Shri Chaitanya-bhagavata

Adi-khanda -

By

Vyasa Avatara Shrila Vrindavana dasa Thakura

Chapter Nine: Nityananda’s Childhood Pastimes and Travels to Holy Places

 

 

CB Adi-khanda 9.51

TEXT 51

lakshmanera bhave prabhu haya sei-rupa

bujhite na pare shishu manaye kautuka

TRANSLATION

Lord Nityananda was absorbed in the mood of Lakshmana. The boys, however, could not understand this and thought it was just a game.

COMMENTARY

In this verse the word bhave means “in the mood of” or “in the nature of.”

CB Adi-khanda 9.52

TEXT 52

panca-vanarera rupe bule shishu-gana

varta jijnasaye prabhu haiya lakshmana

TRANSLATION

On another occasion, five boys took the role of monkeys and the Lord took the role of Lakshmana.

COMMENTARY

The panca-vanarera, or five monkeys, are the king, Sugriva, and his four ministers-Hanuman, Nala, Nila, and Tara (Ramayana, Kishkindha-kanda, 13.4) or Hanuman, Jambavan, Mainda, and Dvivida (Mahabharata, Vana-parva, 279.23).

CB Adi-khanda 9.53

TEXT 53

“ke tora vanara saba, bula’ vane-vane

ami-raghunatha-bhritya, bola mora sthane”

TRANSLATION

“Who are you monkeys, wandering in the forest? I am the servant of Ramacandra. Tell Me who you are.”

CB Adi-khanda 9.54

TEXT 54

ta’ra bole,-“amara valira bhaye buli

dekhaha shri-ramacandra, lai pada-dhuli”

TRANSLATION

They replied, “We are wandering out of fear of Vali. Please take us to Ramacandra. We wish to take the dust of His lotus feet.”

CB Adi-khanda 9.55

TEXT 55

ta’sabare kole kari’ aise laiya

shri-rama-carane pade dandavat haiya

TRANSLATION

The Lord embraced them and led them to Ramacandra, whereupon they all fell at His feet.

COMMENTARY

For an elaboration on verses 52-55, one should refer to the Ramayana, Kishkindha-kanda, Chapters 2 and 4 and the Mahabharata (Vana 279.9-11).

CB Adi-khanda 9.56

TEXT 56

indrajit-vadha-lila kona-dina kare

kona-dina apane lakshmana-bhave hare

TRANSLATION

One day the Lord enacted the pastime of killing Indrajit, the son of Ravana, and one day, in the mood of Lakshmana, He accepted defeat.

COMMENTARY

One may refer to the Ramayana (Lanka 88.64, 91.68-72) and the Mahabharata (Vana 288.15-24) for an elaboration on indrajit-vadha-lila, the killing of Indrajit.

 

The pastime of lakshmana-bhave hare, “accepting defeat as Lakshmana,” is found in the Ramayana, Lanka-kanda, Chapters 45, 49, 50, and 73 and in the Mahabharata (Vana 287.20-26 and 288.1-7).

CB Adi-khanda 9.57

TEXT 57

vibhishana kariya anena rama-sthane

lankeshvara-abhisheka karena tahane

TRANSLATION

Someone in the role of Vibhishana was brought before Ramacandra, and Rama performed his abhisheka, or coronation, installing him as the King of Lanka.

COMMENTARY

A description of Vibhishana’s arrival in Rama’s camp and his coronation as the King of Lanka is found in the Ramayana (Lanka 18.39 and 19.25-26) and in the Mahabharata (Vana 282.46, 49).

CB Adi-khanda 9.58

TEXT 58

kona shishu bole,-“muni ailun ravana

shakti-shela-hani ei, samvara’ lakshmana!”

TRANSLATION

One boy said, “I am the mighty Ravana. Now I’m releasing the shakti-shela weapon. Stop it if You can, Lakshmana!”

COMMENTARY

The word hani (from the ha dhatu) means “to release,” “to throw,” “to beat,” or “to hit.” The word samvara means “to stop,” “to control,” “to check,” “to save,” “to halt,” “to obstruct,” “to suppress,” “or to curb the movement of.”

CB Adi-khanda 9.59

TEXT 59

eta bali’ padma-pushpa marila pheliya

lakshmanera bhave prabhu padila dhaliya

TRANSLATION

Saying this, the boy threw a lotus flower at Nityananda, and in the mood of Lakshmana, He fell to the ground.

COMMENTARY

The phrase padma-pushpa refers to the imitation of the shakti-shela weapon.

 

A description of Lakshmana acting unconscious due to being hit by the shakti-shela weapon is found in the Ramayana (Lanka 101.28-36).

CB Adi-khanda 9.60

TEXT 60

murchita haila prabhu lakshmanera bhave

jagaya chaoyala saba, tabu nahi jage

TRANSLATION

After the Lord, in the mood of Lakshmana, fell unconscious, all the boys tried in vain to revive Him.

COMMENTARY

The words jagaya chaoyala refer to the boyfriends of Nityananda who were acting as the best of the monkeys.

CB Adi-khanda 9.61

TEXT 61

paramarthe dhatu nahi sakala sharire

kandaye sakala shishu hata diya shire

TRANSLATION

When they found no symptom of life remained in the body of Nityananda, they all held their heads and began to cry.

COMMENTARY

The first line of this verse indicates that His body was devoid of consciousness, or completely devoid of movement and wounded at heart. The words paramartha dhatu refer to the consciousness or life.

CB Adi-khanda 9.62

TEXT 62

shuni’ pita-mata dhai’ aila satvare

dekhaye,-putrera dhatu nahika sharire

TRANSLATION

The Lord’s father and mother came running there and also observed that there was no sign of life in their son.

CB Adi-khanda 9.63

TEXT 63

murchita haiya donhe padila bhumite

dekhi’ sarva-loka asi’ haila vismite

TRANSLATION

They then also fell to the ground unconscious. Everyone who saw this tragedy was struck with wonder.

CB Adi-khanda 9.64

TEXT 64

sakala vrittanta tabe kahila shishu-gana

keha bole,-“bujhilana bhavera karana

TRANSLATION

As the boys described the entire incident, someone said, “I understand why He’s unconscious.

COMMENTARY

The word bhavera refers to His unconscious and fainted condition.

CB Adi-khanda 9.65

TEXT 65

purve dasharatha-bhave eka natavara

‘rama-vanavasi’ shuni’ edena kalevara”

TRANSLATION

“Previously one great actor played the role of Dasharatha, and when He heard that Rama had left for the forest, he left his body.”

COMMENTARY

The word natavara refers to one who is expert at acting, or the best actor.

 

The description of Dasharatha leaving his body out of grief due to Rama’s exile to the forest is found in the Ramayana (Ayodhya 64.75-78).

CB Adi-khanda 9.66

TEXT 66

keha bole,-“kaca kaci’ achaye chaoyala

hanuman aushadha dile haibeka bhala

TRANSLATION

Someone else said, “There is a boy dressed as Hanuman. If he gives Him medicine, He’ll be cured.”

COMMENTARY

“If Hanuman gives Him medicine, He’ll be cured,” was spoken by Sushena, the king of the monkeys, in the Ramayana (Lanka 101.29-31).

CB Adi-khanda 9.67

TEXT 67

purve prabhu shikhaiyachilena sabare

“padile, tomara vedi’ kandiha amare

TRANSLATION

Before the incident, the Lord had instructed His friends, “When I fall unconscious, you should all gather around Me and cry.

CB Adi-khanda 9.68

TEXT 68

kshaneka vilambe pathaiha hanuman

nake dile aushadha, asibe mora prana”

TRANSLATION

“After a while, send Hanuman for some medicine. I will recover when he puts the medicine to My nose.”

COMMENTARY

[See the purport to verse 66.]

CB Adi-khanda 9.69

TEXT 69

nija-bhave prabhu matra haila acetana

dekhi’ bada vikala haila shishu-gana

TRANSLATION

When the Lord fell unconscious in His own mood, the boys were all bewildered.

COMMENTARY

The words nija-bhave refer to the mood of His plenary portion, Lakshmana, the incarnation of Maha-Sankarshana.

 

The word vikala refers to one whose intelligence is lost; in other words, one who is overwhelmed, unsteady, senseless, illusioned, or powerless.

CB Adi-khanda 9.70

TEXT 70

channa hailena sabe, shiksha nahi sphure

“utha bhai” bali’ matra kande uccaih-svare

TRANSLATION

Because they were so confused they could not remember the Lord’s instructions. They simply cried loudly, “O brother, please get up!”

COMMENTARY

The word channa means “mad,” “forgetful,” “unintelligent,” or “ignorant.”

 

The word shiksha refers to the instruction, “Send Hanuman to bring medicine and hold it before My nose,” that was given by Lord Nityananda Prabhu (see verse 68).

CB Adi-khanda 9.71

TEXT 71

loka-mukhe shuni’ katha haila smarana

hanuman-kace shishu calila takhana

TRANSLATION

But when the boys heard the people’s comments, they remembered Nityananda’s instruction and the boy dressed as Hanuman immediately went for the medicine.

CB Adi-khanda 9.72

TEXT 72

ara eka shishu pathe tapasvira veshe

phala-mula diya hanumanere ashamse

TRANSLATION

Another boy dressed as a renunciate welcomed Hanuman with fruits and roots.

COMMENTARY

Hanuman’s conversation with Ravana’s demon uncle Kalanemi, who was dressed as an ascetic, and Hanuman’s fight with the crocodile, demons, and Gandharvas are not found in the original Ramayana written by Valmiki. [This applies to verses 72 through 86.]

 

The word ashamse (used in ancient Bengali) means “to welcome.

CB Adi-khanda 9.73

TEXT 73

“raha, bapa, dhanya kara’ amara ashrama

bada bhagye asi’ mile toma’-hena jana”

TRANSLATION

He said to Hanuman, “My dear sir, please stay and grace my ashrama. It is a great fortune to meet such a person as you.”

CB Adi-khanda 9.74

TEXT 74

hanuman bole,-“karya-gaurave caliba

asibare cahi, rahibare na pariba

TRANSLATION

Hanuman replied, “I must go and complete my important mission. I would like to come, but I cannot delay.

COMMENTARY

The words karya-gaurave refer to the importance of one’s duties.

CB Adi-khanda 9.75

TEXT 75

shuninacha,-ramacandra-anuja lakshmana

shakti-shele tan’re murcha karila ravana

TRANSLATION

“You must have heard that Lakshmana, the younger brother of Ramacandra, has been rendered unconscious by the shakti-shela weapon of Ravana.

CB Adi-khanda 9.76

TEXT 76

ataeva yai ami gandhamadana

aushadha anile rahe tanhana jivana”

TRANSLATION

“Therefore I’m going to Gandhamadana Hill to bring medicine. Only then will He survive.”

CB Adi-khanda 9.77

TEXT 77

tapasvi bolaye,-“yadi yaiba nishcaya

snana kari’ kichu khai’ karaha vijaya”

TRANSLATION

The renunciate then said, “If you must go, first take a bath and eat something. Then you may go.”

CB Adi-khanda 9.78

TEXT 78

nityananda-shikshaya balake katha kahe

vismita haiya sarva loke cahi rahe

TRANSLATION

The two boys repeated whatever Nityananda had instructed them. Therefore everyone gazed at them in astonishment as they listened to their conversation.

CB Adi-khanda 9.79

TEXT 79

tapasvira bole sarovare gela snane

jale thaki’ ara shishu dharila carane

TRANSLATION

Then, on the request of the renunciate, Hanuman went to take bath in the lake, whereupon another boy in the lake grabbed hold of his feet.

CB Adi-khanda 9.80

TEXT 80

kumbhirera rupa dhari’ yaya jale lana

hanuman shishu ane kulete taniya

TRANSLATION

The boy playing the role of a crocodile tried to pull Hanuman into the water, but Hanuman pulled the boy to the shore.

CB Adi-khanda 9.81

TEXT 81

kathokshane rana kari’ jiniya kumbhira

asi’ dekhe hanuman ara mahavira

TRANSLATION

After a short fight, Hanuman defeated the crocodile. When Hanuman returned to the renunciate’s ashrama, he saw a mighty warrior.

CB Adi-khanda 9.82

TEXT 82

ara eka shishu dhari’ rakshasera kace

hanumane khaibare yaya ta’ra pache

TRANSLATION

A boy dressed as a Rakshasa then attempted to swallow Hanuman.

 

 

 

 

CB Adi-khanda 9.83

TEXT 83

“kumbhira jinila, more jiniba kemane?

toma’ khana, tabe keba jiyabe lakshmane?”

TRANSLATION

He challenged, “You have defeated the crocodile, but how will you defeat me? I will eat you, then who will revive Lakshmana?”

CB Adi-khanda 9.84

TEXT 84

hanuman bole,-“tora ravana kukkura

ta’re nahi vastu-buddhi, tui pala dura

TRANSLATION

Hanuman replied, “Your Ravana is a dog. I consider him most insignificant. Get out of my way.”

COMMENTARY

The phrase ta’re nahi vastu-buddhi means “I consider him (your master Ravana, who is just like a dog) nothing, extremely impotent, or useless.”

CB Adi-khanda 9.85

TEXT 85

ei-mata dui-jane haya galagali

sheshe haya culaculi tabe kilakili

TRANSLATION

In this way the two first exchanged some harsh words, then they began pulling each other’s hair, and finally they began striking each other with their fists.

COMMENTARY

The word galagali means “using foul language against each other.” The word culaculi means “pulling each other’s hair.” The word kilakili means “punching each other.”

CB Adi-khanda 9.86

TEXT 86

kathokshana se kautuke jinina rakshase

gandhamadane asi’ haila praveshe

TRANSLATION

After promptly defeating the demon, Hanuman approached the Gandhamadana Hill.

CB Adi-khanda 9.87

TEXT 87

tanhi gandharvera vesha dhari’ shishu-gana

ta’sabara sange yuddha haya katakshana

TRANSLATION

There Hanuman fought with some boys who were dressed as Gandharvas.

CB Adi-khanda 9.88

TEXT 88

yuddhe parajaya kari’ gandharvera gana

shire kari’ anilena gandhamadana

TRANSLATION

After defeating the Gandharvas, Hanuman took the Gandhamadana Hill on his head to Lanka.

CB Adi-khanda 9.89

TEXT 89

ara eka shishu tanhi vaidya-rupa dhari’

aushadha dilena nake ‘shri-rama’ smanari’

TRANSLATION

Another boy playing the role of a doctor remembered Lord Rama as he held the medicine to Lakshmana’s nose.

COMMENTARY

The boy playing the role of Sushena, the doctor of the monkeys, imitated him by holding the four medicines grown on Gandhamadana Hill-vishalya-karani, savarna-karani, sanjiva-karani, and sandhana-karani-before the nose of Nityananda, who was absorbed in the mood of Lakshmana. This pastime is described in the Ramayana (Lanka 102.31 and 41-43).

CB Adi-khanda 9.90

TEXT 90

nityananda-mahaprabhu uthila takhane

dekhi’ pita-mata adi hase sarva-jane

TRANSLATION

At that very moment Lord Nityananda regained His consciousness, upon which His parents and others there all smiled in relief.

CB Adi-khanda 9.91

TEXT 91

kole karilena giya hadai-pandita

sakala balaka hailena harashita

TRANSLATION

Hadai Pandita embraced his son, and all the boys became overjoyed.

CB Adi-khanda 9.92

TEXT 92

sabe bole,-“bapa, iha kothaya shikhila?”

hasi’ bole prabhu,-“mora e-sakala lila”

TRANSLATION

Everyone asked, “Dear son, where have You learned all this?” The Lord smiled and said, “These are all My pastimes.”

CB Adi-khanda 9.93

TEXT 93

prathama-vayasa prabhu ati sukumara

kola haite ka’ro citta nahi edibara

TRANSLATION

In His early childhood the Lord was most attractive. No one wanted to let Him go from their laps.

CB Adi-khanda 9.94

TEXT 94

sarva-loke putra haite bada sneha vase

cinite na pare keha vishnu-maya-vashe

TRANSLATION

Everyone had more affection for Nityananda than they had for their own sons. But no one could recognize Him due the influence of Lord Vishnu’s illusory energy.

CB Adi-khanda 9.95

TEXT 95

hena mate shishu-kala haite nityananda

krishna-lila vina ara na kare ananda

TRANSLATION

In this way, from the beginning of His childhood, Nityananda had no happiness other than enjoying the pastimes of Lord Krishna.

CB Adi-khanda 9.96

TEXT 96

pita-mata-griha chadi’ sarva-shishu-gana

nityananda-samhati vihare sarva-kshana

TRANSLATION

All of His friends left their parents to constantly sport in the company of Nityananda.

CB Adi-khanda 9.97

TEXT 97

se saba shishura paye bahu namaskara

nityananda-sange yan’ra e-mata vihara

TRANSLATION

I offer repeated obeisances at the feet of those boys who enjoyed the association of Lord Nityananda.

CB Adi-khanda 9.98

TEXT 98

ei-mata krida kari’ nityananda-raya

shishu haite krishna-lila vina nahi bhaya

TRANSLATION

Thus, from His childhood, Nityananda had no interest other than enacting the various pastimes of Lord Krishna.

CB Adi-khanda 9.99

TEXT 99

anantera lila keba pare kahibare?

tanhana kripaya yena mata sphure ya’re

TRANSLATION

Who can describe the pastimes of Lord Ananta? They are only manifest to one who has received His mercy.

CB Adi-khanda 9.100

TEXT 100

hena mate dvadasha vatsara thaki’ ghare

nityananda calilena tirtha karibare

TRANSLATION

Lord Nityananda remained at home like this for twelve years. Thereafter He left for visiting the holy places.

 

Commentary and Chapter Summaries of His Divine Grace Om Vishnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya Shri Shrimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada.