Lord Caitanya's pastime 3

[Guest guest]

"because of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's ecstatic love, all the devotees were

helpless, and in ecstatic love they also began to dance and chant

congregationally. Sri Caitanya danced for some tome, and then Svarupa

Damodara Goswami informed Him of other rituals for the body of Thakura

Haridasa. It was then raised onto a carrier that resembled an airship and

taken to the sea, accompanied by congregational chanting. Sri Caitanya

danced in front of the procession, and Vakresvara Pandita, along with the

other devotees, chanted and danced behind Him.

 

Sri Caitanya bathed the body of Haridasa Thakura in the sea and then

declared, 'From this day on, this sea has become a great pilgrimage site'.

 

Everyone drank the water that had touched the lotus feet of Haridasa

Thakura, and then they smeared remnants of Lord Jagannatha's sandalwood pulp

over Haridasa Thakura's body.

 

After a hole was dug in the sand, the body of Haridasa Thakura was placed in

it. Remnants from Lord Jagannatha, such as His silken ropes, sandalwood

pulp, food and cloth, were placed on the body. All around the body, the

devotees performed congregational chanting, and Vakresvara Pandita danced in

jubilation.

 

With His transcendental hands, Sri Caitanya personally covered the body of

Haridasa Thakura with sand, chanting, 'Hari bol! Hari bol!'

 

They covered the body of Haridasa with sand and then constructed a platform

upon the site. The platform was protected all around by fencing. Sri

Caitanya danced and chanted all around the platform, and as the holy name of

Hari roared tumultuously, the whole universe became filled with the

vibration."

 

TO BE CONTINUED IN NUMBER 4.