Guranga and Murarigupta, Part 5
BY: SUN STAFF
Lord Caitanya's Six-armed form
Jan 08, CANADA (SUN) The last in a five-part series from 'Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu', edited by Srimad Bhakti Vaibhav Puri Goswami Maharaj, Founder Acharya of the Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mission, Ganjam, Orissa.
Ragatmika-Bhakti is only to be found among the associates of Sri Krishna in Vraja. The devotion that follows the steps of Ragatmika Bhaktas is called Raganuga Bhakti. Intense longing and spontaneous love for the adored object of Sri Krishna is the distinctive characteristic of Ragatmika Bhakti. A spontaneous inclination of selfless Love for Sri Krishna following the wake of Vrajavasi is the characteristic feature of a Raganuga-Bhakta who does not require to pay any heed of Sastric reasonings.
There are two
types of cultivation of Bhakti by the Raganuga Bhaktas, the external and
internal. Externally one performs the devotional functions of hearing,
chanting etc. through his physical sense organs internally, a Raganuga
Bhakta realising himself to be an attendant of a Gopi, renders day and
night, external loving confidential service to Sri Krishna, the Lord of the
Gopis in Vrindavan. He incessantly serves Sri Krishna in four fold Rasas
either as a servitor, a friend, a parent or a sweet heart. A Santa Rasa
Bhakta lacks in Raga.
The principles of Bhava Bhakti are always the end of the ultimate goal of
the principle of Sadhana Bhakti. The means of Bhava or the sprout of
Divine Love, is awakened in the unalloyed heart of a Jiva which is softened
by an intense longing for Sri Krishna. It is compared to rays of the sun of
Divine Love. When the pure heart is thus softened, this Bhava or Dawn of
Love being deepened and intensified by strong attachment for Sri Krishna,
becomes Premas or Divine Love, the ultimate quest of all human souls.
The gradual stages from Sraddha to Prema Bhakti a fortunate soul gets
the seed of Sraddha from the causeless mercy of Sri Guru and Krishna.
Then follows, 2. Sadhu Sanga (association with the Sadhus). afterwards
comes, 3. Bhajan Kriya (honest or earnest observance of Bhajan or
Sadhan). then follows, 4.Anarth-Nivriti, evils which are four in number are
(a) Tattwa Bhrama or ignorance of the real nature of one's ownself and
Krishna and Maya (b) Asat-Trisna or the evil propensity to enjoy or
renounce the world (c) Hridaya Daurbalya, due to heart weakness
hankering after wealth, woman, name and fame etc., and (d) Aparadha,
offences against Vishnu and Vaishnavas, 5. Nistha or devoutness or
steadfastness, 6. Ruchi or relish for hearing or hymning on Sri Krishna
Name etc., 7. Asakti or strong attachment for Sri Krishna arises next. Then
attachment for Sri Krishna arises next. Then sprouts of Bhava or dawn of
Acme of Love, which is called Rati, 8 when this Rati or passion for Krishna
is deepened, it is called Prema or the concentrated form of unalloyed
Bhakti to Sri Krishna. This Prema alone is capable of conquering the
unconquerable Krishna.
The devotee in whose heart sprouts the Bhava or Rati is marked by the
following nine internal symptoms : 1. Kshanti, a devotee is not agitated by
any earthly cause of disturbances, 2. Avyartha Kalatwam, he never wastes
his time with anything that does not concern Krishna. 3. Virakti, he does
not like sensual pleasures or celestial enjoyments. He is dispassionate but
attached to all thing related to devotion 4. Mana Sunyata, he does not
crave for honour 5. Asabandha, He has a full hope to receive the grace of
Sri Krishna. 6. Samutkantha, he possesses feverish earning for Krishna's
Grace, 7. Nama gane sada ruchi- he cherishes a constant longing for
singing of the glories of Sri Krishna 8. Asaktitad-guna-Khyane, he always
loves to read and relate the qualities and deeds of Sri Krishna. 9. Priti, tadvasati-
sthale, he always loves to reside in places consecrated by the Lilas
of Sri Krishna Praying. "O Lotus eyed! When shall I perform an ecstatic
dance on the bank of the Yamuna with tears in my eyes and the chantings
of the Holy Names on my tongue and lips?"
Even the wise fail to comprehend the speeches, acts and gestures of a
prema-bhakta whose heart is full of love for Krishna. He realises Divine
Love for Sri Krishna by chanting His Holy Names and with a heart
saturated with intense longing for His Darsan. Sometimes he laughs aloud,
weeps, laments for separation in Love for Him, sings and dances like a
mad, without caring for what the people will say. As love develop it takes
successive sweeter forms of Sneha, Mana Pranaya, Raga, Anuraga, Bhava
and Mahabhava.
The permanent emotions of Bhava mingled with four fold ingredients
mature in the form of Krishna Prema-Rasa. The four fold ingredients of
Rasa are Vibhava, Anubhav, Sattvika and Sanchari, Vibhava is of two
kinds, Alambana and Uddipana, which are enkindled by the notes of His
Flute. Alambana is of two kinds, Vishaya and Asraya. Anubhava is
stimulated by smile, dance and song. Sanchari is of 33 kinds. In Santarasa,
Rati advances up to the stage of Prema, in Dasya up to Raga, in Sakhya
and Vatsalya up to Anuraga.
Nanda Nandana Krishna is the chief of Lovers, while Radhika is at the
head of His consorts. Countless are the qualities of Sri Krishna every one
of which, when heard, can soothe the ears of a Bhakta. Endless are also Sri
Radha's qualities of which twenty five are the chief ones which have
captured Sri Krishna's heart Who has His sixty four principal Divine
qualities. The love for Sri Krishna and His consort Radhika is the theme of
Madhura Rasa, the Vishaya being Sri Krishna and Asraya, Srimati Radhika,
Similarly in the Dasya Rasa, the Asraya is a servant, in the Sakhya Rasa, a
friend, in the Vatsalya Rasa, the parents, and in the Madhura Rasa, the
milk-maids or Vraja of whom Radhika is the foremost, but in all these
Rasas, Sri Krishna is the only Vishaya. The Rasa is tasted only by the
devotees of Sri Krishna but not the devotees of His other manifestations.
Sri Chaitanya taught Sri Sanatana all about Yukta Vairagya which
consists in the proper use and enjoyment of all things, sentient and
insentient belonging to Sri Krishna, in the spirit of non-attachment and
condemned pseudo asceticism. He, in the course of His teaching; rejected
the stories of (A) Mausala Leela (B) Kesavatar, (C) Abduction of the queen
consorts of Dvaraka, as they delude men of demonic characters. He then
explained the 'Atmaramascha' sloka of Srimad Bhagavatam in sixty one
diverse ways, which astounded Sri Sanatana. While explaining the sloka
He extolled the beneficial, effects of satsanga and narrated the story of a
fowler who gave up his sinful profession and became a true devotee of
Krishna by the grace of the Holy saint Sri Narada Goswami. Thus Sanatana
was taught all about Sambandha Jnana by Sri Chaitanya during His two
month's stay at Varanasi.
While at Varanasi Sri Chaitanya accepted the invitation of a Maharastra
Brahmin to his house where He met Prakasananda Sarasvati one of the
exponents in India of Monistic School. The beautiful smiling face of Sri
Chaitanya, His calm and serene look and symmetrical build up of body, the
sparkling intelligence beaming forth all about His personality and above
all, the sweet and constant soul, enchanting Names of Sri Krishna coming
out of His Holy lips, attracted the attention of all assembled there.
In reply to the query of Prakasananda as to why He had neglected the
study of the Vedanta, the duty of a Sanyasi, He said that He had neither
the capacity nor intelligence to read and understand the same with His
limited empiric knowledge. He further added that the absolute Truth
reveals itself to a sincere seeker on his unconditional submission to the
bonafide spiritual Preceptor. Who alone wields the Divine Power to enable
him to realise the Absolute. Assured by this method of Revelation, he had
sought the shelter at the Lotus feet of His Divine Master, (Acharya) Who
out of His causeless infinite mercy, had initiated him with the Holy Name
(spiritual formula of invocation) of Sri Krishna. Then the incessant chanting
of the Holy Name not only convinced him as to the oneness of the Name,
form, attributes, entourage and amorous deeds of Krishna with Krishna
Himself but also fully intoxicated him with Divine Love.
Compared to this eternal Nectarine ocean of Krishna Prema not only the
fourfold objects of human pursuits sought by the elevationists and the
salvationists are as worthless as dirt, but also Brahmananda, which is but
a drop of Premananda Sindhu. Chanting Sri Krishna Name is both the
means as well as the end of all genuine spiritual endeavours. The Vedanta
sutras are the transcendental words of Sri Krishna and therefore they are
free from the four fold defects such as error, blunder, inadequacy of
senses and spirit of deception. They speak of the eternally personality of
the Absolute who is All Being, All Intelligence and All Bliss. He is endowed
with His plenary potency which manifests itself in three fold forms.
Marginally situated the Jiva soul possesses an alternative choice
between the selfless service to Sri Krishna and sensuous enjoying aptitude
like Karmis or Jnanis merging themselves in Abstract Brahman of exclusive
Monism. But the Jivas are the eternal servants of Sri Krishna in their
unfettered state. The forgetfulness of this eternal function of. the soul
turns the Jivas into either Karmis, Jnanis or Yogis etc. making them
enslaved by the triple qualities of Maya. Both the Jivas spiritual and
Mundane entities are simultaneously distinct and non-distinct from Sri
Krishna. They exist in Krishna like the rays of the sun, They are not
separate from Sri Krishna who exists in each of them. At the same time
they are not identical with Him who is omnipotent and omniscient. This is
known as the Doctrine of Acintya Bhedabheda, It is Acintya because it is
inconceivable and limited to human understanding. The Vedanta is full of
this doctrine. Srimad Bhagavatam is the unstained authoritative
commentary of the Aphorisms of the Vedanta. Sri Krishna- Dwaipayana
Vedavyasa is the compiler of the Brahma Sutras and the author of Srimad
Bhagavatam.
The simple and clear expositions of the Aphorisms of the Vedanta given
by Sri Chaitanya make an indelible impression on the minds of His
audience, who distinctly understood the ulterior motive of the monistic
commentary of the Sankar Vedanta School. They welcome the pure Bhakti
cult, the eternal function of the Jiva soul and joined the congregational
chant of the Holy Name of Krishna, promulgated by the Lord, with the
conversion of Prakasananda Sarasvati. All people of Varanasi accepted the
Bhagavat-cult of Naimisharanya school.
Sri Chaitanya sent Sanatana to Vrindavan with the following mission: 1.
Establishment of Sambandha Tattwa- The principle of relationship of
Krishna with Jiva and Maya 2. Writing a treatise on Vaishnava Smriti-rules
of conduct for Vaishnavas. 3. Reclamation of the extinct Holy places of Sri
Krishna's pastimes in Vrajamandala 4. Installation of Sri Murties in those
places.
The pandits of Varanasi excommunicated Subudhi Roy, a Zamindar of
Bengal Desh for having drunk secreted water from the hand of non-Hindu.
They also prescribed for him the fatal penance of committing suicide by
swallowing hot ghee Fortunately he met Sri Chaitanya who instructed him
that the Holy Name, if once uttered, would wash away all his sins and
offences and a second repetition of the Holy Name would gain him, Sri
Krishna's Lotus feet and a third repetition of the same would establish him
as the eternal servitor of Krishna in Vraja. Then He sent Subudhi Roy to
Vrindavan where he led an ascetic life feeding the Vaishnavas with rice
and curd and massaging their legs at the time of their taking rest.
Thus the holy Varanasi which was polluted by the Advaitins, was
inundated with the Holy stream of Divine Love from Sri Krishna Chaitanya.
He then returned to Puri by the same forest route of Jharikhanda.
Raghunath Das was born to Govardhan Mazumdar a rich zamindar in a
village, Sri Krishnapur, near Saptagram, in Hoogly district West Bengal.
Raghunath was indifferent to the world from his very boyhood. He used to
hear Krishna Name from Thakur Haridas a great Devotee, When Sri
Chaitanya came to Santipur after accepting Sanyasa, Raghunath fell
prostrate at His feet, Sri Chaitanya touched him with His toe. After a seven
days stay he was sent home on the eve of Sri Chaitanya's departure for
Puri, Maddened with Love for the Lord, Raghunath, repeatedly tried to run
away from his house to Puri. His father kept him bound and engaged
eleven persons to guard him day and night. So he was spending the days
in deep sorrow deeply meditating to see Sri Chaitanya. At last having
heard of His arrival at Santipur, Raghunath went there. During his seven
day's stay, Sri Chaitanya said to Raghunath. "Be patient, go home, don't
turn mad, It is only by degrees men reach the shore of the world ocean,
don't make a show of ape asceticism. Accept the sense objects in a spirit
of renunciation. Cherish stead fast attachment for the Lord in your heart,
while outwardly discharging your worldly affairs and soon Sri Krishna will
deliver you. Meet me at Puri under some pretext. "Reaching home
Raghunath spent some years following Yukta-Vairagya, rejecting Phalgu
Vairagya as taught by Sri Chaitanya when Nityananda Prabhu came to
Panihati with His followers, Raghunath performed Chida Dahi Mahotsav,
offered them gold coins and received benedictions from them and
returned home. Raghunath, one day, escaped from the watchful custody
of his guards, reached Puri by walking for twelve days when he fell
prostrate at the Lotus Feet of Sri Chaitanya. He said, "Sri Krishna's Mercy
is stronger than the strongest which has delivered you from the foul sink
of worldliness." With this Sri Chaitanya entrusted Raghunath to Sri
Damodar Svarupa. Since then, he was known as Svarupa's Raghu.
Raghunath lived a life of severe asceticism.
Sri Chaitanya said, "He should always chant the Holy Name and live
upon begging. He ceases to be a devotee who becomes a slave to his
sense of taste and passions. he should subsist on green vegetables and
fruits offered to the Lord. He should never indulge in idle gossips, and
crave for rich dishes and luxury. An ascetic, who hankers after delicious
food, is a slave to gluttony and sexual affinity. He should always chant the
Holy Name giving due honour to all without coveting any for himself and
should worship Sri Radha Krishna in Vraja in his unalloyed existence."
After a lapse of two years the devotees of Bengal, under the guidance of
Sri Sivananda Sen, started for Puri to meet Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. A
dog belonging to Sivananda, followed the retinue of devotees. One night
his servant forgot to feed the dog. Next morning leaving the party, the dog
went directly alone to Puri. After reaching Puri, the party members were
surprised to see the dog seated before Sri Chaitanya chanting Hari Nama.
Soon after it, the dog disappeared.
One day, Bhagavan Acharya a devotee of Sri Chaitanya, requested his
friend Damodar Svarupa to hear Vedanta commentary from his younger
brother Gopala, who returned from Varanasi, completing his studies.
Svarupa warned Bhagavan to give up the company of Gopala and said. "A
Vaishnava who hears Sariraka Bhasya of illusory theory which declares
Jiva's oneness with Abstract Brahman as the highest end, and all else
including the Jiva and the world as illusion. According to them a Jiva is God
illusioned and when disillusioned, he becomes Brahman. To hear all this
nonsense is to kill himself." Immediately Bhagavan Acharya gave up the
company of his brother Gopala.
Bhagavan Acharya invited Sri Chaitanya for lunch in his house. During
the lunch, Sri Chaitanya enquired about the fine rice served to Him.
Bhagavan said, that it was collected by Haridas from Madhavi Devi, sister
of Sikhi Mahanti, an old female devotee of higher order. Sri Chaitanya
returning to His lodge asked Govinda, His all time attendant, to close the
door against Junior Haridas. When asked by devotees why Junior Haridas
was debarred from His Darsan, Sri Chaitanya with an air of seriousness
said, „My heart is reluctant to see a pseudo ascetic who consorts with a
woman. The formidable senses are prone to enjoy sense objects. Foolish
persons in the garb of a Vairagi are up to gratifying their sinful appetites
with those of opposite sex. My mind is beyond my control and is repugnant
to accept a Pseudoascetic." Haridas passed one year with great grief in
expectation of Sri Chaitanya's mercy but He was not favoured. Haridas in
utter despair went to Prayag and committed suicide in front of the Vancha
Vata to serve Him.
Sanatana being instructed by Sri Chaitanya left Vrindavan and reached
Puri through the Jharikhanda forest route. On the way he had an attack of
itching eruption. He stayed with Thakur Haridas, his close friend residing
at Siddha-Vakul whom Sri Chaitanya used to meet every day. At one time,
Sri Chaitanya welcomed Sanatana and strongly embraced him with great
affection though he was keeping back lest his running eruption might
defile the sacred body of Sri Chaitanya. As Sri Chaitanya was often
embracing his unclean body, Sanatana intended putting an end to himself
by throwing under the wheel of Sri Jagannath's Chariot. But the omniscient
Sri Chaitanya warned him not to commit suicide but to remember that his
consecrated body did not belong to him as it was Krishna's property, which
should not be claimed as his own.
Therefore, he should abandon all ideas of egotism, but hear and chant
the Holy name of Sri Krishna. Neither birth nor wealth nor learning is a
criterion of Krishna Prema. A high caste Brahmin is disqualified if he is
non-devotional, while a low caste untouchable is qualified if he is of
devotional aptitude. It is true, that a lover of Krishna who is unable to bear
prema unites him with Krishna and saves him. Sri Chaitanya told Sri
Sanatana not to put an end to his life, so valuable property with which he
had to perform so many good things for the eternal benefit of the world.
Sanatana gave up his mad project of killing himself.
Haridas Thakur embracing Sanatana said, "The height of thy fortune has
reached its acme. Thy body is deemed by Sri Chaitanya as His own. Thou
art the most fortunate. What He desires to do in Mathura will be fulfilled by
thee. I understand that the establishment of the transcendental principles
of devotional practices and of Vaishnava rules of life by the publication of
a Vaishnava code will be done by thee. Among the associates of the Lord,
thou art most fortunate. You possess unfathomable qualities" to this said
Sanatana "O Chaitanya, Thou has appeared on earth to propagate His
Name and Love all over the world and thou hast done the same through
goodself. Thou hast glorified and established the Supremacy of the Holy
Name. Some devotees practise, some preach but Thou doeth both the
functions regarding the Holy Name. Thou art the world teacher and
spiritual guide."
One day Santana was asked by Sri Chaitanya to call on Him at
Yameswar Thota. On that hot summer midday noon, Sanatana, to meet
Him had to walk on the hot sandy path. No pain did he feel from the
blisters on the sole of his feet. Sri Chaitanya praised Sanatana for the
propriety of his conduct of bearing such physical torture and praised him
thus, "You are the world sanctifier. You can sanctify even the gods and
sages.
Sanatana was suffering from eruptions. In spite of Chaitanya was
embracing him often and against his will. So Sanatana asked pandit
Jagadanada how he would avoid Sri Chaitanya's embracing his body with
its running eruptions. Pandit advised him to return to Vrindavan without
further delay. Sri Chaitanya heard this and He warned Jagadananda for
trespassing his limits of propriety in advising Sanatana to go to Vrindavan
as if he were far superior to him in all respects. To this Sri Chaitanya said,
being a novice boy, Jagadananda violated the rules of conduct by advising
a senior scholar like Sanatana He was not praising a stranger who spent
one year in the happy company of Sri Chaitanya and then returned to
Vrindavana. But Santana with all humility said to Sri Chaitanya that
Jagadanada was more fortunate in drinking the mellow sweetness of His
hiding of close relationship than he himself whom He caused to drink the
bitter Nama-rasa of glorious praise.
Pradyumna Misra once expressed his desire to hear about the Supreme
Lord Krishna. Sri Chaitanya sent him to Ramananda to have his desire
fulfilled. But Misra returned, as if disappointed, because he mistook him
for a worldly man as he was mixing freely with Devadasis Sri Chaitanya
convinced him saying, though a house holder Ramananda was a
Paramahamsa who was quite unintelligible to ordinary human perspective:
His heart was deeply absorbed in Krishna Prema. While teaching the
devadasis the art of dancing and singing, his mind remained unconcerned
and unaltered at the touch of those beautiful damsels. It is therefore, a
conclusive proof that his body was purely spiritual. Having thus been
enlightened Pradyumna again approached Ramananda with submissive
spirit and listened to the sermons which threw both into a rapture of
Divine Love.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Absolute redeemer of the Kali Yuga,
People in this age of wrangle, discord, self insufficiency and jealousy are
liable to fall a victim to the five fold trap of Kali, such, as, 1. Gambling 2.
