional platform (sādhaka). The sādhakas are gradually becoming free from fruitive reaction. Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.1.17) describes the symptoms of bhakti-yoga thus:
kleśa-ghnī śubhadā mokṣa-
laghutākṛt sudurlabhā
sāndrānanda-viśeṣātmā
śrī-kṛṣṇākarṣiṇī ca sā
Devotional service is kleśa-ghnī even for beginners. This means that it reduces or nullifies all kinds of suffering. The word śubhadā indicates that devotional service bestows all good fortune, and the words kṛṣṇa-ākarṣiṇī indicate that devotional service gradually attracts Kṛṣṇa toward the devotee. Consequently a devotee is not subject to any sinful reaction. In Bhagavad-gītā (18.66) Kṛṣṇa says:
sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja
ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo
mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear."
Thus a fully surrendered, sincere devotee immediately receives relief from all kinds of sinful reaction. There are three stages of fructification for sinful activity. At one stage, one commits the sinful act. Before that, the seed of this act exists, and before that there is ignorance whereby one commits the sin. Suffering is involved in all three stages. However, Kṛṣṇa is merciful to His devotee, and consequently He immediately nullifies all three stages-the sin, the seed of sin and the ignorance that leads one to sin. Padma Purāṇa confirms this:
aprārabdha-phalaṁ pāpaṁ
kūṭaṁ bījaṁ phalonmukham
krameṇaiva pralīyeta
viṣṇu-bhakti-ratātmanām
For a further explanation of this, The Nectar of Devotion should be consulted.
TEXT 96
ṣaḍ-darśana-vyākhyā vinā kathā nāhi ethā
miśra kṛpā kari' more śunāna kṛṣṇa-kathā
SYNONYMS
ṣaṭ-darśana—of six kinds of philosophical theses; vyākhyā—explanation; vinā—except; kathā—talk; nāhi—not; ethā—here; miśra—Tapana Miśra; kṛpā kari'-being very merciful; more—unto me; śunāna—explains; kṛṣṇa-kathā—topics of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
TRANSLATION
Candraśekhara continued, "There is no talk at Vārāṇasī other than discussions on the six philosophical theses. Nonetheless, Tapana Miśra has been very kind to me, for he speaks about topics relating to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
PURPORT
The six philosophical treatises are: (1) vaiśeṣika, propounded by Kaṇāda Ṛṣi, (2) nyāya, propounded by Gautama Ṛṣi, (3) yoga or mysticism, propounded by Pata�jali Ṛṣi, (4) the philosophy of sāṅkhya, propounded by Kapila Ṛṣi, (5) the philosophy of karma-mīmāṁsā, propounded by Jaimini Ṛṣi, and (6) the philosophy of brahma-mīmāṁsā, or Vedānta, the ultimate conclusion of the Absolute Truth (janmādy asya yataḥ), propounded by Vedavyāsa. Actually Vedānta philosophy is meant for the devotees because in Bhagavad-gītā Lord Kṛṣṇa says, vedānta-kṛd veda-vid eva cāham: "I am the compiler of Vedānta, and I am the knower of the Vedas." (Bg. 15.15) Vyāsadeva is an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa, and consequently Kṛṣṇa is the compiler of Vedānta philosophy. Therefore Kṛṣṇa clearly knows the purport of Vedānta philosophy. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, whoever hears Vedānta philosophy from Kṛṣṇa is actually aware of the real meaning of Vedānta. The Māyāvādīs who have called themselves Vedāntists do not at all understand the purport of Vedānta philosophy. Not being properly educated, people in general think that Vedānta means the Śaṅkarite interpretation.
TEXT 97
nirantara duṅhe cinti tomāra caraṇa
'sarvaj�a īśvara' tumi dilā daraśana
SYNONYMS
nirantara—incessantly; duṅhe—we two; cinti—think of; tomāra caraṇa—Your lotus feet; sarva-j�a—omniscient; īśvara—Supreme Personality of Godhead; tumi—You; dilā daraśana—gave Your audience.
TRANSLATION
"My dear Lord, we two think of Your lotus feet incessantly. Although You are the omniscient Supreme Personality of Godhead, You have granted us Your audience.
TEXT 98
śuni,--'mahāprabhu' yābena śrī-vṛndāvane
dina kata rahi' tāra' bhṛtya dui-jane"
SYNONYMS
śuni—I hear; mahāprabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; yābena—will go; śrī-vṛndāvane—to Vṛndāvana; dina kata—for some days; rahi'-staying; tāra'-please deliver; bhṛtya—servants; dui-jane—two persons.
TRANSLATION
"My Lord, I have heard that You are going to Vṛndāvana. After You stay here at Vārāṇasī for some days, please deliver us, for we are Your two servants."
TEXT 99
miśra kahe,--'prabhu, yāvat kāśīte rahibā
mora nimantraṇa vinā anya nā mānibā'
SYNONYMS
miśra kahe—Tapana Miśra said; prabhu—my Lord; yāvat—as long as; kāśīte rahibā—You will stay at Kāśī, Vārāṇasī; mora nimantraṇa—my invitation; vinā—besides; anya—others; nā mānibā—do not accept.
TRANSLATION
Tapana Miśra then said, "My dear Lord, as long as You stay at Vārāṇasī, please do not accept any invitation other than mine."
TEXT 100
ei-mata mahāprabhu dui bhṛtyera vaśe
icchā nāhi, tabu tathā rahilā dina-daśe
SYNONYMS
ei-mata—in this way; mahāprabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dui—two; bhṛtyera—by servants; vaśe—being obliged; icchā nāhi—there was no such desire; tabu—still; tathā—there; rahilā—remained; dina-daśe—for ten days.
TRANSLATION
Even though He had not made such a plan, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained for ten days at Vārāṇasī, being obligated by the requests of His two servants.
TEXT 101
mahārāṣṭrīya vipra āise prabhu dekhibāre
prabhura rūpa-prema dekhi' haya camatkāre
SYNONYMS
mahārāṣṭrīya—belonging to the Mahārāṣṭra state; vipra—one brāhmaṇa; āise—comes; prabhu dekhibāre—to see Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; rūpa-prema—beauty and ecstatic love; dekhi'-seeing; haya camatkāre—becomes astonished.
TRANSLATION
At Vārāṇasī there was a Mahārāṣṭrīyan brāhmaṇa who used to come daily to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This brāhmaṇa was simply astonished to see the Lord's personal beauty and ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.
TEXT 102
vipra saba nimantraya, prabhu nāhi māne
prabhu kahe,--'āji mora ha�āche nimantraṇe'
SYNONYMS
vipra—the brāhmaṇas; saba—all; nimantraya—invite; prabhu—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; nāhi māne—does not accept; prabhu kahe—the Lord replies; āji—today; mora—My; ha�āche—has been; nimantraṇe—invitation.
TRANSLATION
When the brāhmaṇas of Vārāṇasī would invite Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to lunch, the Lord would not accept their invitations. He would reply, "I have already been invited somewhere else."
TEXT 103
ei-mata prati-dina karena va�cana
sannyāsīra saṅga-bhaye nā mānena nimantraṇa
SYNONYMS
ei-mata—in this way; prati-dina—daily; karena va�cana—denies other inviters; sannyāsīra—of the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs; saṅga-bhaye—from fear of the association; nā mānena—does not accept; nimantraṇa—invitation.
TRANSLATION
Every day Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu refused their invitation because He feared associating with Māyāvādī sannyāsīs.
PURPORT
A Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī never accepts an invitation from a party who considers Māyāvādī sannyāsīs and Vaiṣṇava sannyāsīs to be one and the same. In other words, Vaiṣṇava sannyāsīs do not at all like to associate with Māyāvādī sannyāsīs, to say nothing of eating together. This principle must be followed by the sannyāsīs of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. That is the instruction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu given by His personal behavior.
TEXT 104
prakāśānanda śrīpāda sabhāte vasiyā
'vedānta' paḍāna bahu śiṣya-gaṇa la�ā
SYNONYMS
prakāśānanda—Prakāśānanda; śrīpāda—a great sannyāsī; sabhāte—in the assembly; vasiyā—sitting down; vedānta—Vedānta philosophy; paḍāna—instructs; bahu—many; śiṣya-gaṇa—disciples; la�ā—taking.
TRANSLATION
There was a great Māyāvādī sannyāsī named Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī who used to teach Vedānta philosophy to a great assembly of followers.
PURPORT
Śrīpāda Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī was a Māyāvādī sannyāsī, and his characteristics have been described in Caitanya-bhāgavata (Madhya-khaṇḍa Chapter Three):
'hasta', 'pada', 'mukha' mora nāhika 'locana'
veda more ei-mata kare viḍambana
kāśīte paḍāya veṭā 'prakāśa-ānanda'
sei veṭā kare mora aṅga khaṇḍa-khaṇḍa
vākhānaye veda, mora vigraha nā māne
sarvāṅge ha-ila kuṣṭha, tabu nāhi jāne
sarva-yaj�amaya mora ye-aṅga--pavitra
'aja', 'bhava' ādi gāya yāṅhāra caritra
'puṇya' pavitratā pāya ye-aṅga-paraśe
tāhā 'mithyā' bale veṭā kemana sāhase
In the Madhya-khaṇḍa, Chapter Twenty, it is said:
sannyāsī 'prakāśānanda' vasaye kāśīte
more khaṇḍa-khaṇḍa veṭā kare bhāla-mate paḍāya 'vedānta', mora 'vigraha' nā māne
kuṣṭha karāiluṅ aṅge, tabu nāhi jāne
'satya' mora 'līlā-karma', 'satya' mora 'sthāna'
ihā 'mithyā' bale, more kare khān-khān
Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī used to explain impersonalism, the Absolute Truth, as being without hands, legs, mouths or eyes. In this way he used to cheat the people by denying the personal form of the Lord. Such a foolish person was Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī, whose only business was to sever the limbs of the Lord by proving the Lord impersonal. Although the Lord has form, Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī was attempting to cut off the hands and legs of the Lord. This is the business of demons. The Vedas state that people who do not accept the Lord's form are rascals. The form of the Lord is factual, for Kṛṣṇa states in Bhagavad-gītā (15.15): vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ. When Kṛṣṇa says aham, He says "I am," which means "I," the person. He adds the word eva, which is used for conclusive verification. It is by Vedānta philosophy that one has to know the Supreme Person. Whoever describes Vedic knowledge as impersonal is a demon. One becomes successful in life by worshiping the form of the Lord. The Māyāvādī sannyāsīs deny the form of the Lord, which delivers all fallen souls. Indeed, this form is cut to pieces by Māyāvādī demons.
The Personality of Godhead is worshiped by exalted demigods like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva. The original Māyāvādī sannyāsī, Śaṅkarācārya, also accepted the fact that the Lord's form is transcendental. Nārāyaṇaḥ paro 'vyaktāt: "Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is beyond the avyakta, the unmanifested material energy." Avyaktād aṇḍa-sambhavaḥ: "This material world is a creation of that unmanifested material energy." However, Nārāyaṇa has His own eternal form, which is not created by material energy. Simply by worshiping the form of the Lord, one is purified. However, Māyāvādī sannyāsīs are impersonalist philosophers, and they describe the form of the Lord as māyā, or false. How can one be purified by worshiping something false? Māyāvādī philosophers have no sufficient reason for being impersonalists. They blindly follow a principle that cannot be supported by reason or argument. This was the situation with Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī, the chief Māyāvādī sannyāsī of Benares. He was supposed to teach Vedānta philosophy, but he would not accept the form of the Lord; therefore he was attacked with leprosy. Nonetheless, he continued to commit sins by describing the Absolute Truth as impersonal. The Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, always displays pastimes and activities, but Māyāvādī sannyāsīs claim that these activities are false.
Some people falsely claim that Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī later became known as Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī, but this is not a fact. Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī was the uncle and spiritual master of Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī. In his gṛhastha life, Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī was a resident of Śrī Raṅga-kṣetra, and he belonged to the Vaiṣṇava Rāmānuja-sampradāya. It is a mistake to consider Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī and Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī the same man.
TEXT 105
eka vipra dekhi' āilā prabhura vyavahāra
prakāśānanda-āge kahe caritra tāṅhāra
SYNONYMS
eka vipra—one brāhmaṇa; dekhi'-seeing; āilā—came; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; vyavahāra—activities; prakāśānanda-āge—before the Māyāvādī sannyāsī Prakāśānanda; kahe—says; caritra tāṅhāra—His characteristics.
TRANSLATION
One brāhmaṇa who saw the wonderful behavior of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came to Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī and described the Lord's characteristics.
TEXT 106
"eka sannyāsī āilā jagannātha haite
tāṅhāra mahimā-pratāpa nā pāri varṇite
SYNONYMS
eka—one; sannyāsī—person in the renounced order of life; āilā—has come; jagannātha haite—from Jagannātha Purī; tāṅhāra—His; mahimā—glories; pratāpa—influence; nā pāri varṇite—I cannot describe.
TRANSLATION
The brāhmaṇa told Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī, "There is a sannyāsī who has come from Jagannātha Purī, and I cannot describe His wonderful influence and glories.
TEXT 107
sakala dekhiye tāṅte adbhuta-kathana
prakāṇḍa-śarīra, śuddha-kā�cana-varaṇa
SYNONYMS
sakala dekhiye—I see everything; tāṅte—in Him; adbhuta-kathana—wonderful description; prakāṇḍa-śarīra—very large body; śuddha—pure; kā�cana—gold; varaṇa—complexion.
TRANSLATION
"Everything is wonderful about that sannyāsī. He has a very well built and luxurious body, and His complexion is like purified gold.
TEXT 108
ājānu-lambita bhuja, kamala-nayana
yata kichu īśvarera sarva sal-lakṣaṇa
SYNONYMS
ājānu-lambita—reaching down to the knees; bhuja—arms; kamala-nayana—eyes like the petals of a lotus flower; yata—as many as; kichu—any; īśvarera—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; sarva—all; sat-lakṣaṇa—transcendental symptoms.
TRANSLATION
"He has arms that extend to His knees, and His eyes are like the petals of a lotus. In His person are all the transcendental symptoms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TEXT 109
tāhā dekhi' j�āna haya--'ei nārāyaṇa
yei tāṅre dekhe, kare kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana
SYNONYMS
tāhā dekhi'—seeing that; j�āna haya—one comes to the conclusion; ei nārāyaṇa—He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa Himself; yei—anyone who; tāṅre—Him; dekhe—sees; kare—performs; kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana—chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa.
TRANSLATION
"When one sees all these features, one takes Him to be Nārāyaṇa Himself. Whoever sees Him immediately begins to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa.
TEXT 110
'mahā-bhāgavata'-lakṣaṇa śuni bhāgavate
se-saba lakṣaṇa prakaṭa dekhiye tāṅhāte
SYNONYMS
mahā-bhāgavata—of a first-class devotee; lakṣaṇa—symptoms; śuni—we hear; bhāgavate—in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; se-saba lakṣaṇa—all those symptoms; prakaṭa—manifest; dekhiye—I see; tāṅhāte—in Him.
TRANSLATION
"We have heard about the symptoms of a first-class devotee in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, and all those symptoms are manifest in the body of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 111
'nirantara kṛṣṇa-nāma' jihvā tāṅra gāya
dui-netre aśru vahe gaṅgā-dhārā-prāya
SYNONYMS
nirantara—incessantly; kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of the Lord; jihvā—tongue; tāṅra—His; gāya—chants; dui-netre—in the two eyes; aśru—tears; vahe—flow; gaṅgā-dhārā-prāya—like the flow of the Ganges.
TRANSLATION
"His tongue is always chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, and from His eyes tears incessantly fall like the flowing Ganges.
TEXT 112
kṣaṇe nāce, hāse, gāya, karaye krandana
kṣaṇe huhuṅkāra kare,--siṁhera garjana
SYNONYMS
kṣaṇe—sometimes; nāce—dances; hāse—laughs; gāya—sings; karaye krandana—cries; kṣaṇe—sometimes; huhuṅ-kāra—loud vibrations; kare—makes; siṁhera garjana—the roaring of a lion.
TRANSLATION
"Sometimes He dances, laughs, sings and cries, and sometimes He roars like a lion.
TEXT 113
jagat-maṅgala tāṅra 'kṛṣṇa-caitanya'-nāma
nāma, rūpa, guṇa tāṅra, saba--anupama
SYNONYMS
jagat-maṅgala—all-auspicious to the whole world; tāṅra—His; kṛṣṇa-caitanya—Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya; nāma—name; nāma—name; rūpa—form; guṇa—the quality; tāṅra—His; saba—all; anupama—unparalleled.
TRANSLATION
"His name, Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, is all-auspicious to the world. Everything about Him-His name, form, and qualities-is unparalleled.
TEXT 114
dekhile se jāni tāṅra 'īśvarera rīti'
alaukika kathā śuni' ke kare pratīti?"
SYNONYMS
dekhile—simply by seeing; se—Him; jāni—I understand; tāṅra—His; īśvarera rīti—characteristics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; alaukika—uncommon; kathā—story; śuni'-hearing; ke—who; kare pratīti—will believe.
TRANSLATION
"Simply by seeing Him, one understands that He possesses all the characteristics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such characteristics are certainly uncommon. Who will believe it?"
TEXT 115
śuniyā prakāśānanda bahuta hāsilā
vipre upahāsa kari' kahite lāgilā
SYNONYMS
śuniyā—hearing; prakāśānanda—Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī; bahuta hāsilā—laughed very much; vipre—at the brāhmaṇa; upahāsa kari'-jokingly laughing; kahite lāgilā—began to speak.
TRANSLATION
Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī laughed very much to hear this description. Joking and laughing at the brāhmaṇa, he began to speak as follows.
TEXT 116
"śuniyāchi gauḍa-deśera sannyāsī--'bhāvuka'
keśava-bhāratī-śiṣya, loka-pratāraka
SYNONYMS
śuniyāchi—I have heard; gauḍa-deśera sannyāsī—the sannyāsī from Bengal; bhāvuka—sentimental; keśava-bhāratī-śiṣya—disciple of Keśava Bhāratī; loka-pratāraka—a first-class pretender.
TRANSLATION
Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī said, "Yes, I have heard about Him. He is a sannyāsī from Bengal, and He is very sentimental. I have also heard that He belongs to the Bhāratī-sampradāya, for He is a disciple of Keśava Bhāratī. However, He is only a pretender."
PURPORT
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was considered bhāvuka (sentimental) because He was always seen in the bhāva stage. That is, He always exhibited ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa. However, foolish people considered Him sentimental. In the material world, so-called devotees sometimes exhibit emotional symptoms. Caitanya Mahāprabhu's ecstatic love cannot be compared to the imitative emotional exhibitions of pretenders. Such exhibitions do not continue for very long. They are temporary. We actually see that some emotional imitators exhibit certain symptoms, but immediately after their exhibition, they are attracted to smoking and other things. In the beginning, when Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī heard of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's activities, he considered them to be those of a pretender. Consequently he called Him a loka-pratāraka, a pretender. Māyāvādīs cannot understand the transcendental symptoms exhibited by a devotee; therefore when such symptoms are manifest, the Māyāvādīs equate them with temporary emotional feelings. However, Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī's statement is offensive, and consequently he should be considered an atheist (pāṣaṇḍī). According to Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, since Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī was not engaged in the Lord's devotional service, his sannyāsa is to be considered phalgu-vairāgya. This means that since he did not know how to use things for the Lord's service, his renunciation of the world was artificial.
TEXT 117
'caitanya'-nāma tāṅra, bhāvuka-gaṇa la�ā
deśe deśe grāme grāme bule nācā�ā
SYNONYMS
caitanya—Caitanya; nāma tāṅra—His name; bhāvuka-gaṇa la�ā—accompanied by some sentimentalists; deśe deśe—from country to country; grāme grāme—from village to village; bule—travels; nācā�ā—causing to dance.
TRANSLATION
Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī continued, "I know that His name is Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and that He is accompanied by many sentimentalists. His followers dance with Him, and He tours from country to country and village to village.
TEXT 118
yei tāṅre dekhe, sei īśvara kari' kahe
aiche mohana-vidyā--ye dekhe se mohe
SYNONYMS
yei—anyone who; tāṅre—Him; dekhe—sees; sei—that person; īśvara kari'-as the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kahe—says; aiche—such; mohana-vidyā—hypnotism; ye dekhe—anyone who sees; se mohe—he becomes illusioned.
TRANSLATION
"Whoever sees Him accepts Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Since He has some mystic power by which He hypnotizes people, everyone who sees Him is illusioned.
TEXT 119
sārvabhauma bhaṭṭācārya--paṇḍita prabala
śuni' caitanyera saṅge ha-ila pāgala
SYNONYMS
sārvabhauma bhaṭṭācārya—Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya; paṇḍita prabala—a learned scholar; śuni'-I have heard; caitanyera saṅge—in the association of Caitanya; ha-ila pāgala—has become a madman.
TRANSLATION
"Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya was a very learned scholar, but I have heard that he also has become a madman due to his association with this Caitanya.
TEXT 120
'sannyāsī'--nāma-mātra, mahā-indrajālī!
'kāśīpure' nā vikābe tāṅra bhāvakāli
SYNONYMS
sannyāsī—in the renounced order of life; nāma-mātra—in name only; mahā-indrajālī—first-class magician; kāśīpure—in Kāśī; nā vikābe—will not sell; tāṅra—His; bhāvakāli—sentimental activities.
TRANSLATION
"This Caitanya is a sannyāsī in name only. Actually He is a first-class magician. In any case, His sentimentalism cannot be very much in demand here in Kāśī.
TEXT 121
'vedānta' śravaṇa kara, nā yāiha tāṅra pāśa
ucchṛṅkhala-loka-saṅge dui-loka-nāśa"
SYNONYMS
vedānta—the philosophy of Vedānta; śravaṇa kara—go on hearing; nā—do not; yāiha—go; tāṅra pāśa—near Him; ucchṛṅkhala—upstart; loka—people; saṅge—in the association of; dui-loka-nāśa—destruction in this world and the next.
TRANSLATION
"Do not go to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Just continue hearing Vedānta. If you associate with upstarts, you will be lost in this world and in the next."
PURPORT
The word ucchṛṅkhala, meaning "whimsical," is significant in this verse. In Bhagavad-gītā (16.23), Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself says:
yaḥ śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya
vartate kāma-kārataḥ
na sa siddhim avāpnoti
na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim
If one acts whimsically and does not follow the śāstric principles, he will never attain perfection, happiness or the spiritual world.
TEXT 122
eta śuni' sei vipra mahā-duḥkha pāilā
'kṛṣṇa' 'kṛṣṇa' kahi' tathā haite uṭhi' gelā
SYNONYMS
eta śuni'—hearing this; sei vipra—that brāhmaṇa; mahā-duḥkha pāilā—became very much aggrieved; kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kahi'-uttering the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa; tathā haite—from there; uṭhi' gelā—got up and went away.
TRANSLATION
When the brāhmaṇa heard Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī speak like this about Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he became very grief-stricken. Chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, he immediately left.
TEXT 123
prabhura daraśane śuddha ha�āche tāṅra mana
prabhu-āge duḥkhī ha�ā kahe vivaraṇa
SYNONYMS
prabhura daraśane—by seeing personally the Supreme Personality of Godhead; śuddha—purified; ha�āche—was; tāṅra mana—his mind; prabhu-āge—before the Lord; duḥkhī ha�ā—being very much unhappy; kahe vivaraṇa—described the incidents.
TRANSLATION
The brāhmaṇa's mind was already purified by seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He therefore went to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and described what took place before the Māyāvādī sannyāsī Prakāśānanda.
TEXT 124
śuni' mahāprabhu tabe īṣat hāsilā
punarapi sei vipra prabhure puchilā
SYNONYMS
śuni'—hearing; mahāprabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tabe—then; īṣat—mildly; hāsilā—smiled; punarapi—again indeed; sei—that; vipra—brāhmaṇa; prabhure puchilā—inquired from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TRANSLATION
Hearing this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu mildly smiled. The brāhmaṇa then spoke again to the Lord.
TEXT 125
"tāra āge yabe āmi tomāra nāma la-ila
seha tomāra nāma jāne,--āpane kahila
SYNONYMS
tāra āge—before him; yabe—when; āmi—I; tomāra—Your; nāma—name; laila—uttered; seha—he; tomāra—Your; nāma—name; jāne—knows; āpane kahila—he said himself.
TRANSLATION
The brāhmaṇa said,"As soon as I uttered Your name before him, he immediately confirmed the fact that he knew Your name.
TEXT 126
tomāra 'doṣa' kahite kare nāmera uccāra
'caitanya' 'caitanya' kari' kahe tina-bāra
SYNONYMS
tomāra doṣa—Your fault; kahite—describing; kare—does; nāmera—of the name; uccāra—utterances; caitanya caitanya—Caitanya, Caitanya; kari'-in that way; kahe tina-bāra—he uttered three times.
TRANSLATION
"While finding fault with You, he uttered Your name three times, saying, 'Caitanya, Caitanya, Caitanya.'
TEXT 127
tina-bāre 'kṛṣṇa-nāma' nā āila tāra mukhe
'avaj�ā'te nāma laya, śuni' pāi duḥkhe
SYNONYMS
tina-bāre—three times; kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; nā āila—did not come; tāra mukhe—in his mouth; avaj�ā'te—in contempt; nāma laya—takes Your name; śuni'-hearing; pāi duḥkhe—I was very much aggrieved.
TRANSLATION
"Although he spoke Your name three times, he did not utter the name of Kṛṣṇa. Because he uttered Your name in contempt, I was very much aggrieved.
PURPORT
Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī vilified and blasphemed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Words like brahma, caitanya, ātmā, paramātmā, jagadīśa, īśvara, virāṭ, vibhu, bhūmā, viśvarūpa and vyāpaka all indirectly indicate Kṛṣṇa. However, the chanter of these names is not actually attracted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa and His transcendental pastimes. One may get a little light from these names, but one cannot understand that the holy name of the Lord is identical with the Lord. One considers the Lord's names material due to a poor fund of knowledge. Māyāvādī philosophers and the pa�copāsakas cannot in the least understand the existence of the spiritual world and the blissful variegatedness there. They cannot understand the Absolute Truth and its spiritual varieties-name, form, qualities and pastimes. Consequently they conclude that Kṛṣṇa's transcendental activities are māyā. Due to this, one has to directly cultivate knowledge about the holy name of the Lord. Māyāvādī philosophers do not know this fact, and therefore they commit great offenses. One should not hear anything about Kṛṣṇa or devotional service from the mouths of Māyāvādī impersonalists.
TEXT 128
ihāra kāraṇa more kaha kṛpā kari'
tomā dekhi' mukha mora bale 'kṛṣṇa' 'hari"
SYNONYMS
ihāra—of this; kāraṇa—cause; more—unto me; kaha—please speak; kṛpā kari'-by Your causeless mercy; tomā dekhi'-seeing You; mukha—mouth; mora—my; bale—says; kṛṣṇa hari—the holy names of Kṛṣṇa and Hari.
TRANSLATION
"Why could Prakāśānanda not utter the names of Kṛṣṇa and Hari? He chanted the name Caitanya thrice. As far as I am concerned, simply by seeing You I am moved to chant the holy names of Kṛṣṇa and Hari."
TEXT 129
prabhu kahe,--"māyāvādī kṛṣṇe aparādhī
'brahma', 'ātmā' 'caitanya' kahe niravadhi
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said; māyāvādī—the impersonalists; kṛṣṇe—unto Kṛṣṇa; aparādhī—great offenders; brahma—brahma; ātmā-ātmā; caitanya—caitanya; kahe—say; niravadhi—without stopping.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, "Māyāvādī impersonalists are great offenders unto Lord Kṛṣṇa; therefore they simply utter the words Brahman, ātmā and caitanya.
TEXT 130
ataeva tāra mukhe nā āise kṛṣṇa-nāma
'kṛṣṇa-nāma', 'kṛṣṇa-svarūpa'--duita 'samāna'
SYNONYMS
ataeva—therefore; tāra mukhe—in their mouths; nā—not; āise—manifests; kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; kṛṣṇa-svarūpa—the personality of the Lord; duita samāna—both identical.
TRANSLATION
"The holy name of Kṛṣṇa is not manifest in their mouths because they are offenders unto Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is identical with His holy name.
TEXT 131
'nāma', 'vigraha', 'svarūpa'--tina eka-rūpa
tine 'bheda' nāhi,--tina 'cid-ānanda-rūpa'
SYNONYMS
nāma—the name; vigraha—form; sva-rūpa—personality; tina—all three; eka-rūpa—one and the same; tine—between the three; bheda nāhi—there is no difference; tina—all three; cit-ānanda-rūpa—transcendentally blissful.
TRANSLATION
"The Lord's holy name, His form and His personality are all one and the same. There is no difference between them. Since all of them are absolute, they are transcendentally blissful.
TEXT 132
deha-dehīra, nāma-nāmīra kṛṣṇe nāhi 'bheda'
jīvera dharma--nāma-deha-svarūpe 'vibheda'
SYNONYMS
deha-dehīra—of the body and the owner of the body; nāma-nāmīra—of the name and the owner of the name; kṛṣṇe—in Kṛṣṇa; nāhi bheda—there is no difference; jīvera dharma—the situation of the conditioned soul; nāma—name; deha—body; sva-rūpe—original form; vibheda—different.
TRANSLATION
"There is no difference between Kṛṣṇa's body and Himself or between His name and Himself. As far as the conditioned soul is concerned, everything is different. One's name is different from the body, from one's original form and so on.
PURPORT
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is herein pointing out to the brāhmaṇa that Māyāvādī philosophers cannot understand that the living entity is equal in quality with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because they do not accept this, they think that the living entity has been falsely divided from the original Brahman due to being conditioned by māyā. Māyāvādīs believe that the Absolute Truth is ultimately impersonal. When an incarnation of God or God Himself comes, they think He is covered by māyā. In other words, Māyāvādī impersonalists think that the Lord's form is also a product of this material world. Due to a poor fund of knowledge, they cannot understand that Kṛṣṇa has no body separate from Himself. His body and Himself are both the same Absolute Truth. Not having perfect knowledge of Kṛṣṇa, such impersonalists certainly commit offenses at His lotus feet. Therefore they do not utter the original name of the Absolute Truth, Kṛṣṇa. In their impersonal way, they utter the name of impersonal Brahman, spirit soul. In other words, they indulge in indirect indications of the Absolute Truth. Even if they happen to utter the name of Govinda, Kṛṣṇa or Mādhava, they still cannot understand that these names are as good as Govinda, Kṛṣṇa or Mādhava the person. Because they are ultimately impersonalists, their uttering of the personal name has no potency. Actually they do not believe in Kṛṣṇa but consider all these names to be material vibrations. Not being able to appreciate the holy name of the Lord, they simply utter indirect names like Brahman, ātmā and caitanya.
It is a fact, however, that the name of Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa the person are both spiritual. Everything about Kṛṣṇa is transcendental, blissful and objective. For a conditioned soul, the body is different from the soul, and the name given by the father is also different from the soul. The conditioned living entity's identification with material objects keeps him from attaining his actual position. Although he is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, he acts differently. The svarūpa, or actual identification of the living entity, is described by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as jīvera 'svarūpa' haya-kṛṣṇera 'nitya-dāsa'. The conditioned soul has forgotten the real activities of his original position. However, this is not the case with Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa's name and His person are identical. There is no such thing as māyā Kṛṣṇa because Kṛṣṇa is not a product of the material creation. There is no difference between Kṛṣṇa's body and His soul. Kṛṣṇa is simultaneously both soul and body. The distinction between body and soul applies to conditioned souls. The body of the conditioned soul is different from the soul, and the conditioned soul's name is different from his body. One may be named Mr. John, but if we call for Mr. John, Mr. John may never actually appear. However, if we utter the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa is immediately present on our tongue. In the Padma Purāṇa, Kṛṣṇa says, mad-bhaktā yatra gāyanti tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada: "O Nārada, I am present wherever My devotees are chanting." When the devotees chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa-Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare-Lord Kṛṣṇa is immediately present.
TEXT 133
nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś
caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ
pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto
'bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ
SYNONYMS
nāmaḥ—the holy name; cintāmaṇiḥ—transcendentally blissful giver of all spiritual benedictions; kṛṣṇaḥ—not different from Kṛṣṇa; caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ—the form of all transcendental mellows; pūrṇaḥ—complete; śuddhaḥ—pure, without material contamination; nitya—eternal; muktaḥ—liberated; abhinna-tvāt—due to not being different; nāma—of the holy name; nāminoḥ—and of the person who has the name.
TRANSLATION
" 'The holy name of Kṛṣṇa is transcendentally blissful. It bestows all spiritual benedictions, for it is Kṛṣṇa Himself, the reservoir of all pleasure. Kṛṣṇa's name is complete, and it is the form of all transcendental mellows. It is not a material name under any condition, and it is no less powerful than Kṛṣṇa Himself. Since Kṛṣṇa's name is not contaminated by the material qualities, there is no question of its being involved with māyā. Kṛṣṇa's name is always liberated and spiritual; it is never conditioned by the laws of material nature. This is because the name of Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa Himself are identical.'
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Padma Purāṇa.
TEXT 134
ataeva kṛṣṇera 'nāma', 'deha', 'vilāsa'
prākṛtendriya-grāhya nahe, haya sva-prakāśa
SYNONYMS
ataeva—therefore; kṛṣṇera—of Lord Kṛṣṇa; nāma—the holy name; deha—the spiritual body; vilāsa—the pastimes; prākṛta-indriya—by the dull senses made of matter; grāhya—perceptible; nahe—not; haya—are; sva-prakāśa—self-manifested.
TRANSLATION
"The holy name of Kṛṣṇa, His body and His pastimes cannot be understood by blunt material senses. They are manifest independently.
PURPORT
The transcendental body of Kṛṣṇa, His name, form, qualities, pastimes and entourage all constitute the Absolute Truth and are as good as Kṛṣṇa (sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha). As long as the living entity is conditioned by the three modes of material nature-(goodness, passion and ignorance)-the objects of his material senses-material form, taste, smell, sound and touch-will not help him understand spiritual knowledge and bliss. Rather, these are revealed to the pure devotee. One's material name, form and qualities are certainly different from one another. In the material world, there is no conception of absolute; however, when we come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness we find that there is no material difference between Kṛṣṇa's body and His names, activities and entourage.
TEXT 135
kṛṣṇa-nāma, kṛṣṇa-guṇa, kṛṣṇa-līlā-vṛnda
kṛṣṇera svarūpa-sama--saba cid-ānanda
SYNONYMS
kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; kṛṣṇa-guṇa—the transcendental qualities of Kṛṣṇa; kṛṣṇa-līlā-vṛnda—the transcendental pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa; kṛṣṇera sva-rūpa—Kṛṣṇa's personality; sama—equal; saba—all; cit-ānanda—spiritual and full of bliss.
TRANSLATION
"The holy name of Kṛṣṇa, His transcendental qualities and pastimes as well as Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself are all equal. They are all spiritual and full of bliss.
TEXT 136
ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi
na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ
sevonmukhe hi jihvādau
svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ
SYNONYMS
ataḥ—therefore (because Kṛṣṇa's name, form, quality are all on the absolute platform); śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāma-ādi—Lord Kṛṣṇa's name, form, quality, pastimes and so on; na—not; bhavet—can be; grāhyam—perceived; indriyaiḥ—by the blunt material senses; sevā-unmukhe—to one engaged in His service; hi—certainly; jihvā-ādau—beginning with the tongue; svayam—personally; eva—certainly; sphurati—become manifest; adaḥ—those (Kṛṣṇa's name, form, quality, and so on).
TRANSLATION
" 'Therefore material senses cannot appreciate Kṛṣṇa's holy name, form, qualities and pastimes. When a conditioned soul is awakened to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and renders service by using his tongue to chant the Lord's holy name and taste the remnants of the Lord's food, the tongue is purified, and one gradually comes to understand who Kṛṣṇa really is.'
PURPORT
This verse is recorded in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.234).
TEXT 137
brahmānanda haite pūrṇānanda līlā-rasa
brahma-j�ānī ākarṣiyā kare ātma-vaśa
SYNONYMS
brahma-ānanda—the pleasure of self-realization; haite—from; pūrṇa-ānanda—complete pleasure; līlā-rasa—the mellows of the pastimes of the Lord; brahma-j�ānī—those who are on the platform of Brahman understanding; ākarṣiyā—attracting; kare—make; ātma-vaśa—subordinate to Kṛṣṇa.
TRANSLATION
"The mellows of Lord Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, which are full of bliss, attract the j�ānī from the pleasure of Brahman realization and conquer him.
PURPORT
When one understands that he belongs not to the material world but to the spiritual world, one is called liberated. Being situated in the spiritual world is certainly pleasurable, but those who realize the transcendental name, form, qualities and pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoy transcendental bliss many times more than one who has simply realized the self. When one is situated on the platform of self-realization, he can certainly be easily attracted by Kṛṣṇa and become a servant of the Lord. This is explained in Bhagavad-gītā:
brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā
na śocati na kāṅkṣati
samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu
mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām
"One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything; he is equally disposed to every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me." (Bg. 18.54)
When one becomes spiritually realized (brahma-bhūta), he becomes happy (prasannātmā), for he is relieved from material conceptions. One who has attained this platform is not agitated by material action and reaction. He sees everyone on the platform of spirit soul (paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ). When one is completely realized, he can rise to the platform of pure devotional service (mad-bhaktiṁ-labhate parām). When one comes to the platform of bhakti, devotional service, he automatically realizes who Kṛṣṇa is.
bhaktyā mām abhijānāti
yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ
tato māṁ tattvato j�ātvā
viśate tad-anantaram
"One can understand the Supreme Personality as He is only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of the Supreme Lord by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God." (Bg. 18.55)
It is only on the bhakti platform that one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa and His transcendental name, form, qualities, pastimes and entourage. Being thus qualified spiritually (viśate tad-anantaram), one is allowed to enter the spiritual kingdom of God and return home, back to Godhead.
TEXT 138
svasukha-nibhṛta-cetās tad vyudastānya-bhāvo
'py ajita-rucira-līlākṛṣṭa-sāras tadīyam
vyatanuta kṛpayā yas tattva-dīpaṁ puraṇaṁ
tam akhila-vṛjina-ghnaṁ vyāsa-sūnuṁ nato 'smi
SYNONYMS
sva-sukha—in happiness of the self; nibhṛta—solitary; cetāḥ—whose consciousness; tat—because of that; vyudasta—given up; anya-bhāvaḥ—any other type of consciousness; api—although; ajita—of Śrī Kṛṣṇa; rucira—pleasing; līlā—by the pastimes; ākṛṣṭa—attracted; sāraḥ—whose heart; tadīyam—consisting of the activities of the Lord; vyatanuta—spread, manifested; kṛpayā—mercifully; yaḥ—who; tattva-dīpam—the bright light of the Absolute Truth; purāṇam—the Purāṇa (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam); tam—unto him; akhila-vṛjina-ghnam—defeating everything inauspicious; vyāsa-sūnum—the son of Vyāsadeva; nataḥ asmi—I offer my obeisances.
TRANSLATION
" 'Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the son of Vyāsadeva, Śukadeva Gosvāmī. It is he who defeats all inauspicious things within this universe. Although in the beginning he was absorbed in the happiness of Brahman realization and was living in a secluded place, giving up all other types of consciousness, he became attracted by the most melodious pastimes of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He therefore mercifully spoke the supreme Purāṇa, known as Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is the bright light of the Absolute Truth and which describes the activities of Lord Kṛṣṇa.'
PURPORT
This verse was spoken by Sūta Gosvāmī in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (12.12.69).
TEXT 139
brahmānanda haite pūrṇānanda kṛṣṇa-guṇa
ataeva ākarṣaye ātmā-rāmera mana
SYNONYMS
brahma-ānanda—the pleasure of Brahman realization; haite—from; pūrṇa-ānanda—complete bliss; kṛṣṇa-guṇa—the qualities of Lord Kṛṣṇa; ataeva—therefore; ākarṣaye—attract; ātmā-rāmera mana—the minds of self-realized persons.
TRANSLATION
"The transcendental qualities of Śrī Kṛṣṇa are completely blissful and relishable. Consequently Lord Kṛṣṇa's qualities attract even the minds of self-realized persons from the bliss of self-realization.
TEXT 140
ātmārāmāś ca munayo
nirgranthā apy urukrame
kurvanty ahaitukīṁ bhaktim
ittham-bhūta-guṇo hariḥ
SYNONYMS
ātma-ārāmaḥ—persons who take pleasure in being transcendentally situated in the service of the Lord; ca—also; munayaḥ—great saintly persons who have completely rejected material aspirations, fruitive activities, and so forth; nirgranthāḥ—without interest in any material desire; api—certainly; urukrame—unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, whose activities are wonderful; kurvanti—do; ahaitukīm—causeless, or without material desires; bhaktim—devotional service; ittham-bhūta—so wonderful as to attract the attention of the self-satisfied; guṇaḥ—who has transcendental qualities; hariḥ—the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
" 'Those who are self-satisfied and unattracted by external material desires are also attracted to the loving service of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose qualities are transcendental and whose activities are wonderful. Hari, the Personality of Godhead, is called Kṛṣṇa because He has such transcendentally attractive features.'
TEXT 141
ei saba rahu--kṛṣṇa-caraṇa-sambandhe
ātmārāmera mana hare tulasīra gandhe
SYNONYMS
ei saba rahu—apart from the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa; kṛṣṇa-caraṇa-sambandhe—in relation to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa; ātma-ārāmera—of self-realized persons; mana—the mind; hare—attracts; tulasīra gandhe—the aroma of tulasī leaves.
TRANSLATION
"Apart from the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa, when tulasī leaves are offered at the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, even the aroma of the leaves attracts the minds of self-realized persons.
TEXT 142
tasyāravinda-nayanasya padāravinda-
ki�jalka-miśra-tulasī-makaranda-vāyuḥ
antargataḥ svavivareṇa cakāra teṣāṁ
saṅkṣobham akṣara-juṣām api citta-tanvoḥ
SYNONYMS
tasya—of Him; aravinda-nayanasya—of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose eyes are like the petals of a lotus; pada-aravinda—of the lotus feet; ki�jalka—with saffron; miśra—mixed; tulasī—of tulasī leaves; makaranda—with the aroma; vāyuḥ—the air; antargataḥ—entered; sva-vivareṇa—through the nostrils; cakāra—created; teṣām—of them; saṅkṣobham—strong agitation; akṣara-juṣām—of the impersonally self-realized (Kumāras); api—also; citta-tanvoḥ—of the mind and body.
TRANSLATION
" 'When the breeze carrying the aroma of tulasī leaves and saffron from the lotus feet of the lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead entered through the nostrils into the hearts of those sages [the Kumāras], they experienced a change in both body and mind, even though they were attached to impersonal Brahman understanding.'
PURPORT
This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.15.43). Vidura and Maitreya discussed the pregnancy of Diti. Diti's pregnancy caused the demigods to be very much afraid, and the demigods went to see Lord Brahmā. Lord Brahmā explained the original incident involving the cursing of Jaya and Vijaya by the Catuḥ-sana Kumāras. Sometimes the Catuḥ-sana Kumāras went to Vaikuṇṭha to visit Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and once they were stopped from entering the palace at the seventh gate by two doorkeepers named Jaya and Vijaya. Due to their jealousy, Jaya and Vijaya would not allow the Kumāras entry, and consequently the Kumāras became angry and cursed Jaya and Vijaya, condemning them to take birth in a family of asuras in the material world. The omniscient Personality of Godhead could immediately understand the incident, and He came with His eternal consort the goddess of fortune. The Catuḥ-sana Kumāras immediately offered their obeisances unto the Lord. Simply by seeing the Lord and smelling the aroma of tulasī and saffron from His lotus feet, the Kumāras became devotees and abandoned their long-cherished impersonalism. Thus the four Kumāras were turned into Vaiṣṇavas simply by smelling the aromatic tulasī mixed with saffron. Those who are actually on the platform of Brahman realization and who have not offended the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa can immediately become Vaiṣṇavas simply by smelling the aroma of the Lord's lotus feet. However, those who are offenders or demons are never attracted to the Lord's personal feature, even though they may visit the Lord's temple many times. In Vṛndāvana we have seen many Māyāvādī sannyāsīs who do not even come to the temple of Govindajī, Gopīnātha or Madana-mohana because they think that such temples are māyā. Therefore they are called Māyāvādīs. Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore said that the Māyāvādīs are the greatest offenders.
TEXT 143
ataeva 'kṛṣṇa-nāma' nā āise tāra mukhe
māyāvādi-gaṇa yāte mahā bahirmukhe
SYNONYMS
ataeva—therefore; kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; nā—does not; āise—come; tāra mukhe—in their mouths; māyāvādi-gaṇa—all the Māyāvādīs; yāte—because; mahā bahiḥ-mukhe—great offenders by dint of strong atheism.
TRANSLATION
"Because the Māyāvādīs are great offenders and atheistic philosophers, the holy name of Kṛṣṇa does not come from their mouths.
PURPORT
Because they are constantly blaspheming the Supreme Personality of Godhead by saying that He has no head, hands or legs, Māyāvādī philosophers remain offenders for many, many births, even though they have partially realized Brahman. However, if such impersonalists are not offenders at the lotus feet of the Lord, they immediately become devotees in the association of a devotee. In other words, if an impersonalist is not an offender, he can become a devotee if he gets a chance to associate with other devotees. If he is an offender, he cannot be converted even by the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very much afraid of this Māyāvādī offender; therefore He spoke as follows.
TEXT 144
bhāvakāli vecite āmi āilāṅa kāśīpure
grāhaka nāhi, nā vikāya, la�ā yāba ghare
SYNONYMS
bhāvakāli—devotional sentiments; vecite—to sell; āmi—I; āilāṅa—came; kāśīpure—to the city of Kāśī; grāhaka nāhi—there is no customer; nā vikāya—do not sell; la�ā yāba ghare—then I must take my commodity back home.
TRANSLATION
"I have come here to sell My emotional ecstatic sentiments in this city of Kāśī, but I cannot find any customers. If they are not sold, I must take them back home.
TEXT 145
bhārī bojhā la�ā āilāṅa, kemane la�ā yāba?
alpa-svalpa-mūlya pāile, ethāi veciba
SYNONYMS
bhārī bojhā—heavy load; la�ā—bearing; āilāṅa—I came; kemane—how; la�ā yāba—shall I take it back; alpa-svalpa-mūlya—a fraction of the real price; pāile—if I get; ethāi—here; veciba—I shall sell.
TRANSLATION
"I have brought a heavy load to sell in this city. To take it back again is a very difficult job; therefore if I get but a fraction of the price, I shall sell it here in this city of Kāśī."
PURPORT
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was selling the transcendental holy name of the Lord. However, Kāśī was a city of Māyāvādīs (impersonalists), and such people will never chant the holy names of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Consequently Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was feeling disappointed. How could He teach the Māyāvādīs the importance of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra? The attraction for chanting the holy name of the Lord belongs absolutely to pure devotees, and there was no possibility of finding pure devotees at Kāśī. Consequently Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's commodity was certainly very heavy. The Lord therefore suggested that even though there were no pure devotees in Kāśī, if someone was a little inclined to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, He would deliver this big load, although the proper price was not paid.
Actually we experienced this when we came to preach the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement in the West. When we came to New York in 1965, we never expected that the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra would be accepted in this country. Nonetheless, we invited people to our storefront to join in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, and the Lord's holy name is so attractive that simply by coming to our storefront in New York, fortunate young people became Kṛṣṇa conscious. Although this mission was started with insignificant capital, it is now going nicely. The spreading of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra in the West has become successful because the young people were not offenders. The youths who joined this movement were not very advanced as far as purity was concerned, nor were they very well educated in Vedic knowledge, but because they were not offenders, they could accept the importance of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. We are now very happy to see that this movement is advancing more and more in the Western countries. We therefore conclude that the so-called mlecchas and yavanas of the Western countries are more purified than offensive Māyāvādīs or atheistic impersonalists.
TEXT 146
eta bali' sei vipre ātmasātha kari'
prāte uṭhi mathurā calilā gaurahari
SYNONYMS
eta bali'—saying this; sei vipre—that brāhmaṇa; ātmasātha kari'-accepting as His devotee; prāte uṭhi—rising early in the morning; mathurā calilā—started for Mathurā; gaurahari—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TRANSLATION
After saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted that brāhmaṇa as His devotee. The next morning, rising very early, the Lord started for Mathurā.
TEXT 147
sei tina saṅge cale, prabhu niṣedhila
dūra haite tina-jane ghare pāṭhāila
SYNONYMS
sei tina—those three; saṅge—with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; cale—go; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; niṣedhila—forbade; dūra haite—from a distance; tina-jane—the three persons; ghare—home; pāṭhāila—sent back.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu started for Mathurā, all three devotees started to go with Him. However, the Lord forbade them to accompany Him, and from a distance He asked them to return home.
TEXT 148
prabhura virahe tine ekatra miliyā
prabhu-guṇa gāna kare preme matta ha�ā
SYNONYMS
prabhura virahe—because of separation from the Lord; tine—all three; ekatra—together; miliyā—meeting; prabhu-guṇa—the transcendental qualities of the Lord; gāna kare—chant; preme—with love; matta ha�ā—being mad.
TRANSLATION
Feeling separation from the Lord, the three used to meet and glorify the holy qualities of the Lord. Thus they were absorbed in ecstatic love.
TEXT 149
'prayāge' āsiyā prabhu kaila veṇī-snāna
'mādhava' dekhiyā preme kaila nṛtya-gāna
SYNONYMS
prayāge—to Prayāga; āsiyā—coming; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kaila—did; veṇī-snāna—bathing in the confluence of the Ganges and Yamunā; mādhava—the predominating Deity there, Veṇī Mādhava; dekhiyā—seeing; preme—in ecstatic love; kaila—performed; nṛtya-gāna—dancing and chanting.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then went to Prayāga, where He bathed at the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamunā. He then visited the temple of Veṇī Mādhava and chanted and danced there in ecstatic love.
PURPORT
The city of Prayāga is situated a few miles from the city of Allahabad. The name Prayāga is given due to successful sacrifices performed there. It is said: prakṛṣṭaḥ yāgaḥ yāga-phalaṁ yasmāt. If one performs sacrifices at Prayāga, he certainly gets immediate results without difficulty. Prayāga is also called Tīrtharāja, the king of all places of pilgrimage. This holy place is situated on the confluence of the Rivers Ganges and Yamunā. Every year a fair takes place there known as Māgha-melā, and every twelve years a Kumbha-melā is also held. In any case, many people come to bathe there every year. During Māgha-melā, people from the local district generally come, and during Kumbha-melā people come from all over India to live there and bathe in the Ganges and Yamunā. Whoever goes there immediately feels the place's spiritual influence. A fort located there was constructed by the Emperor Akbar about five hundred years ago, and near the fort is a place called Triveṇī. On the other side of Prayāga is an old place known as Pratiṣṭhāna-pura. It is also well known as Jhuṅsi. Many saintly people live there, and consequently it is very attractive from the spiritual point of view.
TEXT 150
yamunā dekhiyā preme paḍe jhāṅpa diyā
āste-vyaste bhaṭṭācārya uṭhāya dhariyā
SYNONYMS
yamunā—the River Yamunā; dekhiyā—seeing; preme—in ecstatic love; paḍe—falls down; jhāṅpa diyā—jumping; āste-vyaste—in great haste; bhaṭṭācārya—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; uṭhāya—raises; dhariyā—catching.
TRANSLATION
As soon as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw the River Yamunā, He threw Himself in it. Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya hastily caught the Lord and very carefully raised Him up again.
TEXT 151
ei-mata tina-dina prayāge rahilā
kṛṣṇa-nāma-prema diyā loka nistārilā
SYNONYMS
ei-mata—in this way; tina-dina—for three days; prayāge—at Prayāga; rahilā—remained; kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa; prema—and ecstatic love; diyā—delivering; loka nistārilā—delivered the people.
TRANSLATION
The Lord stayed at Prayāga for three days. He delivered the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and ecstatic love. Thus He delivered many people.
TEXT 152
'mathurā' calite pathe yathā rahi' yāya
kṛṣṇa-nāma-prema diyā lokere nācāya
SYNONYMS
mathurā—to Mathurā; calite—going; pathe—on the road; yathā—wherever; rahi'-staying; yāya—goes; kṛṣṇa-nāma-prema—the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and His ecstatic love; diyā—delivering; lokere nācāya—made the people dance.
TRANSLATION
Wherever the Lord stopped to rest on the way to Mathurā, He delivered the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa. Thus He made the people dance.
TEXT 153
pūrve yena 'dakṣiṇa' yāite loka nistārilā
'paścima'-deśe taiche saba 'vaiṣṇava' karilā
SYNONYMS
pūrve—formerly; yena—as; dakṣiṇa—South India; yāite—going to; loka—the people; nistārilā—He delivered; paścima-deśe—in the western countries; taiche—similarly; saba—all; vaiṣṇava—devotees; karilā—made.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord toured South India, He delivered many people, and when He traveled in the western sector, He similarly converted many people to Vaiṣṇavism.
PURPORT
Formerly Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu converted people when He toured southern and western India. Similarly, this Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is now delivering the people of the Western world wherever devotees are chanting the holy names. This is all being done by the Lord's mercy. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu predicted that He would deliver people in every city and village of the world by giving them a chance to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
TEXT 154
pathe yāhāṅ yāhāṅ haya yamunā-darśana
tāhāṅ jhāṅpa diyā paḍe preme acetana
SYNONYMS
pathe—on the road; yāhāṅ yāhāṅ—wherever; haya—there is; yamunā-darśana—meeting with the Yamunā River; tāhāṅ—there; jhāṅpa diyā paḍe—jumps over and falls down; preme acetana—unconscious in the ecstasy of love.
TRANSLATION
While the Lord was going to Mathurā, He came across the River Yamunā several times, and as soon as He saw the River Yamunā, He would immediately jump in, falling unconscious in the water in the ecstasy of love of Kṛṣṇa.
TEXT 155
mathurā-nikaṭe āilā--mathurā dekhiyā
daṇḍavat ha�ā paḍe premāviṣṭa ha�ā
SYNONYMS
mathurā-nikaṭe—near Mathurā; āilā—came; mathurā dekhiyā—seeing the city of Mathurā; daṇḍavat ha�ā—offering obeisances; paḍe—falls down; prema-āviṣṭa ha�ā—in the great ecstasy of love.
TRANSLATION
When He approached Mathurā and saw the city, He immediately fell to the ground and offered obeisances with great ecstatic love.
TEXT 156
mathurā āsiyā kailā 'viśrānti-tīrthe' snāna
'janma-sthāne' 'keśava' dekhi' karilā praṇāma
SYNONYMS
mathurā āsiyā—coming in to Mathurā; kailā—performed; viśrānti-tīrthe—at the bathing place known as Viśrāma-ghāṭa; snāna—bathing; janma-sthāne—at the place of Lord Kṛṣṇa's birth; keśava—the Deity named Keśava; dekhi'-seeing; karilā praṇāma—offered His respectful obeisances.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu entered the city of Mathurā, He took His bath at Viśrāma-ghāṭa. He then visited the birthplace of Kṛṣṇa and saw the Deity named Keśavajī. He offered His respectful obeisances to this Deity.
PURPORT
At the present moment, the temple of Keśavajī is very much improved. At one time, Keśavajī-mandira was attacked by the emperor Aurangzeb, who constructed such a big mosque there that the temple of Keśavajī was insignificant in comparison. However, with the help of many rich Maḍwaris, the temple has improved, and a very large temple is now being constructed so that the mosque is now appearing diminished in comparison. Many archeological discoveries have been made there, and many people from foreign countries are beginning to appreciate Kṛṣṇa's birthplace. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is attracting many foreigners to the Keśavajī temple, and now they will also be attracted by the Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma temple in Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 157
premānande nāce, gāya, saghana huṅkāra
prabhura premāveśa dekhi' loke camatkāra
SYNONYMS
prema-ānande—in ecstatic love; nāce—dances; gāya—chants; saghana—repeatedly; huṅkāra—tumultuous sound vibrations; prabhura—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; prema-āveśa—ecstatic love; dekhi'-seeing; loke—all people; camatkāra—astonished.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu chanted, danced and made loud vibrations, all the people were astonished to see His ecstatic love.
TEXT 158
eka-vipra paḍe prabhura caraṇa dhariyā
prabhu-saṅge nṛtya kare premāviṣṭa ha�ā
SYNONYMS
eka-vipra—one brāhmaṇa; paḍe—falls down; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; caraṇa dhariyā—catching the lotus feet; prabhu-saṅge—with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; nṛtya kare—he dances; prema-āviṣṭa ha�ā—being absorbed in ecstatic love.
TRANSLATION
One brāhmaṇa fell at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and then began to dance with Him in ecstatic love.
TEXT 159
duṅhe preme nṛtya kari' kare kolākuli
hari kṛṣṇa kaha duṅhe bale bāhu tuli'
SYNONYMS
duṅhe—both of them; preme—in ecstatic love; nṛtya kari'-dancing; kare—do; kolākuli—embracing; hari—the holy name of Hari; kṛṣṇa—the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; kaha—go on chanting; duṅhe—both of them; bale—speak; bāhu tuli'-raising the arms.
TRANSLATION
Both of them danced in ecstatic love and embraced one another. Raising their arms, they said, "Chant the holy names of Hari and Kṛṣṇa!"
TEXT 160
loka 'hari' 'hari' bale, kolāhala haila
'keśava'-sevaka prabhuke mālā parāila
SYNONYMS
loka—all the people; hari hari bale—began to chant the holy names Hari, Hari; kolāhala haila—there was a great uproar; keśava-sevaka—the priest in the service of Lord Keśava; prabhuke—unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; mālā parāila—offered a garland.
TRANSLATION
All the people then began to chant "Hari! Hari!" and there was a great uproar. The priest in Lord Keśava's service offered Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu a garland.
TEXT 161
loke kahe prabhu dekhi' ha�ā vismaya
aiche hena prema'laukika' kabhu naya
SYNONYMS
loke kahe—the people said; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dekhi'-seeing; ha�ā vismaya—being struck with wonder; aiche—such; hena—similar; prema—love of Godhead; laukika—ordinary; kabhu naya—never is.
TRANSLATION
When the people saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's dancing and chanting, they were struck with wonder, and they all said, "Such transcendental love is never an ordinary thing."
TEXT 162
yāṅhāra darśane loke preme matta ha�ā
hāse, kānde, nāce, gāya, kṛṣṇa-nāma la�ā
SYNONYMS
yāṅhāra darśane—by seeing whom; loke—people; preme—in love; matta ha�ā—becoming mad; hāse—laugh; kānde—cry; nāce—dance; gāya—chant; kṛṣṇa-nāma la�ā—taking the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
TRANSLATION
The people said, "Simply by seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, everyone is maddened with love of Kṛṣṇa. Indeed, everyone is laughing, crying, dancing, chanting and taking the holy name of Kṛṣṇa.
TEXT 163
sarvathā-niścita--iṅho kṛṣṇa-avatāra
mathurā āilā lokera karite nistāra
SYNONYMS
sarvathā—in every respect; niścita—ascertained; iṅho—He; kṛṣṇa-avatāra—incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa; mathurā āilā—has come to Mathurā; lokera—of the people; karite—to perform; nistāra—deliverance.
TRANSLATION
"Certainly Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is in all respects the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Now He has come to Mathurā to deliver everyone."
TEXT 164
tabe mahāprabhu sei brāhmaṇe la�ā
tāṅhāre puchilā kichu nibhṛte vasiyā
SYNONYMS
tabe—after that; mahāprabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; sei—that; brāhmaṇe—brāhmaṇa; la�ā—taking; tāṅhāre—unto him; puchilā—inquired; kichu—something; nibhṛte vasiyā—sitting in a solitary place.
TRANSLATION
After this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took aside the brāhmaṇa. Sitting in a solitary place, the Lord began to question him.
TEXT 165
'ārya, sarala, tumi--vṛddha brāhmaṇa
kāhāṅ haite pāile tumi ei prema-dhana?'
SYNONYMS
ārya—advanced in devotional service; sarala—simple; tumi—you; vṛddha brāhmaṇa—elderly brāhmaṇa; kāhāṅ haite—from where; pāile tumi—did you obtain; ei—this; prema-dhana—transcendental opulence of ecstatic love.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "You are an elderly brāhmaṇa, you are sincere, and you are advanced in spiritual life. Wherefrom have you gotten this transcendental opulence of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa?"
TEXT 166
vipra kahe,--'śrīpāda śrī-mādhavendra-purī
bhramite bhramite āilā mathurā-nagarī
SYNONYMS
vipra kahe—the brāhmaṇa said; śrīpāda—His Holiness; śrī-mādhavendra-purī—Śrī Mādhavendra Purī; bhramite bhramite—while touring; āilā—came; mathurā-nagarī—to the city of Mathurā.
TRANSLATION
The brāhmaṇa replied, "His Holiness Śrīla Mādhavendra Purī came to the city of Mathurā while he was on a tour.
TEXT 167
kṛpā kari' teṅho mora nilaye āilā
more śisya kari' mora hāte 'bhikṣā' kailā
SYNONYMS
kṛpā kari'—by his causeless mercy; teṅho—he; mora nilaye—to my humble place; āilā—came; more—me; śisya kari'-accepting as his disciple; mora hāte—from my hand; bhikṣā kailā—accepted lunch.
TRANSLATION
"While at Mathurā, Śrīpāda Mādhavendra Purī visited my house and accepted me as a disciple. He even took lunch at my home.
TEXT 168
gopāla prakaṭa kari' sevā kaila 'mahāśaya'
adyāpiha tāṅhāra sevā 'govardhane' haya
SYNONYMS
gopāla—the Deity Gopāla; prakaṭa kari'-installing; sevā—service; kaila—did; mahāśaya—that great personality; adyāpiha—still now; tāṅhāra—of that Deity Gopāla; sevā—the service; govardhane—on the Govardhana Hill; haya—is conducted.
TRANSLATION
"After installing the Deity Gopāla, Śrīla Mādhavendra Purī rendered Him service. That very Deity is still being worshiped at Govardhana Hill."
TEXT 169
śuni' prabhu kaila tāṅra caraṇa vandana
bhaya pā�ā prabhu-pāya padilā brāhmaṇa
SYNONYMS
śuni'—after hearing; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kaila—did; tāṅra—of him; caraṇa vandana—worshiping the feet; bhaya pā�ā—being afraid; prabhu-paya—at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; paḍilā—fell down; brāhmaṇa—the brāhmaṇa.
TRANSLATION
As soon as Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard about Mādhavendra Purī's relationship with the brāhmaṇa, He immediately offered obeisances at his feet. Becoming fearful, the brāhmaṇa also immediately fell at the Lord's feet.
TEXT 170
prabhu kahe,--"tumi 'guru', āmi 'śiṣya'-prāya
'guru' ha�ā 'śiṣye' namaskāra nā yuyāya
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said; tumi—you; guru—My spiritual master; āmi—I; śiṣya-prāya—like your disciple; guru ha�ā—being the spiritual master; śiṣye—unto the disciple; namaskāra—obeisances; nā yuyāya—is not befitting.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "You are on the platform of My spiritual master, and I am your disciple. Since you are My spiritual master, it is not befitting that you offer Me obeisances."
TEXT 171
śuniyā vismita vipra kahe bhaya pā�ā
aiche vāt kaha kene sannyāsī ha�ā
SYNONYMS
śuniyā—after hearing; vismita—astonished; vipra—the brāhmaṇa; kahe—said; bhaya pā�ā—being afraid; aiche vāt—such a statement; kaha—You say; kene—why; sannyāsī ha�ā—although You are a sannyāsi.
TRANSLATION
Upon hearing this, the brāhmaṇa became afraid. He then said, "Why do You speak like this? You are a sannyāsī.
TEXT 172
kintu tomāra prema dekhi' mane anumāni
mādhavendra-purīra 'sambandha' dhara--jāni
SYNONYMS
kintu—still; tomāra prema—Your ecstatic love; dekhi'-after seeing; mane—in my mind; anumāni—I imagine; mādhavendra-purīra—of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī; sambandha—relationship; dhara—You have; jāni—I can understand.
TRANSLATION
"Upon seeing Your ecstatic love, I can just imagine that You must have some relationship with Mādhavendra Purī. This is my understanding.
TEXT 173
kṛṣṇa-premā tāṅhā, yāṅhā tāṅhāra'sambandha'
tāhāṅ vinā ei premāra kāhāṅ nāhi gandha
SYNONYMS
kṛṣṇa-premā—love of Kṛṣṇa; tāṅhā—there; yāṅhā—where; tāṅhāra—his; sambandha—relationship; tāhāṅ vinā—without him; ei premāra—of this ecstatic love; kāhāṅ nāhi gandha—there is no possibility of even a scent.
TRANSLATION
"This kind of ecstatic love can be experienced only when one has a relationship with Mādhavendra Purī. Without him, even a scent of such transcendental ecstatic love is impossible."
TEXT 174
tabe bhaṭṭācārya tāre 'sambandha' kahila
śuni' ānandita vipra nācite lāgila
SYNONYMS
tabe—thereafter; bhaṭṭācārya—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; tāre—unto the brāhmaṇa; sambandha kahila—explained the relationship; śuni'-after hearing; ānandita—being pleased; vipra—the brāhmaṇa; nācite lāgila—began to dance.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya then explained the relationship between Mādhavendra Purī and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. After hearing this, the brāhmaṇa became very pleased and began to dance.
TEXT 175
tabe vipra prabhure la�ā āilā nija-ghare
āpana-icchāya prabhura nānā sevā kare
SYNONYMS
tabe—thereafter; vipra—the brāhmaṇa; prabhure—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; la�ā—taking; āilā—came back; nija-ghare—to his home; āpana-icchāya—by his own will; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; nānā—various; sevā—services; kare—rendered.
TRANSLATION
The brāhmaṇa then took Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his home and, out of his own free will, began to serve the Lord in various ways.
TEXT 176
bhikṣā lāgi' bhaṭṭācārye karāilā randhana
tabe mahāprabhu hāsi' balilā vacana
SYNONYMS
bhikṣā lāgi'-for lunch; bhaṭṭācārye—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; karāilā randhana—made to cook; tabe—at that time; mahāprabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; hāsi'-smiling; balilā vacana—said these words.
TRANSLATION
He asked Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya to cook Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's lunch. At that time, the Lord, smiling, spoke as follows.
TEXT 177
"purī-gosā�i tomāra ghare karyāchena bhikṣā
more tumi bhikṣā deha,--ei mora 'śikṣā' "
SYNONYMS
purī-gosā�i—Mādhavendra Purī; tomāra ghare—at your place; karyāchena bhikṣā—accepted lunch; more—for Me; tumi bhikṣā deha—better for you to cook; ei—that; mora śikṣā—My instruction.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "Mādhavendra Purī has already taken lunch at your place. Therefore you may cook and give Me the food. That is My instruction."
TEXT 178
yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas
tat tad evetaro janaḥ
sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute
lokas tad anuvartate
SYNONYMS
yat yat—however; ācarati—behaves; śreṣṭaḥ—the best man; tat tat—that; eva—certainly; itaraḥ—the lesser; janaḥ—men; saḥ—he; yat—which; pramāṇam—standard; kurute—shows; lokaḥ—the people; tat—that; anuvartate—follow.
TRANSLATION
"Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues."
PURPORT
This is a quotation from Bhagavad-gītā (3.21).
TEXT 179
yadyapi 'sanoḍiyā' haya seita brāhmaṇa
sanoḍiyā-ghare sannyāsī nā kare bhojana
SYNONYMS
yadyapi—although; sanoḍiyā—a priest of the Sanoḍiyā community; haya—was; seita—that; brāhmaṇa—brāhmaṇa; sanoḍiyā-ghare—in the house of a Sanoḍiyā (goldsmith); sannyāsī—a person in the renounced order of life; nā kare bhojana—does not accept food.
TRANSLATION
The brāhmaṇa belonged to the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa community, and a sannyāsī does not accept food from such a brāhmaṇa.
PURPORT
In northwestern India, vaiśyas are divided in various subdivisions. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura points out that they are divided as Āgaraoyālā, Kālaoyāra and Sānoyāḍa. Out of them, the Āgaraoyālās are supposed to be first-class vaiśyas, and the Kālaoyāras and Sānoyāḍas are considered lower due to their occupational degradation. The Kālaoyāras generally take wine and other intoxicants. Although they are vaiśyas, they are considered to belong to a lower class. The priests who guide the Kālaoyāras and the Sānoyāḍas are called Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇas. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura states that the word sānoyāḍa in Bengal indicates suvarṇa-vaṇik. In Bengal there are priests who guide the suvarṇa-vaṇik community, which is also considered a low class. There is little difference between the Sānoyāḍa and the suvarṇa-vaṇik. Generally the suvarṇa-vaṇiks are bankers dealing in gold and silver. In western India, the Āgaraoyālās also belong to the banking profession. This is the original business of the suvarṇa-vaṇik or Āgaraoyālā community. Historically, the Āgaraoyālās came from the up-country named Ayodha, and the suvarṇa-vaṇik community came from Ayodha. It appears that the suvarṇa-vaṇiks and the Āgaraoyālās belong to the same community. The Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇas were the guides of the Kālaoyāra and Sānoyāḍa. They are therefore considered to be lower-class brāhmaṇas, and a sannyāsī is not allowed to take alms or food from them. However, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted lunch cooked by a Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa simply because he belonged to Mādhavendra Purī's community. Śrīla Mādhavendra Purī was the spiritual master of Īśvara Purī, who was the spiritual master of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Thus a spiritual relationship is established on the spiritual platform without consideration of material inferiority or superiority.
TEXT 180
tathāpi purī dekhi' tāṅra 'vaiṣṇava,-ācāra
'śiṣya' kari' tāṅra bhikṣā kaila aṅgīkāra
SYNONYMS
tathāpi—still; purī—Mādhavendra Purī; dekhi'-after seeing; tāṅra—of the brāhmaṇa; vaiṣṇava-ācāra—behavior like a Vaiṣṇava; śiṣya kari'-accepting him as his disciple; tāṅra bhikṣā—food offered by him; kaila aṅgīkāra—accepted.
TRANSLATION
Although the brāhmaṇa belonged to the Sanoḍiyā community, Śrīla Mādhavendra Purī saw that he behaved like a Vaiṣṇava and therefore accepted him as his disciple. The food he cooked was also accepted by Mādhavendra Purī.
TEXT 181
mahāprabhu tāṅre yadi 'bhikṣā' māgila
dainya kari' sei vipra kahite lāgila
SYNONYMS
mahāprabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tāṅre—from him; yadi—when; bhikṣā māgila—requested lunch; dainya kari'-out of humility; sei vipra—that brāhmaṇa; kahite lāgila—began to speak.
TRANSLATION
Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu willingly requested food from the brāhmaṇa, and the brāhmaṇa, feeling a natural humility, began to speak as follows.
TEXT 182
tomāre 'bhikṣā' diba--baḍa bhāgya se āmāra
tumi--īśvara, nāhi tomāra vidhi-vyavahāra
SYNONYMS
tomāre—unto You; bhikṣā diba—I shall offer food; baḍa bhāgya—great fortune; se—that; āmāra—my; tumi—You; īśvara—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nāhi—there is not; tomāra—of You; vidhi-vyavahāra—regulative behavior.
TRANSLATION
"It is a great fortune for me to offer You food. You are the Supreme Lord, and, being in the transcendental position, You are not restricted in any way.
TEXT 183
'mūrkha'-loka karibeka tomāra nindana
sahite nā pārimu sei 'duṣṭe'ra vacana
SYNONYMS
mūrkha-loka—foolish persons; karibeka—will do; tomāra nindana—blaspheming You; sahite nā pārimu—I shall not be able to tolerate; sei—those; duṣṭera vacana—words of mischievous persons.
TRANSLATION
"Foolish people will blaspheme You, but I shall not tolerate the words of such mischievous people."
PURPORT
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura remarks that although the brāhmaṇa did not belong to a superior community, he fearlessly chastised so-called caste brāhmaṇas because he was situated on the platform of pure devotional service. There are people who are opposed to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's accepting a Vaiṣṇava belonging to a lower caste. Such people do not consider mahā-prasāda transcendental, and therefore they are described here as mūrkha (foolish) and duṣṭa (mischievous). A pure devotee has the power to challenge such high-caste people, and his brave statements are not to be considered proud or puffed up. On the contrary, he is to be considered straightforward. Such a person does not like to flatter high-class brāhmaṇas who belong to the non-Vaiṣṇava community.
