20210119 Lord Caitanya Meets Rāmānanda Rāya on the Banks of Godāvarī (Part 1)

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on January 19th, 2021 in Sri Dhama Mayapur, 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!

Compilation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book,

Lord Caitanya Meets Rāmānanda Rāya on the Banks of Godāvarī

So,this is from Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Caitanya-bhāgavata, Murāri Gupta Kaḍca, Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka, Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.119

Translation: Moving like an intoxicated elephant, with most graceful gestures, with attractive, full arms, flooding the earth with streams of nectar flowing from his toenails, the Lord travelled.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.120

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

Translation: “O Rāma! O Rāghava. Please protect me! O Kṛṣṇa! O Keśava! Please deliver me!”

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.121

Translation: As he chanted this loudly and intensely on the road, his hairs stood on end. Seeing a wild forest in one place, the Lord cried in a painful voice.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.83

cali’ yāya pathe prema-paravaśa-cita
kāñcī-nagare prabhu bhela upanīta

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya left behind Jiyaḍa-Narasiṁha absorbed in loving ecstasy of Kṛṣṇa-prema, Lord Caitanya reached Kañcī nagara.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.84

ratnamaya-purī sei kāñcīnagara
nagara dekhiyā tuṣṭa haila nyāsibara

Jayapatākā Swami: That Kañcī nagara, city was filled with jewels, seeing the jeweled city the best of the sannyāsīs became satisfied.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.10

godāvarītīre āgamana o yamunā baliyā uddīpana :— 
pūrvavat ’vaiṣṇava’ kari’ sarva loka-gaṇe
godāvarī-tīre prabhu āilā kata-dine

Translation: As previously, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu converted to Vaiṣṇavism many people He met on the road. After some days, the Lord reached the banks of the river Godāvarī.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, as Caitanya Mahāprabhu performed saṅkīrtana since He left Jagannātha Purī and naturally He converted many people to become pure devotees, Vaiṣṇavas. He was performing that pastime, while he was traversing that road. Then He met Rāmānanda Rāya on the bank of the sacred Godavarī river.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.122

Translation: Seeing the middle of the forest endowed with creepers embraced by the wind from the cool huge, waves of the Godāvarī River, the Lord felt bliss.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.123

Translation: The merciful Lord became blissful on seeing the deer with their mates, eyes raised in faith, and joyful peacocks displaying their tails and dancing on hearing the sounds of mṛdaṅgas (clouds rumbling) in the kadamba groves.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.124

Translation: Some places in the forest were devoid of birds’ chirping and some places echoed with their loud cries. Some places of the forest was agitated by the fiery breathing of ferocious animals who were sleeping.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.125

Translation: Gauracandra’s soft heart became unsteady by the fierce rumbling of the Godāvarī’s torrents along with the roaring of waterfalls.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the situation next to the Godāvarī river is described here and Lord Caitanya was feeling great bliss while seeing these beautiful forest scenes.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.11

godāvarī dekhi’ ha-ila ’yamunā’-smaraṇa
tīre vana dekhi’ smṛti haila vṛndāvana

Translation: When He saw the river Godāvarī, the Lord remembered the river Yamunā, and when He saw the forest on the banks of the river, He remembered Śrī Vṛndāvana-dhāma.

Jayapatākā Swami: Naturally Lord Caitanya remembered Yamunā and Vṛndāvana-dhāma, when He saw the Godāvarī river and the forest next to the river.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.126

Translation: He enjoyed that forest on the bank of the Godāvarī, where trembling birds stumbled about in bliss. The forest was filled with seeds which had fallen from the birds’ beaks and with parrots pecking at split pomegranate fruits.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, we can see that the forest by the side of Godāvarī river was very opulent It had many ripened fruits and birds who were enjoying those fruits.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.127

Translation: The parrots pecked at the leaves of the tāmbūla creepers with loud, sharp sounds. The forest was filled with the pleasant, drawn-out chirping of infatuated crickets.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.128

Translation: It was filled with tamāla, arjuna and kovidāra trees, like clouds touching the stars. It was filled with various wild birds and with flocks of deer and camaras.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the natural beauty of the forest seen by Lord Caitanya is being described here.

Translation: There were cool places with dense forest, devoid of contact with sunlight, covered with natural unguents and there were places with canals and ponds everywhere.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 12.130

Translation: Arriving at this place on the bank of the Godāvarī, the Lord felt bliss in his mind. He thought, “Will I be able to converse with the saintly son of Bhāvānanda?”

Jayapatākā Swami: Arriving at the Godāvarī river, he was anxious to meet Rāmānanda Rāya, son of Bhāvānanda.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.12

sei vane kata-kṣaṇa kari’ nṛtya-gāna
godāvarī pāra hañā tāhāṅ kaila snāna

Translation: After performing His usual chanting and dancing for some time in this forest, the Lord crossed the river and took His bath on the other bank.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.13

ghāṭa chāḍi’ kata-dūre jala-sannidhāne
vasi’ prabhu kare kṛṣṇa-nāma-saṅkīrtane

Translation: After bathing in the river, the Lord walked a little distance from the bathing place and engaged in chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa.

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya was always engaged in the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.15.1

Translation: Then in the clear, pristine light of dawn, Gaura Prabhu, the guru of all living beings, entered the city of Kāñcī. He was singing the names of Hari and His composure was shattered with kṛṣṇa-prema. He had come to see Rāmānanda Rāya, the provincial governor.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.14

snānārthe rāya-rāmānandera tathāya āgamana :— 
hena-kāle dolāya caḍi’ rāmānanda rāya
snāna karibāre āilā, bājanā bājāya

Translation: At that time, accompanied by the sounds of music, Rāmānanda Rāya came there on a palanquin to take his bath.

Jayapatākā Swami: Since Rāmānanda Rāya was the provincial Governor, he would naturally travel around by palanquin, and along with him there would be musical performers.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 8.15

tāṅra saṅge bahu āilā vaidika brāhmaṇa
vidhi-mate kaila teṅho snānādi-tarpaṇa

Translation: Many brāhmaṇas following the Vedic principles accompanied Rāmānanda Rāya. According to the Vedic rituals, Rāmānanda Rāya took his bath and offered oblations to his forefathers.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the system of offering oblations to the forefathers is called tarpaṇa. So, it seems that Rāmānanda Rāya was doing all these rituals

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.15.2: At that time the governor was in his home, meditating on the delightful son of the King of Vraja, the Supreme Brahma. He had just concluded his Kṛṣṇa-pūjā of the śrī-vigraha. Then thrice in succession he had a vision of the wonderful and immense sweetness of Lord Śrī Gaurāṅga, and he became amazed.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Rāmānanda Rāya after worshipping His Kṛṣṇa Deity, he had a vision of Sri Caitanya Mahāprabhu and he became amazed to see the beauty of the Lord.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.85

viṣayīra mukha prabhu nāhi dekhe kabhu
ācambite rājadvāre uttarilā prabhu

Jayapatākā Swami: Although Lord Caitanya never looked at the face of a materialist, suddenly He landed at the door of the king.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.86

rājāra duyāre giyā dvārīke kahila
rājaputra kothā āche—nibhṛte puchila

Jayapatākā Swami: Arriving at the palace gate of the king, Lord Caitanya asked the doorkeeper, where is the prince, he asked privately.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.87

prabhuke dekhiyā dvārī paraṇāma kare
ei bhagavān- hena mane mane bole

Jayapatākā Swami: Seeing Lord Caitanya, the doorkeeper offered his obeisances and within his mind he was thinking – this is Bhagavān, this is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.88

prabhu kahe—rājaputre jānāha vacana
tāhāra nimitte mora ethā āgamana

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya said: Tell the prince that I have come here for his benefit.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.89

calila ta dvārī rājaputra yathā āche
nija antaḥpure yathā devatā pūjiche

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the gatekeeper he went to the prince who was worshiping his personal Deity within his private quarters.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.90

praṇāma kari’ dvārī jānāya vacana
eka mahāyati gosāñi dvāre āgamana

Jayapatākā Swami: Offering him obeisances, the doorkeeper informed him that one great sannyāsī Gosāñi had arrived at his doorstep.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.91

e bola śuniñā rājā nā balila kichu
tarāse dvārī se palāiyā yāya pāchu

Jayapatākā Swami: Hearing this statement, the King did not say anything. The doorkeeper became afraid and he ran away.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.92

dvārete āsiyā dvārī kare nivedana
jānāite nā pārila tomāra vacana

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the door keeper came to the palace door and said the following, “I was not able to inform Your news to the king.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.93

debatā pūjaye rājā nija antaḥpure
kāhāra śakti tathā yāibāre pāre

Jayapatākā Swami: The King was busy worshipping his deity within his inner chamber. Who has the power to go there?”

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.94

e bola śuniyā prabhu hāse mane mane
yathā pūjā kare—tathā calilā āpane

Jayapatākā Swami: Hearing his words, Lord Caitanya, He laughed within His mind. Where the king was doing his worship, the Lord personally went there.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.95

eka-aṁśe dvāre rahe—āra aṁśe yāya
yathā pūjā kare sei rāmānanda rāya

Jayapatākā Swami: So in one form Lord Caitanya stayed at the doorway, and in another form, He went where Rāmānanda Rāya, was doing the pūjā.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.96

dhyāna karaye kṛṣṇa dekhe gauracandra
punarapi dhyāna kare jape mahāmantra

Jayapatākā Swami: So Rāmānanda Rāya, He mediatated on Kṛṣṇa but He saw in his mind, Lord Gauracandra instead. So again he chanted the mahā-mantra, and started meditating.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.97

punarapi sei gaura dekhaye nayane
ki haila ki haila bali’guṇe’mane mane

Jayapatākā Swami: Again, he saw Lord Gaura with his eyes instead of Lord Kṛṣṇa. He thought within himself, What happened?"

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.98

punarapi dhyāna kare sudṛḍha-hiyāya
punarapi gauracandra hiyāya sāmbhāya

Jayapatākā Swami: Again, Rāmānanda Rāya, He started meditating by concentrating hard and again he saw Lord Gauracandra appear in his heart. So, he was trying to see Kṛṣṇa but again and again Lord Gauracandra appeared.

Haribol!

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.15.3

Translation: Upon opening his eyes, he saw directly before him that very same form of the Supreme Brahman, in the garb of a sannyāsī. Bowing his head and folding his hands, he inquired, “Prabhu, may I know whence Your holiness has come?”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Rāmānanda Rāya was trying to worship Kṛṣṇa but again and again he was seeing Lord Gauaracandra in His meditation. Then when he opened his eyes, he saw the Lord was present before him.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.99

ki ki bali’ āṅkhi mili’ cāhe cāribhite
gauracandra nyāsibara dekhe acambite

Jayapatākā Swami: “What’s happening? What’s happening?” Rāmānanda Rāya said, when he opened his eyes and looked all around. Suddenly, he saw Lord Gauracandara, the best among the sannyāsīs, standing right before him.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.100

sannyāsī dekhiyā rājā uṭhila sambhrame
caraṇa-vandanā kari’ nehāraye krame

Jayapatākā Swami: Seeing the sannyāsī, the king or the governor he quickly stood up and offered his respects, then offered his obeisances at the Lord's lotus feet and He gazed at the Lord Caitanya gradually…

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.101

āpāda-mastaka prabhura nehāraye aṅga
gaura-aṅga dekhi’ hiyāya upajila raṅga

Jayapatākā Swami: From His lotus feet to His head, he looked at Lord Caitanya and gradually raising his vision, when he saw the golden form of Lord Caitanya, he felt bliss in his heart.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.102

vismaya lāgila nyāsī āilā kemate
prabhure kahaye kichu hāsite hāsite

Jayapatākā Swami: He was amazed how the Lord as a sannyāsī had come there. Smiling, Rāmānanda Rāya asked Lord Caitanya,

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.103

mora abhyantare tumi āilā kemane
baḍabhāgye dekhilāma tomāra caraṇe

Jayapatākā Swami: “How did You come inside my private quarters? I'm extremely fortunate to behold Your lotus feet.”

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.15.4

Translation: Laughing, Prabhu replied, "You are a bee seeking honey at Śrī Rādhikā's lotus feet! Why have you forgotten your identity?" So, saying, Śrī Hari embraced Rāmānanda with both arms.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.104

prabhu kahe—tumi kene nā cina āpanā
āmāre nā cina āmi nite āiluṅ tomā

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya said, "Why don’t you understood who you are? Maybe you do not recognize Me, but I have come to take you with Me."

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.105

e bola śuniñā prabhu aṭṭa-aṭṭa hāsa
āpanā ciniyā prabhu kare parakāśa

Jayapatākā Swami: Having said this, Lord Caitanya laughed loudly. Making Rāmānanda Rāya recognize Himself, Lord Caitanya manifested Himself.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.106

ye chila sekhāne kṛṣṇa-śvetarakta-dyuti
sakala dekhāya eka gaura-murati

Jayapatākā Swami: Rāmānanda Rāya, he saw Lord Kṛṣṇa in a brilliant white reddish form and there he showed Rāmānanda Rāya His form as Lord Gaurāṅga.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 1.107

kaṣita e daśabāṇa kāñcana-varaṇa
tāhā chāḍi’ hailā prabhu śyāma-sucikkaṇa

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya He was like polished gold, ten times more pure than normal gold. He gave that up and Lord Caitanya became glossy blackish color.