Chaitanya Mangala

100,055 words

This page relates Song 32 of the Shaci-matar Shoka of the Madhya-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.

(Varāḍi rāga-Diśā)

Refrain: Please hear this song glorifying Lord Gaura, of Śacī’s moonlike son, a song full of wonderful words, a song that brings auspiciousness to the ears.

180. Lord Kṛṣṇa said to Śacī: "Don’t be agitated. Please hear My words. Why make your heart become sorrowful with the falso activities of this world?

181. "Again and again I tell you: Still you do not listen. Please know that the greed, bewilderment, anger, and pride of this world are all illusions.

182. "Who are you? Who is your son? Who is the mother? Who is the son? Please know the words

‘Yours and ‘Mine are only illusions. Please renounce these illusions.

183. "Who is a woman? Who is a man? Who is a wife? Who is a husband? But for Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet there is no auspicious goal.

184. "Lord Kṛṣṇa is the father. He is the mother. He is the friend and kinsman. He is the creator. He is the one who takes away. He is the only true wealth.

185. "Without Him everything is an illusion. I speak the truth. Without Him this whole world is an illusion.

186. "The people in this world are captives in the prison of Lord Viṣṇu’s illusory poetncy Māyā. They are shackled by their own pride and false-ego.

187. "The people act selfishly. Later they are bound by the reactiosn of thos acts.

188. "Bound y the ropes of karma, the souls wander in the material world. They do not know who in truth they are. Forgetting Kṛṣṇa, they are bewildered.

189. "In all the fourteen worlds a human birth is very rare and valuable. I tell you the heart of the truth.

190. "The sufferings in this world are like an ocean without a shore. In a single moment all may be destroyed. Everything in this world is temporary.

191. "A person who, aware that this human body is very rare and difficult to obtain, worships Lord Kṛṣṇa becomes free from Māyā.

192. "Simply by worshiping Lord Kṛṣṇa, that person attains everything. Free from māyā’s shackles, he falls in love with Lord Kṛṣṇa.

193. "If you loved Lord Kṛṣṇa as much as you love Me, how much good fortune would you attain?

194. "By loving the things of this world one attains only death as one’s reward. By loving Lord Kṛṣṇa one attains liberation from the world of birth and death.

195. "He is the true friend, the true mother, the true father, who gives to his associates the gift of love and devotion for Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet.

196. "My heart is tormented by separation from Lord Kṛṣṇa. I fall at your feet and beg:

197. "You loved Me deeply. By following your teachings I became pure at heart.

198. "You have always protected Me. Please worship Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet. Renounce the idea that I am your son.

199. "To attain love for Lord Kṛṣṇa I will accept sannyāsa. In country after country I will distribute the great treasure of love for Lord Kṛṣṇa.

200. "Other sons bring gold and silver. After enjoying them, one perishes. They are not the true goal of life.

201. "Though one gathers great wealth, in the end he must suffer. The wealth must go and he must die.

202. "The wealth I give is love for Lord Kṛṣṇa. Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet give the greatest wealth and good fortune to everyone.

203. "That wealth of love for Lord Kṛṣṇa is not destroyed in this world or in the next. Mother, thsse words I speak to you. In your heart please forgive Me.

204. "In every birth one gets a mother, father, and host of associates. It is not in every birth that one finds a spiritual master and Lord Kṛṣṇa. Please know this truth in your heart.

205. "In a human birth one may find a spiritual master and Lord Kṛṣṇa. A human being who has not accepted a spiritual master I consider like the birds and the beasts."

206. Hearing these words, Śacī was very surprised at heart. She gazed at the lotus flower of Lord Viśvambhara’s face.

207. Now the illusory Māyā controlled by the master of the fourteen worlds was flung far away. Now Śacī saw all spirit souls with equal vision.

208. "At that moment Śacī understood that her Viśvambhara was in truth Lord Kṛṣṇa. Though all illusion was thrown far away, she still spoke the words "my son".

209-210. Filled with wonder, she gazed at her son, who now manifested a dark form defeating a host of new monsoon clouds, a form bent in three places, holding a flute, glorious with yellow garments, and surrounded by hosts of cows, gopas, and gopīs in Vṛndāvana forest.

211. Gazing at her son, Śacī felt great wonder in her heart. The hairs of her body stood erect. She trembled.

212. She did not renounce the love she felt for her son. She thought herself very fortunate to have Lord Kṛṣṇa as her son.

213. "Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is very difficult to find in all the worlds, has become my son. I cannot bring Him under my control. What power have I over Him?"

214. Thinking in this way, Śacī said: "You are the jewel of persons. You are the independent Supreme Personality of Godhead.

215. "Because I was very fortunate, for some days You stayed under my control. Now, by Your own wish, You will accept sannyāsa.

216. "One request I place before You: How can I lose the priceless treasure that You are?"

217. Speaking these words, Śacī wept in a piteous voice. Five or seven flooding streams of tears flowed from her eyes to her neck.

218. Saintly Śacī wept and wept. As she wept, Lord Gaura bowed His head.

219. Again raising His head, Lord Viśvambhara said: "Mother, please hear My words.

220. "Any day when you wish to see Me, you will see Me at once."

221. Hearing these words, Śacī still wept. With a sorrowing heart Locana dāsa speaks these words.

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