No one could see him, but they could hear him singing in a sweet voice. Therefore all the devotees, headed by Govinda, made this guess. (155) “Haridāsa must have committed suicide by drinking poison, and because of this sinful act, he has now become a brāhmaṇa ghost. (156) “We cannot see his material form,” they said, “but still we hear his sweet singing. Therefore he must have become a ghost.” Svarūpa Dāmodara, however, protested, “This is a false guess. (157) “Junior Haridāsa chanted the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra throughout his entire life and served the Supreme Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Moreover, he is dear to the Lord and has died in a holy place. (158)
“Haridāsa cannot have been degraded; he must have attained liberation. This is a pastime of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s. You will all understand it later.” (159) A devotee returned to Navadvīpa from Prayāga and told everyone the details of Junior Haridāsa’s suicide. (160) He explained how Junior Haridāsa had made his resolution and had thus entered the waters at the confluence of the Yamunā and Ganges. Hearing these details, Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura and the other devotees were very surprised. (161) At the end of the year, Śivānanda Sena came to Jagannātha Purī as usual, accompanied by the other devotees, and thus in great happiness met Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (162)
When Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura inquired from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “Where is Junior Haridāsa?” the Lord replied, “A person is sure to achieve the results of his fruitive activities.” (163) Then Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura related the details of Haridāsa’s decision and his entering the waters at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamunā. (164) When Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu heard these details, He smiled in a pleased mood and said, “If with sensual intentions one looks at women, this is the only process of atonement.” (165) Then all the devotees, headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, concluded that because Haridāsa had committed suicide at the confluence of the rivers Ganges and Yamunā, he must have ultimately attained shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (166)
In this way, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the son of mother Śacī, performs His pastimes, which greatly satisfy the ears and minds of pure devotees who hear about them. (167) This incident manifests the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, His teaching that a sannyāsī should remain in the renounced order, and the deep attachment to Him felt by His faithful devotees. (168) It also demonstrates the glories of holy places and shows how the Lord accepts His faithful devotee. Thus the Lord fulfilled five or seven purposes by performing one pastime. (169) The pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are like nectar, and they are deep like the ocean. People in general cannot understand them, but a sober devotee can. (170) Please hear the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with faith and confidence. Do not argue, for arguments will produce a contrary result. (171) 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. (172)
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