SRI CAITANYA-BHAGAVATA: Concisely told by Purnaprajna Das

429 Pages·2.174 MB·English

by  Purnaprajna Das

SRI CAITANYA-BHAGAVATA
Concisely told by Purnaprajna Das
I worship Their Lordships Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri
Nityananda Prabhu, whose long arms extend to Their knees, whose
beautiful complexions are the luminous yellow of molten gold, and
whose elongated eyes are like red lotuses. They are the topmost
brahmanas, the guardians of religious principles for this age, the
most munificent benefactors of all living entities, and the most
compassionate incarnations of Godhead. They inaugurated the
congregational chanting of the holy names of Lord Krsna
All glories, all glories to moonlike Sri Krsna Caitanya. He is
the fully independent Supreme Person, He is the Lord of the
universe, He is the supreme controller of all controllers, and He is
always engaged in transcendental pastimes.
All glories, all glories to the devotees of Sri Gauracandra. All
glories, all glories to the ecstatic dancing of the Lord’s intimate
associates.
In the beginning I offer my humble obeisances to the feet of
the loving, confidential devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. I
then offer my obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
Sri Krsna Caitanya. He incarnated in Navadvipa, and He is known as
Visvambhara.
Lord Krsna has said: O Uddhava, serving My devotees is
many times better than worshiping Me. (SB 11.19.21)
Therefore, I offer my submissive prayers unto the devotees
of the Lord before I begin to write this book. By this act, may my
humble endeavor become successful.
I offer my respectful obeisances to my worshipable Lord
and spiritual master, Sri Nityananda Raya, by whose mercy the
transcendental pastimes of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu become
spontaneously manifest. With a thousand tongues we should
incessantly glorify the Supreme Lord, Balarama, because His
thousand mouths as Ananta Sesa constantly glorify Lord Krsna.
Just as priceless gems are kept in secure custody, so the invaluable
jewel of knowledge about Krsna’s pastimes is kept safely in the
mouth of Anantadeva. Therefore, the tongue that initially glorifies
Nityananda Balarama will automatically be qualified to vibrate the
transcendental pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Lord Balarama, as Nityananda, is fully transcendental and
eternally existent, and He is continuously intoxicated by the nectar of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s pastimes. Whoever sings or hears about
Nityananda’s sublime character is offered the supreme shelter of
Lord Caitanya. The transcendental qualities of Lord Balarama are
obscure in the four Vedas, but the Puranas describe them boldly. If a
person, after reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, is not affectionately
inclined towards Lord Balarama, he is rejected by the Supreme Lord
Visnu and His devotees. Offenses at Lord Balarama’s lotus feet
destroy all possibilities for salvation.
In His incarnation as Laksmana, the younger brother of Lord
Ramacandra, Balarama enacted the role of the Lord’s servitor, but
as the Supreme Lord, He serves Himself in every respect. Lord
Nityananda Balarama’s direct, partial expansion, Ananta Sesa,
manifests Himself as Lord Krsna’s residence, bed, throne, shoes,
clothes, jewelry, etc. Similarly, Lord Nityananda serves Lord Caitanya
in the following ten ways—friend, brother, fan, bed, carrier,
residence, umbrella, garments, ornaments, and sitting place.
In the court of Brahma, Narada Muni plays his vina and
sings about the transcendental qualities and pastimes of the
Supreme Lord. Indeed, Brahma and others become stunned with
ecstasy while hearing Narada Muni’s krsna-katha, and for this
reason he is worshiped by all.
I have also been moved to write a few phrases in praise of
the unlimited potencies of Lord Nityananda Anantadeva, and so I
humbly request all of you to develop a loving devotional mood
toward Him. Those who desire to cross over the dangerous ocean of
material existence and drown in the ocean of devotional ecstasy
should take shelter of Lord Nityananda.
I pray that the merciful devotees of the Lord may fulfill my
heart’s yearning, so that I can serve my Lord Balarama, birth after
birth. Just as dvija, vipra and brahmana are different names for the
same person, so Nityananda, Ananta and Balarama are different
names of the same Supreme Personality of Godhead.
My Lord Nityananda Prabhu appeared within my heart and
instructed me to narrate the transcendental qualities of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu by writing this book. The pastimes of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu are only revealed by Lord Nityananda’s mercy, because
His personal expansion, Ananta Sesa, is the storehouse of
information about Lord Caitanya and Lord Krsna’s pastimes.
Hearing of Lord Caitanya’s qualities and pastimes can
cleanse one of all material contamination. Know for certain that the
Lord’s pastimes are revealed only through a pure devotee’s grace.
Who can know the nature and pastimes of Lord Caitanya? These
topics are so confidential that they are not even openly discussed in
the Vedas. Therefore, I have compiled only first-hand accounts,
taken directly from the lips of the Lord’s associates.
I see no beginning or end to Lord Caitanya’s pastimes.
They are eternal and unlimited, and only the Lord’s grace gives me
the potency to describe them. I am simply Lord Caitanya’s
spokesman, repeating whatever He desires. I am just like a doll that
is being moved by an unseen hand. I throw myself at the feet of all
the pure Vaisnavas, so that they may cleanse me of all offenses.
O my brothers! Please listen very attentively to the
transcendental pastimes Lord Caitanya performed with His devotee
associates!
In Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna says: Whenever and
wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendent of
Bharata, and a predominant rise in irreligion, at that time, I descend.
To deliver the pious and annihilate the miscreants, as well as to re-
establish the principles of religion, I advent Myself millennium after
millennium.
It is confirmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam that the Supreme
Absolute Truth, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, incarnated solely for the
purpose of propagating the congregational chanting of Lord Krsna’s
holy name.
“King Nimi, devotees always offer prayers to the Supreme
Lord, Hari, but now I will explain how the devotees in Kali-yuga offer
the choicest prayers, accompanied by various rituals and
regulations, for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord. In this age of
Kali, people who are endowed with sufficient intelligence will worship
the Lord, Who is accompanied by His associates, by the
performance of sankirtana-yajna.”
According to the Lord’s desire, His eternal associates
appeared before Him. Most of them, including Ananta Sesa, Lord
Siva and Brahma, were born in Navadvipa, yet some were born in
other places in Bengal and Orissa. Although born in various places,
all of these associates met at Navadvipa.
Srivasa Pandita, Sri Rama Pandita, Candrasekhara and
Murari Gupta appeared at Srihatta. Pundarika Vidyanidhi, Caitanya
Vallabha, and Vasudeva Datta appeared at Cattagrama. Haridas
Thakura appeared at Budhana.
Lord Nityananda appeared at the village of Ekacakra in the
Radha-desa district of Bengal. Although He is factually the supreme
father of all living entities, Lord Nityananda appeared as the son of
Hadai Pandita, a brahmana and pure devotee, just to manifest His
mercy.
Sri Paramananda Puri, who was Lord Caitanya’s close
associate at Nilacala, appeared at Trihut, in Mithila, located in
present-day Bihar. In this way, the Supreme Lord Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu arranged that His associates appear in many different
places, and yet they met, as if by chance, in Navadvipa.
Knowing that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would appear there,
Providence made Navadvipa a very prosperous and flourishing town
—just so that it would be worthy to receive the Lord. Who could
possibly describe Navadvipa’s opulence? By the grace of mother
Sarasvati, the residents of Navadvipa, regardless of their ages, were
learned propounders of sastra. At the same time, the people were
very proud of their knowledge, and indeed, even young boys would
argue logic with senior scholars.
Students came from all over to study at Navadvipa,
because it was reputed to be the premier center of learning. In fact,
the number of students at Navadvipa was uncountable, and the
exact number of professors was similarly incalculable.
The residents of Navadvipa were quite content, being
favored by the glances of Laksmi, the goddess of fortune. They
misused their valuable time by spending money for sense enjoyment
and engaging in worldly affairs.
As the people grew prouder and more materialistic, their
taste for devotional service to the Supreme Lord decreased at an
alarming degree, for the age of Kali had ushered in a host of immoral
activities. The only religious activity they engaged in was pujas to the
various demigods and goddesses, especially Durga-devi,
accompanied by prayers for temporary material benedictions.
They squandered large sums of money for the marriages of
their sons and daughters, and in this way, the residents of Navadvipa
wasted their valuable human form of life.
Even the so-called learned high priests—the Bhattacaryas,
Cakravartis and Misras, etc.—did not know the real purpose of
sastra. Although they posed as teachers of religion, their activities
were generally contrary to scriptural injunctions. Thus, along with
their students, they drowned in the ocean of iniquity.
Nobody was advocating the congregational chanting of Lord
Krsna’s holy name, the yuga-dharma for the Age of Kali. The chief
occupation simply seemed to be finding fault in others. As for the
superstitious so-called renunciates and hermits, not a single name of
God ever came from their mouths.
Those who were considered to be the most pious in society
were heard to repeat the name “Govinda” or “Pundarikaksa” only
once, at the time of bathing in the Ganga. While discoursing on
Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam, so-called authorities
completely neglected the devotional perspective.
Seeing the fallen condition of society in general, the
Vaisnavas (devotees of the Lord) felt truly pained at heart. They
thought to themselves: These people are thoroughly in the clutches
of the Lord’s illusory energy. Being mesmerized by the myth that true
happiness can be achieved by means of sense enjoyment, they are
completely engrossed in material existence. How can they be
liberated?
Although the devotees repeatedly requested the people to
chant the holy name of the Lord, they refused, and instead, busied
themselves in the pursuit of mundane knowledge. In spite of this
failure, the elevated devotees diligently kept themselves fixed in their
devotional activities by worshiping Krsna, bathing in the Ganga, and
discussing krsna-katha.
Foremost of the Vaisnavas was Advaita Acarya, and he was
glorified throughout the land. He constantly worshiped Lord Krsna
with great devotion, offering Him tulasi manjaris and Ganga water.
Indeed, the loud chanting of the holy name; the blowing of conch
shells; and the sounds of karatals, gongs and drums transformed Sri
Advaita Acarya’s house into Vaikuntha.
Other devotees who appeared before the Lord were Sri
Jagadisa, Sri Gopinatha, Sriman, Sri Murari, Sri Garuda and Sri
Gangadasa. I only mention those who were known personally to me.
Otherwise, to list every individual would greatly increase the size of
this book.
Each of these magnanimous devotees executed his spiritual
duties, and was only concerned with devotional service to Lord
Krsna. Each was unaware of the others’ spiritual identities, yet they
mixed intimately as confidential friends. Wherever they looked, these
devotees saw a world that was devoid of devotion, and this made
their hearts become filled with sorrow. Finding no one with any taste
for krsna-katha, they remained satisfied by glorifying the Lord among
themselves.
The devotees regularly assembled at Advaita Acarya’s
house, for hours together, and in this way they dispelled their
unhappiness. Being very aggrieved to see the suffering condition of
materialistic persons, Advaita Acarya began fasting.
In the evening, at home, Srivasa Thakura and his three
brothers would begin very enthusiastic chanting of the Lord’s holy
name, but grossly materialistic persons, who were always engaged
in running after wealth and family matters, could not appreciate this.
Indeed, such atheists considered Srivasa Thakura to be mad. They
felt that he would become the cause of a great calamity, thinking that
the tyrannical Muslim rulers would tear the village apart if they heard
the people loudly engaged in performing sankirtana.
Some envious neighbors said that they would uproot
Srivasa Thakura’s house and throw it in the river, just to rid
themselves of him. They thought: Only when Srivasa Thakura
leaves, will our village become peaceful. Otherwise, the
Mohammedans will torture us!
When the saintly devotees heard of these threats, they wept
with sorrow while appealing to the Lord. Advaita Acarya burned with
anger upon learning the news, however. He said: Listen Srivasa,
Gangadasa and Suklambara. I shall make Lord Krsna appear. The
Lord will liberate all the atheists, along with you, by teaching love of
God. If I fail to keep this promise, then I will manifest My four-armed
form, and with my cakra, sever all the atheists’ heads!
Thereafter, Advaita Acarya worshiped Lord Krsna’s lotus
feet with great attention, and all the other devotees followed His
example. The devotees went about, executing their duties, but they
felt unbearable grief upon witnessing the futile endeavors of the
godless society. Some of the devotees contemplated giving up their
lives, while others gave up interest in material comforts, having lost
all appetite for such things.
In response, the Lord began to make preparations to
descend to this world. By His desire, Lord Nityananda Balarama, the
origin of Ananta Sesa, descended at Radha-desa, in the village of
Ekacakra, as the son of Hadai Pandita.
In Navadvipa, Jagannatha Misra and his wife, Saci-devi,
had eight daughters that died soon after birth. Then a son,
Visvarupa, was born, and from his very birth, he was materially
renounced.
Thereafter, in consideration of society’s fallen condition, the
Supreme Lord entered the bodies of Srimati Saci-devi and Sri
Jagannatha Misra. Lord Ananta Sesa sang in glorification of the
Lord, and they heard this in their dreams. Husband and wife shone
brightly with spiritual radiance, although mundane eyes could not
perceive this.
Understanding that the Lord would soon appear, Lord
Brahma, Lord Siva and the other demigods came to Jagannath
Misra’s house. Remaining unseen, they offered prayers: All glories to
Lord Caitanya! Although You are unmanifest in the countless
universes, You are now manifest in the womb of Srimati Saci-devi!
O Lord, be kind upon us, so that we may have the great
fortune of witnessing Your pastimes at Navadvipa. Your
transcendental form, which is envisioned by great mystics and yogis
in meditation, will now become manifest before all the residents of
Navadvipa. Let us offer obeisances to holy Navadvipa-dhama, and
the house of Jagannatha Misra and Srimati Saci-devi, where You are
making Your divine appearance.
The Supreme Lord remained in Saci-devi’s womb. Then, on
the full moon night in the month of Phalguna, He appeared.
Even before His appearance, the Lord started propagating
the sankirtana movement. When there was a solar eclipse, crowds of
people went to bathe in the Ganga, and all of them chanted the holy
name of the Lord. Indeed, some people that had never even once
chanted the holy name of the Lord, did so enthusiastically while
proceeding to the Ganga.
Because the sound of the chanting filled all directions, the
Lord smiled to Himself as He made His appearance. Sri Jagannatha
Misra and Srimati Saci-devi glanced at their newborn child’s beautiful
face and were overwhelmed by unbounded joy. The ladies that
gathered around were so excited that they knew not what to do, but
simply ululated in jubilation.
Friends and relatives hurried to see the newborn child, so
that Jagannatha Misra’s house soon became a scene of great
excitement. Sacimata’s father, Nilambara Cakravarti, arrived, and
when he made the child’s astrological chart, he found many
wonderful signs. Indeed, Nilambara Cakravarti was astonished to
see the Lord’s beauty, and he observed many divine symbols on His
body.
There was a widely accepted prophecy that someday a
brahmana’s son would become the king of Bengal. Sri Cakravarti
thought that the time had come when this statement would be
proven true. In the presence of all, Nilambara Cakravarti explained in
detail the implications of the Lord’s horoscope. He said: This child
will excel Brhaspati as a scholar, and indeed, he will be like a
reservoir of all divine qualities.
A great sage was present there, disguised as a local
brahmana. Describing the Lord’s future activities, he said: This child
is the Supreme Lord, Narayana Himself. He will reveal the essence