Chapter 19
Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Instructs Srila Rupa Gosvami
A summary of this chapter is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya. Meeting Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in a village called Ramakeli, two brothers, Rupa and Sanatana, began to devise means to get out of their government service. Both brothers appointed some brahmanas to perform purascarana ceremonies and chant the holy name of Krsna. Srila Rupa Gosvami deposited ten thousand gold coins with a grocer, and the balance he brought in two boats to a place called Bakla Candradvipa. There he divided this money among the brahmanas, Vaisnavas and his relatives, and a portion he kept for emergency measures and personal needs. He was informed that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was going to Vrndavana from Jagannatha Puri through the forest of Madhya Pradesh; therefore he sent two people to Jagannatha Puri to find out when the Lord would leave for Vrndavana. In this way Rupa Gosvami retired, but Sanatana Gosvami told the Nawab that he was sick and could not attend to his work. Giving this excuse, he sat home and studied Srimad-Bhagavatam with learned brahmana scholars. The Nawab Hussain Shah first sent his personal physician to see what the real facts were; then he personally came to see why Sanatana was not attending to official business. Knowing that he wanted to resign his post, the Nawab had him arrested and imprisoned. The Nawab then went off to attack Orissa.
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu started for Vrndavana through the forest of Madhya Pradesh (Jharikhanda), Rupa Gosvami left home and sent news to Sanatana that he was leaving home with his younger brother (Anupama Mallika) to meet Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Rupa Gosvami finally reached Prayaga and met with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu for ten successive days. During this time, Vallabha Bhatta extended an invitation to the Lord with great respect. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced Srila Rupa Gosvami to Vallabha Bhatta. After this, a brahmana scholar named Raghupati Upadhyaya arrived and discussed Krsna consciousness with the Lord. Kaviraja Gosvami then extensively describes the living condition of Sri Rupa and Sanatana at Vrndavana. During the ten days at Prayaga, Srila Rupa Gosvami was instructed by the Lord, who gave him the basic principles of the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu. The Lord then sent Srila Rupa Gosvami to Vrndavana. The Lord Himself returned to Varanasi and stayed at the home of Candrasekhara.
TEXT 1
TEXT
vrndavaniyam rasa-keli-vartam
kalena luptam nija-saktim utkah
sancarya rupe vyatanot punah sa
prabhur vidhau prag iva loka-srstim
SYNONYMS
vrndavaniyam--related to Vrndavana; rasa-keli-vartam--talks about the pastimes of Sri Krsna; kalena--with the course of time; luptam--lost; nija-saktim--His personal potency; utkah--being eager; sancarya--infusing; rupe--to Rupa Gosvami; vyatanot--manifested; punah--again; sah--He; prabhuh--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vidhau--unto Lord Brahma; prak iva--as formerly; loka-srstim--the creation of this cosmic manifestation.
TRANSLATION
Before the creation of this cosmic manifestation, the Lord enlightened the heart of Lord Brahma with the details of the creation and manifested the Vedic knowledge. In exactly the same way, the Lord, being anxious to revive the Vrndavana pastimes of Lord Krsna, impregnated the heart of Rupa Gosvami with spiritual potency. By this potency, Srila Rupa Gosvami could revive the activities of Krsna in Vrndavana, activities almost lost to memory. In this way, He spread Krsna consciousness throughout the world.
TEXT 2
TEXT
jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda
SYNONYMS
jaya jaya sri-caitanya--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 Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaitacandra! And all glories to all the devotees of the Lord!
TEXT 3
TEXT
sri-rupa-sanatana rahe ramakeli-grame
prabhure miliya gela apana-bhavane
SYNONYMS
sri-rupa-sanatana--the brothers named Rupa and Sanatana; rahe--stayed; ramakeli-grame--in Ramakeli; prabhure--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; miliya--meeting; gela--went back; apana-bhavane--to their own homes.
TRANSLATION
After meeting Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the village of Ramakeli, the brothers Rupa and Sanatana returned to their homes.
TEXT 4
TEXT
dui-bhai visaya-tyagera upaya srjila
bhau-dhana diya dui brahmane varila
SYNONYMS
dui-bhai--the two brothers; visaya-tyagera--of giving up material activities; upaya srjila--discovered a means; bahu-dhana--much money; diya--paying; dui brahmane--two brahmanas; varila--appointed.
TRANSLATION
The two brothers devised a means whereby they could give up their material activities. For this purpose, they appointed two brahmanas and paid them a large amount of money.
TEXT 5
TEXT
krsna-mantre karaila dui purascarana
acirat paibare caitanya-carana
SYNONYMS
krsna-mantre--in the holy mantra Hare Krsna; karaila--caused to perform; dui--two; purascarana--religious ceremonies; acirat--without delay; paibare--to get; caitanya-carana--the shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TRANSLATION
The brahmanas performed religious ceremonies and chanted the holy name of Krsna so that the two brothers might attain shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu very soon.
PURPORT
A purascarana is a ritualistic ceremony performed under the guidance of an expert spiritual master or a brahmana. It is performed for the fulfillment of certain desires. One rises early in the morning, chants the Hare Krsna mantra, performs arcana by the arati ceremony and worships the Deities. These activities are described in the Fifteenth Chapter, verse 108.
TEXT 6
TEXT
sri-rupa-gosani tabe naukate bhariya
sri-rupa-gosani apanara ghare aila bahu-dhana lana
SYNONYMS
sri-rupa-gosani--Sri Rupa Gosvami; tabe--thereafter; naukate bhariya--filling boats; apanara ghare--to his own house; aila--returned; bahu-dhana lana--taking large amounts of riches.
TRANSLATION
At this time, Sri Rupa Gosvami returned home, taking with him large quantities of riches loaded in boats.
TEXT 7
TEXT
brahmana-vaisnave dila tara ardha-dhane
eka cauthi dhana dila kutumba-bharane
SYNONYMS
brahmana-vaisnave--to the brahmanas and Vaisnavas; dila--gave as charity; tara--of the riches; ardha-dhane--fifty percent; eka cauthi dhana--one-fourth of the riches; dila--gave; kutumba-bharane--to satisfy the relatives.
TRANSLATION
Srila Rupa Gosvami divided the wealth that he brought back home. He gave fifty percent in charity to brahmanas and Vaisnavas and twenty-five percent to his relatives.
PURPORT
This is a practical example of how one should divide his money and retire from household life. Fifty percent of one's money should be distributed to qualified and pure devotees of the Lord. Twenty-five percent may be given to family members, and twenty-five percent may be kept for personal use in case of emergency.
TEXT 8
TEXT
danda-bandha lagi' cauthi sancaya karila
bhala-bhala vipra-sthane sthapya rakhila
SYNONYMS
danda-bandha lagi'--in case of legal implications; cauthi--one-fourth; sancaya karila--he collected; bhala-bhala--very respectable; vipra-sthane--in the custody of a brahmana; sthapya rakhila--kept deposited.
TRANSLATION
He kept one-fourth of his wealth with a respectable brahmana. He kept this for his personal safety because he was expecting some legal complications.
TEXT 9
TEXT
gaude rakhila mudra dasa-hajare
sanatana vyaya kare, rakhe mudi-ghare
SYNONYMS
gaude--in Bengal; rakhila--kept; mudra--coins; dasa-hajare--ten thousand; sanatana--his elder brother; vyaya kare--spent; rakhe--deposited; mudi-ghare--in the place of a local grocer.
TRANSLATION
He deposited ten thousand coins, which were later spent by Sri Sanatana Gosvami, in the custody of a local Bengali grocer.
TEXT 10
TEXT
sri-rupa sunila prabhura niladri-gamana
vana-pathe yabena prabhu sri-vrndavana
SYNONYMS
sri-rupa--Srila Rupa Gosvami; sunila--heard; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; niladri-gamana--departure for Jagannatha Puri; vana-pathe--on the path through the forest; yabena--will go; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sri-vrndavana--to Vrndavana.
TRANSLATION
Sri Rupa Gosvami heard that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had returned to Jagannatha Puri and was preparing to go to Vrndavana through the forest.
TEXT 11
TEXT
rupa-gosani nilacale pathaila dui-jana
prabhu yabe vrndavana karena gamana
SYNONYMS
rupa-gosani--Rupa Gosvami; nilacale--to Jagannatha Puri; pathaila--sent; dui-jana--two persons; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yabe--when; vrndavana--to Vrndavana; karena--makes; gamana--departure.
TRANSLATION
Sri Rupa Gosvami sent two people to Jagannatha Puri to find out when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would depart for Vrndavana.
TEXT 12
TEXT
sighra asi' more tanra diba samacara
suniya tad-anurupa kariba vyavahara
SYNONYMS
sighra asi'--very hastily returning; more--unto me; tanra--His; diba--give; samacara--news; suniya--hearing; tat-anurupa--accordingly; kariba--I shall make; vyavahara--arrangements.
TRANSLATION
Sri Rupa Gosvami told the two men, "You are to return quickly and let me know when He will depart. Then I shall make the proper arrangements."
TEXT 13
TEXT
etha sanatana-gosani bhave mane mana
raja more priti kare, se----mora bandhana
SYNONYMS
etha--here (in Gauda-desa); sanatana-gosani--the elder brother, Sanatana Gosvami; bhave--considers; mane mana--in the mind; raja--the Nawab; more--me; priti kare--loves very much; se--that; mora--my; bandhana--great obligation.
TRANSLATION
While Sanatana Gosvami was at Gauda-desa, he was thinking, "The Nawab is very pleased with me. I certainly have an obligation.
TEXT 14
TEXT
kona mate raja yadi more kruddha haya
tabe avyahati haya, karilun niscaya
SYNONYMS
kona mate--somehow or other; raja--the Nawab; yadi--if; more--upon me; kruddha haya--becomes angry; tabe--then; avyahati--escape; haya--there is; karilun niscaya--I have decided.
TRANSLATION
"Somehow or other, if the Nawab becomes angry with me, I shall be greatly relieved. That is my conclusion."
TEXT 15
TEXT
asvasthyera chadma kari' rahe nija-ghare
raja-karya chadila, na yaya raja-dvare
SYNONYMS
asvasthyera--of not being well; chadma--pretext; kari'--making; rahe--remains; nija-ghare--at home; raja-karya--government service; chadila--relinquished; na yaya--did not go; raja-dvare--to the court of the Nawab.
TRANSLATION
On the pretext of bad health, Sanatana Gosvami remained home. Thus he gave up government service and did not go to the royal court.
TEXT 16
TEXT
lobhi kayastha-gana raja-karya kare
apane svagrhe kare sastrera vicare
SYNONYMS
lobhi--greedy; kayastha-gana--persons engaged in secretarial and clerical work; raja-karya kare--executed the government service; apane--personally; sva-grhe--at home; kare--did; sastrera vicare--discussion of the revealed scriptures.
TRANSLATION
The greedy masters of his clerical and secretarial staff performed the government duties while Sanatana personally remained home and discussed revealed scriptures.
PURPORT
Sanatana Gosvami was the minister in charge of the government secretariat, and his assistants-the undersecretaries and clerks-all belonged to the kayastha community. Formerly the kayasthas belonged to the clerical and secretarial staff of the government, and later if one served in such a post, he was called a kayastha. Eventually if a person could not identify himself as a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, he used to introduce himself as a kayastha to get a wealthy and honorable position. In Bengal it is said that if one cannot give the identity of his caste, he calls himself a kayastha. On the whole, the kayastha community is a mixture of all castes, and it especially includes those engaged in clerical or secretarial work. Materially such people are always busy occupying responsible government posts.
When Sanatana Gosvami was relaxing and feeling inclined to retire from government service, many kayasthas on his secretarial staff were very eager to occupy his post. In this regard, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura states that when Sanatana Gosvami was a government minister and the kayasthas who assisted him saw that he was reluctant to continue, they became very expert in their duties. Sanatana Gosvami was a brahmana belonging to the Sarasvata brahmana community. It is said that when he resigned, an underworker named Purandara Khan, who was a kayastha, occupied his post.
TEXT 17
TEXT
bhattacarya pandita bisa trisa lana
bhagavata vicara karena sabhate vasiya
SYNONYMS
bhattacarya pandita--learned scholars known as bhattacaryas; bisa trisa--twenty or thirty; lana--taking with him; bhagavata vicara--discussion of Srimad-Bhagavatam; karena--does; sabhate vasiya--sitting in an assembly.
TRANSLATION
Sri Sanatana Gosvami used to discuss Srimad-Bhagavatam in an assembly of twenty or thirty learned brahmana scholars.
PURPORT
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gives the following commentary on the words bhagavata vicara. As confirmed in the Mundaka Upanisad (1.1.4,5), there are two kinds of educational systems:
dve vidye veditavya iti, ha sma yad brahma-vido vadanti-para caivapara ca. tatrapara rg-vedo yajur-vedah sama-vedo 'tharva-vedah siksa kalpo vyakaranam niruktam chando jyotisam iti. atha para yaya tad-aksaram adhigamyate.
"There are two kinds of educational systems. One deals with transcendental knowledge [para vidya] and the other with material knowledge [apara vidya]. All the Vedas-Rg Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda and their corollaries known as siksa, kalpa, vyakarana, nirukta, chanda and jyotisa-belong to the inferior system of material knowledge [apara vidya]. By para vidya, one can understand the aksara, Brahman or the Absolute Truth." As far as Vedic literature is concerned, Vedanta-sutra is accepted as the para vidya. Srimad-Bhagavatam is an explanation of that para vidya. Those who aspire for liberation (mukti or moksa) and introduce themselves as vaidantika are also equal to those groups aspiring to improve religion (dharma), economic development (artha) and sense gratification (kama). Dharma, artha, kama and moksa are called catur-varga. They are all within the system of inferior material knowledge. Any literature giving information about the spiritual world, spiritual life, spiritual identity and the spirit soul is called para vidya. Srimad-Bhagavatam does not have anything to do with the materialistic way of life; it gives transcendental information to educate people in the superior system of para vidya. Sanatana Gosvami was engaged in discussing the bhagavata-vidya, which means he discussed transcendental superior knowledge. Those who are karmis, jnanis or yogis are not actually fit to discuss Srimad-Bhagavatam. Only Vaisnavas or pure devotees are fit to discuss that literature. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam itself (12.13.18):
srimad-bhagavatam puranam amalam yad vaisnavanam priyam
yasmin paramahamsyam ekam amalam jnanam param giyate
yatra jnana-viraga-bhakti-sahitam naiskarmyam aviskrtam
tac chrnvan supathan vicarana-paro bhaktya vimucyen narah
Although Srimad-Bhagavatam is counted among the Puranas, it is called the spotless Purana. Because it does not discuss anything material, it is liked by transcendental Vaisnava devotees. The subject matter found in Srimad-Bhagavatam is meant for paramahamsas. As it is said: paramo-nirmatsaranam. A paramahamsa is one who does not live in the material world and who does not envy others. In Srimad-Bhagavatam, devotional service is discussed to arouse the living entity to the transcendental position of jnana (knowledge) and vairagya (renunciation). As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.12):
tac chraddadhanah munayo
jnana-vairagya-yuktaya
pasyanty atmani catmanam
bhaktya sruta-grhitaya
"That Absolute Truth is realized by the seriously inquisitive student or sage who is well equipped with knowledge and who has become detached by rendering devotional service and hearing the Vedanta-sruti."
This is not sentiment. Knowledge and renunciation can be obtained through devotional service (bhaktya sruta-grhitaya), that is, by arousing one's dormant devotional consciousness, Krsna consciousness. When Krsna consciousness is aroused, it relieves one from fruitive activity, activity for economic improvement and material enjoyment. This relief is technically called naiskarma, and when one is relieved, he is no longer interested in working hard for sense gratification. Srimad-Bhagavatam is Srila Vyasadeva's last mature contribution, and one should read and hear it in an assembly of realized souls while engaging in devotional service. At such a time one can be liberated from all material bondage. This was the course taken by Sanatana Gosvami, who retired from government service to study Srimad-Bhagavatam with learned scholars.
TEXT 18
TEXT
ara dina gaudesvara, sange eka-jana
acambite gosani-sabhate kaila agamana
SYNONYMS
ara dina--one day; gaudesvara--the Nawab of Bengal; sange--with; eka-jana--one other person; acambite--suddenly; gosani-sabhate--in the assembly of Sanatana Gosvami; kaila agamana--came.
TRANSLATION
While Sanatana Gosvami was studying Srimad-Bhagavatam in the assembly of learned brahmanas, one day the Nawab of Bengal and another person suddenly appeared.
The full name of the Nawab of Bengal (Hussain Shah) was Alauddina Saiyada Husena Saha Seripha Makka, and he ruled Bengal for twenty-three years, from 1420 to 1443 Sakabda Era. Sanatana Gosvami was studying Srimad-Bhagavatam with the scholars in the year 1424.
TEXT 19
TEXT
patsaha dekhiya sabe sambhrame uthila
sambhrame asana diya rajare vasaila
SYNONYMS
patsaha dekhiya--seeing the Nawab; sabe--all of them; sambhrame--in great respect; uthila--stood up; sambhrame--with great respect; asana diya--giving a sitting place; rajare--the King; vasaila--made to sit.
TRANSLATION
As soon as all the brahmanas and Sanatana Gosvami saw the Nawab appear, they all stood up and respectfully gave him a sitting place to honor him.
PURPORT
Although Nawab Hussain Shah was a mleccha-yavana, he was nonetheless the governor of the country, and the learned scholars and Sanatana Gosvami offered him all the respect due a king or a governor. When a person occupies an exalted executive post, one should consider that he has acquired the grace of the Lord. In Bhagavad-gita it is said:
yad yad vibhutimat sattvam
srimad urjitam eva va
tat tad evavagaccha tvam
mama tejo 'msa-sambhavam
"Know that all beautiful, glorious and mighty creations spring from but a spark of My splendor." (Bg. 10.41)
Whenever we see something exalted, we must consider it part of the power of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A powerful man (vibhutimat sattvam) is one who has obtained the grace of the Lord or has derived some power from Him. In Bhagavad-gita (7.10) Krsna says, tejas tejasvinam aham: "I am the power of the powerful." The learned brahmana scholars showed respect to Nawab Hussain Shah because he represented a fraction of Krsna's power.
TEXT 20
TEXT
raja kahe,----tomara sthane vaidya pathailun
vaidya kahe,----vyadhi nahi, sustha ye dekhilun
SYNONYMS
raja kahe--the Nawab said; tomara sthane--to your place; vaidya--a physician; pathailun--I sent; vaidya kahe--the physician said; vyadhi nahi--there is no disease; su-stha--completely healthy; ye--that; dekhilun--I have seen.
TRANSLATION
The Nawab said, "I sent my physician to you, and he has reported that you are not diseased. As far as he could see, you are completely healthy.
TEXT 21
TEXT
amara ye kichu karya, saba toma lana
karya chadi' rahila tumi gharete vasiya
SYNONYMS
amara--my; ye kichu--whatever; karya--business; saba--everything; toma--you; lana--with; karya chadi'--giving up your duties; rahila--remained; tumi--you; gharete--at home; vasiya--sitting.
TRANSLATION
"I am depending on you to carry out so many of my activities, but you have given up your governmental duties to sit here at home.
TEXT 22
TEXT
mora yata karya-kama, saba kaila nasa
ki tomara hrdaye ache, kaha mora pasa
SYNONYMS
mora--my; yata--all; karya-kama--occupational duties; saba--everything; kaila nasa--you have spoiled; ki--what; tomara--your; hrdaye--within the heart; ache--there is; kaha--kindly tell; mora pasa--to me.
TRANSLATION
"You have spoiled all my activities. What is your intention? Please tell me frankly."
TEXT 23
TEXT
sanatana kahe,----nahe ama haite kama
ara eka-jana diya kara samadhana
SYNONYMS
sanatana kahe--Sanatana Gosvami replied; nahe--not; ama--me; haite--from; kama--execution of the duty; ara eka-jana--someone else; diya--by means of; kara samadhana--execute the management.
TRANSLATION
Sanatana Gosvami replied, "You can no longer expect any service from me. Please arrange for someone else to tend to the management."
TEXT 24
TEXT
tabe kruddha hana raja kahe ara-bara
tomara 'bada bhai' kare dasyu-vyavahara
SYNONYMS
tabe--at that time; kruddha hana--becoming angry; raja kahe--the Nawab said; ara-bara--again; tomara bada bhai--your elder brother; kare--does; dasyu-vyavahara--the activity of a plunderer.
TRANSLATION
Becoming angry with Sanatana Gosvami, the Nawab said, "Your elder brother is acting just like a plunderer.
TEXT 25
TEXT
jiva-bahu mari' kaila cakla saba nasa
etha tumi kaila mora sarva karya nasa
SYNONYMS
jiva--living entities; bahu--many; mari'--killing; kaila--did; cakla--the province of Bengal; saba--all; nasa--destruction; etha--here; tumi--you; kaila--did; mora--my; sarva--all; karya--plans; nasa--destruction.
TRANSLATION
"By killing many living entities, your elder brother has destroyed all Bengal. Now here you are destroying all my plans."
TEXT 26
TEXT
sanatana kahe,----tumi svatantra gaudesvara
ye yei dosa kare, deha' tara phala
SYNONYMS
sanatana kahe--Sanatana Gosvami said; tumi--you; svatantra--independent; gauda-isvara--the ruler of Bengal; ye yei--whatever; dosa--faults; kare--one commits; deha'--you award; tara phala--the results of that.
TRANSLATION
Sanatana Gosvami said, "You are the supreme ruler of Bengal and are completely independent. Whenever someone commits a fault, you punish him accordingly."
TEXT 27
TEXT
eta suni' gaudesvara uthi' ghare gela
palaiba bali' sanatanere bandhila
SYNONYMS
eta suni'--hearing this; gauda-isvara--the Nawab of Bengal; uthi'--standing up; ghare gela--went back home; palaiba--I shall run away; bali'--because of this; sanatanere bandhila--he arrested Sanatana.
TRANSLATION
Hearing this, the Nawab of Bengal stood up and returned to his home. He ordered the arrest of Sanatana Gosvami so that he would not be able to leave.
PURPORT
It is said that the relationship between the Nawab of Bengal and Sanatana Gosvami was very intimate. The Nawab used to consider Sanatana Gosvami his younger brother, and when Sanatana Gosvami showed a very strong intention to resign, the Nawab, feeling familial affection, essentially said, "I am your elder brother, but I do not look after the state management. My only business is attacking other states with my soldiers and fighting everywhere as a plunderer. Because I am a meat-eater [yavana], I am used to hunting all kinds of living beings. In this way I am destroying all kinds of living entities in Bengal. While engaged in this destructive business, I am hoping that you will tend to the administration of the state. Since I, your elder brother, am engaged in such a destructive business, you, being my younger brother, should look after the state management. If you do not, how will things continue?" This talk was based on a family relationship, and Sanatana Gosvami also replied in an intimate and joking way. Essentially he told the Nawab, "My dear brother, you are the independent ruler of Bengal. You can act in whatever way you like, and if someone commits fault, you can punish him accordingly." In other words, Sanatana Gosvami was saying that since the Nawab was accustomed to acting like a plunderer, he should go ahead and take action. Since Sanatana was not showing much enthusiasm in performing his duty, the Nawab should dismiss him from his service. The Nawab could understand the intention of Sanatana Gosvami's statement. He therefore left in an angry mood and ordered Sanatana Gosvami's arrest.
TEXT 28
TEXT
hena-kale gela raja udiya marite
sanatane kahe,----tumi cala mora sathe
SYNONYMS
hena-kale--at this time; gela--went; raja--the King; udiya marite--to attack the Orissa province; sanatane kahe--he said to Sanatana Gosvami; tumi cala--you come; mora sathe--along with me.
TRANSLATION
At this time, the Nawab was going to attack the province of Orissa, and he told Sanatana Gosvami, "Come along with me."
PURPORT
Hussain Shah attacked the province of Orissa in 1424 Sakabda Era. At that time he conquered the feudal princes of neighboring Orissa.
TEXT 29
TEXT
tenho kahe,----yabe tumi devataya duhkha dite
mora sakti nahi, tomara sange yaite
SYNONYMS
tenho kahe--Sanatana Gosvami replied; yabe--will go; tumi--you; devataya--to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; duhkha dite--to give unhappiness; mora sakti--my power; nahi--there is not; tomara sange--in company with you; yaite--to go.
TRANSLATION
Sanatana Gosvami replied, "You are going to Orissa to give pain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. For this reason I am powerless to go with you."
TEXT 30
TEXT
tabe tanre bandhi' rakhi' karila gamana
etha nilacala haite prabhu calila vrndavana
SYNONYMS
tabe--thereafter; tanre--him; bandhi'--arresting; rakhi'--keeping; karila gamana--he went away; etha--at this time; nilacala haite--from Jagannatha Puri; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; calila vrndavana--departed for Vrndavana.
TRANSLATION
The Nawab again arrested Sanatana Gosvami and kept him in prison. At this time, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu departed for Vrndavana from Jagannatha Puri.
TEXT 31
TEXT
tabe sei dui cara rupa-thani aila
'vrndavana calila prabhu'----asiya kahila
SYNONYMS
tabe--at that time; sei--those; dui--two; cara--messengers; rupa-thani--to the presence of Rupa Gosvami; aila--came back; vrndavana calila prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has departed for Vrndavana; asiya--coming; kahila--they informed.
TRANSLATION
The two persons who went to Jagannatha Puri to inquire about the Lord's departure returned and informed Rupa Gosvami that the Lord had already departed for Vrndavana.
TEXT 32
TEXT
suniya sri-rupa likhila sanatana-thani
'vrndavana calila sri-caitanya-gosani
SYNONYMS
suniya--hearing; sri-rupa--Sri Rupa Gosvami; likhila--wrote; sanatana-thani--to Sanatana Gosvami; vrndavana--to Vrndavana; calila--has gone; sri-caitanya-gosani--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TRANSLATION
Upon receiving this message from his two messengers, Rupa Gosvami immediately wrote a letter to Sanatana Gosvami saying that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had departed for Vrndavana.
TEXT 33
TEXT
ami-dui-bhai calilana tanhare milite
tumi yaiche taiche chuti' aisa tahan haite
SYNONYMS
ami-dui-bhai--we two brothers; calilana--have gone; tanhare milite--to meet Him; tumi--you; yaiche taiche--somehow or other; chuti'--getting free; aisa--come; tahan haite--from there.
TRANSLATION
In his letter to Sanatana Gosvami, Srila Rupa Gosvami wrote, "We two brothers are starting out to go see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. You must also somehow or other get released and come meet us."
PURPORT
The two brothers herein mentioned are Rupa Gosvami and his younger brother, Anupama Mallika. Rupa Gosvami was informing Sanatana Gosvami that he should join him and his younger brother.
TEXT 34
TEXT
dasa-sahasra mudra tatha ache mudi-sthane
taha diya kara sighra atma-vimocane
SYNONYMS
dasa-sahasra mudra--ten thousand coins; tatha--there; ache--there are; mudi-sthane--in the grocer's place; taha diya--with this amount; kara--get; sighra--as soon as possible; atma-vimocane--release from the internment.
TRANSLATION
Rupa Gosvami further informed Srila Sanatana Gosvami: "I have left a deposit of ten thousand coins with the grocer. Use that money to get out of prison.
TEXT 35
TEXT
yaiche taiche chuti' tumi aisa vrndavana'
eta likhi' dui-bhai karila gamana
SYNONYMS
yaiche taiche--somehow or other; chuti'--getting released; tumi--you; aisa--come; vrndavana--to Vrndavana; eta likhi'--writing this; dui-bhai--the two brothers, namely Rupa Gosvami and his younger brother Anupama; karila gamana--departed.
TRANSLATION
"Somehow or other get yourself released and come to Vrndavana." After writing this, the two brothers [Rupa Gosvami and Anupama] went to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TEXT 36
TEXT
anupama mallika, tanra nama----'sri-vallabha'
rupa-gosanira chota-bhai----parama-vaisnava
SYNONYMS
anupama mallika--Anupama Mallika; tanra nama--his name; sri-vallabha--Sri Vallabha; rupa-gosanira--of Rupa Gosvami; chota-bhai--younger brother; parama-vaisnava--great devotee.
TRANSLATION
Rupa Gosvami's younger brother was a great devotee whose actual name was Sri Vallabha, but he was given the name Anupama Mallika.
TEXT 37
TEXT
tanha lana rupa-gosani prayage aila
mahaprabhu tahan suni' anandita haila
SYNONYMS
tanha lana--taking him along; rupa-gosani--Sri Rupa Gosvami; pra yage--to Prayaga; aila--came; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tahan--there; suni'--hearing; anandita haila--were very much pleased.
TRANSLATION
Sri Rupa Gosvami and Anupama Mallika went to Prayaga, and they were very pleased to hear news that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was there.
TEXT 38
TEXT
prabhu caliyachena bindu-madhava-darasane
laksa laksa loka aise prabhura milane
SYNONYMS
prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; caliyachena--was going; bindu-madhava-darasane--to see Lord Bindu Madhava; laksa laksa loka--many hundreds of thousands of people; aise--came; prabhura--with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milane--for meeting.
TRANSLATION
At Prayaga, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to see the temple of Bindu Madhava, and many hundreds of thousands of people followed Him just to meet Him.
TEXT 39
TEXT
keha kande, keha hase, keha nace, gaya
'krsna' 'krsna' bali' keha gadagadi yaya
SYNONYMS
keha kande--some cried; keha hase--some laughed; keha nace--some danced; gaya--chanted; krsna krsna bali'--saying Krsna, Krsna; keha--some; gadagadi yaya--rolled on the ground.
TRANSLATION
Some of the people following the Lord were crying. Some were laughing, some dancing and some chanting. Indeed, some of them were rolling on the ground, exclaiming, "Krsna! Krsna!"
TEXT 40
TEXT
ganga-yamuna prayaga narila dubaite
prabhu dubaila krsna-premera vanyate
SYNONYMS
ganga-yamuna--the River Ganges and River Yamuna; prayaga--Prayaga; narila--were not able; dubaite--to flood; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dubaila--flooded; krsna-premera--of ecstatic love of Krsna; vanyate--in an inundation.
TRANSLATION
Prayaga is located at the confluence of two rivers-the Ganges and the Yamuna. Although these rivers were not able to flood Prayaga with water, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu inundated the whole area with waves of ecstatic love for Krsna.
TEXT 41
TEXT
bhida dekhi' dui bhai rahila nirjane
prabhura avesa haila madhava-darasane
SYNONYMS
bhida dekhi'--seeing the crowd; dui bhai--the two brothers; rahila--remained; nirjane--in a secluded place; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; avesa--ecstasy; haila--there was; madhava-darasane--by seeing the Deity, Bindu Madhava.
TRANSLATION
Seeing the great crowd, the two brothers remained standing in a secluded place. They could see that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was ecstatic to see Lord Bindu Madhava.
TEXT 42
TEXT
premavese nace prabhu hari-dhvani kari'
urdhva bahu kari' bale----bala 'hari' 'hari'
SYNONYMS
prema-avese--in ecstatic love; nace--danced; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; hari-dhvani kari'--vibrating the holy name of Hari; urdhva--raised; bahu--the arms; kari'--making; bale--says; bala hari hari--chant Hari, Hari.
TRANSLATION
The Lord was loudly chanting the holy name of Hari. Dancing in ecstatic love and raising His arms, He asked everyone to chant "Hari! Hari!"
TEXT 43
TEXT
prabhura mahima dekhi' loke camatkara
prayage prabhura lila nari varnibara
SYNONYMS
prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mahima--the greatness; dekhi'--seeing; loke--in all people; camatkara--astonishment; prayage--at Prayaga; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; lila--the pastimes; nari--I am not able; varnibara--to describe.
TRANSLATION
Everyone was astounded to see the greatness of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Indeed, I cannot properly describe the pastimes of the Lord at Prayaga.
TEXT 44
TEXT
daksinatya-vipra-sane ache paricaya
sei vipra nimantriya nila nijalaya
SYNONYMS
daksinatya--Deccan; vipra-sane--with a brahmana; ache--there was; paricaya--acquaintance; sei--that; vipra--brahmana; nimantriya--inviting; nila--brought; nija-alaya--to his own place.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had made an acquaintance with a brahmana from Deccan [in South India], and that brahmana invited Him for meals and took Him to his place.
TEXT 45
TEXT
vipra-grhe asi' prabhu nibhrte vasila
sri-rupa-vallabha dunhe asiya milila
SYNONYMS
vipra-grhe--to the house of that brahmana; asi'--coming; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nibhrte--in a solitary place; vasila--sat down; sri-rupa-vallabha--the two brothers Rupa Gosvami and Sri Vallabha; dunhe--both of them; asiya--coming; milila--met Him.
TRANSLATION
While Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was sitting in a solitary place in the home of that Deccan brahmana, Rupa Gosvami and Sri Vallabha [Anupama Mallika] came to meet Him.
TEXT 46
TEXT
dui-guccha trna dunhe dasane dhariya
prabhu dekhi' dure pade dandavat hana
SYNONYMS
dui-guccha--two bunches; trna--straw; dunhe--both of them; dasane dhariya--holding in the teeth; prabhu dekhi'--seeing the Lord; dure--in a distant place; pade--fell down; danda-vat--like rods; hana--becoming.
TRANSLATION
Seeing the Lord from a distance, the two brothers put two clumps of straw between their teeth and immediately fell down on the ground like rods, offering Him obeisances.
TEXT 47
TEXT
nana sloka padi' uthe, pade bara bara
prabhu dekhi' premavesa ha-ila dunhara
SYNONYMS
nana--various; sloka--verses; padi'--reciting; uthe--stood up; pade--fell down; bara bara--again and again; prabhu dekhi'--seeing the Lord; prema-avesa--ecstatic emotion; ha-ila--there was; dunhara--of both of them.
TRANSLATION
Both brothers were overwhelmed with ecstatic emotion, and reciting various Sanskrit verses, they stood up and fell down again and again.
TEXT 48
TEXT
sri-rupe dekhiya prabhura prasanna haila mana
'utha, utha, rupa, aisa', balila vacana
SYNONYMS
sri-rupe dekhiya--seeing Srila Rupa Gosvami; prabhura--of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prasanna--very pleased; haila--was; mana--mind; utha--please stand up; utha--please stand up; rupa--My dear Rupa; aisa--come; balila--He said; vacana--the words.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very pleased to see Srila Rupa Gosvami, and He told him, "Stand up! Stand up! My dear Rupa, come here."
TEXT 49
TEXT
krsnera karuna kichu na yaya varnane
visaya-kupa haite kadila toma dui-jane
SYNONYMS
krsnera--of Lord Krsna; karuna--the mercy; kichu--any; na--not; yaya--is possible; varnane--to describe; visaya-kupa haite--from the well of material enjoyment; kadila--delivered; toma--you; dui-jane--both.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then said,"It is not possible to describe Krsna's mercy, for He has delivered you both from the well of material enjoyment.
TEXT 50
TEXT
na me 'bhaktas catur-vedi
mad-bhaktah svapacah priyah
tasmai deyam tato grahyam
sa ca pujyo yatha hy aham
SYNONYMS
na--not; me--My; abhaktah--devoid of pure devotional service; catuh-vedi--a scholar in the four Vedas; mat-bhaktah--My devotee; sva-pacah--even from a family of dog-eaters; priyah--very dear; tasmai--to him (a pure devotee, even though born in a very low family); deyam--should be given; tatah--from him; grahyam--should be accepted (remnants of food); sah--that person; ca--also; pujyah--worshipable; yatha--as much as; hi--certainly; aham--I.
TRANSLATION
" 'Even though a person is a very learned scholar of the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless he is pure in devotional service. Even though a person is born in a family of dog-eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee who has no motive to enjoy fruitive activities or mental speculation. Indeed, all respects should be given to him, and whatever he offers should be accepted. Such devotees are as worshipable as I am.' "