Sri Caitanya-caritamrta: Madhya-lila
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Chapter 17
The Lord Travels to Vrndavana
The following summary of the Seventeenth Chapter is given by Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya. After attending the Ratha-yatra ceremony of Sri Jagannatha, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu decided to start for Vrndavana. Sri Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami selected a brahmana named Balabhadra Bhattacarya to personally assist Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Early in the morning before sunrise, the Lord started for the town of Kataka. North of Kataka, He penetrated a dense forest and visited many tigers and elephants, whom He engaged in chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Whenever He had a chance to visit a village, He would beg alms and acquire some rice and vegetables. If there were no village, He would cook whatever rice remained and collect some spinach from the forest to eat. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very pleased with the behavior of Balabhadra Bhattacarya.
In this way the Lord passed through the jungle of Jharikhanda and finally reached Varanasi. After taking His bath at the Manikarnika-ghata at Varanasi, He met Tapana Misra, who took the Lord to his place and respectfully gave Him a comfortable residence. At Varanasi, Vaidya Candrasekhara, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s old friend, also rendered service unto Him. Seeing the behavior of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, one Maharastriya brahmana informed Prakasananda Sarasvati, the leader of the Mayavadi sannyasis. Prakasananda made various accusations against the Lord. The Maharastriya brahmana was very sorry about this, and he brought the news to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, inquiring from Him why the Mayavadi sannyasis did not utter the holy name of Krsna. In reply, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that they were offenders and that one should not associate with them. In this way the Lord bestowed His blessings upon the brahmana.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu next passed through Prayaga and Mathura and then took His lunch at the home of a Sanodiya brahmana, a disciple of Madhavendra Puri. He bestowed His blessings upon the brahmana by accepting lunch at his place. Thereafter the Lord visited the twelve forests of Vrndavana and was filled with great ecstatic love. As He toured the Vrndavana forests, He heard the chirping of parrots and other birds.
Madhya17.1
TEXT 1
gacchan vrndavanam gauro
vyaghrebhaina-khagan vane
premonmattan sahonnrtyan
vidadhe krsna-jalpinah
SYNONYMS
gacchan—going; vrndavanam—to Vrndavana-dhama; gaurah—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vyaghra—tigers; ibha—elephants; ena—deer; khagan—and birds; vane—in the forest; prema-unmattan—maddened by ecstatic love; saha—with; unnrtyan—dancing; vidadhe—made; krsna—Lord Krsna’s name; jalpinah—chanting.
TRANSLATION
On His way to Vrndavana, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu passed through the forest of Jharikhanda and made all the tigers, elephants, deer and birds dance and chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Thus all these animals were overwhelmed by ecstatic love.
Madhya17.2
TEXT 2
jaya jaya gauracandra jaya nityananda
jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda
SYNONYMS
jaya jaya—all glories; gauracandra—to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya—all glories; nityananda—to Nityananda Prabhu; jaya—all glories; advaita-candra—to Advaita Acarya; jaya—all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda—to the devotees of Lord Caitanya.
TRANSLATION
All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaitacandra! All glories to all the devotees of the Lord!
Madhya17.3
TEXT 3
sarat-kala haila, prabhura calite haila mati
ramananda-svarupa-sange nibhrte yukati
SYNONYMS
sarat-kala haila—autumn arrived; prabhura—of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; calite—to travel; haila—was; mati—desire; ramananda—Ramananda Raya; svarupa—Svarupa Damodara; sange—with; nibhrte—solitary; yukati—consultation.
TRANSLATION
When autumn arrived, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu decided to go to Vrndavana. In a solitary place, He consulted with Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami.
Madhya17.4
TEXT 4
"mora sahaya kara yadi, tumi-dui jana
tabe ami yana dekhi sri-vrndavana
SYNONYMS
mora—of Me; sahaya—help; kara—you do; yadi—if; tumi—you; dui jana—two persons; tabe—then; ami—I; yana—going; dekhi—shall see; sri-vrndavana—Sri Vrndavana-dhama.
TRANSLATION
The Lord requested Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami to help Him go to Vrndavana.
Madhya17.5
TEXT 5
ratrye uthi’ vana-pathe palana yaba
ekaki yaiba, kahon sange na la-iba
SYNONYMS
ratrye uthi’-rising at night; vana-pathe—on the road to the forest; palana yaba—I shall go away secretly; ekaki yaiba—I shall go alone; kahon—anyone; sange—with Me; na la-iba—I shall not take.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I shall leave early in the morning and go incognito, taking the road to the forest. I shall go alone and not take anyone with Me.
Madhya17.6
TEXT 6
keha yadi sanga la-ite pache uthi’ dhaya
sabare rakhiba, yena keha nahi yaya
SYNONYMS
keha—someone; yadi—if; sanga la-ite—to take company; pache—behind; uthi’-getting up; dhaya—runs; sabare—everyone; rakhiba—please stop; yena—so that; keha—anyone; nahi yaya—does not go.
TRANSLATION
"If someone wants to follow Me, please stop him. I don’t want anyone to go with Me.
Madhya17.7
TEXT 7
prasanna hana ajna diba, na maniba ’duhkha’
toma-sabara ’sukhe’ pathe habe mora ’sukha’ "
SYNONYMS
prasanna hana—being pleased; ajna diba—give permission; na—do not; maniba duhkha—become unhappy; toma-sabara—of all of you; sukhe—by the happiness; pathe—on the road; habe—there will be; mora—My; sukha—happiness.
TRANSLATION
“Please give Me your permission with great pleasure and do not be unhappy. If you are happy, I shall be happy on My way to Vrndavana.”
Madhya17.8
TEXT 8
dui-jana kahe,--’tumi isvara ’svatantra’
yei iccha, sei kariba, naha ’paratantra’
SYNONYMS
dui-jana kahe—the two persons replied; tumi—You; isvara—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; svatantra—completely independent; yei iccha—whatever You desire; sei—that; kariba—You will do; naha—You are not; para-tantra—dependent on anyone.
TRANSLATION
Upon hearing this, Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara Gosvami replied, "Dear Lord, You are completely independent. Since You are not dependent on anyone, You do whatever You desire.
Madhya17.9
TEXT 9
kintu ama-dunhara suna eka nivedane
’tomara sukhe amara sukha’--kahila apane
SYNONYMS
kintu—but; ama-dunhara—of both of us; suna—please hear; eka nivedane—one submission; tomara sukhe—by your happiness; amara sukha—our happiness; kahila—You have already stated; apane—personally.
TRANSLATION
"Dear Lord, kindly hear our one petition. You have already said that You will derive happiness from our happiness. This is Your own statement.
Madhya17.10
TEXT 10
ama-dunhara mane tabe bada ’sukha’ haya
eka nivedana yadi dhara, dayamaya
SYNONYMS
ama-dunhara—of us two; mane—in the mind; tabe—therefore; bada—very much; sukha haya—there is happiness; eka nivedana—one request; yadi—if; dhara—You accept; daya-maya—merciful.
TRANSLATION
"If You will please accept just one request, we shall be very, very happy.
Madhya17.11
TEXT 11
’uttama brahmana’ eka sange avasya cahi
bhiksa kari’ bhiksa dibe, yabe patra vahi’
SYNONYMS
uttama brahmana—a high-class brahmana; eka—one; sange—along; avasya—certainly; cahi—we want; bhiksa kari’-collecting alms; bhiksa dibe—will give You food; yabe—will go; patra vahi’-bearing Your waterpot.
TRANSLATION
"Our Lord, please take one very nice brahmana with You. He will collect alms for You, cook for You, give You prasada, and carry Your waterpot while traveling.
Madhya17.12
TEXT 12
ana-pathe yaite nahi ’bhojyanna’-brahmana
ajna kara,--sange caluka vipra eka-jana’
SYNONYMS
vana-pathe—on the forest path; yaite—going; nahi—there is not; bhojya-anna-brahmana—a brahmana whose food can be accepted; ajna kara—please give permission; sange—along; caluka—may go; vipra—brahmana; eka-jana—one person.
TRANSLATION
“When You go through the jungle, there will be no brahmana available from whom You can accept lunch. Therefore please give permission for at least one pure brahmana to accompany You.”
Madhya17.13
TEXT 13
prabhu kahe,--nija-sangi kanho na la-iba
eka-jane nile, anera mane duhkha ha-iba
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied; nija-sangi—of My associates; kanho—anyone; na—not; la-iba—I shall take; eka-jane nile—if I take someone; anera mane—in the mind of others; duhkha ha-iba—there will be unhappiness.
TRANSLATION
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said,"I shall not take any of My associates with Me because if I choose someone, all the others will be unhappy.
Madhya17.14
TEXT 14
nutana sangi ha-ibeka,--snigdha yanra mana
aiche yabe pai, tabe la-i ’eka’ jana
SYNONYMS
nutana—new; sangi—associate; ha-ibeka—must be; snigdha—very peaceful; yanra—whose; mana—mind; aiche—such; yabe—if; pai—I get; tabe—then; la-i—I take; eka jana—one person.
TRANSLATION
“Such a person must be a new man, and he must have a peaceful mind. If I can obtain such a man, I shall agree to take him with Me.”
PURPORT
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu formerly went to South India, a brahmana named Kala Krsnadasa went with Him. It was Kala Krsnadasa who fell victim to a woman, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had to take the trouble to free him from the clutches of the gypsies. Therefore the Lord here says that He wants a new man who is peaceful in mind. One whose mind is not peaceful is agitated by certain drives, especially sex desire, even though he be in the company of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Such a man will become a victim of women and will fall down even in the company of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Maya is so strong that unless one is determined not to fall victim, even the Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot give protection. The Supreme Lord and His representative always want to give protection, but a person must take advantage of their personal contact. If one thinks that the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His representative is an ordinary man, he will certainly fall down. Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not want a person like Kala Krsnadasa to accompany Him. He wanted someone who was determined, who had a peaceful mind and who was not agitated by ulterior motives.
Madhya17.15
TEXT 15
svarupa kahe,--ei balabhadra-bhattacarya
tomate susnigdha bada, pandita, sadhu, arya
SYNONYMS
svarupa kahe—Svarupa Damodara Gosvami said; ei—this; balabhadra-bhattacarya—Balabhadra Bhattacarya; tomate—unto You; su-snigdha—affectionate; bada—very; pandita—educated; sadhu—honest; arya—advanced in spiritual consciousness.
TRANSLATION
Svarupa Damodara then said, "Here is Balabhadra Bhattacarya, who has great love for You. He is an honest, learned scholar, and he is advanced in spiritual consciousness.
PURPORT
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted a new man, not a person like Kala Krsnadasa who would fall for women. Svarupa Damodara therefore immediately pointed out a new brahmana named Balabhadra Bhattacarya. Sri Svarupa Damodara Gosvami had studied this person very thoroughly and had seen that he had great love for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Not only did he love the Lord, but he was also learned and honest. He was not duplicitous, and he was advanced in Krsna consciousness. According to a Bengali proverb, ati bhakti corera laksana: “Too much devotion is a symptom of a thief.” A person who assumes himself to be a great devotee but mentally is thinking of something else is duplicitous. One who is not duplicitous is called sadhu. Svarupa Damodara immediately pointed out that Balabhadra Bhattacarya was quite fit to accompany the Lord because he was a learned scholar and was simple and had great love for Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He was also advanced in Krsna consciousness; therefore he was considered appropriate to accompany the Lord as a personal servant.
The word snigdha (very peaceful) and the word su-snigdha (affectionate) are used in verses fourteen and fifteen, and they are also found in Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.1.8): bruyuh snigdhasya sisyasya guravo guhyam apy uta. “A disciple who has actual love for his spiritual master is endowed, by the blessings of the spiritual master, with all confidential knowledge.” Srila Sridhara Svami has commented that the word snigdhasya means prema-vatah. The word prema-vatah indicates that one has great love for his spiritual master.
Madhya17.16
TEXT 16
prathamei toma-sange aila gauda haite
inhara iccha ache ’sarva-tirtha’ karite
SYNONYMS
prathamei—in the beginning; toma-sange—with You; aila—came; gauda haite—from Bengal; inhara iccha—his desire; ache—is; sarva-tirtha—all places of pilgrimage; karite—to go see.
TRANSLATION
"In the beginning, he came with You from Bengal. It is his desire to see and visit all the holy places of pilgrimage.
Madhya17.17
TEXT 17
inhara sange ache vipra eka ’bhrtya’
inho pathe karibena seva-bhiksa-krtya
SYNONYMS
inhara sange—with him; ache—is; vipra—brahmana; eka—one; bhrtya—servant; inho—this man; pathe—on the way; karibena—will do; seva—service; bhiksa-krtya—and arrangements for cooking.
TRANSLATION
"In addition, You may take another brahmana who would act as a servant en route and make arrangements for Your food.
Madhya17.18
TEXT 18
inhare sange laha yadi, sabara haya ’sukha’
vana-pathe yaite tomara nahibe kona ’duhkha’
SYNONYMS
inhare—him; sange—along; laha—You accept; yadi—if; sabara haya sukha—everyone will be happy; vana-pathe—on the path through the jungle; yaite—going; tomara—Your; nahibe—there will not be; kona—any; duhkha—difficulty.
TRANSLATION
"If You can also take him with You, we will be very happy. If two people go with You through the jungle, there will certainly be no difficulty or inconvenience.
Madhya17.19
TEXT 19
sei vipra vahi’ nibe vastrambu-bhajana
bhattacarya bhiksa dibe kari’ bhiksatana
SYNONYMS
sei vipra—the other brahmana; vahi’ nibe—will carry; vastra-ambu-bhajana—the cloth and waterpot; bhattacarya—Balabhadra Bhattacarya; bhiksa dibe—will arrange for cooking; kari’-performing; bhiksa-atana—collecting alms.
TRANSLATION
“The other brahmana can carry Your cloth and waterpot, and Balabhadra Bhattacarya will collect alms and cook for You.”
Madhya17.20
TEXT 20
tanhara vacana prabhu angikara kaila
balabhadra-bhattacarye sange kari’ nila
SYNONYMS
tanhara vacana—his words; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; angikara kaila—accepted; balabhadra-bhattacarye—Balabhadra Bhattacarya; sange kari’ nila—took with Him.
TRANSLATION
Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted the request of Svarupa Damodara Pandita and agreed to take Balabhadra Bhattacarya with Him.
Madhya17.21
TEXT 21
purva-ratrye jagannatha dekhi’ ’ajna’ lana
sesa-ratre uthi’ prabhu calila lukana
SYNONYMS
purva-ratrye—on the previous night; jagannatha dekhi’-seeing Lord Jagannatha; ajna lana—taking permission; sesa-ratre—near the end of night; uthi’-rising; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; calila—started; lukana—without being seen.
TRANSLATION
On the previous night, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had visited Lord Jagannatha and taken His permission. Now, near the end of night, the Lord got up and started immediately. He was not seen by others.
Madhya17.22
TEXT 22
pratah-kale bhakta-gana prabhu na dekhiya
anvesana kari’ phire vyakula hana
SYNONYMS
pratah-kale—early in the morning; bhakta-gana—all the devotees; prabhu—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; na dekhiya—not seeing; anvesana kari’-searching; phire—wander; vyakula hana—becoming very anxious.
TRANSLATION
Because the Lord had departed, the devotees, unable to see Him early in the morning, began to search for Him with great anxiety.
Madhya17.23
TEXT 23
svarupa-gosani sabaya kaila nivarana
nivrtta hana rahe sabe jani’ prabhura mana
SYNONYMS
svarupa-gosani—Svarupa Damodara Gosvami; sabaya—unto everyone; kaila—did; nivarana—forbidding; nivrtta hana—being restrained; rahe—remain; sabe—all; jani’-knowing; prabhura mana—the mind of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
TRANSLATION
While all the devotees were searching for the Lord, Svarupa Damodara restrained them. Then everyone fell silent, knowing the mind of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Madhya17.24
TEXT 24
prasiddha patha chadi’ prabhu upapathe calila
’kataka’ dahine kari’ vane pravesila
SYNONYMS
prasiddha—well-known; patha—public way; chadi’-giving up; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; upapathe—through a bypass; calila—began to walk; kataka—the city of Kataka; dahine—on the right side; kari’-keeping; vane—within the forest; pravesila—entered.
TRANSLATION
The Lord abandoned walking on the well-known public road and went instead along a bypass. He thus kept the city of Kataka on His right as He entered the forest.
Madhya17.25
TEXT 25
nirjana-vane cale prabhu krsna-nama lana
hasti-vyaghra patha chade prabhure dekhiya
SYNONYMS
nirjana-vane—in a solitary forest; cale—walks; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; krsna-nama lana—chanting the holy name of Krsna; hasti—elephants; vyaghra—tigers; patha chade—leave the path; prabhure—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dekhiya—seeing.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord passed through the solitary forest chanting the holy name of Krsna, the tigers and elephants, seeing Him, gave way.
Madhya17.26
TEXT 26
pale-pale vyaghra, hasti, gandara, sukara-gana
tara madhye avese prabhu karila gamana
SYNONYMS
pale-pale—in flocks; vyaghra—tigers; hasti—elephants; gandara—rhinoceros; sukara-gana—boars; tara madhye—through them; avese—in ecstasy; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karila gamana—passed.
TRANSLATION
When the Lord passed through the jungle in great ecstasy, packs of tigers, elephants, rhinoceros and boars came, and the Lord passed right through them.
Madhya17.27
TEXT 27
dekhi’ bhattacaryera mane haya maha-bhaya
prabhura pratape tara eka pasa haya
SYNONYMS
dekhi’—seeing; bhattacaryera—of Bhattacarya; mane—in the mind; haya—there was; maha-bhaya—great fear; prabhura pratape—by the influence of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tara—they; eka pasa haya—stand to one side.
TRANSLATION
Balabhadra Bhattacarya was very much afraid to see them, but by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s influence, all the animals stood to one side.
Madhya17.28
TEXT 28
eka-dina pathe vyaghra kariyache sayana
avese tara gaye prabhura lagila carana
SYNONYMS
eka-dina—one day; pathe—on the path; vyaghra—a tiger; kariyache sayana—was lying down; avese—in ecstatic love; tara gaye—on his body; prabhura—of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; lagila—touched; carana—lotus feet.
TRANSLATION
One day a tiger was lying on the path, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, walking along the path in ecstatic love, touched the tiger with His feet.
Madhya17.29
TEXT 29
prabhu kahe,--kaha ’krsna’, vyaghra uthila
’krsna’ ’krsna’ kahi’ vyaghra nacite lagila
SYNONYMS
prabhu kahe—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; kaha krsna—please chant Hare Krsna; vyaghra uthila—the tiger got up; krsna krsna kahi’-chanting the holy name of Krsna; vyaghra—the tiger; nacite—to dance; lagila—began.
TRANSLATION
The Lord said, “Chant the holy name of Krsna!” The tiger immediately got up and began to dance and chant,“Krsna! Krsna!”
Madhya17.30
TEXT 30
ara dine mahaprabhu kare nadi snana
matta-hasti-yutha aila karite jala-pana
SYNONYMS
ara dine—another day; mahaprabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kare—does; nadi snana—bathing in the river; matta-hasti-yutha—a herd of maddened elephants; aila—came; karite—to do; jala-pana—drinking water.
TRANSLATION
Another day, while Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was bathing in a river, a herd of maddened elephants came there to drink water.
Madhya17.31
TEXT 31
prabhu jala-krtya kare, age hasti aila
’krsna kaha’ bali’ prabhu jala pheli’ marila
SYNONYMS
prabhu—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jala-krtya kare—bathed and was chanting the Gayatri mantra within the water; age—in front; hasti—the elephants; aila—came; krsna kaha—chant Hare Krsna; bali’-saying; prabhu—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jala pheli’-throwing water; marila—struck.
TRANSLATION
While the Lord was bathing and murmuring the Gayatri mantra, the elephants came before Him. The Lord immediately splashed some water on the elephants and asked them to chant the name of Krsna.
PURPORT
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the Supreme personality of Godhead playing the part of a very great advanced devotee. On the maha-bhagavata platform, the devotee makes no distinction between friends and enemies. On that platform he sees everyone as a servant of Krsna. As stated in Bhagavad-gita:
vidya-vinaya-sampanne
brahmane gavi hastini
suni caiva svapake ca
panditah sama-darsinah
“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater [outcaste].” (Bg. 5.18)
A maha-bhagavata, being learned and advanced in spiritual consciousness, sees no difference between a tiger, an elephant or a learned scholar. The test of advanced spiritual consciousness is that one becomes fearless. He envies no one, and he is always engaged in the Lord’s service. He sees every living entity as an eternal part and parcel of the Lord, rendering service according to his capacity by the will of the Supreme Lord. As Bhagavad-gita confirms:
sarvasya caham hrdi sannivisto
mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca
“I am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness.” (Bg. 15.15)
The maha-bhagavata knows that Krsna is in everyone’s heart. Krsna is dictating, and the living entity is following His dictations. Krsna is within the heart of the tiger, elephant and boar. Therefore Krsna tells them, “Here is a maha-bhagavata. Please do not disturb him.” Why, then, should the animals be envious of such a great personality? Those who are neophytes or even a little progressed in devotional service should not try to imitate the maha-bhagavata. Rather, they should only follow in their footsteps. The word anukara means “imitating,” and anusara means “trying to follow in the footsteps.” We should not try to imitate the activities of a maha-bhagavata or Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Our best efforts should be exerted in trying to follow them according to our ability. The maha-bhagavata’s heart is completely freed from material contamination, and he can become very dear even to fierce animals like tigers and elephants. Indeed, the maha-bhagavata treats them as his very intimate friends. On this platform there is no question of envy. When the Lord was passing through the forest, He was in ecstasy, thinking the forest to be Vrndavana. He was simply searching for Krsna.
Madhya17.32
TEXT 32
sei jala-bindu-kana lage yara gaya
sei ’krsna’ ’krsna’ kahe, preme nace, gaya
SYNONYMS
sei—those; jala—of water; bindu—drops; kana—particles; lage—touch; yara—whose; gaya—body; sei—they; krsna krsna—Krsna, Krsna; kahe—say; preme—in ecstasy; nace—dance; gaya—sing.
TRANSLATION
The elephants whose bodies were touched by the water splashed by the Lord began to chant,“Krsna! Krsna!” and dance and sing in ecstasy.
Madhya17.33
TEXT 33
keha bhume pade, keha karaye citkara
dekhi’ bhattacaryera mane haya camatkara
SYNONYMS
keha—some of them; bhume—on the ground; pade—fall down; keha—some of them; karaye—perform; cit-kara—screaming; dekhi’-seeing; bhattacaryera—of Bhattacarya; mane—in the mind; haya—there was; camatkara—astonishment.
TRANSLATION
Some of the elephants fell to the ground, and some screamed in ecstasy. Seeing this, Balabhadra Bhattacarya was completely astonished.
Madhya17.34
TEXT 34
pathe yaite kare prabhu ucca sankirtana
madhura kantha-dhvani suni’ aise mrgi-gana
SYNONYMS
pathe yaite—while passing on the path; kare—does; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ucca—loud; sankirtana—chanting of Hare Krsna; madhura—sweet; kantha-dhvani—the voice from His throat; suni’-hearing; aise—came; mrgi-gana—she-deer.
TRANSLATION
Sometimes Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted very loudly while passing through the jungle. Hearing His sweet voice, all the does came near Him.
Madhya17.35
TEXT 35
dahine-vame dhvani suni’ yaya prabhu-sange
prabhu tara anga muche, sloka pade range
SYNONYMS
dahine-vame—right and left; dhvani—vibration; suni’-hearing; yaya—they follow; prabhu-sange—with the Lord; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tara—their; anga—bodies; muche—pats; sloka—verse; pade—recites; range—in great curiosity.
TRANSLATION
Hearing the Lord’s great vibration, all the does followed Him left and right. While reciting a verse with great curiosity, the Lord patted them.
Madhya17.36
TEXT 36
dhanyah sma mudha-matayo ’pi harinya eta
ya nanda-nandanam upatta-vicitra-vesam
akarnya venu-ranitam saha-krsna-sarah
pujam dadhur viracitam pranayavalokaih
SYNONYMS
dhanyah—fortunate, blessed; sma—certainly; mudha-matayah—foolish, without good sense; api—although; harinyah—she-deer; etah—these; yah—who; nanda-nandanam—the son of Maharaja Nanda; upatta-vicitra-vesam—dressed very attractively; akarnya—hearing; venu-ranitam—the sound of His flute; saha-krsna-sarah—accompanied by the black deer (their husbands); pujam dadhuh—they worshiped; viracitam—performed; pranaya-avalokaih—by their affectionate glances.
TRANSLATION
“Blessed are all these foolish deer because they have approached the son of Maharaja Nanda, who is gorgeously dressed and is playing on His flute. Indeed, both the does and the bucks worship the Lord with looks of love and affection.”
PURPORT
This is a verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.21.11) spoken by the gopis of Vrndavana.