Chaitanya Bhagavat
by
Srila Vrindavan das Thakur
Madhya Lila
Chapter 10
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Chaitanya Bhagavat |
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Please study the Predictions from over 20 Vedic Scriptures about Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu before proceeding further. This will lead to deeper / proper understanding of the subject matter being presented in this book. Thank you for your kind support.
Text 1
My dearest friend, Lord Gauranga, You are an ocean of transcendental qualities.
All glory to You and all glory to Lord Nityananda Prabhu, the Supreme
Personality without beginning or end.
Text 2 4
After bestowing boons to Sridhar, Lord Chaitanya began to gently sway His head,
and repeated the name "Neda, Neda, Neda" and spoke to Advaita Acharya,
"Acharya! ask what you need". The Acharya replied, "My prayers have already been
answered my Lord". Lord Chaitanya appreciated this answer with a thunderous roar
that drowned all other sound.
Text 5 6
While Lord Chaitanya was still manifesting His "Mahaprakash" lila
in the mood of the Omnipotent, Supremely Opulent Lord, Gadadhar Pandit prepared
betel and offered them to the Lord, and the Lord took it and ate it. Lord
Nityananda, whose partial expansion Lord Ananta Sesh is the support of the
Universe, now held the umbrella over Lord Chaitanya. Advaita Acharya and other
great personages stood before Him.
Text 7 11
The Lord ordered Murari, "Look at Me", and Murari saw Lord Ramchandra in person.
He saw that Visvambhar, Lord Chaitanya was sitting on the kingly throne with the
bow and His complexion was green like the fresh tended grass shoots. He saw
Janaki devi or Sita devi and Lakshman on His left and all round the brave monkey
leaders were offering prayers. Murari perceiving his identity as Hanuman and now
seeing his beloved Lord Ramchandra fell down in an ecstatic swoon by Lord
Chaitanya's transcendental pastimes.
Text 12 14
Lord Visvambhar called out aloud, "Hey, monkey, you seem to forget how the demon
Ravan, who stole Sita devi, burnt your face. Enraged you set ablaze his capital,
Sri Lanka and destroyed his entire race. I am that same Lord, Your worshipful
Lord, now You are again in My presence. Rise, rise Murari, You are as dear to Me
as My own life. I am that Lord Ramchandra, You are Hanuman."
Text 15 16
See your Lakshman, Your beloved life and soul, You saved His life by bringing
the Gandharvamadana mountain. Offer obeisances to the lotus feet of Janaki,
Sitadevi, whose distress moved You to profuse tears."
Text 17 18
Lord Chaitanya's words brought back Murari's consciousness, and on awakening he
saw that wonderful scene and began to cry in love of Godhead. Murari's ecstatic
crying moved even the lifeless dry wood, what to speak about the assembled
Vaisnavas.
Text 19
Again Lord Chaitanya began to speak to Murari, "You may ask Me for any boon."
Text 20 24
Sri Murari replied, "My Lord, I do not want anything. Just grant me one wish,
that I may sing only Your glories. I may be put into any situation but birth
after birth I simply want to remember You, and that I may serve You in the
association of Your servitors. O my Lord! please do not place me in a position
where I may deviate from the Absolute Truth and forget You are the Supreme Lord
and I Your eternal servant. Wherever You descend accompanied by Your eternal
associates I desire to be there as Your insignificant servitor."
Text 25
The Lord replied, "So be it! so be it! I grant you this boon." Hearing this a
jubilant uproar from the devotees filled the air.
Text 26 28
All the Vaisnava devotees were naturally affectionately disposed to Murari who
was always compassionate to all living beings. Such was the purity of Murari's
devotion that his mere presence transformed into a holy place of pilgrimage
transcendental like Vaikuntha. It is impossible to describe the greatness of
Murari for even the Supreme Lord advents for the pleasure of Murari.
Text 29 31
Lord Chaitanya then declared, "All of you listen carefully, if anybody
criticizes Murari he cannot be saved even by a million dips in the Ganga, in
fact his baths in the Ganga or even chanting of Lord Hari's name will certainly
destroy such a sinful wretch. "Murari", the Supreme Lord is secretly (gupta)
seated in Murari Gupta's heart, this is the spiritual import of Murari's name."
Text 32 33
The Vaisnava devotees began to weep in ecstasy chanting Krishna's name seeing
how Lord Chaitanya showered His mercy upon Murari. Anyone who hears the pastimes
of Lord Chaitanya's extraordinary magnanimity will receive love of Godhead.
Text 34
While Murari and Sridhar cry in love of Godhead being in front of the Lord, Lord
Chaitanya chews on the betel pan with cracking loudness.
Text 35 37
Lord Chaitanya then turned His benign glance on Haridas and called out, "Look at
Me Haridas your body and birth is superior to Mine and your class and caste is
more elevated than Mine. Although that sinful Muslim tormentor has inflicted
great pain on you yet I hesitate in My heart to punish him for it will disturb
you, knowing your compassionate nature."
Text 38 39
Listen Haridas, when you were lashed with the whip in the different market
places. I took up My Sudarshan disc and descended to the earth from Vaikuntha
intending to sever the tormentor's heads.
Text 40 43
When your tormentors were trying to beat you to death all along you were
thinking for their well being. You were unconcerned about your own pains, you
had only compassion for them, and because of your merciful heart I could not use
force, My Sudarshan disc weapon was rendered impotent. I could not strike those
men because you were determined to forgive them and so unable to see your misery
I protected you from their lashes by placing My back on your back.
Text 44 46
I accepted all those lashes meant for you on My back, see the marks on my back,
I am not lying. Whatever other secondary reasons there were for My descent:
unable to bear your sufferings I hastened My advent to this world. My beloved "neda",
Advaita Acharya fully recognized who you are, I am totally bound by his loving
devotion."
Text 47 48
Our beloved Lord Chaitanya is very proficient in expanding the glories of His
devotees, He will say or do anything to glorify and protect His devotees, He
will even swallow fire for his devotees and willingly become His devotees slave.
Text 49 51
Lord Krishna recognizes only His devotees and knows nothing else, to Krishna
there is no one equal in position to His pure devotees. All those mean offenders
who are antagonistic towards such pure devotees of the Lord are devoid of all
good fortune. You can see from these pastimes the highly elevated position of
the devotees, and the things Lord Chaitanya said to Haridas Thakur.
Text 52 53
When Haridas heard about he Lord's magnanimous deed he fell swooning to the
ground. He lost all external consciousness and was immersed in an ocean of
ecstasy.
Text 54 57
Lord Chaitanya said, "Wake up, wake up! and see My opulent manifestation to your
heart's content." Haridas awoke becoming externally conscious, crying he looked
about searching for the Lord's extraordinary manifestation. He rolled about all
over the courtyard sometimes breathing heavily, other times swooning. All the
ecstatic symptoms swept over Haridas's body like a hurricane, and although the
Lord tried to steady him Haridas could not remain still.
Text 58 59
Thakur Haridas said, "O Lord Visvambhar! You are the Lord and Protector of the
Universe, now the responsibility of delivering a lowly fallen wretch like me
rests on You, My Lord. How can I describe Your transcendental glories as I do
not possess any good qualifications, I am sinful, and I am not even within the
Vedic society.
Text 60
Just seeing me makes a person vulnerable to sin, and touching me makes one so
contaminated that he must bath immediately; how can I say anything about Your
divine pastimes?
Text 61 63
There is one fact that You yourself have stated, anyone remembering your lotus
feet, be he an insignificant and fallen as an insect, is never forsaken by You.
Whereas even a mighty king falls from grace if he disregards Your lotus feet. I
am incapable of remembering You although I know you shelter the most
impoverished soul if he simply remembers You.
Text 64 66
The evil Duryodhana and Suhsasana dragged the righteous Draupadi into the palace
court wanting to disrobe her. Confronted with the danger of disgrace she
remembered You, Krishna. And because of this You made her sari endlessly long by
Your mystic potency. Yet the evil doers could not perceive Your hand in this.
Text 67 68
Once the witches surrounded Parvati devi desirous of eating her, and when she
remembered You, You immediately appeared and punished the witches and saved Your
devotee.
Text 69
I am so sinful that I cannot remember such a magnanimous Personality as You; O
Lord! please therefore give me shelter at Your lotus feet.
Text 70 72
The demon Hiranyakasipu inflicted all varieties of treachery and brutal methods
trying to kill Prahlad like poisoning, hurling down from the mountain, throwing
in boiling cauldron of oil etc. Yet throughout his tribulations Prahlad
meditated upon Your lotus feet and was saved from each and every calamity. In
this way You humbled many of his enemies and took away all their vitality and
strength: finally You appeared in Person due to Prahlad's meditation.
Text 73 74
Once the five Pandavas were in grave dilemma fearing the wrath of Durvasa Muni,
but by remembering You, You appeared personally and saved them. You calmed
Yudhisthira Maharaja with your assuring words, see I am already here, you just
sit down and relax and I will take care of Durvasa Muni and his army of
disciples."
Text 75 76
Only the shred of vegetable left stuck to the side of the pot after the Pandavas
had eaten was taken by Lord Krishna relishing the thought of coming to His
devotees aid. The sage with his disciples meanwhile bathing in the river
suddenly felt full in the belly like having eaten a sumptuous meal" ashamed and
tearful they fled.
Text 77 78
The miraculous benefits of remembering Your lotus feet was amply demonstrated by
the Pandavas in this incident. The path of true devotion for everyone is to
remember You; You perform Your super excellent activities to rescue Your
devotees.
Text 79 81
The story of Ajamila is wonderful of how from the most degraded state he
remembered the Supreme Lord at the moment of death. He saw the Yamadutas (angels
of death) coming to drag his soul away to the nether regions of hell and in fear
looking for shelter he saw his son's innocent face and called out his name "Narayana",
the holy name of the Supreme Lord, and this immediately reminded him of the
Lord. As soon as his mind rested on the Lord all his danger and distress
disappeared. Only the elevated devotees of the Lord have easy access to the
greatest spiritual treasure, which is the constant remembrance of the Supreme
Lord, this is not surprising.
Text 82 83
"O Lord! I am such a destitute that I do not even possess the sweetness of Your
memory and yet You have not forsaken me. Although I am unfit to see You, You are
present before me in person. I am praying to You now for only one benediction."
Text 84
Lord Chaitanya replied, "Say all that you want to say, there is nothing that I
do not want to give you."
Text 85 88
Haridas spoke to the Lord with folded hands, "O Lord, I have known only
misfortune yet You give me so much hope. Just allow me to partake of the remnant
of foodstuffs of Your devotees totally surrendered to Your lotus feet. Let this
activity be my permanent and most prominent service life after life. My sinful
birth and existence is miserable, without remembering You, but now please make
my life successful by granting me the remnant of Your servitors.
Text 89 91
I feel within my heart that I have committed a grave offense by asking of You to
situate me in the elevated status of that of a vaisnava, although I am grossly
unfit. O Lord! my master, Protector and the maintainer of the entire creation, I
am spiritually lifeless, therefore kindly forgive my ignorance. O Lord
Visvambhar, the beautiful son of Mother Sachi, You are my master, so be merciful
to me and keep me as a dog in the house of a Vaisnava."
Text 92
Haridas Thakur was overwhelmed by feeling of ecstatic devotional emotions and he
repeatedly petitioned the Lord, his desire for humility and devotional service
unfulfilled.
Text 93 95
Lord Chaitanya replied, "Listen My dear Haridas, you are a highly elevated
Vaisnava, if anyone spends a day in your services and association or you kindly
speak to someone for a short time, that person certainly achieves Me, there is
no doubt about this. Whoever respects and serves you does so to Me also, for I
perpetually reside within you.
Text 96 97
As my servitor Your position is unique, you have therefore imprisoned Me within
your heart eternally. I bless you that since you are crowned already with a
faultless character that you will always continue to worship and serve Me and My
devotees without a single deviation or offense."
Text 98 99
A tumultuous sound of joy from the Vaisnavas greeted Lord Chaitanya's boon to
Haridas Thakur. High birth, caste, fruitive activities or wealth are worthless
commodities to achieve love of Godhead only the intense loving desire for
Krishna can bring one to the lotus feet of Krishna.
Text 100 101
A Vaisnava may take birth in any family, but he always is the most exalted
Personality this is the spiritual verdict. The living proof is Haridas Thakur
who was born into a Muslim family, yet what he saw and spiritually perceived is
rarely experienced by even eminent personalities like Lord Brahma etc.
Text 102
Only the most wretched sinner will discriminate a Vaisnavas caste, race or
nationality, and for doing so he suffers the pangs of repeated birth in the
lower species of life.
Text 103 105
One who hears this pastime of the Lord and Haridas Thakur with proper faith will
certainly enjoy the fruit of Krishna prem. These words are not my
concoction but the bold declarations of all scriptures. One is sure to
experience the bliss of devotional service to Lord Krishna if one hears the
transcendental activities of the pure devotees of the Supreme Lord. All glories
to Haridas Thakur, a giant amongst the Vaisnavas, remembering him one is freed
from all sinful reactions.
Text 106 107
Devotees started talking about Haridas: someone said, "He is like Lord Brahma",
another observed "Prahlad has come again as Haridas ". Haridas Thakur was in
every respect a great and unalloyed devotee, he is an eternal associate of Lord
Chaitanya.
Text 108 111
Lord Brahma, Lord Siva are always desiring in their hearts the transcendental
company of Haridas Thakur. All the demigods feel this same urge to associate
with Haridas, and Ganga devi wishes to bathe Haridas in her waters. Such is
Haridas Thakur's exalted position. That just seeing him relieves one from the
bondage of material existence; what to speak of associating with him. Great
stalwart devotees like Prahlad who was the son of a demon, and Hanuman who was a
monkey are considered exalted Vaisnavas, similarly Haridas Thakur was born in a
low caste non Hindu family but is counted amongst the foremost Vaisnava
devotees.
Text 112 113
Haridas along with Murari and Sridhar began to weep joyful tears. While Lord
Visvambhar smiled pleasantly on them chewing betel. Sitting on the throne the
Lord was engulfed in dazzling effulgence and an equally brilliantly shining Lord
Nityananda stood holding the umbrella over Lord Chaitanya.
Text 114 116
Lord Chaitanya looked towards Advaita Acharya smiling and began to reveal his
inner thoughts, "Listen Acharya, do you remember when I once fed you one night?
At the time I had not yet advanced and you were endeavoring excessively to bring
Me down from My spiritual abode.
Text 117 119
You would hold discourses on the Bhagavat-gita and explain everything in terms
of devotional service, there was hardly a soul who could grasp these topics. And
once when you did not find the meaning of a certain text pertaining to
devotional service you did not look for discrepancies and faults in the text but
gave up enjoyment for acquiring accurate esoteric knowledge. You were very
depressed and lay back refusing to eat and I appeared before you.
