Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Sri Caitanya Caritamrta

CC Antya 1 Summary

CC Antya 1.1: I offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by whose mercy even a lame man can cross over a mountain and a dumb man recite Vedic literature.

CC Antya 1.2: My path is very difficult. I am blind, and my feet are slipping again and again. Therefore, may the saints help me by granting me the stick of their mercy as my support.

CC Antya 1.3-4: I pray to the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis -- Sri Rupa, Sanatana, Bhatta Raghunatha, Sri Jiva, Gopala Bhatta and Dasa Raghunatha -- so that all impediments to my writing this literature will be annihilated and my real desire will be fulfilled.

CC Antya 1.5: Glory to the all-merciful Radha and Madana-mohana! I am lame and ill advised, yet They are my directors, and Their lotus feet are everything to me.

CC Antya 1.6: In a temple of jewels in Vrndavana, underneath a desire tree, Sri Sri Radha-Govinda, served by Their most confidential associates, sit upon an effulgent throne. I offer my humble obeisances unto Them.

CC Antya 1.7: Sri Srila Gopinatha, who originated the transcendental mellow of the rasa dance, stands on the shore at Vamsivata and attracts the attention of the cowherd damsels with the sound of His celebrated flute. May they all confer upon us their benediction.

CC Antya 1.8: All glories to Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! All glories to Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaita Acarya! And all glories to all the devotees of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu!

CC Antya 1.9: I have briefly described the pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu known as the madhya-lila. Now I shall attempt to describe something about His last pastimes, which are known as the antya-lila.

CC Antya 1.10: I have briefly described the antya-lila within the description of the madhya-lila.

CC Antya 1.11: I am now almost an invalid because of old age, and I know that at any moment I may die. Therefore I have already described some portions of the antya-lila.

CC Antya 1.12: In accordance with the synopsis previously written, I shall describe in detail whatever I have not mentioned.

CC Antya 1.13: When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu returned to Jagannatha Puri from Vrndavana, Svarupa Damodara Gosani immediately sent news of the Lord's arrival to the devotees in Bengal.

CC Antya 1.14: Upon hearing this news, mother Saci and all the other devotees of Navadvipa were very joyful, and they all departed together for Nilacala [Jagannatha Puri].

CC Antya 1.15: Thus all the devotees of Kulina-grama and Sri Khanda, as well as Advaita Acarya, came together to meet Sivananda Sena.

CC Antya 1.16: Sivananda Sena arranged for the journey. He maintained everyone and provided residential quarters.

CC Antya 1.17: While going to Jagannatha Puri, Sivananda Sena allowed a dog to go with him. He supplied it food to eat and maintained it.

CC Antya 1.18: One day, when they needed to cross a river, an Orissan boatman would not allow the dog to get in the boat.

CC Antya 1.19: Sivananda Sena, unhappy that the dog had to stay behind, paid the boatman ten pana of conchshells to take the dog across the river.

CC Antya 1.20: One day while Sivananda was detained by a tollman, his servant forgot to give the dog its cooked rice.

CC Antya 1.21: At night, when Sivananda Sena returned and was taking his meal, he inquired from the servant whether the dog had gotten its meals.

CC Antya 1.22: When he learned that the dog had not been supplied food in his absence, he was very unhappy. He then immediately sent ten men to find the dog.

CC Antya 1.23: When the men returned without success, Sivananda Sena became very unhappy and fasted for the night.

CC Antya 1.24: In the morning they looked for the dog, but it could not be found anywhere. All the Vaisnavas were astonished.

CC Antya 1.25: Thus in great anxiety they all walked to Jagannatha Puri, where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met them as usual.

CC Antya 1.26: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went with them to see the Lord in the temple, and on that day He also took lunch in the company of all those devotees.

CC Antya 1.27: As previously, the Lord provided them all with residential quarters. And the next morning all the devotees came to see the Lord.

CC Antya 1.28: When all the devotees came to the place of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they saw the same dog sitting a little apart from the Lord.

CC Antya 1.29: Furthermore, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was throwing remnants of green coconut pulp to the dog. Smiling in His own way, He was saying to the dog, "Chant the holy names 'Rama,' 'Krsna' and 'Hari.'"

CC Antya 1.30: Seeing the dog eating the green coconut pulp and chanting "Krsna, Krsna" again and again, all the devotees present were very surprised.

CC Antya 1.31: When he saw the dog sitting in that way and chanting the name of Krsna, Sivananda, because of his natural humility, immediately offered his obeisances to the dog just to counteract his offenses to it.

CC Antya 1.32: The next day, no one saw that dog, for it had obtained its spiritual body and departed for Vaikuntha, the spiritual kingdom.

CC Antya 1.33: Such are the transcendental pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the son of mother Saci. He even delivered a dog simply by inducing it to chant the maha-mantra, Hare Krsna.

CC Antya 1.34: Meanwhile, following the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Srila Rupa Gosvami returned to Vrndavana. He desired to write dramas concerning the pastimes of Lord Krsna.

CC Antya 1.35: In Vrndavana, Rupa Gosvami began to write a drama. In particular, he composed the introductory verses to invoke good fortune.

CC Antya 1.36: On his way to Gauda-desa, Rupa Gosvami had been thinking of how to write the action of the drama. Thus he had made some notes and begun to write.

CC Antya 1.37: In this way the two brothers Rupa and Anupama reached Bengal, but when they arrived there Anupama died.

CC Antya 1.38: Rupa Gosvami then departed to see Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, for he was very eager to see Him.

CC Antya 1.39: There was some delay because of the death of Anupama, and therefore when Rupa Gosvami went to Bengal to see the devotees there, he could not get in touch with them because they had already left.

CC Antya 1.40: In the province of Orissa there is a place known as Satyabhama-pura. Srila Rupa Gosvami rested for a night in that village on his way to Jagannatha Puri.

CC Antya 1.41: While resting in Satyabhama-pura, he dreamed that a celestially beautiful woman came before him and very mercifully gave him the following order.

CC Antya 1.42: "Write a separate drama about me," she said. "By my mercy it will be extraordinarily beautiful."

CC Antya 1.43: After having that dream, Srila Rupa Gosvami considered, "It is the order of Satyabhama that I write a separate drama for her.

CC Antya 1.44: "I have brought together in one work all the pastimes performed by Lord Krsna in Vrndavana and in Dvaraka. Now I shall have to divide them into two dramas."

CC Antya 1.45: Thus absorbed in thought, he quickly reached Jagannatha Puri. When he arrived, he approached the hut of Haridasa Thakura.

CC Antya 1.46: Out of affectionate love and mercy, Haridasa Thakura told Srila Rupa Gosvami, "Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has already informed me that you would come here."

CC Antya 1.47: After seeing the upala-bhoga ceremony at the Jagannatha temple, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would regularly come to see Haridasa every day. Thus He suddenly arrived there.

CC Antya 1.48: When the Lord arrived, Rupa Gosvami immediately offered his obeisances. Haridasa informed the Lord, "This is Rupa Gosvami offering You obeisances," and the Lord embraced him.

CC Antya 1.49: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then sat down with Haridasa and Rupa Gosvami. They inquired from one another about auspicious news and then continued to talk together for some time.

CC Antya 1.50: When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu inquired about Sanatana Gosvami, Rupa Gosvami replied, "I did not meet him.

CC Antya 1.51: "I came by the path on the bank of the Ganges, whereas Sanatana Gosvami came by the public road. Therefore we did not meet.

CC Antya 1.52: "In Prayaga I heard that he had already gone to Vrndavana." Rupa Gosvami next informed the Lord about the death of Anupama.

CC Antya 1.53: After allotting residential quarters there to Rupa Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu left. Then all of the Lord's personal associates met Srila Rupa Gosvami.

CC Antya 1.54: On the next day, Caitanya Mahaprabhu again met Rupa Gosvami, and with great mercy the Lord introduced him to all the devotees.

CC Antya 1.55: Srila Rupa Gosvami offered his respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of them all, and all the devotees, by their mercy, embraced him.

CC Antya 1.56: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Advaita Acarya and Nityananda Prabhu, "You should both show Your mercy wholeheartedly to Rupa Gosvami.

CC Antya 1.57: "May Rupa Gosvami, by Your mercy, become so powerful that he will be able to describe the transcendental mellows of devotional service."

CC Antya 1.58: Thus Rupa Gosvami became the object of love and affection for all the devotees of the Lord, including those who came from Bengal and those who resided in Orissa.

CC Antya 1.59: Every day Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would go to see Rupa Gosvami, and whatever prasadam He received from the temple He would deliver to Rupa Gosvami and Haridasa Thakura.

CC Antya 1.60: He would talk for some time with them both and then leave to perform His noontime duties.

CC Antya 1.61: In this way Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's dealings with them continued every day. Thus receiving the transcendental favor of the Lord, Srila Rupa Gosvami felt unlimited pleasure.

CC Antya 1.62: After Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, taking all His devotees with Him, performed the Gundica-marjana [washing and cleansing of the Gundica temple], He went to the garden known as Aitota and accepted prasadam at a picnic within the garden.

CC Antya 1.63: When Haridasa Thakura and Rupa Gosvami saw that all the devotees were accepting prasadam and chanting the holy name of Hari, they both were greatly pleased.

CC Antya 1.64: When they received the remnants of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's prasadam through Govinda, they respected it, and then they both began to dance in ecstasy.

CC Antya 1.65: On the next day, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to see Srila Rupa Gosvami, the omniscient Lord spoke as follows.

CC Antya 1.66: "Do not try to take Krsna out of Vrndavana, for He does not go anywhere else at any time.

CC Antya 1.67: "'The Krsna known as Yadu-kumara is Vasudeva Krsna. He is different from the Krsna who is the son of Nanda Maharaja. Yadu-kumara Krsna manifests His pastimes in the cities of Mathura and Dvaraka, but Krsna the son of Nanda Maharaja never at any time leaves Vrndavana.'"

CC Antya 1.68: After saying this, Caitanya Mahaprabhu went to perform His noontime duties, leaving Srila Rupa Gosvami somewhat surprised.

CC Antya 1.69: "Satyabhama ordered me to write two different dramas," Srila Rupa Gosvami thought. "Now I understand that this order has been confirmed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

CC Antya 1.70: "Formerly I wrote the two dramas as one composition. Now I shall divide it and describe the incidents in two separate works.

CC Antya 1.71: "I shall write two separate invocations of good fortune and two different introductions. Let me think deeply about the matter and then describe two different sets of incidents."

