Song 16

Refrain: Anyone who once sees Lord Gaura’s form will not, even till the moment of death, forget Him.

37. Now please hear the wonderful pastimes of another day. The Lord enjoyed blissful pastimes in Śrīvās’as home.

38. One day Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita performed rituals for the pitās. With a pure heart he listened to the recitation of Viṣṇu-sahasra-nāma (thousand names of Lord Viṣṇu).

39. At that time Lord Gaura came to visit. Hearing the thousand names, Lord Gaura felt His every desire was fulfilled.

40. Listening and listening, Lord Gaura heard the name "Nṛsiṃha". At that moment Lord Gaura’s two eyes became red with anger. He shook His hair upward.

41. The hairs of His body stood erect. His body became red. He roared like a lion.

42. Taking a stick in His hand, He began to run about. Seeing Him, all the people felt their hearts tremble.

43. Then Lord Gaura began to chase everyone. His hair was no longer bound. Filled with anger, Lord Gaura had no power to restrain Himself.

44. Seeing Lord Nṛsiṃha, everyone fled. In amoment Lord Gaura put doen His stick and abandoned His manifestation of Lord Nṛsiṃha.

45. Śacī’s son is the seed from where all avatāras grow. Whenevr He wishes He can manifest any avatāra.

46. Stopping His manifestation of Lord Nṛsiṃha, Lord Gaura sat down on His seat. Surprised, Lord Gaura said:

47. "I don’t know what I just did. Did I commit any offense? What do you think in your hearts?"

48. Hearing these words, everyone said: "Why do You speak these words? How can You commit an offense?"

49. Śrīvāsa said: "Whoever sees You becoems free from the shackles of material life."

50. Everyone please hear the story of another day’s pastimes. One day a persons singing Lord Śiva’s glories arrived.

51. He offered obeisances to the feet of Lord Gaura-Hari, and then with a happy heart he sang Lord Śiva’s glories.

52. "Śiva! Śiva!", he joyfully called out. Pure devotion for Lord Śiva was manifest in his body.

53. Listening, Lord Gaura became joyful at heart. As He heard Lord Śiva’s glories, Lord Gaura felt His joy increase more and more.

54. Manifesting the nature of Lord Śiva, Lord Gaura danced. Forgetting himself, the devotee of Lord Śiva was filled with joy.

55. Then Lord Gaura climbed on that devotee’s shoulders. No one is fortunate like that devotee.

56. Carrying Lord Gaura on his shoulders, that devotee joyfully sang and danced. His eyes now red, Lord Gaura manifested the form of Lord Śiva.

57. The Lord spoke orders like Lord Śiva. He spoke words like Lord Śiva’s words. He played a ḍambaru drum. With His mouth He loudly sounded on a horn.

58. Loudly chanting, "Rāma! Kṛṣṇa!", Lord Gaura laughed and wept. Filled with the sentiments of Lord Śiva, Lord Gaura wept.

59. Aware of all spiritual truths, Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita carefully recited many prayers.

60. Śrī Mukunda Datta also recited many prayers. Aware of all spiritual truths, they joyfully danced.

61. Lord Gaura descended from the singer’s shoulders. With great devotion, Lord Gaura sang the glories of Lord Hari.

62. Wild with bliss, Lord Gaura danced. Joyfully singing the glories of Lord Hari, Lord Gaura was plunged in an ocean of bliss.

63. In this way Lord Gaura, who is an ocean of mercy, showed great mercy. Hearing of this pastime, Locana dāsa is overcome with bliss.