20220529 Vibhīṣaṇa and Drāviḍa Brāhmaṇa Meet Lord Caitanya

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on May 29th,2022 in Chennai, 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!

Continuing the Caitanya Lila Compilation the chapter entitled is:

Vibhīṣaṇa and Drāviḍa Brāhmaṇa Meet Lord Caitanya

Under the section: Wonderful Episode of Drāviḍa brāhmaṇa

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.48

basi’ āche gaurācānda nijajana-mele
‘duyāre ke āche dekha’ govindere bole

Translation: Gaurācānda, who was sitting among His associates, asked Govinda to see who was standing at the door.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya could tell that someone was standing at the door and He asked His servant Govinda to check who it was, this is the one of the inconceivable potency of Lord Caitanya.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.49

duyāre dāṅḍāñā āche vibhīṣaṇa rāya
brāhmaṇa dekhiyā aṅguli dila nāsikāya

Translation: Meanwhile, King Vibhīṣana was standing near the door and seeing the Drāviḍa brāhmaṇa (who had come following him) Vibhīṣana put his finger in his nose (was astonished).

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Vibhīṣaṇa, he went to see Lord Caitanya, somehow he knew that the Lord had descended but he was amazed that the Drāviḍian brāhmaṇa followed him.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.50

henakāle gelā govinda ṭoṭāra duyāra
dekhila dvāre dui brāhmaṇa-kumāra

Translation: In course of time Govinda went to the door of Ṭoṭā-gopīnātha temple and saw at the door two brāhmaṇas.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, at this Lord Caitanya was apparently at the Ṭoṭā-gopīnātha temple and Govinda-dāsa considered King Vibhīṣaṇa to be a brāhmaṇa.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.51

dekhiyā govinda gelā prabhu-vidyamāna
kichu nā kahite ḍāke brāhmaṇa duijana

Translation: Seeing both of them, Govinda returned back to be in the presence of Lord Caitanya (to inform about King Vibhīṣana and the Drāviḍa brāhmaṇa), but even without being informed by Govinda, Lord Caitanya called both the brāhmaṇas.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya He knew who was at the door and He called them in, before He was told by Govinda dāsa, who was there.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca, 4.21.18

Translation: Śrī Vibhīṣaṇa went to the place where Lord Gaura Candra was staying. Upon seeing the Lord's shining feet, he fell like a stick to the ground.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, King Vibhīṣaṇa understood the divinity of Lord Caitanya, immediately he fel down offering his obeisances like a stick to the ground.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.52

āisa āisa bali’ hāsi’ sambhāṣe ṭhākura
eke basāila pāśe āra rahe dūra

Translation: Laughing and saying, “Āisa, āisa,” Lord Caitanya greeted and made one (Vibhīṣana) to stay beside him, and the Drāviḍa brāhmaṇa remained at a distance.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, here the Drāviḍian brāhmaṇa is meeting Lord Caitanya for the first time .

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca, 4.21.19

Translation: Beholding that amazing scene, the brāhmaṇa also bowed down, and he wept until his body became drenched by tears of love. Then, praising his own miserable poverty [which had caused him to eventually meet the Lord], his heart became filled with jubilation and he danced.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, by material calculation one may be suffering various tribulations, but these tribulations may be cause for his spiritual upliftment. The Drāviḍian brāhmaṇa was going through these ecstatic symptoms on seeing Lord Caitanya.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.53

saba chāḍi’ prabhu tāre sambhāṣe ādare
kāche yata chila vismaya lāgila sabhāre

Translation: Giving up everything, Lord Caitanya greeted and conversed with Vibhīṣaṇa affectionately. Whoever was in the vicinity of Lord Caitanya were surprised.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Vibhīṣaṇa was not known to any of the associates of Lord Caitanya so they were surprised how Lord Caitanya was talking to who they considered as strangers so intimately. So, this was the inconceivable memory of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.54

ṭhākura kahaye—ciradine daraśana
anurāge doṅhākāra jharaye nayana

Translation: Translation: Lord Caitanya said, “After a long time, I'm seeing you (Vibhīṣaṇa) again.” Out of intense attachment, both of them (Lord Caitanya and Vibhīṣaṇa) shed tears profusely.

Jayapatākā Swami: Hari bol! Although Vibhīṣaṇa was from some million of years before and his relationship was with Rāma. But as the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the same Person in different forms, so Lord Caitanya He remembered Vibhīṣaṇa.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.55

śrīhasta diyā aṅga paraśe tāhāra
‘kuśala kuśala’ puche iṅgita ākāra

Translation: With his Divine Lotus hands, Lord Caitanya caressed the body of Vibhīṣaṇa and in the form of his gestures asked, ‘kuśala kuśala’

Jayapatākā Swami: So, kuśala kuśala’ means ‘are you alright’ (about his well-being).

Lord Caitanya is giving His mercy to Vibhīṣaṇa as if he hadn’t seen him for several years, but it was millions of years. In Bhagavad-gītā fourth chapter, Kṛṣṇa was telling Arjuna, that He taught Bhagavad-gītā to Sun God who in turn to taught it to Manu. Arjuna was amazed that how did it 40 million years ago and Lord Caitanya said, “I don’t forget anything I do, so now I am reestablishing the teachings of Bhagavad-gītā which in time has been lost.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.56

se doṅhāra kathā āra nā bujhaye keho
gauracandra bole––vipra duḥkhita baḍa eho

Translation: As to what both of them (Lord Caitanya and Vibhīṣaṇa) conversed, could not be understood by anyone. Lord Caitanya said, “This brāhmaṇa is very sad.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the south indian Drāviḍian brāhmaṇa, Rāma dāsa was very poor because he was very poor, he was hungry and he was rejected by his family and He thought that Lord Jagannātha would not have any mercy on him.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.57

dāridrya-jvālāya jñāna harila ihāra
jagannātha-upare e karaye prahāra

Translation: “Because of suffering due to poverty, He lost his knowledge and so he is beating Jagannātha.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Jagannātha is very merciful but the brāhmaṇa was fasting for seven days and then then wanted to commit sucide and was beating Lord Jagannātha in this way, Why? why?

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.58

āpanāra doṣa jīva nā dekhaye kichu
āpani kariyā doṣa prabhure doṣe pāchu

Translation: “A living entity does not see any fault with oneself. But, having committed mistake, then later on blames the Lord.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, its due to our previous lives sinful activities how one is forced to suffer yet that this Drāviḍian brāhmaṇa blamed Lord Jagannātha and his frustration increased.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.59

āpane karaye nija bhāla-manda bali
bhuñjibāra bele doṣa prabhura upari

Translation: “The living entity does an act considering what is good and bad. But, when he suffers, he blames the Lord for the mistake.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, every living entity of this material world is bound to commit some sinful activities and that’s why the Lord gives us the sacrifices to perform to get rid of the bad karma.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.60

sukha se bhuñjite guṇa kahe āpanāra
prabhure doṣaye doṣa duḥkhe bhuñjibāra

Translation: When he enjoys happiness, he says it's due to his own good qualities. When he suffers from his misdeeds he accuses the Lord for the mistake.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya is poiting the activities of most people, if people have good fortune, they think it is due to their own activities, while if they have some misfortune, they blame the Lord. We should actually serve the Lord and that’s the solution and we can naturally get good results.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.61

sāta-upavāse vipra mṛtyu kaila sāra
vipra-priya-jagannātha ki kariba āra

Translation: This brāhmaṇa after fasting for seven days, concluded to die. What can Lord Jagannātha, who is dear to the brāhmaṇas, do for him?

