Chapter 1

          Srila Rupa Gosvami's Second Meeting With the Lord

 

   A summary of the First Chapter is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura in his Amrta-pravaha-bhasya as follows. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannatha Puri from Vrndavana, all His devotees from other parts of India, upon receiving the auspicious news, came to Purusottama-ksetra, or Jagannatha Puri. Sivananda Sena took a dog with him and even paid fees for it to cross the river. One night, however, the dog could not get any food and therefore went directly to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu at Jagannatha Puri. The next day, when Sivananda and his party reached Jagannatha Puri, Sivananda saw the dog eating some coconut pulp offered to it by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. After this incident, the dog was liberated and went back home, back to Godhead.

   Meanwhile, Srila Rupa Gosvami reached Bengal, after returning from Vrndavana. Although he could not follow the Bengali devotees, after some time he then came to Jagannatha Puri, where he stayed with Haridasa Thakura. Srila Rupa Gosvami composed an important verse, beginning with the words priyah so 'yam, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu relished it very much. One day when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Ramananda Raya and Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya went to see Haridasa Thakura, the Lord saw the verse Rupa Gosvami had composed as an introduction to his books Lalita-madhava and Vidagdha-madhava. After examining the manuscripts of these two books, Ramananda Raya approved and appreciated them very much. After the period of Caturmasya, all the devotees who had come from Bengal returned to their homes. Srila Rupa Gosvami, however, remained at Jagannatha Puri for some time.

 

                                TEXT 1

 

                                 TEXT

 

                       pangum langhayate sailam

                       mukam avartayec chrutim

                       yat-krpa tam aham vande

                       krsna-caitanyam isvaram

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pangum--one who is lame; langhayate--causes to cross over; sailam--a mountain; mukam--one who is dumb; avartayet--can cause to recite; srutim--Vedic literature; yat-krpa--the mercy of whom; tam--unto Him; aham--I; vande--offer obeisances; krsna-caitanyam--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna Himself; isvaram--the Lord.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by whose mercy even a lame man can cross over a mountain and a dumb man recite Vedic literature.

 

                                TEXT 2

 

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                      durgame pathi me 'ndhasya

                       skhalat-pada-gater muhuh

                        sva-krpa-yasti-danena

                       santah santv avalambanam

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   durgame--very difficult; pathi--on the path; me--of me; andhasya--one who is blind; skhalat--slipping; pada--on feet; gateh--whose manner of moving; muhuh--again and again; sva-krpa--of their own mercy; yasti--the stick; danena--by giving; santah--those saintly persons; santu--let that become; avalambanam--my support.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   My path is very difficult. I am blind, and my feet are slipping again and again. Therefore, may the saints help me by granting me the stick of their mercy as my support.

 

                              TEXTS 3-4

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 sri-rupa, sanatana bhatta-raghunatha

               sri-jiva, gopala-bhatta, dasa-raghunatha

 

                 ei chaya gurura karon carana vandana

                yaha haite vighna-nasa, abhista-purana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sri-rupa--of the name Sri Rupa; sanatana--of the name Sanatana; bhatta-raghunatha--of the name Bhatta Raghunatha; sri-jiva--of the name Sri Jiva; gopala-bhatta--of the name Gopala Bhatta; dasa-raghunatha--of the name Dasa Raghunatha; ei--these six; gurura--of spiritual masters; karon--I offer; carana vandana--prayers to the lotus feet; yaha--from which; vighna-nasa--destruction of all impediments; abhista-purana--fulfillment of desires.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   I pray to the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis--Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Bhatta Raghunatha, Sri Jiva, Gopala Bhatta and Dasa Raghunatha--so that all impediments to my writing this literature will be annihilated and my real desire will be fulfilled.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   If one wants to benefit the entire world, he will certainly find persons like hogs and pigs who will put forward many impediments. That is natural. But if a devotee seeks shelter at the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis, the merciful Gosvamis will certainly give the Lord's servitor all protection. It is not astonishing that impediments are placed before those who are spreading the Krsna consciousness movement all over the world. Nevertheless, if we adhere to the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis and pray for their mercy, all impediments will be annihilated, and the transcendental devotional desire to serve the Supreme Lord will be fulfilled.

 

                                TEXT 5

 

                                 TEXT

 

                        jayatam suratau pangor

                        mama manda-mater gati

                       mat-sarvasva-padambhojau

                         radha-madana-mohanau

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jayatam--all glory to; su-ratau--most merciful, or attached in conjugal love; pangoh--of one who is lame; mama--of me; manda-mateh--foolish; gati--refuge; mat--my; sarva-sva--everything; pada-ambhojau--whose lotus feet; radha-madana-mohanau--Radharani and Madana-mohana.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Glory to the all-merciful Radha and Madana-mohana! I am lame and ill-advised, yet They are my directors, and Their lotus feet are everything to me.

 

                                TEXT 6

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  divyad-vrndaranya-kalpa-drumadhah

                   srimad-ratnagara-simhasana-sthau

                   srimad-radha-srila-govinda-devau

                   presthalibhih sevyamanau smarami

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   divyat--shining; vrnda-aranya--in the forest of Vrndavana; kalpa-druma--desire tree; adhah--beneath; srimat--most beautiful; ratna-agara--in a temple of jewels; simha-asana-sthau--sitting on a throne; srimat--very beautiful; radha--Srimati Radharani; srila-govinda-devau--and Sri Govindadeva; prestha-alibhih--by most confidential associates; sevyamanau--being served; smarami--I remember.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In a temple of jewels in Vrndavana, underneath a desire tree, Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, served by Their most confidential associates, sit upon an effulgent throne. I offer my humble obeisances unto Them.

 

                                TEXT 7

 

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                        sriman-rasa-rasarambhi

                          vamsivata-sthitah

                      karsan venu-svanair gopir

                      gopi-nathah sriye 'stu nah

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sriman--most beautiful; rasa--of the rasa dance; rasa--of the mellow; arambhi--the initiator; vamsi-vata--of the name Vamsivata; tata--on the shore; sthitah--standing; karsan--attracting; venu--of the flute; svanaih--by the sounds; gopih--the cowherd girls; gopi-nathah--Sri Gopinatha; sriye--benediction; astu--let there be; nah--our.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Srila Gopinatha, who originated the transcendental mellow of the rasa dance, stands on the shore at Vamsivata and attracts the attention of the cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May they all confer upon us their benediction.

 

                                TEXT 8

 

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                jaya jaya sri-caitanya jaya nityananda

              jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   jaya jaya sri caitanya--all glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya nityananda--all glories to Sri Nityananda Prabhu; jaya advaita-candra--all glories to Advaita Prabhu; jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda--all glories to the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   All glories to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaita Acarya! All glories to the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

 

                                TEXT 9

 

                                 TEXT

 

                madhya-lila sanksepete karilun varnana

              antya-lila-varnana kichu suna, bhakta-gana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   madhya-lila--pastimes known as madhya-lila; sanksepete--in brief; karilun varnana--I have described; antya-lila--the last pastimes; varnana--description; kichu--something; suna--hear; bhakta-gana--O devotees.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   I have briefly described the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu known as the madhya-lila. Now I shall attempt to describe something about His last pastimes, which are known as the antya-lila.

 

                               TEXT 10

 

                                 TEXT

 

               madhya-lila-madhye antya-lila-sutra-gana

              purva-granthe sanksepete kariyachi varnana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   madhya-lila-madhye--within the madhya-lila chapters; antya-lila-sutra-gana--a synopsis of the antya-lila; purva-granthe--in the previous chapter; sanksepete--in brief; kariyachi varnana--I have described.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   I have briefly described the antya-lila within the description of the madhya-lila.

 

                               TEXT 11

 

                                 TEXT

 

                ami jara-grasta, nikate janiya marana

                antya kono kono lila kariyachi varnana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ami jara-grasta--I am invalid because of old age; nikate--very near; janiya--knowing; marana--death; antya--final; kono kono--some; kono kono--some; lila--pastimes;.kariyachi varnana--I have described

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   I am now almost an invalid because of old age, and I know that at any moment I may die. Therefore I have already described some portions of the antya-lila.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Following in the footsteps of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, I am trying to translate Srimad-Bhagavatam as quickly as possible. However, knowing myself to be an old man and almost an invalid because of rheumatism, I have already translated the essence of all literatures, the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, as a summary study in English. I started the Krsna consciousness movement at the age of seventy. Now I am seventy-eight, and so my death is imminent. I am trying to finish the translation of Srimad-Bhagavatam as soon as possible, but before finishing it, I have given my readers the book Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so that if I die before finishing the whole task they may enjoy this book, which is the essence of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

 

                               TEXT 12

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 purva-likhita grantha-sutra-anusare

                 yei nahi likhi, taha likhiye vistare

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   purva-likhita--previously mentioned; grantha-sutra--the synopsis of the pastimes; anusare--according to; yei--whatever; nahi likhi--I have not mentioned; taha--hat; likhiye--I shall write; vistare--elaborately.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In accordance with the synopsis previously written, I shall describe in detail whatever I have not mentioned.

 

                               TEXT 13

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 vrndavana haite prabhu nilacale aila

                 svarupa-gosani gaude varta pathaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   vrndavana haite--from Vrndavana; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; nilacale aila--returned to Jagannatha Puri, Nilacala; svarupa-gosani--Svarupa Damodara; gaude--to Bengal; varta pathaila--sent news.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannatha Puri from Vrndavana, Svarupa Damodara Gosani immediately sent news of the Lord's arrival to the devotees in Bengal.

 

                               TEXT 14

 

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                suni' saci anandita, saba bhakta-gana

                  sabe mili' nilacale karila gamana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   suni'--hearing; saci--mother Saci; anandita--very pleased; saba bhakta-gana--as well as all the other devotees of Navadvipa; sabe mili'--meeting together; nilacale--to Jagannatha Puri, Nilacala; karila gamana--departed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Upon hearing this news, mother Saci and all the other devotees of Navadvipa were very joyful, and they all departed together for Nilacala [Jagannatha Puri].

 

                               TEXT 15

 

                                 TEXT

 

               kulina-grami bhakta ara yata khanda-vasi

                acarya sivananda sane milila sabe asi'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kulina-grami--residents of the village known as Kulina-grama; bhakta--devotees; ara--and; yata--all; khanda-vasi--the residents of Sri Khanda; acarya--Advaita Acarya; sivananda--Sivananda Sena; sane--with; milila--met; sabe asi',--all coming together.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Thus all the devotees of Kulina-grama and Sri Khanda, as well as Advaita Acarya, came together to meet Sivananda Sena.

 

                               TEXT 16

 

                                 TEXT

 

                sivananda kare sabara ghati samadhana

                 sabare palana kare, deya vasa-sthana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sivananda--of the name Sivananda; kare--does; sabara--of everyone; ghati--the camp; samadhana--arrangement; sabare--of everyone; palana--maintenance; kare--performs; deya--gives; vasa-sthana--residential quarters.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sivananda Sena arranged for the journey. He maintained everyone and provided residential quarters.

 

                               TEXT 17

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   eka kukkura cale sivananda-sane

                 bhaksya diya lana cale kariya palane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eka--one; kukkura--dog; cale--goes; sivananda-sane--with Sivananda Sena; bhaksya--food; diya--giving; lana--taking; cale--goes; kariya palane--maintaining the dog.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   While going to Jagannatha Puri, Sivananda Sena allowed a dog to go with him. He supplied it food to eat and maintained it.

 

                               TEXT 18

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 eka-dina eka-sthane nadi para haite

                udiya navika kukkura na cadaya naukate

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eka-dina--one day; eka-sthane--in one place; nadi--a river; para--crossing; haite--to do; udiya navika--a boatman who was an Oriya (Orissan); kukkura--the dog; na cadaya--does not allow to mount; naukate--on the boat.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   One day, when they needed to cross a river, an Orissan boatman would not allow the dog to get in the boat.

 

                               TEXT 19

 

                                 TEXT

 

              kukkura rahila,----sivananda duhkhi haila

                dasa pana kadi diya kukkure para kaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kukkura rahila--the dog remained; sivananda duhkhi haila--Sivananda became very unhappy; dasa pana--ten pana; kadi--small conchshells; diya--paying; kukkure--the dog; para kaila--crossed to the other side of the river.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sivananda Sena, unhappy that the dog had to stay behind, paid the boatman ten pana of conchshells to take the dog across the river.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   One pana is eighty kadis, or small conchshells. Formerly, even fifty or sixty years ago, there was no paper currency in India. Coins were generally made not of base metal but of gold, silver and copper. In other words, the medium of exchange was really something valuable. Four pieces of kadi made one ganda, and twenty such gandas equaled one pana. This kadi was also used as a medium of exchange; therefore Sivananda Sena paid for the dog with dasa pana, or eighty times ten pieces of kadi. In those days one paisa was also subdivided into small conchshells, but at the present moment the prices for commodities have gone so high that there is nothing one can get in exchange for only one paisa. With one paisa in those days, however, one could purchase sufficient vegetables to provide for a whole family. Even thirty years ago, vegetables were occasionally so inexpensive that one paisa's worth could provide for a whole family for a day.

 

                               TEXT 20

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 eka-dina sivanande ghatiyale rakhila

                 kukkurake bhata dite sevaka pasarila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   eka-dina--one day; sivanande--Sivananda Sena; ghatiyale--tollman; rakhila--detained; kukkurake--unto the dog; bhata dite--to supply rice; sevaka--the servant; pasarila--forgot.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   One day while Sivananda was detained by a tollman, his servant forgot to give the dog its cooked rice.

 

                               TEXT 21

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 ratre asi' sivananda bhojanera kale

              'kukkura panache bhata?'----sevake puchile

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ratre asi'--returning at night; sivananda--Sivananda Sena; bhojanera kale--at the time of eating; kukkura--the dog; panache--has gotten; bhata--rice; sevake--from the servant; puchile--he inquired.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   At night, when Sivananda Sena returned and was taking his meal, he inquired from the servant whether the dog had gotten its meals.

 

                               TEXT 22

 

                                 TEXT

 

              kukkura nahi paya bhata suni' duhkhi haila

                 kukkura cahite dasa-manusya pathaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   kukkura--the dog; nahi--did not; paya--get; bhata--rice; suni'--hearing; duhkhi haila--Sivananda Sena became very unhappy; kukkura cahite--to look for the dog; dasa-manusya--ten men; pathaila--sent.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When he learned that the dog had not been supplied food in his absence, he was very unhappy. He then immediately sent ten men to find the dog.

 

                               TEXT 23

 

                                 TEXT

 

               cahiya na paila kukkura, loka saba aila

                 duhkhi hana sivananda upavasa kaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   cahiya--looking; na--not; paila--found; kukkura--the dog; loka saba aila--all the men returned; duhkhi hana--being unhappy; sivananda--Sivananda Sena; upavasa--fast; kaila--observed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When the men returned without success, Sivananda Sena became very unhappy and fasted for the night.

 

                               TEXT 24

 

                                 TEXT

 

                prabhate kukkura cahi' kanha na paila

                sakala vaisnavera mane camatkara haila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prabhate--in the morning; kukkura--the dog; cahi'--looking for; kanha--anywhere; na paila--not found; sakala vaisnavera--of all the Vaisnavas present; mane--in the minds; camatkara haila--there was great astonishment.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In the morning they looked for the dog, but it could not be found anywhere. All the Vaisnavas were astonished.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Sivananda Sena's attachment to the dog was a great boon for that animal. The dog appears to have been a street dog. Since it naturally began to follow Sivananda Sena while he was going to Jagannatha Puri with his party, he accepted it into his party and maintained it the same way he was maintaining the other devotees. It appears that although on one occasion the dog was not allowed aboard a boat, Sivananda did not leave the dog behind but paid more money just to induce the boatman to take the dog across the river. Then when the servant forgot to feed the dog and the dog disappeared, Sivananda, being very anxious, sent ten men to find it. When they could not find it, Sivananda observed a fast. Thus it appears that somehow or other Sivananda had become attached to the dog.

   As will be evident from the following verses, the dog got the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and was immediately promoted to Vaikuntha to become an eternal devotee. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has therefore sung, tumi ta' thakura, tomara kukkura, baliya janaha more (Saranagati 19). He thus offers to become the dog of a Vaisnava. There are many other instances in which the pet animal of a Vaisnava was delivered back home to Vaikunthaloka, back to Godhead. Such is the benefit of somehow or other becoming the favorite of a Vaisnava. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has also sung, kita-janma ha-u yatha tuya dasa (Saranagati 11). There is no harm in taking birth again and again. Our only desire should be to take birth under the care of a Vaisnava. Fortunately we had the opportunity to be born of a Vaisnava father who took care of us very nicely. He prayed to Srimati Radharani that in the future we would become a servant of the eternal consort of Sri Krsna. Thus somehow or other we are now engaged in that service. We may conclude that even as dogs we must take shelter of a Vaisnava. The benefit will be the same as that which accrues to an advanced devotee under a Vaisnava's care.

 

                               TEXT 25

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 utkanthaya cali' sabe aila nilacale

                  purvavat mahaprabhu milila sakale

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   utkanthaya--in great anxiety; cali'--walking; sabe--all the devotees; aila--came to Jagannatha Puri, Nilacala; nilacale--as usual; purvavat--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milila sakale--met all of them.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Thus in great anxiety they all walked to Jagannatha Puri, where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met them as usual.

 

                               TEXT 26

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 saba lana kaila jagannatha darasana

                 saba lana mahaprabhu karena bhojana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   saba lana--taking all of them; kaila--did; jagannatha darasana--visiting the Jagannatha temple; saba lana--with all of them; mahaprabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karena bhojana--took prasada.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went with them to see the Lord in the temple, and on that day He also took lunch in the company of all those devotees.

 

                               TEXT 27

 

                                 TEXT

 

             purvavat sabare prabhu pathaila vasa-sthane

                prabhu-thani pratah-kale aila ara dine

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   purvavat--as it was previously; sabare--everyone; prabhu--Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; pathaila--sent; vasa-sthane--to their respective residential quarters; prabhu-thani--to the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; pratah-kale--in the morning; aila--they came; ara dine--on the next day.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   As previously, the Lord provided them all with residential quarters. And the next morning all the devotees came to see the Lord.

 

                               TEXT 28

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  asiya dekhila sabe sei ta kukkure

                prabhu-pase vasiyache kichu alpa-dure

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   asiya--coming; dekhila--they saw; sabe--everyone; sei ta kukkure--that very same dog; prabhu-pase--near Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vasiyache--sat; kichu alpa-dure--a little bit away from the Lord.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When all the devotees came to the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they saw the same dog was sitting a little apart the Lord.

 

                               TEXT 29

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 prasada narikela-sasya dena phelana

             'rama' 'krsna' 'hari' kaha'----balena hasiya

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   prasada--food; narikela-sasya--pulp of green coconut; dena--gives; phelana--throwing; rama--Lord Ramacandra; krsna--Sri Krsna; hari--the holy name of Hari; kaha--say; balena--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says; hasiya--smiling.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Furthermore, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was throwing remnants of green coconut pulp to the dog. Smiling in His own way, He was saying to the dog, "Chant the holy names Rama, Krsna, and Hari."

 

                               TEXT 30

 

                                 TEXT

 

             sasya khaya kukkura, 'krsna' kahe bara bara

                 dekhiya lokera mane haila camatkara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sasya khaya--eats the pulp of green coconut; kukkura--the dog; krsna--the holy name of Krsna; kahe--chants; bara bara--again and again; dekhiya--seeing this; lokera--of all the people; mane--in the minds; haila--there was; camatkara--astonishment.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Seeing the dog eating the green coconut pulp and chanting "Krsna, Krsna" again and again, all the devotees present were very much surprised.

 

                               TEXT 31

 

                                 TEXT

 

               sivananda kukkura dekhi' dandavat kaila

                 dainya kari' nija aparadha ksamaila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sivananda--Sivananda Sena; kukkura--the dog; dekhi'--seeing there; dandavat kaila--offered obeisances; dainya kari'--exhibiting humbleness; nija--personal; aparadha--offenses; ksamaila--was forgiven.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When he saw the dog sitting in that way and chanting the name of Krsna, Sivananda, because of his natural humility, immediately offered his obeisances to the dog just to counteract his offenses to it.

 

                               TEXT 32

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  ara dina keha tara dekha na paila

              siddha-deha pana kukkura vaikunthete gela

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ara dina--the next day; keha--all of them; tara--of the dog; dekha na paila--did not get sight; siddha-deha pana--obtaining a spiritual body; kukkura--the dog; vaikunthete gela--went to the spiritual kingdom, Vaikuntha.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   The next day, no one saw that dog, for it had obtained its spiritual body and departed for Vaikuntha, the spiritual kingdom.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   This is the result of sadhu-sanga, consequent association with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and promotion back home, back to Godhead. This result is possible even for a dog, by the mercy of the Vaisnava. Therefore, everyone in the human form of life should be induced to associate with devotees. By rendering a little service, even by eating prasada, not to speak of chanting and dancing, everyone could be promoted to Vaikunthaloka. It is therefore requested that all our devotees in the ISKCON community become pure Vaisnavas, so that by their mercy all the people of the world will be transferred to Vaikunthaloka, even without their knowledge. Everyone should be given a chance to take prasada and thus be induced to chant the holy names Hare Krsna and also dance in ecstasy. By these three processes, although performed without knowledge or education, even an animal went back to Godhead.

 

                               TEXT 33

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 aiche divya-lila kare sacira nandana

                 kukkurake krsna kahana karila mocana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   aiche--in that way; divya-lila--transcendental activities; kare--performs; sacira nandana--the son of mother Saci; kukkurake--even a dog; krsna kahana--inducing to chant the holy name "Krsna"; karila mocana--delivered.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Such are the transcendental pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the son of mother Saci. He even delivered a dog simply by inducing it to chant the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna.

 

                               TEXT 34

 

                                 TEXT

 

                etha prabhu-ajnaya rupa aila vrndavana

                 krsna-lila-nataka karite haila mana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   etha--on the other side; prabhu-ajnaya--upon the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: rupa--Rupa Gosvami; aila--went; vrndavana--to Vrndavana; krsna-lila-nataka--a drama on Lord Krsna's pastimes; karite--to compose; haila--it was; mana--the mind.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Meanwhile, following the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Rupa Gosvami returned to Vrndavana. He desired to write dramas concerning the pastimes of Lord Krsna.

 

                               TEXT 35

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  vrndavane natakera arambha karila

              mangalacarana 'nandi-sloka' tathai likhila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   vrndavane--at Vrndavana; natakera--of the drama; arambha--the beginning; karila--wrote; mangalacarana--invoking auspiciousness; nandi-sloka--introductory verse; tathai--there; likhila--he wrote.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In Vrndavana, Rupa Gosvami began to write a drama. In particuIar, he composed the introductory verses to invoke good fortune.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura quotes his notes from the Nataka-candrika, wherein he has written:

 

                        prastavanayas tu mukhe

                         nandi karyasubhavaha

                        asir-namaskriya-vastu-

                         nirdesanyatamanvita

 

                       astabhir dasabhir yukta

                       kimva dvadasabhih padaih

                        candranamankita prayo

                        mangalartha-padojjvala

                        mangalam cakra-kamala-

                          cakora-kumudadikam

 

   Similarly, in the Sixth Chapter of the Sahitya-darpana, text 282, he has said:

 

                         asir-vacana-samyukta

                       stutir yasmat prayujyate

                        deva-dvija-nr-padinam

                       tasman nanditi samjnita

 

   The introductory portion of a drama, which is written to invoke good fortune, is called nandi-sloka.

 

                               TEXT 36

 

                                 TEXT

 

              pathe cali' aise natakera ghatana bhavite

                  kadaca kariya kichu lagila likhite

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   pathe cali'--walking on the road; aise--goes; natakera--of the drama; ghatana--events; bhavite--thinking of; kadaca kariya--making notes; kichu--something; lagila likhite--he began to write.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   On his way to Gauda-desa, Rupa Gosvami had been thinking of how to write the action of the drama. Thus he had made some notes and begun to write.

 

                               TEXT 37

 

                                 TEXT

 

                   ei-mate dui bhai gauda-dese aila

               gaude asi' anupamera ganga-prapti haila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ei-mate--in this way; dui bhai--Rupa Gosvami and his younger brother, Anupama; gauda-dese aila--reached Bengal, which is known as Gauda-desa; gaude asi'--coming to Gauda; anupamera--of Anupama; ganga-prapti haila--there was obtainment of the shelter of mother Ganges (passing away).

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In this way the two brothers Rupa and Anupama reached Bengal, but when they arrived there Anupama died.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   Formerly when a person died it was commonly said that he had attained the shelter of mother Ganges, even if he did not die on the bank of the Ganges. It is customary among Hindus to carry a dying person to a nearby bank of the Ganges, for if one dies on the bank of the Ganges, his soul is considered to reach the lotus feet of Lord Visnu, wherefrom the Ganges flows.

 

                               TEXT 38

 

                                 TEXT

 

                rupa-gosani prabhu-pase karila gamana

                prabhure dekhite tanra utkanthita mana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   rupa-gosani--of the name Rupa Gosvami; prabhu-pase--the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karila gamana--departed for; prabhure dekhite--to see Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanra--his; utkanthita--full of anxiety; mana--mind.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Rupa Gosvami then departed to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for he was very eager to see Him.

 

                               TEXT 39

 

                                 TEXT

 

              anupamera lagi' tanra kichu vilamba ha-ila

                 bhakta-gana-pasa aila, lag na paila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   anupamera lagi'--on account of the passing away of Anupama; tanra--of Rupa Gosvami; kichu--some; vilamba--delay; ha-ila--there was; bhakta-gana-pasa--to the devotees in Bengal; aila--came; lag na paila--he could not contact them.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   There was some delay because of the death of Anupama, and therefore when Rupa Gosvami went to Bengal to see the devotees there, he could not get in touch with them because they had already left.

 

                               TEXT 40

 

                                 TEXT

 

               udiya-dese 'satyabhama-pura'-name grama

                  eka ratri sei grame karila visrama

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   udiya-dese--in the state of Orissa; satyabhama-pura--Satyabhama-pura; name--named; grama--a village; eka ratri--one night; sei grame--in that village; karila visrama--he rested.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   In the province of Orissa there is a place known as Satyabhama-pura. Srila Rupa Gosvami rested for a night in that village on his way to Jagannatha Puri.

 

                               PURPORT

 

   There is a place known as Satyabhama-pura in the district of Kataka (Cuttak) in Orissa. It is near the village known as Jankadei-pura.

 

                               TEXT 41

 

                                 TEXT

 

              ratre svapne dekhe,----eka divya-rupa nari

               sammukhe asiya ajna dila bahu krpa kari'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   ratre--at night; svapne dekhe--he dreamed; eka--one; divya-rupa nari--celestially beautiful woman; sammukhe asiya--coming before him; ajna dila--ordered; bahu krpa kari'--showing him much mercy.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   While resting in Satyabhama-pura, he dreamed that a celestiaIly beautiful woman had come before him and very mercifully gave him the folIowing order.

 

                               TEXT 42

 

                                 TEXT

 

                  amara nataka prthak karaha racana

                "amara krpate nataka haibe vilaksana"

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   amara nataka--my drama; prthak karaha racana--write separately; amara krpate--by my mercy; nataka--the drama; haibe--will be; vilaksana--extraordinarily beautiful.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   "Write a separate drama about me," she said. "By my mercy, it will be extraordinarily beautiful."

 

                               TEXT 43

 

                                 TEXT

 

               svapna dekhi' rupa-gosani karila vicara

             satya-bhamara ajna----prthak nataka karibara

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   svapna dekhi'--after dreaming; rupa-gosani--Rupa Gosvami; karila vicara--considered; satya-bhamara ajna--the order of Srimati Satyabhama; prthak nataka karibara--to write a separate drama.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After having that dream, Srila Rupa Gosvami considered, "It is the order of Satyabhama that I write a separate drama for her.

 

                               TEXT 44

 

                                 TEXT

 

               vraja-pura-lila ekatra kariyachi ghatana

                  dui bhaga kari' ebe karimu racana

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   vraja-pura-lila--Lord Krsna's pastimes in Vraja and Dvaraka; ekatra--in one place; kariyachi--I have collected; ghatana--all the events; dui bhaga kari'--dividing into two different parts; ebe--now; karimu racana--I shall write.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   I have brought together in one work all the pastimes performed by Lord Krsna in Vrndavana and in Dvaraka. Now I shall have to divide them into two dramas."

 

                               TEXT 45

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 bhavite bhavite sighra aila nilacale

                  asi' uttarila haridasa-vasa-sthale

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   bhavite bhavite--thinking and thinking; sighra--very soon; aila nilacale--reached Nilacala (Jagannatha Puri); asi'--coming; uttarila--approached; haridasa-vasa-sthale--the place where Haridasa Thakura was residing.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Thus absorbed in thought, he quickly reached Jagannatha Puri. When he arrived, he approached the hut of Haridasa Thakura.

 

                               TEXT 46

 

                                 TEXT

 

                haridasa-thakura tanre bahu-krpa kaila

                'tumi asibe,----more prabhu ye kahila'

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   hari-dasa-thakura--of the name Haridasa Thakura; tanre--unto him; bahu-krpa kaila--showed much affection because of love and mercy; tumi asibe--you will come; more--me; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ye--that; kahila--informed.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Out of affectionate love and mercy, Haridasa Thakura told Srila Rupa Gosvami, "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has already informed me that you would come here."

 

                               TEXT 47

 

                                 TEXT

 

               'upala-bhoga' dekhi' haridasere dekhite

                pratidina aisena, prabhu aila acambite

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   upala-bhoga--the offering of food to Lord Jagannatha at noon; dekhi'--seeing; hari-dasere dekhite--to see Haridasa Thakura; pratidina--daily; aisena--comes; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; aila--He reached there; acambite--all of a sudden.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   After seeing the upala-bhoga ceremony at the Jagannatha temple, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would regularly come to see Haridasa every day. Thus He suddenly arrived there.

 

                               TEXT 48

 

                                 TEXT

 

               'rupa dandavat kare',----haridasa kahila

                 haridase mili' prabhu rupe alingila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   rupa--Rupa Gosvami; dandavat kare--offers You obeisances: hari-dasa kahila--Haridasa informed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; hari-dase mili'--after meeting Haridasa; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; rupe alingila--embraced Rupa Gosvami.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   When the Lord arrived, Rupa Gosvami immediately offered his obeisances. Haridasa informed the Lord, "This is Rupa Gosvami offering You obeisances" and the Lord embraced him.

 

                               TEXT 49

 

                                 TEXT

 

             haridasa-rupe lana prabhu vasila eka-sthane

             kusala-prasna, ista-gosthi kaila kata-ksane

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   hari-dasa-rupe--both Haridasa Thakura and Rupa Gosvami; lana--with; prabhu--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vasila--sat down; eka-sthane--in one place; kusala-prasna--questions about auspicious news; ista-gosthi--talking together; kaila kata-ksane--continued for some time.

 

                             TRANSLATION

 

   Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then sat down with Haridasa and Rupa Gosvami. They inquired from one another about auspicious news, and then continued to talk together for some time.

 

                               TEXT 50

 

                                 TEXT

 

                 sanatanera varta yabe gosani puchila

              rupa kahe,----'ta-ra sange dekha na ha-ila

 

                               SYNONYMS

 

   sanatanera varta--news of Sanatana Gosvami; yabe--when; gosani--Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; puchila--inquired; rupa kahe--Rupa Gosvami says; tara sange--with him; dekha na ha-ila--there was no meeting.