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; viprabrahmana; 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; viprabrahmana; 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.

Next verse (Madhya17.37)