CC Antya 1.72: During the Ratha-yatra ceremony Rupa Gosvami saw Lord Jagannatha. He also saw Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu dancing and chanting in front of the ratha.

CC Antya 1.73: When Rupa Gosvami heard a verse uttered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu during the ceremony, he immediately composed another verse dealing with the same subject.

CC Antya 1.74: I have already described all these incidents, but I still wish to add briefly something more.

CC Antya 1.75: Generally Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recited a verse while dancing and chanting before the ratha, but no one knew why He was reciting that particular verse.

CC Antya 1.76: Only Svarupa Damodara Gosvami knew the purpose for which the Lord recited that verse. According to the Lord's attitude, he used to quote other verses to enable the Lord to relish mellows.

CC Antya 1.77: Rupa Gosvami, however, could understand the intention of the Lord, and thus he composed another verse that appealed to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

CC Antya 1.78: "That very personality who stole my heart during my youth is now again my master. These are the same moonlit nights of the month of Caitra. The same fragrance of malati flowers is there, and the same sweet breezes are blowing from the kadamba forest. In our intimate relationship, I am also the same lover, yet still my mind is not happy here. I am eager to go back to that place on the bank of the Reva under the Vetasi tree. That is my desire."

CC Antya 1.79: "My dear friend, now I have met My very old and dear friend Krsna on this field of Kuruksetra. I am the same Radharani, and now We are meeting together. It is very pleasant, but I would still like to go to the bank of the Yamuna beneath the trees of the forest there. I wish to hear the vibration of His sweet flute playing the fifth note within that forest of Vrndavana."

CC Antya 1.80: After writing this verse on a palm leaf, Rupa Gosvami put it somewhere in his thatched roof and went to bathe in the sea.

CC Antya 1.81: At that time, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu went there to meet him, and when He saw the leaf pushed into the roof and saw the verse, He began to read it.

CC Antya 1.82: After reading the verse, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was overwhelmed by ecstatic love. At that very time, Rupa Gosvami returned, having finished bathing in the sea.

CC Antya 1.83: Seeing the Lord, Sri Rupa Gosvami fell flat in the courtyard to offer obeisances. The Lord slapped him mildly in love and spoke as follows.

CC Antya 1.84: "My heart is very confidential. How did you know My mind in this way?" After saying this, He firmly embraced Rupa Gosvami.

CC Antya 1.85: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took that verse and showed it to Svarupa Damodara for him to examine. Then the Lord questioned him.

CC Antya 1.86: "How could Rupa Gosvami have understood My heart?" the Lord asked.Svarupa Damodara replied, "I can understand that You have already bestowed Your causeless mercy upon him.

CC Antya 1.87: "No one could otherwise understand this meaning. I can therefore guess that previously You bestowed upon him Your causeless mercy."

CC Antya 1.88: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "Rupa Gosvami met Me at Prayaga. Knowing him to be a suitable person, I naturally bestowed My mercy upon him.

CC Antya 1.89: "I thereupon also bestowed upon him My transcendental potency. Now you also should give him instructions. In particular, instruct him in transcendental mellows."

CC Antya 1.90: Svarupa Damodara said, "As soon as I saw the unique composition of this verse, I could immediately understand that You had bestowed upon him Your special mercy.

CC Antya 1.91: "'By seeing a result, one can understand the cause of that result.'

CC Antya 1.92: "'The river Ganges flowing in the heavenly planets is full of golden lotus flowers, and we, the residents of those planets, eat the stems of the flowers. Thus we are very beautiful, more so than the inhabitants of any other planet. This is due to the law of cause and effect, for if one eats food in the mode of goodness, the mode of goodness increases the beauty of his body.'"

CC Antya 1.93: After the four months of Caturmasya [Sravana, Bhadra, Asvina and Karttika], all the Vaisnavas of Bengal returned to their homes, but Srila Rupa Gosvami remained in Jagannatha Puri under the shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

CC Antya 1.94: One day while Rupa Gosvami was writing his book, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu suddenly appeared.

CC Antya 1.95: As soon as Haridasa Thakura and Rupa Gosvami saw the Lord coming, they both stood up and then fell down to offer Him their respectful obeisances. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu embraced them both and then sat down.

CC Antya 1.96: The Lord inquired, "What kind of book are you writing?" He held up a palm leaf that was a page of the manuscript, and when He saw the fine handwriting, His mind was very pleased.

CC Antya 1.97: Thus being pleased, the Lord praised the writing by saying, "The handwriting of Rupa Gosvami is just like rows of pearls."

CC Antya 1.98: While reading the manuscript, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw a verse on that page, and as soon as He read it He was overwhelmed by ecstatic love.

CC Antya 1.99: "I do not know how much nectar the two syllables 'Krs-na' have produced. When the holy name of Krsna is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth. We then desire many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert."

CC Antya 1.100: When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted this verse, Haridasa Thakura, upon hearing the vibration, became jubilant and began to dance while praising its meaning.

CC Antya 1.101: One has to learn about the beauty and transcendental position of the holy name of the Lord by hearing the revealed scriptures from the mouths of devotees. Nowhere else can we hear of the sweetness of the Lord's holy name.

CC Antya 1.102: Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu embraced Haridasa and Rupa Gosvami and left for the seaside to perform His noontime duties.

CC Antya 1.103-104: On the next day, after visiting the temple of Jagannatha as usual, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, Ramananda Raya and Svarupa Damodara. They all went together to Srila Rupa Gosvami, and on the way the Lord greatly praised his qualities.

CC Antya 1.105: When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recited the two important verses, He felt great pleasure; thus, as if He had five mouths, He began to praise His devotee.

CC Antya 1.106: Just to examine Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya and Ramananda Raya, the Lord began to praise the transcendental qualities of Sri Rupa Gosvami before them.

CC Antya 1.107: Characteristically, the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not take seriously an offense committed by a pure devotee. The Lord accepts whatever small service a devotee renders as being such a great service that He is prepared to give even Himself, what to speak of other benedictions.

CC Antya 1.108: "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as Purusottama, the greatest of all persons, has a pure mind. He is so gentle that even if His servant is implicated in a great offense, He does not take it very seriously. Indeed, if His servant renders some small service, the Lord accepts it as being very great. Even if an envious person blasphemes the Lord, the Lord never manifests anger against him. Such are His great qualities."

CC Antya 1.109: When Haridasa Thakura and Rupa Gosvami saw that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had come with His intimate devotees, they both immediately fell down like logs and offered prayers to their lotus feet.

CC Antya 1.110: Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His personal devotees met Rupa Gosvami and Haridasa Thakura. The Lord then sat down in an elevated place with His devotees.

CC Antya 1.111: Rupa Gosvami and Haridasa Thakura sat at the foot of the elevated place where Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was sitting. Although everyone asked them to sit on the same level as the Lord and His associates, they did not do so.

CC Antya 1.112: When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered Rupa Gosvami to read the verse they had previously heard, Rupa Gosvami, because of great shyness, did not read it but instead remained silent.

CC Antya 1.113: Then Svarupa Damodara Gosvami recited the verse, and when all the devotees heard it, their minds were struck with wonder.

CC Antya 1.114: "'My dear friend, now I have met My very old and dear friend Krsna on this field of Kuruksetra. I am the same Radharani, and now We are meeting together. It is very pleasant, but I would still like to go to the bank of the Yamuna beneath the trees of the forest there. I wish to hear the vibration of His sweet flute playing the fifth note within that forest of Vrndavana.'"

CC Antya 1.115: After hearing this verse, Ramananda Raya and Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya said to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, "Without Your special mercy, how could this Rupa Gosvami have understood Your mind?"

CC Antya 1.116: Srila Ramananda Raya said that previously Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu had empowered his heart so that he could express elevated and conclusive statements to which even Lord Brahma has no access.

CC Antya 1.117: "Had You not previously bestowed Your mercy on him," they said, "it would not have been possible for him to express Your internal feelings."

CC Antya 1.118: Then Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "My dear Rupa, please recite that verse from your drama which, upon being heard, makes all people's unhappiness and lamentation go away."

CC Antya 1.119: When the Lord persisted in asking this again and again, Rupa Gosvami recited that verse [as follows].

CC Antya 1.120: "'I do not know how much nectar the two syllables "Krs-na" have produced. When the holy name of Krsna is chanted, it appears to dance within the mouth. We then desire many, many mouths. When that name enters the holes of the ears, we desire many millions of ears. And when the holy name dances in the courtyard of the heart, it conquers the activities of the mind, and therefore all the senses become inert.'"

CC Antya 1.121: When all the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, especially Sri Ramananda Raya, heard this verse, they were all filled with transcendental bliss and were struck with wonder.

CC Antya 1.122: Everyone admitted that although they had heard many statements glorifying the holy name of the Lord, they had never heard such sweet descriptions as those of Rupa Gosvami.

CC Antya 1.123: Ramananda Raya inquired, "What kind of drama are you writing? We can understand that it is a mine of conclusive statements."

CC Antya 1.124: Svarupa Damodara replied for Srila Rupa Gosvami: "He wanted to compose a drama about the pastimes of Lord Krsna. He planned to describe in one book both the pastimes of Vrndavana and those of Dvaraka and Mathura.

CC Antya 1.125: "He began it in that way, but now, following the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he has divided it in two and is writing two plays, one concerning the pastimes of Mathura and Dvaraka and the other concerning the pastimes of Vrndavana.

CC Antya 1.126: "The two plays are called Vidagdha-madhava and Lalita-madhava. Both of them wonderfully describe ecstatic emotional love of God."

CC Antya 1.127: Ramananda Raya said, "Please recite the introductory verse of the Vidagdha-madhava so that I can hear and examine it." Thus Sri Rupa Gosvami, being ordered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, recited the verse (1.1).

CC Antya 1.128: "'May the pastimes of Sri Krsna reduce the miseries existing in the material world and nullify all unwanted desires. The pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are like sikharini, a blend of yogurt and sugar candy. They overpower the pride of even the nectar produced on the moon, for they distribute the sweet fragrance of the concentrated loving affairs of Srimati Radharani and the gopis.'"

CC Antya 1.129: Ramananda Raya said, "Now please recite the description of the glories of your worshipable Deity." Rupa Gosvami, however, hesitated due to embarrassment because Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was present.

CC Antya 1.130: The Lord, however, encouraged Rupa Gosvami, saying, "Why are you embarrassed? You should recite it so the devotees can hear the good fruit of your writing."

CC Antya 1.131: When Rupa Gosvami thus recited his verse, Caitanya Mahaprabhu disapproved of it because it described His personal glories. He expressed the opinion that it was an exaggerated explanation.

CC Antya 1.132: "'May the Supreme Lord who is known as the son of Srimati Sacidevi be transcendentally situated in the innermost core of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, He has descended in the Age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation has ever offered before: the most elevated mellow of devotional service, the mellow of conjugal love.'"

CC Antya 1.133: All the devotees present so greatly appreciated this verse that they expressed their gratitude to Sri Rupa Gosvami for his transcendental recitation.

CC Antya 1.134: Ramananda Raya inquired, "How have you introduced the assembly of the players?"Rupa Gosvami replied, "The players assemble at a suitable time under the heading of pravartaka.

CC Antya 1.135: "'When the entrance of the actors is set in motion by the arrival of a suitable time, the entrance is called pravartaka.'

CC Antya 1.136: "'Springtime had arrived, and the full moon of that season inspired the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is complete in everything, with new attraction to meet the beautiful Srimati Radharani at night to increase the beauty of Their pastimes.'"

CC Antya 1.137: Ramananda Raya said, "Please recite the prarocana portion so that I may hear and examine it."Sri Rupa replied, "I think that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's desire to hear is prarocana.

CC Antya 1.138: "'The devotees now present are constantly thinking of the Supreme Lord and are therefore highly advanced. This work named Vidagdha-madhava depicts the characteristic pastimes of Lord Krsna with decorations of poetic ornaments. And the inner grounds of the forest of Vrndavana provide a suitable platform for the dancing of Krsna with the gopis. Therefore I think that the pious activities of persons like us, who have tried to advance in devotional service, have now attained maturity.'

CC Antya 1.139: "'O learned devotees, I am by nature ignorant and low, yet even though it is from me that the Vidagdha-madhava has come, it is filled with descriptions of the transcendental attributes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, will not such a literature bring about the attainment of the highest goal of life? Although its wood may be ignited by a low-class man, fire can nevertheless purify gold. Similarly, although I am very low by nature, this book may help cleanse the dirt from within the hearts of the golden devotees.'"

CC Antya 1.140: Then Ramananda Raya inquired from Rupa Gosvami about the causes of the loving affairs between Krsna and the gopis, such as previous attachment, transformations of love, endeavors for love, and exchanges of letters disclosing the gopis' awakening love for Krsna.

CC Antya 1.141: Srila Rupa Gosvami gradually informed Ramananda Raya about everything he asked. Hearing his explanations, all the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were struck with wonder.

CC Antya 1.142: "[Experiencing previous attachment to Krsna (purva-raga), Srimati Radharani thought:] 'Since I have heard the name of a person called Krsna, I have practically lost My good sense. Then, there is another person who plays His flute in such a way that after I hear the vibration, intense madness arises in My heart. And again there is still another person to whom My mind becomes attached when I see His beautiful lightninglike effulgence in His picture. Therefore I think that I am greatly condemned, for I have become simultaneously attached to three persons. It would be better for Me to die because of this.'

CC Antya 1.143: "'My dear friend, these palpitations of Srimati Radharani's heart are extremely difficult to cure. Even if one applied some medical treatment, it would only end in defamation.'

CC Antya 1.144: "'"O dearly beautiful one, the artistic loveliness of Your picture is now impressed within My mind. Since You are now living within My mind, wherever I wish to run because I am agitated by impressions of You, I find that You, O My friend, are blocking My way."'

CC Antya 1.145: "'Upon seeing peacock feathers in front of Her, this girl suddenly begins trembling. When She sometimes sees a necklace of gunja [small conchshells], She sheds tears and cries loudly. I do not know what kind of new ecstatic influence has entered the heart of this poor girl. It has imbued Her with the dancing attitude of a player creating wonderful, unprecedented dances on a stage.'

CC Antya 1.146: "[Srimati Radharani said to Her constant companion Visakha:] 'My dear friend, if Krsna is unkind to Me, there will be no need for you to cry, for it will not be due to any fault of yours. I shall then have to die, but afterwards please do one thing for Me: to observe My funeral ceremony, place My body with its arms embracing a tamala tree like creepers so that I may remain forever in Vrndavana undisturbed. That is My last request.'"

CC Antya 1.147: Ramananda Raya inquired, "What are the characteristics of emotional love?"Rupa Gosvami replied, "This is the nature of emotional love for Krsna:

CC Antya 1.148: "'My dear beautiful friend, if one develops love of Godhead, love of Krsna, the son of Nanda Maharaja, all the bitter and sweet influences of this love will manifest in one's heart. Such love of Godhead acts in two ways. The poisonous effects of love of Godhead defeat the severe and fresh poison of the serpent. Yet there is simultaneously transcendental bliss, which pours down and defeats the poisonous effects of a snake, as well as the happiness derived from pouring nectar on one's head. It is perceived as doubly effective, simultaneously poisonous and nectarean.'"

CC Antya 1.149: Ramananda Raya further inquired, "What are the natural characteristics of awakening love of Godhead?"Rupa Gosvami replied, "These are the natural characteristics of love of God:

CC Antya 1.150: "'When one hears praise from his beloved, he outwardly remains neutral but feels pain within his heart. When he hears his beloved making accusations about him, he takes them to be jokes and enjoys pleasure. When he finds faults in his beloved, they do not diminish his love, nor do the beloved's good qualities increase his spontaneous affection. Thus spontaneous love continues under all circumstances. That is how spontaneous love of Godhead acts within the heart.'

CC Antya 1.151: "'Upon hearing of My cruelty, moon-faced Radharani may establish some kind of tolerance in Her aggrieved heart. But then She might turn against Me. Or, indeed, being fearful of the lusty desires invoked by the bow of formidable Cupid, She might even give up Her life. Alas! I have foolishly uprooted the soft creeper of Her desire just when it was ready to bear fruit.'

CC Antya 1.152: "'Desiring the happiness of His association and embraces, My dear friend, I disregarded even My superiors and relaxed My shyness and gravity before them. Furthermore, although you are My best friend, more dear to Me than My own life, I have given you so much trouble. Indeed, I even put aside the vow of dedication to My husband, a vow kept by the most elevated women. Oh, alas! Although He is now neglecting Me, I am so sinful that I am still living. Therefore I must condemn My so-called patience.'

CC Antya 1.153: "'I was engaged in My own playful activities in My home, and because of My childish innocence I did not know right from wrong. Therefore, is it good for You to have forced Us into being so much attracted to You and then to have neglected Us? Now You are indifferent to Us. Do You think this is right?'

CC Antya 1.154: "'Our hearts are so polluted by miserable conditions that we are certainly going to Pluto's kingdom. Nevertheless, Krsna does not give up His beautiful loving smiling, which is full of cheating tricks. O Srimati Radharani, You are very intelligent. How could You have developed such great loving affection for this deceitful debauchee from the neighborhood of the cowherds?'

CC Antya 1.155: "'O Lord Krsna, You are just like an ocean. The river of Srimati Radharani has reached You from a long distance -- leaving far behind the tree of Her husband, breaking through the bridge of social convention, and forcibly crossing the hills of elder relatives. Coming here because of fresh feelings of love for You, that river has now received Your shelter, but now You are trying to turn Her back by the waves of unfavorable words. How is it that You are spreading this attitude?'"

CC Antya 1.156: Srila Ramananda Raya further inquired, "How have you described Vrndavana, the vibration of the transcendental flute, and the relationship between Krsna and Radhika?

CC Antya 1.157: "Please tell me all this, for your poetic ability is wonderful." After offering obeisances to Ramananda Raya, Rupa Gosvami gradually began answering his inquiries.

CC Antya 1.158: "'The sweet, fragrant honey oozing from newly grown mango buds is again and again attracting groups of bumblebees, and this forest is trembling in the softly moving breezes from the Malaya Hills, which are full of sandalwood trees. Thus the forest of Vrndavana is increasing My transcendental pleasure.'

CC Antya 1.159: "'My dear friend, see how this forest of Vrndavana is full of transcendental creepers and trees. The tops of the creepers are full of flowers, and intoxicated bumblebees are buzzing around them, humming songs that please the ear and surpass even the Vedic hymns.'

CC Antya 1.160: "'My dear friend, this forest of Vrndavana is giving great pleasure to our senses in various ways. Somewhere bumblebees are singing in groups, and in some places mild breezes are cooling the entire atmosphere. Somewhere the creepers and tree twigs are dancing, the mallika flowers are expanding their fragrance, and an overabundance of juice is constantly flowing in showers from pomegranate fruits.'

CC Antya 1.161: "'The flute of Krsna's pastimes measures three fingers in length, and it is bedecked with indranila gems. At the ends of the flute are aruna gems [rubies], glittering beautifully, and between its ends the flute is plated with gold set ablaze by diamonds. This auspicious flute, pleasing to Krsna, is glittering in His hand with transcendental brilliance.'

CC Antya 1.162: "'My dear friend the flute, it appears that you have been born of a very good family, for your residence is in the hands of Sri Krsna. By birth you are simple and are not at all crooked. Why then have you taken initiation into this dangerous mantra that enchants the assembled gopis?'

CC Antya 1.163: "'My dear friend the flute, you are actually full of many holes or faults. You are light, hard, juiceless and full of knots. But what kind of pious activities have engaged you in the service of being kissed by the Lord and embraced by His hands?'

CC Antya 1.164: "'The transcendental vibration of Krsna's flute blocked the movements of the rain clouds, struck the Gandharvas full of wonder, and agitated the meditation of great saintly persons like Sanaka and Sanandana. It created wonder in Lord Brahma, wrought intense curiosity that agitated the mind of Bali Maharaja, who was otherwise firmly fixed, made Maharaja Ananta, the carrier of the planets, whirl around, and penetrated the strong coverings of the universe. Thus the sound of the flute in the hands of Krsna created a wonderful situation.'

CC Antya 1.165: "'The beauty of Krsna's eyes surpasses the beauty of white lotus flowers, His yellow garments surpass the brilliance of fresh decorations of kunkuma, His ornaments of selected forest flowers subdue the hankering for the best of garments, and His bodily beauty possesses mind-attracting splendor greater than the jewels known as marakata-mani [emeralds].'

CC Antya 1.166: "'O most beautiful friend, please accept the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is standing before You full of transcendental bliss. The borders of His eyes roam from side to side, and His eyebrows move slowly like bumblebees on His lotuslike face. Standing with His right foot placed below the knee of His left leg, the middle of His body curved in three places, and His neck gracefully tilted to the side, He takes His flute to His pursed lips and moves His fingers upon it here and there.'

CC Antya 1.167: "'O beautiful-faced one, who is this creative person standing before us? With the sharp chisels of His loving glances, He is splitting the hard stones of many women's devotion to their husbands. And with the luster of His body, surpassing the brilliance of countless emeralds, He is simultaneously constructing private meeting places for His pastimes.'

CC Antya 1.168: "'My dear friend, this newly youthful Lord Sri Krsna, the moon in the family of Nanda Maharaja, is so beautiful that He defies the beauty of clusters of valuable jewels. All glories to the vibration of His flute, for it is cunningly breaking the patience of chaste ladies by loosening their belts and tight dresses.'

CC Antya 1.169: "'The beauty of Srimati Radharani's eyes forcibly devours the beauty of newly grown blue lotus flowers, and the beauty of Her face surpasses that of an entire forest of fully blossomed lotuses. Her bodily luster seems to place even gold into a painful situation. Thus the wonderful, unprecedented beauty of Srimati Radharani is awakening in Vrndavana.'

CC Antya 1.170: "'Although the effulgence of the moon is brilliant initially at night, in the daytime it fades away. Similarly, although the lotus is beautiful during the daytime, at night it closes. But, O My friend, the face of My most dear Srimati Radharani is always bright and beautiful, both day and night. Therefore, to what can Her face be compared?'

CC Antya 1.171: "'When Srimati Radharani smiles, waves of joy flow over Her cheeks, and Her arched eyebrows dance like the bow of Cupid. Her glance is so enchanting that it is like a dancing bumblebee moving unsteadily due to intoxication. That bee has bitten the whorl of My heart.'"

CC Antya 1.172: Having heard these verses recited by Rupa Gosvami, Srila Ramananda Raya said, "Your poetic expressions are like continuous showers of nectar. Kindly let me hear the introductory portion of the second drama."

CC Antya 1.173: Srila Rupa Gosvami said, "In your presence, which is just like brilliant sunshine, I am as insignificant as the light of a glowworm.

CC Antya 1.174: "It is even impudent for me to open my mouth before you." Then, having said this, he recited the introductory verse of the Lalita-madhava.

CC Antya 1.175: "'The beautiful moonlike glories of Mukunda give distress to the lotuslike faces of the wives of the demons and to their raised breasts, which are like gleaming cakravaka birds. Those glories, however, are pleasing to all His devotees, who are like cakora birds. May those glories forever give pleasure to you all.'"

CC Antya 1.176: When Srila Ramananda Raya further inquired about the second introductory verse, Srila Rupa Gosvami was somewhat hesitant, but nevertheless he began to recite.

CC Antya 1.177: "'The moonlike Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as the son of mother Saci, has now appeared on earth to spread devotional love of Himself. He is the emperor of the brahmana community. He can drive away all the darkness of ignorance and control the mind of everyone in the world. May that rising moon bestow upon us all good fortune.'"

CC Antya 1.178: Although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was inwardly greatly pleased when He heard this verse, externally He spoke as if angry.

CC Antya 1.179: "Your exalted poetic descriptions of the mellows of Lord Krsna's pastimes are like an ocean of nectar. But why have you put in a false prayer about Me? It is like a drop of detestable alkali."

CC Antya 1.180: Srila Ramananda Raya objected, "It is not alkali at all. It is a particle of camphor he has put into the nectar of his exalted poetic expression."

CC Antya 1.181: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "My dear Ramananda Raya, you are jubilant at hearing these poetic expressions, but I am ashamed to hear them, for people in general will joke about the subject of this verse."

CC Antya 1.182: Ramananda Raya said, "Instead of joking, people in general will feel great pleasure in hearing such poetry, for the initial remembrance of the worshipable Deity invokes good fortune."

CC Antya 1.183: Ramananda Raya inquired, "By which subdivision of style do the players enter?" Rupa Gosvami then began to speak specifically about this subject.

CC Antya 1.184: "'While dancing on the stage after having killed the ruler of uncivilized men [Kamsa], Lord Krsna, master of all arts, will at the proper time accept the hand of Srimati Radharani, who is qualified with all transcendental attributes.'

CC Antya 1.185: "This introduction is technically called udghatyaka, and the whole scene is called vithi. You are so expert in dramatic expression that each of my statements before you is like a wave from an ocean of impudence.

CC Antya 1.186: "'To explain an unclear word, men generally join it with other words. Such an attempt is called udghatyaka.'"

CC Antya 1.187: When Ramananda Raya requested Srila Rupa Gosvami to speak further about various portions of the play, Srila Rupa Gosvami briefly quoted his Lalita-madhava.

CC Antya 1.188: "'The dust from cows and calves on the road creates a kind of darkness indicating that Krsna is returning home from the pasture. Also, the darkness of evening provokes the gopis to meet Krsna. Thus the pastimes of Krsna and the gopis are covered by a kind of transcendental darkness and are therefore impossible for ordinary scholars of the Vedas to see.'

CC Antya 1.189: "'May the sweet sound of Lord Krsna's flute, His authorized messenger, be glorified, for it expertly releases Srimati Radharani from Her shyness and attracts Her from Her home to the forest.'

CC Antya 1.190: "'My dear friend, who is this fearless young man? He is as bright as a lightning cloud, and He wanders in His pastimes like a maddened elephant. From where has He come to Vrndavana? Alas, by His restless movements and attractive glances He is plundering from the vault of My heart the treasure of My patience.'

CC Antya 1.191: "'Srimati Radharani is the Ganges in which the elephant of My mind enjoys pastimes. She is the shining of the full autumn moon for the cakora birds of My eyes. She is the dazzling ornament, the bright and beautiful arrangement of stars, on the border of the sky of My chest. Now today I have gained Srimati Radharani because of the highly elevated state of My mind.'"

CC Antya 1.192: After hearing this, Srila Ramananda Raya submitted at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu the superexcellence of Srila Rupa Gosvami's poetic expression and began to praise it as if he had thousands of mouths.

CC Antya 1.193: Srila Ramananda Raya said, "This is not a poetic presentation; it is a continuous shower of nectar. Indeed, it is the essence of all ultimate realizations, appearing in the form of plays.

CC Antya 1.194: "The wonderful descriptions of Rupa Gosvami are superb arrangements to express loving affairs. Hearing them will plunge the heart and ears of everyone into a whirlpool of transcendental bliss.

CC Antya 1.195: "'What is the use of a bowman's arrow or a poet's poetry if they penetrate the heart but do not cause the head to spin?'

CC Antya 1.196: "Without Your mercy such poetic expressions would be impossible for an ordinary living being to write. My guess is that You have given him the power."

CC Antya 1.197: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied, "I met Srila Rupa Gosvami at Prayaga. He attracted and satisfied Me because of his qualities."

CC Antya 1.198: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu praised the metaphors and other literary ornaments of Srila Rupa Gosvami's transcendental poetry. Without such poetic attributes, He said, there is no possibility of preaching transcendental mellows.

CC Antya 1.199: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu requested all His personal associates to bless Rupa Gosvami so that he might continuously describe the pastimes of Vrndavana, which are full of emotional love of Godhead.

CC Antya 1.200: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Srila Rupa Gosvami's elder brother, whose name is Sanatana Gosvami, is such a wise and learned scholar that no one is equal to him."

CC Antya 1.201: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Ramananda Raya, "Sanatana Gosvami's renunciation of material connections is just like yours. Humility, renunciation and excellent learning exist in him simultaneously.

CC Antya 1.202: "I empowered both of these brothers to go to Vrndavana to expand the literature of bhakti."

CC Antya 1.203: Srila Ramananda Raya replied to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, "My Lord, You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If You like, You can cause even a wooden doll to dance.

CC Antya 1.204: "I see that the truths regarding transcendental mellows that You expounded through my mouth are all explained in the writings of Srila Rupa Gosvami.

CC Antya 1.205: "Because of Your causeless mercy toward Your devotees, You want to describe the transcendental pastimes in Vrndavana. Anyone empowered to do this can bring the entire world under Your influence."

CC Antya 1.206: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu then embraced Rupa Gosvami and asked him to offer prayers at the lotus feet of all the devotees present.

CC Antya 1.207: Advaita Acarya, Nityananda Prabhu and all the other devotees showed their causeless mercy to Rupa Gosvami by embracing him in return.

CC Antya 1.208: Seeing Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's special mercy toward Srila Rupa Gosvami and seeing his personal qualities, all the devotees were struck with wonder.

CC Antya 1.209: Then, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu left with all of His devotees, Haridasa Thakura also embraced Srila Rupa Gosvami.

CC Antya 1.210: Haridasa Thakura told him, "There is no limit to your good fortune. No one can understand the glories of what you have described."

CC Antya 1.211: Sri Rupa Gosvami said, "I do not know anything. The only transcendental words I can utter are those which Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu makes me speak.

CC Antya 1.212: "Although I am the lowest of men and have no knowledge, the Lord has mercifully bestowed upon me the inspiration to write transcendental literature about devotional service. Therefore I offer my obeisances at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has given me the chance to write these books."

CC Antya 1.213: In this way Srila Rupa Gosvami passed his time in close association with Haridasa Thakura by discussing the pastimes of Lord Krsna in great happiness.

CC Antya 1.214: All the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu thus spent four months with Him. Then the Lord bade them farewell, and they returned to Bengal.

CC Antya 1.215: Srila Rupa Gosvami, however, stayed at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and when the Dola-yatra festival took place, he saw it in great happiness with the Lord.

CC Antya 1.216: After the Dola-yatra festival ended, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu bade farewell to Rupa Gosvami also. The Lord empowered him and bestowed upon him all kinds of mercy.

CC Antya 1.217: "Now go to Vrndavana and stay there," the Lord said. "You may send here your elder brother, Sanatana.

CC Antya 1.218: "When you go to Vrndavana, stay there, preach transcendental literature and excavate the lost holy places.

CC Antya 1.219: "Establish the service of Lord Krsna and preach the mellows of Lord Krsna's devotional service. I shall also go to Vrndavana once more."

CC Antya 1.220: Having thus spoken, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu embraced Rupa Gosvami, who then placed the lotus feet of the Lord upon his head.

CC Antya 1.221: Srila Rupa Gosvami took leave of all the devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and returned to Vrndavana by the path through Bengal.

CC Antya 1.222: Thus I have described the second meeting of Rupa Gosvami and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Anyone who hears of this incident will certainly attain shelter at the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

CC Antya 1.223: Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always desiring their mercy, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, following in their footsteps.

Copyright (c) The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness