Chapter 1
Srila Rupa Gosvami's Second Meeting With the Lord
A summary of the First Chapter is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in
his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya as follows. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannatha
Puri from Vrndavana, all His devotees from other parts of India, upon receiving
the auspicious news, came to Purusottama-ksetra, or Jagannatha Puri. Sivananda
Sena took a dog with him and even paid fees for it to cross the river. One
night, however, the dog could not get any food and therefore went directly to
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu at Jagannatha Puri. The next day, when Sivananda and
his party reached Jagannatha Puri, Sivananda saw the dog eating some coconut
pulp offered to it by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. After this incident, the dog was
liberated and went back home, back to Godhead.
Meanwhile, Srila Rupa Gosvami reached Bengal, after returning from
Vrndavana. Although he could not follow the Bengali devotees, after some time
he then came to Jagannatha Puri, where he stayed with Haridasa Thakura. Srila
Rupa Gosvami composed an important verse, beginning with the words priyah so
'yam, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu relished it very much. One day when Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Ramananda Raya and Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya went to see
Haridasa Thakura, the Lord saw the verse Rupa Gosvami had composed as an
introduction to his books Lalita-madhava and Vidagdha-madhava. After examining
the manuscripts of these two books, Ramananda Raya approved and appreciated
them very much. After the period of Caturmasya, all the devotees who had come
from Bengal returned to their homes. Srila Rupa Gosvami, however, remained at
Jagannatha Puri for some time.
TEXT 1
TEXT
pangum langhayate sailam
mukam avartayec chrutim
yat-krpa tam aham vande
krsna-caitanyam isvaram
SYNONYMS
pangum--one who is lame; langhayate--causes to cross over; sailam--a
mountain; mukam--one who is dumb; avartayet--can cause to recite; srutim--Vedic
literature; yat-krpa--the mercy of whom; tam--unto Him; aham--I; vande--offer
obeisances; krsna-caitanyam--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna Himself;
isvaram--the Lord.
TRANSLATION
I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by
whose mercy even a lame man can cross over a mountain and a dumb man recite
Vedic literature.
TEXT 2
TEXT
durgame pathi me 'ndhasya
skhalat-pada-gater muhuh
sva-krpa-yasti-danena
santah santv avalambanam
SYNONYMS
durgame--very difficult; pathi--on the path; me--of me; andhasya--one
who is blind; skhalat--slipping; pada--on feet; gateh--whose manner of moving;
muhuh--again and again; sva-krpa--of their own mercy; yasti--the stick;
danena--by giving; santah--those saintly persons; santu--let that become;
avalambanam--my support.
TRANSLATION
My path is very difficult. I am blind, and my feet are slipping again
and again. Therefore, may the saints help me by granting me the stick of their
mercy as my support.
TEXTS 3-4
TEXT
sri-rupa, sanatana bhatta-raghunatha
sri-jiva, gopala-bhatta, dasa-raghunatha
ei chaya gurura karon carana vandana
yaha haite vighna-nasa, abhista-purana
SYNONYMS
sri-rupa--of the name Sri Rupa; sanatana--of the name Sanatana; bhatta-raghunatha--of
the name Bhatta Raghunatha; sri-jiva--of the name Sri Jiva; gopala-bhatta--of
the name Gopala Bhatta; dasa-raghunatha--of the name Dasa Raghunatha; ei--these
six; gurura--of spiritual masters; karon--I offer; carana vandana--prayers to the
lotus feet; yaha--from which; vighna-nasa--destruction of all impediments;
abhista-purana--fulfillment of desires.
TRANSLATION
I pray to the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis--Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Bhatta
Raghunatha, Sri Jiva, Gopala Bhatta and Dasa Raghunatha--so that all
impediments to my writing this literature will be annihilated and my real
desire will be fulfilled.
PURPORT
If one wants to benefit the entire world, he will certainly find persons
like hogs and pigs who will put forward many impediments. That is natural. But
if a devotee seeks shelter at the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis, the merciful
Gosvamis will certainly give the Lord's servitor all protection. It is not
astonishing that impediments are placed before those who are spreading the
Krsna consciousness movement all over the world. Nevertheless, if we adhere to
the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis and pray for their mercy, all impediments
will be annihilated, and the transcendental devotional desire to serve the
Supreme Lord will be fulfilled.
TEXT 5
TEXT
jayatam suratau pangor
mama manda-mater gati
mat-sarvasva-padambhojau
radha-madana-mohanau
SYNONYMS
jayatam--all glory to; su-ratau--most merciful, or attached in conjugal
love; pangoh--of one who is lame; mama--of me; manda-mateh--foolish;
gati--refuge; mat--my; sarva-sva--everything; pada-ambhojau--whose lotus feet;
radha-madana-mohanau--Radharani and Madana-mohana.
TRANSLATION
Glory to the all-merciful Radha and Madana-mohana! I am lame and
ill-advised, yet They are my directors, and Their lotus feet are everything to
me.
TEXT 6
TEXT
divyad-vrndaranya-kalpa-drumadhah
srimad-ratnagara-simhasana-sthau
srimad-radha-srila-govinda-devau
presthalibhih sevyamanau smarami
SYNONYMS
divyat--shining; vrnda-aranya--in the forest of Vrndavana;
kalpa-druma--desire tree; adhah--beneath; srimat--most beautiful;
ratna-agara--in a temple of jewels; simha-asana-sthau--sitting on a throne;
srimat--very beautiful; radha--Srimati Radharani; srila-govinda-devau--and Sri
Govindadeva; prestha-alibhih--by most confidential associates;
sevyamanau--being served; smarami--I remember.