TEXT 184
prabhu kahe,--śruti, smṛti, yata ṛṣi-gaṇa
sabe 'eka'-mata nahe, bhinna bhinna dharma
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said; śruti—the Vedas; smṛti—the Purāṇas; yata—all; ṛṣi-gaṇa—great sages; sabe—all of them; eka-mata nahe—do not agree; bhinna bhinna dharma—different grades of religious principles.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, "The Vedas, Purāṇas and great learned sages are not always in agreement with one another. Consequently there are different religious principles.
PURPORT
Unless one comes to the Absolute Truth, there is no possibility of agreement. Nāsav ṛṣir yasya mataṁ na bhinnam: it is said that a great learned scholar or sage cannot be exalted unless he disagrees. On the material platform, there is no possibility of agreement; therefore there are different kinds of religious systems. However, the Absolute Truth is one, and when one is situated in the Absolute Truth, there is no disagreement. On that absolute platform the Supreme Personality of Godhead is worshipable. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (18.55): bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ. On the absolute platform, the worshipful Deity is one, and the process of worship is also one. That process is bhakti.
There are many different religions throughout the world because they are not all on the absolute platform of devotional service. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (18.66): sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja. The word ekam means "one," Kṛṣṇa. On this platform, there are no different religious systems. According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.1.2): dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo 'tra. On the material platform, religious systems are different. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes them from the very beginning as dharmaḥ kaitavaḥ, cheating religions. None of these religions are actually genuine. The genuine religious system is that which enables one to become a lover of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the words of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.6):
sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo
yato bhaktir adhokṣaje
ahaituky apratihatā
yayātmā suprasīdati
"The supreme occupation [dharma] for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted in order to completely satisfy the self."
On this platform there is nothing but the service of the Lord. When a person has no ulterior motive, there is certainly oneness and agreement of principles. Since everyone has a different body and mind, different types of religions are needed. But when one is situated on the spiritual platform, there are no bodily and mental differences. Consequently on the absolute platform there is oneness in religion.
TEXT 185
dharma-sthāpana-hetu sādhura vyavahāra
purī-gosā�ira ye ācaraṇa, sei dharma sāra
SYNONYMS
dharma-sthāpana-hetu—to establish the principles of religion; sādhura vyavahāra—behavior of a devotee; purī-gosā�ira—of Mādhavendra Purī; ye ācaraṇa—the behavior; sei—that; dharma sāra—the essence of all religion.
TRANSLATION
"A devotee's behavior establishes the true purpose of religious principles. The behavior of Mādhavendra Purī Gosvāmī is the essence of such religious principles."
PURPORT
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura gives the following commentary on this passage. A sādhu or an honest man is called a mahājana or a mahātmā. The mahātmā is thus described in Bhagavad-gītā:
mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha
daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ
bhajanty ananya-manaso
j�ātvā bhūtādim avyayam
"O son of Pṛthā, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, original and inexhaustible." (Bg. 9.13)
In the material world, the word mahātmā is understood in different ways by different religionists. Mundaners also come up with their different angles of vision. For the conditioned soul busy in sense gratification, a mahājana is recognized according to the proportion of sense gratification he offers. For instance, a businessman may consider a certain banker to be a mahājana, and karmīs desiring material enjoyment may consider philosophers like Jaimini to be mahājanas. There are many yogīs who want to control the senses, and for them Pata�jali Rṣi is a mahā-jana. For the j�ānīs, the atheist Kapila, Vaśiṣṭha, Durvāsā, Dattātreya and other impersonalist philosophers are mahājanas. For the demons, Hiraṇyākṣa, Hiraṇyakaśipu, Rāvaṇa, Rāvaṇa's son Meghanāda, Jarāsandha and others are accepted as mahājanas. For materialistic anthropologists speculating on the evolution of the body, a person like Darwin is a mahājana. The scientists who are bewildered by Kṛṣṇa's external energy have no relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, yet they are accepted by some as mahājanas. Similarly, philosophers, historians, literary men, public speakers and social and political leaders are sometimes accepted as mahājanas. Such mahājanas are respected by certain men who have been described in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.3.19):
śva-viḍ-varāhoṣṭra-kharaiḥ
saṁstutaḥ puruṣaḥ paśuḥ
na yat-karṇa-pathopeto
jātu nāma gadāgrajaḥ
"Men who are like dogs, hogs, camels and asses praise those men who never listen to the transcendental pastimes of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the deliverer from evils."
Thus on the material platform animalistic leaders are worshiped by animals. Sometimes physicians, psychiatrists and social workers try to mitigate bodily pain, distress and fear, but they have no knowledge of spiritual identity and are bereft of a relationship with God. Yet they are considered mahājanas by the illusioned. Self-deceived persons sometimes accept leaders or spiritual masters from a priestly order that has been officially appointed by the codes of material life. In this way, they are deceived by official priests. Sometimes people accept as mahā-janas those who have been designated by Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura as ḍhaṅga-vipras (imposter brāhmaṇas). Such imposters imitate the characteristics of Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura, and they envy Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who was certainly a mahājana. They make great artificial endeavors, advertising themselves as great devotees of the Lord or as mystic hypnotists knowledgeable in witchcraft, hypnotism and miracles. Sometimes people accept demons like Pūtanā, Tṛṇāvarta, Vatsa, Baka, Aghāsura and Dhenuka, Kālīya and Pralamba. Some people accept imitators and adversaries of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as Pauṇḍraka, Śṛgāla Vāsudeva, the spiritual master of the demons (Śukrācārya), or atheists like Cārvāka, King Vena, Sugata and Arhat. Such people have no faith in Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Rather, they accept godless cheaters who present themselves as incarnations of God and cheat foolish people within the material world by word jugglery. Thus many rascals are accepted as mahājanas.
In this material world a person may be famous as a karma-vīra, a successful fruitive worker, or one may be very successful in performing religious duties, or he may be known as a hero in mental speculation (j�āna-vīra), or he may be a very famous renunciant. In any case, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.23.56) gives the following opinion in this matter.
neha yat karma dharmāya
na virāgāya kalpate
na tīrtha-pada-sevāyai
jīvann api mṛto hi saḥ
"Anyone whose work is not meant to elevate him to religious life, anyone whose religious ritualistic performances do not raise him to renunciation, and anyone situated in renunciation that does not lead him to devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead must be considered dead, although he is breathing."
The conclusion is that all pious activity, fruitive activity, religious principles and renunciation must ultimately lead to devotional service. There are different types of processes for rendering service. One may serve his country, people, society, the varṇāśrama-dharma, the sick, the poor, the rich, women, demigods and so on. All this comes under the heading of sense gratification, or enjoyment in the material world. It is most unfortunate that people are more or less attracted by such material activity and that the leaders of these activities are accepted as mahājanas, great ideal leaders. Actually they are only misleaders, but an ordinary man cannot understand how he is being misled.
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says: sādhu-śāstra-guru-vākya, cittete kariyā aikya. A sādhu is a great personality like Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. The śāstras are the injunctions of revealed scriptures. Those who are devoid of devotional service sometimes mistake those who have mundane motives for mahājanas. The only motive must be kṛṣṇa-bhakti, devotional service to the Lord. Sometimes fruitive workers, dry philosophers, nondevotees, mystic yogīs and persons attached to material opulence, women and money are considered mahājanas. However, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.3.25) gives the following statements about such unauthorized mahājanas:
prāyeṇa veda tad idaṁ na mahājano 'yaṁ
devyā vimohita-matir bata māyayālam
trayyāṁ jaḍī-kṛta-matir madhu-puṣpitāyāṁ
vaitānike mahati karmaṇi yujyamānaḥ
In this material world, karmīs (fruitive actors) are accepted as mahājanas by foolish people who do not know the value of devotional service. Their mundane intelligence and mental speculative methods are under the control of the three modes of material nature. Consequently they cannot understand unalloyed devotional service. They are attracted by material activities, and they become worshipers of material nature. Thus they are known as fruitive actors. They even become entangled in material activities disguised as spiritual activities. In Bhagavad-gītā, such people are described as veda-vāda-ratā. They do not understand the real purpose of the Vedas, yet they think of themselves as Vedic authorities. People versed in Vedic knowledge must know Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ. (Bg. 15.15)
A man covered by illusion cannot understand the proper way; therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu says: dharma-sthāpana-hetu sādhura vyavahāra. The behavior of a devotee is the criterion for all other behavior. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself followed the devotional principles and taught others to follow them. Purī-gosā�ira ye ācaraṇa, sei dharma sāra. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally followed the behavior of Mādhavendra Purī and advised others to follow his principles. Unfortunately, people have been attracted to the material body since time immemorial.
yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tridhātuke
sva-dhīḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma ijya-dhīḥ
yat-tīrtha-buddhiḥ salile na karhicij
janeṣv abhij�eṣu sa eva go-kharaḥ
"A human being who identifies this body made of three elements with his self, who considers the by-products of the body to be his kinsmen, who considers the land of birth worshipable, and who goes to the place of pilgrimage simply to take a bath rather than meet men of transcendental knowledge there is to be considered like an ass or a cow." (Bhāg. 10.84.13) Those who accept the logic of gaḍ-ḍalikā-pravāha and follow in the footsteps of pseudo-mahājanas are carried away by the waves of māyā. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura therefore warns:
miche māyāra vaśe, yāccha bhese',
khāccha hābuḍubu, bhāi
jīva kṛṣṇa-dāsa, e viśvāsa,
ka'rle ta' āra duḥkha nāi
"Don't be carried away by the waves of māyā. Just surrender to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, and all miseries will end." Those who follow social customs and behavior forget to follow the path chalked out by the mahājanas; thus they are offenders at the feet of the mahājanas. Sometimes they consider such mahājanas very conservative, or they create their own mahājanas. In this way they ignore the principles of the paramparā system. This is a great misfortune for everyone. If one does not follow in the footsteps of a real mahājana, one's plans for happiness will be frustrated. This is elaborately explained in Madhya-līlā (Chapter Twenty-five, verses 55, 56 and 58). It is there stated:
parama kāraṇa īśvare keha nāhi māne
sva-sva-mata sthāpe para-matera khaṇḍane
tāte chaya darśana haite 'tattva' nāhi jāni
'mahājana' yei kahe, sei 'satya' māni
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-vāṇī--amṛtera dhāra
tiṅho ye kahaye vastu, sei 'tattva'--sāra
People are so unfortunate that they do not accept the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Instead, they want to be supported by so-called mahājanas, authorities. Tāte chaya darśana haite 'tattva' nāhi jāni: we cannot ascertain the real truth simply by following speculators. We have to follow the footsteps of the mahājanas in the disciplic succession. Then our attempt will be successful. Śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-vāṇī-amṛtera dhāra: "Whatever is spoken by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is an incessant flow of nectar." Whoever accepts His words as reality can understand the essence of the Absolute Truth. No one can ascertain the Absolute Truth by following the philosophy of Sāṅkhya or Pata�jali, for the followers of Sāṅkhya or Pata�jali do not accept Lord Viṣṇu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead (na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum). The ambition of such people is never fulfilled; therefore they are attracted by the external energy. Although mental speculators may be renowned all over the world as great authorities, actually they are not. Such leaders are themselves conservative and not at all liberal. However, if we preach this philosophy, people will consider Vaiṣṇavas very sectarian. Śrīla Mādhavendra Purī was a real mahājana, but misguided people cannot distinguish the real from the unreal. However, a person who is awakened to Kṛṣṇa consciousness can understand the real religious path chalked out by the Lord and His pure devotees. Śrī Mādhavendra Purī was a real mahājana because he understood the Absolute Truth properly and throughout his life behaved like a pure devotee. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu approved the method of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī. Therefore, although from the material viewpoint the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa was on a lower platform, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu considered him situated on the highest platform of spiritual realization.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.3.20) states that there are twelve mahājanas: Brahmā, Nārada, Śambhu, Kumāra, Kapila, Manu, Prahlāda, Janaka, Bhīṣma, Bali, Śukadeva and Yamarāja.
To select our mahājanas in the Gauḍīya-sampradāya, we have to follow in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His representatives. His next representative is Śrī Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, and the next are the six Gosvāmīs-Śrī Rūpa, Śrī Sanātana, Bhaṭṭa Raghunātha, Śrī Jīva, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa and Dāsa Raghunātha. The follower of Viṣṇusvāmī was Śrīdhara Svāmī, the most well known commentator on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. He was also a mahājana. Similarly, Caṇḍīdāsa, Vidyāpati and Jayadeva were all mahājanas. One who tries to imitate the mahājanas just to become an imitative spiritual master is certainly far away from following in the footsteps of the mahājanas. Sometimes people cannot actually understand how a mahājana follows other mahājanas. In this way people are inclined to fall from devotional service.
TEXT 186
tarko 'pratiṣṭhaḥ śrutayo vibhinnā
nāsāv ṛṣir yasya mataṁ na bhinnam
dharmasya tattvaṁ nihitaṁ guhāyāṁ
mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ
SYNONYMS
tarkaḥ—dry argument; apratiṣṭhaḥ—not fixed; śrutayaḥ—Vedas; vibhinnāḥ—possessing different departments; na—not; asau—that; ṛṣiḥ—great sage; yasya—whose; matam—opinion; na—not; bhinnam—separate; dharmasya—of religious principles; tattvam—truth; nihitam—placed; guhāyām—in the heart of a realized person; mahā-janaḥ—self-realized predecessors; yena—by which way; gataḥ—acted; saḥ—that; panthāḥ—the pure unadulterated path.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued," 'Dry arguments are inconclusive. A great personality whose opinion does not differ from others is not considered a great sage. Simply by studying the Vedas, which are variegated, one cannot come to the right path by which religious principles are understood. The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated self-realized person. Consequently, as the śāstras confirm, one should accept whatever progressive path the mahājanas advocate.' "
PURPORT
This is a verse spoken by Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja in the Mahābhārata, Vana-parva (313.117).
TEXT 187
tabe sei vipra prabhuke bhikṣā karāila
madhu-purīra loka saba prabhuke dekhite āila
SYNONYMS
tabe—after that; sei vipra—that brāhmaṇa; prabhuke—unto Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; bhikṣā karāila—gave lunch; madhu-purīra—of Mathurā; loka—people in general; saba—all; prabhuke—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dekhite āila—came to see.
TRANSLATION
After this discussion, the brāhmaṇa gave lunch to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Then all the people residing in Mathurā came to see the Lord.
TEXT 188
lakṣa-saṅkhya loka āise, nāhika gaṇana
bāhira ha�ā prabhu dila daraśana
SYNONYMS
lakṣa-saṅkhya—numbering hundreds of thousands; loka āise—people came; nāhika gaṇana—there is no counting; bāhira ha�ā—coming out; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dila daraśana—gave audience.
TRANSLATION
People came by hundreds of thousands, and no one could count them. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came out of the house to give audience to the people.
TEXT 189
bāhu tuli' bale prabhu 'hari-bola'-dhvani
preme matta nāce loka kari' hari-dhvani
SYNONYMS
bāhu tuli'—raising the arms; bale—says; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; hari-bola-dhvani—the transcendental sound vibration Hari bol; preme—in ecstasy; matta—maddened; nāce—dance; loka—the people; kari' hari-dhvani—making the transcendental vibration Hari.
TRANSLATION
When the people assembled, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu raised His arms and said very loudly,"Hari bol!" The people responded to the Lord and became ecstatic. As if mad, they began to dance and vibrate the transcendental sound, "Hari!"
TEXT 190
yamunāra 'cabbiśa ghāṭe' prabhu kaila snāna
sei vipra prabhuke dekhāya tīrtha-sthāna
SYNONYMS
yamunāra—of the River Yamunā; cabbiśa ghāṭe—in the twenty-four ghats, or bathing places; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kaila—performed; snāna—bathing; sei vipra—that brāhmaṇa; prabhuke—unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dekhāya—shows; tīrtha-sthāna—the holy places of pilgrimage.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bathed in twenty-four ghats along the banks of the Yamunā, and the brāhmaṇa showed Him all the places of pilgrimage.
PURPORT
The twenty-four ghats (bathing places) along the Yamunā are (1) Avimukta, (2) Adhirūḍha, (3) Guhya-tīrtha, (4) Prayāga-tīrtha, (5) Kanakhala-tīrtha, (6) Tinduka, (7) Sūrya-tīrtha, (8) Vaṭasvāmī, (9) Dhruva-ghāṭa, (10) Ṛṣi-tīrtha, (11) Mokṣa-tīrtha, (12) Bodha-tīrtha, (13) Gokarṇa, (14) Kṛṣṇagaṅgā, (15) Vaikuṇṭha, (16) Asi-kuṇḍa, (17) Catuḥ-sāmudrika-kūpa, (18) Akrūra-tīrtha, (19) Yāj�ika-vipra-sthāna, (20) Kubjā-kūpa, (21) Raṅga-sthala, (22) Ma�ca-sthala, (23) Mallayuddha-sthāna and (24) Daśāśvamedha.
TEXT 191
svayambhu, viśrāma, dīrgha-viṣṇu, bhūteśvara
mahāvidyā, gokarṇādi dekhilā vistara
SYNONYMS
svayambhu—Svayambhu; viśrāma—Viśrāma; dīrgha-viṣṇu—Dīrgha Viṣṇu; bhūteśvara—Bhūteśvara; mahāvidyā—Mahāvidyā; gokarṇa—Gokarṇa; ādi—and so on; dekhilā—saw; vistara—many.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited all the holy places on the banks of the Yamunā, including Svayambhu, Viśrāma-ghāṭa, Dīrgha Viṣṇu, Bhūteśvara, Mahāvidyā and Gokarṇa.
TEXT 192
'vana' dekhibāre yadi prabhura mana haila
sei ta brāhmaṇe prabhu saṅgete la-ila
SYNONYMS
vana—the forests; dekhibāre—to see; yadi—when; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; mana—mind; haila—was; sei ta—indeed that; brāhmaṇe—brāhmaṇa; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; saṅgete la-ila—took along.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to see the various forests of Vṛndāvana, He took the brāhmaṇa with Him.
TEXT 193
madhu-vana, tāla, kumuda, bahulā-vana gelā
tāhāṅ tāhāṅ snāna kari' premāviṣṭa hailā
SYNONYMS
madhu-vana—Madhuvana; tāla—Tālavana; kumuda—Kumudavana; bahulā-vana—Bahulāvana; gelā—He visited; tāhāṅ tāhāṅ—here and there; snāna kari'-taking bath; prema-āviṣṭa hailā—became overwhelmed by ecstatic love.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited the different forests, including Madhuvana, Tālavana, Kumudavana and Bahulāvana. Wherever He went, He took His bath with great ecstatic love.
PURPORT
The word vana means "forest." Vṛndāvana is the name given to the forest where Śrīmatī Vṛndādevī (Tulasīdevī) grows profusely. Actually it is not a forest as we ordinarily consider a forest because it is very thick with green vegetation. There are twelve such vanas in Vṛndāvana. Some are located on the western side of the Yamunā and others on the eastern side. The forests situated on the eastern side are Bhadravana, Bilvavana, Lauhavana, Bhāṇḍīravana and Mahāvana. On the western side are Madhuvana, Tālavana, Kumudavana, Bahulāvana, Kāmyavana, Khadiravana and Vṛndāvana. These are the twelve forests of the Vṛndāvana area.
TEXT 194
pathe gābhī-ghaṭā care prabhure dekhiyā
prabhuke beḍaya āsi' huṅkāra kariyā
SYNONYMS
pathe—on the road; gābhī-ghaṭā—groups of cows; care—graze; prabhure dekhiyā—after seeing Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; prabhuke beḍaya—they surrounded the Lord; āsi'-coming; huṅ-kāra kariyā—making a loud vibration.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed through Vṛndāvana, herds of grazing cows saw Him pass and, immediately surrounding Him, began to moo very loudly.
TEXT 195
gābhī dekhi' stabdha prabhu premera taraṅge
vātsalye gābhī prabhura cāṭe saba-aṅge
SYNONYMS
gābhī dekhi'-seeing the cows; stabdha—stunned; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; premera taraṅge—in the waves of ecstatic love; vātsalye—in great affection; gābhī—all the cows; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; cāṭe—licked; saba-aṅge—all over the body.
TRANSLATION
Seeing the herds approach Him, the Lord was stunned with ecstatic love. The cows then began to lick His body in great affection.
TEXT 196
sustha ha�ā prabhu kare aṅga-kaṇḍūyana
prabhu-saṅge cale, nāhi chāḍe dhenu-gaṇa
SYNONYMS
sustha ha�ā—becoming patient; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kare—does; aṅga—of the body; kaṇḍūyana—scratching; prabhu-saṅge—with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; cale—go; nāhi chāḍe—do not give up; dhenu-gaṇa—all the cows.
TRANSLATION
Becoming pacified, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to caress the cows, and the cows, being unable to give up His company, went with Him.
TEXT 197
kaṣṭe-sṛṣṭye dhenu saba rākhila goyāla
prabhu-kaṇṭha-dhvani śuni' āise mṛgī-pāla
SYNONYMS
kaṣṭe-sṛṣṭye—with great difficulty; dhenu—the cows; saba—all; rākhila—kept back; goyāla—the cowherd men; prabhu-kaṇṭha-dhvani—the musical voice of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; śuni'-hearing; āise—came; mṛgī-pāla—flocks of deer.
TRANSLATION
It was with great difficulty that the cowherd men were able to keep the cows back. Then when the Lord chanted, all the deer heard His sweet voice and approached Him.
TEXT 198
mṛga-mṛgī mukha dekhi' prabhu-aṅga cāṭe
bhaya nāhi kare, saṅge yāya vāṭe-vāṭe
SYNONYMS
mṛga-mṛgī—the deer, both male and female; mukha dekhi'-seeing His face; prabhu-aṅga cāṭe—began to lick the body of the Lord; bhaya nāhi kare—they were not at all afraid; saṅge yāya—go with Him; vāṭe-vāṭe—all along the road.
TRANSLATION
When the does and bucks came and saw the Lord's face, they began to lick His body. Not being at all afraid of Him, they accompanied Him along the path.
TEXT 199
śuka, pika, bhṛṅga prabhure dekhi' 'pa�cama' gāya
śikhi-gaṇa nṛtya kari' prabhu-āge yāya
SYNONYMS
śuka—parrots; pika—cuckoos; bhṛṅga—bumblebees; prabhure—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dekhi'-seeing; pa�cama—the fifth musical note; gāya—sing; śikhi-gaṇa—peacocks; nṛtya—dancing; kari'-performing; prabhu-āge—in front of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; yāya—go.
TRANSLATION
Bumblebees and birds like the parrot and cuckoo all began to sing loudly on the fifth note, and the peacocks began to dance in front of the Lord.
TEXT 200
prabhu dekhi' vṛndāvanera vṛkṣa-latā-gaṇe
aṅkura pulaka, madhu-aśru variṣaṇe
SYNONYMS
prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dekhi'-seeing; vṛndāvane—of Vṛndāvana; vṛkṣa-latā-gaṇe—the trees and creepers; aṅkura—twigs; pulaka—jubilant; madhu-aśru—tears in the form of honey; variṣaṇe—pour.
TRANSLATION
Upon seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the trees and creepers of Vṛndāvana became jubilant. Their twigs stood up, and they began to shed tears of ecstasy in the form of honey.
TEXT 201
phula-phala bhari' ḍāla paḍe prabhu-pāya
bandhu dekhi' bandhu yena'bheṭa' la�ā yāya
SYNONYMS
phula-phala bhari'-loaded with fruits and flowers; ḍāla—the branches; paḍe—fall down; prabhu-pāya—at the lotus feet of the Lord; bandhu dekhi'-seeing one friend; bandhu—another friend; yena—as if; bheṭa—a presentation; la�ā—taking; yāya—goes.
TRANSLATION
The trees and creepers, overloaded with fruits and flowers, fell down at the lotus feet of the Lord and greeted Him with various presentations as if they were friends.
TEXT 202
prabhu dekhi' vṛndāvanera sthāvara-jaṅgama
ānandita--bandhu yena dekhe bandhu-gaṇa
SYNONYMS
prabhu dekhi'-seeing the Lord; vṛndāvanera—of Vṛndāvana; sthāvara-jaṅgama—all living entities, moving and not moving; ānandita—very jubilant; bandhu—friend; yena—as if; dekhe—see; bandhu-gaṇa—friends.
TRANSLATION
Thus all the moving and nonmoving living entities of Vṛndāvana became very jubilant to see the Lord. It was as if friends were made happy by seeing another friend.
TEXT 203
tā-sabāra prīti dekhi' prabhu bhāvāveśe
sabā-sane krīḍā kare ha�ā tāra vaśe
SYNONYMS
tā-sabāra—of all of them; prīti—affection; dekhi'-seeing; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; bhāva-āveśe—in ecstatic love; sabā-sane—with all of them; krīḍā—sporting; kare—performs; ha�ā—being; tāra—their; vaśe—under control.
TRANSLATION
Seeing their affection, the Lord was moved by ecstatic love. He began to sport with them exactly as a friend sports with another friend. Thus He voluntarily came under the control of His friends.
TEXT 204
prati vṛkṣa-latā prabhu karena āliṅgana
puṣpādi dhyāne karena kṛṣṇe samarpaṇa
SYNONYMS prati—each and every; vṛkṣa-latā—tree and creeper; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; karena āliṅgana—embraced; puṣpa-ādi—all the flowers and fruits; dhyāne—in meditation; karena—do; kṛṣṇe—unto Lord Kṛṣṇa; samarpaṇa—offering.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to embrace each and every tree and creeper, and they began to offer their fruits and flowers as if in meditation.
TEXT 205
aśru-kampa-pulaka-preme śarīra asthire
'kṛṣṇa' bala, 'kṛṣṇa' bala--bale uccaiḥsvare
SYNONYMS
aśru—tears; kampa—trembling; pulaka—jubilation; preme—in ecstatic love; śarīra—the whole body; asthire—restless; kṛṣṇa bala—say Kṛṣṇa; kṛṣṇa bala—say Kṛṣṇa; bale—the Lord says; uccaiḥ-svare—very loudly.
TRANSLATION
The Lord's body was restless, and tears, trembling and jubilation were manifest. He said very loudly, "Chant Kṛṣṇa! Chant Kṛṣṇa!"
TEXT 206
sthāvara-jaṅgama mili' kare kṛṣṇa-dhvani
prabhura gambhīra-svare yena prati-dhvani
SYNONYMS
sthāvara-jaṅgama—all living entities, nonmoving and moving; mili'-meeting together; kare—perform; kṛṣṇa-dhvani—vibration of the sound Hare Kṛṣṇa; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; gambhīra-svare—deep voice; yena—as if; prati-dhvani—responsive vibration.
TRANSLATION
All moving and nonmoving creatures then began to vibrate the transcendental sound of Hare Kṛṣṇa, as if they were echoing the deep sound of Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 207
mṛgera galā dhari' prabhu karena rodane
mṛgera pulaka aṅge, aśru nayane
SYNONYMS
mṛgera—of the deer; galā dhari'-catching the necks; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; karena—does; rodane—crying; mṛgera—of the deer; pulaka aṅge—jubilation; aśru—tears; nayane—in the eyes.
TRANSLATION
The Lord then clasped the necks of the deer and began to cry. There was jubilation manifest in the bodies of the deer, and tears were in their eyes.
TEXT 208
vṛkṣa-ḍāle śuka-śārī dila daraśana
tāhā dekhi' prabhura kichu śunite haila mana
SYNONYMS
vṛkṣa-ḍāle—on a branch of a tree; śuka-śārī—male and female parrots; dila—gave; daraśana—appearance; tāhā dekhi'-seeing that; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kichu—something; śunite—to hear; haila—there was; mana—mind.
TRANSLATION
When a male and female parrot appeared on the branches of a tree, the Lord saw them and wanted to hear them speak.
TEXT 209
śuka-śārikā prabhura hāte uḍi' paḍe
prabhuke śunā�ā kṛṣṇera guṇa-śloka paḍe
SYNONYMS
śuka-śārikā—the parrots, male and female; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; hāte—on the hand; uḍi'-flying; paḍe—fall; prabhuke—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; śunā�ā—causing to hear; kṛṣṇera—of Lord Kṛṣṇa; guṇa-śloka paḍe—chanted verses about the transcendental qualities.
TRANSLATION
Both parrots flew onto the hand of the Lord and began to chant the transcendental qualities of Kṛṣṇa, and the Lord listened to them.
TEXT 210
saundaryaṁ lalanāli-dhairya-dalanaṁ līlā ramā-stambhinī
vīryaṁ kandukitādri-varyam amalāḥ pāre-parārdhaṁ guṇāḥ
śīlaṁ sarva-janānura�janam aho yasyāyam asmat-prabhur
viśvaṁ viśva-janīna-kīrtir avatāt kṛṣṇo jagan-mohanaḥ
SYNONYMS
saundaryam—the bodily beauty; lalanā-āli—of groups of gopīs; dhairya—the patience; dalanam—subduing; līlā—pastimes; ramā—the goddess of fortune; stambhinī—astounding; vīryam—strength; kandukita—making like a small ball for throwing; adri-varyam—the great mountain; amalāḥ—without a spot; pāre-parārdham—unlimited; guṇāḥ—qualities; śīlam—behavior; sarva-jana—all kinds of living entities; anura�janam—satisfying; aho—oh; yasya—whose; ayam—this; asmat-prabhuḥ—our Lord; viśvam—the whole universe; viśva-janīna—for the benefit of everyone; kīrtiḥ—whose glorification; avatāt—may He maintain; kṛṣṇaḥ—Lord Kṛṣṇa; jagat-mohanaḥ—the attractor of the whole world.
