Sri Bhakti Ratnakara
BY: SUN STAFF
Hand-colored Lithograph, Calcutta, c. 1876
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May 05, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of Sri Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur.
Chapter Two
Gangadhara Bhattacarya sees Mahaprabhu as an ascetic
Gangadhara Bhattacarya was present at the time of Mahaprabhu's hair cutting. He could not control himself and cried bitterly until he fainted on the ground.37-38
By the wish of Prabhu, he regained his senses after sometime.39
Mahaprabhu was offered the name Sri Krsna Caitanya and when that name entered the ears of the brahmin Gangadhara he began to utter it repeatedly while simultaneously crying.40-41
He could no longer stay at Kantakanagara and ran to the banks of the Ganges like a madman.42
He lost all interest in bathing or eating and simply repeated the name of Caitanya.43
In that mood he entered his village Cakkhandi and the people of that village were quite astonished to see his transformation.44
Standing at a distance, an impassionate brahmin observed Gangadhara Bhattacarya.45
One person said to another, "how surprising, Gangadhara Bhattacarya has gone mad."46
Another said, "I know something about the cause of his madness. Please listen to me attentively.47
"Nimai Pandita of Nadia, who is an incarnation of God--a beautiful looking man, as effulgent as the Sun--left his house and went to Kantakanagara. He renounced his fine clothes and accepted the life of an ascetic. He took his vows of asceticism from Sri Kesava Bharari and was given the name Sri Krsna Caitanya. Everyone became grief-stricken to see him as an ascetic; even the demigods have been crying in the sky. It is a great shock to everyone. Gangadhara is crying because he remembers the Lord's beautiful hair and he utters Mahaprabhu's name repeatedly. For this reason he behaves like a madman. I do not see any way for him to become normal again."48-55
The fame of Gangadhara as Caitanya Dasa
Some said, "He is the servant of Caitanya, therefore only Caitanya can cure him."56
Thereafter the villagers called him by the name Caitanya Dasa.57
Gangadhara was satisfied with his new name and would respond immediately if anyone called him by that name.58
From that time on no one called him by his former name. Whoever settled in that village came to know all these facts from an old brahmin of Cakkhandi.59-61
Caitanyadasa's desire for a son
Caitanyadasa's wife Lakshmipriya was very devoted to her husband. They had no children but were not sorry because of that. Due to the plan of Mahaprabhu, the desire for a son grew more in their minds.62-63
Sri Caitanyadasa asked his wife why such a desire should enter his mind. He could not understand why he should suddenly be so eager to have a son.64-65
Visit to Nilacala by Caitanyadasa and his wife
Lakshmipriya told him, "Please go to Nilacala soon because Mahaprabhu will fulfill our desire."66
Caitanyadasawas pleased with the suggestion and both of them started for Nilacala through Jajigrama.67
The father of Sri Lakshmipriya, who was a brahmin named Balarama, lived in the village Jajigrama.68
They rested for four days in the house of Balarama and at an auspicious moment they started their journey.69
Balarama bid farewell to his daughter and son-in-law and requested them to convey his respects at the feet of Mahaprabhu.
70
Sri Caitanyadasa happily took leave of his father-in-law.71
On the way to Nilacala they found many travelers who were also going to that holy place.72
One night the couple began to lament their misfortune as they had made no effort so far to get the favor of Mahaprabhu. They doubted whether they would get the darshan of Sri Krsna Caitanya and Lord Jagannatha in Nilacala.73-75
Caitanyadasa's dream
After severe lamentation the brahmin fell asleep and had a wonderful dream.76
He saw a boy just like Syama Sundara in an attractive standing posture. In beauty he could challenge millions of Kandarpas. He had the feather of a peacock on his head and a dress of yellow color. His beautiful face could attract millions of moons. His body was decorated by ornaments and smeared with sandal paste. His flute playing enchanted the universe.77-79
Suddenly the color of his body changed to a bright glittering gold. He wore a cloud colored dress with a red border. But his other decorations and his posture were just like Syama Sundara.80-81
Then again, Caitanyadasa saw Gaura in another feature with a shaved head and holding a danda and kamandalu in his hand. Again the Lord changed his features. This time Caitanyadasa saw Gaura with Syama Sundara with eyes as big as a lotus leaf and standing beside Balarama and Subhadra. Lord Brahma and other demigods were worshipping him.82-84
Suddenly the brahmin woke up from his dream and became very sad. His wife consoled him sweetly in various ways. They started their journey in the early morning with eager hearts.85-86
Caitanyadasa in Nilacala
After a long time they reached Nilacala and were eager to see Mahaprabhu.87
Having realised the mind of his devotee, Mahaprabhu who was the Lord of Himself passed through the main gate of the temple with his associates. That gate was marked by the figure if a lion.88
Mahaprabhu's gait could challenge the movement of an elephant. His complexion was as bright as gold and his illumination was as strong as the Sun. The beauty of his face could conjure the moon and his mouth showered nectar through his smile. His lotus like eyes and long ears were more beautiful than those of Kandarpa. His sandalwood tilak glittered on his forehead and a garland of tulsi hung from his neck. His broad chest could humble Kamadev. He wore a beautiful saffron colored dress and his hands reached down to his knees. The other parts of his body were so beautiful that the whole universe was grateful to have such an incarnation taking birth on the earth. 89-98
The brahmin and his wife enjoyed the beauty of Gauracandra without so much as blinking. They could not take their eyes off his body. But Caitanyadasa could not control his tears when he saw the shaved head of Mahaprabhu.99-101
By glancing from the corner of his eyes, Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu showered profuse mercy on the most fortunate brahmin.102
Prabhu's mercy on Caitanyadasa
After consoling the brahmin, Prabhu sweetly told him, "Prabhu Jagannatha has brought you here because he is pleased with you. Go and meet him. He will fulfill your desires."103-104
Hearing these sweet words from the beautiful mouth of Prabhu, the brahmin fell on the ground and offered obeisances. He dedicated his heart and soul to the gracious feet of Prabhu who at that time appropriated the brahmin for his own plan.105-106
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