Fifteenth Sarga
Śrī Gaura Hari's Joyous Meeting with Paramānanda Purī
1
Then in the clear, pristine light of dawn, Gaura Prabhu, the guru of all living beings, entered the city of Kāñcī. He was singing the names of Hari and His composure was shattered with Kṛṣṇa-prema. He had come to see Rāmānanda Rāya, the provincial governor.
2
At that time the governor was in his home, meditating on the delightful son of the King of Vraja, the Supreme Brahma. He had just concluded his Kṛṣṇa-pūjā of the śrī- vigraha. Then thrice in succession he had a vision of the wonderful and immense sweetness of Lord Śrī Gaurāṅga, and he became amazed.
3
Upon opening his eyes, he saw directly before him that very same form of the Supreme Brahman, in the garb of a sannyāsī. Bowing his head and folding his hands, he inquired, "Prabhu, may I know whence Your holiness has come?
4
Laughing, Prabhu replied, "You are a bee seeking honey at Śrī Rādhikā's lotus feet! Why have you forgotten your identity?" So saying, Śrī Hari embraced Rāmānanda with both arms.
5
Śrī Gaura, the crest jewel of rasikas, then and there revealed to Rāmānanda the confidential and astounding pleasure-pastimes of Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa in the groves of Vṛndāvana. Afterwards He instructed Rāmānanda to go quickly to Śrī Kṣetra. Having pacified Rāmānanda's heart with sweet words, Śrī Janārdana, who resides within and inspires the hearts of all mankind departed.
6
As Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya travelled, He sang the names, "Śrī Rāma! Govinda! Kṛṣṇa!" Crossing the Godāvarī River, He entered the great forest of Pāñcavatī and became wholly entranced by remembrance of Sītā-Rāma.
7
Thereafter, Śrī Jagadīśvara walked upon the earth, illuminating all directions. After crossing the holy Kāverī River, Prabhu joyously saw with reverence the great Deity of Viṣṇu named Śrī Raṅganātha and danced before Him in boundless delight.
8
A brāhmaṇa seated near Lord Raṅganātha was reciting the verses of Bhagavad-Gītā, although he did not have clear comprehension of the meaning of the Sanskrit verses. But upon observing that that brāhmaṇa's eyes were filled with tears, Gaura-Kṛṣṇa embraced him, declaring, "Oh, your process of hearing the Gītā is indeed correct!"
9
There was a highly advanced brāhmaṇa who was present in that temple. He observed that our Prabhu's beautiful golden body was of great stature. He saw that His eyes were filled with tears, and that His tongue constantly vibrated the sacred syllables "Kṛṣ-ṇa." Considering these symptoms, he concluded that this person must be none other than Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the true friend of all people.
10
That king of learned scholars named Trimalla Bhaṭṭa deliberated, "Aho! What good fortune I have achieved today!" Then, in vast delight, he clasped Gaura Prabhu's blessed feet in his hands and pleaded for His mercy:
11
"O Supreme Soul! Dear Prabhu! Kindly always show Your mercy to your servants. We have heard through śāstra that in Your present avatāra, Your Lordship is showering this universe with immortal mercy, and nullifying the power of māyā.
12
"Certainly none other than Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself can deliver all moving and non- moving living entities. He Nātha! The rainy season has now begun. Kindly show Your grace to this servant and bless him."
13
After hearing these eloquent words from His devotee, Mahāprabhu embraced him and entered his home. That intelligent brāhmaṇa then lovingly washed the Lord's lotus feet, and he placed that water upon his head and drank it together with his family and friends.
14
The Master of the universe became situated peacefully, and out of feelings of deep love, Trimalla Bhaṭṭa rendered service to Him, assisted by his wife, children and relatives.
15-16
While the Brāhmaṇa’s son named Gopāla stood by Prabhu's side, the Lord glanced on him, His heart melting out of mercy for him. The son of Śacī placed His lotus foot upon the boy's head and said, "Just chant the name of Hari!" The heart of Gopāla became filled with jubilation. From that time on, abandoning all boyish games, Gopāla solely engaged his time in singing the names of Kṛṣṇa and dancing.
17
In this way, the infallible Śrī Hari, His heart enlivened by the blissful mellows of Śrī Kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana, resided throughout the rainy season in Raṅga-kṣetra, well honoured with offerings of bhikṣā from the brāhmaṇas.
18
That leader of rasikas, whose body was as beautiful as golden Mount Meru, became intoxicated by descriptions of the names and qualities of Śrī Kṇa. As He delighted in this way in the moods of Śrīmatī Rādhikā, His body became washed by tears of prema, and His voice was choked by tears.
19
After residing there in that manner, Śrī Gaura left Raṅga-khetra. While He was travelling, He met a disciple of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī named Paramānanda.
20
When Paramānanda Purī saw the golden body of Śrī Hari, he recalled the words that his own guru, Īśvara Purī, had once spoken concerning the Lord. Tears of love came to his eyes, and the his body became covered with pulakas.
21
Although the Supreme Lord, since He is the eternal maintainer of dharma, Śrī Gaurāṅga demonstrated the proper standard of Vaiṇava-ācāra. Falling like a rod to the ground, He placed His head at the feet of Paramānanda Purī and his servant.
22
Much alarmed, Śrī Purī said, "Lord, it is not proper for You to act in this way, for You are the supreme master of all worlds. Indeed, You are the originally cause of consciousness within them.
23
"It is known through the evidence of śāstra that You are directly Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord. You have accepted the role of Your own bhakta in order to relish Śrī Rādhā-bhāva, and thus You engage in plundering the mellows of mādhurya- rasa."
24
Hearing Śrī Purī-pāda's words, Śrī Kṛṣṇa laughed and with great respect He said, "Because of your loving sentiments, you should know that My heart is also forever bound in love to you. Have no doubt of this.
25
"Your grace, kindly go now to Śrī Kṣetra for it is very pleasing for bhakti-sādhana and take up your residence there until I return."
So saying, Śrī Gaura Hari departed on the path.
Thus ends the Fifteenth Sarga entitled "Gaura Hari's Joyous Meeting with Śrī Paramānanda Purī," in the Third Prakrama of the great poem Śrī Caitanya Carita.