Tenth Sarga
Vision of the Ultimate Person
1
Now hear further the charming and pure history of the magnanimous Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, whose association is like a refreshing shower of nectar.
2
Thereafter the unborn all-opulent Personality of Godhead, Śrī Hari, the sole friend of the sādhu, went forth with a glad heart, accompanied by His associates. He saw the transcendental Kapota-liṅgam, He immediately offered obeisances and again departed.
3
He also saw with gladness many other holy liṅgams of Śiva, and after bowing down before them, again proceeded on until He came to the swift flowing river named Bhārgavī. After taking bath according to the vaiṣṇava precept, He continued traveling onwards.
4
Suddenly Śrī Caitanya glimpsed the beautiful temple of Śrī Jagannātha Hari. It appeared like a blue mountain anointed with nectar, and was effulgent as the autumn moon of Śarat. Crowned by a very dazzling cakra, its flag was unfurled and blew in the breeze.
5
The lustre, height, and influence of Jagannātha's transcendental abode mocked the peak of Mount Kailāśa. Using the temple's flags as his hands, the wind god beckoned welcomingly the lotus-eyed Gaurāṅga.
6
Then, having embraced Lord Jagannātha in His heart, suddenly Gaura Hari tumbled to the earth as if struck by a foe, and becoming utterly motionless. When His noble associates saw this, all of them became faint, like bodies without life.
7
A moment later, seeing that the Lord was arising, they all also became animate and surrounded Him, just as the body's senses awaken by the connection of the soul. Those persons were unaware of His true Self. Then, in His characteristic blissful mood, the Lord addressed them:
8
"My dear devotees, Look and see! Just above the abode of Śrī Hari! There our Prabhu is shining magnificently like a great effulgent blue sapphire. Behold that youth!" Although they were actually unable to see anything, those brāhmaṇas replied, "Yes! Yes! We see the Lord's form."
9
They spoke thus because they were anxious, lest Gaura should again lose consciousness. Then He said to them, "Look! That youth is visible just near the flag of the temple of Śrī Hari. Thousands of rays of pure nectar constantly emanate from His face.
10
"The fingers of His left and right hands are placed upon the holes of the bamboo flute, and they hold it to His mouth in a very attractive manner. Those deftly moving fingers of His hands, whose palms resemble the red-lotus, have captivated My mind.
11
"His sun-like effulgence radiates thousands of nectarine beams. Who is He, who thus enchants My mind with His smile?" In this mood, Śrī Gaura, whose lustre resembles molten gold, ran in a mood of intense eagerness for Kṛṣṇa and was swiftly pursued by His servitors.
12
Again and again He glanced up at the palace of the universal Lord, at times stumbling because of the streams of tears which gushed from His eyes. Thus, He appeared like the peak of Mount Śumeru covered by waterfalls. On the way, He visited the tīrtha of Mārkaṇḍeya, the son of Mkeṇḍu.
13-14
For the sake of Mahādeva, Lord Viṣṇu, used His terrible cakra to make a tīrtha in that spot. Those who bathe there attain the planet of Śiva. Quickly Gaura Hari entered that place and He took bath in accordance with the vaiṣṇava-vidhi. Then the Supreme Lord meditated upon the liṅgam of the gentle Śiva. He did japa of Śrī Śiva- nāma and falling before the liṅgam like a rod, He offered praise to Maheśa by chanting auspicious verses composed in his glorification. Then our Prabhu departed for the great abode of Jagannātha, the Lord of all sacrifice.
15
As He entered the great festival within the temple of the God of gods, all the hairs of His body thrilled due to great ecstasy, and His chest became covered with tears because of He was thinking of the Lord who resides in the hearts of all. Then beholding that Master of all worlds, our Prabhu bowed down.
16
Falling again like a rod to the ground, He then arose and fell again and again. His face showed the struggle of holding back the symptoms of prema, but after a moment He displayed His overwhelming ecstatic feelings for the Lord of the universe. His fists clenched and He wept loudly.
17
Seeing Him thus affected, Śrī Puruṣottama Hari extended His soft lotus hand, revealing His ruddy palm, and Caitanya-deva laughed with gladness.
18
He said, "O ocean of mercy! God of gods, who are offered prayers by Maheśa! Please show Your mercy to Me!" Then being unable to see again the blossom-like fingers of Lord Jagannātha's hand, Gaura felt begrieved and wept with redoubled strength.
19
Again seeing Jagannātha's hand, Gaura became filled with immense exultation, and His slender body became flooded by streams formed of tears of joy.
20
Those who hear and sing of the exalted and magnanimous behavior of Jagannātha Svāmī and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu can see the ultimate goal of life and thus enter the supreme abode of Murāri, wherefrom one never again falls.
Thus ends the Tenth Sarga entitled "Vision of the Ultimate Person," in the Third Prakrama of the great poem Śrī Caitanya Carita.