Chaitanya Mangala
100,055 words
This page relates Song 19 of the Kaishora-Lila-Vivaha of the Adi-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 19
Refrain: He who is the moon of the brāhmaṇas is my very life!
1. Smiling and gazing at her son’s face, Śacī sweetly said:
2. "Listen. Listen, O Viśvambhara, my golden son. Vallabhācārya’s daughter is very wonderful.
3. "In my heart I know it is right that You marry her. How fortunate I am to have her as my daughter-inlaw!
4. "Think about it. Please accept this wonderful opportunity. Please gather the appropriate things, so everything will be rightly done."
5. Hearing His mother’s words, Lord Viśvambhara Rāya gathered all the appropriate things. Everything was right.
6. A very learned astrologer was called. He marked the auspicious moment for the wedding.
7. On that auspicious day, at that auspicious time, all the brāhmaṇas, elegantly dressed for the occasion, came.
8. All the villages of Nadīyā were filled with bliss. The ocean of ecstatic spiritual love rose. Everyone forgot himself.
9. Śacī and the fortunate married ladies made all thew auspicious arrangements. In this way everything was wonderful in the Lord’s adhivāsa ceremony.
10. In the four directions brāhmaṇas chanted the Vedas. Conchshells and mṛdaṅgas were sounded. Everything was marked with auspiciousness.
11. The directions were decorated with lamps, flags, and flower garlands. Scented with fragrances, sandal paste and flower garlands, the place was charming.
12. In this way all the brāhmaṇas performed the Lord’s adhivāsa ceremony. Lord Gaura’s form was glorious like ten million Kāmadevas.
13. Lord Gaura’s limbs glistened with great splendor. Gazing at Him, all the brāhmaṇas became filled with wonder.
14. To the brāhmaṇas He gave fragrances, sandal paste, and flower garlands. When He gave them glorious betelnuts they were very pleased.
15. Vallabhācārya arranged for the bride’s adhivāsa ceremony. That very auspicious ritual was was performed by the best brāhmaṇas.
16. Fragrant scents, garlands, and sandal were exchanged. In the adhivāsa ceremony Lord Gaura was decorated like the jewel of sons-in-law.
17. In this way the adhivāsa and the night both came to an end. Saying, "Now we will go and collect Gaṅgā water.", the girls were filled with bliss.
18. Making waves of music, the instruments sounded in unison. The saintly ladies ended the adhivāsa ceremony.
19. Tossed by the nectar waves of Lord Gaurāṅga’s wedding, the young girls of Nadīyā became wild with bliss.
20. Walking in group after group, the brāhmaṇa girls were like groups of moons decorating the earth.
21. Their eyes were like does eyes. Their walking was like elephants graceful steps. The splendor of their limbs defeated Kāmadeva.
22. Their hair, garments, and ornaments were peerless. They could conquer the most powerful sages hearts.
23. They smiled and laughed. They glistened like lightning. Their words were nectar. They laughed and joked. Walking along, they nodded and nodded with the desire to sleep.
24. With sweet words tbey chanted Lord Gaurāṅga’s glories. Their limbs, splendid like Kāmadeva, trembled.
25. Waves of pearls decorated their noses and garments, pearls like a host of stars fallen to the earth during the reddish sunrise.
26. These saintly girls went to Śacī’s home. Śacī gave them gifts of fragrances, sandal, and betelnuts.
27. The girls went to collect Gaṅgā water. House after house they flooded with the ncetar of auspicious bliss. (Sung in Tuḍī-rāga)
28. Their faces like moons lighting up the night, with sweet voices the girls sang songs praising Lord Gaura’s pastimes. They sang: Refrain: Whoever went first sang songs of Lord Gaura’s pastimes. Thus they went to collect Gaṅgā water. Their hearts were all filled with bliss. Who amongst them had the power to remain calm and peaceful?
29. Some wore glorious silk garments. Others wore garments of yellow. As they walked they fanned Lord Gaura’s glorious limbs.
30. Placing Śacī in front, they walked behind her. They waited for Lord Gaura. They tried to get close to Him.
31. On the pretext of offering Him fragrances, sandal, and flower garlands, they touched Lord Gaura’s limbs.
32. Carefully they placed betelnuts and camphor in Lord Gaura’s hand.
33. Finally they met the married ladies. Filled with the nectar of wonderful bliss, they all performed the ritual of collecting Gaṅgā water. In this way Locana dāsa sings the glories of Lord Gaura.