Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat

All glories to all the intimate servants and dear devotees of Lord GauraChandra. All glories to their ecstatic dancing.

All glories to Lord Visvambhara, the supreme benefactor of the universe, the life of Sri Paramananda Puri, and the dear most object of Svarupa Damodara.

All glories to Sri Krishna Chaitanya, the beloved master of Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatana, Jagadisa, and Gopinatha. Oh Lord of Darpan Govinda, please bless the entire universe by Your merciful glance.

Lord GauraChandra performed His pastimes of congregational chanting with Lord Nityananda, in this chapter I will describe Advaita Acarya Prabhu's pastimes with Sri Gauranga. One day Lord Chaitanya, exhibiting the mood of the Supreme Lord, ordered the younger brother of Srivasa Pandita; "Ramai go to Advaita Acarya's house and inform him of My appearance. Tell him that the person he has worshipped for so long, the person he wept for, the person he fasted for, that same Lord has now appeared. He has come to distribute knowledge of loving devotional service to the Supreme Lord, thus he must come immediately to meet Him. Also tell him about Lord Nityananda Prabhu's arrival, but do it secretly and explain to him everything you have seen. Tell him to come immediately, along with his wife, and bring all the paraphernalia for My worship."

Happy to be entrusted with these orders, Ramai started for Advaita Acarya's house, absorbed in rememberance of the Supreme Lord. Although he did not know the way he felt very joyful, his only treasure was Lord Chaitanya's instructions. Somehow, by divine guidance, he arrived at Advaita Acarya's house. Offering his obeisance to Advaita Acarya Prabhu he was overcome with great joy he could not speak.

Advaita Acarya Prabhu already knew everything that was happening in Nabadwip. He could perceive this because he was on the pure devotional platform. He spoke to Ramai Pandita sweetly saying, "I know you have instructions to take me to Nabadwip." Ramai Pandita folded his hands in respect and said, "You already know everything, so please come quickly with me."

Advaita Acarya Prabhu was in a completely blissful state of mind, transcendental to all his bodily sensations. Who is able to fathom the transcendental nature of Advaita Acarya Prabhu? He is all important yet he speaks as if ignorant.

Advaita Acarya Prabhu then questioned Ramai Pandita, "In which scripture is it mentioned that the Supreme Lord Hari will descend to Nabadwip in a human form for the redemption of the fallen conditioned souls? O Ramai, your elder brother, Srivasa Pandita, knows about my standard of devotion, renunciation and self realization."

Ramai Pandita was well aware of Advaita Acarya Prabhu's spiritual powers thus he remained quiet, smiling within. Advaita Acarya Prabhu's transcendental pastimes are unlimited, they are a source of great joy to the pious, while they remain incomprehensible to sinful persons.

Again Advaita Acarya Prabhu inquired, "O Ramai, please tell me why you have come so suddenly?" When Ramai Pandita felt that Advaita Acarya had calmed down, he began to cry while delivering Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's message: "That Supreme Personality for whom you have wept so profusely, for whom you have performed continuous worship, and for whom you have accepted vows of fasting and austerity, that Supreme Personality has now appeared to distribute love of Godhead, and He has instructed you to come to Him immediately. Please bring your wife with you, as well as all the proper paraphernalia for His worship. Lord Nityananda Prabhu has also appeared, He is non different from Lord Chaitanya and He is your life and soul. You already know everything, what more do I need to say. If I am fortunate enough then I will be able to see all of you together."

When Ramai Pandita delivered this message Advaita Acarya Prabhu swooned in ecstasy, lifting his hands he began to cry. Suddenly, to everyone's amazement, he fell unconscious. Shortly after he regained his external consciousness, roaring loudly he repeated, "I have brought, I have brought my Lord. The Lord has left His supreme abode in the Vaikuntha planets and appeared here in answer to my prayers." Saying this he fell to the ground weeping.

Hearing the news of the Lord's advent the chaste wife of Advaita Acarya Prabhu, Sri Sita devi, who is respected as the mother of the entire universe, began to weep joyfully. Although Advaita Acarya's son, Acyutananda, was only a young boy he also cried incessantly. Advaita Acarya's house was transformed into an abode of love of Krishna as mother and son, surrounded by their friends and relatives, wept together joyfully.

Engrossed in thoughts of the Supreme Lord Advaita Acarya Prabhu tried to control himself but he was unable to remain still, his body swayed in slow motion, and he inquired from Ramai, "What did the Lord say to me?" Ramai replied, "To come immediately." Advaita Acarya said, "Listen Ramai Pandita, if He is actually my worshipable Supreme Lord then let Him appear before me to speak the truth. If He can exhibit His supreme opulence and place His lotus feet on my head then I will know that He is the Lord of my heart."

Ramai Pandita replied, "O Lord, what power do I posses to speak, if I am blessed then I can see with these eyes the Supreme Lord's pastimes, the Lord's desire is your desire and He has incarnated because of you."

Satisfied with Ramai's reply Advaita Acarya began preparing for the journey. "Get ready immediately", he told his wife, "Collect the different paraphernalia for worship and let us proceed."

Sitadevi was a chaste and dedicated woman, she had full knowledge of the truth about Lord Chaitanya's pastimes and appearance. She collected incense, garlands, scented oils, cloves, sweet condensed milk, yogurt, cream, butter, camphor, betel leaf and nut for worship.

Advaita Acarya then left with his wife and Ramai Pandita. He reminded Ramai Pandita, "Do not tell the Lord that I have come, I want to find out what the Lord replies. I will hide in Nanda Acarya Prabhu's house.".

Lord Visvambhara is the Supersoul residing in everyone's heart, thus He immediately knew Advaita Acarya's plans. Understanding that Advaita Acarya Prabhu had arrived in Nabadwip, He proceeded to Srivasa Pandita's house. By the arrangement of the Lord all of the devotees met there.

Seeing that the Lord was in a contemplative mood the devotees remained quiet and apprehensive. The Lord suddenly rose up roaring like a lion he went to sit on the seat of Lord Visnu which was placed on the altar. He began shouting, "Nara has come, Nara has come. I know Nara wants to test whether I am the actual Supreme Lord, the Supersoul within everyone's heart."

Nityananda Prabhu understood all of Lord Chaitanya's moods,therefore He picked up the umbrella and held it over the Lord's head. Gadadhara Pandita, who was also perceptive to the Lord's moods, offered Him camphor and pan leaf. All of the devotees followed and worshipped the Lord with various ingredients. Some offered prayers to the Lord, while others rendered different services.

Amidst all these activities Ramai Pandita returned. Before Ramai could speak the Lord said, "Nara has sent you to test Me." The Lord shook His head gently and said, "Nara has come, although Nara knows Me well he always tries to test Me. He is here in Nabadwip at Nanda Acarya's house and he has sent you here to test Me. Go quickly and bring him here immediately."

Ramai happily went back to Advaita Acarya Prabhu and narrated everything in detail to him. Advaita Acarya felt extremely blissful hearing the incidents that took place and he came to Srivasa Pandita's house considering his plans to be successful. Advaita Acarya wanted the whole earth to know that Lord Chaitanya was the Supersoul and the all potent Supreme Personality of Godhead, now the Lord Himself had propagated this Supremacy.

Advaita Acarya and his wife approached the Lord offering repeated obeisances from a great distance while chanting hymns in praise of the Lord. Advaita Acarya Prabhu was now fully content?(convinced) that he was seeing the fearless lotus feet of his beloved Lord, the most beautiful Personality in the entire creation. The beauty of millions upon millions of cupids seemed pale and ordinary next to the beauty of the Lord. His golden complextion was effulgent and His blissful face was beaming like millions of glowing full moons. The Lord looked down upon Advaita Acarya with great affection. Golden pillars were no match against the graceful and powerful arms of the Lord and the ornaments that decorated His arms paled any gems. His breast was marked with the Srivatsa mark and the great kosa?(kustubha) jewel hung loosely from His neck. From His ears dangled fish shaped earrings and around His neck swung the vijanti garland. His unlimited mighty power and brilliance outshone a million suns. Rama, the goddess of fortune, always serves His lotus feet, and Ananta Sesha holds the umbrella over His head. One is put to quandary to discern which are the Lord's nails and which are brilliant gems. He played the flute in a most exquisite position, bent in three places and a charming smile played on His lips.

Advaita Acarya Prabhu saw everything shining all around the Lord, the Lord, His devotees and the beautiful ornaments that decorated the Lord's transcendental form shone brilliantly. He also saw the four headed Lord Brahma, the five headed Lord Siva and the six headed Lord Kartikaya offering Him obeisances, while Narada Muni and Sukdeva Gosvami recited prayers reveretly. An extremely beautiful lady, who looked like mother Ganga, was offering the Lord obeisances seated on a chariot. All around the demigods were offering eulogies and prayers to the Lord. Turning around he saw that hundreds and hundreds of demigods were flat on the ground offering their obeisances and repeating Lord Krishna's name.

Seeing these wonderful sights Advaita Acarya Prabhu lifted himself up from his prostrated position, overcome with awe and reverence. Huge many hooded serpents stood with their hoods raised high offering hymns and prayers to the Lord. In another direction he saw many chariots, horses, elephants and swans, the carriers of the demigods. Innumerable wives of the demigods stood around with tears in their eyes offering praise to the Lord and chanting Lord Krishna's name. There was not an empty space left either in the sky or on land. In another direction all the great sages offered chaste prayers to the Lord. Totally overwhelmed Advaita Acarya and his wife stood there speechless.

Lord Visvambhara, the all merciful Supreme Godhead, looked at Advaita Acarya Prabhu and said, "I have descended to this earth because of your vow and your repeated devotional service and worship. I was resting on the ocean of milk and your roaring woke Me up. You are so merciful that you could bear the sufferings of humanity, and so you have brought Me here to alleviate their sufferings. All these demigods, sages, devotees and associates that surround Me have appeared in answer to your prayers. You have arranged for all living entities to see those great devotees whom even Lord Brahma is constantly thinking about."

Hearing these wonderful words from the Lord's mouth Advaita Acarya lifted his hands and wept along with his wife. "Today my life has become successful," he said, "All my dreams and desires have been fulfilled. Seeing Your lotus feet my birth and all my activities have gained meaning. It is by unlimited good fortune that I am able to see, in person, that Personality whom even the Vedic literature has never seen, yet describes Him with mere words. O Lord I am incapable of anything, everything is made up of Your mercy, who else but You can liberate the living entities.?" Tears rolled down Advaita Acaray's face as he spoke.

"Now perform My worship," the Lord said. Having received the this instruction Advaita Acarya Prabhu began to worship the Lord's lotus feet with great ecstasy. First he washed His feet with scented waters and then covered Them with highly scented oil. He dipped the tulsi manjari into the sandalwood paste and placed it on the Lord's lotus feet. Then he began to offer worship with flowers, scents, incense, frankinscense and lamps, as tears of love flowed unrestricted from his eyes. He then offered the lamp with five flames while chanting prayers, afterwhich everyone jubilantly glorified the Lord. He continued to worship the Lord strictly according to the injunctions of the scriptures, offering sixteen types of paraphernalia, as well as flower garlands, clothes and ornaments. He then glorified the Lord with the verse: "O my Lord, You are the well wisher of the cows and the brahmanas and You are the well wisher of the entire human society and world."

Advaita Acarya Prabhu offered his worship with this verse and then began to recite verses from the scriptures in praise of the Supreme Lord: "All glories, all glories to the Lord of everyone's heart Lord Visvambhara, all glories to Lord GauraChandra, the ocean of mercy. All glories to Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the source of all incarnations. He comes to prove that His devotees are always right. All glories to Him who feels great joy beholding the exquisite beauty of Laksmi devi. All glories to the Lord who is decorated with the mark of Srivatsa and is decorated with the kosta?(kaustuba) gem. All glories to Lord Visvambhara who has propagated the chanting of the maha mantra, Hare Krishna. All glories to Him, for He manifests the pastimes of a pure devotee just to teach the living entities the process of devotional service and surrender unto Him. All glories to Lord Mahaprabhu who lies on the bed of Ananta Sesha. All glories, all glories to the only Supreme shelter of all living entities. O my Lord, You are Lord Visnu, You are Krishna and You are Narayana. You are eternal. and You appeared as Matsya, Kurma, Varaha and Vamana. In every millennium You protect and maintain the Vedic principles. You are Lord RamaChandra, the life of Mother Janaki, and the destroyer of all the demons. You gave a boon to the Chandala Guhuk, and You liberated mother . You appeared as Lord Nrsimhadev just to protect Your beloved devotee Prahlad Maharaja, and in that incarnation You slew his father Hiranyakasipu. You are the most precious jewel of the Vedas, and the best of the brahmanas. You appeared in Nilacala in Your deity form to receive the worship of the living entities. The four Vedas search after You, but You have mercifully appeared here and hidend Yourself from the Vedas. O Lord, You are most expert in hiding Yourself, but Your pure devotees are as expert in finding You out and exposing You. You have advented to propagate the congregational chanting of the holy name of God, this is unprecedented in the entire creation, there is no parallel to You. The nectar from Your two lotus feet satiates and intoxicates Lord Siva and Paravati. Roma, the goddess of Fortune, constantly serves Your lotus feet with great attention, and great sages sing incessantly in praise of Your lotus feet. Lord Brahma worships You with great awe and reverence, and all the Sruti, Smrti and Puranic shastras glorify Your lotus feet. As Lord Vamana You covered the entire universe up to Satyaloka with Your lotus feet, and Bali Maharaja surrendered His life and soul, laying his head at Your feet. The holy Ganga eminates from Your lotus feet, and Lord Siva feels greatly fortunate to hold her waters on His head."

Advaita Acarya's intelligence was a million times greater than Brhaspati's, thus he was fully aware of the absolute and transcendental position of Lord Chaitanya. Drenched in his own tears, Advaita Acarya Prabhu glorified the Lord and fell prostrate before Him seeking shelter under His lotus feet.

Lord Gauranga is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul residing in every living entities heart. He lifted His lotus feet and placed Them on Advaita Acarya Prabhu's head, seeing this all the devotees began to glorify the Lord with jubilant sounds of victory, they swooned with joy and filled the air with sounds of the Lord's holy name,"Hari, Hari". The devotees lost control of themselves, some of them rolled on the ground, many of them slapped each other boisterously, while others embraced, and some just cried out loudly. Advaita Acarya and his wife felt that all their desires were fulfilled because Lord Chaitanya had placed his lotus feet on his head.

Lord Chaitanya instructed to Advaita Acarya Prabhu, "O Nara! See My glories and dance." Advaita Acarya Prabhu happily began dancing with great devotion. Someone started a sweet, melodious kirtana and Advaita Acarya Prabhu continued dancing ecstatically in front of Lord Chaitanya. At times his dancing became sprite(?) and at other times he danced gracefully with delicate movements. At times he felt very humble and moved about holding a straw in his teeth. Sometimes he spun around jumping in the air and then falling to the ground he rolled back and forth. At other times he would breath deeply and quickly and fall unconscious with ecstasy. A variety of devotional moods overtook him as he danced ecstatically, spontaneously reciprocating with the mood of the kirtana. Finally he came and sat down quietly like a servile(?) servitor of the Lord. It is impossible to communicate this inconceivable and transcendental pastime.

Advaita Acarya Prabhu ran to Lord Chaitanya's side, seeing Lord Nityananda he buckled his eyebrows, and Nityananda Prabhu began to laugh. Advaita Acarya Prabhu replied laughing, "It is wonderful that You are here Nitai for a long time I have had no trace of You, now if You want to go anywhere then I will tie You up."

Lord Nityananda laughed at Advaita Acarya Prabhu's demeanor. Though now They appeared in two different forms, in the pastimes of Lord Krishna They are the same Personality. I have already discussed previously how Nityananda Prabhu served Lord Chaitanya in various ways, with great pleasure. For this purpose He expanded Himself in many forms. In some forms He described the glories of the Lord, in other forms He meditatedg within his heart on the Lord, sometimes He manifested Himself as the Lord's umbrella and bed, while in in another form He would sweetly sing the holy name of the Lord. Only the most fortunate can understand that in this incarnation Lord Nityananda Prabhu and Lord Advaita Acarya Prabhu are non different. In the course of their pastimes whatever arguments or differences they had between them are all the inconceivable and transcendental behavior of the Supreme Lord. The manner in which they served Lord Chaitanya with great ecstasy is similar to the mood of service of Lord Ananta Sesha and Lord Siva. Those ignorant persons who do not understand the purport of their quarrels and take sides, criticizing one and praising the other, are destined to perish.

The dancing of Advaita Acarya Prabhu mesmerized all the devotees and filled their hearts with ecstatic joy. when Lord Chaitanya instructed Advaita Acarya Prabhu to stop dancing he immediately sat down accepting the Lord's instructions with utmost respect. Lord Chaitanya then garlanded Advaita Acarya Prabhu with a garland from His own neck, smiling He said, "Ask for a boon Advaita Acarya."

Advaita Acarya Prabhu remained quiet, yet Lord Visvambhara insisted on his asking for a boon. Advaita Acarya replied, What more of a boon can I ask for? What I wanted I already have received. Because You personally watched my dancing my hearts desire has been fulfilled. What more could I ask for my Lord? I have seen You in person, that is all that matters. You know everything, You have seen everything with Your transcendental treasures.(?) You know what I want and what I do not want."

Inclining his head to one side Lord Visvambhara said, "I have appeared because of you, I will propagate the chanting of the holy name in every home so that the entire universe may dance, singing My glories. I promise that I will distribute love of Godhead to everyone. That devotional service which is worshipped and meditated upon by Lord Brahma, Lord Siva and by Me will now be given freely."

Advaita Acarya Prabhu said, "If You distribute love of Godhead, then give it also to the women, the sudras, the fallen and the ignorant people. And those sinful persons who have become intoxicated with material learning, wealth, family, etc., and subsequently do not respect Your devotees, or the process of devotional service to You, let them burn in the fire of hell. Let everyone else, including the chandalas, dance in ecstasy, chanting Your holy name."

Appreciating the words of Advaita Acarya the Lord roared loudly, "Everything you have said is true, let the entire world bear witness your mercy upon the ignorant and fallen conditioned souls."

While the low class chandalas danced in ecstasy, chanting the Lord's name, the brahmana scholars like Bhatta Misra Cakravarti and others could only criticize Lord Chaitanya. These atheistic scholars vigilantly studied the scriptures and felt very proud, thinking that they had mastered them, which actually destroyed their proper intelligence and understanding of the Vedas. These people criticized Lord NItyananda without understanding His transcendental pastimes, thus inviting their own doom.

I have described in this chapter how the entire universe received love of Godhead by the mercy of Sri Advaita Acarya Prabhu. The esoteric discussions between Lord Chaitanya, Lord Nityananda and Advaita Acarya Prabhu are all known to Sarasvati, the Goddess of learning. She appears in the mouth of all the pure devotees of the Lord and sings the unlimited glories and pastimes of the Lord.

I offer my obeisances at the lotus feet of all the Vaishnavas so that I may be cleansed of all sins and offenses. Sri Krishna Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda are my life and soul, I Vrndavana Dasa humbly offer this song at their lotus feet.

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