Chapter 12

                 The Cleansing of the Gundica Temple

 

   In his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura summarizes this chapter as follows.

   The King of Orissa, Maharaja Prataparudra, tried his best to see Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Nityananda Prabhu and the other devotees informed the Lord about the King's desire, but Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would not agree to see him. At that time Sri Nityananda Prabhu devised a plan, and He sent a piece of the Lord's outward garment to the King. The next day, when Ramananda Raya again entreated Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to see the King, the Lord, denying the request, asked Ramananda Raya to bring the King's son before Him. The prince visited the Lord dressed like a Vaisnava, and this awakened remembrance of Krsna. Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu delivered the son of Maharaja Prataparudra.

   After this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu washed the Gundica temple before the Ratha-yatra took place. He then took His bath at Indradyumna Lake and partook of prasada in the garden nearby. While Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu washed the temple of Gundica, a Gaudiya Vaisnava washed the lotus feet of the Lord and drank the water. This incident is very significant, for it awoke within the devotee ecstatic love. Then again, the son of Advaita Prabhu named Gopala fainted during kirtana, and when he did not come to his senses, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu favored him by awakening him. There was also some humorous talk between Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu during prasada. Advaita Prabhu said that Nityananda Prabhu was unknown to anyone and that it was not the duty of a householder brahmana to accept dinner with a person unknown in society. In answer to this humorous statement, Sri Nityananda Prabhu replied that Advaita Acarya was a monist and that one could not know how his mind could be turned by eating with such an impersonalist. The conversation of these two prabhus--Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu--carried a deep meaning that only an intelligent man can understand. After all the Vaisnavas finished their luncheon, Svarupa Damodara and others took their prasada within the room. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took great pleasure when He saw the Jagannatha Deity after the period of the Deity's retirement. At that time Lord Caitanya was accompanied by all the devotees, and all of them were very much pleased.

 

                                TEXT 1

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  sri-gundica-mandiram atma-vrndaih

                   sammarjayan ksalanatah sa gaurah

                  sva-citta-vac chitalam ujjvalam ca

                      krsnopavesaupayikam cakara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sri-gundica--known as Gundica; mandiram--the temple; atma-vrndaih--with His associates; sammarjayan--washing; ksalanatah--by cleansing; sah--that; gaurah--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sva-citta-vat--like His own heart; sitalam--cool and calm; ujjvalam--bright and clean; ca--and; krsna--of Lord Sri Krsna; upavesa--for the sitting; aupayikam--befitting; cakara--made.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu washed and cleansed the Gundica temple with His devotees and associates. In this way He made the temple as cool and bright as His own heart, and thus He made the place befitting for Lord Sri Krsna to sit.

 

                                TEXT 2

 

                                 TEXT

 

                jaya jaya gauracandra jaya nityananda

              jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jaya jaya--all glories; gauracandra--to Gauracandra, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya--all glories; nityananda--to Nityananda Prabhu; jaya--all glories; advaita-candra--to Advaita Prabhu; jaya--all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda--to the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   All glories to Gauracandra! All glories to Nityananda! All glories to Advaitacandra! And all glories to the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

 

                                TEXT 3

 

                                 TEXT

 

                jaya jaya srivasadi gaura-bhakta-gana

               sakti deha,--kari yena caitanya varnana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jaya jaya--all glories; srivasa-adi--headed by Srivasa Thakura; gaura-bhakta-gana--to the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sakti deha--please give me power; kari yena--so that I may do; caitanya--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; varnana--description.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   All glories to the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, headed by Srivasa Thakura! I beg their power so that I can properly describe Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                                TEXT 4

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 purve daksina haite prabhu yabe aila

                tanre milite gajapati utkanthita haila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   purve--formerly; daksina haite--from South India; prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yabe--when; aila--returned; tanre--Him; milite--to meet; gajapati--the King of Orissa; utkanthita--full of anxieties; haila--became.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned from His South Indian tour, Maharaja Prataparudra, the King of Orissa, became very anxious to meet Him.

 

                                TEXT 5

 

                                 TEXT

 

              kataka haite patri dila sarvabhauma-thani

                prabhura ajna haya yadi, dekhibare yai

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kataka haite--from Kataka, the capital of Orissa; patri--a letter; dila--sent; sarvabhauma--of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; thani--to the place; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ajna--order; haya--there is; yadi--if; dekhibare yai--I can go and see.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The King sent a letter from his capital, Kataka, to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, entreating him to obtain the Lord's permission so that he could go and see Him.

 

                                TEXT 6

 

                                 TEXT

 

             bhattacarya likhila,--prabhura ajna na haila

                  punarapi raja tanre patri pathaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhattacarya likhila--Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya replied; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ajna--order; na--not; haila--there is; punarapi--again; raja--the King; tanre--unto him; patri--a letter; pathaila--dispatched.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Replying to the King's letter, the Bhattacarya wrote that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had not given His permission. After this, the King wrote him another letter.

 

                                TEXT 7

 

                                 TEXT

 

                prabhura nikate ache yata bhakta-gana

                mora lagi' tan-sabare kariha nivedana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhura nikate--in the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ache--there are; yata--all; bhakta-gana--devotees; mora lagi'--for me; tan-sabare--unto all of them; kariha--please submit; nivedana--petition.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In this letter the King requested Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, "Please appeal to all the devotees associated with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and submit this petition to them on my behalf.

 

                                TEXT 8

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   sei saba dayalu more hana sadaya

                 mora lagi' prabhu-pade karibe vinaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sei saba--all of them; dayalu--merciful; more--unto me; hana--becoming; sa-daya--favorably disposed; mora lagi'--for me; prabhu-pade--at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karibe--will do; vinaya--humble submission.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                                TEXT 9

 

                                 TEXT

 

              tan-sabara prasade mile sri-prabhura paya

                prabhu-krpa vina mora rajya nahi bhaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tan-sabara prasade--by the mercy of all of them; mile--one gets; sri-prabhura paya--the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prabhu-krpa--the mercy of the Lord; vina--without; mora--my; rajya--kingdom; nahi--does not; bhaya--appeal to me.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 10

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  yadi more krpa na karibe gaurahari

               rajya chadi' yogi ha-i' ha-iba bhikhari

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yadi--if; more--unto me; krpa--mercy; na--not; karibe--will do; gaurahari--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; rajya chadi'--giving up the kingdom; yogi--mendicant; ha-i'--becoming; ha-iba--I shall become; bhikhari--a beggar.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "If Gaurahari, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, will not show mercy to me, I shall give up my kingdom, become a mendicant and beg from door to door."

 

                               TEXT 11

 

                                 TEXT

 

                bhattacarya patri dekhi' cintita hana

                 bhakta-gana-pasa gela sei patri lana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhattacarya--Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; patri--the letter; dekhi'--seeing; cintita hana--becoming very anxious; bhakta-gana--all the devotees; pasa--near; gela--went; sei--that; patri--letter; lana--taking.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 12

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  sabare miliya kahila raja-vivarana

               piche sei patri sabare karaila darasana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sabare--everyone; miliya--meeting; kahila--said; raja-vivarana--description of the King's desire; piche--later; sei patri--that letter; sabare--unto everyone; karaila darasana--showed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya met with all the devotees and described the King's wishes. Then he presented the letter to all of them for inspection.

 

                               TEXT 13

 

                                 TEXT

 

               patri dekhi' sabara mane ha-ila vismaya

               prabhu-pade gajapatira eta bhakti haya!!

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   patri--the letter; dekhi'--seeing; sabara--of everyone; mane--in the mind; ha-ila--there was; vismaya--astonishment; prabhu-pade--unto the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; gajapatira--of the King of Orissa; eta--so much; bhakti--devotion; haya--there is.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Upon reading the letter, everyone was astonished to see that King Prataparudra had so much devotion for the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                               TEXT 14

 

                                 TEXT

 

               sabe kahe,--prabhu tanre kabhu na milibe

                 ami-saba kahi yadi, duhkha se manibe

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sabe kahe--everyone said; prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanre--unto him; kabhu--at any time; na--not; milibe--would see; ami-saba--all of us; kahi--say; yadi--if; duhkha--unhappiness; se--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; manibe--will feel.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 15

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sarvabhauma kahe,--sabe cala' eka-bara

               milite na kahiba, kahiba raja-vyavahara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sarvabhauma kahe--Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya said; sabe cala'--let all of us go; eka-bara--once; milite--to meet; na kahiba--we shall not request; kahiba--we shall simply describe; raja-vyavahara--the behavior of the King.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya then said, "We shall go once again to the Lord, but we shall not request Him to meet the King. Rather, we shall simply describe the good behavior of the King."

 

                               TEXT 16

 

                                 TEXT

 

               eta bali' sabe gela mahaprabhura sthane

                 kahite unmukha sabe, na kahe vacane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eta bali'--deciding like this; sabe--all of them; gela--went; mahaprabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sthane--to the place; kahite--to speak; unmukha--ready; sabe--all; na--do not; kahe--say; vacane--any word.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 17

 

                                 TEXT

 

                prabhu kahe,--ki kahite sabara agamana

              dekhiye kahite caha,--na kaha, ki karana?

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; ki--what; kahite--to speak; sabara--of all of you; agamana--there is the presence here; dekhiye--I see; kahite caha--you want to speak; na kaha--but do not speak; ki karana--what is the reason.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After they arrived at Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's place, the Lord, seeing them, said, "What have you all come here to say? I see that you want to say something, but you do not speak. What is the reason?"

 

                               TEXT 18

 

                                 TEXT

 

                nityananda kahe,--tomaya cahi nivedite

              na kahile rahite nari, kahite bhaya citte

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nityananda kahe--Lord Nityananda said; tomaya--unto You; cahi--we want; nivedite--to submit; na kahile--if we do not speak; rahite nari--we cannot stay; kahite--but to speak; bhaya citte--we are very fearful.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 19

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 yogyayogya tomaya saba cahi nivedite

                 toma na milile raja cahe yogi haite

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yogya--befitting; ayogya--not befitting; tomaya--unto You; saba--we all; cahi--want; nivedite--to submit; toma--You; na milile--if he does not meet; raja--the King; cahe--wants; yogi haite--to become a mendicant.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 20

 

                                 TEXT

 

                kane mudra la-i' muni ha-iba bhikhari

                rajya-bhoga nahe citte vina gaurahari

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kane mudra--a kind of earring; la-i'--taking; muni--I; ha-iba--shall become; bhikhari--a beggar; rajya-bhoga--enjoyment of the kingdom; nahe--not; citte--in the mind; vina--without; gaurahari--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Nityananda Prabhu continued, "The King has decided to become a mendicant and accept the sign of a mendicant by wearing an ivory earring. He does not want to enjoy his kingdom without seeing the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu."

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 21

 

                                 TEXT

 

                dekhiba se mukha-candra nayana bhariya

                 dhariba se pada-padma hrdaye tuliya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   dekhiba--I shall see; se--that; mukha-candra--moonlike face; nayana bhariya--to the fulfillment of the eyes; dhariba--I shall catch; se--those; pada-padma--lotus feet; hrdaye--on my heart; tuliya--raising.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Nityananda Prabhu continued, "The King also expressed his desire to see the moonlike face of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to his eye's full satisfaction. He would like to raise the lotus feet of the Lord to his heart."

 

                               TEXT 22

 

                                 TEXT

 

               yadyapi suniya prabhura komala haya mana

                 tathapi bahire kahe nisthura vacana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yadyapi--although; suniya--hearing; prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; komala--softened; haya--becomes; mana--mind; tathapi--still; bahire--externally; kahe--He says; nisthura vacana--hard words.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Hearing all these statements, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mind was certainly softened, but externally He wished to speak some harsh words.

 

                               TEXT 23

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  toma-sabara iccha,--ei amare lana

                   rajake milaha ihan katakete giya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   toma-sabara--of all of you; iccha--the desire; ei--is; amare lana--taking Me; rajake--the King; milaha--meet; ihan--here; katakete giya--by going to Kataka.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I can understand that you all desire to take Me to Kataka to see the King."

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 24

 

                                 TEXT

 

               paramartha thakuka--loke karibe nindana

                 loke rahu--damodara karibe bhartsana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   parama-artha thakuka--what to speak of spiritual advancement; loke--people in general; karibe nindana--will blaspheme; loke rahu--what to speak of people in general; damodara--Damodara Pandita; karibe--will do; bhartsana--chastisement.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "What to speak of spiritual advancement--all the people will blaspheme Me. And what to speak of all the people--Damodara would chastise Me.

 

                               TEXT 25

 

                                 TEXT

 

                toma-sabara ajnaya ami na mili rajare

                 damodara kahe yabe, mili tabe tanre

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   toma-sabara--of all of you; ajnaya--by the order; ami--I; na--not; mili--shall meet; rajare--the King; damodara--Damodara Pandita; kahe--says; yabe--when; mili--I shall meet; tabe--then; tanre--him.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 26

 

                                 TEXT

 

                damodara kahe,--tumi svatantra isvara

                 kartavyakartavya saba tomara gocara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   damodara kahe--Pandita Damodara said; tumi--You; svatantra--fully independent; isvara--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kartavya--duty which is permissible; akartavya--duty which is not permissible; saba--all; tomara--of You; gocara--within knowledge.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 27

 

                                 TEXT

 

               ami kon ksudra-jiva, tomake vidhi diba?

                  apani milibe tanre, tahao dekhiba

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ami kon--I am just some; ksudra-jiva--insignificant living entity; tomake--unto You; vidhi--injunction; diba--I shall give; apani--You; milibe--will meet; tanre--the King; tahao dekhiba--I shall see it.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 28

 

                                 TEXT

 

               raja tomare sneha kare, tumi--sneha-vasa

                tanra snehe karabe tanre tomara parasa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   raja--the King; tomare--You; sneha kare--loves; tumi--You; sneha-vasa--controlled by love and affection; tanra--his; snehe--by love; karabe--will do; tanre--unto him; tomara--Your; parasa--touching.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 29

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 yadyapi isvara tumi parama svatantra

                tathapi svabhave hao prema-paratantra

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yadyapi--although; isvara--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tumi--You; parama--supremely; svatantra--independent; tathapi--still; svabhave--by Your nature; hao--You become; prema-paratantra--subordinate to love.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 30

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 nityananda kahe--aiche haya kon jana

                 ye tomare kahe, 'kara raja-darasana'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nityananda kahe--Nityananda Prabhu said; aiche--such; haya--there is; kon jana--any person; ye--who; tomare--unto You; kahe--orders; kara--do; raja-darasana--meeting the King.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 31

 

                                 TEXT

 

                kintu anuragi lokera svabhava eka haya

                 ista na paile nija prana se chadaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kintu--still; anuragi--affectionate; lokera--of the people; svabhava--nature; eka--one; haya--there is; ista--desirable; na paile--without getting; nija--own; prana--life; se--he; chadaya--gives up.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 32

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 yajnika-brahmani saba tahate pramana

                 krsna lagi' pati-age chadileka prana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yajnika-brahmani--the wives of the brahmanas who were engaged in performing great sacrifices; saba--all; tahate--in that connection; pramana--evidence; krsna lagi'--for the matter of Krsna; pati-age--in front of their husbands; chadileka prana--gave up their lives.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "For instance, some of the wives of the brahmanas who were performing sacrifices gave up their lives in the presence of their husbands for the sake of Krsna."

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 33

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  eka yukti ache, yadi kara avadhana

               tumi na milileha tanre, rahe tanra prana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eka yukti--one plan; ache--there is; yadi--if; kara avadhana--You consider it; tumi--You; na milileha--may not meet; tanre--with him; rahe--remains; tanra--his; prana--life.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 34

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 eka bahirvasa yadi deha' krpa kari'

               taha pana prana rakhe tomara asa dhari'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eka bahirvasa--one outward covering; yadi--if; deha'--You give; krpa kari'--by Your mercy; taha pana--getting that; prana rakhe--he would live; tomara asa dhari'--hoping to meet You some time in the future.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 35

 

                                 TEXT

 

                prabhu kahe,--tumi-saba parama vidvan

                  yei bhala haya, sei kara samadhana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--the Lord replied; tumi-saba--all of you; parama vidvan--greatly learned personalities; yei--whatever; bhala haya--is right; sei--that; kara samadhana--execute.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 36

 

                                 TEXT

 

                tabe nityananda-gosani govindera pasa

                 magiya la-ila prabhura eka bahirvasa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--at that time; nityananda-gosani--Lord Nityananda Prabhu; govindera pasa--from Govinda, the personal servant of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; magiya--requesting; la-ila--took; prabhura--of the Lord; eka--one; bahirvasa--outer garment.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 37

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 sei bahirvasa sarvabhauma-pasa dila

                sarvabhauma sei vastra rajare patha'la

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sei--that; bahirvasa--garment; sarvabhauma-pasa--in the care of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; dila--delivered; sarvabhauma--Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; sei--that; vastra--cloth; rajare--unto the King; patha'la--sent.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Thus Nityananda Prabhu delivered the old cloth to the care of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, and Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya sent it to the King.

 

                               TEXT 38

 

                                 TEXT

 

                vastra pana rajara haila anandita mana

                prabhu-rupa kari' kare vastrera pujana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   vastra pana--getting that cloth; rajara--of the King; haila--there was; anandita mana--very happy mind; prabhu-rupa kari'--accepting as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself; kare--executes; vastrera--of the cloth; pujana--worship.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                       yasya deve para bhaktir

                        yatha deve tatha gurau

                      tasyaite kathita hy arthah

                        prakasante mahatmanah

 

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

   Thus following in the footsteps of Maharaja Prataparudra and other devotees, we should learn to worship everything belonging to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is referred to by Lord Siva as tadiyanam. In the Padma Purana it is said:

 

                         aradhananam sarvesam

                        visnor aradhanam param

                        tasmat parataram devi

                         tadiyanam samarcanam

 

   "O Devi, the most exalted system of worship is the worship of Lord Visnu. Greater than that is the worship of tadiya, or anything belonging to Visnu." Sri Visnu is sac-cid-ananda-vigraha. Similarly, the most confidential servant of Krsna, the spiritual master, and all devotees of Visnu are tadiya. The sac-cid-ananda-vigraha, guru, Vaisnavas, and things used by them must be considered tadiya and without a doubt worshipable by all living beings.

 

                               TEXT 39

 

                                 TEXT

 

               ramananda raya yabe 'daksina' haite aila

                 prabhu-sange rahite rajake nivedila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ramananda raya--Ramananda Raya; yabe--when; daksina--South India; haite--from; aila--returned; prabhu-sange--with Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; rahite--to stay; rajake--unto the King; nivedila--requested.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After returning from his service in South India, Ramananda Raya requested the King to allow him to remain with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                               TEXT 40

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tabe raja santose tanhare ajna dila

                  apani milana lagi' sadhite lagila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--at that time; raja--the King; santose--in great satisfaction; tanhare--unto Ramananda Raya; ajna dila--gave the order; apani--personally; milana lagi'--to meet; sadhite lagila--began to solicit.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 41

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  mahaprabhu maha-krpa karena tomare

                 more milibare avasya sadhibe tanhare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; maha-krpa--great mercy; karena--does; tomare--unto you; more--me; milibare--for meeting; avasya--certainly; sadhibe--you must solicit; tanhare--Him.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The King told Ramananda Raya, "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very, very merciful to you. Therefore please solicit my meeting with Him without fail."

 

                               TEXT 42

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 eka-sange dui jana ksetre yabe aila

                 ramananda raya tabe prabhure milila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eka-sange--together; dui jana--these two persons; ksetre--at Jagannatha-ksetra (Jagannatha Puri); yabe--when; aila--came back; ramananda raya--Ramananda Raya; tabe--at that time; prabhure--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milila--met.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The King and Ramananda Raya returned together to Jagannatha-ksetra [Puri], and Sri Ramananda Raya met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                               TEXT 43

 

                                 TEXT

 

               prabhu-pade prema-bhakti janaila rajara

                  prasanga pana aiche kahe bara-bara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu-pade--unto the lotus feet of the Lord; prema-bhakti--ecstatic love; janaila--informed; rajara--of the King; prasanga--discussion; pana--getting; aiche--thus; kahe--says; bara-bara--again and again.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   At that time, Ramananda Raya informed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu about the ecstatic love of the King. Indeed, as soon as there was some opportunity, he repeatedly informed the Lord about the King.

 

                               TEXT 44

 

                                 TEXT

 

               raja-mantri ramananda--vyavahare nipuna

               raja-priti kahi' dravaila prabhura mana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   raja-mantri--diplomatic minister; ramananda--Sri Ramananda Raya; vyavahare--in general behavior; nipuna--very expert; raja-priti--the love of the King for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kahi'--describing; dravaila--softened; prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mana--the mind.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Ramananda Raya was indeed a diplomatic minister for the King. His general behavior was very expert, and simply by describing the King's love for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he gradually softened the Lord's mind.

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 45

 

                                 TEXT

 

                utkanthate prataparudra nare rahibare

                ramananda sadhilena prabhure milibare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   utkanthate--in great anxiety; prataparudra--King Prataparudra; nare rahibare--could not stay; ramananda--Sri Ramananda Raya; sadhilena--solicited; prabhure--unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milibare--to meet.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Maharaja Prataparudra, in great anxiety, could not endure not seeing the Lord; therefore Sri Ramananda Raya, by his diplomacy, arranged a meeting with the Lord for the King.

 

                               TEXT 46

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ramananda prabhu-paya kaila nivedana

                 eka-bara prataparudre dekhaha carana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ramananda--Ramananda; prabhu-paya--at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kaila--did; nivedana--submission; eka-bara--once only; prataparudre--unto Maharaja Prataparudra; dekhaha--show; carana--Your lotus feet.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Ramananda Raya frankly requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, "Please show Your lotus feet to the King at least once."

 

                               TEXT 47

 

                                 TEXT

 

                prabhu kahe,--ramananda, kaha vicariya

                 rajake milite yuyaya sannyasi hana?

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; ramananda--My dear Ramananda; kaha--please ask Me; vicariya--after due consideration; rajake--the King; milite--to meet; yuyaya--is it befitting; sannyasi--in the renounced order of life; hana--being.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "My dear Ramananda, you should make this request after duly considering whether it is befitting for a sannyasi to meet a king.

 

                               TEXT 48

 

                                 TEXT

 

                rajara milane bhiksukera dui loka nasa

                   paraloka rahu, loke kare upahasa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   rajara milane--by meeting with a king; bhiksukera--of the mendicant; dui loka--in two worlds; nasa--destruction; para-loka--spiritual world; rahu--let alone; loke--in this material world; kare--do; upahasa--joking.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 49

 

                                 TEXT

 

                ramananda kahe,--tumi isvara svatantra

               kare tomara bhaya, tumi naha paratantra

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ramananda kahe--Ramananda said; tumi--You; isvara--the Supreme Lord; svatantra--independent; kare tomara bhaya--why should You be afraid of anyone; tumi naha--You are not; para-tantra--dependent.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Ramananda Raya replied, "My Lord, You are the supreme independent personality. You have nothing to fear from anyone because You are not dependent on anyone."

 

                               TEXT 50

 

                                 TEXT

 

              prabhu kahe,--ami manusya asrame sannyasi

                 kaya-mano-vakye vyavahare bhaya vasi

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--the Lord said; ami manusya--I am a human being; asrame--in the social order; sannyasi--a renounced person; kaya-manah-vakye--with My body, mind and words; vyavahare--in general dealings; bhaya--fear; vasi--I do.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Ramananda Raya addressed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Caitanya Mahaprabhu objected, saying, "I am not the Supreme Personality of Godhead but an ordinary human being. Therefore I must fear public opinion in three ways--with My body, mind and words.

 

                               TEXT 51

 

                                 TEXT

 

               sukla-vastre masi-bindu yaiche na lukaya

                sannyasira alpa chidra sarva-loke gaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sukla-vastre--on white cloth; masi-bindu--a spot of ink; yaiche--as much as; na--does not; lukaya--become hidden; sannyasira--of a sannyasi; alpa--a very little; chidra--fault; sarva-loke--the general public; gaya--advertise.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 52

 

                                 TEXT

 

              raya kahe,--kata papira kariyacha avyahati

                 isvara-sevaka tomara bhakta gajapati

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   raya kahe--Ramananda Raya replied; kata papira--of numberless sinful persons; kariyacha--You have done; avyahati--deliverance; isvara-sevaka--a servitor of the Lord; tomara--Your; bhakta--devotee; gajapati--the King.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Ramananda Raya replied, "My dear Lord, You have delivered so many sinful people. This King Prataparudra, the King of Orissa, is actually a servitor of the Lord and Your devotee."

 

                               TEXT 53

 

                                 TEXT

 

              prabhu kahe,--purna yaiche dugdhera kalasa

                 sura-bindu-pate keha na kare parasa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--the Lord replied; purna--completely filled; yaiche--just as; dugdhera--of milk; kalasa--container; sura-bindu-pate--with simply a drop of liquor; keha--anyone; na kare--does not; parasa--touch.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 54

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 yadyapi prataparudra--sarva-gunavan

                 tanhare malina kaila eka 'raja'-nama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yadyapi--although; prataparudra--the King; sarva-guna-van--qualified in every respect; tanhare--unto him; malina kaila--makes impure; eka--one; raja-nama--the name "king."

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 55

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  tathapi tomara yadi mahagraha haya

                 tabe ani' milaha tumi tanhara tanaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tathapi--still; tomara--your; yadi--if; maha-agraha--great eagerness; haya--there is; tabe--then; ani'--bringing; milaha--cause to meet; tumi--you; tanhara--his; tanaya--son.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 56

 

                                 TEXT

 

               "atma vai jayate putrah"--ei sastra-vani

                   putrera milane yena milibe apani

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   atma vai jayate putrah--his self appears as the son; ei--this; sastra-vani--the indication of revealed scriptures; putrera milane--by meeting the son; yena--as if; milibe--he will meet; apani--personally.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

   In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.78.36) it is said: atma vai putra utpanna iti vedanusasanam. The Vedas enjoin that one is born as his own son. The son is nondifferent from the father, and this is admitted in every revealed scripture. In Christian theology it is believed that Christ, the son of God, is also God. Both of them are identical.

 

                               TEXT 57

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  tabe raya yai' saba rajare kahila

                prabhura ajnaya tanra putra lana aila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--thereafter; raya--Ramananda Raya; yai'--going; saba--everything; rajare--unto the King; kahila--described; prabhura ajnaya--under the order of the Lord; tanra putra--his son; lana aila--he brought with him.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Ramananda Raya then went to inform the King about his talks with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and, following the Lord's orders, brought the King's son to see Him.

 

                               TEXT 58

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sundara, rajara putra--syamala-varana

                 kisora vayasa, dirgha kamala-nayana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sundara--beautiful; rajara putra--the son of the King; syamala-varana--blackish complexion; kisora vayasa--the age just before youth; dirgha--long; kamala-nayana--lotus eyes.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 59

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 pitambara, dhare ange ratna-abharana

               sri-krsna-smarane tenha haila 'uddipana'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pita-ambara--dressed in yellow cloth; dhare--carries; ange--on the body; ratna-abharana--ornaments of jewels; sri-krsna-smarane--for remembering Sri Krsna; tenha--he; haila--was; uddipana--stimulation.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 60

 

                                 TEXT

 

             tanre dekhi, mahaprabhura krsna-smrti haila

                 premavese tanre mili' kahite lagila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tanre dekhi--seeing him; mahaprabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; krsna-smrti--remembrance of Krsna; haila--there was; prema-avese--in ecstatic love; tanre--him; mili'--meeting; kahite lagila--began to say.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Seeing the boy, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately remembered Krsna. Meeting the boy in ecstatic love, the Lord began to speak.

 

                               TEXT 61

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ei--maha-bhagavata, yanhara darsane

               vrajendra-nandana-smrti haya sarva-jane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei--here is; maha-bhagavata--a first-class devotee; yanhara darsane--by the sight of whom; vrajendra-nandana--of the son of the King of Vraja; smrti--remembrance; haya--becomes; sarva-jane--for everyone.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Here is a great devotee," Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said. "Upon seeing him, everyone can remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, son of Maharaja Nanda."

 

                               PURPORT

 

   On his Anubhasya, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura states that a materialist mistakenly accepts the body and mind as the source of material enjoyment. In other words, a materialist accepts the bodily conception of life. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not regard the son of Maharaja Prataparudra with the idea that he was a materialist, being the son of a materialist. Nor did He consider Himself the enjoyer. Mayavadi philosophers make a great mistake by assuming that the sac-cid-ananda-vigraha, the transcendental form of the Lord, is like a material body. However, there is no material contamination in transcendence, nor is there any possibility of imagining a spirituality in matter. One cannot accept matter as spirit. As indicated by the technical words bhauma ijya-dhih (Bhag. 10.84.13), materialistic Mayavadis imagine the form of God in matter, although according to their imagination, God is unlimitedly formless. This is simply mental speculation. Even though Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He placed Himself in the position of a gopi. He also accepted the King's son directly as the son of Maharaja Nanda, Vrajendra-nandana Hari. This is perfect vision according to the direction of the Vedic culture, as confirmed in Srimad Bhagavad-gita (panditah sama-darsinah). Such acceptance of the Absolute Truth according to Vaisnava philosophy is explained in both the Mundaka Upanisad (3.2.3) and the Katha Upanisad (1.2.23) in the following words:

 

                    nayam atma pravacanena labhyo

                     na medhaya na bahuna srutena

                    yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyas

                  tasyaisa atma vivrnute tanum svam

 

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

   The living entity is entangled in material existence due to his lack of such spiritual vision. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung in his Kalyana-kalpataru: samsare asiya prakrti bhajiya 'purusa' abhimane mari. When the living entity comes to the material world, he thinks himself the enjoyer. Thus he becomes more and more entangled.

 

                               TEXT 62

 

                                 TEXT

 

                krtartha ha-ilana ami inhara darasane

                 eta bali' punah tare kaila alingane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   krta-artha ha-ilana--have become very much obligated; ami--I; inhara--of this boy; darasane--by seeing; eta bali'--saying this; punah--again; tare--him; kaila--did; alingane--embrace.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "I have become very much obligated just by seeing this boy." After saying this, the Lord again embraced the prince.

 

                               TEXT 63

 

                                 TEXT

 

              prabhu-sparse raja-putrera haila premavesa

              sveda, kampa, asru, stambha, pulaka visesa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu-sparse--because of being touched by the Lord; raja-putrera--of the King's son; haila--there was; prema-avesa--ecstatic love; sveda--perspiration; kampa--trembling; asru--tears; stambha--being stunned; pulaka--jubilation; visesa--specifically.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 64

 

                                 TEXT

 

              'krsna' 'krsna' kahe, nace, karaye rodana

             tanra bhagya dekhi' slagha kare bhakta-gana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   krsna krsna--O Krsna, O Krsna; kahe--chants; nace--dances; karaye--does; rodana--crying; tanra--his; bhagya--fortune; dekhi'--seeing; slagha--praise; kare--do; bhakta-gana--all the devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 65

 

                                 TEXT

 

                tabe mahaprabhu tanre dhairya karaila

                nitya asi' amaya miliha--ei ajna dila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--at that time; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanre--the boy; dhairya--patient; karaila--caused to be; nitya--daily; asi'--coming; amaya--Me; miliha--meet; ei ajna--this order; dila--gave.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 66

 

                                 TEXT

 

                vidaya hana raya aila raja-putre lana

                raja sukha paila putrera cesta dekhiya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   vidaya hana--taking leave; raya--Ramananda Raya; aila--came back; raja-putre lana--taking the King's son; raja--the King; sukha paila--felt great happiness; putrera--of his son; cesta--activities; dekhiya--seeing.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Ramananda Raya and the boy then departed from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Ramananda took him back to the King's palace. The King was very happy when he heard of his son's activities.

 

                               TEXT 67

 

                                 TEXT

 

                putre alingana kari' premavista haila

                saksat parasa yena mahaprabhura paila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   putre--his son; alingana--embracing; kari'--doing; prema-avista haila--he became ecstatic; saksat--directly; parasa--touch; yena--as if; mahaprabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; paila--he got.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 68

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  sei haite bhagyavan rajara nandana

               prabhu-bhakta-gana-madhye haila eka-jana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sei haite--from that day; bhagyavan--the most fortunate; rajara nandana--the son of the King; prabhu-bhakta-gana-madhye--among the intimate devotees of the Lord; haila--became; eka-jana--one of them.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 69

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ei-mata mahaprabhu bhakta-gana-sange

                nirantara krida kare sankirtana-range

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei-mata--in this way; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bhakta-gana-sange--in the society of His pure devotees; nirantara--constantly; krida kare--performs pastimes; sankirtana-range--in the course of His sankirtana movement.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu acts in the society of His pure devotees, performing His pastimes and spreading the sankirtana movement.

 

                               TEXT 70

 

                                 TEXT

 

               acaryadi bhakta kare prabhure nimantrana

               tahan tahan bhiksa kare lana bhakta-gana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   acarya-adi--headed by Advaita Acarya; bhakta--devotees; kare--do; prabhure--unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nimantrana--invitation; tahan tahan--here and there; bhiksa kare--takes His lunch; lana--taking; bhakta-gana--all the devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 71

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  ei-mata nana range dina kata gela

                jagannathera ratha-yatra nikata ha-ila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei-mata--in this way; nana range--in great jubilation; dina kata--some days; gela--passed; jagannathera--of Lord Sri Jagannatha; ratha-yatra--the car festival; nikata ha-ila--became nearer.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 72

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 prathamei kasi-misre prabhu bolaila

               padicha-patra, sarvabhaume bolana anila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prathamei--in the beginning; kasi-misre--Kasi Misra; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bolaila--called for; padicha-patra--the superintendent of the temple; sarvabhaume--Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; bolana--calling; anila--brought.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu first of all called for Kasi Misra, then for the superintendent of the temple, then for Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya.

 

                               TEXT 73

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tina-jana-pase prabhu hasiya kahila

               gundica-mandira-marjana-seva magi' nila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tina-jana-pase--in the presence of the three persons; prabhu--the Lord; hasiya--smiling; kahila--said; gundica-mandira-marjana--of washing the temple known as Gundica; seva--service; magi' nila--obtained by begging.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 74

 

                                 TEXT

 

                padicha kahe,--ami-saba sevaka tomara

                  ye tomara iccha sei kartavya amara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   padicha kahe--the superintendent said; ami-saba--we are all; sevaka tomara--Your servants; ye tomara--whatever Your; iccha--desire; sei--that; kartavya amara--our duty.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Upon hearing the Lord's request for them to wash the Gundica temple, the padicha, the superintendent of the temple, said, "My dear sir, we are all Your servants. Whatever You desire is our duty to perform.

 

                               TEXT 75

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   visese rajara ajna hanache amare

                prabhura ajna yei, sei sighra karibare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   visese--specifically; rajara--of the King; ajna--order; hanache--there is; amare--upon me; prabhura--of Your Lordship; ajna--order; yei--whatever; sei--that; sighra karibare--to execute without delay.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 76

 

                                 TEXT

 

                tomara yogya seva nahe mandira-marjana

                   ei eka lila kara, ye tomara mana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tomara--of You; yogya--befitting; seva--service; nahe--not; mandira-marjana--washing the temple; ei--this; eka--one; lila--pastime; kara--You perform; ye tomara mana--as You like.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 77

 

                                 TEXT

 

                kintu ghata, sammarjani bahuta cahiye

                  ajna deha--aji saba ihan ani diye

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kintu--but; ghata--waterpots; sammarjani--brooms; bahuta--many; cahiye--You require; ajna deha--just order; aji--immediately today; saba--everything; ihan--here; ani diye--I shall bring and deliver.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 78

 

                                 TEXT

 

                nutana eka-sata ghata, sata sammarjani

               padicha aniya dila prabhura iccha jani'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nutana--new; eka-sata--one hundred; ghata--waterpots; sata--hundred; sammarjani--brooms; padicha--the superintendent; aniya--bringing; dila--delivered; prabhura--of the Lord; iccha--the desire; jani'--knowing.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 79

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   ara dine prabhate lana nija-gana

                 sri-haste sabara ange lepila candana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ara dine--on the next day; prabhate--in the morning; lana--taking; nija-gana--His personal devotees; sri-haste--by His own hand; sabara ange--on everyone's body; lepila candana--smeared pulp of sandalwood.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 80

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sri-haste dila sabare eka eka marjani

                  saba-gana lana prabhu calila apani

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sri-haste--by His own hand; dila--delivered; sabare--unto every one of them; eka eka--one by one; marjani--a broom; saba-gana--all the associates; lana--taking; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; calila--went; apani--personally.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 81

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 gundica-mandire gela karite marjana

                 prathame marjani lana karila sodhana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   gundica-mandire--to the temple known as Gundica; gela--went; karite--to do; marjana--washing; prathame--in the first instance; marjani--the brooms; lana--taking; karila--did; sodhana--cleansing.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 82

 

                                 TEXT

 

                bhitara mandira upara,--sakala majila

                simhasana maji' punah sthapana karila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhitara mandira--of the interior of the temple; upara--the ceiling; sakala majila--cleansed everything; simhasana--the sitting place of the Lord; maji'--cleansing; punah--again; sthapana--setting down; karila--did.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 83

 

                                 TEXT

 

               chota-bada-mandira kaila marjana-sodhana

                 pache taiche sodhila sri-jagamohana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   chota-bada-mandira--all the small and big temples; kaila--did; marjana-sodhana--proper cleansing; pache--thereafter; taiche--in the similar way; sodhila--cleansed; sri-jagamohana--the place between the original temple and the kirtana hall.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 84

 

                                 TEXT

 

                cari-dike sata bhakta sammarjani-kare

                apani sodhena prabhu, sikha'na sabare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   cari-dike--all around; sata--hundreds of; bhakta--devotees; sammarjani-kare--do the cleansing work; apani--personally; sodhena--cleanses; prabhu--the Lord; sikha'na sabare--teaching all others.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 85

 

                                 TEXT

 

                premollase sodhena, layena krsna-nama

               bhakta-gana 'krsna' kahe, kare nija-kama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prema-ullase--in great jubilation; sodhena--cleanses; layena--chants; krsna--Hare Krsna; nama--name; bhakta-gana--the devotees; krsna kahe--chant Krsna; kare--do; nija-kama--their own duty.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 86

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  dhuli-dhusara tanu dekhite sobhana

                kahan kahan asru-jale kare sammarjana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   dhuli--dust; dhusara--dirt; tanu--body; dekhite--to see; sobhana--very beautiful; kahan kahan--somewhere; asru-jale--with tears; kare--does; sammarjana--washing.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 87

 

                                 TEXT

 

             bhoga-mandira sodhana kari' sodhila prangana

                  sakala avasa krame karila sodhana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhoga-mandira--the place where food is placed; sodhana kari'--cleansing; sodhila prangana--cleansed the yard; sakala--all; avasa--residential places; krame--one after another; karila sodhana--cleansed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 88

 

