The Śikṣāṣṭaka Prayers

Translation

Only the most fortunate will relish the mad words of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, which were mixed with jubilation, envy, agitation, submissiveness and grief, all produced by ecstatic loving emotions.

Word meanings

prema - udbhāvita — produced from ecstatic love and emotion ; harṣa — jubilation ; īrṣyā — envy ; udvega — agitation ; dainya — submissiveness ; ārti — grief ; miśritam — mixed with ; lapitam — talks like those of a crazy man ; gaura - candrasya — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhāgyavadbhiḥ — by the most fortunate ; niṣevyate — is enjoyable .

Translation

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

Word meanings

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

Translation

While Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thus resided at Jagannātha Purī [Nīlācala], He was continuously overwhelmed, night and day, by separation from Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vaise nīlācale — resided at Nīlācala ; rajanī - divase — day and night ; kṛṣṇa - virahe — because of separation from Kṛṣṇa ; vihvale — overwhelmed .

Translation

Day and night He tasted transcendental blissful songs and verses with two associates, namely Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī and Rāmānanda Rāya.

Word meanings

svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; rāmānanda — Rāmānanda Rāya ; ei — these ; dui - jana - sane — with two persons ; rātri - dine — night and day ; rasa - gīta - śloka — verses and songs containing the mellows of transcendental bliss ; āsvādane — in tasting .

Translation

He relished the symptoms of various transcendental emotions, such as jubilation, lamentation, anger, humility, anxiety, grief, eagerness and satisfaction.

Word meanings

nānā - bhāva — all kinds of emotion ; uṭhe — awaken ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; harṣa — jubilation ; śoka — lamentation ; roṣa — anger ; dainya — humility ; udvega — anxiety ; ārti — grief ; utkaṇṭhā — more eagerness ; santoṣa — satisfaction .

Translation

He would recite His own verses, expressing their meanings and emotions, and thus enjoy tasting them with these two friends.

Word meanings

sei sei bhāve — in that particular emotion ; nija - śloka paḍiyā — reciting His own verses ; ślokera — of the verses ; artha — meaning ; āsvādaye — tastes ; dui - bandhu lañā — with two friends .

Translation

Sometimes the Lord would be absorbed in a particular emotion and would stay awake all night reciting related verses and relishing their taste.

Word meanings

kona dine — sometimes ; kona bhāve — in some emotion ; śloka - paṭhana — reciting the verses ; sei śloka — those verses ; āsvādite — to taste ; rātri - jāgaraṇa — keeping awake at night .

Translation

In great jubilation, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “My dear Svarūpa Dāmodara and Rāmānanda Rāya, know from Me that chanting the holy names is the most feasible means of salvation in this Age of Kali.

Word meanings

harṣe — in jubilation ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kahena — says ; śuna — please hear ; svarūpa - rāma - rāya — My dear Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī and Rāmānanda Rāya ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name of the Lord ; kalau — in the Age of Kali ; parama upāya — the most feasible means for deliverance .

Translation

“In this Age of Kali, the process of worshiping Kṛṣṇa is to perform sacrifice by chanting the holy name of the Lord. One who does so is certainly very intelligent, and he attains shelter at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

saṅkīrtana - yajñe — performing the yajña of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra ; kalau — in this Age of Kali ; kṛṣṇa - ārādhana — the process of worshiping Kṛṣṇa ; sei ta’ — such persons ; su - medhā — greatly intelligent ; pāya — get ; kṛṣṇera caraṇa — shelter at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa .

Purport

For further information, one may refer to Ādi-līlā, chapter three, texts 77-78

Translation

“ ‘In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of Kṛṣṇa. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.’

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - varṇam — repeating the syllables kṛṣ-ṇa ; tviṣā — with a luster ; akṛṣṇam — not black (golden) ; sa - aṅga — with associates ; upāṅga — servitors ; astra — weapons ; pārṣadam — confidential companions ; yajñaiḥ — by sacrifice ; saṅkīrtana - prāyaiḥ — consisting chiefly of congregational chanting ; yajanti — they worship ; hi — certainly ; su - medhasaḥ — intelligent persons .

Purport

This verse is spoken by Saint Karabhājana in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.5.32) . For further information, see Ādi-līlā, chapter three, text 52.

Translation

“Simply by chanting the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, one can be freed from all undesirable habits. This is the means of awakening all good fortune and initiating the flow of waves of love for Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy names of the Lord ; haite — from ; sarva - anartha - nāśa — destruction of all undesirable things ; sarva - śubha - udaya — awakening of all good fortune ; kṛṣṇa - premera ullāsa — the beginning of the flow of love of Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

“ ‘Let there be all victory for the chanting of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa, which can cleanse the mirror of the heart and stop the miseries of the blazing fire of material existence. That chanting is the waxing moon that spreads the white lotus of good fortune for all living entities. It is the life and soul of all education. The chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa expands the blissful ocean of transcendental life. It gives a cooling effect to everyone and enables one to taste full nectar at every step.’

Word meanings

cetaḥ — of the heart ; darpaṇa — the mirror ; mārjanam — cleansing ; bhava — of material existence ; mahā - dāva - agni — the blazing forest fire ; nirvāpaṇam — extinguishing ; śreyaḥ — of good fortune ; kairava — the white lotus ; candrikā — the moonshine ; vitaraṇam — spreading ; vidyā — of all education ; vadhū — wife ; jīvanam — the life ; ānanda — of bliss ; ambudhi — the ocean ; vardhanam — increasing ; prati - padam — at every step ; pūrṇa - amṛta — of the full nectar ; āsvādanam — giving a taste ; sarva — for everyone ; ātma - snapanam — bathing of the self ; param — transcendental ; vijayate — let there be victory ; śrī - kṛṣṇa - saṅkīrtanam — for the congregational chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa .

Purport

This is the first verse of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s Śikṣāṣṭaka. The other seven verses are found in texts 16, 21, 29, 32, 36, 39 and 47.

Translation

“By performing congregational chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, one can destroy the sinful condition of material existence, purify the unclean heart and awaken all varieties of devotional service.

Word meanings

saṅkīrtana haite — from the process of chanting the holy name ; pāpa - saṁsāra - nāśana — annihilation of materialistic life resulting from sins ; citta - śuddhi — cleansing of the heart ; sarva - bhakti — all kinds of devotional service ; sādhana — of the performances ; udgama — awakening .

Translation

“The result of chanting is that one awakens his love for Kṛṣṇa and tastes transcendental bliss. Ultimately, one attains the association of Kṛṣṇa and engages in His devotional service, as if immersing himself in a great ocean of love.”

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - prema - udgama — awakening of love for Kṛṣṇa ; prema - amṛta - āsvādana — tasting of the transcendental bliss of love for Kṛṣṇa ; kṛṣṇa - prāpti — attainment of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa ; sevā - amṛta — of the nectar of service ; samudre — in the ocean ; majjana — immersing .

Translation

Lamentation and humility awoke within Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and He began reciting another of His own verses. By hearing the meaning of that verse, one can forget all unhappiness and lamentation.

Word meanings

uṭhila viṣāda — there was awakening of lamentation ; dainya — humility ; paḍe — recites ; āpana - śloka — His own verse ; yāhāra — of which ; artha śuni’ — hearing the meaning ; saba — all ; yāya — go away ; duḥkha - śoka — unhappiness and lamentation .

Translation

“ ‘My Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, in Your holy name there is all good fortune for the living entity, and therefore You have many names, such as “Kṛṣṇa” and “Govinda,” by which You expand Yourself. You have invested all Your potencies in those names, and there are no hard and fast rules for remembering them. My dear Lord, although You bestow such mercy upon the fallen, conditioned souls by liberally teaching Your holy names, I am so unfortunate that I commit offenses while chanting the holy name, and therefore I do not achieve attachment for chanting.’

Word meanings

nāmnām — of the holy names of the Lord ; akāri — manifested ; bahudhā — various kinds ; nija - sarva - śaktiḥ — all kinds of personal potencies ; tatra — in that ; arpitā — bestowed ; niyamitaḥ — restricted ; smaraṇe — in remembering ; na — not ; kālaḥ — consideration of time ; etādṛśī — so much ; tava — Your ; kṛpā — mercy ; bhagavan — O Lord ; mama — My ; api — although ; durdaivam — misfortune ; īdṛśam — such ; iha — in this (the holy name) ; ajani — was born ; na — not ; anurāgaḥ — attachment .

Translation

“Because people vary in their desires, You have distributed various holy names by Your mercy.

Word meanings

aneka - lokera — of many persons ; vāñchā — the desires ; aneka - prakāra — of many varieties ; kṛpāte — by Your mercy ; karila — You have done ; aneka — various ; nāmera — of the holy names ; pracāra — broadcasting .

Translation

“Regardless of time or place, one who chants the holy name, even while eating or sleeping, attains all perfection.

Word meanings

khāite — eating ; śuite — lying down ; yathā — as ; tathā — so ; nāma laya — one takes the holy name ; kāla — in time ; deśa — in place ; niyama — regulation ; nāhi — there is not ; sarva siddhi haya — there is all perfection .

Translation

“You have invested Your full potencies in each individual holy name, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attachment for chanting Your holy names.”

Word meanings

sarva - śakti — all potencies ; nāme — in the holy name ; dilā — You have bestowed ; kariyā vibhāga — making separation ; āmāra durdaiva — My misfortune ; nāme — for chanting the holy names ; nāhi — there is not ; anurāga — attachment .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, “O Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī and Rāmānanda Rāya, hear from Me the symptoms of how one should chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra to awaken very easily one’s dormant love for Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

ye - rūpe — by which process ; la - ile — if chanting ; nāma — the holy name ; prema upajaya — dormant love of Kṛṣṇa awakens ; tāhāra lakṣaṇa śuna — just hear the symptom of that ; svarūpa - rāma - rāya — O Svarūpa Dāmodara and Rāmānanda Rāya .

