Song 41

(Bhāṭiyāri rāga-Diśā)

Refrain: O! O! O! O! O my brothers, sing, please sing the glories of Lord Gaura! O friend, O friend of my life, please do not desire anything in this world of birth death. For as long as you live in this world please never abondon Lord Mahāprabhu’s feet.

1. Walking on the path, Lord Mahāprabhu came to the very holy place named Tamoluka.

2. He bathed in Brahma-kuṇḍa and saw the Deity of Śrī Madhusūdana. Lord Gaura was overcome with ecstatic spiritual love. His heart was joyful.

3. After some more days of walking on the path, Lord Mahāprabhu came to the village of Remuṇā.

4. In the great village of Remuṇā the Deity was Gopāla. Tossed by a shoreless ocean of bliss, Lord Gaura ran to see Him.

5. "In ancient times Uddhava established this Deity in Vārāṇasī. On the pretext of showing mercy to a certain brāhmaṇa, that Deity unexpectedly came to Remuṇā."

6. Saying these words, Lord Gaura offered obeisances again and again. "O master of Uddhava!", He called out.

7. "Today My eyes have borne their fruit. Now I see the Lord that Uddhava so dearly loved."

8. "Udhava! Uddhava!", Lord Gaura plaintively cried. Overcome with ecstatic spiritual love, Lord Gaura fell to the ground and wept.

9. From His reddish eyes tears flowed without stop. The hairs of His body stood erect. He trembled again and again.

10. Calling out, "O master of Uddhava!", He circumambulated the Deity. He danced with His followers. He called out, "Hari! Hari!"

11. The spiritual love and bliss was very great. It filled the land and sky.

12. Thd demigods joyfully flew there from outer space. With unblinking eyes they gazed at Lord Gaura.

13. With a thousand eyes King Indra gazed at Lord Gaura’s body sweeter than nectar.

14. At that moment a flower suddenly fell from the crown on the Gopāla Deity’s head.

15. A flower suddenly fell from the Deity’s crown to the ground. With His hand Lord Gaura picked up that flower.

16. On four side the Vaiṣṇavas called out, "Hari! Hari!" Waves of ecstatic love touched even the sky.

17. Indra, the king of the demigods, gazed at Lord Viśvambhara. Seeing these wonders, Indra bowed his shoulders and wept.

18. Till the day’s end Lord Gaura danced. He did not stop. Then, at sunset, His dancing came to a stop.

19. Many different kinds of foods were offered to the Deoty of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Then a brāhmaṇa offered the remnants to Lord Gaura.

20. Lord Gaura and His companions happily ate that mahā-prasādam.

21. They passed the night happily talking of Lord Kṛṣṇa. At sunrise they all departed.

22. In this way Lord Gaura walked and walked on the path. In this way He came to the bank of the Vaitaraṇī River.

23. Lord Gaura bathed in that river and drank its water. After bathing in that river that purifies the fallen, Lord Gaura went to see the Deity of the Lord.

24. Supremely wise Lord Gaura eagerly went to see the Deity of Lord Varāha.

25. Anyone who sees that Deity delivers his mother’s and father’s ancestors. Then Lord Gaura wne to the village of Yājapura.

26. In that place Brahmā and the demigods offered a yajña. They gave that village to a certain brāhmaṇa.

27. If a great sinner dies in that village he becomes free of all sins. He attains a body like that of Lord Śiva himself.

28. In that village are hundreds and hundreds of Śiva-liṅgas. Lord Gaura, who is Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself, bowed down before those liṅgas and then continued His journey.

29. With a joyful heart Lord Gaura went to see the Virajā River. Who has the power to describe the Virajā River’s glories?

30. The sight of that river destroys many millions and millions of sins. With a joyful heart Lord Gaura gazed at the Virajā River.

31. Bowing down before the Virajā River, Lord Gaura said: "To Me please give pure love and devotion for Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet."

32. Lord Mahāprabhu then continued His journey on the path. At Nābhi-gayā He offered piṇḍa to His ancestors.

33. He happily bathed in the waters of Brahmaku ṇḍa. Completing His worship of the Deity, Lord Gaura quickly continued His journey.

34. Then Lord Gaura gazed and gazed at the very holy city of Śivapura.

35. I have no power to describe the gracefulness of that city, where there are ten million forms of Lord Śiva and other Deities.

36-37. At that time Śrī Mukunda Datta said to Lord Gaura: "I know that we need not fear any more wicked toll-collectors."

38. Hearing these words, Lord Gaura smiled and said: "What can I say to you? You are a great soul.

39. "I have accepted the sannyāsa-āśrama. What can a toll-collector do to Me? Tell Me."

