SRI CAITANYA BHAGAVATA

Madhya Lila Chapter 18


All glory to Lord Gauracandra, the benefactor of the world, kindly offer Your lotus feet to be cushioned deep within my heart. You are the life and soul of Lord Nityananda and Svarupa Damodara Goswain; You are the abode of all excellencies and the protector of Your devotees, all glory to You and Your devotees. One attains the highest perfection, love of Godhead by hearing the pastimes of Lord Caitanya as He gradually unfolded the transcendental mystery of the congregational chanting of Lord Krsna's holy name. Kindly hear those narrations of Madhya Khanda attentively as it reveals the pastime of Lord Visvambhara dancing dressed as Laksmi devi, Goddess of fortune and the eternal consort of Lord Narayana.

One day Lord Visvambhara told His devotees that He wanted a dance drama arranged. He called for Buddhimanta Khan and instructed him, "prepare a stage for a dance drama and get the costumes, conch shells, bangles, brassieres, silk sari, ornaments and other items for everyone. Gadadhara Pandita will the role of Rukmini devi and Brahmananda will her old lady companion Suprabhat. Nityananda will play My old grandmother, and Haridasa will play the guard responsible to wake everyone up. Srivasa will be Narada Muni. While Srirama will be the brahmana who is returning from his bath and Sriman insists on being the torch bearer, so Buddhimanta quickly go and arrange all, I want to dance."

Sadasiva Buddhimanta became very enlivened and happily went off to make the necessary arrangements. He pulled out the canopy made in Kathiar just for such occasions a built a nice enclosure and stage. He also brought the different costumes and placed them before the Lord. Lord Visvambhara was pleased with the costumes and He said, "Today I will dance as the potency and consort of the Supreme Lord. Only those who are in control of their senses enter the house and see the performance. Others are not to enter." At first when they heard that Lord Visvambhara will dance as Laksmi devi they were excited and happy. Later when the Lord repeated the conditions He had set the Vaisnavas became depressed in spirit.

The first person to react was Advaita Acarya he drew a line on the floor and said, "I cannot see the dance today. I come under the category of persons with uncontrolled senses so I have no business seeing the dance." Srivasa Pandita joined in saying, "Yes, I feel the same way too." Lord Caitanya gave a short laugh and said, "If you do not come then for whom am I to dance?" Lord Caitanya, the Supremely scintillating actor reviewed His instructions and said, "All of you do not worry, today you will be like the most perfected and self controlled yogis. You will not be attacked by delusion seeing My dance."

Advaita Acarya and Srivasa Pandita became merry again with the other Vaisnavas and all followed the Lord to Candra Sekhara Acarya's house. Mother Saci devi accompanied Laksmipriya, the relatives of all the Vaisnavas also went to attend Lord Caitanya's dance performance, which they heard will be unique to see Lord Caitanya as Laksmi devi. Candra Sekhara Acarya was indeed a very fortunate soul to have Lord Caitanya reveal such an unprecedented pastime in his house.

Lord Caitanya sat down with all the devotees and allocated different roles to them. Advaita Acarya, with folded hands enquired repeatedly, "Which role do You want me to play?" The Lord replied, "All the roles are at your disposal, choose anyone you like." Advaita Acarya was at a loss as to which role to play, he made the usual grimaces and danced about, floating on clouds of ecstasy. The other Vaisnavas began a jubilant melodious Krsna kirtana lead by Mukunda who sang with a clear charming voice, "sing Rama, Krsna, Hari, Gopala Govinda."

First to enter the drama arena was Haridasa Thakura, dressed as a guard flourishing a full grown flowing mustache, a turban tied around his head and a piece of cloth tied tightly around his waist; with an ominous looking stick he warned everyone, "Hear now! hear now! My brothers look sharp and sit up, the Lord and soul of the universe, Sri Caitanya will now dance as Laksmi devi." He wriggled his stick and paced about his body horipilating into loving sentiments for Krsna and stirred in others the same spiritual emotions. With a loud and arrogant voice he declared, "Worship Lord Krsna, render service unto Him and chant His holy names."

The devotees broke out in peals of laughter seeing this new appearance of Haridasa and asked, "Who are You, What are You doing here?" Haridasa Thakura replied, "I am a guard in Vaikuntha, I travel everywhere continuously to awaken Krsna consciousness in everyone. The Supreme Lord has left His eternal abode Vaikuntha to come here and indiscriminately and profusely distribute love of Godhead. Today He will dance in the role of Laksmi devi so you should diligently collect greedily love of Godhead." Saying this he twirled his handle bar mustache and moved about the arena stomping and loudly exclaiming with his partner Murari Gupta. Both these devotees are pure loving servants of Krsna and indeed Lord Gauracandra is always residing within there.

Soon Srivasa Pandita entered the arena dressed as Narada Muni looking very joyful. He had a long white beard, his body was decorated with little dots of sandal wood paste, he was carrying the vina hung over his shoulders and holding kusa grass in his hands he looked about him standing in the middle of the arena. Ramai Pandita followed him in with a folded sitting mat under his arms holding a renunciates water pot. Ramai spread the mat for Narada to sit; it was as if Narada had appeared in person.

The devotees were impressed with Narada's make up and laughed in appreciation, but Advaita spoke up in a loud grave voice, "who are you and what brings you here?" Srivasa replied, "listen carefully to my narration. Narada is my name, I am a singer, I sing about Krsna, and I travel the length and breath of this unlimited cosmos. I went to Vaikuntha in search of Krsna and there I was informed that Krsna has come to Navadvipa. There I noticed that the houses were empty and practically no one was in sight. I could not remain in a deserted place even if that was Vaikuntha, so I remembered my Lord and came here. Today, my Lord is dancing here dressed as Laksmi devi, that is why you find me here." When Srivasa finished speaking the Vaisnavas had no doubt that in speech, looks, action and character Srivasa was the same person as Narada. The devotees greeted him with loud applause.

Mother Saci was sitting with the other pious and pure ladies, drinking into the nectar of Krsna consciousness that flowed freely in the play. She asked Malini devi, "Is that there the Pandita, Your good husband?" Malini replied, "indeed it is so." Saci devi is the mother of the universe, she marveled at Srivasa Pandita's present appearance and feeling uncontrollable joy she fell down unconscious: everyone was feeling amazed at this wonderful sight. The ladies around her chanted Krsna's name into her ears and slowly she regained consciousness. Then remembering Krsna, Govinda she became again spiritually restless making it difficult for the ladies to hold her still. Inside and outside the house people were moved by wonderful spiritual emotions and they wept oblivious of everything.

Inside the dressing room Lord Visvambhara had finished dressing and suddenly He was overcome and captured by the emotions and moods of Rukmini devi. The Lord forgot Himself, thinking and feeling like the princess of Vidarbha, Rukmini devi. He wanted to write a letter to Krsna for help, the tears that rolled down His cheek became His ink, Mother earth the paper and His finger the pen. He wrote down the seventh verse of Rukmini devi's letter to Krsna from the Srimad Bhagavatam. Those who were present there read the words with moistened eyes. So now hear the explanation of this verse by which the Supreme Lord becomes one's husband, the only beloved and protector.

They read: "Srutva gunan bhuvana-sundara srnvatamte nirvisya karnavivaraharato ngatapam rupam drsam drsilmatan akhilartha tabham tvayyaeyutavisati cittamapatrapam me." S.B. 10.52.37

Lord Caitanya started speaking with the emotion and mood of Rukmini devi. He said, "O My matchless beauty when I heard of Your qualities all the material miseries that set me on fire were extirpated. The sight of Your charming face is the rarest treasure in the world; only those who are given the eyes to see this wonderful sight by the Lord's mercy is able to see.

O Lion hearted Yadu king, Your fame has fanned my hearts desire to reach out to You. Which chaste maiden in this universe can resist the attraction of Your lotus feet if she once has the opportunity to worship You. In Your absence erudition, aristocracy, character, wealth, beauty, behavior and house all seem empty and futile.

O Supreme Lord forgive me for my shamelessness, but I cannot refrain my yearning heart from rushing out to meet You. Thus I have earned Your lotus feet, and I offer my mind, intelligence, my very life to You. Now kindly make me Your maid servant by accepting me as Your wife, let not my fate drive to be the object of Sisupala's pleasure.

O Lord let me become Your property so that what is meant for the lion may not be usurped by the jackal. If I have truly worshiped the Gods, performed austerely, honored the brahmanas and guru and served the lotus feet of Acyuta, Visnu, then let the Lord who holds the mace become my eternal master and that Sisupal be driven out of my life forever, this it the only favor I ask of You. Tomorrow I am supposed to wed this Sisupal so come immediately without delay. At first remain secretly near the palace in hiding then enter the palace assembly with your army. You must take me from the midst of such kings as Chedi, Salva, Jarasandha with valor and might.

This is the opportunity to show off Your ksatriyas pride and strength because Your wife, is not meant to be desecrated by Sisupal. You have to kidnap me from amongst my friends and relatives, so You must be careful not to harm them. I have a plan how this can be accomplished and I place it for Your approval at Your lotus feet. It is customary in our family that the bride to be visits the temple of Durga devi, on the day prior to her marriage. This is the best chance for You to kidnap me but without hurting my friends. Forgive me my Lord, if I sound offensive. The dust of Your lotus feet is covered by all the demigods and goddesses even Lord Siva desires to cover his body with this dust, and if You do not offer me the same as a token of Your mercy then I will surely take an oath to quit this body. O my lotus eyed Lord, please listen, I am willing to go through as many life times as required but I must receive the dust of Your lotus feet. You have heard carefully, O Brahmana? Now run swiftly to Krsna with this message and beg Him on my behalf."

Thus the Lord manifested Rukmini's mood and emotions making the devotees sometimes weep and at other times laugh, all this was happening under the influence of love of Godhead. Candra Sekhara's house reverberated with jubilant sounds of Lord Hari's name. Haridasa continued his duty as the guard to wake up everyone and Srivasa Pandita playing Narada Muni continued dancing.

The first scene ended on this merry note. The second scene commenced with Gadadhara Pandita entering the arena, with her old lady companion acted by Brahmananda. Brahmananda's was so well costumed that he was unrecognizable in his role as the old lady with a stick in one hand and a basket clamped under the other arm, a net like cloth draping over the shoulders, Haridasa inquired, "Who are you?"

Brahmananda replied, "Mathura is our destination,"
Srivasa Pandita probed further, "Who are your husbands?"
Brahmananda rallied, "Why must you know that?"
Srivasa said, "Is it not proper to ask?"
Brahmananda simply said, "Yes, yes" and shook his head.
Gangadasa said, "Where will you stay today".
Brahmananda replied, "Why will you give us a place?"
Gangadasa said, "That is a big request, no need for further discussions. You should move out of here."

Advaita Acarya said, "what is the necessity for such interrogations? Others' wives are to be respected as the mother, so why then in this manner?" My Lord is extremely fond of singing and dancing, so dance here and you will receive handsome rewards."

Advaita Acarya's words were soothing to Gadadhara Pandita and being encouraged and pleased he began to dance. He was dressed as Rama, Laksmi devi and his dancing was enrapturing and the devotees sang appropriate songs in accompaniment. The devotees were unable to remain still, moved to tears by Gadadhara's ecstatic dancing. Gadadhara's tears of love of Godhead cascaded down to be received gratefully by the more than fortunate mother earth. It was as if Ganga devi in person had appeared, indeed she is the transcendental internal potency of Lord Krsna. Lord Caitanya so often said, "Gadadhara is My wife from Vaikuntha."

Those who were present in that assembly both the performing artists as well as the audience were enraptured in love of Godhead by the mercy of Lord Caitanya. Lord Hari's name was being chanted loudly all around accompanied by weeping in loving ecstasy. Gadadhara Pandita steeped in the mood of a Gopi danced and danced.

Just then Lord Visvambhara entered the arena dressed as the original pleasure potency of the Lord, Radharani, and in front Lord Nityananda as the old grandmother Paurnamasi walked slightly bent, looking shrewdly about her, her whole demeanor exuded ecstatic love for Krsna. They were greeted from the Vaisnava assembly with loud jubilant applause.

It was impossible to recognize Lord Caitanya as He had dressed Himself very well and looking most charming. The viewers just two ladies the elderly lady played by Nityananda Prabhu and the young enchantress played by Lord Caitanya, nothing indicated their actual identities. The audience tried to guess that one of them must be Lord Caitanya but not exactly which one of the two.

They started wondering had he, Rama just now appeared out of the ocean, or was Sita devi, the consort of Lord Ramacandra? Maybe she was Maha Laksmi the eternal consort of Lord Narayana, or was she the life of Lord Siva, Parvati devi? Or is she the most precious gem of Vrndavana, Srimati Radharani; or Ganga devi or Compassion or Mahamaya.

So each one imagined according to their belief without recognizing the Lord: persons who have known the Lord since birth were also fully deceived. What to speak of other people being deceived, even Mother Sacidevi failed to recognize her own son; she said, "she must be Laksmi devi herself, come here to dance." The consort and pleasure potency of the Lord Srimati Radharani is inconceivable, Lord Hari the Supreme Lord Himself is now playing her part.

This bewitching form of the Lord's potency and consort had put Lord Siva and Parvati devi into this same delusion, yet presently the assembled Vaisnavas did not experience this same decision, because of the Lord's special grace upon them; He showed His unlimited compassion on the Vaisnavas like a mother tending Her young ones, all the devotees felt that she was their mother on a visit from the Spiritual realm. Their exultations were unreserved and made them forget themselves; Advaita and all the devotees were swept away on waves of spiritual bliss in love of Godhead seeing their beloved Lord dressed in the role of Laksmi devi.

Lord Visvambhara as Laksmi devi was the universal mother, and as she danced being overtaken by different emotions singers sang appropriate songs complimenting the Lord's moods. The devotees could never discern with certainty what and whose spiritual emotions were being manifest in the Lord's dancing. When the Lord suddenly asked, "O Brahmana, has Krsna arrived?" then they understood that the Lord is Rukmini devi, the princess of Vaikuntha. When cascading tears decorated the Lord's emotions then the Vaisnavas seemed to think that the Lord was Ganga devi in person. And when the Lord laughed with ear splitting peals they assumed that He was the ferocious form of Mahamaya, Durga devi.

At times when He danced swaying and spinning like a drunken lady they thought that He was Revati, wife of Lord Balarama. Another time when the Lord said, "O grandmother! come let us go to Vrndavana." The Vaisnavas guessed He was none other than a gopi from Vrndavana. When the Lord sat on the deities throne the Vaisnavas recognized Him as the powerful Goddess Controller of the material nature Durga devi. One by one the Lord played the roles of His different eternal potencies.

Beside's performing this transcendental pastime for everyone's pleasure the Lord simultaneously gave spiritual instructions through them. That no one should at any time criticize or diminish the position of His energies manifested on the many demigods and goddesses. By showing proper love and reverence to them one strengthens his devotion and love to Krsna. Lord Krsna is unhappy if His devotees the demigods and goddesses are offended; Krsna becomes very content if He is offered worship along with His energies and associates. These instructions of the Supreme Lord is the Absolute Truth only the impious are unable to receive and implement them.

The Lord's dancing completely captivated everyone's mind and heart. Whether someone was singing in accompaniment, or just listening and seeing His dancing they experienced sublime joy. Spontaneous tears of Godhead rained from the eyes of all the assembled Vaisnavas. The Lord saw with great pleasure His devotees, who are like the honey suckle bees attracted by nectar of His lotus feet, were always around Him and were happy. The Lord displayed all the ecstatic devotional symptoms like shivering, perspiring profusely, horripilating, weeping etc. Simultaneously as He danced holding Lord Nityananda's hand.

Sriman Pandita stood in front holding a lamp and Haridasa went around calling everyone's attention. Just then Lord Nityananda fell to the ground unconscious, unconcerned about His grandmother's costume and His roles as Paurnamasi, He was overwhelmed by Krsna's love. The devotees looked on in amazement at this wonder and themselves became restless with ecstatic feelings, they began to weep feeling the overpowering influence of Krsna's love. All these were being done unseen by Lord Gauranga as some devotees rolled on the ground, others embraced one another and still others wept loudly in great joy.

Lord Caitanya at this juncture took hold of Gopinatha and sat down with him on Lord Visnu's throne manifesting once again the mood of Maha Laksmi. As the devotees stood around Him with folded hands He said, "Chant prayers to glorify Me." The devotees discerning the Lord's mood offered their eulogy: some recited prayers to Laksmi devi, others to Candi Durga each according to his realization.

"All glory to the Universal Mother, Mahamaya devi, kindly give the shelter of Your lotus feet to the miserable and suffering living entities. You are the controlling mistress of the entire material system and You appear in every millennium to uphold the principles of religion. Even Lord Brahma, the creator, Lord Visnu the maintainer, and Lord Siva the destroyer of this material cosmic structure are incompetent to fully describe Your unlimited potencies, what to consider about others.

You are the personification of this material nature and the possessor of all energies; You are faith, compassion, shame and the embodiment of pure devotion to Lord Visnu, Krsna so all branches of learning is Your multifarious manifestations.

The Vedas describe You as the Original energy. You appear to be within this material nature consisting of the three modes, because You are its cause, in fact You are always situated in a transcendental position, even Lord Brahma is unable to fathom You.

You are the eternal, never changing original supreme energy the shelter and resting place of all living beings, the universal mother who sustains everyone being matchless and unrivaled. You are the life sustaining water and one can sever the bonds of material existence by remembering You. You appear also as the blessed mother, Laksmi the eternal consort of Lord Narayana in the homes of the pious and righteous but to the sinful You manifest as the all devouring death.

You are the creator and maintainer of this gigantic cosmos and the living entities who ignore You, not offering You worship are punished by the three fold miseries. You inspire pure faith in the devotee, kindly shelter me in the shade of Your lotus feet. Your illusory potency has kept the entire creation in a trance, and if You do not protect me then who will? Your appearance in the material world is to deliver the living entities, kindly accept the suffering millions as Your eternal servants. You are the object of Lord Brahma's prayers, by remembering You one attains all perfection."

With these chosen phrases the Vaisnavas propitiated Lord Caitanya now in the guise of Maha Laksmi. Then prostrating themselves repeatedly before the Lord they again began to pray to Him, "O mother we are all surrendered to You, kindly look upon us graciously so that we may remain with fixed minds at Your lotus feet." A wave of joy swept over the devotees and they raised their arms and began to weep. The ladies were also caught up in this joyous wave and they joined in with tears of bliss drowning Candra Sekhara's house with unlimited happiness.

When everyone was thus engrossed in such spiritual merriment night crept in stealthily and left as well unnoticed by the Vaisnavas. Suddenly the brilliant sunrise greeted them; they realized that the night had passed in singing and dancing. But now the dancing had come to an abrupt stop, the devotees looked around perplexed and then began to bitterly regret the passing of the wonderful night. The grief laden eyes of the Vaisnavas that looked at the intruding morning sun would have turned it to ashes if not for the mercy of Lord Caitanya. The devotees and the ladies were weeping in great anguish and throwing themselves on the ground.

Vaisnava ladies are not to be considered in any way inferior but are in fact partial expansions of Narayana's potency. They not be consoled for the night that they had just passed in such sublime ecstasy was gone, they all fell at Sacidevi's feet. Pure devotees should be easily moved to tears because of their long association with pure devotional service.

The devotees lamented, "Oh, why did this night have to end? Why is Krsna depriving us of this sublime nectar?" When Lord Caitanya saw that the Vaisnavas were grief stricken He felt compassion for them. Just as a mother feels affection for her son, Lord Caitanya felt that same motherly affection for His devotees. The Lord called everyone one at a time, and as a mother breast feeds her infants, so He breast fed the devotees with milk by His mystic potency. The Supreme Personality of Godhead now accepted the role of His devoted energies, Laksmi devi, Parvati, Narayani the universal mother. The Lord proved right His own words recorded in the Gita "pita ahaur asya jagato mata dhata pitamahah" [BG 9/17]

"I am the father of this universe, the mother, the support, and the grandsire.

These devotees who could happily suck this extraordinary milk from the Lord are eternally liberated souls, their good fortune is immeasurable. As they drank the milk their acute feeling of separation dissipated and once again they were intoxicated with sublime joy. The Lord's pastimes are eternal and are perpetually happening without interruption, they simply manifest at a certain time then disappear by the Lord's will just as it is explained in the Vedas.

The Supreme Lord of Lords, Visvambhara manifested such wonderful pastimes in Navadvipa.

The most precious knowledge of the Vedas was exposed in Lord Caitanya's dancing as the Gopika of Vrndavana. And Lord Nityananda accompanied the Lord as the elderly grandmother Paurnamasi. Sincerely hearing these narrations will result in immediate loving attachment for Lord Krsna.

Lord Nityananda supported in every respect the moods of Lord Caitanya as He danced as a Gopi. One who is devoid off devotional feelings will never relish such spiritual exchanges. One must be graced by Lord Krsna only then can one comprehend the real absolute identity of Lord Nityananda. One may consider Lord Nityananda as a Yogi, experiencing philosopher, devotee or as one thinks according to his spiritual realization, and one may even doubt that Lord Nityananda is dear most to Lord Caitanya, still I pray that the lotus feet on my Lord be ever situated on the throne of his heart.

But in spite of my Lord Nityananda being so merciful if He is criticized then I kick that wretched sinner in the head.

These topics as narrated in the Madhya Khanda were indeed streams of nectar for it describes the extraordinary pastimes of how the Supreme Lord Narayana danced with the emotions and sentiments of His eternal consort Sri Laksmi devi. Dressed as the Universal mother He taught the process of pure devotional service and satisfied everyone's desire by suckling them with breast milk.

The Lord remained for seven days in Candra Sekhara's house. The Lord was always enveloped in an extremely brilliant halo much more powerful than the combined energies of the sun, moon and lightning. The fortunate and righteous men, the pure devotees could behold the Lord and His marvelous opulence.

People who came to visit Candra Sekhara's house were blinded by this brilliant illumination and could not keep their eyes open. People started commenting, "What can be the cause that one cannot open his eyes in Candra Sekhara's house?" The Vaisnavas heard their comments and smiled inside not revealing anything.

Lord Caitanya's Supreme potency is such that no ordinary person can understand His transcendental activities with His devotees and associates.

Sri Krsna Caitanya and Nityananda Prabhu are my life and soul.

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

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