The Cleansing of the Guṇḍicā Temple

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu washed and cleansed the Guṇḍicā temple with His devotees and associates. In this way He made it as cool and bright as His own heart, and thus He made the temple a befitting place for Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa to sit.

Word meanings

śrī - guṇḍicā — known as Guṇḍicā ; mandiram — the temple ; ātma - vṛndaiḥ — with His associates ; sammārjayan — washing ; kṣālanataḥ — by cleansing ; saḥ — that ; gauraḥ — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sva - citta - vat — like His own heart ; śītalam — cool and calm ; ujjvalam — bright and clean ; ca — and ; kṛṣṇa — of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; upaveśa — for the sitting ; aupayikam — befitting ; cakāra — made .

Translation

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

Word meanings

jaya jaya — all glories ; gauracandra — to Gauracandra, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; 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 Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

All glories to the devotees of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura! I beg their power so that I can properly describe Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

jaya jaya — all glories ; śrīvāsa - ādi — headed by Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura ; gaura - bhakta - gaṇa — to the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śakti deha — please give me power ; kari yena — so that I may do ; caitanya — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; varṇana — description .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu returned from His South Indian tour, Mahārāja Pratāparudra, the King of Orissa, became very anxious to meet Him.

Word meanings

pūrve — formerly ; dakṣiṇa haite — from South India ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yabe — when ; āilā — returned ; tāṅre — Him ; milite — to meet ; gajapati — the King of Orissa ; utkaṇṭhita — full of anxieties ; hailā — became .

Translation

The King sent a letter from his capital, Kaṭaka, to Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, entreating him to obtain the Lord’s permission so that he could go and see Him.

Word meanings

kaṭaka haite — from Kaṭaka (Cuttack), the capital of Orissa ; patrī — a letter ; dila — sent ; sārvabhauma — of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; ṭhāñi — to the place ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ājñā — order ; haya — there is ; yadi — if ; dekhibāre yāi — I can go and see .

Translation

Replying to the King’s letter, the Bhaṭṭācārya wrote that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had not given His permission. After this, the King wrote him another letter.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya likhila — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya replied ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ājñā — order ; nā — not ; haila — there is ; punarapi — again ; rājā — the King ; tāṅre — unto him ; patrī — a letter ; pāṭhāila — dispatched .

Translation

In this letter the King requested Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, “Please appeal to all the devotees associated with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and submit this petition to them on my behalf.

Word meanings

prabhura nikaṭe — in the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āche — there are ; yata — all ; bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; mora lāgi’ — for me ; tāṅ - sabāre — unto all of them ; kariha — please submit ; nivedana — petition .

Translation

“If all the devotees associated with the Lord are favorably disposed toward me, they can submit my petition at the lotus feet of the Lord.

Word meanings

sei saba — all of them ; dayālu — merciful ; more — unto me ; hañā — becoming ; sa - daya — favorably disposed ; mora lāgi’ — for me ; prabhu - pade — at the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karibe — will do ; vinaya — humble submission .

Translation

“By the mercy of all the devotees, one can attain the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. Without His mercy, my kingdom does not appeal to me.

Word meanings

tāṅ - sabāra prasāde — by the mercy of all of them ; mile — one gets ; śrī - prabhura pāya — the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prabhu - kṛpā — the mercy of the Lord ; vinā — without ; mora — my ; rājya — kingdom ; nāhi — does not ; bhāya — appeal to me .

Translation

“If Gaurahari, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, will not show mercy to me, I shall give up my kingdom, become a mendicant and beg from door to door.”

Word meanings

yadi — if ; more — unto me ; kṛpā — mercy ; nā — not ; karibe — will do ; gaurahari — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rājya chāḍi’ — giving up the kingdom ; yogī — mendicant ; ha - i’ — becoming ; ha - iba — I shall become ; bhikhārī — a beggar .

Translation

When the Bhaṭṭācārya received this letter, he became very anxious. He then took the letter and went to the devotees of the Lord.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; patrī — the letter ; dekhi’ — seeing ; cintita hañā — becoming very anxious ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; pāśa — near ; gelā — went ; sei — that ; patrī — letter ; lañā — taking .

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya met with all the devotees and described the King’s wishes. Then he presented the letter to all of them for inspection.

Word meanings

sabāre — everyone ; miliyā — meeting ; kahila — said ; rāja - vivaraṇa — description of the King’s desire ; piche — later ; sei patrī — that letter ; sabāre — unto everyone ; karāila daraśana — showed .

Translation

Upon reading the letter, everyone was astonished to see that King Pratāparudra had so much devotion for the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

patrī — the letter ; dekhi’ — seeing ; sabāra — of everyone ; mane — in the mind ; ha - ila — there was ; vismaya — astonishment ; prabhu - pade — unto the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gajapatira — of the King of Orissa ; eta — so much ; bhakti — devotion ; haya — there is .

Translation

The devotees gave their opinion and said, “The Lord will never meet the King, and if we requested Him to do so, the Lord would surely feel very unhappy.”

Word meanings

sabe kahe — everyone said ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — unto him ; kabhu — at any time ; nā — not ; milibe — would see ; āmi - saba — all of us ; kahi — say ; yadi — if ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; se — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mānibe — will feel .

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya then said, “We shall go once again to the Lord, but we shall not request Him to meet the King. Rather, we shall simply describe the good behavior of the King.”

Word meanings

sārvabhauma kahe — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya said ; sabe cala’ — let all of us go ; eka - bāra — once ; milite — to meet ; nā kahiba — we shall not request ; kahiba — we shall simply describe ; rāja - vyavahāra — the behavior of the King .

Translation

Having thus reached a decision, they all went to the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. There, although ready to speak, they could not even utter a word.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — deciding like this ; sabe — all of them ; gelā — went ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sthāne — to the place ; kahite — to speak ; unmukha — ready ; sabe — all ; nā — do not ; kahe — say ; vacane — any word .

Translation

After they arrived at Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s place, the Lord, seeing them, said, “What have you all come here to say? I see that you want to say something, but you do not speak. What is the reason?”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; ki — what ; kahite — to speak ; sabāra — of all of you ; āgamana — there is the presence here ; dekhiye — I see ; kahite cāha — you want to speak ; nā kaha — but do not speak ; ki kāraṇa — what is the reason .

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu then said, “We want to tell You something. Although we cannot stay without speaking, we are still very much afraid to speak.

Word meanings

nityānanda kahe — Lord Nityānanda said ; tomāya — unto You ; cāhi — we want ; nivedite — to submit ; nā kahile — if we do not speak ; rahite nāri — we cannot stay ; kahite — but to speak ; bhaya citte — we are very fearful .

Translation

“We want to submit before You something that may or may not be befitting. The matter is this: unless he sees You, the King of Orissa will become a mendicant.”

Word meanings

yogya — befitting ; ayogya — not befitting ; tomāya — unto You ; saba — we all ; cāhi — want ; nivedite — to submit ; tomā — You ; nā milile — if he does not meet ; rājā — the King ; cāhe — wants ; yogī haite — to become a mendicant .

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu continued, “The King has decided to become a mendicant and accept the sign of a mendicant by wearing an ivory earring. He does not want to enjoy his kingdom without seeing the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

Word meanings

kāṇe mudrā — a kind of earring ; la - i’ — taking ; muñi — I ; ha - iba — shall become ; bhikhārī — a beggar ; rājya - bhoga — enjoyment of the kingdom ; nahe — not ; citte — in the mind ; vinā — without ; gaurahari — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Purport

In India there is still a class of professional mendicants who are very much like the gypsies of Western countries. They know some magical art and mystical processes, and their business is to beg from door to door, sometimes pleading and sometimes threatening. Such mendicants are sometimes called yogīs and sometimes kāṇaphāṭā yogīs. The word kāṇaphāṭā refers to one who has put a hole in his ear to wear an earring made of ivory. Mahārāja Pratāparudra was so depressed by not getting to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu that he decided to become such a yogī. Ordinary men think that a yogī must have an ivory earring in his ear, but this is not the sign of a real yogī. Mahārāja Pratāparudra also thought that to become a mendicant yogī, one must wear such an earring.

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu continued, “The King also expressed his desire to see the moonlike face of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his eyes’ full satisfaction. He would like to raise the lotus feet of the Lord to his heart.”

Word meanings

dekhiba — I shall see ; se — that ; mukha - candra — moonlike face ; nayana bhariyā — to the fulfillment of the eyes ; dhariba — I shall catch ; se — those ; pāda - padma — lotus feet ; hṛdaye — on my heart ; tuliyā — raising .

Translation

Hearing all these statements, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mind was certainly softened, but externally He wished to speak some harsh words.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; śuniyā — hearing ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; komala — softened ; haya — becomes ; mana — mind ; tathāpi — still ; bāhire — externally ; kahe — He says ; niṣṭhura vacana — hard words .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “I can understand that you all desire to take Me to Kaṭaka to see the King.”

Word meanings

tomā - sabāra — of all of you ; icchā — the desire ; ei — is ; āmāre lañā — taking Me ; rājāke — the King ; milaha — meet ; ihaṅ — here ; kaṭakete giyā — by going to Kaṭaka .

Purport

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is naturally the reservoir of all kindness, and as soon as He heard the statement made by the King, His heart immediately softened. Thus the Lord was ready to go see the King even at Kaṭaka. He did not even consider allowing the King to come from Kaṭaka to Jagannātha Purī to see Him. It is significant that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was so kind that He was ready to go see the King at Kaṭaka. Apparently it was never expected that the King wanted to see the Lord at His place, but by way of being externally harsh, the Lord indicated that if all the devotees so desired, He would go to Kaṭaka to see the King.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, “What to speak of spiritual advancement — all the people will blaspheme Me. And what to speak of all the people — Dāmodara would chastise Me.

Word meanings

parama - artha thākuka — what to speak of spiritual advancement ; loke — people in general ; karibe nindana — will blaspheme ; loke rahu — what to speak of people in general ; dāmodara — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; karibe — will do ; bhartsana — chastisement .

Translation

“I shall not meet the King at the request of all the devotees, but I shall do so if Dāmodara will give his permission.”

Word meanings

tomā - sabāra — of all of you ; ājñāya — by the order ; āmi — I ; nā — not ; mili — shall meet ; rājāre — the King ; dāmodara — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; kahe — says ; yabe — when ; mili — I shall meet ; tabe — then ; tāṅre — him .

Purport

From the spiritual point of view, a sannyāsī is strictly forbidden to see materialistic people, especially a king who is always engaged in counting pounds, shillings and pence. Indeed, the meeting between a sannyāsī and a king is always considered abominable. A sannyāsī is always subjected to public criticism, and a small fault on his part is taken seriously by the public. People actually expect a sannyāsī to preach and not take part in any social or political matters. If a sannyāsī is subject to public criticism, his preaching will not be fruitful. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu specifically wanted to avoid such criticism so that His preaching work would not be hampered. It so happened that while the Lord was talking to His disciples at that time, the devotee Dāmodara Paṇḍita was present. This Dāmodara Paṇḍita was a very faithful devotee and a staunch lover of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Whenever there was anything that might touch or taint the character of the Lord, Dāmodara Paṇḍita would immediately point it out, not even considering the exalted position of the Lord. It is sometimes said that fools rush in where angels dare not, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to point out Dāmodara Paṇḍita’s foolishness in coming forward to criticize the Lord. This is why the Lord stated that if Dāmodara Paṇḍita would give Him permission, He would go to see the King. There was deep meaning in this statement, for it is a warning that Dāmodara should not dare criticize the Lord any more, for it was not befitting his position as a devotee. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was considered the guide and spiritual master of all the devotees living with Him. Dāmodara Paṇḍita was one of them, and the Lord rendered Dāmodara Paṇḍita a special favor by warning him to avoid criticizing Him any further. A devotee or a disciple should never attempt to criticize the Lord or His representative, the spiritual master.

Translation

Dāmodara immediately replied, “My Lord, You are the fully independent Supreme Personality of Godhead. Since everything is known to You, You know what is permissible and what is not permissible.

Word meanings

dāmodara kahe — Paṇḍita Dāmodara said ; tumi — You ; svatantra — fully independent ; īśvara — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; kartavya — duty which is permissible ; akartavya — duty which is not permissible ; saba — all ; tomāra — of You ; gocara — within knowledge .

Translation

“I am merely an insignificant jīva, so what power do I have to give directions to You? By Your own personal choice You will meet with the King. I shall see it.

Word meanings

āmi kon — I am just some ; kṣudra - jīva — insignificant living entity ; tomāke — unto You ; vidhi — injunction ; diba — I shall give ; āpani — You ; milibe — will meet ; tāṅre — the King ; tāhāo dekhiba — I shall see it .

Translation

“The King is very much attached to You, and You are feeling affection and love toward him. Thus I can understand that by virtue of the King’s affection for You, You will touch him.

Word meanings

rājā — the King ; tomāre — You ; sneha kare — loves ; tumi — You ; sneha - vaśa — controlled by love and affection ; tāṅra — his ; snehe — by love ; karābe — will do ; tāṅre — unto him ; tomāra — Your ; paraśa — touching .

Translation

“Although You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead and are completely independent, still You are dependent on the love and affection of Your devotees. That is Your nature.”

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; īśvara — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; tumi — You ; parama — supremely ; svatantra — independent ; tathāpi — still ; svabhāve — by Your nature ; hao — You become ; prema - paratantra — subordinate to love .

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu then said, “Who is there in the three worlds who can ask You to see the King?

Word meanings

nityānanda kahe — Nityānanda Prabhu said ; aiche — such ; haya — there is ; kon jana — any person ; ye — who ; tomāre — unto You ; kahe — orders ; kara — do ; rāja - daraśana — meeting the King .

Translation

“Still, isn’t it the nature of an attached man to give up his life if he does not attain his desired object?

Word meanings

kintu — still ; anurāgī — affectionate ; lokera — of the people ; svabhāva — nature ; eka — one ; haya — there is ; iṣṭa — desirable ; nā pāile — without getting ; nija — own ; prāṇa — life ; se — he ; chāḍaya — gives up .

Translation

“For instance, some of the wives of the brāhmaṇas who were performing sacrifices gave up their lives in the presence of their husbands for the sake of Kṛṣṇa.”

Word meanings

yājñika - brāhmaṇī — the wives of the brāhmaṇas who were engaged in performing great sacrifices ; saba — all ; tāhāte — in that connection ; pramāṇa — evidence ; kṛṣṇa lāgi’ — for the matter of Kṛṣṇa ; pati - āge — in front of their husbands ; chāḍileka prāṇa — gave up their lives .

Purport

This refers to the day Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and His cowherd boys and flocks of animals were present in the pasturing grounds near Mathurā. At that time the cowherd boys, being a little hungry, requested food, and Lord Kṛṣṇa asked them to go to the brāhmaṇas who were engaged nearby in performing yajña, or sacrifice, and to get some food from that yajña. Being so ordered by the Lord, all the cowherd boys went to the brāhmaṇas and asked them for food, but they were denied. After this, the cowherd boys begged food from the wives of the brāhmaṇas. All these wives were very much devoted to Lord Kṛṣṇa in spontaneous love, and as soon as they heard the request of the cowherd boys and understood that Kṛṣṇa wanted some food, they immediately left the place of sacrifice. They were very much chastised for this by their husbands, and they were ready to give up their lives. It is the nature of a pure devotee to sacrifice his life for the transcendental loving service of the Lord.

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu then submitted one suggestion for the Lord’s consideration. “There is a way,” He suggested, “by which You need not meet the King but which would enable the King to continue living.

Word meanings

eka yukti — one plan ; āche — there is ; yadi — if ; kara avadhāna — You consider it ; tumi — You ; nā milileha — may not meet ; tāṅre — with him ; rahe — remains ; tāṅra — his ; prāṇa — life .

Translation

“If You, out of Your mercy, send one of Your outer garments to the King, the King would live hoping to see You some time in the future.”

Word meanings

eka bahirvāsa — one outer covering ; yadi — if ; deha’ — You give ; kṛpā kari’ — by Your mercy ; tāhā pāñā — getting that ; prāṇa rākhe — he would live ; tomāra āśā dhari’ — hoping to meet You some time in the future .

Purport

Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu was thus very tactfully suggesting that Caitanya Mahāprabhu give a piece of His old clothing to the King. Even though the King was not to meet the Lord, the King would then be pacified by receiving such a cloth. The King was very anxious to see the Lord, yet it was not possible for the Lord to see him. Just to resolve the situation, Nityānanda Prabhu suggested that the Lord send an old piece of clothing. Thus the King would understand that the Lord was showing mercy to him. The King would then not do anything drastic like giving up his life or becoming a mendicant.

Translation

The Lord said, “Since you are all very learned personalities, whatever you decide I shall accept.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord replied ; tumi - saba — all of you ; parama vidvān — greatly learned personalities ; yei — whatever ; bhāla haya — is right ; sei — that ; kara samādhāna — execute .

Translation

Lord Nityānanda Prabhu then obtained an external garment used by the Lord by requesting it from Govinda.

Word meanings

tabe — at that time ; nityānanda - gosāñi — Lord Nityānanda Prabhu ; govindera pāśa — from Govinda, the personal servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; māgiyā — requesting ; la - ila — took ; prabhura — of the Lord ; eka — one ; bahirvāsa — outer garment .

Translation

Thus Nityānanda Prabhu delivered the old cloth into the care of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, and Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya sent it to the King.

Word meanings

sei — that ; bahirvāsa — garment ; sārvabhauma - pāśa — in the care of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; dila — delivered ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; sei — that ; vastra — cloth ; rājāre — unto the King ; pāṭhā’la — sent .

Translation

When the King received the old cloth, he began to worship it exactly as he would worship the Lord personally.

Word meanings

vastra pāñā — getting that cloth ; rājāra — of the King ; haila — there was ; ānandita mana — very happy mind ; prabhu - rūpa kari’ — accepting as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself ; kare — executes ; vastrera — of the cloth ; pūjana — worship .

Purport

This is also the conclusion of the Vedic injunctions. Since the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Absolute Truth, everything in relation to Him is on the same platform. The King had great affection for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and although he did not see the Lord, he had nonetheless already attained the conclusion of devotional service. Immediately upon receiving the cloth from Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, the King began to worship it, accepting it as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. The Lord’s clothing, bedding, slippers and everything required as an ordinary necessity are all transformations of Śeṣa, Viṣṇu, the expansion of Śrī Baladeva. Thus the cloth and other paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are but other forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Everything connected to the Lord is worshipable. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructs us that just as Kṛṣṇa is worshipable, Kṛṣṇa’s place, Vṛndāvana, is also worshipable. And as Vṛndāvana is worshipable, similarly the paraphernalia in Vṛndāvana — the trees, roads, river, everything — is worshipable. A pure devotee thus sings, jaya jaya vṛndāvana-vāsī yata jana: “All glories to the residents of Vṛndāvana!” If a devotee has a staunch devotional attitude, all these conclusions will be awakened or revealed within the heart.

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)

Thus following in the footsteps of Mahārāja Pratāparudra and other devotees, we should learn to worship everything belonging to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is referred to by Lord Śiva as tadīyānām. In the Padma Purāṇa it is said:

ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param tasmāt parataraṁ devi tadīyānāṁ samarcanam

“O Devī, the most exalted system of worship is the worship of Lord Viṣṇu. Greater than that is the worship of tadīya, or anything belonging to Viṣṇu.” Śrī Viṣṇu is sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha. Similarly, the most confidential servant of Kṛṣṇa, the spiritual master, and all devotees of Viṣṇu are tadīya. The sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha, guru, Vaiṣṇavas and things used by them must be considered tadīya and without a doubt worshipable by all living beings.

Translation

After returning from his service in South India, Rāmānanda Rāya requested the King to allow him to remain with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

rāmānanda rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya ; yabe — when ; dakṣiṇa — South India ; haite — from ; āilā — returned ; prabhu - saṅge — with Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rahite — to stay ; rājāke — unto the King ; nivedilā — requested .

Translation

When Rāmānanda Rāya requested the King to allow him to stay with the Lord, the King immediately gave him permission with great satisfaction. As for the King himself, he began to solicit Rāmānanda Rāya to make a meeting arrangement.

Word meanings

tabe — at that time ; rājā — the King ; santoṣe — in great satisfaction ; tāṅhāre — unto Rāmānanda Rāya ; ājñā dilā — gave the order ; āpani — personally ; milana lāgi’ — to meet ; sādhite lāgilā — began to solicit .

Translation

The King told Rāmānanda Rāya, “Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is very, very merciful to you. Therefore please solicit my meeting with Him without fail.”

Word meanings

mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mahā - kṛpā — great mercy ; karena — does ; tomāre — unto you ; more — me ; milibāre — for meeting ; avaśya — certainly ; sādhibe — you must solicit ; tāṅhāre — Him .

Translation

The King and Rāmānanda Rāya returned together to Jagannātha-kṣetra [Purī], and Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

eka - saṅge — together ; dui jana — these two persons ; kṣetre — at Jagannātha-kṣetra (Jagannātha Purī) ; yabe — when ; āilā — came back ; rāmānanda rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya ; tabe — at that time ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mililā — met .

Translation

At that time, Rāmānanda Rāya informed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu about the ecstatic love of the King. Indeed, as soon as there was some opportunity, he repeatedly informed the Lord about the King.

Word meanings

prabhu - pade — unto the lotus feet of the Lord ; prema - bhakti — ecstatic love ; jānāila — informed ; rājāra — of the King ; prasaṅga — discussion ; pāñā — getting ; aiche — thus ; kahe — says ; bāra - bāra — again and again .

Translation

Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya was indeed a diplomatic minister for the King. His general behavior was very expert, and simply by describing the King’s love for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he gradually softened the Lord’s mind.

Word meanings

rāja - mantrī — diplomatic minister ; rāmānanda — Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya ; vyavahāre — in general behavior ; nipuṇa — very expert ; rāja - prīti — the love of the King for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kahi’ — describing ; dravāila — softened ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mana — the mind .

Purport

A diplomat in the material world knows how to deal with people, especially in political affairs. Some of the great devotees of the Lord — like Rāmānanda Rāya, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Sanātana Gosvāmī and Rūpa Gosvāmī — were government officers and had a background of very opulent householder life. Consequently they knew how to deal with people. In many instances we have seen the diplomacy of Rūpa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī and Rāmānanda Rāya employed in the service of the Lord. When Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī’s father and uncle were to be arrested by government officials, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī hid them and personally met the government officers and settled the affair diplomatically. This is but one instance. Similarly, Sanātana Gosvāmī, after resigning his ministership, was thrown in jail, and he bribed the attendant of the jail so he could leave the clutches of the Nawab and live with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Now we see Rāmānanda Rāya, a most confidential devotee of the Lord, diplomatically soften the heart of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, despite the fact that the Lord definitely decided not to meet the King. The diplomacy of Rāmānanda Rāya and entreaties of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya and all the other great devotees succeeded. The conclusion is that diplomacy used for the service of the Lord is a form of devotional service.

Translation

Mahārāja Pratāparudra, in great anxiety, could not endure not seeing the Lord; therefore Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya, by his diplomacy, arranged a meeting with the Lord for the King.

Word meanings

utkaṇṭhāte — in great anxiety ; pratāparudra — King Pratāparudra ; nāre rahibāre — could not stay ; rāmānanda — Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya ; sādhilena — solicited ; prabhure — unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; milibāre — to meet .

Translation

Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya frankly requested Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “Please show Your lotus feet to the King at least once.”

Word meanings

rāmānanda — Rāmānanda ; prabhu - pāya — at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kaila — did ; nivedana — submission ; eka - bāra — once only ; pratāparudre — unto Mahārāja Pratāparudra ; dekhāha — show ; caraṇa — Your lotus feet .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, “My dear Rāmānanda, you should make this request after duly considering whether it is befitting for a sannyāsī to meet a king.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; rāmānanda — My dear Rāmānanda ; kaha — please ask Me ; vicāriyā — after due consideration ; rājāke — the King ; milite — to meet ; yuyāya — is it befitting ; sannyāsī — in the renounced order of life ; hañā — being .

Translation

“If a mendicant meets a king, this world and the next world are both destroyed for the mendicant. Indeed, what is there to say of the next world? In this world, people will joke if a sannyāsī meets a king.”

Word meanings

rājāra milane — by meeting with a king ; bhikṣukera — of the mendicant ; dui loka — in two worlds ; nāśa — destruction ; para - loka — spiritual world ; rahu — let alone ; loke — in this material world ; kare — do ; upahāsa — joking .

Translation

Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “My Lord, You are the supreme independent personality. You have nothing to fear from anyone because You are not dependent on anyone.”

Word meanings

rāmānanda kahe — Rāmānanda said ; tumi — You ; īśvara — the Supreme Lord ; svatantra — independent ; kāre tomāra bhaya — why should You be afraid of anyone ; tumi naha — You are not ; para - tantra — dependent .

Translation

When Rāmānanda Rāya addressed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Caitanya Mahāprabhu objected, saying, “I am not the Supreme Personality of Godhead but an ordinary human being. Therefore I must fear public opinion in three ways — with My body, mind and words.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; āmi manuṣya — I am a human being ; āśrame — in the social order ; sannyāsī — a renounced person ; kāya - manaḥ - vākye — with My body, mind and words ; vyavahāre — in general dealings ; bhaya — fear ; vāsi — I do .

Translation

“As soon as the general public finds a little fault in the behavior of a sannyāsī, they advertise it like wildfire. A black spot of ink cannot be hidden on a white cloth. It is always very prominent.”

Word meanings

śukla - vastre — on white cloth ; masi - bindu — a spot of ink ; yaiche — as much as ; nā — does not ; lukāya — become hidden ; sannyāsīra — of a sannyāsī ; alpa — a very little ; chidra — fault ; sarva - loke — the general public ; gāya — advertise .

Translation

Rāmānanda Rāya replied, “My dear Lord, You have delivered so many sinful people. This King Pratāparudra, the King of Orissa, is actually a servitor of the Lord and Your devotee.”

Word meanings

rāya kahe — Rāmānanda Rāya replied ; kata pāpīra — of numberless sinful persons ; kariyācha — You have done ; avyāhati — deliverance ; īśvara - sevaka — a servitor of the Lord ; tomāra — Your ; bhakta — devotee ; gajapati — the King .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then said, “There may be much milk in a big pot, but if it is contaminated by a drop of liquor, it is untouchable.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord replied ; pūrṇa — completely filled ; yaiche — just as ; dugdhera — of milk ; kalasa — container ; surā - bindu - pāte — with simply a drop of liquor ; keha — anyone ; nā kare — does not ; paraśa — touch .

Translation

“The King certainly possesses all good qualities, but simply by taking up the name ‘king,’ he has infected everything.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; pratāparudra — the King ; sarva - guṇa - vān — qualified in every respect ; tāṅhāre — unto him ; malina kaila — makes impure ; eka — one ; rājā - nāma — the name ‘‘king.’’ .

Translation

“But if you are still very eager for the King to meet with Me, please first bring his son to meet Me.

Word meanings

tathāpi — still ; tomāra — your ; yadi — if ; mahā - āgraha — great eagerness ; haya — there is ; tabe — then ; āni’ — bringing ; milāha — cause to meet ; tumi — you ; tāṅhāra — his ; tanaya — son .

Translation

“It is indicated in the revealed scriptures that the son represents the father; therefore the son’s meeting with Me would be just as good as the King’s meeting with Me.”

Word meanings

ātmā vai jāyate putraḥ — his self appears as the son ; ei — this ; śāstra - vāṇī — the indication of revealed scriptures ; putrera milane — by meeting the son ; yena — as if ; milibe — he will meet ; āpani — personally .

Purport

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.78.36) it is said, ātmā vai putra utpanna iti vedānuśāsanam. The Vedas enjoin that one is born as his own son. The son is nondifferent from the father, and this is admitted in every revealed scripture. In Christian theology it is believed that Christ, the son of God, is also God, or in other words that they are identical.

Translation

Rāmānanda Rāya then went to inform the King about his talks with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and, following the Lord’s orders, brought the King’s son to see Him.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya ; yāi’ — going ; saba — everything ; rājāre — unto the King ; kahilā — described ; prabhura ājñāya — under the order of the Lord ; tāṅra putra — his son ; lañā āilā — he brought with him .

Translation

The prince, just entering upon his youth, was very beautiful. He was blackish in complexion and had large lotus eyes.

Word meanings

sundara — beautiful ; rājāra putra — the son of the King ; śyāmala - varaṇa — blackish complexion ; kiśora vayasa — the age just before youth ; dīrgha — long ; kamala - nayana — lotus eyes .

Translation

The prince was dressed in yellow cloth, and there were jeweled ornaments decorating his body. Therefore anyone who saw him would remember Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

pīta - ambara — dressed in yellow cloth ; dhare — carries ; aṅge — on the body ; ratna - ābharaṇa — ornaments of jewels ; śrī - kṛṣṇa - smaraṇe — for remembering Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; teṅha — he ; hailā — was ; uddīpana — stimulation .

Translation

Seeing the boy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately remembered Kṛṣṇa. Meeting the boy in ecstatic love, the Lord began to speak.

Word meanings

tāṅre dekhi — seeing him ; mahāprabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṛṣṇa - smṛti — remembrance of Kṛṣṇa ; haila — there was ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; tāṅre — him ; mili’ — meeting ; kahite lāgila — began to say .

Translation

“Here is a great devotee,” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said. “Upon seeing him, everyone can remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, son of Mahārāja Nanda.”

Word meanings

ei — here is ; mahā - bhāgavata — a first-class devotee ; yāṅhāra darśane — by the sight of whom ; vrajendra - nandana — of the son of the King of Vraja ; smṛti — remembrance ; haya — becomes ; sarva - jane — for everyone .

Purport

In his Anubhāṣya, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura states that a materialist mistakenly accepts the body and mind as the source of material enjoyment. In other words, a materialist accepts the bodily conception of life. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not regard the son of Mahārāja Pratāparudra with the idea that he was a materialist, being the son of a materialist. Nor did He consider Himself the enjoyer. Māyāvādī philosophers make a great mistake by assuming that the sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha, the transcendental form of the Lord, is like a material body. However, there is no material contamination in transcendence, nor is there any possibility of imagining a spirituality in matter. One cannot accept matter as spirit. As indicated by the technical words bhauma ijya-dhīḥ ( Bhāg. 10.84.13 ), materialistic Māyāvādīs imagine the form of God in matter, although according to their imagination, God is ultimately formless. This is simply mental speculation. Even though Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He placed Himself in the position of a gopī. He also accepted the King’s son directly as the son of Mahārāja Nanda, Vrajendra-nandana Hari. This is perfect vision according to the direction of the Vedic culture, as confirmed in Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā: paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ. Such acceptance of the Absolute Truth according to Vaiṣṇava philosophy is explained in both the Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad (3.2.3) and the Kaṭha Upaniṣad (1.2.23) in the following words:

nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo na medhayā na bahunā śrutena yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūṁ svām

“The Supreme Lord is not obtained by expert explanations, by vast intelligence, nor even by much hearing. He is obtained only by one whom He Himself chooses. To such a person He manifests His own form.”

The living entity is entangled in material existence due to his lack of such spiritual vision. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has sung in his Kalyāṇa-kalpataru: saṁsāre āsiyā prakṛti bhajiyā ‘puruṣa’ abhimāne mari. When the living entity comes to the material world, he thinks himself the enjoyer. Thus he becomes more and more entangled.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, “I have become very much obligated just by seeing this boy.” After saying this, the Lord again embraced the prince.

Word meanings

kṛta - artha ha - ilāṅa — have become very much obligated ; āmi — I ; iṅhāra — of this boy ; daraśane — by seeing ; eta bali’ — saying this ; punaḥ — again ; tāre — him ; kaila — did ; āliṅgane — embrace .

Translation

As soon as the prince was touched by Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, symptoms of ecstatic love immediately manifested themselves in his body. These symptoms included perspiration, trembling, tears, being stunned and jubilation.

Word meanings

prabhu - sparśe — because of being touched by the Lord ; rāja - putrera — of the King’s son ; haila — there was ; prema - āveśa — ecstatic love ; sveda — perspiration ; kampa — trembling ; aśru — tears ; stambha — being stunned ; pulaka — jubilation ; viśeṣa — specifically .

Translation

The boy began to cry and dance, and he chanted, “Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa!” Upon seeing his bodily symptoms and his chanting and dancing, all the devotees praised him for his great spiritual fortune.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa — O Kṛṣṇa, O Kṛṣṇa ; kahe — chants ; nāce — dances ; karaye — does ; rodana — crying ; tāṅra — his ; bhāgya — fortune ; dekhi’ — seeing ; ślāghā — praise ; kare — do ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees .

Translation

At that time, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu calmed the youth and ordered him to come there daily to meet Him.

Word meanings

tabe — at that time ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — the boy ; dhairya — patient ; karāila — caused to be ; nitya — daily ; āsi’ — coming ; āmāya — Me ; miliha — meet ; ei ājñā — this order ; dila — gave .

Translation

Rāmānanda Rāya and the boy then departed from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and Rāmānanda took him back to the King’s palace. The King was very happy when he heard of his son’s activities.

Word meanings

vidāya hañā — taking leave ; rāya — Rāmānanda Rāya ; āila — came back ; rāja - putre lañā — taking the King’s son ; rājā — the King ; sukha pāila — felt great happiness ; putrera — of his son ; ceṣṭā — activities ; dekhiyā — seeing .

Translation

Just by embracing his son, the King was filled with ecstatic love, just as if he had touched Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu directly.

Word meanings

putre — his son ; āliṅgana — embracing ; kari’ — doing ; prema - āviṣṭa hailā — he became ecstatic ; sākṣāt — directly ; paraśa — touch ; yena — as if ; mahāprabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; pāilā — he got .

Translation

From then on, the fortunate prince was one of the most intimate devotees of the Lord.

Word meanings

sei haite — from that day ; bhāgyavān — the most fortunate ; rājāra nandana — the son of the King ; prabhu - bhakta - gaṇa - madhye — among the intimate devotees of the Lord ; hailā — became ; eka - jana — one of them .

Purport

In this regard, Śrīla Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī writes, yat-kāruṇya-kaṭākṣa-vaibhava-vatām. If Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu simply glanced at someone for a moment, that person immediately turned into one of the most confidential devotees of the Lord. The prince came to see the Lord for the first time, but by the Lord’s mercy the boy immediately became a topmost devotee. This was not in theory but in practice. We cannot apply the nagna-mātṛkā-nyāya formula. This states that if one’s mother was naked in her childhood, she should continue to remain naked, even though she has become the mother of so many children. If a person is actually blessed by the mercy of the Lord, he can immediately become a topmost devotee of the Lord. The logic of nagna-mātṛkā states that if a person is not elevated on such and such a date, he cannot become an exalted devotee overnight, as it were. This particular instance offers evidence to contradict that theory. On the previous day, the boy was simply an ordinary prince, and the next day he was counted as one of the topmost devotees of the Lord. This was all made possible by the causeless mercy of the Lord. The Lord is omnipotent — all-powerful or almighty — and He can act as He likes.

Translation

Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu acted in the society of His pure devotees, performing His pastimes and spreading the saṅkīrtana movement.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta - gaṇa - saṅge — in the society of His pure devotees ; nirantara — constantly ; krīḍā kare — performs pastimes ; saṅkīrtana - raṅge — in the course of His saṅkīrtana movement .

Translation

Some of the prominent devotees like Advaita Ācārya used to invite Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to take His meals at their homes. The Lord accepted such invitations accompanied by His devotees.

Word meanings

ācārya - ādi — headed by Advaita Ācārya ; bhakta — devotees ; kare — do ; prabhure — unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nimantraṇa — invitation ; tāhāṅ tāhāṅ — here and there ; bhikṣā kare — takes His lunch ; lañā — taking ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees .

Translation

In this way, the Lord passed some days in great jubilation. Then the car festival of Lord Jagannātha approached.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; nānā raṅge — in great jubilation ; dina kata — some days ; gela — passed ; jagannāthera — of Lord Śrī Jagannātha ; ratha - yātrā — the car festival ; nikaṭa ha - ila — came nearer .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu first of all called for Kāśī Miśra, then for the superintendent of the temple, then for Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya.

Word meanings

prathamei — in the beginning ; kāśī - miśre — Kāśī Miśra ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bolāila — called for ; paḍichā - pātra — the superintendent of the temple ; sārvabhaume — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; bolāñā — calling ; ānila — brought .

Translation

When these three people came before the Lord, He begged them for permission to wash the temple known as Guṇḍicā.

Word meanings

tina - jana - pāśe — in the presence of the three persons ; prabhu — the Lord ; hāsiyā — smiling ; kahila — said ; guṇḍicā - mandira - mārjana — of washing the temple known as Guṇḍicā ; sevā — service ; māgi’ nila — obtained by begging .

Purport

The Guṇḍicā temple is situated two miles northeast of the Jagannātha temple. At the time of the Ratha-yātrā festival, Lord Jagannātha goes to the Guṇḍicā temple from His original temple and stays there for one week. After one week, He returns to His original temple. It is understood by hearsay that the wife of Indradyumna, the King who established the Jagannātha temple, was known as Guṇḍicā. There is also mention of the name of the Guṇḍicā temple in authoritative scripture. The area of the Guṇḍicā temple is estimated to be 288 cubits by 215 cubits (a cubit is about a foot and a half). The main temple inside is about 36 cubits by 30 cubits, and the kīrtana hall is 32 cubits by 30 cubits.

Translation

Upon hearing the Lord’s request for permission to wash the Guṇḍicā temple, the paḍichā, the superintendent of the temple, said, “My dear Sir, we are all Your servants. Whatever You desire is our duty to perform.

Word meanings

paḍichā kahe — the superintendent said ; āmi - saba — we are all ; sevaka tomāra — Your servants ; ye tomāra — whatever Your ; icchā — desire ; sei — that ; kartavya āmāra — our duty .

Translation

“The King gave a special order for me to do without delay whatever Your Lordship orders.

Word meanings

viśeṣe — specifically ; rājāra — of the King ; ājñā — order ; hañāche — there is ; āmāre — upon me ; prabhura — of Your Lordship ; ājñā — order ; yei — whatever ; sei — that ; śīghra karibāre — to execute without delay .

Translation

“My dear Lord, washing the temple is not service befitting You. Nonetheless, if You wish to do so, it is to be accepted as one of Your pastimes.

Word meanings

tomāra — of You ; yogya — befitting ; sevā — service ; nahe — not ; mandira - mārjana — washing the temple ; ei — this ; eka — one ; līlā — pastime ; kara — You perform ; ye tomāra mana — as You like .

Translation

“To wash the temple, You need many waterpots and brooms. Therefore order me. I can immediately bring all these things to You.”

Word meanings

kintu — but ; ghaṭa — waterpots ; sammārjanī — brooms ; bahuta — many ; cāhiye — You require ; ājñā deha — just order ; āji — immediately today ; saba — everything ; ihāṅ — here ; āni diye — I shall bring and deliver .

Translation

As soon as the superintendent understood the desire of the Lord, he immediately delivered a hundred new waterpots and a hundred brooms for sweeping the temple.

Word meanings

nūtana — new ; eka - śata — one hundred ; ghaṭa — waterpots ; śata — hundred ; sammārjanī — brooms ; paḍichā — the superintendent ; āniyā — bringing ; dila — delivered ; prabhura — of the Lord ; icchā — the desire ; jāni’ — knowing .

Translation

The next day, early in the morning, the Lord took His personal associates with Him and, with His own hand, smeared sandalwood pulp on their bodies.

Word meanings

āra dine — on the next day ; prabhāte — in the morning ; lañā — taking ; nija - gaṇa — His personal devotees ; śrī - haste — by His own hand ; sabāra aṅge — on everyone’s body ; lepilā candana — smeared pulp of sandalwood .

Translation

He then gave each devotee a broom with His own hand, and taking all of them personally with Him, the Lord went to Guṇḍicā.

Word meanings

śrī - haste — by His own hand ; dila — delivered ; sabāre — unto every one of them ; eka eka — one by one ; mārjanī — a broom ; saba - gaṇa — all the associates ; lañā — taking ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; calilā — went ; āpani — personally .

Translation

In this way the Lord and His associates went to cleanse the Guṇḍicā temple. At first they cleansed the temple with the brooms.

Word meanings

guṇḍicā - mandire — to the temple known as Guṇḍicā ; gelā — went ; karite — to do ; mārjana — washing ; prathame — in the first instance ; mārjanī — the brooms ; lañā — taking ; karila — did ; śodhana — cleansing .

Translation

The Lord cleansed everything inside the temple very nicely, including the ceiling. He then took up the sitting place [siṁhāsana], cleansed it and again put it in its original place.

Word meanings

bhitara mandira — of the interior of the temple ; upara — the ceiling ; sakala mājila — cleansed everything ; siṁhāsana — the sitting place of the Lord ; māji’ — cleansing ; punaḥ — again ; sthāpana — setting down ; karila — did .

Translation

Thus the Lord and His companions cleansed and swept all the temple’s buildings, big and small, and finally cleansed the area between the temple and the kīrtana hall.

Word meanings

choṭa - baḍa - mandira — all the small and big temples ; kaila — did ; mārjana - śodhana — proper cleansing ; pāche — thereafter ; taiche — in the similar way ; śodhila — cleansed ; śrī - jagamohana — the place between the original temple and the kīrtana hall .

Translation

Indeed, hundreds of devotees were engaged in cleansing all around the temple, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was personally carrying out the operation just to instruct others.

Word meanings

cāri - dike — all around ; śata — hundreds of ; bhakta — devotees ; sammārjanī - kare — do the cleansing work ; āpani — personally ; śodhena — cleanses ; prabhu — the Lord ; śikhā’na sabāre — teaching all others .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu washed and cleansed the temple in great jubilation, chanting the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa all the time. Similarly, all the devotees were also chanting and at the same time performing their respective duties.

Word meanings

prema - ullāse — in great jubilation ; śodhena — cleanses ; layena — chants ; kṛṣṇa — Hare Kṛṣṇa ; nāma — name ; bhakta - gaṇa — the devotees ; kṛṣṇa kahe — chant Kṛṣṇa ; kare — do ; nija - kāma — their own duty .

Translation

The entire beautiful body of the Lord was covered with dust and dirt. In this way it became transcendentally beautiful. At times, when cleansing the temple, the Lord shed tears, and in some places He even cleansed with those tears.

Word meanings

dhūli — dust ; dhūsara — dirt ; tanu — body ; dekhite — to see ; śobhana — very beautiful ; kāhāṅ kāhāṅ — somewhere ; aśru - jale — with tears ; kare — does ; sammārjana — washing .

Translation

After this, the place where the Deity’s food was kept [bhoga-mandira] was cleansed. Then the yard was cleansed, and then all the residential quarters, one after the other.

Word meanings

bhoga - mandira — the place where food is placed ; śodhana kari’ — cleansing ; śodhila prāṅgaṇa — cleansed the yard ; sakala — all ; āvāsa — residential places ; krame — one after another ; karila śodhana — cleansed .

