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Sri Bhakti Ratnakara May 10, CANADA (SUN) — A serial presentation of Sri Bhakti Ratnakara by Srila Narahari Cakravarti Thakur.
I planned that after returning from Jajigrama I would go to Navadvipa to see Sri Gauracandra. With this plan in mind I finished my work in Jajigrama quickly and went happily to Kantakanagara. Sri Bharati Swami used to live there and he loved me very much. When I would go to Jajigrama or Kantakanagara I would always meet him and sometimes stay in his house. I thought that after visiting him I would go to Navadvipa to see Mahaprabhu. On my way I saw that a crowd of people was going somewhere and the roads were crowded. When I asked them where they were going they replied that they were going to Sri Bharti's house because Mahaprabhu had gone there. My ecstasy upon hearing this was as great as if the moon had fallen into my hands. I went to the house of Sri Kesava Bharati and saw Sri Gaura Sundara whose fair complexion at once charmed me.320-329 I have never seen such a complexion which could shame the Kanaka champa flower, such beautiful curly hair, glittering forehead, such beautiful ears, nose, big eyes, such a beautiful face that could defeat the pride of lakhs of moons. I have never seen so broad a chest such long hands, so slim a waist, such beautiful thighs and legs in my life.330-335 O my son Srinivasa, what can I say to you? Seeing the beauty of Mahaprabhu I then and there sank into the nectarine ocean of the beauty of the Lord.336-337 When someone asked another person why Prabhu had come there the reply was that Prabhu would accept sannyasa from Kesava Bharati and would renounce his beautiful curly hair.338-339 The words exploded in my ears. And I watched a barber come and begin shaving the hair of Prabhu's head. When the shaving was completed people began to cry ut loudly that the whole world was perplexed.340-342 While describing this narrative the brahmin Caitanyadasa fell to the ground unconscious. And having heard these descriptions from his father, Srinivasa cried bitterly. After a long time the brahmin regained consciousness and sighed heavily. When he opened his eyes he found that his son was lying on the ground crying. He took his son on his lap and prayed to Gaurahari to favor his child. He cleaned the dust from his son's body and wiped his tears. he then continued to narrate other incidents which had happened in Nilacala.343-349 While describing the wonderful pastimes of Mahaprabhu in Nilacala Caitanyadasa could not check the tears which flowed from his eyes.350 He told his son about the characteristics of Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Prabhu and the other associates of the Lord.351 He also described the pastimes of the Lord in Vraja for which he was regarded as an incarnation appearing in Navadvipa.352 Srinivasa could not control his desire to hear the pastimes of Gauranga and prayed to Providence for lakhs of ears by which he could hear the activities of the Lord.353-354 His desire was so intense that the color of his face turned red in passion and tears flowed constantly from his eyes. He repeatedly bowed to the feet of his father and asked him everything about Sri Gauracandra. Later Sri Caitanyadasa told his son sweetly that he had grown up enough to look after his mother in Jajigrama. Caitanyadasa wished to leave all responsibilities including the charge of his wife in Srinivasa's hands for he had decided to go to Vrndavana.355-359
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