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

Chapter 1

Madhya1.87

TEXT 87

radhika-unmada yaiche uddhava-darsane

udghurna-pralapa taiche prabhura ratri-dine

SYNONYMS

radhika-unmada—the madness of Srimati Radharani; yaiche—just like; uddhava-darsane—in seeing Uddhava; udghurna-pralapa—talking inconsistently in madness; taiche—similarly; prabhura—of Lord Caitanya; ratri-dine—night and day.

TRANSLATION

Just as Srimati Radharani talked inconsistently with a bumblebee in the presence of Uddhava, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in His ecstasy talked crazily and inconsistently day and night.

PURPORT

This unmada (madness) is not ordinary madness. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu talked inconsistently, almost like a crazy fellow, He was in the transcendental ecstasy of love. In the highest transcendental ecstasy there is a feeling of being enchanted in the presence of the enchanter. When the enchanter and the enchanted become separated, mohana, or bewilderment, occurs. When so bewildered due to separation, one becomes stunned, and at that time all the bodily symptoms of transcendental ecstasy are manifested. When they are manifest, one appears inconceivably crazy. This is called transcendental madness. In this state, there is imaginative discourse, and one experiences emotions like those of a madman. The madness of Srimati Radharani was explained to Krsna by Uddhava, who said, “My dear Krsna, because of extreme feelings of separation from You, Srimati Radharani is sometimes making Her bed in the groves of the forest, sometimes rebuking a bluish cloud, and sometimes wandering about in the dense darkness of the forest. Thus She has become like a crazy woman.”

Madhya1.88

TEXT 88

dvadasa vatsara sesa aiche gonaila

ei mata sesa-lila tri-vidhane kaila

SYNONYMS

dvadasa—twelve; vatsara—years; sesa—final; aiche—in that way; gonaila—passed away; ei mata—in this way; sesa-lila—the last pastimes; tri-vidhane—in three ways; kaila—executed.

TRANSLATION

The last twelve years of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were passed in this transcendental craziness. Thus He executed His last pastimes in three ways.

Madhya1.89

TEXT 89

sannyasa kari’ cabbisa vatsara kaila ye ye karma

ananta, apara--tara ke janibe marma

SYNONYMS

sannyasa kari’-after accepting the renounced order; cabbisa vatsara—twenty-four years; kaila—did; ye ye—whatever; karma—activities; ananta—unlimited; apara—insurmountable; tara—of that; ke—who; janibe—will know; marma—the purport.

TRANSLATION

For the twenty-four years after Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted the renounced order, whatever pastimes He executed were unlimited and unfathomable. Who can understand the purport of such pastimes ?

Madhya1.90

TEXT 90

uddesa karite kari dig-darasana

mukhya mukhya lilara kari sutra ganana

SYNONYMS

uddesa—indication; karite—to make; kari—I do; dig-darasana—a general survey; mukhya mukhya—the chief; lilara—of the pastimes; kari—I do; sutra—synopsis; ganana—enumeration.

TRANSLATION

Just to indicate those pastimes, I am presenting a general survey of the chief pastimes in the form of a synopsis.

Madhya1.91

TEXT 91

prathama sutra prabhura sannyasa-karana

sannyasa kari’ calila prabhu sri-vrndavana

SYNONYMS

prathama—first; sutra—synopsis; prabhura—of the Lord; sannyasa-karana—accepting the sannyasa order; sannyasa kari’-after accepting the renounced order; calila—went; prabhu—the Lord; sri-vrndavana—toward Vrndavana.

TRANSLATION

This is the first synopsis: After accepting the sannyasa order, Caitanya Mahaprabhu proceeded toward Vrndavana.

PURPORT

Clearly these statements are a real account of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s acceptance of the renounced order of life. His acceptance of this renounced order is not at all comparable to the acceptance of sannyasa by Mayavadis. After accepting sannyasa, Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to reach Vrndavana. He was unlike the Mayavadi sannyasis, who desire to merge into the existence of the Absolute. For a Vaisnava, acceptance of sannyasa means getting relief from all material activities and completely devoting oneself to the transcendental loving service of the Lord. This is confirmed by Srila Rupa Gosvami (Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.255): anasaktasya visayan yatharham upayunjatah nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam ucyate. For a Vaisnava, the renounced order means completely giving up attachment for material things and engaging nonstop in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. The Mayavadi sannyasis, however, do not know how to engage everything in the service of the Lord. Because they have no devotional training, they think material objects to be untouchable. Brahma satyam jagan mithya The Mayavadis think that the world is false, but the Vaisnava sannyasis do not think like this. Vaisnavas say, “Why should the world be false? It is reality, and it is meant for the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” For a Vaisnava sannyasi, renunciation means not accepting anything for personal sense enjoyment. Devotional service means engaging everything for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Madhya1.92

TEXT 92

premete vihvala bahya nahika smarana

radha-dese tina dina karila bhramana

SYNONYMS

premete—in ecstatic love of Krsna; vihvala—overwhelmed; bahya—external; nahika—there is not; smarana—remembrance; radha-dese—in the Radha countries; tina dina—three days; karila—did; bhramana—traveling.

TRANSLATION

When proceeding toward Vrndavana, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was overwhelmed with ecstatic love for Krsna, and He lost all remembrance of the external world. In this way He traveled continuously for three days in Radha-desa, the country where the Ganges River does not flow.

Madhya1.93

TEXT 93

nityananda prabhu mahaprabhu bhulaiya

ganga-tire lana aila ’yamuna’ baliya

SYNONYMS

nityananda prabhu—Lord Nityananda Prabhu; mahaprabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bhulaiya—bewildering; ganga-tire—on the bank of the Ganges; lana—taking; aila—brought; yamuna—the river Yamuna; baliya—informing.

TRANSLATION

First of all, Lord Nityananda bewildered Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by bringing Him along the banks of the Ganges, saying that it was the river Yamuna.

Madhya1.94

TEXT 94

santipure acaryera grhe agamana

prathama bhiksa kaila tahan, ratre sankirtana

SYNONYMS

santipure—in the city of Santipura; acaryera—of Advaita Acarya; grhe—to the home; agamana—coming; prathama—first; bhiksa—accepting alms; kaila—did; tahan—there; ratre—at night; sankirtana—performance of congregational chanting.

TRANSLATION

After three days, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to the house of Advaita Acarya at Santipura and accepted alms there. This was His first acceptance of alms. At night He performed congregational chanting there.

PURPORT

It appears that in His transcendental ecstasy, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu forgot to eat for three continuous days. He was then misled by Nityananda Prabhu, who said that the river Ganges was the Yamuna. Because the Lord was in the ecstasy of going to Vrndavana, He was engladdened to see the Yamuna, although in actuality the river was the Ganges. In this way the Lord was brought to the house of Advaita Prabhu at Santipura after three days, and He accepted food there. As long as the Lord remained there, He saw His mother, Sacidevi, and every night executed congregational chanting with all the devotees.

Madhya1.95

TEXT 95

mata bhakta-ganera tahan karila milana

sarva samadhana kari’ kaila niladri-gamana

SYNONYMS

mata—the mother; bhakta-ganera—of the devotees; tahan—in that place; karila—did; milana—meeting; sarva—all; samadhana—adjustments; kari’-executing; kaila—did; niladri-gamana—going to Jagannatha Puri.

TRANSLATION

At the house of Advaita Prabhu, He met His mother as well as all the devotees from Mayapura. He adjusted everything and then went to Jagannatha Puri.

PURPORT

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu knew very well that His acceptance of sannyasa was a thunderbolt for His mother. He therefore called for His mother and the devotees from Mayapura, and by the arrangement of Sri Advaita Acarya, He met them for the last time after His acceptance of sannyasa. His mother was overwhelmed with grief when she saw that He was clean-shaven. There was no longer any beautiful hair on His head. Mother Saci was pacified by all the devotees, and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked her to cook for Him because He was very hungry, not having taken anything for three days. His mother immediately agreed, and forgetting everything else, she cooked for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu during all the days she was at the house of Sri Advaita Prabhu. Then, after a few days, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu requested His mother’s permission to go to Jagannatha Puri. At His mother’s request, He made Jagannatha Puri His headquarters after His acceptance of sannyasa. Thus everything was adjusted, and with His mother’s permission Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu proceeded toward Jagannatha Puri.

Madhya1.96

TEXT 96

pathe nana lila-rasa, deva-darasana

madhava-purira katha, gopala-sthapana

SYNONYMS

pathe—on the way; nana—various; lila-rasa—transcendental pastimes; deva-darasana—visiting the temples; madhava-purira—of Madhavendra Puri; katha—incidents; gopala—of Gopala; sthapana—the installation.

TRANSLATION

On the way toward Jagannatha Puri, Caitanya Mahaprabhu performed many other pastimes. He visited various temples and heard the story about Madhavendra Puri and the installation of Gopala.

PURPORT

This Madhava Puri is Madhavendra Puri. Another Madhava Puri is Madhavacarya, who was the spiritual master of a devotee in the line of Gadadhara Pandita and who wrote a book known as Sri Mangala-bhasya. Madhavacarya, however, is different from Madhavendra Puri, who is mentioned in this verse.

Madhya1.97

TEXT 97

ksira-curi-katha, saksi-gopala-vivarana

nityananda kaila prabhura danda-bhanjana

SYNONYMS

ksira-curi-katha—the narration of the stealing of the condensed milk; saksi-gopala-vivarana—the description of witness Gopala; nityananda—Nityananda Prabhu; kaila—did; prabhura—of the Lord; danda-bhanjana—breaking the sannyasa rod.

TRANSLATION

From Nityananda Prabhu, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard the story of Ksira-curi Gopinatha and of the witness Gopala. Then Nityananda Prabhu broke the sannyasa rod belonging to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

PURPORT

This Ksira-curi Gopinatha is situated about five miles away from the Balesvara station on the Northeastern Railway, formerly known as the Bengal Mayapura Railway. This station is situated a few miles away from the famous Kargapura junction station. Sometimes the charge of the temple was given to Syamasundara Adhikari from Gopivallabhapura, which lies on the border of the district of Medinipura. Syamasundara Adhikari was a descendant of Rasikananda Murari, the chief disciple of Syamananda Gosvami.

A few miles before the Jagannatha Puri station is a small station called Saksi-gopala. Near this station is a village named Satyavadi, where the temple of Saksi-gopala is situated.

Madhya1.98

TEXT 98

kruddha hana eka gela jagannatha dekhite

dekhiya murcchita hana padila bhumite

SYNONYMS

kruddha—angry; hana—becoming; eka—alone; gela—went; jagannatha—Lord Jagannatha; dekhite—to see; dekhiya—after seeing Jagannatha; murcchita—senseless; hana—becoming; padila—fell down; bhumite—on the ground.

TRANSLATION

After His sannyasa rod was broken by Nityananda Prabhu, Caitanya Mahaprabhu apparently became very angry and left His company to travel alone to the Jagannatha temple. When Caitanya Mahaprabhu entered the Jagannatha temple and saw Lord Jagannatha, He immediately lost His senses and fell down on the ground.

Madhya1.99

TEXT 99

sarvabhauma lana gela apana-bhavana

trtiya prahare prabhura ha-ila cetana

SYNONYMS

sarvabhauma—Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; lana—taking; gela—went; apana-bhavana—to his own house; trtiya prahare—in the afternoon; prabhura—of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ha-ila—there was; cetana—consciousness.

TRANSLATION

After Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw Lord Jagannatha in the temple and fell down unconscious, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya took Him to his home. The Lord remained unconscious until the afternoon, when He finally regained His consciousness.

Madhya1.100

TEXT 100

nityananda, jagadananda, damodara, mukunda

pache asi’ mili’ sabe paila ananda

SYNONYMS

nityananda—of the name Nityananda; jagadananda—of the name Jagadananda; damodara—of the name Damodara; mukunda—of the name Mukunda; pache asi’-coming; mili’-meeting; sabe—all; paila—got; ananda—pleasure

TRANSLATION

The Lord had left Nityananda’s company and had gone alone to the Jagannatha temple, but later Nityananda, Jagadananda, Damodara and Mukunda came to see Him, and after seeing Him they were very pleased.

Madhya1.101

TEXT 101

tabe sarvabhaume prabhu prasada karila

apana-isvara-murti tanre dekhaila

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; sarvabhaume—unto Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; prabhu—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prasada karila—bestowed mercy; apana—His own; isvara-murti—original form as the Lord; tanre—unto him; dekhaila—showed.

TRANSLATION

After this incident, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu bestowed His mercy upon Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya by showing him His original form as the Lord.

Madhya1.102

TEXT 102

tabe ta’ karila prabhu daksina gamana

kurma-ksetre kaila vasudeva vimocana

SYNONYMS

tabe ta’-thereafter; karila—did; prabhu—Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; daksina—to southern India; gamana—traveling; kurma-ksetre—at the pilgrimage site known as Kurma-ksetra; kaila—did; vasudeva—of the name Vasudeva; vimocana—deliverance.

TRANSLATION

After bestowing mercy upon Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, the Lord started for southern India. When He came to Kurma-ksetra, He delivered a person named Vasudeva.

Madhya1.103

TEXT 103

jiyada-nrsimhe kaila nrsimha-stavana

pathe-pathe grame-grame nama-pravartana

SYNONYMS

jiyada-nrsimhe—the place of pilgrimage known as Jiyada-nrsimha; kaila—did; nrsimha—to Nrsimha; stavana—praying; pathe-pathe—on the way; grame-grame—every village; nama-pravartana—introduction of the holy name of the Lord.

TRANSLATION

After visiting Kurma-ksetra, the Lord visited the South Indian temple of Jiyada-nrsimha and offered His prayers to Lord Nrsimhadeva. On His way, He introduced the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra in every village.

Madhya1.104

TEXT 104

godavari-tira-vane vrndavana-bhrama

ramananda raya saha tahani milana

SYNONYMS

godavari-tira—on the bank of the river Godavari; vane—in the forest; vrndavana-bhrama—mistook as Vrndavana; ramananda raya—of the name Ramananda Raya; saha—with; tahani—there; milana—meeting.

TRANSLATION

Once the Lord mistook the forest on the bank of the river Godavari to be Vrndavana. In that place He happened to meet Ramananda Raya.

Madhya1.105

TEXT 105

trimalla-tripadi-sthana kaila darasana

sarvatra karila krsna-nama pracarana

SYNONYMS

trimalla—a place named Trimalla; tripadi—or Tirupati; sthana—the pace; kaila—did; darasana—visit; sarvatra—everywhere: karila—did; krsna-nama—the holy name of Lord Krsna; pracarana—preaching.

TRANSLATION

He visited the place known as Trimalla, or Tirupati, and there He extensively preached the chanting of the Lord’s holy name.

PURPORT

This holy place is situated in the district of Tanjor, South India. The temple of Tripadi is situated in the valley of Venkatacala (Venkata Mountain) and contains a Deity of Lord Ramacandra. On top of Venkatacala is the famous temple of Balaji.

Madhya1.106

TEXT 106

tabe ta’ pasandi-gane karila dalana

ahovala-nrsimhadi kaila darasana

SYNONYMS

tabe ta’-thereafter; pasandi-gane—unto the atheists; karila—did; dalana—subduing; ahovala-nrsimha-adi—Nrsimhadeva, named Ahovala or at Ahovala; kaila—did; darasana—visit.

TRANSLATION

After visiting the temple of Trimalla, or Tripadi, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had to subdue some atheists. He then visited the temple of Ahovala-nrsimha.

PURPORT

This Ahovala temple is situated in Daksinatya, in the district of Karnula, within the subdivision of Sarbela. Throughout the whole district this very famous temple is much appreciated by the people. There are eight other temples also, and all of them together are called the Nava-nrsimha temples. There is much wonderful architecture and artistic engraving work in these temples. However, as stated in the local gazette, the Karnula Manual, the work is not complete.

Madhya1.107

TEXT 107

sri-ranga-ksetra aila kaverira tira

sri-ranga dekhiya preme ha-ila asthira

SYNONYMS

sri-ranga-ksetra—to the place where the temple of Ranganatha is situated; aila—came; kaverira—of the river Kaveri; tira—the bank; sri-ranga dekhiya—after seeing this temple; preme—in love of Godhead; ha-ila—became; asthira—agitated.

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu came to the land of Sri Ranga-ksetra, on the bank of the Kaveri, He visited the temple of Sri Ranganatha and was there overwhelmed in the ecstasy of love of Godhead.

Madhya1.108

TEXT 108

trimalla bhattera ghare kaila prabhu vasa

tahani rahila prabhu varsa cari masa

SYNONYMS

trimalla bhattera—of Trimalla Bhatta; ghare—at the house; kaila—did; prabhu—the Lord; vasa—residence; tahani—there; rahila—lived; prabhu—the Lord; varsa—the rainy season; cari—four; masa—months.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu lived at the house of Trimalla Bhatta for the four months of the rainy season.

Madhya1.109

TEXT 109

sri-vaisnava trimalla-bhatta--parama pandita

gosanira panditya-preme ha-ila vismita

SYNONYMS

sri-vaisnava trimalla-bhatta—Trimalla Bhatta was a Sri Vaisnava; parama—highly; pandita—learned scholar; gosanira—of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; panditya—scholarship; preme—as well as in the love of Godhead; ha-ila—was; vismita—astonished.

TRANSLATION

Sri Trimalla Bhatta was both a member of the Sri Vaisnava community and a learned scholar; therefore when he saw Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who was both a great scholar and a great devotee of the Lord, he was very much astonished.

Madhya1.110

TEXT 110

caturmasya tanha prabhu sri-vaisnavera sane

gonaila nrtya-gita-krsna-sankirtane

SYNONYMS

caturmasya—observance of the four months ot the rainy season; tanha—there; prabhu—the Lord; sri-vaisnavera sane—with the Sri Vaisnavas; gonaila—passed; nrtya—dancing; gita—singing; krsna-sankirtane—in chanting the holy name of Lord Krsna.

TRANSLATION

Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu passed the Caturmasya months with the Sri Vaisnavas, dancing and singing, and also chanting the holy name of the Lord.

Madhya1.111

TEXT 111

caturmasya-ante punah daksina gamana

paramananda-puri saha tahani milana

SYNONYMS

caturmasya-ante—at the end of Caturmasya; punah—again; daksina gamana—traveling in South India; paramananda-puri—of the name Paramananda Puri; saha—with; tahani—there; milana—meeting.

TRANSLATION

After the end of Caturmasya, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued traveling throughout South India. At that time He met Paramananda Puri.

Madhya1.112

TEXT 112

tabe bhattathari haite krsna-dasera uddhara

rama-japi vipra-mukhe krsna-nama pracara

SYNONYMS

tabe—after this; bhatta-thari—a Bhattathari; haite—from; krsna-dasera—of Krsnadasa; uddhara—the deliverance; rama-japi—chanters of the name of Lord Rama; vipra-mukhe—unto brahmanas; krsna-nama—the name of Lord Krsna; pracara—preaching.

TRANSLATION

After this, Krsnadasa, the servant of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, was delivered from the clutches of a Bhattathari. Caitanya Mahaprabhu then preached that Lord Krsna’s name should also be chanted by brahmanas who were accustomed to chanting Lord Rama’s name.

PURPORT

In the Malabara district, a section of the brahmanas are known as Nambudari brahmanas, and the Bhattatharis are their priests. Bhattatharis know many tantric black arts, such as the art of killing a person, of bringing him under submission, and of destroying or devastating him. They are very expert in these black arts, and one such Bhattathari bewildered the personal servant of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu while the servant accompanied the Lord in His travels through South India. Somehow or other Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu delivered this Krsnadasa from the clutches of the Bhattathari. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is well known as Patita-pavana, the savior of all fallen souls, and He proved this in His behavior toward His personal servant, Krsnadasa, whom He saved. Sometimes the word Bhattathari is misspelled in Bengal as Bhattamari.

Madhya1.113

TEXT 113

sri-ranga-puri saha tahani milana

rama-dasa viprera kaila duhkha-vimocana

SYNONYMS

sri-ranga-puri—of the name Sri Ranga-puri; saha—with; tahani—there; milana—meeting; rama-dasa—of the name Ramadasa; viprera—of the brahmana; kaila—did; duhkha-vimocana—deliverance from all sufferings.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then met Sri Rangapuri and mitigated all the sufferings of a brahmana named Ramadasa.

Madhya1.114

TEXT 114

tattva-vadi saha kaila tattvera vicara

apanake hina-buddhi haila tan-sabara

SYNONYMS

tattva-vadi—a section of the Madhvacarya-sampradaya; saha—with; kaila—did; tattvera—of the Absolute Truth; vicara—discussion; apanake—themselves; hina-buddhi—consideration as inferior in quality; haila—was; tan-sabara—of all the opposing parties.

TRANSLATION

Caitanya Mahaprabhu also had a discussion with the Tattvavadi community, and the Tattvavadis felt themselves to be inferior Vaisnavas.

PURPORT

The Tattvavadi sect belongs to Madhvacarya’s Vaisnava community, but its behavior differs from the strict Madhvacarya Vaisnava principles. There is one monastery named Uttararadhi, and its commander is named Raghuvarya Tirtha Madhvacarya.

Madhya1.115

TEXT 115

ananta, purusottama, sri-janardana

padmanabha, vasudeva kaila darasana

SYNONYMS

ananta—Anantadeva; purusottama—of the name Purusottama; sri-janardana—of the name Sri Janardana; padma-nabha—of the name Padmanabha; vasudeva—of the name Vasudeva; kaila—did; darasana—visit.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then visited the Visnu temples of Anantadeva, Purusottama, Sri Janardana, Padmanabha and Vasudeva.

PURPORT

A temple of Ananta Padmanabha Visnu is situated in the Trivandrum district. This temple is very famous in those quarters. Another Visnu temple, named Sri Janardana, is situated about twenty-six miles north of the Trivandrum district, near the railway station called Varkala.

Madhya1.116

TEXT 116

tabe prabhu kaila sapta-tala vimocana

setubandhe snana, ramesvara darasana

SYNONYMS

tabe—thereafter; prabhu—the Lord; kaila—did; sapta-tala-vimocana—deliverance of the Sapta-tala trees; setubandhe—at Cape Comorin; snana—bathing; ramesvara—temple of Ramesvara; darasana—visit.

TRANSLATION

After that, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu delivered the celebrated Sapta-tala trees, took His bath at Setubandha Ramesvara and visited the temple of Lord Siva known as Ramesvara.

PURPORT

It is said that the Sapta-tala trees arevery old, massive palm trees. There was once a fight between Valiand his brother Sugriva, and Lord Ramacandra took the side of Sugriva and killed Vali, keeping Himself behind one of these celebrated trees. When Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu toured south India, He embraced these trees, which were delivered and directly promoted to Vaikuntha.

Madhya1.117

TEXT 117

tahani karila kurma-purana sravana

maya-sita nileka ravana, tahate likhana

SYNONYMS

tahani—there; karila—did; kurma-purana—of the Kurma Purana; sravana—hearing; maya-sita—a false Sita; nileka—kidnapped; ravana—by Ravana; tahate—in that book; likhana—it is stated.

TRANSLATION

At Ramesvara, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had a chance to read the Kurma Purana, in which He discovered that the form of Sita kidnapped by Ravana was not that of the real Sita but a mere shadow representation.

PURPORT

The Kurma Purana states that this shadowy Sita was placed into a fire as a test of chastity. It was Maya-sita who entered the fire and the real Sita who came out of the fire.

Madhya1.118

TEXT 118

suniya prabhura anandita haila mana

rama-dasa viprera katha ha-ila smarana

SYNONYMS

suniya—hearing this; prabhura—of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; anandita—very happy; haila—became; mana—the mind; rama-dasa—of the name Ramadasa; viprera—with the brahmana; katha—of the conversation; ha-ila—was; smarana—remembrance.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very glad to read about the false Sita, and He remembered His meeting with Ramadasa Vipra, who was very sorry that mother Sita had been kidnapped by Ravana.

Madhya1.119

TEXT 119

sei puratana patra agraha kari’ nila

ramadase dekhaiya duhkha khandaila

SYNONYMS

sei—that; puratana—old; patra—page; agraha—with great enthusiasm; kari’-doing; nila—took; rama-dase—to the brahmana Ramadasa; dekhaiya—showing; duhkha—unhappiness; khandaila—mitigated.

TRANSLATION

Indeed, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu eagerly tore this page from the Kurma Purana, although the book was very old, and He later showed it to Ramadasa Vipra, whose unhappiness was mitigated.

Madhya1.120

TEXT 120

brahma-samhita, karnamrta, dui punthi pana

dui pustaka lana aila uttama janina

SYNONYMS

brahma-samhita—the book named Brahma-samhita; karnamrta—the book named Krsna-karnamrta; dui—two; punthi—scriptures; pana—obtaining; dui—two; pustaka—books; lana—carrying; aila—came back; uttama—very good; janina—knowing.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu also found two other books-namely, Brahma-samhita and Krsna-karnamrta. Knowing these books to be excellent, He took them to present to His devotees.

PURPORT

In the olden days there were no presses, and all the important scriptures were handwritten and kept in large temples. Caitanya Mahaprabhu found Brahma-samhita and Krsna-karnamrta in handwritten texts, and knowing them to be very authoritative, He took them with Him to present to His devotees. Of course, He obtained the permission of the temple commander. Now both Brahma-samhita and Krsna-karnamrta are available in print with commentaries by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.

Madhya1.121

TEXT 121

punarapi nilacale gamana karila

bhakta-gane meliya snana-yatra dekhila

SYNONYMS

punarapi—again; nilacale—to Jagannatha Puri; gamana—going back; karila—did; bhakta-gane—all the devotees; meliya—meeting; snana-yatra—the bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannatha; dekhila—saw.

TRANSLATION

After collecting these books, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannatha Puri. At that time, the bathing ceremony of Jagannatha was taking place, and He saw it.

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