Madhya20.43

TEXT 43

gosani kahe,--’eka-ksana iha na rahiba

ganga para kari’ deha’ e-ksane caliba"

SYNONYMS

gosani kahe—Sanatana Gosvami said; eka-ksana—even for one moment; iha—here; na rahiba—I shall not stay; ganga para kari’ deha’-help me cross the River Ganges; e-ksane—immediately; caliba—I shall go.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami replied, “I shall not stay here even for a moment. Please help me cross the Ganges. I shall leave immediately.”

Madhya20.44

TEXT 44

yatna kari’ tenho eka bhota-kambala dila

ganga para kari’ dila--gosani calila

SYNONYMS

yatna kari’—with great care; tenho—he (Srikanta); eka—one; bhota-kam-bala—woolen blanket; dila—gave; ganga para kari’ dila—got him across the River Ganges; gosani calila—Sanatana Gosvami departed.

TRANSLATION

With great care, Srikanta gave him a woolen blanket and helped him cross the Ganges. Thus Sanatana Gosvami departed again.

Madhya20.45

TEXT 45

tabe varanasi gosani aila kata-dine

suni anandita ha-ila prabhura agamane

SYNONYMS

tabe—in this way; varanasi—to Varanasi; gosani—Sanatana Gosvami; aila—came; kata-dine—after a few days; suni—hearing; anandita—very pleased; ha-ila—he became; prabhura—of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; agamane—about the arrival.

TRANSLATION

After a few days, Sanatana Gosvami arrived at Varanasi. He was very pleased to hear about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s arrival there.

Madhya20.46

TEXT 46

candrasekharera ghare asi’ dvarete vasila

mahaprabhu jani’ candrasekhare kahila

SYNONYMS

candrasekharera ghare—to the house of Candrasekhara; asi’-going; dvarete—at the door; vasila—sat down; mahaprabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; jani’-knowing; candrasekhare—to Candrasekhara; kahila—said.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana Gosvami then went to the house of Candrasekhara and sat down by the door. Understanding what was happening, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu spoke to Candrasekhara.

Madhya20.47

TEXT 47

’dvare eka ’vaisnava haya, bolaha tanhare’

candrasekhara dekhe--’vaisnava’ nahika dvare

SYNONYMS

dvare—at your door; eka vaisnava—one Vaisnava devotee; haya—there is; bolaha tanhai-e—please call him; candrasekhara—Candrasekhara; dekhe—sees; vaisnava—a devotee; nahika—there is not; dvare—at the door.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “There is a devotee at your door. Please call him in.” Going outside, Candrasekhara could not see a Vaisnava at his door.

Madhya20.48

TEXT 48

’dvarete vaisnava nahi’--prabhure kahila

’keha haya’ kari’ prabhu tahare puchila

SYNONYMS

dvarete—at my door; vaisnava nahi—there is no Vaisnava; prabhure kahila—he informed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; keha haya—is there anyone; kari’-in this way; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tahare puchila—inquired from him.

TRANSLATION

When Candrasekhara informed the Lord that no Vaisnava was at his door, the Lord asked him, “Is there anyone at your door at all?”

Madhya20.49

TEXT 49

tenho kahe,--eka ’daravesa’ ache dvare

’tanre ana’ prabhura vakye kahila tanhare

SYNONYMS

tenho kahe—he replied; eka daravesa—one Muslim mendicant; ache—there is; dvare—at the door; tanre ana—bring him; prabhura—of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; vakye—the order; kahila—said; tanhare—unto him.

TRANSLATION

Candrasekhara replied, “There is a Muslim mendicant.” Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately said, “Please bring him here.” Candrasekhara then spoke to Sanatana Gosvami, who was still sitting beside the door.

Madhya20.50

TEXT 50

’prabhu tomaya bolaya, aisa, daravesa!’

suni’ anande sanatana karila pravesa

SYNONYMS

prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tomaya—unto you; bolaya—calls; aisa—come here; daravesa—O Muslim mendicant; suni’-hearing; anande—in great pleasure; sanatana—Sanatana Gosvami; karila pravesa—entered.

TRANSLATION

“O Muslim mendicant, please come in. The Lord is calling you.” Sanatana Gosvami was very pleased to hear this order, and he entered Candrasekhara’s house.

Madhya20.51

TEXT 51

tanhare angane dekhi’ prabhu dhana aila

tanre alingana kari’ premavista haila

SYNONYMS

tanhare—him; angane—in the courtyard; dekhi’-seeing; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; dhana aila—came to see him with great haste; tanre—him; alingana kari’-embracing; prema-avista haila—became overwhelmed with ecstatic love.

TRANSLATION

As soon as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw Sanatana Gosvami in the courtyard, He immediately went up to him with great haste. After embracing him, the Lord was overwhelmed with ecstatic love.

Madhya20.52

TEXT 52

prabhu-sparse premavista ha-ila sanatana

’more na chuniha’--kahe gadgada-vacana

SYNONYMS

prabhu-sparse—by the touch of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prema-avista—overwhelmed with ecstatic love; ha-ila—became; sanatana—Sanatana Gosvami; more—me; na—do not; chuniha—touch; kahe—says; gadgada-vacana—in a faltering voice.

TRANSLATION

As soon as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu touched Sanatana Gosvami, Sanatana was also overwhelmed with ecstatic love. In a faltering voice, he said, “O my Lord, do not touch me.”

Madhya20.53

TEXT 53

dui-jane galagali rodana apara

dekhi’ candrasekharera ha-ila camatkara

SYNONYMS

dui-jane—the two persons; galagali—shoulder to shoulder; rodana—crying; apara—unlimited; dekhi’-seeing; candrasekharera—of Candrasekhara; ha-ila—there was; camatkara—astonishment.

TRANSLATION

Shoulder to shoulder, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Sanatana Gosvami began to cry unlimitedly. Candrasekhara was very astonished to see this.

Madhya20.54

TEXT 54

tabe prabhu tanra hata dhari’ lana gela

pindara upare apana-pase vasaila

SYNONYMS

tabe—thereafter; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; tanra—of Sanatana Gosvami; hata dhari’-catching the hand; lana gela—took him inside; pindara upare—in an elevated place; apana-pase—near Him; vasaila—made Sanatana Gosvami sit down.

TRANSLATION

Catching his hand, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took Sanatana Gosvami inside and made him sit in an elevated place next to Him.

Madhya20.55

TEXT 55

sri-haste karena tanra anga sammarjana

tenho kahe,--’more, prabhu, na kara sparsana’

SYNONYMS

sri-haste—by the spiritual hand; karena—does; tanra anga—of his body; sammarjana—cleansing; tenho kahe—he said; more—me; prabhu—my Lord; na kara sparsana—do not touch.

TRANSLATION

When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu began cleansing Sanatana Gosvami’s body with His own transcendental had, Sanatana Gosvami said, “O my Lord, please do not touch me.”

Madhya20.56

TEXT 56

prabhu kahe,--"toma sparsi atma pavitrite

bhakti-bale para tumi brahmanda sodhite

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe—Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied; toma sparsi—I touch you; atma pavitrite—to purify Myself; bhakti-bale—the strength of your devotional service; para—are able; tumi—you; brahmanda—the whole universe; sodhite—to purify.

TRANSLATION

The Lord replied, "I am touching you just to purify Myself because by the force of your devotional service you can purify the whole universe.

Madhya20.57

TEXT 57

bhavad-vidha bhagavatas

tirtha-bhutah svayam prabho

tirthi-kurvanti tirthani

svantah-sthena gada-bhrta

SYNONYMS

bhavat-vidhah—like you; bhagavatah—advanced devotees; tirtha-bhutah—personified holy places of pilgrimage; svayam—personally; prabho—my lord; tirthi-kurvanti—make into holy places; tirthani—all the holy places of pilgrimage; sva-antah-sthena—situated within their hearts; gada-bhrta—by Lord Visnu, who carries a club.

TRANSLATION

" ’Saints of your caliber are themselves places of pilgrimage. Because of their purity, they are constant companions of the Lord, and therefore they can purify even the places of pilgrimage.’

PURPORT

Madhya20.58

TEXT 58

na me ’bhaktas catur-vedi

mad-bhaktah sva-pacah priyah

tasmai deyam tato grahyam

sa ca pujyo yatha hy aham

SYNONYMS

na—not; me—My; abhaktah—devoid of pure devotional service; catuh-vedi—a scholar in the four Vedas; mat-bhaktah—My devotee; sva-pacah—even from a family of dog-eaters; priyah—very dear; tasmai—to him (a pure devotee, even though born in a very low family); deyam—should be given; tatah—from him; grahyam—should be accepted (remnants of food); sah—that person; ca—also; pujyah—worshipable; yatha—as much as; hi—certainly; aham—I.

TRANSLATION

" ’Even though a person is a very learned scholar of the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless he is pure in devotional service. However, even though a person is born in a family of dog-eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee who has no motive to enjoy fruitive activity or mental speculation. Indeed, all respects should be given to him, and whatever he offers should be accepted. Such devotees are as worshipable as I am.’

PURPORT

This verse is included in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa (10.127) compiled by Sanatana Gosvami.

Madhya20.59

TEXT 59

viprad dvisad-guna-yutad aravinda-nabha-

padaravinda-vimukhat sva-pacam varistham

manye tad-arpita-mano-vacanehitartha-

pranam punati sa kulam na tu bhuri-manah

SYNONYMS

viprat—than a brahmana; dvi-sat-guna-yutat—who is qualified with twelve brahminical qualifications; aravinda-nabha—of Lord Visnu, who has a lotuslike navel; pada-aravinda—unto the lotus feet; vimukhat—than a person bereft of devotion; sva-pacam—a candala, or a person accustomed to eating dogs; varistham—more glorified; manye—I think; tat-arpita—dedicated unto Him; manah—mind; vacana—words; ihita—activities; artha—wealth; pranam—life; punati—purifies; sah—he; kulam—his family; na tu—but not; bhuri-manah—a brahmana proud of possessing such qualities.

TRANSLATION

“ ’One may be born in a brahmana family and have all twelve brahminical qualities, but if he is not devoted to the lotus feet of Lord Krsna, who has a navel shaped like a lotus, he is not as good as a candala who has dedicated his mind, words, activities, wealth and life to the service of the Lord. Simply to take birth in a brahmana family or to have brahminical qualities is not sufficient. One must become a pure devotee of the Lord. If a sva-paca or candala is a devotee, he delivers not only himself but his whole family, whereas a brahmana who is not a devotee but simply has brahminical qualifications cannot even purify himself, not to speak of his family.’ ”

PURPORT

Madhya20.60

TEXT 60

toma dekhi, toma sparsi, gai tomara guna

sarvendriya-phala,--ei sastra-nirupana

SYNONYMS

toma dekhi—by seeing you; toma sparsi—by touching you; gai tomara guna—praising your transcendental qualities; sarva-indriya-phala—the fulfillment of the activities of all the senses; ei—this; sastra-nirupana—the verdict of the revealed scriptures.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "By seeing you, by touching you and by glorifying your transcendental qualities, one can perfect the purpose of all sense activity. This is the verdict of the revealed scriptures.

PURPORT

This is confirmed in the following verse from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (13.2).

Madhya20.61

TEXT 61

aksnoh phalam tvadrsa-darsanam hi

tanoh phalam tvadrsa-gatra-sangah

jihva-phalam tvadrsa-kirtanam hi

sudurlabha bhagavata hi loke

SYNONYMS

aksnoh—of the eyes; phalam—the perfect result of the action; tva-drsa—a person like you; darsanam—to see; hi—certainly; tanoh—of the body; phalam—the perfection of activities; tva-drsa—of a person like you; gatra-sangah—touching the body; jihva-phalam—the perfection of the tongue; tva-drsa—a person like you; kirtanam—glorifying; hi—certainly; su-durlabhah—very rare; bhagavatah—pure devotees of the Lord; hi—certainly; loke—in this world.

TRANSLATION

“ ’My dear Vaisnava, seeing a person like you is the perfection of one’s eyesight. Touching your lotus feet is the perfection of the sense of touch. Glorifying your good qualities is the tongue’s real activity, for in the material world it is very difficult to find a pure devotee of the Lord.’ ”

Madhya20.62

TEXT 62

eta kahi kahe prabhu,--"suna, sanatana

krsna--bada dayamaya, patita-pavana

SYNONYMS

eta kahi—saying this; kahe—continued to speak; prabhu—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; suna—please hear; sanatana—My dear Sanatana; krsna—Lord Krsna; bada—very much; daya-maya—merciful; patita-pavana—deliverer of the fallen souls.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, "My dear Sanatana, please hear from Me. Krsna is very merciful, and He is the deliverer of all fallen souls.

Madhya20.63

TEXT 63

maha-raurava haite toma karila uddhara

krpara samudra krsna gambhira apara"

SYNONYMS

maha-raurava haite—from the deepest hellish condition of life; toma—you; karila uddhara—has delivered; krpara samudra—the ocean of mercy; krsna—Krsna; gambhira—very grave; apara—unlimitedly.

TRANSLATION

“My dear Sanatana, Krsna has saved you from Maharaurava, life’s deepest hell. He is an ocean of mercy, and His activities are very grave.”

PURPORT

As stated in Bhagavad-gita, isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese ’rjuna tisthati. Staying within everyone’s heart, Lord Krsna works very gravely. No one can understand how He is working, but as soon as the Lord understands the sincere activity of a person in devotional service, He helps him in such a way that the devotee cannot understand how things are happening. If the devotee is determined to serve the Lord, the Lord is always prepared to help him (dadami buddhi-yogam tam yena mam upayanti te). Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is telling Sanatana Gosvami how merciful the Lord is. Sanatana Gosvami was a minister in the service of Nawab Hussain Shah. He was always mixing with people materially inclined, particularly with Mohammedans, meat-eaters. Although he was in intimate touch with them, by Krsna’s mercy he came to find such association distasteful. Therefore he left them. As stated by Srinivasa Acarya: tyaktva turnam asesa-man-dala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat. Krsna enlightened Sanatana Gosvami in such a way that he was able to give up his exalted post as minister. Thinking his material position insignificant, Sanatana was prepared to become a mendicant. Appreciating the activities of Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu praised his action and thanked Krsna for His mercy upon him.

Madhya20.64

TEXT 64

sanatana kahe,--’krsna ami nahi jani

amara uddhara-hetu tomara krpa ma-ni’

SYNONYMS

sanatana kahe—Sanatana Gosvami said; krsna—Lord Krsna; ami—I; nahi jani—do not know; amara—my; uddhara-hetu—the cause of release; tomara—Your; krpa—mercy; mani—I accept.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana replied, “I do not know who Krsna is. As far as I am concerned, I have been released from prison only by Your mercy.”

Madhya20.65

TEXT 65

’kemane chutila’ bali prabhu prasna kaila

adyopanta saba katha tenho sunaila

SYNONYMS

kemane chutila—how were you released; bali—saying; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prasna kaila—inquired; adya-upanta—from beginning to the end; saba—all; katha—the narration; tenho—he; sunaila—described.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then asked Sanatana Gosvami, “How were you released from prison?” Sanatana then described the story from beginning to end.

Madhya20.66

TEXT 66

prabhu kahe,--"tomara dui-bhai prayage milila

rupa, anupama--dunhe vrndavana gela"

SYNONYMS

prabhu kahe—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; tomara—your; dui-bhai—two brothers; prayage milila—met Me at Prayaga; rupa—Rupa Gosvami; anupama—his brother Anupama; dunhe—both of them; vrndavana gela—have gone to Vrndavana.

TRANSLATION

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “I met your two brothers, Rupa and Anupama, at Prayaga. They have now gone to Vrndavana.”

Madhya20.67

TEXT 67

tapana-misrere ara candrasekharere

prabhu-ajnaya sanatana milila donhare

SYNONYMS

tapana-misrere—unto Tapana Misra; ara—and; candrasekharere—unto Candrasekhara; prabhu-ajnaya—by the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sanatana—Sanatana; milila—met; donhare—both of them.

TRANSLATION

By the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Sanatana Gosvami met both Tapana Misra and Candrasekhara.

Madhya20.68

TEXT 68

tapana-misra tabe tanre kaila nimantrana

prabhu kahe,--’ksaura karaha, yaha, sanatana’

SYNONYMS

tapana-misra—Tapana Misra; tabe—then; tanre—unto him (Sanatana Gosvami); kaila—made; nimantrana—invitation; prabhu kahe—Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; ksaura karaha—get shaved; yaha—go; sanatana—My dear Sanatana.

TRANSLATION

Tapana Misra then extended an invitation to Sanatana, and Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked Sanatana to go get a shave.

Madhya20.69

TEXT 69

candrasekharere prabhu kahe bolana

’ei vesa dura kara, yaha inhare lana’

SYNONYMS

candrasekharere—unto Candrasekhara; prabhu kahe—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said; bolana—calling; ei vesa—this kind of dress; dura kara—take away; yaha—go; inhare lana—taking him with you.

TRANSLATION

After this, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu called Candrasekhara and asked him to take Sanatana Gosvami with him. He also asked him to take away Sanatana’s present dress.

Madhya20.70

TEXT 70

bhadra karana tanre ganga-snana karaila

sekhara aniya tanre nutana vastra dila

SYNONYMS

bhadra karana—making gentle; tanre—him; ganga-snana—bathing in the Ganges; karaila—caused to do; sekhara—Candrasekhara; aniya—bringing; tanre—to him; nutana—new; vastra—clothing; dila—delivered.

TRANSLATION

Candrasekhara then made Sanatana Gosvami look like a gentleman. He took him to bathe in the Ganges, and afterwards he brought him a new set of clothes.

PURPORT

Madhya20.71

TEXT 71

sei vastra sanatana na kaila angikara

suniya prabhura mane ananda apara

SYNONYMS

sei vastra—that new dress; sanatana—Sanatana Gosvami; na kaila—did not; angikara—accept; suniya—hearing; prabhura—of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; mane—in the mind; ananda apara—unlimited happiness.

TRANSLATION

Candrasekhara offered a new set of garments to Sanatana Gosvami, but Sanatana did not accept them. When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu heard news of this, he became unlimitedly happy.

Madhya20.72

TEXT 72

madhyahna kariya prabhu gela bhiksa karibare

sanatane lana gela tapana-misrera ghare

SYNONYMS

madhyahna kariya—finishing bathing at noon; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; gela—went; bhiksa karibare—to accept lunch; sanatane—Sanatana Gosvami; lana—taking; gela—went; tapana-misrera ghare—to the house of Tapana Misra.

TRANSLATION

After bathing at noon, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to the house of Tapana Misra for lunch. He took Sanatana Gosvami with Him.

Madhya20.73

TEXT 73

pada-praksalana kari’ bhiksate vasila

’sanatane bhiksa deha’--misrere kahila

SYNONYMS

pada-praksalana—washing the feet; kari’-doing; bhiksate—to lunch; vasila—sat down; sanatane bhiksa deha—give Sanatana also lunch; misrere kahila—He asked Tapana Misra.

TRANSLATION

After washing His feet, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu sat down for lunch. He asked Tapana Misra to supply Sanatana Gosvami lunch also.

Madhya20.74

TEXT 74

misra kahe,--’sanatanera kichu krtya ache

tumi bhiksa kara, prasada tanre diba pache’

SYNONYMS

misra kahe—Tapana Misra said; sanatanera—of Sanatana Gosvami; kichu—some; krtya—duty; ache—there is; tumi bhiksa kara—You take Your lunch; prasada—the remnants of Your food; tanre—unto him; diba—I shall deliver; pache—at the end.

TRANSLATION

Tapana Misra then said, “Sanatana has some duty to perform; therefore he cannot accept lunch now. At the conclusion of the meal, I shall supply Sanatana with some remnants.”

Madhya20.75

TEXT 75

bhiksa kari’ mahaprabhu visrama karila

misra prabhura sesa-patra sanatane dila

SYNONYMS

bhiksa kari’—after taking His lunch; mahaprabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; visrama karila—took rest; misra—Tapana Misra; prabhura—of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; sesa-patra—the plate of remnants; sanatane dila—delivered to Sanatana.

TRANSLATION

After eating, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took rest for a while. Tapana Misra then gave Sanatana Gosvami the remnants of food left by Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Madhya20.76

TEXT 76

misra sanatane dila nutana vasana

vastra nahi nila, tenho kaila nivedana

SYNONYMS

misra—Tapana Misra; sanatane—unto Sanatana; dila—delivered; nutana vasana—new cloth; vastra—the cloth; nahi nila—he did not accept; tenho—he; kaila—made; nivedana—submission.

TRANSLATION

When Tapana Misra offered Sanatana Gosvami a new cloth, he did not accept it. Instead, he spoke as follows.

Madhya20.77

TEXT 77

"more vastra dite yadi tomara haya mana

nija paridhana eka deha’ puratana"

SYNONYMS

more—unto me; vastra dite—to offer cloth; yadi—if; tomara—your; haya—there is; mana—mind; nija—own; paridhana—cloth; eka—one; deha’-give; puratana—old.

TRANSLATION

“If you want to give me some cloth according to your desire, please give me an old cloth you have used.”

Madhya20.78

TEXT 78

tabe misra puratana eka dhuti dila

tenho dui bahirvasa-kaupina karila

SYNONYMS

tabe—thereafter; misra—Tapana Misra; puratana—old; eka—one; dhuti—dhoti; dila—delivered; tenho—he (Sanatana Gosvami); dui—two; bahirvasa—outer coverings; kaupina—underwear; karila—made.

TRANSLATION

When Tapana Misra gave Sanatana Gosvami a used dhoti, Sanatana immediately tore it in pieces to make two sets of outer cloth and underwear.

Madhya20.79

TEXT 79

maharastriya dvije prabhu milaila sanatane

sei vipra tanre kaila maha-nimantrane

SYNONYMS

maha-rastriya—from Maharastra; dvije—the brahmana; prabhu—Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; milaila—introduced; sanatane—unto Sanatana Gosvami; sei—that; vipra—brahmana; tanre—unto him; kaila—did; maha—full; nimantrane—invitation.

TRANSLATION

When Caitanya Mahaprabhu introduced the Maharastriya brahmana to Sanatana, the brahmana immediately invited Sanatana Gosvami for full meals.

Madhya20.80

TEXT 80

"sanatana, tumi yavat kasite rahiba

tavat amara ghare bhiksa ye kariba"

SYNONYMS

sanatana—O Sanatana; tumi—you; yavat—as long as; kasite—in Benares; rahiba—will remain; tavat—so long; amara—my; ghare—at the home; bhiksa—lunch; ye—that; kariba—please accept.

TRANSLATION

The brahmana said, “My dear Sanatana, as long as you remain at Kasi, please accept lunch at my place.”

Madhya20.81

TEXT 81

sanatana kahe,--"ami madhukari kariba

brahmanera ghare kene ekatra bhiksa laba?"

SYNONYMS

sanatana kahe—Sanatana replied; ami—I; madhukari kariba—shall practice acceptance of food by madhukari means; brahmanera ghare—in the house of a brahmana; kene—why; ekatra—in one place; bhiksa laba—I should accept lunch.

TRANSLATION

Sanatana replied,“I shall practice the process of madhukari. Why should I accept full meals in the house of a brahmana?”

PURPORT

The word madhukari comes from the word madhukara, which refers to bees collecting honey from flower to flower. A madhukari is a saintly person or a mendicant who does not accept a full meal at one house but begs from door to door, taking a little food from each householder’s place. In this way he does not overeat or give householders unnecessary trouble. A person in the renounced order may beg but not cook. His begging should not be a burden for the householders. The madhukari process is strictly to be followed by a babaji, that is, one who has attained the paramahamsa stage. This practice is still current in Vrndavana, and there are many places where alms are offered. Unfortunately, there are many beggars who have come to Vrndavana to accept alms but not follow the principles of Sanatana Gosvami. People try to imitate him and lead an idle life by practicing madhukari. It is almost impossible to strictly follow Sanatana Gosvami or Rupa Gosvami. It is better to accept food offered to Krsna in the temple than to try to imitate Sanatana Gosvami and Rupa Gosvami.

yuktahara-viharasya
yukta-cestasya karmasu
yukta-svapnavabodhasya
yogo bhavati duhkha-ha