First Sarga
Gaura Shows Mercy to Tapana Miśra and the Residents of Kāśī
1
When Mahāprabhu arrived in Nīlācala absorbed in the mood of the mādhurya-rasa of the rāsa-līlā, in the company of His beloved devotees headed by Svarūpa and Gadādhara, His heart overflooded with the mellows of Kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana, and out of spontaneous attraction for Rādhā-Govinda's lotus feet, He sang and danced, eager for the nectar of Śrī Nāma.
2
Headed by Śrī Rāmānanda and Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, the residents of Kṣetra approached Gaura Prabhu, overflowing with the devotional mellows which they had imbibed from Him, and as they joyously drank the elixirean vision of His lotus face they quenched the thirst of their eyes.
3
Hearing and singing the auspicious saṅkīrtana of Śrī Hari-nāma, they helplessly drowned within an ocean of ānanda, and danced with Śrī Gaurāṅga Candra, the crest-jewel of all rasikas.
4-5
The inhabitants of Gauḍa headed by Kāśīśvara Paṇḍita, Nityānanda Rāma and Mukuṇḍa, Vakreśvara Paṇḍita, Rāghava Paṇḍita and Vāsudeva Datta, Śaṅkara Paṇḍita, Haridāsa hākura, Gaurīdāsa Paṇḍita, the residents of Khaṇa headed by Śrī Raghunandana, and the residents of Kulīna-grāma were all experiencing the internal awakening of their ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa through relishing the moods inspired by Śrī Gaurāṅga. Thus they continuously danced, sang, and ceaselessly bowed down jubilantly before the Lord.
6
When the dancing ended, the infallible and self-inspired Prabhu, the Personality of Godhead, feeling empathy with His devotees, said, "If your good selves would kindly show Me your mercy, I shall now depart for the enchanting and rarely- achieved land of Śrī Vṛndāvana."
7
Although still absorbed in drinking the ambrosia of Gaurāṅga's lotus face, they felt simultaneously intense sorrow of separation and collapsed at His lotus feet weeping. Then, taking straw between their teeth, they said:
8
"He Prabhu! Undoubtedly You are the supreme master Vṛndāvana Candra Kṛṣṇa, Nevertheless, having adopted the mood of servant of the servant, You always request our permission about everything. Accordingly, O son of Nanda, our request is that You kindly remain in our presence."
9
Hearing this, the Lord laughed and replied, "Without doubt I forever dwell in the presence of you great souls." At that, He at once attempted to leave.
10
Kṛṣṇa Caitanya warmly embraced His weeping bhaktas, and comforted them, saying again and again, "I shall return soon." Then He departed for Śrī Śrī Rādhā Kṛṣṇa's resplendent abode, Śrī Vṛndāvana.
11
Feeling immense longing for Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Gaura Hari ran swiftly appearing like a maddened lion,. Mahāprabhu's companions, Balabhadra Bhaṭṭācārya and the other brāhmaṇa also followed running after Him.
12
Whenever they crossed a hill or river, the Supreme Lord could see only Govardhana Hill, Vṛndāvana, and the Kālindī River.
13
Moving with the vigor of an intoxicated elephant, He sometimes danced, sometimes ran, sometimes uttered thunderous roars, and sometimes He rolled about upon the earth.
14
Journeying in this way, Śrī Gaura Bhagavān gradually reached the city of Kāśī. When He saw Viśveśvara, the great Śiva-liṅgam, He became overwhelmed with bliss.
15
A certain pure brāhmaṇa-vaiṣṇava, named Tapana Miśra resided there. Seeing Gaura Prabhu he became very joyous, and brought Him to his home.
16
He worshipped Kṛṣṇa Caitanya by washing His feet and offering Him various pleasing articles, and the jagad-guru took His bhikṣā comfortably seated within Tapana's house.
17
He rested there attended to by Tapana's son, Raghunātha. The Lord showed exceptional mercy to that great soul.
18
By His own sweet will, Gaura resided in the house of a physician, Candra Śekhara, and while staying there He induced even the inhabitants of Kāśī to delight in Hari- bhakti.
19
Surrounded by a group of His bhaktas, the son of Śacī revelled in śrī-hari- saṅkīrtana of Śrī Hari's names. With His arms ever raised to the sky, He cried out, "Hari Bol!"
Thus ends the First Sarga entitled "Gaura Shows Mercy to Tapana Miśra and the Residents of Kāśī," in the Fourth Prakrama of the great poem Śrī Caitanya Carita.