There was a resident of Nadia named Parameśvara, who was a confectioner living near the home of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (54) When the Lord was a boy, He would visit the house of Parameśvara Modaka again and again. The confectioner would supply the Lord milk and sweetmeats, and the Lord would eat them. (55) Parameśvara Modaka had been affectionate toward the Lord since His childhood, and he was one of those who came that year to see the Lord at Jagannātha Purī. (56) When he offered his obeisances to the Lord, he said, “I am the same Parameśvara.” Upon seeing him, the Lord asked him questions with great affection. (57)

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Parameśvara, may you be blessed. It is very good that you have come here.” Parameśvara then informed the Lord, “Mukundāra Mātā has also come.” (58) Hearing the name of Mukundāra Mātā, Lord Caitanya hesitated, but because of affection for Parameśvara, He did not say anything. (59) An intimate relationship sometimes makes a person overstep formal etiquette. Thus Parameśvara actually pleased the Lord in His heart by his simple and affectionate behavior. (60) All the devotees engaged in the cleansing ceremony of the Guṇḍicā temple and danced in front of the Ratha- yātrā chariot, just as they had done in the past. (61) For four consecutive months, the devotees observed all the festivals. The wives, such as Mālinī, extended invitations for lunch to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (62) From Bengal the devotees had brought varieties of Bengali food that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu liked. They also cooked various grains and vegetables in their homes and offered them to the Lord. (63)

During the day, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu engaged in various activities with His devotees, but at night He felt great separation from Kṛṣṇa and used to cry. (64) In this way the Lord spent the four months of the rainy season in various pastimes, and then He ordered the Bengali devotees to return to their homes. (65) All the devotees from Bengal would regularly invite Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu for lunch, and the Lord would speak to them in very sweet words. (66) “All of you come to see Me every year,” the Lord said. “To come here and then return must certainly give you great trouble. (67) “I would like to forbid you to do this, but I enjoy your company so much that My desire for your association only increases. (68) “I ordered Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu not to leave Bengal, but He has transgressed My order and come to see Me. What can I say? (69) “Out of His causeless mercy upon Me, Advaita Ācārya has also come here. I am indebted to Him for His affectionate behavior. This debt is impossible for Me to liquidate. (70)

“All My devotees come here just for Me. Leaving aside their homes and families, they travel by very difficult paths to come here in great haste. (71) “There is no fatigue or trouble for Me, for I stay here at Nīlācala, Jagannātha Purī, and do not move at all. This is the favor of all of you. (72) “I am a mendicant and have no money. How can I clear My debt for the favor you have shown Me? (73) “I have only this body, and therefore I surrender it unto you. Now, if you wish, you may sell it anywhere you like. It is your property.” (74) When all the devotees heard these sweet words of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, their hearts melted, and they began to shed incessant tears. (75) Catching hold of His devotees, the Lord embraced them all and began to cry and cry. (76)

Unable to leave, everyone remained there, and five to seven more days thus passed by. (77) Advaita Prabhu and Lord Nityānanda Prabhu submitted these words at the lotus feet of the Lord: “The entire world is naturally obligated to You for Your transcendental attributes. (78) “Yet You bind Your devotees again with Your sweet words. Under these circumstances, who can go anywhere?” (79) Then Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu peacefully calmed them all and bade each of them farewell. (80) The Lord specifically advised Nityānanda Prabhu, “You should not come here again and again. You will have My association in Bengal.” (81) The devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began their journey crying, while the Lord remained morosely at His residence. (82)

The Lord bound everyone by His transcendental mercy. Who can repay his debt for the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu? (83) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the fully independent Personality of Godhead and makes everyone dance as He likes. Leaving His company, therefore, all the devotees returned to their homes in different parts of the country. (84) As a wooden doll dances to the will of a puppeteer, everything is accomplished by the will of the Lord. Who can understand the characteristics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? (85) The previous year, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita, following the Lord’s order, had returned to the city of Nadia to see Śacīmātā. (86) When he arrived, he offered prayers at her lotus feet and then offered her the cloth and prasādam of Lord Jagannātha. (87)

