Chapter 13
Pastimes with Jagadānanda Paṇḍita and Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura gives the following summary of the Thirteenth Chapter in his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya. Thinking Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to be uncomfortable sleeping on bark of plantain trees, Jagadānanda made a pillow and quilt for Him. The Lord, however, did not accept them. Then Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī made another pillow and quilt from finely shredded plantain leaves, and after strongly objecting, the Lord accepted them. With the permission of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita went to Vṛndāvana, where he discussed many devotional subjects with Sanātana Gosvāmī. There was also a discussion about Mukunda Sarasvatī’s garment. When Jagadānanda returned to Jagannātha Purī, he presented Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu some gifts from Sanātana Gosvāmī, and the incident of the pīlu fruit took place.
Once, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became ecstatic upon hearing the songs of a deva-dāsī. Unaware of who was singing, He ran toward her through thorny bushes, but when Govinda informed the Lord that it was a woman singing, He immediately stopped. By this incident, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed everyone that sannyāsīs and Vaiṣṇavas should not hear women singing.
When Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī left Vārāṇasī on his way to Jagannātha Purī after completing his education, he met Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa Paṇḍita. Viśvāsa Paṇḍita was very proud of his education, and being an impersonalist, he was not well received by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. A partial study of the life of Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī comprises the end of this chapter.
TEXT 1
kṛṣṇa-viccheda-jātārtyā
kṣīṇe cāpi manas-tanū
dadhāte phullatāṁ bhāvair
yasya taṁ gauram āśraye
SYNONYMS
kṛṣṇa-viccheda-by separation from Kṛṣṇa; jāta-produced; ārtyā-by the pain; kṣīṇe-thin, exhausted; cā-and; api-although; manaḥ-mind; tanū-and body; dadhāte-assumes; phullatām-developed state; bhāvaiḥ-by ecstatic emotions; yasya-of whom; tam-unto Him; gauram-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; āśraye-I take shelter.
TRANSLATION
Let me take shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Gauracandra. His mind became exhausted and His body very thin from the pain of separation from Kṛṣṇa, but when He felt ecstatic love for the Lord, He again became fully developed.
TEXT 2
jaya jaya śrī-caitanya jaya nityānanda
jayādvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vṛnda
SYNONYMS
jaya jaya-all glories; śrī-caitanya-to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; jaya-all glories; nityānanda-unto Lord Nityānanda; jaya-all glories; advaita-candra-to Advaita Ācārya; jaya-all glories; gaura-bhakta-vṛnda-to the devotees of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TRANSLATION
All glories to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu! All glories to Nityānanda Prabhu! All glories to Advaita Ācārya! And all glories to the devotees of the Lord!
TEXT 3
hena-mate mahāprabhu jagadānanda-saṅge
nānā-mate āsvādaya premera taraṅge
SYNONYMS
hena-mate-in this way; mahāprabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; jagadānanda-saṅge-in the company of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; nānā-mate-in various ways; āsvādaya-tastes; premera taraṅge-the waves of spiritual loving affairs.
TRANSLATION
In the company of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would taste various transcendental relationships of pure love.
TEXT 4
kṛṣṇa-vicchede duḥkhe kṣīṇa mana-kāya
bhāvāveśe prabhu kabhu praphullita haya
SYNONYMS
kṛṣṇa-vicchede-because of separation from Kṛṣṇa; duḥkhe-in unhappiness; kṣīṇa-thin; mana-kāya-mind and body; bhāva-āveśe-by ecstatic love; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kabhu-sometimes; praphullita haya-becomes healthy and developed.
TRANSLATION
The unhappiness of separation from Kṛṣṇa exhausted the Lord’s mind and reduced the structure of His body, but when He felt emotions of ecstatic love, He again became developed and healthy.
TEXT 5
kalāra śaralāte, śayana, ati kṣīṇa kāya
śaralāte hāḍa lāge, vyathā haya gāya
SYNONYMS
kalāra śaralāte-on the dry bark of a plantain tree; śayana-lying down; ati-very; kṣīṇa kāya-skinny body; śaralāte-on the dry bark of a plantain tree; hāḍa lāge-bones contact; vyathā-pain; haya-is; gāya-in the body.
TRANSLATION
Because He was very thin, when He lay down to rest on the dry bark of plantain trees, it caused Him pain in His bones.
TEXT 6
dekhi’ saba bhakta-gaṇa mahā-duḥkha pāya
sahite nāre jagadānanda, sṛjilā upāya
SYNONYMS
dekhi’-seeing; saba bhakta-gaṇa-all the devotees; mahā-duḥkha-great unhappiness; pāya-get; sahite-to tolerate; nāre-was unable; jagadānanda-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; sṛjilā upāya-devised a means.
TRANSLATION
All the devotees felt very unhappy to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in pain. Indeed, they could not tolerate it. Then Jagadānanda Paṇḍita devised a remedy.
TEXT 7
sūkṣma vastra āni’ gaurika diyā rāṅgāilā
śimulīra tulā diyā tāhā pūrāilā
SYNONYMS
sūkṣma vastra-fine cloth; āni’-bringing; gaurika-red oxide; diyā-with the help of; rāṅgāilā-made reddish; śimulīra-of the śimula tree; tulā-cotton; diyā-with; tāhā-that; pūrāilā-filled.
TRANSLATION
He acquired some fine cloth and colored it with red oxide. Then he filled it with cotton from a śimula tree.
TEXT 8
eka tulī-bālisa govindera hāte dilā
‘prabhure śoyāiha ihāya’–tāhāre kahilā
SYNONYMS
eka-one; tulī-bālisa-quilt and pillow; govindera-of Govinda; hāte-in the hand; dilā-delivered; prabhure-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; śoyāiha-ask to lie down; ihāya-on this; tāhāre-to him; kahilā-said.
TRANSLATION
In this way he made a quilt and a pillow, which he then gave to Govinda, saying, “Ask the Lord to lie on this.”
TEXT 9
svarūpa-gosāñike kahe jagadānanda
‘āji āpane yāñā prabhure karāiha śayana’
SYNONYMS
svarūpa-gosāñike-to Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī; kahe-says; jagadānanda-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; āji-today; āpane-Your Honor; yāñā-going; prabhure-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; karāiha śayana-cause to lie down.
TRANSLATION
Jagadānanda said to Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, “Today please personally persuade Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to lie down on the bed.”
TEXT 10
śayanera kāle svarūpa tāhāṅi rahilā
tulī-bālisa dekhi’ prabhu krodhāviṣṭa ha-ilā
SYNONYMS
śayanera kāle-at bedtime; svarūpa-Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī; tāhāṅi rahilā-remained there; tulī-quilt; bālisa-pillow; dekhi’-seeing; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; krodha-āviṣṭa ha-ilā-became very angry.
TRANSLATION
When it was time for the Lord to go to bed, Svarūpa Dāmodara stayed nearby, but when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw the quilt and pillow, He was immediately very angry.
TEXT 11
govindere puchena,–‘ihā karāila kon jana?’
jagadānandera nāma śuni’ saṅkoca haila mana
SYNONYMS
govindere puchena-He inquired from Govinda; ihā-this; karāila-has made; kon jana-what person; jagadānandera-of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; nāma-name; śuni’-hearing; saṅkoca-afraid; haila-was; mana-mind.
TRANSLATION
The Lord inquired from Govinda, “Who has made this?” When Govinda named Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was somewhat fearful.
TEXT 12
govindere kahi’ sei tūli dūra kailā
kalāra śaralā-upara śayana karilā
SYNONYMS
govindere kahi’-by asking Govinda; sei tūli-that quilt; dūra kailā-put aside; kalāra-of a plantain tree; śaralā-upara-on the dry bark; śayana karilā-He lay down.
TRANSLATION
After asking Govinda to put aside the quilt and pillow, the Lord lay down on the dry plantain bark.
TEXT 13
svarūpa kahe,–‘tomāra icchā, ki kahite pāri?
śayyā upekṣile paṇḍita duḥkha pābe bhārī’
SYNONYMS
svarūpa kahe-Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī said; tomāra icchā-Your will; ki-who; kahite pāri-can say; śayyā upekṣile-if You do not accept the bedding; paṇḍita-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; duḥkha-unhappiness; pābe-will feel; bhari-great.
TRANSLATION
Svarūpa Dāmodara said to the Lord, “I cannot contradict Your supreme will, my Lord, but if You do not accept the bedding, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita will feel great unhappiness.”
TEXT 14
prabhu kahena,–“khāṭa eka ānaha pāḍite
jagadānanda cāhe āmāya viṣaya bhuñjāite
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahena-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said; khāṭa-bedstead; eka-one; ānaha-bring; pāḍite-to lie down; jagadānanda-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; cāhe-wants; āmāya-Me; viṣaya bhuñjāite-to cause to enjoy material happiness.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, “You should bring a bedstead here for Me to lie on. Jagadānanda wants Me to enjoy material happiness.
TEXT 15
sannyāsī mānuṣa āmāra bhūmite śayana
āmāre khāṭa-tūli-bālisa mastaka-muṇḍana
SYNONYMS
sannyāsī mānuṣa-a person in the renounced order of life; āmāra-My; bhūmite śayana-lying on the floor; āmāre-for Me; khāṭa-bedstead; tūli-quilt; bālisa-pillow; mastaka-muṇḍana-a great shame.
TRANSLATION
“I am in the renounced order, and therefore I must lie on the floor. For Me to use a bedstead, quilt or pillow would be very shameful.”
TEXT 16
svarūpa-gosāñi āsi’ paṇḍite kahilā
śuni’ jagadānanda mane mahā-duḥkha pāilā
SYNONYMS
svarūpa-gosāñi-Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī; āsi’-returning; paṇḍite kahilā-said to Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; śuni’-hearing; jagadānanda-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; mane-within the mind; mahā-duḥkha pāilā-felt great unhappiness.
TRANSLATION
When Svarūpa Dāmodara returned and related all these incidents, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita felt very unhappy.
TEXT 17
svarūpa-gosāñi tabe sṛjilā prakāra
kadalīra śuṣka-patra ānilā apāra
SYNONYMS
svarūpa-gosāñi-Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī; tabe-thereafter; sṛjilā prakāra-devised a means; kadalīra-of banana; śuṣka-patra-dry leaves; ānilā-brought; apāra-in great quantity.
TRANSLATION
Then Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī devised another method. First he secured a large quantity of dry banana leaves.
TEXT 18
nakhe ciri’ ciri’ tāhā ati sūkṣma kailā
prabhura bahirvāsa duite se saba bharilā
SYNONYMS
nakhe-with the nails; ciri’ ciri’-tearing and tearing; tāhā-them; ati-very; sūkṣma-fine; kailā-made; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; bahirvāsa-covering cloths; duite-in two; se saba-all those; bharilā-filled.
TRANSLATION
He then tore the leaves into very fine fibers with his nails and filled two of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s outer garments with the fibers.
TEXT 19
ei-mata dui kailā oḍana-pāḍane
aṅgīkāra kailā prabhu aneka yatane
SYNONYMS
ei-mata-in this way; dui-two pieces; kailā-made; oḍana-pāḍane-one for bedding, one for the pillow; aṅgīkāra kailā-did accept; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; aneka yatane-after much endeavor.
TRANSLATION
In this way, Svarūpa Dāmodara made some bedding and a pillow, and after much endeavor by the devotees, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted them.
TEXT 20
tāte śayana karena prabhu,–dekhi’ sabe sukhī
jagadānanda–bhitare krodha bāhire mahā-duḥkhī
SYNONYMS
tāte-on that; śayana karena-lies down; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dekhi’-seeing; sabe sukhī-everyone became happy; jagadānanda-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; bhitare-within his mind; krodha-angry; bāhire-externally; mahā-duḥkhī-very unhappy.
TRANSLATION
Everyone was happy to see the Lord lie down on that bed, but Jagadānanda was inwardly angry, and externally he appeared very unhappy.
TEXT 21
pūrve jagadānandera icchā vṛndāvana yāite
prabhu ājñā nā dena tāṅre, nā pāre calite
SYNONYMS
pūrve-formerly; jagadānandera-of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; icchā-desire; vṛndāvana yāite-to go to Vṛndāvana; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ājñā-permission; nā dena-did not give; tāṅre-to him; nā pāre calite-he could not go.
TRANSLATION
Formerly, when Jagadānanda Paṇḍita had desired to go to Vṛndāvana, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had not given His permission, and therefore he could not go.
TEXT 22
bhitarera krodha-duḥkha prakāśa nā kaila
mathurā yāite prabhu-sthāne ājñā māgila
SYNONYMS
bhitarera-internal; krodha-duḥkha-anger and unhappiness; prakāśa nā kaila-did not disclose; mathurā yāite-to go to Mathurā; prabhu-sthāne-from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ājñā māgila-asked for permission.
TRANSLATION
Now, concealing his anger and unhappiness, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita again asked Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for permission to go to Mathurā.
TEXT 23
prabhu kahe,–“mathurā yāibā āmāya krodha kari’
āmāya doṣa lāgāñā tumi ha-ibā bhikhāri”
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe-the Lord said; mathurā yāibā-you would go to Mathurā; āmāya-at Me; krodha kari’-being angry; āmāya-Me; doṣa lāgāñā-accusing; tumi-you; ha-ibā-will become; bhikhārī-a beggar.
TRANSLATION
With great affection, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “If you are angry with Me when you go to Mathurā, you will merely become a beggar and criticize Me.”
TEXT 24
jagadānanda kahe prabhura dhariyā caraṇa
“pūrva haite icchā mora yāite vṛndāvana
SYNONYMS
jagadānanda-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; kahe-said; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dhariyā caraṇa-grasping the lotus feet; pūrva haite-for a very long time; icchā-desire; mora-my; yāite vṛndāvana-to go to Vṛndāvana.
TRANSLATION
Grasping the Lord’s feet, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita then said, “For a long time I have desired to go to Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 25
prabhu-ājñā nāhi, tāte nā pāri yāite
ebe ājñā deha’, avaśya yāimu niścite”
SYNONYMS
prabhu-ājñā-the permission of Your Lordship; nāhi-not; tāte-therefore; nā pāri yāite-I could not go; ebe-now; ājñā-permission; deha’-give; avaśya-certainly; yāimu-I shall go; niścite-without fail.
TRANSLATION
“I could not go without Your Lordship’s permission. Now You must give me permission, and I shall certainly go there.”
TEXT 26
prabhu prīte tāṅra gamana nā karena aṅgīkāra
teṅho prabhura ṭhāñi ājñā māge bāra bāra
SYNONYMS
prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; prīte-out of affection; tāṅra-his; gamana-departure; nā karena aṅgīkāra-does not accept; teṅho-he; prabhura ṭhāñi-from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ājñā-permission; māge-begs; bāra bāra-again and again.
TRANSLATION
Because of affection for Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would not permit him to depart, but Jagadānanda Paṇḍita repeatedly insisted that the Lord give him permission to go.
TEXT 27
svarūpa-gosāñire paṇḍita kailā nivedana
“pūrva haite vṛndāvana yāite mora mana
SYNONYMS
svarūpa-gosāñire-to Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī; paṇḍita-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; kailā nivedana-made his petition; pūrva haite-for a long time; vṛndāvana yāite-to go to Vṛndāvana; mora mana-my mind.
TRANSLATION
He then submitted a plea to Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī. “For a very long time,” he said, “I have wanted to go to Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 28
prabhu-ājñā vinā tāhāṅ yāite nā pāri
ebe ājñā nā dena more, ‘krodhe yāha’ bali
SYNONYMS
prabhu-ājñā-the permission of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; vinā-without; tāhāṅ-there; yāite-to go; nā pāri-I am unable; ebe-now; ājñā-permission; nā dena-does not give; more-me; krodhe-in anger; yāha-you go; bali-saying.
TRANSLATION
“I cannot go there, however, without the Lord’s permission, which at present He denies me. He says, ‘You are going because you are angry at Me.’
TEXT 29
sahajei mora tāhāṅ yāite mana haya
prabhu-ājñā lañā deha’, kariye vinaya”
SYNONYMS
sahejei-naturally; mora-my; tāhāṅ-there; yāite-to go; mana-mind; haya-is; prabhu-ājñā-permission from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; lañā deha’-kindly get; kariye vinaya-humbly requesting.
TRANSLATION
“Naturally I have a desire to go to Vṛndāvana; therefore please humbly request Him to grant His permission.”
TEXT 30
tabe svarūpa-gosāñi kahe prabhura caraṇe
“jagadānandera icchā baḍa yāite vṛndāvane
SYNONYMS
tabe-thereafter; svarūpa-gosāñi-Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī; kahe-submits; prabhura caraṇe-at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; jagadānandera-of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; icchā baḍa-intense desire; yāite vṛndāvane-to go to Vṛndāvana.
TRANSLATION
Thereafter, Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī submitted this appeal at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. “Jagadānanda Paṇḍita intensely desires to go to Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 31
tomāra ṭhāñi ājñā teṅho māge bāra bāra
ājñā deha’,–mathurā dekhi’ āise eka-bāra
SYNONYMS
tomāra ṭhāñi-from You; ājñā-permission; teṅho-he; māge-begs; bāra bāra-again and again; ājñā deha’-please give permission; mathurā dekhi’-after seeing Mathurā; āise-comes back; eka-bāra-once.
TRANSLATION
“He begs for Your permission again and again. Therefore, please permit him to go to Mathurā and then return.
TEXT 32
āire dekhite yaiche gauḍa-deśe yāya
taiche eka-bāra vṛndāvana dekhi’ āya”
SYNONYMS
āire-mother Śacī; dekhite-to see; yaiche-as; gauḍa-deśe-to Bengal; yāya-he went; taiche-similarly; eka-bāra-once; vṛndāvana dekhi’-after seeing Vṛndāvana; āya-he can come back.
TRANSLATION
“You permitted him to go see mother Śacī in Bengal, and You may similarly permit him to go see Vṛndāvana and then return here.”
TEXT 33
svarūpa-gosāñira bole prabhu ājñā dilā
jagadānande bolāñā tāṅre śikhāilā
SYNONYMS
svarūpa-gosāñira-of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī; bole-on the request; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ājñā dilā-gave permission; jagadānande-to Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; bolāñā-calling; tāṅre-to him; śikhāilā-gave instructions.
TRANSLATION
At the request of Svarūpa Dāmodara, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu granted Jagadānanda Paṇḍita permission to go. The Lord sent for him and instructed him as follows.
TEXT 34
“vārāṇasī paryanta svacchande yāibā pathe
āge sāvadhāne yāibā kṣatriyādi-sāthe
SYNONYMS
vārāṇasī paryanta-up to Vārāṇasī; svacchande-without disturbance; yāibā pathe-you can go on the path; āge-after that; sāvadhāne-with great care; yāibā-you should go; kṣatriya-ādi-sāthe-with the kṣatriyas.
TRANSLATION
“You may go as far as Vārāṇasī without encountering disturbances, but beyond Vārāṇasī you should be very careful to travel on the path in the company of the kṣatriyas.
PURPORT
The path from Vārāṇasī to Vṛndāvana was infested with robbers, and therefore in those days there were kṣatriyas to protect travelers.
TEXT 35
kevala gauḍiyā pāile ‘bāṭapāḍa’ kari’ bāndhe
saba luṭi’ bāṅdhi’ rākhe, yāite virodhe
SYNONYMS
kevala-alone; gauḍiyā-Bengali; pāile-if gotten; bāṭapāḍa-plundering; kari’-doing; bāndhe-they arrest; saba-everything; luṭi’-taking; bāṅdhi’-arresting; rākhe-keep; yāite virodhe-do not release.
TRANSLATION
“As soon as the plunderers on the road see a Bengali traveling alone, they take everything from him, arrest him and do not let him go.
PURPORT
Bengalis are generally not very stout or strong. Therefore when a lone Bengali traverses the roads of Bihar, the plunderers on the road capture him, rob all his belongings and kidnap him for their own service. According to one opinion, the rogues of Bihar know very well that Bengalis are intelligent; therefore these thieves generally force the Bengalis into service requiring intelligence and do not allow them to leave.
TEXT 36
mathurā gele sanātana-saṅgei rahibā
mathurāra svāmī sabera caraṇa vandibā
SYNONYMS
mathurā gele-when you go to Mathurā; sanātana-saṅgei-in the association of Sanātana Gosvāmī; rahibā-remain; mathurāra svāmī-the leading men of Mathurā; sabera-of all; caraṇa vandibā-worship the feet.
TRANSLATION
“When you reach Mathurā, you should remain with Sanātana Gosvāmī and offer respectful obeisances to the feet of all the leading men there.
TEXT 37
dūre rahi’ bhakti kariha saṅge nā rahibā
tāṅ-sabāra ācāra-ceṣṭā la-ite nāribā
SYNONYMS
dūre rahi’-keeping apart; bhakti kariha-show devotion; saṅge-in association; nā rahibā-do not stay; tāṅ-sabāra-their; ācāra-behavior; ceṣṭā-endeavors; la-ite nāribā-you cannot take up.
