The Hare Krsnas - The Philosophy - Writings of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada

Chapter 4

Sanatana Gosvami Visits the Lord at Jagannatha Puri

The Fourth Chapter of Antya-lila is summarized by Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his as follows. Srila Sanatana Gosvami came alone from Mathura to Jagannatha Puri to see Lord Caitanya. Because of bathing in bad water and not getting enough food every day while traveling on the path through Jharikhanda Forest, he developed a disease that made his body itch. Suffering greatly from this itching, he resolved that in the presence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu he would throw himself under the wheel of Jagannatha's car and in this way commit suicide.

When Sanatana Gosvami came to Jagannatha Puri, he stayed under the care of Haridasa Thakura for some time, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very happy to see him. The Lord informed Sanatana Gosvami about the death of his younger brother, Anupama, who had great faith in the lotus feet of Lord Ramacandra. One day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said to Sanatana Gosvami, "Your decision to commit suicide is the result of the mode of ignorance. One cannot get love of God simply by committing suicide. You have already dedicated your life and body to My service; therefore your body does not belong to you, nor do you have any right to commit suicide. I have to execute many devotional services through your body. I want you to preach the cult of devotional service and go to Vrndavana to excavate the lost holy places." After having thus spoken, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu left, and Haridasa Thakura and Sanatana Gosvami had many talks about this subject.

One day Sanatana Gosvami was summoned by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who wanted him to come to Yamesvara-tota. Sanatana Gosvami reached the Lord through the path along the beach by the sea. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked Sanatana Gosvami which way he had come, Sanatana replied, "Many servitors of Lord Jagannatha come and go on the path by the Simha-dvara gate of the Jagannatha temple. Therefore, I did not go by that path, but instead went by the beach." Sanatana Gosvami did not realize that there were burning blisters on his feet because of the heat of the sand. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was pleased to hear about Sanatana Gosvami's great respect for the temple of Lord Sri Jagannatha.

Because his disease produced wet sores on his body, Sanatana Gosvami used to avoid embracing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, but nevertheless the Lord would embrace him by force. This made Sanatana Gosvami very unhappy, and therefore he consulted Jagadananda Pandita about what he should do. Jagadananda advised him to return to Vrndavana after the cart festival of Jagannatha, but when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard about this instruction, He chastised Jagadananda Pandita and reminded him that Sanatana Gosvami was senior to him and also more learned, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu informed Sanatana Gosvami that because Sanatana was a pure devotee, the Lord was never inconvenienced by his bodily condition. Because the Lord was a sannyasi, He did not consider one body better than another. The Lord also informed him that He was maintaining Sanatana and the other devotees just like a father. Therefore the moisture oozing from Sanatana's itching skin did not affect the Lord at all. After speaking with Sanatana Gosvami in this way, the Lord again embraced him, and after this embrace, Sanatana Gosvami became free from the disease. The Lord ordered Sanatana Gosvami to stay with Him for that year, and the next year, after seeing the Ratha-yatra festival, he left Purusottama-ksetra and returned to Vrndavana.

After meeting Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Rupa Gosvami also returned to Bengal, where he remained for one year. Whatever money he owned, he distributed among his relatives, the brahmanas and the temples. In this way he completely retired and returned to Vrndavana to meet Sanatana Gosvami.

After narrating these incidents, Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami has given a list of the main books of Sanatana Gosvami, Srila Rupa Gosvami and Jiva Gosvami.

TEXT 1

TEXT

vrndavanat punah praptam

sri-gaurah sri-sanatanam

deha-patad avan snehat

suddham cakre pariksaya

SYNONYMS

vrndavanat--from Vrndavana; punah--again; praptam--received; sri-gaurah--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sri-sanatanam--Sri Sanatana Gosvami; deha-patat--from giving up his body; avan--protecting; snehat--by affection; suddham--pure; cakre--made; pariksaya--by examination.

TRANSLATION

When Sanatana Gosvami returned from Vrndavana, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu affectionately saved him from his determination to commit suicide. Then, after testing him, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu purified his body.

TEXT 2

TEXT

jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda

jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

SYNONYMS

jaya jaya--all glories; sri-caitanya--to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya--all glories; nityananda--to Nityananda Prabhu; jaya--all glories; advaita-candra--to Sri Advaita Acarya; jaya--all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda--to the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TRANSLATION

All glories to Lord Caitanya! All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaitacandra! And all glories to all the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

TEXT 3

TEXT

nilacala haite rupa gaude yabe gela

mathura haite sanatana nilacala aila

SYNONYMS

nilacala haite--from Nilacala (Jagannatha Puri); rupa--Srila Rupa Gosvami; gaude--to Bengal; yabe--when; gela--went; mathura haite--from Mathura; sanatana--Sanatana Gosvami; nilacala aila--came to Jagannatha Puri.

TRANSLATION

When Srila Rupa Gosvami returned from Jagannatha Puri to Bengal, Sanatana Gosvami went from Mathura to Jagannatha Puri to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TEXT 4

TEXT

jharikhanda-vanapathe aila ekela caliya

kabhu upavasa, kabhu carvana kariya

SYNONYMS

jharikhanda--known as Jharikhanda; vana-pathe--through the path of the forest of central India; aila--came; ekela--alone; caliya--walking; kabhu--sometimes; upavasa--fasting; kabhu--sometimes; carvana kariya--chewing.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami walked alone on the path through Jharikhanda Forest in central India. Sometimes he fasted, and sometimes he would eat.

TEXT 5

TEXT

jharikhandera jalera dose, upavasa haite

gatre kandu haila, rasa pade khajuyaite

SYNONYMS

jharikhandera--at the place known as Jharikhanda; jalera--of the water; dose--by the fault; upavasa haite--by fasting; gatre--on the body; kandu--itches; haila--there were; rasa--fluid; pade--oozes out; khajuyaite--by itching.

TRANSLATION

Because of bad water in Jharikhanda and because of fasting, Sanatana Gosvami contracted a disease that made his body itch. Thus he was afflicted with itching sores from which fluid oozed.

TEXT 6

TEXT

nirveda ha-ila pathe, karena vicara

'nica-jati, deha mora----atyanta asara

SYNONYMS

nirveda ha-ila--there was disappointment; pathe--on the path; karena vicara--he considered; nica-jati--of a lower caste; deha mora--my body; atyanta--completely; asara--useless for devotional service.

TRANSLATION

In disappointment, Sanatana Gosvami considered, "I am of a low caste, and my body is useless for devotional service.

TEXT 7

TEXT

jagannathe gele tanra darsana na paimu

prabhura darsana sada karite narimu

SYNONYMS

jagannathe--to Jagannatha Puri; gele--when I go; tanra--His; darsana--visit; na paimu--I shall not get; prabhura darsana--seeing Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sada--always; karite--to do; narimu--I shall not be able.

TRANSLATION

"When I go to Jagannatha Puri, I shall not be able to see Lord Jagannatha, nor shall I always be able to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TEXT 8

TEXT

mandira-nikate suni tanra vasa-sthiti

mandira-nikate yaite mora nahi sakti

SYNONYMS

mandira-nikate--near the temple; suni--I hear; tanra--His; vasa-sthiti--residential place; mandira-nikate--near the temple; yaite--to go; mora--my; nahi sakti--there is no power

TRANSLATION

"I have heard that the residential quarters of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are near the temple of Jagannatha. But I shall not have the power to go near the temple.

TEXT 9

TEXT

jagannathera sevaka phere karya-anurodhe

tanra sparsa haile mora habe aparadhe

SYNONYMS

jagannathera--of Lord Jagannatha; sevaka--different servants; phere--move about; karya-anurodhe--because of different duties; tanra--of them; sparsa--touch; haile--if there is; mora--my; habe--there will be; aparadhe--offense.

TRANSLATION

"The servants of Lord Jagannatha generally move about tending to their duties, but if they touch me I shall be an offender.

TEXT 10

TEXT

tate yadi ei deha bhala-sthane diye

duhkha-santi haya ara sad-gati paiye

SYNONYMS

tate--therefore; yadi--if; ei--this; deha--body; bhala-sthane--in a good place; diye--I sacrifice; duhkha-santi--appeasement of unhappiness; haya--there is; ara--and; sat-gati--good destination; paiye--I get.

TRANSLATION

"Therefore if I sacrifice this body in a good place, my unhappiness will be mitigated, and I shall attain an exalted destination.

TEXT 11

TEXT

jagannatha ratha-yatraya ha-ibena bahira

tanra ratha-cakaya chadimu ei sarira

SYNONYMS

jagannatha ratha-yatraya--on the occasion of the car festival of Lord Jagannatha; ha-ibena bahira--He will be out; tanra--of Him; ratha-cakaya--under the wheel of the cart; chadimu--I shall give up; ei sarira--this body

TRANSLATION

"During the Ratha-yatra festival, when Lord Jagannatha comes out of the temple, I shall give up this body under the wheel of His cart.

TEXT 12

TEXT

mahaprabhura age, ara dekhi' jagannatha

rathe deha chadimu,----ei parama-purusartha'

SYNONYMS

mahaprabhura age--in front of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ara--and; dekhi' jagannatha--after seeing Lord Jagannatha; rathe--under the cart; deha chadimu--I shall give up this body; ei--this; parama-purusa-artha--the highest benediction of life.

TRANSLATION

"After seeing Lord Jagannatha, I shall give up my body under the wheel of the cart in the presence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This will be the highest benediction of my life."

TEXT 13

TEXT

ei ta' niscaya kari' nilacale aila

loke puchi' haridasa-sthane uttarila

SYNONYMS

ei ta'--in this way; niscaya kari'--ascertaining; nilacale aila--came to Jagannatha Puri; loke puchi'--inquiring from people; haridasa-sthane--the place of Haridasa Thakura; uttarila--approached.

TRANSLATION

Having made this resolution, Sanatana Gosvami went to Nilacala, where he inquired directions from people and approached the residence of Haridasa Thakura.

TEXT 14

TEXT

haridasera kaila tenha carana vandana

jani' haridasa tanre kaila alingana

SYNONYMS

haridasera--of Haridasa Thakura; kaila--did; tenha--he; carana vandana--worshiping the lotus feet; jani'--knowing; haridasa--Haridasa Thakura; tanre--him; kaila alingana--embraced.

TRANSLATION

He offered his respects to the lotus feet of Haridasa Thakura, who knew him and thus embraced him.

TEXT 15

TEXT

mahaprabhu dekhite tanra utkanthita mana

haridasa kahe,----'prabhu asibena ekhana'

SYNONYMS

mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dekhite--to see; tanra--his; utkanthita--anxious; mana--mind; haridasa kahe--Haridasa said; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; asibena ekhana--will come here.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami was very eager to see the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore Haridasa Thakura said, "The Lord is coming here very soon."

TEXT 16

TEXT

hena-kale prabhu 'upala-bhoga' dekhiya

haridase milite aila bhakta-gana lana

SYNONYMS

hena-kale--at this time; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; upala-bhoga--the upala-bhoga offering to Lord Jagannatha; dekhiya--after seeing; haridase--Haridasa; milite--to meet; aila--came; bhakta-gana lana--with other devotees.

TRANSLATION

At that very moment, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, after visiting the temple of Jagannatha to see the offering of upala-bhoga [morning refreshments], came with His other devotees to see Haridasa Thakura.

TEXT 17

TEXT

prabhu dekhi' dunhe pade dandavat hana

prabhu alingila haridasere uthana

SYNONYMS

prabhu dekhi'--seeing Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dunhe--both of them; pade--fell down; dandavat hana--flat like rods; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; alingila--embraced; haridasere--Haridasa Thakura; uthana--after lifting.

TRANSLATION

Seeing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they both immediately fell flat like rods to offer obeisances. The Lord then lifted Haridasa and embraced him.

TEXT 18

TEXT

haridasa kahe,----'sanatana kare namaskara'

sanatane dekhi' prabhu haila camatkara

SYNONYMS

haridasa kahe--Haridasa said; sanatana--Sanatana Gosvami; kare namaskara--is offering his obeisances; sanatane dekhi'--seeing Sanatana Gosvami; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; haila camatkara--became very surprised.

TRANSLATION

Haridasa Thakura said to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, "Here is Sanatana Gosvami offering his obeisances." Seeing Sanatana Gosvami, the Lord was greatly surprised.

TEXT 19

TEXT

sanatane alingite prabhu agu haila

pache bhage sanatana kahite lagila

SYNONYMS

sanatane--Sanatana Gosvami; alingite--to embrace; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; agu haila--came forward; pache--back; bhage--runs; sanatana--Sanatana Gosvami; kahite lagila--began to speak.

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came forward to embrace him, Sanatana backed away and spoke as folIows.

TEXT 20

TEXT

"more na chuniha, prabhu, padon tomara paya

eke nica-jati adhama, ara kandu-rasa gaya

SYNONYMS

more--me; na chuniha--please do not touch; prabhu--my Lord; padon--I fall down; tomara paya--at Your feet; eke--on one side; nica-jati--of a low caste; adhama--the lowest of mankind; ara--and; kandu-rasa--a disease of wet, itching infections; gaya--on the body.

TRANSLATION

"My Lord, please do not touch me. I fall at Your lotus feet. I am the lowest of men, having been born of a low caste. Besides that, I have infections on my body."

TEXT 21

TEXT

balatkare prabhu tanre alingana kaila

kandu-kleda mahaprabhura sri-ange lagila

SYNONYMS

balatkare--by force; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanre--him; alingana kaila--embraced; kandu-kleda--the moisture of weeping itches; mahaprabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sri--transcendental; ange--body; lagila--touched.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, however, embraced Sanatana Gosvami by force. Thus the moisture oozing from the itching sores touched the transcendental body of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TEXT 22

TEXT

saba bhakta-gane prabhu milaila sanatane

sanatana kaila sabara carana vandane

SYNONYMS

saba--all; bhakta-gane--devotees; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milaila--introduced; sanatane--to Sanatana Gosvami; sanatana--Sanatana Gosvami; kaila--did; sabara--of all of them; carana vandane--worshiping the lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

The Lord introduced all the devotees to Sanatana Gosvami, who offered his respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of them all.

TEXT 23

TEXT

prabhu lana vasila pindara upare bhakta-gana

pindara tale vasila haridasa sanatana

SYNONYMS

prabhu lana--with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vasila--sat down; pindara upare--upon the raised platform; bhakta-gana--all the devotees; pindara tale--below the platform; vasila--sat down; haridasa sanatana--Haridasa Thakura and Sanatana Gosvami.

TRANSLATION

The Lord and His devotees sat on a raised platform, and below that sat Haridasa Thakura and Sanatana Gosvami.

TEXT 24

TEXT

kusala-varta mahaprabhu puchena sanatane

tenha kahena,----'parama mangala dekhinu carane'

SYNONYMS

kusala--of well-being; varta--news; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; puchena--inquires; sanatane--from Sanatana Gosvami; tenha kahena--he said; parama mangala--everything is auspicious; dekhinu carane--I have seen Your lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu inquired from Sanatana about news of his well-being. Sanatana replied, "Everything is auspicious because I have seen Your lotus feet."

TEXT 25

TEXT

mathurara vaisnava-sabera kusala puchila

sabara kusala sanatana janaila

SYNONYMS

mathurara--of Mathura; vaisnava-sabera--of all the Vaisnavas; kusala puchila--inquired about the auspiciousness; sabara kusala--the well-being of all of them; sanatana--Sanatana Gosvami; janaila--informed.

TRANSLATION

When the Lord asked about all the Vaisnavas at Mathura, Sanatana Gosvami informed Him of their good health and fortune.

TEXT 26

TEXT

prabhu kahe,----"ihan rupa chila dasa-masa

ihan haite gaude gela, haila dina dasa

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; ihan--here; rupa--Rupa Gosvami; chila--was; dasa-masa--ten months; ihan haite--from here; gaude gela--has gone to Bengal; haila--it was; dina--days; dasa--ten.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu informed Sanatana Gosvami, "Srila Rupa Gosvami was here for ten months. He left for Bengal just ten days ago.

TEXT 27

TEXT

tomara bhai anupamera haila ganga-prapti

bhala chila, raghunathe drdha tara bhakti"

SYNONYMS

tomara bhai--your brother; anupamera--of Anupama; haila--was; ganga-prapti--death; bhala chila--he was a very good man; raghu-nathe--unto Lord Raghunatha (Lord Ramacandra); drdha--firm; tara bhakti--his devotion.

TRANSLATION

"Your brother Anupama is now dead. He was a very good devotee who had firm conviction in Raghunatha [Lord Ramacandra]."

TEXT 28

TEXT

sanatana kahe,----"nica-vamse mora janma

adharma anyaya yata,----amara kula-dharma

SYNONYMS

sanatana kahe--Sanatana Gosvami said; nica-vamse--in a low family; mora janma--my birth; adharma--irreligion; anyaya--sinful activities; yata--all; amara--my; kula-dharma--family business.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami said, "I was born in a low family, for my family commits all kinds of irreligious acts that violate the scriptural injunctions.

TEXT 29

TEXT

hena vamsa ghrna chadi' kaila angikara

tomara krpaya vamse mangala amara

SYNONYMS

hena--such; vamsa--family; ghrna--hatred; chadi'--giving up; kaila--You have done; angikara--acceptance; tomara--Your; krpaya--by mercy; vamse--in the family; mangala--auspiciousness; amara--my.

TRANSLATION

"My Lord, without hatred for my family You have accepted me as Your servant. Only by Your mercy is there good fortune in my family.

TEXT 30

TEXT

sei anupama-bhai sisu-kala haite

raghunatha-upasana kare drdha-citte

SYNONYMS

sei--that; anupama-bhai--brother named Anupama; sisu-kala haite--from the beginning of childhood; raghu-natha--of Lord Ramacandra; upasana--worship; kare--performs; drdha-citte--with great determination.

TRANSLATION

"From the very beginning of his childhood, my younger brother Anupama was a great devotee of Raghunatha [Lord Ramacandra], and he worshiped Him with great determination.

TEXT 31

TEXT

ratri-dine raghunathera 'nama' ara 'dhyana'

ramayana niravadhi sune, kare gana

SYNONYMS

ratri-dine--day and night; raghu-nathera--of Lord Ramacandra; nama--holy name; ara--and; dhyana--meditation; ramayana--the epic about the activities of Lord Ramacandra known as the Ramayana; niravadhi--continuously; sune--hears; kare gana--chants.

TRANSLATION

"He always chanted the holy name of Raghunatha and meditated upon Him. He continuously heard about the activities of the Lord from the Ramayana and chanted about them.

TEXT 32

TEXT

ami ara rupa----tara jyestha-sahodara

ama-donha-sange tenha rahe nirantara

SYNONYMS

ami--I; ara--and; rupa--Rupa Gosvami; tara--his; jyestha-sahodara--elder brothers; ama-donha--the two of us; sange--with; tenha--he; rahe--remains; nirantara--continuously.

TRANSLATION

"Rupa and I are his elder brothers. He stayed with us continuously.

TEXT 33

TEXT

ama-saba-sange krsna-katha, bhagavata sune

tahara pariksa kailun ami-dui-jane

SYNONYMS

ama-saba--all of us; sange--with; krsna-katha--talks about Lord Krsna; bhagavata sune--hears Srimad-Bhagavatam; tahara--his; pariksa--examination; kailun--did; ami-dui-jane--both of us.

TRANSLATION

"He heard Srimad-Bhagavatam and talks about Lord Krsna with us, and both of us examined him.

TEXT 34

TEXT

sunaha vallabha, krsna----parama-madhura

saundarya, madhurya, prema-vilasa----pracura

SYNONYMS

sunaha--please hear; vallabha--dear Vallabha; krsna--Lord Krsna; parama-madhura--supremely attractive; saundarya--beauty; madhurya--sweetness; prema-vilasa--pastimes of love; pracura--without limitation.

TRANSLATION

" 'Dear Vallabha,' we said, 'please hear from us. Lord Krsna is supremely attractive. His beauty, sweetness and pastimes of love are without limit.

TEXT 35

TEXT

krsna-bhajana kara tumi ama-dunhara sange

tina bhai ekatra rahimu krsna-katha-range"

SYNONYMS

krsna-bhajana--devotional service to Lord Krsna; kara--engage in; tumi--you; ama-dunhara--the two of us; sange--with; tina bhai--three brothers; ekatra--in one place; rahimu--we shall stay; krsna-katha--of the pastimes of Lord Krsna; range--in enjoyment.

TRANSLATION

" 'Engage yourself in devotional service to Krsna with both of us. We three brothers shall stay together and enjoy discussing the pastimes of Lord Krsna.'

TEXT 36

TEXT

ei-mata bara-bara kahi dui-jana

ama-dunhara gaurave kichu phiri' gela mana

SYNONYMS

ei-mata--in this way; bara-bara--again and again; kahi--we speak; dui-jana--two persons; ama-dunhara--of us both; gaurave--out of respect; kichu--somewhat; phiri' gela--turned; mana--mind.

TRANSLATION

"In this way we both spoke to him again and again, and because of this persuasion and his respect for us, his mind turned somewhat toward our instructions.

TEXT 37

TEXT

"toma-dunhara ajna ami kemane langhimu?

diksa-mantra deha' krsna-bhajana karimu"

SYNONYMS

toma--of you; dunhara--of both; ajna--the order; ami--I; kemane--how; langhimu--shall disobey; diksa--initiation; mantra--mantra; deha'--just give; krsna-bhajana--devotional service to Krsna; karimu--I shall perform.

TRANSLATION

"Vallabha replied, 'My dear brothers, how can I disobey your orders? Initiate me into the Krsna mantra so that I may perform devotional service to Lord Krsna.'

TEXT 38

TEXT

eta kahi' ratri-kale karena cintana

kemane chadimu raghunathera carana

SYNONYMS

eta kahi'--saying this; ratri-kale--at night; karena cintana--began to think; kemane--how; chadimu--shall I give up; raghu-nathera carana--the lotus feet of Lord Raghunatha?'

TRANSLATION

"After saying this, at night he began to think, 'How shall I give up the lotus feet of Lord Raghunatha?'

TEXT 39

TEXT

saba ratri krandana kari' kaila jagarana

pratah-kale ama-dunhaya kaila nivedana

SYNONYMS

saba ratri--throughout the whole night; krandana--crying; kari'--doing; kaila jagarana--remained awake; pratah-kale--in the morning; ama-dunhaya--to the two of us; kaila--made; nivedana--submission.

TRANSLATION

"He stayed up all night and cried. In the morning, he came to us and submitted the following plea.

TEXT 40

TEXT

'raghunathera pada-padme veciyachon matha

kadite na paron matha, pana bada vyatha

SYNONYMS

raghu-nathera--of Lord Ramacandra; pada-padme--at the lotus feet; veciyachon matha--I have sold my head; kadite--to take away; na paron--I am unable; matha--the head; pana--I get; bada vyatha--too much pain.

TRANSLATION

" 'I have sold my head at the lotus feet of Lord Ramacandra. I cannot take it away. That would be too painful for me.

TEXT 41

TEXT

krpa kari' more ajna deha' dui-jana

janme-janme sevon raghunathera carana

SYNONYMS

krpa kari'--being merciful; more--unto me; ajna deha'--give the order; dui-jana--both of you; janme-janme--life after life; sevon--let me serve; raghunathera carana--the lotus feet of Lord Raghunatha.

TRANSLATION

" 'Both of you please be merciful to me and order me in such a way so that life after life I may serve the lotus feet of Lord Raghunatha.

TEXT 42

TEXT

raghunathera pada-padma chadana na yaya

chadibara mana haile prana phati' yaya'

SYNONYMS

raghu-nathera--of Lord Raghunatha; pada-padma--lotus feet; chadana na yaya--it is impossible to give up; chadibara--of giving up; mana haile--when I think; prana--my heart; phati' yaya--breaks.

TRANSLATION

" 'It is impossible for me to give up the lotus feet of Lord Raghunatha. When I even think of giving them up, my heart breaks.'

TEXT 43

TEXT

tabe ami-dunhe tare alingana kailun

'sadhu, drdha-bhakti tomara '----kahi' prasamsilun

SYNONYMS

tabe--at that time; ami-dunhe--both of us; tare--him; alingana kailun--embraced; sadhu--very good; drdha--very determined; bhakti--devotion; tomara--your; kahi'--saying; prasamsilun--we praised.

TRANSLATION

"Upon hearing this, both of us embraced him and encouraged him by saying, 'You are a great saintly devotee, for your determination in devotional service is fixed.' In this way we both praised him.

TEXT 44

TEXT

ye vamsera upare tomara haya krpa-lesa

sakala mangala tahe khande saba klesa'

SYNONYMS

ye vamsera--which family; upare--upon; tomara--Your; haya--there is; krpa-lesa--little mercy; sakala mangala--all auspiciousness; tahe--on that; khande--are destroyed; saba--all; klesa--miserable conditions.

TRANSLATION

"My dear Lord, the family upon which You bestow even a little mercy is always fortunate, for such mercy makes all miseries disappear."

TEXT 45

TEXT

gosani kahena,----"ei-mata murari-gupta

purve ami pariksilun tara ei rita

SYNONYMS

gosani kahena--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied; ei-mata--in this way; murari-gupta--Murari Gupta; purve--formerly; ami--I; pariksilun--examined; tara--of him; ei--this; rita--manner.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "There was a similar incident concerning Murari Gupta. Formerly I examined him, and his determination was similar.

TEXT 46

TEXT

sei bhakta dhanya, ye na chade prabhura carana

sei prabhu dhanya, ye na chade nija-jana

SYNONYMS

sei bhakta--that devotee; dhanya--glorious; ye--who; na--not; chade--gives up; prabhura carana--the lotus feet of the Lord; sei prabhu--that Personality of Godhead; dhanya--glorious; ye--who; na--not; chade--gives up; nija-jana--His servant.

TRANSLATION

"Glorious is that devotee who does not give up the shelter of his Lord, and glorious is that Lord who does not abandon His servant.

TEXT 47

TEXT

durdaive sevaka yadi yaya anya sthane

sei thakura dhanya tare cule dhari' ane

SYNONYMS

durdaive--by chance; sevaka--the servant; yadi--if; yaya--goes; anya sthane--to another place; sei thakura--that master; dhanya--glorified; tare--him; cule--by the hair; dhari'--capturing; ane--brings back.

TRANSLATION

"If by chance a servant falls down and goes somewhere else, glorious is that master who captures him and brings him back by the hair.

TEXT 48

TEXT

bhala haila, tomara ihan haila agamane

ei ghare raha ihan haridasa-sane

SYNONYMS

bhala haila--it was very good; tomara--your; ihan--here; haila--there was; agamane--arrival; ei ghare--in this room; raha--remain; ihan--here; haridasa-sane--with Haridasa Thakura.

TRANSLATION

"It is very good that you have arrived here. Now stay in this room with Haridasa Thakura.

TEXT 49

TEXT

krsna-bhakti-rase dunhe parama pradhana

krsna-rasa asvadana kara, laha krsna-nama"

SYNONYMS

krsna--of Lord Krsna; bhakti-rase--in the transcendental mellow of devotional service; dunhe--both of you; parama pradhana--highly expert; krsna-rasa--the transcendental taste of Krsna; asvadana--relishing; kara--do; laha krsna-nama--chanting the holy name of Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"Both of you are expert in understanding the mellows of Lord Krsna's devotional service. Therefore you should both continue relishing the taste for such activities and chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra."

TEXT 50

TEXT

eta bali' mahaprabhu uthiya calila

govinda-dvaraya dunhe prasada pathaila

SYNONYMS

eta bali'--saying this; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; uthiya calila--got up and left; govinda-dvaraya--through Govinda; dunhe--to both of them; prasada pathaila--sent prasada.

TRANSLATION

Having said this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu got up and left, and through Govinda He sent prasada for them to eat.

TEXT 51

TEXT

ei-mata sanatana rahe prabhu-sthane

jagannathera cakra dekhi' karena praname

SYNONYMS

ei-mata--in this way; sanatana--Sanatana Gosvami; rahe--remains; prabhu-sthane--under the care of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jagannathera--of Lord Jagannatha; cakra--the wheel on the top of the temple; dekhi'--seeing; karena praname--offers respectful obeisances.

TRANSLATION

In this way, Sanatana Gosvami stayed under the care of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He would see the wheel on the pinnacle of the Jagannatha temple and offer respectful obeisances.

TEXT 52

TEXT

prabhu asi' prati-dina milena dui-jane

ista-gosthi, krsna-katha kahe kata-ksane

SYNONYMS

prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; asi'--coming; prati-dina--every day; milena dui-jane--meets both of them; ista-gosthi--discussion; krsna-katha--topics of Lord Krsna; kahe--speaks; kata-ksane--for some time.

TRANSLATION

Every day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would go there to meet these two stalwart devotees and discuss topics of Krsna with them for some time.

TEXT 53

TEXT

divya prasada paya nitya jagannatha-mandire

taha ani' nitya avasya dena donhakare

SYNONYMS

divya--first-class; prasada--prasada; paya--gets; nitya--daily; jagannatha-mandire--at the temple of Lord Jagannatha; taha ani'--bringing that; nitya--daily; avasya--certainly; dena--delivers; donhakare--to both of them.

TRANSLATION

The offerings of prasada in the temple of Lord Jagannatha were of the highest quality. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would bring this prasada and deliver it to both devotees.

TEXT 54

TEXT

eka-dina asi' prabhu dunhare milila

sanatane acambite kahite lagila

SYNONYMS

eka-dina--one day; asi'--coming; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dunhare milila--met both of them; sanatane--unto Sanatana Gosvami; acambite--all of a sudden; kahite lagila--began to speak.

TRANSLATION

One day when the Lord came to meet them, He suddenly began speaking to Sanatana Gosvami.

TEXT 55

TEXT

"sanatana, deha-tyage krsna yadi paiye

koti-deha ksaneke tabe chadite pariye

SYNONYMS

sanatana--My dear Sanatana; deha-tyage--by committing suicide; krsna--Lord Krsna; yadi--if; paiye--I can get; koti-deha--millions of bodies; ksaneke--in a moment; tabe--then;chadite pariye--I can give up.

TRANSLATION

"My dear Sanatana," He said, "if I could attain Krsna by committing suicide, I would certainly give up millions of bodies without a moment's hesitation.

TEXT 56

TEXT

deha-tyage krsna na pai, paiye bhajane

krsna-praptyera upaya kona nahi 'bhakti' vine

SYNONYMS

deha-tyage--by giving up the body; krsna--Lord Krsna; na pai--I do not get; paiye--I get; bhajane--by devotional service; krsna-praptyera--to get the shelter of Krsna; upaya--means; kona--any; nahi--there is not; bhakti vine--without devotional service.

TRANSLATION

"You should know that one cannot attain Krsna simply by giving up the body. Krsna is attainable by devotional service. There is no other meas to attain Him.

TEXT 57

TEXT

deha-tyagadi yata, saba----tamo-dharma

tamo-rajo-dharme krsnera na paiye marma

SYNONYMS

deha-tyaga-adi--beginning with giving up the material body; yata--as many; saba--all; tamah-dharma--performed under the mode of ignorance; tamah-rajah-dharme--by remaining in the modes of ignorance and passion; krsnera--of Lord Krsna; na paiye--I cannot attain; marma--the truth.

TRANSLATION

"Acts such as suicide are influenced by the mode of ignorance, and in ignorance and passion one cannot understand who Krsna is.

TEXT 58

TEXT

'bhakti' vina krsne kabhu nahe 'premodaya'

prema vina krsna-prapti anya haite naya

SYNONYMS

bhakti vina--without devotional service; krsne--unto Krsna; kabhu--at any time; nahe--is not; prema-udaya--development of dormant love for Krsna; prema vina--without love of Krsna; krsna-prapti--attaining Krsna; anya--anything else; haite--from; naya--is not possible.

TRANSLATION

"Unless one discharges devotional service, one cannot awaken one's dormant love for Krsna, and there is no means to attain Him other than awakening that dormant love.

TEXT 59

TEXT

na sadhayati mam yogo

na sankhyam dharma uddhava

na svadhyayas tapas tyago

yatha bhaktir mamorjita

SYNONYMS

na--never; sadhayati--causes to remain satisfied; mam--Me; yogah--the process of control; na--nor; sankhyam--the process of gaining philosophical knowledge about the Absolute Truth; dharmah--such an occupation; uddhava--My dear Uddhava; na--nor; svadhyayah--study of the Vedas; tapah--austerities; tyagah--renunciation, acceptance of sannyasa, or charity; yatha--as much as; bhaktih--devotional service; mama--unto Me; urjita--developed.

TRANSLATION

[The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, said:] " 'My dear Uddhava, neither through astanga-yoga [the mystic yoga system to control the senses], nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through austerities, charity or acceptance of sannyasa can one satisfy Me as much as by developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me.'

PURPORT

This verse is from Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.14.20).

TEXT 60

TEXT

deha-tyagadi tamo-dharma----pataka-karana

sadhaka na paya tate krsnera carana

SYNONYMS

deha-tyaga--giving up the material body by suicide; adi--beginning with; tamah-dharma--on the platform of the mode of ignorance; pataka-karana--cause of sinful activities; sadhaka--the devotee; na paya--does not get; tate--by that; krsnera carana--the lotus feet of Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"Measures like suicide are causes for sin. A devotee never achieves shelter at Krsna's lotus feet by such actions.

TEXT 61

TEXT

premi bhakta viyoge cahe deha chadite

preme krsna mile, seha na pare marite

SYNONYMS

premi bhakta--a devotee attached to Krsna by love; viyoge--in separation; cahe--wants; deha chadite--to give up the body; preme--by such ecstatic love; krsna mile--one meets Krsna; seha--such a devotee; na pare marite--cannot die.

TRANSLATION

"Because of feelings of separation from Krsna, an exalted devotee sometimes wants to give up his life. By such ecstatic love, however, one attains the audience of Krsna, and at that time he cannot give up his body.

TEXT 62

TEXT

gadhanuragera viyoga na yaya sahana

tate anuragi vanche apana marana

SYNONYMS

gadha-anuragera--of one who has deep attachment; viyoga--separation; na--not; yaya sahana--tolerated; tate--therefore; anuragi--a deeply attached devotee; vanche--desires; apana marana--death of himself.

TRANSLATION

"One who is deeply in love with Krsna cannot tolerate separation from the Lord. Therefore such a devotee always desires his own death.

TEXT 63

TEXT

yasyanghri-pankaja-rajah-snapanam mahanto

vanchanty uma-patir ivatma-tamo 'pahatyai

yarhy ambujaksa na labheya bhavat-prasadam

jahyam asun vrata-krsan chata-janmabhih syat

SYNONYMS

yasya--whose; anghri--of feet; panka-ja--lotus; rajah--in the dust; snapanam--bathing; mahantah--great personalities; vanchanti--desire; umapatih--Lord Siva; iva--like; atma--personal; tamah--ignorance; apahatyai--to drive away; yarhi--when; ambuja-aksa--O lotus-eyed one; na labheya--I do not get; bhavat-prasadam--Your mercy; jahyam--I shall give up; asun--life; vrata-krsan--reduced by observing vows; sata-janmabhih--by hundreds of births; syat--if it is possible.

TRANSLATION

" 'O lotus-eyed one, great personalities like Lord Siva desire to bathe in the dust of Your lotus feet to drive away ignorance. If I do not get the mercy of Your Lordship, I shall observe vows to reduce the duration of my life, and thus I shall give up bodies for hundreds of births if it is possible to get Your mercy in that way.'

PURPORT

This verse was spoken by Rukminidevi in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.52.43). Rukminidevi, the daughter of King Bhismaka, had heard about Krsna's transcendental attributes, and thus she desired to get Krsna as her husband. Unfortunately, her elder brother Rukmi was envious of Krsna and therefore wanted her to be offered to Sisupala. When Rukmini became aware of this, she was greatly aggrieved. Thus she wrote Krsna a confidential letter, which was presented and read to Him by a brahmana messenger. This verse appeared in that letter.

TEXT 64

TEXT

sincanga nas tvad-adharamrta-purakena

hasavaloka-kala-gitaja-hrc-chayagnim

no ced vayam virahajagny-upayukta-deha

dhyanena yama padayoh padavim sakhe te

SYNONYMS

sinca--just sprinkle water; anga--O my dear Krsna; nah--our; tvat--Your; adhara--of the lips; amrta--of nectar; purakena--by the stream; hasa--smile; avaloka--glancing; kala--melodious; gita--speaking; ja--produced by; hrt--in the heart; saya--resting; agnim--upon the fire; no cet--if not; vayam--we; viraha--from separation; ja--produced; agni--by the fire; upayukta--consumed; dehah--whose bodies; dhyanena--by meditation; yama--shall go; padayoh--of the lotus feet; padavim--to the site; sakhe--O my dear friend; te--Your.

TRANSLATION

" 'O dear Krsna, by Your smiling glances and melodious talk, You have awakened a fire of lusty desire in our hearts. Now You should extinguish that fire with a stream of nectar from Your lips by kissing us. Kindly do this. Otherwise, dear friend, the fire within our hearts will burn our bodies to ashes because of separation from You. Thus by meditation we shall claim shelter at Your lotus feet.' "

PURPORT

This verse (Bhag. 10.29.35) was spoken by the gopis when they were attracted by the vibration of Krsna's flute in the moonlight of autumn. All of them, being maddened, came to Krsna, but to increase their ecstatic love, Krsna gave them moral instructions to return home. The gopis did not care for these instructions. They wanted to be kissed by Krsna, for they had come there with lusty desires to dance with Him.

TEXT 65

TEXT

kubuddhi chadiya kara sravana-kirtana

acirat pabe tabe krsnera carana

SYNONYMS

ku-buddhi--intelligence not favorable to discharging devotional service; chadiya--giving up; kara--just do; sravana-kirtana--hearing and chanting; acirat--very soon; pabe--you will get; tabe--then; krsnera carana--the lotus feet of Krsna.

TRANSLATION

Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Sanatana Gosvami, "Give up all your nonsensical desires, for they are unfavorable for getting shelter at the lotus feet of Krsna. Engage yourself in chanting and hearing. Then you will soon achieve the shelter of Krsna without a doubt.

TEXT 66

TEXT

nica-jati nahe krsna-bhajane ayogya

sat-kula-vipra nahe bhajanera yogya

SYNONYMS

nica-jati--a lowborn person; nahe--is not; krsna-bhajane--in discharging devotional service; ayogya--unfit; sat-kula-vipra--a brahmana born in a very respectable aristocratic family; nahe--is not; bhajanera yogya--fit for discharging devotional service.

TRANSLATION

"A person born in a low family is not unfit for discharging devotional service to Lord Krsna, nor is one fit for devotional service simply because he is born in an aristocratic family of brahmanas.

TEXT 67

TEXT

yei bhaje sei bada, abhakta----hina, chara

krsna-bhajane nahi jati-kuladi-vicara

SYNONYMS

yei bhaje--anyone who takes to devotional service; sei--he; bada--exalted; abhakta--nondevotee; hina chara--most condemned and abominable; krsna-bhajane--in discharging devotional service; nahi--there is not; jati--caste; kula--family; adi--and so on; vicara--consideration of.

TRANSLATION

"Anyone who takes to devotional service is exalted, whereas a nondevotee is always condemned and abominable. Therefore in the discharge of devotional service to the Lord, there is no consideration of the status of one's family.

TEXT 68

TEXT

dinere adhika daya kare bhagavan

kulina, pandita, dhanira bada abhimana

SYNONYMS

dinere--to the humble; adhika--more; daya--mercy; kare--shows; bhagavan--the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kulina--aristocratic; pandita--learned scholar; dhanira--of rich man; bada abhimana--great pride.

TRANSLATION

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is always favorable to the humble and meek, but aristocrats, learned scholars and the wealthy are always proud of their positions.

TEXT 69

TEXT

viprad dvisad-guna-yutad aravinda-nabha-

padaravinda-vimukhat svapacam varistham

manye tad-arpita-mano-vacane 'hitartha-

pranam punati sa kulam na tu bhurimanah

SYNONYMS

viprat--than a brahmana; dvi-sat-guna-yutat--who has twelve brahminical qualifications; aravinda-nabha--of Lord Visnu, who has a lotuslike navel; pada-aravinda--unto the lotus feet; vimukhat--than a person bereft of devotion; sva-pacam--a candala, or person accustomed to eating dogs; varistham--more glorified; manye--I think; tat-arpita--dedicated unto Him; manah--mind; vacane--words; ahita--activities; artha--wealth; pranam--life; punati--purifies; sah--he; kulam--his family; na tu--but not; bhuri-manah--a brahmana proud of possessing such qualities.

TRANSLATION

" 'One may be born in a brahmana family and have all twelve brahminical qualities, but if in spite of being thus qualified he is not devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who has a navel shaped like a lotus, he is not as good as a candala who has dedicated his mind, words, activities, wealth and life to the service of the Lord. Simply to take birth in a brahmana family or to have brahminical qualities is not sufficient. One must be a pure devotee of the Lord. Thus if a svapaca, or candala, is a devotee, he delivers not only himself but his entire family as well, whereas a brahmana who is not a devotee but simply has brahminical qualifications cannot even purify himself, what to speak of his family.'

PURPORT

This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.9.9).

TEXT 70

TEXT

bhajanera madhye srestha nava-vidha bhakti

'krsna-prema', 'krsna' dite dhare maha-sakti

SYNONYMS

bhajanera madhye--in executing devotional service; srestha--the best; nava-vidha bhakti--the nine prescribed methods of devotional service; krsna-prema--ecstatic love of Krsna; krsna--and Krsna; dite--to deliver; dhare--possess; maha-sakti--great potency.

TRANSLATION

"Among the ways of executing devotional service, the nine prescribed methods are the best, for these processes have great potency to deliver Krsna and ecstatic love for Him.

PURPORT

The nine kinds of devotional service are mentioned in Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.23):

sravanam kirtanam visnoh

smaranam pada-sevanam

arcanam vandanam dasyam

sakhyam atma-nivedanam

These nine are hearing, chanting, remembering Krsna, offering service to Krsna's lotus feet, offering worship in the temple, offering prayers, working as a servant, making friendship with Krsna and unreservedly surrendering to Krsna. These nine processes of devotional service can grant one Krsna and ecstatic love for Him. In the beginning one has to discharge devotional service according to regulative principles, but gradually, as devotional service becomes one's life and soul, one achieves the most exalted position of ecstatic love for Krsna. Ultimately, Krsna is the goal of life. One need not have taken birth in an aristocratic brahmana family to attain the lotus feet of Krsna, nor is a person born in a low family unfit to achieve Krsna's lotus feet. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.33.7) Devahuti says to Kapiladeva:

aho bata sva-paco 'to gariyan

yaj-jihvagre vartate nama tubhyam

tepus tapas te juhuvuh sasnur arya

brahmanucur nama grnanti ye te

"O my Lord, even a person born in a low family of dog-eaters is glorious if he always chants the holy name of the Lord. Such a person has already performed all types of austerities, penances and Vedic sacrifices, has already bathed in the sacred rivers, and has also studied all the Vedic literature. Thus he has become an exalted personality." Similarly, Kuntidevi says to Lord Krsna:

janmaisvarya-sruta-sribhir

edhamana-madah puman

naivarhaty abhidhatum vai

tvam akincana-gocaram

"A person who is proud of his birth, opulence, knowledge and beauty cannot achieve Your lotus feet. You are available only to the humble and meek, not to the proud." (Bhag. 1.8.26.)

TEXT 71

TEXT

tara madhye sarva-srestha nama-sankirtana

niraparadhe nama laile paya prema-dhana

SYNONYMS

tara madhye--of the nine different types of devotional service; sarva-srestha--the most important of all; nama-sankirtana--chanting of the holy name of the Lord; niraparadhe--without offenses; nama laile--if one chants the holy name; paya--he gets; prema-dhana--the most valuable ecstatic love of Krsna.

TRANSLATION

"Of the nine processes of devotional service, the most important is to always chant the holy name of the Lord. If one does so, avoiding the ten kinds of offenses, one very easily obtains the most valuable love of Godhead."

PURPORT

Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhu gives the following directions in his Bhakti-sandarbha (270):

iyam ca kirtanakhya bhaktir bhagavato dravya-jati-guna-kriyabhir dina-janaika-visayapara-karuna-mayiti sruti-puranadi-visrutih. ataeva kalau svabhavata evatidinesu lokesu avirbhuya tan anayasenaiva tat tad yuga-gata-maha-sadhananam sarvam eva phalam dadana sa krtarthayati. yata eva tayaiva kalau bhagavato visesatas ca santoso bhavati.

"Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any paraphernalia, nor on one's having taken birth in a good family. By humility and meekness one attracts the attention of Krsna. That is the verdict of all the Vedas. Therefore if one becomes very humble and meek, he can easily attain the lotus feet of Krsna in this age of Kali. That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances and austerities because when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete perfection of life. Therefore whatever one does in executing devotional service must be accompanied with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord." The chanting of the holy name of Krsna--Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare--has been praised by Srila Rupa Gosvami in his Namastaka (verse 1):

nikhila-sruti-mauli-ratna-mala-

dyuti-nirajita-pada-pankajanta

ayi mukta-kulair upasyamanam

paritas tvam hari-nama samsrayami

"O Hari-nama! The tips of the toes of Your lotus feet are constantly being worshiped by the glowing radiance emanating from the string of gems known as the Upanisads, the crown jewels of all the Vedas. You are eternally adored by liberated souls such as Narada and Sukadeva. O Hari-nama! I take complete shelter of You."

Similarly, Srila Sanatana Gosvami has praised the chanting of the holy name as follows in his Brhad-bhagavatamrta (Chapter One, verse 9):

jayati jayati namananda-rupam murarer

viramita-nija-dharma-dhyana-pujadi-yatnam

kathamapi sakrd-attam muktidam praninam yat

paramam amrtam ekam jivanam bhusanam me

"All glories, all glories to the all-blissful holy name of Sri Krsna, which causes the devotee to give up all conventional religious duties, meditation and worship. When somehow or other uttered even once by a living entity, the holy name awards him liberation. The holy name of Krsna is the highest nectar. It is my very life and my only treasure."

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.1.11) Sukadeva Gosvami says:

etan nirvidyamananam

icchatam akuto-bhayam

yoginam nrpa nirnitam

harer namanukirtanam

"O King, constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord after the ways of the great authorities is the doubtless and fearless way of success for all, including those who are free from all material desires, those who are desirous of all material enjoyment, and those who are self-satisfied by dint of transcendental knowledge."

Similarly, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said in His Siksastaka(3):

trnad api sunicena

taror api sahisnuna

amanina manadena

kirtaniyah sada harih

"One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street. One should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly." Regarding the ten offenses in chanting the holy name, one may refer to the Adi-lila, Chapter Eight, verse 24.

TEXT 72

TEXT

eta suni' sanatanera haila camatkara

prabhure na bhaya mora marana-vicara

SYNONYMS

eta suni'--hearing this; sanatanera--of Sanatana Gosvami; haila camatkara--there was astonishment; prabhure na bhaya--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu does not approve; mora--my; marana-vicara--decision to commit suicide.

TRANSLATION

After hearing this, Sanatana Gosvami was exceedingly astonished. He could understand,"My decision to commit suicide has not been greatly appreciated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu."

TEXT 73

TEXT

sarvajna mahaprabhu nisedhila more

prabhura carana dhari' kahena tanhare

SYNONYMS

sarva-jna--who knows everything; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nisedhila--has forbidden; more--me; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; carana--the feet; dhari'--touching; kahena tanhare--began to speak to Him.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami concIuded, "Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who knows everything--past, present and future--has forbidden me to commit suicide." He then fell down, touching the lotus feet of the Lord, and spoke to Him as follows.

TEXT 74

TEXT

"sarvajna, krpalu tumi isvara svatantra

yaiche nacao, taiche naci,----yena kastha-yantra

SYNONYMS

sarva-jna--all-knowing; krpalu--merciful; tumi--You; isvara--the Supreme Lord; svatantra--independent; yaiche--as; nacao--You make to dance; taiche--so; naci--I dance; yena--as if; kastha-yantra--an instrument of wood.

TRANSLATION

"My Lord, You are the omniscient, merciful, independent Supreme Lord. Exactly like an instrument of wood, I dance as You make me do so.

TEXT 75

TEXT

</