20221211 Muslim Caudhurī Arrests Raghunātha Dāsa and Chastises Him with Oral Vibrations

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on December 11th, 2022 in Śrī Dhāma 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!

Today we are Continuing of the compilation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya book, Today's chapter is entitled as:

Muslim Caudhurī Arrests Raghunātha Dāsa and Chastises Him with Oral Vibrations
Under the section: The Meeting of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī

Śrī-gaurāṅga-līlā-smaraṇa-maṅgala-stotram, 64
By Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura

Translation: Conquered by his devotional service, with a father’s love He directly taught Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī the truth of devotional service. At the last part of His pastimes by the shore of the sea, He made Raghunātha dāsa His servant. I meditate on Lord Gaurāṅga, the friend of they who take shelter of His feet.

Jayapatākā Swami: Hari bol! Lord Caitanya is personification of mercy.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.1

raghunāthake svarūpe arpaṇānantara ātmasātkārī gaurera praṇāma:—

Translation: With the ropes of His causeless mercy, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu employed a trick to deliver Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī from the blind well of contemptible family life. He made Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī one of His personal associates, placing him under the charge of Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī. I offer my obeisances unto Him.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja is offering his obeisances to Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī who received the special mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.3

nīlācale gaura-līlā:—

ei-mata gauracandra bhakta-gaṇa-saṅge
nīlācale nānā līlā kare nānā-raṅge

Translation: Thus Lord Gauracandra performed various pastimes with His associates at Jagannātha Purī in varieties of transcendental pleasure.

Jayapatākā Swami: So whether one is a gṛhastha or in the renounced order of life, they should be enjoying the transcendental pleasure as the goal in their life.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.4

svabhaktera kleśāśaṅkāya svīya kṛṣṇavirahaduḥkha-saṁgopana:—

yadyapi antare kṛṣṇa-viyoga bādhaye
bāhire nā prakāśaya bhakta-duḥkha-bhaye

Translation: Although Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu felt pangs of separation from Kṛṣṇa, He did not manifest His feelings externally, for He feared the unhappiness of His devotees.

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya had advented for different purposes, but the extetrnal purpose was to spread the saṅkīrtana movement. The internal purpose was to experience the love of devotees for Kṛṣṇa, and naturally in the latter days in Jagannātha Purī, He was absorbed in the separation of the Lord. But if He showed that externally, the devotees may feel very sad. Although He was feeling that separation He didn’t show that externally.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.5

sutīvra kṛṣṇaviccheda-duḥkhe prabhura avarṇanīya vyākulatā:—

utkaṭa viraha-duḥkha yabe bāhirāya
tabe ye vaikalya prabhura varṇana nā yāya

Translation: The transformations undergone by the Lord when He manifested severe unhappiness due to separation from Kṛṣṇa cannot be described.

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya's absorption in separation of Kṛṣṇa was so intense that the author Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja, he does not feel capable of expressing that.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.6

vipralambha-daśāya rāyera kṛṣṇa-kathā-saṁlāpa o svarūpera gānai prabhura jīvātu:—

rāmānandera kṛṣṇa-kathā, svarūpera gāna
viraha-vedanāya prabhura rākhaye parāṇa

Translation: When the Lord acutely felt pangs of separation from Kṛṣṇa, only Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya’s talks about Kṛṣṇa and the sweet songs of Svarūpa Dāmodara kept Him alive.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, how Lord Caitanya survived these pangs of separation is described herein.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.7

bahulokasaṅge nānāvidha kṛṣṇa-prasaṅge viraha-gurutvera lāghava, rātrite nirjjane kṛṣṇa-viraha-duḥkha vṛddhi:—

dine prabhu nānā-saṅge haya anya mana
rātri-kāle bāḍe prabhura viraha-vedana

Translation: Because the Lord associated with various devotees during the day, His mind was somewhat diverted, but at night the pangs of separation from Kṛṣṇa increased very rapidly.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the feelings of separation are transcendental and Lord Caitanya was experiencing this transcendental emotion, in the night when He was with His confidential devotees.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.8

svarūpa o rāmarāyera tadbhāvopayogī vacana o gānadvārā prabhuke āśvāsana:—

tāṅra sukha-hetu saṅge rahe dui janā
kṛṣṇa-rasa-śloka-gīte karena sāntvanā

Translation: Two people — Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī — stayed with the Lord to pacify Him by reciting various verses about Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes and by singing appropriate songs for His satisfaction.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya's satisfaction was achieved by hearing the wonderful pastimes and songs about Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.9

kṛṣṇera yemana subala-sakhā, prabhurao temana rāma rāya:—

subala yaiche pūrve kṛṣṇa-sukhera sahāya
gaura-sukha-dāna-hetu taiche rāma-rāya

Translation: Previously, when Lord Kṛṣṇa was personally present, Subala, one of His cowherd boyfriends, gave Him happiness when He felt separation from Rādhārāṇī. Similarly, Rāmānanda Rāya helped give happiness to Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya was experiencing this intense separation and Rāmānanda Rāya, Svarūpa Dāmodara were giving Him relief.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.10

śrī-rādhāra yemana lalitā sakhī, prabhurao temana svarūpa-dāmodara:—

pūrve yaiche rādhāra lalitā sahāya-pradhāna
taiche svarūpa-gosāñi rākhe mahāprabhura prāṇa

Translation: Previously, when Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī felt the pangs of separation from Kṛṣṇa, Her constant companion Lalitā kept Her alive by helping Her in many ways. Similarly, when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu felt Rādhārāṇī’s emotions, Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī helped Him maintain His life.

Jayapatākā Swami: Since Lord Caitanya is Kṛṣṇa with the heart of Rādhārāṇī, He was experiencing separation from Kṛṣṇa that Rādhārāṇī felt and at that moment Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī like Lalītā would help Lord Caitanya.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.11

ubhayei prabhura parama-preṣṭha antaraṅga:—

ei dui janāra saubhāgya kahana nā yāya
prabhura ‘antaraṅga’ bali’ yāṅre loke gāya

Translation: To describe the fortunate position of Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī is extremely difficult. They were renowned as intimately confidential friends of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Rāmānanda Rāya and Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī were helping Lord Caitanya experience these internal pastimes and survive the intense emotions.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.12

prabhusaha raghunātha-milana-vṛttānta-varṇana:—

ei-mata vihare gaura lañā bhakta-gaṇa
raghunātha-milana ebe śuna, bhakta-gaṇa

Translation: The Lord thus enjoyed His life with His devotees. O devotees of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, now hear how Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī met the Lord.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.13

pūrve kānāira nāṭaśālā haite purī-pratyāvarttana-pathe śāntipure prabhura raghunāthake śikṣā:—

pūrve śāntipure raghunātha yabe āilā
mahāprabhu kṛpā kari’ tāṅre śikhāilā

Translation: When Raghunātha dāsa, during his family life, went to meet Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu at Śāntipura, the Lord gave him worthy instructions by His causeless mercy.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.14

prabhu-śikṣāmate raghura gṛhe yukta-vairāgyācaraṇa, vāhye viṣayisadṛśa o antare nirviṣaya niṣkiñcana o kṛṣṇārthe akhilaceṣṭāyukta:—

prabhura śikṣāte teṅho nija-ghare yāya
markaṭa-vairāgya chāḍi’ hailā ‘viṣayi-prāya’

Translation: Instead of becoming a so-called renunciant, Raghunātha dāsa, following the instructions of the Lord, returned home and played exactly like a pounds-and-shillings man.

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Caitanya had instructed Raghunatha dāsa to externally act like a pounds-and shillings man, but in his heart keep always Krsna present, like a married lady keeps her paramour in her heart.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.15

bhitare vairāgya, bāhire kare sarva-karma
dekhiyā ta’ mātā-pitāra ānandita mana

Translation: Raghunātha dāsa was inwardly completely renounced, even in family life, but he did not express his renunciation externally. Instead, he acted just like an ordinary businessman. Seeing this, his father and mother were satisfied.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya said not to be a phalgu-vairāgya or a false renunciant, to keep his mind on Kṛṣṇa internally being renounced but externally act like a householder.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.16

mathurā haite āgata prabhura saṅgagrahaṇe udyoga:—

‘mathurā haite prabhu āilā’,—vārtā yabe pāilā
prabhu-pāśa calibāre udyoga karilā

Translation: When he received a message that Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had returned from Mathurā City, Raghunātha dāsa endeavored to go to the lotus feet of the Lord.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Raghunatha dāsa is trying to get Lord Caitanya's association.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.17

saptagrāmera mochlema caudhurī navābera ujirera sāhāyye saptagrāmādhikāra:—

hena-kāle mulukera eka mleccha adhikārī
saptagrāma-mulukera se haya ‘caudhurī’

Translation: At that time there was a Muslim official collecting the taxes of Saptagrāma.

