By the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, even a foolish child can fully describe the real nature of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the enjoyer of the pastimes of Vraja, according to the vision of the revealed scriptures. (1) All glory to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu! All glory to Lord Nityānanda! All glory to Śrī Advaita Ācārya! And all glory to all the devotees of Lord Caitanya! (2) I have described the meaning of the fourth verse. Now, O devotees, kindly hear the explanation of the fifth verse. (3) Just to explain the original verse, I shall first suggest its meaning. (4) I have given the essential meaning of the fourth verse: this incarnation [Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu] descends to propagate the chanting of the holy name and spread love of God. (5)
Although this is true, this is but the external reason for the Lord’s incarnation. Please hear one other reason-the confidential reason-for the Lord’s appearance. (6) The scriptures proclaim that Lord Kṛṣṇa previously descended to take away the burden of the earth. (7) To take away this burden, however, is not the work of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The maintainer, Lord Viṣṇu, is the one who protects the universe. (8) But the time to lift the burden of the world mixed with the time for Lord Kṛṣṇa’s incarnation. (9) When the complete Supreme Personality of Godhead descends, all other incarnations of the Lord meet together within Him. (10) Lord Nārāyaṇa, the four primary expansions [Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha], Matsya and the other līlā incarnations, the yuga- avatāras, the manvantara incarnations and as many other incarnations as there are – all descend in the body of Lord Kṛṣṇa. In this way the complete Supreme Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself, appears. (11-12) At that time, therefore, Lord Viṣṇu is present in the body of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and Lord Kṛṣṇa kills the demons through Him. (13)
Thus the killing of the demons is but secondary work. I shall now speak of the main reason for the Lord’s incarnation. (14) The Lord’s desire to appear was born from two reasons: the Lord wanted to taste the sweet essence of the mellows of love of God, and He wanted to propagate devotional service in the world on the platform of spontaneous attraction. Thus He is known as supremely jubilant and as the most merciful of all. (15-16) [Lord Kṛṣṇa thought:] “All the universe is filled with the conception of My majesty, but love weakened by that sense of majesty does not satisfy Me. (17) “If one regards Me as the Supreme Lord and himself as a subordinate, I do not become subservient to his love, nor can it control Me. (18) “In whatever transcendental mellow My devotee worships Me, I reciprocate with him. That is My natural behavior. (19)
“‘In whatever way My devotees surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Pṛthā.’ (20) “If one cherishes pure loving devotion to Me, thinking of Me as his son, his friend or his beloved, regarding himself as great and considering Me his equal or inferior, I become subordinate to him. (21 22) “‘Devotional service rendered to Me by the living beings revives their eternal life. O My dear damsels of Vraja, your affection for Me is your good fortune, for it is the only means by which you have obtained My favor.’ (23) “Mother sometimes binds Me as her son. She nourishes and protects Me, thinking Me utterly helpless. (24) “My friends climb on My shoulders in pure friendship, saying, ‘What kind of big man are You? You and I are equal.’ (25) “If My beloved consort reproaches Me in a sulky mood, that steals My mind from the reverent hymns of the Vedas. (26) “Taking these pure devotees with Me, I shall descend and sport in various wonderful ways, unknown even in Vaikuṇṭha. I shall broadcast such pastimes by which even I am amazed. (28)
“The influence of yogamāyā will inspire the gopīs with the sentiment that I am their paramour. (29)”Neither the gopīs nor I shall notice this, for our minds will always be entranced by one another’s beauty and qualities. (30) “Pure attachment will unite us even at the expense of moral and religious duties [dharma]. Destiny will sometimes bring us together and sometimes separate us. (31) “I shall taste the essence of all these rasas, and in this way I shall favor all the devotees. (32) “Then, by hearing about the pure love of the residents of Vraja, devotees will worship Me on the path of spontaneous love, abandoning all rituals of religiosity and fruitive activity.” (33)
Deepen your Bhakti-yoga practice, harmonize relationships, and receive guided coaching — all at Vedavarsity.com