Text 120 121
When you fast, it is the same for me too, whatever you offer me I accept, I
cannot stand to see your slightest pain, so I appeared in your dream that night
and spoke to you.
Text 122 124
"Awake, awake, Acharya and hear the real purport of the Gita text, this is truly
its unequivocal meaning. Please get up and eat, give up your fast, for you I
will reveal the esoteric meanings, eat to your satisfaction and everything will
happen in a dream."
Text 125 127
In this way the doubts that had arisen in Acharya's mind while discoursing on
the Gita, the Lord reminded Acharya distinctly of the dreams in which He had
appeared to him clearing his doubts. He reminded the Acharya distinctly of the
dreams in which He had appeared to him clearing his doubts. He reminded the
Acharya of the correct number and the precise dates of the dreams and the exact
texts He had explained to clear his doubts. Truly Advaita Acharyas devotion is
glorious, how can I describe his unlimited potency and his devotion?
Text 128 130
Lord Chaitanya replied, "I had explained to you all the texts that were
difficult with the exception of one, and that I will explain to you now. The
Gita text that reads "Sarvatah panipadauta" meaning The Supreme Being's
hands and feet are everywhere is wrongly interpreted due to the rigidness of
partisan thinking of certain school's philosophical thoughts. The real purport
of this verse is read as "sarvatra panipadauta" meaning the Supreme Being
pervades everything with His Omnipotent presence.
Text 131 132
The complete Gita text reads "Sarvabah pani padamtat sarvata ksi siro mukham
sarvatah srutimal loke sarvam avritya tisthati"
(Everywhere are His hands and legs, His eyes and face, and He hears everything.
In this way the Supersoul exists). I have just revealed to you the very
confidential meaning of this text, who else is there other than you who can
rightly comprehend this subject matter."
Text 133
Advaita Acharya is a secret disciple of Lord Chaitanya, and Lord Chaitanya"s
explanations are His only shelter.
Text 134 136
So when Advaita Acharya heard this explanation which was so dear to him he was
overcome with happiness and he began to weep. He addressed the Lord saying "I am
unable to say anything, it is only my great fortune and glory that You are my
Lord and master." Advaita Acharya was merged in ecstatic bliss seeing the
wonderful potency of the Lord.
Text 137 138
One who has no faith in these spiritual explanations and such spiritual
exchanges are certainly doomed to perish. Only the rare souls, the pure devotees
of the Lord can understand the spiritual dissertations of Advaita Acharya, who
was personally taught by Lord Chaitanya.
Text 139 140
The instructions of the Vedas are invariably interpreted in various ways, so
also Advaita Acharya"s highly esoteric explanations often found different
interpretations. Who can grasp the meaning of the Acharya's dissertations that
deal with such subtle spiritual matters, undoubtedly His words are as good as
the Supreme Lord's own.
Text 141 143
The Acharya's words are like the autumn clouds, it rains in certain areas only
leaving other places dry; His words are understood by a few fortunate ones not
everyone. Advaita Acharya cannot be blamed for this, for everything depends on
the persons ability to understand His words due to his piety and good fortune.
Text 144 146
Advaita Acharya's main devotional duty was to serve the lotus feet of Lord
Chaitanya, this can be testified by all the Vaisnavas. And those who disregard
the instructions of other Vaisnava associates of Lord Chaitanya with the excuse
that they are followers of Advaita Acharya only cannot gain the Lord's favor.
Those who accept Lord Chaitanya as the Lord of all the Lords the Supreme Lord
are true followers of Acharya and the Acharya also recognizes their service.
Text 147
Devotional service to the Acharya is imperishable, yet it is rendered impotent
if one does not accept Lord Chaitanya as the Lord and master of everyone
including Advaita Acharya.
Text 148 150
Ravan was a great devotee of Lord Siva but he did not accept the Supremacy of
Lord Ramchandra, who is the Lord of even Siva. Lord Siva was displeased with his
devotee and did not receive his worship or service, so Ravan's worship was
useless, hence he and his entire race was destroyed. Lord Siva does not convey
to his devotees his personal feeling about their actions whether good or bad;
whoever is sufficiently intelligent with understanding the desire of Lord Siva
in his heart.
Text 151 154
In the same way the followers of Advaita Acharya not understanding the desire of
their master claim to be His disciples and criticize Lord Chaitanya. Advaita
Acharya does not tell them anything due to His specific nature, so because of
neglecting the advice of other Vaisnavas and the inner desire of Advaita
Acharya, they perish. These condemned persons do not understand that Advaita
Acharya's exalted position and His mystic perfection are all due to the mercy of
Lord Chaitanya. And if anyone volunteers to instruct them on these matters they
become enraged and go to strike their well wisher. Little do they know that Lord
Chaitanya's external potency Mayadevi is exceedingly powerful and She takes
efficient care of such wayward and demoniac souls.
Text 155 157
Those who do not understand that Lord Chaitanya is the most beautiful Supreme
Personally and Advaita Acharya is His servitor and is like the Lord's different
jewelry and ornaments that decorate Him. Their positions have clearly defined in
the previous verses and in spite of it if people fail to comprehend them they
are doomed. A person's elevation and progress in devotional life depends on how
much he is serving Lord Chaitanya, there is nothing superior to the Lord's
devotional service.
Text 158 159
The devotees can advance in his devotional service in proportion to the mercy he
receives from Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda by rendering devotional
service, in this way devotional mellows constantly increase. Lord Nityananda
inspires everyone to chant all the time. He says "My dear brothers say 'O my
Lord Gaurachandra'."
Text 160 161
Advaita Acharya is totally engrossed in remembering Lord Chaitanya and His
pastimes often moved to tears by devotional emotions. After hearing these
transcendental narrations if one is unable to develop devotional fervor and love
for Lord Chaitanya then contact with such a person should be avoided for it will
wither away ones faith and piety.
Text 162 163
One who understands that Advaita Acharya is a foremost Vaisnava devotee of Lord
Chaitanya and serves Him in that capacity is himself an exalted Vaisnava devotee
and he is assured of the shelter of Lord Krishna eternally. Such a Vaisnava is
also very dear to Advaita Acharya; others who do not understand this
relationship are despicable rejects of human society.
Text 164 166
Advaita Acharya is always extremely pleased to hear about His Lord Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu glorified as the Supreme Lord of all. Advaita Acharya Himself
glorifies Lord Chaitanya in this manner, there should be no doubt about this.
Lord Chaitanya revealed the real purport of the Gita to the Acharya and then hid
the portals of devotional life from the non devotees.
Text 167 168
Lord Chaitanya suddenly spoke out lifting His arms, "Everyone look at Me, ask
any boon you desire". All the assembled devotees bubbled over with happiness
hearing the Lord's words and they each asked a boon from the Lord.
Text 169 172
Advaita Acharya spoke first saying, "My Lord I only pray that You shower Your
grace on this ignorant and fallen soul." Someone else said, "My father opposes
my devotional involvement, so grant me this O Lord that his heart may be
transformed and he becomes a devotee." In this way they asked for the good
blessings of their dear ones, disciples, sons, wives, servants and so on. One of
them prayed, "Lord please increase my faith in my guru."
Text 173
Lord Visvambhar is the benefactor of all His devotees and fulfills all their
wishes, smiling sweetly He granted everyone's boon.
Text 174 177
Mukunda all this while was behind the curtains outside the room unable to muster
sufficient courage to appear before the Lord. Mukunda is loved by all and he
also knows everyone intimately. No one could understand why he was being ignored
because when he sang the Lord seemed to hear all the time. The Lord did not call
him inside, nor did he come; the devotees felt sad about Mukunda.
Text 178 182
Srivas Pandit said to the Lord, "O Lord what offense has Mukunda committed at
Your lotus feet? Mukunda is favored by You, and he is dear to all of us, who can
prevent his heart from melting hearing Mukunda"s singing? He is
devotionally
inclined and always careful in all respects, yet without seeing any apparent
fault in him You have insulted him my Lord. And if he has committed some mistake
then punish him, but why do You disown him and push away Your own servant. O
Lord let him see Your Lordship, but he will never come in unless You call him."
Text 183 185
The Lord said, "Never speak like that to Me. Do not plead to Me on that wretched
persons behalf. The descriptions you heard about pretenders who make a show of
humility and next moment they are aggressive is in fact a correct assessment of
Mukunda, none of you really know him in truth. Mukunda sometimes is a perfect
figure of humility approaching Me holding straw in his teeth, but the next
moment he comes to strike Me with an iron rod, I cannot ìbear to see that
pretentious wretch."
Text 186 187
Speaking eloquently in Mukunda's favor, Srinivasa said, "Who can understand the
inconceivable workings of Your energies? We never noticed anything offensive in
Mukunda's character, and the shelter of Your lotus feet is witness to his
innocence."
Text 188 190
Lord Chaitanya commented, "That spineless wretch will vociferously agree to all
philosophical views to suit the company he is in when he reads the "Yoga
Vasishtha" with Advaita Acharya he favors the impersonal mayavadi philosophy; in
the company of Vaisnavas he pretends to be a Vaisnava singing and dancing with
perfect humility. Again when he goes and joins another sampradaya there he
rejects devotional service and flays the process of `bhakti' with aggressive
criticism."
Text 191 192
One who claims that there is some process which is higher than devotional
service factually strikes me with an iron rod. He commits a serious offense to
the path of devotional service, and so I cannot see his face."
Text 193 196
Mukunda heard everything standing outside and heard that he will not be allowed
to see Lord Chaitanya. Previously on his guru's request Mukunda did not accept
the process of devotional service, and Lord Chaitanya with His inconceivable
mystic potency could know all this. So Mukunda a pure devotee of the Lord
contemplated, "There is no reason to remain alive any longer, I shall finish off
this sinful body of mine. I do not know for how long I can go on."
Text 197 198
Mukunda spoke up aloud, "Please hear me Srivas Thakur, tell me, will I ever see
my Lord Chaitanya again?" He broke down and wept bitterly; Mukunda's condition
touched the compassionate hearts of the Vaisnavas.
Text 199
The Lord replied, "Let him go through another ten million births and he then can
certainly see Me."
Text 200 202
When Mukunda heard this promise from the Lord's own mouth he was overtaken by
tremendous joy and stood drenched in tears. Repeating, "I will get, I will
get", Mukunda Lord Chaitanya's servitor, danced like a mad man in ecstatic love
of God. The Lord's assurance that he will see him made him dance in ecstasy.
Text 203 204
When Lord Chaitanya saw Mukunda dancing He laughed and ordered, "Bring him here
immediately." The Vaisnava devotees eagerly informed Mukunda to come quickly to
the Lord's presence, but Mukunda did not hear anything, he was completely
submerged in ecstasy.
Text 205 206
Lord Chaitanya said, "O Mukunda, your offenses are condoned, come, see Me, and
receive My blessings." The devotees went and quickly brought Mukunda in front of
the Lord. Mukunda fell to the ground seeing the opulent appearance of the Lord.
Text 207 210
The Lord spoke, "Get up, get up My dear Mukunda, all your offenses have been
exonerated. You lost your wealth of devotion by wrong association, but now again
by your loving devotion you have conquered and indebted Me. I said to you that
after ten million births you will have your desire to see Me fulfilled, You
immediately pushed away all previous doubts and offenses. You had full faith in
the infallibility of My words, thus You have bound me eternally in your heart
with the bonds of loving devotion."
Text 211 213
You are My singer and you shall remain with Me, all this time I was cutting
jokes with you because of our intimacy. And if perchance you really commit
millions of offenses then I do not consider them to be offenses because you are
eternally My dearly beloved associate. Your body is cent percent imbued with
loving devotion to Me, I perpetually reside in your tongue as the holy trance."
Text 214 215
Mukunda heard Lord Chaitanya's reassuring words, they moved him to tears and he
felt apathy towards himself, condemning himself he said, "I am so degraded. I
know nothing about devotional service, how can a faithless fool like me
experience the bliss of devotion just by seeing You?"
Text 216 218
Duryodhan could see easily your Universal form, whereas scholars study through
all the scriptures in order to just perceive that same form. Yet, Duryodhan and
his entire family was stamped out, under going extreme pains, because he
lacked the slightest devotion. Therefore without possessing the proper
devotional attitude how can I experience bliss even if I see You my Lord?
Text 219 222
When You went to rescue Rukumini devi on her request, from the protection of many
powerful kings who saw You approach mounted on Your bird carrier Garuda, they
saw Your noble kingly bearing and an effulgent form. Your devotees like Lord
Brahma desire in meditation to see this effulgent form as You appeared in the
Vidarbha kingdom. As You were kidnapping Rukumini devi the kings saw You, put up
a fight with You and were all slain, all because they had no devotion for You.
Text 223 225
When you appeared from the waters of the casual ocean in the form of a bear and
picked up the earth from the waters between Your tusks, the demon Hiranyaksa saw
this extraordinary brilliant form. The Demigods are praying to You to see this
wonderful form. But Hiranksya was killed by You because he was a demon and had no
love and devotion to You.
Text 226 227
His brother saw Your terrible and mighty form of half man and half lion that is
rarely seen by anyone, whose breast is the resting place of mother Laksmi, Your
eternal consort. This wonderful form of Narasimha unparalleled in the entire
creation was seen by Hiranyakasipu, but his life was squashed with ease by You
because he was a gross materialist, a non devotee.
Text 228
O Lord I have no devotional feelings, yet strangely I am still alive, my head
does not roll down due to grevious sins.
Text 229 231
Kubja, the hunch back maid servant, of Mathura, wives of the sacrificial brahmin
priests of Vrindavan. The noble ladies of the palace in Mathura, the garland
maker Sudama, when did they see You before they saw You for the first time? Yet
all of them were elevated to the blissful state of loving devotional service to
You. And Kamsa the king of Mathura, at the same time saw You but was killed. I
do not posses any devotion to You my Lord, but yet You keep me.
Text 232 235
Lord Ananta Sesa, that extremely powerful personality holds this immense cosmic
creation with great pleasure only because of his devotion to You. The Universe
sits on just one of His many hundreds of hoods like an insignificant drop of
water, while he is submerged in the ecstatic pastime of glorifying You. Although
He Himself is without support or foundation He is the support and sustainer of
everyone. He can perform such extraordinary feats simply due to the potency of
devotional service to You. Yet I am so fallen and impious that I cannot
appreciate even such wonderful devotional fervor, I am destined for eternal
degradation.
Text 236 239
Lord Siva, Sankara became the husband of Gauri, Durga (mahamaya) by dint of his
devotional service, Narada Muni rose to the platform of an eternal associate of
the Lord also through loving devotion. Vyasdeva complied the entire Vedic
literature yet he was feeling dissatisfied deep in his heart. You had revealed
to him in precise form the essence of the highest spiritual knowledge which is
the science of devotion but he was unable to grasp the full import due to slight
impurities of the mind. Then You spoke to him again through Narada Muni the same
science of devotional service and in this way he felt resuscitated, with
happiness he went on to make perfect this human birth.
Text 240 242
I am worse than an insect yet I am not moved by such devotion, O Lord how can I
ask to see You?" Mukunda began to weep raising his arms up in the air, his body
trembled and he released heavy sighs in ecstatic devotional emotions. Mukunda is
a pure devotee, with a simple and spontaneous love of the Lord, how can I
describe sufficiently the extent of his glories. He is counted amongst the most
intimate eternal associates of the Lord.
Text 243 245
Lord Visvambhar was moved by His devotees suffering and feelings. He said, "Mukunda's
devotional service is very dear to Me, wherever and whenever you sing I will be
present there. And all you have said is absolutely true, one cannot perceive Me
as I am even if one see Me, one can see My true self only through the eyes of
loving devotion."
Text 246 248
"Truly I say to you for you are very dear to Me that the instructions I have
given in the Vedic literature about the different rites and duties of everyone
and their concomitant results cannot be changed by anyone. I alone can do as I
please and supercede these rites and results, because I have the full authority
to do so.
Text 249 250
I have made you speak the truth about devotional service, nothing is of any
value if it is not My devotional service. It pains Me grievously if someone is
against My devotional service, and due to My suffering such an atheist is
deprived of all happiness even if he sees Me.
Text 251 253
Demon King Kamsa's washer man also saw Me, I asked him for help but he refused,
this was very unfortunate for him because he was deprived of the opportunity to
render devotional service. He had no attraction for Me. He had performed very
severe austerity and penances for many many life times just to see Me; this
piety gave him the fortune to see Me. Yet he could not experience the
exhilaration of seeing Me due to lack of devotion.
Text 254 256
I do not show any mercy to non devotees and even if they see Me they are
deprived of the transcendental result, eternal happiness. One's devotion is
drained if one is offensive to the authorized process of devotional service. Due
to the absence of devotion seeing Me is fruitless. Whatever you have said are
actually just the things I wanted to say: in fact why should any other topic
grace your mouth?
Text 257 260
I shall propagate the process of devotional service everywhere this I have said
to you; I will do this through your voice, through your songs. All the Vaisnavas'
hearts will melt with ecstatic joy hearing your songs. Just as you are very dear
to Me so will you also be amongst all My devotees, the Vaisnavas. And wherever I
descend in any incarnation you will be also present as My singer."
Text 261 263
As the Lord showered blessings and boons on Mukunda the Vaisnava assembly
resounded with great jubilation. Devotees clasped their hands and sang out,
"glory to Lord Jagannath, glorify the Lord" (Jai Jagannath! Haribol!) and so on. Whoever hears these
narrations about Mukunda receiving the Lord's special mercy is favored by the
Lord to become an associate of Mukunda as a singer.
Text 264 265
All the topics on the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya are highly confidential
subjects undisclosed in the Vedas, only the intelligent class of men can
appreciate these topics and not the foolish. Those who relish these pastimes
will certainly be able to see Lord Chaitanya face to face.
Text 266 267
So it continued, each Vaisnava as he desired had his wish fulfilled by the Lord.
Srivas Pandit is a very great and exalted personality and so all these pastimes
took place in his own house.
Text 268 270
The Lord appeared to each devotee individually as different incarnations
according to the devotees attachment to a particular incarnation of the Lord.
All these manifestations were extraordinary and super excellent, Lord Chaitanya
performed His pastimes in this manner. Everyday the Lord revealed His super
mundane pastimes and all the assembled Vaisnavas along with their wives saw
these extra ordinary happenings.
Text 271 274
One who surrenders his body and mind and becomes the Lord's servitor can
perceive these transcendental activities. In Navadvip there is no dirth of men
in the renounced order of sannyasa mental spectators, men who are either
performing severe penances studying th scriptures or performing yogic practices.
Most of them are studying the Gita and Bhagavata since long, and some of them
are even giving lessons to others on these scriptures, yet not one of them are
willing to give up their own ways and practices and religious views. Some
undertake strict vows to remain celebrate throughout life, never to accept
service from others and in this way lead a life of extreme hardship.
Text 275 277
The intelligence of this was covered over by false ego to such an extent that
none of them could perceive the descent of Vaikuntha to Srivas Pandit's
residence and the spiritual bliss emanating from these. That which was seen and
experienced by the servants and maid servants in Srivas Pandit's house is
unknown to even scholars well versed in all the scriptures. The wonderful boon
Murari Gupta's servant received went unnoticed by those who shaved their heads
to exhibit renunciation.
Text 278 280
Lord Chaitanya can be captivated by devotion alone, and not with wealth, high
birth, erudition or any such mundane means. One may be crowned with wonderful
accomplishments yet he is unable to attract mercy of Lord Chaitanya, for the
Lord submits to unalloyed devotion, as is clearly declared in the Vedas. So in
Navadvip, all the great scholars and pundits were unaware of these extraordinary
happenings.
Text 281 282
Those who are sinful are like a lake without water where beauty ìs absent, how
can the living beings otherwise be deprived of the spiritual bliss of
experiencing these pastimes? These super mundane pastimes of the Lord are
continuously existing , never ever ending; the Vedas describe them as sometimes
`manifest` and at other times `unmanifest'.
Text 283 284
Lord Chaitanya's pastimes are being performed even now. Whoever is blessed by
the Lord to see can see, others cannot see.
Text 285 286
The Lord appeared to His different devotees in the particular incarnation the
devotees worshipped Him. He personally taught them about His Supreme Absolute
position and that He is the source of everything and everyone. This knowledge
was then later transmitted to posterity.
Text 287 289
The Lord said, "In every birth you have received my association, your servants
and disciples will thus also see My pastimes through you." The Lord then
distributed the garlands that graced His breast, and all were blessed to
received the chewed remanent of the Lord's betel. The devotees were caught up in
the wave of ecstatic joy as they munched on the radiant moon like Lord's
remanent.
Text 290 293
The remanent of the Lord's food went to the pious and fortunate Narayani. The
Lord gave this innocent little niece of Srivas Pandit (his brother's daughter) His
remanent. She ate the Lord's remanent with joy and relish and the Vaisnavas
blessed her saying that she was most fortunate since she could serve the Supreme
Lord Narayan directly at such a young age.
Text 294 296
After Narayani had eaten, Lord Chaitanya said, "Narayani, let Me hear you cry
for Krishna in great ecstasy." Such is the influence of Lord chaitanya's words
that she immediately called out "Krishna, Krishna" and began to weep. Thus the
pastime came to be known to all the Vaisnavas for all times and she became
famous as "Narayani, who ate Lord Chaitanya"s remanent."
Text 297 298
As the devotees were beckoned by the Lord they hastened to His presence. All
these pastimes of Lord Chaitanya that are being narrated ate transcendental if
one does not have faith in them then his future is dark.
Text 299 300
Lord Chaitanya is very close and dear to Advaita Acharya this relationship makes
Advaita Acharya glorious. And Lord Nityananda is very close and dear to Lord
Chaitanya, these glories of Lord Nityananda are sung in all the Vedic
literatures.
Text 301
If one does not recognize his identity as a devotee of Lord Chaitanya, and he
may be respected by the whole world, he is worth no more than a straw to the
learned Vaisnava assembly.
Text 302 303
Lord Nityananda introduce Himself saying, "I am Lord Chaitanya's servant", He is
always in this mood of a servitor. And only by His mercy one develops love for
Lord Chaitanya. All detriments in spiritual life are overcome by worshipping
Lord Nityananda.
Text 304 306
The greatest hope I always cherish in my heart is that Lord Chaitanya is the
Lord of my Lord. O Lord Chaitanya kindly offer me the shelter of the lotus feet
of Lord Nityananda, who as Lord Ananta Sesa is holding this universe. I am able
to sing the glorious life and pastimes of Lord Chaitanya out of my love and
attachment for Lord Balaram. My Lord Balaram is always desiring the best for the
world.
Text 307 308
Lord Nityananda knows no other designation other than being Lord Chaitanya's
servant and only through serving Lord Nityananda is one eligible to become a
devotee of Lord Chaitanya. As by LOrd Nityananda's grace I can know Lord
Chaitanya in truth, similarly to fully comprehend the truth about devotional
service one must receive the blessing of Lord Nityananda.
Text 309 311
Lord Nityananda is very dear to all the Vaisnava devotees, everyone can receive
from Lord Nityananda entry into the path of devotional service. Somehow, if by
chance someone disregards Lord Nityananda then Lord Chaitanya Himself condemns
him to eternal suffering. The full glory of Lord Nityananda is very rarely
known, even the great yogi and exalted Vaisnava Lord Siva does not know His
unlimited potencies.
Text 313
One who is not offensive and critical of others, who chants Krishna's holy name
always will soon be able to captivate with his love the uncontrollable and
invisible Lord Chaitanya. The scriptures instruct that spiritual goals are
unattractive through criticism of others, the religion expounded by Bhagavat is
to respect everyone.
Text 314 316
These narrations of the Madhya Khanda are like nectar, but to an atheist they
taste bitter. If one has a bitter taste eating sweets then his is truly
unfortunate and sick and that does not really change the taste of sweets to one
of bitterness. Similarly if one cannot relish the nectarine pastimes of Lord
Chaitanya then that is his great misfortune.
Text 317 318
A person, even though in the renounced order of sannyasa, will enter into
countless cycle of births of total ignorance if he is offensive to Lord
Chaitanya. Whereas is a bird, even without proper spiritual knowledge, sings the
name of Lord Chaitanya will enter the Lord's eternal abode.
Text 319 320
All glory to Lord Gaura chandra, life of Lord Nityananda, kindly make Your
beloved Lord Nityananda my life and soul. I offer my obeisances at the lotus
feet of all Your associates with whom You performed so many pleasurable
pastimes.
Text 321
Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda are my life and soul, I Vrindavan
das offer this song to their lotus feet.
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