TRANSLATION
“Do not mix freely with the residents of Mathurā; show them respect from a distance. Because you are on a different platform of devotional service, you cannot adopt their behavior and practices.
PURPORT
The residents of Vṛndāvana and Mathurā are devotees of Kṛṣṇa in parental affection, and their feelings always conflict with the opinions of smārta-brāhmaṇas. Devotees who worship Kṛṣṇa in opulence cannot understand the parental devotional feelings of the residents of Mathurā and Vṛndāvana, who follow the path of spontaneous love. Devotees on the platform of vidhi-mārga (regulative devotional principles) may misunderstand the activities of those on the platform of rāga-mārga (devotional service in spontaneous love). Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed Jagadānanda Paṇḍita to remain apart from the residents of Vṛndāvana, who were spontaneous devotees, so as not to become disrespectful toward them.
TEXT 38
sanātana-saṅge kariha vana daraśana
sanātanera saṅga nā chāḍibā eka-kṣaṇa
SYNONYMS
sanātana-saṅge-with Sanātana Gosvāmī; kariha-do; vana daraśana-visiting the twelve forests; sanātanera-of Sanātana Gosvāmī; saṅga-association; nā chāḍibā-do not leave; eka-kṣaṇa-even for a moment.
TRANSLATION
“Visit all twelve forests of Vṛndāvana in the company of Sanātana Gosvāmī. Do not leave his association for even a moment.
TEXT 39
śīghra āsiha, tāhāṅ nā rahiha cira-kāla
govardhane nā caḍiha dekhite ‘gopāla’
SYNONYMS
śīghra-as soon as possible; āsiha-return; tāhāṅ-there; nā rahiha-do not remain; cira-kāla-for a long time; govardhane-on Govardhana Hill; nā caḍiha-do not climb; dekhite gopāla-to see the Gopāla Deity.
TRANSLATION
“You should remain in Vṛndāvana for only a short time and then return here as soon as possible. Also, do not climb Govardhana Hill to see the Gopāla Deity.
PURPORT
In his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura advises that one avoid remaining in Vṛndāvana for a very long time. As the saying goes, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” If one stays in Vṛndāvana for many days, he may fail to maintain proper respect for its inhabitants. Therefore those who have not attained the stage of spontaneous love for Kṛṣṇa should not live in Vṛndāvana very long. It is better for them to make short visits. One should also avoid climbing Govardhana Hill to see the Gopāla Deity. Since Govardhana Hill itself is identical with Gopāla, one should not step on the hill or touch it with his feet. One may see Gopāla when He goes elsewhere.
TEXT 40
āmiha āsitechi,–kahiha sanātane
āmāra tare eka-sthāna yena kare vṛndāvane”
SYNONYMS
āmiha-I also; āsitechi-am coming; kahiha sanātane-inform Sanātana Gosvāmī; āmāra tare-for Me; eka-sthāna-one place; yena-so; kare-he may make; vṛndāvane-at Vṛndāvana.
TRANSLATION
“Inform Sanātana Gosvāmī that I am coming to Vṛndāvana for a second time and that he should therefore arrange a place for Me to stay.”
TEXT 41
eta bali’ jagadānande kailā āliṅgana
jagadānanda calilā prabhura vandiyā caraṇa
SYNONYMS
eta bali’-saying this; jagadānande-to Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; kailā-did; āliṅgana-embracing; jagadānanda-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; calilā-proceeded; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; vandiyā caraṇa-after worshiping the feet.
TRANSLATION
After saying this, the Lord embraced Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, who then worshiped the Lord’s lotus feet and started for Vṛndāvana.
TEXT 42
saba bhakta-gaṇa-ṭhāñi ājñā māgilā
vana-pathe cali’ cali’ vārāṇasī āilā
SYNONYMS
saba bhakta-gaṇa-ṭhāñi-from all the devotees; ājñā māgilā-asked permission; vana-pathe cali’ cali’-traversing the forest path; vārāṇasī āilā-he reached Vārāṇasī.
TRANSLATION
He took permission from all the devotees and then departed. Traveling on the forest path, he soon reached Vārāṇasī.
TEXT 43
tapana-miśra, candraśekhara,–doṅhāre mililā
tāṅra ṭhāñi prabhura kathā sakala-i śunilā
SYNONYMS
tapana-miśra-Tapana Miśra; candra-śekhara-Candraśekhara; doṅhāre mililā-he met both; tāṅra ṭhāñi-from him; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kathā-topics; sakala-i-all; śunilā-they heard.
TRANSLATION
When he met Tapana Miśra and Candraśekhara in Vārāṇasī, they both heard from him about topics concerning Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 44
mathurāte āsi’ mililā sanātane
dui-janera saṅge duṅhe ānandita mane
SYNONYMS
mathurāte āsi’-when he reached Mathurā; mililā sanātane-he met Sanātana Gosvāmī; dui-janera-of both; saṅge-in association; duṅhe-both; ānandita mane-very pleased within their minds.
TRANSLATION
Finally Jagadānanda Paṇḍita reached Mathurā, where he met Sanātana Gosvāmī. They were very pleased to see each other.
TEXT 45
sanātana karāilā tāṅre dvādaśa vana daraśana
gokule rahilā duṅhe dekhi’ mahāvana
SYNONYMS
sanātana-Sanātana Gosvāmī; karāilā-made; tāṅre-him; dvādaśa-twelve; vana-forests; daraśana-visiting; gokule-at Gokula; rahilā-remained; duṅhe-both; dekhi’-after seeing; mahā-vana-Mahāvana.
TRANSLATION
After Sanātana Gosvāmī had taken Jagadānanda to see all twelve forests of Vṛndāvana, concluding with Mahāvana, they both remained in Gokula.
TEXT 46
sanātanera gophāte duṅhe rahe eka-ṭhāñi
paṇḍita pāka karena devālaye yāi’
SYNONYMS
sanātanera gophāte-in the cave where Sanātana Gosvāmī stayed; duṅhe-both; rahe-stay; eka-ṭhāñi-in one place; paṇḍita-Jagadānanda; pāka karena-cooks; devālaye yāi;-going to a temple.
TRANSLATION
They stayed in Sanātana Gosvāmī’s cave, but Jagadānanda Paṇḍita would go cook for himself at a nearby temple.
TEXT 47
sanātana bhikṣā karena yāi’ mahāvane
kabhu devālaye, kabhu brāhmaṇa-sadane
SYNONYMS
sanātana-Sanātana Gosvāmī; bhikṣā karena-begs alms; yāi’ mahā-vane-going to the vicinity of Mahāvana; kabhu-sometimes; devālaye-in a temple; kabhu-sometimes; brāhmaṇa-sadane-in the house of a brāhmaṇa.
TRANSLATION
Sanātana Gosvāmī would beg alms from door to door in the vicinity of Mahāvana. Sometimes he would go to a temple and sometimes to a brāhmaṇa’s house.
TEXT 48
sanātana paṇḍitera kare samādhāna
mahāvane dena āni’ māgi’ anna-pāna
SYNONYMS
sanātana-Sanātana Gosvāmī; paṇḍitera-of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; kare samādhāna-gave all kinds of service; mahā-vane-at Mahāvana; dena-gives; āni’-bringing; māgi’-by begging; anna-pāna-food and drink.
TRANSLATION
Sanātana Gosvāmī attended to all of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita’s needs. He begged in the area of Mahāvana and brought Jagadānanda all kinds of things to eat and drink.
TEXT 49
eka-dina sanātane paṇḍita nimantrilā
nitya-kṛtya kari’ teṅha pāka caḍāilā
SYNONYMS
eka-dina-one day; sanātane-Sanātana Gosvāmī; paṇḍita nimantrilā-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita invited; nitya-kṛtya kari’-after finishing his routine duties; teṅha-he; pāka caḍāilā-began to cook.
TRANSLATION
One day Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, having invited Sanātana to the nearby temple for lunch, finished his routine duties and began to cook.
TEXT 50
‘mukunda sarasvatī’ nāma sannyāsī mahā-jane
eka bahirvāsa teṅho dila sanātane
SYNONYMS
mukunda sarasvatī-Mukunda Sarasvatī; nāma-named; sannyāsī-a sannyāsī; mahā-jane-a great personality; eka-one; bahirvāsa-outward covering; teṅho-he; dila-gave; sanātane-to Sanātana Gosvāmī.
TRANSLATION
Previously, a great sannyāsī named Mukunda Sarasvatī had given Sanātana Gosvāmī an outer garment.
TEXT 51
sanātana sei vastra mastake bāndhiyā
jagadānandera vāsā-dvāre vasilā āsiyā
SYNONYMS
sanātana-Sanātana Gosvāmī; sei-that; vastra-cloth; mastake-on the head; bāndhiyā-binding; jagadānandera-of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; vāsā-dvāre-at the door of the residence; vasilā-sat down; āsiyā-coming.
TRANSLATION
Sanātana Gosvāmī was wearing this cloth bound about his head when he came to Jagadānanda Paṇḍita’s door and sat down.
TEXT 52
rātula vastra dekhi’ paṇḍita premāviṣṭa ha-ilā
‘mahāprabhura prasāda’ jāni’ tāṅhāre puchilā
SYNONYMS
rātula-red; vastra-cloth; dekhi’-seeing; paṇḍita-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; prema-āviṣṭa ha-ilā-became overwhelmed in ecstatic love; mahāprabhura prasāda-the blessed gift of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; jāni’-thinking; tāṅhāre puchilā-inquired from him.
TRANSLATION
Assuming the reddish cloth to be a gift from Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita was overwhelmed with ecstatic love. Thus he questioned Sanātana Gosvāmī.
TEXT 53
“kāhāṅ pāilā tumi ei rātula vasana?”
‘mukunda-sarasvatī’ dila,–kahe sanātana
SYNONYMS
kāhāṅ-where; pāilā-did get; tumi-you; ei-this; rātula vasana-red cloth; mukunda-sarasvatī dila-Mukunda Sarasvatī gave; kahe sanātana-Sanātana replied.
TRANSLATION
“Where did you get that reddish cloth on your head?” Jagadānanda asked. Sanātana Gosvāmī replied, “Mukunda Sarasvatī gave it to me.”
TEXT 54
śuni’ paṇḍitera mane krodha upajila
bhātera hāṇḍi hāte lañā mārite āila
SYNONYMS
śuni’-hearing; paṇḍitera-of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; mane-in the mind; krodha-anger; upajila-arose; bhātera hāṇḍi-the cooking pot; hāte-in his hand; lañā-taking; mārite āila-was ready to beat.
