Now I have worshiped all th1e various levels of devotees. Worshiping them is the source of all good fortune. (82) In the first verse I have invoked a general benediction, but in the second I have prayed to the Lord in a particular form. (83) “I offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda, who are like the sun and moon. They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauḍa to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all.” (84)
Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, the Personalities of Godhead, who formerly appeared in Vṛndāvana and were millions of times more effulgent than the sun and moon, have arisen over the eastern horizon of Gauḍadeśa [West Bengal], being compassionate for the fallen state of the world. (85-86) The appearance of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Prabhu Nityānanda has surcharged the world with happiness. (87) As the sun and moon drive away darkness by their appearance and reveal the nature of everything, these two brothers dissipate the darkness of ignorance covering the living beings and enlighten them with knowledge of the Absolute Truth. (88-89) The darkness of ignorance is called kaitava, the way of cheating, which begins with religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation. (90)
“The great scripture Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam, compiled by Mahā-muni Vyāsadeva from four original verses, describes the most elevated and kindhearted devotees and completely rejects the cheating ways of materially motivated religiosity. It propounds the highest principle of eternal religion, which can factually mitigate the threefold miseries of a living being and award the highest benediction of full prosperity and knowledge. Those willing to hear the message of this scripture in a submissive attitude of service can at once capture the Supreme Lord in their hearts. Therefore there is no need for any scripture other than Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam.” (91) The foremost process of cheating is to desire to achieve liberation by merging into the Supreme, for this causes the permanent disappearance of loving service to Kṛṣṇa. (92)
“The prefix ‘pra’ [in the verse from Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam] indicates that the desire for liberation is completely rejected.” (93) All kinds of activities, both auspicious and inauspicious, that are detrimental to the discharge of transcendental loving service to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa are actions of the darkness of ignorance. (94) By the grace of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda, this darkness of ignorance is removed and the truth is brought to light. (95) The Absolute Truth is Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and loving devotion to Śrī Kṛṣṇa exhibited in pure love is achieved through congregational chanting of the holy name, which is the essence of all bliss. (96)
The sun and moon dissipate the darkness of the external world and thus reveal external material objects like pots and plates. (97) But these two brothers [Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda] dissipate the darkness of the inner core of the heart, and thus They help one meet the two kinds of bhāgavatas [persons or things in relationship with of the bhāgavatas is the great scripture Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam, and the other is the pure devotee absorbed in the mellows of loving devotion. (99) Through the actions of these two bhāgavatas the Lord instills the mellows of transcendental loving service into the heart of a living being, and thus the Lord, in the heart of His devotee, comes under the control of the devotee’s love. (100) The first wonder is that both brothers appear simultaneously, and the other is that They illuminate the innermost depths of the heart. (101)
These two, the sun and moon, are very kind to the people of the world. Thus for the good fortune of all, They have appeared on the horizon of Bengal. (102) Let us therefore worship the holy feet of these two Lords. Thus one can be rid of all difficulties on the path of self- realization. (103) I have invoked the benediction of the Lords with these two verses [texts 1 and 2 of this chapter]. Now please hear attentively the purport of the third verse. (104) I purposely avoid extensive description for fear of increasing the bulk of this book. I shall describe the essence as concisely as possible. (105) “Essential truth spoken concisely is true eloquence.” (106) Simply hearing submissively will free one’s heart from all the faults of ignorance, and thus one will achieve deep love for Kṛṣṇa. This is the path of peace. (107)
If one patiently hears about the glories of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu and Śrī Advaita Prabhu-and Their devotees, devotional activities, names and fame, along with the mellows of Their transcendental loving exchanges-one will learn the essence of the Absolute Truth. Therefore I have described these [in the Caitanya- caritāmṛta] with logic and discrimination. (108-109) 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. (110)
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