                                 TEXT

 

              trna, dhuli, jhinkura, saba ekatra kariya

                 bahirvase lana phelaya bahira kariya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   trna--straws; dhuli--dust; jhinkura--grains of sand; saba--all; ekatra--in one place; kariya--combining; bahirvase lana--taking on His personal cloth; phelaya--throws; bahira kariya--outside.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 89

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ei-mata bhakta-gana kari' nija-vase

               trna, dhuli bahire phelaya parama harise

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei-mata--similarly; bhakta-gana--all the devotees; kari'--doing; nija-vase--in their own cloths; trna--straw; dhuli--dust; bahire phelaya--throw outside; parama harise--with great jubilation.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 90

 

                                 TEXT

 

              prabhu kahe,--ke kata kariyacha sammarjana

                trna, dhuli dekhilei janiba parisrama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--the Lord said; ke--every one of you; kata--how much; kariyacha--have done; sammarjana--cleansing; trna--straw; dhuli--dust; dekhilei--when I see; janiba--I can understand; parisrama--how much you have labored.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 91

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 sabara jhyantana bojha ekatra karila

               saba haite prabhura bojha adhika ha-ila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sabara--of all; jhyantana--the dirt collected; bojha--load; ekatra--combined in one place; karila--made; saba haite--than all of them; prabhura bojha--the pile of dirt collected by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; adhika ha-ila--was greater.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 92

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  ei-mata abhyantara karila marjana

                  punah sabakare dila kariya vantana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei-mata--in this way; abhyantara--inside; karila--did; marjana--cleansing; punah--again; sabakare--to all of them; dila--gave; kariya vantana--allotting areas.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 93

 

                                 TEXT

 

            suksma dhuli, trna, kankara, saba karaha dura

             bhala-mate sodhana karaha prabhura antahpura

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   suksma dhuli--fine dust; trna--straw; kankara--grains of sand; saba--all; karaha--do; dura--away; bhala-mate--very well; sodhana--cleansing; karaha--do; prabhura--of the Lord; antahpura--inside.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 94

 

                                 TEXT

 

               saba vaisnava lana yabe dui-bara sodhila

               dekhi' mahaprabhura mane santosa ha-ila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   saba--all; vaisnava--devotees; lana--taking; yabe--when; dui-bara--for the second time; sodhila--cleansed; dekhi'--seeing; mahaprabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mane--in the mind; santosa--satisfaction; ha-ila--there was.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and all the Vaisnavas cleansed the temple for the second time, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very happy to see the cleansing work.

 

                               TEXT 95

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ara sata jana sata ghate jala bhari'

                prathamei lana ache kala apeksa kari'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ara--other; sata jana--about one hundred men; sata ghate--in a hundred waterpots; jala--water; bhari'--filling; prathamei--in the first instance; lana--taking; ache--were; kala--the time; apeksa kari'--awaiting.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 96

 

                                 TEXT

 

               'jala ana' bali' yabe mahaprabhu kahila

                 tabe sata ghata ani' prabhu-age dila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jala ana--bring water; bali'--saying; yabe--when; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kahila--ordered; tabe--at that time; sata ghata--one hundred pots; ani'--bringing; prabhu-age--before the Lord; dila--delivered.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 97

 

                                 TEXT

 

              prathame karila prabhu mandira praksalana

              urdhva-adho bhitti, grha-madhya, simhasana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prathame--in the first instance; karila--did; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mandira praksalana--washing of the temple; urdhva--on the ceiling; adhah--on the floor; bhitti--walls; grha-madhya--within the home; simhasana--the sitting place of the Lord.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 98

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 khapara bhariya jala urdhve calaila

               sei jale urdhva sodhi bhitti praksalila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   khapara--basin; bhariya--filling; jala--water; urdhve--on the ceiling; calaila--began to throw; sei jale--with that water; urdhva sodhi--washing the ceiling; bhitti--walls and floor; praksalila--washed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 99

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 sri-haste karena simhasanera marjana

                prabhu age jala ani' deya bhakta-gana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sri-haste--with His own hand; karena--does; simhasanera marjana--washing of the sitting place of the Lord; prabhu age--before the Lord; jala--water; ani'--bringing; deya--deliver; bhakta-gana--all devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Then Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu began to wash the sitting place of Lord Jagannatha with His own hands, and all the devotees began to bring water to the Lord.

 

                               TEXT 100

 

                                 TEXT

 

               bhakta-gana kare grha-madhya praksalana

                 nija nija haste kare mandira marjana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhakta-gana--devotees; kare--do; grha-madhya--within the room; praksalana--washing; nija nija--each one of them; haste--in the hand; kare--does; mandira marjana--cleansing of the temple.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 101

 

                                 TEXT

 

                keha jala ani' deya mahaprabhura kare

                  keha jala deya tanra carana-upare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   keha--someone; jala ani'--bringing water; deya--delivers; mahaprabhura kare--to the hand of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; keha--someone; jala deya--pours water; tanra--His; carana-upare--on the lotus feet.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 102

 

                                 TEXT

 

                    keha lukana kare sei jala pana

                 keha magi' laya, keha anye kare dana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   keha--someone; lukana--concealing himself; kare--does; sei jala--of that water; pana--drinking; keha--someone; magi' laya--begging, takes; keha--another; anye--to another; kare--gives; dana--in charity.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 103

 

                                 TEXT

 

               ghara dhui' pranalikaya jala chadi' dila

                sei jale prangana saba bhariya rahila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ghara dhui'--washing the room; pranalikaya--unto the outlet; jala--water; chadi' dila--let go; sei jale--by that water; prangana--the yard; saba--all; bhariya--filled; rahila--remained.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 104

 

                                 TEXT

 

               nija-vastre kaila prabhu grha sammarjana

               mahaprabhu nija-vastre majila simhasana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nija-vastre--by His own garment; kaila--did; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; grha--room; sammarjana--mopping; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nija-vastre--by His own garment; majila--polished; simhasana--throne.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 105

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sata ghata jale haila mandira marjana

                mandira sodhiya kaila--yena nija mana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sata--one hundred; ghata--of waterpots; jale--by the water; haila--became; mandira--the temple; marjana--cleansed; mandira--the temple; sodhiya--cleansing; kaila--did; yena--as if; nija mana--his own mind.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 106

 

                                 TEXT

 

               nirmala, sitala, snigdha karila mandire

                   apana-hrdaya yena dharila bahire

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nirmala--purified; sitala--cool; snigdha--pleasing; karila--made; mandire--the temple; apana-hrdaya--own heart; yena--as if; dharila--kept; bahire--outside.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 107

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  sata sata jana jala bhare sarovare

               ghate sthana nahi, keha kupe jala bhare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sata sata jana--hundreds of men; jala bhare--draw water; sarovare--from the lake; ghate--on the bank; sthana--place; nahi--there is not; keha--someone; kupe--from the well; jala bhare--draws the water.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 108

 

                                 TEXT

 

               purna kumbha lana aise sata bhakta-gana

                 sunya ghata lana yaya ara sata jana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   purna kumbha--a filled waterpot; lana--taking; aise--come; sata bhakta-gana--hundreds of devotees; sunya ghata--an empty waterpot; lana--taking back; yaya--go; ara--another; sata jana--hundreds of men.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 109

 

                                 TEXT

 

             nityananda, advaita, svarupa, bharati, puri

                  inha vinu ara saba ane jala bhari'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nityananda--Nityananda Prabhu; advaita--Advaita Acarya; svarupa--Svarupa Damodara; bharati--Brahmananda Bharati; puri--Paramananda Puri; inha--these; vinu--except; ara--others; saba--all; ane--bring; jala--water; bhari'--filling up.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   With the exception of Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Acarya, Svarupa Damodara, Brahmananda Bharati and Paramananda Puri, everyone was engaged in filling the waterpots and bringing them there.

 

                               TEXT 110

 

                                 TEXT

 

              ghate ghate theki' kata ghata bhangi' gela

                 sata sata ghata loka tahan lana aila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ghate ghate theki'--when there was a collision between one pot and another; kata--so many; ghata--pots; bhangi' gela--became broken; sata sata--hundreds of; ghata--pots; loka--people; tahan--there; lana--bringing; aila--came.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 111

 

                                 TEXT

 

              jala bhare, ghara dhoya, kare hari-dhvani

               'krsna' 'hari' dhvani vina ara nahi suni

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jala bhare--they were drawing water; ghara dhoya--washing the rooms; kare hari-dhvani--chanting the holy name of Hari; krsna--Lord Krsna; hari--the holy name of Hari; dhvani--vibration; vina--except; ara--anything else; nahi--there was not; suni--hearing.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 112

 

                                 TEXT

 

             'krsna' 'krsna' kahi' kare ghatera prarthana

              'krsna' 'krsna' kahi' kare ghata samarpana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   krsna krsna kahi'--while chanting "Krsna, Krsna"; kare--do; ghatera--for the waterpots; prarthana--begging; krsna krsna--the holy name of Lord Krsna; kahi'--chanting; kare--does; ghata--of the waterpots; samarpana--delivery.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   One person begged for a waterpot by chanting the holy names "Krsna, Krsna," and another delivered a pot while chanting "Krsna, Krsna."

 

                               TEXT 113

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  yei yei kahe, sei kahe krsna-name

                 krsna-nama ha-ila sanketa saba-kame

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yei yei kahe--anyone who was speaking; sei--he; kahe--says; krsna-name--by uttering the holy name of Krsna; krsna-nama ha-ila--the holy name of Krsna became; sanketa--indication; saba-kame--for everyone who wanted something.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 114

 

                                 TEXT

 

              premavese prabhu kahe 'krsna' 'krsna'-nama

                ekale premavese kare sata-janera kama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prema-avese--in ecstatic love; prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kahe--says; krsna krsna-nama--the holy name of Lord Krsna; ekale--alone; prema-avese--in ecstatic love; kare--does; sata-janera kama--the work of hundreds of men.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   As Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was vibrating the holy name of Krsna in ecstatic love, He Himself was performing the work of hundreds of men.

 

                               TEXT 115

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sata-haste karena yena ksalana-marjana

                  pratijana-pase yai' karana siksana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sata-haste--with one hundred hands; karena--He does; yena--as if; ksalana-marjana--rinsing and washing; pratijana-pase yai'--going to the side of everyone; karana siksana--He was teaching them.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 116

 

                                 TEXT

 

               bhala karma dekhi' tare kare prasamsana

                mane na milile kare pavitra bhartsana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhala--good; karma--work; dekhi'--seeing; tare--to him; kare--does; prasamsana--praising; mane--in His mind; na--not; milile--being approved; kare--He does; pavitra--purified, ungrudgingly; bhartsana--chastisement.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 117

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tumi bhala kariyacha, sikhaha anyere

                  ei-mata bhala karma seho yena kare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tumi--you; bhala kariyacha--have done well; sikhaha anyere--teach others; ei-mata--in this way; bhala karma--good work; seho--he also; yena--so that; kare--performs.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 118

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  e-katha suniya sabe sankucita hana

                 bhala-mate karma kare sabe mana diya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   e-katha suniya--hearing these words; sabe--all; sankucita hana--being ashamed; bhala-mate--very well; karma kare--do work; sabe--all; mana diya--with attention.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 119

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tabe praksalana kaila sri-jagamohana

               bhoga-mandira-adi tabe kaila praksalana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--thereafter; praksalana--washing; kaila--performed; sri-jagamohana--in front of the temple; bhoga-mandira--the place where food is offered; adi--all such places; tabe--then; kaila praksalana--washed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 120

 

                                 TEXT

 

                natasala dhui' dhuila catvara-prangana

                 pakasala-adi kari' karila praksalana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nata-sala--the meeting place; dhui'--washing; dhuila--washed; catvara-prangana--the yard and the raised sitting place; paka-sala--the kitchen; adi--and so on; kari'--making; karila praksalana--washed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 121

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 mandirera catur-dik praksalana kaila

                  saba antahpura bhala-mate dhoyaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   mandirera--the temple; caturh-dik--all around; praksalana kaila--washed; saba--all; antahpura--inside the rooms; bhala-mate--with great care; dhoyaila--washed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 122

 

                                 TEXT

 

                hena-kale gaudiya eka subuddhi sarala

                 prabhura carana-yuge dila ghata-jala

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   hena-kale--at this time; gaudiya--Vaisnava from Bengal; eka--one; su-buddhi--very intelligent; sarala--simple; prabhura carana-yuge--on the lotus feet of the Lord; dila--poured; ghata-jala--one potful of water.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 123

 

                                 TEXT

 

                    sei jala lana apane pana kaila

             taha dekhi' prabhura mane duhkha rosa haila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sei jala--that water; lana--taking; apane--personally; pana kaila--drank; taha dekhi'--seeing that; prabhura--of the Lord; mane--in the mind; duhkha--unhappiness; rosa--anger; haila--there was.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The Gaudiya Vaisnava then took that water and drank it himself. Seeing that, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu felt a little unhappy and was also outwardly angry.

 

                               TEXT 124

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 yadyapi gosani tare hanache santosa

              dharma-samsthapana lagi' bahire maha-rosa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yadyapi--although; gosani--the Lord; tare--with him; hanache--became; santosa--satisfied; dharma-samsthapana lagi'--for establishing the etiquette of religious principles; bahire--externally; maha-rosa--very angry.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 125

 

                                 TEXT

 

               siksa lagi' svarupe daki' kahila tanhare

                ei dekha tomara 'gaudiya'ra vyavahare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   siksa lagi'--for instruction; svarupe--unto Svarupa Damodara; daki'--calling; kahila--said; tanhare--unto him; ei dekha--just see here; tomara--your; gaudiyara--of this Vaisnava from Bengal; vyavahare--behavior.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The Lord then called for Svarupa Damodara and told him, "Just see the behavior of your Bengali Vaisnava.

 

                               TEXT 126

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  isvara-mandire mora pada dhoyaila

                    sei jala apani lana pana kaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   isvara-mandire--in the temple of the Lord; mora--My; pada--feet; dhoyaila--washed; sei jala--that water; apani--personally; lana--taking; pana kaila--drank.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 127

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   ei aparadhe mora kahan habe gati

                tomara 'gaudiya' kare eteka phaijati!

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei aparadhe--by such an offense; mora--of Me; kahan--where; habe--will be; gati--destination; tomara gaudiya--your Bengali Vaisnava; kare--does; eteka--such; phaijati--implication.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

   It is significant that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Svarupa Damodara Gosvami that the Bengali Vaisnava was "your Gaudiya Vaisnava." This means that all Gaudiya Vaisnavas who are followers of the Caitanya cult are subordinate to Svarupa Damodara Gosvami. The parampara system is very strictly observed by Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's personal secretary was Svarupa Damodara Gosvami. The next group of devotees was the six Gosvamis, then Kaviraja Gosvami. It is necessary to observe the parampara system of the Caitanya cult. There are many offenses one can commit while serving the Lord, and these are described in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, Hari-bhakti-vilasa and other books. According to the rules and regulations, no one should accept obeisances in the temple of the Lord before the Deity. Nor is it proper for a devotee to offer obeisances and touch the feet of the spiritual master before the Deity. This is considered an offense. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself was personally the Supreme Personality of Godhead; therefore it was not actually offensive to wash His lotus feet in the temple. However, because He was playing the part of an acarya, the Lord considered Himself an ordinary human being. He also wanted to give instructions to ordinary human beings. The point is that even though one plays the part of a spiritual master, he should not accept obeisances or permit a disciple to wash his feet before the Deity. This is a matter of etiquette.

 

                               TEXT 128

 

                                 TEXT

 

               tabe svarupa gosani tara ghade hata diya

               dheka mari' purira bahira rakhilena lana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--thereafter; svarupa gosani--Svarupa Damodara Gosani; tara--of him; ghade--on the neck; hata diya--touching with the hand; dheka mari'--pushing a little; purira bahira--out of the temple of Gundica Puri; rakhilena--kept; lana--taking.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   At this point Svarupa Damodara Gosvami caught the Gaudiya Vaisnava by the neck and, giving him a little push, ejected him from the Gundica Puri temple and made him stay outside.

 

                               TEXT 129

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 punah asi' prabhu paya karila vinaya

                 'ajna-aparadha' ksama karite yuyaya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   punah asi'--again coming back; prabhu paya--at the lotus feet of the Lord; karila vinaya--made a submission; ajna-aparadha--offense by innocent person; ksama karite--to be excused; yuyaya--deserves.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After Svarupa Damodara Gosvami returned within the temple, he requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to excuse that innocent person.

 

                               TEXT 130

 

                                 TEXT

 

                tabe mahaprabhura mane santosa ha-ila

                  sari kari' dui pase sabare vasaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--thereafter; mahaprabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mane--in the mind; santosa ha-ila--there was satisfaction; sari kari'--making a line; dui pase--on two sides; sabare--all of them; vasaila--made to sit.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 131

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   apane vasiya majhe, apanara hate

                  trna, kankara, kuta lagila kudaite

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   apane--personally; vasiya majhe--sitting in the middle; apanara hate--with His own hand; trna--straw; kankara--grains of sand; kuta--dirt; lagila--began; kudaite--to pick up.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 132

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  ke kata kudaya, saba ekatra kariba

               yara alpa, tara thani pitha-pana la-iba

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ke kata kudaya--how much one has collected; saba--all; ekatra--in one place; kariba--I shall gather; yara--of whom; alpa--small; tara thani--from him; pitha-pana la-iba--I will ask for cakes and sweet rice as a fine.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 133

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   ei mata saba puri karila sodhana

                sitala, nirmala kaila--yena nija-mana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei mata--in this way; saba puri--all of Gundica Puri; karila sodhana--they cleansed; sitala--cool; nirmala--clean; kaila--made; yena--as; nija-mana--his own mind.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 134

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  pranalika chadi' yadi pani vahaila

                   nutana nadi yena samudre milila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pranalika--water from the outlets; chadi'--releasing; yadi--when; pani--water; vahaila--flowed; nutana--new; nadi--river; yena--as if; samudre--in the ocean; milila--met.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 135

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   ei-mata puradvara-age patha yata

                 sakala sodhila, taha ke varnibe kata

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei-mata--in this way; pura-dvara--of the gateway of the temple; age--in front; patha yata--as many avenues; sakala--all; sodhila--were cleansed; taha--that; ke varnibe--who can describe; kata--how much.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

   In commenting on the cleansing of the Gundica temple, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, as the world leader, was personally giving instructions on how one should receive Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, within one's cleansed and pacified heart. If one wants to see Krsna seated in his heart, he must first cleanse the heart, as prescribed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in His Siksastaka: ceto-darpana-marjanam. In this age, everyone's heart is especially unclean, as confirmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam: hrdy antah-stho hy abhadrani. To wash away all dirty things accumulated within the heart, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised everyone to chant the Hare Krsna mantra. The first result will be that the heart is cleansed (ceto-darpana-marjanam). Similarly, Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.17) confirms this statement:

 

                      srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah

                        punya-sravana-kirtanah

                     hrdy antah-stho hy abhadrani

                        vidhunoti suhrt satam

 

   "Sri Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, who is the Paramatma [Supersoul] in everyone's heart and the benefactor of the truthful devotee, cleanses desire for material enjoyment from the heart of the devotee who relishes His messages, which are in themselves virtuous when properly heard and chanted."

   If a devotee at all wants to cleanse his heart, he must chant and hear the glories of the Lord, Sri Krsna (srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah). This is a simple process. Krsna Himself will help cleanse the heart because He is already seated there. Krsna wants to continue living within the heart, and the Lord wants to give directions, but one has to keep his heart as clean as Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu kept the Gundica temple. The devotee therefore has to cleanse his heart just as the Lord cleansed the Gundica temple. In this way one can be pacified and enriched in devotional service. If the heart is filled with straw, grains of sand, weeds or dust (in other words, anyabhilasa-purna), one cannot enthrone the Supreme Personality of Godhead there. The heart must be cleansed of all material motives brought about through fruitive work, speculative knowledge, the mystic yoga system and so many other forms of so-called meditation. The heart must be cleansed without ulterior motive. As Srila Rupa Gosvami says: anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam. In other words, there should not be any external motive. One should not attempt material upliftment, understanding the Supreme by speculative knowledge, fruitive activity, severe austerity and penance, and so on. All these activities are against the natural growth of spontaneous love of Godhead. As soon as these are present within the heart, the heart should be understood to be unclean and therefore unfit to serve as Krsna's sitting place. We cannot perceive the Lord's presence in our hearts unless our hearts are cleansed.

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

 

             samsara visanale,     diva-nisi hiya jvale,

                        judaite na kainu upaya

 

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

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

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

 

                       tan aham dvisatah kruran

                         samsaresu naradhaman

                       ksipamy ajasram asubhan

                          asurisv eva yonisu

 

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

   By His practical example, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has shown us that all the grains of sand must be picked up thoroughly and thrown outside. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also cleansed the outside of the temple, fearing that the grains of sand would again come within. In this connection Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura explains that even though one may become free from the desire for fruitive activity, sometimes the subtle desire for fruitive activity again comes into being within the heart. One often thinks of conducting business to improve devotional activity. But the contamination is so strong that it may later develop into misunderstanding, described as kuti-nati (faultfinding) and pratisthasa (the desire for name and fame and for high position), jiva-himsa (envy of other living entities), nisiddhacara (accepting things forbidden in the sastra), kama (desire for material gain) and puja (hankering for popularity). The word kuti-nati means "duplicity." As an example of pratisthasa, one may attempt to imitate Srila Haridasa Thakura by living in a solitary place. One's real desire may be for name and fame--in other words, one thinks that fools will accept one to be as good as Haridasa Thakura just because one lives in a solitary place. These are all material desires. A neophyte devotee is certain to be attacked by other material desires as well, namely desires for women and money. In this way the heart is again filled with dirty things and becomes harder and harder, like that of a materialist. Gradually one desires to become a reputed devotee or an avatara (incarnation).

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

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

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

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

 

                               TEXT 136

 

                                 TEXT

 

                nrsimha-mandira-bhitara-bahira sodhila

                ksaneka visrama kari' nrtya arambhila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nrsimha-mandira--the temple of Nrsimhadeva; bhitara--inside; bahira--outside; sodhila--cleansed; ksaneka--for a few moments; visrama--rest; kari'--after taking; nrtya--dancing; arambhila--began.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also cleansed the Nrsimha temple inside and outside. Finally, He rested a few minutes and then began dancing.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   The Nrsimha temple is a nice temple just outside the Gundica temple. In this temple there is a great festival on the day of Nrsimha-caturdasi. There is also a Nrsimha temple at Navadvipa where the same festival is observed, as described by Murari Gupta in his book Caitanya-carita.

 

                               TEXT 137

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 cari-dike bhakta-gana karena kirtana

             madhye nrtya karena prabhu matta-simha-sama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   cari-dike--all around; bhakta-gana--devotees; karena--performed; kirtana--congregational chanting; madhye--in the middle; nrtya--dancing; karena--does; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; matta-simha-sama--just like a maddened lion.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 138

 

                                 TEXT

 

              sveda, kampa, vaivarnyasru pulaka, hunkara

                 nija-anga dhui' age cale asru-dhara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sveda--perspiration; kampa--trembling; vaivarnya--fading; asru--tears; pulaka--jubilation; hunkara--roaring; nija-anga--personal body; dhui'--washing; age--forward; cale--goes; asru-dhara--a flow of tears.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 139

 

                                 TEXT

 

                cari-dike bhakta-anga kaila praksalana

                  sravanera megha yena kare varisana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   cari-dike--all around; bhakta-anga--the bodies of the devotees; kaila--did; praksalana--washing; sravanera megha--exactly like a cloud in the month of Sravana (July-August); yena--as if; kare varisana--pour.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In this way Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu washed the bodies of all the devotees with the tears from His eyes. The tears poured like rains in the month of Sravana.

 

                               TEXT 140

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  maha-ucca-sankirtane akasa bharila

               prabhura uddanda-nrtye bhumi-kampa haila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   maha-ucca-sankirtane--by a great and loud performance of chanting; akasa--the sky; bharila--became filled; prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; uddanda-nrtye--by dancing and jumping high; bhumi-kampa--earthquake; haila--there was.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 141

 

                                 TEXT

 

               svarupera ucca-gana prabhure sada bhaya

                 anande uddanda nrtya kare gauraraya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   svarupera--of Svarupa Damodara Gosvami; ucca-gana--loud singing; prabhure--to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sada bhaya--always very pleasing; anande--in jubilation; uddanda nrtya--jumping high and dancing; kare--performs; gauraraya--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu always liked the loud chanting of Svarupa Damodara. Therefore when Svarupa Damodara sang, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu danced and jumped high in jubilation.

 

                               TEXT 142

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  ei-mata kata-ksana nrtya ye kariya

                 visrama karila prabhu samaya bujhiya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei-mata--in this way; kata-ksana--for some time; nrtya--dancing; ye--that; kariya--after performing; visrama karila--rested; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; samaya bujhiya--understanding the time.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 143

 

                                 TEXT

 

                acarya-gosanira putra sri-gopala-nama

               nrtya karite tanre ajna dila gauradhama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   acarya-gosanira--of Sri Advaita Acarya; putra--son; sri-gopala-nama--named Sri Gopala; nrtya karite--to dance; tanre--unto him; ajna--order; dila--gave; gauradhama--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then ordered Sri Gopala, the son of Advaita Acarya, to dance.

 

                               TEXT 144

 

                                 TEXT

 

                premavese nrtya kari' ha-ila murcchite

                  acetana hana tenha padila bhumite

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prema-avese--in ecstatic love; nrtya kari'--dancing; ha-ila murcchite--fainted; acetana hana--being unconscious; tenha--he; padila--fell; bhumite--on the ground.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   While dancing in ecstatic love, Sri Gopala fainted and fell to the ground unconscious.

 

                               TEXT 145

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 aste-vyaste acarya tanre kaila kole

               svasa-rahita dekhi' acarya haila vikale

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   aste-vyaste--with great haste; acarya--Advaita Acarya; tanre--him; kaila--took; kole--on His lap; svasa-rahita--without breathing; dekhi'--seeing; acarya--Advaita Acarya; haila--became; vikale--agitated.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Sri Gopala fainted, Advaita Acarya hastily took him upon His lap. Seeing that he was not breathing, He became very much agitated.

 

                               TEXT 146

 

                                 TEXT

 

               nrsimhera mantra padi' mare jala-chanti

                hunkarera sabde brahmanda yaya phati'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nrsimhera mantra--prayers to Nrsimhadeva; padi'--chanting; mare--throws; jala-chanti--sprinkling of water; hunkarera sabde--by the sound of roaring; brahmanda--the whole universe; yaya--becomes; phati'--cracking.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 147

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  aneka karila, tabu na haya cetana

                acarya kandena, kande saba bhakta-gana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   aneka karila--much endeavor was done; tabu--still; na haya--there was not; cetana--consciousness; acarya kandena--Advaita Acarya began to cry; kande--cried; saba bhakta-gana--all the other devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 148

 

                                 TEXT

 

                tabe mahaprabhu tanra buke hasta dila

               'uthaha gopala' bali' uccaihsvare kahila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--at that time; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanra buke--on his chest; hasta--hand; dila--placed; uthaha gopala--stand up, Gopala; bali'--saying; uccaih-svare--very loudly; kahila--said.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Then Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu placed His hand on the chest of Sri Gopala and said loudly, "Gopala, stand up."

 

                               TEXT 149

 

                                 TEXT

 

                    sunitei gopalera ha-ila cetana

              'hari' bali' nrtya kare sarva-bhakta-gana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sunitei--upon hearing; gopalera--of Sri Gopala; ha-ila--there was; cetana--consciousness; hari bali'--chanting the holy name of Hari; nrtya kare--danced; sarva-bhakta-gana--all the devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 150

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ei lila varniyachena dasa vrndavana

                ataeva sanksepa kari' karilun varnana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei lila--this pastime; varniyachena--has described; dasa vrndavana--Vrndavana dasa Thakura; ataeva--therefore; sanksepa--briefly; kari'--doing; karilun varnana--I have described.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   This incident has been described in detail by Vrndavana dasa Thakura. Therefore I have described it only in brief.

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 151

 

                                 TEXT

 

                tabe mahaprabhu ksaneka visrama kariya

                 snana karibare gela bhakta-gana lana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--thereafter; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ksaneka--for some time; visrama kariya--taking rest; snana karibare--for bathing; gela--went; bhakta-gana lana--taking all the devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After taking rest, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and all the devotees departed to take their baths.

 

                               TEXT 152

 

                                 TEXT

 

                tire uthi' parena prabhu suska vasana

                 nrsimha-deve namaskari' gela upavana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tire uthi'--getting on the bank; parena--puts on; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; suska vasana--dry garments; nrsimha-deve--unto Lord Nrsimhadeva; namaskari'--offering obeisances; gela upavana--entered a garden.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 153

 

                                 TEXT

 

                udyane vasila prabhu bhakta-gana lana

                tabe vaninatha aila maha-prasada lana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   udyane--in the garden; vasila--sat down; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bhakta-gana lana--with the devotees; tabe--at that time; vaninatha--Vaninatha Raya; aila--came; maha-prasada lana--bringing all kinds of maha-prasada.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In the garden, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu sat down with the other devotees. Vaninatha Raya then came and brought all kinds of maha-prasada.

 

                            TEXTS 154-155

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 kasi-misra, tulasi-padicha--dui jana

                 panca-sata loka yata karaye bhojana

 

                  tata anna-pitha-pana saba pathaila

               dekhi' mahaprabhura mane santosa ha-ila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kasi-misra--Kasi Misra; tulasi-padicha--Tulasi, the superintendent of the temple; dui jana--two persons; panca-sata loka--five hundred men; yata--as much; karaye bhojana--eat; tata--so; anna-pitha-pana--rice, cakes and sweet rice; saba--all; pathaila--sent; dekhi'--seeing; mahaprabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mane--in the mind; santosa--satisfaction; ha-ila--there was.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Kasi Misra and Tulasi, the superintendent of the temple, brought as much prasada as five hundred men could eat. Seeing the large quantity of prasada, which consisted of rice, cakes, sweet rice and a variety of vegetables, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very much satisfied.

 

                               TEXT 156

 

                                 TEXT

 

             puri-gosani, mahaprabhu, bharati brahmananda

                advaita-acarya, ara prabhu-nityananda

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   puri-gosani--Paramananda Puri; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bharati brahmananda--Brahmananda Bharati; advaita-acarya--Advaita Acarya; ara--and; prabhu-nityananda--Nityananda Prabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Among the devotees present with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were Paramananda Puri, Brahmananda Bharati, Advaita Acarya and Nityananda Prabhu.

 

                               TEXT 157

 

                                 TEXT

 

             acaryaratna, acaryanidhi, srivasa, gadadhara

            sankara, nandanacarya, ara raghava, vakresvara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   acaryaratna--Candrasekhara; acaryanidhi--Acaryanidhi; srivasa--Srivasa Thakura; gadadhara--Gadadhara Pandita; sankara--Sankara; nandana-acarya--Nandanacarya; ara--and; raghava--Raghava Pandita; vakresvara--Vakresvara.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Acaryaratna, Acaryanidhi, Srivasa Thakura, Gadadhara Pandita, Sankara, Nandanacarya, Raghava Pandita and Vakresvara were also present.

 

                               TEXT 158

 

                                 TEXT

 

               prabhu-ajna pana vaise apane sarvabhauma

             pindara upare prabhu vaise lana bhakta-gana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu-ajna--the order of the Lord; pana--getting; vaise--sits down; apane--personally; sarvabhauma--Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; pindara upare--on raised platforms; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vaise--sits; lana--along with; bhakta-gana--all the devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Receiving the permission of the Lord, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya sat down. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and all His devotees sat on raised wooden seats.

 

                               TEXT 159

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tara tale, tara tale kari' anukrama

              udyana bhari' vaise bhakta karite bhojana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tara tale--below them; tara tale--below them; kari'--in this way; anukrama--consecutively; udyana bhari'--filling the entire garden; vaise--sit; bhakta--all the devotees; karite bhojana--to take lunch.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 160

 

                                 TEXT

 

               'haridasa' bali' prabhu dake ghane ghana

                  dure rahi' haridasa kare nivedana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   haridasa bali'--calling Haridasa; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dake--calls; ghane ghana--repeatedly; dure rahi'--standing at a distance; haridasa--Thakura Haridasa; kare nivedana--submitted.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was repeatedly calling, "Haridasa, Haridasa," and at that time Haridasa, standing at a distance, spoke as follows.

 

                               TEXT 161

 

                                 TEXT

 

             bhakta-sange prabhu karuna prasada angikara

                 e-sange vasite yogya nahi muni chara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhakta-sange prabhu--let Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu sit down with the devotees; karuna--let Him do; prasada--of remnants of food; angikara--accepting; e-sange--with this batch; vasite--to sit down; yogya--befitting; nahi--am not; muni--I; chara--most abominable.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Haridasa Thakura said, "Let Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu take His lunch with the devotees. Since I am abominable, I cannot sit down among you.

 

                               TEXT 162

 

                                 TEXT

 

              pache more prasada govinda dibe bahirdvare

               mana jani' prabhu punah na balila tanre

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pache--at last; more--unto me; prasada--remnants of food; govinda--the personal servant of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dibe--will deliver; bahir-dvare--outside the door; mana jani'--understanding the mind; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; punah--again; na--not; balila--called; tanre--him.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Govinda will give me prasada later, outside the door." Understanding his mind, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not call him again.

 

                            TEXTS 163-164

 

                                 TEXT

 

                svarupa-gosani, jagadananda, damodara

               kasisvara, gopinatha, vaninatha, sankara

 

                  parivesana kare tahan ei sata-jana

              madhye madhye hari-dhvani kare bhakta-gana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   svarupa-gosani--Svarupa Damodara Gosvami; jagadananda--Jagadananda; damodara--Damodara Pandita; kasisvara--Kasisvara; gopinatha, vaninatha, sankara--Gopinatha, Vaninatha and Sankara; parivesana kare--distribute; tahan--there; ei--these; sata-jana--seven persons; madhye madhye--at intervals; hari-dhvani--resounding of the holy name of Hari; kare--do; bhakta-gana--all the devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, Jagadananda, Damodara Pandita, Kasisvara, Gopinatha, Vaninatha and Sankara distributed prasada, and the devotees chanted the holy names at intervals.

 

                               TEXT 165

 

                                 TEXT

 

               pulina-bhojana krsna purve yaiche kaila

                sei lila mahaprabhura mane smrti haila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pulina--in the forest; bhojana--eating; krsna--Lord Krsna; purve--formerly; yaiche--as; kaila--performed; sei lila--the same pastime; mahaprabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mane--in the mind; smrti haila--there was remembrance.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Lord Sri Krsna had previously taken His lunch in the forest, and that very pastime was remembered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                               TEXT 166

 

                                 TEXT

 

                yadyapi premavese prabhu haila asthira

               samaya bujhiya prabhu haila kichu dhira

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yadyapi--although; prema-avese--in ecstatic love; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; haila--became; asthira--agitated; samaya bujhiya--understanding the time and circumstances; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; haila--became; kichu--somewhat; dhira--patient.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Just by remembering the pastimes of Lord Sri Krsna, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was agitated by ecstatic love. But considering the time and circumstance, He remained somewhat patient.

 

                               TEXT 167

 

                                 TEXT

 

               prabhu kahe,--more deha' laphra-vyanjane

              pitha-pana, amrta-gutika deha' bhakta-gane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--the Lord said; more--unto Me; deha'--give; laphra-vyanjane--ordinary vegetable; pitha-pana--cakes and sweet rice; amrta-gutika--and the preparation named amrta-gutika; deha'--deliver; bhakta-gane--to the devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "You can give Me the ordinary vegetable known as laphra-vyanjana, and you may deliver to all the devotees better preparations like cakes, sweet rice and amrta-gutika."

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Laphra-vyanjana is a combination of several green vegetables all mixed together. It is often mixed with rice and delivered to poor men. Amrta-gutika is a preparation of thick puri mixed with condensed milk. It is also known as amrta-rasavali.

 

                               TEXT 168

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sarvajna prabhu janena yanre yei bhaya

               tanre tanre sei deoyaya svarupa-dvaraya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sarva-jna prabhu--the omniscient Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; janena--knows; yanre--to whom; yei--whatever; bhaya--appeals; tanre tanre--unto each person; sei--that; deoyaya--orders to administer; svarupa-dvaraya--by Svarupa Damodara.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Since Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is omniscient, He knew what type of preparation each person liked. He therefore had Svarupa Damodara deliver these preparations to their full satisfaction.

 

                               TEXT 169

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 jagadananda bedaya parivesana karite

               prabhura pate bhala-dravya dena acambite

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jagadananda--Jagadananda; bedaya--walks; parivesana--distribution of prasada; karite--to do; prabhura pate--on the plate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bhala-dravya--the first-class preparations; dena--puts; acambite--suddenly.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Jagadananda went to distribute prasada, and suddenly he placed all the first-class preparations on the plate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                               TEXT 170

 

                                 TEXT

 

                yadyapi dile prabhu tanre karena rosa

                bale-chale tabu dena, dile se santosa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yadyapi--although; dile--by such deliverance; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanre--unto him; karena--does; rosa--anger; bale-chale--somehow or other (sometimes by tricks, sometimes by force); tabu--still; dena--delivers; dile--when he delivers; se santosa--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very much pleased.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 171

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  punarapi sei dravya kare niriksana

               tanra bhaye prabhu kichu karena bhaksana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   punarapi--again; sei dravya--that very thing; kare niriksana--sees carefully; tanra bhaye--out of fear of Jagadananda; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kichu--something; karena--does; bhaksana--eating.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When the food was thus delivered, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu looked at it for some time. Being afraid of Jagadananda, He finally ate something.

 

                               TEXT 172

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 na khaile jagadananda karibe upavasa

                tanra age kichu kha'na--mane ai trasa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   na khaile--if He did not eat; jagadananda--Jagadananda; karibe--will observe; upavasa--fasting; tanra age--before him; kichu kha'na--eats something; mane--within the mind; ai--that; trasa--fear.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The Lord knew that if He did not eat the food offered by Jagadananda, Jagadananda would certainly fast. Being afraid of this, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ate some of the prasada he offered.

 

                               TEXT 173

 

                                 TEXT

 

               svarupa-gosani bhala mista-prasada lana

                  prabhuke nivedana kare age dandana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   svarupa-gosani--Svarupa Damodara; bhala--first-class; mista-prasada--sweetmeats; lana--taking; prabhuke--unto Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nivedana kare--offered; age--in front of Him; dandana--standing.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Svarupa Damodara Gosvami then brought some excellent sweetmeats and, standing before the Lord, offered them to Him.

 

                               TEXT 174

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ei maha-prasada alpa karaha asvadana

             dekha, jagannatha kaiche karyachena bhojana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei maha-prasada--this maha-prasada; alpa--a little; karaha asvadana--You must taste; dekha--just see; jagannatha--Lord Jagannatha; kaiche--how; karyachena--has done; bhojana--eating.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Svarupa Damodara Gosvami then said, "Just take a little of this maha-prasada, and see how it is that Lord Jagannatha has accepted it."

 

                               TEXT 175

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  eta bali' age kichu kare samarpana

               tanra snehe prabhu kichu karena bhojana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eta bali'--saying this; age--in front; kichu--something; kare samarpana--offers; tanra--of him; snehe--out of affection; prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kichu--some; karena bhojana--eats.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Upon saying this, Svarupa Damodara Gosvami placed some food before the Lord, and the Lord, out of affection, ate it.

 

                               TEXT 176

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   ei mata dui-jana kare bara-bara

               vicitra ei dui bhaktera sneha-vyavahara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei mata--in this way; dui-jana--both persons (Svarupa Damodara and Jagadananda); kare--do; bara-bara--again and again; vicitra--uncommon; ei--these; dui--two; bhaktera--of devotees; sneha-vyavahara--affectionate behavior.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Svarupa Damodara and Jagadananda again and again offered the Lord some food. Thus they behaved affectionately with the Lord. This was very, very uncommon.

 

                               TEXT 177

 

                                 TEXT

 

               sarvabhaume prabhu vasanachena vama-pase

              dui bhaktera sneha dekhi' sarvabhauma hase

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sarvabhaume--Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; prabhu--the Lord; vasanachena--made to sit; vama-pase--on His left side; dui bhaktera--of the two devotees; sneha--the affection; dekhi'--seeing; sarvabhauma--Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; hase--smiles.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The Lord made Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya sit on His left side, and when Sarvabhauma saw the behavior of Svarupa Damodara and Jagadananda, he smiled.

 

                               TEXT 178

 

                                 TEXT

 

               sarvabhaume deyana prabhu prasada uttama

                 sneha kari' bara-bara karana bhojana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sarvabhaume--unto Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; deyana--causes others to deliver; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prasada--remnants of food; uttama--first-class; sneha kari'--out of affection; bara-bara--again and again; karana--causes; bhojana--his eating.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also wanted to offer Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya first-class food; therefore, out of affection, He had the servers put first-class food on his plate again and again.

 

                               TEXT 179

 

                                 TEXT

 

               gopinathacarya uttama maha-prasada ani'

                 sarvabhaume diya kahe sumadhura vani

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   gopinatha-acarya--Gopinatha Acarya; uttama--first-class; maha-prasada--remnants of food; ani'--bringing; sarvabhaume--to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; diya--delivering; kahe--says; su-madhura--very sweet; vani--words.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Gopinatha Acarya also brought first-class food and offered it to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya while speaking sweet words.

 

                               TEXT 180

 

                                 TEXT

 

               kahan bhattacaryera purva jada-vyavahara

                 kahan ei paramananda,--karaha vicara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kahan--where; bhattacaryera--of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; purva--previous; jada-vyavahara--material behavior; kahan--where; ei--this; parama-ananda--transcendental bliss; karaha vicara--just try to consider.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After serving the Bhattacarya with first-class prasada, Gopinatha Acarya said, "Just consider what the Bhattacarya's previous mundane behavior was! Just consider how at present he is enjoying transcendental bliss!"

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya was previously a smarta-brahmana--that is, one who strictly follows the Vedic principles on the mundane platform. On the mundane platform one cannot believe that prasada is transcendental, that Govinda is the original form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or that a Vaisnava is a liberated person. These transcendental considerations are out of the ordinary Vedic scholar's jurisdiction. Most Vedic scholars are called Vedantists. These so-called followers of Vedanta philosophy consider the Absolute Truth to be impersonal. They also believe that a person born in a particular caste cannot change his caste until he dies and takes rebirth. The smarta-brahmanas also reject the fact that maha-prasada (food offered to the Deity) is transcendental and materially uncontaminated. Originally, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya was subjected to all the rules and regulations of the Vedic principles on the mundane platform. Now Gopinatha Acarya pointed out how Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya had been converted by the causeless mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Being converted, Sarvabhauma partook of prasada with the Vaisnavas. Indeed, he sat by the side of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                               TEXT 181

 

                                 TEXT

 

               sarvabhauma kahe,--ami tarkika kubuddhi

                 tomara prasade mora e sampat-siddhi

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sarvabhauma kahe--Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya replied; ami--I; tarkika--a mundane logician; ku-buddhi--less intelligent; tomara prasade--by your mercy; mora--my; e--this; sampat--opulence; siddhi--perfection.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya replied, "I was simply a less intelligent logician. But by your grace I have received this opulence of perfection.

 

                               TEXT 182

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  mahaprabhu vina keha nahi dayamaya

                 kakere garuda kare,--aiche kon haya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   mahaprabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vina--except; keha--anybody; nahi--there is not; daya-maya--so merciful; kakere--unto a crow; garuda--the biggest eagle; kare--transformed; aiche--such; kon haya--who is another.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "But for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu," Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya continued, "who is so merciful? He has converted a crow into a Garuda. Who could be so merciful?

 

                               TEXT 183

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tarkika-srgala-sange bheu-bheu kari

                sei mukhe ebe sada kahi 'krsna' 'hari'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tarkika--logician; srgala--jackals; sange--in the association of; bheu-bheu kari--barking; sei mukhe--in that very mouth; ebe--now; sada--always; kahi--speak; krsna--the holy name of Lord Krsna; hari--Hari.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 184

 

                                 TEXT

 

               kahan bahirmukha tarkika-sisyagana-sange

                 kahan ei sanga-sudha-samudra-tarange

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kahan--whereas; bahirh-mukha--nondevotees; tarkika--of logic; sisya-gana--disciples; sange--with; kahan--now; ei--this; sanga--association; sudha--of nectar; samudra--of the ocean; tarange--in the waves.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

   As Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura explains, the word bahirmukha refers to a person who is very busy tasting material enjoyment. Such a person always poses himself as an enjoyer of the external energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Being attracted by external opulence, the nondevotee always forgets his intimate relationship with Krsna. Such a person does not like the idea of becoming Krsna conscious. This is explained by Srila Prahlada Maharaja in Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.30-31):

 

                   matir na krsne paratah svato va

                   mitho 'bhipadyeta grha-vratanam

                    adanta-gobhir visatam tamisram

                    punah punas carvita-carvananam

 

                 na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum

                   durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah

                    andha yathandhair upaniyamanas

                 te 'pisa-tantryam uru-damni baddhah

 

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

 

                               TEXT 185

 

                                 TEXT

 

            prabhu kahe,--purve siddha krsne tomara priti

                toma-sange ama-sabara haila krsne mati

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu kahe--the Lord said; purve--previously; siddha--perfected; krsne--in Krsna consciousness; tomara--your; priti--love for Krsna; toma-sange--by your association; ama-sabara--of all of us; haila--there was; krsne--unto Krsna; mati--consciousness.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, "From your previous birth you have been in Krsna consciousness. Thus you love Krsna so much that simply by your association we are all developing Krsna consciousness."

 

                               TEXT 186

 

                                 TEXT

 

               bhakta-mahima badaite, bhakte sukha dite

                 mahaprabhu vina anya nahi trijagate

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhakta-mahima--the glories of the devotees; badaite--to increase; bhakte--unto the devotees; sukha dite--to give pleasure; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vina--except; anya--anyone else; nahi--there is no one; tri-jagate--within these three worlds.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 187

 

                                 TEXT

 

            tabe prabhu pratyeke, saba bhaktera nama lana

                  pitha-pana deoyaila prasada kariya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--thereafter; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; pratyeke--individually; saba bhaktera--of all the devotees; nama--the names; lana--calling; pitha-pana--cakes and sweet rice; deoyaila--administered; prasada--remnants of food; kariya--making.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 188

 

                                 TEXT

 

               advaita-nityananda vasiyachena eka thani

                 dui-jane krida-kalaha lagila tathai

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   advaita-nityananda--Advaita Acarya and Nityananda Prabhu; vasiyachena--sat; eka thani--in one place; dui-jane--those two persons; krida-kalaha--mock fighting; lagila--began; tathai--there.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Advaita Acarya and Nityananda Prabhu sat side by side, and when prasada was being distributed They engaged in a type of mock fighting.

 

                               TEXT 189

 

                                 TEXT

 

              advaita kahe,--avadhutera sange eka pankti

                bhojana karilun, na jani habe kon gati

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   advaita kahe--Advaita Acarya said; avadhutera sange--with a mendicant; eka pankti--in one line; bhojana karilun--I am taking My food; na jani--I do not know; habe--will be; kon--what; gati--destination.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 190

 

                                 TEXT

 

               prabhu ta' sannyasi, unhara nahi apacaya

                 anna-dose sannyasira dosa nahi haya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ta'--indeed; sannyasi--in the renounced order of life; unhara--for Him; nahi--there is not; apacaya--any discrepancy; anna-dose--by contamination of food; sannyasira--of a person in the renounced order; dosa--fault; nahi--not; haya--there is.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is in the renounced order of life. Consequently He does not recognize discrepancies. As a matter of fact, a sannyasi is not affected by eating food from anywhere and everywhere.

 

                               TEXT 191

 

                                 TEXT

 

              "nanna-dosena maskari"--ei sastra-pramana

             ami ta' grhastha-brahmana, amara dosa-sthana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   na anna-dosena maskari--a sannyasi does not become affected by faulty acceptance of food; ei--this; sastra-pramana--evidence of revealed scriptures; ami--I; ta'--indeed; grhastha-brahmana--a householder brahmana; amara--My; dosa--faulty; sthana--situation.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "According to the sastras, there is no discrepancy in a sannyasi's eating at another's house. But for a householder brahmana, this kind of eating is faulty.

 

                               TEXT 192

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  janma-kula-silacara na jani yahara

                 tara sange eka pankti--bada anacara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   janma--birth; kula--family; sila--character; acara--behavior; na--not; jani--I know; yahara--of whom; tara sange--with him; eka pankti--in one line; bada anacara--a great discrepancy.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 193

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 nityananda kahe--tumi advaita-acarya

            'advaita-siddhante' badhe suddha-bhakti-karya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   nityananda kahe--Srila Nityananda Prabhu said; tumi--You; advaita-acarya--Advaita Acarya, or a teacher of impersonal monism; advaita-siddhante--in that monistic conclusion; badhe--is greatly hindered; suddha-bhakti-karya--the matter of pure devotional service.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Nityananda Prabhu immediately refuted Srila Advaita Acarya, saying, "You are a teacher of impersonal monism, and the monistic conclusion is a great hindrance to progressive, pure devotional service.

 

                               TEXT 194

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tomara siddhanta-sanga kare yei jane

               'eka' vastu vina sei 'dvitiya' nahi mane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tomara--Your; siddhanta-sanga--acceptance of the conclusion; kare--does; yei jane--the person who; eka--one; vastu--substance; vina--except; sei--such a person; dvitiya--a second thing; nahi mane--does not accept.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

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

 

                       vadanti tat tattva-vidas

                      tattvam yaj jnanam advayam

                         brahmeti paramatmeti

                        bhagavan iti sabdyate

 

   "Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan." (Bhag. 1.2.11)

   Absolute knowledge consists of Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan. This conclusion is not the same as that of the monists. Srila Advaita Acarya was given the title of acarya because He spread the bhakti cult, not the philosophy of monism. The true conclusion of advaita-siddhanta, expressed at the very beginning of the Caitanya-caritamrta (Adi 1.3), is not the same as the philosophy of the monists. Here advaita-siddhanta means advaya-jnana, or oneness in variety. Actually Srila Nityananda Prabhu was praising Srila Advaita Acarya through friendly mock fighting. He was giving the Vaisnava conclusion in terms of the Bhagavatam's conclusive words, vadanti tat tattva-vidah. This is also the conclusion of a mantra in the Chandogya Upanisad, ekam evadvitiyam.

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

   The philosophy of monism is an adjustment of the Buddhist philosophy of voidism. In a mock fight with Sri Advaita Acarya, Sri Nityananda Prabhu was refuting this type of monistic philosophy. Vaisnavas certainly accept Lord Sri Krsna as the ultimate "one," and that which is without Krsna is called maya, or that which has no existence. External maya is exhibited in two phases--jiva-maya, the living entities, and guna-maya, the material world. In the material world there is prakrti (material nature) and pradhana (the ingredients of material nature). However, for one who becomes Krsna conscious, the difference between material and spiritual varieties does not exist. An advanced devotee like Prahlada Maharaja sees everything as one--Krsna. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.4.37), krsna-graha-grhitatma na veda jagad idrsama. One who is in full Krsna consciousness does not distinguish between things material and spiritual; he takes everything to be related to Krsna and therefore spiritual. By advaya-jnana-darsana, Srila Advaita Acarya has glorified pure devotional service. Srila Nityananda Prabhu herein sarcastically condemns the philosophy of the impersonal monists and praises the correct nondual philosophy of Sri Advaita Prabhu.

 

                               TEXT 195

 

                                 TEXT

 

                hena tomara sange mora ekatre bhojana

                na jani, tomara sange kaiche haya mana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   hena--thus; tomara--Your; sange--in association; mora--My; ekatre--together; bhojana--eating; na jani--I do not know; tomara sange--by Your association; kaiche--how; haya mana--My mind will turn.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Nityananda Prabhu continued: "You are such a monist! And now I am eating beside You. I do not know how My mind will be affected in this way."

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Sangat sanjayate kamah (Bg. 2.62). One develops his consciousness according to society and association. As Srila Nityananda Prabhu admits, a devotee should be very careful when associating with those who are not devotees. When asked by a householder devotee what the behavior of a devotee should be, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately replied:

 

                asat-sanga-tyaga,----ei vaisnava-acara

            'stri-sangi'----eka asadhu, 'krsnabhakta' ara

 

                                                   (Cc. Madhya 22.87)

   A Vaisnava, a devotee, should simply discard intimate association with nondevotees. In his Upadesamrta, Srila Rupa Gosvami has described the symptoms of intimate relationships in this way:

 

                         dadati pratigrhnati

                       guhyam akhyati prcchati

                       bhunkte bhojayate caiva

                      sad-vidham priti-laksanam

 

   The words bhunkte bhojayate indicate that one should eat with devotees. One should carefully avoid eating food offered by nondevotees. Indeed, a devotee should be very strict in not accepting food from a nondevotee, especially food prepared in restaurants or hotels or on airplanes. Srila Nityananda Prabhu's reference in this connection is meant to emphasize that one should avoid eating with Mayavadis and covert Mayavadis like the sahajiya Vaisnavas, who are materially affected.

 

                               TEXT 196

 

                                 TEXT

 

                    ei-mata dui-jane kare balabali

                vyaja-stuti kare dunhe, yena galagali

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei-mata--in this way; dui-jane--two persons; kare--do; balabali--accusing and counteraccusing; vyaja-stuti--praise in the form of accusations; kare--do; dunhe--both of Them; yena--as if; galagali--exchanges of ill names.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 197

 

                                 TEXT

 

                tabe prabhu sarva-vaisnavera nama lana

                 maha-prasada dena maha-amrta sinciya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--thereafter; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sarva-vaisnavera--of all the Vaisnavas; nama--names; lana--calling; maha-prasada--the remnants of the food of Lord Jagannatha; dena--delivers; maha-amrta--transcendental nectar; sinciya--sprinkling.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Thereafter, calling all the Vaisnavas, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu distributed maha-prasada as if sprinkling nectar. At that time the mock fight between Advaita Acarya and Nityananda Prabhu became more and more delicious.

 

                               TEXT 198

 

                                 TEXT

 

              bhojana kari' uthe sabe hari-dhvani kari'

             hari-dhvani uthila saba svarga-martya bhari'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

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

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 199

 

                                 TEXT

 

                tabe mahaprabhu saba nija-bhakta-gane

                sabakare sri-haste dila malya-candane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--thereafter; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; saba--all; nija-bhakta-gane--personal devotees; sabakare--unto all of them; sri-haste--with His own hand; dila--delivered; malya-candane--flower garlands and sandalwood pulp.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 200

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 tabe parivesaka svarupadi sata jana

                 grhera bhitare kaila prasada bhojana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   tabe--thereafter; parivesaka--the distributors of prasada; svarupa-adi--headed by Svarupa Damodara; sata jana--seven men; grhera bhitare--within the room; kaila--did; prasada bhojana--eating of prasada.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The seven persons headed by Svarupa Damodara who were engaged in distributing prasada to others then took their meals within the room.

 

                               TEXT 201

 

                                 TEXT

 

               prabhura avasesa govinda rakhila dhariya

                  sei anna haridase kichu dila lana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; avasesa--remnants; govinda--Govinda; rakhila--saved; dhariya--keeping; sei anna--that prasada; haridase--unto Haridasa Thakura; kichu--some; dila--delivered; lana--taking.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Govinda saved some remnants of food left by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and kept them carefully. Later, one portion of these remnants was delivered to Haridasa Thakura.

 

                               TEXT 202

 

                                 TEXT

 

              bhakta-gana govinda-pasa kichu magi' nila

                  sei prasadanna govinda apani paila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhakta-gana--all the other devotees; govinda-pasa--from Govinda; kichu--a little; magi'--begging; nila--took; sei--those; prasada-anna--remnants of food; govinda--Govinda; apani--personally; paila--partook.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 203

 

                                 TEXT

 

               svatantra isvara prabhu kare nana khela

                'dhoya-pakhala' nama kaila ei eka lila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   svatantra isvara--the independent Personality of Godhead; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kare--performs; nana--various; khela--pastimes; dhoya-pakhala--washing and cleansing; nama--named; kaila--performed; ei--this; eka--one; lila--pastime.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 204

 

                                 TEXT

 

               ara dine jagannathera 'netrotsava' nama

                mahotsava haila bhaktera prana-samana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ara dine--the next day; jagannathera--of Lord Jagannatha; netra-utsava--the festival of seeing the eyes; nama--named; maha-utsava--great festival; haila--performed; bhaktera--of the devotees; prana-samana--the life and soul.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 205

 

                                 TEXT

 

               paksa-dina duhkhi loka prabhura adarsane

                 darsana kariya loka sukha paila mane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   paksa-dina--for a fortnight; duhkhi--unhappy; loka--devotees; prabhura--of Lord Jagannatha; adarsane--without the sight; darsana kariya--by seeing; loka--all the devotees; sukha--happiness; paila--got; mane--in the mind.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 206

 

                                 TEXT

 

                mahaprabhu sukhe lana saba bhakta-gana

                  jagannatha-darasane karila gamana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sukhe--in great happiness; lana--taking; saba--all; bhakta-gana--devotees; jagannatha-darasane--for visiting Lord Jagannatha; karila gamana--went.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 207

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   age kasisvara yaya loka nivariya

                 pache govinda yaya jala-karanga lana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   age--in front; kasisvara--Kasisvara; yaya--goes; loka--the crowd; nivariya--checking; pache--at the end; govinda--Govinda; yaya--goes; jala--of water; karanga--a pitcher carried by saintly persons; lana--taking.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to visit the temple, Kasisvara walked in front, checking the crowds of people, and Govinda walked in the rear, bringing the sannyasi's pitcher filled with water.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   The karanga is a kind of waterpot especially carried by Mayavadi sannyasis and generally carried by all other sannyasis.

 

                               TEXT 208

 

                                 TEXT

 

             prabhura age puri, bharati,--dunhara gamana

              svarupa, advaita,--dunhera parsve dui-jana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhura age--in front of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; puri--Paramananda Puri; bharati--Brahmananda Bharati; dunhara gamana--first they went; svarupa--Svarupa Damodara; advaita--Advaita Acarya; dunhera--of both; parsve--on the two sides; dui-jana--two persons.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went toward the temple, Paramananda Puri and Brahmananda Bharati walked in front of Him, and at His two sides walked Svarupa Damodara and Advaita Acarya.

 

                               TEXT 209

 

                                 TEXT

 

                pache pache cali' yaya ara bhakta-gana

               utkanthate gela saba jagannatha-bhavana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pache pache--following; cali' yaya--walk; ara--other; bhakta-gana--devotees; utkanthate--in great anxiety; gela--they went; saba--all; jagannatha-bhavana--in the temple of Lord Jagannatha.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   With great anxiety all the other devotees followed them into the temple of Lord Jagannatha.

 

                               TEXT 210

 

                                 TEXT

 

                darsana-lobhete kari' maryada langhana

              bhoga-mandape yana kare sri-mukha darsana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   darsana-lobhete--being very anxious to see; kari'--doing; maryada langhana--transgressions of regulative principles; bhoga-mandape--in the room for offering food; yana--going; kare--do; sri-mukha darsana--seeing the lotus face.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

 

                               TEXT 211

 

                                 TEXT

 

               trsarta prabhura netra--bhramara-yugala

               gadha trsnaya piye krsnera vadana-kamala

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   trsa-arta--thirsty; prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; netra--eyes; bhramara-yugala--like two bumblebees; gadha--deep; trsnaya--in thirst; piye--drinks; krsnera--of Lord Krsna; vadana-kamala--the lotuslike face.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very thirsty to see the Lord, and His eyes became like two bumblebees drinking the honey from the lotuslike eyes of Lord Jagannatha, who is Krsna Himself.

 

                               TEXT 212

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 praphulla-kamala jini' nayana-yugala

                nilamani-darpana-kanti ganda jhalamala

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   praphulla-kamala--blossoming lotus flower; jini'--conquering; nayana-yugala--two eyes; nilamani--sapphire; darpana--mirror; kanti--luster; ganda--neck; jhalamala--bright.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

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

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

 

                               TEXT 213

 

                                 TEXT

 

                bandhulira phula jini' adhara suranga

                   isat hasita kanti--amrta-taranga

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bandhulira phula--a kind of red flower named bandhuli; jini'--conquering; adhara--chin; su-ranga--buff color; isat--mild; hasita--smiling; kanti--luster; amrta--nectar; taranga--waves.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 214

 

                                 TEXT

 

              sri-mukha-sundara-kanti badhe ksane ksane

               koti-bhakta-netra-bhrnga kare madhu-pane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sri-mukha--of His beautiful face; sundara-kanti--attractive luster; badhe--increases; ksane ksane--at every moment; koti-bhakta--of millions of devotees; netra-bhrnga--eyes like bumblebees; kare--engaged; madhu-pane--in drinking the honey.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 215

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 yata piye tata trsna badhe nirantara

                mukhambuja chadi' netra na yaya antara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   yata--as much; piye--they drink; tata--so much; trsna--thirst; badhe--increases; nirantara--incessantly; mukha-ambuja--the lotuslike face; chadi'--giving up; netra--the eyes; na--do not; yaya--go; antara--separate.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               PURPORT

 

   In the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (1.5.538), Srila Rupa Gosvami has described the beauty of the Lord in this way:

 

                        asamanordhva-madhurya-

                         tarangamrta-varidhih

                        jangama-sthavarollasi-

                        rupo gopendra-nandanah

 

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

   Similarly, in the Tantra-sastra, there is another description of the Lord's beauty:

 

                   kandarpa-koty-arbuda-rupa-sobha-

                    nirajya-padabja-nakham calasya

                  kutrapy adrsta-sruta-ramya-kanter

                  dhyanam param nanda-sutasya vaksye

 

   "I shall relate the supreme meditation upon Lord Sri Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja. The tips of the toes of His lotus feet reflect the beauty of the bodies of unlimited millions of Cupids, and His bodily luster has never been seen or heard of anywhere."

   One may also consult Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.29.14) in this connection.

 

                               TEXT 216

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ei-mata mahaprabhu lana bhakta-gana

             madhyahna paryanta kaila sri-mukha darasana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei-mata--in this way; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; lana--taking; bhakta-gana--His associates; madhyahna paryanta--up to midday; kaila--performs; sri-mukha darasana--seeing the face of Lord Jagannatha.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His devotees enjoyed transcendental bliss upon seeing the face of Jagannatha. This continued to midday.

 

                               TEXT 217

 

                                 TEXT

 

               sveda, kampa, asru-jala vahe sarva-ksana

                darsanera lobhe prabhu kare samvarana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sveda--perspiring; kampa--trembling; asru-jala--tears from the eyes; vahe--flowed; sarva-ksana--always; darsanera--of seeing; lobhe--by greed; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kare--does; samvarana--checking.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 218

 

                                 TEXT

 

              madhye madhye bhoga lage, madhye darasana

                 bhogera samaye prabhu karena kirtana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   madhye madhye--at intervals; bhoga lage--there were offerings of food; madhye--sometimes; darasana--seeing; bhogera samaye--at the time of offering prasada; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karena kirtana--performed congregational chanting.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Their looking at the face of Lord Jagannatha was interrupted only when He was offered food. Afterwards they would again look upon His face. When the food was being offered to the Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu performed His kirtana.

 

                               TEXT 219

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 darsana-anande prabhu saba pasarila

           bhakta-gana madhyahna karite prabhure lana gela

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   darsana-anande--because of pleasure due to seeing the face of the Lord; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; saba--everything; pasarila--forgot; bhakta-gana--the devotees; madhyahna--noontime lunch; karite--to accept; prabhure--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; lana gela--took.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 220

 

                                 TEXT

 

                pratah-kale ratha-yatra habeka janiya

                  sevaka lagaya bhoga dviguna kariya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pratah-kale--in the morning; ratha-yatra--the car festival; habeka--would take place; janiya--knowing; sevaka--the priestly servants of the Lord; lagaya--offer; bhoga--food; dvi-guna kariya--increasing to double.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 221

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 gundica-marjana-lila sanksepe kahila

             yaha dekhi' suni' papira krsna-bhakti haila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   gundica-marjana-lila--the pastimes of washing the Gundica temple; sanksepe kahila--I have described in brief; yaha dekhi' suni'--by seeing and hearing which; papira--of sinful men; krsna-bhakti haila--there was awakening of Krsna consciousness.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

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

 

                               TEXT 222

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa

                  caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sri-rupa--Srila Rupa Gosvami; raghunatha--Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami; pade--at the lotus feet; yara--whose; asa--expectation; caitanya-caritamrta--the book named Caitanya-caritamrta; kahe--describes; krsnadasa--Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always desiring their mercy, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, following in their footsteps.

 

   Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter Twelve, describing the washing and cleansing of the Gundica temple.

 


Return to Index