Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Carita | Book 2 Chapter 8

Eighth Sarga

Gaura Hari Shows Mercy to the Avadhūta

1

In the pure light of dawn, after bowing to the feet of their best of lords, all of His bhaktas would return to their respective āśramas and perform their morning duties beginning with worship of the arcana of śrī-vigraha.

2

After preparing, offering, and eating foodstuffs in proper accord with śāstra, they returned to Gaura's lotus feet. Upon seeing them, Gaura, who slays every demon-like doubt in the mind of His bhakta, became filled with jubilation.

3

Once He announced, "Avadhūta-bhagavān, celebrated by the name Nityānanda has now come. Go, bring that great soul to Me.

4

"He Rāma and you, Murāri, Nārāyaṇa and Mukunda! Quickly go where that great soul is staying.

5

All of them searched for Nityānanda in the southern part of the town according to His order, but being unable to find Him they returned to Gaurāṅga's presence.

6

Bowing on the ground before the supreme God, the devotees informed him, "Today we were unable to see Him." But Śacī-nandana commanded, "You must go out again.

7

"That great soul can be seen near His āśrama at dusk." Hearing this, the devotees first performed their daily duties (such as bathing and chanting of gāyatrī-mantra), then they proceeded with merry hearts to the correct place.

8

On the verge of dusk, as the guru of all living beings strolled upon the path, He glimpsed Nityānanda and exclaimed to Murāri, "There He is! Come, let us go to Him.

9

"That chief of sages has entered the house of Nandanācārya. I must certainly go there to encounter that most eminent of personalities."

10-11

Accompanied by Murāri Gupta and the group of bhaktas, the Divine Lord, immersed in premānanda-rasa, went to the sanctified residence of Nandanācārya, and there He saw Nityānanda happily resting.

12

The illustrious Gaura bowed devotedly before Nityānanda, and then He began a lilting saṅkīrtana of Hari-nāma while dancing out of joy.

13

Then the very famous Nityānanda followed in Gaura's footsteps, His mouth filled with roaring and laughter, and His body was marked by pulakas.

14

When the kamalā-pati finished dancing, He collected Nityānanda's footdust and placed it upon the heads of His servants for their purification.

15-16

Then Śrī Gaurāṅga departed for His home. On the way, He began explaining the exalted topics spoken by Śrī Nityānanda to Him on Kṛṣṇa consciousness, "O how that great soul spoke! He said that initially one should develop knowledge of Kṇa, which brings auspiciousness; then comes devotion for Śrī Hari, and then detachment from sense pleasures will naturally take place. This is the proper sequence whereby one can advance in spiritual life within this world.'"

17

So saying, they travelled on the path to Gaurāṅga's home. Upon arrival, the Lord of the devas narrated all that had happened as an offering at His mother's feet.

18

Then when the next day came, Śrī Gaurāṅga invited the intelligent Nityānanda to accept alms with Him. Thereupon He anointed Nityānanda's entire body with the pulp of sandalwood.

19

He made honourable presentations to Him of garlands, valuable gifts, and sanctified foodstuffs. Then He offered āratrika. Thus was Nityānanda Mahāprabhu nicely worshipped by Gaura.

20

Lord Nityānanda stayed there that day, and on the morrow he went to the āśrama of Śrīvāsa, who invited the avadhūta to accept alms from him.

21

That Paṇḍita lovingly offered Nityānanda nicely prepared foods, whereupon Nityānanda respectfully ate that great quantity of sanctified and excellent food.

22

While Nityānanda was staying there, suddenly Bhagavān Gaura entered the splendid temple and sat upon an excellent seat.

23

Remembering Their former pastimes (as Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma in Vraja), the Lord addressed Nityānanda in a charming tone, "For the purpose of attaining Me, You have strived so arduously. Now look upon My person!"

24

When he heard the words which hinted at the truth of Mahāprabhu, the avadhūta glanced back at Him with devotion, but He did not clearly understand their meaning.

25

Knowing this, the illustrious Lord announced to all the vaiṣṇavas, "All of you must now leave the house," and they did so.

26

Then Gaura Prabhu, the supreme master of all, displayed His opulence and sweetness to the eager and curious Nityānanda.

27

The avadhūta saw a very magnificent form of Gaura Kṛṣṇa displaying six arms. After a moment He saw the Lord's four-armed form, and a moment later His form of two arms.

28

Upon beholding to his great joy and astonishment those very marvellous forms within the body of Śacī's son, at once laughing and laughing the sage out of gladness began to dance.

29

By the order of Gaurāṅgadeva, Nityānanda did not reveal this incident to others. But the enjoyer of Vṛndāvana, His hairs thrilling with rapture, jubilantly acclaimed Him, crying, "Indeed, You are My brother!"

30

One who hears these descriptions of Śrī Hari's deeds while playing a human role attains all benefits of ritualistic fire-yajñas. His mind will undeviating delight in Mukuṇḍa’s lotus feet, and upon his tongue the names of Hari will forever dance.

Thus ends the Eighth Sarga entitled "Gaura Hari Shows Mercy to the Avadhūta," in the Second Prakrama of the great poem Śrī Caitanya Carita.