Introduction to chapter 24

This chapter describes the wonderful manifestations of ecstatic love in Śrīman Mahāprabhu’s kīrtana, Śrī Advaita Prabhu’s dancing in the mood of a gopī, Mahāprabhu’s display of the universal form to Advaita, Nityānanda’s arrival and darśana of that universal form, and the loving quarrel between Śrī Nityānanda and Advaita.

One day when Śrīman Mahāprabhu, the inaugurator of saṅkīrtana, was engaged in various kīrtana pastimes in Navadvīpa, Śrīla Advaita Prabhu began to dance in the mood of a gopī. As the devotees continued to happily perform kīrtana, He continued dancing for a long time.

Eventually the devotees somehow pacified Him and then sat down around Him. When Śrīvāsa and Rāmāi then went out to take bath, Śrī Advaita Prabhu began to repeatedly roll in ecstasy on the ground within Śrīvāsa’s courtyard. Śrī Advaita’s distress was understood by Viśvambhara, who was engaged in other activities. He therefore came there and took Advaita Prabhu inside the Viṣṇu temple and locked the door from within. The Lord then asked Advaita Prabhu what His desire was. When Śrī Advaita Prabhu expressed His desire to see the Lord’s universal form, Śrīman Mahāprabhu, who is the desire tree that fulfills His devotees’ desires, displayed His own universal form to Advaita.

Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu was at that time wandering about Nadia. As the Supersoul, He came to know about the Lord’s manifestation of His universal form, so He immediately came there and began to roar loudly at the doorway. Śrīman Mahāprabhu understood that Nityānanda Prabhu had arrived, so He immediately opened the door, and as Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu saw that unlimited universal form, He fell flat offering obeisances. After seeing Mahāprabhu’s opulences, the two Prabhus began to dance in ecstasy and offer prayers.

After a while the two Prabhus became intoxicated in loving quarrels. Shortly thereafter Śrī Mahāprabhu restrained Himself and departed for His home with the devotees.