The Bodily Transformations of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

Translation

I am simply trying to write about Lord Gauracandra’s transcendental activities and spiritual madness, which are very wonderful and uncommon. I dare to write of them only because I have heard from the mouths of those who have personally seen the Lord’s activities.

Word meanings

likhyate — they are being written ; śrīla — most opulent ; gaura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; indoḥ — moonlike ; ati — very ; adbhutam — wonderful ; alaukikam — uncommon ; yaiḥ — by whom ; dṛṣṭam — personally seen ; tat - mukhāt — from their mouths ; śrutvā — after hearing ; divya - unmāda — in transcendental madness ; viceṣṭitam — activities .

Translation

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

Word meanings

jaya jaya — all glories ; śrī - caitanya — to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; 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 Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Absorbed in ecstasy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu acted and talked like a madman day and night.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rātri - divase — night and day ; unmādera — of a madman ; ceṣṭā — activities ; pralāpa kare — talks insanely ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love .

Translation

In the company of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī and Rāmānanda Rāya, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu once passed half the night talking about the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

eka - dina — one day ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; svarūpa - rāmānanda - saṅge — with Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī and Rāmānanda Rāya ; ardha - rātri — half the night ; goṅāilā — passed ; kṛṣṇa - kathā — of discussing Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes ; raṅge — in the matter .

Translation

As they talked of Kṛṣṇa, Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī would sing songs exactly suitable for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s transcendental emotions.

Word meanings

yabe — whenever ; yei — whatever ; bhāva — ecstasy ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karaye udaya — rises ; bhāva - anurūpa — befitting the emotion ; gīta — song ; gāya — sings ; svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara ; mahāśaya — the great personality .

Translation

To complement the ecstasy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Rāmānanda Rāya would quote verses from the books of Vidyāpati and Caṇḍīdāsa, and especially from the Gīta-govinda, by Jayadeva Gosvāmī.

Word meanings

vidyāpati — the author Vidyāpati ; caṇḍīdāsa — the author Caṇḍīdāsa ; śrī - gīta - govinda — the famous book by Jayadeva Gosvāmī ; bhāva - anurūpa — according to the ecstatic emotion ; śloka — verses ; paḍena — recites ; rāya - rāmānanda — Rāmānanda Rāya .

Translation

At intervals, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would also recite a verse. Then, in great lamentation, He would explain it.

Word meanings

madhye madhye — at intervals ; āpane — personally ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śloka — a verse ; paḍiyā — reciting ; ślokera — of the verse ; artha — meaning ; karena — gives ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vilāpa kariyā — lamenting .

Translation

In this way Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed half the night experiencing varieties of emotions. Finally, after making the Lord lie down on His bed, Svarūpa Dāmodara and Rāmānanda Rāya returned to their homes.

Word meanings

ei - mate — in this way ; nānā - bhāve — in varieties of emotions ; ardha - rātri — half the night ; haila — passed ; gosāñire — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śayana karāi’ — making Him lie down ; duṅhe — both ; ghare gela — went home .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s personal servant, Govinda, lay down at the door of His room, and the Lord very loudly chanted the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra all night.

Word meanings

gambhīrāra — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s room ; dvāre — at the door ; govinda — His personal servant ; karilā śayana — lay down ; saba - rātri — all night ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karena — performs ; ucca - saṅkīrtana — loud chanting .

Translation

Suddenly, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard the vibration of Kṛṣṇa’s flute. Then, in ecstasy, He began to depart to see Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

ācambite — suddenly ; śunena — hears ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛṣṇa - veṇu — of Kṛṣṇa’s flute ; gāna — the vibration ; bhāva - āveśe — in ecstatic emotion ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāhāṅ — there ; karilā prayāṇa — departed .

Translation

All three doors were fastened as usual, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, in great ecstasy, nevertheless got out of the room and left the house.

Word meanings

tina - dvāre — in three doorways ; kapāṭa — the doors ; aiche — as previously ; āche — are ; ta’ lāgiyā — being closed ; bhāva - āveśe — in ecstatic emotion ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gelā — went ; bāhira — out ; hañā — being .

Translation

He went to a cow shed on the southern side of the Siṁha-dvāra. There the Lord fell down unconscious among cows from the district of Tailaṅga.

Word meanings

siṁha - dvāra — of the gate named Siṁha-dvāra ; dakṣiṇe — on the southern side ; āche — there are ; tailaṅgī - gābhī - gaṇa — cows belonging to the Tailaṅga district ; tāhāṅ — there ; yāi’ — going ; paḍilā — fell down ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; hañā acetana — becoming unconscious .

Translation

Meanwhile, not hearing any sounds from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Govinda immediately sent for Svarūpa Dāmodara and opened the doors.

Word meanings

ethā — here ; govinda — Govinda ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śabda — sound ; nā pāñā — not getting ; svarūpere — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; bolāila — called for ; kapāṭa — the doors ; khuliyā — opening .

Translation

Then Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī lit a torch and went out with all the devotees to search for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; svarūpa - gosāñi — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; saṅge — with him ; lañā — taking ; bhakta - gaṇa — the devotees ; deuṭi — lamp ; jvāliyā — burning ; karena — does ; prabhura — for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; anveṣaṇa — searching .

Translation

After searching here and there, they finally came to the cow shed near the Siṁha-dvāra. There they saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu lying unconscious among the cows.

Word meanings

iti - uti — here and there ; anveṣiyā — searching ; siṁha - dvāre — to the gate named Siṁha-dvāra ; gelā — went ; gābhī - gaṇa - madhye — among the cows ; yāi’ — going ; prabhure pāilā — found Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

His arms and legs had entered the trunk of His body, exactly like those of a tortoise. His mouth was foaming, there were eruptions on His body, and tears flowed from His eyes.

Word meanings

peṭera — the abdomen ; bhitara — within ; hasta - pada — the arms and legs ; kūrmera ākāra — just like a tortoise ; mukhe — in the mouth ; phena — foam ; pulaka - aṅga — eruptions on the body ; netre — in the eyes ; aśru - dhāra — a flow of tears .

Translation

As the Lord lay there unconscious, His body resembled a large pumpkin. Externally He was completely inert, but within He felt overwhelming transcendental bliss.

Word meanings

acetana — unconscious ; paḍiyāchena — was lying down ; yena — as if ; kuṣmāṇḍa - phala — a pumpkin ; bāhire — externally ; jaḍimā — complete inertia ; antare — within ; ānanda - vihvala — overwhelmed with transcendental bliss .

Translation

All the cows around the Lord were sniffing His transcendental body. When the devotees tried to check them, they refused to give up their association with the transcendental body of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

gābhī — cows ; saba — all ; cau - dike — around ; śuṅke — sniff ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śrī - aṅga — the transcendental body ; dūra kaile — if they are taken away ; nāhi chāḍe — they do not give up ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śrī - aṅga - saṅga — association with the transcendental body .

Translation

The devotees tried to rouse the Lord by various means, but His consciousness did not return. Therefore they all lifted Him and brought Him back home.

Word meanings

aneka — many ; karilā — made ; yatna — endeavors ; nā haya — there was not ; cetana — consciousness ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; uṭhāñā — lifting ; ghare — home ; ānilā — brought ; bhakta - gaṇa — the devotees .

Translation

All the devotees began to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra very loudly in the Lord’s ears, and after a considerable time Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu regained consciousness.

Word meanings

ucca kari’ — very loudly ; śravaṇe — in the ears ; kare — perform ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name ; aneka - kṣaṇe — after a considerable time ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; pāilā cetana — returned to consciousness .

Translation

When He regained consciousness, His arms and legs came out of His body, and His whole body returned to normal.

Word meanings

cetana ha - ile — when there was consciousness ; hasta - pāda — the arms and legs ; bāhire — outside ; āila — came ; pūrvavat — as before ; yathā - yogya — in complete order ; śarīra — the body ; ha - ila — was .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stood up and then sat down again. Looking here and there, He inquired from Svarūpa Dāmodara, “Where have you brought Me?

Word meanings

uṭhiyā — getting up ; vasilena — sat down ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; cāhena — looks ; iti - uti — here and there ; svarūpe — to Svarūpa Dāmodara ; kahena — says ; tumi — you ; āmā — Me ; ānilā — have brought ; kati — where .

Translation

“After hearing the vibration of a flute, I went to Vṛndāvana, and there I saw that Kṛṣṇa, the son of Mahārāja Nanda, was playing on His flute in the pasturing grounds.

Word meanings

veṇu - śabda — the vibration of the flute ; śuni’ — after hearing ; āmi — I ; gelāṅa — went ; vṛndāvana — to Vṛndāvana ; dekhi — I saw ; goṣṭhe — in the pasturing field ; veṇu — the flute ; bājāya — played ; vrajendra - nandana — Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda Mahārāja .

Translation

“He brought Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī to a bower by signaling with His flute. Then He entered within that bower to perform pastimes with Her.

Word meanings

saṅketa - veṇu - nāde — by the signal of the vibration of the flute ; rādhā — Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; āni’ — bringing ; kuñja - ghare — to a bower ; kuñjere — within the bower ; calilā — went ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; krīḍā karibāre — to perform pastimes .

Translation

“I entered the bower just behind Kṛṣṇa, My ears captivated by the sound of His ornaments.

Word meanings

tāṅra pāche pāche — just behind Him ; āmi — I ; karinu gamana — went ; tāṅra — His ; bhūṣā - dhvanite — by the sound of ornaments ; āmāra — My ; harila — became captivated ; śravaṇa — ears .

Translation

“I saw Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs enjoying all kinds of pastimes while laughing and joking together. Hearing their vocal expressions enhanced the joy of My ears.

Word meanings

gopī - gaṇa - saha — with the gopīs ; vihāra — pastimes ; hāsa — laughing ; parihāsa — joking ; kaṇṭha - dhvani - ukti — vocal expressions ; śuni’ — hearing ; mora — My ; karṇa - ullāsa — jubilation of the ears .

Translation

“Just then, all of you made a tumultuous sound and brought Me back here by force.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; tumi - saba — all of you ; kolāhala kari’ — making a tumultuous sound ; āmā — Me ; iṅhā — here ; lañā āilā — brought back ; balātkāra kari’ — by force .

Translation

“Because you brought Me back here, I could no longer hear the nectarean voices of Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs, nor could I hear the sounds of their ornaments or the flute.”

Word meanings

śunite nā pāinu — I could not hear ; sei — those ; amṛta - sama — exactly like nectar ; vāṇī — voices ; śunite nā pāinu — I could not hear ; bhūṣaṇa — of ornaments ; muralīra — of the flute ; dhvani — vibration .

Translation

In great ecstasy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said to Svarūpa Dāmodara in a faltering voice, “My ears are dying of thirst. Please recite something to quench this thirst. Let Me hear it.”

Word meanings

bhāva - āveśe — in great ecstasy ; svarūpe — to Svarūpa Dāmodara ; kahena — says ; gadgada - vāṇī — in a faltering voice ; karṇa — the ears ; tṛṣṇāya — because of thirst ; mare — dies ; paḍa — recite ; rasa - āyana — something relishable ; śuni — let Me hear .

Translation

Understanding the ecstatic emotions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Svarūpa Dāmodara, in a sweet voice, recited the following verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Word meanings

svarūpa - gosāñi — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosāñi ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhāva — the emotion ; jāniyā — understanding ; bhāgavatera — of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ; śloka — a verse ; paḍe — recites ; madhura kariyā — in a sweet voice .

Translation

“[The gopīs said:] ‘My dear Lord Kṛṣṇa, where is that woman within the three worlds who would not be captivated by the rhythms of the sweet songs coming from Your wonderful flute? Who would not fall down from the path of chastity in this way? Your beauty is the most sublime within the three worlds. Upon seeing Your beauty, even cows, birds, animals and trees in the forest are stunned in jubilation.”’

Word meanings

kā — what ; strī — woman ; aṅga — O Kṛṣṇa ; te — of You ; kala - pada — by the rhythms ; amṛta - veṇu - gīta — of the sweet songs of the flute ; sammohitā — being captivated ; ārya - caritāt — from the path of chastity according to Vedic civilization ; na — not ; calet — would wander ; tri - lokyām — in the three worlds ; trai - lokya - saubhagam — which is the fortune of the three worlds ; idam — this ; ca — and ; nirīkṣya — by observing ; rūpam — beauty ; yat — which ; go — the cows ; dvija — birds ; druma — trees ; mṛgāḥ — forest animals like the deer ; pulakāni — transcendental jubilation ; abibhran — manifested .

Purport

This verse is from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.29.40) .

Translation

Upon hearing this verse, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, overwhelmed with the ecstasy of the gopīs, began to explain it.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gopī - bhāve — in the emotion of the gopīs ; āviṣṭa ha - ilā — became overwhelmed ; bhāgavatera — of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ; ślokera — of the verse ; artha — the meaning ; karite lāgilā — began to explain .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “The gopīs entered the arena of the rāsa dance in ecstasy, but after hearing Kṛṣṇa’s words of negligence and detachment, they understood that He was going to renounce them. Thus they began to chastise Him in anger.

Word meanings

haila — there was ; gopī — of the gopīs ; bhāva - āveśa — ecstatic emotion ; kaila — did ; rāse — in the rāsa dance ; paraveśa — entrance ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; śuni’ — hearing ; upekṣā - vacana — the words of negligence ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mukha — face ; hāsya — smiling ; vāṇī — talking ; tyāge — renounce ; tāhā — that ; satya māni’ — taking as a fact ; roṣe — in anger ; kṛṣṇe — to Lord Kṛṣṇa ; dena — give ; olāhana — chastisement .

Translation

“ ‘O dear lover,’ they said, ‘please answer just one question. Who among all the youthful women within this universe is not attracted by the sound of Your flute?

Word meanings

nāgara — O lover ; kaha — say ; tumi — You ; kariyā — making ; niścaya — certain ; ei — these ; tri - jagat — three worlds ; bhari’ — filling ; āche — there are ; yata — as many ; yogyā — suitable ; nārī — women ; tomāra — Your ; veṇu — flute ; kāhāṅ — where ; nā — not ; ākarṣaya — attracts .

Translation

“ ‘When You play Your flute, the vibration acts like a messenger in the form of a yoginī perfect in the art of chanting mantras. This messenger enchants all the women in the universe and attracts them to You. Then she increases their great anxiety and induces them to give up the regulative principle of obeying superiors. Finally, she forcibly brings them to You to surrender in amorous love.

Word meanings

kailā — You have made ; jagate — in the world ; veṇu - dhvani — the vibration of the flute ; siddha - mantrā — perfected in chanting mantras ; yoginī — a female mystic ; dūtī — a messenger ; hañā — being ; mohe — enchants ; nārī - mana — the minds of women ; mahā - utkaṇṭhā — great anxiety ; bāḍāñā — increasing ; ārya - patha — the regulative principles ; chāḍāñā — inducing to give up ; āni’ — bringing ; tomāya — to You ; kare samarpaṇa — delivers .

Translation

“ ‘The vibration of Your flute, accompanied by Your glance, which pierces us forcibly with the arrows of lust, induces us to ignore the regulative principles of religious life. Thus we become excited by lusty desires and come to You, giving up all shame and fear. But now You are angry with us. You are finding fault with our violating religious principles and leaving our homes and husbands. And as You instruct us about religious principles, we become helpless.

Word meanings

dharma — religious principles ; chāḍāya — induces to reject ; veṇu - dvāre — through the flute ; hāne — pierces ; kaṭākṣa — glancing ; kāma - śare — by the arrows of lust ; lajjā — shame ; bhaya — fear ; sakala — all ; chāḍāya — induces to give up ; ebe — now ; āmāya — at us ; kari’ roṣa — becoming angry ; kahi’ — saying ; pati - tyāge — to give up one’s husband ; doṣa — fault ; dhārmika — very religious ; hañā — becoming ; dharma — religious principles ; śikhāya — You teach .

Translation

“ ‘We know that this is all a well-planned trick. You know how to make jokes that cause the complete annihilation of women, but we can understand that Your real mind, words and behavior are different. Therefore please give up all these clever tricks.

Word meanings

anya — different ; kathā — words ; anya — different ; mana — mind ; bāhire — externally ; anya — different ; ācaraṇa — behavior ; ei — these ; saba — all ; śaṭha - paripāṭī — well-planned cheating behavior ; tumi — You ; jāna — know ; parihāsa — joking ; haya — there is ; nārīra — of women ; sarva - nāśa — total annihilation ; chāḍa — please give up ; ei — these ; saba — all ; kuṭīnāṭī — clever tricks .

Translation

“ ‘The nectarean buttermilk of Your flute’s vibration, the nectar of Your sweet words and the nectarean sound of Your ornaments mix together to attract our ears, minds and lives. In this way You are killing us.’ ”

Word meanings

veṇu - nāda — the vibration of the flute ; amṛta - ghole — like nectarean buttermilk ; amṛta - samāna — equal to nectar ; miṭhā bole — sweet talking ; amṛta - samāna — exactly like nectar ; bhūṣaṇa - śiñjita — the vibration of ornaments ; tina — three ; amṛte — nectars ; hare — attract ; kāṇa — the ear ; hare — attract ; mana — the mind ; hare — attract ; prāṇa — the life ; kemane — how ; nārī — women ; dharibeka — will keep ; cita — patience or consciousness .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu spoke these words in a mood of anger as He floated on waves of ecstatic love. Merged in an ocean of anxiety, He recited a verse spoken by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī expressing the same emotion. Then He personally explained the verse and thus tasted the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

eta kahi’ — saying this ; krodha - āveśe — in the mood of anger ; bhāvera taraṅge — in the waves of ecstatic love ; bhāse — floats ; utkaṇṭhā — of anxieties ; sāgare — in the ocean ; ḍube mana — merges the mind ; rādhāra — of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; utkaṇṭhā - vāṇī — words of anxiety ; paḍi’ — reciting ; āpane — personally ; vākhāni — explaining ; kṛṣṇa - mādhurya — the sweetness of Kṛṣṇa ; kare āsvādana — tastes .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, “ ‘My dear friend, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, has a voice as deep as a cloud resounding in the sky. With the tinkling of His ornaments He attracts the ears of the gopīs, and with the sound of His flute He attracts even the goddess of fortune and other beautiful women. That Personality of Godhead, known as Madana-mohana, whose joking words carry many indications and deep meanings, is increasing the lusty desires of My ears.’

Word meanings

nadat — resounding ; jalada — the cloud ; nisvanaḥ — whose voice ; śravaṇa — the ears ; karṣi — attracting ; sat - śiñjitaḥ — the tinkling of whose ornaments ; sa - narma — with deep meaning ; rasa - sūcaka — joking ; akṣara — letters ; pada - artha — meanings ; bhaṅgi — indications ; uktikaḥ — whose talk ; ramā - ādika — beginning with the goddess of fortune ; vara - aṅganā — of beautiful women ; hṛdaya - hāri — attracting the hearts ; vaṁśī - kalaḥ — the sound of whose flute ; saḥ — that ; me — My ; madana - mohanaḥ — Madana-mohana ; sakhi — My dear friend ; tanoti — expands ; karṇa - spṛhām — the desire of the ears .

Purport

This verse is found in the Govinda-līlāmṛta (8.5).

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa’s deep voice is more resonant than newly arrived clouds, and His sweet song defeats even the sweet voice of the cuckoo. Indeed, His song is so sweet that even one particle of its sound can inundate the entire world. If such a particle enters one’s ear, one is immediately bereft of all other types of hearing.

Word meanings

kanṭḥera — of the throat ; gambhīra — deep ; dhvani — sound ; nava - ghana — of new clouds ; dhvani — the resounding ; jini’ — conquering ; yāra — of which ; guṇe — the attributes ; kokila — the cuckoo ; lājāya — put to shame ; tāra — of that ; eka — one ; śruti - kaṇe — particle of sound ; ḍubāya — inundates ; jagatera — of the whole world ; kāṇe — the ear ; punaḥ — again ; kāṇa — the ear ; bāhuḍi’ — getting out ; nā āya — cannot come .

Translation

“My dear friend, please tell Me what to do. My ears have been plundered by the qualities of Kṛṣṇa’s sound. Now, however, I cannot hear His transcendental sound, and I am almost dead for want of it.

Word meanings

kaha — please say ; sakhi — My dear friend ; ki — what ; kari — can I do ; upāya — means ; kṛṣṇera — of Kṛṣṇa ; se — that ; śabda — of the sound ; guṇe — the qualities ; harile — having attracted ; āmāra — My ; kāṇe — ears ; ebe — now ; nā pāya — do not get ; tṛṣṇāya — from thirst ; mari’ yāya — I am dying .

Translation

“The tinkling of Kṛṣṇa’s ankle bells surpasses the songs of even the swan and crane, and the sound of His bangles puts the singing of the caṭaka bird to shame. Having allowed these sounds to enter the ears even once, one cannot tolerate hearing anything else.

Word meanings

nūpura — of the ankle bells ; kiṅkiṇī — tinkling ; dhvani — the sound ; haṁsa — swans ; sārasa — cranes ; jini’ — conquering ; kaṅkaṇa - dhvani — the sound of bangles ; caṭake — the caṭaka bird ; lājāya — puts to shame ; eka - bāra — once ; yei — one who ; śune — hears ; vyāpi — expanding ; rahe’ — remains ; tāra kāṇe — in his ear ; anya — other ; śabda — sound ; se - kāṇe — in that ear ; nā yāya — does not go .

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa’s speech is far sweeter than nectar. Each of His jubilant words is full of meaning, and when His speech mixes with His smile, which is like camphor, the resultant sound and the deep meaning of Kṛṣṇa’s words create various transcendental mellows.

Word meanings

se — that ; śrī — beautiful ; mukha — by the mouth ; bhāṣita — spoken ; amṛta — nectar ; haite — than ; para - amṛta — more nectarean ; smita — smiling ; karpūra — camphor ; tāhāte — in that ; miśrita — mixed ; śabda — sound ; artha — meaning ; dui - śakti — two energies ; nānā — various ; rasa — mellows ; kare vyakti — express ; prati - akṣara — every word ; narma - vibhūṣita — full of meaning .

Translation

“One particle of that transcendental, blissful nectar is the life and soul of the ear, which is like a cakora bird that lives in hope of tasting that nectar. Sometimes, by good fortune, the bird can taste it, but at other times he unfortunately cannot and therefore almost dies of thirst.

Word meanings

se amṛtera — of that nectar ; eka - kaṇa — one particle ; karṇa - cakora — of the ear, which is like a cakora bird ; jīvana — the life ; karṇa — the ear ; cakora — the cakora bird ; jīye — lives ; sei āśe — with that hope ; bhāgya - vaśe — by good fortune ; kabhu — sometimes ; pāya — gets ; abhāgye — by misfortune ; kabhu — sometimes ; nā pāya — does not get ; nā pāile — if does not get ; maraye — dies ; piyāse — from thirst .

Translation

“The transcendental vibration of Kṛṣṇa’s flute disturbs the hearts of women all over the world, even if they hear it only once. Thus their fastened belts become loose, and these women become the unpaid maidservants of Kṛṣṇa. Indeed, they run toward Kṛṣṇa exactly like madwomen.

Word meanings

yebā — whoever ; veṇu — of the flute ; kala - dhvani — the sweet vibration ; eka - bāra — once ; tāhā — that ; śuni’ — hearing ; jagat — of the universe ; nārī — of the women ; citta — hearts ; āulāya — become disturbed ; nīvi - bandha — the fastened belts ; paḍe — fall ; khasi’ — becoming loosened ; vinā - mūle — without a price ; haya — they become ; dāsī — maidservants ; bāulī — mad ; hañā — becoming ; kṛṣṇa - pāśe — after Kṛṣṇa ; dhāya — run .

Translation

“When she hears the vibration of Kṛṣṇa’s flute, even the goddess of fortune comes to Him, greatly hoping for His association, but nevertheless she does not get it. When the waves of thirst for His association increase, she performs austerities, but still she cannot meet Him.

Word meanings

yebā — even ; lakṣmī - ṭhākurāṇī — the goddess of fortune ; teṅho — she ; ye — which ; kākalī — vibration of the flute ; śuni’ — hearing ; kṛṣṇa - pāśa — to Lord Kṛṣṇa ; āise — comes ; pratyāśāya — with great hope ; nā pāya — does not get ; kṛṣṇera saṅga — association with Kṛṣṇa ; bāḍe — increase ; tṛṣṇā — of thirst ; taraṅga — the waves ; tapa kare — undergoes austerity ; tabu — still ; nāhi pāya — does not get .

Translation

“Only the most fortunate can hear these four nectarean sounds — Kṛṣṇa’s words, the tinkling of His ankle bells and bangles, His voice and the vibration of His flute. If one does not hear these sounds, his ears are as useless as small conchshells with holes.”

Word meanings

ei — these ; śabda - amṛta — nectarean sound vibrations ; cāri — four ; yāra — of whom ; haya — there is ; bhāgya bhāri — great fortune ; sei — such a person ; karṇe — by the ears ; ihā — these sounds ; kare pāna — drinks ; ihā — these sounds ; yei — anyone who ; nāhi śune — does not hear ; se — those ; kāṇa — ears ; janmila — took birth ; kene — why ; kāṇākaḍi — a hole in a small conchshell ; sama — just like ; sei kāṇa — those ears .

Translation

While Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu lamented in this way, agitation and ecstasy awoke in His mind, and He became very restless. Many transcendental ecstasies combined in Him, including anxiety, lamentation, attention, eagerness, fear, determination and remembrance.

Word meanings

karite — doing ; aiche — such ; vilāpa — lamentation ; uṭhila — there arose ; udvega — agitation ; bhāva — ecstasy ; mane — in the mind ; kāho — anywhere ; nāhi — there is not ; ālambana — shelter ; udvega — anxiety ; viṣāda — lamentation ; mati — attention ; autsukya — eagerness ; trāsa — fear ; dhṛti — determination ; smṛti — remembrance ; nānā - bhāvera — of various ecstasies ; ha - ila — there was ; milana — combining .

Translation

The aggregate of all these ecstasies once awoke a statement by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī in the mind of Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura [Līlā-śuka]. In the same ecstatic mood, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu now recited that verse, and on the strength of madness He described its meaning, which is unknown to people in general.

Word meanings

bhāva - śābalye — in the aggregate of all ecstasies ; rādhāra — of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; ukti — statement ; līlā - śuke — in Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura ; haila — there was ; sphūrti — awakening ; sei bhāve — in that ecstasy ; paḍe — recites ; eka — one ; śloka — verse ; unmādera — of madness ; sāmarthye — in the capacity ; sei ślokera — of that verse ; kare arthe — describes the meaning ; yei artha — which meaning ; nāhi — do not ; jāne — know ; loka — people .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “ ‘Alas, what shall I do? To whom shall I speak? Let whatever I have done in hopes of meeting Kṛṣṇa be finished now. Please say something auspicious, but do not speak about Kṛṣṇa. Alas, Kṛṣṇa is lying within My heart like Cupid; therefore how can I possibly give up talking of Him? I cannot forget Kṛṣṇa, whose smile is sweeter than sweetness itself and who gives pleasure to My mind and eyes. Alas, My great thirst for Kṛṣṇa is increasing moment by moment!’

Word meanings

kim — what ; iha — here ; kṛṇumaḥ — shall I do ; kasya — to whom ; brūmaḥ — shall I speak ; kṛtam — what is done ; kṛtam — done ; āśayā — in the hope ; kathayata — please speak ; kathām — words ; anyām — other ; dhanyām — auspicious ; aho — alas ; hṛdaye — within My heart ; śayaḥ — lying ; madhura - madhura — sweeter than sweetness ; smera — smiling ; ākāre — whose form ; manaḥ - nayana — to the mind and eyes ; utsave — who gives pleasure ; kṛpaṇa - kṛpaṇā — the best of misers ; kṛṣṇe — for Kṛṣṇa ; tṛṣṇā — thirst ; ciram — at every moment ; bata — alas ; lambate — is increasing .

Purport

This statement by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is quoted from the Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta (42).

Translation

“The anxiety caused by separation from Kṛṣṇa has made Me impatient, and I can think of no way to meet Him. O My friends, you are also deranged by lamentation. Who, therefore, will tell Me how to find Him?

Word meanings

ei — this ; kṛṣṇera — of Kṛṣṇa ; virahe — in separation ; udvege — in anxiety ; mana — mind ; sthira — patient ; nahe — is not ; prāpti - upāya — the means for obtaining ; cintana nā yāya — I cannot think of ; yebā — all ; tumi — you ; sakhī - gaṇa — friends ; viṣāde — in lamentation ; bāula — maddened ; mana — minds ; kāre — whom ; puchoṅ — shall I ask ; ke — who ; kahe — will speak ; upāya — the means .

Translation

“O My dear friends, how shall I find Kṛṣṇa? What shall I do? Where shall I go? Where can I meet Him? Because I cannot find Kṛṣṇa, My life is leaving Me.”

Word meanings

hā hā — O ; sakhi — friends ; ki — what ; kari — shall I do ; upāya — means ; kāṅhā karoṅ — what shall I do ; kāhāṅ yāṅa — where shall I go ; kāhāṅ gele — where going ; kṛṣṇa pāṅa — I can get Kṛṣṇa ; kṛṣṇa vinā — without Kṛṣṇa ; prāṇa — life ; mora — My ; yāya — is leaving .

Translation

Suddenly, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became calm and considered His state of mind. He remembered the words of Piṅgalā, and this aroused an ecstasy that moved Him to speak. Thus He explained the meaning of the verse.

Word meanings

kṣaṇe — in a moment ; mana — the mind ; sthira haya — becomes patient ; tabe — at that time ; mane — within the mind ; vicāraya — He considers ; balite — to speak ; ha - ila — there was ; bhāva - udgama — awakening of ecstasy ; piṅgalāra — of Piṅgalā ; vacana - smṛti — remembering the words ; karāila — caused ; bhāva - mati — ecstatic mind ; tāte — in that ; kare — does ; artha - nirdhāraṇa — ascertaining the meaning .

Purport

Piṅgalā was a prostitute who said, “To hope against hope produces only misery. Utter hopelessness is the greatest happiness.” Remembering this statement, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became ecstatic. The story of Piṅgalā is found in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Eleventh Canto, eighth chapter, verses 22-44, as well as in the Mahābhārata, Śānti-parva, chapter 174.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “If I give up hope of meeting Kṛṣṇa, I shall then be happy. Therefore, let us stop this most inglorious discussion of Kṛṣṇa. It would be better for us to talk of glorious topics and forget Him.”

Word meanings

dekhi — I see ; ei upāye — this means ; kṛṣṇa - āśā — hope for Kṛṣṇa ; chāḍi’ diye — I give up ; āśā — hope ; chāḍile — if I give up ; sukhī — happy ; haya — becomes ; mana — the mind ; chāḍa’ — give up ; kṛṣṇa - kathā — talks of Kṛṣṇa ; adhanya — most inglorious ; kaha — speak ; anya - kathā — other topics ; dhanya — glorious ; yāte — by which ; haya — there is ; kṛṣṇa - vismaraṇa — forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

While speaking in this way, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī suddenly remembered Kṛṣṇa. Indeed, He appeared within Her heart. Greatly astonished, She told Her friends, “The person I want to forget is lying in My heart.”

Word meanings

kahitei — while speaking ; ha - ila — there was ; smṛti — remembrance ; citte — in the heart ; haila — there was ; kṛṣṇa - sphūrti — the appearance of Kṛṣṇa ; sakhīre — to the friends ; kahe — said ; hañā vismite — being very much astonished ; yāre — He whom ; cāhi chāḍite — I want to give up ; sei — that person ; śuñā āche — is lying ; citte — in the heart ; kona rīte — by any process ; nā pāri — I am not able ; chāḍite — to give up .

Translation

Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s ecstasy also made Her think of Kṛṣṇa as Cupid, and this understanding frightened Her. She said, “This Cupid, who has conquered the whole world and entered My heart, is My greatest enemy, for He does not allow Me to forget Him.”

Word meanings

rādhā - bhāvera — of the ecstasy of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; svabhāva — characteristic ; āna — another ; kṛṣṇe — to Kṛṣṇa ; karāya — causes Her to do ; kāma - jñāna — understanding as Cupid ; kāma — as Cupid ; jñāne — in the understanding ; trāsa — fear ; haila — was ; citte — in the mind ; kahe — She says ; ye — the person who ; jagat — the whole world ; māre — conquers ; se — that person ; paśila — entered ; antare — within My heart ; ei vairī — this enemy ; nā deya — does not allow ; pāsarite — to forget .

Translation

Then great eagerness conquered all the other soldiers of ecstasy, and an uncontrollable desire arose in the kingdom of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s mind. Greatly unhappy, She then chastised Her own mind.

Word meanings

autsukyera — of eagerness ; prāvīṇye — because of high development ; jiti’ — conquering ; anya — other ; bhāva - sainye — soldiers of ecstasy ; udaya — arising ; haila — there was ; nija - rājya - mane — within the kingdom of Her own mind ; mane — within the mind ; ha - ila — there was ; lālasa — greed ; nā — not ; haya — becomes ; āpana - vaśa — within Her own control ; duḥkhe — in unhappiness ; mane — to the mind ; karena — does ; bhartsane — chastisement .

Translation

“If I do not think of Kṛṣṇa, My impoverished mind will die within a moment like a fish out of water. But when I see Kṛṣṇa’s sweetly smiling face, My mind and eyes are so pleased that My desire for Him redoubles.

Word meanings

mana mora — My mind ; vāma - dīna — unagreeably poor ; jala — water ; vinā — without ; yena — as if ; mīna — a fish ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; vinā — without ; kṣaṇe — in a moment ; mari’ yāya — dies ; madhura — sweet ; hāsya — smiling ; vadane — face ; mana — the mind ; netra — the eyes ; rasa - āyane — very pleasing to ; kṛṣṇa - tṛṣṇā — the thirst for Kṛṣṇa ; dvi - guṇa — twice as much ; bāḍāya — increases .

Translation

“Alas! Where is Kṛṣṇa, the treasure of My life? Where is the lotus-eyed one? Alas! Where is the divine ocean of all transcendental qualities? Alas! Where is the beautiful blackish youth dressed in yellow garments? Alas! Where is the hero of the rāsa dance?

Word meanings

hā hā — alas ; kṛṣṇa — O Kṛṣṇa ; prāṇa - dhana — the treasure of My life ; hā hā — alas ; padma - locana — the lotus-eyed one ; hā hā — alas ; divya — divine ; sat - guṇa - sāgara — ocean of transcendental attributes ; hā hā — alas ; śyāma - sundara — the beautiful blackish youth ; hā hā — alas ; pīta - ambara - dhara — one who wears yellow garments ; hā hā — alas ; rāsa - vilāsa — of the rāsa dance ; nāgara — the hero .

Translation

“Where shall I go? Where can I find You? Please tell Me. I shall go there.” Speaking in this way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began running. But Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī stood up, caught Him and took Him on his lap. Then Svarūpa Dāmodara brought Him back to His place and made Him sit down.

Word meanings

kāhāṅ — where ; gele — going ; tomā — You ; pāi — I can get ; tumi — You ; kaha — please tell ; tāhāṅ — there ; yāi — I shall go ; eta kahi’ — saying this ; calilā dhāñā — began to run ; svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; uṭhi’ — getting up ; kole kari’ — taking on his lap ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ānila — brought back ; dhari’ — catching ; nija - sthāne — in His own place ; vasāilā — sat down ; laiñā — taking .

Translation

Suddenly Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu returned to external consciousness and said to Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, “My dear Svarūpa, please sing some sweet songs.” The Lord’s ears were satisfied when He heard Svarūpa Dāmodara sing songs from the Gīta-govinda and those by the poet Vidyāpati.

Word meanings

kṣaṇeke — within a moment ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bāhya — external consciousness ; haila — there was ; svarūpere ājñā dila — He ordered Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; svarūpa — My dear Svarūpa ; kichu — some ; kara — make ; madhura — sweet ; gāna — songs ; svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara ; gāya — sings ; vidyāpati — songs by Vidyāpati ; gīta - govinda - gīti — songs from the Gīta-govinda ; śuni’ — hearing ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; juḍāila — became satisfied ; kāṇa — ears .

Translation

Each day and night, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would become deranged in this way and talk like a madman.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prati - rātri - dine — every night and day ; unmāda — mad ; ceṣṭita — activities ; haya — are ; pralāpa - vacane — talking like a madman .

Translation

Even Anantadeva, who possesses thousands of mouths, cannot fully describe the ecstatic transformations that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu experienced in a single day.

Word meanings

eka - dine — in one day ; yata haya — as many as there are ; bhāvera — of ecstasy ; vikāra — transformations ; sahasra - mukhe — Anantadeva, who possesses thousands of mouths ; varṇe yadi — if describes ; nāhi pāya — cannot reach ; pāra — the limit .

Translation

What can a poor creature like me describe of those transformations? I can give only a hint of them, as if showing the moon through the branches of a tree.

Word meanings

jīva — a living entity ; dīna — very poor ; ki — what ; karibe — will do ; tāhāra — of that ; varṇana — description ; śākhā - candra - nyāya — the logic of showing the moon through the branches of a tree ; kari’ — I make ; dik - daraśana — seeing the direction .

Translation

This description, however, will satisfy the mind and ears of anyone who hears it, and he will be able to understand these uncommon activities of deep ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

ihā — this ; yei śune — anyone who hears ; tāra — his ; juḍāya — become satisfied ; mana - kāṇa — mind and ears ; alaukika — uncommon ; gūḍha - prema — of deep ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa ; ceṣṭā — activities ; haya jñāna — he can understand .

Translation

Ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa is wonderfully deep. By personally tasting the glorious sweetness of that love, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu showed us its extreme limit.

Word meanings

adbhuta — wonderful ; nigūḍha — deep ; premera — of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa ; mādhurya - mahimā — the glories of the sweetness ; āpani — personally ; āsvādi’ — tasting ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhāilā — showed ; sīmā — the extreme limit .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is wonderfully merciful and wonderfully magnanimous. We have heard of no one else within this world so merciful and charitable.

Word meanings

adbhuta — wonderfully ; dayālu — merciful ; caitanya — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; adbhuta - vadānya — wonderfully magnanimous ; aiche — such ; dayālu — merciful ; dātā — charitable person ; loke — within this world ; nāhi — not ; śuni — we have heard of ; anya — other .

Translation

O people of the world, worship the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in all respects. Only in this way will you achieve the nectarean treasure of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

sarva - bhāve — in all respects ; bhaja — worship ; loka — O entire world ; caitanya - caraṇa — the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yāhā haite — by which ; pāibā — you will get ; kṛṣṇa - prema — of love of Kṛṣṇa ; amṛta — of the nectar ; dhana — the treasure .

Translation

Thus I have described Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s ecstatic transformation of becoming like a tortoise. In that ecstasy, He talked and acted like a madman.

Word meanings

ei ta’ kahiluṅ — thus I have described ; kūrma - ākṛti — of becoming like a tortoise ; anubhāva — the ecstatic symptom ; unmāda - ceṣṭita — enacted in madness ; tāte — in that ; unmāda - pralāpa — talking like a madman .

Translation

Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī has fully described this pastime in his book Gaurāṅga-stava-kalpavṛkṣa.

Word meanings

ei līlā — this pastime ; sva - granthe — in his book ; raghunātha - dāsa — Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; gaurāṅga - stava - kalpa - vṛkṣe — named Gaurāṅga-stava-kalpavṛkṣa ; kairāchena prakāśa — has fully described .

Translation

“How wonderful it is! Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu left His residence without opening the three strongly bolted doors. Then He crossed over three high walls, and later, because of strong feelings of separation from Kṛṣṇa, He fell down amidst the cows of the Tailaṅga district and retracted all the limbs of His body like a tortoise. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who appeared in that way, rises in my heart and maddens me.”

Word meanings

anudghāṭya — without opening ; dvāra - trayam — the three doors ; uru — strong ; ca — and ; bhitti - trayam — three walls ; aho — how wonderful ; vilaṅghya — crossing over ; uccaiḥ — very high ; kāliṅgika — of Kāliṅga-deśa, which is in the district of Tailaṅga ; surabhi - madhye — among the cows ; nipatitaḥ — fallen down ; tanu - udyat - saṅkocāt — by contracting within the body ; kamaṭhaḥ — a tortoise ; iva — like ; kṛṣṇa - uru - virahāt — because of strong feelings of separation from Kṛṣṇa ; virājan — appearing ; gaurāṅgaḥ — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; hṛdaye — in my heart ; udayan — rising ; mām — me ; madayati — maddens .

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, seventeenth chapter, describing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastime of retracting His limbs like a tortoise.