The Glories of Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of my spiritual master and of all the other preceptors on the path of devotional service, unto all the Vaiṣṇavas and unto the six Gosvāmīs, including Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Jīva Gosvāmī and their associates. I offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrī Advaita Ācārya Prabhu, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, as well as all His devotees, headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura. I then offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī and all the gopīs, headed by Lalitā and Viśākhā.

Word meanings

vande — offer my respectful obeisances ; aham — I ; śrī - guroḥ — of my spiritual master ; śrī - yuta - pada - kamalam — unto the opulent lotus feet ; śrī - gurūn — unto the spiritual masters in the paramparā system, beginning from Mādhavendra Purī down to Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda ; vaiṣṇavān — unto all the Vaiṣṇavas, beginning from Lord Brahmā and others coming from the very point of creation ; ca — and ; śrī - rūpam — unto Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī ; sa - agra - jātam — with his elder brother, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī ; saha - gaṇa — with associates ; raghunātha - anvitam — with Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; tam — unto him ; sa - jīvam — with Jīva Gosvāmī ; sa - advaitam — with Advaita Ācārya ; sa - avadhūtam — with Nityānanda Prabhu ; parijana - sahitam — and with Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura and all the other devotees ; kṛṣṇa - caitanya - devam — unto Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śrī rādhā - kṛṣṇa - pādān — unto the lotus feet of the all-opulent Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Rādhārāṇī ; saha - gaṇa — with Their associates ; lalitā - śrī - viśākhā - anvitān — accompanied by Lalitā and Śrī Viśākhā ; ca — also .

Translation

All glories to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu! All glories to Nityānanda Prabhu! All glories to Advaita Ācārya! And all glories to all the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu!

Word meanings

jaya jaya — all glories ; gaura - candra — to Śrī Caitanya ; jaya — all glories ; nityānanda — to Lord Nityānanda ; jaya advaita - candra — all glories to Advaita Ācārya ; jaya — all glories ; gaura - bhakta - vṛnda — to the devotees of Lord Caitanya .

Translation

In Jagannātha Purī there was a young boy who had been born of an Orissan brāhmaṇa but had later lost his father. The boy’s features were very beautiful, and his behavior was extremely gentle.

Word meanings

puruṣottame — in Jagannātha Purī ; eka — one ; uḍiyā - brāhmaṇa - kumāra — young son of a brāhmaṇa from Orissa ; pitṛ - śūnya — without his father ; mahā - sundara — possessing very beautiful bodily features ; mṛdu - vyavahāra — having very gentle behavior .

Translation

The boy came daily to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and offered Him respectful obeisances. He was free to talk with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu because the Lord was his life and soul, but the boy’s intimacy with the Lord and the Lord’s mercy toward him were intolerable for Dāmodara Paṇḍita.

Word meanings

prabhu - sthāne — to the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nitya — daily ; āise — comes ; kare namaskāra — offers respectful obeisances ; prabhu - sane — with the Lord ; bāt kahe — talks ; prabhu - prāṇa tāra — his life and soul was Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prabhute — unto the Lord ; tāhāra prīti — his affection ; prabhu — the Lord ; dayā kare — reciprocates His mercy ; dāmodara — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; tāra — his ; prīti — love of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sahite nā pāre — could not tolerate .

Translation

Dāmodara Paṇḍita again and again forbade the son of the brāhmaṇa to visit the Lord, but the boy could not bear staying home and not seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

bāra bāra — again and again ; niṣedha kare — forbids ; brāhmaṇa - kumāre — the son of the brāhmaṇa ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nā dekhile — without seeing ; sei — that boy ; rahite nā pāre — could not stay .

Translation

The boy came every day to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who treated him with great affection. It is the nature of any boy to go see a man who loves him.

Word meanings

nitya āise — he comes daily ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāre — to him ; kare — does ; mahā - prīta — very affectionate behavior ; yāṅhā prīti — wherever there is love ; tāṅhā āise — one comes there ; bālakera rīta — the nature of a small boy .

Translation

This was intolerable for Dāmodara Paṇḍita. He became greatly unhappy, but there was nothing he could say, for the boy would ignore his restrictions.

Word meanings

tāhā dekhi’ — seeing that ; dāmodara — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; duḥkha pāya — gets unhappiness ; mane — in his mind ; balite nā pāre — could not say anything ; bālaka — the boy ; niṣedha — prohibition ; nā māne — would not care for .

Translation

One day when the boy came to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord very affectionately inquired from him about all kinds of news.

Word meanings

āra dina — one day ; sei bālaka — that boy ; prabhu - sthāne āilā — came to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gosāñi — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāre — unto him ; prīti kari’ — with great affection ; vārtā — news ; puchilā — inquired .

Translation

After some time, when the boy stood up and left, the intolerant Dāmodara Paṇḍita began to speak.

Word meanings

kata - kṣaṇe — after some time ; se bālaka — that boy ; uṭhi’ — standing up ; yabe — when ; gelā — left ; sahite nā pāre — could not tolerate ; dāmodara — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; kahite lāgilā — began to say .

Translation

Dāmodara Paṇḍita impudently said to the Lord, “Everyone says that You are a great teacher because of Your instructions to others, but now we shall find out what kind of teacher You are.

Word meanings

anya - upadeśe — by instructing others ; paṇḍita — learned teacher ; kahe — says ; gosāñira ṭhāñi — in front of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gosāñi gosāñi — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the supreme teacher ; ebe — now ; jānimu — we shall know ; gosāñi — what kind of teacher .

Purport

Dāmodara Paṇḍita was a great devotee of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Sometimes, however, a person in such a position becomes impudent, being influenced by the external energy and material considerations. Thus a devotee mistakenly dares to criticize the activities of the spiritual master or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Despite the logic that “Caesar’s wife must be above suspicion,” a devotee should not be disturbed by the activities of his spiritual master and should not try to criticize him. A devotee should be fixed in the conclusion that the spiritual master cannot be subject to criticism and should never be considered equal to a common man. Even if there appears to be some discrepancy according to an imperfect devotee’s estimation, the devotee should be fixed in the conviction that even if his spiritual master goes to a liquor shop, he is not a drunkard; rather, he must have some purpose in going there. It is said in a Bengali poem:

yadyapi nityānanda surā-bāḍi yāya tathāpio haya nityānanda-rāya

“Even if I see that Lord Nityānanda has entered a liquor shop, I shall not be diverted from my conclusion that Nityānanda Rāya is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

Translation

“You are known as Gosāñi [teacher or ācārya], but now talk about Your attributes and reputation will spread throughout the city of Puruṣottama. How Your position will be impaired!”

Word meanings

ebe — now ; gosāñira — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; guṇa - yaśa — attributes and reputation ; saba loke — everyone ; gāibe — will talk about ; tabe — at that time ; gosāñira — of the Lord ; pratiṣṭhā — the position ; puruṣottame — in Puruṣottama (Jagannātha Purī) ; ha - ibe — will be .

Translation

Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu knew that Dāmodara Paṇḍita was a pure and simple devotee, upon hearing this impudent talk the Lord said, “My dear Dāmodara, what nonsense are you speaking?”

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; kyā kaha — what nonsense are you speaking ; dāmodara — My dear Dāmodara ; dāmodara kahe — Dāmodara Paṇḍita replied ; tumi — You ; svatantra — independent ; īśvara — the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Purport

Dāmodara Paṇḍita replied, “You are the independent Personality of Godhead, beyond all criticism.

Translation

“My dear Lord, You can act as You please. No one can say anything to restrict You. Nevertheless, the entire world is impudent. People can say anything. How can You stop them?

Word meanings

svacchande — without restriction ; ācāra kara — You behave ; ke pāre balite — who can talk ; mukhara — talkative ; jagatera — of the whole world ; mukha — mouth ; pāra ācchādite — can You cover .

Translation

“Dear Lord, You are a learned teacher. Why then don’t You consider that this boy is the son of a widowed brāhmaṇī? Why are You so affectionate to him?

Word meanings

paṇḍita hañā — being a learned teacher ; mane — in the mind ; kene — why ; vicāra nā kara — do You not consider ; rāṇḍī brāhmaṇīra — of a widowed wife of a brāhmaṇa ; bālake — unto the son ; prīti — affection ; kene kara — why do You show .

Translation

“Although the boy’s mother is completely austere and chaste, she has one natural fault — she is a very beautiful young girl.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; brāhmaṇī — wife of a brāhmaṇa ; sei — that ; tapasvinī — austere ; satī — chaste ; tathāpi — still ; tāhāra — her ; doṣa — fault ; sundarī — very beautiful ; yuvatī — young girl .

Translation

“And You, my dear Lord, are a handsome, attractive young man. Therefore certainly people will whisper about You. Why should You give them such an opportunity?”

Word meanings

tumi - ha — You also ; parama yuvā — young man ; parama sundara — very beautiful ; lokera — of the people in general ; kāṇākāṇi — whispering ; bāte — talks ; deha avasara — You are giving an opportunity for .

Purport

As a simple and staunch devotee of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Dāmodara Paṇḍita could not tolerate criticism of the Lord, but unfortunately he himself was criticizing Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in his own way. The Lord could understand that it was because of Dāmodara Paṇḍita’s simplicity that he impudently dared criticize Him. Nevertheless, such behavior by a devotee is not very good.

Translation

Having said this, Dāmodara Paṇḍita became silent. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu smiled, pleased within Himself, and considered the impudence of Dāmodara Paṇḍita.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; dāmodara — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; mauna ha - ilā — became silent ; antare — within Himself ; santoṣa — pleased ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; hāsi’ — smiling ; vicārilā — considered .

Translation

[Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thought:] “This impudence is also a sign of pure love for Me. I have no other intimate friend like Dāmodara Paṇḍita.”

Word meanings

ihāre — such behavior ; kahiye — I can say ; śuddha - premera taraṅga — waves of pure devotional service ; dāmodara - sama — like Dāmodara ; mora — My ; nāhi — there is not ; antaraṅga — intimate friend .

Translation

Thinking in this way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to perform His noon duties. The next day, He called Dāmodara Paṇḍita to a solitary place.

Word meanings

eteka vicāri’ — considering like this ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; madhyāhne calilā — went to perform His noon duties ; āra dine — the next day ; dāmodare — unto Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; nibhṛte — in a solitary place ; bolāilā — called .

Translation

The Lord said, “My dear friend Dāmodara, you had better go to Nadia and stay with My mother.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; dāmodara — My dear friend Dāmodara ; calaha nadīyā — you had better go to Nadia (Navadvīpa) ; mātāra samīpe — with My mother ; tumi — you ; raha — stay ; tāṅhā — there ; yāñā — going .

Translation

“I see no one but you to protect her, for you are so careful that you can caution even Me.

Word meanings

tomā vinā — besides you ; tāṅhāra — of mother Śacīdevī ; rakṣaka — protector ; nāhi — not ; dekhi — I see ; āna — anyone else ; āmāke - ha — even unto Me ; yāte — by which ; tumi — you ; kailā — did ; sāvadhāna — care .

Translation

“You are the most neutral among My associates. This is very good, for without being neutral one cannot protect religious principles.

Word meanings

tomā sama — like you ; nirapekṣa — neutral ; nāhi — there is not ; mora gaṇe — among My associates ; nirapekṣa — neutral ; nahile — without being ; dharma — religious principles ; nā yāya rakṣaṇe — cannot be protected .

Translation

“You can do whatever I cannot. Indeed, you can chastise even Me, what to speak of others.

Word meanings

āmā haite — from Me ; ye — whatever ; nā haya — is not ; se — that ; tomā haite — from you ; haya — becomes possible ; āmāre — Me ; karilā daṇḍa — punished ; āna — others ; kebā haya — what to speak of .

Translation

“It is best for you to go to the shelter of My mother’s lotus feet, for no one will be able to behave independently in front of you.

Word meanings

mātāra — of My mother ; gṛhe — at the home ; raha — stay ; yāi — going ; mātāra caraṇe — at the shelter of My mother’s lotus feet ; tomāra āge — in front of you ; nahibe — there will not be ; kāro — of anyone ; svacchanda - ācaraṇe — independent activities .

Translation

“At intervals you may come see Me here and then soon again go there.

Word meanings

madhye madhye — at intervals ; āsibā — you will come ; kabhu — sometimes ; āmāra daraśane — to see Me ; śīghra kari’ — very soon ; punaḥ — again ; tāhāṅ — there ; karaha gamane — arrange to go .

Translation

“Offer My mother millions of My obeisances. Please speak to her about My happiness here and thus give her happiness.

Word meanings

mātāre — to My mother ; kahiha — inform ; mora — My ; koṭī — ten million ; namaskāre — obeisances ; mora — My ; sukha — of happiness ; kathā — topics ; kahi’ — saying ; sukha — happiness ; diha’ tāṅre — give to her .

Translation

“Tell her that I sent you to inform her of My personal activities so that she may share in My happiness.

Word meanings

nirantara — constantly ; nija - kathā — personal activities ; tomāre śunāite — to inform you ; ei lāgi’ — for this reason ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; more — me ; pāṭhāilā — has sent ; ihāṅte — here .

Translation

“Speaking in this way, satisfy the mind of mother Śacī. Also, remind her of one most confidential incident with this message from Me.

Word meanings

eta kahi’ — saying this ; mātāra mane — in the mind of My mother ; santoṣa janmāiha — give satisfaction ; āra — another ; guhya - kathā — very confidential message ; tāṅre — her ; smaraṇa karāiha — make to remember .

Translation

“ ‘I come to your home again and again to eat all the sweetmeats and vegetables you offer.

Word meanings

bāre bāre — again and again ; āsi’ — coming ; āmi — I ; tomāra bhavane — at your place ; miṣṭānna — sweetmeats ; vyañjana — vegetables ; saba — all ; kariye — do ; bhojane — eating .

Translation

“ ‘You know that I come and eat the offerings, but because of external separation, you consider this a dream.

Word meanings

bhojana — dining ; kariye — do ; āmi — I ; tumi — you ; tāhā — that ; jāna — know ; bāhya — externally ; virahe — in separation ; tāhā — that ; svapna — dream ; kari — as ; māna — you accept .

Purport

Because mother Śacī was feeling separation from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, she thought she was dreaming that her son had come to her. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, however, wanted to inform her that actually it was not a dream. He actually came there and ate whatever His mother offered Him. Such are the dealings of advanced devotees with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.38) :

premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti yaṁ śyāmasundaram acintya-guṇa-svarūpaṁ govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

“I worship the primeval Lord, Govinda, who is always seen by the devotee whose eyes are anointed with the pulp of love. He is seen in His eternal form of Śyāmasundara, situated within the heart of the devotee.” Pure devotees realize dealings with the Lord on the transcendental plane, but because the devotees are still in the material world, they think that these are dreams. The Lord, however, talks with the advanced devotee, and the advanced devotee also sees Him. It is all factual; it is not a dream.

Translation

“ ‘During the last Māgha-saṅkrānti festival, you cooked varieties of vegetables, condensed milk, cakes and sweet rice for Me.

Word meanings

ei — this ; māgha - saṅkrāntye — on the occasion of the Māgha-saṅkrānti festival ; tumi — you ; randhana karilā — cooked ; nānā vyañjana — varieties of vegetables ; kṣīra — condensed milk ; piṭhā — cakes ; pāyasa — sweet rice ; rāndhilā — cooked .

Translation

“ ‘You offered the food to Lord Kṛṣṇa, and while you were in meditation I suddenly appeared, and your eyes filled with tears.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇe — unto Lord Kṛṣṇa ; bhoga — offering ; lāgāñā — giving ; yabe — when ; kailā dhyāna — you meditated ; āmāra — My ; sphūrti — sudden appearance ; haila — there was ; aśru — tears ; bharila — filled ; nayana — your eyes .

Translation

“ ‘I went there in great haste and ate everything. When you saw Me eating, you felt great happiness.

Word meanings

āste - vyaste — in great haste ; āmi — I ; giyā — going ; sakali khāila — ate everything ; āmi khāi — I eat ; dekhi’ — seeing ; tomāra — your ; sukha — happiness ; upajila — grew .

Translation

“ ‘In a moment, after you had wiped your eyes, you saw that the plate you had offered Me was empty. Then you thought, “I dreamt as if Nimāi were eating everything.”

Word meanings

kṣaṇeke — in a moment ; aśru — tears ; muchiyā — wiping ; śūnya — vacant ; dekhi’ — seeing ; pāta — the plate ; svapana dekhiluṅ — I saw a dream ; yena — as if ; nimāñi — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; khāila bhāta — ate the food .

Translation

“ ‘In the condition of external separation, you were again under illusion, thinking that you had not offered the food to Lord Viṣṇu.

Word meanings

bāhya - viraha — of external separation ; daśāya — by the condition ; punaḥ — again ; bhrānti haila — there was illusion ; bhoga — offering to the Deity ; nā lāgāiluṅ — I have not given ; ei — this ; jñāna haila — you thought .

Translation

“ ‘Then you went to see the cooking pots and found that every pot was filled with food. Therefore you again offered the food, after cleansing the place for the offering.

Word meanings

pāka - pātre — the cooking pots ; dekhilā — she saw ; saba — all ; anna — food ; āche bhari’ — were filled with ; punaḥ — again ; bhoga lāgāilā — offered the food ; sthāna — the place for offering ; saṁskāra kari’ — cleansing .

Translation

“ ‘Thus I again and again eat everything you offer Me, for I am attracted by your pure love.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; bāra bāra — again and again ; kariye bhojana — I eat ; tomāra — your ; śuddha - preme — pure love ; more — Me ; kare ākarṣaṇa — attracts .

Translation

“ ‘Only by your order am I living in Nīlācala [Jagannātha Purī]. Nevertheless, you still pull Me near you because of your great love for Me.’ ”

Word meanings

tomāra ājñāte — on your order ; āmi — I ; āchi — reside ; nīlācale — at Jagannātha Purī ; nikaṭe — nearby ; lañā yāo — you take away ; āmā — Me ; tomāra — your ; prema — transcendental love ; bale — on the strength of .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu told Dāmodara Paṇḍita, “Remind mother Śacī in this way again and again and worship her lotus feet in My name.”

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; bāra bāra — again and again ; karāiha — cause ; smaraṇa — remembrance ; mora — My ; nāma — name ; lañā — taking ; tāṅra — her ; vandiha — worship ; caraṇa — feet .

Translation

After saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ordered that varieties of prasādam offered to Lord Jagannātha be brought. The Lord then gave him the prasādam, separately packed, to offer to various Vaiṣṇavas and His mother.

Word meanings

eta kahi’ — saying this ; jagannāthera — of Jagannātha ; prasāda — remnants of food ; ānāila — ordered to be brought ; mātāke — to His mother ; vaiṣṇave — and all the Vaiṣṇavas ; dite — to deliver ; pṛthak pṛthak — separately ; dila — He gave .

Translation

In this way Dāmodara Paṇḍita went to Nadia [Navadvīpa]. After meeting mother Śacī, he stayed under the care of her lotus feet.

Word meanings

tabe — then ; dāmodara — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; cali’ — walking ; nadīyā āilā — reached Nadia (Navadvīpa) ; mātāre miliyā — just after meeting Śacīmātā ; tāṅra caraṇe — at her lotus feet ; rahilā — remained .

Translation

He delivered all the prasādam to such great Vaiṣṇavas as Advaita Ācārya. Thus he stayed there and behaved according to the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

ācārya - ādi — headed by Advaita Ācārya ; vaiṣṇavere — to all the Vaiṣṇavas ; mahā - prasāda dilā — delivered all the prasādam of Lord Jagannātha ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yaiche — as ; ājñā — the order ; paṇḍita — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; tāhā — that ; ācarilā — performed .

Translation

Everyone knew that Dāmodara Paṇḍita was strict in practical dealings. Therefore everyone was afraid of him and dared not do anything independent.

Word meanings

dāmodara āge — in front of Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; svātantrya — independent behavior ; nā haya kāhāra — no one dares to do ; tāra bhaye — due to fear of him ; sabe — all of them ; kare — do ; saṅkoca vyavahāra — dealings with great care .

Translation

Dāmodara Paṇḍita would verbally chastise every devotee of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu whom he found deviating even slightly from proper behavior. Thus he established the standard etiquette.

Word meanings

prabhu - gaṇe — in the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yāṅra — whose ; dekhe — sees ; alpa - maryādā - laṅghana — a slight deviation from the standard etiquette and behavior ; vākya - daṇḍa kari’ — chastising with words ; kare — does ; maryādā — etiquette ; sthāpana — establishing .

Translation

In this way I have described Dāmodara Paṇḍita’s verbal chastisements. As one hears about this, atheistic principles and ignorance depart.

Word meanings

ei - ta — in this way ; kahila — I have described ; dāmodarera — of Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; vākya - daṇḍa — chastisement by words ; yāhāra śravaṇe — by hearing which ; bhāge — goes away ; ajñāna pāṣaṇḍa — the atheist of ignorance .

Translation

The pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are deeper than millions of seas and oceans. Therefore no one can understand what He does or why He does it.

Word meanings

caitanyera līlā — the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gambhīra — very deep ; koṭi - samudra haite — more than millions of seas ; ki lāgi’ — for what reason ; ki kare — what He does ; keha — anyone ; nā — not ; pāre bujhite — can understand .

Translation

I do not know the deep meaning of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s activities. As far as possible I shall try to explain them externally.

Word meanings

ataeva — therefore ; gūḍha artha — deep meaning ; kichui — any ; nā jāni — I do not know ; bāhya artha karibāre — to explain the external meanings ; kari — I make ; ṭānāṭāni — hard endeavor .

Translation

One day Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu met Haridāsa Ṭhākura as usual, and in the course of discussion He inquired as follows.

Word meanings

eka - dina — one day ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; haridāsere — with Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; mililā — met ; tāṅhā lañā — taking him ; goṣṭhī kari’ — making a discussion ; tāṅhāre puchilā — the Lord inquired from him .

Translation

“My dear Ṭhākura Haridāsa, in this Age of Kali most people are bereft of Vedic culture, and therefore they are called yavanas. They are concerned only with killing cows and brahminical culture. In this way they all engage in sinful acts.

Word meanings

haridāsa — My dear Haridāsa ; kali - kāle — in this Age of Kali ; yavana — demons against the Vedic principles ; apāra — unlimited ; go - brāhmaṇe — cows and brahminical culture ; hiṁsā kare — do violence against ; mahā durācāra — extremely fallen .

Purport

From this statement by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu we can clearly understand that the word yavana does not refer only to a particular class of men. Anyone who is against the behavior of the Vedic principles is called a yavana. Such a yavana may be in India or outside of India. As described here, the symptom of yavanas is that they are violent killers of cows and brahminical culture. We offer our prayers to the Lord by saying, namo brahmaṇya-devāya go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya ca. The Lord is the maintainer of brahminical culture. His first concern is to see to the benefit of cows and brāhmaṇas. As soon as human civilization turns against brahminical culture and allows unrestricted killing of cows, we should understand that men are no longer under the control of the Vedic culture but are all yavanas and mlecchas. It is said that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement will be prominent within the next ten thousand years, but after that people will all become mlecchas and yavanas. Thus at the end of the yuga, Kṛṣṇa will appear as the Kalki avatāra and kill them without consideration.

Translation

“How will these yavanas be delivered? To My great unhappiness, I do not see any way.”

Word meanings

ihā - sabāra — of all these yavanas ; kon mate — by which way ; ha - ibe nistāra — will be deliverance ; tāhāra hetu — the cause of such deliverance ; nā dekhiye — I do not see ; e duḥkha apāra — it is My great unhappiness .

Purport

This verse reveals the significance of Lord Śrī Caitanya’s appearance as patita-pāvana, the deliverer of all the fallen souls. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura sings, patita-pāvana-hetu tava avatāra: “O my Lord, You have appeared just to deliver all the fallen souls.” Mo-sama patita prabhu nā pāibe āra: “And among all the fallen souls, I am the lowest.” How Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu was always thinking about the deliverance of the fallen souls is shown by the statement e duḥkha apāra (“It is My great unhappiness”). This statement indicates that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa Himself, is always very unhappy to see the fallen souls in the material world. Therefore He Himself comes as He is, or He comes as a devotee in the form of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, to deliver love of Kṛṣṇa directly to the fallen souls. Namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is so merciful that He not only gives knowledge of Kṛṣṇa but by His practical activities teaches everyone how to love Kṛṣṇa ( kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te ).

Those who are following in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu should take the Lord’s mission most seriously. In this Age of Kali, people are gradually becoming less than animals. Nevertheless, although they are eating the flesh of cows and are envious of brahminical culture, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is considering how to deliver them from this horrible condition of life. Thus He asks all Indians to take up His mission:

bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya-janma yāra janma sārthaka kari’ kara para-upakāra

“One who has taken his birth as a human being in the land of India [Bhārata-varṣa] should make his life successful and work for the benefit of all other people.” (Cc. Ādi-līlā 9.41) it is therefore the duty of every advanced and cultured Indian to take this cause very seriously. All Indians should help the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement in its progress, to the best of their ability. Then they will be considered real followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Unfortunately, even some so-called Vaiṣṇavas enviously refuse to cooperate with this movement but instead condemn it in so many ways. We are very sorry to say that these people try to find fault with us, being unnecessarily envious of our activities, although we are trying to the best of our ability to introduce the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement directly into the countries of the yavanas and mlecchas. Such yavanas and mlecchas are coming to us and becoming purified Vaiṣṇavas who follow in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. One who identifies himself as a follower of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu should feel like Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who said, ihā-sabāra kon mate ha-ibe nistāra: “How will all these yavanas be delivered?” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was always anxious to deliver the fallen souls because their fallen condition gave Him great unhappiness. That is the platform on which one can propagate the mission of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety. Do not be unhappy to see the condition of the yavanas in material existence.

Word meanings

haridāsa kahe — Haridāsa replied ; prabhu — my dear Lord ; cintā nā kariha — do not be in anxiety ; yavanera saṁsāra — the material condition of the yavanas ; dekhi’ — seeing ; duḥkha nā bhāviha — do not be sorry .

Purport

These words of Haridāsa Ṭhākura are just befitting a devotee who has dedicated his life and soul to the service of the Lord. When the Lord is unhappy because of the condition of the fallen souls, the devotee consoles Him, saying, “My dear Lord, do not be in anxiety.” This is service. Everyone should adopt the cause of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to try to relieve Him from the anxiety He feels. This is actually service to the Lord. One who tries to relieve Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s anxiety for the fallen souls is certainly a most dear and confidential devotee of the Lord. To blaspheme such a devotee who is trying his best to spread the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the greatest offense. One who does so is simply awaiting punishment for his envy.

Translation

“Because the yavanas are accustomed to saying ‘hā rāma, hā rāma’ [‘O Lord Rāmacandra’], they will very easily be delivered by this nāmābhāsa.

Word meanings

yavana - sakalera — of all the yavanas ; mukti — liberation ; habe — there will be ; anāyāse — very easily ; hā rāma hā rāma — “O Lord Rāma, O Lord Rāma” ; bali’ — saying ; kahe — they say ; nāma - ābhāse — almost chanting the holy name of the Lord without offenses .

Translation

“A devotee in advanced ecstatic love exclaims, ‘O my Lord Rāmacandra! O my Lord Rāmacandra!’ But the yavanas also chant, ‘hā rāma, hā rāma!’ Just see their good fortune!”

Word meanings

mahā - preme — in great ecstatic love ; bhakta kahe — a devotee says ; hā rāma hā rāma — “O Lord Rāmacandra, O Lord Rāmacandra” ; yavanera — of the yavanas ; bhāgya — fortune ; dekha — just see ; laya sei nāma — they are also chanting the same holy name .

Purport

If a child touches fire, the fire will burn him, and if an elderly man touches fire, it will burn him also. Haridāsa Ṭhākura says that a great devotee of the Lord exclaims hā rāma, hā rāma, but although yavanas do not know the transcendental meaning of hā rāma, hā rāma, they say those words in the course of their ordinary life. For the yavanas the words hā rāma mean “abominable,” whereas the devotee exclaims the words hā rāma in ecstatic love. Nevertheless, because the words hā rāma are the spiritual summum bonum, the fact is the same, whether they are uttered by yavanas or by great devotees, just as fire is the same both for a child and for an elderly man. In other words, the holy name of the Lord, hā rāma, always acts, even when the holy name is chanted without reference to the Supreme Lord. Yavanas utter the holy name in a different attitude than devotees, but the holy name hā rāma is so powerful spiritually that it acts anywhere, whether one knows it or not. This is explained as follows.

Translation

Nāmācārya Haridāsa Ṭhākura, the authority on the chanting of the holy name, said, “The chanting of the Lord’s holy name to indicate something other than the Lord is an instance of nāmābhāsa. Even when the holy name is chanted in this way, its transcendental power is not destroyed.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; anya — another ; saṅkete — by intimation ; anya — that other ; haya — is ; nāma - ābhāsa — almost equal to the holy name ; tathāpi — still ; nāmera teja — the transcendental power of the holy name ; nā haya vināśa — is not destroyed .

Translation

“ ‘Even a mleccha who is being killed by the tusk of a boar and who cries in distress again and again, “hā rāma, hā rāma” attains liberation. What then to speak of those who chant the holy name with veneration and faith?’

Word meanings

daṁṣṭri — of a boar ; daṁṣṭra — by the teeth ; āhataḥ — killed ; mlecchaḥ — a meat-eater ; hā rāma — “O my Lord Rāma” ; iti — thus ; punaḥ punaḥ — again and again ; uktvā — saying ; api — even ; muktim — liberation ; āpnoti — gets ; kim — what ; punaḥ — again ; śraddhayā — with faith and veneration ; gṛṇan — chanting .

Purport

This refers to an instance in which a meat-eater being killed by a boar uttered the words hā rāma, hā rāma again and again at the time of his death. Since this is a quotation from the Nṛsiṁha Purāṇa, this indicates that in the purāṇic age there must also have been mlecchas and yavanas (meat-eaters), and the words hā rāma, meaning “condemned,” were also uttered in those days. Thus Haridāsa Ṭhākura gives evidence that even a meat-eater who condemns something by uttering the words hā rāma gets the benefit of chanting the holy name that the devotee chants to mean “O my Lord Rāma!”

Translation

“Ajāmila was a great sinner during his life, but at the time of death he accidentally called for his youngest son, whose name was Nārāyaṇa, and the attendants of Lord Viṣṇu came to relieve him from the bonds of Yamarāja, the superintendent of death.

Word meanings

ajāmila — Ajāmila ; putre — unto his son ; bolāya — calls ; bali — saying ; nārāyaṇa — the holy name of Nārāyaṇa ; viṣṇu - dūta — the attendants of Lord Viṣṇu ; āsi’ — coming ; chāḍāya — remove ; tāhāra — of him ; bandhana — the bonds .

Translation

“The word ‘rāma’ consists of the two syllables ‘rā’ and ‘ma.’ These are unseparated and are decorated with the loving word ‘hā,’ meaning ‘O.’

Word meanings

rāma — the holy name of the Lord ; dui — two ; akṣara — syllables ; ihā — these ; nahe — are not ; vyavahita — separated ; prema - vācī — a word indicating love ; hā — “O” ; śabda — the word ; tāhāte — by that ; bhūṣita — decorated .

Translation

“The letters of the holy name have so much spiritual potency that they act even when uttered improperly.

Word meanings

nāmera — of the holy name ; akṣara — letters ; sabera — of all ; ei — this ; ta’ — certainly ; svabhāva — the characteristic ; vyavahita haile — even when improperly uttered ; nā — do not ; chāḍe — give up ; āpana - prabhāva — their own spiritual influence .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura states that the word vyavahita (“improperly uttered”) is not used here to refer to the mundane vibration of the letters of the alphabet. Such negligent utterance for the sense gratification of materialistic persons is not a vibration of transcendental sound. Utterance of the holy name while one engages in sense gratification is an impediment on the path toward achieving ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa. On the other hand, if one who is eager for devotional service utters the holy name even partially or improperly, the holy name, which is identical with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, exhibits its spiritual potency because of that person’s offenseless utterance. Thus one is relieved from all unwanted practices, and one gradually awakens his dormant love for Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

“ ‘If a devotee once utters the holy name of the Lord, or if it penetrates his mind or enters his ear, which is the channel of aural reception, that holy name will certainly deliver him from material bondage, whether vibrated properly or improperly, with correct or incorrect grammar, or properly joined or vibrated in separate parts. O brāhmaṇa, the potency of the holy name is therefore certainly great. However, if one uses the vibration of the holy name for the benefit of the material body, for material wealth and followers, or under the influence of greed or atheism — in other words, if one utters the name with offenses — such chanting will not produce the desired result very soon. Therefore one should diligently avoid offenses in chanting the holy name of the Lord.’ ”

Word meanings

nāma — the holy name ; ekam — once ; yasya — whose ; vāci — in the mouth ; smaraṇa - patha - gatam — entered the path of remembrance ; śrotra - mūlam gatam — entered the roots of the ears ; vā — or ; śuddham — pure ; vā — or ; aśuddha - varṇam — impurely uttered ; vyavahita - rahitam — without offenses or without being separated ; tārayati — delivers ; eva — certainly ; satyam — truly ; tat — that name ; cet — if ; deha — the material body ; draviṇa — material opulence ; janatā — public support ; lobha — greed ; pāṣaṇḍa — atheism ; madhye — toward ; nikṣiptam — directed ; syāt — may be ; na — not ; phala - janakam — producing the results ; śīghram — quickly ; eva — certainly ; atra — in this matter ; vipra — O brāhmaṇa. .

Purport

This verse from the Padma Purāṇa is included in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (11.289) by Sanātana Gosvāmī. Therein Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī gives the following explanation:

vāci gataṁ prasaṅgād vāṅ-madhye pravṛttam api, smaraṇa-patha-gataṁ kathañcin manaḥ-spṛṣṭam api, śrotra-mūlaṁ gataṁ kiñcit śrutam api, śuddha-varṇaṁ vā aśuddha-varṇam api vā, vyavahitaṁ śabdāntareṇa yad-vyavadhānaṁ vakṣyamāna-nārāyaṇa-śabdasya kiñcid uccāraṇānantaraṁ prasaṅgād āpatitaṁ śabdāntaraṁ tena rahitaṁ sat.

This means that if one somehow or other hears, utters or remembers the holy name, or if it catches his mind while coming near his ears, that holy name, even if vibrated in separate words, will act. An example of such separation is given as follows:

yadvā, yadyapi ‘halaṁ riktam’ ity ādy-uktau hakāra-rikārayor vṛttyā harīti-nāmāsty eva, tathā ‘rāja-mahiṣī’ ity atra rāma-nāmāpi, evam anyad apy ūhyam, tathāpi tat-tan-nāma-madhye vyavadhāyakam akṣarāntaram astīty etādṛśa-vyavadhāna-rahitam ity arthaḥ, yadvā, vyavahitaṁ ca tad-rahitaṁ cāpi vā, tatra vyavahitaṁ nāmnaḥ kiñcid uccāraṇānantaraṁ kathañcid āpatitaṁ śabdāntaraṁ samādhāya paścān nāmāvaśiṣṭākṣara-grahaṇam ity evaṁ rūpaṁ, madhye śabdāntareṇāntaritam ity arthaḥ, rahitaṁ paścād avaśiṣṭākṣara-grahaṇa-varjitaṁ, kenacid aṁśena hīnam ity arthaḥ, tathāpi tārayaty eva.

Suppose one is using the two words halaṁ riktam. Now the syllable ha in the word halam and the syllable ri in riktam are separately pronounced, but nevertheless the holy name will act because one somehow or other utters the word hari. Similarly, in the word rāja-mahiṣī, the syllables rā and ma appear in two separate words, but because they somehow or other appear together, the holy name rāma will act, provided there are no offenses.

sarvebhyaḥ pāpebhyo ’parādhebhyaś ca saṁsārād apy uddhārayaty eveti satyam eva, kintu nāma-sevanasya mukhyaṁ yat phalaṁ tan na sadyaḥ sampadyate. tathā deha-bharaṇādy-artham api nāma-sevanena mukhyaṁ phalam āśu na sidhyatīty āha, tac ced iti.

The holy name has so much spiritual potency that it can deliver one from all sinful reactions and material entanglements, but utterance of the holy name will not be very soon fruitful if done to facilitate sinning.

tan nāma ced yadi dehādi-madhye nikṣiptaṁ, deha-bharaṇādy-artham eva vinyastam, tadāpi phala-janakaṁ na bhavati kim? api tu bhavaty eva, kintu atra iha loke śīghraṁ na bhavati, kintu vilambenaiva bhavatīty arthaḥ.

The holy name is so powerful that it must act, but when one utters the holy name with offenses, its action will be delayed, not immediate, although in favorable circumstances the holy names of the Lord act very quickly.

Translation

Nāmācārya Haridāsa Ṭhākura continued, “If one offenselessly utters the holy name even imperfectly, one can be freed from all the results of sinful life.

Word meanings

nāma - ābhāsa haite — from the vibration of nāmābhāsa ; haya — is ; sarva - pāpa — of all reactions to sins ; kṣaya — destruction .

Translation

“ ‘O reservoir of all good qualities, just worship Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the purifier of all purifiers, the most exalted of the personalities worshiped by choice poetry. Worship Him with a faithful, unflinching mind, without duplicity and in a highly elevated manner. Thus worship the Lord, whose name is like the sun, for just as a slight appearance of the sun dissipates the darkness of night, so a slight appearance of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa can drive away all the darkness of ignorance that arises in the heart due to greatly sinful activities performed in previous lives.’

Word meanings

tam — Him ; nirvyājam — without duplicity ; bhaja — worship ; guṇa - nidhe — O reservoir of all good qualities ; pāvanam — purifier ; pāvanānām — of all other purifiers ; śraddhā — with faith ; rajyan — being enlivened ; matiḥ — mind ; atitarām — exceedingly ; uttamaḥ - śloka - maulim — the best of the personalities who are worshiped by choice poetry or who are transcendental to all material positions ; prodyan — manifesting ; antaḥ - karaṇa - kuhare — in the core of the heart ; hanta — alas ; yat - nāma — whose holy name ; bhānoḥ — of the sun ; ābhāsaḥ — slight appearance ; api — even ; kṣapayati — eradicates ; mahā - pātaka — the resultant actions of greatly sinful activities ; dhvānta — of ignorance ; rāśim — the mass .

Purport

This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (2.1.103).

Translation

“Even a faint light from the holy name of the Lord can eradicate all the reactions of sinful life.

Word meanings

nāma - ābhāsa haite — even on account of nāmābhāsa ; haya — there is ; saṁsārera kṣaya — deliverance from material bondage .

Translation

“ ‘While dying, Ajāmila chanted the holy name of the Lord, intending to call his son Nārāyaṇa. Nevertheless, he attained the spiritual world. What then to speak of those who chant the holy name with faith and reverence?’

Word meanings

mriyamāṇaḥ — dying ; hareḥ nāma — the holy name of the Supreme Lord ; gṛṇan — chanting ; putra - upacāritam — though spoken for his son ; ajāmilaḥ — Ajāmila ; api — also ; agāt — attained ; dhāma — the spiritual world ; kim uta — what to speak of ; śraddhayā — with faith and reverence ; gṛṇan — chanting .

Purport

This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.2.49) .

Translation

“Because of even the faintest rays of the effulgence of the Lord’s holy name, one can attain liberation. We can see this in all the revealed scriptures. The evidence appears in the story of Ajāmila in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.”

Word meanings

nāma - ābhāse — simply by a glimpse of the rays of the holy name ; mukti — liberation ; haya — there is ; sarva - śāstre — in all the revealed scriptures ; dekhi — I find ; śrī - bhāgavate — in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ; tāte — to that ; ajāmila — Ajāmila ; sākṣī — witness .

Translation

As Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard this from Haridāsa Ṭhākura, the happiness within His heart increased, but as a matter of course, He still inquired further.

Word meanings

śuniyā — hearing ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sukha — happiness ; bāḍaye — increased ; antare — within the heart ; punarapi — still ; bhaṅgī kari’ — as a matter of course ; puchaye tāṅhāre — inquires from Haridāsa Ṭhākura .

Translation

“On this earth there are many living entities,” the Lord said, “some moving and some not moving. What will happen to the trees, plants, insects and other living entities? How will they be delivered from material bondage?”

Word meanings

pṛthivīte — on this earth ; bahu - jīva — many living entities ; sthāvara — not moving ; jaṅgama — moving ; ihā - sabāra — of all of these ; ki prakāre — how ; ha - ibe mocana — there will be deliverance .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “My dear Lord, the deliverance of all moving and nonmoving living entities takes place only by Your mercy. You have already granted this mercy and delivered them.

Word meanings

haridāsa kahe — Haridāsa replied ; prabhu — my dear Lord ; se — that ; kṛpā — mercy ; tomāra — Your ; sthāvara - jaṅgama — nonmoving and moving living entities ; āge — previously ; kariyācha nistāra — You have delivered .

Translation

“You have loudly chanted the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, and everyone, moving or not moving, has benefited by hearing it.

Word meanings

tumi — You ; ye — what ; kariyācha — have executed ; ei — this ; ucca — loud ; saṅkīrtana — chanting ; sthāvara - jaṅgamera — of all living entities, moving and nonmoving ; sei — they ; hayata’ — there is ; śravaṇa — hearing .

Translation

“My Lord, the moving entities who have heard Your loud saṅkīrtana have already been delivered from bondage to the material world, and after the nonmoving living entities like trees hear it, there is an echo.

Word meanings

śuniyā — hearing ; jaṅgamera — of the living entities who can move ; haya — there is ; saṁsāra - kṣaya — annihilation of bondage to the material world ; sthāvare — unto the nonmoving living entities ; se śabda — that transcendental vibration ; lāge — touches ; prati - dhvani — echo ; haya — there is .

Translation

“Actually, however, it is not an echo: it is the kīrtana of the nonmoving living entities. All this, although inconceivable, is possible by Your mercy.

Word meanings

prati - dhvani nahe — that sound vibration is not an echo ; sei — they ; karaye kīrtana — are chanting ; tomāra kṛpāra — of Your mercy ; ei — this ; akathya kathana — inconceivable incident .

Translation

“When loud chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra is performed all over the world by those who follow in Your footsteps, all living entities, moving and nonmoving, dance in ecstatic devotional love.

Word meanings

sakala jagate — all over the universe ; haya — there is ; ucca saṅkīrtana — loud chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra ; śuniyā — hearing ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic emotional love ; nāce — dance ; sthāvarajaṅgama — all living entities, nonmoving and moving .

Translation

“My dear Lord, all the incidents that took place while You were going to Vṛndāvana through the forest known as Jhārikhaṇḍa have been related to me by Your servant Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya.

Word meanings

yaiche — as ; kailā — You have performed ; jhārikhaṇḍe — in the forest known as Jhārikhaṇḍa (Jharkhand) ; vṛndāvana yāite — while going to Vṛndāvana ; balabhadra - bhaṭṭācārya — Your servant Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; kahiyāchena āmāte — has said to me .

Translation

“When Your devotee Vāsudeva Datta submitted his plea at Your lotus feet for the deliverance of all living entities, You accepted that request.

Word meanings

vāsudeva — the Lord’s devotee named Vāsudeva ; jīva lāgi’ — for all living entities ; kaila nivedana — submitted his appeal ; tabe — at that time ; aṅgīkāra kailā — You accepted ; jīvera mocana — the deliverance of all living entities .

Translation

“My dear Lord, You have accepted the form of a devotee just to deliver all the fallen souls of this world.

Word meanings

jagat nistārite — to deliver the whole world ; ei — this ; tomāra avatāra — Your incarnation ; bhakta - bhāva — the mood of a devotee ; āge — previously ; tāte — therefore ; kailā aṅgīkāra — You accepted .

Translation

“You have preached the loud chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and in this way freed all moving and nonmoving living entities from material bondage.”

Word meanings

ucca saṅkīrtana — loud chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra ; tāte — therefore ; karilā pracāra — You have spread ; sthira - cara — nonmoving and moving ; jīvera — of the living entities ; saba — all ; khaṇḍāilā — You finished ; saṁsāra — the bondage to material existence .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, “If all living entities are liberated, the entire universe will be devoid of living beings.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord replied ; saba jīva — all living entities ; mukti — liberation ; yabe — when ; pābe — will achieve ; ei — this ; ta’ — certainly ; brahmāṇḍa — universe ; tabe — then ; jīva - śūnya — devoid of living entities ; habe — will be .

Translation

Haridāsa said, “My Lord, as long as You are situated within the material world, You will send to the spiritual sky all the developed moving and nonmoving living entities in different species. Then again You will awaken the living entities who are not yet developed and engage them in activities.

Word meanings

haridāsa bale — Haridāsa Ṭhākura said ; tomāra — Your ; yāvat — as long as ; martye — in this material world ; sthiti — situation ; tāvat — for that duration of time ; sthāvara - jaṅgama — nonmoving and moving ; sarva — all ; jīva - jāti — species of living entities ; saba — all ; mukta kari’ — liberating ; tumi — You ; vaikuṇṭhe — to the spiritual world ; pāṭhāibā — will send ; sūkṣma - jīve — the undeveloped living entities ; punaḥ — again ; karme — in their activities ; udbuddha karibā — You will awaken .

Translation

“In this way all moving and nonmoving living entities will come into existence, and the entire universe will be filled as it was previously.

Word meanings

sei jīva — such living entities ; habe — will be ; ihāṅ — in this material world ; sthāvara - jaṅgama — nonmoving and moving living entities ; tāhāte — in that way ; bharibe — You will fill ; brahmāṇḍa — the entire universe ; yena — as ; pūrva - sama — the same as previously .

Purport

While we are preaching, opposing elements sometimes argue, “If all living entities were delivered by the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, what would happen then? The universe would be devoid of living entities.” In answer to this, we may say that in a prison there are many prisoners, but if one thinks that the prison would be empty if all the prisoners adopted good behavior, he is incorrect. Even if all the prisoners within a jail are freed, other criminals will fill it again. A prison will never be vacant, for there are many prospective criminals who will fill the prison cells, even if the present criminals are freed by the government. As confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā (13.22) , kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo ’sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu: “Because of the living entity’s association with material nature, he meets with good and evil among various species.” There are many unmanifested living entities covered by the mode of ignorance who will gradually come to the mode of passion. Most of them will become criminals because of their fruitive activities and again fill the prisons.

Translation

“Previously, when Lord Rāmacandra left this world, He took with Him all the living entities of Ayodhyā. Then He filled Ayodhyā again with other living entities.

Word meanings

pūrve — previously ; yena — as ; raghunātha — Rāmacandra ; saba — all ; ayodhyā — the population of Ayodhyā ; lañā — taking with Him ; vaikuṇṭhake gelā — went back to Vaikuṇṭhaloka ; anya - jīve — other living entities ; ayodhyā — Ayodhyā ; bharāñā — filling .

Translation

“My dear Lord, You have set a plan in motion by descending to the material world, but no one can understand how You are acting.

Word meanings

avatari’ — descending ; tumi — You ; aiche — like that ; pātiyācha hāṭa — have set up a market ; keha nā bujhite pāre — no one can understand ; tomāra — Your ; gūḍha nāṭa — deep acting .

Translation

“Formerly, when Lord Kṛṣṇa descended in Vṛndāvana, He freed all living entities in the universe from material existence in the same way.

Word meanings

pūrve — previously ; yena — as ; vraje — in Vṛndāvana ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kari’ avatāra — descending as an incarnation ; sakala — all ; brahmāṇḍa - jīvera — of living entities within this universe ; khaṇḍāilā — destroyed ; saṁsāra — the material existence .

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa, the unborn Supreme Personality of Godhead, master of all masters of mystic power, delivers all living entities, moving and nonmoving. Nothing is astonishing in the activities of the Lord.’

Word meanings

na — not ; ca — also ; evam — thus ; vismayaḥ — wonder ; kāryaḥ — to be done ; bhavatā — by You ; bhagavati — unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; aje — the unborn ; yoga - īśvara - īśvare — the master of all masters of mystic power ; kṛṣṇe — unto Lord Kṛṣṇa ; yataḥ — by whom ; etat — all living entities ; vimucyate — are delivered .

Purport

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.29.16) .

Translation

“ ‘Although the Supreme Personality of Godhead may be seen, glorified or remembered with an attitude of envy, He nevertheless awards the most confidential liberation, which is rarely achieved by the demigods and demons. What, then, can be said of those who are already fully engaged in devotional service to the Lord?’

Word meanings

ayam — this ; hi — certainly ; bhagavān — Supreme Personality of Godhead ; dṛṣṭaḥ — seen ; kīrtitaḥ — glorified ; saṁsmṛtaḥ — remembered ; ca — and ; dveṣa — of envy ; anubandhena — with the conception ; api — although ; akhila - sura - asura - ādi — by all demigods and demons ; durlabham — very rarely achieved ; phalam — result ; prayacchati — awards ; kim uta — what to speak of ; samyak — fully ; bhakti - matām — of those engaged in devotional service ; iti — thus .

Purport

This is a quotation from the Viṣṇu Purāṇa (4.15.17).

Translation

“By descending as an incarnation at Navadvīpa, You, just like Kṛṣṇa, have already delivered all the living entities of the universe.

Word meanings

taiche — in that way ; tumi — You ; navadvīpe — at Navadvīpa ; kari’ avatāra — descending as an incarnation ; sakala — all ; brahmāṇḍa — of the universe ; jīvera — the living entities ; karilā nistāra — have delivered .

Translation

“One may say that he understands the glories of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He may know whatever he may know, but as far as I am concerned, this is my conclusion.

Word meanings

ye kahe — whoever says ; caitanya - mahimā — the glories of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mora gocara — known to me ; haya — are ; se jānuka — he may know ; mora — of me ; punaḥ — again ; ei ta’ niścaya — this is the decision .

Translation

“My dear Lord, Your pastimes are just like an ocean of nectar. It is not possible for me to conceive how great that ocean is or even to understand a drop of it.”

Word meanings

tomāra — Your ; ye — whatever ; līlā — pastimes ; mahā - amṛtera sindhu — a great ocean of nectar ; mora — for me ; manaḥ - gocara nahe — it is not possible to conceive ; tāra — of it ; eka bindu — one drop .

Translation

Hearing all this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was astonished. “These are actually My confidential pastimes,” He thought. “How could Haridāsa have understood them?”

Word meanings

eta śuni’ — hearing this ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mane — in the mind ; camatkāra haila — there was astonishment ; mora — My ; gūḍha - līlā — confidential pastimes ; haridāsa — Haridāsa ; kemane — how ; jānila — has understood .

Translation

Greatly satisfied by the statements of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu embraced him. Outwardly, however, He avoided further discussions of these matters.

Word meanings

manera santoṣe — with complete satisfaction of the mind ; tāṅre — him ; kailā āliṅgana — He embraced ; bāhye — externally ; prakāśite — to disclose ; e - saba — all this ; karilā varjana — He avoided .

Translation

This is a characteristic of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although He wants to cover His opulence, He cannot do so before His devotees. This is well known everywhere.

Word meanings

īśvara - svabhāva — the characteristic of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; aiśvarya — opulence ; cāhe — wants ; ācchādite — to cover ; bhakta - ṭhāñi — before His devotee ; lukāite nāre — He cannot cover ; haya ta’ vidite — is well known .

Translation

“O my Lord, everything within material nature is limited by time, space and thought. Your characteristics, however, being unequaled and unsurpassed, are always transcendental to such limitations. You sometimes cover such characteristics by Your own energy, but nevertheless Your unalloyed devotees are always able to see You under all circumstances.”

Word meanings

ullaṅghita — passed over ; tri - vidha — three kinds ; sīma — the limitations ; sama — of equal ; atiśāyi — and of excelling ; sambhāvanam — by which the adequacy ; tava — Your ; parivraḍhima — of supremacy ; svabhāvam — the real nature ; māyā - balena — by the strength of the illusory energy ; bhavatā — Your ; api — although ; niguhyamānam — being hidden ; paśyanti — they see ; kecit — some ; aniśam — always ; tvat — to You ; ananya - bhāvāḥ — those who are exclusively devoted .

Purport

This is a verse from the Stotra-ratna (13) of Yāmunācārya.

Translation

Then Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to His personal devotees and began speaking about Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s transcendental qualities as if He had hundreds of mouths.

Word meanings

tabe — after this ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nija - bhakta - pāśe — to His personal devotees ; yāñā — going ; haridāsera guṇa — the transcendental qualities of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; kahe — explains ; śata - mukha — as if with hundreds of mouths ; hañā — becoming .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu derives great pleasure from glorifying His devotees, and among the devotees, Haridāsa Ṭhākura is the foremost.

Word meanings

bhaktera — of the devotees ; guṇa — qualities ; kahite — speaking ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bāḍaye — increases ; ullāsa — jubilation ; bhakta - gaṇa — of all devotees ; śreṣṭha — topmost ; tāte — in that ; śrī - haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura .

Translation

The transcendental qualities of Haridāsa Ṭhākura are innumerable and unfathomable. One may describe a portion of them, but to count them all is impossible.

Word meanings

haridāsera guṇa - gaṇa — the stock of transcendental qualities of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; asaṅkhya — innumerable ; apāra — unfathomed ; keha — someone ; kona aṁśe — some part ; varṇe — describes ; nāhi pāya pāra — cannot reach the limit .

Translation

In the Caitanya-maṅgala, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has described the attributes of Haridāsa Ṭhākura to some extent.

Word meanings

caitanya - maṅgale — in the book known as Caitanya-maṅgala ( Caitanya-bhāgavata ) ; śrī - vṛndāvana - dāsa — Śrī Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura ; haridāsera — of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; guṇa — qualities ; kichu — some ; kariyāchena prakāśa — manifested .

Translation

No one can describe all the qualities of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. One may say something about them just to purify himself.

Word meanings

saba — all ; kahā — to speak ; nā yāya — is not possible ; haridāsera caritra — the characteristics of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; keha kichu kahe — someone says something ; karite — just to make ; āpanā — himself ; pavitra — purified .

Translation

O devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, please hear something about the qualities of Haridāsa Ṭhākura that Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has not described in detail.

Word meanings

vṛndāvana - dāsa — Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura ; yāhā — whatever ; nā — not ; kaila varṇana — described ; haridāsera guṇa — qualities of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; kichu — something ; śuna — hear ; bhakta - gaṇa — O devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

After leaving his home, Haridāsa Ṭhākura stayed for some time in the forest of Benāpola.

Word meanings

haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; yabe — when ; nija - gṛha — his own residence ; tyāga kailā — gave up ; benāpolera — of the village known as Benāpola ; vana - madhye — in the forest ; kata - dina — for some time ; rahilā — stayed .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura constructed a cottage in a solitary forest. There he planted a tulasī plant, and in front of the tulasī he would chant the holy name of the Lord 300,000 times daily. He chanted throughout the entire day and night.

Word meanings

nirjana - vane — in a solitary forest ; kuṭira — a cottage ; kari’ — making ; tulasī — the tulasī plant ; sevana — worshiping ; rātri - dine — throughout the entire day and night ; tina — three ; lakṣa — hundred thousand ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name .

Purport

The village of Benāpola is situated in the district of Yaśohara (Jessore), which is now in Bangladesh. Benāpola is near the Bangaon station, which is at the border of Bangladesh and may be reached by the Eastern Railway from Sealdah Station in Calcutta. Haridāsa Ṭhākura, being the ācārya of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, is called Nāmācārya Haridāsa Ṭhākura. From his personal example we can understand that chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and becoming highly elevated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is very simple. Without difficulty one can sit down anywhere, especially on the bank of the Ganges, Yamunā or any other sacred river, devise a sitting place or cottage, plant a tulasī tree, and before the tulasī chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra undisturbed.

Haridāsa Ṭhākura used to chant the holy name on his beads 300,000 times daily. Throughout the entire day and night, he would chant the sixteen names of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. One should not, however, imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura, for no one else can chant the holy name 300,000 times a day. Such chanting is for the mukta-puruṣa, or liberated soul. We can follow his example, however, by chanting sixteen rounds of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra on beads every day and offering respect to the tulasī plant. This is not at all difficult for anyone, and the process of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra with a vow before the tulasī plant has such great spiritual potency that simply by doing this one can become spiritually strong. Therefore we request the members of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement to follow Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s example rigidly. Chanting sixteen rounds does not take much time, nor is offering respects to the tulasī plant difficult. The process has immense spiritual potency. One should not miss this opportunity.

Translation

For his bodily maintenance he would go to a brāhmaṇa’s house and beg some food. He was spiritually so influential that all the neighboring people worshiped him.

Word meanings

brāhmaṇera ghare — in the house of a brāhmaṇa ; kare — does ; bhikṣā nirvāhaṇa — asking alms of food ; prabhāve — by spiritual potency ; sakala loka — all people ; karaye pūjana — worship .

Purport

In the days of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, all the brāhmaṇas worshiped Nārāyaṇa in the form of the śālagrāma-śilā. Therefore begging from a brāhmaṇa’s house meant taking kṛṣṇa-prasādam, which is transcendental ( nirguṇa ) . If we take food from the houses of others, such as karmīs, we shall have to share the qualities of those from whom we take alms. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took prasādam in the houses of Vaiṣṇavas. This is the general process. The members of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are advised not to take food from anywhere but a Vaiṣṇava’s or brāhmaṇa’s house where Deity worship is performed. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said, viṣayīra anna khāile duṣṭa haya mana: if a devotee takes alms or food from the house of a karmī who is simply interested in money, his mind will become unclean. We must always remember that a devotee’s life is one of vairāgya-vidyā, or renunciation and knowledge. Therefore all devotees are warned not to live unnecessarily luxurious lives at the cost of others. Gṛhasthas living within the jurisdiction of the temple must be especially careful not to imitate karmīs by acquiring opulent clothing, food and conveyances. As far as possible, these should be avoided. A member of the temple, whether gṛhastha, brahmacārī or sannyāsī, must practice a life of renunciation, following in the footsteps of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and the six Gosvāmīs. Otherwise, because māyā is very strong, at any time one may become a victim of māyā and fall down from spiritual life.

Translation

A landholder named Rāmacandra Khān was the zamindar of that district. He was envious of Vaiṣṇavas and was therefore a great atheist.

Word meanings

sei — that ; deśa - adhyakṣa — landholder ; nāma — whose name ; rāmacandra khāṅna — Rāmacandra Khān ; vaiṣṇava - vidveṣī — envious of Vaiṣṇavas ; sei — that ; pāṣaṇḍa - pradhāna — chief of the atheists .

Translation

Unable to tolerate that such respect was being offered to Haridāsa Ṭhākura, Rāmacandra Khān planned in various ways to dishonor him.

Word meanings

haridāse — unto Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; loke — people ; pūje — offer respect ; sahite nā pāre — he could not tolerate ; tāṅra — his ; apamāna — dishonor ; karite — to do ; nānā — various ; upāya — means ; kare — plans .

Translation

By no means could he find any fault in the character of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Therefore he called for local prostitutes and began a plan to discredit His Holiness.

Word meanings

kona - prakāre — by any means ; haridāsera — of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; chidra — fault ; nāhi — not ; pāya — gets ; veśyā - gaṇe — prostitutes ; āni’ — bringing ; kare — makes ; chidrera upāya — a means to find some fault .

Purport

This is typical of atheistic men, but even among so-called religionists, sādhus, mendicants, sannyāsīs and brahmacārīs, there are many enemies of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement who always try to find faults in it, not considering that the movement is spreading automatically by the grace of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who wanted it spread all over the world, in every town and village. We are trying to fulfill the Lord’s desire, and our attempt has become fairly successful, but the enemies of this movement unnecessarily try to find faults in it, exactly like the old rascal Rāmacandra Khān, who opposed Haridāsa Ṭhākura.

Translation

Rāmacandra Khān said to the prostitutes, “There is a mendicant named Haridāsa Ṭhākura. All of you devise a way to deviate him from his vows of austerity.”

Word meanings

veśyā - gaṇe — unto the prostitutes ; kahe — said ; ei — this ; vairāgī — mendicant ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; tumi - saba — all of you ; kara — cause ; ihāra — his ; vairāgya - dharma — from the life of a mendicant ; nāśa — deviation .

Purport

Devotional service is the path of vairāgya-vidyā (renunciation and knowledge). Haridāsa Ṭhākura was following this path, but Rāmacandra Khān planned to induce him to break his vows. Renunciation means renunciation of sensual pleasure, especially the pleasure of sex. Therefore a brahmacārī, sannyāsī or vānaprastha is strictly prohibited from having relationships with women. Haridāsa Ṭhākura was strictly renounced, and thus Rāmacandra Khān called for prostitutes because prostitutes know how to break a man’s vow of celibacy by their feminine influence and thus pollute a mendicant or a person engaged in devotional life. It was impossible for Rāmacandra Khān to induce any other women to break Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s vow, and therefore he called for prostitutes. Free mingling with women has never been possible in India, but for one who wanted to associate with society girls, they were available in a district of prostitutes. There were prostitutes in human society even in Lord Kṛṣṇa’s time, for it is said that the prostitutes of Dvārakā City came forth to receive the Lord. Although they were prostitutes, they were also devotees of Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

Among the prostitutes, one attractive young girl was selected. “I shall attract the mind of Haridāsa Ṭhākura,” she promised, “within three days.”

Word meanings

veśyā - gaṇa - madhye — among the prostitutes ; eka — one ; sundarī — attractive ; yuvatī — young ; se — she ; kahe — said ; tina - dine — in three days ; hariba — I shall attract ; tāṅra — his ; mati — mind .

Translation

Rāmacandra Khān said to the prostitute, “My constable will go with you so that as soon as he sees you with Haridāsa Ṭhākura, immediately he will arrest him and bring both of you to me.”

Word meanings

khāṅna kahe — Rāmacandra Khān said ; mora pāika — my constable ; yāuka — let him go ; tomāra sane — with you ; tomāra sahita — with you ; ekatra — together ; tāre — him ; dhari’ — arresting ; yena — so that ; āne — can bring .

Translation

The prostitute replied, “First let me have union with him once; then the second time I shall take your constable with me to arrest him.”

Word meanings

veśyā kahe — the prostitute said ; mora saṅga — union with me ; ha - uka — let there be ; eka - bāra — one time ; dvitīya - bāre — the second time ; dharite — to arrest ; pāika — constable ; la - imu — I shall take ; tomāra — your .

Translation

At night the prostitute, after dressing herself most attractively, went to the cottage of Haridāsa Ṭhākura with great jubilation.

Word meanings

rātri - kāle — at night ; sei — that ; veśyā — prostitute ; su - veśa dhariyā — dressing herself very nicely ; haridāsera — of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; vāsāya — to the place ; gela — went ; ullasita hañā — with great jubilation .

Translation

After offering obeisances to the tulasī plant, she went to the door of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, offered him obeisances and stood there.

Word meanings

tulasī namaskari’ — after offering obeisances to the tulasī plant ; haridāsera — of Ṭhākura Haridāsa ; dvāre — at the door ; yāñā — going ; gosāñire — unto the ācārya ; namaskari’ — offering obeisances ; rahilā dāṇḍāñā — remained standing .

Translation

Exposing part of her body to his view, she sat down on the threshold of the door and spoke to him in very sweet words.

Word meanings

aṅga ughāḍiyā — exposing part of her body ; dekhāi — visible ; vasilā — sat down ; duyāre — on the threshold of the door ; kahite lāgilā — began to speak ; kichu — something ; su - madhura svare — in very sweet language .

Translation

“My dear Ṭhākura, O great preacher, great devotee, you are so beautifully built, and your youth is just beginning. Who is the woman who could control her mind after seeing you?

Word meanings

ṭhākura — O great devotee ācārya ; tumi — you ; parama - sundara — very beautifully constructed ; prathama yauvana — the beginning of youth ; tomā dekhi’ — seeing you ; kon nārī — what woman ; dharite pāre — can control ; mana — her mind .

Translation

“I am eager to be united with you. My mind is greedy for this. If I don’t obtain you, I shall not be able to keep my body and soul together.”

Word meanings

tomāra saṅgama — union with you ; lāgi’ — for the sake of ; lubdha — greedy ; mora mana — my mind ; tomā — you ; nā pāile — if I do not get ; prāṇa — my life ; nā — not ; yāya — can be ; dhāraṇa — maintained .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “I shall accept you without fail, but you will have to wait until I have finished chanting my regular rounds on my beads. Until that time, please sit and listen to the chanting of the holy name. As soon as I am finished, I shall fulfill your desire.”

Word meanings

haridāsa kahe — Haridāsa Ṭhākura said ; tomā — you ; karimu aṅgīkāra — I shall accept ; saṅkhyā - nāma — the number of holy names ; samāpti — finishing ; yāvat — as long as ; nā — not ; haya — it is ; āmāra — my ; tāvat — so long ; tumi — you ; vasi’ — sitting ; śuna — hear ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name ; nāma — of the holy name ; samāpti — finishing ; haile — when there is ; karimu — I shall do ; ye — what ; tomāra — your ; mana — mind .

Translation

Hearing this, the prostitute remained sitting there while Haridāsa Ṭhākura chanted on his beads until the light of morning appeared.

Word meanings

eta śuni’ — hearing this ; sei veśyā — that prostitute ; vasiyā rahilā — stayed there sitting ; kīrtana — chanting ; kare — performs ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; prātaḥ - kāla hailā — there was the light of morning .

Translation

When she saw that it was morning, the prostitute stood up and left. Coming before Rāmacandra Khān, she informed him of all the news.

Word meanings

prātaḥ - kāla dekhi’ — seeing the morning ; veśyā — the prostitute ; uṭhiyā calilā — stood up and left ; saba samācāra — all information ; yāi — going ; khāṅnere kahilā — she spoke to Rāmacandra Khān .

Translation

“Today Haridāsa Ṭhākura has promised to enjoy with me. Tomorrow certainly I shall have union with him.”

Word meanings

āji — today ; āmā — me ; aṅgīkāra — acceptance ; kariyāche — he has done ; vacane — by word ; kāli — tomorrow ; avaśya — certainly ; tāhāra saṅge — with him ; ha - ibe — there will be ; saṅgame — union .

Translation

The next night, when the prostitute came again, Haridāsa Ṭhākura gave her many assurances.

Word meanings

āra dina — the next day ; rātri — night ; haile — when there was ; veśyā — the prostitute ; āila — came ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; tāre — unto her ; bahu — many ; āśvāsa karila — gave assurances .

Translation

“Last night you were disappointed. Please excuse my offense. I shall certainly accept you.

Word meanings

kāli — yesterday ; duḥkha pāilā — you were disappointed ; aparādha — offense ; nā la - ibā — please do not take ; mora — my ; avaśya — certainly ; karimu — shall do ; āmi — I ; tomāya — unto you ; aṅgīkāra — acceptance .

Translation

“Please sit down and hear the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra until my regular chanting is finished. Then your desire will surely be fulfilled.”

Word meanings

tāvat — until that time ; ihāṅ — here ; vasi’ — sitting ; śuna — hear ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name of the Lord ; nāma pūrṇa haile — as soon as the regular chanting is fulfilled ; pūrṇa — satisfied ; habe — will be ; tomāra mana — your mind .

Translation

After offering her obeisances to the tulasī plant and Haridāsa Ṭhākura, she sat down at the door. Hearing Haridāsa Ṭhākura chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, she also chanted, “O my Lord Hari, O my Lord Hari.”

Word meanings

tulasīre — unto the tulasī plant ; tāṅke — unto Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; veśyā — the prostitute ; namaskāra kari’ — offering obeisances ; dvāre vasi’ — sitting at the door ; nāma — the holy name ; śune — hears ; bale — says ; hari hari — “O my Lord Hari, O my Lord Hari.” .

Purport

Herein one can clearly see how a Vaiṣṇava delivers a fallen soul by a transcendental trick. The prostitute came to pollute Haridāsa Ṭhākura, but he took it as his duty to deliver the prostitute. As clearly demonstrated here, the process of deliverance is very simple. With faith and reverence the prostitute associated with Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who personally treated her material disease by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Although the prostitute had an ulterior motive, somehow or other she got the association of a Vaiṣṇava and satisfied him by occasionally chanting in imitation, “O my Lord Hari, O my Lord Hari.” The conclusion is that associating with a Vaiṣṇava, chanting the holy name of the Lord and offering obeisances to the tulasī plant or a Vaiṣṇava all lead one to become a transcendental devotee who is completely cleansed of all material contamination.

Translation

When the night came to an end, the prostitute was restless. Seeing this, Haridāsa Ṭhākura spoke to her as follows.

Word meanings

rātri — night ; śeṣa haila — came to an end ; veśyā — the prostitute ; usimisi — restless ; kare — became ; tāra — her ; rīti — activities ; dekhi’ — seeing ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; kahena — says ; tāhāre — unto her .

Translation

“I have vowed to chant ten million names in a month. I have taken this vow, but now it is nearing its end.

Word meanings

koṭi - nāma - grahaṇa — chanting ten million names ; yajña — such a sacrifice ; kari — I perform ; eka - māse — in one month ; ei — this ; dīkṣā — vow ; kariyāchi — I have taken ; haila — it was ; āsi’ — nearing ; śeṣe — the end .

Purport

If one regularly chants 333,333 names daily for a month (30 days) and then chants ten more names, he will thus chant ten million names. In this way a devotee worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such worship is called yajña. Yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ: those whose intelligence is brilliant accept this hari-nāma-yajña, the yajña of chanting the holy name of the Lord. By performing this yajña, one satisfies the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus attains perfection in spiritual life. According to external vision, Haridāsa Ṭhākura belonged to a Muslim family. Nevertheless, because he engaged himself in performing the yajña of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, he became a regularly initiated brāhmaṇa. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.33.6) :

yan-nāmadheya-śravaṇānukīrtanād yat-prahvaṇād yat-smaraṇād api kvacit śvādo ’pi sadyaḥ savanāya kalpate kutaḥ punas te bhagavan nu darśanāt

Even if a devotee comes from a family of dog-eaters, if he surrenders to the Personality of Godhead he immediately becomes a qualified brāhmaṇa and is immediately fit to perform yajña, whereas a person born in a family of brāhmaṇas has to wait until completing the reformatory processes before he may be called saṁskṛta, purified. It is further said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (12.1.40):

asaṁskṛtāḥ kriyā-hīnā rajasā tamasāvṛtāḥ prajās te bhakṣayiṣyanti mlecchā rājanya-rūpiṇaḥ

“In the Age of Kali, mlecchas, or lowborn people who have not undergone the purifying process of saṁskāra, who do not know how to apply that process in actual life, and who are covered by the modes of passion and ignorance will take the posts of administrators. They will devour the citizens with their atheistic activities.” A person who is not purified by the prescribed process of saṁskāra is called asaṁskṛta, but if one remains kriyā-hīna even after being purified by initiation — in other words, if one fails to actually apply the principles of purity in his life — he remains an unpurified mleccha or yavana. On the other hand, we find that Haridāsa Ṭhākura, although born in a mleccha or yavana family, became Nāmācārya Haridāsa Ṭhākura because he performed the nāma-yajña a minimum of 300,000 times every day.

Herein we find that Haridāsa Ṭhākura strictly followed his regulative principle of chanting 300,000 names. Thus when the prostitute became restless, he informed her that first he had to finish his chanting and then he would be able to satisfy her. Actually Haridāsa Ṭhākura chanted the holy name of the Lord for three nights continuously and gave the prostitute a chance to hear him. Thus she became purified, as will be seen in the following verses.

Translation

“I thought that today I would be able to finish my performance of yajña, my chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. I tried my best to chant the holy name all night, but I still did not finish.

Word meanings

āji — today ; samāpta ha - ibe — will be finished ; hena jñāna chila — I thought that ; samasta rātri — all night ; niluṅ — I took ; nāma — the holy name of the Lord ; samāpta — finished ; nā haila — was not .

Translation

“Tomorrow I will surely finish, and my vow will be fulfilled. Then it will be possible for me to enjoy with you in full freedom.”

Word meanings

kāli — tomorrow ; samāpta habe — it will end ; tabe — at that time ; habe — there will be ; vrata - bhaṅga — the end of my vow ; svacchande — in full freedom ; tomāra saṅge — with you ; ha - ibeka — there will be ; saṅga — union .

Purport

Haridāsa Ṭhākura never wanted to enjoy the prostitute, but he tricked her to deliver her by giving her a chance to hear the holy name of the Lord while he chanted. Pure devotees chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, and simply by hearing this chanting from a purified transcendental person, one is purified of all sinful activities, no matter how lowborn or fallen one may be. As soon as one is thus completely free from the reactions of sinful activities, he is eligible to render devotional service to the Lord. This is the process for engaging the fallen souls in devotional service. As Lord Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā (7.28) :

yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām te dvandva-moha-nirmuktā bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ

“Persons who have acted piously in previous lives and in this life and whose sinful actions are completely eradicated are freed from the duality of delusion, and they engage themselves in My service with determination.”

Translation

The prostitute returned to Rāmacandra Khān and informed him of what had happened. The next day she came earlier, at the beginning of the evening, and stayed with Haridāsa Ṭhākura.

Word meanings

veśyā — the prostitute ; giyā — returning ; samācāra — information ; khāṅnere kahila — spoke to Rāmacandra Khān ; āra dina — the next day ; sandhyā ha - ite — beginning from the evening ; ṭhākura - ṭhāñi āila — she came and remained at the residence of Haridāsa Ṭhākura .

Translation

After offering obeisances to the tulasī plant and Haridāsa Ṭhākura, she sat down on the threshold of the room. Thus she began to hear Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s chanting, and she also personally chanted “Hari, Hari,” the holy name of the Lord.

Word meanings

tulasīke — unto the tulasī plant ; ṭhākurake — and unto Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; namaskāra kari’ — offers her obeisances ; dvāre vasi’ — sitting at the door ; nāma śune — hears the holy name ; bale — chants ; hari hari — the holy name of the Lord .

Translation

“Today it will be possible for me to finish my chanting,” Haridāsa Ṭhākura informed her. “Then I shall satisfy all your desires.”

Word meanings

nāma — chanting of the holy name ; pūrṇa — complete ; habe — will be ; aji — today ; bale haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura said ; tabe — then ; pūrṇa karimu — I shall satisfy ; āji — today ; tomāra abhilāṣa — your desires .

Translation

The night ended while Haridāsa Ṭhākura was chanting, but by his association the mind of the prostitute had changed.

Word meanings

kīrtana karite — chanting and chanting ; aiche — in that way ; rātri - śeṣa haila — the night ended ; ṭhākurera sane — by the association of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; veśyāra — of the prostitute ; mana — mind ; phiri’ gela — was converted .

Translation

The prostitute, now purified, fell at the lotus feet of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and confessed that Rāmacandra Khān had appointed her to pollute him.

Word meanings

daṇḍavat hañā — offering obeisances ; paḍe — she fell down ; ṭhākura - caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; rāmacandra - khāṅnera — of Rāmacandra Khān ; kathā — policy ; kaila — did ; nivedane — submission .

Translation

“Because I have taken the profession of a prostitute,” she said, “I have performed unlimited sinful acts. My lord, be merciful to me. Deliver my fallen soul.”

Word meanings

veśyā hañā — being a prostitute ; muñi — I ; pāpa — sinful activities ; kariyāchoṅ — have done ; apāra — unlimited ; kṛpā kari’ — being merciful ; kara — please do ; mo - adhame — unto me, the most fallen ; nistāra — deliverance .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “I know everything about the conspiracy of Rāmacandra Khān. He is nothing but an ignorant fool. Therefore his activities do not make me feel unhappy.

Word meanings

ṭhākura kahe — Haridāsa Ṭhākura said ; khāṅnera kathā — the plans of Rāmacandra Khān ; saba — all ; āmi jāni — I know ; ajña mūrkha sei — he is an ignorant fool ; tāre — by that ; duḥkha nāhi māni — I do not feel unhappiness .

Translation

“On the very day Rāmacandra Khān was planning his intrigue against me, I would have left this place immediately, but because you came to me I stayed here for three days to deliver you.”

Word meanings

sei - dina — on that very day ; yāitāma — I would have left ; e - sthāna — this place ; chāḍiyā — giving up ; tina dina — for three days ; rahilāṅa — I stayed ; tomā — you ; nistāra lāgiyā — for delivering .

Translation

The prostitute said, “Kindly act as my spiritual master. Instruct me in my duty, by which I can get relief from material existence.”

Word meanings

veśyā kahe — the prostitute said ; kṛpā kari’ — being merciful ; karaha upadeśa — please give instructions ; ki — what ; mora kartavya — my duty ; yāte — by which ; yāya — go away ; bhava - kleśa — all material tribulations .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “Immediately go home and distribute to the brāhmaṇas whatever property you have. Then come back to this room and stay here forever in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Word meanings

ṭhākura kahe — Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura said ; gharera — at home ; dravya — articles ; brāhmaṇe — to the brāhmaṇas ; kara dāna — give as charity ; ei ghare — in this room ; āsi’ — returning ; tumi — you ; karaha viśrāma — stay .

Purport

Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s instruction that the prostitute should distribute to the brāhmaṇas all the property she had at home is very significant. Haridāsa Ṭhākura never advised the prostitute to give charity to the so-called daridra-nārāyaṇas (“poor Nārāyaṇas”) or any other such persons. According to Vedic civilization, charity should be given only to the qualified brāhmaṇas . As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.42) :

śamo damas tapaḥ śaucaṁ kṣāntir ārjavam eva ca jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam

The brahminical qualifications are truthfulness, control of the senses and mind, tolerance, simplicity, knowledge, practical application of transcendental knowledge in one’s life, and full faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Persons engaged in pursuing spiritual understanding have no time to earn their livelihood. They depend completely on the mercy of the Lord, who says in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.22) that He personally carries to them all their necessities ( yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham ) .

The Vedic civilization recommends that one give charity to brāhmaṇas and sannyāsīs, not to the so-called daridra-nārāyaṇas. Nārāyaṇa cannot be daridra, nor can daridra be Nārāyaṇa, for these are contradictory terms. Atheistic men invent such concoctions and preach them to fools, but charity should actually be given to brāhmaṇas and sannyāsīs because whatever money they get they spend for Kṛṣṇa. Whatever charity one gives to a brāhmaṇa goes to Kṛṣṇa, who says in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.27) :

yat karoṣi yad aśnāsi yaj juhoṣi dadāsi yat yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kuruṣva mad-arpaṇam

“Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer or give away, and whatever austerities you perform — do that, O son of Kuntī, as an offering to Me.” Everything actually belongs to Kṛṣṇa, but so-called civilized men unfortunately think that everything belongs to them. This is the mistake of materialistic civilization. The prostitute ( veśyā ) had earned money by questionable means, and therefore Haridāsa Ṭhākura advised her to distribute to the brāhmaṇas whatever she possessed. When Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī retired from family life, he distributed fifty percent of his income to the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas. A brāhmaṇa knows what the Absolute Truth is, and a Vaiṣṇava, knowing the Absolute Truth, acts on behalf of the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Generally one earns money by many questionable means. Therefore at some time one should retire and distribute whatever one has to the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas who engage in devotional service by preaching the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Translation

“Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra continuously and render service to the tulasī plant by watering her and offering prayers to her. In this way you will very soon get the opportunity to be sheltered at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.”

Word meanings

nirantara — twenty-four hours a day ; nāma lao — chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra ; kara — perform ; tulasī sevana — worship of the tulasī plant ; acirāt — very soon ; pābe — you will get ; tabe — then ; kṛṣṇera caraṇa — the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa .

Purport

At least five thousand years ago, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa expressed His desire that everyone surrender to Him ( sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ) . Why is it that people cannot do this? Kṛṣṇa assures, ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ: “I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Everyone is suffering from the results of sinful activities, but Kṛṣṇa says that if one surrenders unto Him, He will protect one from sinful reactions. Modern civilization, however, is interested neither in Kṛṣṇa nor in getting relief from sinful acts. Therefore men are suffering. Surrender is the ultimate instruction of the Bhagavad-gītā, but for one who cannot surrender to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, it is better to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra constantly, under the instruction of Haridāsa Ṭhākura.

In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we are teaching our followers to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra continuously on beads. Even those who are not accustomed to this practice are advised to chant at least sixteen rounds on their beads so that they may be trained. Otherwise, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu recommended:

tṛṇād api su-nīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā amāninā māna-dena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” Sadā means “always.” Haridāsa Ṭhākura says, nirantara nāma lao: “Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra without stopping.”

Although Kṛṣṇa wants everyone to surrender to His lotus feet, because of people’s sinful activities they cannot do this. Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ: rascals and fools, the lowest of men, who engage in sinful activities, cannot suddenly surrender to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. Nevertheless, if they begin chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and rendering service unto the tulasī plant, they will very soon be able to surrender. One’s real duty is to surrender to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, but if one is unable to do so, he should adopt this process, as introduced by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His most confidential servant, Nāmācārya Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura. This is the way to achieve success in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Translation

After thus instructing the prostitute about the process of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, Haridāsa Ṭhākura stood up and left, continuously chanting “Hari, Hari.”

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; tāre — her ; nāma upadeśa kari’ — instructing about the process of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra ; uṭhiyā — standing up ; calilā — left ; ṭhākura — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; bali’ — chanting ; hari hari — the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. .

Translation

Thereafter, the prostitute distributed to the brāhmaṇas whatever household possessions she had, following the order of her spiritual master.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; sei — that ; veśyā — prostitute ; gurura — of the spiritual master ; ājñā — order ; la - ila — took ; gṛha - vitta — all household possessions ; yebā — whatever ; chila — there was ; brāhmaṇere — to the brāhmaṇas ; dila — gave .

Purport

Sometimes the word gṛha-vṛtti is substituted for the word gṛha-vitta . Vṛtti means “profession.” The gṛha-vṛtti of the prostitute was to enchant foolish people and induce them to indulge in sex. Here, however, gṛha-vṛtti is not a suitable word. The proper word is gṛha-vitta, which means “all the possessions she had in her home.” All the girl’s possessions had been earned by professional prostitution and were therefore products of her sinful life. When such possessions are given to brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas who can engage them in the service of the Lord because of their advancement in spiritual life, this indirectly helps the person who gives the charity, for he is thus relieved of sinful reactions. As Kṛṣṇa promises, ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi: “I shall save you from all sinful reactions.” When our Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees go out to beg charity or collect contributions in the form of membership fees, the money thus coming to the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is strictly employed to advance Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world. The Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees collect the money of others for the service of Kṛṣṇa, and they are satisfied with Kṛṣṇa’s prasādam and whatever He gives them for their maintenance. They do not desire material comforts. However, they go to great pains to engage the possessions of prostitutes, or persons who are more or less like prostitutes, in the service of the Lord and thus free them from sinful reactions. A Vaiṣṇava guru accepts money or other contributions, but he does not employ such contributions for sense gratification. A pure Vaiṣṇava thinks himself unfit to help free even one person from the reactions of sinful life, but he engages one’s hard-earned money in the service of the Lord and thus frees one from sinful reactions. A Vaiṣṇava guru is never dependent on the contributions of his disciples. Following the instructions of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, a pure Vaiṣṇava does not personally take even a single paisa from anyone, but he induces his followers to spend for the service of the Lord whatever possessions they have.

Translation

The prostitute shaved her head clean in accordance with Vaiṣṇava principles and stayed in that room wearing only one cloth. Following in the footsteps of her spiritual master, she began chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa 300,000 times a day. She chanted throughout the entire day and night.

Word meanings

māthā muḍi’ — shaving her head ; eka - vastre — wearing one cloth ; rahila — remained ; sei ghare — in that room ; rātri - dine — throughout the entire day and night ; tina - lakṣa — 300,000 ; nāma — holy names ; grahaṇa kare — chants .

Translation

She worshiped the tulasī plant, following in the footsteps of her spiritual master. Instead of eating regularly, she chewed whatever food she received as alms, and if nothing was supplied she would fast. Thus by eating frugally and fasting she conquered her senses, and as soon as her senses were controlled, symptoms of love of Godhead appeared in her person.

Word meanings

tulasī — the tulasī plant ; sevana kare — she worshiped ; carvaṇa — chewing ; upavāsa — fasting ; indriya - damana — controlling the senses ; haila — there was ; premera prakāśa — manifestations symptomizing love of Godhead .

Translation

Thus the prostitute became a celebrated devotee. She became very advanced in spiritual life, and many stalwart Vaiṣṇavas would come to see her.

Word meanings

prasiddhā — celebrated ; vaiṣṇavī — devotee of the Lord ; haila — became ; parama - mahāntī — very advanced ; baḍa baḍa vaiṣṇava — many recognized, highly situated devotees ; tāṅra — her ; darśanete — to see ; yānti — used to go .

Purport

Stalwart, highly advanced Vaiṣṇava devotees are not interested in seeing prostitutes, but when a prostitute or any other fallen soul becomes a Vaiṣṇava, stalwart Vaiṣṇavas are interested in seeing them. Anyone can be turned into a Vaiṣṇava if he or she follows the Vaiṣṇava principles. A devotee who follows these principles is no longer on the material platform. Therefore, it is one’s strict adherence to the principles that should be considered, not the country of one’s birth. Many devotees join our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement from Europe and America, but one should not therefore consider them European Vaiṣṇavas or American Vaiṣṇavas. A Vaiṣṇava is a Vaiṣṇava and should therefore be given all the respect due a Vaiṣṇava.

Translation

Seeing the sublime character of the prostitute, everyone was astonished. Everyone glorified the influence of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and offered him obeisances.

Word meanings

veśyāra — of the prostitute ; caritra — character ; dekhi’ — seeing ; loke — all people ; camatkāra — astonished ; haridāsera — of Ṭhākura Haridāsa ; mahimā — glories ; kahe — speak ; kari’ namaskāra — offering obeisances .

Purport

It is said, phalena paricīyate: one is recognized by the result of his actions. In Vaiṣṇava society there are many types of Vaiṣṇavas. Some of them are called gosvāmīs, some are called svāmīs, some are prabhus, and some are prabhupāda. One is not recognized, however, simply by such a name. A spiritual master is recognized as an actual guru when it is seen that he has changed the character of his disciples. Haridāsa Ṭhākura actually changed the character of the professional prostitute. People greatly appreciated this, and therefore they all offered obeisances to Haridāsa Ṭhākura and glorified him.

Translation

By inducing a prostitute to disturb Haridāsa Ṭhākura, Rāmacandra Khān caused a seed of offense at his lotus feet to germinate. This seed later became a tree, and when it fructified, Rāmacandra Khān ate its fruits.

Word meanings

rāmacandra khāṅna — Rāmacandra Khān ; aparādha — of the offense ; bīja — seed ; kaila — caused to germinate ; sei bīja — that seed ; vṛkṣa hañā — becoming a tree ; āgete — later ; phalila — fructified .

Translation

This offense at the lotus feet of an exalted devotee has resulted in a wonderful narration. Taking advantage of the opportunity afforded by these incidents, I shall explain what happened. O devotees, please listen.

Word meanings

mahat - aparādhera — of a great offense at the feet of the exalted devotee ; phala — the result ; adbhuta — wonderful ; kathana — narration ; prastāva — opportunity ; pāñā — taking advantage of ; kahi — I say ; śuna — hear ; bhakta - gaṇa — O devotees .

Translation

Rāmacandra Khān was naturally a nondevotee. Now, having offended the lotus feet of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, he became just like a demoniac atheist.

Word meanings

sahajei — naturally ; avaiṣṇava — nondevotee ; rāmacandra - khāṅna — Rāmacandra Khān ; haridāsera — at the lotus feet of Haridāsa ; aparādhe — by offenses ; haila — was ; asura - samāna — exactly like a demon .

Translation

Because of blaspheming the cult of Vaiṣṇavism and insulting the devotees for a long time, he now received the results of his offensive activities.

Word meanings

vaiṣṇava - dharma — the cult of Vaiṣṇavism ; nindā kare — blasphemes ; vaiṣṇava apamāna — insults to the devotees ; bahu - dinera — for a long time ; aparādhe — by offensive activities ; pāila — got ; pariṇāma — the resultant action .

Purport

Rāmacandra Khān was a great offender at the lotus feet of the Vaiṣṇavas and Viṣṇu. Just as Rāvaṇa, although born of a brāhmaṇa father, Viśvaśravā, was nevertheless called an asura or Rākṣasa because of his offenses against Lord Rāmacandra (Viṣṇu) and Hanumān (a Vaiṣṇava), so Rāmacandra Khān also became such an asura because of his offenses against Haridāsa Ṭhākura and many others.

Translation

When Lord Nityānanda returned to Bengal to preach the cult of bhakti, love of Godhead, He began touring all over the country.

Word meanings

nityānanda - gosāñi — Lord Nityānanda ; gauḍe — in Bengal ; yabe — when ; āilā — came back ; prema pracārite — to preach the cult of bhakti, love of Godhead ; tabe — at that time ; bhramite lāgilā — began to tour .

Translation

For two purposes — to spread the cult of bhakti and to defeat and subdue the atheists — Lord Nityānanda, the most dedicated devotee of the Lord, moved throughout the country.

Word meanings

prema - pracāraṇa — preaching the cult of bhakti ; āra — and ; pāṣaṇḍa - dalana — subduing atheistic men ; dui - kārye — with two kinds of activities ; avadhūta — the great devotee and mendicant ; karena — does ; bhramaṇa — touring .

Purport

As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā (4.8) :

paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge

Lord Kṛṣṇa appears in every millennium for two purposes, namely to deliver the devotees and to kill the nondevotees. His devotees also have two similar purposes — to preach the bhakti cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and to defeat all kinds of agnostics and atheistic demons. Nityānanda Prabhu carried out the order of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in this way, and those who strictly follow Nityānanda Prabhu perform the same activities. There are two classes of devotees. One is called goṣṭhy-ānandī, and the other is called bhajanānandī. A devotee who does not preach but always engages in devotional activities is called a bhajanānandī, whereas a devotee who not only is expert in devotional service but who also preaches the cult of bhakti and defeats all kinds of agnostics is called a goṣṭhy-anandī.

Translation

Lord Nityānanda, who is omniscient because He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, came to the house of Rāmacandra Khān and sat down on the altar of the Durgā-maṇḍapa.

Word meanings

sarva - jña — omniscient ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda ; āilā — came ; tāra ghare — at his house ; āsiyā — coming ; vasilā — sat down ; durgā - maṇḍapa - upare — on the altar of the Durgā-maṇḍapa .

Purport

Well-to-do Hindu gentlemen constructed their houses with a place called the Durgā-maṇḍapa for the worship of the goddess Durgā. There they generally held worship of the goddess every year in the month of Āśvina (September-October). Rāmacandra Khān possessed such a Durgā-maṇḍapa at his residence.

Translation

When the Durgā-maṇḍapa and courtyard became filled with crowds of men, Rāmacandra Khān, who was inside the house, sent his servant to Lord Nityānanda.

Word meanings

aneka — many ; loka - jana — crowds of people ; saṅge — accompanied by ; aṅgana — the courtyard ; bharila — became filled ; bhitara haite — from inside ; rāmacandra — Rāmacandra Khān ; sevaka — servant ; pāṭhāila — sent .

Purport

In those days, and also even now, the palatial buildings of respectable people, especially in the villages of Bengal, were divided into two parts. The inside part was especially meant for the family, and the ladies would live there unexposed to men. That part was called the bhitara-bāḍi, or inside house. In the outside house, or bahir-bāḍi, the respectable gentleman received visitors and kept his business office. The Durgā-maṇḍapa would be part of the outside house. Thus when Lord Nityānanda entered the outside house, Rāmacandra Khān was in the inside house with the members of his family. When Nityānanda Prabhu arrived, Rāmacandra Khān did not receive Him personally but sent his servant to inform Him indirectly to go away.

Translation

The servant informed Lord Nityānanda, “My dear Sir, Rāmacandra Khān has sent me to accommodate You in some common man’s house.

Word meanings

sevaka bale — the servant said ; gosāñi — my dear Lord ; more — me ; pāṭhāila — sent ; khāṅna — Rāmacandra Khān ; gṛhasthera ghare — at the house of some ordinary person ; tomāya — unto You ; diba — I shall give ; vāsā - sthāna — residential place .

Translation

“You might go to the house of a milkman, for the cowshed is spacious, whereas the space here in the Durgā-maṇḍapa is insufficient because You have many followers with You.”

Word meanings

goyālāra — of a milkman ; go - śālā — cowshed ; haya — is ; atyanta — very ; vistāra — spacious ; ihāṅ — here ; saṅkīrṇa - sthala — very narrow place ; tomāra — Your ; manuṣya — adherents ; apāra — unlimited .

Translation

When Nityānanda Prabhu heard this order from the servant of Rāmacandra Khān, He became very angry and came out. Laughing very loudly, He spoke as follows.

Word meanings

bhitare āchilā — was staying inside ; śuni’ — hearing ; krodhe — in anger ; bāhirilā — came out ; aṭṭa aṭṭa — very loudly ; hāsi’ — laughing ; gosāñi — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; kahite lāgilā — began to say .

Translation

“Rāmacandra Khān has spoken rightly. This place is unfit for Me. It is fit for cow-killing meat-eaters.”

Word meanings

satya kahe — Rāmacandra Khān says rightly ; ei ghara — this house ; mora — for Me ; yogya naya — is not fit ; mleccha — the meat-eaters ; go - vadha kare — who kill cows ; tāra — for them ; yogya haya — it is fit .

Translation

Having said this, Lord Nityānanda stood up and left in an angry mood. To chastise Rāmacandra Khān, He did not even stay in that village.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; krodhe — in anger ; gosāñi — Lord Nityānanda ; uṭhiyā calilā — got up and left ; tāre — him ; daṇḍa dite — to chastise ; se — that ; grāme — in the village ; nā rahilā — did not stay .

Translation

Rāmacandra Khān ordered the servant to dig up the dirt in the place where Nityānanda Prabhu had sat.

Word meanings

ihāṅ — here ; rāmacandra khāna — Rāmacandra Khān ; sevake — to the servant ; ājñā dila — ordered ; gosāñi — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; yāhāṅ — where ; vasilā — sat down ; tāra — of that place ; māṭī — earth ; khodāila — caused to dig .

Translation

To purify the Durgā-maṇḍapa temple and the courtyard, Rāmacandra Khān sprinkled and smeared it with water mixed with cow dung, but still his mind was unsatisfied.

Word meanings

go - maya - jale — with water mixed with cow dung ; lepilā — smeared ; saba — all ; mandira — the Durgā-maṇḍapa temple ; prāṅgaṇa — the courtyard ; tabu — still ; rāmacandrera mana — the mind of Rāmacandra Khān ; nā haila parasanna — was not happy .

Translation

Rāmacandra Khān’s business was questionable, for he tried to avoid paying income tax to the government. Therefore the government’s minister of finance was angry and came to his residence.

Word meanings

dasyu - vṛtti — the business of a thief ; kare — does ; rāmacandra — Rāmacandra ; rājāre — to the government ; nā — does not ; deya — pay ; kara — tax ; kruddha hañā — being angry ; mleccha — the Muslim ; ujira — minister ; āila — came ; tāra ghara — to his house .

Translation

The Muslim minister made his residence in the Durgā-maṇḍapa of Rāmacandra Khān. He killed a cow and cooked the meat at that very place.

Word meanings

āsi’ — coming ; sei durgā - maṇḍape — at that very place of the Durgā-maṇḍapa ; vāsā kaila — made his residence ; avadhya — a cow or calf, which is not to be killed ; vadha kari’ — killing ; māṁsa — meat ; se - ghare — in that place ; rāndhāila — cooked .

Translation

He arrested Rāmacandra Khān, along with his wife and sons, and then he continuously plundered the house and village for three days.

Word meanings

strī - putra — his wife and children ; sahita — with ; rāmacandrere bāndhiyā — arresting Rāmacandra Khān ; tāra — his ; ghara - grāma — house and village ; luṭe — plundered ; tina - dina rahiyā — staying three days .

Translation

In that very room he cooked the flesh of a cow for three consecutive days. Then the next day he left, accompanied by his followers.

Word meanings

sei ghare — in that room ; tina dina — for three days ; kare — does ; amedhya randhana — cooking the flesh of a cow ; āra dina — the next day ; sabā lañā — accompanied by his followers ; karilā gamana — left .

Translation

The Muslim minister took away Rāmacandra Khān’s position, wealth and followers. For many days the village remained deserted.

Word meanings

jāti — birthright ; dhana — riches ; jana — followers ; khānera — of Rāmacandra Khān ; sakala — everything ; la - ila — he took away ; bahu - dina — a long time ; paryanta — for ; grāma — the village ; ujāḍa rahila — remained deserted .

Translation

Wherever an advanced devotee is insulted, for one man’s fault the entire town or place is afflicted.

Word meanings

mahāntera — of persons who are highly advanced in spiritual life ; apamāna — disrespect ; ye deśa - grāme — in which country or village ; haya — is ; eka janāra — of one man ; doṣe — for the fault ; saba deśa — the whole country ; ujāḍaya — becomes afflicted .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura walked until he came to the village known as Cāndapura. There he stayed at the house of Balarāma Ācārya.

Word meanings

haridāsa - ṭhākura — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; cali’ — walking ; āilā — came ; cāndapure — in the village known as Cāndapura ; āsiyā — coming ; rahilā — remained ; balarāma - ācāryera ghare — at the residence of Balarāma Ācārya .

Purport

The village of Cāndapura is situated near the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamunā at Saptagrāma, in the district of Huglī. Cāndapura is just east of the house of the two brothers Govardhana and Hiraṇya, the father and uncle of Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī respectively. In Cāndapura lived Balarāma Ācārya and Yadunandana Ācārya, the priests of these two personalities, and when Haridāsa Ṭhākura went there he lived with them. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura says that the name of this village was later changed to Kṛṣṇapura.

Translation

Hiraṇya and Govardhana were the two governmental treasurers in that division of the country. Their priest was named Balarāma Ācārya.

Word meanings

hiraṇya — Hiraṇya ; govardhana — Govardhana ; dui — two ; mulukera — of that country ; majumadāra — treasurers of the government ; tāra — their ; purohita — priest ; balarāma — Balarāma ; nāma — name ; tāṅra — his .

Purport

The word majumadāra refers to a treasurer who keeps accounts of revenue.

Translation

Balarāma Ācārya, being favored by Haridāsa Ṭhākura, was very much attached to him. Therefore he kept Haridāsa Ṭhākura in the village with great care and attention.

Word meanings

haridāsera kṛpā - pātra — favored by Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; tāte — therefore ; bhakti - māne — a great devotee of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; yatna kari’ — with great care and attention ; ṭhākurere — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; rākhilā — kept ; sei grāme — in the village .

Translation

In the village, Haridāsa Ṭhākura was given a solitary thatched cottage, where he performed the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. He accepted prasādam at the house of Balarāma Ācārya.

Word meanings

nirjana — solitary ; parṇa - śālāya — in a thatched cottage ; karena — performs ; kīrtana — chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra ; balarāma - ācārya - gṛhe — at the house of Balarāma Ācārya ; bhikṣā - nirvāhaṇa — accepting alms .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa, who was the son of Govardhana Majumadāra and was later to become Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, was at that time a boy engaged in study. He came to see Haridāsa Ṭhākura daily.

Word meanings

raghunātha - dāsa — Raghunātha dāsa ; bālaka — a boy ; karena adhyayana — was engaged in study ; haridāsa - ṭhākurere — to Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; yāi’ — going ; karena darśana — used to see .

Translation

Naturally Haridāsa Ṭhākura was merciful toward him, and because of the merciful benediction of this Vaiṣṇava, he later attained the shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s lotus feet.

Word meanings

haridāsa — Ṭhākura Haridāsa ; kṛpā kare — shows mercy ; tāṅhāra upare — upon him ; sei kṛpā — that mercy ; kāraṇa — the cause ; haila — became ; caitanya — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; pāibāre — to attain .

Translation

At the residence of Hiraṇya and Govardhana, discourses took place by which Haridāsa Ṭhākura was glorified. O devotees, please listen to that wonderful story.

Word meanings

tāhāṅ — at that place ; yaiche — just as ; haila — there was ; haridāsera — of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; mahimā — glories ; kathana — discussion ; vyākhyāna — discourse ; adbhuta — wonderful ; kathā — incident ; śuna — hear ; bhakta - gaṇa — O devotees .

Translation

One day Balarāma Ācārya requested Haridāsa Ṭhākura with great humility to come to the assembly of the Majumadāras, Hiraṇya and Govardhana. Thus Balarāma Ācārya went there with Haridāsa Ṭhākura.

Word meanings

eka - dina — one day ; balarāma — Balarāma Ācārya ; minati kariyā — in great humility ; majumadārera — of the Majumadāras, Hiraṇya and Govardhana ; sabhāya — at the assembly ; āilā — came ; ṭhākure — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; lañā — taking with him .

Translation

Seeing Haridāsa Ṭhākura, the two brothers immediately stood up and fell at his lotus feet. Then with great respect they offered him a place to sit.

Word meanings

ṭhākura dekhi’ — seeing Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; dui bhāi — the two brothers ; kailā abhyutthāna — stood up ; pāya paḍi’ — falling at the lotus feet ; āsana dilā — offered a sitting place ; kariyā sammāna — with great respect .

Translation

In that assembly were many learned scholars, brāhmaṇas and respectable gentlemen. The two brothers Hiraṇya and Govardhana were also greatly learned.

Word meanings

aneka paṇḍita — many learned scholars ; sabhāya — in that assembly ; brāhmaṇa — brāhmaṇas ; sat - jana — respectable gentlemen ; dui bhāi — the two brothers ; mahā - paṇḍita — very learned scholars ; hiraṇya — Hiraṇya ; govardhana — Govardhana .

Translation

Everyone there began to speak of Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s great qualities as if they had five mouths. Hearing this, both brothers were extremely happy.

Word meanings

haridāsera — of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; guṇa — the qualities ; sabe — all of them ; kahe — began to speak ; pañca - mukhe — as if speaking with five mouths ; śuniyā — hearing ; ta’ — certainly ; dui bhāi — the two brothers ; pāilā — got ; baḍa sukhe — very great happiness .

Translation

It was mentioned in the assembly that Haridāsa Ṭhākura chanted the holy names of Kṛṣṇa 300,000 times a day. Thus all the learned scholars began to discuss the glories of the holy name.

Word meanings

tina - lakṣa — 300,000 ; nāma — holy names of the Lord ; ṭhākura — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; karena kīrtana — used to chant ; nāmera — of the holy name ; mahimā — glories ; uṭhāila — raised ; paṇḍita - gaṇa — all the learned scholars .

Translation

Some of them said, “By chanting the holy name of the Lord, one is freed from the reactions of all sinful life.”

Word meanings

keha bale — some of them said ; nāma haite — by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra ; haya — there is ; pāpa - kṣaya — disappearance of all reactions to sinful activities ; keha bale — some of them said ; nāma haite — by chanting the holy name ; jīvera — of the living entities ; mokṣa haya — there is liberation .

Purport

Others said, “Simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord, a living being is liberated from material bondage.”

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura protested, “These two benedictions are not the true result of chanting the holy name. Actually, by chanting the holy name without offenses, one awakens his ecstatic love for the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

haridāsa kahena — Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied ; nāmera — of chanting the holy name of the Lord ; ei — these ; dui — two ; phala — results ; naya — are not ; nāmera phale — by the result of chanting the holy name ; kṛṣṇa - pade — at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa ; prema upajaya — awakening of ecstatic love .

Translation

“ ‘When a person is actually advanced and takes pleasure in chanting the holy name of the Lord, who is very dear to him, he is agitated and loudly chants the holy name. He also laughs, cries, becomes agitated and chants just like a madman, not caring for outsiders.’

Word meanings

evam - vrataḥ — when one thus engages in the vow to chant and dance ; sva — own ; priya — very dear ; nāma — holy name ; kīrtyā — by chanting ; jāta — in this way develops ; anurāgaḥ — attachment ; druta - cittaḥ — very eagerly ; uccaiḥ — loudly ; hasati — laughs ; atho — also ; roditi — cries ; rauti — becomes agitated ; gāyati — chants ; unmāda - vat — like a madman ; nṛtyati — dances ; loka - bāhyaḥ — not caring for outsiders .

Purport

For an explanation of this verse ( Bhāg. 11.2.40 ) one may consult chapter seven, text 94, of the Ādi-līlā.

Translation

“Liberation and extinction of the reactions of sinful life are two concomitant by-products of chanting the holy name of the Lord. An example is found in the gleams of morning sunlight.

Word meanings

ānuṣaṅgika — concomitant ; phala — result ; nāmera — of the holy name ; mukti — liberation ; pāpa - nāśa — extinction of the resultant actions of sinful life ; tāhāra — of that ; dṛṣṭānta — example ; yaiche — as ; sūryera prakāśa — light of the sun .

Translation

“ ‘As the rising sun immediately dissipates all the world’s darkness, which is deep like an ocean, so the holy name of the Lord, if chanted once without offenses, dissipates all the reactions of a living being’s sinful life. All glories to that holy name of the Lord, which is auspicious for the entire world.’ ”

Word meanings

aṁhaḥ — the resultant action of sinful life, which causes material bondage ; saṁharat — completely eradicating ; akhilam — all ; sakṛt — once only ; udayāt — by rising ; eva — certainly ; sakala — all ; lokasya — of the people of the world ; taraṇiḥ — the sun ; iva — like ; timira — of darkness ; jala - dhim — the ocean ; jayati — all glories to ; jagat - maṅgalam — auspicious for the whole world ; hareḥ nāma — the holy name of the Lord .

Purport

This verse is found in the Padyāvalī (16), an anthology of verses compiled by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.

Translation

After reciting this verse, Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, “O learned scholars, please explain the meaning of this verse.”

Word meanings

ei ślokera — of this verse ; artha — meaning ; kara — explain ; paṇḍitera gaṇa — O groups of learned scholars ; sabe kahe — everyone said ; tumi kaha — you speak ; artha - vivaraṇa — the meaning and explanation .

Purport

But the audience requested Haridāsa Ṭhākura, “It is better for you to explain the meaning of this important verse.”

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, “As the sun begins to rise, even before it is visible it dissipates the darkness of night.

Word meanings

haridāsa kahena — Haridāsa Ṭhākura began to explain ; yaiche — like ; sūryera udaya — sunrise ; udaya nā haite — although not visible ; ārambhe — from the beginning ; tamera — of darkness ; haya kṣaya — there is dissipation .

Translation

“With the first glimpse of sunlight, fear of thieves, ghosts and demons immediately disappears, and when the sun is actually visible, everything is manifest, and everyone begins performing his religious activities and regulative duties.

Word meanings

caura — thieves ; preta — ghosts ; rākṣasa — demons ; ādira — of them and others ; bhaya — fear ; haya — becomes ; nāśa — destroyed ; udaya haile — when the sunrise is actually visible ; dharma - karma — all religious activities and regulative principles ; ādi — everything ; parakāśa — becomes manifest .

Translation

“Similarly, the first hint that offenseless chanting of the Lord’s holy name has awakened dissipates the reactions of sinful life immediately. And when one chants the holy name offenselessly, one awakens to service in ecstatic love at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

aiche — similarly ; nāma - udaya — of the appearance of the holy name ; ārambhe — by the beginning ; pāpa — reactions of sinful activities ; ādira — of them and others ; kṣaya — dissipation ; udaya kaile — when there is actually awakening of offenseless chanting ; kṛṣṇa - pade — at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa ; haya prema - udaya — there is awakening of ecstatic love .

Translation

“Liberation is the insignificant result derived from a glimpse of the awakening of offenseless chanting of the holy name.

Word meanings

mukti — liberation ; tuccha - phala — insignificant result ; haya — is ; nāma - ābhāsa haite — from a glimpse of the awakening of offenseless chanting of the holy name .

Translation

“ ‘While dying, Ajāmila chanted the holy name of the Lord, intending to call his son Nārāyaṇa. Nevertheless, he attained the spiritual world. What then to speak of those who chant the holy name with faith and reverence?’

Word meanings

mriyamāṇaḥ — dying ; hareḥ nāma — the holy name of the Supreme Lord ; gṛṇan — chanting ; putra - upacāritam — though spoken for his son ; ajāmilaḥ — Ajāmila ; api — also ; agāt — attained ; dhāma — the spiritual world ; kim uta — what to speak of ; śraddhayā — with faith and reverence ; gṛṇan — chanting .

Purport

This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.2.49) .

Translation

“Liberation, which is unacceptable for a pure devotee, is always offered by Kṛṣṇa without difficulty.

Word meanings

ye — which ; mukti — liberation ; bhakta — a devotee ; nā laya — does not take ; se — that ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; cāhe dite — wants to offer .

Translation

“ ‘My devotees do not accept sālokya, sārṣṭi, sārūpya, sāmīpya or oneness with Me — even if I offer these liberations — in preference to serving Me.’ ”

Word meanings

sālokya — to live on the same planet ; sārṣṭi — to acquire the same opulence ; sārūpya — to achieve the same bodily features ; sāmīpya — to live always near the Supreme Lord ; ekatvam — to merge into the existence of the Lord ; api — even ; uta — certainly ; dīyamānam — being offered ; na gṛhṇanti — do not take ; vinā — without ; mat - sevanam — My service ; janāḥ — the devotees .

Purport

This verse is spoken by Lord Kapila, an avatāra of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.29.13) .

Translation

At the house of Hiraṇya and Govardhana Majumadāra, a person named Gopāla Cakravartī was officially the chief tax collector.

Word meanings

gopāla cakravartī — Gopāla Cakravartī ; nāma — named ; eka - jana — one person ; majumadārera ghare — at the residence of Hiraṇya and Govardhana Majumadāra ; sei — he ; ārindā pradhāna — the chief tax collector .

Translation

This Gopāla Cakravartī lived in Bengal. His duty as chief tax collector was to collect 1,200,000 coins to deposit in the treasury of the emperor.

Word meanings

gauḍe rahi’ — living in Bengal ; pātsāhā - āge — on behalf of the emperor ; ārindā - giri kare — acts as the chief tax collector ; bāra - lakṣa — twelve hundred thousand ; mudrā — coins ; sei — he ; pātsāra ṭhāñi — for the emperor ; bhare — collects .

Translation

He had handsome bodily features, and he was learned and youthful, but he could not tolerate the statement that simply by glimpsing the awakening of the Lord’s holy name one can attain liberation.

Word meanings

parama - sundara — very beautiful ; paṇḍita — learned ; nūtana — new ; yauvana — youth ; nāma - ābhāse — by the glimpse of awakening of pure chanting of the holy name ; mukti — liberation ; śuni’ — hearing ; nā ha - ila sahana — could not tolerate .

Purport

Vaiṣṇavas strictly follow the directions of the śāstras regarding how one can be liberated simply by a slight awakening of pure chanting of the holy name. Māyāvādīs cannot tolerate the statements of the śāstras about how easily liberation can be achieved, for, as stated in the Bhagavad-gītā (12.5) , kleśo ’dhikaratas teṣām avyaktāsakta-cetasām: impersonalists must work hard for many, many births, and only then will they perhaps be liberated. Vaiṣṇavas know that simply by chanting the holy name of the Lord offenselessly, one achieves liberation as a by-product. Thus there is no need to endeavor separately for liberation. Śrīla Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura has said, muktiḥ svayaṁ mukulitāñjali sevate ’smān: liberation stands at one’s door, ready to render any kind of service, if one is a pure devotee with unflinching faith and reverence. This the Māyāvādīs cannot tolerate. Therefore the ārindā pradhāna, chief tax collector, although very learned, handsome and youthful, could not tolerate the statements of Haridāsa Ṭhākura.

Translation

This young man, Gopāla Cakravartī, became very angry upon hearing the statements of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. He immediately criticized him. “O assembly of learned scholars,” he said, “just hear the conclusion of the emotional devotee.

Word meanings

kruddha hañā — becoming very angry ; bale — said ; sei — he ; sa - roṣa vacana — angry words ; bhāvukera — of an emotional person ; siddhānta — conclusion ; śuna — just hear ; paṇḍitera gaṇa — O assembly of learned scholars .

Translation

“After many millions upon millions of births, when one is complete in absolute knowledge, one still may not attain liberation, yet this man says that one may attain it simply by the awakening of a glimpse of the holy name.”

Word meanings

koṭi - janme — after millions upon millions of births ; brahma - jñāne — by absolute knowledge ; yei — which ; mukti naya — liberation is not possible ; ei — this person ; kahe — says ; nāma - ābhāse — simply by the awakening of a glimpse of the pure chanting of the holy name ; sei — that ; mukti — liberation ; haya — becomes possible .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, “Why are you doubtful? The revealed scriptures say that one can attain liberation simply by a glimpse of offenseless chanting of the holy name.

Word meanings

haridāsa kahena — Haridāsa Ṭhākura said ; kene — why ; karaha saṁśaya — are you doubtful ; śāstre kahe — it is stated in the revealed scriptures ; nāma - ābhāsa mātre — simply by a glimpse of the chanting of the holy name ; mukti haya — there is liberation .

Translation

“For a devotee who enjoys the transcendental bliss of devotional service, liberation is most insignificant. Therefore pure devotees never desire to achieve liberation.

Word meanings

bhakti - sukha — transcendental bliss derived from devotional service ; āge — before ; mukti — liberation ; ati - tuccha — extremely insignificant ; haya — is ; ataeva — therefore ; bhakta - gaṇa — pure devotees ; mukti — liberation ; nāhi laya — do not accept .

Translation

“ ‘My dear Lord, O master of the universe, since I have directly seen You, my transcendental bliss has taken the shape of a great ocean. Being situated in that ocean, I now realize all other so-called happiness, including even brahmānanda, to be like the water contained in the hoofprint of a calf.’ ”

Word meanings

tvat — You ; sākṣāt - karaṇa — by meeting ; āhlāda — of pleasure ; viśuddha — spiritually purified ; abdhi — in an ocean ; sthitasya — situated ; me — of me ; sukhāni — happiness ; goṣ - padāyante — is like a calf’s hoofprint ; brāhmāṇi — derived from the understanding of impersonal Brahman ; api — also ; jagat - guro — O master of the universe .

Purport

This verse is quoted from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (14.36).

Translation

Gopāla Cakravartī said, “If one is not liberated by nāmābhāsa, then you may be certain that I shall cut off your nose.”

Word meanings

vipra kahe — the brāhmaṇa said ; nāma - ābhāse — simply by the awakening of offenseless chanting of the holy name ; yadi — if ; mukti naya — liberation is not attainable ; tabe — then ; tomāra — your ; nāka — nose ; kāṭi’ — I shall cut off ; karaha niścaya — take it as certain .

Translation

Then Haridāsa Ṭhākura accepted the challenge offered by Gopāla Cakravartī. “If by nāmābhāsa liberation is not available,” he said, “certainly I shall cut off my nose.”

Word meanings

haridāsa kahena — Haridāsa Ṭhākura said ; yadi — if ; nāma - ābhāse — simply by the awakening of the holy name of the Lord ; mukti naya — mukti is not available ; tabe — then ; āmāra — my ; nāka — nose ; kāṭimu — I shall cut off ; ei — this ; suniścaya — certain .

Translation

All the members of the assembly who had heard the challenge were greatly agitated, and they got up, making a tumultuous sound. Hiraṇya and Govardhana Majumadāra both immediately chastised the brāhmaṇa tax collector.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; sabhā - sat — all the members of the assembly ; uṭhe — got up ; kari’ hāhā - kāra — making a tumultuous sound ; majumadāra — Hiraṇya and Govardhana Majumadāra ; sei vipre — unto that brāhmaṇa who was their servant ; karila — made ; dhik - kāra — chastisement .

Translation

The priest named Balarāma Ācārya also chastised Gopāla Cakravartī. “You are a foolish logician,” he said. “What do you know about the devotional service of the Lord?

Word meanings

balāi - purohita — the priest named Balarāma Ācārya ; tāre — unto Gopāla Cakravartī ; karilā — did ; bhartsana — chastisement ; ghaṭa - paṭiyā — interested in the pot and the earth ; mūrkha — fool ; tuñi — you ; bhakti — devotional service ; kāṅhā — what ; jāna — do know .

Purport

The philosophy enunciated by the Māyāvādīs is called ghaṭa-paṭiyā (“pot-and-earth”) philosophy. According to this philosophy, everything is one. Such philosophers see no distinction between a pot made of earth and the earth itself, reasoning that anything made of earth, such as different pots, is also the same earth. Since Gopāla Cakravartī was a ghaṭa-paṭiyā logician, a gross materialist, what could he understand about the transcendental devotional service of the Lord?

Translation

“You have insulted Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Thus there will be a dangerous position for you. You should not expect anything auspicious.”

Word meanings

haridāsa - ṭhākure — unto Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; tuñi — you ; kaili — did ; apamāna — insult ; sarva - nāśa — destruction of everything ; habe — there will be ; tora — your ; nā — not ; habe — will be ; kalyāṇa — auspicious result .

