The Meeting of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī

Translation

With the ropes of His causeless mercy, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu employed a trick to deliver Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī from the blind well of contemptible family life. He made Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī one of His personal associates, placing him under the charge of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī. I offer my obeisances unto Him.

Word meanings

kṛpā - guṇaiḥ — by the ropes of causeless mercy ; yaḥ — who ; ku - gṛha — of contemptible family life ; andha - kūpāt — from the blind well ; uddhṛtya — having raised ; bhaṅgyā — by a trick ; raghunātha - dāsam — Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; nyasya — giving over ; svarūpe — to Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; vidadhe — made ; antaḥ - aṅgam — one of His personal associates ; śrī - kṛṣṇa - caitanyam — unto Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; amum — unto Him ; prapadye — I offer my obeisances .

Translation

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

Word meanings

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

Translation

Thus Lord Gauracandra performed various pastimes with His associates at Jagannātha Purī in varieties of transcendental pleasure.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; gauracandra — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta - gaṇa - saṅge — with His associates ; nīlācale — at Nīlācala (Jagannātha Purī) ; nānā — various ; līlā — pastimes ; kare — performs ; nānā - raṅge — in varieties of transcendental pleasure .

Translation

Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu felt pangs of separation from Kṛṣṇa, He did not manifest His feelings externally, for He feared the unhappiness of His devotees.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; antare — within the heart ; kṛṣṇa - viyoga — separation from Kṛṣṇa ; bādhaye — obstructs ; bāhire — externally ; nā prakāśaya — does not exhibit ; bhakta - duḥkha - bhaye — fearing the unhappiness of the devotees .

Translation

The transformations undergone by the Lord when He manifested severe unhappiness due to separation from Kṛṣṇa cannot be described.

Word meanings

utkaṭa — severe ; viraha - duḥkha — unhappiness of separation ; yabe — when ; bāhirāya — is manifested ; tabe — at that time ; ye — what ; vaikalya — transformations ; prabhura — of the Lord ; varṇana nā yāya — cannot be described .

Translation

When the Lord acutely felt pangs of separation from Kṛṣṇa, only Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya’s talks about Kṛṣṇa and the sweet songs of Svarūpa Dāmodara kept Him alive.

Word meanings

rāmānandera — of Rāmānanda Rāya ; kṛṣṇa - kathā — talks of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; svarūpera gāna — the songs of Svarūpa Dāmodara ; viraha - vedanāya — at the time of pangs of separation ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rākhaye — keep ; parāṇa — the life .

Translation

Because the Lord associated with various devotees during the day, His mind was somewhat diverted, but at night the pangs of separation from Kṛṣṇa increased very rapidly.

Word meanings

dine — during the daytime ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nānā - saṅge — by various associations ; haya — becomes ; anya — diverted ; mana — His mind ; rātri - kāle — at night ; bāḍe — increase ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; viraha - vedana — pangs of separation .

Translation

Two people — Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī — stayed with the Lord to pacify Him by reciting various verses about Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes and by singing appropriate songs for His satisfaction.

Word meanings

tāṅra sukha - hetu — for His happiness ; saṅge — in His association ; rahe — remain ; dui janā — two personalities ; kṛṣṇa - rasa — of the transcendental mellows of Kṛṣṇa ; śloka — verses ; gīte — by songs ; karena sāntvanā — they pacified .

Translation

Previously, when Lord Kṛṣṇa was personally present, Subala, one of His cowherd boyfriends, gave Him happiness when He felt separation from Rādhārāṇī. Similarly, Rāmānanda Rāya helped give happiness to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

subala — Subala, one of the cowherd boyfriends of Kṛṣṇa ; yaiche — just as ; pūrve — previously ; kṛṣṇa - sukhera — to give happiness to Kṛṣṇa ; sahāya — helper ; gaura - sukha - dāna - hetu — for giving happiness to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; taiche — similarly ; rāma - rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya .

Translation

Previously, when Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī felt the pangs of separation from Kṛṣṇa, Her constant companion Lalitā kept Her alive by helping Her in many ways. Similarly, when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu felt Rādhārāṇī’s emotions, Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī helped Him maintain His life.

Word meanings

pūrve — previously ; yaiche — just as ; rādhāra — of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; lalitā — Her companion named Lalitā ; sahāya - pradhāna — the best helper ; taiche — similarly ; svarūpa - gosāñi — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; rākhe — keeps ; mahāprabhura prāṇa — the life of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

To describe the fortunate position of Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī is extremely difficult. They were renowned as intimately confidential friends of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

ei dui janāra — of these two personalities ; saubhāgya — fortune ; kahana nā yāya — cannot be described ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; antaraṅga — very intimate and confidential associates ; bali’ — as ; yāṅre — whom ; loke — people ; gāya — say .

Translation

The Lord thus enjoyed His life with His devotees. O devotees of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, now hear how Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī met the Lord.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; vihare — enjoys ; gaura — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; lañā bhakta - gaṇa — keeping company with His devotees ; raghunātha - milana — meeting with Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; ebe — now ; śuna — hear ; bhakta - gaṇa — O devotees .

Translation

When Raghunātha dāsa, during his family life, went to meet Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu at Śāntipura, the Lord gave him worthy instructions by His causeless mercy.

Word meanings

pūrve — previously ; śāntipure — to Śāntipura ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; yabe āilā — when he came ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā kari’ — showing causeless mercy ; tāṅre śikhāilā — gave him lessons .

Translation

Instead of becoming a so-called renunciant, Raghunātha dāsa, following the instructions of the Lord, returned home and played exactly like a pounds-and-shillings man.

Word meanings

prabhura śikṣāte — by the instruction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; teṅho — he ; nija - ghare yāya — returned to his home ; markaṭavairāgya — monkey renunciation ; chāḍi’ — giving up ; hailā — became ; viṣayi - prāya — like a pounds-and-shillings man .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa was inwardly completely renounced, even in family life, but he did not express his renunciation externally. Instead, he acted just like an ordinary businessman. Seeing this, his father and mother were satisfied.

Word meanings

bhitare — within his heart ; vairāgya — complete renunciation ; bāhire — externally ; kare — does ; sarva — all ; karma — activities ; dekhiyā — seeing ; ta’ — certainly ; mātā - pitāra — of the father and mother ; ānandita — satisfied ; mana — the mind .

Translation

When he received a message that Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had returned from Mathurā City, Raghunātha dāsa endeavored to go to the lotus feet of the Lord.

Word meanings

mathurā haite — from Mathurā ; prabhu āilā — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has come back ; vārtā — message ; yabe pāilā — when he received ; prabhu - pāśa — to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; calibāre — to go ; udyoga karilā — made an endeavor .

Translation

At that time there was a Muslim official collecting the taxes of Saptagrāma.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; mulukera — of the country ; eka — one ; mleccha — Muslim ; adhikārī — official ; saptagrāma - mulukera — of the place known as Saptagrāma ; se — that person ; haya — is ; caudhurī — tax collector .

Purport

Formerly, when the Muslim government was in power, the person appointed tax collector would collect the taxes of the local zamindars, or landholders. He would keep one fourth of the collection for himself as a profit, and the balance he would deliver to the treasury of the government.

Translation

When Hiraṇya dāsa, Raghunātha dāsa’s uncle, made an agreement with the government to collect taxes, the Muslim caudhurī, or tax collector, having lost his position, became extremely envious of him.

Word meanings

hiraṇya - dāsa — the uncle of Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; muluka nila — took charge of the country ; makrari kariyā — by some agreement ; tāra adhikāra gela — the Muslim caudhurī lost his position ; mare se dekhiyā — became extremely envious of Hiraṇya dāsa .

Translation

Hiraṇya dāsa was collecting 2,000,000 coins and therefore should have delivered 1,500,000 to the government. Instead, he was giving only 1,200,000, thus making an extra profit of 300,000 coins. Seeing this, the Muslim caudhurī, who was a Turk, became his rival.

Word meanings

bāra lakṣa — 1,200,000 coins ; deya — delivers ; rājāya — unto the Muslim government ; sādhe — collects ; biśa lakṣa — 2,000,000 coins ; se turuk — that Turk ; kichu — anything ; nā pāñā — not getting ; haila pratipakṣa — became his rival .

Translation

After sending a confidential account to the government treasury, the caudhurī brought the minister in charge. The caudhurī came, wanting to arrest Hiraṇya dāsa, but Hiraṇya dāsa had left home. Therefore the caudhurī arrested Raghunātha dāsa.

Word meanings

rāja - ghare — to the government treasury ; kaiphiyat diyā — sending a confidential account ; ujīre ānila — brought the minister in charge ; hiraṇya - dāsa palāila — Hiraṇya dāsa fled ; raghunāthere bāndhila — he arrested Raghunātha dāsa .

Translation

Every day, the Muslim would chastise Raghunātha dāsa and tell him, “Bring your father and his elder brother. Otherwise you will be punished.”

Word meanings

prati - dina — daily ; raghunāthe — Raghunātha dāsa ; karaye bhartsanā — he chastised ; bāpa - jyeṭhāre āna — bring your father and his elder brother ; nahe — otherwise ; pāibā yātanā — you will be punished .

Translation

The caudhurī wanted to beat him, but as soon as he saw Raghunātha’s face, his mind changed, and he could not beat him.

Word meanings

mārite — to beat ; ānaye — brings ; yadi — when ; dekhe — sees ; raghunāthe — Raghunātha dāsa ; mana — his mind ; phiri’ yāya — becomes changed ; tabe — at that time ; nā pāre mārite — he could not beat .

Translation

Indeed, the caudhurī was afraid of Raghunātha dāsa because Raghunātha dāsa belonged to the kāyastha community. Although the caudhurī would chastise him with oral vibrations, he was afraid to beat him.

Word meanings

viśeṣe — specifically ; kāyastha - buddhye — considering a kāyastha ; antare — within his heart ; kare ḍara — is afraid ; mukhe — with his mouth ; tarje garje — threatens ; mārite — to beat ; sa - bhaya — afraid ; antara — at heart .

Purport

Raghunātha dāsa belonged to a very aristocratic family of the kāyastha community. He had substantial influence with the local people, and therefore the caudhurī, or minister, was afraid to beat him. Superficially he would chastise Raghunātha dāsa with threatening vibrations, but he did not beat him. The members of the kāyastha community in India are generally very intelligent and expert in business management. Formerly they were mostly government officers. They were mentioned even by Yājñavalkya, as quoted by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya:

cāṭa-taskara-durvṛttair mahā-sāhasikādibhiḥ pīḍyamānā prajā rakṣet kāyasthaiś ca viśeṣataḥ

From this verse it appears that the governmental officials of the kāyastha community would sometimes chastise the citizens, and thus it was the duty of the king to protect the people in general from the atrocities of the kāyasthas. In Bengal the kāyastha community is honored almost as much as the brāhmaṇa community, but in the up-country of India the kāyasthas are considered śūdras because they generally eat meat and drink wine. In any case, from history the kāyasthas appear very intelligent. Thus the Muslim caudhurī was afraid of Raghunātha dāsa because he belonged to the kāyastha community.

Translation

While this was going on, Raghunātha dāsa thought of a tricky method of escape. Thus he humbly submitted this plea at the feet of the Muslim caudhurī.

Word meanings

tabe — then ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; kichu — some ; cintilā — thought of ; upāya — means ; vinati kariyā — in great humility ; kahe — he says ; sei mleccha — of that Muslim caudhurī ; pāya — at the feet .

Translation

“My dear sir, my father and his elder brother are your brothers. All brothers always fight about something.

Word meanings

āmāra pitā — my father ; jyeṭhā — and his elder brother ; haya — are ; tomāra — your ; dui bhāi — two brothers ; bhāi - bhāiye — between brother and brother ; tomarā — all of you ; kalaha kara — fight ; sarvadāi — always .

Translation

“Sometimes brothers fight among themselves, and sometimes they have very friendly dealings. There is no certainty when such changes will take place. Thus I am sure that although today you are fighting, tomorrow you three brothers will be sitting together in peace.

Word meanings

kabhu — sometimes ; kalaha — fight ; kabhu — sometimes ; prīti — very intimate friendly behavior ; ihāra — of these things ; niścaya nāi — there is no certainty ; kāli — the next day ; punaḥ — again ; tina bhāi — three brothers ; ha - ibā — will be ; eka - ṭhāñi — at one place .

Translation

“Just as I am my father’s son, so I am also yours. I am your dependent, and you are my maintainer.

Word meanings

āmi — I ; yaiche — just like ; pitāra — of my father ; taiche — similarly ; tomāra — your ; bālaka — son ; āmi — I ; tomāra — your ; pālya — person to be maintained ; tumi — you ; āmāra — my ; pālaka — maintainer .

Translation

“For a maintainer to punish the person he maintains is not good. You are expert in all the scriptures. Indeed, you are like a living saint.”

Word meanings

pālaka hañā — being a maintainer ; pālyere — the person who is maintained ; tāḍite — to punish ; nā yuyāya — is not good ; tumi — you ; sarva - śāstra — all scriptures ; jāna — know ; jindā - pīra — a living saintly person ; prāya — just like .

Translation

When the Muslim heard Raghunātha dāsa’s appealing voice, his heart softened. He began to cry, and tears glided down his beard.

Word meanings

eta śuni’ — hearing this ; sei mlecchera — of that Muslim ; mana — mind ; ārdra haila — became softened ; dāḍi vāhi’ — flowing over his beard ; aśru paḍe — tears fell ; kāṅdite lāgila — began to cry .

Translation

The Muslim caudhurī told Raghunātha dāsa, “You are my son from this day on. Today, by some means, I shall have you released.”

Word meanings

mleccha bale — the Muslim said ; āji haite — from this day ; tumi — you ; mora putra — my son ; āji — today ; chāḍāimu tomā’ — I shall get you released ; kari’ eka sūtra — by some means .

Translation

After informing the minister, the caudhurī released Raghunātha dāsa and then began to speak to him with great affection.

Word meanings

ujire — unto the minister ; kahiyā — speaking ; raghunāthe chāḍāila — released Raghunātha dāsa ; prīti kari’ — with great affection ; raghunāthe — unto Raghunātha dāsa ; kahite lāgila — began to say .

Translation

“Your father’s elder brother is less intelligent,” he said. “He enjoys 800,000 coins, but since I am also a shareholder, he should give some portion of it to me.

Word meanings

tomāra jyeṭhā — the elder brother of your father ; nirbuddhi — bereft of intelligence ; aṣṭa - lakṣa khāya — enjoys 800,000 coins ; āmi — I ; bhāgī — shareholder ; āmāre — unto me ; kichu — something ; dibāre — to give ; yuyāya — is proper .

Translation

“Now you go arrange a meeting between me and your uncle. Let him do whatever he thinks best. I shall completely depend on his decision.”

Word meanings

yāha — go ; tumi — you ; tomāra — your ; jyeṭhāre — the elder brother of your father ; milāha āmāre — arrange to meet with me ; ye - mate — in whatever way ; bhāla — good ; haya — is ; karuna — let him do ; bhāra diluṅ tāṅre — I shall completely depend upon him .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa arranged a meeting between his uncle and the caudhurī. The matter was settled, and everything was peaceful.

Word meanings

raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; āsi’ — coming ; tabe — then ; jyeṭhāre milāila — arranged a meeting between the caudhurī and the elder brother of his father ; mleccha - sahita — with the Muslim ; vaśa kaila — he settled ; saba — everything ; śānta haila — became peaceful .

Translation

In this way Raghunātha dāsa passed one year exactly like a first-class business manager, but the next year he again decided to leave home.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; raghunāthera — of Raghunātha dāsa ; vatsareka — one year ; gela — passed ; dvitīya vatsare — the next year ; palāite — to go away from home ; mana kaila — he decided .

Translation

He got up alone one night and left, but his father caught him in a distant place and brought him back.

Word meanings

rātre — at night ; uṭhi’ — getting up ; ekelā — alone ; calilā — left ; palāñā — running away ; dūra haite — from a distant place ; pitā — his father ; tāṅre — him ; ānila — brought back ; dhariyā — catching .

Translation

This became almost a daily affair. Raghunātha would run away from home, and his father would again bring him back. Then Raghunātha dāsa’s mother spoke to his father as follows.

Word meanings

ei - mate — in this way ; bāre bāre — again and again ; palāya — he goes away ; dhari’ āne — brings him back ; tabe — then ; tāṅra mātā — his mother ; kahe — speaks ; tāṅra pitā sane — with his father .

Translation

“Our son has become mad,” she said. “Just keep him by binding him with ropes.” His father, being very unhappy, replied to her as follows.

Word meanings

putra — son ; bātula ha - ila — has become mad ; ihāya — him ; rākhaha bāndhiyā — just keep by binding ; tāṅra pitā — his father ; kahe — says ; tāre — to her ; nirviṇṇa hañā — being very unhappy .

Translation

“Raghunātha dāsa, our son, has opulences like Indra, the heavenly king, and his wife is as beautiful as an angel. Yet all this could not tie down his mind.

Word meanings

indra - sama — like the heavenly king, Indra ; aiśvarya — material opulence ; strī — wife ; apsarā - sama — like an angel of heaven ; e saba — all this ; bāndhite — to bind ; nārileka — was not able ; yāṅra mana — whose mind .

Translation

“How then could we keep this boy home by binding him with ropes? It is not possible even for one’s father to nullify the reactions of one’s past activities.

Word meanings

daḍira bandhane — by bonds of ropes ; tāṅre — him ; rākhibā — will you keep ; ke mate — how ; janma - dātā pitā — the father who begets the child ; nāre — is not able ; prārabdha — the reaction of previous activities ; khaṇḍāite — to nullify .

Translation

“Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has fully bestowed His mercy on him. Who can keep home such a madman of Caitanyacandra?”

Word meanings

caitanya - candrera — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā — mercy ; hañāche iṅhāre — has been bestowed upon him ; caitanyacandrera — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bātula — madman ; ke — who ; rākhite pāre — can keep .

Translation

Then Raghunātha dāsa considered something in his mind, and the next day he went to Nityānanda Gosāñi.

Word meanings

tabe — thereupon ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; kichu — something ; vicārilā mane — considered within his mind ; nityānanda - gosāñira pāśa — unto Nityānanda Gosāñi ; calilā — went ; āra dine — the next day .

Translation

In the village of Pānihāṭi, Raghunātha dāsa obtained an interview with Nityānanda Prabhu, who was accompanied by many kīrtana performers, servants and others.

Word meanings

pānihāṭi - grāme — in the village known as Pānihāṭi ; pāilā — got ; prabhura daraśana — the audience of Nityānanda Prabhu ; kīrtanīyā sevaka — performers of saṅkīrtana and servants ; saṅge — with ; āra — and ; bahu - jana — many other persons .

Translation

Sitting on a rock under a tree on the bank of the Ganges, Lord Nityānanda seemed as effulgent as hundreds of thousands of rising suns.

Word meanings

gaṅgā - tīre — on the bank of the Ganges ; vṛkṣa - mūle — underneath a tree ; piṇḍāra upare — on a rock ; vasiyāchena — was sitting ; yena — as if ; koṭī sūrya — hundreds of thousands of suns ; udaya kare — rise .

Translation

Many devotees sat on the ground surrounding Him. Seeing the influence of Nityānanda Prabhu, Raghunātha dāsa was astonished.

Word meanings

tale — the surface ; upare — upon ; bahu - bhakta — many devotees ; hañāche veṣṭita — He was surrounded ; dekhi’ — seeing ; prabhura prabhāva — the influence of Nityānanda Prabhu ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; vismita — astonished .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa offered his obeisances by falling prostrate at a distant place, and the servant of Nityānanda Prabhu pointed out, “There is Raghunātha dāsa, offering You obeisances.”

Word meanings

daṇḍavat hañā — falling flat like a rod ; sei — he ; paḍilā kata - dūre — fell down at a distant place ; sevaka kahe — the servant of Nityānanda Prabhu said ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; daṇḍavat kare — is offering obeisances .

Translation

Hearing this, Lord Nityānanda Prabhu said, “You are a thief. Now you have come to see Me. Come here, come here. Today I shall punish you!”

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; prabhu kahe — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu said ; corā — thief ; dili daraśana — you have come to see Me ; āya āya — come here, come here ; āji — today ; tora — your ; karimu — I shall do ; daṇḍana — punishment .

Translation

The Lord called him, but Raghunātha dāsa did not go near the Lord. Then the Lord forcibly caught him and placed His lotus feet upon Raghunātha dāsa’s head.

Word meanings

prabhu bolāya — the Lord calls ; teṅho — he ; nikaṭe — nearby ; nā kare gamana — does not come ; ākarṣiyā — bringing him near ; tāṅra māthe — on his head ; prabhu — Nityānanda Prabhu ; dharilā caraṇa — placed His feet .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda was by nature very merciful and funny. Being merciful, He spoke to Raghunātha dāsa as follows.

Word meanings

kautukī — very funny ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda ; sahaje — by nature ; dayā - maya — very merciful ; raghunāthe — unto Raghunātha dāsa ; kahe — says ; kichu — something ; hañā sa - daya — being merciful .

Translation

“You are just like a thief, for instead of coming near, you stay away at a distant place. Now that I have captured you, I shall punish you.

Word meanings

nikaṭe — nearby ; nā āisa — you do not come ; corā — thief ; bhāga’ — you go away ; dūre dūre — a long distance ; āji — today ; lāg pāñāchi — I have caught ; daṇḍimu tomāre — I shall punish you .

Translation

“Make a festival and feed all My associates yogurt and chipped rice.” Hearing this, Raghunātha dāsa was greatly pleased.

Word meanings

dadhi — yogurt ; ciḍā — chipped rice ; bhakṣaṇa karāha — feed ; mora gaṇe — My associates ; śuni’ — hearing ; ānandita haila — became very happy ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; mane — in the mind .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa immediately sent his own men to the village to purchase all kinds of eatables and bring them back.

Word meanings

sei - kṣaṇe — immediately ; nija - loka — his servants ; pāṭhāilā grāme — he sent to the nearby village ; bhakṣya - dravya — eatables ; loka saba — all the persons ; grāma haite — from the village ; āne — bring .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa brought chipped rice, yogurt, milk, sweetmeats, sugar, bananas and other eatables and placed them all around.

Word meanings

ciḍā — chipped rice ; dadhi — yogurt ; dugdha — milk ; sandeśa — sweetmeats ; āra — and ; cini — sugar ; kalā — banana ; saba — all ; dravya — materials ; ānāñā — causing to be brought ; caudike — all around ; dharilā — kept .

Translation

As soon as they heard that a festival was going to be held, all kinds of brāhmaṇas and other gentlemen began to arrive. Thus there were innumerable people.

Word meanings

mahotsava — festival ; nāma — name ; śuni — hearing ; brāhmaṇa - sat - jana — brāhmaṇas and other gentlemen ; āsite lāgila — began to pour in ; loka — people ; asaṅkhya - gaṇana — innumerable .

Translation

Seeing the crowd increasing, Raghunātha dāsa arranged to get more eatables from other villages. He also brought two to four hundred large, round earthen pots.

Word meanings

āra — also ; grāma - antara haite — from other villages ; sāmagrī — articles ; ānila — brought ; śata — hundred ; dui - cāri — two to four ; holnā — round earthen pots ; tāṅhā — there ; ānāila — caused to be brought .

Translation

He also obtained five or seven especially large earthen pots, and in these pots a brāhmaṇa began soaking chipped rice for the satisfaction of Lord Nityānanda.

Word meanings

baḍa baḍa — big, big ; mṛt - kuṇḍikā — earthen basins ; ānāila — arranged to be brought ; pāṅca sāte — five or seven ; eka vipra — one brāhmaṇa ; prabhu lāgi’ — for Nityānanda Prabhu ; ciḍā — the chipped rice ; bhijāya — soaked ; tāte — in those .

Translation

In one place, chipped rice was soaked in hot milk in each of the large pots. Then half the rice was mixed with yogurt, sugar and bananas.

Word meanings

eka - ṭhāñi — in one place ; tapta - dugdhe — in hot milk ; ciḍā — the chipped rice ; bhijāñā — soaking ; ardheka — half of it ; chānila — mixed ; dadhi — yogurt ; cini — sugar ; kalā — bananas ; diyā — putting in .

Translation

The other half was mixed with condensed milk and a special type of banana known as cāṅpā-kalā. Then sugar, clarified butter and camphor were added.

Word meanings

āra ardheka — the other half ; ghana - āvṛta — condensed ; dugdhete — in milk ; chānila — mixed ; cāṅpā - kalā — a special type of banana ; cini — sugar ; ghṛta — clarified butter, ghee ; karpūra — camphor ; tāte dila — put into that .

Translation

After Nityānanda Prabhu had changed His cloth for a new one and sat on a raised platform, the brāhmaṇa brought before Him the seven huge pots.

Word meanings

dhuti pari’ — putting on a new cloth ; prabhu — Lord Nityānanda ; yadi — when ; piṇḍāte vasilā — sat on a high platform ; sāta - kuṇḍī — the seven big, big earthen pots ; vipra — the brāhmaṇa ; tāṅra āgete — in front of Him ; dharilā — placed .

Translation

On that platform, all the most important associates of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, as well as other important men, sat down in a circle around the Lord.

Word meanings

cabutarā - upare — on the raised platform ; yata — all ; prabhura nija - gaṇe — very intimate associates of the Lord ; baḍa baḍa loka — big, big people ; vasilā — sat down ; maṇḍalī - racane — in a circle .

Translation

Among them were Rāmadāsa, Sundarānanda, Gadādhara dāsa, Murāri, Kamalākara, Sadāśiva and Purandara.

Word meanings

rāmadāsa — Rāmadāsa ; sundarānanda — Sundarānanda ; dāsa - gadādhara — Gadādhara dāsa ; murāri — Murāri ; kamalākara — Kamalākara ; sadāśiva — Sadāśiva ; purandara — Purandara .

Translation

Dhanañjaya, Jagadīśa, Parameśvara dāsa, Maheśa, Gaurīdāsa and Hoḍa Kṛṣṇadāsa were also there.

Word meanings

dhanañjaya — Dhanañjaya ; jagadīśa — Jagadīśa ; parameśvara - dāsa — Parameśvara dāsa ; maheśa — Maheśa ; gaurīdāsa — Gaurīdāsa ; hoḍa - kṛṣṇadāsa — Hoḍa Kṛṣṇadāsa .

Translation

Similarly, Uddhāraṇa Datta Ṭhākura and many other personal associates of the Lord sat on the raised platform with Nityānanda Prabhu. No one could count them all.

Word meanings

uddhāraṇa datta — Uddhāraṇa Datta ; ādi — and similar, other persons ; yata nija gaṇa — all personal associates ; upare — above ; vasilā — sat down ; saba — all ; ke — who ; kare gaṇana — can count .

Purport

The devotees mentioned herein are described by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura in his Anubhāṣya. For further information one may consult the following references in the Ādi-līlā: Rāmadāsa — chapter ten, texts 116-118, and chapter eleven, texts 13-16. Sundarānanda — 11.23. Gadādhara dāsa — 10.53, 11.13-15 and 11.17. Murāri — The Murāri mentioned herein is different from Murāri Gupta. His full name is Murāri Caitanya dāsa, and he is a personal associate of Nityānanda Prabhu. Thus one should consult chapter eleven, text 20. Kamalākara — 11.24. Sadāśiva — 11.38. Purandara — 11.28. Dhanañjaya — 11.31. Jagadīśa — 11.30. Parameśvara — 11.29. Maheśa — 11.32. Gaurīdāsa — 11.26. Hoḍa Kṛṣṇadāsa — 11.47. Uddhāraṇa Datta Ṭhākura — 11.41.

Translation

Hearing about the festival, all kinds of learned scholars, brāhmaṇas and priests went there. Lord Nityānanda Prabhu honored them and made them sit on the raised platform with Him.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; paṇḍita bhaṭṭācārya — learned scholars and priests ; yata — all ; vipra — brāhmaṇas ; āilā — came ; mānya kari’ — giving honor ; prabhu — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; sabāre — all of them ; upare vasāilā — seated on the top .

Translation

Everyone was offered two earthen pots. In one was put chipped rice with condensed milk, and in the other chipped rice with yogurt.

Word meanings

dui dui — two and two ; mṛt - kuṇḍikā — earthen pots ; sabāra āge — before everyone ; dila — offered ; eke — in one ; dugdha - ciḍā — chipped rice with condensed milk ; āre — in the other ; dadhi - ciḍā — chipped rice with yogurt ; kaila — put .

Translation

All the other people sat in groups around the platform. No one could count how many people there were.

Word meanings

āra — other ; yata — as many as ; loka — people ; saba — all ; cautarā - talāne — at the base of the platform ; maṇḍalī - bandhe — in groups ; vasilā — sat down ; tāra — of them ; nā haya gaṇane — there was no counting .

Translation

Each and every one of them was supplied two earthen pots — one of chipped rice soaked in yogurt and the other of chipped rice soaked in condensed milk.

Word meanings

ekeka janāre — to each and every one of them ; dui dui — two and two ; holnā dila — earthen pots were supplied ; dadhi - ciḍā — chipped rice with yogurt ; dugdha - ciḍā — chipped rice with condensed milk ; duite — in the two pots ; bhijāila — were soaked .

Translation

Some of the brāhmaṇas, not having gotten a place on the platform, went to the bank of the Ganges with their two earthen pots and soaked their chipped rice there.

Word meanings

kona kona — some ; vipra — brāhmaṇas ; upare — on the platform ; sthāna nā pāñā — not having gotten a place ; dui holnāya — in two earthen pots ; ciḍā bhijāya — soak chipped rice ; gaṅgā - tīre — on the bank of the Ganges ; giyā — going .

Translation

Others, who could not get a place even on the bank of the Ganges, got down into the water and began eating their two kinds of chipped rice.

Word meanings

tīre — on the bank ; sthāna — place ; nā pāñā — not having gotten ; āra — other ; kata — some ; jana — persons ; jale nāmi’ — getting down into the water ; dadhi - ciḍā — yogurt and chipped rice ; karaye bhakṣaṇa — began to eat .

Translation

Thus some sat on the platform, some at the base of the platform, and some on the bank of the Ganges, and they were all supplied two pots each by the twenty men who distributed the food.

Word meanings

keha upare — some on the platform ; keha tale — some at the base of the platform ; keha gaṅgā - tīre — some on the bank of the Ganges ; biśa - jana — twenty men ; tina - ṭhāñi — in three places ; pariveśana kare — distributed .

Translation

At that time, Rāghava Paṇḍita arrived there. Seeing the situation, he began to laugh in great surprise.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; āilā — arrived ; tathā — there ; rāghava paṇḍita — the great scholar named Rāghava Paṇḍita ; hāsite lāgilā — began to laugh ; dekhi’ — seeing ; hañā vismita — being astonished .

Translation

He brought many kinds of food cooked in ghee and offered to the Lord. This prasādam he first placed before Lord Nityānanda and then distributed among the devotees.

Word meanings

ni - sakḍi — food cooked in ghee ; nānā - mata — various types ; prasāda — remnants of the Lord’s food ; ānila — he brought ; prabhure āge — in front of Lord Nityānanda ; diyā — placing ; bhakta - gaṇe — to all the devotees ; bāṅṭi dila — distributed .

Translation

Rāghava Paṇḍita said to Lord Nityānanda, “For You, Sir, I have already offered food to the Deity, but You are engaged in a festival here, and so the food is lying there untouched.”

Word meanings

prabhure kahe — he said to Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; tomā lāgi’ — for You ; bhoga lāgāila — I have offered food to the Deity ; tumi — You ; ihāṅ — here ; utsava kara — are engaged in a festival ; ghare — at home ; prasāda — the prasādam ; rahila — remained .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda replied, “Let Me eat all this food here during the day, and I shall eat at your home at night.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu said ; e - dravya — this food ; dine — during the daytime ; kariye bhojana — let Me eat ; rātrye — at night ; tomāra ghare — in your house ; prasāda — the prasādam ; karimu bhakṣaṇa — I shall eat .

Translation

“I belong to a community of cowherd boys, and therefore I generally have many cowherd associates with Me. I am happy when we eat together in a picnic like this by the sandy bank of the river.”

Word meanings

gopa - jāti — belonging to the community of cowherd boys ; āmi — I ; bahu — many ; gopa - gaṇa — cowherd boys ; saṅge — with ; āmi — I ; sukha pāi — become very happy ; ei — this ; pulina — by the riverside ; bhojana - raṅge — in the enjoyment of eating .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda made Rāghava Paṇḍita sit down and had two pots delivered to him also. There were two kinds of chipped rice soaked in them.

Word meanings

rāghave — Rāghava Paṇḍita ; vasāñā — making sit down ; dui — two ; kuṇḍī — earthen pots ; deoyāilā — arranged to be delivered to him ; rāghava — Rāghava Paṇḍita ; dvi - vidha — two kinds ; ciḍā — chipped rice ; tāte — in them ; bhijāilā — soaked .

Translation

When chipped rice had been served to everyone, Lord Nityānanda Prabhu, in meditation, brought Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

sakala - lokera — of everyone ; ciḍā — chipped rice ; pūrṇa — full ; yabe — when ; ha - ila — was ; dhyāne — in meditation ; tabe — at that time ; prabhu — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; mahāprabhure ānila — brought Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu arrived, Lord Nityānanda Prabhu stood up. They then saw how the others were enjoying the chipped rice with yogurt and condensed milk.

Word meanings

mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āilā — came ; dekhi’ — seeing ; nitāi — Lord Nityānanda ; uṭhilā — stood up ; tāṅre lañā — with Him ; sabāra — of everyone ; ciḍā — chipped rice ; dekhite lāgilā — began to see .

Translation

From each and every pot, Lord Nityānanda Prabhu took one morsel of chipped rice and pushed it into the mouth of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as a joke.

Word meanings

sakala kuṇḍīra — from all the pots ; holnāra — from the big pots ; ciḍāra — of chipped rice ; eka eka grāsa — one morsel ; mahāprabhura mukhe — into the mouth of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dena — puts ; kari’ parihāsa — making a joke .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, also smiling, took a morsel of food, pushed it into the mouth of Nityānanda and laughed as He made Lord Nityānanda eat it.

Word meanings

hāsi’ — smiling ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āra — another ; eka grāsa — one morsel ; lañā — taking ; tāṅra mukhe — in the mouth of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; diyā — putting ; khāoyāya — makes eat ; hāsiyā hāsiyā — laughing .

Translation

In this way Lord Nityānanda was walking through all the groups of eaters, and all the Vaiṣṇavas standing there were seeing the fun.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; nitāi bule — Lord Nityānanda was walking ; sakala maṇḍale — through all the groups ; dāṇḍāñā — standing ; raṅga dekhe — see the fun ; vaiṣṇava sakale — all the Vaiṣṇavas .

Translation

No one could understand what Nityānanda Prabhu was doing as He walked about. Some, however, who were very fortunate, could see that Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was also present.

Word meanings

ki kariyā — doing what ; beḍāya — walks through ; ihā — this ; keha nāhi jāne — no one could understand ; mahāprabhura darśana pāya — see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kona bhāgyavāne — some fortunate men .

Translation

Then Nityānanda Prabhu smiled and sat down. On His right side He kept four pots of chipped rice that had not been made from boiled paddy.

Word meanings

tabe hāsi’ — thereupon smiling ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; vasilā āsane — sat down on His seat ; cāri kuṇḍī — four earthen pots ; āroyā ciḍā — chipped rice not made from boiled paddy ; rākhilā ḍāhine — He kept on His right side .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda offered Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu a place and had Him sit down. Then together the two brothers began eating chipped rice.

Word meanings

āsana diyā — offering a sitting place ; mahāprabhure — unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāhāṅ — there ; vasāilā — made sit ; dui bhāi — the two brothers ; tabe — at that time ; ciḍā — chipped rice ; khāite lāgilā — began to eat .

Translation

Seeing Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu eating with Him, Lord Nityānanda Prabhu became very happy and exhibited varieties of ecstatic love.

Word meanings

dekhi’ — seeing ; nityānanda - prabhu — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; ānandita hailā — became very happy ; kata kata — so much ; bhāva - āveśa — ecstatic love ; prakāśa karilā — He manifested .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ordered, “All of you eat, chanting the holy name of Hari.” Immediately the holy names “Hari, Hari” resounded, filling the entire universe.

Word meanings

ājñā dilā — He ordered ; hari bali’ — saying “Hari” ; karaha bhojana — all of you eat ; hari hari - dhvani — the resounding of “Hari, Hari” ; uṭhi’ — rising ; bharila bhuvana — filled the universe .

Translation

When all the Vaiṣṇavas were chanting the holy names “Hari, Hari” and eating, they remembered how Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma ate with Their companions the cowherd boys on the bank of the Yamunā.

Word meanings

hari hari bali’ — chanting “Hari, Hari” ; vaiṣṇava — all the Vaiṣṇavas ; karaye bhojana — eat ; pulina - bhojana — eating on the bank of the Yamunā ; sabāra ha - ila smaraṇa — everyone could remember .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Nityānanda Prabhu are extremely merciful and liberal. It was Raghunātha dāsa’s good fortune that They accepted all these dealings.

Word meanings

nityānanda mahāprabhu — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu and Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpālu — merciful ; udāra — liberal ; raghunāthera bhāgye — by the great fortune of Raghunātha dāsa ; eta — all this ; kailā aṅgīkāra — They accepted .

Translation

Who can understand the influence and mercy of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu? He is so powerful that He induced Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to come eat chipped rice on the bank of the Ganges.

Word meanings

nityānanda — of Nityānanda Prabhu ; prabhāva - kṛpā — influence and mercy ; jānibe — can know ; kon jana — who ; mahāprabhu āni’ — bringing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karāya pulina - bhojana — induces Him to eat on the riverbank .

Translation

All the confidential devotees who were cowherd boys, headed by Śrī Rāmadāsa, were absorbed in ecstatic love. They thought the bank of the Ganges to be the bank of the Yamunā.

Word meanings

śrī - rāmadāsa - ādi — headed by Śrī Rāmadāsa ; gopa — the cowherd boys ; prema - āviṣṭa hailā — became absorbed in ecstatic love ; gaṅgā - tīre — the bank of the Ganges River ; yamunā - pulina — the bank of the Yamunā River ; jñāna kailā — they thought .

Translation

When the shopkeepers of many other villages heard about the festival, they arrived there to sell chipped rice, yogurt, sweetmeats and bananas.

Word meanings

mahotsava śuni’ — hearing about this festival ; pasāri — the shopkeepers ; nānā - grāma — various villages ; haite — from ; ciḍā — chipped rice ; dadhi — yogurt ; sandeśa — sweetmeats ; kalā — bananas ; ānila — brought ; vecite — to sell .

Translation

As they came, bringing all kinds of food, Raghunātha dāsa purchased it all. He gave them the price for their goods and later fed them the very same food.

Word meanings

yata dravya — all materials ; lañā — bringing ; āise — come ; saba — all ; mūlya kari’ laya — Raghunātha purchased ; tāra dravya — of their goods ; mūlya diyā — giving the price ; tāhāre khāoyāya — fed them .

Translation

Anyone who came to see how these funny things were going on was also fed chipped rice, yogurt and bananas.

Word meanings

kautuka — these funny things ; dekhite — to see ; āila — arrived ; yata yata jana — all kinds of men ; sei — they ; ciḍā — chipped rice ; dadhi — yogurt ; kalā — bananas ; karila bhakṣaṇa — ate .

Translation

After Lord Nityānanda Prabhu finished eating, He washed His hands and mouth and gave Raghunātha dāsa the food remaining in the four pots.

Word meanings

bhojana kari’ — after finishing eating ; nityānanda — Nityānanda Prabhu ; ācamana kailā — washing His hands and mouth ; cāri kuṇḍīra — of the four pots ; avaśeṣa — what was remaining ; raghunāthe dilā — delivered to Raghunātha dāsa .

Translation

There was food remaining in the three other big pots of Lord Nityānanda, and a brāhmaṇa distributed it to all the devotees, giving a morsel to each.

Word meanings

āra — other ; tina kuṇḍikāya — in three pots ; avaśeṣa chila — there was food remaining ; grāse - grāse — morsel by morsel ; kari’ — delivering ; vipra — a brāhmaṇa ; saba bhakte — to all the devotees ; dila — delivered .

Translation

Then a brāhmaṇa brought a flower garland, placed the garland on Nityānanda Prabhu’s neck and smeared sandalwood pulp all over His body.

Word meanings

puṣpa - mālā — a flower garland ; vipra — a brāhmaṇa ; āni’ — bringing ; prabhu - gale — on the neck of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; dila — placed ; candana āniyā — bringing sandalwood pulp ; prabhura — of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; sarvāṅge lepila — smeared all over the body .

Translation

When a servant brought betel nuts and offered them to Lord Nityānanda, the Lord smiled and chewed them.

Word meanings

sevaka — servant ; tāmbūla — betel nuts ; lañā — bringing ; kare samarpaṇa — offers ; hāsiyā hāsiyā — smiling ; prabhu — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; karaye carvaṇa — chews .

Translation

With His own hands Lord Nityānanda Prabhu distributed to all the devotees whatever flower garlands, sandalwood pulp and betel nuts remained.

Word meanings

mālā - candana - tāmbūla — the flower garlands, sandalwood pulp and betel ; śeṣa ye āchila — whatever remained ; śrī - haste — in His own hand ; prabhu — Nityānanda Prabhu ; tāhā — that ; sabākāre — to all ; bāṅṭi’ dila — distributed .

Translation

After receiving the remnants of food left by Lord Nityānanda Prabhu, Raghunātha dāsa, who was greatly happy, ate some and distributed the rest among his own associates.

Word meanings

ānandita — being very happy ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; prabhura śeṣa pāñā — after getting the remnants left by Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; āpanāra gaṇa — his own associates ; saha — with ; khāilā — ate ; bāṅtiyā — distributing .

Translation

Thus I have described the pastimes of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu in relation to the celebrated festival of chipped rice and yogurt.

Word meanings

ei ta’ — in this way ; kahiluṅ — I have described ; nityānandera vihāra — the pastimes of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; ciḍā - dadhi - mahotsava — the festival of eating chipped rice and yogurt ; nāme — of the name ; khyāti — the fame ; yāra — of which .

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu rested for the day, and when the day ended He went to the temple of Rāghava Paṇḍita and began congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord.

Word meanings

prabhu — Nityānanda Prabhu ; viśrāma kailā — took rest ; yadi — when ; dina - śeṣa haila — the day was ended ; rāghava - mandire — at the temple of Rāghava Paṇḍita ; tabe — at that time ; kīrtana ārambhila — began congregational chanting of the holy name .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda Prabhu first influenced all the devotees to dance, and finally He Himself began dancing, thus inundating the entire world in ecstatic love.

Word meanings

bhakta saba — all the devotees ; nācāñā — making to dance ; nityānanda - rāya — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; śeṣe — at the end ; nṛtya kare — began to dance ; preme — in ecstatic love ; jagat bhāsāya — inundated the entire world .

Translation

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was observing the dancing of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu. Nityānanda Prabhu could see this, but the others could not.

Word meanings

mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅra — His ; nṛtya — dancing ; karena daraśana — sees ; sabe — all ; nityānanda dekhe — Nityānanda Prabhu sees ; nā dekhe — do not see ; anya - jana — others .

Translation

The dancing of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu, like the dancing of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, cannot be compared to anything within these three worlds.

Word meanings

nityānandera nṛtya — the dancing of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; yena — as ; tāṅhāra nartane — with the dancing of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; upamā dibāra nāhi — there cannot be any comparison ; e - tina bhuvane — within these three worlds .

Translation

No one can properly describe the sweetness of Lord Nityānanda’s dancing. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally comes to see it.

Word meanings

nṛtyera mādhurī — the sweetness of the dancing ; kebā — who ; varṇibāre pāre — can describe ; mahāprabhu āise — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu comes ; yei — that ; nṛtya — dancing ; dekhibāre — to see .

Translation

After the dancing and after Lord Nityānanda had rested, Rāghava Paṇḍita submitted his request that the Lord take supper.

Word meanings

nṛtya kari’ — after dancing ; prabhu — Lord Nityānanda ; yabe — when ; viśrāma karilā — took rest ; bhojanera lāgi’ — for His eating ; paṇḍita — Rāghava Paṇḍita ; nivedana kailā — submitted a request .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda Prabhu sat down for supper with His personal associates and made a sitting place on His right side for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

bhojane — to eat ; vasilā — sat down ; prabhu — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; nija - gaṇa lañā — with His own personal associates ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āsana — sitting place ; ḍāhine pātiyā — setting on the right side .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came there and sat down at His place. Seeing this, Rāghava Paṇḍita felt increasing happiness.

Word meanings

mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āsi’ — coming ; sei āsane — on that seat ; vasila — sat down ; dekhi’ — seeing ; rāghavera mane — in the mind of Rāghava Paṇḍita ; ānanda — great happiness ; bāḍila — increased .

Translation

Rāghava Paṇḍita brought the prasādam before the two brothers and thereafter distributed prasādam to all the other Vaiṣṇavas.

Word meanings

dui - bhāi - āge — in front of the two brothers ; prasāda — the remnants of food offered to Lord Kṛṣṇa ; āniyā — bringing ; dharilā — put ; sakala vaiṣṇave — to all the Vaiṣṇavas ; piche — thereafter ; pariveśana kailā — distributed .

Translation

There were varieties of cakes, sweet rice and fine cooked rice that surpassed the taste of nectar. There were also varieties of vegetables.

Word meanings

nānā - prakāra piṭhā — various types of cakes ; pāyasa — sweet rice ; divya śālyanna — fine cooked rice ; amṛta — nectar ; nindaye — surpassed ; aiche — such ; vividha vyañjana — varieties of vegetables .

Translation

The food prepared and offered to the Deity by Rāghava Paṇḍita was like the essence of nectar. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came there again and again to eat such prasādam.

Word meanings

rāghava - ṭhākurera — of Rāghava Paṇḍita ; prasāda — food offered to the Deity ; amṛtera sāra — the essence of nectar ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yāhā — which ; khāite — to eat ; āise — came ; bāra bāra — again and again .

Translation

When Rāghava Paṇḍita offered the food to the Deity after cooking, he would make a separate offering for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

pāka kari’ — after cooking ; rāghava — Rāghava Paṇḍita ; yabe — when ; bhoga lāgāya — offers food to the Deity ; mahāprabhura lāgi’ — for Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhoga — offering ; pṛthak — separate ; bāḍaya — arranges .

Translation

Every day, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would eat at the house of Rāghava Paṇḍita. Sometimes He would give Rāghava Paṇḍita the opportunity to see Him.

Word meanings

prati - dina — daily ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karena bhojana — eats ; madhye madhye — sometimes ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — unto him ; dena daraśana — gives His audience .

Translation

Rāghava Paṇḍita would bring and distribute prasādam to the two brothers, feeding Them with great attention. They ate everything, and therefore there were no remnants left.

Word meanings

dui bhāire — to the two brothers ; rāghava — Rāghava Paṇḍita ; āni’ — bringing ; pariveśe — distributed ; yatna kari’ — with great attention ; khāoyāya — fed Them ; nā rahe avaśeṣe — there were no remnants .

Translation

He brought so many presentations that no one could know them perfectly. Indeed, it was a fact that the supreme mother, Rādhārāṇī, personally cooked in the house of Rāghava Paṇḍita.

Word meanings

kata upahāra — many presentations ; āne — brings ; hena — such ; nāhi jāni — I cannot understand ; rāghavera ghare — at the house of Rāghava Paṇḍita ; rāndhe — cooks ; rādhā - ṭhākurāṇī — the supreme mother, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī .

Translation

Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī received from Durvāsā Muni the benediction that whatever She cooked would be sweeter than nectar. That is the special feature of Her cooking.

Word meanings

durvāsāra ṭhāñi — from Durvāsā Muni ; teṅho — She ; pāñāchena vara — got the benediction ; amṛta ha - ite — than nectar ; pāka — cooking ; tāṅra — Her ; adhika madhura — more sweet .

Translation

Aromatic and pleasing to see, the food was the essence of all sweetness. Thus the two brothers, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Nityānanda Prabhu, ate it with great satisfaction.

Word meanings

su - gandhi — fragrant ; sundara — beautiful ; prasāda — food ; mādhuryera sāra — the essence of all sweetness ; dui bhāi — the two brothers ; tāhā — that ; khāñā — eating ; santoṣa apāra — very, very happy .

Translation

All the devotees present requested Raghunātha dāsa to sit down and take prasādam, but Rāghava Paṇḍita told them, “He will take prasādam later.”

Word meanings

bhojane — to eat ; vasite — to sit down ; raghunāthe — unto Raghunātha dāsa ; kahe — requested ; sarva - jana — everyone ; paṇḍita kahe — Rāghava Paṇḍita said ; iṅha — this ; pāche — later ; karibe bhojana — will take food .

Translation

All the devotees took prasādam, filling themselves to the brim. Thereafter, chanting the holy name of Hari, they stood up and washed their hands and mouths.

Word meanings

bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; ākaṇṭha — up to the neck ; bhariyā — filling ; karila bhojana — took prasādam ; hari dhvani — chanting of the holy name of Hari ; kari’ — doing ; uṭhi’ — getting up ; kailā ācamana — washed their mouths and hands .

Translation

After eating, the two brothers washed Their hands and mouths. Then Rāghava Paṇḍita brought flower garlands and sandalwood pulp and decorated Them.

Word meanings

bhojana kari’ — after eating ; dui bhāi — the two brothers ; kailā ācamana — washed Their hands and mouths ; rāghava — Rāghava Paṇḍita ; āni’ — bringing ; parāilā — decorated Them with ; mālyacandana — flower garlands and sandalwood pulp .

Translation

Rāghava Paṇḍita offered Them betel nuts and worshiped Their lotus feet. He also distributed betel nuts, flower garlands and sandalwood pulp to the devotees.

Word meanings

biḍā khāoyāilā — he offered betel nuts ; kailā caraṇa vandana — prayed to the lotus feet ; bhakta - gaṇe — unto the devotees ; dilā — gave ; biḍā — betel nuts ; mālya - candana — garlands and sandalwood pulp .

Translation

Rāghava Paṇḍita, being very merciful toward Raghunātha dāsa, offered him the dishes with the remnants of food left by the two brothers.

Word meanings

rāghavera — of Rāghava Paṇḍita ; kṛpā — mercy ; raghunāthera upare — unto Raghunātha dāsa ; dui bhāiera — of the two brothers ; avaśiṣṭa — of remnants of food ; pātra — the dishes ; dilā tāṅre — offered to him .

Translation

He said, “Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has eaten this food. If you take His remnants, you will be released from the bondage of your family.”

Word meanings

kahilā — he said ; caitanya gosāñi — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kariyāchena bhojana — has eaten ; tāṅra śeṣa — His remnants ; pāile — if you take ; tomāra — your ; khaṇḍila — will cease ; bandhana — bondage .

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead always resides either in the heart or in the home of a devotee. This fact is sometimes hidden and sometimes manifest, for the Supreme Personality of Godhead is fully independent.

Word meanings

bhakta - citte — in the heart of a devotee ; bhakta - gṛhe — at the house of a devotee ; sadā avasthāna — always resides ; kabhu gupta — sometimes hidden ; kabhu vyakta — sometimes manifest ; svatantra — fully independent ; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is all-pervasive, and therefore He resides everywhere. Anyone who doubts this will be annihilated.

Word meanings

sarvatra — everywhere ; vyāpaka — pervading ; prabhura — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; sadā — always ; sarvatra — everywhere ; vāsa — residence ; ihāte — about this ; saṁśaya — doubt ; yāra — of whom ; sei — he ; yāya nāśa — becomes annihilated .

Translation

In the morning, after taking His bath in the Ganges, Nityānanda Prabhu sat down with His associates beneath the same tree under which He had previously sat.

Word meanings

prāte — in the morning ; nityānanda prabhu — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; gaṅgā snāna — bathing in the Ganges ; kariyā — after doing ; sei vṛkṣa - mūle — under that tree ; vasilā — sat down ; nija - gaṇa lañā — with His associates .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa went there and worshiped Lord Nityānanda’s lotus feet. Through Rāghava Paṇḍita, he submitted his desire.

Word meanings

raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; āsi’ — coming ; kailā caraṇa vandana — worshiped His lotus feet ; rāghava - paṇḍita - dvārā — through Rāghava Paṇḍita ; kailā nivedana — submitted his desire .

Translation

“I am the lowest of men, the most sinful, fallen and condemned. Nevertheless, I desire to attain shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

adhama — the most fallen ; pāmara — the most sinful ; mui — I ; hīna — condemned ; jīva - adhama — the lowest of all living beings ; mora — my ; icchā — desire ; haya — is ; pāṅa — I can get ; caitanya - caraṇa — the shelter of the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

“Like a dwarf who wants to catch the moon, I have tried my best many times, but I have never been successful.

Word meanings

vāmana hañā — being a dwarf ; yena — as if ; cānda — the moon ; dharibāre — to catch ; cāya — wants ; aneka yatna — many attempts ; kainu — I have made ; tāte — in that ; kabhu siddha naya — I have not been successful .

Translation

“Every time I tried to go away and give up my home relationships, my father and mother unfortunately kept me bound.

Word meanings

yata - bāra — as many times ; palāi — go away ; āmi — I ; gṛha - ādi chāḍiyā — giving up my relationship with home ; pitā mātā — father and mother ; dui — both of them ; more — me ; rākhaye bāndhiyā — keep bound .

Translation

“No one can attain the shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu without Your mercy, but if You are merciful, even the lowest of men can attain shelter at His lotus feet.

Word meanings

tomāra kṛpā — Your mercy ; vinā — without ; keha — anyone ; caitanya — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nā pāya — cannot get ; tumi kṛpā kaile — if You are merciful ; tāṅre — Him ; adhameha — even the fallen soul ; pāya — can get .

Translation

“Although I am unfit and greatly afraid to submit this plea, I nevertheless request You, Sir, to be especially merciful toward me by granting me shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

ayogya — unfit ; mui — I ; nivedana karite — to submit my desires ; kari bhaya — I am afraid ; more — unto me ; caitanya deha’ — kindly give the shelter of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gosāñi — O my Lord ; hañā sa - daya — being merciful .

Translation

“Placing Your feet on my head, give me the benediction that I may achieve the shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu without difficulty. I pray for this benediction.”

Word meanings

mora māthe — upon my head ; pada dhari’ — keeping Your feet ; karaha prasāda — bless me ; nirvighne — without difficulty ; caitanya pāṅa — I may get the shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kara āśīrvāda — give this benediction .

Translation

After hearing this appeal by Raghunātha dāsa, Lord Nityānanda Prabhu smiled and told all the devotees, “Raghunātha dāsa’s standard of material happiness is equal to that of Indra, the King of heaven.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; hāsi’ — smiling ; kahe — says ; prabhu — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; saba bhakta - gaṇe — unto all the devotees ; ihāra — of Raghunātha dāsa ; viṣaya sukha — material happiness ; indra - sukha — the material happiness of the King of heaven, Indra ; sama — equal to .

Translation

“Because of the mercy bestowed upon him by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Raghunātha dāsa, although situated in such material happiness, does not like it at all. Therefore let every one of you be merciful toward him and give him the benediction that he may very soon attain shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

caitanya - kṛpāte — by the mercy of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; seha — such a standard of material happiness ; nāhi bhāya — he does not take as valuable ; mane — in the mind ; sabe — all of you ; āśīrvāda kara — give the benediction ; pāuka — let him get ; caitanya - caraṇe — the shelter of the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

“One who experiences the fragrance of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa does not value even the standard of happiness available in Brahmaloka, the topmost planet. And what to speak of heavenly happiness?

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; pāda - padma — of the lotus feet ; gandha — the fragrance ; yei jana — anyone who ; pāya — gets ; brahma - loka — of Brahmaloka ; ādi — and so on ; sukha — happiness ; tāṅre — to him ; nāhi bhāya — does not appear valuable .

Translation

“ ‘Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is offered sublime, poetic prayers by those trying to attain His favor. Thus He is known as Uttamaśloka. Being very eager to gain the association of Lord Kṛṣṇa, King Bharata, although in the prime of youth, gave up his very attractive wife, affectionate children, most beloved friends and opulent kingdom, exactly as one gives up stool after excreting it.’ ”

Word meanings

yaḥ — who (Bharata Mahārāja) ; dustyajān — difficult to give up ; dāra - sutān — wife and children ; suhṛt — friends ; rājyam — kingdom ; hṛdi - spṛśaḥ — dear to the core of the heart ; jahau — gave up ; yuvā — youth ; eva — at that time ; mala - vat — like stool ; uttama - śloka - lālasaḥ — being captivated by the transcendental qualities, pastimes and association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Purport

This verse is from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.14.43) .

Translation

Then Lord Nityānanda Prabhu called Raghunātha dāsa near Him, placed His lotus feet upon Raghunātha dāsa’s head and began to speak.

Word meanings

tabe — then ; raghunāthe — Raghunātha dāsa ; prabhu — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; nikaṭe bolāilā — called nearby ; tāṅra māthe — on his head ; pada dhari’ — keeping His feet ; kahite lāgilā — began to speak .

Translation

“My dear Raghunātha dāsa,” He said, “since you arranged the feast on the bank of the Ganges, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came here just to show you His mercy.

Word meanings

tumi — you ; ye — that ; karāilā — caused to do ; ei — this ; pulina - bhojana — picnic on the bank of the Ganges ; tomāya — unto you ; kṛpā kari’ — being merciful ; gaura — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kailā āgamana — came .

Translation

“By His causeless mercy He ate the chipped rice and milk. Then, after seeing the dancing of the devotees at night, He took His supper.

Word meanings

kṛpā kari’ — by His causeless mercy ; kailā — did ; ciḍā - dugdha bhojana — eating of the chipped rice and milk ; nṛtya dekhi’ — after seeing the dancing ; rātrye — at night ; kailā prasāda bhakṣaṇa — ate the prasādam .

Translation

“Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Gaurahari, came here personally to deliver you. Now rest assured that all the impediments meant for your bondage are gone.

Word meanings

tomā — you ; uddhārite — to deliver ; gaura — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Gaurahari ; āilā āpane — came personally ; chuṭila — have gone ; tomāra — your ; yata — all kinds of ; vighna - ādi - bandhane — impediments for bondage .

Translation

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will accept you and place you under the charge of His secretary, Svarūpa Dāmodara. You will thus become one of the most confidential internal servants and will attain shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

svarūpera sthāne — unto Svarūpa Dāmodara ; tomā — you ; karibe samarpaṇe — He will give ; antaraṅga — very confidential ; bhṛtya — servant ; bali’ — as ; rākhibe caraṇe — will keep under His lotus feet .

Translation

“Being assured of all this, return to your own home. Very soon, without impediments, you will attain shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

Word meanings

niścinta — without anxiety ; hañā — being ; yāha — go ; āpana - bhavana — to your own place ; acire — very soon ; nirvighne — without impediments ; pābe — you will get ; caitanya - caraṇa — the shelter of the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda had Raghunātha dāsa blessed by all the devotees, and Raghunātha dāsa offered his respects to their lotus feet.

Word meanings

saba — all ; bhakta - dvāre — by the devotees ; tāṅre āśīrvāda karāilā — had him blessed ; tāṅ - sabāra — of all of them ; caraṇa — the lotus feet ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; vandilā — worshiped .

Translation

After taking leave of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu and then all the other Vaiṣṇavas, Śrī Raghunātha dāsa consulted secretly with Rāghava Paṇḍita.

Word meanings

prabhu - ājñā — the order of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; lañā — taking ; vaiṣṇavera ājñā — the permission of all the Vaiṣṇavas ; la - ilā — he took ; rāghava - sahite — with Rāghava Paṇḍita ; nibhṛte — in a solitary place ; yukti karilā — he consulted .

Translation

After consulting with Rāghava Paṇḍita, he secretly delivered one hundred gold coins and about seven tolās of gold into the hand of Nityānanda Prabhu’s treasurer.

Word meanings

yukti kari’ — after consultation ; śata mudrā — one hundred coins ; soṇā — in gold pieces ; tolā - sāte — about seven tolās (about two and a half ounces) ; nibhṛte — secretly ; dilā — delivered ; prabhura — of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; bhāṇḍārīra — of the treasurer ; hāte — into the hand .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa admonished the treasurer, “Do not speak about this to Lord Nityānanda Prabhu now, but when He returns home, kindly inform Him about this presentation.”

Word meanings

tāṅre — him ; niṣedhilā — he forbade ; prabhure — unto Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; ebe — now ; nā kahibā — do not speak ; nija - ghare — to His home ; yābena — will return ; yabe — when ; tabe — then ; nivedibā — kindly inform Him .

Translation

Thereupon, Rāghava Paṇḍita took Raghunātha dāsa to his home. After inducing him to see the Deity, he gave Raghunātha dāsa a garland and sandalwood pulp.

Word meanings

tabe — thereupon ; rāghava - paṇḍita — Rāghava Paṇḍita ; tāṅre — him ; ghare lañā gelā — took to his home ; ṭhākura darśana karāñā — after inducing him to see the Deity ; mālā - candana — a garland and sandalwood pulp ; dilā — delivered .

Translation

He gave Raghunātha dāsa a large quantity of prasādam to eat on his way home. Then Raghunātha dāsa again spoke to Rāghava Paṇḍita.

Word meanings

aneka prasāda — much prasādam ; dilā — delivered ; pathe khāibāre — to eat on his way ; tabe — then ; punaḥ — again ; raghunātha kahe — Raghunātha dāsa said ; paṇḍitere — to Rāghava Paṇḍita .

Translation

“I want to give money,” he said, “just to worship the lotus feet of all the great devotees, servants and subservants of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu.

Word meanings

prabhura saṅge — with Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; yata — all ; mahānta — great devotees ; bhṛtya — servants ; āśrita jana — subservient people ; pūjite — to worship ; cāhiye — want ; āmi — I ; sabāra caraṇa — the lotus feet of all of them .

Translation

“As you think fit, give twenty, fifteen, twelve, ten or five coins to each of them.”

Word meanings

biśa — twenty ; pañca - daśa — fifteen ; bāra — twelve ; daśa — ten ; pañca — five ; haya — are ; mudrā — coins ; deha’ — give ; vicāri’ — considering ; yāra — of whom ; yata — as much ; yogya haya — is fit .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa drew up an account of the amount to be given and submitted it to Rāghava Paṇḍita, who then made up a list showing how much money was to be paid to each and every devotee.

Word meanings

saba — all ; lekhā kariyā — writing ; rāghava - pāśa dilā — delivered to Rāghava Paṇḍita ; yāṅra nāme — in whose name ; yata — as much ; rāghava — Rāghava Paṇḍita ; ciṭhi — a list ; lekhāilā — had written .

Translation

With great humility, Raghunātha dāsa placed one hundred gold coins and about two tolās of gold before Rāghava Paṇḍita for all the other devotees.

Word meanings

eka - śata mudrā — one hundred coins ; āra — and ; soṇā — gold ; tolā - dvaya — two tolās ; paṇḍitera āge — before Rāghava Paṇḍita ; dila — presented ; kariyā vinaya — with great humility .

Translation

After taking dust from the feet of Rāghava Paṇḍita, Raghunātha dāsa returned to his home, feeling greatly obligated to Lord Nityānanda Prabhu because of having received His merciful benediction.

Word meanings

tāṅra — his ; pada - dhūli — the dust of the feet ; lañā — taking ; sva - gṛhe āilā — returned to his home ; nityānanda - kṛpā — the mercy of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; pāñā — getting ; kṛtārtha mānilā — he felt greatly obligated .

Translation

From that day on, he did not go into the interior section of the house. Instead, he would sleep on the Durgā-maṇḍapa [the place where mother Durgā was worshiped].

Word meanings

sei haite — from that day ; abhyantare — in the interior rooms ; nā karena gamana — did not go ; bāhire — outside ; durgā - maṇḍape — to the place where Durgā worship was performed ; yāñā — going ; karena śayana — he sleeps .

Translation

There, however, the watchmen alertly kept guard. Raghunātha dāsa was thinking of various means by which to escape their vigilance.

Word meanings

tāṅhā — there ; jāgi’ — keeping awake ; rahe — stay ; saba — all ; rakṣaka - gaṇa — the watch men ; palāite — to go away ; karena — does ; nānā — various ; upāya — means ; cintana — thinking of .

Translation

At that time, all the devotees of Bengal were going to Jagannātha Purī to see Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; gauḍa - deśera — of Bengal ; saba — all ; bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; prabhure — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhite — to see ; nīlācale — to Jagannātha Purī ; karilā gamana — went .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa could not accompany them, for they were so famous that he would have been caught immediately.

Word meanings

tāṅ - sabāra — all of them ; saṅge — with ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; yāite nā pāre — could not go ; prasiddha — famous ; prakaṭa — known ; saṅga — group ; tabahiṅ — immediately ; dharā paḍe — he would be caught .

Translation

Thus Raghunātha dāsa thought deeply about how to escape, and one night while he was sleeping on the Durgā-maṇḍapa, the priest Yadunandana Ācārya entered the house when only four daṇḍas remained until the end of the night.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; cintite — while he was thinking ; daive — by chance ; eka dine — one day ; bāhire — outside the house ; devī - maṇḍape — on the Durgā platform ; kariyāchena śayane — was sleeping ; daṇḍa - cāri — four daṇḍas (ninety-six minutes) ; rātri — night ; yabe — when ; āche avaśeṣa — there remained ; yadunandana - ācārya — the priest of the name Yadunandana Ācārya ; tabe — then ; karilā praveśa — entered .

Translation

Yadunandana Ācārya was the priest and spiritual master of Raghunātha dāsa. Although born in a brāhmaṇa family, he had accepted the mercy of Vāsudeva Datta.

Word meanings

vāsudeva - dattera — of Vāsudeva Datta ; teṅha — he ; haya anugṛhīta — was given the mercy ; raghunāthera — of Raghunātha dāsa ; guru — the spiritual master ; teṅho — he ; haya — was ; purohita — the priest .

Translation

Yadunandana Ācārya had been officially initiated by Advaita Ācārya. Thus he considered Lord Caitanya his life and soul.

Word meanings

advaita - ācāryera — of Advaita Ācārya ; teṅha — Yadunandana Ācārya ; śiṣya — disciple ; antaraṅga — very confidential ; ācārya - ājñāte — by the order of Advaita Ācārya ; māne — he accepted ; caitanya prāṇa - dhana — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as his life and soul .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments that although the atheists who have deviated from the order of Śrī Advaita Ācārya introduce themselves as followers of Advaita Ācārya, they do not accept Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Yadunandana Ācārya, one of the most confidential followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, was the initiated disciple of Advaita Ācārya. He was not polluted by sentimental distinctions classifying Vaiṣṇavas according to birth. Therefore, although Vāsudeva Datta had not been born in a brāhmaṇa family, Yadunandana Ācārya also accepted him as his spiritual master.

Translation

When Yadunandana Ācārya entered the house of Raghunātha dāsa and stood in the courtyard, Raghunātha dāsa went there and fell down to offer his obeisances.

Word meanings

aṅgane — in the courtyard ; āsiyā — entering ; teṅho — Yadunandana Ācārya ; yabe — when ; dāṇḍāilā — stood up ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; āsi’ — coming ; tabe — at that time ; daṇḍavat kailā — offered his respects, falling down .

Translation

One of Yadunandana Ācārya’s disciples had been worshiping the Deity but had left that service. Yadunandana Ācārya wanted Raghunātha dāsa to induce the disciple to take up that service again.

Word meanings

tāṅra — his ; eka — one ; śiṣya — disciple ; tāṅra — his ; ṭhākurera — of the Deity ; sevā — service ; kare — does ; sevā chāḍiyāche — he has left that service ; tāre — him ; sādhibāra tare — to induce .

Translation

Yadunandana Ācārya requested Raghunātha dāsa, “Please induce the brāhmaṇa to resume the service, for there is no other brāhmaṇa to do it.”

Word meanings

raghunāthe kahe — he said to Raghunātha dāsa ; tāre — him ; karaha sādhana — induce to accept the service ; sevā — service ; yena — that ; kare — he does ; āra — other ; nāhika — there is no ; brāhmaṇa — brāhmaṇa .

Translation

After saying this, Yadunandana Ācārya took Raghunātha dāsa with him and went out. By that time all the watchmen were deeply asleep because it was the end of the night.

Word meanings

eta kahi’ — saying this ; raghunāthe lañā — taking Raghunātha dāsa ; calilā — he went out ; rakṣaka saba — all the watchmen ; śeṣa - rātre — at the end of night ; nidrāya paḍilā — fell asleep .

Translation

East of the house of Raghunātha dāsa was the house of Yadunandana Ācārya. Yadunandana Ācārya and Raghunātha dāsa talked together as they went toward that house.

Word meanings

ācāryera ghara — the house of Yadunandana Ācārya ; ihāra — of this ; pūrva - diśāte — to the east ; kahite — talking ; śunite — listening ; duṅhe — both of them ; cale — go ; sei pathe — on that path .

Translation

Halfway along the path, Raghunātha dāsa submitted at the lotus feet of his spiritual master, “I shall go to the home of that brāhmaṇa, induce him to return, and send him to your home.

Word meanings

ardha - pathe — halfway along the path ; raghunātha kahe — Raghunātha dāsa said ; gurura caraṇe — unto the lotus feet of his spiritual master ; āmi — I ; sei — that ; vipre — brāhmaṇa ; sādhi’ — inducing ; pāṭhāimu — shall send ; tomā sthāne — to your place .

Translation

“You may go home without anxiety. Following your order, I shall persuade the brāhmaṇa.” On this plea, after asking permission, Raghunātha dāsa decided to go away.

Word meanings

tumi — you ; sukhe — in happiness ; ghare yāha — go to your place ; more — to me ; ājñā — order ; haya — is ; ei chale — on this plea ; ājñā māgi’ — asking permission ; karilā niścaya — decided .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa thought, “This is the greatest opportunity to go away because this time there are no servants or watchmen with me.”

Word meanings

sevaka — servant ; rakṣaka — watchman ; āra — and ; keha nāhi — there is no one ; saṅge — along ; palāite — to go away ; āmāra — my ; bhāla — good ; eita — this ; prasaṅge — opportunity .

Translation

Thinking in this way, he quickly proceeded toward the east. Sometimes he turned around and looked back, but no one was following him.

Word meanings

eta cinti’ — thinking this ; pūrva - mukhe — toward the east ; karilā gamana — began to proceed ; ulaṭiyā — turning around ; cāhe — looks ; pāche — behind ; nāhi kona jana — there was no one .

Translation

Thinking of the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Nityānanda Prabhu, he left the general path and proceeded with great haste on the one not generally used.

Word meanings

śrī - caitanya — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nityānanda — of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; caraṇa — the lotus feet ; cintiyā — thinking of ; patha chāḍi’ — giving up the general pathway ; upapathe — by the path not generally used ; yāyena dhāñā — he went very swiftly .

Translation

Giving up the general path from village to village, he passed through the jungles, thinking with heart and soul about the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

grāme - grāmera — from village to village ; patha — the general path ; chāḍi’ — giving up ; yāya — goes ; vane vane — through the jungles ; kāya - manaḥ - vākye — with body, mind and words ; cinte — thinks ; caitanya caraṇe — of the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

He walked about thirty miles in one day, and in the evening he took rest in the cowshed of a milkman.

Word meanings

pañca - daśa - krośa — about thirty miles ; patha cali’ — walking on the path ; gelā — went ; eka - dine — in one day ; sandhyā - kāle — in the evening ; rahilā — remained ; eka gopera — of a milkman ; bāthāne — in the cowshed .

Translation

When the milkman saw that Raghunātha dāsa was fasting, he gave him some milk. Raghunātha dāsa drank the milk and lay down to rest there for the night.

Word meanings

upavāsī — fasting ; dekhi’ — seeing ; gopa — the milkman ; dugdha — milk ; āni’ — bringing ; dilā — gave ; sei dugdha — that milk ; pāna kari’ — drinking ; paḍiyā — lying down ; rahilā — he remained .

Translation

At the house of Raghunātha dāsa, the servant and watchman, not seeing him there, immediately went to inquire about him from his spiritual master, Yadunandana Ācārya.

Word meanings

ethā — here, at his home ; tāṅra — his ; sevaka — servant ; rakṣaka — watchman ; tāṅre — him ; nā dekhiyā — not seeing ; tāṅra guru - pāśe — from his spiritual master ; vārtā — news ; puchilena — inquired ; giyā — going .

Translation

Yadunandana Ācārya said, “He has already asked my permission and returned home.” Thus there arose a tumultuous sound, as everyone cried, “Now Raghunātha has gone away!”

Word meanings

teṅha kahe — he said ; ājñā māgi’ — asking my permission ; gelā — went ; nija ghara — to his home ; palāila raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa has gone away ; uṭhila — arose ; kolāhala — a tumultuous sound .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa’s father said, “Now all the devotees from Bengal have gone to Jagannātha Purī to see Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

tāṅra — his ; pitā — father ; kahe — said ; gauḍera — of Bengal ; saba — all ; bhakta gaṇa — the devotees ; prabhu - sthāne — to the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nīlācale — at Jagannātha Purī ; karilā gamana — have gone .

Translation

“Raghunātha dāsa has fled with them. Ten men should immediately go catch him and bring him back.”

Word meanings

sei - saṅge — with them ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; gela palāñā — has fled ; daśa jana — ten men ; yāha — go ; tāre — him ; ānaha — bring ; dhariyā — catching .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa’s father wrote a letter to Śivānanda Sena, asking him with great humility, “Please return my son.”

Word meanings

śivānande — unto Śivānanda Sena ; patrī — a letter ; dila — sent ; vinaya kariya — with great humility ; āmāra putrere — my son ; tumi — you ; dibā — please give ; bāhuḍiyā — returning .

Translation

In Jhāṅkarā, the ten men caught up with the group of Vaiṣṇavas going to Nīlācala.

Word meanings

jhāṅkarā paryanta — to the place known as Jhāṅkarā ; gela — went ; sei daśa jane — those ten men ; jhāṅkarāte — at Jhāṅkarā ; pāila — caught up to ; giyā — going ; vaiṣṇavera gaṇe — the group of Vaiṣṇavas .

Translation

After delivering the letter, the men inquired from Śivānanda Sena about Raghunātha dāsa, but Śivānanda Sena replied, “He did not come here.”

Word meanings

patrī — letter ; diyā — delivering ; śivānande — unto Śivānanda Sena ; vārtā — news ; puchila — inquired ; śivānanda kahe — Śivānanda said ; teṅha — he ; ethā — here ; nā āila — did not come .

Translation

The ten men returned home, and Raghunātha dāsa’s father and mother were filled with anxiety.

Word meanings

bāhuḍiyā — returning ; sei — those ; daśa jana — ten men ; āila ghara — came back home ; tāṅra — his ; mātā - pitā — mother and father ; ha - ila — became ; cintita — full of anxiety ; antara — within themselves .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa, who had been resting at the milkman’s house, got up early in the morning. Instead of going to the east, he turned his face south and proceeded.

Word meanings

ethā — here ; raghunātha - dāsa — Raghunātha dāsa ; prabhāte — early in the morning ; uṭhiyā — rising ; pūrva - mukha — facing the east ; chāḍi’ — giving up ; cale — began to proceed ; dakṣiṇa - mukha — facing south ; hañā — being .

Translation

He crossed Chatrabhoga, but instead of going on the general path, he proceeded on the path that went from village to village.

Word meanings

chatra - bhoga — the place named Chatrabhoga ; pāra hañā — crossing ; chāḍiyā — giving up ; sarāṇa — the royal road ; kugrāma diyā diyā — going through village pathways ; karila prayāṇa — proceeded .

Purport

Chatrabhoga, known now as Chāḍa-khāḍi, is in the district of Twenty-four Parganas in West Bengal. It is situated near the celebrated village Jayanagara-majilapura. Formerly the Ganges or some of its branches flowed through this region. Sometimes Chatrabhoga is misunderstood to have been a village on the river Kāṅsāi-nadī in Benāpola.

Translation

Not caring about eating, he traveled all day. Hunger was not an impediment, for his mind was concentrated upon obtaining shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

bhakṣaṇa apekṣā nāhi — did not care for eating ; samasta divasa — all day ; gamana — traveling ; kṣudhā — hunger ; nāhi bādhe — did not become an impediment ; caitanya - caraṇa — the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prāptye — on obtaining ; mana — mind .

Translation

Sometimes he chewed fried grains, sometimes he cooked, and sometimes he drank milk. In this way he kept his life and soul together with whatever was available wherever he went.

Word meanings

kabhu carvaṇa — sometimes chewing ; kabhu randhana — sometimes cooking ; kabhu dugdha - pāna — sometimes drinking milk ; yabe — when ; yei — whoever ; mile — meets ; tāhe — in that way ; rākhe — keeps ; nija prāṇa — his life .

Translation

He reached Jagannātha Purī in twelve days but could eat only for three days on the way.

Word meanings

bāra dine — for twelve days ; cali’ — traveling ; gelā — reached ; śrī - puruṣottama — Jagannātha Purī, or Nīlācala, the place of Puruṣottama ; pathe — on the path ; tina - dina — on three days ; mātra — only ; karilā bhojana — he ate .

Translation

When Raghunātha dāsa met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord was sitting with His companions, headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara.

Word meanings

svarūpa - ādi - saha — in the company of devotees, headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara ; gosāñi — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āchena vasiyā — was sitting ; hena - kāle — at this time ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; milila — met ; āsiyā — coming .

Translation

Staying at a distant place in the courtyard, he fell down to offer obeisances. Then Mukunda Datta said, “Here is Raghunātha.”

Word meanings

aṅganete — in the courtyard ; dūre rahi’ — keeping himself at a distant place ; karena praṇipāta — offered his obeisances ; mukunda - datta kahe — Mukunda Datta said ; ei — this ; āila — has come ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa .

Translation

As soon as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard these words, He immediately welcomed Raghunātha dāsa. “Come here,” He said. Raghunātha dāsa then clasped the lotus feet of the Lord, but the Lord stood up and embraced him out of His causeless mercy.

Word meanings

prabhu kahena — the Lord said ; āisa — come here ; teṅho — he ; dharilā caraṇa — caught His lotus feet ; uṭhi’ — standing up ; prabhu — the Lord ; kṛpāya — out of mercy ; tāṅre — him ; kailā āliṅgana — embraced .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa offered prayers at the lotus feet of all the devotees, headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī. Seeing the special mercy Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had bestowed upon Raghunātha dāsa, they embraced him also.

Word meanings

svarūpa - ādi — headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara ; saba bhaktera — of all the devotees ; caraṇa vandilā — offered prayers to the lotus feet ; prabhu - kṛpā — the mercy of Lord Caitanya ; dekhi’ — seeing ; sabe — all of them ; āliṅgana kailā — embraced .

Translation

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “The mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa is stronger than anything else. Therefore the Lord has delivered you from the ditch of materialistic life, which is like a hole into which people pass stool.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; kṛṣṇa - kṛpā — the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; baliṣṭha — more powerful ; sabā haite — than anything ; tomāre — you ; kāḍila — He has delivered ; viṣaya — of material enjoyment ; viṣṭhā — of stool ; garta — the ditch ; haite — from .

Purport

According to the law of karma, everyone is destined to suffer or enjoy according to a certain material standard, but the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa is so powerful that the Lord can change all the reactions of one’s past karma, or fruitive activities. Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu specifically drew attention to the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa. That mercy is more powerful than anything else, for it had saved Raghunātha dāsa from the strong bondage of materialistic life, which the Lord compared to a hole where people pass stool. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave His verdict that those addicted to the materialistic way of life are like worms that are living in stool but cannot give it up. A gṛha-vrata, one who has decided to live in a comfortable home although it is actually miserable, is in a condemned position. Only the mercy of Kṛṣṇa can save one from such misery. Without Kṛṣṇa’s mercy, one cannot get out of the filthy entanglement of materialistic life. The poor living entity cannot give up his materialistic position on his own; only when granted the special mercy of Kṛṣṇa can he give it up. Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu knew very well that Raghunātha dāsa was already liberated. Nevertheless He emphasized that Raghunātha dāsa’s life of material comfort as a very rich man’s son with a very beautiful wife and many servants to attend him was like a ditch of stool. The Lord thus specifically indicated that ordinary men who are very happy with material comforts and family life are in no better position than worms in stool.

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa answered within his mind, “I do not know who Kṛṣṇa is. I simply know that Your mercy, O my Lord, has saved me from my family life.”

Word meanings

raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; mane kahe — answered within his mind ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; nāhi jāni — I do not know ; tava — Your ; kṛpā — mercy ; kāḍila — has delivered ; āmā — me ; ei — this ; āmi māni — I accept .

Translation

The Lord continued, “Your father and his elder brother are both related as brothers to My grandfather, Nīlāmbara Cakravartī. Therefore I consider them My grandfathers.

Word meanings

prabhu kahena — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; tomāra — your ; pitā - jyeṭhā — father and his elder brother ; dui jane — both of them ; cakravartī - sambandhe — because of a relationship with Nīlāmbara Cakravartī ; hāma — I ; ājā kari’ — as My grandfathers ; māne — consider .

Purport

Nīlāmbara Cakravartī, the grandfather of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, was very intimately related to Raghunātha dāsa’s father and uncle. Nīlāmbara Cakravartī used to call them his younger brothers because both of them were very much devoted to the brāhmaṇas and were very respectable gentlemen. Similarly, they used to call him Dādā Cakravartī, addressing him as an elder brother brāhmaṇa. Raghunātha dāsa, however, was almost the same age as Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Generally a grandchild may joke about his grandfather. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took advantage of the relationship between His grandfather and Raghunātha dāsa’s father and uncle to speak in a joking way.

Translation

“Since your father and his elder brother are younger brothers of Nīlāmbara Cakravartī, I may joke about them in this way.

Word meanings

cakravartīra — of Nīlāmbara Cakravartī ; duhe — both ; haya — are ; bhrātṛ - rūpa dāsa — servants as younger brothers ; ataeva — therefore ; tāre — unto them ; āmi — I ; kari parihāsa — say something jokingly .

Translation

“My dear Raghunātha dāsa, your father and his elder brother are just like worms in stool in the ditch of material enjoyment, for the great disease of the poison of material enjoyment is what they consider happiness.

Word meanings

tomāra — your ; bāpa — father ; jyeṭhā — his elder brother ; viṣaya — of material enjoyment ; viṣṭhā — stool ; gartera — of the ditch ; kīḍā — worms ; sukha kari’ — as happiness ; māne — they consider ; viṣaya — of material enjoyment ; viṣera — of the poison ; mahā - pīḍā — the great disease .

Purport

When a man is attached to material enjoyment, he is attached to many miserable conditions, but nevertheless he accepts his condemned position as one of happiness. Sense enjoyment is so strong for such a person that he cannot give it up, exactly as a worm in stool cannot give up the stool. From the spiritual point of view, when a person is too absorbed in material enjoyment, he is exactly like a worm in stool. Although such a position is utterly miserable to the eyes of liberated souls, the materialistic enjoyer is greatly attached to it.

Translation

“Although your father and uncle are charitable to brāhmaṇas and greatly help them, they are nevertheless not pure Vaiṣṇavas. However, they are almost like Vaiṣṇavas.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; brahmaṇya kare — give charity to the brāhmaṇas ; brāhmaṇera sahāya — great helpers to the brāhmaṇas ; śuddha - vaiṣṇava — pure Vaiṣṇavas ; nahe — not ; haye — they are ; vaiṣṇavera prāya — almost like Vaiṣṇavas .

Purport

As stated by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya, some people, usually very rich men, dress like Vaiṣṇavas and give charity to brāhmaṇas. They are also attached to Deity worship, but because of their attachment to material enjoyment, they cannot be pure Vaiṣṇavas. Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam. The pure Vaiṣṇava has no desire for material enjoyment. That is the basic qualification of a pure Vaiṣṇava. There are men, especially rich men, who regularly worship the Deity, give charity to brāhmaṇas and are pious in every respect, but they cannot be pure Vaiṣṇavas. Despite their outward show of Vaiṣṇavism and charity, their inner desire is to enjoy a higher standard of material life. Raghunātha dāsa’s father, Govardhana, and uncle, Hiraṇya dāsa, were both very charitable to brāhmaṇas. Indeed, the brāhmaṇas from the Gauḍīya district were practically dependent upon them. Thus they were accepted as very pious gentlemen. However, they presented themselves as Vaiṣṇavas to the eyes of people in general, although from a purely spiritual point of view they were ordinary human beings, not pure Vaiṣṇavas. Actual Vaiṣṇavas considered them almost Vaiṣṇavas, not pure Vaiṣṇavas. In other words, they were kaniṣṭha-adhikārīs, for they were ignorant of higher Vaiṣṇava regulative principles. Nevertheless, they could not be called viṣayīs, or blind materialistic enjoyers.

Translation

“Those who are attached to materialistic life and are blind to spiritual life must act in such a way that they are bound to repeated birth and death by the actions and reactions of their activities.

Word meanings

tathāpi — still ; viṣayera svabhāva — the potency of material enjoyment ; kare mahā - andha — makes one completely blind ; sei karma karāya — causes one to act in that way ; yāte — by which ; haya — there is ; bhava - bandha — the bondage of birth and death .

Purport

As clearly stated in the Bhagavad-gītā (3.9) , yajñārthāt karmaṇo ’nyatra loko ’yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ: if one does not act as a pure devotee, whatever acts he performs will produce reactions of fruitive bondage ( karma-bandhanaḥ ) . Similarly, in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.5.4) it is said:

nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma yad indriya-prītaya āpṛṇoti na sādhu manye yata ātmano ’yam asann api kleśa-da āsa dehaḥ

“A materialistic person, madly engaged in activities for sense enjoyment, does not know that he is entangling himself in repeated birth and death and that his body, although temporary, is full of miseries.” A viṣayī, a person blindly caught in a web of materialistic life, remains in the cycle of birth and death perpetually. Such a person cannot understand how to execute pure devotional service, and therefore he acts as a karmī, jñānī, yogī or something else, according to his desire, but he does not know that the activities of karma , jñāna and yoga simply bind one to the cycle of birth and death.

Translation

“By His own free will, Lord Kṛṣṇa has delivered you from such a condemned materialistic life. Therefore the glories of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s causeless mercy cannot be expressed.”

Word meanings

hena viṣaya — such a fallen condition of material enjoyment ; haite — from ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; uddhārilā tomā’ — has delivered you ; kahana nā yāya — cannot be described ; kṛṣṇa - kṛpāra — of the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mahimā — the glories .

Purport

In the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.54) it is said, karmāṇi nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhājām. Lord Kṛṣṇa is so merciful that He can stop the reactions of karma for His devotee. Everyone — from the small insect called indra-gopa up to Indra, the King of heaven — is bound by the reactions of fruitive activities.

yas tv indra-gopam atha vendram aho sva-karma- bandhānurūpa-phala-bhājanam ātanoti karmāṇi nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhājāṁ govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

Everyone, whether an insect or the King of heaven, is entangled and bound by the actions and reactions of his karma. However, when one becomes a pure devotee, free from material desires and from bondage to karma, jñāna and yoga, one is freed from material actions and reactions by the causeless mercy of Kṛṣṇa. One cannot express sufficient gratitude to Kṛṣṇa for being freed from the materialistic way of life.

Translation

Seeing Raghunātha dāsa skinny and dirty because of having traveled for twelve days and fasted, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, His heart melting due to causeless mercy, spoke to Svarūpa Dāmodara.

Word meanings

raghunāthera — of Raghunātha dāsa ; kṣīṇatā — thinness ; mālinya — dirty condition of the body ; dekhiyā — seeing ; svarūpere kahena — said to Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā — out of mercy ; ārdra — melted ; citta — heart ; hañā — being .

Translation

“My dear Svarūpa,” He said, “I entrust this Raghunātha dāsa to you. Please accept him as your son or servant.

Word meanings

ei raghunāthe — this Raghunātha dāsa ; āmi — I ; saṅpinu tomāre — am entrusting to you ; putra — son ; bhṛtya — servant ; rūpe — as ; tumi — you (Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī) ; kara aṅgīkāre — please accept .

Translation

“There are now three Raghunāthas among My associates. From this day forward, this Raghunātha should be known as the Raghu of Svarūpa Dāmodara.”

Word meanings

tina raghunātha — three Raghunāthas ; nāma — named ; haya — are ; āmāra gaṇe — among My associates ; svarūpera raghu — the Raghunātha of Svarūpa Dāmodara ; āji haite — from this day ; ihāra — of this one ; nāme — the name .

Purport

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had three Raghus among His associates — Vaidya Raghunātha (vide Ādi-līlā 11.22), Bhaṭṭa Raghunātha and Dāsa Raghunātha. Dāsa Raghunātha became celebrated as the Raghunātha of Svarūpa.

Translation

Saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu grasped the hand of Raghunātha dāsa and entrusted him to the hands of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī.

Word meanings

eta kahi’ — saying this ; raghunāthera — of Raghunātha dāsa ; hasta dharilā — caught the hand ; svarūpera haste — in the hands of Svarūpa Dāmodara ; tāṅre — him ; samarpaṇa kailā — entrusted .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī accepted Raghunātha dāsa, saying, “Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, whatever You order is accepted.” He then embraced Raghunātha dāsa again.

Word meanings

svarūpa kahe — Svarūpa Dāmodara said ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ye — whatever ; ājñā — order ; haila — there is ; eta kahi’ — saying this ; raghunāthe — Raghunātha dāsa ; punaḥ — again ; āliṅgila — he embraced .

Translation

I cannot properly express the affection of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for His devotees. Being merciful toward Raghunātha dāsa, the Lord spoke as follows to Govinda.

Word meanings

caitanyera — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta - vātsalya — affection for devotees ; kahite nā pāri — I cannot express properly ; govindere — to Govinda ; kahe — He said ; raghunāthe — upon Raghunātha ; dayā kari’ — being very merciful .

Translation

“On the way, Raghunātha dāsa has fasted and undergone hardships for many days. Therefore, take good care of him for some days so that he may eat to his satisfaction.”

Word meanings

pathe — on the way ; iṅha — this Raghunātha dāsa ; kariyāche — has done ; bahuta — much ; laṅghana — fasting and difficult endeavor ; kata - dina — for some days ; kara — do ; ihāra — of him ; bhāla — good ; santarpaṇa — attention .

Translation

Then Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu told Raghunātha dāsa, “Go bathe in the sea. Then see Lord Jagannātha in the temple and return here to take your meal.”

Word meanings

raghunāthe kahe — He said to Raghunātha dāsa ; yāñā — going ; kara sindhu - snāna — bathe in the sea ; jagannātha dekhi’ — after seeing Lord Jagannātha ; āsi’ — after coming ; karaha bhojana — take your meal .

Translation

After saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu got up and went to perform His midday duties, and Raghunātha met all the devotees present.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — after saying this ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; madhyāhna karite — for performing His midday duties ; uṭhilā — got up ; raghunātha - dāsa — Raghunātha dāsa ; saba — all ; bhaktere — devotees ; mililā — met .

Translation

Having seen the causeless mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu upon Raghunātha dāsa, all the devotees, struck with wonder, praised his good fortune.

Word meanings

raghunāthe — unto Raghunātha dāsa ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā — mercy ; dekhi — seeing ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; vismita — struck with wonder ; hañā — being ; kare — do ; tāṅra — his ; bhāgya — fortune ; praśaṁsana — praise .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa took his bath in the sea and saw Lord Jagannātha. Then he returned to Govinda, the personal servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; samudre — to the sea ; yāñā — going ; snāna karilā — took a bath ; jagannātha dekhi’ — after seeing Lord Jagannātha ; punaḥ — again ; govinda - pāśa āilā — came to Govinda .

Translation

Govinda offered him a plate with the remnants of food left by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and Raghunātha dāsa accepted the prasādam with great happiness.

Word meanings

prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; avaśiṣṭa pātra — a plate of remnants of food ; govinda — the personal servant of the Lord ; tāṅre — to him ; dilā — offered ; ānandita hañā — becoming very happy ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; prasāda pāilā — accepted the prasādam .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa stayed under the care of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, and Govinda supplied him remnants of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s food for five days.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; rahe — remained ; teṅha — he ; svarūpa - caraṇe — under the shelter of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; govinda — the personal servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prasāda — the remnants of the food of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — unto him ; dila — gave ; pañca dine — for five days .

Translation

Beginning from the sixth day, Raghunātha dāsa would stand at the gate known as Siṁha-dvāra to beg alms after the puṣpa-añjali ceremony, in which flowers were offered to the Lord.

Word meanings

āra dina — the next day ; haite — from ; puṣpa - añjali — the ceremony of offering flowers to the Lord ; dekhiyā — after seeing ; siṁha - dvāre — at the main gate ; khāḍā rahe — remains standing ; bhikṣāra lāgiyā — for begging some alms .

Translation

After finishing their prescribed duties, the many servants of Lord Jagannātha, who are known as viṣayīs, return home at night.

Word meanings

jagannāthera — of Lord Jagannātha ; sevaka — servants ; yata — all ; viṣayīra gaṇa — generally known as viṣayīs ; sevā sāri’ — after finishing their service ; rātrye — at night ; kare — do ; gṛhete gamana — returning home .

Translation

If they see a Vaiṣṇava standing at the Siṁha-dvāra begging alms, out of mercy they arrange with the shopkeepers to give him something to eat.

Word meanings

siṁha - dvāre — at the Siṁha gate ; anna - arthī — in need of some eatables ; vaiṣṇave — Vaiṣṇavas ; dekhiyā — seeing ; pasārira ṭhāñi — from the shopkeepers ; anna dena — deliver some eatables ; kṛpā ta’ kariyā — out of mercy .

Translation

Thus it is a custom for all time that a devotee who has no other means of support stands at the Siṁha-dvāra gate to receive alms from the servants.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; sarva - kāla — for all time ; āche — is ; vyavahāra — the etiquette ; niṣkiñcana bhakta — a devotee who has no other support ; khāḍā haya — stands ; siṁha - dvāra — at the gate known as Siṁha-dvāra .

Translation

A completely dependent Vaiṣṇava thus chants the holy name of the Lord all day and sees Lord Jagannātha with full freedom.

Word meanings

sarva - dina — the whole day ; karena — performs ; vaiṣṇava — a Vaiṣṇava ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name of the Lord ; svacchande — with full freedom ; karena — does ; jagannātha daraśana — seeing Lord Jagannātha .

Translation

It is a custom for some Vaiṣṇavas to beg from the charity booths and eat whatever they obtain, whereas others stand at night at the Siṁha-dvāra gate, begging alms from the servants.

Word meanings

keha — some ; chatre — at the almshouse ; māgi’ — begging ; khāya — eat ; yeba — whatever ; kichu — little ; pāya — they receive ; keha — some ; rātre — at night ; bhikṣā lāgi’ — for begging alms ; siṁha - dvāre raya — stand at the gate known as Siṁha-dvāra .

Translation

Renunciation is the basic principle sustaining the lives of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s devotees. Seeing this renunciation, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is extremely satisfied.

Word meanings

mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta - gaṇera — of the devotees ; vairāgya — renunciation ; pradhāna — the basic principle ; yāhā dekhi’ — seeing which ; prīta hana — becomes satisfied ; gaura - bhagavān — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Purport

Anyone, whether an ordinary materialistic person or a pure devotee, can understand the behavior of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s devotees if he studies it minutely. One will thus find that the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are not at all attached to any kind of material enjoyment. They have completely given up sense enjoyment to engage fully in the service of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and dedicate their lives and souls to serving Kṛṣṇa without material desires. Because their devotional service is free from material desires, it is unimpeded by material circumstances. Although ordinary men have great difficulty understanding this attitude of the devotees, it is greatly appreciated by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Translation

Govinda said to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “Raghunātha dāsa no longer takes prasādam here. Now he stands at the Siṁha-dvāra, where he begs some alms to eat.”

Word meanings

prabhure — unto Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; govinda kahe — Govinda said ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; prasāda nā laya — does not take prasādam ; rātrye — at night ; siṁha - dvāre — at the Siṁha-dvāra gate ; khāḍā hañā — standing ; māgi’ — begging ; khāya — he eats .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard this, He was greatly satisfied. “Raghunātha dāsa has done well,” He said. “He has acted suitably for a person in the renounced order.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; tuṣṭa hañā — being very satisfied ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kahite lāgila — began to say ; bhāla kaila — he has done well ; vairāgīra — of a person in the renounced order ; dharma — the principles ; ācarila — he has performed .

Translation

“A person in the renounced order should always chant the holy name of the Lord. He should beg some alms to eat, and he should sustain his life in this way.

Word meanings

vairāgī — a person in the renounced order ; karibe — will do ; sadā — always ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name of the Lord ; māgiyā — by begging ; khāñā — eating ; kare jīvana rakṣaṇa — he sustains his life .

Purport

As stated in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa at the end of the twentieth vilāsa (366, 379, 382):

kṛtyāny etāni tu prāyo gṛhiṇāṁ dhanināṁ satām likhitāni na tu tyakta- parigraha-mahātmanām

prabhāte cārdha-rātre ca madhyāhne divasa-kṣaye kīrtayanti hariṁ ye vai te taranti bhavārṇavam

evam ekāntināṁ prāyaḥ kīrtanaṁ smaraṇaṁ prabhoḥ kurvatāṁ parama-prītyā kṛtyam anyan na rocate

A well-to-do householder Vaiṣṇava cannot live like a person in the renounced order who completely takes shelter of the holy name. Such a householder should chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa in the morning, at midday and in the evening. Then he will be able to cross beyond nescience. Pure devotees in the renounced order, however, who fully surrender to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, should chant the holy name of the Lord with great love and faith, always thinking of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet. They should have no occupation other than chanting the holy name of the Lord. In the Bhakti-sandarbha (283), Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī says:

yady api śrī-bhāgavata-mate pañca-rātrādi-vad-arcana-mārgasyāvaśyakatvaṁ nāsti, tad vināpi śaraṇāpatty-ādīnām ekatareṇāpi puruṣārtha-siddher abhihitatvāt.

“It is Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam’s opinion that the process of Deity worship is not actually necessary, just as the specific prescriptions of the Pañcarātra and other scriptures do not have to be followed. The Bhāgavatam enjoins that even without practicing Deity worship one can achieve the complete success of human life by any of the other devotional processes, such as simply offering oneself at the Lord’s feet for His protection.”

Translation

“A vairāgī [a person in the renounced order] should not depend on others. If he does so, he will be unsuccessful, and he will be neglected by Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

vairāgī hañā — being in the renounced order ; yebā — anyone who ; kare — does ; para - apekṣā — dependence on others ; kārya - siddhi nahe — he does not become successful ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; karena upekṣā — neglects .

Translation

“If a renunciant is eager for his tongue to taste different foods, his spiritual life will be lost, and he will be subservient to the tastes of his tongue.

Word meanings

vairāgī hañā — being in the renounced order ; kare — does ; jihvāra — of the tongue ; lālasa — lust ; parama - artha — the goal of life ; yāya — goes ; āra — and ; haya — becomes ; rasera vaśa — dependent on taste .

Translation

“The duty of a person in the renounced order is to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra always. He should satisfy his belly with whatever vegetables, leaves, fruits and roots are available.

Word meanings

vairāgīra — of a person in the renounced order ; kṛtya — duty ; sadā — always ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting the holy name of the Lord ; śāka — vegetables ; patra — leaves ; phala — fruit ; mūle — by roots ; udara - bharaṇa — filling the belly .

Translation

“One who is subservient to the tongue and who thus goes here and there, devoted to the genitals and the belly, cannot attain Kṛṣṇa.”

Word meanings

jihvāra — of the tongue ; lālase — because of greed ; yei — anyone who ; iti - uti — here and there ; dhāya — goes ; śiśna — genitals ; udara — belly ; parāyaṇa — devoted to ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; nāhi pāya — does not get .

Translation

The next day, Raghunātha dāsa inquired at the lotus feet of Svarūpa Dāmodara about his duty.

Word meanings

āra dina — the next day ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; svarūpa - caraṇe — unto the lotus feet of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; āpanāra — his ; kṛtya — duty ; lāgi’ — for ; kailā nivedane — submitted .

Translation

“I do not know why I have given up household life,” he said. “What is my duty? Kindly give me instructions.”

Word meanings

ki lāgi’ — for what reason ; chāḍāilā ghara — have I been obliged to give up my household life ; nā jāni — I do not know ; uddeśa — the purpose ; ki — what ; mora kartavya — my duty ; prabhu — my dear Lord ; kara upadeśa — please give instruction .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa never even spoke a word before the Lord. Instead, he informed the Lord of his desires through Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī and Govinda.

Word meanings

prabhura āge — in front of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kathā - mātra — any speaking ; nā kahe — does not say ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; svarūpa - govinda - dvārā — through Govinda and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; kahāya — he informs ; nija - bāt — his intention .

Translation

The next day, Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī submitted to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “Raghunātha dāsa has this to say at Your lotus feet.

Word meanings

prabhura āge — in front of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; nivedilā — submitted ; āra dine — on the next day ; raghunātha nivedaya — Raghunātha dāsa inquires ; prabhura caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

“ ‘I do not know my duty or the goal of my life. Therefore, please personally give me instructions from Your transcendental mouth.’ ”

Word meanings

ki — what ; mora kartavya — my duty ; muñi — I ; nā jāni — do not know ; uddeśa — the goal of my life ; āpani — personally ; śrī - mukhe — through Your transcendental mouth ; more — unto me ; kara upadeśa — please give instructions .

Translation

Smiling, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu told Raghunātha dāsa, “I have already appointed Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī as your instructor.

Word meanings

hāsi’ — smiling ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; raghunāthere — to Raghunātha dāsa ; kahila — said ; tomāra — your ; upadeṣṭā — instructor ; kari’ — as ; svarūpere dila — I have appointed Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī .

Translation

“You may learn from him what your duty is and how to discharge it. I do not know as much as he.

Word meanings

sādhya — duty ; sādhana — how to execute it ; tattva — truth ; śikha — learn ; iṅhāra sthāne — from him ; āmi — I ; tata — so much ; nāhi jāni — do not know ; iṅho — he ; yata — as much as ; jāne — knows .

Translation

“Nevertheless, if you want to take instructions from Me with faith and love, you may ascertain your duties from the following words.

Word meanings

tathāpi — still ; āmāra ājñāya — in My instruction ; śraddhā — faith ; yadi — if ; haya — there is ; āmāra — My ; ei — these ; vākye — by words ; tabe — then ; kariha niścaya — you can ascertain .

Translation

“Do not talk like people in general or hear what they say. You should not eat very palatable food, nor should you dress very nicely.

Word meanings

grāmya - kathā — ordinary talks of common men ; nā śunibe — never hear ; grāmya - vārtā — ordinary news ; nā kahibe — do not speak ; bhāla — well ; nā khāibe — do not eat ; āra — and ; bhāla — nicely ; nā paribe — do not dress .

Translation

“Do not expect honor, but offer all respect to others. Always chant the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and within your mind render service to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

amānī — not expecting any respect ; māna - da — offering respect to others ; hañā — becoming ; kṛṣṇa - nāma — the holy name of the Lord ; sadā — always ; la’be — you should chant ; vraje — in Vṛndāvana ; rādhā - kṛṣṇa - sevā — service to Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa ; mānase — within the mind ; karibe — you should do .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says in his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya that when a man and woman are married, they beget children and are thus entangled in family life. Talk concerning such family life is called grāmya-kathā. A person in the renounced order never indulges in either hearing or talking about such subjects. He should not eat palatable dishes, since that is unfit for a person in the renounced order. He should show all respect to others, but should not expect respect for himself. In this way, one should chant the holy name of the Lord and think of how to serve Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana.

Translation

“I have briefly given you My instructions. Now you will get all details about them from Svarūpa Dāmodara.

Word meanings

ei — this ; ta’ — certainly ; saṅkṣepe — in brief ; āmi — I ; kailuṅ upadeśa — have given instruction ; svarūpera ṭhāñi — from Svarūpa Dāmodara ; ihāra — of this instruction ; pāibe — you will get ; viśeṣa — all details .

Translation

“One who thinks himself lower than grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.”

Word meanings

tṛṇād api — than downtrodden grass ; su - nīcena — being lower ; taroḥ — than a tree ; iva — indeed ; sahiṣṇunā — with more tolerance ; amāninā — without being puffed up by false pride ; māna - dena — giving respect to all ; kīrtanīyaḥ — to be chanted ; sadā — always ; hariḥ — the holy name of the Lord .

Translation

Having heard this, Raghunātha dāsa offered prayers at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and the Lord, out of great mercy, embraced him.

Word meanings

eta śuni’ — hearing this ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; vandilā caraṇa — offered prayers to the lotus feet ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kailā — did ; tāṅre — him ; kṛpā - āliṅgana — embracing out of mercy .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu again entrusted him to Svarūpa Dāmodara. Thus Raghunātha dāsa rendered very confidential service with Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī.

Word meanings

punaḥ — again ; samarpilā — handed over ; tāṅre — him ; svarūpera sthāne — to Svarūpa Dāmodara ; antaraṅga - sevā — very confidential service ; kare — he renders ; svarūpera sane — with Svarūpa Dāmodara .

Purport

Antaraṅga-sevā refers to service performed in one’s spiritual body. Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī was formerly Lalitādevī. Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, who was among his assistants, now also began to serve Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa within his mind.

Translation

At this time, all the devotees from Bengal arrived, and, as previously, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu met them with great feeling.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; āilā — came ; saba — all ; gauḍera bhakta - gaṇa — devotees from Bengal ; pūrva - vat — as formerly ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sabāya — every one of them ; karilā milana — met .

Translation

As He had previously done, He cleansed the Guṇḍicā temple and held a picnic feast in the garden with the devotees.

Word meanings

sabā lañā — taking all of them ; kailā — performed ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; guṇḍicā - mārjana — washing of the Guṇḍicā temple ; sabā lañā — with all of them ; kailā — performed ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya ; vanya - bhojana — eating in the garden .

Translation

The Lord again danced with the devotees during the Ratha-yātrā festival. Seeing this, Raghunātha dāsa was struck with wonder.

Word meanings

ratha - yātrāya — during the Ratha-yātrā performance ; sabā lañā — taking all of them ; karilā nartana — danced ; dekhi’ — seeing ; raghunāthera — of Raghunātha dāsa ; camatkāra — struck with wonder ; haila — became ; mana — the mind .

Translation

When Raghunātha dāsa met all the devotees, Advaita Ācārya showed him great mercy.

Word meanings

raghunātha - dāsa — Raghunātha dāsa ; yabe — when ; sabāre mililā — met all the devotees ; advaita - ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; tāṅre — unto him ; bahu — much ; kṛpā — mercy ; kailā — did .

Translation

He also met Śivānanda Sena, who informed him, “Your father sent ten men to take you away.

Word meanings

śivānanda - sena — Śivānanda Sena ; tāṅre — unto him ; kahena — says ; vivaraṇa — description ; tomā laite — to take you ; tomāra pitā — your father ; pāṭhāila — sent ; daśa jana — ten men .

Translation

“He wrote me a letter asking me to send you back, but when those ten men received no information about you, they returned home from Jhāṅkarā.”

Word meanings

tomāre — you ; pāṭhāite — to send back ; patrī — letter ; pāṭhāila more — sent to me ; jhāṅkarā ha - ite — from Jhāṅkarā ; tomā — you ; nā pāñā — not getting ; gela ghare — returned home .

Translation

When all the devotees from Bengal returned home after staying at Jagannātha Purī for four months, Raghunātha dāsa’s father heard about their arrival and therefore sent a man to Śivānanda Sena.

Word meanings

cāri māsa — for four months ; rahi’ — remaining ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; gauḍe gelā — returned to Bengal ; śuni’ — hearing ; raghunāthera pitā — the father of Raghunātha dāsa ; manuṣya — a man ; pāṭhāilā — sent .

Translation

That man inquired from Śivānanda Sena, “Did you see anyone in the renounced order at the residence of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu?

Word meanings

se manuṣya — that messenger ; śivānanda - senere — from Śivānanda Sena ; puchila — inquired ; mahāprabhura sthāne — at the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; eka vairāgī — a person in the renounced order ; dekhila — did you see .

Translation

“That person is Raghunātha dāsa, the son of Govardhana Majumadāra. Did you meet him in Nīlācala?”

Word meanings

govardhanera — of Govardhana ; putra — the son ; teṅho — he ; nāma — named ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; nīlācale — in Nīlācala ; paricaya āche — is there acquaintance ; tomāra sātha — with you .

Translation

Śivānanda Sena replied, “Yes, sir. Raghunātha dāsa is with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and is a very famous man. Who does not know him?

Word meanings

śivānanda kahe — Śivānanda Sena replied ; teṅho — he ; haya — is ; prabhura sthāne — with Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; parama vikhyāta — very famous ; teṅho — he ; kebā — who ; nāhi jāne — does not know .

Translation

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has placed him under the charge of Svarūpa Dāmodara. Raghunātha dāsa has become just like the life of all the Lord’s devotees.

Word meanings

svarūpera sthāne — to Svarūpa Dāmodara ; tāre — him ; kariyāchena samarpaṇa — Lord Caitanya has given charge of ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta - gaṇera — of all the devotees ; teṅho — he ; haya — is ; prāṇa — the life ; sama — like .

Translation

“He chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra all day and night. He never gives up the shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, not even for a moment.

Word meanings

rātri - dina — all day and night ; kare — performs ; teṅho — he ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra ; kṣaṇa - mātra — even for a moment ; nāhi chāḍe — does not give up ; prabhura caraṇa — the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

“He is in the supreme order of renounced life. Indeed, he does not care about eating or dressing. Somehow or other he eats and maintains his life.

Word meanings

parama — supreme ; vairāgya — renunciation ; tāra — his ; nāhi — not ; bhakṣya — eating ; paridhāna — dressing ; yaiche taiche — somehow or other ; āhāra kari’ — eating ; rākhaye parāṇa — keeps life .

Translation

“After ten daṇḍas [four hours] of the night have passed and Raghunātha dāsa has seen the performance of puṣpāñjali, he stands at the Siṁha-dvāra gate to beg some alms to eat.

Word meanings

daśa - daṇḍa — ten daṇḍas (240 minutes) ; rātri — night ; gele — having gone ; puṣpāñjali — the puṣpāñjali performance ; dekhiyā — after seeing ; siṁha - dvāre — at the Siṁha-dvāra gate ; khāḍā haya — stands ; āhāra lāgiyā — to get some alms for eating .

Translation

“He eats if someone gives him something to eat. Sometimes he fasts, and sometimes he chews fried grains.”

Word meanings

keha — someone ; yadi — if ; deya — offers ; tabe — then ; karaye bhakṣaṇa — he eats ; kabhu — sometimes ; upavāsa — fasting ; kabhu — sometimes ; karaye carvaṇa — he chews .

Translation

After hearing this, the messenger returned to Govardhana Majumadāra and informed him all about Raghunātha dāsa.

Word meanings

eta śuni’ — hearing this ; sei manuṣya — that messenger ; govardhana - sthāne — to Govardhana Majumadāra ; kahila — spoke ; giyā — going ; saba — everything ; raghunātha - vivaraṇe — the description of Raghunātha dāsa .

Translation

Hearing the description of Raghunātha dāsa’s behavior in the renounced order, his father and mother were very unhappy. Therefore they decided to send Raghunātha some men with goods for his comfort.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; tāṅra — his ; mātā pitā — father and mother ; duḥkhita ha - ila — became very unhappy ; putra - ṭhāñi — to their son ; dravya - manuṣya — articles and men ; pāṭhāite — to send ; mana kaila — decided .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa’s father immediately sent four hundred coins, two servants and one brāhmaṇa to Śivānanda Sena.

Word meanings

cāri - śata mudrā — four hundred coins ; dui bhṛtya — two servants ; eka brāhmaṇa — one brāhmaṇa ; śivānandera ṭhāñi — to Śivānanda Sena ; pāṭhāila — sent ; tata - kṣaṇa — immediately .

Translation

Śivānanda Sena informed them, “You cannot go to Jagannātha Purī directly. When I go there, you may accompany me.

Word meanings

śivānanda kahe — Śivānanda Sena said ; tumi — you ; saba — all ; yāite nāribā — cannot go ; āmi yāi — I go ; yabe — when ; āmāra saṅge — with me ; yāibā — you will go .

Translation

“Now go home. When all of us go, I shall take all of you with me.”

Word meanings

ebe — now ; ghara yāha — go home ; yabe — when ; āmi — we ; saba — all ; calimu — will go ; tabe — then ; tomā sabākāre — all of you ; saṅge — with ; lañā — taking ; yāmu — I shall go .

Translation

Describing this incident, the great poet Śrī Kavi-karṇapūra has written extensively about the glorious activities of Raghunātha dāsa in his Śrī Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka.

Word meanings

ei ta’ prastāve — in this connection ; śrī - kavi - karṇapūra — the poet named Kavi-karṇapūra ; raghunātha - mahimā — the glories of Raghunātha dāsa ; granthe — in his book ( Śrī Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka ) ; likhilā — wrote ; pracura — much .

Translation

“Raghunātha dāsa is a disciple of Yadunandana Ācārya, who is very gentle and is extremely dear to Vāsudeva Datta, a resident of Kāñcanapallī. Because of Raghunātha dāsa’s transcendental qualities, he is always more dear than life for all of us devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Since he has been favored by the abundant mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he is always pleasing. Vividly providing a superior example for the renounced order, this very dear follower of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī is the ocean of renunciation. Who among the residents of Nīlācala [Jagannātha Purī] does not know him very well?

Word meanings

ācāryaḥ yadunandanaḥ — Yadunandana Ācārya ; su - madhuraḥ — very well behaved ; śrī - vāsudeva - priyaḥ — very dear to Śrī Vāsudeva Datta Ṭhākura ; tat - śiṣyaḥ — his disciple ; raghunāthaḥ — Raghunātha dāsa ; iti — thus ; adhiguṇaḥ — so qualified ; prāṇa - adhikaḥ — more dear than life ; mādṛśām — of all the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu like me ; śrī - caitanya - kṛpā — by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; atireka — excess ; satata - snigdhaḥ — always pleasing ; svarūpa - anugaḥ — following in the footsteps of Svarūpa Dāmodara ; vairāgya — of renunciation ; eka - nidhiḥ — the ocean ; na — not ; kasya — by whom ; viditaḥ — known ; nīlācale — at Jagannātha Purī ; tiṣṭhatām — of those who were staying .

Purport

This verse is from Śrī Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka (10.3) of Kavi-karṇapūra .

Translation

“Because he is very pleasing to all the devotees, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī easily became like the fertile earth of good fortune in which it was suitable for the seed of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to be sown. At the same time that the seed was sown, it grew into a matchless tree of the love of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and produced fruit.”

Word meanings

yaḥ — who ; sarva - loka — of all the devotees in Purī ; eka — foremost ; manaḥ — of the minds ; abhirucyā — by the affection ; saubhāgya - bhūḥ — the ground of good fortune ; kācit — indescribable ; akṛṣṭa - pacyā — perfect without tilling or perfect without practice ; yatra — in which ; ayam — this ; āropaṇa - tulya - kālam — at the same time as the sowing of the seed ; tat - prema - śākhī — a tree of the love of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; phala - vān — fruitful ; atulyaḥ — the matchless .

Purport

This is the next verse from Śrī Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka (10.4).

Translation

In these verses, the great poet Kavi-karṇapūra gives the same information that Śivānanda Sena conveyed to the messenger from Raghunātha dāsa’s father.

Word meanings

śivānanda — Śivānanda Sena ; yaiche — as ; sei — unto the ; manuṣye — messenger ; kahilā — said ; karṇapūra — the great poet Kavi-karṇapūra ; sei rūpe — in that way ; śloka varṇilā — composed verses .

Translation

The next year, when Śivānanda Sena was going to Jagannātha Purī as usual, the servants and the brāhmaṇa, who was a cook, went with him.

Word meanings

varṣa - antare — the next year ; śivānanda — Śivānanda Sena ; cale nīlācale — was going to Jagannātha Purī ; raghunāthera — of Raghunātha dāsa ; sevaka — the servants ; vipra — and the brāhmaṇa ; tāṅra saṅge — with him ; cale — go .

Translation

The servants and brāhmaṇa brought four hundred coins to Jagannātha Purī, and there they met Raghunātha dāsa.

Word meanings

sei vipra — that brāhmaṇa ; bhṛtya — the servants ; cāri - śata mudrā — four hundred coins ; lañā — bringing ; nīlācale — at Jagannātha Purī ; raghunāthe — with Raghunātha dāsa ; mililā — met ; āsiyā — coming .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa did not accept the money and men sent by his father. Therefore the brāhmaṇa and one of the servants stayed there with the money.

Word meanings

raghunātha - dāsa — Raghunātha dāsa ; aṅgīkāra nā karila — did not accept ; dravya lañā — taking the wealth ; dui - jana — two persons ; tāhāṅi rahila — remained there .

Translation

At that time, Raghunātha dāsa began inviting Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his house with great attention for two days every month.

Word meanings

tabe — at that time ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; kari’ aneka yatana — with great attention ; māse — every month ; dui - dina — two days ; kailā — he made ; prabhura nimantraṇa — invitation to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

The cost for these two occasions was 640 kauḍis. Therefore he would take that much from the servant and the brāhmaṇa.

Word meanings

dui nimantraṇe — these two invitations ; lāge — cost ; kauḍi aṣṭa - paṇa — 640 kauḍis ; brāhmaṇa - bhṛtya - ṭhāñi — from the brāhmaṇa and the servant ; karena — does ; eteka — so much ; grahaṇa — accepting .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa continued to invite Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in this way for two years, but at the end of the second year he stopped.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; nimantraṇa — invitation ; varṣa dui — for two years ; kailā — continued ; pāche — at the end ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; nimantraṇa — invitation ; chāḍi’ dilā — gave up .

Translation

When Raghunātha dāsa neglected to invite Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for two consecutive months, the Lord, the son of Śacī, questioned Svarūpa Dāmodara.

Word meanings

māsa - dui — for two months ; yabe — when ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; nā kare nimantraṇa — does not invite ; svarūpe puchilā — inquired from Svarūpa Dāmodara ; tabe — at that time ; śacīra nandana — the son of mother Śacī, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

The Lord asked, “Why has Raghunātha dāsa stopped inviting Me?”

Word meanings

raghu — Raghunātha dāsa ; kene — why ; āmāya — to Me ; nimantraṇa — invitation ; chāḍi’ dila — has stopped ; svarūpa kahe — Svarūpa Dāmodara replied ; mane — within his mind ; kichu — something ; vicāra karila — he has thought .

Purport

Svarūpa Dāmodara replied, “He must have reconsidered something in his mind.

Translation

“ ‘I invite Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu by accepting goods from materialistic people. I know that the Lord’s mind is not satisfied by this.

Word meanings

viṣayīra dravya — things supplied by materialistic men ; lañā — accepting ; kari nimantraṇa — I invite ; prasanna — satisfied ; nā haya — is not ; ihāya — in this connection ; jāni — I can understand ; prabhura mana — the mind of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

“ ‘My consciousness is impure because I accept all these goods from people who are interested only in pounds, shillings and pence. Therefore by this kind of invitation I get only some material reputation.

Word meanings

mora citta — my consciousness ; dravya la - ite — to accept the goods ; nā haya — is not ; nirmala — pure ; ei nimantraṇe — by this invitation ; dekhi — I see ; pratiṣṭhā — reputation ; mātra — only ; phala — the result .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura remarks that people who are under the bodily conception of life are called materialists. If we accept the offerings of such people, place them before the Lord and invite Vaiṣṇavas to partake of the prasādam, that attempt will gain us only a material reputation, not the actual benefit of service to a pure Vaiṣṇava. One should therefore try to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead by fully surrendering at His lotus feet. If one engages for the service of the Lord whatever money one has honestly earned, that is spiritual service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the spiritual master and the Vaiṣṇavas.

Translation

“ ‘At my request Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepts the invitations because He knows that a foolish person like me would be unhappy if He did not accept them.’

Word meanings

uparodhe — by my request ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mora — my ; mānena — accepts ; nimantraṇa — invitation ; nā mānile — if He does not accept ; duḥkhī — unhappy ; ha - ibeka — will become ; mūrkha jana — foolish person .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura says that people who are advanced in learning but attached to material enjoyment, who are puffed up by material possessions, by birth in an elevated aristocratic family or by education, may offer showbottle devotional service to the Deity and also offer prasādam to Vaiṣṇavas. Because of their ignorance, however, they cannot understand that since their minds are materially polluted, neither the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, nor the Vaiṣṇavas accept their offerings. If one accepts money from such materialistic persons to offer food to the Deity and Vaiṣṇavas, a pure Vaiṣṇava does not accept it. This causes unhappiness for the materialists because they are fully absorbed in the bodily conception of life. Therefore they sometimes turn against the Vaiṣṇavas.

Translation

“Considering all these points,” Svarūpa Dāmodara concluded, “he has stopped inviting You.” Hearing this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu smiled and spoke as follows.

Word meanings

eta vicāriyā — considering this ; nimantraṇa — invitation ; chāḍi’ dila — he has stopped ; śuni’ — hearing ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; hāsi’ — smiling ; balite lāgila — began to say .

Translation

“When one eats food offered by a materialistic man, one’s mind becomes contaminated, and when the mind is contaminated, one is unable to think of Kṛṣṇa properly.

Word meanings

viṣayīra — of materialistic persons ; anna — food ; khāile — if one eats ; malina — contaminated ; haya mana — the mind becomes ; malina — contaminated ; mana haile — when the mind becomes ; nahe — is not ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; smaraṇa — remembrance .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura suggests that people who are materialistically inclined and sahajiyās, or so-called Vaiṣṇavas who take everything very casually, are both viṣayīs, or materialists. Eating food offered by them causes contamination, and as a result of such contamination, even a serious devotee becomes like a materialistic man. There are six kinds of association — giving charity, accepting charity, accepting food, offering food, talking confidentially and inquiring confidentially. One should very carefully avoid associating with both the sahajiyās, who are sometimes known as Vaiṣṇavas, and the non-Vaiṣṇavas, or avaiṣṇavas. Their association changes the transcendental devotional service of Lord Kṛṣṇa into sense gratification, and when sense gratification enters the mind of a devotee, he is contaminated. The materialistic person who aspires after sense gratification cannot properly think of Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

“When one accepts an invitation from a person contaminated by the material mode of passion, the person who offers the food and the person who accepts it are both mentally contaminated.

Word meanings

viṣayīra — offered by materialistic men ; anna — food ; haya — is ; rājasa — in the mode of passion ; nimantraṇa — invitation ; dātā — the person who offers ; bhoktā — the person who accepts such an offering ; duṅhāra — of both of them ; malina — contaminated ; haya mana — the mind becomes .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says that there are three varieties of invitations — those in the mode of goodness, those in passion and those in ignorance. An invitation accepted from a pure devotee is in the mode of goodness, an invitation accepted from a person who is pious but materially attached is in the mode of passion, and an invitation accepted from a person who is materially very sinful is in the mode of ignorance.

Translation

“Because of Raghunātha dāsa’s eagerness, I accepted his invitation for many days. It is very good that Raghunātha dāsa, knowing this, has now automatically given up this practice.”

Word meanings

iṅhāra saṅkoce — because of his eagerness ; āmi — I ; eta dina — for so many days ; nila — I accepted ; bhāla haila — it is very good ; jāniyā — knowing ; āpani — automatically ; chāḍi dila — he has given up .

Translation

After some days, Raghunātha dāsa gave up standing near the Siṁha-dvāra gate and instead began eating by begging alms from a booth for free distribution of food.

Word meanings

kata dine — after some days ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; siṁha - dvāra chāḍilā — gave up standing at the gate known as Siṁha-dvāra ; chatre yāi’ — going to an alms booth ; māgiyā — begging ; khāite — to eat ; ārambha karilā — he began .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard this news from Govinda, He inquired from Svarūpa Dāmodara, “Why does Raghunātha dāsa no longer stand at the Siṁha-dvāra gate to beg alms?”

Word meanings

govinda - pāśa — from Govinda ; śuni’ — hearing ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; puchena svarūpere — inquired from Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; raghu — Raghunātha dāsa ; bhikṣā lāgi’ — for begging ; ṭhāḍa kene nahe — why does he not stand ; siṁha - dvāre — at the Siṁha-dvāra gate .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara replied, “Raghunātha dāsa felt unhappy standing at the Siṁha-dvāra. Therefore he is now going at midday to beg alms from the charity booth.”

Word meanings

svarūpa kahe — Svarūpa Dāmodara replied ; siṁha - dvāre — at the Siṁha-dvāra gate ; duḥkha anubhaviyā — feeling unhappy ; chatre — at the charity booth ; māgi’ — begging ; khāya — he eats ; madhyāhna - kāle — at midday ; giyā — going .

Translation

Hearing this news, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “He has done very well by no longer standing at the Siṁha-dvāra gate. Such begging of alms resembles the behavior of a prostitute.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; bhāla kaila — he has done well ; chāḍila siṁha - dvāra — he has given up standing at the Siṁha-dvāra ; siṁha - dvāre bhikṣā - vṛtti — to beg alms standing at the Siṁha-dvāra ; veśyāra ācāra — the behavior of a prostitute .

Translation

“ ‘Here is a person coming near. He will give me something. This person gave me something last night. Now another person is coming near. He may give me something. The person who just passed did not give me anything, but another person will come, and he will give me something.’ Thus a person in the renounced order gives up his neutrality and depends on the charity of this person or that. Thinking in this way, he adopts the occupation of a prostitute.

Word meanings

tathā hi — thus ; kim artham — why ; ayam — this person ; āgacchati — is coming ; ayam — this person ; dāsyati — will give ; anena — by this person ; dattam — given ; ayam — this ; aparaḥ — other ; sameti — comes near ; ayam — this person ; dāsyati — will give ; anena — by this person ; api — also ; na — not ; dattam — given ; anyaḥ — another ; sameṣyati — will come near ; saḥ — he ; dāsyati — will give ; iti — thus ; ādi — and so on .

Translation

“If one goes to the booth where free food is distributed and fills his belly with whatever he obtains, there is no chance of further unwanted talk, and one can very peacefully chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.”

Word meanings

chatre yāi — going to the booth for free food distribution ; yathā - lābha — with whatever is obtained ; udara - bharaṇa — filling the belly ; anya — other ; kathā — talk ; nāhi — there is not ; sukhe — happily ; kṛṣṇa - saṅkīrtana — chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. .

Translation

After saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu again bestowed His mercy upon Raghunātha dāsa by giving him a stone from Govardhana Hill and a garland of small conchshells.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; tāṅre — unto him ; punaḥ — again ; prasāda karilā — gave something in mercy ; govardhanera śilā — a stone from Govardhana Hill ; guñjā - mālā — a garland of small conchshells ; tāṅre dilā — delivered to him .

Translation

Previously, when Śaṅkarānanda Sarasvatī had returned from Vṛndāvana, he had brought the stone from Govardhana Hill and also the garland of conchshells.

Word meanings

śaṅkarānanda - sarasvatī — one of the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vṛndāvana haite — from Vṛndāvana ; āilā — came ; teṅha — he ; sei — that ; śilā - guñjā - mālā — stone and the garland of small conchshells ; lañā — taking ; gelā — went .

Translation

He presented Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with these two items — the garland of conchshells and the stone from Govardhana Hill.

Word meanings

pārśve — on one side ; gāṅthā — strung together ; guñjā - mālā — the garland of small conchshells ; govardhana - śilā — the stone from Govardhana ; dui vastu — two things ; mahāprabhura āge — in front of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āni’ dilā — presented .

Translation

Upon receiving these two uncommon items, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was extremely happy. While chanting, He would put the garland around His neck.