Indulging in all sorts of intoxicants, 3. Consorting with women„ 4. Animal
killing, and 5. Wasting money in vain pursuits. Sri Chaitanya as the
Acharya or the world teacher saves and redeems the worldly people from
the terrible grip of Kali Hence he is named as Kali Yuga pavanavatari &
Yuga Dharma Pravartaka.
A poet from Bengal composed a drama on Sri Chaitanya (being much
appreciated by His devotees) and desired to present it before Him. But no
sloka or drama was acceptable to Sri Chaitanya, unless and until it had
stood the acid test of devotional genuineness, i.e., the scrutiny of Sri
Damodar Swarup. Hearing the drama, Damodar remarked that he
committed grave errors in his book, because he did not submit himself to
a genuine devotee prior to his attempt of describing the Lilas of the Lord.
The pandit did as he was instructed and become one of the staunch
followers of the Lord, abandoning all the vanity of empiric knowledge and
mundane acquisitions.
Vallabha Bhatta, the founder of Pusti Marg came to Puri and bowed
before His-feet and Sri Chaitanya embraced him. Bhatta with all humility
said, "Since long I have desired to meet Three, the god in visible form,
Even the very remembrance of thy person or name sanctifies a man, no
wonder in it that Thy Darsan makes one blessed and swim in the ocean of
Krishna Prema, "Sri Chaitanya "Replied, "Well, Bhatta, I know not what
Krishna Prema or Bhakti is as I am a Mayavadi Sanyasi. The association
with Advaita Acharya and Nityananda has purified my heart. From the
Great learned Sarvabhauma I have learnt the philosophy of Krishna Bhakti.
From Ramananda, I have learnt the Principles of prema Bhakti and Loving
devotional service of Vraja. From Damodar Swarup I have learnt the
transcendental knowledge of the Amorous Love of Vraja. From Thakur
Haridas who chants three lakhs of Nama daily, I have learnt how to glorify
the Nama. From pandit Gadadhara. Acharya Ratna, Jagadananda,
Vakreswar, Vasudeva Datta, Murari, Mukunda and other devotees, I have
learnt Krishna Bhakti and Krishna Prema."
Sri Chaitanya Knew Vallabha
Bhatta to be very proud of his erudition and ego that he knew well the
philosophy of Bhakti and could expound the Srimad Bhagavatam better
than any else. Bhatta rejoined, " I have made many interpretations to the
meaning of Krishna's Nama, Would you please listen to me? But Sri
Chaitanya objected, saying "No I have no regard for the many meanings of
Krishna Name. I only know that He is Syama Sundara and Yasodanandana.
This only I know in reality while for other meanings I am not qualified;
My dear Bhatta the Dharma of a faithful wife is to obey her husband's
Command, Our eternal husband. Sri Krishna has commanded us to chant
His Name without cessation. So we chant His Name and derive from it the
fruit of Divine Love at His Holy feet. One who does not follow Swami
(Sridhar Swami) is ranked among the unchaste women, You have refuted
Sridhar and have written a separate commentary on the Bhagavatam. We
understand Bhagavatam through Bhagavan Vedavyasa's grace. He is the
world teacher. It will carry no meaning or weight, that you have written
contrary to Sridhar Swami. None will accept it. Please relinquish your
vanity and worship Sri Krishna with all humility and perform Krishna Kirtan.
Vallabha was formerly a Bala Gopala worshipper but the company of
Gadadhara Pandit turned his mind and he longed to adore adolescent
Krishna and begged the Pandit to initiate him with the same mantra. Sri
Chaitanya too was exceedingly pleased with his tolerant nature and asked
the Pandit to initiate Bhatta.
One day Pandit Jagadanda, a follower of Sri Chaitanya invited
Ramachandra a disciple of Mandhavendra Puri and served him with
Mahaprasada, Puri also served the pandit profusely in return and began to
slander the Pandit with the following remarks, "I heard that Sri Chaitanya's
followers are voracious eaters. There is no gain saying the act, as I cannot
disbelieve my own eyes. By gorging, you have done a great injustice to
me, a Sanyasi." Ramachandra Puri who had committed offences at the
feet of his Guru Madhavendra became notorious for his universal faultfinding
and back biting habit, for which the devotees of Sri Chaitanya were
terribly afraid of his company. His offences against Sri Chaitanya went so
for as to disparage Him with gluttony. Such an offence as said above,
against the Divine Master, makes one lose all his senses of propriety and
also makes him recklessly commit the gravest offence even at the Feet of
the Supreme Lord Himself.
Gopinath pattanayak, brother of Ramananda was a revenue officer in
the court of King Prataparudra. He embezzled some money from the royal
treasury. So the Yuvaraj intended to take his life as a penalty, whereupon
some followers of Sri Chaitanya came to Him and begged His intervention
in the matter. Sri Chaitanya, disliking to interfere with such worldly affairs,
asked them to invoke the mercy of Lord Jagannath. But Harichandan, a
devotee of Sri Chaitanya taking the initiative upon himself interceded with
Prataparudra for saving Gopinath's life. Prataparudra at once ordered the
release of Gopinath preventing his execution. Gopinath was afterwards
honoured with dignity of Governorship with twice of his former
remuneration. Sri Chaitanya warned him against defalcations of king's
money. Here Sri Chaitanya has given a number of teachings to the world.
1. That an ideal dispassionate Sanyasi should not interfere and entangle
himself in any worldly affairs, 2. That he should not approach worldly
people for any help, either for himself or for others, 3. That house holders
should depend entirely on Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe, in any kind
of anxiety without appealing to human beings, 4. That one should not
misappropriate the master's money and lead an extravagant life, but
should live on honest earnings and lead a pure life of Hari Bhajan, 5. That
one should not renounce the world out of Phalgu-Vairagya; 6. That the
slightest glance of grace of the Lord is enough not only to release a man
from the impending death but to shower upon Him His choicest blessings.
Raghav Pandit of Panihati every year came to Puri with Bengali
Devotees with many baskets full of various kinds of pure uncooked
preparations, which would suffice for Sri Chaitanya, who used to accept a
little quantity of it daily for one year. Sri Chaitanya did justice to those
offerings of love, free from mundane merits and demerits, in as much as
the qualities of things offered are judged not by the things themselves, but
by the sincere love of the devotee who offers them to the Lord This basket
is known by the name "Raghaver jhali".
One day Sri Chaitanya performed Sankirtan encircling the Jagannath
temple with his seven groups under the leader ships of Advaita,
Nityananda, Vakreswar, Achyutananda, Srivas, Satyaraj and Narahari.
After sankirtan. Sri Chaitanya, accepted Mahaprasad with His followers
and then repaired to Gambhira. His Lodge and stretched Himself at full
length across the door. His servant, Govinda massaged Him on His left
side and requested Him to move a little, so that he could enter inside and
do the rest of his regular service. But Sri Chaitanya declined saying that
He was too tired to move and told him (Govinda) that he might do
whatever he liked. Finding no other means to enter the room Govinda
placed His legs. When Sri Chaitanya awoke and asked Govinda why he had
not till then accepted Mahaprasada. Govinda replied, "How could I go out
as Thou hast blocked the door why? Sir." Sri Chaitanya said, "Why didn't
you go out in the same manner as you entered?" Govinda spoke within
himself," I must do my appointed service even if I have to commit any
offence or go to hell for so doing. I do not hesitate to commit millions of
offences for doing my appointed service. But for satisfying my personal
need, I should fear, even the slightest things of offence."
One day Govinda went to Haridas with Mahaprasadam and found him
lying on bed, chanting His Holy Name very slowly. He accepted
respectfully only a particle of Mahaprasadam, Next Sri Chaitanya Himself
came to him and enquired of his health. Haridas said physically he was
well but not so well in mind since his chanting fell short of the fixed
number to be counted daily. Sri Chaitanya said, „Thou art a Maha
Bhagavata, perfect in thy Bhajans. Why art thou so eager for sadhana at
this old age? Thou hast proclaimed the glories of the Holy Name to the
world. Thou mayest reduce the number of chantings of the Holy Name."
Haridas then expressed his unworthiness as a disciple, in the most humble
terms and implored the Lord to grant him a boon long wished for. It was
his heart felt desire of clasping the Lotus feet of the Lord in his bosom
beholding His moon like face with his eyes and chanting the Holy Name,
Sri Krishna Chaitanya on his tongue, he might breathe his last.
He did not like to live on earth after the disappearance of Sri Chaitanya.
To grant his earnest prayer next morning Sri Chaitanya appeared before
Haridas with all His close followers and started a grand Sankirtana
encircling Thakur Haridas. Haridas, then turned towards the Lord, fixed his
eyes at His Lotus face, Clasped the Lotus feet of the Lord, adorned his
head with feet dust of the devotees, drank the nectarine sweetness of His
Lotus face with tears in his eyes and chanting the Holy Name of Sri Krishna
Chaitanya and departed from this world as did Bhishma Deva of Yore.
Loud chant of the Names of Hari, Krishna, Rama resounded the
atmosphere which sent a thrill of joy to the Lord and He began to dance
round the compound with the Holy body of Haridas on His shoulder.
Haridas body was carried to the sea beach amidst loud Sankirtana and
bathed in the sea. Sri Chaitanya said, "From this day onwards, the sea has
become a great Holy Shrine."
Sri Chaitanya performed the funeral ceremony of Haridas and entombed
his body with His own hands. Sri Chaitanya then begged for the sweet
Prasada sold in the Ananda Bazar inside the Jagannath temple for
performing the disappearance ceremony of Haridas. Sri Chaitanya
expressed great sorrow at the sad bereavement of Haridas, His constant
companion, He said, 'By Krishna's mercy I was blessed with his sweet
amiable company, and by His sweet will, I have been deprived of that
blessing. Haridas was a crest jewel of the Mother earth. She is now sorry
for being devoid of that priceless gem."
The devotees of Gauda went to Puri every year to see Sri Chaitanya,
Sivananda Sena acted as their guide and caretaker on the way. He was
favoured in one of these journeys with loving kick from Nityananda Prabhu
in a fit of Loving rage owing to his delay in arranging adequate boarding
and lodging for him and his followers. Greatly mortified at this, Srikanta
Sen, Sivananda's nephew hastened to Puri in advance, met the Lord and
bowed down before Him with his overcoat on. When prostrated with the
overcoat, he was objected to by Govinda. The Lord told Govinda to let
Srikanta have his own way, as he had come with a wounded heart. By the
grace of Nityananda, Sen Sivananda with his whole family was blessed
with the remains of the Lord's plate so long as he remained at Puri.
After the Caturmasya (four months) had been spent at Puri, the Lord
permitted the Gaudiya pilgrims to return to Bengal and on that occasion
He spoke thus lovingly to them. "You are coming every year to me,
undergoing all sorts of privations, troubles and tribulations on the way. I,
therefore, dislike your coming here every year, but your amiable and
loving company attracts my heart. I have instructed Nityananda to stay in
Bengal and redeem the fallen souls but he has come in defiance of my
order. As per the hoary headed Advaita Acharya himself he too undertakes
a long and tedious journey to see me How can I repay the debt of your
love for me? I am a poor Sanyasi. My only property is my body and this I
entirely have given to you." The Lord's pathetic speech melted the hearts
of His devotees and tears of love rolled down their necks and bathed them
in tears. He again asked them to stay there for one more week. After this
period he consoled them and gave permission to depart. None can repay
the debt to His boundless love and affection for His devotees.
Pandit Jagadanada, Sri Chaitanya's intimate companion, went to Nadia
to see mother Sachidevi and other devotees of Gauda and returned to Puri
with a pot of scented sandal oil. He then gave that oil pot to Govinda and
asked him to massage the oil on the head of the Lord to cure Him of
excessive bile and gastric wind. When Govinda bent upon applying the oil,
Sri Chaitanya refused to accept it saying, „A Sanyasi is forbidden to use
scented oil. So it may be offered to Lord Jagannath’s Temple for lighting
lamps. Jagadananda's labour will be fully rewarded by doing so." Hearing
this the Pandit, in a fit of loving anger replied, "Who has told Thee this
piece of false hood? I did not bring any oil from Bengal." So saying the
Pandit brought the oil pot from the room, broke it on the floor in the
presence of the Lord, went inside his room, bolted the door from within
and kept himself fasting. On the third day Sri Chaitanya went to his door
and said, "Pundit, you prepare food, after Jagannath Darsan. I shall come
back at noon to take prasadam here."
So saying He left his door.
Jagadananda cooked varieties of eatables for Him. At noon when He
arrived and saw the dishes placed before Him. He was exceedingly
delighted. While partaking of them He remarked "Oh How nice and
delicious is the vegetable soup you cooked! I see, when one cooks! in
anger, It tastes very sweet. This is the proof of Sri Krishna's grace upon
you. Pandit, you are the most fortunate devotee. Krishna, being anxious to
eat your preparations, has created anger in you and has accepted this
nectarine food you have offered to Him. "The Pandit served the Lord with
such earnestness that He ate double His usual food in fear, lest the Pandit
should fly into a rage again and start fasting. Out of love for Govinda Sri
Chaitanya asked him, "Is it unwise to break your fast for My sake." Then
the Pandit with other devotees, respected the remains of the Lord's plate.
The austerities of Sri Chaitanya were so severe that His devotees could
not bear. Pandit Jagadananda prepared a soft and costly pillow and asked
Govinda and Damodar Swarup to see that the Lord would accept it. But Sri
Chaitanya refused saying, "I am a Sanyasi, I should sleep on the ground.
Jagadananda, out of love for Me wants Me to enjoy the world." Then
Damodar Svarupa made another pair of pillows with dry banana leaves
torn into small pieces. Sri Chaitanya, hesitatingly accepted them only to
please him.
Pandit Jagadananda had a long desire to visit Vrindavan. In spite of his
repeated requests Sri Chaitanya refused him permission. When he
appealed through Svarupa Damodar, the Lord granted him permission (but
warned him) with the following instructions to be followed. "You may
proceed freely up to Varanasi. Thence take the assistance of the
Kshatriyas in your journey. Otherwise the dacoits will rob you of all your
belongings. At Mathura keep constant company with Sanatana. Do not
climb up the Govardhana Hill to see Gopala. Return to Puri as soon as
possible. Tell Sanatana to arrange for me a place in Vrindavan, as I shall
soon go there." Jagadananda, bowing to the Lord and his devotees set out
on his long journey through the forest route. At Varanasi he met
Chandrasekhara and Tapana Misra, reached Mathura and after that Gokula
where he met Sanatana. The Pandit used to cook his own food, while
Sanatana continued his usual way of living on Madhukari food collected
from door to door every day in Gokula.
One day Sanatana appeared before the Pandit with a red turban on his
head which was given to him by Mukunda Sarasvati of impersonalist
school. Jagadananda, hearing this, flew into a rage and was about to hit
Sanatana with the rice pot. Seeing the anger of Jagadananda, Sanatana
changed his attitude and disposed of that red turban to a non-vaishnava
as Vaishnavas should not use red clothes. Then they embraced each other
respectfully, accepted Mahaprasadam and spent their days in discourses
about the Lord's Activities. Jagadananda informed Sri Sanatana of the
Lord's intended visit to Vrindavan and he took the permission of Sri
Sanatana and departed. Sanatana supplied him with the dust of
'Rasasthali' Govardhana Sila, ripe pilu fruit and Gunja Mala. Returning to
Puri he adored His Lotus feet with the gifts from Sanatana. At Vrindavan
Sanatana arranged a shrine for the Lord on the Hills of Dwadasaditya
according to His order.
While going to Yameswar garden, Sri Chaitanya heard some one singing
melodiously the lyrical songs of Jayadeva. "The Gita Govinda." Hearing the
songs He was rushing forward to embrace the singer, through the fences
careless of the thorns which pricked into His feet. Govinda ran after Him
and clasped Him with His arms saying that it was a woman, who was
singing, Sri Chaitanya started to hear the name of a woman, regained His
consciousness and retraced His steps saying, "Govinda, thou hast saved
My life today. It would have been death for Me had I touched a woman. I
cannot repay this debt to thee," By this Sri Chaitanya as a world teacher,
teaches us that an Acharya must always refrain from a woman not to
speak of consorting or mixing with her.
Raghunath Bhatta Goswami, son of Tapan Mishra, left Varanasi to meet
Sri Chaitanya at Puri. On his way, he met a Rama Bhakta, who volunteered
to carry his baggage throughout the journey. Sri Chaitanya embraced
Raghunath and kept him for eight months with Him. Raghunath was adept
in the art of cooking. Whatever he cooked was nectarine and Sri Chaitanya
tested it with great relish. Though the Rama Bhakta was with Sri
Chaitanya, he was not favourable to Him since he was a salvationist at
heart. After a period of eight months Sri Chaitanya permitted Raghunath
to return to Varanasi with the following instructions, "Raghunath, do not
marry. Serve your parents who are true Vaishnavas. Be taught Bhagavat
by a genuine devotee with submission. Meet Me again after the demise of
your parents." So saying, He gave His own garland. Raghunath reached
Varanasi and acted accordingly. Again after the demise of his parents he
came to Puri and stayed there for eight more months, when the Lord sent
him to Vrindavan asking him to chant the Holy Nama, to keep constant
company of Sri Rupa and Sanatana and to read Bhagavatam under their
guidance. Raghunath followed all the instructions of Sri Chaitanya and
acted accordingly. At Vrindavan, he surrendered himself whole-heartedly
to the Lotus feet of Sri Govinda Deva, for whom he had a temple built by
his disciple. He spent the whole day and night in Krishna Bhajana. He
never heard slanders of Vaishnavas. Thus Raghunath was absorbed in
Krishna Prema, meditation on Sri Govinda Deva with the Divine gift, the
garland He encircled it round his neck with devotion.
Once due to heavy rush of pilgrims inside the Jagannath temple an
woman being unable to see Lord Jagannath climbed the Garuda Stambha
and rested one of her feet on the shoulder of Sri Chaitanya who was then
standing close to the Garuda Pilar. Govinda saw this and hurried to push
her down away. But Sri Chaitanya prohibited him saying, "Don't disturb
her, Govinda. Let her have the Darsan of Sri Jagannath to her heart's
content. Jagannath is not generous enough as to inspire me as He has
inspired this woman's passionate longing for seeing Him. Her mind and
soul were so absorbed in Sri Jagannath that she did not notice that she
had placed her foot on a devotee's or a stranger's shoulder. Oh, How
blessed she is! Let me adore her feet so that I too may have as much
intensity of devotion as she has." The woman, however, got down in a
hurry. On seeing the Lord she fell down at His feet. Sri Chaitanya said, "I
saw in Jagannath the veritable Madan Mohan, the Lord of Vraja with flute
in His lips, but now I see at this incident, Jagannath, Subhadra and
Baladeva. My mind is in Kurukshetra beholding My beloved Sri Krishna, My
beloved Lord of Vrindavan. I have lost my treasure. Who has taken away
My Krishna? Where have I came to?" When the Lord was saying these
words tears streamed from His eyes and blinded His vision. In His trance,
He was overwhelmed with ecstasy and having regained consciousness, He
felt that He had lost His treasure and so began to sing and dance like a
madman.
Kalidas, the uncle of Raghunath, was a simple hearted Vaishnava, who
often lived upon the remains of dishes of the devotees. One day he went
to Jhadu Thakur, born of a sweeper class and offered him some sweet
mangoes. They spent some delightful hours having discourses on Lord
Krishna. Jhadu Thakur, being born in a low caste did not offer him the
prasad cooked by him. So he requested Kalidas to accept the food
prepared in a Brahmin's house that he would arrange. But Kalidas showing
his reluctance for food, requested him not to bother about him but to have
only mercy on him by giving his feet dust. Kalidas then took leave of him
Jhadu Thakur followed him a little way to see him off and returned home.
When Jhadu Thakur went away then Kalidas took the feet dust from his
foot prints and smeared his own body. He then hid himself with a view of
securing his orts.
Jhadu Thakur offered those mangoes mentally to Sri Krishna and
consuming the juice with his wife, threw off the remnants into a ditch.
Kalidas went to the same pit unnoticed by Jhadu Thakur and sucked the
leavings of those mangoes with joy Thus he respected the orts of all the
Gaudiya Vaishnavas. When he went to Neelachala, he was blessed with Sri
Chaitanya's unprecedented mercy by allowing him to take three palms full
of feet wash of the Lord at the Simhadwar of Sri Jagannath temple.
Once Sri Chaitanya was thrilled with joy on tasting the orts or prasad of
Jagannath. Symptoms of horripilation, ceaseless flow of tears etc. began to
manifest. He thought within Himself. "Whence are these delicious taste
sweet scents, and nice flavours? Surely they must have been the ambrosia
of Sri Krishna. A particle of these orts is attainable only by accumulated
Sukriti (devotional deeds) which begets Krishna 's grace. This ort which
defied even nectar is hardly obtainable by Brahma.
His distributed the Pheela, the leavings of Sri Krishna's plate, to all His
devotees, who respectfully accepted it. He then made a distinction
between spiritual and mundane offerings. The former is enjoyed by Sri
Krishna, the enjoyer, when offered by His true devotees. While the latter is
enjoyed by the fallen souls who ruin themselves for their enjoying food.
The spiritual nature of Sri Krishna's orts, even their scent, not to speak of
their taste makes me remember Sri Krishna. Such are the Supernatural
attributes of taste and smell of Sri Krishna's orts.
Sri Krishna's orts are called Maha prasadam while those of His devotees
are known as Maha-Maha-Prasadam. The following three things are the
indispensable desires of a Sadhaka (novice in spiritual practices) to help
him in his spiritual uplift that is: (1) feet dust of true devotees, (2) their
feet wash and (3) their orts. Sastras declare that the faithful service to
these triple prime factors of devotion begets Krishna Prema.
That year Sivananda came to Puri with his wife and children. He bowed
down before the Lord Chaitanya and asked his son also to do so uttering
Krishna Nama, but the boy did not do so. Sri Chaitanya said in
astonishment. "I have made the whole world both the sentient and even
the insentient, to chant the Holy Name of Sri Krishna, but this boy has
baffled My attempt." Thereupon Sri Damodar Swarup rejoined. "Thou hast
initiated the boy with Krishna Mantra which should not be heard by others,
but should be muttered in mind only. So this young boy is muttering
Krishna Nama in his mind."
On some other occasion when the Lord felt slightly indisposed owing to
a rich dish offered by Sen Sivananda at Puri, his eldest son Chaitanya Das
welcomed the Lord with a congenial meal composed of fine rice mixed
with curd, raw lemon and ginger at which the Lord exclaimed, "How can
this little chap know My heart? His dietary prescription is really wonderful.
It is giving Me a good deal of delight." Late in life, Sri Chaitanya Das
became the famous Annotator of Sri Krishna Karnamrita of Bilvamangal.
Sri Chaitanya considered Himself as Sri Radha and felt the separation
from Krishna just as Sri Radha did after Krishna has left Vrindavana for
Mathura: One night He dreamed of Sri Krishna, in Rasa Dance, with yellow
garment and flower garland, playing on His flute and dancing gracefully
with Radhika in the centre, while the Gopis were dancing in the circle
joining their hands together. This sight inspired Sri Chaitanya with the
same mood of Srimati Radhika. Sri Chaitanya felt that He was at Vrindavan
agonising with separation in love for Sri Krishna. The eight fold forms of
spiritual ecstasy overwhelmed Him day and night, never giving Him rest
for a while. At this time, Roy Ramananda and Damodar Svarupa consoled
Sri Chaitanya singing songs of Sri Krishna Leela from Jagannatha Vallabha
Natak and by reciting verses of Vidyapathi, Chandidas and Gita Govinda.
One midnight Sri Damodar laid Sri Chaitanya in bed in the inner
apartment and Ramananda went to his house while Govinda and Svarupa
slept at the door. It was the habit of Sri Chaitanya to be wakeful all night
chanting aloud Krishna Name. Noticing the silence in the room Sri
Damodar Svarupa pushed the door open and found Sri Chaitanya absent
in the room, the other three doors being closed from within. Greatly
alarmed, they went out in search of Him. They found Him lying on the
open space a little off the Jagannath’s lion's gate. His body had become
five or six cubits long. He was unconscious. His breathing ceased. His
hands, feet, neck and waist were disjoined from the trunk and the places
at the joints were covered with the bare skin. He was foaming at the
mouth and His eyes were fixed in deadly stare. Then Svarupa loudly
chanted Hari Nama into His ears and He was brought back to
consciousness. He rose up shouting Hari, Hari, his limbs rejoining to His
body as before.
One day, Sri Chaitanya, on His way to the sea, suddenly looked at the
Chatak Hillock and taking it for the Govardhana Hill, ran towards it in
rapture, and recited a sloka from the Bhagavatam This Govardhana Hill
being the foremost of the Vaishnavas, because, overwhelmed with delight
at the touch of the Lotus feet of Krishna and Balarama, renders service to
Sri Radha Krishna the Gopalas, Cowherds and cows with drinking water
and food such as grass, eatable nuts and with caves and narrow vallies as
cowpens. "Sri Chaitanya running fastly, became stiff on the way and way
unable to move further. Every pore of His skin swelled like a boil. His hair
stood on end, like the Kadamba flower. Blood ran out from His pores like
sweat. His throat made gurgling noise. His voice choked and tears ran
down His cheeks unceasingly. His colour became death pale like a conchshell.
Trembling like a tempest on the ocean He fell down unconsciously
on the ground. Govinda sprinkled water on His Body and fanned Him with
his upper cloth. Svarupa and other devotees came weeping and loudly
chanted Hari Nama into ears.
He rose up uttering Hari, Hari and the devotees also shouted the same
in delight. In half conscious state He addressed Damodara, "You brought
Me here back from Govardhana Hill. You snatched Me away from
beholding Krishna Leela with Srimati Radhika and Her hand-maids on the
Govardhana Hill. Why did you bring Me thence? Only to cause Me grief?"
So saying He wept and the Vaishnavas also followed suit.
Once when Sri Chaitanya was chanting the Name of Krishna till midnight
in His room at Gambhira with three doors shut from inside. He suddenly
heard the rapturous melody from Krishna's flute, rushed thither in
transport of Love and fell down unconsciously at the south of the Lion's
gate in the midst of the cows. Noticing the silence within, Govinda, who
slept at the door, called Sri Chaitanya mission, They lighted the torch and
went out in search of Sri Chaitanya. They found Him in the midst of cows
lying unconsciously. His arms and legs went inside His body and He like a
pumpkin-gourd, looked like a tortoise.
The cows surrounded His body and began to smell Him, meant not at all
willing to part with Him. His body was brought back to Gambhira. After
loud chanting of Krishna Nama, He regained consciousness. His arms and
legs came out of His trunk and His body assumed the usual form While
half-conscious, He said, "Svarupa, hearing the sound of Krishna's flute, I
went to Vrindavan and saw Sri Radha and Krishna entering the bower for
Love dalliance. The tinkling sound of her anklets had stolen My heart and I
followed Sri Radha and Her attendants to the bower transported with
delight. When Sri Krishna was engaged in His Amorous pastimes with the
Gopis in their melodious songs and graceful dances sent a thrill of joy into
My heart. Just then you snatched Me away from that spiritual ecstasy.
Then Svarupa knowing the heart of Sri Chaitanya sang a sloka from
Srimad Bhagavatam in his melodious tone.
One night Sri Chaitanya suddenly caught sight of the sea from Ai-Tota, a
garden near Gundicha Mandir, The moon light silvered on the waves
sparkled like the water of Yamuna. This spectacle threw Him into a rapture
of Love. He rushed towards the sea and leaped into it. The waves
sometimes sank Him and floated Him some times he was carried away
unconsciously and was drifted towards Konark. Startled by the missing of
Sri Chaitanya the devotees along with Svarupa, made a vigorous search
for Him in every corner of Puri.
Overwhelmed with sorrow they concluded that He had disappeared from
the world. Damodara with a party was still walking along the sea beach in
search of Him Fortunately he met a fisherman coming towards them with
his net on his shoulders, weeping, laughing, dancing and singing Hari Hari
Svarupa asked him, "Why are you in this mood? Have you seen any one
coming this side? The fisherman replied, "I have not seen any man, but a
dead-body was caught in my net and I dragged it ashore, mistaking it for a
big fish. The sight of the corpse frightened me. While clearing the net, I
happened to touch the body. At once the spirit of the dead body entered
my body causing tremor in me, choking my voice, bristling of hair and
tears in my eyes. The dead body is about six or seven cubits, the arms and
the legs are three feet long. It lies stiff as a corpse with a fixed gaze in the
eyes, but at times it groans. I catch fish alone at nights, no evil spirit can
seize me, as I remember God Nrisimha, but strange to say, this ghost
holds me with double grip when I recite Nrisimha's name. Don't go there, I
tell you lest this frightful devil should possess you too." Svarupa
understood every thing and said, "I know how to expel spirits." With this
he uttered some mantras, laid his hand on the head of the fisherman,
gave him three slaps and cried out, "The ghost has left you. So fear no
more. The man whom you have mistaken for a ghost is no other than Lord
Sri Chaitanya in a transport of Love He jumped into the sea. You raised
Him in your net His touch has thrilled you with Krishna Prema which has
been mistaken for possession of ghost. Show me where you have landed
Him."
The fisherman led them to the place. They saw Sri Chaitanya lying on
the ground. He became pale skinned because of long immersion in water.
he was coated with sand all over His body. They removed His wet loin
cloth and put on dry one instead, laid Him down on a sheet of cloth after
brushing away the sand from His body. Then they began to chant Krishna
Nama into His ears, which brought the Lord back to His consciousness.
Then He leaped up with a roar. His limbs were reinstated to their proper
places. He was half conscious. Still He looked hither and thither and said.
"Beholding Nandanandana sporting with Radha and other milk-maids, in
the waters of the Yamuna, my heart was filled with ecstasy at this
pleasant sight. Just then you caught hold of me and brought me here. Ah!
Where is Yamuna?" Where is Vrindavana? Where is Sri Krishna Where is Sri
Radha with her milkmaids? Damodar Svarupa then Lord to Gambhira to
the great delight of all devotees of the Lord.
After receiving the enigmatic message from Advaitacharya, Sri
Chaitanya plunged into deeper trance. His love-madness at the separation
from Sri Krishna increased hundred fold, He raved frantically day and night
identifying Himself with Sri Radha. One evening, when all of a sudden, he
thought, that Sri Krishna was leaving, Vrindavana for Mathura
overwhelmed Him, in the role of Sri Radha, He was seized with Lovemadness
and so mourned for the separation from Sri Krishna and clasping
the neck of Ramananda thus addressed Sri Damodara Svarupa as one of
the sakhis of Sri Radha, "Alas! alas! friend, Sri Krishna has left for Mathura
plunging me in the ocean of grief. How can I live without Him? Whither
shall I go? Whither shall I find my Beloved? Sri Damodar And Ramananda
consoled Him by singing love songs from Vidyapati, Chandidas, Gita
Govinda and Jagannath Vallabha. But the lamentation continued till
midnight. Svarupa laid Him in bed in His room and they slept outside. But
the Love-in-separation from Sri Krishna was tormenting His heart. He
awoke and began to chant Krishna Nama. The pangs of separation
convulsed His heart and He began to rub His face against the wall. His
face, cheeks and nose were all lacerated and in the vehemence of ecstasy,
He Knew not the blood oozing out from Him. Svarupa hearing the groaning
sound from within, lighted a lamp, entered the room and found His face
bleeding profusely. In great grief, Svarupa brought Him back to His bed
and soothed Him in various ways. Next morning Svarupa in anxiety
consulted with other devotees and made Sankara Pandit sleep in His room
and nurse His feet placing them on his breast. For fear of Sankara Sri
Chaitanya could not leave His room, nor knock His face against the wall.
Thence forward Sankara was known as His foot pillow.
The pangs of separation from Sri Krishna grew more and more
intensified. One day Sri Chaitanya's love-Torn condition reached its climax,
while Sri Krishna Sankirtana was going on in the temple compound of Tota
Gopinath, He rushed in the height of His love-madness-ecstasy into the
temple and merged into one with the Holy image of Lord Gopinath. When
His life thus had gone out of their vision the devotees, hard hit with this
shock, confined themselves into seclusion with the burning fire of the
pangs of separation from the Lord, awaiting their last days of departure for
reunion with Him. Immediately after the disappearance of the Lord, Sri
Raghunath Goswami out of unbearable mental agony left Puri for
Vrindavan with a view to end his life but was dissuaded by Sri Rupa and
Sanatana. It was he who served the devotees of Vrindavan with Nectarine
Bliss of the last Leela enacted in Puri. He remained there as the younger
brother of Sri Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis.
One after another the devotees of Gauda Mandal, Kshetra Mandal and
Vraja Mandal disappeared to the great sorrow and misfortune of the world.
Thus brought the brilliant world with illuminating Leela of the Lord Sri
Chaitanya to and end.
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
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