Purport: Formerly, when the Muslim government was in power, the person appointed tax collector would collect the taxes of the local zamindars, or landholders. He would keep one fourth of the collection for himself as a profit, and the balance he would deliver to the treasury of the government.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, this was the system being followed and as a result this caudhurī, he knew how much tax was supposed to be given.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.18

hiraṇya-dāsa muluka nila ‘makrari’ kariyā
tāra adhikāra gela, mare se dekhiyā

Translation: When Hiraṇya dāsa, Raghunātha dāsa’s uncle, made an agreement with the government to collect taxes, the Muslim caudhurī, or tax collector, having lost his position, became extremely envious of him.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.19

bāra lakṣa deya rājāya, sādhe biśa lakṣa
se ‘turuk’ kichu nā pāñā haila pratipakṣa

Translation: Hiraṇya dāsa was collecting 2,000,000 coins and therefore should have delivered 1,500,000 to the government. Instead, he was giving only 1,200,000, thus making an extra profit of 300,000 coins. Seeing this, the Muslim caudhurī, who was a Turk, became his rival.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the Muslim caudhurī he became envious because he was no longer making any money and when he saw that the King was being deprived of 300,000, he thought that he would take the advantage and arrest the father and uncle of Raghunatha dāsa.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.20

hiraṇya-govardhanera palāyana o raghunāthera bandhana:—

rāja-ghare kaiphiyat diyā ujīre ānila
hiraṇya-dāsa palāila, raghunāthere bāndhila

Translation: After sending a confidential account to the government treasury, the caudhurī brought the minister in charge. The caudhurī came, wanting to arrest Hiraṇya dāsa, but Hiraṇya dāsa had left home. Therefore the caudhurī arrested Raghunātha dāsa.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Raghunatha dāsa carrying out the order of Lord Caitanya he ended up being arrested.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.21

raghunāthera prati mochalema caudhurīra bhaya-pradarśana:—

prati-dina raghunāthe karaye bhartsanā
‘bāpa-jyeṭhāre āna’, nahe pāibā yātanā

Translation: Every day, the Muslim would chastise Raghunātha dāsa and tell him, “Bring your father and his elder brother. Otherwise you will be punished.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the Muslim caudhurī was threatening Raghunatha dāsa.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.22

raghunāthera mukhadarśane snehārdracitte pratyāvarttana:—

mārite ānaye yadi dekhe raghunāthe
mana phiri’ yāya, tabe nā pāre mārite

Translation: The caudhurī wanted to beat him, but as soon as he saw Raghunātha’s face, his mind changed, and he could not beat him.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.23

vāhye roṣa, antare śaṅkā:—

viśeṣe kāyastha-buddhye antare kare ḍara
mukhe tarje garje, mārite sabhaya antara

Translation: Indeed, the caudhurī was afraid of Raghunātha dāsa because Raghunātha dāsa belonged to the kāyastha community. Although the caudhurī would chastise him with oral vibrations, he was afraid to beat him.

Purport: Raghunātha dāsa belonged to a very aristocratic family of the kāyastha community. He had substantial influence with the local people, and therefore the caudhurī, or minister, was afraid to beat him. Superficially he would chastise Raghunātha dāsa with threatening vibrations, but he did not beat him. The members of the kāyastha community in India are generally very intelligent and expert in business management. Formerly they were mostly government officers. They were mentioned even by Yājñavalkya, as quoted by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura in his Amṛta-pravāha-bhāṣya:

From this verse it appears that the governmental officials of the kāyastha community would sometimes chastise the citizens, and thus it was the duty of the king to protect the people in general from the atrocities of the kāyasthas. In Bengal the kāyastha community is honored almost as much as the brāhmaṇa community, but in the up-country of India the kāyasthas are considered śūdras because they generally eat meat and drink wine. In any case, from history the kāyasthas appear very intelligent. Thus the Muslim caudhurī was afraid of Raghunātha dāsa because he belonged to the kāyastha community.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the caudhurī he was afraid to beat Raghunatha dāsa as Raghunatha dāsa and his community may take vengeance on the caudhurī. So, he threatened Raghunatha dasa but he did not beat him.

Thus ends the chapter entitled, Muslim Caudhurī Arrests Raghunātha Dāsa and Chastises Him with Oral Vibrations

Under the section: The Meeting of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī