Shrila Kavi Karnapura's

Shri Chaitanya Chandrodaya

The Rising of the Moon of Lord Shri Chaitanya

Act One Svanandavesah

The Entrance of His Bliss

Translated by Kushkratha dasa

 

Dramatis Personae (in order of appearance)

Men

Sutradhara, the play's producer-director

Pariparsika, his assistant

Kali, the age of quarrel

Irreligion

Shri Krishna Chaitanya, the Supreme Personality of godhead (also Shri Chaitanya, Deva, Bhagavan, Visvambhara, and Mahaprabhu)

Advaita Acarya, incarnation of Lord Maha-Vishnu

Shrivasa Pandita, incarnation of Narada Muni

Suklambara, a devotee

Gadadhara, a devotee

Renunciation

Narada Muni, a great demigod-sage

Snataka, a servant of Narada

Krishna, the role of Krishna in a play

Krishna's Friends, in a play

Buffoon, Krishna's friend in a play

Kusumasava, Krishna's friend in a play

Some Devotees

Gangadasa, a devotee

Man

Murari Gupta, a devotee

Vakresvara Pandita, a devotee

Mukunda, a devotee

Jagadananda Pandita, a devotee

Damodara, a devotee

Haridasa Thakura, a devotee

Pundarika Vidyanidhi, a devotee

Acaryaratna, a devotee

Nityananda, incarnation of Lord Balarama

Cowherd boys

Man

Some People

Residents of Navadvipa

Guards

The Ocean

Gopinatha Acarya, brother of Sarvabhauma

Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, famous scholar in Jagannatha Puri

Candanesvara, son of Sarvabhauma

Sarvabhauma's Disciples

Two servants

King Prataparudra, ruler of Orissa

A Brahmana

Ramananda Raya, a devotee

Mallabhatta, minister of the king of Karnataka

Servants of Lord Jagannatha

Kasi Misra, a devotee

Tulasi Misra, superintendent of the temple

Residents of Jagannatha Puri

Paramananda Puri, a sannyasi devotee

Damodara Svarupa, a sannyasi devotee

Govinda, servant of Lord Chaitanya

Brahmananda Bharati, a sannyasi devotee

A Messenger

Raghava Pandita, a devotee

Kinnara Man

Men bringing news

Foreigner

Gandharva, servant of Advaita

Sivananda Sena, a devotee

Shrikanta, a devotee

Palace Guard

 

Women

Saci, mother of Lord Chaitanya

Devotional service

Friendship

Love of God

Shri Radha, the role of Radha in a play

Radha's Friends, in a play

Jarati, the mother-in-law of Radha in a play

Lalita, friend of Radha in a play

Bhagini, a friend of Saci

Ganga, the Ganges River

Kinnara woman

Queens of King Prataparudra

 

Act One

Introduction (Nandi sloka)

 

Its nine new candrakanta jewels of devotional service eclipsing Kuvera's lily, lotus, conch and other treasures, and its arrows of light wounding the cakravaka bird of Kali-yuga, may the moon of Lord Gaura destroy the darkness of the world.

1.       Sutradhara: Enough with these pompous words! Listen.  Today, as, like kajjala-splendid sapphires scattered by sea waves on the shore, like a great forest of many-leafed tamala trees seen from a cave of Nilacala mountain, and like an intoxicated elephant playing deep in a banyan forest, Lord Jagannatha went on procession to Gundica, and as the entire universe became filled with jubilant calls of "jaya! jaya!" from mouths of men in every direction, and as blissful-hearted devotees filled the directions with a tumult of bhagavat-kirtana, and as women filled the directions with shouts of joy, and as there was a deafening tumult of sweet mrdangas, vigorous, patahas, mahapanas, panavas, many dakkas and dakkaras, and deep bheris, bhankrtis, and dundubhis, I was suddenly approached by Lord Jagannatha's servant, King Prataparudra, whose heart was wounded by the disappearance of Lord Shri Krishna Chaitanya, and who said to me:

2.       "O playwright, here is the same all-powerful Lord Jagannatha.  Here is the same Rathayatra festival.  Here is the same Gundica temple.  Here are the same pilgrims come from all directions to see the Lord.  Here is the same garden that eclipses the beauties of Nandanandana.  Still, without Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu I think everything here is a desert.

3.       "To please me, write a sweet, beautiful play fragrant with the virtues of affectionate Lord Chaitanya, the best of sannyasis.

4.       "Except for our friends' words or a play filled with His qualities we have no way to bear the pain of not seeing our dear Lord."

          I must do it.

5.       This is wonderful.  Visible everywhere, the smokeless fire of cosmic destruction delights the saintly devotees and burns the locust demons.  Fearing the fire's heart would burn it, at the time of creation the Lord put many coverings around the universe.

6.       The king was once like that fire.  Although at first the form of great chivalrous power, gradually increasing love for the Lord plunged the king into an ocean of peace and washed away all passion and ignorance.  Knowledge made him the personification of peace.  Now in his heart he no longer desires material things.

7.       Shaking all doubts and thus making this life a success, for the king's good I will now present this play named Shri Chaitanya-candrodaya (The Moonrise of Shri Chaitanya), which destroys the darkness of ignorance in the heart, and which was written by the poet Paramananda Kavi-karnapura, to whom the Lord was kind and who is the son of Lord Shri Krishna Chaitanya's dear associate Sivananda Sena.

8.       (Looking ahead) Oh! Oh! Here! Here!

          Pariparsika: (enters)) O great one! Wonderful! Wonderful!

9        Sutradhara: O gentle one, what is it?

          Pariparsvika: In the bliss of blissful Lord Jagannatha's Rathayatra some unhappy men are crying as if they think the world is a cauldron of darkness.  They said:

10.     "This is the same Rathayatra of Lord Jagannatha, the tilaka mark of Nilacala.  These are the same newly-blossoming gardens.  This is the same glorious path.  Still, my eyes burn as if consumed by a fever's flames.  My mind breaks as if attacked by demons' words.  My body suffers as if my heart were wounded."

          Tell me:  What is the secret meaning of these words?

11      Sutradhara: Gentle one, you are fortunate.  By seeing the great devotees, who deliver the entire world, your eyes have become perfect.

12      Pariparsvika: Master, who are they?

          Sutradhara: The dear associates of Shri Krishna Chaitanya

13      Pariparsvika: Who is Chaitanya Gosvami?

          Sutradhara: Gentle one, to not have heard the name Chaitanya Mahaprabhu you must even now be staying in your mother's womb.  Listen.

14-15  Its wonderful root the great sage Madhavendra Puri, the crest jewel of sannyasis, its new sprout Shrila Advaita, who is famous in the three worlds, its first branch Avadhuta Nityananda, its other branches Shriman Vakresvara Pandita and other sweet devotees, its flower blossoming devotional service, its fruit sincere love, its highest branches breaking through the boundaries of the material worlds and providing a place for the nest of the two playful birds Radha and Krishna to stay without ever being separated, and its shade a resting-place for they who travel on the path of repeated birth and death, the Chaitanya kalpa-druma tree grows on this earth to fulfil the devotees' desires.

16      Pariparsvika: Master, why has this incarnation, whose purpose is far from what ordinary people can guess, come?

17      Sutradhara: Gentle one, listen.  To teach the many activities of devotional service, which begin with nama-sankirtana, which are the highest goal of life, which are described by Sanandana Kumara and other sages, which are the worship of the Supreme Truth, who has transcendental qualities, who is the supremely opulent Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, who eternally enjoys transcendental pastimes and whose form is eternal and full of transcendental knowledge and bliss, which are the confidential truth hidden in the Vedic scriptures, and which are not understood by the impersonalist philosophers, who are haunted by the ghosts of their own foolish theories of the meaning of all the scriptures, and who claim that the supreme goal of life is to merge into the quality-less Brahman, the Supreme Personality of Godhead has appeared in the form of Shri Chaitanya.

18      Pariparsvika:  Master, in this incarnation did Lord Hari write any books to teach this?

19      Sutradhara: although the Lord did not personally write any scriptures, as the all-pervading Supersoul He inspired others to write.  He is not limited by time, place or the need to directly teach anyone.

20      Pariparsvika: Master, why does not everyone appreciate His wise teaching?

21      Sutradhara: How can they who make a host of material desires their masters follow the spiritual path?  Bound by material desires they take shelter of many different philosophies.

22      Pariparsvika: Master, devotional service, which even the authors of scripture cannot understand, creates wonderful transcendental knowledge and therefore must bear impersonal liberation as its fruit.  What is the difference between devotional service and impersonalism?

23      Sutradhara: Gentle one, Shrimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.40) explains:

          "When a person is actually advanced and takes pleasure in chanting the holy name of the Lord, who is very dear to him, he is agitated and loudly chants the holy name.  He also laughs, cries, becomes agitated and chants just like a madman, not caring for outsiders."*

24      Devotional service, which begins with chanting the Lord's holy name, and which makes one free from sin, makes one fall in love with the Supreme Lord.  It makes one the Lord's personal associate.

25      The Lord says (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.35-36):

          "My devotees always see the smiling face of My form, with eyes like the rising sun.  They like to see My various transcendental forms, which are all benevolent, and they also talk favourably with Me.  Upon seeing My charming forms, smiling and attractive, and hearing My very pleasing words, the pure devotee almost loses other consciousness.  His senses are freed from all other engagements, and he becomes absorbed in devotional service.  Thus in spite of his unwillingness, he gets liberation without separate endeavour."*

          This is the liberation the devotees attain.  They do not attain impersonal liberation.  Lord Kapila says (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.32): "When the service spirit is engaged in devotional service to the Personality of Godhead, without any motive, that is far better even than impersonal salvation."*  In Kali-yuga by chanting the Lord's holy name one attains the ecstatic love known as "rati", which eclipses all other goals of life.

26      Pariparsvika: Master, your words are surprising.  The holy name of the Lord certainly does grant liberation.  The scriptures say (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 6.3.10) that by calling out "O Narayana" as one dies, one attains liberation.

27      Sutradhara: (laughing) Here the word "liberation" means "becoming an associate of the Lord".  Scriptures says (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 6.2.43):

          "Ajamila regained his original spiritual body, which was a body appropriate for an associate of the Lord."

          This, the philosophy of Shri Krishna Chaitanya, defeats all other philosophies.  The pious and wise agree with Him.  His incarnation has made the Kali-yuga auspicious.

28      Pariparsvika:  How can that be?  Scripture (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 12.3.43) says:

          "O king, in Kali-yuga most of the people, their hearts broken with offenses, will not worship the infallible Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the master of all the worlds, and before whose lotus feet the demigods that control the three worlds bow."

          In this way the Sruti-sastra refutes your opinion.

29      Sutradhara: That describes previous Kali-yugas, before Shri Krishna Chaitanya descended to this world.

30      Scriptures also says (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 9.24.61)

          "In this age of Kali, the Lord, out of special mercy to His devotees, will dispel the unhappiness of those born in this fallen age by propagating the hearing and chanting of His own glories."*

31      Scripture again says (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.38):

          "O king, in Kali-yuga many people will become devotees of Lord Narayana.  The people in Satya-yuga and other yugas yearn for a birth in Kali-yuga.

32      These and other statements describing the appearance of Lord Chaitanya refute your words.

33      Pariparsvika: Why does Kali-yuga not overcome the devotees?

34      Sutradhara: The waning moon may decrease day by day, but how is it possible for wicked Kali-yuga to overcome they who have taken shelter of Lord Vishnu's feet?

35      A Voice From Behind the Scenes: Who are you to insult me with the word "wicked" and compare me to the moon?

36      Sutradhara: (carefully looking) Gentle one, as we speak of him, proud-hearted, merciless Kali is coming with his dear friend Irreligion.  Let's leave.  (They exit)

          (End of Introduction)

37      (Attended by Irreligion, Kali enters)

          Kali: Friend Irreligion, the playwright spoke the truth.

          Irreligion: What was that?

38      Kali: He said: "The waning moon may decrease day by day, but how is it possible for wicked Kali-yuga to overcome they who have taken shelter of Lord Vishnu's feet?"

39      Irreligion: Friend, king of Kali-yuga, this wretch insulted you by calling you "wicked".  O sinful wretched playwright, listen: You have insulted Kali, who uprooted the monarch religion and his soldiers purity, good conduct, austerity, tolerance, equanimity, self-control, discrimination, and other virtues, who blinded religion's friends that purify others with a glance, and who has me as his obedient servant.

40      Stand! Sinner, Stand! Stand! You must say where religion is, there is Krishna, and where Krishna is, there is victory.  But when there is no religion, where is Krishna, who alone can destroy Kali?

41      Kali: Friend, don't criticise the playwright.  Consider this:

42      Friend, my time is now passed.  A boy has taken my powers away just as a poison-herb destroyed the great serpent Taksaka.

43      Irreligion: King of the yuga, who is this boy?  Is he a wretched murderer?  Has he killed the entire earth?

          Kali: Neither.  He is not to be feared.

          Note: Irreligion interpreted the word "kumaraka' (boy) in the previous text to mean either "wretched murderer" (kusita+maraka=kumaraka) or "killer of the earth" (ku=earth and maraka=killer).

44      Kali: Born in Navadvipa as the son of Saci-devi and Jagannatha Misra Purandara, this boy has cut my work into pieces.

45      Irreligion: (laughing) O king of the yuga, out of fear of the splendour of the ferocious sun of your powerful arms, the bull of religion, who has only one leg left, is now silent as an owl hiding in a mountain cave.  Your feet are served by many servants like myself.  How has your mind become so bewildered that you fear a brahmana boy?

46      Kali: Friend, he is not just a brahmana boy.  He is a boy that is the master of all the demigods.

47      Purifying the world and placing in its heart the nectar teachings of devotion to Lord Hari, playing as a boy, and splendid as a golden lotus, Lord Hari has incarnated in a brahmana's home.

48      By taking birth during an eclipse of the full moon He tricked the people of the world to chant Lord Hari's name at His birth.

          Note: To counteract the inauspiciousness of the lunar eclipse the people of India chanted Lord Hari's holy name.

49      Irreligion: You are bewildered.  It is like the kaka-taliya-nyaya.  It is only a coincidence, although you think it is not.  Listen.  Oh, listen:

          Note: The kaka-taliya-nyaya is the example of a crow landing on the branch of a tala tree.  The moment the crow lands on the branch a fruit from a higher branch falls and hits him on the head.  One may think the bird's landing on the branch caused the fruit to fall, but that is not so.  The two actions are not related.  It is only a coincidence.

50      You are very powerful.  You have many strong helpers.  What is this new sprout of a brahmana boy in comparison to You whose roots are so old and firm?  How did you become so bewildered to fear this boy?

51      Kali: Friend, hear the truth.  Time, place, age, and family have no meaning to Him.  He has come to this world of His own accord.  Like a newly rising sun, He removes the blinding darkness.

52      He is not without helpers.  Before He Himself came He sent His dear associates to the earth.

53      Advaita Acarya is the incarnation of Lord Siva.  Nityananda Avadhuta is glorious Lord Sankarsana.  Shrivasa, the tilaka mark of the brahmanas, who is accompanied by Shrikanta, Shripati, and Shrirama, is the incarnation of Narada Muni.

54-5    Acaryaratna, Haridasa, Murari, Gangadasa, Gadadhara Pandita, Vidyanidhi, Vasudeva, Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, Mukunda, Vakresvara, Nrsimha, Suklambara, Damodara, Sankara, Jagadananda, and many others, reservoirs of love, expert at tasting the nectar dances of many kinds of pastimes, and friends of the Lord since childhood, have come to the earth to save the world.

56      Irreligion:  What is the proof He is God?

57      Kali: Friend, because He is full of bliss, the Supreme Personality of Godhead attracts everyone's heart.  That is His extraordinary nature.  Supremely blissful, He can make the living entities also blissful, just as a wealthy person can make someone else wealthy also.  This boy fills everyone's heart with wonder.  That is the sign of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

58      Even in childhood His virtues, beginning with profound thoughtfulness, peacefulness, perfect memory, intelligence, happiness, wisdom, sweetness, and love, attract everyone.  With this proof who will not accept that He is Lord Vishnu?

59      Irreligion:  He is not the only one.  Some people are extraordinary.

60      Kali:  No. (Krishna says in Bhagavad-gita 10.42):

          "Know that all beautiful, glorious and mighty creations spring from but a spark of My splendour."*

61      According to the Lord's own words, the presence of millions of great qualities in others only proves His greatness.  We ourselves are proof, for we do not fear any conditioned soul.

62      Irreligion: King of the yuga, I hear He is married.

63      Kali: When the Supreme Personality of Godhead descends to the material world, His potency, beautiful goddess Laksmi also descends.  Imitating the pastimes of ordinary men, He accepted Her, stayed with her for some days, and then sent her far from the eyes of this world.

64      She also has a humanlike form.  Scripture says:

          "When the Supreme Personality of Godhead assumes a demigod form, Goddess Laksmi assumes a demigod form, and when the Lord assumes a humanlike form, she assumes a humanlike form."

65      He will marry beautiful Vishnupriya, the partial incarnation of Bhu-devi and then, teaching the importance of renunciation, while still young He will leave her.

66      His elder brother, Visvarupa, was Lord Sankarsana descended to this world.  Not marrying, Visvarupa accepted sannyasa, gave His personal powers to Isvara Puri, and disappeared.

67      Irreligion: (Thinking for a moment, he says to himself): This is a great calamity.  With great cleverness I should be able to dissuade him, but...

68      ...now my heart is withered, my limbs are weary, my senses are in disarray, my memory is broken, and my determination is shaken.  For this calamity there is no cause other than the holy name of the Lord.

69      Kali: Friend, know, know that I have seen it myself.

70      Irreligion:  Friend, there is a way to defeat Him, save us from misfortune, and make us happy.

          Kali: Friend, what is that?

71      Irreligion:  Friend, nothing is impossible for lust and your other generals.  The strength of their arms has placed the entire world under your umbrella.

72      Now that they have conquered all directions, they have returned.  Each having conquered a different direction, they have removed all thorns of opposition to your rule, and now, all doubts shaken away, they will return, O Lord, to your feet.

73      Let us use them all at once to defeat Him.  I will describe their prowess.

74      The god of lust if famous for conquering the three worlds.  By the strength of his arms Brahma approached his own daughter, and Siva ran after Mohini.  What are other, tiny people?  They are like the pet kittens of women.

75      Kali: Friend, you don't know His power.  The god of lust was himself defeated when he tried to conquer Lord Narayana.  No conditioned soul has the power to bewilder Lord Hari.

76      I sent my generals to conquer Him, and they promised as soon as His childhood was over they would, but it was not possible.

77      In the prime of His youth He left His young wife splendid as goddess Laksmi and, protecting His own religious teachings, went to Gaya and performed the funeral rites for His father.

          There He accepted as His guru Isvara Puri, who by fate had come there.  Shri Chaitanya, the master of all self-controlled yogis, then accepted the ten-syllable mantra from His guru, who had learned it from Madhavendra Puri.

78      Then He returned home.  Now, in the company of His dear friends, headed by Shrivasa, Rama and Haridasa, by singing, dancing, acting in religious plays, and crying, He plunges the three worlds in oceans of bliss.  How can the god of lust even approach Him?

79      Irreligion: Friend, don't talk in that way.

80      They who, by practising very terrible austerities, following vows, controlling the mind and senses, and meditating in yogic trance, wisely spat out, even in the post of Brahma, the opulences of this world, and easily conquered the unconquerable enemies headed by the god of lust, fell from the slight touch of anger.  How will He defeat anger?

81      Kali: Friend, What can pathetic anger do?  To two impious miser brahmana brothers named Jagannatha (Jagai) and Madhava (Madhai), whose hearts burned with the five great sins, who troubled everyone, who stole from others, who beat the drums of lies, and whose hearts became more polluted day by day, He was kind, called for them and when they were brought before Him, said: "You are both poisoned by many sins.  Please give Me all the sins you have committed," and as, stunned with wonder, they said, "we give them to You," and poured water from their hands, and as they both became effulgent, trembled, wept with bodily hairs standing erect, became plunged in the waters of bliss, and with throats choked with emotion chanted "Krishna! Krishna!" and as by engaging in eternal devotional service their lust and other vices left them and they now walked on the path of the great devotees, and as everyone that saw this, became filled with bliss, free of all doubts, and motionless as a painted picture, He (Lord Chaitanya) attracted and charmed them all.

82      With a sidelong glance He lightens all sins and tears apart lust and all other vices in the hearts of others.  How can He be overcome with anger?

          (Behind the scenes is a blissful tumult).

83      Kali: (listening) Friend, listen.  I hear tumultuous sounds of bliss from Shrivasa's house.  I can guess these are limitlessly glorious pastimes that fill the heart with wonder.

          (Behind the scenes are sounds of various musical instruments and sounds of "ululu".)

84      Kali: (carefully looking) Your guess is true.  It's as if I can see it.

85      Look! The blissful calls of the brahmana's young wives, the sounds of "Jaya! Jaya!" the playing of many instruments, and the unrestrained conchshells and bells are a great festival like a flood of nectar.  I must get a closer look.  (He does that.)

86      A Voice from Behind the Scenes: Rama, quickly bring the arghya and other things!  Shripati, quickly bring 108 excellent new jars! Shrikanta, from every direction have the brahmanas and good women bring water from the Ganges!

87      Kali: Friend, I see Shrivasa giving duties to his brothers.  I think the great abhiseka festival of ecstatic Lord Visvambharadeva, who is now revealing that He is the Supreme, has begun.

88      Irreligion: If He is the independent Supreme Personality of Godhead, then why is He overcome with ecstasy?

89      Kali: Friend, listen.  Although He is always the Supreme Personality of Godhead, because He is supremely independent He does not always reveal His identity to others.  By His own wish He sometimes performs actions that seem material .  The wise call these His sweet pastimes.

90      (Again looking behind the scenes) Friend, look! Look! In Shrivasa Brahmana's home, which has become like Ilavrta-varsa splendid with waves of light from the rising sun on the peak of golden Mount Meru, He (Lord Chaitanya), as a madman overcome with bliss and as the splendour of sudden lightning, enters the Deity-room, ascends the throne of the Salagrama-sila and other Deities, pushes Them aside, sits down, and is surrounded by all the devotees as they hastily run to and fro expertly bringing articles of worship, shedding tears, the hairs of their bodies erect, and their hearts pure from defeating the enemy that is material desire.

91      Again a voice from behind the scenes: Rama, bring pure, fragrant water.  Mukunda, arrange the paraphernalia for the bathing ceremony.  Gadadhara, bring the clothing, garlands, ornaments and other things.

92      Kali: (looking behind the scenes in every direction) Friend, look! Look!

93      Carrying auspicious jars in their hands, the women come and go.  They go from the town to the Ganges and from the Ganges' shore to the town.  In their words are His pastimes, in their eyes tears, on their bodies trembling, on their braids looseness, and on their cheeks hairs erect in ecstasy.  This is very wonderful.

94      Irreligion: It is said that loosened braids are a symptom of lust.

95      Whenever doe-eyed women walk, there Kamadeva conquers.  Can a general conquer alone without a conquering army?

96      Kali: Loosened braids agitate men and women whose hearts are filled with lust, but they do not agitate they who are free of material desire.

97      ((From behind the scenes tumultuous sweet sounds of the purusa-sukta prayers)

          Kali: (looking) Ah! Wonderful!

98      As water continually falling from Brahma's kamandalu, or as the swiftly flowing heavenly Ganges on a always flooded Mount Sumeru, the abhiseka-water flowing from Lord Gauranga's body floods the four directions of the world.

99      Before the lotus feet of Shri Visvambhara, who is now bathed, His body dried with a towel, splendidly dressed in clean garments, with great happiness anointed and decorated by some devotees, His lotus feet washed, and His fair splendour rivalling the glory of the world, all the devotees, aware that He is both different and not different from everything, overcome with love, and according to their own powers, place gold, jewels, belts, and many valuable offerings.

100     Irreligion: Friend, this is greed's opportunity.  Greed, which destroys patience, hates happiness, and stops humility, will somehow defeat Him.  Even Lord Vishnu became greedy for the goddess of fortune and the great Kaustubha gem churned from the milk ocean.

101     Kali: It's not like that.  (looks) Look! Look! It is so.

102     He does not speak.  He does not see.  He does not hear anything.  Stunned with bliss, He shines with great splendour.

103     Irreligion:  Friend, these are the actions of a madman.  Powerful madness makes the eloquent silent, the sighted blind, the hearing deaf, and the wise foolish.  What calamity does it not bring?

104     Why worry?  If there is one fault, then there may also be all other faults.  This is confirmed by the words "eka-yoga-nirdistanam saha va pravrttih, saha va nivrttih."

105     Your lieutenant envy, who pollutes the heart with an intolerance of others' good fortune, who creates cruelty and deceit, who burns as a fire in a tree hollow, who turns those it defeats into demons, and who upsets the entire world, hides within Him.

106     Again a voice from behind the scenes: O! O! Advaita! These 54 hours have passed for Him as a moment.  Now that He is in this ecstasy, how can we tiny people continue to serve Him?

107     Let us all pray that out of kindness to His devotees He will give up His ecstasy and return to external consciousness.

108     Kali: Friend, listen! Listen! The devotees cannot bear His power and opulence.  That's what Shrivasa is saying.

109     Irreligion: I heard.  Madness is in their hearts.  And delusion.

110     If He is really in ecstasy he cannot leave his trance.  Madness and pride in His heart, He falsely thinks the world is a blade of straw.  If they are not bewildered, why do His followers take his words seriously?

          Kali: Out of love.

          Irreligion: Then you say when it is directed to ordinary people it is delusion and when it is directed to anyone else, to the great souls, it is love.

111     Kali: Fool, that is the way conditioned souls think.  Because they are conditioned they think one is great and another small.  (Again looks behind the scenes) Oh! What is this?

112     All the devotees headed by Advaita and all the women headed by the wives of Shrivasa and his brothers fall as sticks to the ground.  I understand.  The Lord has opened His eyes like two blossoming lotuses dripping the honey of His mercy, lotuses that had been closed by the waves of His ecstasy.

113     (Again looks for a long time) Very wonderful!

114     In a voice deep as thunder saying "Fix your minds on Me," the Lord places His lotus feet on their heads.  With tears, anxiety, trembling, coolness, bodily hairs erect, joy, and intense eagerness, they are now overcome with ecstasy.

115     Now they are all coming here.  Come.  I think we should go somewhere else.

116     Irreligion: Friend, where do you think I should go?

          Kali: (thinks) Listen.

117     Kali: You can stay among they who blaspheme the spotless character of Lord Chaitanya, who has learning, morality, austerity, exalted lineage, and the highest asrama.  Your wife, Lies, can stay among the atheists, and your son, Deception, can stay among the dry impersonalists and the materialists.  Don't be unhappy.

118     Irreligion:  As you like.  (They both exit.  Thus ends the Viskambhaka).

119     (Carried on a palanquin, dressed in splendid clothing and ornaments, and as if just awakened from the sleep of His ecstasy, Lord Visvambhara enters.  Great souls headed by Advaita surround Him.  In the distance other devotees perform kirtana).

120     Bhagavan: Advaita, I descended from Goloka because of the flood of nectar that was Your humble request, which I could not refuse.

          Advaita: (folding his hands) Who am I?  I am the most insignificant.  You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who enjoys transcendental pastimes.  Out of kindness to the conditioned souls You have manifested in this form.

121     How can it be otherwise?  Queen Kunti explains (Shrimad Bhagavatam 1.8.20): "You Yourself descend to propagate transcendental science in the hearts of the advanced transcendentalists and mental speculators.  Such persons are purified by being able to discriminate between matter and spirit.  But how can we unqualified women know your perfectly?"*

122     Here Queen Kunti explains that in order to make sweet the dried and shrivelled hearts of the impersonalists sages, Vraja's prince, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose appearance brings auspiciousness to the world, manifested His Gokula, Mathura, and Dvaraka pastimes, which are more wonderful than the bliss of impersonal Brahman, and the hearing and chanting of which eclipses the value of materialistic goals of life.

123     Uddhava said to the gopis (Shrimad Bhagavatam 10.47.25): Among all the living entities who have accepted the human form of life, the gopis are superexcellently successful in their mission.  Their thought is thoroughly absorbed in the lotus feet of Krishna.  Great sages and saintly persons are also trying to be absorbed in meditation upon the lotus feet of Krishna, who is Mukunda Himself, the giver of liberation, but the gopis, having lovingly accepted the Lord, are automatically accustomed to this habit.  They do not depend on any yoga practice."*

124     How will we sip the drops that fall between Your fingers as You, the wonderful Supreme Personality of Godhead in a form meant to taste nectar, now sip with cupped hands the secret, sweet nectar of love the gopis, Your supremely fortunate personified pleasure potencies, their hearts filled with eternal ever-increasing attachment for You, felt in Vrndavana-dhama, the land of limitless transcendental bliss situated on the far shore of the nectar ocean of all rasa and known by many names beginning with the name Gokula?

125     Bhagavan: Shrivasa, do you remember how with My hand I once forcibly stopped your life-breath from leaving your body?

          Shrivasa: (remembers) Yes, I remember, O Lord how You saved me from death.

126     (Everyone is filled with wonder)

          Bhagavan: Tell everything from the beginning.  Everyone hear.

127     Shrivasa: Before the Lord came, from childhood up to sixteen years, this person, wild, merciless, offensive to guru and brahmanas, his restless heart hard as wood, and his proud mind splashed by the waves of contentious useless theories, even in dream never heard or chanted the Lord's glories.  Then, because of some unknown previous pious act, a kind-hearted person said to me in a dream:

128     "O brahmana in name only, O restless-hearted one, who can give you advice?  Still, I tell you: You have only one year of life ahead.  Don't throw it away."

129     Awakening at dawn, remembering the good advice, unhappy at heart that my life would be so short, giving up all my misdeeds, fasting on that day, encouraged by the nectar of that advice, and determined to understand what is the best goal of life, in the Narada Purana, I found this verse:

130     "In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord.  There is no other way.  There is no other way.  There is no other way."*

131     Considering this a message from Lord Krishna, the crusher of demons, I gave up all materialism and, forgetting even my own home, took shelter of Lord Hari's name alone.

132     Peaceful at heart, although everyone laughed at me, not doing anything else (but only chanting Lord Hari's name), waiting with sadness in my heart for the day of my death, and counting the months, when the year was over and the day of my death had come, with a desire to hear from him, I went to the home of Devananda Pandita, a teacher of Shrimad Bhagavatam.

133     While listening to the story of Prahlada Maharaja, the moment arrived.  I became unconscious and, under the spell of death, I fell from a balcony to the courtyard below.  Then someone rescued me from the mouth of death.  Understanding that I was still alive, I was overcome.  Again I stood.  Helping me stand, everyone brought me to my home.

134     Bhagavan: It was I that appeared to you in a dream.  It was I that gave back your life when it was ended.

          (Everyone is filled with wonder)

135     As iron becomes gold by a sparsamani jewel's touch, so your body became like another body by Narada-sakti's entrance.

136     Advaita: It is so.  Otherwise a dead man cannot live again.  Lord, everyone here loves You and is Your servant.  This proves the eternally blissful Lord's teaching: "A person who worships Me attains a new body."  Shrivasa is glorious.  He is the home (vasa) of the glory (shri) of love for You.

          Bhagavan: Advaita, that is the truth.

137     Advaita: Lord Murari, Mukunda, and these other devotees transform others into Your loving servants.  That gives pleasure to the eyes.

          Bhagavan: Advaita, there is a great fault in both of them.

          (They both tremble in fear as if struck by a thunderbolt)

138     Advaita: Lord, what is it?

          Bhagavan: The nectar of devotional service is not perfectly situated in Murari's heart.  His heart is filled with the bitter adhyatma-yoga philosophy, putrid as onions.  Even today he spend a long time studying the Vasistha Yoga-sastra.

139     Advaita: What is the fault in adhyatma-yoga?

          Bhagavan: How can You speak these words?

140     "A person fixed in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord, Hari, the Lord of the highest auspiciousness, swims in the ocean of nectar.  For him what is the use of the water in small ditches."*

          Note: This verse is quoted from Shrimad Bhagavatam (6.12.22).

141     Advaita: What is Mukunda's offense?

          Bhagavan: As he himself admits, he is attracted to the Lord's four-armed form.  That is his object of worship.

142     Advaita: Is that wrong?

          Bhagavan: If the Supreme Lord likes He can assume a four-armed form, but His original form has two arms.  The scriptures say "narakrti param brahma" (the original form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is like that of a human being).  The scriptures again say: "gudham param brahma manusya-lingam" (The confidential, original form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is like the form of a human being).  The scriptures again say: "paramatma narakrtih" (The Supreme Lord's original form resembles that of a human being).  Therefore the original form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead has two arms, like the form of a human being.

143     Advaita: In Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna says: "You alone know Yourself by Your own potencies, O Supreme Person."*  Therefore please explain the truth of Your personal form.

          Bhagavan: (with kindness) It will be seen.

144     Advaita: You are kind to Me.  Lord, please be kind to them.  A terrible offense had stolen their intelligence.

145     Please be kind to these two and place on their heads Your two parasol-feet, which create a pleasant cool shade, mock the lotus, remove the poison of material desires, and shower the nectar of great mercy.

146     Bhagavan: (As He does that, He says) "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, the son of mother Yasoda, is accessible to devotees engaged in spontaneous loving service, but He is not as easily accessible to mental speculators, to those striving for self-realisation by severe austerities and penances, or to those who consider the body the same as the self."*

          Note: This verse is quoted from Shrimad Bhagavatam (10.9.22).

147     (with kindness) From now on do not be servants of these heresies.

148     Both of Them: (falling down as sticks)

          "O my Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, will I again be able to be a servant of Your eternal servants who find shelter only at Your lotus feet?  O Lord of my life, may I again become their servant so that my mind may always think of Your transcendental attributes, my words always glorify those attributes, and my body always engage in the loving service of Your Lordship?"*

          Note: This verse is quoted from Shrimad Bhagavatam (6.11.24).

149     Bhagavan: So be it.

150     Suklambara: (with humility) Lord, I have performed many severe austerities and visited many holy places.  Still my heart is not satisfied.  Please be kind.  Please give me Your glance of mercy.

151     (Without fear or shame he places his head on Lord Chaitanya's feet).

          Shrivasa: (Looking, he says to Gadadhara) Gadadhara! Look! Look!

152     This brahmana's heart which pride of very hard austerities had made hard as a thunderbolt, is now, by the touch of the Lord's feet, suddenly melting, making tears flow from his eyes and the hairs of his body stand erect in ecstasy.

153     Thinking Him her own son, Saci-devi scolded us saying "The ecstasy of your kirtanas has driven my son mad and made him abandon the path of duty in this world."

154     If she were to see Him now that He is overcome with ecstasy, she would no longer think He is her son.  How can this be arranged?

155     Gadadhara: If Advaita Acarya speaks to her...

          Advaita: What should I say?

          Shrivasa: (in His ear)! In this way.

156     Advaita: Good.  Bring her.  Why worry?  Her illusion will go.

157     Shrivasa: As you order.  (He exits and, bringing her, again enters.)  Svami, Acarya, please carefully explain that the mother of the universe is now here to enjoy the Lord's happiness and mercy.

158     Advaita: (folding His hands) Lord, Devahuti attained perfection by understanding jnana-yoga and bhakti-yoga from Lord Kapila.  O Visvambhara, may Your mother, who is endowed with all the virtues of the great devotees, attain perfection by being filled with the bliss of Krishna-prema.  (With great satisfaction He takes her by the hand and places her before the Lord).

159     Saci: (Seeing her wonderful son rapt in ecstasy, her body trembles with compassion.  Filled with wonder, she speaks as if she were goddess Sarasvati).

160     You, the Supreme divine person, within whose body the entire universe rests when there is cosmic devastation, rested in my womb.  You only pretend to be an ordinary person in the world of men.

161     (After praying in this way, overwhelmed, she tries to grasp His feet by force).

152     Advaita: (stopping her, with surprise He says) From where has this spontaneous maternal love come?  She must have been His mother in a previous life.

163     Bhagavan: Goddess, although you are the mother of the universe, You have offended Shrivasa and the other devotees.  Only when your offense is forgiven will the Supreme Lord be  merciful to you.  An offense to a devotee blocks the sunlight of the Lord's mercy.

164     Advaita: Lord, it is not so.  The mother of the universe, within whose womb You, the Supreme Lord, have taken birth, cannot commit offenses.  Sons can commit offenses to their mother, but a mother can never commit offenses to her sons.

165     (calling Shrivasa) Shrivasa! although Devaki knew that her son was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, her devotion was not like this.  She wants to touch her son's feet.

166     Shrivasa: Now we are relieved.

          Advaita: O, O devotees headed by Shrivasa, this display of the Lord's power and opulence has crushed her maternal love.  Let us pray this display may come to an end.

          Everyone: Lord, so be it.  (They, with Advaita, do that).

167     Everyone: Lord, Your opulence, eternity,, knowledge, and bliss are all eternal.  Still, You appear in different forms with different personal characteristics.

168     You, our protector, should now be kind to us.  Now You should display Your form as a devotee, a form that delighted us since childhood, brought us great good fortune, and destroyed all our sufferings.

169     As Arjuna said (Bhagavad-gita 11.45): "After seeing this universal form, which I have never seen before, I am gladdened, but at the same time my mind is disturbed with fear.  Therefore pleased bestow Your grace upon me and reveal again Your form as the Personality of Godhead, O Lord of lords! O abode of the universe."*

170     "When Arjuna thus saw Krishna in His original form, he said: "O Janardana, seeing this humanlike form, so very beautiful, I am now composed in mind and am restored to my original nature."*  (Bhagavad-gita 11.51)

171     When spiritual beings exhibit seemingly mundane qualities, their transcendental existence is in no way impaired.  When a cintamani gem is placed on the same string with common stones, it is not made less.

172     Bhagavan: (Remembering His mood as a devotee, He again assumes that nature) O Advaita and other devotees, did I sleep all this time?  Why did you not wake Me?

          Everyone: Lord, we were afraid to break Your ecstatic trance.

173     Bhagavan: Alas! Alas! I wasted all this time unconscious! Come, let us chant Hare Krishna.

          Everyone: (with pleasure) As the Lord commands.

          (Everyone exits).

 

Shrila Kavi Karnapura's

Shri Chaitanya-candrodaya

The Rising of the Moon of Shri Chaitanya

Act Two Sarvavatara-darsanah

The Revelation of All Incarnations

 

Act Two

1        (Renunciation enters).

          Renunciation: (looking all around) The world is full of materialists.  Alas! Alas!  There is no cleanliness, no truth, no control of mind or senses, no self-restraint, no peacefulness, no tolerance, no friendship, and no mercy.  Were my sincere, loving friends uprooted by the people of Kali-yuga?  Are they now living in hiding?

2        Could they have found a place Kali does not know?  No.  Because there is no place like that.

3        The brahmanas are interested only in their sixth duty, accepting charity.  A sacred thread is the only sign of their status.  The ksatriyas are so in name only.  The vaisyas are like atheists.  The sudras think themselves great scholars and are eager to become gurus and teach the truth of religion.  Alas! Alas! Kali has turned the castes into this!

4        The brahmacaris are so only because they cannot marry.  The grhasthas are interested only in filling the bellies of their wives and children.  Those vanaprasthas are so only in the name 'vanaprastha' travelling on the path of the ears.  The sannyasis are different from the others only in clothing.

5        (He walks a few steps) Ah! Here are good people.  The brahmanas here shine with great splendour.  Are they sincere, or only pretenders?  (He watches for a long time) Ah!

6        Almost from their very birth again and again saying "designation", "social class", "logical inference", "universal principle", and a host of words like them, staying far away from talk of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and thinking whoever is most expert at logic is the wisest, these logicians think their speculations are the only scripture.

7        What is the use of talking with them?  I will go somewhere else.  (He walks a certain distance).  Ah!  They look like sinless men doing some good work.  Let me look at them.  (He does that).  They are mayavadis.

8        Saying the Supreme is "only eternity", "without qualities", "without designations", "beyond thought", and "without actions", and saying "I am Brahman'" alas, alas, hating the Personality of Godhead's form, denying the Lord's inconceivable potencies and qualities even though glorified in Sruti, they shun love for the Supreme Person.  Obeisances to you.

9        (He leaves them, goes to another place, and looks around).  Ah! They are debating.  Let us see what is their philosophy.

10      (He observes them) Ah! learned in the theories of Kapila, Kanada, Patanjali, and Jaimini, they are debating.  Not one of them knows the truth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.  I will go.  (Again he walks a few steps).

11      I will go south.  They are Jains, Buddhists, and naked yogis, ferocious atheists.  They are Saivites and ghosts about to kill me!  I'll run for shelter.  (He runs a certain distance and then sees something).

12      Ah! This must be a holy man because, cheerfully sitting on a great rock by the riverbank, untroubled, he seems to be passing his time meditating on something beyond the modes of nature.  I will observe him.  (He does that).  Ah!

13      Sitting in a yoga-posture by the riverbank, his eyes closed, and expertly stopping with the tip of his tongue the nectar moonlight flowing from within his forehead, he meditates.  What broke his meditation?  (surprised, he thinks) ah! I know.  It is the tinkling conchshell ornaments of a young girl fetching water.

14      He is only staging a play to fill his stomach.  (He goes to another place and looks around).  Ah!  This looks like a renounced soul.  He must be a pilgrim coming from the holy places.  He talks with a traveller met by chance on the road.  By his words I will know what is in his heart.  (He listens and then repeats the words).

15      "Although I went to Hardwar, Gaya, Prayaga, Mathura, Benares, Puskara, Shri Ranga, Ayodhya, Badarikasrama, Setubandha, Prabhasa and many other places, three or four times over in the past year, what would persons like us accomplish even in hundreds of years like this?"

16      (After thus repeating those words) Good.  Ah! Good.  Although Kali has driven him away, truth hides within you.  I will go.  (He does that and then looks around).  This must be a genuine ascetic.  I will observe.  (He does that).  Ah! Ah! He is a demon!

          Calling out "Hum! Hum! Hum!" in a sharp and bitter voice, keeping the crowd away with a cruel stare, lifting his feet high as he walks with long strides, his forehead, arms, neck, stomach, and chest smeared with clay, and grasping kusa straws in his hands, he is like pride personified.  What arrogance!

17      This is strange.  Without pure devotional service to Lord Vishnu, expert meditation, samadhi, faith, scripture study, good works, japa, and austerity are like an actor's expert playing on a stage.  They are only different ways to fill an empty belly.

18      O Kali, well done!  Well done! You brought the entire earth under your rule.

19      You drove away control of the mind, control of the senses, and all other virtues.  You captured them and made them your slaves working for your own profit.  You uprooted the tree of religion, which had friendship and other virtues as its branches.  In this situation what can I do?

20      (He thinks for a moment).  by the suffering of being separated from my friends, by the exhaustion of long searching for them, and by the grief of seeing the whole world turned into a desert.  I am now overcome.  let me rest for a moment.  (He does that.  Shedding tears, he says):

21      I see that now everyone's thoughts,, words, desires and deeds are all destroyed by the impurities of Kali.  When will I see the Vaishnavas chanting Krishna's glories and serving Him as they shed tears, the hairs of their bodies stand erect in ecstasy, and they are equal to both friends and outsiders?

22      (A divine voice is heard.  Renunciation turns his ear to the sky and says) What do you say?  "What do you say?  "Wherever Devotional Service is present, there you will see your friends."  (He thinks for a moment) ah, Devotional Service is still alive somewhere!  (Again he turns to the sky)  What do you say?

23      "Glories the crown of holy places, Gauda-desa, where, in the city of Navadvipa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared in a form splendid s gold and Devotional Service appeared in every home."

24      (happily) Ah! Ah! Why do the people not see her?  I will go there.  (He takes a few steps).

25      (Devotional Service enters).

          Devotional Service: (looking ahead) Ah! who is this?  His mind is tortured by many troubles.  His face is withered by the loss of all auspiciousness.  I don't recognise him.  As he gazes at me he is lifted beyond the material world.  Now, free of all suffering, he approaches.

26      Ah! My brother Renunciation could not come to me in this happy, opulent situation.  He was tortured so much by Kali's men I do not know if he is alive or not.

27      Renunciation: (looking) This is Devotional Service.

28      She delights the heart, purifies the senses, makes liberation, what to speak o economic development and sense gratification, insignificant, and, plunging the living entities into oceans of bliss, at once fulfils all their desires.

29      I will go to her.  (He approaches) Goddess, I am Renunciation.  I offer my respectful obeisances.

30      Devotional Service: (with compassion) Brother, you are alive! You are the life-breath of the self-controlled.  Come. Come (She touches him with her hand)

31      Renunciation: (bowing at her feet)  Goddess, tell me, how is it you were not defeated by Kali, as were Truthfulness and all the others?

32      Devotional Service: Renunciation, you don't know.  Listen.  For our sake the merciful Supreme Personality of Godhead has descended as Shri Gaurachandra, whose pastimes is to break the bonds of repeated birth and death.

33      Renunciation: Goddess, please explain the confidential meaning of this.

34      Devotional Service: Renunciation, in this time of Kali, there is not the slightest trace of spiritual life.  There is no real substance, only decoration.

35      Only devotional service, which is both the goal of life and the means of attaining the goal of life, can defeat Kali, material illusion, and the bonds of birth and death.

36      Accompanied by His associates such as myself, and by pure devotional service, which removes all sins, purifies the contaminations of Kali, and destroys the strong material desires in the hearts of all, down to even the outcasts, the Supreme Lord has now appeared in the role of a devotee.

37      Renunciation: I already learned this from a voice in the sky.

38      What will you do now?  What will the Lord do?  Is there a shelter now for me, who have no shelter?

39      Devotional Service: (in Sanskrit) Renunciation, listen.  I will purify even the outcastes.  I will purify all their contamination.  I will cut the strong material desires in their hearts.  If the Goddess of Mercy will come I will place the  nectar of divine love in their hearts.

40      Renunciation:  You cannot do that without the Goddess of Mercy?

41      Devotional Service: Without the Lord's mercy, or the mercy of His devotees, I cannot exist, what to speak of act as I do.

42      Renunciation:  What is the answer to my second question?

43      Devotional Service: Renunciation, listen.  In Navadvipa there is no person whose home is not a temple of Lord Hari, no temple without a Deity of the Lord, no Deity that is not carefully served,, no service that is not done with the nectar of love, and no nectar of love net expressed by sankirtana and dancing.  All this is the Lord's doing.

44      Renunciation: Does the Lord personally order this, or do they who take shelter of Him do this as they think right?

45      Devotional Service: Such is the glory of the Lord that by seeing Him people become mad with ecstasy.  Whatever He desires, they know and do.

46      When the Lord descends, the Goddess of Fortune also comes, so His devotee is never poor.  Listen to what He has done since childhood.

47      Sometimes in Shrivasa's home, sometimes in Acaryaratna's home, sometimes in Vidyanidhi's home, or sometimes in Murari's home, filled with bliss, with bodily hairs erect, stunned, shedding tears, covered with perspiration, and manifesting many symptoms of ecstasy, every day, as His dear associates sing, again and again the Lord dances.

48      Renunciation:  Goddess, does He always act as a devotee, or does he sometimes reveal His supreme power and opulence?

49      Devotional Service:  Renunciation, Lord Hari's ordinary pastimes are more beautiful than His unusual pastimes.  Although the Ganges flows from Lord Siva's head, it gives us pleasure when it comes to earth.

50      Still, sometimes He does something extraordinary.  One day, at Shrivasa's home, a muslim tailor, his eyes red from drinking wine, having circumambulated the temple, and in the southern corner of the courtyard having drunkenly begun to sew clothes, began to stare at Lord Visvambhara.

51      The sight of the Lord made him more intoxicated than any wine.  With wide-open eyes he called out: "I have seen! I have seen!"  He trembled.  The hairs of his body stood erect.  Tears flowing from his eyes bathed his chest.  Throwing down his sewing, he raised his arms and began to dance.  Seeing this, the Lord innocently said to Shrivasa:

52      "Shrivasa, what is this?  All of a sudden this person has become as if celebrating a great festival."

53      Shrivasa then jokingly said:

54      "Lord, this is the unprecedented glory of Your intoxicating handsomeness.  All he had ever wanted was a full pot of wine.  He could not give up the desire for wine.  Now, simply by seeing You for a moment he is wild with intoxication.  Now he has cut the bonds of birth and death.  Now he purifies the world.

55      Renunciation: Then? Then?

56      Devotional Service: That Muslim tailor took shelter of the Lord's holy name.  Giving up his former associates, he accepted the dress of a renunciant.  he continues to sing and dance, even though beaten by the Muslim teachers.  he is always engaged in chanting the Lord's holy names.

57      If questioned, he explains, "Visvambhara is the only Lord, there is none else."  Provided his livelihood by all the devotees,, he travels about as a perfected soul.

58      Renunciation:  Goddess, what form of the Lord did he see?

59      Devotional Service: Renunciation, the Lord's form is bliss.   The handsomeness of His form brings the greatest bliss.  His forms are different kinds of bliss, and seeing these forms brings different kinds of bliss.

60      Renunciation:  How could a person of such low birth attain such good fortune?

61      Devotional Service: (in Sanskrit) Ignoring noble birth, character, asrama, occupation, schooling, and family, Lord Hari's mercy does not consider whether one is qualified or not qualified to receive it.

62      Renunciation: It is so.  Then? Then?

63      Devotional Service:  At another time, in the courtyard of Murari's home, on a night bathed with the light of the full moon, all the devotees saw the Lord assume the form of Lord Sankarsana.

64      Renunciation:  Goddess, please tell it in detail.

65      Devotional Service: At that moment, as a swarm of intoxicated bees swallowed the moonlight and filled the sky with blinding darkness, everyone noticed the scent of liquor distilled from kadamba flowers.

66      Renunciation: Then? Then?

67      Devotional Service: Aware of this fragrance, everyone asked the Lord:  "Lord, why has this splendid fragrance of kadamba liquor suddenly appeared, blinded these bees, and filled us with wonder?  Now we see a wonderful plough and a club for crushing enemies."

68      Renunciation: Then? Then?

69      Devotional Service: Then Shri Visvambhara-deva said: "Lord Sankarsana, who charms everyone's heart, is about to appear.  His favourite kadambari liquor, His splendid plough-weapon, and His club have come before Him."

70      Renunciation: Then? Then?

71-2    Devotional Service: As he spoke these words Lord Gaurachandra became wonderfully changed.  His eyes became red and restless in the happiness of drinking wine.  An earring danced on one ear.  His complexion became pale as the moon.  He carried the mark of a palm tree.

73      As they sang newer and newer songs of His pastimes, He danced.  They worshipped Him.  For a moment He filled them with wonder.

74      Renunciation: Then? Then?

75      Devotional Service: He assumed, one after another, the forms of Buddha, Varaha, Nrsimha, and other incarnations.  At the day's end the causelessly merciful Lord revealed His six-armed form to Nityananda.

76      Renunciation: What was it like?

77      Devotional Service: In two hands He held a beautiful flute, and in the other four a conchshell, disc, club and lotus.  He wore a crown, necklaces, two peacock feathers, a vaijayanti garland, and the Kaustubha gem.

78      He was filled with matchless sweetness, handsomeness, generosity, expert intelligence, gravity, heroism, determination, gentleness, transcendental splendour, nobility, and wonderful glory.

79      Renunciation: Then? Then?

80      Devotional Service: Stunned with bliss and armoured with bodily hairs erect, Nityananda gazed at that form and prayed:

81      "You are Lord Hari.  You are Siva.  You are Brahma.  You are water.  You are fire.  You are the moon.  You are the sun.  You are the earth.  You are the wind.  O Lord Murari, obeisances to You! Obeisances to You, the master of all!

82      "Some say that with these six arms You kill the six enemies of this world.  O fulfiller of desires, I say that with these arms You give devotional service, love of God, and the four goals of life."

83      Renunciation: Ah, this is very wonderful.  Then?  Then?

84      Devotional Service: In this way His mood of being the Supreme Personality of Godhead is described.  Now listen to how He becomes filled with love.  In this city are three kinds of men.  Some are completely attached to the Lord.  Some are moderately attached.  Some others are neither attached to the Lord, nor detached from the world.

85      Seeing Him, His clothing still wet from His bath in the Ganges, walking through the city's streets, one student would chant the very sweet name of the Lord, another would recite a nectarean verse of Shrimad-Bhagavatam, and another would sing a beautiful song of devotional love.

86      Falling to the street by hearing this,, His wet clothing turning the dust of the street to mud, His limbs covered with mud, the mud on His chest washed by His tears, and His form like the great splendour of lightning flashes embraced by a vine of restless ecstasy, He would roll about on the ground.

87      Seeing Him in this state, His student companions, tainted with youthful insolence, would laugh and raise a commotion.

88      After a short while, His own associates would lift Him up, take Him again to the Ganges, and make Him wash all His limbs.  Even though she was very wise, His mother wept bitterly to hear of her son's becoming overcome.

89      Renunciation: Ah, is being overcome was the ecstasy of devotional love.

90      Devotional Service: On another day as the Lord of devotees, more splendid than thousands of suns, was returning home after dancing at Acaryaratna's home, a certain fallen brahmana saw Him on the street.

91      Seeing Him, the fallen brahmana, his entire body covered with terrible sores, not seeing any other hope, begged: "O son of Saci, O Visvambhara, everyone says You are the almighty Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.

92      "Everyone says You are the same Lord that delivered Gajendra.  If You can cure this fallen wretch of his disease, then You are indeed the lotus-eyed Supreme Person, whose form brings auspiciousness to the world."

93      Renunciation: Then? Then?

94      Devotional Service:  Trembling with compassion and the hairs of His body erect with ecstasy, the Lord glanced at that fallen brahmana, who was on the verge of death, and said:

95      "The Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be attained by any ordinary man.  Why do You commit this blasphemy by saying I am He?

96      "There is one way your disease can be cured.  If you do this one thing, your disease will go away.  Of this there is no doubt.  Your body will then be as healthy as before."

97      Renunciation: Then? Then?

98      Devotional Service: With wide-open eyes the fallen brahmana said: "Lord, what is the way?"  The Lord then spoke this instruction:

99      "O fallen brahmana, of all sinless persons in all universes, and of all devotees full of love for the Supreme Personality o Godhead, Advaita Acarya is the best.  If you drink water that has washed His feet, then this sickness caused by sin, its caused removed, will go far away.

100     Then the brahmana said: "Seeing You will make it go away.  Why prescribe any other cure?"  The brahmana then followed the Lord's instruction and his body became healthy as before.

101     Renunciation: What is wonderful for the Supreme Personality of Godhead?  Tell me:  where are you going and what do you want, that you are going so quickly even your shadow cannot follow you?

102     Devotional Service: To enjoy confidential pastimes with His devotees, the saintly Lord is now going with Advaita to Shrivasa's home.  I am hurrying to follow him.

103     Renunciation: Goddess, the answer to my third question remains to be answered by you.  Tell me: Will He be my shelter?  Will He protect me?

104     Devotional Service: (in Sanskrit) yes.  the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is transcendental bliss, who has form, who is simultaneously all-pervading and localised in a certain place, and who eternally enjoys pastimes, is the shelter of Renunciation.  Come, let us both go.  (They both exit).

105     (Accompanied by Advaita Acarya, Shrivasa, and other devotees, Lord Visvambhara enters and sits down).

106     Bhagavan: (joking to Advaita) Glories to Sita's husband, whose fame destroys the world's sins!

          Advaita: Why have You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is Lord Rama, the Raghava king, and Lord Krishna, the Yadava king, come here?

107     Bhagavan: Advaita, I always worry how always to stay in Your company and never be separated from You.

108     Shrivasa: Lord, since Your lotus feet have appeared in here in the nine bhakti-islands of Navadvipa, Advaita lives here, even though His home is in Santipura.  In the same way all-pervading Nityananda, also lives here.

109     Advaita: Here is Shrivasa.

          Shrivasa: Shri has gone away.

          Bhagavan: Real wealth is devotion to Vishnu.  That wealth always stays with you devotees.

          Note: Shri may mean "wealth", and the name "Shrivasa" may be interpreted to mean "the abode of wealth".  Shrivasa protests that because he is poverty-stricken, Shri has left him.  Lord Chaitanya replies by saying that Shrivasa is not at all bereft of Shri.

110     Advaita: Now Shri is Vishnupriya.

          Bhagavan: Yes.  Of all transcendental paths, which begin with jnana-yoga, devotional service is most dear to Lord Vishnu.

          Advaita: That is why the Supreme Personality of Godhead has accepted Her.

          Note: Advaita interprets Shri to mean "Goddess Laksmi".  He says here "Goddess Laksmi has descended as Shrimati Vishnupriya-devi (Lord Chaitanya's wife)."  Lord Chaitanya interprets Advaita's words in a different way and says: "Yes the real wealth (Shri) is devotional service, which is dear (priya) to Vishnu (visnu), thus playfully sidestepping Advaita's statement about Vishnupriya-devi.  Advaita replies by referring to Lord Chaitanya's marriage to Vishnupriya.

111     A Voice From Behind the Scenes:  Saci-devi, mother of the universe, asks that Advaita not reside in any other place.  She says: "Please stay as a jewel in my home."

112     Advaita: (hearing) As the mother of the universe orders.  Tell her this body overcome with bliss, will today take prasadam with Lord Visvambhara.

113     Shrivasa: I will also take prasadam with Them.

          Bhagavan: It will be difficult for him to cook such a great meal.

          Advaita: Why does He say "for him"?  He should say "for her".  (He calls for a servant.  The servant understands the hint and exits).

114     (Advaita whispers in Shrivasa's ear).

          Bhagavan: What did the noble Acarya say?

          Shrivasa: He said: "Shri Nityanandadeva saw His six-armed form.  The Lord promised to show it to Me, but I have not seen it.  Why did the Lord, our protector, not show it?"

115     A voice From Behind the Scenes: Ah! Ah! Now we see the six-armed form!

116     Bhagavan: (concealing His real intention) This is My own form, the object of Advaita's devotion.

          Advaita: (aside) What will I say?  If I say, "Yes, this is Your original form", my desire to see the form of Lord Syamasundara will not be fulfilled.  If I say, "The other form is Your original form", it will kill My love for this form.  (He thinks for a moment).

117     Shrivasa: This form present before us is the object of our love.  Of this there is no doubt.  Still,, You said, "I will show that form to You."  That is why He asks.

118     Bhagavan: What will a madman not say?

119     Shrivasa: Lord, other's madness is a disease, but for they who see it or hear of it, Your madness uproots the disease of repeated birth and death.  A foolish living entity knows very little happiness.  Because the Supreme Lord's form is full of transcendental bliss and  knowledge, how can the Lord be stopped in any way?  The Lord is not dependent on anyone for His bliss and knowledge.

120     Bhagavan" (smiling) The person I will show You is not dependent on Me.  He is revealing Himself because Your eyes are full of love.  (He manifests that form in Advaita's heart).

121     (Advaita closes His eyes and meditates).

122     Shrivasa: (watching for a long time) Wonderful! Advaita has gone beyond the impersonal Advaita-philosophy.  The actions of His outward senses have stopped.  His heart is lost in intense bliss.  His stilled body trembles.  He is lost in the direct perception of the Supreme Truth.  That He breathes we know only by the slight  movements of His nostrils' hair.

123     Bhagavan: These are the symptoms of directly seeing the Lord.

124     Shrivasa: Lord, this is a play You have staged.  You do not show this form externally.  We cannot see it.  So be it.  Your form is our great treasure.  O powerful Lord, please do not continue to shake Advaita's mind in this way.  Please make this form disappear from His heart, otherwise He will never emerge from this trance.  We wish to ask Him: "What did You see?"

125     Bhagavan: He is free to awaken as He wishes.  (He makes that form disappear from Advaita's heart).

126     (No longer able to see that form, He opens His eyes as if waking from sleep, and for a moment continues to stare, as if still seeing that form).

          Bhagavan: Advaita, what did You see?

127     Advaita: (As if dreaming or possessed by a ghost, He recites)  Fragrant as a host of suddenly-blooming blue lotuses, glorious as a host of dark clouds, dark as a forest of flowering tamala trees, and brilliant as a host of sapphires, what is the flood of splendour that robs My eyes?

128     A dark spiritual glory in each limb, flooded with sweet nectar, and expert at playing the flute, a divine splendour that is a brother to the dark clouds, stands before Me.

129     Shrivasa: That form is gone.  Thinking it still stands before His eyes, He speaks these words.

130     Bhagavan: That is because He is still in ecstasy.  Listen, He wants to say something more.  (Everyone becomes silent).

131     Advaita: His long black hair is thick and curly.  His eyebrows are a flowering vine.  His raised nose is handsome.  His restless red eyes are large lotus flowers, His handsome lips are like bandhuka flowers.

132     The Shrivatsa mark, Kaustubha gem, and goddess of fortune meet on His chest decorated with a beautiful great necklace.  A garland of forest flowers reaches to His feet.  The clubs of His arms are long and broad.

133     Shrivasa: Why is He suddenly lost in trance?

134     Bhagavan: Listen.  By long yoga practice the Lord is manifest in meditation.  But Lord Hari's sudden, unexpected appearance in the heart is different.  It is a special incarnation.

135     Shrivasa: It is so.  An example of a special incarnation is the Lord's appearance to Narada in his previous life, when the Lord said, "O sinless one, the revelation of this form, which you have seen only momentarily, was meant to increase your spiritual desire."*  An example of the Lord's appearance as the result of yoga practice was His appearance t Dhruva.

          Note: The quote is Shrimad Bhagavatam (1.6.22).

136     But Lord, why would the Lord appear in the heart without long yoga practice?

137     Bhagavan: The Lord's mercy purifies the place before He comes, as the red light of dawn destroys the darkness before the sun rises.

138     Shrivasa: Does He directly see the Lord at this moment or does He describe what he saw before?

          Bhagavan: Ask.

139     Shrivasa: (to Advaita) O great soul, do You see this now, or do You describe what You saw before?

140     Advaita: (As if rising from an ocean of ecstasy, He shows some external consciousness) A splendid dark form Left Lord Chaitanya, entered Me, and then, after a moment, disappeared.  Unhappy at heart, I opened my eyes and saw it again enter Lord Chaitanya.

141     Shrivasa: (with joy) Lord, my words have borne fruit.

          Bhagavan:  He's just sleepy.

142     Shrivasa: A sleep of ecstatic trance.  What is the fault? 

          Bhagavan: (to Advaita) Advaita, this is a waking dream.

143     Advaita: (irritated) A splendid youth, He was splendid as a blue lotus.  His left ankle crossed His right.  He was like You.  You are like Him.  To My eyes there is no difference.  Tell Me: Is this a waking dream?

144     Bhagavan: Advaita, this is Your own mental delusion.  You alone see this.  No one else sees.

145     Shrivasa: Who is so fortunate to see You in this was?

          Bhagavan: (joking) Shrivasa, you also walk on the pathway of Advaita's delusion.

146     Shrivasa: We walk on the path of knowing that You are not different from Krishna.  How can there be any doubt of it?

          Bhagavan: If that is so then you are also not different from Him.

          Note: In the previous text the Lord used the word "advaita" to mean "Advaita Acarya".  In his answer here, Shrivasa uses the word "advaita" to mean "impersonal monism".

147     Shrivasa: Lord, please don't speak in this way.  For they who taste the honey of Your lotus feet, this is no path to take.

          Bhagavan: Then why do you say I walk on it?

148     Shrivasa: It is not a false claim.  The truth about You cannot be hidden.  Advaita is not at fault.  You are at fault, for You said: "I will show this form to You."

          A Voice From Behind the Scenes: True. True.

149     Shrivasa: If this person is an oracle, then I am right.

          Again a Voice From Behind the Scenes: Ah, true.  Finished with her cooking, Saci-devi now waits for Advaita to come with her son.  The sun is already in the middle of the sky.

150     Shrivasa: (hears) We should not delay.  Tell the mother of the universe that we, Advaita Prabhu and the others, are coming with Lord Visvambhara.

          (Everyone Exits)

 

Shrila Kavi Karnapura's

Shri Chaitanya-candrodaya

The Rising Moon of Shri Chaitanya

Act Three Dana-vinodah

The Dana-keli Pastime

 

Act Three

1.       (Friendship enters).

          Friendship: Alas! Alas! I heard that my kinsman Renunciation is barely alive.  I don't know where he is.  I myself am alive only in name.  He also does not know where I am.  I will tell him.  (She looks in all directions).  Ah, who is this coming here?

2.       A blissful form like streams of nectar, flooding all directions with the splendour of its limbs, glancing with eyes of mercy and purifying everyone's heart, now approaches.  (She gazes with wonder).

3.       (Love of God enters)

          Love of God: (glancing in front) Ah!  Who is this, unhappy, her splendour crushed, and her body alive in name only, that gazes on me with longing and slowly comes before me?

4        Friendship: (looking carefully) Ah!  This is Love of God!  I recognise her from her description.  I will go to her and offer respects.  (She approaches)  Goddess, I, Friendship, offer respects to you.

5.       Love of God: (with surprise) You are Friendship?  Come.  Daughter, come here.  (She embraces Friendship)  Friendship, tell  me, why, so unhappy, do you wander all alone?

6        Friendship: When my friends were defeated by Kali's friends, overcome with fear, I fled for my life.  Why do you ask about my misfortune?

7        Love of God: Daughter, don't be afraid.  Stay with me.  I am the sister of your grandmother.

          Friendship: How is that?

8        Love of God: Consider this from the beginning.  Your father was the Mercy of the Lord, and your mother Attachment to the Lord's Devotees.  In time they had many children.

9        One, a son, was named Discrimination, and there were many daughters who were all named Devotional Service.  Discrimination and his wife Thoughtfulness had a daughter named Non-envy.

10      Non-envy married Equanimity and had two sons, Naturalness and Purity, and you, her daughter Friendship, who have brought me great happiness.

11      Because some were filled with nectar and some had no nectar, the daughters named Devotional Service divided into two groups.  The daughters of the first group, who, because of touching the modes of material nature had no nectar, were many, and the daughters of the second group, who were full of nectar, were ten.

12      The six kinds of Devotional Service in the six rasas of conjugal love, wonder, neutrality, humour, friendship, and parenthood, are the best.  The lead to attachment to the Lord.

13      Friendship: The best is Love of God?

14      Love of God: Pure Love of God is like an ocean and all rasas and ecstasies are like waves that rise and fall in it.

15      Each rasa has a certain kind of bliss.  Pure Love of God has all bliss.  In the full bliss of Love of God the different kinds of bliss are all manifest.

          In this way I have described your family.

16      Friendship: Goddess, where are you going now, all alone?

17      Love of God: Friendship, by the order of Lord Visvambhara, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is our only shelter, who has enjoyed the pastimes of all incarnations, and who now wishes to taste the love of Vrndavana's queen (Radha), I am working to purify everyone's heart.

18      Friendship: Where are you going?

          Love of God: To the place where the Lord, the well-wisher of all the worlds, will act Her (Radha's) part in a play to bless the great devotees.

19      Friendship: Where is that?

          Love of God: Acaryaratna's courtyard.

20      Friendship: Why would the Supreme Personality of Godhead act the role of a woman?

21      Love of God: Child, you don't understand.  The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has all rasas within Himself, enjoys wonderful pastimes to please all the devotees.  Each according to his own desire, the devotees follow Him in His pastimes.  To bring Her (Radha's) ecstatic love into the hearts of some intimate devotees, the Lord will now act Her transcendental pastimes.  Nothing is sweeter than this.

22      Friendship: Tell me: Will this be a formal play with separate acts, or an improvisation?

          Love of God: It will be a play with acts.

23      Friendship: Tell me: Who will take what role?

          Love of God: Daughter listen.  Thinking that He should personally take Radha's role because it is so secret no other person can take it, and thinking that Advaita is the incarnation of Lord Siva...

24      ...the Lord personally took the role of Radha and gave to Advaita the role of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.  The truth is the Lord divided Himself in two for the two roles.

25      When Advaita dressed for that role, Lord Hari personally came and appeared in Him.

26      Haridasa will be the Sutradhara, Mukunda will be the pariparsvika, and Vasudeva Acarya will make arrangements behind the scenes.

26      Goddess Yogamaya, the elderly lady who arranges the meeting of Shri Radha and Krishna, will take shelter of Nityananda's body.

27      Friendship: Who will be the audience?

          Love of God: The Lord has already said who may come.  He said:

28      Shrivasa, please arrange that only qualified persons and not others, enter...

29      When the words were only half finished, Shrivasa said: "Lord, what will determine who is qualified and who not, and where will they go?  Again the Lord said:

30      "Shri Radha will sweetly appear in Acaryaratna's courtyard.

31      Friendship: Then? Then?

32      Love of God: Then, although there were some doubt in his mind, accepting the Lord's order, Shrivasa made the great brahmana devotee Gangadasa the doorkeeper.

33      Friendship: Then? Then?

34      Love of God: Then the Lord told Shrivasa: "Shrivasa, you will be Narada, and Suklambara will be your brahmacari assistant.  The chorus of singers will be Acaryaratna, Vidyanidhi and your three brothers headed by Shrirama."  In this way the Lord assigned the parts.

35      Besides these, no one else was allowed entrance.  Only the wives of Shrivasa and his brothers, and the wives of Candrasekhara, Murari, and some others who had already come were allowed.  They were also qualified to be there.

36      (From Behind the scenes the sound of mrdangas, karatalas, and other instruments).

          Love of God: Child, listen.  The play has begun.

37      Again a Voice From Behind the Scenes: "May Lord Shri Krishna be all glorious and happy!  He is known as the ultimate resort of all living entities, and as Devaki-nandana, the son of Devaki.  He is the guide of the Yadu dynasty, and with His mighty arms He kills everything inauspicious as well as every man who is impious.  By His presence He destroys all things inauspicious for all living entities, moving and inert.  His blissful smiling face always increases the lusty desires of the gopis of Vrndavana."*

          Note: This is a quote from Shrimad Bhagavatam (10.90.48).

38      "May Shri Radhika, Her face like the full moon, Her eyes like lotuses, Her breasts like cuckoo birds, Her smile like a white lotus, Her neck like a conchshell, and Her beauty crushing Laksmi's pride, filled with all-auspiciousness, and like the auspicious introduction to this wonderful play of the Lord's pastimes in Vrndavana, bless you all."

39      Love of God: It is so.  My guess was right.  That was Sutradhara, Haridasa, that recited a verse from Shrimad Bhagavatam as the auspicious invocation.  This shows that the play will be either a one-act bhana or a many-act rupaka, for they are both forms in which, as the sastra says, "the introduction is spoken from behind the stage."  Child, do you want to see this?

40      Friendship: Why should I be so fortunate?

41      Love of God: Why are you afraid?  I will be with you.  By my power no one will see you, and by your kindness no one will see me.

42      Friendship: I am your debtor.

          Love of God: Come.  (They exit).

43      (Playing the role of the Sutradhara, Haridasa enters.  At some distance, unseen, Friendship and Love of God sit).

          Sutradhara: (holding a flower-offering in his folded palms) Illuminating all directions with splendid moonlight, filling all directions with a sweet fragrance, a place of happiness, pure from the touch of the Lord's lotus feet, glorious with the splendour of the moons of His toenails, and like this play's secret smile, this flower-offering is now scattered.  (He does that).

44      Love of God: (looking) You have done well.  Although the invocation was recited behind the scenes, at the time of worship, you have offered this handful of flowers to the Lord.  Look, child! Look!

46      A necklace on his neck, kundalas and avatamsas on his ears, a garland on his broad chest, bracelets and armlets on his arms, a turban on his head, and ankle-bells on his feet, Haridasa is like the personified splendour of the dramatic art.

47      Friendship: Goddess, this does not follow the path of the scriptures.

48      Love of God: Listen.  One path is the rules of scripture.  Another path is spontaneous love.  The first follows rules.  The second does not.

49      Friendship: The path without rules takes a long time.

50      Love of God: Not always.

51      During a flood a boat can quickly go without following any established path.  At another time even the most established path is difficult on the winding river.

52      Enough with this talk! Let us listen as the Sutradhara recites.

53      Sutradhara: Enough with these elaborate speeches!  Today, as I was returning from my daily prayers and obeisances at Lord Brahma's lotus feet, the great sage Narada approached me and said:

54      "O king of actors, for a long time I have wished that Your dramatic acting would place before my eyes the moonlight of the pastimes of Vrndavana-vihari Krishna.  With your dramatic skill please let this desire be fulfilled today."

55      That I will  now try to do.  (looking ahead) Oh! Oh! Here! Here!

56      (Pariparsvika enters)

          Pariparsvika: What does his lordship order?

          Sutradhara: Gentle one, today I met Lord Narada.

57      Pariparsvika: What happened?

          Sutradhara: Today, as I was returning from my daily prayers and obeisances at Lord Brahma's lotus feet, the great sage Narada approached me and said: "O king of actors, for a long time I have wished that Your dramatic acting would place before my eyes the moonlight of the pastimes of Vrndavana-vihari Krishna.  With your dramatic skill please let this desire be fulfilled today."  That I will now try to do.

58      Pariparsvika: Lord, how is it that saint Narada, who is the son of Brahma and the younger brother of the sages headed by Sanaka and Sanandana, and who himself always tastes the bliss of Brahman, thirst after Shri Krishna's earthly pastimes and request this of you?

59      Sutradhara: That is a great secret.  Shrimad Bhagavatam says: (1.7.20): "Those who are self satisfied and unattracted by external material desires are also attracted to the loving service of Shri Krishna, whose qualities are transcendental and whose activities are wonderful."*

60      Pariparsvika: The saints may engage in devotional service, but why would they become attracted to the Lord's pastimes on earth?

          Sutradhara: Don't speak in that way.

61      Lord Hari's pastimes on earth are sweeter than His pastimes in Vaikuntha.  The stories of His pastime incarnations are very sweet, and the stories of His creation of the universes are dry and tasteless.

62      The Bhagavatam (10.33.36) says: "By hearing Lord Krishna's pastimes one becomes devoted to Him."  In this way even ordinary men become devoted to the Lord.  Shri Narada is especially attached to the Lord's pastimes in Vrndavana.  He is the teacher of the Gopala maha-mantra.  Therefore His attachment is proper.  The actors should be given their roles without delay.

63      Pariparsvika: Lord, let us wait until the great sage arrives.

64      Sutradhara: He is almost here already.  A person who can travel in out space does not delay.

65      Pariparsvika: If that is so, then tell me: What drama will we perform?

66      Sutradhara: "Radha and Mukunda's Dana-keli", a play Yogamaya, in the form of an elderly lady, wrote.

67      Pariparsvika:  How will we stage this play on such short notice?

          Sutradhara: How indeed?

68      Pariparsvika: Listen.  Your daughters can expertly perform this play.

69      Sutradhara: (worrying) Tell me: would they be good for the parts?

          Pariparsvika: They would be, but they have already happily gone to Vrndavana to worship Lord Gopisvara.

70      Sutradhara: What will I do?  Will Narada accept this excuse?  Ah, I fear his curse.

71      Pariparsvika: Why worry?  They will soon return.

          Sutradhara: Gentle one, you don't understand.

72      These girls don't know the road, and they have no companion to guide them, and a terrible elephant dark as a raincloud, His hand filled with toll collections, waits for them.

73      Pariparsvika: Your mother-in-law Jarati, who is empowered by Yogamaya, is with them.

          Sutradhara: (laughing) Then I will not worry.

74      What an this old lady, who cannot see the road or hear words, do to help them?

75      Pariparsvika: Don't talk in that way.  She is a powerful yogini.  Age has not hurt her mind.  As it grows older the waxing moon does not grow weak.  It shines brighter than before.

76      A Voice From Behind the Scenes:  O king of actors, what is the delay in this performance?

77      Sutradhara: (hearing) O gentle one, look! The great sage joyfully hurries here, eager to see our play.

78      We have not made any preparations!  Let us go and find these girls.

79      Pariparsvika:  As it pleases you.  (Having thus briefly acted in the play, they exit).

80      (Followed by his servant, Narada enters).

          Narada: O king of actors, why are you late?  (He searches for the Sutradhara).

          Love of God: Child Friendship, look! Look!

81      Playing the great vina on his shoulder, japa-beads like a bracelet on His right wrist, and his matter hair like lightning, splendid as Mount Kailasa, Devarsi Narada comes before us.

82      Child, offer obeisances to him.  He is a great sage and devotee.  The Bhagavatam (1.6.38) says of him:

83      "All glory and success to Shrila Narada Muni because he glorifies the activities of the Personality of Godhead, and so doing he himself takes pleasure and also enlivens all the distressed souls of the universe."*

84      Friendship: (offering obeisances) Goddess, you said, "Shrivasa will take the role of Narada."  Why has Narada himself come?

85      Love of God: Because he is an empowered incarnation of Narada, Shrivasa manifested Narada's actual form.  Advaita and the others are different from their roles.  Just accept them as you see them.

86      Narada: Snataka, why is no one to be seen?

87      Snataka: Devarsi, the king of actors has taken his troupe to Vrndavana to do his play there.  Come, let us go there.

88      Narada: Isn't this Vrndavana?

89      Snataka: O great soul, overcome with bliss, you have forgotten yourself.  Even though you are the greatest authority on Vrndavana, now you do not recognise Vrndavana.

90      Narada: Snataka, you say the truth.

91      Among those whose heart and senses are overcome by the madness of spiritual bliss, who is able even to recognise his own self, hat to speak of other things?  Please show me the path.

92      Snataka: This way.  This way.

          (They walk about).

93      Love of God: (looking) Ah! The great devotee naturally loves Vrndavana.

94      Narada: (walking a short distance) Now we see eternal Vrndavana, beautiful with spiritual places and spiritual vines and other features, everywhere filled with splendid and blissful birds and deer, and glorified in the Vedas as the spiritual sky beyond the Viraja River.  What can be better for the eyes to see?

95      Even my father, Lord Brahma, wished to take any sort of birth here.  He says in the Bhagavatam (10.14.34): (He plays the vina and dances as he recites the verse) "It would be the greatest fortune for me to take any birth whatever, even that of a blade of grass, within this forest of Gokula, because then I could accept the dust of the residents' feet on my head."*

96      Snataka: If at every step you are overcome with the ecstasy of love, how will you go anywhere?

97      Narada: (becoming serious) Show the way.

          Snataka: This way.  This way.

          (They walk about).

98      (From behind the scenes flute music).

          Snataka: Devarsi, this is Vrndavana.  I hear the sweet music of the Lord's flute.

          Narada: (listening) You say the truth.

99      Glory to Lord Krishna's flute-music, which bites the heart, which is maddened the chatter of swans in a lake of sweet nectar, which is the song of bees in a flower-garden of love, and which is the roll of drums announcing a battle of transcendental amorous pastimes!

100     Love of God: Child, now Lord Shri Krishnacandra will enter.  Now we will forget all we have suffered since birth, and the purpose of our eyes will be fulfilled.

101     Friendship: All this is because of the mercy of your feet.

102     Narada: (carefully looking) Snataka, it is true.  This is the flute-music of Vraja's prince.

103     (Dancing as he plays the vina) The mountains shed tears, the leaves of the trees and vines stand erect in ecstasy, and the rivers are stunned.  Ah! Ah! Lord Hari's flute-music is manifest.

104     Snataka: It is right that you dance, because...

105     ...the lotus feet that are the form of the greatest bliss, that are sought by the Vedas, relished by those wealthy with spiritual opulences, and worshipped by the great demigods headed by Brahma and Siva, will now come before our eyes.

106     Devarsi, let us hide for a moment.  Will Krishna come here with His friends?  Will the sweet, fortunate, shy, exalted gopis suddenly come here?

107     Narada: You speak the truth.  Let us do that.  (They do that).

108     (Carrying a kadamba stick and playing a flute, charming, threefold-bending Shri Krishna enters with His friends).

          Shri Krishna: Friend, this is the great beauty of Vrndavana.

109     Look! The vasanti vine smiles, the young bakula tree is full of buds, the asoka tree is happy and carefree, the campaka flowers are splendid, the saintly punnaga tree is beautiful with many bunches of flowers, and the sumanah-flower grove is filled with a fragrant breeze.

110     Friends: O friend, why should Your pastime-garden not be very beautiful?

111     Love of God: (looking) Ah! What is this?  This is not Advaita.  This is not expert costuming and acting.  Lord Hari has personally appeared.  The real thing is the most wonderful.  The real form of Krishna now pleases us and fills us with wonder.

112     (Looking again and thinking) a person who is not Krishna cannot become Krishna.  Krishna can assume many forms.  He, the supreme whole, can assume the form of any of His parts and parcels, but how can one of His parts and parcels assume the form of Him, the whole?

113     This is not Advaita.  This is not expert acting and costuming.  Krishna has personally appeared.

114     Narada: (looking from far away, he becomes blissful)  Ah! What is this?  Churned from the nectar ocean of intense bliss, by the Mohini-incarnation of His mercy given to the happy devotees, and at every moment drunk by them according to their different desires, this perfect dark nectar never changes and never grows old.

115     He is splendid as a new cloud and more charming than millions of Kamadevas, His face is glorious as the autumn full-moon, His large red eyes are new lotus petals, and His bimba-fruit lips are splendid with the flowers of His teeth.

116     He is coming here.  Let us hide in this grove and watch.

          Snataka: So be it.  (They do that).

117     Shri Krishna: Friend Subala, friend Shridama, friend Sudama, why do I not see my dear friend, the brahmana Kusumasava?  Please go and look for him.

          Friends: As You order, we will search for him.  (They search for him).

118     (Tossing the curtain aside, the buffoon hastily enters).

          Buffoon: O friend, save me! Save me!

          Shri Krishna: Why are you afraid?

119     Buffoon: Friend, I just now saw an old yogini leading through the forest five pretty young girls to worship Lord Siva.  Only by Your mercy did I escape.  They would have captured me and offered me to the deity.  That is why I am afraid.

120     Shri Krishna: (laughing) Friend Subala, what is this?

121     Subala: I have been standing here, but I understand.  Although forbidden by Her elders, with Her grandmother Radha happily came on Her own to the forest to worship Lord Siva.  Seeing the grandmother, and mistakenly thinking her a yogini, this brahmana boy became afraid.  Actually the grandmother is famous as one of the Lord's internal potencies.

122     Buffoon: Ha ha! If that is so, then all these girls are about to fall into my dear friend's hand.  My dear friend's glorious virtues are a hunter's trap to capture the beautiful does that are Gokula's girls.

123     Narada: Snataka, we should not stay here.  By our mystic power let us go into the sky and watch from there.  (The exit)

124     A Voice From Behind the Scenes:  alas, noble lady, by what path can we approach Lord Siva?

125     Collecting tolls in different places and His hands itching for mischief, a wicked jungle-elephant entices many pious young girls in this place.

126     Subala: Friend, my words have borne their fruit. 

          Kusumasava: will my words not also bear fruit?  You carry a great burden of false pride.  (to Krishna)  Friend, now You should prepare for this event.

          Shri Krishna: What is the event?

127     Kusumasava: You did not hear the words: "Collecting tolls in different places and His hands itching for mischief, a wicked jungle-elephant entices many pious young girls in this place?"  The word "jungle-elephant" is appropriate, but the word "wicked" brings me pain.

128     Shri Krishna: (laughing and hiding His real feelings)  Why does it pain you that a jungle-elephant is called wicked?

129     Kusumasava: Aside from You, is there another elephant in this forest?

130     Again a Voice from Behind the Scenes: Diving again onto the forest-path, this elephant enjoys the toll-collecting pastime with His elephant-friends.  Alas, how will we go to our destination?

131     Kusumasava: Friend, let us hide for a moment in this grove.  Thinking all is safe, these girls will come here.  Everyone:  It is so.  (With Krishna, they enter the grove).

132     (Beautiful as the goddess of fortune, and beautiful as a newly-sprouted white-flower bud, and accompanied by her elderly grandmother and friends holding articles of worship in their hands, Shri Radha enters).

          Shri Radha: Friends, have we brought everything we need to worship Lord Siva?

133     Her friends: Yes.  We didn't bring the flowers.  They would wilt on the way.  We will pick them here.

134     Shri Radha: You  make Me happy.  You make Me happy.  Come we will pick them.  (They pick flowers).

135     Love of God: (looking) Ah! Wonderful! Chaitanya is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.  Nothing is impossible for Him.

136     For Lord Visvambhara who, as His partial expansion Mohini-devi, bewildered the demigods' enemies and filled Lord Siva, the spiritually blissful king of the demigods, with lust, who descended as Lord Krishna, and who has now assumed Shri Radha's form, nothing is surprising.

137     Or perhaps it is that by His own pastime potency the Lord has divided into two equal parts, a man and a woman, as a pea is divided in two.

138     (looking in another place) Radhika's friend Lalita is not the great brahmana Gadadhara.  By his own potency Lord Hari has become three: Himself, Radha and Radha's friend.

139     (looking in again another place) Goddess Yogamaya, who subdues sins, who is peaceful, who is untouched by passion, whose eyes are like  lotus flowers, and whose hair is white as the darkness of ignorance turned to pure goodness, has appeared as Radha's grandmother.  This is  not Nityananda.  Nityananda, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, made Yogamaya appear here.  This is not surprising, because...

140-1  ...as a great devotee in ancient times said (Yamunacarya in Stotra-ratna, Text 37) "O Lord, for your sake Ananta assumes many shapes to become your residence, bed, throne, sandals, garments, pillow, umbrella, parasol, and many other objects.  In this way His is known to the people as Your Sesa (paraphernalia)."

142     Shri Krishna: (gazing at Radha) Friend, is this a form created by Kamadeva, the king of artists?  Is this a wonder created by the painter Love?  Is this a beauty placed by Visvakarma on a jasmine flower?  Is this the goddess of sweetness born from the churning of the ocean of beauty?  Every day She fills Me with wonder as if I had never seen Her before.

143     Is this Kamadeva's chivalrous power, or the passion of spring, or the goddess of beauty's smile, or the pastime-place of good fortune, or the sweetness of bliss, or the smile of the goddess of fortune, or the sweetness of bliss, or the smile of the goddess of fortune, or the impersonal Brahman whose glories are described in the Upanisads, or the pastimes of the goddess of playfulness?  Who is this girl, Her cakora-bird eyes filled with wonder to see the moonlight of My eyes?  (He passionately looks at Her).

144     Shri Radha: Lalita, come.  Let's pick these lavanga flowers.  (She walks).

145     Jarati: Krishna is fond of this lavanga garden.  Don't go there.  If You do we cannot rescue You.

146     Lalita: We will leave you here and we will protect ourselves.  Why worry?  (All the girls happily pick flowers).

147     Shri Radha: Lalita! Save Me! Save Me! This nasty bee is attacking Me!

148     Her Friends: Dear friend, blinded with love by the scent of Your face, the restless bumblebee Krishna flew from the lavanga vine and now staggers about before You.

149     Shri Krishna: (passionately gazing) Friend, look! Look! Trembling, Her frightened eyes restless, and Her head turned down, She pushes with Her hand a bee landing on Her face.  In the tinkling of Her anklets, the bee has found only pain.

150     Kusumasava: Friend, this is our opportunity.  She is stealing our lavanga flowers.  You should take the stolen flowers by force.

151     Shri Krishna: This is sweet to see.  Still, I must follow my friend's advice.  (He approaches and arrogantly says): Wretched Lalita, who taught you to be so bold?  Are you mad?  Why are you so wild and reckless in My home of Vrndavana forest?

152     Again and again you come to My forest and strut here and there as ordinary women proud of their beautiful limbs, and you destroy the fruits, flowers, beautiful vines and forest groves.  You have made Me very unhappy.  You have acted improperly and insulted Me.  Fortunately, today I have seen you.  Now you will taste the fruit of your deeds.

153     Jarati: O Krishna, they need flowers.  They have not come to the middle of the forest to eat fruit.

154     Kusumasava: Noble lady, your intelligence has gone with your youth.  You don't understand that here the word "fruit" means "punishment for an offense".

155     Jarati: Brahmana baby,, the milk still clings to your throat.  What do you know?  Consider what is the offense here.  An offender should be punished, not us, Radha's friends.

          Note: "Ava" means "without", "sa" means "with" and "raha" means "Radha".  The word "avaraha" (offense) may also be interpreted to mean ""without Radha".  Jarati here says: We are with Radha.  We are not the "Without Radha" people You say should be punished.

156     Lalita: Child, what is your friend to this forest?

          Kusumasava: Lalita, He is the master.

157     Lalita: It is so.  If He were not the great enemy, how could our dear friend's forest be in such a sorry state?

          Note: In the previous text Kusumasava claimed that Krishna is Vrndavana's "ahi-ari" (master).  Here Lalita interprets the word to be "ahi-a-ari", which means "the great enemy".

158     Kusumasava: Lalita, you are showing off how smart you are.  So be it.  My friend is the great enemy of the forest.  How did this forest become your friend's property?

159     Lalita: She is the enjoyer of the forest.  That is the proof.  If it were not so, how could we pick flowers without any fear?

160     Jarati: Lalita speaks the truth.  This forest belongs to my granddaughter.  She appointed Her friend Vrnda goddess here.

161     Shri Krishna: (laughing) Noble lady, goddess Vrnda is your granddaughter's friend?

          Jarati: Wretched Krishna, how can there be any doubt?  She asked her to become the goddess.

162     Kusumasava: (in Krishna's ear) Friend, she is on their side.  Don't believe her words.

163     Subala: Kusumasava, don't be afraid! Lalita, the mark of my friend's name is His proof.  His name is on every tree.

164     Lalita: Even if that is so, we have not done any offense.  All the vines are stamped with the letters of my dear friend's name.  How is your friend master of the vines?  We have picked flowers only from the lavanga vines.

165     Jarati: Lalita, I perform arati to you.  You have spoken well.  Krishna, why do You quarrel with these girls in Your kingdom?  If You want the flowers, ask for them.  I will give the lavanga flowers to You.  Who does not love You?

166     Shri Radha: (passionately says to Herself these words in Sanskrit about Krishna) With its body it fills the world with blackness, with its face it fills the directions with the full moon, with its words it fills the ears with nectar, and with its glance it fills the sky with lotuses.  What is this thing?

167     Jarati: Krishna, take these flowers.  (She takes the flowers from the end of the girls' saris and scatters them before Krishna.)

168     Shri Radha: (covering Her face with the edge of Her sari, She smiles slightly).  Noble lady, what have you done?  How could you have done this with the flowers we picked to worship Lord Siva?

169     Shri Krishna: (aside, while looking at Radha) Ah! When She covers Her face with Her sari She becomes very beautiful.

170     This doe-eyed girl's mascara-decorated sidelong glance is like a restless khanjana bird in a cage.  The little I see of Her smile is like liquid camphor filtered through a cloth.

171     Lalita: (to Jarati) Noble lady, you should be afraid.  Why did you ruin the flowers we picked with great labour?  What is He to Vrndavana forest?

172     Jarati: Lalita, you are good at quarrelling.  False pride makes your heart itch to quarrel.  You stay and quarrel with these arrogant boys.  Come, granddaughter.  Come.  (Taking Radha, she is about to leave).

173     Shri Radha: Noble lady, where are we going?  We have not yet worshipped Lord Siva.

174     Kusumasava: Noble lady, there is a fine you must pay to my friend.  We have seen to your face how you have stolen flowers.  Pay your fine and you may all go.

175     Jarati: Brahmana child, what is this "fine"?

          Kusumasava: Friend Subala, tell her.

176     Subala: Noble lady, please hear.  Look, thinking him a suitable person, King Kamadeva gave the flowers in Vrndavana forest to my glorious friend and also gave Him authority to collect customs duties from the pious girls here.  O beautiful-eyed girls, pay the fine and go.  Don't do this dry arguing.

177     Jarati: So be it.  Your friend collects fines.  What does is that to us?  We are not subjects of King Kamadeva.

178     Kusumasava: So be it.  How could you, and old lady, be one of his subjects?

          Jarati: (angrily) Wretch, only if one has done something wrong need she fear paying a fine.

179     Subala: Dear friend, please give the answer Yourself.

          Shri Krishna: (with gravity) Listen.

180     You lotus-eyed girls may or may not have many jewels and other valuables.  Give Me some of them in the swinging vines of your arms.  That is the fine I ask.  Show me the jewels in this golden pitcher.

181     Her Friends: This pitcher has the things for Lord Siva's worship.

          Kusumasava: Fools! This is Lord Siva.  Worship Him.

182     Her Friends: Lord Siva is the great black god.

          Kusumasava: Is He not a great black god?  By His splendour the entire forest is black as a tamala tree?

183     Her friends: We worship the god that has the moon in his crown.

          Kusumasava; Look! Look! Does He not have the moon in His crown?  (He points to Krishna's peacock feather crown).

184     Her friends: Talkative boy, we worship the husband of the fair goddess Gauri.

          Kusumasava: You do not have fair complexions?

185     Jarati: Child, you think your friend is the husband of these girls?  Stop! Stop! will I not see you later in the village?

187     Her friends: Talkative fool, We worship the protector of the helpless.

          Kusumasava: He protects these cows.  Is He not protector of the helpless?

188     Her Friends:  You say that.  We are helpless.  Why does He not protect us?

189     Subala: So be it.  We are all helpless.  Because you know He is the protector of the helpless, you should worship Him.  Show us what you are carrying in these jars and then you may go in peace.  What is the use of this fruitless bickering?

190     Radhika: Friends, show them.  (Her friends do that.)

191     Kusumasava: (looking) This is musk.  This is kunkuma.  This is black aguru.  This is sandal paste.  This is camphor.  This is artistically made in the shape of a snake.

          Jarati: Snake, bite this boy!

192     Kusumasava: Noble lady, why would  my friend, the subduer of Kaliya, fear any snake?  Pay the fine and go.

193     Her Friends:  So be it.  We will worship Lord Siva and then go home.  If your friend comes there we will give whatever He asks.

194     Kusumasava: Servant girls, must my friend leave His home, go to your home, and beg from you?  Stop! Stop! (He is about to seize the paraphernalia of worship).

195     Lalita: The articles for worshipping the deity should not be dirtied by a cowherd prince!

196     Radha: Lalita, how can we offer to the deity what He has touched?  Give it to Him! Give it! We will go home and bring other things to worship the deity.  Noble lady, come.  Let us go home.  (She attempts to leave).

197     Krishna: (blocking the path) Ah, You who think Yourself so clever, where are You going?

          Radha: (feigning anger) The fine is paid.  What fine more do You want?

198     Krishna: (laughing and angry) What payment have You made?  This is the price.  Listen.

199     This golden lotus, above the pair of sapphire lotuses, and below the pair of ruby jewel-cases holding two strands of pearls.  All this I see.  You are hiding two golden jars.  What else are You hiding?  Girl, that I will have to see.

          Note: The golden lotus is Radha's head, the two sapphire lotuses are Her eyes, the two ruby-jewel-cases Her lips, the two strands of pearls Her teeth, and the hidden golden jars Her breasts.

200     Who are you to see?  You cannot see!

201     Jarati: (placing herself between Them, she says in Sanskrit) Son of Yasoda, don't be like that!  Why do You act as a villain with a greedy heart?  I tell You the truth.  If You do something that will create gossip about these pious girls, then it will not be good for You.

202     Lalita: (approaching Krishna, she angrily says in Sanskrit)  Who are You?

          Krishna: Madhava.

          Lalita: You are the month of April (madhava) personified?

          Krishna: O bewildered one, know that I am Janardana.

          Lalita: That explains why You live in the forest.

          Krishna: Who in the world does not know Me as the lifter of Govardhana Hill?

          Lalita: O killer of a bull, You have sinfully killed a cow!

          Note: In this exchange Lalita deliberately misinterprets Krishna's words.  When He says He is Madhava, she interprets it as the name for the month April.  When He says He is Janardana (He who rescues the living entities from sufferings), she interprets it backwards as "He who torments the living entities".  When He says He is Govardhana-dhara (the lifter of Govardhana Hill), she interprets "vardhana" to mean "violence" and claims that He is violent to the cows (go).

203     Love of God: Wonderful! Lord Hari's pastimes are sweet when portrayed by actors.  What can we say when they are portrayed by the Lord Himself and His personal associates?

204     The devotees know that ordinary actors and an ordinary audience cannot walk on the sweet path of these pastimes.  However, here, where both actors and audience are beyond the material world, what obstacle stands in their way?

205     Lord Krishna's activities in the material world are more wonderful than His activities in the spiritual world.  That is why they are called His playing (lila).  They attract the people of the material world.  That is the proof that they are actually beyond the touch of matter.  (Filled with wonder, she looks).

206     Kusumasava: Wicked, crooked, Lalita, my friend acts badly?  Stand! Stand and fight!

207     Subala: (joking and angry) It is true.  Your face does violence to the moon, the king of brahmanas.  Your eyes roll in intoxication.  Your form robs gold of its splendour.  You do not stop associating with Your guru's wife.  You associate with Kamadeva.  That is Your fifth sin.  The holy name of my friend, which destroys all sins, is the only way to become pure.  Still, You insist that my friend is wicked.

          Note: Subala, here claims that Radha has committed the five greatest sins.  1.  killing a brahmana (Because the moon is the king of brahmanas, the beauty of Her face, which eclipses the moon, has killed a brahmana). 2. intoxication (She is intoxicated by Krishna's handsomeness).  3. stealing gold (Her complexion robs gold of its splendour).  4. intimate association with the guru's wife (Guru means superior.  Her grandfather is Her superior.  She associates with Her grandmother.)  5. illicit sex (All this time She has been flirting with Krishna).

208     Friend, collectors of customs duties who are not bold are not very successful.  Therefore, now show Your power.

209     (Placing Himself between them, He turns His back to Radha, with His hand pushes Jarati, who is standing in front of Him, and tries forcibly to grasp the end of Radha's sari.  Jarati, freeing Radha by force, makes Her disappear and then also disappears herself.  Lord Nityananda becomes manifest, dancing).

210     Friendship: Goddess, what is this?  From where has Lord Nityananda suddenly appeared?  Where has Jarati gone?

211     Love of God: This is the power of Yogamaya.  She entered Nityananda, became Jarati, and now thinking this incomplete nectar sweet enough, has disappeared.  Now Nityananda is present in His own form.

212     The natural condition is always the strongest.  It always eclipses whatever is artificial.  Water warmed by fire or the sun does not stay warm for long.

213     Now the play ends.  That is the Lord's pastime.  It does not follow the ordinary rules of drama.  Look! Advaita! Advaita!

214     Friendship: I do not see what kind of form Lord Chaitanya has now.

          A Voice From Behind the Scenes: Look! A sannyasi! A sannyasi!

215     Love of God: Ah, what are these horrible unexpected words?  I will look.  A sannyasi enters the Lord's garden.  Someone stares at him and cries.  Let us go.  (They both exit)

          (Everyone exits).

 

Shrila Kavi Karnapura's

Shri Chaitanya-candrodaya

The Rising of the Moon of Shri Chaitanya

Act Four Sannyasa-parigrahah

Acceptance of Sannyasa

 

Act Four

1.       (Sacidevi enters, followed by Acaryaratna's wife).

2        Saci: Bhagini, why does Visvambhara worship this sannyasi?  The sannyasi has not asked Him for service.

3        Bhagini:  How would I know why He worships him?

4        Saci: With great respect He gave alms to a sannyasi named Kesava Bharati.  And afterwards He gave me the remnants of the sannyasi's meal.  He was very devoted to this sannyasi-guru.

5        Bhagini: He was devoted to this sannyasi.

6        Saci: This sannyasi's name makes my heart tremble.  He taught my first son.  I will ask what he said to my son.

7        Bhagini: That is the right thing to do.

8        Saci: Where is my son?  Where is the sandal tree that delights my heart?  Do you know?

9        Bhagini: (looking ahead) O noble lady, look! Look! Here is your son, a full moon rising in the east.

10      (Saci: eagerly looks).

11      (Lord Visvambhara enters).

12      Visvambhara: (folding His hands) Mother, I offer My respectful obeisances.

13      Saci: May You live long.  (She smells His head).  Son, this is Acaryaratna's wife.  You should offer respectful obeisances to her.

14      (The Lord does that.  She pulls back in fear).

          Note: From this point on the speeches no longer identify Lord Chaitanya as Visvambhara.  He is now called Deva.

15      Saci: Son, I will ask about something.

16      Deva: Please order Me.

17      Saci: Son, why are You so respectful to this sannyasi?  Today You were very devoted to Kesava Bharati.

18      Deva: Mother, he is a great devotee of the Lord.

19      Saci: Speak the truth.  Are You going to take sannyasa?

20      Deva: (smiling) Mother, where did you get this foolish idea?  How can this be?

21      Saci: Son, Your older brother gave You a book.  While I was cooking, I put that book in the fire and burned it.

22      Deva: What book?  Why did you burn it?

23      Saci: Visvarupa said to me: "Mother, when Visvambhara becomes a learned scholar, give Him this book."  As long as He had not taken sannyasa, I carefully protected the book.  When He took sannyasa, I was afraid You would also take sannyasa.  Then I burned the book.

22      Deva: (one moment depressed and the next laughing) Mother, although you are the form of all knowledge, love for your son made you act foolishly.

23      Saci: Son, don't be offended with me.

24      Deva: How can a mother offend her sons?  If I have offended her, I pray My mother will forgive Me.  Please be merciful to Me.

25      Saci: Son, You have not offended me.

26      Deva: Mother, I will go travelling for some days.  Please don't be unhappy at heart.

27      Saci: Where are You going?

28      Deva: Mother, to bring happiness to you and My relatives I will search for Visvarupa.

29      Saci: You are their happiness.

30      Deva: Still, I should do this to increase your happiness.

31      Saci: So, please don't do anything that will make me unhappy.

32      Deva: Mother, Shri Krishna is your protector, father, mother, son, relative, wealth, source of eternal happiness, friend and worshipable Deity.  By always meditating on Him in your heart, you are always in His company.  You are fortunate.  Please know that for you there is happiness everywhere.

33      Saci: Son, for me You are everything.  By Your kindness I will not be unhappy.  Please act so I will see You.

34      Deva: You see Lord Krishna at every moment.  He will remove all your unhappiness.

35      Saci: So be it.  You are my Krishna.  Please rise.  It is now mid-day.  You should bathe and worship the Lord.  I will go to my cooking.  Bhagini, please go home.  It is time for you to cook for the Lord.

          (Exit all).

36      (Advaita enters)

          Advaita: Now the materialists, overwhelmed by the material senses, and the devotees, overwhelmed by the presence of the Lord, have both attained the same condition of love of God.  On the day the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared in this world I danced in ecstatic joy, but today when I hear from someone's mouth that the Supreme Lord has entered this world I believe and doubt at the same time.  The all-powerful, supremely opulent Personality of Godhead is now known as Visvambhara.  The Supreme Lord, who is expert at unfolding the many dramas of the creation and annihilation of many millions of universes, and whose nectarlike fame, handsomeness, and pastimes destroy the darkness of ignorance in the living entities' hearts in this world, now displays His transcendental pastimes.  Without His mercy He cannot be understood.  He is not understood by pratyaksa (direct perception), anumana (mental speculation), upamana (analogy), sabda (Vedas), arthapatti (inference), aitihya (Puranas and Vedic histories), and other kinds of evidence.  Now he has manifest in this world the transcendental dance of His pastimes, which even I cannot understand.  Some will be bewildered by His pastimes, some will debate their nature, and some will understand the secrets of His pastimes.  (He looks up) Ah, the sun kisses the western horizon.

37      "You are my wife in name only.  All the planets rest upon you."  Insulted by her husband in this way, the goddess of the western horizon becomes red like molten iron.  What seems to be a red sunset is actually her red anger.

38      Perhaps that is not why sun is now red.  Perhaps the goddess of the western horizon is overwhelmed with happiness by the touch of her lover, the beginning of evening, and for this reason the garment of red clouds has fallen from her hips and the majestic ruby of the setting sun has slowly fallen from her belt.

39      Now handsome Lord Visvambhara may be seen.  He has stopped walking on the path.  Now He says His evening prayers.  (Advaita also desires to say His prayers).

40      A Voice From Behind the Scenes: Now I have almost come to His home.  Now I have arrived.  Advaita is not here.  Why is He not here today?

41      Advaita: (listening) Ah! noticing My delay, the Lord will rebuke Me!  I must hurry,  (He exits).

42      (Tossing the curtain aside, he hastily enters).

          Shrivasa: Advaitadeva, the Lord orders: "I am going to Shrivasa's house.  You must go there."

43      Advaita: As the Lord orders.  (He walks with him and then looks ahead).  Now I will enter Shrivasa's house.  (He enters, and glances in the eastern direction).  Ah! This is delightful.

44      Delighting the eyes of the people in the world, rivers of the nectar of krishna-prema (love of Krishna) flowing from the cooling touch of His feet, and brining great pleasure to the earth, the moon of Lord Visvambhara rises.

          Note: If the word "pada" is interpreted to  mean "rays of light", and if the words "kau mudam" are interpreted to be the single word "kaumuda" (lotus), the verse may be interpreted in the following way:

          "Delighting the eyes of the people in the world, its cooling rays filled with sweet nectar, and making the lotus flowers bloom with happiness, the moon rises."

45      (Followed by Shrivasa and the other devotees, the Lord enters)

          Visvambhara: (lifting Advaita, who was offering dandavat obeisances) Welcome! an auspicious welcome!

46      Advaita: The sight of the moon of Your face has made it auspicious.

47      Deva: (respectfully offering obeisances to Him and embracing Him) Lord, please sit down.

48      Advaita: As You order.  (Everyone is comfortably seated).

49      Bhagavan: (to Advaita) All of us have already taken food and drink.  You must be tired and hungry from travelling on the road.  Why should there be a delay?  Shrivasa, you are the host.  Show hospitality to Him.

50      Advaita: Don't worry.  Today I have done all that need be done.

51      Bhagavan: (with joy) Now, in Shrivasa's courtyard cleansed with water and bathed in the golden moonlight,, perform the auspicious festival of bhagavat-sankirtana (chanting of the Lord's holy names).

52      Everyone: (with joy) Lord, please personally begin it.

53      Bhagavan: I will go to the courtyard.  (Everyone goes to the sankirtana place.  Exit all).

54      (Gangadasa enters)

          Gangadasa: I heard that Advaitadeva has come from Santipura.  I don't know where He is staying at Lord Visvambhara's home or Shrivasa's home.  I will find out.  (He takes a few steps).

55      (Tumultuous sounds of kirtana from behind the scenes)

          Gangadasa; (listening) Ah! Near Shrivasa's home I hear tumultuous sounds of sankirtana that delight all the devotees.  Perhaps Advaita is here.  I will stand here and look.  (Looking) Everyone is chanting the holy names, dancing and causing Lord Visvambhara to dance.

56      Formerly the Supreme Lord removed the great burden of many invincible demons from the earth.  I think that now, with His forceful steps, the Lord is removing the earth's unhappiness by personally dancing upon her with His devotees.

57      (Looks again) Ah! Is this personified bliss?  Is this personified transcendental love of Krishna?  Is this personified devotional faith?  Is this personified mercy descended to the earth?  Is this personified sweetness?  Is this the nine processes of devotional service appearing in a single form?  This is Vakresvara Pandita, whose transcendental bliss is equal to that of the Lord Himself, enjoying pastimes of dancing.

58      (From behind the scenes tumultuous sounds of bliss.  There is a tumult of "jaya's").

          Gangadasa: (looking) Ah! A great festival of transcendental bliss.  Accompanied by many karatalas, Lord Gaurachandra loudly sings while Vakresvara dances.  Now Vakresvara sings while Lord Gaurachandra dances.  Vakresvara feels transcendental bliss equal to that of the Lord Himself.

59      (Again from behind the scenes a tumult of "jaya jaya" and "ululu").

          Gangadasa: (looking for a long time) Ah! Lord Visvambhara has begun to dance.  With thunderous shouts turning the devotees into dancing peacocks, with flowing tears filling the world with an unending monsoon, and with a flood of splendour filling the directions with lightning, the Visvambhara raincloud, delighting the world, dances.

60      Glory to Lord Gaurachandra who, with glances throwing garlands of lotus flowers on every direction, with tears sprinkling nectar and with moving eyebrows making swarms of black bees, dances in a circle!

61      Glory to the circular dance of Lord Visvambhara, who with footsteps brings tears of bliss to Naga-nagara, with raised arms makes Sura-puri dance, and with splendid whirling limbs makes the circle of the directions spin!

62      (Looking again) Now Lord Advaita has begun to dance.  As Shrivasa and his three brothers, headed by  Rama Dasa, sweetly sing, and as Lord Visvambhara and Vakresvara Pandita happily look on, Lord Advaita, decorated with anklets, armlets, necklace, bracelets, belt and other ornaments, continually dances, as if He were personified devotional service.

63      A great, splendid turban on His head, His pearl earrings swinging, a beautiful golden necklace moving on His chest, His anklets moving, the hairs of His body standing erect, and His face bathed in tears, Lord Nityananda dances with great attention.

64      (Looking to the sky) Ah! Nine hours of the night have passed.  Only three hours remain.  My eyes are rolling.  The goddess of sleep has overcome me.  I will sleep for a moment.  (Falling asleep he dreams and says:) O Visvambharadeva, where are You?  Where are You?  (After dreaming in this way, he again wakes up)  I saw a nightmare.  (In his heart he meditates for a moment on the Lord's lotus feet and then looks in the direction of the back of the stage.)  Alas! I don't see anyone.  When the sankirtana ended the Lord and His associates left to take rest.  So be it.  I will also go home.  (He takes a few steps) Ah! The night has ended.

65      (Looking to the east) Look! The infant sun has crossed the boundary of the eastern horizon.  Although he is barely able to walk, time prods him, and he now traverses the ocean of sky.

66      (Takes a few steps and then looks ahead)  Ah, who is this person walking quickly, as if eager to find someone?

67      (A man hastily enters)

          Man: Ah, Gangadasa, Lord Visvambhara is at your house?

68      Gangadasa: (joyful) O my good fortune!  I will go to see Him.  He has personally come to my home.

69      Man: I ask:  Is Lord Visvambhara at your house?

70      Gangadasa: (with unhappiness) why do you ask?

71      Man: On any other day He would go to His own home early in the morning and perform His morning duties.  Today He has not come.  Sacidevi sent me to find him.  (After speaking these words, he goes off to find another person).

72      (Another man hastily enters, asks the same question, and then exits.  Another, and yet another, and yet another man asks the same question and again exits.)

73      Gangadasa: (with unhappiness) Alas! My nightmare has borne fruit!  What will I do?  I will go to Advaita and the other devotees.  (He takes a few steps).

74      (The devotees, headed by Advaita, enter.  They are unhappy, and make various conjectures to understand the situation.)

75      Advaita: Shrivasa! What is the news?  This morning we all thought the Lord returned to His own home, and Mother Saci thought the Lord stayed at the home of Shrivasa or another devotee.  We are all bewildered.  Our hearts are anxious.  How can we know what has happened?  Will lightning suddenly strike us today?

76      Shrivasa: None of the men we sent to find Him has returned.

77      Advaita: If anyone had seen Him in the search they would have returned.  It must be that no one found him.  What could have happened?

78      He is the Supreme Lord who appears by His own will.  In this village who has the power to hid Him?  How could the Lord hide Himself?  He is like a brilliant sun no one can cover.  who can cover the sun when it shines in the daytime sky?

79      Shrivasa: Here comes Gangadasa.  Let's ask him.

80      (Approaching) Gangadasa: O fortunate souls, why are you suddenly unhappy?

81      Everyone:  We are searching for Him, and he asks is this question!

82      Advaita: (with tears) O Visvambharadeva, O treasure-house of transcendental qualities, O ocean of love for Krishna, O Lord who has descended to rescue the poor conditioned souls, O cintamani jewel of the devotees, You have blinded our eyes.  You have filled all the directions with blinding darkness.  You have made desolate the hearts of all living entities.  What offense have we committed that made You leave us?

83      Murari: O Lord Advaita, You are very grave and profound.  Why do You lament in this way before we are even certain that the Lord has actually left us?  By seeing You, saintly Sacidevi will suffer as You suffer.

84      Shrivasa: Murari speaks the truth.  He is her only son.  He is like her only eye.  He is her only happiness.  She thinks of Him as her spiritual master.  Mother Saci cannot live for a moment without Him.

85      Now we must act to protect her life.  Gangadasa, she has faith in your words.  You must speak to her in such a way that her life is not lost.

86      Gangadasa: As you order me.  (He exits).

87      Gadadhara: (with pathos) O Lord, three hours have passed, six hours have passed.  Nine hours have passed.  Alas, the day is almost ended.  Gradually the rope o hope is breaking.  My life is breaking with it.  O Lord, still no news of You has entered the pathway of my ears.  (He faints).

88      Vakresvara: O ocean of mercy, will You leave us and go away?   Last night You gave us Your mercy and the nectar of Your great love.  To what may Your mercy be compared?  To what may Your indifference in leaving us be compared?  O master of our hearts, O Lord, both Your mercy and Your leaving us are not ordinary.  They are not part of this material world.  (He faints).

89      Murari: (agitated) Outside I am peaceful and composed.  In my heart I shed many tears.  The tears have greatly increased.  One by one a flood of tears is pushing beyond the barrier I set to contain them.  (He calls out again and again, cries, and falls to the ground).

90      Shrivasa: (looking at him) He is a very grave and profound person.  He is overwhelmed by very intense love.

91      As long as the barrier was not broken, the flood of tears remained within.  When the barrier was broken, the flood covered everything.

92      O Lord Visvambhara, where are You?  Where are You?  I was dead.  Why did You bring me back to life?  Now that You have brought me back to life, why do You not kill me again?  O Lord, my heart cannot understand Your mischief?  Why does the Supreme Lord act as a child?  (He cries).

93      Mukunda: If we cannot see Your face, what is the use of our eyes?  If we cannot hear Your words, what is the use of our ears?  O master of our lives, O Lord, if You neglect us, what is the use of our wretched, painful lives?

94      Jagadananda: (with tears) Our hearts have decided that we cannot live for even a moment without Your lotus feet.  O Lord, we are ashamed to live for more days if we cannot see You.  (He faints).

95      Damodara: O master of our lives, where are You?  Where are You?  Life, why do you not leave this corpse?  The Lord of my life now wanders all alone.  Go to His lotus feet and worship them.  Then the loving devotees will not be at fault.  (He faints).

96      Haridasa: Alas! Alas! If the life-airs do not at once leave when the master of life departs, if they do not leave in the next moment, or if they do not leave at all, then they must bear many millions of harsh rebukes.  These life-airs will not sit still.  They torture the person that bears them.

97      Let me think for a moment.  If the Lord will not enter the pathway of my eyes, and if He will not glance with mercy on a person like me, then, yearning to attain His lotus feet, I will give up many thousands of lifetimes strong and hard as thunderbolts as if they were a single blade of grass.  (He becomes composed and rapt in thought).

98      Love, I offer my respects to you.  Love, you do not appear without cheating others.  What can I say?  You even cheat me from the sincerely merciful Lord Visvambhara.  If you are not cheating me, why do you allow me to remain alive in this body?  (Overcome, he falls to the ground and cries).

99      Murari: O great devotees, please consider: Did the Lord go all alone, or in the company of someone else?

100     Advaita: Why should we consider this?  No one saw Lord Gaurachandra walking on the road.  Splendid as a host of lightning flashes, Lord Gaurachandra has not appeared in anyone's sight.

101     Murari: This consideration can help us find Him.

102     Everyone: How is that?

103     Murari: Let us think about His associates.  Who is not here right now?

104     Everyone: He has spoken well.  (They all think about the situation).

105     Murari: Ah! I know.

106     Everyone: What is it?

107     Murari: Lord Nityananda and Acaryaratna.

108     Everyone: What does this mean?

109     Murari: If these two are not present with us in this painful calamity, then they must have gone with Him.

110     Everyone: (somewhat relieved) If this is true, and He is not alone, that gives us some relief.

111     Advaita: Mukunda, please comfort Mother Saci with this message: "O Mother, do not be anxious for Him.  To attend to some business the Lord has gone somewhere with Lord Nityananda and Acaryaratna.  He is now about to return."  Say these words to her.

112     Mukunda: As You order.  (He exits).

113     Advaita: O dear devotees of Lord Visvambharadeva, now our hearts have become a little peaceful.  Because the Lord is in the company of two intelligent and expert devotees, even though He is supremely independent, He will not act independently.  Why did He act in this way?  Let us think.

114     If He has gone on a pilgrimage tot he holy places, why would it be a secret?  If, out of love for them, He wished to travel with these two alone, then He might have done this.

          (Everyone becomes silent and thinks about this for a moment).

115     A Voice From Behind the Scenes: Alas! Alas! Alas! Alas! Alas! For three days the devotees have not heard any news.  Are they dead and lifeless, or have they fainted unconscious?  O fate, now that I have seen our dear Lord in this condition, how can I leave Him and return to the devotees?  I should at once give up my body in this place.

116     Everyone: (listening) Ah! We hear a sound like the voice of Acaryaratna.  Even though we cannot clearly see him, by hearing the sound of him crying in a choked up voice, we think it is he.  (They all listen attentively).

117     Again a Voice From Behind the Scenes:  Alas! Alas! I am sinful and fallen!  Why did I not go with Him?

118     Alas! Alas! The Lord acts according to the desires in His devotees' hearts.  He cannot disobey their wishes.  Still, His actions sometimes bring us pain.  He is like the sun, and we are like suryakanta jewels.  The sun shines on a suryakanta jewel, which bursts into flame because of the sun's rays and cannot escape.

119     Everyone: (listening) We think this is Acaryaratna who has left the company of the Lord and come here.  It is he who has said: "Alas! Alas! The Lord does not disobey His devotees' wishes".  Although he is now burning in the flames of his misfortune, he is the beginning of our relief.

120     Murari: I think Nityanandadeva is still in Visvambhara's company.  It is as if Acaryaratna was sent here for a specific purpose.

121     Advaita: Why should Visvambhara come here? He will not come to accumulate wealth.  He will not come to comfort His mother.  We are not fortunate.  He will simply send us to bring her.  What is the use of brooding like this?  I do not know how a more bitter fruit can grow on the poison tree of My misfortune.  (He broods).

122     Again, the Voice from Behind the Scenes: Alas! Alas! I am sinful and fallen.  Why did I not follow behind Him?  Why did my eyes not burn with pain as I gazed at His form?  Why did my life not at once leave this body when He said: "Now you should leave?"  O Visvambhara, I was cheated by Your illusory potency.

123     Everyone: (They listen, and then they face in the direction of behind the scenes) Let us see who it is.  Don't delay.  (They look).

124     (Acaryaratna enters)

          Acaryaratna: Where is His glistening, curling, black hair.  Why did He shave His head? Where is the opulent cloth around His waist?  Alas! Alas! Why did He accept a sannyasi's kaupina?  (He reflects for a moment).  They who know the truth know this is His transcendental pastime.  It is not a material act.  He is the omniscient Supreme Personality of Godhead and everything rests in Him.

125     Everyone: (eagerly approaching) Acarya, tell us.  Tell us.  Where is the Lord?

126     Acaryaratna: Ah! What will this fallen, sinful person say?

127     Advaita: Tell us.  What happened?

128     Acaryaratna: (In His ear) It is just as I said.

129     Advaita: Why cover the news with your hand? Speak it openly.  Everyone should hear it.

130     Acaryaratna: (with tears, calling out loudly) Your jubilant singing and dancing in kirtana has come to an end.  Your sweet, affectionate smiles and words are now only in our hearts.  Alas! Alas! Your love and mercy remain only in our memories.  O Lord, Your acceptance of sannyasa has destroyed the great treasure of our lives.

131     (Everyone becomes overwhelmed).

132     Gangadasa: Acaryaratna, the Lord's mother asks: "Please tell me the good news of my auspicious Lord."

133     (Acaryaratna's throat is choked with tears).

134     Advaita: In My name, please tell her this: Ramacandra lived in the forest, Krishna went to Mathura, and your son has taken sannyasa.  In this way, you three mothers must bear the pain of separation from your sons.

135     Gangadasa: Ah! She guessed that he son has taken sannyasa.  What can be said to hide the truth that her son has followed the path of His older brother?  Ah, the Lord's transcendental pastimes are equally harsh and merciful.

136     Advaita: The mother is overwhelmed and has lost all peacefulness.  Why is the son so peaceful?  (He reflects for a moment).

137     "Accepting the renounced order, the Lord is always equiposed.  He is firmly fixed in His mission of chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, and He is firmly situated in His dualistic conclusion and His peace."*  The Lord has now fulfilled these words of the Vishnu-sahasra-nama prayers.

138     Now it will be right for the Lord to study the maha-vakya.  He has renounced the world.  For Him there are no longer material designations.  Acaryaratna, please tell us the story from the beginning.

139     Acaryaratna: I remained alive only to tell You this story.  when the night ended and the dancing was over, He took my hand.  We walked a few steps.  He saw Lord Nityananda and said to Him: "You also come."  Together we crossed the Ganga and then continued walking.  I said: "Lord, please tell me why we are alone and where are we going?"  He ignored me and remained silent.  He walked, we followed His steps, and He eventually entered the village name Katok, where He approached Kesava Bharati, the leader of the sannyasis.  At that moment both Nityananda and I felt very anxious at heart.

140     We though: "The Lord desires to take sannyasa."  The Lord's potency then overwhelmed us and we were not able to say anything to Him.  On the next day He said: "Acaryaratna, now you make all the arrangements."  I said: "What arrangements?"  Then the Lord told me what to do.  When I understood what He meant I became overwhelmed.  I was struck dumb.  I could not answer, but began to cry.  After that all the arrangements were automatically made in the right way.  Words cannot describe what happened then.

141     Everyone: (They listen, and become full of grief) O Lord, why have You done this?  For us this is the ripened fruit of the tree of suffering.  How can we criticise the Lord?  Alas! Alas! When this enters our memory, it cuts our hearts.  O Acaryaratna, how were you able to see all this?  (They become filled with grief).

142     Advaita: What name did the Lord accept in the sannyasa asrama?

143     Acaryaratna: Krishna Chaitanya.

144     Advaita: (filled with wonder) That is a very appropriate name.  Lord Krishna is the living force in all beings, and therefore He is called "Krishna Chaitanya".  This name is the ripened fruit of the maha-vakya's true meaning.

145     Because Kesava is a name of Lord Krishna, and "bharati" means "words", "Kesava-bharati" means the Vedic literatures, which are Lord Krishna's words.  This is described in Shrimad Bhagavatam, where Lord Krishna says to Uddhava (11.14.3):

          "When the creation took place, I spoke the Vedic knowledge to Brahma, because I Myself am the religious principles of the Vedas."

          Therefore the name Kesava Bharati means "The evidence of Vedic literatures."  Acaryaratna, tell us, what did the Lord do in that place?  What did He do in other places?

146     Acaryaratna: At that time the Lord accepted sannyasa and began His travels.

147     Advaita: Did He not say anything to you?

148     Acaryaratna: He was blinded with love of Krishna.  He repeatedly stumbled as He walked.  His chest was bathed in tears.  He was not aware even of His own self..  What could He say to me?

149     Advaita: Why did you not follow Him?

150     Acaryaratna: Lord Nityananda said: "I will follow the Lord.  As We wander from pathway to pathway, by some means I will lead Him to Advaita's home.  Go.  Bring this news to Advaita and the other devotees.  Remove their sufferings.  Bring them happiness."

151     Advaita: You are glorious! O Lord Nityanandadeva, You are glorious! Your sincere friendship has conquered Me.  Acaryaratna, go and comfort Sacidevi, and I will make the other arrangements.

          (Everyone exits).

 

Shrila Kavi Karnapura's

Shri Chaitanya-candrodaya

The Rising of the Moon of Shri Chaitanya

Act Five Advaita-pura-vilasah

Pastimes at Advaita's Home

 

Act Five

1.       (Shri Krishna Chaitanya enters, followed by Lord Nityananda).

          Shri Chaitanya: "I will cross over the insurmountable ocean of nescience by being firmly fixed in the service of the lotus feet of Krishna.  This was approved by the previous acaryas, who were fixed in firm devotion to the Lord, Paramatma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead."*

          (He stumbles)

          Note: This is a verse from Shrimad-Bhagavatam.

2        Nityananda: (aside) Ah! Wonderful! The fire of renunciation makes Him melt with the nectar of love for Krishna.  His limbs are contracted into a ball.  His heart is wounded with love.

3        Now I am alone.  What will I do?  Let Me think.  (He looks again) Ah! Wonderful! He splashes in waves of dancing.  He thunders with shouts of joy.  He is decorated with glistening jewels of perspiration, becoming stunned, and other symptoms of ecstasy.  An agitated ocean of bliss rocks His heart.  What kind of person is this, who can become so overwhelmed with ecstatic love of Krishna?

4        He walks as a cloud of kesara-flower pollen carried by a strong wind.  Even if I run I cannot keep up with Him.  Ignoring the objects of the senses, He wanders here and there, not noticing where He passes through towns or crosses rivers.

5        His eyes do not see whether He walks on the path, away from the path, over hills, across valleys, across rivers, or through forests.  He walks like an intoxicated wild elephant who does not see ahead, behind, or even His own self.

6        Somehow or other the impersonalists give up all sense-engagement.  The devotees full of love plunge into the handsomeness of the Lord's form.  If the Supreme Lord and the devotees are both full of bliss, what is the difference between them?  Ah! I understand.  The Lord is the independent source of His own bliss, but the individual living entity is dependent on the Lord for his bliss.

7        What will I do now? (He pauses for a moment).  For three days He has not eaten.  He has not drunk water or done anything else.  Dressed only in a kaupina and an outer garment, He is overcome with bliss.  Day and night the Lord walks, He does not know where He is going.  What will I do?  O Lord Gauranga, O ocean of mercy, I am suffering.  Please be kind.  Please be merciful to Me.

8        (He pauses for a moment and then feels relief within His mind) Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is now overcome with bliss.  I will now give the medicine to revive Him.  He does not know where He is going.  I will lead Him to Lord Advaita's home.

9        (From behind the scenes tumultuous sounds of "haribol haribol".

10      Nityananda: (looking ahead) Ah! This is wonderful! As they see the Lord, these cowherd boys, with great eagerness, reverence, devotion, faith, bliss and wonder, loudly call out: "haribol! haribol!"

11      Bhagavan: (By hearing the sound "Hari", He is partly awakened from His trance of transcendental bliss.  He opens His two lotus-eyes and looks to the direction from which the sounds of "Hari" came.)

12      Nityananda: (looking) These cowherd boys have helped.  As a great mantra revives someone bitten by a snake, so their calling out "Hari!" awakened the Lord from His trance of bliss.

13      Bhagavan: (approaching) Speak, O speak the word "Hari".  (They repeat the word again and again).

14      (The cowherd boys enter, offer dandavat obeisances to the Lord, and clapping their hands, chant the name of Hari.  Eagerly listening to them, the Lord stops walking).

15      Nityananda: (blissful) The Lord's madness of bliss has many forms.  Sometimes He is restless, sometimes stunned, sometimes both restless and stunned, and sometimes He seems possessed by a ghost.

16      Now the Lord's madness of bliss makes Him like an old man.  He opens His eyes, but cannot see what is before Him.  Half-deaf, He can hear a little, but cannot understand the meaning of the words.

17      (He touches their heads with His lotus hand) Ah! You have very expertly sung the glories of the Lord's holy name.  Now My life is a success.  You know the way to Vrndavana.  What path goes there?

18      Nityananda: (jubilant) This is My opportunity.  (selecting one boy from the group) Child, tell Him: "This is the path to Vrndavana."

19      A boy: As You order, my Lord.  (approaching) O Lord, this is the path to Vrndavana.  (He points in the direction shown by Lord Nityananda).

20      Bhagavan: (with great bliss He begins to walk on that path.)

21      The Boys: (They bow down to offer respects, and then exit)

22      Nityananda: I am saved.  Now My desire is fulfilled.  With this path it will be possible to take Him to Advaita's home.  (He walks a little on the path, and then reflects)  Why does the Lord not notice Me?  He acts as if there were another companion by His side.  I will look after Him.  (He approaches the Lord).

23      Bhagavan: "I will cross over the insurmountable ocean of nescience by being firmly fixed in the service of the lotus feet of Krishna.  This was approved by the previous acaryas, who were fixed in firm devotion to the Lord, Paramatma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead."*  Ah! The sannyasi spoke well.  "I will cross over the ocean of nescience by being firmly fixed in the service of Krishna." I will not cross over nescience by meditating on the all-pervading Supersoul.  I will not meditate on that form of the Lord.  I will go to Vrndavana and serve Lord Krishna with all My heart.  (He looks at the sky)  Ah! How far is it to Vrndavana?

24      Nityananda: (approaching) Lord, in one day we can enter Vrndavana.

25      Bhagavan: (Half-awake and half-in-trance, He is suddenly filled with wonder).  Ah! Are You Shripada Nityananda?

26      Nityananda: O Lord, I am He.  (Halfway through His words his throat becomes choked with tears).

27      Bhagavan: Shripada, tell Me: Why have You come?

28      Nityananda: I heard the Lord desired to travel to Vrndavana.  I also wish to see Vrndavana, so I am travelling there with You.

29      Bhagavan: Good! Good! Come! We will go together.  (Blissfully walks).

30      Nityananda: This way Lord.  (He brings Him a certain distance)  O Lord, the transcendental Yamuna River is not far from here.  We should bathe in her waters.

31      Bhagavan: Ah! Today I will see the Yamuna?

32      Nityananda: Yes.

33      Bhagavan: (jubilant) Shripada, where is it?  Where is it?

34      Nityananda: This way.  This way.  (He brings Him a certain distance.  They reach the Ganga).  Lord, this is the Yamuna.

35      Bhagavan: (jubilantly bowing down, He speaks the following prayer:)  O River Yamuna, you are the blissful spiritual water that gives love to the son of Nanda Maharaja.  You are the same as the water of the spiritual world, for you can vanquish all our offenses and the sinful reactions incurred in life.  You are the creator of all auspicious things for the world.  O daughter of the sun-god, kindly purify us by you pious activities.*

36      Nityananda: Lord: now You should bathe in the Yamuna.

37      Bhagavan: As it pleases You.  (He bathes).