Chapter 2
The Ecstatic Manifestations of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
In the Second Chapter of the Madhya-lila, the author describes the
pastimes the Lord performed during the last twelve years of His life. Thus he
has also described some of the pastimes of the Antya-lila. Why he has done so
is very difficult for an ordinary person to understand. The author expects that
reading the pastimes of the Lord will gradually help a person awaken his
dormant love of Krsna. Actually this Caitanya-caritamrta was compiled by the
author during very old age. Fearing he might not be able to finish the book, he
has included a synopsis of the antya-lila here in the Second Chapter. Srila
Kaviraja Gosvami has confirmed that the opinion of Svarupa Damodara is
authoritative in the matter of devotional service. Over and above this are the
notes of Svarupa Damodara, memorized by Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, who also
helped in the compilation of Caitanya-caritamrta. After the disappearance of
Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, Raghunatha dasa Gosvami went to Vrndavana. At that
time the author, Srila Kaviraja Gosvami, met Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, by whose
mercy he also could memorize all the notes. In this way the author was able to
complete this transcendental literature, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta.
TEXT 1
TEXT
vicchede 'smin prabhor antya-
lila-sutranuvarnane
gaurasya krsna-viccheda-
pralapady anuvarnyate
SYNONYMS
vicchede--in the chapter; asmin--this; prabhoh--of the Lord;
antya-lila--of the last division of His pastimes; sutra--of a synopsis;
anuvarnane--in the matter of description; gaurasya--of Lord Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu; krsna-viccheda--of separation from Krsna; pralapa--craziness;
adi--other subject matters; anuvarnyate--is being described.
TRANSLATION
While relating in synopsis form the last division of the pastimes of
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in this chapter I shall describe the Lord's
transcendental ecstasy, which appears like madness due to His separation from
Krsna.
PURPORT
In this Second Chapter, the activities of Lord Caitanya that took place
after the Lord accepted sannyasa are generally described. Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu is specifically mentioned here as being gaura, or of fair
complexion. Krsna is generally known to be blackish, but when He is absorbed in
the thought of the gopis, who are all of fair complexion, Krsna Himself also
becomes fair. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in particular felt separation from Krsna
very deeply, exactly like a lover who is dejected in separation from the
beloved. Such feelings, which were expressed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu for
nearly twelve years at the end of His pastimes, are described in brief in this
Second Chapter of the Madhya-lila.
TEXT 2
TEXT
jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda
jayadvaitacandra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda
SYNONYMS
jaya jaya sri-caitanya--all glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya
nityananda--all glories to Lord Nityananda; jaya advaitacandra--all glories to
Advaita Prabhu; jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda--all glories to the devotees of the
Lord.
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
sesa ye rahila prabhura dvadasa vatsara
krsnera viyoga-sphurti haya nirantara
SYNONYMS
sesa--at the end; ye--those; rahila--remained; prabhura--of Lord Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dvadasa vatsara--twelve years; krsnera--of Lord Krsna;
viyoga--of separation; sphurti--manifestation; haya--is; nirantara--always.
TRANSLATION
During His last twelve years, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu always manifested
all the symptoms of ecstasy in separation from Krsna.
TEXT 4
TEXT
sri-radhikara cesta yena uddhava-darsane
ei-mata dasa prabhura haya ratri-dine
SYNONYMS
sri-radhikara--of Srimati Radharani; cesta--the activities; yena--just
like; uddhava-darsane--in seeing Uddhava at Vrndavana; ei-mata--in this way;
dasa--the condition; prabhura--of the Lord; haya--is; ratri-dine--day and
night.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's state of mind, day and night, was practically
identical to Radharani's state of mind when Uddhava came to Vrndavana to see
the gopis.
TEXT 5
TEXT
nirantara haya prabhura viraha-unmada
bhrama-maya cesta sada, pralapa-maya vada
SYNONYMS
nirantara--constantly; haya--is; prabhura--of the Lord; viraha--of
separation; unmada--the madness; bhrama-maya--forgetful; cesta--activities;
sada--always; pralapa-maya--full of delirium; vada--talking.
TRANSLATION
The Lord constantly exhibited a state of mind reflecting the madness of
separation. All His activities were based on forgetfulness, and His talks were
always based on madness.
TEXT 6
TEXT
roma-kupe raktodgama, danta saba hale
ksane anga ksina haya, ksane anga phule
SYNONYMS
roma-kupe--the pores of the body; rakta-udgama--exuding blood;
danta--teeth; saba--all; hale--loosen; ksane--in one moment; anga--the whole
body; ksina--slender; haya--becomes; ksane--in another moment; anga--the body;
phule--fattens.
TRANSLATION
Blood flowed from all the pores of His body, and all His teeth were
loosened. At one moment His whole body became slender, and at another moment
His whole body became fat.
TEXT 7
TEXT
gambhira-bhitare ratre nahi nidra-lava
bhitte mukha-sira ghase, ksata haya saba
SYNONYMS
gambhira-bhitare--inside the inner room; ratre--at night; nahi--there is
not; nidra-lava--a fraction of sleep; bhitte--on the wall; mukha--mouth;
sira--head; ghase--grind; ksata--injuries; haya--there are; saba--all.
TRANSLATION
The small room beyond the corridor is called the Gambhira. Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu used to stay in that room, but He did not sleep for a moment. All
night He used to grind His mouth and head on the wall, and His face sustained
injuries all over.
TEXT 8
TEXT
tina dvare kapata, prabhu yayena bahire
kabhu simha-dvare pade, kabhu sindhu-nire
SYNONYMS
tina dvare--the three doors; kapata--completely closed; prabhu--the
Lord; yayena--goes; bahire--outside; kabhu--sometimes; simha-dvare--at the gate
of the temple of Jagannatha, known as Simha-dvara; pade--falls flat;
kabhu--sometimes; sindhu-nire--in the water of the sea.
TRANSLATION
Although the three doors of the house were always closed, the Lord would
nonetheless go out and sometimes would be found at the Jagannatha Temple,
before the gate known as Simha-dvara. And sometimes the Lord would fall flat
into the sea.
TEXT 9
TEXT
cataka parvata dekhi' 'govardhana' bhrame
dhana cale arta-nada kariya krandane
SYNONYMS
cataka parvata--the sand hills; dekhi'--seeing; govardhana--Govardhana
Hill in Vrndavana; bhrame--mistakes; dhana--running; cale--goes;
arta-nada--wail; kariya--making; krandane--cries.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would also run very fast across the sand hills,
mistaking them for Govardhana. As He ran, He would wail and cry loudly.
PURPORT
Because of the winds of the sea, sometimes the sand would form dunes.
Such sand dunes are called cataka parvata. Instead of seeing these sand dunes
simply as hills of sand, the Lord would take them to be Govardhana Hill.
Sometimes He would run toward these dunes at high speed, crying very loudly,
expressing the state of mind exhibited by Radharani. Thus Caitanya Mahaprabhu
was absorbed in thoughts of Krsna and His pastimes. His state of mind brought
Him the atmosphere of Vrndavana and Govardhana Hill, and thus He enjoyed the
transcendental bliss of separation and meeting.
TEXT 10
TEXT
upavanodyana dekhi' vrndavana-jnana
tahan yai'
nace, gaya, ksane murccha ya'na
SYNONYMS
upavana-udyana--small parks; dekhi'--seeing; vrndavana-jnana--took them
to be the forests of Vrndavana; tahan--there; yai'--going; nace--dances;
gaya--sings; ksane--in a moment; murccha--unconsciousness; ya'na--goes.
TRANSLATION
Sometimes Caitanya Mahaprabhu mistook the small parks of the city for
Vrndavana. Sometimes He would go there, dance and chant and sometimes fall
unconscious in spiritual ecstasy.
TEXT 11
TEXT
kahan nahi suni yei bhavera vikara
sei bhava haya prabhura sarire pracara
SYNONYMS
kahan--anywhere; nahi--not; suni--we hear; yei--that; bhavera--of
ecstasy; vikara--transformation; sei--that; bhava--ecstasy; haya--is;
prabhura--of the Lord; sarire--in the body; pracara--manifest.
TRANSLATION
The extraordinary transformations of the body due to transcendental
feelings would never have been possible for anyone but the Lord, in whose body
all transformations were manifest.
PURPORT
The ecstatic transformations of the body as described in such exalted
scriptures as the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu are practically not seen in this
material world. However, these symptoms were perfectly present in the body of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. These symptoms are indicative of mahabhava, or the highest
ecstasy. Sometimes sahajiyas artificially imitate these symptoms, but
experienced devotees reject them immediately. The author admits herein that
these symptoms are not to be found anywhere but in the body of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu.
TEXT 12
TEXT
hasta-padera sandhi saba vitasti-pramane
sandhi chadi' bhinna haye, carma rahe sthane
SYNONYMS
hasta-padera--of the hands and legs; sandhi--joints; saba--all;
vitasti--about eight inches; pramane--in length; sandhi--joints;
chadi'--dislocated; bhinna--separated; haye--become; carma--skin;
rahe--remains; sthane--in the place.
TRANSLATION
The joints of His hands and legs would sometimes become separated by
eight inches, and they remained connected only by the skin.
TEXT 13
TEXT
hasta, pada, sira saba sarira-bhitare
pravista
haya----kurma-rupa dekhiye prabhure
SYNONYMS
hasta--the hands; pada--the legs; sira--head; saba--all; sarira--the
body; bhitare--within; pravista--entered; haya--is; kurma-rupa--like a
tortoise; dekhiye--one sees; prabhure--the Lord.
TRANSLATION
Sometimes Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's hands, legs and head would all enter
within His body, just like the withdrawn limbs of a tortoise.
TEXT 14
TEXT
ei mata adbhuta-bhava sarire prakasa
manete sunyata, vakye ha-ha-hutasa
SYNONYMS
ei mata--in this way; adbhuta--wonderful; bhava--ecstasy; sarire--in the
body; prakasa--manifestation; manete--in the mind; sunyata--vacancy; vakye--in
speaking; ha-ha--despondency; hutasa--disappointment.
TRANSLATION
In this way Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to manifest wonderful ecstatic
symptoms. His mind appeared vacant, and there were only hopelessness and
disappointment in His words.
TEXT 15
TEXT
kahan mora prana-natha murali-vadana
kahan karon kahan pan vrajendra-nandana
SYNONYMS
kahan--where; mora--My; prana-natha--Lord of the life;
murali-vadana--playing the flute; kahan--what; karon--shall I do; kahan--where;
pan--I shall get; vrajendra-nandana--the son of Maharaja Nanda.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to express His mind in this way,
"Where is the Lord of My life, who is playing His flute? What shall I do
now? Where should I go to find the son of Maharaja Nanda?
TEXT 16
TEXT
kahare kahiba, keba jane mora duhkha
vrajendra-nandana vinu phate mora buka
SYNONYMS
kahare--unto whom; kahiba--I shall speak; keba--who; jane--knows;
mora--My; duhkha--disappointment; vrajendra-nandana--Krsna, the son of Nanda
Maharaja; vinu--without; phate--breaks; mora--My; buka--heart.
TRANSLATION
"To whom should I speak? Who can understand My disappointment?
Without the son of Nanda Maharaja, My heart is broken."
TEXT 17
TEXT
ei-mata vilapa kare vihvala antara
rayera nataka-sloka pade nirantara
SYNONYMS
ei-mata--in this way; vilapa--lamentation; kare--does;
vihvala--bewildered; antara--within; rayera--of Sri Ramananda Raya;
nataka--drama; sloka--verses; pade--recites; nirantara--constantly.
TRANSLATION
In this way Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu always expressed bewilderment and
lamented in separation from Krsna. At such times He used to recite the slokas
from Ramananda Raya's drama known as Jagannatha-vallabha-nataka.
TEXT 18
TEXT
prema-ccheda-rujo 'vagacchati harir nayam na ca prema va
sthanasthanam avaiti napi madano janati no durbalah
anyo veda na canya-duhkham akhilam no jivanam vasravam
dvi-trany eva dinani yauvanam idam ha-ha vidhe ka gatih
SYNONYMS
prema-cheda-rujah--the sufferings of a broken loving relationship;
avagacchati--knows; harih--the Supreme Lord; na--not; ayam--this; na ca--nor;
prema--love; va--nor; sthana--the proper place; asthanam--an unsuitable place;
avaiti--knows; na--not; api--also; madanah--Cupid; janati--knows; nah--us;
durbalah--very weak; anyah--another; veda--knows; na--not; ca--also; anya-duhkham--the
difficulties of others; akhilam--all; nah--our; jivanam--life; va--or;
asravam--simply full of miseries; dvi--two; trani--three; eva--certainly;
dinani--days; yauvanam--youth; idam--this; ha-ha--alas; vidhe--O creator;
ka--what; gatih--our destination.
TRANSLATION
"[Srimati Radharani used to lament:] 'Our Krsna does not realize
what we have suffered from injuries inflicted in the course of loving affairs.
We are actually misused by love because love does not know where to strike and
where not to strike. Even Cupid does not know of our very weakened condition.
What should I tell anyone? No one can understand another's difficulties. Our
life is actually not under our control, for youth will remain for two or three
days and soon be finished. In this condition, O creator, what will be our
destination?'
PURPORT
This verse is from the Jagannatha-vallabha-nataka (3.9), by Ramananda
Raya.
TEXT 19
TEXT
upajila premankura, bhangila ye duhkha-pura,
krsna taha nahi kare pana
bahire nagara-raja, bhitare sathera kaja,
para-nari vadhe savadhana
SYNONYMS
upajila--grew up; prema-ankura--fructification of love of God;
bhangila--was broken; ye--that; duhkha-pura--full of miseries; krsna--Lord
Krsna; taha--that; nahi--not; kare--does; pana--drinking; bahire--externally;
nagara-raja--the most attractive person; bhitare--within; sathera--of a
cheater; kaja--activities; para-nari--others' wives; vadhe--kills;
savadhana--very careful.
TRANSLATION
[Srimati Radharani spoke thus, in distress due to separation from
Krsna:] "Oh, what shall I say of My distress? After I met Krsna My loving
propensities sprouted, but upon separating from Him I sustained a great shock,
which is now continuing like the sufferings of a disease. The only physician
for this disease is Krsna Himself, but He is not taking care of this sprouting
plant of devotional service. What can I say about the behavior of Krsna?
Outwardly He is a very attractive young lover, but at heart He is a great
cheat, very expert in killing others' wives."
TEXT 20
TEXT
sakhi he, na bujhiye vidhira vidhana
sukha lagi' kailun prita, haila duhkha viparita,
ebe yaya, na rahe parana
SYNONYMS
sakhi he--(My dear) friend; na bujhiye--I do not understand; vidhira--of
the Creator; vidhana--the regulation; sukha lagi'--for happiness; kailun--I
did; prita--love; haila--it became; duhkha--unhappiness; viparita--the opposite;
ebe--now; yaya--going; na--does not; rahe--remain; parana--life.
TRANSLATION
[Srimati Radharani continued lamenting about the consequences of loving
Krsna:] "My dear friend, I do not understand the regulative principles
given by the Creator. I loved Krsna for happiness, but the result was just the
opposite. I am now in an ocean of distress. It must be that now I am going to
die, for My vital force no longer remains. This is My state of mind.
TEXT 21
TEXT
kutila prema ageyana, nahi jane sthanasthana,
bhala-manda nare vicarite
krura sathera guna-dore, hate-gale bandhi' more,
rakhiyache, nari' ukasite
SYNONYMS
kutila--crooked; prema--love of Krsna; ageyana--ignorant; nahi--does
not; jane--know; sthana-asthana--a suitable place or unsuitable place;
bhala-manda--what is good or what is bad; nare--not able; vicarite--to
consider; krura--very cruel; sathera--of the cheater; guna-dore--by the ropes
of the good qualities; hate--on the hands; gale--on the neck; bandhi'--binding;
more--Me; rakhiyache--has kept; nari'--being unable; ukasite--to get relief.
TRANSLATION
"By nature loving affairs are very crooked. They are not entered
with sufficient knowledge, nor do they consider whether a place is suitable or
not, nor do they look forward to the results. By the ropes of His good qualities,
Krsna, who is so unkind, has bound My neck and hands, and I am unable to get
relief.
TEXT 22
TEXT
ye madana tanu-hina, para-drohe paravina,
panca bana sandhe anuksana
abalara sarire, vindhi' kaila jarajare,
duhkha deya, na laya jivana
SYNONYMS
ye madana--that Cupid; tanu-hina--without a body; para-drohe--in putting
others in difficulty; paravina--very expert; panca--five; bana--arrows;
sandhe--fixes; anuksana--constantly; abalara--of an innocent woman; sarire--in
the body; vindhi'--piercing; kaila--made; jarajare--almost invalid; duhkha
deya--gives tribulation; na--does not; laya--take; jivana--the life.
TRANSLATION
"In My loving affairs there is a person named Madana. His qualities
are thus: Personally He possesses no gross body, yet He is very expert in
giving pains to others. He has five arrows, and fixing them on His bow, He
shoots them into the bodies of innocent women. Thus these women become
invalids. It would be better if He took My life without hesitation, but He does
not do so. He simply gives Me pain.
TEXT 23
TEXT
anyera ye duhkha mane, anye taha nahi jane,
satya ei sastrera vicare
anya jana kahan likhi, na janaye prana-sakhi,
yate kahe dhairya dharibare
SYNONYMS
anyera--of others; ye--that; duhkha--unhappiness; mane--in the minds;
anye--others; taha--that; nahi--do not; jane--know; satya--truth; ei--this;
sastrera--of scripture; vicare--in the judgment; anya jana--other persons;
kahan--what; likhi--I shall write; na janaye--do not know; prana-sakhi--My dear
friends; yate--by which; kahe--speak; dhairya dharibare--to take patience.
TRANSLATION
"In the scriptures it is said that one person can never know the
unhappiness in the mind of another. Therefore what can I say of My dear
friends, Lalita and the others? Nor can they understand the unhappiness within
Me. They simply try to console Me repeatedly, saying, 'Dear friend, be
patient.'
TEXT 24
TEXT
'krsna----krpa-paravara, kabhu karibena angikara'
sakhi, tora e vyartha vacana
jivera jivana cancala, yena padma-patrera jala,
tata
dina jive kon jana
SYNONYMS
krsna--Lord Krsna; krpa-paravara--an ocean of mercy; kabhu--sometimes;
karibena--will make; angikara--acceptance; sakhi--My dear friend; tora--your;
e--these; vyartha--untruthful; vacana--complimentary words; jivera--of the
living entity; jivana--life; cancala--flickering; yena--like; padma-patrera--of
the leaf of the lotus flower; jala--the water; tata--so many; dina--days;
jive--lives; kon--what; jana--person.
TRANSLATION
"I say, 'My dear friends, you are asking Me to be patient, saying
that Krsna is an ocean of mercy and that some time in the future He will accept
Me. However, I must say that this will not console Me. A living entity's life
is very flickering. It is like water on the leaf of a lotus flower. Who will
live long enough to expect Krsna's mercy?
TEXT 25
TEXT
sata vatsara paryanta, jivera jivana anta,
ei vakya kaha
na vicari'
narira yauvana-dhana, yare krsna kare mana,
se yauvana-dina dui-cari
SYNONYMS
sata vatsara paryanta--up to one hundred years; jivera--of the living
entity; jivana--of the life; anta--the end; ei vakya--this word; kaha--you
speak; na--without; vicari'--making consideration; narira--of a woman;
yauvana-dhana--the wealth of youthfulness; yare--in which; krsna--Lord Krsna;
kare--does; mana--intention; se yauvana--that youthfulness; dina--days;
dui-cari--two or four.
TRANSLATION
" 'A human being does not live more than a hundred years. You
should also consider that the youthfulness of a woman, which is the only attraction
for Krsna, remains for only a few days.
TEXT 26
TEXT
agni yaiche nija-dhama, dekhaiya abhirama,
patangire akarsiya mare
krsna aiche nija-guna, dekhaiya hare mana,
pache duhkha-samudrete dare
SYNONYMS
agni--fire; yaiche--like; nija-dhama--his own place; dekhaiya--showing;
abhirama--attractive; patangire--the flies; akarsiya--attracting; mare--kills;
krsna--Lord Krsna; aiche--in that way; nija-guna--His transcendental qualities;
dekhaiya--showing; hare mana--attracts our mind; pache--in the end;
duhkha-samudrete--in an ocean of unhappiness; dare--drowns.
TRANSLATION
" 'If you say that Krsna is an ocean of transcendental qualities
and therefore must be merciful some day, I can only say that He is like fire,
which attracts flies by its dazzling brightness and kills them. Such are the
qualities of Krsna. By showing us His transcendental qualities, He attracts our
minds, and then later, by separating from us, He drowns us in an ocean of
unhappiness.' "
TEXT 27
TEXT
eteka vilapa kari', visade sri-gaurahari,
ughadiya duhkhera kapata
bhavera taranga-bale, nana-rupe mana cale,
ara eka sloka kaila patha
SYNONYMS
eteka--in this way; vilapa--lamentation; kari'--doing; visade--in
moroseness; sri-gaurahari--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ughadiya--opening;
duhkhera--of unhappiness; kapata--doors; bhavera--of ecstasy; taranga-bale--by
the force of the waves; nana-rupe--in various ways; mana--His mind;
cale--wanders; ara eka--another one; sloka--verse; kaila--did; patha--recite.
TRANSLATION
In this way, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu lamented in a great ocean of
sadness, and thus He opened the doors of His unhappiness. Forced by the waves
of ecstasy, His mind wandered over transcendental mellows, and in this way He
recited another verse [as follows].
TEXT 28
TEXT
sri-krsna-rupadi-nisevanam vina
vyarthani me 'hany akhilendriyany alam
pasana-suskendhana-bharakany aho
bibharmi va tani katham hata-trapah
SYNONYMS
sri-krsna-rupa-adi--of the transcendental form and pastimes of Lord Sri
Krsna; nisevanam--the service; vina--without; vyarthani--meaningless; me--My;
ahani--days; akhila--all; indriyani--senses; alam--entirely; pasana--dead
stones; suska--dry; indhana--wood; bharakani--burdens; aho--alas; bibharmi--I
bear; va--or; tani--all of them; katham--how; hata-trapah--without shame.
TRANSLATION
" 'My dear friends, unless I serve the transcendental form,
qualities and pastimes of Sri Krsna, all My days and all My senses will become
entirely useless. Now I am uselessly bearing the burden of My senses, which are
like stone blocks and dried wood. I do not know how long I will be able to
continue without shame.'
TEXT 29
TEXT
vamsi-ganamrta-dhama, lavanyamrta-janma-sthana,
ye na dekhe se canda vadana
se nayane kiba kaja, paduka tara munde vaja,
se nayana rahe ki karana
SYNONYMS
vamsi-gana-amrta-dhama--the abode of the nectar derived from the songs
of the flute; lavanya-amrta-janma-sthana--the birthplace of the nectar of
beauty; ye--anyone who; na--not; dekhe--sees; se--that; canda--moonlike;
vadana--face; se--those; nayane--eyes; kiba kaja--what is the use; paduka--let
there be; tara--his; munde--on the head; vaja--thunderbolt; se--those;
nayana--eyes; rahe--keeps; ki--what; karana--reason.
TRANSLATION
"Of what use are eyes if one does not see the face of Krsna, which
resembles the moon and is the birthplace of all beauty and the reservoir of the
nectarean songs of His flute? Oh, let a thunderbolt strike his head! Why does
he keep such eyes?
PURPORT
The moonlike face of Krsna is the reservoir of nectarean songs and the
abode of His flute. It is also the root of all bodily beauty. If the eyes of
the gopis are not engaged in seeing the beautiful face of Krsna, it is better
that they be struck by a thunderbolt. For the gopis, to see anything but Krsna
is uninteresting and, indeed, detestful. The gopis are never pleased to see
anything but Krsna. The only solace for their eyes is the beautiful moonlike
face of Krsna, the worshipful object of all senses. When they cannot see the
beautiful face of Krsna, they actually see everything as vacant, and they
desire to be struck by a thunderbolt. They do not find any reason to maintain
their eyes when they are bereft of the beauty of Krsna.
TEXT 30
TEXT
sakhi he, suna, mora hata vidhi-bala
mora vapu-citta-mana, sakala indriya-gana,
krsna vinu sakala viphala
SYNONYMS
sakhi he--O My dear friend; suna--please hear; mora--My; hata--lost;
vidhi-bala--the strength of providence; mora--My; vapu--body;
citta--consciousness; mana--mind; sakala--all; indriya-gana--senses;
krsna--Lord Krsna; vinu--without; sakala--everything; viphala--futile.
TRANSLATION
"My dear friends, please hear Me. I have lost all providential
strength. Without Krsna, My body, consciousness and mind, as well as all My
senses, are useless.
TEXT 31
TEXT
krsnera madhura vani, amrtera tarangini,
tara pravesa nahi ye sravane
kanakadi-chidra sama, janiha se sravana,
tara janma haila akarane
SYNONYMS
krsnera--of Lord Krsna; madhura--sweet; vani--words; amrtera--of nectar;
tarangini--waves; tara--of those; pravesa--entrance; nahi--there is not;
ye--which; sravane--in the ear; kanakadi--of a damaged conchshell; chidra--the
hole; sama--like; janiha--please know; se--that; sravana--ear; tara--his;
janma--birth; haila--was; akarane--without purpose.
TRANSLATION
"Topics about Krsna are like waves of nectar. If such nectar does
not enter one's ear, the ear is no better than the hole of a damaged
conchshell. Such an ear is created for no purpose.
PURPORT
In this connection, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura quotes the
following verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.3.17-24):
ayur harati vai pumsam
udyann astam ca yann asau
tasyarte yat-ksano nita
uttama-sloka-vartaya
taravah kim na jivanti
bhastrah kim na svasanty uta
na khadanti na mehanti
kim grame pasavo 'pare
sva-vid-varahostra-kharaih
samstutah purusah pasuh
na yat-karna-pathopeto
jatu nama gadagrajah
bile batorukrama-vikraman ye
na srnvatah karna-pute narasya
jihvasati dardurikeva suta
na
copagayaty urugaya-gathah
bharah param patta-kirita-justam
apy uttamangam na namen mukundam
savau karau no kurute saparyam
harer lasat-kancana-kankanau va
barhayite te nayane
naranam
lingani visnor na niriksato ye
padau nrnam tau druma-janma-bhajau
ksetrani nanuvrajato harer yau
jivan-chavo bhagavatanghri-renum
na jatu martyo
'bhilabheta yas tu
sri-visnu-padya manujas tulasyah
svasan chavo yas tu na veda gandham
tad asma-saram hrdayam batedam
yad grhyamanair hari-nama-dheyaih
na
vikriyetatha yada vikaro
netre jalam gatra-ruhesu harsah
"Both by rising and setting, the sun decreases the duration of life
of everyone except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the
all-good Personality of Godhead. Do the trees not live? Do the bellows of the
blacksmith not breathe? All around us, do the beasts not eat and discharge
semen? Men who are like dogs, hogs, camels and asses praise those men who never
listen to the transcendental pastimes of Lord Sri Krsna, the deliverer from
evils. One who has not listened to the messages about the prowess and marvelous
acts of the Personality of Godhead and has not sung or chanted loudly the
worthy songs about the Lord should be considered to possess ears like the holes
of snakes and a tongue like that of a frog. The upper portion of the body,
though crowned with a silk turban, is only a heavy burden if not bowed down
before the Personality of Godhead, who can award mukti [freedom]. And the
hands, though decorated with glittering bangles, are like those of a dead man
if not engaged in the service of the Personality of Godhead Hari. The eyes
which do not look at the symbolic representations of the Personality of Godhead
Visnu [His forms, name, quality, etc.] are like those printed on the plumes of
a peacock, and the legs which do not move to the holy places [where the Lord is
remembered] are considered to be like tree trunks. The person who has not at
any time received upon his head the dust from the feet of a pure devotee of the
Lord is certainly a dead body. And the person who has never experienced the
flavor of the tulasi leaves from the lotus feet of the Lord is also a dead
body, although breathing. Certainly that heart is steel-framed which, in spite of
one's chanting the holy name of the Lord with concentration, does not change
and feel ecstasy, at which time tears fill the eyes and the hairs stand on
end."
TEXT 32
TEXT
krsnera adharamrta, krsna-guna-carita,
sudha-sara-svada-vinindana
tara svada ye na jane, janmiya na maila kene,
se rasana bheka jihva sama
SYNONYMS
krsnera--of Lord Krsna; adhara-amrta--the nectar of the lips; krsna--of
Lord Krsna; guna--the qualities; carita--the activities; sudha-sara--of the
essence of all nectar; svada--the taste; vinindana--surpassing; tara--of that;
svada--the taste; ye--anyone who; na jane--does not know; janmiya--taking
birth; na maila--did not die; kene--why; se--that; rasana--tongue; bheka--of
the frog; jihva--the tongue; sama--like.
TRANSLATION
"The nectar from the lips of Lord Krsna and His transcendental qualities
and characteristics surpass the taste of the essence of all nectar, and there
is no fault in tasting such nectar. If one does not taste it, he should die
immediately after birth, and his tongue is to be considered no better than the
tongue of a frog.
TEXT 33
TEXT
mrga-mada nilotpala, milane ye parimala,
yei hare tara garva-mana
hena krsna-anga-gandha, yara nahi se sambandha,
sei nasa bhastrara
samana
SYNONYMS
mrga-mada--the fragrance of musk; nila-utpala--and the bluish lotus
flower; milane--in mixing; ye--that; parimala--fragrance; yei--which;
hare--vanquishes; tara--of them; garva--pride; mana--and prestige; hena--such;
krsna--of Lord Krsna; anga--of the body; gandha--the aroma; yara--whose;
nahi--not; se--that; sambandha--relationship; sei--such; nasa--nose;
bhastrara--to the bellows; samana--equal.
TRANSLATION
"One's nostrils are no better than the bellows of a blacksmith if
he has not smelled the fragrance of Krsna's body, which is like the aroma of
musk combined with that of the bluish lotus flower. Indeed, such combinations
are actually defeated by the aroma of Krsna's body.
TEXT 34
TEXT
krsna-kara-pada-tala, koti-candra-susitala,
tara sparsa yena sparsa-mani
tara sparsa nahi yara, se yauk charakhara,
sei vapu lauha-sama jani
SYNONYMS
krsna--of Lord Krsna; kara--the palms; pada-tala--the soles of His feet;
koti-candra--like the light of millions of moons; su-sitala--cool and pleasing;
tara--of them; sparsa--the touch; yena--like; sparsa-mani--touchstone;
tara--his; sparsa--touch; nahi--not; yara--of whom; se--that person; yauk--let
him go; charakhara--to ruin; sei vapu--that body; lauha-sama--like iron;
jani--I know.
TRANSLATION
"The palms of Krsna's hands and the soles of His feet are so cool
and pleasant that they can be compared only to the light of millions of moons.
One who has touched such hands and feet has indeed tasted the effects of
touchstone. If one has not touched them, his life is spoiled, and his body is
like iron."
TEXT 35
TEXT
kari' eta vilapana, prabhu saci-nandana,
ughadiya hrdayera soka
dainya-nirveda-visade, hrdayera avasade,
punarapi pade eka sloka
SYNONYMS
kari'--doing; eta--such; vilapana--lamenting; prabhu--the Lord;
saci-nandana--the son of mother Saci; ughadiya--opening; hrdayera--of the
heart; soka--the lamentation; dainya--humility; nirveda--disappointment;
visade--in moroseness; hrdayera--of the heart; avasade--in despondency;
punarapi--again and again; pade--recites; eka--one; sloka--verse.
TRANSLATION
Lamenting in this way, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu opened the doors of grief
within His heart. Morose, humble and disappointed, He recited a verse again and
again with a despondent heart.
PURPORT
In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, the word dainya (humility) is explained
as follows: "When unhappiness, fearfulness and the sense of having
offended combine, one feels condemned. This sense of condemnation is described
as dinata, humility. When one is subjected to such humility, he feels
physically inactive, he apologizes, and his consciousness is disturbed. His
mind is also restless, and many other symptoms are visible."1.
Can you look this quote up and see if it ends where we indicate?
(1) The word nirveda is also explained in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu:
"One may feel unhappiness and separation, as well as jealousy and
lamentation, due to not discharging one's duties. The despondency that results
is called nirveda. When one is captured by this despondency, thoughts, tears,
loss of bodily luster, humility and heavy breathing result." Visada is
also explained in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu: "When one fails to achieve
his desired goal of life and repents for all his offenses, there is a state of
regret called visada." The symptoms of avasada are also explained:
"One hankers to revive his original condition and inquires how to do so.
There are also deep thought, heavy breathing, crying and lamentation, as well
as a changing of the bodily color and drying up of the tongue."
In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu thirty-three such destructive symptoms are
mentioned. They are expressed in words, in the eyebrows and in the eyes. These
symptoms are called vyabhicari bhava, destructive ecstasy. If they continue,
they are sometimes called sancari, or continued ecstasy.
TEXT 36
TEXT
yada yato daivan madhu-ripur asau locana-patham
tadasmakam ceto madana-hatakenahrtam abhut
punar yasminn esa ksanam api drsor eti padavim
vidhasyamas tasminn akhila-ghatika ratna-khacitah
SYNONYMS
yada--when; yatah--entered upon; daivat--by chance; madhu-ripuh--the
enemy of the demon Madhu; asau--He; locana-patham--the path of the eyes;
tada--at that time; asmakam--our; cetah--consciousness; madana-hatakena--by
wretched Cupid; ahrtam--stolen; abhut--has become; punah--again; yasmin--when;
esah--Krsna; ksanam api--even for a moment; drsoh--of the two eyes; eti--goes
to; padavim--the path; vidhasyamah--we shall make; tasmin--at that time;
akhila--all; ghatikah--indications of time; ratna-khacitah--bedecked with
jewels
TRANSLATION
" 'If by chance the transcendental form of Krsna comes before My
path of vision, My heart, injured from being beaten, will be stolen away by
Cupid, happiness personified. Because I could not see the beautiful form of
Krsna to My heart's content, when I again see His form I shall decorate the
phases of time with many jewels.' "
PURPORT
This verse is spoken by Srimati Radharani in the
Jagannatha-vallabha-nataka (3.11), by Ramananda Raya.
TEXT 37
TEXT
ye kale va svapane, dekhinu vamsi-vadane,
sei kale aila dui vairi
'ananda' ara 'madana', hari' nila mora mana,
dekhite na painu netra bhari'
SYNONYMS
ye kale--at the time; va svapane--or in dreams; dekhinu--I saw;
vamsi-vadane--Lord Krsna's face with His flute; sei kale--at that time;
aila--appeared; dui--two; vairi--enemies; ananda--pleasure; ara--and; madana--Cupid;
hari'--stealing; nila--took; mora--My; mana--mind; dekhite--to see; na--not;
painu--I was able; netra--eyes; bhari'--fulfilling.
TRANSLATION
"Whenever I had the chance to see Lord Krsna's face and His flute,
even in a dream, two enemies would appear before Me. They were pleasure and
Cupid, and since they took away My mind, I was not able to see the face of
Krsna to the full satisfaction of My eyes.
TEXT 38
TEXT
punah yadi kona ksana,
kayaya krsna darasana
tabe sei ghati-ksana-pala
diya malya-candana, nana ratna-abharana,
alankrta karimu sakala
SYNONYMS
punah--again; yadi--if; kona--some; ksana--moment; kayaya--helps;
krsna--Lord Krsna; darasana--seeing; tabe--then; sei--that;
ghati-ksana-pala--seconds, moments and hours; diya--offering;
malya-candana--garlands and sandalwood pulp; nana--various; ratna--jewels;
abharana--ornaments; alankrta--decorated; karimu--I shall make; sakala--all.
TRANSLATION
"If by chance such a moment comes when I can once again see Krsna,
then I shall worship those seconds, moments and hours with flower garlands and
pulp of sandalwood and decorate them with all kinds of jewels and
ornaments."
TEXT 39
TEXT
ksane bahya haila mana, age dekhe dui jana,
tanre puche,----ami na caitanya?
svapna-praya ki dekhinu, kiba ami pralapinu,
tomara kichu suniyacha dainya?
SYNONYMS
ksane--in an instant; bahya--outside; haila--became; mana--the mind;
age--in front; dekhe--sees; dui jana--two persons; tanre--unto them;
puche--inquires; ami--I; na--not; caitanya--conscious; svapna-praya--almost
dreaming; ki--what; dekhinu--I have seen; kiba--what; ami--I; pralapinu--spoke
in craziness; tomara--you; kichu--something; suniyacha--have heard;
dainya--humility.
TRANSLATION
In an instant, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu regained external consciousness
and saw two persons before Him. Questioning them, He asked, "Am I
conscious? What dreams have I been seeing? What craziness have I spoken? Have
you heard some expressions of humility?"
PURPORT
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu thus spoke in ecstasy, He saw two persons
before Him. One was His secretary, Svarupa Damodara, and the other was Raya
Ramananda. Coming to His external consciousness, He saw them both present, and
although He was still talking in the ecstasy of Srimati Radharani, He
immediately began to question whether He was the same Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TEXT 40
TEXT
suna mora pranera bandhava
nahi krsna-prema-dhana, daridra mora jivana,
dehendriya vrtha mora saba
SYNONYMS
suna--kindly hear; mora--My; pranera--of life; bandhava--friends;
nahi--there is none; krsna-prema-dhana--wealth of love of Krsna;
daridra--poverty-stricken; mora--My; jivana--life; deha-indriya--all the limbs
and senses of My body; vrtha--fruitless; mora--My; saba--all.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "My dear friends, you are all My
life and soul; therefore I tell you that I possess no wealth of love for Krsna.
Consequently My life is poverty-stricken. My limbs and senses are
useless."
TEXT 41
TEXT
punah kahe,----haya haya, suna, svarupa-ramaraya,
ei mora hrdaya-niscaya
suni karaha vicara, haya, naya----kaha sara,
eta bali' sloka uccaraya
SYNONYMS
punah--again; kahe--says; haya haya--alas; suna--kindly hear;
svarupa-rama-raya--My dear Svarupa Damodara and Ramananda Raya; ei--this;
mora--My; hrdaya-niscaya--the certainty in My heart; suni--hearing;
karaha--just make; vicara--judgment; haya, naya--correct or not; kaha
sara--tell Me the essence; eta bali'--saying this; sloka--another verse;
uccaraya--recites.
TRANSLATION
Again He addressed both Svarupa Damodara and Raya Ramananda, speaking
despondently, "Alas! My friends, you can now know the certainty within My
heart, and after knowing My heart you should judge whether I am correct or not.
You can speak of this properly." Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then began to
chant another verse.
TEXT 42
TEXT
ka-i-avarahi-am pemmam na hi hoi manuse loe
ja-i hoi kassa virahe hontammi ko jia-i
SYNONYMS
ka-i-avarahi-am--without any cheating propensity, without any motive
concerning the four principles of material existence (namely, religiosity,
economic development, sense gratification and liberation); pemmam--love of
Godhead; na--never; hi--certainly; hoi--becomes; manuse--in human society;
loe--in this world; ja-i--if; hoi--there is; kassa--whose; virahe--in
separation; hontammi--is; ko--who; jia-i--lives.
TRANSLATION
" 'Love of Godhead, devoid of cheating propensities, is not
possible within this material world. If there is such a love, there cannot be
separation, for if there is separation, how can one live?'
PURPORT
This is a verse in a common language called prakrta, and the exact
Sanskrit transformation is kaitava-rahitam prema na hi bhavati manuse loke.
yadi bhavati kasya viraho virahe saty api ko jivati.
TEXT 43
TEXT
akaitava krsna-prema, yena jambunada-hema,
sei prema nrloke na haya
yadi haya tara yoga, na haya tabe viyoga,
viyoga haile keha na jiyaya
SYNONYMS
akaitava krsna-prema--unalloyed love of Krsna; yena--like;
jambu-nada-hema--gold from the Jambu River; sei prema--that love of Godhead;
nr-loke--in the material world; na haya--is not possible; yadi--if; haya--there
is; tara--with it; yoga--connection; na--not; haya--is; tabe--then;
viyoga--separation; viyoga--separation; haile--if there is; keha--someone; na
jiyaya--cannot live.
TRANSLATION
"Pure love for Krsna, just like gold from the Jambu River, does not
exist in human society. If it existed, there could not be separation. If
separation were there, one could not live."
TEXT 44
TEXT
eta kahi' saci-suta, sloka pade adbhuta,
sune dunhe eka-mana hana
apana-hrdaya-kaja, kahite vasiye laja,
tabu kahi laja-bija khana
SYNONYMS
eta kahi'--thus saying; saci-suta--the son of Srimati Sacimata;
sloka--verse; pade--recites; adbhuta--wonderful; sune--hear; dunhe--the two
persons; eka-mana hana--with rapt attention; apana-hrdaya-kaja--the activities
of one's own heart; kahite--to speak; vasiye--I feel; laja--shameful;
tabu--still; kahi--I speak; laja-bija--the seed of bashfulness;
khana--finishing.
TRANSLATION
Thus speaking, the son of Srimati Sacimata recited another wonderful
verse, and Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara heard this verse with rapt attention.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I feel shameful to disclose the activities
of My heart. Nonetheless, I shall be done with all formalities and speak from
the heart. Please hear."
TEXT 45
TEXT
na prema-gandho 'sti darapi me harau
krandami saubhagya-bharam prakasitum
vamsi-vilasy-anana-lokanam vina
bibharmi yat prana-patangakan vrtha
SYNONYMS
na--never; prema-gandhah--a scent of love of Godhead; asti--there is;
dara api--even in a slight proportion; me--My; harau--in the Supreme
Personality of Godhead; krandami--I cry; saubhagya-bharam--the volume of My
fortune; prakasitum--to exhibit; vamsi-vilasi--of the great flute-player;
anana--at the face; lokanam--looking; vina--without; bibharmi--I carry;
yat--because; prana-patangakan--My insectlike life; vrtha--with no purpose.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, " 'My dear friends, I have not
the slightest tinge of love of Godhead within My heart. When you see Me crying
in separation, I am just falsely exhibiting a demonstration of My great
fortune. Indeed, not seeing the beautiful face of Krsna playing His flute, I
continue to live My life like an insect, without purpose.'
TEXT 46
TEXT
dure suddha-prema-gandha, kapata premera bandha,
seha mora nahi krsna-paya
tabe ye kari krandana, sva-saubhagya prakhyapana,
kari, iha janiha niscaya
SYNONYMS
dure--far away; suddha-prema-gandha--a scent of pure devotional love;
kapata--false; premera--of love of Godhead; bandha--binding; seha--that;
mora--My; nahi--there is not; krsna-paya--at the lotus feet of Krsna;
tabe--but; ye--that; kari--I do; krandana--crying; sva-saubhagya--My own
fortune; prakhyapana--demonstration; kari--I do; iha--this; janiha--know;
niscaya--certainly.
TRANSLATION
"Actually, My love for Krsna is far, far away. Whatever I do is
actually false. When you see Me cry, I am simply exhibiting My great fortune.
Please try to understand this beyond a doubt.
TEXT 47
TEXT
yate vamsi-dhvani-sukha, na dekhi' se canda mukha,
yadyapi nahika 'alambana'
nija-dehe kari priti, kevala kamera riti,
prana-kitera kariye
dharana
SYNONYMS
yate--in which; vamsi-dhvani-sukha--the happiness of hearing the playing
of the flute; na dekhi'--not seeing; se--that; canda mukha--moonlike face;
yadyapi--although; nahika--there is not; 'alambana'--the meeting of the lover
and beloved; nija--own; dehe--in the body; kari--I do; priti--affection;
kevala--only; kamera--of lust; riti--the way; prana--of life; kitera--of the
fly; kariye--I do; dharana--continuing.
TRANSLATION
"Even though I do not see the moonlike face of Krsna playing on His
flute and although there is no possibility of My meeting Him, still I take care
of My own body. That is the way of lust. In this way, I maintain My flylike
life.
PURPORT
In this connection, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that
the lovable Supreme Lord is the supreme shelter. The Lord is the supreme
subject, and the devotees are the object. The coming together of a subject and
object is called alambana. The object hears, and the subject plays the flute.
That the object cannot see the moonlike face of Krsna and has no eagerness to
see Him is the sign of being without alambana. Externally imagining such a
thing simply satisfies one's lusty desires, and thus one lives without purpose.
TEXT 48
TEXT
krsna-prema sunirmala, yena suddha-ganga-jala,
sei prema----amrtera sindhu
nirmala se anurage, na lukaya anya dage,
sukla-vastre yaiche masi-bindu
SYNONYMS
krsna-prema--love of Krsna; su-nirmala--without material contamination;
yena--exactly like; suddha-ganga-jala--the pure water of the Ganges; sei
prema--that love; amrtera sindhu--the ocean of nectar; nirmala--pure; se--that;
anurage--attraction; na lukaya--does not conceal; anya--other; dage--spot;
sukla-vastre--on white cloth; yaiche--as; masi-bindu--a spot of ink.
TRANSLATION
"Love for Lord Krsna is very pure, just like the waters of the
Ganges. That love is an ocean of nectar. That pure attachment to Krsna does not
conceal any spot, which would appear just like a spot of ink on a white cloth.
PURPORT
Unalloyed love of Krsna is just like a big sheet of white cloth. Absence
of attachment is compared to a black spot on that white cloth. Just as the
black spot is prominent, so the absence of love of Godhead is prominent on the
platform of pure love of Godhead.
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