20220512 Affectionate Dealings of Subuddhi Rāya towards Rūpa, Sanātana and Other Bengali Vaiṣṇavas

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on May 12th,2022 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!

Hare Kṛṣṇa! Today we will continue with the compilation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Today's chapter is entitled as:

Affectionate Dealings of Subuddhi Rāya towards Rūpa, Sanātana and Other Bengali Vaiṣṇavas

Under the section: How All the Residents of Vārāṇasī Became Vaiṣṇavas

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.201

ayodhyā-pathe rāyera naimiṣāraṇya-gamana o kichudina avasthāna :—

pāñā ājñā rāya vṛndāvanere calilā
prayāga, ayodhyā diyā naimiṣāraṇye āilā

Translation: Thus, receiving the order from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to go to Vṛndāvana, Subuddhi Rāya left Vārāṇasī and went through Prayāga, Ayodhyā and Naimiṣāraṇya toward Vṛndāvana.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, ISKCON has a center in Kanpur which is very close to Naimiṣāraṇya and the Prayāga is now known as Allahabad that’s where the Kumbha-melā is held every six years.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.202

itomadhye prabhura vṛndāvana haiyā punarāya prayāge āgamana :—

kataka divasa rāya naimiṣāraṇye rahilā
prabhu vṛndāvana haite prayāga yāilā

Translation: Subuddhi Rāya stayed for some time at Naimiṣāraṇya. During that time, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Prayāga after visiting Vṛndāvana.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya went from Jhārikhaṇḍa forest to Vārāṇasī then to Vṛndāvana and then coming back from Vṛndāvana, He met Rūpa Gosvāmī in Prayāga.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.203

mathurāya prabhu darśana nā pāiyā rāyera kheda :—

mathurā āsiyā rāya prabhu-vārtā pāila
prabhura lāga nā pāñā mane baḍa duḥkha haila

Translation: After reaching Mathurā, Subuddhi Rāya received information of the Lord’s itinerary. He became very unhappy because he was not able to contact the Lord.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.204

rāyera vairāgya o dainyācaraṇa :—

śuṣka-kāṣṭha āni’ rāya vece mathurāte
pāṅca chaya paisā haya eka eka bojhāte

Translation: Subuddhi Rāya would collect dry wood in the forest and take it to the city of Mathurā to sell. For each load he would receive five or six paise.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Subuddhi Rāya he made very little money but with this somehow or other he survived.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.205

āpane rahe eka paisāra cānā cābāiyā
āra paisā bāṇiyā-sthāne rākhena dhariyā

Translation: Earning his livelihood by selling dry wood, Subuddhi Rāya would live on only one paisa’s worth of fried chick-peas, and he would deposit whatever other paise he had with some merchant.

Purport:In those days there was no banking system like the one now found in Western countries. If one had excess money, he would deposit it with some merchant, usually a grocer. That was the banking system. Subuddhi Rāya would deposit his extra money with a mercantile man and spend it when necessary. When one is in the renounced order, saving money is not recommended. However, if one saves money for the service of the Lord or a Vaiṣṇava, that is accepted. These are the dealings of Subuddhi Rāya, who is one of the confidential devotees of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī also followed this principle by spending fifty percent of his money in order to serve Kṛṣṇa through brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas. He gave twenty-five percent of his money to relatives, and twenty-five percent he deposited in the custody of a merchant. These are the approved methods recommended in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Whether in the renounced order or in the gṛhastha order, a Vaiṣṇava should follow these principles set forth by the previous ācāryas.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the gṛhasthas spend some money to finance deity worship, vaiṣṇava-sevā, and this is the approved way, half amount of money could be used in devotional service that’s very difficult today depending on how much one earns. The principle is as far as possible one can use some of your money for devotional service and some for your family and some for emergency

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.206

duḥkhī vaiṣṇava dekhi’ tāṅre karāna bhojana
gauḍīyā āile dadhi, bhāta, taila-mardana

Translation: Subuddhi Rāya used to spend his savings to supply yogurt to Bengali Vaiṣṇavas who came to Mathurā. He also gave them cooked rice and oil massages. When he saw a poverty-stricken Vaiṣṇava, he would use his money to feed him.

Purport: There is a special reference for the maintenance of Bengali Vaiṣṇavas. A Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava is a Bengali Vaiṣṇava. Most of the devotees of Lord Caitanya at that time were Gauḍīyas and Oriyās, inhabitants of Bengal and Orissa. There are still many hundreds of thousands of His followers in Bengal and Orissa. Bengalis are habituated to eating cooked rice as their staple food. When they went to Mathurā in the north, they found that the people generally ate capātīs or roṭīs made of wheat. The Bengalis could not digest this food because they were used to cooked rice. Therefore as soon as Subuddhi Rāya saw a Bengali Vaiṣṇava arriving in Mathurā, he would try to supply him with cooked rice. Bengalis are also accustomed to taking a massage with mustard oil. In any case, Subuddhi Rāya wanted to serve the Vaiṣṇavas according to their needs. Therefore he would supply yogurt to ease the digestion of food eaten in Mathurā, particularly the capātīs and roṭīs made with wheat.

Jayapatākā Swami: Some devotees were questioning whether serving Vaiṣṇavas is alright! We see here that Subuddhi Rāya although he made a very little income he would spend it all in serving Vaiṣṇavas therefore he considered a confidential servitor of Lord Caitanya and he understood that the devotees who came from Bengal and Orissa they needed rice because that was their staple food so he will provide them rice and oil massage, so he was serving the Vaiṣṇavas.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.207

tāṅhāke laiyā śrī-rūpera vṛndāvane dvādaśavana-pradarśana :—

rūpa-gosāñi, āile tāṅre bahu prīti kailā
āpana-saṅge lañā ‘dvādaśa vana’ dekhāilā

Translation: When Rūpa Gosvāmī arrived at Mathurā, Subuddhi Rāya, out of love and affection for him, wanted to serve him in so many ways. He personally took Rūpa Gosvāmī to see all the twelve forests of Vṛndāvana.

Purport: Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī had been a minister in the government of Hussain Shah, and Subuddhi Rāya was also known to Hussain Shah because, as a boy, the Shah had been Subuddhi Rāya’s servant. It appears that Subuddhi Rāya was elderly, yet while he was living in Mathurā he showed Rūpa Gosvāmī the twelve forests of Vṛndāvana.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Subuddhi Rāya took Rūpa Gosvāmī around and showed him the twelve forest so in this way he was very well appreciated by Rūpa Gosvāmī.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.208

śrī-rūpera sanātanānveṣaṇe vṛndāvana haite prayāge āgamana :—

māsa-mātra rūpa-gosāñi rahilā vṛndāvane
śīghra cali’ āilā sanātanānusandhāne

Translation: Rūpa Gosvāmī remained in Mathurā and Vṛndāvana for one month in the association of Subuddhi Rāya. After that, he left Vṛndāvana to search for his elder brother, Sanātana Gosvāmī.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Sanātana Gosvāmī was with Lord Caitanya for two months in Vārāṇasī receiving instructions from Lord Caitanya on the practices of the Vaiṣṇavas.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.209

gaṅgā-tīra-pathe prabhu prayāgere āilā
tāhā śuni’ dui-bhāi se pathe calilā

Translation: When Rūpa Gosvāmī heard that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had gone to Prayāga on the road along the banks of the Ganges, Rūpa and his brother Anupama went that way to meet the Lord.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Rūpa and Anupama were anxious to meet Lord Caitanya.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.210

itimadhye sanātanera prayāga haite mathurāya āgamana :—

ethā sanātana gosāñi prayāge āsiyā
mathurā āilā sarāna rāja-patha diyā

Translation: After reaching Prayāga, Sanātana Gosvāmī, following the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, went to Vṛndāvana along the public road.

Purport: This is especially significant because when Sanātana Gosvāmī went from Bengal to Benares, due to the political situation he did not go along the public road. After meeting Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu at Benares, however, he was ordered to proceed to Vṛndāvana along the public road leading to Mathurā. In other words, he was advised not to fear for his political situation.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya had given Sanātana Gosvāmī reassurance so He went along the public road.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.211

mathurāya rāyera sahita milana o rūpānupama-vṛttānta-śravaṇa :—

mathurāte subuddhi-rāya tāhāre mililā
rūpa-anupama-kathā sakali kahilā

Translation: When Sanātana Gosvāmī met Subuddhi Rāya at Mathurā, Subuddhi Rāya explained everything about his younger brothers Rūpa Gosvāmī and Anupama.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Sanātana Gosvāmī, Rūpa and Anupama had crossed each other. When Sanātana heard about Rūpa and Anupama from Subuddhi Rāya. Subuddhi Rāya was associating with all these generals of Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.212

bhrātṛtrayera milana nā ghaṭibāra kāraṇa :—

gaṅgā-pathe dui-bhāi rāja-pathe sanātana
ataeva tāṅhā sane nā haila milana

Translation: Since Sanātana Gosvāmī went along the public road to Vṛndāvana and Rūpa Gosvāmī and Anupama went on the road along the Ganges’ banks, it was not possible for them to meet.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.213

sanātanera prati rāyera pūrvāśramocita vyavahāra, sanātanera uhāte aprīti vā audāsīnya :—

subuddhi-rāya bahu sneha kare sanātane
vyavahāra-sneha sanātana nāhi māne

Translation: Subuddhi Rāya and Sanātana Gosvāmī had known each other before accepting the renounced order. Therefore, Subuddhi Rāya showed much affection to Sanātana Gosvāmī, but Sanātana Gosvāmī hesitated to accept his sentiments and affections.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, why Sanātana Gosvāmī was hesitant to receive Subuddhi Rāya sentiments and affection.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.214

kṛṣṇānveṣaṇakārī mahā-vairāgī sanātana prabhu :—

mahā-virakta sanātana bhramena vane vane
prati-vṛkṣe, prati-kuñje rahe rātri-dine

Translation: Being very advanced in the renounced order, Sanātana Gosvāmī used to wander from forest to forest, never taking shelter of any habitation built of stone. He used to live under trees or beneath bushes both day and night.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Sanātana Gosvāmī would sleep under the trees, he was very advanced in the renounced order, but we are told to live in the āśramas.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.215

sanātanera sāmpradāyika ācāryakārya-sampādana :—

mathurā-māhātmya-śāstra saṅgraha kariyā
lupta-tīrtha prakaṭa kailā vanete bhramiyā

Translation: Śrīla Sanātana Gosvāmī collected some books about archaeological excavations in Mathurā, and wandering in the forest, he sought to renovate all those holy places.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Sanātana Gosvāmī and the brothers tried to uncover the holy places of Vṛndāvana and by their efforts many holy places have been uncovered. Some have been uncovered by Lord Caitanya, like Rādhā kuṇḍa and Śyāma kuṇḍa, and some were uncovered by Sanātana and Rūpa.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.216

sanātanera vṛndāvane evaṁ rūpa o anupamera kāśīte avasthāna :—

ei-mata sanātana vṛndāvanete rahilā
rūpa-gosāñi dui-bhāi kāśīte āilā

Translation: Sanātana Gosvāmī remained in Vṛndāvana, and Rūpa Gosvāmī and Anupama returned to Vārāṇasī.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, this explains the travels of the different brothers.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.217

kāśīte bhaktatrayasaha tāṅhādera milana :—

mahārāṣṭrīya dvija, śekhara, miśra-tapana
tina-jana saha rūpa karilā milana

Translation: When Rūpa Gosvāmī arrived at Vārāṇasī, he met the Maharashtriyan brāhmaṇa, Candraśekhara and Tapana Miśra.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, He had met those who are very much connected to Lord Caitanya.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.218

sānuja śrī-rūperao śekhara-gṛhe avasthāna o tapana-miśra-gṛhe bhikṣā :—

śekharera ghare vāsā, miśra-ghare bhikṣā
miśra-mukhe śune sanātane prabhura ‘śikṣā’

Translation: While Rūpa Gosvāmī was staying at Vārāṇasī, he resided at the house of Candraśekhara and took prasādam at the house of Tapana Miśra. In this way he heard of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s instructions to Sanātana Gosvāmī in Vārāṇasī.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu had told Sanātana Gosvāmī to go to Vṛndāvana and he did that.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.219

kāśīte prabhura sanātana-śikṣā o māyāvādī sannyāsīra uddhāra vṛttānta-śravaṇe ānanda :—

kāśīte prabhura caritra śuni’ tinera mukhe
sannyāsīre kṛpā śuni’ pāilā baḍa sukhe

Translation: While staying at Vārāṇasī, Rūpa Gosvāmī heard of all Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s activities. When he heard of His deliverance of the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs, he became very happy.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Māyāvādī sannyāsī are normally averse to Vaiṣṇavism, Lord Caitanya had delivered them and they became Vaiṣṇavas So it’s matter of rejoicing and Rūpa Gosvāmī was very happy to hear these pastimes of Lord Caitanya.

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.220

prabhura prati lokera ānugatya-bhāva-darśane o kīrtana-śravaṇe śrī-rūpera sukha :—

mahāprabhura upara lokera praṇati dekhiyā
sukhī hailā loka-mukhe kīrtana śuniyā

Translation: When Rūpa Gosvāmī saw that all the people of Vārāṇasī respected Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he became very happy. He even heard stories from the general populace.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, apart from the devotees, even the public was glorifying Lord Caitanya and everywhere Rūpa Gosvāmī could hear that they were doing kīrtana.

Haribol!

Caitanya Caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.221

ponero dina kāśīte thākiyā śrī-rūpādira gauḍe yātrā :—

dina daśa rahi’ rūpa gauḍe yātrā kaila
sanātana-rūpera ei caritra kahila

Translation: After staying in Vārāṇasī for about ten days, Rūpa Gosvāmī returned to Bengal. In this way I have described the activities of Rūpa and Sanātana.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Rūpa Gosvāmī went to meet Lord Caitanya.

Thus ends the chapter entitled, Affectionate Dealings of Subuddhi Rāya towards Rūpa, Sanātana and Other Bengali Vaiṣṇavas

Under the section: How All the Residents of Vārāṇasī Became Vaiṣṇavas