Song 18

(Dhanaśī rāga-Diśā)

Refrain: O1 O! O!

697. One day Śacī took Lord Gaura-Harī by the hand and brought Him to pastimes of scholarship.

698. She took Her son to all the paṇḍitas and humbly said to them:

699. "O saintly ones, please teach my son. Give Him shelter. Please don’t reject Him.

700. "Please be affectionate to my fatherless son. Please think of Him as your own son."

701. Hearing these words, the paṇḍitas hesitated in their hearts. They humbly said:

702. "Dear mother, on this day our good fortune is born. Today we have attained the person who is loved by millions of Sarasvatīs.

703. "To everyone He will teach His own spiritual love and His own holy names. He is the best of the brāhmaṇas, the guru of all the worlds.

704. "Dear mother, please know for certain that it is we who will learn from Him."

705. Hearing these words, Śacī-devī humbly said: "I will leave Him with you." Then she returned home.

706. In those days Lord Viśvambhara would go to Viṣṇu Paṇḍita’s home to study.

707. To bless them, Lord Gaura, the guru of the worlds, also studied under Sudarśana Paṇḍita and Gaṅgādāsa Paṇḍita.

708. Manifesting a form deceptively like that of an ordinary mortal, Lord Gaura acted like an ordinary person. Merciful to the people, he studied and taught.

709. One day, at Śrī Sudarśana Paṇḍita’s house, Lord Gaura was joking with His classmates.

710. Speaking charming joking words sweet like nectar, the Lord imitated the speech of East Bengal.

711. Some days passed in this way. Then the Lord decided to visit Vanamālī Acārya.

712. The Lord went to his āśrama to see him. Seeing him, Lord Gaura bowed down and then respectfully stood.

713. Taking him by the hand, they both walked on the pathways. Talking and talking, they spoke of many wonderful and secret things.

714-715. At that moment Lord Viśvambhara suddenly saw Vallabhācārya’s beautiful, virtuous, saintly daughter, a girl who was the most fortunate in the three worlds, a girl who, surrounded by her girl friends, was walking to a bathing place by the Gaṅgā.

716. The Lord glanced at her and smiled. From that one glance, the memory of why He had taken birth in this world was born in the Lord’s thoughts.

717. Lord Gaura understood the hint that girl, Goddess Lakṣmī herself, had given Him with that glance. In her thoughts Goddess Lakṣmī placed Lord Gaura’s feet on her head.

718. Very intelligent Vanamālī Acārya understood what had happened. A confidential thought then sprouted in his heart.

719. On another day, with a joyful heart Vanamālī Acārya went to Śacī’s house.

720. Smiling, he bowed down before Śacī’s feet and then sweetly said:

721. "I know a girl who is very suitable for your son. She is beautiful, virtuous, and saintly. She is the most fortunate girl in the three worlds.

722. "She is the very well-behaved daughter of Vallabhācārya. If you wish, you may reveal what you think in your heart."

723. Hearing Vanamālī Acārya’s words, Śacī-devī said: "My son is still young. Let Him study.

724. "My son has no father. Let him study for some days. Let Him grow a little older and become a learned paṇḍita. Then you may try again."

725. Hearing these words, Vanamālī Acārya was not happy. His face marked with disappointment, he walked home.

726. He was restless. He was agitated at heart. He wept and wept. He called out: "O! O Gauracandra!

727. "O purifier of the fallen, You refuse to make me fortunate. Why, then, do You accept the name Vāñchā-kalpa-taru (He who is like a desire-tree)?

728. "If You will not fulfill my desire, why do You accept the name Vāñchā-kalpa-taru?

729. "O Lord who rescued Draupadī from fear and infamy, glory, glory to You! O Lord who rescued Gajendra from a crocodile, glory, glory to You!

730. "O Lord who rescued Ajāmila from the Yamadūtas, glory to You! O father of everyone, please rescue me also!"

731. At that moment Lord Gaura was at His teacher’s house. Fully aware of what was in Vanamālī Acārya’s heart, the Lord became unhappy that His devotee was in distress.

732. Lord Gaura hastily packed up His books, spoke to His teacher, and left.

733. He gracefully walked like a maddened elephant. Ornaments glistened on His fair form.

734. His curly hair charmed everyone. His lips were like bāndhūlī flowers. His teeth were like pearls.

735. His charming limbs were anointed with sandal paste. The fine garments gracing His form charmed every heart.

736. Of how many millions of Kāmadevas was Lord Gaura-Harī the king? His graceful form agitated the saintly girls.

737. Lord Gaura quickly went to Vanamālī Acārya’s house. He went quickly because He bears the name Vāñchā-kalpa-taru.

738. Weeping, Vanamālī Acārya walked on path after path. Raising his arms, he called out: "O! O Gauracandra!"

739. At that time Lord Gaura had just come from His teacher’s house. Walking, He suddenly saw Vanamālī Acārya.

740. Like a stick Vanamālī Acārya fell at Lord Gaura’s feet. Smiling and smiling, the Lord picked him up.

741. Then Lord Gaura offered obeisances to Vanamālī Acārya. Embracing him, the Lord sweetly asked: "From where have you come?"

742. Vanamālī Acārya replied: "Listen. Listen, O Viśvambhara. I have come from Your home.

743. "I visited Your saintly mother. To her I spoke what was in my mind.

744. "I told her of a girl that is very suitable for You. That girl is Vallabhācārya’s fortunate, all-virtuous daughter.

745. "Hearing these words, Your mohter did not take them seriously. Disappointed at heart, I am now returning home."

746. Hearing these words, the Lord did not speak. With a playful smile He returned home.

747. Seeing the Lord’s wise, graceful, sweet, gentle smile, Vanamālī Acārya knew in his heart that his desire would be fulfilled.

748. He thought: "My mission will be fulfilled." Again in his heart he thought: "The Lord will marry her."

749. Vanamālī Acārya joyfully returned to his home. In his heart he thought of Lord Gaura’s pastimes.

750. Returning to His home, Lord Gaura asked His mother: "What did you say to Vanamālī Acārya?

751. "I met him on the street. He was very unhappy at heart. I could not cheer him with My words.

752. "Why did you make him so unhappy? Seeing his sorrow I became sorrowful also."

753. Hearing the Lord’s words, in her heart intelligent Śacī at once understood the Lord’s hint.

754. At once she sent a messenger to bring Vanamālī Acārya. Hearing the messenger’s words, Vanamālī Acārya came at once.

755. His body flooded with bliss and his words choked, he bowed down before Śacī.

756. Falling down like a stick, he touched the dust at Śacī’s feet. "O goddess, why have you called for me?", he said.

757. "You may make arrangements for what previously you spoke. To please everyone I sanction Viśvambhara’s marriage.

758. "You love Viśvambhara more than I. Please arrange everything. What more need I tell you?

759. "You spoke of Viśvambhara’s marriage. Now please arrange it. This I tell you."

760. Hearing these words, Vanamālī Acārya said: "I will obey your command."

761. After speaking these words, he went to Vallabhācārya’s house. Vallabhācārya respectfully rose to greet him.

762-263. Vallabhācārya humbly offered a sitting place. Thinking of his own good fortune, Vallabhācārya smiled and said: "I am very fortunate that you have come. What is your mission? Please tell it."

764. Hearing Vallabhācārya’s words, Vanamālī Acārya spoke some words of graceful introduction and then described the mission in his heart.

765. He said: "You were always very friendly to me. Controlled by the friendship of others, I have come to your home.

766. "Jagannātha Miśra had a son named Viśvambhara. That son has good family, good character, and a host of virtues. His every limb is handsome.

767. "How can I describe all His virtues? The creating demigod Brahmā has placed every virtue in this person.

768. "How can I describe Viśvambhara’s glories? Soon every mouth will chant His glories. Everyone will hear His glories.

769. "Viśvambhara would be the perfect husbvand for your daughter. If in your heart you agree, then it will all be arranged."

770. Hearing these words, Vallabhācārya thought in his heart. He said: "These words you speak bring great good fortune to me.

771. "I have no wealth. I cannot give any dowry. I can give only my beautiful daughter.

772. "If you accept this offer, then I will give my daughter to Viśvabhara, the jewel of sons-in-law.

773. "When I give my daughter in marriage to Gauracandra, then there will be great bliss in the planets of the dmeigods, sages, and pitās.

774. "This event has come as the result of my many past austerities. To me no one is a better friend than you. This my heart says.

775. "Of the possibility of this marriage I have thought day and night. Now it will happen. It is not too much to hope for."

776. In this way the two of them concluded their conversation. Returning to Śacī’s house, Vanamālī Acārya told her everything.

777. Hearing the news, Śacī-devī became very pleased. To Vanamālī Acārya she gave her blessings.

778. She gathered her relatives and told them the news. Her body was filled with bliss. She was very joyful.

779. To all her relatives she told her decision. Thinking it over, everyone agreed: "It is good. It is good."