TRANSLATION
In a temple of jewels in Vrndavana, underneath a desire tree, Sri Sri
Radha-Govinda, served by Their most confidential associates, sit upon an
effulgent throne. I offer my humble obeisances unto Them.
TEXT 7
TEXT
sriman-rasa-rasarambhi
vamsivata-sthitah
karsan venu-svanair gopir
gopi-nathah sriye 'stu nah
SYNONYMS
sriman--most beautiful; rasa--of the rasa dance; rasa--of the mellow;
arambhi--the initiator; vamsi-vata--of the name Vamsivata; tata--on the shore;
sthitah--standing; karsan--attracting; venu--of the flute; svanaih--by the
sounds; gopih--the cowherd girls; gopi-nathah--Sri Gopinatha;
sriye--benediction; astu--let there be; nah--our.
TRANSLATION
Sri Srila Gopinatha, who originated the transcendental mellow of the
rasa dance, stands on the shore at Vamsivata and attracts the attention of the
cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May they all confer
upon us their benediction.
TEXT 8
TEXT
jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda
SYNONYMS
jaya jaya sri caitanya--all glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya
nityananda--all glories to Sri Nityananda Prabhu; jaya advaita-candra--all
glories to Advaita Prabhu; jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda--all glories to the devotees
of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TRANSLATION
All glories to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Lord
Nityananda! All glories to Advaita Acarya! All glories to the devotees of Lord
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!
TEXT 9
TEXT
madhya-lila sanksepete karilun varnana
antya-lila-varnana kichu suna, bhakta-gana
SYNONYMS
madhya-lila--pastimes known as madhya-lila; sanksepete--in brief;
karilun varnana--I have described; antya-lila--the last pastimes;
varnana--description; kichu--something; suna--hear; bhakta-gana--O devotees.
TRANSLATION
I have briefly described the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu known
as the madhya-lila. Now I shall attempt to describe something about His last
pastimes, which are known as the antya-lila.
TEXT 10
TEXT
madhya-lila-madhye antya-lila-sutra-gana
purva-granthe sanksepete kariyachi varnana
SYNONYMS
madhya-lila-madhye--within the madhya-lila chapters;
antya-lila-sutra-gana--a synopsis of the antya-lila; purva-granthe--in the
previous chapter; sanksepete--in brief; kariyachi varnana--I have described.
TRANSLATION
I have briefly described the antya-lila within the description of the
madhya-lila.
TEXT 11
TEXT
ami jara-grasta, nikate janiya marana
antya kono kono lila kariyachi varnana
SYNONYMS
ami jara-grasta--I am invalid because of old age; nikate--very near;
janiya--knowing; marana--death; antya--final; kono kono--some; kono kono--some;
lila--pastimes;.kariyachi varnana--I have described
TRANSLATION
I am now almost an invalid because of old age, and I know that at any
moment I may die. Therefore I have already described some portions of the
antya-lila.
PURPORT
Following in the footsteps of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, I am trying
to translate Srimad-Bhagavatam as quickly as possible. However, knowing myself
to be an old man and almost an invalid because of rheumatism, I have already
translated the essence of all literatures, the Tenth Canto of
Srimad-Bhagavatam, as a summary study in English. I started the Krsna
consciousness movement at the age of seventy. Now I am seventy-eight, and so my
death is imminent. I am trying to finish the translation of Srimad-Bhagavatam
as soon as possible, but before finishing it, I have given my readers the book
Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so that if I die before finishing
the whole task they may enjoy this book, which is the essence of
Srimad-Bhagavatam.
TEXT 12
TEXT
purva-likhita grantha-sutra-anusare
yei nahi likhi, taha likhiye vistare
SYNONYMS
purva-likhita--previously mentioned; grantha-sutra--the synopsis of the
pastimes; anusare--according to; yei--whatever; nahi likhi--I have not
mentioned; taha--hat; likhiye--I shall write; vistare--elaborately.
TRANSLATION
In accordance with the synopsis previously written, I shall describe in
detail whatever I have not mentioned.
TEXT 13
TEXT
vrndavana haite prabhu nilacale aila
svarupa-gosani gaude varta pathaila
SYNONYMS
vrndavana haite--from Vrndavana; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu;
nilacale aila--returned to Jagannatha Puri, Nilacala; svarupa-gosani--Svarupa
Damodara; gaude--to Bengal; varta pathaila--sent news.
TRANSLATION
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannatha Puri from Vrndavana,
Svarupa Damodara Gosani immediately sent news of the Lord's arrival to the
devotees in Bengal.
TEXT 14
TEXT
suni' saci anandita, saba
bhakta-gana
sabe mili' nilacale karila gamana
SYNONYMS
suni'--hearing; saci--mother Saci; anandita--very pleased; saba
bhakta-gana--as well as all the other devotees of Navadvipa; sabe
mili'--meeting together; nilacale--to Jagannatha Puri, Nilacala; karila
gamana--departed.
TRANSLATION
Upon hearing this news, mother Saci and all the other devotees of
Navadvipa were very joyful, and they all departed together for Nilacala
[Jagannatha Puri].
TEXT 15
TEXT
kulina-grami bhakta ara yata khanda-vasi
acarya sivananda sane milila sabe asi'
SYNONYMS
kulina-grami--residents of the village known as Kulina-grama;
bhakta--devotees; ara--and; yata--all; khanda-vasi--the residents of Sri
Khanda; acarya--Advaita Acarya; sivananda--Sivananda Sena; sane--with; milila--met;
sabe asi',--all coming together.
TRANSLATION
Thus all the devotees of Kulina-grama and Sri Khanda, as well as Advaita
Acarya, came together to meet Sivananda Sena.
TEXT 16
TEXT
sivananda kare sabara ghati samadhana
sabare palana kare, deya vasa-sthana
SYNONYMS
sivananda--of the name Sivananda; kare--does; sabara--of everyone;
ghati--the camp; samadhana--arrangement; sabare--of everyone;
palana--maintenance; kare--performs; deya--gives; vasa-sthana--residential
quarters.
TRANSLATION
Sivananda Sena arranged for the journey. He maintained everyone and
provided residential quarters.
TEXT 17
TEXT
eka kukkura cale sivananda-sane
bhaksya diya lana cale kariya palane
SYNONYMS
eka--one; kukkura--dog; cale--goes; sivananda-sane--with Sivananda Sena;
bhaksya--food; diya--giving; lana--taking; cale--goes; kariya
palane--maintaining the dog.
TRANSLATION
While going to Jagannatha Puri, Sivananda Sena allowed a dog to go with
him. He supplied it food to eat and maintained it.
TEXT 18
TEXT
eka-dina eka-sthane nadi para haite
udiya navika kukkura na cadaya naukate
SYNONYMS
eka-dina--one day; eka-sthane--in one place; nadi--a river;
para--crossing; haite--to do; udiya navika--a boatman who was an Oriya
(Orissan); kukkura--the dog; na cadaya--does not allow to mount; naukate--on
the boat.
TRANSLATION
One day, when they needed to cross a river, an Orissan boatman would not
allow the dog to get in the boat.
TEXT 19
TEXT
kukkura
rahila,----sivananda duhkhi haila
dasa pana kadi diya kukkure para kaila
SYNONYMS
kukkura rahila--the dog remained; sivananda duhkhi haila--Sivananda became
very unhappy; dasa pana--ten pana; kadi--small conchshells; diya--paying;
kukkure--the dog; para kaila--crossed to the other side of the river.
TRANSLATION
Sivananda Sena, unhappy that the dog had to stay behind, paid the
boatman ten pana of conchshells to take the dog across the river.
PURPORT
One pana is eighty kadis, or small conchshells. Formerly, even fifty or
sixty years ago, there was no paper currency in India. Coins were generally
made not of base metal but of gold, silver and copper. In other words, the
medium of exchange was really something valuable. Four pieces of kadi made one
ganda, and twenty such gandas equaled one pana. This kadi was also used as a
medium of exchange; therefore Sivananda Sena paid for the dog with dasa pana,
or eighty times ten pieces of kadi. In those days one paisa was also subdivided
into small conchshells, but at the present moment the prices for commodities
have gone so high that there is nothing one can get in exchange for only one
paisa. With one paisa in those days, however, one could purchase sufficient
vegetables to provide for a whole family. Even thirty years ago, vegetables
were occasionally so inexpensive that one paisa's worth could provide for a
whole family for a day.
TEXT 20
TEXT
eka-dina sivanande ghatiyale rakhila
kukkurake bhata dite sevaka pasarila
SYNONYMS
eka-dina--one day; sivanande--Sivananda Sena; ghatiyale--tollman;
rakhila--detained; kukkurake--unto the dog; bhata dite--to supply rice;
sevaka--the servant; pasarila--forgot.
TRANSLATION
One day while Sivananda was detained by a tollman, his servant forgot to
give the dog its cooked rice.
TEXT 21
TEXT
ratre asi' sivananda bhojanera kale
'kukkura panache bhata?'----sevake puchile
SYNONYMS
ratre asi'--returning at night; sivananda--Sivananda Sena; bhojanera
kale--at the time of eating; kukkura--the dog; panache--has gotten;
bhata--rice; sevake--from the servant; puchile--he inquired.
TRANSLATION
At night, when Sivananda Sena returned and was taking his meal, he
inquired from the servant whether the dog had gotten its meals.
TEXT 22
TEXT
kukkura nahi paya bhata suni' duhkhi haila
kukkura cahite dasa-manusya pathaila
SYNONYMS
kukkura--the dog; nahi--did not; paya--get; bhata--rice; suni'--hearing;
duhkhi haila--Sivananda Sena became very unhappy; kukkura cahite--to look for
the dog; dasa-manusya--ten men; pathaila--sent.
TRANSLATION
When he learned that the dog had not been supplied food in his absence,
he was very unhappy. He then immediately sent ten men to find the dog.
TEXT 23
TEXT
cahiya na paila kukkura, loka saba aila
duhkhi hana sivananda upavasa kaila
SYNONYMS
cahiya--looking; na--not; paila--found; kukkura--the dog; loka saba
aila--all the men returned; duhkhi hana--being unhappy; sivananda--Sivananda
Sena; upavasa--fast; kaila--observed.
TRANSLATION
When the men returned without success, Sivananda Sena became very
unhappy and fasted for the night.
TEXT 24
TEXT
prabhate kukkura cahi' kanha na paila
sakala vaisnavera mane
camatkara haila
SYNONYMS
prabhate--in the morning; kukkura--the dog; cahi'--looking for;
kanha--anywhere; na paila--not found; sakala vaisnavera--of all the Vaisnavas
present; mane--in the minds; camatkara haila--there was great astonishment.
TRANSLATION
In the morning they looked for the dog, but it could not be found
anywhere. All the Vaisnavas were astonished.
PURPORT
Sivananda Sena's attachment to the dog was a great boon for that animal.
The dog appears to have been a street dog. Since it naturally began to follow
Sivananda Sena while he was going to Jagannatha Puri with his party, he
accepted it into his party and maintained it the same way he was maintaining
the other devotees. It appears that although on one occasion the dog was not
allowed aboard a boat, Sivananda did not leave the dog behind but paid more
money just to induce the boatman to take the dog across the river. Then when
the servant forgot to feed the dog and the dog disappeared, Sivananda, being
very anxious, sent ten men to find it. When they could not find it, Sivananda
observed a fast. Thus it appears that somehow or other Sivananda had become
attached to the dog.
As will be evident from the following verses, the dog got the mercy of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and was immediately promoted to Vaikuntha to become an
eternal devotee. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has therefore sung, tumi ta'
thakura, tomara kukkura, baliya janaha more (Saranagati 19). He thus offers to
become the dog of a Vaisnava. There are many other instances in which the pet
animal of a Vaisnava was delivered back home to Vaikunthaloka, back to Godhead.
Such is the benefit of somehow or other becoming the favorite of a Vaisnava.
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has also sung, kita-janma ha-u yatha tuya dasa
(Saranagati 11). There is no harm in taking birth again and again. Our only
desire should be to take birth under the care of a Vaisnava. Fortunately we had
the opportunity to be born of a Vaisnava father who took care of us very
nicely. He prayed to Srimati Radharani that in the future we would become a
servant of the eternal consort of Sri Krsna. Thus somehow or other we are now
engaged in that service. We may conclude that even as dogs we must take shelter
of a Vaisnava. The benefit will be the same as that which accrues to an
advanced devotee under a Vaisnava's care.
TEXT 25
TEXT
utkanthaya cali' sabe aila nilacale
purvavat mahaprabhu milila sakale
SYNONYMS
utkanthaya--in great anxiety; cali'--walking; sabe--all the devotees;
aila--came to Jagannatha Puri, Nilacala; nilacale--as usual; purvavat--Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milila sakale--met all of them.
TRANSLATION
Thus in great anxiety they all walked to Jagannatha Puri, where Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu met them as usual.
TEXT 26
TEXT
saba lana kaila jagannatha darasana
saba lana mahaprabhu karena bhojana
SYNONYMS
saba lana--taking all of them; kaila--did; jagannatha darasana--visiting
the Jagannatha temple; saba lana--with all of them; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; karena bhojana--took prasada.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went with them to see the Lord in the temple,
and on that day He also took lunch in the company of all those devotees.
TEXT 27
TEXT
purvavat sabare prabhu pathaila vasa-sthane
prabhu-thani pratah-kale aila ara dine
SYNONYMS
purvavat--as it was previously; sabare--everyone; prabhu--Lord Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; pathaila--sent; vasa-sthane--to their respective
residential quarters; prabhu-thani--to the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu;
pratah-kale--in the morning; aila--they came; ara dine--on the next day.
TRANSLATION
As previously, the Lord provided them all with residential quarters. And
the next morning all the devotees came to see the Lord.
TEXT 28
TEXT
asiya dekhila sabe sei ta kukkure
prabhu-pase vasiyache kichu alpa-dure
SYNONYMS
asiya--coming; dekhila--they saw; sabe--everyone; sei ta kukkure--that
very same dog; prabhu-pase--near Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vasiyache--sat;
kichu alpa-dure--a little bit away from the Lord.
TRANSLATION
When all the devotees came to the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they
saw the same dog was sitting a little apart the Lord.
TEXT 29
TEXT
prasada
narikela-sasya dena phelana
'rama' 'krsna' 'hari' kaha'----balena hasiya
SYNONYMS
prasada--food; narikela-sasya--pulp of green coconut; dena--gives;
phelana--throwing; rama--Lord Ramacandra; krsna--Sri Krsna; hari--the holy name
of Hari; kaha--say; balena--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says; hasiya--smiling.
TRANSLATION
Furthermore, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was throwing remnants of green
coconut pulp to the dog. Smiling in His own way, He was saying to the dog,
"Chant the holy names Rama, Krsna, and Hari."
TEXT 30
TEXT
sasya khaya kukkura, 'krsna' kahe bara bara
dekhiya lokera mane haila camatkara
SYNONYMS
sasya khaya--eats the pulp of green coconut; kukkura--the dog;
krsna--the holy name of Krsna; kahe--chants; bara bara--again and again; dekhiya--seeing
this; lokera--of all the people; mane--in the minds; haila--there was;
camatkara--astonishment.
TRANSLATION
Seeing the dog eating the green coconut pulp and chanting "Krsna,
Krsna" again and again, all the devotees present were very much surprised.
TEXT 31
TEXT
sivananda kukkura dekhi' dandavat kaila
dainya kari' nija aparadha ksamaila
SYNONYMS
sivananda--Sivananda Sena; kukkura--the dog; dekhi'--seeing there;
dandavat kaila--offered obeisances; dainya kari'--exhibiting humbleness;
nija--personal; aparadha--offenses; ksamaila--was forgiven.
TRANSLATION
When he saw the dog sitting in that way and chanting the name of Krsna,
Sivananda, because of his natural humility, immediately offered his obeisances
to the dog just to counteract his offenses to it.
TEXT 32
TEXT
ara dina keha tara dekha na paila
siddha-deha pana kukkura vaikunthete gela
SYNONYMS
ara dina--the next day; keha--all of them; tara--of the dog; dekha na
paila--did not get sight; siddha-deha pana--obtaining a spiritual body;
kukkura--the dog; vaikunthete gela--went to the spiritual kingdom, Vaikuntha.
TRANSLATION
The next day, no one saw that dog, for it had obtained its spiritual
body and departed for Vaikuntha, the spiritual kingdom.
PURPORT
This is the result of sadhu-sanga, consequent association with Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu and promotion back home, back to Godhead. This result is
possible even for a dog, by the mercy of the Vaisnava. Therefore, everyone in
the human form of life should be induced to associate with devotees. By
rendering a little service, even by eating prasada, not to speak of chanting
and dancing, everyone could be promoted to Vaikunthaloka. It is therefore
requested that all our devotees in the ISKCON community become pure Vaisnavas,
so that by their mercy all the people of the world will be transferred to
Vaikunthaloka, even without their knowledge. Everyone should be given a chance
to take prasada and thus be induced to chant the holy names Hare Krsna and also
dance in ecstasy. By these three processes, although performed without
knowledge or education, even an animal went back to Godhead.
TEXT 33
TEXT
aiche divya-lila kare sacira nandana
kukkurake krsna kahana karila mocana
SYNONYMS
aiche--in that way; divya-lila--transcendental activities;
kare--performs; sacira nandana--the son of mother Saci; kukkurake--even a dog;
krsna kahana--inducing to chant the holy name "Krsna"; karila mocana--delivered.
TRANSLATION
Such are the transcendental pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the son
of mother Saci. He even delivered a dog simply by inducing it to chant the
maha-mantra, Hare Krsna.
TEXT 34
TEXT
etha prabhu-ajnaya rupa aila vrndavana
krsna-lila-nataka karite haila mana
SYNONYMS
etha--on the other side; prabhu-ajnaya--upon the order of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu: rupa--Rupa Gosvami; aila--went; vrndavana--to Vrndavana;
krsna-lila-nataka--a drama on Lord Krsna's pastimes; karite--to compose;
haila--it was; mana--the mind.
TRANSLATION
Meanwhile, following the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Rupa
Gosvami returned to Vrndavana. He desired to write dramas concerning the
pastimes of Lord Krsna.
TEXT 35
TEXT
vrndavane natakera arambha karila
mangalacarana 'nandi-sloka' tathai likhila
SYNONYMS
vrndavane--at Vrndavana; natakera--of the drama; arambha--the beginning;
karila--wrote; mangalacarana--invoking auspiciousness;
nandi-sloka--introductory verse; tathai--there; likhila--he wrote.
TRANSLATION
In Vrndavana, Rupa Gosvami began to write a drama. In particuIar, he
composed the introductory verses to invoke good fortune.
PURPORT
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
quotes his notes from the Nataka-candrika, wherein he has written:
prastavanayas tu mukhe
nandi karyasubhavaha
asir-namaskriya-vastu-
nirdesanyatamanvita
astabhir dasabhir yukta
kimva dvadasabhih padaih
candranamankita prayo
mangalartha-padojjvala
mangalam cakra-kamala-
cakora-kumudadikam
Similarly, in the Sixth Chapter of the Sahitya-darpana, text 282, he has
said:
asir-vacana-samyukta
stutir yasmat prayujyate
deva-dvija-nr-padinam
tasman nanditi samjnita
The introductory portion of a drama, which is written to invoke good
fortune, is called nandi-sloka.
TEXT 36
TEXT
pathe cali' aise natakera ghatana bhavite
kadaca kariya kichu lagila likhite
SYNONYMS
pathe cali'--walking on the road; aise--goes; natakera--of the drama; ghatana--events;
bhavite--thinking of; kadaca kariya--making notes; kichu--something; lagila
likhite--he began to write.
TRANSLATION
On his way to Gauda-desa, Rupa Gosvami had been thinking of how to write
the action of the drama. Thus he had made some notes and begun to write.
TEXT 37
TEXT
ei-mate dui bhai gauda-dese aila
gaude asi' anupamera ganga-prapti haila
SYNONYMS
ei-mate--in this way; dui bhai--Rupa Gosvami and his younger brother,
Anupama; gauda-dese aila--reached Bengal, which is known as Gauda-desa; gaude
asi'--coming to Gauda; anupamera--of Anupama; ganga-prapti haila--there was
obtainment of the shelter of mother Ganges (passing away).
TRANSLATION
In this way the two brothers Rupa and Anupama reached Bengal, but when
they arrived there Anupama died.
PURPORT
Formerly when a person died it was commonly said that he had attained
the shelter of mother Ganges, even if he did not die on the bank of the Ganges.
It is customary among Hindus to carry a dying person to a nearby bank of the
Ganges, for if one dies on the bank of the Ganges, his soul is considered to
reach the lotus feet of Lord Visnu, wherefrom the Ganges flows.
TEXT 38
TEXT
rupa-gosani prabhu-pase karila gamana
prabhure
dekhite tanra utkanthita mana
SYNONYMS
rupa-gosani--of the name Rupa Gosvami; prabhu-pase--the place of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karila gamana--departed for; prabhure dekhite--to see Lord
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanra--his; utkanthita--full of anxiety; mana--mind.
TRANSLATION
Rupa Gosvami then departed to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for he was
very eager to see Him.
TEXT 39
TEXT
anupamera lagi' tanra kichu vilamba ha-ila
bhakta-gana-pasa aila, lag na paila
SYNONYMS
anupamera lagi'--on account of the passing away of Anupama; tanra--of
Rupa Gosvami; kichu--some; vilamba--delay; ha-ila--there was;
bhakta-gana-pasa--to the devotees in Bengal; aila--came; lag na paila--he could
not contact them.
TRANSLATION
There was some delay because of the death of Anupama, and therefore when
Rupa Gosvami went to Bengal to see the devotees there, he could not get in
touch with them because they had already left.
TEXT 40
TEXT
udiya-dese 'satyabhama-pura'-name grama
eka ratri sei grame karila visrama
SYNONYMS
udiya-dese--in the state of Orissa; satyabhama-pura--Satyabhama-pura;
name--named; grama--a village; eka ratri--one night; sei grame--in that
village; karila visrama--he rested.
TRANSLATION
In the province of Orissa there is a place known as Satyabhama-pura.
Srila Rupa Gosvami rested for a night in that village on his way to Jagannatha
Puri.
PURPORT
There is a place known as Satyabhama-pura in the district of Kataka
(Cuttak) in Orissa. It is near the village known as Jankadei-pura.
TEXT 41
TEXT
ratre svapne dekhe,----eka divya-rupa nari
sammukhe asiya ajna dila bahu krpa kari'
SYNONYMS
ratre--at night; svapne dekhe--he dreamed; eka--one; divya-rupa nari--celestially
beautiful woman; sammukhe asiya--coming before him; ajna dila--ordered; bahu
krpa kari'--showing him much mercy.
TRANSLATION
While resting in Satyabhama-pura, he dreamed that a celestiaIly
beautiful woman had come before him and very mercifully gave him the folIowing
order.
TEXT 42
TEXT
amara nataka prthak karaha racana
"amara krpate nataka haibe vilaksana"
SYNONYMS
amara nataka--my drama; prthak karaha racana--write separately; amara
krpate--by my mercy; nataka--the drama; haibe--will be;
vilaksana--extraordinarily beautiful.
TRANSLATION
"Write a separate drama about me," she said. "By my
mercy, it will be extraordinarily beautiful."
TEXT 43
TEXT
svapna dekhi' rupa-gosani karila vicara
satya-bhamara ajna----prthak nataka karibara
SYNONYMS
svapna dekhi'--after dreaming; rupa-gosani--Rupa Gosvami; karila
vicara--considered; satya-bhamara ajna--the order of Srimati Satyabhama; prthak
nataka karibara--to write a separate drama.
TRANSLATION
After having that dream, Srila Rupa Gosvami considered, "It is the
order of Satyabhama that I write a separate drama for her.
TEXT 44
TEXT
vraja-pura-lila ekatra kariyachi ghatana
dui bhaga kari' ebe karimu racana
SYNONYMS
vraja-pura-lila--Lord Krsna's pastimes in Vraja and Dvaraka; ekatra--in
one place; kariyachi--I have collected; ghatana--all the events; dui bhaga
kari'--dividing into two different parts; ebe--now; karimu racana--I shall
write.
TRANSLATION
I have brought together in one work all the pastimes performed by Lord
Krsna in Vrndavana and in Dvaraka. Now I shall have to divide them into two
dramas."
TEXT 45
TEXT
bhavite bhavite sighra aila nilacale
asi'
uttarila haridasa-vasa-sthale
SYNONYMS
bhavite bhavite--thinking and thinking; sighra--very soon; aila
nilacale--reached Nilacala (Jagannatha Puri); asi'--coming; uttarila--approached;
haridasa-vasa-sthale--the place where Haridasa Thakura was residing.
TRANSLATION
Thus absorbed in thought, he quickly reached Jagannatha Puri. When he
arrived, he approached the hut of Haridasa Thakura.
TEXT 46
TEXT
haridasa-thakura tanre bahu-krpa kaila
'tumi asibe,----more prabhu ye kahila'
SYNONYMS
hari-dasa-thakura--of the name Haridasa Thakura; tanre--unto him;
bahu-krpa kaila--showed much affection because of love and mercy; tumi
asibe--you will come; more--me; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ye--that;
kahila--informed.
TRANSLATION
Out of affectionate love and mercy, Haridasa
Thakura told Srila Rupa Gosvami, "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has already
informed me that you would come here."
TEXT 47
TEXT
'upala-bhoga' dekhi' haridasere dekhite
pratidina aisena, prabhu aila acambite
SYNONYMS
upala-bhoga--the offering of food to Lord Jagannatha at noon; dekhi'--seeing;
hari-dasere dekhite--to see Haridasa Thakura; pratidina--daily; aisena--comes;
prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; aila--He reached there; acambite--all of a
sudden.
TRANSLATION
After seeing the upala-bhoga ceremony at the Jagannatha temple, Lord Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu would regularly come to see Haridasa every day. Thus He
suddenly arrived there.
TEXT 48
TEXT
'rupa dandavat kare',----haridasa kahila
haridase mili' prabhu rupe alingila
SYNONYMS
rupa--Rupa Gosvami; dandavat kare--offers You obeisances: hari-dasa
kahila--Haridasa informed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; hari-dase mili'--after
meeting Haridasa; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; rupe alingila--embraced Rupa
Gosvami.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord arrived, Rupa Gosvami immediately offered his obeisances.
Haridasa informed the Lord, "This is Rupa Gosvami offering You
obeisances" and the Lord embraced him.
TEXT 49
TEXT
haridasa-rupe lana prabhu vasila eka-sthane
kusala-prasna, ista-gosthi kaila kata-ksane
SYNONYMS
hari-dasa-rupe--both Haridasa Thakura and Rupa Gosvami; lana--with;
prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vasila--sat down; eka-sthane--in one place;
kusala-prasna--questions about auspicious news; ista-gosthi--talking together;
kaila kata-ksane--continued for some time.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then sat down with Haridasa and Rupa Gosvami.
They inquired from one another about auspicious news, and then continued to
talk together for some time.
TEXT 50
TEXT
sanatanera varta yabe gosani puchila
rupa kahe,----'ta-ra sange dekha na ha-ila
SYNONYMS
sanatanera varta--news of Sanatana Gosvami; yabe--when; gosani--Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; puchila--inquired; rupa kahe--Rupa Gosvami says; tara
sange--with him; dekha na ha-ila--there was no meeting.
TRANSLATION
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu inquired about Sanatana Gosvami, Rupa
Gosvami replied, "I did not meet him.
TEXT 51
TEXT
ami ganga-pathe ailana, tinho raja-pathe
ataeva amara dekha nahila tanra sathe
SYNONYMS
ami--I; ganga-pathe--on the path on the bank of the Ganges; ailana--I
came; tinho--he; raja-pathe--on the public road; ataeva--therefore; amara--my;
dekha--meeting; nahila--was not possible; tanra sathe--with him.
TRANSLATION
I came by the path on the bank of the Ganges, whereas Sanatana Gosvami
came by the public road. Therefore we did not meet.
TEXT 52
TEXT
prayage sunilun,----tenho gela vrndavane
anupamera ganga-prapti kaila nivedane"
SYNONYMS
prayage--in Prayaga; sunilun--I heard; tenho--he; gela vrndavane--has
gone to Vrndavana; anupamera--of Anupama; ganga-prapti--getting the mercy of
the Ganges (death); kaila nivedane--he informed.
TRANSLATION
"In Prayaga I heard that he had already gone to Vrndavana."
Rupa Gosvami next informed the Lord about the death of Anupama.
TEXT 53
TEXT
rupe tahan vasa diya gosani calila
gosanira sangi bhakta rupere milila
SYNONYMS
rupe--to Rupa; tahan--there; vasa diya--offered a residence; gosani
calila--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu left the place; gosanira sangi--the associates
of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bhakta--all the devotees; rupere milila--met Rupa
Gosvami.
TRANSLATION
After allotting residential quarters there to Rupa Gosvami, Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu left. Then all of the Lord's personal associates met Srila Rupa
Gosvami.
TEXT 54
TEXT
ara dina mahaprabhu saba bhakta lana
rupe milaila sabaya krpa ta' kariya
SYNONYMS
ara dina--the next day; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; saba--all;
bhakta lana--taking the devotees; rupe milaila--introduced Rupa Gosvami;
sabaya--to all of them; krpa ta' kariya--showing His mercy.
TRANSLATION
On the next day, Caitanya Mahaprabhu again met Rupa Gosvami, and with
great mercy the Lord introduced him to all the devotees.
TEXT 55
TEXT
sabara carana rupa karila vandana
krpa kari' rupe sabe kaila alingana
SYNONYMS
sabara--of all the devotees; carana--to the lotus feet; rupa--Srila Rupa
Gosvami; karila vandana--offered prayers; krpa kari'--showing great mercy;
rupe--Rupa Gosvami; sabe--all the devotees; kaila--did; alingana--embracing.
TRANSLATION
Srila Rupa Gosvami offered his respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet
of them all, and all the devotees, by their mercy, embraced him.
TEXT 56
TEXT
'advaita nityananda,
tomara dui-jane
prabhu kahe----rupe krpa kara kaya-mane
SYNONYMS
advaita--Advaita Acarya; nityananda--Nityananda Prabhu; tomara
dui-jane--both of You; prabhu kahe--Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu says; rupe--to
Rupa Gosvami; krpa--mercy; kara--show; kaya-mane--wholeheartedly.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Advaita Acarya and Nityananda Prabhu,
"You should both show Your mercy wholeheartedly to Rupa Gosvami.
TEXT 57
TEXT
toma-dunhara krpate inhara ha-u taiche sakti
yate vivarite parena krsna-rasa-bhakti
SYNONYMS
toma-dunhara krpate--by the mercy of both of You; inhara--of Rupa
Gosvami; ha-u--let there be; taiche--such; sakti--power; yate--by which;
vivarite--to describe; parena--is able; krsna-rasa-bhakti--the transcendental
mellows of devotional service.
TRANSLATION
May Rupa Gosvami, by Your mercy, become so powerful that he will be able
to describe the transcendental mellows of devotional service."
TEXT 58
TEXT
gaudiya, udiya, yata
prabhura bhakta-gana
sabara ha-ila rupa snehera bhajana
SYNONYMS
gaudiya--devotees from Bengal; udiya--devotees belonging to Orissa;
yata--all; prabhura bhakta-gana--devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu;
sabara--of all of them; ha-ila--was; rupa--Rupa Gosvami; snehera bhajana--an
object of love and affection.
TRANSLATION
Thus Rupa Gosvami became the object of love and affection for all the
devotees of the Lord, including those who came from Bengal and those who
resided in Orissa.
TEXT 59
TEXT
pratidina asi' rupe karena milane
mandire ye prasada pana, dena dui jane
SYNONYMS
pratidina--every day; asi'--going; rupe--Rupa Gosvami; karena
milane--Caitanya Mahaprabhu meets; mandire--at the Jagannatha temple;
ye--whatever; prasada pana--prasada He gets; dena--gives; dui jane--to two
persons, Srila Rupa Gosvami and Haridasa Thakura.
TRANSLATION
Every day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would go to see Rupa Gosvami, and
whatever prasada He received from the temple He would deliver to Rupa Gosvami
and Haridasa Thakura.
TEXT 60
TEXT
ista-gosthi dunha sane kari' kata-ksana
madhyahna karite prabhu karila gamana
SYNONYMS
ista-gosthi--conversation; dunha sane--with both Rupa Gosvami and
Haridasa; kari'--doing; kata-ksana--for some time; madhya-ahna karite--to
execute daily noontime duties; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karila gamana--left
that place.
TRANSLATION
He would talk for some time with them both and then leave to perform His
noontime duties.
TEXT 61
TEXT
ei-mata pratidina prabhura vyavahara
prabhu-krpa pana rupera ananda apara
SYNONYMS
ei-mata--in this way; pratidina--daily; prabhura vyavahara--the dealings
of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prabhu-krpa--the mercy of Lord Caitanya;
pana--getting; rupera--of Srila Rupa Gosvami; ananda apara--unlimited
happiness.
TRANSLATION
In this way Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's dealings with them continued
every day. Thus receiving the transcendental favor of the Lord, Srila Rupa
Gosvami felt unlimited pleasure.
TEXT 62
TEXT
bhakta-gana lana kaila gundica marjana
aitota asi' kaila vanya-bhojana
SYNONYMS
bhakta-gana--all the devotees; lana--taking; kaila--performed; gundica
marjana--cleansing and washing of the Gundica temple; aitota asi'--coming to
the nearby garden named Aitota; kaila--had; vanya-bhojana--a picnic within the
garden.
TRANSLATION
After Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, taking all His devotees with Him,
performed the Gundica-marjana [washing and cleansing the temple Gundica], He went
to the garden known as Aitota and accepted prasada at a picnic within the
garden.
TEXT 63
TEXT
prasada khaya, 'hari' bale sarva-bhakta-jana
dekhi' haridasa-rupera harasita mana
SYNONYMS
prasada khaya--eat the prasada; hari bale--chant the holy name of Hari;
sarva-bhakta-jana--all the devotees; dekhi'--seeing this; hari-dasa--of
Haridasa Thakura; rupera--and of Rupa Gosvami; harasita--jubilant; mana--the
minds.
TRANSLATION
When Haridasa Thakura and Rupa Gosvami saw that all the devotees were
accepting prasada and chanting the holy name of Hari, they both were greatly
pleased.
TEXT 64
TEXT
govinda-dvara prabhura sesa-prasada paila
preme matta dui-jana nacite lagila
SYNONYMS
govinda-dvara--through Govinda; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu;
sesa-prasada--remnants of food; paila--they got; preme matta--overwhelmed by
ecstasy; dui-jana--both of them; nacite lagila--began to dance.
TRANSLATION
When they received the remnants of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's prasada
through Govinda, they respected it, and then they both began to dance in
ecstasy.
TEXT 65
TEXT
ara dina prabhu rupe miliya vasila
sarvajna-siromani prabhu kahite lagila
SYNONYMS
ara dina--the next day; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; rupe--with
Srila Rupa Gosvami; miliya--meeting; vasila--sat down; sarva-jna-siromani--Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the best of the omniscient; prabhu--Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; kahite lagila--began to speak.
TRANSLATION
On the next day, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to see Srila Rupa
Gosvami, the omniscient Lord spoke as follows.
TEXT 66
TEXT
'krsnere bahira nahi kariha vraja haite
vraja chadi' krsna kabhu na yana kahante
SYNONYMS
krsnere--Krsna; bahira--outside; nahi--do not; kariha--take; vraja
haite--from Vrndavana; vraja chadi'--leaving Vrndavana; krsna--Lord Krsna;
kabhu--at any time; na--not; yana--goes; kahante--anywhere.
TRANSLATION
Do not try to take Krsna out of Vrndavana, for He does not go anywhere
else at any time.
TEXT 67
TEXT
krsno 'nyo yadu-sambhuto
yah purnah so 'sty atah parah
vrndavanam parityajya
sa kvacin naiva gacchati
SYNONYMS
krsnah--Lord Krsna; anyah--another Lord Vasudeva; yadu-sambhutah--born
in the Yadu dynasty; yah--who; purnah--the full Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Krsna; sah--He; asti--is; atah--than Him (Vasudeva); parah--different;
vrndavanam--he place Vrndavana; parityajya--giving up; sah--He; kvacit--at any
time; na eva gacchati--does not go.
TRANSLATION
" 'The Krsna known as Yadukumara is Vasudeva Krsna. He is different
from the Krsna who is the son of Nanda Maharaja. Yadukumara Krsna manifests His
pastimes in the cities of Mathura and Dvaraka, but Krsna the son of Nanda
Maharaja never at any time leaves Vrndavana.' "
PURPORT
This verse is included in the Laghu-bhagavatamrta (1.5.461), by Srila
Rupa Gosvami.
TEXT 68
TEXT
eta kahi' mahaprabhu madhyahne calila
rupa-gosani mane kichu vismaya ha-ila
SYNONYMS
eta kahi'--saying this; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; madhya-ahne
calila--left to execute noon duties; rupa-gosani--Srila Rupa Gosvami; mane--in
mind; kichu--some; vismaya ha-ila--there was surprise.
TRANSLATION
After saying this, Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to perform His noontime
duties, leaving Srila Rupa Gosvami somewhat surprised.
TEXT 69
TEXT
"prthak nataka karite satyabhama ajna dila
janilu, prthak nataka karite prabhu-ajna haila
SYNONYMS
prthak nataka--different dramas; karite--to write; satyabhama--of the
name Satyabhama; ajna dila--ordered; janilu--now I understand; prthak
nataka--different dramas; karite--to write; prabhu-ajna--the order of the Lord;
haila--there was.
TRANSLATION
"Satyabhama ordered me to write two different dramas," Srila
Rupa Gosvami thought. "Now I understand that this order has been confirmed
by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
To Next Part
