Chaitanya Charitamrta | Madhya Lila | Chapter 25 | Section 157

I shall now review the chapters of the Madhya-līlā- līlā chronologically - Madhya līlā - In the First Chapter I have given a synopsis of the last pastimes [Antya-līlā- līlā]. Within this chapter is a vivid description of some of the pastimes of the Lord that took place toward the end of His life. (242)

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I shall now review the chapters of the Madhya-līlā- līlā chronologically – Madhya līlā – In the First Chapter I have given a synopsis of the last pastimes [Antya-līlā- līlā]. Within this chapter is a vivid description of some of the pastimes of the Lord that took place toward the end of His life. (242) In the First Chapter I have given a synopsis of the last pastimes [Antya-līlā]. Within this chapter is a vivid description of some of the pastimes of the Lord that took place toward the end of His life. (243) In the Second Chapter I have described Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s talking like a crazy man. Within this chapter it is indicated how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu manifested His different emotional moods. (244)

In the Third Chapter I have described the Lord’s acceptance of the renounced order and how He enjoyed His pastimes at the house of Advaita Ācārya. (245) In the Fourth Chapter I have described Mādhavendra Purī’s installation of the Gopāla Deity as well as Gopīnātha’s stealing a pot of condensed milk at Remuṇā. (246) In the Fifth Chapter I have narrated the story of Sākṣi- gopāla. Lord Nityānanda Prabhu narrated this while Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu listened. (247) In the Sixth Chapter I have told how Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya was delivered, and in the Seventh Chapter I have described the Lord’s tour of different holy places and His deliverance of Vāsudeva. (248) In the Eighth Chapter I have recorded the Lord’s elaborate discussion with Rāmānanda Rāya. The Lord personally listened as Rāmānanda gave the conclusive essence of all Vedic literatures. (249) In the Ninth Chapter I have described the Lord’s tour of South India and the different places of pilgrimage. In the Tenth Chapter I have described His meeting with all His devotees. (250)

In the Eleventh Chapter I have described the great chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā- mantra that surrounded the Lord. In the Twelfth Chapter I have given a narration of the cleansing and washing of the Guṇḍicā temple. (251) In the Thirteenth Chapter I have described Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s dancing before the chariot of Jagannātha. In the Fourteenth Chapter, there is an account of the Herā- pañcamī function. (252) Also in the Fourteenth Chapter is an account of how the emotional ecstasy of the gopīs was described by Svarūpa Dāmodara and tasted by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (253) In the Fifteenth Chapter I have described how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu highly praised the qualities of His devotees and accepted lunch at the house of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya. At that time, He delivered Amogha. (254)

In the Sixteenth Chapter I have described how Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu departed for Vṛndāvana and journeyed through Bengal. He later returned to Jagannātha Purī from Kānāi Nāṭaśālā. (255) In the Seventeenth Chapter I have described the Lord’s journey through the great forest of Jhārikhaṇḍa and His arrival at Mathurā. In the Eighteenth Chapter there is a description of His tour of the forest of Vṛndāvana. (256) In the Nineteenth Chapter I have described how the Lord returned to Prayāga from Mathurā and empowered Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī to spread devotional service. (257) In the Twentieth Chapter the Lord’s meeting with Sanātana Gosvāmī is described. The Lord described the personal features of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in depth. (258)

In the Twenty- first Chapter there is a description of Kṛṣṇa’s beauty and opulence, and in the Twenty- second Chapter there is a description of the twofold discharge of devotional service. (259) In the Twenty- third Chapter there is a description of the mellows of transcendental loving service, and in the Twenty- fourth Chapter I have described how the Lord analyzed the ātmārāma verse. (260) In the Twenty- fifth Chapter there is a description of how the residents of Vārāṇasī were converted to Vaiṣṇavism and how the Lord returned to Nīlācala [Jagannātha Purī] from Vārāṇasī. (261) I have thus summarized these pastimes in the Twenty- fifth Chapter. Hearing this summary, one can understand the whole purport of this scripture. (262) I have now summarized the entire subject matter of the Madhya līlā- lila – these pastimes can not be described even in missions of books. (263)

To deliver all fallen souls, the Lord traveled from country to country. He personally tasted the transcendental pleasure of devotional service, and He simultaneously spread the cult of devotion everywhere. (264) Kṛṣṇa consciousness means understanding the truth of Kṛṣṇa, the truth of devotional service, the truth of love of Godhead, the truth of emotional ecstasy, the truth of transcendental mellows and the truth of the pastimes of the Lord. (265) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has personally preached the transcendental truths and mellows of Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam. Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam and the Supreme Personality of Godhead are identical, for Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam is the sound incarnation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (266) Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu broadcast the purport of Śrīmad- Bhāgavatam. He sometimes spoke for the benefit of His devotees and sometimes empowered one of His devotees to speak while He listened. (267)

All sane men within these three worlds certainly accept the conclusion that no one is more merciful and magnanimous than Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and that no one is as kind to his devotees. (268) All devotees should hear about Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes with faith and love. By the grace of the Lord, one can thus attain shelter at His lotus feet. (269) By understanding the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, one can understand the truth about Kṛṣṇa. By understanding Kṛṣṇa, one can understand the limit of all knowledge described in various revealed scriptures. (270) The pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa are the essence of all nectar, and that nectar is flowing in hundreds of rivers in all directions. The pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are an eternal reservoir, and one is advised to let his mind swim like a swan on this transcendental lake. (271) With all humility, I submit myself to the lotus feet of all of you devotees, taking the dust from your feet as my bodily ornaments. Now, my dear devotees, please hear one thing more from me. (272)

Devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is exactly like a pleasing, jubilant forest of lotus flowers wherein there is ample honey. I request everyone to taste this honey. If all the mental speculators bring the bees of their minds into this forest of lotus flowers and jubilantly enjoy ecstatic love of Kṛṣṇa day and night, their mental speculation will be completely transcendentally satisfied. (273) The devotees who have a relationship with Kṛṣṇa are like the swans and cakravāka birds who play in that forest of lotus flowers. The buds of those lotus flowers are the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, and they are edibles for the swanlike devotees. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is always engaged in His transcendental pastimes; therefore the devotees, following in the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, can always eat those lotus buds, for they are the pastimes of the Lord. (274) All the devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu should go to that lake and, remaining always under the shelter of the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, become swans and cakravāka birds in those celestial waters. They should go on rendering service to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and enjoy life perpetually. In this way all miseries will be diminished, the devotees will attain great happiness, and there will be jubilant love of God. (275)

The devotees who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu take the responsibility for distributing nectarean devotional service all over the world. They are like clouds pouring water on the ground that nourishes the fruit of love of Godhead in this world. The devotees eat that fruit to their hearts’ content, and whatever remnants they leave are eaten by the general populace. Thus they live happily. (276) The pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu are full of nectar, and the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa are like camphor. When one mixes these, they taste very sweet. By the mercy of the pure devotees, whoever tastes them can understand the depths of that sweetness. (277) Men become strong and stout by eating sufficient grains, but the devotee who simply eats ordinary grains but does not taste the transcendental pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Kṛṣṇa gradually becomes weak and falls down from the transcendental position. However, if one drinks but a drop of the nectar of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes, his body and mind begin to bloom, and he begins to laugh, sing and dance. (278)

The readers should relish this wonderful nectar because nothing compares to it. Keeping their faith firmly fixed within their minds, they should be careful not to fall into the pit of false arguments or the whirlpools of unfortunate situations. If one falls into such positions, he is finished. (279) In conclusion, I submit to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Nityānanda Prabhu, Advaita Prabhu and all the other devotees and readers that I accept your lotus feet as the helmet on my head. In this way, all my purposes will be served. (280) Taking the feet of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī and Jīva Gosvāmī on my head, I always desire their mercy. Thus I, Kṛṣṇadāsa, humbly try to describe the nectar of the pastimes of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, which are mixed with the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa. (281)

For the satisfaction of Śrī Madana- gopāla and Govindadeva, we pray that this book, Śrī Caitanya- caritāmṛta, may be offered to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. (282) The Caitanya- caritāmṛta pastimes of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu constitute a very secret literature. It is the life and soul of all devotees. Those who are not fit to relish this literature, who are envious like hogs and pigs, will certainly not adore it. However, this will not harm my attempt. These pastimes of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will certainly please all saintly people who have clear hearts. They will certainly enjoy it. We wish that this will enhance their enjoyment more and more. (283)

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