20200917 Ācāryaratna's Breaking News of Nimāi Sannyāsa to the Devotees in Navadvīpa (Part 1)

Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation By His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on 17th September 2020 in Śrīdhāma Māyāpur, India

mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
paramānandaṁ mādhavaṁ śrī caitanya iśvaram

Hariḥ oṁ tat sat!

Introduction: Today we continue with our Caitanya-līlā class. Today’s chapter is:

Ācāryaratna's Breaking News of Nimāi sannyāsa to the Devotees in Navadvīpa

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.026

candraśekharake gṛhe pratyāgamanera ādeśa—

tabe candraśekhara-ācārya kole kari'
uccaiḥ-svare kāndite lāgilā gaurahari

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu embraced Candraśekhara Ācārya and started to loudly cry.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.027

“gṛhe cala tumi sarva-vaiṣṇavera sthāne
kahi o sabāre āmi calilāṅa vane”

Jayapatākā Swami: Go home and tell all the Vaiṣṇavas that I have gone to the forest.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.028

gṛhe cala tumi duḥkha nā bhāviha mane
tomāra hṛdaye āmi bandī sarva-kṣaṇe

Jayapatākā Swami: “Go home, do not feel any remorse. I am always bound within your heart. Lord Caitanya, Gaurahari, is within the heart of Candraśekhara Ācārya and there is no reason for Candraśekhara Ācārya to feel any remorse. So, Lord Caitanya is considering the devotees in Navadvīpa, what they must be feeling. So, He is sending Candraśekhara Ācārya to tell them about Him. And this way, they will be somewhat pacified.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.029

tumi mora pitāmuñi nandana tomāra
janma janma tumi prema-saṁhati āmāra

Jayapatākā Swami: “You are My father, I am your beloved Son. Birth after birth, you are My beloved associate.”

Purport (by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura): The word saṁhati in the phrase prema-saṁhati means “associate”, so the phrase prema-saṁhati means “beloved associate.” Śrī Candraśekhara Ācārya is known as Śrī Gaurasundara's maternal uncle. Therefore, Mahāprabhu addressed him as father and established Himself as the object of Candraśekhara's vātsalya-rasa, or parental affection. He also revealed that in each of His incarnations Candraśekhara Ācārya maintained a reciprocation of loving exchanges with Him. Śrī Gaurasundara is always bound in his heart, so the Lord told him to return to Māyāpur and inform everyone about His departure for the forest. Consenting to the request of Keśava Bhāratī, the Lord kept him in front and performed saṅkīrtana as He followed behind. The heart of Śrī Caitanyacandra was filled with intense feelings of separation for Lord Kṛṣṇa. He chanted the names of Kṛṣṇa as He began to walk in search of Kṛṣṇa.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya, taking the role of a devotee, is experiencing intense separation for Lord Kṛṣṇa. He is teaching us, that we can have this relationship with Kṛṣṇa, by having intense feeling of separation. So, in this way, He is teaching us all by His example.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa, 13.181

henamane premānande dinarāti yāya
candraśekharācārye dilena vidāya

Jayapatākā Swami: Filled with the bliss of spiritual love, the days and nights passed, in this way. Then Lord Gaurāṅga bid farewell to Candraśekhara Ācārya.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa, 13.182

kahila ṭhākura –punaḥ haiba daraśana
acire haibe dekhā–nā hao vimana

Jayapatākā Swami: Then Lord Caitanya spoke, “We will see each other again. “Soon we will see each other. Please don’t be unhappy, please don’t be remorseful.”

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa, 13.183

e bola baliyā prabhu calila satvara
kāndite kāndite yāya śrīcandraśekhara

Jayapatākā Swami: Speaking these words, Lord Gaurāṅga quickly went His way. Śrī Candraśekhara Ācārya was crying and crying, and he continued on his path to Navadvīpa.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.030

candraśekharera viraha-mūrchā—

eteka baliyā tāne ṭhākura calilā
mūrcchā-gata hai' candraśekhara paḍilā

Jayapatākā Swami: After speaking in this way, Lord Caitanya departed. Candraśekhara Ācārya fell unconscious to the ground, being overwhelmed by separation. The bond between the devotees and the Lord, is something indescribable. They feel so much love for the Lord, that even to be separated from the Lord is intolerable. So, after Candraśekhara Ācārya was separated from the Lord, being overwhelmed by separation, he fell to the ground unconscious. This is not material; this is a spiritual emotion.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.031

kṛṣṇera acintya śakti bujhane nā yāya
ataeva se virahe prāṇa rakṣā pāya

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Kṛṣṇa’s inconceivable potencies, cannot be understood. Therefore, even in separation, he receives the protection of life and he survives.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.032

kṣaṇeka caitanya pāi’ śrī-candraśekhara
navadvīpa-prati tiṅho gelena satvara

Jayapatākā Swami: Shortly after that, Śrī Candraśekhara Ācārya regained his consciousness. He immediately left for Navadvīpa and went quickly.

Purport (by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura): “The word Caitanya in this verse refers to external consciousness.”

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.101

Murāri: (Being composed) O great devotees, please consider: Did the Lord go all alone, or in the company of someone else?

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.102

Advaita: How can this consideration come up? No one saw the moon of Lord Gauracandra walking on the road. Splendid as a host of lightning flashes, Lord Gauracandra has not appeared in our sight.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.103 - 09

Murāri: This consideration can help us find Him.

Everyone: How is that?

Murāri: Let us consider about His associates. Who is not here?

Everyone: He has spoken well.

Murāri: Ah! I know.

Everyone: What is it?

Murāri: Lord Nityānanda and Ācāryaratna (are not here).

Jayapatākā Swami: So Murāri Gupta is very observant. He sees that Lord Nityānanda and Ācāryaratna, Candraśekhara Ācārya, they are not present. So, they must be with Lord Caitanya. It is very interesting.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.110 - 11

Everyone: How is this appropriate?

Murāri: In such a pain, if these two (Lord Nityānanda and Ācāryaratna) are present, then they would have come here. (If these two are not present with us in this painful calamity, then they must have gone with Him)

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.112

Everyone: (somewhat relieved) Oh! Let anything happen to us. If He is not alone, then that gives us some relief.

Jayapatākā Swami: The devotees of Navadvīpa were concerned about the welfare of Lord Gaurāṅga. Just as the vraja-vāsīs were concerned about Kṛṣṇa. So, the welfare of Lord Caitanya is more important to these devotees, than their own welfare. This is a sign of real love.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.113

Advaita: Mukunda, please comfort Mother Śacī with this message: “O Mother, do not be anxious for Him. To attend to some business the Lord has gone somewhere with Lord Nityānanda and Ācāryaratna. He is now about to return.” Say these words to her.

Jayapatākā Swami: Advaita was concerned, how to comfort mother Śacī.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.114 - 15

Mukunda: As You order.(He exits).

Advaita: O dear devotees of Lord Viśvambharadeva, now our hearts have become a little peaceful. Because the Lord is in the company of two intelligent and expert devotees, even though He is supremely independent, He will not act independently. Why did He act in this way? Let us think.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.116

If He has gone on a pilgrimage to the holy places, why should it be a secret? If, out of love for them (Lord Nityānanda and Ācāryaratna), He wished to undertake this pilgrimage with these two alone, then He could have done this right in this place (Since it is possible that along with His two favoured loving devotees, i.e., Lord Nityānanda and Ācāryaratna, even we could have joined the pilgrimage, why should the Lord reject us) (Everyone becomes silent and thinks about this for a moment).

Jayapatākā Swami: So, they are trying to understand what the Lord is showing and where He has gone.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.117

A voice from behind the scenes: Alas! For three days have passed and I have not heard any new of the devotees (Advaita, Śrīvasa and others). Are they alive? Or are they dead? Or have they fainted unconscious? O fate, how can I stay in front of the devotees (Advaita, Śrīvasa and others), having seen the Lord in such a condition but have come here leaving Him. I should at once give up my body in this place.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.118

Everyone: (listening) Ah! We hear a sound like the voice of Ācāryaratna. We cannot clearly understand due to his crying with choked voice. Therefore, let us precisely ascertain for accuracy.

Jayapatākā Swami: They heard what seemed to be like the voice of Ācāryaratna. They wanted to ascertain whether it was him or not.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.119

Again a voice from behind the scenes (That of Ācāryaratna): Alas! Alas! What a fool I am that I did not go with the Lord. Or else,

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.120

Alas! Alas! I could not persist and go along with the Lord. The Lord acts according to His desires by engaging or inspiring within the hearts of His own associates. This is like the sun shines with it’s splendor on the sūryakānta jewel and even though the sūryakānta is burnt, still it is not able to get rid of the splendor.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.121

Everyone: (listening) This is truly Ācāryaratna. We think he has left the company of the Lord and has come alone here. Because he speaks thus: (quoting the above verse spoken by Ācāryaratna) Ah Alas! I am being burnt in the flames of the blazing fire of misfortune. Somehow or the other, the seed of consolation is sown.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.122

Murāri: I think so. Nityānandadeva is still in Viśvambhara's company. It is as if Ācāryaratna was sent here for a specific purpose

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.123

Advaita: What work does He have here in Andīyā? He is not in need of wealth so that He will come. He also doesn’t have affection for mother so that He will send him to comfort her. We are not fortunate in such way that He will send him to fetch us. Therefore, enough of this conjecture. I do not know what more fruit is going to again fructify in the poison tree of misfortune of persons like me.

Jayapatākā Swami: Advaita Prabhu is expressing His separation of Lord Gaurāṅga. And He feels Himself very misfortunate. (He broods thus and stays).

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.124

Again, the voice from behind the scenes (That of Ācāryaratna): Alas! Alas! I am a wretch. Because Why did I not follow behind Him? Hā hanta (expression of lamentation) Why did my eyes not burn with pain as I gazed at His form (and not able to see him again)? Why did my life not leave, when He said: “Now you should leave?” Ha! Ha! Viśvambhara, I was cheated by Your illusory potency.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.125

Everyone: (They listen, and then they face in the direction of behind the scenes) We are eager to see your face. Let us see who it is. Don't delay anymore. (Thus, eager to see him, they wait anxiously.)

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 4.126

(Ācāryaratna enters) Ācāryaratna: Where is His glistening, curling, black hair and where is this shaven head of a sannyāsī? Where is His broad hips (due to accepting the form of Rādhā)? Alas! Alas! (implying excessive incongruity) and where is this kaupīna (with saffron cloth on top of that)? (After stopping for a moment deliberates). This is the understanding of those who are looking at (the Lord taking sannyāsa), but that is not the eternal substantial intrinsic form. Everything exists in the Lord who is the form of knowledge, the shelter and resting place of the whole world and by His desire those internal substances manifest outside (like sannyāsa).”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Gaurāṅga has accepted sannyāsa, and this is revealed to the devotees in this way.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa, 13.184

hethā navadvīpavāsī ekamukhe rahe
candraśekhara āsi’ kibā vārtā kahe

kvāpi gataṁ kiṁ vā kvacid anyo’pi gata iti

Jayapatākā Swami: In this way, the residents of Navadvīpa, as if from a single head, they listened. They heard that Candraśekhara had come, and they wondered what news he would speak.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa, 13.185

kahaye locana – yā kahane nā yāya
candraśekharācārya navadvīpa pāya

Jayapatākā Swami: Locana dāsa Ṭhākura said, that which cannot be described, Candraśekhara Ācārya attained Navadvīpa. So, this is a long chapter. I will end here. Lord Caitanya entering into the forest and Candraśekhara is arriving in Navadvīpa.