Sri Caitanya-caritamrta: Antya-lila
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Antya-lila

Chapter 1

Srila Rupa Gosvami’s Second Meeting With the Lord

A summary of the First Chapter is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya as follows. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannatha Puri from Vrndavana, all His devotees from other parts of India, upon receiving the auspicious news, came to Purusottama-ksetra, or Jagannatha Puri. Sivananda Sena took a dog with him and even paid fees for it to cross the river. One night, however, the dog could not get any food and therefore went directly to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu at Jagannatha Puri. The next day, when Sivananda and his party reached Jagannatha Puri, Sivananda saw the dog eating some coconut pulp offered to it by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. After this incident, the dog was liberated and went back home, back to Godhead.

Meanwhile, Srila Rupa Gosvami reached Bengal, after returning from Vrndavana. Although he could not follow the Bengali devotees, after some time he then came to Jagannatha Puri, where he stayed with Haridasa Thakura. Srila Rupa Gosvami composed an important verse, beginning with the words priyah so ’yam, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu relished it very much. One day when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Ramananda Raya and Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya went to see Haridasa Thakura, the Lord saw the verse Rupa Gosvami had composed as an introduction to his books Lalita-madhava and Vidagdha-madhava. After examining the manuscripts of these two books, Ramananda Raya approved and appreciated them very much. After the period of Caturmasya, all the devotees who had come from Bengal returned to their homes. Srila Rupa Gosvami, however, remained at Jagannatha Puri for some time.

Antya1.1

TEXT 1

pangum langhayate sailam

mukam avartayec chrutim

yat-krpa tam aham vande

krsna-caitanyam isvaram

SYNONYMS

pangum—one who is lame; langhayate—causes to cross over; sailam—a mountain; mukam—one who is dumb; avartayet—can cause to recite; srutim—Vedic literature; yat-krpa—the mercy of whom; tam—unto Him; aham—I; vande—offer obeisances; krsna-caitanyam—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna Himself; isvaram—the Lord.

TRANSLATION

I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by whose mercy even a lame man can cross over a mountain and a dumb man recite Vedic literature.

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TEXT 2

durgame pathi me ’ndhasya

skhalat-pada-gater muhuh

sva-krpa-yasti-danena

santah santv avalambanam

SYNONYMS

durgame—very difficult; pathi—on the path; me—of me; andhasya—one who is blind; skhalat—slipping; pada—on feet; gateh—whose manner of moving; muhuh—again and again; sva-krpa—of their own mercy; yasti—the stick; danena—by giving; santah—those saintly persons; santu—let that become; avalambanam—my support.

TRANSLATION

My path is very difficult. I am blind, and my feet are slipping again and again. Therefore, may the saints help me by granting me the stick of their mercy as my support.

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TEXTS 3-4

sri-rupa, sanatana bhatta-raghunatha

sri-jiva, gopala-bhatta, dasa-raghunatha

ei chaya gurura karon carana vandana

yaha haite vighna-nasa, abhista-purana

SYNONYMS

sri-rupa—of the name Sri Rupa; sanatana—of the name Sanatana; bhatta-raghunatha—of the name Bhatta Raghunatha; sri-jiva—of the name Sri Jiva; gopala-bhatta—of the name Gopala Bhatta; dasa-raghunatha—of the name Dasa Raghunatha; ei—these six; gurura—of spiritual masters; karon—I offer; carana vandana—prayers to the lotus feet; yaha—from which; vighna-nasa—destruction of all impediments; abhista-purana—fulfillment of desires.

TRANSLATION

I pray to the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis-Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Bhatta Raghunatha, Sri Jiva, Gopala Bhatta and Dasa Raghunatha-so that all impediments to my writing this literature will be annihilated and my real desire will be fulfilled.

PURPORT

If one wants to benefit the entire world, he will certainly find persons like hogs and pigs who will put forward many impediments. That is natural. But if a devotee seeks shelter at the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis, the merciful Gosvamis will certainly give the Lord’s servitor all protection. It is not astonishing that impediments are placed before those who are spreading the Krsna consciousness movement all over the world. Nevertheless, if we adhere to the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis and pray for their mercy, all impediments will be annihilated, and the transcendental devotional desire to serve the Supreme Lord will be fulfilled.

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TEXT 5

jayatam suratau pangor

mama manda-mater gati

mat-sarvasva-padambhojau

radha-madana-mohanau

SYNONYMS

jayatam—all glory to; su-ratau—most merciful, or attached in conjugal love; pangoh—of one who is lame; mama—of me; manda-mateh—foolish; gati—refuge; mat—my; sarva-sva—everything; pada-ambhojau—whose lotus feet; radha-madana-mohanau—Radharani and Madana-mohana.

TRANSLATION

Glory to the all-merciful Radha and Madana-mohana! I am lame and ill-advised, yet They are my directors, and Their lotus feet are everything to me.

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TEXT 6

divyad-vrndaranya-kalpa-drumadhah

srimad-ratnagara-simhasana-sthau

srimad-radha-srila-govinda-devau

presthalibhih sevyamanau smarami

SYNONYMS

divyat—shining; vrnda-aranya—in the forest of Vrndavana; kalpa-druma—desire tree; adhah—beneath; srimat—most beautiful; ratna-agara—in a temple of jewels; simha-asana-sthau—sitting on a throne; srimat—very beautiful; radha—Srimati Radharani; srila-govinda-devau—and Sri Govindadeva; prestha-alibhih—by most confidential associates; sevyamanau—being served; smarami—I remember.

TRANSLATION

In a temple of jewels in Vrndavana, underneath a desire tree, Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, served by Their most confidential associates, sit upon an effulgent throne. I offer my humble obeisances unto Them.

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TEXT 7

sriman-rasa-rasarambhi

vamsivata-sthitah

karsan venu-svanair gopir

gopi-nathah sriye ’stu nah

SYNONYMS

sriman—most beautiful; rasa—of the rasa dance; rasa—of the mellow; arambhi—the initiator; vamsi-vata—of the name Vamsivata; tata—on the shore; sthitah—standing; karsan—attracting; venu—of the flute; svanaih—by the sounds; gopih—the cowherd girls; gopi-nathah—Sri Gopinatha; sriye—benediction; astu—let there be; nah—our.

TRANSLATION

Sri Srila Gopinatha, who originated the transcendental mellow of the rasa dance, stands on the shore at Vamsivata and attracts the attention of the cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May they all confer upon us their benediction.

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TEXT 8

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

TRANSLATION

All glories to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaita Acarya! All glories to the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

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TEXT 9

madhya-lila sanksepete karilun varnana

antya-lila-varnana kichu suna, bhakta-gana

SYNONYMS

madhya-lila—pastimes known as madhya-lila; sanksepete—in brief; karilun varnana—I have described; antya-lila—the last pastimes; varnana—description; kichu—something; suna—hear; bhakta-gana—O devotees.

TRANSLATION

I have briefly described the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu known as the madhya-lila. Now I shall attempt to describe something about His last pastimes, which are known as the antya-lila.

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TEXT 10

madhya-lila-madhye antya-lila-sutra-gana

purva-granthe sanksepete kariyachi varnana

SYNONYMS

madhya-lila-madhye—within the madhya-lila chapters; antya-lila-sutra-gana—a synopsis of the antya-lila; purva-granthe—in the previous chapter; sanksepete—in brief; kariyachi varnana—I have described.

TRANSLATION

I have briefly described the antya-lila within the description of the madhya-lila.

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TEXT 11

ami jara-grasta, nikate janiya marana

antya kono kono lila kariyachi varnana

SYNONYMS

ami jara-grasta—I am invalid because of old age; nikate—very near; janiya—knowing; marana—death; antya—final; kono kono-some; kono kono—some; lila—pastimes;.kariyachi varnana—I have described

TRANSLATION

I am now almost an invalid because of old age, and I know that at any moment I may die. Therefore I have already described some portions of the antya-lila.

PURPORT

Following in the footsteps of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, I am trying to translate Srimad-Bhagavatam as quickly as possible. However, knowing myself to be an old man and almost an invalid because of rheumatism, I have already translated the essence of all literatures, the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, as a summary study in English. I started the Krsna consciousness movement at the age of seventy. Now I am seventy-eight, and so my death is imminent. I am trying to finish the translation of Srimad-Bhagavatam as soon as possible, but before finishing it, I have given my readers the book Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so that if I die before finishing the whole task they may enjoy this book, which is the essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

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TEXT 12

purva-likhita grantha-sutra-anusare

yei nahi likhi, taha likhiye vistare

SYNONYMS

purva-likhita—previously mentioned; grantha-sutra—the synopsis of the pastimes; anusare—according to; yei—whatever; nahi likhi—I have not mentioned; taha—hat; likhiye—I shall write; vistare—elaborately.

TRANSLATION

In accordance with the synopsis previously written, I shall describe in detail whatever I have not mentioned.

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TEXT 13

vrndavana haite prabhu nilacale aila

svarupa-gosani gaude varta pathaila

SYNONYMS

vrndavana haite—from Vrndavana; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nilacale aila—returned to Jagannatha Puri, Nilacala; svarupa-gosani—Svarupa Damodara; gaude—to Bengal; varta pathaila—sent news.

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannatha Puri from Vrndavana, Svarupa Damodara Gosani immediately sent news of the Lord’s arrival to the devotees in Bengal.

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TEXT 14

suni’ saci anandita, saba bhakta-gana

sabe mili’ nilacale karila gamana

SYNONYMS

suni’-hearing; saci—mother Saci; anandita—very pleased; saba bhakta-gana—as well as all the other devotees of Navadvipa; sabe mili’-meeting together; nilacale—to Jagannatha Puri, Nilacala; karila gamana—departed.

TRANSLATION

Upon hearing this news, mother Saci and all the other devotees of Navadvipa were very joyful, and they all departed together for Nilacala [Jagannatha Puri].

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TEXT 15

kulina-grami bhakta ara yata khanda-vasi

acarya sivananda sane milila sabe asi’

SYNONYMS

kulina-grami—residents of the village known as Kulina-grama; bhakta—devotees; ara—and; yata—all; khanda-vasi—the residents of Sri Khanda; acarya—Advaita Acarya; sivananda—Sivananda Sena; sane—with; milila—met; sabe asi’,—all coming together.

TRANSLATION

Thus all the devotees of Kulina-grama and Sri Khanda, as well as Advaita Acarya, came together to meet Sivananda Sena.

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TEXT 16

sivananda kare sabara ghati samadhana

sabare palana kare, deya vasa-sthana

SYNONYMS

sivananda—of the name Sivananda; kare—does; sabara—of everyone; ghati—the camp; samadhana—arrangement; sabare—of everyone; palana—maintenance; kare—performs; deya—gives; vasa-sthana—residential quarters.

TRANSLATION

Sivananda Sena arranged for the journey. He maintained everyone and provided residential quarters.

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TEXT 17

eka kukkura cale sivananda-sane

bhaksya diya lana cale kariya palane

SYNONYMS

eka—one; kukkura—dog; cale—goes; sivananda-sane—with Sivananda Sena; bhaksya—food; diya—giving; lana—taking; cale—goes; kariya palane—maintaining the dog.

TRANSLATION

While going to Jagannatha Puri, Sivananda Sena allowed a dog to go with him. He supplied it food to eat and maintained it.

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TEXT 18

eka-dina eka-sthane nadi para haite

udiya navika kukkura na cadaya naukate

SYNONYMS

eka-dina—one day; eka-sthane—in one place; nadi—a river; para—crossing; haite—to do; udiya navika—a boatman who was an Oriya (Orissan); kukkura—the dog; na cadaya—does not allow to mount; naukate—on the boat.

TRANSLATION

One day, when they needed to cross a river, an Orissan boatman would not allow the dog to get in the boat.

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TEXT 19

kukkura rahila,--sivananda duhkhi haila

dasa pana kadi diya kukkure para kaila

SYNONYMS

kukkura rahila—the dog remained; sivananda duhkhi haila—Sivananda became very unhappy; dasa pana—ten pana; kadi—small conchshells; diya—paying; kukkure—the dog; para kaila—crossed to the other side of the river.

TRANSLATION

Sivananda Sena, unhappy that the dog had to stay behind, paid the boatman ten pana of conchshells to take the dog across the river.

PURPORT

One pana is eighty kadis, or small conchshells. Formerly, even fifty or sixty years ago, there was no paper currency in India. Coins were generally made not of base metal but of gold, silver and copper. In other words, the medium of exchange was really something valuable. Four pieces of kadi made one ganda, and twenty such gandas equaled one pana. This kadi was also used as a medium of exchange; therefore Sivananda Sena paid for the dog with dasa pana, or eighty times ten pieces of kadi. In those days one paisa was also subdivided into small conchshells, but at the present moment the prices for commodities have gone so high that there is nothing one can get in exchange for only one paisa. With one paisa in those days, however, one could purchase sufficient vegetables to provide for a whole family. Even thirty years ago, vegetables were occasionally so inexpensive that one paisa’s worth could provide for a whole family for a day.

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TEXT 20

eka-dina sivanande ghatiyale rakhila

kukkurake bhata dite sevaka pasarila

SYNONYMS

eka-dina—one day; sivanande—Sivananda Sena; ghatiyale—tollman; rakhila—detained; kukkurake—unto the dog; bhata dite—to supply rice; sevaka—the servant; pasarila—forgot.

TRANSLATION

One day while Sivananda was detained by a tollman, his servant forgot to give the dog its cooked rice.

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TEXT 21

ratre asi’ sivananda bhojanera kale

’kukkura panache bhata?’--sevake puchile

SYNONYMS

ratre asi’-returning at night; sivananda—Sivananda Sena; bhojanera kale—at the time of eating; kukkura—the dog; panache—has gotten; bhata—rice; sevake—from the servant; puchile—he inquired.

TRANSLATION

At night, when Sivananda Sena returned and was taking his meal, he inquired from the servant whether the dog had gotten its meals.

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TEXT 22

kukkura nahi paya bhata suni’ duhkhi haila

kukkura cahite dasa-manusya pathaila

SYNONYMS

kukkura—the dog; nahi—did not; paya—get; bhata—rice; suni’-hearing; duhkhi haila—Sivananda Sena became very unhappy; kukkura cahite—to look for the dog; dasa-manusya—ten men; pathaila—sent.

TRANSLATION

When he learned that the dog had not been supplied food in his absence, he was very unhappy. He then immediately sent ten men to find the dog.

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TEXT 23

cahiya na paila kukkura, loka saba aila

duhkhi hana sivananda upavasa kaila

SYNONYMS

cahiya—looking; na—not; paila—found; kukkura—the dog; loka saba aila—all the men returned; duhkhi hana—being unhappy; sivananda—Sivananda Sena; upavasa—fast; kaila—observed.

TRANSLATION

When the men returned without success, Sivananda Sena became very unhappy and fasted for the night.

Antya1.24

TEXT 24

prabhate kukkura cahi’ kanha na paila

sakala vaisnavera mane camatkara haila

SYNONYMS

prabhate—in the morning; kukkura—the dog; cahi’-looking for; kanha—anywhere; na paila—not found; sakala vaisnavera—of all the Vaisnavas present; mane—in the minds; camatkara haila—there was great astonishment.

TRANSLATION

In the morning they looked for the dog, but it could not be found anywhere. All the Vaisnavas were astonished.

PURPORT

Sivananda Sena’s attachment to the dog was a great boon for that animal. The dog appears to have been a street dog. Since it naturally began to follow Sivananda Sena while he was going to Jagannatha Puri with his party, he accepted it into his party and maintained it the same way he was maintaining the other devotees. It appears that although on one occasion the dog was not allowed aboard a boat, Sivananda did not leave the dog behind but paid more money just to induce the boatman to take the dog across the river. Then when the servant forgot to feed the dog and the dog disappeared, Sivananda, being very anxious, sent ten men to find it. When they could not find it, Sivananda observed a fast. Thus it appears that somehow or other Sivananda had become attached to the dog.

As will be evident from the following verses, the dog got the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and was immediately promoted to Vaikuntha to become an eternal devotee. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has therefore sung, tumi ta’ thakura, tomara kukkura, baliya janaha more (Saranagati 19). He thus offers to become the dog of a Vaisnava. There are many other instances in which the pet animal of a Vaisnava was delivered back home to Vaikunthaloka, back to Godhead. Such is the benefit of somehow or other becoming the favorite of a Vaisnava. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has also sung, kita-janma ha-u yatha tuya dasa (Saranagati 11). There is no harm in taking birth again and again. Our only desire should be to take birth under the care of a Vaisnava. Fortunately we had the opportunity to be born of a Vaisnava father who took care of us very nicely. He prayed to Srimati Radharani that in the future we would become a servant of the eternal consort of Sri Krsna. Thus somehow or other we are now engaged in that service. We may conclude that even as dogs we must take shelter of a Vaisnava. The benefit will be the same as that which accrues to an advanced devotee under a Vaisnava’s care.

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TEXT 25

utkanthaya cali’ sabe aila nilacale

purvavat mahaprabhu milila sakale

SYNONYMS

utkanthaya—in great anxiety; cali’-walking; sabe—all the devotees; aila—came to Jagannatha Puri, Nilacala; nilacale—as usual; purvavat—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milila sakale—met all of them.

TRANSLATION

Thus in great anxiety they all walked to Jagannatha Puri, where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met them as usual.

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TEXT 26

saba lana kaila jagannatha darasana

saba lana mahaprabhu karena bhojana

SYNONYMS

saba lana—taking all of them; kaila—did; jagannatha darasana—visiting the Jagannatha temple; saba lana—with all of them; mahaprabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karena bhojana—took prasada.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went with them to see the Lord in the temple, and on that day He also took lunch in the company of all those devotees.

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TEXT 27

purvavat sabare prabhu pathaila vasa-sthane

prabhu-thani pratah-kale aila ara dine

SYNONYMS

purvavat—as it was previously; sabare—everyone; prabhu—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; pathaila—sent; vasa-sthane—to their respective residential quarters; prabhu-thani—to the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; pratah-kale—in the morning; aila—they came; ara dine—on the next day.

TRANSLATION

As previously, the Lord provided them all with residential quarters. And the next morning all the devotees came to see the Lord.

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TEXT 28

asiya dekhila sabe sei ta kukkure

prabhu-pase vasiyache kichu alpa-dure

SYNONYMS

asiya—coming; dekhila—they saw; sabe—everyone; sei ta kukkure—that very same dog; prabhu-pase—near Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vasiyache—sat; kichu alpa-dure—a little bit away from the Lord.

TRANSLATION

When all the devotees came to the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they saw the same dog was sitting a little apart the Lord.

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TEXT 29

prasada narikela-sasya dena phelana

’rama’ ’krsna’ ’hari’ kaha’--balena hasiya

SYNONYMS

prasada—food; narikela-sasya—pulp of green coconut; dena—gives; phelana—throwing; rama—Lord Ramacandra; krsna—Sri Krsna; hari—the holy name of Hari; kaha—say; balena—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says; hasiya—smiling.

TRANSLATION

Furthermore, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was throwing remnants of green coconut pulp to the dog. Smiling in His own way, He was saying to the dog, “Chant the holy names Rama, Krsna, and Hari.”

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TEXT 30

sasya khaya kukkura, ’krsna’ kahe bara bara

dekhiya lokera mane haila camatkara

SYNONYMS

sasya khaya—eats the pulp of green coconut; kukkura—the dog; krsna—the holy name of Krsna; kahe—chants; bara bara—again and again; dekhiya—seeing this; lokera—of all the people; mane—in the minds; haila—there was; camatkara—astonishment.

TRANSLATION

Seeing the dog eating the green coconut pulp and chanting “Krsna, Krsna” again and again, all the devotees present were very much surprised.

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TEXT 31

sivananda kukkura dekhi’ dandavat kaila

dainya kari’ nija aparadha ksamaila

SYNONYMS

sivananda—Sivananda Sena; kukkura—the dog; dekhi’-seeing there; dandavat kaila—offered obeisances; dainya kari’-exhibiting humbleness; nija—personal; aparadha—offenses; ksamaila—was forgiven.

TRANSLATION

When he saw the dog sitting in that way and chanting the name of Krsna, Sivananda, because of his natural humility, immediately offered his obeisances to the dog just to counteract his offenses to it.

Antya1.32

TEXT 32

ara dina keha tara dekha na paila

siddha-deha pana kukkura vaikunthete gela

SYNONYMS

ara dina—the next day; keha—all of them; tara—of the dog; dekha na paila—did not get sight; siddha-deha pana—obtaining a spiritual body; kukkura—the dog; vaikunthete gela—went to the spiritual kingdom, Vaikuntha.

TRANSLATION

The next day, no one saw that dog, for it had obtained its spiritual body and departed for Vaikuntha, the spiritual kingdom.

PURPORT

This is the result of sadhu-sanga, consequent association with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and promotion back home, back to Godhead. This result is possible even for a dog, by the mercy of the Vaisnava. Therefore, everyone in the human form of life should be induced to associate with devotees. By rendering a little service, even by eating prasada, not to speak of chanting and dancing, everyone could be promoted to Vaikunthaloka. It is therefore requested that all our devotees in the ISKCON community become pure Vaisnavas, so that by their mercy all the people of the world will be transferred to Vaikunthaloka, even without their knowledge. Everyone should be given a chance to take prasada and thus be induced to chant the holy names Hare Krsna and also dance in ecstasy. By these three processes, although performed without knowledge or education, even an animal went back to Godhead.

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TEXT 33

aiche divya-lila kare sacira nandana

kukkurake krsna kahana karila mocana

SYNONYMS

aiche—in that way; divya-lila—transcendental activities; kare—performs; sacira nandana—the son of mother Saci; kukkurake—even a dog; krsna kahana—inducing to chant the holy name “Krsna”; karila mocana—delivered.

TRANSLATION

Such are the transcendental pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the son of mother Saci. He even delivered a dog simply by inducing it to chant the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna.

Antya1.34

TEXT 34

etha prabhu-ajnaya rupa aila vrndavana

krsna-lila-nataka karite haila mana

SYNONYMS

etha—on the other side; prabhu-ajnaya—upon the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: rupa—Rupa Gosvami; aila—went; vrndavana—to Vrndavana; krsna-lila-nataka—a drama on Lord Krsna’s pastimes; karite—to compose; haila—it was; mana—the mind.

TRANSLATION

Meanwhile, following the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Rupa Gosvami returned to Vrndavana. He desired to write dramas concerning the pastimes of Lord Krsna.

Antya1.35

TEXT 35

vrndavane natakera arambha karila

mangalacarana ’nandi-sloka’ tathai likhila

SYNONYMS

vrndavane—at Vrndavana; natakera—of the drama; arambha—the beginning; karila—wrote; mangalacarana—invoking auspiciousness; nandi-sloka—introductory verse; tathai—there; likhila—he wrote.

TRANSLATION

In Vrndavana, Rupa Gosvami began to write a drama. In particuIar, he composed the introductory verses to invoke good fortune.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura quotes his notes from the Nataka-candrika, wherein he has written:

prastavanayas tu mukhe
nandi karyasubhavaha
asir-namaskriya-vastu-
nirdesanyatamanvita

astabhir dasabhir yukta
kimva dvadasabhih padaih
candranamankita prayo
mangalartha-padojjvala
mangalam cakra-kamala-
cakora-kumudadikam

Similarly, in the Sixth Chapter of the Sahitya-darpana, text 282, he has said:

asir-vacana-samyukta
stutir yasmat prayujyate
deva-dvija-nr-padinam
tasman nanditi samjnita

The introductory portion of a drama, which is written to invoke good fortune, is called nandi-sloka.

Antya1.36

TEXT 36

pathe cali’ aise natakera ghatana bhavite

kadaca kariya kichu lagila likhite

SYNONYMS

pathe cali’-walking on the road; aise—goes; natakera—of the drama; ghatana—events; bhavite—thinking of; kadaca kariya—making notes; kichu—something; lagila likhite—he began to write.

TRANSLATION

On his way to Gauda-desa, Rupa Gosvami had been thinking of how to write the action of the drama. Thus he had made some notes and begun to write.

Antya1.37

TEXT 37

ei-mate dui bhai gauda-dese aila

gaude asi’ anupamera ganga-prapti haila

SYNONYMS

ei-mate—in this way; dui bhai—Rupa Gosvami and his younger brother, Anupama; gauda-dese aila—reached Bengal, which is known as Gauda-desa; gaude asi’-coming to Gauda; anupamera—of Anupama; ganga-prapti haila—there was obtainment of the shelter of mother Ganges (passing away).

TRANSLATION

In this way the two brothers Rupa and Anupama reached Bengal, but when they arrived there Anupama died.

PURPORT

Formerly when a person died it was commonly said that he had attained the shelter of mother Ganges, even if he did not die on the bank of the Ganges. It is customary among Hindus to carry a dying person to a nearby bank of the Ganges, for if one dies on the bank of the Ganges, his soul is considered to reach the lotus feet of Lord Visnu, wherefrom the Ganges flows.

Antya1.38

TEXT 38

rupa-gosani prabhu-pase karila gamana

prabhure dekhite tanra utkanthita mana

SYNONYMS

rupa-gosani—of the name Rupa Gosvami; prabhu-pase—the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karila gamana—departed for; prabhure dekhite—to see Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanra—his; utkanthita—full of anxiety; mana—mind.

TRANSLATION

Rupa Gosvami then departed to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for he was very eager to see Him.

Next verse (Antya1.39)