20221217 Raghunātha dāsa Receives the Mercy of Nityānanda Prabhu

Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation

By His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on 17^th December 2022 in

Śrī 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

Introduction: Today we are continuing reading for the compilation of Caitanya līlā book, the chapter entitled is:

Raghunātha dāsa Receives the Mercy of Nityānanda Prabhu

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

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.126

paradivasa prātaḥsnānānte vṛkṣamūle upaviṣṭa nitāira samīpe raghunāthera caitanyacaraṇa-prāptyarthe nivedana:—

prāte nityānanda prabhu gaṅgā-snāna kariyā
sei vṛkṣa-mūle vasilā nija-gaṇa lañā

Translation: In the morning, after taking His bath in the Ganges, Nityānanda Prabhu sat down with His associates beneath the same tree under which He had previously sat.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, that tree is till present today and Lord Nityānanda sat there, you can go and take the dust from that tree in Pānihāṭi dhāma.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.127

raghunātha āsi’ kailā caraṇa vandana
rāghava-paṇḍita-dvārā kailā nivedana

Translation: Raghunātha dāsa went there and worshiped Lord Nityānanda’s lotus feet. Through Rāghava Paṇḍita, he submitted his desire.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.128

“adhama, pāmara mui hīna jīvādhama!
mora icchā haya—pāṅa caitanya-caraṇa

Translation: “I am the lowest of men, the most sinful, fallen and condemned. Nevertheless, I desire to attain shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Jayapatākā Swami: Raghunatha dāsa he pleaded with Lord Nityānanda, presenting himself very fallen and unqualified, and how nevertheless he wanted to receive the shelter of Lord Caitanya's lotus feet. Now he is asking the right person. Because by Lord Nityānanda’s mercy he can get the mercy of Lord Caitanya.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.129

vāmana hañā yena cānda dharibāre cāya
aneka yatna kainu, tāte kabhu siddha naya

Translation: “Like a dwarf who wants to catch the moon, I have tried my best many times, but I have never been successful.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.130

yata-bāra palāi āmi gṛhādi chāḍiyā
pitā, mātā—dui more rākhaye bāndhiyā

Translation: “Every time I tried to go away and give up my home relationships, my father and mother unfortunately kept me bound.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.131

nityānanda (guru)-kṛpā vyatīta caitanyapada-prāpti asambhava, tatkṛpāya ayogyerao tallābhe yogyatā:—

tomāra kṛpā vinā keha ‘caitanya’ nā pāya
tumi kṛpā kaile tāṅre adhameha pāya

Translation: “No one can attain the shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu without Your mercy, but if You are merciful, even the lowest of men can attain shelter at His lotus feet.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Raghunatha dāsa Gosvāmī has understood that he needed the mercy of Lord Nityānanda.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.132

nityānanda (guru)-pade caitanyapadalābhārtha kṛpābhikṣāra kartavyatā:—

ayogya mui nivedana karite kari bhaya
more ‘caitanya’ deha’ gosāñi hañā sadaya

Translation: “Although I am unfit and greatly afraid to submit this plea, I nevertheless request You, Sir, to be especially merciful toward me by granting me shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Raghunatha dāsa Gosvāmī was very humbly begging at the lotus feet of Lord Nityānanda for the shelter of Lord Caitanya. This was the secret meaning of the daṇḍa-mahotsva. Lord Nityānanda said that you are keeping away like a thief, and trying to get Lord Caitanya's mercy in an illegal way. So, now he is begging at the lotus feet of Lord Nityānanda for that mercy

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.133

mora māthe pada dhari’ karaha prasāda
nirvighne caitanya pāṅa—kara āśīrvāda”

Translation: “Placing Your feet on my head, give me the benediction that I may achieve the shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu without difficulty. I pray for this benediction.”

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.134

raghunāthera caitanyapada-lābhe vyākulatā-darśane tāṅhāke kṛpāśīrvāda-dānārtha nityānandaprabhura śuddhabhaktagaṇera nikaṭa āvedana:—

śuni’ hāsi’ kahe prabhu saba bhakta-gaṇe
“ihāra viṣaya-sukha—indra-sukha-sama

Translation: After hearing this appeal by Raghunātha dāsa, Lord Nityānanda Prabhu smiled and told all the devotees, “Raghunātha dāsa’s standard of material happiness is equal to that of Indra, the King of heaven.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Nityānanda was declaring now that Raghunatha dāsa Gosvāmī’s level of material happiness was like that of the King of Heavenly planets, he had everything that one could desire in the material world.

 

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.135

caitanya-kṛpāte seha nāhi bhāya mane
sabe āśīrvāda kara—pāuka caitanya-caraṇe

Translation: “Because of the mercy bestowed upon him by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Raghunātha dāsa, although situated in such material happiness, does not like it at all. Therefore, let every one of you be merciful toward him and give him the benediction that he may very soon attain shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Jayapatākā Swami: Normally people are very attached to material happiness, but Raghunatha dāsa Gosvāmī was very detached to even such opulence. He only wanted the shelter of Lord Caitanya's lotus feet.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.136

kṛṣṇapādapadma-gandhera mahimā o ākarṣaṇa-śakti:—

kṛṣṇa-pāda-padma-gandha yei jana pāya
brahmaloka-ādi-sukha tāṅre nāhi bhāya”

Translation: “One who experiences the fragrance of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa does not value even the standard of happiness available in Brahmaloka, the topmost planet. And what to speak of heavenly happiness?

Jayapatākā Swami: The heavenly happiness is on the third level, and Brahmāloka is on the seventh level of the upper half, there one doesn’t feel any disturbance, any pain, any suffering at all. But one who has the taste for serving Kṛṣṇa, no planet in the material world provides him transcendental happiness.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.137

śrīmad-bhāgavate (5/14/43)—

yo dustyajān dāra-sutān
suhṛd-rājyaṁ hṛdi-spṛśaḥ
jahau yuvaiva mala-vad
uttama-śloka-lālasaḥ

Translation: “Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is offered sublime, poetic prayers by those trying to attain His favor. Thus He is known as Uttamaśloka. Being very eager to gain the association of Lord Kṛṣṇa, King Bharata, although in the prime of youth, gave up his very attractive wife, affectionate children, most beloved friends and opulent kingdom, exactly as one gives up stool after excreting it.”

Purport: This verse is from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.14.43).

Jayapatākā Swami: In Kali-yuga one is allowed to be a gṛhastha and still attain the shelter of Lord Caitanya. He said, gṛhe thako vane thako, sadā hari bolo dako, but the wife should be helpful in devotional service.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.138

raghunāthera śire padasthāpanapūrvaka nityānandakarttṛka tāṅhāra prabhukṛpā-prāpti varṇana:—

tabe raghunāthe prabhu nikaṭe bolāila
tāṅra māthe pada dhari’ kahite lāgilā

Translation: Then Lord Nityānanda Prabhu called Raghunātha dāsa near Him, placed His lotus feet upon Raghunātha dāsa’s head and began to speak.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.139

“tumi ye karāilā ei pulina-bhojana
tomāya kṛpā kari’ gaura kailā āgamana

Translation: “My dear Raghunātha dāsa,” He said, “since you arranged the feast on the bank of the Ganges, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu came here just to show you His mercy.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.140

kṛpā kari’ kailā ciḍā-dugdha bhojana
nṛtya dekhi’ rātrye kailā prasāda bhakṣaṇa

Translation: “By His causeless mercy He ate the chipped rice and milk. Then, after seeing the dancing of the devotees at night, He took His supper.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.141

raghunāthera prati kṛpāpūrvaka gaurera āvirbhāva o bhojanaphale raghunāthera vighnanāśa:—

tomā uddhārite gaura āilā āpane
chuṭila tomāra yata vighnādi-bandhane

Translation: “Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Gaurahari, came here personally to deliver you. Now rest assured that all the impediments meant for your bondage are gone.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Raghunatha dāsa Gosvāmī got the special mercy of Lord Nityānanda and Lord Nityānanda placed His Lotus feet on His head and said how Lord Caitanya had come just to deliver Raghunatha dāsa.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.142

nityānanda prabhura bhaviṣyadvāṇī:—

svarūpera sthāne tomā karibe samarpaṇe
‘antaraṅga’ bhṛtya bali’ rākhibe caraṇe

Translation: “Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will accept you and place you under the charge of His secretary, Svarūpa Dāmodara. You will thus become one of the most confidential internal servants and will attain shelter at the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Jayapatākā Swami: Hari bol! So, Lord Nityānanda Prabhu was predicting exactly what would happen, how he would be placed under  Svarūpa Dāmodara and how he would get the internal service of Lord Caitanya.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.143

nirvighne caitanyapadaprāptira āśīrvāda-dāna:—

niścinta hañā yāha āpana-bhavana
acire nirvighne pābe caitanya-caraṇa”

Translation: “Being assured of all this, return to your own home. Very soon, without impediments, you will attain shelter at the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda had all the sannyāsīs, GBCs and senior devotees bless Ghanaśyama dāsa for His mission behind the Iron Curtain to distribute sets of books. So we have experience how Śrīla Prabhupāda would have devotees to give their mercy. Although as far as we were concerned, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s blessings were enough. But when we asked, “why do you want us to give the blessings?” He said, “Kṛṣṇa will also listen to you.”

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.144

bhaktagaṇadvāre raghunāthake āśīrvāda-jñāpana; raghunāthera bhaktapada vandana:—

saba bhakta-dvāre tāṅre āśīrvāda karāilā
tāṅ-sabāra caraṇa raghunātha vandilā

Translation: Lord Nityānanda had Raghunātha dāsa blessed by all the devotees, and Raghunātha dāsa offered his respects to their lotus feet.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.145

rāghavera sahita gopane parāmarśa:—

prabhu-ājñā lañā vaiṣṇavera ājñā la-ilā
rāghava-sahite nibhṛte yukti karilā

Translation: After taking leave of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu and then all the other Vaiṣṇavas, Śrī Raghunātha dāsa consulted secretly with Rāghava Paṇḍita.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.146

prabhura bhāṇḍārīra haste artha-praṇāmī-pradāna:—

yukti kari’ śata mudrā, soṇā tolā-sāte
nibhṛte dilā prabhura bhāṇḍārīra hāte

Translation: After consulting with Rāghava Paṇḍita, he secretly delivered one hundred gold coins and about seven tolās of gold into the hand of Nityānanda Prabhu’s treasurer.

Jayapatākā Swami: A tolā is about ten grams, Seven tolās is about 70 grams or about 1-2 ounces.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.147

prabhura nikaṭa uhā gupta rākhite anurodha:—

tāṅre niṣedhilā,—”prabhure ebe nā kahibā
nija-ghare yābena yabe tabe nivedibā”

Translation: Raghunātha dāsa admonished the treasurer, “Do not speak about this to Lord Nityānanda Prabhu now, but when He returns home, kindly inform Him about this presentation.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, he wants to be sure that the donation would not be returned.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.148

raghunāthake rāghavera svagṛhe vigraha-darśana karāiyā yathocita sammāna:—

tabe rāghava-paṇḍita tāṅre ghare lañā gelā
ṭhākura darśana karāñā mālā-candana dilā

Translation: Thereupon, Rāghava Paṇḍita took Raghunātha dāsa to his home. After inducing him to see the Deity, he gave Raghunātha dāsa a garland and sandalwood pulp.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, as mentioned earlier Rāghava Paṇḍita had Rādhā Madan mohan Deities. But he also knew that Lord Caitanya was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So he would offer bhoga  not only to Rādhā Madanmohana but also to Lord Caitanya.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.149

vaiṣṇava-caraṇa-pūjāra yogya ādarśa dekhāiyā raghunāthera arthaśālī viṣayīke śikṣā-dāna:—

aneka ‘prasāda’ dilā pathe khāibāre
tabe punaḥ raghunātha kahe paṇḍitere

Translation: He gave Raghunātha dāsa a large quantity of prasādam to eat on his way home. Then Raghunātha dāsa again spoke to Rāghava Paṇḍita.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Rāghava Paṇḍita was showing his observance of Vaiṣṇava etiquette by giving Kṛṣṇa prasāda to Raghunatha dāsa to take on his way home.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.150

“prabhura saṅge yata mahānta, bhṛtya, āśrita jana
pūjite cāhiye āmi sabāra caraṇa

Translation: “I want to give money,” he said, “just to worship the lotus feet of all the great devotees, servants and sub servants of Lord Nityānanda Prabhu.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.151

biśa, pañca-daśa, bāra, daśa, pañca haya
mudrā deha’ vicāri’ yāra yata yogya haya

Translation: “As you think fit, give twenty, fifteen, twelve, ten or five coins to each of them.”

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.152

sakalake abhinandanapatra o praṇāmī-pradāna:—

saba lekhā kariyā rāghava-pāśa dilā
yāṅra nāme yata rāghava ciṭhi lekhāilā

Translation: Raghunātha dāsa drew up an account of the amount to be given and submitted it to Rāghava Paṇḍita, who then made up a list showing how much money was to be paid to each and every devotee.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, depending on each devotee’s status and needs, Rāghava Paṇḍita assigned and expressed how much money should be given to each devotee and the total money which was needed.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.153

eka-śata mudrā āra soṇā tolā-dvaya
paṇḍitera āge dila kariyā vinaya

Translation: With great humility, Raghunātha dāsa placed one hundred gold coins and about two tolās of gold before Rāghava Paṇḍita for all the other devotees.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, at this time, a paisa would obtain a large value of food grains.  Srila Prabhupada was saying that his father used to buy the ingredients for the whole year for just a few rupees which was about a hundred years ago. Five hundred years ago, people would buy things, 80 conch shells equaled one paisa. And things would be purchased with conch shells. 

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā, 6.154

nitāira kṛpā pāiyā rāghavake praṇāmānte raghunāthera svagṛhe āgamana:—

tāṅra pada-dhūli lañā svagṛhe āilā
nityānanda-kṛpā pāñā kṛtārtha mānilā

Translation: After taking dust from the feet of Rāghava Paṇḍita, Raghunātha dāsa returned to his home, feeling greatly obligated to Lord Nityānanda Prabhu because of having received His merciful benediction.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Raghunatha dāsa had received the merciful benediction of Lord Nityānanda and all the assembled Vaiṣṇavas, and now he was confident to get the shelter of Lord Caitanya.

So, this is the great benediction received by the Ciḍā-dadhi festival that one can get the shelter of Lord Nitāi Gaura’s mercy.

Thus ends the chapter entitled, Raghunātha dāsa Receives the Mercy of Nityānanda Prabhu

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

Transcribed and Verified by JPS Archives 26^th December 2022