Srila-Acharya-Thumb-Flowers

Affectionate Subservience

This passage from Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata (Madhya-khanda, 28.15–31) describes Sri Gaurasundar’s last meeting with the Nabadwip devotees before He took sannyas.

Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj frequently cites the instructions the Lord gives at this time. He specifically emphasises the principle of following orders out of loving attachment to one’s Lord, rather than following orders out of duty or self-interest. Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaj described such devotional behaviour as the “natural love and affection found in Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math”.


Sri Chaitanya-bhagavata: Madhya-khanda, Chapter 28

sei dina prabhu sarva-vaiṣṇavera saṅge
sarva dina goṅāilā saṅkīrtana-raṅge [15]

The Lord passed the entire day with the devotees immersed in the joy of sankirtan.

parama-ānande prabhu kariyā bhojana
sandhyāya karilā gaṅgā dekhite gamana [16]

With great joy, the Lord ate and in the evening went to see the Ganges.

gaṅgā namaskariyā vasilā gaṅgā-tīre
kṣaṇeka thākilā punaḥ āilena ghare [17]

He offered His obeisance to the Ganges and then sat on her bank. He remained there for some time and then came home.

āsiyā vasilā gṛhe śrī gaurasundara
chatur-dike vasilena saba anuchara [18]

Sri Gaurasundar came and sat down at home. All His servants sat around Him.

se-dine chaliba prabhu keha nāhi jāne
kautuke āchhena sabe ṭhākurera sane [19]

That day no one knew the Lord would leave. Everyone with Him was joyful.

vasiyā āchhena prabhu kamala-lochana
sarvāṅge śobhita mālā sugandhi chandana [20]

The lotus-eyed Lord sat; His entire body was adorned with garlands and fragrant sandal paste.

yateka vaiṣṇava āisena dekhibāre
sabei chandana mālā la‑i’ dui kare [21]

All the devotees came to see Him, bringing sandal paste and garlands in their hands.

hena ākarṣaṇa prabhu karilā āpani
kebā kon diga ha-ite āise nāhi jāni [22]

The Lord personally attracted them in this way. I do not know who came from which direction.

kateka vā nagariyā āise dekhite
brahmādira śakti ihā nāhika likhite [23]

Many townspeople came to see the Lord. Brahma et al. do not have the ability to describe this.

daṇḍa-paraṇāma hañā paḍe sarva-jana
eka dṛṣṭe sabei chāhena śrī vadana [24]

Everyone offered their obeisance and intently beheld the Lord’s beautiful face.

āpana galāra mālā sabākāre diyā
ājñā kare prabhu sabe—“kṛṣṇa gāo giyā [25]

The Lord personally placed flower garlands around the necks of everyone. Then He instructed everyone, “Go on singing ‘Krishna’.

bala kṛṣṇa, bhaja kṛṣṇa, gāo kṛṣṇa-nāma
kṛṣṇa vinu keha kichhu nā bhāviha āna [26]

Speak about Krishna, serve Krishna, and sing Krishna’s name. Do not think of anyone except Krishna.

yadi āmā’ prati sneha thāke sabākāra
tabe kṛṣṇa-vyatirikta nā gāibe āra [27]

If you all have affection for Me, then do not sing about anyone other than Krishna.

ki śayane, ki bhojane, kibā jāgaraṇe
ahar-niśa chinta kṛṣṇa, balaha vadane” [28]

Whether you are resting, eating, or awake, day and night think of Krishna and speak about Him aloud.”

ei mata śubha-dṛṣṭi kari’ sabākāre
upadeśa kahi’ sabe bale,—“yāo ghare” [29]

In this way the Lord cast His auspicious glance upon everyone, instructed them, and lastly said, “Now go home.”

ei mata kata yāya, kata vā āise
keha kāre nāhi chine, ānandete bhāse [30]

In this way everyone came and went. No one understood. Everyone floated in happiness.

pūrṇa haila śrī vigraha chandana-mālāya
chandre vā kateka śobhā kahane nā yāya [31]

The Lord’s beautiful form was covered with sandal paste and garlands. How beautiful He appeared cannot be compared with even the moon.

prasāda pāiyā sabe haraṣita hañā
uchcha hari-dhvani sabe yāyena kariyā [32]

Everyone happily received the Lord’s mercy and loudly chanted ‘Hari’.

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