Word meanings

dui — two ; apūrva - vastu — uncommon things ; pāñā — getting ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tuṣṭa hailā — became very happy ; smaraṇera kāle — at the time of remembering (when He was chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa) ; gale — on the neck ; pare — wears ; guñjā - mālā — the garland of small conchshells .

Translation

The Lord would put the stone to His heart or sometimes to His eyes. Sometimes He would smell it with His nose and sometimes place it on His head.

Word meanings

govardhana - śilā — the stone from Govardhana Hill ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; hṛdaye — on the heart ; netre — on the eyes ; dhare — puts ; kabhu — sometimes ; nāsāya — with the nose ; ghrāṇa laya — smells ; kabhu — sometimes ; śire kare — He puts on His head .

Translation

The stone from Govardhana was always moist with tears from His eyes. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would say, “This stone is directly the body of Lord Kṛṣṇa.”

Word meanings

netra - jale — by the tears of His eyes ; sei — that ; śilā — stone ; bhije — remains wet ; nirantara — always ; śilāre — the stone ; kahena — says ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛṣṇa - kalevara — the body of Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

For three years He kept the stone and garland. Then, greatly satisfied by the behavior of Raghunātha dāsa, the Lord delivered both of them to him.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; tina - vatsara — for three years ; śilā - mālā — the stone and the garland of conchshells ; dharilā — He kept ; tuṣṭa hañā — when He became very happy ; śilā - mālā — the stone and the garland ; raghunāthe — to Raghunātha dāsa ; dilā — He delivered .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed Raghunātha dāsa, “This stone is the transcendental form of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Worship the stone with great eagerness.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; ei śilā — this stone ; kṛṣṇera vigraha — the form of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; iṅhāra — of this ; sevā — worship ; kara — do ; tumi — you ; kariyā āgraha — with great eagerness .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura writes in his Anubhāṣya that in the opinion of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the govardhana-śilā, the stone from Govardhana Hill, was directly the form of Kṛṣṇa, the son of Mahārāja Nanda. The Lord used the stone for three years, and then in the heart of Raghunātha dāsa the Lord awakened devotional service to the stone. The Lord then gave the stone to Raghunātha dāsa, accepting him as one of His most confidential servants. However, some envious people conclude that because Raghunātha dāsa had not taken birth in the family of a brāhmaṇa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not give him the right to worship the Deity directly but instead gave him a stone from Govardhana. This kind of thought is nārakī, or hellish. As stated in the Padma Purāṇa, arcye viṣṇau śilā-dhīr guruṣu nara-matir vaiṣṇave jāti-buddhiḥ . . . yasya vā nārakī saḥ. If one thinks that the worshipable śālagrāma-śilā is a mere stone, that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being or that a pure Vaiṣṇava preaching the bhakti cult all over the world is a member of a particular caste or material division of society, he is considered a nārakī, a candidate for hellish life. When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed that the govardhana-śilā, the stone taken from Govardhana, is nondifferent from the body of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He indirectly advised such foolish persons that one should not be envious of a Vaiṣṇava who belongs to a different caste or sect. One should accept a Vaiṣṇava as transcendental. In this way one can be saved; otherwise, one is surely awaiting a hellish life.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, “Worship this stone in the mode of goodness like a perfect brāhmaṇa, for by such worship you will surely attain ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa without delay.

Word meanings

ei śilāra — of this stone ; kara — do ; tumi — you ; sāttvika pūjana — worshiping like a perfect brāhmaṇa, or in the mode of goodness ; acirāt — very soon ; pābe tumi — you will get ; kṛṣṇa - prema — ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa ; dhana — wealth .

Translation

“For such worship, one needs a jug of water and a few flowers from a tulasī tree. This is worship in complete goodness when performed in complete purity.

Word meanings

eka — one ; kuṅjā — jug ; jala — water ; āra — and ; tulasī - mañjarī — flowers of the tulasī tree ; sāttvika - sevā — worship in goodness ; ei — this ; śuddha - bhāve — in complete purity ; kari — performing .

Translation

“With faith and love, you should offer eight soft tulasī flowers, each with two tulasī leaves, one on each side of each flower.”

Word meanings

dui - dike — on two sides ; dui - patra — two tulasī leaves ; madhye — within ; komala mañjarī — very soft tulasī flowers ; ei - mata — in this way ; aṣṭa - mañjarī — eight tulasī flowers ; dibe — you should offer ; śraddhā kari’ — with faith and love .

Translation

After thus advising him how to worship, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally offered Raghunātha dāsa the govardhana-śilā with His transcendental hand. As advised by the Lord, Raghunātha dāsa worshiped the śilā in great transcendental jubilation.

Word meanings

śrī - haste — by His own transcendental hand ; śilā — the stone from Govardhana Hill ; diyā — delivering ; ei ājñā — this order ; dilā — He gave ; ānande — in great happiness ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; sevā karite lāgilā — began to worship .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara gave Raghunātha dāsa two cloths, each about six inches long, a wooden platform and a jug in which to keep water.

Word meanings

eka - vitasti — about six inches long ; dui - vastra — two cloths ; piṅḍā eka - khāni — one wooden platform ; svarūpa dilena — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī delivered ; kuṅjā — a jug ; ānibāre pāni — for bringing water .

Translation

Thus Raghunātha dāsa began worshiping the stone from Govardhana, and as he worshiped he saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda Mahārāja, directly in the stone.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; karena pūjana — worships ; pūjā - kāle — while worshiping ; dekhe — he sees ; śilāya — in the stone from Govardhana ; vrajendra - nandana — the son of Nanda Mahārāja .

Translation

Thinking of how he had received the govardhana-śilā directly from the hands of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Raghunātha dāsa was always overflooded with ecstatic love.

Word meanings

prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sva - hasta — own hand ; datta — handed over by ; govardhana - śilā — the stone from Govardhana Hill ; ei cinti’ — thinking this ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; preme — in ecstatic love ; bhāsi’ gelā — became overflooded .

Translation

The amount of transcendental bliss that Raghunātha dāsa enjoyed simply by offering water and tulasī is impossible to achieve even if one worships the Deity with sixteen kinds of paraphernalia.

Word meanings

jala - tulasīra sevāya — by worshiping with water and tulasī ; tāṅra — his ; yata — as much as ; sukha - udaya — rise of transcendental happiness ; ṣoḍaśa - upacāra - pūjāya — by worshiping with sixteen kinds of paraphernalia ; tata — so much ; sukha — happiness ; naya — is not .

Translation

After Raghunātha dāsa had thus worshiped the govardhana-śilā for some time, Svarūpa Dāmodara one day spoke to him as follows.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; kata dina — for some days ; karena pūjana — he worshiped ; tabe — at that time ; svarūpa - gosāñi — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; tāṅre — to him ; kahilā vacana — said some words .

Translation

“Offer the Govardhana stone eight kauḍis worth of the first-class sweetmeats known as khājā and sandeśa. If you offer them with faith and love, they will be just like nectar.”

Word meanings

aṣṭa - kauḍira — costing eight kauḍis ; khājā - sandeśa — khājā and sandeśa sweetmeats ; kara samarpaṇa — offer ; śraddhā kari’ — with love and faith ; dile — if you offer ; sei — that ; amṛtera sama — just like nectar .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa then began offering the costly sweetmeats known as khājā, which Govinda, following the order of Svarūpa Dāmodara, would supply.

Word meanings

tabe — then ; aṣṭa - kauḍira — costing eight kauḍis ; khājā — the sweetmeat named khājā ; kare samarpaṇa — offers ; svarūpa - ājñāya — by the order of Svarūpa Dāmodara ; govinda — the personal servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāhā — that ; kare samādhāna — arranges .

Translation

When Raghunātha dāsa received from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu the stone and the garland of conchshells, he could understand the Lord’s intention. Thus he thought as follows.

Word meanings

raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; sei śilā — that stone ; mālā — garland ; yabe — when ; pāilā — he got ; gosāñira — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; abhiprāya — intention ; ei — this ; bhāvanā karilā — he thought .

Translation

“By offering me the govardhana-śilā, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has offered me a place near Govardhana Hill, and by offering me the garland of conchshells, He has offered me shelter at the lotus feet of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.”

Word meanings

śilā diyā — by offering this stone ; gosāñi — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; samarpilā — offered ; govardhane — a place near Govardhana Hill ; guñjā - mālā diyā — by offering the garland of small conchshells ; dilā — offered ; rādhikā - caraṇe — shelter at the lotus feet of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī .

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa’s transcendental bliss was boundless. Forgetting everything external, he served the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with his body and mind.

Word meanings

ānande — in transcendental bliss ; raghunāthera — of Raghunātha dāsa ; bāhya vismaraṇa — forgetting everything external ; kāya - mane — by mind and body ; sevilena — served ; gaurāṅga - caraṇa — the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Who could list the unlimited transcendental attributes of Raghunātha dāsa? His strict regulative principles were exactly like lines on a stone.

Word meanings

ananta guṇa — unlimited transcendental attributes ; raghunāthera — of Raghunātha dāsa ; ke — who ; karibe lekhā — can write ; raghunāthera — of Raghunātha dāsa ; niyama — the strict regulative principles ; yena — like ; pāṣāṇera rekhā — lines on a stone .

Purport

The words pāṣāṇera rekhā are very significant. Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī followed the regulative principles so strictly and rigidly that they were compared to the lines on a stone. As such lines cannot be erased at any time, so the regulative principles observed by Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī could not be changed under any circumstances.

Translation

Raghunātha dāsa spent more than twenty-two hours out of every twenty-four chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and remembering the lotus feet of the Lord. He ate and slept for less than an hour and a half, and on some days that also was impossible.

Word meanings

sāḍe sāta prahara — 7.5 praharas (one prahara equals three hours) ; yāya — is spent ; kīrtana - smaraṇe — in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and remembering the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa ; āhāra - nidrā — eating and sleeping ; cāri daṇḍa — four daṇḍas (one daṇḍa equals twenty-four minutes) ; seha — that ; nahe — is not ; kona dine — some days .

Translation

Topics concerning his renunciation are wonderful. Throughout his life he never allowed his tongue sense gratification.

Word meanings

vairāgyera — of the renunciation ; kathā — talks ; tāṅra — of him ; adbhuta - kathana — wonderful topics ; ā - janma — from birth ; nā dila — did not allow ; jihvāya — to the tongue ; rasera sparśana — tasting .

Translation

He never touched anything to wear except a small torn cloth and a patchwork wrapper. Thus he very rigidly executed the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

chiṇḍā kāni — a small torn cloth ; kāṅthā — a patchwork cotton wrapper ; vinā — except ; nā pare — does not wear ; vasana — clothing ; sāvadhāne — with great care ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kailā — performed ; ājñāra pālana — execution of the order .

Purport

The principle of very rigidly carrying out the order of the spiritual master must be observed. The spiritual master gives different orders to different people. For example, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ordered Jīva Gosvāmī, Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī to preach, and He ordered Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī to strictly follow the rules and regulations of the renounced order. All six Gosvāmīs strictly followed the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This is the principle for progress in devotional service. After receiving an order from the spiritual master, one must strictly try to execute the order. That is the way of success.

Translation

Whatever he ate was only to keep his body and soul together, and when he ate he would reproach himself thus.

Word meanings

prāṇa - rakṣā lāgi’ — to maintain life ; yebā — whatever ; karena bhakṣaṇa — he ate ; tāhā khāñā — eating that ; āpanāke — to himself ; kahe — said ; nirveda - vacana — words of reproach .

Translation

“ ‘If one’s heart has been cleansed by perfect knowledge and one has understood Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Brahman, he then gains everything. Why should such a person act like a debauchee by trying to maintain his material body very carefully?’ ”

Word meanings

ātmānam — the soul ; cet — if ; vijānīyāt — one understands ; param — supreme ; jñāna — by knowledge ; dhuta — thrown off ; āśayaḥ — material desires ; kim — what ; icchan — desiring ; kasya — what ; vā — or ; hetoḥ — for reason ; deham — the material body ; puṣṇāti — maintains ; lampaṭaḥ — debauchee .

Purport

This verse ( Bhāg. 7.15.40 ) was spoken by Nārada to Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja regarding a householder’s liberation from material bondage. On the spiritual platform, one does not unnecessarily care for the body. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has said, deha-smṛti nāhi yāra, saṁsāra bandhana kāhāṅ tāra. One who is spiritually situated does not think that he is the body. Therefore he can transcendentally execute severe penances in the renounced order of life. The best example of such renunciation is Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī.

Translation

Lord Jagannātha’s prasādam is sold by shopkeepers, and that which is not sold decomposes after two or three days.

Word meanings

prasāda - anna — food of Jagannātha ; pasārira — of the shopkeepers ; yata — as much as ; nā vikāya — is not sold ; dui - tina dina — two or three days ; haile — after ; bhāta — the rice ; saḍi’ yāya — becomes decomposed .

Translation

All the decomposed food is thrown before the cows from Tailaṅga at the Siṁha-dvāra gate. Because of its rotten odor, even the cows cannot eat it.

Word meanings

siṁha - dvāre — at the gate known as Siṁha-dvāra ; gābhī - āge — in front of the cows ; sei bhāta — that food ; ḍāre — they throw ; saḍā - gandhe — because of a rotten smell ; tailaṅgī - gāi — the cows from Tailaṅga ; khāite nā pāre — cannot eat .

Translation

At night Raghunātha dāsa would collect that decomposed rice, bring it home and wash it with ample water.

Word meanings

sei bhāta — that rejected rice ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; rātre — at night ; ghare āni’ — bringing home ; bhāta — the rice ; pākhāliyā — washing ; phele — throws ; ghare — at home ; diyā — putting ; bahu pāni — much water .

Translation

Then he ate the hard inner portion of the rice with salt.

Word meanings

bhitarera — within ; dṛḍha — the harder portion ; yei — which ; māji — the core ; bhāta — rice ; pāya — he gets ; lavaṇa diyā — with a little salt ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; sei anna — that rice ; khāya — eats .

Translation

One day Svarūpa Dāmodara saw the activities of Raghunātha dāsa. Thus he smiled and asked for a small portion of that food and ate it.

Word meanings

eka - dina — one day ; svarūpa — Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; tāhā — that ; karite — doing ; dekhilā — saw ; hāsiyā — smiling ; tāhāra — of that ; kichu — some ; māgiyā khāilā — he begged and ate .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara said, “You eat such nectar every day, but you never offer it to us. What is your character?”

Word meanings

svarūpa kahe — Svarūpa Dāmodara said ; aiche — such ; amṛta — nectar ; khāo — you eat ; niti - niti — daily ; āmā - sabāya — to us ; nāhi deha’ — you do not offer ; ki — what ; tomāra — your ; prakṛti — nature .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard news of this from the mouth of Govinda, He went there the next day and spoke as follows.

Word meanings

govindera mukhe — from the mouth of Govinda ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; se vārtā — that news ; śunilā — heard ; āra dina — the next day ; āsi’ — coming ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kahite lāgilā — began to say .

Translation

“What nice things are you eating? Why don’t you give anything to Me?” Saying this, He forcibly took a morsel and began to eat.

Word meanings

kāṅhā — what ; vastu — things ; khāo — you eat ; sabe — all ; more — to Me ; nā deha’ kene — why do you not give ; eta bali’ — saying this ; eka grāsa — one morsel ; karilā bhakṣaṇe — ate .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was taking another morsel of food, Svarūpa Dāmodara caught Him by the hand and said, “It is not fit for You.” Thus he forcibly took the food away.

Word meanings

āra — another ; grāsa — morsel ; laite — taking ; svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara ; hātete — the hand ; dharilā — caught ; tava — for You ; yogya — fit ; nahe — is not ; bali’ — saying ; bale — by force ; kāḍi’ — snatching ; nilā — he took .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Of course, every day I eat varieties of prasādam, but I have never tasted such nice prasādam as that which Raghunātha is eating.”

Word meanings

prabhu bale — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; niti - niti — day after day ; nānā prasāda — varieties of prasādam ; khāi — I eat ; aiche svāda — such a nice taste ; āra — other ; kona — any ; prasāde — in the remnants of Lord Jagannātha’s food ; nā pāi — I do not get .

Translation

Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu performed many pastimes at Jagannātha Purī. Seeing the severe penances performed by Raghunātha dāsa in the renounced order, the Lord was greatly satisfied.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nānā līlā — many pastimes ; kare — performs ; raghunāthera — of Raghunātha dāsa ; vairāgya — renunciation ; dekhi’ — by seeing ; santoṣa antare — satisfied within .

Translation

In his poem known as the Gaurāṅga-stava-kalpavṛkṣa, Raghunātha dāsa has described his personal deliverance.

Word meanings

āpana - uddhāra — his personal deliverance ; ei raghunātha - dāsa — this Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; gaurāṅga - stava - kalpa - vṛkṣe — in his poem known as Gaurāṅga-stava-kalpavṛkṣa ; kariyāchena prakāśa — has described .

Translation

“Although I am a fallen soul, the lowest of men, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu delivered me from the blazing forest fire of great material opulence by His mercy. He handed me over in great pleasure to Svarūpa Dāmodara, His personal associate. The Lord also gave me the garland of small conchshells that He wore on His chest and a stone from Govardhana Hill, although they were very dear to Him. That same Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu awakens within my heart and makes me mad after Him.”

Word meanings

mahā - sampat — of profuse material opulence ; dāvāt — from a forest fire ; api — although ; patitam — fallen ; uddhṛtya — delivering ; kṛpayā — by mercy ; svarūpe — unto Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; yaḥ — He who (Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu) ; svīye — His personal associate ; ku - janam — low person ; api — although ; mām — me ; nyasya — having delivered ; muditaḥ — pleased ; uraḥ — of the chest ; guñjā - hāram — the garland of conchshells ; priyam — dear ; api — although ; ca — and ; govardhana - śilām — a stone from Govardhana Hill ; dadau — delivered ; me — to me ; gaurāṅgaḥ — Lord Gaurāṅga ; hṛdaye — in my heart ; udayan — by manifesting ; mām — me ; madayati — maddens .

Purport

This verse is from Śrī Gaurāṅga-stava-kalpavṛkṣa (11), written by Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī.

Translation

Thus I have described the meeting of Raghunātha dāsa with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Anyone who hears about this incident attains the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

ei — this ; ta’ — certainly ; kahiluṅ — I have described ; raghunāthera milana — the meeting of Raghunātha dāsa ; ihā — this ; yei — anyone who ; śune — hears ; pāya — gets ; caitanya - caraṇa — the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

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, sixth chapter, describing Lord Caitanya’s meeting with Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī.