The Beḍā-kīrtana Pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu merged the entire world into the ocean of ecstatic love by performing His beautiful dances within the temple of Jagannātha. He danced exquisitely and jumped high.

Word meanings

ati — very much ; uddaṇḍam — high jumping ; tāṇḍavam — very graceful dancing ; gaura - candraḥ — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kurvan — performing ; bhaktaiḥ — with the devotees ; śrī - jagannātha - gehe — in the temple of Lord Jagannātha ; nānā - bhāva - alaṅkṛta - aṅgaḥ — having many ecstatic symptoms manifested in His transcendental body ; sva - dhāmnā — by the influence of His ecstatic love ; cakre — made ; viśvam — the whole world ; prema - vanyā - nimagnam — merged into the inundation of ecstatic love .

Translation

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

Word meanings

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

Translation

The next day Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya requested Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to give him permission to submit a statement without fear.

Word meanings

āra dina — the next day ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; kahe — says ; prabhu - sthāne — in the presence of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; abhaya - dāna — the charity of fearlessness ; deha’ — You give ; yadi — if ; kari — I do ; nivedane — submission .

Translation

The Lord gave the Bhaṭṭācārya assurance that he could speak without fear, but added that if his statement were suitable He would accept it, and if it were not, He would reject it.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; kaha tumi — yes, you can speak ; nāhi — there is not ; kichu — any ; bhaya — fear ; yogya — befitting ; haile — if it is ; kariba — I shall grant ; ayogya — not befitting ; haile — if it is ; naya — then I shall not .

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya said, “There is a king named Pratāparudra Rāya. He is very anxious to meet You, and he wants Your permission.”

Word meanings

sārvabhauma kahe — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya said ; ei — this ; pratāparudra rāya — King Pratāparudra of Jagannātha Purī ; utkaṇṭhā hañāche — has been very anxious ; tomā — You ; milibāre — to meet ; cāya — he wants .

Translation

As soon as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard this proposal, He immediately covered His ears with His hands and said, “My dear Sārvabhauma, why are you requesting such an undesirable thing from Me?

Word meanings

karṇe — on the ears ; hasta — hands ; diyā — placing ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; smare — remembers ; nārāyaṇa — the holy name of Lord Nārāyaṇa ; sārvabhauma — My dear Sārvabhauma ; kaha — you say ; kena — why ; ayogya vacana — a request that is not suitable .

Translation

“Since I am in the renounced order, it is as dangerous for Me to meet a king as to meet a woman. To meet either would be just like drinking poison.”

Word meanings

virakta — unattached ; sannyāsī — person in the renounced order ; āmāra — My ; rāja - daraśana — meeting a king ; strī - daraśana — meeting a woman ; sama — like ; viṣera — of poison ; bhakṣaṇa — drinking .

Translation

Greatly lamenting, the Lord then informed Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, “ ‘Alas, for a person who is seriously desiring to cross the material ocean and engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord without material motives, seeing a materialist engaged in sense gratification or seeing a woman who is similarly interested is more abominable than drinking poison willingly.’ ”

Word meanings

niṣkiñcanasya — of a person who has completely detached himself from material enjoyment ; bhagavat — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; bhajana — in serving ; unmukhasya — who is eager to be engaged ; pāram — to the other side ; param — distant ; jigamiṣoḥ — who is desiring to go ; bhava - sāgarasya — of the ocean of material existence ; sandarśanam — the seeing (for some material purpose) ; viṣayiṇām — of persons engaged in material activities ; atha — as well as ; yoṣitām — of women ; ca — also ; hā — alas ; hanta hanta — expression of great lamentation ; viṣa - bhakṣaṇataḥ — than the act of drinking poison ; api — even ; asādhu — more abominable .

Purport

This is a quotation from Śrī Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka (8.23). Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu enunciates the principles for a sannyāsī renouncing the material world for spiritual advancement. Spiritual advancement is not meant for magic shows and jugglery but for crossing the material world and being transferred to the spiritual world. Pāraṁ paraṁ jigamiṣoḥ means desiring to go to the other side of the material world. There is a river called Vaitaraṇī, and on one side of this river is the material world, and on the other side is the spiritual world. Since the Vaitaraṇī River is compared to a great ocean, it is named bhava-sāgara, the ocean of repeated birth and death. Spiritual life aims at stopping this repetition of birth and death and entering into the spiritual world, where one can live eternally cognizant and blissful.

Unfortunately, the general populace does not know anything about spiritual life or the spiritual world. The spiritual world is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gītā (8.20) :

paras tasmāt tu bhāvo ’nyo ’vyakto ’vyaktāt sanātanaḥ yaḥ sa sarveṣu bhūteṣu naśyatsu na vinaśyati

“Yet there is another unmanifested nature, which is eternal and is transcendental to this manifested and unmanifested matter. It is supreme and is never annihilated. When all in this world is annihilated, that part remains as it is.”

Thus there is a spiritual nature beyond this material world, and that spiritual nature exists eternally. Spiritual advancement means stopping material activities and entering into spiritual activities. This is the process of bhakti-yoga. In the material world, the via media for sense gratification is mainly a woman. One who is seriously interested in spiritual life should strictly avoid women. A sannyāsī should never see a man or a woman for material benefit. In addition, talks with materialistic men and women are also dangerous, and they are compared to drinking poison. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very strict on this point. He therefore refused to see King Pratāparudra, who was naturally always engaged in political and economic affairs. The Lord even refused to see the King despite the request of a personality like Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, who was the Lord’s intimate friend and devotee.

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya replied, “My dear Lord, what You have said is correct, but this King is not an ordinary king. He is a great devotee and servant of Lord Jagannātha.”

Word meanings

sārvabhauma kahe — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya replied ; satya — true ; tomāra — Your ; vacana — statement ; jagannātha - sevaka — servant of Lord Jagannātha ; rājā — the King ; kintu — but ; bhakta - uttama — a great devotee .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Although it is correct that the King is a great devotee, he is still to be considered a venomous snake. Similarly, even though a woman be made of wood, one becomes agitated simply by touching her form.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied ; tathāpi — still ; rājā — the King ; kāla - sarpa - ākāra — just like a venomous snake ; kāṣṭha - nārī — a woman made of wood ; sparśe — by touching ; yaiche — as ; upaje — arises ; vikāra — agitation .

Purport

Śrī Cāṇakya Paṇḍita has stated in his moral instructions: tyaja durjana-saṁsargaṁ bhaja sādhu-samāgamam. This means that one has to abandon the association of materialistic people and associate with spiritually advanced people. However qualified a materialist may be, he is no better than a venomous serpent. Everyone knows that a snake is dangerous and poisonous, and when its hood is decorated with jewels, it is no less poisonous or dangerous. However qualified a materialist may be, he is no better than a snake decorated with jewels. One should therefore be careful in dealing with such materialists, just as one would be careful in dealing with a bejeweled serpent.

Even though a woman be made of wood or stone, she becomes attractive when decorated. One becomes sexually agitated even by touching the form. Therefore one should not trust his mind, which is so fickle that it can give way to enemies at any moment. The mind is always accompanied by six enemies — namely, kāma, krodha, mada, moha, mātsarya and bhaya — that is, lust, anger, intoxication, illusion, envy and fear. Although the mind may be merged in spiritual consciousness, one should always be very careful in dealing with it, just as one is careful in dealing with a snake. One should never think that his mind is trained and that he can do whatever he likes. One interested in spiritual life should always engage his mind in the service of the Lord so that the enemies of the mind, who always accompany the mind, will be subdued. If the mind is not engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness at every moment, there is a chance that it will give way to its enemies. In this way we become victims of the mind.

Chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra engages the mind at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa constantly; thus the mind’s enemies do not have a chance to strike. Following Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s example in these verses, we should be very careful in dealing with the mind, which should not be indulged in any circumstance. Once we indulge the mind, it can create havoc in this life, even though we may be spiritually advanced. The mind is specifically agitated through the association of materialistic men and women. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, through His personal behavior, warns everyone to avoid meeting a materialistic person or a woman.

Translation

“ ‘Just as one is immediately frightened upon seeing a live serpent or even the form of a serpent, one endeavoring for self-realization should similarly fear a materialistic person and a woman. Indeed, he should not even glance at their bodily features.’

Word meanings

ākārāt — from bodily features ; api — even ; bhetavyam — to be feared ; strīṇām — of women ; viṣayiṇām — of materialistic persons ; api — even ; yathā — as ; aheḥ — from a serpent ; manasaḥ — of the mind ; kṣobhaḥ — agitation ; tathā — so ; tasya — of it ; ākṛteḥ — from the appearance ; api — even .

Purport

This is a quotation from Śrī Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka (8.24).

Translation

“Bhaṭṭācārya, if you continue to speak like this, you will never see Me here again. Therefore you should never let such a request come from your mouth.”

Word meanings

aiche bāta — such a request ; punarapi — again ; mukhe — in the mouth ; nā — do not ; ānibe — bring ; kaha yadi — if you speak ; tabe — then ; āmāya — Me ; ethā — here ; nā — not ; dekhibe — you will see .

Translation

Being afraid, Sārvabhauma returned home and began to meditate on the matter.

Word meanings

bhaya pāñā — being afraid ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma ; nija — own ; ghare — to home ; gelā — returned ; vāsāya giyā — reaching his residential place ; bhaṭṭācārya — the Bhaṭṭācārya ; cintita ha - ilā — became meditative .

Translation

At this time, Mahārāja Pratāparudra arrived at Jagannātha Purī, Puruṣottama, and, accompanied by his secretaries, ministers and military officers, went to visit the temple of Lord Jagannātha.

Word meanings

hena kāle — at this time ; pratāparudra — King Pratāparudra ; puruṣottame — at Jagannātha Purī ; āilā — arrived ; pātra - mitra - saṅge — accompanied by his secretaries, ministers, military officers and so on ; rājā — the King ; daraśane — to visit Lord Jagannātha ; calilā — departed .

Purport

It appears that Mahārāja Pratāparudra used to live at Kaṭaka (Cuttack), his capital. Later he shifted his capital to Khurdā, a few miles from Jagannātha Purī. Presently there is a railway station there called Khurdā Road.

Translation

When King Pratāparudra returned to Jagannātha Purī, Rāmānanda Rāya came with him. Rāmānanda Rāya immediately went to meet Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with great pleasure.

Word meanings

rāmānanda rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya ; āilā — came ; gajapati - saṅge — with the King ; prathamei — in the first instance ; prabhure — unto Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āsi’ — coming ; mililā — met ; bahu - raṅge — with great pleasure .

Purport

All Indian kings are given titles. Sometimes they are known as Chatrapati, sometimes as Narapati, sometimes as Aśvapati, and so on. The King of Orissa is addressed as Gajapati.

Translation

Upon meeting Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Rāmānanda Rāya offered his obeisances. The Lord embraced him, and both of them began to cry in the great ecstasy of love.

Word meanings

rāya praṇati kaila — Rāmānanda Rāya offered his obeisances ; prabhu — the Lord ; kaila — did ; āliṅgana — embracing ; dui jane — both of them ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; karena — did ; krandana — crying .

Translation

Seeing Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s intimate dealings with Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya, all the devotees there were astonished.

Word meanings

rāya - saṅge — with Rāmānanda Rāya ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhi’ — seeing ; sneha - vyavahāra — very intimate behavior ; sarva — all ; bhakta - gaṇera — of all the devotees ; mane — in the mind ; haila — there was ; camatkāra — astonishment .

Translation

Rāmānanda Rāya said, “I duly informed King Pratāparudra of Your order for me to retire from service. By Your grace, the King was pleased to relieve me of these material activities.

Word meanings

rāya kahe — Rāmānanda Rāya said ; tomāra ājñā — Your order ; rājāke kahila — I informed the King ; tomāra icchāya — by Your grace ; rājā — the King ; mora — my ; viṣaya — material activities ; chāḍāila — gave me relief from .

Purport

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested Rāmānanda Rāya to retire from his governorship, and according to the Lord’s desire, Rāmānanda Rāya petitioned the King. The King was very pleased to give him relief, and thus Rāmānanda Rāya retired from service and received a pension from the government.

Translation

“I said, ‘Your Majesty, I am now not willing to engage in political activities. I desire only to stay at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Kindly give me permission.’

Word meanings

āmi kahi — I said ; āmā haite — by me ; nā — not ; haya — is possible ; viṣaya — government service ; caitanya - caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rahoṅ — I may stay ; yadi ājñā haya — if you kindly give me permission .

Translation

“When I submitted this proposal, the King immediately became very pleased upon hearing Your name. Indeed, he instantly rose from his throne and embraced me.

Word meanings

tomāra — your ; nāma — name ; śuni’ — hearing ; rājā — the King ; ānandita — very pleased ; haila — became ; āsana haite — from his throne ; uṭhi’ — standing ; more — me ; āliṅgana kaila — embraced .

Translation

“My dear Lord, as soon as the King heard Your holy name, he was immediately overwhelmed by great ecstatic love. Catching my hand, he displayed all the symptoms of love.

Word meanings

tomāra — Your ; nāma — name ; śuni’ — hearing ; haila — became ; mahā — great ; prema - āveśa — ecstasy of love ; mora hāte — my hand ; dhari’ — catching ; kare — does ; pirīti — loving symptoms ; viśeṣa — specific .

Translation

“As soon as he heard my petition, he immediately granted me a pension without reductions. Thus the King granted me a full salary as a pension and requested me to engage without anxiety in the service of Your lotus feet.

Word meanings

tomāra — your ; ye — whatever ; vartana — remuneration ; tumi — you ; khāo — take ; sei — that ; vartana — pension ; niścinta hañā — without anxiety ; bhaja — just worship ; caitanyera — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; caraṇa — the lotus feet .

Translation

“Then Mahārāja Pratāparudra very humbly said, ‘I am most fallen and abominable, and I am unfit to receive an interview with the Lord. One’s life is successful if one engages in His service.’

Word meanings

āmi — I ; chāra — very much fallen ; yogya — fit ; nahi — not ; tāṅra — His ; daraśane — for interviewing ; tāṅre — Him ; yei — anyone who ; bhaje — worships ; tāṅra — his ; saphala — successful ; jīvane — life .

Translation

“The King then said, ‘Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Kṛṣṇa, the son of Mahārāja Nanda. He is very merciful, and I hope that in a future birth He will allow me an interview.’

Word meanings

parama — very ; kṛpālu — merciful ; teṅha — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vrajendra - nandana — the son of Mahārāja Nanda ; kona - janme — in some future birth ; more — unto me ; avaśya — certainly ; dibena — will give ; daraśana — interview .

Translation

“My Lord, I don’t think that there is even a fraction of Mahārāja Pratāparudra’s loving ecstasy in me.”

Word meanings

ye — whatever ; tāṅhāra — his ; prema - ārti — painful feelings of love of Godhead ; dekhiluṅ — I saw ; tomāte — unto You ; tāra — of that ; eka — one ; prema - leśa — fraction of love ; nāhika — there is not ; āmāte — in me .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then said, “My dear Rāmānanda Rāya, you are the foremost of all the devotees of Kṛṣṇa; therefore whoever loves you is certainly a very fortunate person.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; tumi — you ; kṛṣṇa - bhakata - pradhāna — the chief of the devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tomāke — unto you ; ye — anyone who ; prīti kare — shows love ; sei — such a person ; bhāgyavān — most fortunate .

Translation

“Because the King has shown so much love for you, Lord Kṛṣṇa will certainly accept him.

Word meanings

tomāte — unto you ; ye — that ; eta — so much ; prīti — love ; ha - ila — was ; rājāra — of the King ; ei guṇe — for this reason ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tāṅre — him ; karibe aṅgīkāra — will accept .

Purport

King Pratāparudra requested an interview with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu through the Bhaṭṭācārya, who duly submitted the request. The Lord, however, immediately refused this interview. Now when Rāmānanda Rāya informed the Lord how eager the King was to see Him, the Lord was immediately pleased. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested Rāmānanda Rāya to retire from his government post and come to Śrī Puruṣottama-kṣetra (Jagannātha Purī) to live with Him. When this proposal was submitted to King Pratāparudra, he immediately accepted it and also encouraged Rāmānanda Rāya by allowing him a full pension. This was very much appreciated by the Lord, and this confirms the fact that the Lord is more pleased when one serves the servant of the Lord. In ordinary parlance it is said, “If you love me, love my dog.” To approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one has to go through His confidential servant. This is the method. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu clearly says, “Because the King loves you, Rāmānanda Rāya, he is very fortunate. Kṛṣṇa will certainly accept him due to his love for you.”

Translation

“[Lord Kṛṣṇa told Arjuna:] ‘Those who are My direct devotees are actually not My devotees, but those who are the devotees of My servant are factually My devotees.’

Word meanings

ye — those who ; me — My ; bhakta - janāḥ — devotees ; pārtha — O Pārtha ; na — not ; me — My ; bhaktāḥ — devotees ; ca — and ; te — those ; janāḥ — persons ; mat - bhaktānām — of My devotees ; ca — certainly ; ye — those who ; bhaktāḥ — devotees ; te — such persons ; me — My ; bhakta - tamāḥ — most advanced devotees ; matāḥ — that is My opinion .

Purport

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu quotes this verse from the Ādi Purāṇa. The verse is also included in the Laghu-bhāgavatāmṛta (2.6).

Translation

“ ‘My devotees take great care and respect in rendering Me service. They offer obeisances to Me with all their bodily limbs. They worship other devotees and find all living entities related to Me. For Me they engage the entire energy of their bodies. They engage the power of speech in the glorification of My qualities and form. They also dedicate their minds unto Me and try to give up all kinds of material desires. Thus My devotees are characterized.’

Word meanings

ādaraḥ — respect, care ; paricaryāyām — in service ; sarva - aṅgaiḥ — by all the parts of the body ; abhivandanam — offering obeisances ; mat - bhakta — of My devotees ; pūjā — worshiping ; abhyadhikā — very high ; sarva - bhūteṣu — in all living entities ; mat - matiḥ — realization of having a relationship with Me ; mat - artheṣu — for the sake of My service ; aṅga - ceṣṭāḥ — engaging the bodily energy ; ca — and ; vacasā — by words ; mat - guṇa - īraṇam — describing My glories ; mayi — unto Me ; arpaṇam — dedicating ; ca — and ; manasaḥ — of the mind ; sarva - kāma — all material desires ; vivarjanam — giving up .

Purport

These two verses are quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.19.21-22). They were spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was answering Uddhava’s inquiry about devotional service.

Translation

“[Lord Śiva told the goddess Durgā:] ‘My dear Devī, although the Vedas recommend worship of demigods, the worship of Lord Viṣṇu is topmost. However, above the worship of Lord Viṣṇu is the rendering of service to Vaiṣṇavas, who are related to Lord Viṣṇu.’

Word meanings

ārādhanānām — of varieties of worship ; sarveṣām — all ; viṣṇoḥ — of Lord Viṣṇu ; ārādhanam — worship ; param — the most exalted ; tasmāt — and above such worship of Lord Viṣṇu ; parataram — of greater value ; devi — O goddess ; tadīyānām — of persons in relationship with Lord Viṣṇu ; samarcanam — rigid and firm worship .

Purport

The Vedas are divided into three divisions — karma-kāṇḍa, jñāna-kāṇḍa and upāsanā-kāṇḍa. These are activities dealing with fruitive work, empiric philosophical speculation and worship. There are recommendations in the Vedas for the worship of various demigods as well as Lord Viṣṇu. In this quotation from the Padma Purāṇa, Lord Śiva answers a question posed to him by goddess Durgā . This verse is also included in the Laghu-bhāgavatāmṛta (2.4), by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. The words viṣṇor ārādhanam refer to the worship of Lord Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa. Thus the supreme form of worship is the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. It is further concluded that the worshiper of Lord Viṣṇu renders better service by worshiping the devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. There are different types of devotees — those in śānta-rasa, dāsya-rasa, sakhya-rasa, vātsalya-rasa and mādhurya-rasa. Although all the rasas are on the transcendental platform, mādhurya-rasa is the supreme transcendental mellow. Consequently it is concluded that the worship of devotees engaged in the Lord’s service in mādhurya-rasa is the supreme spiritual activity. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His followers mainly worship Lord Kṛṣṇa in mādhurya-rasa. Other Vaiṣṇava ācāryas recommended worship up to vātsalya-rasa. Therefore Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī in his Vidagdha-mādhava (1.2) describes Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s cult as supreme:

anarpita-carīṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasāṁ sva-bhakti-śriyam

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in this Age of Kali to exhibit the superexcellence of mādhurya-rasa, a gift never previously bestowed by any ācārya or incarnation. Consequently Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is accepted as the most magnanimous incarnation. It is He only who distributed love of Kṛṣṇa while exhibiting the superexcellence of loving Kṛṣṇa in the conjugal rasa.

Translation

“ ‘Those whose austerity is meager can hardly obtain the service of the pure devotees progressing on the path back to the kingdom of Godhead, the Vaikuṇṭhas. Pure devotees engage one hundred percent in glorifying the Supreme Lord, who is the Lord of the demigods and the controller of all living entities.’ ”

Word meanings

durāpā — very difficult to achieve ; hi — certainly ; alpa - tapasaḥ — by a person not advanced in spiritual life ; sevā — service ; vaikuṇṭha - vartmasu — unto persons on the path back home, back to Godhead ; yatra — wherein ; upagīyate — is worshiped and glorified ; nityam — regularly ; deva - devaḥ — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; janārdanaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa .

Purport

This verse is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.7.20) . It was spoken by Vidura in his conversation with Maitreya Ṛṣi, a great devotee of the Lord.

Translation

Paramānanda Purī, Brahmānanda Bhāratī Gosāñi, Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosāñi, Lord Nityānanda, Jagadānanda, Mukunda and others were present before the Lord at that time.

Word meanings

purī — Paramānanda Purī ; bhāratī — Brahmānanda Bhāratī ; gosāñi — on the level of the spiritual master ; svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; nityānanda — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; jagadānanda — Jagadānanda ; mukunda — Mukunda ; ādi — and others ; yata — all ; bhakta - vṛnda — devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya therefore offered his obeisances to all the Lord’s devotees, in particular to the four spiritual masters. Thus Rāmānanda Rāya suitably met all the devotees.

Word meanings

cāri gosāñira — of the four gosāñis, or spiritual masters ; kaila — did ; rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya ; caraṇa vandana — worshiping the lotus feet ; yathā - yogya — as it is befitting ; saba — all ; bhaktera — of the devotees ; karila — did ; milana — meeting .

Purport

The four spiritual masters referred to in this verse are Paramānanda Purī, Brahmānanda Bhāratī, Svarūpa Dāmodara and Lord Nityānanda.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu next asked Rāmānanda Rāya, “Have you already visited the temple of the lotus-eyed Lord Jagannātha?”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; rāya — My dear Rāmānanda Rāya ; dekhile — have you seen ; kamala - nayana — the lotus-eyed Lord Jagannātha ; rāya kahe — Rāmānanda Rāya replied ; ebe yāi — now I shall go ; pāba daraśana — I shall visit the temple .

Purport

Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “I shall now go visit the temple.”

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, “What have you done, My dear Rāya? Why did you not first see Lord Jagannātha and then come here? Why have you come here first?”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; rāya — My dear Rāmānanda Rāya ; tumi — you ; ki kārya — what ; karile — have done ; īśvare — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; nā dekhi’ — without seeing ; kene — why ; āge — first ; ethā — here ; āile — you came .

Translation

Rāmānanda Rāya said, “The legs are like the chariot, and the heart is like the charioteer. Wherever the heart takes the living entity, the living entity is obliged to go.”

Word meanings

rāya kahe — Rāmānanda Rāya replied ; caraṇa — the legs ; ratha — chariot ; hṛdaya — the heart ; sārathi — chariot driver ; yāhāṅ — wherever ; lañā — taking ; yāya — goes ; tāhāṅ — there ; yāya — goes ; jīva - rathī — the living entity on the chariot .

Purport

In the Bhagavad-gītā (18.61) Lord Kṛṣṇa explains:

īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe ’rjuna tiṣṭhati bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrārūḍhāni māyayā

“The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine made of material energy.”

Thus the living entity wanders within this universe riding upon a chariot (the body) bestowed by material nature. A similar explanation is given in the Kaṭha Upaniṣad (1.3.3-4):

ātmānaṁ rathinaṁ viddhi śarīraṁ ratham eva tu buddhiṁ tu sārathiṁ viddhi manaḥ pragraham eva ca

indriyāṇi hayān āhur viṣayāṁs teṣu gocarān ātmendriya-mano-yuktaṁ bhoktety āhur manīṣiṇaḥ

Here it is said that the living entity is the passenger riding in the chariot of the body, which is offered by material nature. The intelligence is the charioteer, the mind constitutes the reins controlling the horses, and the senses are the horses. Thus the living entity is the false enjoyer of the material world.

One who is advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can control the mind and intelligence and in this way rein in the horses, the senses, even though they are very powerful. One who can control the senses by his mind and intelligence can very easily approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or Viṣṇu, who is the ultimate goal of life. Tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padaṁ sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ. Those who are actually advanced approach Lord Viṣṇu, their ultimate goal. Such people are never captivated by Lord Viṣṇu’s external energy, the material world.

Translation

Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya continued, “What shall I do? My mind has brought me here. I could not consider going first to Lord Jagannātha’s temple.”

Word meanings

āmi — I ; ki — what ; kariba — shall do ; mana — my mind ; ihāṅ — here ; lañā — taking ; āila — arrived ; jagannātha - daraśane — to see Lord Jagannātha ; vicāra — consideration ; nā — did not ; kaila — make .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised, “Immediately go to Lord Jagannātha’s temple to see the Lord. Then go home and meet your family members.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; śīghra giyā — going hastily ; kara daraśana — see Lord Jagannātha ; aiche — similarly ; ghara yāi’ — going home ; kara — just do ; kuṭumba — family ; milana — meeting .

Translation

Having received Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s permission, Rāmānanda Rāya hastily went to the temple of Lord Jagannātha. Who can understand the devotional service of Rāya Rāmānanda?

Word meanings

prabhu ājñā — the Lord’s permission ; pāñā — getting ; rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya ; calilā — departed ; daraśane — to see Lord Jagannātha ; rāyera — of Rāmānanda Rāya ; prema - bhakti — of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa ; rīti — process ; bujhe — understands ; kon jane — what person .

Translation

When King Pratāparudra returned to Jagannātha Purī, he called for Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya. When the Bhaṭṭācārya went to see the King, the King offered him respects and made the following inquiries.

Word meanings

kṣetre — to Jagannātha Purī ; āsi’ — coming ; rājā — the King ; sārvabhaume — for Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; bolāilā — called ; sārvabhaume — unto Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; namaskari’ — offering obeisances ; tāṅhāre puchilā — he asked him .

Translation

The King asked, “Have you submitted my petition to the Lord?”

Word meanings

mora lāgi’ — on my behalf ; prabhu - pade — at the lotus feet of the Lord ; kaile nivedana — did you submit my petition ; sārvabhauma kahe — Sārvabhauma replied ; kainu — I did ; aneka yatana — much endeavor .

Purport

Sārvabhauma replied, “Yes, with much endeavor I have tried my best.

Translation

“Yet despite my great endeavor, the Lord would not agree to see a king. Indeed, He said that if He were asked again, He would quit Jagannātha Purī and go elsewhere.”

Word meanings

tathāpi — yet ; nā kare — does not do ; teṅha — He ; rāja - daraśana — visiting a king ; kṣetra chāḍi’ — leaving Jagannātha-kṣetra ; yābena — He will go away ; punaḥ — again ; yadi — if ; kari nivedana — I request .

Translation

Hearing this, the King became very unhappy and, greatly lamenting, began to speak as follows.

Word meanings

śuniyā — hearing ; rājāra — of the King ; mane — in the mind ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; upajila — arose ; viṣāda — lamentation ; kariyā — doing ; kichu — something ; kahite — to speak ; lāgila — began .

Translation

The King said, “Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has descended just to deliver all kinds of sinful, lowborn persons. Consequently He has delivered sinners like Jagāi and Mādhāi.

Word meanings

pāpī — sinful ; nīca — lowborn ; uddhārite — to deliver ; tāṅra — His ; avatāra — incarnation ; jagāi — Jagāi ; mādhāi — Mādhāi ; teṅha — He ; karilā uddhāra — delivered .

Translation

“Alas, has Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu incarnated to deliver all kinds of sinners with the exception of a king named Mahārāja Pratāparudra?

Word meanings

pratāparudra chāḍi’ — except for Pratāparudra ; karibe — He will do ; jagat — of the whole universe ; nistāra — deliverance ; ei pratijñā — this promise ; kari’ — making ; kariyāchena — has made ; avatāra — incarnation .

Purport

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission is thus described by Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura: patita-pāvana-hetu tava avatāra/ mo-sama patita prabhu nā pāibe āra. If Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu descended to reclaim sinners, then one who is the most sinful and lowborn is the first candidate for the Lord’s consideration. Mahārāja Pratāparudra considered himself a most fallen soul because he had to deal with material things constantly and enjoy material profits. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s business was the deliverance of the most fallen. How, then, could He reject the King? The more fallen a person is, the more he has the right to be delivered by the Lord — provided, of course, he surrenders unto the Lord. Mahārāja Pratāparudra was a fully surrendered soul; therefore the Lord could not refuse him on the grounds that he was a worldly pounds-shillings man.

Translation

“ ‘Alas, has Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu made His advent deciding that He will deliver all others with the exception of me? He bestows His merciful glance upon many lower-class men who are usually not even to be seen.’ ”

Word meanings

adarśanīyān — upon those who are unfit to be seen ; api — although ; nīca - jātīn — the lower class of men ; saṁvīkṣate — puts His merciful glance ; hanta — alas ; tathā api — still ; na u — not ; mām — upon me ; mat — myself ; eka — alone ; varjam — rejecting ; kṛpayiṣyati — He will bestow His mercy ; iti — thus ; nirṇīya — deciding ; kim — whether ; saḥ — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; avatatāra — has descended ; devaḥ — the Supreme Personality of Godhead .

Purport

This verse is found in the Śrī Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka (8.28).

Translation

Mahārāja Pratāparudra continued, “If Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is determined not to see me, then I am determined to give up my life if I do not see Him.

Word meanings

tāṅra pratijñā — His determination ; more — unto me ; nā — not ; karibe — will do ; daraśana — seeing ; mora pratijñā — my promise ; tāṅhā vinā — without Him ; chāḍiba — I will give up ; jīvana — life .

Purport

A devotee with Mahārāja Pratāparudra’s determination will certainly be victorious in advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrī Kṛṣṇa confirms this in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.14) :

satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā nitya-yuktā upāsate

“Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.”

These are the symptoms of a mahātmā engaged in the Lord’s service in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Thus Mahārāja Pratāparudra’s determination is very much exalted and is called dṛḍha-vrata. Because of this determination, he was finally able to receive Lord Caitanya’s direct mercy.

Translation

“If I do not receive Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy, my body and my kingdom are certainly useless.”

Word meanings

yadi — if ; sei — that ; mahāprabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nā — not ; pāi — I get ; kṛpā - dhana — the treasure of mercy ; kibā rājya — what is the value of my kingdom ; kibā deha — what is the value of this body ; saba akāraṇa — everything useless .

Purport

This is an excellent example of dṛḍha-vrata, determination. If one does not receive the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s mercy, one’s life is defeated. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.5.5) it is said: parābhavas tāvad abodha-jāto yāvan na jijñāsata ātma-tattvam. Unless one inquires into spiritual life, everything is useless. Without spiritual inquiry, our labor and the object of our labor are simply a waste of time.

Translation

Hearing King Pratāparudra’s determination, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya became thoughtful. Indeed, he was very much astonished to see the King’s determination.

Word meanings

eta śuni’ — hearing this ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma ; ha - ilā — became ; cintita — very thoughtful ; rājāra — of the King ; anurāga — attachment ; dekhi’ — seeing ; ha - ilā — became ; vismita — astonished .

Purport

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya was astonished because such determination is not possible for a worldly man attached to material enjoyment. The King certainly had ample opportunity for material enjoyment, but he was thinking that his kingdom and everything else was useless if he could not see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This is certainly sufficient cause for astonishment. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is stated that bhakti, devotional service, must be unconditional. No material impediments can actually check the advancement of devotional service, be it executed by a common man or a king. In any case, devotional service rendered to the Lord is always complete, despite the devotee’s material position. Devotional service is so exalted that it can be executed by anyone in any position. One must simply be dṛḍha-vrata, firmly determined.

Translation

Finally Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya said, “My dear King, do not worry. Because of your firm determination, I am sure that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy will definitely be bestowed upon you.”

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya kahe — the Bhaṭṭācārya said ; deva — O King ; nā kara viṣāda — do not be worried ; tomāre — unto you ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; avaśya — certainly ; ha - ibe — there must be ; prasāda — mercy .

Purport

Due to King Pratāparudra’s firm determination, the Bhaṭṭācārya predicted that the King would receive Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy without fail. As confirmed elsewhere in Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Madhya 19.151) , guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja: “By the mercy of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa, one gets the seed of devotional service.” The Bhaṭṭācārya was the spiritual master of King Pratāparudra, and he gave his blessings to the effect that the Lord would be merciful upon the King. The mercy of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa combine to grant success to a devotee engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is confirmed by the Vedas:

yasya deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ prakāśante mahātmanaḥ

“Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.” ( Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.23)

Mahārāja Pratāparudra had firm faith in the Bhaṭṭācārya, who declared Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Having firm faith in the Bhaṭṭācārya as his spiritual master, King Pratāparudra immediately accepted Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as the Supreme Lord. Thus he began worshiping Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in his mind. This is the process of devotional service. According to Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.34) :

man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru mām evaiṣyasi yuktvaivam ātmānaṁ mat-parāyaṇaḥ

“Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.”

This process is very simple. One need only be firmly convinced by the spiritual master that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If one decides this, he can make further progress by thinking of Kṛṣṇa, chanting of Kṛṣṇa and glorifying Him. There is then no doubt that such a fully surrendered devotee will receive the blessings of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya explains this further.

Translation

As soon as the Bhaṭṭācārya saw the King’s firm determination, he declared, “The Supreme Lord is approached only by pure love. Your love for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is very, very deep; therefore without a doubt He will be merciful upon you.”

Word meanings

teṅha — He (Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu) ; prema - adhīna — under the control of love ; tomāra prema — your love ; gāḍha - tara — very deep ; avaśya — certainly ; karibena kṛpā — He will bestow mercy ; tomāra upara — upon you .

Purport

Such determination is the first qualification. As confirmed by Rūpa Gosvāmī ( Upadeśāmṛta 3): utsāhān niścayād dhairyāt. One must first have firm determination, firm faith. When one engages in devotional service, he must maintain this firm determination. Then Kṛṣṇa will be pleased with his service. The spiritual master can show the path of devotional service. If the disciple follows the principles rigidly and undeviatingly, he will certainly receive the mercy of Kṛṣṇa. This is confirmed by the śāstras.

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya then suggested, “There is one means by which you can directly see Him.

Word meanings

tathāpi — still ; kahiye — say ; āmi — I ; eka upāya — one means ; ei upāya — this means ; kara’ — try to adopt ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhibe — will see you ; yāhāya — by that .

Translation

“On the day of the car festival, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will dance before the Deity in great ecstatic love.

Word meanings

ratha - yātrā - dine — on the day of the car festival ceremony ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; saba — all ; bhakta — devotees ; lañā — taking with Him ; ratha — the car ; āge — in front of ; nṛtya karibena — will dance ; prema - āviṣṭa hañā — in great ecstatic love .

Translation

“On that Ratha-yātrā festival day, after dancing before the Lord, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will enter the Guṇḍicā garden. At that time you should go there alone, without your royal dress.

Word meanings

prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; puṣpa - udyāne — into the garden at Guṇḍicā where the Lord stays ; karibena praveśa — will enter ; sei - kāle — at that time ; ekale — alone ; tumi — you ; chāḍi’ — giving up ; rāja - veśa — the royal dress .

Translation

“When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu enters the Guṇḍicā garden, you should also go there and read the five chapters of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam about Lord Kṛṣṇa’s dancing with the gopīs. In this way you can catch hold of the Lord’s lotus feet.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - rāsa - pañca - adhyāya — the five chapters in the Tenth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in which Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes of the rāsa dance are described ; karite paṭhana — to recite ; ekale yāi’ — going alone ; mahāprabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dharibe caraṇa — catch hold of the lotus feet .

Translation

“Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will be in a mood of ecstatic love, without external consciousness. At that time, as you recite those chapters from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, He will embrace you, knowing you to be a pure Vaiṣṇava.

Word meanings

bāhya - jñāna nāhi — without external consciousness ; se - kāle — at that time ; kṛṣṇa - nāma śuni’ — by hearing the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; āliṅgana karibena — He will embrace ; tomāya — you ; vaiṣṇava jāni’ — taking you to be a Vaiṣṇava .

Purport

A Vaiṣṇava is always ready to help another Vaiṣṇava progress toward realization of the Absolute Truth. Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya could understand the King’s position as a pure Vaiṣṇava. The King was always thinking of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and the Bhaṭṭācārya wanted to help him approach the Lord. A Vaiṣṇava is always compassionate, especially when he sees a prospective devotee very determined ( dṛḍha-vrata ). Consequently the Bhaṭṭācārya was ready to help the King.

Translation

“The Lord has already changed His mind due to Rāmānanda Rāya’s description of your pure love for Him.”

Word meanings

rāmānanda rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya ; āji — today ; tomāra — your ; prema - guṇa — quality of love ; prabhu - āge — in front of the Lord ; kahite — when he described ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; phiri’ gela — became changed ; mana — the mind .

Purport

At first the Lord did not want to see the King, but due to the Bhaṭṭācārya’s and Rāmānanda Rāya’s earnest endeavors, the Lord’s mind was changed. The Lord already declared that Kṛṣṇa would be merciful upon the King due to the King’s service to the devotees. This is the process by which one can advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. First there must be the devotee’s mercy; then Kṛṣṇa’s mercy will descend. Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo/ yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi. Our first duty, therefore, is to satisfy the spiritual master, who can arrange for the Lord’s mercy. A common man must first begin to serve the spiritual master, or the devotee. Then, through the mercy of the devotee, the Lord will be satisfied. Unless one receives the dust of a devotee’s lotus feet on one’s head, there is no possibility of advancement. This is also confirmed by a statement of Prahlāda Mahārāja’s in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.5.32) :

naiṣāṁ matis tāvad urukramāṅghriṁ spṛśaty anarthāpagamo yad-arthaḥ mahīyasāṁ pāda-rajo-’bhiṣekaṁ niṣkiñcanānāṁ na vṛṇīta yāvat

Unless one approaches a pure devotee, he cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Mahārāja Pratāparudra worshiped both Rāmānanda Rāya and Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya. Thus he touched the lotus feet of pure devotees and was able thereby to approach Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Translation

Mahārāja Pratāparudra took the Bhaṭṭācārya’s advice and firmly decided to follow his instructions. Thus he felt transcendental happiness.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; gajapatira — of King Pratāparudra ; mane — in the mind ; sukha — happiness ; upajila — awakened ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; milite — to meet ; ei — this ; mantraṇā — instruction ; dṛḍha kaila — decided to accept rigidly .

Translation

When the King asked the Bhaṭṭācārya when the bathing ceremony [Snāna-yātrā] of Lord Jagannātha would take place, the Bhaṭṭācārya replied that there were only three days left before the ceremony.

Word meanings

snāna - yātrā — the bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannātha ; kabe — when ; habe — will be ; puchila — he inquired ; bhaṭṭere — from the Bhaṭṭācārya ; bhaṭṭa kahe — the Bhaṭṭācārya said ; tina dina — three days ; āchaye — there are still ; yātrāre — until the festival .

Translation

After thus encouraging the King, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya returned home. On the day of Lord Jagannātha’s bathing ceremony, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very happy at heart.

Word meanings

rājāre — the King ; prabodhiyā — encouraging ; bhaṭṭa — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; gelā — departed ; nija - ālaya — to his own home ; snāna - yātrā - dine — on the day of the bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannātha ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ānanda — full of happiness ; hṛdaya — heart .

Translation

Upon seeing the bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannātha, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became very happy. But when Lord Jagannātha retired after the ceremony, Lord Caitanya became very unhappy because He could not see Him.

Word meanings

snāna - yātrā — the bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannātha ; dekhi’ — seeing ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; haila — became ; baḍa — very much ; sukha — happiness ; īśvarera — of the Lord ; anavasare — during the pastime of retirement ; pāila — got ; baḍa — very much ; duḥkha — unhappiness .

Purport

After the bathing ceremony of Śrī Jagannātha, which takes place just a fortnight before the Ratha-yātrā ceremony, the body of the Lord Jagannātha Deity is repainted, and this takes just about a fortnight to complete. This period is called Anavasara. There are many who visit the temple to see Lord Jagannātha regularly every day, and for them His retirement after the bathing ceremony is unbearable. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu felt Lord Jagannātha’s absence from the temple very much.

Translation

Due to separation from Lord Jagannātha, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu felt the same great anxiety the gopīs feel in separation from Kṛṣṇa. In this condition He gave up all association and went to Ālālanātha.

Word meanings

gopī - bhāve — in the mood of the gopīs ; virahe — in separation ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vyākula — agitated ; hañā — being ; ālālanāthe — to Ālālanātha ; gelā — went ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sabāre — all ; chāḍiyā — having given up .

Translation

The devotees who had followed the Lord came into His presence and requested Him to return to Purī. They submitted that the devotees from Bengal were coming to Puruṣottama-kṣetra.

Word meanings

pāche — behind ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nikaṭa — in the presence ; āilā — came ; bhakta - gaṇa — the devotees ; gauḍa haite — from Bengal ; bhakta — devotees ; āise — come ; kaila nivedana — submitted .

Translation

In this way Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya brought Lord Caitanya back to Jagannātha Purī. He then went to King Pratāparudra and informed him of the Lord’s arrival.

Word meanings

sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; nīlācale — to Jagannātha Purī ; āilā — came ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; lañā — taking ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āilā — arrived ; rājā - ṭhāñi — to the King ; kahilena — said ; giyā — after going .

Translation

At this time, Gopīnātha Ācārya came there while Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya was with King Pratāparudra. Being a brāhmaṇa, he offered his benediction to the King and addressed Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya as follows.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — during this time ; āilā — came ; tathā — there ; gopīnātha - ācārya — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; rājāke — unto the King ; āśīrvāda kari’ — offering a benediction ; kahe — said ; śuna bhaṭṭācārya — my dear Bhaṭṭācārya, kindly listen .

Translation

“About two hundred devotees are coming from Bengal. All of them are greatly advanced and specifically devoted to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

gauḍa haite — from Bengal ; vaiṣṇava — devotees ; āsitechena — are coming ; dui - śata — numbering about two hundred ; mahāprabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta — the devotees ; saba — all ; mahā - bhāgavata — greatly advanced devotees .

Translation

“All of them have already arrived on the bank of Lake Narendra and are waiting there. I desire residential quarters and prasādam arrangements for them.”

Word meanings

narendre — on the bank of Lake Narendra ; āsiyā — coming ; sabe — all of them ; haila vidyamāna — staying ; tāṅ - sabāre — for all of them ; cāhi — I want ; vāsā — residential quarters ; prasāda — for distributing prasādam ; samādhāna — arrangement .

Purport

Narendra is a small lake still existing in Jagannātha Purī, where the Candana-yātrā festival takes place. Up to the present date, all the Bengali devotees who visit the Jagannātha temple first take their bath in this lake. There they wash their hands and feet before entering the temple.

Translation

The King replied, “I shall give orders to the attendant in the temple. He will arrange for everyone’s residential quarters and prasādam, as you desire.

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King said ; paḍichāke — unto the attendant ; āmi — I ; ājñā diba — shall give orders ; vāsā — residential quarters ; ādi — and other arrangements ; ye cāhiye — whatever you want ; paḍichā — the attendant ; saba — everything ; diba — will supply .

Translation

“Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, please show me, one after another, all of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s devotees who are coming from Bengal.”

Word meanings

mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gaṇa — associates ; yata — all ; āila — who have come ; gauḍa haite — from Bengal ; bhaṭṭācārya — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; eke eke — one after another ; dekhāha — please show ; āmāte — to me .

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya requested the King, “Go up on the roof of the palace. Gopīnātha Ācārya knows every one of the devotees. He will identify them for you.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭa kahe — the Bhaṭṭācārya said ; aṭṭālikāya — on the roof of the palace ; kara ārohaṇa — just go up ; gopīnātha — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; cine — knows ; sabāre — everyone ; karābe daraśana — he will show .

Translation

“Actually I do not know any of them, although I have a desire to know them. Since Gopīnātha Ācārya knows them all, he will give you their names.”

Word meanings

āmi — I ; kāho — anyone ; nāhi — do not ; cini — know ; cinite mana haya — I desire to know ; gopīnātha - ācārya — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; sabāre — all of them ; karā’be paricaya — will identify .

Translation

After Sārvabhauma said this, he went up to the top of the palace with the King and Gopīnātha Ācārya. At this time all the Vaiṣṇava devotees from Bengal drew closer to the palace.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; tina jana — the three persons (namely, the King, Gopīnātha Ācārya and Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya) ; aṭṭālikāya — on the roof of the palace ; caḍila — went up ; hena - kāle — at this time ; vaiṣṇava — the Vaiṣṇava devotees ; saba — all ; nikaṭe — nearby ; āila — came .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara and Govinda, taking the flower garlands and prasādam of Lord Jagannātha, proceeded to where all the Vaiṣṇavas were standing.

Word meanings

dāmodara - svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara ; govinda — Govinda ; dui jana — two persons ; mālā - prasāda — flower garlands and remnants of Lord Jagannātha’s food ; lañā — taking ; yāya — went ; yāhāṅ — where ; vaiṣṇava - gaṇa — the Vaiṣṇavas .

Translation

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu first sent those two persons in advance. The King inquired, “Who are these two? Please let me know their identities.”

Word meanings

prathamete — at first ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; pāṭhāilā — sent ; duṅhāre — two persons ; rājā kahe — the King said ; ei dui — these two ; kon — who are they ; cināha — kindly identify ; āmāre — to me .

Translation

Śrī Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya replied, “Here is Svarūpa Dāmodara, who is practically the second expansion of the body of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya kahe — the Bhaṭṭācārya said ; ei — this gentleman ; svarūpa - dāmodara — his name is Svarūpa Dāmodara ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; haya — is ; iṅha — he ; dvitīya — the second ; kalevara — expansion of the body .

Translation

“The second person is Govinda, Lord Caitanya’s personal servant. The Lord has sent garlands and remnants of Lord Jagannātha’s food with these two persons simply to honor the devotees from Bengal.”

Word meanings

dvitīya — the second ; govinda — Govinda ; bhṛtya — personal servant ; ihāṅ — here ; doṅhā diyā — through these two persons ; mālā — flower garlands ; pāṭhāñāchena — has sent ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gaurava kariyā — giving much honor .

Translation

At the beginning, Svarūpa Dāmodara came forward and garlanded Advaita Ācārya. Govinda next came and offered a second garland to Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

ādau — in the beginning ; mālā — a garland ; advaitere — unto Advaita Ācārya ; svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara ; parāila — offered ; pāche — after that ; govinda — Govinda, the Lord’s personal servant ; dvitīya — a second ; mālā — garland ; āni’ — bringing ; tāṅre dila — delivered to Him .

Translation

When Govinda offered his obeisances by falling down flat before Advaita Ācārya, Advaita Ācārya asked Svarūpa Dāmodara about his identity, for He did not know Govinda at that time.

Word meanings

tabe — at that time ; govinda — Govinda ; daṇḍavat — falling flat to offer obeisances ; kaila — did ; ācāryere — unto Advaita Ācārya ; tāṅre — him ; nāhi — not ; cine — recognized ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; puchila — inquired ; dāmodare — to Svarūpa Dāmodara .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara informed Him, “Govinda was the servant of Īśvara Purī. He is very highly qualified.

Word meanings

dāmodara kahe — Dāmodara said ; ihāra — of him ; govinda — Govinda ; nāma — the name ; īśvara - purīra sevaka — servant of Īśvara Purī ; ati guṇavān — very much qualified .

Translation

“Īśvara Purī ordered Govinda to serve Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Thus the Lord keeps him by His side.”

Word meanings

prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sevā — the service ; karite — to perform ; purī — Īśvara Purī ; ājñā dila — ordered ; ataeva — therefore ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; iṅhāke — him ; nikaṭe — by His side ; rākhila — kept .

Translation

The King inquired, “To whom did Svarūpa Dāmodara and Govinda offer the two garlands? His bodily effulgence is so great that He must be a very great devotee. Please let me know who He is.”

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King inquired ; yāṅre — unto which person ; mālā — garlands ; dila — offered ; dui - jana — Svarūpa Dāmodara and Govinda ; āścarya teja — wonderfully effulgent ; baḍa mahānta — a very great devotee ; kaha kon jana — kindly let me know who He is .

Translation

Gopīnātha Ācārya replied, “His name is Advaita Ācārya. He is honored even by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and He is therefore the topmost devotee.

Word meanings

ācārya kahe — Gopīnātha Ācārya said ; iṅhāra nāma — His name ; advaita ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mānya - pātra — honorable ; sarva - śirodhārya — the topmost devotee .

Translation

“Here are Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita, Vakreśvara Paṇḍita, Vidyānidhi Ācārya and Gadādhara Paṇḍita.

Word meanings

śrīvāsa - paṇḍita — Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita ; iṅha — here ; paṇḍita - vakreśvara — Vakreśvara Paṇḍita ; vidyānidhi - ācārya — Vidyānidhi Ācārya ; iṅha — here ; paṇḍita - gadādhara — Gadādhara Paṇḍita .

Translation

“Here are Ācāryaratna, Purandara Paṇḍita, Gaṅgādāsa Paṇḍita and Śaṅkara Paṇḍita.

Word meanings

ācāryaratna — Candraśekhara ; iṅha — here ; paṇḍita - purandara — Purandara Paṇḍita ; gaṅgādāsa paṇḍita — Gaṅgādāsa Paṇḍita ; iṅha — here ; paṇḍita - śaṅkara — Śaṅkara Paṇḍita .

Translation

“Here are Murāri Gupta, Paṇḍita Nārāyaṇa and Haridāsa Ṭhākura, the deliverer of the whole universe.

Word meanings

ei — this ; murāri gupta — Murāri Gupta ; iṅha — here ; paṇḍita nārāyaṇa — Nārāyaṇa Paṇḍita ; haridāsa ṭhākura — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; iṅha — here ; bhuvana - pāvana — deliverer of the whole universe .

Translation

“Here is Hari Bhaṭṭa, and there is Nṛsiṁhānanda. Here are Vāsudeva Datta and Śivānanda Sena.

Word meanings

ei — this ; hari - bhaṭṭa — Hari Bhaṭṭa ; ei — this ; śrī - nṛsiṁhānanda — Śrī Nṛsiṁhānanda ; ei — this ; vāsudeva datta — Vāsudeva Datta ; ei — this ; śivānanda — Śivānanda .

Translation

“Here also are Govinda Ghoṣa, Mādhava Ghoṣa and Vāsudeva Ghoṣa. They are three brothers, and their saṅkīrtana, congregational chanting, pleases the Lord very much.

Word meanings

govinda — Govinda Ghoṣa ; mādhava ghoṣa — Mādhava Ghoṣa ; ei — this ; vāsu - ghoṣa — Vāsudeva Ghoṣa ; tina bhāira — of the three brothers ; kīrtane — in the saṅkīrtana ; prabhu — the Lord ; pāyena santoṣa — gets very much pleasure .

Purport

Govinda Ghoṣa belonged to the kāyastha dynasty of the Uttara-rāḍhīya section, and he was known as Ghoṣa Ṭhākura. Even to the present day there is a place named Agradvīpa, near Katwa, where a fair takes place and is named after Ghoṣa Ṭhākura. As far as Vāsudeva Ghoṣa is concerned, he composed many nice songs about Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and these are all authorized Vaiṣṇava songs, like the songs of Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Locana dāsa Ṭhākura, Govinda dāsa Ṭhākura and other great Vaiṣṇavas.

Translation

“Here is Rāghava Paṇḍita, here is Nandana Ācārya, there is Śrīmān Paṇḍita, and here are Śrīkānta and Nārāyaṇa.”

Word meanings

rāghava paṇḍita — Rāghava Paṇḍita ; iṅha — here ; ācārya nandana — Nandana Ācārya ; śrīmān paṇḍita — Śrīmān Paṇḍita ; ei — this ; śrīkānta — Śrīkānta ; nārāyaṇa — and also Nārāyaṇa .

Purport

Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, honoring the personal associates of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, has sung as follows ( Prārthanā 13):

gaurāṅgera saṅgi-gaṇe nitya-siddha kari’ māne se yāya vrajendra-suta-pāśa

One who is intelligent understands that all the personal associates and devotees of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are ever liberated. This means that because they are always engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, they do not belong to this material world. One who is engaged in the Lord’s devotional service twenty-four hours daily and never forgets the Lord is called nitya-siddha. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī confirms this statement:

īhā yasya harer dāsye karmaṇā manasā girā nikhilāsv apy avasthāsu jīvan-muktaḥ sa ucyate

“A person acting in the service of Kṛṣṇa with body, mind, intelligence and words is a liberated person even within the material world, although he may be engaged in many so-called material activities.” ( Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, 1.2.187)

A devotee is always thinking of how better to serve Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and how to broadcast His name, fame and qualities throughout the world. One who is nitya-siddha has no business other than broadcasting the glories of the Lord all over the world according to his ability. Such people are already associates of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Therefore Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says, nitya-siddha kari’ māne. One should not think that because Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was personally present five hundred years ago, only His associates were liberated. Rather, Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says that anyone is a nitya-siddha if he acts on behalf of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu by spreading the glories of the holy name of the Lord. We should respect those devotees preaching the glories of the Lord as nitya-siddha and should not consider them conditioned.

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

( Bg. 14.26 )

One who has transcended the material modes of nature is said to be on the Brahman platform. That is also the platform of nitya-siddha. The nitya-siddha not only stays on the Brahman platform but also works on that platform. Simply by accepting the associates of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu as nitya-siddha, one can very easily go back home, back to Godhead.

Translation

Gopīnātha Ācārya continued to point out the devotees: “Here is Śuklāmbara. See, there is Śrīdhara. Here is Vijaya, and there is Vallabha Sena. Here is Puruṣottama, and there is Sañjaya.

Word meanings

śuklāmbara — Śuklāmbara ; dekha — see ; ei — this ; śrīdhara — Śrīdhara ; vijaya — Vijaya ; vallabha - sena — Vallabha Sena ; ei — this ; puruṣottama — Puruṣottama ; sañjaya — Sañjaya .

Translation

“And here are all the residents of Kulīna-grāma, such as Satyarāja Khān and Rāmānanda. Indeed, all of them are present here. Please see.

Word meanings

kulīna - grāma - vāsī — residents of the village known as Kulīna-grāma ; ei — these ; satyarāja - khāna — Satyarāja Khān ; rāmānanda - ādi — headed by Rāmānanda ; sabe — everyone ; dekha — you see ; vidyamāna — present .

Translation

“Here are Mukunda dāsa, Narahari, Śrī Raghunandana, Cirañjīva and Sulocana, all residents of Khaṇḍa.

Word meanings

mukunda - dāsa — Mukunda dāsa ; narahari — Narahari ; śrī - raghunandana — Śrī Raghunandana ; khaṇḍa - vāsī — residents of Khaṇḍa ; cirañjīva — Cirañjīva ; āra — and ; sulocana — Sulocana .

Translation

“How many names shall I speak to you? All the devotees you see here are associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is their life and soul.”

Word meanings

kateka kahiba — how many shall I speak ; ei — these ; dekha — see ; yata jana — all the persons ; caitanyera gaṇa — associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; saba — all of them ; caitanya - jīvana — consider Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu their life and soul .

Translation

The King said, “Upon seeing all these devotees, I am very much astonished, for I have never seen such an effulgence.

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King said ; dekhi’ — after seeing ; mora — my ; haila — there is ; camatkāra — astonishment ; vaiṣṇavera — of the devotees of the Lord ; aiche — such ; teja — effulgence ; dekhi — I see ; nāhi — not ; āra — anyone else .

Translation

“Indeed, their effulgence is like the brilliance of a million suns. Nor have I ever heard the Lord’s names chanted so melodiously.

Word meanings

koṭi - sūrya - sama — equal to the shining of millions of suns ; saba — all of them ; ujjvala - varaṇa — very bright luster ; kabhu nāhi śuni — I have never heard ; ei — this ; madhura kīrtana — such melodious performance of congregational chanting .

Purport

Such are the symptoms of pure devotees when they are chanting. All the pure devotees are as bright as sunshine, and their bodily luster is very effulgent. In addition, their performance of saṅkīrtana is unparalleled. There are many professional chanters who can perform congregational chanting with various musical instruments in an artistic and musical way, but their chanting cannot be as attractive as the congregational chanting of pure devotees. If a devotee sticks strictly to the principles governing Vaiṣṇava behavior, his bodily luster will naturally be attractive, and his singing and chanting of the holy names of the Lord will be effective. People will appreciate such kīrtana without hesitation. Even dramas about the pastimes of Lord Caitanya or Śrī Kṛṣṇa should be played by devotees. Such dramas will immediately interest an audience and be full of potency. The students of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness should note these two points and try to apply these principles in their spreading of the Lord’s glories.

Translation

“I have never before seen such ecstatic love, nor heard the vibration of the holy name of the Lord chanted in such a way, nor seen such dancing during saṅkīrtana.”

Word meanings

aiche — such ; prema — ecstatic love ; aiche nṛtya — such dancing ; aiche hari - dhvani — such vibration of the chanting of the holy name ; kāhāṅ — anywhere ; nāhi dekhi — I have never seen ; aiche — such ; kāhāṅ — anywhere ; nāhi śuni — I never heard .

Purport

Because the temple of Lord Jagannātha is situated at Jagannātha Purī, many devotees from all parts of the world came to perform saṅkīrtana in glorification of the Lord. All these devotees were certainly seen and heard by Mahārāja Pratāparudra, but he herein admits that the kīrtana performed by the associates of the Lord was unique. He had never before heard such saṅkīrtana nor seen such attractive features manifest by the devotees. The members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness should go to India during the birthday ceremony of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu at Māyāpur and perform saṅkīrtana congregationally. This will attract the attention of all the important personalities in India, just as the beauty, bodily luster and saṅkīrtana performance by the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu attracted the attention of Mahārāja Pratāparudra. The associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu were unlimited during the Lord’s presence on this planet, but anyone who is pure in life and devoted to the mission of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is to be understood as a nitya-siddha associate of the Lord.

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya replied, “This sweet transcendental sound is a special creation of the Lord known as prema-saṅkīrtana, congregational chanting in love of Godhead.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; kahe — replied ; ei — this ; madhura vacana — transcendental sweetness of the voice ; caitanyera sṛṣṭi — the creation of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ei — this ; prema - saṅkīrtana — chanting in the ecstasy of love of Godhead .

Translation

“In this Age of Kali, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has descended to preach the religion of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore the chanting of the holy names of Lord Kṛṣṇa is the religious principle for this age.

Word meanings

avatari’ — descending ; caitanya — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kaila — did ; dharma - pracāraṇa — preaching of real religion ; kali - kāle — in this Age of Kali ; dharma — religious principle ; kṛṣṇa - nāma — of the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; saṅkīrtana — chanting .

Translation

“Anyone who worships Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu by congregational chanting should be understood to be very intelligent. One who does not do so must be considered a victim of this age and bereft of all intelligence.

Word meanings

saṅkīrtana - yajñe — in the performance of congregational chanting ; tāṅre — unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kare — does ; ārādhana — worship ; sei ta’ — such a person ; su - medhā — sharply intelligent ; āra — others ; kali - hata - jana — victims of this Age of Kali .

Purport

Rascals propose that anyone can invent his own religious process, and this proposition is condemned herein. If one actually wants to become religious, he must take up the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. The real meaning of religion is stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.3.19-22):

dharmaṁ tu sākṣād-bhagavat-praṇītaṁ na vai vidur ṛṣayo nāpi devāḥ na siddha-mukhyā asurā manuṣyāh kutaś ca vidyādhara-cāraṇādayaḥ

svayambhūr nāradaḥ śambhuḥ kumāraḥ kapilo manuḥ prahlādo janako bhīṣmo balir vaiyāsakir vayam

dvādaśaite vijānīmo dharmaṁ bhāgavataṁ bhaṭāḥ guhyaṁ viśuddhaṁ durbodhaṁ yaṁ jñātvāmṛtam aśnute

etāvān eva loke ’smin puṁsāṁ dharmaḥ paraḥ smṛtaḥ bhakti-yogo bhagavati tan-nāma-grahaṇādibhiḥ

The purport of these verses is that dharma, or religion, cannot be manufactured by a human being. Religion is the law or code of the Lord. Consequently religion cannot be manufactured even by great saintly persons, demigods or siddha-mukhyas, and what to speak of asuras, human beings, Vidyādharas, Cāraṇas, and so on. The principles of dharma, religion, come down in the paramparā system beginning with twelve personalities — namely, Lord Brahmā; the great saint Nārada; Lord Śiva; the four Kumāras; Kapila, the son of Devahūti; Svāyambhuva Manu; Prahlāda Mahārāja; King Janaka; grandfather Bhīṣma; Bali Mahārāja; Śukadeva Gosvāmī; and Yamarāja. The principles of religion are known to these twelve personalities. Dharma refers to the religious principles by which one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Dharma is very confidential, uncontaminated by any material influence, and very difficult for ordinary men to understand. However, if one actually understands dharma, he immediately becomes liberated and is transferred to the kingdom of God. Bhāgavata-dharma, or the principle of religion enunciated by the paramparā system, is the supreme principle of religion. In other words, dharma refers to the science of bhakti-yoga, which begins by the novice’s chanting the holy name of the Lord ( tan-nāma-grahaṇādibhiḥ ).

Therefore in this Age of Kali, as recommended here in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (text 98), kali-kāle dharma — kṛṣṇa-nāma- saṅkīrtana: the chanting of the holy name of the Lord is the method of religion approved by all Vedic scriptures. In the next text of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.5.32) , this principle is further stressed.

Translation

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

Word meanings

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

Purport

For an explanation of this verse, refer to Ādi-līlā, chapter three, verse 52.

Translation

The King said, “According to evidence given in the revealed scriptures, it is concluded that Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. Why, then, are learned scholars sometimes indifferent to Him?”

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King said ; śāstra - pramāṇe — by the evidence of revealed scripture ; caitanya — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; hana — is ; kṛṣṇa — the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tabe — therefore ; kene — why ; paṇḍita — so-called learned scholars ; saba — all ; tāṅhāte — unto Him ; vitṛṣṇa — indifferent .

Translation

The Bhaṭṭācārya replied, “A person who has received but a small fraction of mercy from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu can understand that He is Lord Kṛṣṇa. No one else can.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭa kahe — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya said ; tāṅra kṛpā — of Lord Caitanya’s mercy ; leśa — even a fraction ; haya — there is ; yāṅre — unto whom ; sei se — that person only ; tāṅhāre — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛṣṇa kari’ — accepting as Kṛṣṇa ; la - ite pāre — can take up .

Purport

The saṅkīrtana movement can be spread by a person who is especially favored by Lord Kṛṣṇa ( kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nahe tāra pravartana ). Without first obtaining the mercy of the Lord, one cannot spread the holy name of the Lord. One who can spread the Lord’s name is called labdha-caitanya in the words of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī. The labdha-caitanya is one who has actually awakened his original consciousness, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The influence of the pure devotees in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is such that it can awaken others to become immediately Kṛṣṇa conscious and engage themselves in the transcendental loving service of Kṛṣṇa. In this way the descendants of pure devotees increase, and Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu takes much pleasure in seeing the increase of His devotees. The word su-medhasaḥ means “sharply intelligent.” When one’s intelligence is sharp, he can increase the interests of common men in loving Caitanya Mahāprabhu and through Him in loving Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. Those not interested in understanding Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are simply material in their attempts at professional chanting and dancing for money, despite their supposed artistry. If one does not have full faith in Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he cannot properly chant and dance in the saṅkīrtana movement. Artificial chanting and dancing may be due to sentiments or sentimental agitation, but this cannot help one advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Translation

“If the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is not bestowed upon a person — regardless of how learned a scholar that person may be and regardless of his seeing or listening — he cannot accept Lord Caitanya as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Word meanings

tāṅra kṛpā — His mercy ; nahe — there is not ; yāre — unto whom ; paṇḍita — learned scholar ; nahe — even though ; kene — nevertheless ; dekhile — even by seeing ; śunileha — even by listening ; tāṅre — Him ; īśvara — as the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; nā māne — does not accept .

Purport

The same principles can be applied to demoniac persons, even though they be in the sampradāya of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Without receiving the Lord’s special power, one cannot preach His glories all over the world. Even though one may celebrate himself as a learned follower of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and even though one may attempt to preach the holy name of the Lord all over the world, if he is not favored by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu he will find fault with the pure devotee and will not be able to understand how a preacher is empowered by Lord Caitanya. One must be considered bereft of the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu when he criticizes the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement now spreading all over the world or finds fault with this movement or the leader of the movement.

Translation

“[Lord Brahmā said:] ‘My Lord, if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue to study the Vedas for many years.’ ”

Word meanings

atha — therefore ; api — indeed ; te — Your ; deva — my Lord ; pada - ambuja - dvaya — of the two lotus feet ; prasāda — of the mercy ; leśa — by only a trace ; anugṛhītaḥ — favored ; eva — certainly ; hi — indeed ; jānāti — one knows ; tattvam — the truth ; bhagavat — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; mahimnaḥ — of the greatness ; na — never ; ca — and ; anyaḥ — another ; ekaḥ — one ; api — although ; ciram — for a long period ; vicinvan — speculating .

Purport

This verse is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.14.29) . It is explained in the Madhya-līlā, in the sixth chapter, text 84.

Translation

The King said, “Instead of visiting the temple of Lord Jagannātha, all the devotees are running toward the residence of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King said ; sabe — all of them ; jagannātha — Lord Jagannātha ; nā dekhiyā — without visiting ; caitanyera — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vāsā - gṛhe — to the residential place ; calilā — they went ; dhāñā — running .

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya replied, “This is spontaneous love. All the devotees are very anxious to meet Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭa kahe — the Bhaṭṭācārya replied ; ei ta’ — this is ; svābhāvika — spontaneous ; prema - rīta — attraction of love ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; milibāre — for meeting ; utkaṇṭhita — anxious ; cita — mind .

Translation

“First the devotees will meet Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and then take Him with them to the temple to see Lord Jagannātha.”

Word meanings

āge — first ; tāṅre — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mili’ — meeting ; sabe — all the devotees ; tāṅre — Him ; saṅge — with them ; lañā — taking ; tāṅra saṅge — with Him ; jagannātha — Lord Jagannātha ; dekhibena — they will see ; giyā — going .

Translation

The King said, “The son of Bhavānanda Rāya named Vāṇīnātha, along with five or seven other men, went there to obtain the remnants of Lord Jagannātha’s food.

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King said ; bhavānandera putra — the son of Bhavānanda ; vāṇīnātha — Vāṇīnātha ; prasāda lañā — taking mahā-prasāda ; saṅge — along ; cale — goes ; pāṅca - sāta — five or seven men .

Translation

“Indeed, Vāṇīnātha has already gone to the residence of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and has taken a huge quantity of mahā-prasādam. Please let me know the reason for this.”

Word meanings

mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ālaye — the residential place ; karila gamana — he has already gone ; eta — so much ; mahā - prasāda — maha-prasādam ; cāhi’ — requiring ; kaha — please tell ; ki kāraṇa — what is the reason .

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya said, “Understanding that all the devotees have come, Lord Caitanya gave the sign, and therefore Vāṇīnātha and the others have brought such great quantities of mahā-prasādam.”

Word meanings

bhaṭṭa kahe — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya said ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; āila — have come ; jāniñā — knowing ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; iṅgite — by the indication ; prasāda — remnants of the food offered to Jagannātha ; yāya — go ; tāṅrā — all of them ; lañā — taking .

Translation

The King then asked the Bhaṭṭācārya, “Why have the devotees not observed the regulations for visiting the pilgrimage place, such as fasting, shaving and so on? Why have they first eaten prasādam?”

Word meanings

rājā kahe — the King said ; upavāsa — fasting ; kṣaura — shaving ; tīrthera vidhāna — this is the regulation for visiting a holy place ; tāhā — that ; nā kariyā — without performing ; kene — why ; khāiba — they shall eat ; anna - pāna — solid and liquid food .

Translation

The Bhaṭṭācārya told the King, “What you have said is right according to the regulative principles governing the visiting of holy places, but there is another path, which is the path of spontaneous love. According to those principles, there are subtle intricacies involved in the execution of religious principles.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭa kahe — the Bhaṭṭācārya said ; tumi yei kaha — whatever you say ; sei vidhi - dharma — that is a regulative principle ; ei rāga - mārge — in this spontaneous love ; āche — there are ; sūkṣma - dharma - marma — subtle intricacies of the religious system .

Purport

According to the Vedic regulative principles, one has to be celibate before entering a holy place of pilgrimage. Generally people are very much addicted to sense gratification, and unless they have sex at night, they cannot sleep. The regulative principles therefore enjoin that before a common man goes to a holy place of pilgrimage, he should observe complete celibacy. As soon as one enters a holy place, he must observe fasting for the day, and after shaving his head clean, he must take a bath in a river or ocean near the holy place. These methods are adopted to neutralize the effects of sinful activities. Visiting a holy place of pilgrimage means neutralizing the reactions of a sinful life. Those who go to holy places of pilgrimage actually unload the reactions of their sinful lives, and consequently holy places are overloaded with sinful activities left there by visitors.

When a saintly person or pure devotee visits such a holy place, he absorbs the sinful effects left by the common men and again purifies the holy place. Tīrthī-kurvanti tīrthāni ( Bhāg. 1.13.10 ). Therefore a common man’s visit to a holy place and an exalted saintly person’s visit there are different. The common man leaves his sins in the holy place, and a saintly person or devotee cleanses these sins simply by his presence. The devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu were not common men, and they could not be subjected to the rules and regulations governing the visiting of holy places. Rather, they exhibited their spontaneous love for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Immediately upon arrival at the holy place, they went to see Lord Caitanya, and by His order they took mahā-prasādam without following the regulations governing holy places.

Translation

“The scriptural injunctions for shaving and fasting are indirect orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, when there is a direct order from the Lord to take prasādam, naturally the devotees take prasādam as their first duty.

Word meanings

īśvarera — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; parokṣa — indirect ; ājñā — order ; kṣaura — shaving ; upoṣaṇa — fasting ; prabhura — of the Lord ; sākṣāt — direct ; ājñā — order ; prasāda - bhojana — to take the prasādam .

Translation

“When mahā-prasādam is not available, there must be fasting, but when the Supreme Personality of Godhead directly orders one to take prasādam, neglecting such an opportunity is offensive.

Word meanings

tāhāṅ — there ; upavāsa — fasting ; yāhāṅ — where ; nāhi — there is not ; mahā - prasāda — remnants of food of the Lord ; prabhu - ājñā — direct order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prasāda — remnants of food ; tyāge — giving up ; haya — there is ; aparādha — offense .

Translation

“When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is distributing prasādam with His transcendental hand, who will neglect such an opportunity and accept the regulative principle of fasting?

Word meanings

viśeṣe — especially ; śrī - haste — with His transcendental hands ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kare — does ; pariveśana — distribution ; eta — so much ; lābha — profit ; chāḍi’ — giving up ; kon — who ; kare — does ; upoṣaṇa — fasting .

Translation

“Previously the Lord gave me mahā-prasādam rice one morning, and I ate it just sitting on my bed, without having even washed my mouth.

Word meanings

pūrve — before this ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; more — unto me ; prasāda - anna — rice mahā-prasādam ; āni’ — bringing ; dila — delivered ; prāte — early in the morning ; śayyāya — on my bed ; vasi’ — sitting ; āmi — I ; se — that ; anna — rice ; khāila — ate .

Translation

“The man to whom the Lord shows His mercy by inspiring him within the heart takes shelter only of Lord Kṛṣṇa and abandons all Vedic and social customs.

Word meanings

yāṅre — in whomever ; kṛpā — mercy ; kari’ — bestowing ; karena — does ; hṛdaye — in the heart ; preraṇa — inspiration ; kṛṣṇa - āśraya — shelter of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; haya — there is ; chāḍe — he gives up ; veda — Vedic principles ; loka - dharma — social etiquette .

Purport

This is also the teaching of Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.66) :

sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ

“Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.” Such firm faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead is possible only by the mercy of the Lord. The Lord is sitting within everyone’s heart, and when He personally inspires His devotee, the devotee does not stick to the Vedic principles or social customs but rather devotes himself to the transcendental loving service of the Lord. This is confirmed in the following verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (4.29.46) .

Translation

“ ‘When one is inspired by the Lord, who is sitting in everyone’s heart, he does not care for social custom or Vedic regulative principles.’ ”

Word meanings

yadā — when ; yam — to whom ; anugṛhṇāti — shows special favor ; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; ātma - bhāvitaḥ — who is seated in everyone’s heart ; saḥ — that person ; jahāti — gives up ; matim — attention ; loke — to social behavior ; vede — to Vedic injunctions ; ca — also ; pariniṣṭhitām — attached .

Purport

This instruction ( Bhāg. 4.29.46 ) was given by Nārada Gosvāmī to King Prācīnabarhi in connection with the story of Purañjana. Here Nārada implies that without the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead one cannot extricate himself from the fruitive activities that are under the jurisdiction of the Vedas. In previous verses ( Bhāg. 4.29.42-44 ) Nārada admits that even personalities like Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, Manu, the Prajāpatis (headed by Dakṣa), the four Kumāras, Marīci, Atri, Aṅgirā, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Bhṛgu, Vasiṣṭha and even Nārada himself could not properly receive the causeless mercy of the Lord.

Translation

After this, King Pratāparudra came down from the top of his palace to the ground and called for Kāśī Miśra and the inspector of the temple.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; rājā — the King ; aṭṭālikā haite — from the top of the palace ; talete — to the ground ; āilā — came down ; kāśī - miśra — Kāśī Miśra ; paḍichā - pātra — the inspector of the temple ; duṅhe — both of them ; ānāilā — called for .

Translation

Mahārāja Pratāparudra then told both Kāśī Miśra and the temple inspector, “Provide all the devotees and associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with comfortable residences, convenient eating facilities for prasādam and convenient visiting arrangements at the temple so that there will not be any difficulty.

Word meanings

pratāparudra — King Pratāparudra ; ājñā dila — ordered ; sei dui jane — to those two persons ; prabhu - sthāne — at the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āsiyāchena — have arrived ; yata — all the devotees who ; prabhura gaṇe — associates of the Lord ; sabāre — to all of them ; svacchanda — convenient ; vāsā — residential places ; svacchanda — convenient ; prasāda — remnants of the food offered to Jagannātha ; svacchanda darśana — convenient visit ; karāiha — arrange for ; nahe yena bādha — so that there will not be any difficulties .

Translation

“The orders of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu must be carefully carried out. Although the Lord may not give direct orders, you are still to carry out His desires simply by understanding His indications.”

Word meanings

prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ājñā — the order ; pāliha — carry out ; duṅhe — both of you ; sāvadhāna — careful ; hañā — becoming ; ājñā nahe — although there is no direct order ; tabu — still ; kariha — do ; iṅgita — indication ; bujhiyā — understanding .

Translation

Saying this, the King gave them permission to leave. Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya also went to see the assembly of all the Vaiṣṇavas.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; vidāya dila — granted permission to go ; sei dui - jane — to those two persons ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; dekhite — to see ; āila — came ; vaiṣṇava - milane — in the meeting of all the Vaiṣṇavas .

Translation

From a distant place, Gopīnātha Ācārya and Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya watched the meeting of all the Vaiṣṇavas with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

gopīnātha - ācārya — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; bhaṭṭācārya sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; dūre rahi’ — standing a little off ; dekhe — see ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vaiṣṇava - milana — meeting with the Vaiṣṇavas .

Translation

Beginning from the right side of the lion gate, or the main gate of the temple, all the Vaiṣṇavas began to proceed toward the house of Kāśī Miśra.

Word meanings

siṁha - dvāra ḍāhine — on the right side of the lion gate ; chāḍi’ — leaving aside ; saba — all ; vaiṣṇava - gaṇa — devotees of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kāśī - miśra - gṛha — to the house of Kāśī Miśra ; pathe — on the way ; karilā gamana — began to proceed .

Translation

In the meantime, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, accompanied by His personal associates, met all the Vaiṣṇavas on the road with great jubilation.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nija - gaṇa - saṅge — in the association of His personal assistants ; vaiṣṇave — all the Vaiṣṇavas ; mililā — met ; āsi’ — coming ; pathe — on the road ; bahu - raṅge — in great jubilation .

Translation

First Advaita Ācārya offered prayers to the lotus feet of the Lord, and the Lord immediately embraced Him in ecstatic love.

Word meanings

advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; karila — did ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; caraṇa — of the lotus feet ; vandana — worship ; ācāryere — unto Advaita Ācārya ; kaila — did ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prema - āliṅgana — embracing in ecstatic love .

Translation

Indeed, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Advaita Ācārya displayed agitation due to ecstatic love. Seeing the time and circumstance, however, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained patient.

Word meanings

prema - ānande — in ecstatic love ; hailā — became ; duṅhe — both of Them ; parama asthira — greatly agitated ; samaya — the time ; dekhiyā — seeing ; prabhu — the Lord ; hailā — became ; kichu — a little ; dhīra — patient .

Translation

After this, all the devotees, headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura, offered prayers to the lotus feet of the Lord, and the Lord embraced each and every one of them in great love and ecstasy.

Word meanings

śrīvāsa - ādi — devotees headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura ; karila — did ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; caraṇa vandana — worshiping the lotus feet ; pratyeke — to everyone ; karila — did ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prema - āliṅgana — embracing in love .

Translation

The Lord addressed all the devotees one after another and took all of them with Him into the house.

Word meanings

eke eke — one after another ; sarva - bhakte — to every devotee ; kaila — did ; sambhāṣaṇa — address ; sabā lañā — taking all of them ; abhyantare — inside ; karilā gamana — entered .

Translation

Since the residence of Kāśī Miśra was insufficient, all the assembled devotees were very much overcrowded.

Word meanings

miśrera āvāsa — the residence of Kāśī Miśra ; sei — that ; haya — is ; alpa sthāna — insufficient place ; asaṅkhya — unlimited ; vaiṣṇava — devotees ; tāhāṅ — there ; haila — were ; parimāṇa — overcrowded .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu made all the devotees sit at His side, and with His own hand He offered them garlands and sandalwood pulp.

Word meanings

āpana - nikaṭe — by His own side ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sabā — all of them ; vasāilā — made sit ; āpani — personally Himself ; śrī - haste — with His hand ; sabāre — unto everyone ; mālya — garland ; gandha — sandalwood pulp ; dilā — offered .

Translation

After this, Gopīnātha Ācārya and Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya met all the Vaiṣṇavas at the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in a befitting manner.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; ācārya — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; tabe — thereafter ; mahāprabhura sthāne — at the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yathā - yogya — as it is befitting ; mililā — met ; sabākāra sane — with all the Vaiṣṇavas assembled there .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu addressed Advaita Ācārya Prabhu, saying sweetly, “My dear Sir, today I have become perfect because of Your arrival.”

Word meanings

advaitere — unto Advaita Ācārya Prabhu ; kahena — says ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; madhura vacane — in sweet language ; āji — today ; āmi — I ; pūrṇa — perfect ; ha - ilāṅa — became ; tomāra — Your ; āgamane — on arrival .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya Prabhu replied, “This is a natural characteristic of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although He is personally complete and full in all opulences, He takes transcendental pleasure in the association of His devotees, with whom He has a variety of eternal pastimes.”

Word meanings

advaita kahe — Advaita Ācārya Prabhu said ; īśvarera — of the Lord ; ei — this ; svabhāva — feature ; haya — becomes ; yadyapi — although ; āpane — Himself ; pūrṇa — all-perfect ; sarva - aiśvarya - maya — full of all opulences ; tathāpi — still ; bhakta - saṅge — in the association of devotees ; haya — there is ; sukha - ullāsa — great jubilation ; bhakta - saṅge — with devotees ; kare — does ; nitya — eternally ; vividha — various ; vilāsa — pastimes .

Translation

As soon as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw Vāsudeva Datta, the older brother of Mukunda Datta, He immediately became very happy and, placing His hand on his body, began to speak.

Word meanings

vāsudeva — Vāsudeva ; dekhi’ — seeing ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ānandita hañā — becoming very pleased ; tāṅre — unto him ; kichu kahe — says something ; tāṅra aṅge — on his body ; hasta diyā — placing His hand .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Although Mukunda is My friend from childhood, I nonetheless take greater pleasure in seeing you than in seeing him.”

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; mukunda — Mukunda ; āmā - saṅge — with Me ; śiśu haite — from childhood ; tāṅhā haite — than him ; adhika — still more ; sukha — happiness ; tomāre dekhite — to see you .

Purport

Vāsudeva Datta was the older brother of Mukunda Datta, who was the childhood friend of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. It is naturally a great pleasure to see a friend, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu informed Vāsudeva Datta that although it was His pleasure to see His friend, His pleasure was increased by seeing the older brother.

Translation

Vāsudeva replied, “Mukunda got Your association in the beginning. As such, he has taken shelter at Your lotus feet. That is his transcendental rebirth.”

Word meanings

vāsu kahe — Vāsudeva Datta said ; mukunda — Mukunda ; ādau — in the beginning ; pāila — got ; tomāra saṅga — Your association ; tomāra caraṇa — Your lotus feet ; pāila — got ; sei — that ; punaḥ - janma — transcendental rebirth .

Translation

Thus Vāsudeva Datta admitted his inferiority to Mukunda, his younger brother. “Although Mukunda is my junior,” he said, “he first received Your favor. Consequently he became transcendentally senior to me. Besides that, You very much favored Mukunda. Thus he is superior in all good qualities.”

Word meanings

choṭa hañā — being junior ; mukunda — Mukunda ; ebe — now ; haila — has become ; āmāra — my ; jyeṣṭha — senior ; tomāra — Your ; kṛpā - pātra — favorite ; tāte — therefore ; sarva - guṇe — in all good qualities ; śreṣṭha — superior .

Translation

The Lord said, “For your sake only, I have brought two books from South India.

Word meanings

punaḥ — again ; prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; āmi — I ; tomāra nimitte — for your sake ; dui — two ; pustaka — books ; āniyāchi — have brought ; dakṣiṇa ha - ite — from South India .

Translation

“The books are being kept with Svarūpa Dāmodara, and you can get them copied.” Hearing this, Vāsudeva became very glad.

Word meanings

svarūpera ṭhāṅi — in the possession of Svarūpa Dāmodara ; āche — they are ; laha — you take ; tā — them ; likhiyā — copying ; vāsudeva — Vāsudeva ; ānandita — very glad ; pustaka — the books ; pāñā — getting .

Translation

Indeed, each and every Vaiṣṇava copied the two books. By and by, the two books [the Brahma-saṁhitā and Śrī Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta] were broadcast all over India.

Word meanings

pratyeka — each and every ; vaiṣṇava — devotee ; sabe — all ; likhiyā — copying ; la - ila — took ; krame krame — by and by ; dui grantha — the two books ; sarvatra — everywhere ; vyāpila — become broadcast .

Translation

The Lord addressed Śrīvāsa and his brothers with great love and affection, saying, “I am so obliged that I am purchased by you four brothers.”

Word meanings

śrīvāsa - ādye — unto Śrīvāsa and his three brothers ; kahe — says ; prabhu — the Lord ; kari’ — giving ; mahā - prīta — great love ; tomāra — of you ; cāri - bhāira — of four brothers ; āmi — I ; ha - inu — became ; vikrīta — purchased .

Translation

Śrīvāsa then replied to the Lord, “Why are You speaking in a contradictory way? Rather, we four brothers have been purchased by Your mercy.”

Word meanings

śrīvāsa kahena — Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura replied ; kene — why ; kaha viparīta — do You speak just the opposite ; kṛpā - mūlye — by the price of Your mercy ; cāri bhāi — we four brothers ; ha - i — become ; tomāra — of You ; krīta — purchased .

Translation

After seeing Śaṅkara, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu told Dāmodara, “My affection for you is on the platform of awe and reverence.

Word meanings

śaṅkare dekhiyā — seeing Śaṅkara ; prabhu — the Lord ; kahe — says ; dāmodare — unto Dāmodara ; sa - gaurava - prīti — affection with awe and reverence ; āmāra — My ; tomāra upare — upon you .

Purport

Here the Lord is addressing Dāmodara Paṇḍita, who is different from Svarūpa Dāmodara. Dāmodara Paṇḍita is the elder brother of Śaṅkara. Thus the Lord informed Dāmodara that His affection toward him was on the platform of awe and reverence. However, the Lord’s affection toward his younger brother, Śaṅkara, was on the platform of pure love.

Translation

“Therefore keep your younger brother Śaṅkara with you because he is connected to Me by pure unalloyed love.”

Word meanings

śuddha kevala - prema — pure unalloyed affection ; śaṅkara - upare — upon Śaṅkara ; ataeva — therefore ; tomāra saṅge — along with you ; rākhaha — keep ; śaṅkare — Śaṅkara .

Translation

Dāmodara Paṇḍita replied, “Śaṅkara is my younger brother, but from today he becomes my elder brother because of Your special mercy upon him.”

Word meanings

dāmodara kahe — Dāmodara Paṇḍita replied ; śaṅkara — Śaṅkara ; choṭa — younger ; āmā haite — than me ; ebe — now ; āmāra — my ; baḍa bhāi — elder brother ; tomāra — of You ; kṛpāte — by the mercy .

Translation

Then turning toward Śivānanda Sena, the Lord said, “I know that from the very beginning your affection for Me has been very great.”

Word meanings

śivānande — unto Śivānanda Sena ; kahe — says ; prabhu — the Lord ; tomāra — your ; āmāte — upon Me ; gāḍha anurāga — deep affection ; haya — there is ; jāni — I know ; āge haite — from the very beginning .

Translation

Immediately upon hearing this, Śivānanda Sena became absorbed in ecstatic love and fell down on the ground, offering obeisances to the Lord. He then began to recite the following verse.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; śivānanda - sena — Śivānanda Sena ; prema - āviṣṭa hañā — becoming absorbed in pure love ; daṇḍavat hañā — offering obeisances ; paḍe — falls down ; śloka — a verse ; paḍiyā — reciting .

Translation

“ ‘O my Lord! O unlimited one! Although I was merged in the ocean of nescience, I have now, after a long time, attained You, just as one may attain the seashore. My dear Lord, by getting me, You have obtained the right person upon whom to bestow Your causeless mercy.’ ”

Word meanings

nimajjataḥ — being immersed ; ananta — O unlimited one ; bhava - arṇava - antaḥ — within the ocean of nescience ; cirāya — after a long time ; me — of me ; kūlam — the shore ; iva — like ; asi — You are ; labdhaḥ — obtained ; tvayā — by You ; api — also ; labdham — has been gained ; bhagavan — O my Lord ; idānīm — now ; anuttamam — the best ; pātram — candidate ; idam — this ; dayāyāḥ — for showing Your mercy .

Purport

This is verse 21 from the Stotra-ratna, composed by Ālabandāru Yāmunācārya. One’s relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead may be reestablished even after one has fallen into the ocean of nescience, which is the ocean of material existence involving the repetition of birth, death, old age and disease, all arising out of the acceptance of the material body. There are 8,400,000 species of material life, but in the human body one attains a chance to get release from the repetition of birth and death. When one becomes the Lord’s devotee, he is rescued from this dangerous ocean of birth and death. The Lord is always prepared to shower His mercy upon fallen souls struggling against miserable material conditions. As Lord Kṛṣṇa states in the Bhagavad-gītā (15.7) :

mamaivāṁśo jīva-loke jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ manaḥ-ṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛti-sthāni karṣati

“The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.”

Thus every living being is struggling hard in this material nature. Actually the living entity is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, and when he surrenders unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he attains release from the ocean of birth and death. The Lord, being very kind to fallen souls, is always anxious to get the living entity out of the ocean of nescience. If the living entity understands his position and surrenders to the Lord, his life becomes successful.

Translation

Murāri Gupta at first did not meet the Lord but rather remained outside the door, falling down like a stick to offer obeisances.

Word meanings

prathame — at first ; murāri - gupta — Murāri Gupta ; prabhure — to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nā — without ; miliyā — meeting ; bāhirete — outside ; paḍi’ — falling down ; āche — was there ; daṇḍavat — falling flat like a stick ; hañā — becoming so .

Translation

When Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu could not see Murāri amongst the devotees, He inquired about him. Thereupon many people immediately went to Murāri, running to take him to the Lord.

Word meanings

murāri — Murāri ; nā — without ; dekhiyā — seeing ; prabhu — the Lord ; kare — does ; anveṣaṇa — inquiry ; murāri — Murāri Gupta ; la - ite — to take ; dhāñā — running ; āilā — came ; bahu - jana — many persons .

Translation

Thus Murāri Gupta, catching two bunches of straw in his teeth, went before Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with humility and meekness.

Word meanings

tṛṇa — of straw ; dui — two ; guccha — bunches ; murāri — Murāri ; daśane — in his teeth ; dhariyā — catching ; mahāprabhu — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āge — in front ; gelā — went ; dainya - adhīna — under obligation of meekness ; hañā — becoming .

Translation

Upon seeing Murāri come to meet Him, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went up to him, but Murāri began to run away and speak as follows.

Word meanings

murāri — Murāri ; dekhiyā — seeing ; prabhu — Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āilā — came out ; milite — to meet ; pāche — thereafter ; bhāge — runs away ; murāri — Murāri ; lāgilā — began ; kahite — to speak .

Translation

“My Lord, please do not touch me. I am most abominable and am not fit for You to touch because my body is sinful.”

Word meanings

more — me ; nā chuṅiha — do not touch ; prabhu — my Lord ; muñi — I ; ta’ — certainly ; pāmara — most abominable ; tomāra — of You ; sparśa - yogya — fit to be touched ; nahe — not ; pāpa — sinful ; kalevara — body .

Translation

The Lord said, “My dear Murāri, please restrain your unnecessary humility. My mind is disturbed to see your meekness.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; murāri — My dear Murāri ; kara dainya saṁvaraṇa — please restrain your great humility ; tomāra — your ; dainya — humility ; dekhi’ — seeing ; mora — My ; vidīrṇa haya mana — mind becomes disturbed .

Translation

Saying this, the Lord embraced Murāri and had him sit down by His side. The Lord then began to cleanse his body with His own hands.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; prabhu — the Lord ; tāṅre — him ; kaila — did ; āliṅgana — embrace ; nikaṭe — nearby ; vasāñā — making sit down ; kare — does ; aṅga — of his body ; sammārjana — cleansing .

Translation

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then again and again embraced all the devotees, including Ācāryaratna, Vidyānidhi, Paṇḍita Gadādhara, Gaṅgādāsa, Hari Bhaṭṭa and Ācārya Purandara. The Lord described their good qualities and glorified them again and again.

Word meanings

ācāryaratna — Ācāryaratna ; vidyānidhi — Vidyānidhi ; paṇḍita gadādhara — Paṇḍita Gadādhara ; gaṅgādāsa — Gaṅgādāsa ; hari - bhaṭṭa — Hari Bhaṭṭa ; ācārya purandara — Ācārya Purandara ; pratyeke — each and every one of them ; sabāra — of all of them ; prabhu — the Lord ; kari’ guṇa gāna — glorifying the qualities ; punaḥ punaḥ — again and again ; āliṅgiyā — embracing ; karila — did ; sammāna — honor .

Translation

After thus offering respect to each and every devotee, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became very jubilant. However, not seeing Haridāsa Ṭhākura, He inquired, “Where is Haridāsa?”

Word meanings

sabāre sammāni’ — respecting everyone ; prabhura — of the Lord ; ha - ila — there was ; ullāsa — jubilation ; haridāse — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; nā dekhiyā — without seeing ; kahe — says ; kāhāṅ haridāsa — where is Haridāsa .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then saw in the distance that Haridāsa Ṭhākura was lying down flat on the road offering obeisances.

Word meanings

dūra haite — from a distance ; haridāsa gosāñe — Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; dekhiyā — seeing ; rājapatha - prānte — at the side of the common road ; paḍi’ — falling down ; āche — he was ; daṇḍavat hañā — offering obeisances .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura did not come to the Lord’s meeting place but remained fallen flat on the common road at a distance.

Word meanings

milana - sthāne — in the meeting place ; āsi’ — coming ; prabhure — unto Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nā — not ; mililā — did meet ; rājapatha - prānte — on the side of the common road ; dūre — at a distant place ; paḍiyā — falling flat ; rahilā — remained .

Translation

All the devotees then went to Haridāsa Ṭhākura, saying, “The Lord wants to meet you. Please come immediately.”

Word meanings

bhakta — devotees ; saba — all ; dhāñā — running ; āila — came ; haridāse — Haridāsa ; nite — to take ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tomāya — you ; milite — to meet ; cāhe — wants ; calaha — just come ; tvarite — very soon .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “I cannot go near the temple because I am a low-caste, abominable person. I have no authority to go there.”

Word meanings

haridāsa kahe — Haridāsa Ṭhākura said ; muñi — I ; nīca - jāti — low caste ; chāra — abominable ; mandira - nikaṭe — near the temple ; yāite — to go ; mora — my ; nāhi — there is not ; ādhikāra — authority .

Purport

Although Haridāsa Ṭhākura was such a highly exalted Vaiṣṇava that he was addressed as Haridāsa Gosvāmī, he still did not like to disturb the common sense of the general populace. Haridāsa Ṭhākura was so exalted that he was addressed as ṭhākura and gosāñi, and these titles are offered to the most advanced Vaiṣṇavas. The spiritual master is generally called gosāñi, and ṭhākura is used to address the paramahaṁsas, those in the topmost rank of spirituality. Nonetheless, Haridāsa Ṭhākura did not want to go near the temple, although he was called there by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself. The Jagannātha temple still accepts only those Hindus who are in the varṇāśrama order. Other castes, especially those who are not Hindu, are not allowed to enter the temple. This is a long-standing regulation, and thus Haridāsa Ṭhākura, although certainly competent and qualified to enter the temple, did not want even to go near it. This is called Vaiṣṇava humility.

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura then expressed his desire: “If I could just get a solitary place near the temple, I could stay there alone and pass my time.

Word meanings

nibhṛte — in a solitary place ; ṭoṭā - madhye — within the gardens ; sthāna — place ; yadi — if ; pāṅa — I get ; tāhāṅ — there ; paḍi’ raho — I shall stay ; ekale — alone ; kāla — time ; goṅāṅa — I shall pass .

Translation

“I do not wish the servants of Lord Jagannātha to touch me. I would remain there in the garden alone. That is my desire.”

Word meanings

jagannātha - sevakera — of the servants of Lord Jagannātha ; mora — my ; sparśa — touching ; nāhi — not ; haya — takes place ; tāhāṅ — there ; paḍi’ rahoṅ — I stay ; mora — my ; ei — this ; vāñchā — desire ; haya — is .

Translation

When this message was relayed to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu by the people, the Lord became very happy to hear it.

Word meanings

ei kathā — this message ; loka — people ; giyā — going ; prabhure — unto Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kahila — informed ; śuniyā — hearing ; prabhura mane — in the mind of the Lord ; baḍa — very much ; sukha — happiness ; ha - ila — became .

Translation

At this time, Kāśī Miśra, along with the superintendent of the temple, came and offered his respects unto the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; kāśī - miśra — Kāśī Miśra ; paḍichā — the superintendent ; dui jana — two persons ; āsiyā — coming ; karila — did ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; caraṇa vandana — worshiping the lotus feet .

Translation

Upon seeing all the Vaiṣṇavas together, Kāśī Miśra and the superintendent became very happy. With great happiness they met with the devotees in a befitting manner.

Word meanings

sarva vaiṣṇava — all the Vaiṣṇavas ; dekhi’ — seeing ; sukha — happiness ; baḍa — very much ; pāilā — got ; yathā - yogya — as is befitting ; sabā - sane — along with everyone ; ānande — in happiness ; mililā — met .

Translation

Both submitted to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “Please give us orders so that we may make proper arrangements to accommodate all the Vaiṣṇavas.

Word meanings

prabhu - pade — unto the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dui jane — both of them ; kaila — did ; nivedane — submission ; ājñā deha’ — please order ; vaiṣṇavera — of all the Vaiṣṇavas ; kari — let us do ; samādhāne — accommodation .

Translation

“Accommodations have been arranged for all the Vaiṣṇavas. Now let us distribute mahā-prasādam to all of them.”

Word meanings

sabāra — for all of them ; kariyāchi — we have arranged ; vāsā - gṛha - sthāna — residential places for staying ; mahā - prasāda — remnants of food offered to Jagannātha ; sabākāre — to all of them ; kari — let us do ; samādhāna — distribution .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately told Gopīnātha Ācārya, “Please go with the Vaiṣṇavas and accommodate them in whatever residences Kāśī Miśra and the temple superintendent offer.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; gopīnātha — My dear Gopīnātha ; yāha’ — please go ; vaiṣṇava lañā — taking all the Vaiṣṇavas ; yāhāṅ yāhāṅ — wherever ; kahe — they say ; vāsā — staying place ; tāhāṅ — there ; deha’ — give ; lañā — accepting .

Translation

Then the Lord told Kāśī Miśra and the temple superintendent, “As for the remnants of food left by Jagannātha, let them be delivered to Vāṇīnātha Rāya’s charge, for he can take care of all the Vaiṣṇavas and distribute mahā-prasādam to them.”

Word meanings

mahā - prasāda - anna — the remnants of food ; deha — deliver ; vāṇīnātha - sthāne — unto Vāṇīnātha ; sarva - vaiṣṇavera — unto all the Vaiṣṇavas ; iṅho — he ; karibe — will do ; samādhāne — distribution .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then said, “Nearby My place, in this garden of flowers, is a single room that is very solitary.

Word meanings

āmāra nikaṭe — nearby My place ; ei — this ; puṣpera udyāne — in a garden of flowers ; eka - khāni — one ; ghara — room ; āche — there is ; parama - nirjane — in a very solitary place .

Translation

“Please give that room to Me, for I have a need for it. Indeed, I shall remember the lotus feet of the Lord sitting in that solitary place.”

Word meanings

sei ghara — that room ; āmāke deha’ — please give to Me ; āche prayojana — there is necessity ; nibhṛte — in the solitary place ; vasiyā — sitting ; tāhāṅ — there ; kariba smaraṇa — I shall remember the lotus feet of the Lord .

Purport

This statement of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is significant. Nibhṛte vasiyā tāhāṅ kariba smaraṇa: “I shall sit down there in that solitary place and remember the lotus feet of the Lord.” Neophyte students are not to imitate sitting in a solitary place and remembering the lotus feet of the Lord by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. We should always remember that it was Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself who wanted such a place, either for Himself or Haridāsa Ṭhākura. No one can suddenly attain the level of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and sit down in a solitary place to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and remember the lotus feet of the Lord. Only an exalted person like Haridāsa Ṭhākura or Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is personally exhibiting the proper behavior for an ācārya, can engage in such a practice.

At the present moment we see that some of the members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness are tending to leave their preaching activities in order to sit in a solitary place. This is not a very good sign. It is a fact that Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura has condemned this process for neophytes. He has even stated in a song, pratiṣṭhāra tare, nirjanera ghare, tava hari-nāma kevala kaitava: “Sitting in a solitary place intending to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is considered a cheating process.” This practice is not possible for neophytes at all. The neophyte devotee must act and work very laboriously under the direction of the spiritual master, and he must thus preach the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Only after maturing in devotion can he sit down in a solitary place to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself did. Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to teach us a lesson He traveled all over India continuously for six years and only then retired at Jagannātha Purī. Even at Jagannātha Purī the Lord chanted the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra in great meetings at the Jagannātha temple. The point is that one should not try to imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura at the beginning of one’s transcendental life. One must first become very mature in devotion and thus receive the approval of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Only at such a time may one actually sit down peacefully in a solitary place to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and remember the lotus feet of the Lord. The senses are very strong, and if a neophyte devotee imitates Haridāsa Ṭhākura, his enemies ( kāma, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and mātsarya ) will disturb and fatigue him. Instead of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, the neophyte will simply sleep soundly. Preaching work is meant for advanced devotees, and when an advanced devotee is further elevated on the devotional scale, he may retire to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra in a solitary place. However, if one simply imitates advanced spiritual life, he will fall down, just like the sahajiyās in Vṛndāvana.

Translation

Kāśī Miśra then told Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu: “Everything belongs to You. What is the use of Your begging? By Your own will You can take whatever You like.

Word meanings

miśra kahe — Kāśī Miśra said ; saba — everything ; tomāra — Yours ; cāha ki kāraṇe — why do You beg ; āpana - icchāya — by Your own will ; laha — You take ; yei — whatever ; tomāra mane — is in Your mind .

Translation

“My Lord, we are Your two servants and are here just to carry out Your orders. By Your mercy, please tell us to do whatever You want.”

Word meanings

āmi — we ; dui — two ; ha - i — are ; tomāra — Your ; dāsa — servants ; ājñā - kārī — order-carriers ; ye cāha — whatever You want ; sei ājñā — that order ; deha’ — give ; kṛpā kari’ — being merciful .

Translation

Saying this, Kāśī Miśra and the temple inspector took their leave, and Gopīnātha and Vāṇīnātha went with them.

Word meanings

eta kahi’ — saying this ; dui jane — both of them ; vidāya la - ila — took leave ; gopīnātha — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; vāṇīnātha — Vāṇīnātha Rāya ; duṅhe saṅge nila — took both of them with them .

Translation

Gopīnātha was then shown all the residential places, and Vāṇīnātha was given large quantities of food [mahā-prasādam] left by Lord Jagannātha.

Word meanings

gopīnāthe — unto Gopīnātha Ācārya ; dekhāila — showed ; saba — all ; vāsā - ghara — residential places ; vāṇīnātha - ṭhāñi — unto Vāṇīnātha Rāya ; dila — delivered ; prasāda vistara — remnants of food in large quantities .

Translation

Thus Vāṇīnātha Rāya returned with large quantities of Lord Jagannātha’s food remnants, including cakes and other good eatables. Gopīnātha Ācārya also returned after cleansing all the residential quarters.

Word meanings

vāṇīnātha — Vāṇīnātha ; āilā — returned ; bahu — a very large quantity of ; prasāda — remnants of food ; piṭhā lañā — also taking cakes with them ; gopīnātha — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; āilā — returned ; vāsā — residential places ; saṁskāra kariyā — cleansing .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then addressed all the Vaiṣṇavas and requested that they listen to Him. He said, “Now you can go to your respective residential quarters.

Word meanings

mahāprabhu kahe — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; śuna — kindly listen ; sarva vaiṣṇava - gaṇa — all Vaiṣṇavas ; nija - nija - vāsā — to the respective residential quarters ; sabe — all of you ; karaha — make ; gamana — departure .

Translation

“Go to the sea and bathe and look at the top of the temple. After so doing, please come back here and take your lunch.”

Word meanings

samudra - snāna — bathing in the sea ; kari’ — finishing ; kara — just do ; cūḍā daraśana — observing the top of the temple ; tabe — thereafter ; āji — today ; ihaṅ — here ; āsi’ — coming back ; karibe bhojana — take your lunch .

Translation

After offering obeisances to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all the devotees departed for their residences, and Gopīnātha Ācārya showed them their respective quarters.

Word meanings

prabhu namaskari’ — after offering obeisances to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sabe — all the devotees ; vāsāte calilā — departed for their residential quarters ; gopīnātha - ācārya — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; sabe — to everyone ; vāsā — residential quarters ; sthāna — place ; dilā — delivered .

Translation

After this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to meet Haridāsa Ṭhākura, and He saw him engaged in chanting the mahā-mantra with ecstatic love. Haridāsa chanted, “Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.”

Word meanings

mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āilā — came ; tabe — thereafter ; haridāsa - milane — to meet Ṭhākura Haridāsa ; haridāsa — Ṭhākura Haridāsa ; kare — does ; preme — in ecstatic love ; nāma - saṅkīrtane — chanting of the holy name .

Translation

As soon as Haridāsa Ṭhākura saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he immediately fell down like a stick to offer Him obeisances, and Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu raised him up and embraced him.

Word meanings

prabhu dekhi’ — after seeing the Lord ; paḍe — fell down ; āge — in front of Him ; daṇḍavat — flat like a stick ; hañā — becoming ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āliṅgana kaila — embraced ; tāṅre — him ; uṭhāñā — raising him up .

Translation

Then both the Lord and His servant began to cry in ecstatic love. Indeed, the Lord was transformed by the qualities of His servant, and the servant was transformed by the qualities of his master.

Word meanings

dui - jane — both of them ; prema - āveśe — in loving ecstasy ; karena krandane — were crying ; prabhu - guṇe — by the qualities of the Lord ; bhṛtya — servant ; vikala — transformed ; prabhu — the Lord ; bhṛtya - guṇe — by the qualities of the servant .

Purport

The Māyāvādī philosophers say that the living entity and the Supreme Lord are nondifferent, and therefore they equate the transformation of the living entity with the transformation of the Lord. In other words, Māyāvādīs say that if the living entity is pleased, the Lord is also pleased, and if the living entity is displeased, the Lord is also displeased. By juggling words in this way, Māyāvādīs try to prove that there is no difference between the living entity and the Lord. This, however, is not a fact. In this verse Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī explains: prabhu-guṇe bhṛtya vikala, prabhu bhṛtya-guṇe. The Lord and the living entity are not equal, for the Lord is always the master, and the living entity is always the servant. Transformation takes place due to transcendental qualities, and it is thus said that the servant of the Lord is the heart of the Lord, and the Lord is the heart of the servant. This is also explained by Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā (4.11) :

ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ

“As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pṛthā.”

The Lord is always eager to congratulate the servant because of the servant’s transcendental qualities. The servant pleasingly renders service unto the Lord, and the Lord also very pleasingly reciprocates, rendering even more service unto the servant.

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, “My dear Lord, please do not touch me, for I am most fallen and untouchable and am the lowest among men.”

Word meanings

haridāsa kahe — Haridāsa Ṭhākura said ; prabhu — my dear Lord ; nā chuṅio more — please do not touch me ; muñi — I ; nīca — most fallen ; aspṛśya — untouchable ; parama pāmare — the lowest of mankind .

Translation

The Lord said, “I wish to touch you just to be purified, for your purified activities do not exist in Me.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; tomā sparśi — I touch you ; pavitra ha - ite — just to become purified ; tomāra — your ; pavitra — purified ; dharma — occupation ; nāhika — is not ; āmāte — in Me .

Purport

This is an example of the reciprocation of feelings between master and servant. The servant thinks that he is most impure and that the master should not touch him, and the master thinks that because He has become impure by associating with so many impure living entities, He should touch a pure devotee like Haridāsa Ṭhākura just to purify Himself. Actually both the servant and the master are already purified because neither of them is in touch with the impurities of material existence. They are already equal in quality because both of them are the purest. There is a difference in quantity, however, because the master is unlimited and the servant is limited. Consequently the servant always remains subordinate to the master, and this relationship is eternal and undisturbed. As soon as the servant feels like becoming the master, he falls into māyā. Thus it is by misuse of free will that one falls under the influence of māyā.

The Māyāvādī philosophers try to explain the equality of master and servant in terms of quantity, but they fail to explain why, if the master and servant are equal, the servant falls victim to māyā. They try to explain that when the servant, the living entity, is out of the clutches of māyā, he immediately becomes the so-called master again. Such an explanation is never satisfactory. Being unlimited, the master cannot become a victim of māyā, for in such a case His unlimitedness would be crippled or limited. Thus the Māyāvāda explanation is not correct. The fact is that the master is always master and unlimited, and the servant, being limited, is sometimes curtailed by the influence of māyā. Māyā is also the master’s energy and is also unlimited; therefore the limited servant or limited living entity is forced to remain under the master or the master’s potency, māyā. Being freed from māyā’s influence, one can again become a pure servant and equal qualitatively to the Lord. The relationship between master and servant continues due to their being unlimited and limited respectively.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu exalted Haridāsa Ṭhākura, stating, “At every moment you take your bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage, and at every moment you perform great sacrifices, austerity and charity.

Word meanings

kṣaṇe kṣaṇe — at every moment ; kara — do ; tumi — you ; sarva - tīrthe snāna — bathing in all the holy places of pilgrimage ; kṣaṇe kṣaṇe — at every moment ; kara — perform ; tumi — you ; yajña — sacrifices ; tapaḥ — austerities ; dāna — charity .

Translation

“You are constantly studying the four Vedas, and you are far better than any brāhmaṇa or sannyāsī.”

Word meanings

nirantara — constantly ; kara — you do ; cāri — four ; veda — of the Vedas ; adhyayana — study ; dvija — brāhmaṇa ; nyāsī — sannyāsī ; haite — than ; tumi — you ; parama - pāvana — supremely pure .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then recited the following verse: “ ‘My dear Lord, one who always keeps Your holy name on his tongue becomes greater than an initiated brāhmaṇa. Although he may be born in a family of dog-eaters and therefore by material calculation may be the lowest among men, he is still glorious. This is the wonderful effect of chanting the holy name of the Lord. It is therefore concluded that one who chants the holy name of the Lord should be understood to have performed all kinds of austerities and great sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas. He has already taken his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage. He has studied all the Vedas, and he is actually an Āryan.’ ”

Word meanings

aho bata — how wonderful it is ; śva - pacaḥ — dog-eaters ; ataḥ — than the initiated brāhmaṇa ; garīyān — more glorious ; yat — of whom ; jihvā - agre — on the tongue ; vartate — remains ; nāma — holy name ; tubhyam — of You, my Lord ; tepuḥ — have performed ; tapaḥ — austerity ; te — they ; juhuvuḥ — have performed sacrifices ; sasnuḥ — have bathed in all holy places ; āryāḥ — really belonging to the Āryan race ; brahma — all the Vedas ; anūcuḥ — have studied ; nāma — holy name ; gṛṇanti — chant ; ye — who ; te — they .

Purport

The word Āryan means advanced. Unless one is spiritually advanced, he cannot be called an Āryan, and this is the difference between Āryan and non-Āryan. Non-Āryans are those who are not spiritually advanced. By following the Vedic culture, by performing great sacrifices and by becoming a strict follower of the Vedic instructions, one may become a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or an Āryan. It is not possible to become a brāhmaṇa, sannyāsī or Āryan without being properly qualified. Bhāgavata-dharma never allows one to become a cheap brāhmaṇa, sannyāsī or Āryan. The qualities or qualifications described herein are quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.33.7) and were spoken by Devahūti, the mother of Kapiladeva, when she understood the influence of devotional service ( bhakti-yoga ) . In this way Devahūti praised the devotee, pointing out his greatness in all respects.

Translation

Saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took Haridāsa Ṭhākura within the flower garden, and there, in a very secluded place, He showed him his residence.

Word meanings

eta bali — saying this ; tāṅre lañā — taking him ; gelā — went ; puṣpa - udyāne — in the flower garden ; ati nibhṛte — in a very secluded place ; tāṅre — unto him ; dilā — delivered ; vāsā - sthāne — a place to remain .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested Haridāsa Ṭhākura, “Remain here and chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. I shall personally come here to meet you daily.

Word meanings

ei - sthāne — in this place ; rahi’ — remaining ; kara — perform ; nāma saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name ; prati - dina — every day ; āsi’ — coming ; āmi — I ; kariba — shall do ; milana — meeting .

Translation

“Remain here peacefully and look at the cakra on the top of the temple and offer obeisances. As far as your prasādam is concerned, I shall arrange to have that sent here.”

Word meanings

mandirera — of the temple of Jagannātha ; cakra — the wheel on the top ; dekhi’ — seeing ; kariha praṇāma — offer your obeisances ; ei ṭhāñi — in this place ; tomāra — your ; āsibe — will come ; prasāda - anna — remnants of food offered to Jagannātha .

Purport

Since he was born in a Muslim family, Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura could not enter the temple of Jagannātha due to temple restrictions. Nonetheless, he was recognized by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as Nāmācārya Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Haridāsa Ṭhākura, however, considered himself unfit to enter the Jagannātha temple. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu could have personally taken Haridāsa Ṭhākura into the Jagannātha temple if He wished, but the Lord did not like to disturb a popular custom. Consequently the Lord asked His servant simply to look at the Viṣṇu wheel on top of the temple and offer obeisances ( namaskāra ) . This means that if one is not allowed to enter the temple, or if he thinks himself unfit to enter the temple, he can look at the wheel from outside the temple, and that is as good as seeing the Deity within.

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu promised to come daily to see Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura, and this indicates that Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura was so advanced in spiritual life that, although considered unfit to enter the temple, he was being personally visited by the Lord every day. Nor was there any need for his going outside his residence to collect food. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu assured Haridāsa Ṭhākura that the remnants of His food would be sent there. As the Lord states in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.22) , yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham: “I arrange all life’s necessities for My devotees.”

A reference is made here for those who are very anxious to imitate the behavior of Ṭhākura Haridāsa in an unnatural way. One must receive the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu or His representative before adopting such a way of life. The duty of a pure devotee or a servant of the Lord is to carry out the order of the Lord. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked Nityānanda Prabhu to go to Bengal and preach, and He asked the Gosvāmīs, Rūpa and Sanātana, to go to Vṛndāvana and excavate the lost places of pilgrimage. In this case the Lord asked Haridāsa Ṭhākura to remain there at Jagannātha Purī and constantly chant the holy names of the Lord. Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave different persons different orders, and consequently one should not try to imitate the behavior of Haridāsa Ṭhākura without being ordered by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu or His representative. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura condemns such imitations in this way:

duṣṭa mana! tumi kisera vaiṣṇava? pratiṣṭhāra tare, nirjanera ghare, tava hari-nāma kevala kaitava

“My dear mind, you are trying to imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura and chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra in a secluded place, but you are not worth being called a Vaiṣṇava because what you want is cheap popularity and not the actual qualifications of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. If you try to imitate him you will fall down, for your neophyte position will cause you to think of women and money. Thus you will fall into the clutches of māyā, and your so-called chanting in a secluded place will bring about your downfall.”

Translation

When Nityānanda Prabhu, Jagadānanda Prabhu, Dāmodara Prabhu and Mukunda Prabhu met Haridāsa Ṭhākura, they all became very pleased.

Word meanings

nityānanda — Nityānanda ; jagadānanda — Jagadānanda ; dāmodara — Dāmodara ; mukunda — Mukunda ; haridāse — Haridāsa ; mili’ — meeting ; sabe — all of them ; pāila — got ; ānanda — great pleasure .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu returned to His residence after taking a bath in the sea, all the devotees, headed by Advaita Prabhu, went to bathe in the sea.

Word meanings

samudra - snāna kari’ — after bathing in the sea ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āilā — came ; nija sthāne — to His own place ; advaita - ādi — devotees, headed by Advaita Prabhu ; gelā — went ; sindhu — to the ocean ; karibāre — just to take ; snāne — bath .

Translation

After bathing in the sea, Advaita Prabhu and all the other devotees returned, and on their return they saw the top of the Jagannātha temple. They then went to the residence of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to take their luncheon.

Word meanings

āsi’ — coming back ; jagannāthera — of Lord Jagannātha ; kaila — did ; cūḍā daraśana — looking at the top of the temple ; prabhura — of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āvāse — at the residence ; āilā — came ; karite bhojana — to take their luncheon .

Translation

One after the other, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu made all the devotees sit in their proper places. He then began to distribute prasādam with His own transcendental hand.

Word meanings

sabāre — all the devotees ; vasāilā — made to sit ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yogya — befitting ; krama — in order, one after another ; kari’ — setting ; śrī - haste — by His own transcendental hand ; pariveśana — distribution ; kaila — did ; gaurahari — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

All the devotees were served prasādam on plantain leaves, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu distributed on each leaf a quantity suitable for two or three men to eat, for His hand could not distribute less than that.

Word meanings

alpa anna — a small quantity of prasādam ; nāhi — does not ; āise — come ; dite — to give ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; hāte — in the hand ; dui — two ; tinera — or of three ; anna — food ; dena — He delivers ; eka eka pāte — on each and every plantain leaf .

Translation

All the devotees kept their hands raised over the prasādam distributed to them, for they did not want to eat without seeing the Lord eat first.

Word meanings

prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nā khāile — without eating ; keha — anyone ; nā — not ; kare — does ; bhojana — eating ; ūrdhva - haste — raising the hand ; vasi’ — sitting ; rahe — remain ; sarva — all ; bhakta - gaṇa — devotees .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī then informed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “Unless You sit and take prasādam, no one will accept it.

Word meanings

svarūpa - gosāñi — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosāñi ; prabhuke — unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kaila — did ; nivedana — submission ; tumi — You ; nā vasile — if not sitting ; keha — anyone ; nā — not ; kare — does ; bhojana — eating .

Translation

“Gopīnātha Ācārya has invited all the sannyāsīs who remain with You to come and take prasādam.

Word meanings

tomā - saṅge — along with You ; rahe — remain ; yata — as many as ; sannyāsīra gaṇa — rank of sannyāsīs ; gopīnātha - ācārya — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; tāṅre — all of them ; kariyāche — has done ; nimantraṇa — invitation .

Translation

“Gopīnātha Ācārya has already come, bringing sufficient remnants of food to distribute to all the sannyāsīs, and sannyāsīs like Paramānanda Purī and Brahmānanda Bhāratī are waiting for You.

Word meanings

ācārya — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; āsiyāchena — has come ; bhikṣāra — for eating ; prasāda - anna lañā — taking the remnants of all kinds of food ; purī — Paramānanda Purī ; bhāratī — Brahmānanda Bhāratī ; āchena — are ; tomāra — for You ; apekṣā kariyā — waiting .

Translation

“You may sit down and accept the luncheon with Nityānanda Prabhu, and I shall distribute the prasādam to all the Vaiṣṇavas.”

Word meanings

nityānanda lañā — taking along Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu ; bhikṣā — luncheon ; karite — to take ; vaisa — sit down ; tumi — You ; vaiṣṇavera — to all the devotees ; pariveśana — distribution of prasādam ; karitechi — am doing ; āmi — I .

Translation

After this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu carefully delivered some prasādam into the hands of Govinda to be given to Haridāsa Ṭhākura.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prasāda - anna — remnants of Jagannātha’s food ; govinda - hāte — in the hand of Govinda ; dilā — delivered ; yatna kari’ — with great attention ; haridāsa - ṭhākure — unto Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; pāṭhāilā — sent .

Translation

Then Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally sat down to accept lunch with the other sannyāsīs, and Gopīnātha Ācārya began to distribute the prasādam with great pleasure.

Word meanings

āpane — personally ; vasilā — sat down ; saba — all ; sannyāsīre lañā — taking with Him the sannyāsīs ; pariveśana kare — distributes ; ācārya — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; haraṣita hañā — with great pleasure .

Translation

Then Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, Dāmodara Paṇḍita and Jagadānanda all began to distribute prasādam to the devotees with great pleasure.

Word meanings

svarūpa gosāñi — Svarūpa Gosāñi ; dāmodara — Dāmodara ; jagadānanda — Jagadānanda ; vaiṣṇavere pariveśe — distributed to the Vaiṣṇavas ; tina jane — the three persons ; ānanda — very jubilant .

Translation

They ate all kinds of cakes and sweet rice, filling themselves up to their throats, and at intervals they vibrated the holy name of the Lord in great jubilation.

Word meanings

nānā — various ; piṭhā - pānā — cakes and sweet rice ; khāya — eat ; ā - kaṇṭha pūriyā — filling up to the throat ; madhye madhye — occasionally ; hari — the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; kahe — they speak ; ānandita hañā — in great jubilation .

Purport

It is the practice of Vaiṣṇavas while taking prasādam to chant the holy name of Lord Hari at intervals and also sing various songs, such as śarīra avidyā-jāla. Those who are honoring prasādam, accepting the remnants of food offered to the Deity, must always remember that prasādam is not ordinary food. Prasādam is transcendental. We are therefore reminded:

mahā-prasāde govinde nāma-brahmaṇi vaiṣṇave sv-alpa-puṇya-vatāṁ rājan viśvāso naiva jāyate

Those who are not pious cannot understand the value of mahā- prasādam or the holy name of the Lord. Both prasādam and the Lord’s name are on the Brahman platform, or spiritual platform. One should never consider prasādam to be like ordinary hotel cooking. Nor should one touch any kind of food not offered to the Deity. Every Vaiṣṇava strictly follows this principle and does not accept any food that is not prasādam. One should take prasādam with great faith and should chant the holy name of the Lord and worship the Deity in the temple, always remembering that the Deity, mahā-prasādam and the holy name do not belong to the mundane platform. By worshiping the Deity, eating prasādam and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, one can always remain on the spiritual platform ( brahma-bhūyāya kalpate ) .

Translation

After everyone had finished his lunch and washed his mouth and hands, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally decorated everyone with flower garlands and sandalwood pulp.

Word meanings

bhojana — lunch ; samāpta — ending ; haila — there was ; kaila — did ; ācamana — washing the mouth ; sabāre — on everyone ; parāila — put ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mālya - candana — a garland and sandalwood pulp .

Translation

After thus accepting prasādam, they all went to take rest at their respective residences, and in the evening they again came to meet Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

viśrāma karite — going to take rest ; sabe — all the Vaiṣṇavas ; nija — to their own ; vāsā — residential quarters ; gelā — went ; sandhyā - kāle — in the evening ; āsi’ — coming ; punaḥ — again ; prabhuke mililā — met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

At this time Rāmānanda Rāya also came to meet Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and the Lord took the opportunity to introduce him to all the Vaiṣṇavas.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; rāmānanda — Rāmānanda ; āilā — came ; prabhu - sthāne — at the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; milāila — caused to meet ; tāṅre — him (Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya) ; saba — all ; vaiṣṇava - gaṇe — the devotees of the Lord .

Translation

The great Personality of Godhead, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, then took all of them to the temple of Jagannātha and began the congregational chanting of the holy name there.

Word meanings

sabā lañā — taking all of them ; gelā — went ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; jagannātha - ālaya — to the temple of Lord Jagannātha ; kīrtana — congregational chanting ; ārambha — beginning ; tathā — there ; kaila — did ; mahāśaya — the great personality .

Translation

After seeing the dhūpa-ārati of the Lord, they all began congregational chanting. Then the paḍichā, the superintendent of the temple, came and offered flower garlands and sandalwood pulp to everyone.

Word meanings

sandhyā - dhūpa — dhūpa-ārati just in the beginning of the evening ; dekhi’ — they all saw ; ārambhilā — began ; saṅkīrtana — congregational chanting ; paḍichā — the inspector of the temple ; āsi’ — coming ; sabāre — unto everyone ; dila — offered ; mālya - candana — flower garlands and sandalwood pulp .

Translation

Four parties were then distributed in four directions to perform saṅkīrtana, and in the middle of them the Lord Himself, known as the son of mother Śacī, began to dance.

Word meanings

cāri - dike — in the four directions ; cāri — four ; sampradāya — groups ; karena — performed ; kīrtana — congregational chanting ; madhye — in the middle ; nṛtya kare — dances ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śacīra nandana — the son of mother Śacī .

Translation

In the four groups there were eight mṛdaṅgas and thirty-two cymbals. All together they began to vibrate the transcendental sound, and everyone said, “Very good! Very good!”

Word meanings

aṣṭa mṛdaṅga — eight mṛdaṅgas ; bāje — sounded ; batriśa — thirty-two ; karatāla — cymbals ; hari - dhvani — vibrating the transcendental sound ; kare — does ; sabe — every one of them ; bale — says ; bhāla bhāla — very good, very good .

Translation

When the tumultuous vibration of saṅkīrtana resounded, all good fortune immediately awakened, and the sound penetrated the whole universe through the fourteen planetary systems.

Word meanings

kīrtanera dhvani — the vibration of the saṅkīrtana ; mahā - maṅgala uṭhila — all good fortune awakened ; catur - daśa — fourteen ; loka — planetary systems ; bhari’ — filling up ; brahmāṇḍa — the whole universe ; bhedila — penetrated .

Translation

When the congregational chanting began, ecstatic love immediately overflooded everything, and all the residents of Jagannātha Purī came running.

Word meanings

kīrtana - ārambhe — in the beginning of the saṅkīrtana ; prema — ecstasy of love ; uthali’ — overpowering ; calila — began to proceed ; nīlācala - vāsī — all the residents of Jagannātha Purī ; loka — people ; dhāñā — running ; āila — came .

Translation

Everyone was astonished to see such a performance of saṅkīrtana, and they all agreed that never before had kīrtana been so performed and ecstatic love of God so exhibited.

Word meanings

kīrtana dekhi’ — seeing the performance of saṅkīrtana ; sabāra — of all of them ; mane — in the mind ; haila — there was ; camatkāra — astonishment ; kabhu — at any time ; nāhi — never ; dekhi — see ; aiche — such ; premera — of ecstatic love ; vikāra — transformation .

Translation

At this time Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu circumambulated the temple of Jagannātha and continuously danced about the whole area.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; jagannāthera — of Lord Jagannātha ; mandira — temple ; beḍiyā — walking all around ; pradakṣiṇa — circumambulation ; kari’ — doing ; bulena — walks ; nartana kariyā — dancing .

Translation

As the circumambulation was performed, the four kīrtana parties sang in front and in the rear. When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu fell down to the ground, Śrī Nityānanda Rāya Prabhu lifted Him up.

Word meanings

āge - pāche — in front and in the rear ; gāna — singing ; kare — do ; cāri — four ; sampradāya — groups ; āchāḍera — of falling down ; kāle — at the time ; dhare — captures ; nityānanda rāya — Lord Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu .

Translation

While kīrtana was going on, there was a transformation of ecstatic love and much tears, jubilation, trembling, perspiration and deep resounding in the body of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Upon seeing this transformation, all the people present became very much astonished.

Word meanings

aśru — tears ; pulaka — jubilation ; kampa — trembling ; sveda — perspiration ; gambhīra huṅkāra — deep resounding ; premera — of ecstatic love ; vikāra — transformation ; dekhi’ — seeing ; loke — all the people ; camatkāra — were astonished .

Translation

The tears from the eyes of the Lord came out with great force, like water from a syringe. Indeed, all the people who surrounded Him were moistened by His tears.

Word meanings

pickāri - dhārā — like water coming in force from a syringe ; jini’ — conquering ; aśru — tears ; nayane — in the eyes ; cāri - dikera — in all four directions ; loka — people ; saba — all ; karaye sināne — moistened .

Translation

After circumambulating the temple, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for some time remained at the rear of the temple and continued His saṅkīrtana.

Word meanings

beḍā - nṛtya — the dancing surrounding the temple ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kari’ — performing ; kata - kṣaṇa — for some time ; mandirera pāche — at the rear of the temple ; rahi’ — staying ; karaye — performed ; kīrtana — congregational chanting .

Translation

On all four sides the four saṅkīrtana groups chanted very loudly, and in the middle Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced, jumping high.

Word meanings

cāri - dike — on four sides ; cāri sampradāya — the four groups ; uccaiḥ - svare — very loudly ; gāya — chant ; madhye — in the middle ; tāṇḍava - nṛtya — jumping and dancing ; kare — performs ; gaurarāya — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

After dancing for a long time, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became still and ordered four great personalities to begin to dance.

Word meanings

bahu - kṣaṇa — for a long period ; nṛtya kari’ — dancing ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sthira hailā — became still ; cāri mahāntere — to four great personalities ; tabe — then ; nācite — to dance ; ājñā dilā — ordered .

Translation

In one group Nityānanda Prabhu began to dance, and in another group Advaita Ācārya began to dance.

Word meanings

eka sampradāye — in one group ; nāce — dances ; nityānanda - rāye — Lord Nityānanda ; advaita - ācārya — Advaita Ācārya Prabhu ; nāce — dances ; āra — another ; sampradāye — in a group .

Translation

Vakreśvara Paṇḍita began to dance in another group, and in yet another group Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura began to dance.

Word meanings

āra sampradāye — in another sampradāya, or group ; nāce — dances ; paṇḍita - vakreśvara — Vakreśvara Paṇḍita ; śrīvāsa — Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura ; nāce — dances ; āra — another ; sampradāya - bhitara — in the middle of a group .

Translation

While this dancing was going on, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu watched them and performed a miracle.

Word meanings

madhye rahi’ — keeping in the middle ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karena daraśana — looks over ; tāhāṅ — there ; eka — one ; aiśvarya — miracle ; tāṅra — of Him ; ha - ila — became ; prakaṭana — exhibited .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stood in the middle of the dancers, and all the dancers in all directions perceived that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was looking at them.

Word meanings

cāri - dike — on four sides ; nṛtya - gīta — chanting and dancing ; kare — does ; yata jana — all people ; sabe dekhe — everyone sees ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kare — does ; āmāre daraśana — looking at me .

Translation

Wanting to see the dancing of the four great personalities, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu exhibited this miracle of seeing everyone simultaneously.

Word meanings

cāri janera — of the four persons ; nṛtya — dancing ; dekhite — to see ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; abhilāṣa — desire ; sei abhilāṣe — for that purpose ; kare — does ; aiśvarya prakāśa — exhibition of a miracle .

Translation

Everyone who saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu could understand that He was performing a miracle, but they did not know how it was that He could see on all four sides.

Word meanings

darśane — while looking over ; āveśa — emotional ecstasy ; tāṅra — His ; dekhi’ — seeing ; mātra jāne — only knows ; kemane — how ; cau - dike — on four sides ; dekhe — He sees ; ihā nāhi jāne — one does not know .

Translation

In His own pastimes in Vṛndāvana, when Kṛṣṇa used to eat on the bank of the Yamunā and sit in the center of His friends, every one of the cowherd boys would perceive that Kṛṣṇa was looking at him. In the same way, when Caitanya Mahāprabhu observed the dancing, everyone saw that Caitanya Mahāprabhu was facing him.

Word meanings

pulina - bhojane — eating on the bank of Yamunā ; yena — as ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; madhya - sthāne — sitting in the middle ; cau - dikera — on four sides ; sakhā — cowherd boyfriends ; kahe — say ; āmāre nehāne — just seeing me .

Translation

When someone came nearby while dancing, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would tightly embrace him.

Word meanings

nṛtya karite — dancing ; yei — anyone who ; āise — comes ; sannidhāne — nearby ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kare — does ; tāṅre — unto him ; dṛḍha — tight ; āliṅgane — embracing .

Translation

Upon seeing the great dancing, great love and great saṅkīrtana, all the people of Jagannātha Purī floated in an ecstatic ocean of love.

Word meanings

mahā - nṛtya — great dancing ; mahā - prema — great love ; mahā - saṅkīrtana — great congregational chanting ; dekhi’ — seeing ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; bhāse — float ; nīlācala - jana — all the residents of Jagannātha Purī .

Translation

Hearing the greatness of the saṅkīrtana, King Pratāparudra went up to the top of his palace and watched the performance with his personal associates.

Word meanings

gajapati rājā — the King of Orissa ; śuni’ — hearing ; kīrtana - mahattva — the greatness of saṅkīrtana ; aṭṭālikā caḍi’ — ascending to the top of the palace ; dekhe — sees ; svagaṇa - sahita — along with his personal associates .

Translation

The King was very much astonished to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s kīrtana, and the King’s anxiety to meet Him increased unlimitedly.

Word meanings

kīrtana dekhiyā — seeing the performance of kīrtana ; rājāra — of the King ; haila — there was ; camatkāra — astonishment ; prabhuke — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; milite — to meet ; utkaṇṭhā — anxiety ; bāḍila — increased ; apāra — unlimitedly .

Translation

After the saṅkīrtana ended, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu watched the offering of flowers to the Lord Jagannātha Deity. Then He and all the Vaiṣṇavas returned to His residence.

Word meanings

kīrtana - samāptye — at the end of the performance of kīrtana ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhi’ — after seeing ; puṣpāñjali — offering flowers to the Lord Jagannātha Deity ; sarva vaiṣṇava — all the devotees ; lañā — accompanying ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āilā — returned ; vāsā — to His residence ; cali’ — going .

Translation

The superintendent of the temple then brought large quantities of prasādam, which Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally distributed to all the devotees.

Word meanings

paḍichā — the superintendent of the temple ; āniyā — bringing ; dila — delivered ; prasāda — of remnants of Jagannātha’s food ; vistara — a large quantity ; sabāre — unto everyone ; bāṅṭiyā — distributing ; tāhā — that ; dilena — gave ; īśvara — the Lord .

Translation

Finally they all departed to rest in bed. In this way Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the son of Śacīmātā, performed His pastimes.

Word meanings

sabāre — unto everyone ; vidāya — bidding farewell ; dila — gave ; karite śayana — to take rest ; ei - mata — in this way ; līlā — pastimes ; kare — performed ; śacīra nandana — the son of Śacī .

Translation

As long as the devotees remained at Jagannātha Purī with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the pastime of saṅkīrtana was performed with great jubilation every day.

Word meanings

yāvat — so long ; āchilā — remained ; sabe — all the devotees ; mahāprabhu - saṅge — along with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prati - dina — every day ; ei - mata — in this way ; kare — performed ; kīrtana - raṅge — saṅkīrtana in great pleasure .

Translation

In this way I have explained the Lord’s pastime of saṅkīrtana, and I bless everyone with this benediction: By listening to this description, one will surely become a servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

ei ta’ kahiluṅ — thus I have explained ; prabhura — of the Lord ; kīrtana - vilāsa — pastimes in saṅkīrtana ; yebā — anyone who ; ihā — this ; śune — listens to ; haya — becomes ; caitanyera dāsa — a servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, following in their footsteps.

Word meanings

śrī - rūpa — Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī ; raghunātha — Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; pade — at the lotus feet ; yāra — whose ; āśa — expectation ; caitanya - caritāmṛta — the book named Caitanya-caritāmṛta ; kahe — describes ; kṛṣṇadāsa — Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī .

Purport

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, eleventh chapter, describing the beḍā-kīrtana pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.