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Chaitanya Bhagavat |
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Madhya Lila |
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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.
All glories to the beloved Lord Gaurasundar,
who is most dear to everyone, especially Lord Nityananda and Advaita Acharya
Prabhu. He is the life and soul of Sri Jagannath Pandit and Sri Gadadhara, and
the most precious treasure of Pundarika Vidyanidhi. All glories to Lord
Chaitanya for He is the Lord and master of Jagadisa and Gopinatha. All glories
to the associates of Lord Chaitanya.
Lord Chaitanya continued to perform wonderful pastimes in Navadvip along with
Lord Nityananda Prabhu. Assisting in Their pastimes Advaita Acharya Prabhu,
as well as all the other Vaisnavas, performed grand kirtan, dancing ecstatically
while constantly chanting of the holy name of Lord Krishna.
While Nityananda Prabhu remained in Srivas Pandit's house He manifested the mood
of a young boy. He would not even eat by Himself and had to be fed by Mother
Malini, who felt like a mother to Him.
One day Lord Chaitanya began to discuss topics regarding Krishna Consciousness
with Srivas Pandit. Wanting to test Srivas He asked, "Why do
you keep and maintain
this Avadhut in your house? You don't even know anything about Him, who He is,
where He comes from or what is His family background is. I warn you that you are
being too lenient and kind to Him. If you want to maintain the good reputation
of your family in society then you should immediately turn this Avadhut out of
Your house."
Srivas Pandit smiled and said, "O Lord, it is not proper for You to test me in
this way. I know that Lord Nityananda is Your expansion. You are the Supreme
Lord and there is no difference between Yourself and Lord Nityananda. I am Your
servant and anyone who serves You becomes my master. Even if Lord Nityananda
were a meat eating drunkard and due to my association with Him I lost my
reputation, wealth and everything, still, I tell You truly that I would never
think of anything else other than serving His and Your lotus feet.
Hearing Srivas Pandit speaking in this manner the Lord stood up and roared
loudly with great joy, "What have I just heard from you Srivas Pandit? You have
so much faith and love for Nityananda Prabhu? You have understood the truth
about My dearmost confidential associate. This has pleased Me so much that I
grant you this boon: Even if there comes a time when Laksmi devi, the Goddess of
fortune, is forced to wander about with a begging bowl, still your house will
never know the chills of penury. Everyone in Your house, including your pet dogs
and cats, will find complete shelter in My devotional service. Therefore I leave
Lord Nityananda Prabhu in your care so that you may look after Him and serve Him
properly." Saying this the Lord returned home.
Lord Nityananda spent His time roaming about Navadvip. Sometimes He went to the
Ganga to take a swim and happily allowed the currents to carry Him away. At
other times He played with the young boys acting like a little child Himself. He
would visit the houses of Gangadasa Pandit and Murari Gupta, and then run to
Lord Chaitanya's house where Mother Sachi showered Him with affection. Absorbed
in the mood of a young boy Lord Nityananda would try to catch mother Sachi's
feet and she always tried to escape from Him.
One night mother Sachi had a dream which she later related to Lord Visvambhar in
confidence. "Late in the night I dreamed I saw You and Nityananda. You were two
five year old boys, running about playing and fighting. I saw both of You enter
the Deity room and then come out with the deity of Lord Balaram in Your hand,
and the deity of Krishna in Nityananda's hand. The four of You then began to
fight with each other.
Lord Balaram and Lord Krishna were angry and said to You, 'Hey, You cheaters,
You impostors, get out of here. This house and this room belongs to Us, and
everything else here like the sweets, curds and milk are all Ours.'
Nityananda replied, 'Those days of stealing butter and curd for You to eat are
now gone. You are no longer cowherd boys. Now You have become young brahmanas so
give up Your possessiveness about all these sweets, yogurt and milk now. If You
do not listen to Our sweet persuasion then We will convince you with a beating.
Who is going to tolerate Your plundering and mischief.'
Lord Balaram and Lord Krishna replied, 'We will catch hold of both of You
imposters and tie You up and leave you here. If by chance You go against the
wishes of Krishna, no one will blame Us for this.'
Lord Nityananda Prabhu then replied, 'Who is afraid of Your Krishna? My Lord and
Master is Lord Visvambhar.'
The four of them fought with each other in this way, snatching the sweets and
food from each others hands and mouths and eating it. Nityananda called out to
me saying, 'Mother, bring My food I am very hungry'. Thereafter I woke up, but I
cannot understand anything of this dream, therefore I am telling You."
