Chapter 17
The Lord Travels to Vrndavana
The following summary of the Seventeenth Chapter is given by
Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya. After attending the
Ratha-yatra ceremony of Sri Jagannatha, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu decided to
start for Vrndavana. Sri Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami selected a
brahmana named Balabhadra Bhattacarya to personally assist Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu. Early in the morning before sunrise, the Lord started for the town
of Kataka. North of Kataka, He penetrated a dense forest and visited many
tigers and elephants, whom He engaged in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.
Whenever He had a chance to visit a village, He would beg alms and acquire some
rice and vegetables. If there were no village, He would cook whatever rice
remained and collect some spinach from the forest to eat. Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu was very pleased with the behavior of Balabhadra Bhattacarya.
In this way the Lord passed through the jungle of Jharikhanda and
finally reached Varanasi. After taking His bath at the Manikarnika-ghata at
Varanasi, He met Tapana Misra, who took the Lord to his place and respectfully
gave Him a comfortable residence. At Varanasi, Vaidya Candrasekhara, Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu's old friend, also rendered service unto Him. Seeing the behavior of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, one Maharastriya brahmana informed Prakasananda
Sarasvati, the leader of the Mayavadi sannyasis. Prakasananda made various
accusations against the Lord. The Maharastriya brahmana was very sorry about
this, and he brought the news to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, inquiring from Him
why the Mayavadi sannyasis did not utter the holy name of Krsna. In reply, Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that they were offenders and that one should not
associate with them. In this way the Lord bestowed His blessings upon the
brahmana.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu next passed through Prayaga and Mathura and then
took His lunch at the home of a Sanodiya brahmana, a disciple of Madhavendra
Puri. He bestowed His blessings upon the brahmana by accepting lunch at his
place. Thereafter the Lord visited the twelve forests of Vrndavana and was
filled with great ecstatic love. As He toured the Vrndavana forests, He heard
the chirping of parrots and other birds.
TEXT 1
TEXT
gacchan vrndavanam gauro
vyaghrebhaina-khagan vane
premonmattan sahonnrtyan
vidadhe
krsna-jalpinah
SYNONYMS
gacchan--going; vrndavanam--to Vrndavana-dhama; gaurah--Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; vyaghra--tigers; ibha--elephants; ena--deer; khagan--and birds;
vane--in the forest; prema-unmattan--maddened by ecstatic love; saha--with;
unnrtyan--dancing; vidadhe--made; krsna--Lord Krsna's name; jalpinah--chanting.
TRANSLATION
On His way to Vrndavana, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu passed through the
forest of Jharikhanda and made all the tigers, elephants, deer and birds dance
and chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Thus all these animals were overwhelmed
by ecstatic love.
TEXT 2
TEXT
jaya jaya gauracandra jaya
nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda
SYNONYMS
jaya jaya--all glories; gauracandra--to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu;
jaya--all glories; nityananda--to Nityananda Prabhu; jaya--all glories;
advaita-candra--to Advaita Acarya; jaya--all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda--to
the devotees of Lord Caitanya.
TRANSLATION
All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityananda!
All glories to Advaitacandra! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord!
TEXT 3
TEXT
sarat-kala haila, prabhura calite haila mati
ramananda-svarupa-sange nibhrte yukati
SYNONYMS
sarat-kala haila--autumn arrived; prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; calite--to travel; haila--was; mati--desire; ramananda--Ramananda
Raya; svarupa--Svarupa Damodara; sange--with; nibhrte--solitary;
yukati--consultation.
TRANSLATION
When autumn arrived, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu decided to go to Vrndavana.
In a solitary place, He consulted with Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara
Gosvami.
TEXT 4
TEXT
"mora sahaya kara yadi, tumi-dui jana
tabe ami yana dekhi sri-vrndavana
SYNONYMS
mora--of Me; sahaya--help; kara--you do; yadi--if; tumi--you; dui
jana--two persons; tabe--then; ami--I; yana--going; dekhi--shall see;
sri-vrndavana--Sri Vrndavana-dhama.
TRANSLATION
The Lord requested Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami to help
Him go to Vrndavana.
TEXT 5
TEXT
ratrye uthi' vana-pathe palana yaba
ekaki yaiba, kahon sange na la-iba
SYNONYMS
ratrye uthi'--rising at night; vana-pathe--on the road to the forest;
palana yaba--I shall go away secretly; ekaki yaiba--I shall go alone;
kahon--anyone; sange--with Me; na la-iba--I shall not take.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I shall leave early in the morning
and go incognito, taking the road to the forest. I shall go alone and not take
anyone with Me.
TEXT 6
TEXT
keha yadi sanga la-ite pache uthi' dhaya
sabare rakhiba, yena keha nahi yaya
SYNONYMS
keha--someone; yadi--if; sanga la-ite--to take company; pache--behind;
uthi'--getting up; dhaya--runs; sabare--everyone; rakhiba--please stop; yena--so
that; keha--anyone; nahi yaya--does not go.
TRANSLATION
"If someone wants to follow Me, please stop him. I don't want
anyone to go with Me.
TEXT 7
TEXT
prasanna hana ajna diba, na maniba 'duhkha'
toma-sabara 'sukhe' pathe habe mora 'sukha' "
SYNONYMS
prasanna hana--being pleased; ajna diba--give permission; na--do not;
maniba duhkha--become unhappy; toma-sabara--of all of you; sukhe--by the
happiness; pathe--on the road; habe--there will be; mora--My; sukha--happiness.
TRANSLATION
"Please give Me your permission with great pleasure and do not be
unhappy. If you are happy, I shall be happy on My way to Vrndavana."
TEXT 8
TEXT
dui-jana kahe,----'tumi isvara 'svatantra'
yei iccha, sei kariba, naha 'paratantra'
SYNONYMS
dui-jana kahe--the two persons replied; tumi--You; isvara--the Supreme
Personality of Godhead; svatantra--completely independent; yei iccha--whatever
You desire; sei--that; kariba--You will do; naha--You are not; para-tantra--dependent
on anyone.
TRANSLATION
Upon hearing this, Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami replied,
"Dear Lord, You are completely independent. Since You are not dependent on
anyone, You do whatever You desire.
TEXT 9
TEXT
kintu ama-dunhara suna eka nivedane
'tomara sukhe amara sukha'----kahila apane
SYNONYMS
kintu--but; ama-dunhara--of both of us; suna--please hear; eka
nivedane--one submission; tomara sukhe--by your happiness; amara sukha--our
happiness; kahila--You have already stated; apane--personally.
TRANSLATION
"Dear Lord, kindly hear our one petition. You have already said
that You will derive happiness from our happiness. This is Your own statement.
TEXT 10
TEXT
ama-dunhara mane tabe bada 'sukha' haya
eka nivedana yadi
dhara, dayamaya
SYNONYMS
ama-dunhara--of us two; mane--in the mind; tabe--therefore; bada--very
much; sukha haya--there is happiness; eka nivedana--one request; yadi--if;
dhara--You accept; daya-maya--merciful.
TRANSLATION
"If You will please accept just one request, we shall be very, very
happy.
TEXT 11
TEXT
'uttama brahmana' eka sange avasya cahi
bhiksa kari' bhiksa dibe, yabe patra vahi'
SYNONYMS
uttama brahmana--a high-class brahmana; eka--one; sange--along;
avasya--certainly; cahi--we want; bhiksa kari'--collecting alms; bhiksa
dibe--will give You food; yabe--will go; patra vahi'--bearing Your waterpot.
TRANSLATION
"Our Lord, please take one very nice brahmana with You. He will
collect alms for You, cook for You, give You prasada, and carry Your waterpot
while traveling.
TEXT 12
TEXT
ana-pathe yaite nahi 'bhojyanna'-brahmana
ajna kara,----sange caluka vipra eka-jana'
SYNONYMS
vana-pathe--on the forest path; yaite--going; nahi--there is not;
bhojya-anna-brahmana--a brahmana whose food can be accepted; ajna kara--please
give permission; sange--along; caluka--may go; vipra--brahmana; eka-jana--one
person.
TRANSLATION
"When You go through the jungle, there will be no brahmana
available from whom You can accept lunch. Therefore please give permission for
at least one pure brahmana to accompany You."
TEXT 13
TEXT
prabhu kahe,----nija-sangi kanho na la-iba
eka-jane nile, anera mane duhkha ha-iba
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied; nija-sangi--of My
associates; kanho--anyone; na--not; la-iba--I shall take; eka-jane nile--if I
take someone; anera mane--in the mind of others; duhkha ha-iba--there will be
unhappiness.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said,"I shall not take any of My associates
with Me because if I choose someone, all the others will be unhappy.
TEXT 14
TEXT
nutana sangi ha-ibeka,----snigdha yanra mana
aiche yabe pai, tabe la-i 'eka' jana
SYNONYMS
nutana--new; sangi--associate; ha-ibeka--must be; snigdha--very
peaceful; yanra--whose; mana--mind; aiche--such; yabe--if; pai--I get;
tabe--then; la-i--I take; eka jana--one person.
TRANSLATION
"Such a person must be a new man, and he must have a peaceful mind.
If I can obtain such a man, I shall agree to take him with Me."
PURPORT
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu formerly went to South India, a brahmana
named Kala Krsnadasa went with Him. It was Kala Krsnadasa who fell victim to a
woman, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had to take the trouble to free him from the
clutches of the gypsies. Therefore the Lord here says that He wants a new man
who is peaceful in mind. One whose mind is not peaceful is agitated by certain
drives, especially sex desire, even though he be in the company of Caitanya
Mahaprabhu. Such a man will become a victim of women and will fall down even in
the company of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Maya is so strong that
unless one is determined not to fall victim, even the Supreme Personality of
Godhead cannot give protection. The Supreme Lord and His representative always
want to give protection, but a person must take advantage of their personal
contact. If one thinks that the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His
representative is an ordinary man, he will certainly fall down. Thus Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not want a person like Kala Krsnadasa to accompany Him.
He wanted someone who was determined, who had a peaceful mind and who was not
agitated by ulterior motives.
TEXT 15
TEXT
svarupa kahe,----ei balabhadra-bhattacarya
tomate susnigdha bada, pandita, sadhu, arya
SYNONYMS
svarupa kahe--Svarupa Damodara Gosvami said; ei--this;
balabhadra-bhattacarya--Balabhadra Bhattacarya; tomate--unto You;
su-snigdha--affectionate; bada--very; pandita--educated; sadhu--honest;
arya--advanced in spiritual consciousness.
TRANSLATION
Svarupa Damodara then said, "Here is Balabhadra Bhattacarya, who
has great love for You. He is an honest, learned scholar, and he is advanced in
spiritual consciousness.
PURPORT
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted a new man, not a person like Kala
Krsnadasa who would fall for women. Svarupa Damodara therefore immediately
pointed out a new brahmana named Balabhadra Bhattacarya. Sri Svarupa Damodara
Gosvami had studied this person very thoroughly and had seen that he had great
love for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Not only did he love the Lord, but he was
also learned and honest. He was not duplicitous, and he was advanced in Krsna
consciousness. According to a Bengali proverb, ati bhakti corera laksana:
"Too much devotion is a symptom of a thief." A person who assumes
himself to be a great devotee but mentally is thinking of something else is
duplicitous. One who is not duplicitous is called sadhu. Svarupa Damodara
immediately pointed out that Balabhadra Bhattacarya was quite fit to accompany
the Lord because he was a learned scholar and was simple and had great love for
Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He was also advanced in Krsna consciousness;
therefore he was considered appropriate to accompany the Lord as a personal
servant.
The word snigdha (very peaceful) and the word su-snigdha (affectionate)
are used in verses fourteen and fifteen, and they are also found in
Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.8): bruyuh snigdhasya sisyasya guravo guhyam apy uta.
"A disciple who has actual love for his spiritual master is endowed, by
the blessings of the spiritual master, with all confidential knowledge."
Srila Sridhara Svami has commented that the word snigdhasya means prema-vatah.
The word prema-vatah indicates that one has great love for his spiritual
master.
TEXT 16
TEXT
prathamei toma-sange aila gauda haite
inhara iccha ache 'sarva-tirtha' karite
SYNONYMS
prathamei--in the beginning; toma-sange--with You; aila--came; gauda
haite--from Bengal; inhara iccha--his desire; ache--is; sarva-tirtha--all
places of pilgrimage; karite--to go see.
TRANSLATION
"In the beginning, he came with You from Bengal. It is his desire
to see and visit all the holy places of pilgrimage.
TEXT 17
TEXT
inhara sange ache vipra eka 'bhrtya'
inho pathe karibena seva-bhiksa-krtya
SYNONYMS
inhara sange--with him; ache--is; vipra--brahmana; eka--one; bhrtya--servant;
inho--this man; pathe--on the way; karibena--will do; seva--service;
bhiksa-krtya--and arrangements for cooking.
TRANSLATION
"In addition, You may take another brahmana who would act as a
servant en route and make arrangements for Your food.
TEXT 18
TEXT
inhare sange laha yadi, sabara haya 'sukha'
vana-pathe yaite tomara nahibe kona 'duhkha'
SYNONYMS
inhare--him; sange--along; laha--You accept; yadi--if; sabara haya
sukha--everyone will be happy; vana-pathe--on the path through the jungle;
yaite--going; tomara--Your; nahibe--there will not be; kona--any; duhkha--difficulty.
TRANSLATION
"If You can also take him with You, we will be very happy. If two
people go with You through the jungle, there will certainly be no difficulty or
inconvenience.
TEXT 19
TEXT
sei vipra vahi' nibe vastrambu-bhajana
bhattacarya bhiksa dibe kari' bhiksatana
SYNONYMS
sei vipra--the other brahmana; vahi' nibe--will carry;
vastra-ambu-bhajana--the cloth and waterpot; bhattacarya--Balabhadra
Bhattacarya; bhiksa dibe--will arrange for cooking; kari'--performing;
bhiksa-atana--collecting alms.
TRANSLATION
"The other brahmana can carry Your cloth and waterpot, and Balabhadra
Bhattacarya will collect alms and cook for You."
TEXT 20
TEXT
tanhara vacana prabhu angikara kaila
balabhadra-bhattacarye sange kari' nila
SYNONYMS
tanhara vacana--his words; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; angikara
kaila--accepted; balabhadra-bhattacarye--Balabhadra Bhattacarya; sange kari'
nila--took with Him.
TRANSLATION
Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted the request of Svarupa Damodara
Pandita and agreed to take Balabhadra Bhattacarya with Him.
TEXT 21
TEXT
purva-ratrye jagannatha dekhi' 'ajna' lana
sesa-ratre uthi' prabhu calila lukana
SYNONYMS
purva-ratrye--on the previous night; jagannatha dekhi'--seeing Lord
Jagannatha; ajna lana--taking permission; sesa-ratre--near the end of night;
uthi'--rising; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; calila--started;
lukana--without being seen.
TRANSLATION
On the previous night, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had visited Lord
Jagannatha and taken His permission. Now, near the end of night, the Lord got
up and started immediately. He was not seen by others.
TEXT 22
TEXT
pratah-kale bhakta-gana prabhu na dekhiya
anvesana kari' phire vyakula hana
SYNONYMS
pratah-kale--early in the morning; bhakta-gana--all the devotees;
prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; na dekhiya--not seeing; anvesana
kari'--searching; phire--wander; vyakula hana--becoming very anxious.
TRANSLATION
Because the Lord had departed, the devotees, unable to see Him early in
the morning, began to search for Him with great anxiety.
TEXT 23
TEXT
svarupa-gosani
sabaya kaila nivarana
nivrtta hana rahe sabe jani' prabhura mana
SYNONYMS
svarupa-gosani--Svarupa Damodara Gosvami; sabaya--unto everyone;
kaila--did; nivarana--forbidding; nivrtta hana--being restrained; rahe--remain;
sabe--all; jani'--knowing; prabhura mana--the mind of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TRANSLATION
While all the devotees were searching for the Lord, Svarupa Damodara
restrained them. Then everyone fell silent, knowing the mind of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu.
TEXT 24
TEXT
prasiddha patha chadi' prabhu upapathe calila
'kataka' dahine kari' vane pravesila
SYNONYMS
prasiddha--well-known; patha--public way; chadi'--giving up; prabhu--Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; upapathe--through a bypass; calila--began to walk;
kataka--the city of Kataka; dahine--on the right side; kari'--keeping;
vane--within the forest; pravesila--entered.
TRANSLATION
The Lord abandoned walking on the well-known public road and went
instead along a bypass. He thus kept the city of Kataka on His right as He
entered the forest.
TEXT 25
TEXT
nirjana-vane cale prabhu krsna-nama lana
hasti-vyaghra patha chade prabhure dekhiya
SYNONYMS
nirjana-vane--in a solitary forest; cale--walks; prabhu--Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; krsna-nama lana--chanting the holy name of Krsna; hasti--elephants;
vyaghra--tigers; patha chade--leave the path; prabhure--Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; dekhiya--seeing.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord passed through the solitary forest chanting the holy name
of Krsna, the tigers and elephants, seeing Him, gave way.
TEXT 26
TEXT
pale-pale vyaghra, hasti, gandara, sukara-gana
tara madhye avese prabhu karila gamana
SYNONYMS
pale-pale--in flocks; vyaghra--tigers; hasti--elephants;
gandara--rhinoceros; sukara-gana--boars; tara madhye--through them; avese--in
ecstasy; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karila gamana--passed.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord passed through the jungle in great ecstasy, packs of
tigers, elephants, rhinoceros and boars came, and the Lord passed right through
them.
TEXT 27
TEXT
dekhi' bhattacaryera mane haya maha-bhaya
prabhura pratape tara eka pasa haya
SYNONYMS
dekhi'--seeing; bhattacaryera--of Bhattacarya; mane--in the mind;
haya--there was; maha-bhaya--great fear; prabhura pratape--by the influence of
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tara--they; eka pasa haya--stand to one side.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhattacarya was very much afraid to see them, but by Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu's influence, all the animals stood to one side.
TEXT 28
TEXT
eka-dina pathe vyaghra kariyache sayana
avese tara gaye prabhura lagila carana
SYNONYMS
eka-dina--one day; pathe--on the path; vyaghra--a tiger; kariyache
sayana--was lying down; avese--in ecstatic love; tara gaye--on his body;
prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; lagila--touched; carana--lotus feet.
TRANSLATION
One day a tiger was lying on the path, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
walking along the path in ecstatic love, touched the tiger with His feet.
TEXT 29
TEXT
prabhu kahe,----kaha 'krsna', vyaghra uthila
'krsna' 'krsna' kahi' vyaghra nacite lagila
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; kaha krsna--please chant Hare
Krsna; vyaghra uthila--the tiger got up; krsna krsna kahi'--chanting the holy
name of Krsna; vyaghra--the tiger; nacite--to dance; lagila--began.
TRANSLATION
The Lord said, "Chant the holy name of Krsna!" The tiger
immediately got up and began to dance and chant,"Krsna! Krsna!"
TEXT 30
TEXT
ara dine mahaprabhu kare nadi snana
matta-hasti-yutha aila karite jala-pana
SYNONYMS
ara dine--another day; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kare--does;
nadi snana--bathing in the river; matta-hasti-yutha--a herd of maddened
elephants; aila--came; karite--to do; jala-pana--drinking water.
TRANSLATION
Another day, while Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was bathing in a river, a
herd of maddened elephants came there to drink water.
TEXT 31
TEXT
prabhu jala-krtya kare, age hasti aila
'krsna kaha' bali' prabhu jala pheli' marila
SYNONYMS
prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jala-krtya kare--bathed and was
chanting the Gayatri mantra within the water; age--in front; hasti--the
elephants; aila--came; krsna kaha--chant Hare Krsna; bali'--saying;
prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jala pheli'--throwing water;
marila--struck.
TRANSLATION
While the Lord was bathing and murmuring the Gayatri mantra, the
elephants came before Him. The Lord immediately splashed some water on the
elephants and asked them to chant the name of Krsna.
PURPORT
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the Supreme personality of Godhead playing
the part of a very great advanced devotee. On the maha-bhagavata platform, the
devotee makes no distinction between friends and enemies. On that platform he
sees everyone as a servant of Krsna. As stated in Bhagavad-gita:
vidya-vinaya-sampanne
brahmane gavi hastini
suni caiva svapake ca
panditah sama-darsinah
"The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal
vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a
dog-eater [outcaste]." (Bg. 5.18)
A maha-bhagavata, being learned and advanced in spiritual consciousness,
sees no difference between a tiger, an elephant or a learned scholar. The test
of advanced spiritual consciousness is that one becomes fearless. He envies no
one, and he is always engaged in the Lord's service. He sees every living
entity as an eternal part and parcel of the Lord, rendering service according
to his capacity by the will of the Supreme Lord. As Bhagavad-gita confirms:
sarvasya caham hrdi sannivisto
mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca
"I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance,
knowledge and forgetfulness." (Bg. 15.15)
The maha-bhagavata knows that Krsna is in everyone's heart. Krsna is
dictating, and the living entity is following His dictations. Krsna is within
the heart of the tiger, elephant and boar. Therefore Krsna tells them,
"Here is a maha-bhagavata. Please do not disturb him." Why, then,
should the animals be envious of such a great personality? Those who are
neophytes or even a little progressed in devotional service should not try to imitate
the maha-bhagavata. Rather, they should only follow in their footsteps. The
word anukara means "imitating," and anusara means "trying to
follow in the footsteps." We should not try to imitate the activities of a
maha-bhagavata or Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Our best efforts should be exerted
in trying to follow them according to our ability. The maha-bhagavata's heart
is completely freed from material contamination, and he can become very dear
even to fierce animals like tigers and elephants. Indeed, the maha-bhagavata
treats them as his very intimate friends. On this platform there is no question
of envy. When the Lord was passing through the forest, He was in ecstasy,
thinking the forest to be Vrndavana. He was simply searching for Krsna.
TEXT 32
TEXT
sei jala-bindu-kana lage yara gaya
sei 'krsna' 'krsna' kahe, preme nace, gaya
SYNONYMS
sei--those; jala--of water; bindu--drops; kana--particles; lage--touch;
yara--whose; gaya--body; sei--they; krsna krsna--Krsna, Krsna; kahe--say;
preme--in ecstasy; nace--dance; gaya--sing.
TRANSLATION
The elephants whose bodies were touched by the water splashed by the
Lord began to chant,"Krsna! Krsna!" and dance and sing in ecstasy.
TEXT 33
TEXT
keha bhume pade, keha karaye citkara
dekhi' bhattacaryera mane haya camatkara
SYNONYMS
keha--some of them; bhume--on the ground; pade--fall down; keha--some of
them; karaye--perform; cit-kara--screaming; dekhi'--seeing; bhattacaryera--of
Bhattacarya; mane--in the mind; haya--there was; camatkara--astonishment.
TRANSLATION
Some of the elephants fell to the ground, and some screamed in ecstasy.
Seeing this, Balabhadra Bhattacarya was completely astonished.
TEXT 34
TEXT
pathe yaite kare prabhu ucca sankirtana
madhura kantha-dhvani suni' aise mrgi-gana
SYNONYMS
pathe yaite--while passing on the path; kare--does; prabhu--Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; ucca--loud; sankirtana--chanting of Hare Krsna; madhura--sweet;
kantha-dhvani--the voice from His throat; suni'--hearing; aise--came;
mrgi-gana--she-deer.
TRANSLATION
Sometimes Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted very loudly while passing
through the jungle. Hearing His sweet voice, all the does came near Him.
TEXT 35
TEXT
dahine-vame dhvani suni' yaya prabhu-sange
prabhu tara
anga muche, sloka pade range
SYNONYMS
dahine-vame--right and left; dhvani--vibration; suni'--hearing;
yaya--they follow; prabhu-sange--with the Lord; prabhu--Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; tara--their; anga--bodies; muche--pats; sloka--verse;
pade--recites; range--in great curiosity.
TRANSLATION
Hearing the Lord's great vibration, all the does followed Him left and
right. While reciting a verse with great curiosity, the Lord patted them.
TEXT 36
TEXT
dhanyah sma mudha-matayo 'pi harinya eta
ya nanda-nandanam upatta-vicitra-vesam
akarnya venu-ranitam saha-krsna-sarah
pujam dadhur
viracitam pranayavalokaih
SYNONYMS
dhanyah--fortunate, blessed; sma--certainly; mudha-matayah--foolish,
without good sense; api--although; harinyah--she-deer; etah--these; yah--who;
nanda-nandanam--the son of Maharaja Nanda; upatta-vicitra-vesam--dressed very
attractively; akarnya--hearing; venu-ranitam--the sound of His flute;
saha-krsna-sarah--accompanied by the black deer (their husbands); pujam
dadhuh--they worshiped; viracitam--performed; pranaya-avalokaih--by their
affectionate glances.
TRANSLATION
"Blessed are all these foolish deer because they have approached
the son of Maharaja Nanda, who is gorgeously dressed and is playing on His
flute. Indeed, both the does and the bucks worship the Lord with looks of love
and affection."
PURPORT
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.21.11) spoken by the gopis of
Vrndavana.
TEXT 37
TEXT
hena-kale vyaghra tatha aila panca-sata
vyaghra-mrgi mili' cale mahaprabhura satha
SYNONYMS
hena-kale--at this time; vyaghra--tigers; tatha--there; aila--came;
panca-sata--five to seven; vyaghra-mrgi--the tigers and deer; mili'--coming
together; cale--go; mahaprabhura satha--with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TRANSLATION
While Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was passing through the jungle, five or
seven tigers came. Joining the deer, the tigers began to follow the Lord.
TEXT 38
TEXT
dekhi' mahaprabhura 'vrndavana'-smrti haila
vrndavana-guna-varnana sloka padila
SYNONYMS
dekhi'--seeing; mahaprabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vrndavana--of
the holy land of Vrndavana; smrti haila--there was remembrance; vrndavana--of
Sri Vrndavana; guna--of the qualities; varnana--description; sloka--verse;
padila--recited.
TRANSLATION
Seeing the tigers and deer following Him, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
immediately remembered the land of Vrndavana. He then began to recite a verse
describing the transcendental quality of Vrndavana.
TEXT 39
TEXT
yatra naisarga-durvairah
sahasan nr-mrgadayah
mitranivajitavasa-
druta-rut-tarsanadikam
SYNONYMS
yatra--where; naisarga--by nature; durvairah--living in enmity;
saha-asan--live together; nr--human beings; mrga-adayah--and animals;
mitrani--friends; iva--like; ajita--of Lord Sri Krsna; avasa--residence;
druta--gone away; ruj--anger; tarsana-adikam--thirst and so on.
TRANSLATION
"Vrndavana is the transcendental abode of the Lord. There is no
hunger, anger or thirst there. Though naturally inimical, both human beings and
fierce animals live together there in transcendental friendship."
PURPORT
This is a statement from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.13.60). After stealing
the cowherd boys, calves and cows of Sri Krsna, Lord Brahma kept them asleep
and hid them. After a moment, Brahma returned to see Krsna's condition. When he
saw that Krsna was still busy with His cowherd boyfriends and animals and was
not disturbed, Lord Brahma appreciated the transcendental opulence of
Vrndavana.
TEXT 40
TEXT
'krsna krsna kaha' kari' prabhu yabe balila
'krsna' kahi' vyaghra-mrga nacite lagila
SYNONYMS
krsna krsna kaha--chant Krsna, Krsna; kari'--in this way; prabhu--Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yabe--when; balila--uttered; krsna kahi'--chanting the
holy name of Krsna; vyaghra-mrga--the tigers and deer; nacite lagila--began to
dance.
TRANSLATION
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said,"Chant Krsna! Krsna!" the
tigers and deer began to dance and chant, "Krsna!"
TEXT 41
TEXT
nace, kunde vyaghra-gana mrgi-gana-sange
balabhadra-bhattacarya dekhe apurva-range
SYNONYMS
nace--dance; kunde--jump; vyaghra-gana--the tigers;
mrgi-gana-sange--with the does; balabhadra-bhattacarya--Balabhadra Bhattacarya;
dekhe--sees; apurva-range--with great wonder.
TRANSLATION
When all the tigers and does danced and jumped, Balabhadra Bhattacarya
saw them and was struck with wonder.
TEXT 42
TEXT
vyaghra-mrga anyonye kare alingana
mukhe mukha diya kare anyonye cumbana
SYNONYMS
vyaghra-mrga--the tigers and deer; anyonye--one another; kare--do;
alingana--embracing; mukhe mukha diya--touching one anothers' mouths; kare--do;
anyonye cumbana--kissing one another.
TRANSLATION
Indeed, the tigers and deer began to embrace one another, and, touching
mouths, they began to kiss.
TEXT 43
TEXT
kautuka dekhiya prabhu hasite lagila
ta-sabake tahan chadi' age cali' gela
SYNONYMS
kautuka dekhiya--seeing this fun; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu;
hasite lagila--began to smile; ta-sabake--all of them; tahan chadi'--leaving
there; age--forward; cali' gela--advanced.
TRANSLATION
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw all this fun, He began to smile.
Finally He left the animals and continued on His way.
TEXT 44
TEXT
mayuradi paksi-gana prabhure dekhiya
sange cale, 'krsna' bali' nace matta hana
SYNONYMS
mayura-adi--beginning with peacocks; paksi-gana--different types of
birds; prabhure--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dekhiya--seeing; sange cale--go with
Him; krsna bali'--chanting the holy name of Krsna; nace--dance; matta hana--becoming
mad.
TRANSLATION
Various birds, including the peacock, saw Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and
began to follow Him, chanting and dancing. They were all maddened by the holy
name of Krsna.
TEXT 45
TEXT
'hari-bola' bali' prabhu kare ucca-dhvani
vrksa-lata----praphullita, sei dhvani suni'
SYNONYMS
hari-bola--the vibration of Hari-bol; bali'--chanting; prabhu--Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kare--makes; ucca-dhvani--a loud sound; vrksa-lata--the
trees and creepers; praphullita--very jubilant; sei--that; dhvani--sound;
suni'--hearing.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord loudly chanted "Hari bol!" the trees and
creepers became jubilant to hear Him.
PURPORT
The loud chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra is so powerful that it can
even penetrate the ears of trees and creepers-what to speak of animals and human
beings. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu once asked Haridasa Thakura how trees and
plants could be delivered, and Haridasa Thakura replied that the loud chanting
of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra would benefit not only trees and plants but
insects and all other living beings. One should therefore not be disturbed by
the loud chanting of Hare Krsna, for it is beneficial not only to the chanter
but to everyone who gets an opportunity to hear.
TEXT 46
TEXT
'jharikhande' sthavara-jangama ache yata
krsna-nama diya kaila premete unmatta
SYNONYMS
jharikhande--in the place known as Jharikhanda; sthavara-jangama--moving
and not moving; ache--there are; yata--all; krsna-nama diya--giving them the
holy name of Lord Krsna; kaila--made; premete--in ecstasy; unmatta--mad.
TRANSLATION
Thus all living entities-some moving and some standing still in the
forest of Jharikhanda-became maddened by hearing the holy name of Lord Krsna
vibrated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
PURPORT
The great forest of Jharikhanda is a great tract of land including
Atagada, Dhenkanala, Angula, Lahara, Kiyanjhada, Bamada, Bonai, Gangapura,
Chota Nagapura, Yasapura and Saraguja. All these places, which are covered with
mountains and jungles, are known as Jharikhanda.
TEXT 47
TEXT
yei grama diya yana, yahan karena sthiti
se-saba gramera lokera haya 'prema-bhakti'
SYNONYMS
yei grama--which villages; diya yana--the Lord goes through;
yahan--where; karena--takes; sthiti--rest; se-saba--all those; gramera--of the
villages; lokera--of the people; haya--there is awakening of;
prema-bhakti--ecstatic love of God.
TRANSLATION
In all the villages through which the Lord passed and in all the places
He rested on His journey, everyone was purified and awakened to ecstatic love
of God.
TEXTS 48-49
TEXT
keha yadi tanra mukhe sune krsna-nama
tanra mukhe ana sune tanra mukhe ana
sabe 'krsna' 'hari' bali' nace, kande, hase
paramparaya 'vaisnava' ha-ila sarva dese
SYNONYMS
keha--someone; yadi--when; tanra mukhe--from His mouth; sune--hears;
krsna-nama--chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra; tanra mukhe--from the mouth of
such chanters; ana sune--someone else hears; tanra mukhe--and from his mouth;
ana--someone else; sabe--all of them; krsna--Lord Krsna's holy name;
hari--another holy name of the Lord; bali'--chanting; nace--dance; kande--cry;
hase--smile; paramparaya--by disciplic succession; vaisnava--devotees;
ha-ila--became; sarva-dese--in all countries.
TRANSLATION
When someone heard the chanting of the holy name from the mouth of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and someone else heard this chanting from that second
person, and someone again heard this chanting from the third person, everyone
in all countries became a Vaisnava through such disciplic succession. Thus
everyone chanted the holy name of Krsna and Hari, and they danced, cried and
smiled.
PURPORT
The transcendental power or potency of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is
herein explained. First, the holy name is vibrated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
When someone hears from Him directly, he is purified. When another person hears
from that person, he also is purified. In this way the purification process is
advanced among pure devotees. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, and no one can claim His potency. Nonetheless, if one
is a pure devotee, hundreds and thousands of men can be purified by his
vibration. This potency is within every living being, provided he chants the
Hare Krsna maha-mantra offenselessly and without material motives. When a pure
devotee chants offenselessly, another person will become a Vaisnava, and from
him another Vaisnava will emerge. This is the parampara system.
TEXT 50
TEXT
yadyapi prabhu loka-sanghattera trase
prema 'gupta' karena, bahire na prakase
SYNONYMS
yadyapi--although; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; loka-sanghattera--of
crowds of people; trase--being afraid; prema--ecstasy; gupta karena--keeps
hidden; bahire--externally; na--does not; prakase--manifest.
TRANSLATION
The Lord did not always manifest His ecstasy. Being afraid of a great
assembly of people, the Lord kept His ecstasy concealed.
TEXT 51
TEXT
tathapi tanra darsana-sravana-prabhave
sakala desera loka ha-ila 'vaisnave'
SYNONYMS
tathapi--still; tanra--His; darsana--of seeing; sravana--of hearing;
prabhave--by the potency; sakala--all; desera--of countries; loka--people;
ha-ila--became; vaisnave--pure devotees of the Lord.
TRANSLATION
Although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not manifest His natural ecstatic
love, everyone became a pure devotee simply by seeing and hearing Him.
PURPORT
Srila Rupa Gosvami has described Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as
maha-vadanya-avatara, the most munificent incarnation. Although Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu is not physically present now, simply by chanting His holy name
(sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara
srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda) people throughout the world are becoming devotees.
This is due to the ecstatic chanting of the holy name of the Lord. It is said
that a pure devotee can see the Lord every moment, and because of this he is
empowered by the Lord. This is confirmed in the Brahma-samhita:
premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti. Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared five hundred years ago, but it cannot be said that
now the potency of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra is less powerful than it was in
His presence. By hearing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu through the parampara system,
one can be purified. Therefore in this verse it is said: tathapi tanra
darsana-sravana-prabhave. It is not that everyone is able to see Krsna or Sri
Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu physically, but if one hears about Him through books
like Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and through the parampara system of pure
Vaisnavas, there is no difficulty in becoming a pure Vaisnava, free from
mundane desires and personal motivations.
TEXT 52
TEXT
gauda, banga, utkala, daksina-dese giya
lokera nistara kaila apane bhramiya
SYNONYMS
gauda--Bengal; banga--East Bengal; utkala--Orissa;
daksina-dese--southern India; giya--going; lokera--of all the people;
nistara--liberation; kaila--did; apane--personally; bhramiya--touring.
TRANSLATION
In this way, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally toured Bengal, East
Bengal, Orissa and the southern countries, and He delivered all kinds of people
by spreading Krsna consciousness.
TEXT 53
TEXT
mathura yaibara chale asena jharikhanda
bhilla-praya loka tahan parama-pasanda
SYNONYMS
mathura--to Mathura; yaibara--of going; chale--on the pretext;
asena--came; jharikhanda--to Jharikhanda; bhilla-praya--like the Bheels, a kind
of low people; loka--people; tahan--there; parama-pasanda--without God
consciousness.
TRANSLATION
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to Jharikhanda on His way to Mathura,
He found that the people there were almost uncivilized and were devoid of God
consciousness.
PURPORT
The word bhilla refers to a class of men belonging to the Bheels. The
Bheels are like Black Africans, and they are lower than sudras. Such people
generally live in the jungle, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had to meet them.
TEXT 54
TEXT
nama-prema diya kaila sabara nistara
caitanyera gudha-lila bujhite sakti kara
SYNONYMS
nama-prema diya--bestowing upon them ecstatic love and the holy name;
kaila--did; sabara nistara--liberation of all of them; caitanyera--of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; gudha-lila--confidential pastimes; bujhite--to understand;
sakti--the power; kara--who has.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave even the Bheels an opportunity to chant the
holy name and come to the platform of ecstatic love. Thus He delivered all of
them. Who has the power to understand the transcendental pastimes of the Lord?
PURPORT
As evidence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy, we are experiencing that
the people of Africa are taking to Krsna consciousness, chanting and dancing
and taking prasada like other Vaisnavas. This is all due to the power of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Who can understand how His potency is working all over the
world?
TEXT 55
TEXT
vana dekhi' bhrama haya----ei 'vrndavana'
saila dekhi' mane haya----ei 'govardhana'
SYNONYMS
vana dekhi'--seeing the forest; bhrama haya--there is illusion;
ei--this; vrndavana--Vrndavana forest; saila dekhi'--seeing a hill; mane
haya--considers; ei govardhana--this is Govardhana Hill.
TRANSLATION
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu passed through the Jharikhanda forest, He
took it for granted that it was Vrndavana. When He passed over the hills, He
took it for granted that they were Govardhana.
TEXT 56
TEXT
yahan nadi dekhe tahan manaye----'kalindi'
maha-premavese nace prabhu pade kandi'
SYNONYMS
yahan--wherever; nadi--river; dekhe--sees; tahan--there;
manaye--considers; kalindi--the River Yamuna; maha-prema-avese--in great
ecstatic love; nace--dances; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; pade--falls down;
kandi'--crying.
TRANSLATION
Similarly, whenever Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw a river, He immediately
accepted it as the River Yamuna. Thus while in the forest He was filled with
great ecstatic love, and He danced and fell down crying.
TEXT 57
TEXT
pathe yaite bhattacarya saka-mula-phala
yahan yei payena tahan layena sakala
SYNONYMS
pathe yaite--while passing on the way; bhattacarya--Balabhadra
Bhattacarya; saka--spinach; mula--roots; phala--fruits; yahan--wherever;
yei--whatever; payena--he gets; tahan--there; layena--he takes; sakala--all.
TRANSLATION
Along the way, Balabhadra Bhattacarya collected all kinds of spinach,
roots and fruit whenever possible.
TEXT 58
TEXT
ye-grame rahena prabhu, tathaya brahmana
panca-sata jana asi' kare nimantrana
SYNONYMS
ye-grame--in whatever village; rahena--stays; prabhu--Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; tathaya--there; brahmana--brahmanas; panca-sata jana--five or seven
persons; asi'--coming; kare--do; nimantrana--invitation.
TRANSLATION
Whenever Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited a village, a few brahmanas-five
or seven-would come and extend invitations to the Lord.
TEXT 59
TEXT
keha anna ani' deya bhattacarya-sthane
keha dugdha, dadhi, keha ghrta, khanda ane
SYNONYMS
keha--someone; anna--grains; ani'--bringing; deya--delivers;
bhattacarya-sthane--before Balabhadra Bhattacarya; keha--someone; dugdha--milk;
dadhi--yogurt; keha--someone; ghrta--ghee; khanda--sugar; ane--brings.
TRANSLATION
Some people would bring grains and deliver them to Balabhadra
Bhattacarya. Others would bring milk and yogurt, and still others would bring
ghee and sugar.
TEXT 60
TEXT
yahan vipra nahi tahan 'sudra-mahajana'
asi' sabe bhattacarye kare nimantrana
SYNONYMS
yahan--wherever; vipra--brahmana; nahi--there is not; tahan--there;
sudra-maha-jana--devotees born in families other than brahmana; asi'--coming;
sabe--all of them; bhattacarye--to Balabhadra Bhattacarya; kare
nimantrana--make invitation.
TRANSLATION
In some villages there were no brahmanas; nonetheless, devotees born in
non-brahmana families came and extended invitations to Balabhadra Bhattacarya.
PURPORT
Actually a sannyasi or a brahmana will not accept an invitation extended
by a person born in a lower family. However, there are many devotees who are
raised to the platform of brahmana by their initiation. These people are called
sudra-mahajana. This indicates that one who is born in a non-brahmana family
has accepted the brahmana status by initiation. Such devotees extended
invitations to Balabhadra Bhattacarya. A Mayavadi sannyasi will accept an
invitation only from a brahmana family, but a Vaisnava does not accept an
invitation from a brahmana if he does not belong to the Vaisnava sect. However,
a Vaisnava will accept an invitation from a brahmana or sudra-mahajana if that
person is an initiated Vaisnava. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself accepted
invitations from sudra-mahajanas, and this confirms the fact that anyone
initiated by a Vaisnava mantra can be accepted as a brahmana. One can accept an
invitation from such a person.
TEXT 61
TEXT
bhattacarya paka kare vanya-vyanjana
vanya-vyanjane prabhura anandita mana
SYNONYMS
bhattacarya--Balabhadra Bhattacarya; paka kare--cooks;
vanya-vyanjana--all varieties of forest vegetables; vanya-vyanjane--by such
forest vegetables; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; anandita mana--the
mind is very happy.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhattacarya used to cook all kinds of vegetables gathered
from the forest, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very pleased to accept these
preparations.
TEXTS 62-63
TEXT
dui-cari dinera anna rakhena samhati
yahan sunya vana, lokera nahika vasati
tahan sei anna bhattacarya kare paka
phala-mule vyanjana kare, vanya nana saka
SYNONYMS
dui-cari--two to four; dinera--of days; anna--food grains;
rakhena--keeps; samhati--in stock; yahan--wherever; sunya vana--the solitary
forest; lokera--of people; nahika--there is not; vasati--habitation;
tahan--there; sei--those; anna--food grains; bhattacarya--Balabhadra
Bhattacarya; kare paka--cooks; phala-mule--with roots and fruits; vyanjana
kare--he prepares vegetables; vanya--from the forest; nana saka--many kinds of
spinach.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhattacarya used to keep a stock of food grains that would
last from two to four days. Where there were no people, he would cook the
grains and prepare vegetables, spinach, roots and fruits collected from the
forest.
TEXT 64
TEXT
parama santosa prabhura vanya-bhojane
maha-sukha pana, ye dina rahena nirjane
SYNONYMS
parama--very much; santosa--satisfaction; prabhura--of the Lord;
vanya-bhojane--in eating vegetables collected from the forest; maha-sukha
pana--gets great happiness; ye dina--on which day; rahena--stays; nirjane--in a
solitary place.
TRANSLATION
The Lord was always very happy to eat these forest vegetables, and He
was even happier when He had an opportunity to stay in a solitary place.
TEXT 65
TEXT
bhattacarya seva kare, snehe yaiche 'dasa'
tanra vipra vahe jala-patra-bahirvasa
SYNONYMS
bhattacarya--Balabhadra Bhattacarya; seva kare--renders service; snehe--in
great affection; yaiche--exactly like; dasa--a servant; tanra vipra--his
brahmana assistant; vahe--carries; jala-patra--the waterpot; bahirvasa--and
garments.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhattacarya was so affectionate to the Lord that he was
rendering service just like a menial servant. His assistant brahmana carried
the waterpot and garments.
TEXT 66
TEXT
nirjharete usnodake snana tina-bara
dui-sandhya agni-tapa kasthera apara
SYNONYMS
nirjharete--in the waterfalls; usna-udake--in warm water; snana--bath;
tina-bara--thrice; dui-sandhya--morning and evening; agni-tapa--heating by a
fire; kasthera--of wood; apara--without limit.
TRANSLATION
The Lord used to bathe three times a day in the warm water of the
waterfalls. He also used to heat Himself morning and evening with a fire made
of the limitless wood.
TEXT
67
TEXT
nirantara premavese nirjane gamana
sukha anubhavi' prabhu kahena vacana
SYNONYMS
nirantara--always; prema-avese--in ecstatic love; nirjane--in a solitary
place; gamana--going; sukha anubhavi'--feeling happiness; prabhu--Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; kahena--says; vacana--statement.
TRANSLATION
While traveling in this secluded forest and feeling very happy, Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu made the following statement.
TEXT 68
TEXT
suna, bhattacarya,----"ami gelana bahu-desa
vana-pathe duhkhera kahan nahi pai lesa
SYNONYMS
suna--please hear; bhattacarya--My dear Bhattacarya; ami--I;
gelana--traveled; bahu-desa--many countries; vana-pathe--through the forest
path; duhkhera--of unhappiness; kahan--anywhere; nahi pai--I do not get;
lesa--even a trace.
TRANSLATION
"My dear Bhattacarya, I have traveled very far through the forest,
and I have not even slightly received any trouble.
TEXT 69
TEXT
krsna----krpalu, amaya bahuta krpa kaila
vana-pathe ani' amaya bada sukha dila
SYNONYMS
krsna--Lord Krsna; krpalu--very kind; amaya--upon Me; bahuta--greatly;
krpa--mercy; kaila--showed; vana-pathe--on the path in the forest;
ani'--bringing; amaya--unto Me; bada--very much; sukha--happiness; dila--gave.
TRANSLATION
"Krsna is very merciful, especially to Me. He has shown His mercy
by bringing Me on this path through the forest. Thus He has given Me great
pleasure.
TEXT 70
TEXT
purve vrndavana yaite karilana vicara
mata, ganga, bhakta-gane dekhiba eka-bara
SYNONYMS
purve--formerly; vrndavana--to the holy place of Vrndavana; yaite--to
go; karilana--I did; vicara--consideration; mata--mother; ganga--the Ganges;
bhakta-gane--and devotees; dekhiba--I shall see; eka-bara--once.
TRANSLATION
"Before this, I decided to go to Vrndavana and on the way see My
mother, the River Ganges and other devotees once again.
TEXT 71
TEXT
bhakta-gana-sange avasya kariba milana
bhakta-gane sange lana yaba 'vrndavana'
SYNONYMS
bhakta-gana-sange--with all My devotees; avasya--certainly;
kariba--shall do; milana--meeting; bhakta-gane--all the devotees; sange--along
with Me; lana--taking; yaba--I shall go; vrndavana--to Vrndavana-dhama.
TRANSLATION
"I thought that once again I would see and meet all the devotees
and take them with Me to Vrndavana.
TEXT 72
TEXT
eta bhavi' gauda-dese karilun gamana
mata, ganga bhakte dekhi' sukhi haila mana
SYNONYMS
eta bhavi'--thinking like this; gauda-dese--to Bengal; karilun gamana--I
went; mata--My mother; ganga--the Ganges; bhakte--devotees; dekhi'--seeing;
sukhi--happy; haila--became; mana--My mind.
TRANSLATION
"Thus I went to Bengal, and I was very happy to see My mother, the
River Ganges and the devotees.
TEXT 73
TEXT
bhakta-gane lana tabe calilana range
laksa-koti loka tahan haila ama-sange
SYNONYMS
bhakta-gane--all the devotees; lana--taking; tabe--then; calilana
range--I started with great pleasure; laksa-koti--many thousands and millions;
loka--people; tahan--there; haila--became; ama-sange--My companions.
TRANSLATION
"However, when I started for Vrndavana, many thousands and millions
of people gathered and began to go with Me.
TEXT 74
TEXT
sanatana-mukhe krsna ama sikhaila
taha vighna kari' vana-pathe lana aila
SYNONYMS
sanatana-mukhe--from the mouth of Sanatana; krsna--Lord Krsna; ama--unto
Me; sikhaila--gave instructions; taha--that; vighna kari'--making a hindrance;
vana-pathe--on the path through the forest; lana--taking; aila--came.
TRANSLATION
"Thus I was going to Vrndavana with a big crowd, but through the
mouth of Sanatana, Krsna taught Me a lesson. Thus by making some impediment, He
has brought Me on a path through the forest to Vrndavana.
TEXT 75
TEXT
krpara samudra, dina-hine dayamaya
krsna-krpa vina kona 'sukha' nahi haya"
SYNONYMS
krpara samudra--ocean of mercy; dina-hine--unto the poor and fallen;
daya-maya--very merciful; krsna-krpa--the mercy of Krsna; vina--without;
kona--any; sukha--happiness; nahi haya--there is not.
TRANSLATION
"Krsna is an ocean of mercy. He is especially merciful to the poor
and fallen. Without His mercy, there is no possibility of happiness."
TEXT 76
TEXT
bhattacarye alingiya tanhare kahila
'tomara prasade ami eta sukha paila'
SYNONYMS
bhattacarye--Balabhadra Bhattacarya; alingiya--embracing; tanhare--unto
him; kahila--said; tomara prasade--by your kindness; ami--I; eta--so much;
sukha--happiness; paila--got.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then embraced Balabhadra Bhattacarya and told
him, "It is only by your kindness that I am now so happy."
TEXT 77
TEXT
tenho kahena,----"tumi 'krsna', tumi 'dayamaya'
adhama jiva muni, more ha-ila sadaya
SYNONYMS
tenho kahena--Bhattacarya said; tumi krsna--You are Krsna Himself;
tumi--You; daya-maya--merciful; adhama--the lowest of the low; jiva--living
entity; muni--I; more--unto me; ha-ila--You have been; sa-daya--favorable.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhattacarya replied, "My dear Lord, You are Krsna
Himself, and therefore You are merciful. I am a fallen living entity, but You
have bestowed a great favor upon me.
TEXT 78
TEXT
muni chara, more tumi sange lana aila
krpa kari' mora hate 'prabhu' bhiksa kaila
SYNONYMS
muni--I; chara--most fallen; more--me; tumi--You; sange--with;
lana--taking; aila--have come; krpa kari'--showing great mercy; mora hate--from
my hand; prabhu--my Lord; bhiksa kaila--You accepted food.
TRANSLATION
"Sir, I am most fallen, yet You have brought me with You. Showing
great mercy, You have accepted food prepared by me.
TEXT 79