40. Hearing these words, Mukunda was no longer afraid. Still, he said: "That last toll-collector tried to trouble You."

41. Hearing these words, Lord Gaura said: "Please hear, O Mukunda. My family will protect Me.

42. "It is said (Śānti-śataka 4.1): dhairyaṃ yasya pitā kṣamā ca jananī śāntiś ciraṃ gehinī satyaṃ sūnur ayaṃ dayā ca bhaginī bhrātā manaḥ-samyamaḥ śayyā bhūmi-talaṃ diśo’pī vasanaṃ jñānāmṛtaṃ bhojanaṃ yasyaite hī kuṭumbino vada sakhe kasmād bhayaṃ yoginaḥ

"‘Steadiness is his father, patience his mother, peacefulness his wife, truthfulness his son, mercy his sister, steadiness of mind his brother, the ground his bed, the directions his clothing, and the nectar of transcendental knowledge his food. These are the family of a yogī. Whom should such a yogī fear? Please tell.’

43. Hearing these words, Mukunda kept no fear in his heart. Smiling and smiling, Lord Gaura said to him:

44. "Wait here some time for Me." Speaking these words, Lord Gaura departed to collect alms.

45. Gadādhara and some others also went. From place to place they collected alms.

46. At that time a toll-collector stopped everyone. He angrily bound Mukunda.

47. The whole day he kept Mukunda captive. His anger did not fall away. After many words he released him at sunset.

48. But first that wretched sinner took away each person’s blanket, their only possession.

49. After collecting alms from place to place, at sunset the devotees assembled at the prearranged meeting place.

50. Lord Gaura also returned to that place. Seeing Him, the devotees felt their hearts become filled with bliss.

51. Falling at Lord Gaura’s feet, Śrī Mukunda Datta wept and said: "Lord, I did not know Your true glories.

52. "As long as I stand before You I need not fear any toll-collector. They will stay far away from me.

53. "You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I know this, but then again I do not know it. Who is superior to You? Who is in a position that he can give alms to You?

54. "When I spoke to You I said I had no fear. Therefore it was good that the toll-collector did what he did to me."

55. Hearing these words, Lord Gaura asked Gadādhara: "What did the toll-collector do?"

56. Then Mukunda said: "Don’t make a fuss. It was good. That is what I say of it. That is all I have to say of it."

57. That night the leader of the toll-collectors in that place had a dream. In that dream Śacī’s son appeared before him.

58. The toll-collector saw Lord Gaura reclining on Ananta Śeṣa in the ocean of milk. Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī served Lord Gaura’s feet.

59. Then the toll collector saw the sages headed by Sanaka and the demigods headed by Brahmā offering prayers to Lord Gaura from afar.

60. Seeing all this, the toll-collector trembled in his heart. Seeing the Lord’s power and glory, he fell to the ground.

61. Then Lord Gaura said: "Wearing sannyāsa garments, I now stand by the bank of the Virajā River. Your servants gave trouble to one of My devotees."

62. The toll-collector trembled in his heart. He was flooded by a shoreless ocean of fears. Quickly he went to Lord Gaura, who is Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself.

63. In a moment the leader of the toll-collectors very humbly offered obesiacnes to Lord Gaura.

64. He said: "You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You enjoy pastimes on the ocean of milk. To deliver the people of the world You have accepted sannyāsa.

65. "You are a moon illuminating the blinding darkness of this world of birth and death. You are the Vedas personified. You are the highest truth described in the Vedas."

66. Hearing these words, Lord Gaura smiled and said to the toll-collector: "My Lord Kṛṣṇa quickly give His mercy to You."

67. Saying these words, Lord Guara placed His feet on the toll-collector’s head. At once the tollcollector was overcome with ecstatic spiritual love. Raising his hands, he began to dance.

68. Giving His mercy to him, Lord Gaura empowered that toll-collector to deliver the people of that place. He taught him the truth of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa and He made him qualified to engage in devotional service.

69. Atr that moment the Vaiṣṇavas said to the tollcollector: "Your servants put in many troubling situations.

70. "Your servants also took away our blankets." Hearing these words, the toll-collector felt sorrow in his heart.

71. The leader of ther toll-collectors then gave new blankets to the devotees. At this the Vaiṣṇavas became pleased at heart.

72. After first offering obeisances, the leader of the toll-collectors bid farewell to the devotees and then returned to hsī own home.

73. Returning home, he engaged in devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa. He took shelter of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Day and night he chanted Lord Hari’s holy names in saṅkīrtana.

74. The devotees happily passed the night. At dawn they happily performed their morning duties.

75. Again and again Lord Gaura gazed at the Virajā River. Anyone who sees that river becomes delivered from this world of birth and death.

76. After offering obeisances to the Virajā River, Lord Gaura continued His journey. Ecstatic love for Lord Kṛṣṇa arose within Him. The hairs of His body stood erect.

77. Lord Gaura walked like a ferocious lion. Walking and walking, He came to the village of Ekāmraka.

78. In this village Śiva and Pārvatī stay. His heart now wild, Lord Gaura ran to see them.

79. After a little time Lord Gaura found the temple. Great longings filled His heart. He became wild with ecstatic love.

80. A beautiful flag fluttered above the temple. There were many Śiva-liṅgas in the village of Ekāmra.

81. Seeing the flag on the temple, Lord Gaura offered obeisances. Walking and walking, Lord Gaura entered the temple of Lord Śiva.

82. In the village of Ekāmra are ten million Śivali ṅgas. When a person walks there, his heart should tremble in fear.

83. In that city are ten million Śiva-liṅgas, beginning with the liṅga named Viśveśvara. The ground of that city looks like sandeśa candy.

84. The waters of all holy rivers rest in the Mahā-bindu-sarovara lake there. Many different holy places also rest in that city.

85. Entering the temple, Lord Gaura saw Śiva and Pārvatī. He bowed down before them. He was overcome with ecstatic spiritual love.

86. Anyone who sees the liṅga of Śiva and Pārvatī finds his troubles broken into pieces.

87. Seeing the liṅga of Lord Śiva, Lord Gaura was overcome with ecstasy. His body trembled. He could not remain peaceful.

88. From His reddish eyes tears flowed without stop. The hairs of His body stood erect. Again and again He recited prayers.

89. Thus Lord Gaura recited prayers to Lord Śiva. The Vaiṣṇavas around Him on four sides also recited prayers to Lord Śiva.

90. Then one of the servants of Lord Śiva offered to Lord Gaura Lord Śiva’s prasādam remnants of fragrances, sandal paste, and flower garlands.

91. Offering obeisances to Lord Śiva, Lord Gaura left the temple. Entering a devotee’s house, He rested.

92. He ate the food that devotee offered. In that devotee’s home He happily slept that night.

93. In this way He happily passed the night. Then, at dawn, He who is the master of the three worlds arose.

94. Lord Gaura bathed, performed His morning duties, offered obeisances to Lord Śiva, and then departed.

95. Accompanied by His associates, Lord Gaura continued His journey. Now I will describe His associates conversation.

96. Please carefully hear a conversation of Murārī and Dāmodara, a conversation I will now describe.

97. Dāmodara Paṇḍita asked Murārī Gupta: "Why did Lord Gaura, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, accept the prasādam ramnants offered to Lord Śiva?

98. "Because of Bhṛgu Muni’s curse, no one should accept the prasādam remnants offered to Lord Śiva. Why, then, did Lord Gaura accept them?

99. "Lord Gaura is very kind to the brāhmaṇas. Hearing and knowing of Bhṛgu Muni’s curse, why did Lord Gaura disregard it?"

100. Murārī said: "Please hear. Hear, O Dāmodara. How can I know what is in Lord Gaura’s heart?

101. "I can only speak as far as my intelligence knows. If your heart thinks they are right, you may accept my words.

102. "A person who serves Lord Śiva but does not honor the prasādam remnants Lord Śiva leaves behind does so only because he thinks Lord Śiva and Lord Kṛṣṇa are different.

103. "The brāhmaṇa Bhṛgu spoke his curse for such persons, impure-hearted persons do not know Lord Śiva’s true glories.

104. "However, a person who is fully aware that Lord Śiva and Lord Kṛṣṇa are not different, and who serves Lord Śiva, should certainly honor the prasādam remnants Lord Śiva leaves behind.

105. "Fully aware that Lord Śiva and Lord Kṛṣṇa are not different, he honors the prasādam remnants Lord Śiva leaves behind. Such a person brings great pleasure to both Lord Śiva and Lord Kṛṣṇa.

106. "Lord Śiva is the king of the Vaiṣṇavas. For this reason he should be worshiped.

107. "A person who eats the prasādam Lord Śiva ate with his own hand is released from the prison of the material world.

108. "In truth Lord Gaura was a guest on Lord Śiva’s house. With a happy heart Lord Śiva offered Him all hospitality.

109. "Please hear. Bhṛgu Muni’s curse is meant for non-devotees. A devotee who honors Lord Śiva brings pleasure to Lord Kṛṣṇa.

110. "Lord Gaura descended to this world to teach the people." Dāmodara then said: "You have destroyed my foolish idea."

111. Hearing these words, everyone became joyful at heart. In this way Locana dāsa narrates Lord Caitanya’s pastimes.