TRANSLATION
Hearing this, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita was immediately very angry and took a cooking pot in his hand, intending to beat Sanātana Gosvāmī.
TEXT 55
sanātana tāṅre jāni’ lajjita ha-ilā
balite lāgilā paṇḍita hāṇḍi culāte dharilā
SYNONYMS
sanātana-Sanātana Gosvāmī; tāṅre-him; jāni’-knowing; lajjita ha-ilā-became ashamed; balite lāgilā-began to s peak; paṇḍita-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; hāṇḍi-the cooking pot; culāte-on the stove; dharilā-kept.
TRANSLATION
Sanātana Gosvāmī, however, knew Jagadānanda Paṇḍita very well and was consequently somewhat ashamed. Jagadānanda therefore left the cooking pot on the stove and spoke as follows.
TEXT 56
“tumi mahāprabhura hao pārṣada-pradhāna
tomā-sama mahāprabhura priya nāhi āna
SYNONYMS
tumi-you; mahāprabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; hao-are; pārṣada-pradhāna-one of the chief associates; tomā-sama-like you; mahāprabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; priya-dear; nāhi-is not; āna-other.
TRANSLATION
“You are one of the chief associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Indeed, no one is dearer to Him than you.
TEXT 57
anya sannyāsīra vastra tumi dhara śire
kon aiche haya,–ihā pāre sahibāre?”
SYNONYMS
anya sannyāsīra-of another sannyāsī; vastra-cloth; tumi-you; dhara-keep; śire-on the head; kon-who; aiche haya-is such; ihā-this; pāre sahibāre-can tolerate.
TRANSLATION
“Still, you have bound your head with a cloth given to you by another sannyāsī. Who can tolerate such behavior?”
TEXT 58
sanātana kahe–“sādhu paṇḍita-mahāśaya!
tomā-sama caitanyera priya keha naya
SYNONYMS
sanātana kahe-Sanātana Gosvāmī said; sādhu-saint; paṇḍita-learned scholar; mahāśaya-a great soul; tomā-sama-like you; caitanyera-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; priya-dear; keha naya-no one is.
TRANSLATION
Sanātana Gosvāmī said, “My dear Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, you are a greatly learned saint. No one is dearer to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu than you.
TEXT 59
aiche caitanya-niṣṭhā yogya tomāte
tumi nā dekhāile ihā śikhiba ke-mate?
SYNONYMS
aiche-such; caitanya-niṣṭhā-faith in Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; yogya-just befitting; tomāte-in you; tumi nā dekhāile-if you do not show; ihā-this; śikhiba-I shall learn; ke-mate-how.
TRANSLATION
“This faith in Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu fits you quite well. Unless you demonstrate it, how could I learn such faith?
TEXT 60
yāhā dekhibāre vastra mastake bāndhila
sei apūrva prema ei pratyakṣa dekhila
SYNONYMS
yāhā-which; dekhibāre-to see; vastra-the cloth; mastake bāndhila-I bound on my head; sei-that; apūrva prema-uncommon love; ei-this; pratyakṣa-by direct experience; dekhila-I have seen.
TRANSLATION
“My purpose in binding my head with the cloth has now been fulfilled because I have personally seen your uncommon love for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 61
rakta-vastra ‘vaiṣṇavera’ parite nā yuyāya
kona pravāsīre dimu, ki kāya uhāya?
SYNONYMS
rakta-vastra-saffron clothing; vaiṣṇavera-for a Vaiṣṇava; parite nā yuyāya-is not fit to put on; kona pravāsīre-to some outsider; dimu-I shall give; ki-what; kāya-business; uhāya-with that.
TRANSLATION
“This saffron cloth is unfit for a Vaiṣṇava to wear; therefore I have no use for it. I shall give it to a stranger.”
PURPORT
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments on this incident as follows: Vaiṣṇavas are all liberated persons, unattached to anything material. Therefore a Vaiṣṇava need not accept the dress of a sannyāsī to prove his exalted position. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted the renounced order from a sannyāsī of the Māyāvāda school. Present-day Vaiṣṇava sannyāsīs, however, never think that by accepting the dress of the sannyāsa order they have become equal to Caitanya Mahāprabhu. In fact, a Vaiṣṇava accepts the sannyāsa order to remain an eternal servant of his spiritual master. He accepts the sannyāsa order knowing that he is unequal to his spiritual master, who is a paramahaṁsa, and he thinks that he is unfit to dress like a paramahaṁsa. Therefore a Vaiṣṇava accepts sannyāsa out of humility, not out of pride.
Sanātana Gosvāmī had adopted the dress of a paramahaṁsa; therefore it was inappropriate for him to wear the saffron cloth on his head. However, a Vaiṣṇava sannyāsī does not think himself fit to imitate the dress of a paramahaṁsa Vaiṣṇava. According to the principles set down by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu (tṛṇād api sunīcena), one should always think himself in the lowest stage, not on the level of a paramahaṁsa Vaiṣṇava. Thus a Vaiṣṇava will sometimes accept the sannyāsa order just to keep himself below the level of a paramahaṁsa Vaiṣṇava. This is the instruction of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.
TEXT 62
pāka kari’ jagadānanda caitanya samarpilā
dui-jana vasi’ tabe prasāda pāilā
SYNONYMS
pāka kari’-after cooking; jagadānanda-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; caitanya samarpilā-offered to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dui-jana-two persons; vasi’-sitting; tabe-then; prasāda-remnants of food; pāilā-took.
TRANSLATION
When Jagadānanda Paṇḍita finished cooking, he offered the food to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Then he and Sanātana Gosvāmī sat down and ate the prasāda.
TEXT 63
prasāda pāi anyonye kailā āliṅgana
caitanya-virahe duṅhe karilā krandana
SYNONYMS
prasāda pāi-after eating the remnants of food; anyonye-one another; kailā āliṅgana-they embraced; caitanya-virahe-in separation from Lord Caitanya; duṅhe-both; karilā krandana-cried.
TRANSLATION
After eating the prasāda, they embraced each other and cried due to separation from Lord Caitanya.
TEXT 64
ei-mata māsa dui rahilā vṛndāvane
caitanya-viraha-duḥkha nā yāya sahane
SYNONYMS
ei-mata-in this way; māsa-months; dui-two; rahilā-remained; vṛndāvane-in Vṛndāvana; caitanya-viraha-of separation from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; duḥkha-unhappiness; nā yāya sahane-could not tolerate.
TRANSLATION
They passed two months in Vṛndāvana in this way. Finally they could no longer tolerate the unhappiness of separation from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 65
mahāprabhura sandeśa kahilā sanātane
‘āmiha āsitechi, rahite kariha eka-sthāne’
SYNONYMS
mahāprabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; sandeśa-message; kahilā-said; sanātane-to Sanātana; āmiha āsitechi-I am also coming; rahite-for My stay; kariha eka-sthāne-arrange for one place.
TRANSLATION
Jagadānanda Paṇḍita therefore gave Sanātana Gosvāmī the message from the Lord: “I am also coming to Vṛndāvana; please arrange a place for Me to stay.”
TEXT 66
jagadānanda-paṇḍita tabe ājñā māgilā
sanātana prabhure kichu bheṭa-vastu dilā
SYNONYMS
jagadānanda-paṇḍita-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; tabe-at that time; ājñā māgilā-asked permission; sanātana-Sanātana Gosvāmī; prabhure-for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kichu-some; bheṭa-vastu-gifts; dilā-presented.
TRANSLATION
When Sanātana Gosvāmī granted permission for Jagadānanda to return to Jagannātha Purī, he gave Jagadānanda some gifts for Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 67
rāsa-sthalīra vālu āra govardhanera śilā
śuṣka pakka pīlu-phala āra guñjā-mālā
SYNONYMS
rāsa-sthalīra vālu-sand from the place where Lord Kṛṣṇa held His rāsa dance; āra-and; govardhanera śilā-a stone from Govardhana Hill; śuṣka-dry; pakka-mature; pīlu-phala-pīlu fruit; āra-also; guñjā-mālā-a garland of small conchshells.
TRANSLATION
The gifts consisted of some sand from the site of the rāsa-līlā, a stone from Govardhana Hill, dry ripened pīlu fruits and a garland of small conchshells.
TEXT 68
jagadānanda-paṇḍita calilā saba lañā
vyākula hailā sanātana tāṅre vidāya diyā
SYNONYMS
jagadānanda-paṇḍita-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; calilā-proceeded; saba-all; lañā-taking; vyākula hailā-became very agitated; sanātana-Sanātana Gosvāmī; tāṅre-to him; vidāya diyā-bidding farewell.
TRANSLATION
Thus Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, bearing all these gifts, started on his journey. Sanātana Gosvāmī, however, was very agitated after bidding him farewell.
TEXT 69
prabhura nimitta eka-sthāna mane vicārila
dvādaśāditya-ṭilāya eka ‘maṭha’ pāila
SYNONYMS
prabhura nimitta-for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; eka-sthāna-one place; mane-within the mind; vicārila-considered; dvādaśāditya-ṭilāya-on the highland named Dvādaśāditya; eka-one; maṭha-temple; pāila-got.
TRANSLATION
Soon afterward, Sanātana Gosvāmī selected a place where Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu could stay while in Vṛndāvana. It was a temple in the highlands named Dvādaśāditya-ṭilā.
TEXT 70
sei sthāna rākhilā gosāñi saṁskāra kariyā
maṭhera āge rākhilā eka chāuni bāndhiyā
SYNONYMS
sei sthāna-that place; rākhilā-kept reserved; gosāñi-Sanātana Gosvāmī; saṁskāra kariyā-cleansing and repairing; maṭhera āge-in front of the temple; rākhilā-kept; eka-one; chāuni-small hut; bāndhiyā-erecting.
TRANSLATION
Sanātana Gosvāmī kept the temple very clean and in good repair. In front of it he erected a small hut.
TEXT 71
śīghra cali’ nīlācale gelā jagadānanda
bhakta saha gosāñi hailā parama ānanda
SYNONYMS
śīghra-very quickly; cali’-going; nīlācale-at Jagannātha Purī; gelā-arrived; jagadānanda-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; bhakta saha-with His devotees; gosāñi-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; hailā-became; parama ānanda-very happy.
TRANSLATION
Meanwhile, traveling very quickly, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita soon arrived in Jagannātha Purī, much to the joy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His devotees.
TEXT 72
prabhura caraṇa vandi’ sabāre mililā
mahāprabhu tāṅre dṛḍha āliṅgana kailā
SYNONYMS
prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; caraṇa-lotus feet; vandi’-offering prayers to; sabāre mililā-he met everyone; mahāprabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tāṅre-to him; dṛḍha-very strong; āliṅgana-embracing; kailā-did.
TRANSLATION
After offering prayers at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita greeted everyone. Then the Lord embraced Jagadānanda very strongly.
TEXT 73
sanātanera nāme paṇḍita daṇḍavat kailā
rāsa-sthalīra dhūli ādi saba bheṭa dilā
SYNONYMS
sanātanera-of Sanātana Gosvāmī; nāme-in the name; paṇḍita-Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; daṇḍavat kailā-offered obeisances; rāsa-sthalīra-the arena of the rāsa dance; dhūli-dust; ādi-and other things; saba-all; bheṭa-gifts; dilā-presented.
TRANSLATION
Jagadānanda Paṇḍita also offered obeisances to the Lord on behalf of Sanātana Gosvāmī. Then he gave the Lord the dust from the site of the rāsa dance and the other gifts.
TEXT 74
saba dravya rākhilena, pīlu dilena bāṅṭiyā
‘vṛndāvanera phala’ bali’ khāilā hṛṣṭa hañā
SYNONYMS
saba-all; dravya-gifts; rākhilena-kept; pīlu-the pīlu fruit; dilena-gave; bāṅṭiyā-distributing; vṛndāvanera phala-fruit from Vṛndāvana; bali’-because of; khāilā-ate; hṛṣṭa hañā-with great happiness.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu kept all the gifts except the pīlu fruits, which He distributed to the devotees. Because the fruits were from Vṛndāvana, everyone ate them with great happiness.
TEXT 75
ye keha jāne, āṅṭi cuṣite lāgila
ye nā jāne gauḍiyā pīlu cāvāñā khāila
SYNONYMS
ye-those who; keha-some; jāne-knew; āṅṭi-seeds; cuṣite lāgila-began to lick; ye-those who; nā jāne-did not know; gauḍiyā-Bengali devotees; pīlu-the pīlu fruit; cāvāñā-chewing; khāila-ate.
TRANSLATION
Those devotees who were familiar with pīlu fruits sucked on the seeds, but the Bengali devotees who did not know what they were chewed the seeds and swallowed them.
TEXT 76
mukhe tāra jhāla gela, jihvā kare jvālā
vṛndāvanera ‘pīlu’ khāite ei eka līlā
SYNONYMS
mukhe tāra-in their mouths; jhāla-the taste of chili; gela-went; jihvā-the tongue; kare jvālā-was burning; vṛndāvanera-of Vṛndāvana; pīlu-the pīlu fruit; khāite-eating; ei-this; eka līlā-a pastime.
TRANSLATION
The hot chili-like taste burned the tongues of those who chewed the seeds. The eating of pīlu fruits from Vṛndāvana was a pastime for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 77
jagadānandera āgamane sabāra ullāsa
ei-mate nīlācale prabhura vilāsa
SYNONYMS
jagadānandera-of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; āgamane-upon the return; sabāra ullāsa-everyone was jubilant; ei-mate-in this way; nīlācale-at Jagannātha Purī; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; vilāsa-pastime.
TRANSLATION
When Jagadānanda Paṇḍita returned from Vṛndāvana, everyone was jubilant. Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu enjoyed His pastimes while residing at Jagannātha Purī.
TEXT 78
eka-dina prabhu yameśvara-ṭoṭā yāite
sei-kāle deva-dāsī lāgilā gāite
SYNONYMS
eka-dina-one day; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; yameśvara-ṭoṭā-to the temple of Yameśvara-ṭoṭā; yāite-when He was going; sei-kāle-at that time; deva-dāsī-a female singer of the Jagannātha temple; lāgilā-began; gāite-to sing.
TRANSLATION
One day when the Lord was going to the temple of Yameśvara, a female singer began to sing in the Jagannātha temple.
TEXT 79
gujjarī-rāgiṇī lañā sumadhura-svare
‘gīta-govinda’-pada gāya jaga-mana hare
SYNONYMS
gujjarī-rāgiṇī-the gujjarī mode of singing; lañā-accompanied by; sumadhura-svare-in a very sweet voice; gīta-govinda-Gīta-govinda, by Jayadeva Gosvāmī; pada-verses; gāya-sings; jaga-mana-the mind of the entire world; hare-attracts.
TRANSLATION
She sang a gujjarī tune in a very sweet voice, and because the subject was Jayadeva Gosvāmī’s Gīta-govinda, the song attracted the attention of the entire world.
TEXT 80
dūre gāna śuni’ prabhura ha-ila āveśa
strī, puruṣa, ke gāya,–nā jāne viśeṣa
SYNONYMS
dūre-from a distant place; gāna-song; śuni’-hearing; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ha-ila-there was; āveśa-ecstatic emotion; strī-woman; puruṣa-man; ke gāya-who sings; nā jāne-could not understand; viśeṣa-particularly.
TRANSLATION
Hearing the song from a distance, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately became ecstatic. He did not know whether it was a man or a woman singing.
TEXT 81
tāre milibāre prabhu āveśe dhāilā
pathe ‘sijera bāḍi’ haya, phuṭiyā calilā
SYNONYMS
tāre-the singer; milibāre-to meet; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; āveśe-in ecstasy; dhāilā-ran; pathe-on the path; sijera bāḍi-thorny hedges; haya-were; phuṭiyā-pricking; calilā-He went on.
TRANSLATION
As the Lord ran in ecstasy to meet the singer, thorny hedges pricked His body.
TEXT 82
aṅge kāṅṭā lāgila, kichu nā jānila!
āste-vyaste govinda tāṅra pāchete dhāilā
SYNONYMS
aṅge-on the body; kāṅṭā-thorns; lāgila-touched; kichu-anything; nā jānilā-did not perceive; āste-vyaste-very hastily; govinda-His personal servant; tāṅra-Him; pāchete-behind; dhāilā-ran.
TRANSLATION
Govinda ran very quickly behind the Lord, who did not feel any pain from the pricking of the thorns.
TEXT 83
dhāñā yāyena prabhu, strī āche alpa dūre
strī gāya’ bali’ govinda prabhure kailā kole
SYNONYMS
dhāñā-very hastily; yāyena-was going; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; strī-the woman; āche-was; alpa dūre-within a short distance; strī gāya’-a woman is singing; bali’-saying; govinda-His personal servant; prabhure-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kailā kole-held in his arms.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was running very rapidly, and the girl was only a short distance away. Just then Govinda caught the Lord in his arms and cried, “It is a woman singing!”
TEXT 84
strī-nāma śuni’ prabhura bāhya ha-ilā
punarapi sei pathe bāhuḍi’ calilā
SYNONYMS
strī-nāma-the word “woman”; śuni’-hearing; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; bāhya-external consciousness; ha-ilā-returned; punarapi-again; sei pathe-on that path; bāhuḍi’ calilā-He turned back.
TRANSLATION
As soon as He heard the word “woman,” the Lord became externally conscious and turned back.
TEXT 85
prabhu kahe,–“govinda, āji rākhilā jīvana
strī-paraśa haile āmāra ha-ita maraṇa
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe-Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said; govinda-My dear Govinda; āji-today; rākhilā jīvana-you saved My life; strī-paraśa haile-if I had touched a woman; āmāra-My; ha-ita-there would have been; maraṇa-death.
TRANSLATION
“My dear Govinda,” He said, “you have saved My life. If I had touched the body of a woman, I would certainly have died.
TEXT 86
e-ṛṇa śodhite āmi nārimu tomāra”
govinda kahe,–jagannātha rākhena mui kon chāra’?
SYNONYMS
e-ṛṇa-this debt; śodhite-to repay; āmi-I; nārimu-shall not be able; tomāra-to you; govinda kahe-Govinda replied; jagannātha-Lord Jagannātha; rākhena-saves; mui-I; kon chāra-the most insignificant person.
TRANSLATION
“I shall never be able to repay My debt to you.” Govinda replied, “Lord Jagannātha has saved You. I am insignificant.”
TEXT 87
prabhu kahe,–“govinda, mora saṅge rahibā
yāhāṅ tāhāṅ mora rakṣāya sāvadhāna ha-ibā”
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said; govinda-My dear Govinda; mora saṅge rahibā-you should always remain with Me; yāhāṅ tāhāṅ-anywhere and everywhere; mora-My; rakṣāya-for protection; sāvadhāna ha-ibā-you should be very careful.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, “My dear Govinda, you should stay with Me always. There is danger anywhere and everywhere; therefore you should protect Me very carefully.”
TEXT 88
eta bali’ leuṭi’ prabhu gelā nija-sthāne
śuni’ mahā-bhaya ha-ila svarūpādi-mane
SYNONYMS
eta bali’-saying this; leuṭi’-returning; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; gelā-went; nija-sthāne-to His own place; śuni’-hearing; mahā-bhaya-great fear; ha-ila-there was; svarūpa-ādi-mane-in the minds of Svarūpa Dāmodara and other attendants.
TRANSLATION
After saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu returned home. When Svarūpa Gosvāmī and His other attendants heard about the incident, they were very afraid.
TEXT 89
ethā tapana-miśra-putra raghunātha-bhaṭṭācārya
prabhure dekhite calilā chāḍi’ sarva kārya
SYNONYMS
ethā-on the other hand; tapana-miśra-putra-the son of Tapana Miśra; raghunātha-bhaṭṭācārya-Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; prabhure-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; dekhite-to meet; calilā-proceeded; chāḍi’-giving up; sarva kārya-all duties.
TRANSLATION
During this time, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭācārya, the son of Tapana Miśra, gave up all his duties and left home, intending to meet Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 90
kāśī haite calilā teṅho gauḍa-patha diyā
saṅge sevaka cale tāṅra jhāli vahiyā
SYNONYMS
kāśī haite-from Kāśī; calilā-proceeded; teṅho-he; gauḍa-patha diyā-by the path through Bengal; saṅge-along with him; sevaka-one servant; cale-goes; tāṅra-his; jhāli-baggage; vahiyā-carrying.
TRANSLATION
Accompanied by one servant carrying his baggage, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa started from Vārāṇasī and traveled along the path leading through Bengal.
TEXT 91
pathe tāre mililā viśvāsa-rāmadāsa
viśvāsa-khānāra kāyastha teṅho rājāra viśvāsa
SYNONYMS
pathe-on the path; tāre-him; mililā-met; viśvāsa-rāmadāsa-Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa; viśvāsa-khānāra-of the governmental accounting department; kāyastha-belonging to the kāyastha class; teṅho-he; rājāra-to the king; viśvāsa-secretary.