Translation

Then Haridāsa Ṭhākura got up to leave, and the Majumadāras, the masters of Gopāla Cakravartī, immediately kicked him out and dismissed him from their service.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; tabe — then ; uṭhiyā calilā — got up and began to go away ; majumadāra — Hiraṇya and Govardhana Majumadāra ; sei vipre — this brāhmaṇa ; tyāga karilā — kicked out .

Translation

With all the members of the assembly, the two Majumadāras fell at the lotus feet of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Haridāsa Ṭhākura was smiling, however, and he spoke in a sweet voice.

Word meanings

sabhā - sahite — with all the members of the assembly ; haridāsera — of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; paḍilā caraṇe — fell down at the lotus feet ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; hāsi’ — smiling ; kahe — said ; madhura - vacane — in a sweet voice .

Translation

“None of you are at fault,” he said. “Indeed, even this ignorant so-called brāhmaṇa is not at fault, for he is accustomed to dry speculation and logic.

Word meanings

tomā - sabāra — of all of you ; doṣa — fault ; nāhi — there is not ; ei — this ; ajña — ignorant ; brāhmaṇa — so-called brāhmaṇa ; tāra doṣa nāhi — he is also not at fault ; tāra — his ; tarka - niṣṭha — accustomed to speculation ; mana — mind .

Translation

“One cannot understand the glories of the holy name simply by logic and argument. Therefore this man cannot possibly understand the glories of the holy name.

Word meanings

tarkera — by argument and logic ; gocara — appreciable ; nahe — is not ; nāmera — of the holy name ; mahattva — the glory ; kothā haite — from where ; jānibe — will know ; se — he ; ei — this ; saba — all ; tattva — truth .

Translation

“All of you may now go to your homes. May Lord Kṛṣṇa bestow His blessings upon you all. Do not be sorry because of my being insulted.”

Word meanings

yāha ghara — go to your homes ; kṛṣṇa karuna — may Lord Kṛṣṇa bestow ; kuśala sabāra — blessings to everyone ; āmāra sambandhe — on my account ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; nā ha - uka — may there not be ; kāhāra — of anyone .

Purport

From this statement by Haridāsa Ṭhākura, it is understood that a pure Vaiṣṇava never takes anyone’s insults seriously. This is the teaching of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu:

tṛṇād api su-nīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā amāninā māna-dena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

“One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respects to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.” A Vaiṣṇava is always tolerant and submissive like trees and grass. He tolerates insults offered by others, for he is simply interested in chanting the holy name of the Lord without being disturbed.

Translation

Then Hiraṇya dāsa Majumadāra returned to his home and ordered that Gopāla Cakravartī not be admitted therein.

Word meanings

tabe — thereupon ; se — that ; hiraṇya - dāsa — Hiraṇya Majumadāra ; nija — own ; ghare — to home ; āila — returned ; sei — that ; brāhmaṇe — to Gopāla Cakravartī ; nija — own ; dvāra — door ; mānā — prohibition ; kaila — issued .

Translation

Within three days that brāhmaṇa was attacked by leprosy, and as a result his highly raised nose melted away and fell off.

Word meanings

tina dina — three days ; bhitare — within ; sei — that ; viprera — of the brāhmaṇa ; kuṣṭha — leprosy ; haila — appeared ; ati — very ; ucca — raised ; nāsā — nose ; tāra — his ; galiyā — melting ; paḍila — fell .

Translation

The brāhmaṇa’s toes and fingers were beautiful like golden-colored campaka buds, but because of leprosy they all withered and gradually melted away.

Word meanings

campaka — of a golden-hued flower ; kali — buds ; sama — like ; hasta - pada - aṅguli — fingers and toes ; koṅkaḍa ha - ila — became crumpled ; saba — all ; kuṣṭhe — because of leprosy ; gela gali’ — melted away .

Translation

Seeing the condition of Gopāla Cakravartī, everyone was astonished. Everyone praised the influence of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and offered him obeisances.

Word meanings

dekhiyā — seeing ; sakala loka — all people ; haila — became ; camatkāra — astonished ; haridāse — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; praśaṁsi’ — praising ; tāṅre — unto him ; kare — offer ; namaskāra — obeisances .

Translation

Although Haridāsa Ṭhākura, as a Vaiṣṇava, did not take seriously the brāhmaṇa’s offense, the Supreme Personality of Godhead could not tolerate it, and thus he made the brāhmaṇa suffer the consequences.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; viprera — of the brāhmaṇa ; doṣa — offense ; nā — did not ; la - ilā — take seriously ; tathāpi — still ; īśvara — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; tāre — unto him ; phala — the result of insulting a Vaiṣṇava ; bhuñjāilā — made to suffer .

Translation

A characteristic of a pure devotee is that he excuses any offense by an ignorant rascal. A characteristic of Kṛṣṇa, however, is that He cannot tolerate blasphemy of His devotees.

Word meanings

bhakta - svabhāva — the characteristic of a pure devotee ; ajña - doṣa — offense by an ignorant rascal ; kṣamā kare — excuses ; kṛṣṇa - svabhāva — the characteristic of Kṛṣṇa ; bhakta - nindā — blaspheming the devotees ; sahite nā pāre — cannot tolerate .

Purport

The characteristic of a Vaiṣṇava and the characteristic of the Lord mentioned in this verse are very significant. In His Śikṣāṣṭaka (3) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has taught the characteristics of a Vaiṣṇava:

tṛṇād api su-nīcena taror iva sahiṣṇunā amāninā māna-dena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

A Vaiṣṇava strictly follows this principle of being humbler than the grass and more tolerant than a tree, expecting no honor from others but offering honor to everyone. In this way, a Vaiṣṇava is simply interested in chanting about the Supreme Personality of Godhead and glorifying Him. Haridāsa Ṭhākura epitomized this foremost order of Vaiṣṇavism.

Kṛṣṇa, however, cannot tolerate any insults or blasphemy against a Vaiṣṇava. For example, Prahlāda Mahārāja was chastised by his father, Hiraṇyakaśipu, in so many ways, but although Prahlāda tolerated this, Kṛṣṇa did not. The Lord therefore came in the form of Nṛsiṁhadeva to kill Hiraṇyakaśipu. Similarly, although Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura tolerated the insult by Gopāla Cakravartī, Kṛṣṇa could not. The Lord immediately punished Gopāla Cakravartī by making him suffer from leprosy. While instructing Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī about the many restrictive rules and regulations for Vaiṣṇavas, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has very vividly described the effects of offenses at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava. Yadi vaiṣṇava-aparādha uṭhe hātī mātā ( Madhya 19.156). Offending or blaspheming a Vaiṣṇava has been described as the greatest offense, and it has been compared to a mad elephant. When a mad elephant enters a garden, it ruins all the creepers, flowers and trees. Similarly, if a devotee properly executing his devotional service becomes an offender at the lotus feet of his spiritual master or another Vaiṣṇava, his devotional service is spoiled.

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura was unhappy when he heard that the brāhmaṇa Gopāla Cakravartī had been attacked by leprosy. Thus after informing Balarāma Ācārya, the priest of Hiraṇya Majumadāra, he went to Śāntipura, the home of Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

viprera — of the brāhmaṇa ; kuṣṭha — leprosy ; śuni’ — hearing ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; mane — within the mind ; duḥkhī hailā — became unhappy ; balāi - purohite — unto Balarāma Ācārya ; kahi’ — speaking ; śāntipura āilā — came to Śāntipura .

Translation

Upon meeting Advaita Ācārya, Haridāsa Ṭhākura offered Him respect and obeisances. Advaita Ācārya embraced him and showed respect to him in return.

Word meanings

ācārye miliyā — meeting Advaita Ācārya ; kailā — offered ; daṇḍavat praṇāma — obeisances and respects ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; āliṅgana kari’ — embracing ; karilā sammāna — showed respect .

Translation

On the bank of the Ganges, in a solitary place, Advaita Ācārya made a cavelike home for Haridāsa Ṭhākura and spoke to him about the real meaning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the Bhagavad-gītā in terms of devotional service.

Word meanings

gaṅgā - tīre — on the bank of the Ganges ; goṅphā kari’ — constructing a small cavelike residence ; nirjane — in a solitary place ; tāṅre — unto him ; dilā — offered ; bhāgavata — of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ; gītāra — of the Bhagavad-gītā ; bhakti - artha — the real meaning of devotional service ; śunāilā — spoke to him .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura accepted food daily at the house of Advaita Ācārya. Meeting together, the two of them would taste the nectar of discourses on the subject matter of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

ācāryera ghare — at the house of Advaita Ācārya ; nitya — daily ; bhikṣā - nirvāhaṇa — accepting food as alms ; dui janā — the two of them ; mili’ — meeting together ; kṛṣṇa - kathā — discourses on the subject matter of Kṛṣṇa ; āsvādana — tasting .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, “My dear Advaita Ācārya, let me submit something before Your Honor. Every day You give me alms of food to eat. What is the necessity of this?

Word meanings

haridāsa kahe — Haridāsa Ṭhākura said ; gosāñi — my dear Advaita Ācārya ; kari nivedane — let me submit one prayer ; more — unto me ; prati - aha — daily ; anna deha’ — You give food ; kon prayojane — what is the necessity .

Translation

“Sir, You are living within a society of great, great brāhmaṇas and aristocrats, but without fear or shame You adore a lower-class man like me.

Word meanings

mahā - mahā - vipra — great, great brāhmaṇas ; ethā — here ; kulīna - samāja — aristocratic society ; nīce — to a low-class person ; ādara kara — You show honor ; nā vāsaha — You do not care for ; bhaya lāja — fear or shame .

Translation

“My dear Sir, Your behavior is uncommon. Indeed, sometimes I am afraid to speak to You. But please favor me by protecting me from the behavior of society.”

Word meanings

alaukika ācāra — uncommon behavior ; tomāra — Your ; kahite — to speak ; pāi bhaya — I am afraid ; sei kṛpā — that favor ; karibā — kindly do ; yāte — by which ; mora — my ; rakṣā — protection ; haya — there is .

Purport

While Haridāsa Ṭhākura was staying under the care of Advaita Ācārya, he was afraid of the behavior of the society in Śāntipura, Navadvīpa, which was full of exceedingly aristocratic brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas. Haridāsa Ṭhākura was born in a Muslim family and was later recognized as a great Vaiṣṇava, but nevertheless the brāhmaṇas were very critical of him. Thus Haridāsa Ṭhākura was afraid that Advaita Ācārya would be put into some difficulty because of His familiarity with Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Śrī Advaita Ācārya treated Haridāsa Ṭhākura as a most elevated Vaiṣṇava, but others, like Rāmacandra Khān, were envious of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Of course, we have to follow in the footsteps of Advaita Ācārya, not caring for people like Rāmacandra Khān. At present, many Vaiṣṇavas are coming to our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement from among the Europeans and Americans, and although men like Rāmacandra Khān are always envious of such Vaiṣṇavas, one should follow in the footsteps of Śrī Advaita Ācārya by treating all of them as Vaiṣṇavas. Although they are not as exalted as Haridāsa Ṭhākura, such Americans and Europeans, having accepted the principles of Vaiṣṇava philosophy and behavior, should never be excluded from Vaiṣṇava society.

Translation

Advaita Ācārya replied, “My dear Haridāsa, do not be afraid. I shall behave strictly according to the principles of the revealed scriptures.

Word meanings

ācārya kahena — Advaita Ācārya said ; tumi — you ; nā — not ; kariha — do ; bhaya — fear ; sei ācariba — I shall behave in that way ; yei — whatever ; śāstra - mata — sanctioned by the revealed scriptures ; haya — is .

Purport

Śrīla Advaita Ācārya was not afraid of the strict brahminical culture and customs of society. As stated in the śāstric injunctions, which are the true medium of evidence or proof, anyone can go back to Godhead, even if born of a low family. Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.32) :

māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye ’pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrās te ’pi yānti parāṁ gatim

“O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth — women, vaiśyas [merchants] and śūdras [workers] — can attain the supreme destination.” Though having taken a low birth in human society, one who accepts Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead is quite competent to go back home, back to Godhead; and one who is a bona fide candidate for going back to Godhead should not be considered a lowborn person, or caṇḍāla. That is also a śāstric injunction. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.4.18) :

kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā ābhīra-śumbhā yavanāḥ khasādayaḥ ye ’nye ca pāpā yad-apāśrayāśrayāḥ śudhyanti tasmai prabhaviṣṇave namaḥ

Not only the yavanas and khasādayaḥ but even those born in still lower families can be purified ( śudhyanti ) by the grace of a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, for Kṛṣṇa empowers such devotees to perform this purification. Advaita Ācārya had confidence in the śāstric evidence and did not care about social customs. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, therefore, is a cultural movement that does not care about local social conventions. Following in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Advaita Ācārya, we can accept a devotee from any part of the world and recognize him as a brāhmaṇa as soon as he is qualified due to following the principles of Vaiṣṇava behavior.

Translation

“Feeding you is equal to feeding ten million brāhmaṇas,” Advaita Ācārya said. “Therefore, accept this śrāddha-pātra.” Thus Advaita Ācārya made him eat.

Word meanings

tumi khāile — if you eat ; haya — there is ; koṭi - brāhmaṇa - bhojana — feeding ten million brāhmaṇas ; eta bali — saying this ; śrāddha - pātra — the dish offered to the forefathers ; karāilā bhojana — made to eat .

Purport

Śrāddha is prasādam offered to the forefathers at a certain date of the year or month. The śrāddha-pātra, or plate offered to the forefathers, is then offered to the best of the brāhmaṇas in society. Instead of offering the śrāddha-pātra to any other brāhmaṇa, Advaita Ācārya offered it to Haridāsa Ṭhākura, considering him greater than any of the foremost brāhmaṇas. This act by Śrī Advaita Ācārya proves that Haridāsa Ṭhākura was always situated in a transcendental position and was therefore always greater than even the most exalted brāhmaṇa, for he was situated above the mode of goodness of the material world. Referring to the Bhakti-sandarbha, text 177, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura quotes the following statements from the Garuḍa Purāṇa in this connection:

brāhmaṇānāṁ sahasrebhyaḥ satra-yājī viśiṣyate satra-yāji-sahasrebhyaḥ sarva-vedānta-pāragaḥ

sarva-vedānta-vit-koṭyā viṣṇu-bhakto viśiṣyate vaiṣṇavānāṁ sahasrebhya ekānty eko viśiṣyate

“A brāhmaṇa qualified to offer sacrifices is better than an ordinary brāhmaṇa, and better than such a brāhmaṇa is one who has studied all the Vedic scriptures. Among many such brāhmaṇas, one who is a devotee of Lord Viṣṇu is the best, and among many such Vaiṣṇavas, one who fully engages in the service of the Lord is the best.”

bhaktir aṣṭa-vidhā hy eṣā yasmin mlecche ’pi vartate sa viprendro muni-śreṣṭhaḥ sa jñānī sa ca paṇḍitaḥ tasmai deyaṁ tato grāhyaṁ sa ca pūjyo yathā hariḥ

“There are many different kinds of devotees, but even a Vaiṣṇava coming from a family of mlecchas or yavanas is understood to be a learned scholar, complete in knowledge, if he knows the Vaiṣṇava philosophy. He should therefore be given charity, for such a Vaiṣṇava is as worshipable as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

na me ’bhaktaś catur-vedī mad-bhaktaḥ śva-pacaḥ priyaḥ tasmai deyaṁ tato grāhyaṁ sa ca pūjyo yathā hy aham

Lord Kṛṣṇa says, “Even if a nondevotee comes from a brāhmaṇa family and is expert in studying the Vedas, he is not very dear to Me, whereas even if a sincere devotee comes from a low family of meat-eaters, he is very dear to Me. Such a sincere pure devotee should be given charity, for he is as worshipable as I.”

Translation

Advaita Ācārya was always absorbed in thoughts of how to deliver the fallen souls of the entire world. “The entire world is full of nondevotees,” He thought. “How will they be delivered?”

Word meanings

jagat - nistāra — the deliverance of the people of the whole world ; lāgi’ — for ; karena cintana — was always thinking ; avaiṣṇava — full of nondevotees ; jagat — the whole world ; kemane — how ; ha - ibe mocana — will be delivered .

Purport

Śrīla Advaita Ācārya sets the standard for ācāryas in the Vaiṣṇava sampradāya. An ācārya must always be eager to deliver the fallen souls. A person who establishes a temple or maṭha to take advantage of people’s sentiments by using for his livelihood what people contribute for the worship of the Deity cannot be called a gosvāmī or ācārya. One who knows the conclusion of the śāstras, follows in the footsteps of his predecessors and endeavors to preach the bhakti cult all over the world is to be considered an ācārya. The role of an ācārya is not to earn his livelihood through the income of the temple. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura used to say that if one earns his livelihood by displaying the Deity in the temple, he is not an ācārya or gosvāmī. It would be better for him to accept service even as a sweeper in the street, for that is a more honorable means of earning one’s living.

Translation

Determined to deliver all the fallen souls, Advaita Ācārya decided to cause Kṛṣṇa to descend. With this vow, He began to offer Ganges water and tulasī leaves to worship the Lord.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇe — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; avatārite — to cause to descend ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; pratijñā — promise ; karilā — made ; jala - tulasī — Ganges water and tulasī leaves ; diyā — offering ; pūjā — worship ; karite — to do ; lāgilā — began .

Translation

Similarly, Haridāsa Ṭhākura chanted in his cave on the bank of the Ganges with the intention of causing Kṛṣṇa’s descent.

Word meanings

haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; kare — performed ; goṅphāya — in the cave ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name of the Lord ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; avatīrṇa ha - ibena — will descend ; ei — this ; tāṅra mana — his mind .

Translation

Because of the devotional service of these two persons, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu descended as an incarnation. Thus He preached the holy name of the Lord and ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa to deliver the entire world.

Word meanings

dui - janera — of these two persons ; bhaktye — because of the devotional service ; caitanya — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kailā — made ; avatāra — incarnation ; nāma - prema — the holy name and love of Kṛṣṇa ; pracāri’ — preaching ; kailā — did ; jagat uddhāra — deliverance of the whole world .

Translation

There is another incident concerning Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s uncommon behavior. One will be astonished to hear about it.

Word meanings

āra — another ; alaukika — uncommon ; eka — one ; caritra — characteristic ; tāṅhāra — of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; yāhāra śravaṇe — in hearing which ; loke — in human society ; haya — there is ; camatkāra — astonishment .

Translation

Hear about such incidents without putting forth dry arguments, for these incidents are beyond our material reasoning. One must believe in them with faith.

Word meanings

tarka nā kariha — do not argue ; tarka - agocara — beyond argument ; tāṅra — his ; rīti — behavior ; viśvāsa kariyā — believing ; śuna — listen ; kariyā pratīti — having confidence .

Translation

One day Haridāsa Ṭhākura was sitting in his cave, reciting the holy name of the Lord very loudly.

Word meanings

eka - dina — one day ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; goṅphāte vasiyā — sitting in his cave ; nāma - saṅkīrtana karena — was chanting the holy name of the Lord ; ucca kariyā — resounding very loudly .

Translation

The night was full of moonlight, which made the waves of the Ganges look dazzling. All directions were clear and bright.

Word meanings

jyotsnāvatī — full of moonlight ; rātri — the night ; daśa dik — ten directions ; su - nirmala — very clear and bright ; gaṅgāra laharī — the waves of the Ganges ; jyotsnāya — in the moonlight ; kare jhala - mala — appear dazzling .

Translation

Thus everyone who saw the beauty of the cave, with the tulasī plant on a clean altar, was astonished and satisfied at heart.

Word meanings

dvāre — at the door ; tulasī — the tulasī plant ; lepā — very clean ; piṇḍira upara — on the altar ; goṅphāra śobhā — the beauty of the cave ; dekhi’ — seeing ; lokera — of everyone ; juḍāya — was satisfied ; antara — the heart .

Translation

At that time, in that beautiful scene, a woman appeared in the courtyard. The beauty of her body was so bright that it tinged the entire place with a yellow hue.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; eka — one ; nārī — woman ; aṅgane āila — came to the courtyard ; tāṅra — her ; aṅga - kāntye — by the beauty of the body ; sthāna — that place ; pīta - varṇa ha - ila — became yellowish .

Translation

The scent of her body perfumed all directions, and the tinkling of her ornaments startled the ear.

Word meanings

tāṅra — her ; aṅga - gandhe — the scent of the body ; daśa dik — ten directions ; āmodita — perfumed ; bhūṣaṇa - dhvanite — by the tinkling of her ornaments ; karṇa — the ear ; haya — becomes ; camakita — startled .

Translation

After coming there, the woman offered obeisances to the tulasī plant, and after circumambulating the tulasī plant she came to the door of the cave where Haridāsa Ṭhākura was sitting.

Word meanings

āsiyā — coming ; tulasīre — unto the tulasī plant ; sei — that woman ; kailā — did ; namaskāra — obeisances ; tulasī — the tulasī plant ; parikramā — circumambulating ; kari’ — doing ; gelā — went ; goṅphā - dvāra — to the door of the cave .

Translation

With folded hands she offered obeisances at the lotus feet of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Sitting at the door, she then spoke in a very sweet voice.

Word meanings

yoḍa - hāte — with folded hands ; haridāsera — of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; vandilā caraṇa — offered prayers at the lotus feet ; dvāre vasi’ — sitting at the door ; kahe — says ; kichu — some ; madhura vacana — sweet words .

Translation

“My dear friend,” she said, “you are the friend of the entire world. You are so beautiful and qualified. I have come here only for union with you.

Word meanings

jagatera — of the whole world ; bandhu — friend ; tumi — you ; rūpa - guṇa - vān — so beautiful and qualified ; tava saṅga — your union ; lāgi’ — for ; mora — my ; ethāke prayāṇa — coming here .

Translation

“My dear sir, kindly accept me and be merciful toward me, for it is a characteristic of all saintly persons to be kind toward the poor and fallen.”

Word meanings

more — me ; aṅgīkāra kara — accept ; hañā sa - daya — being very kind ; dīne — to the fallen souls ; dayā kare — show favor ; ei — this ; sādhu - svabhāva — the characteristic of saintly persons ; haya — is .

Translation

After saying this, she began to manifest various postures, which even the greatest philosopher would lose his patience upon seeing.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; nānā - bhāva — various postures ; karaye prakāśa — began to manifest ; yāhāra darśane — seeing which ; munira — of even the great philosophers ; haya — there is ; dhairya - nāśa — loss of patience .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura was immovable, for he was deeply determined. He began to speak to her, being very merciful toward her.

Word meanings

nirvikāra — unmoved ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; gambhīra — very deep ; āśaya — determination ; balite lāgilā — began to speak ; tāṅre — unto her ; hañā sadaya — being merciful .

Translation

“I have been initiated into a vow to perform a great sacrifice by chanting the holy name a certain number of times every day.

Word meanings

saṅkhyā - nāma - saṅkīrtana — numerical chanting of the holy name ; ei — this ; mahā - yajña — great sacrifice ; manye — I have vowed ; tāhāte dīkṣita — initiated in that ; āmi — I ; ha - i — am ; prati - dine — every day .

Translation

“As long as the vow to chant is unfulfilled, I do not desire anything else. When I finish my chanting, then I have an opportunity to do anything.

Word meanings

yāvat — as long as ; kīrtana — chanting ; samāpta — finished ; nahe — is not ; nā — not ; kari — I do ; anya — other ; kāma — desire ; kīrtana — chanting ; samāpta — finished ; haile — becoming ; haya — there is ; dīkṣāra — of initiation ; viśrāma — rest .

Translation

“Sit down at the door and hear the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. As soon as the chanting is finished, I shall satisfy you as you desire.”

Word meanings

dvāre vasi’ — sitting at the door ; śuna — hear ; tumi — you ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy names ; nāma — the holy name ; samāpta haile — when finished ; karimu — I shall do ; tava — your ; prīti — pleasure ; ācaraṇa — activities .

Translation

After saying this, Haridāsa Ṭhākura continued to chant the holy name of the Lord. Thus the woman sitting before him began to hear the chanting of the holy name.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; karena — performs ; teṅho — he ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name ; sei nārī — that woman ; vasi’ — sitting ; kare — does ; śrī - nāma - śravaṇa — hearing the holy name .

Translation

In this way, as he chanted and chanted, the morning approached, and when the woman saw that it was morning, she got up and left.

Word meanings

kīrtana karite — chanting and chanting ; āsi’ — coming ; prātaḥ - kāla — morning ; haila — appeared ; prātaḥ - kāla dekhi’ — seeing the morning light ; nārī — the woman ; uṭhiyā calila — got up and left .

Translation

For three days she approached Haridāsa Ṭhākura in this way, exhibiting various feminine postures that would bewilder the mind of even Lord Brahmā.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; tina - dina — three days ; kare — she does ; āgamana — approaching ; nānā bhāva — all kinds of feminine postures ; dekhāya — exhibits ; yāte — by which ; brahmāra — even of Lord Brahmā ; hare — attracts ; mana — mind .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura was always absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa and the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore the feminine poses the woman exhibited were just like crying in the forest.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇe — unto Lord Kṛṣṇa ; nāma - āviṣṭa — absorbed in chanting the holy name ; manā — mind ; sadā — always ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; araṇye — in the wilderness ; rodita — crying ; haila — became ; strī - bhāva - prakāśa — exhibition of feminine postures .

Translation

At the end of the night of the third day, the woman spoke to Haridāsa Ṭhākura as follows.

Word meanings

tṛtīya divasera — of the third day ; rātri - śeṣa — the end of the night ; yabe — when ; haila — there was ; ṭhākurera — of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; sthāne — at the place ; nārī — the woman ; kahite lāgila — began to speak .

Translation

“My dear sir, for three days you have cheated me by giving me false assurances, for I see that throughout the entire day and night your chanting of the holy name is never finished.”

Word meanings

tina dina — for three days ; vañcilā — you have cheated ; āmā — me ; kari’ āśvāsana — giving assurance ; rātri - dine — throughout the entire day and night ; nahe — is not ; tomāra — your ; nāma - samāpana — finishing of the chanting of the holy name .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, “My dear friend, what can I do? I have made a vow. How, then, can I give it up?”

Word meanings

haridāsa ṭhākura — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; kahena — said ; āmi ki karimu — what shall I do ; niyama kariyāchi — I have made a vow ; tāhā — that ; kemane — how ; chāḍimu — shall I give up .

Translation

After offering obeisances to Haridāsa Ṭhākura, the woman said, “I am the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I came here to test you.

Word meanings

tabe — at that time ; nārī — the woman ; kahe — said ; tāṅre — unto Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; kari’ namaskāra — offering obeisances ; āmi — I ; māyā — the illusory energy ; karite — to do ; āilāṅa — I came ; parīkṣā — testing ; tomāra — your .

Purport

In the Bhagavad-gītā (7.14) Lord Kṛṣṇa says:

daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te

“This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.” This was actually proved by the behavior of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Māyā enchants the entire world. Indeed, people have forgotten the ultimate goal of life because of the dazzling attractions of the material world. But this dazzling attraction, especially the attractive beauty of a woman, is meant for persons who are not surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord says, mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te: “One who is surrendered unto Me cannot be conquered by the illusory energy.” The illusory energy personally came to test Haridāsa Ṭhākura, but herein she admits her defeat, for she was unable to captivate him. How is this possible? It was because Haridāsa Ṭhākura, fully surrendered to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, was always absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa by chanting the holy names of the Lord 300,000 times daily as a vow.

Translation

“I have previously captivated the mind of even Brahmā, what to speak of others. Your mind alone have I failed to attract.

Word meanings

brahma - ādi jīva — all living entities, beginning from Lord Brahmā ; āmi — I ; sabāre mohiluṅ — captivated everyone ; ekelā — alone ; tomāre — you ; āmi — I ; mohite nāriluṅ — could not attract .

Purport

Beginning from Lord Brahmā down to the insignificant ant, everyone, without exception, is attracted by the illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The demigods, human beings, animals, birds, beasts, trees and plants are all attracted by sexual desire. That is the illusion of māyā. Everyone, whether man or woman, thinks that he is the enjoyer of the illusory energy. In this way, everyone is captivated and engaged in material activities. However, because Haridāsa Ṭhākura was always thinking of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and was always busy satisfying the senses of the Lord, this process alone saved him from the captivation of māyā. This is practical proof of the strength of devotional service. Because of his full engagement in the service of the Lord, he could not be induced to enjoy māyā. The verdict of the śāstras is that a pure Vaiṣṇava, or devotee of the Lord, never thinks of enjoying the material world, which culminates in sex life. He never thinks himself an enjoyer; instead, he always wants to be enjoyed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore the conclusion is that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is eternal, transcendental, beyond the perception of sense gratification and beyond the material qualities. Only if a living entity gives up the false conception that the body is the self and always thinks himself an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa and the Vaiṣṇavas can he surpass the influence of māyā ( mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te ). A pure living entity who thus attains the stage of anartha-nivṛtti, cessation of everything unwanted, has nothing to enjoy in the material world. One attains this stage only by properly performing the functions of devotional service. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has written:

ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu- saṅgo ’tha bhajana-kriyā tato ’nartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt tato niṣṭhā rucis tataḥ

“In the beginning one must have a preliminary desire for self-realization. This will bring one to the stage of trying to associate with persons who are spiritually elevated. In the next stage, one becomes initiated by an elevated spiritual master, and under his instruction the neophyte devotee begins the process of devotional service. By execution of devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master, one becomes freed from all material attachments, attains steadiness in self-realization and acquires a taste for hearing about the Absolute Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.” ( Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.4.15) If one is actually executing devotional service, then anarthas, the unwanted things associated with material enjoyment, will automatically disappear.

Translation

“My dear sir, you are the foremost devotee. Simply seeing you and hearing you chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa has purified my consciousness. Now I want to chant the holy name of the Lord. Please be kind to me by instructing me about the ecstasy of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.

Word meanings

mahā - bhāgavata — the foremost devotee ; tumi — you ; tomāra darśane — by seeing you ; tomāra — your ; kṛṣṇa - nāma — of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; kīrtana — chanting ; śravaṇe — by hearing ; citta — consciousness ; śuddha haila — became purified ; cāhe — wants ; kṛṣṇa - nāma laite — to chant the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kṛṣṇa - nāma upadeśi’ — instructing about chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra ; kṛpā kara — show mercy ; mote — unto me .

Translation

“There is now a flood of the eternal nectar of love of Godhead due to the incarnation of Lord Caitanya. All living entities are floating in that flood. The entire world is now thankful to the Lord.

Word meanings

caitanya - avatāre — by the incarnation of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vahe — flows ; prema - amṛta — of the eternal nectar of love of Godhead ; vanyā — the flood ; saba jīva — all living entities ; preme — in ecstatic love ; bhāse — float ; pṛthivī — the whole world ; haila — became ; dhanyā — thankful .

Translation

“Anyone who does not float in this inundation is most condemned. Such a person cannot be delivered for millions of kalpas.

Word meanings

e - vanyāya — in this inundation ; ye — anyone who ; nā bhāse — does not float ; sei — that ; jīva — living entity ; chāra — most condemned ; koṭi - kalpe — in millions of kalpas ; kabhu — at any time ; tāra — his ; nāhika — there is not ; nistāra — deliverance .

Purport

The kalpa is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā (8.17) : sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ. One day of Brahmā is called a kalpa. A yuga, or mahā-yuga, consists of 4,320,000 years, and one thousand such mahā-yugas constitute one kalpa. The author of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta says that if one does not take advantage of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he cannot be delivered for millions of such kalpas .

Translation

“Formerly I received the holy name of Lord Rāma from Lord Śiva, but now, due to your association, I am greatly eager to chant the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

pūrve — formerly ; āmi — I ; rāma - nāma — the holy name of Lord Rāma ; pāñāchi — got ; śiva haite — from Lord Śiva ; tomāra saṅge — by your association ; lobha haila — I became greedy ; kṛṣṇa - nāma laite — to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. .

Translation

“The holy name of Lord Rāma certainly gives liberation, but the holy name of Kṛṣṇa transports one to the other side of the ocean of nescience and at last gives one ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

mukti - hetuka — the cause of liberation ; tāraka — deliverer ; haya — is ; rāma - nāma — the holy name of Lord Rāma ; kṛṣṇa - nāma — the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; pāraka — that which gets one to the other side of the ocean of nescience ; hañā — being ; kare — gives ; prema - dāna — the gift of love of Kṛṣṇa .

Purport

In an indirect way, this verse explains the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. The Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare — includes both the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa and the name of Lord Rāma. Lord Rāma gives one the opportunity to be liberated, but simply by liberation one does not get actual spiritual benefit. Sometimes if one is liberated from the material world but has no shelter at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, one falls down to the material world again. Liberation is like a state of convalescence, in which one is free from a fever but is still not healthy. Even in the stage of convalescence, if one is not very careful, one may have a relapse. Similarly, liberation does not offer as much security as the shelter of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. It is stated in the śāstra:

ye ’nye ’ravindākṣa vimukta-māninas tvayy asta-bhāvād aviśuddha-buddhayaḥ āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ patanty adho ’nādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ

“O Lord, the intelligence of those who think themselves liberated but who have no devotion is impure. Even though they rise to the highest point of liberation by dint of severe penances and austerities, they are sure to fall down again into material existence, for they do not take shelter at Your lotus feet.” ( Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.2.32 ) Yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ refers to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. If one does not take shelter of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, he falls down ( patanty adhaḥ ), even from liberation. The Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, however, gives liberation and at the same time offers shelter at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. If one takes shelter at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa after liberation, he develops his dormant ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa. That is the highest perfection of life.

Translation

“Please give me the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and thus make me fortunate, so that I also may float in the flood of love of Godhead inaugurated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa nāma — the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; deha’ — please give ; tumi — you ; more — me ; kara dhanyā — make fortunate ; āmāre — me ; bhāsāya — may cause to float ; yaiche — so that ; ei — this ; prema - vanyā — inundation of ecstatic love of Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

After speaking in this way, Māyā worshiped the lotus feet of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who initiated her by saying, “Just perform chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.”

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; vandilā — worshiped ; haridāsera caraṇa — the lotus feet of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; haridāsa kahe — Haridāsa said ; kara — just perform ; kṛṣṇa - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa .

Purport

Now even Māyā wanted to be favored by Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Therefore Haridāsa Ṭhākura formally initiated her by asking her to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.

Translation

After thus being instructed by Haridāsa Ṭhākura, Māyā left with great pleasure. Unfortunately, some people have no faith in these narrations.

Word meanings

upadeśa pāñā — getting this instruction ; māyā — Māyā ; calilā — left ; hañā prīta — being very pleased ; e - saba kathāte — in all these narrations ; kāro — of someone ; nā — not ; janme — there is ; pratīta — faith .

Translation

Therefore I shall explain the reasons why people should have faith. Everyone who hears this will be faithful.

Word meanings

pratīta karite — just to make one faithful ; kahi — I say ; kāraṇa ihāra — the reason for this ; yāhāra śravaṇe — hearing which ; haya — there is ; viśvāsa — faith ; sabāra — of everyone .

Translation

During the incarnation of Lord Caitanya to inaugurate the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, even such personalities as Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva and the four Kumāras took birth upon this earth, being allured by ecstatic love of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

caitanya - avatāre — in the incarnation of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛṣṇa - preme — for ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa ; lubdha hañā — being very greedy ; brahma — Lord Brahmā ; śiva — Lord Śiva ; sanaka - ādi — the Kumāras and others ; pṛthivīte — on this earth ; janmiyā — taking birth .

Translation

All of them, including the great sage Nārada and devotees like Prahlāda, came here in the guise of human beings, chanting the holy names of Lord Kṛṣṇa together and dancing and floating in the inundation of love of Godhead.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - nāma — the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; lañā — chanting ; nāce — dance ; prema - vanyāya — in the inundation of the flood of love of Godhead ; bhāse — float ; nārada — the sage Nārada ; prahlāda - ādi — and devotees like Prahlāda ; āse — come ; manuṣya - prakāśe — in the guise of human beings .

Translation

The goddess of fortune and others, allured by love of Kṛṣṇa, also came down in the form of human beings and tasted the holy name of the Lord in love.

Word meanings

lakṣmī - ādi — the goddess of fortune and others ; kari’ — in this way ; kṛṣṇa - preme — for love of Kṛṣṇa ; lubdha hañā — being greedy ; nāma - prema — the holy name of Kṛṣṇa in love ; āsvādilā — tasted ; manuṣye janmiyā — taking birth in human society .

Translation

What to speak of others, even Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda Mahārāja, personally descends to taste the nectar of love of Godhead in the form of the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

anyera kā kathā — what to speak of others ; āpane — personally ; vrajendra - nandana — the son of Nanda Mahārāja, Kṛṣṇa ; avatari’ — descending ; karena — performs ; prema - rasa āsvādana — tasting of the nectar of love of Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

What is the wonder if the maidservant of Kṛṣṇa, His external energy, begs for love of Godhead? Without the mercy of a devotee and without the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, love of Godhead cannot be possible.

Word meanings

māyā - dāsī — the external energy is a maidservant ; prema māge — she wants love of Godhead ; ithe — in this ; ki vismaya — what is the wonder ; sādhu - kṛpā — the mercy of the devotee ; nāma — chanting of the holy name ; vinā — without ; prema — love of Godhead ; nā janmaya — is not possible .

Translation

In the activities of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the three worlds dance and chant, having come in touch with love of Godhead. This is the characteristic of His pastimes.

Word meanings

caitanya - gosāñira — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; līlāra — of the pastimes ; ei — this ; ta’ — certainly ; svabhāva — the characteristic ; tri - bhuvana nāce — the three worlds dance ; gāya — chant ; pāñā — getting ; prema - bhāva — love of Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

The holy name of Kṛṣṇa is so attractive that anyone who chants it — including all living entities, moving and nonmoving, and even Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself — becomes imbued with love of Kṛṣṇa. This is the effect of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - ādi — beginning from Kṛṣṇa ; āra — and ; yata — ail ; sthāvara - jaṅgame — moving and nonmoving creatures ; kṛṣṇa - preme — in love of Kṛṣṇa ; matta — maddened ; kare — make ; kṛṣṇa - saṅkīrtane — chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

I have heard from the mouth of Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī all that Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī recorded in his notes about the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

svarūpa - gosāñi — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; kaḍacāya — in his notes ; ye — whatever ; līlā — pastimes ; likhila — has noted ; raghunātha - dāsa - mukhe — from the mouth of Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; ye — that ; saba — all ; śunila — I have heard .

Translation

I have briefly described those pastimes. Whatever I have written is by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, since I am an insignificant living being.

Word meanings

sei saba — all those ; līlā — pastimes ; kahi — I say ; saṅkṣepa kariyā — in brief ; caitanya - kṛpāte — by the mercy of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; likhi — I write ; kṣudra - jīva hañā — being a very insignificant living entity .

Translation

I have described but a fragment of the glories of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Hearing this satisfies the aural reception of every devotee.

Word meanings

haridāsa ṭhākurera — of Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; kahiluṅ — I have described ; mahimāra — of the glories ; kaṇa — a fragment ; yāhāra — of which ; śravaṇe — the hearing ; bhaktera — of the devotees ; juḍāya — satisfies ; śravaṇa — the aural reception .

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.

Word meanings

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 .

Purport

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, third chapter, describing the glories of Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura.