Chapter 5

The Activities of Saksi-gopala

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura gives the following summary of the Fifth Chapter in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya: After passing through Yajapura, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu reached the town of Kataka (Cuttak) and there went to see the temple of Saksi-gopala. While there, He heard the story of Saksi-gopala from the mouth of Sri Nityananda Prabhu.

Once there were two brahmanas, one elderly and the other young, who were inhabitants of a place known as Vidyanagara. After touring many places of pilgrimage, the two brahmanas finally reached Vrndavana. The elderly brahmana was very satisfied with the service of the young brahmana, and he wanted to offer him his youngest daughter in marriage. The young brahmana received the promise of his elder before the Gopala Deity of Vrndavana. Thus the Gopala Deity acted as a witness. When both brahmanas returned to Vidyanagara, the younger brahmana raised the question of this marriage, but the elderly brahmana, due to obligations to his friends and wife, answered that he could not remember his promise. Because of this, the younger brahmana returned to Vrndavana and narrated the whole story to Gopalaji. Thus Gopalaji, being obliged by the young man's devotional service, accompanied him to southern India. Gopalaji followed the younger brahmana, who could hear the tinkling sound of Gopalaji's ankle bells. When all the respectable gentlemen of Vidyanagara were assembled, Gopalaji testified to the promise of the elderly brahmana. Thus the marriage was performed. Later, the King of that country constructed a fine temple for Gopala.

Afterwards, King Purusottama of Orissa was insulted by the King of Kataka, who refused to give him his daughter in marriage and called him a sweeper of Lord Jagannatha. With the help of Lord Jagannatha, King Purusottama fought the King of Kataka and defeated him. Thus he took charge of both the King's daughter and the state of Kataka as well. At that time, Gopalaji, being very much obligated by the devotional service of King Purusottama, was brought to the town of Kataka.

After hearing this narration, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu visited the temple of Gopala in great ecstasy of love of God. From Kataka He went to Bhuvanesvara and saw the temple of Lord Siva. In this way, He gradually arrived at Kamalapura, and on the banks of the Bhargi River He came to the temple of Lord Siva, where He entrusted His sannyasa staff to Nityananda Prabhu. However, Nityananda Prabhu broke the staff into three pieces and threw it into the Bhargi River at a place known as Atharanala. Being angry at not getting His staff back, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu left the company of Nityananda Prabhu and went alone to see the Jagannatha temple.

TEXT 1

TEXT

padbhyam calan yah pratima-svarupo

brahmanya-devo hi sataha-gamyam

desam yayau vipra-krte 'dbhuteham

tam saksi-gopalam aham nato 'smi

SYNONYMS

padbhyam--by the two legs; calan--walking; yah--one who; pratima--of the Deity; svarupah--in the form; brahmanya-devah--the Supreme Lord of brahminical culture; hi--certainly; sata-aha--in one hundred days; gamyam--to be passed over; desam--the country; yayau--went; vipra-krte--for the benefit of a brahmana; adbhuta--most wonderful; iham--activity; tam--unto that; saksi-gopalam--the Gopala known as the witness Gopala; aham--I; natah asmi--offer respectful obeisances.

TRANSLATION

I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Personality of God [brahmanya-deva], who appeared as Saksi-gopala to benefit a brahmana. For one hundred days He traveled through the country, walking on His own legs. Thus His activities are wonderful.

TEXT 2

TEXT

jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda

jayadvaitacandra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

TEXT 3

TEXT

calite calite aila yajapura-grama

varaha-thakura dekhi' karila pranama

SYNONYMS

calite calite--walking on and on; aila--reached; yajapura-grama--the village of Yajapura-grama; varaha-thakura--the temple of Varahadeva; dekhi'--seeing; karila--offered; pranama--obeisances.

TRANSLATION

Walking and walking, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His party finally arrived at Yajapura on the river Vaitarani. There He saw the temple of Varahadeva and offered His obeisances unto Him.

TEXT 4

TEXT

nrtya-gita kaila preme bahuta stavana

yajapure se ratri karila yapana

SYNONYMS

nrtya-gita--dancing and chanting; kaila--executed; preme--in love of Godhead; bahuta--various; stavana--prayers; yajapure--in the village of Yajapura; se ratri--that night; karila--did; yapana--passing.

TRANSLATION

In the temple of Varahadeva, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu engaged in chanting and dancing and offered prayers. He passed that night in the temple.

TEXT 5

TEXT

katake aila saksi-gopala dekhite

gopala-saundarya dekhi' haila anandite

SYNONYMS

katake--in the town of Kataka (Cuttak); aila--arrived; saksi-gopala--the witness Gopala; dekhite--to see; gopala--of the Deity of Gopala; saundarya--the beauty; dekhi'--seeing; haila--became; anandite--very pleased.

TRANSLATION

Afterwards, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to the town of Kataka to see the temple of the witness Gopala. When He saw the Deity of Gopala, He was very much pleased with His beauty.

TEXT 6

TEXT

premavese nrtya-gita kaila kata-ksana

avista hana kaila gopala stavana

SYNONYMS

prema-avese--in the ecstasy of love of God; nrtya-gita--dancing and chanting; kaila--performed; kata-ksana--for some time; avista hana--being overwhelmed; kaila--offered; gopala stavana--prayers to Gopala.

TRANSLATION

While there, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu engaged in chanting and dancing for some time, and being overwhelmed, He offered many prayers to Gopala.

TEXT 7

TEXT

sei ratri tahan rahi' bhakta-gana-sange

gopalera purva-katha sune bahu range

SYNONYMS

sei ratri--that night; tahan--there; rahi'--remaining; bhakta-gana-sange--with the other devotees; gopalera--of Lord Gopala; purva-katha--previous narration; sune--hears; bahu--much; range--in pleasure.

TRANSLATION

That night Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu stayed in the temple of Gopala, and along with all the devotees, He heard the narration of the witness Gopala with great pleasure.

TEXT 8

TEXT

nityananda-gosani yabe tirtha bhramila

saksi-gopala dekhibare kataka aila

SYNONYMS

nityananda-gosani--Lord Nityananda Prabhu; yabe--when; tirtha bhramila--traveled to the places of pilgrimage; saksi-gopala--the witness Gopala; dekhibare--to see; kataka--to the town of Kataka; aila--came.

TRANSLATION

Previously, when Nityananda Prabhu had toured all over India to see different places of pilgrimage, He also had come to see Saksi-gopala at Kataka.

TEXT 9

TEXT

saksi-gopalera katha suni, loka-mukhe

sei katha kahena, prabhu sune maha-sukhe

SYNONYMS

saksi-gopalera--of the witness Gopala; katha--the narration; suni--hearing; loka-mukhe--from the people; sei katha--that narration; kahena--Nityananda Prabhu narrates; prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sune--hears; maha-sukhe--in great pleasure.

TRANSLATION

At that time, Nityananda Prabhu had heard the story of Saksi-gopala from the townspeople. He now recited this again, and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard the narration with great pleasure.

PURPORT

The Saksi-gopala temple is situated between the Khurda Road junction railway station and the Jagannatha Puri station. The Deity is not presently situated in Kataka, but when Nityananda Prabhu traveled there, the Deity was present. Kataka is a town in Orissa situated on the Mahanadi River. When Saksi-gopala was brought from Vidyanagara in southern India, He stayed for some time at Kataka. Thereafter, He was situated for some time in the Jagannatha temple. It seems that in the temple of Jagannatha there was some disagreement between Jagannatha and Saksi-gopala, a disagreement called prema-kalaha, a quarrel of love. In order to settle this love quarrel, the King of Orissa constructed a village about six miles from Jagannatha Puri. The village was called Satyavadi, and Gopala was stationed there. Thereafter, a new temple was constructed. Now there is a Saksi-gopala station, and people go there to see the witness Gopala.

TEXT 10

TEXT

purve vidyanagarera dui ta' brahmana

tirtha karibare dunhe karila gamana

SYNONYMS

purve--previously; vidyanagarera--of the town known as Vidyanagara; dui--two; ta'--certainly; brahmana--brahmanas; tirtha karibare--to tour places of pilgrimage; dunhe--both of them; karila--began; gamana--journey.

TRANSLATION

Formerly at Vidyanagara in South India there were two brahmanas who made a long tour to see different places of pilgrimage.

TEXT 11

TEXT

gaya, varanasi, prayaga----sakala kariya

mathurate aila dunhe anandita hana

SYNONYMS

gaya--the pilgrimage site of the name Gaya; varanasi--Benares, or Kasi; prayaga--Allahabad; sakala--all; kariya--touring; mathurate--Mathura; aila--they reached; dunhe--both; anandita--pleased; hana--becoming.

TRANSLATION

First of all they visited Gaya, then Kasi, then Prayaga. Finally, with great pleasure, they came to Mathura.

TEXT 12

TEXT

vana-yatraya vana dekhi' dekhe govardhana

dvadasa-vana dekhi' sese gela vrndavana

SYNONYMS

vana-yatraya--in touring the different forests; vana dekhi'--while seeing the forests; dekhe--they see; govardhana--Govardhana Hill; dvadasa-vana dekhi'--visiting the twelve forests in Vrndavana; sese--at last; gela--reached; vrndavana--Vrndavana.

TRANSLATION

After reaching Mathura, they started visiting the different forests of Vrndavana and came to Govardhana Hill. They visited all twelve forests [vanas] and at last came to the town of Vrndavana.

PURPORT

The five forests situated on the eastern side of the river Yamuna are Bhadra, Bilva, Loha, Bhandira and Mahavana. The seven forests situated on the western side of the Yamuna are Madhu, Tala, Kumuda, Bahula, Kamya, Khadira and Vrndavana. After visiting all these forests, these pilgrims went to a place known as Pancakrosi Vrndavana. Out of the twelve forests, the Vrndavana forest extends from the town of Vrndavana up to Nanda-grama and Varsana, a distance of thirty-two miles, within which the Pancakrosi Vrndavana town is situated.

TEXT 13

TEXT

vrndavane govinda-sthane maha-devalaya

se mandire gopalera maha-seva haya

SYNONYMS

vrndavane--within Pancakrosi Vrndavana; govinda-sthane--at the place where the present Govinda temple is situated; maha-deva-alaya--a great temple; se mandire--in that temple; gopalera--of the Deity of Gopala; maha-seva--gorgeous worship; haya--there is.

TRANSLATION

In the village of Pancakrosi Vrndavana, at the site where the Govinda temple is now situated, there was a great temple where gorgeous worship of Gopala was performed.

TEXT 14

TEXT

kesi-tirtha, kaliya-hradadike kaila snana

sri-gopala dekhi' tahan karila visrama

SYNONYMS

kesi-tirtha--the bathing place on the bank of the Yamuna known as Kesi-ghata; kaliya-hrada--the bathing place on the bank of the Yamuna known as Kaliya-ghata; adike--in such different bathing places; kaila--did; snana--bathing; sri-gopala dekhi'--by visiting the temple of Gopala; tahan--there; karila--took; visrama--rest.

TRANSLATION

After taking baths at different bathing places along the river Yamuna, such as Kesi-ghata and Kaliya-ghata, the pilgrims visited the temple of Gopala. Afterwards, they took rest in that temple.

TEXT 15

TEXT

gopala-saundarya dunhara mana nila hari'

sukha pana rahe tahan dina dui-cari

SYNONYMS

gopala-saundarya--the beauty of the Gopala Deity; dunhara--of both of them; mana--the minds; nila--took away; hari'--carrying; sukha pana--feeling this transcendental happiness; rahe--remained; tahan--in that temple; dina--days; dui-cari--two or four.

TRANSLATION

The beauty of the Gopala Deity stole away their minds, and feeling great happiness, they remained there for two or four days.

TEXT 16

TEXT

dui-vipra-madhye eka vipra----vrddha-praya

ara vipra----yuva, tanra karena sahaya

SYNONYMS

dui-vipra-madhye--between the two brahmanas; eka vipra--one brahmana; vrddha-praya--elderly man; ara vipra--the second brahmana; yuva--young man; tanra--of the older brahmana; karena--does; sahaya--assistance.

TRANSLATION

One of the two brahmanas was an old man, and the other was young. The young man was assisting the old one.

TEXT 17

TEXT

chota-vipra kare sada tanhara sevana

tanhara sevaya viprera tusta haila mana

SYNONYMS

chota-vipra--the younger brahmana; kare--does; sada--always; tanhara--his (the old brahmana's); sevana--service; tanhara--his; sevaya--by the service; viprera--of the old brahmana; tusta--pacified; haila--became; mana--the mind.

TRANSLATION

Indeed, the young brahmana always rendered service to the older one, and the old man, being very satisfied with his service, was pleased with him.

TEXT 18

TEXT

vipra bale----tumi mora bahu seva kaila

sahaya hana more tirtha karaila

SYNONYMS

vipra bale--the elderly brahmana says; tumi--you; mora--my; bahu--various; seva--service; kaila--have rendered; sahaya--assistant; hana--being; more--to me; tirtha--pilgrimage; karaila--helped to do.

TRANSLATION

The older man told the younger, "You have rendered various types of service to me. You have assisted me in traveling to all these places of pilgrimage.

TEXT 19

TEXT

putreo pitara aiche na kare sevana

tomara prasade ami na pailama srama

SYNONYMS

putreo--even my own son; pitara--of the father; aiche--in this way; na--not; kare--renders; sevana--service; tomara--your; prasade--by the mercy; ami--I; na--not; pailama--have gotten; srama--fatigue.

TRANSLATION

"Even my own son does not render such service. By your mercy, I did not become fatigued while on this tour.

TEXT 20

TEXT

krta-ghnata haya tomaya na kaile sammana

ataeva tomaya ami diba kanya-dana

SYNONYMS

krta-ghnata--ungratefulness; haya--it is; tomaya--to you; na--not; kaile--if doing; sammana--respect; ataeva--therefore; tomaya--to you; ami--I; diba--shall give; kanya-dana--my daughter as charity.

TRANSLATION

"If I do not show you any respect, I will be ungrateful. Therefore, I promise to give you my daughter in charity."

TEXT 21

TEXT

chota-vipra kahe, "suna, vipra-mahasaya

asambhava kaha kene, yei nahi haya

SYNONYMS

chota-vipra--the younger brahmana; kahe--replies; suna--hear; vipra-mahasaya--my dear brahmana; asambhava--unlikely; kaha--you say; kene--why; yei--which; nahi--not; haya--happens.

TRANSLATION

The younger brahmana replied, "My dear sir, please hear me. You are saying something very unusual. Such a thing never happens.

TEXT 22

TEXT

maha-kulina tumi----vidya-dhanadi-pravina

ami akulina, ara dhana-vidya-hina

SYNONYMS

maha-kulina--highly aristocratic; tumi--you; vidya--education; dhana-adi--riches; pravina--enriched; ami--I; akulina--not aristocratic; ara--and; dhana-vidya-hina--without any wealth and education.

TRANSLATION

"You are a most aristocratic family man, well educated and very rich. I am not at all aristocratic, and I am without a decent education and have no wealth.

PURPORT

Due to pious activities, one can be enriched by four opulences: one may obtain birth in an aristocratic family, become highly educated, become very beautiful or get a sufficient quantity of riches. These are symptoms of pious activities performed in one's past life. In India it is still current for an aristocratic family never to consider a marriage with a common family. Though the caste may be the same, to maintain the aristocracy such marriages are rejected. No poor man will dare marry the daughter of a rich man. Because of this, when the elderly brahmana offered the young brahmana his daughter, the young brahmana did not believe that it would be possible to marry her. Therefore he asked the elderly brahmana why he was proposing something unprecedented (asambhava). It was unheard of for an aristocratic person to offer his daughter to a person who was both uneducated and poor.

TEXT 23

TEXT

kanya-dana-patra ami na ha-i tomara

krsna-pritye kari tomara seva-vyavahara

SYNONYMS

kanya-dana-patra--a bridegroom suitable for one's daughter; ami--I; na--not; ha-i--am; tomara--of you; krsna-pritye--only for satisfaction of Krsna; kari--I do; tomara--of you; seva--of service; vyavahara--activities.

TRANSLATION

"Sir, I am not a suitable bridegroom for your daughter. I render service to you only for the satisfaction of Krsna.

PURPORT

Both brahmanas were pure Vaisnavas. The younger man took special care of the older one simply to please Krsna. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.19.21) Krsna says, mad-bhakta-pujabhyadhika: "It is better to render service to My devotee." Thus, according to the Gaudiya-Vaisnava philosophy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, it is better to be a servant of the servant of God. One should not try to serve Krsna directly. A pure Vaisnava serves a servant of Krsna and identifies himself as a servant of a servant of Krsna. This is pleasing to Lord Krsna. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura confirms this philosophy: chadiya vaisnava-seva nistara payeche keba. Unless one serves a liberated Vaisnava, he cannot attain liberation by directly serving Krsna. He must serve the servant of Krsna.

TEXT 24

TEXT

brahmana-sevaya krsnera priti bada haya

tanhara santose bhakti-sampad badaya"

SYNONYMS

brahmana-sevaya--by rendering service to a brahmana; krsnera--of Lord Krsna; priti--the satisfaction; bada--very great; haya--is; tanhara santose--by pleasing the Lord; bhakti--of devotional service; sampad--the opulence; badaya--increases.

TRANSLATION

"Lord Krsna is very pleased by service rendered to brahmanas, and when the Lord is pleased, the opulence of one's devotional service increases."

PURPORT

In this regard, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments that the younger brahmana rendered service to the older one with the purpose of pleasing Krsna. It was not a matter of ordinary worldly dealings. Krsna is pleased when a Vaisnava is rendered service. Because the younger brahmana served the older one, Lord Gopala agreed to become a witness of the marriage negotiation in order to maintain the prestige of both devotees. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would certainly not have liked to hear about marital dealings unless such dealings were exchanged between two Vaisnavas. Marriage arrangements and ceremonies belong to ordinary material karma-kanda sections of the scriptures. The Vaisnavas, however, are not interested in any kind of karma-kanda dealings. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says: karma-kanda jnana-kanda kevala visera bhanda. For a Vaisnava, the karma-kanda and jnana-kanda sections of the Vedas are unnecessary. Indeed, a real Vaisnava takes these sections as a poison pot (visera bhanda). Sometimes we take part in a marriage ceremony for our disciples, but this does not mean that we are interested in karma-kanda activities. Sometimes, not knowing the Vaisnava philosophy, an outsider criticizes such activity, maintaining that a sannyasi should not take part in a marriage ceremony between a young boy and a young girl. However, this is not a karma-kanda activity, because our purpose is to spread the Krsna consciousness movement. We are giving all facility to the general populace to take to Krsna consciousness, and in order to fix the devotees in concentration on the service of the Lord, marriage is sometimes allowed. We have experienced that such married couples actually render very important service to the mission. Therefore, one should not misunderstand when a sannyasi takes part in a marriage ceremony. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu took great pleasure in hearing about the marriage ceremony between the young brahmana and the daughter of the elderly brahmana.

TEXT 25

TEXT

bada-vipra kahe,----"tumi na kara samsaya

tomake kanya diba ami, karila niscaya"

SYNONYMS

bada-vipra--the older brahmana; kahe--replies; tumi--you; na--not; kara--do; samsaya--doubt; tomake--to you; kanya--the daughter; diba--shall give; ami--I; karila--made; niscaya--certainty.

TRANSLATION

The older brahmana replied, "My dear boy, do not doubt me. I will give you my daughter in charity. I have already decided this."

TEXT 26

TEXT

chota-vipra bale,----"tomara stri-putra saba

bahu jnati-gosthi tomara bahuta bandhava

SYNONYMS

chota-vipra--the young brahmana; bale--says; tomara--your; stri-putra--wife and sons; saba--all; bahu--many; jnati--of family relations; gosthi--group; tomara--your; bahuta--many; bandhava--friends.

TRANSLATION

The young brahmana said, "You have a wife and sons, and you have a large circle of relatives and friends.

TEXT 27

TEXT

ta'-sabara sammati vina nahe kanya-dana

rukminira pita bhismaka tahate pramana

SYNONYMS

ta'-sabara--of all of them; sammati--consent; vina--without; nahe--not; kanya-dana--giving the daughter in charity; rukminira--of Queen Rukmini; pita--father; bhismaka--of the name Bhismaka; tahate--of that; pramana--evidence.

TRANSLATION

"Without the consent of all your friends and relatives, it is not possible to give me your daughter in charity. Just consider the story of Queen Rukmini and her father, Bhismaka.

TEXT 28

TEXT

bhismakera iccha,----krsne kanya samarpite

putrera virodhe kanya narila arpite"

SYNONYMS

bhismakera--of King Bhismaka; iccha--the desire; krsne--unto Krsna; kanya--daughter; samarpite--to give; putrera--of his son; virodhe--by the objection; kanya--daughter; narila--was unable; arpite--to offer.

TRANSLATION

"King Bhismaka wanted to give his daughter, Rukmini, in charity to Krsna, but Rukmi, his eldest son, objected. Therefore he could not carry out his decision."

PURPORT

As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.52.25):

bandhunam icchatam datum

krsnaya bhaginim nrpa

tato nivarya krsna-dvid

rukmi caidyam amanyata

King Bhismaka of Vidarbha wanted to offer Krsna his daughter, Rukmini, but Rukmi, the eldest of his five sons, objected. Therefore he withdrew his decision and decided to offer Rukmini to the King of Cedi, Sisupala, who was a cousin of Krsna's. However, Rukmini conceived of a trick: she sent a letter to Krsna asking Him to kidnap her. Thus in order to please Rukmini, who was His great devotee, Krsna kidnapped her. There ensued a great fight between Krsna and the opposing party, headed by Rukmini's brother Rukmi. Rukmi was defeated and, because of his harsh words against Krsna, was about to be killed, but he was saved at the request of Rukmini. However, Krsna shaved off all of Rukmi's hair with His sword. Sri Balarama did not like this, and so to please Rukmini, Balarama rebuked Krsna.

TEXT 29

TEXT

bada-vipra kahe,----"kanya mora nija-dhana

nija-dhana dite nisedhibe kon jana

SYNONYMS

bada-vipra kahe--the elderly brahmana says; kanya--the daughter; mora--my; nija-dhana--own property; nija-dhana--one's own property; dite--to give; nisedhibe--will object; kon--what; jana--person.

TRANSLATION

The elderly brahmana said, "My daughter is my own property. If I choose to give my property to someone, who has the power to stop me?

TEXT 30

TEXT

tomake kanya diba, sabake kari' tiraskara

samsaya na kara tumi, karaha svikara"

SYNONYMS

tomake--to you; kanya--the daughter; diba--I shall offer; sabake--all others; kari'--doing; tiraskara--neglecting; samsaya--doubt; na--not; kara--do; tumi--you; karaha--just do; svikara--acceptance.

TRANSLATION

"My dear boy, I will give my daughter to you in charity, and I will neglect the position of all others. Don't doubt me in this regard; just accept my proposal."

TEXT 31

TEXT

chota-vipra kahe,----"yadi kanya dite mana

gopalera age kaha e satya-vacana"

SYNONYMS

chota-vipra kahe--the younger brahmana replies; yadi--if; kanya--daughter; dite--to give in charity; mana--the mind; gopalera--of the Gopala Deity; age--in front; kaha--say; e--these; satya-vacana--words in truth.

TRANSLATION

The younger brahmana replied, "If you have decided to give your young daughter to me, then say so before the Gopala Deity."

TEXT 32

TEXT

gopalera age vipra kahite lagila

'tumi jana, nija-kanya ihare ami dila'

SYNONYMS

gopalera age--in front of the Gopala Deity; vipra--the elderly brahmana; kahite--to speak; lagila--began; tumi jana--my Lord, please know; nila-kanya--my own daughter; ihare--to this boy; ami--I; dila--have given in charity.

TRANSLATION

Coming before Gopala, the elderly brahmana said, "My dear Lord, please witness that I have given my daughter to this boy."

PURPORT

In India it is still the custom for a daughter to be offered to someone simply by word. This is called vag-datta. This means that the father, brother or guardian of a girl has given his word that she will be married to a certain man. Consequently, that daughter cannot be married to anyone else. She is reserved by virtue of the honest words of the father or guardian. There are many instances in which the parents of a female child have given someone a verbal promise that their daughter will be married to his son. Both parties agree to wait until the boy and girl are grown up, and then the marriage takes place. Following this custom, which is very old in India, the elderly brahmana promised to give his daughter to the younger brahmana in charity, and he promised this before the Gopala Deity. In India the custom is to honor any promise made before the Deity. Such a promise cannot be canceled. In Indian villages, whenever there is a quarrel between two parties, they go to a temple to settle the quarrel. Whatever is spoken in front of the Deity is taken to be true, for no one would dare lie before the Deity. This same principle was followed in the Battle of Kuruksetra. Therefore in the very beginning of the Bhagavad-gita it is stated: dharma-ksetre kuru-ksetre.

By not becoming God conscious, human society is deteriorating to the lowest standard of animal life. This Krsna consciousness movement is very essential to reviving God consciousness among the general populace. If people actually become God conscious, all quarrels can be settled outside of court, as happened in the case of the two brahmanas whose disagreement was settled by the witness Gopala.

TEXT 33

TEXT

chota-vipra bale,----"thakura, tumi mora saksi

toma saksi bolaimu, yadi anyatha dekhi"

SYNONYMS

chota-vipra bale--the younger brahmana replied; thakura--my dear Lord Gopala; tumi--You; mora--my; saksi--witness; toma--unto You; saksi--witness; bolaimu--I shall call as; yadi--if; anyatha--otherwise; dekhi--I see.

TRANSLATION

Then the younger brahmana addressed the Deity, saying, "My dear Lord, You are my witness. I shall call for You to testify if it is necessary later on."

TEXT 34

TEXT

eta bali' dui-jane calila desere

guru-buddhye chota-vipra bahu seva kare

SYNONYMS

eta bali'--speaking this; dui-jane--both the brahmanas; calila--went; desere--toward their own country; guru-buddhye--accepting the elderly brahmana as guru; chota-vipra--the young brahmana; bahu--various; seva--services; kare--renders.

TRANSLATION

After these talks, the two brahmanas started for home. As usual, the young brahmana accompanied the elderly brahmana as if the older brahmana were a guru [spiritual master] and rendered him service in various ways.

TEXT 35

TEXT

dese asi' dui-jane gela nija-ghare

kata dine bada-vipra cintita antare

SYNONYMS

dese asi'--after returning to their own country; dui-jane--both of them; gela--went; nija-ghare--to their respective homes; kata dine--after some time; bada-vipra--the elderly brahmana; cintita--very anxious; antare--within.

TRANSLATION

After returning to Vidyanagara, each brahmana went to his respective home. After some time, the elderly brahmana became very anxious.

TEXT 36

TEXT

tirthe vipre vakya dilun,----kemate satya haya

stri, putra, jnati, bandhu janibe niscaya

SYNONYMS

tirthe--on pilgrimage; vipre--to a brahmana; vakya--word of honor; dilun--I have given; kemate--how; satya--true; haya--it is; stri--wife; putra--sons; jnati--relatives; bandhu--friends; janibe--will know; niscaya--certainly.

TRANSLATION

He began to think, "I have given my word to a brahmana in a holy place, and what I promised will certainly come to pass. I must now disclose this to my wife, sons, other relatives and friends."

TEXT 37

TEXT

eka-dina nija-loka ekatra karila

ta-sabara age saba vrttanta kahila

SYNONYMS

eka-dina--one day; nija-loka--all his relatives; ekatra--in one place; karila--assembled; ta-sabara--of all of them; age--in front; saba--all; vrttanta--narration; kahila--spoke.

TRANSLATION

Thus one day the elderly brahmana called for a meeting of all his relatives and friends, and before them all he narrated what had taken place in front of Gopala.

TEXT 38

TEXT

suni' saba gosthi tara kare haha-kara

'aiche bat mukhe tumi na anibe ara

SYNONYMS

suni'--hearing; saba--all; gosthi--family members and friends; tara--of the elderly brahmana; kare--do; ha-ha-kara--exclamation of disappointment; aiche--such; bat--proposal; mukhe--in the mouth; tumi--you; na--not; anibe--should bring; ara--again.

TRANSLATION

When those who belonged to the family circle heard the narration of the old brahmana, they made exclamations showing their disappointment. They all requested that he not make such a proposal again.

TEXT 39

TEXT

nice kanya dile kula yaibeka nasa

sunina sakala loka karibe upahasa'

SYNONYMS

nice--to a lower family; kanya--daughter; dile--if offering; kula--family tradition; yaibeka--will go to; nasa--destruction; sunina--hearing; sakala--all; loka--friends; karibe--will do; upahasa--joking.

TRANSLATION

They unanimously agreed, "If you offer your daughter to a degraded family, your aristocracy will be lost. When people hear of this, they will make jokes and laugh at you."

TEXT 40

TEXT

vipra bale,----"tirtha-vakya kemane kari ana

ye ha-uk, se ha-uka, ami diba kanya-dana"

SYNONYMS

vipra bale--the brahmana says; tirtha-vakya--the promise made on the pilgrimage; kemane--how; kari--I shall do; ana--otherwise; ye ha-uk--whatever may be; se ha-uka--let it take place; ami--I; diba--shall give; kanya-dana--my daughter in charity.

TRANSLATION

The elderly brahmana said, "How can I undo the promise I made in a holy place while on pilgrimage? Whatever may happen, I must give him my daughter in charity."

TEXT 41

TEXT

jnati loka kahe,----'mora tomake chadiba'

stri-putra kahe,----'visa khaiya mariba'

SYNONYMS

jnati loka--the relatives; kahe--answer; mora--we all; tomake--you; chadiba--will give up; stri--wife; putra--sons; kahe--say; visa--poison; khaiya--drinking; mariba--we shall die.

TRANSLATION

The relatives unanimously said, "If you give your daughter to that boy, we shall give up all connection with you." Indeed, his wife and sons declared, "If such a thing happens, we shall take poison and die."

TEXT 42

TEXT

vipra bale,----"saksi bolana karibeka nyaya

jiti' kanya labe, mora vyartha dharma haya"

SYNONYMS

vipra bale--the brahmana says; saksi--a witness; bolana--calling for; karibeka--there will be; nyaya--justice; jiti'--winning; kanya--the daughter; labe--he will take; mora--my; vyartha--meaningless; dharma--religious principles; haya--will be.

TRANSLATION

The elderly brahmana said, "If I do not give my daughter to the young brahmana, he will call Sri Gopalaji as a witness. Thus he will take my daughter by force, and in that case my religious principles will become meaningless."

TEXT 43

TEXT

putra bale,----"pratima saksi, seha dura dese

ke tomara saksi dibe, cinta kara kise

SYNONYMS

putra bale--his son says; pratima--the Deity; saksi--witness; seha--He also; dura--distant; dese--in country; ke--who; tomara--of you; saksi--witness; dibe--will give; cinta--anxiety; kara--you do; kise--why.

TRANSLATION

His son replied, "The Deity may be a witness, but He is in a distant country. How can He come to bear witness against you? Why are you so anxious over this?

TEXT 44

TEXT

nahi kahi----na kahio e mithya-vacana

sabe kahibe----'mora kichu nahika smarana'

SYNONYMS

nahi kahi--I did not say; na kahio--do not say; e--this; mithya-vacana--false statement; sabe--only; kahibe--you shall say; mora--my; kichu--anything; nahika--not; smarana--remembrance.

TRANSLATION

"You do not have to flatly deny that you spoke such a thing. There is no need to make a false statement. Simply say that you do not remember what you said.

TEXT 45

TEXT

tumi yadi kaha,----'ami kichui na jani'

tabe ami nyaya kari' brahmanere jini"

SYNONYMS

tumi--you; yadi--if; kaha--say; ami kichui na jani--I do not remember anything; tabe--in that case; ami--I; nyaya kari'--arguing; brahmanere--the younger brahmana; jini--shall conquer.

TRANSLATION

"If you simply say, 'I do not remember,' I shall take care of the rest. By argument, I shall defeat the young brahmana."

PURPORT

The son of the elderly brahmana was an atheist and a follower of the Raghunatha-smrti. He was very expert in dealing with pounds-shillings-pence, but he was fool number one. Consequently, he did not believe in the spiritual position of the Deity, nor did he have any faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, as a typical idol worshiper, he considered the form of the Lord to be made of stone or wood. Thus he assured his father that the witness was only a stone Deity and was not capable of speaking. Besides that, he assured his father that the Deity was situated far away and consequently could not come to bear witness. In essence, he was saying: "Have no anxiety. You do not have to lie directly, but you should speak like a diplomat, like King Yudhisthira when he spoke to Dronacarya--asvatthama hata iti gajah. Following this principle, simply say that you do not remember anything and are completely unaware of the statements given by the young brahmana. If you make the background like that, I shall know how to fill in the argument and defeat him by word jugglery. Thus I shall save you from having to give your daughter to him. In this way, our aristocracy will be saved. You have nothing to worry about."

TEXT 46

TEXT

eta suni' viprera cintita haila mana

ekanta-bhave cinte vipra gopala-carana

SYNONYMS

eta suni'--hearing this; viprera--of the old brahmana; cintita--agitated; haila--became; mana--the mind; ekanta-bhave--with single-minded attention; cinte--thinks; vipra--the brahmana; gopala-carana--of the lotus feet of Sri Gopalaji.

TRANSLATION

When the elderly brahmana heard this, his mind became very agitated. Feeling helpless, he simply turned his attention to the lotus feet of Gopala.

TEXT 47

TEXT

'mora dharma raksa paya, na mare nija-jana

dui raksa kara, gopala, lainu sarana'

SYNONYMS

mora--my; dharma--religious principles; raksa paya--spared; na--not; mare--die; nija-jana--own kinsmen; dui--two; raksa kara--You kindly protect; gopala--my Lord Gopala; lainu--I have taken; sarana--shelter under Your lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

The elderly brahmana prayed, "My dear Lord Gopala, I have taken shelter of Your lotus feet, and therefore I request You to please protect my religious principles from disturbance and at the same time save my kinsmen from dying."

TEXT 48

TEXT

ei-mata vipra citte cintite lagila

ara dina laghu-vipra tanra ghare aila

SYNONYMS

ei-mata--in this way; vipra--the elderly brahmana; citte--within the mind; cintite--to think; lagila--began; ara dina--the next day; laghu-vipra--the young brahmana; tanra--his; ghare--to the home; aila--came.

TRANSLATION

The next day, the elderly brahmana was thinking deeply about this matter when the young brahmana came to his house.

TEXT 49

TEXT

asina parama-bhaktye namaskara kari'

vinaya karina kahe kara dui yudi'

SYNONYMS

asina--coming; parama-bhaktye--in great devotion; namaskara kari'--offering obeisances; vinaya karina--with great humility; kahe--says; kara--hands; dui--two; yudi'--folding.

TRANSLATION

The young brahmana came to him and offered respectful obeisances. Then, very humbly folding his hands, he spoke as follows.

TEXT 50

TEXT

'tumi more kanya dite karyacha angikara

ebe kichu nahi kaha, ki tomara vicara'

SYNONYMS

tumi--you; more--to me; kanya--your daughter; dite--to give in charity; karyacha--have made; angikara--a promise; ebe--now; kichu--something; nahi--not; kaha--you say; ki--what; tomara--your; vicara--conclusion.

TRANSLATION

"You have promised to give your daughter in charity to me. Now you do not say anything. What is your conclusion?"

TEXT 51

TEXT

eta suni' sei vipra rahe mauna dhari'

tanra putra marite aila hate thenga kari'

SYNONYMS

eta suni'--hearing this; sei vipra--the elderly brahmana; rahe--remains; mauna dhari'--holding silence; tanra--his; putra--son; marite--to strike; aila--came out; hate--in hand; thenga--stick; kari'--taking.

TRANSLATION

After the young brahmana submitted this statement, the elderly brahmana remained silent. Taking this opportunity, his son immediately came out with a stick to strike the younger man.

TEXT 52

TEXT

'are adhama! mora bhagni caha vivahite

vamana hana canda yena caha ta' dharite'

SYNONYMS

are adhama--O most degraded one; mora--my; bhagni--sister; caha--you want; vivahite--to marry; vamana--a dwarf; hana--being; canda--the moon; yena--as if; caha--you want; ta'--certainly; dharite--to capture.

TRANSLATION

The son said, "Oh, you are most degraded! You want to marry my sister, just like a dwarf who wants to catch the moon!"

TEXT 53

TEXT

thena dekhi' sei vipra palana gela

ara dina gramera loka ekatra karila

SYNONYMS

thena dekhi'--seeing the stick in his hand; sei vipra--the young brahmana; palana gela--fled from that place; ara dina--the next day; gramera loka--the inhabitants of the village; ekatra karila--gathered in one place.

TRANSLATION

Seeing a stick in the hand of the son, the younger brahmana fled. The next day, however, he gathered together all the people of the village.

TEXT 54

TEXT

saba loka bada-vipre dakiya anila

tabe sei laghu-vipra kahite lagila

SYNONYMS

saba loka--all the village inhabitants; bada-vipre--to the senior brahmana; dakiya--calling; anila--brought; tabe--then; sei laghu-vipra--the junior brahmana; kahite lagila--began to speak.

TRANSLATION

All the people of the village then called for the elderly brahmana and brought him to their meeting place. The young brahmana then began to speak before them as follows.

TEXT 55

TEXT

'inha more kanya dite karyache angikara

ebe ye na dena, pucha inhara vyavahara'

SYNONYMS

inha--this gentleman; more--to me; kanya--his daughter; dite--to give in charity; karyache--has made; angikara--promise; ebe--now; ye--indeed; na--not; dena--he gives; pucha--kindly ask; inhara--of him; vyavahara--the behavior.

TRANSLATION

"This gentleman has promised to hand over his daughter to me, yet now he does not follow his promise. Please ask him about his behavior."

TEXT 56

TEXT

tabe sei viprere puchila sarva-jana

'kanya kene na deha, yadi diyacha vacana'

SYNONYMS

tabe--then; sei--that; viprere--brahmana; puchila--asked; sarva-jana--all the people; kanya--daughter; kene--why; na deha--you do not give in charity; yadi--if; diyacha--have given; vacana--word of honor.

TRANSLATION

All the people gathered there asked the elderly brahmana, "If you have already promised to give him your daughter in charity, why are you not fulfilling your promise? You have given your word of honor."

TEXT 57

TEXT

vipra kahe,----'suna, loka, mora nivedana

kabe ki baliyachi, mora nahika smarana'

SYNONYMS

vipra kahe--the senior brahmana replied; suna--please hear; loka--all people; mora--my; nivedana--submission; kabe--when; ki--what; baliyachi--I have said; mora--my; nahika--there is not; smarana--remembrance.

TRANSLATION

The elderly brahmana said, "My dear friends, please hear what I have to submit. I do not exactly remember making a promise like that."

TEXT 58

TEXT

eta suni' tanra putra vakya-cchala pana

pragalbha ha-iya kahe sammukhe asina

SYNONYMS

eta suni'--hearing this; tanra putra--his son; vakya-cchala--for jugglery of words; pana--getting a chance; pragalbha--impudent; ha-iya--becoming; kahe--says; sammukhe--in the front; asina--coming.

TRANSLATION

When the elderly brahmana's son heard this, he took the opportunity to juggle some words. Becoming very impudent, he stood before the assembly and spoke as follows.

TEXT 59

TEXT

'tirtha-yatraya pitara sange chila bahu dhana

dhana dekhi ei dustera laite haila mana

SYNONYMS

tirtha-yatraya--when touring the holy places; pitara--my father; sange--with; chila--there was; bahu--much; dhana--money; dhana--money; dekhi--seeing; ei--this; dustera--of the rogue; laite--to take; haila--it was; mana--the intention.

TRANSLATION

"While touring various holy places of pilgrimage, my father carried much money. Seeing the money, this rogue decided to take it away.

TEXT 60

TEXT

ara keha sange nahi, ei sange ekala

dhutura khaoyana bape karila pagala

SYNONYMS

ara--anyone; keha--else; sange--in company; nahi--there was not; ei--this brahmana; sange--in company; ekala--alone; dhutura--an intoxicant; khaoyana--making him eat; bape--my father; karila--made; pagala--mad.

TRANSLATION

"There was no one besides this man with my father. Giving him an intoxicant known as dhutura to eat, this rogue made my father mad.

TEXT 61

TEXT

saba dhana lana kahe----'core la-ila dhana'

'kanya dite cahiyache'----uthaila vacana

SYNONYMS

saba--all; dhana--money; lana--taking; kahe--says; core--a thief; la-ila--took; dhana--all the money; kanya--the daughter; dite--to give in charity; cahiyache--has promised; uthaila--has raised; vacana--a slogan.

TRANSLATION

"Having taken all my father's money, this rogue claimed that it was taken by some thief. Now he is claiming that my father has promised to give him his daughter in charity.

TEXT 62

TEXT

tomara sakala loka karaha vicare

'mora pitara kanya dite yogya ki ihare'

SYNONYMS

tomara--you; sakala--all; loka--people; karaha--just make; vicare--judgment; mora--my; pitara--of the father; kanya--the daughter; dite--to give in charity; yogya--befitting; ki--is it; ihare--to him.

TRANSLATION

"All of you assembled here are gentlemen. Please judge whether it is befitting to offer this poor brahmana my father's daughter."

TEXT 63

TEXT

eta suni' lokera mane ha-ila samsaya

'sambhave,----dhana-lobhe loka chade dharma-bhaya'

SYNONYMS

eta suni'--hearing all this; lokera--of all the people; mane--in the minds; ha-ila--there was; samsaya--doubt; sambhave--possible; dhana-lobhe--by greed for money; loka--some man; chade--gives up; dharma-bhaya--religious principles.

TRANSLATION

Hearing all these statements, all the people gathered there became a little doubtful. They thought it quite possible that because of attraction for riches one might give up his religious principles.

TEXT 64

TEXT

tabe chota-vipra kahe, "suna, mahajana

nyaya jinibare kahe asatya-vacana

SYNONYMS

tabe--at that time; chota-vipra--the young brahmana; kahe--says; suna--please hear; maha-jana--all gentlemen; nyaya--the argument; jinibare--to win; kahe--he says; asatya-vacana--untruthful statements.

TRANSLATION

At that time the young brahmana said, "My dear gentlemen, please hear. Just to gain victory in an argument, this man is lying.

TEXT 65

TEXT

ei vipra mora sevaya tusta yabe haila

'tore ami kanya diba' apane kahila

SYNONYMS

ei vipra--this brahmana; mora--my; sevaya--by the service; tusta--fully satisfied; yabe--when; haila--he was; tore--to you; ami--I; kanya--daughter; diba--shall give; apane--of his own accord; kahila--promised.

TRANSLATION

"Being very satisfied with my service, this brahmana said to me of his own accord, 'I promise to hand over my daughter to you.'

TEXT 66

TEXT

tabe muni nisedhinu,----suna, dvija-vara

tomara kanyara yogya nahi muni vara

SYNONYMS

tabe--at that time; muni--I; nisedhinu--forbade; suna--hear; dvija-vara--O best of the brahmanas; tomara--your; kanyara--for the daughter; yogya--suitable; nahi--not; muni--I; vara--husband.

TRANSLATION

"At that time I forbade him to do this, telling him, 'O best of the brahmanas, I am not a fit husband for your daughter.

TEXT 67

TEXT

kahan tumi pandita, dhani, parama kulina

kahan muni daridra, murkha, nica, kula-hina

SYNONYMS

kahan--whereas; tumi--you; pandita--learned scholar; dhani--rich man; parama--first class; kulina--aristocracy; kahan--whereas; muni--I; daridra--poor man; murkha--not educated; nica--fallen; kula-hina--without aristocracy.

TRANSLATION

" 'Whereas you are a learned scholar, a rich man belonging to an aristocratic family, I am a poor man, uneducated and with no claim to aristocracy.'

TEXT 68

TEXT

tabu ei vipra more kahe bara bara

tore kanya dilun, tumi karaha svikara

SYNONYMS

tabu--still; ei--this; vipra--brahmana; more--to me; kahe--says; bara bara--again and again; tore--to you; kanya--my daughter; dilun--I have given in charity; tumi--you; karaha--make; svikara--acceptance.

TRANSLATION

"Still this brahmana insisted. Again and again he asked me to accept his proposal, saying, 'I have given you my daughter. Please accept her.'

TEXT 69

TEXT

tabe ami kahilan----suna, maha-mati

tomara stri-putra-jnatira na habe sammati

SYNONYMS

tabe--at that time; ami--I; kahilan--said; suna--please hear; maha-mati--O intelligent brahmana; tomara--your; stri-putra--wife and children; jnatira--kinsmen; na habe sammati--will not agree.

TRANSLATION

"I then said, 'Please hear. You are a learned brahmana. Your wife, friends and relatives will never agree to this proposal.

TEXT 70

TEXT

kanya dite naribe, habe asatya-vacana

punarapi kahe vipra kariya yatana

SYNONYMS

kanya--daughter; dite--to give; naribe--you will not be able; habe--it will become; asatya-vacana--a false statement; punarapi--again; kahe--he says; vipra--the brahmana; kariya yatana--with great attention.

TRANSLATION

" 'My dear sir, you will not be able to fulfill your promise. Your promise will be broken.' Yet, again and again the brahmana emphasized his promise.

TEXT 71

TEXT

kanya tore dilun, dvidha na kariha cite

atma-kanya diba, keba pare nisedhite

SYNONYMS

kanya--the daughter; tore--to you; dilun--I have given; dvidha--hesitation; na--do not; kariha--do; cite--within your mind; atma-kanya--my own daughter; diba--I shall give; keba--who; pare--is able; nisedhite--to forbid.

TRANSLATION

" 'I have offered you my daughter. Do not hesitate. She is my daughter, and I shall give her to you. Who can forbid me?'

TEXT 72

TEXT

tabe ami kahilan drdha kari' mana

gopalera age kaha e-satya vacana

SYNONYMS

tabe--at that time; ami--I; kahilan--said; drdha kari' mana--fixing my mind; gopalera age--in front of the Gopala Deity; kaha--speak; e-satya vacana--this truthful statement.

TRANSLATION

"At that time I concentrated my mind and requested the brahmana to make the promise before the Gopala Deity.

TEXT 73

TEXT

tabe inho gopalera agete kahila

tumi jana, ei vipre kanya ami dila

SYNONYMS

tabe--at that time; inho--this gentleman; gopalera--of the Gopala Deity; agete--in front; kahila--he said; tumi jana--my Lord, please know; ei vipre--unto this young brahmana; kanya--my daughter; ami--I; dila--have offered.

TRANSLATION

"Then this gentleman said in front of the Gopala Deity, 'My dear Lord, please bear witness. I have offered my daughter to this brahmana in charity.'

TEXT 74

TEXT

tabe ami gopalere saksi karina

kahilan tanra pade minati karina

SYNONYMS

tabe--at that time; ami--I; gopalere--to the Gopala Deity; saksi--the witness; karina--making; kahilan--said; tanra pade--at His lotus feet; minati--humility; karina--making.

TRANSLATION

"Accepting the Gopala Deity as my witness, I then submitted the following at His lotus feet.

TEXT 75

TEXT

yadi ei vipra more na dibe kanya-dana

saksi bolaimu tomaya, ha-io savadhana

SYNONYMS

yadi--if; ei--this; vipra--brahmana; more--to me; na--not; dibe--will give; kanya-dana--his daughter in charity; saksi bolaimu--I shall call as a witness; tomaya--You; ha-io savadhana--kindly be attentive.

TRANSLATION

" 'If this brahmana later hesitates to give me his daughter, my dear Lord, I shall call on You as a witness. Please note this with care and attention.'

TEXT 76

TEXT

ei vakye saksi mora ache mahajana

yanra vakya satya kari mane tribhuvana"

SYNONYMS

ei vakye--in this statement; saksi--witness; mora--my; ache--there is; mahajana--a great personality; yanra--whose; vakya--words; satya--true; kari--taking as; mane--accepts; tri-bhuvana--the whole world.

TRANSLATION

"Thus I have called upon a great personality in this transaction. I have asked the Supreme Godhead to be my witness. The entire world accepts the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

PURPORT

Although the young brahmana described himself as having no claims to aristocracy and being an uneducated common man, still he had one good qualification: he believed that the Supreme Personality of Godhead was the topmost authority, he accepted the words of Lord Krsna without hesitation, and he had firm faith in the Lord's consistency. According to Prahlada Maharaja, another authority on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such a staunch and faithful devotee of the Lord must be understood to be a most learned scholar: tan manye 'dhitam uttamam (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.5.24). A pure devotee who has firm faith in the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is to be considered a most learned scholar, the topmost aristocrat and the richest man in the whole world. All godly qualities automatically exist in such a devotee. In the preaching work of the Krsna consciousness movement, we, as the servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, fully believe in the words of Krsna and His servants, the disciplic succession. In this way we are presenting the words of Krsna throughout the world. Even though we are neither a rich man nor a very learned scholar, and even though we do not belong to any aristocracy, this movement is still being welcomed and is very easily spreading all over the world. Although we are very poor and have no professional source of income, Krsna supplies money whenever we need it. Whenever we need some men, Krsna supplies them. Thus it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita (6.22): yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah. Actually, if we can attain the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, we do not need anything else. We certainly do not need those things which a mundane person considers to be material assets.

TEXTS 77-78

TEXT

tabe bada-vipra kahe, "ei satya katha

gopala yadi saksi dena, apane asi' etha

tabe kanya diba ami, janiha niscaya"

tanra putra kahe,----'ei bhala bata haya'

SYNONYMS

tabe--at that time; bada-vipra--the elderly brahmana; kahe--says; ei satya katha--this is true; gopala--the Gopala Deity