SRI CAITANYA BHAGAVATA

Madhya Lila Chapter 19


All glories to Lord Visvamvara, the Lord of all the Vaisnava devotees. You bring the living entities back to your fold by giving them devotional service.

The Lord performed His supramundane pastimes in Navadvipa hidden from the vision of gross materialists. He went to different devotee's homes and engaged in pleasurable pastimes with Nityananda, Gadadhara and other associates.

The Lord is the source of all spiritual ecstasy for the devotees and in His association they see everything in relationship to Lord Krsna. They are completely oblivious of the phenomenal world because they are engrossed in relishing transcendental mellow of chanting the holy names of Krsna. They have no other business.

Foremost amongst these intimate associates of the Lord is Advaita Acarya. His character is unfathomable and only a few devotees know his transcendental position and how close he is to the Lord. Whenever Lord Caitanya came out of His ecstatic trances He would immediately render service to the assembled Vaisnavas, especially to Advaita Acarya. These dealings of the Lord were the cause of Advaita's constant discontent. His hurt feelings rumbled in his mind like an active volcano.

He thought, "He is constantly deceiving me like a thief. He gives up His position and tries to stealthily catch my feet. I cannot match His strength for He is supremely powerful, so He forcibly takes the dust from my feet. The only support to back on for me is the devotional service, because without spiritual realization one cannot recognize the Supreme Lord Visvamvara as He is. People call me "Advaita the Lion Hearted" and I become further deluded by this. Kindly destroy this delusion.

In your pastimes with Bhrigu you are more glorious than Bhrigu although some think otherwise and so I will gather about me hundreds of disciples like Bhrigu. This will enrage the Lord so much that He Himself will have to punish me. Lord Caitanya has appeared to explain the path of devotional service and I will firmly oppose His instructions. Naturally this outrage Him and He will have to punish me, catching me by the hair.

Preoccupied with these plans Advaita left Navadvipa accompanied by Haridasa Thakura. He came home and remembered all that he had planned and he became obsessed by that one goal. He began to read and explain a book called yogavasistha which subscribed to the impersonalistic thought and which was contradictory to the path of devotional service. He explained that according to Yogavasistha the path of deductive knowledge or empiric speculation was the essence of self-realization. Without understanding the deductive path of knowledge, the path of devotion becomes impotent. Thus empiric knowledge is the essence of everything. Many persons leave home to live in the forest not understanding that this wealth of knowledge is there in the deductive path.

The path of devotion to Lord Visnu is like a mirror and the path of deductive knowledge is compared to the eyes. What use does a blind man have for a mirror? I have thoroughly studied the different scriptures and I have readily arrived at the conclusion that empiric knowledge is the ultimate goal.

Haridasa Thakura is more than familiar with the ways and nature of Advaita Acarya and when he heard the Acarya's attempt to explain everything in light of empiric knowledge he merely laughed. Such is the transcendental characteristic of a pure devotee like Advaita Acarya. Those who are righteous can easily understand his position but the offensive lot are rejected.

Lord Visvamvara who is the most munificent Supreme Personality and who fulfill all desires perceived in his heart Advaita Acarya's desire. One day He was promenading the streets of Navadvipa with Nityananda Prabhu, observing His own creation. Lord Brahma the creator of this universe was watching all these activities of the Lord and feeling very fortunate and elated he thought to himself, " The Supreme Lord is appreciating my artistry in engineering this creation."

The two of them looked like two full moons sailing across the sky as they moved about with charming gracefulness. The residents of Navadvipa could see them each according to his own devotion.

The demigods were also surveying the movements of the two moonlike Lords but remained unseen to the human eyes, and they wondered in their minds. They thought they were seeing two moons and because of this they mistook their own heavenly abodes as the earth and the earth as the heavenly planet. They also erred that they were the earthly beings and the earthlings were the residents of heavenly planets. They began talking with each other about the mystery of the two moons.

Someone said, "Two moons together were never permitted entry in the heavenly planets." Someone else said, " Let me tell you that one of them is the original moon and the other is His reflection." Yet another said, "The son takes to the father in all respects, so one is the father moon and the other is his son. Mars?" It is not in the least bit surprising that the demigods are bewildered by the Lord's beauty for even the Vedas finds itself inadequate to fully describe the Supreme Lord's extraordinary charming looks.

So the two lords moved about in Navadvipa when Lord Visvamvara said to Lord Nityananda, "Let us go to Shantipur to Advaita Acarya's house." Both Lords were always ready engage in pleasurable pastimes so they immediately headed for Advaita Acarya's house.

Almost halfway to Shantipur They came across a village called Lalitpura situated on the banks of the Ganga. There in a hut by the river lived a householder sannyasa. Lord Visvamvara enquired from Nityananda Prabhu, "Please find out whose abode this is." Nityananda Prabhu replied, "Lord, this is a sannyasi's residence." Lord Visvamvara said, "If our fortune permits we might see him. Let us go." Happily they went in and offered obeisances to the sannyasi.

The sannyasi was taken in by Lord Visvamvara's charming appearance, perfectly shaped limbs and radiant smile; the sannyasi being extremely pleased and blessed Him saying, "May you be blessed with wealth, fame, learning and a beautiful wife." The Lord immediately replied, "Dear Sir, Gosvami, this is really not a blessing. Please tell me, `May you receive Krsna's blessings.' Such a blessing brings one to the platform of devotional service to Lord Visnu and is eternal, inexhaustible and infallible. It is not becoming of your position to bless me with these other materialistic advantages."

With a false laugh, more out of displeasure than anything else, the sannyasi replied, "Now I have direct proof of the axiom I have so often heard before that if you try to do good to people they take it in a bad way. This is exactly the manner in which this young brahmin has reacted. I was very pleased and I wished Him all success but He turned my words around and even started blaming me."

The sannyasi enquired, "Tell me, O young brahmana, why do you fault my blessings? If a man is born into this world and has not enjoyed the company of an attractive woman, or has not collected sufficient wealth, then what is the use of his living? I was wishing you success in this kind of pleasurable life but you are ashamed and reluctant to receive it well. You may be a devotee of Lord Visnu but how will you maintain Yourself without earnings?"

The Lord simply smiled at his words and placed His hand on His forehead in a gesture of sheer fatigue at the sannyasi's gross foolishness.

The Lord utilized this situation to teach everyone that one should not ask for my blessings other than devotional service to the Supreme Lord. He said to the sannyasi, "Listen, O Gosvami, whatever food we eat comes automatically due to our karma or as a result of our previous activities-whatever is destined for us.

If people take birth for the sole purpose of family life with wife, children and earnings, then why is he forced to leave everything at death? No one desires to be sick and ailing, so why do various diseases attack us and make us suffer? The reason for all this is karma; everything is a result of our previous activities, only the elevated and knowledgeable person have full understanding about these facts.

Some persons point out that the Vedas say that the final goal of human life is to be elevated to the heavenly planets; the real understanding of this Vedic injunction is that the Vedas have so enunciated out of extreme leniency towards the ignorant people. Materialistic and ignorant people are naturally inclined to a life of luxury and physical pleasures, so knowing this well, the Vedas have recommended accordingly - the Vedas are not to be blamed for this.

The general mass of people think that by chanting God's name and taking ablutions in the Ganga one acquires wealth and success in family life, and so they respect and take shelter of the Vedic injunctions; but the real result of such performance is that one quickly develops devotion to the Supreme Lord. And so the ignorant people who do not understand the purport of the Vedic injunctions reject the fruit that leads to devotional service to Krsna and endeavor after materialistic pleasures.

Please consider well all these points O Gosvami, because there is no goal or activity superior to devotional service to Lord Krsna." Thus the Supreme Lord, the Supreme instructor (aiming these instructions toward the whole world), spoke to the sannyasi and pointed out that devotional service to Lord Krsna is the ultimate purpose of the Vedas. All these instructions of Lord Visvamvara are indeed the absolute truth, and those whose hearts are contaminated due to sinful activities cannot receive them to heart.

The householder sannyasi smiled and thought to himself, "This young brahmana must have become a lunatic due to the effect of some mantra; it may also be that the person dressed as a sannyasi who is accompanying him has somehow mesmerized him." The sannyasi spoke out loud, "Finally it has happened. In front of a mere child, I suddenly know nothing. I have traveled around the world - Ayodhya, Mathura, Badrik asrama, Gujarat, Kasi, Vijayanagar, Ceylon, and to many other cities - and now I am not supposed to know any longer what is good and bad. I have to learn all this from a suckling baby."

Still smiling Lord Nityananda replied, "Listen Gosai, You don't have to unnecessarily agree with a mere child. I am well aware of your position and fame; please just consider my proposal as I am older and forgive us for whatever has happened." Hearing his own praises being sung, he became once again amiable and requested his guests to take food. Lord Nityananda said, "We must leave right away since more urgent business must be attended to, but you can pack some eatables for us which we can eat after our bath on the way. The sannyasi insisted, "Take your bath here, take your meal and after a cooling rest you can be on your way again." The two Supreme Personalities have descended to this mortal world for the sole purpose of delivering the most fallen souls, and so they spent some time with the householder sannyasi.

They washed away their weariness in the cooling waters of the Ganga and then returned to the Sannyasi's dwelling. They offered some ripe mangoes, jackfruit and milk to Lord Krsna and then relished this Krsna prasadam in the presence of their pleased host.

The sannyasi was following the lefthanded school of sakti worship and they are used to consuming liquor. The sannyasi indirectly made this known to Lord Nityananda. He said, "Listen Sripad, shall I bring us some `happiness'? How often will I get guests like You?" Lord Nityananda who has Himself traveled widely and has seen much, understood that this sannyasi was addicted to alcohol. The sannyasi repeated several times whether she should bring happiness or not and Nityananda replied each time, "We must leave right now."

The sannyasi's wife was sitting inside looking at the two Lords, who she saw were more charming than Cupid. She stared at them as if in meditation. She corrected her husband saying, "Why do you disturb them during eating?"

Lord Visvamvara enquired aside, "Of what happiness is he speaking?"
Lord Nityananda replied, "I think he means liquor."

Lord Caitanya immediately remembered Lord Visnu and called out His name. Quickly rinsing His mouth and hands, they left the house. They walked to the riverside and jumped into the water of the Ganga and swam all the way to Santipur to Advaita Acarya's house.

The Lord shows His mercy to a licentious drunkard but annihilates Vedantists if they are offensive to the devotees of the Lord and the Lord Himself. Although this so-called sannyasi was a drunkard and intimately associated with women, still the Lord visited his dwelling. He conversed with the sannyasi and gave him instructions, rested and ate in his house. This sannyasi may not become fully purified in this life but has to wait for another birth; the agnostics who criticize the Lord and His devotees will never become eligible to receive the Lord's mercy. Even if one is a sannyasi still that does not make him eligible to see or meet the Supreme Lord. This is evident from the incident which occurred in Varanasi with the sannyasis there.

In the last section of this book it narrates that when Lord Caitanya went to Kasi many residents and some sannyasis heard the news of His arrival. The sannyasis were joyful to receive the news and were eager to meet Him since they had heard much about His exceptional characteristics. These sannyasis were all Vedantists impersonalists. and were well versed in intellectual matters and in performing various austerities. As life long residents of Kasi they were well respected. All their impressive qualifications were undermined by a single fault - they taught and explained the Vedanta devoid of the science of devotion to Lord Visnu. Lord Caitanya is the supersoul within each individual's heart. He was aware of this and although He visited Kasi He did not give these sannyasis the opportunity to meet Him.

fIn Varnasi He stayed in Ramachandra Puri's math for two months without revealing His whereabouts, but spent most of His time in Chandrasekhar's house. He left VAranasi two days before the Visvarup ksanra, the special shaving ceremony on the full moon day during Chaturmasya followed by Mayavadi sannyasis. He left without public knowledge and only later the sannysis came to know that they had missed seeing him.

The offense of criticizing the Lord or His devotee even once steals a man's proper intelligence. The sannyasis did not feel any remorse at not meeting the Lord. Further to it they said, "We are all sannyasis. Why did He leave without first speaking to us? What was the reason He could not wait two days and perform the special shaving ceremony Visvaroop Ksanra? By doing this He has neglected the duties of His order."

The intelligence of non-devotional people are spoilt in this manner and Lord Siva never accepts worship from such offenders. In fact, Lord Siva, the Lord of Kasi, metes out punishment to such offenders of the Vaisnavas and takes away whatever little devotion they may have.

Lord Gaurasundara has advented specifically to deliver all the fallen souls with the exception of those who find fault in Vaisnava devotees of the Lord. Thus Lord Caitanya ate and rested in a drunkard's home and avoided the company of the so-called learned Vedic sannyasis just to prove this point. One must be always careful to avoid the Lord's wrath, but those who flout the Lord will suffer eternal punishment in the hands of Yamaraja, the God of death.

Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, Ananta Sesa, Kamala the universal mother, are constantly engaged in glorifying the Supreme Lord Gaurasundara. Thus if anyone is so unfortunate as not to be attracted by the sweet nectarean pastimes and qualities of Lord Caitanya, then all his Vedic learning and austerities as a sannyasi are rendered useless.

Happily Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda proceeded towards Santipur along the bank of the Ganga. As they walked Lord Caitanya loudly and repeatedly roared, "I am that; I am that person. Nada has awakened Me from sleep and brought Me here. He is, I believe, holding dissertations that camouflage the process of devotional service behind a facade of flowery words that present the speculative path of knowledge. Today I will punish him for this. Let the whole world see. I want everyone to see how he defends his bastion of speculative knowledge." While the Lord thunderously rumbled on in this manner, Lord Nityananda kept His silence, smiling in His mind. As Lord Caitanya and Nityananda Prabhus swam in the waves of the Ganga, the author recalls to memory Lord Mukunda, Narayana, supine on Ananta Sesa lying on the milk ocean.

Advaita Acarya, a stalwart amongst the followers of Lord Caitanya could understand from before, due to his high devotional merits, that the Lord would react angrily to his presenting the theory of speculative philosophy. So when he realized that Caitanya and Nityananda had come to Shantipur he began to speak more vociferously on impersonalistic knowledge. How can one really fathom the devotional mood and activities of the pure devotees of the Lord.

Lord Nityananda accompanied the irate Lord Caitanya into Advaita's house. Advaita swayed in divine pleasure playing out his part perfectly as an impersonalist. Haridas Thakura offered obeisances to the Lord, falling on the ground like a rod; Acyuta, Advaita's son, also offered his respectful obeisances. Advaita's wife, Sitadevi, offered obeisances to the Lord in her mind and felt very upset seeing the Lord's countenance. The Lord's face and expression aroused fear in everyone's heart.

Rumbling with anger, the Lord said, "Hey, You Nada! Tell Me which is superior - speculative knowledge or devotional service?"
Advaita replied, "Speculative knowledge is always superior, for what is the use of devotional service if a person is devoid of impersonal knowledge?"

As soon as these words entered His ears, Lord Caitanya became inflamed and forgot His surroundings. He pulled Advaita out of his seat and dragged him our to the patio. There he threw him on the ground and struck him again and again.

Advaita's wife, Sitadevi, is the universal mother who knows all these confidential topics, yet she could not restrain herself from trying to stop the Lord. "Stop! Stop!" she cried out. "He is just an old brahmana. For whose benefit do You chastise him so heavily? He is so old that he may not survive your harsh behavior and You will find it difficult to avoid the consequences of your actions." Lord Nityananda smiled at her words and Haridasa Thakura repeated Krsna's name in great fear.

Lord Caitanya was so angry that He did not even hear Sitadevi's words. Roaring like angry thunder He spoke to Advaita, "I was gently relaxing on the milk ocean and you interrupted My sleep, calling Me to attend to your work. You engineered the propagation of devotional service yet now you audaciously obscure the devotional process with your circumvent explanation of impersonalism. If you had already made up your mind to surreptitiously broadcast your speculative theories, then why did you take the trouble of revealing Me to the world? I did not disregard your desire and wishes, but you have deceived Me in all respects."

At long last, Caitanya stopped chastising Advaita and went to sit next to the doorway. He spoke loudly, revealing His real identity to all. He said, "O Nada, you know everything. Behold, I am the one who slew Kamsa. Siva, Brahma, Ananta Sesa, Laksmidevi are all constantly engaged in serving Me. That impostor Vasudeva met his end, vanquished by me disc weapon Sudarsan. That same disc reduced the entire city of Varanasi to ashes. My arrow found its mark and killed the great demon king Ravana. My invincible Sudarsana severed the arms of Bana and destroyed the powerful demon Naraka. I had lifted the Govardhana mountain with my left hand and it is I who brought the heavenly parijata flower to earth. I tricked King Bali out of all his possessions and then benedicted him for his mood of surrender, and I also vanquished the terrible demon king Hiranyakasipu to favor my devotee Prabhlad." As the Lord revealed His various pastimes Advaita felt gradually submerged in an ocean of ecstatic bliss.

Advaita was more than happy to receive his due punishment in this manner and he clapped his hands and pranced in joy feeling peace and humility within. He said, "My Lord, You have rightfully remonstrated me, and I am lucky to get away with so little. Now I am clear about Your divine authority and I am feeling the renewed strength in my relationship with you as Your servant."

Advaita danced around in ecstasy and then creasing his eyebrows together he prayed to the Lord, "Now where are Your flattering words about me? What has happened to all that deceit? I am not Durvasa Muni that you can insult me, Whose remnants of rice You had smeared on Your body. Nor am I Bhrigu Muni whose foot impression decorated Your breast and is known as the famous Srivatsa. My name is simply Advaita, Your eternal and humble servant purely and I am always hankering birth after birth to receive Your remnants. And by the effect of Your remnants or mercy I am unscathed by the ravages of Your illusory potency. The punishment is now over, so please give me the shelter of Your lotus feet." Saying this, Advaita, the master of Santipur, fell to the ground and placed his head on the Lord's lotus feet.

Hastily and with due respect, Lord Visvamvara picked up Advaita on His lap as tears flooded the Lord's eyes, cascading down unrestrained. Lord Nityananda, Haridasa Thakura were unable to contain their ecstatic emotions at the sight of such a display of divine devotional fervor and tears flowed from their eyes in rivers. Sitadevi, Acyutananda and the servants of the house were crying in intense joy. Advaita's whole house became immersed in love of Godhead.

Lord Visvamvara now felt ashamed after having chastised Advaita so severely and so He wanted to compensate by offering him a boon. He said, "If anyone so much as takes a little shelter at your feet, be he an insect, worm, animal or bird, and even if he commits a million offenses against Me, I will still grant him my benediction."

When Advaita heard this book he fell at the Lord's feet and crying like a meek child he said, "Whatever You have said My Lord is certainly true. Now please hear and grant me one favor. If anyone tries to follow and worship me but does not serve Your lotus feet, then let that so-called devotion to me vanquish him. I cannot accept anyone who does not serve You. He may be my son or servant but I shall consider him a great offender and shall never see his face. Because I cannot bear to see anyone neglect Your lotus feet. Those who worship you automatically become my dearest friend. Sometimes one may supersede Your worship and approach up to a million demigods, but those demigods will never entertain him. Instead they will surely squash him by some deception. All that I have said are not my own concoction but are the verdict of the scriptures. The story of Sudaksina's death from the Puranas is the proof.

Sudakshina was the son of the king of Kasi. A great devotee of Lord Siva, he was always immersed in meditation on his Lord. Being satisfied with his worship Lord Siva appeared to him and said, "Ask for a boon and I shall fulfill your heart's desire. Also, perform the special yajna of Abhicharyajna in order to master extraordinary powers, but be very cautious that you do not belittle or offend any VAisnava devotee of the Lord. If you do you will be immolated."

Sudaksina had no way of detecting the intention behind Lord Siva's words so he duly performed the Abhichara sacrifice according to his Lord's instructions. Out of the sacrificial fire appeared a terrifying form. Possessing three hands and legs and three heads and stood towering over him. It said, "Ask for your boon." The prince replied, "Go and burn down the city of Dvaraka." The giant creature became visibly sad and understood that the prince's desire could never be fulfilled. He nevertheless went to Dvaraka on his request and upon his arrival he was immediately attacked by the omnipresent and every watchful guard of Dvaraka, the Sudarsan disk.

No one can escape the wrath of Sudarsan and so the giant submitted himself at the lotus feet of Sudarsan and said, "The powerful sage Durvasa could not escape from You and neither could You be contained by such great personalities as Lord Brahma and Lord Siva; what can and insignificant person as myself do against such an exalted Vaisnava as You. Lord, I have no avenues of escape now, and You are free to do anything with me you like. All glories to You, my Lord who is famous as Sudarsana You are as powerful as my own Lord Sankara and the abode of Krsna. All glory to You who posses the form of a disc and is the best amongst the Vaisnava devotees. You instill fear in the hearts of the miscreants and protect the pious."

Sudarsan was appeased by the giant's prayers and he told him to return to the prince who had sent him and destroy him by fire. The terrifying giant returned to the prince of Kasi and destroyed him.

Sudaksina tried to override You,My Lord, and tried to worship Lord Siva with the yajna, but the result was that he met his death by this same sacrifice. Similarly, I say that those who approach me dismissing Your lotus feet, I destroy them. You are everything to me; You are the Lord of my life, my most precious treasure, my father and my mother, my dearest friend. I cannot tolerate such offense at Your lotus feet.

There are many examples of this point in the scriptures. King Satrajit once met the Sungod and becoming attracted by his brilliance and personality began worshiping him. But then once he disobeyed Your orders and due to this offense he and his brother were killed and the sungod saw all this with satisfaction since he had been very upset that Satrajit had disobeyed Your instructions. Duryodhana was a disciple of Lord Balaram but because he disregarded You he and his entire race was eliminated.

Hiranyakasipu became practically invincible by the boon of Lord Brahma and this made him insolent and inimical towards You so he also died along with his race of demons.

The ten-headed Ravana was the most powerful king of his time having received a boon from Lord Siva. He was offensive to You and challenged You so he and his entire family was vanquished.

O Lord, You are the root cause and the Supreme Lord of all the demigods. Everything and everyone seen and unseen to human vision is Your servant. One who tries to worship the servant but disregards the Lord and Master Himself, then the servant cannot tolerate this offense so he makes a show of accepting the worshipers' worship but finally her personally destroys him. Worshiping demigods like Siva directly without worshiping You is like watering the branches instead of the root of the tree. You are the original cause of the Vedas, the brahmanas, sacrifices, and religious practices; I despise that person who disregards Your lotus feet.

Lord Caitanya greatly appreciated Advaita's highly confidential and esoteric prayers and he spoke out in a voice that resembled a thunderclap. "Now listen to Me attentively, I say truly those who worship me directly but neglect my servants and devotees are most despicable wretches who by doing so cut my body into pieces. Their worship is like burning cinders on my body. He who criticizes and offends my devotee, My name which fulfills all desires will vanquish him. In this way I show my compassion for him. Every living entity is My servant and so I cannot tolerate any violence to them. I destroy anyone who tries to hurt My servants. What to speak of you Advaita. You are more dear to Me than My own body and any disrespect shown to you is dealt by Me with severity. Even if a sannyasi offends a pure devotee he falls down from his vow and deviates from his religious practices."

Raising both His arms Lord Gauracandra declared to the world, "Give up the offensive attitude of criticizing Vaisnavas and chant Lord Krsna's holy name. Anyone who practices this will surely be delivered by Me."

Lord Caitanya's words gripped the devotees in a wave of unrestrained joy and they broke out in chanting the Lord's name loudly. Advaita Acarya wept in ecstasy catching the Lord's lotus feet and the Lord held Advaita in His endearing embrace and wept.

Advaita's loving devotion flooded the entire universe. Such is the wonderful character and activity of Advaita Acarya. Advaita Acarya is non-different from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Who, then, can really understand his words. The seemingly abusive exchange between Advaita and Lord Nityananda can be perceived only by those elevated souls who have reached that state of bliss beyond material influences. The words and activities of the Supreme Lord and His pure devotees, the Vaisnavas, can be understood and appreciated only by their mercy alone.

Discussions of such spiritual nature between Advaita, Nityananda and other devotees can be realized by Lord Ananta alone, who then sings these with his innumerable mouths.

Lord Visvamvara glanced at Advaita coming out of his ecstatic engrossment and spoke with a smile, "I have chastised you in a moment of childish frivolity." Advaita replied, "All such pastimes are not factual, but performed to delude us." The Lord said, "Listen Nityananda, You must kindly forgive Me for my reckless act of immaturity."

Nityananda, Haridasa Thakura and Advaita Acarya exchanged glances amongst each other and then burst out in uncontrolled laughter.

Lord Visvamvara always addressed Sitadevi, Advaita's wife as mother; she was a symbol of chastity, always serving husband to his full satisfaction. Now Lord Visvamvara went to her saying, "Go quickly and prepare a sumptuous feast for Lord Krsna and after offering it to Him, we shall partake of His remnants." The Lord then left to take his bath in Ganga along with Advaita, Haridas, Nityananda and others. Everyone was in a gay mood. Such unbounded joy and spiritual bliss seen in the Lord's nature is described in detail in the Vedas.

On returning to the house from His bath, He washed His feet and prostrated Himself before Lord Krsna. Seeing the Lord in a prostrated position Advaita fell at the Lord's lotus feet and haridas also in the ecstasy of devotee association fell at the feel of Advaita. Lord Nityananda witnessed this wonderful scene with feelings of spiritual bliss surging within Him. Here then was the transcendental bridge of the three expansions of Godhead linked directly to the highest spiritual abode.

Rising from offering obeisances to Lord Krsna, Lord Visvamvara noticed that Advaita Acarya was at His feet and He became very embarrassed. He chanted, "Visnu, Visnu," in humility.

The Lord then took Advaita's hand and entered the eating room with Nityananda in His familiar charming way. The three Supreme Personalities sat down to eat. Each one of them was always animated with spiritual ecstasy and Lord Nityananda acted as was His nature, as a highly restless young boy. Sitting away from them by the door was Haridas Thakura who was spiritually elevated enough to see these different transcendental pastimes. Sita Thakurani, Advaita's wife, a most spiritually exalted and versatile lady was serving Them and remembering Lord hari all the time. She served them delicacies like flavored rice, ghee, milk, sweet rice and They ate with pleasure and vivacity.

Advaita Acarya began to laugh at Nityananda. They are in fact both the same Supreme Personality, but have become two absolute entities to participate and assist in Lord Krsna's pastimes. Just towards the end of Their meal Lord Nityananda became overly restless like a child. He picked up the rice from His plate and threw it all around and then laughed out in childish glee. Lord Visvamvara cried out in great concern. While Haridas Thakura could not check his laughter.

Advaita pretended to be inflamed into rage and revealed the truths about the absolute nature of Nityananda. He angrily said, "This Nityananda is a drunkard and His company has corrupted my caste. He cannot say who His guru is, nor the place of His birth. He simply introduces Himself as a sannyasi. No one knows Him or His caste and family; He always walks around swaying like a drunken mad elephant. Previously He was eating in the houses of aliens and now He has come here, trying to mix with the brhamanas.

I say thrice truly to you Haridasa that this drunkard will destroy everything." Working himself into a fit of fake rage, Advaita threw off his clothes and clapping his hands, he pranced about in unrestrained glee.

Lord Visvamvara started laughing at Advaita. Such was his nature that both old and young equally find his character stimulating. Nityananda also shook with laughter pointing His fingers at Advaita who was exhibiting such amusing postures in his pretended rage.

After a while when They were again well composed they rinsed their mouths and hands and then they embraced each other experiencing ecstatic bliss. Both Advaita and Nityananda are like the two hands of Lord Caitanya. There is no enmity but everlasting annuity between them. Their quarrels are simulated and meant to support Krsna's pastimes; such are the childlike mannerisms of the Supreme Lord and His pure devotees.

Lord Caitanya passed His time in this manner in Advaita's house, engrossed in ecstatic bliss Her performed sankirtana. These supramundane activities can be understood by Lord Balarama alone, others cannot fathom the absolute excellences in the Supreme Lord's nature. By the blessings of Lord Balarama one is able to repeat these pastimes of Lord Caitanya because Sarasvati devi, the goddess of learning, seems to dance on His tongue.

All these pastimes I have compiled having no idea of the chronological sequence; I have simply presented them as they appear to me and it was possible merely by the mercy of Lord Krsna.

I therefore offer obeisances at the feet of all the beloved devotees of Lord Caitanya and beg their forgiveness of the offenses I might have committed in this endeavor.

After a few days of sojourn in Advaita's house Lord Caitanya returned to Navadvipa and His home accompanied by Lord Nityananda, Advaita and haridasa. When the news of the Lord's return to Navadvipa spread around all the Vaisnavas hurriedly flocked to meet the Lord, bubbling delight was written on everyone's face.

The sight of Lord Caitanya's moonlike face immediately dissipated their distress and they fell at His feet weeping. The Lord was their most precious soul; He lovingly embraced everyone who had come to meet Him. All His devotees were like His own expansions - compassionate and exalted Vaisnavas.

All the devotees then offered obeisances to Advaita who was the cause for Lord Caitanya's advent. Jubilantly they met each other and began to playfully and loudly talk about Krsna's pastime with the Lord.

Mother Saci was extremely happy to see her son again and together with Visnupriyadevi offered grateful thanks to their deity. All these can fully be described by Lord Ananta alone; He is my life and soul. There is no difference between Lord Balarama and Lord Nityananda except Their names, just as the three different words dvija, vipra and brahmana mean one and the same thing. One who hears with devotion these pastimes of the Lord in Advaita's house, attains the highest bliss.

Lord Krsna Caitanya and Lord Nityananda are my life and soul.

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

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