BG 14.26; CC Antya 7; CC Madhya 16 – Second-Initiation Ceremony—Sri Gadadhara Pandita

Giriraj Swami: So, we have gathered for the auspicious occasion of Srimati Svapna Vilas dasi’s second initiation. And her sacrifices and her efforts are so great, that her well-wishers from Bhakti Vân have come all the way from Kansas to support her and bless her.

The tradition of giving hari-nāma initiation and then second initiation, dīkṣā, was practiced by Srila Prabhupada’s spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja and practiced by Srila Prabhupada. So, we are following in the same line.

The idea is that the second initiation is built upon the first, and so the basic requirements for the first initiation are to chant at least sixteen rounds daily, and follow the four regulative principles. And after one has proven oneself to be steady in those practices, one is awarded second initiation.

I will read one verse that is relevant. This is from Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, Chapter Fourteen,

TEXT 26

māṁ ca yo ‘vyabhicāreṇa

bhakti-yogena sevate

sa guṇān samatītyaitān

brahma-bhūyāya kalpate

TRANSLATION

“One who engages in full devotional service, unfailing in all circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.”

PURPORT

“This verse is a reply to Arjuna’s third question: What is the means of attaining to the transcendental position? As explained before, the material world is acting under the spell of the modes of material nature. One should not be disturbed by the activities of the modes of nature; instead of putting his consciousness into such activities, he may transfer his consciousness to Kṛṣṇa activities. Kṛṣṇa activities are known as bhakti-yoga – always acting for Kṛṣṇa. So if one engages himself in the service of Kṛṣṇa with unfailing determination, although these modes of material nature are very difficult to overcome, one can overcome them easily. This has already been explained in the Seventh Chapter. One who surrenders unto Kṛṣṇa at once surmounts the influence of the modes of material nature. To be in Kṛṣṇa consciousness or in devotional service means to acquire equality with Kṛṣṇa. The Lord says that His nature is eternal, blissful and full of knowledge, and the living entities are part and parcel of the Supreme, as gold particles are part of a gold mine. Thus the living entity, in his spiritual position, is as good as gold, as good as Kṛṣṇa in quality. If one is not situated in the same transcendental position with the Lord, one cannot serve the Supreme Lord. To be a personal assistant to a king, one must acquire the qualifications. Thus the qualification is to become Brahman, or freed from all material contamination. It is said in the Vedic literature, brahmaiva san brahmāpy eti. One can attain the Supreme Brahman by becoming Brahman. This means that one must qualitatively become one with Brahman. By attainment of Brahman, one does not lose his eternal Brahman identity as an individual soul.”

COMMENT

So, part of the process of spiritual advancement, and in fact, one of the most potent items of devotional service is to worship the deity with faith and veneration. And being awarded second initiation, you will be considered eligible to engage in such deity service. So, as Krishna is on the spiritual platform, to serve Krishna, one must also be on the spiritual platform. At least, one should follow the regulative principles and engage in the basic practices of bhakti-yoga, which will enable one to at least be on the brahmanical platform. And if one falls from that platform, one should not touch the deity, it is mentioned in The Nectar of Devotion.

So, there are many details in relation to the process of deity worship. Srila Prabhupada said the two most important factors are cleanliness and punctuality. And you have been highly recommended by your mentors at Bhakti Vân—not only do they recommend you as a devotee, but they suggest that deity worship would be very good for you. So, we wish you all the best, and I think it is befitting that, since they have come from so far, and since they have been śikṣā-gurus to you, that they should also give you some words of encouragement and guidance.

Hare Krishna.

So, we have gathered on the most auspicious occasion of Srila Gadadhara Pandita’s appearance day. This morning we read and spoke about Sri Gadadhara Pandita from Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta and especially from Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata. But this evening we will focus on Sri Caitanya-caritāmṛta. There are so many wonderful pastimes between Gadadhara Pandita and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, but I will read two which are especially moving and instructive. We will begin with Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, Chapter Sixteen:

Jai jai śrī-caitanya jai nityānanda

jai advaitachnadra jai gaura-bhakta-vṛnda

So, Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, Chapter Sixteen: “The Lord’s Attempt to Go to Vṛndāvana.”

So Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had decided to leave Jagannatha Puri and proceed to Vrindavan. And Maharaja Pratāparudra made various arrangements to facilitate His journey. Different devotees of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu followed Him for as long as they could, and one of those devotees was Sri Gadadhara Pandita. But Lord Chaitanya forbade him to follow Him, for reasons which we will hear.

TEXT 130

gadādhara-paṇḍita yabe saṅgete calilā

‘kṣetra-sannyāsa nā chāḍiha’ — prabhu niṣedhilā

TRANSLATION

“When Gadādhara Paṇḍita started to go with the Lord, he was forbidden to come and was asked not to give up the vow of kṣetra-sannyāsa.”

COMMENT

The vow of kṣetra-sannyāsa means that one resides in a holy place or a kṣetra, and takes the vow not to spend the night outside of that kṣetra, or holy place.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

“When one takes kṣetra-sannyāsa, he leaves his household life and goes to a place of pilgrimage devoted to Lord Viṣṇu. Such places include Puruṣottama (Jagannātha Purī), Navadvīpa-dhāma and Mathurā-dhāma. The kṣetra-sannyāsī lives in these places alone or with his family. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura considers kṣetra-sannyāsa to be the preferable vānaprastha situation in this Age of Kali. Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya lived in this way, and he has been called a kṣetra-sannyāsī — that is, a sannyāsī living in Jagannātha Purī.”

TEXT 131

“When he was requested to return to Jagannātha Purī, Gadādhara Paṇḍita told the Lord, “Wherever You are staying is Jagannātha Purī. Let my so-called kṣetra-sannyāsa go to hell.”

COMMENT

It is there in the Bengali, rāsa-tāla.

TEXT 132

“When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked Gadādhara Paṇḍita to remain at Jagannātha Purī and engage in Gopīnātha’s service, [as we read this morning Gadadhara Pandit was serving the Deity of Gopinath in Puri] Gadādhara Paṇḍita replied, “One renders service to Gopīnātha a million times simply by seeing Your lotus feet.”

 TEXT 133

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then said, “If you abandon His service, it will be My fault. It is better that you remain here and render service. That will be My satisfaction.”

TEXT 134

“The Paṇḍita replied, “Do not worry. All the faults will be on my head. I shall not accompany You but shall go alone.”

COMMENT

So, in this repartee, Lord Chaitanya gave three arguments, and Gadadhara Pandita refuted them. So, who can restate what Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s arguments forbidding him to come were, and what Gadadhara Pandita’s replies were. If you can pick just one, that will be—

Devotee: So, the first one was not to give up kṣetra-sannyāsa, and Gadadhara Pandita’s reply was, wherever You are a kṣetra, and therefore I am not giving up kṣetra-sannyāsa by being with You.

Giriraj Swami: Correct, very good. We have a learned Pandita amongst us.

Devotee: You just read it.

Giriraj Swami: Can anyone think of. . . yes—

Devotee: Lord Chaitanya said you should not give up your worship. And then Gadadhara Pandita said just by seeing your lotus feet I am serving Gopinatha a million times.

Giriraj Swami: Yes, yes, you got it right. That Lord Chaitanya said you should remain here and do not give up your service to Gopinatha. And Gadadhara Pandita replied that by seeing Your lotus feet I am serving Gopinatha a million times. And then, the last one. Yes, Scott.

Devotee: Lord Chaitanya said if you give up your service, then it will all be on me.

Giriraj Swami: Why? How? How would it all be on him? You are close. You are very close. The last argument was, if you give up your kṣetra-sannyāsa and your service to Gopinatha, the fault will be on me. People will blame me. And Gadadhara Pandita replied, “No, I will take the responsibility that the fault will be on my head, because I will not go with you, I will go separately.”

TEXT 135

“I shall go to see Śacīmātā, but I shall not go for Your sake. I will be responsible for the abandoning of my vow and service to Gopīnātha.”

COMMENT

Now, in a way, this is a little bit uncharacteristic of Gadadhara Pandita, who is usually very submissive, as we will read in another pastime. But, out of love, he just could not bear the separation of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and he just was ready like for sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja, “Abandon all varieties of religiousness and just follow Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.”

TEXT 136

“Thus Gadādhara Paṇḍita Gosvāmī traveled alone, but when they all arrived at Kaṭaka, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu called him, and he went into the Lord’s company.”

TEXT 137

“No one can understand the loving intimacy between Gadādhara Paṇḍita and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Gadādhara Paṇḍita gave up his vow and service to Gopīnātha just as one gives up a piece of straw.”

COMMENT

Now, this must be understood in the context of how strong a devotee Gadadhara Pandita was, and how strong his vow was, and his service. So, for him to give those up, was not a small thing. It was a huge thing.

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

“Just to get Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s association, Gadādhara Paṇḍita gave up his life’s vow to engage in Gopīnātha’s service. This kind of loving affection can be understood only by very confidential devotees. Ordinarily, no one can understand its purport.”

TEXT 138

“Gadādhara Paṇḍita’s behavior was very pleasing to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s heart. Nevertheless, the Lord took his hand and spoke to him, displaying the anger of love.”

TEXT 139

“You have abandoned Gopīnātha’s service and broken your vow to live in Purī. All that is now complete because you have come so far.”

TEXT 140

“Your wanting to go with Me is simply a desire for sense gratification. In this way, you are breaking two religious principles, and because of this I am very unhappy.”

TEXT 141

“If you want My happiness, please return to Nīlācala. You will simply condemn Me if you say any more about this matter.”

TEXT 142

“Saying this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu got into a boat, and Gadādhara Paṇḍita immediately fell down in an unconscious state.”

TEXT 143

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ordered Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya to take Gadādhara Paṇḍita with him. The Bhaṭṭācārya told Gadādhara Paṇḍita, “Get up! Such are the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

TEXT 144

“You should know that Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself violated His own promise just to keep the promise of Grandfather Bhīṣma.”

COMMENT

Can anyone relate this incident when Krishna broke His own promise to uphold the promise of Grandfather Bhīṣma? But what was Grandfather Bhishma’s vow?

Devotee: That Krishna should not give up.

Giriraj Swami: That was Krishna’s vow.

Devotee: [Unintelligible]

Giriraj Swami: Well, yes. Duryodhana accused Bhīṣmadeva of not fighting to his full capacity out of his affection for the Pandavas. Which was a great insult to Bhishma’s kshatriya honor. And so Bhīṣmadeva vowed that either I will kill Krishna’s friend Arjuna, or I will make Krishna break His vow not to take up weapons. And, so, in the next day’s fighting, he fought so ferociously that Arjuna was in trouble. And Krishna, to uphold Bhisma’s vow, got down from the chariot, picked up a broken chariot wheel, took it as a weapon, and rushed toward Grandfather Bhīṣma. And so, this is an example—this example was given by Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya to Gadadhara Pandita. To what extent the Lord will make arrangements to uphold His devotee’s vow? And therefore, Krishna tells Arjuna, kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati, that declare it boldly, my devotee will never be vanquished—my devotee will never perish.

So, someone could question—why doesn’t Krishna make the declaration? Why does He ask Arjuna to make the declaration? And the answer is that occasionally Krishna will break His vow to uphold the vow of His devotee. So, if Arjuna makes a declaration, then Krishna will certainly uphold it. And sometimes I relate this to Srila Prabhupada. On occasion, Srila Prabhupada said that if you just dedicate this life to Krishna and chant sixteen rounds a day and follow the four regulative principles and do your best to spread Krishna consciousness, then you can go back home back to Godhead in this very lifetime. So, it may seem whatever it may seem like. But I think Srila Prabhupada gave his word and Krishna will uphold it. That is a big topic, but that is the idea. There are other examples, but we will move along here because we want to get back to Gadadhara Pandita. So, then Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya. . . all these devotees were very learned in shastra, and they were always quoting shastra to support their points. And that is a very beautiful way of life.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, Chapter Sixteen,

TEXT 145

sva-nigamam apahāya mat-pratijñām

ṛtam adhikartum avapluto ratha-sthaḥ

dhṛta-ratha-caraṇo ‘bhyayāc calad-gur

harir iva hantum ibhaṁ gatottarīyaḥ

TRANSLATION

“Intending to make my promise true, Lord Kṛṣṇa broke His own promise not to take up a weapon at Kurukṣetra. With His outer garment falling off, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa jumped from His chariot, picked up a wheel and came running at me to kill me. Indeed, He rushed at me like a lion going to kill an elephant, and He caused the whole earth to tremble.”

PURPORT by Srila Prabhupada

“Lord Kṛṣṇa promised not to fight in the Battle of Kurukṣetra or even take up a weapon. But when Bhīṣma wanted to keep his own promise to break the promise of the Lord, the Lord immediately got down from the chariot, and to make Bhīṣma’s promise true He picked up a chariot wheel and rushed forward to kill him. This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.9.37).”

TEXT 146

“Similarly, tolerating separation from you, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has protected your vow with great endeavor.”

TEXT 147

“In this way Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya revived Gadādhara Paṇḍita. Then both of them, very much grief-stricken, returned to Jagannātha Purī, Nīlācala.”

TEXT 148

“All the devotees would abandon all kinds of duties for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s sake, yet the Lord did not like the devotees’ giving up their promised duties.”

TEXT 149

“All these are the misgivings of loving affairs. Whoever listens to these incidents gets the shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s lotus feet very soon.”

COMMENT

What happens to someone who listens to these incidents? He gets Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s shelter very soon. So, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu continued on his way to Vrindavan, and large numbers of people began to follow him. And when He got to Rāmakeli, which was the capital of Nawab Hussain Shah, where Rupa and Sanatana were engaged in the Nawab’s service, Sanatana Gosvami advised Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, “This is not the way to go to Vṛndāvana with huge numbers of people accompanying You. You should not go with bugles and drums. This is not the way to go to Vrindavan.”

So, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu considered Sanatana’s advice and He decided that, yes, what Sanatana Gosvami said is true. And so, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did not continue to Vrindavan, but He returned to Jagannatha Puri.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, Chapter Sixteen,

TEXT 252

“When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu arrived in Jagannātha Purī, He visited the temple of the Lord. News then spread all over the city that He had returned.”

TEXT 253

“All the devotees then came and met the Lord with great happiness. The Lord embraced each of them in great ecstatic love.”

TEXT 254

“Kāśī Miśra, Rāmānanda Rāya, Pradyumna, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, Vāṇīnātha Rāya, Śikhi Māhiti and all the other devotees met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

TEXT 255

“Gadādhara Paṇḍita also came and met the Lord. Then, before all the devotees, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to speak as follows.”

TEXT 256

“It was My decision to go to Vṛndāvana through Bengal in order to see My mother and the river Ganges.”

TEXT 257

“Thus I went to Bengal, but thousands of devotees began to follow Me.”

COMMENT

Then He describes the situation, He describes how He met Rupa and Sanatana in Rāmakeli, and how Sanatana Gosvami advised Him to turn back, not to go to Vrindavan with such a large following. And there, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu tells the devotees:

TEXT 273

“I have therefore resolved to go alone or, at the utmost, with one servant. In this way, My journey to Vṛndāvana will be beautiful”.

TEXT 274

“I thought, ‘Instead of going to Vṛndāvana alone, I am going with soldiers and the beating of drums.’

TEXT 275

“I therefore said, ‘Fie upon Me!’ and being very much agitated, I returned to the banks of the Ganges.”

TEXT 276

“I then left all the devotees there and brought only five or six persons with Me.”

TEXT 277

“Now I wish that you all will be pleased with Me and give Me good consultation. Tell Me how I shall be able to go to Vṛndāvana without impediments.”

COMMENT

So, although Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is playing as a devotee, and He is seeking consultation from His devotees. And Srila Prabhupada did that, too. Even Krishna did. He would consult Uddhava and take advice. And that advice is always offered in the mood of humility – not like I am Krishna’s advisor; I know more than Krishna. Now, listen to what Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says.

TEXT 278

gadādhare chāḍi’ genu, iṅho duḥkha pāila

sei hetu vṛndāvana yāite nārila

TRANSLATION

“I left Gadādhara Paṇḍita here, and he became very unhappy. For this reason I could not go to Vṛndāvana.”

TEXT 279

“Being encouraged by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s words, Gadādhara Paṇḍita became absorbed in ecstatic love. Immediately clasping the lotus feet of the Lord, he began to speak with great humility.”

TEXT 280 

“Gadādhara Paṇḍita said, “Wherever You stay is Vṛndāvana, as well as the river Yamunā, the river Ganges and all other places of pilgrimage.”

TEXT 281

“Although wherever You stay is Vṛndāvana, You will still go to Vṛndāvana just to instruct people. Otherwise, You will do whatever You think best.”

COMMENT

So, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was asking for advice, and Gadadhara Pandita said, basically, “You do not have to go to Vrindavan, You are Vrindavan, You are the personification of Vrindavan and all the holy places. But still, You go to set the example to others, so now You do whatever You think is best.” But then Gadadhara Pandita said more.

TEXT 282

“Taking this opportunity, Gadādhara Paṇḍita said, “Just now the four months of the rainy season have begun. You should therefore spend the next four months in Jagannātha Purī.”

TEXT 283

“After remaining here for four months, You will be free to do as You like. Actually, no one can stop You from going or remaining.”

TEXT 284

“Upon hearing this statement, the devotees present at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu stated that Gadādhara Paṇḍita had properly presented their desire.”

TEXT 285

“Being requested by all the devotees, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu agreed to remain at Jagannātha Purī for four months. Hearing this, King Pratāparudra became very happy.”

TEXT 286

“That day Gadādhara Paṇḍita extended an invitation to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and the Lord took His lunch at his place with the other devotees.”

TEXT 287

“No ordinary human being can possibly describe Gadādhara Paṇḍita’s affectionate presentation of food or Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s tasting this food.”

TEXT 288

“In this way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu performs His pastimes, which are unlimited and unfathomable. Somehow or other, these have briefly been described. It is not possible to describe them elaborately.”

TEXT 289

“Although Lord Anantadeva is always describing the pastimes of the Lord with His thousands of mouths, He cannot reach the end of even one of the Lord’s pastimes.”

TEXT 290

śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-pade yāra āśa
caitanya-caritāmṛta kahe kṛṣṇadāsa

“Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, following in their footsteps.”

PURPORT

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā, sixteenth chapter, describing Lord Caitanya’s attempt to go to Vṛndāvana.

COMMENT

So, we could discuss this pastime, and there is so many instructions in the pastime, and so many sweet moments of devotional service. I think we will move onto the next one, and then open the discussion for devotees’ comments and questions. All of these are quite intricate, there is a lot of subtleties in the loving dealing of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the devotees. The next pastimes also involve many intricacies. It is said that the path to Vrindavan is very crooked and full of thorns, and so one gets a sense of these misgivings in Lord Chaitanya’s pastimes as well.

So, this Chapter - Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Antya-līlā Chapter Seven – “Lord Chaitanya Meets Vallabha Bhatta.” Vallabha Bhatta was a learned scholar, but he had one fault, which was that he was proud. And in this regard, there is a comparison between him and King Indra, who was a devotee. But he was proud, and therefore he opposed Krishna. But Krishna acted in such a way as to break to pieces the false pride of Indra and bring him back to his senses. And so Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu acted in the same way with Vallabha Bhatta. Vallabha Bhatta would come to the assembly of Lord Chaitanya and His devotees, and try to distinguish himself as being more learned, more intelligent, more ingenious than any of the other devotees. But he could not be successful. Whenever he came into the assembly of Lord Chaitanya’s devotees, he was always defeated and humiliated. For example, once he came into the assembly and said, “That Krishna is the supreme husband of all living entities, and the wife should not directly speak the name of the husband. So why are you all directly speaking the name of Krishna?” So, Advaita Acharya said that, “This is the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Who is standing right here—why don’t you ask Him?” So, he went to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and presented his argument and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu replied that, “It is the first duty of a chaste life to follow the husband’s instruction. So, Lord Krishna has instructed us to chant His holy name—and therefore, we chant.”

Another time Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also took up this theme of chastity when Vallabha Bhatta came and said that, “I have written a commentary on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that surpasses the commentary by Sridhra Swami, who is considered the original commentator on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. I have detected the faults in Sridhra Swami’s commentary, and I have made a commentary that rectifies Sridhra Swami’s mistakes.” So, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was very merciful to all living entities, including Vallabha Bhatta. He knew that he was afflicted by pride, and that for him to make further progress, he had to be relieved of that obstacle. So Chaitanya Mahaprabhu made a play on words, because “swami” means master, and so sometimes “swami” is used to denote a husband. So Chaitanya Mahaprabhu replied that one who is not faithful to the “swami”—meaning a wife who is not faithful to her husband, or a commentator who is not faithful to Sridhra Swami—one who is not faithful to one’s “swami,” is a prostitute. And how can I listen to a prostitute? So, again Vallabha Bhatta felt ashamed, defeated, humiliated. So, this was going on. So, in that context—because Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would not even listen to Vallabha Bhatta. So, in that context, Vallabha Bhatta went to Gadadhara Pandita. And this also gave rise to a very wonderful sequence of events. Text Eighty—I will give a little taste of the exchanges between Vallabha Bhatta and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Antya-līlā Chapter Seven,

TEXT 80

“One day, after the festival was over, Vallabha Bhaṭṭa went to the abode of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and submitted a request at the lotus feet of the Lord.”

TEXT 81

“I have written some commentary on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,” he said. “Would Your Lordship kindly hear it?”

TEXT 82

“The Lord replied, “I do not understand the meaning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Indeed, I am not a suitable person to hear its meaning.”

TEXT 83

“I simply sit and try to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, and although I chant all day and night, I nevertheless cannot complete the chanting of My prescribed number of rounds.”

COMMENT

Has anyone ever felt like that? I felt like that.

TEXT 84

Vallabha Bhaṭṭa said, “I have tried to describe elaborately the meaning of Kṛṣṇa’s holy name. Kindly hear the explanation.”

COMMENT

He is trying somehow or other – “He would not hear my commentary on the Bhāgavatam, maybe He will hear my commentary on Krishna’s holy name.”

TEXT 85

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu replied, “I do not accept many different meanings for the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. I know only that Lord Kṛṣṇa is Śyāmasundara and Yaśodānandana. That’s all I know.

TEXT 86

tamāla-śyāmala-tviṣi

śrī-yaśodā-stanan-dhaye

kṛṣṇa-nāmno rūḍhir iti

Sarva-śāstra-vinirṇayaḥ

TRANSLATION

 “‘The only purport of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa is that He is dark blue like a tamāla tree and is the son of mother Yaśodā. This is the conclusion of all the revealed scriptures.’

PURPORT

This is a verse from the Nāma-kaumudī

TEXT 88

“Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was omniscient and therefore He could understand that Vallabha Bhaṭṭa’s explanations of Kṛṣṇa’s name and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam were useless. Therefore He did not care about them.”

TEXT 89

“When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu rigidly declined to hear his explanations, Vallabha Bhaṭṭa went home feeling morose. His faith and devotion to the Lord changed.”

TEXT 90

“Thereafter, Vallabha Bhaṭṭa went to the home of Gadādhara Paṇḍita. He kept coming and going, showing affection in various ways, and thus maintained a relationship with him.”

TEXT 91

“Because Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not take Vallabha Bhaṭṭa very seriously, none of the people in Jagannātha Purī would hear any of his explanations.”

TEXT 92

“Ashamed, insulted and unhappy, Vallabha Bhaṭṭa went to Gadādhara Paṇḍita.”

TEXT 93

“Approaching him with great humility, Vallabha Bhaṭṭa said, “I have taken shelter of you, my dear sir. Kindly be merciful to me and save my life.”

TEXT 94

“Please hear my explanation of the meaning of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s name. In that way the mud of the shame that has come upon me will be washed off.”

TEXT 95

“Thus Paṇḍita Gosāñi fell into a dilemma. He was in such doubt that he could not decide alone what to do.”

COMMENT

There was a real perplexing situation.

PURPORT

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not take Vallabha Bhaṭṭa very seriously. Therefore Paṇḍita Gosāñi, or Gadādhara Gosāñi, fell into perplexity. What would be his position if he heard Vallabha Bhaṭṭa’s explanation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s name? Certainly Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu would be displeased. Therefore Gadādhara Paṇḍita Gosāñi could not make a decision.”

COMMENT

He was in a very awkward situation, because Vallabha Bhatta kept coming and showing respect and affection to him, developing a relationship with him. But Chaitanya Mahaprabhu refused to hear his explanations. So, how could Gadadhara Pandita hear them? Like is he more than Chaitanya Mahaprabhu? That Mahaprabhu refused, but he would agree?

TEXT 96

“Although Gadādhara Paṇḍita Gosāñi did not want to hear it, Vallabha Bhaṭṭa began to read his explanation with great force.”

TEXT 97

Because Vallabha Bhaṭṭa was a learned brāhmaṇa, Gadādhara Paṇḍita could not forbid him. Thus he began to think of Lord Kṛṣṇa. “My dear Lord Kṛṣṇa,” he requested, “please protect me in this danger. I have taken shelter of You.”

COMMENT

Now, this is very instructive. Because we may come into situations that are awkward, where circumstantially, we may have to do something that we do not want to do – that would not conform to the general standards of Vaishnava behavior. But we are sort of caught in a difficult situation. And then what to do? So, we can follow Gadadhara Pandita’s example—what did he do? He thought of Krishna within himself.

TEXT 98 

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is present in everyone’s heart, and He will certainly know my mind. Therefore I do not fear Him, but His associates however are extremely critical.”

COMMENT

What is happening? What is happening now? Oh, 8:30. Okay, we have time—some time. Also, another perplexing situation, caught between two opposing things. We have our temple president, so we do not have to worry about anything. He makes the decisions and we just follow. Yes, so—

PURPORT

“As the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu exists in everyone’s heart. Therefore He would know the circumstances under which Paṇḍita Gosāñi agreed to hear Vallabha Bhaṭṭa’s explanations, and certainly He would not be angry. However, the Vaiṣṇavas who were always with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu might not understand Gadādhara Paṇḍita’s inner consciousness, and they might accuse him of having compromised with Vallabha Bhaṭṭa, despite his having been neglected by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Gadādhara Paṇḍita Gosāñi was seriously thinking in this way.”

TEXT 99:

“Although Gadādhara Paṇḍita Gosāñi was not in the least at fault, some of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s devotees showed affectionate anger toward him”.

TEXT 100

“Every day, Vallabha Bhaṭṭa would come to the place of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to engage in unnecessary arguments.”

COMMENT

So, this went on, although Gadadhara Pandita did listen to him. But still, Vallabha Bhatta wanted to establish himself in the assembly of Lord Chaitanya’s devotees. So, he would still go there, and try to show his superiority. And every time, he would be defeated. So, he reacted—he thought previously, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was so kind to me, and now He is behaving differently. So, he started putting the blame on Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. But then, one day, by the mercy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Vallabha Bhatta realized that actually—I am just a proud fool, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is acting with me in this way to smash my false pride. He is my well-wisher, and acting for my benefit. And so, he came to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and took shelter at His lotus feet, and expressed his remorse for his foolish proud behavior and his appreciation for Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy. And he makes many nice statements, and then at the end he concludes—

TEXT 129

“My dear Lord, You have cured the blindness of my false pride by smearing my eyes with the ointment of Your mercy. You have bestowed so much mercy upon me that my ignorance is now gone.”

TEXT 130

“My dear Lord, I have committed offenses. Please excuse me. I seek shelter of You. Please be merciful unto me by placing Your lotus feet on my head.”

TEXT 131

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “You are both a greatly learned scholar and a great devotee. Wherever there are two such attributes, there cannot be a mountain of false pride.

TEXT 132

“You have dared criticize Śrīdhara Svāmī, and you have begun your own commentary on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, not accepting his authority. That is your false pride.”

COMMENT

And then He again speaks about the importance of accepting Sridhra Swami and following paramparā, and not trying to supersede one’s predecessor.

TEXT 135

“One who comments on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam following in the footsteps of Śrīdhara Svāmī will be honored and accepted by everyone.”

TEXT 136

“Put forth your explanation of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam following in the footsteps of Śrīdhara Svāmī. Giving up your false pride, worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.”

TEXT 137

“Abandoning your offenses, chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, the holy names of the Lord. Then very soon you will achieve shelter at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.”

COMMENT

Then Vallabha Bhatta says, “If you are actually pleased with me, then please accept my invitation to honor prasāda in my home,” and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu agreed. So then there is a discussion of the different natures of Jagadananda Pandita and Gadadhara Pandita. Jagadananda Pandita in Chaitanya-līlā was more in the mood of Satyabhama, who was one of the principal queens of Krishna in Dvaraka, who was always quarreling with Krishna. And Gadadhara Pandita was more in the mood of Rukmini devi who was very docile and submissive to Krishna.

TEXT 145

“Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu sometimes desired to see Gadādhara Paṇḍita’s affectionate anger, but because of his knowledge of the Lord’s opulences, his anger was never invoked.”

TEXT 146

“For this purpose Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu sometimes showed His apparent anger. Hearing of this anger inspired great fear in the heart of Gadādhara Paṇḍita.”

COMMENT

As in Dvaraka He wanted to see Rukmini devi’s anger, so He started saying, “I am not fit to be your husband, and you should find someone else—someone more suitable than Me.” But instead of becoming angry and refuting Krishna’s words, she fainted.

TEXT 147

“Previously, in kṛṣṇa-līlā, when Lord Kṛṣṇa joked with Rukmiṇīdevī, she took His words seriously, and fear awoke within her mind.”

COMMENT

There is a little change. Such a little change.

TEXT 148

“Vallabha Bhaṭṭa was accustomed to worshiping the Lord as child Kṛṣṇa. [Bala Gopal] Therefore he had been initiated into the Bāla-gopāla mantra and was thus worshiping the Lord.”

TEXT 149

“In the association of Gadādhara Paṇḍita, his mind was converted, and he dedicated his mind to worshiping Kiśora-gopāla, Kṛṣṇa as a young boy.”

TEXT 150

Vallabha Bhaṭṭa wanted to be initiated by Gadādhara Paṇḍita, but Gadādhara Paṇḍita refused, saying, “The work of acting as a spiritual master is not possible for me.

TEXT 151

I am completely dependent. My Lord is Gauracandra, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. I cannot do anything independently, without His order.

TEXT 152

My dear Vallabha Bhaṭṭa, your coming to me is not appreciated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Therefore He sometimes speaks to chastise me.”

TEXT 153-154

“Some days passed, and when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, finally pleased with Vallabha Bhaṭṭa, accepted his invitation, the Lord sent Svarūpa Dāmodara, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita and Govinda to call for Gadādhara Paṇḍita.”

COMMENT

And this is also a very instructive conversation amongst the devotees.

TEXT 155

“On the way, Svarūpa Dāmodara said to Gadādhara Paṇḍita, “Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted to test you. Therefore He neglected you.

TEXT 156

Why did you not retaliate by reproaching Him? Why did you fearfully tolerate His criticism?”

TEXT 157

“Gadādhara Paṇḍita said, “Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is completely independent. He is the topmost omniscient personality. It would not look well for me to talk to Him as if I were His equal.

TEXT 158

I can tolerate whatever He says, bearing it upon my head. He will automatically be merciful to me after considering my faults and attributes.”

TEXT 159

“After saying this, Gadādhara Paṇḍita went to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and fell down crying at the lotus feet of the Lord.”

TEXT 160

“Smiling slightly, the Lord embraced him and spoke sweet words so that others would also hear.”

TEXT 161

“I wanted to agitate you,” the Lord said, “but you did not become agitated. Indeed, you could not say anything in anger. Instead, you tolerated everything.

TEXT 162

Your mind was not disturbed by My tricks. Rather, you stayed fixed in your simplicity. In this way you have purchased Me.”

TEXT 163

“No one can describe the characteristics and ecstatic love of Gadādhara Paṇḍita. Therefore another name for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Gadādhara-prāṇanātha, “the life and soul of Gadādhara Paṇḍita.”

TEXT 164

“No one can say how merciful the Lord is to Gadādhara Paṇḍita, but people know the Lord as Gadāira Gaurāṅga, “the Lord Gaurāṅga of Gadādhara Paṇḍita.”

TEXT 166

“Gadādhara Paṇḍita is celebrated all over the world for his gentle behavior, his brahminical attributes and his steady love for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

TEXT 167

“The Lord purified Vallabha Bhaṭṭa by cleansing him of the mud of false pride. By such activities the Lord also instructed others.

COMMENT

The word mud was used earlier—that Vallabha Bhatta felt the mud of shame. That was not mud—the mud was his false pride.

TEXT 168

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was actually always merciful within His heart, but He was sometimes externally negligent of His devotees. We should not be preoccupied with His external feature, however, for if we do so we shall be vanquished.”

COMMENT

This is very important. That for a particular purpose—a particular period—the Lord may apparently neglect His servant. But within His heart, the Lord is always merciful. And we should not misjudge the Lord or the Lord’s servant, because if we do so, we will be ruined, we will commit offenses. Not understanding how the Lord is dealing in a personal way with a particular servant, or a particular purpose.

TEXT 170

“Another day, Gadādhara Paṇḍita invited Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to dinner. The Lord took prasādam at his home with His personal associates.”

TEXT 171

“There Vallabha Bhaṭṭa took permission from Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and his desire to be initiated by Gadādhara Paṇḍita was thus fulfilled.”

TEXT 172

“I have thus explained the Lord’s meeting with Vallabha Bhaṭṭa. By hearing of this incident, one can achieve the treasure of love for Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

COMMENT

What happens to someone who hears of this incident? Yes, he achieves the treasure of love for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

TEXT 173

śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-pade yāra āśa
caitanya-caritāmṛta kahe kṛṣṇadāsa

“Praying at the lotus feet of Śrī Rūpa and Śrī Raghunātha, always desiring their mercy, I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, narrate Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, following in their footsteps.”

COMMENT

Hare Krishna. So, would anyone else like to share anything about Gadadhara Pandita, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, or ask any questions? Yes.

Devotee: Thank you, Maharaja. When you were speaking before on the first pastime, and you described how Gadadhara Pandita would serve Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and it was full of nectar. Then I thought, well, Gadadhara Pandita is Srimati Radharani. So maybe that is why even in this pastime she was manifesting this incredible ability to cook for Krishna. And then I thought, it seems like that happens with us, that when we try to do a little something in Krishna consciousness, there is some connection with another personality. For years, we might cook, and then one time it comes out amazing. Or we do something else. Is there an explanation for that as devotional service?

Giriraj Swami: Well, yes, this closing verse of every chapter,

śrī-rūpa-raghunātha-pade yāra āśa

caitanya-caritāmṛta kahe kṛṣṇadāsa

At every step, Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami is praying for the mercy of Rupa, Raghunatha, the mercy of the higher authorities. Because it is only by the mercy of the higher authorities that we can do anything nicely. So that should be our mood in everything we do, and in that mood, we can receive their mercy and do things that are beyond our individual independent capacity. That should be our mood at every moment. Thank you.

Any other questions or comments? Yes, Rupanuga Prabhu, my śikṣā-guru, one of my śikṣā-gurus.

Devotee: Hare Krishna Maharaja, you spoke that Gadadhara Pandita, Sri Gadadhara’s mood was more like that of Rukmini than of Satyabhama. So, this is all bewildering to me, that he is said to be the appearance of Srimati Radharani, but he has taken on the mood of Chandravali or Rukmini. Can you clear that up for me?

Giriraj Swami: This is a somewhat paradoxical situation, because Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna in the mood of Radharani, and Gadadhara Pandita, although He is Radharani, appeared to facilitate Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the mood of Radharani. And therefore, he subdued that vāmya bhāva of Srimati Radharani and accepted more of dakṣina bhāva in Chaitanya-līlā. Vāmya means left wing and dakṣina means right wing. And so, yes, he had his role to play, and it was not to manifest the mood of Radharani, that was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s position to exhibit the mood of Radharani.

Any other questions or comments?

Devotee: One thing just came to my mind that I was curious about is that—is there anyone that has ever tried to relate Srila Prabhupada to any of these types of moods? Has anyone tried to classify Srila Prabhupada?

Giriraj Swami: I have never heard of that, and I am not sure how appropriate it would be.

Devotee: [Unintelligible 01:18:10]

Giriraj Swami: I do not know exactly what you mean, but he was in the mood of the Pancha-tattva to distribute Krishna consciousness.

Devotee: Perfect.

Giriraj Swami: Well, we are in an assembly of great sages and saintly persons and deep thinkers. And I certainly value what Dravida Prabhu said, and I could dare to venture there might be other great devotees and deep thinkers here who also have their own perspectives on Srila Prabhupada and his empowerment and his life, and Goloka Vrindavan – just spiritual variegated-ness.

Any other questions or comments? So, I think that is good. We can join the ārati – by Krishna’s arrangement that perplexity was solved twice—once by Nityananda Prabhu’s decision, and a second time by finishing in time for us to join the ārati for few moments.

Srila Prabhupada ki jaya!

Sri Gadadhara Pandita ki jaya!

Sri Sri Kalachandji ki jaya!

Gaura-bhakta Vrinda ki jaya!