TRANSLATION
The male parrot sang: "The glorification of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is beneficial to everyone in the universe. His beauty is victorious over the gopīs of Vṛndāvana, and it subdues their patience. His pastimes astound the goddess of fortune, and His bodily strength turns Govardhana Hill into a small toy like a ball. His spotless qualities are unlimited, and His behavior satisfies everyone. Lord Kṛṣṇa is attractive to everyone. Oh, may our Lord maintain the whole universe!"
PURPORT
This verse is found in the Govinda-līlāmṛta (13.29).
TEXT 211
śuka-mukhe śuni' tabe kṛṣṇera varṇana
śārikā paḍaye tabe rādhikā-varṇana
SYNONYMS
śuka-mukhe—in the mouth of the male parrot; śuni'-hearing; kṛṣṇera varṇana—a description of Lord Kṛṣṇa; śārikā—female parrot; paḍaye—recites; tabe—then; rādhikā-varṇana—a description of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
TRANSLATION
After hearing this description of Lord Kṛṣṇa from the male parrot, the female parrot began to recite a description of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
TEXT 212
śrī-rādhikāyāḥ priyatā surūpatā
suśīlatā nartana-gāna-cāturī
guṇāli-sampat kavitā ca rājate
jagan-mano-mohana-citta-mohinī
SYNONYMS
śrī-rādhikāyāḥ—of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī; priyatā—affection; su-rūpatā—exquisite beauty; su-śīlatā—good behavior; nartana-gāna—in chanting and dancing; cāturī—artistry; guṇa-āli-sampat—possession of such transcendental qualities; kavitā—poetry; ca—also; rājate—shine; jagat-manaḥ-mohana—of Kṛṣṇa, who attracts the mind of the whole universe; citta-mohinī—the attractor of the mind.
TRANSLATION
The female parrot said: "Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī's affection, Her exquisite beauty and good behavior, Her artistic dancing and chanting and Her poetic compositions are all so attractive that they attract the mind of Kṛṣṇa, who attracts the mind of everyone in the universe."
PURPORT
This verse is found in the Govinda-līlāmṛta (13.30).
TEXT 213
punaḥ śuka kahe,--kṛṣṇa 'madana-mohana'
tabe āra śloka śuka karila paṭhana
SYNONYMS
punaḥ—again; śuka—the male parrot; kahe—says; kṛṣṇa madana-mohana—Kṛṣṇa is the conqueror of the mind of Cupid; tabe—thereafter; āra—another; śloka—verse; śuka—the male parrot; karila paṭhana—recited.
TRANSLATION
Thereafter the male parrot said,"Kṛṣṇa is the enchanter of the mind of Cupid." He then began to recite another verse.
TEXT 214
vamśī-dhārī jagan-nāri-
citta-hārī sa śārike
vihārī gopa-nārībhir
jīyān madana-mohanaḥ
SYNONYMS
vaṁśī-dhārī—the carrier of the flute; jagat-nārī—of all women of the universe; citta-hārī—the stealer of the hearts; saḥ—He; śārike—my dear śārī; vihārī—enjoyer; gopa-nārībhiḥ—with the gopīs; jīyāt—let Him be glorified; madana—of Cupid; mohanaḥ—the enchanter.
TRANSLATION
The parrot then said, "My dear śārī [female parrot], Śrī Kṛṣṇa carries a flute and enchants the hearts of all women throughout the universe. He is specifically the enjoyer of beautiful gopīs, and He is the enchanter of Cupid also. Let Him be glorified!"
PURPORT
This verse is also found in the Govinda-līlāmṛta (13.31).
TEXT 215
punaḥ śārī kahe śuke kari' parihāsa
tāhā śuni' prabhura haila vismaya-premollāsa
SYNONYMS
punaḥ—again; śārī kahe—the female parrot said; śuke—unto the male parrot; kari' parihāsa—jokingly; tāhā śuni'-hearing that; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; haila—there was; vismaya—wonderful; prema-ullāsa—awakening of ecstatic love.
TRANSLATION
Then the female parrot began to speak jokingly to śuka, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was struck with wonderful ecstatic love to hear her speak.
TEXT 216
rādhā-saṅge yadā bhāti
tadā 'madana-mohanaḥ'
anyathā viśva-moho 'pi
svayaṁ 'madana-mohitaḥ'
SYNONYMS
rādhā-saṅge—with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī; yadā—when; bhāti—shines; tadā—at that time; madana-mohanaḥ—the enchanter of the mind of Cupid; anyathā—otherwise; viśva-mohaḥ—the enchanter of the whole universe; api—even though; svayam—personally; madana-mohitaḥ—enchanted by Cupid.
TRANSLATION
The parrot śārī said, "When Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is with Rādhārāṇī, He is the enchanter of Cupid; otherwise, when He is alone, He Himself is enchanted by erotic feelings even though He enchants the whole universe."
PURPORT
This is another verse from the Govinda-līlāmṛta (13.32).
TEXT 217
śuka-śārī uḍi' punaḥ gela vṛkṣa-ḍāle
mayūrera nṛtya prabhu dekhe kutūhale
SYNONYMS
śuka-śārī—the male and female parrots; uḍi'-flying; punaḥ—again; gela—went; vṛkṣa-ḍāle—to the branch of a tree; mayūrera—of the peacocks; nṛtya—dancing; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dekhe—sees; kutūhale—with curiosity.
TRANSLATION
Both parrots then flew onto a tree branch, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to watch the dancing of peacocks with curiosity.
TEXT 218
mayūrera kaṇṭha dekhi' prabhura kṛṣṇa-smṛti haila
premāveśe mahāprabhu bhūmite paḍila
SYNONYMS
mayūrera—of the peacocks; kaṇṭha—necks; dekhi'-seeing; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kṛṣṇa-smṛti—remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa; haila—there was; prema-āveśe—in ecstatic love; mahāprabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; bhūmite—on the ground; paḍila—fell down.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord saw the bluish necks of the peacocks, His remembrance of Kṛṣṇa immediately awakened, and He fell to the ground in ecstatic love.
TEXT 219
prabhure mūrcchita dekhi' sei ta brāhmaṇa
bhaṭṭācārya-saṅge kare prabhura santarpaṇa
SYNONYMS
prabhure—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; mūrcchita—unconscious; dekhi'-seeing; sei ta brāhmaṇa—indeed that brāhmaṇa; bhaṭṭācārya-saṅge—with Bhaṭṭācārya; kare—does; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; santarpaṇa—taking care.
TRANSLATION
When the brāhmaṇa saw that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was unconscious, he and Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya took care of Him.
TEXT 220
āste-vyaste mahāprabhura la�ā bahirvāsa
jala-seka kare aṅge, vastrera vātāsa
SYNONYMS
āste-vyaste—with great haste; mahāprabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; la�ā—taking; bahirvāsa—covering cloth; jala-seka kare—sprinkle water; aṅge—on the body; vastrera vātāsa—fanning with the cloth.
TRANSLATION
They hastily sprinkled water over the Lord's body. Then they took up His cloth and began to fan Him with it.
TEXT 221
prabhu-karṇe kṛṣṇa-nāma kahe ucca kari'
cetana pā�ā prabhu yā'na gaḍāgaḍi
SYNONYMS
prabhu-karṇe—in the ear of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa; kahe—chant; ucca kari'-loudly; cetana pā�ā—coming to consciousness; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; yā'na—goes; gaḍāgaḍi—rolling on the ground.
TRANSLATION
They then began to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa into the Lord's ear. When the Lord regained consciousness, He began rolling on the ground.
TEXT 222
kaṇṭaka-durgama vane aṅga kṣata haila
bhaṭṭācārya kole kari' prabhure sustha kaila
SYNONYMS
kaṇṭaka-durgama—difficult to traverse because of thorns; vane—in the forest; aṅga—the body; kṣata haila—became injured; bhaṭṭācārya—Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya; kole kari'-taking Him on his lap; prabhure—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; sustha kaila—pacified.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord rolled on the ground, sharp thorns injured His body. Taking Him on his lap, Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya pacified Him.
TEXT 223
kṛṣṇāveśe prabhura preme garagara mana
'bol' 'bol' kari' uṭhi' karena nartana
SYNONYMS
kṛṣṇa-āveśe—in ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; preme—by love; garagara—disturbed; mana—mind; bol bol—chant, chant; kari'-saying; uṭhi'-standing up; karena nartana—began to dance.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mind wandered in ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa. He immediately stood up and said,"Chant! Chant!" Then He Himself began to dance.
TEXT 224
bhaṭṭācārya, sei vipra 'kṛṣṇa-nāma' gāya
nācite nācite pathe prabhu cali' yāya
SYNONYMS
bhaṭṭācārya—Bhaṭṭācārya; sei vipra—that brāhmaṇa; kṛṣṇa-nāma gāya—chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; nācite nācite—dancing and dancing; pathe—on the road; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; cali' yāya—goes forward.
TRANSLATION
Being thus ordered by the Lord, both Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya and the brāhmaṇa began to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. Then the Lord, dancing and dancing, proceeded along the path.
TEXT 225
prabhura premāveśa dekhi' brāhmaṇa--vismita
prabhura rakṣā lāgi' vipra ha-ilā cintita
SYNONYMS
prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; prema-āveśa—ecstatic love; dekhi'-seeing; brāhmaṇa—the brāhmaṇa; vismita—astonished; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; rakṣā lāgi'-for the protection; vipra—the brāhmaṇa; ha-ilā—became; cintita—very anxious.
TRANSLATION
The brāhmaṇa was astounded to see the symptoms of ecstatic love exhibited by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He then became anxious to give the Lord protection.
TEXT 226
nīlācale chilā yaiche premāveśa mana
vṛndāvana yāite pathe haila śata-guṇa
SYNONYMS
nīlācale—at Jagannātha Purī; chilā—was; yaiche—as; prema-āveśa mana—always in a mentality of ecstatic love; vṛndāvana—to Vṛndāvana; yāite—going; pathe—on the road; haila—became; śata-guṇa—one hundred times.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mind was absorbed in ecstatic love at Jagannātha Purī, but when He passed along the road on the way to Vṛndāvana, that love increased a hundred times.
TEXT 227
sahasra-guṇa prema bāḍe mathurā daraśane
lakṣa-guṇa prema bāḍe, bhramena yabe vane
SYNONYMS
sahasra-guṇa—one thousand times; prema—love; bāḍe—increased; mathurā—Mathurā; daraśane—upon seeing; lakṣa-guṇa—a hundred thousand times; prema bāḍe—love increases; bhramena—wanders; yabe—when; vane—in the forests of Vṛndāvana.
TRANSLATION
The Lord's ecstatic love increased a thousand times when He visited Mathurā, but it increased a hundred thousand times when He wandered in the forests of Vṛndāvana.
TEXTS 228-229
anya-deśa prema uchale 'vṛndāvana'-nāme
sākṣāt bhramaye ebe sei vṛndāvane
preme garagara mana rātri-divase
snāna-bhikṣādi-nirvāha karena abhyāse
SYNONYMS
anya-deśa—in other countries; prema—love; uchale—increases; vṛndāvana-nāme—by the name of Vṛndāvana; sākṣāt—directly; bhramaye—travels; ebe—now; sei vṛndāvane—in that Vṛndāvana; preme—in ecstatic love; garagara—faltering; mana—mind; rātri-divase—day and night; snāna-bhikṣā-ādi—bathing and accepting food; nirvāha—accomplishing; karena—does; abhyāse—by habit.
TRANSLATION
When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was elsewhere, the very name of Vṛndāvana was sufficient to increase His ecstatic love. Now, when He was actually traveling in the Vṛndāvana forest, His mind was absorbed in great ecstatic love day and night. He ate and bathed simply out of habit.
TEXT 230
ei-mata prema--yāvat bhramila 'bāra' vana
ekatra likhiluṅ, sarvatra nā yāya varṇana
SYNONYMS
ei-mata—in this way; prema—ecstatic love; yāvat—so long; bhramila—He traveled; bāra vana—through the twelve forests of Vṛndāvana; ekatra—in one place; likhiluṅ—I have written; sarvatra—everywhere; nā yāya varṇana—cannot be described.
TRANSLATION
Thus I have written a description of the ecstatic love Lord Caitanya manifested while He walked through the twelve forests of Vṛndāvana. To describe it all would be impossible.
TEXT 231
vṛndāvane haila prabhura yateka premera vikāra
koṭi-granthe 'ananta' likhena tāhāra vistāra
SYNONYMS
vṛndāvane—in Vṛndāvana; haila—there were; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; yateka—as many; premera vikāra—transformations of ecstasy; koṭi-granthe—in millions of books; ananta—Lord Ananta; likhena—writes; tāhāra—of them; vistāra—elaboration.
TRANSLATION
Lord Ananta writes millions of books elaborately describing the transformations of ecstatic love experienced by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 232
tabu likhibāre nāre tāra eka kaṇa
uddeśa karite kari dig-daraśana
SYNONYMS
tabu—yet; likhibāre—to write; nāre—is not able; tāra—of that; eka—one; kaṇa—fragment; uddeśa—indication; karite—to make; kari—I perform; dik-daraśana—pointing out the direction.
TRANSLATION
Since Lord Ananta Himself cannot describe even a fragment of these pastimes, I am simply pointing out the direction.
TEXT 233
jagat bhāsila caitanya-līlāra pāthāre
yāṅra yata śakti tata pāthāre sāṅtāre
SYNONYMS
jagat—the whole world; bhāsila—floated; caitanya-līlāra—of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; pāthāre—in the inundation; yāṅra—of whom; yata—as much; śakti—power; tata—that much; pāthāre—in the inundation; sāṅtāre—swims.
TRANSLATION
The whole world became merged in the inundation of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. One can swim in that water to the extent that he has the strength.
TEXT 234
śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-pade yāra āśa
caitanya-caritāmṛta kahe kṛṣṇadāsa
SYNONYMS
śrī-rūpa—Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī; raghunātha—Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī; pade—at the lotus feet; yāra—whose; āśa—expectation; caitanya-caritāmṛta—the book named Caitanya-caritāmṛta; kahe—describes; kṛṣṇadāsa—Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī.
TRANSLATION
Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, following in their footsteps.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, Seventeenth Chapter, describing the Lord's traveling to Vṛndāvana.
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