Seventeenth Sarga
Murāri Gupta Advises Gaura Hari
1
Thereafter Mahāprabhu danced in saṅkīrtana at the home of Candra Śekhara, the jewel among ācāryas, and there He factually exhibited amazing powers.
2
For one week, Hari created a coolness like the full moon. His form like lightning was difficult to look upon, but He was pure and enlivening to the heart.
3
Everyone who came there declared, "How is it that we are unable to open our eyes? Indeed, when we look at the world around us, it appears that there is lightning flashing everywhere."
4
When they heard these statements, all the fortunate vaiṣṇavas felt joy, and although they knew the reality of the situation, they said nothing to the materialistic people.
5
Then Śrīvāsa inquired from the illustrious guru of all beings, "You say that the chanting of hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana is the sole means for self-realization in kali-yuga?
6
"Are the benefits achieved through hari-nāma inferior in any way to those of the other ages such as the age of Satya?" Hearing this, the Lord replied, "Listen attentively as I tell you.
7-8
"In Satya-yuga, when all men followed all the principles of dharma, realization of one's self and one's relationship with the Supreme Lord could be achieved through contemplative yoga.
That same benefit was achieved in the Tretā age simply through yaj.
In the age of Dvāpara, self-realization was achieved through worship of the Lord in His Deity incarnation.
In the age of Kali, the people are very sinful and are unable to practice these other processes, therefore the illustrious Lord Hari, Master of the cosmic manifestation, has personally advented in the brilliant form of Śrī Nāma.
9
"In the other ages headed by Satya, the three processes of meditation, fire sacrifice and Deity worship were feasible. But in this terrible age of Kali, when all bad qualities are in ascendance, Kṛṣṇa Himself attends to the spiritual needs of the conditioned souls."
10
Hearing that with great gladness, Śrīvāsa, the transcendental scholar and enlightened brāhmaṇa, understood that auspicious Śrī Nāma is the essential need and goal of life for all beings.
11
From town to town, Gaura Hari, the lord of all beings performed hari-saṅkīrtana. Thus hee delivered all people including the mlecchas.
12
Once Bhagavān Gaura, His body bathed by tears, declared, "I am unable to remain at home. I shall depart for the city of Mathurā."
13
The Lord then broke His sacred thread, feeling torment out of separation from Kṛṣṇa. Hearing Gaurāṅga's words, this lowly physician Murāri spoke as follows:
14
"O Lord, You know all truths and can do whatever You desire. You can go or You can stay. However according to the Āryan principles you should not leave Your home.
15
"He Nātha! If You act in this way due to your fully independent nature, all people will follow Your example and by acting independently they will fall into an impure condition.
16
"Dear Lord, You may consider that by Your self-sufficient nature You should change from Your present āśrama to another one, but what will the great transcendentalists say?
17
"O Kṛṣṇa, if You leave today, all embodied beings may become bereft of consciousness. What more can I can say to You?"
18-19
The Lord heard this, but because His heart was overwhelmed by love, He remained silent, filled by spontaneous desires for the joys of Kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana. Continuously surrounded by His devotees, and accompanied by Nityānanda, being served offerings of scented oils and other pleasing articles by Gadādhara, Śrī Hari was known as bhakta-ga, one who is always connected with His devotees.
Thus ends the Seventeenth Sarga entitled "Murāri Gupta Advises Gaura Hari," in the Second Prakrama of the great poem Śrī Caitanya Carita.