Hearing the description of Mother Sachi's dream Lord Visvambhar smiled and spoke
to her tenderly. "That was a nice dream you had mother, but do not tell this to
everyone. Our Deities are actually living and are very potent. Your dream has
increased and strengthened My devotion and faith in Them. It is interesting that
you dreamt about this, as I have been observing something strange which I did
not reveal before because I was feeling ashamed. I noticed that the foodstuff
which your daughter in law cooked and offered to Their Lordships, Lord Balaram
and Lord Krishna, would remain half eaten after the offering was over. I was
suspicious of my wife, but now everything has become clear.
Visnupriya, Sri Laksmi devi the mother of the universe, heard the details of
Mother Sachi's dream from the inner quarters and smiled at her husband's words.
Lord Visvambhar said, "Mother let me go and bring Nityananda here right away and
you can feed him." Happy to hear this, Sachi Mata quickly began to prepare for
cooking.
Lord Visvambhar went to Nityananda Prabhu and extended an invitation to Him,
along with a warning; "Today, we are making a special offering to the Deities so
please do not misbehave."
Nityananda Prabhu caught hold of His ears and cried, "Visnu, Visnu, only mad
people misbehave. You think that I will misbehave because You think everyone is
like Yourself." Joking in this way they proceeded towards Viswambara's house,
absorbed in talks of Krishna.
Entering the house They were given water to wash Their feet and then sat down to
eat next to each other, surrounded by Gadadhara Pandit and other friends. Sitting
together in this way Nityananda and Visvambhar looked exactly like Lord
Ramchandra and Lakshman sitting in Their Mother's house. The mood was the same
and Their affection for each other was the same, as They were the same Persons.
Mother Sachi was very happy and excitedly hurried to serve out three full plates
of prasadam for the two of Them. When she returned she found two young boys of
five in the place where Visvambhar and Nityananda had been sitting. One of the
boys had a blackish complexion and the other was very fair. Both of Them were
exquisitely beautiful, and were without any clothing. One of Them had four arms
which held the conch shell, disc, mace and lotus. His breast was marked with the
Srivatsa, the glistening kosa (kaustubha) jewel hung from His neck and beautiful
fish shaped earrings dangled from His ears. The other boy held the plough and
the pestle. She also saw her daughter in law, Visnupriya, situated on the breast
of one of the young children. No sooner had she seen this wonderful sight then
it vanished.
Mother Sachi stood still mummified with ecstasy and tears rolled down her face
drenching her clothes. All the foodstuff scattered as mother Sachi fell to the
ground and lay unconscious.
Lord Visvambhar rushed to wash His hands and mouth then quickly ran to rescue
His mother. Lifting her up He said, "Mother, Mother, please get up, calm down,
get control of yourself. Why did you suddenly fall to the ground?"
Mother Sachi slowly regained consciousness and quickly tied her loosened hair.
Without uttering a word she went inside her room and began weeping. She was
overwhelmed with ecstatic love for God and nothing else mattered to her. Her
breath came in great sighs and her body trembled from head to toe.
Meanwhile the servant, Isana, cleaned the eating room. He collected the remnants
of food that had scattered on the floor and ate it all. Isana is truly extremely
fortunate, for everyday he performed such wonderful activities yet he remained
like a servant, thus no one knew that he was actually perceiving the highest
transcendental truth.
Lord Gaurachandra, along with His devotees, continued to perform congregational
chanting of the holy name in Navadvip. Although the Lord's eternal associates
had appeared in different parts of Bengal, gradually, in small numbers, they
began to come to Navadvip. There they soon found out that the Supreme Lord had
appeared. Allaying the fears of the devotees and filling their hearts with
bliss, Lord Visvambhar manifested Himself before them as the Supreme Personality
of Godhead.
The Lord's devotees are as dear to Him as His own heart, thus that Supreme
Personality who is intensely sought after through the Vedic literature, mixed
freely with His devotees, embracing all of them so lovingly that each one of
them felt as if he were the most prominent of the Lord's associates.
The Lord regularly visited His disciples in their homes, where he would exhibit
to them His four handed form. Sometimes He went to Gangadasa Pandit's house or
to Murari Gupta's house, and at other times He visited Srivas Pandit's. But all
the while The Lord's constant companion was Nityananda Prabhu, whom He could not
bear to be separated from. Lord Nityananda was always engrossed in the playful
mood of a young boy, and Visvambhar wholeheartedly reciprocated with him in the
same spirit.
According to their particular faith, various devotees saw Lord Chaitanya appear
before them in different incarnations: Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Vamana, Nrsimha,
etc.
Some days the Lord was absorbed in the mood of the gopi's and wept continuously,
oblivious to the passage of time. Other days He felt like Uddhava, or Akrura,
while at other times felt like Lord Balaram and demanded that wine be brought to
Him. Sometimes he was filled with the emotions of Lord Brahma and began chanting
hymns, falling on the ground. Another time, feeling like Prahlad Maharaja, He
offered prayers to the Supreme Lord. In this way Lord Chaitanya floated on
various waves of devotional ecstasy.
Observing the happiness of her son, Mother Sachi was extremely happy, yet one
dreadful thought continuously interrupted her cheerful mood: "What if my son
leaves home?" Brushing such unpleasant thoughts aside she said, "Dear son, go
and take Your bath in the Ganga,"
"Mother, please chant the holy name, Krishna, Ram." In every conversation with
His Mother the Lord simply replied with one word: 'Krishna'.
These superexcellent transcendental pastimes of the Lord's are all
inconceivable, they cannot be understood by any amount of material calculation.
One day a wandering devotee of Lord Siva passed by singing the glories of his
Lord, while dancing blissfully round and round. Hearing the singing of the
Sivaite, Sri Chaitanya suddenly appeared in the form of Lord Siva, with great
matted locks of hair piled on His head. Jumping up on the singers shoulders He
shouted loudly, "I am Shankar, I am Shankar." The people watched in amazement as
the Lord sat perched on the devotees shoulder. Playing on a horn and a small
hand tabor, the Lord encouraged the Sivaite to continue singing.
That day that fortunate devotee received the full benefit of purely glorifying
his Lord Siva. purely without offenses. Supreme Lord Gaurasundar sat on his
shoulders. The Lord regained normalcy and climbing down. He then personally offered
alms to the singer. The singer devotee left feeling extremely grateful and
satisfied. The devotee servants of Lord Gauranga, shouted Lord Hari's name feeling a surge of devotional ecstasy in the Lord's company. 96 105
The Lord said, "you My brothers, please hear the essential teachings of all
scriptures. Why should we waste our might in useless activities. Let us make a
firm resolution from today to spend the nights engaged in the most auspicious
activities, chanting the Lord's name. By performing congregational chanting of
the holy name all of us will drown in divine deluge as if the flood of
devotional ecstasy is gushing like Ganga devi. Let the whole world be delivered
by hearing the holy name; in that way You will become everyone's spiritual life
giver and beloved treasure." 106
The Lord's words breathed great joy to all the Vaisnava hearts, Lord Chaitanya
had begun His kirtan pastimes. Every night the Lord met the devotees in Srivas
Pandit's house and performed sankirtan; some days He would also meet in Chandra
Sekhar's house. These sankirtan meetings would be attended by so many devotees,
the Lord's dear servants, that all their names cannot possibly be remembered.
Lord Nityananda was there with Gadadhara Pandit, Advaita Acharya, Srivas Pandit,
Vidyanidhi, Murari, Hiranya, Haridas Thakur, Gangadas, Banamali, Bijoy, Nandan,
Jagadananda Pandit, Buddhimanta Khan, Narayan, Kasisvar, Vasudev, Ram,
Garudai, Govinda, Govindaram, Gopinath, Jagadis, Sriman, Sridhar, Sadasiv,
Vakresvar, Srigarbha, Suklambar, Brahmananda, Purusottam, Sanjay and others.
The Lord was always surrounded only by such devotees who accompanied Him in
kirtan and dancing. The Lord's ecstatic thunderous roars and loud kirtan
rented the very limits of the material world.
110 118
These kirtans agitated the envious atheists. They clapped their thighs and
jumped up pouring out streams of profanity, "all this loud howling and wild
dancing after a good wine bout as soon as it gets to be night time, is robbing
us of our entire night's precious sleep. These impostors entice women to them
with their hypnotic enchantments and enjoy them the whole night. These atheists
are consumed in their own fire of hate, and the Lord, Sachinandan, dances in
graceful ebullience. 119 122
As soon as the kirtan begins, the Lord comes in trance, becomes oblivious of the
phenomenal world. Dancing He falls to the ground with such force that the earth
quakes and cracks in places. The devotees look at Him mummified in fear. As the
Lord's tender body contacts the hard surface, Sachimata closes her eyes silently
praying to Lord Govinda, Krishna for His protection. Sachimata knows that Nimai
is in spiritual trance, yet due to her intense love for the Lord she experienced
great agony. She did not know what action to take so she earnestly prayed to the
Lord. "O Lord Krishna, please grant me this wish, that I may not know when Nimai
hurls HImself to the ground, please grant me this mercy Krishna. Although for Nimai there is no pain but actual blissfulness, I will be happy to remain
unaware of all this." Lord Chaitanya, the Supreme Lord knew Sachimata's wishes,
so accordingly He infused in her divine ecstasy. As long as Lord Chaitanya
performed kirtan and dancing Mother Sachi entered a state of spiritual
exhilaration and became heedless of this material world.123-132
All the time now the Lord spent in sankirtan and ecstatic dancing surrounded by
His followers. Some days the devotees would collect in the Lord's house and
begin loud sankirtan while the Lord immersed Himself in dancing. At times the
Lord exhibited His mood as the Omnipotent Supreme Controller, then at other
times he wept in humility saying, "I am Your servant."
Dear readers hear these
narrations about the Lord's transcendental ecstasies very attentively for there
is no one who can dance so gracefully as Lord Chaitanya in the entire creation.
And likewise the beautiful and exuberant singing of His associates that
accompany His dancing is also incomparable.133-137
On special (religious) days (like Ekadasi, Dvadasi or Visnu tattva appearances)
Lord Chaitanya assembled all the devotees in Srivas Pandit's house from early
dawn and began mesmerizing everyone with jubilant dancing. In the house of that
most fortunate soul, Srivas Pandit, a melodious tumult of the holy names of
Govinda Gopal went up in the atmosphere. Different kirtan groups emerged from
out of the assembled devotees. Srivas Pandit headed one group, Mukunda another
and Govinda yet another. They all sang and the Lord danced. Nityananda Prabhu,
that great spiritual stalwart circumambulated the dancing Lord while Advaita
Acharya Prabhu stealthily lifted the dust from the ground where the Lord danced
and put it on his head. Gadadhar Pandit and others experienced divine
exhilaration and looked at the Lord with tearful eyes.138-144
Hear some of the descriptions of how they performed kirtanas to accompany the
Lord's magnificent dancing. They sang often in "Bhatigari Raga." The directions
resounded with the singing of the holy name, "Govinda", and Mahaprabhu
accompanied it lost in His scintillating body movements. They sang, "Hari O
Ram,
Hari O Ram."145-146
Lord Chaitanya would begin to weep during kirtanas, it continued minimum for an
hour; His long tresses tossed about on the ground and He made no attempt to tie
them. Only hearts of stone can remain unmoved by the sight; the devotees fell
swooning to the ground trying to reach out to the Lord. And when He began
laughing, He broke out in carefree effervescent mirth infecting everyone with
ecstatic joy for hours. Lord Chaitanya being surcharged with the mood of
servitorship became unaware of His own divinity. Jubilantly He repeated, "I am
victorious, I am victorious," and all the devotees chorused the same.147 151
At intervals the Lord sang out so loudly it sounded as if the entire universe
would split open. Sometimes He became heavier than our earth, impossible for
anyone to hold Him; and again He lost so much weight, in a moment He was lighter
than cotton wool and being carried around the house jubilantly by devotees on
their shoulders. The Lord frequently went into ecstatic trances on the least of
provocation putting the devotees in anxiety and they chanted, "Hari" loudly into
His ears to awaken Him. Then sometimes His entire body shivered uncontrolled,
His teeth chattering like a little boy out on a winter morning. Next moment He
was drenched in cold sweat like Mother Ganga was flowing out of His pores. His
body would suddenly become burning hot, drying up all the cooling sandal paste
applied to His person. He released gigantic sighs throwing asunder the devotees
from His front and then He rushed at the devotees to catch their feet and all
the Vaisnavas tried to escape the Lord.152-161
The Lord liked to sit and rest back against Lord Nityananda lifting His lotus
feet He looked smiling at the devotees. The devotees immediately comprehended
the impact of this pastime and they ran to loot the priceless treasure of the
dust of the Lord's lotus feet. Advaita Acharya said, "O You thief, now we have
crushed Your pride." Lord Chaitanya blissfully rolled on the ground and allowed
the devotees to glorify Krishna.162-165
When Lord Chaitanya danced vigorously the earth quaked and the devotees looked
around in apprehension, but when He danced with graceful postures He looked like
the divine Krishna, the son of Nanda Maharaja. He roared sometimes with the roar
of ten million lions but He carefully protected the devotees ear drums. Often He
would be seen by some moving on air little above the ground, yet not everyone
could see. He stared at devotees with eyes turned bright red due to feelings of
extreme ecstasy, they were shocked at first but fled away laughing. Visvambhar
became restless with ecstasy and danced, lost in Himself. He caught some one's
feet and sometimes even clambered on His head. He would drape around someone's
neck and weep and next moment climbing on to his shoulders. Again overcome by the
youthful mood He became restless and made sounds of musical instruments with His
mouth like a playful lad. He would shake His foot and laugh continuously and
then get down and crawl on all fours feeling like a baby.166-175
At times Visvambhar entered into the mood of Syamananda Sundar Krishna and
stood for hours in the tribhanga position (the body bent in three places). He
meditated for sometime and then played the flute, melodiously and He looked just
like Krishna, the moon of Vrindavan. When He came out of this mood He again felt
like the Lord's servitor and wept, with utmost humility He begged everyone
wanting to serve their feet.176-178
The Lord sometimes bent His body like a wheel, His feet touching the head, and
remained like this for long hours. He expressed all His ecstatic moods in
wondrous ways, dancing exquisitely immersed in the bliss of chanting His own
names. Now His body trembled as He frequently made roaring sounds and now became
unquiet fell crashing to the ground. A dancing resplendent golden figure
suddenly they see Him multi colored; they see double images of Him. Supreme Lord
Chaitanya exhibited such extraordinary displays of ecstatic emotion under the
total influence of His mood of a Vaisnava devotee. He often repeated unspeakable
words, shouting before the Vaisnava He respected as a "Prabhu" is now caught by
his hair by the Lord and the Lord calls out, "This fellow is My servant." The
Vaisnava whose feet He tried to catch previously in humility, He now stands on
His breath. The devotees all around were so captivated and moved by the Lord's
ecstatic symptoms that they put their hands around each other's necks and
cried.179-186
The entire group of assembled Vaisnavas look so radiant, their bodies decorated
with sandal wood tilaka and tulasi mala; and blissfully tasted the nectar of
chanting Lord Krishna's name. The sounds of their voices, mrdangas conch shells
and kartals mingled to a melodious uproar. As this auspicious sound of the holy
name spread and filled the azure vaults evil and misfortune disappeared in every
direction. How extraordinary is that Supreme master that the entire universe
becomes cleansed of sin simply by the dancing of His disciples. And the Master
Krishna Himself dances to the accompaniment of His own holy name, how can the
Puranas ever explain this supernatural phenomena?187-191
Lord Chaitanya danced surrounded by His devotees loudly chanting the auspicious
name of Lord Hari. Lord Siva becomes spiritually surcharged with bliss at the
sound of the Lord's name, that once He begins to dance and taste the nectar he
loses track of his person and clothes. That very name of Lord transformed
Valmiki to an embodiment of knowledge and renunciation. The same holy name
offered Ajamila Supreme liberation. hearing His name the shackles of material
existence are broken, that self same Supreme Lord has now appeared in Kaliyuga
and is dancing to His own name. Narada Muni and Sukdeva Gosvami roams the
universe singing His name and Ananta Sesa Prabhu with a thousand mouths
glorifies His name. Whose name is the best means for atonement from my sin, that
same Supreme Personality dances only to be seen by the most fortunate souls. I
am so fallen and wretched that I was not born then to see this marvelous
festival of sankirtan and dance.192-198
Srila Vyasadeva's son Sukadeva Gosvami praised Kaliyuga in Srimad Bhagavatam
because he knew the future advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. That same Lord
now danced immersed within His joyful self enchanting all with the rhythmic
patting of His feet. The Vaijayanti garland around His neck swung wildly echoing
the Lord's ecstatic dancing mood. He tore the garland and threw the shreds at
His devotees' feet; gave up His joy rides on Garuda's shoulder, forgot His conch
shell, disc, mace, lotus holding form, forsake His bed of Ananta Sesa; in His
pastimes as Gaurasundar He rolled on the dust and wept overcome with the
ecstatic mood of servitorship to the Supreme Lord. Gone was His mood of Lord and
Master and the pleasures of the Vaikuntha planets, the ecstasy of being the
Lord's servant overshadowed all other pleasures.199-204
The Lord is Supreme subject of all pleasures, yet disregarding the pleasure of
Laksmi devi's company and exquisite face He prefers to heave His hands and face
in the ecstasy of sankirtan and drown in an ocean of acute separation from His
beloved Krishna. The Supreme Lord who is diligently served by elevated
personalities like Lord Siva and Narada Muni they have given up their wealth,
position for this, that same Lord Gauranga has neglected His Supreme Absolute
Lordship and with utmost humility, taking straw in his mouth is begging and
praying for devotional service.
And if any wretched soul, in spite of the Lord's unprecedented novel example disregards devotional service to the Supreme Lord, he is unfortunate enough to throw away the nectar and drink poison. These are again those who read and propagate the teachings of Srimad Bhagavatam and establish themselves as Lord and Master, without appreciating the extraordinary beauty of devotional service, all their activities are lowly and futile. They do not know the essential truth in the Vedas yet they deliver dissertations on the scriptures, to equally agnostic audience. They are truly like the mules carrying the burden of some load of useless learning. The Vedas and Bhagavatam have unequivocally elucidated the elevated position of devotional servitorship to the Supreme; Laksmi devi, Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and others carefully cultivate this priceless process. 205-212
Those who do not have complete faith in Lord Chaitanya's words are most
unfortunate and are forever disassociated from His mercy.213
It was so divinely enchanting to see Lord Gaurasundar dance surrounded by all
His associates singing sweet melodious kirtanas. Advaita Acharya unable to
control His ecstasy often went into a trance and covered His entire body with
straw, and holding one in His mouth in humility with some on His head He danced
vigorously, His eyebrows drawn close together . The assembled devotees were
astounded by Advaita Acharya's ecstatic symptoms, while Nityananda Prabhu and
Gadadhara Pandit were shaking with laughter. Lord Gaurasundar the dear life of
every soul, continued His sublime dance, frequently overcome by endless ecstatic
emotions. 214-218
Lord Gaura Sundar exhibited such extraordinary symptoms of ecstasy that are not
even mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam, nor has anyone heard about them from
anywhere else. Sometimes His body became stiff like a statue, and no one could
possibly move or bend Him. Then again His body became soft as cream, as if He
had no bones in the body. Other times He looked at least twice His normal size
and again sometimes
He became thinner and smaller than usual. Sometimes He moved drowsily about like
a drunkard, suddenly breaking out into a joyous boisterous laughter shaking His
entire frame.219-223
Seeing the assembled Vaisnavas surrounding Him, Lord Gaurasundar enraptured in
spiritual emotions started calling each with their previous names. He looked
around and shouted out to the individual names like, "Haladhar, Siva, Suka,
Narada, Prahlad, Rama (lakshmi), Aja (Brahma), Uddhava. In this way the Lord
skillfully revealed different devotees previous identities in Krishna lila. All
the devotees marveled, filling their eyes with the enchanting dance of Lord
Gaurasundar in the mood of Lord Krishna.224-227
The crowd at Srivas Pandit's residence drawn by the delightful kirtan was
overflowing and over anxious to see Sri ́Gaurasundar. Those who arrived early
were in the house and could see everything, others remained outside. The Lord
instructed for the doors to be closed. The people of Nadia were impatient,
creating a loud commotion to get inside. They cried out, "we want to see the
kirtan open the doors immediately." The Vaisnavas inside were unaware of any
happenings, their complete attention captivated by the kirtan. 228-232
Amongst those who were not allowed inside were some atheistic and envious
persons making various comments. They said, "they are a bunch of beggars, afraid
and feeling ashamed they might be recognized by others, so they closed the
doors." "You are right, it is only due to the pangs of hunger that they scream
non stop for hours." "Actually they closed the doors because they do not want us
to catch them drinking wine all night," "Nimai Pandit was good and normal, we do
not know why God changed His mentality." "I think this is a consequence of His
past life." "In fact, this is happening because of bad association, ever since
Nimai lost His father He has no one to discipline Him, Nimai has since long
given up His studies, grammar is such a subject if you lose touch of it for even
a month you forget it, His mind is now idle, we know all their excuses. We know
the real reason for their closed door activities. In the night they chant
mystical incantations casting spells on women and bring them here. Together they
eat and drink all sorts of things and decorate themselves with fragrant flowers
and perfumes and engage in various illicit recreation, so they lock their doors
to avoid public censure. Tomorrow I shall definitely have them arrested and
taken away bound up like common criminals. All this howling and shouting, 'Hari,
Hari' was never heard in these parts, now this kirtan has stolen the sleep and
peace of common people. All material prosperity is now forever gone and instead
we will have famine. The rains will stop due to their reprobate activities and
no grains will grow and we will all starve. But let us wait outside a few days,
because this madness cannot go on for too long, we shall see that Srivas or
Advaita or that Avadhut Nityananda does." In this manner the godless persons
raved and threatened, but the Vaisnavas were immersed in joyous ocean of kirtana
and they did not pay attention to their words.233-250
Outside the tirade continued, "It is not a brahmanas duty to sing and dance,
that is for the low class man. Sad that a educated brahmana should set such a
bad example." Just looking at them even an upright brahmana looses all his good
qualities. No one should as much as see their dancing and kirtan even out of
curiosity. Look what happened to Nimai, He was intelligent, now He is mad,
dancing and singing with them and they are steadily increasing in number. What
is their use of calling out to God, without any self realization. God resides
within you, why reject the wealth in your own house and search for it elsewhere
in the forest." Then someone quite unexpectedly said, "no use criticizing
others, better to just go home and mind our own business." Another voice
supported him saying, "We cannot get inside to see the kirtan due to our own
misfortune from our previous life. How can we criticize those who are fortunate
to be inside, participating in the kirtan? They are very pious."251-258
"He must also belong to their group," the atheists cried out, and pressed
aggressively towards him. "What is the great loss if we do not see their
kirtan?
they are simply a few hundred, prancing around screaming as if in war. Without
practicing chanting, penances or cultivating knowledge they follow a concocted
method of discipline and meditation. They collect foodstuffs like rice, bananas,
milk and curd and mixing everything they sit together and eat, this way they
corrupt the caste system."259-262
People came to see the kirtan only to abuse, "Just look at how madly they are
acting, they indulged in such comments and left, again a fresh group of people
gathered to continue the vilification. When two agnostics met they engaged in
ridiculing the Vaisnavas and rolling in laughter. When they met anyone who had
never see the kirtan they forced him to go to Srivas's house, and only on
repeated pleadings would they allow someone to get away.263-266
Someone said, "what a wonder, in spite of seeing all this, the people crazily
follow Nimai Pandit. With all the hustle and bustle Srivas Pandit's house sounds
like he is celebrating Durga puja. The only sound one hears is a great din, this
certainly gives rise to all the ill rumors. Navadvip is crowded with thousands
of erudite scholars, yet these charlatans have gained prominence here. We must
free Navadvip from this Srivas, tomorrow I will demolish his house and float his
belongings down the Ganga. It is for the better of this town to be rid of this
so called brahmana, otherwise when the brahmanical culture wanes by his bad
example the Muslims will take over."266-272
Such were the unending string of invectives against the Vaisnavas, yet some
atheists were somehow very fortunate. They were born in the same place as the
Lord, and so they automatically saw and heard the Lord's dancing, kirtan and
other pastimes. 273-274
The devotees of Lord Chaitanya were deaf to all such criticism intoxicated by
the sweet nectar of Krishna's name. Day and night they sang the different
transcendental names of Krishna, "Jaya Krishna, Murari, Mukunda, Banamali." And
day and night a tireless Lord Visvambhar sang and danced with His associates
whose transcendental bodies were naturally indefatigable. 275-277
Immersed in the ecstasy of name kirtan with Lord Chaitanya millenniums passed
by but by human considerations they were but a few years for the devotees. Like
in the Rasa dance pastimes of Lord Krishna, the young damsels, the Vraja gopis
spent millenniums with Krishna dancing with Him, but to Him it seemed a mere
flitting moment came to an end only to early. Krishna's pastimes are all
inconceivable and the associates of Lord Chaitanya knowing this had similar
experiences of time like the Vraja gopis.278-280
One night, an hour before dawn, Lord Chaitanya suddenly stopped dancing and
climbed up on the altar and lifting up on His lap the shaligram shilas that were
in Lord Visnu's seat He sat down in it. The seat crackled and protested loudly
under His weight. Lord Nityananda quickly rushed to hold up the altar seat, now
with Lord Ananta Sesa supporting the seat, it did not crumble and Lord
Gaurasundar sat comfortably in it and swayed gently. Lord ordered for the
kirtan to discontinue and as quietness settled He began to reveal the
transcendental truth about Himself with a booming loud voice. "In Kaliyuga I
have appeared as Krishna, I am the Supreme Lord Narayan and the fortunate son
of Devaki, I am the Lord and master of the entire cosmic creation; it is I who
is glorified in all your songs for you are My servitors. I have appeared for the
sake of all of you, I have accepted whatever foodstuffs you have offered as they
were gifts meant for Me."
Srivas said, "O Lord, everything is Yours." Lord Chaitanya replied, "I will eat
everything." Advaita Acharya said, "Lord, it is a great fortune for us."281 290
The devotees became busy bringing edibles for the Lord, and the Lord enjoyed it
with relish. He ate milk, curd and fresh butter and kept repeating, "What else
do you have, bring it." They brought Him milk, sweets like sandesh which He
mixed with sugar; they brought rock candy with coconut milk and grains, bananas
with flat rice and fried rice. He consumed large amounts and still said, "bring
more." He ate in a matter of minutes more than what two hundred men could eat.
Still the Lord said, "What else is there, bring it, bring it,
oh there is
nothing here." The devotees were alarmed because their supplies were exhausted,
they became amazed at the Lord in this mood and began to remember the Lord
Almighty in fear.291-296
They prayed to the Lord with folded hands, "O Lord what do we know about Your
mystic potencies? How can we satisfy with our small gifts. Someone who can hold
the entire creation in His stomach?" The Lord replied, "My devotees gifts are
never small or insignificant to Me, quickly bring, bring! what other things you
have."
They said, "please listen dear Lord, the only thing left is some camphor rice,"
the Lord replied, "do not worry, bring Me that."297-300
The devotees became jubilant and forgot their fears, each one hurried to bring
as much rice as they could and the Lord received it with open outstretched
palms. The Lord then made large eyes and rolling them He began calling out loud,
"Narra, Narra, Narra."301-303
The dumb struck devotees sat around with terror in their hearts. They saw the
Lord as a terrible master come to give out punishments, no one could approach
Him. Lord Nityananda stood behind Mahaprabhu holding an umbrella over Him, and
Advaita Acharya stood before the Lord with folded hands offering Him prayers.
All the devotees hung their heads in consternation and remembered the shelter of
Lord Chaitanya's feet.304-307
Whosoever relishes these narrations of the Lord's mystic opulence will certainly
be able to see the beatific face of the Lord. And in whatever stage of spiritual
realization one is situated he will perceive to that extent only such esoteric
revealment. Anything more is impossible without the Lord's sanction.308-309
Looking at Advaita's face the Lord said, "As for a boon, I have incarnated here
only because of you." The Lord looked at all the devotees one by one and
laughing said, "Ask for what you want." The Lord manifested His divine awesome
potency in this way, sweeping away the devotees in waves of ecstasy.310-312
The Lord's inconceivable pastimes are impossible to comprehend; in a matter of
moments the Lord changes from an exacting Autocrat to a devotee swooning in
devotional ecstasy. On regaining consciousness the Lord wept continuously
manifesting the mood of servitorship. He sent around putting His arms around the
Vaisnavas neck and wept calling them, "brother, friend." A ordinary person could
never see such activities, only by the arrangement of the Lord's yoga-maya
potency
the Lord's servitors were eligible to perceive the truth about the Lord's supra-mundane situation. The devotees were joyous and laughing at the Lord's wonderful
character and they said, "Supreme Lord Narayan has advented." 313-317
He again fell down unconscious with overwhelming bliss, and lay on the ground as
if dead. The devotees began to lament bitterly. They thought, "my beloved Lord
has left me behind and left this world, why is He so cruel to me, I will also
leave my body immediately."318-321
The all knowing Lord again woke up feeling the thoughts of His devotees, and
started a loud kirtan. The devotees were suddenly stirred up and in extreme
exhilaration lost balance. Navadvip devotees thus relished such wonderful loving
pastimes with the Lord of Vaikuntha. Whoever hears these transcendental pastimes
of the Lord, his mind will always dwell in the associations of devotees and in
the Supreme Lord Gaurasundar Himself. Sri Krishna Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda
are my life and soul, I Vrindavan das humbly offer this song at their lotus
feet.
ACBSPN Note: Please click
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