The Deliverance of Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka

Translation

The innumerable, glorious followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu brought a constant flood to the desertlike hearts of the unfortunate with an inundation of ecstatic love.

Word meanings

agaṇya — innumerable ; dhanya — glorious ; caitanya - gaṇānām — of the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prema - vanyayā — by the inundation of ecstatic love ; ninye — was brought ; adhanya - jana — of unfortunate persons ; svānta - maruḥ — the desert of the heart ; śaśvat — always ; anūpatām — to the state of being filled with water .

Translation

All glories to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the most merciful incarnation! All glories to Lord Nityānanda, whose heart is always compassionate!

Word meanings

jaya jaya — all glories ; śrī - kṛṣṇa - caitanya — to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dayā - maya — merciful ; jaya jaya — all glories ; nityānanda — to Lord Nityānanda ; karuṇa - hṛdaya — whose heart is very compassionate .

Translation

All glories to Advaita Ācārya, who is very merciful! All glories to the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who are always overwhelmed by transcendental bliss!

Word meanings

jaya — all glories ; advaita - ācārya — to Advaita Ācārya ; jaya jaya — all glories ; dayā - maya — merciful ; jaya — all glories ; gaura - bhakta - gaṇa — to the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; saba — all ; rasa - maya — overwhelmed by transcendental bliss .

Translation

Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu lived at Nīlācala [Jagannātha Purī] with His personal devotees, always merged in ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta - gaṇa - saṅge — along with His devotees ; nīlācale — at Jagannātha Purī ; vāsa karena — resides ; kṛṣṇa - prema - raṅge — overwhelmed by the ecstatic love of Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu always felt waves of separation from Kṛṣṇa, externally and internally. His mind and body were agitated by various spiritual transformations.

Word meanings

antare - bāhire — internally and externally ; kṛṣṇa - viraha - taraṅga — the waves of separation from Kṛṣṇa ; nānā - bhāve — by various ecstasies ; vyākula — agitated ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mana āra aṅga — mind and body .

Translation

During the day He chanted, danced and saw Lord Jagannātha in the temple. At night He tasted transcendental bliss in the company of Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara.

Word meanings

dine — during the day ; nṛtya - kīrtana — dancing and chanting ; jagannātha - daraśana — seeing Lord Jagannātha ; rātrye — at night ; rāya - svarūpa - sane — with Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara ; rasa - āsvādana — tasting transcendental bliss .

Translation

People from the three worlds used to come visit Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Anyone who saw Him received the transcendental treasure of love for Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

tri - jagatera — of the three worlds ; loka — people ; āsi’ — coming ; karena daraśana — visited ; yei dekhe — anyone who saw ; sei pāya — he got ; kṛṣṇa - prema - dhana — the transcendental treasure of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

The inhabitants of the seven higher planetary systems — including the demigods, the Gandharvas and the Kinnaras — and the inhabitants of the seven lower planetary systems [Pātālaloka], including the demons and serpentine living entities, all visited Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in the dress of human beings.

Word meanings

manuṣyera veśe — in the dress of human beings ; deva - gandharva - kinnara — the demigods, the Gandharvas and the Kinnaras ; sapta - pātālera — of the seven lower planetary systems ; yata — all kinds of ; daitya — demons ; viṣa - dhara — serpentine living entities .

Translation

Dressed in different ways, people from the seven islands and nine khaṇḍas visited Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

sapta - dvīpe — in seven islands ; nava - khaṇḍe — in nine khaṇḍas ; vaise — reside ; yata jana — all persons ; nānā - veśe — in different dresses ; āsi’ — coming ; kare prabhura daraśana — visited Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Prahlāda Mahārāja, Bali Mahārāja, Vyāsadeva, Śukadeva Gosvāmī and other great sages came to visit Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Upon seeing Him, they became unconscious in ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

prahlāda — Prahlāda Mahārāja ; bali — Bali Mahārāja ; vyāsa — Vyāsadeva ; śuka — Śukadeva Gosvāmī ; ādi — and so on ; muni - gaṇa — great sages ; āsi’ — coming ; prabhu dekhi’ — by seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; preme — in ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa ; haya acetana — became unconscious .

Purport

According to the opinion of some historians, Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in Tretā-yuga in the city of Multan, in the state of Punjab. He was born of Hiraṇyakaśipu, a king of the dynasty of Kaśyapa. Prahlāda Mahārāja was a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu, but his father was very much against Viṣṇu. Because the father and son thus differed in their consciousness, the demon father inflicted all kinds of bodily pain upon Prahlāda. When this torture became intolerable, the Supreme Lord appeared as Nṛsiṁhadeva and killed the great demon Hiraṇyakaśipu.

Bali Mahārāja was the grandson of Prahlāda Mahārāja. The son of Prahlāda Mahārāja was Virocana, and his son was known as Bali. Appearing as Vāmana and begging Bali Mahārāja for three feet of land, the Lord took possession of the entire three worlds. Thus Bali Mahārāja became a great devotee of Lord Vāmana. Bali Mahārāja had one hundred sons, of whom Mahārāja Bāṇa was the eldest and most famous.

Vyāsadeva was the son of the great sage Parāśara. Other names for him are Sātyavateya and Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Bādarāyaṇa Muni. As one of the authorities on the Vedas, he divided the original Veda, for convenience, into four divisions — Sāma, Yajur, Ṛg and Atharva. He is the author of eighteen Purāṇas as well as the theosophical thesis Brahma-sūtra and its natural commentary, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. He belongs to the Brahma-sampradāya and is a direct disciple of Nārada Muni.

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is the son of Vyāsadeva. He was a brahmacārī fully conscious of Brahman realization, but later he became a great devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. He narrated Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.

Translation

Being unable to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the populace outside His room would make a tumultuous sound. Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would go outside and tell them, “Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.”

Word meanings

bāhire — outside ; phu - kāre — with a tumultuous sound ; loka — people ; darśana nā pāñā — not being able to see ; kṛṣṇa kaha — chant Kṛṣṇa ; balena — says ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bāhire āsiyā — coming outside .

Translation

All kinds of people would come to see the Lord, and upon seeing Him they would be overwhelmed with ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa. In this way Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed His days and nights.

Word meanings

prabhura darśane — by seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; saba loka — all the people ; preme bhāse — became inundated in ecstatic love ; ei - mata — in this way ; yāya — passes ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rātri - divase — night and day .

Translation

One day people suddenly came to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and informed Him, “Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka, the son of Bhavānanda Rāya, has been condemned to death by the baḍa-jānā, the eldest son of the King, and has been raised on the cāṅga.

Word meanings

eka - dina — one day ; loka — people ; āsi’ — coming ; prabhure — to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nivedila — informed ; gopīnāthere — Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka ; baḍa jānā — the eldest son of King Pratāparudra ; cāṅge caḍāila — raised him on the cāṅga. .

Purport

The cāṅga was a device for killing a condemned person. It consisted of a raised platform on which the condemned was made to stand. Underneath the platform, there were stationary upright swords. The condemned man would be pushed down onto the swords, and in this way he would die. For some reason, Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka had been condemned to death and had therefore been raised upon the cāṅga.

Translation

“The baḍa-jānā has placed swords beneath the platform,” they said, “and will throw Gopīnātha upon them. O Lord, only if You protect him will he be saved.

Word meanings

tale — underneath ; khaḍga — swords ; pāti’ — setting ; tāre — him ; upare — upon ; ḍāribe — he will throw ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rakṣā karena — will protect ; yabe — when ; tabe — then ; nistāribe — he will be saved .

Translation

“Bhavānanda Rāya and his entire family are your servants. Therefore it is quite fitting for You to save the son of Bhavānanda Rāya.”

Word meanings

sa - vaṁśe — with his family ; tomāra — Your ; sevaka — servant ; bhavānanda - rāya — Bhavānanda Rāya ; tāṅra putra — his son ; tomāra sevake — Your servant ; rākhite — to protect ; yuyāya — is quite fit .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu inquired, “Why is the King chastising him?” Thereupon the people described the entire incident.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; rājā — the King ; kene — why ; karaye tāḍana — punishes ; tabe — thereupon ; sei loka — those persons ; kahe — stated ; saba vivaraṇa — all of the description .

Translation

They said, “Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka, the brother of Rāmānanda Rāya, has always been a treasurer for the government.

Word meanings

gopīnātha - paṭṭanāyaka — Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka ; rāmānanda - bhāi — a brother of Rāmānanda Rāya ; sarva - kāla — always ; haya — is ; teṅha — he ; rāja - viṣayī — treasurer of the King .

Translation

“He served in the place known as Mālajāṭhyā Daṇḍapāta, soliciting and collecting money there and depositing it in the government treasury.

Word meanings

mālajāṭhyā - daṇḍapāṭe — in the place known as Mālajāṭhyā Daṇḍapāta ; tāra — his ; adhikāra — authority ; sādhi’ — soliciting ; pāḍi’ — collecting ; āni’ — bringing ; dravya — the money ; dila — gave ; rāja - dvāra — to the door of the King .

Translation

“Once when he deposited the collection, however, a balance of 200,000 kāhanas of conchshells was due from him. Therefore the King demanded this sum.

Word meanings

dui - lakṣa — 200,000 kāhanas of kauḍis (one kāhana equals 1,280 kauḍis ) ; tāra ṭhāñi — from him ; bākī ha - ila — there was a balance due ; dui - lakṣa kāhana — 200,000 kāhanas ; kauḍi — conchshells ; rājā — the King ; ta’ — certainly ; māgila — demanded .

Translation

“Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka replied, ‘There is no money I can immediately give you in cash. Please give me time. Gradually I shall purchase and sell my gross goods and in this way fill your treasury.

Word meanings

teṅha kahe — he replied ; sthūla - dravya — cash money ; nāhi — there is not ; ye — which ; gaṇi’ — counting ; diba — I can give ; krame - krame — gradually ; veci’ kini’ — purchasing and selling ; dravya — goods ; bhariba — I shall fill .

Translation

“ ‘There are ten to twelve good horses. Take them immediately for a proper price.’ After saying this, he brought all the horses to the door of the King.

Word meanings

ghoḍā — horses ; daśa - bāra — ten to twelve ; haya — there are ; laha’ — take ; mūlya kari’ — on the proper value ; eta bali’ — saying this ; ghoḍā āne — he brought the horses ; rāja - dvāre dhari’ — keeping at the door of the King .

Translation

“One of the princes knew how to estimate the price of horses very well. Thus the King sent for him to come with his ministers and friends.

Word meanings

eka — one ; rāja - putra — prince ; ghoḍāra mūlya — the price of horses ; bhāla — well ; jāne — knows ; tāre pāṭhāila — sent for him ; rājā — the King ; pātra - mitra sane — accompanied by ministers and friends .

Translation

“The prince, however, purposely gave a reduced estimate for the value of the horses. When Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka heard the price quoted, he was very angry.

Word meanings

sei — that ; rāja - putra — prince ; mūlya — price ; kare — estimates ; ghāṭāñā — reducing ; gopīnāthera — of Gopīnātha ; krodha haila — there was anger ; mūlya śuniyā — hearing the price .

Translation

“That prince had a personal idiosyncrasy of turning his neck and facing the sky, looking here and there again and again.

Word meanings

sei rāja - putrera — of that prince ; svabhāva — characteristic ; grīvā phirāya — turns his neck ; ūrdhva - mukhe — with his face toward the sky ; bāra - bāra — again and again ; iti - uti — here and there ; cāya — looks .

Translation

“Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka criticized the prince. He was unafraid of the prince because the King was very kind toward him.

Word meanings

tāre — him ; nindā kari’ — criticizing ; kahe — said ; sa - garva vacane — words full of pride ; rājā — the King ; kṛpā kare — was very kind to him ; tāte — therefore ; bhaya nāhi māne — he was not afraid .

Translation

“Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka said, ‘My horses never turn their necks or look upward. Therefore the price for them should not be reduced.’

Word meanings

āmāra ghoḍā — my horses ; grīvā — the neck ; nā phirāya — do not turn ; ūrdhve — upward ; nāhi cāya — do not look ; tāte — because of this ; ghoḍāra mūlya — the price of the horse ; ghāṭi karite — to reduce ; nā yuyāya — is not proper .

Translation

“Hearing this criticism, the prince became very angry. Going before the King, he made some false allegations against Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; rāja - putra — of the prince ; mane — in the mind ; krodha — anger ; upajila — arose ; rājāra ṭhāñi — before the King ; yāi’ — going ; bahu lāgāni karila — made many false allegations .

Translation

“ ‘This Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka,’ he said, ‘is unwilling to pay the money due. Instead, he is squandering it under some pretext. If you issue an order, I can put him on the cāṅga and thus realize the money.’

Word meanings

kauḍi — the money ; nāhi dibe — will not pay ; ei — this man ; beḍāya — squanders ; chadma kari’ — on some pretext ; ājñā deha yadi — if you order ; cāṅge caḍāñā — raising on the cāṅga ; la - i kauḍi — I shall get the money .

Translation

“The King replied, ‘You can adopt whatever means you think best. Any device by which you can somehow or other realize the money is all right.’

Word meanings

rājā bale — the King said ; yei bhāla — whatever is best ; sei kara — do that ; yāya — going ; ye upāye — by whatever means ; kauḍi pāi — I can get back our money ; kara — do ; se upāya — such means .

Translation

“Thus the prince went back, raised Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka onto the platform of the cāṅga and spread swords below upon which to throw him.”

Word meanings

rāja - putra — the prince ; āsi’ — coming ; tāre — him ; cāṅge — on the cāṅga ; caḍāila — raised ; khaḍaga - upare — upon the swords ; phelāite — to throw ; tale — below ; khaḍaga pātila — he spread swords .

Translation

After hearing this explanation, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied with affectionate anger. “Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka does not want to pay the King the money that is due,” the Lord said. “How then is the King at fault in punishing him?

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; kichu — some ; kari’ praṇaya - roṣa — displaying anger in affection ; rāja - kauḍi — money due the government ; dite nāre — does not wish to pay ; rājāra — of the King ; kibā doṣa — what is the fault .

Translation

“Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka is in charge of collecting money on behalf of the government, but he misappropriates it. Not fearing the King, he squanders it to see dancing girls.

Word meanings

rāja - vilāt — money due the King ; sādhi’ — collecting ; khāya — he uses ; nāhi rāja - bhaya — without fear of the King ; dārī - nāṭuyāre — to dancing girls ; diyā — giving ; kare — makes ; nānā — various ; vyaya — expenditures .

Translation

“If one is intelligent, let him perform service to the government, and after paying the government, he can spend whatever money is left.”

Word meanings

yei — one who ; catura — intelligent ; sei — such a person ; kuruka — let him do ; rāja - viṣaya — government service ; rāja - dravya śodhi’ — after paying the dues of the government ; pāya — whatever he gets ; tāra karuka vyaya — let him spend that .

Translation

At that time another person came there in great haste, bringing the news that Vāṇīnātha Rāya and his entire family had been arrested.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; āra — another ; loka — person ; āila — came ; dhāñā — in great haste ; vāṇīnātha - ādi — beginning with Vāṇīnātha ; sa - vaṁśe lañā — with his family ; gela bāndhiyā — was arrested .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “The King must personally realize the money that is due. I am but a sannyāsī, a member of the renounced order. What can I do?”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; rājā — the King ; āpane — personally ; lekhāra dravya — dues of the proper account ; la - iba — will take ; āmi — I ; virakta sannyāsī — a renounced sannyāsī ; tāhe — about that ; ki kariba — what can I do .

Translation

Then all the devotees, headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, fell at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and submitted the following plea.

Word meanings

tabe — at that time ; svarūpa - ādi — beginning with Svarūpa Dāmodara ; yata — all ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; prabhura caraṇe — at the lotus feet of the Lord ; sabe — all of them ; kailā nivedana — submitted .

Translation

“All the members of Rāmānanda Rāya’s family are Your eternal servants. Now they are in danger. It is not befitting for You to be indifferent to them in this way.”

Word meanings

rāmānanda - rāyera — of Rāmānanda Rāya ; goṣṭhī — family ; saba — all ; tomāra dāsa — Your servants ; tomāra — for You ; ucita — befitting ; nahe — is not ; aichana — such ; udāsa — indifference .

Translation

After hearing this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu spoke in an angry mood. “You want to order Me to go to the King,” He said.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; mahāprabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kahe — says ; sa - krodha vacane — angry words ; more — Me ; ājñā deha’ — you order ; sabe — all ; yāṅa — I shall go ; rāja - sthāne — to the place of the King .

Translation

“Your opinion is that I should go to the King’s palace and spread My cloth to beg money from him.

Word meanings

tomā - sabāra — of all of you ; ei mata — this is the opinion ; rāja - ṭhāñi yāñā — going to the King ; kauḍi māgi’ — begging kauḍis ; laṅ — shall take ; muñi — I ; āṅcala pātiyā — spreading My cloth .

Translation

“Of course, a sannyāsī or brāhmaṇa may beg for up to five gaṇḍās, but why should he be granted the inappropriate sum of 200,000 kāhanas of conchshells?”

Word meanings

pāṅca - gaṇḍāra — of five gaṇḍās ; pātra — due recipients ; haya — are ; sannyāsī brāhmaṇa — sannyāsīs and brāhmaṇas ; māgile — by begging ; vā — or ; kene — why ; dibe — shall give ; dui - lakṣa kāhana — 200,000 kāhanas of kauḍis. .

Translation

Then another person came with the news that Gopīnātha had already been set up to be thrown upon the points of the swords.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; āra — another ; loka — person ; āila — came ; dhāñā — running ; khaḍegara upare — upon the swords ; gopīnāthe — Gopīnātha ; diteche ḍāriyā — they are throwing .

Translation

Hearing this news, all the devotees again appealed to the Lord, but the Lord replied, “I am a beggar. It is impossible for Me to do anything about this.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; prabhura gaṇa — the devotees of the Lord ; prabhure kare anunaya — entreated the Lord ; prabhu kahe — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; āmi bhikṣuka — I am a beggar ; āmā haite kichu naya — it is not possible for Me to do anything .

Translation

“Therefore if you want to save him, you should all pray together at the lotus feet of Jagannātha.

Word meanings

tāte — therefore ; rakṣā karite — to save ; yadi — if ; haya — is ; sabāra — of all ; mane — in the mind ; sabe meli’ — all together ; jānāha — pray ; jagannāthera caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Lord Jagannātha .

Translation

“Lord Jagannātha is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He possesses all potencies. Therefore He is able to act freely and can do and undo whatever He likes.”

Word meanings

īśvara — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; jagannātha — Lord Jagannātha ; yāṅra hāte — within His hands ; sarva artha — all potencies ; kartum — to do ; akartum — not to do ; anyathā — and otherwise ; karite — to do ; samartha — able .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied in this way, an officer named Haricandana Pātra went to the King and spoke with him.

Word meanings

ihāṅ — here ; yadi — when ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; eteka kahilā — spoke like this ; haricandana - pātra — the officer named Haricandana Pātra ; yāi’ — going ; rājāre kahilā — informed the King .

Translation

“After all,” he said, “Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka is your faithful servant. To condemn a servant to death is not good behavior.

Word meanings

gopīnātha - paṭṭanāyaka — Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka ; sevaka tomāra — your servant ; sevakera prāṇa - daṇḍa — to condemn a servant to death ; nahe — is not ; vyavahāra — good behavior .

Translation

“His only fault is that he owes some money to the government. If he is killed, however, what profit will there be? The government will be the loser, for it will not get the money.

Word meanings

viśeṣa — particular ; tāhāra ṭhāñi — from him ; kauḍi — of kauḍis ; bākī — debt ; haya — there is ; prāṇa nile — if he is killed ; kibā — what ; lābha — profit ; nija — own ; dhana — wealth ; kṣaya — loss .

Translation

“It would be better to take the horses for a proper price and let him gradually repay the balance. Why are you killing him unnecessarily?”

Word meanings

yathā - artha mūlye — for the proper price ; ghoḍā laha — accept the horses ; yebā — whatever ; bākī haya — balance is due ; krame krame — gradually ; dibe — he will give ; vyartha — unnecessarily ; prāṇa — his life ; kene — why ; laya — are you taking .

Translation

The King answered in surprise, “I did not know about all this. Why should his life be taken? I only want the money from him.

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King replied ; ei bāt — this news ; āmi — I ; nāhi jāni — do not know ; prāṇa — his life ; kene — why ; la - iba — should I take ; tāra — his ; dravya — money ; cāhi āmi — I want .

Translation

“Go there and adjust everything. I want only the payment, not his life.”

Word meanings

tumi — you ; yāi’ — going ; kara — make ; tāhāṅ — there ; sarva samādhāna — all adjustments ; dravya — goods ; yaiche — so that ; āise — come ; āra — and ; rahe — keeps ; tāra — his ; prāṇa — life .

Translation

Haricandana then returned and informed the prince of the King’s desire, and immediately Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka was taken down from the cāṅga.

Word meanings

tabe — at that time ; haricandana — Haricandana Pātra ; āsi’ — coming ; jānāre kahila — informed the prince ; cāṅge haite — from the cāṅga platform ; gopīnāthe — Gopīnātha ; śīghra — very soon ; nāmāila — took down .

Translation

Then he was told that the King demanded the money due him and asked what means he would adopt to pay it. “Kindly take my horses,” he replied, “for a proper price.

Word meanings

dravya deha — pay the dues ; rājā māge — the King asks ; upāya — the means ; puchila — inquired ; yathā - artha - mūlye — at a proper price ; ghoḍā laha — take the horses ; teṅha ta’ kahila — he replied .

Translation

“I shall gradually pay the balance as I can. Without consideration, however, you were going to take my life. What can I say?”

Word meanings

krame krame — gradually ; dimu — I shall pay ; āra — more ; yata — as much ; kichu — any ; pāri — I can ; avicāre — without consideration ; prāṇa laha — you take my life ; ki balite pāri — what can I say .

Translation

Then the government took all the horses for a proper price, a time was set for payment of the balance, and Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka was released.

Word meanings

yathā - artha mūlya kari’ — estimating the proper price ; tabe — then ; saba — all ; ghoḍā — horses ; la - ila — took ; āra dravyera — of the balance ; muddatī kari’ — setting a time for payment ; ghare pāṭhāila — sent home .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu inquired from the messenger, “What was Vāṇīnātha doing when he was arrested and brought there?”

Word meanings

ethā — here ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sei manuṣyere — unto that person who brought the message ; praśna kaila — inquired ; vāṇīnātha ki kare — what was Vāṇīnātha doing ; yabe — when ; bāndhiyā ānila — he was arrested and brought there .

Translation

The messenger replied, “He was fearlessly, incessantly chanting the mahā-mantra — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

Word meanings

se kahe — he replied ; vāṇīnātha — Vāṇīnātha ; nirbhaye — without fear ; laya kṛṣṇa - nāma — was chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra ; hare kṛṣṇa, hare kṛṣṇa — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa ; kahe aviśrāma — was chanting incessantly .

Translation

“He counted the chants on the fingers of both hands, and after he had finished chanting one thousand times, he would make a mark on his body.”

Word meanings

saṅkhyā lāgi’ — for counting ; dui - hāte — in two hands ; aṅgulīte — on the fingers ; lekhā — marking ; sahasra - ādi — one thousand times ; pūrṇa haile — when finished ; aṅge — on the body ; kāṭe rekhā — makes a mark .

Translation

Hearing this news, the Lord was very pleased. Who can understand the mercy of the Lord upon His devotee?

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ha - ilā — became ; parama ānanda — very pleased ; ke bujhite pāre — who can understand ; gaurera — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā - chanda - bandha — mercy upon His devotee .

Translation

At that time Kāśī Miśra came to the residence of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and the Lord talked with him with some agitation.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; kāśī - miśra — Kāśī Miśra ; āilā — came ; prabhu - sthāne — to the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — to him ; kahe — said ; kichu — some ; sa - udvega — with anxiety ; vacane — words, .

Translation

“I cannot stay here any longer,” the Lord said. “I shall go to Ālālanātha. There are too many disturbances here, and I cannot get any rest.

Word meanings

ihāṅ rahite nāri — I cannot stay here ; yāmu ālālanātha — I shall go to Ālālanātha ; nānā — various ; upadrava — disturbances ; ihāṅ — here ; nā pāi — I cannot get ; soyātha — rest .

Translation

“All the family members of Bhavānanda Rāya are engaged in government service, but they spend the government’s revenue in various ways.

Word meanings

bhavānanda - rāyera — of Bhavānanda Rāya ; goṣṭhī — the family ; kare — engages ; rāja - viṣaya — in government service ; nānā - prakāre — in various ways ; kare — do ; tārā — all of them ; rāja - dravya vyaya — spending the government’s revenues .

Translation

“What is the fault on the part of the King? He wants the government’s money. However, when they are punished for failing to pay the government its due, they come to Me to release them.

Word meanings

rājāra — of the King ; ki doṣa — what is the fault ; rājā — the King ; nija — own ; dravya — money ; cāya — wants ; dite nāre — they cannot give ; dravya — money ; daṇḍa — punishment ; āmāre — to Me ; jānāya — they inform .

Translation

“When the King put Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka on the cāṅga, messengers came four times to inform Me about the incident.

Word meanings

rājā — the King ; gopīnāthe — Gopīnātha ; yadi — when ; cāṅge — on the cāṅga ; caḍāila — raised ; cāri - bāre — four times ; loke — messengers ; āsi’ — coming ; more — unto Me ; jānāila — informed .

Translation

“As a beggar sannyāsī, a mendicant, I wish to live alone in a solitary place, but these people come to tell Me about their unhappiness and disturb Me.

Word meanings

bhikṣuka — beggar ; sannyāsī — mendicant ; āmi — I ; nirjana - vāsī — living in a solitary place ; āmāya — to Me ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; deya — they give ; nija - duḥkha — their own unhappiness ; kahi’ — speaking ; āsi’ — coming .

Translation

“Jagannātha has saved him once from death today, but if tomorrow he again does not pay what he owes the treasury, who will give him protection?

Word meanings

āji — today ; tāre — him ; jagannātha — Lord Jagannātha ; karilā rakṣaṇa — protected ; kāli — tomorrow ; ke rākhibe — who will protect ; yadi — if ; nā dibe — he will not pay ; rāja - dhana — the King’s money .

Purport

The Supreme Personality of Godhead will certainly protect a devotee who does something sinful accidentally. As the Lord says in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.30-31):

api cet su-durācāro bhajate mām ananya-bhāk sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ saṁyag vyavasito hi saḥ

kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati

“Even if one commits the most abominable actions, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination. He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kuntī, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes.” However, if a devotee or so-called devotee purposefully commits sinful activities continually in the hope that Kṛṣṇa will give him protection, Kṛṣṇa will not protect him. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, kāli ke rākhibe, yadi nā dibe rāja-dhana?: “Jagannātha has saved Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka from being killed by the King today, but if he commits the same offense again, who will give him protection?” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thus warns all such foolish devotees that Jagannātha will not protect them if they continue to commit offenses.

Translation

“If I hear about the activities of materialistic persons, My mind becomes agitated. There is no need for Me to stay here and be disturbed in that way.”

Word meanings

viṣayīra — of materialistic persons ; vārtā — news ; śuni’ — hearing ; kṣubdha — agitated ; haya — becomes ; mana — the mind ; tāte — therefore ; ihāṅ rahi’ — to stay here ; mora — My ; nāhi prayojana — there is no necessity .

Translation

Kāśī Miśra caught hold of the Lord’s lotus feet and said, “Why should You be agitated by these affairs?

Word meanings

kāśī - miśra kahe — Kāśī Miśra said ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dhariyā caraṇe — embracing the lotus feet ; tumi — You ; kene — why ; ei bāte — by these talks ; kṣobha kara — become agitated ; mane — within the mind .

Translation

“You are a renounced sannyāsī. What connections do You have? One who worships You for some material purpose is blind to all knowledge.”

Word meanings

sannyāsī — a sannyāsī ; virakta — one who has given up all connections with everyone ; tomāra — Your ; kā - sane — with whom ; sambandha — relationship ; vyavahāra lāgi’ — for some material purpose ; tomā bhaje — worships You ; sei — he ; jñāna - andha — blind to all knowledge .

Purport

Becoming a devotee of the Lord to serve material purposes is a great mistake. Many people become showbottle devotees for material profits. Indeed, materialistic persons sometimes take to professional devotional service and keep Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as a means of livelihood. None of this, however, is approved. In the book known as Sapta-śatī, as mentioned by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, one can discover how a person worshiping the goddess Durgā begs her for different varieties of material profit. Such activities are very popular among people in general, but they are the attempts of foolish, blind people ( sei jñāna-andha ) .

A materialist does not actually know why one should become a devotee. A devotee’s only concern is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Pure devotional service is defined by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī:

anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu- śīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā

One should be completely free from all material desires and should serve Kṛṣṇa simply to please Him. When people become interested in their own sense gratification ( bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kāmī ), some of them desire to enjoy the material world to the fullest extent, some of them desire to be liberated and merge into the existence of Brahman, and others want to perform magic through mystic power and thus become incarnations of God. These are all against the principles of devotional service. One must be free from all material desires. The desire of the impersonalist to merge into the existence of Brahman is also material because such an impersonalist wants to gratify his senses by merging into the existence of Kṛṣṇa instead of serving His lotus feet. Even if such a person merges into the Brahman effulgence, he falls down again into material existence. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.2.32) :

āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ patanty adho ’nādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ

Because Māyāvādī philosophers have no information regarding the transcendental service of the Lord, even after attaining liberation from material activities and merging into the Brahman effulgence, they must come down again to this material world.

Translation

Kāśī Miśra continued, “If one engages in devotional service for Your satisfaction, this will result in his increasingly awakening his dormant love for You. But if one engages in Your devotional service for material purposes, he should be considered a number-one fool.

Word meanings

tomāra — Your ; bhajana — devotional service ; phale — by the result of ; tomāte — unto You ; prema - dhana — wealth of love ; viṣaya lāgi’ — for material profit ; tomāya bhaje — one engages in Your service ; sei — he ; mūrkha jana — a fool .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments that there are many materialistic persons who become preachers, gurus, religionists or philosophers only for the sake of maintaining a high standard of living and sense gratification for themselves and their families. Sometimes they adopt the dress of a sannyāsī or preacher. They train some of their family members as lawyers and continually seek help from a high court to acquire riches on the plea of maintaining temples. Although such persons may call themselves preachers, live in Vṛndāvana or Navadvīpa, and also print many religious books, it is all for the same purpose, namely to earn a living to maintain their wives and children. They may also professionally recite the Bhāgavatam or other scriptures, worship the Deity in the temple and initiate disciples. Making a show of devotional paraphernalia, they may also collect money from the public and use it to cure the disease of some family member or near relative. Sometimes they become bābājīs or collect money on the plea of worshiping the poor, whom they call daridra-nārāyaṇa, or for social and political upliftment. Thus they spread a network of business schemes to collect money for sense gratification by cheating people in general, who have no knowledge of pure devotional service. Such cheaters cannot understand that by offering devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can be elevated to a position of eternal servitude to the Lord, which is even greater than the position of Brahmā and other demigods. Unfortunately, fools have no understanding of the perpetual pleasure of devotional service.

Translation

“It is only for Your sake that Rāmānanda Rāya resigned from the governorship of South India and Sanātana Gosvāmī gave up his post as minister.

Word meanings

tomā lāgi’ — for Your sake ; rāmānanda — Rāmānanda Rāya ; rājya — the kingdom ; tyāga kailā — gave up ; tomā lāgi’ — for Your sake ; sanātana — Sanātana Gosvāmī ; viṣaya — material life ; chāḍilā — gave up .

Translation

“It is for Your sake that Raghunātha dāsa gave up all his family relationships. His father sent money and men here to serve him.

Word meanings

tomā lāgi’ — for Your sake ; raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa ; sakala chāḍila — gave up everything ; hethāya — here ; tāhāra pitā — his father ; viṣaya pāṭhāila — sent money .

Translation

“However, because he has received the mercy of Your lotus feet, he does not even accept his father’s money. Instead he eats by begging alms from centers for the distribution of food.

Word meanings

tomāra caraṇa — of Your lotus feet ; kṛpā — the mercy ; hañāche — has been ; tāhāre — upon him ; chatre — from centers for the distribution of food ; māgi’ — begging ; khāya — he eats ; viṣaya — money ; sparśa nāhi kare — he does not touch .

Translation

“Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka is a good gentleman. He does not desire material benefits from You.

Word meanings

rāmānandera — of Rāmānanda ; bhāi — brother ; gopīnātha — Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka ; mahāśaya — a great gentleman ; tomā haite — from You ; viṣaya - vāñchā — desire for material advantage ; tāra icchā — his desire ; naya — is not .

Translation

“It is not Gopīnātha who sent all those men so that You would release him from his plight. Rather, his friends and servants, seeing his distressed condition, informed You because they all knew that Gopīnātha is a soul surrendered unto You.

Word meanings

tāra — his ; duḥkha — distressed condition ; dekhi’ — seeing ; tāra — his ; sevaka - ādi - gaṇa — servants and friends ; tomāre jānāila — informed You ; yāte — because ; ananya — no other ; śaraṇa — shelter .

Translation

“Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka is a pure devotee who worships You only for Your satisfaction. He does not care about his personal happiness or distress, for that is the business of a materialist.

Word meanings

sei — he ; śuddha - bhakta — a pure devotee ; ye — who ; tomā bhaje — worships You ; tomā lāgi’ — for Your satisfaction ; āpanāra sukha - duḥkhe — for personal happiness and distress ; haya — is ; bhoga - bhogī — one who wants to enjoy this material world .

Translation

“One who engages in Your devotional service twenty-four hours a day, desiring only Your mercy, will very soon attain shelter at Your lotus feet.

Word meanings

tomāra — Your ; anukampā — mercy ; cāhe — desires ; bhaje anukṣaṇa — engages in devotional service twenty-four hours a day ; acirāt — very soon ; mile — meet ; tāṅre — him ; tomāra caraṇa — Your lotus feet .

Translation

“ ‘One who seeks Your compassion and thus tolerates all kinds of adverse conditions due to the karma of his past deeds, who engages always in Your devotional service with his mind, words and body, and who always offers obeisances unto You is certainly a bona fide candidate for becoming Your unalloyed devotee.’

Word meanings

tat — therefore ; te — Your ; anukampām — compassion ; su - samīkṣamāṇaḥ — hoping for ; bhuñjānaḥ — enduring ; eva — certainly ; ātma - kṛtam — done by himself ; vipākam — fruitive results ; hṛt — with the heart ; vāk — words ; vapurbhiḥ — and body ; vidadhat — offering ; namaḥ — obeisances ; te — unto You ; jīveta — may live ; yaḥ — anyone who ; mukti - pade — in devotional service ; saḥ — he ; dāya - bhāk — a bona fide candidate .

Purport

This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.8) .

Translation

“Kindly stay here at Jagannātha Purī. Why should You go to Ālālanātha? Henceforward, no one will approach You about material affairs.”

Word meanings

ethā — here ; tumi — You ; vasi’ — residing ; raha — kindly stay ; kene — why ; yābe — shall You go ; ālālanātha — to Ālālanātha ; keha tomā nā śunābe — no one will inform You ; viṣayīra bāt — about the affairs of materialistic persons .

Translation

Finally Kāśī Miśra told the Lord, “If You want to give protection to Gopīnātha, then Lord Jagannātha, who protected him today, will also protect him in the future.”

Word meanings

yadi vā — if somehow or other ; tomāra — of You ; tāre — him ; rākhite — to protect ; haya — is ; mana — mind ; āji — today ; ye — He who ; rākhila — protected ; sei — He ; karibe rakṣaṇa — will give protection .

Translation

After saying this, Kāśī Miśra left the abode of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and returned to his own temple. At noon King Pratāparudra came to Kāśī Miśra’s home.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; kāśī - miśra — Kāśī Miśra ; gelā — went ; sva - mandire — to his own temple ; madhyāhne — at noon ; pratāparudra — King Pratāparudra ; āilā — came ; tāṅra ghare — to his home .

Translation

As long as King Pratāparudra stayed in Puruṣottama, he performed one regular duty.

Word meanings

pratāparudrera — of King Pratāparudra ; eka — one ; āchaye — is ; niyame — a regular duty ; yata dina — as long as ; rahe — remained ; teṅha — he ; śrī - puruṣottame — at Jagannātha Purī .

Translation

He would come daily to the house of Kāśī Miśra to massage his lotus feet. The King would also hear from him about how opulently Lord Jagannātha was being served.

Word meanings

nitya āsi’ — coming daily ; kare — performs ; miśrera — of Kāśī Miśra ; pāda — the feet ; saṁvāhana — massaging ; jagannātha - sevāra — for the service of Lord Jagannātha ; kare — does ; bhiyāna — arrangements ; śravaṇa — hearing .

Translation

When the King began pressing his lotus feet, Kāśī Miśra informed him about something through hints.

Word meanings

rājā — the King ; miśrera — of Kāśī Miśra ; caraṇa — the lotus feet ; yabe — when ; cāpite lāgilā — began to press ; tabe — at that opportunity ; miśra — Kāśī Miśra ; tāṅre — unto him ; kichu — something ; bhaṅgīte — by a hint ; kahilā — informed .

Translation

“My dear King,” he said, “please hear one uncommon item of news. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wants to leave Jagannātha Purī and go to Ālālanātha.”

Word meanings

deva — my dear King ; śuna — hear ; āra — another ; eka — one ; aparūpa — uncommon ; bāt — news ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṣetra chāḍi’ — leaving Jagannātha Purī ; yābena — will go ; ālālanātha — to Ālālanātha .

Translation

When the King heard that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was going to Ālālanātha, he was very unhappy and inquired about the reason. Then Kāśī Miśra informed him of all the details.

Word meanings

śuni — hearing ; rājā — the King ; duḥkhī hailā — became very unhappy ; puchilena — inquired ; kāraṇa — the reason ; tabe — at that time ; miśra kahe — Miśra said ; tāṅre — to him ; saba — all ; vivaraṇa — details .

Translation

“When Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka was lifted onto the cāṅga,” he said, “all his servants went to inform Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

gopīnātha - paṭṭanāyake — Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka ; yabe — when ; cāṅge — on the cāṅga ; caḍāilā — they lifted ; tāra sevaka — his servants ; saba — all ; āsi’ — coming ; prabhure kahilā — informed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

“Hearing about this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was extremely sorry at heart, and in anger He chastised Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka.

Word meanings

śuniyā — hearing ; kṣobhita haila — became agitated ; mahāprabhura mana — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mind ; krodhe — in anger ; gopīnāthe — unto Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka ; kailā — did ; bahuta bhartsana — much chastisement .

Translation

“ ‘Because he is mad after sense gratification,’ the Lord said, ‘he acts as a government servant but spends the government’s revenue for various sinful activities.

Word meanings

ajitendriya hañā — being mad after sense gratification ; kare rāja - viṣaya — serves the government ; nānā asat - pathe — in various sinful activities ; kare rāja - dravya vyaya — spends the revenue of the government .

Translation

“ ‘The revenue of the government is more sacred than the property of a brāhmaṇa. One who misappropriates the government’s money and uses it to enjoy sense gratification is most sinful.

Word meanings

brahmasva — a brāhmaṇa’s property ; adhika — more than ; ei — this ; haya — is ; rāja - dhana — the revenue of the government ; tāhā hari’ — stealing that ; bhoga kare — enjoys sense gratification ; mahā - pāpī jana — a most sinful person .

Translation

“ ‘One who serves the government but misappropriates the government’s revenue is liable to be punished by the king. That is the verdict of all revealed scriptures.

Word meanings

rājāra vartana — the salary of the King ; khāya — he takes ; āra — and ; curi kare — steals ; rāja - daṇḍya — liable to be punished by the King ; haya — is ; sei — he ; śāstrera vicāre — the verdict of the revealed scripture .

Translation

“ ‘The King wanted his revenue paid and did not want to enforce punishment. Therefore the King is certainly very religious. But Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka is a great cheat.

Word meanings

nija - kauḍi — his own money ; māge — demands ; rājā — the King ; nāhi kare daṇḍa — does not punish ; rājā — the King ; mahā - dhārmika — very religious ; ei — this man ; haya — is ; pāpī — sinful ; bhaṇḍa — cheat .

Translation

“ ‘He does not pay the revenue to the King, but he wants My help for release. This is a greatly sinful affair. I cannot tolerate it here.

Word meanings

rājā - kaḍi — the revenue of the King ; nā deya — does not pay ; āmāre — to Me ; phu - kāre — cries ; ei — this ; mahā - duḥkha — great unhappiness ; ihāṅ — here ; ke sahite pāre — who can tolerate .

Translation

“ ‘Therefore I shall leave Jagannātha Purī and go to Ālālanātha, where I shall live peacefully and not hear about all these affairs of materialistic people.’ ”

Word meanings

ālālanātha yāi’ — going to Ālālanātha ; tāhāṅ — there ; niścinte rahimu — I shall live peacefully ; viṣayīra — of materialistic persons ; bhāla manda — good and bad ; vārtā — news ; nā śunimu — I shall not hear .

Translation

When King Pratāparudra heard all these details, he felt great pain in his mind. “I shall give up all that is due from Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka,” he said, “if Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will stay here at Jagannātha Purī.

Word meanings

eta śuni’ — hearing all these details ; kahe rājā — the King said ; pāñā — getting ; mane vyathā — pain in his mind ; saba dravya chāḍoṅ — I shall give up all the dues ; yadi — if ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rahena ethā — remains here .

Translation

“If even for a moment I could get an interview with Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, I would not care for the profit of millions of cintāmaṇi stones.

Word meanings

eka - kṣaṇa — for a moment ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yadi — if ; pāiye — I get ; daraśana — an interview ; koṭi - cintāmaṇi - lābha — obtaining millions of cintāmaṇi stones ; nahe — is not ; tāra sama — equal to that .

Translation

“I do not care about this small sum of 200,000 kāhanas. What to speak of this, I would indeed sacrifice everything at the lotus feet of the Lord, including my life and kingdom.”

Word meanings

kon — what ; chāra — little ; padārtha — matter ; ei — this ; dui - lakṣa kāhana — 200,000 kāhanas ; prāṇa — life ; rājya — kingdom ; karoṅ — I do ; prabhu - pade — the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nirmañchana — sacrificing .

Translation

Kāśī Miśra hinted to the King, “It is not the Lord’s desire that you forfeit the payment. He is unhappy only because the whole family is troubled.”

Word meanings

miśra kahe — Kāśī Miśra said ; kauḍi chāḍibā — you shall abandon the money ; nahe — is not ; prabhura mana — the desire of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tārā — they ; duḥkha pāya — get unhappiness ; ei — this ; nā yāya sahana — is intolerable .

Translation

The King replied, “I had no desire to give pain to Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka and his family, nor did I know about his being lifted onto the cāṅga to be thrown on the swords and killed.

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King replied ; tāre — to him ; āmi — I ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; nāhi diye — have no desire to give ; cāṅge caḍā — the raising on the cāṅga ; khaḍge — on the swords ; ḍārā — the throwing ; āmi — I ; nā jāniye — did not know .

Translation

“He sneered at Puruṣottama Jānā. Therefore the prince tried to scare him as a punishment.

Word meanings

puruṣottama - jānāre — at Puruṣottama Jānā, the prince ; teṅha — he ; kaila parihāsa — made a joke ; sei jānā — that prince ; tāre — unto him ; dekhāila — showed ; mithyā — false ; trāsa — scare .

Translation

“Go personally to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and keep Him at Jagannātha Purī with great attention. I shall excuse Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka from all his debts.”

Word meanings

tumi — you ; yāha — go ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rākhaha — keep ; yatna kari’ — with great attention ; ei mui — as far as I am concerned ; tāhāre — unto him ; chāḍinu — I abandon ; saba kauḍi — all dues .

Translation

Kāśī Miśra said, “Excusing Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka of all his debts will make the Lord unhappy, for that is not His intention.”

Word meanings

miśra kahe — Kāśī Miśra said ; kauḍi chāḍibā — you will excuse all dues ; nahe — is not ; prabhura mane — the thought of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kauḍi chāḍile — if you excuse all the dues ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kadācit — certainly ; duḥkha māne — will be sorry .

Translation

The King said, “I shall absolve Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka of all his debts, but don’t speak of this to the Lord. Simply let Him know that all the family members of Bhavānanda Rāya, including Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka, are naturally my dear friends.

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King said ; kauḍi chāḍimu — I shall excuse all the dues ; ihā — this ; nā kahibā — do not speak ; sahaje — naturally ; mora priya — my dear friends ; tā’rā — they ; ihā — this ; jānāibā — let Him know .

Translation

“Bhavānanda Rāya is worthy of my worship and respect. Therefore I am always naturally affectionate to his sons.”

Word meanings

bhavānanda rāya — Bhavānanda Rāya ; āmāra — by me ; pūjya — worshipable ; garvita — honorable ; tāṅra — his ; putra - gaṇe — unto sons ; āmāra — my ; sahajei — naturally ; prīta — affection .

Translation

After offering obeisances to Kāśī Miśra, the King returned to his palace and called for both Gopīnātha and the eldest prince.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; miśre namaskari’ — after offering obeisances to Kāśī Miśra ; rājā — the King ; ghare gelā — returned to his palace ; gopīnāthe — Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka ; baḍa jānāya — the eldest prince ; ḍākiyā ānilā — called forth .

Translation

The King told Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka, “You are excused for all the money you owe the treasury, and the place known as Mālajāṭhyā Daṇḍapāṭa is again given to you for collections.

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King said ; saba — all ; kauḍi — money ; tomāre — unto you ; chāḍiluṅ — I excuse ; sei mālajāṭhyā daṇḍa pāṭa — the place called Mālajāṭhyā Daṇḍapāṭa ; tomāre — to you ; ta’ — certainly ; diluṅ — I give .

Translation

“Do not again misappropriate the revenue of the government. In case you think your salary insufficient, henceforward it will be doubled.”

Word meanings

āra bāra — another time ; aiche — like this ; nā khāiha — do not misappropriate ; rāja - dhana — government revenue ; āji haite — from today ; diluṅ — I award ; tomāya — unto you ; dvi - guṇa vartana — twice the salary .

Translation

After saying this, the King appointed him by offering him a silken wrapper for his body. “Go to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu,” he said. “After taking permission from Him, go to your home. I bid you farewell. Now you may go.”

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; neta - dhaṭī — silken wrapper ; tāre parāila — put on him ; prabhu - ājñā lañā — after taking permission from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yāha — go ; vidāya — farewell ; tomā — to you ; dila — I give .

Translation

By the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, one can certainly become spiritually advanced. Indeed, no one can estimate the results of His mercy.

Word meanings

paramārthe — for spiritual advancement ; prabhura kṛpā — mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; seha — that ; rahu dūre — let alone ; ananta — unlimited ; tāhāra — of that ; phala — result ; ke — who ; balite pāre — can estimate .

Translation

Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka achieved the result of kingly opulence due to but a glimpse of the Lord’s mercy. Therefore no one can calculate the full value of His mercy.

Word meanings

rājya - viṣaya — kingly opulence ; phala — result ; ei — this ; kṛpāra ābhāse — by only a glimpse of such mercy ; tāhāra — of that ; gaṇanā — calculation ; kāro — of anyone ; mane — within the mind ; nāhi āise — does not come .

Translation

Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka was lifted onto the cāṅga to be killed, and all his money was taken away, but instead his debts were excused, and he was appointed collector in the same place.

Word meanings

kāhāṅ — on one hand ; cāṅge — on the cāṅga ; caḍāñā — raising ; laya — takes ; dhana — wealth ; prāṇa — life ; kāhāṅ — on the other hand ; saba — all ; chāḍi’ — excusing ; sei — he ; rājya - ādi - pradāna — awarding the same government post and so on .

Translation

On one hand Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka was unable to clear his debt even by selling all his possessions, but on the other his salary was doubled, and he was honored with the silken wrapper.

Word meanings

kāhāṅ — on one hand ; sarvasva — all possessions ; veci’ — selling ; laya — takes ; deyā nā yāya — cannot be paid ; kauḍi — the debt ; kāhāṅ — on the other hand ; dviguṇa vartana — twice the salary ; parāya — puts on ; neta - dhaḍi — the silken cover .

Translation

It was not the desire of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu that Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka be excused of his debt to the government, nor was it His desire that his salary be doubled or that he be reappointed collector at the same place.

Word meanings

prabhura icchā — the wish of the Lord ; nāhi — was not ; tāre kauḍi chāḍāibe — he be excused from the dues ; dvi - guṇa — twice as much ; vartana kari’ — increasing the salary ; punaḥ — again ; viṣaya dibe — he should be appointed to the post .

Translation

When Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka’s servant went to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and informed the Lord of his plight, the Lord was somewhat agitated and dissatisfied.

Word meanings

tathāpi — still ; tāra sevaka — his servant ; āsi’ — coming ; kaila nivedana — submitted ; tāte — by that ; kṣubdha haila — was agitated ; yabe — when ; mahāprabhura mana — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mind .

Translation

The Lord had no intention of awarding His devotee the happiness of material opulence, yet simply because of His being informed, such a great result was obtained.

Word meanings

viṣaya — of material opulence ; sukha — happiness ; dite — award ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nāhi — is not ; manobala — desire ; nivedana - prabhāveha — simply because He was informed about it ; tabu — still ; phale eta phala — so much of a result was obtained .

Translation

No one can estimate the wonderful characteristics of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Even Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva cannot understand the intentions of the Lord.

Word meanings

ke — who ; kahite pāre — can estimate ; gaurera — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āścarya svabhāva — wonderful characteristics ; brahmā - śiva — Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva ; ādi — and others ; yāṅra — whose ; nā pāya — cannot understand ; antarbhāva — the intention .

Translation

Kāśī Miśra went to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and informed Him in detail of all the King’s intentions.

Word meanings

ethā — here ; kāśī - miśra — Kāśī Miśra ; āsi’ — coming ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; caraṇe — to the feet ; rājāra — of the King ; caritra saba — all the behavior ; kailā nivedane — informed .

Translation

Upon hearing about Kāśī Miśra’s tactics with the King, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Kāśī Miśra, what have you done? You have made Me indirectly take help from the King.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; kāśī - miśra — My dear Kāśī Miśra ; ki — what ; tumi karilā — have you done ; rāja - pratigraha — taking from the King ; tumi — you ; āmā’ — Me ; karāilā — have made to do .

Purport

When the King heard the details of Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka’s unfortunate condemnation, he was induced to excuse his debt, in particular because he felt that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very sorry about this incident. The Lord did not like the idea that the money forfeited to Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka was indirectly a contribution to Him. Therefore He immediately protested.

Translation

Kāśī Miśra said, “My dear Lord, the King has done this without reservations. Kindly hear his statement.

Word meanings

miśra kahe — Kāśī Miśra said ; śuna — kindly hear ; prabhu — my dear Lord ; rājāra vacane — to the statement of the King ; akapaṭe — without duplicity ; rājā — the King ; ei — this ; kailā nivedane — has submitted .

Translation

“The King said, ‘Speak to the Lord in such a way that He will not think, “For My sake the King has forfeited 200,000 kāhanas of kauḍis.”

Word meanings

prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yena — so that ; nāhi jānena — may not think ; rājā — the King ; āmāra lāgiyā — for Me ; dui - lakṣa kāhana kauḍi — 200,000 kāhanas of kauḍis ; dileka chāḍiyā — has remitted .

Purport

The kauḍi is like an American cent or Japanese yen. In the old medium of exchange, the first unit of currency was a small conchshell called a kauḍi . Four kauḍis made one gaṇḍā, twenty gaṇḍās made one paṇa, and sixteen paṇas made one kāhana. Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka owed the government 200,000 kāhanas. The King absolved him of this debt, reappointed him to his post and doubled his salary.

Translation

“ ‘Inform Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu that all the sons of Bhavānanda Rāya are especially dear to me. I consider them like members of my family.

Word meanings

bhavānandera — of Bhavānanda Rāya ; putra saba — all the sons ; mora — to me ; priyatama — very dear ; iṅhā - sabākāre — all of them ; āmi — I ; dekhi — see ; ātma - sama — as my relatives .

Translation

“ ‘Therefore I have appointed them collectors in various places, and although they spend the government’s money, eat, drink, plunder and distribute it as they like, I do not take them very seriously.

Word meanings

ataeva — therefore ; yāhāṅ yāhāṅ — wherever ; dei adhikāra — I appoint them ; khāya — they eat ; piye — drink ; luṭe — plunder ; vilāya — distribute ; nā karoṅ vicāra — I do not consider .

Translation

“ ‘I made Rāmānanda Rāya the governor of Rajahmundry. There is practically no account of whatever money he took and distributed in that position.

Word meanings

rājamahindāra — of the place known as Rajahmundry ; rājā — governor ; kainu — I made ; rāma - rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya ; ye khāila — whatever money he took ; yebā — whatever ; dila — distributed ; nāhi lekhā - dāya — there is no account .

Purport

Near Rajahmundry is a famous railway station. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī notes that the present Rajahmundry City is located on the northern bank of the Godāvarī. At the time when Rāmānanda Rāya was governor, however, the state capital, which was known as Vidyānagara or Vidyāpura, was located on the southern side of the Godāvarī, at the confluence of the Godāvarī and the sea. That was the part of the country which at that time was known as Rajahmundry. North of Kaliṅga-deśa is Utkaliṅga, or the state of Orissa. The capital of southern Orissa was known as Rajahmundry, but now the location of Rajahmundry has changed.

Translation

“ ‘Having been appointed collector, Gopīnātha, in the same way, also generally spends 200,000 to 400,000 kāhanas as he likes.

Word meanings

gopīnātha — Gopīnātha ; ei - mata — in this way ; viṣaya kariyā — doing business ; dui - cāri - lakṣa kāhana — two to four hundred thousand kāhanas ; rahe ta’ khāñā — spends as he likes .

Translation

“ ‘Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka would collect some and pay some, spending it at will, but I would not consider this very seriously. This time, however, he was put into trouble because of a misunderstanding with the prince.

Word meanings

kichu — some ; deya — he pays ; kichu — some ; nā deya — he does not pay ; nā kari vicāra — I do not consider ; jānā sahita — with the prince ; aprītye — due to some unfriendliness ; duḥkha pāila — has gotten so much trouble ; ei - bāra — this time .

Translation

“ ‘The prince created this situation without my knowledge, but actually I consider all the sons of Bhavānanda Rāya to be like my relatives.

Word meanings

jānā — the prince ; eta — such ; kailā — has done ; ihā — this ; mui — I ; nāhi jānoṅ — did not know ; bhavānandera putra — the sons of Bhavānanda Rāya ; sabe — all ; ātma - sama mānoṅ — I considered like my relatives .

Translation

“ ‘Because of my intimate relationship with them, I have absolved Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka of all his debts. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu does not know this fact. Whatever I have done is because of my intimate relationship with the family of Bhavānanda Rāya.’ ”

Word meanings

tāṅhā lāgi’ — for them ; dravya chāḍi’ — I remit the debt ; ihā — this ; māt jāne — He does not know ; sahajei — naturally ; mora prīti — my affection ; haya — is ; tāhā - sane — with them all .

Translation

Having heard from Kāśī Miśra all these statements concerning the King’s mentality, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very happy. At that time, Bhavānanda Rāya arrived there.

Word meanings

śuniyā — hearing ; rājāra — of the King ; vinaya — submission ; prabhura ānanda — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became very happy ; hena - kāle — at this time ; āilā — arrived ; tathā — there ; rāya bhavānanda — Bhavānanda Rāya .

Translation

Bhavānanda Rāya, along with his five sons, fell at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who lifted him up and embraced him.

Word meanings

pañca - putra - sahite — with five sons ; āsi’ — coming ; paḍilā caraṇe — fell down at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; uṭhāñā — getting him up ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — him ; kailā āliṅgane — embraced .

Translation

Thus Rāmānanda Rāya, all his brothers and their father met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Then Bhavānanda Rāya began speaking.

Word meanings

rāmānanda - rāya ādi — Rāmānanda Rāya and other brothers ; sabāi — all ; mililā — met ; bhavānanda - rāya — Bhavānanda Rāya ; tabe — then ; balite lāgilā — began to speak .

Translation

“All these members of my family,” he said, “are Your eternal servants. You have saved us from this great danger. Therefore You have purchased us for a proper price.

Word meanings

tomāra kiṅkara — Your servants ; ei saba — all these ; mora kula — my family ; e vipade — in this great danger ; rākhi’ — by saving ; prabhu — my Lord ; punaḥ — again ; nilā mūla — have purchased .

Translation

“You have now demonstrated Your love for Your devotees, just as when You previously saved the five Pāṇḍavas from great danger.”

Word meanings

bhakta - vātsalya — love for Your devotees ; ebe — now ; prakaṭa karilā — You have demonstrated ; pūrve — previously ; yena — as ; pañca - pāṇḍave — the five Pāṇḍavas ; vipade — from danger ; tārilā — You saved .

Translation

Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka, his head covered with the silken wrapper, fell at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and described in detail the King’s mercy toward him.

Word meanings

netadhaṭī - māthe — with the silken cover on the head ; gopīnātha — Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka ; caraṇe paḍilā — fell down at the lotus feet ; rājāra — of the King ; kṛpā - vṛttānta — story of the mercy ; sakala — all ; kahilā — narrated .

Translation

“The King has excused me for the balance due,” he said. “He has reappointed me to my post by honoring me with this silken cloth and has doubled my salary.

Word meanings

bākī - kauḍi bāda — excusing the balance due ; āra — and ; dvi - guṇa — double ; vartana kailā — made the salary ; punaḥ — again ; viṣaya diyā — giving the post ; neta - dhaṭī parāilā — decorated with the silken cloth .

Translation

“I was lifted upon the cāṅga to be killed, but instead I was honored with this silken cloth. This is all Your mercy.

Word meanings

kāhāṅ — on one hand ; cāṅgera upara — on the cāṅga ; sei — that ; maraṇa - pramāda — danger of death ; kāhāṅ — on the other hand ; neta - dhaṭī — the silken cloth ; punaḥ — again ; e - saba — all this ; prasāda — mercy .

Translation

“On the cāṅga I began meditating upon Your lotus feet, and the power of that remembrance has yielded all these results.

Word meanings

cāṅgera upare — on the cāṅga ; tomāra caraṇa — on Your lotus feet ; dhyāna kailuṅ — I meditated ; caraṇa - smaraṇa - prabhāve — by the power of remembering Your lotus feet ; ei phala — these results ; pāiluṅ — I have got .

Translation

“Struck with wonder by my affairs, the populace is glorifying the greatness of Your mercy.

Word meanings

loke — among the people ; camatkāra — great wonder ; mora — my ; e saba — all these ; dekhiyā — by seeing ; praśaṁse — they glorify ; tomāra — Your ; kṛpā — of mercy ; mahimā — greatness ; gāñā — chanting .

Translation

“However, my Lord, these are not the principal results of meditating upon Your lotus feet. Material opulence is very flickering. Therefore it is simply a glimpse of the result of Your mercy.

Word meanings

kintu — but ; tomāra — Your ; smaraṇera — of remembrance ; nahe — not ; ei — this ; mukhya - phala — chief result ; phala - ābhāsa — a glimpse of the result ; ei — this ; yāte — because ; viṣaya — material opulence ; cañcala — flickering .

Purport

One can achieve the highest perfection of life simply by meditating upon the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Generally people are concerned with the four religious principles, namely religion, material opulence, sense gratification and liberation. However, as indicated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ( dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo ’tra ), success in these four kinds of material and spiritual gain are not the true results of devotional service. The true result of devotional service is the actual development of one’s dormant love for Kṛṣṇa in every circumstance. By the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka could understand that the material benefits he had achieved were not the ultimate result of meditating upon His lotus feet. The true result comes when one is detached from material opulences. Therefore Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka prayed to the Lord for such detachment.

Translation

“Your real mercy has been granted to Rāmānanda Rāya and Vāṇīnātha Rāya, for You have detached them from all material opulence. I think that I have not been favored by such mercy.

Word meanings

rāma - rāye — Rāmānanda Rāya ; vāṇīnāthe — Vāṇīnātha ; kailā — You have made ; nirviṣaya — free from all material attachment ; sei kṛpā — that mercy ; mote nāhi — I have not received ; yāte — by which ; aiche — such ; haya — is .

Translation

“Kindly bestow upon me Your pure mercy so that I may also become renounced. I am no longer interested in material enjoyment.”

Word meanings

śuddha kṛpā — pure mercy ; kara — kindly bestow ; gosāñi — my Lord ; ghucāha viṣaya — let me be free from all these material opulences ; nirviṇṇa — detached ; ha - inu — I have become ; mote viṣaya nā haya — I am no longer interested in material opulences .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “If you all adopt the renounced order and lose interest in dealing with pounds, shillings and pence, who will take charge of maintaining your large family?

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; sannyāsī — sannyāsīs ; yabe — when ; ha - ibā — will be ; pañca - jana — five persons ; kuṭumba - bāhulya — the many members of the family ; tomāra — your ; ke — who ; kare bharaṇa — will maintain .

Translation

“Whether you are involved in material activities or become completely renounced, you five brothers are all My eternal servants, birth after birth.

Word meanings

mahā - viṣaya — great material engagements ; kara — you perform ; kibā — or ; virakta — renounced ; udāsa — free from attachment ; janme - janme — birth after birth ; tumi pañca — you five ; mora — My ; nija - dāsa — own servants .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments that one should always remember that he is eternally a servant of Kṛṣṇa. Whether one is engaged in material activity involving pounds, shillings and pence or is in the renounced order, he should always think that he is an eternal servant of God, for that is the real position of the living being. Both taking sannyāsa and dealing in pounds, shillings and pence are external affairs. In any condition, one should always consider how to please and satisfy Kṛṣṇa. Thus even if one is involved in great material affairs, he will not become attached. As soon as one forgets that he is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, he becomes involved in material attachments. However, if one is always conscious that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme master and that he is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, he is a liberated person in any condition. Entangling material activities will not affect him.

Translation

“However, just obey one order from Me. Do not spend any of the King’s revenue.

Word meanings

kintu — but ; mora — My ; kariha — just carry out ; eka — one ; ājñā — order ; pālana — obedience to ; vyaya nā kariha — never spend ; kichu — any ; rājāra mūla - dhana — capital of the King .

Purport

When a person forgets his position as an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, he commits many sinful activities, but one who maintains his position as an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa cannot deviate from the path of morality, religion and ethics. At the present, people all over the world, especially in India, have forgotten their relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His eternal servants. Therefore the principles of morality, religion and ethics have almost disappeared. This situation is most unprofitable for human society. Therefore everyone should try to accept Kṛṣṇa consciousness and follow the principles of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Translation

“First you should pay the revenue due the King, and then you may spend the balance for religious and fruitive activities.

Word meanings

rājāra — of the King ; mūla - dhana — revenue ; diyā — after paying ; ye kichu labhya haya — whatever is obtained ; sei — that ; dhana — money ; kariha nānā dharme - karme vyaya — spend in various types of religious and fruitive activities .

Translation

“Don’t spend a farthing for sinful activities, for which you will be the loser both in this life and the next.” After saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bade them farewell.

Word meanings

asat - vyaya nā kariha — do not spend for sinful activities ; yāte — by which ; dui - loka yāya — one loses this life and the next ; eta bali’ — saying this ; sabākāre — to all of them ; dilena vidāya — bade farewell .

Translation

Thus the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was spoken of in the family of Bhavānanda Rāya. That mercy was clearly demonstrated, although it appeared to be something different.

Word meanings

rāyera — of Bhavānanda Rāya ; ghare — at the home ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā - vivarta — mercy appearing as something else ; kahila — spoke ; bhakta - vātsalya - guṇa — the quality of being very affectionate to the devotees ; yāte — in which ; vyakta haila — was revealed .

Purport

The result of advancement in spiritual knowledge is not material improvement, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka how to use material opulence without incurring reactions to sinful life. From this advice, it appeared that the Lord encouraged Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka to enhance his material condition. Actually, however, He did not. In fact, this was but a manifestation of His great affection for His devotee.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu embraced them all and bade them farewell. Then all the devotees got up and left, loudly chanting the holy name of Hari.

Word meanings

sabāya — all of them ; āliṅgiyā — embracing ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vidāya — farewell ; yabe dilā — when He gave ; hari - dhvani kari’ — chanting the holy name of Hari ; saba bhakta — all devotees ; uṭhi’ — getting up ; gelā — left .

Translation

Seeing the extraordinary mercy the Lord granted to the family of Bhavānanda Rāya, everyone was struck with wonder. They could not understand the behavior of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā — mercy ; dekhi’ — seeing ; sabāra haila camatkāra — everyone became struck with wonder ; tāhārā — they ; bujhite nāre — could not understand ; prabhura vyavahāra — the behavior of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Indeed, when all the devotees had requested the Lord to bestow His mercy upon Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka, the Lord had replied that He could do nothing.

Word meanings

tārā — they ; sabe — all ; yadi — when ; kṛpā karite — to show mercy ; sādhila — requested ; āmā haite kichu nahe — I cannot do anything ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya ; tabe — then ; kahila — replied .

Purport

When a person is sinful, he loses both the chance for spiritual advancement and the chance for material opulence. If one enjoys the material world for sense gratification, he is certainly doomed. Advancement in material opulence is not the direct mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; nevertheless, it indicates the indirect mercy of the Lord, for even a person too attached to material prosperity can gradually be detached and raised to the spiritual platform. Then he can offer causeless, purified service to the Lord. When Śrī Caitanya said, āmā haite kichu nahe (“It is not My business to do anything”), He set the ideal example for a person in the renounced order. If a sannyāsī takes the side of a viṣayī, a person engaged in material activities, his character will be criticized. A person in the renounced order should not take interest in material activities, but if he does so out of affection for a particular person, that should be considered his special mercy.

Translation

I have simply described the chastisement of Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s indifference. But the deep meaning of this behavior is very difficult to understand.

Word meanings

gopīnāthera nindā — the chastisement of Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka ; āra — and ; āpana - nirveda — His indifference ; ei — this ; mātra — simply ; kahila — I have described ; ihāra — of this ; nā bujhibe bheda — one cannot understand the depth of meaning .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave so much to Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka without directly making requests of either Kāśī Miśra or the King.

Word meanings

kāśī - miśre — Kāśī Miśra ; nā sādhila — He did not request ; rājāre — the King ; nā sādhila — He did not request ; udyoga vinā — without endeavor ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; eta — such ; phala — result ; dila — gave .

Translation

The intentions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are so deep that one can understand them only if he has complete faith in service to the lotus feet of the Lord.

Word meanings

caitanya - caritra — behavior of Lord Caitanya ; ei — this ; parama gambhīra — very grave ; sei bujhe — he understands ; tāṅra pade — upon His lotus feet ; yāṅra — whose ; mana — mind ; dhīra — sober .

Translation

Whether or not one understands it, if one hears of this incident concerning the activities of Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka and Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s causeless mercy upon him, certainly he will be promoted to the platform of ecstatic love for the Lord, and for him all dangers will be nullified.

Word meanings

yei — one who ; ihāṅ — this ; śune — hears ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vātsalya - prakāśa — manifestation of special affection ; prema - bhakti — loving devotional service ; pāya — attains ; tāṅra — his ; vipada — dangerous condition of life ; yāya nāśa — is destroyed .

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, ninth chapter, describing the deliverance of Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka and the manifestation of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s causeless mercy to His devotee.