The Lord Begins His Tour of South India

Translation

Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, being very compassionate toward a brāhmaṇa named Vāsudeva, cured him of leprosy. He transformed him into a beautiful man satisfied with devotional service. I offer my respectful obeisances unto the glorious Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

dhanyam — auspicious ; tam — unto Him ; naumi — I offer obeisances ; caitanyam — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vāsudevam — unto the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva ; dayā - ārdra - dhī — being compassionate ; naṣṭa - kuṣṭham — cured the leprosy ; rūpa - puṣṭam — beautiful ; bhakti - tuṣṭam — satisfied in devotional service ; cakāra — made ; yaḥ — the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Translation

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

Word meanings

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

Translation

After delivering Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, the Lord desired to go to South India to preach.

Word meanings

ei - mate — in this way ; sārvabhaumera — of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; nistāra — the liberation ; karila — was executed ; dakṣiṇa - gamane — in going to South India ; prabhura — of the Lord ; icchā — a desire ; upajila — arose .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted the renounced order during the waxing fortnight of the month of Māgha. During the following month, Phālguna, He went to Jagannātha Purī and resided there.

Word meanings

māgha - śukla - pakṣe — in the waxing fortnight of the month of Māgha ; prabhu — the Lord ; karila — accepted ; sannyāsa — the renounced order of life ; phālgune — in the next month, Phālguna ; āsiyā — coming ; kaila — did ; nīlācale — at Jagannātha Purī ; vāsa — residence .

Translation

At the end of the month of Phālguna, He witnessed the Dola-yātrā ceremony, and in His usual ecstatic love of God, He chanted and danced in various ways on the occasion.

Word meanings

phālgunera — of the month of Phālguna ; śeṣe — at the end ; dola - yātrā — the Dola-yātrā festival ; se — that ; dekhila — saw ; prema - āveśe — in the ecstasy of love of Godhead ; tāṅhā — there ; bahu — much ; nṛtya - gīta — chanting and dancing ; kaila — performed .

Translation

During the month of Caitra, while living at Jagannātha Purī, the Lord delivered Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, and at the beginning of the next month (Vaiśākha), He decided to go to South India.

Word meanings

caitre — in the month of Caitra (March-April) ; rahi’ — residing there ; kaila — did ; sārvabhauma - vimocana — liberation of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; vaiśākhera — of the month of Vaiśākha ; prathame — at the beginning ; dakṣiṇa — to South India ; yāite — to go ; haila — it was ; mana — the mind .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu called all His devotees together and, holding them by the hand, humbly informed them, “You are all more dear to Me than My life. I can give up My life, but to give you up is difficult for Me.

Word meanings

nija - gaṇa āni’ — calling all the devotees ; kahe — said ; vinaya — humbleness ; kariyā — showing ; āliṅgana kari’ — embracing ; sabāya — all of them ; śrī - haste — with His hands ; dhariyā — catching them ; tomā - sabā — all of you ; jāni — I know ; āmi — I ; prāṇa - adhika — more than My life ; kari’ — taking ; prāṇa chāḍā — giving up life ; yāya — is possible ; tomā - sabā — all of you ; chāḍite — to give up ; nā pāri — I am not able .

Translation

“You are all My friends, and you have properly executed the duties of friends by bringing Me here to Jagannātha Purī and giving Me the chance to see Lord Jagannātha in the temple.

Word meanings

tumi - saba — all of you ; bandhu — friends ; mora — My ; bandhu - kṛtya — duties of a friend ; kaile — you have executed ; ihāṅ — here ; āni’ — bringing ; more — to Me ; jagannātha — Lord Jagannātha ; dekhāile — you have shown .

Translation

“I now beg all of you for one bit of charity. Please give Me permission to leave for a tour of South India.

Word meanings

ebe — now ; sabā - sthāne — from all of you ; muñi — I ; māgoṅ — beg ; eka dāne — one gift ; sabe meli’ — all combining together ; ājñā deha — give permission ; yāiba — I shall go ; dakṣiṇe — to South India .

Translation

“I shall go to search out Viśvarūpa. Please forgive Me, but I want to go alone; I do not wish to take anyone with Me.

Word meanings

viśvarūpa - uddeśe — to find Viśvarūpa ; avaśya — certainly ; āmi — I ; yāba — shall go ; ekākī — alone ; yāiba — I shall go ; kāho — someone ; saṅge — in association ; nā — not ; la - iba — I shall take .

Translation

“Until I return from Setubandha, all of you dear friends should remain at Jagannātha Purī.”

Word meanings

setubandha — the extreme southern point of India ; haite — from ; āmi — I ; nā — not ; āsi — returning ; yāvat — as long as ; nīlācale — in Jagannātha Purī ; tumi — you ; saba — all ; rahibe — should stay ; tāvat — that long .

Translation

Knowing everything, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was aware that Viśvarūpa had already passed away. A pretense of ignorance was necessary, however, so that He could go to South India and liberate the people there.

Word meanings

viśvarūpa — of Viśvarūpa ; siddhi — of perfection ; prāpti — achievement ; jānena — the Lord knows ; sakala — everything ; dakṣiṇa - deśa — South India ; uddhārite — just to liberate ; karena — makes ; ei — this ; chala — pretense .

Translation

Upon hearing this message from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all the devotees became very unhappy and remained silent with sullen faces.

Word meanings

śuniyā — hearing this ; sabāra — of all the devotees ; mane — in the minds ; haila — there was ; mahā - duḥkha — great unhappiness ; niḥśabda — silent ; ha - ilā — became ; sabāra — of everyone ; śukāila — dried up ; mukha — the faces .

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu then said, “How is it possible for You to go alone? Who can tolerate this?

Word meanings

nityānanda - prabhu kahe — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu replied ; aiche kaiche haya — how is this possible ; ekākī — alone ; yāibe — shall go ; tumi — You ; ke — who ; ihā — this ; sahaya — can tolerate .

Translation

“Let one or two of us go with You; otherwise You may fall into the clutches of thieves and rogues along the way. They may be whomever You like, but two persons should go with You.

Word meanings

dui — two ; eka — or one ; saṅge — with You ; caluka — let go ; nā — do not ; paḍa — fall ; haṭha - raṅge — in the clutches of thieves and rogues ; yāre — whoever ; kaha — You say ; sei — those ; dui — two ; caluk — let go ; tomāra — You ; saṅge — along with .

Translation

“Indeed, I know all the paths to the different places of pilgrimage in South India. Just order Me, and I shall go with You.”

Word meanings

dakṣiṇera — of South India ; tīrtha - patha — the ways to different places of pilgrimage ; āmi — I ; saba — all ; jāni — know ; āmi — I ; saṅge — with You ; yāi — go ; prabhu — O My Lord ; ājñā — order ; deha — give ; tumi — You .

Translation

The Lord replied, “I am simply a dancer, and You are the wire-puller. However You pull the wires to make Me dance, I shall dance in that way.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord replied ; āmi — I ; nartaka — a dancer ; tumi — You ; sūtra - dhāra — wire-puller ; tumi — You ; yaiche — just as ; nācāo — make dance ; taiche — in that way ; nartana — dancing ; āmāra — My .

Translation

“After accepting the sannyāsa order, I decided to go to Vṛndāvana, but You took Me instead to the house of Advaita Prabhu.

Word meanings

sannyāsa kariyā — after accepting the renounced order ; āmi — I ; calilāṅ — went ; vṛndāvana — toward Vṛndāvana ; tumi — You ; āmā — Me ; lañā — taking ; āile — went ; advaita - bhavana — to the house of Advaita Prabhu .

Translation

“While on the way to Jagannātha Purī, You broke My sannyāsa staff. I know that all of you have great affection for Me, but such things disturb My activities.

Word meanings

nīlācala — to Jagannātha Purī ; āsite — going there ; pathe — on the road ; bhāṅgilā — You broke ; mora — My ; daṇḍa — sannyāsa staff ; tomā - sabāra — of all of you ; gāḍha - snehe — on account of the deep affection ; āmāra — My ; kārya - bhaṅga — disturbance of activities .

Translation

“Jagadānanda wants Me to enjoy bodily sense gratification, and out of fear I do whatever he tells Me.

Word meanings

jagadānanda — Jagadānanda ; cāhe — wants ; āmā — Me ; viṣaya — sense gratification ; bhuñjāite — to cause to enjoy ; yei kahe — whatever he says ; sei — that ; bhaye — out of fear ; cāhiye — I want ; karite — to do .

Translation

“If I sometimes do something against his desire, out of anger he will not talk to Me for three days.

Word meanings

kabhu — sometimes ; yadi — if ; iṅhāra — of Jagadānanda ; vākya — the words ; kariye — I do ; anyathā — other than ; krodhe — in anger ; tina dina — for three days ; more — to Me ; nāhi — not ; kahe — speaks ; kathā — words .

Translation

“Being a sannyāsī, I have a duty to lie down on the ground and to take a bath three times a day, even during the winter. But Mukunda becomes very unhappy when he sees My severe austerities.

Word meanings

mukunda — Mukunda ; hayena — becomes ; duḥkhī — unhappy ; dekhi’ — seeing ; sannyāsa - dharma — My regulative principles in the renounced order ; tina - bāre — three times ; śīte — in the winter ; snāna — bath ; bhūmite — on the ground ; śayana — lying down .

Translation

“Of course, Mukunda does not say anything, but I know that he is very unhappy within, and upon seeing him unhappy, I become twice as unhappy.

Word meanings

antare — within himself ; duḥkhī — unhappy ; mukunda — Mukunda ; nāhi — not ; kahe — says ; mukhe — in the mouth ; ihāra — of him ; duḥkha — the unhappiness ; dekhi’ — seeing ; mora — My ; dvi - guṇa — twice ; haye — there is ; duḥkhe — the unhappiness .

Translation

“Although I am in the renounced order of life and Dāmodara is a brahmacārī, he still keeps a stick in his hand just to educate Me.

Word meanings

āmi ta’ — I indeed ; sannyāsī — in the renounced order of life ; dāmodara — Dāmodara ; brahmacārī — in a stage of complete celibacy ; sadā — always ; rahe — remains ; āmāra upara — on Me ; śikṣā - daṇḍa — a stick for My education ; dhari’ — keeping .

Translation

“According to Dāmodara, I am still a neophyte as far as social etiquette is concerned; therefore he does not like My independent nature.

