20210723 Devānanda Paṇḍita Requests Lord Caitanya to Instruct Him About the Proper Way to Explain Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation By His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on 23rd July 2021 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

Hare Kṛṣṇa! Dear Devotees! Today we will continue with the compilation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya book, the chapter entitled:

Devānanda Paṇḍita Requests Lord Caitanya to Instruct Him About the Proper Way to Explain Śrīmad Bhāgavatam
Under the Section: The Lord’s Attempt to Go to Vṛndāvana

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.485

kṛṣṇasevā haiteo vaiṣṇavera sevā śreṣṭha, ihāi bhāgavatera siddhānta—

‘kṛṣṇa-sevā haiteo vaiṣṇava-sevā baḍa
bhāgavata-ādi saba śāstre kaila daḍha

Translation: The service of Vaiṣṇavas is superior to the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa. All scriptures headed by the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam confirm this.

Purport (by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura): The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam has firmly established that devotion to a Vaiṣṇava servant of Kṛṣṇa is superior to devotion to Kṛṣṇa.

ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param
tasmāt parataraṁ devī tadīyānāṁ samarcanam
 (Padma Purāṇa)

“Of all types of worship, worship of Lord Viṣṇu is best, and better than the worship of Lord Viṣṇu is the worship of His devotee, the Vaiṣṇava.” It is also stated: sarvatra vaiṣṇavāḥ pūjyāḥ svarge martye rasātale devatānāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ tathaiva yakṣa-rakṣanām “The Vaiṣṇavas are worshipable in the heavenly planets, in the earthly planets, and in the hellish planets. They are superior to the demigods, human beings, Yakṣas, and Rakṣas.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, serving the Vaiṣṇavas is most pleasing to Lord Kṛṣṇa. Although He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is more pleased when His devotee is respected

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.486

siddhir bhavati vā neti saṁśayo 'cyuta-sevinām
niḥsaṁśayas tu tad-bhakta-paricaryā-ratātmanām

Translation: “There may be a doubt whether the servants of the Supreme Personality of Godhead will attain perfection, but there is absolutely no doubt that those who are attached to serving the Lord's devotees will attain perfection.”

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.487

vaiṣṇavasevāi kṛṣṇa-lābhera ekamātra parama upāya—

eteke vaiṣṇava-sevā parama upāya
bhakta-sevā haite se sabāi kṛṣṇa pāya

Translation: That is why for this reason, service to the Vaiṣṇavas is the best means of deliverance. Everyone can attain Lord Kṛṣṇa by serving the devotees.

Purport (by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura): Many people may not attain any fruits by serving Kṛṣṇa, but by serving the devotees of Kṛṣṇa attainment of Kṛṣṇa is guaranteed. If one serves the lotus feet of anyone who serves the lotus feet of Śrī Vakreśvara Paṇḍita, he will certainly become qualified to attain love for Kṛṣṇa. Since Kṛṣṇa resides in the body of Vakreśvara, whenever Vakreśvara dances, Lord Kṛṣṇa happily dances along with him. Wherever Vakreśvara resides is more sanctified than all holy places; it is Vaikuṇṭha.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, by remembering Vakreśvara Paṇḍita, it says that one gets purified, that shows that the Lord’s devotees are the most sacred object to remember.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.488

vakreśvarera saṅga-prabhāve devānandera gaura-darśane anurāga—

vakreśvara paṇḍitera saṅgera prabhāve
gauracandra dekhite calilā anurāge

Translation: By the influence of Vakreśvara Paṇḍita's association, Devānanda Paṇḍita developed an intense desire to see Lord Gauracandra.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.489

devānandera mahāprabhura samīpe gamana—

vasiyā āchena gauracandra bhagavān
devānanda paṇḍita hailā vidyamāna

Translation: As Lord Gauracandra was sitting, Devānanda Paṇḍita came before the Lord.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.490

daṇḍavat devānanda paṇḍita kariyā
rahilena eka bhite saṅkocita haiyā

Translation: After offering his humble obeisances, Devānanda Paṇḍita stood hesitantly in the corner.

Jayapatākā Swami: Simply by the association of Vakreśvara Paṇḍita, Devānanda Paṇḍita developed spontaneous attraction for surrendering to Lord Caitanya, such is the power of Vaiṣṇava association.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.491

mahāprabhu kartṛka kuliyāya devānandera yāvatīya aparādha khaṇḍana—

prabhu o tāhāne dekhi' santoṣita hailā
virala haiyā tāne laiyā vasilā

Translation: Lord Caitanya, however, was pleased to see Devananda Pandita and had him sit down next to Him in a secluded place.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.492

pūrve tāna yata kichu chila aparādha
sakala kṣamiyā prabhu karilā prasāda

Translation: Lord Caitanya excused all of Devānanda Paṇḍita's previous offenses and bestowed His mercy on him.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Previously Devānanda Paṇḍita’s students had offended Śrīvāsa Thakura, and he did nothing to intervene, but by serving a Vaiṣṇava, serving Vakreśvara Paṇḍita, he counteracted the offense towards Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura, a devotee of the Lord.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.493

devānanda paṇḍitera nikaṭa mahāprabhura vakreśvarera māhātmya varṇana—

prabhu bale,—“tumi ye sevilā vakreśvara
ataeva hailā tumi āmāra gocara

Translation: Lord Caitanya said, You are able to see Me because you served Vakreśvara Paṇḍita.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.494

vakreśvara paṇḍita-prabhura pūrṇa-śakti
sei kṛṣṇa pāya ye tāṅhāre kare bhakti

Translation: “Vakreśvara Paṇḍita possesses the full potencies of the Supreme Lord. Anyone who serves him with devotion attains Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Jayapatākā Swami: By this we can understand how service to the Vaiṣṇavas is so important.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.495

vakreśvara-hṛdaye kṛṣṇera nija-ghara
kṛṣṇa nṛtya karena nācite vakreśvara

Translation: “In the heart of Vakreśvara Paṇḍita, Lord Kṛṣṇa personally resides. When Vakreśvara dances, Lord Kṛṣṇa dances."

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.496

ye-te-sthāne yadi vakreśvara-saṅga haya
sei sthāna sarva-tīrtha śrī-vaikuṇṭha-maya

Translation: “Any place that is associated with Vakreśvara Paṇḍita is equal to all the holy places and is as good as Śrī Vaikuṇṭha.”

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.497

mahāprabhura vākya-śravaṇe devānandera karayoḍe stava o dainyokti—

śuni' vipra-devānanda prabhura vacana
yoḍa-haste lāgilena karite stavana

Translation: When the brāhmaṇa Devānanda Paṇḍita heard Lord Caitanya's words, he folded his hands and began to offer prayers.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.498

jagat uddhāra lāgi' tumi kṛpā-maya
navadvīpa-mājhe āsi' hailā udaya

Translation: “You are most merciful. You have appeared in Navadvīpa to deliver the people of the entire universe.”

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.499

muñi pāpī daiva-doṣe tomā' nā jāniluṅ
tomāra paramānande vañcita hailuṅ

Jayapatākā Swami: “I could not recognize You because I am sinful and by the will of Providence I am unfortunate. I was therefore deprived of the opportunity to relish transcendental happiness in Your association.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.500

sarva-bhūta-kṛpālutā tomāra svabhāva
ei māgoṅ ‘tomāte hauka anurāga'

Translation: “Lord Caitanya, You are by nature compassionate to all living entities. I beg that I may have attachment for You."

Jayapatākā Swami: Devananda Pandita begged the Lord to give him spontaneous attachment to His lotus feet.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.501

eka nivedana prabhu tomāra caraṇe
ki kari upāya prabhu, balaha āpane

Jayapatākā Swami: “O Lord caitanya, I have one request at Your lotus feet. Please instruct me what should I do to achieve You?"

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.502

bhāgavata sarvajñera grantha, asarvajñera bhāgavata adhyāpanāra ayogyatā—

muñi asarvajña-sarvajñera grantha laiyā
bhāgavata paḍāṅa āpane ajña haiyā

Translation: "I am the most ignorant person yet I teach Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is a book meant for the most intelligent persons"

Purport (by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura): Sarvajña Viṣṇusvāmī has accepted Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as the commentary on Vedānta. Devānanda Paṇḍita said, “It is true that I am proud of teaching Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is a book meant for the most intelligent persons, but I am ignorant and less intelligent. Please therefore instruct me. How should I recite Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam?”

Jayapatākā Swami: Devānanda Paṇḍita realized his deficiency in teaching the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, he is requesting Lord Caitanya to personally instruct him, how he can actually give the essence of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.503

devānandera mahāprabhura nikaṭa haite bhāgavata adhyāpanāra upadeśa-grahaṇa—

kibā vākhānimu, paḍāimu vā kemane
ihā more ājñā prabhu, karaha āpane”

Jayapatākā Swami: “How should I explain it, and in what way should I teach it? O Lord Caitanya, I am ignorant, kindly personally instruct me.”

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 3.504

śuni' tāna vākya gauracandra bhagavān
kahite lāgilā bhāgavatera pramāṇa

Translation: On hearing Devānanda Paṇḍita's words, Lord Gauracandra began to quote evidence from Śrīmad-bhāgavatam.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Devānanda Paṇḍita was very proud previously but now He realised that actually Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the ripened fruit of the Vedic tree, meant for the most intelligent persons, and he didn’t really understand the essence of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. So he is begging Lord Caitanya to personally instruct him and then Lord Caitanya, He started to teach him Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in an authorized way.

Thus ends the chapter entitled, Devānanda Paṇḍita Requests Lord Caitanya to Instruct Him About the Proper Way to Explain Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Under the Section: The Lord’s Attempt to Go to Vṛndāvana