Translation

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

Word meanings

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

Translation

“These are the symptoms of one who chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Although he is very exalted, he thinks himself lower than the grass on the ground, and like a tree, he tolerates everything in two ways.

Word meanings

uttama hañā — although being very much exalted ; āpanāke — himself ; māne — thinks ; tṛṇa - adhama — lower than a blade of the grass on the ground ; dui - prakāre — in two ways ; sahiṣṇutā — tolerance ; kare — performs ; vṛkṣa - sama — like the tree .

Translation

“When a tree is cut down, it does not protest, and even when drying up, it does not ask anyone for water.

Word meanings

vṛkṣa — a tree ; yena — as ; kāṭileha — when it is cut ; kichu nā bolaya — does not say anything ; śukāñā — drying up ; maileha — if dying ; kāre — anyone ; pāni — water ; nā māgaya — does not ask for .

Translation

“The tree delivers its fruits, flowers and whatever else it possesses to anyone and everyone. It tolerates scorching heat and torrents of rain, yet it still gives shelter to others.

Word meanings

yei ye māgaye — if anyone asks anything from the tree ; tāre — unto him ; deya — gives ; āpana - dhana — its own wealth ; gharma - vṛṣṭi — the scorching heat of the sun and torrents of rain ; sahe — tolerates ; ānera — to others ; karaye rakṣaṇa — gives protection .

Translation

“Although a Vaiṣṇava is the most exalted person, he is prideless and gives all respect to everyone, knowing everyone to be the resting place of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

uttama hañā — although being very much exalted ; vaiṣṇava — a devotee ; habe — should become ; nirabhimāna — without pride ; jīve — to all living entities ; sammāna dibe — should give respect ; jāni’ — knowing ; kṛṣṇa - adhiṣṭhāna — the resting place of Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

“If one chants the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa in this manner, he will certainly awaken his dormant love for Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.”

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; hañā — becoming ; yei — anyone who ; kṛṣṇa - nāma laya — chants the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; śrī - kṛṣṇa - caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tāṅra — his ; prema upajaya — love of Kṛṣṇa awakens .

Translation

As Lord Caitanya spoke in this way, His humility increased, and He began praying to Kṛṣṇa that He could discharge pure devotional service.

Word meanings

kahite kahite — speaking like this ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dainya — humility ; bāḍilā — increased ; śuddha - bhakti — pure devotional service ; kṛṣṇa - ṭhāñi — from Kṛṣṇa ; māgite lāgilā — began to pray for .

Translation

Wherever there is a relationship of love of Godhead, its natural symptom is that the devotee does not think himself a devotee. Instead, he always thinks that he has not even a drop of love for Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

premera svabhāva — the nature of love of Godhead ; yāhāṅ — where ; premera sambandha — a relationship of love of Godhead ; sei māne — he recognizes ; kṛṣṇe — unto Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mora — my ; nāhi — there is not ; prema - gandha — even a scent of love of Godhead .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments that persons who are actually very poor because they possess not even a drop of love of Godhead or pure devotional service falsely advertise themselves as great devotees, although they cannot at any time relish the transcendental bliss of devotional service. A class of so-called devotees known as prākṛta-sahajiyās sometimes display devotional symptoms to exhibit their good fortune. They are pretending, however, because these devotional features are only external. The prākṛta-sahajiyās exhibit these symptoms to advertise their so-called advancement in love of Kṛṣṇa, but instead of praising the prākṛta-sahajiyās for their symptoms of transcendental ecstasy, pure devotees do not like to associate with them. It is not advisable to equate the prākṛta-sahajiyās with pure devotees. When one is actually advanced in ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa, he does not try to advertise himself. Instead, he endeavors more and more to render service to the Lord.

The prākṛta-sahajiyās sometimes criticize pure devotees by calling them philosophers, learned scholars, knowers of the truth, or minute observers, but not devotees. On the other hand, they depict themselves as the most advanced, transcendentally blissful devotees, deeply absorbed in devotional service and mad to taste transcendental mellows. They also describe themselves as the most advanced devotees in spontaneous love, as knowers of transcendental mellows, as the topmost devotees in conjugal love of Kṛṣṇa, and so on. Not actually knowing the transcendental nature of love of God, they accept their material emotions to be indicative of advancement. In this way they pollute the process of devotional service. To try to become writers of Vaiṣṇava literature, they introduce their material conceptions of life into pure devotional service. Because of their material conceptions, they advertise themselves as knowers of transcendental mellows, but they do not understand the transcendental nature of devotional service.

Translation

“ ‘O Lord of the universe, I do not desire material wealth, materialistic followers, a beautiful wife or fruitive activities described in flowery language. All I want, life after life, is unmotivated devotional service to You.’

Word meanings

na — not ; dhanam — riches ; na — not ; janam — followers ; na — not ; sundarīm — a very beautiful woman ; kavitām — fruitive activities described in flowery language ; vā — or ; jagat - īśa — O Lord of the universe ; kāmaye — I desire ; mama — My ; janmani — in birth ; janmani — after birth ; īśvare — unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; bhavatāt — let there be ; bhaktiḥ — devotional service ; ahaitukī — with no motives ; tvayi — unto You .

Translation

“My dear Lord Kṛṣṇa, I do not want material wealth from You, nor do I want followers, a beautiful wife or the results of fruitive activities. I only pray that by Your causeless mercy You give Me pure devotional service to You, life after life.”

Word meanings

dhana — wealth ; jana — followers ; nāhi — do not ; māgoṅ — I want ; kavitā sundarī — a beautiful wife or fruitive activities ; śuddha - bhakti — pure devotional service ; deha’ — please award ; more — unto Me ; kṛṣṇa — O Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kṛpā kari’ — becoming merciful .

Translation

In great humility, considering Himself a conditioned soul of the material world, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu again expressed His desire to be endowed with service to the Lord.

Word meanings

ati - dainye — in great humility ; punaḥ — again ; māge — begs ; dāsya - bhakti - dāna — the awarding of devotion in servitude ; āpanāre — to Himself ; kare — does ; saṁsārī — materialistic ; jīva - abhimāna — conception as a conditioned soul .

Translation

“ ‘O My Lord, O Kṛṣṇa, son of Mahārāja Nanda, I am Your eternal servant, but because of My own fruitive acts I have fallen into this horrible ocean of nescience. Now please be causelessly merciful to Me. Consider Me a particle of dust at Your lotus feet.’

Word meanings

ayi — O My Lord ; nanda - tanuja — the son of Nanda Mahārāja, Kṛṣṇa ; kiṅkaram — the servant ; patitam — fallen ; mām — Me ; viṣame — horrible ; bhava - ambudhau — in the ocean of nescience ; kṛpayā — by causeless mercy ; tava — Your ; pāda - paṅkaja — lotus feet ; sthita — situated at ; dhūlī - sadṛśam — like a particle of dust ; vicintaya — kindly consider .

Translation

“I am Your eternal servant, but I forgot Your Lordship. Now I have fallen into the ocean of nescience and have been conditioned by the external energy.

Word meanings

tomāra — Your ; nitya - dāsa — eternal servant ; mui — I ; tomā pāsariyā — forgetting Your Lordship ; paḍiyāchoṅ — I have fallen ; bhava - arṇave — in the ocean of nescience ; māyā - baddha hañā — becoming conditioned by the external energy .

Translation

“Be causelessly merciful to Me by giving Me a place with the particles of dust at Your lotus feet so that I may engage in the service of Your Lordship as Your eternal servant.”

Word meanings

kṛpā kari’ — being merciful ; kara — make ; more — Me ; pada - dhūli - sama — like a particle of dust at Your lotus feet ; tomāra sevaka — as I am Your eternal servant ; karoṅ — let Me be engaged ; tomāra sevana — in Your service .

Translation

Natural humility and eagerness then awoke in Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He prayed to Kṛṣṇa to be able to chant the mahā-mantra in ecstatic love.

Word meanings

punaḥ — again ; ati - utkaṇṭhā — great eagerness ; dainya — humility ; ha - ila udgama — were awakened ; kṛṣṇa - thāñi — from Lord Kṛṣṇa ; māge — prays for ; prema — in ecstatic love ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting the mahā-mantra. .

Translation

“ ‘My dear Lord, when will My eyes be beautified by filling with tears that constantly glide down as I chant Your holy name? When will My voice falter and all the hairs on My body stand erect in transcendental happiness as I chant Your holy name?’

Word meanings

nayanam — the eyes ; galat - aśru - dhārayā — by streams of tears running down ; vadanam — mouth ; gadgada — faltering ; ruddhayā — choked up ; girā — with words ; pulakaiḥ — with erection of the hairs due to transcendental happiness ; nicitam — covered ; vapuḥ — the body ; kadā — when ; tava — Your ; nāma - grahaṇe — in chanting the name ; bhaviṣyati — will be .

Translation

“Without love of Godhead, My life is useless. Therefore I pray that You accept Me as Your servant and give Me the salary of ecstatic love of God.”

Word meanings

prema - dhana — the wealth of ecstatic love ; vinā — without ; vyartha — useless ; daridra jīvana — poor life ; dāsa kari’ — accepting as Your eternal servant ; vetana — salary ; more — unto Me ; deha — give ; prema - dhana — the treasure of love of Godhead .

Translation

Separation from Kṛṣṇa awoke various mellows of distress, lamentation and humility. Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu spoke like a crazy man.

Word meanings

rasa - antara - āveśe — in the ecstatic love characterized by different mellows ; ha - ila — there was ; viyoga - sphuraṇa — awakening of separation ; udvega — distress ; viṣāda — moroseness ; dainye — humility ; kare pralapana — speaks like a crazy person .

Translation

“ ‘My Lord Govinda, because of separation from You, I consider even a moment a great millennium. Tears flow from My eyes like torrents of rain, and I see the entire world as void.’

Word meanings

yugāyitam — appearing like a great millennium ; nimeṣeṇa — by a moment ; cakṣuṣā — from the eyes ; prāvṛṣāyitam — tears falling like torrents of rain ; śūnyāyitam — appearing void ; jagat — the world ; sarvam — all ; govinda — from Lord Govinda, Kṛṣṇa ; viraheṇa me — by My separation .

Translation

“In My agitation, a day never ends, for every moment seems like a millennium. Pouring incessant tears, My eyes are like clouds in the rainy season.

Word meanings

udvege — by great agitation ; divasa — day ; nā — not ; yāya — passes ; kṣaṇa — a moment ; haila — became ; yuga - sama — like a great millennium ; varṣāra — of the rainy season ; megha - prāya — like clouds ; aśru — tears ; variṣe — fall down ; nayana — from the eyes .

Translation

“The three worlds have become void because of separation from Govinda. I feel as if I were burning alive in a slow fire.

Word meanings

govinda - virahe — by separation from Govinda ; śūnya — void ; ha - ila — became ; tri - bhuvana — the three worlds ; tuṣa - anale — in the slow fire ; poḍe — burns ; yena — just like ; nā yāya — does not go ; jīvana — life .

Translation

“Lord Kṛṣṇa has become indifferent to Me just to test My love, and My friends say, ‘Better to disregard Him.’ ”

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; udāsīna — indifferent ; ha - ilā — became ; karite — to make ; parīkṣaṇa — testing ; sakhī saba kahe — all the friends say ; kṛṣṇe — unto Kṛṣṇa ; kara — just do ; upekṣaṇa — neglecting .

Translation

While Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī was thinking in this way, the characteristics of natural love became manifest because of Her pure heart.

Word meanings

eteka — thus ; cintite — thinking ; rādhāra — of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; nirmala hṛdaya — possessing a pure heart ; svābhāvika — natural ; premāra — of love of Kṛṣṇa ; svabhāva — the character ; karila udaya — awakes .

Translation

The ecstatic symptoms of envy, great eagerness, humility, zeal and supplication all became manifest at once.

Word meanings

īrṣyā — envy ; utkaṇṭhā — eagerness ; dainya — humility ; prauḍhi — zeal ; vinaya — solicitation ; eta bhāva — all these transcendental ecstasies ; eka - ṭhāñi — in one place ; karila udaya — awoke .

Translation

In that mood, the mind of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī was agitated, and therefore She spoke a verse of advanced devotion to Her gopī friends.

Word meanings

eta bhāve — in that mood ; rādhāra — of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; mana — the mind ; asthira ha - ilā — became agitated ; sakhī - gaṇa - āge — before the friends, the gopīs ; prauḍhi - śloka — advanced devotional verse ; ye — which ; paḍilā — She recited .

Translation

In the same spirit of ecstasy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu recited that verse, and as soon as He did so, He felt like Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.

Word meanings

sei bhāve — in that ecstatic mood ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sei — that ; śloka — verse ; uccārilā — recited ; śloka — the verse ; uccārite — by reciting ; tat - rūpa — like Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; āpane — Himself ; ha - ilā — became .

Translation

“ ‘Let Kṛṣṇa tightly embrace this maidservant who has fallen at His lotus feet, or let Him trample Me or break My heart by never being visible to Me. He is a debauchee, after all, and can do whatever He likes, but still He alone, and no one else, is the worshipable Lord of My heart.’

Word meanings

āśliṣya — embracing with great pleasure ; vā — or ; pāda - ratām — who have fallen at the lotus feet ; pinaṣṭu — let Him trample ; mām — Me ; adarśanāt — by not being visible ; marma - hatām — brokenhearted ; karotu — let Him make ; vā — or ; yathā — as (He likes) ; tathā — so ; vā — or ; vidadhātu — let Him do ; lampaṭaḥ — a debauchee, who mixes with other women ; mat - prāṇa - nāthaḥ — the Lord of My life ; tu — but ; saḥ — He ; eva — only ; na aparaḥ — not anyone else .

Translation

“I am a maidservant at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. He is the embodiment of transcendental happiness and mellows. If He likes He can tightly embrace Me and make Me feel oneness with Him, or by not giving Me His audience, He may corrode My mind and body. Nevertheless, it is He who is the Lord of My life.

Word meanings

āmi — I ; kṛṣṇa - pada - dāsī — a maidservant at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa ; teṅho — He ; rasa - sukha - rāśi — the reservoir of transcendental mellows ; āliṅgiyā — by embracing ; kare — makes ; ātma - sātha — merged ; kibā — or ; nā deya — does not give ; daraśana — audience ; jārena — corrodes ; mora — My ; tanu - mana — body and mind ; tabu — still ; teṅho — He ; mora prāṇa - nātha — the Lord of My life .

Translation

“My dear friend, just hear the decision of My mind. Kṛṣṇa is the Lord of My life in all conditions, whether He shows Me affection or kills Me by giving Me unhappiness.

Word meanings

sakhi he — My dear friend ; śuna — just hear ; mora — My ; manera — of the mind ; niścaya — decision ; kibā — whether ; anurāga — affection ; kare — shows ; kibā — or ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; diyā — bestowing ; māre — kills ; mora — My ; prāṇa - īśvara — the Lord of life ; kṛṣṇa — Kṛṣṇa ; anya naya — and no one else .

Translation

“Sometimes Kṛṣṇa gives up the company of other gopīs and becomes controlled, mind and body, by Me. Thus He manifests My good fortune and gives others distress by performing His loving affairs with Me.

Word meanings

chāḍi’ — giving up ; anya — other ; nārī - gaṇa — women ; mora — My ; vaśa — control ; tanu - mana — mind and body ; mora — My ; saubhāgya — fortune ; prakaṭa kariyā — manifesting ; tā - sabāre — unto all of them ; deya pīḍā — gives distress ; āmā - sane — with Me ; kare krīḍā — performs loving activities ; sei nārī - gaṇe — unto these women ; dekhāñā — showing .

Translation

“Or, since after all He is a very cunning, obstinate debauchee with a propensity to cheat, He takes to the company of other women. He then indulges in loving affairs with them in front of Me to give distress to My mind. Nevertheless, He is still the Lord of My life.

Word meanings

kibā — or ; teṅho — He ; lampaṭa — debauchee ; śaṭha — deceitful ; dhṛṣṭa — obstinate ; sakapaṭa — with a cheating propensity ; anya — other ; nārī - gaṇa — women ; kari’ — accepting ; sātha — as companions ; more — unto Me ; dite — to give ; manaḥ - pīḍā — distress in the mind ; mora āge — in front of Me ; kare krīḍā — performs loving affairs ; tabu — still ; teṅho — He ; mora prāṇa - nātha — the Lord of My life .

Translation

“I do not mind My personal distress. I only wish for the happiness of Kṛṣṇa, for His happiness is the goal of My life. However, if He feels great happiness in giving Me distress, that distress is the best of My happiness.

Word meanings

nā — not ; gaṇi — I count ; āpana - duḥkha — own personal misery ; sabe — only ; vāñchi — I desire ; tāṅra sukha — His happiness ; tāṅra sukha — His happiness ; āmāra tātparya — the aim of My life ; more — unto Me ; yadi — if ; diyā duḥkha — giving distress ; tāṅra — His ; haila — there was ; mahā - sukha — great happiness ; sei duḥkha — that unhappiness ; mora sukha - varya — the best of My happiness .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura says that a devotee does not care about his own happiness and distress; he is simply interested in seeing that Kṛṣṇa is happy, and for that purpose he engages in various activities. A pure devotee has no way of sensing happiness except by seeing that Kṛṣṇa is happy in every respect. If Kṛṣṇa becomes happy by giving him distress, such a devotee accepts that unhappiness as the greatest of all happiness. Those who are materialistic, however, who are very proud of material wealth and have no spiritual knowledge, like the prākṛta-sahajiyās, regard their own happiness as the aim of life. Some of them aspire to enjoy themselves by sharing the happiness of Kṛṣṇa. This is the mentality of fruitive workers who want to enjoy sense gratification by making a show of service to Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

“If Kṛṣṇa, attracted by the beauty of some other woman, wants to enjoy with her but is unhappy because He cannot get her, I fall down at her feet, catch her hand and bring her to Kṛṣṇa to engage her for His happiness.

Word meanings

ye nārīre — the woman whom ; vāñche kṛṣṇa — Kṛṣṇa desires to have in His company ; tāra rūpe satṛṣṇa — attracted to her beauty ; tāre — her ; nā pāñā — not getting ; haya duḥkhī — becomes unhappy ; mui — I ; tāra pāya paḍi’ — falling down at her feet ; lañā yāṅa — taking, go ; hāte dhari’ — catching the hand ; krīḍā — pastimes ; karāñā — bringing about ; tāṅre — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; karoṅ sukhī — I make happy .

Translation

“When a beloved gopī shows symptoms of anger toward Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa is very satisfied. Indeed, He is extremely pleased when chastised by such a gopī. She shows her pride suitably, and Kṛṣṇa enjoys that attitude. Then she gives up her pride with a little endeavor.

Word meanings

kāntā — the beloved ; kṛṣṇe — unto Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kare roṣa — shows anger ; kṛṣṇa pāya santoṣa — Kṛṣṇa becomes very happy ; sukha pāya — obtains happiness ; tāḍana - bhartsane — by chastisement ; yathā - yogya — as it is suitable ; kare māna — shows pride ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tāte — in such activities ; sukha pāna — obtains happiness ; chāḍe māna — gives up pride ; alpa - sādhane — by a little endeavor .

Translation

“Why does a woman continue to live who knows that Kṛṣṇa’s heart is unhappy but who still shows her deep anger toward Him? She is interested in her own happiness. I condemn such a woman to be struck on the head with a thunderbolt, for We simply want the happiness of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

sei nārī — that woman ; jīye — lives ; kene — why ; kṛṣṇa - marma — Kṛṣṇa’s heart ; vyathā — unhappy ; jāne — knows ; tabu — still ; kṛṣṇe — unto Kṛṣṇa ; kare — does ; gāḍha roṣa — deep anger ; nija - sukhe — in her own happiness ; māne — considers ; kāja — the only business ; paḍuka — let there fall ; tāre — of her ; śire — on the head ; vāja — a thunderbolt ; kṛṣṇera — of Kṛṣṇa ; mātra — only ; cāhiye — we want ; santoṣa — the happiness .

Purport

A devotee who is satisfied only with his own sense gratification certainly falls down from the service of Kṛṣṇa. Being attracted by material happiness, he later joins the prākṛta-sahajiyās, who are considered to be nondevotees.

Translation

“If a gopī envious of Me satisfies Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa desires her, I shall not hesitate to go to her house and become her maidservant, for then My happiness will be awakened.

Word meanings

ye gopī — any gopī who ; mora — unto Me ; kare dveṣe — shows envy ; kṛṣṇera kare santoṣe — but satisfies Kṛṣṇa ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; yāre — unto whom ; kare — does ; abhilāṣa — desiring ; mui — I ; tāra — her ; ghare yāñā — going to the house ; tāre sevoṅ — shall render service unto her ; dāsī hañā — becoming a maidservant ; tabe — then ; mora — My ; sukhera ullāsa — awakening of happiness .

Translation

“The wife of a brāhmaṇa suffering from leprosy manifested herself as the topmost of all chaste women by serving a prostitute to satisfy her husband. She thus stopped the movement of the sun, brought her dead husband back to life and satisfied the three principal demigods [Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara].

Word meanings

kuṣṭhī - viprera — of a brāhmaṇa who suffered from leprosy ; ramaṇī — the wife ; pati - vratā - śiromaṇi — the topmost of chaste women ; pati lāgi’ — for the satisfaction of her husband ; kailā — performed ; veśyāra sevā — service to a prostitute ; stambhila — stopped ; sūryera gati — the movement of the sun ; jīyāila — revived ; mṛta pati — the dead husband ; tuṣṭa kaila — satisfied ; mukhya — the principal ; tina - devā — three deities or demigods .

Purport

The Āditya Purāṇa, Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa and Padma Purāṇa tell about a brāhmaṇa who was suffering from leprosy but had a very chaste and faithful wife. He desired to enjoy the company of a prostitute, and therefore his wife went to her and became her maidservant, just to draw her attention for his service. When the prostitute agreed to associate with him, the wife brought her the leprotic husband. When that leper, the sinful son of a brāhmaṇa, saw the chastity of his wife, he finally abandoned his sinful intentions. While coming home, however, he touched the body of Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, who thus cursed him to die at sunrise. Because of her chastity, the woman was very powerful. Therefore when she heard about the curse, she vowed to stop the sunrise. Because of her strong determination to serve her husband, the three deities — namely Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara — were very happy, and they gave her the benediction that her husband would be cured and brought back to life. This example is given herein to emphasize that a devotee should engage himself exclusively for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, without personal motives. That will make his life successful.

Translation

“Kṛṣṇa is My life and soul. Kṛṣṇa is the treasure of My life. Indeed, Kṛṣṇa is the very life of My life. I therefore keep Him always in My heart and try to please Him by rendering service. That is My constant meditation.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mora jīvana — My life and soul ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mora prāṇa - dhana — the wealth of My life ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mora prāṇera parāṇa — the life of My life ; hṛdaya - upare — on My heart ; dharoṅ — I hold ; sevā kari’ — serving ; sukhī karoṅ — I make happy ; ei — this ; mora — My ; sadā — always ; rahe — remains ; dhyāna — meditation .

Translation

“My happiness is in the service of Kṛṣṇa, and Kṛṣṇa’s happiness is in union with Me. For this reason, I give My body in charity to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, who accepts Me as His loved one and calls Me His most beloved. It is then that I consider Myself His maidservant.

Word meanings

mora sukha — My happiness ; sevane — in service ; kṛṣṇera sukha — Kṛṣṇa’s happiness ; saṅgame — by union with Me ; ataeva — therefore ; deha — My body ; deṅa — I offer ; dāna — as charity ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; more — Me ; kāntā kari’ — accepting as beloved ; kahe — says ; more — to Me ; prāṇa - īśvari — the most beloved ; mora — My ; haya — there is ; dāsī - abhimāna — considering His maidservant .

Translation

“Service to My lover is the home of happiness and is more sweet than direct union with Him. The goddess of fortune is evidence of this, for although she constantly lives on the heart of Nārāyaṇa, she wants to render service to His lotus feet. She therefore considers herself a maidservant and serves Him constantly.”

Word meanings

kānta - sevā - sukha - pūra — the service of the Lord is the home of happiness ; saṅgama haite su - madhura — sweeter than direct union ; tāte — in that ; sākṣī — evidence ; lakṣmī ṭhākurāṇī — the goddess of fortune ; nārāyaṇa - hṛdi — on the heart of Nārāyaṇa ; sthiti — situation ; tabu — still ; pāda - sevāya mati — her desire is to serve the lotus feet ; sevā kare — renders service ; dāsī - abhimānī — considering herself a maidservant .

Translation

These statements by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī show the symptoms of pure love for Kṛṣṇa tasted by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. In that ecstatic love, His mind was unsteady. Transformations of transcendental love spread throughout His entire body, and He could not sustain His body and mind.

Word meanings

ei — these ; rādhāra vacana — the statements of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; viśuddha - prema - lakṣaṇa — the symptoms of pure love of Kṛṣṇa ; āsvādaye — tastes ; śrī - gaura - rāya — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhāve — because of this ecstasy ; mana nahe sthira — the mind is not steady ; sāttvike — the symptoms of transcendental love ; vyāpe — spread over ; śarīra — the body ; mana - deha — mind and body ; dharaṇa — sustaining ; nā yāya — is not possible .

Translation

The pure devotional service in Vṛndāvana is like the golden particles in the river Jāmbū. In Vṛndāvana there is not a trace of personal sense gratification. It is to advertise such pure love in this material world that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has written the previous verse and explained its meaning.

Word meanings

vrajera — of Vṛndāvana ; viśuddha - prema — the pure love of Kṛṣṇa ; yena — like ; jāmbū - nada hema — the golden particles found in the Jāmbū River ; ātma - sukhera — of personal sense gratification ; yāhāṅ — where ; nāhi gandha — there is not even a scent ; se prema — that love of Godhead ; jānā’te loke — to advertise among the people ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kailā — has written ; ei śloke — this verse ; pade — in different steps ; kailā arthera nirbandha — has clarified the real meaning .

Purport

The verse-referred to here is text 47, the eighth verse of the Śikṣāṣṭaka.

Translation

Thus overwhelmed by ecstatic love, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu spoke like a madman and recited suitable verses.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhāva - āviṣṭa hañā — being overwhelmed by ecstatic love ; pralāpa karilā — said crazy words ; tat - tat — appropriate ; śloka paḍiyā — by reciting verses .

Translation

The Lord had formerly composed these eight verses to teach people in general. Now He personally tasted the meaning of the verses, which are called the Śikṣāṣṭaka.

Word meanings

pūrve — formerly ; aṣṭa - śloka kari’ — composing eight verses ; loke śikṣā dilā — gave instruction to the people in general ; sei — those ; aṣṭa - ślokera — of the eight stanzas ; artha — the meaning ; āpane āsvādilā — personally tasted .

Translation

If anyone recites or hears these eight verses of instruction by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, his ecstatic love and devotion for Kṛṣṇa increase day by day.

Word meanings

prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śikṣā - aṣṭaka — of the eight instructions ; śloka — the verses ; yei — anyone who ; paḍe — recites ; śune — or hears ; kṛṣṇe — unto Lord Kṛṣṇa ; prema - bhakti — ecstatic love and devotion ; tāra — his ; bāḍe — increases ; dine - dine — day after day .

Translation

Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is as deep and grave as millions of oceans, when the moon of His various emotions rises, He becomes restless.

Word meanings

yadyapiha — although ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; koṭī - samudra - gambhīra — as deep as millions of oceans ; nānā — various ; bhāva — of ecstatic emotions ; candrodaye — because of the moonrise ; hayena — sometimes becomes ; asthira — restless .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu read the verses of Jayadeva’s Gīta-govinda, of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, of Rāmānanda Rāya’s drama Jagannātha-vallabha-nāṭaka, and of Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura’s Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta, He was overwhelmed by the various ecstatic emotions of those verses. Thus He tasted their purports.

Word meanings

yei yei — whatever ; śloka — verses ; jayadeva — Jayadeva Gosvāmī ; bhāgavate — in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ; rāyera nāṭake — in the drama composed by Rāmānanda Rāya ; yei — whatever ; āra — also ; karṇāmṛte — in the book named Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta, written by Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura ; sei sei bhāve — in those ecstatic emotions ; śloka — verses ; kariyā paṭhane — reading regularly ; sei sei — in that particular ; bhāva - āveśe — ecstatic love ; karena āsvādane — He tastes .

Translation

For twelve years, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained in that state day and night. With His two friends He tasted the meaning of those verses, which consists of nothing but the transcendental bliss and mellows of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Word meanings

dvādaśa vatsara — for twelve years ; aiche daśā — such a condition ; rātri - dine — day and night ; kṛṣṇa - rasa — transcendental bliss and mellows in connection with Kṛṣṇa ; āsvādaye — He tastes ; dui - bandhu - sane — with two friends, namely Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī .

Translation

Even Anantadeva, who has thousands of faces, could not reach the end of describing the transcendental bliss of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes.

Word meanings

sei saba — all these ; līlā - rasa — transcendental mellows of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes ; āpane — personally ; ananta — the Personality of Godhead Ananta ; sahasra - vadane — with His thousands of faces ; varṇi’ — describing ; nāhi — not ; pā’na — gets ; anta — the limit .

Translation

How, then, could an ordinary living being with very little intelligence describe such pastimes? Nevertheless, I am trying to touch but a particle of them just to rectify myself.

Word meanings

jīva — living being ; kṣudra - buddhi — limited intelligence ; kon — who ; tāhā — that ; pāre — is able ; varṇite — to write ; tāra — of that ; eka kaṇā — one particle ; sparśi — I touch ; āpanā śodhite — to correct myself .

Translation

There is no limit to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s activities and His words of madness. Therefore describing them all would greatly increase the size of this book.

Word meanings

yata ceṣṭā — all activities ; yata pralāpa — all crazy talking ; nāhi pārāvāra — there was no limit ; sei saba — all of them ; varṇite — to describe ; grantha — the book ; haya — would be ; su - vistāra — very voluminous .

Translation

Whatever pastimes Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has first described I have merely summarized.

Word meanings

vṛndāvana - dāsa — Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura ; prathama — at first ; ye — whatever ; līlā — pastimes ; varṇila — described ; sei - saba — all of those ; līlāra — of the pastimes ; āmi — I ; sūtra - mātra kaila — prepared only the synopsis .

Translation

I have only very briefly described the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu not described by Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. Nevertheless, because those transcendental pastimes are so numerous, the size of this book has increased.

Word meanings

tāṅra — his ; tyakta — left out ; avaśeṣa — remainders ; saṅkṣepe kahila — I have described very briefly ; līlāra bāhulye — because of the numerousness of the pastimes ; grantha — this book ; tathāpi — still ; bāḍila — has increased .

Translation

It is impossible to describe all the pastimes elaborately. I shall therefore end this description and offer them my respectful obeisances.

Word meanings

ataeva — therefore ; sei - saba — all those ; līlā — pastimes ; nā pāri — I am not able ; varṇibāre — to narrate ; samāpti kariluṅ — now I have finished ; līlāke — to the pastimes ; kari’ namaskāre — offering my respectful obeisances .

Translation

What I have described gives merely an indication, but by following this indication one may obtain a taste of all the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

ye kichu — whatever ; kahiluṅ — I have said ; ei — this ; dik - daraśana — just to make an indication ; ei anusāre — in this way ; habe — there will be ; tāra — of that ; āsvādana — tasting .

Translation

I cannot understand the very deep, meaningful pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. My intelligence cannot penetrate them, and therefore I could not properly describe them.

Word meanings

prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gambhīra — deep ; līlā — the pastimes ; nā pāri — I am not able ; bujhite — to understand ; buddhi - praveśa nāhi — my intelligence cannot penetrate ; tāte — because of this ; nā pāri — I am not able ; varṇite — to describe properly .

Translation

After offering my respectful obeisances to the lotus feet of all my Vaiṣṇava readers, I shall therefore end this description of the characteristics of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

saba śrotā — all readers ; vaiṣṇavera — of the Vaiṣṇavas ; vandiyā caraṇa — offering respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet ; caitanya - caritra — of the characteristics of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; varṇana — description ; kailuṅ — I have done ; samāpana — finishing .

Translation

The sky is unlimited, but many birds fly higher and higher according to their own abilities.

Word meanings

ākāśa — the sky ; ananta — unlimited ; tāte — in that sky ; yaiche — just as ; pakṣi - gaṇa — all types of birds ; yāra — of someone ; yata śakti — whatever power ; tata — that much ; kare ārohaṇa — rises up and up .

Translation

The pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are like the unlimited sky. How, then, can an ordinary living being describe them all?

Word meanings

aiche — similarly ; mahāprabhura līlā — the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nāhi ora - pāra — there is no limit above or below ; jīva hañā — being an ordinary living entity ; kebā — who ; samyak — fully ; pāre — is able ; varṇibāra — to describe .

Translation

I have tried to describe them as far as my intelligence allows, as if trying to touch a drop in the midst of a great ocean.

Word meanings

yāvat — as far ; buddhira gati — the limit of my intelligence ; tateka — that far ; varṇiluṅ — I have described ; samudrera madhye — in the midst of the great ocean ; yena — just like ; eka kaṇa — one particle ; chuṅiluṅ — I have touched .

Translation

Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura is Lord Nityānanda’s favorite devotee, and therefore he is the original Vyāsadeva in describing the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

nityānanda — of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; kṛpā - pātra — the favorite devotee ; vṛndāvana - dāsa — Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura ; caitanya - līlāya — in the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; teṅho — He ; hayena — is ; ādi - vyāsa — the original Vyāsadeva .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura says that all writers after Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura who are pure devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and who have tried to describe the Lord’s activities are to be considered like Vyāsa. Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura is the original Vyāsadeva in describing caitanya-līlā, and all others who follow in his footsteps by describing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes are also to be called Vyāsadeva. The bona fide spiritual master is called Vyāsa because he is a representative of Vyāsa. Worshiping the birthday of such a spiritual master is called Vyāsa-pūjā.

Translation

Although Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has within his jurisdiction the full store of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes, he has left aside most of them and described but a small portion.

Word meanings

tāṅra āge — before him ; yadyapi — although ; saba — all ; līlāra — of the pastimes ; bhāṇḍāra — full store ; tathāpi — still ; alpa — very little ; varṇiyā — describing ; chāḍilena — he left ; āra — the others .

Translation

What I have described was left aside by Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, but although he could not describe these pastimes, he gave us a synopsis.

Word meanings

ye kichu varṇiluṅ — whatever I have described ; seha — them ; saṅkṣepa — briefly ; kariyā — doing ; likhite nā pārena — Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura was not able to describe ; tabu — still ; rākhiyāchena — has kept ; likhiyā — recording in writing .

Translation

In his book named Caitanya-maṅgala [Caitanya-bhāgavata], he has described these pastimes in many places. I request my readers to hear that book, for that is the best evidence.

Word meanings

caitanya - maṅgale — in the book named Caitanya-maṅgala ; teṅho — Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura ; likhiyāche — has written ; sthāne - sthāne — in several places ; sei vacana śuna — please hear those statements ; sei parama - pramāṇe — that is the foremost proof .

Translation

I have described the pastimes very briefly, for it is impossible for me to describe them in full. In the future, however, Vedavyāsa will describe them elaborately.

Word meanings

saṅkṣepe kahiluṅ — I have described very briefly ; vistāra nā yāya kathane — it is not possible to describe them in full ; vistāriyā — elaborating ; veda - vyāsa — a representative of Vyāsadeva ; kariba — will do ; varṇane — describing .

Translation

In the Caitanya-maṅgala, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has stated in many places the factual truth that in the future Vyāsadeva will describe the Lord’s pastimes elaborately.

Word meanings

caitanya - maṅgale — in the book named Caitanya-maṅgala, now known as Caitanya-bhāgavata ; ihā — this statement ; likhiyāche — has written ; sthāne - sthāne — in many places ; satya — the truth ; kahena — he says ; āge — in the future ; vyāsa kariba varṇane — Vyāsadeva will describe them more elaborately .

Purport

The statement āge vyāsa kariba varṇane is similar to a text in the Caitanya-bhāgavata ( Ādi-khaṇḍa, first chapter, text 180) in which Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura says:

śeṣa-khaṇḍe caitanyera ananta vilāsa vistāriyā varṇite āchena veda-vyāsa

“The unlimited pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will be described by Vyāsadeva in the future.” Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura says that these statements indicate that in the future, other representatives of Vyāsadeva will elaborately describe Lord Caitanya’s pastimes. The purport is that any pure devotee in the disciplic succession who describes the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is confirmed to be a representative of Vyāsadeva.

Translation

The ocean of nectarean pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is like the ocean of milk. According to his thirst, Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura filled his pitcher and drank from that ocean.

Word meanings

caitanya - līlā - amṛta - sindhu — the ocean of nectarean pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dugdha - abdhi - samāna — exactly like the ocean of milk ; tṛṣṇā - anurūpa — according to one’s thirst ; jhārī — the pitcher ; bhari’ — filling ; teṅho — he ; kailā pāna — drank .

Translation

Whatever remnants of milk Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has given me are sufficient to fill my belly. Now my thirst is completely satiated.

Word meanings

tāṅra jhārī - śeṣa - amṛta — the remnants of the milk of Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura’s pitcher ; kichu — some ; more dilā — has given to me ; tateke — by those remnants ; bharila peṭa — my abdomen is filled ; tṛṣṇā mora gelā — now my thirst has gone .

Translation

I am a very insignificant living being, like a small red-beaked bird. Just as such a bird drinks the water of the sea to quench its thirst, so I have touched only a drop of the ocean of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes. From this example, you may all understand how expansive are the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

āmi — I ; ati - kṣudra jīva — a very insignificant living being ; pakṣī rāṅgā - ṭuni — just like a little bird with a red beak ; se — he ; yaiche — just as ; tṛṣṇāya — in thirst ; piye — drinks ; samudrera pānī — the water of the sea ; taiche — in the same way ; āmi — I ; eka kaṇa — one small particle ; chuṅiluṅ — touched ; līlāra — of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ei dṛṣṭānte — by this example ; jāniha — all of you know ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; līlāra vistāra — expansion of the pastimes .

Translation

I infer that “I have written” is a false understanding, for my body is like a wooden doll.

Word meanings

āmi likhi — I write ; eha mithyā — this is false ; kari anumāna — I can infer ; āmāra śarīra — my body ; kāṣṭha - putalī - samāna — is exactly like a wooden doll .

Translation

I am old and troubled by invalidity. I am almost blind and deaf, my hands tremble, and my mind and intelligence are unsteady.

Word meanings

vṛddha — an old man ; jarā - ātura — troubled by invalidity ; āmi — I ; andha — blind ; badhira — deaf ; hasta hāle — my hands tremble ; manaḥ - buddhi — mind and intelligence ; nahe — not ; mora — my ; sthira — steady .

Translation

I am infected with so many diseases that I can neither properly walk nor properly sit. Indeed, I am always exhausted by five kinds of diseases. I may die at any time of the day or night.

Word meanings

nānā - roga - grasta — infected with so many diseases ; calite — to walk ; vasite — to sit down ; nā pāri — I am not properly able ; pañca - roga - pīḍā - vyākula — always disturbed by five kinds of disease ; rātri - dine — day or night ; mari — I can die any time .

Translation

I have previously given an account of my inabilities. Please hear the reason why I nevertheless still write.

Word meanings

pūrve — previously ; granthe — in the book ; ihā — this ; kariyāchi nivedana — I have submitted to the readers ; tathāpi — still ; likhiye — I write ; śuna — please hear ; ihāra kāraṇa — the reason for this .

Translation

I am writing this book by the mercy of the lotus feet of Śrī Govindadeva, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Lord Nityānanda, Advaita Ācārya, other devotees and the readers of this book, as well as Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, who is my spiritual master, and Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī. I have also been specifically favored by another Supreme Personality.

Word meanings

śrī - govinda — Śrī Govindadeva ; śrī - caitanya — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śrī - nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda ; śrī - advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; śrī - bhakta — other devotees ; āra — also ; śrī - śrotṛ - vṛnda — the readers of this book ; śrī - svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; śrī - rūpa — Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī ; śrī - sanātana — Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī ; śrī - raghunātha - dāsa — Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; śrī - guru — my spiritual master ; śrī - jīva - caraṇa — the lotus feet of Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī ; iṅhā sabāra — of all of them ; caraṇa - kṛpāya — by the mercy of the lotus feet ; lekhāya — causes to write ; āmāre — me ; āra eka — another one ; haya — there is ; teṅho — He ; ati - kṛpā kare — shows me very great favor .

Translation

Śrī Madana-mohana Deity of Vṛndāvana has given the order that is making me write. Although this should not be disclosed, I disclose it because I am unable to remain silent.

Word meanings

śrī - madana - gopāla — the Madana-mohana Deity of Vṛndāvana ; more — me ; lekhāya — causes to write ; ājñā kari’ — by giving the order ; kahite — to say ; nā yuyāya — is not befitting ; tabu — still ; rahite — to remain silent ; nā pāri — I am not able .

Translation

If I did not disclose this fact, I would be guilty of ingratitude to the Lord. Therefore, my dear readers, please do not consider me too proud and be angry at me.

Word meanings

nā kahile — if I do not say ; haya — there is ; mora — my ; kṛta - ghnatā - doṣa — fault of ingratitude ; dambha kari — I am proud ; bali’ — taking as ; śrotā — O readers ; nā kariha roṣa — do not be angry .

Translation

It is because I have offered my prayers unto the lotus feet of all of you that whatever I have written about Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has been possible.

Word meanings

tomā - sabāra — of all of you ; caraṇa - dhūli — the dust of the feet ; karinu vandana — I have prayed to ; tāte — for that reason ; caitanya - līlā — the pastimes of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; haila — there was ; ye — whatever ; kichu — some ; likhana — writing .

Translation

Now let me repeat all the pastimes of the Antya-līlā, for if I do so I shall taste the pastimes again.

Word meanings

ebe — now ; antya - līlā - gaṇera kari anuvāda — I beg to repeat all the facts of this Antya-līlā ; anuvāda kaile — if it is repeated ; pāi — I get ; līlāra — of the pastime ; āsvāda — taste .

Translation

The first chapter describes how Rūpa Gosvāmī met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for the second time and how the Lord heard his two dramas [Vidagdha-mādhava and Lalita-mādhava].

Word meanings

prathama paricchede — in the first chapter ; rūpera — of Rūpa Gosvāmī ; dvitīya - milana — the second meeting with Lord Caitanya ; tāra madhye — within that chapter ; dui - nāṭakera — of the two dramas ; vidhāna - śravaṇa — hearing of the process of writing .

Translation

That chapter also describes the incident of Śivānanda Sena’s dog, who was induced by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and was thus liberated.

Word meanings

tāra madhye — in that chapter ; śivānanda - saṅge — with Śivānanda Sena ; kukkura — the dog ; āilā — came ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāre — unto him (the dog) ; kṛṣṇa kahāñā — inducing to chant Kṛṣṇa ; mukta karilā — liberated .

Translation

The second chapter tells how the Lord instructively punished Junior Haridāsa. Also in that chapter is a description of the wonderful vision of Śivānanda Sena.

Word meanings

dvitīye — in the second chapter ; choṭa - haridāse — Junior Haridāsa ; karāilā śikṣaṇa — He taught very strictly ; tāra madhye — within that chapter ; śivānandera — of Śivānanda Sena ; āścarya darśana — the wonderful vision .

Translation

In the third chapter is a description of the forceful glories of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. That chapter also mentions how Dāmodara Paṇḍita spoke words of criticism to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

tṛtīye — in the third chapter ; haridāsera — of Ṭhākura Haridāsa ; mahimā pracaṇḍa — very forceful glories ; dāmodara - paṇḍita — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; kailā — made ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vākya - daṇḍa — impudence of chastising by words .

Translation

The third chapter also tells how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu delivered everyone by bestowing upon the universe the holy name of the Lord, and it describes how Haridāsa Ṭhākura established the glories of the holy name by his practical example.

Word meanings

prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nāma diyā — delivering the holy name ; kailā — did ; brahmāṇḍa - mocana — the liberation of the universe ; haridāsa — Haridāsa ; karilā — did ; nāmera — of the holy name ; mahimā - sthāpana — the establishment of the glories .

Translation

The fourth chapter describes Sanātana Gosvāmī’s second visit with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and how the Lord saved him from committing suicide.

Word meanings

caturthe — in the fourth chapter ; śrī - sanātanera — of Sanātana Gosvāmī ; dvitīya - milana — visiting for the second time ; deha - tyāga haite — from committing suicide ; tāṅra karilā rakṣaṇa — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu protected him .

Translation

The fourth chapter also tells how Sanātana Gosvāmī was tested in the sunshine of Jyaiṣṭha [May-June] and was then empowered and sent back to Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

jyaiṣṭha - māsera — of the month of May-June ; dhūpe — in the sunshine ; tāṅre — him ; kailā — did ; parīkṣaṇa — examining ; śakti — potency ; sañcāriyā — giving him ; punaḥ — again ; pāṭhāilā vṛndāvana — sent back to Vṛndāvana .

Translation

The fifth chapter tells how the Lord showed His favor to Pradyumna Miśra and made him hear topics of Kṛṣṇa from Rāmānanda Rāya.

Word meanings

pañcame — in the fifth chapter ; pradyumna - miśre — unto Pradyumna Miśra ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā karilā — showed mercy ; rāya - dvārā — with the help of Rāmānanda Rāya ; kṛṣṇa - kathā — topics of Kṛṣṇa ; tāṅre śunāilā — made him hear .

Translation

That chapter also describes how Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī rejected the drama of a poet from Bengal and established the glories of the Deity.

Word meanings

tāra madhye — within that chapter ; bāṅgāla - kavira — of a poet from Bengal ; nāṭaka - upekṣaṇa — the rejection of the drama ; svarūpa - gosāñi — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; kailā — did ; vigrahera — of the Deity ; mahimā - sthāpana — the establishment of the glories .

Translation

The sixth chapter describes how Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and performed the chipped rice festival in accordance with Nityānanda Prabhu’s order.

Word meanings

ṣaṣṭhe — in the sixth chapter ; raghunātha - dāsa — Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; prabhure mililā — met Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nityānanda - ājñāya — by the order of Nityānanda Prabhu ; ciḍā - mahotsava kailā — performed the festival of chipped rice .

Translation

That chapter also tells how the Lord entrusted Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī to the care of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī and gave Raghunātha dāsa the gift of a stone from Govardhana Hill and a garland of small conchshells.

Word meanings

dāmodara - svarūpa - ṭhāñi — to the care of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; tāṅre samarpila — the Lord entrusted him ; govardhana - śilā — the stone from Govardhana Hill ; guñjā - mālā — the garland of small conchshells ; tāṅre dila — delivered to him .

Translation

The seventh chapter tells how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu met Vallabha Bhaṭṭa and dismantled his false pride in various ways.

Word meanings

saptama - paricchede — in the seventh chapter ; vallabha bhaṭṭera milana — the meeting of Vallabha Bhaṭṭa with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nānā - mate — in various ways ; kailā — did ; tāṅra — his ; garva — pride ; khaṇḍana — dismantling .

Translation

The eighth chapter describes the arrival of Rāmacandra Purī and how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu minimized His eating due to fear of him.

Word meanings

aṣṭame — in the eighth chapter ; rāmacandra - purīra āgamana — the arrival of Rāmacandra Purī ; tāṅra bhaye — because of fear of him ; kailā — did ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhikṣā saṅkocana — minimizing His eating .

Translation

In the ninth chapter is a description of how Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka was delivered and how the people of the three worlds were able to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

navame — in the ninth chapter ; gopīnātha - paṭṭanāyaka - mocana — the deliverance of Gopīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka, the brother of Rāmānanda Rāya ; tri - jagatera — of the three worlds ; loka — the people in general ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; pāila daraśana — got the audience .

Translation

In the tenth chapter I have described how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu tasted the food given by His devotees, and I have also described the assortments in the bags of Rāghava Paṇḍita.

Word meanings

daśame — in the tenth chapter ; kahiluṅ — I have described ; bhakta - datta - āsvādana — the tasting of the food given by the devotees ; rāghava - paṇḍitera — of Rāghava Paṇḍita ; tāhāṅ — therein ; jhālira sājana — the assortment in the bags .

Translation

Also in that chapter is a description of how the Lord examined Govinda and how He danced in the temple.

Word meanings

tāra madhye — within that chapter ; govindera — of Govinda, His personal assistant ; kailā — did ; parīkṣaṇa — testing ; tāra madhye — in that chapter ; parimuṇḍā - nṛtyera varṇana — description of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s dancing in the temple .

Translation

The eleventh chapter describes the disappearance of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, showed His affection for His devotees.

Word meanings

ekādaśe — in the eleventh chapter ; haridāsa - ṭhākurera niryāṇa — the disappearance of Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; bhakta - vātsalya — affection for the devotees ; yāhāṅ — wherein ; dekhāilā — exhibited ; gaura bhagavān — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Translation

In the twelfth chapter are descriptions of how Jagadānanda Paṇḍita broke a pot of oil and how Lord Nityānanda chastised Śivānanda Sena.

Word meanings

dvādaśe — in the twelfth chapter ; jagadānandera — of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita ; taila - bhañjana — breaking the oil pot ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda ; kailā — performed ; śivānandere tāḍana — the chastisement of Śivānanda Sena .

Translation

The thirteenth chapter tells how Jagadānanda Paṇḍita went to Mathurā and returned and how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu by chance heard a song sung by a deva-dāsī dancing girl.

Word meanings

trayodaśe — in the thirteenth chapter ; jagadānanda — Jagadānanda Paṇḍita ; mathurā yāi’ — going to Mathurā ; āilā — returned ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; deva - dāsīra — of the deva-dāsī dancing girl ; gīta śunilā — heard the song .

Translation

Also in the thirteenth chapter is an account of how Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who by His causeless mercy sent him to Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

raghunātha - bhaṭṭācāryera — of Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa ; tāhāṅi — there ; milana — meeting ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — to him ; kṛpā kari’ — showing causeless mercy ; pāṭhāilā vṛndāvana — sent to Vṛndāvana .

Translation

The fourteenth chapter describes the beginning of the Lord’s spiritual trance, in which His body was at Jagannātha Purī but His mind was in Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

caturdaśe — in the fourteenth chapter ; divya - unmāda - ārambha — the beginning of the spiritual trance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; varṇana — describing ; śarīra — the body ; ethā — here ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mana — the mind ; gelā — went ; vṛndāvana — to Vṛndāvana .

Translation

Also in that chapter is a description of how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu fell down in front of the Siṁha-dvāra gate of the Jagannātha temple, His bones separated at the joints, and how various transcendental symptoms awakened in Him.

Word meanings

tāra madhye — in that chapter ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; siṁha - dvāre patana — falling down by the Siṁha-dvāra gate ; asthi - sandhi — of the joints of the bones ; tyāga — release ; anubhāvera udgama — the awakening of a trance and emotion .

Translation

Also in that chapter is a description of how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ran toward Caṭaka-parvata and spoke like a madman.

Word meanings

caṭaka - parvata — the hill known as Caṭaka-parvata ; dekhi’ — seeing ; prabhura dhāvana — the running of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāra madhye — in that chapter ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kichu — some ; pralāpa varṇana — talking like a madman .

Translation

In the fifteenth chapter is a description of how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu entered a garden on the seashore and mistook it for Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

pañcadaśa - paricchede — in the fifteenth chapter ; udyāna - vilāse — in His pastimes within the garden ; vṛndāvana - bhrame — His mistaking the garden for Vṛndāvana ; yāhāṅ — where ; karilā praveśe — He entered .

Translation

Also in that chapter is a description of the attraction of Lord Caitanya’s five senses to Kṛṣṇa and how He searched for Kṛṣṇa in the rāsa dance.

Word meanings

tāra madhye — within that ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; pañca - indriya - ākarṣaṇa — the attraction of the five senses ; tāra madhye — within that chapter ; karilā — did ; rāse — in the rāsa dance ; kṛṣṇa - anveṣaṇa — searching for Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

The sixteenth chapter tells how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu showed His mercy to Kālidāsa and thus demonstrated the result of eating the remnants of the food of Vaiṣṇavas.

Word meanings

ṣoḍaśe — in the sixteenth chapter ; kālidāse — unto Kālidāsa ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā karilā — showed favor ; vaiṣṇava - ucchiṣṭa khāibāra — of eating the remnants of food left by Vaiṣṇavas ; phala dekhāilā — showed the result .

Translation

It also describes how Śivānanda’s son composed a verse and how the doorkeeper of the Siṁha-dvāra showed Kṛṣṇa to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

śivānandera — of Śivānanda Sena ; bālake — the son ; śloka karāilā — made to compose a verse ; siṁha - dvāre — at the Siṁha-dvāra gate of the Jagannātha temple ; dvārī — the doorkeeper ; prabhure — unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛṣṇa dekhāilā — showed Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

Also in that chapter, the glories of mahā-prasādam are explained, and a verse is tasted describing the effect of nectar from the lips of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

mahā - prasādera — of the remnants of the food of the Lord, mahā-prasādam ; tāhāṅ — there ; mahimā — the glories ; varṇilā — described ; kṛṣṇa - adhara - amṛtera — of the nectar from the lips of Kṛṣṇa ; phala - śloka — the verse mentioning the result ; āsvādilā — tasted .

Translation

The seventeenth chapter recounts how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu fell among the cows and assumed the form of a tortoise as His ecstatic emotions awakened.

Word meanings

saptadaśe — in the seventeenth chapter ; gābhī - madhye — among the cows ; prabhura patana — the falling down of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kūrma - ākāra - anubhāvera — of ecstatic emotion in the form of a tortoise ; tāhāṅi — there ; udgama — awakening .

Translation

That chapter also tells how the attributes of Kṛṣṇa’s sound attracted the mind of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who then described in ecstasy the meaning of the “kā stry aṅga te” verse.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; śabda - guṇe — by the qualities of the sound ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mana — the mind ; ākarṣilā — was attracted ; kā stry aṅga te ślokera — of the verse beginning with the words kā stry aṅga te ; artha — the meaning ; āveśe — in ecstasy ; karilā — described .

Translation

The seventeenth chapter also tells how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, due to the conjunction of various ecstatic emotions, again began speaking like a madman and described in detail the meaning of a verse from the Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta.

Word meanings

bhāva - śābalye — from the aggregate of all ecstatic emotions ; punaḥ — again ; kailā pralapana — He talked like a madman ; karṇāmṛtaślokera — of a verse from Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta ; artha — the meaning ; kailā vivaraṇa — described in detail .

Translation

In the eighteenth chapter is an account of how the Lord fell into the ocean and in ecstasy saw in a dream the pastimes of a water fight between Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs.

Word meanings

aṣṭādaśa paricchede — in the eighteenth chapter ; samudre patana — the Lord’s falling into the ocean ; kṛṣṇa - gopī - jala - keli — the water pastimes of Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs ; tāhāṅ daraśana — seeing there .

Translation

In that dream, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw Kṛṣṇa’s picnic in the forest. As Lord Caitanya floated in the sea, a fisherman caught Him, and then the Lord returned to His own residence. All this is recounted in the eighteenth chapter.

Word meanings

tāhāṅi — there ; dekhilā — He saw ; kṛṣṇera — of Kṛṣṇa ; vanya - bhojana — a picnic in the forest ; jāliyā — a fisherman ; uṭhāila — caught Him ; prabhu — the Lord ; āilā — returned ; sva - bhavana — to His own residence .

Translation

In the nineteenth chapter is a description of how Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu rubbed His face against the walls and spoke like a madman because of separation from Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

ūnaviṁśe — in the nineteenth chapter ; bhittye — on the walls ; prabhura mukha - saṅgharṣaṇa — the rubbing of the face of the Lord ; kṛṣṇera viraha - sphūrti — the awakening of separation from Kṛṣṇa ; pralāpa - varṇana — and talking like a crazy person .

Translation

That chapter also describes Kṛṣṇa’s wandering in a garden on a spring night, and it fully describes the meaning of a verse about the scent of Kṛṣṇa’s body.

Word meanings

vasanta - rajanīte — on a spring night ; puṣpa - udyāne — in a flower garden ; viharaṇa — the wandering ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; saurabhya - ślokera — of a verse about the bodily fragrance ; artha - vivaraṇa — describing the meaning .

Translation

The twentieth chapter tells how Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu recited His own eight stanzas of instruction and tasted their meaning in ecstatic love.

Word meanings

viṁśa - paricchede — in the twentieth chapter ; nija - śikṣāṣṭaka paḍiyā — reciting His own Śikṣāṣṭaka verses ; tāra artha — their meaning ; āsvādilā — tasted ; prema - āviṣṭa hañā — being absorbed in ecstatic love .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu composed those eight stanzas to instruct the devotees, but He also personally tasted their meaning.

Word meanings

bhakte — the devotees ; śikhāite — to teach ; yei — that which ; śikṣā - aṣṭaka — eight instructions ; kahilā — described ; sei śloka - aṣṭakera — of the same eight verses ; artha — the meaning ; punaḥ āsvādilā — again He tasted .

Translation

I have thus repeated the principal pastimes and their meaning, for by such repetition one can remember the descriptions in the book.

Word meanings

mukhya - mukhya - līlāra — of the chief pastimes of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; artha — the meaning ; kariluṅ — have done ; kathana — describing ; anuvāda haite — by repeating ; smare — one remembers ; grantha - vivaraṇa — the description in the book .

Translation

In every chapter there are various topics, but I have repeated only those that are principal, for not all of them could be described again.

Word meanings

eka eka paricchedera — of every chapter ; kathā — description ; aneka - prakāra — different varieties ; mukhya - mukhya kahiluṅ — I have repeated only the principal ones ; kathā — discussions ; nā yāya — not possible ; vistāra — expansion .

Translation

The Vṛndāvana Deities of Madana-mohana with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, Govinda with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, and Gopīnātha with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī are the life and soul of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas.

Word meanings

śrī - rādhā - saha — with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; śrī - madana - mohana — the Deity Madana-mohanajī ; śrī - rādhā - saha — with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; śrī - govinda - caraṇa — the lotus feet of Śrī Govindajī ; śrī - rādhā - saha — with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; śrīla śrī - gopīnātha — the all-beautiful and opulent Gopīnāthajī ; ei tina — all these three ; ṭhākura — Deities ; haya — are ; gauḍiyāra nātha — worshipable by all the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas .

Translation

So that my desires may be fulfilled, I place the lotus feet of these personalities on my head: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, with Lord Nityānanda, Advaita Ācārya and Their devotees, as well as Śrī Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, who is my spiritual master, and Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī.

Word meanings

śrī - kṛṣṇa - caitanya — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śrī - yuta nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda ; śrī - advaita - ācārya — Śrī Advaita Prabhu ; śrī - gaura - bhakta - vṛnda — the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śrī - svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; śrī - rūpa — Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī ; śrī - sanātana — Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī ; śrī - guru — the spiritual master ; śrī - raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; śrī - jīva - caraṇa — the lotus feet of Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī ; nija - śire dhari’ — catching on my head ; ei sabāra caraṇa — the lotus feet of all of them ; yāhā haite — by which action ; haya — there is ; saba — all ; vāñchita - pūraṇa — the fulfilling of desires .

Purport

Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī was the instructing spiritual master of Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī and has therefore been described as śrī-guru.

Translation

The mercy of their lotus feet is my spiritual master, and my words are my disciples, whom I have made dance in various ways.

Word meanings

sabāra — of all of them ; caraṇa - kṛpā — the mercy of the lotus feet ; guru upādhyāyī — my teacher of Vedic instruction ; mora vāṇī — my words ; śiṣyā — the disciples ; tāre — them ; bahuta nācāi — I made dance in various ways .

Purport

Upādhyāyī, or upādhyāya, refers to one who teaches when approached ( upetya adhīyate asmāt ) . In the Manu-saṁhitā it is said:

eka-deśaṁ tu vedasya vedāṅgāny api vā punaḥ yo ’dhyāpayati vṛtty-artham upādhyāyaḥ sa ucyate

“One who teaches others a part of the Vedas or literatures supplementary to the Vedas may be called upādhyāya. ” Upādhyāya also refers to one who teaches art.

Translation

Seeing the fatigue of the disciples, the spiritual master has stopped making them dance, and because that mercy no longer makes them dance, my words now sit silently.

Word meanings

śiṣyāra — of the disciples ; śrama — the fatigue ; dekhi’ — seeing ; guru — the spiritual master ; nācāna rākhilā — stopped causing the dancing ; kṛpā — mercy ; nā nācāya — does not make dance ; vāṇī — the words ; vasiyā — sitting down ; rahilā — remain silent .

Translation

My inexperienced words do not know how to dance by themselves. The mercy of the guru made them dance as much as possible, and now, after dancing, they have taken rest.

Word meanings

anipuṇā vāṇī — inexperienced words ; āpane — by themselves ; nācite — to dance ; nā — not ; jāne — know how ; yata — whatever ; nācāilā — caused to dance ; nāci’ — after dancing ; karilā viśrāme — took rest .

Translation

I now worship the lotus feet of all my readers, for by the mercy of their lotus feet there is all good fortune.

Word meanings

saba — all ; śrotā - gaṇera — of the readers ; kari — I do ; caraṇa vandana — worshiping the lotus feet ; yāṅ - sabāra — of all of whom ; caraṇa - kṛpā — the mercy of the lotus feet ; śubhera kāraṇa — the cause of all good fortune .

Translation

If one hears the pastimes of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as described in Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, I wash his lotus feet and drink the water.

Word meanings

caitanya - caritāmṛta — the description of Lord Śrī Caitanya’s pastimes ; yei jana śune — anyone who hears ; tāṅra caraṇa — his lotus feet ; dhuñā — washing ; karoṅ — do ; muñi — I ; pāne — drinking .

Translation

I decorate my head with the dust of the lotus feet of my audience. Now you have all drunk this nectar, and therefore my labor is successful.

Word meanings

śrotāra — of the audience ; pada - reṇu — the dust of the lotus feet ; karoṅ — I make ; mastaka - bhūṣaṇa — a decoration on my head ; tomarā — all of you ; e - amṛta — this nectar ; pile — having drunk ; sa - phala — successful ; haila — has become ; śrama — my labor .

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 .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta is filled with the activities of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. It invokes all good fortune and destroys everything inauspicious. If one tastes the nectar of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta with faith and love, I become like a bumblebee tasting the honey of transcendental love from his lotus feet.

Word meanings

caritam — the character and activities ; amṛtam — nectarean ; etat — this ; śrīla — most opulent ; caitanya — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; viṣṇoḥ — of Him who is Lord Viṣṇu Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; śubha - dam — giving auspiciousness ; aśubha - nāśi — destroying all inauspiciousness ; śraddhayā — with faith and love ; āsvādayet — should taste ; yaḥ — anyone who ; tat - amala - pada - padme — at the spotless lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; bhṛṅgatām etya — becoming like a bumblebee ; saḥ — that person ; ayam — this ; rasayati — tastes ; rasam — transcendental mellow ; uccaiḥ — a large quantity ; prema - mādhvīka — of the wine of ecstatic love ; pūram — full .

Translation

Since this book, Caitanya-caritāmṛta, is now complete, having been written for the satisfaction of the most opulent Deities Madana-mohanajī and Govindajī, let it be offered at the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanyadeva.

Word meanings

śrīmat — all-beautiful ; madana - gopāla — of the Madana-mohana Deity ; govinda - deva — of the Śrī Govindadeva Deity in Vṛndāvana ; tuṣṭaye — for the satisfaction ; caitanya - arpitam — offered to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; astu — let it be ; etat — this book ; caitanya - caritāmṛtam — containing the nectarean activities of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Realized devotees are like bumblebees maddened by their own mellows at Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet. The scent of those lotus feet perfumes the entire world. Who is the realized soul that could give them up?

Word meanings

parimala — with the scent ; vāsita — perfumed ; bhuvanam — the whole world ; sva - rasa - unmādita — inspired by their own mellows ; rasa - jña — devotees ; rolambam — like bumblebees ; giridhara - caraṇa - ambhojam — the lotus feet of Lord Giridhārī ; kaḥ — who ; khalu — certainly ; rasikaḥ — a realized soul ; samīhate hātum — endeavors to give up .

Translation

In Vṛndāvana in the year 1537 Śakābda Era [A.D 1615], in the month of Jyaiṣṭha [May-June], on Sunday, the fifth day of the waning moon, this Caitanya-caritāmṛta has been completed.

Word meanings

śāke — in the Śakābda Era ; sindhu - agni - vāṇa - indau — in 1537 ; jyaiṣṭhe — in the month of Jyaiṣṭha (May-June) ; vṛndāvana - antare — in the forest of Vṛndāvana ; sūrya - ahe — on the day of the sun (Sunday) ; asita - pañcamyām — on the fifth day of the dark fortnight ; granthaḥ — book ; ayam — this ( Caitanya-caritāmṛta ) ; pūrṇatām — completion ; gataḥ — achieved .

Purport

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, twentieth chapter, describing the meaning of the Śikṣāṣṭaka and how the Lord tasted it Himself.

END OF THE ANTYA-LĪLĀ