Chaitanya Mangala
100,055 words
This page relates Song 10 of the Grantharambha of the Sutra-khanda of the Chaitanya Mangala by Locana Dasa Thakura (1520 A.D.) translated into English. This book contains songs narrating the activities (pastimes) of Lord Chaitanya and represents a Sanskrit biography written as a narrative poem which can be sung in various ragas.
Song 10
Refrain: O my master! O my very life! Lord Gauracandra has come to this world!
475. Hearing these words, Indra, Candra, the demigods, and the kings of yogīs and sages all danced with bliss.
476. Filled with bliss, Nārada continued his travels. He saw that the people were like dead trees now alive with a host of new sprouts.
477. Returning unannounced to earth, he saw the people’s relīgious practices were in chaos.
478. Everyone had turned away from charity, vows, and austerities. With their bodies, words, and hearts they worshiped only their wives.
479. Seeing all this, Nārada decided: "This is the Kalī-yuga. There is no doubt of that.
480. "My announcement fell on the three worlds. Now the Kalī-yuga has come."
481. Nārada sat down and became rapt in thought. Suddenly from the sky a divine voice said:
482. "I am Lord Jagannātha. In My spiritual form of wood I reside by the ocean’s shore in Nīlācala to deliver the people.
483. "You do not remember what happened before. I promised I would keep Goddess Kātyāyanī’s vow.
484. "Go. Go, O king of the sages, to Jagannātha Purī. Obey Lord Jagannātha’s command."
485. His heart filled with bliss, Nārada traveled there. The sound rising from his vīṇā cooled the feverish people of the world.
486. With great love calling out, "O! O Jagannātha!", he ran to Jagannātha Purī. There he gazed at the graceful moonlike face of Lord Jagannātha, the ruler of the three worlds.
487. Lord Jagannātha is the resting place of all divine incarnations. His blissful face is the abode of all nectar and all gracefulness.
488. Nārada fell at Lord Jagannātha’s feet. Folding his hands, he said: "O Lord Jagannātha, please be merciful. Now the age of Kalī has come.
489. "Now everyone has fallen into a host of horrible sins. Everyone is devoted only to their bellies and genitals. They are all bewildered with great lamentations."
490. Hearing these words, Lord Jagannātha smiled and spoke. Touching Nārada’s hand, in that secluded place the Lord said:
491. "I will tell you a great secret. By My command you should now go to the spiritual world of Goloka."