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

Chapter 3

Madhya3.36

TEXT 36

gangaya yamuna vahe hana eka-dhara

pascime yamuna vahe, purve ganga-dhara

SYNONYMS

gangaya—with the river Ganges; yamuna—the river Yamuna; vahe—flows; hana—becoming; eka-dhara—one stream; pascime—on the western side; yamuna—the river Yamuna; vahe—flows; purve—on the eastern side; ganga-dhara—the flow of the Ganges.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya then explained that at that spot both the Ganges and Yamuna flow together. On the western side was the Yamuna, and on the eastern side was the Ganges.

PURPORT

The Ganges and Yamuna mix at the confluence at Allahabad (Prayaga). The Yamuna flows from the western side and the Ganges from the eastern, and they merge. Since Caitanya Mahaprabhu bathed on the western side, He actually took His bath in the river Yamuna.

Madhya3.37

TEXT 37

pascima-dhare yamuna vahe, tahan kaile snana

ardra kaupina chadi’ suska kara paridhana

SYNONYMS

pascima-dhare—in the western flow; yamuna—the river Yamuna; vahe—flows; tahan—there; kaile—You did; snana—bathing; ardra—wet; kaupina—underwear; chadi’-giving up; suska—dry; kara—do; paridhana—putting on.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya then suggested that since Caitanya Mahaprabhu had taken His bath in the river Yamuna and His underwear was now wet, the Lord should change His underwear for dry garments.

Madhya3.38

TEXT 38

premavese tina dina acha upavasa

aji mora ghare bhiksa, cala mora vasa

SYNONYMS

prema-avese—in the ecstasy of love; tina dina—three days; acha—You are; upavasa—fasting; aji—today; mora—My; ghare—at the house; bhiksa—alms; cala—kindly come; mora vasa—to My residence.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya said, “You have been fasting continuously for three days in Your ecstasy of love for Krsna. I therefore invite You to My home, where You may kindly take Your alms. Come with Me to My residence.”

Madhya3.39

TEXT 39

eka-musti anna muni kariyachon paka

sukharukha vyanjana kailun, supa ara saka

SYNONYMS

eka-musti—one palmful; anna—rice; muni—I; kariyachon—have done; paka—cooking; sukha-rukha—not very luxurious; vyanjana—vegetables; kailun—I have done; supa—liquid vegetables; ara—and; saka—spinach.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Prabhu continued, “At My home I have just cooked one palmful of rice. The vegetables are always very simple. There is no luxurious cooking-simply a little liquid vegetable and spinach.”

Madhya3.40

TEXT 40

eta bali’ naukaya cadana nila nija-ghara

pada-praksalana kaila ananda-antara

SYNONYMS

eta bali’-saying this; naukaya cadana—making Him board the small boat; nila—took; nija-ghara—to His own residence; pada-praksalana—washing the feet; kaila—did; ananda-antara—very happy within Himself.

TRANSLATION

Saying this, Sri Advaita Acarya took the Lord into the boat and brought the Lord to His residence. There Advaita Acarya washed the feet of the Lord and was consequently very happy within.

Madhya3.41

TEXT 41

prathame paka kariyachena acaryani

visnu-samarpana kaila acarya apani

SYNONYMS

prathame—first; paka—cooking; kariyachena—performed; acaryani—the wife of Advaita Acarya; visnu-samarpana—offering to Lord Visnu; kaila—did; acarya—Advaita Acarya; apani—Himself.

TRANSLATION

All the eatables were first cooked by the wife of Advaita Acarya. Then Srila Advaita Acarya personally offered everything to Lord Visnu.

PURPORT

This is the ideal householder’s life. The husband and wife live together, and the husband works very hard to secure paraphernalia for worshiping Lord Visnu. The wife at home cooks a variety of foods for Lord Visnu, and the husband offers it to the Deity. After that, arati is performed, and the prasada is distributed amongst family members and guests. According to the Vedic principles, there must always be a guest in a householder’s house. In my childhood I have actually seen my father receive not less than four guests every day, and in those days my father’s income was not very great. Nonetheless, there was no difficulty in offering prasada to at least four guests every day. According to Vedic principles, a householder, before taking lunch, should go outside and shout very loudly to see if there is anyone without food. In this way he invites people to take prasada. If someone comes, the householder offers him prasada, and if there is not much left, he should offer his own portion to the guest. If no one responds to his call, the householder can accept his own lunch. Thus the householder’s life is also a kind of austerity. Because of this, the householder’s life is called the grhastha-asrama. Although a person may live with his wife and children happily in Krsna consciousness, he also observes the regulative principles followed in any temple. If there is no Krsna consciousness, the householder’s abode is called a grhamedhi’s house. Householders in Krsna consciousness are actually grhasthas-that is, those living in the asrama with their families and children. Sri Advaita Prabhu was an ideal grhastha, and His house was the ideal grhastha-asrama.

Madhya3.42

TEXT 42

tina thani bhoga badaila sama kari’

krsnera bhoga badaila dhatu-patropari

SYNONYMS

tina thani—in three places; bhoga—cooked food; badaila—distributed; sama—equal; kari’-making; krsnera bhoga—the food offered to Krsna; badaila—was arranged; dhatu-patra upari—on a metal plate.

TRANSLATION

All the prepared food was divided into three equal parts. One part was arranged on a metal plate for offering to Lord Krsna.

PURPORT

The word badaila, meaning “increased,” is very significant in this verse. It is a sophisticated word used by the grhasthas in Bengal. Whenever food is prepared and we take away a portion, the food is actually decreased. But here it is the system to say badaila, or “increased.” If food is prepared for Krsna and offered to Him and the Vaisnavas, the stock is increased, never decreased.

Madhya3.43

TEXT 43

battisa-athiya-kalara angatiya pate

dui thani bhoga badaila bhala mate

SYNONYMS

battisa-athiya—producing thirty-two bunches; kalara—of a banana tree; angatiya—undivided; pate—on leaves; dui thani—in two places; bhoga—the eatables; badaila—arranged; bhala mate—very nicely.

TRANSLATION

Of the three divisions, one was arranged on a metal plate, and the other two were arranged on plantain leaves. These leaves were not bifurcated, and they were taken from a banana tree that held at least thirty-two bunches of bananas. The two plates were filled very nicely with the kinds of food described below.

Madhya3.44

TEXT 44

madhye pita-ghrta-sikta saly-annera stupa

cari-dike vyanjana-donga, ara mudga-supa

SYNONYMS

madhye—in the middle; pita—yellow; ghrta-sikta—wet with clarified butter; sali-annera—of very fine cooked rice; stupa—a mound; cari-dike—surrounding the mound of rice; vyanjana-donga—vegetable pots; ara—and; mudga-supadal made of split mung.

TRANSLATION

The cooked rice was a stack of very fine grains nicely cooked, and in the middle was yellow clarified butter from the milk of cows. Surrounding the stack of rice were pots made of the skins of banana trees, and in these pots were varieties of vegetables and mung dal.

Madhya3.45

TEXT 45

sardraka, vastuka-saka vividha prakara

patola, kusmanda-badi, manakacu ara

SYNONYMS

sardraka—pots with ginger dishes; vastuka-saka—spinach; vividha—various; prakara—kinds; patola—a kind of vegetable; kusmanda—squash; badi—with split dal; manakacu—the root of a vegetable tree called kacu; ara—and.

TRANSLATION

Among the cooked vegetables were patolas, squash, manakacu and a salad made with pieces of ginger and various types of spinach.

Madhya3.46

TEXT 46

ca-i-marica-sukhta diya saba phala-mule

amrta-nindaka panca-vidha tikta-jhale

SYNONYMS

ca-i-marica—with black pepper and ca-i (a kind of spice); sukhta—vegetables made bitter; diya—giving; saba—all; phala-mule—various kinds of fruits and roots; amrta-nindaka—defying nectar; panca-vidha—five kinds of; tikta—bitter; jhale—and pungent.

TRANSLATION

There was sukhta, bitter melon mixed with all kinds of vegetables, defying the taste of nectar. There were five types of bitter and pungent sukhtas.

Madhya3.47

TEXT 47

komala nimba-patra saha bhaja vartaki

patola-phula-badi-bhaja, kusmanda-manacaki

SYNONYMS

komala—newly grown; nimba-patranimba leaves; saha—with; bhaja—fried; vartaki—eggplant; patola—with patola fruit; phula-badi—a preparation of dal; bhaja—fried; kusmanda—squashes; manacaki—the food called manacaki.

TRANSLATION

Amongst the various vegetables were newly grown leaves of nimba trees fried with eggplant. The fruit known as patola was fried with phulabadi, a kind of dal preparation first mashed and then dried in the sun. There was also a preparation known as kusmanda-manacaki.

PURPORT

We request our editors of cook books to add all these nice preparations described by the experienced author Srila Kaviraja Gosvami.

Madhya3.48

TEXT 48

narikela-sasya, chana, sarkara madhura

mocha-ghanta, dugdha-kusmanda, sakala pracura

SYNONYMS

narikela-sasya—the pulp of coconut; chana—curd; sarkara—fruit sugar; madhura—very sweet; mocha-ghanta—a semisolid preparation made with banana flowers; dugdha-kusmanda—newly grown squash cut into pieces and boiled in milk; sakala—all; pracura—plentiful.

TRANSLATION

The preparation made with coconut pulp mixed with curd and rock candy was very sweet. There was a curry made of banana flowers and squash boiled in milk, all in great quantity.

Madhya3.49

TEXT 49

madhuramla-bada, amladi panca-chaya

sakala vyanjana kaila loke yata haya

SYNONYMS

madhura-amla-bada—sweet and sour cakes; amla-adi—sour preparations; panca-chaya—five or six; sakala vyanjana—all vegetables; kaila—made; loke—for the people; yata haya—as many as there were.

TRANSLATION

There were small cakes in sweet and sour sauce and five or six kinds of sour preparations. All the vegetables were so made that everyone present could take prasada.

Madhya3.50

TEXT 50

mudga-bada, kala-bada, masa-bada, mista

ksira-puli, narikela, yata pitha ista

SYNONYMS

mudga-bada—soft cake made with mung; kala-bada—soft cake made with fried banana; masa-bada—soft cake made with urad dal; mista—various kinds of sweets; ksira-puli—condensed milk mixed with rice cakes; narikela—a preparation of coconut; yata—all kinds of; pitha—cakes; ista—desirable.

TRANSLATION

There were soft cakes made with mung dal, soft cakes made with ripe bananas, and soft cakes made with urad dal. There were various kinds of sweetmeats, condensed milk mixed with rice cakes, a coconut preparation and every kind of cake desirable.

Madhya3.51

TEXT 51

battisa-athiya kalara donga bada bada

cale hale nahi,--donga ati bada dada

SYNONYMS

battisa-athiya—producing thirty-two bunches of bananas; kalara—of the banana tree; donga—pots made of leaves; bada bada—big; cale hale nahi—they did not tilt or totter; donga—pots; ati—very; bada—big; dada—strong.

TRANSLATION

All the vegetables were served in pots made of banana leaves taken from trees producing at least thirty-two bunches of bananas. These pots were very strong and big and did not tilt or totter.

Madhya3.52

TEXT 52

pancasa pancasa donga vyanjane purina

tina bhogera ase pase rakhila dharina

SYNONYMS

pancasa pancasa—fifty and fifty; donga—pots; vyanjane—with vegetables; purina—filling; tina—three; bhogera—of eating places; ase pase—all around; rakhila—kept; dharina—fixing.

TRANSLATION

All around the three eating places were a hundred pots filled with various kinds of vegetables.

Madhya3.53

TEXT 53

saghrta-payasa nava-mrt-kundika bharina

tina patre ghanavarta-dugdha rakheta dharina

SYNONYMS

sa-ghrta-payasa—sweet rice mixed with ghee; nava-mrt-kundika—new earthen pots; bharina—filling; tina patre—in three pots; ghana-avarta-dugdha—finely condensed milk; rakheta—were kept; dharina—fixing.

TRANSLATION

Along with the various vegetables was sweet rice mixed with ghee. This was kept in new earthen pots. Earthen pots filled with highly condensed milk were placed in three places.

Madhya3.54

TEXT 54

dugdha-cida-kala ara dugdha-laklaki

yateka karila’ taha kahite na saki

SYNONYMS

dugdha-cida—chipped rice made with milk; kala—mixed with bananas; ara—and; dugdha-laklaki—a kind of squash known as lau, boiled with milk; yateka—all that; karila’-was prepared; taha—that; kahite—to describe; na—not; saki—I am able.

TRANSLATION

Besides the other preparations, there were chipped rice made with milk and mixed with bananas, and also white squash boiled in milk. Indeed, it is not possible to describe all the preparations that were made.

Madhya3.55

TEXT 55

dui pase dharila saba mrt-kundika bhari’

canpakala-dadhi-sandesa kahite na pari

SYNONYMS

dui pase—on two sides; dharila—kept; saba—all; mrt-kundika—earthen pots; bhari’-filling; canpa-kala—a kind of banana known as canpa-kala; dadhi-sandesa—mixed with yogurt and sandesa; kahite—to say; na—not; pari—I am able.

TRANSLATION

In two places there were earthen pots filled with another preparation made with yogurt, sandesa [a sweetmeat made with curd] and banana. I am unable to describe it all.

Madhya3.56

TEXT 56

anna-vyanjana-upari dila tulasi-manjari

tina jala-patre suvasita jala bhari’

SYNONYMS

anna-vyanjana-upari—on top of the boiled rice and vegetables; dila—placed; tulasi-manjari—flowers of tulasi; tina—three; jala-patre—waterpots; su-vasita—scented; jala—water; bhari’-filling.

TRANSLATION

Upon the stack of boiled rice and all the vegetables were flowers of the tulasi trees. There were also pots filled with scented rosewater.

Madhya3.57

TEXT 57

tina subhra-pitha, tara upari vasana

ei-rupe saksat krsne karaila bhojana

SYNONYMS

tina—three; subhra-pitha—white sitting places; tara—of them; upari—on top; vasana—soft cloth; ei-rupe—in this way; saksat—directly; krsne—unto Krsna; karaila—made to do; bhojana—eating.

TRANSLATION

There were three sitting places where soft cloths were placed. Thus Lord Krsna was offered all the food, and the Lord took it very pleasantly.

Madhya3.58

TEXT 58

aratira kale dui prabhu bolaila

prabhu-sange sabe asi’ arati dekhila

SYNONYMS

aratira kale—during the time of arati; dui prabhu—Lord Nityananda and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bolaila—He called; prabhu-sange—with the Lords; sabe—all other people; asi’-coming there; arati—the arati ceremony; dekhila—observed.

TRANSLATION

It is the system, after offering food, to perform bhoga-arati. Advaita Prabhu asked the two brothers, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu, to come see the arati. The two Lords and all others present went to see the arati ceremony.

Madhya3.59

TEXT 59

arati kariya krsne kara’la sayana

acarya asi’ prabhure tabe kaila nivedana

SYNONYMS

arati kariya—after finishing the arati; krsne—Lord Krsna; kara’la—made to do; sayana—lying down to rest; acarya—Advaita Acarya; asi’-coming; prabhure—unto Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tabe—then; kaila—made; nivedana—submission.

TRANSLATION

After arati was performed for the Deities in the temple, Lord Krsna was made to lie down to rest. Advaita Acarya then came out to submit something to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Madhya3.60

TEXT 60

grhera bhitare prabhu karuna gamana

dui bhai aila tabe karite bhojana

SYNONYMS

grhera bhitare—within the room; prabhu—Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karuna—kindly do; gamana—entering; dui bhai—the two brothers, Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu; aila—came; tabe—then; karite bhojana—to partake of the prasada.

TRANSLATION

Sri Advaita Prabhu said, “My dear Lords, kindly enter this room.” The two brothers, Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu, then came forward to take the prasada.

Madhya3.61

TEXT 61

mukunda, haridasa,--dui prabhu bolaila

yoda-hate dui-jana kahite lagila

SYNONYMS

mukunda—Mukunda; haridasa—Haridasa; dui prabhu—the two Lords; bolaila—called for; yoda-hate—with folded hands; dui-jana—two persons; kahite lagila—began to say.

TRANSLATION

When Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu went to accept the prasada, They both called Mukunda and Haridasa to come with Them. However, Mukunda and Haridasa, both with folded hands, spoke as follows.

Madhya3.62

TEXT 62

mukunda kahe--mora kichu krtya nahi sare

pache muni prasada pamu, tumi yaha ghare

SYNONYMS

mukunda kahe—Mukunda said; mora—of me; kichu—something; krtya—to perform; nahi sare—not yet finished; pache—later; muni—I; prasadaprasada; pamu—shall accept; tumi yaha ghare—You both kindly enter the room.

TRANSLATION

When Mukunda was called for, he submitted, “My dear sir, I have something to do that is not yet finished. Later I shall accept the prasada, so You two Prabhus should now please enter the room.”

Madhya3.63

TEXT 63

haridasa kahe--muni papistha adhama

bahire eka musti pache karimu bhojana

SYNONYMS

haridasa kahe—Haridasa said; muni—I; papistha—sinful; adhama—the lowest of men; bahire—outside; eka—one; musti—palmful; pache—later; karimu—I shall do; bhojana—eating.

TRANSLATION

Haridasa Thakura said, “I am the most sinful and lowest among men. Later I shall eat one palmful of prasada while waiting outside.”

PURPORT

Although the Hindus and Muslims lived together in a very friendly manner, still there were distinctions between them. The Muslims were considered yavanas, or low-born, and whenever a Muslim was invited, he would be fed outside of the house. Although personally called by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu to take prasada with Them, still, out of great humility, Haridasa Thakura submitted, “I shall take the prasada outside of the house.” Although Haridasa Thakura was an exalted Vaisnava accepted by Advaita Acarya, Nityananda Prabhu and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, nonetheless, in order not to disturb social tranquillity, he humbly kept himself in the position of a Muslim, outside the jurisdiction of the Hindu community. Therefore he proposed to take prasada outside the house. Although he was in an exalted position and equal to other great Vaisnavas, he considered himself a papistha, a most sinful man, and adhama, the lowest among men. Although a Vaisnava may be very much advanced spiritually, he keeps himself externally humble and submissive.

Madhya3.64

TEXT 64

dui prabhu lana acarya gela bhitara ghare

prasada dekhiya prabhura ananda antare

SYNONYMS

dui prabhu—the two prabhus (Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu); lana—with; acarya—Advaita Acarya; gela—went; bhitara—within; ghare—the room; prasada—the prasada; dekhiya—seeing; prabhura—of Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ananda antare—was very pleased within Himself.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya took Lord Nityananda Prabhu and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu within the room, and the two Lords saw the arrangement of the prasada. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was especially very much pleased.

PURPORT

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was pleased because He saw how nicely so many varieties of food were prepared for Krsna. Actually all kinds of prasada are prepared for Krsna, not for the people, but the devotees partake of prasada with great pleasure.

Madhya3.65

TEXT 65

aiche anna ye krsnake karaya bhojana

janme janme sire dharon tanhara carana

SYNONYMS

aiche—in this way; anna—the eatables; ye—anyone who; krsnake—unto Krsna; karaya—made to do; bhojana—eating; janme janme—birth after birth; sire—on My head; dharon—I keep; tanhara—his; carana—lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu approved of all the methods employed in cooking and offering food to Krsna. Indeed, He was so pleased that He said, “Frankly, I will personally take the lotus feet of anyone who can offer Krsna such nice food and place those lotus feet on My head birth after birth.”

Madhya3.66

TEXT 66

prabhu jane tina bhoga--krsnera naivedya

acaryera manah-katha nahe prabhura vedya

SYNONYMS

prabhu jane—the Lord knows; tina bhoga—three divisions of bhoga; krsnera naivedya—offerings to Lord Krsna; acaryera—of Advaita Acarya; manah-katha—the intentions; nahe—not; prabhura—to the Lord; vedya—understandable.

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu entered the room, He saw three divisions of food, and He knew that all of these were meant for Krsna. However, He did not understand the intentions of Advaita Acarya.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura states that one of these servings was offered in a metal dish and was meant for Krsna, whereas the other two were placed on big banana leaves. The offering on the metal plate was personally offered by Advaita Acarya to Krsna. The other two servings, on banana leaves, were to be accepted by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda. That was Advaita Acarya’s intention, but He did not disclose this to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Thus when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw the food offered in three places, He thought that all of it was meant for Krsna.

Madhya3.67

TEXT 67

prabhu bale--vaisa tine kariye bhojana

acarya kahe--ami kariba parivesana

SYNONYMS

prabhu bale—Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; vaisa—sit down; tine—in the three places; kariye—do; bhojana—eating; acarya kahe—Advaita Acarya replied; ami kariba parivesana—I shall distribute.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “Let Us sit down in these three places, and We shall take prasada.” However, Advaita Acarya said, “I shall distribute the prasada.”

Madhya3.68

TEXT 68

kon sthane vasiba, ara ana dui pata

alpa kari’ ani’ tahe deha vyanjana bhata

SYNONYMS

kon sthane vasiba—where shall We sit down; ara—other; ana—bring; dui pata—two leaves; alpa kari’-making a small quantity; ani’-bringing; tahe—on that; deha—give; vyanjana—vegetables; bhata—and boiled rice.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu thought that all three servings were meant for distribution; therefore He asked for another two banana leaves, saying, “Let Us have a very little quantity of vegetable and rice.”

Madhya3.69

TEXT 69

acarya kahe--vaisa donhe pindira upare

eta bali’ hate dhari’ vasaila dunhare

SYNONYMS

acarya kahe—Advaita Acarya said; vaisa—sit down; donhe—You two; pindira upare—on the planks of wood; eta bali’-saying this; hate dhari’-catching Their hands; vasaila dunhare—sat the two Lords down.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya said, “Just sit down here on these seats.” Catching Their hands, He sat Them both down.

Madhya3.70

TEXT 70

prabhu kahe--sannyasira bhaksya nahe upakarana

iha khaile kaiche haya indriya varana

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe—the Lord said; sannyasira—by a sannyasi; bhaksya—to be eaten; nahe—this is not; upakarana—varieties of food; iha—this; khaile—if eating; kaiche—how; haya—there is; indriya—senses; varana—controlling.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “It is not proper for a sannyasi to eat such a variety of foods. If he does, how can he control his senses?”

PURPORT

The word upakarana indicates a variety of foods, such as dal, vegetables and other varieties of possible dishes that one can eat very nicely with rice. It is not proper, however, for a sannyasi to eat such palatable dishes. If he did so, he would not be able to control his senses. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not encourage sannyasis to eat very palatable dishes, for the whole Vaisnava cult is vairagya-vidya, as renounced as possible. Caitanya Mahaprabhu also advised Raghunatha dasa Gosvami not to eat very palatable dishes, wear very nice garments or talk on mundane subjects. These things are all prohibited for those in the renounced order. A devotee does not accept anything to eat that is not first offered to Krsna. All the rich foods offered to Krsna are given to the grhasthas, the householders. There are many nice things offered to Krsna-garlands, bedsteads, nice ornaments, nice food and even nicely prepared pan, betel nuts-but a humble Vaisnava, thinking his body material and nasty, does not accept such preparations for himself. He thinks that by accepting such things he will offend the lotus feet of the Lord. Those who are sahajiyas cannot understand what Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu meant when He asked Advaita Acarya to bring two separate leaves and give a small quantity of the prasada to Him.

Madhya3.71

TEXT 71

acarya kahe--chada tumi apanara curi

ami saba jani tomara sannyasera bhari-bhuri

SYNONYMS

acarya kahe—Advaita Acarya replied; chada—give up; tumi—You; apanara—of Yourself; curi—the concealment; ami—I; saba—all; jani—know; tomara—of You; sannyasera—of the acceptance of the renounced order; bhari-bhuri—the confidential meaning.

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not accept the food that had already been served, Advaita Acarya said, “Please give up Your concealment. I know what You are, and I know the confidential meaning of Your accepting the sannyasa order.”

Madhya3.72

TEXT 72

bhojana karaha, chada vacana-caturi

prabhu kahe--eta anna khaite na pari

SYNONYMS

bhojana karaha—kindly accept this prasada; chada—give up; vacana-caturi—jugglery of words; prabhu kahe—the Lord said; eta—so much; anna—food; khaite—to eat; na pari—I am not able.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya thus requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to eat and give up juggling words. The Lord replied, “I certainly cannot eat so much food.”

Madhya3.73

TEXT 73

acarya bale--akapate karaha ahara

yadi khaite na para pate rahibeka ara

SYNONYMS

acarya bale—Advaita Acarya says; akapate—without pretense; karaha—kindly do; ahara—eating; yadi—if; khaite—to eat; na para—You are not able; pate—on the leaf; rahibeka ara—let the balance remain.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya then requested the Lord to simply accept the prasada without pretense. If He could not eat it all, the balance could be left on the plate.

Madhya3.74

TEXT 74

prabhu bale--eta anna nariba khaite

sannyasira dharma nahe ucchista rakhite

SYNONYMS

prabhu bale—the Lord said; eta—so much; anna—eatables; nariba—I will not be able; khaite—to eat; sannyasira—of a sannyasi; dharma nahe—it is not the duty; ucchista—remnants of food; rakhite—to keep.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “I will not be able to eat so much food, and it is not the duty of a sannyasi to leave remnants.”

According to Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.18.19):

bahir jalasayam gatva
tatopasprsya vag-yatah
vibhajya pavitam sesam
bhunjitasesam ahrtam

“A sannyasi should take whatever edibles he gets from a householder’s house, outside near some lake or river, and after offering the food to Visnu, Brahma and the sun (three divisions), he should eat the entire offering and not leave anything for others to eat.”

Madhya3.75

TEXT 75

acarya bale--nilacale khao cauyanna-bara

eka-bare anna khao sata sata bhara

SYNONYMS

acarya bale—Advaita Acarya replies; nilacale—at Jagannatha Puri; khao—You eat; cauyanna-bara—fifty-four times; eka-bare—at one time; anna—eatables; khao—You eat; sata sata bhara—hundreds of pots.

TRANSLATION

In this connection Advaita Acarya referred to Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s eating at Jagannatha Puri. Lord Jagannatha and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu are identical. Advaita Acarya pointed out that at Jagannatha Puri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ate fifty-four times a day, and each time He ate many hundreds of pots of food.

Next verse (Madhya3.76)