> # SRI CAITANYA BHAGAVATA

> ## Madhya Lila Chapter 15

> Everyone, just behold the super-excellent potency of Lord Gauracandra. Even exalted personalities like Lord Siva, Sukadeva Goswami and Devarsi Narada find it very difficult to attain Him in meditation - yet we see Him mingling freely with people who do not possess any devotional qualities at all.

> Lord Visvambhara is always performing His supramundane pastimes in Navadvipa out of His causeless mercy, but no one can perceive them. Just as the inmates of the ocean, the fish can never perceive the moon, but only the reflections of its rays, similarly although Lord Gauracandra manifested His pastimes openly, the common people could not perceive the super-excellent elements in them.

> By Lord Caitanya's mercy, Jagai and Madhai were now completely transformed persons; they were very devoted, examples of pillars of piety. Before sunrise they completed their bathing in the Ganga and sat down to chant two lakh names of Krsna daily.

> Out of humility, they always condemned themselves for their lowly position, and with tears in their eyes they incessantly chanted Krsna's holy name. Now that they have tasted the marvelous nectar of devotional service and the holy name they could perceive this material existence and see that everything is inherently a part and parcel of Krsna.

> When memories of their older sinful ways plagued them they fell almost unconscious to the ground, repentant and weeping. They cried out, "O most merciful Lord Caitanya, the Saviour of the fallen souls," and remembering the Lord's mercy again and again they shed tears of joy.

> The happiness they experienced in Krsna's service made them even forget about eating, and each time the two of them thought of the mercy shown to them by Lord Caitanya they wept uncontrollably. Lord Caitanya and the other devotees were always very kind to them, giving them inspiration and hope. The Lord came Himself to feed them, but still they could not feel peace deep inside.

> Madhai especially felt greatly afflicted each time he remembered how heinously he had struck Lord Nityananda. Although Lord Nityananda had forgiven him, Madhai was far from feeling exhilarated.

> He said, "I have hurt Nityananda Prabhu drawing blood from Him. In His body resides Lord Caitanya, and I am so sinful that I struck such a personality." Saying this Madhai punished himself. Madhai was unable to contain his feelings about such memories, and day and night he cried; nothing else came to his mind.

> Lord Nityananda roamed about Nadia always in the mood of a child, laughing and carefree. He was very easy to please, always happy, and totally free from any sense of false prestige.

> One day Madhai found Lord Nityananda all alone. Madhai threw himself down and embraced His lotus feet. Tears of love for the Lord washed His feet, and with complete humility Madhai prayed to Lord Nityananda.

> "O Lord, as Visnu You maintain this universe, and as Ananta Sesa You hold the cosmic manifestation on Your hood. You are the embodiment of devotional service; Lord Sankara and Parvati-devi constantly meditate upon You. Devotional service to the Lord is exclusively Your property, and it is Your prerogative to grant anyone the eligibility to be situated on the platform of devotional service. No one is more dear to Lord Caitanya than You are.

> "By Your grace the mighty Garuda participates in Lord Krsna's pastimes as the Lord's carrier. You are constantly chanting the glories of Krsna with Your unlimited mouths, propounding and explaining the process of devotional service as the highest human occupation.

> "Devarsi Narada experiences immeasurable bliss chanting Your glories; Your only and most treasured possession is Lord Caitanya.

> "You are famous as the one who forced the Jamuna to change her course and flow according to Your desires; King Janaka received transcendental knowledge by serving You.

> "You embody the essence of all scriptures, being the Original Person, the primeval Supreme Personality as declared by the Vedas. You are the divine Father of every living entity, the greatest Mystic. You are Laksmana the valorous prince.

> "You are the vanquisher of demoniac and atheistic forces, the Supreme enjoyer of all mellows, and the foremost spiritual guide. You are very familiar with all of Lord Caitanya's pastimes. Mahamaya, Your external potency has become worshipable by the entire universe just because she has served You. The whole cosmic manifestation seeks shelter in the shade of Your lotus feet.

> "You are fully devoted to Lord Caitanya. Therefore You are the most proficient propagator of the path of devotional service; You are the sum total of all the potencies of Lord Caitanya. You expand Yourself as Lord Caitanya's bed, throne, resting place, and umbrella. You are His very life and soul.

> "As Balarama, You are matchless in Your service to Krsna, and as Nityananda, You are the foremost of Lord Caitanya's associates, as well as the origin of all incarnations of Lord Caitanya. You are always delivering the fallen, and annihilating the atheists.

> "You are the protector of the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord and the propounder of the true religion, the process of pure devotional service to the Lord. By Your grace Lord Brahma creates this universe. You are always worshiped by Your energies, Revati devi, Baruni devi and Kanta devi.

> "The Rudra incarnation was produced out of Your anger, and through him You bring about the annihilation of this cosmic creation. 'Samkar sanatmako rudro niskra myatti jagattrayam: Rudra was born out of Lord Sankarsana's face and he dissolves the universe with the great fire called kalanala.'

> "Although You seem to be doing everything, still You are not the doer. O Lord, the whole cosmic manifestation is resting on Your bosom. Your body is very soft and it gives Krsna great pleasure when You expand Yourself as His bed and He lies on You. But I am so monstrous and sinful that I hurt this same transcendental body of Yours. Who is more wretched than I am?"

> "Your transcendental form is constantly worshiped by Lord Siva accompanied by his beautiful consort Paravati and other young maidens. Simply by remembering Your form one is freed from all bondage; this same spiritual body was bleeding due to my misdeeds.

> "Chitraketi, the famous emperor was living happily by worshiping You and he was counted amongst the foremost Vaisnava devotees. That same form that is worshiped by the entire universe was brutally hit by me, the lowest of sinners.

> "The sages of Naimisaranya forest headed by sage Sauraka became freed from all material entanglement by meditating upon Your form. In expansion as Laksmi You were wounded by Indrajit, the son of Ravana in battle, and for this You slew him. Similarly the gorilla demon Dvivida also met with a premature death at Your hands because he was harassing You.

> "The mighty Jarasandha was also vanquished by You for being inimical to You. I am so foolish; I did not understand what is beneficial for me, and I inflicted pain upon Your transcendental form. I did not know then the consequences of such an act - for when Rukumi, Krsna's brother-in-law insulted You, You took his life.

> "Romaharsava Suba was blessed with a long life by the sages of Naimisaranya, but when he failed to show You due respect, You came and slew him with a blade of grass.

> "King Duryodhana, and the entire dynasty were almost exterminated for disregarding Your words. They were spared by good luck because of the presence of elevated devotees like Kunti-devi, Bhimsa, Yudhisthira, Vidiva, and Arjuna who intervened, supplicating You with appropriate words.

> "When one's very life is at stake just for a slight disrespectful attitude towards You, then to what depths of depravity and hell must I enter for my heinous act?" Speaking like this, Madhai started experiencing love of Godhead. He fell to the ground clutching the Lord's lotus feet to his bosom.

> Madhai continued to pray, "The shelter of Your lotus feet can save anyone from the endless cycle of rebirth. You have appeared simply to deliver the most fallen; so my dear Lord, kindly protect this fallen soul surrendered to You, for You are my life, my soul, and my most treasured goal.

> "All glory to Lord Nityananda, the darling son of Padmavati-devi. You are the most precious jewel of all the Vaisnava devotees. You are completely free from any rancor, always submerged in the highest state of blissfulness. You are always inclined to forgive those who are surrendered to You. I am the most atrocious beast and offender, so kindly forgive me, Lord, for all my offenses."

> Lord Nityananda smiled hearing the loving supplications offered to Him, and said, "Get up, arise, O Madhai. You are My servitor; I now reside within your body. Is the father disturbed if his little child hits him? I have accepted your beating in this parental mood. And more importantly, anyone who hears your wonderful and devotional prayers to Me will certainly develop loving attachment to My lotus feet.

> "You are the recipient of My Lord's mercy therefore you are free from all blame. Whoever worships My Lord Caitanya becomes most dear to Me, and I offer him My protection eternally.

> "If anyone disregards Lord Caitanya but offers Me worship and sings My glories, then they suffer My pains birth after birth." He then embraced Madhai and took away all his misery.

> Madhai again fell at Lord Nityananda's feet and said, "I have one other prayer, my Lord: You are situated in everyone's heart and I have inflicted severe violence on many such living entities. I do not even know on whom or on how many souls I have inflicted pain. If I could recognize them then I would beg forgiveness from them. But in this situation, I am deprived of their blessings and forgiveness. O Lord, if You are pleased with me, then advise me about how I can get out of this dilemma."

> Lord Nityananda replied, "Listen to My advice, Madhai. Construct a bathing place on the Ganga so the residents of Nadia can take a bath without difficulty, and they will fondly think of You for this convenience. This is also a service to Ganga devi, who dissolves everyone's sins with her pure waters. What better blessings could you ask for? Stand at the bathing place and beg for forgiveness from every bather, praying to them for their blessings. In this way you will exonerate yourself of all offenses."

> Madhai took Lord Nityananda's advice to heart. After circumambulating Him several times with utmost love and respect, he left. Chanting Krsna's holy name, with tears of love of God streaming down his face, he began alone to construct a proper bathing place on the bank of the Ganga. The people saw this sight with great wonder. Madhai offered prostrated obeisances to everyone who came to the site, and begged them saying, "Please forgive me for all the offenses I have committed knowingly or unknowingly against you, and think of me graciously."

> The people were happy beyond words and remembered Lord Govinda as they saw Madhai's humility and devotional mood. He shed tears of love for the Lord while he worked. The word circulated: "Nimai Pandita has marvelously converted Jagai and Madhai into good and pious men."

> The people greeted the news with sheer astonishment and commented, "Nimai Pandita is not an ordinary mortal. Evil men ridiculed and criticized Nimai Pandita without knowing Him. Nimai Pandita was always actually engaged in performing kirtana; Nimai Pandita is truly a real devotee of Krsna. Whoever ridicules or denigrates Him will certainly meet their doom.

> "Anyone who could transform the character and mentality of these two is surely the Supreme Lord Himself or at least specially empowered by Him. Nimai Pandita is certainly an extraordinary Personality, and now the extent of His power has become widely known." The people of Nadia discussed amongst themselves in this manner and they avoided the company of men who continued criticizing.

> Madhai was leading a very austere life and became known as a "brahmacari" strictly following the vow of celibacy and restraint. He was always in sight of Ganga-devi, living on her bank. He worked very hard with the spade constructing the bathing place.

> This wonderful pastime of Jagai and Madhai's deliverance was monumentalized for posterity by this bathing place. These narrations of the Madhya Khanda become nectarine because they describe Lord Caitanya's munificence in delivering these two fallen wretches.

> Whoever is envious of the fact that Lord Caitanya is the origin of everyone will be destroyed. The extraordinary activities of Lord Caitanya are the hidden treasures of the Vedas. So hear these narrations attentively, with proper faith.

> Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya and Lord Nityananda are my life and soul,

> I, Vrndavana dasa, humbly offer this song at Their lotus feet.

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