Word meanings

iṅhāra āge — in front of him ; āmi — I ; nā — not ; jāni — know ; vyavahāra — social etiquette ; iṅhāre — for him ; nā — not ; bhāya — exists ; svatantra — independent ; caritra — character ; āmāra — My .

Translation

“Dāmodara Paṇḍita and others are more advanced in receiving the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa; therefore they are independent of public opinion. As such, they want Me to enjoy sense gratification, even though it be unethical. But since I am a poor sannyāsī, I cannot abandon the duties of the renounced order, and therefore I follow them strictly.

Word meanings

loka - apekṣā — care for society ; nāhi — there is none ; iṅhāra — of Dāmodara ; kṛṣṇa - kṛpā — the mercy of the Lord ; haite — from ; āmi — I ; loka - apekṣā — dependence on public opinion ; kabhu — at any time ; nā — not ; pāri — able ; chāḍite — to give up, .

Purport

A brahmacārī is supposed to assist a sannyāsī; therefore a brahmacārī should not try to instruct a sannyāsī. That is the etiquette. Consequently Dāmodara should not have advised Caitanya Mahāprabhu of His duty.

Translation

“You should all therefore remain here in Nīlācala for some days while I tour the sacred places of pilgrimage alone.”

Word meanings

ataeva — therefore ; tumi — you ; saba — all ; raha — remain ; nīlācale — at Jagannātha Purī ; dina — days ; kata — some ; āmi — I ; tīrtha — the sacred places of pilgrimage ; bhramiba — I shall tour ; ekale — alone .

Translation

Actually the Lord was controlled by the good qualities of all His devotees. On the pretense of attributing faults, He tasted all these qualities.

Word meanings

iṅhā - sabāra — of all the devotees ; vaśa — controlled ; prabhu — the Lord ; haye — is ; ye ye — whatever ; guṇe — by the qualities ; doṣa - āropa - chale — on the plea of attributing faults ; kare — does ; guṇa — high qualities ; āsvādane — tasting .

Purport

All the accusations made by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu against His beloved devotees actually showed His great appreciation of their intense love for Him. Yet He mentioned these faults one after another as if He were offended by their intense affection. The personal associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu sometimes behaved contrary to regulative principles out of intense love for the Lord, and because of their love Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself sometimes violated the regulative principles of a sannyāsī. In the eyes of the public, such violations are not good, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was so controlled by His devotees’ love that He was obliged to break some of the rules. Although accusing them, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was indirectly indicating that He was very satisfied with their behavior in pure love of Godhead. Therefore in verse 27 He mentions that His devotees and associates place more importance on love of Kṛṣṇa than on social etiquette. There are many instances of devotional service rendered by previous ācāryas who did not care about social behavior when intensely absorbed in love for Kṛṣṇa. Unfortunately, as long as we are within this material world, we must observe social customs to avoid criticism by the general populace. This is Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s desire.

Translation

No one can properly describe Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s affection for His devotees. He always tolerated all kinds of personal unhappiness resulting from His acceptance of the renounced order of life.

Word meanings

caitanyera — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta - vātsalya — the love for His devotees ; akathya - kathana — indescribable by words ; āpane — personally ; vairāgya — of the renounced order ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; karena — does ; sahana — toleration .

Translation

The regulative principles observed by Caitanya Mahāprabhu were sometimes intolerable, and all the devotees became greatly affected by them. Although strictly observing the regulative principles, Caitanya Mahāprabhu could not tolerate the unhappiness felt by His devotees.

Word meanings

sei duḥkha — that unhappiness ; dekhi’ — seeing ; yei — whatever ; bhakta — the devotees ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; pāya — get ; sei duḥkha — that unhappiness ; tāṅra — His ; śaktye — by the power ; sahana — toleration ; nā — not ; yāya — possible .

Translation

Therefore, to prevent them from accompanying Him and becoming unhappy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu declared their good qualities to be faults.

Word meanings

guṇe — in the good qualities ; doṣa - udgāra - chale — on the plea of attributing faults ; sabā — all of them ; niṣedhiyā — forbidding ; ekākī — alone ; bhramibena — will tour ; tīrtha — the sacred places of pilgrimage ; vairāgya — regulative principles of the renounced order of life ; kariyā — observing .

Purport

The Lord wanted to tour all the places of pilgrimage alone and strictly observe the duties of the renounced order.

Translation

Four devotees then humbly insisted that they go with the Lord, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, being the independent Supreme Personality of Godhead, did not accept their request.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; cāri - jana — four men ; bahu — many ; minati — petitions ; karila — submitted ; svatantra — independent ; īśvara — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kabhu — at any time ; nā — not ; mānila — accepted .

Translation

Thereupon Lord Nityānanda said, “Whatever You order is My duty, regardless of whether it results in happiness or unhappiness.

Word meanings

tabe — thereupon ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; kahe — says ; ye ājñā — whatever order ; tomāra — Your ; duḥkha sukha — distress or happiness ; ye — whatever ; ha - uk — let there be ; kartavya — the duty ; āmāra — My .

Translation

“Yet I still submit one petition to You. Please consider it, and if You think it proper, please accept it.

Word meanings

kintu — but ; eka — one ; nivedana — petition ; karoṅ — I do ; āra bāra — again ; vicāra — consideration ; kariyā — giving ; tāhā — that ; kara — do ; aṅgīkāra — acceptance .

Translation

“You must take with You a loincloth, external clothes and a waterpot. You should take nothing more than this.

Word meanings

kaupīna — loincloth ; bahir - vāsa — outer garments ; āra — and ; jala - pātra — waterpot ; āra kichu — anything else ; nāhi — not ; yābe — will go ; sabe — all ; ei — this ; mātra — only .

Translation

“Since Your two hands will always be engaged in chanting and counting the holy names, how will You be able to carry the waterpot and external garments?

Word meanings

tomāra — Your ; dui — two ; hasta — hands ; baddha — engaged ; nāma — the holy name ; gaṇane — in counting ; jala - pātra — waterpot ; bahir - vāsa — external garments ; vahibe — will carry ; kemane — how .

Purport

From this verse it is clear that Caitanya Mahāprabhu was chanting the holy names a fixed number of times daily. The Gosvāmīs used to follow in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and Haridāsa Ṭhākura also followed this principle. Concerning the Gosvāmīs — Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrīla Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, Śrīla Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī and Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī — Śrīnivāsa Ācārya confirms, saṅkhyā-pūrvaka-nāma-gāna-natibhiḥ. ( Ṣaḍ-gosvāmy-aṣṭaka 6) In addition to other duties, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu introduced the system of chanting the holy name of the Lord a fixed number of times daily, as confirmed in this verse ( tomāra dui hasta baddha nāma-gaṇane ) . Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to count on His fingers. While one hand was engaged in chanting, the other hand kept the number of rounds. This is corroborated in the Caitanya-candrāmṛta and also in Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī’s Stava-mālā:

badhnan prema-bhara-prakampita-karo granthīn kaṭī-dorakaiḥ saṅkhyātuṁ nija-loka-maṅgala-hare-kṛṣṇeti nāmnāṁ japan

( Caitanya-candrāmṛta 16)

hare kṛṣṇety uccaiḥ sphurita-rasano nāma-gaṇanā- kṛta-granthi-śreṇī-subhaga-kaṭi-sūtrojjvala-karaḥ

( Prathama-caitanyāṣṭaka 5)

Therefore devotees in the line of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu must chant at least sixteen rounds daily, and this is the number prescribed by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Haridāsa Ṭhākura daily chanted 300,000 names. Sixteen rounds is about 28,000 names. There is no need to imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura or the other Gosvāmīs, but chanting the holy name a fixed number of times daily is essential for every devotee.

Translation

“When, along the way, You fall unconscious in ecstatic love of Godhead, who will protect Your belongings — the waterpot, garments and so forth?”

Word meanings

prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love of God ; pathe — on the way ; tumi — You ; habe — will be ; acetana — unconscious ; e - saba — all this ; sāmagrī — paraphernalia ; tomāra — Your ; ke — who ; kare — does ; rakṣaṇa — protection .

Translation

Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu continued, “Here is a simple brāhmaṇa named Kṛṣṇadāsa. Please accept him and take him with You. That is My request.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - dāsa - nāme — named Kṛṣṇadāsa ; ei — this ; sarala — simple ; brāhmaṇa — brāhmaṇa ; iṅho — he ; saṅge — with You ; kari’ — accepting ; laha — take ; dhara — just catch ; nivedana — the petition .

Purport

This Kṛṣṇadāsa, known as Kālā Kṛṣṇadāsa, is not the Kālā Kṛṣṇadāsa mentioned in the eleventh chapter, verse 37, of the Ādi-līlā. The Kālā Kṛṣṇadāsa mentioned in the eleventh chapter is one of the twelve gopālas (cowherd boys) who appeared to substantiate the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He is known as a great devotee of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu. The brāhmaṇa named Kālā Kṛṣṇadāsa who went with Śrī Caitanya to South India and later to Bengal is mentioned in the Madhya-līlā, tenth chapter, verses 62-79. One should not take these two to be the same person.

Translation

“He will carry Your waterpot and garments. You may do whatever You like; he will not say a word.”

Word meanings

jala - pātra — waterpot ; vastra — and garments ; vahi’ — carrying ; tomā - saṅge — with You ; yābe — will go ; ye — whatever ; tomāra icchā — Your desire ; kara — You do ; kichu nā balibe — he will not say anything .

Translation

Accepting the request of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu, Lord Caitanya took all His devotees and went to the house of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya.

Word meanings

tabe — thereupon ; tāṅra — of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; vākya — the words ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kari’ — doing ; aṅgīkāre — acceptance ; tāhā - sabā — all of them ; lañā — taking ; gelā — went ; sārvabhauma - ghare — to the house of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya .

Translation

As soon as they entered his house, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya offered the Lord obeisances and a place to sit. After seating all the others, the Bhaṭṭācārya took his seat.

Word meanings

namaskari’ — offering obeisances ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; āsana — sitting places ; nivedila — offered ; sabākāre — all of them ; mili’ — meeting ; tabe — after that ; āsane vasila — he took his seat .

Translation

After they had discussed various topics about Lord Kṛṣṇa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu informed Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, “I have come to your place just to receive your order.

Word meanings

nānā — various ; kṛṣṇa - vārtā — topics on Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kahi’ — discussing ; kahila — He informed ; tāṅhāre — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; tomāra ṭhāñi — to your place ; āilāṅ — I have come ; ājñā — order ; māgibāre — to beg .

Translation

“My elder brother, Viśvarūpa, has taken sannyāsa and gone to South India. Now I must go search for Him.

Word meanings

sannyāsa kari’ — after accepting the sannyāsa order ; viśvarūpa — Viśvarūpa (the elder brother of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu) ; giyāche — has gone ; dakṣiṇe — to South India ; avaśya — certainly ; kariba — shall do ; āmi — I ; tāṅra — of Him ; anveṣaṇe — searching for .

Translation

“Please permit Me to go, for I must tour South India. With your permission, I shall soon return very happily.”

Word meanings

ājñā deha — please give permission ; avaśya — certainly ; āmi — I ; dakṣiṇe — in South India ; caliba — shall go ; tomāra — your ; ājñāte — by the order ; sukhe — in happiness ; leuṭi’ — returning ; āsiba — I shall come .

Translation

Upon hearing this, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya became very much agitated. Catching hold of the lotus feet of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he gave this sorrowful reply.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing this ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; hailā — became ; atyanta — greatly ; kātara — agitated ; caraṇe — the lotus feet ; dhariyā — taking ; kahe — says ; viṣāda — of lamentation ; uttara — a reply .

Translation

“After many births, due to some pious activity I got Your association. Now providence is breaking this invaluable association.

Word meanings

bahu - janmera — of many births ; puṇya - phale — as the fruit of pious activities ; pāinu — I got ; tomāra — Your ; saṅga — association ; hena - saṅga — such association ; vidhi — providence ; mora — my ; karileka — has done ; bhaṅga — breaking .

Translation

“If a thunderbolt falls on my head or if my son dies, I can tolerate it. But I cannot endure the unhappiness of separation from You.

Word meanings

śire — on the head ; vajra — a thunderbolt ; paḍe — falls ; yadi — if ; putra — son ; mari’ — dying ; yāya — goes ; tāhā — that ; sahi — I can tolerate ; tomāra — Your ; viccheda — separation ; sahana — enduring ; nā yāya — cannot be done .

Translation

“My dear Lord, You are the independent Supreme Personality of Godhead. Certainly You will depart. I know that. Still, I ask You to stay here a few days more so that I can see Your lotus feet.”

Word meanings

svatantra - īśvara — the independent Supreme Personality of Godhead ; tumi — You ; karibe — will make ; gamana — departure ; dina — days ; katho — some ; raha — please stay ; dekhi — I may see ; tomāra caraṇa — Your lotus feet .

Translation

Upon hearing Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya’s request, Caitanya Mahāprabhu relented. He stayed a few days longer and did not depart.

Word meanings

tāhāra — of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; vinaye — on the request ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śithila — slackened ; haila — became ; mana — the mind ; rahila — stayed ; divasa — days ; katho — a few ; nā — not ; kaila — did ; gamana — departure .

Translation

The Bhaṭṭācārya eagerly invited Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his home and fed Him very nicely.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; āgraha — eagerness ; kari’ — showing ; karena — did ; nimantraṇa — invitation ; gṛhe — at home ; pāka — cooking ; kari’ — doing ; prabhuke — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karā’na — made ; bhojana — eating .

Translation

The Bhaṭṭācārya’s wife, whose name was Ṣāṭhīmātā (the mother of Ṣāṭhī), did the cooking. The narrations of these pastimes are very wonderful.

Word meanings

tāṅhāra brāhmaṇī — his wife ; tāṅra nāma — her name ; ṣāṭhīra mātā — the mother of Ṣāṭhī ; rāndhi’ — cooking ; bhikṣā dena — offers food ; teṅho — she ; āścarya — wonderful ; tāṅra — her ; kathā — narration .

Translation

Later I shall tell about this in elaborate detail, but at present I wish to describe Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s South Indian tour.

Word meanings

āge — later ; ta’ — indeed ; kahiba — I shall speak ; tāhā — all those incidents ; kariyā — doing ; vistāra — elaboration ; ebe — now ; kahi — let me describe ; prabhura — of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dakṣiṇa — in South India ; yātrā — of the touring ; samācāra — the narration .

Translation

After staying five days at the home of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally asked his permission to depart for South India.

Word meanings

dina pāṅca — five days ; rahi’ — staying ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhaṭṭācārya - sthāne — at Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya’s place ; calibāra lāgi’ — for starting ; ājñā — order ; māgilā — begged ; āpane — personally .

Translation

After receiving the Bhaṭṭācārya’s permission, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to see Lord Jagannātha in the temple. He took the Bhaṭṭācārya with Him.

Word meanings

prabhura āgrahe — by the eagerness of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhaṭṭācārya — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; sammata ha - ilā — became agreeable ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — him (Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya) ; lañā — taking ; jagannātha - mandire — to the temple of Lord Jagannātha ; gelā — went .

Translation

Seeing Lord Jagannātha, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also begged His permission. The priest then immediately delivered prasādam and a garland to Lord Caitanya.

Word meanings

darśana kari’ — visiting the Lord ; ṭhākura - pāśa — from the Lord ; ājñā māgilā — begged permission ; pūjārī — the priest ; prabhure — unto Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mālā — garland ; prasāda — remnants of food ; āni’ — bringing ; dilā — delivered .

Translation

Thus receiving Lord Jagannātha’s permission in the form of a garland, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered obeisances, and then in great jubilation He prepared to depart for South India.

Word meanings

ājñā - mālā — the garland of permission ; pāñā — getting ; harṣe — in great jubilation ; namaskāra — obeisances ; kari’ — offering ; ānande — with great pleasure ; dakṣiṇa - deśe — to South India ; cale — goes ; gaurahari — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Accompanied by His personal associates and Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu circumambulated the altar of Jagannātha. The Lord then departed on His South Indian tour.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya - saṅge — with Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; āra — and ; yata — all ; nija - gaṇa — personal devotees ; jagannātha — Lord Jagannātha ; pradakṣiṇa — circumambulation ; kari’ — finishing ; karilā — made ; gamana — departure .

Translation

While the Lord was going along the path to Ālālanātha, which was located on the seashore, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya gave the following orders to Gopīnātha Ācārya.

Word meanings

samudra - tīre — on the shore of the sea ; tīre — on the shore ; ālālanātha - pathe — on the path to the temple of Ālālanātha ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; kahilena — said ; ācārya - gopīnāthe — to Gopīnātha Ācārya .

Translation

“Bring the four sets of loincloths and outer garments I keep at home, and also some prasādam of Lord Jagannātha. You may carry these things with the help of some brāhmaṇa.”

Word meanings

cāri kopīna - bahirvāsa — four sets of loincloths and external clothing ; rākhiyāchi — I have kept ; ghare — at home ; tāhā — that ; prasāda - anna — remnants of food of Lord Jagannātha ; lañā — taking ; āisa — come here ; vipra - dvāre — by means of some brāhmaṇa. .

Translation

While Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was departing, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya submitted the following at His lotus feet: “My Lord, I have one final request that I hope You will kindly fulfill.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; kahe — said ; prabhura caraṇe — unto the lotus feet of the Lord ; avaśya — certainly ; pālibe — You will keep ; prabhu — my Lord ; mora — my ; nivedane — request .

Translation

“In the town of Vidyānagara, on the bank of the Godāvarī, there is a responsible government officer named Rāmānanda Rāya.

Word meanings

rāmānanda rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya ; āche — there is ; godāvarī - tīre — on the bank of river Godāvarī ; adhikārī — a responsible officer ; hayena — is ; teṅho — he ; vidyānagare — in the town known as Vidyānagara .

Purport

In the Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura states that Vidyānagara is today known as Porbandar. There is another Porbandar in western India, in the province of Gujarat.

Translation

“Please do not neglect him, thinking he belongs to a śūdra family engaged in material activities. It is my request that You meet him without fail.”

Word meanings

śūdra — the fourth social division ; viṣayi - jñāne — by the impression of being a worldly man ; upekṣā — negligence ; nā karibe — should not do ; āmāra — my ; vacane — on the request ; tāṅre — him ; avaśya — certainly ; milibe — You should meet .

Purport

In the varṇāśrama-dharma, the śūdra is the fourth division in the social status. Paricaryātmakaṁ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāva-jam ( Bg. 18.44 ). Śūdras are meant to engage in the service of the three higher classes — brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas. Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya belonged to the karaṇa class, which is the equivalent of the kāyastha class in Bengal. This class is regarded all over India as śūdra. It is said that the Bengali kāyasthas were originally engaged as servants of brāhmaṇas who came from North India to Bengal. Later, the clerical class became the kāyasthas in Bengal. Now there are many mixed classes known as kāyastha. Sometimes it is said in Bengal that those who cannot claim any particular class belong to the kāyastha class. Although these kāyasthas or karaṇas are considered śūdras, they are very intelligent and highly educated. Most of them are professionals such as lawyers or politicians. Thus in Bengal the kāyasthas are sometimes considered kṣatriyas. In Orissa, however, the kāyastha class, which includes the karaṇas, is considered in the śūdra category. Śrīla Rāmānanda Rāya belonged to this karaṇa class; therefore he was considered a śūdra. He was also the governor of South India under the regime of Mahārāja Pratāparudra of Orissa. In other words, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya informed Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu that Rāmānanda Rāya, although belonging to the śūdra class, was a highly responsible government officer. As far as spiritual advancement is concerned, materialists, politicians and śūdras are generally disqualified. Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya therefore requested that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu not neglect Rāmānanda Rāya, who was highly advanced spiritually although he was born a śūdra and a materialist.

A viṣayī is one who is attached to family life and is interested only in wife, children and worldly sense gratification. The senses can be engaged either in worldly enjoyment or in the service of the Lord. Those who are not engaged in the service of the Lord and are interested only in material sense gratification are called viṣayī. Śrīla Rāmānanda Rāya was engaged in government service, and he belonged to the karaṇa class. He was certainly not a sannyāsī in saffron cloth, yet he was in the transcendental position of a paramahaṁsa householder. Before becoming Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s disciple, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya considered Rāmānanda Rāya an ordinary viṣayī because he was a householder engaged in government service. However, when the Bhaṭṭācārya was actually enlightened in Vaiṣṇava philosophy, he could understand the exalted transcendental position of Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya; therefore he referred to him as adhikārī. An adhikārī is one who knows the transcendental science of Kṛṣṇa and is engaged in His service; therefore all gṛhastha devotees are designated as dāsa adhikārī.

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya continued, “Rāmānanda Rāya is a fit person to associate with You; no other devotee can compare with him in knowledge of the transcendental mellows.

Word meanings

tomāra — Your ; saṅgera — of association ; yogya — fit ; teṅho — he (Rāmānanda Rāya) ; eka — one ; jana — person ; pṛthivīte — in the world ; rasika — expert in transcendental mellows ; bhakta — devotee ; nāhi — there is none ; tāṅra sama — like him .

Translation

“He is a most learned scholar as well as an expert in devotional mellows. Actually he is most exalted, and if You talk with him, You will see how glorious he is.

Word meanings

pāṇḍitya — learning ; āra — and ; bhakti - rasa — the mellows of devotional service ; duṅhera — of these two ; teṅho — he ; sīmā — the limit ; sambhāṣile — when You talk with him ; jānibe — will know ; tumi — You ; tāṅhāra — his ; mahimā — glories .

Translation

“I could not realize when I first spoke with Rāmānanda Rāya that his topics and endeavors were all transcendentally uncommon. I made fun of him simply because he was a Vaiṣṇava.”

Word meanings

alaukika — uncommon ; vākya — words ; ceṣṭā — endeavor ; tāṅra — his ; nā — without ; bujhiyā — understanding ; parihāsa — joking ; kariyāchi — I have done ; tāṅre — unto him ; vaiṣṇava — a devotee of the Lord ; baliyā — as .

Purport

Anyone who is a not a Vaiṣṇava, or an unalloyed devotee of the Supreme Lord, must be a materialist. A Vaiṣṇava living according to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s injunctions is certainly not on the materialistic platform. Caitanya means “spiritual force.” All of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s activities were carried out on the platform of spiritual understanding; therefore only those who are on the spiritual platform are able to understand the activities of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Materialistic persons cannot understand these activities and are generally known as karmīs or jñānīs. The jñānīs are mental speculators who simply try to understand what is spirit and what is matter. Their process is neti neti: “This is not spirit, this is not Brahman.” The jñānīs are a little more advanced than the dull-headed karmīs, who are simply interested in sense gratification. Before becoming a Vaiṣṇava, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya was a mental speculator ( jñānī ), and being such, he always cut jokes with Vaiṣṇavas. A Vaiṣṇava never agrees with the speculative system of the jñānīs. Both the jñānīs and karmīs depend on direct sense perception for their imperfect knowledge. The karmīs never agree to accept anything not directly perceived, and the jñānīs put forth only hypotheses. However, the Vaiṣṇavas, the unalloyed devotees of the Lord, do not follow the process of acquiring knowledge by direct sense perception or mental speculation. Because they are servants of the Supreme Lord, devotees receive knowledge directly from the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He speaks it in the Bhagavad-gītā, or sometimes as He imparts it from within as the caittya-guru. As Lord Kṛṣṇa states 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 Vedas are considered to have been spoken by the Supreme Lord. They were first realized by Brahmā, who is the first created being within the universe ( tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye ) . Our process is to receive knowledge through the paramparā system, from Kṛṣṇa to Brahmā, to Nārada, Vyāsa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the six Gosvāmīs. By disciplic succession, Lord Brahmā was enlightened from within by the original person, Kṛṣṇa. Our knowledge is fully perfect due to being handed from master to disciple. A Vaiṣṇava is always engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, and thus neither karmīs nor jñānīs can understand the activities of a Vaiṣṇava. It is said, vaiṣṇavera kriyā-mudrā vijñeha nā bujhaya: even the most learned man depending on direct perception of knowledge cannot understand the activities of a Vaiṣṇava. After being initiated into Vaiṣṇavism by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya realized what a mistake he had made in trying to understand Rāmānanda Rāya, who was very learned and whose endeavors were all directed to rendering transcendental loving service to the Lord.

Translation

The Bhaṭṭācārya said, “By Your mercy I can now understand the truth about Rāmānanda Rāya. In talking with him, You also will acknowledge his greatness.”

Word meanings

tomāra prasāde — by Your mercy ; ebe — now ; jāninu — I have understood ; tāṅra — of him (Rāmānanda Rāya) ; tattva — the truth ; sambhāṣile — in talking together ; jānibe — You will know ; tāṅra — his ; yemana — such ; mahattva — greatness .

Translation

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya’s request that He meet Rāmānanda Rāya. Bidding Sārvabhauma farewell, the Lord embraced him.

Word meanings

aṅgīkāra kari’ — accepting this proposal ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅhāra — of him (Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya) ; vacana — the request ; tāṅre — unto him ; vidāya dite — to offer farewell ; tāṅre — him ; kaila — did ; āliṅgana — embracing .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked the Bhaṭṭācārya to bless Him while he engaged in the devotional service of Lord Kṛṣṇa at home, so that by Sārvabhauma’s mercy the Lord could return to Jagannātha Purī.

Word meanings

ghare — at home ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; bhaji’ — worshiping ; more — unto Me ; kariha — do ; āśīrvāde — blessing ; nīlācale — at Jagannātha Purī ; āsi’ — returning ; yena — so that ; tomāra — your ; prasāde — by the mercy .

Purport

The word kariha āśīrvāde means “continue to bestow your blessings upon Me.” Being a sannyāsī, Caitanya Mahāprabhu was in the fourth order of life and was thus due all respect and adoration, whereas Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, as a householder, was in the second order. A sannyāsī is supposed to offer blessings to a gṛhastha, yet now, by His practical behavior, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested the blessings of a gṛhastha. This incident shows the special significance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s preaching. He gave equal status to everyone, regardless of material considerations. His movement is thoroughly spiritual. Although apparently a gṛhastha (householder), Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya was unlike the so-called karmīs interested in sense gratification. After being initiated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Bhaṭṭācārya was perfectly situated in the spiritual order; therefore it was quite possible for him to offer blessings even to a sannyāsī. He was always engaged in the service of the Lord, even at home. In our disciplic line we have the example of a perfect householder paramahaṁsa — Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura. In his book Śaraṇāgati, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura states, ye-dina gṛhe, bhajana dekhi’, gṛhete goloka bhāya ( Śaraṇāgati 31.6). Whenever a householder glorifies the Supreme Lord in his home, his activities are immediately transformed into the activities of Goloka Vṛndāvana, spiritual activities taking place in the Goloka Vṛndāvana planet of Kṛṣṇa. Activities exhibited by Kṛṣṇa Himself at Bhauma Vṛndāvana, the Vṛndāvana-dhāma existing on this planet, are not different from His activities on the planet Goloka Vṛndāvana. This is proper realization of Vṛndāvana anywhere. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we inaugurated the New Vṛndāvana activities, wherein devotees are always engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord, and this is not different from Goloka Vṛndāvana. The conclusion is that one who acts strictly in the line of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is competent to offer blessings to sannyāsīs, even though he be a gṛhastha householder. Although he is in an exalted position, a sannyāsī still must elevate himself to the transcendental platform by rendering service to the Lord. By His actual behavior, Caitanya Mahāprabhu begged the blessings of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya. In this way He set the example of how one should expect blessings from a Vaiṣṇava regardless of his social position.

Translation

Saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu departed on His tour, and Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya immediately fainted and fell to the ground.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karilā — made ; gamana — departure ; mūrcchita — fainted ; hañā — becoming ; tāhāṅ — there ; paḍilā — fell down ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya .

Translation

Although Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya fainted, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not take notice of him. Rather, He left quickly. Who can understand the mind and intention of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu?

Word meanings

tāṅre — unto Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; upekṣiyā — not paying serious attention ; kaila — did ; śīghra — very fast ; gamana — walking ; ke — who ; bujhite — to understand ; pāre — is able ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; citta - mana — the mind and intention .

Purport

It was naturally expected that when Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya fainted and fell to the ground Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would have taken care of him and waited for him to regain consciousness, but He did not do so. Rather, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately started on His tour. It is therefore very difficult to understand the activities of a transcendental person. Sometimes they may seem rather odd, but a transcendental personality remains in his position, unaffected by material considerations.

Translation

This is the nature of the mind of an uncommon personality. Sometimes it is soft like a flower, but sometimes it is as hard as a thunderbolt.

Word meanings

mahā - anubhāvera — of a great personality ; cittera — of the mind ; svabhāva — the nature ; ei haya — this is ; puṣpa - sama — like a flower ; komala — soft ; kaṭhina — hard ; vajra - maya — like a thunderbolt .

Purport

The softness of a flower and the hardness of a thunderbolt are reconciled in the behavior of a great personality. The following quotation from Uttara-rāma-carita (2.7) explains this behavior. One may also consult the Madhya-līlā, third chapter, verse 212.

Translation

“The hearts of those above common behavior are sometimes harder than a thunderbolt and sometimes softer than a flower. How can one accommodate such contradictions in great personalities?”

Word meanings

vajrāt api — than a thunderbolt ; kaṭhorāṇi — harder ; mṛdūni — softer ; kusumāt api — than a flower ; loka - uttarāṇām — persons above the human platform of behavior ; cetāṁsi — the hearts ; kaḥ — who ; nu — but ; vijñātum — to understand ; īśvaraḥ — able .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda Prabhu raised Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya and with the help of His men saw him to his home.

Word meanings

nityānanda prabhu — Lord Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu ; bhaṭṭācārye — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; uṭhāila — raised ; tāṅra — His ; loka - saṅge — along with associates ; tāṅre — him (the Bhaṭṭācārya) ; ghare — to his home ; pāṭhāila — sent .

Translation

Immediately all the devotees came and partook of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s company. Afterwards, Gopīnātha Ācārya came with the garments and prasādam.

Word meanings

bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; śīghra — very swiftly ; āsi’ — coming ; laila — took ; prabhura — of the Lord ; sātha — the company ; vastra — the garments ; prasāda — and Lord Jagannātha’s prasādam ; lañā — with ; tabe — thereafter ; āilā — came ; gopīnātha — Gopīnātha Ācārya .

Translation

All the devotees followed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to a place known as Ālālanātha. There they all offered respects and various prayers.

Word meanings

sabā - saṅge — with all of them ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tabe — then ; ālālanātha — the place named Ālālanātha ; āilā — reached ; namaskāra kari’ — offering obeisances ; tāre — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bahu - stuti — many prayers ; kailā — offered .

Translation

In great ecstasy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced and chanted for some time. Indeed, all the neighbors came to see Him.

Word meanings

prema - āveśe — in the great ecstasy of love of Godhead ; nṛtya - gīta — dancing and chanting ; kaila — performed ; kata - kṣaṇa — for some time ; dekhite — to see ; āilā — came ; tāhāṅ — there ; vaise — who live ; yata jana — all the men .

Translation

All around Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is also known as Gaurahari, people began to shout the holy name of Hari. Lord Caitanya, immersed in His usual ecstasy of love, danced in the midst of them.

Word meanings

caudikete — all around ; saba loka — all persons ; bale — shout ; hari hari — the holy name of the Lord ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; madhye — in the middle ; nṛtya kare — dances ; gaurahari — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

The body of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was naturally very beautiful. It was like molten gold dressed in saffron cloth. Indeed, He was most beautiful for being ornamented with the ecstatic symptoms, which caused His bodily hair to stand on end, tears to well up in His eyes, and His body to tremble and perspire all over.

Word meanings

kāñcana - sadṛśa — like molten gold ; deha — a body ; aruṇa — saffron ; vasana — garments ; pulaka - aśru — standing up of bodily hair and crying ; kampa — trembling ; sveda — perspiration ; tāhāte — therein ; bhūṣaṇa — the ornaments .

Translation

Everyone present was astonished to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s dancing and His bodily transformations. Whoever came did not want to return home.

Word meanings

dekhiyā — seeing all this ; lokera — of the people ; mane — in the minds ; haila — there was ; camatkāra — astonishment ; yata — all ; loka — people ; āise — came there ; keha — anyone ; nāhi — not ; yāya — goes ; ghara — home .

Translation

Everyone — including children, old men and women — began to dance and to chant the holy names of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Gopāla. In this way they all floated in the ocean of love of Godhead.

Word meanings

keha nāce — someone dances ; keha gāya — someone chants ; śrī - kṛṣṇa — Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s name ; gopāla — Gopāla’s name ; premete — in love of Godhead ; bhāsila — floated ; loka — all the people ; strī — women ; vṛddha — old men ; ā - bāla — from the children .

Translation

Upon seeing the chanting and dancing of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Lord Nityānanda predicted that later there would be dancing and chanting in every village.

Word meanings

dekhi’ — seeing this ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; prabhu — the Lord ; kahe — says ; bhakta - gaṇe — unto the devotees ; ei - rūpe — in this way ; nṛtya — dancing ; āge — ahead ; habe — there will be ; grāme - grāme — in every village .

Purport

This prediction of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu’s is applicable not only in India but also all over the world. That is now happening by His grace. The members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness are now traveling from one village to another in the Western countries and are even carrying the Deity with them. These devotees distribute various literatures all over the world. We hope that these devotees who are preaching the message of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will very seriously follow strictly in His footsteps. If they follow the rules and regulations and chant sixteen rounds daily, their endeavor to preach the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will certainly be successful.

Translation

Seeing that it was already getting late, Lord Nityānanda Prabhu, the spiritual master, invented a means to disperse the crowd.

Word meanings

atikāla — very late ; haila — it was ; loka — the people in general ; chāḍiyā — giving up ; nā yāya — do not go ; tabe — at that time ; nityānanda — Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu ; gosāñi — the spiritual master ; sṛjilā — invented ; upāya — a means .

Translation

When Lord Nityānanda Prabhu took Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for lunch at noon, everyone came running around Them.

Word meanings

madhyāhna karite — to take lunch at noon ; gelā — went ; prabhuke — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; lañā — taking ; tāhā dekhi’ — seeing that ; loka — the people in general ; āise — came ; caudike — all around ; dhāñā — running .

Translation

After finishing Their baths, They returned at noon to the temple. Admitting His own men, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu closed the outside door.

Word meanings

madhyāhna kariyā — performing bathing, etc. ; āilā — came back ; devatā - mandire — to the temple of the Lord ; nija - gaṇa praveśi’ — allowing His own men ; kapāṭa dila — shut ; bahir - dvāre — the outside door .

Translation

Gopīnātha Ācārya then brought prasādam for the two Lords to eat, and after They had eaten, the remnants of the food were distributed to all the devotees.

Word meanings

tabe — thereupon ; gopīnātha — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; dui - prabhure — unto the two Lords Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu ; bhikṣā karāila — gave prasādam to eat ; prabhura — of the Lord ; śeṣa — the remnants ; prasāda - anna — food ; sabe — all of them ; bāṅṭi’ — sharing ; khāila — ate .

Translation

Hearing about this, everyone there came to the outside door and began chanting the holy name, “Hari! Hari!” Thus there was a tumultuous sound.

Word meanings

śuni’ śuni’ — hearing this ; loka - saba — all the people ; āsi’ — coming there ; bahir - dvāre — to the outside door ; hari hari — the holy name of the Lord ; bali’ — chanting ; loka — all the people ; kolāhala — tumultuous sound ; kare — made .

Translation

After lunch, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu made them open the door. In this way everyone received His audience with great pleasure.

Word meanings

tabe — thereupon ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dvāra — the door ; karāila — made ; mocana — opening ; ānande — in great pleasure ; āsiyā — coming ; loka — all the people ; pāila — got ; daraśana — sight .

Translation

The people came and went until evening, and all of them became Vaiṣṇava devotees and began to chant and dance.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; sandhyā paryanta — until evening ; loka — people ; āse yāya — come and go ; vaiṣṇava — devotees ; ha - ila — became ; loka — all the people ; sabe — all of them ; nāce — dance ; gāya — and chant .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then passed the night there and discussed the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa with His devotees with great pleasure.

Word meanings

ei - rūpe — in this way ; sei ṭhāñi — in that place ; bhakta - gaṇa - saṅge — with the devotees ; sei rātri — that night ; goṅāilā — passed ; kṛṣṇa - kathā - raṅge — in great pleasure discussing Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

The next morning, after taking His bath, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu started on His South Indian tour. He bade farewell to the devotees by embracing them.

Word meanings

prātaḥ - kāle — in the morning ; snāna — bath ; kari’ — after taking ; karilā — started ; gamana — tour ; bhakta - gaṇe — to all the devotees ; vidāya — farewell ; dilā — gave ; kari’ — doing ; āliṅgana — embracing .

Translation

Although they all fell to the ground unconscious, the Lord did not turn to see them but proceeded onward.

Word meanings

mūrcchita hañā — becoming unconscious ; sabe — all ; bhūmite — to the ground ; paḍilā — fell down ; tāṅhā - sabā — all of them ; pāne — toward ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; phiri’ — turning ; nā — not ; cāhilā — saw .

Translation

In separation, the Lord became very much perturbed and walked on unhappily. His servant, Kṛṣṇadāsa, who was carrying His waterpot, followed behind.

Word meanings

vicchede — in separation ; vyākula — perturbed ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; calilā — went on ; duḥkhī — unhappy ; hañā — becoming ; pāche — just behind ; kṛṣṇadāsa — His servant Kṛṣṇadāsa ; yāya — went ; jala - pātra — the waterpot ; lañā — taking .

Translation

All the devotees remained there and fasted, and the next day they all unhappily returned to Jagannātha Purī.

Word meanings

bhakta - gaṇa — the devotees ; upavāsī — fasting ; tāhāṅi — there ; rahilā — remained ; āra dine — on the next day ; duḥkhī — unhappy ; hañā — becoming ; nīlācale — to Jagannātha Purī ; āilā — returned .

Translation

Almost like a mad lion, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went on His tour filled with ecstatic love and performing saṅkīrtana, chanting Kṛṣṇa’s names as follows.

Word meanings

matta - siṁha — a mad lion ; prāya — almost like ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karilā — did ; gamana — touring ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; yāya — goes ; kari’ — performing ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting Kṛṣṇa’s name .

Translation

The Lord chanted:

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; he — O ; rakṣa — please protect ; mām — Me ; pāhi — please maintain ; rāma — Lord Rāma ; rāghava — descendant of King Raghu ; keśava — killer of the Keśī demon .

Purport

Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! he Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! he Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! rakṣa mām Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa! pāhi mām

That is, “O Lord Kṛṣṇa, please protect Me and maintain Me.” He also chanted:

Rāma! Rāghava! Rāma! Rāghava! Rāma! Rāghava! rakṣa mām Kṛṣṇa! Keśava! Kṛṣṇa! Keśava! Kṛṣṇa! Keśava! pāhi mām

That is, “O Lord Rāma, descendant of King Raghu, please protect Me. O Kṛṣṇa, O Keśava, killer of the Keśī demon, please maintain Me.”

Translation

Chanting this verse, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, known as Gaurahari, went on His way. As soon as He saw someone, He would request him to chant “Hari! Hari!”

Word meanings

ei śloka paḍi’ — reciting this verse kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! ; pathe — on the way ; calilā — went ; gaurahari — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; loka dekhi’ — seeing other people ; pathe — on the way ; kahe — He says ; bala — say ; hari hari — the holy name of Lord Hari .

Translation

Whoever heard Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu chant “Hari! Hari!” also chanted the holy name of Lord Hari and Kṛṣṇa. In this way they all followed the Lord, very eager to see Him.

Word meanings

sei loka — that person ; prema - matta — maddened in love of Godhead ; hañā — becoming ; bale — says ; hari kṛṣṇa — the holy name of Lord Hari and Lord Kṛṣṇa ; prabhura pāche — behind the Lord ; saṅge — with Him ; yāya — goes ; darśana - satṛṣṇa — being very eager to see Him .

Translation

After some time the Lord would embrace these people and bid them return home, having invested each of them with spiritual potency.

Word meanings

kata - kṣaṇe rahi’ — after remaining for some time ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāre — each of them ; āliṅgiyā — embracing ; vidāya karila — bade farewell ; tāre — in each of them ; śakti — spiritual potency ; sañcāriyā — investing .

Purport

In his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura explains that this spiritual potency is the essence of the pleasure potency and the knowledge potency. By these two potencies, one is empowered with devotional service. Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself or His representative, the unalloyed devotee, can mercifully bestow these combined potencies upon any man. Being thus endowed with such potencies, one can become an unalloyed devotee of the Lord. Anyone favored by Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was empowered with this bhakti-śakti. Thus the Lord’s followers were able to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness by divine grace.

Translation

Each of these empowered persons would return to his own village, always chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and sometimes laughing, crying and dancing.

Word meanings

sei - jana — that person ; nija - grāme — to his own village ; kariyā gamana — returning there ; kṛṣṇa bali’ — saying the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; hāse — laughs ; kānde — cries ; nāce — dances ; anukṣaṇa — always .

Translation

Such an empowered person would request everyone and anyone — whomever he saw — to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. In this way all the villagers would also become devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Word meanings

yāre dekhe — whomever he meets ; tāre — to him ; kahe — he says ; kaha kṛṣṇa - nāma — kindly chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra ; ei - mata — in this way ; vaiṣṇava — devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; kaila — made ; saba — all ; nija - grāma — his own village .

Purport

In order to become an empowered preacher, one must be favored by Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu or His devotee, the spiritual master. One must also request everyone to chant the mahā-mantra. In this way, such a person can convert others to Vaiṣṇavism, showing them how to become pure devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Translation

People from different villages who came to see such an empowered individual would become like him simply by seeing him and receiving the mercy of his glance.

Word meanings

grāma - antara haite — from different villages ; dekhite — to see ; āila — came ; yata jana — all the persons ; tāṅra — his ; darśana - kṛpāya — by the mercy of seeing him ; haya — become ; tāṅra sama — similar Vaiṣṇavas .

Translation

When each of these newly empowered individuals returned to his own village, he also converted the villagers into devotees. And when others came from different villages to see him, they were also converted.

Word meanings

sei — that Vaiṣṇava ; yāi’ — going to his own village ; grāmera loka — all the people of the village ; vaiṣṇava — devotees ; karaya — makes ; anya - grāmī — inhabitants from different villages ; āsi’ — coming there ; tāṅre dekhi’ — by seeing him ; vaiṣṇava haya — become devotees .

Translation

In this way, as empowered men went from one village to another, all the people of South India became devotees.

Word meanings

sei — that man ; yāi’ — going ; āra — different ; grāme — to the villages ; kare — gives ; upadeśa — instruction ; ei - mata — in this way ; vaiṣṇava — devotees ; haila — became ; saba — all ; dakṣiṇa - deśa — the people of South India .

Translation

Thus many hundreds of people became Vaiṣṇavas when they passed the Lord on the way and were embraced by Him.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; pathe — on the way ; yāite — while passing ; śata śata — hundreds and hundreds ; jana — persons ; vaiṣṇava — devotees ; karena — makes ; tāṅre — Him ; kari’ — doing ; āliṅgana — embracing .

Translation

In whatever village Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stayed to accept alms, many people came to see Him.

Word meanings

yei grāme — in whatever village ; rahi’ — staying ; bhikṣā — alms ; karena — accepts ; yāṅra — whose ; ghare — at home ; sei — that ; grāmera — of the village ; yata loka — all the persons ; āise — come ; dekhibāre — to see .

Translation

By the mercy of the Supreme Lord, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, everyone became a first-class devotee. Later they became teachers or spiritual masters and liberated the entire world.

Word meanings

prabhura kṛpāya — by the mercy of the Lord ; haya — become ; mahā - bhāgavata — first-class devotees ; sei saba — all such persons ; ācārya — teachers ; hañā — becoming ; tārila — liberated ; jagat — the whole world .

Translation

In this way the Lord went to the extreme southern part of India, and He converted all the provinces to Vaiṣṇavism.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; kailā — performed ; yāvat — until ; gelā — went ; setubandhe — to the southernmost part of India ; sarva - deśa — all the countries ; vaiṣṇava — devotees ; haila — became ; prabhura — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sambandhe — in connection with .

Translation

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not manifest His spiritual potencies at Navadvīpa, but He did manifest them in South India and liberated all the people there.

Word meanings

navadvīpe — at Navadvīpa ; yei — that which ; śakti — the potency ; nā — not ; kailā — did ; prakāśe — manifestation ; se — that ; śakti — potency ; prakāśi’ — manifesting ; nistārila — delivered ; dakṣiṇa - deśe — South India .

Purport

At that time there were many smārtas (nondevotee followers of Vedic rituals) at the holy place of Navadvīpa, which was also the birthplace of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Followers of the smṛti-śāstra are called smārtas. Most of them are nondevotees, and their main business is following the brahminical principles strictly. However, they are not enlightened in devotional service. In Navadvīpa all the learned scholars are followers of the smṛti-śāstra, and Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not attempt to convert them. Therefore the author has remarked that the spiritual potency Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not manifest at Navadvīpa was by His grace manifested in South India. Thus everyone there became a Vaiṣṇava. By this it is to be understood that people are really interested in preaching in a favorable situation. If the candidates for conversion are too disturbing, a preacher may not attempt to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness amongst them. It is better to go where the situation is more favorable. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was first attempted in India, but the people of India, being absorbed in political thoughts, did not take to it. They were entranced by the political leaders. We preferred, therefore, to come to the West, following the order of our spiritual master, and by the grace of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu this movement is becoming successful.

Translation

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s empowering of others can be understood by one who is actually a devotee of the Lord and who has received His mercy.

Word meanings

prabhuke — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ye — anyone who ; bhaje — worships ; tāre — unto him ; tāṅra — of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā — the mercy ; haya — there is ; sei se — such person ; e - saba — all these ; līlā — pastimes ; satya — truth ; kari’ — accepting as ; laya — takes .

Translation

If one does not believe in the uncommon transcendental pastimes of the Lord, he is vanquished both in this world and in the next.

Word meanings

alaukika — uncommon ; līlāya — in the pastimes ; yāra — of someone ; nā — not ; haya — there is ; viśvāsa — faith ; iha - loka — in this world ; para - loka — in the next world ; tāra — of him ; haya — there is ; nāśa — destruction .

Translation

Whatever I have stated about the beginning of the Lord’s tour should also be understood to hold for as long as the Lord toured South India.

Word meanings

prathamei — at the beginning ; kahila — I have explained ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ye - rūpe — as ; gamana — the touring ; ei - mata — in this way ; jāniha — you should know ; yāvat — as long as ; dakṣiṇa - bhramaṇa — touring in South India .

Translation

When Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came to the holy place known as Kūrma-kṣetra, He saw the Deity and offered prayers and obeisances.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; yāite yāite — while passing ; gelā — He went ; kūrma - sthāne — to the place of pilgrimage known as Kūrma-kṣetra ; kūrma dekhi’ — seeing Lord Kūrma ; kaila — offered ; tāṅre — unto Him ; stavana — prayers ; praṇāme — and obeisances .

Purport

Kūrma-sthāna is a well-known place of pilgrimage. There is a temple there of Kūrmadeva. In the Prapannāmṛta it is said that Lord Jagannātha took Śrī Rāmānujācārya from Jagannātha Purī and one night threw him to Kūrma-kṣetra. Kūrma-kṣetra is situated on the line of the Southern Railway in India. One has to go to the railway station known as Srikakulam Road. From this station one goes eight miles to the east to reach the holy place known as Kūrmācala. Those who speak the Telugu language consider this holy place very important. This statement is reported in the government gazette known as Gañjāma Manual. There is the Deity of Kūrma there, and, as mentioned above, Śrīla Rāmānujācārya was thrown from Jagannātha Purī to this place. At that time he thought that the Deity of Kūrma was Lord Śiva’s deity; therefore he was fasting there. Later, when he understood that the kūrma-mūrti was another form of Lord Viṣṇu, he instituted very gorgeous worship of Lord Kūrma. This statement is found in the Prapannāmṛta (chapter thirty-six). The holy place of Kūrma-kṣetra, or Kūrma-sthāna, was actually reestablished by Śrīpāda Rāmānujācārya under the influence of Lord Jagannātha-deva at Jagannātha Purī. Later the temple came under the jurisdiction of the king of Vijaya-nagara. The Deity was worshiped by the Vaiṣṇavas of the Madhvācārya-sampradāya. In the temple there are some inscriptions said to be written by Śrī Narahari Tīrtha, who was in the disciplic succession of Madhvācārya. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains those inscriptions as follows: (1) Śrī Puruṣottama Yati appeared as the instructor of many learned men. He was a very favorite devotee of Lord Viṣṇu. (2) His preaching was accepted throughout the world with great respect, and by his power he liberated many nondevotees with strong reason and logic. (3) He initiated Ānanda Tīrtha and converted many foolish men to accept sannyāsa and punished them with his rod. (4) All his writings and words are very potent. He gave people devotional service to Lord Viṣṇu so they could be elevated to liberation in the spiritual world. (5) His instructions in devotional service were able to elevate any man to the lotus feet of the Lord. (6) Narahari Tīrtha was also initiated by him and became the ruler of Kaliṅga Province. (7) Narahari Tīrtha fought with the Śabaras, who were caṇḍālas, or hunters, and thus saved the temple of Kūrma. (8) Narahari Tīrtha was a very religious and powerful king. (9) In the Śaka Era 1203, in the month of Vaiśākha, in the fortnight of the moon’s waxing period, on the day of Ekādaśī, Narahari Ṭīrtha dedicated to the holy name of Yogānanda Nṛsiṁhadeva the temple he had constructed on His order. [The tablet is dated that very day, corresponding to Saturday, March 29, 1281 A.D.]

Translation

While at this place, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was in His usual ecstasy of love of Godhead and was laughing, crying, dancing and chanting. Everyone who saw Him was astonished.

Word meanings

prema - āveśe — in great ecstasy of love of Godhead ; hāsi’ — laughing ; kāndi’ — crying ; nṛtya - gīta — dancing and chanting ; kaila — performed ; dekhi’ — seeing ; sarva lokera — of all the people there ; citte — within the hearts ; camatkāra — astonishment ; haila — there was .

Translation

After hearing of these wonderful occurrences, everyone came to see Him there. When they saw the beauty of the Lord and His ecstatic condition, they were all struck with wonder.

Word meanings

āścarya — wonderful occurrence ; śuniyā — hearing ; loka — people ; āila — came ; dekhibāre — to see ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rūpa — beauty ; prema — and love of Godhead ; dekhi’ — seeing ; hailā — there was ; camatkāre — astonishment .

Translation

Just by seeing Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, everyone became a devotee. They began to chant “Kṛṣṇa” and “Hari” and all the holy names. They all were merged in a great ecstasy of love, and they began to dance, raising their arms.

Word meanings

darśane — in seeing ; vaiṣṇava haila — they became devotees ; bale — started to say ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; hari — Lord Hari ; prema - āveśe — in the great ecstasy of love of Godhead ; nāce — dance ; loka — all the people ; ūrdhva bāhu kari’ — raising the arms .

Translation

Always hearing them chant the holy names of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the residents of all the other villages also became Vaiṣṇavas.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - nāma — the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; loka - mukhe — from the mouth of those people ; śuni’ — hearing ; avirāma — always ; sei loka — those persons ; vaiṣṇava — devotees ; kaila — made ; anya — other ; saba — all ; grāma — villages .

Translation

By hearing the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, the entire country became Vaiṣṇava. It was as if the nectar of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa overflooded the entire country.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; paramparāya — by disciplic succession ; deśa — the country ; vaiṣṇava haila — became devotees ; kṛṣṇa - nāma - amṛta — of the nectar of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; vanyāya — in the inundation ; deśa — the whole country ; bhāsāila — overflooded .

Translation

After some time, when Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu manifested His external consciousness, a priest of the Lord Kūrma Deity gave Him various offerings.

Word meanings

kata - kṣaṇe — after some time ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yadi — when ; bāhya — external consciousness ; prakāśilā — manifested ; kūrmera — of the Lord Kūrma Deity ; sevaka — a servant ; bahu — much ; sammāna — respect ; karilā — showed .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mode of preaching has already been explained, and I shall not repeat the explanation. In whichever village the Lord entered, His behavior was the same.

Word meanings

yei grāme — to whichever village ; yāya — He goes ; tāhāṅ — there ; ei — this ; vyavahāra — behavior ; eka ṭhāñi — one place ; kahila — described ; nā — not ; kahiba — shall describe ; āra — another ; bāra — time .

Translation

In one village there was a Vedic brāhmaṇa named Kūrma. He invited Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his home with great respect and devotion.

Word meanings

kūrma - nāme — of the name Kūrma ; sei — that ; grāme — in the village ; vaidika brāhmaṇa — a Vedic brāhmaṇa ; bahu — much ; śraddhā - bhaktye — with faith and devotion ; kaila — made ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nimantraṇa — invitation .

Translation

This brāhmaṇa brought Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his home, washed His lotus feet and, with his family members, drank that water.

Word meanings

ghare āni’ — after bringing Him home ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kaila — did ; pāda prakṣālana — washing of the lotus feet ; sei jala — that water ; vaṁśa - sahita — with all the family members ; karila bhakṣaṇa — drank .

Translation

With great affection and respect, that Kūrma brāhmaṇa made Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu eat all kinds of food. After that, the remnants were shared by all the members of the family.

Word meanings

aneka - prakāra — various kinds ; snehe — in affection ; bhikṣā — food ; karāila — made Him eat ; gosāñira — of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śeṣa - anna — remnants of food ; sa - vaṁśe — with all the members of the family ; khāila — ate .

Translation

The brāhmaṇa then began to pray, “O my Lord, Your lotus feet are meditated upon by Lord Brahmā, and these very lotus feet have come into my home.

Word meanings

yei — those ; pāda - padma — lotus feet ; tomāra — Your ; brahmā — Lord Brahmā ; dhyāna kare — meditates on ; sei pāda - padma — those lotus feet ; sākṣāt — directly ; āila — have come ; mora — my ; ghare — to the home .

Translation

“My dear Lord, there is no limit to my great fortune. It cannot be described. Today my family, birth and riches have all been glorified.”

Word meanings

mora — my ; bhāgyera — of the fortune ; sīmā — the limit ; nā — not ; yāya — possible ; kahana — describing ; āji — today ; mora — my ; ślāghya — glorious ; haila — became ; janma — birth ; kula — family ; dhana — and wealth .

Translation

The brāhmaṇa begged Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “My dear Lord, kindly show me favor and let me go with You. I can no longer tolerate the waves of misery caused by materialistic life.”

Word meanings

kṛpā kara — kindly show favor ; prabhu — O my Lord ; more — unto me ; yāṅ — I go ; tomā - saṅge — with You ; sahite nā pāri — I cannot tolerate ; duḥkha — the troubles ; viṣaya - taraṅge — in the waves of materialistic life .

Purport

This statement is applicable for everyone, regardless of how rich or prosperous one may be. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has confirmed this statement: saṁsāra-viṣānale, divā-niśi hiyā jvale. He states that the materialistic way of life causes a burning in the heart. One cannot make any provisions for the troublesome life of the material world. It is a fact that one may be very happy as far as riches are concerned and one may be very opulent in every respect, yet one has to manage the viṣayas to meet the demands of the body and of so many family members and subordinates. One has to take so much trouble to minister to others. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura therefore prays: viṣaya chāḍiyā kabe śuddha ha’be mana. Thus one must become freed from the materialistic way of life. One has to merge himself in the ocean of transcendental bliss. In other words, one cannot relish transcendental bliss without being freed from the materialistic way of life. It appears that the brāhmaṇa named Kūrma was materially very happy, for he expressed his family tradition as janma-kula-dhana. Now, being glorious, he wanted to leave all these material opulences. He wanted to travel with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. According to the Vedic way of civilization, one should leave his family after attaining fifty years of age and go to the forest of Vṛndāvana to devote the rest of his life to the service of the Lord.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, “Don’t speak like that again. Better to remain at home and chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa always.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; aiche bāt — such words ; kabhu — at any time ; nā kahibā — you should not speak ; gṛhe rahi’ — staying at home ; kṛṣṇa - nāma — the holy name of the Lord ; nirantara — always ; laibā — you should chant .

Purport

It is not advisable in this Age of Kali to leave one’s family suddenly, for people are not trained as proper brahmacārīs and gṛhasthas. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised the brāhmaṇa not to be too eager to give up family life. It would be better to remain with his family and try to become purified by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra regularly under the direction of a spiritual master. This is the instruction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. If this principle is followed by everyone, there is no need to accept sannyāsa. In the next verse Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advises everyone to become an ideal householder by offenselessly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and teaching the same principle to everyone he meets.

Translation

“Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.”

Word meanings

yāre — whomever ; dekha — you meet ; tāre — him ; kaha — tell ; kṛṣṇa - upadeśa — the instruction of the Bhagavad-gītā as it is spoken by the Lord or of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which advises one to worship Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; āmāra ājñāya — under My order ; guru hañā — becoming a spiritual master ; tāra’ — deliver ; ei deśa — this country .

Purport

This is the sublime mission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Many people come and inquire whether they have to give up family life to join the Society, but that is not our mission. One can remain comfortably in his residence. We simply request everyone to chant the mahā-mantra: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. If one is a little literate and can read Bhagavad-gītā As It Is and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, that is so much the better. These works are now available in an English translation and are done very authoritatively to appeal to all classes of men. Instead of living engrossed in material activities, people throughout the world should take advantage of this movement and chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra at home with their families. One should also refrain from sinful activities — illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. Out of these four items, illicit sex is very sinful. Every person must get married. Every woman especially must get married. If the women outnumber the men, some men can accept more than one wife. In that way there will be no prostitution in society. If men can marry more than one wife, illicit sex life will be stopped. One can also produce many nice preparations to offer Kṛṣṇa — grain, fruit, flowers and milk. Why should one indulge in unnecessary meat-eating and maintain horrible slaughterhouses? What is the use of smoking and drinking tea and coffee? People are already intoxicated by material enjoyment, and if they indulge in further intoxication, what chance is there for self-realization? Similarly, one should not partake in gambling and unnecessarily agitate the mind. The real purpose of human life is to attain the spiritual platform and return to Godhead. That is the summum bonum of spiritual realization. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to elevate human society to the perfection of life by pursuing the method described by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His advice to the brāhmaṇa Kūrma. That is, one should stay at home, chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and preach the instructions of Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu further advised the brāhmaṇa Kūrma, “If you follow this instruction, your materialistic life at home will not obstruct your spiritual advancement. Indeed, if you follow these regulative principles, we will again meet here, or, rather, you will never lose My company.”

Word meanings

kabhu — at any time ; nā — not ; bādhibe — will obstruct ; tomāra — your ; viṣaya - taraṅga — materialistic way of life ; punarapi — again ; ei ṭhāñi — at this place ; pābe — you will get ; mora — My ; saṅga — association .

Purport

This is an opportunity for everyone. If one simply follows the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, under the guidance of His representative, and chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, teaching everyone as far as possible the same principle, the contamination of the materialistic way of life will not even touch him. It does not matter whether one lives in a holy place like Vṛndāvana, Navadvīpa or Jagannātha Purī or in the midst of European cities, where the materialistic way of life is very prominent. If a devotee follows the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he lives in the company of the Lord. Wherever he lives, he converts that place into Vṛndāvana and Navadvīpa. This means that materialism cannot touch him. This is the secret of success for one advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Translation

At whosever house Śrī Caitanya accepted His alms by taking prasādam, He would convert the dwellers to His saṅkīrtana movement and advise them just as He advised the brāhmaṇa named Kūrma.

Word meanings

ei mata — in this way ; yāṅra — of whom ; ghare — at the home ; kare — does ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhikṣā — accepting prasādam ; sei — that man ; aiche — similarly ; kahe — says ; tāṅre — unto him ; karāya — does ; ei — this ; śikṣā — enlightenment .

Purport

The cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is explained here very nicely. One who surrenders to Him and is ready to follow Him with heart and soul does not need to change his location. Nor is it necessary for one to change his status. One may remain a householder, a medical practitioner, an engineer or whatever. It doesn’t matter. One only has to follow the instruction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and instruct relatives and friends in the teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. One has to learn humility and meekness at home, following the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and in that way one’s life will be spiritually successful. One should not try to be an artificially advanced devotee, thinking, “I am a first-class devotee, so it is best not to accept any disciples.” Such thinking should be avoided. One has to become purified at home by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and preaching the principles enunciated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Thus one can become a spiritual master and be freed from the contamination of material life.

There are many sahajiyās who decry the activities of the six Gosvāmīs — Śrīla Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha dāsa, Bhaṭṭa Raghunātha, Jīva and Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmīs — who are the personal associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and who enlightened society by writing books on devotional service. Similarly, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura and other great ācāryas like Madhvācārya, Rāmānujācārya and others accepted many thousands of disciples to induce them to render devotional service. However, there is a class of sahajiyās who think that these activities are opposed to the principles of devotional service. Indeed, they consider such activities simply another phase of materialism. Thus opposing the principles of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they commit offenses at His lotus feet. They should better consider His instructions and, instead of seeking to be considered humble and meek, should refrain from criticizing the followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu who engage in preaching. To protect His preachers, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has given much clear advice in these verses of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta.

Translation

While on His tour, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would spend the night at a temple by the road. Whenever He accepted food from a person, He would give him the same advice He gave the brāhmaṇa named Kūrma. He adopted this process until He returned to Jagannātha Purī from His South Indian tour.

Word meanings

pathe yāite — while passing on the road ; devālaye — in a temple ; rahe — He stays ; yei grāme — in any village ; yāṅra ghare — at whose place ; bhikṣā kare — takes alms or eats ; sei mahā - jane — to such a great personality ; kūrme — unto the brāhmaṇa Kūrma ; yaiche — just as ; rīti — the process ; taiche — in the same way ; kaila — did ; sarva - ṭhāñi — in all places ; nīlācale — to Jagannātha Purī ; punaḥ — again ; yāvat — until ; nā — not ; āilā — returned ; gosāñi — the Lord .

Translation

Thus I have described the Lord’s behavior elaborately in the case of Kūrma. In this way, you will know Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s dealings throughout South India.

Word meanings

ataeva — therefore ; ihāṅ — here ; kahilāṅ — I have described ; kariyā vistāra — elaborately ; ei - mata — in this way ; jānibe — you will know ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sarvatra — everywhere ; vyavahāra — the behavior .

Translation

Thus Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would remain at night in one place, and the next morning, after bathing, He would start again.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; sei rātri — that night ; tāhāṅi — there ; rahilā — stayed ; prātaḥ - kāle — in the morning ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; snāna — bath ; kariyā — taking ; calilā — again started .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu left, the brāhmaṇa Kūrma followed Him a great distance, but eventually Lord Caitanya took care to send him back home.

Word meanings

prabhura — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; anuvraji’ — following behind ; kūrma — the brāhmaṇa named Kūrma ; bahu — much ; dūra — distance ; āilā — came ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — him ; yatna kari’ — taking much care ; ghare — to his home ; pāṭhāilā — sent .

Translation

There was also a brāhmaṇa named Vāsudeva, who was a great person but was suffering from leprosy. Indeed, his body was filled with living worms.

Word meanings

vāsudeva - nāma — of the name Vāsudeva ; eka dvija — one brāhmaṇa ; mahāśaya — a great person ; sarva - aṅge — all over his body ; galita — acute ; kuṣṭha — leprosy ; tāte — in that ; kīḍā - maya — full of living worms .

Translation

Although suffering from leprosy, the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva was enlightened. As soon as one worm fell from his body, he would pick it up and place it back again in the same location.

Word meanings

aṅga haite — from his body ; yei — which ; kīḍā — a worm ; khasiyā — drops ; paḍaya — falling off ; uṭhāñā — picking up ; sei — that ; kīḍā — worm ; rākhe — places ; sei ṭhāña — in the same place .

Translation

Then one night Vāsudeva heard of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s arrival, and in the morning he came to see the Lord at the house of Kūrma.

Word meanings

rātrite — at night ; śunilā — heard ; teṅho — he ; gosāñira — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āgamana — the arrival ; dekhibāre — to see Him ; āilā — he came ; prabhāte — in the morning ; kūrmera — of the brāhmaṇa named Kūrma ; bhavana — to the house .

Translation

When the leper Vāsudeva came to Kūrma’s house to see Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he was informed that the Lord had already left. The leper then fell to the ground unconscious.

Word meanings

prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gamana — the going ; kūrma - mukhete — from the mouth of the brāhmaṇa Kūrma ; śuniñā — hearing ; bhūmite — on the ground ; paḍilā — fell down ; duḥkhe — in great distress ; mūrcchita — unconsciousness ; hañā — becoming .

Translation

When Vāsudeva, the leper brāhmaṇa, was lamenting due to not being able to see Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord immediately returned to that spot and embraced him.

Word meanings

aneka prakāra — various kinds ; vilāpa — lamentation ; karite — to do ; lāgilā — began ; sei - kṣaṇe — immediately ; āsi’ — coming back ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — him ; āliṅgilā — embraced .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu touched him, both the leprosy and his distress went to a distant place. Indeed, Vāsudeva’s body became very beautiful, to his great happiness.

Word meanings

prabhu - sparśe — by the touch of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; duḥkha - saṅge — along with his unhappiness ; kuṣṭha — the infection of leprosy ; dūre — to a distant place ; gela — went ; ānanda sahite — with great pleasure ; aṅga — whole body ; sundara — beautiful ; ha - ila — became .

Translation

The brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva was astonished to behold the wonderful mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and he began to recite a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, touching the Lord’s lotus feet.

Word meanings

prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛpā — the mercy ; dekhi’ — seeing ; tāṅra — of the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva ; vismaya haila mana — there was astonishment in his mind ; śloka paḍi’ — reciting a verse ; pāye dhari — touching His lotus feet ; karaye stavana — offers prayers .

Translation

He said, “ ‘Who am I? A sinful, poor friend of a brāhmaṇa. And who is Kṛṣṇa? The Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in six opulences. Nonetheless, He has embraced me with His two arms.’ ”

Word meanings

kva — who ; aham — I ; daridraḥ — poor ; pāpīyān — sinful ; kva — who ; kṛṣṇaḥ — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; śrī - niketanaḥ — the transcendental form of all opulence ; brahma - bandhuḥ — the friend of a brāhmaṇa, not fit even to be called a brāhmaṇa ; iti — thus ; sma — certainly ; aham — I ; bāhubhyām — by the arms ; parirambhitaḥ — embraced .

Purport

This verse was spoken by Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.81.16) , in connection with his meeting Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

The brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva continued, “O my merciful Lord, such mercy is not possible for ordinary living entities. Such mercy can be found only in You. Upon seeing me, even a sinful person goes away due to my bad bodily odor. Yet You have touched me. Such is the independent behavior of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

Word meanings

bahu — many ; stuti — prayers ; kari’ — presenting ; kahe — says ; śuna — kindly hear ; dayā - maya — O greatly merciful Lord ; jīve — in the living entity ; ei — this ; guṇa — quality ; nāhi — there is not ; tomāte — in You ; ei — this ; haya — is ; more dekhi’ — by seeing me ; mora gandhe — from smelling my body ; palāya — runs away ; pāmara — even a sinful man ; hena - more — such a person as me ; sparśa’ — touch ; tumi — You ; svatantra — fully independent ; īśvara — the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Translation

Being meek and humble, the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva worried that he would become proud after being cured by the grace of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

kintu — but ; āchilāṅ — I was ; bhāla — all right ; adhama — the lowest of mankind ; hañā — being ; ebe — now ; ahaṅkāra — pride ; mora — my ; janmibe — will appear ; āsiyā — coming .

Translation

To protect the brāhmaṇa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised him to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra incessantly. By doing so, he would never become unnecessarily proud.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; kabhu — at any time ; tomāra — your ; nā — not ; habe — there will be ; abhimāna — pride ; nirantara — incessantly ; kaha — chant ; tumi — you ; kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa nāma — the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also advised Vāsudeva to preach about Kṛṣṇa and thus liberate living entities. As a result, Kṛṣṇa would very soon accept him as His devotee.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa upadeśi’ — instructing about Kṛṣṇa ; kara — just do ; jīvera — of all living entities ; nistāra — the liberation ; acirāte — very soon ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tomā — you ; karibena — will make ; aṅgīkāra — acceptance .

Purport

Although Vāsudeva Vipra was a leper and had suffered greatly, still, after Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu cured him He instructed him to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Indeed, the only return the Lord wanted was that Vāsudeva preach the instructions of Kṛṣṇa and liberate all human beings. That is the process of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Each and every member of this Society was rescued from a very abominable condition, but now they are engaged in preaching the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. They are not only cured of the disease called materialism but are also living a very happy life. Everyone accepts them as great devotees of Kṛṣṇa, and their qualities are manifest in their very faces. If one wants to be recognized as a devotee by Kṛṣṇa, he should take to preaching work, following the advice of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Then one will undoubtedly attain the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself, without delay.

Translation

After instructing the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva in that way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu disappeared from that place. Then the two brāhmaṇas, Kūrma and Vāsudeva, embraced each other and began to cry, remembering the transcendental qualities of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

eteka — so much ; kahiyā — speaking ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kaila — made ; antardhāne — disappearance ; dui vipra — the two brāhmaṇas, Kūrma and Vāsudeva ; galāgali — embracing one another ; kānde — cry ; prabhura guṇe — due to the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Thus I have described how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu reclaimed the leper Vāsudeva and so received the name Vāsudevāmṛta-prada.

Word meanings

vāsudeva - uddhāra — giving liberation to Vāsudeva ; ei — this ; kahila — is described ; ākhyāna — narration ; vāsudeva - amṛta - prada — the giver of nectar to Vāsudeva ; haila — became ; prabhura nāma — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s holy name .

Purport

The name Vāsudevāmṛta-prada is mentioned in the verses composed by Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya.

Translation

Thus I end my description of the beginning of the tour of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, His visiting the temple of Kūrma and His liberating the leper brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva.

Word meanings

ei ta’ kahila — thus I have described ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prathama gamana — the beginning of the tour ; kūrma - daraśana — visiting the temple of Kūrma ; vāsudeva - vimocana — and liberating the leper brāhmaṇa of the name Vāsudeva .

Translation

One who hears these pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with great faith will surely very soon attain the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

śraddhā kari’ — with great faith ; ei līlā — this pastime ; ye — anyone ; kare — does ; śravaṇa — hearing ; acirāte — very soon ; milaye — meets ; tāre — him ; caitanya - caraṇa — the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Purport

When a person actually revives his consciousness with thoughts of Kṛṣṇa by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he revives his spiritual life and becomes addicted to the service of the Lord. Only then can he act as an ācārya. In other words, everyone should engage in preaching, following in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. In this way one will be very much appreciated by Lord Kṛṣṇa and will quickly be recognized by Him. Actually a devotee of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu must engage in preaching in order to increase the followers of the Lord. By thus preaching actual Vedic knowledge all over the world, one will benefit all mankind.

Translation

I admit that I do not know the beginning or the end of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes. However, whatever I have written I have heard from the mouths of great personalities.

Word meanings

caitanya - līlāra — of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ādi — beginning ; anta — and end ; nāhi — not ; jāni — I know ; sei — that ; likhi — I write ; yei — which ; mahāntera — of the great personalities ; mukhe — from the mouths ; śuni — I hear .

Translation

O devotees, please do not consider my offenses in this regard. Your lotus feet are my only shelter.

Word meanings

ithe — in this ; aparādha — offenses ; mora — my ; nā la - io — do not take ; bhakta - gaṇa — O devotees ; tomā — of your ; sabāra — of all ; caraṇa — the lotus feet ; mora — my ; ekānta — only ; śaraṇa — shelter .

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 ; kṛṣṇa - dāsa — Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī .

Purport

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, seventh chapter, describing the start of the Lord’s tour of South India and the liberation of the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva.