Chaitanya's Life And Teachings

Chanting (

t, if not, not." Sárvabhauma said, "Here is Pratap Rudra Ray, eager to meet you." The Master clapped His hands to His ears, murmured an appeal to God, and re

king is only the deadly snake in another form, just as the touch of even the wooden statue of a woman causes mental per

ho relieved me of my office, as you wished. I told him that if he would let me I should remain at Chaitanya's feet, as I no longer wished to manage affairs (of state). At the mention of thy name the king in delight rose from his throne and embraced me. On hearing thy name he was enraptured; he held my hand and very graciously told me, 'Enjoy your

ves you. Krishna will accept the Raja because of the great favour he has shown to you. Vide

e god now." At this the Master cried out, "What hast thou done, Ray? Why did you come to me before visiting the god?" The Ray answered, "My feet are my carriage, my heart is the driver; wherever they take me I, as rider, must go. What can I do? My heart broug

Him further He will go away from this place." At this the king lamented, "His advent is for redeeming the sinful and the lowly. He has saved Jagái and Madhái. Has He incarnated Himself with the determination to deliver the whole wo

till, I suggest a device by which you can see Him. At the Car Festival, the Master with all His followers will dance in rapture in front of Jagannáth's car, and enter the garden in an ecstatic mood. Just then, clad in a plain robe and reciting the Krishna-rása-pan

he Master. He learnt from the Bhatta that the Bathing Festival would occu

from Bengal,-all of them followers of the Master and very spiritual personages. They have appeared in the city. Arrange for their being given lodgings and consecrated food." The king replied, "I shall order the Parichhá, to assign them lodgings &c., as they require. Show me, Bhattáchárya, the Master's followers arrived from Bengal, one by one." The Bhatta said, "Climb to the roof of the palace. Gopinath will point them out as he knows them all, I know none, though I long to do so. Gopinath will introduce each." So saying the three ascended to the roof, while the Vaishnavs came near them.

ar Acharya, Gangarlas Pandit, Shankar Pandit, Murari Gupta, Nara-yan Pandit, Haridas Thakur (the purifier of the world), Hari Bhatta, Nrisinghánanda, Vásudev Datta, Shivánanda, Govinda, Mádhav, Vásu Ghosh (three brothers, whose chanting delights the Master), Rághav Pandit, Acharya Nandan, Shriman Pa

all resplendent of hue like a million Suns. Never before have I heard such entrancing street singing. Nowhere else have

ation is for preaching religion; in the Kali age the sankirtan of Krishna's name is the (only) religion. Wise are those

he Bhatta answered, "He alone whom Chaitanya favours even a bit can know Him as Krishna. He who has not Chaitanya's gr

ere coming, the Master had bidden him bring the prasád". The king objected, "It is the custom for pilgrims to fast on reaching a holy place (before they see the god). But why are these men breaking their fast?" The Bhatta answered, "What you mention is the rule of religion. But in this path of devotion there is a subtle inner meaning. God's indirect (or general) command is that pilgrims should first shave their heads and fast. But the Master's direct (or immediate) order is feasting on the prasád

er's followers have come to Him. Give them food and board to their comfort, and make it easy for them to see the god. Heedf

His attendants met them on the way in great glee. Adwaita bowed at His feet, but He embraced him. In rapture of devotion the two were greatly excited, but in consideration of the occasion the Master composed Himself somewhat. The new arrivals all bowed to Him, and He embrace

dwaita objected, "Such is the nature of God. He is full and the source of all power, an

ur society is a second birth to him. Therefore is his rank higher than mine, though I am his elder brother. Your grace has made him excel in all virtues." Then the Master added, "I have brought two manuscripts

bought me (with your kindness)," to which Shribas replied, "Why do you speak

th respect, whereas towards Shankar I feel pure affection. Therefore keep him in your company

at you were ardently devoted to me." At these words Shivananda was enraptured

lding two blades of grass between his teeth as a mark of abject humility. As the Master advanced to yyelcome him, Murari stepped back shouting, Touch me not, Lord, I am a sinner, my body is un

ay on the edge of the public road, whence he had first beheld Chaitanya. He had not resorted to the Master's reception, but stopped at a distance. The devotees hurried there to lead him in, but Haridas said, "I am a low person, of no cas

ese Vaishnavs. We have chosen lodgings for all and shall serve them with the mahá-prasád." The Master replied, "Gopinath! take the Vaishnavs with you and bestow them in the lodgings chosen for them. Deliver the mahá-prasád to Vaninath, who will distribute it to all. Close to my place is

hereafter Vaninath returned with the consecrated rice and cakes, and Gopinath after cleaning the lodgings. The Master said, "Hear, all ye Vaishnavs! Go to your respective lodgin

ter answered, "I touch you to be purified myself, because I lack your pure religion. Every moment you acquire as much piety as by bathing in all holy places, or by performing sacrifice, austerities, and alms-giving, or by reading the Vedas. You are holier than a Brahman or a sannyasi! Vide Bhágabat III. xxxiii. 7." So saying He too

l the faithful held their hands back from the dinner so long as the Master fasted. Swarup reported this to Him, saying, Unless you sit down to meal, none else will dine. Gopinath Acharya has invited the party of sannyasis to dine with you. He has brought the prasád, and the Puri and Bhárati were waiting for you. Do you sit down to dinner with Nit

evening they came to Him again, when Rámánanda also arrived. The Master introduced him to all the Vaishnavs. With the whole party He went to Jagannáth's t

ted "Hari! Hari!" and cheered. The blissful sound of kirtan penetrated through the 14 regions to the empyrean. As the kirtan began,

r a long time, He performed kirtan behind it, the four parties singing in a high pitch, while Chaitanya danced wildly in the middle. After dancing long He stopped and permitted the four Apostles to dance with the four parties, Nityánanda, Adwaita Acharya, Vakreshwar Pandit, and Shrinibas while the Master from the centre gazed on. Here He manifested a miraculous power: every

held such grand dancing, devotion, and sankirtan. The king himself on hearing of the splendour of the kirtan, ascended to the terr

with all the Vaishnavs. The Parichha brought to Him plenty of prasád which He divided among all. Then he dismissed t