Chapter 4

Sri Madhavendra Puri's Devotional Service

In his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura gives the following summary of the Fourth Chapter. Passing along the path of Chatrabhoga and coming to Vrddhamantresvara, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu reached the border of Orissa. On His way He enjoyed transcendental bliss by chanting and begging alms in different villages. In this way He reached the celebrated village of Remuna, where there is a Deity of Gopinatha. There He narrated the story of Madhavendra Puri, as He had heard it from His spiritual master, Isvara Puri. The narration is as follows.

One night while in Govardhana, Madhavendra Puri dreamed that the Gopala Deity was within the forest. The next morning he invited his neighborhood friends to accompany him to excavate the Deity from the jungle. He then established the Deity of Sri Gopalaji on top of Govardhana Hill with great pomp. Gopala was worshiped, and the Annakuta festival was observed. This festival was known everywhere, and many people from the neighboring villages came to join. One night the Gopala Deity again appeared to Madhavendra Puri in a dream and asked him to go to Jagannatha Puri to collect some sandalwood pulp and smear it on the body of the Deity. Having received this order, Madhavendra Puri immediately started for Orissa. Traveling through Bengal, he reached Remuna village and there received a pot of condensed milk (ksira) offered to the Deity of Gopinathaji. This pot of condensed milk was stolen by Gopinatha and delivered to Madhavendra Puri. Since then, the Gopinatha Deity has been known as Ksira-cora-gopinatha, the Deity who stole the pot of condensed milk. After reaching Jagannatha Puri, Madhavendra Puri received permission from the King to take out one mana of sandalwood and eight ounces of camphor. Aided by two men, he brought these things to Remuna. Again he saw in a dream that Gopala at Govardhana Hill desired that very sandalwood to be turned into pulp mixed with camphor and smeared over the body of Gopinathaji. Understanding that that would satisfy the Gopala Deity at Govardhana, Madhavendra Puri executed the order and returned to Jagannatha Puri.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu narrated this story for Lord Nityananda Prabhu and other devotees and praised the pure devotional service of Madhavendra Puri. When He recited some verses composed by Madhavendra Puri, He went into an ecstatic mood. But when He saw that many people were assembled, He checked Himself and ate some sweet rice prasada. Thus He passed that night, and the next morning He again started for Jagannatha Puri.

TEXT 1

TEXT

yasmai datum corayan ksira-bhandam

gopinathah ksira-corabhidho 'bhut

sri-gopalah pradurasid vasah san

yat-premna tam madhavendram nato 'smi

SYNONYMS

yasmai--unto whom; datum--to deliver; corayan--stealing; ksira-bhandam--the pot of sweet rice; gopinathah--Gopinatha; ksira-cora--stealer of a pot of sweet rice; abhidhah--celebrated; abhut--became; sri-gopalah--Sri Gopala Deity; praduhrasit appeared; vasah--captivated; san--being; yat-premna--by his love; tam--unto him; madhavendram--Madhavendra Puri, who was in the Madhva-sampradaya; natah asmi--I offer my respectful obeisances.

TRANSLATION

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Madhavendra Puri, who was given a pot of sweet rice stolen by Sri Gopinatha, celebrated thereafter as Ksira-cora. Being pleased by Madhavendra Puri's love, Sri Gopala, the Deity at Govardhana, appeared to the public vision.

PURPORT

Bhaktivinoda Thakura annotates that this Gopala Deity was originally installed by Vajra, the grandson of Krsna. Madhavendra Puri rediscovered Gopala and established Him on top of Govardhana Hill. This Gopala Deity is still situated at Nathadvara and is under the management of descendants of Vallabhacarya. The worship of the Deity is very luxurious, and one who goes there can purchase varieties of prasada by paying a small price.

TEXT 2

TEXT

jaya jaya gauracandra jaya nityananda

jayadvaitacandra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

SYNONYMS

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

TRANSLATION

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

TEXTS 3-4

TEXT

niladri-gamana, jagannatha-darasana

sarvabhauma bhattacarya-prabhura milana

e saba lila prabhura dasa vrndavana

vistari' kariyachena uttama varnana

SYNONYMS

niladri-gamana--going to Jagannatha Puri; jagannatha-darasana--visiting the temple of Lord Jagannatha; sarvabhauma bhattacarya--with Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; prabhura--of the Lord; milana--meeting; e saba--all these; lila--pastimes; prabhura--of the Lord; dasa vrndavana--Vrndavana dasa Thakura; vistari'--elaborating; kariyachena--has done; uttama--very nice; varnana--description.

TRANSLATION

The Lord went to Jagannatha Puri and visited Lord Jagannatha's temple. He also met with Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. All these pastimes have been very elaborately explained by Vrndavana dasa Thakura in his book Caitanya-bhagavata.

TEXT 5

TEXT

sahaje vicitra madhura caitanya-vihara

vrndavana-dasa-mukhe amrtera dhara

SYNONYMS

sahaje--naturally; vicitra--wonderful; madhura--sweet; caitanya--of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vihara--the activities; vrndavana-dasa--of Vrndavana dasa Thakura; mukhe--from the mouth; amrtera--of nectar; dhara--shower.

TRANSLATION

By nature all the activities of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are very wonderful and sweet, and when they are described by Vrndavana dasa Thakura, they become like a shower of nectar.

TEXT 6

TEXT

ataeva taha varnile haya punarukti

dambha kari' varni yadi taiche nahi sakti

SYNONYMS

ataeva--therefore; taha--such activities; varnile--if describing; haya--there is; punarukti--repetition; dambha kari'--being proud; varni--I describe; yadi--if; taiche--such; nahi--there is not; sakti--power.

TRANSLATION

Therefore I very humbly submit that since these incidents have already been nicely described by Vrndavana dasa Thakura, I would be very proud to repeat the same thing, and this would not be very good. I do not have such powers.

TEXT 7

TEXT

caitanya-mangale yaha karila varnana

sutra-rupe sei lila kariye sucana

SYNONYMS

caitanya-mangale--in the book named Caitanya-mangala; yaha--whatever; karila varnana--has described; sutra-rupe--in the form of a synopsis; sei lila--those pastimes; kariye sucana--I shall present.

TRANSLATION

I am therefore presenting only a synopsis of those events already described elaborately by Vrndavana dasa Thakura in his Caitanya-mangala [now known as Caitanya-bhagavata].

TEXT 8

TEXT

tanra sutre ache, tenha na kaila varnana

yatha-kathancit kari' se lila kathana

SYNONYMS

tanra--his; sutre--in the synopsis; ache--there are; tenha--he; na kaila varnana--did not describe; yatha-kathancit--something of them; kari'--doing; se--these; lila--of pastimes; kathana--narration.

TRANSLATION

Some of the incidents he did not describe elaborately but only summarized, and these I shall try to describe in this book.

TEXT 9

TEXT

ataeva tanra paye kari namaskara

tanra paya aparadha na ha-uk amara

SYNONYMS

ataeva--therefore; tanra paye--at his lotus feet; kari--I do; namaskara--obeisances; tanra paya--to the lotus feet of Vrndavana dasa Thakura; aparadha--offense; na--not; ha-uk--let it happen; amara--my.

TRANSLATION

I thus offer my respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Vrndavana dasa Thakura. I hope that I will not offend his lotus feet by this action.

TEXT 10

TEXT

ei-mata mahaprabhu calila nilacale

cari bhakta sange krsna-kirtana-kutuhale

SYNONYMS

ei-mata--in this way; mahaprabhu--Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; calila--proceeded; nilacale--toward Jagannatha Puri; cari bhakta--four devotees; sange--with; krsna-kirtana--for chanting of the holy name of Krsna; kutuhale--in great eagerness.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu proceeded toward Jagannatha Puri with four of His devotees, and He chanted the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Krsna mantra, with great eagerness.

TEXT 11

TEXT

bhiksa lagi' eka-dina eka grama giya

apane bahuta anna anila magiya

SYNONYMS

bhiksa lagi'--for prasada; eka-dina--in one day; eka grama--to one village; giya--going; apane--personally; bahuta--a great quantity; anna--of rice and other eatables; anila--brought; magiya--begging.

TRANSLATION

Each day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally went to a village and collected a great quantity of rice and other grains for the preparation of prasada.

TEXT 12

TEXT

pathe bada bada dani vighna nahi kare

ta' sabare krpa kari' aila remunare

SYNONYMS

pathe--on the way; bada bada--big, big; dani--toll or tax collector; vighna--hindrances; nahi--not; kare--make; ta' sabare--to all of them; krpa kari'--showing mercy; aila--reached; remunare--the village known as Remuna.

TRANSLATION

There were many rivers on the way, and at each river there was a tax collector. They did not hinder the Lord, however, and He showed them mercy. Finally He reached the village of Remuna.

PURPORT

There is a railway station named Balesvara, and five miles to the west is the village of Remuna. The temple of Ksira-cora-gopinatha still exists in this village, and within the temple the samadhi tomb of Rasikananda Prabhu, the chief disciple of Syamananda Gosvami, can still be found.

TEXT 13

TEXT

remunate gopinatha parama-mohana

bhakti kari' kaila prabhu tanra darasana

SYNONYMS

remunate--in that village of Remuna; gopinatha--the Deity of Gopinatha; parama-mohana--very attractive; bhakti kari'--with great devotion; kaila--did; prabhu--the Lord; tanra--of Him; darasana--visit.

TRANSLATION

The Deity of Gopinatha in the temple at Remuna was very attractive. Lord Caitanya visited the temple and offered His obeisances with great devotion.

TEXT 14

TEXT

tanra pada-padma nikata pranama karite

tanra puspa-cuda padila prabhura mathate

SYNONYMS

tanra pada-padma--the lotus feet of Gopinatha; nikata--near; pranama--obeisances; karite--while offering; tanra--His; puspa-cuda--helmet of flowers; padila--fell down; prabhura--of the Lord; mathate--on the head.

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu offered His obeisances at the lotus feet of the Gopinatha Deity, the helmet of flowers on the head of Gopinatha fell down and landed on the head of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TEXT 15

TEXT

cuda pana mahaprabhura anandita mana

bahu nrtya-gita kaila lana bhakta-gana

SYNONYMS

cuda pana--getting the helmet; mahaprabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; anandita--pleased; mana--the mind; bahu--various kinds; nrtya-gita--dancing and chanting; kaila--performed; lana--with; bhakta-gana--the devotees.

TRANSLATION

When the Deity's helmet fell upon His head, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became very pleased, and thus He chanted and danced in various ways with His devotees.

TEXT 16

TEXT

prabhura prabhava dekhi' prema-rupa-guna

vismita ha-ila gopinathera dasa-gana

SYNONYMS

prabhura--of the Lord; prabhava--the influence; dekhi'--seeing; prema-rupa--His beauty; guna--and His qualities; vismita ha-ila--became struck with wonder; gopinathera--of the Gopinatha Deity; dasa-gana--the servants.

TRANSLATION

All the servants of the Deity were struck with wonder due to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's intense love, His exquisite beauty and His transcendental qualities.

TEXT 17

TEXT

nana-rupe pritye kaila prabhura sevana

sei ratri tahan prabhu karila vancana

SYNONYMS

nana-rupe--in various ways; pritye--on account of love; kaila--did; prabhura--of the Lord; sevana--service; sei ratri--that night; tahan--there; prabhu--Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karila--did; vancana--passing.

TRANSLATION

Because of their love for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they served Him in many ways, and that night the Lord stayed at the temple of Gopinatha.

TEXT 18

TEXT

mahaprasada-ksira-lobhe rahila prabhu tatha

purve isvara-puri tanre kahiyachena katha

SYNONYMS

maha-prasada--for the remnants of food; ksira--sweet rice; lobhe--in eagerness; rahila--remained; prabhu--the Lord; tatha--there; purve--before that; isvara-puri--Isvara Puri, His spiritual master; tanre--unto Him; kahiyachena--told; katha--a narration.

TRANSLATION

The Lord remained there because He was very eager to receive the remnants of sweet rice offered to the Gopinatha Deity, having heard a narration from His spiritual master, Isvara Puri, of what had once happened there.

TEXT 19

TEXT

'ksira-cora gopinatha' prasiddha tanra nama

bhakta-gane kahe prabhu sei ta' akhyana

SYNONYMS

ksira-cora gopinatha--the Gopinatha who stole the pot of sweet rice; prasiddha--very famous; tanra nama--His name; bhakta-gane--to all the devotees; kahe--tells; prabhu--the Lord; sei ta' akhyana--that narration.

TRANSLATION

That Deity was known widely as Ksira-cora-gopinatha, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu told His devotees the story of how the Deity became so famous.

TEXT 20

TEXT

purve madhava-purira lagi' ksira kaila curi

ataeva nama haila 'ksira-cora hari'

SYNONYMS

purve--formerly; madhava-purira lagi'--for Madhavendra Puri; ksira--sweet rice; kaila--did; curi--steal; ataeva--therefore; nama--the name; haila--became; ksira-cora hari--the Lord who stole a pot of sweet rice.

TRANSLATION

Formerly the Deity had stolen a pot of sweet rice for Madhavendra Puri; therefore He became very famous as the Lord who stole the sweet rice.

TEXT 21

TEXT

purve sri-madhava-puri aila vrndavana

bhramite, bhramite gela giri govardhana

SYNONYMS

purve--formerly; sri-madhava-puri--Srila Madhavendra Puri; aila--came; vrndavana--to Vrndavana; bhramite bhramite--while traveling; gela--went; giri govardhana--to the hill known as Govardhana.

TRANSLATION

Once, Sri Madhavendra Puri traveled to Vrndavana, where he came upon the hill known as Govardhana.

TEXT 22

TEXT

preme matta,----nahi tanra ratri-dina-jnana

ksane uthe, ksane pade, nahi sthanasthana

SYNONYMS

preme matta--maddened in the ecstasy of love of Krsna; nahi--there was not; tanra--of him; ratri-dina-jnana--knowledge of day and night; ksane--sometimes; uthe--stands; ksane pade--sometimes falls; nahi--there was no sense; sthana-asthana--a proper place or not.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri was almost mad in his ecstasy of love of Godhead, and he did not know whether it was day or night. Sometimes he stood up, and sometimes he fell to the ground. He could not discriminate whether he was in a proper place or not.

TEXT 23

TEXT

saila parikrama kari' govinda-kunde asi'

snana kari, vrksa-tale ache sandhyaya vasi'

SYNONYMS

saila--the hill; parikrama--circumambulation; kari'--finishing; govinda-kunde--to the bank of the Govinda-kunda; asi'--coming there; snana kari--taking a bath; vrksa-tale--under the shade of a tree; ache--is; sandhyaya--in the evening; vasi'--resting.

TRANSLATION

After circumambulating the hill, Madhavendra Puri went to Govinda-kunda and took his bath. He then sat beneath a tree to take his evening rest.

TEXT 24

TEXT

gopala-balaka eka dugdha-bhanda lana

asi' age dhari' kichu balila hasiya

SYNONYMS

gopala-balaka--cowherd boy; eka--one; dugdha-bhanda lana--taking a pot of milk; asi'--coming; age dhari'--holding it in front; kichu--something; balila--said; hasiya--smiling.

TRANSLATION

While he was sitting beneath a tree, an unknown cowherd boy came with a pot of milk, placed it before Madhavendra Puri and, smiling, addressed him as follows.

TEXT 25

TEXT

puri, ei dugdha lana kara tumi pana

magi' kene nahi khao, kiba kara dhyana

SYNONYMS

puri--O Madhavendra Puri; ei dugdha lana--taking this milk; kara tumi pana--drink it; magi'--by begging; kene--why; nahi--not; khao--you eat; kiba--what; kara--do; dhyana--meditation.

TRANSLATION

"O Madhavendra Puri, please drink the milk I have brought. Why don't you beg some food to eat? What kind of meditation are you undergoing?"

TEXT 26

TEXT

balakera saundarye purira ha-ila santosa

tahara madhura-vakye gela bhoka-sosa

SYNONYMS

balakera--of the boy; saundarye--in the beauty; purira--of Madhavendra Puri; ha-ila--was; santosa--very much satisfaction; tahara--of Him; madhura-vakye--by the sweet words; gela--forgot; bhoka-sosa--all hunger and thirst.

TRANSLATION

When he saw the beauty of that boy, Madhavendra Puri became very satisfied. Hearing His sweet words, he forgot all hunger and thirst.

TEXT 27

TEXT

puri kahe,----ke tumi, kahan tomara vasa

ke-mate janile, ami kari upavasa

SYNONYMS

puri kahe--Madhavendra Puri inquired from the boy; ke tumi--who are You; kahan tomara vasa--where do You reside; ke-mate--how; janile--You know; ami kari upavasa--I am fasting.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri said, "Who are You ? Where do You reside? And how did You know that I was fasting?"

TEXT 28

TEXT

balaka kahe,----gopa ami, ei grame vasi

amara gramete keha na rahe upavasi

SYNONYMS

balaka kahe--the boy said; gopa ami--I am a cowherd boy; ei grame vasi--I reside in this village; amara gramete--in My village; keha--anyone; na--not; rahe--remains; upavasi--without food.

TRANSLATION

The boy replied, "Sir, I am a cowherd boy, and I reside in this village. In My village, no one fasts.

TEXT 29

TEXT

keha anna magi' khaya, keha dugdhahara

ayacaka-jane ami diye ta' ahara

SYNONYMS

keha--someone; anna--food; magi'--begging; khaya--eats; keha--someone; dugdha-ahara--drinks milk; ayacaka-jane--a person who does not beg; ami--I; diye--supply; ta'--certainly; ahara--eatables.

TRANSLATION

"In this village a person can beg food from others and thus eat. Some people drink only milk, but if a person does not ask anyone for food, I supply him all his eatables.

TEXT 30

TEXT

jala nite stri-gana tomare dekhi' gela

stri-saba dugdha diya amare pathaila

SYNONYMS

jala nite--for bringing water; stri-gana--the women; tomare--you; dekhi' gela--saw you and went; stri-saba--all the women; dugdha--milk; diya--giving; amare--Me; pathaila--have sent.

TRANSLATION

"The women who come here to take water saw you, and they supplied Me with this milk and sent Me to you."

TEXT 31

TEXT

go-dohana karite cahi, sighra ami yaba

ara-bara asi ami ei bhanda la-iba

SYNONYMS

go-dohana karite cahi--I want to milk the cows; sighra--very soon; ami yaba--I must go; ara-bara--again; asi--coming back; ami--I; ei--this; bhanda--pot; la-iba--will take it back.

TRANSLATION

The boy continued, "I must go very soon to milk the cows, but I shall return and take back this milk pot from you."

TEXT 32

TEXT

eta bali' gela balaka na dekhiye ara

madhava-purira citte ha-ila camatkara

SYNONYMS

eta bali'--saying this; gela--went; balaka--the boy; na--not; dekhiye--could be seen; ara--any more; madhava-purira--of Madhavendra Puri; citte--in the mind; ha-ila--there was; camatkara--wonder.

TRANSLATION

Saying this, the boy left the place. Indeed, He suddenly could be seen no more, and Madhavendra Puri's heart was filled with wonder.

TEXT 33

TEXT

dugdha pana kari' bhanda dhuna rakhila

bata dekhe, se balaka punah na aila

SYNONYMS

dugdha--milk; pana kari'--drinking; bhanda--the pot; dhuna--washing; rakhila--kept aside; bata dekhe--looks at the path; se balaka--the boy; punah--again; na aila--did not come back.

TRANSLATION

After drinking the milk, Madhavendra Puri washed the pot and put it aside. He looked toward the path, but the boy never returned.

TEXT 34

TEXT

vasi' nama laya puri, nidra nahi haya

sesa-ratre tandra haila,----bahya-vrtti-laya

SYNONYMS

vasi'--sitting there; nama laya--chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra; puri--Madhavendra Puri; nidra--sleep; nahi haya--there was not; sesa-ratre--at the end of the night; tandra--dozing; haila--there was; bahya-vrtti--of external activities; laya--stop.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri could not sleep. He sat and chanted the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and at the end of the night he dozed a little, and his external activities stopped.

TEXT 35

TEXT

svapne dekhe, sei balaka sammukhe asina

eka kunje lana gela hatete dharina

SYNONYMS

svapne--in a dream; dekhe--he saw; sei balaka--the very same boy; sammukhe--in front; asina--coming; eka kunje--in one of the bushes; lana--taking him; gela--went; hatete dharina--holding him by the hand.

TRANSLATION

In a dream Madhavendra Puri saw the very same boy. The boy came before him and, holding his hand, took him to a bush in the jungle.

TEXT 36

TEXT

kunja dekhana kahe,----ami ei kunje ra-i

sita-vrsti-vatagnite maha-duhkha pai

SYNONYMS

kunja dekhana--while showing him the bush; kahe--He says; ami--I; ei--this; kunje--in the bush; ra-i--reside; sita-vrsti--in chilly cold and in showering rain; vata--in severe wind; agnite--and in scorching heat; maha-duhkha pai--I am experiencing great pain.

TRANSLATION

The boy showed Madhavendra Puri the bush and said, "I reside in this bush, and because of this I suffer very much from severe cold, rain showers, winds and scorching heat.

TEXT 37

TEXT

gramera loka ani' ama kadha' kunja haite

parvata-upari lana rakha bhala-mate

SYNONYMS

gramera--of the village; loka--the people; ani'--bringing; ama--Me; kadha'--take out; kunja haite--from this bush; parvata-upari--on the top of the hill; lana--taking Me; rakha--keep Me; bhala-mate--very nicely.

TRANSLATION

"Please bring the people of the village and get them to take Me out of this bush. Then have them situate Me nicely on top of the hill.

TEXT 38

TEXT

eka matha kari' tahan karaha sthapana

bahu sitala jale kara sri-anga marjana

SYNONYMS

eka--one; matha--temple; kari'--constructing; tahan--there; karaha--do; sthapana--installment; bahu--much; sitala--cold; jale--in water; kara--do; sri-anga--My transcendental body; marjana--washing.

TRANSLATION

"Please construct a temple on top of that hill," the boy continued, "and install Me in that temple. After this, wash Me with large quantities of cold water so that My body may be cleansed.

TEXT 39

TEXT

bahu-dina tomara patha kari niriksana

kabe asi' madhava ama karibe sevana

SYNONYMS

bahu-dina--many days; tomara--of you; patha--the path; kari--I do; niriksana--observing; kabe--when; asi'--coming; madhava--Madhavendra Puri; ama--Me; karibe--he will do; sevana--serving.

TRANSLATION

"For many days I have been observing you, and I have been wondering, 'When will Madhavendra Puri come here to serve Me?'

TEXT 40

TEXT

tomara prema-vase kari' seva angikara

darsana diya nistariba sakala samsara

SYNONYMS

tomara--your; prema-vase--by being subjugated by the love; kari'--doing; seva--of service; angikara--acceptance; darsana diya--giving audience; nistariba--I shall deliver; sakala--all; samsara--the material world.

TRANSLATION

"I have accepted your service due to your ecstatic love for Me. Thus I shall appear, and by My audience all fallen souls will be delivered.

TEXT 41

TEXT

'sri-gopala' nama mora,----govardhana-dhari

vajrera sthapita, ami ihan adhikari

SYNONYMS

sri-gopala nama--the name Sri Gopala; mora--My; govardhana-dhari--the lifter of Govardhana Hill; vajrera--by Vajra, the grandson of Krsna; sthapita--installed; ami--I; ihan--here; adhikari--the authority.

TRANSLATION

"My name is Gopala. I am the lifter of Govardhana Hill. I was installed by Vajra, and here I am the authority.

TEXT 42

TEXT

saila-upari haite ama kunje lukana

mleccha-bhaye sevaka mora gela palana

SYNONYMS

saila-upari--the top of the hill; haite--from; ama--Me; kunje--in the bushes; lukana--concealing; mleccha-bhaye--from fear of the Muslims; sevaka--servant; mora--My; gela--went; palana--running away.

TRANSLATION

"When the Muslims attacked, the priest who was serving Me hid Me in this bush in the jungle. Then he ran away out of fear of the attack.

TEXT 43

TEXT

sei haite rahi ami ei kunja-sthane

bhala haila aila ama kadha savadhane

SYNONYMS

sei haite--from that time; rahi--reside; ami--I; ei--this; kunja-sthane--in the bush; bhala haila--it was very good; aila--you have come; ama--Me; kadha--take out; savadhane--with care.

TRANSLATION

"Since the priest went away, I have been staying in this bush. It is very good that you have come here. Now just remove Me with care."

TEXT 44

TEXT

eta bali' se-balaka antardhana kaila

jagiya madhava-puri vicara karila

SYNONYMS

eta bali'--saying this; se-balaka--that very boy; antardhana kaila--disappeared; jagiya--awakening; madhava-puri--Madhavendra Puri; vicara--consideration; karila--made.

TRANSLATION

After saying this, the boy disappeared. Then Madhavendra Puri woke up and began to consider his dream.

TEXT 45

TEXT

sri-krsnake dekhinu muni narinu cinite

eta bali' premavese padila bhumite

SYNONYMS

sri-krsnake dekhinu--saw Lord Krsna personally; muni--I; narinu--was unable; cinite--to identify; eta bali'--saying this; prema-avese--in the ecstasy of love; padila--fell down; bhumite--on the ground.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri began to lament, "I saw Lord Krsna directly, but I could not recognize Him!" Thus he fell down on the ground in ecstatic love.

TEXT 46

TEXT

ksaneka rodana kari, mana kaila dhira

ajna-palana lagi' ha-ila susthira

SYNONYMS

ksaneka--for some time; rodana kari--crying; mana--mind; kaila--made; dhira--pacified; ajna--the order; palana--of executing; lagi'--for the matter; ha-ila--became; su-sthira--silent.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri cried for some time, but then he fixed his mind on executing the order of Gopala. Thus he became tranquil.

TEXT 47

TEXT

pratah-snana kari' puri grama-madhye gela

saba loka ekatra kari' kahite lagila

SYNONYMS

pratah-snana--morning bath; kari'--finishing; puri--Madhavendra Puri; grama-madhye--within the village; gela--entered; saba loka--all the people; ekatra kari'--assembling; kahite lagila--began to speak.

TRANSLATION

After taking his morning bath, Madhavendra Puri entered the village and assembled all the people. Then he spoke as follows.

TEXT 48

TEXT

gramera isvara tomara----govardhana-dhari

kunje ache, cala, tanre bahira ye kari

SYNONYMS

gramera--of the village; isvara--the proprietor; tomara--your; govardhana-dhari--the lifter of Govardhana Hill; kunje ache--in the bushes in the jungle; cala--let us go; tanre--Him; bahira ye kari--take out.

TRANSLATION

"The proprietor of this village, Govardhana-dhari, is lying in the bushes. Let us go there and rescue Him from that place.

TEXT 49

TEXT

atyanta nivida kunja,----nari pravesite

kuthari kodali laha dvara karite

SYNONYMS

atyanta--very much; nivida--dense; kunja--bushes; nari--we are not able; pravesite--to enter; kuthari--choppers; kodali--spades; laha--take; dvara karite--to make a way.

TRANSLATION

"The bushes are very dense, and we will not be able to enter the jungle. Therefore take choppers and spades to clear the way."

TEXT 50

TEXT

suni' loka tanra sange calila harise

kunja kati' dvara kari' karila pravese

SYNONYMS

suni'--hearing; loka--the people; tanra--him; sange--with; calila--went; harise--with great pleasure; kunja kati'--cutting the bushes; dvara--a way; kari'--making; karila pravese--entered.

TRANSLATION

After hearing this, all the people accompanied Madhavendra Puri with great pleasure. According to his directions, they cut down bushes, cleared a path and entered the jungle.

TEXT 51

TEXT

thakura dekhila mati-trne acchadita

dekhi' saba loka haila anande vismita

SYNONYMS

thakura--the Deity; dekhila--they saw; mati--with dirt; trne--and grass; acchadita--covered; dekhi'--seeing; saba loka--all the people; haila--became; anande--with pleasure; vismita--amazed.

TRANSLATION

When they saw the Deity covered with dirt and grass, they were all struck with wonder and pleasure.

TEXT 52

TEXT

avarana dura kari' karila vidite

maha-bhari thakura----keha nare calaite

SYNONYMS

avarana--the covering; dura kari'--clearing away; karila vidite--declared; maha-bhari--very heavy; thakura--the Deity; keha--anyone; nare--not able; calaite--to cause to move.

TRANSLATION

After they cleansed the body of the Deity, some of them said, "The Deity is very heavy. No one person can move Him."

TEXT 53

TEXT

maha-maha-balistha loka ekatra karina

parvata-upari gela puri thakura lana

SYNONYMS

maha-maha-balistha--who are very strong; loka--persons; ekatra karina--assembling; parvata-upari--to the top of the hill; gela--went; puri--Madhavendra Puri; thakura lana--taking the Deity.

TRANSLATION

Since the Deity was very heavy, some of the stronger men assembled to carry Him to the top of the hill. Madhavendra Puri also went there.

TEXT 54

TEXT

patharera simhasane thakura vasaila

bada eka pathara prsthe avalamba dila

SYNONYMS

patharera--of stone; simha-asane--on a throne; thakura--the Deity; vasaila--installed; bada--big; eka--one; pathara--stone; prsthe--at the back; avalamba--support; dila--gave.

TRANSLATION

A big stone was made into a throne, and the Deity was installed upon it. Another big stone was placed behind the Deity for support.

TEXT 55

TEXT

gramera brahmana saba nava ghata lana

govinda-kundera jala anila chanina

SYNONYMS

gramera--of the village; brahmana--brahmana priests; saba--all; nava--nine; ghata--waterpots; lana--bringing; govinda-kundera--of the lake known as Govinda-kunda; jala--the water; anila--brought; chanina--filtering.

TRANSLATION

All the brahmana priests of the village gathered together with nine waterpots, and water from Govinda-kunda lake was brought there and filtered.

TEXT 56

TEXT

nava sata-ghata jala kaila upanita

nana vadya-bheri baje, stri-gana gaya gita

SYNONYMS

nava--nine; sata-ghata--hundreds of waterpots; jala--water; kaila--made; upanita--brought; nana--various; vadya--musical sounds; bheri--bugles; baje--vibrate; stri-gana--all the women; gaya--chant; gita--various songs.

TRANSLATION

When the Deity was being installed, nine hundred pots of water were brought from Govinda-kunda. There were musical sounds of bugles and drums and the singing of women.

TEXT 57

TEXT

keha gaya, keha nace, mahotsava haila

dadhi, dugdha, ghrta aila grame yata chila

SYNONYMS

keha gaya--some sing; keha nace--some dance; mahotsava haila--there was a festival; dadhi--yogurt; dugdha--milk; ghrta--clarified butter; aila--was brought; grame--in the village; yata--as much; chila--as there was.

TRANSLATION

During the festival at the installation ceremony, some people sang and some danced. All the milk, yogurt and clarified butter in the village was brought to the festival.

TEXT 58

TEXT

bhoga-samagri aila sandesadi yata

nana upahara, taha kahite pari kata

SYNONYMS

bhoga-samagri--ingredients for eatables to be offered; aila--brought in; sandesa-adi--sweetmeats; yata--all kinds of; nana--various; upahara--presentations; taha--that; kahite--to say; pari--I am able; kata--how much.

TRANSLATION

Various foods and sweetmeats, as well as other kinds of presentations, were brought there. I am unable to describe all these.

TEXT 59

TEXT

tulasi adi, puspa, vastra aila aneka

apane madhava-puri kaila abhiseka

SYNONYMS

tulasi--tulasi leaves; adi--and others; puspa--flowers; vastra--garments; aila--arrived; aneka--in great quantity; apane--personally; madhava-puri--Sri Madhavendra Puri; kaila--executed; abhiseka--the bathing of the Deity at the beginning of the installation ceremony.

TRANSLATION

The villagers brought a large quantity of tulasi leaves, flowers, and various kinds of garments. Then Sri Madhavendra Puri personally began the abhiseka [bathing ceremony].

PURPORT

In the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (sixth vilasa, verse 30) it is stated that the Deity should be bathed in water mixed with yogurt and milk, accompanied by the sounds of conchshells, bells and other instruments and the chanting of the mantra om bhagavate vasudevaya namah, as well as the chanting of the Brahma-samhita verses beginning cintamani-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vrksa-laksavrtesu surabhir abhipalayantam.

TEXT 60

TEXT

amangala dura kari' karaila snana

bahu taila diya kaila sri-anga cikkana

SYNONYMS

amangala--all inauspiciousness; dura kari'--driving away; karaila--caused; snana--bathing; bahu--a great quantity; taila--oil; diya--applying; kaila--made; sri-anga--the body; cikkana--glossy.

TRANSLATION

After all inauspicious things were driven away by the chanting of the mantra, the Deity's bathing ceremony started. First the Deity was massaged with a large quantity of oil, so that His body became very glossy.

TEXT 61

TEXT

panca-gavya, pancamrte snana karana

maha-snana karaila sata ghata dina

SYNONYMS

panca-gavya--in five kinds of products from the cow; panca-amrte--in a preparation made with five palatable foods; snana--bath; karana--finishing; maha-snana--a vast bath with ghee and water; karaila--performed; sata--one hundred; ghata--waterpots; dina--with.

TRANSLATION

After the first bathing, further bathings were conducted with panca-gavya and then with pancamrta. Then the maha-snana was performed with ghee and water, which had been brought in one hundred pots.

PURPORT

The ingredients of panca-gavya are milk, yogurt, ghee (clarified butter), cow urine and cow dung. All these items come from the cow; therefore we can just imagine how important the cow is, since its urine and stool are required for bathing the Deity. The pancamrta consists of five kinds of nectar--yogurt, milk, ghee, honey and sugar. The major portion of this preparation also comes from the cow. To make it more palatable, sugar and honey are added.

TEXT 62

TEXT

punah taila diya kaila sri-anga cikkana

sankha-gandhodake kaila snana samadhana

SYNONYMS

punah--again; taila diya--with oil; kaila--made; sri-anga--the body of the Deity; cikkana--shiny; sankha-gandha-udake--in water scented with flowers and sandalwood pulp and kept within a conchshell; kaila--did; snana--bath; samadhana--execution.

TRANSLATION

After the maha-snana was finished, the Deity was again massaged with scented oil and His body made glossy. Then the last bathing ceremony was performed with scented water kept within a conchshell.

PURPORT

In his commentary on this occasion, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura quotes from the Hari-bhakti-vilasa. Barley powder, wheat powder, vermilion powder, urad dal powder and another powder preparation called avata (made by mixing banana powder and ground rice) are applied to the Deity's body with a brush made from the hair at the end of a cow's tail. This produces a nice finish. The oil smeared over the body of the Deity should be scented. To perform the maha-snana, at least two and a half manas (about twenty-four gallons) of water are needed to pour over the body of the Deity.

TEXT 63

TEXT

sri-anga marjana kari' vastra paraila

candana, tulasi, puspa-mala ange dila

SYNONYMS

sri-anga--the transcendental body of the Deity; marjana kari'--cleansing; vastra--garments; paraila--were put on; candana--sandalwood pulp; tulasi--tulasi leaves; puspa-mala--garlands of flowers; ange--on the body; dila--were placed.

TRANSLATION

After the body of the Deity was cleansed, He was dressed very nicely with new garments. Then sandalwood pulp, tulasi garlands and other fragrant flower garlands were placed upon the body of the Deity.

TEXT 64

TEXT

dhupa, dipa, kari' nana bhoga lagaila

dadhi-dugdha-sandesadi yata kichu aila

SYNONYMS

dhupa--incense; dipa--lamp; kari'--burning; nana--various; bhoga--foods; lagaila--were offered; dadhi--yogurt; dugdha--milk; sandesa--sweetmeats; adi--and others; yata--as much as; kichu--some; aila--received.

TRANSLATION

After the bathing ceremony was finished, incense and lamps were burned and all kinds of food offered before the Deity. These foods included yogurt, milk and as many sweetmeats as were received.

TEXT 65

TEXT

suvasita jala nava-patre samarpila

acamana diya se tambula nivedila

SYNONYMS

suvasita jala--scented water; nava-patre--in new pots; samarpila--were offered; acamana diya--when offering acamana (water for washing the feet and mouth); se--he; tambula--pan and spices; nivedila--offered.

TRANSLATION

The Deity was first offered many varieties of food, then scented drinking water in new pots, and then water for washing the mouth. Finally pan mixed with a variety of spices was offered.

TEXT 66

TEXT

aratrika kari' kaila bahuta stavana

dandavat kari' kaila atma-samarpana

SYNONYMS

aratrika--the performance of aratrika; kari'--finishing; kaila--chanted; bahuta--varieties; stavana--of prayers; dandavat--obeisances; kari'--offering; kaila--did; atma-samarpana--self-surrender.

TRANSLATION

After the last offering of tambula and pan, bhoga-aratrika was performed. Finally everyone offered various prayers and then obeisances, falling flat before the Deity in full surrender.

TEXT 67

TEXT

gramera yateka tandula, dali godhuma-curna

sakala aniya dila parvata haila purna

SYNONYMS

gramera--of the village; yateka--all; tandula--the rice; dali--dal; godhuma-curna--wheat flour; sakala--all; aniya--bringing; dila--offered; parvata--the top of the hill; haila--became; purna--filled.

TRANSLATION

As soon as the people of the village had understood that the Deity was going to be installed, they had brought their entire stocks of rice, dal and wheat flour. They brought such large quantities that the entire surface of the top of the hill was filled.

TEXT 68

TEXT

kumbhakara ghare chila ye mrd-bhajana

saba anaila prate, cadila randhana

SYNONYMS

kumbhakara--of the potters of the village; ghare--in the houses; chila--there was; ye--whatever; mrd-bhajana--clay pots; saba--all; anaila--brought; prate--in the morning; cadila--started; randhana--cooking.

TRANSLATION

When the villagers brought their stock of rice, dal and flour, the potters of the village brought all kinds of cooking pots, and in the morning the cooking began.

TEXT 69

TEXT

dasa-vipra anna randhi' kare eka stupa

jana-panca randhe vyanjanadi nana supa

SYNONYMS

dasa-vipra--ten brahmanas; anna--food grains; randhi'--cooking; kare--do; eka stupa--in one stack; jana-panca--five brahmanas; randhe--cook; vyanjana-adi--vegetables; nana--various; supa--liquid.

TRANSLATION

Ten brahmanas cooked the food grains, and five brahmanas cooked both dry and liquid vegetables.

TEXT 70

TEXT

vanya saka-phala-mule vividha vyanjana

keha bada-badi-kadi kare vipra-gana

SYNONYMS

vanya saka--spinach of the forest; phala--fruits; mule--with roots; vividha--varieties; vyanjana--vegetables; keha--someone; bada-badi--bada and badi; kadi--from the pulp of dal; kare--made; vipra-gana--all the brahmanas.

TRANSLATION

The vegetable preparations were made from various kinds of spinach, roots and fruits collected from the forest, and someone had made bada and badi by mashing dal. In this way the brahmanas prepared all kinds of food.

TEXT 71

TEXT

jana panca-sata ruti kare rasi-rasi

anna-vyanjana saba rahe ghrte bhasi'

SYNONYMS

jana panca-sata--five to seven men; ruti--chapatis; kare--make; rasi-rasi--in great quantity; anna-vyanjana--food grains and vegetables; saba--all; rahe--remained; ghrte--in ghee; bhasi'--overflooding.

TRANSLATION

Five to seven men had prepared a huge quantity of chapatis, which were sufficiently covered with ghee [clarified butter], as were all the vegetables, rice and dal.

TEXT 72

TEXT

nava-vastra pati' tahe palasera pata

randhi' randhi' tara upara rasi kaila bhata

SYNONYMS

nava-vastra--new cloth; pati'--spreading; tahe--on that; palasera pata--the leaves of palasa; randhi' randhi'--cooking and cooking; tara upara--on that; rasi--stacked; kaila--made; bhata--rice.

TRANSLATION

All the cooked rice was stacked on palasa leaves, which were on new cloths spread over the ground.

TEXT 73

TEXT

tara pase ruti-rasira parvata ha-ila

supa-adi-vyanjana-bhanda caudike dharila

SYNONYMS

tara pase--around the stack of rice; ruti--of chapatis; rasira--of stacks; parvata--another small hill; ha-ila--became; supa-adi--of all liquid vegetables; vyanjana--and of all other vegetables; bhanda--pots; caudike--all around; dharila--were placed.

TRANSLATION

Around the stack of cooked rice were stacks of chapatis, and all the vegetables and liquid vegetable preparations were placed in different pots and put around them.

TEXT 74

TEXT

tara pase dadhi, dugdha, matha, sikharini

payasa, mathani, sara pase dhari ani'

SYNONYMS

tara pase--by the side of the vegetables; dadhi--yogurt; dugdha--milk; matha--buttermilk; sikharini--a sweet preparation made with yogurt; payasa--sweet rice; mathani--cream; sara--solid cream collected over yogurt; pase--by the side; dhari--keeping; ani'--bringing.

TRANSLATION

Pots of yogurt, milk, buttermilk and sikharini, sweet rice, cream and solid cream were placed alongside the vegetables.

PURPORT

In this kind of ceremony, which is called Annakuta, cooked rice is stacked like a small mountain for prasada distribution.

TEXT 75

TEXT

hena-mate anna-kuta karila sajana

puri-gosani gopalere kaila samarpana

SYNONYMS

hena-mate--in this way; anna-kuta--of the Annakuta ceremony; karila--did; sajana--performance; puri-gosani--Madhavendra Puri; gopalere--unto the Gopala Deity; kaila--did; samarpana--offering.

TRANSLATION

In this way the Annakuta ceremony was performed, and Madhavendra Puri Gosvami personally offered everything to Gopala.

TEXT 76

TEXT

aneka ghata bhari' dila suvasita jala

bahu-dinera ksudhaya gopala khaila sakala

SYNONYMS

aneka ghata--many waterpots; bhari'--filled; dila--offered; suvasita--scented; jala--water; bahu-dinera--of many days; ksudhaya--by hunger; gopala--Gopala; khaila--ate; sakala--everything.

TRANSLATION

Many waterpots were filled with scented water for drinking, and Lord Sri Gopala, who had been hungry for many days, ate everything offered to Him.

TEXT 77

TEXT

yadyapi gopala saba anna-vyanjana khaila

tanra hasta-sparse punah temani ha-ila

SYNONYMS

yadyapi--although; gopala--Lord Gopala; saba--all; anna-vyanjana--dal, rice and vegetables; khaila--ate; tanra--His; hasta--of the hands; sparse--by the touch; punah--again; temani--exactly as before; ha-ila--became.

TRANSLATION

Although Sri Gopala ate everything offered, still, by the touch of His transcendental hand, everything remained as before.

PURPORT

The atheists cannot understand how the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in the form of the Deity, can eat all the food offered by His devotees. In the Bhagavad-gita (9.26) Krsna says:

patram puspam phalam

toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati

tad aham bhakty-upahrtam

asnami prayatatmanah

"If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it." (Bg. 9.26) The Lord is purna, complete, and therefore He eats everything offered by His devotees. However, by the touch of His transcendental hand, all the food remains exactly as before. It is the quality that is changed. Before the food was offered, it was something else, but after it is offered the food acquires a transcendental quality. Because the Lord is purna, He remains the same even after eating. Purnasya purnam adaya purnam evavasisyate. The food offered to Krsna is qualitatively as good as Krsna; just as Krsna is avyaya, indestructible, the food eaten by Krsna, being identical with Him, remains as before.

Apart from this, Krsna can eat the food with any one of His transcendental senses. He can eat by seeing the food or by touching it. Nor should one think that it is necessary for Krsna to eat. He does not become hungry like an ordinary human being; nonetheless, He presents Himself as being hungry, and as such, He can eat everything and anything, regardless of quantity. The philosophy underlying Krsna's eating is understandable by our transcendental senses. When our senses are purified by constantly being engaged in the devotional service of the Lord, we can understand Krsna's activities, names, forms, qualities, pastimes and entourage.

atah sri-krsna-namadi

na bhaved grahyam indriyaih

sevonmukhe hi jihvadau

svayam eva sphuraty adah

"No one can understand Krsna by the blunt material senses. But He reveals Himself to the devotees, being pleased with them for their transcendental loving service unto Him." (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.234) The devotees understand Krsna through revelation. It is not possible for a mundane scholar to understand Krsna and His pastimes through research work on the nondevotional platform.

TEXT 78

TEXT

iha anubhava kaila madhava gosani

tanra thani gopalera lukana kichu nai

SYNONYMS

iha--this; anubhava kaila--perceived; madhava gosani--Madhavendra Puri Gosvami; tanra thani--before him; gopalera--of Lord Gopala; lukana--secret; kichu--anything; nai--there is not.

TRANSLATION

How Gopala ate everything while the food remained the same was transcendentally perceived by Madhavendra Puri Gosvami; nothing remains a secret to the devotees of the Lord.

TEXT 79

TEXT

eka-dinera udyoge aiche mahotsava kaila

gopala-prabhave haya, anye na janila

SYNONYMS

eka-dinera udyoge--by one day's attempt; aiche--such; mahotsava--festival; kaila--performed; gopala--of Gopala; prabhave--by the potency; haya--is possible; anye--others; na--not; janila--know.

TRANSLATION

The wonderful festival and installation of Sri Gopalaji was arranged in one day. Certainly all this was accomplished by the potency of Gopala. No one but a devotee can understand this.

PURPORT

The Krsna consciousness movement has spread all over the world within a very short time (within five years), and mundane people are very astonished at this. However, by the grace of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, we understand that everything is possible by the grace of Krsna. Why does Krsna have to take five years? In five days He can spread His name and fame all over the world like wildfire. Those who have faith in and devotion to Krsna can understand that these things happen so wonderfully by the grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We are simply the instruments. In the fierce Battle of Kuruksetra, Arjuna was victorious within eighteen days simply because Krsna's grace was on his side.

yatra yogesvarah krsno

yatra partho dhanur-dharah

tatra srir vijayo bhutir

dhruva nitir matir mama

"Wherever there is Krsna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power and morality. That is my opinion." (Bg. 18.78)

If the preachers in our Krsna consciousness movement are sincere devotees of Krsna, Krsna will always be with them because He is very kind and favorable to all His devotees. Just as Arjuna and Krsna were victorious in the Battle of Kuruksetra, this Krsna consciousness movement will surely emerge victorious if we but remain sincere devotees of the Lord and serve the Lord according to the advice of predecessors (the six Gosvamis and other devotees of the Lord). As Narottama dasa Thakura has stated: tandera carana sevi bhakta-sane vasa, janame janame haya ei abhilasa. The Krsna consciousness devotees must always desire to remain in the society of devotees. Bhakta-sane vasa: they cannot go outside the Krsna conscious society or the movement. Within the society we must try to serve the predecessors by preaching Caitanya Mahaprabhu's cult and spreading His name and fame all over the world. If we attempt this seriously within the society, it will be successfully done. There is no question of estimating how this will happen in the mundane sense. But without a doubt, it happens by the grace of Krsna.

TEXT 80

TEXT

acamana diya dila vidaka-sancaya

arati karila loke, kare jaya jaya

SYNONYMS

acamana--washing water; diya--offering; dila--gave; vidaka-sancaya--betel nuts; arati karila--arati was performed; loke--all the people; kare--chant; jaya jaya--the words jaya jaya, "all glories."

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri offered water to Gopala for washing His mouth, and he gave Him betel nuts to chew. Then, while arati was performed, all the people chanted, "Jaya, Jaya!" ["All glories to Gopala!"].

TEXT 81

TEXT

sayya karaila, nutana khata anana

nava vastra ani' tara upare patiya

SYNONYMS

sayya--a bedstead; karaila--made; nutana--new; khata--bedstead; anana--bringing; nava vastra--new cloth; ani'--bringing; tara--of the cot; upare--on the top; patiya--spreading.

TRANSLATION

Arranging for the Lord's rest, Sri Madhavendra Puri brought a new cot, and over this he spread a new bedspread and thus made the bed ready.

TEXT 82

TEXT

trna-tati diya cari-dik avarila

uparete eka tati diya acchadila

SYNONYMS

trna-tati--straw mattress; diya--with; cari-dik--all around; avarila--covered; uparete--on top; eka--one; tati--similar straw mattress; diya--with; acchadila--covered.

TRANSLATION

A temporary temple was constructed by covering the bed all around with a straw mattress. Thus there was a bed and a straw mattress to cover it.

TEXT 83

TEXT

puri-gosani ajna dila sakala brahmane

a-bala-vrddha gramera loka karaha bhojane

SYNONYMS

puri-gosani--Madhavendra Puri; ajna--order; dila--gave; sakala brahmane--to all the brahmanas; a-bala-vrddha--beginning from the children up to the old persons; gramera--of the village; loka--the people; karaha--make; bhojane--take prasada.

TRANSLATION

After the Lord was laid down to rest on the bed, Madhavendra Puri gathered all the brahmanas who had prepared the prasada and said to them, "Now feed everyone sumptuously, from the children on up to the aged!"

TEXT 84

TEXT

sabe vasi' krame krame bhojana karila

brahmana-brahmani-gane age khaoyaila

SYNONYMS

sabe--all; vasi'--sitting; krame krame--by and by; bhojana karila--honored prasada and ate it; brahmana-brahmani-gane--the brahmanas and their wives; age--first; khaoyaila--were fed.

TRANSLATION

All the people gathered there sat down to honor the prasada, and by and by they took food. All the brahmanas and their wives were fed first.

PURPORT

According to the varnasrama system, the brahmanas are always honored first. Thus at the festival, the brahmanas and their wives were first offered the remnants of food, and then the others (ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras). This has always been the system, and it is still prevalent in India, even though the caste brahmanas are not qualified. The system is still current due to the varnasrama institutional rules and regulations.

TEXT 85

TEXT

anya gramera loka yata dekhite aila

gopala dekhiya saba prasada khaila

SYNONYMS

anya--other; gramera--of the villages; loka--people; yata--all; dekhite--to see; aila--came; gopala--the Lord Gopala; dekhiya--seeing; saba--all; prasada--remnants of food; khaila--partook.

TRANSLATION

Not only did the people of Govardhana village take prasada, but also those who came from other villages. They also saw the Deity of Gopala and were offered prasada to eat.

TEXT 86

TEXT

dekhiya purira prabhava loke camatkara

purva annakuta yena haila saksatkara

SYNONYMS

dekhiya--by seeing; purira--of Madhavendra Puri; prabhava--the influence; loke--all the people; camatkara--struck with wonder; purva--formerly; anna-kuta--the Annakuta ceremony during the time of Krsna; yena--as if; haila--became; saksatkara--directly manifest.

TRANSLATION

Seeing the influence of Madhavendra Puri, all the people gathered there were struck with wonder. They saw that the Annakuta ceremony, which had been performed before during the time of Krsna, was now taking place again by the mercy of Sri Madhavendra Puri.

PURPORT

Formerly, at the end of Dvapara-yuga, all the cowherd men of Vrndavana had arranged to worship King Indra, but they gave this worship up, following the advice of Krsna. Instead, they performed a ceremony whereby they worshiped the cows, brahmanas and Govardhana Hill. At that time Krsna expanded Himself and declared, "I am Govardhana Hill." In this way He accepted all the paraphernalia and food offered to Govardhana Hill. It is stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.24.26, 31-33):

pacyantam vividhah pakah

supantah payasadayah

samyava-pupa-saskulyah

sarva-dohas ca grhyatam

kalatmana bhagavata

sakra-darpam jighamsata

proktam nisamya nandadyah

sadhv agrhnanta tad-vacah

tatha ca vyadadhuh sarvam

yathaha madhusudanah

vacayitva svasty-ayanam

tad-dravyena giri-dvijan

upahrtya balin sarvan

adrta yavasam gavam

go-dhanani puras-krtya

girim cakruh pradaksinam

" 'Prepare very nice foods of all descriptions from the grains and ghee collected for the yajna. Prepare rice, dal, then halavah, pakora, puri and all kinds of milk preparations like sweet rice, sweetballs, sandesa, rasagulla and laddu.'

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, therefore advised the cowherd men to stop the Indra-yajna and begin the Govardhana-puja to chastise Indra, who was very much puffed up at being the supreme controller of the heavenly planets. The honest and simple cowherd men, headed by Nanda Maharaja, accepted Krsna's proposal and executed in detail everything He advised. They performed Govardhana worship and circumambulation of the hill. According to the instruction of Lord Krsna, Nanda Maharaja and the cowherd men called in learned brahmanas and began to worship Govardhana Hill by chanting Vedic hymns and offering prasada. The inhabitants of Vrndavana assembled together, decorated their cows and gave them grass. Keeping the cows in front, they began to circumambulate Govardhana Hill."

TEXT 87

TEXT

sakala brahmane puri vaisnava karila

sei sei seva-madhye saba niyojila

SYNONYMS

sakala brahmane--all the brahmanas who were present there; puri--Madhavendra Puri Gosvami; vaisnava karila--elevated to the position of Vaisnavas; sei sei--under different divisions; seva-madhye--in rendering service; saba--all of them; niyojila--were engaged.

TRANSLATION

All the brahmanas present on that occasion were initiated by Madhavendra Puri into the Vaisnava cult, and Madhavendra Puri engaged them in different types of service.

PURPORT

In the scriptures it is stated: sat-karma-nipuno vipro mantra-tantra-visaradah. A qualified brahmana must be expert in the occupational duties of a brahmana. His duties are mentioned as six brahminical engagements. Pathana means that a brahmana must be conversant with the Vedic scriptures. He must also be able to teach others to study the Vedic scriptures. This is pathana. He must also be expert in worshiping different deities and in performing the Vedic rituals (yajana). On account of this yajana, the brahmana, being the head of society, performs all the Vedic rituals for ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras. This is called yajana, assisting others in performing ceremonies. The remaining two items are dana and pratigraha. The brahmana accepts all kinds of contributions (pratigraha) from his followers (namely, the ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras). But he does not keep all the money. He keeps only as much as required and gives the balance to others in charity (dana).

In order for such a qualified brahmana to worship the Deity, he must be a Vaisnava. Thus the Vaisnava's position is superior to that of the brahmana. This example given by Madhavendra Puri confirms that even though a brahmana may be very expert, he cannot become a priest or servitor of the visnu-murti unless he is initiated in vaisnava-mantra. After installing the Deity of Gopala, Madhavendra Puri initiated all the brahmanas into Vaisnavism. He then allotted the brahmanas different types of service to the Deity. From four in the morning until ten at night (from mangala-aratrika to sayana-aratrika), there must be at least five or six brahmanas to take care of the Deity. Six aratrikas are performed in the temple, and food is frequently offered to the Deity and the prasada distributed. This is the method of worshiping the Deity according to the rules and regulations set by predecessors. Our sampradaya belongs to the disciplic succession of Madhavendra Puri, who belonged to the Madhva-sampradaya. We are in the disciplic succession of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who was initiated by Sri Isvara Puri, a disciple of Madhavendra Puri's. Our sampradaya is therefore called the Madhva-Gaudiya-sampradaya. As such, we must carefully follow in the footsteps of Sri Madhavendra Puri and observe how he installed the Gopala Deity on top of Govardhana Hill, how he arranged and performed the Annakuta ceremony in only one day, and so forth. Our installation of Deities in America and in the wealthy countries of Europe should be carried out in terms of Sri Madhavendra Puri's activities. All the servitors of the Deity must be strictly qualified as brahmanas and, specifically, must engage in the Vaisnava custom of offering as much prasada as possible and distributing it to the devotees who visit the temple to see the Lord.

TEXT 88

TEXT

punah dina-sese prabhura karaila utthana

kichu bhoga lagaila karaila jala-pana

SYNONYMS

punah--again; dina-sese--at the end of the day; prabhura--of the Lord; karaila--caused to do; utthana--rising; kichu--some; bhoga--food; lagaila--offered; karaila--caused to do; jala--water; pana--drinking.

TRANSLATION

After taking rest, the Deity must be awakened at the end of the day, and immediately some food and some water must be offered to Him.

PURPORT

This offering is called vaikali-bhoga, food offered at the end of the day.

TEXT 89

TEXT

gopala prakata haila,----dese sabda haila

asa-pasa gramera loka dekhite aila

SYNONYMS

gopala--Lord Gopala; prakata haila--has appeared; dese--throughout the country; sabda haila--the news spread; asa-pasa--neighboring; gramera--of the villages; loka--the people; dekhite aila--came to see.

TRANSLATION

When it was advertised throughout the country that Lord Gopala had appeared atop Govardhana Hill, all the people from neighboring villages came to see the Deity.

TEXT 90

TEXT

ekeka dina ekeka grame la-ila magina

anna-kuta kare sabe harasita hana

SYNONYMS

ekeka dina--one day after another; ekeka grame--one village after another; la-ila--took permission; magina--begging; anna-kuta kare--perform the Annakuta ceremony; sabe--all; harasita--pleased; hana--becoming.

TRANSLATION

One village after another was pleased to beg Madhavendra Puri to allot them one day to perform the Annakuta ceremony. Thus, day after day, the Annakuta ceremony was performed for some time.

TEXT 91

TEXT

ratri-kale thakurere karaiya sayana

puri-gosani kaila kichu gavya bhojana

SYNONYMS

ratri-kale--at night; thakurere--the Deity; karaiya--causing to do; sayana--lying down for rest; puri-gosani--Madhavendra Puri; kaila--did; kichu--some; gavya--milk preparation; bhojana--eating.

TRANSLATION

Sri Madhavendra Puri did not eat anything throughout the day, but at night, after laying the Deity down to rest, he took a milk preparation.

TEXT 92

TEXT

pratah-kale punah taiche karila sevana

anna lana eka-gramera aila loka-gana

SYNONYMS

pratah-kale--in the morning; punah--again; taiche--just as before; karila--rendered; sevana--service; anna lana--with food grains; eka-gramera--of one village; aila--came; loka-gana--the people.

TRANSLATION

The next morning, the rendering of service to the Deity began again, and people from one village arrived with all kinds of food grains.

TEXT 93

TEXT

anna, ghrta, dadhi, dugdha,----grame yata chila

gopalera age loka aniya dharila

SYNONYMS

anna--food grain; ghrta--ghee, or clarified butter; dadhi--yogurt; dugdha--milk; grame--in the village; yata--as much; chila--as there was; gopalera age--before the Deity Gopala; loka--all people; aniya--bringing; dharila--placed.

TRANSLATION

The inhabitants of the village brought to the Deity of Gopala as much food grains, ghee, yogurt and milk as they had in their village.

PURPORT

Anna, ghrta, dadhi and dugdha are food grains, ghee, yogurt and milk. Actually these are the basis of all food. Vegetables and fruits are subsidiary. Hundreds and thousands of preparations can be made out of grains, vegetables, ghee, milk and yogurt. The food offered to Gopala in the Annakuta ceremony contained only these five ingredients. Only demoniac people are attracted to other types of food, which we will not even mention in this connection. We should understand that in order to prepare nutritious food, we require only grains, ghee, yogurt and milk. We cannot offer anything else to the Deity. The Vaisnava, the perfect human being, does not accept anything not offered to the Deity. People are often frustrated with national food policies, but from the Vedic scriptures we find that if there are sufficient cows and grains, the entire food problem is solved. The vaisyas (people engaged in agriculture and commerce) are therefore recommended in the Bhagavad-gita to produce grains and give protection to cows. Cows are the most important animal because they produce the miracle food, milk, from which we can prepare ghee and yogurt.

The perfection of human civilization depends on Krsna consciousness, which recommends Deity worship. Preparations made from vegetables, grains, milk, ghee and yogurt are offered to the Deity and then distributed. Here we can see the difference between the East and the West. The people who came to see the Deity of Gopala brought all kinds of food to offer the Deity. They brought all the food they had in stock, and they came before the Deity not only to accept prasada for themselves but to distribute it to others. The Krsna consciousness movement vigorously approves this practice of preparing food, offering it to the Deity and distributing it to the general population. This activity should be extended universally to stop sinful eating habits as well as other behavior befitting only demons. A demoniac civilization will never bring peace within the world. Since eating is the first necessity in human society, those engaged in solving the problems of preparing and distributing food should take lessons from Madhavendra Puri and execute the Annakuta ceremony. When the people take to eating only prasada offered to the Deity, all the demons will be turned into Vaisnavas. When the people are Krsna conscious, naturally the government will be so also. A Krsna conscious man is always a very liberal well-wisher of everyone. When such men head the government, the people will certainly be sinless. They will no longer be disturbing demons. It is then and then only that a peaceful condition can prevail in society.

TEXT 94

TEXT

purva-dina-praya vipra karila randhana

taiche anna-kuta gopala karila bhojana

SYNONYMS

purva-dina-praya--almost like the previous day; vipra--all the brahmanas; karila--did; randhana--cooking; taiche--similarly; anna-kuta--heaps of food; gopala--the Deity of Lord Gopala; karila--did; bhojana--eating.

TRANSLATION

The next day, almost like before, there was an Annakuta ceremony. All the brahmanas prepared foods and Gopala accepted them.

TEXT 95

TEXT

vraja-vasi lokera krsne sahaja piriti

gopalera sahaja-priti vraja-vasi-prati

SYNONYMS

vraja-vasi--the inhabitants of Vrndavana (Vrajabhumi); lokera--of the people; krsne--unto Lord Krsna; sahaja--natural; piriti--love; gopalera--of Lord Gopala; sahaja--natural; priti--love; vraja-vasi-prati--toward the inhabitants of Vrajabhumi.

TRANSLATION

The ideal place to execute Krsna consciousness is Vrajabhumi, or Vrndavana, where the people are naturally inclined to love Krsna and Krsna is naturally inclined to love them.

PURPORT

In the Bhagavad-gita it is said: ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham. There is a responsive cooperation between the Supreme Lord Krsna and His devotees. The more a devotee sincerely loves Krsna, the more Krsna reciprocates, so much so that a highly advanced devotee can talk with Krsna face to face. Krsna confirms this in the Bhagavad-gita (10.10):

tesam satata-yuktanam

bhajatam priti-purvakam

dadami buddhi-yogam tam

yena mam upayanti te

"To those who are constantly devoted to worshiping Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me." The actual mission of human life is to understand Krsna and return home, back to Godhead. Therefore one who is sincerely engaged in the service of the Lord with love and faith can talk with Krsna and receive instructions by which he can speedily return home, back to Godhead. Today many scholars defend the science of religion, and they have some conception of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but religion without practical experience of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is no religion at all. Srimad-Bhagavatam describes this as a form of cheating. Religion means abiding by the orders of Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If one is not qualified to talk with Him and take lessons from Him, how can one understand the principles of religion? Thus talks of religion or religious experience without Krsna consciousness are a useless waste of time.

TEXT 96

TEXT

maha-prasada khaila asiya saba loka

gopala dekhiya sabara khande duhkha-soka

SYNONYMS

maha-prasada--spiritualized foods offered to Krsna; khaila--ate; asiya--coming; saba--all; loka--people; gopala--the Deity of Sri Gopala; dekhiya--seeing; sabara--of all of them; khande--disappears; duhkha-soka--all lamentation and unhappiness.

TRANSLATION

Throngs of people came from different villages to see the Deity of Gopala, and they took maha-prasada sumptuously. When they saw the superexcellent form of Lord Gopala, all their lamentation and unhappiness disappeared.

TEXT 97

TEXT

asa-pasa vraja-bhumera yata grama saba

eka eka dina sabe kare mahotsava

SYNONYMS

asa-pasa--neighboring; vraja-bhumera--of Vrajabhumi; yata--all; grama--villages; saba--all; eka eka--one after another; dina--days; sabe--all; kare--perform; maha-utsava--festivals.

TRANSLATION

All the villages in neighboring Vrajabhumi [Vrndavana] became aware of the appearance of Gopala, and all the people from these villages came to see Him. Day after day they all performed the Annakuta ceremony.

TEXT 98

TEXT

gopala-prakata suni' nana desa haite

nana dravya lana loka lagila asite

SYNONYMS

gopala--of the Deity of Gopala; prakata--appearance; suni'--hearing; nana--various; desa--countries; haite--from; nana--various; dravya--things; lana--bringing; loka--people; lagila--began; asite--to come.

TRANSLATION

In this way not only the neighboring villages but all the other provinces came to know of Gopala's appearance. Thus people came from all over, bringing a variety of presentations.

TEXT 99

TEXT

mathurara loka saba bada bada dhani

bhakti kari' nana dravya bheta deya ani'

SYNONYMS

mathurara--of the city of Mathura; loka--the people; saba--all; bada bada--very big; dhani--capitalists; bhakti kari'--out of devotion; nana dravya--various kinds of things; bheta--presents; deya--gave; ani'--bringing.

TRANSLATION

The people of Mathura, who are very big capitalists, also brought various presentations and offered them before the Deity in devotional service.

TEXT 100

TEXT

svarna, raupya, vastra, gandha, bhaksya-upahara

asankhya aise, nitya badila bhandara

SYNONYMS

svarna--gold; raupya--silver; vastra--garments; gandha--scents; bhaksya-upahara--presentations for eating; asankhya--countless; aise--came; nitya--daiiy; badila--increased; bhandara--the store.

TRANSLATION

Thus countless presentations of gold, silver, garments, scented articles and eatables arrived. The store of Gopala increased daily.

TEXT 101

TEXT

eka maha-dhani ksatriya karaila mandira

keha paka-bhandara kaila, keha ta' pracira

SYNONYMS

eka--one; maha-dhani--very rich man; ksatriya--of the royal order; karaila--constructed; mandira--a temple; keha--someone; paka-bhandara--clay pots for cooking; kaila--made; keha--someone; ta'--certainly; pracira--the boundary walls.

TRANSLATION

One very rich ksatriya of the royal order constructed a temple, someone made cooking utensils, and someone constructed boundary walls.

TEXT 102

TEXT

eka eka vraja-vasi eka eka gabhi dila

sahasra sahasra gabhi gopalera haila

SYNONYMS

eka eka--each and every; vraja-vasi--resident of Vrndavana; eka eka--one; gabhi--cow; dila--contributed; sahasra sahasra--thousands and thousands; gabhi--cows; gopalera--of Gopala; haila--there were.

TRANSLATION

Each and every family residing in the land of Vrajabhumi contributed one cow. In this way, thousands of cows became the property of Gopala.

PURPORT

This is the way to install the Deity, construct the temple and increase the property of the temple. Everyone should be enthusiastic to contribute to the construction of the temple for the Deity, and everyone should also contribute food for the distribution of prasada. The devotees should preach the gospel of devotional service and thus engage people in practical service to the Deity. Wealthy people can also be attracted to take part in these activities. In this way everyone will become spiritually inclined, and the entire society will be converted to Krsna consciousness. The desire to satisfy the material senses will automatically diminish, and the senses will become so purified that they will be able to engage in bhakti (devotional service to the Lord). Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate. By serving the Lord, one's senses are gradually purified. The engagement of one's purified senses in the service of Lord Hrsikesa is called bhakti. When the dormant propensity for bhakti is awakened, one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He is. Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah. (Bg. 18.55) This is the process of giving humanity the chance to awaken Krsna consciousness. Thus people can perfect their lives in all respects.

TEXT 103

TEXT

gauda ha-ite aila dui vairagi brahmana

puri-gosani rakhila tare kariya yatana

SYNONYMS

gauda ha-ite--from Bengal; aila--came; dui--two; vairagi--of the renounced order; brahmana--persons born in brahmana families; puri-gosani--Madhavendra Puri; rakhila--kept; tare--them; kariya--making; yatana--all efforts.

TRANSLATION

Eventually two brahmanas in the renounced order arrived from Bengal, and Madhavendra Puri, who liked them very much, kept them in Vrndavana and gave them all kinds of comforts.

TEXT 104

TEXT

sei dui sisya kari' seva samarpila

raja-seva haya,----purira ananda badila

SYNONYMS

sei dui--these two persons; sisya kari'--initiating; seva--with the service; samarpila--entrusted; raja-seva--gorgeous performance of service; haya--is; purira--of Madhavendra Puri; ananda--pleasure; badila--increased.

TRANSLATION

These two were then initiated by Madhavendra Puri, and he entrusted them with the daily service of the Lord. This service was performed continuously, and the worship of the Deity became very gorgeous. Thus Madhavendra Puri was very pleased.

PURPORT

The six Gosvamis and their followers started many temples, such as the temples of Govinda, Gopinatha, Madana-mohana, Radha-Damodara, Syamasundara, Radha-ramana and Gokulananda. The disciples of the Gosvamis were entrusted with the seva-puja (Deity worship) of these temples. It was not that the disciples were family members of the original Gosvamis. All the Gosvamis were in the renounced order of life, and Jiva Gosvami in particular was a lifelong brahmacari. At present, sevaitas assume the title of gosvami on the basis of their being engaged as sevaitas of the Deity. The sevaitas who have inherited their positions now assume proprietorship of the temples, and some of them are selling the Deities' property as if it were their own. However, the temples did not originally belong to these sevaitas.

TEXT 105

TEXT

ei-mata vatsara dui karila sevana

eka-dina puri-gosani dekhila svapana

SYNONYMS

ei-mata--in this way; vatsara--years; dui--two; karila--performed; sevana--worship; eka-dina--one day; puri-gosani--Madhavendra Puri; dekhila--saw; svapana--a dream.

TRANSLATION

In this way the Deity worship in the temple was very gorgeously performed for two years. Then one day Madhavendra Puri had a dream.

TEXT 106

TEXT

gopala kahe, puri amara tapa nahi yaya

malayaja-candana lepa', tabe se judaya

SYNONYMS

gopala--the Deity of Gopala; kahe--said; puri--My dear Madhavendra Puri; amara--My; tapa--body temperature; nahi--does not; yaya--go away; malayaja-candana--sandalwood produced in the Malaya Hills; lepa'--smear over the body; tabe--then; se--that; judaya--cools.

TRANSLATION

In his dream, Madhavendra Puri saw Gopala, who said, "My bodily temperature still has not decreased. Please bring sandalwood from the Malaya province and smear the pulp over My body to cool Me.

PURPORT

The Deity of Gopala had been buried within the jungle for many years, and although He was installed and was offered thousands of pots of water, He still felt very hot. He therefore asked Madhavendra Puri to bring sandalwood from the Malaya province. Sandalwood produced in Malaya is very popular. That province is situated on the western ghata, and the hill Nilagiri is sometimes known as Malaya Hill. The word malaya-ja is used to indicate the sandalwood produced in the Malaya province. Sometimes the word Malaya refers to the modern country of Malaysia. Formerly this country also produced sandalwood, but now they have found it profitable to produce rubber trees. Although the Vedic culture was once prevalent in Malaysia, now all the inhabitants are Muslims. The Vedic culture is now lost in Malaysia, Java and Indonesia.

TEXT 107

TEXT

malayaja ana, yana nilacala haite

anye haite nahe, tumi calaha tvarite

SYNONYMS

malaya-ja--sandalwood; ana--bring; yana--coming; nilacala haite--from Jagannatha Puri; anye--others; haite--from; nahe--not; tumi--you; calaha--go; tvarite--quickly.

TRANSLATION

"Bring sandalwood pulp from Jagannatha Puri. Kindly go quickly. Since no one else can do it, you must."

TEXT 108

TEXT

svapna dekhi' puri-gosanira haila premavesa

prabhu-ajna palibare gela purva-desa

SYNONYMS

svapna dekhi'--after seeing the dream; puri-gosanira--of Madhavendra Puri; haila--there was; prema-avesa--ecstasy on account of love of God; prabhu-ajna--the order of the Lord; palibare--to execute; gela--started; purva-desa--for the eastern countries (Bengal).

TRANSLATION

After having this dream, Madhavendra Puri Gosvami became very glad due to ecstasy of love of Godhead, and in order to execute the command of the Lord, he started east toward Bengal.

TEXT 109

TEXT

sevara nirbandha----loka karila sthapana

ajna magi' gauda-dese karila gamana

SYNONYMS

sevara nirbandha--the arrangements for executing the daily routine of the worship of the Lord; loka--the people; karila--did; sthapana--establish; ajna magi'--taking the order; gauda-dese--toward Bengal; karila--did; gamana--going.

TRANSLATION

Before leaving, Madhavendra Puri made all arrangements for regular Deity worship, and he engaged different people in various duties. Then, taking up the order of Gopala, he started for Bengal.

TEXT 110

TEXT

santipura aila advaitacaryera ghare

purira prema dekhi' acarya ananda antare

SYNONYMS

santipura--to the place known as Santipura; aila--came; advaita-acaryera--of Sri Advaita Acarya; ghare--to the home; purira prema--the ecstatic love of Madhavendra Puri; dekhi'--seeing; acarya--Advaita Acarya; ananda--pleased; antare--within Himself.

TRANSLATION

When Madhavendra Puri arrived at the house of Advaita Acarya in Santipura, the Acarya became very pleased upon seeing the ecstatic love of Godhead manifest in Madhavendra Puri.

TEXT 111

TEXT

tanra thani mantra laila yatana karina

calila daksine puri tanre diksa dina

SYNONYMS

tanra thani--from him; mantra--initiation; laila--accepted; yatana--efforts; karina--making; calila--started; daksine--toward the south; puri--Madhavendra Puri; tanre--to Him (Advaita Acarya); diksa--initiation; dina--giving.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya begged to be initiated by Madhavendra Puri. After initiating Him, Madhavendra Puri started for South India.

PURPORT

In this connection, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura comments that Advaita Acarya took initiation from Madhavendra Puri, who was a sannyasi in the disciplic succession of the Madhva-sampradaya. According to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu:

kiba vipra kiba nyasi sudra kene naya,

yei krsna-tattva-vetta, sei 'guru' haya

"A person may be a brahmana, a sannyasi, a sudra or whatever, but if he is well conversant in the science of Krsna, he can become a guru." (Cc. Madhya 8.128) This statement is supported by Sri Madhavendra Puri. According to the pancaratra injunction, only a householder brahmana can initiate. Others cannot. When a person is initiated, it is assumed that he has become a brahmana; without being initiated by a proper brahmana, one cannot be converted into a brahmana. In other words, unless one is a brahmana, he cannot make another a brahmana. A grhastha-brahmana partaking of the varnasrama-dharma institution can secure various types of paraphernalia to worship Lord Visnu through his honest labor. Actually, people beg to be initiated by these householder brahmanas just to become successful in the varnasrama institution or to become free from material desires. It is therefore necessary for a spiritual master in the grhastha-asrama to be a strict Vaisnava. A spiritual master from the sannyasa order has very little opportunity to perform arcana, Deity worship, but when one accepts a spiritual master from the transcendental sannyasis, the principle of Deity worship is not at all neglected. To implement this conclusion, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu gave us His opinion in the verse kiba vipra kiba nyasi, etc. This indicates that the Lord understood the weakness of society in its maintaining that only a grhastha-brahmana should be a spiritual master. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu indicated that it does not matter whether the spiritual master is a grhastha (householder), a sannyasi or even a sudra. A spiritual master simply must be conversant in the essence of the sastra; he must understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Only then can one become a spiritual master. Diksa actually means initiating a disciple with transcendental knowledge by which he becomes freed from all material contamination.

TEXT 112

TEXT

remunate kaila gopinatha darasana

tanra rupa dekhina haila vihvala-mana

SYNONYMS

remunate--in the village of Remuna; kaila--did; gopinatha--the Deity of Gopinatha; darasana--seeing; tanra--His; rupa--beauty; dekhina--seeing; haila--became; vihvala--bewildered; mana--mind.

TRANSLATION

Going into South India, Sri Madhavendra Puri visited Remuna, where Gopinatha is situated. Upon seeing the beauty of the Deity, Madhavendra Puri was overwhelmed.

TEXT 113

TEXT

nrtya-gita kari' jaga-mohane vasila

'kya kya bhoga lage?' brahmane puchila

SYNONYMS

nrtya-gita kari'--after performing dancing and chanting; jaga-mohane--in the corridor of the temple; vasila--he sat down; kya kya--what; bhoga--foods; lage--they offer; brahmane--from the brahmana priest; puchila--inquired.

TRANSLATION

In the corridor of the temple, from which people generally viewed the Deity, Madhavendra Puri chanted and danced. Then he sat down there and asked a brahmana what kinds of foods they offered to the Deity.

TEXT 114

TEXT

sevara sausthava dekhi' anandita mane

uttama bhoga lage----etha bujhi anumane

SYNONYMS

sevara--of the worship; sausthava--excellence; dekhi'--seeing; anandita--pleased; mane--in the mind; uttama bhoga--first-class foods; lage--they offer; etha--thus; bujhi--I understand; anumane--by deduction.

TRANSLATION

From the excellence of the arrangements, Madhavendra Puri understood by deduction that only the best food was offered.

TEXT 115

TEXT

yaiche iha bhoga lage, sakala-i puchiba

taiche bhiyane bhoga gopale lagaiba

SYNONYMS

yaiche--just like; iha--here; bhoga--foods; lage--they offer; sakala-i--all; puchiba--I shall inquire; taiche--similarly; bhiyane--in the kitchen; bhoga--foods; gopale--to Sri Gopala; lagaiba--I shall arrange.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri thought, "I shall inquire from the priest what foods are offered to Gopinatha so that by making arrangements in our kitchen, we can offer similar foods to Sri Gopala."

TEXT 116

TEXT

ei lagi' puchilena brahmanera sthane

brahmana kahila saba bhoga-vivarane

SYNONYMS

ei lagi'--for this matter; puchilena--he inquired; brahmanera sthane--from the brahmana; brahmana--the priest; kahila--informed; saba--everything; bhoga--foods; vivarane--in description.

TRANSLATION

When the brahmana priest was questioned about this matter, he explained in detail what kinds of food were offered to the Deity of Gopinatha.

TEXT 117

TEXT

sandhyaya bhoga lage ksira----'amrta-keli'-nama

dvadasa mrt-patre bhari' amrta-samana

SYNONYMS

sandhyaya--in the evening; bhoga--foods; lage--they offer; ksira--sweet rice; amrta-keli-nama--named amrta-keli; dvadasa--twelve; mrt-patre--earthen pots; bhari'--filling; amrta-samana--just like nectar.

TRANSLATION

The brahmana priest said, "In the evening the Deity is offered sweet rice in twelve earthen pots. Because the taste is as good as nectar [amrta], it is named amrta-keli.

TEXT 118

TEXT

'gopinathera ksira' bali' prasiddha nama yara

prthivite aiche bhoga kahan nahi ara

SYNONYMS

gopinathera ksira--the sweet rice offered to Gopinatha; bali'--as; prasiddha--celebrated; nama--the name; yara--of which; prthivite--throughout the whole world; aiche--such; bhoga--food; kahan--anywhere; nahi--not; ara--else.

TRANSLATION

"This sweet rice is celebrated throughout the world as gopinatha-ksira. It is not offered anywhere else in the world."

TEXT 119

TEXT

hena-kale sei bhoga thakure lagila

suni' puri-gosani kichu mane vicarila

SYNONYMS

hena-kale--at this time; sei bhoga--that wonderful food; thakure--in front of the Deity; lagila--was placed; suni'--hearing; puri-gosani--Madhavendra Puri; kichu--something; mane--within the mind; vicarila--considered.

TRANSLATION

While Madhavendra Puri was talking with the brahmana priest, the sweet rice was placed before the Deity as an offering. Hearing this, Madhavendra Puri thought as follows.

TEXT 120

TEXT

ayacita ksira prasada alpa yadi pai

svada jani' taiche ksira gopale lagai

SYNONYMS

ayacita--without asking; ksira--sweet rice; prasada--remnants of food; alpa--a little; yadi--if; pai--I get; svada--the taste; jani'--knowing; taiche--similar; ksira--sweet rice; gopale--to my Gopala; lagai--I can offer.

TRANSLATION

"If, without my asking, a little sweet rice is given to me, I can then taste it and make a similar preparation to offer my Lord Gopala."

TEXT 121

TEXT

ei icchaya lajja pana visnu-smarana kaila

hena-kale bhoga sari' arati bajila

SYNONYMS

ei icchaya--by this desire; lajja--shame; pana--getting; visnu-smarana--remembrance of Lord Visnu; kaila--did; hena-kale--at that time; bhoga--the food; sari'--being finished; arati--the arati ceremony; bajila--was sounded.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri became greatly ashamed when he desired to taste the sweet rice, and he immediately began to think of Lord Visnu. While he was thus thinking of Lord Visnu, the offering was completed, and the arati ceremony began.

TEXT 122

TEXT

arati dekhiya puri kaila namaskara

bahire aila, kare kichu na kahila ara

SYNONYMS

arati dekhiya--after seeing the arati; puri--Madhavendra Puri; kaila--offered; namaskara--obeisances; bahire aila--he went out; kare--to anyone; kichu--anything; na--not; kahila--say; ara--more.

TRANSLATION

After the arati was finished, Madhavendra Puri offered his obeisances to the Deity and then left the temple. He did not say anything more to anyone.

TEXT 123

TEXT

ayacita-vrtti puri----virakta, udasa

ayacita paile kha'na, nahe upavasa

SYNONYMS

ayacita-vrtti--accustomed to avoid begging; puri--Madhavendra Puri; virakta--unattached; udasa--indifferent; ayacita--without begging; paile--if getting; kha'na--he eats; nahe--if not; upavasa--fasting.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri avoided begging. He was completely unattached and indifferent to material things. If, without his begging, someone offered him some food, he would eat; otherwise he would fast.

PURPORT

This is the paramahamsa stage, the highest stage for a sannyasi. A sannyasi can beg from door to door just to collect food, but a paramahamsa who has taken ayacita-vrtti, or ajagara-vrtti, does not ask anyone for food. If someone offers him food voluntarily, he eats. Ayacita-vrtti means being accustomed to refrain from begging, and ajagara-vrtti indicates one who is compared to a python, the big snake that makes no effort to acquire food but rather allows food to come automatically within its mouth. In other words, a paramahamsa simply engages exclusively in the service of the Lord without caring even for eating or sleeping. It was stated about the six Gosvamis: nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau. In the paramahamsa stage one conquers the desire for sleep, food and sense gratification. One remains a humble, meek mendicant engaged in the service of the Lord day and night. Madhavendra Puri had attained this paramahamsa stage.

TEXT 124

TEXT

premamrte trpta, ksudha-trsna nahi badhe

ksira-iccha haila, tahe mane aparadhe

SYNONYMS

prema-amrte trpta--being satisfied only in the loving service of the Lord; ksudha-trsna--hunger and thirst; nahi--not; badhe--impede; ksira--for sweet rice; iccha--the desire; haila--became; tahe--for that reason; mane--he considers; aparadhe--offense.

TRANSLATION

A paramahamsa like Madhavendra Puri is always satisfied in the loving service of the Lord. Material hunger and thirst cannot impede his activities. When he desired to taste a little sweet rice offered to the Deity, he considered that he had committed an offense by desiring to eat what was being offered to the Deity.

PURPORT

It is advisable that food being offered to the Deity be covered when taken from the kitchen to the Deity room. In that way, others may not see it. Those who are not accustomed to following the advanced regulative devotional principles may desire to eat the food, and that is an offense. Therefore no one should be given a chance to even see it. However, when it is brought before the Deity, it must be uncovered. Seeing the food uncovered before the Deity, Madhavendra Puri desired to taste a little of it so that he could prepare a similar sweet rice for his Gopala. Madhavendra Puri was so strict, however, that he considered this to be an offense. Consequently he left the temple without saying anything to anyone. The paramahamsa is therefore called vijita-sad-guna. He must conquer the six material qualities--kama, krodha, lobha, moha, matsarya and ksudha-trsna (lust, anger, greed, illusion, enviousness and hunger and thirst).

TEXT 125

TEXT

gramera sunya-hate vasi' karena kirtana

etha pujari karaila thakure sayana

SYNONYMS

gramera--of the village; sunya-hate--in the vacant marketplace; vasi'--sitting down; karena--performs; kirtana--chanting; etha--in the temple; pujari--the priest; karaila--made; thakure--the Deity; sayana--lying down.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri left the temple and sat down in the village marketplace, which was vacant. Sitting there, he began to chant. In the meantime, the temple priest laid the Deity down to rest.

PURPORT

Although Madhavendra Puri was not interested in eating and sleeping, his interest in chanting the maha-mantra was as acute as if he were an aspiring transcendentalist rather than a paramahamsa. This means that even in the paramahamsa stage, one cannot give up chanting. Haridasa Thakura and the Gosvamis were all engaged in chanting a fixed number of rounds; therefore chanting on beads is very important for everyone, even though one may become a paramahamsa. This chanting can be executed anywhere, either inside or outside the temple. Madhavendra Puri even sat down in a vacant marketplace to perform his chanting. As stated by Srinivasa Acarya in his prayers to the Gosvamis: nama-gana-natibhih. A paramahamsa devotee is always engaged in chanting and rendering loving service to the Lord. Chanting the Lord's holy names and engaging in His service are identical. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.23), there are nine kinds of devotional service: hearing (sravanam), chanting (kirtanam), remembering (visnoh smaranam), serving (pada-sevanam), worship of the Deity (arcanam), praying (vandanam), carrying out orders (dasyam), serving Him as a friend (sakhyam) and sacrificing everything for the Lord (atma-nivedanam). Although each process appears distinct, when one is situated on the absolute platform he can see that they are identical. For instance, hearing is as good as chanting, and remembering is as good as chanting or hearing. Similarly, engaging in Deity worship is as good as chanting, hearing or remembering. The devotee is expected to accept all nine processes of devotional service, but even if only one process is properly executed, he can still attain the highest position (paramahamsa) and go back home, back to Godhead.

TEXT 126

TEXT

nija krtya kari' pujari karila sayana

svapane thakura asi' balila vacana

SYNONYMS

nija krtya--his own duty; kari'--finishing; pujari--the brahmana priest in the temple; karila--took; sayana--rest; svapane--in a dream; thakura--the Deity; asi'--coming there; balila--said; vacana--the words.

TRANSLATION

Finishing his daily duties, the priest went to take rest. In a dream he saw the Gopinatha Deity come to talk to him, and He spoke as follows.

TEXT 127

TEXT

uthaha, pujari, kara dvara vimocana

ksira eka rakhiyachi sannyasi-karana

SYNONYMS

uthaha--please get up; pujari--O priest; kara--just do; dvara--the door; vimocana--opening; ksira--sweet rice; eka--one pot; rakhiyachi--I have kept; sannyasi--of the mendicant, Madhavendra Puri; karana--for the reason.

TRANSLATION

"O priest, please get up and open the door of the temple. I have kept one pot of sweet rice for the sannyasi Madhavendra Puri.

TEXT 128

TEXT

dhadara ancale dhaka eka ksira haya

tomara na janila taha amara mayaya

SYNONYMS

dhadara--of the cloth curtain; ancale--by the skirt; dhaka--covered; eka--one; ksira--pot of sweet rice; haya--there is; tomara--you; na--not; janila--knew; taha--that; amara--of Me; mayaya--by the trick.

TRANSLATION

"This pot of sweet rice is just behind My cloth curtain. You did not see it because of My tricks.

TEXT 129

TEXT

madhava-puri sannyasi ache hatete vasina

tahake ta' ei ksira sighra deha lana

SYNONYMS

madhava-puri--of the name Madhavendra Puri; sannyasi--a mendicant; ache--there is; hatete--in the marketplace; vasina--sitting; tahake--to him; ta'--certainly; ei--this; ksira--pot of sweet rice; sighra--very quickly; deha--give; lana--taking.

TRANSLATION

"A sannyasi named Madhavendra Puri is sitting in the vacant marketplace. Please take this pot of sweet rice from behind Me and deliver it to him."

TEXT 130

TEXT

svapna dekhi' pujari uthi' karila vicara

snana kari' kapata khuli, mukta kaila dvara

SYNONYMS

svapna dekhi'--after seeing the dream; pujari--the priest; uthi'--getting up; karila--made; vicara--considerations; snana kari'--taking his bath before entering the Deity room; kapata--the door; khuli--opening; mukta--opened; kaila--made; dvara--the doors.

TRANSLATION

Awaking from the dream, the priest immediately rose from bed and thought it wise to take a bath before entering the Deity's room. He then opened the temple door.

TEXT 131

TEXT

dhadara ancala-tale paila sei ksira

sthana lepi' ksira lana ha-ila bahira

SYNONYMS

dhadara--of the mantle; ancala-tale--at the skirt; paila--he got; sei--that; ksira--pot of sweet rice; sthana lepi'--mopping that place; ksira--the pot of sweet rice; lana--taking; ha-ila--he went; bahira--out of the temple.

TRANSLATION

According to the Deity's directions, the priest found the pot of sweet rice behind the cloth curtain. He removed the pot and mopped up the place where it had been kept. He then went out of the temple.

TEXT 132

TEXT

dvara diya grame gela sei ksira lana

hate hate bule madhava-purike cahina

SYNONYMS

dvara diya--closing the door; grame--to the village; gela--went; sei--that; ksira--pot of sweet rice; lana--taking; hate hate--in every stall; bule--walks; madhava-purike--to Madhavendra Puri; cahina--calling.

TRANSLATION

Closing the door of the temple, he went to the village with the pot of sweet rice. He called out in every stall in search of Madhavendra Puri.

TEXT 133

TEXT

ksira laha ei, yara nama 'madhava-puri'

toma lagi' gopinatha ksira kaila curi

SYNONYMS

ksira laha--take the pot of sweet rice; ei--this; yara--whose; nama--name; madhava-puri--Madhavendra Puri; toma lagi'--for you only; gopinatha--the Deity of Lord Gopinatha; ksira--the pot of sweet rice; kaila--did; curi--steal.

TRANSLATION

Holding the pot of sweet rice, the priest called, "Will he whose name is Madhavendra Puri please come and take this pot! Gopinatha has stolen this pot of sweet rice for you!"

PURPORT

The difference between the Absolute Truth and relative truth is explained here. Lord Gopinatha has openly declared herein that He is a thief. He had stolen the pot of sweet rice, and this was not kept a secret because His act of stealing is a source of great transcendental bliss. In the material world, theft is criminal, but in the spiritual world the Lord's stealing is a source of transcendental bliss. Mundane rascals, who cannot understand the absolute nature of the Personality of Godhead, sometimes call Lord Sri Krsna immoral, but they do not know that His seemingly immoral activities, which are not kept secret, afford pleasure to the devotees. Not understanding the transcendental behavior of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, these rascals slur His character and immediately fall into the category of miscreants (rascals, lowest among men, demons and those whose knowledge is taken away by the illusory energy). Krsna explains in the Bhagavad-gita (7.15):

na mam duskrtino mudhah

prapadyante naradhamah

mayayapahrta-jnana

asuram bhavam asritah

"Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons, do not surrender unto Me." (Bg. 7.15)

Mundane rascals cannot understand that whatever Krsna does, being absolute in nature, is all good. This quality of the Lord is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.33.29). One may consider certain acts of a supremely powerful person to be immoral by mundane calculations, but this is not actually the case. For example, the sun absorbs water from the surface of the earth, but it does not absorb water only from the sea. It also absorbs water from filthy sewers and ditches containing urine and other impure substances. The sun is not polluted by absorbing such water. Rather, the sun makes the filthy place pure. If a devotee approaches the Supreme Personality of Godhead for an immoral or improper purpose, he nonetheless becomes purified; the Lord does not become infected. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.29.15) it is stated that if one approaches the Supreme Lord even out of lust, anger or fear (kamam krodham bhayam), he is purified. The gopis, being young girls, approached Krsna because He was a beautiful young boy. From the external point of view, they approached the Lord out of lust, and the Lord danced with them at midnight. From the mundane point of view, these activities may appear immoral because a married or unmarried young girl cannot leave home to mix with a young boy and dance with him. Although this is immoral from the mundane viewpoint, the activities of the gopis are accepted as the highest form of worship because it was Lord Krsna whom they approached with lusty desires in the dead of night.

But these things cannot be understood by nondevotees. One must understand Krsna in tattva (truth). One should use his common sense and consider that if simply by chanting Krsna's holy name one is purified, how then can the person Krsna be immoral? Unfortunately, mundane fools are accepted as educational leaders and are offered exalted posts for teaching irreligious principles to the general populace. This is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.31): andha yathandhair upaniyamanah. Blind men are trying to lead other blind men. Due to the immature understanding of such rascals, common men should not discuss Krsna's pastimes with the gopis. A nondevotee should not even discuss His stealing sweet rice for His devotees. It is warned that one should not even think about these things. Although Krsna is the purest of the pure, mundane people, thinking of Krsna's pastimes that appear immoral, themselves become polluted. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore never publicly discussed Krsna's dealings with the gopis. He used to discuss these dealings only with three confidential friends. He never discussed rasa-lila publicly, as the professional reciters do, although they do not understand Krsna or the nature of the audience. However, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu encouraged the public chanting of the holy name on a huge scale for as many hours as possible.

TEXT 134

TEXT

ksira lana sukhe tumi karaha bhaksane

toma-sama bhagyavan nahi tribhuvane

SYNONYMS

ksira lana--taking the pot of sweet rice; sukhe--in happiness; tumi--you; karaha--do; bhaksane--eating; toma-sama--like you; bhagyavan--fortunate; nahi--there is no one; tri-bhuvane--within the three worlds.

TRANSLATION

The priest continued, "Would the sannyasi whose name is Madhavendra Puri please come and take this pot of sweet rice and enjoy the prasada with great happiness! You are the most fortunate person within these three worlds!"

PURPORT

Here is an example of a personal benediction by Krsna's immoral activity. By Gopinatha's stealing for His devotee, the devotee becomes the most fortunate person within the three words. Thus even the Lord's criminal activities make His devotee the most fortunate person. How can a mundane rascal understand the pastimes of Krsna and judge whether He is moral or immoral? Since Krsna is the Absolute Truth, there are no mundane distinctions such as moral and immoral. Whatever He does is good. This is the real meaning of "God is good." He is good in all circumstances because He is transcendental, outside the jurisdiction of this material world. Therefore, Krsna can be understood only by those who are already living in the spiritual world. This is corroborated in the Bhagavad-gita (14.26):

mam ca yo 'vyabhicarena

bhakti-yogena sevate

sa gunan samatityaitan

brahma-bhuyaya kalpate

"One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman."

One who is engaged in unalloyed devotional service to the Lord is already situated in the spiritual world (brahma-bhuyaya kalpate). In all circumstances, his activities and dealings with Krsna are transcendental and thus not understandable by mundane moralists. It is therefore better not to discuss such activities among mundane people. It is better to give them the Hare Krsna maha-mantra so that they will be gradually purified and then come to understand the transcendental activities of Krsna.

TEXT 135

TEXT

eta suni' puri-gosani paricaya dila

ksira diya pujari tanre dandavat haila

SYNONYMS

eta suni'--hearing this; puri-gosani--Madhavendra Puri; paricaya--introduction; dila--gave; ksira diya--delivering the pot of sweet rice; pujari--the priest; tanre--to him; dandavat haila--offered obeisances.

TRANSLATION

Hearing this invitation, Madhavendra Puri came out and identified himself. The priest then delivered the pot of sweet rice and offered his obeisances, falling flat before him.

PURPORT

A brahmana is not supposed to offer his obeisances by falling flat before anyone because a brahmana is considered to be in the highest caste. However, when a brahmana sees a devotee, he offers his dandavats. This brahmana priest did not ask Madhavendra Puri whether he was a brahmana, but when he saw that Madhavendra Puri was such a bona fide devotee that Krsna would even steal for him, he immediately understood the position of the saint. As stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: kiba vipra, kiba nyasi, sudra kene naya. yei krsna-tattva-vetta, sei 'guru' haya. (Cc. Madhya 8.128) Had the brahmana priest been an ordinary brahmana, Gopinatha would not have talked with him in a dream. Since the Deity spoke to both Madhavendra Puri and the brahmana priest in dreams, practically speaking they were on the same platform. However, because Madhavendra Puri was a senior sannyasi Vaisnava, a paramahamsa, the priest immediately fell flat before him and offered obeisances.

TEXT 136

TEXT

ksirera vrttanta tanre kahila pujari

suni' premavista haila sri-madhava-puri

SYNONYMS

ksirera vrttanta--all the incidents that took place on account of the pot of sweet rice; tanre--to Madhavendra Puri; kahila--explained; pujari--the priest; suni'--hearing; prema-avista--saturated with love of Godhead; haila--became; sri-madhava-puri--Srila Madhavendra Puri.

TRANSLATION

When the story about the pot of sweet rice was explained to him in detail, Sri Madhavendra Puri at once became absorbed in ecstatic love of Krsna.

TEXT 137

TEXT

prema dekhi' sevaka kahe ha-iya vismita

krsna ye inhara vasa,----haya yathocita

SYNONYMS

prema dekhi'--seeing the ecstatic position of Madhavendra Puri; sevaka--the priest; kahe--said; ha-iya--being; vismita--struck with wonder; krsna--Lord Krsna; ye--that; inhara--by him; vasa--obliged; haya--it is; yathocita--befitting.

TRANSLATION

Upon seeing the ecstatic loving symptoms manifest in Madhavendra Puri, the priest was struck with wonder. He could understand why Krsna had become so much obliged to him, and he saw that Krsna's action was befitting.

PURPORT

A devotee can bring Krsna perfectly under his control. This is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.3): ajita jito 'py asi tais tri-lokyam. Krsna is never conquered by anyone, but a devotee can conquer Him through devotional service. As stated in the Brahma-samhita (5.33): vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau. One cannot understand Krsna simply by reading Vedic literature. Although all Vedic literature is meant for understanding Krsna, one cannot understand Krsna without being a lover of Krsna. Therefore along with the reading of Vedic literature (svadhyaya), one must engage in devotional worship of the Deity (arcana-vidhi). Together these will enhance the devotee's transcendental understanding of devotional service. Sravanadi suddha-citte karaye udaya (Cc. Madhya 22.107). Love of Godhead is dormant within everyone's heart, and if one simply follows the standard process of devotional service, it is awakened. But foolish mundane people who simply read about Krsna mistakenly think that He is immoral or criminal.

TEXT 138

TEXT

eta bali' namaskari' karila gamana

avese karila puri se ksira bhaksana

SYNONYMS

eta bali'--saying this; namaskari'--offering obeisances; karila gamana--returned; avese--in ecstasy; karila--did; puri--Puri Gosani; se--that; ksira--sweet rice; bhaksana--eating.

TRANSLATION

The priest offered his obeisances to Madhavendra Puri and returned to the temple. Then, in ecstasy, Madhavendra Puri ate the sweet rice offered to him by Krsna.

TEXT 139

TEXT

patra praksalana kari' khanda khanda kaila

bahir-vase bandhi' sei thikari rakhila

SYNONYMS

patra--the pot; praksalana kari'--washing; khanda khanda--breaking into pieces; kaila--did; bahir-vase--in his outer wrapper; bandhi'--binding; sei--those; thikari--pieces of pot; rakhila--kept.

TRANSLATION

After this, Madhavendra Puri washed the pot and broke it into pieces. He then bound all the pieces in his outer cloth and kept them nicely.

TEXT 140

TEXT

prati-dina eka-khani karena bhaksana

khaile premavesa haya,----adbhuta kathana

SYNONYMS

prati-dina--every day; eka-khani--one piece; karena--does; bhaksana--eating; khaile--by eating; prema-avesa--ecstasy; haya--there is; adbhuta--wonderful; kathana--narrations.

TRANSLATION

Each day, Madhavendra Puri would eat one piece of that earthen pot, and after eating it he would immediately be overwhelmed with ecstasy. These are wonderful stories.

TEXT 141

TEXT

'thakura more ksira dila----loka saba suni'

dine loka-bhida habe mora pratistha jani'

SYNONYMS

thakura--the Lord; more--to me; ksira--sweet rice; dila--has given; loka--the people; saba--all; suni'--after hearing; dine--at daytime; loka--of people; bhida--crowd; habe--there will be; mora--my; pratistha--fame; jani'--knowing.

TRANSLATION

Having broken the pot and bound the pieces in his cloth, Madhavendra Puri began to think, "The Lord has given me a pot of sweet rice, and when the people hear of this tomorrow morning, there will be great crowds."

TEXT 142

TEXT

sei bhaye ratri-sese calila sri-puri

sei-khane gopinathe dandavat kari'

SYNONYMS

sei bhaye--fearing that; ratri-sese--at the end of the night; calila--left; sri-puri--Sri Madhavendra Puri; sei-khane--on that spot; gopinathe--to Lord Gopinatha; dandavat--obeisances; kari'--doing.

TRANSLATION

Thinking this, Sri Madhavendra Puri offered his obeisances to Gopinatha on the spot and left Remuna before morning.

TEXT 143

TEXT

cali' cali' aila puri sri-nilacala

jagannatha dekhi' haila premete vihvala

SYNONYMS

cali' cali'--walking and walking; aila--he reached; puri--Jagannatha Puri; sri-nilacala--known as Nilacala; jagannatha dekhi'--seeing Lord Jagannatha; haila--became; premete--in love; vihvala--overwhelmed.

TRANSLATION

Walking and walking, Madhavendra Puri finally reached Jagannatha Puri, which is also known as Nilacala. There he saw Lord Jagannatha and was overwhelmed with loving ecstasy.

TEXT 144

TEXT

premavese uthe, pade, hase, nace, gaya

jagannatha-darasane maha-sukha paya

SYNONYMS

prema-avese--in loving ecstasy; uthe--sometimes stands; pade--sometimes falls; hase--laughs; nace--dances; gaya--sings; jagannatha darasane--by seeing Lord Jagannatha in the temple; maha-sukha--transcendental happiness; paya--he felt.

TRANSLATION

When Madhavendra Puri was overwhelmed in the ecstasy of love of Godhead, he sometimes stood up and sometimes fell to the ground. Sometimes he laughed, danced and sang. In this way he enjoyed transcendental bliss by seeing the Jagannatha Deity.

TEXT 145

TEXT

'madhava-puri sripada aila',----loke haila khyati

saba loka asi' tanre kare bahu bhakti

SYNONYMS

madhava-puri--Sri Madhavendra Puri; sripada--sannyasi; aila--has come; loke--among the people; haila--there was; khyati--reputation; saba loka--all people; asi'--coming; tanre--unto him; kare--do; bahu--much; bhakti--devotion.

TRANSLATION

When Madhavendra Puri came to Jagannatha Puri, people were aware of his transcendental reputation. Therefore crowds of people came and offered him all sorts of respect in devotion.

TEXT 146

TEXT

pratisthara svabhava ei jagate vidita

ye na vanche, tara haya vidhata-nirmita

SYNONYMS

pratisthara--of reputation; svabhava--the nature; ei--this; jagate--in the world; vidita--known; ye--the person who; na vanche--does not desire it; tara--of him; haya--it is; vidhata-nirmita--created by providence.

TRANSLATION

Even though one may not like it, reputation, as ordained by providence, comes to him. Indeed, one's transcendental reputation is known throughout the entire world.

TEXT 147

TEXT

pratisthara bhaye puri gela palana

krsna-preme pratistha cale sange gadana

SYNONYMS

pratisthara bhaye--in fear of reputation; puri--Madhavendra Puri; gela--went away; palana--fleeing; krsna-preme--in love of Krsna; pratistha--reputation; cale--goes; sange--simultaneously; gadana--gliding down.

TRANSLATION

Being afraid of his reputation [pratistha], Madhavendra Puri fled from Remuna. But the reputation brought by love of Godhead is so sublime that it goes along with the devotee, as if following him.

PURPORT

Almost all the conditioned souls within the material world are envious. Jealous people generally turn against one who automatically attains some reputation. This is natural for jealous people. Consequently, when a devotee is fit to receive worldly reputation, he is envied by many people. This is quite natural. When a person, out of humility, does not desire fame, people generally think him quite humble and consequently give him all kinds of fame. Actually a Vaisnava does not hanker after fame or a great reputation. Madhavendra Puri, the king of Vaisnavas, bore his reputation, but he wanted to keep himself outside of the vision of the general populace. He wanted to cover his real identity as a great devotee of the Lord, but when people saw him overwhelmed in the ecstasy of love of Godhead, they naturally gave credit to him. Actually a first-class reputation is due Madhavendra Puri because he was a most confidential devotee of the Lord. Sometimes a sahajiya presents himself as being void of desires for reputation (pratistha) in order to become famous as a humble man. Such people cannot actually attain the platform of celebrated Vaisnavas.

TEXT 148

TEXT

yadyapi udvega haila palaite mana

thakurera candana-sadhana ha-ila bandhana

SYNONYMS

yadyapi--although; udvega--anxiety; haila--there was; palaite--to go away; mana--the mind; thakurera--of the Lord; candana--of the sandalwood; sadhana--the collecting; ha-ila--there was; bandhana--bondage.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri wanted to leave Jagannatha Puri because the people were honoring him as a great devotee; however, this threatened to hinder his collecting sandalwood for the Gopala Deity.

TEXT 149

TEXT

jagannathera sevaka yata, yateka mahanta

sabake kahila puri gopala-vrttanta

SYNONYMS

jagannathera sevaka--the servants of Lord Jagannatha; yata--all; yateka mahanta--all respectable devotees; sabake--unto everyone; kahila--told; puri--Madhavendra Puri; gopala-vrttanta--the narration of Gopala.

TRANSLATION

Sri Madhavendra Puri told all the servants of Lord Jagannatha and all the great devotees there the story of the appearance of Sri Gopala.

TEXT 150

TEXT

gopala candana mage,----suni' bhakta-gana

anande candana lagi' karila yatana

SYNONYMS

gopala--Lord Gopala at Vrndavana; candana--sandalwood; mage--wants; suni'--hearing; bhakta-gana--all the devotees; anande--in great pleasure; candana lagi'--for sandalwood; karila--made; yatana--endeavor.

TRANSLATION

When all the devotees at Jagannatha Puri heard that the Gopala Deity wanted sandalwood, in great pleasure they all endeavored to collect it.

TEXT 151

TEXT

raja-patra-sane yara yara paricaya

tare magi' karpura-candana karila sancaya

SYNONYMS

raja-patra--government officers; sane--with; yara yara--whoever; paricaya--had acquaintance; tare magi'--begging them; karpura-candana--camphor and sandalwood; karila--made; sancaya--collection.

TRANSLATION

Those who were acquainted with government officers met with them and begged for camphor and sandalwood, which they collected.

PURPORT

It appears that malayaja-candana (sandalwood) and camphor were used for the Jagannatha Deity. The camphor was used in His aratrika, and the sandalwood was used to smear His body. Both these items were under government control; therefore the devotees had to meet with the government officials. Informing them of all the details, they attained permission to take the sandalwood and camphor outside Jagannatha Puri.

TEXT 152

TEXT

eka vipra, eka sevaka, candana vahite

puri-gosanira sange dila sambala-sahite

SYNONYMS

eka vipra--one brahmana; eka sevaka--one servant; candana--the sandalwood; vahite--to carry; puri-gosanira--Madhavendra Puri; sange--with; dila--gave; sambala-sahite--with the necessary expenditure.

TRANSLATION

One brahmana and one servant were given to Madhavendra Puri just to carry the sandalwood. He was also given the necessary traveling expenses.

TEXT 153

TEXT

ghati-dani chadaite raja-patra dvare

raja-lekha kari' dila puri-gosanira kare

SYNONYMS

ghati-dani--from the toll collectors; chadaite--to get release; raja-patra--papers showing governmental sanction; dvare--at the gates; raja-lekha--governmental permission; kari'--showing; dila--delivered; puri-gosanira--of Puri Gosani, Madhavendra Puri; kare--into the hand.

TRANSLATION

To get past the toll collectors along the way, Madhavendra Puri was supplied with the necessary release papers from government officers. The papers were placed in his hand.

TEXT 154

TEXT

calila madhava-puri candana lana

kata-dine remunate uttarila giya

SYNONYMS

calila--proceeded; madhava-puri--Madhavendra Puri; candana lana--taking the sandalwood; kata-dine--after some days; remunate--at the same temple of Remuna; uttarila--reached; giya--going.

TRANSLATION

In this way Madhavendra Puri started for Vrndavana with the burden of sandalwood, and after some days he again reached the village of Remuna and the Gopinatha temple there.

TEXT 155

TEXT

gopinatha-carane kaila bahu namaskara

premavese nrtya-gita karila apara

SYNONYMS

gopinatha-carane--at the lotus feet of Lord Gopinatha; kaila--made; bahu--many; namaskara--obeisances; prema-avese--in the ecstasy of love; nrtya-gita--dancing and chanting; karila--performed; apara--unlimitedly.

TRANSLATION

When Madhavendra Puri reached the temple of Gopinatha, he offered his respectful obeisances many times at the lotus feet of the Lord. In the ecstasy of love, he began to dance and sing without cessation.

TEXT 156

TEXT

puri dekhi' sevaka saba sammana karila

ksira-prasada diya tanre bhiksa karaila

SYNONYMS

puri dekhi'--by seeing Madhavendra Puri; sevaka--the priest or servant; saba sammana--all respects; karila--offered; ksira-prasada--sweet rice prasada; diya--offering; tanre--him; bhiksa karaila--made to eat.

TRANSLATION

When the priest of Gopinatha saw Madhavendra Puri again, he offered all respects to him and, giving him the sweet rice prasada, made him eat.

TEXT 157

TEXT

sei ratre devalaye karila sayana

sesa-ratri haile puri dekhila svapana

SYNONYMS

sei ratre--on that night; deva-alaye--in the temple; karila--did; sayana--sleeping; sesa-ratri--at the end of the night; haile--when it was; puri--Madhavendra Puri; dekhila--saw; svapana--a dream.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri took rest that night in the temple, but toward the end of the night he had another dream.

TEXT 158

TEXT

gopala asiya kahe,----suna he madhava

karpura-candana ami pailama saba

SYNONYMS

gopala--the Deity of Gopala; asiya--coming; kahe--says; suna--hear; he--O; madhava--Madhavendra Puri; karpura-candana--the camphor and sandalwood; ami--I; pailama--have received; saba--all.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri dreamed that Gopala came before him and said, "O Madhavendra Puri, I have already received all the sandalwood and camphor.

TEXT 159

TEXT

karpura-sahita ghasi' e-saba candana

gopinathera ange nitya karaha lepana

SYNONYMS

karpura-sahita--with the camphor; ghasi'--grinding; e-saba--all this; candana--sandalwood; gopinathera--of Sri Gopinatha; ange--on the body; nitya--daily; karaha--do; lepana--smearing.

TRANSLATION

"Now just grind all the sandalwood together with the camphor and then smear the pulp on the body of Gopinatha daily until it is finished.

TEXT 160

TEXT

gopinatha amara se eka-i anga haya

inhake candana dile habe mora tapa-ksaya

SYNONYMS

gopinatha--Lord Gopinatha; amara--My; se--that; eka-i--one; anga--body; haya--is; inhake--unto Him; candana dile--in offering this candana; habe--there will be; mora--My; tapa-ksaya--reduction of temperature.

TRANSLATION

"There is no difference between My body and Gopinatha's body. They are one and the same. Therefore if you smear the sandalwood pulp on the body of Gopinatha, you will naturally also smear it on My body. Thus the temperature of My body will be reduced.

PURPORT

Gopala was situated in Vrndavana, which was far from Remuna. In those days, one had to pass through provinces governed by the Muslims, who sometimes hindered travelers. Considering the trouble of His devotee, Lord Gopala, the greatest well-wisher of His devotees, ordered Madhavendra Puri to smear the sandalwood pulp on the body of Gopinatha, which was nondifferent from the body of Gopala. In this way the Lord relieved Madhavendra Puri from trouble and inconvenience.

TEXT 161

TEXT

dvidha na bhaviha, na kariha kichu mane

visvasa kari' candana deha amara vacane

SYNONYMS

dvidha na bhaviha--do not hesitate; na kariha--do not do; kichu--anything; mane--in the mind; visvasa kari'--believing Me; candana--sandalwood; deha--offer; amara vacane--under My order.

TRANSLATION

"You should not hesitate to act according to My order. Believing in Me, just do what is needed."

TEXT 162

TEXT

eta bali' gopala gela, gosani jagila

gopinathera sevaka-gane dakiya anila

SYNONYMS

eta bali'--saying this; gopala--the Deity of Gopala; gela--disappeared; gosani jagila--Madhavendra Puri awoke; gopinathera--of Lord Gopinatha; sevaka-gane--to the servitors; dakiya--calling; anila--brought them.

TRANSLATION

After giving these instructions, Gopala disappeared, and Madhavendra Puri awoke. He immediately called for all the servants of Gopinatha, and they came before him.

TEXT 163

TEXT

prabhura ajna haila,----ei karpura-candana

gopinathera ange nitya karaha lepana

SYNONYMS

prabhura ajna haila--there was an order of the Lord; ei--this; karpura--camphor; candana--and sandalwood; gopinathera ange--on the body of Gopinatha; nitya--daily; karaha--do; lepana--smearing.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri said, "Smear the body of Gopinatha with this camphor and sandalwood I have brought for Gopala in Vrndavana. Do this regularly every day.

TEXT 164

TEXT

inhake candana dile, gopala ha-ibe sitala

svatantra isvara----tanra ajna se prabala

SYNONYMS

inhake--unto Gopinatha; candana dile--when sandalwood will be given; gopala--Lord Gopala in Vrndavana; ha-ibe--will become; sitala--cool; svatantra isvara--the most independent Supreme Personality of Godhead; tanra--His; ajna--order; se--that; prabala--powerful.

TRANSLATION

"If the sandalwood pulp is smeared over the body of Gopinatha, then Gopala will be cooled. After all, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is completely independent; His order is all-powerful."

TEXT 165

TEXT

grisma-kale gopinatha paribe candana

suni' anandita haila sevakera mana

SYNONYMS

grisma-kale--in the summer; gopinatha--Lord Gopinatha; paribe--will put on; candana--sandalwood pulp; suni'--hearing; anandita--pleased; haila--became; sevakera--of the servants; mana--the minds.

TRANSLATION

The servants of Gopinatha became very pleased to hear that in the summer all the sandalwood pulp would be used to anoint the body of Gopinatha.

TEXT 166

TEXT

puri kahe,----ei dui ghasibe candana

ara jana-dui deha, diba ye vetana

SYNONYMS

puri kahe--Madhavendra Puri said; ei dui--these two assistants; ghasibe--will grind; candana--the sandalwood; ara--another; jana-dui--two men; deha--apply; diba--I shall pay; ye--that; vetana--salary.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri said, "These two assistants will regularly grind the sandalwood, and you should also get two other people to help. I shall pay their salary."

TEXT 167

TEXT

ei mata candana deya pratyaha ghasiya

paraya sevaka saba ananda kariya

SYNONYMS

ei mata--in this way; candana--sandalwood; deya--gives; pratyaha--daily; ghasiya--grinding; paraya--caused to put on; sevaka--servants; saba--all of it; ananda--pleasure; kariya--feeling.

TRANSLATION

In this way Gopinathaji was supplied ground sandalwood pulp daily. The servants of Gopinatha were very pleased with this.

TEXT 168

TEXT

pratyaha candana paraya, yavat haila anta

tathaya rahila puri tavat paryanta

SYNONYMS

pratyaha--daily; candana--sandalwood pulp; paraya--smears over the body; yavat--until; haila--there was; anta--an end; tathaya--there; rahila--remained; puri--Madhavendra Puri; tavat--that time; paryanta--until.

TRANSLATION

In this way the sandalwood pulp was smeared over the body of Gopinatha until the whole stock was finished. Madhavendra Puri stayed there until that time.

TEXT 169

TEXT

grisma-kala-ante punah nilacale gela

nilacale caturmasya anande rahila

SYNONYMS

grisma-kala--of the summer season; ante--at the end; punah--again; nilacale--to Jagannatha Puri; gela--went; nilacale--in Jagannatha Puri; catur-masya--the four months for vows; anande--in great pleasure; rahila--remained.

TRANSLATION

At the end of summer Madhavendra Puri returned to Jagannatha Puri, where he remained with great pleasure during the whole period of Caturmasya.

PURPORT

The Caturmasya period begins in the month of Asadha (June-July) from the day of Ekadasi called Sayana-ekadasi, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. The period ends in the month of Kartika (October-November) on the Ekadasi day known as Utthana-ekadasi, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. This four-month period is known as Caturmasya. Some Vaisnavas also observe it from the full-moon day of Asadha until the full-moon day of Kartika. That is also a period of four months. This period, calculated by the lunar months, is called Caturmasya, but others also observe Caturmasya according to the solar month from Sravana to Kartika. The whole period, either lunar or solar, takes place during the rainy season. Caturmasya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a grhastha or a sannyasi. The observance is obligatory for all asramas. The real purpose behind the vow taken during these four months is to minimize the quantity of sense gratification. This is not very difficult. In the month of Sravana one should not eat spinach, in the month of Bhadra one should not eat yogurt, and in the month of Asvina one should not drink milk. One should not eat fish or other nonvegetarian food during the month of Kartika. A nonvegetarian diet means fish and meat. Similarly, masura dal and urad dal are also considered nonvegetarian. These two dals contain a great amount of protein, and food rich in protein is considered nonvegetarian. On the whole, during the four-month period of Caturmasya one should practice giving up all food intended for sense enjoyment.

TEXT 170

TEXT

sri-mukhe madhava-purira amrta-carita

bhakta-gane sunana prabhu kare asvadita

SYNONYMS

sri-mukhe--from the mouth of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; madhava-purira--of Madhavendra Puri; amrta-carita--nectarean characteristics; bhakta-gane--the devotees; sunana--making hear; prabhu--the Lord; kare--does; asvadita--relished.

TRANSLATION

Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally praised the nectarean characteristics of Madhavendra Puri, and while He related all this to the devotees, He personally relished it.

TEXT 171

TEXT

prabhu kahe,----nityananda, karaha vicara

puri-sama bhagyavan jagate nahi ara

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe--the Lord said; nityananda--Nityananda Prabhu; karaha vicara--just consider; puri-sama--like Madhavendra Puri; bhagyavan--fortunate; jagate--in the world; nahi--there is not; ara--anyone else.

TRANSLATION

Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked Nityananda Prabhu to judge whether there was anyone within the world as fortunate as Madhavendra Puri.

TEXT 172

TEXT

dugdha-dana-chale krsna yanre dekha dila

tina-bare svapne asi' yanre ajna kaila

SYNONYMS

dugdha-dana-chale--on the plea of delivering milk; krsna--Lord Krsna; yanre--unto whom; dekha dila--made His appearance; tina-bare--three times; svapne--in dreams; asi'--coming; yanre--unto whom; ajna--order; kaila--gave.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Madhavendra Puri was so fortunate that Krsna personally appeared before him on the plea of delivering milk. Three times the Lord gave orders to Madhavendra Puri in dreams.

TEXT 173

TEXT

yanra preme vasa hana prakata ha-ila

seva angikara kari' jagata tarila

SYNONYMS

yanra--of whom; preme--by love of Godhead; vasa--obliged; hana--being; prakata--manifest; ha-ila--became; seva--service; angikara--acceptance; kari'--doing; jagata--the whole world; tarila--delivered.

TRANSLATION

"Being obliged because of the loving affairs of Madhavendra Puri, Lord Krsna Himself appeared as the Gopala Deity, and, accepting his service, He liberated the whole world.

TEXT 174

TEXT

yanra lagi' gopinatha ksira kaila curi

ataeva nama haila 'ksira-cora' kari'

SYNONYMS

yanra--whom; lagi'--on account of; gopinatha--Lord Gopinatha; ksira--sweet rice; kaila--did; curi--steal; ataeva--therefore; nama--the name; haila--became; ksira-cora--the thief of sweet rice; kari'--making.

TRANSLATION

"On account of Madhavendra Puri, Lord Gopinatha stole the pot of sweet rice. Thus He became famous as Ksira-cora [the thief who stole the sweet rice].

TEXT 175

TEXT

karpura-candana yanra ange cadaila

anande puri-gosanira prema uthalila

SYNONYMS

karpura-candana--camphor and sandalwood; yanra ange--on whose body; cadaila--put; anande--in great pieasure; puri-gosanira--of Madhavendra Puri; prema--love of Godhead; uthalila--welled up.

TRANSLATION

"Madhavendra Puri smeared the sandalwood pulp over the body of Gopinatha, and in this way he was overpowered with love of Godhead.

TEXT 176

TEXT

mleccha-dese karpura-candana anite janjala

puri duhkha pabe iha janiya gopala

SYNONYMS

mleccha-dese--through the countries where Muslims ruled; karpura-candana--camphor and sandalwood; anite--to bring; janjala--inconvenience; puri--Madhavendra Puri; duhkha--unhappiness; pabe--will get; iha--this; janiya--knowing; gopala--Gopala.

TRANSLATION

"In the provinces of India governed by the Muslims, there was much inconvenience in traveling with sandalwood and camphor. Because of this, Madhavendra Puri might have gotten into trouble. This became known to the Gopala Deity.

TEXT 177

TEXT

maha-daya-maya prabhu----bhakata-vatsala

candana pari' bhakta-srama karila saphala

SYNONYMS

maha--very; daya-maya--merciful; prabhu--the Lord; bhakata-vatsala--very attached to His devotees; candana pari'--putting on the sandalwood; bhakta-srama--the trouble of the devotee; karila--made; saphala--successful.

TRANSLATION

"The Lord is very merciful and attached to His devotees, so when Gopinatha was covered with sandalwood pulp, Madhavendra Puri's labor became successful."

TEXT 178

TEXT

purira prema-parakastha karaha vicara

alaukika prema citte lage camatkara

SYNONYMS

purira--of Madhavendra Puri; prema-para-kastha--the standard of intense love of Godhead; karaha--just make; vicara--judgment; alaukika--uncommon; prema--love of Godhead; citte--in the mind; lage--strikes; camatkara--wonder.

TRANSLATION

Caitanya Mahaprabhu placed the standard of Madhavendra Puri's intense love before Nityananda Prabhu for judgment. "All his loving activities are uncommon," Caitanya Mahaprabhu said. "Indeed, one is struck with wonder to hear of his activities."

PURPORT

When the living entity feels spiritual separation from Krsna (krsna-viraha), he has achieved the prime success of life. When one becomes disinterested in material things, he is simply experiencing the other side of attraction for material things. However, feeling separation from Krsna and engaging in the service of the Lord to fulfill His mission constitute the best example of love of Krsna. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to point out this intense love of Krsna exhibited by Madhavendra Puri. All Caitanya Mahaprabhu's devotees later followed in the footsteps of Madhavendra Puri, serving the Lord without personal considerations.

TEXT 179

TEXT

parama virakta, mauni, sarvatra udasina

gramya-varta-bhaye dvitiya-sanga-hina

SYNONYMS

parama virakta--totally renounced or unattached; mauni--silent; sarvatra--everywhere; udasina--uninterested; gramya-varta--of mundane topics; bhaye--in fear; dvitiya--second; sanga--associate; hina--without.

TRANSLATION

Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "Sri Madhavendra Puri used to remain alone. He was completely renounced and always very silent. He was uninterested in everything material, and for fear of talking about mundane things, he always lived without a companion.

TEXT 180

TEXT

hena-jana gopalera ajnamrta pana

sahasra krosa asi' bule candana magina

SYNONYMS

hena-jana--such a personality; gopalera--of the Gopala Deity; ajna-amrta--the nectarean order; pana--getting; sahasra--a thousand; krosa--a distance of two miles; asi'--coming; bule--walks; candana--sandalwood; magina--begging.

TRANSLATION

"After receiving the transcendental orders of Gopala, this great personality traveled thousands of miles just to collect sandalwood by begging.

TEXT 181

TEXT

bhoke rahe, tabu anna magina na khaya

hena-jana candana-bhara vahi' lana yaya

SYNONYMS

bhoke--hungry; rahe--remains; tabu--still; anna--food; magina--begging; na--does not; khaya--eat; hena-jana--such a person; candana-bhara--the load of sandalwood; vahi'--carrying; lana--taking; yaya--goes.

TRANSLATION

"Although Madhavendra Puri was hungry, he would not beg food to eat. This renounced person carried a load of sandalwood for the sake of Sri Gopala.

TEXT 182

TEXT

'maneka candana, tola-viseka karpura

gopale paraiba'----ei ananda pracura

SYNONYMS

maneka candana--one mana of sandalwood; tola--a measurement of weight; viseka--twenty; karpura--camphor; gopale--on Gopala; paraiba--I shall smear; ei--this; ananda--pleasure; pracura--sufficient.

TRANSLATION

"Without considering his personal comforts, Madhavendra Puri carried one mana [about eighty-two pounds] of sandalwood and twenty tolas [about eight ounces] of camphor to smear over the body of Gopala. This transcendental pleasure was sufficient for him.

TEXT 183

TEXT

utkalera dani rakhe candana dekhina

tahan edaila raja-patra dekhana

SYNONYMS

utkalera--of Orissa; dani--toll officer; rakhe--takes; candana--sandalwood; dekhina--seeing; tahan--there; edaila--escaped; raja-patra--governmental release; dekhana--by showing.

TRANSLATION

"Since there were restrictions against taking the sandalwood out of the Orissa province, the toll official confiscated the stock, but Madhavendra Puri showed him the release papers given by the government and consequently escaped difficulties.

TEXT 184

TEXT

mleccha-desa dura patha, jagati apara

ke-mate candana niba----nahi e vicara

SYNONYMS

mleccha-desa--the countries governed by Muslims; dura patha--long journey; jagati--watchmen; apara--unlimited; ke-mate--how; candana--the sandalwood; niba--I shall take; nahi--there was not; e--this; vicara--consideration.

TRANSLATION

"Madhavendra Puri was not at all anxious during the long journey to Vrndavana through the provinces governed by the Muslims and filled with unlimited numbers of watchmen.

TEXT 185

TEXT

sange eka vata nahi ghati-dana dite

tathapi utsaha bada candana lana yaite

SYNONYMS

sange--with him; eka--one; vata--farthing; nahi--there was not; ghati-dana--as a toll tax; dite--to give; tathapi--still; utsaha--enthusiasm; bada--much; candana--sandalwood; lana--taking; yaite--to go.

TRANSLATION

"Although Madhavendra Puri did not have a farthing with him, he was not afraid to pass by the toll officers. His only enjoyment was in carrying the load of sandalwood to Vrndavana for Gopala.

TEXT 186

TEXT

pragadha-premera ei svabhava-acara

nija-duhkha-vighnadira na kare vicara

SYNONYMS

pragadha--intense; premera--of love of Godhead; ei--this; svabhava--natural; acara--behavior; nija--personal; duhkha--inconvenience; vighna--impediments; adira--and so on; na--not; kare--does; vicara--consideration.

TRANSLATION

"This is the natural result of intense love of Godhead. The devotee does not consider personal inconveniences or impediments. In all circumstances he wants to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

PURPORT

It is natural for those who have developed intense love for Krsna not to care for personal inconvenience and impediments. Such devotees are simply determined to execute the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His representative, the spiritual master. In all circumstances, even amidst the greatest dangers, they undeviatingly carry on with the greatest determination. This definitely proves the intense love of the servitor. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.8), tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamanah: those who seriously desire to get free from the clutches of material existence, who have developed intense love for Krsna, are worthy candidates for going back home, back to Godhead. An intense lover of Krsna does not care for any number of material discomforts, scarcity, impediments or unhappiness. It is said that when one sees apparent unhappiness or distress in a perfect Vaisnava, it is not at all unhappiness for him; rather, it is transcendental bliss. In the Siksastaka (8), Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has also instructed: aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam. The intense lover of Krsna is never deviated from his service, despite all difficulties and impediments brought before him.

TEXT 187

TEXT

ei tara gadha prema loke dekhaite

gopala tanre ajna dila candana anite

SYNONYMS

ei--this; tara--of Madhavendra Puri; gadha--intense; prema--love of Godhead; loke--unto the people; dekhaite--to show; gopala--Lord Gopala; tanre--to him; ajna--order; dila--gave; candana--sandalwood; anite--to bring.

TRANSLATION

"Sri Gopala wanted to show how intensely Madhavendra Puri loved Krsna; therefore He asked him to go to Nilacala to fetch sandalwood and camphor.

TEXT 188

TEXT

bahu parisrame candana remuna anila

ananda badila mane, duhkha na ganila

SYNONYMS

bahu--much; parisrame--with labor; candana--sandalwood; remuna--to Remuna (the village of Gopinatha); anila--brought; ananda--pleasure; badila--increased; mane--in the mind; duhkha--difficulties; na--not; ganila--counted.

TRANSLATION

"With great trouble and after much labor, Madhavendra Puri brought the load of sandalwood to Remuna. However, he was still very pleased; he discounted all the difficulties.

TEXT 189

TEXT

pariksa karite gopala kaila ajna dana

pariksa kariya sese haila dayavan

SYNONYMS

pariksa--test; karite--to make; gopala--Lord Gopala; kaila--did; ajna--the order; dana--giving; pariksa--the test; kariya--making; sese--at the end; haila--became; daya-van--merciful.

TRANSLATION

"To test the intense love of Madhavendra Puri, Gopala, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, ordered him to bring sandalwood from Nilacala, and when Madhavendra Puri passed this examination, the Lord became very merciful to him.

TEXT 190

TEXT

ei bhakti, bhakta-priya-krsna-vyavahara

bujhiteo ama-sabara nahi adhikara

SYNONYMS

ei bhakti--this type of devotion; bhakta--of the devotee; priya--and the most lovable object; krsna--Lord Krsna; vyavahara--the behavior; bujhiteo--to understand; ama-sabara--of all of us; nahi--there is not; adhikara--the capacity.

TRANSLATION

"Such behavior exhibited in loving service between the devotee and the devotee's lovable object, Sri Krsna, is transcendental. It is not possible for a common man to understand. Common men do not even have the capacity."

TEXT 191

TEXT

eta bali' pade prabhu tanra krta sloka

yei sloka-candre jagat karyache aloka

SYNONYMS

eta bali'--saying this; pade--reads; prabhu--Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanra--by Madhavendra Puri; krta--composed; sloka--verse; yei--that; sloka-candre--by the moonlike verse; jagat--all over the world; karyache--produced; aloka--light.

TRANSLATION

After saying this, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu read the famous verse of Madhavendra Puri. That verse is just like the moon. It has spread illumination all over the world.

TEXT 192

TEXT

ghasite ghasite yaiche malayaja-sara

gandha bade, taiche ei slokera vicara

SYNONYMS

ghasite ghasite--rubbing and rubbing; yaiche--just as; malayaja-sara--sandalwood; gandha--the fragrance; bade--increases; taiche--similarly; ei--this; slokera--of the verse; vicara--the consideration.

TRANSLATION

Continuous rubbing increases the aroma of Malaya sandalwood. Similarly, consideration of this verse increases one's understanding of its importance.

TEXT 193

TEXT

ratna-gana-madhye yaiche kaustubha-mani

rasa-kavya-madhye taiche ei sloka gani

SYNONYMS

ratna-gana--the valuable jewels; madhye--among; yaiche--just as; kaustubha-mani--the jewel known as Kaustubha-mani; rasa-kavya--poetry dealing with the mellows of devotional service; madhye--among; taiche--similarly; ei--this; sloka--verse; gani--I count.

TRANSLATION

As the Kaustubha-mani is considered the most precious of valuable stones, this verse is similarly considered the best of poems dealing with the mellows of devotional service.

TEXT 194

TEXT

ei sloka kahiyachena radha-thakurani

tanra krpaya sphuriyache madhavendra-vani

SYNONYMS

ei--this; sloka--verse; kahiyachena--has spoken; radha-thakurani--Srimati Radharani; tanra--Her; krpaya--by the mercy; sphuriyache--has manifested; madhavendra--of Madhavendra Puri; vani--the words.

TRANSLATION

Actually this verse was spoken by Srimati Radharani Herself, and by Her mercy only was it manifest in the words of Madhavendra Puri.

TEXT 195

TEXT

kiba gauracandra iha kare asvadana

iha asvadite ara nahi cautha-jana

SYNONYMS

kiba--how excellent; gauracandra--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; iha--this; kare--does; asvadana--tasting; iha--this verse; asvadite--to taste; ara--another; nahi--there is not; cautha-jana--a fourth man.

TRANSLATION

Only Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has tasted the poetry of this verse. No fourth man is capable of understanding it.

PURPORT

This indicates that only Srimati Radharani, Madhavendra Puri and Caitanya Mahaprabhu are capable of understanding the purport of this verse.

TEXT 196

TEXT

sesa-kale ei sloka pathite pathite

siddhi-prapti haila purira slokera sahite

SYNONYMS

sesa-kale--at the end; ei sloka--this verse; pathite pathite--by reciting repeatedly; siddhi-prapti--attainment of perfection; haila--there was; purira--of Madhavendra Puri; slokera--this verse; sahite--with.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri recited this verse again and again at the end of his material existence. Thus uttering this verse, he attained the ultimate goal of life.

TEXT 197

TEXT

ayi dina-dayardra natha he

mathura-natha kadavalokyase

hrdayam tvad-aloka-kataram

dayita bhramyati kim karomy aham

SYNONYMS

ayi--O My Lord; dina--on the poor; daya-ardra--compassionate; natha--O master; he--O; mathura-natha--the master of Mathura; kada--when; avalokyase--I shall see You; hrdayam--My heart; tvat--of You; aloka--without seeing; kataram--very much aggrieved; dayita--O most beloved; bhramyati--becomes overwhelmed; kim--what; karomi--shall do; aham--I.

TRANSLATION

"O My Lord! O most merciful master! O master of Mathura! When shall I see You again? Because of My not seeing You, My agitated heart has become unsteady. O most beloved one, what shall I do now?"

PURPORT

The uncontaminated devotees who strictly depend on the Vedanta philosophy are divided into four sampradayas, or transcendental parties. Out of the four sampradayas, the Sri Madhvacarya-sampradaya was accepted by Madhavendra Puri. Thus he took sannyasa according to parampara, the disciplic succession. Beginning from Madhvacarya down to the spiritual master of Madhavendra Puri, the acarya named Laksmipati, there was no realization of devotional service in conjugal love. Sri Madhavendra Puri introduced the conception of conjugal love for the first time in the Madhvacarya-sampradaya, and this conclusion of the Madhvacarya-sampradaya was revealed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu when He toured southern India and met the Tattvavadis, who supposedly belonged to the Madhvacarya-sampradaya.

When Sri Krsna left Vrndavana and accepted the kingdom of Mathura, Srimati Radharani, out of ecstatic feelings of separation, expressed how Krsna can be loved in separation. Thus devotional service in separation is central to this verse. Worship in separation is considered by the Gaudiya-Madhva-sampradaya to be the topmost level of devotional service. According to this conception, the devotee thinks of himself as very poor and neglected by the Lord. Thus he addresses the Lord as dina-dayardra natha, as did Madhavendra Puri. Such an ecstatic feeling is the highest form of devotional service. Because Krsna had gone to Mathura, Srimati Radharani was very much affected, and She expressed Herself thus: "My dear Lord, because of Your separation My mind has become overly agitated. Now tell Me, what can I do? I am very poor and You are very merciful, so kindly have compassion upon Me and let Me know when I shall see You." Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was always expressing the ecstatic emotions of Srimati Radharani that She exhibited when She saw Uddhava at Vrndavana. Similar feelings, experienced by Madhavendra Puri, are expressed in this verse. Therefore, Vaisnavas in the Gaudiya-Madhva-sampradaya say that the ecstatic feelings experienced by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu during His appearance came from Sri Madhavendra Puri through Isvara Puri. All the devotees in the line of the Gaudiya-Madhva-sampradaya accept these principles of devotional service.

TEXT 198

TEXT

ei sloka padite prabhu ha-ila murcchite

premete vivasa hana padila bhumite

SYNONYMS

ei sloka--this verse; padite--reciting; prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ha-ila--became; murcchite--unconscious; premete--in ecstatic love; vivasa--uncontrolled; hana--becoming; padila--fell down; bhumite--on the ground.

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recited this verse, He immediately fell to the ground unconscious. He was overwhelmed and had no control over Himself.

TEXT 199

TEXT

aste-vyaste kole kari' nila nityananda

krandana kariya tabe uthe gauracandra

SYNONYMS

aste-vyaste--in great haste; kole--on the lap; kari'--making; nila--took; nityananda--Lord Nityananda Prabhu; krandana--crying; kariya--doing; tabe--at that time; uthe--got up; gauracandra--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TRANSLATION

When Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu fell to the ground in ecstatic love, Lord Nityananda quickly took Him on His lap. Crying, Caitanya Mahaprabhu then got up again.

TEXT 200

TEXT

premonmada haila, uthi' iti-uti dhaya

hunkara karaye, hase, kande, nace, gaya

SYNONYMS

prema-unmada--the madness of love; haila--there was; uthi'--getting up; iti-uti dhaya--runs here and there; hunkara--resounding; karaye--does; hase--laughs; kande--cries; nace--dances; gaya--and sings.

TRANSLATION

Exhibiting ecstatic emotions, the Lord began to run here and there, making resounding noises. Sometimes He laughed, and sometimes He cried, and sometimes He danced and sang.

TEXT 201

TEXT

'ayi dina, 'ayi dina' bale bara-bara

kanthe na nihsare vani, netre asru-dhara

SYNONYMS

ayi dina--O My Lord, master of the poor; ayi dina--O My Lord, master of the poor; bale--says; bara-bara--repeatedly; kanthe--in the throat; na--not; nihsare--comes out; vani--the voice; netre--in the eyes; asru-dhara--torrents of tears.

TRANSLATION

Caitanya Mahaprabhu could not recite the whole verse. He simply said, "Ayi dina, ayi dina," repeatedly. Thus He could not speak, and profuse tears were in His eyes.

TEXT 202

TEXT

kampa, sveda, pulakasru, stambha, vaivarnya

nirveda, visada, jadya, garva, harsa, dainya

SYNONYMS

kampa--trembling; sveda--perspiration; pulaka-asru--jubilation and tears; stambha--shock; vaivarnya--loss of color; nirveda--disappointment; visada--moroseness; jadya--loss of memory; garva--pride; harsa--joy; dainya--humility.

TRANSLATION

Trembling, perspiration, jubilant tears, shock, fading of the bodily luster, disappointment, moroseness, loss of memory, pride, joy and humility were all visible in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's body.

PURPORT

In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, jadya is explained as loss of memory brought about by severe shock due to separation from the beloved. In that state of mind, one loses all concern for loss and gain, hearing and seeing, as well as all other considerations. This marks the preliminary appearance of illusion.

TEXT 203

TEXT

ei sloke ughadila premera kapata

gopinatha-sevaka dekhe prabhura prema-nata

SYNONYMS

ei sloke--this verse; ughadila--uncovered; premera--of conjugal love; kapata--the door; gopinatha-sevaka--the servants of the Gopinatha Deity; dekhe--see; prabhura--of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prema-nata--the dance in ecstatic love.

TRANSLATION

This verse uncovered the door of ecstatic love, and when it was exhibited, all the servants of Gopinatha saw Caitanya Mahaprabhu dance in ecstasy.

TEXT 204

TEXT

lokera sanghatta dekhi' prabhura bahya haila

thakurera bhoga sari' arati bajila

SYNONYMS

lokera--of people; sanghatta--a crowd; dekhi'--seeing; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bahya--external consciousness; haila--appeared; thakurera--of the Deity; bhoga--offering; sari'--finishing; arati--performance of arati; bajila--resounded.

TRANSLATION

When many people crowded around Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He regained His external senses. In the meantime, the offering to the Deity had been finished, and there was a resounding arati performance.

TEXT 205

TEXT

thakure sayana karana pujari haila bahira

prabhura age ani' dila prasada bara ksira

SYNONYMS

thakure--the Deity; sayana--lying down; karana--causing to do; pujari--the priest; haila--was; bahira--out of the temple; prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; age--in front; ani'--bringing; dila--offered; prasada--the remnants of food; bara--twelve; ksira--pots of sweet rice.

TRANSLATION

When the Deities were laid down to rest, the priest came out of the temple and offered all twelve pots of sweet rice to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TEXT 206

TEXT

ksira dekhi' mahaprabhura ananda badila

bhakta-gane khaoyaite panca ksira laila

SYNONYMS

ksira--the sweet rice; dekhi'--seeing; mahaprabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ananda--the pleasure; badila--increased; bhakta-gane--the devotees; khaoyaite--to feed them; panca--five pots; ksira--sweet rice; laila--accepted.

TRANSLATION

When all the pots of sweet rice, remnants left by Gopinatha, were placed before Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He became very pleased. In order to feed the devotees, He accepted five of them.

TEXT 207

TEXT

sata ksira pujarike bahudiya dila

panca-ksira panca-jane vantiya khaila

SYNONYMS

sata ksira--seven pots of sweet rice; pujarike--toward the pujari; bahudiya--pushing forward; dila--gave; panca-ksira--five pots of sweet rice; panca-jane--to five men; vantiya--distributing; khaila--ate.

TRANSLATION

The seven remaining pots were pushed forward and delivered to the priest. Then the five pots of sweet rice the Lord had accepted were distributed among the five devotees, and they ate the prasada.

TEXT 208

TEXT

gopinatha-rupe yadi kariyachena bhojana

bhakti dekhaite kaila prasada bhaksana

SYNONYMS

gopinatha-rupe--in His arca incarnation as Gopinatha; yadi--although; kariyachena--has done; bhojana--eating; bhakti--devotional service; dekhaite--to exhibit; kaila--did; prasada bhaksana--eating.

TRANSLATION

Being identical with the Gopinatha Deity, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had already tasted and eaten the pots of sweet rice. Yet just to manifest devotional service, He again ate the pots of sweet rice as a devotee.

TEXT 209

TEXT

nama-sankirtane sei ratri gonaila

mangala-arati dekhi' prabhate calila

SYNONYMS

nama-sankirtane--in congregational chanting; sei--that; ratri--night; gonaila--passed; mangala-arati--the early arati; dekhi'--after seeing; prabhate--in the morning; calila--departed.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu passed that night at the temple engaged in congregational chanting. In the morning, after seeing the mangala-arati performance, He departed.

TEXT 210

TEXT

gopala-gopinatha-puri-gosanira guna

bhakta-sange sri-mukhe prabhu kaila asvadana

SYNONYMS

gopala--of the Gopala Deity; gopinatha--of the Gopinatha Deity; puri-gosanira--of Madhavendra Puri; guna--the qualities; bhakta-sange--with the devotees; sri-mukhe--in His own mouth; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kaila--did; asvadana--tasting.

TRANSLATION

In this way, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally tasted with His own mouth the transcendental qualities of Gopalaji, Gopinatha and Sri Madhavendra Puri.

TEXT 211

TEXT

ei ta' akhyane kahila donhara mahima

prabhura bhakta-vatsalya, ara bhakta-prema-sima

SYNONYMS

ei ta'--thus; akhyane--in the narration; kahila--described; donhara--of the two; mahima--the glories; prabhura--of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bhakta-vatsalya--attachment for His devotees; ara--and; bhakta-prema-sima--the highest limit of ecstatic love by the devotee.

TRANSLATION

Thus I have described both the transcendental glories of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's affection for His devotees and the highest limit of ecstatic love of God.

TEXT 212

TEXT

sraddha-yukta hana iha sune yei jana

sri-krsna-carane sei paya prema-dhana

SYNONYMS

sraddha-yukta--possessed of faith; hana--being; iha--this; sune--hears; yei--that; jana--person; sri-krsna-carane--at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Krsna; sei--that person; paya--gets; prema-dhana--the treasure of love of Godhead.

TRANSLATION

One who hears this narration with faith and devotion attains the treasure of love of Godhead at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna.

TEXT 213

TEXT

sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa

caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa

SYNONYMS

sri-rupa--Srila Rupa Gosvami; raghunatha--Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami; pade--at the lotus feet; yara--whose; asa--expectation; caitanya-caritamrta--the book named Caitanya-caritamrta; kahe--describes; krsnadasa--Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami.

TRANSLATION

Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always desiring their mercy, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, following in their footsteps.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Fourth Chapter, describing Sri Madhavendra Puri's devotional service.