Adi3.88

TEXT 88

apana lukaite krsna nana yatna kare

tathapi tanhara bhakta janaye tanhare

SYNONYMS

apana—Himself; lukaite—to hide; krsna—Lord Krsna; nana—various; yatna—efforts; kare—makes; tathapi—still; tanhara—His; bhakta—devotees; janaye—know; tanhare—Him.

TRANSLATION

Lord Sri Krsna tries to hide Himself in various ways, but nevertheless His pure devotees know Him as He is.

Adi3.89

TEXT 89

ullanghita-trividha-sima-samatisayi-

sambhavanam tava parivradhima-svabhavam

maya-balena bhavatapi niguhyamanam

pasyanti kecid anisam tvad-ananya-bhavah

SYNONYMS

ullanghita—passed over; tri-vidha—three kinds; sima—the limitations; sama—of equal; atisayi—and of excelling; sambhavanam—by which the adequacy; tava—Your; parivradhima—of supremacy; svabhavam—the real nature; maya-balena—by the strength of the illusory energy; bhavata—Your; api—although; niguhyamanam—being hidden; pasyanti—they see; kecit—some; anisam—always; tvat—to You; ananya-bhavah—those who are exclusively devoted.

TRANSLATION

“O my Lord, everything within material nature is limited by time, space and thought. Your characteristics, however, being unequaled and unsurpassed, are always transcendental to such limitations. You sometimes cover such characteristics by Your own energy, but nevertheless Your unalloyed devotees are always able to see You under all circumstances.”

PURPORT

This verse is also quoted from the Stotra-ratna (13) of Yamunacarya. Everything covered by the influence of maya is within the limited boundaries of space, time and thought. Even the greatest manifestation we can conceive, the sky, also has limitations. From the authentic scriptures, however, it is evident that beyond the sky is a covering of seven layers, each ten times thicker than the one preceding it. The covering layers are vast, but with or without coverings, space is limited. Our power to think about space and time is also limited. Time is eternal; we may imagine billions and trillions of years, but that will still be an inadequate estimate of the extent of time. Our imperfect senses, therefore, cannot think of the greatness of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, nor can we bring Him within the limitations of time or our thinking power. His position is accordingly described by the word ullanghita. He is transcendental to space, time and thought; although He appears within them, He exists transcendentally. Even when the Lord’s transcendental existence is disguised by space, time and thought, however, pure devotees of the Supreme Lord can see Him in His personal features beyond space, time and thought. In other words, even though the Lord is not visible to the eyes of ordinary men, those who are beyond the covering layers because of their transcendental devotional service can still see Him.

Adi3.90

TEXT 90

asura-svabhave krsne kabhu nahi jane

lukaite nare krsna bhakta-jana-sthane

SYNONYMS

asura-svabhave—those whose nature is demoniac; krsne—Lord Krsna; kabhu—at any time; nahi—not; jane—know; lukaite—to hide; nare—is not able; krsna—Lord Krsna; bhakta-jana—of pure devotees; sthane—in a place.

TRANSLATION

Those whose nature is demoniac cannot know Krsna at any time, but He cannot hide Himself from His pure devotees.

PURPORT

People who develop the nature of asuras like Ravana and Hiranyakasipu can never know Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, by challenging the authority of Godhead. But Sri Krsna cannot hide Himself from His pure devotees.

Adi3.91

TEXT 91

dvau bhuta-sargau loke ’smin

daiva asura eva ca

visnu-bhaktah smrto daiva

asuras tad-viparyayah

SYNONYMS

dvau—two; bhuta—of the living beings; sargau—dispositions; loke—in the world; asmin—in this; daivah—godly; asurah—demoniac; eva—certainly; ca—and; visnu-bhaktah—a devotee of Lord Visnu; smrtah—remembered; daivah—godly; asurah—demoniac; tat-viparyayah—the opposite of that.

TRANSLATION

“There are two classes of men in the created world. One consists of the demoniac and the other of the godly. The devotees of Lord Visnu are the godly, whereas those who are just the opposite are called demons.”

PURPORT

This is a verse from the Padma Purana. Visnu-bhaktas, or devotees in Krsna consciousness, are known as devas (demigods). Atheists, who do not believe in God or who declare themselves God, are asuras (demons). Asuras always engage in atheistic material activities, exploring ways to utilize the resources of matter to enjoy sense gratification. The visnu-bhaktas, Krsna conscious devotees, are also active, but their objective is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead by devotional service. Superficially both classes may appear to work in the same way, but their purposes are completely opposite because of a difference in consciousness. Asuras work for personal sense gratification, whereas devotees work for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord. Both work conscientiously, but their motives are different.

The Krsna consciousness movement is meant for devas, or devotees. Demons cannot take part in Krsna conscious activities, nor can devotees in Krsna consciousness take part in demoniac activities or work like cats and dogs simply for sense gratification. Such activity does not appeal to those in Krsna consciousness. Devotees accept only the bare necessities of life to keep themselves fit to act in Krsna consciousness. The balance of their energy is used for developing Krsna consciousness, through which one can be transferred to the abode of Krsna by always thinking of Him, even at the point of death.

Adi3.92

TEXT 92

acarya gosani prabhura bhakta-avatara

krsna-avatara-hetu yanhara hunkara

SYNONYMS

acarya gosani—Advaita Acarya Gosani; prabhura—of the Lord; bhakta-avatara—incarnation of a devotee; krsna—of Lord Krsna; avatara—of the incarnation; hetu—the cause; yanhara—whose; hunkara—loud calls.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya Gosvami is an incarnation of the Lord as a devotee. His loud calling was the cause for Krsna’s incarnation.

Adi3.93

TEXT 93

krsna yadi prthivite karena avatara

prathame karena guru-vargera sancara

SYNONYMS

krsna—Lord Krsna; yadi—if; prthivite—on the earth; karena—makes; avatara—incarnation; prathame—first; karena—makes; guru-vargera—of the group of respectable predecessors; sancara—the advent.

TRANSLATION

Whenever Sri Krsna desires to manifest His incarnation on earth, first He creates the incarnations of His respectable predecessors.

Adi3.94

TEXT 94

pita mata guru adi yata manya-gana

prathame karena sabara prthivite janama

SYNONYMS

pita—father; mata—mother; guru—spiritual master; adi—headed by; yata—all; manya-gana—respectable members; prathame—first; karena—He makes; sabara—of all of them; prthivite—on earth; janama—the births.

TRANSLATION

Thus respectable personalities such as His father, mother and spiritual master all take birth on earth first.

Adi3.95

TEXT 95

madhava-isvara-puri, saci, jagannatha

advaita acarya prakata haila sei satha

SYNONYMS

madhava—Madhavendra Puri; isvara-puri—Isvara Puri; saci—Sacimata; jagannatha—Jagannatha Misra; advaita acarya—Advaita Acarya; prakata—manifested; haila—were; sei—this; satha—with.

TRANSLATION

Madhavendra Puri, Isvara Puri, Srimati Sacimata and Srila Jagannatha Misra all appeared with Sri Advaita Acarya.

PURPORT

Whenever the Supreme Personality of Godhead descends in His human form, He sends ahead all His devotees, who act as His father, teacher and associates in many roles. Such personalities appear before the descent of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Before the appearance of Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, there appeared His devotees like Sri Madhavendra Puri; His spiritual master, Sri Isvara Puri; His mother, Srimati Sacidevi; His father, Sri Jagannatha Misra; and Sri Advaita Acarya.

Adi3.96

TEXT 96

prakatiya dekhe acarya sakala samsara

krsna-bhakti gandha-hina visaya-vyavahara

SYNONYMS

prakatiya—manifesting; dekhe—He saw; acarya—Advaita Acarya; sakala—all; samsara—material existence; krsna-bhakti—of devotion to Lord Krsna; gandha-hina—without a trace; visaya—of the sense objects; vyavahara—affairs.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya having appeared, He found the world devoid of devotional service to Sri Krsna because people were engrossed in material affairs.

Adi3.97

TEXT 97

keha pape, keha punye kare visaya-bhoga

bhakti-gandha nahi, yate yaya bhava-roga

SYNONYMS

keha—someone; pape—in sinful activities; keha—someone; punye—in pious activities; kare—do; visaya—of the sense objects; bhoga—enjoyment; bhakti-gandha—a trace of devotional service; nahi—there is not; yate—by which; yaya—goes away; bhava-roga—the disease of material existence.

TRANSLATION

Everyone was engaged in material enjoyment, whether sinfully or virtuously. No one was interested in the transcendental service of the Lord, which can give total relief from the repetition of birth and death.

PURPORT

Advaita Acarya saw the entire world to be engaged in activities of material piety and impiety, without a trace of devotional service or Krsna consciousness anywhere. The fact is that in this material world there is no scarcity of anything except Krsna consciousness. Material necessities are supplied by the mercy of the Supreme Lord. We sometimes feel scarcity because of our mismanagement, but the real problem is that people are out of touch with Krsna consciousness. Everyone is engaged in material sense gratification, but people have no plan for making an ultimate solution to their real problems, namely, birth, disease, old age and death. These four material miseries are called bhava-roga, or material diseases. They can be cured only by Krsna consciousness. Therefore Krsna consciousness is the greatest benediction for human society.

Adi3.98

TEXT 98

loka-gati dekhi’ acarya karuna-hrdaya

vicara karena, lokera kaiche hita haya

SYNONYMS

loka-gati—the course of the world; dekhi’-seeing; acarya—Advaita Acarya; karuna-hrdaya—compassionate heart; vicara karena—considers; lokera—of the world; kaiche—how; hita—welfare; haya—there is.

TRANSLATION

Seeing the activities of the world, the Acarya felt compassion and began to ponder how He could act for the people’s benefit.

PURPORT

This sort of serious interest in the welfare of the public makes one a bona fide acarya. An acarya does not exploit his followers. Since the acarya is a confidential servitor of the Lord, his heart is always full of compassion for humanity in its suffering. He knows that all suffering is due to the absence of devotional service to the Lord, and therefore he always tries to find ways to change people’s activities, making them favorable for the attainment of devotion. That is the qualification of an acarya. Although Sri Advaita Prabhu Himself was powerful enough to do the work, as a submissive servitor He thought that without the personal appearance of the Lord, no one could improve the fallen condition of society.

In the grim clutches of maya, the first-class prisoners of this material world wrongly think themselves happy because they are rich, powerful, resourceful and so on. These foolish creatures do not know that they are nothing but play dolls in the hands of material nature and that at any moment material nature’s pitiless intrigues can crush to dust all their plans for godless activities. Such foolish prisoners cannot see that however they improve their position by artificial means, the calamities of repeated birth, death, disease and old age are always beyond the jurisdiction of their control. Foolish as they are, they neglect these major problems of life and busy themselves with false things that cannot help them solve their real problems. They know that they do not want to suffer death or the pangs of disease and old age, but under the influence of the illusory energy, they are grossly negligent and therefore do nothing to solve the problems. This is called maya. People held in the grip of maya are thrown into oblivion after death, and as a result of their karma, in the next life they become dogs or gods, although most of them become dogs. To become gods in the next life, they must engage in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; otherwise, they are sure to become dogs or hogs in terms of the laws of nature.

The third-class prisoners, being less materially opulent than the first-class prisoners, endeavor to imitate them, for they also have no information of the real nature of their imprisonment. Thus they also are misled by the illusory material nature. The function of the acarya, however, is to change the activities of both the first-class and third-class prisoners for their real benefit. This endeavor makes him a very dear devotee of the Lord, who says clearly in the Bhagavad-gita that no one in human society is dearer to Him than a devotee who constantly engages in His service by finding ways to preach the message of Godhead for the real benefit of the world. The so-called acaryas of the Age of Kali are more concerned with exploiting the resources of their followers than mitigating their miseries; but Sri Advaita Prabhu, as an ideal acarya, was concerned with improving the condition of the world situation.

Adi3.99

TEXT 99

apani sri-krsna yadi karena avatara

apane acari’ bhakti karena pracara

SYNONYMS

apani—Himself; sri-krsna—Lord Krsna; yadi—if; karena—He makes; avatara—incarnation; apane—Himself; acari’-practicing; bhakti—devotional service; karena—does; pracara—propagation.

TRANSLATION

[Advaita Acarya thought:] "If Sri Krsna were to appear as an incarnation, He Himself could preach devotion by His personal example.

Adi3.100

TEXT 100

nama vinu kali-kale dharma nahi ara

kali-kale kaiche habe krsna avatara

SYNONYMS

nama vinu—except for the holy name; kali-kale—in the Age of Kali; dharma—religion; nahi—there is not; ara—another; kali-kale—in the Age of Kali; kaiche—how; habe—there will be; krsna—Lord Krsna; avatara—incarnation.

TRANSLATION

"In this Age of Kali there is no religion other than the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, but how in this age will the Lord appear as an incarnation?

Adi3.101

TEXT 101

suddha-bhave kariba krsnera aradhana

nirantara sadainye kariba nivedana

SYNONYMS

suddha-bhave—in a purified state of mind; kariba—I shall do; krsnera—of Lord Krsna; aradhana—worship; nirantara—constantly; sa-dainye—in humility; kariba—I shall make; nivedana—request.

TRANSLATION

"I shall worship Krsna in a purified state of mind. I shall constantly petition Him in humbleness.

Adi3.102

TEXT 102

aniya krsnere karon kirtana sancara

tabe se ’advaita’ nama saphala amara

SYNONYMS

aniya—bringing; krsnere—Lord Krsna; karon—I make; kirtana—chanting of the holy name; sancara—advent; tabe—then; se—this; advaita—nondual; nama—name; sa-phala—fulfilled; amara—My.

TRANSLATION

“My name, ’Advaita,’ will be fitting if I am able to induce Krsna to inaugurate the movement of the chanting of the holy name.”

PURPORT

The nondualist Mayavadi philosopher who falsely believes that he is nondifferent from the Lord is unable to call Him like Advaita Prabhu. Advaita Prabhu is nondifferent from the Lord, yet in His relationship with the Lord He does not merge in Him but eternally renders service unto Him as a plenary portion. This is inconceivable for Mayavadis because they think in terms of mundane sense perception and therefore think that nondualism necessitates losing one’s separate identity. It is clear from this verse, however, that Advaita Prabhu, although retaining His separate identity, is nondifferent from the Lord.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu preached the philosophy of inconceivable, simultaneous oneness with the Lord and difference from Him. Conceivable dualism and monism are conceptions of the imperfect senses, which are unable to reach the Transcendence because the Transcendence is beyond the conception of limited potency. The actions of Sri Advaita Prabhu, however, give tangible proof of inconceivable nondualism. One who therefore surrenders unto Sri Advaita Prabhu can easily follow the philosophy of inconceivable, simultaneous dualism and monism.

Adi3.103

TEXT 103

krsna vasa karibena kon aradhane

vicarite eka sloka aila tanra mane

SYNONYMS

krsna—Lord Krsna; vasa karibena—shall propitiate; kon aradhane—by what worship; vicarite—while considering; eka—one; sloka—verse; aila—came; tanra—of Him; mane—in the mind.

TRANSLATION

While He was thinking about how to propitiate Krsna by worship, the following verse came to His mind.

Adi3.104

TEXT 104

tulasi-dala-matrena

jalasya culukena va

vikrinite svam atmanam

bhaktebhyo bhakta-vatsalah

SYNONYMS

tulasi—of tulasi; dala—a leaf; matrena—by only; jalasya—of water; culukena—by a palmful; va—and; vikrinite—sells; svam—His own; atmanam—self; bhaktebhyah—unto the devotees; bhakta-vatsalah—Lord Krsna, who is affectionate to His devotees.

TRANSLATION

“Sri Krsna, who is very affectionate toward His devotees, sells Himself to a devotee who offers Him merely a tulasi leaf and a palmful of water.”

PURPORT

This is a verse from the Gautamiya-tantra.

Adi3.105-106

ei slokartha acarya karena vicarana

krsnake tulasi-jala deya yei jana

tara rna sodhite krsna karena cintana--

’jala-tulasira sama kichu ghare nahi dhana’

SYNONYMS

ei—this; sloka—of the verse; artha—the meaning; acarya—Advaita Acarya; karena—does; vicarana—considering; krsnake—to Lord Krsna; tulasi-jala—tulasi and water; deya—gives; yei jana—that person who; tara—to Him; rna—the debt; sodhite—to pay; krsna—Lord Krsna; karena—does; cintana—thinking; jala-tulasira sama—equal to water and tulasi; kichu—any; ghare—in the house; nahi—there is not; dhana—wealth.

TRANSLATION

Advaita Acarya considered the meaning of the verse in this way: Not finding any way to repay the debt He owes to one who offers Him a tulasi leaf and water, Lord Krsna thinks, “There is no wealth in My possession that is equal to a tulasi leaf and water.”

Adi3.107

TEXT 107

tabe atma veci’ kare rnera sodhana

eta bhavi’ acarya karena aradhana

SYNONYMS

tabe—then; atma—Himself; veci’-selling; kare—does; rnera—of the debt; sodhana—payment; eta—thus; bhavi’-thinking; acarya—Advaita Acarya; karena—does; aradhana—worshiping.

TRANSLATION

Thus the Lord liquidates the debt by offering Himself to the devotee. Considering this, the Acarya began worshiping the Lord.

PURPORT

Adi3.108

TEXT 108

ganga-jala, tulasi-manjari anuksana

krsna-pada-padma bhavi’ kare samarpana

SYNONYMS

ganga-jala—the water of the Ganges; tulasi-manjari—buds of the tulasi plant; anuksana—constantly; krsna—of Lord Krsna; pada-padma—lotus feet; bhavi’-thinking of; kare—does; samarpana—offering.

TRANSLATION

Thinking of the lotus feet of Sri Krsna, He constantly offered tulasi buds in water from the Ganges.

Adi3.109

TEXT 109

krsnera ahvana kare kariya hunkara

e-mate krsnere karaila avatara

SYNONYMS

krsnera—of Lord Krsna; ahvana—invitation; kare—makes; kariya—making; hunkara—loud shouts; e-mate—in this way; krsnere—Lord Krsna; karaila—caused to make; avatara—incarnation.

TRANSLATION

He appealed to Sri Krsna with loud calls and thus made it possible for Krsna to appear.

Adi3.110

TEXT 110

caitanyera avatare ei mukhya hetu

bhaktera icchaya avatare dharma-setu

SYNONYMS

caitanyera—of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; avatare—in the incarnation; ei—this; mukhya—principal; hetu—cause; bhaktera—of the devotee; icchaya—by the desire; avatare—He descends; dharma-setu—protector of religion.

TRANSLATION

Therefore the principal reason for Sri Caitanya’s descent is this appeal by Advaita Acarya. The Lord, the protector of religion, appears by the desire of His devotee.

Adi3.111

TEXT 111

tvam bhakti-yoga-paribhavita-hrt-saroja

asse sruteksita-patho nanu natha pumsam

yad yad dhiya ta urugaya vibhavayanti

tat tad vapuh pranayase sad-anugrahaya

SYNONYMS

tvam—You; bhakti-yoga—by devotional service; paribhavita—saturated; hrt—of the heart; saroje—on the lotus; asse—dwell; sruta—heard; iksita—seen; pathah—whose path; nanu—certainly; natha—O Lord; pumsam—by the devotees; yat yat—whatever; dhiya—by the mind; te—they; uru-gaya—O Lord, who are glorified in excellent ways; vibhavayanti—contemplate upon; tat tat—that; vapuh—form; pranayase—You manifest; sat—to Your devotees; anugrahaya—to show favor.

TRANSLATION

“O my Lord, You always dwell in the vision and hearing of Your pure devotees. You also live in their lotuslike hearts, which are purified by devotional service. O my Lord, who are glorified by exalted prayers, You show special favor to Your devotees by manifesting Yourself in the eternal forms in which they welcome You.”

PURPORT

Adi3.112

TEXT 112

ei slokera artha kahi sanksepera sara

bhaktera icchaya krsnera sarva avatara

SYNONYMS

ei—this; slokera—of the verse; artha—the meaning; kahi—I relate; sanksepera—of conciseness; sara—the pith; bhaktera—of the devotee; icchaya—by the desire; krsnera—of Lord Krsna; sarva—all; avatara—incarnations.

TRANSLATION

The essence of the meaning of this verse is that Lord Krsna appears in all His innumerable eternal forms because of the desires of His pure devotees.

Adi3.113

TEXT 113

caturtha slokera artha haila suniscite

avatirna haila gaura prema prakasite

SYNONYMS

caturtha—fourth; slokera—of the verse; artha—the meaning; haila—was; su-niscite—very surely; avatirna haila—incarnated; gaura—Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prema—love of God; prakasite—to manifest.

TRANSLATION

Thus I have surely determined the meaning of the fourth verse. Lord Gauranga [Lord Caitanya] appeared as an incarnation to preach unalloyed love of God.

Adi3.114

TEXT 114

sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa

caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa

SYNONYMS

sri-rupa—Srila Rupa Gosvami; raghunatha—Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami; pade—at the lotus feet of; yara—whose; asa—expectation; caitanya-caritamrta—the book named Caitanya-caritamrta; kahe—describes; krsna-dasa—Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami.

TRANSLATION

Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always desiring their mercy, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, following in their footsteps.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila, Third Chapter, describing the causes for the descent of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.