Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Part 44
BY: SUN STAFF
Mar 25, 2024 — CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Madhya lila, Chapter Seven, Part Two.
In a very sweet voice Mukunda began to sing a verse from the Srimad Bhagavatm describing the glories of devotional service: "Alas how shall I take shelter of one more merciful than He who granted the position of a mother to the she-demon Putana. Putana was unfaithful and always hankering for the blood of human children. With that desire in mind she prepared deadly poison to be sucked from her breasts and came to kill Krishna, but because she offered her breasts to the Lord she attained the greatest achievement."
As soon as these words concerning devotional service entered his ears, Pundarika Vidyanidhi began to weep, tears of ecstatic love welled up in his eyes, rolling down his face profusely like streams of the Ganga. Simultaneously all the symptoms of ecstasy manifested on his person. He wept, trembled, rolled, horipilated, roared and finally fell into an unconscious state of ecstasy. Then suddenly regaining consciousness he said in a loud voice, "Speak, speak," and again fell down to the ground.
Agitated with spiritual emotions he kicked everything that was near him and all the luxurious paraphernalia went crashing to the ground. The shining brass pots of water, the container of betel pan, pillows, bed sheets, everything became a confused mass. He began tearing his fine clothes, and his well groomed hair went haywire as he wept and rolled in the dust. He cried out, "O Krishna, My Lord, My soul, My very life, You have made me hard hearted like a stone." He lamented loudly, piteously crying out, "I have been deprived of the Lord's association in His most merciful incarnation." He rolled around and crashed down to the ground. Everyone was afraid he might break his bones. He to trembled so violently that three persons could not hold him down. He kicked everything that was in his way, as his disciples stood by helplessly, unable to control him. In this way the storm of ecstatic love continued until it finally abated and he fell into an unconscious state of bliss. He lay down without breathing, totally submerged in an ocean of spiritual ecstasy.
Amazed at what he witnessed Gadadhara Pandita began to worry thinking, "What inauspiciousness has overcome me to make me think in such an offensive manner about this great personality." He embraced Mukunda, being extremely pleased with him. Drenching him with tears of love he said, "Mukunda you have acted like a true friend, you have shown me a pure and unalloyed devotee of the Lord. It would be difficult to find another pure Vaishnava like him anywhere in this entire creation. One can become totally purified simply by observing his devotional attitude. Today, because you are right next to me I have been able to avoid a great catastrophe. When I saw all the luxurious paraphernalia surrounding Pundarika Vidyanidhi I was convinced that he was a materialistic Vaishnava given to the pleasures of life. You could read my mind and being a great magnanimous soul you revealed to me the unlimited extent of Pundarika Vidyanidhi's love of for God, yet today I have been offensive and the extent of my offense can only be mitigated by your mercy. You must be merciful to me and purify my heart.
All these devotees who have taken to the process of surrender through devotional service to the Lord have all accepted the shelter of a guide under whose instructions they act. Yet I do not have such an instructor, so I have decided to take shelter of Pundarika Vidyanidhi and follow devotional service under his guidance. I know that I can counteract all my offenses to him by becoming his disciple." Thus Gadadhara Pandita revealed to Mukunda his desire to become a disciple of Pundarika Vidyanidhi. Mukunda was extremely pleased with the decision and patted him on the back saying, "very good, very good."
Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi was in a state of ecstatic coma for six hours, gradually he returned to his normal state and sat down quietly. It was impossible for Gadadhara Pandita to control the tears of joy which rolled profusely down his face. wetting his entire body. When Sri Vidyanidhi saw this he embraced Gadadhara Pandita, holding him to his heart. Overwhelmed by Pundarika Vidyanidhi's ecstatic devotion, Gadadhara was unable to sleep. Mukunda spoke up, revealing Gadadhara Pandita's mind, "Doubt arose in Gadadhara's mind when he first saw your extravagant appearance and surroundings, but now he is repentant and wants to accept initiation from you. He is a renounced devotee of the Lord. Although he is young he is mature in spiritual realisation, and comes from the very good family of Madhva Misra. From early childhood he has always been very attached to the Supreme Lord. I think it is a very good match--a very elevated spiritual master like Pundarika Vidyanidhi having an equally able disciple like Gadadhara Pandita. Please consider these points and choose an auspicious day tp initiate him with your diksa mantra."
Pundarika Vidyanidhi smiled and said, "Be assured that I will do as you say, for by the Lord's mercy I have had the great fortune to meet a person who is like a precious gem. The result of many lifetimes of pious activities is that one may find a disciple such as him. The forthcoming twelfth day of the waxing moon is very auspicious, come here to meet me and your plan will become successful." Overjoyed, Gadadhara Pandita offered his obeisances and took leave of Pundarika Vidyanidhi.
Mukunda and Gadadhara went straight to meet Lord Gaurachandra, who happily received the news of Pundarika Vidyanidhi's arrival.
During the night, without being seen by anyone, Pundarika left all his associates behind and came to the place of Lord Gaurachandra. As soon as he saw the Lord he fell down like a rod, offering his obeisances to the Lord, Overwhelmed with ecstatic trance he lay on the ground experiencing waves of joy. Shortly afterwards he regained external consciousness and roared loudly, then despising himself he began to weep saying, "O my dear Krishna, You are my Lord and father. I am a great offender, please punish this wretch. O Lord You have liberated everyone in the world, only I have been deprived of such good fortune."
Hearing his lamentation all the assembled Vaishnavas, who knew Pundarika Vidyanidhi to be a great and elevated Vaishnava, felt pained and began to cry.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Chaitanya, is especially inclined to His pure devotees, therefore upon seeing His beloved devotee, He got up and embraced him. Crying the Lord said, "O My father Pundarika, finally I am able to see you today." The Vaishnavas were overjoyed to have the association of such an elevated devotee as Pundarika Vidyanidhi and their eyes filled with tears. So wonderful was this scene that no pen could possibly describe it.
Lord Gaurasundara held Pundarika Vidyanidhi in a loving embrace, wetting him with His tears. Understanding how dear Pundarika was to the Lord, the devotees immediately felt affection, respect and a sense of closeness with him. The Lord continued to hold Pundarika Vidyanidhi closely as if He wanted to merge His body into his. For sometime the Lord was unable to move. Remaining like a statue He held Vidyanidhi in His close embrace. When the Lord came out of trance He began to chant the name of Hari, and said, "Today Lord Krishna has been very merciful to me, He has fulfilled all My desires. I have met a person of My heart's desire."
Pundarika Vidyanidhi greeted all the Vaishnavas fondly and they began to chant the holy name together. The Lord then introduced Pundarika saying, "His name is Pundarika Vidyanidhi, the Lord has specially created him to distribute love of Godhead."
Hearing this the devotees happily responded by lifting their their arms and chanting "Hari, Hari." The Lord said, "Today is a special day, a wonderful thing has happened, I woke up from sleep and my eyes beheld the ocean of love of Godhead directly in Person."
All this went on while Pundarika Vidyanidhi was absorbed within himself in an ecstatic trance, totally unaware of his immediate external surroundings. Suddenly he became aware of the devotees around him and he immediately offered obeisances to the Lord, properly recognizing Him for the first time since their meeting. Then he offered his obeisances to Advaita Acarya Prabhu and exchanged obeisances with all the other Vaishnavas. It was a glorious scene, as all the devotees floated on waves of ecstasy, thrilled to have met Pundarika Vidyanidhi who himself is an ocean of love of Godhead. Only an extremely pious and fortunate person is able to describe this marvelous scene.
Gadadhara Pandita took Lord Visvambhara's permission to accept initiation from Pundarika Vidyanidhi. Gadadhara said, "I could not understand the uncommon behavior of this great personality and so I became disrespectful. Therefore in order to cleanse myself of this sin I want to become his disciple, for certainly as my spiritual master he will exonerate me."
Appreciating Gadadhara Pandita's mood, the Lord said, "Yes, perform it quickly." Thus Gadadhara Pandita formerly accepted initiation from Pundarika Vidyanidhi, the ocean of ecstatic loving devotion.
What ability do I have to speak about the wonderful qualities of Pundarika Vidyanidhi, for he was such an elevated Vaishnava that even Gadadhara Pandita was his disciple. I have just narrated in short this wonderful pastime of Pundarika Vidyanidhi, as I was hankering for this opportunity with the hope that I will be able to have his initiation. Both the spiritual master and the disciple are competent and are dearly beloved of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna Chaitanya. Whoever hears of this meeting between Gadadhara Pandita and Pundarika Vidyanidhi will gradually experience the highest ecstasies of love of Godhead. Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda Prabhu are my life and soul, I Vrndavana Dasa offer my humble song at their lotus feet.
