Shantipur Festival wth Madhya Lila Chapter 19 & Storm in the holydham

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees:

 

Dandavat Pranams.

 

A very auspicious festival is held always 4 days before Gaura-purnima in the

house of Sri Adwaita Acarya at Shantipur, known for us as Shantipur festival

when the Supreme Lord Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu visited the house of Sri

Adwaita Acarya and took prasadam with the devotees and blessed with Krsna

prema all those who come and take prasadam at that place on this specific

day. ISKCON Sri Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir is organizing this program since

13 years, giving the opportunity to more than 50.000 pilgrims to get the

worthiest of all gifts ever (Krsna Bhakti), His Holiness Jayapataka swami

was personally requested to held and organize this seva by Sri Prasanth

Goswami the 14th descendant of Sri Adwaita Acarya.

 

HH Kavicandra Swami, been inspired by this great preaching and prasadam

distribution program, is assisting and collecting donations for this program

since few years ago making it one of the most important sevas in his life.

 

Hundreds of devotees went in many buses to the holy site in Shantipur to

distribute prasadam as well to chant constantly the Mahamantra Hare Krsna

Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

while pilgrims are taking the nectarian Kitchri, they are very fortunate to

have this mercy of the lord in getting meals for the body and meal for the

soul through the chanting of the Mahamantra. The kirtans were most of the

time lead by HH Mahavishnu Swami, having this opportunity also many of Srila

Prabhupada Disciples. Assisting also were HH Danavir Goswami, HH Sacinandana

Swami, Bhakti vrajendranandana Swami, HH Subhag Swami, HH Bhaktisidhanta

swami, HH Bhaktipurusottama Swami amongst others.

 

The entire program was blissful and basically seeing hundreds of foreigner's

devotees along with local devotees joining hands in preparing, serving and

distributing prasadam to all since early in the morning, the enthusiasm was

in its highest level definitely. and the local pilgrims have special

feelings when they see many foreigners chanting the holy names and embracing

the vaishnava philosophy by the mercy of our founder Acarya HDG Srila AC

Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and most of them approach you with the words

Hare Krsna just to have some contacts or some conversation with us, well

these people are the most fortunate in this world since they are getting the

mercy of Sri Gauranga, Sri Nityananda and Sri Adwaita that the richest and

most powerful persons on earth are not getting yet, I personally mention

this as a matter of the importance of preaching only and not to make any bad

critic in this regard but it is just to see how these simple people are

situated in more exalted and auspicious position than most of the rest of

the world who are working to please their own desires or to harm others. But

we pray that soon all these people will have the opportunity and the

blessing to receiver Krsna prema either by reading Srila Prabhupada's books

or taking prasadam and later on have the chance to be at Shantipur festival.

 

At 4 pm all the devotees left the site and went back to Mayapur, but for few

reasons we went little late and when were exactly nearby Sri Caitanya Math

at Mayapur and very heavy storm started and we had to park our car little

later exactly beside Sri Yoga Pith while from the car we were seeing how

trees and huts were destroyed in few minutes under heavy wind and rain, many

lost their huts, shops and goods in this very short time, the roads were

blocked by trees and electrical wires (power poles) were on the ground, ( I

am sending few pics of this and posting the rest on our website) finally

after opening the road on our way to our temple we arrived seeing also some

scenes of partial devastation of some pandals and huts in our campus, like

the pizzeria hut, the main exhibition pandals and the mini market a part

from some tents that were made temporarily for preaching or book

distribution.

 

On the roof top of the Lotus Building also the tent was destroyed under

where HH Jayapataka Swami gives Caitanya Lila lectures, but since this day

was very important to talk about Shantipur festival pastimes, Gurumaharaja

shifted the class to the other side in front of his room and gave lectures

on the pastimes of the Three Lords Sri Gauranga, Sri Nityananda and Sri

Adwaita at Shantipur almost 500 years ago after Lord Caitanya took sanyassa

and was taken by Sri Nityananda to the house of Adwaita Acarya. (We are

pasting below the pastime on this occasion from the Caitanya Bhagavat).

 

At night we had the World Sankirtan Award ceremony organized by HG Vijaya

prabhu with the participation of Their Holinesses, Niranjana Swami, Bhakti

Vikas Swami and Jayapataka Swami. (We will send a separate report and pics

on this event) and today while I am sending this report we have the

Jalayatra and Ganga Puja festival on the banks of the Ganges where devotees

also bring Ganga water for the abhisheka on Gaurpurnima day.

 

 

Please visit our website www.mayapur.info

 

Ys

 

Tusti Mohan Krsna das

 

-------

SRI CAITANYA BHAGAVATA

 

Madhya Lila Chapter 19

 

All glories to Lord Visvamvara, the Lord of all the Vaisnava devotees. You

bring the living entities back to your fold by giving them devotional

service.

 

The Lord performed His supramundane pastimes in Navadvipa hidden from the

vision of gross materialists. He went to different devotee's homes and

engaged in pleasurable pastimes with Nityananda, Gadadhara and other

associates.

 

The Lord is the source of all spiritual ecstasy for the devotees and in His

association they see everything in relationship to Lord Krsna. They are

completely oblivious of the phenomenal world because they are engrossed in

relishing transcendental mellow of chanting the holy names of Krsna. They

have no other business.

 

Foremost amongst these intimate associates of the Lord is Advaita Acarya.

His character is unfathomable and only a few devotees know his

transcendental position and how close he is to the Lord. Whenever Lord

Caitanya came out of His ecstatic trances He would immediately render

service to the assembled Vaisnavas, especially to Advaita Acarya. These

dealings of the Lord were the cause of Advaita's constant discontent. His

hurt feelings rumbled in his mind like an active volcano.

 

He thought, "He is constantly deceiving me like a thief. He gives up His

position and tries to stealthily catch my feet. I cannot match His strength

for He is supremely powerful, so He forcibly takes the dust from my feet.

The only support to back on for me is the devotional service, because

without spiritual realization one cannot recognize the Supreme Lord

Visvamvara as He is. People call me "Advaita the Lion Hearted" and I become

further deluded by this. Kindly destroy this delusion.

 

In your pastimes with Bhrigu you are more glorious than Bhrigu although some

think otherwise and so I will gather about me hundreds of disciples like

Bhrigu. This will enrage the Lord so much that He Himself will have to

punish me. Lord Caitanya has appeared to explain the path of devotional

service and I will firmly oppose His instructions. Naturally this outrage

Him and He will have to punish me, catching me by the hair.

 

Preoccupied with these plans Advaita left Navadvipa accompanied by Haridasa

Thakura. He came home and remembered all that he had planned and he became

obsessed by that one goal. He began to read and explain a book called

yogavasistha which d to the impersonalistic thought and which was

contradictory to the path of devotional service. He explained that according

to Yogavasistha the path of deductive knowledge or empiric speculation was

the essence of self-realization. Without understanding the deductive path of

knowledge, the path of devotion becomes impotent. Thus empiric knowledge is

the essence of everything. Many persons leave home to live in the forest not

understanding that this wealth of knowledge is there in the deductive path.

 

The path of devotion to Lord Visnu is like a mirror and the path of

deductive knowledge is compared to the eyes. What use does a blind man have

for a mirror? I have thoroughly studied the different scriptures and I have

readily arrived at the conclusion that empiric knowledge is the ultimate

goal.

 

Haridasa Thakura is more than familiar with the ways and nature of Advaita

Acarya and when he heard the Acarya's attempt to explain everything in light

of empiric knowledge he merely laughed. Such is the transcendental

characteristic of a pure devotee like Advaita Acarya. Those who are

righteous can easily understand his position but the offensive lot are

rejected.

 

Lord Visvamvara who is the most munificent Supreme Personality and who

fulfill all desires perceived in his heart Advaita Acarya's desire. One day

He was promenading the streets of Navadvipa with Nityananda Prabhu,

observing His own creation. Lord Brahma the creator of this universe was

watching all these activities of the Lord and feeling very fortunate and

elated he thought to himself, " The Supreme Lord is appreciating my artistry

in engineering this creation."

 

The two of them looked like two full moons sailing across the sky as they

moved about with charming gracefulness. The residents of Navadvipa could see

them each according to his own devotion.

 

The demigods were also surveying the movements of the two moonlike Lords but

remained unseen to the human eyes, and they wondered in their minds. They

thought they were seeing two moons and because of this they mistook their

own heavenly abodes as the earth and the earth as the heavenly planet. They

also erred that they were the earthly beings and the earthlings were the

residents of heavenly planets. They began talking with each other about the

mystery of the two moons.

 

Someone said, "Two moons together were never permitted entry in the heavenly

planets." Someone else said, " Let me tell you that one of them is the

original moon and the other is His reflection." Yet another said, "The son

takes to the father in all respects, so one is the father moon and the other

is his son. Mars?" It is not in the least bit surprising that the demigods

are bewildered by the Lord's beauty for even the Vedas finds itself

inadequate to fully describe the Supreme Lord's extraordinary charming

looks.

 

So the two lords moved about in Navadvipa when Lord Visvamvara said to Lord

Nityananda, "Let us go to Shantipur to Advaita Acarya's house." Both Lords

were always ready engage in pleasurable pastimes so they immediately headed

for Advaita Acarya's house.

 

Almost halfway to Shantipur They came across a village called Lalitpura

situated on the banks of the Ganga. There in a hut by the river lived a

householder sannyasa. Lord Visvamvara enquired from Nityananda Prabhu,

"Please find out whose abode this is." Nityananda Prabhu replied, "Lord,

this is a sannyasi's residence." Lord Visvamvara said, "If our fortune

permits we might see him. Let us go." Happily they went in and offered

obeisances to the sannyasi.

 

The sannyasi was taken in by Lord Visvamvara's charming appearance,

perfectly shaped limbs and radiant smile; the sannyasi being extremely

pleased and blessed Him saying, "May you be blessed with wealth, fame,

learning and a beautiful wife." The Lord immediately replied, "Dear Sir,

Gosvami, this is really not a blessing. Please tell me, `May you receive

Krsna's blessings.' Such a blessing brings one to the platform of devotional

service to Lord Visnu and is eternal, inexhaustible and infallible. It is

not becoming of your position to bless me with these other materialistic

advantages."

 

With a false laugh, more out of displeasure than anything else, the sannyasi

replied, "Now I have direct proof of the axiom I have so often heard before

that if you try to do good to people they take it in a bad way. This is

exactly the manner in which this young brahmin has reacted. I was very

pleased and I wished Him all success but He turned my words around and even

started blaming me."

 

The sannyasi enquired, "Tell me, O young brahmana, why do you fault my

blessings? If a man is born into this world and has not enjoyed the company

of an attractive woman, or has not collected sufficient wealth, then what is

the use of his living? I was wishing you success in this kind of pleasurable

life but you are ashamed and reluctant to receive it well. You may be a

devotee of Lord Visnu but how will you maintain Yourself without earnings?"

 

The Lord simply smiled at his words and placed His hand on His forehead in a

gesture of sheer fatigue at the sannyasi's gross foolishness.

 

The Lord utilized this situation to teach everyone that one should not ask

for my blessings other than devotional service to the Supreme Lord. He said

to the sannyasi, "Listen, O Gosvami, whatever food we eat comes

automatically due to our karma or as a result of our previous

activities-whatever is destined for us.

 

If people take birth for the sole purpose of family life with wife, children

and earnings, then why is he forced to leave everything at death? No one

desires to be sick and ailing, so why do various diseases attack us and make

us suffer? The reason for all this is karma; everything is a result of our

previous activities, only the elevated and knowledgeable person have full

understanding about these facts.

 

Some persons point out that the Vedas say that the final goal of human life

is to be elevated to the heavenly planets; the real understanding of this

Vedic injunction is that the Vedas have so enunciated out of extreme

leniency towards the ignorant people. Materialistic and ignorant people are

naturally inclined to a life of luxury and physical pleasures, so knowing

this well, the Vedas have recommended accordingly - the Vedas are not to be

blamed for this.

 

The general mass of people think that by chanting God's name and taking

ablutions in the Ganga one acquires wealth and success in family life, and

so they respect and take shelter of the Vedic injunctions; but the real

result of such performance is that one quickly develops devotion to the

Supreme Lord. And so the ignorant people who do not understand the purport

of the Vedic injunctions reject the fruit that leads to devotional service

to Krsna and endeavor after materialistic pleasures.

 

Please consider well all these points O Gosvami, because there is no goal or

activity superior to devotional service to Lord Krsna." Thus the Supreme

Lord, the Supreme instructor (aiming these instructions toward the whole

world), spoke to the sannyasi and pointed out that devotional service to

Lord Krsna is the ultimate purpose of the Vedas. All these instructions of

Lord Visvamvara are indeed the absolute truth, and those whose hearts are

contaminated due to sinful activities cannot receive them to heart.

 

The householder sannyasi smiled and thought to himself, "This young brahmana

must have become a lunatic due to the effect of some mantra; it may also be

that the person dressed as a sannyasi who is accompanying him has somehow

mesmerized him." The sannyasi spoke out loud, "Finally it has happened. In

front of a mere child, I suddenly know nothing. I have traveled around the

world - Ayodhya, Mathura, Badrik asrama, Gujarat, Kasi, Vijayanagar, Ceylon,

and to many other cities - and now I am not supposed to know any longer what

is good and bad. I have to learn all this from a suckling baby."

 

Still smiling Lord Nityananda replied, "Listen Gosai, You don't have to

unnecessarily agree with a mere child. I am well aware of your position and

fame; please just consider my proposal as I am older and forgive us for

whatever has happened." Hearing his own praises being sung, he became once

again amiable and requested his guests to take food. Lord Nityananda said,

"We must leave right away since more urgent business must be attended to,

but you can pack some eatables for us which we can eat after our bath on the

way. The sannyasi insisted, "Take your bath here, take your meal and after a

cooling rest you can be on your way again." The two Supreme Personalities

have descended to this mortal world for the sole purpose of delivering the

most fallen souls, and so they spent some time with the householder

sannyasi.

 

They washed away their weariness in the cooling waters of the Ganga and then

returned to the Sannyasi's dwelling. They offered some ripe mangoes,

jackfruit and milk to Lord Krsna and then relished this Krsna prasadam in

the presence of their pleased host.

 

The sannyasi was following the lefthanded school of sakti worship and they

are used to consuming liquor. The sannyasi indirectly made this known to

Lord Nityananda. He said, "Listen Sripad, shall I bring us some `happiness'?

How often will I get guests like You?" Lord Nityananda who has Himself

traveled widely and has seen much, understood that this sannyasi was

addicted to alcohol. The sannyasi repeated several times whether she should

bring happiness or not and Nityananda replied each time, "We must leave

right now."

 

The sannyasi's wife was sitting inside looking at the two Lords, who she saw

were more charming than Cupid. She stared at them as if in meditation. She

corrected her husband saying, "Why do you disturb them during eating?"

 

Lord Visvamvara enquired aside, "Of what happiness is he speaking?"

Lord Nityananda replied, "I think he means liquor."

 

Lord Caitanya immediately remembered Lord Visnu and called out His name.

Quickly rinsing His mouth and hands, they left the house. They walked to the

riverside and jumped into the water of the Ganga and swam all the way to

Santipur to Advaita Acarya's house.

 

The Lord shows His mercy to a licentious drunkard but annihilates Vedantists

if they are offensive to the devotees of the Lord and the Lord Himself.

Although this so-called sannyasi was a drunkard and intimately associated

with women, still the Lord visited his dwelling. He conversed with the

sannyasi and gave him instructions, rested and ate in his house. This

sannyasi may not become fully purified in this life but has to wait for

another birth; the agnostics who criticize the Lord and His devotees will

never become eligible to receive the Lord's mercy. Even if one is a sannyasi

still that does not make him eligible to see or meet the Supreme Lord. This

is evident from the incident which occurred in Varanasi with the sannyasis

there.

 

In the last section of this book it narrates that when Lord Caitanya went to

Kasi many residents and some sannyasis heard the news of His arrival. The

sannyasis were joyful to receive the news and were eager to meet Him since

they had heard much about His exceptional characteristics. These sannyasis

were all Vedantists impersonalists. and were well versed in intellectual

matters and in performing various austerities. As life long residents of

Kasi they were well respected. All their impressive qualifications were

undermined by a single fault - they taught and explained the Vedanta devoid

of the science of devotion to Lord Visnu. Lord Caitanya is the supersoul

within each individual's heart. He was aware of this and although He visited

Kasi He did not give these sannyasis the opportunity to meet Him.

 

fIn Varnasi He stayed in Ramachandra Puri's math for two months without

revealing His whereabouts, but spent most of His time in Chandrasekhar's

house. He left VAranasi two days before the Visvarup ksanra, the special

shaving ceremony on the full moon day during Chaturmasya followed by

Mayavadi sannyasis. He left without public knowledge and only later the

sannysis came to know that they had missed seeing him.

 

The offense of criticizing the Lord or His devotee even once steals a man's

proper intelligence. The sannyasis did not feel any remorse at not meeting

the Lord. Further to it they said, "We are all sannyasis. Why did He leave

without first speaking to us? What was the reason He could not wait two days

and perform the special shaving ceremony Visvaroop Ksanra? By doing this He

has neglected the duties of His order."

 

The intelligence of non-devotional people are spoilt in this manner and Lord

Siva never accepts worship from such offenders. In fact, Lord Siva, the Lord

of Kasi, metes out punishment to such offenders of the Vaisnavas and takes

away whatever little devotion they may have.

 

Lord Gaurasundara has advented specifically to deliver all the fallen souls

with the exception of those who find fault in Vaisnava devotees of the Lord.

Thus Lord Caitanya ate and rested in a drunkard's home and avoided the

company of the so-called learned Vedic sannyasis just to prove this point.

One must be always careful to avoid the Lord's wrath, but those who flout

the Lord will suffer eternal punishment in the hands of Yamaraja, the God of

death.

 

Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, Ananta Sesa, Kamala the universal mother, are

constantly engaged in glorifying the Supreme Lord Gaurasundara. Thus if

anyone is so unfortunate as not to be attracted by the sweet nectarean

pastimes and qualities of Lord Caitanya, then all his Vedic learning and

austerities as a sannyasi are rendered useless.

 

Happily Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda proceeded towards Santipur along

the bank of the Ganga. As they walked Lord Caitanya loudly and repeatedly

roared, "I am that; I am that person. Nada has awakened Me from sleep and

brought Me here. He is, I believe, holding dissertations that camouflage the

process of devotional service behind a facade of flowery words that present

the speculative path of knowledge. Today I will punish him for this. Let the

whole world see. I want everyone to see how he defends his bastion of

speculative knowledge." While the Lord thunderously rumbled on in this

manner, Lord Nityananda kept His silence, smiling in His mind. As Lord

Caitanya and Nityananda Prabhus swam in the waves of the Ganga, the author

recalls to memory Lord Mukunda, Narayana, supine on Ananta Sesa lying on the

milk ocean.

 

Advaita Acarya, a stalwart amongst the followers of Lord Caitanya could

understand from before, due to his high devotional merits, that the Lord

would react angrily to his presenting the theory of speculative philosophy.

So when he realized that Caitanya and Nityananda had come to Shantipur he

began to speak more vociferously on impersonalistic knowledge. How can one

really fathom the devotional mood and activities of the pure devotees of the

Lord.

 

Lord Nityananda accompanied the irate Lord Caitanya into Advaita's house.

Advaita swayed in divine pleasure playing out his part perfectly as an

impersonalist. Haridas Thakura offered obeisances to the Lord, falling on

the ground like a rod; Acyuta, Advaita's son, also offered his respectful

obeisances. Advaita's wife, Sitadevi, offered obeisances to the Lord in her

mind and felt very upset seeing the Lord's countenance. The Lord's face and

expression aroused fear in everyone's heart.

 

Rumbling with anger, the Lord said, "Hey, You Nada! Tell Me which is

superior - speculative knowledge or devotional service?"

Advaita replied, "Speculative knowledge is always superior, for what is the

use of devotional service if a person is devoid of impersonal knowledge?"

 

As soon as these words entered His ears, Lord Caitanya became inflamed and

forgot His surroundings. He pulled Advaita out of his seat and dragged him

our to the patio. There he threw him on the ground and struck him again and

again.

 

Advaita's wife, Sitadevi, is the universal mother who knows all these

confidential topics, yet she could not restrain herself from trying to stop

the Lord. "Stop! Stop!" she cried out. "He is just an old brahmana. For

whose benefit do You chastise him so heavily? He is so old that he may not

survive your harsh behavior and You will find it difficult to avoid the

consequences of your actions." Lord Nityananda smiled at her words and

Haridasa Thakura repeated Krsna's name in great fear.

 

Lord Caitanya was so angry that He did not even hear Sitadevi's words.

Roaring like angry thunder He spoke to Advaita, "I was gently relaxing on

the milk ocean and you interrupted My sleep, calling Me to attend to your

work. You engineered the propagation of devotional service yet now you

audaciously obscure the devotional process with your circumvent explanation

of impersonalism. If you had already made up your mind to surreptitiously

broadcast your speculative theories, then why did you take the trouble of

revealing Me to the world? I did not disregard your desire and wishes, but

you have deceived Me in all respects."

 

At long last, Caitanya stopped chastising Advaita and went to sit next to

the doorway. He spoke loudly, revealing His real identity to all. He said,

"O Nada, you know everything. Behold, I am the one who slew Kamsa. Siva,

Brahma, Ananta Sesa, Laksmidevi are all constantly engaged in serving Me.

That impostor Vasudeva met his end, vanquished by me disc weapon Sudarsan.

That same disc reduced the entire city of Varanasi to ashes. My arrow found

its mark and killed the great demon king Ravana. My invincible Sudarsana

severed the arms of Bana and destroyed the powerful demon Naraka. I had

lifted the Govardhana mountain with my left hand and it is I who brought the

heavenly parijata flower to earth. I tricked King Bali out of all his

possessions and then benedicted him for his mood of surrender, and I also

vanquished the terrible demon king Hiranyakasipu to favor my devotee

Prabhlad." As the Lord revealed His various pastimes Advaita felt gradually

submerged in an ocean of ecstatic bliss.

 

Advaita was more than happy to receive his due punishment in this manner and

he clapped his hands and pranced in joy feeling peace and humility within.

He said, "My Lord, You have rightfully remonstrated me, and I am lucky to

get away with so little. Now I am clear about Your divine authority and I am

feeling the renewed strength in my relationship with you as Your servant."

 

Advaita danced around in ecstasy and then creasing his eyebrows together he

prayed to the Lord, "Now where are Your flattering words about me? What has

happened to all that deceit? I am not Durvasa Muni that you can insult me,

Whose remnants of rice You had smeared on Your body. Nor am I Bhrigu Muni

whose foot impression decorated Your breast and is known as the famous

Srivatsa. My name is simply Advaita, Your eternal and humble servant purely

and I am always hankering birth after birth to receive Your remnants. And by

the effect of Your remnants or mercy I am unscathed by the ravages of Your

illusory potency. The punishment is now over, so please give me the shelter

of Your lotus feet." Saying this, Advaita, the master of Santipur, fell to

the ground and placed his head on the Lord's lotus feet.

 

Hastily and with due respect, Lord Visvamvara picked up Advaita on His lap

as tears flooded the Lord's eyes, cascading down unrestrained. Lord

Nityananda, Haridasa Thakura were unable to contain their ecstatic emotions

at the sight of such a display of divine devotional fervor and tears flowed

from their eyes in rivers. Sitadevi, Acyutananda and the servants of the

house were crying in intense joy. Advaita's whole house became immersed in

love of Godhead.

 

Lord Visvamvara now felt ashamed after having chastised Advaita so severely

and so He wanted to compensate by offering him a boon. He said, "If anyone

so much as takes a little shelter at your feet, be he an insect, worm,

animal or bird, and even if he commits a million offenses against Me, I will

still grant him my benediction."

 

When Advaita heard this book he fell at the Lord's feet and crying like a

meek child he said, "Whatever You have said My Lord is certainly true. Now

please hear and grant me one favor. If anyone tries to follow and worship me

but does not serve Your lotus feet, then let that so-called devotion to me

vanquish him. I cannot accept anyone who does not serve You. He may be my

son or servant but I shall consider him a great offender and shall never see

his face. Because I cannot bear to see anyone neglect Your lotus feet. Those

who worship you automatically become my dearest friend. Sometimes one may

supersede Your worship and approach up to a million demigods, but those

demigods will never entertain him. Instead they will surely squash him by

some deception. All that I have said are not my own concoction but are the

verdict of the scriptures. The story of Sudaksina's death from the Puranas

is the proof.

 

Sudakshina was the son of the king of Kasi. A great devotee of Lord Siva, he

was always immersed in meditation on his Lord. Being satisfied with his

worship Lord Siva appeared to him and said, "Ask for a boon and I shall

fulfill your heart's desire. Also, perform the special yajna of

Abhicharyajna in order to master extraordinary powers, but be very cautious

that you do not belittle or offend any VAisnava devotee of the Lord. If you

do you will be immolated."

 

Sudaksina had no way of detecting the intention behind Lord Siva's words so

he duly performed the Abhichara sacrifice according to his Lord's

instructions. Out of the sacrificial fire appeared a terrifying form.

Possessing three hands and legs and three heads and stood towering over him.

It said, "Ask for your boon." The prince replied, "Go and burn down the city

of Dvaraka." The giant creature became visibly sad and understood that the

prince's desire could never be fulfilled. He nevertheless went to Dvaraka on

his request and upon his arrival he was immediately attacked by the

omnipresent and every watchful guard of Dvaraka, the Sudarsan disk.

 

No one can escape the wrath of Sudarsan and so the giant submitted himself

at the lotus feet of Sudarsan and said, "The powerful sage Durvasa could not

escape from You and neither could You be contained by such great

personalities as Lord Brahma and Lord Siva; what can and insignificant

person as myself do against such an exalted Vaisnava as You. Lord, I have no

avenues of escape now, and You are free to do anything with me you like. All

glories to You, my Lord who is famous as Sudarsana You are as powerful as my

own Lord Sankara and the abode of Krsna. All glory to You who posses the

form of a disc and is the best amongst the Vaisnava devotees. You instill

fear in the hearts of the miscreants and protect the pious."

 

Sudarsan was appeased by the giant's prayers and he told him to return to

the prince who had sent him and destroy him by fire. The terrifying giant

returned to the prince of Kasi and destroyed him.

 

Sudaksina tried to override You,My Lord, and tried to worship Lord Siva with

the yajna, but the result was that he met his death by this same sacrifice.

Similarly, I say that those who approach me dismissing Your lotus feet, I

destroy them. You are everything to me; You are the Lord of my life, my most

precious treasure, my father and my mother, my dearest friend. I cannot

tolerate such offense at Your lotus feet.

 

There are many examples of this point in the scriptures. King Satrajit once

met the Sungod and becoming attracted by his brilliance and personality

began worshiping him. But then once he disobeyed Your orders and due to this

offense he and his brother were killed and the sungod saw all this with

satisfaction since he had been very upset that Satrajit had disobeyed Your

instructions. Duryodhana was a disciple of Lord Balaram but because he

disregarded You he and his entire race was eliminated.

 

Hiranyakasipu became practically invincible by the boon of Lord Brahma and

this made him insolent and inimical towards You so he also died along with

his race of demons.

 

The ten-headed Ravana was the most powerful king of his time having received

a boon from Lord Siva. He was offensive to You and challenged You so he and

his entire family was vanquished.

 

O Lord, You are the root cause and the Supreme Lord of all the demigods.

Everything and everyone seen and unseen to human vision is Your servant. One

who tries to worship the servant but disregards the Lord and Master Himself,

then the servant cannot tolerate this offense so he makes a show of

accepting the worshipers' worship but finally her personally destroys him.

Worshiping demigods like Siva directly without worshiping You is like

watering the branches instead of the root of the tree. You are the original

cause of the Vedas, the brahmanas, sacrifices, and religious practices; I

despise that person who disregards Your lotus feet.

 

Lord Caitanya greatly appreciated Advaita's highly confidential and esoteric

prayers and he spoke out in a voice that resembled a thunderclap. "Now

listen to Me attentively, I say truly those who worship me directly but

neglect my servants and devotees are most despicable wretches who by doing

so cut my body into pieces. Their worship is like burning cinders on my

body. He who criticizes and offends my devotee, My name which fulfills all

desires will vanquish him. In this way I show my compassion for him. Every

living entity is My servant and so I cannot tolerate any violence to them. I

destroy anyone who tries to hurt My servants. What to speak of you Advaita.

You are more dear to Me than My own body and any disrespect shown to you is

dealt by Me with severity. Even if a sannyasi offends a pure devotee he

falls down from his vow and deviates from his religious practices."

 

Raising both His arms Lord Gauracandra declared to the world, "Give up the

offensive attitude of criticizing Vaisnavas and chant Lord Krsna's holy

name. Anyone who practices this will surely be delivered by Me."

 

Lord Caitanya's words gripped the devotees in a wave of unrestrained joy and

they broke out in chanting the Lord's name loudly. Advaita Acarya wept in

ecstasy catching the Lord's lotus feet and the Lord held Advaita in His

endearing embrace and wept.

 

Advaita's loving devotion flooded the entire universe. Such is the wonderful

character and activity of Advaita Acarya. Advaita Acarya is non-different

from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Who, then, can really understand

his words. The seemingly abusive exchange between Advaita and Lord

Nityananda can be perceived only by those elevated souls who have reached

that state of bliss beyond material influences. The words and activities of

the Supreme Lord and His pure devotees, the Vaisnavas, can be understood and

appreciated only by their mercy alone.

 

Discussions of such spiritual nature between Advaita, Nityananda and other

devotees can be realized by Lord Ananta alone, who then sings these with his

innumerable mouths.

 

Lord Visvamvara glanced at Advaita coming out of his ecstatic engrossment

and spoke with a smile, "I have chastised you in a moment of childish

frivolity." Advaita replied, "All such pastimes are not factual, but

performed to delude us." The Lord said, "Listen Nityananda, You must kindly

forgive Me for my reckless act of immaturity."

 

Nityananda, Haridasa Thakura and Advaita Acarya exchanged glances amongst

each other and then burst out in uncontrolled laughter.

 

Lord Visvamvara always addressed Sitadevi, Advaita's wife as mother; she was

a symbol of chastity, always serving husband to his full satisfaction. Now

Lord Visvamvara went to her saying, "Go quickly and prepare a sumptuous

feast for Lord Krsna and after offering it to Him, we shall partake of His

remnants." The Lord then left to take his bath in Ganga along with Advaita,

Haridas, Nityananda and others. Everyone was in a gay mood. Such unbounded

joy and spiritual bliss seen in the Lord's nature is described in detail in

the Vedas.

 

On returning to the house from His bath, He washed His feet and prostrated

Himself before Lord Krsna. Seeing the Lord in a prostrated position Advaita

fell at the Lord's lotus feet and haridas also in the ecstasy of devotee

association fell at the feel of Advaita. Lord Nityananda witnessed this

wonderful scene with feelings of spiritual bliss surging within Him. Here

then was the transcendental bridge of the three expansions of Godhead linked

directly to the highest spiritual abode.

 

Rising from offering obeisances to Lord Krsna, Lord Visvamvara noticed that

Advaita Acarya was at His feet and He became very embarrassed. He chanted,

"Visnu, Visnu," in humility.

 

The Lord then took Advaita's hand and entered the eating room with

Nityananda in His familiar charming way. The three Supreme Personalities sat

down to eat. Each one of them was always animated with spiritual ecstasy and

Lord Nityananda acted as was His nature, as a highly restless young boy.

Sitting away from them by the door was Haridas Thakura who was spiritually

elevated enough to see these different transcendental pastimes. Sita

Thakurani, Advaita's wife, a most spiritually exalted and versatile lady was

serving Them and remembering Lord hari all the time. She served them

delicacies like flavored rice, ghee, milk, sweet rice and They ate with

pleasure and vivacity.

 

Advaita Acarya began to laugh at Nityananda. They are in fact both the same

Supreme Personality, but have become two absolute entities to participate

and assist in Lord Krsna's pastimes. Just towards the end of Their meal Lord

Nityananda became overly restless like a child. He picked up the rice from

His plate and threw it all around and then laughed out in childish glee.

Lord Visvamvara cried out in great concern. While Haridas Thakura could not

check his laughter.

 

Advaita pretended to be inflamed into rage and revealed the truths about the

absolute nature of Nityananda. He angrily said, "This Nityananda is a

drunkard and His company has corrupted my caste. He cannot say who His guru

is, nor the place of His birth. He simply introduces Himself as a sannyasi.

No one knows Him or His caste and family; He always walks around swaying

like a drunken mad elephant. Previously He was eating in the houses of

aliens and now He has come here, trying to mix with the brhamanas.

 

I say thrice truly to you Haridasa that this drunkard will destroy

everything." Working himself into a fit of fake rage, Advaita threw off his

clothes and clapping his hands, he pranced about in unrestrained glee.

 

Lord Visvamvara started laughing at Advaita. Such was his nature that both

old and young equally find his character stimulating. Nityananda also shook

with laughter pointing His fingers at Advaita who was exhibiting such

amusing postures in his pretended rage.

 

After a while when They were again well composed they rinsed their mouths

and hands and then they embraced each other experiencing ecstatic bliss.

Both Advaita and Nityananda are like the two hands of Lord Caitanya. There

is no enmity but everlasting annuity between them. Their quarrels are

simulated and meant to support Krsna's pastimes; such are the childlike

mannerisms of the Supreme Lord and His pure devotees.

 

Lord Caitanya passed His time in this manner in Advaita's house, engrossed

in ecstatic bliss Her performed sankirtana. These supramundane activities

can be understood by Lord Balarama alone, others cannot fathom the absolute

excellences in the Supreme Lord's nature. By the blessings of Lord Balarama

one is able to repeat these pastimes of Lord Caitanya because Sarasvati

devi, the goddess of learning, seems to dance on His tongue.

 

All these pastimes I have compiled having no idea of the chronological

sequence; I have simply presented them as they appear to me and it was

possible merely by the mercy of Lord Krsna.

 

I therefore offer obeisances at the feet of all the beloved devotees of Lord

Caitanya and beg their forgiveness of the offenses I might have committed in

this endeavor.

 

After a few days of sojourn in Advaita's house Lord Caitanya returned to

Navadvipa and His home accompanied by Lord Nityananda, Advaita and haridasa.

When the news of the Lord's return to Navadvipa spread around all the

Vaisnavas hurriedly flocked to meet the Lord, bubbling delight was written

on everyone's face.

 

The sight of Lord Caitanya's moonlike face immediately dissipated their

distress and they fell at His feet weeping. The Lord was their most precious

soul; He lovingly embraced everyone who had come to meet Him. All His

devotees were like His own expansions - compassionate and exalted Vaisnavas.

 

All the devotees then offered obeisances to Advaita who was the cause for

Lord Caitanya's advent. Jubilantly they met each other and began to

playfully and loudly talk about Krsna's pastime with the Lord.

 

Mother Saci was extremely happy to see her son again and together with

Visnupriyadevi offered grateful thanks to their deity. All these can fully

be described by Lord Ananta alone; He is my life and soul. There is no

difference between Lord Balarama and Lord Nityananda except Their names,

just as the three different words dvija, vipra and brahmana mean one and the

same thing. One who hears with devotion these pastimes of the Lord in

Advaita's house, attains the highest bliss.

 

Lord Krsna Caitanya and Lord Nityananda are my life and soul.

 

I, Vrndavana dasa, humbly offer this song at Their lotus feet.