Madhya12.1

TEXT 1

sri-gundica-mandiram atma-vrndaih

sammarjayan ksalanatah sa gaurah

sva-citta-vac chitalam ujjvalam ca

krsnopavesaupayikam cakara

SYNONYMS

sri-gundica—known as Gundica; mandiram—the temple; atma-vrndaih—with His associates; sammarjayan—washing; ksalanatah—by cleansing; sah—that; gaurah—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sva-citta-vat—like His own heart; sitalam—cool and calm; ujjvalam—bright and clean; ca—and; krsna—of Lord Sri Krsna; upavesa—for the sitting; aupayikam—befitting; cakara—made.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu washed and cleansed the Gundica temple with His devotees and associates. In this way He made the temple as cool and bright as His own heart, and thus He made the place befitting for Lord Sri Krsna to sit.

Madhya12.2

TEXT 2

jaya jaya gauracandra jaya nityananda

jayadvaita-candra jaya gaura-bhakta-vrnda

SYNONYMS

jaya jaya—all glories; gauracandra—to Gauracandra, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jaya—all glories; nityananda—to Nityananda Prabhu; jaya—all glories; advaita-candra—to Advaita Prabhu; jaya—all glories; gaura-bhakta-vrnda—to the devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TRANSLATION

All glories to Gauracandra! All glories to Nityananda! All glories to Advaitacandra! And all glories to the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

Madhya12.3

TEXT 3

jaya jaya srivasadi gaura-bhakta-gana

sakti deha,-kari yena caitanya varnana

SYNONYMS

jaya jaya—all glories; srivasa-adi—headed by Srivasa Thakura; gaura-bhakta-gana—to the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sakti deha—please give me power; kari yena—so that I may do; caitanya—of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; varnana—description.

TRANSLATION

All glories to the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, headed by Srivasa Thakura! I beg their power so that I can properly describe Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Madhya12.4

TEXT 4

purve daksina haite prabhu yabe aila

tanre milite gajapati utkanthita haila

SYNONYMS

purve—formerly; daksina haite—from South India; prabhu—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; yabe—when; aila—returned; tanre—Him; milite—to meet; gajapati—the King of Orissa; utkanthita—full of anxieties; haila—became.

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned from His South Indian tour, Maharaja Prataparudra, the King of Orissa, became very anxious to meet Him.

Madhya12.5

TEXT 5

kataka haite patri dila sarvabhauma-thani

prabhura ajna haya yadi, dekhibare yai

SYNONYMS

kataka haite—from Kataka, the capital of Orissa; patri—a letter; dila—sent; sarvabhauma—of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; thani—to the place; prabhura—of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ajna—order; haya—there is; yadi—if; dekhibare yai—I can go and see.

TRANSLATION

The King sent a letter from his capital, Kataka, to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, entreating him to obtain the Lord’s permission so that he could go and see Him.

Madhya12.6

TEXT 6

bhattacarya likhila,-prabhura ajna na haila

punarapi raja tanre patri pathaila

SYNONYMS

bhattacarya likhila—Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya replied; prabhura—of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ajna—order; na—not; haila—there is; punarapi—again; raja—the King; tanre—unto him; patri—a letter; pathaila—dispatched.

TRANSLATION

Replying to the King’s letter, the Bhattacarya wrote that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had not given His permission. After this, the King wrote him another letter.

Madhya12.7

TEXT 7

prabhura nikate ache yata bhakta-gana

mora lagi’ tan-sabare kariha nivedana

SYNONYMS

prabhura nikate—in the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; ache—there are; yata—all; bhakta-gana—devotees; mora lagi’—for me; tan-sabare—unto all of them; kariha—please submit; nivedana—petition.

TRANSLATION

In this letter the King requested Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, "Please appeal to all the devotees associated with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and submit this petition to them on my behalf.

Madhya12.8

TEXT 8

sei saba dayalu more hana sadaya

mora lagi’ prabhu-pade karibe vinaya

SYNONYMS

sei saba—all of them; dayalu—merciful; more—unto me; hana—becoming; sa-daya—favorably disposed; mora lagi’—for me; prabhu-pade—at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; karibe—will do; vinaya—humble submission.

TRANSLATION

"If all the devotees associated with the Lord are favorably disposed toward me, they can submit my petition at the lotus feet of the Lord.

Madhya12.9

TEXT 9

tan-sabara prasade mile sri-prabhura paya

prabhu-krpa vina mora rajya nahi bhaya

SYNONYMS

tan-sabara prasade—by the mercy of all of them; mile—one gets; sri-prabhura paya—the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prabhu-krpa—the mercy of the Lord; vina—without; mora—my; rajya—kingdom; nahi—does not; bhaya—appeal to me.

TRANSLATION

"By the mercy of all the devotees, one can attain the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. Without His mercy, my kingdom does not appeal to me.

Madhya12.10

TEXT 10

yadi more krpa na karibe gaurahari

rajya chadi’ yogi ha-i’ ha-iba bhikhari

SYNONYMS

yadi—if; more—unto me; krpa—mercy; na—not; karibe—will do; gaurahari—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; rajya chadi’—giving up the kingdom; yogi—mendicant; ha-i’—becoming; ha-iba—I shall become; bhikhari—a beggar.

TRANSLATION

“If Gaurahari, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, will not show mercy to me, I shall give up my kingdom, become a mendicant and beg from door to door.”

Madhya12.11

TEXT 11

bhattacarya patri dekhi’ cintita hana

bhakta-gana-pasa gela sei patri lana

SYNONYMS

bhattacarya—Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; patri—the letter; dekhi’—seeing; cintita hana—becoming very anxious; bhakta-gana—all the devotees; pasa—near; gela—went; sei—that; patri—letter; lana—taking.

TRANSLATION

When the Bhattacarya received this letter, he became very anxious. He then took the letter and went to the devotees of the Lord.

Madhya12.12

TEXT 12

sabare miliya kahila raja-vivarana

piche sei patri sabare karaila darasana

SYNONYMS

sabare—everyone; miliya—meeting; kahila—said; raja-vivarana—description of the King’s desire; piche—later; sei patri—that letter; sabare—unto everyone; karaila darasana—showed.

TRANSLATION

Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya met with all the devotees and described the King’s wishes. Then he presented the letter to all of them for inspection.

Madhya12.13

TEXT 13

patri dekhi’ sabara mane ha-ila vismaya

prabhu-pade gajapatira eta bhakti haya!!

SYNONYMS

patri—the letter; dekhi’—seeing; sabara—of everyone; mane—in the mind; ha-ila—there was; vismaya—astonishment; prabhu-pade—unto the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; gajapatira—of the King of Orissa; eta—so much; bhakti—devotion; haya—there is.

TRANSLATION

Upon reading the letter, everyone was astonished to see that King Prataparudra had so much devotion for the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Madhya12.14

TEXT 14

sabe kahe,-prabhu tanre kabhu na milibe

ami-saba kahi yadi, duhkha se manibe

SYNONYMS

sabe kahe—everyone said; prabhu—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanre—unto him; kabhu—at any time; na—not; milibe—would see; ami-saba—all of us; kahi—say; yadi—if; duhkha—unhappiness; se—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; manibe—will feel.

TRANSLATION

The devotees gave their opinion and said, “The Lord will never meet the King, and if we requested Him to do so, the Lord will surely feel very unhappy.”

Madhya12.15

TEXT 15

sarvabhauma kahe,-sabe cala’ eka-bara

milite na kahiba, kahiba raja-vyavahara

SYNONYMS

sarvabhauma kahe—Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya said; sabe cala’—let all of us go; eka-bara—once; milite—to meet; na kahiba—we shall not request; kahiba—we shall simply describe; raja-vyavahara—the behavior of the King.

TRANSLATION

Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya then said, “We shall go once again to the Lord, but we shall not request Him to meet the King. Rather, we shall simply describe the good behavior of the King.”

Madhya12.16

TEXT 16

eta bali’ sabe gela mahaprabhura sthane

kahite unmukha sabe, na kahe vacane

SYNONYMS

eta bali’-deciding like this; sabe—all of them; gela—went; mahaprabhura—of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sthane—to the place; kahite—to speak; unmukha—ready; sabe—all; na—do not; kahe—say; vacane—any word.

TRANSLATION

Having thus reached a decision, they all went to the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. There, although ready to speak, they could not even utter a word.

Madhya12.17

TEXT 17

prabhu kahe,-ki kahite sabara agamana

dekhiye kahite caha,-na kaha, ki karana?

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; ki—what; kahite—to speak; sabara—of all of you; agamana—there is the presence here; dekhiye—I see; kahite caha—you want to speak; na kaha—but do not speak; ki karana—what is the reason.

TRANSLATION

After they arrived at Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s place, the Lord, seeing them, said, “What have you all come here to say? I see that you want to say something, but you do not speak. What is the reason?”

Madhya12.18

TEXT 18

nityananda kahe,-tomaya cahi nivedite

na kahile rahite nari, kahite bhaya citte

SYNONYMS

nityananda kahe—Lord Nityananda said; tomaya—unto You; cahi—we want; nivedite—to submit; na kahile—if we do not speak; rahite nari—we cannot stay; kahite—but to speak; bhaya citte—we are very fearful.

TRANSLATION

Nityananda Prabhu then said, "We want to tell You something. Although we cannot stay without speaking, we are still very much afraid to speak.

Madhya12.19

TEXT 19

yogyayogya tomaya saba cahi nivedite

toma na milile raja cahe yogi haite

SYNONYMS

yogya—befitting; ayogya—not befitting; tomaya—unto You; saba—we all; cahi—want; nivedite—to submit; toma—You; na milile—if he does not meet; raja—the King; cahe—wants; yogi haite—to become a mendicant.

TRANSLATION

“We want to submit before You something that may or may not be befitting. The matter is this: unless he sees You, the King of Orissa will become a mendicant.”

Madhya12.20

TEXT 20

kane mudra la-i’ muni ha-iba bhikhari

rajya-bhoga nahe citte vina gaurahari

SYNONYMS

kane mudra—a kind of earring; la-i’—taking; muni—I; ha-iba—shall become; bhikhari—a beggar; rajya-bhoga—enjoyment of the kingdom; nahe—not; citte—in the mind; vina—without; gaurahari—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TRANSLATION

Nityananda Prabhu continued, “The King has decided to become a mendicant and accept the sign of a mendicant by wearing an ivory earring. He does not want to enjoy his kingdom without seeing the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.”

PURPORT

In India there is still a class of professional mendicants who are very much like the gypsies of Western countries. They know some magical art and mystical processes, and their business is to beg from door to door, sometimes pleading and sometimes threatening. Such mendicants are sometimes called yogis and sometimes kanaphata yogis. The word kanaphata refers to one who has put a hole in his ear to wear an earring made of ivory. Maharaja Prataparudra was so depressed by not getting to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that he decided to become such a yogi. Ordinary men think that a yogi must have an ivory earring in his ear, but this is not the sign of a real yogi. Maharaja Prataparudra also thought that to become a mendicant yogi, one must wear such an earring.

Madhya12.21

TEXT 21

dekhiba se mukha-candra nayana bhariya

dhariba se pada-padma hrdaye tuliya

SYNONYMS

dekhiba—I shall see; se—that; mukha-candra—moonlike face; nayana bhariya—to the fulfillment of the eyes; dhariba—I shall catch; se—those; pada-padma—lotus feet; hrdaye—on my heart; tuliya—raising.

TRANSLATION

Nityananda Prabhu continued, “The King also expressed his desire to see the moonlike face of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to his eye’s full satisfaction. He would like to raise the lotus feet of the Lord to his heart.”

Madhya12.22

TEXT 22

yadyapi suniya prabhura komala haya mana

tathapi bahire kahe nisthura vacana

SYNONYMS

yadyapi—although; suniya—hearing; prabhura—of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; komala—softened; haya—becomes; mana—mind; tathapi—still; bahire—externally; kahe—He says; nisthura vacana—hard words.

TRANSLATION

Hearing all these statements, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mind was certainly softened, but externally He wished to speak some harsh words.

Madhya12.23

TEXT 23

toma-sabara iccha,-ei amare lana

rajake milaha ihan katakete giya

SYNONYMS

toma-sabara—of all of you; iccha—the desire; ei—is; amare lana—taking Me; rajake—the King; milaha—meet; ihan—here; katakete giya—by going to Kataka.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “I can understand that you all desire to take Me to Kataka to see the King.”

PURPORT

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is naturally the reservoir of all kindness, and as soon as He heard the statement made by the King, His heart immediately softened. Thus the Lord was ready to go see the King even at Kataka. He did not even consider allowing the King to come from Kataka to Jagannatha Puri to see Him. It is significant that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was so kind that He was ready to go see the King at Kataka. Apparently it was never expected that the King wanted to see the Lord at His place, but by way of being externally harsh, the Lord indicated that if all the devotees so desired, He would go to Kataka to see the King.

Madhya12.24

TEXT 24

paramartha thakuka-loke karibe nindana

loke rahu-damodara karibe bhartsana

SYNONYMS

parama-artha thakuka—what to speak of spiritual advancement; loke—people in general; karibe nindana—will blaspheme; loke rahu—what to speak of people in general; damodara—Damodara Pandita; karibe—will do; bhartsana—chastisement.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "What to speak of spiritual advancement-all the people will blaspheme Me. And what to speak of all the people-Damodara would chastise Me.

Madhya12.25

TEXT 25

toma-sabara ajnaya ami na mili rajare

damodara kahe yabe, mili tabe tanre

SYNONYMS

toma-sabara—of all of you; ajnaya—by the order; ami—I; na—not; mili—shall meet; rajare—the King; damodara—Damodara Pandita; kahe—says; yabe—when; mili—I shall meet; tabe—then; tanre—him.

TRANSLATION

“I shall not meet the King at the request of all the devotees, but I shall do so if Damodara will give his permission.”

PURPORT

From the spiritual point of view, a sannyasi is strictly forbidden to see materialistic people, especially a king who is always engaged in counting pounds, shillings and pence. Indeed, the meeting between a sannyasi and a king is always considered abominable. A sannyasi is always subjected to public criticism, and a small fault on his part is taken seriously by the public. People actually expect a sannyasi to preach and not take part in any social or political matters. If a sannyasi is subject to public criticism, his preaching will not be fruitful. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu specifically wanted to avoid such criticism so that His preaching work would not be hampered. It so happened that while the Lord was talking to His disciples at that time, the devotee Damodara Pandita was present. This Damodara Pandita was a very faithful devotee and a staunch lover of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Whenever there was anything that might touch or taint the character of the Lord, Damodara Pandita would immediately point it out, not even considering the exalted position of the Lord. It is sometimes said that fools rush in where angels dare not, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to point out Damodara Pandita’s foolishness in coming forward to criticize the Lord. This is why the Lord stated that if Damodara Pandita would give Him permission, He would go to see the King. There was deep meaning in this statement, for it is a warning that Damodara should not dare criticize the Lord any more, for it was not befitting his position as a devotee. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was considered the guide and spiritual master of all the devotees living with Him. Damodara Pandita was one of them, and the Lord rendered Damodara Pandita a special favor by warning him to avoid criticizing Him any further. A devotee or a disciple should never attempt to criticize the Lord or His representative, the spiritual master.

Madhya12.26

TEXT 26

damodara kahe,-tumi svatantra isvara

kartavyakartavya saba tomara gocara

SYNONYMS

damodara kahe—Pandita Damodara said; tumi—You; svatantra—fully independent; isvara—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; kartavya—duty which is permissible; akartavya—duty which is not permissible; saba—all; tomara—of You; gocara—within knowledge.

TRANSLATION

Damodara immediately replied, "My Lord, You are the fully independent Supreme Personality of Godhead. Since everything is known to You, You know what is permissible and what is not permissible.

Madhya12.27

TEXT 27

ami kon ksudra-jiva, tomake vidhi diba?

apani milibe tanre, tahao dekhiba

SYNONYMS

ami kon—I am just some; ksudra-jiva—insignificant living entity; tomake—unto You; vidhi—injunction; diba—I shall give; apani—You; milibe—will meet; tanre—the King; tahao dekhiba—I shall see it.

TRANSLATION

"I am merely an insignificant jiva, so what power do I have to give directions to You? By Your own personal choice You will meet with the King. I shall see it.

Madhya12.28

TEXT 28

raja tomare sneha kare, tumi-sneha-vasa

tanra snehe karabe tanre tomara parasa

SYNONYMS

raja—the King; tomare—You; sneha kare—loves; tumi—You; sneha-vasa—controlled by love and affection; tanra—his; snehe—by love; karabe—will do; tanre—unto him; tomara—Your; parasa—touching.

TRANSLATION

"The King is very much attached to You, and You are feeling affection and love toward him. Thus I can understand that by virtue of the King’s affection for You, You will touch him.

Madhya12.29

TEXT 29

yadyapi isvara tumi parama svatantra

tathapi svabhave hao prema-paratantra

SYNONYMS

yadyapi—although; isvara—the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tumi—You; parama—supremely; svatantra—independent; tathapi—still; svabhave—by Your nature; hao—You become; prema-paratantra—subordinate to love.

TRANSLATION

“Although You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead and are completely independent, still You are dependent on the love and affection of Your devotees. That is Your nature.”

Madhya12.30

TEXT 30

nityananda kahe-aiche haya kon jana

ye tomare kahe, ’kara raja-darasana’

SYNONYMS

nityananda kahe—Nityananda Prabhu said; aiche—such; haya—there is; kon jana—any person; ye—who; tomare—unto You; kahe—orders; kara—do; raja-darasana—meeting the King.

TRANSLATION

Nityananda Prabhu then said, "Who is there in the three worlds who can ask You to see the King?

Madhya12.31

TEXT 31

kintu anuragi lokera svabhava eka haya

ista na paile nija prana se chadaya

SYNONYMS

kintu—still; anuragi—affectionate; lokera—of the people; svabhava—nature; eka—one; haya—there is; ista—desirable; na paile—without getting; nija—own; prana—life; se—he; chadaya—gives up.

TRANSLATION

"Still, isn’t it the nature of an attached man to give up his life if he does not attain his desired object?

Madhya12.32

TEXT 32

yajnika-brahmani saba tahate pramana

krsna lagi’ pati-age chadileka prana

SYNONYMS

yajnika-brahmani—the wives of the brahmanas who were engaged in performing great sacrifices; saba—all; tahate—in that connection; pramana—evidence; krsna lagi’—for the matter of Krsna; pati-age—in front of their husbands; chadileka prana—gave up their lives.

TRANSLATION

“For instance, some of the wives of the brahmanas who were performing sacrifices gave up their lives in the presence of their husbands for the sake of Krsna.”

PURPORT

This refers to the day Lord Sri Krsna and His cowherd boys and flocks of animals were present on the pasturing grounds near Mathura. At that time the cowherd boys, being a little hungry, requested food, and Lord Krsna asked them to go to the brahmanas who were engaged nearby in performing yajna, or sacrifice, and to get some food from that yajna. Being so ordered by the Lord, all the cowherd boys went to the brahmanas and asked them for food, but they were denied. After this, the cowherd boys begged food from the wives of the brahmanas. All these wives were very much devoted to Lord Krsna in spontaneous love, and as soon as they heard the request of the cowherd boys and understood that Krsna wanted some food, they immediately left the place of sacrifice. They were very much chastised for this by their husbands, and they were ready to give up their lives. It is the nature of a pure devotee to sacrifice his life for the transcendental loving service of the Lord.

Madhya12.33

TEXT 33

eka yukti ache, yadi kara avadhana

tumi na milileha tanre, rahe tanra prana

SYNONYMS

eka yukti—one plan; ache—there is; yadi—if; kara avadhana—You consider it; tumi—You; na milileha—may not meet; tanre—with him; rahe—remains; tanra—his; prana—life.

TRANSLATION

Nityananda Prabhu then submitted one suggestion for the Lord’s consideration. “There is a way,” He suggested, "by which You need not meet the King but which would enable the King to continue living.

Madhya12.34

TEXT 34

eka bahirvasa yadi deha’ krpa kari’

taha pana prana rakhe tomara asa dhari’

SYNONYMS

eka bahirvasa—one outward covering; yadi—if; deha’—You give; krpa kari’—by Your mercy; taha pana—getting that; prana rakhe—he would live; tomara asa dhari’-hoping to meet You some time in the future.

TRANSLATION

“If You, out of Your mercy, send one of Your outward garments to the King, the King would live hoping to see You some time in the future.”

PURPORT

Sri Nityananda Prabhu was thus very tactfully suggesting that Caitanya Mahaprabhu give a piece of His old clothing to the King. Even though the King was not to meet the Lord, the King would then be pacified by receiving such a cloth. The King was very anxious to see the Lord, yet it was not possible for the Lord to see him. Just to resolve the situation, Nityananda Prabhu suggested that the Lord send an old piece of clothing. Thus the King would understand that the Lord was showing mercy to him. The King would then not do anything drastic like giving up his life or becoming a mendicant.

Madhya12.35

TEXT 35

prabhu kahe,-tumi-saba parama vidvan

yei bhala haya, sei kara samadhana

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe—the Lord replied; tumi-saba—all of you; parama vidvan—greatly learned personalities; yei—whatever; bhala haya—is right; sei—that; kara samadhana—execute.

TRANSLATION

The Lord said, “Since you are all very learned personalities, whatever you decide I shall accept.”

Madhya12.36

TEXT 36

tabe nityananda-gosani govindera pasa

magiya la-ila prabhura eka bahirvasa

SYNONYMS

tabe—at that time; nityananda-gosani—Lord Nityananda Prabhu; govindera pasa—from Govinda, the personal servant of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; magiya—requesting; la-ila—took; prabhura—of the Lord; eka—one; bahirvasa—outer garment.

TRANSLATION

Lord Nityananda Prabhu then obtained an external garment used by the Lord by requesting it from Govinda.

Madhya12.37

TEXT 37

sei bahirvasa sarvabhauma-pasa dila

sarvabhauma sei vastra rajare patha’la

SYNONYMS

sei—that; bahirvasa—garment; sarvabhauma-pasa—in the care of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; dila—delivered; sarvabhauma—Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya; sei—that; vastra—cloth; rajare—unto the King; patha’la—sent.

TRANSLATION

Thus Nityananda Prabhu delivered the old cloth to the care of Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, and Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya sent it to the King.