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

Chapter 12

Madhya12.38

TEXT 38

vastra pana rajara haila anandita mana

prabhu-rupa kari’ kare vastrera pujana

SYNONYMS

vastra pana—getting that cloth; rajara—of the King; haila—there was; anandita mana—very happy mind; prabhu-rupa kari’-accepting as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself; kare—executes; vastrera—of the cloth; pujana—worship.

TRANSLATION

When the King received the old cloth, he began to worship it exactly as he would worship the Lord personally.

PURPORT

This is also the conclusion of the Vedic injunctions. Since the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Absolute Truth, everything in relation to Him is also on the same platform. The King had great affection for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and although he did not see the Lord, he had nonetheless already attained the conclusion of devotional service. Immediately upon receiving the cloth from Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, the King began to worship it, accepting it as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The Lord’s clothing, bedding, slippers and everything required as an ordinary necessity are all transformations of Sesa, Visnu, the expansion of Sri Baladeva. Thus the cloth and other paraphernalia of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are but other forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Everything connected to the Lord is worshipable. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu instructs us that just as Krsna is worshipable, Krsna’s place, Vrndavana, is also worshipable. And as Vrndavana is worshipable, similarly the paraphernalia in Vrndavana-the trees, roads, river, everything-is worshipable. A pure devotee thus sings, jaya jaya vrndavana-vasi yata jana: “All glories to the residents of Vrndavana.” If a devotee has a staunch devotional attitude, all these conclusions will be awakened or revealed within the heart.

yasya deve para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah
prakasante mahatmanah

“Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.” (Svetasvatara Upanisad 6.23)

Thus following in the footsteps of Maharaja Prataparudra and other devotees, we should learn to worship everything belonging to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is referred to by Lord Siva as tadiyanam. In the Padma Purana it is said:

aradhananam sarvesam
visnor aradhanam param
tasmat parataram devi
tadiyanam samarcanam

“O Devi, the most exalted system of worship is the worship of Lord Visnu. Greater than that is the worship of tadiya, or anything belonging to Visnu.” Sri Visnu is sac-cid-ananda-vigraha. Similarly, the most confidential servant of Krsna, the spiritual master, and all devotees of Visnu are tadiya. The sac-cid-ananda-vigraha, guru, Vaisnavas, and things used by them must be considered tadiya and without a doubt worshipable by all living beings.

Madhya12.39

TEXT 39

ramananda raya yabe ’daksina’ haite aila

prabhu-sange rahite rajake nivedila

SYNONYMS

ramananda raya—Ramananda Raya; yabe—when; daksina—South India; haite—from; aila—returned; prabhu-sange—with Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; rahite—to stay; rajake—unto the King; nivedila—requested.

TRANSLATION

After returning from his service in South India, Ramananda Raya requested the King to allow him to remain with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Madhya12.40

TEXT 40

tabe raja santose tanhare ajna dila

apani milana lagi’ sadhite lagila

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; raja—the King; santose—in great satisfaction; tanhare—unto Ramananda Raya; ajna dila—gave the order; apani—personally; milana lagi’—to meet; sadhite lagila—began to solicit.

TRANSLATION

When Ramananda Raya requested the King to allow him to stay with the Lord, the King immediately gave him permission with great satisfaction. As for the King himself, he began to solicit Ramananda Raya to make a meeting arrangement.

Madhya12.41

TEXT 41

mahaprabhu maha-krpa karena tomare

more milibare avasya sadhibe tanhare

SYNONYMS

mahaprabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; maha-krpa—great mercy; karena—does; tomare—unto you; more—me; milibare—for meeting; avasya—certainly; sadhibe—you must solicit; tanhare—Him.

TRANSLATION

The King told Ramananda Raya, “Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very, very merciful to you. Therefore please solicit my meeting with Him without fail.”

Madhya12.42

TEXT 42

eka-sange dui jana ksetre yabe aila

ramananda raya tabe prabhure milila

SYNONYMS

eka-sange—together; dui jana—these two persons; ksetre—at Jagannatha-ksetra (Jagannatha Puri); yabe—when; aila—came back; ramananda raya—Ramananda Raya; tabe—at that time; prabhure—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milila—met.

TRANSLATION

The King and Ramananda Raya returned together to Jagannatha-ksetra [Puri], and Sri Ramananda Raya met Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Madhya12.43

TEXT 43

prabhu-pade prema-bhakti janaila rajara

prasanga pana aiche kahe bara-bara

SYNONYMS

prabhu-pade—unto the lotus feet of the Lord; prema-bhakti—ecstatic love; janaila—informed; rajara—of the King; prasanga—discussion; pana—getting; aiche—thus; kahe—says; bara-bara—again and again.

TRANSLATION

At that time, Ramananda Raya informed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu about the ecstatic love of the King. Indeed, as soon as there was some opportunity, he repeatedly informed the Lord about the King.

Madhya12.44

TEXT 44

raja-mantri ramananda-vyavahare nipuna

raja-priti kahi’ dravaila prabhura mana

SYNONYMS

raja-mantri—diplomatic minister; ramananda—Sri Ramananda Raya; vyavahare—in general behavior; nipuna—very expert; raja-priti—the love of the King for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kahi’—describing; dravaila—softened; prabhura—of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mana—the mind.

TRANSLATION

Sri Ramananda Raya was indeed a diplomatic minister for the King. His general behavior was very expert, and simply by describing the King’s love for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he gradually softened the Lord’s mind.

PURPORT

A diplomat in the material world knows how to deal with people, especially in political affairs. Some of the great devotees of the Lord-like Ramananda Raya, Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami and Rupa Gosvami-were government officers and had a background of very opulent householder life. Consequently they knew how to deal with people. In many instances we have seen the diplomacy of Rupa Gosvami, Raghunatha dasa Gosvami and Ramananda Raya employed in the service of the Lord. When Raghunatha dasa Gosvami’s father and uncle were to be arrested by government officials, Raghunatha dasa Gosvami hid them and personally met the government officers and settled the affair diplomatically. This is but one instance. Similarly, Sanatana Gosvami, after resigning his ministership, was thrown in jail, and he bribed the attendant of the jail so he could leave the clutches of the Nawab and live with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Now we see Ramananda Raya, a most confidential devotee of the Lord, diplomatically soften the heart of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, despite the fact that the Lord definitely decided not to meet the King. The diplomacy of Ramananda Raya and entreaties of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya and all the other great devotees succeeded. The conclusion is that diplomacy used for the service of the Lord is a form of devotional service.

Madhya12.45

TEXT 45

utkanthate prataparudra nare rahibare

ramananda sadhilena prabhure milibare

SYNONYMS

utkanthate—in great anxiety; prataparudra—King Prataparudra; nare rahibare—could not stay; ramananda—Sri Ramananda Raya; sadhilena—solicited; prabhure—unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milibare—to meet.

TRANSLATION

Maharaja Prataparudra, in great anxiety, could not endure not seeing the Lord; therefore Sri Ramananda Raya, by his diplomacy, arranged a meeting with the Lord for the King.

Madhya12.46

TEXT 46

ramananda prabhu-paya kaila nivedana

eka-bara prataparudre dekhaha carana

SYNONYMS

ramananda—Ramananda; prabhu-paya—at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kaila—did; nivedana—submission; eka-bara—once only; prataparudre—unto Maharaja Prataparudra; dekhaha—show; carana—Your lotus feet.

TRANSLATION

Sri Ramananda Raya frankly requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, “Please show Your lotus feet to the King at least once.”

Madhya12.47

TEXT 47

prabhu kahe,-ramananda, kaha vicariya

rajake milite yuyaya sannyasi hana?

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; ramananda—My dear Ramananda; kaha—please ask Me; vicariya—after due consideration; rajake—the King; milite—to meet; yuyaya—is it befitting; sannyasi—in the renounced order of life; hana—being.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "My dear Ramananda, you should make this request after duly considering whether it is befitting for a sannyasi to meet a king.

Madhya12.48

TEXT 48

rajara milane bhiksukera dui loka nasa

paraloka rahu, loke kare upahasa

SYNONYMS

rajara milane—by meeting with a king; bhiksukera—of the mendicant; dui loka—in two worlds; nasa—destruction; para-loka—spiritual world; rahu—let alone; loke—in this material world; kare—do; upahasa—joking.

TRANSLATION

“If a mendicant meets a king, this world and the next world are both destroyed for the mendicant. Indeed, what is there to say of the next world? In this world, people will joke if a sannyasi meets a king.”

Madhya12.49

TEXT 49

ramananda kahe,-tumi isvara svatantra

kare tomara bhaya, tumi naha paratantra

SYNONYMS

ramananda kahe—Ramananda said; tumi—You; isvara—the Supreme Lord; svatantra—independent; kare tomara bhaya—why should You be afraid of anyone; tumi naha—You are not; para-tantra—dependent.

TRANSLATION

Ramananda Raya replied, “My Lord, You are the supreme independent personality. You have nothing to fear from anyone because You are not dependent on anyone.”

Madhya12.50

TEXT 50

prabhu kahe,-ami manusya asrame sannyasi

kaya-mano-vakye vyavahare bhaya vasi

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe—the Lord said; ami manusya—I am a human being; asrame—in the social order; sannyasi—a renounced person; kaya-manah-vakye—with My body, mind and words; vyavahare—in general dealings; bhaya—fear; vasi—I do.

TRANSLATION

When Ramananda Raya addressed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Caitanya Mahaprabhu objected, saying, "I am not the Supreme Personality of Godhead but an ordinary human being. Therefore I must fear public opinion in three ways-with My body, mind and words.

Madhya12.51

TEXT 51

sukla-vastre masi-bindu yaiche na lukaya

sannyasira alpa chidra sarva-loke gaya

SYNONYMS

sukla-vastre—on white cloth; masi-bindu—a spot of ink; yaiche—as much as; na—does not; lukaya—become hidden; sannyasira—of a sannyasi; alpa—a very little; chidra—fault; sarva-loke—the general public; gaya—advertise.

TRANSLATION

“As soon as the general public finds a little fault in the behavior of a sannyasi, they advertise it like wildfire. A black spot of ink cannot be hidden on a white cloth. It is always very prominent.”

Madhya12.52

TEXT 52

raya kahe,-kata papira kariyacha avyahati

isvara-sevaka tomara bhakta gajapati

SYNONYMS

raya kahe—Ramananda Raya replied; kata papira—of numberless sinful persons; kariyacha—You have done; avyahati—deliverance; isvara-sevaka—a servitor of the Lord; tomara—Your; bhakta—devotee; gajapati—the King.

TRANSLATION

Ramananda Raya replied, “My dear Lord, You have delivered so many sinful people. This King Prataparudra, the King of Orissa, is actually a servitor of the Lord and Your devotee.”

Madhya12.53

TEXT 53

prabhu kahe,-purna yaiche dugdhera kalasa

sura-bindu-pate keha na kare parasa

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe—the Lord replied; purna—completely filled; yaiche—just as; dugdhera—of milk; kalasa—container; sura-bindu-pate—with simply a drop of liquor; keha—anyone; na kare—does not; parasa—touch.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then said, "There may be much milk in a big pot, but if it is contaminated by a drop of liquor, it is untouchable.

Madhya12.54

TEXT 54

yadyapi prataparudra-sarva-gunavan

tanhare malina kaila eka ’raja’-nama

SYNONYMS

yadyapi—although; prataparudra—the King; sarva-guna-van—qualified in every respect; tanhare—unto him; malina kaila—makes impure; eka—one; raja-nama—the name ’’king.’’

TRANSLATION

"The King certainly possesses all good qualities, but simply by taking up the name ’king,’ he has infected everything.

Madhya12.55

TEXT 55

tathapi tomara yadi mahagraha haya

tabe ani’ milaha tumi tanhara tanaya

SYNONYMS

tathapi—still; tomara—your; yadi—if; maha-agraha—great eagerness; haya—there is; tabe—then; ani’—bringing; milaha—cause to meet; tumi—you; tanhara—his; tanaya—son.

TRANSLATION

"But if you are still very eager for the King to meet with Me, please first bring his son to meet Me.

Madhya12.56

TEXT 56

’’atma vai jayate putrah’’-ei sastra-vani

putrera milane yena milibe apani

SYNONYMS

atma vai jayate putrah—his self appears as the son; ei—this; sastra-vani—the indication of revealed scriptures; putrera milane—by meeting the son; yena—as if; milibe—he will meet; apani—personally.

TRANSLATION

“It is indicated in the revealed scriptures that the son represents the father; therefore the son’s meeting with Me would be just as good as the King’s meeting with Me.”

PURPORT

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.78.36) it is said: atma vai putra utpanna iti vedanusasanam. The Vedas enjoin that one is born as his own son. The son is nondifferent from the father, and this is admitted in every revealed scripture. In Christian theology it is believed that Christ, the son of God, is also God. Both of them are identical.

Madhya12.57

TEXT 57

tabe raya yai’ saba rajare kahila

prabhura ajnaya tanra putra lana aila

SYNONYMS

tabe—thereafter; raya—Ramananda Raya; yai’—going; saba—everything; rajare—unto the King; kahila—described; prabhura ajnaya—under the order of the Lord; tanra putra—his son; lana aila—he brought with him.

TRANSLATION

Ramananda Raya then went to inform the King about his talks with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and, following the Lord’s orders, brought the King’s son to see Him.

Madhya12.58

TEXT 58

sundara, rajara putra-syamala-varana

kisora vayasa, dirgha kamala-nayana

SYNONYMS

sundara—beautiful; rajara putra—the son of the King; syamala-varana—blackish complexion; kisora vayasa—the age just before youth; dirgha—long; kamala-nayana—lotus eyes.

TRANSLATION

The prince, just entering upon his youth, was very beautiful. He was blackish in complexion and had large lotus eyes.

Madhya12.59

TEXT 59

pitambara, dhare ange ratna-abharana

sri-krsna-smarane tenha haila ’uddipana’

SYNONYMS

pita-ambara—dressed in yellow cloth; dhare—carries; ange—on the body; ratna-abharana—ornaments of jewels; sri-krsna-smarane—for remembering Sri Krsna; tenha—he; haila—was; uddipana—stimulation.

TRANSLATION

The prince was dressed in yellow cloth, and there were jeweled ornaments decorating his body. Therefore anyone who saw him would remember Lord Krsna.

Madhya12.60

TEXT 60

tanre dekhi, mahaprabhura krsna-smrti haila

premavese tanre mili’ kahite lagila

SYNONYMS

tanre dekhi—seeing him; mahaprabhura—of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; krsna-smrti—remembrance of Krsna; haila—there was; prema-avese—in ecstatic love; tanre—him; mili’—meeting; kahite lagila—began to say.

TRANSLATION

Seeing the boy, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately remembered Krsna. Meeting the boy in ecstatic love, the Lord began to speak.

Madhya12.61

TEXT 61

ei-maha-bhagavata, yanhara darsane

vrajendra-nandana-smrti haya sarva-jane

SYNONYMS

ei—here is; maha-bhagavata—a first-class devotee; yanhara darsane—by the sight of whom; vrajendra-nandana—of the son of the King of Vraja; smrti—remembrance; haya—becomes; sarva-jane—for everyone.

TRANSLATION

“Here is a great devotee,” Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said. “Upon seeing him, everyone can remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, son of Maharaja Nanda.”

PURPORT

On his Anubhasya, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura states that a materialist mistakenly accepts the body and mind as the source of material enjoyment. In other words, a materialist accepts the bodily conception of life. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not regard the son of Maharaja Prataparudra with the idea that he was a materialist, being the son of a materialist. Nor did He consider Himself the enjoyer. Mayavadi philosophers make a great mistake by assuming that the sac-cid-ananda-vigraha, the transcendental form of the Lord, is like a material body. However, there is no material contamination in transcendence, nor is there any possibility of imagining a spirituality in matter. One cannot accept matter as spirit. As indicated by the technical words bhauma ijya-dhih (Bhag. 10.84.13), materialistic Mayavadis imagine the form of God in matter, although according to their imagination, God is unlimitedly formless. This is simply mental speculation. Even though Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He placed Himself in the position of a gopi. He also accepted the King’s son directly as the son of Maharaja Nanda, Vrajendra-nandana Hari. This is perfect vision according to the direction of the Vedic culture, as confirmed in Srimad Bhagavad-gita (panditah sama-darsinah). Such acceptance of the Absolute Truth according to Vaisnava philosophy is explained in both the Mundaka Upanisad (3.2.3) and the Katha Upanisad (1.2.23) in the following words:

nayam atma pravacanena labhyo
na medhaya na bahuna srutena
yam evaisa vrnute tena labhyas
tasyaisa atma vivrnute tanum svam

“The Supreme Lord is not obtained by expert explanations, by vast intelligence, nor even by much hearing. He is obtained only by one whom He Himself chooses. To such a person He manifests His own form.”

The living entity is entangled in material existence due to his lack of such spiritual vision. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung in his Kalyana-kalpataru: samsare asiya prakrti bhajiya ’purusa’ abhimane mari. When the living entity comes to the material world, he thinks himself the enjoyer. Thus he becomes more and more entangled.

Madhya12.62

TEXT 62

krtartha ha-ilana ami inhara darasane

eta bali’ punah tare kaila alingane

SYNONYMS

krta-artha ha-ilana—have become very much obligated; ami—I; inhara—of this boy; darasane—by seeing; eta bali’—saying this; punah—again; tare—him; kaila—did; alingane—embrace.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, “I have become very much obligated just by seeing this boy.” After saying this, the Lord again embraced the prince.

Madhya12.63

TEXT 63

prabhu-sparse raja-putrera haila premavesa

sveda, kampa, asru, stambha, pulaka visesa

SYNONYMS

prabhu-sparse—because of being touched by the Lord; raja-putrera—of the King’s son; haila—there was; prema-avesa—ecstatic love; sveda—perspiration; kampa—trembling; asru—tears; stambha—being stunned; pulaka—jubilation; visesa—specifically.

TRANSLATION

As soon as the prince was touched by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, symptoms of ecstatic love immediately manifested themselves in his body. These symptoms included perspiration, trembling, tears, being stunned and jubilation.

Madhya12.64

TEXT 64

’krsna’ ’krsna’ kahe, nace, karaye rodana

tanra bhagya dekhi’ slagha kare bhakta-gana

SYNONYMS

krsna krsna—O Krsna, O Krsna; kahe—chants; nace—dances; karaye—does; rodana—crying; tanra—his; bhagya—fortune; dekhi’—seeing; slagha—praise; kare—do; bhakta-gana—all the devotees.

TRANSLATION

The boy began to cry and dance, and he chanted, “Krsna! Krsna!” Upon seeing his bodily symptoms and his chanting and dancing, all the devotees praised him for his great spiritual fortune.

Madhya12.65

TEXT 65

tabe mahaprabhu tanre dhairya karaila

nitya asi’ amaya miliha-ei ajna dila

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; mahaprabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanre—the boy; dhairya—patient; karaila—caused to be; nitya—daily; asi’—coming; amaya—Me; miliha—meet; ei ajna—this order; dila—gave.

TRANSLATION

At that time, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu calmed the youth and ordered him to come there daily to meet Him.

Madhya12.66

TEXT 66

vidaya hana raya aila raja-putre lana

raja sukha paila putrera cesta dekhiya

SYNONYMS

vidaya hana—taking leave; raya—Ramananda Raya; aila—came back; raja-putre lana—taking the King’s son; raja—the King; sukha paila—felt great happiness; putrera—of his son; cesta—activities; dekhiya—seeing.

TRANSLATION

Ramananda Raya and the boy then departed from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Ramananda took him back to the King’s palace. The King was very happy when he heard of his son’s activities.

Madhya12.67

TEXT 67

putre alingana kari’ premavista haila

saksat parasa yena mahaprabhura paila

SYNONYMS

putre—his son; alingana—embracing; kari’—doing; prema-avista haila—he became ecstatic; saksat—directly; parasa—touch; yena—as if; mahaprabhura—of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; paila—he got.

TRANSLATION

Just by embracing his son, the King was filled with ecstatic love, just as if he had touched Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu directly.

Madhya12.68

TEXT 68

sei haite bhagyavan rajara nandana

prabhu-bhakta-gana-madhye haila eka-jana

SYNONYMS

sei haite—from that day; bhagyavan—the most fortunate; rajara nandana—the son of the King; prabhu-bhakta-gana-madhye—among the intimate devotees of the Lord; haila—became; eka-jana—one of them.

TRANSLATION

From then on, the fortunate prince was one of the most intimate devotees of the Lord.

PURPORT

In this regard, Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati writes: yat-karunya-kataksa-vaibhava-vatam. If Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu simply glanced at someone for a moment, that person immediately turned into one of the most confidential devotees of the Lord. The prince came to see the Lord for the first time, but by the Lord’s mercy the boy immediately became a topmost devotee. This was not in theory but in practice. We cannot apply the nagna-matrka-nyaya formula. This states that if one’s mother was naked in her childhood, she should continue to remain naked, even though she has become a mother of so many children. If a person is actually blessed by the mercy of the Lord, he can immediately become a topmost devotee of the Lord. The logic of nagna-matrka states that if a person is not elevated on such and such a date, he cannot become an exalted devotee overnight, as it were. This particular instance offers evidence to contradict that theory. On the previous day, the boy was simply an ordinary prince, and the next day he was counted as one of the topmost devotees of the Lord. This was all made possible by the causeless mercy of the Lord. The Lord is omnipotent, all-powerful and almighty, and He can act as He likes.

Madhya12.69

TEXT 69

ei-mata mahaprabhu bhakta-gana-sange

nirantara krida kare sankirtana-range

SYNONYMS

ei-mata—in this way; mahaprabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bhakta-gana-sange—in the society of His pure devotees; nirantara—constantly; krida kare—performs pastimes; sankirtana-range—in the course of His sankirtana movement.

TRANSLATION

Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu acts in the society of His pure devotees, performing His pastimes and spreading the sankirtana movement.

Madhya12.70

TEXT 70

acaryadi bhakta kare prabhure nimantrana

tahan tahan bhiksa kare lana bhakta-gana

SYNONYMS

acarya-adi—headed by Advaita Acarya; bhakta—devotees; kare—do; prabhure—unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nimantrana—invitation; tahan tahan—here and there; bhiksa kare—takes His lunch; lana—taking; bhakta-gana—all the devotees.

TRANSLATION

Some of the prominent devotees like Advaita Acarya used to invite Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to take His meals at their homes. The Lord accepted such invitations accompanied by His devotees.

Madhya12.71

TEXT 71

ei-mata nana range dina kata gela

jagannathera ratha-yatra nikata ha-ila

SYNONYMS

ei-mata—in this way; nana range—in great jubilation; dina kata—some days; gela—passed; jagannathera—of Lord Sri Jagannatha; ratha-yatra—the car festival; nikata ha-ila—became nearer.

TRANSLATION

In this way, the Lord passed some days in great jubilation. Then the car festival of Lord Jagannatha approached.

Madhya12.72

TEXT 72

prathamei kasi-misre prabhu bolaila

padicha-patra, sarvabhaume bolana anila

SYNONYMS

prathamei—in the beginning; kasi-misre—Kasi Misra; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; bolaila—called for; padicha-patra—the superintendent of the temple; sarvabhaume—Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; bolana—calling; anila—brought.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu first of all called for Kasi Misra, then for the superintendent of the temple, then for Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya.

Madhya12.73

TEXT 73

tina-jana-pase prabhu hasiya kahila

gundica-mandira-marjana-seva magi’ nila

SYNONYMS

tina-jana-pase—in the presence of the three persons; prabhu—the Lord; hasiya—smiling; kahila—said; gundica-mandira-marjana—of washing the temple known as Gundica; seva—service; magi’ nila—obtained by begging.

TRANSLATION

When these three people came before the Lord, He begged them for permission to wash the temple known as Gundica.

PURPORT

The Gundica temple is situated two miles northeast of the Jagannatha temple. At the time of the Ratha-yatra festival, Lord Jagannatha goes to the Gundica temple from His original temple and stays there for one week. After one week, He returns to His original temple. It is understood by hearsay that the wife of Indradyumna, the King who established the Jagannatha temple, was known as Gundica. There is also mention of the name of the Gundica temple in authoritative scripture. The area of the Gundica temple is estimated to be 288 cubits by 215 cubits. The main temple inside is about 36 cubits by 30 cubits, and the kirtana hall is 32 cubits by 30 cubits.

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