Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrī Caitanya Caritāmrita

CC Madhya 9 Summary

CC Madhya 9.1: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu converted the inhabitants of South India. These people were as strong as elephants, but they were in the clutches of the crocodiles of various philosophies, such as the Buddhist, Jain and Māyāvāda philosophies. With His disc of mercy the Lord delivered them all by converting them into Vaishnavas, devotees of the Lord.

CC Madhya 9.2: All glories to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityānanda Prabhu! All glories to Śrī Advaita Prabhu! And all glories to all the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu!

CC Madhya 9.3: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's tour of South India was certainly very extraordinary because He visited many thousands of places of pilgrimage there.

CC Madhya 9.4: On the plea of visiting all those holy places, the Lord converted many thousands of residents and thus delivered them. Simply by touching the holy places, He made them into great places of pilgrimage.

CC Madhya 9.5: I cannot chronologically record all the places of pilgrimage visited by Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. I can only summarize everything by saying that the Lord visited all holy places right and left, coming and going.

CC Madhya 9.6: Because it is impossible for me to record all these places in chronological order, I will simply make a token gesture of recording them.

CC Madhya 9.8: As previously stated, all the residents of the villages visited by Lord Caitanya became Vaishnavas and began to chant Hari and Krishna. In this way, in all the villages visited by the Lord, everyone became a Vaishnava, a devotee.

CC Madhya 9.9: In South India there were many types of people. Some were philosophical speculators, and some were fruitive workers, but in any case there were innumerable nondevotees.

CC Madhya 9.10: By the influence of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all these people abandoned their own opinions and became Vaishnavas, devotees of Krishna.

CC Madhya 9.11: At the time, all the South Indian Vaishnavas were worshipers of Lord Rāmacandra. Some were Tattvavādīs, and some were followers of Rāmānujācārya.

CC Madhya 9.12: After meeting Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all those different Vaishnavas became devotees of Krishna and began chanting the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra.

CC Madhya 9.13: "'O Lord Rāmacandra, descendant of Mahārāja Raghu, kindly protect me! O Lord Krishna, killer of the Keśī demon, kindly protect me!'"

CC Madhya 9.14: While walking on the road, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to chant this Rāma Rāghava mantra. Chanting in this way, He arrived at the banks of the Gautamī-gańgā and took His bath there.

CC Madhya 9.15: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then went to Mallikārjuna-tīrtha and saw the deity of Lord Śiva there. He also induced all the people to chant the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra.

CC Madhya 9.16: There he saw Lord Mahādeva [Śiva], the servant of Lord Rāma. He then went to Ahovala-nrisimha.

CC Madhya 9.17: Upon seeing the Ahovala-nrisimha Deity, Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered many prayers unto the Lord. He then went to Siddhavata, where He saw the Deity of Rāmacandra, the Lord of Sītādevī.

CC Madhya 9.18: Upon seeing the Deity of Lord Rāmacandra, the descendant of King Raghu, the Lord offered His prayers and obeisances. Then a brāhmana invited the Lord to take lunch.

CC Madhya 9.19: That brāhmana constantly chanted the holy name of Rāmacandra. Indeed, but for chanting Lord Rāmacandra's holy name, that brāhmana did not speak a word.

CC Madhya 9.20: That day, Lord Caitanya remained there and accepted prasādam at his house. After bestowing mercy upon him in this way, the Lord proceeded ahead.

CC Madhya 9.21: At the holy place known as Skanda-kshetra, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited the temple of Skanda. From there He went to Trimatha, where He saw the Vishnu Deity Trivikrama.

CC Madhya 9.22: After visiting the temple of Trivikrama, the Lord returned to Siddhavata, where He again visited the house of the brāhmana, who was now constantly chanting the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra.

CC Madhya 9.23: After finishing His lunch there, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked the brāhmana, "My dear friend, kindly tell Me what your position is now.

CC Madhya 9.24: "Formerly you were constantly chanting the holy name of Lord Rāma. Why are you now constantly chanting the holy name of Krishna?"

CC Madhya 9.25: The brāhmana replied, "This is all due to Your influence, Sir. After seeing You, I have lost my lifelong practice.

CC Madhya 9.26: "From my childhood I have been chanting the holy name of Lord Rāmacandra, but upon seeing You I chanted the holy name of Lord Krishna just once.

CC Madhya 9.27: "Since then, the holy name of Krishna has been tightly fixed upon my tongue. Indeed, since I have been chanting the holy name of Krishna, the holy name of Lord Rāmacandra has gone far away.

CC Madhya 9.28: "From my childhood I have been collecting the glories of the holy name from revealed scriptures.

CC Madhya 9.29: "'The Supreme Absolute Truth is called Rāma because the transcendentalists take pleasure in the unlimited true pleasure of spiritual existence.'

CC Madhya 9.30: "'The word "krish" is the attractive feature of the Lord's existence, and "na" means spiritual pleasure. When the verb "krish" is added to the affix "na," it becomes "Krishna," which indicates the Absolute Truth.'

CC Madhya 9.31: "As far as the holy names of Rāma and Krishna are concerned, they are on an equal level, but for further advancement we receive some specific information from the revealed scriptures.

CC Madhya 9.32: "[Lord Śiva addressed his wife, Durgā:] 'O Varānanā, 'I chant the holy name of Rāma, Rāma, Rāma and thus enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Rāmacandra is equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Vishnu.'

CC Madhya 9.33: "'The pious results derived from chanting the thousand holy names of Vishnu three times can be attained by only one utterance of the holy name of Krishna.'

CC Madhya 9.34: "According to this statement of the śāstras, the glories of the holy name of Krishna are unlimited. Still I could not chant His holy name. Please hear the reason for this.

CC Madhya 9.35: "My worshipable Lord has been Lord Rāmacandra, and by chanting His holy name I received happiness. Because I received such happiness, I chanted the holy name of Lord Rāma day and night.

CC Madhya 9.36: "By Your appearance, Lord Krishna's holy name also appeared, and at that time the glories of Krishna's name awoke in my heart.

CC Madhya 9.37: "Sir, You are that Lord Krishna Himself. This is my conclusion." Saying this, the brāhmana fell down at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

CC Madhya 9.38: After showing mercy to the brāhmana, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu left the next day and arrived at Vriddhakāśī, where He visited the temple of Lord Śiva.

CC Madhya 9.39: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then left Vriddhakāśī and proceeded further. In one village He saw that most of the residents were brāhmanas, and He took His rest there.

CC Madhya 9.40: Due to the influence of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, many millions of men came just to see Him. Indeed, the assembly being unlimited, its members could not be counted.

CC Madhya 9.41: The Lord's bodily features were very beautiful, and in addition He was always in the ecstasy of love of Godhead. Simply by seeing Him, everyone began chanting the holy name of Krishna, and thus everyone became a Vaishnava devotee.

CC Madhya 9.42: There are many kinds of philosophers. Some are logicians who follow Gautama or Kanāda. Some follow the Mīmāmsā philosophy of Jaimini. Some follow the Māyāvāda philosophy of Śańkarācārya, and others follow Kapila's Sāńkhya philosophy or the mystic yoga system of Patañjali. Some follow the smriti-śāstra composed of twenty religious scriptures, and others follow the Purānas and the tantra-śāstra. In this way there are many different types of philosophers.

CC Madhya 9.43: All of these adherents of various scriptures were ready to present the conclusions of their respective scriptures, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu broke all their opinions to pieces and established His own cult of bhakti based on the Vedas, Vedānta, the Brahma-sūtra and the philosophy of acintya-bhedābheda-tattva.

CC Madhya 9.44: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu established the devotional cult everywhere. No one could defeat Him.

CC Madhya 9.45: Being thus defeated by Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all these philosophers and their followers entered into His cult. In this way Lord Caitanya made South India into a country of Vaishnavas.

CC Madhya 9.46: When the nonbelievers heard of the erudition of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they came to Him with great pride, bringing their disciples with them.

CC Madhya 9.47: One of them was a leader of the Buddhist cult and was a very learned scholar. To establish the nine philosophical conclusions of Buddhism, he came before the Lord and began to speak.

CC Madhya 9.48: Although the Buddhists are unfit for discussion and should not be seen by Vaishnavas, Caitanya Mahāprabhu spoke to them just to decrease their false pride.

CC Madhya 9.49: The scriptures of the Buddhist cult are chiefly based on argument and logic, and they contain nine chief principles. Because Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu defeated the Buddhists in their argument, they could not establish their cult.

CC Madhya 9.50: The teacher of the Buddhist cult set forth the nine principles, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu broke them to pieces with His strong logic.

CC Madhya 9.51: All mental speculators and learned scholars were defeated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and when the people began to laugh, the Buddhist philosophers felt both shame and fear.

CC Madhya 9.52: The Buddhists could understand that Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was a Vaishnava, and they returned home very unhappy. Later, however, they began to plot against the Lord.

CC Madhya 9.53: Having made their plot, the Buddhists brought a plate of untouchable food before Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and called it mahā-prasādam.

CC Madhya 9.54: When the contaminated food was offered to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, a very large bird appeared on the spot, picked up the plate in its beak and flew away.

CC Madhya 9.55: Indeed, the untouchable food fell upon the Buddhists, and the large bird dropped the plate on the head of the chief Buddhist teacher. When it fell on his head, it made a big sound.

CC Madhya 9.56: The plate was made of metal, and when its edge hit the head of the teacher, it cut him, and the teacher immediately fell to the ground unconscious.

CC Madhya 9.57: When the teacher fell unconscious, his Buddhist disciples cried aloud and ran to the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for shelter.

CC Madhya 9.58: They all prayed to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, addressing Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself and saying, "Sir, please excuse our offense. Please have mercy upon us and bring our spiritual master back to life."

CC Madhya 9.59: The Lord then replied to the Buddhist disciples, "You should all chant the names of Krishna and Hari very loudly near the ear of your spiritual master.

CC Madhya 9.60: "By this method your spiritual master will regain his consciousness." Following Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's advice, all the Buddhist disciples began to chant the holy name of Krishna congregationally.

CC Madhya 9.61: When all the disciples chanted the holy names Krishna, Rāma and Hari, the Buddhist teacher regained consciousness and immediately began to chant the holy name of Lord Hari.

CC Madhya 9.62: When the spiritual master of the Buddhists began to chant the holy name of Krishna and submitted to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all the people who were gathered there were astonished.

CC Madhya 9.63: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the son of Śacīdevī, then suddenly and playfully disappeared from everyone's sight, and it was impossible for anyone to find Him.

CC Madhya 9.64: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu next arrived at Tirupati and Tirumala, where He saw a four-handed Deity. Then He proceeded toward Veńkata Hill.

CC Madhya 9.65: After arriving at Tirupati, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited the temple of Lord Rāmacandra. He offered His prayers and obeisances before Rāmacandra, the descendant of King Raghu.

CC Madhya 9.66: Everywhere Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went, His influence astonished everyone. He next arrived at the temple of Pānā-nrisimha. The Lord is so merciful.

CC Madhya 9.67: In great ecstatic love, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered obeisances and prayers unto Lord Nrisimha. The people were astonished to see Lord Caitanya's influence.

CC Madhya 9.68: Arriving at Śiva-kāñcī, Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited the deity of Lord Śiva. By His influence, He converted all the devotees of Lord Śiva into Vaishnavas.

CC Madhya 9.69: The Lord then visited a holy place known as Vishnu-kāñcī. There He saw Lakshmī-Nārāyana Deities, and He offered His respects and many prayers to please Them.

CC Madhya 9.70: When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stayed at Vishnu-kāñcī for two days, He danced and performed kīrtana in ecstasy. When all the people saw Him, they were converted into devotees of Lord Krishna.

CC Madhya 9.71: After visiting Trimalaya, Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to see Trikāla-hasti. There He saw Lord Śiva and offered him all respects and obeisances.

CC Madhya 9.72: At Pakshi-tīrtha, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited the temple of Lord Śiva. Then He went to the Vriddhakola place of pilgrimage.

CC Madhya 9.73: At Vriddhakola, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited the temple of Śveta-varāha, the white boar incarnation. After offering Him respects, the Lord visited the temple of Lord Śiva, wherein the deity is dressed with yellow garments.

CC Madhya 9.74: After visiting the temple of Śiyālī-bhairavī [a form of the goddess Durgā], Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the son of mother Śacī, went to the bank of the river Kāverī.

CC Madhya 9.75: The Lord then visited a place known as Go-samāja, where He saw Lord Śiva's temple. He then arrived at Vedāvana, where He saw another deity of Lord Śiva and offered him prayers.

CC Madhya 9.76: Seeing the Śiva deity named Amrita-lińga, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered His obeisances. Thus He visited all the temples of Lord Śiva and converted the devotees of Lord Śiva into Vaishnavas.

CC Madhya 9.77: At Devasthāna, Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited the temple of Lord Vishnu, and there He talked with the Vaishnavas in the disciplic succession of Rāmānujācārya. These Vaishnavas are known as Śrī Vaishnavas.

CC Madhya 9.78: At Kumbhakarna-kapāla, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw a great lake and then the holy place named Śiva-kshetra, where a temple of Lord Śiva is located.

CC Madhya 9.79: After visiting the holy place named Śiva-kshetra, Caitanya Mahāprabhu arrived at Pāpanāśana and there saw the temple of Lord Vishnu. Then He finally reached Śrī Rańga-kshetra.

CC Madhya 9.80: After bathing in the river Kāverī, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw the temple of Rańganātha and offered His ardent prayers and obeisances. Thus He felt Himself successful.

CC Madhya 9.81: In the temple of Rańganātha, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu chanted and danced in ecstatic love of Godhead. Seeing His performance, everyone was struck with wonder.

CC Madhya 9.82: A Vaishnava known as Veńkata Bhatta then invited Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his home with great respect.

CC Madhya 9.83: Śrī Veńkata Bhatta took Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to his home. After he washed the Lord's feet, all the members of his family drank the water.

CC Madhya 9.84: After offering lunch to the Lord, Veńkata Bhatta submitted that the period of Cāturmāsya had already arrived.

CC Madhya 9.85: Veńkata Bhatta said, "Please be merciful to me and stay at my house during Cāturmāsya. Speak about Lord Krishna's pastimes and kindly deliver me by Your mercy."

CC Madhya 9.86: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained at the house of Veńkata Bhatta for four continuous months. The Lord passed His days in great happiness, enjoying the transcendental mellow of discussing Lord Krishna's pastimes.

CC Madhya 9.87: While there, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took His bath in the river Kāverī and visited the temple of Śrī Rańga. Every day the Lord also danced in ecstasy.

CC Madhya 9.88: The beauty of Lord Caitanya's body and His ecstatic love of God were witnessed by everyone. Many people used to come see Him, and as soon as they saw Him, all their unhappiness and distress vanished.

CC Madhya 9.89: Many hundreds of thousands of people from various countries came to see the Lord, and after seeing Him they all chanted the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra.

CC Madhya 9.90: Indeed, they did not chant anything but the Hare Krishna mahā-mantra, and all of them became Lord Krishna's devotees. Thus the general populace was astonished.

CC Madhya 9.91: All the Vaishnava brāhmanas residing in Śrī Rańga-kshetra invited the Lord to their homes. Indeed, He had an invitation every day.

CC Madhya 9.92: Each day the Lord was invited by a different brāhmana, but some of the brāhmanas did not get the opportunity to offer Him lunch because the period of Cāturmāsya came to an end.

CC Madhya 9.93: In the holy place of Śrī Rańga-kshetra, a brāhmana Vaishnava used to visit the temple daily and recite the entire text of the Bhagavad-gītā.

CC Madhya 9.94: The brāhmana regularly read the eighteen chapters of the Bhagavad-gītā in great transcendental ecstasy, but because he could not pronounce the words correctly, people used to joke about him.

CC Madhya 9.95: Due to his incorrect pronunciation, people sometimes criticized him and laughed at him, but he did not care. He was full of ecstasy due to reading the Bhagavad-gītā and was personally very happy.

CC Madhya 9.96: While reading the book, the brāhmana experienced transcendental bodily transformations. The hairs on his body stood on end, tears welled up in his eyes, and his body trembled and perspired as he read. Seeing this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became very happy.

CC Madhya 9.97: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked the brāhmana, "My dear sir, why are you in such ecstatic love? Which portion of the Bhagavad-gītā gives you such transcendental pleasure?"

CC Madhya 9.98: The brāhmana replied, "I am illiterate and therefore do not know the meaning of the words. Sometimes I read the Bhagavad-gītā correctly and sometimes incorrectly, but in any case I am doing this in compliance with the orders of my spiritual master."

CC Madhya 9.99: The brāhmana continued, "Actually I only see Lord Krishna sitting on a chariot as Arjuna's charioteer. Taking the reins in His hands, He appears very beautiful and blackish.

CC Madhya 9.100: "While seeing Lord Krishna sitting in a chariot and instructing Arjuna, I am filled with ecstatic happiness.

CC Madhya 9.101: "As long as I read the Bhagavad-gītā, I simply see the Lord's beautiful features. It is for this reason that I am reading the Bhagavad-gītā, and my mind cannot be distracted from this."

CC Madhya 9.102: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu told the brāhmana, "Indeed, you are an authority in the reading of the Bhagavad-gītā. Whatever you know constitutes the real purport of the Bhagavad-gītā."

CC Madhya 9.103: After saying this, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu embraced the brāhmana, and the brāhmana, catching the lotus feet of the Lord, began to cry.

CC Madhya 9.104: The brāhmana said, "Upon seeing You, my happiness is doubled. I take it that You are the same Lord Krishna."

CC Madhya 9.105: The mind of the brāhmana was purified by the revelation of Lord Krishna, and therefore he could understand the truth of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in all details.

CC Madhya 9.106: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then taught the brāhmana very thoroughly and requested him not to disclose the fact that He was Lord Krishna Himself.

CC Madhya 9.107: That brāhmana became a great devotee of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and for four continuous months he did not give up the Lord's company.

CC Madhya 9.108: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained at the house of Veńkata Bhatta and constantly talked with him about Lord Krishna. In this way He was very happy.

CC Madhya 9.109: Being a Vaishnava in the Rāmānuja-sampradāya, Veńkata Bhatta worshiped the Deities of Lakshmī and Nārāyana. Seeing his pure devotion, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very satisfied.

CC Madhya 9.110: Constantly associating with each other, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Veńkata Bhatta gradually developed a friendly relationship. Indeed, sometimes they laughed and joked together.

CC Madhya 9.111: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu told the Bhattācārya, "Your worshipable goddess of fortune, Lakshmī, always remains on the chest of Nārāyana, and she is certainly the most chaste woman in the creation.

CC Madhya 9.112: "However, my Lord is Lord Śrī Krishna, a cowherd boy who is engaged in tending cows. Why is it that Lakshmī, being such a chaste wife, wants to associate with My Lord?

CC Madhya 9.113: "Just to associate with Krishna, Lakshmī abandoned all transcendental happiness in Vaikuntha and for a long time accepted vows and regulative principles and performed unlimited austerities."

CC Madhya 9.114: Caitanya Mahāprabhu then said, "'O Lord, we do not know how the serpent Kāliya attained such an opportunity to be touched by the dust of Your lotus feet. Even the goddess of fortune, for this end, performed austerities for centuries, giving up all other desires and observing austere vows. Indeed, we do not know how the serpent Kāliya got such an opportunity.'"

CC Madhya 9.115: Veńkata Bhatta then said, "Lord Krishna and Lord Nārāyana are one and the same, but the pastimes of Krishna are more relishable due to their sportive nature.

CC Madhya 9.116: "Since Krishna and Nārāyana are the same personality, Lakshmī's association with Krishna does not break her vow of chastity. Rather, it was in great fun that the goddess of fortune wanted to associate with Lord Krishna."

CC Madhya 9.117: Veńkata Bhatta continued, "'According to transcendental realization, there is no difference between the forms of Nārāyana and Krishna. Yet in Krishna there is a special transcendental attraction due to the conjugal mellow, and consequently He surpasses Nārāyana. This is the conclusion of transcendental mellows.'

CC Madhya 9.118: "The goddess of fortune considered that her vow of chastity would not be damaged by her relationship with Krishna. Rather, by associating with Krishna she could enjoy the benefit of the rāsa dance."

CC Madhya 9.119: Veńkata Bhatta further explained, "Mother Lakshmī, the goddess of fortune, is also an enjoyer of transcendental bliss; therefore if she wanted to enjoy herself with Krishna, what fault is there? Why are You joking so about this?"

CC Madhya 9.120: Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, "I know that there is no fault on the part of the goddess of fortune, but still she could not enter into the rāsa dance. We hear this from the revealed scriptures.

CC Madhya 9.121: "'When Lord Śrī Krishna was dancing with the gopīs in the rāsa-līlā, the gopīs were embraced around the neck by the Lord's arms. This transcendental favor was never bestowed upon the goddess of fortune or the other consorts in the spiritual world. Nor was such a thing ever imagined by the most beautiful girls in the heavenly planets, girls whose bodily luster and aroma exactly resemble the beauty and fragrance of lotus flowers. And what to speak of worldly women, who may be very, very beautiful according to material estimation?'

CC Madhya 9.122: "But can you tell Me why the goddess of fortune, Lakshmī, could not enter the rāsa dance? The authorities of Vedic knowledge could enter the dance and associate with Krishna.

CC Madhya 9.123: "'Great sages conquer the mind and senses by practicing the mystic yoga system and controlling the breath. Thus engaging in mystic yoga, they see the Supersoul within their hearts and ultimately enter into impersonal Brahman. But even the enemies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead attain that position simply by thinking of the Supreme Lord. However, the damsels of Vraja, the gopīs, being attracted by the beauty of Krishna, simply wanted to embrace Him and His arms, which are like serpents. Thus the gopīs ultimately tasted the nectar of the lotus feet of the Lord. Similarly, we Upanishads can also taste the nectar of His lotus feet by following in the footsteps of the gopīs.'"

CC Madhya 9.124: Having been asked by Caitanya Mahāprabhu why the goddess of fortune could not enter into the rāsa dance whereas the authorities on Vedic knowledge could, Veńkata Bhatta replied, "I cannot enter into the mysteries of this behavior."

CC Madhya 9.125: Veńkata Bhatta then said, "I am an ordinary human being. Since my intelligence is very limited and I am easily agitated, my mind cannot enter within the deep ocean of the pastimes of the Lord.

CC Madhya 9.126: "You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna Himself. You know the purpose of Your activities, and the person whom You enlighten can also understand Your pastimes."

CC Madhya 9.127: The Lord replied, "Lord Krishna has a special characteristic: He attracts everyone's heart by the mellow of His personal conjugal love.

CC Madhya 9.128: "By following in the footsteps of the inhabitants of the planet known as Vrajaloka or Goloka Vrindāvana, one can attain the shelter of the lotus feet of Śrī Krishna. However, in that planet the inhabitants do not know that Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

CC Madhya 9.129: "There someone may accept Him as a son and sometimes bind Him to a grinding mortar. Someone else may accept Him as an intimate friend and, attaining victory over Him, playfully mount His shoulders.

CC Madhya 9.130: "The inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi know Krishna as the son of Mahārāja Nanda, the King of Vrajabhūmi, and they consider that they can have no relationship with the Lord in the rasa of opulence.

CC Madhya 9.131: "One who worships the Lord by following in the footsteps of the inhabitants of Vrajabhūmi attains Him in the transcendental planet of Vraja, where He is known as the son of Mahārāja Nanda."

CC Madhya 9.132: Caitanya Mahāprabhu then quoted, "'The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, the son of mother Yaśodā, is accessible to those devotees engaged in spontaneous loving service, but He is not as easily accessible to mental speculators, to those striving for self-realization by severe austerities and penances, or to those who consider the body the same as the self.'

CC Madhya 9.133: "The authorities in the Vedic literature who are known as the śruti-ganas worshiped Lord Krishna in the ecstasy of the gopīs and followed in their footsteps.

CC Madhya 9.134: "The personified authorities on the Vedic hymns acquired bodies like those of the gopīs and took birth in Vrajabhūmi. In those bodies they were allowed to enter into the Lord's rāsa-līlā dance.

CC Madhya 9.135: "Lord Krishna belongs to the cowherd community, and the gopīs are the dearmost lovers of Krishna. Although the wives of the denizens of the heavenly planets are most opulent within the material world, neither they nor any other women in the material universe can acquire Krishna's association.

CC Madhya 9.136: "The goddess of fortune, Lakshmī, wanted to enjoy Krishna and at the same time retain her spiritual body in the form of Lakshmī. However, she did not follow in the footsteps of the gopīs in her worship of Krishna.

CC Madhya 9.137: "Vyāsadeva, the supreme authority on Vedic literature, composed the verse beginning 'nāyam sukhāpo bhagavān' because no one can enter into the rāsa-līlā dance in any body other than that of a gopī."

CC Madhya 9.138: Before this explanation was given by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Veńkata Bhatta thought that Śrī Nārāyana was the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

CC Madhya 9.139: Thinking in this way, Veńkata Bhatta believed that worship of Nārāyana was the supreme form of worship, superior to all other processes of devotional service, for it was followed by the Śrī Vaishnava disciples of Rāmānujācārya.

CC Madhya 9.140: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had understood this misconception of Veńkata Bhatta's, and to correct it the Lord talked so much in a joking way.

CC Madhya 9.141: The Lord then continued, "My dear Veńkata Bhatta, please do not continue doubting. Lord Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and this is the conclusion of the Vedic literatures.

CC Madhya 9.142: "Lord Nārāyana, the opulent form of Krishna, attracts the minds of the goddess of fortune and her followers.

CC Madhya 9.143: "'All these incarnations of Godhead are either plenary portions or parts of the plenary portions of the purusha-avatāras. But Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. In every age He protects the world through His different features when the world is disturbed by the enemies of Indra.'

CC Madhya 9.144: "Because Krishna has four extraordinary qualities not possessed by Lord Nārāyana, the goddess of fortune, Lakshmī, always desires His company.

CC Madhya 9.145: "You have recited the śloka beginning with 'siddhāntatas tv abhede 'pi.' That very verse is evidence that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

CC Madhya 9.146: "'According to transcendental realization, there is no difference between the forms of Krishna and Nārāyana. Yet in Krishna there is a special transcendental attraction due to the conjugal mellow, and consequently He surpasses Nārāyana. This is the conclusion of transcendental mellows.'

CC Madhya 9.147: "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, attracts the mind of the goddess of fortune, but Lord Nārāyana cannot attract the minds of the gopīs. This proves the superexcellence of Krishna.

CC Madhya 9.148: "To say nothing of Lord Nārāyana personally, Lord Krishna Himself appeared as Nārāyana just to play a joke on the gopīs.

CC Madhya 9.149: "Although Krishna assumed the four-armed form of Nārāyana, He could not attract the serious attention of the gopīs in ecstatic love.

CC Madhya 9.150: "'Once Lord Śrī Krishna playfully manifested Himself as Nārāyana, with four victorious hands and a very beautiful form. When the gopīs saw this exalted form, however, their ecstatic feelings were crippled. A learned scholar, therefore, cannot understand the gopīs' ecstatic feelings, which are firmly fixed upon the original form of Lord Krishna as the son of Nanda Mahārāja. The wonderful feelings of the gopīs in ecstatic parama-rasa with Krishna constitute the greatest mystery in spiritual life.'"

CC Madhya 9.151: In this way Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu deflated the pride of Veńkata Bhatta, but just to make him happy again, He spoke as follows.

CC Madhya 9.152: The Lord pacified Veńkata Bhatta by saying, "Actually whatever I have said is by way of jest. Now you can hear from Me the conclusion of the śāstras, in which every Vaishnava devotee has firm faith.

CC Madhya 9.153: "There is no difference between Lord Krishna and Lord Nārāyana, for They are of the same form. Similarly, there is no difference between the gopīs and the goddess of fortune, for they also are of the same form.

CC Madhya 9.154: "The goddess of fortune enjoys the association of Krishna through the gopīs. One should not differentiate between the forms of the Lord, for such a conception is offensive.

CC Madhya 9.155: "There is no difference between the transcendental forms of the Lord. Different forms are manifested due to different attachments of different devotees. Actually the Lord is one, but He appears in different forms just to satisfy His devotees.

CC Madhya 9.156: "'When the jewel known as vaidūrya touches various other materials, it appears to be separated into different colors, and consequently its forms also appear different. Similarly, according to the meditational ecstasy of the devotee, the Lord, who is known as Acyuta ["the infallible one"], appears in different forms, although He is essentially one.'"

CC Madhya 9.157: Veńkata Bhatta then said, "I am an ordinary fallen living entity, but You are Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.

CC Madhya 9.158: "The transcendental pastimes of the Lord are unfathomable, and I do not know anything about them. Whatever You say I accept as the truth.

CC Madhya 9.159: "I have been engaged in the service of Lakshmī-Nārāyana, and it is due to Their mercy that I have been able to see Your lotus feet.

CC Madhya 9.160: "Out of Your causeless mercy You have told me of the glories of Lord Krishna. No one can reach the end of the opulence, qualities and forms of the Lord.

CC Madhya 9.161: "I can now understand that devotional service unto Lord Krishna is the supreme form of worship. Out of Your causeless mercy You have made my life successful simply by explaining the facts."

CC Madhya 9.162: After saying this, Veńkata Bhatta fell down before the lotus feet of the Lord, and the Lord, out of His causeless mercy, embraced him.

CC Madhya 9.163: When the period of Cāturmāsya was completed, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took permission to leave from Veńkata Bhatta, and after visiting Śrī Rańga, He proceeded further toward southern India.

CC Madhya 9.164: Veńkata Bhatta did not want to return home but also wanted to go with the Lord. It was with great endeavor that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bade him farewell.

CC Madhya 9.165: When He did so, Veńkata Bhatta fell down unconscious. Such are the pastimes of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the son of mother Śacī, at Śrī Rańga-kshetra.

CC Madhya 9.166: When the Lord arrived at Rishabha Hill, He saw the temple of Lord Nārāyana and offered obeisances and various prayers.

CC Madhya 9.167: Paramānanda Purī had stayed at Rishabha Hill during the four months of the rainy season, and when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard this, He immediately went to see him.

CC Madhya 9.168: Upon meeting Paramānanda Purī, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered him all respects, touching his lotus feet, and Paramānanda Purī embraced the Lord in ecstasy.

CC Madhya 9.169: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stayed with Paramānanda Purī in the brāhmana's house where he was residing. The two of them passed three days there discussing topics of Krishna.

CC Madhya 9.170: Paramānanda Purī informed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu that he was going to see Purushottama at Jagannātha Purī. After seeing Lord Jagannātha there, he would go to Bengal to bathe in the Ganges.

CC Madhya 9.171: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then told him, "Please return to Jagannātha Purī, for I will return there very soon from Rāmeśvara [Setubandha].

CC Madhya 9.172: "It is My desire to stay with you, and therefore if you would return to Jagannātha Purī, you would show great mercy to Me."

CC Madhya 9.173: After talking in this way with Paramānanda Purī, the Lord took his permission to leave and, very pleased, departed for southern India.

CC Madhya 9.174: Thus Paramānanda Purī started for Jagannātha Purī, and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began walking toward Śrī Śaila.

CC Madhya 9.175: In Śrī Śaila Lord Śiva and his wife Durgā lived in the dress of brāhmanas, and when they saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they became very pleased.

CC Madhya 9.176: Lord Śiva, dressed like a brāhmana, gave alms to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and invited Him to spend three days in a solitary place. Sitting there together, they talked very confidentially.

CC Madhya 9.177: After talking with Lord Śiva, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took his permission to leave and went to Kāmakoshthī-purī.

CC Madhya 9.178: When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu arrived at southern Mathurā from Kāmakoshthī, He met a brāhmana.

CC Madhya 9.179: The brāhmana who met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu invited the Lord to his home. This brāhmana was a great devotee and an authority on Lord Śrī Rāmacandra. He was always detached from material activities.

CC Madhya 9.180: After bathing in the river Kritamālā, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to the brāhmana's house to take lunch, but He saw that the food was unprepared because the brāhmana had not cooked it.

CC Madhya 9.181: Seeing this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "My dear sir, please tell Me why you have not cooked. It is already noon."

CC Madhya 9.182: The brāhmana replied, "My dear Lord, we are living in the forest. For the time being we cannot get all the ingredients for cooking.

CC Madhya 9.183: "When Lakshmana brings all the vegetables, fruits and roots from the forest, Sītā will do the necessary cooking."

CC Madhya 9.184: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very satisfied to hear about the brāhmana's method of worship. Finally the brāhmana hastily made arrangements for cooking.

CC Madhya 9.185: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took His lunch at about three o'clock, but the brāhmana, being very sorrowful, fasted.

CC Madhya 9.186: While the brāhmana was fasting, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked him, "Why are you fasting? Why are you so unhappy? Why are you so worried?"

CC Madhya 9.187: The brāhmana replied, "I have no reason to live. I shall give up my life by entering either fire or water.

CC Madhya 9.188: "My dear Sir, mother Sītā is the mother of the universe and the supreme goddess of fortune. She has been touched by the demon Rāvana, and I am troubled upon hearing this news.

CC Madhya 9.189: "Sir, due to my unhappiness I cannot continue living. Although my body is burning, my life is not leaving."

CC Madhya 9.190: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, "Please do not think this way any longer. You are a learned pandita. Why don't you consider the case?"

CC Madhya 9.191: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, "Sītādevī, the dearmost wife of the Supreme Lord Rāmacandra, certainly has a spiritual form full of bliss. No one can see her with material eyes, for no materialist has such power.

CC Madhya 9.192: "To say nothing of touching mother Sītā, a person with material senses cannot even see her. When Rāvana kidnapped her, he kidnapped only her material, illusory form.

CC Madhya 9.193: "As soon as Rāvana arrived before Sītā, she disappeared. Then just to cheat Rāvana she sent an illusory, material form.

CC Madhya 9.194: "Spiritual substance is never within the jurisdiction of the material conception. This is always the verdict of the Vedas and Purānas."

CC Madhya 9.195: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then assured the brāhmana, "Have faith in My words and do not burden your mind any longer with this misconception."

CC Madhya 9.196: Although the brāhmana was fasting, he had faith in the words of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and accepted food. In this way his life was saved.

CC Madhya 9.197: After thus assuring the brāhmana, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu proceeded further into southern India and finally arrived at Durvaśana, where He bathed in the river Kritamālā.

CC Madhya 9.198: At Durvaśana Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu visited the temple of Lord Rāmacandra, and on the hill known as Mahendra-śaila He saw Lord Paraśurāma.

CC Madhya 9.199: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then went to Setubandha [Rāmeśvara], where He took His bath at the place called Dhanus-tīrtha. From there He visited the Rāmeśvara temple and then took rest.

CC Madhya 9.200: There, among the brāhmanas, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu listened to the Kūrma Purāna, wherein is mentioned the chaste woman's narration.

CC Madhya 9.201: Śrīmatī Sītādevī is the mother of the three worlds and the wife of Lord Rāmacandra. Among chaste women she is supreme, and she is the daughter of King Janaka.

CC Madhya 9.202: When Rāvana came to kidnap mother Sītā and she saw him, she took shelter of the fire-god, Agni. The fire-god covered the body of mother Sītā, and in this way she was protected from the hands of Rāvana.

CC Madhya 9.203: Upon hearing from the Kūrma Purāna how Rāvana had kidnapped a false form of mother Sītā, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became very satisfied.

CC Madhya 9.204: The fire-god, Agni, took away the real Sītā and brought her to the place of Pārvatī, goddess Durgā. An illusory form of mother Sītā was then delivered to Rāvana, and in this way Rāvana was cheated.

CC Madhya 9.205: After Rāvana was killed by Lord Rāmacandra, Sītādevī was brought before the fire and tested.

CC Madhya 9.206: When the illusory Sītā was brought before the fire by Lord Rāmacandra, the fire-god made the illusory form disappear and delivered the real Sītā to Lord Rāmacandra.

CC Madhya 9.207: When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard this story, He was very pleased, and He remembered the words of Rāmadāsa Vipra.

CC Madhya 9.208: Indeed, when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard these conclusive statements from the Kūrma Purāna, He felt great happiness. After asking the brāhmanas' permission, He took possession of the manuscript leaves of the Kūrma Purāna.

CC Madhya 9.209: Since the Kūrma Purāna was very old, the manuscript was also very old. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took possession of the original leaves in order to have direct evidence. The text was copied onto new leaves in order that the Purāna be replaced.

CC Madhya 9.210: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu returned to southern Mathurā [Madurai] and delivered the original manuscript of the Kūrma Purāna to Rāmadāsa Vipra.

CC Madhya 9.211-212: "When he was petitioned by mother Sītā, the fire-god, Agni, brought forth an illusory form of Sītā, and Rāvana, who had ten heads, kidnapped the false Sītā. The original Sītā then went to the abode of the fire-god. When Lord Rāmacandra tested the body of Sītā, it was the false, illusory Sītā that entered the fire. At that time the fire-god brought the original Sītā from his abode and delivered her to Lord Rāmacandra."

CC Madhya 9.213: Rāmadāsa Vipra was very pleased to receive the original leaf manuscript of the Kūrma Purāna, and he immediately fell down before the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and began to cry.

CC Madhya 9.214: After receiving the manuscript, the brāhmana, being very pleased, said, "Sir, You are Lord Rāmacandra Himself and have come in the dress of a sannyāsī to give me audience.

CC Madhya 9.215: "My dear Sir, You have delivered me from a very unhappy condition. I request that You take Your lunch at my place. Please accept this invitation.

CC Madhya 9.216: "Due to my mental distress I could not give You a very nice lunch the other day. Now, by good fortune, You have come again to my home."

CC Madhya 9.217: Saying this, the brāhmana very happily cooked food, and a first-class dinner was offered to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

CC Madhya 9.218: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu passed that night in the house of the brāhmana. Then, after showing him mercy, the Lord started toward the Tāmraparnī River in Pāndya-deśa.

CC Madhya 9.219: There were nine temples of Lord Vishnu at Naya-tripati, on the bank of the river Tāmraparnī, and after bathing in the river, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw the Deities with great curiosity and wandered on.

CC Madhya 9.220: After this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to a holy place known as Ciyadatalā, where He saw the Deities of the two brothers Lord Rāmacandra and Lakshmana. He then proceeded to Tila-kāñcī, where He saw the temple of Lord Śiva.

CC Madhya 9.221: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then visited the holy place named Gajendra-mokshana, where He went to a temple of Lord Vishnu. He then came to Pānāgadi, a holy place where He saw the Deities of Lord Rāmacandra and Sītā.

CC Madhya 9.222: Later the Lord went to Cāmtāpura, where He saw the Deities of Lord Rāmacandra and Lakshmana. He then went to Śrī Vaikuntha and saw the temple of Lord Vishnu there.

CC Madhya 9.223: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then went to Malaya-parvata and offered prayers to Agastya Muni. He then visited Kanyā-kumārī [Cape Comorin].

CC Madhya 9.224: After visiting Kanyā-kumārī, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came to Āmlitalā, where He saw the Deity of Śrī Rāmacandra. Thereafter He went to a place known as Mallāra-deśa, where a community of Bhattathāris lived.

CC Madhya 9.225: After visiting Mallāra-deśa, Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Tamāla-kārtika and then to Vetāpani. There He saw the temple of Raghunātha, Lord Rāmacandra, and passed the night.

CC Madhya 9.226: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was accompanied by His servant, Krishnadāsa. He was a brāhmana, but he met with the Bhattathāris there.

CC Madhya 9.227: With women the Bhattathāris allured the brāhmana Krishnadāsa, who was simple and gentle. By virtue of their bad association, they polluted his intelligence.

CC Madhya 9.228: Allured by the Bhattathāris, Krishnadāsa went to their place early in the morning. The Lord also went there very quickly just to find him.

CC Madhya 9.229: Upon reaching their community, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked the Bhattathāris, "Why are you keeping My brāhmana assistant?

CC Madhya 9.230: "I am in the renounced order of life, and so are you. Yet you are purposefully giving Me pain, and I do not see any good logic in this."

CC Madhya 9.231: Upon hearing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all the Bhattathāris came running from all sides with weapons in their hands, desiring to hurt the Lord.

CC Madhya 9.232: However, their weapons fell from their hands and struck their own bodies. When some of the Bhattathāris were thus cut to pieces, the others ran away in the four directions.

CC Madhya 9.233: While there was much roaring and crying at the Bhattathāri community, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu grabbed Krishnadāsa by the hair and took him away.

CC Madhya 9.234: That very night, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His assistant Krishnadāsa arrived at the bank of the Payasvinī River. They took their bath and then went to see the temple of Ādi-keśava.

CC Madhya 9.235: When the Lord saw the Ādi-keśava temple, He was immediately overwhelmed with ecstasy. Offering various obeisances and prayers, He chanted and danced.

CC Madhya 9.236: All the people there were greatly astonished to see the ecstatic pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. They all received the Lord very well.

CC Madhya 9.237: In the temple of Ādi-keśava, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu discussed spiritual matters among highly advanced devotees. While there, He found a chapter of the Brahma-samhitā.

CC Madhya 9.238: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was greatly happy to find a chapter of that scripture, and symptoms of ecstatic transformation — trembling, tears, perspiration, trance and jubilation — were manifest in His body.

CC Madhya 9.239-240: There is no scripture equal to the Brahma-samhitā as far as the final spiritual conclusion is concerned. Indeed, that scripture is the supreme revelation of the glories of Lord Govinda, for it reveals the topmost knowledge about Him. Since all conclusions are briefly presented in the Brahma-samhitā, it is essential among all the Vaishnava literatures.

CC Madhya 9.241: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu copied the Brahma-samhitā, and then with great pleasure He went to a place known as Ananta Padmanābha.

CC Madhya 9.242: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained for two or three days at Ananta Padmanābha and visited the temple there. Then, in great ecstasy He went to see the temple of Śrī Janārdana.

CC Madhya 9.243: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu chanted and danced at Śrī Janārdana for two days. He then went to the bank of the Payasvinī River and visited the temple of Śańkara-nārāyana.

CC Madhya 9.244: Then He saw the monastery known as Śrińgeri-matha, the abode of Ācārya Śańkara. He then visited Matsya-tīrtha, a place of pilgrimage, and took a bath in the river Tuńgabhadrā.

CC Madhya 9.245: Caitanya Mahāprabhu next arrived at Udupī, the place of Madhvācārya, where the philosophers known as Tattvavādīs resided. There He saw the Deity of Lord Krishna and became mad with ecstasy.

CC Madhya 9.246: While at the Udupī monastery, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw "dancing Gopāla," a most beautiful Deity. This Deity appeared to Madhvācārya in a dream.

CC Madhya 9.247: Madhvācārya had somehow or other acquired the Deity of Krishna from a heap of gopī-candana that had been transported in a boat.

CC Madhya 9.248: Madhvācārya brought this dancing Gopāla Deity to Udupī and installed Him in the temple. To date, the followers of Madhvācārya, known as Tattvavādīs, worship this Deity.

CC Madhya 9.249: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu received great pleasure in seeing this beautiful form of Gopāla. For a long time He danced and chanted in ecstatic love.

CC Madhya 9.250: When the Tattvavādī Vaishnavas first saw Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they considered Him a Māyāvādī sannyāsī. Therefore they did not talk to Him.

CC Madhya 9.251: Later, after seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in ecstatic love, they were struck with wonder. Then, considering Him a Vaishnava, they gave Him a nice reception.

CC Madhya 9.252: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu could understand that the Tattvavādīs were very proud of their Vaishnavism. He therefore smiled and began to speak to them.

CC Madhya 9.253: Considering them very proud, Caitanya Mahāprabhu began His discussion.

CC Madhya 9.254: The chief ācārya of the Tattvavāda community was very learned in the revealed scriptures. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu humbly questioned him.

CC Madhya 9.255: Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "I do not know very well the aim of life and how to achieve it. Please tell Me of the best ideal for humanity and how to attain it."

CC Madhya 9.256: The ācārya replied, "When the activities of the four castes and the four āśramas are dedicated to Krishna, they constitute the best means whereby one can attain the highest goal of life.

CC Madhya 9.257: "When one dedicates the duties of varnāśrama-dharma to Krishna, he is eligible for five kinds of liberation. Thus he is transferred to the spiritual world in Vaikuntha. This is the highest goal of life and the verdict of all revealed scriptures."

CC Madhya 9.258: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "According to the verdict of the śāstras, the process of hearing and chanting is the best means to attain loving service to Krishna.

CC Madhya 9.259-260: "'This process entails hearing, chanting and remembering the holy name, form, pastimes, qualities and entourage of the Lord, offering service according to the time, place and performer, worshiping the Deity, offering prayers, always considering oneself the eternal servant of Krishna, making friends with Him and dedicating everything unto Him. These nine items of devotional service, when directly offered to Krishna, constitute the highest attainment of life. This is the verdict of the revealed scriptures.'

CC Madhya 9.261: "When one comes to the platform of loving service to Lord Krishna by executing these nine processes, beginning with hearing and chanting, he has attained the fifth platform of success and the limit of life's goals.

CC Madhya 9.262: "'When a person is actually advanced and takes pleasure in chanting the holy name of the Lord, who is very dear to him, he is agitated and loudly chants the holy name. He also laughs, cries, becomes agitated and chants just like a madman, not caring for outsiders.'

CC Madhya 9.263: "In every revealed scripture there is condemnation of fruitive activities. It is advised everywhere to give up engagement in fruitive activities, for no one can attain the highest goal of life, love of Godhead, by executing them.

CC Madhya 9.264: "'Occupational duties are described in the religious scriptures. If one analyzes them, he can fully understand their qualities and faults and then give them up completely to render service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A person who does so is considered a first-class man.'

CC Madhya 9.265: "'Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear. [Bg. 18.66]'

CC Madhya 9.266: "'As long as one is not satiated by fruitive activity and has not awakened his taste for devotional service by śravanam kīrtanam vishnoh [SB 7.5.23], one has to act according to the regulative principles of the Vedic injunctions.'

CC Madhya 9.267: "Pure devotees reject the five kinds of liberation; indeed, for them liberation is very insignificant because they see it as hellish.

CC Madhya 9.268: "'Pure devotees always reject the five kinds of liberation, which include living in the spiritual Vaikuntha planets, possessing the same opulences as those possessed by the Supreme Lord, having the same bodily features as the Lord's, associating with the Lord and merging into the body of the Lord. The pure devotees do not accept these benedictions without the service of the Lord.'

CC Madhya 9.269: "'It is very difficult to give up material opulence, land, children, society, friends, riches, wife or the blessings of the goddess of fortune, which are desired even by great demigods. But King Bharata did not desire such things, and this was quite befitting his position, because for a pure devotee whose mind is always engaged in the service of the Lord, even liberation, or merging into the existence of the Lord, is insignificant. And what to speak of material opportunities?'

CC Madhya 9.270: "'A person who is a devotee of Lord Nārāyana is not afraid of a hellish condition, because he considers it the same as elevation to the heavenly planets or liberation. The devotees of Lord Nārāyana are accustomed to seeing all these things on the same level.'

CC Madhya 9.271: "Both liberation and fruitive activity are rejected by devotees. You are trying to establish these things as life's goal and the process for attaining it."

CC Madhya 9.272: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued speaking to the Tattvavādī ācārya: "Seeing that I am a mendicant in the renounced order of life, you have been playing with Me in a duplicitous way. You have not actually described the process and ultimate objective."

CC Madhya 9.273: After hearing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the ācārya of the Tattvavāda sampradāya became very much ashamed. Upon observing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's rigid faith in Vaishnavism, he was struck with wonder.

CC Madhya 9.274: The Tattvavādī ācārya replied, "What You have said is certainly factual. It is the conclusion of all the revealed scriptures of the Vaishnavas.

CC Madhya 9.275: "Still, whatever Madhvācārya has established as the formula for our party we practice as a party policy."

CC Madhya 9.276: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "Both the fruitive worker and the speculative philosopher are considered nondevotees. We see both elements present in your sampradāya.

CC Madhya 9.277: "The only qualification that I see in your sampradāya is that you accept the form of the Lord as truth."

CC Madhya 9.278: Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu broke the pride of the Tattvavādīs to pieces. He then went to the holy place known as Phalgu-tīrtha.

CC Madhya 9.279: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the son of mother Śacī, next went to Tritakūpa, and after seeing the Viśālā Deity there, He went to the holy place known as Pañcāpsarā-tīrtha.

CC Madhya 9.280: After seeing Pañcāpsarā, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Gokarna. While there, He visited the temple of Lord Śiva, and then He went to Dvaipāyani. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the crown jewel of all sannyāsīs, then went to Sūrpāraka-tīrtha.

CC Madhya 9.281: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then visited the town of Kolāpura, where He saw the goddess of fortune in the temple of Kshīra-bhagavatī and saw Lāńga-ganeśa in another temple, known as Cora-pārvatī.

CC Madhya 9.282: From there Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Pāndarapura, where He happily saw the temple of Viththala Thākura.

CC Madhya 9.283: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu chanted and danced in various ways as usual. A brāhmana, seeing Him in ecstatic love, was very pleased and invited the Lord to his home for lunch.

CC Madhya 9.284: The brāhmana offered Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu food with great respect and love. After finishing His lunch, the Lord received auspicious news.

CC Madhya 9.285: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu received word that Śrī Rańga Purī, one of the disciples of Śrī Mādhavendra Purī, was present in that village at the home of a brāhmana.

CC Madhya 9.286: Hearing this news, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately went to see Śrī Rańga Purī at the brāhmana's home. Upon entering, the Lord saw him sitting there.

CC Madhya 9.287: As soon as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw Śrī Rańga Purī, He immediately offered him obeisances in ecstatic love, falling flat on the ground. The symptoms of transcendental transformation were visible — namely, tears, jubilation, trembling and perspiration.

CC Madhya 9.288: Upon seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in such an ecstatic mood, Śrī Rańga Purī said, "Your Holiness, please get up.

CC Madhya 9.289: "Your Holiness is certainly related to Śrī Mādhavendra Purī, without whom there is no fragrance of ecstatic love."

CC Madhya 9.290: After saying this, Śrī Rańga Purī lifted Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu up and embraced Him. As they embraced shoulder to shoulder, they both began to cry in ecstasy.

CC Madhya 9.291: After some moments, they came to their senses and became patient. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then informed Śrī Rańga Purī about His relationship with Īśvara Purī.

CC Madhya 9.292: They were both inundated by the wonderful ecstasy of love that was aroused in them. Finally they sat down and respectfully began to converse.

CC Madhya 9.293: In this way they discussed topics about Lord Krishna continually for five to seven days.

CC Madhya 9.294: Out of curiosity, Śrī Rańga Purī asked Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu about His birthplace, and the Lord informed him that it was Navadvīpa-dhāma.

CC Madhya 9.295: Śrī Rańga Purī had formerly gone to Navadvīpa with Śrī Mādhavendra Purī, and he therefore remembered the incidents that had taken place there.

CC Madhya 9.296: As soon as Śrī Rańga Purī recalled Navadvīpa, he also recalled accompanying Śrī Mādhavendra Purī to the house of Jagannātha Miśra, where Rańga Purī had taken lunch. He even remembered the taste of an unprecedented curry made of banana flowers.

CC Madhya 9.297: Śrī Rańga Purī also remembered the wife of Jagannātha Miśra. She was very devoted and chaste. As for her affection, she was exactly like the mother of the universe.

CC Madhya 9.298: He also remembered how Śrī Jagannātha Miśra's wife, Śacīmātā, was expert in cooking. He recalled that she was very affectionate toward the sannyāsīs and fed them exactly like her own sons.

CC Madhya 9.299: Śrī Rańga Purī also remembered that one of her deserving sons had accepted the renounced order at a very young age. His name was Śańkarāranya.

CC Madhya 9.300: Śrī Rańga Purī informed Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu that the sannyāsī named Śańkarāranya had attained perfection in that holy place, Pāndarapura.

CC Madhya 9.301: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "In My previous āśrama, Śańkarāranya was My brother and Jagannātha Miśra was My father."

CC Madhya 9.302: After finishing his talks with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Śrī Rańga Purī started for Dvārakā-dhāma.

CC Madhya 9.303: After Śrī Rańga Purī departed for Dvārakā, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained with the brāhmana at Pāndarapura for four more days. He took His bath in the Bhīmā River and visited the temple of Viththala.

CC Madhya 9.304: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu next went to the bank of the Krishna-venvā River, where He visited many holy places and the temples of various gods.

CC Madhya 9.305: The brāhmana community there was composed of pure devotees. They regularly studied a book entitled Krishna-karnāmrita, which was composed by Bilvamańgala Thākura.

CC Madhya 9.306: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very pleased to hear the book Krishna-karnāmrita, and with great eagerness He had it copied and took it with Him.

CC Madhya 9.307: There is no comparison to the Krishna-karnāmrita within the three worlds. By studying this book, one is elevated to the knowledge of pure devotional service to Krishna.

CC Madhya 9.308: One who constantly reads the Krishna-karnāmrita can fully understand the beauty and melodious taste of the pastimes of Lord Krishna.

CC Madhya 9.309: The Brahma-samhitā and Krishna-karnāmrita were two books that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu considered to be most valuable jewels. Therefore He took them with Him on His return trip.

CC Madhya 9.310: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu next arrived at the banks of the river Tāpī. After bathing there, He went to Māhishmatī-pura. While there, He saw many holy places on the banks of the river Narmadā.

CC Madhya 9.311: The Lord next arrived at Dhanus-tīrtha, where He took His bath in the river Nirvindhyā. He then arrived at Rishyamūka Mountain and then went to Dandakāranya.

CC Madhya 9.312: Within the Dandakāranya forest Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then visited a place called Saptatāla. The seven palm trees there were very old, very bulky and very high.

CC Madhya 9.313: Upon seeing the seven palm trees, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu embraced them. As a result, they all returned to Vaikunthaloka, the spiritual world.

CC Madhya 9.314: After the seven palm trees had departed for Vaikuntha, everyone was astonished to see that they were gone. The people then began to say, "This sannyāsī called Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu must be an incarnation of Lord Rāmacandra.

CC Madhya 9.315: "Only Lord Rāmacandra has the power to send seven palm trees to the spiritual Vaikuntha planets."

CC Madhya 9.316: Eventually Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu arrived at a lake known as Pampā, where He took His bath. He then went to a place called Pañcavatī, where He rested.

CC Madhya 9.317: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then visited Nāsika, where He saw the deity of Tryambaka [Lord Śiva]. He then went to Brahma-giri and then to Kuśāvarta, the source of the river Godāvarī.

CC Madhya 9.318: After visiting many other holy places, the Lord went to Sapta-godāvarī. At last He returned to Vidyānagara.

CC Madhya 9.319: When Rāmānanda Rāya heard of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's arrival, he was very pleased, and he immediately went to see Him.

CC Madhya 9.320: When Rāmānanda Rāya fell flat, touching the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord immediately raised him to his feet and embraced him.

CC Madhya 9.321: In great ecstatic love they both began to cry, and thus their minds were slackened.

CC Madhya 9.322: After some time they regained their senses and sat together to discuss various subjects.

CC Madhya 9.323: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave Rāmānanda Rāya a vivid description of His travels to the holy places and told him how He had acquired the two books named Krishna-karnāmrita and Brahma-samhitā. The Lord delivered the books to Rāmānanda Rāya.

CC Madhya 9.324: The Lord said, "Whatever you have told Me about devotional service is all supported by these two books."

CC Madhya 9.325: Rāmānanda Rāya was very happy to receive these books. He tasted their contents along with the Lord and made a copy of each.

CC Madhya 9.326: News spread in the village of Vidyānagara about the arrival of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and everyone came to see Him once again.

CC Madhya 9.327: After seeing the people who gathered there, Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya returned to his own home. At noon, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu got up to take His lunch.

CC Madhya 9.328: Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya returned at night, and he and the Lord discussed topics concerning Krishna. Thus they passed the night.

CC Madhya 9.329: Rāmānanda Rāya and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu discussed Krishna day and night, and thus they passed from five to seven days in great happiness.

CC Madhya 9.330: Rāmānanda Rāya said, "My dear Lord, with Your permission I have already written a letter to the King with great humility.

CC Madhya 9.331: "The King has already given me an order to return to Jagannātha Purī, and I am making arrangements to do this."

CC Madhya 9.332: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then said, "It is for this purpose alone that I have returned. I want to take you with Me to Jagannātha Purī."

CC Madhya 9.333: Rāmānanda Rāya said, "My dear Lord, it is better that You proceed to Jagannātha Purī alone because with me there will be many horses, elephants and soldiers, all roaring tumultuously.

CC Madhya 9.334: "I shall make arrangements within ten days. Following You, I shall go to Nīlācala without delay."

CC Madhya 9.335: Giving orders to Rāmānanda Rāya to come to Nīlācala, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu departed for Jagannātha Purī with great pleasure.

CC Madhya 9.336: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu returned by the same road He had formerly taken to Vidyānagara, and all the Vaishnavas along the way saw Him again.

CC Madhya 9.337: Wherever Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went, the holy name of Śrī Hari was vibrated. Seeing this, the Lord became very happy.

CC Madhya 9.338: When the Lord reached Ālālanātha, He sent His assistant Krishnadāsa ahead to call for Nityānanda Prabhu and other personal associates.

CC Madhya 9.339: As soon as Nityānanda Prabhu received news of the arrival of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He immediately got up and started out to see Him. Indeed, He was very impatient in His great ecstasy.

CC Madhya 9.340: Śrī Nityānanda Rāya, Jagadānanda, Dāmodara Pandita and Mukunda all became ecstatic in their happiness, and dancing along the way, they went to meet the Lord.

CC Madhya 9.341: Gopīnātha Ācārya also went in a very happy mood. They all went to meet the Lord, and they finally contacted Him on the way.

CC Madhya 9.342: The Lord was also filled with ecstatic love, and He embraced them all. Out of their love, they began to cry with pleasure.

CC Madhya 9.343: Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya also went to see the Lord with great pleasure, and he met Him on the beach by the sea.

CC Madhya 9.344: Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya fell down at the lotus feet of the Lord, and the Lord pulled him up and embraced him.

CC Madhya 9.345: Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya cried in great ecstatic love. Then the Lord, accompanied by them all, went to the temple of Jagannātha.

CC Madhya 9.346: Due to ecstatic love experienced upon visiting Lord Jagannātha, inundations of trembling, perspiration, tears and jubilation swept the body of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

CC Madhya 9.347: In ecstatic love Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced and chanted. At that time all the attendants and priests came to offer Him a garland and the remnants of Lord Jagannātha's food.

CC Madhya 9.348: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became patient after receiving the garland and prasādam of Lord Jagannātha. All the servants of Lord Jagannātha met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with great pleasure.

CC Madhya 9.349: Afterward, Kāśī Miśra came and fell down at the lotus feet of the Lord, and the Lord respectfully embraced him.

CC Madhya 9.350: Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya then took the Lord with him to his home, saying, "Today's luncheon will be at my home." In this way he invited the Lord.

CC Madhya 9.351: Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya brought various types of food remnants that had been left by Lord Jagannātha. He brought all kinds of cakes and condensed-milk preparations.

CC Madhya 9.352: Accompanied by all His associates, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya's house and took His noon lunch there.

CC Madhya 9.353: After offering food to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya made Him lie down to rest, and he personally began to massage the legs of the Lord.

CC Madhya 9.354: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then sent Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya to take his lunch, and the Lord remained that night in his home just to please him.

CC Madhya 9.355: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His personal associates remained with Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya. They all stayed awake the entire night as the Lord spoke of His pilgrimage.

CC Madhya 9.356: The Lord told Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya, "I have traveled to many holy places, but I could not find a Vaishnava as good as you anywhere."

CC Madhya 9.357: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, "I received much pleasure from the talks of Rāmānanda Rāya."The Bhattācārya replied, "For this reason I requested that You meet him."

CC Madhya 9.358: Thus I have ended my narration about Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's pilgrimage, describing it in brief. It cannot be described very broadly.

CC Madhya 9.359: The pastimes of Lord Caitanya are unlimited. No one can properly describe His activities, yet I make the attempt out of greed. This but reveals my shamelessness.

CC Madhya 9.360: Whoever hears of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's pilgrimage to various holy places attains the riches of very deep ecstatic love.

CC Madhya 9.361: Please hear the transcendental pastimes of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with faith and devotion. Giving up envy of the Lord, everyone chant the Lord's holy name, Hari.

CC Madhya 9.362: In this Age of Kali there are no genuine religious principles other than those established by Vaishnava devotees and the Vaishnava scriptures. This is the sum and substance of everything.

CC Madhya 9.363: The pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are just like an unfathomable ocean. It is not possible for me to enter into it. Simply standing on the shore, I am but touching the water.

CC Madhya 9.364: The more one hears the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with faith, analytically studying them, the more one attains the ecstatic riches of love of Godhead.

CC Madhya 9.365: Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Krishnadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmrita, following in their footsteps.

Copyright ©r The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness