Chaitanya Bhagavata
by Bhumipati Dāsa | 2008 | 1,349,850 words
The Chaitanya Bhagavata 2.9.142, English translation, including a commentary (Gaudiya-bhasya). This text is similair to the Caitanya-caritamrita and narrates the pastimes of Lord Caitanya, proclaimed to be the direct incarnation of Krishna (as Bhagavan) This is verse 142 of Madhya-khanda chapter 9—“The Lord’s Twenty-One Hour Ecstasy and Descriptions of Shridhara and Other Devotees’ Characteristics”.
Verse 2.9.142
Bengali text, Devanagari and Unicode transliteration of verse 2.9.142:
অর্ধেক সওদায হয নিজ প্রাণ-রক্ষা এই-মত হয বিষ্ণু-ভক্তের পরীক্ষা ॥ ১৪২ ॥
अर्धेक सओदाय हय निज प्राण-रक्षा एइ-मत हय विष्णु-भक्तेर परीक्षा ॥ १४२ ॥
ardheka saodāya haya nija prāṇa-rakṣā ei-mata haya viṣṇu-bhaktera parīkṣā || 142 ||
ardheka saodaya haya nija prana-raksa ei-mata haya visnu-bhaktera pariksa (142)
English translation:
(142) With the other half, he maintained his life. This is the test of a devotee of Viṣṇu.
Commentary: Gauḍīya-bhāṣya by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura:
The word saodā refers to profit earned through business. It is stated in Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (10.88.8 and 8.22.24):
yasyāham anugṛhṇāmi hariṣye tad-dhanaṃśanaiḥ
“If I especially favor someone, I gradually deprive him of his wealth.”
brahman yam anugṛhṇāmi tad-viśo vidhunomy aham yan-madaḥ puruṣaḥ stabdho lokaṃ māṃ cāvamanyate
“My dear Lord Brahmā, because of material opulence a foolish person becomes dull-witted and mad. Thus he has no respect for anyone within the three worlds and defies even My authority. To such a person I show special favor by first taking away all his possessions.”