Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s Visit to Śrī Vṛndāvana

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu traveled all over Vṛndāvana and pleased all living entities, moving and nonmoving, with His glances. The Lord took much personal pleasure in seeing everyone. In this way Lord Gaurāṅga traveled in Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

vṛndāvane — in Vṛndāvana ; sthira - carān — to the living entities, both moving and not moving ; nandayan — giving pleasure ; sva - avalokanaiḥ — by His personal glances ; ātmānam — to Himself ; ca — also ; tat - ālokāt — by seeing them ; gaurāṅgaḥ — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; paritaḥ — all around ; abhramat — traveled .

Translation

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

Word meanings

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

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced in ecstasy, but when He arrived at Āriṭ-grāma, His sense perception was awakened.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nācite nācite — dancing and dancing ; āriṭ - grāme — in the village known as Āriṭ-grāma ; āsi’ — coming ; bāhya — sense perception ; haila — there was ; ācambite — suddenly .

Purport

Āriṭ-grāma is also called Ariṣṭa-grāma. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu understood that in that village Ariṣṭāsura had been killed by Śrī Kṛṣṇa. While there, He inquired about Rādhā-kuṇḍa, but no one could tell Him where it was. The brāhmaṇa accompanying Him could also not ascertain its whereabouts. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu could then understand that the holy places known as Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa were at that time lost to everyone’s vision. He therefore discovered Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa, which were two reservoirs of water in two paddy fields. Although there was very little water, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was omniscient and could understand that formerly these two ponds were called Śrī Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa. In this way Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa were discovered.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked the local people, “Where is Rādhā-kuṇḍa?” No one could inform Him, and the brāhmaṇa accompanying Him did not know either.

Word meanings

āriṭe — in the village known as Āriṭ-grāma ; rādhā - kuṇḍa - vārtā — news of Rādhā-kuṇḍa ; puche — inquires ; loka - sthāne — from the local people ; keha — anyone ; nāhi — not ; kahe — could say ; saṅgera — the companion ; brāhmaṇa — brāhmaṇa ; nā jāne — does not know .

Translation

The Lord then understood that the holy place called Rādhā-kuṇḍa was no longer visible. However, being the omniscient Supreme Personality of Godhead, He discovered Rādhā-kuṇḍa and Śyāma-kuṇḍa in two paddy fields. There was only a little water, but He took His bath there.

Word meanings

tīrtha — holy place ; lupta — lost ; jāni’ — knowing ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sarva - jña — omniscient ; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; dui — two ; dhānya - kṣetre — in paddy fields ; alpa - jale — in not very deep water ; kailā snāna — took a bath .

Translation

When the people of the village saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu taking His bath in those two ponds in the middle of the paddy fields, they were very much astonished. The Lord then offered His prayers to Śrī Rādhā-kuṇḍa.

Word meanings

dekhi’ — seeing ; saba grāmya - lokera — of all the people of the village ; vismaya haila — became astonished ; mana — the minds ; preme — in ecstatic love ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kare — does ; rādhā - kuṇḍera — of Rādhā-kuṇḍa ; stavana — prayers .

Translation

“Of all the gopīs, Rādhārāṇī is the dearmost. Similarly, the lake known as Rādhā-kuṇḍa is very dear to the Lord because it is very dear to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.

Word meanings

saba — all ; gopī — the gopīs ; haite — from ; rādhā — Rādhārāṇī ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; preyasī — most beloved ; taiche — similarly ; rādhā - kuṇḍa — Rādhā-kuṇḍa ; priya — very dear ; priyāra sarasī — the lake of the most beloved Rādhārāṇī .

Translation

“ ‘Just as Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is most dear to Lord Kṛṣṇa, so Her lake, known as Rādhā-kuṇḍa, is also very dear to Him. Of all the gopīs, Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī is certainly the most beloved.’

Word meanings

yathā — as ; rādhā — Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; priyā — beloved ; viṣṇoḥ — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tasyāḥ — Her ; kuṇḍam — lake ; priyam — very dear ; tathā — similarly ; sarva - gopīṣu — among all the gopīs ; sā — She ; eva — certainly ; ekā — alone ; viṣṇoḥ — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; atyanta — very ; vallabhā — dear .

Purport

This is a verse from the Padma Purāṇa.

Translation

“In that lake, Lord Kṛṣṇa and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī used to sport daily in the water and have a rāsa dance on the bank.

Word meanings

yei kuṇḍe — in which lake ; nitya — daily ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; rādhikāra saṅge — accompanied by Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; jale — in the water ; jala - keli — sporting in the water ; kare — performs ; tīre — on the bank ; rāsa - raṅge — His rāsa dance .

Translation

“Indeed, Lord Kṛṣṇa gives ecstatic love like that of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī to whoever bathes in that lake even once in his life.

Word meanings

sei kuṇḍe — in that lake ; yei — anyone who ; eka - bāra — once ; kare snāna — takes a bath ; tāṅre — unto him ; rādhā - sama — like Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; prema — ecstatic love ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kare dāna — gives as charity .

Translation

“The attraction of Rādhā-kuṇḍa is as sweet as that of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. Similarly, the glories of the kuṇḍa [lake] are as great as Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s.

Word meanings

kuṇḍera — of the lake ; mādhurī — sweetness ; yena — as if ; rādhāra — of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; madhurimā — sweetness ; kuṇḍera — of the lake ; mahimā — glories ; yena — as if ; rādhāra — of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; mahimā — glories .

Translation

“ ‘Because of its wonderful transcendental qualities, Rādhā-kuṇḍa is as dear to Kṛṣṇa as Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. It was in that lake that the all-opulent Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa performed His pastimes with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī with great pleasure and transcendental bliss. Whoever bathes just once in Rādhā-kuṇḍa attains Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s loving attraction for Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Who within this world can describe the glories and sweetness of Śrī Rādhā-kuṇḍa?’ ”

Word meanings

śrī - rādhā — Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; iva — like ; hareḥ — of Kṛṣṇa ; tadīya — Her ; sarasī — lake ; preṣṭhā — very dear ; adbhutaiḥ — by wonderful ; svaiḥ — own ; guṇaiḥ — transcendental qualities ; yasyām — in which ; śrī - yuta — all-opulent ; mādhava — Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; induḥ — like the moon ; aniśam — incessantly ; prītyā — with great affection ; tayā — in association with Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; krīḍati — performs pastimes ; premā — love ; asmin — for Lord Kṛṣṇa ; bata — certainly ; rādhikā iva — exactly like Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī ; labhate — obtains ; yasyām — in which ; sakṛt — once ; snāna - kṛt — one who takes a bath ; tasyāḥ — of the lake ; vai — certainly ; mahimā — glories ; tathā — as well as ; madhurimā — sweetness ; kena — by whom ; astu — can be ; varṇyaḥ — described ; kṣitau — on this earth .

Purport

This verse is found in the Govinda-līlāmṛta (7.102).

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thus offered prayers to Rādhā-kuṇḍa. Overwhelmed by ecstatic love, He danced on the bank, remembering the pastimes Lord Kṛṣṇa performed on the bank of Rādhā-kuṇḍa.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; stuti kare — offers prayers ; prema - āviṣṭa — overwhelmed by ecstatic love ; hañā — becoming ; tīre — on the bank ; nṛtya kare — dances ; kuṇḍa - līlā — pastimes of Rādhā-kuṇḍa ; saṅariyā — remembering .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then marked His body with tilaka made from the mud of Rādhā-kuṇḍa, and with the help of Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya, He collected some of the mud and took it with Him.

Word meanings

kuṇḍera — of the lake ; mṛttikā — earth ; lañā — taking ; tilaka karila — formed tilaka ; bhaṭṭācārya - dvārā — with the help of Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; mṛttikā — earth ; saṅge — along ; kari’ — making ; laila — took .

Translation

From Rādhā-kuṇḍa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Sumanas Lake. When He saw Govardhana Hill from there, He was overwhelmed with joy.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; cali’ — traveling ; āilā — came ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sumanaḥ - sarovara — to the lake known as Sumanas ; tāhāṅ — there ; govardhana — Govardhana Hill ; dekhi’ — seeing ; ha - ilā vihvala — became overwhelmed .

Translation

When the Lord saw Govardhana Hill, He immediately offered obeisances, falling down on the ground like a rod. He embraced one piece of rock from Govardhana Hill and became mad.

Word meanings

govardhana dekhi’ — seeing Govardhana Hill ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ha - ilā daṇḍavat — offered obeisances like a straight rod ; eka śilā — one piece of stone ; āliṅgiyā — embracing ; ha - ilā — became ; unmatta — maddened .

Translation

Mad with ecstatic love, the Lord came to the village known as Govardhana. There He saw the Deity named Harideva and offered His obeisances unto Him.

Word meanings

preme — in ecstatic love ; matta — maddened ; cali’ — proceeding ; āilā — came ; govardhana - grāma — to the village known as Govardhana ; harideva — the Deity named Harideva installed there ; dekhi’ — seeing ; tāhāṅ — there ; ha - ilā praṇāma — offered obeisances .

Translation

Harideva is an incarnation of Nārāyaṇa, and His residence is on the western petal of the lotus of Mathurā.

Word meanings

mathurā - padmera — of the lotus flower of Mathurā ; paścima - dale — on the western petal ; yāṅra — whose ; vāsa — residence ; harideva — Lord Harideva ; nārāyaṇa — incarnation of Nārāyaṇa ; ādi — original ; parakāśa — manifestation .

Translation

Mad with ecstatic love, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to dance before the Harideva Deity. Hearing of the Lord’s wonderful activities, all the people came to see Him.

Word meanings

harideva - āge — in front of Harideva ; nāce — dances ; preme — in ecstatic love ; matta hañā — becoming maddened ; saba loka — all the people ; dekhite — to see ; āila — came ; āścarya — wonderful ; śuniyā — hearing .

Translation

The people were astonished when they saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s ecstatic love and personal beauty. The priests who served the Harideva Deity offered the Lord a good reception.

Word meanings

prabhu — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prema - saundarya — ecstatic love and beauty ; dekhi’ — seeing ; loke — people ; camatkāra — astonished ; haridevera — of Lord Harideva ; bhṛtya — servants ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karila satkāra — offered a good reception .

Translation

At Brahma-kuṇḍa, the Bhaṭṭācārya cooked food, and the Lord, after taking His bath at Brahma-kuṇḍa, accepted His lunch.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya — Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; brahma - kuṇḍe — at the lake called Brahma-kuṇḍa ; pāka — cooking ; yāñā — going there ; kaila — performed ; brahma - kuṇḍe — at Brahma-kuṇḍa ; snāna kari’ — taking a bath ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhikṣā kaila — accepted lunch .

Translation

That night the Lord stayed at the temple of Harideva, and during the night He began to reflect.

Word meanings

se - rātri — that night ; rahilā — remained ; haridevera — of Harideva ; mandire — in the temple ; rātre — at night ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kare — does ; manete — in the mind ; vicāre — consideration .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thought, “Since I shall not at any time climb Govardhana Hill, how shall I be able to see Gopāla Rāya?”

Word meanings

govardhana - upare — upon the hill known as Govardhana ; āmi — I ; kabhu — at any time ; nā — not ; caḍiba — shall climb ; gopāla - rāyera — of Lord Gopāla ; daraśana — visit ; kemane — how ; pāiba — I shall get .

Translation

Thinking in this way, the Lord remained silent, and Lord Gopāla, knowing His contemplation, played a trick.

Word meanings

eta — so much ; mane kari’ — considering within the mind ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mauna — silent ; kari’ — becoming ; rahilā — remained ; jāniyā — knowing ; gopāla — the Gopāla Deity ; kichu — some ; bhaṅgī — tricks ; uṭhāilā — raised .

Translation

Coming down from Govardhana Hill, Lord Gopāla granted an interview to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who was unwilling to climb the hill, thinking Himself a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

anārurukṣave — who was unwilling to climb up ; śailam — the mountain ; svasmai — unto Himself ; bhakta - abhimānine — considering Himself a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; avaruhya — getting down ; gireḥ — from the hill ; kṛṣṇaḥ — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; gaurāya — unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; svam — Himself ; adarśayat — showed .

Translation

Gopāla stayed in a village called Annakūṭa-grāma on Govardhana Hill. The villagers who lived in that village were mainly from Rajasthan.

Word meanings

annakūṭa - nāme — by the name Annakūṭa ; grāme — in the village ; gopālera — of Gopāla ; sthiti — residence ; rāja - puta - lokera — of people from Rajasthan ; sei grāme — in that village ; vasati — habitation .

Purport

The village named Annakūṭa-grāma is referred to in the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave):

gopa-gopī bhuñjāyena kautuka apāra ei hetu ‘āniyora’ nāma se ihāra

annakūṭa-sthāna ei dekha śrīnivāsa e-sthāna darśane haya pūrṇa abhilāṣa

“Here all the gopīs and the gopas enjoyed wonderful pastimes with Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Therefore this place is also called Āniyora. The Annakūṭa ceremony was celebrated here. O Śrīnivāsa, whoever sees this place has all his desires fulfilled.” It is also stated:

kuṇḍera nikaṭa dekha niviḍa-kānana ethāi ‘gopāla’ chilā hañā saṅgopana

“Look at the dense forest near the kuṇḍa. It was there that Gopāla was concealed.” Also, the Stavāvalī ( Vraja-vilāsa-stava 75), by Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, states:

vrajendra-varyārpita-bhogam uccair dhṛtvā bṛhat-kāyam aghārir utkaḥ vareṇa rādhāṁ chalayan vibhuṅkte yatrānna-kūṭaṁ tad ahaṁ prapadye

“When Nanda Mahārāja offered a large quantity of food to Govardhana Hill, Kṛṣṇa assumed a gigantic form and eagerly invited everyone to ask boons from Him. Then, deceiving even Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, He ate all the offered food. Let me take shelter of the place known as Annakūṭa, where Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoyed these pastimes.”

Translation

One person who came to the village informed the inhabitants, “The Turkish soldiers are now preparing to attack your village.

Word meanings

eka - jana — one person ; āsi’ — coming ; rātre — at night ; grāmīke — to the inhabitants of the village ; balila — said ; tomāra — your ; grāma — village ; mārite — to attack ; turuka - dhārī — Turkish Muslim soldiers ; sājila — are prepared .

Translation

“Flee this village tonight, and do not allow one person to remain. Take the Deity with you and leave, for the Muslim soldiers will come tomorrow.”

Word meanings

āji rātrye — this night ; palāha — go away ; nā rahiha — do not remain ; eka - jana — one person ; ṭhākura — the Deity ; lañā — taking ; bhāga’ — go away ; āsibe — will come ; kāli — tomorrow ; yavana — the Muslim soldiers .

Translation

Hearing this, all the villagers became very anxious. They first took Gopāla and moved Him to a village known as Gāṅṭhuli.

Word meanings

śuniyā — hearing ; grāmera loka — all the people in the village ; cintita ha - ila — became very anxious ; prathame — first ; gopāla lañā — taking Gopāla ; gāṅṭhuli - grāme — in the village known as Gāṅṭhuli ; khuila — kept Him hidden .

Translation

The Gopāla Deity was kept in the house of a brāhmaṇa, and His worship was conducted secretly. Everyone fled, and thus the village of Annakūṭa was deserted.

Word meanings

vipra - gṛhe — in the house of a brāhmaṇa ; gopālera — of Lord Gopāla ; nibhṛte — very secretly ; sevana — worship ; grāma — the village ; ujāḍa haila — became deserted ; palāila — fled ; sarva - jana — all the people .

Translation

Due to fear of the Muslims, the Gopāla Deity was moved from one place to another again and again. Thus giving up His temple, Lord Gopāla would sometimes live in a bush and sometimes in one village after another.

Word meanings

aiche — in that way ; mleccha - bhaye — because of fear of the Muslims ; gopāla — the Deity of Gopāla Rāya ; bhāge — runs away ; bāre - bāre — again and again ; mandira chāḍi’ — giving up the temple ; kuñje — in the bush ; rahe — remains ; kibā — or ; grāma - antare — in a different village .

Translation

In the morning, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took His bath in a lake called Mānasa-gaṅgā. He then circumambulated Govardhana Hill.

Word meanings

prātaḥ - kāle — in the morning ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mānasa - gaṅgāya — in the lake named Mānasa-gaṅgā ; kari’ — performing ; snāna — bathing ; govardhana — Govardhana Hill ; parikramāya — in circumambulating ; karilā — did ; prayāṇa — starting .

Translation

Just by seeing Govardhana Hill, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became ecstatic with love of Kṛṣṇa. While dancing and dancing, He recited the following verse.

Word meanings

govardhana dekhi’ — seeing Govardhana Hill ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prema - āviṣṭa hañā — becoming ecstatic in love ; nācite nācite — dancing and dancing ; calilā — departed ; śloka paḍiyā — reciting the following verse .

Translation

“ ‘Of all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, as well as Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities — water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respect to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.’ ”

Word meanings

hanta — oh ; ayam — this ; adriḥ — hill ; abalāḥ — O friends ; hari - dāsa - varyaḥ — the best among the servants of the Lord ; yat — because ; rāma - kṛṣṇa - caraṇa — of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma ; sparaśa — by the touch ; pramodaḥ — jubilant ; mānam — respects ; tanoti — offers ; saha — with ; go - gaṇayoḥ — cows, calves and cowherd boys ; tayoḥ — to Them (Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma) ; yat — because ; pānīya — drinking water ; sūyavasa — very soft grass ; kandara — caves ; kanda - mūlaiḥ — and by roots .

Purport

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.21.18) . It was spoken by the gopīs when Lord Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma entered the forest in the autumn. The gopīs spoke among themselves and glorified Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma for Their pastimes.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then took His bath in a lake called Govinda-kuṇḍa, and while He was there, He heard that the Gopāla Deity had already gone to Gāṅṭhuli-grāma.

Word meanings

govinda - kuṇḍa - ādi — Govinda-kuṇḍa and others ; tīrthe — in the holy places ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kailā snāna — performed bathing ; tāhāṅ — there ; śunilā — heard ; gopāla — the Gopāla Deity ; gela — has gone ; gāṅṭhuli — Gāṅṭhuli ; grāma — to the village .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then went to the village of Gāṅṭhuli-grāma and saw the Lord Gopāla Deity. Overwhelmed by ecstatic love, He began to chant and dance.

Word meanings

sei grāme — to that village ; giyā — going ; kaila — performed ; gopāla - daraśana — seeing Lord Gopāla ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kare — performs ; kīrtana - nartana — chanting and dancing .

Translation

As soon as the Lord saw the beauty of the Gopāla Deity, He was immediately overwhelmed by ecstatic love, and He recited the following verse. He then chanted and danced until the day ended.

Word meanings

gopālera — of Gopāla ; saundarya — beauty ; dekhi’ — seeing ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āveśa — ecstasy ; ei śloka paḍi’ — reciting the following verse ; nāce — dances ; haila — there was ; dina - śeṣa — the end of the day .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura gives the following information about Govinda-kuṇḍa. There is a village named Āniyora on Govardhana Hill, a little distance from the village of Paiṭha. Govinda-kuṇḍa is situated near here, and there are two temples to Govinda and Baladeva there. According to some, Queen Padmāvatī excavated this lake. In the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave), the following statement is found:

ei śrī-govinda-kuṇḍa-mahimā aneka ethā indra kaila govindera abhiṣeka

“Govinda-kuṇḍa is exalted for its many spiritual activities. It was here that Indra, defeated by Lord Govinda, offered prayers to Him and bathed Him.” In the book Stavāvalī ( Vraja-vilāsa-stava 74) the following verse is found:

nīcaiḥ prauḍha-bhayāt svayaṁ sura-patiḥ pādau vidhṛtyeha yaiḥ svar-gaṅgā-salilaiś cakāra surabhi-dvārābhiṣekotsavam govindasya navaṁ gavām adhipatā rājye sphuṭaṁ kautukāt tair yat prādurabhūt sadā sphuratu tad govinda-kuṇḍaṁ dṛśoḥ

“With humility caused by great fear, Indra took hold of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa and, in the company of a surabhi cow, performed His coronation festival by bathing Him with the waters of the heavenly Ganges River. Thus Lord Kṛṣṇa’s kingship over the cows became splendidly manifest. I pray that Govinda-kuṇḍa, the lake created by that ceremonial bath, may eternally appear before my eyes.”

Also, in the Mathurā-khaṇḍa it is stated:

yatrābhiṣikto bhagavān maghonā yadu-vairiṇā govinda-kuṇḍaṁ taj-jātaṁ snāna-mātreṇa mokṣa-dam

“Simply by bathing in Govinda-kuṇḍa, one is awarded liberation. This lake was produced when Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa was bathed by Lord Indra.”

Gāṅṭhuli-grāma is situated near the two villages Bilachu and Gopāla-pura. According to hearsay, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa first met here. In the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave), it is stated, sakhī duṅha vastre gāṅṭhi dila saṅgopane: “The two concealed Themselves by tying Their outer garments together.” It is also stated, phāguyā laiyā keha gāṅṭhi khuli’ dilā: “With a phāguyā They undid the knot.” For this reason the village is known as Gāṅṭhuli.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “ ‘May the left arm of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose eyes are like the petals of a lotus flower, always protect you. With His left arm He raised Govardhana Hill as if it were a toy.’ ”

Word meanings

vāmaḥ — the left ; tāmarasa - akṣasya — of Kṛṣṇa, who has eyes like lotus petals ; bhuja - daṇḍaḥ — arm ; saḥ — that ; pātu — let it protect ; vaḥ — all of you ; krīḍā - kandukatām — being like a toy ; yena — by which ; nītaḥ — attained ; govardhanaḥ — named Govardhana ; giriḥ — the hill .

Purport

This verse is found in the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (2.1.62).

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw the Gopāla Deity for three days. On the fourth day, the Deity returned to His own temple.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; tina - dina — for three days ; gopāle — Gopāla ; dekhilā — saw ; caturtha - divase — on the fourth day ; gopāla — the Gopāla Deity ; sva - mandire — to His own temple ; gelā — returned .

Translation

Caitanya Mahāprabhu walked with the Deity of Gopāla, and He chanted and danced. A large and jubilant crowd of people also chanted the transcendental name of Kṛṣṇa, “Hari! Hari!”

Word meanings

gopāla saṅge — with Gopāla ; cali’ — walking ; āilā — came ; nṛtya - gīta kari — chanting and dancing ; ānanda - kolāhale — in great jubilation ; loka — people ; bale — say ; hari hari — Hari, Hari .

Translation

The Gopāla Deity then returned to His own temple, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained at the bottom of the hill. Thus all the desires of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu were satisfied by the Gopāla Deity.

Word meanings

gopāla — the Gopāla Deity ; mandire gelā — returned to His temple ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rahilā tale — remain at the bottom ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vāñchā — desires ; pūrṇa — satisfied ; saba — all ; karila — made ; gopāle — the Gopāla Deity .

Translation

This is the way of Lord Gopāla’s kind behavior to His devotees. Seeing this, the devotees were overwhelmed by ecstatic love.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; gopālera — of the Gopāla Deity ; karuṇa svabhāva — kind behavior ; yei — which ; bhakta janera — of persons who are devotees ; dekhite — to see ; haya — there is ; bhāva — ecstatic love .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very eager to see Gopāla, but He did not want to climb Govardhana Hill. Therefore by some trick the Gopāla Deity personally descended.

Word meanings

dekhite — to see ; utkaṇṭhā haya — there was great anxiety ; nā caḍe — does not go up ; govardhane — on the hill known as Govardhana ; kona chale — by some trick ; gopāla — the Gopāla Deity ; āsi’ — coming ; utare — descends ; āpane — personally .

Translation

In this way, giving some excuse, Gopāla sometimes remains in the bushes of the forest, and sometimes He stays in a village. One who is a devotee comes to see the Deity.

Word meanings

kabhu — sometimes ; kuñje — in the bushes ; rahe — remains ; kabhu — sometimes ; rahe — He stays ; grāma - antare — in a different village ; sei bhakta — that devotee ; tāhāṅ āsi’ — coming there ; dekhaye tāṅhāre — sees Him .

Translation

The two brothers Rūpa and Sanātana did not climb the hill. To them also Lord Gopāla granted an interview.

Word meanings

parvate — on the hill ; nā caḍe — do not ascend ; dui — two ; rūpa - sanātana — Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī ; ei - rūpe — in this way ; tāṅ - sabāre — unto them ; diyāchena — has given ; daraśana — interview .

Translation

In ripe old age, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī could not go there, but he had a desire to see the beauty of Gopāla.

Word meanings

vṛddha - kāle — in ripe old age ; rūpa - gosāñi — Rūpa Gosvāmī ; nā pāre — is not able ; yāite — to go ; vāñchā haila — there was a desire ; gopālera — of Gopāla ; saundarya dekhite — to see the beauty .

Translation

Due to fear of the Muslims, Gopāla went to Mathurā, where He remained in the house of Viṭhṭhaleśvara for one full month.

Word meanings

mleccha - bhaye — because of fear of the Muslims ; āilā — came ; gopāla — the Gopāla Deity ; mathurā - nagare — to the city of Mathurā ; eka - māsa — one month ; rahila — stayed ; viṭhṭhaleśvara - ghare — in the house of Viṭhṭhaleśvara .

Purport

When the two brothers Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī went to Vṛndāvana, they decided to live there. Following Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s example, they did not climb the hill because they considered it nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. On some pretext, the Gopāla Deity granted Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu an audience beneath the hill, and Gopāla similarly favored Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī. During his ripe old age, when Rūpa Gosvāmī could not go to Govardhana Hill because of invalidity, Gopāla kindly went to Mathurā and remained at the house of Viṭhṭhaleśvara for one month. It was then that Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī could see Gopāla’s beauty to his heart’s content.

The following description concerning Viṭhṭhaleśvara is given in the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave):

viṭhṭhalera sevā kṛṣṇa-caitanya-vigraha tāhāra darśane haila parama āgraha

śrī-viṭhṭhalanātha — bhaṭṭa-vallabha-tanaya karilā yateka prīti kahile nā haya

gāṭholi-grāme gopāla āilā ‘chala’ kari’ tāṅre dekhi’ nṛtya-gīte magna gaurahari

śrī-dāsa-gosvāmī ādi parāmarśa kari’ śrī-viṭhṭhaleśvare kailā sevā-adhikārī

pitā śrī-vallabha-bhaṭṭa tāṅra adarśane kata-dina mathurāya chilena nirjane

Śrī Vallabha Bhaṭṭa had two sons. The elder, Gopīnātha, was born in 1432 Śakābda Era (A.D. 1510), and the younger, Viṭhṭhaleśvara, was born in 1437 (A.D. 1515) and died in 1507 (A.D. 1585). Viṭhṭhaleśvara had seven sons: Giridhara, Govinda, Bālakṛṣṇa, Gokuleśa, Raghunātha, Yadunātha and Ghanaśyāma. Viṭhṭhaleśvara completed many of his father’s unfinished books, including his commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra, the Subodhinī commentary on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Vidvan-maṇḍana, Śṛṅgāra-rasa-maṇḍana and Nyāsādeśa-vivaraṇa. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Vṛndāvana before the birth of Viṭhṭhaleśvara. As previously mentioned, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī was very old at the time Gopāla stayed at the house of Viṭhṭhaleśvara.

Translation

Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and his associates stayed in Mathurā for one month and saw the Gopāla Deity.

Word meanings

tabe — thereupon ; rūpa gosāñi — Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī ; saba — all ; nija - gaṇa lañā — taking his associates with him ; eka - māsa — for one month ; daraśana kailā — saw the Deity ; mathurāya rahiyā — staying at the city of Mathurā .

Translation

When Rūpa Gosvāmī stayed at Mathurā, he was accompanied by Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī and Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī.

Word meanings

saṅge — with Rūpa Gosvāmī ; gopāla - bhaṭṭa — Gopāla Bhaṭṭa ; dāsa - raghunātha — Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī ; raghunātha - bhaṭṭa - gosāñi — Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī ; āra — and ; lokanātha — Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī .

Purport

Śrī Lokanātha Gosvāmī was a personal associate of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and a great devotee of the Lord. He was a resident of a village named Tālakhaḍi in the district of Yaśohara (Jessore), in Bengal. Previously he lived in Kācanāpāḍā. His father’s name was Padmanābha, and his only sibling was a younger brother named Pragalbha. Following the orders of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Śrī Lokanātha went to Vṛndāvana to live. He established a temple named Gokulānanda. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura selected Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī to be his spiritual master, and Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura was his only disciple. Because Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī did not want his name mentioned in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, we do not often see it in this celebrated book. On the E.B.R. Railroad, the Yaśohara station is located in Bangladesh. From the railway station one has to go by bus to the village of Sonākhāli and from there to Khejurā. From there one has to walk or, during the rainy season, go by boat to the village of Tālakhaḍi. In this village there are still descendants of Lokanātha Gosvāmī’s younger brother.

Translation

Bhūgarbha Gosvāmī, Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī, Śrī Yādava Ācārya and Govinda Gosvāmī also accompanied Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.

Word meanings

bhūgarbha - gosāñi — Bhūgarbha Gosāñi ; āra — and ; śrī - jīva - gosāñi — Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī ; śrī - yādava - ācārya — Śrī Yādava Ācārya ; āra — and ; govinda gosāñi — Govinda Gosvāmī .

Translation

He was also accompanied by Śrī Uddhava dāsa, Mādhava, Śrī Gopāla dāsa and Nārāyaṇa dāsa.

Word meanings

śrī - uddhava - dāsa — Śrī Uddhava dāsa ; āra — and ; mādhava — Mādhava ; dui - jana — two persons ; śrī - gopāla - dāsa — Śrī Gopāla dāsa ; āra — and ; dāsa - nārāyaṇa — Nārāyaṇa dāsa .

Translation

The great devotee Govinda, Vāṇī Kṛṣṇadāsa, Puṇḍarīkākṣa, Īśāna and Laghu Haridāsa also accompanied him.

Word meanings

govinda — Govinda ; bhakta — a great devotee ; āra — and ; vāṇī - kṛṣṇadāsa — Vāṇī Kṛṣṇadāsa ; puṇḍarīkākṣa — Puṇḍarīkākṣa ; īśāna — Īśāna ; āra — and ; laghu - haridāsa — Laghu Haridāsa .

Purport

Laghu Haridāsa should not be confused with Junior Haridāsa, who committed suicide at Prayāga. Generally a devotee is called Haridāsa, and consequently there are many Haridāsas. The chief was Ṭhākura Haridāsa. There was also a Madhyama Haridāsa.

In the Bhakti-ratnākara (Sixth Wave), there is a list of many of the chief devotees who accompanied Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī.

gosvāmī gopāla-bhaṭṭa ati dayāmaya bhūgarbha, śrī-lokanātha — guṇera ālaya

śrī-mādhava, śrī-paramānanda-bhaṭṭācārya śrī-madhu-paṇḍita — yāṅra caritra āścarya

premī kṛṣṇadāsa kṛṣṇadāsa brahmacārī yādava ācārya, nārāyaṇa kṛpāvān

śrī-puṇḍarīkākṣa-gosāñi, govinda, īśāna śrī-govinda vāṇī-kṛṣṇadāsa aty-udāra

śrī-uddhava — madhye-madhye gauḍe gati yāṅra dvija-haridāsa kṛṣṇadāsa kavirāja

śrī-gopāla-dāsa yāṅra alaukika kāya śrī-gopāla, mādhavādi yateka vaiṣṇava

“The following Vaiṣṇavas were present with Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī: the merciful Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī; Bhūgarbha Gosvāmī; Śrī Lokanātha dāsa Gosvāmī, a reservoir of good qualities; Śrī Mādhava; Śrī Paramānanda Bhaṭṭācārya; Śrī Madhu Paṇḍita, whose characteristics are all wonderful; Premī Kṛṣṇadāsa; Kṛṣṇadāsa Brahmacārī; Yādava Ācārya; the merciful Nārāyaṇa; Śrī Puṇḍarīkākṣa Gosvāmī; Govinda; Īśāna; Śrī Govinda; the magnanimous Vāṇī Kṛṣṇadāsa; Śrī Uddhava, who occasionally visited Bengal; Dvija Haridāsa; Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja; Śrī Gopāla dāsa, whose body is completely spiritual; Śrī Gopāla; Mādhava; and many others.”

Translation

It was with great jubilation that Rūpa Gosvāmī visited Lord Gopāla, accompanied by all these devotees.

Word meanings

ei saba — all these ; mukhya - bhakta — chief devotees ; lañā nija - saṅge — taking with him personally ; śrī - gopāla daraśana — visiting Lord Gopāla ; kailā bahu - raṅge — performed in great jubilation .

Translation

After staying at Mathurā for one month, the Gopāla Deity returned to His own place, and Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī returned to Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

eka - māsa rahi’ — staying for one month ; gopāla — the Gopāla Deity ; gelā — went ; nija - sthāne — to His own place ; śrī - rūpa - gosāñi — Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī ; āilā — came back ; śrī - vṛndāvane — to Vṛndāvana .

Translation

In the course of this story, I have given a description of Lord Gopāla’s mercy. After seeing the Gopāla Deity, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Śrī Kāmyavana.

Word meanings

prastāve — in the course of the story ; kahiluṅ — I have stated ; gopāla - kṛpāra — of the mercy of Gopāla ; ākhyāna — description ; tabe — after this ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gelā — went ; śrī - kāmya - vana — to Śrī Kāmyavana .

Purport

Kāmyavana is mentioned in the Ādi-varāha Purāṇa:

caturthaṁ kāmyaka-vanaṁ vanānāṁ vanam uttamam tatra gatvā naro devi mama loke mahīyate

Lord Śiva said, “The best of all forests is the fourth of these, named Kāmyaka. O goddess Devī, any person who goes there is eligible to enjoy the glories of my abode.”

In the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave) it is also said:

ei kāmyavane kṛṣṇa-līlā manohara karibe darśana sthāna kuṇḍa bahutara kāmyavane yata tīrtha lekhā nāhi tāra

“In this Kāmyavana, Kṛṣṇa performed enchanting pastimes. Here you will be able to take darśana of many ponds and other transcendental spots. I cannot even describe in writing all the sacred tīrthas found at Kāmyavana.”

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s touring Vṛndāvana has been previously described. In the same ecstatic way, He traveled all over Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gamana - rīti — method of touring ; pūrve — formerly ; ye — which ; likhila — I have written ; sei - mata — similarly ; vṛndāvane — at Vṛndāvana ; tāvat dekhila — saw all the places .

Translation

After visiting the places of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes at Kāmyavana, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Nandīśvara. While there, He was overwhelmed with ecstatic love.

Word meanings

tāhāṅ — at Kāmyavana ; līlā - sthalī — all the places of pastimes ; dekhi’ — visiting ; gelā nandīśvara — went to Nandīśvara ; nandīśvara dekhi’ — while seeing Nandīśvara ; preme ha - ilā vihvala — became overwhelmed by ecstatic love .

Purport

Nandīśvara is the house of Mahārāja Nanda.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bathed in all the celebrated lakes, beginning with Lake Pāvana. Thereafter He climbed a hill and spoke to the people.

Word meanings

pāvana - ādi — Pāvana and others ; saba kuṇḍe — in every lake ; snāna kariyā — taking a bath ; lokere puchila — inquired from persons there ; parvata - upare yāñā — going up a hill .

Purport

The Pāvana-sarovara is described in the Mathurā-māhātmya:

pāvane sarasi snātvā kṛṣṇaṁ nandīśvare girau dṛṣṭvā nandaṁ yaśodāṁ ca sarvābhīṣṭam avāpnuyāt

“One who bathes in Pāvana Lake by Nandīśvara Hill will see Kṛṣṇa there along with Nanda and Yaśodā and will fufill all his desires.”

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, “Are there any deities on top of this hill?”

Word meanings

kichu — any ; deva - mūrti — deities ; haya — are there ; parvata - upare — on the top of the hill ; loka kahe — people said ; mūrti haya — there are deities ; gophāra bhitare — within a cave .

Purport

The local people replied, “There are deities on this hill, but they are located within a cave.

Translation

“There are a father and mother with well-built bodies, and between them is a very beautiful child who is curved in three places.”

Word meanings

dui - dike — on two sides ; mātā - pitā — father and mother ; puṣṭa kalevara — very well built body ; madhye — between them ; eka — one ; śiśu — child ; haya — there is ; tri - bhaṅga — curved in three places ; sundara — very beautiful .

Translation

Hearing this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became very happy. After excavating the cave, He saw the three deities.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mane — within the mind ; ānanda pāñā — getting great pleasure ; tina mūrti — the three deities ; dekhilā — saw ; sei gophā ughāḍiyā — by excavating the cave .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered His respects to Nanda Mahārāja and mother Yaśodā, and with great ecstatic love He touched the body of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

vraja - indra — of the King of Vraja, Nanda Mahārāja ; vraja - īśvarīra — and of the Queen of Vraja, mother Yaśodā ; kaila — did ; caraṇa vandana — worshiping the lotus feet ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; kṛṣṇera — of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kaila — did ; sarva - aṅga - sparśana — touching the whole body .

Translation

Every day the Lord chanted and danced in ecstatic love. Finally He went to Khadiravana.

Word meanings

saba dina — all the days ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; nṛtya - gīta kailā — danced and chanted ; tāhāṅ haite — from there ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; khadira - vana āilā — came to the place known as Khadiravana .

Purport

Khadiravana is described in the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave):

dekhaha khadira-vana vidita jagate viṣṇu-loka-prāpti ethā gamana-mātrete

“Behold the forest named Khadiravana, renowned throughout the universe. If one comes to Khadiravana, he can immediately be elevated to Viṣṇuloka.”

Translation

After seeing the places of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, Śrī Caitanya went to Śeṣaśāyī, where He saw Lakṣmī and recited the following verse.

Word meanings

līlā - sthala dekhi’ — seeing the places of pastimes ; tāhāṅ — there ; gelā — departed ; śeṣa - śāyī — for seeing Śeṣaśāyī ; lakṣmī — the goddess of fortune ; dekhi’ — seeing ; ei — this ; śloka — verse ; paḍena — recites ; gosāñi — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

“ ‘O dearly beloved! Your lotus feet are so soft that we place them gently on our breasts, fearing that Your feet will be hurt. Our life rests only in You. Our minds, therefore, are filled with anxiety that Your tender feet might be wounded by pebbles as You roam about on the forest path.’ ”

Word meanings

yat — which ; te — Your ; sujāta — very fine ; caraṇa - ambu - ruham — lotus feet ; staneṣu — on the breasts ; bhītāḥ — being afraid ; śanaiḥ — gently ; priya — O dear one ; dadhīmahi — we place ; karkaśeṣu — rough ; tena — with them ; aṭavīm — the path ; aṭasi — You roam ; tat — they ; vyathate — are distressed ; na — not ; kim svit — we wonder ; kūrpa - ādibhiḥ — by small stones and so on ; bhramati — flutters ; dhīḥ — the mind ; bhavat - āyuṣām — of those of whom Your Lordship is the very life ; naḥ — of us .

Purport

This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.31.19) spoken by the gopīs when Kṛṣṇa left them in the midst of the rāsa-līlā.

Translation

Afterwards, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw Khelā-tīrtha and then went to Bhāṇḍīravana. After crossing the Yamunā River, He went to Bhadravana.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; khelā - tīrtha — Khelā-tīrtha ; dekhi’ — seeing ; bhāṇḍīravana — Bhāṇḍīravana ; āilā — came to ; yamunā pāra hañā — crossing the river Yamunā ; bhadra - vana — to Bhadravana ; gelā — went .

Purport

In the Bhakti-ratnākara it is said that Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma used to play at Khelā-tīrtha with the cowherd boys during the entire day. Mother Yaśodā had to call Them to take Their baths and eat Their lunch.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then visited Śrīvana and Lohavana. He then went to Mahāvana and saw Gokula, the place of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s early childhood pastimes.

Word meanings

śrī - vana — Śrīvana ; dekhi’ — seeing ; punaḥ — again ; gelā — went ; loha - vana — to Lohavana ; mahā - vana — to Mahāvana ; giyā — going ; kailā — performed ; janma - sthāna — birth site ; daraśana — seeing .

Purport

Of Śrīvana (also called Bilvavana), the Bhakti-ratnākara states, devatā-pūjita bilvavana śobhāmaya: “The beautiful forest of Bilvavana is worshiped by all the demigods.”

About Lohavana, the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave) states:

lohavane kṛṣṇera adbhuta go-cāraṇa ethā loha-jaṅghāsure vadhe bhagavān

“At Lohavana, Lord Kṛṣṇa used to tend cows. The demon named Lohajaṅgha was killed at this place.”

Mahāvana is described as follows in the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave):

dekha nanda-yaśodā-ālaya mahāvane ei dekha śrī-kṛṣṇa-candrera janma sthala śrī-gokula, mahāvana — dui ‘eka’ haya

“Behold the house of Nanda and Yaśodā in Mahāvana. See the birthplace of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Mahāvana and the birthplace of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Gokula, are one and the same.”

Translation

Upon seeing the place where the twin arjuna trees had been broken by Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was moved to great ecstatic love.

Word meanings

yamala - arjuna - bhaṅga — the place where the twin arjuna trees were broken ; ādi — beginning with ; dekhila — saw ; sei sthala — that place ; prema - āveśe — in great ecstasy ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mana — mind ; haila — became ; ṭalamala — agitated .

Translation

After seeing Gokula, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu returned to Mathurā, where He saw the birthplace of the Lord. While there, He stayed at the house of the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa.

Word meanings

gokula dekhiyā — seeing Gokula ; āilā — came ; mathurā - nagare — in the city of Mathurā ; janma - sthāna — the birthplace of Lord Kṛṣṇa ; dekhi’ — seeing ; rahe — stays ; sei vipra - ghare — in the house of the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa. .

Translation

Seeing a great crowd assemble at Mathurā, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu left and went to Akrūra-tīrtha. He remained there in a solitary place.

Word meanings

lokera — of people ; saṅghaṭṭa — crowd ; dekhi — seeing ; mathurā — the city of Mathurā ; chāḍiyā — leaving ; ekānte — in a solitary place ; akrūra - tīrthe — at Akrūra-tīrtha ; rahilā — stayed ; āsiyā — coming .

Purport

Akrūra-tīrtha is also mentioned in the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave):

dekha, śrīnivāsa, ei akrūra grāmete śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-prabhu chilena nibhṛte

“Śrīnivāsa, look at this village of Akrūra. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stayed there in a solitary place.”

Translation

The next day, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Vṛndāvana and took His bath at Kālīya Lake and Praskandana.

Word meanings

āra dina — the next day ; āilā — came ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhite — to see ; vṛndāvana — Vṛndāvana ; kālīya - hrade — in Kālīya Lake ; snāna kailā — took a bath ; āra — and ; praskandana — at Praskandana .

Purport

Kālīya-hrada is mentioned in the Bhakti-ratnākara (Fifth Wave):

e kālīya-tīrtha pāpa vināśaya kālīya-tīrtha-sthāne bahu-kārya-siddhi haya

“When one takes a bath in Kālīya-hrada, he is freed from all sinful reactions. One can also be successful in business by bathing in Kālīya-hrada.”

Translation

After seeing the holy place called Praskandana, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Dvādaśāditya. From there He went to Keśī-tīrtha, and when He saw the place where the rāsa dance had taken place, He immediately lost consciousness due to ecstatic love.

Word meanings

dvādaśa - āditya haite — from Dvādaśāditya ; keśī - tīrthe āilā — came to Keśī-tīrtha ; rāsa - sthalī dekhi’ — visiting the place of the rāsa dance ; preme — in ecstatic love ; mūrcchita ha - ilā — became unconscious .

Translation

When the Lord regained His senses, He began to roll on the ground. He would sometimes laugh, cry, dance and fall down. He would also chant very loudly.

Word meanings

cetana pāñā — getting His senses back ; punaḥ — again ; gaḍāgaḍi yāya — rolls on the ground ; hāse — laughs ; kānde — cries ; nāce — dances ; paḍe — falls down ; uccaiḥ - svare gāya — sings very loudly .

Translation

Being thus transcendentally amused, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed that day happily at Keśī-tīrtha. In the evening He returned to Akrūra-tīrtha, where He took His meal.

Word meanings

ei - raṅge — in this amusement ; sei - dina — that day ; tathā goṅāilā — passed the day there ; sandhyā - kāle — in the evening ; akrūre āsi’ — returning to Akrūra-tīrtha ; bhikṣā nirvāhilā — took His meal .

Translation

The next morning Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu returned to Vṛndāvana and took His bath at Cīra-ghāṭa. He then went to Teṅtulī-talā, where He took rest.

Word meanings

prāte — in the morning ; vṛndāvane — in Vṛndāvana ; kailā — performed ; cīra - ghāṭe snāna — bathing at Cīra-ghāṭa ; teṅtulī - talāte — underneath the Teṅtulī tree ; āsi’ — coming ; karilā viśrāma — took rest .

Translation

The tamarind tree named Teṅtulī-talā was very old, having been there since the time of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes. Beneath the tree was a very shiny platform.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa - līlā - kālera — of the time of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s presence ; sei vṛkṣa — that tamarind tree ; purātana — very old ; tāra tale — underneath that tree ; piṅḍi - bāndhā — a platform ; parama - cikkaṇa — very shiny .

Translation

Since the river Yamunā flowed near Teṅtulī-talā, a very cool breeze blew there. While there, the Lord saw the beauty of Vṛndāvana and the water of the river Yamunā.

Word meanings

nikaṭe — near the Teṅtulī-talā, or Āmli-talā ; yamunā — the Yamunā ; vahe — flows ; śītala samīra — very cool breeze ; vṛndāvana - śobhā — the beauty of Vṛndāvana ; dekhe — sees ; yamunāra — of the river Yamunā ; nīra — water .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to sit beneath the old tamarind tree and chant the holy name of the Lord. At noon He would return to Akrūra-tīrtha to take lunch.

Word meanings

teṅtula - tale — underneath the tamarind tree ; vasi’ — sitting down ; kare — does ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting the holy name of the Lord ; madhyāhna kari’ — at noon ; āsi’ — coming back ; kare — performs ; akrūre — at Akrūra-tīrtha ; bhojana — taking lunch .

Translation

All the people who lived near Akrūra-tīrtha came to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and due to the large crowds, the Lord could not peacefully chant the holy name.

Word meanings

akrūrera loka — the people at Akrūra-tīrtha ; āise — came ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhite — to see ; loka - bhiḍe — because of such a crowd of people ; svacchande — without disturbance ; nāre — was not able ; kīrtana karite — to perform kīrtana. .

Translation

Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would go to Vṛndāvana and sit in a solitary place, where He would chant the holy name until noon.

Word meanings

vṛndāvane āsi’ — coming to Vṛndāvana ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vasiyā — sitting ; ekānta — in a solitary place ; nāma - saṅkīrtana kare — performs chanting of the holy name ; madhyāhna - paryanta — until noon .

Translation

In the afternoon, people were able to speak to Him. The Lord told everyone of the importance of chanting the holy name.

Word meanings

tṛtīya - prahare — in the afternoon ; loka — people ; pāya daraśana — get an interview ; sabāre — unto everyone ; upadeśa kare — instructs ; nāma - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name of the Lord .

Translation

During this time, a Vaiṣṇava named Kṛṣṇadāsa came to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He was a householder belonging to the kṣatriya caste, and his house was located on the other side of the Yamunā.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — at this time ; āila — came ; vaiṣṇava — a devotee ; kṛṣṇadāsa nāma — of the name Kṛṣṇadāsa ; rājaputa - jāti — belonging to the kṣatriya class ; gṛhastha — householder ; yamunā - pāre grāma — his residence on the other side of the Yamunā .

Translation

After bathing at Keśī-tīrtha, Kṛṣṇadāsa went toward Kālīya-daha and suddenly saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu sitting at Āmli-talā [Teṅtulī-talā].

Word meanings

keśī snāna kari’ — after taking his bath at the place known as Keśī-tīrtha ; sei — that person ; kālīya - daha yāite — going to the Kālīya-daha ; āmli - talāya — at the place known as Āmli-talā ; gosāñire — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhe — sees ; ācambite — suddenly .

Translation

Upon seeing the Lord’s personal beauty and ecstatic love, Kṛṣṇadāsa was very much astonished. Out of ecstatic love, he offered his respectful obeisances unto the Lord.

Word meanings

prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; rūpa - prema — personal beauty and ecstatic love ; dekhi’ — seeing ; ha - ila camatkāra — became astonished ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; prabhure — to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karena namaskāra — offers obeisances .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked Kṛṣṇadāsa, “Who are you? Where is your home?”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — the Lord inquired ; ke tumi — who are you ; kāhāṅ — where ; tomāra — your ; ghara — residence ; kṛṣṇadāsa kahe — Kṛṣṇadāsa replied ; mui — I ; gṛhastha — householder ; pāmara — most fallen .

Purport

Kṛṣṇadāsa replied, “I am a most fallen householder.

Translation

“I belong to the Rājaputa caste, and my home is just on the other side of the river Yamunā. But I wish to be the servant of a Vaiṣṇava.

Word meanings

rājaputa - jāti — belong to the Rājaputa caste ; muñi — I ; o - pāre — on the other side of the Yamunā ; mora ghara — my residence ; mora icchā haya — I wish ; haṅa — to become ; vaiṣṇava - kiṅkara — the servant of a Vaiṣṇava .

Translation

“Today I have had a dream, and according to that dream I have come here and found You.”

Word meanings

kintu — but ; āji — today ; eka — one ; muñi — I ; svapna — dream ; dekhinu — saw ; sei svapna — that dream ; parateka — according to ; tomā — You ; āsi’ — coming ; pāinu — I have gotten .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then bestowed upon Kṛṣṇadāsa His causeless mercy by embracing him. Kṛṣṇadāsa became mad with ecstatic love and began to dance and to chant the holy name of Hari.

Word meanings

prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅre — unto him ; kṛpā kailā — bestowed His mercy ; āliṅgana kari — embracing ; preme — in ecstatic love ; matta haila — became mad ; sei — that Kṛṣṇadāsa ; nāce — dances ; bale — chants ; hari — the holy name of the Lord .

Translation

Kṛṣṇadāsa returned to Akrūra-tīrtha with the Lord, and remnants of the Lord’s food were given to him.

Word meanings

prabhu - saṅge — with the Lord ; madhyāhne — in the afternoon ; akrūra tīrthe — to Akrūra-tīrtha ; āilā — came ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; avaśiṣṭa - pātra - prasāda — remnants of food ; pāilā — got .

Translation

The next morning, Kṛṣṇadāsa went with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to Vṛndāvana and carried His waterpot. Kṛṣṇadāsa thus left his wife, home and children in order to remain with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

prāte — in the morning ; prabhu - saṅge — with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āilā — came ; jala - pātra lañā — carrying a waterpot ; prabhu - saṅge rahe — remains with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; gṛha — home ; strī — wife ; putra — children ; chāḍiyā — leaving aside .

Translation

Everywhere the Lord went, all the people said, “Kṛṣṇa has again manifested at Vṛndāvana.”

Word meanings

vṛndāvane — at Vṛndāvana ; punaḥ — again ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa ; prakaṭa ha - ila — became manifested ; yāhāṅ tāhāṅ — everywhere ; loka — people ; saba — all ; kahite lāgila — began to speak .

Translation

One morning many people came to Akrūra-tīrtha. As they came from Vṛndāvana, they made a tumultuous sound.

Word meanings

eka - dina — one day ; akrūrete — at Akrūra-tīrtha ; loka — people ; prātaḥ - kāle — in the morning ; vṛndāvana haite — from Vṛndāvana ; āise — came ; kari’ — making ; kolāhale — tumult .

Translation

Upon seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all the people offered respects at His lotus feet. The Lord then asked them, “Where are you all coming from?”

Word meanings

prabhu dekhi’ — seeing Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; karila — offered ; loka — people ; caraṇa vandana — respect unto His lotus feet ; prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; kāhāṅ haite — from where ; karilā āgamana — have you come .

Translation

The people replied, “Kṛṣṇa has again manifested Himself on the waters of Kālīya Lake. He dances on the hoods of the serpent Kālīya, and the jewels on those hoods are blazing.

Word meanings

loke kahe — all the people replied ; kṛṣṇa prakaṭa — Kṛṣṇa is again manifest ; kālīya - dahera jale — in the water of Lake Kālīya ; kālīya - śire — on the head of the serpent Kālīya ; nṛtya kare — dances ; phaṇā - ratna jvale — the jewels on the hoods blaze .

Translation

“Everyone has seen Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. There is no doubt about it.” Hearing this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to laugh. He then said, “Everything is correct.”

Word meanings

sākṣāt — directly ; dekhila loka — all the people saw ; nāhika saṁśaya — there is no doubt ; śuni’ — hearing ; hāsi’ — laughing ; kahe prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; saba satya haya — all that you have said is correct .

Translation

For three successive nights people went to Kālīya-daha to see Kṛṣṇa, and everyone returned saying, “Now we have seen Kṛṣṇa Himself.”

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; tina - rātri — three nights ; lokera gamana — people went ; sabe — all ; āsi’ — coming ; kahe — say ; kṛṣṇa pāiluṅ daraśana — we have seen Lord Kṛṣṇa directly .

Translation

Everyone came before Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and said, “Now we have directly seen Lord Kṛṣṇa.” Thus by the mercy of the goddess of learning they were made to speak the truth.

Word meanings

prabhu - āge — in front of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kahe loka — all the people began to say ; śrī - kṛṣṇa dekhila — that they have seen Lord Kṛṣṇa ; sarasvatī — the goddess of learning ; ei vākye — this statement ; satya — true ; kahāila — caused the people to speak .

Translation

When the people saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they actually saw Kṛṣṇa, but because they were following their own imperfect knowledge, they accepted the wrong thing as Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

mahāprabhu dekhi’ — by seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; satya — truly ; kṛṣṇa - daraśana — seeing Kṛṣṇa ; nija - ajñāne — by their personal lack of knowledge ; satya chāḍi’ — giving up the real truth ; asatye — untruth ; satya - bhrama — mistaking for the truth .

Translation

At that time Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya placed a request at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He said, “Please give me permission to go see Lord Kṛṣṇa directly.”

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya — Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; tabe — at that time ; kahe — says ; prabhura caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ājñā deha’ — please give permission ; yāi’ — going ; kari kṛṣṇa daraśane — I shall see Lord Kṛṣṇa directly .

Purport

The puzzled people who visited Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu were actually seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa, but they were mistaken in thinking that Lord Kṛṣṇa had come to Kālīya Lake. They all said that they had seen Kṛṣṇa directly performing His pastimes on the hoods of the serpent Kālīya and that the jewels on Kālīya’s hoods were blazing brilliantly. Because they were speculating with their imperfect knowledge, they saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as an ordinary human being and a boatman’s light in the lake as Kṛṣṇa. One must see things as they are through the mercy of a spiritual master; otherwise, if one tries to see Kṛṣṇa directly, he may mistake an ordinary man for Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa for an ordinary man. Everyone has to see Kṛṣṇa according to the verdict of Vedic literatures presented by the self-realized spiritual master. A sincere person is able to see Kṛṣṇa through the transparent via medium of Śrī Gurudeva, the spiritual master. Unless one is enlightened by the knowledge given by the spiritual master, he cannot see things as they are, even though he remains constantly with the spiritual master. This incident at Kālīya-daha is very instructive for those eager to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Translation

When Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya asked to see Kṛṣṇa at Kālīya-daha, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu mercifully slapped him, saying, “You are a learned scholar, but you have become a fool, being influenced by the statements of other fools.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; tāṅre — unto Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; kahe — says ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; cāpaḍa māriyā — slapping ; mūrkhera vākye — by the words of some rascals and fools ; mūrkha hailā — you became a fool ; paṇḍita hañā — being a learned scholar .

Purport

Māyā is so strong that even a person like Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya, who was constantly staying with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, was influenced by the words of fools. He wanted to see Kṛṣṇa directly by going to Kālīya-daha, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, being the original spiritual master, would not allow His servant to fall into such foolishness. He therefore chastised him, slapping him just to bring him to a real sense of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Translation

“Why would Kṛṣṇa appear in the Age of Kali? Foolish people who are mistaken are simply causing agitation and making a tumult.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kene — why ; daraśana — interview ; dibe — would give ; kali - kāle — in this Age of Kali ; nija - bhrame — by their own mistake ; mūrkha - loka — foolish persons ; kare kolāhale — make a chaotic tumult .

Purport

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s first statement ( kṛṣṇa kene daraśana dibe kali-kāle ) refers to the scriptures. According to scripture, Kṛṣṇa appears in Dvāpara-yuga, but He never appears as Himself in Kali-yuga. Rather, He appears in Kali-yuga in a covered form. As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.5.32) , kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ sāṅgopāṅgāstra-pārṣadam. Kṛṣṇa appears in the Age of Kali in the garb of a devotee, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who always associates with His internal soldiers — Śrī Advaita Prabhu, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, Śrīvāsa Prabhu and Gadādhara Prabhu. Although Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya was personally serving Lord Kṛṣṇa in His role as a devotee (Caitanya Mahāprabhu), he mistook Lord Kṛṣṇa for an ordinary man and an ordinary man for Lord Kṛṣṇa because he did not follow the rules set down by śāstra and guru.

Translation

“Do not become mad. Simply sit down here, and tomorrow night you will go see Kṛṣṇa.”

Word meanings

vātula — mad ; nā ha - io — do not become ; ghare — at home ; rahata — keep ; vasiyā — sitting ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; daraśana — seeing ; kariha — you may do ; kāli — tomorrow ; rātrye — at night ; yāñā — going .

Translation

The next morning some respectable gentlemen came to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and the Lord asked them, “Have you seen Kṛṣṇa?”

Word meanings

prātaḥ - kāle — the next morning ; bhavya - loka — respectable gentlemen ; prabhu - sthāne — at the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; āilā — came ; kṛṣṇa dekhi’ — seeing Lord Kṛṣṇa ; āilā — have you come ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅhāre puchilā — inquired from them .

Translation

These respectable gentlemen replied, “At night in Kālīya Lake a fisherman lights a torch in his boat and catches many fish.

Word meanings

loka kahe — the sensible respectable persons said ; rātrye — at night ; kaivartya — a fisherman ; naukāte — on a boat ; caḍiyā — getting up ; kālīya - dahe — in the lake of Kālīya ; matsya māre — catches fish ; deuṭī jvāliyā — lighting a torch .

Translation

“From a distance, people mistakenly think that they are seeing Kṛṣṇa dancing on the body of the Kālīya serpent.

Word meanings

dūra haite — from a distant place ; tāhā dekhi’ — seeing that ; lokera — of people in general ; haya — there is ; bhrama — mistake ; kālīyera — of the snake Kālīya ; śarīre — on the body ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kariche nartana — is dancing .

Translation

“These fools think that the boat is the Kālīya serpent and the torchlight the jewels on his hoods. People also mistake the fisherman for Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

naukāte — on the boat ; kālīya - jñāna — knowledge as the Kālīya snake ; dīpe — on the torch ; ratna - jñāne — consideration as jewels ; jāliyāre — the fisherman ; mūḍha - loka — foolish men ; kṛṣṇa kari’ māne — accept as Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

“Actually Lord Kṛṣṇa has returned to Vṛndāvana. That is the truth, and it is also true that people have seen Him.

Word meanings

vṛndāvane — to Vṛndāvana ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; āilā — has come back ; sei — that ; satya haya — is true ; kṛṣṇere — Kṛṣṇa ; dekhila — saw ; loka — the people ; ihā mithyā naya — this is not false .

Translation

“But where they are seeing Kṛṣṇa is their mistake. It is like considering a dry tree to be a person.”

Word meanings

kintu — but ; kāhoṅ — where ; kṛṣṇa — Kṛṣṇa ; dekhe — one sees ; kāhoṅ — where ; bhrama māne — mistakes ; sthāṇu - puruṣe — the dry tree and a person ; yaiche — as ; viparīta - jñāne — by understanding one to be the other .

Purport

The word sthāṇu means “a dry tree without leaves.” From a distance one may mistake such a tree for a person. This is called sthāṇu-puruṣa. Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was living in Vṛndāvana, the inhabitants considered Him an ordinary human being, and they mistook the fisherman to be Kṛṣṇa. Every human being is prone to make such mistakes. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was mistaken for an ordinary sannyāsī, the fisherman was mistaken for Kṛṣṇa, and the torchlight was mistaken for bright jewels on Kālīya’s hoods.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then asked them, “Where have you seen Kṛṣṇa directly?”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu further inquired ; kāhāṅ pāilā — where have you gotten ; kṛṣṇa daraśana — sight of Kṛṣṇa ; loka kahe — the respectable persons replied ; sannyāsī tumi — You are a sannyāsī ; jaṅgama - nārāyaṇa — moving Nārāyaṇa .

Purport

The people replied, “You are a sannyāsī, a renunciant; therefore You are a moving Nārāyaṇa [jaṅgama-nārāyaṇa].”

This is the viewpoint of Māyāvāda philosophy. Māyāvāda philosophy supports the impersonalist view that Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has no form. One can imagine impersonal Brahman in any form — as Viṣṇu, Lord Śiva, Vivasvān, Gaṇeśa or Devī Durgā. According to the Māyāvāda philosophy, when one becomes a sannyāsī he is to be considered a moving Nārāyaṇa. Māyāvāda philosophy holds that the real Nārāyaṇa does not move because, being impersonal, He has no legs. Thus according to Māyāvāda philosophy, whoever becomes a sannyāsī declares himself Nārāyaṇa. Foolish people accept such ordinary human beings as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is called vivarta-vāda.

In this regard, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments that jaṅgama-nārāyaṇa means that the impersonal Brahman takes a shape and moves here and there in the form of a Māyāvādī sannyāsī. The Māyāvāda philosophy confirms this. Daṇḍa-grahaṇa-mātreṇa naro nārāyaṇo bhavet: “Simply by accepting the daṇḍa of the order of sannyāsa, one is immediately transformed into Nārāyaṇa.” Therefore Māyāvādī sannyāsīs address one another by saying oṁ namo nārāyaṇāya. In this way one Nārāyaṇa worships another Nārāyaṇa.

Actually an ordinary human being cannot become Nārāyaṇa. As the chief Māyāvādī sannyāsī, Śrī Śaṅkarācārya, says, nārāyaṇaḥ paro ’vyaktāt: “Nārāyaṇa is not a creation of this material world. Nārāyaṇa is above the material creation.” Due to their poor fund of knowledge, Māyāvādī sannyāsīs think that Nārāyaṇa, the Absolute Truth, takes birth as a human being and that when He realizes this, He becomes Nārāyaṇa again. They never consider why Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, would accept an inferior position as a human being and then again become Nārāyaṇa when He is perfect. Why should Nārāyaṇa be imperfect? Why should He appear as a human being? Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu very nicely explained these points while at Vṛndāvana.

Translation

The people then said, “You have appeared in Vṛndāvana as an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. Just by seeing You, everyone is now liberated.”

Word meanings

vṛndāvane — at Vṛndāvana ; ha - ilā — became ; tumi — You ; kṛṣṇa - avatāra — incarnation of Kṛṣṇa ; tomā dekhi’ — by seeing You ; sarva - loka — all people ; ha - ila nastāra — become liberated .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately exclaimed, “Viṣṇu! Viṣṇu! Do not call Me the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A jīva cannot become Kṛṣṇa at any time. Do not even say such a thing!

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied ; viṣṇu viṣṇu — “ O Viṣṇu, Viṣṇu” ; ihā — this ; nā kahibā — do not speak ; jīva - adhame — fallen conditioned souls ; kṛṣṇa - jñāna — accepting as Lord Kṛṣṇa ; kabhu — ever ; nā karibā — do not do .

Purport

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately stated that a living being, however exalted he may be, should never be compared to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s preaching protests the monistic philosophy of the Māyāvāda school. The central point of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is that the jīva, the living entity, can never be accepted as Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu. This viewpoint is elaborated in the following verses.

Translation

“A sannyāsī in the renounced order is certainly part and parcel of the complete whole, just as a shining molecular particle of sunshine is part and parcel of the sun itself. Kṛṣṇa is like the sun, full of six opulences, but the living entity is only a fragment of the complete whole.

Word meanings

sannyāsī — a person in the renounced order of life ; cit - kaṇa jīva — a small fragmental living being ; kiraṇa — of sunshine ; kaṇa — small particle ; sama — like ; ṣaṭ - aiśvarya - pūrṇa — full in six opulences ; kṛṣṇa — Lord Kṛṣṇa ; haya — is ; sūrya - upama — compared to the sun .

Translation

“A living entity and the Absolute Personality of Godhead are never to be considered equal, just as a fragmental spark can never be considered the original flame.

Word meanings

jīva — a living being ; īśvara - tattva — and the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; kabhu — at any time ; nahe — not ; sama — equal ; jvalat - agni - rāśi — large flame ; yaiche — as ; sphuliṅgera — of a spark ; kaṇa — fragmental portion .

Purport

Māyāvādī sannyāsīs consider themselves Brahman, and they superficially speak of themselves as Nārāyaṇa. The monistic disciples of the Māyāvāda school (known as smārta-brāhmaṇas ) are generally householder brāhmaṇas who accept the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs as Nārāyaṇa incarnate; therefore they offer their obeisances to them. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately protested this unauthorized system, specifically mentioning that a sannyāsī is nothing but a fragmental portion of the Supreme ( cit-kaṇa jīva ). In other words, he is nothing more than an ordinary living being. He is never Nārāyaṇa, just as a molecular portion of sunshine is never the sun itself. The living entity is nothing but a fragmental part of the Absolute Truth; therefore at no stage of perfection can a living entity become the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This Māyāvāda viewpoint is always condemned by the Vaiṣṇava school. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself protested this philosophy. When the Māyāvādīs accept sannyāsa and consider themselves Nārāyaṇa, they become so puffed up that they do not even enter the temple of Nārāyaṇa to offer respects, for they falsely think themselves Nārāyaṇa Himself. Although Māyāvādī sannyāsīs may offer respects to other sannyāsīs and address them as Nārāyaṇa, they do not go to a Nārāyaṇa temple and offer respects. These Māyāvādī sannyāsīs are always condemned and are described as demons. The Vedas clearly state that living entities are subordinate parts and parcels of the supreme. Eko bahūnāṁ yo vidadhāti kāmān: the Supreme Being, Kṛṣṇa, maintains all living entities.

Translation

“ ‘The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, is always full of transcendental bliss and is accompanied by the potencies known as hlādinī and saṁvit. The conditioned soul, however, is always covered by ignorance and embarrassed by the threefold miseries of life. Thus he is a treasure-house of all kinds of tribulations.’

Word meanings

hlādinyā — by the hlādinī potency ; saṁvit — by the saṁvit potency ; āśliṣṭaḥ — surrounded ; sat - cit - ānandaḥ — always transcendentally blissful ; īśvaraḥ — the supreme controller ; sva — own ; avidyā — by ignorance ; saṁvṛtaḥ — surrounded ; jīvaḥ — the living entity ; saṅkleśa — of the threefold miseries ; nikara — of the multitude ; ākaraḥ — the mine .

Purport

This quotation of Viṣṇu Svāmī is cited in Śrīdhara Svāmī’s Bhāvārtha-dīpikā commentary on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.7.6) .

Translation

“A foolish person who says that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the same as the living entity is an atheist, and he becomes subject to punishment by the superintendent of death, Yamarāja.

Word meanings

yei mūḍha — any foolish person who ; kahe — says ; jīva — the living entity ; īśvara — the supreme controller ; haya — are ; sama — equal ; seita — he ; pāṣaṇḍī haya — is a first-class atheist ; daṇḍe — punishes ; tāre — him ; yama — the superintendent of death, Yamarāja .

Purport

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura says that the word pāṣaṇḍī refers to one who considers the living entity under the control of the illusory energy to be equal with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is transcendental to all material qualities. Another kind of pāṣaṇḍī is one who does not believe in the spirit soul, the superior potency of the Lord, and therefore does not distinguish between spirit and matter. While describing one of the offenses against chanting the holy names, specifically the offense called śruti-śāstra-nindana (blaspheming the Vedic literature), Jīva Gosvāmī states in his Bhakti-sandarbha, yathā pāṣaṇda-mārgeṇa dattātreyarṣabha-devopāsakānāṁ pāṣaṇḍīnām. “Worshipers of impersonalists like Dattātreya are also pāṣaṇḍīs. ” Concerning the offense of ahaṁ-mama-buddhi, or dehātma-buddhi (considering the body to be the self), Jīva Gosvāmī states, deva-draviṇādi-nimittaka-‘pāṣaṇḍa’-śabdena ca daśāparādhā eva lakṣyante, pāṣaṇḍa-mayatvāt teṣām: “Those who are overly absorbed in the conception of the body and the bodily necessities are also called pāṣaṇḍīs. ” Elsewhere in the Bhakti-sandarbha it is stated:

uddiśya devatā eva juhoti ca dadāti ca sa pāṣaṇḍīti vijñeyaḥ svatantro vāpi karmasu

“A pāṣaṇḍī is one who considers the demigods and the Supreme Personality of Godhead to be one; therefore a pāṣaṇḍī worships any kind of demigod as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” One who disobeys the orders of the spiritual master is also considered a pāṣaṇḍī. The word pāṣaṇḍī has been described in many places in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, including 4.2.28, 30 and 32, 5.6.9, and 12.2.13 and 3.43.

On the whole, a pāṣaṇḍī is a nondevotee who does not accept the Vedic conclusions. In the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (1.117) there is a verse quoted from the Padma Purāṇa describing the pāṣaṇḍī. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu quotes this verse as the following text.

Translation

“ ‘A person who considers demigods like Brahmā and Śiva to be on an equal level with Nārāyaṇa is to be considered an offender, or pāṣaṇḍī.’ ”

Word meanings

yaḥ — any person who ; tu — however ; nārāyaṇam — the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of such demigods as Brahmā and Śiva ; devam — the Lord ; brahma — Lord Brahmā ; rudra — Lord Śiva ; ādi — and others ; daivataiḥ — with such demigods ; samatvena — on an equal level ; eva — certainly ; vīkṣeta — observes ; saḥ — such a person ; pāṣaṇḍī — pāsaṇḍī ; bhavet — must be ; dhruvam — certainly .

Translation

After Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu explained the difference between an ordinary living being and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the people said, “No one considers You an ordinary human being. You are like Kṛṣṇa in every respect, in both bodily features and characteristics.

Word meanings

loka kahe — the people said ; tomāte — unto You ; kabhu — at any time ; nahe — there is not ; jīva - mati — considering an ordinary living being ; kṛṣṇera sadṛśa — like Lord Kṛṣṇa ; tomāra — Your ; ākṛti — bodily features ; prakṛti — characteristics .

Translation

“By Your bodily features we can see that You are none other than the son of Nanda Mahārāja, although the golden luster of Your body has covered Your original complexion.

Word meanings

ākṛtye — by bodily features ; tomāre — You ; dekhi — we see ; vrajendra - nandana — directly the son of Mahārāja Nanda ; deha - kānti — the luster of the body ; pīta - ambara — golden covering ; kaila ācchādana — covered .

Translation

“As the aroma of deer musk cannot be concealed by wrapping it in a cloth, Your characteristics as the Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be concealed by any means.

Word meanings

mṛga - mada — deer musk ; vastre — in cloth ; bāndhe — wraps ; tabu — still ; nā — not ; lukāya — is concealed ; īśvara - svabhāva — characteristics as the Supreme Personality of Godhead ; tomāra — of You ; ḍhākā nāhi yāya — are not concealed .

Translation

“Indeed, Your characteristics are uncommon and beyond the imagination of an ordinary living being. Simply by seeing You, the entire universe becomes mad with ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.

Word meanings

alaukika — uncommon ; prakṛti — characteristics ; tomāra — Your ; buddhi - agocara — beyond our imagination ; tomā dekhi’ — by seeing You ; kṛṣṇa - preme — in ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa ; jagat — the whole world ; pāgala — mad .

Translation

“If they see You just once, even women, children, old men, meat-eaters and members of the lowest caste immediately chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, dance like madmen and become spiritual masters capable of delivering the whole world.

Word meanings

strī — women ; bāla — children ; vṛddha — old men ; āra — and ; caṇḍāla — the lowest of men ; yavana — persons who eat meat ; yei — anyone who ; tomāra — Your ; eka - bāra — once ; pāya daraśana — gets the sight ; kṛṣṇa - nāma — the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; laya — chants ; nāce — dances ; hañā unmatta — like a madman ; ācārya ha - ila — becomes a spiritual master ; sei — that man ; tārila jagata — delivers the whole world .

Translation

“Apart from seeing You, whoever listens to Your holy name is made mad with ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa and is able to deliver the three worlds.

Word meanings

darśanera kārya āchuka — aside from seeing You ; ye — anyone who ; tomāra — Your ; nāma — holy name ; śune — hears ; sei — that man ; kṛṣṇa - preme — in ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa ; matta — maddened ; tāre — delivers ; tri - bhuvane — the three worlds .

Translation

“Simply by hearing Your holy name, dog-eaters become holy saints. Your uncommon potencies cannot be described in words.

Word meanings

tomāra — Your ; nāma — holy name ; śuni’ — hearing ; haya — become ; śvapaca — dog-eaters, the lowest of men ; pāvana — saintly persons ; alaukika — uncommon ; śakti — potency ; tomāra — Your ; nā — not ; yāya kathana — can be described .

Translation

“ ‘To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters becomes immediately eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him.’

Word meanings

yat — of whom ; nāmadheya — of the name ; śravaṇa — from hearing ; anukīrtanāt — and thereafter from chanting ; yat — to whom ; prahvaṇāt — from offering respects ; yat — of whom ; smaraṇāt — from simply remembering ; api — also ; kvacit — sometimes ; śva - adaḥ — a dog-eater ; api — even ; sadyaḥ — immediately ; savanāya — for performing Vedic sacrifices ; kalpate — becomes eligible ; kutaḥ — what to speak ; punaḥ — again ; te — of You ; bhagavan — O Supreme Personality of Godhead ; nu — certainly ; darśanāt — from seeing .

Purport

For an explanation of this verse ( Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.33.6 ), see Madhya-līlā, chapter 16, text 186.

Translation

“These glories of Yours are only marginal. Originally You are the son of Mahārāja Nanda.”

Word meanings

eita’ — all these ; mahimā — glories ; tomāra — Your ; taṭastha - lakṣaṇa — marginal characteristics ; svarūpa — original ; lakṣaṇe — by characteristics ; tumi — You ; vrajendra - nandana — the son of Mahārāja Nanda .

Purport

The original characteristics of a substance are called svarūpa, and the subsequent corollaries are called taṭastha-lakṣaṇa, or marginal characteristics. The glories of the Lord’s marginal characteristics prove Him to be the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, the son of Mahārāja Nanda. As soon as one understands this, one accepts Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then bestowed His causeless mercy upon all the people there, and everyone became ecstatic with love of God. Finally they all returned to their homes.

Word meanings

sei saba loke — unto all those persons ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prasāda karila — bestowed His causeless mercy ; kṛṣṇa - preme — in ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa ; matta — maddened ; loka — persons ; nija - ghare gela — returned to their own homes .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained for some days in Akrūra-tīrtha. He delivered everyone there simply by distributing the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and ecstatic love for the Lord.

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; kata - dina — for some days ; akrūre rahilā — stayed at Akrūra-tīrtha ; kṛṣṇa - nāma — the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; prema — ecstatic love ; diyā — distributing ; loka — everyone ; nistārilā — delivered .

Translation

The brāhmaṇa disciple of Mādhavendra Purī went from house to house in Mathurā and inspired other brāhmaṇas to invite Caitanya Mahāprabhu to their homes.

Word meanings

mādhava - purīra — of Mādhavendra Purī ; śiṣya — disciple ; seita — that ; brāhmaṇa — brāhmaṇa ; mathurāra — of Mathurā City ; ghare - ghare — home to home ; karā’na — causes to make ; nimantraṇa — invitation .

Translation

Thus all the respectable people of Mathurā, headed by the brāhmaṇas, came to Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya and extended invitations to the Lord.

Word meanings

mathurāra — of Mathurā ; yata — all ; loka — people ; brāhmaṇa sat - jana — gentlemen and brāhmaṇas ; bhaṭṭācārya - sthāne — unto Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; āsi’ — coming ; kare nimantraṇa — offer invitations .

Translation

In one day, ten to twenty invitations were received, but Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya would accept only one of them.

Word meanings

eka - dina — in one day ; daśa biśa — ten to twenty ; āise — come ; nimantraṇa — the invitations ; bhaṭṭācārya — Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; ekera — of one of them ; mātra — only ; karena grahaṇa — accepts .

Translation

Since not everyone got an opportunity to offer invitations to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally, those who did not requested the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa to ask the Lord to accept their invitations.

Word meanings

avasara nā pāya — do not get the opportunity ; loka — people ; nimantraṇa dite — to offer invitations ; sei vipre — unto that brāhmaṇa ; sādhe — request ; loka — people ; nimantraṇa nite — to accept the invitation .

Translation

The brāhmaṇas from different places, such as Kānyakubja and South India, who were all strict followers of the Vedic religion, offered invitations to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with great humility.

Word meanings

kānyakubja — brāhmaṇas from Kānyakubja ; dākṣiṇātyera — certain brāhmaṇas from South India ; vaidika — followers of the Vedic religion ; brāhmaṇa — brāhmaṇas ; dainya kari — with great humility ; kare — do ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nimantraṇa — invitation .

Translation

In the morning they would come to Akrūra-tīrtha and cook food. After offering it to the śālagrāma-śilā, they offered it to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

prātaḥ - kāle — in the morning ; akrūre — to Akrūra-tīrtha ; āsi’ — coming ; randhana kariyā — cooking ; prabhure — unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhikṣā dena — offer lunch ; śālagrāme samarpiyā — after offering to the śālagrāma-śilā. .

Purport

There are brāhmaṇas known as pañca-gauḍa-brāhmaṇas, who come from five places in northern India, and there are brāhmaṇas known as pañca-dākṣiṇātya-brāhmaṇas, who come from five places in southern India. In northern India the places are Kānyakubja, Sārasvata, Gauḍa, Maithila and Utkala. In southern India the places are Andhra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Drāviḍa and Maharashtra. The brāhmaṇas from these places are considered to be very strict followers of the Vedic principles, and they are accepted as pure brāhmaṇas. They strictly observe Vedic principles and are not polluted by tantric misdeeds. All of these brāhmaṇas respectfully invited Caitanya Mahāprabhu for lunch.

Translation

One day Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu sat at the bathing ghat of Akrūra-tīrtha and thought the following thoughts.

Word meanings

eka - dina — once upon a time ; sei — that ; akrūra - ghāṭera — of the Akrūra bathing ghat ; upare — on the bank ; vasi’ — sitting ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kichu — some ; karena — does ; vicāre — consideration .

Purport

Akrūra-tīrtha is located on the road between Vṛndāvana and Mathurā. When Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were being taken to Mathurā by Akrūra, the Lord rested at this place and took His bath in the Yamunā. When Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma took Their baths, Akrūra saw the entire world of Vaikuṇṭha within the water. The inhabitants of Vṛndāvana also saw the Vaikuṇṭha planets within the water.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thought, “At this bathing place, Akrūra saw Vaikuṇṭha, the spiritual world, and all the inhabitants of Vraja saw Goloka Vṛndāvana.”

Word meanings

ei ghāṭe — in this bathing place ; akrūra — Akrūra ; vaikuṇṭha dekhila — saw the spiritual world ; vrajavāsī loka — the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana ; goloka darśana kaila — saw Goloka .

Translation

While considering how Akrūra remained within the water, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately jumped in and stayed under water for some time.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; jhāṅpa dilā — jumped ; jalera upare — above the water ; ḍubiyā — sinking ; rahilā — remained ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; jalera bhitare — within the water .

Translation

When Kṛṣṇadāsa saw that Caitanya Mahāprabhu was drowning, he cried and shouted very loudly. Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya immediately came and pulled the Lord out.

Word meanings

dekhi’ — seeing ; kṛṣṇadāsa — Kṛṣṇadāsa ; kāndi’ — crying ; phu - kāra karila — called loudly ; bhaṭṭācārya — Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; śīghra — hastily ; āsi’ — coming ; prabhure uṭhāila — raised Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

After this, Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya took the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa to a secluded place and consulted with him.

Word meanings

tabe — thereafter ; bhaṭṭācārya — Bhaṭṭācārya ; sei brāhmaṇe — the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa ; lañā — taking ; yukti karilā — consulted ; kichu — something ; nibhṛte vasiyā — sitting in a solitary place .

Translation

Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya said, “Since I was present today, it was possible for me to pull the Lord up. But if He starts to drown at Vṛndāvana, who will help Him?

Word meanings

āji — today ; āmi — I ; āchilāṅa — was present ; uṭhāiluṅ — raised ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vṛndāvane — in Vṛndāvana ; ḍubena yadi — if He drowns ; ke uṭhābe tāṅre — who will raise Him .

Translation

“Now there is a crowd of people here, and these invitations are causing much disturbance. In addition, the Lord is always ecstatic and emotional. I do not find the situation here very good.

Word meanings

lokera saṅghaṭṭa — crowds of people ; āra — and ; nimantraṇera jañjāla — the disturbance of invitations ; nirantara — always ; āveśa — ecstatic love ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nā dekhiye bhāla — I do not see any good in this .

Translation

“It would be good if we could get Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu out of Vṛndāvana. That is my final conclusion.”

Word meanings

vṛndāvana haite — from Vṛndāvana ; yadi — if ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kāḍiye — I take away ; tabe — then ; maṅgala haya — there is auspiciousness ; ei — this ; bhāla — good ; yukti — plan ; haye — is .

Translation

The Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa said, “Let us take Him to Prayāga and go along the banks of the Ganges. It will be very pleasurable to go that way.

Word meanings

vipra kahe — the brāhmaṇa said ; prayāge — to Prayāga ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; lañā — taking ; yāi — let us go ; gaṅgā - tīra - pathe — on the bank of the Ganges ; yāi — let us go ; tabe — then ; sukha pāi — we shall get pleasure .

Translation

“After going to the holy place named Soro-kṣetra and bathing in the Ganges, let us take Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu that way and go.

Word meanings

soro - kṣetre — to the holy place named Soro-kṣetra ; āge — first, beyond ; yāñā — going ; kari’ gaṅgā - snāna — having taken a bath in the Ganges ; sei pathe — that way ; prabhu lañā — taking Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kariye payāna — let us go .

Translation

“It is now the beginning of the month of Māgha. If we go to Prayāga at this time, we shall have an opportunity to bathe for a few days during Makara-saṅkrānti.”

Word meanings

māgha - māsa lāgila — the month of Māgha has begun ; ebe — now ; yadi — if ; yāiye — we go ; makare — during the Makara-saṅkrānti ; prayāga - snāna — bathing at Prayāga ; kata dina — for a few days ; pāiye — we shall get .

Purport

Bathing during the month of Māgha at the Māgha-melā still takes place. This is a very old melā (assembly), dating from time immemorial. It is said that ever since the Lord in the form of Mohinī took a bucket of nectar and kept it at Prayāga, holy men have gathered there every year and observed the Māgha-melā. Every twelfth year there is a Kumbha-melā, a great festival, and all the holy men from all over India assemble there. The brāhmaṇa wanted to take advantage of the Māgha-melā and bathe there.

Bathing at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamunā, near the fort at Allahabad (Prayāga), is mentioned in the revealed scriptures:

māghe māsi gamiṣyanti gaṅgā-yāmuna-saṅgamam gavāṁ śata-sahasrasya samyag dattaṁ ca yat-phalam prayāge māgha-māse vai try-ahaṁ snātasya tat-phalam

“If one goes to Prayāga and bathes at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamunā in the month of Māgha, he attains the result of giving hundreds and thousands of cows in charity. Simply by bathing for three days there, he attains the results of such a pious activity.” Because of this, the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa was very eager to go to Prayāga and bathe. Generally karmīs (fruitive laborers) take advantage of bathing there during the month of Māgha, thinking that they will be rewarded in the future. Those who are situated in devotional service do not very strictly follow this karma-kāṇḍīya process.

Translation

The Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa continued, “Kindly submit to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu the unhappiness you are feeling within yourself. Then propose that we all go to Prayāga on the full-moon day of the month of Māgha.

Word meanings

āpanāra — personal ; duḥkha — unhappiness ; kichu — some ; kari’ — doing ; nivedana — submission ; makara - paṅcasi — the full-moon day in the month of Māgha ; prayāge — to Prayāga ; kariha sūcana — kindly inform .

Translation

“Tell the Lord of the happiness you will feel in traveling via the banks of the Ganges.” Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya therefore submitted this prayer to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

gaṅgā - tīra — on the bank of the Ganges ; pathe — on the path ; sukha — happiness ; jānāiha — kindly let know ; tāṅre — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhaṭṭācārya — Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; āsi’ — coming ; tabe — thereafter ; kahila prabhure — informed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya told the Lord, “I can no longer tolerate the disturbance of the crowd. People are coming one after another to offer invitations.

Word meanings

sahite nā pāri — cannot tolerate ; āmi — I ; lokera — of people ; gaḍabaḍi — disturbance ; nimantraṇa — invitations ; lāgi’ — for ; loka — people ; kare — do ; huḍāhuḍi — hurrying .

Translation

“Early in the morning people come here, and not seeing You present, they simply tax my brain.

Word meanings

prātaḥ - kāle — in the morning ; āise — come ; loka — people ; tomāre — You ; nā pāya — cannot see ; tomāre nā pāñā — not getting You ; loka — people ; mora māthā khāya — tax my brain .

Translation

“I will be very happy if we all leave and take the path by the banks of the Ganges. Then we can have the opportunity of bathing in the Ganges at Prayāga during Makara-saṅkrānti.

Word meanings

tabe — then ; sukha haya — it will be great happiness for me ; yabe — when ; gaṅgā - pathe — on the path of the Ganges ; yāiye — we go ; ebe yadi yāi — if we go just now ; makare — during Makara-saṅkrānti ; gaṅgā - snāna pāiye — we can take a bath in the Ganges .

Purport

There are two great occasions for bathing in the Ganges during Māgha-melā. One is on the day of the dark moon, and the other is on the day of the full moon during the month of Māgha.

Translation

“My mind has become very much agitated, and I cannot bear this anxiety. Now everything rests on the permission of Your Lordship. I will accept whatever You want to do.”

Word meanings

udvigna — agitated ; ha - ila — has become ; prāṇa — my mind ; sahite — to bear ; nā pāri — I am unable ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ye — what ; ājñā — order ; haya — there is ; sei śire dhari — I accept that .

Translation

Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had no desire to leave Vṛndāvana, He began to speak sweet words just to fulfill the desire of His devotee.

Word meanings

yadyapi — although ; vṛndāvana - tyāge — to leave Vṛndāvana ; nāhi prabhura mana — was not the desire of the Lord ; bhakta — of the devotee ; icchā — desire ; pūrite — to fulfill ; kahe — says ; madhura vacana — sweet words .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “You have brought Me here to show Me Vṛndāvana. I am very much indebted to you, and I shall not be able to repay this debt.

Word meanings

tumi — you ; āmāya — Me ; āni’ — bringing ; dekhāilā — showed ; vṛndāvana — the holy place named Vṛndāvana ; ei ṛṇa — this debt ; āmi nāriba — I shall not be able ; karite śodhana — to repay .

Translation

“Whatever you desire, I must do. Wherever you take Me, I shall go.”

Word meanings

ye tomāra icchā — whatever you like ; āmi — I ; seita kariba — must act accordingly ; yāhāṅ — wherever ; lañā yāha — take ; tumi — you ; tāhāṅi yāiba — I shall go there .

Translation

The next morning, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu got up early. After taking His bath, He became ecstatic with love, knowing that He now had to leave Vṛndāvana.

Word meanings

prātaḥ - kāle — in the morning ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prātaḥ - snāna kaila — took His morning bath ; vṛndāvana chāḍiba — I shall have to leave Vṛndāvana ; jāni’ — knowing ; prema - āveśa haila — became ecstatic in love .

Translation

Although the Lord did not exhibit any external symptoms, His mind was filled with ecstatic love. At that time, Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya said, “Let us go to Mahāvana [Gokula].”

Word meanings

bāhya — external ; vikāra — symptoms ; nāhi — there were not ; prema - āviṣṭa mana — the mind was full of ecstatic love ; bhaṭṭācārya kahe — the Bhaṭṭācārya said ; cala — let us go ; yāi mahāvana — let us go to Mahāvana .

Translation

Saying this, Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya made Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu sit aboard a boat. After they crossed the river, he took the Lord with him.

Word meanings

eta bali’ — saying this ; mahāprabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; naukāya — on a boat ; vasāñā — making sit down ; pāra kari’ — crossing the river ; bhaṭṭācārya — Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; calilā — went ; lañā — taking .

Translation

Both Rājaputa Kṛṣṇadāsa and the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa knew the path along the Ganges bank very well.

Word meanings

premī kṛṣṇadāsa — the devotee Rājaputa Kṛṣṇadāsa ; āra — and ; seita brāhmaṇa — that Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa ; gaṅgā - tīra - pathe — on the path by the bank of the Ganges ; yāibāra — to go ; vijña — experienced ; dui - jana — two persons .

Translation

While walking, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, understanding that the others were fatigued, took them all beneath a tree and sat down.

Word meanings

yāite — while passing ; eka — one ; vṛkṣa - tale — underneath a tree ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sabā lañā — taking all of them ; vasilā — sat down ; sabāra — of all of them ; patha - śrānti — fatigue because of walking ; dekhiyā — understanding .

Translation

There were many cows grazing near that tree, and the Lord was very pleased to see them.

Word meanings

sei — that ; vṛkṣa - nikaṭe — near the tree ; care — were grazing ; bahu — many ; gābhī - gaṇa — cows ; tāhā — that ; dekhi’ — seeing ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ullasita mana — the mind became very pleased .

Translation

Suddenly a cowherd boy blew on his flute, and immediately the Lord was struck with ecstatic love.

Word meanings

ācambite — suddenly ; eka gopa — one cowherd boy ; vaṁśī — flute ; bājāila — blew ; śuni’ — hearing ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; mahā - prema - āveśa — absorption in great ecstatic love ; haila — there was .

Translation

Filled with ecstatic love, the Lord fell to the ground unconscious. He foamed about the mouth, and His breathing stopped.

Word meanings

acetana — unconscious ; hañā — becoming ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bhūmite paḍilā — fell on the ground ; mukhe — at the mouth ; phenā paḍe — there was foam ; nāsāya — in the nostrils ; śvāsa — breath ; ruddha hailā — stopped .

Translation

While the Lord was unconscious, ten cavalry soldiers belonging to the Muslim Pāṭhāna military order rode up and dismounted.

Word meanings

hena - kāle — just at this time ; tāhāṅ — there ; āśoyāra — soldiers ; daśa — ten ; āilā — came ; mleccha — Muslims ; pāṭhāna — the race of Pāṭhānas ; ghoḍā — horses ; haite — from ; uttarilā — got down .

Translation

Seeing the Lord unconscious, the soldiers thought, “This sannyāsī must have possessed a large quantity of gold.

Word meanings

prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dekhiyā — seeing ; mleccha — the Muslims ; karaye vicāra — considered ; ei yati - pāśa — within the possession of this sannyāsī ; chila — there was ; suvarṇa apāra — a large quantity of gold .

Translation

“These four rogues here must have taken away that sannyāsī’s riches after killing Him by making Him take the poison dhuturā.”

Word meanings

ei — these ; cāri — four ; bāṭoyāra — rogues ; dhuturā — dhuturā ; khāoyāñā — making Him eat ; māri’ ḍāriyāche — killed ; yatira — of the sannyāsī ; saba — all ; dhana — wealth ; lañā — taking away .

Translation

Thinking this, the Pāṭhāna soldiers arrested the four persons and decided to kill them. Because of this, the two Bengalis began to tremble.

Word meanings

tabe — then ; sei pāṭhāna — the Pāṭhāna soldiers ; cāri - janere — the four persons ; bāṅdhila — arrested ; kāṭite cāhe — wanted to kill them ; gauḍiyā — the Bengalis ; saba — all ; kāṅpite lāgila — began to tremble .

Purport

The four persons were Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya, his assistant brāhmaṇa, Rājaputa Kṛṣṇadāsa and the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa devotee of Mādhavendra Purī.

Translation

The devotee Kṛṣṇadāsa, who belonged to the Rājaputa race, was very fearless. The Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa was also fearless, and he spoke very bravely.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇadāsa — Kṛṣṇadāsa ; rājaputa — belonging to the Rājaputa race ; nirbhaya — fearless ; se — he ; baḍa — very ; sei vipra — the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa ; nirbhaya — also fearless ; se — he ; mukhe — in the mouth ; baḍa daḍa — very brave .

Translation

The brāhmaṇa said, “You Pāṭhāna soldiers are all under the protection of your king. Let us go to your commander and get his decision.

Word meanings

vipra kahe — the brāhmaṇa said ; pāṭhāna — you Pāṭhāna soldiers ; tomāra — your ; pātsāra — king ; dohāi — under the protection of ; cala — let us go ; tumi — you ; āmi — we ; sikdāra - pāśa — to the commander ; yāi — let us go .

Translation

“This sannyāsī is my spiritual master, and I am from Mathurā. I am a brāhmaṇa, and I know many people who are in the service of the Muslim king.

Word meanings

ei yati — this sannyāsī ; āmāra guru — my spiritual master ; āmi — I ; māthura brāhmaṇa — a brāhmaṇa from Mathurā ; pātsāra āge — in the service of the Muslim king ; āche — there are ; mora — my ; śata jana — one hundred persons .

Translation

“This sannyāsī sometimes falls unconscious due to the influence of a disease. Please sit down here, and you will see that He will very soon regain consciousness and His normal condition.

Word meanings

ei yati — this sannyāsī ; vyādhite — under the influence of disease ; kabhu — sometimes ; hayena mūrcchita — becomes unconscious ; abaṅhi — very soon ; cetana — consciousness ; pāibe — will get back ; ha - ibe samvita — will come to His proper senses .

Translation

“Sit down here for a while and keep us all under arrest. When the sannyāsī regains his senses, you can question Him. Then, if you like, you can kill us all.”

Word meanings

kṣaṇeka — for some time ; ihāṅ vaisa — sit down here ; bāndhi’ — arresting ; rākhaha — keep ; sabāre — all of us ; iṅhāke puchiyā — after questioning Him ; tabe — then ; māriha sabāre — you can kill all of us .

Translation

The Pāṭhāna soldiers said, “You are all rogues. One of you belongs to the western lands, one to the district of Mathurā, and the other two, who are trembling, belong to Bengal.”

Word meanings

pāṭhāna kahe — the soldiers said ; tumi — you ; paścimā — western Indians ; māthura — belonging to the district of Mathurā ; dui - jana — two of you ; gauḍiyā — Bengalis ; ṭhak — rogues ; ei — these ; kāṅpe — are trembling ; dui - jana — two persons .

Translation

Rājaputa Kṛṣṇadāsa said, “I have my home here, and I also have about two hundred Turkish soldiers and about one hundred cannons.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇadāsa kahe — Rājaputa Kṛṣṇadāsa said ; āmāra ghara — my home ; ei grāme — in this village ; dui - śata turkī — two hundred Turks ; āche — I have ; śateka kāmāne — one hundred cannons .

Translation

“If I call loudly, they will come immediately to kill you and plunder your horses and saddles.

Word meanings

ekhani — immediately ; āsibe saba — all of them will come ; āmi — I ; yadi — if ; phu - kāri — call loudly ; ghoḍā - piḍā — horses and their saddles ; luṭi’ — plundering ; labe — will take ; tomā - sabā māri’ — after killing all of you .

Translation

“The Bengali pilgrims are not rogues. You are rogues, for you want to kill the pilgrims and plunder them.”

Word meanings

gauḍiyā — the Bengalis ; bāṭapāḍa nahe — are not rogues ; tumi — you ; bāṭapāḍa — rogues ; tīrtha - vāsī — persons visiting places of pilgrimage ; luṭha’ — you plunder ; āra — and ; cāha’ — you want ; māribāra — to kill .

Translation

Upon hearing this challenge, the Pāṭhāna soldiers became hesitant. Then suddenly Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu regained consciousness.

Word meanings

śuniyā — hearing ; pāṭhāna — the Muslim soldiers ; mane — in the mind ; saṅkoca ha - ila — there was a little hesitation ; hena - kāle — at this time ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; caitanya pāila — came to his senses .

Translation

Coming to His senses, the Lord very loudly began chanting the holy name, “Hari! Hari!” The Lord raised His arms upward and began to dance in ecstatic love.

Word meanings

huṅ - kāra kariyā — resounded very loudly ; uṭhe — stands up ; bale hari hari — chants “Hari, Hari” ; prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; nṛtya kare — dances ; ūrdhva - bāhu kari’ — raising His arms upward .

Translation

When the Lord shouted very loudly in ecstatic love, it appeared to the Muslim soldiers that their hearts were struck by thunderbolts.

Word meanings

prema - āveśe — in ecstatic love ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; yabe — when ; karena citkāra — loudly shouts ; mlecchera hṛdaye — in the hearts of the Muslim soldiers ; yena — as if ; lāge — strikes ; śela - dhāra — a thunderbolt .

Translation

Seized by fear, all the Pāṭhāna soldiers immediately released the four persons. Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not see His personal associates arrested.

Word meanings

bhaya pāñā — being afraid ; mleccha — the Muslims ; chāḍi’ dila — released ; cāri - jana — the four persons ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nā dekhila — did not see ; nija - gaṇera — of His personal associates ; bandhana — the arrest .

Translation

At that time, Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya went to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and made Him sit down. Seeing the Muslim soldiers, the Lord regained His normal senses.

Word meanings

bhaṭṭācārya — the Bhaṭṭācārya ; āsi’ — immediately coming near ; prabhure — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; dhari’ — taking ; vasāila — made to sit ; mleccha - gaṇa dekhi’ — seeing the Muslim soldiers ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; bāhya — external consciousness ; haila — there was .

Translation

All the Muslim soldiers then came before the Lord, worshiped His lotus feet and said, “Here are four rogues.

Word meanings

mleccha - gaṇa — the Muslim soldiers ; āsi’ — after coming there ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vandila caraṇa — worshiped the lotus feet ; prabhu - āge kahe — said before the Lord ; ei ṭhak cāri - jana — these four persons are rogues .

Translation

“These rogues have made You take dhuturā. Having made You mad, they have taken all Your possessions.”

Word meanings

ei cāri mili’ — four rogues together ; tomāya — You ; dhuturā khāoyāñā — making to drink poison ; tomāra — Your ; dhana — wealth ; laila — took away ; tomāya — You ; pāgala — intoxicated ; kariyā — making .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “These are not rogues. They are My associates. Being a sannyāsī beggar, I do not possess anything.

Word meanings

prabhu kahena — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied ; ṭhak nahe — they are not rogues ; mora saṅgī jana — My associates ; bhikṣuka — beggar ; sannyāsī — sannyāsī ; mora — My ; nāhi — are not ; kichu — any ; dhana — riches .

Translation

“Due to epilepsy, I sometimes fall unconscious. Out of their mercy, these four men maintain Me.”

Word meanings

mṛgī - vyādhite — due to epilepsy ; āmi — I ; kabhu — sometimes ; ha - i — become ; acetana — unconscious ; ei cāri — these four men ; dayā kari’ — being merciful ; karena pālana — maintain Me .

Translation

Among the Muslims was a grave person who was wearing a black dress. People called him a saintly person.

Word meanings

sei mleccha - madhye — among those Muslims ; eka — one ; parama gambhīra — very grave ; kāla vastra — black garments ; pare sei — he wears ; loke — people ; kahe — call ; pīra — a saintly person .

Translation

The heart of that saintly person softened upon seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He wanted to talk to Him and establish impersonal Brahman on the basis of his own scripture, the Koran.

Word meanings

citta — heart ; ārdra — softened ; haila — became ; tāṅra — his ; prabhure dekhiyā — seeing Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; nirviśeṣa - brahma — impersonal Brahman ; sthāpe — wanted to establish ; sva - śāstra uṭhāñā — raising his scripture .

Translation

When that person tried to establish the impersonal Brahman conception of the Absolute Truth on the basis of the Koran, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu refuted his argument.

Word meanings

advaita - brahma - vāda — the impersonal Brahman conception ; sei — that saintly person ; karila sthāpana — established ; tāra śāstra - yuktye — on the logic of his scripture ; tāre — unto him ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kailā — did ; khaṇḍana — refutation .

Translation

Whatever arguments he put forward, the Lord refuted them all. Finally the person became stunned and could not speak.

Word meanings

yei yei kahila — whatever he spoke ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; sakali khaṇḍila — refuted everything ; uttara — answer ; nā āise — could not come ; mukhe — in his mouth ; mahā - stabdha haila — he became greatly stunned .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “The Koran certainly establishes impersonalism, but at the end it refutes that impersonalism and establishes the personal God.

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued to speak ; tomāra śāstra — your scripture (the Koran) ; sthāpe — establishes ; nirviśeṣe — impersonalism ; tāhā khaṇḍi’ — refuting that ; sa - viśeṣa — personal God ; sthāpiyāche — established ; śeṣe — at the end .

Translation

“The Koran accepts the fact that ultimately there is only one God. He is full of opulence, and His bodily complexion is blackish.

Word meanings

tomāra śāstre — in your scripture ; kahe — it says ; śeṣe — at the end ; eka - i īśvara — there is one God ; sarva - aiśvarya - pūrṇa — full of all opulence ; teṅho — He ; śyāma - kalevara — bodily complexion is blackish .

Purport

The revealed scripture of the Muslims is the Koran. There is one Muslim sampradāya known as the Sufis. The Sufis accept impersonalism, believing in the oneness of the living entity with the Absolute Truth. Their supreme slogan is “ analahak. ” The Sufi sampradāya was certainly derived from Śaṅkarācārya’s impersonalists.

Translation

“According to the Koran, the Lord has a supreme, blissful, transcendental body. He is the Absolute Truth, the all-pervading, omniscient and eternal being. He is the origin of everything.

Word meanings

sat - cit - ānanda - deha — transcendental, blissful, spiritual body ; pūrṇa - brahma - svarūpa — the identification of the Absolute Truth ; sarva - ātmā — all-pervading ; sarva - jña — omniscient ; nitya — eternal ; sarva - ādi — the origin of everything ; svarūpa — the real form of the Lord .

Translation

“Creation, maintenance and dissolution come from Him. He is the original shelter of all gross and subtle cosmic manifestations.

Word meanings

sṛṣṭi — creation ; sthiti — maintenance ; pralaya — dissolution ; tāṅhā — Him ; haite — from ; haya — becomes possible ; sthūla — gross ; sūkṣma — subtle ; jagatera — of the cosmic manifestation ; teṅho — He ; samāśraya — the only shelter .

Translation

“The Lord is the Supreme Truth, worshipable by everyone. He is the cause of all causes. By engaging in His devotional service, the living entity is relieved from material existence.

Word meanings

sarva - śreṣṭha — the Supreme Truth ; sarva - ārādhya — worshipable by everyone ; kāraṇera kāraṇa — the cause of all causes ; tāṅra — His ; bhaktye — by devotional service ; haya — becomes ; jīvera — of the living entity ; saṁsāra - tāraṇa — deliverance from material existence .

Translation

“No conditioned soul can get out of material bondage without serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Love at His lotus feet is the ultimate goal of life.

Word meanings

tāṅra — His ; sevā — service ; vinā — without ; jīvera — of the conditioned soul ; nā — not ; yāya — finishes ; saṁsāra — material bondage ; tāṅhāra — His ; caraṇe — at the lotus feet ; prīti — love ; puruṣārtha - sāra — the ultimate goal of life .

Purport

According to the Muslim scripture, without evādat, offering prayers at a mosque or elsewhere five times daily ( namāz ) , one cannot be successful in life. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu pointed out that in the revealed scripture of the Muslims, love of Godhead is the ultimate goal. Karma-yoga and jñāna-yoga are certainly described in the Koran, but ultimately the Koran states that the ultimate goal is the offering of prayers to the Supreme Person ( evādat ) .

Translation

“The happiness of liberation, whereby one merges into the Lord’s existence, cannot even be compared to a fragment of the transcendental bliss obtained by service unto the Lord’s lotus feet.

Word meanings

mokṣa - ādi — liberation and so on ; ānanda — transcendental bliss ; yāra — whose ; nahe — not ; eka — even ; kaṇa — a fragment ; pūrṇa - ānanda - prāpti — attainment of completely blissful life ; tāṅra caraṇa - sevana — service to His lotus feet .

Translation

“In the Koran there are descriptions of fruitive activity, speculative knowledge, mystic power and union with the Supreme, but ultimately all this is refuted and the Lord’s personal feature established, along with His devotional service.

Word meanings

karma — fruitive activities ; jñāna — speculative knowledge ; yoga — mystic power ; āge — in the beginning ; kariyā sthāpana — establishing ; saba khaṇḍi’ — refuting everything ; sthāpe — establishes ; īśvara — the Personality of Godhead ; tāṅhāra sevana — His service .

Translation

“The scholars of the Koran are not very advanced in knowledge. Although there are many methods prescribed, they do not know that the ultimate conclusion should be considered the most powerful.

Word meanings

tomāra paṇḍita - sabāra — of the learned scholars of your community ; nāhi — there is not ; śāstra - jñāna — knowledge of revealed scripture ; pūrva - apara — former and latter ; vidhi — regulative principles ; madhye — among ; para — the conclusion at the end ; balavān — most powerful .

Translation

“Seeing your own Koran and deliberating over what is written there, what is your conclusion?”

Word meanings

nija - śāstra — your own scripture ; dekhi’ — seeing ; tumi — you ; vicāra kariyā — deliberating ; ki likhiyāche — what was written ; śeṣe — at the end ; kaha — say ; nirṇaya kariyā — ascertaining .

Translation

The saintly Muslim replied, “All that You have said is true. This has certainly been written in the Koran, but our scholars can neither understand nor accept it.

Word meanings

mleccha kahe — the Muslim replied ; yei kaha — what You say ; sei — that ; satya haya — is true ; śāstre — in the Koran ; likhiyāche — it has been written ; keha — anyone ; la - ite — to take ; nā pāraya — is not able .

Translation

“Usually they describe the Lord’s impersonal aspect, but they hardly know that the Lord’s personal feature is worshipable. They are undoubtedly lacking this knowledge.

Word meanings

nirviśeṣa - gosāñi — the Supreme Personality of Godhead as impersonal ; lañā — taking ; karena vyākhyāna — they describe ; sa - ākāra - gosāñi — the personal feature of the Lord ; sevya — worshipable ; kāro nāhi jñāna — no one has this knowledge .

Purport

The saintly Muslim admitted that those who were supposedly conversant in the teachings of the Koran could not ultimately understand the essence of the Koran. Because of this, they accepted only the Lord’s impersonal feature. Generally they recite and explain this portion only. Although the transcendental body of the Lord is worshipable, most of them are unaware of this.

Translation

“Since You are that very same Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, please be merciful upon me. I am fallen and unfit.

Word meanings

seita — that ; gosāñi — Personality of Godhead ; tumi — You ; sākṣāt — directly ; īśvara — the Personality of Godhead ; more — upon me ; kṛpā kara — kindly be merciful ; muñi — I ; ayogya pāmara — very fallen and unfit .

Translation

“I have studied the Muslim scripture very extensively, but from it I cannot conclusively decide what the ultimate goal of life is or how I can approach it.

Word meanings

aneka — many ; dekhinu — have studied ; muñi — I ; mleccha - śāstra — Muslim scripture ; haite — from ; sādhya — the ultimate goal of life ; sādhana — how to approach it ; vastu — matter ; nāri nirdhārite — I cannot decide conclusively .

Translation

“Now that I have seen You, my tongue is chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. The false prestige I felt from being a learned scholar is now gone.”

Word meanings

tomā dekhi’ — by seeing You ; jihvā — tongue ; mora — my ; bale kṛṣṇa - nāma — chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra ; āmi — I ; baḍa jñānī — very learned scholar ; ei — this ; gela abhimāna — false prestige has gone away .

Translation

Saying this, the saintly Muslim fell at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and requested Him to speak of life’s ultimate goal and the process by which it could be obtained.

Word meanings

kṛpā kari’ — by Your causeless mercy ; bala — speak ; more — to me ; sādhya - sādhane — the ultimate object of life and the process to achieve it ; eta bali’ — saying this ; paḍe — falls down ; mahāprabhura caraṇe — at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Please get up. You have chanted the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; therefore the sinful reactions you have accrued for many millions of lives are now gone. You are now pure.”

Word meanings

prabhu kahe — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said ; uṭha — please get up ; kṛṣṇa - nāma — the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; tumi — you ; la - ilā — have taken ; koṭi - janmera — of many millions of births ; pāpa gela — your sinful reactions have gone ; pavitra ha - ilā — you have become pure .

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then told all the Muslims there, “Chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa! Chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa!” As they all began to chant, they were overwhelmed by ecstatic love.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa kaha — just chant “Kṛṣṇa” ; kṛṣṇa kaha — just chant “Kṛṣṇa” ; kailā upadeśa — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed ; sabe — all ; kṛṣṇa kahe — chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; sabāra — of all of them ; haila — there was ; prema - āveśa — ecstatic love .

Translation

In this way Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu directly initiated the saintly Muslim by advising him to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. The Muslim’s name was changed to Rāmadāsa. Another Pāṭhāna Muslim present there was named Vijulī Khān.

Word meanings

rāmadāsa bali’ — of the name Rāmadāsa ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; tāṅra — his ; kaila — made ; nāma — name ; āra eka pāṭhāna — another Muslim ; tāṅra nāma — his name ; vijulī - khāṅna — Vijulī Khān .

Purport

After being initiated, the devotees in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement change their names. Whenever a person in the Western world becomes interested in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, he is initiated by this process. In India we are falsely accused of converting mlecchas and yavanas to the Hindu religion. In India there are many Māyāvādī sannyāsīs known as jagad-guru, although they have hardly visited the whole world. Some are not even sufficiently educated, yet they make accusations against our movement and accuse us of destroying the principles of the Hindu religion by accepting Muslims and yavanas as Vaiṣṇavas. Such people are simply envious. We are not spoiling the Hindu system of religion but are simply following in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu by traveling all over the world and accepting those who are interested in understanding Kṛṣṇa as Kṛṣṇadāsa or Rāmadāsa. By the process of a bona fide initiation, their names are changed.

Translation

Vijulī Khān was very young, and he was the son of the king. All the other Muslims, or Pāṭhānas, headed by Rāmadāsa, were his servants.

Word meanings

alpa vayasa tāṅra — his age is very young ; rājāra kumāra — son of the king ; rāmadāsa — Rāmadāsa ; ādi — heading the list ; pāṭhāna — the Muslims ; cākara tāṅhāra — servants of him .

Translation

Vijulī Khān also fell down at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and the Lord placed His foot on his head.

Word meanings

kṛṣṇa bali’ — chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa ; paḍe — falls down ; sei — that Vijulī Khān ; mahāprabhura pāya — at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; śrī - caraṇa dila — placed His foot ; tāṅhāra māthāya — on his head .

Translation

After bestowing His mercy upon them in this way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu left. All those Pāṭhāna Muslims then became mendicants.

Word meanings

tāṅ - sabāre — to all of them ; kṛpā kari’ — bestowing mercy ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ta’ — indeed ; calilā — departed ; seita — they ; pāṭhāna — the Muslims of the Pāṭhāna community ; saba — all ; vairāgī ha - ilā — became mendicants .

Translation

Later these very Pāṭhānas became celebrated as the Pāṭhāna Vaiṣṇavas. They toured all over the country and chanted the glorious activities of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Word meanings

pāṭhāna - vaiṣṇava bali’ — known as Pāṭhāna Vaiṣṇavas ; haila — became ; tāṅra — their ; khyāti — reputation ; sarvatra — everywhere ; gāhiyā bule — travel while chanting ; mahāprabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kīrti — glorious activities .

Translation

Vijulī Khān became a greatly advanced devotee, and his importance was celebrated at every holy place of pilgrimage.

Word meanings

sei — that ; vijulī - khāṅna — Vijulī Khān ; haila — became ; mahā - bhāgavata — most advanced devotee ; sarva - tīrthe — in all places of pilgrimage ; haila — became ; tāṅra — his ; parama — great ; mahattva — importance .

Translation

In this way Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu performed His pastimes. Coming to the western part of India, He bestowed good fortune upon the yavanas and mlecchas.

Word meanings

aiche — in that way ; līlā — pastimes ; kare — performed ; prabhu — the Lord ; śrī - kṛṣṇa - caitanya — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; paścime — to the western part of India ; āsiyā — coming ; kaila — made ; yavana - ādi — meat-eaters and others ; dhanya — fortunate .

Purport

The word yavana means “meat-eater.” Anyone from a meat-eating community is called a yavana. One who does not strictly observe the Vedic regulative principles is called a mleccha. These words do not refer to any particular man. Even if a person is born in a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya or śūdra family, he is a mleccha or yavana if he does not strictly follow the regulative principles or if he eats meat.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu next went to a holy place of pilgrimage called Soro-kṣetra. He took His bath in the Ganges there and started for Prayāga on the path along the banks of the Ganges.

Word meanings

soro - kṣetre — to Soro-kṣetra ; āsi’ — coming ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; kailā — did ; gaṅgā - snāna — bathing in the Ganges ; gaṅgā - tīra - pathe — on the path on the bank of the Ganges ; kailā — did ; prayāge prayāṇa — departure for Prayāga .

Translation

At Soro-kṣetra, the Lord requested the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa and Rājaputa Kṛṣṇadāsa to return home, but with folded hands they began to speak as follows.

Word meanings

sei vipre — to the Sanoḍiyā brāhmaṇa ; kṛṣṇadāse — and the Rājaputa Kṛṣṇadāsa ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; vidāya dilā — asked to go back ; yoḍa - hāte — with folded hands ; dui - jana — two persons ; kahite lāgilā — began to say .

Translation

They prayed, “Let us go to Prayāga with You. If we do not go, when shall we again get the association of Your lotus feet?

Word meanings

prayāga - paryanta — up to Prayāga ; duṅhe — both of us ; tomā - saṅge — with You ; yāba — shall go ; tomāra — Your ; caraṇa - saṅga — association of the lotus feet ; punaḥ — again ; kāhāṅ — where ; pāba — shall we get .

Translation

“This country is mainly occupied by Muslims. At any place someone can create a disturbance, and although Your companion Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya is a learned scholar, he does not know how to speak the local language.”

Word meanings

mleccha - deśa — this is a country occupied by the Muslims ; keha — anyone ; kāhāṅ — anywhere ; karaye utpāta — can create a disturbance ; bhaṭṭācārya — Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya ; paṇḍita — learned scholar ; kahite — to speak ; nā jānena — does not know ; bāt — language .

Translation

Hearing this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted their proposal by smiling mildly. Thus those two persons continued to accompany Him.

Word meanings

śuni’ — hearing ; mahāprabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; īṣat — mildly ; hāsite lāgilā — began to smile ; sei — those ; dui - jana — two persons ; prabhura saṅge — with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; cali’ āilā — came .

Translation

Whoever got to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would feel himself overwhelmed with ecstatic love and would begin to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.

Word meanings

yei yei — anyone who ; jana — person ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; pāila daraśana — got the sight ; sei — that person ; preme — with ecstatic love ; matta haya — becomes overwhelmed ; kare — performs ; kṛṣṇa - saṅkīrtana — chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa .

Translation

Whoever met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became a Vaiṣṇava, and whoever met that Vaiṣṇava also became a Vaiṣṇava. In this way, all the towns and villages became Vaiṣṇava, one after the other.

Word meanings

tāṅra saṅge — with Him ; anyonye — other ; tāṅra saṅge — and with him ; āna — another ; ei - mata — in this way ; vaiṣṇava — Vaiṣṇava ; kailā — made ; saba — all ; deśa - grāma — villages and towns .

Translation

Just as the Lord inundated South India on His tour there, He also inundated the western part of the country with love of Godhead.

Word meanings

dakṣiṇa yāite — while touring in the southern part of India ; yaiche — as ; śakti prakāśilā — manifested His spiritual energy ; sei - mata — in that way ; paścima deśa — the western part of India ; preme bhāsāilā — inundated with love of Kṛṣṇa .

Purport

According to some opinions, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited Kurukṣetra while going to Prayāga from Vṛndāvana. There is a temple of Bhadra-kālī in Kurukṣetra, and near that temple there is a temple containing the Deity of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu finally arrived at Prayāga and for ten successive days bathed in the confluence of the rivers Yamunā and Ganges during the festival of Makara-saṅkrānti [Māgha-melā].

Word meanings

ei - mata — in this way ; cali’ — walking ; prabhu — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; prayāga — the holy place named Prayāga ; āilā — reached ; daśa - dina — ten days ; triveṇīte — at the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamunā ; makara - snāna kailā — bathed during the festival of Makara, or Māgha-melā .

Purport

Actually the word triveṇī indicates the confluence of three rivers — namely the Ganges, Yamunā and Sarasvatī. Presently the Sarasvatī River is not visible, but the river Ganges and the river Yamunā merge at Allahabad.

Translation

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s visit to Vṛndāvana and His activities there are unlimited. Even Lord Śeṣa, who has thousands of hoods, cannot reach the end of His activities.

Word meanings

vṛndāvana - gamana — going to Vṛndāvana ; prabhu - caritra — pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ananta — unlimited ; sahasra - vadana — Lord Śeṣa, who has thousands of hoods ; yāṅra — whose ; nāhi — does not ; pā’na — get ; anta — limit .

Translation

What ordinary living being can describe the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu? I have only indicated the general direction in the form of a summary.

Word meanings

tāhā — that ; ke kahite pāre — who can describe ; kṣudra — very little ; jīva hañā — being a conditioned soul ; dik - daraśana kailuṅ — have simply made an indication ; muñi — I ; sūtra kariyā — in summary form .

Translation

The pastimes and methods of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are uncommon. Unfortunate is he who cannot believe even after hearing all these things.

Word meanings

alaukika - līlā — uncommon pastimes ; prabhura — of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; alaukika - rīti — uncommon method ; śunileo — even though one hears ; bhāgya - hīnera — of one who is unfortunate ; nā haya pratīti — there is no belief .

Translation

From beginning to end the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are uncommon. Just hear them with faith and accept them as true and correct.

Word meanings

ādya - upānta — from beginning to end ; caitanya - līlā — the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; alaukika jāna’ — everyone should know as uncommon ; śraddhā kari’ — with faith ; śuna ihā — hear this ; satya kari’ māna’ — accepting it as true and correct .

Translation

Whoever argues about this is a great fool. He intentionally and personally brings a thunderbolt down upon his head.

Word meanings

yei tarka kare — one who simply argues ; ihāṅ — in this matter ; sei — that person ; mūrkha - rāja — a great fool ; āpanāra muṇḍe — on his own head ; se — that person ; āpani — himself ; pāḍe vāja — strikes with a thunderbolt .

Translation

The pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are an ocean of nectar. Even a drop of this ocean can inundate the whole world with transcendental bliss.

Word meanings

caitanya - caritra — pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ; ei — these ; amṛtera sindhu — ocean of nectar ; jagat — the whole world ; ānande — with bliss ; bhāsāya — inundates ; yāra — of which ; eka - bindu — one drop .

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, eighteenth chapter, describing the Lord’s visit to Śrī Vṛndāvana and His conversion of the Muslim soldiers on the way to Prayāga.