Antya16.1

TEXT 1

vande sri-krsna-caitanyam

krsna-bhavamrtam hi yah

asvadyasvadayan bhaktan

prema-diksam asiksayat

SYNONYMS

vande—I offer my respectful obeisances; sri-krsna-caitanyam—unto Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; krsna-bhava-amrtam—the nectar of ecstatic love of Krsna; hi—certainly; yah—He who; asvadya—tasting; asvadayan—causing to taste; bhaktan—the devotees; prema—in love of Krsna; diksam—initiation; asiksayat—instructed.

TRANSLATION

Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who personally tasted the nectar of ecstatic love for Krsna and then instructed His devotees how to taste it. Thus He enlightened them about ecstatic love of Krsna to initiate them into transcendental knowledge.

Antya16.2

TEXT 2

jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda

jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

SYNONYMS

jaya jaya—all glories; sri-caitanya—to Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya—all glories; nityananda—to Nityananda Prabhu; jaya—all glories; advaita-candra—to Advaita Acarya; jaya—all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda—to all the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TRANSLATION

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

Antya16.3

TEXT 3

ei-mata mahaprabhu rahena nilacale

bhakta-gana-sange sada prema-vihvale

SYNONYMS

ei-mata—in this way; mahaprabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; rahena—stays; nilacale—in Jagannatha Puri; bhakta-gana-sange—in the association of devotees; sada—always; prema-vihvale—merged in ecstatic love.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu thus stayed at Jagannatha Puri in the association of His devotees, always merged in ecstatic devotional love.

Antya16.4

TEXT 4

varsantare aila saba gaudera bhakta-gana

purvavat asi’ kaila prabhura milana

SYNONYMS

varsa-antare—the next year; aila—came; saba—all; gaudera—of Bengal; bhakta-gana—the devotees; purva-vat—as previously; asi’-coming; kaila—did; prabhura milana—meeting with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TRANSLATION

The next year, as usual, all the devotees from Bengal went to Jagannatha Puri, and, as in previous years, there was a meeting between Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the devotees.

Antya16.5

TEXT 5

tan-sabara sange aila kalidasa nama

krsna-nama vina tenho nahi kahe ana

SYNONYMS

tan-sabara sange—with all of them; aila—came; kali-dasa nama—a man named Kalidasa; krsna-nama—the holy name of Krsna; vina—besides; tenho—he; nahi—does not; kahe—say; ana—anything else.

TRANSLATION

Along with the devotees from Bengal came a gentleman named Kalidasa. He never uttered anything but the holy name of Krsna.

Antya16.6

TEXT 6

maha-bhagavata tenho sarala udara

krsna-nama-’sankete’ calaya vyavahara

SYNONYMS

maha-bhagavata—a highly advanced devotee; tenho—he; sarala udara—very simple and liberal; krsna-nama-sankete—with chanting of the holy name of Krsna; calaya—performs; vyavahara—ordinary dealings.

TRANSLATION

Kalidasa was a very advanced devotee, yet he was simple and liberal. He would chant the holy name of Krsna while performing all his ordinary dealings.

Antya16.7

TEXT 7

kautukete tenho yadi pasaka khelaya

’hare krsna’ ’krsna’ kari’ pasaka calaya

SYNONYMS

kautukete—in jest; tenho—he; yadi—when; pasaka khelaya—plays with dice; hare krsna—the holy name of the Lord; krsna—Krsna; kari’-chanting; pasaka calaya—throws the dice.

TRANSLATION

When he used to throw dice in jest, he would throw the dice while chanting Hare Krsna.

PURPORT

In this connection Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura warns the men of this age not to imitate the jesting of a maha-bhagavata like Kalidasa. If someone imitates him by playing with dice or gambling while chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, he will certainly become a victim of offenses unto the holy name. As it is said, hari-nama-bale pape pravrtti: one must not commit sinful activities on the strength of chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. Playing with dice is certainly gambling, but it is clearly said here that Kalidasa did this only in jest. A maha-bhagavata can do anything, but he never forgets the basic principles. Therefore it is said, vaisnavera kriya-mudra vijneha na bujhaya: “No one can understand the activities of a pure devotee.” We should not imitate Kalidasa.

Antya16.8

TEXT 8

raghunatha-dasera tenho haya jnati-khuda

vaisnavera ucchista khaite tenho haila buda

SYNONYMS

raghunatha-dasera—of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami; tenho—he (Kalidasa); haya—is; jnati—relative; khuda—uncle; vaisnavera—of the Vaisnavas; ucchista—remnants of food; khaite—eating; tenho—he; haila—became; buda—aged.

TRANSLATION

Kalidasa was an uncle of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. Throughout his entire life, even in his old age, he tried to eat the remnants of food left by Vaisnavas.

Antya16.9

TEXT 9

gauda-dese haya yata vaisnavera gana

sabara ucchista tenho karila bhojana

SYNONYMS

gauda-dese—in Bengal; haya—are; yata—as many; vaisnavera gana—Vaisnavas; sabara—of all; ucchista—remnants of food; tenho—he; karila bhojana—ate.

TRANSLATION

Kalidasa ate the remnants of food of as many Vaisnavas as there were in Bengal.

Antya16.10

TEXT 10

brahmana-vaisnava yata--chota, bada haya

uttama-vastu bheta lana tanra thani yaya

SYNONYMS

brahmana-vaisnava—Vaisnavas coming from brahmana families; yata—all; chota—neophyte; bada—highly advanced; haya—are; uttama-vastu—first-class eatables; bheta lana—taking as gifts; tanra thani—to them; yaya—goes.

TRANSLATION

He would go to all the Vaisnavas born in brahmana families, be they neophyte or advanced devotees, and present them gifts of first-class eatables.

Antya16.11

TEXT 11

tanra thani sesa-patra layena magiya

kahan na paya, tabe rahe lukana

SYNONYMS

tanra thani—from them; sesa-patra—plates of remnants; layena—takes; magiya—begging; kahan—where; na paya—does not get; tabe—then; rahe—remains; lukana—hiding.

TRANSLATION

He would beg remnants of food from such Vaisnavas, and if he did not receive any, he would hide.

Antya16.12

TEXT 12

bhojana karile patra phelana yaya

lukana sei patra ani’ cati’ khaya

SYNONYMS

bhojana karile—after eating; patra—the plate; phelana yaya—is thrown away; lukana—hiding; sei patra—that plate; ani’-bringing; cati’ khaya—he licks up.

TRANSLATION

After the Vaisnavas finished eating, they would throw away their dishes or leaves, and Kalidasa would come out of hiding, take the leaves and lick up the remnants.

Antya16.13

TEXT 13

sudra-vaisnavera ghare yaya bheta lana

ei-mata tanra ucchista khaya lukana

SYNONYMS

sudra-vaisnavera—of Vaisnavas born in sudra families; ghare—at the homes; yaya—goes; bheta lana—taking gifts; ei-mata—in this way; tanra—their; ucchista—remnants of food; khaya—eats; lukana—hiding.

TRANSLATION

He would also take gifts to the homes of Vaisnavas born in sudra families. Then he would hide and eat the remnants of food they threw away in this manner.

Antya16.14

TEXT 14

bhunimali-jati, ’vaisnava’--’jhadu’ tanra nama

amra-phala lana tenho gela tanra sthana

SYNONYMS

bhunimali-jati—belonging to the bhunimali caste; vaisnava—a great devotee; jhadu—Jhadu; tanra—his; nama—name; amra-phala—mango fruits; lana—taking; tenho—he; gela—went; tanra sthana—to his place.

TRANSLATION

There was a great Vaisnava named Jhadu Thakura, who belonged to the bhunimali caste. Kalidasa went to his home, taking mangoes with him.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura remarks that both Kalidasa and Jhadu Thakura are worshiped at a place called Sripatabati, in the village known as Bhedo or Bhaduya. This village is situated about three miles south of the village of Krsnapura, the birthplace of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, which is about one mile west of the Byandel junction of the Burdwan line. A post office there is named Devananda-pura. Jhadu Thakura used to worship the Deity of Sri Madana-gopala. The Deity is still worshiped by one Ramaprasada dasa, who belongs to the ramayet community. It is said that the Deity worshiped by Kalidasa had been worshiped until now in the village of Sankhya on the bank of the Sarasvati River, but the Deity has been taken away by a gentleman named Matilala Cattopadhyaya from the village of Triveni. The Deity is now being worshiped at his place.

Antya16.15

TEXT 15

amra bheta diya tanra carana vandila

tanra patnire tabe namaskara kaila

SYNONYMS

amra—mangoes; bheta—gift; diya—presenting; tanra—his; carana—feet; vandila—offered respects to; tanra patnire—to his wife; tabe—thereafter; namaskara kaila—offered respectful obeisances.

TRANSLATION

Kalidasa presented the mangoes to Jhadu Thakura and offered him respectful obeisances. Then he also offered respectful obeisances to the Thakura’s wife.

Antya16.16

TEXT 16

patni-sahita tenho achena vasiya

bahu sammana kaila kalidasere dekhiya

SYNONYMS

patni-sahita—with his wife; tenho—he (Jhadu Thakura); achena vasiya—was sitting; bahu—much; sammana—respect; kaila—offered; kalidasere dekhiya—seeing Kalidasa.

TRANSLATION

When Kalidasa went to Jhadu Thakura, he saw that saintly person sitting with his wife. As soon as Jhadu Thakura saw Kalidasa, he likewise offered his respectful obeisances unto him.

Antya16.17

TEXT 17

istagosthi kata-ksana kari’ tanra sane

jhadu-thakura kahe tanre madhura vacane

SYNONYMS

ista-gosthi—discussion; kata-ksana—for some time; kari’-performing; tanra sane—with him; jhadu-thakura—Jhadu Thakura; kahe—says; tanre—unto him (Kalidasa); madhura vacane—in sweet words.

TRANSLATION

After a discussion for some time with Kalidasa, Jhadu Thakura said something to him in sweet words.

Antya16.18

TEXT 18

"ami--nica-jati, tumi,--atithi sarvottama

kon prakare karimu ami tomara sevana?

SYNONYMS

ami—I; nica-jati—belong to a low caste; tumi—you; atithi—guest; sarva-uttama—very respectable; kon prakare—how; karimu—shall perform; ami—I; tomara sevana—your service.

TRANSLATION

"I belong to a low caste, and you are a very respectable guest. How shall I serve you?

Antya16.19

TEXT 19

ajna deha’,--brahmana-ghare anna lana diye

tahan tumi prasada pao, tabe ami jiye"

SYNONYMS

ajna deha’-permit me; brahmana-ghare—to the house of a brahmana; anna—food; lana diye—I shall offer; tahan—there; tumi—you; prasada pao—take prasada; tabe—then; ami—I; jiye—shall live.

TRANSLATION

“If you will permit me, I shall send some food to a brahmana’s house, and there you may take prasada. If you do so, I shall then live very comfortably.”

Antya16.20

TEXT 20

kalidasa kahe,--"thakura, krpa kara more

tomara darsane ainu mui patita pamare

SYNONYMS

kalidasa kahe—Kalidasa replied; thakura—my dear saintly person; krpa kara—bestow your mercy; more—upon me; tomara darsane—to see you; ainu—have come; mui—I; patita pamare—very fallen and sinful.

TRANSLATION

Kalidasa replied, "My dear sir, please bestow your mercy upon me. I have come to see you, although I am very fallen and sinful.

Antya16.21

TEXT 21

pavitra ha-inu mui painu darasana

krtartha ha-inu, mora saphala jivana

SYNONYMS

pavitra ha-inu—have become purified; mui—I; painu darasana—have gotten your interview; krta-artha—obliged; ha-inu—I have become; mora—my; saphala—successful; jivana—life.

TRANSLATION

"Simply by seeing you, I have become purified. I am very obligated to you, for my life is now successful.

Antya16.22

TEXT 22

eka vancha haya,--yadi krpa kari’ kara

pada-raja deha’, pada mora mathe dhara"

SYNONYMS

eka vancha—one desire; haya—there is; yadi—if; krpa kari’-being merciful; kara—you do; pada-raja—the dust of your feet; deha’-give; pada—feet; mora—my; mathe—on the head; dhara—please place.

TRANSLATION

“My dear sir, I have one desire. Please be merciful to me by kindly placing your feet upon my head so that the dust on your feet may touch it.”

Antya16.23

TEXT 23

thakura kahe,--"aiche vat kahite na yuyaya

ami--nica-jati, tumi--susajjana raya"

SYNONYMS

thakura kahe—Jhadu Thakura said; aiche vat—such a request; kahite na yuyaya—should not be spoken; ami—I; nica-jati—coming from a family of a very low caste; tumi—you; su-sat-jana raya—very respectable and rich gentleman.

TRANSLATION

Jhadu Thakura replied, “It does not befit you to ask this of me. I belong to a very low-caste family, whereas you are a respectable rich gentleman.”

Antya16.24

TEXT 24

tabe kalidasa sloka padi’ sunaila

suni’ jhadu-thakurera bada sukha ha-ila

SYNONYMS

tabe—thereafter; kalidasa—Kalidasa; sloka—verses; padi’-reciting; sunaila—caused to hear; suni’-hearing; jhadu-thakurera—of Jhadu Thakura; bada—very great; sukha—happiness; ha-ila—there was.

TRANSLATION

Kalidasa then recited some verses, which Jhadu Thakura was very happy to hear.

Antya16.25

TEXT 25

na me ’bhaktas catur-vedi

mad-bhaktah sva-pacah priyah

tasmai deyam tato grahyam

sa ca pujyo yatha hy aham

SYNONYMS

no—not; me—My; abhaktah—devoid of pure devotional service; catuh-vedi—a scholar of the four Vedas; mat-bhaktah—My devotee; sva-pacah—even from a family of dog-eaters; priyah—very dear; tasmai—to him (the pure devotee); deyam—should be given; tatah—from him; grahyam—should be accepted (remnants of food); sah—that person; ca—also; pujyah—is worshipable; yatha—as much as; hi—certainly; aham—I.

TRANSLATION

"Even though one is a very learned scholar in Sanskrit literature, if he is not engaged in pure devotional service, he is not accepted as My devotee. But if someone born in a family of dog-eaters is a pure devotee with no motives for enjoyment through fruitive activity or mental speculation, he is very dear to Me. All respect should be given to him, and whatever he offers should be accepted, for such devotees are indeed as worshipable as I am.’

PURPORT

This verse spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead is found in Hari-bhakti-vilasa.

Antya16.26

TEXT 26

viprad dvi-sad-guna-yutad aravinda-nabha-

padaravinda-vimukhat sva-pacam varistham

manye tad-arpita-mano-vacanehitartha-

pranam punati sa kulam na tu bhuri-manah

SYNONYMS

viprat—than a brahmana; dvi-sat-guna-yutat—who is qualified with twelve brahminical qualifications; aravinda-nabha—of Lord Visnu, who has a lotuslike navel; pada-aravinda—unto the lotus feet; vimukhat—than a person bereft of devotion; sva-pacam—a candala, or person accustomed to eating dogs; varistham—more glorified; manye—I think; tat-arpita—dedicated unto Him; manah—mind; vacana—words; ihita—activities; artha—wealth; pranam—life; punati—purifies; sah—he; kulam—his family; na tu—but not; bhuri-manah—a brahmana proud of possessing such qualities.

TRANSLATION

"A person may be born in a brahmana family and have all twelve brahminical qualities, but if in spite of being qualified he is not devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who has a navel shaped like a lotus, he is not as good as a candala who has dedicated his mind, words, activities, wealth and life to the service of the Lord. Simply to take birth in a brahmana family or to have brahminical qualities is not sufficient. One must become a pure devotee of the Lord. If a sva-paca or candala is a devotee, he delivers not only himself but his whole family, whereas a brahmana who is not a devotee but simply has brahminical qualifications cannot even purify himself, not to speak of his family.’

PURPORT

Antya16.27

TEXT 27

aho bata sva-paco ’to gariyan

yaj-jihvagre vartate nama tubhyam

tepus tapas te juhuvuh sasnur arya

brahmanucur nama grnanti ye te

SYNONYMS

aho bata—how wonderful it is; sva-pacah—a dog-eater; atah—than the initiated brahmana; gariyan—more glorious; yat—of whom; jihva-agre—on the tip of the tongue; vartate—remains; nama—the holy name; tubhyam—of You, my Lord; tepuh—have performed; tapah—austerity; te—they; juhuvuh—have performed sacrifices; sasnuh—have bathed in all holy places; aryah—actually belonging to the Aryan race; brahma—all the Vedas; anucuh—have studied; nama—the holy name; grnanti—chant; ye—who; te—they.

TRANSLATION

“My dear Lord, anyone who always keeps Your holy name on his tongue is greater than an initiated brahmana. Although he may be born in a family of dog-eaters and therefore, by material calculations, be the lowest of men, he is glorious nevertheless. That is the wonderful power of chanting the holy name of the Lord. One who chants the holy name is understood to have performed all kinds of austerities. He has studied all the Vedas, he has performed all the great sacrifices mentioned in the Vedas, he has already taken his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage, and it is he who is factually the Aryan.’ ”

Antya16.28

TEXT 28

suni’ thakura kahe,--"sastra ei satya kaya

sei srestha, aiche yante krsna-bhakti haya

SYNONYMS

suni’-hearing; thakura kahe—Jhadu Thakura said; sastra—revealed scripture; ei—this; satya—truth; kaya—says; sei—he; srestha—best; aiche—in such a way; yante—in whom; krsna-bhakti—devotion to Krsna; haya—there is.

TRANSLATION

Hearing these quotations from the revealed scripture Srimad-Bhagavatam, Jhadu Thakura replied, "Yes, this is true, for it is the version of sastra. It is true, however, for one who is genuinely advanced in devotion to Krsna.

Antya16.29

TEXT 29

ami--nica-jati, amara nahi krsna-bhakti

anya aiche haya, amaya nahi aiche sakti"

SYNONYMS

ami—I; nica-jati—belonging to a lower caste; amara—my; nahi—there is not; krsna-bhakti—devotion to Krsna; anya—others; aiche haya—may be such; amaya—unto me; nahi—there is not; aiche sakti—such power.

TRANSLATION

“Such a position may befit others, but I do not possess such spiritual power. I belong to a lower class and have not even a pinch of devotion to Krsna.”

PURPORT

In his statement, Jhadu Thakura presents himself as being born in a low-caste family and not having the qualifications of a bona fide devotee of Lord Krsna. He accepts the statements declaring a lowborn person highly exalted if he is a Vaisnava. However, he feels that these descriptions from Srimad-Bhagavatam appropriately describe others, but not himself. Jhadu Thakura’s attitude is quite befitting a real Vaisnava, for a Vaisnava never considers himself exalted, even if he factually is. He is always meek and humble and never thinks that he is an advanced devotee. He assigns himself to a lower position, but that does not mean that he is indeed low. Sanatana Gosvami once said that he belonged to a low-caste family, for although he was born in a brahmana family, he had associated with mlecchas and yavanas in his service as a government minister. Similarly, Jhadu Thakura presented himself as someone who belonged to a low caste, but he was actually elevated above many persons born in brahmana families. Not only is there evidence for this in Srimad-Bhagavatam, as quoted by Kalidasa in verses 26 and 27; there is also considerable evidence for this conclusion in other sastras. For example, in the Mahabharata, Vana-parva, Chapter 180, it is stated:

sudre tu yad bhavel laksma
dvije tac ca na vidyate
na vai sudro bhavec chudro
brahmano na ca brahmanah

“If the characteristics of a brahmana are found in a sudra and not in a brahmana, that sudra should not be known as a sudra, and that brahmana should not be known as a brahmana.”

Similarly, in the Vana-parva, Chapter 211, it is said:

sudra-yonau hi jatasya
sad-gunanupatisthatah
arjave vartamanasya
brahmanyam abhijayate

“If a person born in a sudra family has developed the qualities of a brahmana, such as satya [truthfulness], sama [peacefulness], dama [self-control] and arjava [simplicity], he attains the exalted position of a brahmana.”

In the Anusasana-parva, Chapter 163, it is said:

sthito brahmana-dharmena
brahmanyam upajivati
ksatriyo vatha vaisyo va
brahma-bhuyah sa gacchati

ebhis tu karmabhir devi
subhair acaritais tatha
sudro brahmanatam yati
vaisyah ksatriyatam vrajet

na yonir napi samskaro
na srutam na ca santatih
karanani dvijatvasya
vrttam eva tu karanam

"If one is factually situated in the occupation of a brahmana, he must be considered a brahmana, even if born of a ksatriya or vaisya family.

"O Devi, if even a sudra is actually engaged in the occupation and pure behavior of a brahmana, he becomes a brahmana. Moreover, a vaisya can become a ksatriya.

“Therefore, neither the source of one’s birth, nor his reformation, nor his education is the criterion of a brahmana. The vrtta, or occupation, is the real standard by which one is known as a brahmana.”

We have seen that a person who is not the son of a doctor and has not attended a medical college is sometimes able to practice medicine. By practical knowledge of how to perform a surgical operation, how to mix medicine and how to give certain medicines for certain diseases, a person can receive a certificate and be registered as a medical practitioner in the practical field. He can do a medical man’s work and be known as a doctor. Although qualified medical men may consider him a quack, the government will recognize his work. Especially in India, there are many such doctors who perform their medical services perfectly. They are accepted even by the government. Similarly, if one is engaged in brahminical service or occupational duties, he must be considered a brahmana despite the family in which he is born. That is the verdict of all the sastras.