20201027 The Toll Collectors Receive Mercy (Part 1)

Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation By His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on 27th October 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 are continuing with Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book compilation, todays chapter entitled is:

The Toll Collectors Receive Mercy

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.5.1

Translation: Thereafter, the Lord set forth together with Mukunda, Gadādhara, and other saintly brāhmaṇas. He placed the avadhūta in front of the party and Himself just behind him, and together they appeared like the radiant moon in conjunction with Venus.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.5.2

While they travelled, at times Śrī Gaurāṅga would sing songs of Kṛṣṇa, and sometimes He would explain their meaning. Sometimes He would faint; sometimes He would run very swiftly, at other times walk slowly, and sometimes He would walk with a stumbling gait because His composure was smashed to pieces by ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.5.3

At evening, if some suitable food had been obtained, Gaura Hari would eat as per the regulative principles. At night, for the pleasure of Mahājanas, He sang of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and cried out for Him abandoning sobriety.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.5.4

The Lord personally recited one verse. Please hear it, for through it one can obtain undeviating attachment for His lotus feet:

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.92

saba-niśi jāgaraṇa–laya harināma
ḍākiyā paḍhaye ei śloka guṇadhāma

Jayapatākā Swami: Staying awake the whole night and He chanted the holy names of Lord Hari. The abode of good qualities, Lord Caitanya would loudly chanted the following verse:

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.93 Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.5.5

rāma rāghava rāma rāghava rāma rāghava pāhi mām
kṛṣṇa keśava kṛṣṇa keśava kṛṣṇa keśava trāhi mām

Translation: Oh rāma! Oh rāghava! Oh rāma! Oh rāghava! Oh rāma! Oh rāghava! Please protect me Oh kṛṣṇa! Oh keśava! Oh kṛṣṇa! Oh keśava!Oh kṛṣṇa! Oh keśava! Please preserve me!

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the Lord was chanting this mantra, The Lord would chant : kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! he kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! he kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! pāhi mām kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! kṛṣṇa! rakṣa mām rāma! rāghava! rāma! rāghava! rāma! rāghava! rakṣa mām kṛṣṇa! keśava! kṛṣṇa! keśava! kṛṣṇa! keśava! trāhi mām

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.5.6

With a melodious tone and smiling face, the greatest of sages, the indestructible, the eternal protector of mankind, sang these two lines to instruct bhakti to the people in general.

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya would sing this verse with a melodious tone. When, overcome with loving ecstacy, He became choked with emotion.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.95

dole jagannātha dekhibāre yātrigaṇa
prabhusaṅge yāya tārā ānandita-mana

Jayapatākā Swami: Many pilgrims went to see Lord Jagannātha to celebrate the Dola-yātrā festival. They went with Lord Caitanya with a very happy mood.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 2.164

dānī o prabhura līlā—

kata-dūra gele mātra dānī durācāra
rākhileka, dāna cāhe, nā deya yāibāra

Jayapatākā Swami: After they had travelled some distance, a misbehaved toll-collector stopped them and demanded that they should pay some toll taxes and will not allow them to proceed further without paying taxes.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.96

ekakāle ekaṭhāñi yātrika-samūha
pathe rahiyāche dānī pāpiṣṭha durūha

Jayapatākā Swami: At a certain time and place the pilgrims encountered on the path a wicked and sinful toll-collector.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.97

aneka yantraṇā duḥkha diche tā–sabhāre
āgāiyāchilā prabhu leuṭe satvare

Jayapatākā Swami: This toll-collector was harassing the people causing them lot of suffering. Lord Gaurāṅga who was going in the front, suddenly retreated behind everyone.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.98

avadhūta gadādharapaṇḍita vismaya
ki kāraṇe punaḥ leuṭiyā prabhu yāya

Jayapatākā Swami: Avadhūta Nityānanda and Gadādhara Paṇḍita were surprised as to why the Lord Caitanya retreated behind everyone.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.99

cintite cintite tārā yāya pāche pāche
kathodūre dekhe–dānī yātrī vāndhiyāche

Jayapatākā Swami: Thinking over the matter they walked behind. Then they looked ahead and saw the toll-collector binding the pilgrims.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.100

kāraṇa dekhiyā tārā bhela camakita
pulaka-bharala aṅga–ati ānandita

Jayapatākā Swami: Thus, finding out the reason (for the Lord to retreat behind) they (Avadhūta Nityānanda and Gadādhara Paṇḍita) were startled. The hairs of their body stood on end; they were in extreme ecstasy.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.101

yātrike dekhiyā prabhu virasa-vadana
tvarāye calilā mattasiṁhera gamana

Jayapatākā Swami: Seeing the pilgrims with withered and saddened faces, Lord Caitanya quickly went like a ferocious lion.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.102

prabhuke dekhiyā yātrī kānde ubharāya
trāsa pāñā śiśu yena māyera kola pāya

Jayapatākā Swami: Seeing the Lord Caitanya, the pilgrims cried loudly like frightened children who find the protection of their mother's lap.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.103

dīna vanajantu yena dagdha dāvānale
santapta haiyā paḍe jāhnavīra jale

Jayapatākā Swami: They were like forest animals fleeing from the blazing forest fire. Singed by the fire they jumped into the Ganges waters.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.104

prabhura caraṇe paḍi’ kānde yātrigaṇa
dekhiyā pāpiṣṭha dānīgaṇe mane mana–

Jayapatākā Swami: The pilgrims fell at Lord Caitanya's lotus feet. weeping. Seeing this the sinful toll-collector thought in their heart:

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.105

erūpa mānuṣa nāhi jagata-bhitara
ei nīlācalacandra jānila antara

Jayapatākā Swami: There is no human being like this in the whole universe. In my heart I know He must be Lord Jagannātha, the moon of Nīlācala.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.106

ihā-sabhākāre āmi diluṁ eta duḥkha
ki karaye jāni’ mora ḍare kāṁpe buka

Jayapatākā Swami: I gave great unhappiness to all these people. What reaction will I get for my actions, My heart trembles in fear.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.107

eteka cintiyā mane sei mahādānī
prabhura caraṇe paḍi’ bole kāku-vāṇī–

Jayapatākā Swami: Thinking like this in his heart, the toll collector fell before Lord Caitanya's lotus feet. In a voice choked with emotion he said:

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.108

chāḍila yātrikagaṇa–nā sādhiva dāna
antare jānila prabhu–tumi bhagavān

Jayapatākā Swami: “I will release the pilgrims. I will not try to collect a toll from them. In my heart I know that You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavān Himself."

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.109

ihā bali’ caraṇe paḍiyā sei kānde
tāhāra māthāte dila caraṇāravinde

Jayapatākā Swami: Speaking these words, the toll-collector fell at the lotus feet of the Lord and wept. Lord Caitanya placed His lotus feet on his head. Hari Bol! Hari Bol! Hari Bol!

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.110

kampa-gadagada-svare nānā stava kare
viṣayī baliyā ghṛṇā nā kariha more

Jayapatākā Swami: He trembled and in a choked voice he offered many prayers. He said: “Please don't despise me, considering as a sense enjoyer."

Caitanya Maṅgala, Madhya-khaṇḍa 15.111

e bola śuniñā prabhu mucaki hāsiyā
sukhe cali’ yāna yātrigaṇa chāḍāiyā

Jayapatākā Swami: Hearing these words, Lord Caitanya smiled slightly and releasing the pilgrims he happily continued the travel.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 2.165

dekhiyā prabhura teja pāila vismaya
jijñāsila,—“tomāra kateka-loka haya?”

Jayapatākā Swami: Seeing the Lord's effulgence, he was struck with wonder and he asked, “How many people are with You?”

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.5.7

Translation: At once, a toll collector approached them and taking them to be some travelling beggars, called them but, then he desisted because of being fatigued.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.5.8

Once, another toll collector approached the jagad-guru, who was surrounded by His fellow travellers on the path. This person was desirous to extract some money from the party, and so he detained the Lord from continuing.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 2.166

prabhu kahe,—“jagate āmāra keha naya
āmiha kāhāra nahi-kahila niścaya

Jayapatākā Swami: The Lord Caitanya said, “I have no one in this world, and I do not belong to anyone. I tell you this fact.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 2.167

eka āmi, dui nahi sakala āmāra”
kahite nayane vahe avirata dhāra

Jayapatākā Swami: I am alone with no companion. The whole world is Mine.” As the Lord Caitanya spoke, incessant tears flowed from His eyes.

Purport (by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura): In the Kaṭha Upaniṣad (2.2.12) it is stated: “He is the supreme controller, the Supersoul in everyone's heart.” In the Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad (6.11) and Gopāla-tāpanī it is stated: “The one Supreme Lord resides hidden within all living entities.”

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 2.168

dānī bale,—“gosāñi, karaha śubha tumi
e-sabāra dāna pāile chāḍi' diba āmi”

Jayapatākā Swami: The toll collector said, “O Gosāñi, You may go, auspiciously. I will let all you people go after they had paid their taxes.”

Purport (by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura): Long ago, when someone passed through the jurisdiction of a landlord, toll collectors would demand taxes from him. When Śrī Gaurasundara was traveling with the six devotees, He had no assets with Him. Since none of them had anything even to pay toll taxes, they considered they were traveling under the protection of Śrī Gaurasundara. Then one toll collector even demanded toll tax from Gaurasundara just as Hariscandra had demanded cremation fees for his own son. He firmly declared that no one would be allowed to continue the journey to Jagannātha without paying the toll tax. But when he saw Mahāprabhu's extraordinary form, he asked, “How many people are with You?” In reply, the Lord said, “I have taken sannyāsa from relationships with the people of this world. Therefore no one of this world is Mine, and I am not one of them. I am, ekam evādvitīyam —`One without a second.' The entire world is Mine.” When the toll collector saw incessant tears flow from the Lord's eyes, he said, “You do not have to pay taxes, but the others must.”

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 2.169

śubha karilena prabhu `govinda' baliyā
kata-dūre sabā' chāḍi' vasilena giyā

Jayapatākā Swami: The Lord Caitanya walked down the road chanting, “Govinda! Govinda!” He left the others behind and after going some distance He sat down.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 2.170

sabā' parihari' prabhu karilā gamana
hariṣe viṣāda hailena bhakta-gaṇa

Jayapatākā Swami: When Lord Caitanya left everyone behind and continued on, the happiness of the devotees became lamentation.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 2.171

prabhura nirapekṣatā-līlā—

dekhiyā prabhura ati nirapekṣa khelā
anyo'nye sarva-gaṇe hāsite lāgilā

Jayapatākā Swami: On seeing the Lord Caitanya's pastime of complete detachment, the associates of the Lord began to laugh among themselves.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 2.172

bhaktagaṇera viṣādera kāraṇa o nityānanda-kartṛka prabodha-dāna—

pāche prabhu sabā' chāḍi' karena gamana
eteke viṣāda āsi' dharileka mana

Jayapatākā Swami: They were unhappy because they feared that the Lord Caitanya might leave them all and go.