Lord Caitanya's pastime 4

[Guest guest]

"After Sankirtan, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu bathed in the sea with His

devotees, swimming and playing in the water in great jubilation. After

circumambulating the tomb of Haridas Thakura, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went

to the simha-dvara gate of the Jagannatha temple. The whole city chanted in

congregation, and the tumultuous sound vibrated all over the city.

Approaching the simha-dvara gaten Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu spread His cloth

and began to beg prasada from all the shopkeepers there. 'I am begging

prasada for a festival honoring the passing away of Haridasa Thakura,' the

Lord said. 'Please give Me alms.'

 

Hearing this, all the shopkeepers immediately came forward with big baskets

of prasada, which they jubilantly delivered to Lord Caitanya. However,

Svarupa Damodara stopped them, and the shopkeepers returned to their shop

and sat down with their baskets. Svarupa Damodara sent Sri Caitanya back to

His residence, and kept with him four Vaisnavas and four servant carriers.

 

Svarupa Damodara said to all the shopkeepers, 'Deliver to me four palmfuls

of prasada from each and every item.' In this way, varieties of prasada were

collected, then packed up in different loads and carried on the head of the

four servants...

 

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu made all the devotees sit in rows and personally

began to distribute the prasada, assisted by four men. Sri Caitanya was not

accustomed to taking prasada in small quantities. He therefore put on each

plate what at least five men could eat.

 

Svarupa Damodara Goswami requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, 'Please sit down

and watch. With these men to help me, I shall distribute the prasada'...

 

All the devotees who sat down would not accept the prasada as long as the

Lord had not eaten. On that day, however, Kasi Misra had extended an

invitation to the Lord. Therefore Kasi Misra personally went there and

delivered prasada to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu with great attention and made

Him eat.

 

To be continued in text 5.