May 27, 2024 — CANADA (SUN) — By Sri Vrindaban Das Thakur – Antya lila, Chapter Two, Part One.
All glories to Lord Gaurachandra, the life and soul of every living being. He is terror personified for the miscreants and the protector of the devotees. He is the Lord and master of Ananta Sesha, Laksmidevi, Brahma and Siva; and the friend of the poor. He is an ocean of benevolence and the best of all sannyasis. All glory to the Lord and all His associates. May He shower benedictions upon me so my mind may remain in eternal meditation on His lotus feet.
The Lord passed that night in Advaita's house relishing unlimited spiritual bliss. He and His loving associates relished confidential talks about His transcendental activities. In the morning, after completing His daily morning duties, the Lord sat down with all the Vaishnavas. He said, "I am going to Nilacala, but you should not become despondent because of this. After offering My obeisances to Lord Jagannatha, I will return to be amongst you again. Return to your houses and blissfully engage in performing kirtana, for you are My eternal associates and are more dear to Me than My own life."
The devotees replied, "As You wish, O Lord. No one can divert You from Your decision. Yet it must be mentioned that at the present time it is unsafe for travel to Orissa. The kingdoms of Bengal and Orissa are on the verge of war. The way is infested with dacoits. Please consider waiting until the situation improves." The Lord said, "Obstacles may be there, but I must go."
Advaita Acarya could understand the Lord's heart, He was bent on going to Nilacala. Advaita approached the Lord with folded hands and said truthfully to Him, "Who can obstruct Your path? All hindrances are Your slaves, so who has the power to stop You? Once You have made up Your mind to go to Nilacala then You can leave at Your own sweet will." The Lord was pleased to hear the truth spoken so plainly from Advaita, and He acknowledged it by loudly chanting "Hari! Hari!" The Lord set out towards Nilacala. His gait was that of a stalking maddened lion. The devotees ran after Him unable to control their emotions and tears. After a distance, the Lord turned to them and spoke sweet loving words, "Please do not be sad, I will never leave you. Go home now and take shelter of the holy name and I will return in a few days." He embraced everyone one by one and soaked them with His tears of love. It was a moving scene as the Lord and the devotees cried in each others' arms. Finally pacifying and reassuring everyone, the Lord traveled south. But the devotees were not to be consoled so easily. As the Lord disappeared from their sight they fell to the ground crying piteously.
Just as the gopis of Vrndavana had wept bitterly as if thrown into an ocean of endless woe when Krishna was journeying to Mathura leaving Vrndavana. The same mood of separation was now being experienced by the devotees of Lord Chaitanya. The situation and mood then in Krishna's pastime is the same now in Lord Chaitanya's pastime. Life and death are entirely controlled by Krishna. It is of no consequence if one consumes poison or the elixir of immortality, only what Krishna wants will happen. If He wants someone will die, if He wants someone will go on living.
The Lord was journeying happily towards Nilacala with Nityananda, Gadadhara, Mukunda, Govinda, Jagadananda, and Brahmananda. The Lord wanted to test His devotees. He inquired, "Please tell He frankly if anyone of you have brought any necessary things for the journey." They replied, "No one has the power to act independently, my Lord. Without Your permission we did not bring anything." The Lord was greatly pleased at their reply. The Lord now spoke, delineating the import of this seemingly simple question. He said, "You have made He very happy by not bringing anything with you. Everyone is liable to enjoy only what is destined to him. Even if he is in the forest, that which is due to him through destiny will find him. If Providence wills that someone goes without food, then even if he is a prince he will have to fast. the prince's larder may be filled with food, but if the Lord so wills it, he cannot eat. He might suddenly get into a quarrel with someone and out of anger refuse to eat and remain sulking. He may also, without warning, be attacked by high fever, in which case there is no question of eating anything. This is all happening in truth by the Lord's sweet will.
The entire universe is Lord Krishna's storehouse filled with grains and foodstuff. If the Lord desires, we can get food anywhere and everywhere." The Lord was teaching everyone the proper attitude towards God. One who accepts to heart these instructions becomes perfectly happy in life. One may try very carefully to do something, but the result of that endeavour depends entirely on the Lord's will. Discussing in this manner, they arrived at the village of Atisara.
A very saintly personality named Ananta Pandita was living in Atisara. The Lord decided to sojourn to his residence. This shows how fortunate Ananta Pandita was. Ananta Pandita was overwhelmed with divine bliss to have the Lord of Vaikuntha personally come to his house as his guest. He joyfully busied himself to feed the Lord and all the devotees. The Lord sat down together with all the devotees and relished and honored prasada. He was instructing everyone how to lead the ideal mendicant life of a sannyasi by begging everything. That whole night He spent in discussing topics of Krishna's pastimes. Next morning after blessing Ananta Pandita with His merciful glance, the Lord proceeded in His journey, Krishna's name constantly vibrating on His lips. When the villagers saw the Lord's compassionate moon- like face, which was a soothing balm to all tribulations, they spontaneously began to repeat the Lord's holy name. Yogis steeped in meditation find it practically impossible to attain His lotus feet in their hearts, yet now even ordinary persons could see Him as He went on His journey.