Translation

After Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu collected all the straw, dust and grains of sand in one place, He gathered it all in His cloth and threw it outside.

Word meanings

tṛṇa — straws ; dhūli — dust ; jhiṅkura — grains of sand ; saba — all ; ekatra — in one place ; kariyā — combining ; bahirvāse lañā — taking on His personal cloth ; phelāya — throws ; bāhira kariyā — outside .

Translation

Following the example of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all the devotees, in great jubilation, began to gather straws and dust with their own cloths and throw them outside the temple.

Word meanings

ei - mata — similarly ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees ; kari’ — doing ; nija - vāse — in their own cloths ; tṛṇa — straw ; dhūli — dust ; bāhire phelāya — throw outside ; parama hariṣe — with great jubilation .

Translation

The Lord then told the devotees, “I can tell how much you have labored and how well you have cleansed the temple simply by seeing all the straw and dust you have collected outside.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; ke — every one of you ; kata — how much ; kariyācha — have done ; sammārjana — cleansing ; tṛṇa — straw ; dhūli — dust ; dekhilei — when I see ; jāniba — I can understand ; pariśrama — how much you have labored .

Translation

Even though all the devotees collected dirt in one pile, the dirt collected by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was much greater.

Word meanings

sabāra — of all ; jhyāṅṭāna — the dirt collected ; bojhā — load ; ekatra — combined in one place ; karila — made ; sabā haite — than all of them ; prabhura bojhā — the pile of dirt collected by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; adhika ha - ila — was greater .

Translation

After the inside of the temple was cleansed, the Lord again allotted areas for the devotees to cleanse.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; abhyantara — inside ; karila — did ; mārjana — cleansing ; punaḥ — again ; sabākāre — to all of them ; dila — gave ; kariyā vaṇṭana — allotting areas .

Translation

The Lord then ordered everyone to cleanse the inside of the temple very perfectly by taking finer dust, straws and grains of sand and throwing them outside.

Word meanings

sūkṣma dhūli — fine dust ; tṛṇa — straw ; kāṅkara — grains of sand ; saba — all ; karaha — do ; dūra — away ; bhāla - mate — very well ; śodhana — cleansing ; karaha — do ; prabhura — of the Lord ; antaḥpura — inside .

Translation

After Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and all the Vaiṣṇavas cleansed the temple for the second time, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very happy to see the cleansing work.

Word meanings

saba — all ; vaiṣṇava — devotees ; lañā — taking ; yabe — when ; dui - bāra — for the second time ; śodhila — cleansed ; dekhi’ — seeing ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mane — in the mind ; santoṣa — satisfaction ; ha - ila — there was .

Translation

While the temple was being swept, about a hundred men stood ready with filled waterpots, and they simply awaited the Lord’s order to throw the water from them.

Word meanings

āra — other ; śata jana — about one hundred men ; śata ghaṭe — in a hundred waterpots ; jala — water ; bhari’ — filling ; prathamei — in the first instance ; lañā — taking ; āche — were ; kāla — the time ; apekṣā kari’ — awaiting .

Translation

As soon as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu called for water, all the men immediately brought the hundred waterpots, which were completely filled, and delivered them before the Lord.

Word meanings

jala āna — bring water ; bali’ — saying ; yabe — when ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kahila — ordered ; tabe — at that time ; śata ghaṭa — one hundred pots ; āni’ — bringing ; prabhu - āge — before the Lord ; dila — delivered .

Translation

In this way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu first washed the main temple and then thoroughly washed the ceiling, the walls, the floor, the sitting place [siṁhāsana] and everything else within the room.

Word meanings

prathame — in the first instance ; karila — did ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mandira prakṣālana — washing of the temple ; ūrdhva — on the ceiling ; adhaḥ — on the floor ; bhitti — walls ; gṛha - madhya — within the home ; siṁhāsana — the sitting place of the Lord .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself and His devotees began to throw water onto the ceiling. When this water fell, it washed the walls and floor.

Word meanings

khāparā — basin ; bhariyā — filling ; jala — water ; ūrdhve — on the ceiling ; cālāila — began to throw ; sei jale — with that water ; ūrdhva śodhi — washing the ceiling ; bhitti — walls and floor ; prakṣālila — washed .

Translation

Then Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to wash the sitting place of Lord Jagannātha with His own hands, and all the devotees began to bring water to the Lord.

Word meanings

śrī - haste — with His own hand ; karena — does ; siṁhāsanera mārjana — washing of the sitting place of the Lord ; prabhu āge — before the Lord ; jala — water ; āni’ — bringing ; deya — deliver ; bhakta - gaṇa — all devotees .

Translation

All the devotees within the temple began to wash. Each one had a broom in his hand, and in this way they cleansed the temple of the Lord.

Word meanings

bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; kare — do ; gṛha - madhya — within the room ; prakṣālana — washing ; nija nija — each one of them ; haste — in the hand ; kare — does ; mandira mārjana — cleansing of the temple .

Translation

Someone brought water to pour into the hands of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and someone poured water on His lotus feet.

Word meanings

keha — someone ; jala āni’ — bringing water ; deya — delivers ; mahāprabhura kare — to the hand of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; keha — someone ; jala deya — pours water ; tāṅra — His ; caraṇa - upare — on the lotus feet .

Translation

The water that fell from the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was drunk by someone who hid himself. Someone else begged for that water, and another person was giving that water in charity.

Word meanings

keha — someone ; lukāñā — concealing himself ; kare — does ; sei jala — of that water ; pāna — drinking ; keha — someone ; māgi’ laya — begging, takes ; keha — another ; anye — to another ; kare — gives ; dāna — in charity .

Translation

After the room was washed, the water was let out through an outlet, and it then flowed and filled the yard outside.

Word meanings

ghara dhui’ — washing the room ; praṇālikāya — unto the outlet ; jala — water ; chāḍi’ dila — let go ; sei jale — by that water ; prāṅgaṇa — the yard ; saba — all ; bhariyā — filled ; rahila — remained .

Translation

The Lord mopped the rooms with His own clothes, and He polished the throne with them also.

Word meanings

nija - vastre — by His own garment ; kaila — did ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gṛha — room ; sammārjana — mopping ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nija - vastre — by His own garment ; mājila — polished ; siṁhāsana — throne .

Translation

In this way all the rooms were cleansed with a hundred waterpots. After the rooms had been cleansed, the minds of the devotees were as clean as the rooms.

Word meanings

śata — one hundred ; ghaṭa — of waterpots ; jale — by the water ; haila — became ; mandira — the temple ; mārjana — cleansed ; mandira — the temple ; śodhiyā — cleansing ; kaila — did ; yena — as if ; nija mana — his own mind .

Translation

When the temple was cleansed, it was purified, cool and pleasing, just as if the Lord’s own pure mind had appeared.

Word meanings

nirmala — purified ; śītala — cool ; snigdha — pleasing ; karila — made ; mandire — the temple ; āpana - hṛdaya — own heart ; yena — as if ; dharila — kept ; bāhire — outside .

Translation

Since hundreds of men were engaged in bringing water from the lake, there was no place to stand on the banks. Consequently someone began to draw water from a well.

Word meanings

śata śata jana — hundreds of men ; jala bhare — draw water ; sarovare — from the lake ; ghāṭe — on the bank ; sthāna — place ; nāhi — there is not ; keha — someone ; kūpe — from the well ; jala bhare — draws the water .

Translation

Hundreds of devotees brought water in the pots, and hundreds took the empty pots away to fill them up again.

Word meanings

pūrṇa kumbha — a filled waterpot ; lañā — taking ; āise — come ; śata bhakta - gaṇa — hundreds of devotees ; śūnya ghaṭa — an empty waterpot ; lañā — taking back ; yāya — go ; āra — another ; śata jana — hundreds of men .

Translation

With the exception of Nityānanda Prabhu, Advaita Ācārya, Svarūpa Dāmodara, Brahmānanda Bhāratī and Paramānanda Purī, everyone was engaged in filling the waterpots and bringing them there.

Word meanings

nityānanda — Nityānanda Prabhu ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara ; bhāratī — Brahmānanda Bhāratī ; purī — Paramānanda Purī ; iṅha — these ; vinu — except ; āra — others ; saba — all ; āne — bring ; jala — water ; bhari’ — filling up .

Translation

Many of the waterpots were broken when people collided with one another, and hundreds of men had to bring new waterpots to fill.

Word meanings

ghaṭe ghaṭe ṭheki’ — when there was a collision between one pot and another ; kata — so many ; ghaṭa — pots ; bhāṅgi’ gela — became broken ; śata śata — hundreds of ; ghaṭa — pots ; loka — people ; tāhāṅ — there ; lañā — bringing ; āila — came .

Translation

Some people were filling the pots, and others were washing the rooms, but everyone was engaged in chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and Hari.

Word meanings

jala bhare — they were drawing water ; ghara dhoya — washing the rooms ; kare hari - dhvani — chanting the holy name of Hari ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; hari — the holy name of Hari ; dhvani — vibration ; vinā — except ; āra — anything else ; nāhi — there was not ; śuni — hearing .

Translation

One person begged for a waterpot by chanting the holy names “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa,” and another delivered a pot while chanting “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa.”

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kahi’ — while chanting “Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa” ; kare — do ; ghaṭera — for the waterpots ; prārthana — begging ; kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa — the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kahi’ — chanting ; kare — does ; ghaṭa — of the waterpots ; samarpaṇa — delivery .

Translation

Whenever anyone had to speak, he did so by uttering the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. Consequently, the holy name of Kṛṣṇa became an indication for everyone who wanted something.

Word meanings

yei yei kahe — anyone who was speaking ; sei — he ; kahe — says ; kṛṣṇa - nāme — by uttering the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; kṛṣṇa - nāma ha - ila — the holy name of Kṛṣṇa became ; saṅketa — indication ; saba - kāme — for everyone who wanted something .

Translation

As Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was vibrating the holy name of Kṛṣṇa in ecstatic love, He Himself was performing the work of hundreds of men.

Word meanings

prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kahe — says ; kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa - nāma — the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; ekale — alone ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; kare — does ; śata - janera kāma — the work of hundreds of men .

Translation

It appeared as though Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu were cleansing and washing with a hundred hands. He approached every devotee just to teach him how to work.

Word meanings

śata - haste — with one hundred hands ; karena — He does ; yena — as if ; kṣālana - mārjana — rinsing and washing ; pratijana - pāśe yāi’ — going to the side of everyone ; karāna śikṣaṇa — He was teaching them .

Translation

When He saw someone doing nicely, the Lord praised him, but if He saw that someone was not working to His satisfaction, He immediately chastised that person, not bearing him any grudge.

Word meanings

bhāla — good ; karma — work ; dekhi’ — seeing ; tāre — to him ; kare — does ; prasaṁśana — praising ; mane — in His mind ; nā — not ; milile — being approved ; kare — He does ; pavitra — purified, ungrudgingly ; bhartsana — chastisement .

Translation

The Lord would say, “You have done well. Please teach this to others so that they may act in the same way.”

Word meanings

tumi — you ; bhāla kariyācha — have done well ; śikhāha anyere — teach others ; ei - mata — in this way ; bhāla karma — good work ; seho — he also ; yena — so that ; kare — performs .

Translation

As soon as they heard Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu say this, everyone became ashamed. Thus the devotees began to work with great attention.

Word meanings

e - kathā śuniyā — hearing these words ; sabe — all ; saṅkucita hañā — being ashamed ; bhāla - mate — very well ; karma kare — do work ; sabe — all ; mana diyā — with attention .

Translation

They washed the Jagamohana area and then the place where food was kept. All other places were also washed.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; prakṣālana — washing ; kaila — performed ; śrī - jagamohana — in front of the temple ; bhoga - mandira — the place where food is offered ; ādi — all such places ; tabe — then ; kaila prakṣālana — washed .

Translation

In this way the meeting place was washed, the entire yard, the raised sitting places, the kitchen and every other room.

Word meanings

nāṭa - śālā — the meeting place ; dhui’ — washing ; dhuila — washed ; catvara - prāṅgaṇa — the yard and the raised sitting place ; pāka - śālā — the kitchen ; ādi — and so on ; kari’ — making ; karila prakṣālana — washed .

Translation

Thus all places around the temple were thoroughly washed within and without.

Word meanings

mandirera — the temple ; catur - dik — all around ; prakṣālana kaila — washed ; saba — all ; antaḥpura — inside the rooms ; bhāla - mate — with great care ; dhoyāila — washed .

Translation

After everything was thoroughly washed, a Vaiṣṇava from Bengal, who was very intelligent and simple, came and poured water on the lotus feet of the Lord.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; gauḍīyā — Vaiṣṇava from Bengal ; eka — one ; su - buddhi — very intelligent ; sarala — simple ; prabhura caraṇa - yuge — on the lotus feet of the Lord ; dila — poured ; ghaṭa - jala — one potful of water .

Translation

The Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava then took that water and drank it himself. Seeing that, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu felt a little unhappy and was also outwardly angry.

Word meanings

sei jala — that water ; lañā — taking ; āpane — personally ; pāna kaila — drank ; tāhā dekhi’ — seeing that ; prabhura — of the Lord ; mane — in the mind ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; roṣa — anger ; haila — there was .

Translation

Although the Lord was certainly satisfied with him, He became angry externally in order to establish the etiquette of religious principles.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; gosāñi — the Lord ; tāre — with him ; hañāche — became ; santoṣa — satisfied ; dharma - saṁsthāpana lāgi’ — for establishing the etiquette of religious principles ; bāhire — externally ; mahā - roṣa — very angry .

Translation

The Lord then called for Svarūpa Dāmodara and told him, “Just see the behavior of your Bengali Vaiṣṇava!

Word meanings

śikṣā lāgi’ — for instruction ; svarūpe — unto Svarūpa Dāmodara ; ḍāki’ — calling ; kahila — said ; tāṅhāre — unto him ; ei dekha — just see here ; tomāra — your ; gauḍīyāra — of this Vaiṣṇava from Bengal ; vyavahāre — behavior .

Translation

“This person from Bengal has washed My feet within the temple of the Personality of Godhead. Not only that, but he has drunk the water himself.

Word meanings

īśvara - mandire — in the temple of the Lord ; mora — My ; pada — feet ; dhoyāila — washed ; sei jala — that water ; āpani — personally ; lañā — taking ; pāna kaila — drank .

Translation

“I now do not know what My destination is because of this offense. Indeed, your Bengali Vaiṣṇava has greatly implicated Me.”

Word meanings

ei aparādhe — by such an offense ; mora — of Me ; kāhāṅ — where ; habe — will be ; gati — destination ; tomāra gauḍīyā — your Bengali Vaiṣṇava ; kare — does ; eteka — such ; phaijati — implication .

Purport

It is significant that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu told Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī that the Bengali Vaiṣṇava was “your Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava.” This means that all Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas who are followers of the Caitanya cult are subordinate to Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī. The paramparā system is very strictly observed by Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s personal secretary was Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī. The next group of devotees was the six Gosvāmīs, then Kavirāja Gosvāmī. It is necessary to observe the paramparā system of the Caitanya cult. There are many offenses one can commit while serving the Lord, and these are described in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, Hari-bhakti-vilāsa and other books. According to the rules and regulations, no one should accept obeisances in the temple of the Lord before the Deity. Nor is it proper for a devotee to offer obeisances and touch the feet of the spiritual master before the Deity. This is considered an offense. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself was personally the Supreme Personality of Godhead; therefore it was not actually offensive to wash His lotus feet in the temple. However, because He was playing the part of an ācārya, the Lord considered Himself an ordinary human being. He also wanted to give instructions to ordinary human beings. The point is that even though one plays the part of a spiritual master, he should not accept obeisances or permit a disciple to wash his feet before the Deity. This is a matter of etiquette.

Translation

At this point Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī caught the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava by the neck and, giving him a little push, ejected him from the Guṇḍicā Purī temple and made him stay outside.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; svarūpa gosāñi — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosāñi ; tāra — of him ; ghāḍe — on the neck ; hāta diyā — touching with the hand ; ḍhekā māri’ — pushing a little ; purīra bāhira — out of the temple of Guṇḍicā Purī ; rākhilena — kept ; lañā — taking .

Translation

After Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī returned within the temple, he requested Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to excuse that innocent person.

Word meanings

punaḥ āsi’ — again coming back ; prabhu pāya — at the lotus feet of the Lord ; karila vinaya — made a submission ; ajña - aparādha — offense by innocent person ; kṣamā karite — to be excused ; yuyāya — deserves .

Translation

After this incident, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very satisfied. He then asked all of the devotees to sit down in two lines on both sides.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mane — in the mind ; santoṣa ha - ilā — there was satisfaction ; sāri kari’ — making a line ; dui pāśe — on two sides ; sabāre — all of them ; vasāilā — made to sit .

Translation

The Lord then personally sat down in the middle and picked up all kinds of straw, grains of sand and dirty things.

Word meanings

āpane — personally ; vasiyā mājhe — sitting in the middle ; āpanāra hāte — with His own hand ; tṛṇa — straw ; kāṅkara — grains of sand ; kuṭā — dirt ; lāgilā — began ; kuḍāite — to pick up .

Translation

While Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was picking up the straws and grains of sand, He said, “I shall gather everyone’s collection, and I shall ask whoever has collected less than all the others to pay a fine of sweet cakes and sweet rice.”

Word meanings

ke kata kuḍāya — how much one has collected ; saba — all ; ekatra — in one place ; kariba — I shall gather ; yāra — of whom ; alpa — small ; tāra ṭhāñi — from him ; piṭhā - pānā la - iba — I will ask for cakes and sweet rice as a fine .

Translation

In this way all the quarters of the Guṇḍicā temple were completely cleansed and cleared. All quarters were cool and spotless, like one’s cleansed and pacified mind.

Word meanings

ei mata — in this way ; saba purī — all of Guṇḍicā Purī ; karila śodhana — they cleansed ; śītala — cool ; nirmala — clean ; kaila — made ; yena — as ; nija - mana — his own mind .

Translation

When the water from the different rooms was finally let out through the halls, it appeared as if new rivers were rushing out to meet the waters of the ocean.

Word meanings

praṇālikā — water from the outlets ; chāḍi’ — releasing ; yadi — when ; pāni — water ; vahāila — flowed ; nūtana — new ; nadī — river ; yena — as if ; samudre — in the ocean ; milila — met .

Translation

Outside the gateway of the temple, all the roads were also cleansed, and no one could tell exactly how this was done.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; pura - dvāra — of the gateway of the temple ; āge — in front ; patha yata — as many avenues ; sakala — all ; śodhila — were cleansed ; tāhā — that ; ke varṇibe — who can describe ; kata — how much .

Purport

In commenting on the cleansing of the Guṇḍicā temple, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura says that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, as the world leader, was personally giving instructions on how one should receive Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, within one’s cleansed and pacified heart. If one wants to see Kṛṣṇa seated in his heart, he must first cleanse the heart, as prescribed by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His Śikṣāṣṭaka: ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam. In this age, everyone’s heart is especially unclean, as confirmed in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: hṛdy antaḥ-stho hy abhadrāṇi. To wash away all dirty things accumulated within the heart, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised everyone to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. The first result will be that the heart is cleansed ( ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam ). Similarly, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.2.17) confirms this statement:

śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ hṛdy antaḥ-stho hy abhadrāṇi vidhunoti suhṛt satām

“Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramātmā [Supersoul] in everyone’s heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who relishes His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted.”

If a devotee at all wants to cleanse his heart, he must chant and hear the glories of the Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa ( śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ ). This is a simple process. Kṛṣṇa Himself will help cleanse the heart because He is already seated there. Kṛṣṇa wants to continue living within the heart, and the Lord wants to give directions, but one has to keep his heart as clean as Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu kept the Guṇḍicā temple. The devotee therefore has to cleanse his heart just as the Lord cleansed the Guṇḍicā temple. In this way one can be pacified and enriched in devotional service. If the heart is filled with straw, grains of sand, weeds or dust (in other words, anyābhilāṣa-pūrṇa ), one cannot enthrone the Supreme Personality of Godhead there. The heart must be cleansed of all material motives brought about through fruitive work, speculative knowledge, the mystic yoga system and so many other forms of so-called meditation. The heart must be cleansed without ulterior motive. As Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī says, anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam. In other words, there should not be any external motive. One should not attempt material upliftment, understanding the Supreme by speculative knowledge, fruitive activity, severe austerity and penance, and so on. All these activities are against the natural growth of spontaneous love of Godhead. As soon as these are present within the heart, the heart should be understood to be unclean and therefore unfit to serve as Kṛṣṇa’s sitting place. We cannot perceive the Lord’s presence in our hearts unless our hearts are cleansed.

A material desire is explained as a desire to enjoy the material world to its fullest extent. In modern language, this is called economic development. An inordinate desire for economic development is considered to be like straws and grains of sand within the heart. If one is overly engaged in material activity, the heart will always remain disturbed. As stated by Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura:

saṁsāra viṣānale, divā-niśi hiyā jvale, juḍāite nā kainu upāya

In other words, endeavor for material opulence is against the principle of devotional service. Material enjoyment includes activities such as great sacrifices for auspicious activity, charity, austerity, elevation to the higher planetary system, and even living happily within the material world.

Modernized material benefits are like the dust of material contamination. When this dust is agitated by the whirlwind of fruitive activity, it overcomes the heart. Thus the mirror of the heart is covered with dust. There are many desires to perform auspicious and inauspicious activities, but people do not know how life after life they are keeping their hearts unclean. One who cannot give up the desire for fruitive activity is understood to be covered by the dust of material contamination. Karmīs generally think that the interaction of fruitive activities can be counteracted by another karma, or fruitive activity. This is certainly a mistaken conception. If one is deluded by such a conception, he is cheated by his own activity. Such activities have been compared to an elephant’s bathing. An elephant may bathe very thoroughly, but as soon as it comes out of the river, it immediately takes some sand from the land and throws it all over its body. If one suffers due to his past fruitive activities, he cannot counteract his suffering by performing auspicious activities. The sufferings of human society cannot be counteracted by material plans. The only way suffering can be mitigated is by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. When one takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and engages himself in the devotional service of the Lord — beginning with chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord — the cleansing of the heart begins. When the heart is actually cleansed, one can clearly see the Lord sitting there without any disturbance. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (9.4.68) the Lord confirms that He sits within the heart of the pure devotee: sādhavo hṛdayaṁ mahyaṁ sādhūnāṁ hṛdayaṁ tv aham.

Impersonal speculation, monism (merging into the existence of the Supreme), speculative knowledge, mystic yoga and meditation are all compared to grains of sand. They simply cause irritation to the heart. No one can satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead by such activities, nor do we give the Lord a chance to sit in our hearts peacefully. Rather, the Lord is simply disturbed by them. Sometimes yogīs and jñānīs in the beginning take to the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra as a way to begin their various practices. But when they falsely think that they have attained release from the bondage of material existence, they give up chanting. They do not consider that the ultimate goal is the form of the Lord or the name of the Lord. Such unfortunate creatures are never favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for they do not know what devotional service is. Lord Kṛṣṇa describes them in the Bhagavad-gītā in this way:

tān ahaṁ dviṣataḥ krūrān saṁsāreṣu narādhamān kṣipāmy ajasram aśubhān āsurīṣv eva yoniṣu

“Those who are envious and mischievous, who are the lowest among men, I perpetually cast into the ocean of material existence, into various demoniac species of life.” ( Bg. 16.19 )

By His practical example, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has shown us that all the grains of sand must be picked up thoroughly and thrown outside. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also cleansed the outside of the temple, fearing that the grains of sand would again come within. In this connection, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains that even though one may become free from the desire for fruitive activity, sometimes the subtle desire for fruitive activity again comes into being within the heart. One often thinks of conducting business to improve devotional activity. But the contamination is so strong that it may later develop into misunderstanding, described as kuṭi-nāṭi (faultfinding) and pratiṣṭhāśā (the desire for name and fame and for high position), jīva-hiṁsā (envy of other living entities), niṣiddhācāra (accepting things forbidden in the śāstra ), kāma (desire for material gain) and pūjā (hankering for popularity). The word kuṭi-nāṭi means “duplicity.” As an example of pratiṣṭhāśā, one may attempt to imitate Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura by living in a solitary place. One’s real desire may be for name and fame — in other words, one thinks that fools will accept one to be as good as Haridāsa Ṭhākura just because one lives in a solitary place. These are all material desires. A neophyte devotee is certain to be attacked by other material desires as well, namely desires for women and money. In this way the heart is again filled with dirty things and becomes harder and harder, like that of a materialist. Gradually one desires to become a reputed devotee or an avatāra (incarnation).

The word jīva-hiṁsā (envy of other living entities) actually means stopping the preaching of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Preaching work is described as paropakāra, welfare activity for others. Those who are ignorant of the benefits of devotional service must be educated by preaching. If one stops preaching and simply sits down in a solitary place, he is engaging in material activity. If one desires to make a compromise with the Māyāvādīs, he is also engaged in material activity. A devotee should never make compromises with nondevotees. By acting as a professional guru, mystic yogī or miracle man, one may cheat and bluff the general public and gain fame as a wonderful mystic, but all this is considered to be dust, straw and grains of sand within the heart. In addition, one should follow the regulative principles and not desire illicit sex, gambling, intoxicants or meat.

To give us practical instructions, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu cleansed the temple twice. His second cleansing was more thorough. The idea was to throw away all the stumbling blocks on the path of devotional service. He cleansed the temple with firm conviction, as is evident from His using His own personal garments for cleaning. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to see personally that the temple was thoroughly cleansed to the standard of clean marble. Clean marble gives a cooling effect. Devotional service means attaining peace from all disturbances caused by material contamination. In other words, it is the process by which the mind is cooled. The mind can be peaceful and thoroughly cleansed when one no longer desires anything but devotional service.

Even though all dirty things may be cleansed away, sometimes subtle desires remain in the mind for impersonalism, monism, success and the four principles of religious activity ( dharma, artha, kāma and mokṣa ) . All these are like spots on clean cloth. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also wanted to cleanse all these away.

By His practical activity, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu informed us how to cleanse our hearts. Once the heart is cleansed, we should invite Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa to sit down, and we should observe the festival by distributing prasādam and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to teach every devotee by His personal behavior. Everyone who spreads the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepts a similar responsibility. The Lord was personally chastising and praising individuals in the course of the cleaning, and those who are engaged as ācāryas must learn from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu how to train devotees by personal example. The Lord was very pleased with those who could cleanse the temple by taking out undesirable things accumulated within. This is called anartha-nivṛtti, cleansing the heart of all unwanted things. Thus the cleansing of the Guṇḍicā-mandira was conducted by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to let us know how the heart should be cleansed and soothed to receive Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and enable Him to sit within the heart without disturbance.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also cleansed the Nṛsiṁha temple inside and outside. Finally, He rested a few minutes and then began dancing.

Word meanings

nṛsiṁha - mandira — the temple of Nṛsiṁhadeva ; bhitara — inside ; bāhira — outside ; śodhila — cleansed ; kṣaṇeka — for a few moments ; viśrāma — rest ; kari’ — after taking ; nṛtya — dancing ; ārambhila — began .

Purport

The Nṛsiṁha temple is a nice temple just outside the Guṇḍicā temple. In this temple there is a great festival on the day of Nṛsiṁha-caturdaśī. There is also a Nṛsiṁha temple at Navadvīpa where the same festival is observed, as described by Murāri Gupta in his book Caitanya-carita.

Translation

All around Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu all the devotees performed congregational chanting. The Lord, just like a maddened lion, danced in the middle.

Word meanings

cāri - dike — all around ; bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; karena — performed ; kīrtana — congregational chanting ; madhye — in the middle ; nṛtya — dancing ; karena — does ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; matta - siṁha - sama — just like a maddened lion .

Translation

As usual, when Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced, there were perspiration, trembling, fading, tears, jubilation and roaring. Indeed, the tears from His eyes washed His body and those before Him.

Word meanings

sveda — perspiration ; kampa — trembling ; vaivarṇya — fading ; aśru — tears ; pulaka — jubilation ; huṅkāra — roaring ; nija - aṅga — personal body ; dhui’ — washing ; āge — forward ; cale — goes ; aśru - dhāra — a flow of tears .

Translation

In this way Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu washed the bodies of all the devotees with the tears from His eyes. The tears poured like the rains in the month of Śrāvaṇa.

Word meanings

cāri - dike — all around ; bhakta - aṅga — the bodies of the devotees ; kaila — did ; prakṣālana — washing ; śrāvaṇera megha — exactly like a cloud in the month of Śrāvaṇa (July-August) ; yena — as if ; kare variṣaṇa — pour .

Translation

The sky was filled with the great and loud chanting of saṅkīrtana, and the earth shook from the jumping and dancing of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

mahā - ucca - saṅkīrtane — by a great and loud performance of chanting ; ākāśa — the sky ; bharila — became filled ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; uddaṇḍa - nṛtye — by dancing and jumping high ; bhūmi - kampa — earthquake ; haila — there was .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu always liked the loud chanting of Svarūpa Dāmodara. Therefore when Svarūpa Dāmodara sang, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced and jumped high in jubilation.

Word meanings

svarūpera — of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; ucca - gāna — loud singing ; prabhure — to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sadā bhāya — always very pleasing ; ānande — in jubilation ; uddaṇḍa nṛtya — jumping high and dancing ; kare — performs ; gaurarāya — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

The Lord thus chanted and danced for some time. Finally, understanding the circumstances, He stopped.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; kata - kṣaṇa — for some time ; nṛtya — dancing ; ye — that ; kariyā — after performing ; viśrāma karilā — rested ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; samaya bujhiyā — understanding the time .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then ordered Śrī Gopāla, the son of Advaita Ācārya, to dance.

Word meanings

ācārya - gosāñira — of Śrī Advaita Ācārya ; putra — son ; śrī - gopāla - nāma — named Śrī Gopāla ; nṛtya karite — to dance ; tāṅre — unto him ; ājñā — order ; dila — gave ; gauradhāma — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

While dancing in ecstatic love, Śrī Gopāla fainted and fell to the ground unconscious.

Word meanings

prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; nṛtya kari’ — dancing ; ha - ilā mūrcchite — fainted ; acetana hañā — being unconscious ; teṅha — he ; paḍilā — fell ; bhūmite — on the ground .

Translation

When Śrī Gopāla fainted, Advaita Ācārya hastily took him upon His lap. Seeing that he was not breathing, He became very much agitated.

Word meanings

āste - vyaste — with great haste ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; tāṅre — him ; kaila — took ; kole — on His lap ; śvāsa - rahita — without breathing ; dekhi’ — seeing ; ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; hailā — became ; vikale — agitated .

Translation

Advaita Ācārya and others began to chant the holy name of Lord Nṛsiṁha and sprinkle water. The roaring of the chant was so great that it seemed to shake the entire universe.

Word meanings

nṛsiṁhera mantra — prayers to Nṛsiṁhadeva ; paḍi’ — chanting ; māre — throws ; jala - chāṅṭi — sprinkling of water ; huṅkārera śabde — by the sound of roaring ; brahmāṇḍa — the whole universe ; yāya — becomes ; phāṭi’ — cracking .

Translation

When the boy did not regain consciousness after some time, Advaita Ācārya and the other devotees began to cry.

Word meanings

aneka karila — much endeavor was done ; tabu — still ; nā haya — there was not ; cetana — consciousness ; ācārya kāndena — Advaita Ācārya began to cry ; kānde — cried ; saba bhakta - gaṇa — all the other devotees .

Translation

Then Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu placed His hand on the chest of Śrī Gopāla and said loudly, “Gopāla, stand up.”

Word meanings

tabe — at that time ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅra buke — on his chest ; hasta — hand ; dila — placed ; uṭhaha gopāla — stand up, Gopāla ; bali’ — saying ; uccaiḥ - svare — very loudly ; kahila — said .

Translation

As soon as Gopāla heard the voice of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he immediately came to his senses. All the devotees then began to dance, chanting the holy name of Hari.

Word meanings

śunitei — upon hearing ; gopālera — of Śrī Gopāla ; ha - ila — there was ; cetana — consciousness ; hari bali’ — chanting the holy name of Hari ; nṛtya kare — danced ; sarva - bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees .

Translation

This incident has been described in detail by Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. Therefore I have described it only in brief.

Word meanings

ei līlā — this pastime ; varṇiyāchena — has described ; dāsa vṛndāvana — Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura ; ataeva — therefore ; saṅkṣepa — briefly ; kari’ — doing ; kariluṅ varṇana — I have described .

Purport

This is a matter of etiquette. If a previous ācārya has already written about something, there is no need to repeat it for personal sense gratification or to outdo the previous ācārya. Unless there is some definite improvement, one should not repeat.

Translation

After taking rest, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and all the devotees departed to take their baths.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kṣaṇeka — for some time ; viśrāma kariyā — taking rest ; snāna karibāre — for bathing ; gelā — went ; bhakta - gaṇa lañā — taking all the devotees .

Translation

After bathing, the Lord stood on the bank of the lake and put on dry garments. After offering obeisances to Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, whose temple was nearby, the Lord entered a garden.

Word meanings

tīre uṭhi’ — getting on the bank ; parena — puts on ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śuṣka vasana — dry garments ; nṛsiṁha - deve — unto Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva ; namaskari’ — offering obeisances ; gelā upavana — entered a garden .

Translation

In the garden, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu sat down with the other devotees. Vāṇīnātha Rāya then came and brought all kinds of mahā-prasādam.

Word meanings

udyāne — in the garden ; vasilā — sat down ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhakta - gaṇa lañā — with the devotees ; tabe — at that time ; vāṇīnātha — Vāṇīnātha Rāya ; āilā — came ; mahā - prasāda lañā — bringing all kinds of mahā-prasādam. .

Translation

Kāśī Miśra and Tulasī, the superintendent of the temple, brought as much prasādam as five hundred men could eat. Seeing the large quantity of prasādam, which consisted of rice, cakes, sweet rice and a variety of vegetables, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very satisfied.

Word meanings

kāśī - miśra — Kāśī Miśra ; tulasī - paḍichā — Tulasī, the superintendent of the temple ; dui jana — two persons ; pañca - śata loka — five hundred men ; yata — as much ; karaye bhojana — eat ; tata — so ; anna - piṭhā - pānā — rice, cakes and sweet rice ; saba — all ; pāṭhāila — sent ; dekhi’ — seeing ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mane — in the mind ; santoṣa — satisfaction ; ha - ila — there was .

Translation

Among the devotees present with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu were Paramānanda Purī, Brahmānanda Bhāratī, Advaita Ācārya and Nityānanda Prabhu.

Word meanings

purī - gosāñi — Paramānanda Purī ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhāratī brahmānanda — Brahmānanda Bhāratī ; advaita - ācārya — Advaita Ācārya ; āra — and ; prabhu - nityānanda — Nityānanda Prabhu .

Translation

Ācāryaratna, Ācāryanidhi, Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura, Gadādhara Paṇḍita, Śaṅkara, Nandanācārya, Rāghava Paṇḍita and Vakreśvara were also present.

Word meanings

ācāryaratna — Candraśekhara ; ācāryanidhi — Ācāryanidhi ; śrīvāsa — Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura ; gadādhara — Gadādhara Paṇḍita ; śaṅkara — Śaṅkara ; nandana - ācārya — Nandanācārya ; āra — and ; rāghava — Rāghava Paṇḍita ; vakreśvara — Vakreśvara .

Translation

Receiving the permission of the Lord, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya sat down. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and all His devotees sat on raised wooden seats.

Word meanings

prabhu - ājñā — the order of the Lord ; pāñā — getting ; vaise — sits down ; āpane — personally ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; piṇḍāra upare — on raised platforms ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vaise — sits ; lañā — along with ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees .

Translation

In this way all the devotees sat down to take their lunch in consecutive lines, one beside the other.

Word meanings

tāra tale — below them ; tāra tale — below them ; kari’ — in this way ; anukrama — consecutively ; udyāna bhari’ — filling the entire garden ; vaise — sit ; bhakta — all the devotees ; karite bhojana — to take lunch .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was repeatedly calling, “Haridāsa, Haridāsa,” and at that time Haridāsa, standing at a distance, spoke as follows.

Word meanings

haridāsa bali’ — calling Haridāsa ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ḍāke — calls ; ghane ghana — repeatedly ; dūre rahi’ — standing at a distance ; haridāsa — Ṭhākura Haridāsa ; kare nivedana — submitted .

Translation

Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, “Let Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu take His lunch with the devotees. Since I am abominable, I cannot sit down among you.

Word meanings

bhakta - saṅge prabhu — let Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu sit down with the devotees ; karuna — let Him do ; prasāda — of remnants of food ; aṅgīkāra — accepting ; e - saṅge — with this batch ; vasite — to sit down ; yogya — befitting ; nahi — am not ; muñi — I ; chāra — most abominable .

Translation

“Govinda will give me prasādam later, outside the door.” Understanding his mind, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not call him again.

Word meanings

pāche — at last ; more — unto me ; prasāda — remnants of food ; govinda — the personal servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dibe — will deliver ; bahir - dvāre — outside the door ; mana jāni’ — understanding the mind ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; punaḥ — again ; nā — not ; balila — called ; tāṅre — him .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, Jagadānanda, Dāmodara Paṇḍita, Kāśīśvara, Gopīnātha, Vāṇīnātha and Śaṅkara distributed prasādam, and the devotees chanted the holy names at intervals.

Word meanings

svarūpa - gosāñi — Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī ; jagadānanda — Jagadānanda ; dāmodara — Dāmodara Paṇḍita ; kāśīśvara — Kāśīśvara ; gopīnātha, vāṇīnātha, śaṅkara — Gopīnātha, Vāṇīnātha and Śaṅkara ; pariveśana kare — distribute ; tāhāṅ — there ; ei — these ; sāta - jana — seven persons ; madhye madhye — at intervals ; hari - dhvani — resounding of the holy name of Hari ; kare — do ; bhakta - gaṇa — all the devotees .

Translation

Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa had previously taken His lunch in the forest, and that very pastime was remembered by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

pulina — in the forest ; bhojana — eating ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; pūrve — formerly ; yaiche — as ; kaila — performed ; sei līlā — the same pastime ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mane — in the mind ; smṛti haila — there was remembrance .

Translation

Just by remembering the pastimes of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was agitated by ecstatic love. But considering the time and circumstance, He remained somewhat patient.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; hailā — became ; asthira — agitated ; samaya bujhiyā — understanding the time and circumstances ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; hailā — became ; kichu — somewhat ; dhīra — patient .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “You can give Me the ordinary vegetable known as lāphrā-vyañjana, and you may deliver to all the devotees better preparations like cakes, sweet rice and amṛta-guṭikā.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; more — unto Me ; deha’ — give ; lāphrā - vyañjane — ordinary vegetable ; piṭhā - pānā — cakes and sweet rice ; amṛta - guṭikā — and the preparation named amṛta-guṭikā ; deha’ — deliver ; bhakta - gaṇe — to the devotees .

Purport

Lāphrā-vyañjana is a combination of several green vegetables all mixed together. It is often mixed with rice and delivered to poor men. Amṛta-guṭikā is a preparation of thick purī mixed with condensed milk. It is also known as amṛta-rasāvalī.

Translation

Since Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is omniscient, He knew what types of preparations each person liked. He therefore had Svarūpa Dāmodara deliver these preparations to each devotee to his full satisfaction.

Word meanings

sarva - jña prabhu — the omniscient Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; jānena — knows ; yāṅre — to whom ; yei — whatever ; bhāya — appeals ; tāṅre tāṅre — unto each person ; sei — that ; deoyāya — orders to administer ; svarūpa - dvārāya — by Svarūpa Dāmodara .

Translation

Jagadānanda went to distribute prasādam, and suddenly he placed all the first-class preparations on the plate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

jagadānanda — Jagadānanda ; beḍāya — walks ; pariveśana — distribution of prasādam ; karite — to do ; prabhura pāte — on the plate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhāla - dravya — the first-class preparations ; dena — puts ; ācambite — suddenly .

Translation

When such nice prasādam was put on the plate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord was outwardly very angry. Nonetheless, when the preparations were placed on His plate sometimes by tricks and sometimes by force, the Lord was satisfied.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; dile — by such deliverance ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — unto him ; karena — does ; roṣa — anger ; bale - chale — somehow or other (sometimes by tricks, sometimes by force) ; tabu — still ; dena — delivers ; dile — when he delivers ; se santoṣa — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very pleased .

Translation

When the food was thus delivered, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu looked at it for some time. Being afraid of Jagadānanda, He finally ate something.

Word meanings

punarapi — again ; sei dravya — that very thing ; kare nirīkṣaṇa — sees carefully ; tāṅra bhaye — out of fear of Jagadānanda ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kichu — something ; karena — does ; bhakṣaṇa — eating .

Translation

The Lord knew that if He did not eat the food offered by Jagadānanda, Jagadānanda would certainly fast. Being afraid of this, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ate some of the prasādam he offered.

Word meanings

nā khāile — if He did not eat ; jagadānanda — Jagadānanda ; karibe — will observe ; upavāsa — fasting ; tāṅra āge — before him ; kichu khā’na — eats something ; mane — within the mind ; ai — that ; trāsa — fear .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī then brought some excellent sweetmeats and, standing before the Lord, offered them to Him.

Word meanings

svarūpa - gosāñi — Svarūpa Dāmodara ; bhāla — first-class ; miṣṭa - prasāda — sweetmeats ; lañā — taking ; prabhuke — unto Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nivedana kare — offered ; āge — in front of Him ; dāṇḍāñā — standing .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī then said, “Just take a little of this mahā-prasādam, and see how it is that Lord Jagannātha has accepted it.”

Word meanings

ei mahā - prasāda — this mahā-prasādam ; alpa — a little ; karaha āsvādana — You must taste ; dekha — just see ; jagannātha — Lord Jagannātha ; kaiche — how ; karyāchena — has done ; bhojana — eating .

Translation

Upon saying this, Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī placed some food before the Lord, and the Lord, out of affection, ate it.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; āge — in front ; kichu — something ; kare samarpaṇa — offers ; tāṅra — of him ; snehe — out of affection ; prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kichu — some ; karena bhojana — eats .

Translation

Svarūpa Dāmodara and Jagadānanda again and again offered the Lord some food. Thus they behaved affectionately with the Lord. This was very, very uncommon.

Word meanings

ei mata — in this way ; dui - jana — both persons (Svarūpa Dāmodara and Jagadānanda) ; kare — do ; bāra - bāra — again and again ; vicitra — uncommon ; ei — these ; dui — two ; bhaktera — of devotees ; sneha - vyavahāra — affectionate behavior .

Translation

The Lord made Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya sit on His left side, and when Sārvabhauma saw the behavior of Svarūpa Dāmodara and Jagadānanda, he smiled.

Word meanings

sārvabhaume — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; prabhu — the Lord ; vasāñāchena — made to sit ; vāma - pāśe — on His left side ; dui bhaktera — of the two devotees ; sneha — the affection ; dekhi’ — seeing ; sārvabhauma — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; hāse — smiles .

Translation

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also wanted to offer Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya first-class food; therefore, out of affection, He had the servers put first-class food on his plate again and again.

Word meanings

sārvabhaume — unto Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; deyāna — causes others to deliver ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prasāda — remnants of food ; uttama — first-class ; sneha kari’ — out of affection ; bāra - bāra — again and again ; karāna — causes ; bhojana — his eating .

Translation

Gopīnātha Ācārya also brought first-class food and offered it to Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya while speaking sweet words.

Word meanings

gopīnātha - ācārya — Gopīnātha Ācārya ; uttama — first-class ; mahā - prasāda — remnants of food ; āni’ — bringing ; sārvabhaume — to Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; diyā — delivering ; kahe — says ; su - madhura — very sweet ; vāṇī — words .

Translation

After serving the Bhaṭṭācārya with first-class prasādam, Gopīnātha Ācārya said, “Just consider what the Bhaṭṭācārya’s previous mundane behavior was! Just consider how at present he is enjoying transcendental bliss!”

Word meanings

kāhāṅ — where ; bhaṭṭācāryera — of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya ; pūrva — previous ; jaḍa - vyavahāra — material behavior ; kāhāṅ — where ; ei — this ; parama - ānanda — transcendental bliss ; karaha vicāra — just try to consider .

Purport

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya was previously a smārta-brāhmaṇa — that is, one who strictly follows the Vedic principles on the mundane platform. On the mundane platform one cannot believe that prasādam is transcendental, that Govinda is the original form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or that a Vaiṣṇava is a liberated person. These transcendental considerations are out of the ordinary Vedic scholar’s jurisdiction. Most Vedic scholars are called Vedāntists. These so-called followers of Vedānta philosophy consider the Absolute Truth to be impersonal. They also believe that a person born in a particular caste cannot change his caste until he dies and takes rebirth. The smārta-brāhmaṇas also reject the fact that mahā-prasādam (food offered to the Deity) is transcendental and materially uncontaminated. Originally, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya was subjected to all the rules and regulations of the Vedic principles on the mundane platform. Now Gopīnātha Ācārya pointed out how Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya had been converted by the causeless mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Being converted, Sārvabhauma partook of prasādam with the Vaiṣṇavas. Indeed, he sat by the side of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Translation

Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya replied to Gopīnātha Ācārya, “I was simply a less intelligent logician. But by your grace I have received this opulence of perfection.

Word meanings

sārvabhauma kahe — Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya replied ; āmi — I ; tārkika — a mundane logician ; ku - buddhi — less intelligent ; tomāra prasāde — by your mercy ; mora — my ; e — this ; sampat — opulence ; siddhi — perfection .

Translation

“But for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu,” Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya continued, “who is so merciful? He has converted a crow into a Garuḍa. Who could be so merciful?

Word meanings

mahāprabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vinā — except ; keha — anybody ; nāhi — there is not ; dayā - maya — so merciful ; kākere — unto a crow ; garuḍa — the biggest eagle ; kare — transformed ; aiche — such ; kon haya — who is another .

Translation

“In the association of the jackals known as logicians, I simply continued to bark a resounding ‘bheu bheu.’ Now, from the same mouth I am chanting the holy names ‘Kṛṣṇa’ and ‘Hari.’

Word meanings

tārkika — logician ; śṛgāla — jackals ; saṅge — in the association of ; bheu - bheu kari — barking ; sei mukhe — in that very mouth ; ebe — now ; sadā — always ; kahi — speak ; kṛṣṇa — the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; hari — Hari .

Translation

“Whereas I once associated with the disciples of logic, all nondevotees, I am now merged in the waves of the nectarean ocean of the association of devotees.”

Word meanings

kāhāṅ — whereas ; bahir - mukha — nondevotees ; tārkika — of logic ; śiṣya - gaṇa — disciples ; saṅge — with ; kāhāṅ — now ; ei — this ; saṅga — association ; sudhā — of nectar ; samudra — of the ocean ; taraṅge — in the waves .

Purport

As Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains, the word bahirmukha refers to a person who is very busy tasting material enjoyment. Such a person always poses himself as an enjoyer of the external energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Being attracted by external opulence, the nondevotee always forgets his intimate relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Such a person does not like the idea of becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious. This is explained by Śrīla Prahlāda Mahārāja in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.5.30-31):

matir na kṛṣṇe parataḥ svato vā mitho ’bhipadyeta gṛha-vratānām adānta-gobhir viśatāṁ tamisraṁ punaḥ punaś carvita-carvaṇānām

na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇuṁ durāśayā ye bahir-artha-māninaḥ andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānās te ’pīśa-tantryām uru-dāmni baddhāḥ

Materialists who are overly attracted to the material body, material world and material enjoyment, who cannot control their material senses, are carried to the darkest regions of material existence. Such people cannot become Kṛṣṇa conscious, either by themselves or by congregational effort. Such people do not understand that the goal of life for a human being is to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu. A human life is especially meant for this purpose, and one has to go through all kinds of penances and austerities and set aside the propensity for sense gratification. Materialists always remain blind because they are always guided by blind rascals. A materialistic person considers himself free to act as he likes. He does not know that he is rigidly controlled by the stringent laws of nature, nor does he know that he has to transmigrate from one body to another and perpetually rot in material existence. Such rascals and foolish people are lured by the prayers of their foolish leaders for sense gratification, and they cannot understand what is meant by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The material world exists outside the spiritual sky, and a foolish materialist cannot estimate the extent of this material sky. What, then, can he know of the spiritual sky? Materialists simply believe their imperfect senses and do not take instructions from the revealed scriptures. According to Vedic civilization, one has to see through the authority of the revealed scriptures. Śāstra-cakṣuḥ: one should see everything through the medium of the Vedic literature. In this way, one can distinguish between the spiritual world and material world. Those who ignore such instructions cannot be convinced of the existence of the spiritual world. Because they have forgotten their spiritual identity, such materialists take this material world as the all in all. They are therefore called bahirmukha.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said to Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, “From your previous birth you have been in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Thus you love Kṛṣṇa so much that simply by your association we are all developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord said ; pūrve — previously ; siddha — perfected ; kṛṣṇe — in Kṛṣṇa consciousness ; tomāra — your ; prīti — love for Kṛṣṇa ; tomā - saṅge — by your association ; āmā - sabāra — of all of us ; haila — there was ; kṛṣṇe — unto Kṛṣṇa ; mati — consciousness .

Translation

Thus there is no one within these three worlds — save for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu — who is always so willing to increase the glories of the devotees and give them satisfaction.

Word meanings

bhakta - mahimā — the glories of the devotees ; bāḍāite — to increase ; bhakte — unto the devotees ; sukha dite — to give pleasure ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vinā — except ; anya — anyone else ; nāhi — there is no one ; tri - jagate — within these three worlds .

Purport

In this regard, one should consult the discussion between Kapiladeva and Devahūti on the subject matter of devotional service. This is found in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Third Canto.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then took all the remnants of food offered to Jagannātha, such as cakes and sweet rice, and distributed them to all the other devotees, calling them individually.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; pratyeke — individually ; saba bhaktera — of all the devotees ; nāma — the names ; lañā — calling ; piṭhā - pānā — cakes and sweet rice ; deoyāila — administered ; prasāda — remnants of food ; kariyā — making .

Translation

Śrī Advaita Ācārya and Nityānanda Prabhu sat side by side, and when prasādam was being distributed They engaged in a type of mock fighting.

Word meanings

advaita - nityānanda — Advaita Ācārya and Nityānanda Prabhu ; vasiyāchena — sat ; eka ṭhāñi — in one place ; dui - jane — those two persons ; krīḍā - kalaha — mock fighting ; lāgila — began ; tathāi — there .

Translation

First Advaita Ācārya said, “I am sitting in line with an unknown mendicant, and because I am eating with Him, I do not know what kind of destination is awaiting Me.

Word meanings

advaita kahe — Advaita Ācārya said ; avadhūtera saṅge — with a mendicant ; eka paṅkti — in one line ; bhojana kariluṅ — I am taking My food ; nā jāni — I do not know ; habe — will be ; kon — what ; gati — destination .

Translation

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is in the renounced order of life. Consequently He does not recognize discrepancies. As a matter of fact, a sannyāsī is not affected by eating food from anywhere and everywhere.

Word meanings

prabhu — Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ta’ — indeed ; sannyāsī — in the renounced order of life ; uṅhāra — for Him ; nāhi — there is not ; apacaya — any discrepancy ; anna - doṣe — by contamination of food ; sannyāsīra — of a person in the renounced order ; doṣa — fault ; nāhi — not ; haya — there is .

Translation

“According to the śāstras, there is no discrepancy in a sannyāsī’s eating at another’s house. But for a householder brāhmaṇa, this kind of eating is faulty.

Word meanings

na anna - doṣeṇa maskarī — a sannyāsī does not become affected by faulty acceptance of food ; ei — this ; śāstra - pramāṇa — evidence of revealed scriptures ; āmi — I ; ta’ — indeed ; gṛhastha - brāhmaṇa — a householder brāhmaṇa ; āmāra — My ; doṣa — faulty ; sthāna — situation .

Translation

“It is not proper for householders to dine with those whose previous birth, family, character and behavior are unknown.”

Word meanings

janma — birth ; kula — family ; śīla — character ; ācāra — behavior ; nā — not ; jāni — I know ; yāhāra — of whom ; tāra saṅge — with him ; eka paṅkti — in one line ; baḍa anācāra — a great discrepancy .

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu immediately refuted Śrīla Advaita Ācārya, saying, “You are a teacher of impersonal monism, and the monistic conclusion is a great hindrance to progressive, pure devotional service.

Word meanings

nityānanda kahe — Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu said ; tumi — You ; advaita - ācārya — Advaita Ācārya, or a teacher of impersonal monism ; advaita - siddhānte — in that monistic conclusion ; bādhe — is greatly hindered ; śuddha - bhakti - kārya — the matter of pure devotional service .

Translation

“One who participates in Your impersonal monistic philosophy does not accept anything but the one Brahman.”

Word meanings

tomāra — Your ; siddhānta - saṅga — acceptance of the conclusion ; kare — does ; yei jane — the person who ; eka — one ; vastu — substance ; vinā — except ; sei — such a person ; dvitīya — a second thing ; nāhi māne — does not accept .

Purport

The impersonal monist does not believe that God is the only object of worship and that the living entities are His eternal servants. According to the monists, God and the devotee may be separate in the material state, but when they are spiritually situated, there is no difference between them. This is called advaita-siddhānta, the conclusion of the monists. Monists consider devotional service of the Lord to be material activity; therefore they consider such devotional activities to be the same as karma, or fruitive activity. This monistic mistake is a great stumbling block on the road to devotional service.

Actually this discussion between Advaita Ācārya and Nityānanda was a mock fight to serve as a great instruction for all devotees. Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu wanted to point out that Advaita Ācārya, a pure devotee, did not agree with the monistic conclusion. The conclusion of devotional service is:

vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate

“Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān.” ( Bhāg. 1.2.11 )

Absolute knowledge consists of Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. This conclusion is not the same as that of the monists. Śrīla Advaita Ācārya was given the title of ācārya because He spread the bhakti cult, not the philosophy of monism. The true conclusion of advaita-siddhānta, expressed at the very beginning of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta ( Ādi 1.3) , is not the same as the philosophy of the monists. Here advaita-siddhānta means advaya-jñāna, or oneness in variety. Actually Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu was praising Śrīla Advaita Ācārya through friendly mock fighting. He was giving the Vaiṣṇava conclusion in terms of the Bhāgavatam’s conclusive words, vadanti tat tattva-vidaḥ. This is also the conclusion of a mantra in the Chāndogya Upaniṣad, ekam evādvitīyam.

A devotee knows that there is oneness in diversity. The mantras of the śāstras do not support the monistic conclusions of the impersonalists, nor does Vaiṣṇava philosophy accept impersonalism without variety. Brahman is the greatest, He who includes everything, and that is oneness. As Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā (7.7) , mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat: there is no one superior to Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is the original substance because every category emanates from Him. Thus He is simultaneously one with and different from all other categories. The Lord is always engaged in a variety of spiritual activities, but the monist cannot understand spiritual variety. The conclusion is that although the powerful and the power are one and the same, within the energy of the powerful there are varieties. In those varieties there is a distinction between the different parts of one’s personal self, between types of the same category, and between types of different categories. In other words, there is always variety in the categories, which are understood as knowledge, the knower and the knowable. Due to the eternal existence of knowledge, the knower and the knowable, devotees everywhere know about the eternal existence of the form, name, qualities, pastimes and entourage of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Devotees never agree with the monists’ preaching of oneness. Unless one adheres to the conceptions of the knower, the knowable and knowledge, there is no possibility of understanding spiritual variety, nor can one taste the transcendental bliss of spiritual variety.

The philosophy of monism is an adjustment of the Buddhist philosophy of voidism. In a mock fight with Śrī Advaita Ācārya, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu was refuting this type of monistic philosophy. Vaiṣṇavas certainly accept Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as the ultimate “one,” and that which is without Kṛṣṇa is called māyā, or that which has no existence. External māyā is exhibited in two phases — jīva-māyā, the living entities, and guṇa-māyā, the material world. In the material world there is prakṛti (material nature) and pradhāna (the ingredients of material nature). However, for one who becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious, the distinction between material and spiritual varieties does not exist. An advanced devotee like Prahlāda Mahārāja sees everything as one — Kṛṣṇa. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (7.4.37) , kṛṣṇa-graha-gṛhītātmā na veda jagad īdṛśam . One who is in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not distinguish between things material and spiritual; he takes everything to be related to Kṛṣṇa and therefore spiritual. By advaya-jñāna-darśana, Śrīla Advaita Ācārya has glorified pure devotional service. Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu herein sarcastically condemns the philosophy of the impersonal monists and praises the correct nondual philosophy of Śrī Advaita Prabhu.

Translation

Nityānanda Prabhu continued, “You are such a monist! And now I am eating beside You. I do not know how My mind will be affected in this way.”

Word meanings

hena — thus ; tomāra — Your ; saṅge — in association ; mora — My ; ekatre — together ; bhojana — eating ; nā jāni — I do not know ; tomāra saṅge — by Your association ; kaiche — how ; haya mana — My mind will turn .

Purport

Saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ ( Bg. 2.62 ). One develops his consciousness according to society and association. As Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu admits, a devotee should be very careful when associating with those who are not devotees. When asked by a householder devotee what the behavior of a devotee should be, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately replied:

asat-saṅga-tyāga, — ei vaiṣṇava-ācāra ‘strī-saṅgī’ — eka asādhu, ‘kṛṣṇābhakta’ āra

(Cc. Madhya 22.87)

A Vaiṣṇava, a devotee, should simply discard intimate association with nondevotees. In his Upadeśāmṛta, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has described the symptoms of intimate relationships in this way:

dadāti pratigṛhṇāti guhyam ākhyāti pṛcchati bhuṅkte bhojayate caiva ṣaḍ-vidhaṁ prīti-lakṣaṇam

The words bhuṅkte bhojayate indicate that one should eat with devotees. One should carefully avoid eating food offered by nondevotees. Indeed, a devotee should be very strict in not accepting food from a nondevotee, especially food prepared in restaurants or hotels or on airplanes. Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu’s reference in this connection is meant to emphasize that one should avoid eating with Māyāvādīs and covert Māyāvādīs like the sahajiyā Vaiṣṇavas, who are materially affected.

Translation

Thus They both went on talking and praising one another, although Their praise appeared negative, for it appeared as if They exchanged ill names.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; dui - jane — two persons ; kare — do ; balābali — accusing and counteraccusing ; vyāja - stuti — praise in the form of accusations ; kare — do ; duṅhe — both of Them ; yena — as if ; gālāgāli — exchanges of ill names .

Translation

Thereafter, calling all the Vaiṣṇavas, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu distributed mahā-prasādam as if sprinkling nectar. At that time the mock fight between Advaita Ācārya and Nityānanda Prabhu became more and more delicious.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sarva - vaiṣṇavera — of all the Vaiṣṇavas ; nāma — names ; lañā — calling ; mahā - prasāda — the remnants of the food of Lord Jagannātha ; dena — delivers ; mahā - amṛta — transcendental nectar ; siñciyā — sprinkling .

Translation

After taking their lunch, all the Vaiṣṇavas stood up and chanted the holy name of Hari, and the resounding noise filled all the upper and lower planetary systems.

Word meanings

bhojana kari’ — after eating ; uṭhe — stood up ; sabe — all ; hari - dhvani — the sound of Hari ; kari’ — making ; hari - dhvani — the sound of Hari ; uṭhila — rose ; saba — all ; svarga - martya — the upper and lower planetary systems ; bhari’ — filling .

Translation

After this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered flower garlands and sandalwood pulp to all His devoted personal associates.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; saba — all ; nija - bhakta - gaṇe — personal devotees ; sabākāre — unto all of them ; śrī - haste — with His own hand ; dilā — delivered ; mālya - candane — flower garlands and sandalwood pulp .

Translation

The seven persons headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara who were engaged in distributing prasādam to others then took their meals within the room.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; pariveśaka — the distributors of prasādam ; svarūpa - ādi — headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara ; sāta jana — seven men ; gṛhera bhitare — within the room ; kaila — did ; prasāda bhojana — eating of prasādam. .

Translation

Govinda saved some remnants of food left by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and kept them carefully. Later, one portion of these remnants was delivered to Haridāsa Ṭhākura.

Word meanings

prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; avaśeṣa — remnants ; govinda — Govinda ; rākhila — saved ; dhariyā — keeping ; sei anna — that prasādam ; haridāse — unto Haridāsa Ṭhākura ; kichu — some ; dila — delivered ; lañā — taking .

Translation

The remnants of food left by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu were later distributed among devotees who begged for them, and finally Govinda personally took the last remnants.

Word meanings

bhakta - gaṇa — all the other devotees ; govinda - pāśa — from Govinda ; kichu — a little ; māgi’ — begging ; nila — took ; sei — those ; prasāda - anna — remnants of food ; govinda — Govinda ; āpani — personally ; pāila — partook .

Translation

The fully independent Supreme Personality of Godhead performs various types of pastimes. The pastime of washing and cleansing the Guṇḍicā temple is but one of them.

Word meanings

svatantra īśvara — the independent Personality of Godhead ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kare — performs ; nānā — various ; khelā — pastimes ; dhoyā - pākhalā — washing and cleansing ; nāma — named ; kaila — performed ; ei — this ; eka — one ; līlā — pastime .

Translation

The next day marked the performance of the festival of Netrotsava. This great festival was the life and soul of the devotees.

Word meanings

āra dine — the next day ; jagannāthera — of Lord Jagannātha ; netra - utsava — the festival of seeing the eyes ; nāma — named ; mahā - utsava — great festival ; haila — performed ; bhaktera — of the devotees ; prāṇa - samāna — the life and soul .

Purport

After the bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannātha, during the fortnight before the Ratha-yātrā ceremony, the body of Lord Jagannātha, having been washed, needs repainting. This is known as aṅga-rāga. The Netrotsava festival, performed gorgeously in the early morning of the Nava-yauvana day, constitutes the life and soul of the devotees.

Translation

Everyone was unhappy for a fortnight because they could not see the Deity of Lord Jagannātha. Upon seeing the Lord at the festival, the devotees were very happy.

Word meanings

pakṣa - dina — for a fortnight ; duḥkhī — unhappy ; loka — devotees ; prabhura — of Lord Jagannātha ; adarśane — without the sight ; darśana kariyā — by seeing ; loka — all the devotees ; sukha — happiness ; pāila — got ; mane — in the mind .

Translation

On this occasion, greatly happy, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took all the devotees with Him and visited the Lord in the temple.

Word meanings

mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sukhe — in great happiness ; lañā — taking ; saba — all ; bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; jagannātha - daraśane — for visiting Lord Jagannātha ; karilā gamana — went .

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to visit the temple, Kāśīśvara walked in front, checking the crowds of people, and Govinda walked in the rear, bringing the sannyāsī’s pitcher filled with water.

Word meanings

āge — in front ; kāśīśvara — Kāśīśvara ; yāya — goes ; loka — the crowd ; nivāriyā — checking ; pāche — at the end ; govinda — Govinda ; yāya — goes ; jala — of water ; karaṅga — a pitcher carried by saintly persons ; lañā — taking .

Purport

The karaṅga is a kind of waterpot especially carried by Māyāvādī sannyāsīs and generally carried by all other sannyāsīs.

Translation

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went toward the temple, Paramānanda Purī and Brahmānanda Bhāratī walked in front of Him, and at His two sides walked Svarūpa Dāmodara and Advaita Ācārya.

Word meanings

prabhura āge — in front of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; purī — Paramānanda Purī ; bhāratī — Brahmānanda Bhāratī ; duṅhāra gamana — first they went ; svarūpa — Svarūpa Dāmodara ; advaita — Advaita Ācārya ; duṅhera — of both ; pārśve — on the two sides ; dui - jana — two persons .

Translation

With great eagerness all the other devotees followed them into the temple of Lord Jagannātha.

Word meanings

pāche pāche — following ; cali’ yāya — walk ; āra — other ; bhakta - gaṇa — devotees ; utkaṇṭhāte — with great eagerness ; gelā — they went ; saba — all ; jagannātha - bhavana — in the temple of Lord Jagannātha .

Translation

Out of great eagerness to see the Lord, they all neglected the regulative principles and, just to see the Lord’s face, went to the place where the food was offered.

Word meanings

darśana - lobhete — being very eager to see ; kari’ — doing ; maryādā laṅghana — transgressions of regulative principles ; bhoga - maṇḍape — in the room for offering food ; yāñā — going ; kare — do ; śrī - mukha darśana — seeing the lotus face .

Purport

There are many regulative principles of Deity worship. For example, one is not allowed to enter the room where food is offered to Lord Jagannātha. But in this case, being very eager because of not having seen the Lord for fifteen days, all the people overruled the regulative principles and entered the room.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very thirsty to see the Lord, and His eyes became like two bumblebees drinking the honey from the lotuslike eyes of Lord Jagannātha, who is Kṛṣṇa Himself.

Word meanings

tṛṣā - ārta — thirsty ; prabhura — of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; netra — eyes ; bhramara - yugala — like two bumblebees ; gāḍha — deep ; tṛṣṇāya — in thirst ; piye — drinks ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; vadana - kamala — the lotuslike face .

Translation

The eyes of Lord Jagannātha conquered the beauty of blossoming lotus flowers, and His neck was as lustrous as a mirror made of sapphires.

Word meanings

praphulla - kamala — blossoming lotus flower ; jini’ — conquering ; nayana - yugala — two eyes ; nīlamaṇi — sapphire ; darpaṇa — mirror ; kānti — luster ; gaṇḍa — neck ; jhalamala — bright .

Purport

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu usually saw Lord Jagannātha from a distance, standing behind the column of Garuḍa. But because he had not seen Lord Jagannātha for fifteen days, Caitanya Mahāprabhu felt great separation from Him. In great eagerness, Caitanya Mahāprabhu crossed the meeting hall and entered the room where food was offered, just to see the face of Lord Jagannātha. In verse 210, this action is called maryādā-laṅghana, a violation of the regulative principles. This indicates that one should not come very near a superior. Both the Lord’s Deity form and the spiritual master should be seen from a distant place. This is called maryādā. Otherwise, as it is said, familiarity breeds contempt. Sometimes coming too near the Deity or the spiritual master degrades the neophyte devotee. Personal servants of the Deity and the spiritual master should therefore always be very careful, for negligence may overcome them in their duty.

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s eyes have been compared to thirsty bumblebees, and Śrī Jagannātha’s eyes have been compared to blossoming lotus flowers. The author has made these comparisons in order to describe Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu while the Lord was deeply absorbed in ecstatic love for Lord Jagannātha.

Translation

The chin of the Lord, tinged with buff color, conquered the beauty of the bāndhulī flower. This increased the beauty of His mild smiling, which was like lustrous waves of nectar.

Word meanings

bāndhulīra phula — a kind of red flower named bāndhulī ; jini’ — conquering ; adhara — chin ; su - raṅga — buff color ; īṣat — mild ; hasita — smiling ; kānti — luster ; amṛta — nectar ; taraṅga — waves .

Translation

The luster of His beautiful face increased at every moment, and the eyes of hundreds and thousands of devotees drank its honey like bumblebees.

Word meanings

śrī - mukha — of His beautiful face ; sundara - kānti — attractive luster ; bāḍhe — increases ; kṣaṇe kṣaṇe — at every moment ; koṭi - bhakta — of millions of devotees ; netra - bhṛṅga — eyes like bumblebees ; kare — engaged ; madhu - pāne — in drinking the honey .

Translation

As their eyes began to drink the nectarean honey of His lotus face, their thirst increased. Thus their eyes did not leave Him.

Word meanings

yata — as much ; piye — they drink ; tata — so much ; tṛṣṇā — thirst ; bādhe — increases ; nirantara — incessantly ; mukha - ambuja — the lotuslike face ; chāḍi’ — giving up ; netra — the eyes ; nā — do not ; yāya — go ; antara — separate .

Purport

In the Laghu-bhāgavatāmṛta (1.5.538), Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has described the beauty of the Lord in this way:

asamānordhva-mādhurya- taraṅgāmṛta-vāridhiḥ jaṅgama-sthāvarollāsi- rūpo gopendra-nandanaḥ

“The beauty of the son of Mahārāja Nanda is incomparable. Nothing is higher than His beauty, and nothing can equal it. His beauty is like waves in an ocean of nectar. This beauty is attractive both for moving and for nonmoving objects.”

Similarly, in the tantra-śāstra there is another description of the Lord’s beauty:

kandarpa-koṭy-arbuda-rūpa-śobha- nīrājya-pādābja-nakhāñcalasya kutrāpy adṛṣṭa-śruta-ramya-kānter dhyānaṁ paraṁ nanda-sutasya vakṣye

“I shall relate the supreme meditation upon Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the son of Nanda Mahārāja. The tips of the toes of His lotus feet reflect the beauty of the bodies of unlimited millions of Cupids, and His bodily luster has never been seen or heard of anywhere.”

One may also consult Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.29.14) in this connection.

Translation

Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His devotees enjoyed transcendental bliss upon seeing the face of Jagannātha. This continued to midday.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; lañā — taking ; bhakta - gaṇa — His associates ; madhyāhna paryanta — up to midday ; kaila — performs ; śrī - mukha daraśana — seeing the face of Lord Jagannātha .

Translation

As usual, there were transcendental blissful symptoms in Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s body. He perspired and trembled, and a constant flow of tears fell from His eyes. But the Lord checked these tears so they would not disturb His seeing the face of the Lord.

Word meanings

sveda — perspiring ; kampa — trembling ; aśru - jala — tears from the eyes ; vahe — flowed ; sarva - kṣaṇa — always ; darśanera — of seeing ; lobhe — by greed ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kare — does ; saṁvaraṇa — checking .

Translation

Their looking at the face of Lord Jagannātha was interrupted only when He was offered food. Afterwards they would again look upon His face. When the food was being offered to the Lord, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu performed His kīrtana.

Word meanings

madhye madhye — at intervals ; bhoga lāge — there were offerings of food ; madhye — sometimes ; daraśana — seeing ; bhogera samaye — at the time of offering prasādam ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karena kīrtana — performed congregational chanting .

Translation

Feeling such great pleasure upon seeing the face of Lord Jagannātha, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu forgot everything. The devotees, however, took Him to His lunch at noontime.

Word meanings

darśana - ānande — because of pleasure due to seeing the face of the Lord ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; saba — everything ; pāsarilā — forgot ; bhakta - gaṇa — the devotees ; madhyāhna — noontime lunch ; karite — to accept ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; lañā gelā — took .

Translation

Knowing that the car festival would take place in the morning, all the servants of Lord Jagannātha were doubling their offerings of food.

Word meanings

prātaḥ - kāle — in the morning ; ratha - yātrā — the car festival ; habeka — would take place ; jāniyā — knowing ; sevaka — the priestly servants of the Lord ; lāgāya — offer ; bhoga — food ; dvi - guṇa kariyā — increasing to double .

Translation

I have briefly described the pastimes of the Lord in washing and cleansing the Guṇḍicā temple. By seeing or hearing these pastimes, even sinful men can awaken their Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Word meanings

guṇḍicā - mārjana - līlā — the pastimes of washing the Guṇḍicā temple ; saṅkṣepe kahila — I have described in brief ; yāhā dekhi’ śuni’ — by seeing and hearing which ; pāpīra — of sinful men ; kṛṣṇa - bhakti haila — there was awakening of Kṛṣṇa consciousness .

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, chapter twelve, describing the washing and cleansing of the Guṇḍicā temple.