He offered obeisances to Śacīmātā in the name of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and informed her of all the Lord’s submissive prayers to her. (88) Jagadānanda’s coming pleased mother Śacī very much. As he talked of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, she listened day and night. (89) Jagadānanda Paṇḍita said, “My dear mother, sometimes the Lord comes here and eats all the food you have offered. (90) “After eating the food, the Lord says, ‘Today Mother has fed Me up to My neck. (91) “‘I go there and eat the food My mother offers, but she cannot understand that I am eating it directly. She thinks that this is a dream.'” (92) Śacīmātā said, “I wish Nimāi would eat all the nice vegetables I cook. That is my desire. (93) Sometimes I think that Nimāi has eaten them, but afterwards I think that I was only dreaming.” (94) In this way, Jagadānanda Paṇḍita and mother Śacī talked day and night about the happiness of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (95) Jagadānanda Paṇḍita met all the other devotees in Nadia. They were all very happy to have him present. (96)

Jagadānanda Paṇḍita thereafter went to meet Advaita Ācārya, who also was very happy to have him. (97) Vāsudeva Datta and Murāri Gupta were so pleased to see Jagadānanda Paṇḍita that they kept him at their homes and would not allow him to leave. (98) They heard confidential narrations about Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu from the mouth of Jagadānanda Paṇḍita and forgot themselves in the great happiness of hearing about the Lord. (99) Whenever Jagadānanda Paṇḍita went to visit a devotee’s house, that devotee immediately forgot himself in great happiness. (100) All glories to Jagadānanda Paṇḍita! He is so favored by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu that anyone who meets him thinks, “Now I have gotten the association of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu directly.” (101) Jagadānanda Paṇḍita stayed at the house of Śivānanda Sena for some time, and they prepared about sixteen seers of scented sandalwood oil. (102)

They filled a large earthen pot with the aromatic oil, and with great care Jagadānanda Paṇḍita brought it to Nīlācala, Jagannātha Purī. (103) This oil was placed in the care of Govinda, and Jagadānanda requested him, “Please rub this oil on the body of the Lord.” (104) Govinda therefore told Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “Jagadānanda Paṇḍita has brought some scented sandalwood oil. (105) “It is his desire that Your Lordship apply a little of this oil on Your head so that blood pressure due to bile and air will be considerably diminished. (106) “He prepared a large jug of it in Bengal, and with great care he has brought it here.” (107) The Lord replied, “A sannyāsī has no use for oil, especially perfumed oil such as this. Take it out immediately.” (108) “Deliver this oil to the temple of Jagannātha, where it may be burned in the lamps. In this way, Jagadānanda’s labor in manufacturing the oil will be perfectly successful.” (109) When Govinda informed Jagadānanda Paṇḍita of this message, Jagadānanda remained silent, not saying even a word. (110)

O devotees, may the transcendental life and characteristics of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu always be heard, chanted and meditated upon with great happiness. (1) All glories to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is all- merciful! All glories to Nityānanda Prabhu, who is an ocean of mercy! (2) All glories to Advaita Ācārya, who is also an ocean of mercy! All glories to all the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, whose hearts are always filled with mercy! (3) The mind of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was always morose because of a continuously manifested feeling of separation from Kṛṣṇa. (4) The Lord would cry, “O My Lord Kṛṣṇa, My life and soul! O son of Mahārāja Nanda, where shall I go? Where shall I attain You? O Supreme Personality who play with Your flute to Your mouth!” (5)

This was His situation day and night. Unable to find peace of mind, He passed His nights with great difficulty in the company of Svarūpa Dāmodara and Rāmānanda Rāya. (6) Meanwhile, all the devotees journeyed from their homes in Bengal to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (7) Headed by Śivānanda Sena, Advaita Ācārya and others, all the devotees assembled in Navadvīpa. (8) The inhabitants of Kulīna- grāma and Khaṇḍa village also assembled at Navadvīpa. (9) Because Nityānanda Prabhu was preaching in Bengal, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had ordered Him not to come to Jagannātha Purī. That year, however, He went with the rest of the party to see the Lord. (10) Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura was also there with his three brothers and his wife, Mālinī. Ācāryaratna was similarly accompanied by his wife. (11) The wife of Śivānanda Sena also came, along with their three sons. Rāghava Paṇḍita joined them, carrying his famous bags of food. (12)

Vāsudeva Datta, Murāri Gupta, Vidyānidhi and many other devotees went to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. All together, they numbered two or three hundred. (13) The devotees first saw Śacīmātā and took her permission. Then in great happiness they started for Jagannātha Purī, congregationally chanting the holy name of the Lord. (14) Śivānanda Sena managed the payment of tolls at different places. Maintaining everyone, he guided all the devotees in great happiness. (15) Śivānanda Sena took care of everyone and gave each devotee places to stay. He knew all the paths leading to Orissa. (16) One day when the party was being checked by a toll collector, the devotees were allowed to pass, and Śivānanda Sena remained behind alone to pay the taxes. (17) The party went into a village and waited beneath a tree because no one but Śivānanda Sena could arrange for their residential quarters. (18) Nityānanda Prabhu meanwhile became very hungry and upset. Because He had not yet obtained a suitable residence, He began calling Śivānanda Sena ill names. (19)

“Śivānanda Sena has not arranged for My residence,” He complained, “and I am so hungry I could die. Because he has not come, I curse his three sons to die.” (20) Hearing this curse, Śivānanda Sena’s wife began to cry. Just then, Śivānanda returned from the toll station. (21) Crying, his wife informed him, “Lord Nityānanda has cursed our sons to die because His quarters have not been provided.” (22) Śivānanda Sena replied, “You crazy woman! Why are you needlessly crying? Let my three sons die for all the inconvenience we have caused Nityānanda Prabhu.” (23) After saying this, Śivānanda Sena went to Nityānanda Prabhu, who then stood up and kicked him. (24) Very pleased at being kicked, Śivānanda Sena quickly arranged for a milkman’s house to be the Lord’s residence. (25) Śivānanda Sena touched the lotus feet of Nityānanda Prabhu and led Him to His residence. After giving the Lord His quarters, Śivānanda Sena, being very pleased, spoke as follows. (26) “Today You have accepted me as Your servant and have properly punished me for my offense. (27)

“My dear Lord, Your chastising me is Your causeless mercy. Who within the three worlds can understand Your real character? (28) “The dust of Your lotus feet is not attainable even by Lord Brahmā, yet Your lotus feet have touched my wretched body. (29) “Today my birth, my family and my activities have all become successful. Today I have achieved the fulfillment of religious principles, economic development, satisfaction of the senses and ultimately devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa.” (30) When Lord Nityānanda heard this, He was very happy. He rose and embraced Śivānanda Sena in great love. (31) Being very much pleased by Nityānanda Prabhu’s behavior, Śivānanda Sena began to arrange residential quarters for all the Vaiṣṇavas, headed by Advaita Ācārya. (32)

One of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu’s characteristics is His contradictory nature. When He becomes angry and kicks someone, it is actually for his benefit. (33) Śivānanda Sena’s nephew, Śrīkānta, the son of his sister, felt offended, and he commented on the matter when his uncle was absent. (34) “My uncle is well known as one of the associates of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, but Lord Nityānanda Prabhu asserts His superiority by kicking him.” (35) After saying this, Śrīkānta, who was only a boy, left the group and traveled on alone to the residence of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (36) When Śrīkānta offered obeisances to the Lord, he was still wearing his shirt and coat. Therefore Govinda told him, “My dear Śrīkānta, first take off these garments.” (37) As Govinda was warning Śrīkānta, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Don’t bother him. Let Śrīkānta do whatever he likes, for he has come here in a distressed state of mind.” (38)

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu inquired from Śrīkānta about all the Vaiṣṇavas, and the boy informed the Lord about them, naming them one after another. (39) When Śrīkānta Sena heard the Lord say “He is distressed,” he could understand that the Lord is omniscient. (40) As he described the Vaiṣṇavas, therefore, he did not mention Lord Nityānanda’s kicking Śivānanda Sena. Meanwhile, all the devotees arrived and went to meet the Lord. (41) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu received them all, just as He had in previous years. The women, however, saw the Lord from a distance. (42) The Lord again arranged for the residential quarters of all the devotees and thereafter called them to partake of the remnants of food offered to Lord Jagannātha. (43) Śivānanda Sena introduced his three sons to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Because they were his sons, the Lord showed the boys great mercy. (44)

Lord Caitanya asked the youngest son’s name, and Śivānanda Sena informed the Lord that his name was Paramānanda dāsa. (45) Once before when Śivānanda Sena had visited Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu at His residence, the Lord had told him, “When this son is born, give him the name Purī dāsa.” (46-47) The son was in the womb of Śivānanda’s wife, and when Śivānanda returned home the son was born. (48) The child was named Paramānanda dāsa in accordance with the Lord’s order, and the Lord jokingly called him Purī dāsa. (49) When Śivānanda Sena introduced the child to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord put His toe in the child’s mouth. (50) No one can cross over the ocean of Śivānanda Sena’s good fortune, for the Lord considered Śivānanda’s whole family His own. (51) The Lord ate lunch in the company of all the devotees, and after washing His hands and mouth He gave an order to Govinda. (52)

“As long as Śivānanda Sena’s wife and children stay in Jagannātha Purī,” He said, “they must be given the remnants of My food.” (5 his shirt and coat. Therefore Govinda told him, “My dear Śrīkānta, first take off these garments.” (37) As Govinda was warning Śrīkānta, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “Don’t bother him. Let Śrīkānta do whatever he likes, for he has come here in a distressed state of mind.” (38) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu inquired from Śrīkānta about all the Vaiṣṇavas, and the boy informed the Lord about them, naming them one after another. (39) When Śrīkānta Sena heard the Lord say “He is distressed,” he could understand that the Lord is omniscient. (40)

As he described the Vaiṣṇavas, therefore, he did not mention Lord Nityānanda’s kicking Śivānanda Sena. Meanwhile, all the devotees arrived and went to meet the Lord. (41) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu received them all, just as He had in previous years. The women, however, saw the Lord from a distance. (42) The Lord again arranged for the residential quarters of all the devotees and thereafter called them to partake of the remnants of food offered to Lord Jagannātha. (43) Śivānanda Sena introduced his three sons to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Because they were his sons, the Lord showed the boys great mercy. (44) Lord Caitanya asked the youngest son’s name, and Śivānanda Sena informed the Lord that his name was Paramānanda dāsa. (45)

Once before when Śivānanda Sena had visited Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu at His residence, the Lord had told him, “When this son is born, give him the name Purī dāsa.” (46-47) The son was in the womb of Śivānanda’s wife, and when Śivānanda returned home the son was born. (48) The child was named Paramānanda dāsa in accordance with the Lord’s order, and the Lord jokingly called him Purī dāsa. (49) When Śivānanda Sena introduced the child to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Lord put His toe in the child’s mouth. (50) No one can cross over the ocean of Śivānanda Sena’s good fortune, for the Lord considered Śivānanda’s whole family His own. (51) The Lord ate lunch in the company of all the devotees, and after washing His hands and mouth He gave an order to Govinda. (52) “As long as Śivānanda Sena’s wife and children stay in Jagannātha Purī,” He said, “they must be given the remnants of My food.” (53)

There was a tumultuous noise as they all chanted the holy names “Hari” and “Kṛṣṇa.” Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu became overwhelmed with ecstatic love. (58) The Lord raised the body of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and placed it on His lap. Then He began to dance in the courtyard in great ecstatic love. (59) Because of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s ecstatic love, all the devotees were helpless, and in ecstatic love they also began to dance and chant congregationally. (60) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced for some time, and then Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī informed Him of other rituals for the body of Ṭhākura Haridāsa. (61) The body of Haridāsa Ṭhākura was then raised onto a carrier that resembled an airship and taken to the sea, accompanied by congregational chanting. (62)

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced in front of the procession, and Vakreśvara Paṇḍita, along with the other devotees, chanted and danced behind Him. (63) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bathed the body of Haridāsa Ṭhākura in the sea and then declared, “From this day on, this sea has become a great pilgrimage site.” (64) Everyone drank the water that had touched the lotus feet of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, and then they smeared remnants of Lord Jagannātha’s sandalwood pulp over Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s body. (65) After a hole was dug in the sand, the body of Haridāsa Ṭhākura was placed into it. Remnants from Lord Jagannātha, such as His silken ropes, sandalwood pulp, food and cloth, were placed on the body. (66) All around the body, the devotees performed congregational chanting, and Vakreśvara Paṇḍita danced in jubilation. (67) With His transcendental hands, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally covered the body of Haridāsa Ṭhākura with sand, chanting “Haribol! Haribol!” (68) The devotees covered the body of Haridāsa Ṭhākura with sand and then constructed a platform upon the site. The platform was protected all around by fencing. (69)

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced and chanted all around the platform, and as the holy name of Hari roared tumultuously, the whole universe became filled with the vibration. (70) After saṅkīrtana, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bathed in the sea with His devotees, swimming and playing in the water in great jubilation. (71) After circumambulating the tomb of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to the Siṁha- dvāra gate of the Jagannātha temple. The whole city chanted in congregation, and the tumultuous sound vibrated all over the city. (72) Approaching the Siṁha- dvāra gate, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu spread His cloth and began to beg prasādam from all the shopkeepers there. (73) “I am begging prasādam for a festival honoring the passing away of Haridāsa Ṭhākura,” the Lord said. “Please give Me alms.” (74)

Hearing this, all the shopkeepers immediately came forward with big baskets of prasādam, which they jubilantly delivered to Lord Caitanya. (75) However, Svarūpa Dāmodara stopped them, and the shopkeepers returned to their shops and sat down with their baskets. (76) Svarūpa Dāmodara sent Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu back to His residence and kept with him four Vaiṣṇavas and four servant carriers. (77) Svarūpa Dāmodara said to all the shopkeepers, “Deliver to me four palmfuls of prasādam from each and every item.” (78) In this way varieties of prasādam were collected, then packed up in different loads and carried on the heads of the four servants. (79) Not only did Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī bring prasādam, but Vāṇīnātha Paṭṭanāyaka and Kāśī Miśra also sent large quantities. (80) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu made all the devotees sit in rows and personally began to distribute the prasādam, assisted by four other men. (81)

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was not accustomed to taking prasādam in small quantities. He therefore put on each plate what at least five men could eat. (82) Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī requested Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, “Please sit down and watch. With these men to help me, I shall distribute the prasādam.” (83) The four men-Svarūpa Dāmodara, Jagadānanda, Kāśīśvara and Śaṅkara distributed the prasādam continuously. (84) All the devotees who sat down would not eat the prasādam as long as the Lord had not eaten. On that day, however, Kāśī Miśra had extended an invitation to the Lord. (85) Therefore Kāśī Miśra personally went there and delivered prasādam to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu with great attention and made Him eat. (86) With Paramānanda Purī and Brahmānanda Bhāratī, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu sat down and accepted the prasādam. When He began to eat, so did all the Vaiṣṇavas. (87)

Everyone was filled up to the neck because Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu kept telling the distributors, “Give them more! Give them more!” (88) After all the devotees finished accepting prasādam and had washed their hands and mouths, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu decorated each of them with a flower garland and sandalwood pulp. (89) Overwhelmed with ecstatic love, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu offered a benediction to all the devotees, which all the devotees heard with great satisfaction. (90) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave this benediction: “Anyone who has seen the festival of Śrī Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s passing away, anyone who has chanted and danced here, anyone who has offered sand on the body of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, and anyone who has joined this festival to partake of the prasādam will achieve the favor of Kṛṣṇa very soon. There is such wonderful power in seeing Haridāsa Ṭhākura. (91 93) “Being merciful upon Me, Kṛṣṇa gave Me the association of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Being independent in His desires, He has now broken that association. (94)

“When Haridāsa Ṭhākura wanted to leave this material world, it was not within My power to detain him. (95) “Simply by his will, Haridāsa Ṭhākura could give up his life and go away, exactly like Bhīṣma, who previously died simply by his own desire, as we have heard from śāstra. (96) “Haridāsa Ṭhākura was the crown jewel on the head of this world; without him, this world is now bereft of its valuable jewel.” (97) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then told everyone, “Say ‘All glories to Haridāsa Ṭhākura!’ and chant the holy name of Hari.” Saying this, He personally began to dance. (98) Everyone began to chant, “All glories to Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who revealed the importance of chanting the holy name of the Lord!” (99) Thereafter, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bade farewell to all the devotees, and He Himself, with mixed feelings of happiness and distress, took rest. (100) Thus I have spoken about the victorious passing away of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Anyone who hears this narration will certainly fix his mind firmly in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa. (101)

From the incident of Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s passing away and the great care Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu took in commemorating it, one can understand just how affectionate He is toward His devotees. Although He is the topmost of all sannyāsīs, He fully satisfied the desire of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. (102) When Haridāsa Ṭhākura was at the last stage of his life, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave him His company and allowed him to touch Him. Thereafter, He took the body of Ṭhākura Haridāsa on His lap and personally danced with it. (103) Out of His causeless mercy the Lord personally covered the body of Haridāsa Ṭhākura with sand and personally begged alms from the shopkeepers. Then He conducted a great festival to celebrate the passing away of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. (104)

Haridāsa Ṭhākura was not only the topmost devotee of the Lord but also a great and learned scholar. It was his great fortune that he passed away before Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (105) The life and characteristics of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are exactly like an ocean of nectar, one drop of which can please the mind and ear. (106) Anyone who desires to cross over the ocean of nescience, please hear with great faith the life and characteristics of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (107) 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. (108)

Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto Haridāsa Ṭhākura and his master, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who danced with the body of Haridāsa Ṭhākura on His lap. (1) All glories to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is very merciful and who is very dear to Advaita Ācārya and Lord Nityānanda! (2) All glories to the master of Śrīnivāsa Ṭhākura! All glories to the master of Haridāsa Ṭhākura! All glories to the dear master of Gadādhara Paṇḍita! All glories to the master of the life of Svarūpa Dāmodara! (3) All glories to Lord Śrī Caitanya, who is very dear to Kāśī Miśra! He is the Lord of the life of Jagadānanda and the Lord of Rūpa Gosvāmī, Sanātana Gosvāmī and Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī. (4) All glories to the transcendental form of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is Kṛṣṇa Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead! My dear Lord, kindly give me shelter at Your lotus feet by Your causeless mercy. (5)

All glories to Lord Nityānanda, who is the life and soul of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu! My dear Lord, kindly give me engagement in devotional service at Your lotus feet. (6) All glories to Advaita Ācārya, who is treated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as superior due to His age and respectability! Please give me engagement in devotional service at Your lotus feet. (7) All glories to all the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, for the Lord is their life and soul! All of you, kindly bestow devotional service upon me. (8) All glories to Rūpa Gosvāmī, Sanātana Gosvāmī, Jīva Gosvāmī, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī and Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, the six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana! They are all my masters. (9) I am writing this narration of the pastimes and attributes of the Lord by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His associates. I do not know how to write properly, but I am purifying myself by writing this description. (10)

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu thus resided at Jagannātha Purī with His personal devotees and enjoyed the congregational chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā- mantra. (11) In the daytime Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu engaged in dancing and chanting and in seeing the temple of Lord Jagannātha. At night, in the company of His most confidential devotees, such as Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, He tasted the nectar of the transcendental mellows of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes. (12) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu very happily passed His days in this way at Nīlācala, Jagannātha Purī. Feeling separation from Kṛṣṇa, He exhibited many transcendental symptoms all over His body. (13) Day after day the symptoms increased, and at night they increased even more. All these symptoms, such as transcendental anxiety, agitation and talking like a madman, were present, just as they are described in the śāstras. (14)

Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī and Rāmānanda Rāya, the chief assistants in Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes, remained with Him both day and night. (15) One day Govinda, the personal servant of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, went in great jubilation to deliver the remnants of Lord Jagannātha’s food to Haridāsa Ṭhākura. (16) When Govinda came to Haridāsa, he saw that Haridāsa Ṭhākura was lying on his back and chanting his rounds very slowly. (17) “Please rise and take your mahā- prasādam,” Govinda said. Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “Today I shall observe fasting. (18) “I have not finished chanting my regular number of rounds. How, then, can I eat? But you have brought mahā- prasādam, and how can I neglect it?” (19) Saying this, he offered prayers to the mahā- prasādam, took a little portion, and ate it. (20) The next day, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Haridāsa’s place and inquired from him, “Haridāsa, are you well?” (21) Haridāsa offered his obeisances to the Lord and replied, “My body is all right, but my mind and intelligence are not well.” (22)

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu further inquired from Haridāsa, “Can you ascertain what your disease is?” Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “My disease is that I cannot complete my rounds.” (23) “Now that you have become old,” the Lord said, “you may reduce the number of rounds you chant daily. You are already liberated, and therefore you need not follow the regulative principles very strictly. (24) “Your role in this incarnation is to deliver the people in general. You have sufficiently preached the glories of the holy name in this world.” (25) The Lord concluded, “Now, therefore, please reduce the fixed number of times you chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā- mantra.” Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “Kindly hear my real plea. (26) “I was born in an inferior family, and my body is most abominable. I always engage in low work. Therefore, I am the lowest, most condemned of men. (27) “I am unseeable and untouchable, but You have accepted me as Your servant. This means that You have delivered me from a hellish condition and raised me to the Vaikuṇṭha platform. (28) “My dear Lord, You are the fully independent Personality of Godhead. You act by Your own free will. You cause the whole world to dance and act as You like. (29)

“My dear Lord, by Your mercy You have made me dance in many ways. For example, I was offered the śrāddha- pātra, which should have been offered to first- class brāhmaṇas. I ate from it even though I was born in a family of meat- eaters. (30) “I have had one desire for a very long time. I think that quite soon, my Lord, You will bring to a close Your pastimes within this material world. (31) “I wish that You not show me this closing chapter of Your pastimes. Before that time comes, kindly let my body fall down in Your presence. (32) “I wish to catch Your lotuslike feet upon my heart and see Your moonlike face. (33) “With my tongue I shall chant Your holy name, ‘Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya!’ That is my desire. Kindly let me give up my body in this way. (34) “O most merciful Lord, if by Your mercy it is possible, kindly grant my desire. (35) “Let this lowborn body fall down before You. You can make possible this perfection of all my desires.” (36)

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, “My dear Haridāsa, Kṛṣṇa is so merciful that He must execute whatever you want. (37) “But whatever happiness is Mine is all due to your association. It is not fitting for you to go away and leave Me behind.” (38) Catching the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Haridāsa Ṭhākura said, “My Lord, do not create an illusion! Although I am so fallen, You must certainly show me this mercy! (39) “My Lord, there are many respectable personalities, millions of devotees, who are fit to sit on my head. They are all helpful in Your pastimes. (40) “My Lord, if an insignificant insect like me dies, what is the loss? If an ant dies, where is the loss to the material world? (41) “My Lord, You are always affectionate to Your devotees. I am just an imitation devotee, but nevertheless I wish that You fulfill my desire. That is my expectation.” (42) Because He had to perform His noon duties, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu got up to leave, but it was settled that the following day, after He saw Lord Jagannātha, He would return to visit Haridāsa Ṭhākura. (43)

After embracing him, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu left to perform His noon duties and went to the sea to take His bath. (44) The next morning, after visiting the Jagannātha temple, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, accompanied by all His devotees, went hastily to see Haridāsa Ṭhākura. (45) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the devotees came before Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who offered his respects to the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and all the Vaiṣṇavas. (46) Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu inquired, “My dear Haridāsa, what is the news?” Haridāsa Ṭhākura replied, “My Lord, whatever mercy You can bestow upon me.” (47) Upon hearing this, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately began great congregational chanting in the courtyard. Vakreśvara Paṇḍita was the chief dancer. (48) Headed by Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, all the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu surrounded Haridāsa Ṭhākura and began congregational chanting. (49)

In front of all the great devotees like Rāmānanda Rāya and Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu began to describe the holy attributes of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. (50) As He described the transcendental attributes of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu seemed to possess five mouths. The more He described, the more His great happiness increased. (51) After hearing of the transcendental qualities of Haridāsa Ṭhākura, all the devotees present were struck with wonder. They all offered their respectful obeisances to the lotus feet of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. (52) Haridāsa Ṭhākura made Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu sit down in front of him, and then he fixed his eyes, like two bumblebees, on the lotus face of the Lord. (53) He held the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu on his heart and then took the dust of the feet of all the devotees present and put it on his head. (54) He began to chant the holy name of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya again and again. As he drank the sweetness of the face of the Lord, tears constantly glided down from his eyes. (55) While chanting the holy name of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, he gave up his air of life and left his body. (56) Seeing the wonderful death of Haridāsa Ṭhākura by his own will, which was just like a great mystic yogī’s, everyone remembered the passing away of Bhīṣma. (57)