Adi8.32

TEXT 32

svatantra isvara prabhu atyanta udara

tanre na bhajile kabhu na haya nistara

SYNONYMS

svatantra isvara—the fully independent Supreme Lord; prabhu—the Lord; atyanta—very much; udara—magnanimous; tanre—unto Him; na—without; bhajile—worshiping; kabhu na—never at any time; haya—becomes so; nistara—liberation.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the independent Supreme Personality of Godhead, is greatly magnanimous. Unless one worships Him, one can never be liberated.

PURPORT

Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura here remarks that one should not give up the worship of Radha-Krsna to worship Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. By worshiping either Radha-Krsna or Lord Caitanya alone, one cannot become advanced. One should not try to supersede the instructions of the six Gosvamis, for they are acaryas and very dear to Lord Caitanya. Therefore Narottama dasa Thakura sings:

rupa-raghunatha-pade haibe akuti
kabe hama bujhaba se yugala-piriti

One must be a submissive student of the six Gosvamis, from Srila Rupa Gosvami to Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. Not following their instructions but imagining how to worship Gaurasundara and Radha-Krsna is a great offense, as a result of which one clears a path to hell. If one neglects the instructions of the six Gosvamis and yet becomes a so-called devotee of Radha-Krsna, he merely criticizes the real devotees of Radha-Krsna. As a result of speculation, he considers Gaurasundara to be an ordinary devotee and therefore cannot make progress in serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Radha-Krsna.

Adi8.33

TEXT 33

ore mudha loka, suna caitanya-mangala

caitanya-mahima yate janibe sakala

SYNONYMS

ore—O all of you; mudha—foolish; loka—people; suna—just hear; caitanya-mangala—the book of this name; caitanya—Lord Caitanya’s; mahima—glories; yate—in which; janibe—you will know; sakala—all.

TRANSLATION

O fools, just read Sri Caitanya-mangala! By reading this book you can understand all the glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

PURPORT

Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura’s Caitanya-bhagavata was originally entitled Caitanya-mangala, but when Srila Locana dasa Thakura later wrote another book named Caitanya-mangala, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura changed the name of his own book, which is now therefore known as Caitanya-bhagavata. The life of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very elaborately described in the Caitanya-bhagavata, and Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami has already informed us that in his Sri Caitanya-caritamrta he has described whatever Vrndavana dasa Thakura has not mentioned. This acceptance of Sri Caitanya-bhagavata by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami indicates his acceptance of the disciplic succession. A writer of transcendental literature never tries to surpass the previous acaryas.

Adi8.34

TEXT 34

krsna-lila bhagavate kahe veda-vyasa

caitanya-lilara vyasa--vrndavana-dasa

SYNONYMS

krsna-lila—the pastimes of Lord Krsna; bhagavate—in the book Srimad-Bhagavatam; kahe—tells; veda-vyasa—Vyasadeva, the editor of the Vedic literature; caitanya-lilara—of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; vyasa—compiler; vrndavana-dasa—is Vrndavana dasa.

TRANSLATION

As Vyasadeva has compiled all the pastimes of Lord Krsna in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Thakura Vrndavana dasa has depicted the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.

Adi8.35

TEXT 35

vrndavana-dasa kaila ’caitanya-mangala’

yanhara sravane nase sarva amangala

SYNONYMS

vrndavana-dasa—of the name Vrndavana dasa; kaila—compiled; caitanya-mangala—the book named Caitanya-mangala; yanhara—of which; sravane—by hearing; nase—annihilated; sarva—all; amangala—inauspiciousness.

TRANSLATION

Thakura Vrndavana dasa has composed Sri Caitanya-mangala. Hearing this book annihilates all misfortune.

Adi8.36

TEXT 36

caitanya-nitaira yate janiye mahima

yate jani krsna-bhakti-siddhantera sima

SYNONYMS

caitanya-nitaira—of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu; yate—in which; janiye—one can know; mahima—all glories; yate—in which; jani—I can understand; krsna-bhakti—of devotion to Lord Krsna; siddhantera—of the conclusion; sima—limit.

TRANSLATION

By reading Sri Caitanya-mangala one can understand all the glories and truths of Lord Caitanya and Nityananda and come to the ultimate conclusion of devotional service to Lord Krsna.

PURPORT

Srimad-Bhagavatam is the authoritative reference book from which to understand devotional service, but because it is very elaborate, few men can understand its purpose. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the original commentary on the Vedanta-sutra, which is called nyaya-prasthana. It was written to enable one to understand the Absolute Truth through infallible logic and argument, and therefore its natural commentary, Srimad-Bhagavatam, is extremely elaborate. Professional reciters have created the impression that Srimad-Bhagavatam deals only with Krsna’s rasa-lila, although Krsna’s rasa-lila is described only in the Tenth Canto (chapters 29-35). They have in this way presented Krsna to the Western world as a great woman-hunter, and therefore we sometimes have to deal with such misconceptions in preaching. Another difficulty in understanding Srimad-Bhagavatam is that the professional reciters have introduced bhagavata-saptaha, or seven-day readings of the Bhagavatam. They want to finish Srimad-Bhagavatam in a week, although it is so sublime that even one verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam, if properly explained, cannot be completed in three months. Under these circumstances, it is a great aid for the common man to read Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura’s Caitanya-bhagavata, for thus he can actually understand devotional service, Krsna, Lord Caitanya and Nityananda. Srila Rupa Gosvami has said:

sruti-smrti-puranadi-
pancaratra-vidhim vina
aikantiki harer bhaktir
utpatayaiva kalpate

“Devotional service to the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic scriptures like the Upanisads, Puranas, Narada-pancaratra, etc., is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society.” Due to misunderstanding Srimad-Bhagavatam, people are misled regarding the science of Krsna. However, by reading Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura’s book one can very easily understand this science.

Adi8.37

TEXT 37

bhagavate yata bhakti-siddhantera sara

likhiyachena inha jani’ kariya uddhara

SYNONYMS

bhagavate—in Srimad-Bhagavatam; yata—all; bhakti-siddhantera—in understanding devotional service; sara—essence; likhiyachena—has written; inha—this; jani’-I know; kariya—making; uddhara—quotation.

TRANSLATION

In Sri Caitanya-mangala [later known as Sri Caitanya-bhagavata] Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has given the conclusion and essence of devotional service by quoting the authoritative statements of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Adi8.38

TEXT 38

’caitanya-mangala’ sune yadi pasandi, yavana

seha maha-vaisnava haya tataksana

SYNONYMS

caitanya-mangala—the book named Caitanya-mangala; sune—anyone hears; yadi—if; pasandi—great atheist; yavana—a disbeliever in the Vedic culture; seha—he also; maha-vaisnava—great devotee; haya—becomes; tataksana—immediately.

TRANSLATION

If even a great atheist hears Sri Caitanya-mangala, he immediately becomes a great devotee.

Adi8.39

TEXT 39

manusye racite nare aiche grantha dhanya

vrndavana-dasa-mukhe vakta sri-caitanya

SYNONYMS

manusye—a human being; racite—compiled; nare—cannot; aiche—such; grantha—book; dhanya—so glorious; vrndavana-dasa—the author, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura; mukhe—from his mouth; vakta—speaker; sri-caitanya—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TRANSLATION

The subject matter of this book is so sublime that it appears that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has personally spoken through the writings of Sri Vrndavana dasa Thakura.

PURPORT

Srila Sanatana Gosvami has written in his Hari-bhakti-vilasa:

avaisnava-mukhodgirnam
putam hari-kathamrtam
sravanam naiva kartavyam
sarpocchistam yatha payah

Transcendental literature that strictly follows the Vedic principles and the conclusion of the Puranas and pancaratrika-vidhi can be written only by a pure devotee.

Adi8.40

TEXT 40

vrndavana-dasa-pade koti namaskara

aiche grantha kari’ tenho tarila samsara

SYNONYMS

vrndavana-dasa-pade—unto the lotus feet of Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura; koti—millions; namaskara—obeisances; aiche—such; grantha—book; kari’-compiling; tenho—he; tarila—delivered; samsara—all the world.

TRANSLATION

I offer millions of obeisances unto the lotus feet of Vrndavana dasa Thakura. No one else could write such a wonderful book for the deliverance of all fallen souls.

Adi8.41

TEXT 41

narayani--caitanyera ucchista-bhajana

tanra garbhe janmila sri-dasa-vrndavana

SYNONYMS

narayani—of the name Narayani; caitanyera—of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ucchista-bhajana—eater of the remnants of food; tanra—of her; garbhe—in the womb; janmila—took birth; sri-dasa-vrndavana—Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura.

TRANSLATION

Narayani eternally eats the remnants of the food of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was born of her womb.

PURPORT

In the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, a book written by Kavi-karnapura that describes all the associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and who they previously were, there is the following statement regarding Narayani:

ambikayah svasa yasin
namna srila-kilimbika
krsnocchistam prabhunjana
seyam narayani mata

When Lord Krsna was a child, He was nursed by a woman named Ambika, who had a younger sister named Kilimbika. During the time of Lord Caitanya’s incarnation, the same Kilimbika used to eat the remnants of food left by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. That Kilimbika was Narayani, who was a niece of Srivasa Thakura’s. Later on, when she grew up and married, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura was born from her womb. A devotee of Lord Sri Krsna is celebrated in terms of devotional service rendered to the Lord; thus we know Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura as the son of Narayani. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura notes in this connection that there is no reference to his paternal ancestry because there is no need to understand it.

Adi8.42

TEXT 42

tanra ki adbhuta caitanya-carita-varnana

yahara sravane suddha kaila tri-bhuvana

SYNONYMS

tanra—Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura’s; ki—what; adbhuta—wonderful; caitanya-carita—of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; varnana—description; yahara—of which; sravane—by hearing; suddha—purified; kaila—made; tri-bhuvana—the three worlds.

TRANSLATION

What a wonderful description he has given of the pastimes of Lord Caitanya! Anyone in the three worlds who hears it is purified.

Adi8.43

TEXT 43

ataeva bhaja, loka, caitanya-nityananda

khandibe samsara-duhkha, pabe premananda

SYNONYMS

ataeva—therefore; bhaja—worship; loka—O people in general; caitanya—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nityananda—Nityananda Prabhu; khandibe—will vanquish; samsara-duhkha—miserable condition of material existence; pabe—he will get; premananda—the transcendental bliss of devotional service.

TRANSLATION

I fervently appeal to everyone to adopt the method of devotional service given by Lord Caitanya and Nityananda and thus be freed from the miseries of material existence and ultimately achieve the loving service of the Lord.

Adi8.44

TEXT 44

vrndavana-dasa kaila ’caitanya-mangala’

tahate caitanya-lila varnila sakala

SYNONYMS

vrndavana-dasa—Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura; kaila—did; caitanya-mangala—the book of the name Caitanya-mangala; tahate—in that book; caitanya-lila—the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; varnila—described; sakala—everything.

TRANSLATION

Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has written Sri Caitanya-mangala and therein described in all respects the pastimes of Lord Caitanya.

Adi8.45

TEXT 45

sutra kari’ saba lila karila granthana

pache vistariya tahara kaila vivarana

SYNONYMS

sutra kari’-making a synopsis; saba—all; lila—pastimes; karila—did; granthana—writing in the book; pache—later; vistariya—vividly describing; tahara—all of them; kaila—did; vivarana—description.

TRANSLATION

He first summarized all the pastimes of the Lord and later described them vividly in detail.

Adi8.46

TEXT 46

caitanya-candrera lila ananta apara

varnite varnite grantha ha-ila vistara

SYNONYMS

caitanya-candrera—of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; lila—pastimes; ananta—unlimited; apara—unfathomable; varnite—describing; varnite—describing; grantha—the book; ha-ila—became; vistara—expansive.

TRANSLATION

The pastimes of Lord Caitanya are unlimited and unfathomable. Therefore, in describing all those pastimes, the book became voluminous.

Adi8.47

TEXT 47

vistara dekhiya kichu sankoca haila mana

sutra-dhrta kona lila na kaila varnana

SYNONYMS

vistara—expansive; dekhiya—seeing; kichu—some; sankoca—with hesitation; haila—became; mana—mind; sutra-dhrta—taking the aphorisms; kona—some; lila—pastimes; na—did not; kaila—make; varnana—description.

TRANSLATION

He saw them to be so extensive that he later felt that some had not been properly described.

Adi8.48

TEXT 48

nityananda-lila-varnane ha-ila avesa

caitanyera sesa-lila rahila avasesa

SYNONYMS

nityananda—Lord Nityananda; lila—pastimes; varnane—in the matter of description; ha-ila—there was; avesa—ecstasy; caitanyera—of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sesa-lila—pastimes in the last portion of His life; rahila—remained; avasesa—supplement.

TRANSLATION

He ecstatically described the pastimes of Lord Nityananda, but the later pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu remained untold.

Adi8.49

TEXT 49

sei saba lilara sunite vivarana

vrndavana-vasi bhaktera utkanthita mana

SYNONYMS

sei—those; saba—all; lilara—of the pastimes; sunite—to hear; vivarana—description; vrndavana-vasi—the inhabitants of Vrndavana; bhaktera—of devotees; utkanthita—in anxiety; mana—minds.

TRANSLATION

The devotees of Vrndavana were all very anxious to hear those pastimes.

Adi8.50

TEXT 50

vrndavane kalpa-drume suvarna-sadana

maha-yogapitha tahan, ratna-simhasana

SYNONYMS

vrndavane—in Vrndavana; kalpa-drume—under the desire trees; suvarna-sadana—golden throne; maha—great; yoga-pitha—pious temple; tahan—there; ratna—bedecked with jewels; simhasana—throne.

TRANSLATION

In Vrndavana, in a great place of pilgrimage underneath the desire trees, is a golden throne bedecked with jewels.

Adi8.51

TEXT 51

tate vasi’ ache sada vrajendra-nandana

’sri-govinda-deva’ nama saksat madana

SYNONYMS

tate—on that throne; vasi’-sitting; ache—there is; sada—always; vrajendra-nandana—the son of Maharaja Nanda; sri-govinda-deva—whose name is Govinda; nama—name; saksat—direct; madana—transcendental Cupid.

TRANSLATION

On that throne sits the son of Nanda Maharaja, Sri Govindadeva, the transcendental Cupid.

Adi8.52

TEXT 52

raja-seva haya tanha vicitra prakara

divya samagri, divya vastra, alankara

SYNONYMS

raja-seva—majestic service; haya—render; tanha—there; vicitra—varieties; prakara—all kinds of; divya—spiritual; samagri—ingredients; divya—spiritual; vastra—garments; alankara—ornaments.

TRANSLATION

Varieties of majestic service are rendered to Govinda there. His garments, ornaments and paraphernalia are all transcendental.

Adi8.53

TEXT 53

sahasra sevaka seva kare anuksana

sahasra-vadane seva na yaya varnana

SYNONYMS

sahasra—many thousands; sevaka—servitors; seva—service; kare—render; anuksana—always; sahasra—thousands; vadane—mouths; seva—process of service; na—not possible; yaya—goes on; varnana—description.

TRANSLATION

In that temple of Govindaji, thousands of servitors always render service to the Lord in devotion. Even with thousands of mouths, one could not describe this service.

Adi8.54

TEXT 54

sevara adhyaksa--sri-pandita haridasa

tanra yasah-guna sarva-jagate prakasa

SYNONYMS

sevara—of the service; adhyaksa—commander; sri-pandita haridasa—Haridasa Pandita; tanra—of his; yasah—fame; guna—quality; sarva-jagate—all over the world; prakasa—known.

TRANSLATION

In that temple the chief servitor was Sri Haridasa Pandita. His qualities and fame are known all over the world.

PURPORT

Sri Haridasa Pandita was a disciple of Sri Ananta Acarya, who was a disciple of Gadadhara Pandita.

Adi8.55

TEXT 55

susila, sahisnu, santa, vadanya, gambhira

madhura-vacana, madhura-cesta, maha-dhira

SYNONYMS

susila—well behaved; sahisnu—tolerant; santa—peaceful; vadanya—magnanimous; gambhira—grave; madhura-vacana—sweet words; madhura-cesta—sweet endeavor; maha-dhira—completely sober.

TRANSLATION

He was gentle, tolerant, peaceful, magnanimous, grave, sweet in his words and very sober in his endeavors.

Adi8.56

TEXT 56

sabara sammana-karta, karena sabara hita

kautilya-matsarya-himsa na jane tanra cita

SYNONYMS

sabara—of all; sammana-karta—respectful; karena—does; sabara—everyone’s; hita—benefit; kautilya—diplomatic; matsarya—jealousy; himsa—envy; na jane—does not know; tanra—his; cita—heart.

TRANSLATION

He was respectful to everyone and worked for the benefit of all. Diplomacy, envy and jealousy were unknown to his heart.

Adi8.57

TEXT 57

krsnera ye sadharana sad-guna pancasa

se saba gunera tanra sarire nivasa

SYNONYMS

krsnera-of Lord Krsna; ye-that; sadharana-general; sat-guna-good qualities; pancasa-fifty; se-those; saba-all; gunera-qualities; tanra-his; sarire-in the body; nivasa-were always present.

TRANSLATION

The fifty qualities of Lord Krsna were all present in his body.

PURPORT

Adi8.58

TEXT 58

yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana

sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah

harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna

mano-rathenasati dhavato bahih

SYNONYMS

yasya—one who; asti—has; bhaktih—devotional service; bhagavati—unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; akincana—without motive; sarvaih—all; gunaih—qualities; tatra—there; samasate—become manifested; surah—with all the demigods; harau—unto the Supreme Personality; abhaktasya—one who is not a devotee; kutah—where; mahat-gunah—high qualities; manah-rathena—concoction; asati—the material existence; dhavatah—run on; bahih—externally.

TRANSLATION

“In one who has unflinching devotional faith in Krsna, all the good qualities of Krsna and the demigods are consistently manifested. However, one who has no devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead has no good qualifications because he is engaged by mental concoction in material existence, which is the external feature of the Lord.”

Adi8.59

TEXT 59

pandita-gosanira sisya--ananta acarya

krsna-premamaya-tanu, udara, sarva-arya

SYNONYMS

pandita-gosanira—of Gadadhara Pandita; sisya—disciple; ananta acarya—of the name Ananta Acarya; krsna-premamaya—always overwhelmed by love of God; tanu—body; udara—magnanimous; sarva—in all respects; arya—advanced.

TRANSLATION

Ananta Acarya was a disciple of Gadadhara Pandita. His body was always absorbed in love of Godhead. He was magnanimous and advanced in all respects.

Adi8.60

TEXT 60

tanhara ananta guna ke karu prakasa

tanra priya sisya inha--pandita haridasa

SYNONYMS

tanhara—his; ananta—unlimited; guna—qualities; ke—who; karu—can; prakasa—display; tanra—his; priya—dear; sisya—disciple; inha—this person; pandita haridasa—of the name Haridasa Pandita.

TRANSLATION

Ananta Acarya was a reservoir of all good qualities. No one can estimate how great he was. Pandita Haridasa was his beloved disciple.

PURPORT

Sri Ananta Acarya is one of the eternal associates of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Previously, during the advent of Lord Sri Krsna, Ananta Acarya was Sudevi, one of the eight gopis. This is stated in the Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika, verse 165, as follows: anantacarya-gosvami ya sudevi pura vraje. “Ananta Acarya Gosvami was formerly Sudevi-gopi in Vraja [Vrndavana].” In Jagannatha Puri, or Purusottama-ksetra, there is a monastery known as Ganga-mata Matha that was established by Ananta Acarya. In the disciplic succession of the Ganga-mata Matha, he is known as Vinoda-manjari. One of his disciples was Haridasa Pandita Gosvami, who is also known as Sri Raghu Gopala and as Sri Rasa-manjari. His disciple Laksmipriya was the maternal aunt of Ganga-mata, a princess who was the daughter of the King of Putiya. Ganga-mata brought a Deity of the name Sri Rasika-raya from Krsna Misra of Jaipur and installed Him in the house of Sarvabhauma in Jagannatha Puri. The disciple in the fifth generation after Sri Ananta Acarya was Sri Vanamali; in the sixth generation, Sri Bhagavan dasa, who was a Bengali; in the seventh generation, Madhusudana dasa, who was an Oriya; in the eighth generation, Nilambara dasa; in the ninth generation, Sri Narottama dasa; in the tenth generation, Pitambara dasa; and in the eleventh generation, Sri Madhava dasa. The disciple in the twelfth generation is presently in charge of the Ganga-mata monastery.

Adi8.61

TEXT 61

caitanya-nityanande tanra parama visvasa

caitanya-carite tanra parama ullasa

SYNONYMS

caitanya—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nityanande—in Lord Nityananda; tanra—his; parama—very great; visvasa—faith; caitanya-carite—in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya; tanra—his; parama—great; ullasa—satisfaction.

TRANSLATION

Pandita Haridasa had great faith in Lord Caitanya and Nityananda. Therefore he took great satisfaction in knowing about Their pastimes and qualities.

Adi8.62

TEXT 62

vaisnavera guna-grahi, na dekhaye dosa

kaya-mano-vakye kare vaisnava-santosa

SYNONYMS

vaisnavera—of devotees; guna-grahi—accepting good qualities; na—never; dekhaye—sees; dosa—any fault; kaya-manah-vakye—with heart and soul; kare—does; vaisnava—devotee; santosa—pacification.

TRANSLATION

He always accepted the good qualities of Vaisnavas and never found fault in them. He engaged his heart and soul only to satisfy the Vaisnavas.

PURPORT

It is a qualification of a Vaisnava that he is adosa-darsi: he never sees others’ faults. Of course, every human being has both good qualities and faults. Therefore it is said, saj-jana gunam icchanti dosam icchanti pamarah: everyone has a combination of faults and glories. But a Vaisnava, a sober man, accepts only a man’s glories and not his faults, for flies seek sores whereas honeybees seek honey. Haridasa Pandita never found fault with a Vaisnava but considered only his good qualities.