TRANSLATION
In Bengal he met Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa, who belonged to the kāyastha caste. He was one of the king’s secretaries.
PURPORT
The word viśvāsa-khānāra kāyastha indicates a secretary or clerk belonging to the kāyastha caste. Kāyasthas were usually secretaries to kings, governors or other important persons. It is said that anyone working in the government secretariat at this time was a kāyastha.
TEXT 92
sarva-śāstre pravīṇa, kāvya-prakāśa-adhyāpaka
parama-vaiṣṇava, raghunātha-upāsaka
SYNONYMS
sarva-śāstre-in all revealed scriptures; pravīṇa-very learned scholar; kāvya-prakāśa-of the famous book Kāvya-prakāśa; adhyāpaka-a teacher; parama-vaiṣṇava-highly advanced devotee; raghunātha-upāsaka-worshiper of Lord Rāmacandra.
TRANSLATION
Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa was very learned in all the revealed scriptures. He was a teacher of the famous book Kāvya-prakāśa and was known as an advanced devotee and worshiper of Raghunātha [Lord Rāmacandra].
PURPORT
Commenting on the word parama-vaiṣṇava, Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says that anyone who desires to merge into the existence of the Lord cannot be a pure Vaiṣṇava, but because Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa was a great devotee of Lord Rāmacandra, he was almost a Vaiṣṇava. In those days, no one could distinguish between a pure Vaiṣṇava and a pseudo Vaiṣṇava. Therefore Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa was known as a Vaiṣṇava because he worshiped Lord Rāmacandra.
TEXT 93
aṣṭa-prahara rāma-nāma japena rātri-dine
sarva tyaji’ calilā jagannātha-daraśane
SYNONYMS
aṣṭa-prahara-twenty-four hours a day; rāma-nāma-the holy name of Lord Rāma; japena-chants; rātri-dine-day and night; sarva-all; tyaji’-giving up; calilā-went; jagannātha-daraśane-to see Lord Jagannātha.
TRANSLATION
Rāmadāsa had renounced everything and was going to see Lord Jagannātha. While traveling, he chanted the holy name of Lord Rāma twenty-four hours a day.
TEXT 94
raghunātha-bhaṭṭera sane pathete mililā
bhaṭṭera jhāli māthe kari’ vahiyā calilā
SYNONYMS
raghunātha-bhaṭṭera-Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; sane-with; pathete-on the way; mililā-he met; bhaṭṭera-of Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; jhāli-baggage; māthe kari’-taking on the head; vahiyā calilā-carried.
TRANSLATION
When he met Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa on the way, he took Raghunātha’s baggage on his head and carried it.
TEXT 95
nānā sevā kari’ kare pāda-samvāhana
tāte raghunāthera haya saṅkucita mana
SYNONYMS
nānā sevā kari’-serving in various ways; kare pāda-samvāhana-massaged his legs; tāte-because of this; raghunāthera-of Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; haya-there was; saṅkucita mana-hesitation in the mind.
TRANSLATION
Rāmadāsa served Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa in various ways, even massaging his legs. Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa felt some hesitation in accepting all this service.
TEXT 96
“tumi baḍa loka, paṇḍita, mahā-bhāgavate
sevā nā kariha, sukhe cala mora sāthe”
SYNONYMS
tumi-you; baḍa loka-a great personality; paṇḍita-a learned scholar; mahā-bhāgavate-a great devotee; sevā nā kariha-please do not serve; sukhe-happily; cala-go; mora sāthe-with me.
TRANSLATION
“You are a respectable gentleman, a learned scholar and a great devotee,” he said. “Please do not try to serve me. Just come with me in a happy mood.”
TEXT 97
rāmadāsa kahe,–“āmi śūdra adhama!
‘brāhmaṇera sevā’,–ei mora nija-dharma
SYNONYMS
rāmadāsa kahe-Rāmadāsa said; āmi-I; śūdra-a śūdra; adhama-most fallen; brāhmaṇera sevā-to serve a brāhmaṇa; ei-this; mora nija-dharma-my own religious duty.
TRANSLATION
Rāmadāsa replied, “I am a śūdra, a fallen soul. To serve a brāhmaṇa is my duty and religious principle.
TEXT 98
saṅkoca nā kara tumi, āmi–tomāra ‘dāsa’
tomāra sevā karile haya hṛdaye ullāsa”
SYNONYMS
saṅkoca-hesitation; nā-not; kara-do; tumi-you; āmi-I; tomāra-your; dāsa-servant; tomāra-your; sevā-service; karile-by rendering; haya-there is; hṛdaye-within the heart; ullāsa-jubilation.
TRANSLATION
“Therefore please do not be hesitant. I am your servant, and when I serve you my heart becomes jubilant.”
TEXT 99
eta bali’ jhāli vahena, karena sevane
raghunāthera tāraka-mantra japena rātri-dine
SYNONYMS
eta bali’-saying this; jhāli vahena-carries the baggage; karena sevane-serves; raghunāthera-of Lord Rāmacandra; tāraka-deliverer; mantra-chanting of the holy name; japena-chants; rātri-dine-day and night.
TRANSLATION
Thus Rāmadāsa carried the baggage of Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa and served him sincerely. He constantly chanted the holy name of Lord Rāmacandra day and night.
TEXT 100
ei-mate raghunātha āilā nīlācale
prabhura caraṇe yāñā mililā kutūhale
SYNONYMS
ei-mate-in this way; raghunātha-Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; āilā-came; nīlācale-to Jagannātha Purī; prabhura caraṇe-to the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; yāñā-going; mililā-met; kutūhale-in great delight.
TRANSLATION
Traveling in this way, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa soon arrived at Jagannātha Purī. There, with great delight, he met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and fell at His lotus feet.
TEXT 101
daṇḍa-paraṇāma kari’ bhaṭṭa paḍilā caraṇe
prabhu ‘raghunātha’ jāni kailā āliṅgane
SYNONYMS
daṇḍa-paraṇāma kari’-offering obeisances by falling down on the ground; bhaṭṭa-Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; paḍilā caraṇe-fell at the lotus feet; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; raghunātha-Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; jāni-knowing; kailā āliṅgane-embraced.
TRANSLATION
Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa fell straight as a rod at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Then the Lord embraced him, knowing well who he was.
TEXT 102
miśra āra śekharera daṇḍavat jānāilā
mahāprabhu tāṅ-sabāra vārtā puchilā
SYNONYMS
miśra-of Tapana Miśra; āra-and; śekharera-of Candraśekhara; daṇḍavat-obeisances; jānāilā-he informed; mahāprabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tāṅ-sabāra-of all of them; vārtā-news; puchilā-inquired.
TRANSLATION
Raghunātha offered respectful obeisances to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu on behalf of Tapana Miśra and Candraśekhara, and the Lord also inquired about them.
TEXT 103
“bhāla ha-ila āilā, dekha ‘kamala-locana’
āji āmāra ethā karibā prasāda bhojana”
SYNONYMS
bhāla ha-ila-it is very good; āilā-you have come; dekha-see; kamala-locana-the lotus-eyed Lord Jagannātha; āji-today; āmāra ethā-at My place; karibā prasāda bhojana-you will accept prasāda.
TRANSLATION
“It is very good that you have come here,” the Lord said. “Now go see the lotus-eyed Lord Jagannātha. Today you will accept prasāda here at My place.”
TEXT 104
govindere kahi’ eka vāsā deoyāilā
svarūpādi bhakta-gaṇa-sane milāilā
SYNONYMS
govindere-to Govinda; kahi’-speaking; eka-one; vāsā-residential place; deoyāilā-caused to be given; svarūpa-ādi-headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī; bhakta-gaṇa-sane-with the devotees; milāilā-introduced.
TRANSLATION
The Lord asked Govinda to arrange for Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa’s accommodations and then introduced him to all the devotees, headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī.
TEXT 105
ei-mata prabhu-saṅge rahilā aṣṭa-māsa
dine dine prabhura kṛpāya bāḍaye ullāsa
SYNONYMS
ei-mata-in this way; prabhu-saṅge-along with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; rahilā-remained; aṣṭa-māsa-eight months; dine dine-day after day; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kṛpāya-by the mercy; bāḍaye ullāsa-felt increased jubilation.
TRANSLATION
Thus Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa lived with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continuously for eight months, and by the Lord’s mercy he felt increased transcendental happiness every day.
TEXT 106
madhye madhye mahāprabhura karena nimantraṇa
ghara-bhāta karena, āra vividha vyañjana
SYNONYMS
madhye madhye-at intervals; mahāprabhura-to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; karena nimantraṇa-he makes invitations; ghara-bhāta karena-he cooks rice at home; āra-and; vividha vyañjana-various kinds of vegetables.
TRANSLATION
He would periodically cook rice with various vegetables and invite Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his home.
TEXT 107
raghunātha-bhaṭṭa–pāke ati sunipuṇa
yei rāndhe, sei haya amṛtera sama
SYNONYMS
raghunātha-bhaṭṭa-Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; pāke-in cooking; ati su-nipuṇa-very expert; yei rāndhe-whatever he cooked; sei-that; haya-is; amṛtera sama-like nectar.
TRANSLATION
Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa was an expert cook. Whatever he prepared tasted just like nectar.
TEXT 108
parama santoṣe prabhu karena bhojana
prabhura avaśiṣṭa-pātra bhaṭṭera bhakṣaṇa
SYNONYMS
parama santoṣe-in great satisfaction; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; karena bhojana-eats; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; avaśiṣṭa-pātra-the plate of remnants; bhaṭṭera-of Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; bhakṣaṇa-the eatables.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would accept with great satisfaction all the food he prepared. After the Lord was satisfied, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa would eat His remnants.
TEXT 109
rāmadāsa yadi prathama prabhure mililā
mahāprabhu adhika tāṅre kṛpā nā karilā
SYNONYMS
rāmadāsa-the devotee Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa; yadi-when; prathama-for the first time; prabhure mililā-met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; mahāprabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; adhika-much; tāṅre-unto him; kṛpā-mercy; nā karilā-did not show.
TRANSLATION
When Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord did not show him any special mercy, although this was their first meeting.
TEXT 110
antare mumukṣu teṅho, vidyā-garvavān
sarva-citta-jñātā prabhu–sarvajña bhagavān
SYNONYMS
antare-within his heart; mumukṣu-desiring liberation; teṅho-he; vidyā-garvavān-very proud of his learning; sarva-citta-jñātā-one who knows the heart of everyone; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; sarva-jña bhagavān-the omniscient Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
Within his heart, Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa was an impersonalist who desired to merge into the existence of the Lord, and he was very proud of his learning. Being the omniscient Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu can understand the heart of everyone, and thus He knew all these things.
TEXT 111
rāmadāsa kailā tabe nīlācale vāsa
paṭṭanāyaka-goṣṭhīke paḍāya ‘kāvya-prakāśa
SYNONYMS
rāmadāsa-Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa; kailā-did; tabe-then; nīlācale vāsa-residence at Jagannātha Purī; paṭṭanāyaka-goṣṭhīke-to the Paṭṭanāyaka family (the descendants of Bhavānanda Rāya); paḍāya-teaches; kāvya-prakāśa-on the book Kāvya-prakāśa.
TRANSLATION
Rāmadāsa Viśvāsa then took up residence in Jagannātha Purī and taught the Kāvya-prakāśa to the Paṭṭanāyaka family [the descendants of Bhavānanda Rāya].
TEXT 112
aṣṭa-māsa rahi’ prabhu bhaṭṭe vidāya dilā
‘vivāha nā kariha’ bali’ niṣedha karilā
SYNONYMS
aṣṭa-māsa-for eight months; rahi’-staying; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; bhaṭṭe-to Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; vidāya dilā-bid farewell; vivāha nā kariha-do not marry; bali’-saying; niṣedha karilā-he forbade.
TRANSLATION
After eight months, when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bade farewell to Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa, the Lord flatly forbade him to marry. “Do not marry,” the Lord said.
PURPORT
Raghunātha Bhaṭṭācārya had become a greatly advanced devotee while still unmarried. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu could see this, and therefore He advised him not to begin the process of material sense gratification. Marriage is a concession for people who are unable to control their senses. Raghunātha, however, being an advanced devotee of Kṛṣṇa, naturally had no desire for sense gratification. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised him not to enter the bondage of marriage. Generally a person cannot make much advancement in spiritual consciousness if he is married. He becomes attached to his family and is prone to sense gratification. Thus his spiritual advancement is very slow or almost nil.
TEXT 113
vṛddha mātā-pitāra yāi’ karaha sevana
vaiṣṇava-pāśa bhāgavata kara adhyayana
SYNONYMS
vṛddha-old; mātā-pitāra-of the mother and father; yāi’-going back; karaha sevana-engage in service; vaiṣṇava-pāśa-from a pure Vaiṣṇava; bhāgavata-Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; kara adhyayana-study.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said to Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa, “When you return home, serve your aged father and mother, who are devotees, and try to study Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from a pure Vaiṣṇava who has realized God.”
PURPORT
One should note how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, advised Raghunātha Bhaṭṭācārya to learn Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. He advised him to understand Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam not from professional men but from a real bhāgavata, devotee. He also advised Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa to serve his mother and father because they were both His devotees. Anyone who wishes to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness must try to serve the devotees of Kṛṣṇa. As Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says, chāḍiyā vaiṣṇava-sevā nistāra pāyeche kebā: “Without serving a self-realized Vaiṣṇava, no one has ever been released from the materialistic way of life.” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would have never advised Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa to serve ordinary parents, but since his parents were Vaiṣṇavas, the Lord advised him to serve them.
One might ask “Why shouldn’t ordinary parents be served?” As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.5.18):
gurur na sa syāt sva-jano na sa syāt
pitā na sa syāj jananī na sā syāt
daivaṁ na tat syān na patiś ca sa syān
na mocayed yaḥ samupeta-mṛtyum
“One who cannot deliver his dependent from the path of birth and death should never become a spiritual master, a relative, a father or mother, or a worshipable demigod, nor should such a person become a husband.” Everyone naturally gets a father and mother at the time of birth, but the real father and mother are they who can release their offspring from the clutches of imminent death. This is possible only for parents advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore any parents who cannot enlighten their offspring in Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot be accepted as a real father and mother. The following verse from the Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.2.200) confirms the uselessness of serving ordinary parents:
laukikī vaidikī vāpi
yā kriyā kriyate mune
hari-sevānukūlaiva
sa kāryā bhaktim icchatā
“One should perform only those activities-either worldly or prescribed by Vedic rules and regulations-which are favorable for the cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.”
Concerning the study of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu clearly advises that one avoid hearing from a non-Vaiṣṇava professional reciter. In this connection Sanātana Gosvāmī quotes a verse from the Padma Purāṇa:
avaiṣṇava-mukhodgīrṇaṁ
pūtaṁ hari-kathāmṛtam
śravaṇaṁ naiva kartavyaṁ
sarpocchiṣṭaṁ yathā payaḥ
“No one should hear or take lessons from a person who is not a Vaiṣṇava. Even if he speaks about Kṛṣṇa, such a lesson should not be accepted, for it is like milk touched by the lips of a serpent.” Nowadays it is fashionable to observe Bhāgavata-saptāha and hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from persons who are anything but advanced devotees or self-realized souls. There are even many Māyāvādīs who read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam to throngs of people. Many Māyāvādīs have recently begun reciting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in Vṛndāvana, and because they can present the Bhāgavatam with word jugglery, twisting the meaning by grammatical tricks, materialistic persons who go to Vṛndāvana as a matter of spiritual fashion like to hear them. All this is clearly forbidden by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. We should note carefully that since these Māyāvādīs cannot personally know the meaning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, they can never deliver others by reciting it. On the other hand, an advanced devotee of the Lord is free from material bondage. He personifies the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in life and action. Therefore we advise that anyone who wants to learn the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam must approach such a realized soul.
TEXT 114
punarapi eka-bāra āsiha nīlācale”
eta bali’ kaṇṭha-mālā dilā tāṅra gale
SYNONYMS
punarapi-again, also; eka-bāra-once; āsiha nīlācale-come to Jagannātha Purī; eta bali’-saying this; kaṇṭha-mālā-neck beads; dilā-gave; tāṅra gale-on his neck.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu concluded, “Come again to Nīlācala [Jagannātha Purī].” After saying this, the Lord put His own neck beads on Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa’s neck.
TEXT 115
āliṅgana kari’ prabhu vidāya tāṅre dilā
preme gara gara bhaṭṭa kāndite lāgilā
SYNONYMS
āliṅgana kari’-embracing; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; vidāya tāṅre dilā-bade him farewell; preme-in ecstatic love; gara gara-overwhelmed; bhaṭṭa-Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; kāndite lāgilā-began to cry.
TRANSLATION
Then the Lord embraced him and bade him farewell. Overwhelmed with ecstatic love, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa began to cry due to imminent separation from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 116
svarūpa-ādi bhakta-ṭhāñi ājñā māgiyā
vārāṇasī āilā bhaṭṭa prabhura ājñā pāñā
SYNONYMS
svarūpa-ādi-headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī; bhakta-ṭhāñi-from the devotees; ājñā māgiyā-asking permission; vārāṇasī āilā-returned to Vārāṇasī; bhaṭṭa-Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ājñā pāñā-getting permission.
TRANSLATION
After taking permission from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and all the devotees, headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa returned to Vārāṇasī.
TEXT 117
cāri-vatsara ghare pitā-mātāra sevā kailā
vaiṣṇava-paṇḍita-ṭhāñi bhāgavata paḍilā
SYNONYMS
cāri-vatsara-for four years; ghare-at home; pitā-mātāra-of the father and mother; sevā kailā-rendered service; vaiṣṇava-paṇḍita-ṭhāñi-from a self-realized, advanced Vaiṣṇava; bhāgavata paḍilā-he studied Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
TRANSLATION
In accordance with the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he continuously rendered service to his mother and father for four years. He also regularly studied the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from a self-realized Vaiṣṇava.
TEXT 118
pitā-mātā kāśī pāile udāsīna hañā
punaḥ prabhura ṭhāñi āilā gṛhādi chāḍiyā
SYNONYMS
pitā-mātā-the father and mother; kāśī pāile-when they passed away at Kāśī (Vārāṇasī); udāsīna hañā-being indifferent; punaḥ-again; prabhura ṭhāñi-to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; āilā-returned; gṛha-ādi chāḍiyā-leaving all relationships with home.
TRANSLATION
Then his parents died at Kāśī [Vārāṇasī], and he became detached. He therefore returned to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, giving up all relationships with his home.
TEXT 119
pūrvavat aṣṭa-māsa prabhu-pāśa chilā
aṣṭa-māsa rahi’ punaḥ prabhu ājñā dilā
SYNONYMS
pūrva-vat-as previously; aṣṭa-māsa-for eight months; prabhu-pāśa chilā-remained with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; aṣṭa-māsa rahi’-after staying for eight months; punaḥ-again; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ājñā dilā-ordered him.
TRANSLATION
As previously, Raghunātha remained continuously with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for eight months. Then the Lord gave him the following order.
TEXT 120
“āmāra ājñāya, raghunātha, yāha vṛndāvane
tāhāṅ yāñā raha rūpa-sanātana-sthāne
SYNONYMS
āmāra ājñāya-upon My order; raghunātha-My dear Raghunātha; yāha vṛndāvane-go to Vṛndāvana; tāhāṅ yāñā-going there; raha-remain; rūpa-sanātana-sthāne-in the care of Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī.
TRANSLATION
“My dear Raghunātha, go to Vṛndāvana, following My instructions, and place yourself under the care of Rūpa and Sanātana Gosvāmīs.
TEXT 121
bhāgavata paḍa, sadā laha kṛṣṇa-nāma
acire karibena kṛpā kṛṣṇa bhagavān”
SYNONYMS
bhāgavata paḍa-read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; sadā-always; laha kṛṣṇa-nāma-chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra; acire-very soon; karibena-will bestow; kṛpā-mercy; kṛṣṇa-Lord Kṛṣṇa; bhagavān-the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
TRANSLATION
“In Vṛndāvana you should chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra twenty-four hours a day and read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam continuously. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, will very soon bestow His mercy upon you.”
TEXT 122
eta bali’ prabhu tāṅre āliṅgana kailā
prabhura kṛpāte kṛṣṇa-preme matta hailā
SYNONYMS
eta bali’-saying this; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tāṅre-Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; āliṅgana kailā-embraced; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kṛpāte-by the mercy; kṛṣṇa-preme-in love of Kṛṣṇa; matta hailā-became enlivened.
TRANSLATION
After saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu embraced Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa, and by the Lord’s mercy Raghunātha was enlivened with ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.
TEXT 123
caudda-hāta jagannāthera tulasīra mālā
chuṭā-pāna-viḍā mahotsave pāñāchilā
SYNONYMS
caudda-hāta-fourteen cubits long; jagannāthera-of Lord Jagannātha; tulasīra mālā-a garland made of tulasī leaves; chuṭā-pāna-viḍā-unspiced betel; mahotsave-at a festival; pāñāchilā-got.
TRANSLATION
At a festival Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had been given some unspiced betel and a garland of tulasī leaves fourteen cubits long. The garland had been worn by Lord Jagannātha.
TEXT 124
sei mālā, chuṭā pāna prabhu tāṅre dilā
‘iṣṭa-deva’ kari’ mālā dhariyā rākhilā
SYNONYMS
sei mālā-that garland; chuṭā pāna-the betel; prabhu-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tāṅre dilā-delivered to him; iṣṭa-deva-his worshipable Deity; kari’-accepting as; mālā-that garland; dhariyā rākhilā-kept.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave the garland and betel to Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa, who accepted them as a worshipable Deity, preserving them very carefully.
TEXT 125
prabhura ṭhāñi ājñā lañā gelā vṛndāvane
āśraya karilā āsi’ rūpa-sanātane
SYNONYMS
prabhura ṭhāñi-from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ājñā lañā-taking permission; gelā vṛndāvane-went to Vṛndāvana; āśraya karilā-took shelter; āsi’-coming; rūpa-sanātane-of Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī.
TRANSLATION
Taking permission from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa then departed for Vṛndāvana. When he arrived there, he put himself under the care of Rūpa and Sanātana Gosvāmīs.
TEXT 126
rūpa-gosāñira sabhāya karena bhāgavata-paṭhana
bhāgavata paḍite preme āulāya tāṅra mana
SYNONYMS
rūpa-gosāñira sabhāya-in the assembly of Rūpa, Sanātana and other
Vaiṣṇavas; karena-performs; bhāgavata-paṭhana-recitation of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; bhāgavata paḍite-while reciting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; preme-in ecstatic love; āulāya-becomes overwhelmed; tāṅra mana-his mind.
TRANSLATION
When reciting Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in the company of Rūpa and Sanātana, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa would be overwhelmed with ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.
TEXT 127
aśru, kampa, gadgada prabhura kṛpāte
netra kaṇṭha rodhe bāṣpa, nā pāre paḍite
SYNONYMS
aśru-tears; kampa-trembling; gadgada-faltering of the voice; prabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kṛpāte-by the mercy; netra-eyes; kaṇṭha-neck; rodhe-choked up; bāṣpa-tears; nā pāre paḍite-could not recite.
TRANSLATION
By the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he experienced the symptoms of ecstatic love-tears, trembling, and faltering of the voice. His eyes filled with tears, his throat became choked, and thus he could not recite Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.
TEXT 128
pika-svara-kaṇṭha, tāte rāgera vibhāga
eka-śloka paḍite phirāya tina-cāri rāga
SYNONYMS
pika-svara-kaṇṭha-a very sweet voice like a cuckoo’s; tāte-above that; rāgera-of tunes; vibhāga-division; eka-śloka-one verse; paḍite-reciting; phirāya-changes; tina-cāri rāga-three or four different tunes.
TRANSLATION
His voice was as sweet as a cuckoo’s, and he would recite each verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in three or four tunes. Thus his recitations were very sweet to hear.
TEXT 129
kṛṣṇera saundarya-mādhurya yabe paḍe, śune
premete vihvala tabe, kichui nā jāne
SYNONYMS
kṛṣṇera-of Kṛṣṇa; saundarya-beauty; mādhurya-sweetness; yabe-when; paḍe-recites; śune-hears; premete-in ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa; vihvala-overwhelmed; tabe-then; kichui-anything; nā jāne-does not know.
TRANSLATION
When he recited or heard about the beauty and sweetness of Kṛṣṇa, he would be overwhelmed with ecstatic love and become oblivious to everything.
TEXT 130
govinda-caraṇe kailā ātma-samarpaṇa
govinda-caraṇāravinda–yāṅra prāṇa-dhana
SYNONYMS
govinda-caraṇe-at the lotus feet of Lord Govinda; kailā ātma-samarpaṇa-he surrendered himself fully; govinda-caraṇa-aravinda-the lotus feet of Lord Govinda; yāṅra-of whom; prāṇa-dhana-the life and soul.
TRANSLATION
Thus Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa surrendered fully at the lotus feet of Lord Govinda, and those lotus feet became his life and soul.
TEXT 131
nija śiṣye kahi’ govindera mandira karāilā
vaṁśī, makara, kuṇḍalādi ‘bhūṣaṇa’ kari’ dilā
SYNONYMS
nija śiṣye-to his own disciples; kahi’-by speaking; govindera-of Lord Govinda; mandira karāilā-constructed a temple; vaṁśī-flute; makara kuṇḍala-ādi-earrings shaped like sharks, etc.; bhūṣaṇa-ornaments; kari’-preparing; dilā-gave.
TRANSLATION
Subsequently Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa ordered his disciples to construct a temple for Govinda. He prepared various ornaments for Govinda, including a flute and earrings shaped like sharks
TEXT 132
grāmya-vārtā nā śune, nā kahe jihvāya
kṛṣṇa-kathā-pūjādite aṣṭa-prahara yāya
SYNONYMS
grāmya-vārtā-common topics; nā śune-he never heard; nā-not; kahe-utters; jihvāya-with his tongue; kṛṣṇa-kathā-topics on Kṛṣṇa; pūjā-ādite-and in worshiping and so on; aṣṭa-prahara yāya-he passed the whole day and night.
TRANSLATION
Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa would neither hear nor speak about anything of the material world. He would simply discuss Kṛṣṇa and worship the Lord day and night.
TEXT 133
vaiṣṇavera nindya-karma nāhi pāḍe kāṇe
sabe kṛṣṇa bhajana kare,–ei-mātra jāne
SYNONYMS
vaiṣṇavera-of the Vaiṣṇava; nindya-karma-reproachable activities; nāhi pāḍe kāṇe-he does not hear; sabe-all; kṛṣṇa bhajana kare-are engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service; ei-mātra-only this; jāne-he understands.
TRANSLATION
He would not listen to blasphemy of a Vaiṣṇava, nor would he listen to talk of a Vaiṣṇava’s misbehavior. He knew only that everyone was engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service; he did not understand anything else.
PURPORT
Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa never did anything harmful to a Vaiṣṇava. In other words, he was never inattentive in the service of the Lord, nor did he ever violate the rules and regulations of a pure Vaiṣṇava. It is the duty of a Vaiṣṇava ācārya to prevent his disciples and followers from violating the principles of Vaiṣṇava behavior. He should always advise them to strictly follow the regulative principles, which will protect them from falling down. Although a Vaiṣṇava preacher may sometimes criticize others, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa avoided this. Even if another Vaiṣṇava was actually at fault, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa would not criticize him; he saw only that everyone was engaged in Kṛṣṇa’s service. That is the position of a mahā-bhāgavata. Actually, even if one is serving māyā, in a higher sense he is also a servant of Kṛṣṇa. Because māyā is the servant of Kṛṣṇa, anyone serving māyā serves Kṛṣṇa indirectly. Therefore it is said:
keha māne, keha nā māne, saba tāṅra dāsa
ye nā māne, tāra haya sei pāpe nāśa
“Some accept Him, whereas others do not, yet everyone is His servant. One who does not accept Him, however, will be ruined by his sinful activities.” (Cc. Ādi 6.85)
TEXT 134
mahāprabhura datta mālā mananera kāle
prasāda-kaḍāra saha bāndhi lena gale
SYNONYMS
mahāprabhura-by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; datta-given; mālā-tulasī garland; mananera-of remembering; kāle-at the time; prasāda-kaḍāra-the remnants of Lord Jagannātha; saha-with; bāndhi-binding together; lena-takes; gale-on his neck.
TRANSLATION
When Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī was absorbed in remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa, he would take the tulasī garland and the prasāda of Lord Jagannātha given to him by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, bind them together and wear them on his neck.
TEXT 135
mahāprabhura kṛpāya kṛṣṇa-prema anargala
ei ta’ kahiluṅ tāte caitanya-kṛpā-phala
SYNONYMS
mahāprabhura kṛpāya-by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kṛṣṇa-prema anargala-incessantly overwhelmed with ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa; ei ta’-thus; kahiluṅ-I have described; tāte-thereby; caitanya-kṛpā-phala-the result of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy.
TRANSLATION
Thus I have described the powerful mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, by which Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī remained constantly overwhelmed with ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.
TEXTS 136-137
jagadānandera kahiluṅ vṛndāvana-gamana
tāra madhye deva-dāsīra gāna-śravaṇa
mahāprabhura raghunāthe kṛpā-prema-phala
eka-paricchede tina kathā kahiluṅ sakala
SYNONYMS
jagadānandera-of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita; kahiluṅ-I have described; vṛndāvana-gamana-going to Vṛndāvana; tāra madhye-within that; deva-dāsīra-of the female singer in the temple of Jagannātha; gāna-śravaṇa-hearing of the song; mahāprabhura-of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; raghunāthe-unto Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa; kṛpā-by mercy; prema-love; phala-result; eka-paricchede-in one chapter; tina kathā-three topics; kahiluṅ-I have described; sakala-all.
TRANSLATION
In this chapter I have spoken about three topics: Jagadānanda Paṇḍita’s visit to Vṛndāvana, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s listening to the song of the deva-dāsī at the temple of Jagannātha, and how Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī achieved ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TEXT 138
ye ei-sakala kathā śune śraddhā kari’
tāṅre kṛṣṇa-prema-dhana dena gaurahari
SYNONYMS
ye-one who; ei-sakala-all these; kathā-topics; śune-hears; śraddhā kari’-with faith and love; tāṅre-unto him; kṛṣṇa-prema-dhana-the wealth of ecstatic love of Lord Kṛṣṇa; dena-delivers; gaurahari-Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
TRANSLATION
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu [Gaurahari] bestows ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa upon anyone who hears all these topics with faith and love.
TEXT 139
śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-pade yāra āśa
caitanya-caritāmṛta kahe kṛṣṇadāsa
SYNONYMS
śrī-rūpa-Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī; raghunātha-Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī; pade-at the lotus feet; yāra-whose; āśa-expectation; caitanya-caritāmṛta-the book named Caitanya-caritāmṛta; kahe-describes; kṛṣṇadāsa-Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī.
TRANSLATION
Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, following in their footsteps.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, Thirteenth Chapter, describing Jagadānanda Paṇḍita’s visit to Vṛndāvana, the Lord’s hearing the song of the deva-dāsī, and Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī’s achieving love of Kṛṣṇa.