Jayapatākā Swami: So, people in general give their orders to God and they expect that God will be their order-fulfiller like Zomato or like a delivery boy but if they don’t get the results they want to kill themselves or do something to them.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca, 4.21.20-21

Translation: The all-opulent Lord, who is like a wish-fulfilling tree, said to Vibhīṣaṇa, “If your grace gives wealth to this exalted brāhmaṇa, his desire will then be fulfilled, thus freeing him from the affliction of misery.” With folded hands, Vibhīṣaṇa accepted Mahāprabhu's instruction on his head.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Vibhīṣaṇa was serving Lord Caitanya and the brāhmaṇa he wanted his material suffering to be solved and if Vibhīṣaṇa accepted he would give the brāhmaṇa some wealth and thus he was serving Lord Caitanya.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.62

tomāra darśane ihāra ghucila dāridra
dhana deha––yena haya dhanera samudra

Translation: By seeing you, his poverty is removed. So give him an ocean of wealth.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.63

bhāla bhāla bali’ tihom uṭhilā satvara
ye chila sekhāne sabe paḍila phāṅpara

Translation: Saying “bhāla bhāla,” Vibhīṣaṇa got up to take leave. Whoever was present there, were put into puzzlement.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, all the asociates, they couldn’t understand what was going on, who was this stranger to whom Lord was speaking to him so intimately and then who was this brāhmaṇa, that Lord Caitanya told the stranger to give money. This is all very puzzling for devotees; they did not understand what was going on.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.64

daṇḍavata kari’ tāra cale duijana
pathe yāite vibhīṣaṇe puchaye brāhmaṇa 

Translation: After paying obeisances to the Lord, both of them left. While on the way, the Drāviḍa brāhmaṇa asked Vibhīṣana.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.65

tumi bola––āmi sei rājā vibhīṣaṇa
sannyāsīre namaskari’ calilā ekhana

Translation: “You said that you are that King Vibhīṣana, but you paid obeisances to that sannyāsī and left.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.66

jagannāthadeva tumi nā dekhile kene
svarūpa kariyā kaha duḥkhita brāhmaṇe

Translation: Why did you not see Lord Jagannātha? Reveal your true colors (identity) to me, a distressed brāhmaṇa.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the Drāviḍian brāhmaṇa was again asking all these questions to Vibhīṣaṇa but he did not know who Lord Caitanya was, this is the secret Lord Caitanya hid from people calling Himself from the illusory potencies. So that people didn’t realize who He was.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.67

sannyāsīra ājñā tumi kaile śiraḥpari
sannyāsī vā ke vā kaha––nā kara cāturī

Translation: You took up the order of that sannyāsī on your head. Anyway, tell me. Is he a sannyāsī or someone else? Don't play any tricks on me.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the brāhmaṇa was suspecting may be the sannyāsī is more than what He appears so he was asking Vibhīṣaṇa who was that sannyāsī?

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.68

rājā kahe––śuna āre avodha brāhmaṇa
jagannātha dekha ei sākṣāt nayana

Translation: King Vibhīṣana said, “Listen, hey foolish dull-headed brāhmaṇa! You just saw Lord Jagannātha in person directly with your own eyes.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya is moving Jagannātha and Jagannātha in the temple is unmoving Jagannātha so he just saw Lord Jagannātha in His moving form but he is dull-headed so he didn’t understand.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.69

tomāra abhīṣṭa siddha––dhana pāile tumi
drāviḍe tomāre dhana diva lañā āmi

Translation: Your desire is fulfilled, because you obtained wealth. Now I'll take you home to Drāviḍa and give you that wealth.

Caitanya Maṅgala, Śeṣa-khaṇḍa 4.70

e bola śuniñā vipra śire hāne ghā
ārati kariyā dhare vibhīṣaṇera pā

Translation: Hearing this, the Drāviḍa brāhmaṇa struck his head with painful blows. Subjugating himself, he clasped the feet of King Vibhīṣana.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, now the Drāviḍian brāhmaṇa is lamenting that he couldn’t recognize Lord Caitanya.

So, now I can’t wait for tomorrow class, its exciting !!!!!

Thus ends the chapter entitled,

Vibhīṣaṇa and Drāviḍa Brāhmaṇa Meet Lord Caitanya
Under the section: Wonderful Episode of Drāviḍa brāhmaṇa

Śrīla Prabhupāda ki jaya ! Śrīla Gurumahārāja ki jaya !