Śrī Mādhavendra Purī’s Devotional Service

Translation

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Mādhavendra Purī, who was given a pot of sweet rice stolen by Śrī Gopīnātha, celebrated thereafter as Kṣīra-corā. Being pleased by Mādhavendra Purī’s love, Śrī Gopāla, the Deity at Govardhana, appeared to the public vision.

Word meanings

yasmai — unto whom ; dātum — to deliver ; corayan — stealing ; kṣīra - bhāṇḍam — the pot of sweet rice ; gopīnāthaḥ — Gopīnātha ; kṣīra - corā — stealer of a pot of sweet rice ; abhidhaḥ — celebrated ; abhūt — became ; śrī - gopālaḥ — Śrī Gopāla Deity ; prādurāsīt — appeared ; vaśaḥ — captivated ; san — being ; yat - premṇā — by his love ; tam — unto him ; mādhavendram — Mādhavendra Purī, who was in the Madhva-sampradāya ; nataḥ asmi — I offer my respectful obeisances .

Purport

Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura annotates that this Gopāla Deity was originally installed by Vajra, the great-grandson of Kṛṣṇa. Mādhavendra Purī rediscovered Gopāla and established Him on top of Govardhana Hill. This Gopāla Deity is now situated at Nāthadvāra and is under the management of descendants of Vallabhācārya. The worship of the Deity is very luxurious, and one who goes there can purchase varieties of prasādam by paying a small price.

Translation

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

Word meanings

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

Translation

The Lord went to Jagannātha Purī and visited Lord Jagannātha’s temple. He also met with Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya. All these pastimes have been very elaborately explained by Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura in his book Caitanya-bhāgavata.

Word meanings

nīlādri - gamana — going to Jagannātha Purī ; jagannātha - daraśana — visiting the temple of Lord Jagannātha ; sārvabhauma bhaṭṭācārya — with Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; prabhura — of the Lord ; milana — meeting ; e saba — all these ; līlā — pastimes ; prabhura — of the Lord ; dāsa vṛndāvana — Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura ; vistāri’ — elaborating ; kariyāchena — has done ; uttama — very nice ; varṇana — description .

Translation

By nature all the activities of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are very wonderful and sweet, and when they are described by Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, they become like a shower of nectar.

Word meanings

sahaje — naturally ; vicitra — wonderful ; madhura — sweet ; caitanya — of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vihāra — the activities ; vṛndāvana - dāsa — of Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura ; mukhe — from the mouth ; amṛtera — of nectar ; dhāra — shower .

Translation

Therefore I very humbly submit that since these incidents have already been nicely described by Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura, I would be very proud to repeat the same thing, and this would not be very good. I do not have such powers.

Word meanings

ataeva — therefore ; tāhā — such activities ; varṇile — if describing ; haya — there is ; punarukti — repetition ; dambha kari’ — being proud ; varṇi — I describe ; yadi — if ; taiche — such ; nāhi — there is not ; śakti — power .

Translation

I am therefore presenting only a synopsis of those events already described elaborately by Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura in his Caitanya-maṅgala [now known as Caitanya-bhāgavata].

Word meanings

caitanya - maṅgale — in the book named Caitanya-maṅgala ; yāhā — whatever ; karila varṇana — has described ; sūtra - rūpe — in the form of a synopsis ; sei līlā — those pastimes ; kariye sūcana — I shall present .

Translation

Some of the incidents he did not describe elaborately but only summarized, and these I shall try to describe in this book.

Word meanings

tāṅra — his ; sūtre — in the synopsis ; āche — there are ; teṅha — he ; nā kaila varṇana — did not describe ; yathā - kathañcit — something of them ; kari’ — doing ; se — these ; līlā — of pastimes ; kathana — narration .

Translation

I thus offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. I hope that I will not offend his lotus feet by this action.

Word meanings

ataeva — therefore ; tāṅra pāye — at his lotus feet ; kari — I do ; namaskāra — obeisances ; tāṅra pāya — to the lotus feet of Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura ; aparādha — offense ; nā — not ; ha - uk — let it happen ; āmāra — my .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu proceeded toward Jagannātha Purī with four of His devotees, and He chanted the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, with great eagerness.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; mahāprabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; calilā — proceeded ; nīlācale — toward Jagannātha Purī ; cāri bhakta — four devotees ; saṅge — with ; kṛṣṇa - kīrtana — for chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; kutūhale — in great eagerness .

Translation

Each day Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally went to a village and collected a great quantity of rice and other grains for the preparation of prasādam.

Word meanings

bhikṣā lāgi’ — for prasādam ; eka - dina — in one day ; eka grāma — to one village ; giyā — going ; āpane — personally ; bahuta — a great quantity ; anna — of rice and other eatables ; ānila — brought ; māgiyā — begging .

Translation

There were many rivers on the way, and at each river there was a tax collector. The tax collectors did not hinder the Lord, however, and He showed them mercy. Finally He reached the village of Remuṇā.

Word meanings

pathe — on the way ; baḍa baḍa — big, big ; dānī — toll or tax collector ; vighna — hindrances ; nāhi — not ; kare — make ; tā’ sabāre — to all of them ; kṛpā kari’ — showing mercy ; āilā — reached ; remuṇāre — the village known as Remuṇā .

Purport

There is a railway station named Baleśvara, and five miles to the west is the village of Remuṇā. The temple of Kṣīra-corā-gopīnātha still exists in this village, and within the temple the samādhi tomb of Rasikānanda Prabhu, the chief disciple of Śyāmānanda Gosvāmī, can still be found.

Translation

The Deity of Gopīnātha in the temple at Remuṇā was very attractive. Lord Caitanya visited the temple and offered His obeisances with great devotion.

Word meanings

remuṇāte — in that village of Remuṇā ; gopīnātha — the Deity of Gopīnātha ; parama - mohana — very attractive ; bhakti kari’ — with great devotion ; kaila — did ; prabhu — the Lord ; tāṅra — of Him ; daraśana — visit .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered His obeisances at the lotus feet of the Gopīnātha Deity, the helmet of flowers on the head of Gopīnātha fell down and landed on the head of Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

tāṅra pāda - padma — the lotus feet of Gopīnātha ; nikaṭa — near ; praṇāma — obeisances ; karite — while offering ; tāṅra — His ; puṣpa - cūḍā — helmet of flowers ; paḍila — fell down ; prabhura — of the Lord ; māthāte — on the head .

Translation

When the Deity’s helmet fell upon His head, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became very pleased, and thus He chanted and danced in various ways with His devotees.

Word meanings

cūḍā pāñā — getting the helmet ; mahāprabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ānandita — pleased ; mana — the mind ; bahu — various kinds ; nṛtya - gīta — dancing and chanting ; kaila — performed ; lañā — with ; bhakta - gaṇa — the devotees .

Translation

All the servants of the Deity were struck with wonder due to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s intense love, His exquisite beauty and His transcendental qualities.

Word meanings

prabhura — of the Lord ; prabhāva — the influence ; dekhi’ — seeing ; prema - rūpa — His beauty ; guṇa — and His qualities ; vismita ha - ilā — became struck with wonder ; gopīnāthera — of the Gopīnātha Deity ; dāsa - gaṇa — the servants .

Translation

Because of their love for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they served Him in many ways, and that night the Lord stayed at the temple of Gopīnātha.

Word meanings

nānā - rūpe — in various ways ; prītye — on account of love ; kaila — did ; prabhura — of the Lord ; sevana — service ; sei rātri — that night ; tāhāṅ — there ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karilā — did ; vañcana — passing .

Translation

The Lord remained there because He was very eager to receive the remnants of sweet rice offered to the Gopīnātha Deity, having heard a narration from His spiritual master, Īśvara Purī, of what had once happened there.

Word meanings

mahā - prasāda — for the remnants of food ; kṣīra — sweet rice ; lobhe — in eagerness ; rahilā — remained ; prabhu — the Lord ; tathā — there ; pūrve — before that ; īśvara - purī — Īśvara Purī, His spiritual master ; tāṅre — unto Him ; kahiyāchena — told ; kathā — a narration .

Translation

That Deity was known widely as Kṣīra-corā-gopīnātha, and Caitanya Mahāprabhu told His devotees the story of how the Deity became so famous.

Word meanings

kṣīra - corā gopīnātha — the Gopīnātha who stole the pot of sweet rice ; prasiddha — very famous ; tāṅra nāma — His name ; bhakta - gaṇe — to all the devotees ; kahe — tells ; prabhu — the Lord ; sei ta’ ākhyāna — that narration .

Translation

Formerly the Deity had stolen a pot of sweet rice for Mādhavendra Purī; therefore He became very famous as the Lord who stole the sweet rice.

Word meanings

pūrve — formerly ; mādhava - purīra lāgi’ — for Mādhavendra Purī ; kṣīra — sweet rice ; kaila — did ; curi — steal ; ataeva — therefore ; nāma — the name ; haila — became ; kṣīra - corā hari — the Lord who stole a pot of sweet rice .

Translation

Once, Śrī Mādhavendra Purī traveled to Vṛndāvana, where he came upon the hill known as Govardhana.

Word meanings

pūrve — formerly ; śrī - mādhava - purī — Śrīla Mādhavendra Purī ; āilā — came ; vṛndāvana — to Vṛndāvana ; bhramite bhramite — while traveling ; gelā — went ; giri govardhana — to the hill known as Govardhana .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī was almost mad in his ecstasy of love of Godhead, and he did not know whether it was day or night. Sometimes he stood up, and sometimes he fell to the ground. He could not discriminate whether he was in a proper place or not.

Word meanings

preme matta — maddened in the ecstasy of love of Kṛṣṇa ; nāhi — there was not ; tāṅra — of him ; rātri - dina - jñāna — knowledge of day and night ; kṣaṇe — sometimes ; uṭhe — stands ; kṣaṇe paḍe — sometimes falls ; nāhi — there was no sense ; sthāna - asthāna — a proper place or not .

Translation

After circumambulating the hill, Mādhavendra Purī went to Govinda-kuṇḍa and took his bath. He then sat beneath a tree to take his evening rest.

Word meanings

śaila — the hill ; parikramā — circumambulation ; kari’ — finishing ; govinda - kuṇḍe — to the bank of the Govinda-kuṇḍa ; āsi’ — coming there ; snāna kari — taking a bath ; vṛkṣa - tale — under the shade of a tree ; āche — is ; sandhyāya — in the evening ; vasi’ — resting .

Translation

While he was sitting beneath a tree, an unknown cowherd boy came with a pot of milk, placed it before Mādhavendra Purī and, smiling, addressed him as follows.

Word meanings

gopāla - bālaka — cowherd boy ; eka — one ; dugdha - bhāṇḍa lañā — taking a pot of milk ; āsi’ — coming ; āge dhari’ — holding it in front ; kichu — something ; balila — said ; hāsiyā — smiling .

Translation

“O Mādhavendra Purī, please drink the milk I have brought. Why don’t you beg some food to eat? What kind of meditation are you undergoing?”

Word meanings

purī — O Mādhavendra Purī ; ei dugdha lañā — taking this milk ; kara tumi pāna — drink it ; māgi’ — by begging ; kene — why ; nāhi — not ; khāo — you eat ; kibā — what ; kara — do ; dhyāna — meditation .

Translation

When he saw the beauty of that boy, Mādhavendra Purī became very satisfied. Hearing His sweet words, he forgot all hunger and thirst.

Word meanings

bālakera — of the boy ; saundarye — in the beauty ; purīra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; ha - ila — was ; santoṣa — very much satisfaction ; tāhāra — of Him ; madhura - vākye — by the sweet words ; gela — forgot ; bhoka - śoṣa — all hunger and thirst .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī said, “Who are You? Where do You reside? And how did You know that I was fasting?”

Word meanings

purī kahe — Mādhavendra Purī inquired from the boy ; ke tumi — who are You ; kāhāṅ tomāra vāsa — where do You reside ; ke - mate — how ; jānile — You know ; āmi kari upavāsa — I am fasting .

Translation

The boy replied, “Sir, I am a cowherd boy, and I reside in this village. In My village, no one fasts.

Word meanings

bālaka kahe — the boy said ; gopa āmi — I am a cowherd boy ; ei grāme vasi — I reside in this village ; āmāra grāmete — in My village ; keha — anyone ; nā — not ; rahe — remains ; upavāsī — without food .

Translation

“In this village a person can beg food from others and thus eat. Some people drink only milk, but if a person does not ask anyone for food, I supply him all his eatables.

Word meanings

keha — someone ; anna — food ; māgi’ — begging ; khāya — eats ; keha — someone ; dugdha - āhāra — drinks milk ; ayācaka - jane — a person who does not beg ; āmi — I ; diye — supply ; ta’ — certainly ; āhāra — eatables .

Translation

“The women who come here to take water saw you, and they supplied Me with this milk and sent Me to you.”

Word meanings

jala nite — for bringing water ; strī - gaṇa — the women ; tomāre — you ; dekhi’ gela — saw you and went ; strī - saba — all the women ; dugdha — milk ; diyā — giving ; āmāre — Me ; pāṭhāila — have sent .

Translation

The boy continued, “I must go very soon to milk the cows, but I shall return and take back this milk pot from you.”

Word meanings

go - dohana karite cāhi — I want to milk the cows ; śīghra — very soon ; āmi yāba — I must go ; āra - bāra — again ; āsi — coming back ; āmi — I ; ei — this ; bhāṇḍa — pot ; la - iba — will take it back .

Translation

Saying this, the boy left the place. Indeed, He suddenly could be seen no more, and Mādhavendra Purī’s heart was filled with wonder.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; gelā — went ; bālaka — the boy ; nā — not ; dekhiye — could be seen ; āra — any more ; mādhava - purīra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; citte — in the mind ; ha - ila — there was ; camatkāra — wonder .

Translation

After drinking the milk, Mādhavendra Purī washed the pot and put it aside. He looked toward the path, but the boy never returned.

Word meanings

dugdha — milk ; pāna kari’ — drinking ; bhāṇḍa — the pot ; dhuñā — washing ; rākhila — kept aside ; bāṭa dekhe — looks at the path ; se bālaka — the boy ; punaḥ — again ; nā āila — did not come back .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī could not sleep. He sat and chanted the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, and at the end of the night he dozed a little, and his external activities stopped.

Word meanings

vasi’ — sitting there ; nāma laya — chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; nidrā — sleep ; nāhi haya — there was not ; śeṣa - rātre — at the end of the night ; tandrā — dozing ; haila — there was ; bāhya - vṛtti — of external activities ; laya — stop .

Translation

In a dream Mādhavendra Purī saw the very same boy. The boy came before him and, holding his hand, took him to a bush in the jungle.

Word meanings

svapne — in a dream ; dekhe — he saw ; sei bālaka — the very same boy ; sammukhe — in front ; āsiñā — coming ; eka kuñje — in one of the bushes ; lañā — taking him ; gela — went ; hātete dhariñā — holding him by the hand .

Translation

The boy showed Mādhavendra Purī the bush and said, “I reside in this bush, and because of this I suffer very much from severe cold, rain showers, winds and scorching heat.

Word meanings

kuñja dekhāñā — while showing him the bush ; kahe — He says ; āmi — I ; ei — this ; kuñje — in the bush ; ra - i — reside ; śīta - vṛṣṭi — in chilly cold and in showering rain ; vāta — in severe wind ; agnite — and in scorching heat ; mahā - duḥkha pāi — I am experiencing great pain .

Translation

“Please bring the people of the village and get them to take Me out of this bush. Then have them situate Me nicely on top of the hill.

Word meanings

grāmera — of the village ; loka — the people ; āni’ — bringing ; āmā — Me ; kāḍha’ — take out ; kuñja haite — from this bush ; parvata - upari — on the top of the hill ; lañā — taking Me ; rākha — keep Me ; bhāla - mate — very nicely .

Translation

“Please construct a temple on top of that hill,” the boy continued, “and install Me in that temple. After this, wash Me with large quantities of cold water so that My body may be cleansed.

Word meanings

eka — one ; maṭha — temple ; kari’ — constructing ; tāhāṅ — there ; karaha — do ; sthāpana — installment ; bahu — much ; śītala — cold ; jale — in water ; kara — do ; śrī - aṅga — My transcendental body ; mārjana — washing .

Translation

“For many days I have been observing you, and I have been wondering, ‘When will Mādhavendra Purī come here to serve Me?’

Word meanings

bahu - dina — many days ; tomāra — of you ; patha — the path ; kari — I do ; nirīkṣaṇa — observing ; kabe — when ; āsi’ — coming ; mādhava — Mādhavendra Purī ; āmā — Me ; karibe — he will do ; sevana — serving .

Translation

“I have accepted your service due to your ecstatic love for Me. Thus I shall appear, and by My audience all fallen souls will be delivered.

Word meanings

tomāra — your ; prema - vaśe — by being subjugated by the love ; kari’ — doing ; sevā — of service ; aṅgīkāra — acceptance ; darśana diyā — giving audience ; nistāriba — I shall deliver ; sakala — all ; saṁsāra — the material world .

Translation

“My name is Gopāla. I am the lifter of Govardhana Hill. I was installed by Vajra, and here I am the authority.

Word meanings

śrī - gopāla nāma — the name Śrī Gopāla ; mora — My ; govardhana - dhārī — the lifter of Govardhana Hill ; vajrera — by Vajra, the great-grandson of Kṛṣṇa ; sthāpita — installed ; āmi — I ; ihāṅ — here ; adhikārī — the authority .

Translation

“When the Muslims attacked, the priest who was serving Me hid Me in this bush in the jungle. Then he ran away out of fear of the attack.

Word meanings

śaila - upari — the top of the hill ; haite — from ; āmā — Me ; kuñje — in the bushes ; lukāñā — concealing ; mleccha - bhaye — from fear of the Muslims ; sevaka — servant ; mora — My ; gela — went ; palāñā — running away .

Translation

“Since the priest went away, I have been staying in this bush. It is very good that you have come here. Now just remove Me with care.”

Word meanings

sei haite — from that time ; rahi — reside ; āmi — I ; ei — this ; kuñja - sthāne — in the bush ; bhāla haila — it was very good ; āilā — you have come ; āmā — Me ; kāḍha — take out ; sāvadhāne — with care .

Translation

After saying this, the boy disappeared. Then Mādhavendra Purī woke up and began to consider his dream.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; se - bālaka — that very boy ; antardhāna kaila — disappeared ; jāgiyā — awakening ; mādhava - purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; vicāra — consideration ; karila — made .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī began to lament, “I saw Lord Kṛṣṇa directly, but I could not recognize Him!” Thus he fell down on the ground in ecstatic love.

Word meanings

śrī - kṛṣṇake dekhinu — saw Lord Kṛṣṇa personally ; muñi — I ; nārinu — was unable ; cinite — to identify ; eta bali’ — saying this ; prema - āveśe — in the ecstasy of love ; paḍilā — fell down ; bhūmite — on the ground .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī cried for some time, but then he fixed his mind on executing the order of Gopāla. Thus he became tranquil.

Word meanings

kṣaṇeka — for some time ; rodana kari — crying ; mana — mind ; kaila — made ; dhīra — pacified ; ājñā — the order ; pālana — of executing ; lāgi’ — for the matter ; ha - ilā — became ; su - sthira — silent .

Translation

After taking his morning bath, Mādhavendra Purī entered the village and assembled all the people. Then he spoke as follows.

Word meanings

prātaḥ - snāna — morning bath ; kari’ — finishing ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; grāma - madhye — within the village ; gelā — entered ; saba loka — all the people ; ekatra kari’ — assembling ; kahite lāgilā — began to speak .

Translation

“The proprietor of this village, Govardhana-dhārī, is lying in the bushes. Let us go there and rescue Him from that place.

Word meanings

grāmera — of the village ; īśvara — the proprietor ; tomāra — your ; govardhana - dhārī — the lifter of Govardhana Hill ; kuñje āche — in the bushes in the jungle ; cala — let us go ; tāṅre — Him ; bāhira ye kari — take out .

Translation

“The bushes are very dense, and we will not be able to enter the jungle. Therefore take choppers and spades to clear the way.”

Word meanings

atyanta — very ; niviḍa — dense ; kuñja — bushes ; nāri — we are not able ; praveśite — to enter ; kuṭhāri — choppers ; kodāli — spades ; laha — take ; dvāra karite — to make a way .

Translation

After hearing this, all the people accompanied Mādhavendra Purī with great pleasure. According to his directions, they cut down bushes, cleared a path and entered the jungle.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; loka — the people ; tāṅra — him ; saṅge — with ; calilā — went ; hariṣe — with great pleasure ; kuñja kāṭi’ — cutting the bushes ; dvāra — a way ; kari’ — making ; karilā praveśe — entered .

Translation

When they saw the Deity covered with dirt and grass, they were all struck with wonder and pleasure.

Word meanings

ṭhākura — the Deity ; dekhila — they saw ; māṭī — with dirt ; tṛṇe — and grass ; ācchādita — covered ; dekhi’ — seeing ; saba loka — all the people ; haila — became ; ānande — with pleasure ; vismita — amazed .

Translation

After they had cleansed the body of the Deity, some of them said, “The Deity is very heavy. No single person can move Him.”

Word meanings

āvaraṇa — the covering ; dūra kari’ — clearing away ; karila vidite — declared ; mahā - bhārī — very heavy ; ṭhākura — the Deity ; keha — anyone ; nāre — not able ; cālāite — to cause to move .

Translation

Since the Deity was very heavy, some of the stronger men assembled to carry Him to the top of the hill. Mādhavendra Purī also went there.

Word meanings

mahā - mahā - baliṣṭha — who are very strong ; loka — persons ; ekatra kariñā — assembling ; parvata - upari — to the top of the hill ; gela — went ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; ṭhākura lañā — taking the Deity .

Translation

A big stone was made into a throne, and the Deity was installed upon it. Another big stone was placed behind the Deity for support.

Word meanings

pātharera — of stone ; siṁha - āsane — on a throne ; ṭhākura — the Deity ; vasāila — installed ; baḍa — big ; eka — one ; pāthara — stone ; pṛṣṭhe — at the back ; avalamba — support ; dila — gave .

Translation

All the brāhmaṇa priests of the village gathered together with nine waterpots, and water from Govinda-kuṇḍa lake was brought there and filtered.

Word meanings

grāmera — of the village ; brāhmaṇa — brāhmaṇa priests ; saba — all ; nava — nine ; ghaṭa — waterpots ; lañā — bringing ; govinda - kuṇḍera — of the lake known as Govinda-kuṇḍa ; jala — the water ; ānila — brought ; chāniñā — filtering .

Translation

When the Deity was being installed, nine hundred pots of water were brought from Govinda-kuṇḍa. There were musical sounds of bugles and drums and the singing of women.

Word meanings

nava — nine ; śata - ghaṭa — hundreds of waterpots ; jala — water ; kaila — made ; upanīta — brought ; nānā — various ; vādya — musical sounds ; bherī — bugles ; bāje — vibrate ; strī - gaṇa — all the women ; gāya — chant ; gīta — various songs .

Translation

During the festival at the installation ceremony, some people sang and some danced. All the milk, yogurt and clarified butter in the village were brought to the festival.

Word meanings

keha gāya — some sing ; keha nāce — some dance ; mahotsava haila — there was a festival ; dadhi — yogurt ; dugdha — milk ; ghṛta — clarified butter ; āila — was brought ; grāme — in the village ; yata — as much ; chila — as there was .

Translation

Various foods and sweetmeats, as well as other kinds of presentations, were brought there. I am unable to describe all these.

Word meanings

bhoga - sāmagrī — ingredients for eatables to be offered ; āila — brought in ; sandeśa - ādi — sweetmeats ; yata — all kinds of ; nānā — various ; upahāra — presentations ; tāhā — that ; kahite — to say ; pāri — I am able ; kata — how much .

Translation

The villagers brought a large quantity of tulasī leaves, flowers and various kinds of garments. Then Śrī Mādhavendra Purī personally began the abhiṣeka [bathing ceremony].

Word meanings

tulasī — tulasī leaves ; ādi — and others ; puṣpa — flowers ; vastra — garments ; āila — arrived ; aneka — in great quantity ; āpane — personally ; mādhava - purī — Śrī Mādhavendra Purī ; kaila — executed ; abhiṣeka — the bathing of the Deity at the beginning of the installation ceremony .

Purport

In the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (sixth vilāsa, verse 30) it is stated that the Deity should be bathed in water mixed with yogurt and milk, accompanied by the sounds of conchshells, bells and other instruments and the chanting of the mantra oṁ bhagavate vāsudevāya namaḥ, as well as the chanting of the Brahma-saṁhitā verses beginning cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam.

Translation

After all inauspicious things were driven away by the chanting of the mantra, the Deity’s bathing ceremony started. First the Deity was massaged with a large quantity of oil, so that His body became very glossy.

Word meanings

amaṅgalā — all inauspiciousness ; dūra kari’ — driving away ; karāila — caused ; snāna — bathing ; bahu — a great quantity ; taila — oil ; diyā — applying ; kaila — made ; śrī - aṅga — the body ; cikkaṇa — glossy .

Translation

After the first bathing, further bathings were conducted with pañca-gavya and then with pañcāmṛta. Then the mahā-snāna was performed with ghee and water, which had been brought in one hundred pots.

Word meanings

pañca - gavya — in five kinds of products from the cow ; pañca - amṛte — in a preparation made with five palatable foods ; snāna — bath ; karāñā — finishing ; mahā - snāna — a vast bath with ghee and water ; karāila — performed ; śata — one hundred ; ghaṭa — waterpots ; diñā — with .

Purport

The ingredients of pañca-gavya are milk, yogurt, ghee (clarified butter), cow urine and cow dung. All these items come from the cow; therefore we can just imagine how important the cow is, since its urine and stool are required for bathing the Deity. The pañcāmṛta consists of five kinds of nectar — yogurt, milk, ghee, honey and sugar. The major portion of this preparation also comes from the cow. To make it more palatable, sugar and honey are added.

Translation

After the mahā-snāna was finished, the Deity was again massaged with scented oil and His body made glossy. Then the last bathing ceremony was performed with scented water kept within a conchshell.

Word meanings

punaḥ — again ; taila diyā — with oil ; kaila — made ; śrī - aṅga — the body of the Deity ; cikkaṇa — shiny ; śaṅkha - gandha - udake — in water scented with flowers and sandalwood pulp and kept within a conchshell ; kaila — did ; snāna — bath ; samādhāna — execution .

Purport

In his commentary on this occasion, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura quotes from the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa. Barley powder, wheat powder, vermilion powder, urad dhal powder and another powder preparation called āvāṭā (made by mixing banana powder and ground rice) are applied to the Deity’s body with a brush made from the hair at the end of a cow’s tail. This produces a nice finish. The oil smeared over the body of the Deity should be scented. To perform the mahā-snāna, at least two and a half mānas (about twenty-four gallons) of water are needed to pour over the body of the Deity.

Translation

After the body of the Deity was cleansed, He was dressed very nicely with new garments. Then sandalwood pulp, tulasī garlands and other fragrant flower garlands were placed upon the body of the Deity.

Word meanings

śrī - aṅga — the transcendental body of the Deity ; mārjana kari’ — cleansing ; vastra — garments ; parāila — were put on ; candana — sandalwood pulp ; tulasī — tulasī leaves ; puṣpa - mālā — garlands of flowers ; aṅge — on the body ; dila — were placed .

Translation

After the bathing ceremony was finished, incense and lamps were burned and all kinds of food offered before the Deity. These foods included yogurt, milk and as many sweetmeats as were received.

Word meanings

dhūpa — incense ; dīpa — lamp ; kari’ — burning ; nānā — various ; bhoga — foods ; lāgāila — were offered ; dadhi — yogurt ; dugdha — milk ; sandeśa — sweetmeats ; ādi — and others ; yata — as much as ; kichu — some ; āila — received .

Translation

The Deity was first offered many varieties of food, then scented drinking water in new pots, and then water for washing the mouth. Finally pan mixed with a variety of spices was offered.

Word meanings

suvāsita jala — scented water ; nava - pātre — in new pots ; samarpila — were offered ; ācamana diyā — when offering ācamana (water for washing the feet and mouth) ; se — he ; tāmbūla — pan and spices ; nivedila — offered .

Translation

After the last offering of tāmbūla and pan, bhoga-ārātrika was performed. Finally everyone offered various prayers and then obeisances, falling flat before the Deity in full surrender.

Word meanings

ārātrika — the performance of ārātrika ; kari’ — finishing ; kaila — chanted ; bahuta — varieties ; stavana — of prayers ; daṇḍavat — obeisances ; kari’ — offering ; kaila — did ; ātma - samarpaṇa — self-surrender .

Translation

As soon as the people of the village had understood that the Deity was going to be installed, they had brought their entire stocks of rice, dhal and wheat flour. They brought such large quantities that the entire surface of the top of the hill was filled.

Word meanings

grāmera — of the village ; yateka — all ; taṇḍula — the rice ; dāli — dhal ; godhūma - cūrṇa — wheat flour ; sakala — all ; āniyā — bringing ; dila — offered ; parvata — the top of the hill ; haila — became ; pūrṇa — filled .

Translation

When the villagers brought their stock of rice, dhal and flour, the potters of the village brought all kinds of cooking pots, and in the morning the cooking began.

Word meanings

kumbhakāra — of the potters of the village ; ghare — in the houses ; chila — there was ; ye — whatever ; mṛd - bhājana — clay pots ; saba — all ; ānāila — brought ; prāte — in the morning ; caḍila — started ; randhana — cooking .

Translation

Ten brāhmaṇas cooked the food grains, and five brāhmaṇas cooked both dry and liquid vegetables.

Word meanings

daśa - vipra — ten brāhmaṇas ; anna — food grains ; rāndhi’ — cooking ; kare — do ; eka stūpa — in one stack ; janā - pāṅca — five brāhmaṇas ; rāndhe — cook ; vyañjana - ādi — vegetables ; nānā — various ; sūpa — liquid .

Translation

The vegetable preparations were made from various kinds of spinach, roots and fruits collected from the forest, and someone made baḍā and baḍi by mashing dhal. In this way the brāhmaṇas prepared all kinds of food.

Word meanings

vanya śāka — spinach of the forest ; phala — fruits ; mūle — with roots ; vividha — varieties ; vyañjana — vegetables ; keha — someone ; baḍā - baḍi — baḍā and baḍi ; kaḍi — from the pulp of dhal ; kare — made ; vipra - gaṇa — all the brāhmaṇas. .

Translation

Five to seven men prepared a huge quantity of chapatis, which were completely covered with ghee [clarified butter], as were all the vegetables, rice and dhal.

Word meanings

janā pāṅca - sāta — five to seven men ; ruṭi — chapatis ; kare — make ; rāśi - rāśi — in great quantity ; anna - vyañjana — food grains and vegetables ; saba — all ; rahe — remained ; ghṛte — in ghee ; bhāsi’ — overflooding .

Translation

All the cooked rice was stacked on palāśa leaves, which were on new cloths spread over the ground.

Word meanings

nava - vastra — new cloth ; pāti’ — spreading ; tāhe — on that ; palāśera pāta — the leaves of palāśa ; rāndhi’ rāndhi’ — cooking and cooking ; tāra upara — on that ; rāśi — stacked ; kaila — made ; bhāta — rice .

Translation

Around the stack of cooked rice were stacks of chapatis, and all the vegetables and liquid vegetable preparations were placed in different pots and put around them.

Word meanings

tāra pāśe — around the stack of rice ; ruṭi — of chapatis ; rāśira — of stacks ; parvata — another small hill ; ha - ila — became ; sūpa - ādi — of all liquid vegetables ; vyañjana — and of all other vegetables ; bhāṇḍa — pots ; caudike — all around ; dharila — were placed .

Translation

Pots of yogurt, milk, buttermilk and śikhariṇī, sweet rice, cream and solid cream were placed alongside the vegetables.

Word meanings

tāra pāśe — by the side of the vegetables ; dadhi — yogurt ; dugdha — milk ; māṭhā — buttermilk ; śikhariṇī — a sweet preparation made with yogurt ; pāyasa — sweet rice ; mathanī — cream ; sara — solid cream collected over yogurt ; pāśe — by the side ; dhari — keeping ; āni’ — bringing .

Purport

In this kind of ceremony, which is called Annakūṭa, cooked rice is stacked like a small mountain for prasādam distribution.

Translation

In this way the Annakūṭa ceremony was performed, and Mādhavendra Purī Gosvāmī personally offered everything to Gopāla.

Word meanings

hena - mate — in this way ; anna - kūṭa — of the Annakūṭa ceremony ; karila — did ; sājana — performance ; purī - gosāñi — Mādhavendra Purī ; gopālere — unto the Gopāla Deity ; kaila — did ; samarpaṇa — offering .

Translation

Many waterpots were filled with scented water for drinking, and Lord Śrī Gopāla, who had been hungry for many days, ate everything offered to Him.

Word meanings

aneka ghaṭa — many waterpots ; bhari’ — filled ; dila — offered ; suvāsita — scented ; jala — water ; bahu - dinera — of many days ; kṣudhāya — by hunger ; gopāla — Gopāla ; khāila — ate ; sakala — everything .

Translation

Although Śrī Gopāla ate everything offered, still, by the touch of His transcendental hand, everything remained as before.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; gopāla — Lord Gopāla ; saba — all ; anna - vyañjana — dhal, rice and vegetables ; khāila — ate ; tāṅra — His ; hasta — of the hands ; sparśe — by the touch ; punaḥ — again ; temani — exactly as before ; ha - ila — became .

Purport

The atheists cannot understand how the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in the form of the Deity, can eat all the food offered by His devotees. In the Bhagavad-gītā (9.26) Kṛṣṇa says:

patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ

“If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.” The Lord is pūrṇa, complete, and therefore He eats everything offered by His devotees. However, by the touch of His transcendental hand, all the food remains exactly as before. It is the quality that is changed. Before the food was offered, it was something else, but after it is offered the food acquires a transcendental quality. Because the Lord is pūrṇa, He remains the same even after eating. Pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate. The food offered to Kṛṣṇa is qualitatively as good as Kṛṣṇa; just as Kṛṣṇa is avyaya, indestructible, the food eaten by Kṛṣṇa, being identical with Him, remains as before.

Apart from this, Kṛṣṇa can eat the food with any one of His transcendental senses. He can eat by seeing the food or by touching it. Nor should one think that it is necessary for Kṛṣṇa to eat. He does not become hungry like an ordinary human being; nonetheless, He presents Himself as being hungry, and as such, He can eat everything and anything, regardless of quantity. The philosophy underlying Kṛṣṇa’s eating is understandable by our transcendental senses. When our senses are purified by constantly being engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, we can understand Kṛṣṇa’s activities, names, forms, qualities, pastimes and entourage.

ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ

“No one can understand Kṛṣṇa by the blunt material senses. But He reveals Himself to the devotees, being pleased with them for their transcendental loving service unto Him.” ( Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.234) The devotees understand Kṛṣṇa through revelation. It is not possible for a mundane scholar to understand Kṛṣṇa and His pastimes through research work on the nondevotional platform.

Translation

How Gopāla ate everything while the food remained the same was transcendentally perceived by Mādhavendra Purī Gosvāmī; nothing remains a secret to the devotees of the Lord.

Word meanings

ihā — this ; anubhava kaila — perceived ; mādhava gosāñi — Mādhavendra Purī Gosvāmī ; tāṅra ṭhāñi — before him ; gopālera — of Lord Gopāla ; lukāna — secret ; kichu — anything ; nāi — there is not .

Translation

The wonderful festival and installation of Śrī Gopālajī was arranged in one day. Certainly all this was accomplished by the potency of Gopāla. No one but a devotee can understand this.

Word meanings

eka - dinera udyoge — by one day’s attempt ; aiche — such ; mahotsava — festival ; kaila — performed ; gopāla — of Gopāla ; prabhāve — by the potency ; haya — is possible ; anye — others ; nā — not ; jānila — know .

Purport

The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement has spread all over the world within a very short time (within five years), and mundane people are very much astonished at this. However, by the grace of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, we understand that everything is possible by the grace of Kṛṣṇa. Why does Kṛṣṇa have to take five years? In five days He can spread His name and fame all over the world like wildfire. Those who have faith in and devotion to Kṛṣṇa can understand that these things happen so wonderfully by the grace of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. We are simply the instruments. In the fierce Battle of Kurukṣetra, Arjuna was victorious within eighteen days simply because Kṛṣṇa’s grace was on his side.

yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ tatra śrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama

“Wherever there is Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power and morality. That is my opinion.” ( Bg. 18.78 )

If the preachers in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are sincere devotees of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa will always be with them because He is very kind and favorable to all His devotees. Just as Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa were victorious in the Battle of Kurukṣetra, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement will surely emerge victorious if we but remain sincere devotees of the Lord and serve the Lord according to the advice of the predecessors (the six Gosvāmīs and other devotees of the Lord). As Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has stated: tāṅdera caraṇa sevi bhakta-sane vāsa, janame janame haya ei abhilāṣa. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness devotees must always desire to remain in the society of devotees. Bhakta-sane vāsa: they cannot go outside the Kṛṣṇa consciousness society or movement. Within the society we must try to serve the predecessors by preaching Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s cult and spreading His name and fame all over the world. If we attempt this seriously within the society, it will be successfully done. There is no question of estimating how this will happen in the mundane sense. But without a doubt, it happens by the grace of Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī offered water to Gopāla for washing His mouth, and he gave Him betel nuts to chew. Then, while ārati was performed, all the people chanted, “Jaya, Jaya!” [“All glories to Gopāla!”].

Word meanings

ācamana — washing water ; diyā — offering ; dila — gave ; viḍaka - sañcaya — betel nuts ; ārati karila — ārati was performed ; loke — all the people ; kare — chant ; jaya jaya — the words jaya jaya, “all glories.” .

Translation

Arranging for the Lord’s rest, Śrī Mādhavendra Purī brought a new cot, and over this he spread a new bedspread and thus made the bed ready.

Word meanings

śayyā — a bedstead ; karāila — made ; nūtana — new ; khāṭa — bedstead ; ānāñā — bringing ; nava vastra — new cloth ; āni’ — bringing ; tāra — of the cot ; upare — on the top ; pātiyā — spreading .

Translation

A temporary temple was constructed by covering the bed all around with a straw mattress. Thus there was a bed and a straw mattress to cover it.

Word meanings

tṛṇa - ṭāṭi — straw mattress ; diyā — with ; cāri - dik — all around ; āvarila — covered ; uparete — on top ; eka — one ; ṭāṭi — similar straw mattress ; diyā — with ; ācchādila — covered .

Translation

After the Lord was laid down to rest on the bed, Mādhavendra Purī gathered all the brāhmaṇas who had prepared the prasādam and said to them, “Now feed everyone sumptuously, from the children on up to the aged!”

Word meanings

purī - gosāñi — Mādhavendra Purī ; ājñā — order ; dila — gave ; sakala brāhmaṇe — to all the brāhmaṇas ; ā - bāla - vṛddha — beginning from the children up to the old persons ; grāmera — of the village ; loka — the people ; karāha — make ; bhojane — take prasādam .

Translation

All the people gathered there sat down to honor the prasādam, and by and by they took food. All the brāhmaṇas and their wives were fed first.

Word meanings

sabe — all ; vasi’ — sitting ; krame krame — by and by ; bhojana karila — honored prasādam and ate it ; brāhmaṇa - brāhmaṇī - gaṇe — the brāhmaṇas and their wives ; āge — first ; khāoyāila — were fed .

Purport

According to the varṇāśrama system, the brāhmaṇas are always honored first. Thus at the festival, the brāhmaṇas and their wives were first offered the remnants of food, and then the others ( kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras ) . This has always been the system, and it is still prevalent in India, even though the caste brāhmaṇas are not qualified. The system is still current due to the varṇāśrama institutional rules and regulations.

Translation

Those who took prasādam included not only the people of Govardhana village but also those who came from other villages. They also saw the Deity of Gopāla and were offered prasādam to eat.

Word meanings

anya — other ; grāmera — of the villages ; loka — people ; yata — all ; dekhite — to see ; āila — came ; gopāla — the Lord Gopāla ; dekhiyā — seeing ; saba — all ; prasāda — remnants of food ; khāila — partook .

Translation

Seeing the influence of Mādhavendra Purī, all the people gathered there were struck with wonder. They saw that the Annakūṭa ceremony, which had been performed before during the time of Kṛṣṇa, was now taking place again by the mercy of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī.

Word meanings

dekhiyā — by seeing ; purīra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; prabhāva — the influence ; loke — all the people ; camatkāra — struck with wonder ; pūrva — formerly ; anna - kūṭa — the Annakūṭa ceremony during the time of Kṛṣṇa ; yena — as if ; haila — became ; sākṣātkāra — directly manifest .

Purport

Formerly, at the end of Dvāpara-yuga, all the cowherd men of Vṛndāvana had arranged to worship King Indra, but they gave this worship up, following the advice of Kṛṣṇa. Instead, they performed a ceremony whereby they worshiped the cows, brāhmaṇas and Govardhana Hill. At that time Kṛṣṇa expanded Himself and declared, “I am Govardhana Hill.” In this way He accepted all the paraphernalia and food offered to Govardhana Hill. It is stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.24.26, 31-33):

pacyantāṁ vividhāḥ pākāḥ sūpāntāḥ pāyasādayaḥ saṁyāvā-pūpa-śaṣkulyaḥ sarva-dohaś ca gṛhyatām

kālātmanā bhagavatā śakra-darpaṁ jighāṁsatā proktaṁ niśamya nandādyāḥ sādhv agṛhṇanta tad-vacaḥ

tathā ca vyadadhuḥ sarvaṁ yathāha madhusūdanaḥ vācayitvā svasty-ayanaṁ tad-dravyeṇa giri-dvijān

upahṛtya balīn sarvān ādṛtā yavasaṁ gavām go-dhanāni puras-kṛtya giriṁ cakruḥ pradakṣiṇam

“ ‘Prepare very nice foods of all descriptions from the grains and ghee collected for the yajña. Prepare rice, dhal, then halavah, pakorā, purī and all kinds of milk preparations like sweet rice, sweetballs, sandeśa, rasagullā and lāḍḍu. ’

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, therefore advised the cowherd men to stop the Indra-yajña and begin the Govardhana-pūjā to chastise Indra, who was very much puffed up at being the supreme controller of the heavenly planets. The honest and simple cowherd men, headed by Nanda Mahārāja, accepted Kṛṣṇa’s proposal and executed in detail everything He advised. They performed Govardhana worship and circumambulation of the hill. According to the instruction of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Nanda Mahārāja and the cowherd men called in learned brāhmaṇas and began to worship Govardhana Hill by chanting Vedic hymns and offering prasādam. The inhabitants of Vṛndāvana assembled together, decorated their cows and gave them grass. Keeping the cows in front, they began to circumambulate Govardhana Hill.”

Translation

All the brāhmaṇas present on that occasion were initiated by Mādhavendra Purī into the Vaiṣṇava cult, and Mādhavendra Purī engaged them in different types of service.

Word meanings

sakala brāhmaṇe — all the brāhmaṇas who were present there ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī Gosvāmī ; vaiṣṇava karila — elevated to the position of Vaiṣṇavas ; sei sei — under different divisions ; sevā - madhye — in rendering service ; sabā — all of them ; niyojila — were engaged .

Purport

In the scriptures it is stated, ṣaṭ-karma-nipuṇo vipro mantra-tantra-viśāradaḥ. A qualified brāhmaṇa must be expert in the occupational duties of a brāhmaṇa. His duties are mentioned as six brahminical engagements. Paṭhana means that a brāhmaṇa must be conversant with the Vedic scriptures. He must also be able to teach others to study the Vedic literatures. This is pāṭhana. He must also be expert in worshiping different deities and in performing the Vedic rituals ( yajana ) . On account of this yajana, the brāhmaṇa, being the head of society, performs all the Vedic rituals for kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras. This is called yājana, assisting others in performing ceremonies. The remaining two items are dāna and pratigraha. The brāhmaṇa accepts all kinds of contributions ( pratigraha ) from his followers (namely, the kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras ) . But he does not keep all the money. He keeps only as much as required and gives the balance to others in charity ( dāna ).

In order for such a qualified brāhmaṇa to worship the Deity, he must be a Vaiṣṇava. Thus the Vaiṣṇava’s position is superior to that of the brāhmaṇa. This example given by Mādhavendra Purī confirms that even though a brāhmaṇa may be very expert, he cannot become a priest or servitor of the viṣṇu-mūrti unless he is initiated in vaiṣṇava-mantra. After installing the Deity of Gopāla, Mādhavendra Purī initiated all the brāhmaṇas into Vaiṣṇavism. He then allotted the brāhmaṇas different types of service to the Deity. From four in the morning until ten at night (from maṅgala-ārātrika to śayana-ārātrika ), there must be at least five or six brāhmaṇas to take care of the Deity. Six ārātrikas are performed in the temple, and food is frequently offered to the Deity and the prasādam distributed. This is the method of worshiping the Deity according to the rules and regulations set by the predecessors. Our sampradāya belongs to the disciplic succession of Mādhavendra Purī, who belonged to the Madhva-sampradāya. We are in the disciplic succession of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who was initiated by Śrī Īśvara Purī, a disciple of Mādhavendra Purī’s. Our sampradāya is therefore called the Madhva-Gauḍīya-sampradāya. As such, we must carefully follow in the footsteps of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī and observe how he installed the Gopāla Deity on top of Govardhana Hill, how he arranged and performed the Annakūṭa ceremony in only one day, and so forth. Our installation of Deities in America and in the wealthy countries of Europe should be carried out in terms of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī’s activities. All the servitors of the Deity must be strictly qualified as brāhmaṇas and, specifically, must engage in the Vaiṣṇava custom of offering as much prasādam as possible and distributing it to the devotees who visit the temple to see the Lord.

Translation

After taking rest, the Deity must be awakened at the end of the day, and immediately some food and some water must be offered to Him.

Word meanings

punaḥ — again ; dina - śeṣe — at the end of the day ; prabhura — of the Lord ; karāila — caused to do ; utthāna — rising ; kichu — some ; bhoga — food ; lāgāila — offered ; karāila — caused to do ; jala — water ; pāna — drinking .

Purport

This offering is called vaikāli-bhoga, food offered at the end of the day.

Translation

When it was advertised throughout the country that Lord Gopāla had appeared atop Govardhana Hill, all the people from neighboring villages came to see the Deity.

Word meanings

gopāla — Lord Gopāla ; prakaṭa haila — has appeared ; deśe — throughout the country ; śabda haila — the news spread ; āśa - pāśa — neighboring ; grāmera — of the villages ; loka — the people ; dekhite āila — came to see .

Translation

One village after another was pleased to beg Mādhavendra Purī to allot them one day to perform the Annakūṭa ceremony. Thus, day after day, the Annakūṭa ceremony was performed for some time.

Word meanings

ekeka dina — one day after another ; ekeka grāme — one village after another ; la - ila — took permission ; māgiñā — begging ; anna - kūṭa kare — perform the Annakūṭa ceremony ; sabe — all ; haraṣita — pleased ; hañā — becoming .

Translation

Śrī Mādhavendra Purī did not eat anything throughout the day, but at night, after laying the Deity down to rest, he took a milk preparation.

Word meanings

rātri - kāle — at night ; ṭhākurere — the Deity ; karāiyā — causing to do ; śayana — lying down for rest ; purī - gosāñi — Mādhavendra Purī ; kaila — did ; kichu — some ; gavya — milk preparation ; bhojana — eating .

Translation

The next morning, the rendering of service to the Deity began again, and people from one village arrived with all kinds of food grains.

Word meanings

prātaḥ - kāle — in the morning ; punaḥ — again ; taiche — just as before ; karila — rendered ; sevana — service ; anna lañā — with food grains ; eka - grāmera — of one village ; āila — came ; loka - gaṇa — the people .

Translation

The inhabitants of the village brought to the Deity of Gopāla as much food grains, ghee, yogurt and milk as they had in their village.

Word meanings

anna — food grain ; ghṛta — ghee, or clarified butter ; dadhi — yogurt ; dugdha — milk ; grāme — in the village ; yata — as much ; chila — as there was ; gopālera āge — before the Deity Gopāla ; loka — all people ; āniyā — bringing ; dharila — placed .

Purport

Anna, ghṛta, dadhi and dugdha are food grains, ghee, yogurt and milk. Actually these are the basis of all food. Vegetables and fruits are subsidiary. Hundreds and thousands of preparations can be made out of grains, vegetables, ghee, milk and yogurt. The food offered to Gopāla in the Annakūṭa ceremony contained only these five ingredients. Only demoniac people are attracted to other types of food, which we will not even mention in this connection. We should understand that in order to prepare nutritious food, we require only grains, ghee, yogurt and milk. We cannot offer anything else to the Deity. The Vaiṣṇava, the perfect human being, does not accept anything not offered to the Deity. People are often frustrated with national food policies, but from the Vedic scriptures we find that if there are sufficient cows and grains, the entire food problem is solved. The vaiśyas (people engaged in agriculture and commerce) are therefore recommended in the Bhagavad-gītā to produce grains and give protection to cows. Cows are the most important animal because they produce the miracle food, milk, from which we can prepare ghee and yogurt.

The perfection of human civilization depends on Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which recommends Deity worship. Preparations made from vegetables, grains, milk, ghee and yogurt are offered to the Deity and then distributed. Here we can see the difference between the East and the West. The people who came to see the Deity of Gopāla brought all kinds of food to offer the Deity. They brought all the food they had in stock, and they came before the Deity not only to accept prasādam for themselves but to distribute it to others. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement vigorously approves this practice of preparing food, offering it to the Deity and distributing it to the general population. This activity should be extended universally to stop sinful eating habits as well as other behavior befitting only demons. A demoniac civilization will never bring peace within the world. Since eating is the first necessity in human society, those engaged in solving the problems of preparing and distributing food should take lessons from Mādhavendra Purī and execute the Annakūṭa ceremony. When the people take to eating only prasādam offered to the Deity, all the demons will be turned into Vaiṣṇavas. When the people are Kṛṣṇa conscious, naturally the government will be so also. A Kṛṣṇa conscious man is always a very liberal well-wisher of everyone. When such men head the government, the people will certainly be sinless. They will no longer be disturbing demons. It is then and then only that a peaceful condition can prevail in society.

Translation

The next day, almost as before, there was an Annakūṭa ceremony. All the brāhmaṇas prepared foods and Gopāla accepted them.

Word meanings

pūrva - dina - prāya — almost as on the previous day ; vipra — all the brāhmaṇas ; karila — did ; randhana — cooking ; taiche — similarly ; anna - kūṭa — heaps of food ; gopāla — the Deity of Lord Gopāla ; karila — did ; bhojana — eating .

Translation

The ideal place to execute Kṛṣṇa consciousness is Vrajabhūmi, or Vṛndāvana, where the people are naturally inclined to love Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa is naturally inclined to love them.

Word meanings

vraja - vāsī — the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana (Vrajabhūmi) ; lokera — of the people ; kṛṣṇe — unto Lord Kṛṣṇa ; sahaja — natural ; pirīti — love ; gopālera — of Lord Gopāla ; sahaja — natural ; prīti — love ; vraja - vāsi - prati — toward the inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi .

Purport

In the Bhagavad-gītā (4.11) it is said, ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham. There is a responsive cooperation between the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. The more a devotee sincerely loves Kṛṣṇa, the more Kṛṣṇa reciprocates, so much so that a highly advanced devotee can talk with Kṛṣṇa face to face. Kṛṣṇa confirms this in the Bhagavad-gītā (10.10) :

teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ taṁ yena mām upayānti te

“To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.” The actual mission of human life is to understand Kṛṣṇa and return home, back to Godhead. Therefore one who is sincerely engaged in the service of the Lord with love and faith can talk with Kṛṣṇa and receive instructions by which he can speedily return home, back to Godhead. Today many scholars defend the science of religion, and they have some conception of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but religion without practical experience of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is no religion at all. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes this as a form of cheating. Religion means abiding by the orders of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If one is not qualified to talk with Him and take lessons from Him, how can one understand the principles of religion? Thus talks of religion or religious experience without Kṛṣṇa consciousness are a useless waste of time.

Translation

Throngs of people came from different villages to see the Deity of Gopāla, and they took mahā-prasādam sumptuously. When they saw the superexcellent form of Lord Gopāla, all their lamentation and unhappiness disappeared.

Word meanings

mahā - prasāda — spiritualized foods offered to Kṛṣṇa ; khāila — ate ; āsiyā — coming ; saba — all ; loka — people ; gopāla — the Deity of Śrī Gopāla ; dekhiyā — seeing ; sabāra — of all of them ; khaṇḍe — disappears ; duḥkha - śoka — all lamentation and unhappiness .

Translation

All the villages in neighboring Vrajabhūmi [Vṛndāvana] became aware of the appearance of Gopāla, and all the people from these villages came to see Him. Day after day they all performed the Annakūṭa ceremony.

Word meanings

āśa - pāśa — neighboring ; vraja - bhūmera — of Vrajabhūmi ; yata — all ; grāma — villages ; saba — all ; eka eka — one after another ; dina — days ; sabe — all ; kare — perform ; mahā - utsava — festivals .

Translation

In this way not only the neighboring villages but all the other provinces came to know of Gopāla’s appearance. Thus people came from all over, bringing a variety of presentations.

Word meanings

gopāla — of the Deity of Gopāla ; prakaṭa — appearance ; śuni’ — hearing ; nānā — various ; deśa — countries ; haite — from ; nānā — various ; dravya — things ; lañā — bringing ; loka — people ; lāgila — began ; āsite — to come .

Translation

The people of Mathurā, who are very big capitalists, also brought various presentations and offered them before the Deity in devotional service.

Word meanings

mathurāra — of the city of Mathurā ; loka — the people ; saba — all ; baḍa baḍa — very big ; dhanī — capitalists ; bhakti kari’ — out of devotion ; nānā dravya — various kinds of things ; bheṭa — presents ; deya — gave ; āni’ — bringing .

Translation

Thus countless presentations of gold, silver, garments, scented articles and eatables arrived. The store of Gopāla increased daily.

Word meanings

svarṇa — gold ; raupya — silver ; vastra — garments ; gandha — scents ; bhakṣya - upahāra — presentations for eating ; asaṅkhya — countless ; āise — came ; nitya — daily ; bāḍila — increased ; bhāṇḍāra — the store .

Translation

One very rich kṣatriya of the royal order constructed a temple, someone made cooking utensils, and someone constructed boundary walls.

Word meanings

eka — one ; mahā - dhanī — very rich man ; kṣatriya — of the royal order ; karāila — constructed ; mandira — a temple ; keha — someone ; pāka - bhāṇḍāra — clay pots for cooking ; kaila — made ; keha — someone ; ta’ — certainly ; prācīra — the boundary walls .

Translation

Each and every family residing in the land of Vrajabhūmi contributed one cow. In this way, thousands of cows became the property of Gopāla.

Word meanings

eka eka — each and every ; vraja - vāsī — resident of Vṛndāvana ; eka eka — one ; gābhī — cow ; dila — contributed ; sahasra sahasra — thousands and thousands ; gābhī — cows ; gopālera — of Gopāla ; haila — there were .

Purport

This is the way to install the Deity, construct the temple and increase the property of the temple. Everyone should be enthusiastic to contribute to the construction of the temple for the Deity, and everyone should also contribute food for the distribution of prasādam. The devotees should preach the gospel of devotional service and thus engage people in practical service to the Deity. Wealthy people can also be attracted to take part in these activities. In this way everyone will become spiritually inclined, and the entire society will be converted to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The desire to satisfy the material senses will automatically diminish, and the senses will become so purified that they will be able to engage in bhakti (devotional service to the Lord). Hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate. By serving the Lord, one’s senses are gradually purified. The engagement of one’s purified senses in the service of Lord Hṛṣīkeśa is called bhakti. When the dormant propensity for bhakti is awakened, one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He is. Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ. ( Bg. 18.55 ) This is the process of giving humanity the chance to awaken Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Thus people can perfect their lives in all respects.

Translation

Eventually two brāhmaṇas in the renounced order arrived from Bengal, and Mādhavendra Purī, who liked them very much, kept them in Vṛndāvana and gave them all kinds of comforts.

Word meanings

gauḍa ha - ite — from Bengal ; āilā — came ; dui — two ; vairāgī — of the renounced order ; brāhmaṇa — persons born in brāhmaṇa families ; purī - gosāñi — Mādhavendra Purī ; rākhila — kept ; tāre — them ; kariyā — making ; yatana — all efforts .

Translation

These two were then initiated by Mādhavendra Purī, and he entrusted them with the daily service of the Lord. This service was performed continuously, and the worship of the Deity became very gorgeous. Thus Mādhavendra Purī was very pleased.

Word meanings

sei dui — these two persons ; śiṣya kari’ — initiating ; sevā — with the service ; samarpila — entrusted ; rāja - sevā — gorgeous performance of service ; haya — is ; purīra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; ānanda — pleasure ; bāḍila — increased .

Purport

The six Gosvāmīs and their followers started many temples, including the temples of Govinda, Gopīnātha, Madana-mohana, Rādhā-Dāmodara, Śyāmasundara, Rādhā-ramaṇa and Gokulānanda. The disciples of the Gosvāmīs were entrusted with the sevā-pūjā (Deity worship) of these temples. It was not that the disciples were family members of the original Gosvāmīs. All the Gosvāmīs were in the renounced order of life, and Jīva Gosvāmī in particular was a lifelong brahmacārī. At present, sevāitas assume the title of gosvāmī on the basis of their being engaged as sevāitas of the Deity. The sevāitas who have inherited their positions now assume proprietorship of the temples, and some of them are selling the Deities’ property as if it were their own. However, the temples did not originally belong to these sevāitas.

Translation

In this way the Deity worship in the temple was very gorgeously performed for two years. Then one day Mādhavendra Purī had a dream.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; vatsara — years ; dui — two ; karila — performed ; sevana — worship ; eka - dina — one day ; purī - gosāñi — Mādhavendra Purī ; dekhila — saw ; svapana — a dream .

Translation

In his dream, Mādhavendra Purī saw Gopāla, who said, “My bodily temperature still has not decreased. Please bring sandalwood from the Malaya province and smear the pulp over My body to cool Me.

Word meanings

gopāla — the Deity of Gopāla ; kahe — said ; purī — My dear Mādhavendra Purī ; āmāra — My ; tāpa — body temperature ; nāhi — does not ; yāya — go away ; malayaja - candana — sandalwood produced in the Malaya Hills ; lepa’ — smear over the body ; tabe — then ; se — that ; juḍāya — cools .

Purport

The Deity of Gopāla had been buried within the jungle for many years, and although He was installed and was offered thousands of pots of water, He still felt very hot. He therefore asked Mādhavendra Purī to bring sandalwood from the Malaya province. Sandalwood produced in Malaya is very popular. That province is situated on the western ghāṭa, and the hill Nīlagiri is sometimes known as Malaya Hill. The word malaya-ja is used to indicate the sandalwood produced in Malaya Province. Sometimes the word Malaya refers to the modern country of Malaysia. Formerly this country also produced sandalwood, but now they have found it profitable to produce rubber trees. Although the Vedic culture was once prevalent in Malaysia, now all the inhabitants are Muslims. The Vedic culture is now lost in Malaysia, Java and Indonesia.

Translation

“Bring sandalwood pulp from Jagannātha Purī. Kindly go quickly. Since no one else can do it, you must.”

Word meanings

malaya - ja — sandalwood ; āna — bring ; yāñā — coming ; nīlācala haite — from Jagannātha Purī ; anye — others ; haite — from ; nahe — not ; tumi — you ; calaha — go ; tvarite — quickly .

Translation

After having this dream, Mādhavendra Purī Gosvāmī became very glad due to ecstasy of love of Godhead, and in order to execute the command of the Lord, he started east toward Bengal.

Word meanings

svapna dekhi’ — after seeing the dream ; purī - gosāñira — of Mādhavendra Purī ; haila — there was ; prema - āveśa — ecstasy on account of love of God ; prabhu - ājñā — the order of the Lord ; pālibāre — to execute ; gelā — started ; pūrva - deśa — for the eastern countries (Bengal) .

Translation

Before leaving, Mādhavendra Purī made all arrangements for regular Deity worship, and he engaged different people in various duties. Then, taking up the order of Gopāla, he started for Bengal.

Word meanings

sevāra nirbandha — the arrangements for executing the daily routine of the worship of the Lord ; loka — the people ; karila — did ; sthāpana — establish ; ājñā māgi’ — taking the order ; gauḍa - deśe — toward Bengal ; karila — did ; gamana — going .

Translation

When Mādhavendra Purī arrived at the house of Advaita Ācārya in Śāntipura, the Ācārya became very pleased upon seeing the ecstatic love of Godhead manifest in Mādhavendra Purī.

Word meanings

śāntipura — to the place known as Śāntipura ; āilā — came ; advaita - ācāryera — of Śrī Advaita Ācārya ; ghare — to the home ; purīra prema — the ecstatic love of Mādhavendra Purī ; dekhi’ — seeing ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; ānanda — pleased ; antare — within Himself .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya begged to be initiated by Mādhavendra Purī. After initiating Him, Mādhavendra Purī started for South India.

Word meanings

tāṅra ṭhāñi — from him ; mantra — initiation ; laila — accepted ; yatana — efforts ; kariñā — making ; calilā — started ; dakṣiṇe — toward the south ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; tāṅre — to Him (Advaita Ācārya) ; dīkṣā — initiation ; diñā — giving .

Purport

In this connection, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments that Advaita Ācārya took initiation from Mādhavendra Purī, who was a sannyāsī in the disciplic succession of the Madhva-sampradāya. According to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu:

kibā vipra kibā nyāsī śūdra kene naya, yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei ‘guru’ haya

“A person may be a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī, a śūdra or whatever, but if he is well conversant in the science of Kṛṣṇa, he can become a guru. ” (Cc. Madhya 8.128) This statement is supported by Śrī Mādhavendra Purī. According to the pañcarātra injunction, only a householder brāhmaṇa can initiate. Others cannot. When a person is initiated, it is assumed that he has become a brāhmaṇa; without being initiated by a proper brāhmaṇa, one cannot be converted into a brāhmaṇa. In other words, unless one is a brāhmaṇa, he cannot make another a brāhmaṇa. A gṛhastha-brāhmaṇa partaking of the varṇāśrama-dharma institution can secure various types of paraphernalia to worship Lord Viṣṇu through his honest labor. Actually, people beg to be initiated by these householder brāhmaṇas just to become successful in the varṇāśrama institution or to become free from material desires. It is therefore necessary for a spiritual master in the gṛhastha-āśrama to be a strict Vaiṣṇava. A spiritual master from the sannyāsa order has very little opportunity to perform arcana, Deity worship, but when one accepts a spiritual master from the transcendental sannyāsīs, the principle of Deity worship is not at all neglected. To implement this conclusion, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave us His opinion in the verse kibā vipra kibā nyāsī, etc. This indicates that the Lord understood the weakness of society in its maintaining that only a gṛhastha-brāhmaṇa should be a spiritual master. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu indicated that it does not matter whether the spiritual master is a gṛhastha (householder), a sannyāsī or even a śūdra. A spiritual master simply must be conversant in the essence of the śāstra; he must understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Only then can one become a spiritual master. Dīkṣā actually means initiating a disciple with transcendental knowledge by which he becomes freed from all material contamination.

Translation

Going into South India, Śrī Mādhavendra Purī visited Remuṇā, where Gopīnātha is situated. Upon seeing the beauty of the Deity, Mādhavendra Purī was overwhelmed.

Word meanings

remuṇāte — in the village of Remuṇā ; kaila — did ; gopīnātha — the Deity of Gopīnātha ; daraśana — seeing ; tāṅra — His ; rūpa — beauty ; dekhiñā — seeing ; haila — became ; vihvala — bewildered ; mana — mind .

Translation

In the corridor of the temple, from which people generally viewed the Deity, Mādhavendra Purī chanted and danced. Then he sat down there and asked a brāhmaṇa what kinds of foods they offered to the Deity.

Word meanings

nṛtya - gīta kari’ — after performing dancing and chanting ; jaga - mohane — in the corridor of the temple ; vasilā — he sat down ; kyā kyā — what ; bhoga — foods ; lāge — they offer ; brāhmaṇe — from the brāhmaṇa priest ; puchilā — inquired .

Translation

From the excellence of the arrangements, Mādhavendra Purī understood by deduction that only the best food was offered.

Word meanings

sevāra — of the worship ; sauṣṭhava — excellence ; dekhi’ — seeing ; ānandita — pleased ; mane — in the mind ; uttama bhoga — first-class foods ; lāge — they offer ; ethā — thus ; bujhi — I understand ; anumāne — by deduction .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī thought, “I shall inquire from the priest what foods are offered to Gopīnātha so that by making arrangements in our kitchen, we can offer similar foods to Śrī Gopāla.”

Word meanings

yaiche — just like ; ihā — here ; bhoga — foods ; lāge — they offer ; sakala - i — all ; puchiba — I shall inquire ; taiche — similarly ; bhiyāne — in the kitchen ; bhoga — foods ; gopāle — to Śrī Gopāla ; lāgāiba — I shall arrange .

Translation

When the brāhmaṇa priest was questioned about this matter, he explained in detail what kinds of foods were offered to the Deity of Gopīnātha.

Word meanings

ei lāgi’ — for this matter ; puchilena — he inquired ; brāhmaṇera sthāne — from the brāhmaṇa ; brāhmaṇa — the priest ; kahila — informed ; saba — everything ; bhoga — foods ; vivaraṇe — in description .

Translation

The brāhmaṇa priest said, “In the evening the Deity is offered sweet rice in twelve earthen pots. Because the taste is as good as nectar [amṛta], it is named amṛta-keli.

Word meanings

sandhyāya — in the evening ; bhoga — foods ; lāge — they offer ; kṣīra — sweet rice ; amṛta - keli - nāma — named amṛta-keli ; dvādaśa — twelve ; mṛt - pātre — earthen pots ; bhari’ — filling ; amṛta - samāna — just like nectar .

Translation

“This sweet rice is celebrated throughout the world as gopīnātha-kṣīra. It is not offered anywhere else in the world.”

Word meanings

gopīnāthera kṣīra — the sweet rice offered to Gopīnātha ; bali’ — as ; prasiddha — celebrated ; nāma — the name ; yāra — of which ; pṛthivīte — throughout the whole world ; aiche — such ; bhoga — food ; kāhāṅ — anywhere ; nāhi — not ; āra — else .

Translation

While Mādhavendra Purī was talking with the brāhmaṇa priest, the sweet rice was placed before the Deity as an offering. Hearing this, Mādhavendra Purī thought as follows.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; sei bhoga — that wonderful food ; ṭhākure — in front of the Deity ; lāgila — was placed ; śuni’ — hearing ; purī - gosāñi — Mādhavendra Purī ; kichu — something ; mane — within the mind ; vicārila — considered .

Translation

“If, without my asking, a little sweet rice is given to me, I can then taste it and make a similar preparation to offer my Lord Gopāla.”

Word meanings

ayācita — without asking ; kṣīra — sweet rice ; prasāda — remnants of food ; alpa — a little ; yadi — if ; pāi — I get ; svāda — the taste ; jāni’ — knowing ; taiche — similar ; kṣīra — sweet rice ; gopāle — to my Gopāla ; lāgāi — I can offer .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī became greatly ashamed when he desired to taste the sweet rice, and he immediately began to think of Lord Viṣṇu. While he was thus thinking of Lord Viṣṇu, the offering was completed, and the ārati ceremony began.

Word meanings

ei icchāya — by this desire ; lajjā — shame ; pāñā — getting ; viṣṇu - smaraṇa — remembrance of Lord Viṣṇu ; kaila — did ; hena - kāle — at that time ; bhoga — the food ; sari’ — being finished ; ārati — the ārati ceremony ; bājila — was sounded .

Translation

After the ārati was finished, Mādhavendra Purī offered his obeisances to the Deity and then left the temple. He did not say anything more to anyone.

Word meanings

ārati dekhiyā — after seeing the ārati ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; kaila — offered ; namaskāra — obeisances ; bāhire āilā — he went out ; kāre — to anyone ; kichu — anything ; nā — not ; kahila — say ; āra — more .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī avoided begging. He was completely unattached and indifferent to material things. If, without his begging, someone offered him some food, he would eat; otherwise he would fast.

Word meanings

ayācita - vṛtti — accustomed to avoid begging ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; virakta — unattached ; udāsa — indifferent ; ayācita — without begging ; pāile — if getting ; khā’na — he eats ; nahe — if not ; upavāsa — fasting .

Purport

This is the paramahaṁsa stage, the highest stage for a sannyāsī. A sannyāsī can beg from door to door just to collect food, but a paramahaṁsa who has taken ayācita-vṛtti, or ājagara-vṛtti, does not ask anyone for food. If someone offers him food voluntarily, he eats. Ayācita-vṛtti means being accustomed to refrain from begging, and ājagara-vṛtti indicates one who is compared to a python, the big snake that makes no effort to acquire food but rather allows food to come automatically within its mouth. In other words, a paramahaṁsa simply engages exclusively in the service of the Lord without caring even for eating or sleeping. It was stated about the six Gosvāmīs: nidrāhāra-vihārakādi-vijitau. In the paramahaṁsa stage one conquers the desire for sleep, food and sense gratification. One remains a humble, meek mendicant engaged in the service of the Lord day and night. Mādhavendra Purī had attained this paramahaṁsa stage.

Translation

A paramahaṁsa like Mādhavendra Purī is always satisfied in the loving service of the Lord. Material hunger and thirst cannot impede his activities. When he desired to taste a little sweet rice offered to the Deity, he considered that he had committed an offense by desiring to eat what was being offered to the Deity.

Word meanings

prema - amṛte tṛpta — being satisfied only in the loving service of the Lord ; kṣudhā - tṛṣṇā — hunger and thirst ; nāhi — not ; bādhe — impede ; kṣīra — for sweet rice ; icchā — the desire ; haila — became ; tāhe — for that reason ; māne — he considers ; aparādhe — offense .

Purport

It is advisable that food being offered to the Deity be covered when taken from the kitchen to the Deity room. In that way, others may not see it. Those who are not accustomed to following the advanced regulative devotional principles may desire to eat the food, and that is an offense. Therefore no one should be given a chance to even see it. However, when it is brought before the Deity, it must be uncovered. Seeing the food uncovered before the Deity, Mādhavendra Purī desired to taste a little of it so that he could prepare a similar sweet rice for his Gopāla. Mādhavendra Purī was so strict, however, that he considered this to be an offense. Consequently he left the temple without saying anything to anyone. The paramahaṁsa is therefore called vijita-ṣaḍ-guṇa. He must conquer the six material qualities — kāma, krodha, lobha, moha, matsarya and kṣudhā-tṛṣṇā (lust, anger, greed, illusion, enviousness and hunger and thirst).

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī left the temple and sat down in the village marketplace, which was vacant. Sitting there, he began to chant. In the meantime, the temple priest laid the Deity down to rest.

Word meanings

grāmera — of the village ; śūnya - hāṭe — in the vacant marketplace ; vasi’ — sitting down ; karena — performs ; kīrtana — chanting ; ethā — in the temple ; pūjārī — the priest ; karāila — made ; ṭhākure — the Deity ; śayana — lying down .

Purport

Although Mādhavendra Purī was not interested in eating and sleeping, his interest in chanting the mahā-mantra was as acute as if he were an aspiring transcendentalist rather than a paramahaṁsa. This means that even in the paramahaṁsa stage, one cannot give up chanting. Haridāsa Ṭhākura and the Gosvāmīs were all engaged in chanting a fixed number of rounds; therefore chanting on beads is very important for everyone, even though one may become a paramahaṁsa. This chanting can be executed anywhere, either inside or outside the temple. Mādhavendra Purī even sat down in a vacant marketplace to perform his chanting. As stated by Śrīnivāsa Ācārya in his prayers to the Gosvāmīs: nāma-gāna-natibhiḥ. A paramahaṁsa devotee is always engaged in chanting and rendering loving service to the Lord. Chanting the Lord’s holy names and engaging in His service are identical. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.5.23), there are nine kinds of devotional service: hearing ( śravaṇam ), chanting ( kīrtanam ), remembering ( viṣṇoḥ smaraṇam ), serving ( pāda-sevanam ), worship of the Deity ( arcanam ), praying ( vandanam ), carrying out orders ( dāsyam ), serving Him as a friend ( sakhyam ) and sacrificing everything for the Lord ( ātma-nivedanam ) . Although each process appears distinct, when one is situated on the absolute platform he can see that they are identical. For instance, hearing is as good as chanting, and remembering is as good as chanting or hearing. Similarly, engaging in Deity worship is as good as chanting, hearing or remembering. The devotee is expected to accept all nine processes of devotional service, but even if only one process is properly executed, he can still attain the highest position ( paramahaṁsa ) and go back home, back to Godhead.

Translation

Finishing his daily duties, the priest went to take rest. In a dream he saw the Gopīnātha Deity come to talk to him, and He spoke as follows.

Word meanings

nija kṛtya — his own duty ; kari’ — finishing ; pūjārī — the brāhmaṇa priest in the temple ; karila — took ; śayana — rest ; svapane — in a dream ; ṭhākura — the Deity ; āsi’ — coming there ; balilā — said ; vacana — the words .

Translation

“O priest, please get up and open the door of the temple. I have kept one pot of sweet rice for the sannyāsī Mādhavendra Purī.

Word meanings

uṭhaha — please get up ; pūjārī — O priest ; kara — just do ; dvāra — the door ; vimocana — opening ; kṣīra — sweet rice ; eka — one pot ; rākhiyāchi — I have kept ; sannyāsi — of the mendicant, Mādhavendra Purī ; kāraṇa — for the reason .

Translation

“This pot of sweet rice is just behind My cloth curtain. You did not see it because of My tricks.

Word meanings

dhaḍāra — of the cloth curtain ; añcale — by the skirt ; ḍhākā — covered ; eka — one ; kṣīra — pot of sweet rice ; haya — there is ; tomarā — you ; nā — not ; jānilā — knew ; tāhā — that ; āmāra — of Me ; māyāya — by the trick .

Translation

“A sannyāsī named Mādhavendra Purī is sitting in the vacant marketplace. Please take this pot of sweet rice from behind Me and deliver it to him.”

Word meanings

mādhava - purī — of the name Mādhavendra Purī ; sannyāsī — a mendicant ; āche — there is ; hāṭete — in the marketplace ; vasiñā — sitting ; tāhāke — to him ; ta’ — certainly ; ei — this ; kṣīra — pot of sweet rice ; śīghra — very quickly ; deha — give ; lañā — taking .

Translation

Awaking from the dream, the priest immediately rose from bed and thought it wise to take a bath before entering the Deity’s room. He then opened the temple door.

Word meanings

svapna dekhi’ — after seeing the dream ; pūjārī — the priest ; uṭhi’ — getting up ; karilā — made ; vicāra — considerations ; snāna kari’ — taking his bath before entering the Deity room ; kapāṭa — the door ; khuli — opening ; mukta — opened ; kaila — made ; dvāra — the doors .

Translation

According to the Deity’s directions, the priest found the pot of sweet rice behind the cloth curtain. He removed the pot and mopped up the place where it had been kept. He then went out of the temple.

Word meanings

dhaḍāra — of the mantle ; āṅcala - tale — at the skirt ; pāila — he got ; sei — that ; kṣīra — pot of sweet rice ; sthāna lepi’ — mopping that place ; kṣīra — the pot of sweet rice ; lañā — taking ; ha - ila — he went ; bāhira — out of the temple .

Translation

Closing the door of the temple, he went to the village with the pot of sweet rice. He called out in every stall in search of Mādhavendra Purī.

Word meanings

dvāra diyā — closing the door ; grāme — to the village ; gelā — went ; sei — that ; kṣīra — pot of sweet rice ; lañā — taking ; hāṭe hāṭe — in every stall ; bule — walks ; mādhava - purīke — to Mādhavendra Purī ; cāhiñā — calling .

Translation

Holding the pot of sweet rice, the priest called, “Will he whose name is Mādhavendra Purī please come and take this pot! Gopīnātha has stolen this pot of sweet rice for you!”

Word meanings

kṣīra laha — take the pot of sweet rice ; ei — this ; yāra — whose ; nāma — name ; mādhava - purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; tomā lāgi’ — for you only ; gopīnātha — the Deity of Lord Gopīnātha ; kṣīra — the pot of sweet rice ; kaila — did ; curi — steal .

Purport

The difference between the Absolute Truth and relative truth is explained here. Lord Gopīnātha has openly declared herein that He is a thief. He had stolen the pot of sweet rice, and this was not kept a secret because His act of stealing is a source of great transcendental bliss. In the material world, theft is criminal, but in the spiritual world the Lord’s stealing is a source of transcendental bliss. Mundane rascals, who cannot understand the absolute nature of the Personality of Godhead, sometimes call Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa immoral, but they do not know that His seemingly immoral activities, which are not kept secret, afford pleasure to the devotees. Not understanding the transcendental behavior of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, these rascals slur His character and immediately fall into the category of miscreants (rascals, lowest among men, demons and those whose knowledge is taken away by the illusory energy). Kṛṣṇa explains in the Bhagavad-gītā (7.15) :

na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ māyayāpahṛta-jñānā āsuraṁ bhāvam āśritāḥ

“Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons do not surrender unto Me.” ( Bg. 7.15 )

Mundane rascals cannot understand that whatever Kṛṣṇa does, being absolute in nature, is all-good. This quality of the Lord is explained in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.33.29) . One may consider certain acts of a supremely powerful person to be immoral by mundane calculations, but this is not actually the case. For example, the sun absorbs water from the surface of the earth, but it does not absorb water only from the sea. It also absorbs water from filthy sewers and ditches containing urine and other impure substances. The sun is not polluted by absorbing such water. Rather, the sun makes the filthy place pure. If a devotee approaches the Supreme Personality of Godhead for an immoral or improper purpose, he nonetheless becomes purified; the Lord does not become infected. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.29.15) it is stated that if one approaches the Supreme Lord even out of lust, anger or fear ( kāmaṁ krodhaṁ bhayam ), he is purified. The gopīs, being young girls, approached Kṛṣṇa because He was a beautiful young boy. From the external point of view, they approached the Lord out of lust, and the Lord danced with them at midnight. From the mundane point of view, these activities may appear immoral because a married or unmarried young girl cannot leave home to mix with a young boy and dance with him. Although this is immoral from the mundane viewpoint, the activities of the gopīs are accepted as the highest form of worship because it was Lord Kṛṣṇa whom they approached with lusty desires in the dead of night.

But these things cannot be understood by nondevotees. One must understand Kṛṣṇa in tattva (truth). One should use his common sense and consider that if simply by chanting Kṛṣṇa’s holy name one is purified, how then can the person Kṛṣṇa be immoral? Unfortunately, mundane fools are accepted as educational leaders and are offered exalted posts for teaching irreligious principles to the general populace. This is explained in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.5.31) : andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānāḥ. Blind men are trying to lead other blind men. Due to the immature understanding of such rascals, common men should not discuss Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes with the gopīs. A nondevotee should not even discuss His stealing sweet rice for His devotees. It is warned that one should not even think about these things. Although Kṛṣṇa is the purest of the pure, mundane people, thinking of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes that appear immoral, themselves become polluted. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore never publicly discussed Kṛṣṇa’s dealings with the gopīs. He used to discuss these dealings only with three confidential friends. He never discussed rāsa-līlā publicly, as the professional reciters do, although they do not understand Kṛṣṇa or the nature of the audience. However, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu encouraged the public chanting of the holy name on a huge scale for as many hours as possible.

Translation

The priest continued, “Would the sannyāsī whose name is Mādhavendra Purī please come and take this pot of sweet rice and enjoy the prasādam with great happiness! You are the most fortunate person within these three worlds!”

Word meanings

kṣīra lañā — taking the pot of sweet rice ; sukhe — in happiness ; tumi — you ; karaha — do ; bhakṣaṇe — eating ; tomā - sama — like you ; bhāgyavān — fortunate ; nāhi — there is no one ; tri - bhuvane — within the three worlds .

Purport

Here is an example of a personal benediction by Kṛṣṇa’s immoral activity. By Gopīnātha’s stealing for His devotee, the devotee becomes the most fortunate person within the three words. Thus even the Lord’s criminal activities make His devotee the most fortunate person. How can a mundane rascal understand the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa and judge whether He is moral or immoral? Since Kṛṣṇa is the Absolute Truth, there are no mundane distinctions such as moral and immoral. Whatever He does is good. This is the real meaning of “God is good.” He is good in all circumstances because He is transcendental, outside the jurisdiction of this material world. Therefore, Kṛṣṇa can be understood only by those who are already living in the spiritual world. This is corroborated in the Bhagavad-gītā (14.26) :

māṁ ca yo ’vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate

“One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.”

One who is engaged in unalloyed devotional service to the Lord is already situated in the spiritual world ( brahma-bhūyāya kalpate ) . In all circumstances, his activities and dealings with Kṛṣṇa are transcendental and thus not understandable by mundane moralists. It is therefore better not to discuss such activities among mundane people. It is better to give them the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra so that they will be gradually purified and then come to understand the transcendental activities of Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

Hearing this invitation, Mādhavendra Purī came out and identified himself. The priest then delivered the pot of sweet rice and offered his obeisances, falling flat before him.

Word meanings

eta śuni’ — hearing this ; purī - gosāñi — Mādhavendra Purī ; paricaya — introduction ; dila — gave ; kṣīra diyā — delivering the pot of sweet rice ; pūjārī — the priest ; tāṅre — to him ; daṇḍavat haila — offered obeisances .

Purport

A brāhmaṇa is not supposed to offer his obeisances by falling flat before anyone because a brāhmaṇa is considered to be in the highest caste. However, when a brāhmaṇa sees a devotee, he offers his daṇḍavats. This brāhmaṇa priest did not ask Mādhavendra Purī whether he was a brāhmaṇa, but when he saw that Mādhavendra Purī was such a bona fide devotee that Kṛṣṇa would even steal for him, he immediately understood the position of the saint. As stated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu: kibā vipra, kibā nyāsī, śūdra kene naya/ yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei ‘guru’ haya. (Cc. Madhya 8.128) Had the brāhmaṇa priest been an ordinary brāhmaṇa, Gopīnātha would not have talked with him in a dream. Since the Deity spoke to both Mādhavendra Purī and the brāhmaṇa priest in dreams, practically speaking they were on the same platform. However, because Mādhavendra Purī was a senior sannyāsī Vaiṣṇava, a paramahaṁsa, the priest immediately fell flat before him and offered obeisances.

Translation

When the story about the pot of sweet rice was explained to him in detail, Śrī Mādhavendra Purī at once became absorbed in ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

kṣīrera vṛttānta — all the incidents that took place on account of the pot of sweet rice ; tāṅre — to Mādhavendra Purī ; kahila — explained ; pūjārī — the priest ; śuni’ — hearing ; prema - āviṣṭa — saturated with love of Godhead ; haila — became ; śrī - mādhava - purī — Śrīla Mādhavendra Purī .

Translation

Upon seeing the ecstatic loving symptoms manifest in Mādhavendra Purī, the priest was struck with wonder. He could understand why Kṛṣṇa had become so much obliged to him, and he saw that Kṛṣṇa’s action was befitting.

Word meanings

prema dekhi’ — seeing the ecstatic position of Mādhavendra Purī ; sevaka — the priest ; kahe — said ; ha - iyā — being ; vismita — struck with wonder ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; ye — that ; iṅhāra — by him ; vaśa — obliged ; haya — it is ; yathocita — befitting .

Purport

A devotee can bring Kṛṣṇa perfectly under his control. This is explained in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.3) : ajita jito ’py asi tais tri-lokyām. Kṛṣṇa is never conquered by anyone, but a devotee can conquer Him through devotional service. As stated in the Brahma-saṁhitā (5.33) : vedeṣu durlabham adurlabham ātma-bhaktau. One cannot understand Kṛṣṇa simply by reading Vedic literature. Although all Vedic literature is meant for understanding Kṛṣṇa, one cannot understand Kṛṣṇa without being a lover of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore along with the reading of Vedic literature ( svādhyāya ), one must engage in devotional worship of the Deity ( arcana-vidhi ) . Together these will enhance the devotee’s transcendental understanding of devotional service. Śravaṇādi śuddha-citte karaye udaya (Cc. Madhya 22.107). Love of Godhead is dormant within everyone’s heart, and if one simply follows the standard process of devotional service, it is awakened. But foolish mundane people who simply read about Kṛṣṇa mistakenly think that He is immoral or criminal.

Translation

The priest offered his obeisances to Mādhavendra Purī and returned to the temple. Then, in ecstasy, Mādhavendra Purī ate the sweet rice offered to him by Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; namaskari’ — offering obeisances ; karilā gamana — returned ; āveśe — in ecstasy ; karilā — did ; purī — Purī Gosāñi ; se — that ; kṣīra — sweet rice ; bhakṣaṇa — eating .

Translation

After this, Mādhavendra Purī washed the pot and broke it into pieces. He then bound all the pieces in his outer cloth and kept them nicely.

Word meanings

pātra — the pot ; prakṣālana kari’ — washing ; khaṇḍa khaṇḍa — breaking into pieces ; kaila — did ; bahir - vāse — in his outer wrapper ; bāndhi’ — binding ; sei — those ; ṭhikāri — pieces of pot ; rākhila — kept .

Translation

Each day, Mādhavendra Purī would eat one piece of that earthen pot, and after eating it he would immediately be overwhelmed with ecstasy. These are wonderful stories.

Word meanings

prati - dina — every day ; eka - khāni — one piece ; karena — does ; bhakṣaṇa — eating ; khāile — by eating ; prema - āveśa — ecstasy ; haya — there is ; adbhuta — wonderful ; kathana — narrations .

Translation

Having broken the pot and bound the pieces in his cloth, Mādhavendra Purī began to think, “The Lord has given me a pot of sweet rice, and when the people hear of this tomorrow morning, there will be great crowds.”

Word meanings

ṭhākura — the Lord ; more — to me ; kṣīra — sweet rice ; dila — has given ; loka — the people ; saba — all ; śuni’ — after hearing ; dine — at daytime ; loka — of people ; bhiḍa — crowd ; habe — there will be ; mora — my ; pratiṣṭhā — fame ; jāni’ — knowing .

Translation

Thinking this, Śrī Mādhavendra Purī offered his obeisances to Gopīnātha on the spot and left Remuṇā before morning.

Word meanings

sei bhaye — fearing that ; rātri - śeṣe — at the end of the night ; calilā — left ; śrī - purī — Śrī Mādhavendra Purī ; sei - khāne — on that spot ; gopīnāthe — to Lord Gopīnātha ; daṇḍavat — obeisances ; kari’ — doing .

Translation

Walking and walking, Mādhavendra Purī finally reached Jagannātha Purī, which is also known as Nīlācala. There he saw Lord Jagannātha and was overwhelmed with loving ecstasy.

Word meanings

cali’ cali’ — walking and walking ; āilā — he reached ; purī — Jagannātha Purī ; śrī - nīlācala — known as Nīlācala ; jagannātha dekhi’ — seeing Lord Jagannātha ; hailā — became ; premete — in love ; vihvala — overwhelmed .

Translation

When Mādhavendra Purī was overwhelmed in the ecstasy of love of Godhead, he sometimes stood up and sometimes fell to the ground. Sometimes he laughed, danced and sang. In this way he enjoyed transcendental bliss by seeing the Jagannātha Deity.

Word meanings

prema - āveśe — in loving ecstasy ; uṭhe — sometimes stands ; paḍe — sometimes falls ; hāse — laughs ; nāce — dances ; gāya — sings ; jagannātha daraśane — by seeing Lord Jagannātha in the temple ; mahā - sukha — transcendental happiness ; pāya — he felt .

Translation

When Mādhavendra Purī came to Jagannātha Purī, people were aware of his transcendental reputation. Therefore crowds of people came and offered him all sorts of respect in devotion.

Word meanings

mādhava - purī — Śrī Mādhavendra Purī ; śrīpāda — sannyāsī ; āila — has come ; loke — among the people ; haila — there was ; khyāti — reputation ; saba loka — all people ; āsi’ — coming ; tāṅre — unto him ; kare — do ; bahu — much ; bhakti — devotion .

Translation

Even though one may not like it, reputation, as ordained by providence, comes to him. Indeed, one’s transcendental reputation is known throughout the entire world.

Word meanings

pratiṣṭhāra — of reputation ; svabhāva — the nature ; ei — this ; jagate — in the world ; vidita — known ; ye — the person who ; nā vāñche — does not desire it ; tāra — of him ; haya — it is ; vidhātā - nirmita — created by providence .

Translation

Being afraid of his reputation [pratiṣṭhā], Mādhavendra Purī fled from Remuṇā. But the reputation brought by love of Godhead is so sublime that it goes along with the devotee, as if following him.

Word meanings

pratiṣṭhāra bhaye — in fear of reputation ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; gelā — went away ; palāñā — fleeing ; kṛṣṇa - preme — in love of Kṛṣṇa ; pratiṣṭhā — reputation ; cale — goes ; saṅge — simultaneously ; gaḍāñā — gliding down .

Purport

Almost all the conditioned souls within the material world are envious. Jealous people generally turn against one who automatically attains some reputation. This is natural for jealous people. Consequently, when a devotee is fit to receive worldly reputation, he is envied by many people. This is quite natural. When a person, out of humility, does not desire fame, people generally think him quite humble and consequently give him all kinds of fame. Actually a Vaiṣṇava does not hanker after fame or a great reputation. Mādhavendra Purī, the king of Vaiṣṇavas, bore his reputation, but he wanted to keep himself outside of the vision of the general populace. He wanted to cover his real identity as a great devotee of the Lord, but when people saw him overwhelmed in the ecstasy of love of Godhead, they naturally gave credit to him. Actually a first-class reputation is due Mādhavendra Purī because he was a most confidential devotee of the Lord. Sometimes a sahajiyā presents himself as being void of desires for reputation ( pratiṣṭhā ) in order to become famous as a humble man. Such people cannot actually attain the platform of celebrated Vaiṣṇavas.

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī wanted to leave Jagannātha Purī because the people were honoring him as a great devotee; however, this threatened to hinder his collecting sandalwood for the Gopāla Deity.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; udvega — anxiety ; haila — there was ; palāite — to go away ; mana — the mind ; ṭhākurera — of the Lord ; candana — of the sandalwood ; sādhana — the collecting ; ha - ila — there was ; bandhana — bondage .

Translation

Śrī Mādhavendra Purī told all the servants of Lord Jagannātha and all the great devotees there the story of the appearance of Śrī Gopāla.

Word meanings

jagannāthera sevaka — the servants of Lord Jagannātha ; yata — all ; yateka mahānta — all respectable devotees ; sabāke — unto everyone ; kahila — told ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; gopāla - vṛttānta — the narration of Gopāla .

Translation

When all the devotees at Jagannātha Purī heard that the Gopāla Deity wanted sandalwood, in great pleasure they all endeavored to collect it.

Word meanings

gopāla — Lord Gopāla at Vṛndāvana ; candana — sandalwood ; māge — wants ; śuni’ — hearing ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; ānande — in great pleasure ; candana lāgi’ — for sandalwood ; karila — made ; yatana — endeavor .

Translation

Those who were acquainted with government officers met with them and begged for camphor and sandalwood, which they collected.

Word meanings

rāja - pātra — government officers ; sane — with ; yāra yāra — whoever ; paricaya — had acquaintance ; tāre māgi’ — begging them ; karpūra - candana — camphor and sandalwood ; karilā — made ; sañcaya — collection .

Purport

It appears that malayaja-candana (sandalwood) and camphor were used for the Jagannātha Deity. The camphor was used in His ārātrika, and the sandalwood was used to smear His body. Both these items were under government control; therefore the devotees had to meet with the government officials. Informing them of all the details, they attained permission to take the sandalwood and camphor outside Jagannātha Purī.

Translation

One brāhmaṇa and one servant were given to Mādhavendra Purī just to carry the sandalwood. He was also given the necessary traveling expenses.

Word meanings

eka vipra — one brāhmaṇa ; eka sevaka — one servant ; candana — the sandalwood ; vahite — to carry ; purī - gosāñira — Mādhavendra Purī ; saṅge — with ; dila — gave ; sambala - sahite — with the necessary expenditure .

Translation

To get past the toll collectors along the way, Mādhavendra Purī was supplied with the necessary release papers from government officers. The papers were placed in his hand.

Word meanings

ghāṭī - dānī — from the toll collectors ; chāḍāite — to get release ; rāja - pātra — papers showing governmental sanction ; dvāre — at the gates ; rāja - lekhā — governmental permission ; kari’ — showing ; dila — delivered ; purī - gosāñira — of Purī Gosāñi, Mādhavendra Purī ; kare — into the hand .

Translation

In this way Mādhavendra Purī started for Vṛndāvana with the burden of sandalwood, and after some days he again reached the village of Remuṇā and the Gopīnātha temple there.

Word meanings

calila — proceeded ; mādhava - purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; candana lañā — taking the sandalwood ; kata - dine — after some days ; remuṇāte — at the same temple of Remuṇā ; uttarila — reached ; giyā — going .

Translation

When Mādhavendra Purī reached the temple of Gopīnātha, he offered his respectful obeisances many times at the lotus feet of the Lord. In the ecstasy of love, he began to dance and sing without cessation.

Word meanings

gopīnātha - caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Lord Gopīnātha ; kaila — made ; bahu — many ; namaskāra — obeisances ; prema - āveśe — in the ecstasy of love ; nṛtya - gīta — dancing and chanting ; karilā — performed ; apāra — unlimitedly .

Translation

When the priest of Gopīnātha saw Mādhavendra Purī again, he offered all respects to him and, giving him the sweet rice prasādam, made him eat.

Word meanings

purī dekhi’ — by seeing Mādhavendra Purī ; sevaka — the priest or servant ; saba sammāna — all respects ; karila — offered ; kṣīra - prasāda — sweet rice prasādam ; diyā — offering ; tāṅre — him ; bhikṣā karāila — made to eat .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī took rest that night in the temple, but toward the end of the night he had another dream.

Word meanings

sei rātre — on that night ; deva - ālaye — in the temple ; karila — did ; śayana — sleeping ; śeṣa - rātri — at the end of the night ; haile — when it was ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; dekhila — saw ; svapana — a dream .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī dreamed that Gopāla came before him and said, “O Mādhavendra Purī, I have already received all the sandalwood and camphor.

Word meanings

gopāla — the Deity of Gopāla ; āsiyā — coming ; kahe — says ; śuna — hear ; he — O ; mādhava — Mādhavendra Purī ; karpūra - candana — the camphor and sandalwood ; āmi — I ; pāilāma — have received ; saba — all .

Translation

“Now just grind all the sandalwood together with the camphor and then smear the pulp on the body of Gopīnātha daily until it is finished.

Word meanings

karpūra - sahita — with the camphor ; ghaṣi’ — grinding ; e - saba — all this ; candana — sandalwood ; gopīnāthera — of Śrī Gopīnātha ; aṅge — on the body ; nitya — daily ; karaha — do ; lepana — smearing .

Translation

“There is no difference between My body and Gopīnātha’s body. They are one and the same. Therefore if you smear the sandalwood pulp on the body of Gopīnātha, you will naturally also smear it on My body. Thus the temperature of My body will be reduced.

Word meanings

gopīnātha — Lord Gopīnātha ; āmāra — My ; se — that ; eka - i — one ; aṅga — body ; haya — is ; iṅhāke — unto Him ; candana dile — in offering this candana ; habe — there will be ; mora — My ; tāpa - kṣaya — reduction of temperature .

Purport

Gopāla was situated in Vṛndāvana, which was far from Remuṇā. In those days, one had to pass through provinces governed by the Muslims, who sometimes hindered travelers. Considering the trouble of His devotee, Lord Gopāla, the greatest well-wisher of His devotees, ordered Mādhavendra Purī to smear the sandalwood pulp on the body of Gopīnātha, which was nondifferent from the body of Gopāla. In this way the Lord relieved Mādhavendra Purī from trouble and inconvenience.

Translation

“You should not hesitate to act according to My order. Believing in Me, just do what is needed.”

Word meanings

dvidhā nā bhāviha — do not hesitate ; nā kariha — do not do ; kichu — anything ; mane — in the mind ; viśvāsa kari’ — believing Me ; candana — sandalwood ; deha — offer ; āmāra vacane — under My order .

Translation

After giving these instructions, Gopāla disappeared, and Mādhavendra Purī awoke. He immediately called for all the servants of Gopīnātha, and they came before him.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; gopāla — the Deity of Gopāla ; gela — disappeared ; gosāñi jāgilā — Mādhavendra Purī awoke ; gopīnāthera — of Lord Gopīnātha ; sevaka - gaṇe — to the servitors ; ḍākiyā — calling ; ānilā — brought them .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī said, “Smear the body of Gopīnātha with this camphor and sandalwood I have brought for Gopāla in Vṛndāvana. Do this regularly every day.

Word meanings

prabhura ājñā haila — there was an order of the Lord ; ei — this ; karpūra — camphor ; candana — and sandalwood ; gopīnāthera aṅge — on the body of Gopīnātha ; nitya — daily ; karaha — do ; lepana — smearing .

Translation

“If the sandalwood pulp is smeared over the body of Gopīnātha, then Gopāla will be cooled. After all, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is completely independent; His order is all-powerful.”

Word meanings

iṅhāke — unto Gopīnātha ; candana dile — when sandalwood will be given ; gopāla — Lord Gopāla in Vṛndāvana ; ha - ibe — will become ; śītala — cool ; svatantra īśvara — the most independent Supreme Personality of Godhead ; tāṅra — His ; ājñā — order ; se — that ; prabala — powerful .

Translation

The servants of Gopīnātha became very pleased to hear that in the summer all the sandalwood pulp would be used to anoint the body of Gopīnātha.

Word meanings

grīṣma - kāle — in the summer ; gopīnātha — Lord Gopīnātha ; paribe — will put on ; candana — sandalwood pulp ; śuni’ — hearing ; ānandita — pleased ; haila — became ; sevakera — of the servants ; mana — the minds .

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī said, “These two assistants will regularly grind the sandalwood, and you should also get two other people to help. I shall pay their salaries.”

Word meanings

purī kahe — Mādhavendra Purī said ; ei dui — these two assistants ; ghaṣibe — will grind ; candana — the sandalwood ; āra — another ; janā - dui — two men ; deha — apply ; diba — I shall pay ; ye — that ; vetana — salary .

Translation

In this way Gopīnāthajī was supplied ground sandalwood pulp daily. The servants of Gopīnātha were very pleased with this.

Word meanings

ei mata — in this way ; candana — sandalwood ; deya — gives ; pratyaha — daily ; ghaṣiyā — grinding ; parāya — caused to put on ; sevaka — servants ; saba — all of it ; ānanda — pleasure ; kariyā — feeling .

Translation

In this way the sandalwood pulp was smeared over the body of Gopīnātha until the whole stock was finished. Mādhavendra Purī stayed there until that time.

Word meanings

pratyaha — daily ; candana — sandalwood pulp ; parāya — smears over the body ; yāvat — until ; haila — there was ; anta — an end ; tathāya — there ; rahila — remained ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; tāvat — that time ; paryanta — until .

Translation

At the end of summer Mādhavendra Purī returned to Jagannātha Purī, where he remained with great pleasure during the whole period of Cāturmāsya.

Word meanings

grīṣma - kāla — of the summer season ; ante — at the end ; punaḥ — again ; nīlācale — to Jagannātha Purī ; gelā — went ; nīlācale — in Jagannātha Purī ; cātur - māsya — the four months for vows ; ānande — in great pleasure ; rahilā — remained .

Purport

The Cāturmāsya period begins in the month of Āṣāḍha (June-July) from the day of Ekādaśī called Śayanā-ekādaśī, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. The period ends in the month of Kārttika (October-November) on the Ekādaśī day known as Utthānā-ekādaśī, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. This four-month period is known as Cāturmāsya. Some Vaiṣṇavas also observe it from the full-moon day of Āṣāḍha until the full-moon day of Kārttika. That is also a period of four months. This period, calculated by the lunar months, is called Cāturmāsya, but others also observe Cāturmāsya according to the solar month from Śrāvaṇa to Kārttika. The whole period, either lunar or solar, takes place during the rainy season. Cāturmāsya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a gṛhastha or a sannyāsī. The observance is obligatory for all āśramas. The real purpose behind the vow taken during these four months is to minimize the quantity of sense gratification. This is not very difficult. In the month of Śrāvaṇa one should not eat spinach, in the month of Bhādra one should not eat yogurt, and in the month of Āśvina one should not drink milk. One should not eat fish or other nonvegetarian food during the month of Kārttika. A nonvegetarian diet means fish and meat. Similarly, masūra dhal and urad dhal are also considered nonvegetarian. These two dhals contain a great amount of protein, and food rich in protein is considered nonvegetarian. On the whole, during the four-month period of Cāturmāsya one should practice giving up all food intended for sense enjoyment.

Translation

Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally praised the nectarean characteristics of Mādhavendra Purī, and while He related all this to the devotees, He personally relished it.

Word meanings

śrī - mukhe — from the mouth of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mādhava - purīra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; amṛta - carita — nectarean characteristics ; bhakta - gaṇe — the devotees ; śunāñā — making hear ; prabhu — the Lord ; kare — does ; āsvādita — relished .

Translation

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked Nityānanda Prabhu to judge whether there was anyone within the world as fortunate as Mādhavendra Purī.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; nityānanda — Nityānanda Prabhu ; karaha vicāra — just consider ; purī - sama — like Mādhavendra Purī ; bhāgyavān — fortunate ; jagate — in the world ; nāhi — there is not ; āra — anyone else .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Mādhavendra Purī was so fortunate that Kṛṣṇa personally appeared before him on the plea of delivering milk. Three times the Lord gave orders to Mādhavendra Purī in dreams.

Word meanings

dugdha - dāna - chale — on the plea of delivering milk ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; yāṅre — unto whom ; dekhā dila — made His appearance ; tina - bāre — three times ; svapne — in dreams ; āsi’ — coming ; yāṅre — unto whom ; ājñā — order ; kaila — gave .

Translation

“Being obliged because of the loving affairs of Mādhavendra Purī, Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself appeared as the Gopāla Deity, and, accepting his service, He liberated the whole world.

Word meanings

yāṅra — of whom ; preme — by love of Godhead ; vaśa — obliged ; hañā — being ; prakaṭa — manifest ; ha - ilā — became ; sevā — service ; aṅgīkāra — acceptance ; kari’ — doing ; jagata — the whole world ; tārilā — delivered .

Translation

“On account of Mādhavendra Purī, Lord Gopīnātha stole the pot of sweet rice. Thus He became famous as Kṣīra-corā [the thief who stole the sweet rice].

Word meanings

yāṅra — whom ; lāgi’ — on account of ; gopīnātha — Lord Gopīnātha ; kṣīra — sweet rice ; kaila — did ; curi — steal ; ataeva — therefore ; nāma — the name ; haila — became ; kṣīra - corā — the thief of sweet rice ; kari’ — making .

Translation

“Mādhavendra Purī smeared the sandalwood pulp over the body of Gopīnātha, and in this way he was overpowered with love of Godhead.

Word meanings

karpūra - candana — camphor and sandalwood ; yāṅra aṅge — on whose body ; caḍāila — put ; ānande — in great pleasure ; purī - gosāñira — of Mādhavendra Purī ; prema — love of Godhead ; uthalila — welled up .

Translation

“In the provinces of India governed by the Muslims, there was much inconvenience in traveling with sandalwood and camphor. Because of this, Mādhavendra Purī might have gotten into trouble. This became known to the Gopāla Deity.

Word meanings

mleccha - deśe — through the countries where Muslims ruled ; karpūra - candana — camphor and sandalwood ; ānite — to bring ; jañjāla — inconvenience ; purī — Mādhavendra Purī ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; pābe — will get ; ihā — this ; jāniyā — knowing ; gopāla — Gopāla .

Translation

“The Lord is very merciful and attached to His devotees, so when Gopīnātha was covered with sandalwood pulp, Mādhavendra Purī’s labor became successful.”

Word meanings

mahā — very ; dayā - maya — merciful ; prabhu — the Lord ; bhakata - vatsala — very much attached to His devotees ; candana pari’ — putting on the sandalwood ; bhakta - śrama — the trouble of the devotee ; karila — made ; saphala — successful .

Translation

Caitanya Mahāprabhu placed the standard of Mādhavendra Purī’s intense love before Nityānanda Prabhu for judgment. “All his loving activities are uncommon,” Caitanya Mahāprabhu said. “Indeed, one is struck with wonder to hear of his activities.”

Word meanings

purīra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; prema - parā - kāṣṭhā — the standard of intense love of Godhead ; karaha — just make ; vicāra — judgment ; alaukika — uncommon ; prema — love of Godhead ; citte — in the mind ; lāge — strikes ; camatkāra — wonder .

Purport

When the living entity feels spiritual separation from Kṛṣṇa ( kṛṣṇa-viraha ), he has achieved the prime success of life. When one becomes disinterested in material things, he is simply experiencing the other side of attraction for material things. However, feeling separation from Kṛṣṇa and engaging in the service of the Lord to fulfill His mission constitute the best example of love of Kṛṣṇa. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to point out this intense love of Kṛṣṇa exhibited by Mādhavendra Purī. All Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s devotees later followed in the footsteps of Mādhavendra Purī, serving the Lord without personal considerations.

Translation

Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, “Śrī Mādhavendra Purī used to remain alone. He was completely renounced and always very silent. He was uninterested in everything material, and for fear of talking about mundane things, he always lived without a companion.

Word meanings

parama virakta — totally renounced or unattached ; maunī — silent ; sarvatra — everywhere ; udāsīna — uninterested ; grāmya - vārtā — of mundane topics ; bhaye — in fear ; dvitīya — second ; saṅga — associate ; hīna — without .

Translation

“After receiving the transcendental orders of Gopāla, this great personality traveled thousands of miles just to collect sandalwood by begging.

Word meanings

hena - jana — such a personality ; gopālera — of the Gopāla Deity ; ājñā - amṛta — the nectarean order ; pāñā — getting ; sahasra — a thousand ; krośa — a distance of two miles ; āsi’ — coming ; bule — walks ; candana — sandalwood ; māgiñā — begging .

Translation

“Although Mādhavendra Purī was hungry, he would not beg food to eat. This renounced person carried a load of sandalwood for the sake of Śrī Gopāla.

Word meanings

bhoke — hungry ; rahe — remains ; tabu — still ; anna — food ; māgiñā — begging ; nā — does not ; khāya — eat ; hena - jana — such a person ; candana - bhāra — the load of sandalwood ; vahi’ — carrying ; lañā — taking ; yāya — goes .

Translation

“Without considering his personal comforts, Mādhavendra Purī carried one maund [about eighty-two pounds] of sandalwood and twenty tolās [about eight ounces] of camphor to smear over the body of Gopāla. This transcendental pleasure was sufficient for him.

Word meanings

maṇeka candana — one maund of sandalwood ; tolā — a measurement of weight ; viśeka — twenty ; karpūra — camphor ; gopāle — on Gopāla ; parāiba — I shall smear ; ei — this ; ānanda — pleasure ; pracura — sufficient .

Translation

“Since there were restrictions against taking the sandalwood out of the Orissa province, the toll official confiscated the stock, but Mādhavendra Purī showed him the release papers given by the government and consequently escaped difficulties.

Word meanings

utkalera — of Orissa ; dānī — toll officer ; rākhe — takes ; candana — sandalwood ; dekhiñā — seeing ; tāhāṅ — there ; eḍāila — escaped ; rāja - patra — governmental release ; dekhāñā — by showing .

Translation

“Mādhavendra Purī was not at all anxious during the long journey to Vṛndāvana through the provinces governed by the Muslims and filled with unlimited numbers of watchmen.

Word meanings

mleccha - deśa — the countries governed by Muslims ; dūra patha — long journey ; jagāti — watchmen ; apāra — unlimited ; ke - mate — how ; candana — the sandalwood ; niba — I shall take ; nāhi — there was not ; e — this ; vicāra — consideration .

Translation

“Although Mādhavendra Purī did not have a farthing with him, he was not afraid to pass by the toll officers. His only enjoyment was in carrying the load of sandalwood to Vṛndāvana for Gopāla.

Word meanings

saṅge — with him ; eka — one ; vaṭa — farthing ; nāhi — there was not ; ghāṭī - dāna — as a toll tax ; dite — to give ; tathāpi — still ; utsāha — enthusiasm ; baḍa — much ; candana — sandalwood ; lañā — taking ; yāite — to go .

Translation

“This is the natural result of intense love of Godhead. The devotee does not consider personal inconveniences or impediments. In all circumstances he wants to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Word meanings

pragāḍha — intense ; premera — of love of Godhead ; ei — this ; svabhāva — natural ; ācāra — behavior ; nija — personal ; duḥkha — inconvenience ; vighna — impediments ; ādira — and so on ; nā — not ; kare — does ; vicāra — consideration .

Purport

It is natural for those who have developed intense love for Kṛṣṇa not to care for personal inconvenience and impediments. Such devotees are simply determined to execute the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His representative, the spiritual master. In all circumstances, even amidst the greatest dangers, they undeviatingly carry on with the greatest determination. This definitely proves the intense love of the servitor. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.8) , tat te ’nukampāṁ su-samīkṣamāṇaḥ: those who seriously desire to get free from the clutches of material existence, who have developed intense love for Kṛṣṇa, are worthy candidates for going back home, back to Godhead. An intense lover of Kṛṣṇa does not care for any number of material discomforts, scarcity, impediments or unhappiness. It is said that when one sees apparent unhappiness or distress in a perfect Vaiṣṇava, it is not at all unhappiness for him; rather, it is transcendental bliss. In the Śikṣāṣṭaka (8), Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has also instructed, āśliṣya vā pāda-ratāṁ pinaṣṭu mām. The intense lover of Kṛṣṇa is never deviated from his service, despite all difficulties and impediments brought before him.

Translation

“Śrī Gopāla wanted to show how intensely Mādhavendra Purī loved Kṛṣṇa; therefore He asked him to go to Nīlācala to fetch sandalwood and camphor.

Word meanings

ei — this ; tāra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; gāḍha — intense ; premā — love of Godhead ; loke — unto the people ; dekhāite — to show ; gopāla — Lord Gopāla ; tāṅre — to him ; ājñā — order ; dila — gave ; candana — sandalwood ; ānite — to bring .

Translation

“With great trouble and after much labor, Mādhavendra Purī brought the load of sandalwood to Remuṇā. However, he was still very pleased; he discounted all the difficulties.

Word meanings

bahu — much ; pariśrame — with labor ; candana — sandalwood ; remuṇā — to Remuṇā (the village of Gopīnātha) ; ānila — brought ; ānanda — pleasure ; bāḍila — increased ; mane — in the mind ; duḥkha — difficulties ; nā — not ; gaṇila — counted .

Translation

“To test the intense love of Mādhavendra Purī, Gopāla, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, ordered him to bring sandalwood from Nīlācala, and when Mādhavendra Purī passed this examination, the Lord became very merciful to him.

Word meanings

parīkṣā — test ; karite — to make ; gopāla — Lord Gopāla ; kaila — did ; ājñā — the order ; dāna — giving ; parīkṣā — the test ; kariyā — making ; śeṣe — at the end ; haila — became ; dayā - vān — merciful .

Translation

“Such behavior exhibited in loving service between the devotee and the devotee’s lovable object, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is transcendental. It is not possible for a common man to understand. Common men do not even have the capacity.”

Word meanings

ei bhakti — this type of devotion ; bhakta — of the devotee ; priya — and the most lovable object ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; vyavahāra — the behavior ; bujhiteo — to understand ; āmā - sabāra — of all of us ; nāhi — there is not ; adhikāra — the capacity .

Translation

After saying this, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu read the famous verse of Mādhavendra Purī. That verse is just like the moon. It has spread illumination all over the world.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; paḍe — reads ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅra — by Mādhavendra Purī ; kṛta — composed ; śloka — verse ; yei — that ; śloka - candre — by the moonlike verse ; jagat — all over the world ; karyāche — produced ; āloka — light .

Translation

Continuous rubbing increases the aroma of Malaya sandalwood. Similarly, consideration of this verse increases one’s understanding of its importance.

Word meanings

ghaṣite ghaṣite — rubbing and rubbing ; yaiche — just as ; malayaja - sāra — sandalwood ; gandha — the fragrance ; bāḍe — increases ; taiche — similarly ; ei — this ; ślokera — of the verse ; vicāra — the consideration .

Translation

As the Kaustubha-maṇi is considered the most precious of valuable stones, this verse is similarly considered the best of poems dealing with the mellows of devotional service.

Word meanings

ratna - gaṇa — the valuable jewels ; madhye — among ; yaiche — just as ; kaustubha - maṇi — the jewel known as Kaustubha-maṇi ; rasa - kāvya — poetry dealing with the mellows of devotional service ; madhye — among ; taiche — similarly ; ei — this ; śloka — verse ; gaṇi — I count .

Translation

Actually this verse was spoken by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī Herself, and by Her mercy only was it manifest in the words of Mādhavendra Purī.

Word meanings

ei — this ; śloka — verse ; kahiyāchena — has spoken ; rādhā - ṭhākurāṇī — Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; tāṅra — Her ; kṛpāya — by the mercy ; sphuriyāche — has manifested ; mādhavendra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; vāṇī — the words .

Translation

Only Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has tasted the poetry of this verse. No fourth man is capable of understanding it.

Word meanings

kibā — how excellent ; gauracandra — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ihā — this ; kare — does ; āsvādana — tasting ; ihā — this verse ; āsvādite — to taste ; āra — another ; nāhi — there is not ; cauṭha - jana — a fourth man .

Purport

This indicates that only Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, Mādhavendra Purī and Caitanya Mahāprabhu are capable of understanding the purport of this verse.

Translation

Mādhavendra Purī recited this verse again and again at the end of his material existence. Thus uttering this verse, he attained the ultimate goal of life.

Word meanings

śeṣa - kāle — at the end ; ei śloka — this verse ; paṭhite paṭhite — by reciting repeatedly ; siddhi - prāpti — attainment of perfection ; haila — there was ; purīra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; ślokera — this verse ; sahite — with .

Translation

“O My Lord! O most merciful master! O master of Mathurā! When shall I see You again? Because of My not seeing You, My agitated heart has become unsteady. O most beloved one, what shall I do now?”

Word meanings

ayi — O My Lord ; dīna — on the poor ; dayā - ārdra — compassionate ; nātha — O master ; he — O ; mathurā - nātha — the master of Mathurā ; kadā — when ; avalokyase — I shall see You ; hṛdayam — My heart ; tvat — of You ; aloka — without seeing ; kātaram — very much aggrieved ; dayita — O most beloved ; bhrāmyati — becomes overwhelmed ; kim — what ; karomi — shall do ; aham — I .

Purport

The uncontaminated devotees who strictly depend on the Vedānta philosophy are divided into four sampradāyas, or transcendental parties. Out of the four sampradāyas, the Śrī Madhvācārya-sampradāya was accepted by Mādhavendra Purī. Thus he took sannyāsa according to paramparā, the disciplic succession. Beginning from Madhvācārya down to the spiritual master of Mādhavendra Purī, the ācārya named Lakṣmīpati, there was no realization of devotional service in conjugal love. Śrī Mādhavendra Purī introduced the conception of conjugal love for the first time in the Madhvācārya-sampradāya, and this conclusion of the Madhvācārya-sampradāya was revealed by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu when He toured southern India and met the Tattvavādīs, who supposedly belonged to the Madhvācārya-sampradāya.

When Śrī Kṛṣṇa left Vṛndāvana and accepted the kingdom of Mathurā, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, out of ecstatic feelings of separation, expressed how Kṛṣṇa can be loved in separation. Thus devotional service in separation is central to this verse. Worship in separation is considered by the Gauḍīya-Madhva-sampradāya to be the topmost level of devotional service. According to this conception, the devotee thinks of himself as very poor and neglected by the Lord. Thus he addresses the Lord as dīna-dayārdra nātha, as did Mādhavendra Purī. Such an ecstatic feeling is the highest form of devotional service. Because Kṛṣṇa had gone to Mathurā, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī was very much affected, and She expressed Herself thus: “My dear Lord, because of Your separation My mind has become overly agitated. Now tell Me, what can I do? I am very poor and You are very merciful, so kindly have compassion upon Me and let Me know when I shall see You.” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was always expressing the ecstatic emotions of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī that She exhibited when She saw Uddhava at Vṛndāvana. Similar feelings, experienced by Mādhavendra Purī, are expressed in this verse. Therefore, Vaiṣṇavas in the Gauḍīya-Madhva-sampradāya say that the ecstatic feelings experienced by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu during His appearance came from Śrī Mādhavendra Purī through Īśvara Purī. All the devotees in the line of the Gauḍīya-Madhva-sampradāya accept these principles of devotional service.

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu recited this verse, He immediately fell to the ground unconscious. He was overwhelmed and had no control over Himself.

Word meanings

ei śloka — this verse ; paḍite — reciting ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ha - ilā — became ; mūrcchite — unconscious ; premete — in ecstatic love ; vivaśa — uncontrolled ; hañā — becoming ; paḍila — fell down ; bhūmite — on the ground .

Translation

When Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu fell to the ground in ecstatic love, Lord Nityānanda quickly took Him on His lap. Crying, Caitanya Mahāprabhu then got up again.

Word meanings

āste - vyaste — in great haste ; kole — on the lap ; kari’ — making ; nila — took ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; krandana — crying ; kariyā — doing ; tabe — at that time ; uṭhe — got up ; gauracandra — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Exhibiting ecstatic emotions, the Lord began to run here and there, making resounding noises. Sometimes He laughed, and sometimes He cried, and sometimes He danced and sang.

Word meanings

prema - unmāda — the madness of love ; haila — there was ; uṭhi’ — getting up ; iti - uti dhāya — runs here and there ; huṅkāra — resounding ; karaye — does ; hāse — laughs ; kānde — cries ; nāce — dances ; gāya — and sings .

Translation

Caitanya Mahāprabhu could not recite the whole verse. He simply said, “Ayi dīna! Ayi dīna!” repeatedly. Thus He could not speak, and profuse tears were in His eyes.

Word meanings

ayi dīna — O My Lord, master of the poor ; ayi dīna — O My Lord, master of the poor ; bale — says ; bāra - bāra — repeatedly ; kaṇṭhe — in the throat ; nā — not ; niḥsare — comes out ; vāṇī — the voice ; netre — in the eyes ; aśru - dhāra — torrents of tears .

Translation

Trembling, perspiration, jubilant tears, shock, fading of the bodily luster, disappointment, moroseness, loss of memory, pride, joy and humility were all visible in Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s body.

Word meanings

kampa — trembling ; sveda — perspiration ; pulaka - aśru — jubilation and tears ; stambha — shock ; vaivarṇya — loss of color ; nirveda — disappointment ; viṣāda — moroseness ; jāḍya — loss of memory ; garva — pride ; harṣa — joy ; dainya — humility .

Purport

In the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, jāḍya is explained as loss of memory brought about by severe shock due to separation from the beloved. In that state of mind, one loses all concern for loss and gain, hearing and seeing, as well as all other considerations. This marks the preliminary appearance of illusion.

Translation

This verse uncovered the door of ecstatic love, and when it was exhibited, all the servants of Gopīnātha saw Caitanya Mahāprabhu dance in ecstasy.

Word meanings

ei śloke — this verse ; ughāḍilā — uncovered ; premera — of conjugal love ; kapāṭa — the door ; gopīnātha - sevaka — the servants of the Gopīnātha Deity ; dekhe — see ; prabhura — of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prema - nāṭa — the dance in ecstatic love .

Translation

When many people crowded around Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He regained His external senses. In the meantime, the offering to the Deity had been finished, and there was a resounding ārati performance.

Word meanings

lokera — of people ; saṅghaṭṭa — a crowd ; dekhi’ — seeing ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bāhya — external consciousness ; haila — appeared ; ṭhākurera — of the Deity ; bhoga — offering ; sari’ — finishing ; ārati — performance of ārati ; bājila — resounded .

Translation

When the Deities were laid down to rest, the priest came out of the temple and offered all twelve pots of sweet rice to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

ṭhākure — the Deity ; śayana — lying down ; karāñā — causing to do ; pūjārī — the priest ; haila — was ; bāhira — out of the temple ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āge — in front ; āni’ — bringing ; dila — offered ; prasāda — the remnants of food ; bāra — twelve ; kṣīra — pots of sweet rice .

Translation

When all the pots of sweet rice, remnants left by Gopīnātha, were placed before Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He became very pleased. In order to feed the devotees, He accepted five of them.

Word meanings

kṣīra — the sweet rice ; dekhi’ — seeing ; mahāprabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ānanda — the pleasure ; bāḍila — increased ; bhakta - gaṇe — the devotees ; khāoyāite — to feed them ; pañca — five pots ; kṣīra — sweet rice ; laila — accepted .

Translation

The seven remaining pots were pushed forward and delivered to the priest. Then the five pots of sweet rice the Lord had accepted were distributed among the five devotees, and they ate the prasādam.

Word meanings

sāta kṣīra — seven pots of sweet rice ; pūjārīke — toward the pūjārī ; bāhuḍiyā — pushing forward ; dila — gave ; pañca - kṣīra — five pots of sweet rice ; pañca - jane — to five men ; vāṅṭiyā — distributing ; khāila — ate .

Translation

Being identical with the Gopīnātha Deity, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had already tasted and eaten the pots of sweet rice. Yet just to manifest devotional service, He again ate the pots of sweet rice as a devotee.

Word meanings

gopīnātha - rūpe — in His arcā incarnation as Gopīnātha ; yadi — although ; kariyāchena — has done ; bhojana — eating ; bhakti — devotional service ; dekhāite — to exhibit ; kaila — did ; prasāda bhakṣaṇa — eating .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed that night at the temple engaged in congregational chanting. In the morning, after seeing the maṅgala-ārati performance, He departed.

Word meanings

nāma - saṅkīrtane — in congregational chanting ; sei — that ; rātri — night ; goṅāilā — passed ; maṅgala - ārati — the early ārati ; dekhi’ — after seeing ; prabhāte — in the morning ; calilā — departed .

Translation

In this way, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally tasted with His own mouth the transcendental qualities of Gopālajī, Gopīnātha and Śrī Mādhavendra Purī.

Word meanings

gopāla — of the Gopāla Deity ; gopīnātha — of the Gopīnātha Deity ; purī - gosāñira — of Mādhavendra Purī ; guṇa — the qualities ; bhakta - saṅge — with the devotees ; śrī - mukhe — in His own mouth ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kailā — did ; āsvādana — tasting .

Translation

Thus I have described both the transcendental glories of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s affection for His devotees and the highest limit of ecstatic love of God.

Word meanings

ei ta’ — thus ; ākhyāne — in the narration ; kahilā — described ; doṅhāra — of the two ; mahimā — the glories ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta - vātsalya — attachment for His devotees ; āra — and ; bhakta - prema - sīmā — the highest limit of ecstatic love by the devotee .

Translation

One who hears this narration with faith and devotion attains the treasure of love of Godhead at the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

śraddhā - yukta — possessed of faith ; hañā — being ; ihā — this ; śune — hears ; yei — that ; jana — person ; śrī - kṛṣṇa - caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; sei — that person ; pāya — gets ; prema - dhana — the treasure 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, fourth chapter, describing Śrī Mādhavendra Purī’s devotional service.