Madhya7.115

TEXT 115

āścarya śuniyā loka āila dekhibāre

prabhura rūpa-prema dekhi’ hailā camatkāre

SYNONYMS

āścarya—wonderful occurrence; śuniyā—hearing; loka—people; āila—came; dekhibāre—to see; prabhura—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; rūpa—beauty; prema—and love of Godhead; dekhi’-seeing; hailā—there was; camatkāre—astonishment.

TRANSLATION

After hearing of these wonderful occurrences, everyone came to see Him there. When they saw the beauty of the Lord and His ecstatic condition, they were all struck with wonder.

Madhya7.116

TEXT 116

darśane ’vaiṣṇava’ haila, bale ’kṛṣṇa’ ’hari’

premāveśe nāce loka ūrdhva bāhu kari’

SYNONYMS

darśane—in seeing; vaiṣṇava haila—they became devotees; bale—started to say; kṛṣṇa—Lord Kṛṣṇa; hari—Lord Hari; prema-āveśe—in the great ecstasy of love of Godhead; nāce—dance; loka—all the people; ūrdhva bāhu kari’-raising the arms.

TRANSLATION

Just by seeing Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, everyone became a devotee. They began to chant “Kṛṣṇa” and “Hari” and all the holy names. They all were merged in a great ecstasy of love, and they began to dance, raising their arms.

Madhya7.117

TEXT 117

kṛṣṇa-nāma loka-mukhe śuni’ avirāma

sei loka ’vaiṣṇava’ kaila anya saba grāma

SYNONYMS

kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa; loka-mukhe—from the mouth of those people; śuni’-hearing; avirāma—always; sei loka—those persons; vaiṣṇava—devotees; kaila—made; anya—other; saba—all; grāma—villages.

TRANSLATION

Always hearing them chant the holy names of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the residents of all the other villages also became Vaiṣṇavas.

Madhya7.118

TEXT 118

ei-mata paramparāya deśa ’vaiṣṇava’ haila

kṛṣṇa-nāmāmṛta-vanyāya deśa bhāsāila

SYNONYMS

ei-mata—in this way; paramparāya—by disciplic succession; deśa—the country; vaiṣṇava haila—became devotees; kṛṣṇa-nāma-amṛta—of the nectar of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa; vanyāya—in the inundation; deśa—the whole country; bhāsāila—overflooded.

TRANSLATION

By hearing the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, the entire country became Vaiṣṇava. It was as if the nectar of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa overflooded the entire country.

Madhya7.119

TEXT 119

kata-kṣaṇe prabhu yadi bāhya prakāśilā

kūrmera sevaka bahu sammāna karilā

SYNONYMS

kata-kṣaṇe—after some time; prabhu—Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu; yadi—when; bāhya—external consciousness; prakāśilā—manifested; kūrmera—of the Lord Kūrma Deity; sevaka—a servant; bahu—much; sammāna—respect; karilā—showed.

TRANSLATION

After some time, when Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu manifested His external consciousness, a priest of the Lord Kūrma Deity gave Him various offerings.

Madhya7.120

TEXT 120

yei grāme yāya tāhāṅ ei vyavahāra

eka ṭhāñi kahila, nā kahiba āra bāra

SYNONYMS

yei grāme—to whichever village; yāya—He goes; tāhāṅ—there; ei—this; vyavahāra—behavior; eka ṭhāñi—one place; kahila—described; nā—not; kahiba—shall describe; āra—another; bāra—time.

TRANSLATION

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mode of preaching has already been explained, and I shall not repeat the explanation. In whichever village the Lord entered, His behavior was the same.

Madhya7.121

TEXT 121

’kūrma’-nāme sei grāme vaidika brāhmaṇa

bahu śraddhā-bhaktye kaila prabhura nimantraṇa

SYNONYMS

kūrma-nāme—of the name Kūrma; sei—that; grāme—in the village; vaidika brāhmaṇa—a Vedic brāhmaṇa; bahu—much; śraddhā-bhaktye—with faith and devotion; kaila—made; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; nimantraṇa—invitation.

TRANSLATION

In one village there was a Vedic brāhmaṇa named Kūrma. He invited Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his home with great respect and devotion.

Madhya7.122

TEXT 122

ghare āni’ prabhura kaila pāda prakṣālana

sei jala vaṁśa-sahita karila bhakṣaṇa

SYNONYMS

ghare āni’-after bringing Him home; prabhura—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kaila—did; pāda prakṣālana—washing of the lotus feet; sei jala—that water; vaṁśa-sahita—with all the family members; karila bhakṣaṇa—drank.

TRANSLATION

This brāhmaṇa brought Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his home, washed His lotus feet and, with his family members, drank that water.

Madhya7.123

TEXT 123

aneka-prakāra snehe bhikṣā karāila

gosāñira śeṣānna sa-vaṁśe khāila

SYNONYMS

aneka-prakāra—various kinds; snehe—in affection; bhikṣā—food; karāila—made Him eat; gosāñira—of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu; śeṣa-anna—remnants of food; sa-vaṁśe—with all the members of the family; khāila—ate.

TRANSLATION

With great affection and respect, that Kūrma brāhmaṇa made Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu eat all kinds of food. After that, the remnants were shared by all the members of the family.

Madhya7.124

TEXT 124

’yei pāda-padma tomāra brahmā dhyāna kare

sei pāda-padma sākṣāt āila mora ghare

SYNONYMS

yei—those; pāda-padma—lotus feet; tomāra—Your; brahmā—Lord Brahmā; dhyāna kare—meditates on; sei pāda-padma—those lotus feet; sākṣāt—directly; āila—have come; mora—my; ghare—to the home.

TRANSLATION

The brāhmaṇa then began to pray, "O my Lord, Your lotus feet are meditated upon by Lord Brahmā, and these very lotus feet have come into my home.

Madhya7.125

TEXT 125

mora bhāgyera sīmā nā yāya kahana

āji mora ślāghya haila janma-kula-dhana

SYNONYMS

mora—my; bhāgyera—of the fortune; sīmā—the limit; nā—not; yāya—possible; kahana—describing; āji—today; mora—my; ślāghya—glorious; haila—became; janma—birth; kula—family; dhana—and wealth.

TRANSLATION

“My dear Lord, there is no limit to my great fortune. It cannot be described. Today my family, birth and riches have all been glorified.”

Madhya7.126

TEXT 126

kṛpā kara, prabhu, more, yāṅ tomā-saṅge

sahite nā pāri duḥkha viṣaya-taraṅge’

SYNONYMS

kṛpā kara—kindly show favor; prabhu—O my Lord; more—unto me; yāṅ—I go; tomā-saṅge—with You; sahite nā pāri—I cannot tolerate; duḥkha—the troubles; viṣaya-taraṅge—in the waves of materialistic life.

TRANSLATION

The brāhmaṇa begged Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “My dear Lord, kindly show me favor and let me go with You. I can no longer tolerate the waves of misery caused by materialistic life.”

PURPORT

This statement is applicable for everyone, regardless of how rich or prosperous one may be. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has confirmed this statement: saṁsāra-viṣānale, divā-niśi hiyā jvale. He states that the materialistic way of life causes a burning in the heart. One cannot make any provisions for the troublesome life of the material world. It is a fact that one may be very happy as far as riches are concerned and one may be very opulent in every respect, yet one has to manage the viṣayas to meet the demands of the body and of so many family members and subordinates. One has to take so much trouble to minister to others. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura therefore prays: viṣaya chāḍiyā kabe śuddha habe mana. Thus one must become freed from the materialistic way of life. One has to merge himself in the ocean of transcendental bliss. In other words, one cannot relish transcendental bliss without being freed from the materialistic way of life. It appears that the brāhmaṇa named Kūrma was materially very happy, for he expressed his family tradition as janma-kula-dhana. Now, being glorious, he wanted to leave all these material opulences. He wanted to travel with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. According to the Vedic way of civilization, one should leave his family after attaining fifty years of age and go to the forest of Vṛndāvana to devote the rest of his life to the service of the Lord.

Madhya7.127

TEXT 127

prabhu kahe,--"aiche bāt kabhu nā kahibā

gṛhe rahi’ kṛṣṇa-nāma nirantara laibā

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said; aiche bāt—such words; kabhu—at any time; nā kahibā—you should not speak; gṛhe rahi’-staying at home; kṛṣṇa-nāma—the holy name of the Lord; nirantara—always; laibā—you should chant.

TRANSLATION

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, "Don’t speak like that again. Better to remain at home and chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa always.

PURPORT

It is not advisable in this Age of Kali to leave one’s family suddenly, for people are not trained as proper brahmacārīs and gṛhasthas. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised the brāhmaṇa not to be too eager to give up family life. It would be better to remain with his family and try to become purified by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra regularly under the direction of a spiritual master. This is the instruction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. If this principle is followed by everyone, there is no need to accept sannyāsa. In the next verse Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advises everyone to become an ideal householder by offenselessly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and teaching the same principle to everyone he meets.

Madhya7.128

TEXT 128

yāre dekha, tāre kaha ’kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa

āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa

SYNONYMS

yāre—whomever; dekha—you meet; tāre—him; kaha—tell; kṛṣṇa-upadeśa—the instruction of the Bhagavad-gītā as it is spoken by the Lord or of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which advises one to worship Śrī Kṛṣṇa; āmāra ājñāya—under My order; guru hañā—becoming a spiritual master; tāra’-deliver; ei deśa—this country.

TRANSLATION

“Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.”

PURPORT

This is the sublime mission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Many people come and inquire whether they have to give up family life to join the Society, but that is not our mission. One can remain comfortably in his residence. We simply request everyone to chant the mahā-mantra: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. If one is a little literate and can read the Bhagavad-gītā As It Is and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, that is so much the better. These works are now available in an English translation and are done very authoritatively to appeal to all classes of men. Instead of living engrossed in material activities, people throughout the world should take advantage of this movement and chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra at home with their families. One should also refrain from sinful activities-illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. Out of these four items, illicit sex is very sinful. Every person must get married. Every woman especially must get married. If the women outnumber the men, some men can accept more than one wife. In that way there will be no prostitution in society. If men can marry more than one wife, illicit sex life will be stopped. One can also produce many nice preparations to offer Kṛṣṇa-grain, fruit, flowers and milk. Why should one indulge in unnecessary meat-eating and maintain horrible slaughterhouses? What is the use of smoking and drinking tea and coffee? People are already intoxicated by material enjoyment, and if they indulge in further intoxication, what chance is there for self-realization? Similarly, one should not partake in gambling and unnecessarily agitate the mind. The real purpose of human life is to attain the spiritual platform and return to Godhead. That is the summum bonum of spiritual realization. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to elevate human society to the perfection of life by pursuing the method described by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His advice to the brāhmaṇa Kūrma. That is, one should stay at home, chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and preach the instructions of Kṛṣṇa as they are given in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Madhya7.129

TEXT 129

kabhu nā bādhibe tomāra viṣaya-taraṅga

punarapi ei ṭhāñi pābe mora saṅga"

SYNONYMS

kabhu—at any time; nā—not; bādhibe—will obstruct; tomāra—your; viṣaya-taraṅga—materialistic way of life; punarapi—again; ei ṭhāñi—at this place; pābe—you will get; mora—My; saṅga—association.

TRANSLATION

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu further advised the brāhmaṇa Kūrma, “If you follow this instruction, your materialistic life at home will not obstruct your spiritual advancement. Indeed, if you follow these regulative principles, we will again meet here, or, rather, you will never lose My company.”

PURPORT

This is an opportunity for everyone. If one simply follows the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, under the guidance of His representative, and chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, teaching everyone as far as possible the same principle, the contamination of the materialistic way of life will not even touch him. It does not matter whether one lives in a holy place like Vṛndāvana, Navadvīpa or Jagannātha Purī or in the midst of European cities, where the materialistic way of life is very prominent. If a devotee follows the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he lives in the company of the Lord. Wherever he lives, he converts that place into Vṛndāvana and Navadvīpa. This means that materialism cannot touch him. This is the secret of success for one advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Madhya7.130

TEXT 130

ei mata yāṅra ghare kare prabhu bhikṣā

sei aiche kahe, tāṅre karāya ei śikṣā

SYNONYMS

ei mata—in this way; yāṅra—of whom; ghare—at the home; kare—does; prabhu—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; bhikṣā—accepting prasāda; sei—that man; aiche—similarly; kahe—says; tāṅre—unto him; karāya—does; ei—this; śikṣā—enlightenment.

TRANSLATION

At whosoever’s house Śrī Caitanya accepted His alms by taking prasāda, He would convert the dwellers to His saṅkīrtana movement and advise them just as He advised the brāhmaṇa named Kūrma.

PURPORT

The cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is explained here very nicely. One who surrenders to Him and is ready to follow Him with heart and soul does not need to change his location. Nor is it necessary for one to change status. One may remain a householder, a medical practitioner, an engineer or whatever. It doesn’t matter. One only has to follow the instruction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and instruct relatives and friends in the teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. One has to learn humility and meekness at home, following the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and in that way one’s life will be spiritually successful. One should not try to be an artificially advanced devotee, thinking, “I am a first-class devotee.” Such thinking should be avoided. It is best not to accept any disciples. One has to become purified at home by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and preaching the principles enunciated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Thus one can become a spiritual master and be freed from the contamination of material life.

There are many sahajiyās who decry the activities of the six Gosvāmīs-Śrīla Rūpa, Sanātana, Raghunātha dāsa, Bhaṭṭa Raghunātha, Jīva and Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmīs-who are the personal associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and who enlightened society by writing books on devotional service. Similarly, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura and other great ācāryas like Madhvācārya, Rāmānujācārya and others accepted many thousands of disciples to induce them to render devotional service. However, there is a class of sahajiyās who think that these activities are opposed to the principles of devotional service. Indeed, they consider such activities simply another phase of materialism. Thus opposing the principles of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they commit offenses at His lotus feet. They should better consider His instructions and, instead of seeking to be considered humble and meek, should refrain from criticizing the followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu who engage in preaching. To protect His preachers, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has given much clear advice in these verses of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta.

Madhya7.131-132

TEXTS 131-132

pathe yāite devālaye rahe yei grāme

yāṅra ghare bhikṣā kare, sei mahā-jane

kūrme yaiche rīti, taiche kaila sarva-ṭhāñi

nīlācale punaḥ yāvat nā āilā gosāñi

SYNONYMS

pathe yāite—while passing on the road; devālaye—in a temple; rahe—He stays; yei grāme—in any village; yāṅra ghare—at whose place; bhikṣā kare—takes alms or eats; sei mahā-jane—to such a great personality; kūrme—unto the brāhmaṇa Kūrma; yaiche—just as; rīti—the process; taiche—in the same way; kaila—did; sarva-ṭhāñi—in all places; nīlācale—to Jagannātha Purī; punaḥ—again; yāvat—until; nā—not; āilā—returned; gosāñi—the Lord.

TRANSLATION

While on His tour, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would spend the night at a temple or on the roadside. Whenever He accepted food from a person, He would give him the same advice He gave the brāhmaṇa named Kūrma. He adopted this process until He returned from His South Indian tour to Jagannātha Purī.

Madhya7.133

TEXT 133

ataeva ihāṅ kahilāṅ kariyā vistāra

ei-mata jānibe prabhura sarvatra vyavahāra

SYNONYMS

ataeva—therefore; ihāṅ—here; kahilāṅ—I have described; kariyā vistāra—elaborately; ei-mata—in this way; jānibe—you will know; prabhura—of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; sarvatra—everywhere; vyavahāra—the behavior.

TRANSLATION

Thus I have described the Lord’s behavior elaborately in the case of Kūrma. In this way, you will know Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s dealings throughout South India.

Madhya7.134

TEXT 134

ei-mata sei rātri tāhāṅi rahilā

prātaḥ-kāle prabhu snāna kariyā calilā

SYNONYMS

ei-mata—in this way; sei rātri—that night; tāhāṅi—there; rahilā—stayed; prātaḥ-kāle—in the morning; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; snāna—bath; kariyā—taking; calilā—again started.

TRANSLATION

Thus Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would remain at night in one place and the next morning, after bathing, start again.

Madhya7.135

TEXT 135

prabhura anuvraji’ kūrma bahu dūra āilā

prabhu tāṅre yatna kari’ ghare pāṭhāilā

SYNONYMS

prabhura—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; anuvraji’-following behind; kūrma—the brāhmaṇa named Kūrma; bahu—much; dūra—distance; āilā—came; prabhu—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tāṅre—him; yatna kari’-taking much care; ghare—to his home; pāṭhāilā—sent.

TRANSLATION

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu left, the brāhmaṇa Kūrma followed Him a great distance, but eventually Lord Caitanya took care to send him back home.

Madhya7.136

TEXT 136

’vāsudeva’-nāma eka dvija mahāśaya

sarvāṅge galita kuṣṭha, tāte kīḍā-maya

SYNONYMS

vāsudeva-nāma—of the name Vāsudeva; eka dvija—one brāhmaṇa; mahāśaya—a great person; sarva-aṅge—all over his body; galita—acute; kuṣṭha—leprosy; tāte—in that; kīḍā-maya—full of living worms.

TRANSLATION

There was also a brāhmaṇa named Vāsudeva, who was a great person but was suffering from leprosy. Indeed, his body was filled with living worms.

Madhya7.137

TEXT 137

aṅga haite yei kīḍā khasiyā paḍaya

uṭhāñā sei kīḍā rākhe sei ṭhāña

SYNONYMS

aṅga haite—from his body; yei—which; kīḍā—a worm; khasiyā—drops; paḍaya—falling off; uṭhāñā—picking up; sei—that; kīḍā—worm; rākhe—places; sei ṭhāña—in the same place.

TRANSLATION

Although suffering from leprosy, the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva was enlightened. As soon as one worm fell from his body, he would pick it up and place it back again in the same location.

Madhya7.138

TEXT 138

rātrite śunilā teṅho gosāñira āgamana

dekhibāre āilā prabhāte kūrmera bhavana

SYNONYMS

rātrite—at night; śunilā—heard; teṅho—he; gosāñira—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; āgamana—the arrival; dekhibāre—to see Him; āilā—he came; prabhāte—in the morning; kūrmera—of the brāhmaṇa named Kūrma; bhavana—to the house.

TRANSLATION

Then one night Vāsudeva heard of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s arrival, and in the morning he came to see the Lord at the house of Kūrma.

Madhya7.139

TEXT 139

prabhura gamana kūrma-mukhete śuniñā

bhūmite paḍilā duḥkhe mūrcchita hañā

SYNONYMS

prabhura—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; gamana—the going; kūrma-mukhete—from the mouth of the brāhmaṇa Kūrma; śuniñā—hearing; bhūmite—on the ground; paḍilā—fell down; duḥkhe—in great distress; mūrcchita -unconsciousness; hañā—becoming.

TRANSLATION

When the leper Vāsudeva came to Kūrma’s house to see Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he was informed that the Lord had already left. The leper then fell to the ground unconscious.

Madhya7.140

TEXT 140

aneka prakāra vilāpa karite lāgilā

sei-kṣaṇe āsi’ prabhu tāṅre āliṅgilā

SYNONYMS

aneka prakāra—various kinds; vilāpa—lamentation; karite—to do; lāgilā—began; sei-kṣaṇe—immediately; āsi’-coming back; prabhu—Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; tāṅre—him; āliṅgilā—embraced.

TRANSLATION

When Vāsudeva, the leper brāhmaṇa, was lamenting due to not being able to see Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord immediately returned to that spot and embraced him.

Madhya7.141

TEXT 141

prabhu-sparśe duḥkha-saṅge kuṣṭha dūre gela

ānanda sahite aṅga sundara ha-ila

SYNONYMS

prabhu-sparśe—by the touch of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; duḥkha-saṅge—along with his unhappiness; kuṣṭha—the infection of leprosy; dūre—to a distant place; gela—went; ānanda sahite—with great pleasure; aṅga—whole body; sundara—beautiful; ha-ila—became.

TRANSLATION

When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu touched him, both the leprosy and his distress went to a distant place. Indeed, Vāsudeva’s body became very beautiful, to his great happiness.

Madhya7.142

TEXT 142

prabhura kṛpā dekhi’ tāṅra vismaya haila mana

śloka paḍi’ pāye dhari, karaye stavana

SYNONYMS

prabhura—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kṛpā—the mercy; dekhi’-seeing; tāṅra—of the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva; vismaya haila mana—there was astonishment in his mind; śloka paḍi’-reciting a verse; pāye dhari—touching His lotus feet; karaye stavana—offers prayers.

TRANSLATION

The brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva was astonished to behold the wonderful mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and he began to recite a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, touching the Lord’s lotus feet.

Madhya7.143

TEXT 143

kvāhaṁ daridraḥ pāpīyān

kva kṛṣṇaḥ śrī-niketanaḥ

brahma-bandhur iti smāhaṁ

bāhubhyāṁ parirambhitaḥ

SYNONYMS

kva—who; aham—I; daridraḥ—poor; pāpīyān—sinful; kva—who; kṛṣṇaḥ—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; śrī-niketanaḥ—the transcendental form of all opulence; brahma-bandhuḥ—the friend of a brāhmaṇa, not fit even to be called a brāhmaṇa; iti—thus; sma—certainly; aham—I; bāhubhyām—by the arms; parirambhitaḥ—embraced.

TRANSLATION

He said, “ ’Who am I? A sinful, poor friend of a brāhmaṇa. And who is Kṛṣṇa? The Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in six opulences. Nonetheless, He has embraced me with His two arms.’ ”

PURPORT

This verse was spoken by Sudāmā Brāhmaṇa in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (10.81.16), in connection with his meeting Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Madhya7.144-145

TEXTS 144-145

bahu stuti kari’ kahe,--śuna, dayā-maya

jīve ei guṇa nāhi, tomāte ei haya

more dekhi’ mora gandhe palāya pāmara

hena-more sparśa’ tumi,--svatantra īśvara

SYNONYMS

bahu—many; stuti—prayers; kari’-presenting; kahe—says; śuna—kindly hear; dayā-maya—O greatly merciful Lord; jīve—in the living entity; ei—this; guṇa—quality; nāhi—there is not; tomāte—in You; ei—this; haya—is; more dekhi’-by seeing me; mora gandhe—from smelling my body; palāya—runs away; pāmara—even a sinful man; hena-more—such a person as me; sparśa’-touch; tumi—You; svatantra—fully independent; īśvara—the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

TRANSLATION

The brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva continued, “O my merciful Lord, such mercy is not possible for ordinary living entities. Such mercy can be found only in You. Upon seeing me, even a sinful person goes away due to my bad bodily odor. Yet You have touched me. Such is the independent behavior of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

Madhya7.146

TEXT 146

kintu āchilāṅ bhāla adhama hañā

ebe ahaṅkāra mora janmibe āsiyā

SYNONYMS

kintu—but; āchilāṅ—I was; bhāla—all right; adhama—the lowest of mankind; hañā—being; ebe—now; ahaṅkāra—pride; mora—my; janmibe—will appear; āsiyā—coming.

TRANSLATION

Being meek and humble, the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva worried that he would become proud after being cured by the grace of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Madhya7.147

TEXT 147

prabhu kahe,--"kabhu tomāra nā habe abhimāna

nirantara kaha tumi ’kṛṣṇa’ ’kṛṣṇa’ nāma

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe—the Lord said; kabhu—at any time; tomāra—your; nā—not; habe—there will be; abhimāna—pride; nirantara—incessantly; kaha—chant; tumi—you; kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa nāma—the holy name of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

TRANSLATION

To protect the brāhmaṇa, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised him to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra incessantly. By doing so, he would never become unnecessarily proud.

Madhya7.148

TEXT 148

kṛṣṇa upadeśi’ kara jīvera nistāra

acirāte kṛṣṇa tomā karibena aṅgīkāra"

SYNONYMS

kṛṣṇa upadeśi’-instructing about Kṛṣṇa; kara—just do; jīvera—of all living entities; nistāra—the liberation; acirāte—very soon; kṛṣṇa—Lord Kṛṣṇa; tomā—you; karibena—will make; aṅgīkāra—acceptance.

TRANSLATION

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also advised Vāsudeva to preach about Kṛṣṇa and thus liberate living entities. As a result, Kṛṣṇa would very soon accept him as His devotee.

PURPORT

Although Vāsudeva Vipra was a leper and had suffered greatly, still Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu cured him. The only return the Lord wanted was that Vāsudeva preach the instructions of Kṛṣṇa and liberate all human beings. That is the process of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Each and every member of this Society was rescued from a very abominable condition, but now they are engaged in preaching the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. They are not only cured of the disease called materialism but are also living a very happy life. Everyone accepts them as great devotees of Kṛṣṇa, and their qualities are manifest in their very faces. If one wants to be recognized as a devotee by Kṛṣṇa, he should take to preaching work, following the advice of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Then one will undoubtedly attain the lotus feet of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself, without delay.

Madhya7.149

TEXT 149

eteka kahiyā prabhu kaila antardhāne

dui vipra galāgali kānde prabhura guṇe

SYNONYMS

eteka—so much; kahiyā—speaking; prabhu—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; kaila—made; antardhāne—disappearance; dui vipra—the two brāhmaṇas, Kūrma and Vāsudeva; galāgali—embracing one another; kānde—cry; prabhura guṇe—due to the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

TRANSLATION

After instructing the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva in that way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu disappeared from that place. Then the two brāhmaṇas, Kūrma and Vāsudeva, embraced each other and began to cry, remembering the transcendental qualities of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Madhya7.150

TEXT 150

’vāsudevoddhāra’ ei kahila ākhyāna

’vāsudevāmṛta-prada’ haila prabhura nāma

SYNONYMS

vāsudeva-uddhāra—giving liberation to Vāsudeva; ei—this; kahila—is described; ākhyāna—narration; vāsudeva-amṛta-prada—the giver of nectar to Vāsudeva; haila—became; prabhura nāma—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s holy name.

TRANSLATION

Thus I have described how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu reclaimed the leper Vāsudeva and so received the name Vāsudevāmṛta-prada.

Madhya7.151

TEXT 151

ei ta’ kahila prabhura prathama gamana

kūrma-daraśana, vāsudeva-vimocana

SYNONYMS

ei ta’ kahila—thus I have described; prabhura—of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; prathama gamana—the first tour; kūrma-daraśana—visiting the temple of Kūrma; vāsudeva-vimocana—and liberating the leper brāhmaṇa of the name Vāsudeva.

TRANSLATION

Thus I end my description of the first tour of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, His visiting the temple of Kūrma and His liberating the leper brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva.

Madhya7.152

TEXT 152

śraddhā kari’ ei līlā ye kare śravaṇa

acirāte milaye tāre caitanya-caraṇa

SYNONYMS

śraddhā kari’-with great faith; ei līlā—this pastime; ye—anyone; kare—does; śravaṇa—hearing; acirāte—very soon; milaye—meets; tāre—him; caitanya-caraṇa—the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

TRANSLATION

One who hears these pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with great faith will surely very soon attain the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Madhya7.153

TEXT 153

caitanya-līlāra ādi-anta nāhi jāni

sei likhi, yei mahāntera mukhe śuni

SYNONYMS

caitanya-līlāra—of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu; ādi—beginning; anta—and end; nāhi—not; jāni—I know; sei—that; likhi—I write; yei—which; mahāntera—of the great personalities; mukhe—from the mouths; śuni—I hear.

TRANSLATION

I admit that I do not know the beginning or the end of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes. However, whatever I have written I have heard from the mouths of great personalities.

PURPORT

The name Vāsudevāmṛta-prada is mentioned in the verses composed by Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya. When a person actually revives his consciousness with thoughts of Kṛṣṇa by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he revives his spiritual life and becomes addicted to the service of the Lord. Only then can he act as an ācārya. In other words, everyone should engage in preaching, following in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. In this way one will be very much appreciated by Lord Kṛṣṇa and will quickly be recognized by Him. Actually a devotee of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu must engage in preaching in order to increase the followers of the Lord. By thus preaching actual Vedic knowledge all over the world, one will benefit all mankind.

Madhya7.154

TEXT 154

ithe aparādha mora nā la-io, bhakta-gaṇa

tomā-sabāra caraṇa--mora ekānta śaraṇa

SYNONYMS

ithe—in this; aparādha—offenses; mora—my; nā la-io—do not take; bhakta-gaṇa—O devotees; tomā—of your; sabāra—of all; caraṇa—the lotus feet; mora—my; ekānta—only; śaraṇa—shelter.

TRANSLATION

O devotees, please do not consider my offenses in this regard. Your lotus feet are my only shelter.

Madhya7.155

TEXT 155

śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-pade yāra āśa

caitanya-caritāmṛta kahe kṛṣṇadāsa

SYNONYMS

śrī-rūpa—Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī; raghunātha—Śrīla Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī; pade—at the lotus feet; yāra—whose; āśa—expectation; caitanya-caritāmṛta—the book named Caitanya-caritāmṛta; kahe—describes; kṛṣṇadāsa—Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī.

TRANSLATION

Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, following in their footsteps.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, Seventh Chapter, describing the liberation of the brāhmaṇa Vāsudeva and the Lord’s tour of South India.

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