Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s Stay at the House of Advaita Ācārya

Translation

After accepting the sannyāsa order of life, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, out of intense love for Kṛṣṇa, wanted to go to Vṛndāvana, but apparently by mistake He wandered in the Rāḍha-deśa. Later He arrived at Śāntipura and enjoyed Himself there with His devotees. I offer my respectful obeisances to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

nyāsam — the regular ritualistic ceremonies of the sannyāsa order ; vidhāya — after accepting ; utpraṇayaḥ — arousal of intense love for Kṛṣṇa ; atha — thus ; gauraḥ — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vṛndāvanam — to Vṛndāvana ; gantu - manāḥ — thinking of going ; bhramāt — apparently by mistake ; yaḥ — who ; rāḍhe — in the tract of land known as Rāḍha ; bhraman — wandering ; śānti - purīm — to Śāntipura ; ayitvā — going ; lalāsa — enjoyed ; bhaktaiḥ — with the devotees ; iha — here ; tam — unto Him ; nataḥ asmi — I offer my respectful obeisances .

Translation

All glories to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu! All glories to Nityānanda! All glories to Advaita Prabhu! And all glories to all the devotees of Lord Caitanya, headed by Śrīvāsa!

Word meanings

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

Translation

At the end of His twenty-fourth year, in the month of Māgha, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted the sannyāsa order during the waxing period of the moon.

Word meanings

cabbiśa — twenty-fourth ; vatsara — of the year ; śeṣa — at the end ; yei — that ; māgha - māsa — the month of Māgha (January-February) ; tāra — of that ; śukla - pakṣe — in the waxing period of the moon ; prabhu — the Lord ; karilā — accepted ; sannyāsa — the sannyāsa order of life .

Translation

After accepting the sannyāsa order, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, out of intense love for Kṛṣṇa, started for Vṛndāvana. However, He mistakenly wandered about in a trance continuously for three days in the tract of land known as Rāḍha-deśa.

Word meanings

sannyāsa kari’ — after accepting the sannyāsa order ; prema - āveśe — in intense love for Kṛṣṇa ; calilā — proceeded ; vṛndāvana — toward Vṛndāvana-dhāma ; rāḍha - deśe — in the tract of land known as Rāḍha ; tina dina — continuously for three days ; karilā — did ; bhramaṇa — wandering .

Purport

The word Rāḍha-deśa comes from the word rāṣṭra, or “state.” From rāṣṭra the corrupted word rāḍha has come. The part of Bengal on the western side of the Ganges is known as Rāḍha-deśa. Another name is Pauṇḍra-deśa or Peṇḍo-deśa. The word peṇḍo is a corrupted form of the word pauṇḍra. It appears that the capital of Rāṣṭra-deśa was situated in that part of Bengal.

Translation

Passing through the tract of land known as Rāḍha-deśa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu recited the following verse in ecstasy.

Word meanings

ei śloka — this verse ; paḍi’ — reciting ; prabhu — the Lord ; bhāvera — of ecstasy ; āveśe — in a condition ; bhramite — wandering ; pavitra — purified ; kaila — did ; saba rāḍha - deśe — all of the tract of land known as Rāḍha-deśa .

Translation

“[As a brāhmaṇa from Avantī-deśa said:] ‘I shall cross over the insurmountable ocean of nescience by being firmly fixed in the service of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. This was approved by the previous ācāryas, who were fixed in firm devotion to the Lord, Paramātmā, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.’ ”

Word meanings

etām — this ; saḥ — such ; āsthāya — being completely fixed in ; para - ātma - niṣṭhām — devotion to the Supreme Person, Kṛṣṇa ; adhyāsitām — worshiped ; pūrva - tamaiḥ — by previous ; mahadbhiḥ — ācāryas ; aham — I ; tariṣyāmi — shall cross over ; duranta - pāram — the insurmountable ; tamaḥ — the ocean of nescience ; mukunda - aṅghri — of the lotus feet of Mukunda ; niṣevayā — by worship ; eva — certainly .

Purport

In connection with this verse, which is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.23.57) , Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura says that of the sixty-four items required for rendering devotional service, acceptance of the symbolic marks of sannyāsa is a regulative principle. If one accepts the sannyāsa order, his main business is to devote his life completely to the service of Mukunda, Kṛṣṇa. If one does not completely devote his mind and body to the service of the Lord, he does not actually become a sannyāsī. It is not simply a matter of changing dress. In Bhagavad-gītā (6.1) it is also stated, anāśritaḥ karma-phalaṁ kāryaṁ karma karoti yaḥ/ sa sannyāsī ca yogī ca: one who works devotedly for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa is a sannyāsī. The dress is not sannyāsa, but the attitude of service to Kṛṣṇa is.

The word parātma-niṣṭhā means being a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Parātmā, the Supreme Person, is Kṛṣṇa. Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ. Those who are completely dedicated to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa in service are actually sannyāsīs. As a matter of formality, the devotee accepts the sannyāsa dress as previous ācāryas did. He also accepts the three daṇḍas. Later Viṣṇu Svāmī considered that accepting the dress of a tri-daṇḍī was parātma-niṣṭhā. Therefore sincere devotees add another daṇḍa, the jīva-daṇḍa, to the three existing daṇḍas. The Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī is known as a tridaṇḍi-sannyāsī. The Māyāvādī sannyāsī accepts only one daṇḍa, not understanding the meaning of tri-daṇḍa. Later, many persons in the community of Śiva Svāmī gave up the ātma-niṣṭhā (devotional service) of the Lord and followed the path of Śaṅkarācārya. Instead of accepting 108 names, those in the Śiva Svāmī sampradāya follow the path of Śaṅkarācārya and accept the ten names of sannyāsa. Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted the then-existing order of sannyāsa (namely eka-daṇḍa ), He still recited a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam about the tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa accepted by the brāhmaṇa of Avantīpura. Indirectly He declared that within that eka-daṇḍa, one daṇḍa, four daṇḍas existed as one. Accepting ekadaṇḍa-sannyāsa without parātma-niṣṭhā (devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa) is not acceptable to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. In addition, according to the exact regulative principles, one should add the jīva-daṇḍa to the tri-daṇḍa. These four daṇḍas, bound together as one, are symbolic of unalloyed devotional service to the Lord. Because the ekadaṇḍi-sannyāsīs of the Māyāvāda school are not devoted to the service of Kṛṣṇa, they try to merge into the Brahman effulgence, which is a marginal position between material and spiritual existence. They accept this impersonal position as liberation. Māyāvādī sannyāsīs, not knowing that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was a tridaṇḍī, think of Caitanya Mahāprabhu as an ekadaṇḍi-sannyāsī. This is due to their vivarta, bewilderment. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam there is no such thing as an ekadaṇḍi-sannyāsī; indeed, the tridaṇḍi-sannyāsī is accepted as the symbolic representation of the sannyāsa order. By citing this verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted the sannyāsa order recommended in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The Māyāvādī sannyāsīs, who are enamored of the external energy of the Lord, cannot understand the mind of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

To date, all the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, following in His footsteps, accept the sannyāsa order and keep the sacred thread and tuft of unshaved hair. The ekadaṇḍi-sannyāsīs of the Māyāvādī school give up the sacred thread and do not keep any tuft of hair. Therefore they are unable to understand the purport of tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa, and as such they are not inclined to dedicate their lives to the service of Mukunda. They simply think of merging into the existence of Brahman because of their disgust with material existence. The ācāryas who advocate the daiva-varṇāśrama (the social order of cātur-varṇyam mentioned in the Bhagavad-gītā ) do not accept the proposition of āsura-varṇāśrama, which maintains that the social order of varṇa is indicated by birth.

The most intimate devotee of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, namely Gadādhara Paṇḍita, accepted tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa and also accepted Mādhava Upādhyāya as his tridaṇḍi-sannyāsī disciple. It is said that from this Mādhavācārya the sampradāya known in western India as the Vallabhācārya sampradāya has begun. Śrīla Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who is known as a smṛty-ācārya in the Gauḍīya-Vaiṣṇava-sampradāya, later accepted the tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa order from Tridaṇḍipāda Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī. Although acceptance of tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa is not distinctly mentioned in the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava literature, the first verse of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s Upadeśāmṛta advocates that one should accept the tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa order by controlling the six forces:

vāco vegaṁ manasaḥ krodha-vegaṁ jihvā-vegam udaropastha-vegam etān vegān yo viṣaheta dhīraḥ sarvām apīmāṁ pṛthivīṁ sa śiṣyāt

“One who can control the forces of speech, mind, anger, belly, tongue and genitals is known as a gosvāmī and is competent to accept disciples all over the world.” The followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu never accepted the Māyāvāda order of sannyāsa, and for this they cannot be blamed. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted Śrīdhara Svāmī, who was a tridaṇḍi-sannyāsī, but the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs, not understanding Śrīdhara Svāmī, sometimes think that Śrīdhara Svāmī belonged to the Māyāvāda ekadaṇḍa-sannyāsa community. Actually this was not the case.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu approved the purport of this verse on account of the determination of the mendicant devotee to engage in the service of Lord Mukunda. He gave His approval of this verse, indicating that it was very good.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; sādhu — very much purified ; ei — this ; bhikṣura — of the mendicant ; vacana — words ; mukunda — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; sevana - vrata — decision to serve ; kaila — made ; nirdhāraṇa — indication .

Translation

The real purpose of accepting sannyāsa is to dedicate oneself to the service of Mukunda. By serving Mukunda, one can actually be liberated from the bondage of material existence.

Word meanings

para - ātma - niṣṭhā - mātra — only for the determination to serve Kṛṣṇa ; veṣa - dhāraṇa — changing the dress ; mukunda - sevāya — by serving Mukunda ; haya — there is ; saṁsāra - tāraṇa — liberation from this material bondage .

Purport

In this connection, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted the sannyāsa order and recommended the determination of the Avantīpura bhikṣu to engage in the service of Mukunda. He accepted the brāhmaṇa’s version due to his determination to serve Mukunda. The sannyāsī dress is actually an attraction for material formality. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not like such formality, but He wanted the essence of it — service to Mukunda. Such determination in any condition is parātma-niṣṭhā. That is required. The conclusion is that the sannyāsa order depends not on the dress but the determination to serve Mukunda.

Translation

After accepting the sannyāsa order, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu decided to go to Vṛndāvana and engage Himself wholly and solely in the service of Mukunda in a solitary place.

Word meanings

sei — that ; veṣa — dress ; kaila — accepted ; ebe — now ; vṛndāvana — to Vṛndāvana-dhāma ; giyā — going ; kṛṣṇa - niṣevaṇa — service to the Lord ; kari — I shall execute ; nibhṛte — in a solitary place ; vasiyā — sitting .

Translation

As Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was en route to Vṛndāvana, all the ecstatic symptoms became manifest, and He did not know in which direction He was going, nor did He know whether it was day or night.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; cale prabhu — the Lord began to proceed ; prema - unmādera cihna — the symptoms of ecstatic love ; dik - vidik - jñāna — knowledge of the right direction or wrong direction ; nāhi — there is not ; kibā — whether ; rātri - dina — night or day .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went toward Vṛndāvana, Nityānanda Prabhu, Candraśekhara and Prabhu Mukunda followed Him.

Word meanings

nityānanda — Nityānanda Prabhu ; ācāryaratna — Candraśekhara ; mukunda — and Mukunda ; tina jana — three persons ; prabhu - pāche - pāche — following the Lord ; tine — all three of them ; karena gamana — go .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed through Rāḍha-deśa, whoever saw Him in ecstasy exclaimed, “Hari! Hari!” As they chanted this with the Lord, all the unhappiness of material existence diminished.

Word meanings

yei yei — whoever ; prabhu — the Lord ; dekhe — sees ; sei sei loka — those persons ; prema - āveśe — in the ecstasy of love ; hari bale — exclaim “Hari” ; khaṇḍe — pass over ; duḥkha - śoka — all kinds of material unhappiness and lamentation .

Translation

All the cowherd boys who saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passing joined with Him and began to shout loudly, “Hari! Hari!”

Word meanings

gopa - bālaka saba — all the cowherd boys ; prabhuke dekhiyā — seeing the Lord ; hari hari bali’ — vibrating the sounds “Hari Hari” ; ḍāke — shout ; ucca kariyā — loudly .

Translation

When He heard all the cowherd boys also chanting “Hari! Hari!” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very pleased. He approached them, put His hand on their heads and said, “Go on chanting like that.”

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; tā - sabāra — of all of them ; nikaṭa — near ; gelā — went ; gaurahari — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bala bala — go on speaking, go on speaking ; bale — He said ; sabāra — of all of them ; śire hasta dhari’ — keeping His hand on their heads .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thus blessed them all, saying that they were all fortunate. In this way He praised them, and He felt very successful because they chanted the holy name of Lord Hari.

Word meanings

tā’ - sabāra — of all of them ; stuti kare — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu praised the behavior ; tomarā — you ; bhāgyavān — fortunate ; kṛta - artha — successful ; karile — you have made ; more — to Me ; śunāñā — by chanting ; hari - nāma — the holy name of Lord Hari .

Translation

Calling all the boys in confidence and telling a reasonable story, Nityānanda Prabhu instructed them as follows.

Word meanings

gupte — in confidence ; tā - sabāke — unto all the cowherd boys ; āni’ — taking them ; ṭhākura nityānanda — Nityānanda Ṭhākura ; śikhāilā — instructed ; sabākāre — all of them ; kariyā prabandha — by making a reasonable story .

Translation

“If Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asks you about the path to Vṛndāvana, please show Him the path on the bank of the Ganges instead.”

Word meanings

vṛndāvana - patha — the path to Vṛndāvana ; prabhu — the Lord ; puchena — inquires ; tomāre — from you ; gaṅgā - tīra - patha — the path on the bank of the Ganges ; tabe — at that time ; dekhāiha — please show ; tāṅre — Him .

Translation

When the cowherd boys were questioned by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu about the path to Vṛndāvana, the boys showed Him the path on the bank of the Ganges, and the Lord went that way in ecstasy.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; prabhu — the Lord ; puchilena — inquired ; śuna — hear ; śiśu - gaṇa — O boys ; kaha dekhi — please tell Me ; kon pathe — in which way ; yāba — I shall go ; vṛndāvana — to Vṛndāvana ; śiśu — the boys ; saba — all ; gaṅgā - tīra - patha — the path on the bank of the Ganges ; dekhāila — showed ; sei — that ; pathe — on the path ; āveśe — in ecstasy ; prabhu — the Lord ; gamana karila — went .

Translation

As the Lord proceeded along the bank of the Ganges, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu requested Ācāryaratna [Candraśekhara Ācārya] to go immediately to the house of Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

ācāryaratnere — to Candraśekhara Ācārya ; kahe — said ; nityānanda - gosāñi — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; śīghra — immediately ; yāha — go ; tumi — you ; advaita - ācāryera ṭhāñi — to the place of Advaita Ācārya .

Translation

Śrī Nityānanda Gosvāmī told him, “I shall take Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to the bank of the Ganges at Śāntipura, and Advaita Ācārya should carefully stay there on shore with a boat.

Word meanings

prabhu laye — taking the Lord ; yāba — shall go ; āmi — I ; tāṅhāra — of Him ; mandire — to the house ; sāvadhāne — very carefully ; rahena — let Him stay ; yena — there ; naukā — boat ; lañā — taking ; tīre — on the bank .

Translation

“After that,” Nityānanda Prabhu continued, “I shall go to Advaita Ācārya’s house, and you should go to Navadvīpa and return with mother Śacī and all the other devotees.”

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; navadvīpe — to Navadvīpa ; tumi — you ; kariha — should do ; gamana — going ; śacī - saha — mother Śacī ; lañā — taking along ; āisa — come back ; saba bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees .

Translation

After sending Ācāryaratna to the house of Advaita Ācārya, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu went before Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and gave notice of His coming.

Word meanings

tāṅre — him ; pāṭhāiyā — sending ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda ; mahā - āśaya — the great personality ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āge — in front ; āsi’ — coming ; dila — gave ; paricaya — introduction .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was in ecstasy, and He asked where Nityānanda Prabhu was going. Nityānanda replied that He was going with Him toward Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord inquired ; śrīpāda — sir ; tomāra — of You ; kothāke — where ; gamana — going ; śrīpāda kahe — Nityānanda Prabhu replied ; tomāra — You ; saṅge — with ; yāba — I shall go ; vṛndāvana — toward Vṛndāvana .

Translation

When the Lord asked Nityānanda Prabhu how far it was to Vṛndāvana, Nityānanda replied, “Just see! Here is the river Yamunā.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord replied ; kata dūre — how far ; āche — there is ; vṛndāvana — Vṛndāvana-dhāma ; teṅho kahena — He replied ; kara — just do ; ei — this ; yamunā — Yamunā River ; daraśana — seeing .

Translation

Saying this, Nityānanda Prabhu took Caitanya Mahāprabhu near the Ganges, and the Lord, in His ecstasy, accepted the river Ganges as the river Yamunā.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; ānila — He brought ; tāṅre — Him ; gaṅgā - sannidhāne — near the Ganges ; āveśe — in ecstasy ; prabhura — of the Lord ; haila — there was ; gaṅgāre — of the river Ganges ; yamunā - jñāne — acceptance as the river Yamunā .

Translation

The Lord said, “Oh, what good fortune! Now I have seen the river Yamunā.” Thus thinking the Ganges to be the river Yamunā, Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to offer prayers to it.

Word meanings

aho bhāgya — oh, My great fortune ; yamunāre — of the river Yamunā ; pāiluṅ — I have gotten ; daraśana — vision ; eta bali’ — after saying this ; yamunāra — of the river Yamunā ; karena — does ; stavana — praising .

Translation

“O river Yamunā, you are the blissful spiritual water that gives love to the son of Nanda Mahārāja. You are the same as the water of the spiritual world, for you can vanquish all our offenses and the sinful reactions incurred in life. You are the creator of all auspicious things for the world. O daughter of the sun-god, kindly purify us by your pious activities.”

Word meanings

cit - ānanda - bhānoḥ — of the direct manifestation of spiritual energy and bliss ; sadā — always ; nanda - sūnoḥ — of the son of Mahārāja Nanda ; para - prema - pātrī — the giver of the highest love ; drava - brahma - gātrī — composed of the water of the spiritual world ; aghānām — of all sins and offenses ; lavitrī — the destroyer ; jagat - kṣema - dhātrī — the performer of everything auspicious for the world ; pavitrī - kriyāt — kindly purify ; naḥ — our ; vapuḥ — existence ; mitra - putrī — the daughter of the sun-god .

Purport

This verse is recorded in the Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka (5.13), by Kavi-karṇapūra.

Translation

After reciting this mantra, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered obeisances and took His bath in the Ganges. At that time He had on only one piece of underwear, for there was no second garment.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; namaskari’ — offering obeisances ; kaila — did ; gaṅgā - snāna — bathing in the Ganges ; eka kaupīna — only one piece of underwear ; nāhi — there was not ; dvitīya — second ; paridhāna — garment .

Translation

While Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was standing there without a second garment, Śrī Advaita Ācārya arrived in a boat, bringing with Him new underwear and external garments.

Word meanings

hena kāle — at that time ; ācārya - gosāñi — Advaita Ācārya Prabhu ; naukāte caḍiñā — on board a boat ; āila — reached there ; nūtana — new ; kaupīna — underwear ; bahiḥ - vāsa — outer garments ; lañā — bringing .

Translation

When Advaita Ācārya arrived, He stood before the Lord and offered His obeisances. After seeing Him, the Lord began to wonder about the entire situation.

Word meanings

āge — in front ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; āsi’ — coming ; rahilā — stood ; namaskāra kari’ — making obeisances ; ācārya dekhi’ — seeing Advaita Ācārya ; bale — says ; prabhu — the Lord ; mane — within His mind ; saṁśaya kari’ — doubting .

Translation

Still in His ecstasy, the Lord asked Advaita Ācārya, “Why did You come here? How did You know that I was in Vṛndāvana?”

Word meanings

tumi — You are ; ta’ — certainly ; ācārya - gosāñi — Advaita Ācārya ; ethā — here ; kene — why ; āilā — You have come ; āmi — I ; vṛndāvane — in Vṛndāvana ; tumi — You ; ke - mate — how ; jānilā — knew .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya disclosed the whole situation, telling Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “Wherever You are, that is Vṛndāvana. Now it is My great fortune that You have come to the bank of the Ganges.”

Word meanings

ācārya kahe — Ācārya replied ; tumi yāhāṅ — wherever You are ; sei — that ; vṛndāvana — Vṛndāvana ; mora bhāgye — by My great fortune ; gaṅgā - tīre — on the bank of the Ganges ; tomāra āgamana — Your appearance .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then said, “Nityānanda has cheated Me. He has brought Me to the bank of the Ganges and told Me that it was the Yamunā.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord replied ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda ; āmāre — Me ; vañcilā — has cheated ; gaṅgāke — to the bank of the Ganges ; āniyā — bringing ; more — Me ; yamunā — the river Yamunā ; kahilā — informed .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accused Nityānanda of cheating Him, Śrīla Advaita Ācārya said, “Whatever Nityānanda Prabhu has told You is not false. You have indeed just now taken Your bath in the river Yamunā.”

Word meanings

ācārya kahe — Advaita Ācārya replied ; mithyā nahe — this is not untrue ; śrīpāda - vacana — the words of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu ; yamunāte — in the river Yamunā ; snāna — bathing ; tumi — You ; karilā — did ; ekhana — just now .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya then explained that at that spot the Ganges and Yamunā flow together. On the western side was the Yamunā, and on the eastern side was the Ganges.

Word meanings

gaṅgāya — with the river Ganges ; yamunā — the river Yamunā ; vahe — flows ; hañā — becoming ; eka - dhāra — one stream ; paścime — on the western side ; yamunā — the river Yamunā ; vahe — flows ; pūrve — on the eastern side ; gaṅgā - dhāra — the flow of the Ganges .

Purport

The Ganges and Yamunā mix at the confluence at Allahabad (Prayāga). The Yamunā flows from the western side and the Ganges from the eastern, and they merge. Since Caitanya Mahāprabhu bathed on the western side, He actually took His bath in the river Yamunā.

Translation

Advaita Ācārya then suggested that since Caitanya Mahāprabhu had taken His bath in the river Yamunā and His underwear was now wet, the Lord should change His underwear for dry garments.

Word meanings

paścima - dhāre — in the western flow ; yamunā — the river Yamunā ; vahe — flows ; tāhāṅ — there ; kaile — You did ; snāna — bathing ; ārdra — wet ; kaupīna — underwear ; chāḍi’ — giving up ; śuṣka — dry ; kara — do ; paridhāna — putting on .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya said, “You have been fasting continuously for three days in Your ecstasy of love for Kṛṣṇa. I therefore invite You to My home, where You may kindly take Your alms. Come with Me to My residence.”

Word meanings

prema - āveśe — in the ecstasy of love ; tina dina — three days ; ācha — You are ; upavāsa — fasting ; āji — today ; mora — My ; ghare — at the house ; bhikṣā — alms ; cala — kindly come ; mora vāsa — to My residence .

Translation

Advaita Prabhu continued, “At My home I have just cooked one palmful of rice. The vegetables are always very simple. There is no luxurious cooking — simply a little liquid vegetable and spinach.”

Word meanings

eka - muṣṭi — one palmful ; anna — rice ; muñi — I ; kariyāchoṅ — have done ; pāka — cooking ; śukhā - rukhā — not very luxurious ; vyañjana — vegetables ; kailuṅ — I have done ; sūpa — liquid vegetables ; āra — and ; śāka — spinach .

Translation

Saying this, Śrī Advaita Ācārya took the Lord into the boat and brought the Lord to His residence. There Advaita Ācārya washed the feet of the Lord and was consequently very happy within.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; naukāya caḍāñā — making Him board the small boat ; nila — took ; nija - ghara — to His own residence ; pāda - prakṣālana — washing the feet ; kaila — did ; ānanda - antara — very happy within Himself .

Translation

All the eatables were first cooked by the wife of Advaita Ācārya. Then Śrīla Advaita Ācārya personally offered everything to Lord Viṣṇu.

Word meanings

prathame — first ; pāka — cooking ; kariyāchena — performed ; ācāryāṇī — the wife of Advaita Ācārya ; viṣṇu - samarpaṇa — offering to Lord Viṣṇu ; kaila — did ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; āpani — Himself .

Purport

This is the ideal householder’s life. The husband and wife live together, and the husband works very hard to secure paraphernalia for worshiping Lord Viṣṇu. The wife at home cooks a variety of foods for Lord Viṣṇu, and the husband offers it to the Deity. After that, ārati is performed, and the prasādam is distributed amongst family members and guests. According to the Vedic principles, there must always be a guest in a householder’s house. In my childhood I have actually seen my father receive not less than four guests every day, and in those days my father’s income was not very great. Nonetheless, there was no difficulty in offering prasādam to at least four guests every day. According to Vedic principles, a householder, before taking lunch, should go outside and shout very loudly to see if there is anyone without food. In this way he invites people to take prasādam. If someone comes, the householder offers him prasādam, and if there is not much left, he should offer his own portion to the guest. If no one responds to his call, the householder can accept his own lunch. Thus the householder’s life is also a kind of austerity. Because of this, the householder’s life is called the gṛhastha-āśrama. Although a person may live with his wife and children happily in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he also observes the regulative principles followed in any temple. If there is no Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the householder’s abode is called a gṛha-medhī’s house. Householders in Kṛṣṇa consciousness are actually gṛhasthas — that is, those living in the āśrama with their families and children. Śrī Advaita Prabhu was an ideal gṛhastha, and His house was the ideal gṛhastha-āśrama.

Translation

All the prepared food was divided into three equal parts. One part was arranged on a metal plate for offering to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

tina ṭhāñi — in three places ; bhoga — cooked food ; bāḍāila — distributed ; sama — equal ; kari’ — making ; kṛṣṇera bhoga — the food offered to Kṛṣṇa ; bāḍāila — was arranged ; dhātu - pātra upari — on a metal plate .

Purport

The word bāḍāila, meaning “increased,” is very significant in this verse. It is a sophisticated word used by the gṛhasthas in Bengal. Whenever food is prepared and we take away a portion, the food is actually decreased. But here it is the system to say bāḍāila, or “increased.” If food is prepared for Kṛṣṇa and offered to Him and the Vaiṣṇavas, the stock is increased, never decreased.

Translation

Of the three divisions, one was arranged on a metal plate, and the other two were arranged on plantain leaves. These leaves were not bifurcated, and they were taken from a banana tree that held at least thirty-two bunches of bananas. The two plates were filled very nicely with the kinds of food described below.

Word meanings

battiśā - āṭhiyā — producing thirty-two bunches ; kalāra — of a banana tree ; āṅgaṭiyā — undivided ; pāte — on leaves ; dui ṭhāñi — in two places ; bhoga — the eatables ; bāḍāila — arranged ; bhāla mate — very nicely .

Translation

The cooked rice was a stack of very fine grains nicely cooked, and in the middle was yellow clarified butter from the milk of cows. Surrounding the stack of rice were pots made of the skins of banana trees, and in these pots were varieties of vegetables and mung dhal.

Word meanings

madhye — in the middle ; pīta — yellow ; ghṛta - sikta — wet with clarified butter ; śāli - annera — of very fine cooked rice ; stūpa — a mound ; cāri - dike — surrounding the mound of rice ; vyañjana - ḍoṅgā — vegetable pots ; āra — and ; mudga - sūpa — dhal made of split mung .

Translation

Among the cooked vegetables were paṭolas, squash, mānakacu and a salad made with pieces of ginger and various types of spinach.

Word meanings

sārdraka — pots with ginger dishes ; vāstuka - śāka — spinach ; vividha — various ; prakāra — kinds ; paṭola — a kind of vegetable ; kuṣmāṇḍa — squash ; baḍi — with split dhal ; mānakacu — the root of a vegetable tree called kacu ; āra — and .

Translation

There was sukhta, bitter melon mixed with all kinds of vegetables, defying the taste of nectar. There were five types of bitter and pungent sukhtas.

Word meanings

ca - i - marica — with black pepper and ca-i (a kind of spice) ; sukhta — vegetables made bitter ; diyā — giving ; saba — all ; phala - mūle — various kinds of fruits and roots ; amṛta - nindaka — defying nectar ; pañca - vidha — five kinds of ; tikta — bitter ; jhāle — and pungent .

Translation

Amongst the various vegetables were newly grown leaves of nimba trees fried with eggplant. The fruit known as paṭola was fried with phulabaḍi, a kind of dhal preparation first mashed and then dried in the sun. There was also a preparation known as kuṣmāṇḍa-mānacāki.

Word meanings

komala — newly grown ; nimba - patra — nimba leaves ; saha — with ; bhājā — fried ; vārtākī — eggplant ; paṭola — with paṭola fruit ; phula - baḍi — a preparation of dhal ; bhājā — fried ; kuṣmāṇḍa — squashes ; mānacāki — the food called mānacāki. .

Purport

We request our editors of cookbooks to add all these nice preparations described by the experienced author Śrīla Kavirāja Gosvāmī.

Translation

The preparation made with coconut pulp mixed with curd and rock candy was very sweet. There was a curry made of banana flowers and squash boiled in milk, all in great quantity.

Word meanings

nārikela - śasya — the pulp of coconut ; chānā — curd ; śarkarā — fruit sugar ; madhura — very sweet ; mocā - ghaṇṭa — a semisolid preparation made with banana flowers ; dugdha - kuṣmāṇḍa — newly grown squash cut into pieces and boiled in milk ; sakala — all ; pracura — plentiful .

Translation

There were small cakes in sweet and sour sauce and five or six kinds of sour preparations. All the vegetables were so made that everyone present could take prasādam.

Word meanings

madhura - amla - baḍā — sweet and sour cakes ; amla - ādi — sour preparations ; pāṅca - chaya — five or six ; sakala vyañjana — all vegetables ; kaila — made ; loke — for the people ; yata haya — as many as there were .

Translation

There were soft cakes made with mung dhal, soft cakes made with ripe bananas, and soft cakes made with urad dhal. There were various kinds of sweetmeats, condensed milk mixed with rice cakes, a coconut preparation and every kind of cake desirable.

Word meanings

mudga - baḍā — soft cake made with mung ; kalā - baḍā — soft cake made with fried banana ; māṣa - baḍā — soft cake made with urad dhal ; miṣṭa — various kinds of sweets ; kṣīra - pulī — condensed milk mixed with rice cakes ; nārikela — a preparation of coconut ; yata — all kinds of ; piṭhā — cakes ; iṣṭa — desirable .

Translation

All the vegetables were served in pots made of banana leaves taken from trees producing at least thirty-two bunches of bananas. These pots were very strong and big and did not tilt or totter.

Word meanings

battiśā - āṭhiyā — producing thirty-two bunches of bananas ; kalāra — of the banana tree ; ḍoṅgā — pots made of leaves ; baḍa baḍa — big ; cale hāle nāhi — they did not tilt or totter ; ḍoṅgā — pots ; ati — very ; baḍa — big ; daḍa — strong .

Translation

All around the three eating places were a hundred pots filled with various kinds of vegetables.

Word meanings

pañcāśa pañcāśa — fifty and fifty ; ḍoṅgā — pots ; vyañjane — with vegetables ; pūriñā — filling ; tina — three ; bhogera — of eating places ; āśe pāśe — all around ; rākhila — kept ; dhariñā — fixing .

Translation

Along with the various vegetables was sweet rice mixed with ghee. This was kept in new earthen pots. Earthen pots filled with highly condensed milk were placed in three places.

Word meanings

sa - ghṛta - pāyasa — sweet rice mixed with ghee ; nava - mṛt - kuṇḍikā — new earthen pots ; bhariñā — filling ; tina pātre — in three pots ; ghana - āvarta - dugdha — finely condensed milk ; rākheta — were kept ; dhariñā — fixing .

Translation

Besides the other preparations, there were chipped rice made with milk and mixed with bananas, and also white squash boiled in milk. Indeed, it is not possible to describe all the preparations that were made.

Word meanings

dugdha - ciḍā — chipped rice made with milk ; kalā — mixed with bananas ; āra — and ; dugdha - laklakī — a kind of squash known as lāu, boiled with milk ; yateka — all that ; karila’ — was prepared ; tāhā — that ; kahite — to describe ; nā — not ; śaki — I am able .

Translation

In two places there were earthen pots filled with another preparation made with yogurt, sandeśa [a sweetmeat made with curd] and banana. I am unable to describe it all.

Word meanings

dui pāśe — on two sides ; dharila — kept ; saba — all ; mṛt - kuṇḍikā — earthen pots ; bhari’ — filling ; cāṅpā - kalā — a kind of banana known as cāṅpā-kalā ; dadhi - sandeśa — mixed with yogurt and sandeśa ; kahite — to say ; nā — not ; pāri — I am able .

Translation

Upon the stack of boiled rice and all the vegetables were flowers of the tulasī trees. There were also pots filled with scented rosewater.

Word meanings

anna - vyañjana - upari — on top of the boiled rice and vegetables ; dila — placed ; tulasī - mañjarī — flowers of tulasī ; tina — three ; jala - pātre — waterpots ; su - vāsita — scented ; jala — water ; bhari’ — filling .

Translation

There were three sitting places where soft cloths were placed. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa was offered all the food, and the Lord took it very pleasantly.

Word meanings

tina — three ; śubhra - pīṭha — white sitting places ; tāra — of them ; upari — on top ; vasana — soft cloth ; ei - rūpe — in this way ; sākṣāt — directly ; kṛṣṇe — unto Kṛṣṇa ; karāila — made to do ; bhojana — eating .

Translation

It is the system, after offering food, to perform bhoga-ārati. Advaita Prabhu asked the two brothers, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu, to come see the ārati. The two Lords and all others present went to see the ārati ceremony.

Word meanings

āratira kāle — during the time of ārati ; dui prabhu — Lord Nityānanda and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bolāila — He called ; prabhu - saṅge — with the Lords ; sabe — all other people ; āsi’ — coming there ; ārati — the ārati ceremony ; dekhila — observed .

Translation

After ārati was performed for the Deities in the temple, Lord Kṛṣṇa was made to lie down to rest. Advaita Ācārya then came out to submit something to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

ārati kariyā — after finishing the ārati ; kṛṣṇe — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; karā’la — made to do ; śayana — lying down to rest ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; āsi’ — coming ; prabhure — unto Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tabe — then ; kailā — made ; nivedana — submission .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Prabhu said, “My dear Lords, kindly enter this room.” The two brothers, Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu, then came forward to take the prasādam.

Word meanings

gṛhera bhitare — within the room ; prabhu — Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karuna — kindly do ; gamana — entering ; dui bhāi — the two brothers, Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu ; āilā — came ; tabe — then ; karite bhojana — to partake of the prasādam. .

Translation

When Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu went to accept the prasādam, They both called Mukunda and Haridāsa to come with Them. However, Mukunda and Haridāsa, both with folded hands, spoke as follows.

Word meanings

mukunda — Mukunda ; haridāsa — Haridāsa ; dui prabhu — the two Lords ; bolāila — called for ; yoḍa - hāte — with folded hands ; dui - jana — two persons ; kahite lāgila — began to say .

Translation

When Mukunda was called for, he submitted, “My dear sir, I have something to do that is not yet finished. Later I shall accept the prasādam, so You two Prabhus should now please enter the room.”

Word meanings

mukunda kahe — Mukunda said ; mora — of me ; kichu — something ; kṛtya — to perform ; nāhi sare — not yet finished ; pāche — later ; muñi — I ; prasāda — prasādam ; pāmu — shall accept ; tumi yāha ghare — You both kindly enter the room .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, “I am the most sinful and lowest among men. Later I shall eat one palmful of prasādam while waiting outside.”

Word meanings

haridāsa kahe — Haridāsa said ; muñi — I ; pāpiṣṭha — sinful ; adhama — the lowest of men ; bāhire — outside ; eka — one ; muṣṭi — palmful ; pāche — later ; karimu — I shall do ; bhojana — eating .

Purport

Although the Hindus and Muslims lived together in a very friendly manner, still there were distinctions between them. The Muslims were considered yavanas, or low-born, and whenever a Muslim was invited, he would be fed outside of the house. Although personally called by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu to take prasādam with Them, still, out of great humility, Haridāsa Ṭhākura submitted, “I shall take the prasādam outside of the house.” Although Haridāsa Ṭhākura was an exalted Vaiṣṇava accepted by Advaita Ācārya, Nityānanda Prabhu and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, nonetheless, in order not to disturb social tranquillity, he humbly kept himself in the position of a Muslim, outside the jurisdiction of the Hindu community. Therefore he proposed to take prasādam outside the house. Although he was in an exalted position and equal to other great Vaiṣṇavas, he considered himself a pāpiṣṭha, a most sinful man, and adhama, the lowest among men. Although a Vaiṣṇava may be very advanced spiritually, he keeps himself externally humble and submissive.

Translation

Advaita Ācārya took Lord Nityānanda Prabhu and Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu within the room, and the two Lords saw the arrangement of the prasādam. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was especially very pleased.

Word meanings

dui prabhu — the two prabhus (Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu) ; lañā — with ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; gelā — went ; bhitara — within ; ghare — the room ; prasāda — the prasādam ; dekhiyā — seeing ; prabhura — of Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ānanda antare — was very pleased within Himself .

Purport

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was pleased because He saw how nicely so many varieties of food were prepared for Kṛṣṇa. Actually all kinds of prasādam are prepared for Kṛṣṇa, not for the people, but the devotees partake of prasādam with great pleasure.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu approved of all the methods employed in cooking and offering food to Kṛṣṇa. Indeed, He was so pleased that He said, “Frankly, I will personally take the lotus feet of anyone who can offer Kṛṣṇa such nice food and place those lotus feet on My head birth after birth.”

Word meanings

aiche — in this way ; anna — the eatables ; ye — anyone who ; kṛṣṇake — unto Kṛṣṇa ; karāya — made to do ; bhojana — eating ; janme janme — birth after birth ; śire — on My head ; dharoṅ — I keep ; tāṅhāra — his ; caraṇa — lotus feet .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu entered the room, He saw three divisions of food, and He knew that all of these were meant for Kṛṣṇa. However, He did not understand the intentions of Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

prabhu jāne — the Lord knows ; tina bhoga — three divisions of bhoga ; kṛṣṇera naivedya — offerings to Lord Kṛṣṇa ; ācāryera — of Advaita Ācārya ; manaḥ - kathā — the intentions ; nahe — not ; prabhura — to the Lord ; vedya — understandable .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura states that one of these servings was offered in a metal dish and was meant for Kṛṣṇa, whereas the other two were placed on big banana leaves. The offering on the metal plate was personally offered by Advaita Ācārya to Kṛṣṇa. The other two servings, on banana leaves, were to be accepted by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Nityānanda. That was Advaita Ācārya’s intention, but He did not disclose this to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Thus when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw the food offered in three places, He thought that all of it was meant for Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Let Us sit down in these three places, and We shall take prasādam.” However, Advaita Ācārya said, “I shall distribute the prasādam.”

Word meanings

prabhu bale — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; vaisa — sit down ; tine — in the three places ; kariye — do ; bhojana — eating ; ācārya kahe — Advaita Ācārya replied ; āmi kariba pariveśana — I shall distribute .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thought that all three servings were meant for distribution; therefore He asked for another two banana leaves, saying, “Let Us have a very little quantity of vegetable and rice.”

Word meanings

kon sthāne vasiba — where shall We sit down ; āra — other ; āna — bring ; dui pāta — two leaves ; alpa kari’ — making a small quantity ; āni’ — bringing ; tāhe — on that ; deha — give ; vyañjana — vegetables ; bhāta — and boiled rice .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya said, “Just sit down here on these seats.” Catching Their hands, He sat Them both down.

Word meanings

ācārya kahe — Advaita Ācārya said ; vaisa — sit down ; doṅhe — You two ; piṅḍira upare — on the planks of wood ; eta bali’ — saying this ; hāte dhari’ — catching Their hands ; vasāila duṅhāre — sat the two Lords down .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “It is not proper for a sannyāsī to eat such a variety of foods. If he does, how can he control his senses?”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; sannyāsīra — by a sannyāsī ; bhakṣya — to be eaten ; nahe — this is not ; upakaraṇa — varieties of food ; ihā — this ; khāile — if eating ; kaiche — how ; haya — there is ; indriya — senses ; vāraṇa — controlling .

Purport

The word upakaraṇa indicates a variety of foods, such as dhal, vegetables and other varieties of possible dishes that one can eat very nicely with rice. It is not proper, however, for a sannyāsī to eat such palatable dishes. If he did so, he would not be able to control his senses. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not encourage sannyāsīs to eat very palatable dishes, for the whole Vaiṣṇava cult is vairāgya-vidyā, as renounced as possible. Caitanya Mahāprabhu also advised Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī not to eat very palatable dishes, wear very nice garments or talk on mundane subjects. These things are all prohibited for those in the renounced order. A devotee does not accept anything to eat that is not first offered to Kṛṣṇa. All the rich foods offered to Kṛṣṇa are given to the gṛhasthas, the householders. There are many nice things offered to Kṛṣṇa — garlands, bedsteads, nice ornaments, nice food and even nicely prepared pan, betel nuts — but a humble Vaiṣṇava, thinking his body material and nasty, does not accept such preparations for himself. He thinks that by accepting such things he will offend the lotus feet of the Lord. Those who are sahajiyās cannot understand what Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu meant when He asked Advaita Ācārya to bring two separate leaves and give a small quantity of the prasādam to Him.

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not accept the food that had already been served, Advaita Ācārya said, “Please give up Your concealment. I know what You are, and I know the confidential meaning of Your accepting the sannyāsa order.”

Word meanings

ācārya kahe — Advaita Ācārya replied ; chāḍa — give up ; tumi — You ; āpanāra — of Yourself ; curi — the concealment ; āmi — I ; saba — all ; jāni — know ; tomāra — of You ; sannyāsera — of the acceptance of the renounced order ; bhāri - bhuri — the confidential meaning .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya thus requested Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to eat and give up juggling words. The Lord replied, “I certainly cannot eat so much food.”

Word meanings

bhojana karaha — kindly accept this prasādam ; chāḍa — give up ; vacana - cāturī — jugglery of words ; prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; eta — so much ; anna — food ; khāite — to eat ; nā pāri — I am not able .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya then requested the Lord to simply accept the prasādam without pretense. If He could not eat it all, the balance could be left on the plate.

Word meanings

ācārya bale — Advaita Ācārya says ; akapaṭe — without pretense ; karaha — kindly do ; āhāra — eating ; yadi — if ; khāite — to eat ; nā pāra — You are not able ; pāte — on the leaf ; rahibeka āra — let the balance remain .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “I will not be able to eat so much food, and it is not the duty of a sannyāsī to leave remnants.”

Word meanings

prabhu bale — the Lord said ; eta — so much ; anna — eatables ; nāriba — I will not be able ; khāite — to eat ; sannyāsīra — of a sannyāsī ; dharma nahe — it is not the duty ; ucchiṣṭa — remnants of food ; rākhite — to keep .

Purport

According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.18.19) :

bahir jalāśayaṁ gatvā tatopaspṛśya vāg-yataḥ vibhajya pāvitaṁ śeṣaṁ bhuñjītāśeṣam āhṛtam

“Whatever edibles a sannyāsī gets from a householder’s house he should take outside near some lake or river, and after offering the food to Viṣṇu, Brahmā and the sun (three divisions), he should eat the entire offering and not leave anything for others to eat.”

Translation

In this connection Advaita Ācārya referred to Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s eating at Jagannātha Purī. Lord Jagannātha and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are identical. Advaita Ācārya pointed out that at Jagannātha Purī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ate fifty-four times a day, and each time He ate many hundreds of pots of food.

Word meanings

ācārya bale — Advaita Ācārya replies ; nīlācale — at Jagannātha Purī ; khāo — You eat ; cauyānna - bāra — fifty-four times ; eka - bāre — at one time ; anna — eatables ; khāo — You eat ; śata śata bhāra — hundreds of pots .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya said, “The amount of food that three people can eat does not constitute even a morsel for You. In proportion to that, these edibles are not even five morsels of food for You.”

Word meanings

tina janāra — of three persons ; bhakṣya - piṇḍa — the stack of eatables ; tomāra — of You ; eka grāsa — one morsel ; tāra — to that ; lekhāya — in proportion ; ei anna — this food ; nahe — is not ; pañca - grāsa — five morsels .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya continued, “By My great fortune You have just come to My home. Please do not juggle words. Just begin eating and do not talk.”

Word meanings

mora bhāgye — by My fortune ; mora ghare — at My home ; tomāra — Your ; āgamana — appearance ; chāḍaha — please give up ; cāturī — all this jugglery ; prabhu — My Lord ; karaha — just do ; bhojana — eating .

Translation

Upon saying this, Advaita Ācārya supplied water to the two Lords so that They could wash Their hands. The two Lords then sat down and, smiling, began to eat the prasādam.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; jala dila — supplied water ; dui gosāñira — of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Nityānanda ; hāte — on the hands ; hāsiyā — smiling ; lāgilā — began ; duṅhe — both of Them ; bhojana karite — to eat .

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu said, “I have undergone fasting for three days continuously. Today I had hoped to break My fast.”

Word meanings

nityānanda kahe — Lord Nityānanda said ; kailuṅ — I have undergone ; tina — three ; upavāsa — fasting days ; āji — today ; pāraṇā — breaking the fast ; karite — to do ; chila — there was ; baḍa — great ; āśa — hope .

Translation

Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was thinking that the quantity of food was enormous, Nityānanda Prabhu, on the contrary, thought it not even a morsel. He had been fasting for three days and had greatly hoped to break fast on that day. Indeed, He said, “Although I am invited to eat by Advaita Ācārya, today also is a fast. So small a quantity of food will not fill even half My belly.”

Word meanings

āji — today also ; upavāsa — fasting ; haila — there was ; ācārya - nimantraṇe — by the invitation of Advaita Ācārya ; ardha - peṭa — half My belly ; nā — not ; bharibe — will fill ; ei — this ; grāseka anne — one morsel of food .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya replied, “Sir, You are a mendicant traveling on pilgrimage. Sometimes You eat fruits and roots, and sometimes You simply go on fasting.

Word meanings

ācārya kahe — Advaita Ācārya replied to Nityānanda Prabhu ; tumi — You ; hao — are ; tairthika sannyāsī — a mendicant wandering on pilgrimages ; kabhu — sometimes ; phala - mūla — fruits and roots ; khāo — You eat ; kabhu upavāsī — sometimes fasting .

Translation

“I am a poor brāhmaṇa, and You have come to My home. Please be satisfied with whatever little food You have received and give up Your greedy mentality.”

Word meanings

daridra - brāhmaṇa — of a poor brāhmaṇa ; ghare — at the home ; ye — whatever ; pāilā — You have gotten ; muṣṭi - eka — one handful ; anna — food ; ihāte — in this ; santuṣṭa hao — please be satisfied ; chāḍa — give up ; lobha - mana — Your greedy mentality .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda Prabhu replied, “Whatever I may be, You have invited Me. Therefore You must supply as much as I want to eat.”

Word meanings

nityānanda bale — Lord Nityānanda said ; yabe — when ; kaile — You have done ; nimantraṇa — invitation ; tata — so much ; dite cāha — You must supply ; yata — as much as ; kariye bhojana — I can eat .

Translation

His Divine Grace Advaita Ācārya, after hearing the statement of Nityānanda Prabhu, took the opportunity presented by the joking words and spoke to Him as follows.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; nityānandera — of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; kathā — words ; ṭhākura — His Divine Grace ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; kahena — spoke ; tāṅhāre — unto Nityānanda Prabhu ; kichu — something ; pāiyā — taking the opportunity ; pirīta — pleasing words .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya said, “You are a reject paramahaṁsa, and You have accepted the renounced order of life just to fill up Your belly. I can understand that Your business is to give trouble to brāhmaṇas.”

Word meanings

bhraṣṭa avadhūta — reject paramahaṁsa ; tumi — You ; udara bharite — to fill Your belly ; sannyāsa la - iyācha — You have accepted the renounced order of life ; bujhi — I understand ; brāhmaṇa daṇḍite — to give trouble to a brāhmaṇa. .

Purport

There is always a difference of opinion between a smārta-brāhmaṇa and a Vaiṣṇava gosvāmī. There are even smārta opinions and Vaiṣṇava gosvāmī opinions available in astrological and astronomical calculations. By calling Nityānanda Prabhu a bhraṣṭa avadhūta (a rejected paramahaṁsa ), Advaita Ācārya Prabhu in a sense accepted Nityānanda Prabhu as a paramahaṁsa. In other words, Nityānanda Prabhu had nothing to do with the rules governing smārta-brāhmaṇas. Thus under pretense of condemning Him, Advaita Ācārya was actually praising Him. In the avadhūta stage, the paramahaṁsa stage, which is the supermost stage, one may appear to be viṣayī, on the platform of sense gratification, but in actuality he has nothing to do with sense gratification. At that stage, a person sometimes accepts the symbols and dress of a sannyāsī and sometimes does not. Sometimes he dresses like a householder. We should know, however, that these are all joking words between Advaita Ācārya and Nityānanda Prabhu. They are not to be taken as insults.

In Khaḍadaha, sometimes people misunderstood Nityānanda Prabhu to belong to the śākta-sampradāya, whose philosophy is antaḥ śāktaḥ bahiḥ śaivaḥ sabhāyāṁ vaiṣṇavo mataḥ. According to the śākta-sampradāya, a person called kaulāvadhūta thinks materially while externally appearing to be a great devotee of Lord Śiva. When such a person is in an assembly of Vaiṣṇavas, he appears like a Vaiṣṇava. Actually Nityānanda Prabhu did not belong to such a community. Nityānanda Prabhu was always a brahmacārī of a sannyāsī of the vaidika order. Actually He was a paramahaṁsa. Sometimes He is accepted to be a disciple of Lakṣmīpati Tīrtha. If He is so accepted, Nityānanda Prabhu belonged to the Madhva-sampradāya. He did not belong to the tāntrika-sampradāya of Bengal.

Translation

Advaita Ācārya accused Nityānanda Prabhu, saying, “You can eat ten to twenty mānas of rice. I am a poor brāhmaṇa. How shall I get so much rice?

Word meanings

tumi — You ; khete — to eat ; pāra — able ; daśa - viśa — ten or twenty ; mānera — of the measurement of a māna ; anna — rice ; āmi — I ; tāhā — that ; kāṅhā — where ; pāba — shall get ; daridra — poverty-stricken ; brāhmaṇa — brāhmaṇa. .

Purport

A māna is a measurement containing about forty kilos.

Translation

“Whatever You have, though it be a palmful of rice, please eat it and get up. Don’t show Your madness and strew the remnants of food here and there.”

Word meanings

ye pāñācha — whatever You have ; muṣṭi - eka — one handful ; anna — rice ; tāhā — that ; khāñā — eating ; uṭha — please get up ; pāgalāmi — madness ; nā — do not ; kariha — do ; nā — do not ; chaḍāio — strew ; jhuṭha — remnants of food .

Translation

In this way, Nityānanda Prabhu and Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ate and talked with Advaita Ācārya jokingly. After eating half of each vegetable preparation given to Him, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu abandoned it and went on to the next.

Word meanings

ei mata — in this way ; hāsya - rase — jokingly ; karena — does ; bhojana — eating ; ardha - ardha — half and half ; khāñā — after eating ; prabhu — the Lord ; chāḍena — gives up ; vyañjana — all the vegetables .

Translation

As soon as half of the vegetable in the pot was finished, Advaita Ācārya filled it up again. In this way, as the Lord finished half of a preparation, Advaita Ācārya again and again filled it up.

Word meanings

sei vyañjana — that half-finished vegetable ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; punaḥ — again ; karena — does ; pūraṇa — filling ; ei mata — in this way ; punaḥ punaḥ — again and again ; pariveśe — distributes ; vyañjana — vegetables .

Translation

After filling a pot with vegetables, Advaita Ācārya requested Them to eat more, and Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “How much more can I go on eating?”

Word meanings

donā — the pot ; vyañjane — with vegetables ; bhari’ — filling ; karena — makes ; prārthana — request ; prabhu balena — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu says ; āra — more ; kata — how much ; kariba — can I do ; bhojana — eating .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya said, “Please do not give up whatever I have already given You. Now, whatever I am giving, You may eat half and leave half.”

Word meanings

ācārya kahe — Advaita Ācārya said ; ye diyāchi — whatever I have given ; tāhā nā chāḍibā — please do not give it up ; ekhana — now ; ye — whatever ; diye — I am giving ; tāra ardheka — half of it ; khāibā — You will eat .

Translation

In this way, by submitting various humble requests, Advaita Ācārya made Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Lord Nityānanda eat. Thus Caitanya Mahāprabhu fulfilled all the desires of Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

nānā yatna - dainye — in this way, by various efforts and by humility ; prabhure — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karāila — caused ; bhojana — eating ; ācāryera icchā — the wish of Advaita Ācārya ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karila — did ; pūraṇa — fulfillment .

Translation

Again Nityānanda Prabhu jokingly said, “My belly is not yet filled up. Please take away Your food. I have not taken the least of it.”

Word meanings

nityānanda kahe — Nityānanda Prabhu said ; āmāra — My ; peṭa — belly ; nā — not ; bharila — filled ; lañā — taking away ; yāha — go ; tora — Your ; anna — food ; kichu nā khāila — I have not eaten anything .

Translation

After saying this, Nityānanda Prabhu took a handful of rice and threw it on the floor in front of Him, as if He were angry.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; eka - grāsa — one palmful ; bhāta — rice ; hāte — in the hand ; lañā — taking ; ujhāli’ — releasing ; phelila — threw ; āge — in front ; yena — as if ; kruddha hañā — becoming angry .

Translation

When two or four pieces of the thrown rice touched His body, Advaita Ācārya began to dance in various ways with the rice still stuck to His body.

Word meanings

bhāta dui - cāri — two or four pieces of the thrown rice ; lāge — touch ; ācāryera aṅge — the body of Advaita Ācārya ; bhāta — the rice ; aṅge — on His body ; lañā — with ; ācārya nāce — the Ācārya began to dance ; bahu - raṅge — in many ways .

Translation

When the rice thrown by Nityānanda Prabhu touched His body, Advaita Ācārya thought Himself purified by the touch of remnants thrown by Paramahaṁsa Nityānanda. Therefore He began dancing.

Word meanings

avadhūtera jhuṭhā — the remnants of the food of the avadhūta ; lāgila — touched ; mora — My ; aṅge — on the body ; parama pavitra — perfectly purified ; more — Me ; kaila — made ; ei — this ; ḍhaṅge — behavior .

Purport

The word avadhūta refers to one above all rules and regulations. Sometimes, not observing all the rules and regulations of a sannyāsī, Nityānanda Prabhu exhibited the behavior of a mad avadhūta. He threw the remnants of food on the ground, and some of these remnants touched the body of Advaita Ācārya. Advaita Ācārya accepted this happily because He presented Himself as a member of the community of smārta-brāhmaṇas. By touching the remnants of food thrown by Nityānanda Prabhu, Advaita Ācārya immediately felt Himself purified of all smārta contamination. The remnants of food left by a pure Vaiṣṇava are called mahā-mahā-prasādam. This is completely spiritual and is identified with Lord Viṣṇu. Such remnants are not ordinary. The spiritual master is to be considered on the stage of paramahaṁsa and beyond the jurisdiction of the varṇāśrama institution. The remnants of food left by the spiritual master and similar paramahaṁsas, or pure Vaiṣṇavas, are purifying. When an ordinary person touches such prasādam, his mind is purified, and his mind is raised to the status of a pure brāhmaṇa. The behavior and statements of Advaita Ācārya are meant for the understanding of ordinary people who are unaware of the strength of spiritual values, not knowing the potency of food left by the bona fide spiritual master and pure Vaiṣṇavas.

Translation

Advaita Ācārya jokingly said, “My dear Nityānanda, I invited You, and indeed I have received the results. You have no fixed caste or dynasty. By nature You are a madman.

Word meanings

tore — You ; nimantraṇa — invitation ; kari’ — making ; pāinu — I have gotten in return ; tāra — of that ; phala — the result ; tora — Your ; jāti - kula nāhi — there is no indication of Your caste and family ; sahaje — by nature ; pāgala — You are a madman .

Purport

The words sahaje pāgala (“by nature a madman”) indicate that Nityānanda Prabhu was transcendentally situated on the paramahaṁsa stage. Because He always remembered Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and Their service, this was transcendental madness. Śrī Advaita Ācārya was pointing out this fact.

Translation

“To make Me a madman like Yourself, You have thrown the remnants of Your food at Me. You did not even fear the fact that I am a brāhmaṇa.”

Word meanings

āpanāra sama — like You ; more — Me ; karibāra tare — for making ; jhuṭhā — remnants of food ; dile — You have given ; vipra bali’ — considering as a brāhmaṇa ; bhaya — fear ; nā karile — You did not do .

Purport

The words āpanāra sama indicate that Advaita Ācārya considered Himself to belong to the smārta-brāhmaṇas, and He considered Nityānanda Prabhu to be on the transcendental stage with pure Vaiṣṇavas. Lord Nityānanda gave Advaita Ācārya His remnants to situate Him on the same platform and make Him a pure unalloyed Vaiṣṇava or paramahaṁsa. Advaita Ācārya’s statement indicates that a paramahaṁsa Vaiṣṇava is transcendentally situated. A pure Vaiṣṇava is not subject to the rules and regulations of the smārta-brāhmaṇas. That was the reason for Advaita Ācārya’s stating, āpanāra sama more karibāra tare: “to raise Me to Your own standard.” A pure Vaiṣṇava, or a person on the paramahaṁsa stage, accepts the remnants of food ( mahā-prasādam ) as spiritual. He does not consider it to be material or sense gratificatory. He accepts mahā-prasādam not as ordinary dhal and rice but as spiritual substance. To say nothing of the remnants of food left by a pure Vaiṣṇava, prasādam is never polluted even if it is touched by the mouth of a caṇḍāla. Indeed, it retains its spiritual value. Therefore by eating or touching such mahā-prasādam, a brāhmaṇa is not degraded. There is no question of being polluted by touching the remnants of such food. Actually, by eating such mahā-prasādam, one is freed from all the contaminations of the material condition. That is the verdict of the śāstra.

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu replied, “These are the remnants of food left by Lord Kṛṣṇa. If You take them to be ordinary remnants, You have committed an offense.”

Word meanings

nityānanda bale — Lord Nityānanda said ; ei — this ; kṛṣṇera prasāda — mahā-prasādam of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; ihāke — unto it ; jhuṭhā — remnants of food ; kahile — if You say ; tumi — You ; kaile — have made ; aparādha — offense .

Purport

In the Bṛhad-viṣṇu Purāṇa it is stated that one who considers mahā-prasādam to be equal to ordinary rice and dhal certainly commits a great offense. Ordinary edibles are touchable and untouchable, but there are no such dualistic considerations where prasādam is concerned. Prasādam is transcendental, and there are no transformations or contaminations, just as there are no contaminations or transformations in the body of Lord Viṣṇu Himself. Thus even if one is a brāhmaṇa he is certain to be attacked by leprosy and bereft of all family members if he makes such dualistic considerations. Such an offender goes to hell, never to return. This is the injunction of the Bṛhad-viṣṇu Purāṇa.

Translation

Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu continued, “If You invite at least one hundred sannyāsīs to Your home and feed them sumptuously, Your offense will be nullified.”

Word meanings

śateka sannyāsī — one hundred sannyāsīs ; yadi — if ; karāha — You make ; bhojana — the eating ; tabe — then ; ei — this ; aparādha — offense ; ha - ibe — there will be ; khaṇḍana — nullification .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya replied, “I shall never again invite another sannyāsī, for it is a sannyāsī who has spoiled all My brahminical smṛti regulations.”

Word meanings

ācārya kahe — Advaita Ācārya said ; nā kariba — I shall never do ; sannyāsi - nimantraṇa — invitation to the sannyāsīs ; sannyāsī — a sannyāsī ; nāśila — has spoiled ; mora — My ; saba — all ; smṛti - dharma — regulative principles of the smṛti-śāstra. .

Translation

After this, Advaita Ācārya made the Lords wash Their hands and mouths. He then took Them to a nice bed and made Them lie down to take rest.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; dui jane — unto the two personalities ; karāila ācamana — washed Their hands and mouth ; uttama — very nice ; śayyāte — on a bed ; la - iyā — taking ; karāila — made Them do ; śayana — lying down .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya fed the two Lords cloves and cardamom mixed with tulasī flowers. Thus there was a good flavor within Their mouths.

Word meanings

lavaṅga — cloves ; elācī — cardamom ; bīja — seeds ; uttama — very nice ; rasa - vāsa — tasteful spices ; tulasī - mañjarī — the flowers of tulasī ; saha — with ; dila — gave ; mukha - vāsa — perfume of the mouth .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya then smeared the bodies of the Lords with sandalwood pulp and then placed very fragrant flower garlands on Their chests.

Word meanings

su - gandhi — fragrant ; candane — in sandalwood ; lipta — smeared ; kaila — made ; kalevara — the bodies ; su - gandhi — very fragrant ; puṣpa - mālā — flower garlands ; āni’ — bringing ; dila — gave ; hṛdaya - upara — on the chests .

Translation

When the Lord lay down on the bed, Advaita Ācārya waited to massage His legs, but the Lord was very hesitant and spoke as follows to Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; karite — to do ; cāhe — wants ; pāda - saṁvāhana — massaging the feet ; saṅkucita — hesitant ; hañā — becoming ; prabhu — the Lord ; balena — says ; vacana — the words .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Advaita Ācārya, You have made Me dance in various ways. Now give up this practice. Go with Mukunda and Haridāsa and accept Your lunch.”

Word meanings

bahuta — in various ways ; nācāile — have made Me dance ; tumi — You ; chāḍa — give up ; nācāna — dancing ; mukunda — Mukunda ; haridāsa — Haridāsa ; la - iyā — with ; karaha — do ; bhojana — eating .

Purport

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is here telling Advaita Ācārya that it is not befitting for a sannyāsī to accept nice beds to lie on or to chew cloves and cardamom and have his body smeared with sandalwood pulp. Nor is it befitting for him to accept fragrant garlands and have his legs massaged by a pure Vaiṣṇava. “You have already made Me dance according to Your vow,” Caitanya Mahāprabhu said. “Now please stop it. You can go and take Your lunch with Mukunda and Haridāsa.”

Translation

Thereupon Advaita Ācārya took prasādam with Mukunda and Haridāsa, and they all wholeheartedly ate as much as they desired.

Word meanings

tabe ta’ — thereafter ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; saṅge — with ; lañā — taking ; dui jane — the two persons, namely Mukunda and Haridāsa ; karila — did ; icchāya — according to desire ; bhojana — eating ; ye āchila mane — whatever there was in mind .

Translation

When the people of Śāntipura heard that Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was staying there, they all immediately came to see His lotus feet.

Word meanings

śāntipurera loka — all the people of Śāntipura ; śuni’ — hearing ; prabhura āgamana — the arrival of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhite āilā — came to see ; loka — all the people ; prabhura caraṇa — the lotus feet of the Lord .

Translation

Being very pleased, all the people loudly began to shout the holy name of the Lord, “Hari! Hari!” Indeed, they became struck with wonder upon seeing the beauty of the Lord.

Word meanings

hari hari — the holy name of the Lord ; bale — say ; loka — all the people ; ānandita — pleased ; hañā — being ; camatkāra — wonder ; pāila — got ; prabhura — of the Lord ; saundarya — the beauty ; dekhiñā — by seeing .

Translation

They saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s very fair-complexioned body and its bright luster, which conquered the brilliance of the sun. Over and above this was the beauty of the saffron garments that glittered upon His body.

Word meanings

gaura — fair-complexioned ; deha — of the body ; kānti — the luster ; sūrya — the sun ; jiniyā — conquering ; ujjvala — bright ; aruṇa — reddish ; vastra - kānti — the beauty of the garments ; tāhe — in that ; kare — does ; jhala - mala — glittering .

Translation

People came and went with great pleasure. There was no calculating how many people assembled there before the day was over.

Word meanings

āise — come ; yāya — go ; loka — all people ; harṣe — in great pleasure ; nāhi — there is not ; samādhāna — calculation ; lokera — of the people ; saṅghaṭṭe — in crowds ; dina — the day ; haila — there was ; avasāna — the end .

Translation

As soon as it was evening, Advaita Ācārya began the congregational chanting. He even began to dance Himself, and the Lord saw the performance.

Word meanings

sandhyāte — in the evening ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; ārambhila — began ; saṅkīrtana — congregational chanting ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; nācena — dances ; prabhu — the Lord ; karena — does ; darśana — seeing .

Translation

When Advaita Ācārya began to dance, Nityānanda Prabhu began dancing behind Him. Haridāsa Ṭhākura, being very pleased, also began dancing behind Him.

Word meanings

nityānanda gosāñi — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; bule — began to move, dancing ; ācārya dhariñā — following Advaita Ācārya ; haridāsa — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; pāche — behind ; nāce — dances ; haraṣita hañā — being pleased .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya said, “ ‘My dear friends, what shall I say? Today I have received the highest transcendental pleasure. After many, many days, Lord Kṛṣṇa is in My house.’ ”

Word meanings

ki — what ; kahiba — shall I say ; re — O ; sakhi — My dear friends ; ājuka — today ; ānanda — pleasure ; ora — the limit ; cira - dine — after many days ; mādhava — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; mandire — in the temple ; mora — My .

Purport

This is a song composed by Vidyāpati. Sometimes the word mādhava is misunderstood to refer to Mādhavendra Purī. Advaita Ācārya was a disciple of Mādhavendra Purī, and consequently some people think that He was referring to Mādhavendra Purī by using the word mādhava. But actually this is not the fact. This song was composed to commemorate the separation of Kṛṣṇa from Rādhārāṇī during Kṛṣṇa’s absence in Mathurā. It is thought that this song was sung by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī when Kṛṣṇa returned. It is technically called Mathurā-viraha.

Translation

Advaita Ācārya led the saṅkīrtana party, and with great pleasure He sang this verse. There was a manifestation of ecstatic perspiration, shivering, raised hairs, tears in the eyes and sometimes thundering and bellowing.

Word meanings

ei pada — this verse ; gāoyāiyā — causing to be sung ; harṣe — in pleasure ; karena — does ; nartana — dancing ; sveda — perspiration ; kampa — shivering ; pulaka — standing of hairs ; aśru — tears on account of pleasure ; huṅkāra — thundering ; garjana — bellowing .

Translation

While dancing, Advaita Ācārya would sometimes turn around and around and catch the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Advaita Ācārya would then speak to Him as follows.

Word meanings

phiri’ phiri’ — turning and turning ; kabhu — sometimes ; prabhura — of the Lord ; dharena — catches ; caraṇa — the lotus feet ; caraṇe dhariyā — catching the lotus feet ; prabhure — unto the Lord ; balena — says ; vacana — words .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya would say, “Many days You escaped Me by bluffing. Now I have You in My home, and I will keep You bound up.”

Word meanings

aneka dina — many days ; tumi — You ; more — Me ; beḍāile — escaped ; bhāṇḍiyā — cheating or bluffing ; gharete — at My home ; pāñāchi — I have gotten ; ebe — now ; rākhiba — I shall keep ; bāndhiyā — binding up .

Translation

So speaking, Advaita Ācārya performed congregational chanting with great pleasure for three hours that night and danced all the time.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; ānande — in pleasure ; karena — does ; nartana — dancing ; prahareka — about three hours ; rātri — at night ; ācārya — Śrī Advaita Ācārya ; kaila saṅkīrtana — performed saṅkīrtana, or congregational chanting .

Translation

When Advaita Ācārya danced in that way, Lord Caitanya felt ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa, and because of His separation, the waves and flames of love increased.

Word meanings

premera utkaṇṭhā — the ecstasy of the love ; prabhura — of the Lord ; nāhi — there is not ; kṛṣṇa - saṅga — meeting with Lord Kṛṣṇa ; virahe — in separation ; bāḍila — increased ; prema - jvālāra — of flames of love ; taraṅga — waves .

Translation

Being agitated by the ecstasy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu suddenly fell to the ground. Seeing this, Advaita Ācārya stopped dancing.

Word meanings

vyākula hañā — being too much agitated ; prabhu — the Lord ; bhūmite — to the ground ; paḍilā — fell ; gosāñi — the Lord ; dekhiyā — seeing ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; nṛtya — the dancing ; sambarilā — checked .

Translation

When Mukunda saw the ecstasy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he understood the feelings of the Lord and began to sing many stanzas augmenting the force of the Lord’s ecstasy.

Word meanings

prabhura — of the Lord ; antara — the heart ; mukunda — Mukunda ; jāne — knows ; bhāla - mate — very well ; bhāvera — to the ecstatic mood ; sadṛśa — suitable ; pada — verses ; lāgilā gāite — began to sing .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya raised the body of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to help Him dance, but the Lord, after hearing the stanzas sung by Mukunda, could not be held due to His bodily symptoms.

Word meanings

ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; uṭhāila — raised ; prabhuke — the Lord ; karite — to do ; nartana — dancing ; pada śuni’ — by hearing the stanzas ; prabhura — of the Lord ; aṅga — the body ; nā — not ; yāya — possible ; dhāraṇa — to hold .

Translation

Tears fell from His eyes, and His whole body trembled. His bodily hairs stood on end, He perspired heavily, and His words faltered. Sometimes He stood, and sometimes He fell. And sometimes He cried.

Word meanings

aśru — tears ; kampa — trembling ; pulaka — standing of bodily hairs in ecstasy ; sveda — perspiration ; gadgada — faltering ; vacana — words ; kṣaṇe — sometimes ; uṭhe — stands ; kṣaṇe — sometimes ; paḍe — falls down ; kṣaṇeka — sometimes ; rodana — crying .

Translation

Mukunda sang, “ ‘My dear intimate friend! What has not happened to Me! Due to the effects of the poison of love for Kṛṣṇa, My body and mind have been severely afflicted.

Word meanings

hā hā — O ; prāṇa - priya - sakhi — My dear friend ; ki nā haila more — what has not happened to Me ; kānu - prema - viṣe — the poison of love of Kṛṣṇa ; mora — My ; tanu — body ; mana — mind ; jare — afflicts .

Purport

When Mukunda saw that Caitanya Mahāprabhu was feeling ecstatic pain and manifesting ecstatic bodily symptoms, all due to feelings of separation from Kṛṣṇa, he sang songs about Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s meeting with Kṛṣṇa. Advaita Ācārya also stopped dancing.

Translation

“ ‘My feeling is like this: My mind burns day and night, and I can get no rest. If there were someplace I could go to meet Kṛṣṇa, I would immediately fly there.’ ”

Word meanings

rātri - dine — day and night ; poḍe — burns ; mana — mind ; soyāsti — rest ; nā — not ; pāṅ — I get ; yāhāṅ — where ; gele — if going ; kānu pāṅ — I can get Kṛṣṇa ; tāhāṅ — there ; uḍi’ — flying ; yāṅ — I go .

Translation

This stanza was sung by Mukunda in a very sweet voice, but as soon as Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard this stanza, His mind went to pieces.

Word meanings

ei pada — this stanza ; gāya — sings ; mukunda — Mukunda ; madhura — sweet ; su - svare — in a voice ; śuniyā — hearing ; prabhura — of the Lord ; citta — mind ; antare — within ; vidare — splits into pieces .

Translation

The transcendental ecstatic symptoms of disappointment, moroseness, pleasure, restlessness, pride and humility all began to fight like soldiers within the Lord.

Word meanings

nirveda — disappointment ; viṣāda — moroseness ; harṣa — pleasure ; cāpalya — restlessness ; garva — pride ; dainya — humility ; prabhura — the Lord ; sahita — with ; yuddha — fight ; kare — do ; bhāva — of ecstatic feelings ; sainya — soldiers .

Purport

Harṣa is described in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu. Harṣa is experienced when one finally attains the desired goal of life and consequently becomes very glad. When harṣa is present, the body shivers, and one’s bodily hairs stand on end. There are perspiration, tears and an outburst of passion and madness. The mouth becomes swollen, and one experiences inertia and illusion. When a person attains his desired object and feels very fortunate, the luster of his body increases. Because of his own qualities and feelings of greatness, he does not care for anyone else, and this is called garva, or pride. In this condition one utters prayers and does not reply to others’ inquiries. Looking at one’s own body, concealing one’s desires and not heeding the words of others are symptoms visible in the ecstasy of garva.

Translation

The entire body of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to totter due to the onslaught of various ecstatic symptoms. As a result, He immediately fell to the ground, and His breathing almost stopped.

Word meanings

jara - jara — tottering ; haila — there was ; prabhu — the Lord ; bhāvera — of the ecstatic moods ; prahāre — in the onslaught ; bhūmite — on the ground ; paḍila — fell ; śvāsa — breathing ; nāhika — there was not ; śarīre — in the body .

Translation

Upon seeing the condition of the Lord, all the devotees became very anxious. Then, suddenly, the Lord got up and began to make thundering sounds.

Word meanings

dekhiyā — seeing ; cintita — anxious ; hailā — became ; yata — all ; bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; ācambite — all of a sudden ; uṭhe — rises ; prabhu — the Lord ; kariyā — making ; garjana — thundering .

Translation

Upon standing up, the Lord said, “Go on speaking! Go on speaking!” Thus He began to dance, overwhelmed with pleasure. No one could understand the strong waves of this ecstasy.

Word meanings

bal bal — speak, speak ; bale — the Lord says ; nāce — dances ; ānande — in pleasure ; vihvala — overwhelmed ; bujhana — understanding ; nā yāya — not possible ; bhāva - taraṅga — the waves of ecstasy ; prabala — powerful .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda began to walk with Caitanya Mahāprabhu to see that He would not fall, and Advaita Ācārya and Haridāsa Ṭhākura followed Them, dancing.

Word meanings

nityānanda — Nityānanda Prabhu ; saṅge — with ; bule — walks ; prabhuke — the Lord ; dhariñā — catching ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; haridāsa — Ṭhākura Haridāsa ; bule — walk ; pāche — behind ; ta — certainly ; nāciñā — dancing .

Translation

In this way the Lord danced for at least three hours. Sometimes the symptoms of ecstasy were visible, including pleasure, moroseness and many other waves of ecstatic emotional love.

Word meanings

ei mata — in this way ; prahareka — for about three hours ; nāce — dances ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; raṅge — in great ecstasy ; kabhu — sometimes ; harṣa — pleasure ; kabhu — sometimes ; viṣāda — moroseness ; bhāvera — of ecstasy ; taraṅge — in the waves .

Translation

The Lord had been fasting for three days, and after that period He took eatables sumptuously. Thus when He danced and jumped high, He became a little fatigued.

Word meanings

tina dina — three days ; upavāse — in fasting ; kariyā — doing ; bhojana — eating ; uddaṇḍa — jumping high ; nṛtyete — in dancing ; prabhura — of the Lord ; haila — there was ; pariśrama — fatigue .

Translation

Being fully absorbed in love of Godhead, He would not understand His fatigue. But Nityānanda Prabhu, catching Him, stopped His dancing.

Word meanings

tabu — still ; ta’ — certainly ; nā jāne — does not know ; śrama — fatigue ; prema - āviṣṭa — absorbed in love ; hañā — being ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda ; mahāprabhuke — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rākhila — stopped ; dhariñā — catching .

Translation

Although the Lord was fatigued, Nityānanda Prabhu kept Him steady by holding Him. At that time Advaita Ācārya suspended the chanting and, by rendering various services to the Lord, made Him lie down to take rest.

Word meanings

ācārya - gosāñi — Advaita Ācārya ; tabe — then ; rākhila — suspended ; kīrtana — the chanting ; nānā — various ; sevā — services ; kari’ — performing ; prabhuke — unto the Lord ; karāila — made to do ; śayana — lying down .

Translation

For ten continuous days Advaita Ācārya held feasting and chanting in the evening. He served the Lord in this way without any change.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; daśa - dina — continuously for ten days ; bhojana - kīrtana — eating and chanting ; eka - rūpe — without change ; kari’ — doing ; kare — does ; prabhura — of the Lord ; sevana — service .

Translation

In the morning Candraśekhara seated Śacīmātā in a palanquin and brought her from her house with many devotees.

Word meanings

prabhāte — in the morning ; ācāryaratna — Candraśekhara ; dolāya — in a palanquin ; caḍāñā — seating ; bhakta - gaṇa - saṅge — with devotees ; āilā — came ; śacī - mātā — mother Śacī ; lañā — bringing .

Translation

In this way, all the people of the town of Nadia — including all women, boys and old men — came there. Thus the crowd increased.

Word meanings

nadīyā — known as Nadia ; nagarera — of the city ; loka — the people ; strī — women ; bālaka — boys ; vṛddha — old men ; saba loka — all people ; āilā — came ; haila — was ; saṅghaṭṭa — crowd ; samṛddha — increased .

Translation

In the morning, after regular duties were completed and the Lord was chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, the people accompanied Śacīmātā to the house of Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

prātaḥ - kṛtya — the morning duties ; kari’ — finishing ; kare — does ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra ; śacī - mātā — mother Śacī ; lañā — with ; āilā — came ; advaita - bhavana — at the house of Advaita Ācārya .

Translation

As soon as mother Śacī appeared on the scene, Caitanya Mahāprabhu fell before her like a stick. Mother Śacī began to cry, taking the Lord on her lap.

Word meanings

śacī - āge — in front of mother Śacī ; paḍilā — fell down ; prabhu — the Lord ; daṇḍa - vat — like a stick ; hañā — becoming ; kāndite — to cry ; lāgilā — began ; śacī — mother Śacī ; kole — on the lap ; uṭhāiñā — taking .

Translation

Upon seeing each other, they both became overwhelmed. Seeing the Lord’s head without hair, mother Śacī became greatly agitated.

Word meanings

doṅhāra darśane — in seeing one another ; duṅhe — both of them ; ha - ilā — became ; vihvala — overwhelmed ; keśa — hair ; nā — not ; dekhiyā — seeing ; śacī — mother Śacī ; ha - ilā — became ; vikala — agitated .

Translation

Out of love she began to caress the body of the Lord. Sometimes she kissed His face and tried to observe Him carefully, but because her eyes were filled with tears, she could not see.

Word meanings

aṅga — the body ; muche — caresses ; mukha — face ; cumbe — kisses ; kare — does ; nirīkṣaṇa — observing ; dekhite — to see ; nā pāya — not able ; aśru — tears ; bharila — filled ; nayana — the eyes .

Translation

Understanding that Lord Caitanya had accepted the renounced order of life, Śacīmātā, crying, said to the Lord, “My darling Nimāi, do not be cruel like Viśvarūpa, Your elder brother.”

Word meanings

kāndiyā — crying ; kahena — says ; śacī — mother Śacī ; bāchāre — my darling ; nimāñi — O Nimāi ; viśvarūpa — Viśvarūpa ; sama — like ; nā kariha — do not do ; niṭhurāi — cruelty .

Translation

Mother Śacī continued, “After accepting the renounced order, Viśvarūpa never again gave me audience. If You do like Him, that will certainly be the death of me.”

Word meanings

sannyāsī — a member of the renounced order ; ha - iyā — after becoming ; punaḥ — again ; nā — not ; dila — gave ; daraśana — visit ; tumi — You ; taiche — like that ; kaile — if doing ; mora — my ; ha - ibe — there will be ; maraṇa — death .

Translation

The Lord replied, “My dear mother, please hear. This body belongs to you. I do not possess anything.

Word meanings

kāndiyā — crying ; balena — says ; prabhu — the Lord ; śuna — hear ; mora — My ; āi — mother ; tomāra — your ; śarīra — body ; ei — this ; mora — My ; kichu — anything ; nāi — is not .

Translation

“This body was raised by you, and it comes from you. I cannot repay this debt even in millions of births.

Word meanings

tomāra — your ; pālita — raised ; deha — body ; janma — birth ; tomā — you ; haite — from ; koṭi — millions ; janme — in births ; tomāra — your ; ṛṇa — debt ; nā — not ; pāri — I am able ; śodhite — to repay .

Translation

“Knowingly or unknowingly I have accepted this renounced order. Still, I shall never be indifferent to you.

Word meanings

jāni’ — knowing ; vā — or ; nā — not ; jāni’ — knowing ; kaila — accepted ; yadyapi — although ; sannyāsa — the renounced order ; tathāpi — still ; tomāre — unto you ; kabhu — at any time ; nahiba — shall not become ; udāsa — indifferent .

Translation

“My dear mother, wherever you ask Me to stay I shall stay, and whatever you order I shall execute.”

Word meanings

tumi — you ; yāhāṅ — wherever ; kaha — ask ; āmi — I ; tāhāṅi — there ; rahiba — shall stay ; tumi — you ; yei — whatever ; ājñā — order ; kara — give ; sei — that ; ta’ — certainly ; kariba — I shall execute .

Translation

Saying this, the Lord offered obeisances to His mother again and again, and mother Śacī, being pleased, took Him again and again on her lap.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; punaḥ punaḥ — again and again ; kare — offers ; namaskāra — obeisances ; tuṣṭa hañā — being pleased ; āi — mother Śacī ; kole — on the lap ; kare — takes ; bāra bāra — again and again .

Translation

Then Advaita Ācārya took mother Śacī within the house. The Lord was immediately ready to meet all the devotees.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; āi — the mother ; lañā — taking ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; gelā — entered ; abhyantara — within the house ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; milite — to meet ; prabhu — the Lord ; ha - ilā — became ; satvara — immediately .

Translation

The Lord met all the devotees one after the other, and looking at everyone’s face individually, He embraced them tightly.

Word meanings

eke eke — one after another ; milila — met ; prabhu — the Lord ; saba — all ; bhakta - gaṇa — the devotees ; sabāra — of everyone ; mukha — face ; dekhi’ — seeing ; kare — does ; dṛḍha — tightly ; āliṅgana — embracing .

Translation

Although the devotees were unhappy at not seeing the Lord’s hair, they nonetheless derived great happiness from seeing His beauty.

Word meanings

keśa — hair ; nā dekhiyā — not seeing ; bhakta — the devotees ; yadyapi — although ; pāya — get ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; saundarya — the beautiful posture ; dekhite — to see ; tabu — still ; pāya — get ; mahā - sukha — great happiness .

Translation

Śrīvāsa, Rāmāi, Vidyānidhi, Gadādhara, Gaṅgādāsa, Vakreśvara, Murāri, Śuklāmbara, Buddhimanta Khāṅ, Nandana, Śrīdhara, Vijaya, Vāsudeva, Dāmodara, Mukunda, Sañjaya and all the others, however many I can mention — indeed, all the inhabitants of Navadvīpa — arrived there, and the Lord met them with smiles and glances of mercy.

Word meanings

śrīvāsa — Śrīvāsa ; rāmāi — Rāmāi ; vidyānidhi — Vidyānidhi ; gadādhara — Gadādhara ; gaṅgādāsa — Gaṅgādāsa ; vakreśvara — Vakreśvara ; murāri — Murāri ; śuklāmbara — Śuklāmbara ; buddhimanta khāṅa — Buddhimanta Khāṅ ; nandana — Nandana ; śrīdhara — Śrīdhara ; vijaya — Vijaya ; vāsudeva — Vāsudeva ; dāmodara — Dāmodara ; mukunda — Mukunda ; sañjaya — Sañjaya ; kata nāma — how many names ; la - iba — I shall mention ; yata — all ; navadvīpa - vāsī — the inhabitants of Navadvīpa ; sabāre — all of them ; mililā — met ; prabhu — the Lord ; kṛpā - dṛṣṭye — with merciful glances ; hāsi’ — smiling .

Translation

Everyone was chanting the holy names of Hari and dancing. In this way the domicile of Advaita Ācārya was converted into Śrī Vaikuṇṭha Purī.

Word meanings

ānande — in pleasure ; nācaye — dance ; sabe — all ; bali’ — saying ; hari hari — the holy name of the Lord ; ācārya - mandira — the house of Advaita Ācārya ; haila — became ; śrī - vaikuṇṭha - purī — a spiritual Vaikuṇṭha planet .

Translation

People came to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu from various other villages nearby, as well as Navadvīpa.

Word meanings

yata loka — all the people ; āila — came ; mahāprabhuke — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhite — to see ; nānā - grāma haite — from various villages ; āra — and ; navadvīpa haite — from Navadvīpa .

Translation

To everyone who came to see the Lord from villages nearby, especially from Navadvīpa, Advaita Ācārya gave residential quarters, as well as all kinds of eatables, for many days. Indeed, He properly adjusted everything.

Word meanings

sabākāre — to all of them ; vāsā dila — gave residential quarters ; bhakṣya — eatables ; anna - pāna — food and drink ; bahu - dina — for many days ; ācārya - gosāñi — Advaita Ācārya ; kaila — did ; samādhāna — adjustment .

Translation

The supplies of Advaita Ācārya were inexhaustible and indestructible. As many goods and commodities as He used, just as many again appeared.

Word meanings

ācārya - gosāñira — of Advaita Ācārya ; bhāṇḍāra — storehouse ; akṣaya — inexhaustible ; avyaya — indestructible ; yata — all ; dravya — commodities ; vyaya — expenditure ; kare — does ; tata — so much ; dravya — commodity ; haya — becomes filled .

Translation

From the day Śacīmātā arrived at the house of Advaita Ācārya, she took charge of the cooking, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu dined in the company of all the devotees.

Word meanings

sei dina haite — from that date ; śacī — mother Śacī ; karena — does ; randhana — cooking ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; lañā — accompanied by ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karena — does ; bhojana — dining .

Translation

All the people who came there during the day saw Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the friendly behavior of Advaita Ācārya. At night they had the opportunity to see the Lord’s dancing and hear His chanting.

Word meanings

dine — during the daytime ; ācāryera prīti — the loving affairs of Advaita Ācārya ; prabhura darśana — the sight of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rātre — at night ; loka — all the people ; dekhe — see ; prabhura — of the Lord ; nartana - kīrtana — dancing and chanting .

Translation

When the Lord performed kīrtana, He manifested all kinds of transcendental symptoms. He appeared stunned and trembling, His hair stood on end, and His voice faltered. There were tears and devastation.

Word meanings

kīrtana karite — while performing chanting ; prabhura — of the Lord ; sarva — all ; bhāva - udaya — manifestations of ecstatic symptoms ; stambha — being stunned ; kampa — trembling ; pulaka — standing of the hair ; aśru — tears ; gadgada — faltering of the voice ; pralaya — devastation .

Purport

Devastation is described in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu as a combination of happiness and distress that becomes conspicuous by an absence of any sense of them. In this condition, a devotee falls to the ground, and the subsequent symptoms in the body ensue. These symptoms are mentioned above, and when they become prominent in the body, a state called pralaya (devastation) is manifest.

Translation

Frequently the Lord would tumble to the ground. Seeing this, mother Śacī would cry.

Word meanings

kṣaṇe kṣaṇe — very frequently ; paḍe — falls ; prabhu — the Lord ; āchāḍa khāñā — tumbling down ; dekhi’ — seeing ; śacī - mātā — mother Śacī ; kahe — says ; rodana kariyā — crying .

Translation

Śrīmatī Śacīmātā thought that the body of Nimāi was being smashed when He fell down so. She cried, “Alas!” and petitioned Lord Viṣṇu.

Word meanings

cūrṇa — smashed ; haila — has become ; hena — thus ; vāsoṅ — I think ; nimāñi - kalevara — the body of Nimāi ; hā - hā kari’ — crying loudly ; viṣṇu - pāśe — Lord Viṣṇu ; māge — begs ; ei — this ; vara — benediction .

Translation

“My dear Lord, kindly bestow this benediction as a result of whatever service I have rendered unto You from my childhood.

Word meanings

bālya - kāla haite — from my childhood ; tomāra — Your ; ye — whatever ; kailuṅ — I have done ; sevana — service ; tāra — of that ; ei phala — this result ; more — unto me ; deha — kindly award ; nārāyaṇa — O Supreme Lord .

Translation

“Whenever Nimāi falls to the surface of the earth, please do not let Him feel any pain.”

Word meanings

ye kāle — whenever ; nimāñi — my son Nimāi ; paḍe — falls down ; dharaṇī - upare — on the surface of the earth ; vyathā — pain ; yena — as if ; nāhi — not ; lāge — touch ; nimāñi - śarīre — the body of my son Nimāi .

Translation

When mother Śacī was thus overwhelmed in maternal love for Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, she became transformed with happiness, fear and humility, as well as bodily symptoms.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; śacī - devī — mother Śacī ; vātsalye — in parental affection ; vihvala — overwhelmed ; harṣa — happiness ; bhaya — fear ; dainya - bhāve — and in humility ; ha - ila — became ; vikala — transformed .

Purport

These verses indicate that mother Śacī, born in the family of Nīlāmbara Cakravartī, used to worship Lord Viṣṇu even before her marriage. As stated in the Bhagavad-gītā (6.41) :

prāpya puṇya-kṛtāṁ lokān uṣitvā śāśvatīḥ samāḥ śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe yoga-bhraṣṭo ’bhijāyate

“The unsuccessful yogī, after many, many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born into a family of righteous people, or into a family of rich aristocracy.” Mother Śacī, a nitya-siddha living entity, is an incarnation of mother Yaśodā. She appeared in the house of Nīlāmbara Cakravartī and was everlastingly engaged in the service of Lord Viṣṇu. Later she directly had as her child Lord Viṣṇu, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and she served Him from the day of His appearance. This is the position of nitya-siddha associates. Śrī Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura therefore sings: gaurāṅgera saṅgi-gaṇe nitya-siddha kari māne. Every devotee should know that all the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu — His family members, friends and other associates — were all nitya-siddhas. A nitya-siddha never forgets the service of the Lord. He is always engaged, even from childhood, in worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Translation

Since Advaita Ācārya was giving alms and food to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the other devotees, headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura, also desired to give Him alms and invite Him for lunch.

Word meanings

śrīvāsa - ādi — the devotees, headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura ; yata — all ; prabhura — of the Lord ; vipra — especially the brāhmaṇas ; bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; prabhuke — unto the Lord ; bhikṣā — lunch ; dite — to give ; haila — there was ; sabākāra — of all of them ; mana — the mind .

Purport

It is the duty of all gṛhasthas to invite a sannyāsī to their homes if he happens to be in the neighborhood or village. This very system is still current in India. If a sannyāsī is in the neighborhood of a village, he is invited by all householders, one after another. As long as a sannyāsī remains in the village, he enlightens the inhabitants in spiritual understanding. In other words, a sannyāsī has no housing or food problems even when he travels extensively. Even though Advaita Ācārya was supplying Caitanya Mahāprabhu with prasādam, the other devotees from Navadvīpa and Śāntipura also desired to offer Him prasādam.

Translation

Hearing these proposals made by other devotees of the Lord, mother Śacī said to the devotees, “How many times shall I get the chance to see Nimāi again?”

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing of this ; śacī — mother Śacī ; sabākāre — unto all of them ; karila — made ; minati — submission ; nimāñira — of Nimāi, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; daraśana — visit ; āra — any more ; muñi — I ; pāba — shall get ; kati — where or how many times .

Translation

Śacīmātā submitted, “As far as you are concerned, you can meet Nimāi [Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu] many times somewhere else, but what is the possibility of my ever meeting Him again? I shall have to remain at home. A sannyāsī never returns to his home.”

Word meanings

tomā - sabā - sane — with all of you ; habe — there will be ; anyatra — in another place ; milana — meeting ; muñi — I ; abhāginīra — of one who is unfortunate ; mātra — only ; ei — this ; daraśana — meeting .

Translation

Mother Śacī appealed to all the devotees to give her this charity: As long as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained at the house of Advaita Ācārya, only she would supply Him food.

Word meanings

yāvat — as long as ; ācārya - gṛhe — in the house of Advaita Ācārya ; nimāñira — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; avasthāna — the stay ; muñi — I ; bhikṣā dimu — shall supply the food ; sabākāre — everyone ; māgoṅ — I beg ; dāna — this charity .

Translation

Hearing this appeal from mother Śacī, all the devotees offered obeisances and said, “We all agree to whatever mother Śacī desires.”

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing this ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; kahe — say ; kari’ — offering ; namaskāra — obeisances ; mātāra — of mother Śacīdevī ; ye icchā — whatever desire ; sei — that ; sammata — agreeable ; sabāra — to all the devotees .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw His mother’s great eagerness, He became a little agitated. He therefore assembled all the devotees present and spoke to them.

Word meanings

mātāra — of the mother ; vyagratā — eagerness ; dekhi’ — seeing ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vyagra — agitated ; mana — mind ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; ekatra kari’ — assembling together ; balilā — said ; vacana — words .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu informed them all, “Without your order, I tried to go to Vṛndāvana. There was some obstacle, however, and I had to return.

Word meanings

tomā - sabāra — of all of you ; ājñā — order ; vinā — without ; calilāma — I started ; vṛndāvana — for Vṛndāvana ; yāite nārila — not able to go ; vighna — some obstruction ; kaila — did ; nivartana — made to return .

Translation

“My dear friends, although I have suddenly accepted this renounced order, I still know that I shall never be indifferent to you.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; sahasā — all of a sudden ; āmi — I ; kariyāchi sannyāsa — accepted sannyāsa ; tathāpi — still ; tomā - sabā — all of you ; haite — from ; nahiba — I shall never be ; udāsa — indifferent .

Translation

“My dear friends, as long as I remain manifest, I shall never give you up. Nor shall I be able to give up My mother.

Word meanings

tomā - saba — all of you ; nā — not ; chāḍiba — I shall give up ; yāvat — as long as ; āmi — I ; jība — shall live or shall remain manifest ; mātāre — mother ; tāvat — that long ; āmi — I ; chāḍite — to give up ; nāriba — shall be unable .

Translation

“After accepting sannyāsa, it is not the duty of a sannyāsī to remain at his birthplace, encircled by relatives.

Word meanings

sannyāsīra — of a sannyāsī ; dharma — duty ; nahe — it is not ; sannyāsa — sannyāsa ; kariñā — accepting ; nija — own ; janma - sthāne — at the birthplace ; rahe — remains ; kuṭumba — relatives ; lañā — with .

Translation

“Make some arrangement so that I may not leave you and at the same time people may not blame Me for remaining with relatives after taking sannyāsa.”

Word meanings

keha — anyone ; yena — so that ; ei — this ; bali’ — saying ; nā kare — does not do ; nindana — blasphemy ; sei — that ; yukti — consideration ; kaha — tell Me ; yāte — by which ; rahe — remain ; dui — two ; dharma — duties .

Translation

After hearing Lord Caitanya’s statement, all the devotees, headed by Advaita Ācārya, approached mother Śacī.

Word meanings

śuniyā — hearing this ; prabhura — of the Lord ; ei — this ; madhura — sweet ; vacana — statement ; śacī - pāśa — before mother Śacī ; ācārya - ādi — Advaita Ācārya and other devotees ; karila — did ; gamana — going .

Translation

When they submitted Lord Caitanya’s statement, mother Śacī, who is the mother of the universe, began to speak.

Word meanings

prabhura — of the Lord ; nivedana — submission ; tāṅre — unto her ; sakala — all ; kahila — told ; śuni’ — hearing this ; śacī — mother Śacī ; jagat - mātā — the mother of the universe ; kahite — to say ; lāgila — began .

Translation

Śacīmātā said, “It will be a great happiness for me if Nimāi [Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu] stays here. But at the same time, if someone blames Him, it will be my great unhappiness.”

Word meanings

teṅho — Lord Caitanya ; yadi — if ; ihāṅ — here ; rahe — stays ; tabe — then ; mora — my ; sukha — happiness ; tāṅ’ra nindā — blasphemy of Him ; haya — there is ; yadi — if ; seha — that also ; mora — my ; duḥkha — unhappiness .

Purport

It is a great happiness for a mother if her son does not leave home to search out Kṛṣṇa but remains with her. At the same time, if a son does not search after Kṛṣṇa but simply remains at home, he is certainly blamed by experienced saintly persons. Such blame certainly causes great unhappiness for a mother. If a real mother wants her son to progress spiritually, she had better allow him to go out searching for Kṛṣṇa. The mother naturally desires the welfare of the son. If a mother does not allow her son to search for Kṛṣṇa, she is called mā, which indicates māyā. By allowing her son to go as a sannyāsī and search for Kṛṣṇa, Śacīmātā instructs all mothers of the world. She indicates that all sons should become real devotees of Kṛṣṇa and should not stay at home under the care of an affectionate mother. This is supported by Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.5.18) :

gurur na sa syāt sva-jano na sa syāt pitā na sa syāj jananī na sā syāt daivaṁ na tat syān na patiś ca sa syān na mocayed yaḥ samupeta-mṛtyum

“No one should become a spiritual master — nor a relative, father, mother, worshipable Deity or husband — if he cannot help a person escape the imminent path of death.” Every living entity is wandering within the universe, subjected to the law of karma and transmigrating from one body to another and from one planet to another. Therefore the whole Vedic process is meant to save the wandering living entities from the clutches of māyā — birth, death, disease and old age. This means stopping the cycle of birth and death. This cycle can be stopped only if one worships Kṛṣṇa. As the Lord says in the Bhagavad-gītā (4.9) :

janma karma ca me divyam evaṁ yo vetti tattvataḥ tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so ’rjuna

“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.”

To stop the cycle of birth and death, one has to understand Kṛṣṇa as He is. Simply by knowing Kṛṣṇa, one can stop the process of rebirth into this material world. By acting in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one can return to Godhead. The highest perfection of life is for a father, mother, spiritual master, husband or any other family member to help others return home, back to Godhead. That is the most preferred welfare activity for the benefit of relatives. Therefore, Śacīmātā, although the mother of Nimāi Paṇḍita, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, considered all the facts and decided to allow her son to go out and search for Kṛṣṇa. At the same time, she made some arrangements in order that she might get news of all the activities of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Translation

Mother Śacī said, “This consideration is good. In my opinion, if Nimāi remains at Jagannātha Purī, He may not leave any one of us and at the same time can remain aloof as a sannyāsī. Thus both purposes are fulfilled.

Word meanings

tāte — therefore ; ei — this ; yukti — consideration ; bhāla — as good ; mora — my ; mane — mind ; laya — takes ; nīlācale — in Jagannātha Purī ; rahe — He stays ; yadi — if ; dui — two ; kārya — purposes ; haya — are achieved .

Translation

“Since Jagannātha Purī and Navadvīpa are intimately related — as if they were two rooms in the same house — people from Navadvīpa generally go to Jagannātha Purī, and those in Jagannātha Purī go to Navadvīpa. This going and coming will help carry news of Lord Caitanya. In this way I will be able to get news of Him.

Word meanings

nīlācale — at Jagannātha Purī ; navadvīpe — as well as Navadvīpa ; yena — as if ; dui — two ; ghara — rooms ; loka — people ; gatāgati — come and go ; vārtā — news ; pāba — I shall get ; nirantara — always .

Translation

“All you devotees will be able to come and go, and sometimes He may also come to take His bath in the Ganges.

Word meanings

tumi — you ; saba — all ; karite — to do ; pāra — are able ; gamana - āgamana — going and coming ; gaṅgā - snāne — for bathing in the Ganges ; kabhu — sometimes ; habe — it will be possible ; tāṅra — His ; āgamana — coming here .

Translation

“I do not care for my personal happiness or unhappiness, but only for His happiness. Indeed, I accept His happiness as my happiness.”

Word meanings

āpanāra — of my own ; duḥkha - sukha — unhappiness and happiness ; tāhāṅ — there ; nāhi — not ; gaṇi — I count ; tāṅra — His ; yei — whatever ; sukha — happiness ; tāhā — that ; nija — my own ; sukha — happiness ; māni — I accept .

Translation

After hearing Śacīmātā, all the devotees offered her prayers and assured her that her order, like a Vedic injunction, could not be violated.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing this ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; tāṅre — to her ; karila — did ; stavana — praying ; veda - ājñā — an injunction of the Vedas ; yaiche — like ; mātā — my dear mother ; tomāra vacana — your word .

Translation

All the devotees informed Lord Caitanya of Śacīmātā’s decision. Hearing it, the Lord became very pleased.

Word meanings

bhakta - gaṇa — the devotees ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āge — before ; āsiyā — coming ; kahila — informed ; śuniyā — hearing ; prabhura — of Lord Caitanya ; mane — in the mind ; ānanda — pleasure ; ha - ila — there was .

Translation

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered respects to all the devotees present from Navadvīpa and other towns, speaking to them as follows.

Word meanings

navadvīpa - vāsī — all the inhabitants of Navadvīpa ; ādi — primarily ; yata — all ; bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; sabāre — to all of them ; sammāna — respect ; kari’ — showing ; balilā — said ; vacana — these words .

Translation

“My dear friends, you are all My intimate friends. Now I am begging a favor of you. Please give it to Me.”

Word meanings

tumi - saba loka — all of you people ; mora — My ; parama bāndhava — intimate friends ; ei bhikṣā māgoṅ — I beg one favor ; more — unto Me ; deha — kindly give ; tumi — you ; saba — all .

Translation

Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested them all to return home and begin chanting the holy name congregationally. He also requested them to worship Kṛṣṇa, chant His holy name and discuss His holy pastimes.

Word meanings

ghare yāñā — returning home ; kara — kindly do ; sadā — always ; kṛṣṇa - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name of the Lord ; kṛṣṇa - nāma — the holy name of the Lord ; kṛṣṇa - kathā — discussion of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes ; kṛṣṇa — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; ārādhana — worshiping .

Purport

The cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement, is very nicely explained by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu authoritatively. It is not that everyone has to take sannyāsa like Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Everyone can execute the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness at home, as ordered by the Lord. Everyone can congregationally chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. One can also discuss the subject matter of the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and install Deities of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa or Gaura-Nitāi or both and worship them very carefully in one’s own home. It is not that we have to open different centers all over the world. Whoever cares for the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement can install Deities at home and, under superior guidance, worship the Deity regularly, chanting the mahā-mantra and discussing the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. We are actually teaching in our classes how to go about this. One who feels that he is not yet ready to live in a temple or undergo strict regulative principles in the temple — especially householders who live with a wife and children — can start a center at home by installing the Deity, worshiping the Lord morning and evening, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa and discussing the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Anyone can do this at home without difficulty, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested all the devotees present there to do so.

Translation

After thus instructing the devotees, the Lord asked their permission to go to Jagannātha Purī. He assured them that at intervals He would come there and meet them again and again.

Word meanings

ājñā deha — give permission ; nīlācale — to Jagannātha Purī ; kariye — I do ; gamana — going ; madhye madhye — sometimes ; āsi’ — coming here ; tomāya — to all of you ; diba — I shall give ; daraśana — audience .

Translation

In this way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, offering due respects to all the devotees and smiling very mildly, bade them farewell.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; sabākāre — to all the devotees ; īṣat hāsiñā — smiling very mildly ; vidāya karila — bid them farewell ; prabhu — the Lord ; sammāna kariñā — showing all respect .

Translation

After requesting all the devotees to return home, the Lord decided to go to Jagannātha Purī. At that time Haridāsa Ṭhākura began to cry and speak some pathetic words.

Word meanings

sabā vidāya diyā — asking everyone to return home ; prabhu — the Lord ; calite — to go ; kaila — decided ; mana — the mind ; haridāsa kāndi’ — Haridāsa Ṭhākura began to cry ; kahe — says ; karuṇa — pathetic ; vacana — words .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, “You are going to Jagannātha Purī, and that is all right, but what will be my destination? I am not able to go to Jagannātha Purī.

Word meanings

nīlācale yābe tumi — You will go to Jagannātha Purī ; mora — my ; kon — what ; gati — destination ; nīlācale — to Jagannātha Purī ; yāite — to go ; mora — my ; nāhika — there is not ; śakati — strength .

Purport

Although Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura was born in a Muslim family, he was accepted as a properly initiated brāhmaṇa. As such, he had every right to enter the temple of Jagannātha Purī, but because there were some rules and regulations stipulating that only brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras (members of the varṇāśrama-dharma system) could enter, Haridāsa Ṭhākura, out of his great humility, did not want to violate these existing rules. He therefore said that he did not have the strength to enter into the temple, and he pointed out that if Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu lived within the temple, there would be no way for Haridāsa Ṭhākura to see Him. Later, when Haridāsa Ṭhākura went to Jagannātha Purī, he lived outside the temple, at a place called Siddhabakula. A monastery has now been erected there, known as Siddhabakula Maṭha. People who visit Jagannātha Purī often go to see Siddhabakula and the tomb of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, on the beach by the sea.

Translation

“Because I am the lowest among men, I shall not be able to see You. How shall I maintain my sinful life?”

Word meanings

muñi — I ; adhama — the lowest of men ; tomāra — Your ; nā — not ; pāba — will get ; daraśana — seeing ; kemate — how ; dhariba — shall I maintain ; ei — this ; pāpiṣṭha — sinful ; jīvana — life .

Translation

The Lord replied to Haridāsa Ṭhākura, “Please check your humility. Just the sight of your humility very much agitates My mind.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord replied ; kara — do ; tumi — you ; dainya — humility ; samvaraṇa — checking ; tomāra — your ; dainyete — by humility ; mora — My ; vyākula — agitated ; haya — becomes ; mana — the mind .

Translation

Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu assured Haridāsa Ṭhākura that He would place a petition before Lord Jagannātha and that He would certainly take him there to Jagannātha Purī.

Word meanings

tomā lāgi’ — for you ; jagannāthe — unto Lord Jagannātha ; kariba — I shall do ; nivedana — petition ; tomā - lañā — taking you ; yāba — shall go ; āmi — I ; śrī - puruṣottama — to Jagannātha Purī .

Translation

After that, Advaita Ācārya respectfully requested Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to show Him mercy by remaining another two or four days.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; ta’ — certainly ; ācārya kahe — Advaita Ācārya says ; vinaya kariñā — offering all respect ; dina dui - cāri — another two or four days ; raha — kindly remain ; kṛpā — mercy ; ta’ — certainly ; kariñā — showing .

Translation

Caitanya Mahāprabhu never violated the request of Advaita Ācārya; therefore He remained at His home and did not leave immediately for Jagannātha Purī.

Word meanings

ācāryera vākya — the words of Śrī Advaita Ācārya ; prabhu — the Lord ; nā kare laṅghana — does not deny ; rahilā — remained ; advaita - gṛhe — at the house of Advaita Ācārya ; nā kaila gamana — did not go immediately .

Translation

Lord Caitanya’s decision was received very happily by Advaita Ācārya, mother Śacī and all the devotees. Advaita Ācārya celebrated every day with a great festival.

Word meanings

ānandita haila — became pleased ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; śacī — mother Śacīdevī ; bhakta — the devotees ; saba — all ; prati - dina — every day ; kare — does ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; mahā - mahā - utsava — great festival .

Translation

During the day the devotees discussed subject matters concerning Kṛṣṇa, and at night there was a great festival of congregational chanting at the house of Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

dine — during daytime ; kṛṣṇa - kathā - rasa — discussion on Kṛṣṇa ; bhakta - gaṇa - saṅge — with the devotees ; rātre — at night ; mahā - mahā - utsava — a great festival ; saṅkīrtana - raṅge — in the matter of congregational chanting .

Translation

Mother Śacī cooked with great pleasure, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, along with the devotees, accepted the prasādam with great pleasure.

Word meanings

ānandita hañā — being pleased ; śacī — mother Śacī ; karena — does ; randhana — cooking ; sukhe — in happiness ; bhojana — eating ; kare — does ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; lañā — accompanied by ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees .

Translation

In this way all the opulences of Advaita Ācārya — His faith, devotion, home, riches and everything else — were successfully utilized in the worship of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

ācāryera — of Advaita Ācārya ; śraddhā — faith ; bhakti — devotion ; gṛha — home ; sampada — opulence ; dhane — the wealth ; sakala — all ; saphala — successful ; haila — became ; prabhura — of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ārādhane — in the worship .

Purport

Advaita Ācārya set an ideal example for all householder devotees in His reception of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His devotees and in His execution of a daily festival at His home. If one has the proper means and wealth, he should occasionally invite the devotees of Lord Caitanya who are engaged in preaching all over the world and hold a festival at home simply by distributing prasādam and talking about Kṛṣṇa during the day and holding congregational chanting for at least three hours in the evening. This procedure must be adopted in all centers of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Thus they will daily perform saṅkīrtana-yajña. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.5.32) the daily performance of saṅkīrtana-yajña is recommended for this age ( yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ ). One should worship Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His four associates, the Pañca-tattva, by distributing prasādam and holding congregational chanting. Indeed, that yajña or sacrifice, is most recommended in this Age of Kali. In this age, other yajñas are not possible to perform, but this yajña can be performed everywhere and anywhere without difficulty.

Translation

As mother Śacī constantly saw the face of her son and fed Him, her own happiness increased and was indeed complete.

Word meanings

śacīra — of Śacīmātā ; ānanda bāḍe — pleasure increases ; dekhi’ — seeing ; putra - mukha — the face of her son ; bhojana karāñā — feeding ; pūrṇa — full ; kaila — made ; nija - sukha — her own happiness .

Translation

In this way, at Advaita Ācārya’s house all the devotees met and passed some days together in a greatly festive mood.

Word meanings

ei - mate — in this way ; advaita - gṛhe — at the home of Advaita Ācārya ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; mile — meet together ; vañcilā — passed ; kataka - dina — some days ; mahā - kutūhale — in a greatly festive mood .

Translation

The next day, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested all the devotees to return to their respective homes.

Word meanings

āra dina — the next day ; prabhu — the Lord ; kahe — says ; saba — all ; bhakta - gaṇe — to the devotees ; nija - nija - gṛhe — to your respective homes ; sabe — all ; karaha — do ; gamane — returning .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also asked them to execute the congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord at their homes, and He assured them that they would be able to meet Him again.

Word meanings

ghare giyā — returning home ; kara — do ; sabe — all ; kṛṣṇa - saṅkīrtana — congregational chanting of the mahā-mantra ; punarapi — again ; āmā - saṅge — with Me ; ha - ibe — there will be ; milana — meeting .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu told them, “Sometimes you will come to Jagannātha Purī, and sometimes I shall come bathe in the Ganges.”

Word meanings

kabhu — sometimes ; vā — either ; tomarā — you ; karibe — will do ; nīlādri — to Jagannātha Purī ; gamana — going ; kabhu — sometimes ; vā — or ; āsiba — shall come ; āmi — I ; karite — to do ; gaṅgā - snāna — bathing in the Ganges .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya sent four persons — Nityānanda Gosāñi, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, Dāmodara Paṇḍita and Mukunda Datta — to accompany the Lord. After pacifying His mother, Śacīmātā, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu submitted prayers to her lotus feet.

Word meanings

nityānanda - gosāñi — Lord Nityānanda ; paṇḍita jagadānanda — Jagadānanda Paṇḍita ; dāmodara paṇḍita — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; āra datta mukunda — and Mukunda Datta ; ei cāri - jana — these four persons ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; dila — gave ; prabhu sane — with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; jananī — mother Śacī ; prabodha kari’ — pacifying ; vandila caraṇe — offered prayers at her lotus feet . .

Translation

When everything was arranged, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu circumambulated His mother and then started for Jagannātha Purī. In the house of Advaita Ācārya there arose tumultuous crying.

Word meanings

tāṅre — mother Śacī ; pradakṣiṇa kari’ — circumambulating ; karila — did ; gamana — going ; ethā — there ; ācāryera — of Advaita Ācārya ; ghare — in the house ; uṭhila — there arose ; krandana — crying .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was unaffected. He left swiftly, and Advaita Ācārya followed Him, weeping.

Word meanings

nirapekṣa — indifferent ; hañā — becoming ; prabhu — the Lord ; śīghra — very quickly ; calilā — went ; kāndite kāndite — crying and crying ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; paścāt — behind ; calilā — went .

Purport

As Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains, the word nirapekṣa means not being affected by anything material and remaining fixed in the service of the Lord. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not very much care for the roaring tumult and cry at the house of Advaita Ācārya, which He heard when starting for Jagannātha Purī. Worldly moralists may criticize Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for being very cruel, but the Lord did not care for such criticism. As the world teacher of this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, He actually showed that a person seriously engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness should not be affected by worldly affection. The best course is to engage in rendering service to the Lord and to become callous to material objectives. Externally everyone is attached to material things, but if one becomes entangled in such things, he cannot make progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore those who are engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness should not care for the so-called morality of the material world if that morality opposes the service of the Lord. As Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu has personally shown, one cannot properly execute Kṛṣṇa consciousness without being neutral.

Translation

After He had followed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for some distance, Advaita Ācārya was petitioned by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with folded hands. The Lord spoke the following sweet words.

Word meanings

kata dūra giyā — after going some distance ; prabhu — the Lord ; kari’ — making ; yoḍa hāta — folded hands ; ācārye — Advaita Ācārya ; prabodhi’ — pacifying ; kahe — says ; kichu — something ; miṣṭa bāta — sweet words .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Please pacify all the devotees and My mother. If You become agitated, no one will be able to continue to exist.”

Word meanings

jananī prabodhi’ — pacifying the mother ; kara — make ; bhakta — devotees ; samādhāna — adjustments ; tumi — You ; vyagra haile — if becoming agitated ; kāro — anyone’s ; nā rahibe — will not remain ; prāṇa — the life .

Translation

Saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu embraced Advaita Ācārya and stopped Him from following any further. Then, without anxiety, He proceeded to Jagannātha Purī.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; prabhu — the Lord ; tāṅre — unto Him ; kari’ — doing ; āliṅgana — embracing ; nivṛtti — stop ; kariyā — making ; kaila — did ; svacchanda — without anxiety ; gamana — going toward Jagannātha Purī .

Translation

The Lord, with the other four persons, went along the banks of the Ganges through the path of Chatrabhoga toward Nīlādri, Jagannātha Purī.

Word meanings

gaṅgā - tīre - tīre — on the banks of the Ganges ; prabhu — the Lord ; cāri - jana - sāthe — with the other four persons ; nīlādri — to Jagannātha Purī ; calilā — proceeded ; prabhu — the Lord ; chatrabhoga - pathe — on the path of Chatrabhoga .

Purport

In the southern section of the Eastern Railway, in the district of twenty-four pargaṇās, is a station named Magrāhāṭa. If one goes to the southeastern side of that station for some fourteen miles, there is a place called Jayanagara. About six miles south of this Jayanagara station is a village named Chatrabhoga. Sometimes this village is called Khāḍi. In this village is a Deity of Lord Śiva known as Vaijurkānātha. A festival takes place there every year during the month of Caitra (March-April). The festival is known as Nandā-melā. At the present moment the Ganges does not flow there. On the same railway line is another station, known as Bāruipura, and near this station is another place, called Āṭisārā. Formerly this village was also situated on the banks of the Ganges. One can go from this village to Pānihāṭi and from there to Varāha-nagara, north of Calcutta. In those days the Ganges flowed to the south of Calcutta through Kālī-ghāṭa, which is still known as Ādi-gaṅgā . From Bāruipura, the Ganges branched out and flowed through Diamond Harbour near the Mathurāpura police station. It is to be noted that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed through all these places on His way to Jagannātha Purī.

Translation

In his book known as Caitanya-maṅgala [Caitanya-bhāgavata], Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura has elaborately described the Lord’s passage to Jagannātha Purī.

Word meanings

caitanya - maṅgale — in the book named Caitanya-maṅgala ; prabhura — of the Lord ; nīlādri - gamana — going to Jagannātha Purī ; vistāri — elaborating ; varṇiyāchena — has described ; dāsa - vṛndāvana — Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura states that while Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed through Bengal, He passed through Āṭisārā-grāma, Varāha-grāma and Chatrabhoga. He then reached the Orissa province, where He passed through Prayāga-ghāṭa; the Suvarṇarekhā River; Remuṇā; Yājapura, where He bathed at the Daśāśvamedha-ghāṭa, on the Vaitaraṇī River; Kaṭaka (Cuttack), where the Mahānadī River flows; Bhuvaneśvara, where there is a big lake known as Bindu-sarovara; Kamalapura; and Āṭhāranālā. In this way, passing through all these and other places, He reached Jagannātha Purī.

Translation

If one hears the activities of the Lord at the house of Advaita Ācārya, he will certainly very soon attain the riches of love of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

advaita - gṛhe — at the house of Advaita Ācārya ; prabhura — of the Lord ; vilāsa — the pastimes ; śune — hears ; yei — one who ; jana — person ; acire — very soon ; milaye — meets ; tāṅre — him ; kṛṣṇa - prema - dhana — the riches of love of Godhead .

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, Madhya-līlā, third chapter, describing Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s stay at the house of Advaita Ācārya, His acceptance of the sannyāsa order and observation of daily festivals at Advaita Ācārya’s house, His congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord and His feasting with all the devotees.