Gaura-gopala

[Guest guest]

The following is taken from Sri Caitanya-bhagavata, Adi-lila,

chapter four; I received this file electronically and don't know any of

the original bibliodata, nor the translator. While discussing Lord

Caitanya's childhood pastimes, these excerpts illustrate His

great eagerness to engage people in chanting the holy name of Hari:

 

"Once the ladies had the child on their laps, they would not put

Him down. This child, the Supreme Lord, is almost unapproachable even by

demigods. 59 And whenever the Lord started crying the ladies clapped

their hands and chanted Lord Hari's name. 60 Hearing the chanting the

Lord swayed blissfully as though he were dancing on their laps. This

excited the ladies who in turn increased their chanting. 61 The Supreme

Lord, by His desire, had everyone constantly chanting the Lord's name, on

any available pretext."62

 

Sacidevi's son, the Supreme Lord Caitanya, grew day by day,

motivating everyone to chant His own holy name.64 When the Lord began to

crawl on His knees He looked most charming. The small ankle bells on His

feet were pleasing to hear."65

 

Lord Caitanya, the pleasure of Sacidevi soon toddled about the

house.77 Lord Caitanya's extraordinary beauty eclipsed the beauty of

millions of cupids: even the radiant moon longed to behold the Lord's

beauty.78 Curly locks decorated His exquisitely formed head and with

lotus?shaped eyes He looked like Gopala Krsna.79 His long arms stretched

to His knees. He had an expansive chest and reddish pink lips. All His

limbs were beautifully formed.80 His brilliant sun?red complexion was

always attractive and His fingers, hands and feet were like blooming

lotuses.81 The Lord's reddish complexion sometimes cause Sacimata

anxiety; as the child ran about she kept thinking she could see red,

gaping wounds.82 Sacidevi and Sri Jagannatha Misra were always struck

with great wonder at the Lord's beauty. Although they were needy, their

son was a source of unending joy for them. 83 Together in seclusion

they whispered to each other, "I wonder what great personality has come

as our son.84 "An elevated and distinguished personality has taken birth

in our house; perhaps this will terminate all our material miseries.85 "I

have never heard of any other child as wonderful as ours. He smiles and

dances without stopping when he hears the chanting of Lord Hari's name.86

"When He cries no amount of consoling will calm Him, but when He hears

loud chanting of Lord Hari's name He stops crying and listens.87 "From

early morning the ladies surrounded the Lord and loudly sing Lord Hari's

name; they clap their hands in rhythm and the Lord dances gleefully." 88

& 89 The Lord playfully rolled in the dust, then laughing he would jump

into his mother's lap.90 The Lord danced, moving His body in such a manner

that no one can contain his laughter. 91 Nobody could understand how the

Lord through his childish pranks motivated everyone to chant the holy

name.92 The Lord was so vivacious and restless, fleeting in and out of

the house, that no one could catch Him.93 Venturing out on His own,

Nimai wanted to taste whatever he saw ? roasted rice, banana, sandesh,

etc.94 The Lord was so extremely attractive that strangers gave him

whatever he requested.95 Strangers gave Him sandesh or banana, and

pleased with His gifts the Lord returned home. He then distributed the

food to those ladies who sang Lord Hari's name.96 & 97 Everyone merrily

applauded the child's ingenuity and continuously sang Lord Hari's name."

98

 

The Supreme Lord performed His wonderful pastimes in this manner;

no one can understand them without the Lord's direct mercy.141 Whoever

hears these narrations ? which are a mystery even in the Vedas ? can

easily get undeviating devotion at Lord Caitanya's lotus feet."142