Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Antya 3 Summary

A summary of the Third Chapter is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura as follows. A beautiful young brahmana girl in Jagannatha Puri had a very handsome son who was coming every day to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This was not very much to the liking of Damodara Pandita, however, who therefore told Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, "If You display so much love for this boy, people will doubt Your character." Hearing these words from Damodara Pandita, the Lord sent him to Navadvipa to supervise the affairs of His mother, Sacidevi. He also especially requested Damodara Pandita to remind His mother that He was sometimes going to her home to accept the food she offered. Thus, following the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Damodara Pandita went to Navadvipa, taking with him all kinds of prasadam from Lord Jagannatha.

On another occasion, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu once inquired from Haridasa Thakura, who was known as Brahma Haridasa, how the yavanas, or persons bereft of Vedic culture, would be delivered in Kali-yuga. Haridasa Thakura replied that their deliverance would be possible if they very loudly chanted the Hare Krsna mantra, for hearing the Hare Krsna mantra chanted loudly, even with but little realization, would help them.

After describing this incident, the author of the Caitanya-caritamrta also describes how Haridasa Thakura was tested at Benapola, a village near Santipura. A person named Ramacandra Khan, who was envious of Haridasa Thakura, sent a professional prostitute to attempt to defame him, but by the mercy of Haridasa Thakura, even the prostitute was delivered. Because of offending a pure Vaisnava, Ramacandra Khan was later cursed by Nityananda Prabhu and ruined.

From Benapola, Haridasa Thakura went to the village known as Candapura, where he lived at the house of Balarama Acarya. Thereafter, Haridasa Thakura was received by two brothers known as Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara, but in the course of a discussion he was offended by a caste brahmana known as Gopala Cakravarti. Because of this offense, Gopala Cakravarti was punished by being afflicted with leprosy.

Haridasa Thakura later left Candapura and went to the house of Advaita Acarya, where he was tested by Mayadevi, the personification of the external energy. She also received his favor by being blessed with the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness