20200429 The Result of Hearing The Prayers of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and Mahāprabhu's Boon (Part 2)

mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
paramānanda-mādhavam śrī caitanya īśvaram
Harihi oṁ tat sat

Chapter entitled as The Result of Hearing the Prayers of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and Mahāprabhu’s Boon (Phalaśṛtī)

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.99

ābhijātya satkriyādi-dvārā kṛṣṇasevā durlabha; tāhā kevala utkaṭa prītilabhya—

jāti, kula, kriyā, dhane kichu nāhi kare
prema-dhana, ārti vinā nā pāi kṛṣṇere

Translation: Good birth, noble family, pious activities, and material wealth cannot award one the treasure of love of God. Only by intense desire can one achieve Kṛṣṇa.

If one is proud of family prestige, he cannot develop devotional service to Kṛṣṇa. One cannot achieve Kṛṣṇa's service by aristocracy, pious deeds, or immense wealth. Only by intense love for Kṛṣṇa is Kṛṣṇa obtained. Unless one has love for Kṛṣṇa, he cannot become a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, even if he is rich, aristocratic, or expert in fruitive activities. In the Padyāvalī it is stated:

kṛṣṇa-bhakti rasa-bhāvitā-mati
kriyatāṁ yadi kuto 'pi labhyate.
tatra laulyam api mūlyam ekalaṁ
janma-koṭi-sukṛtair na labhyate

“Pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot be had even by performing pious activities for millions of lives. It can be attained only by paying one price—that is, intense greed to obtain it. If it is available somewhere, one must purchase it without delay.” In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (1.8.26) it is stated:

janmaiśvarya-śruta-śrībhir
edhamāna-madaḥ pumān
naivārhaty abhidhātuṁ vai
tvām akiñcana-gocaram

“My Lord, Your Lordship can easily be approached, but only by those who are materially exhausted. One who is on the path of [material] progress, trying to improve himself with respectable parentage, great opulence, high education and bodily beauty, cannot approach You with sincere feeling.” It is also stated in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (10.60.14):

niṣkiñcanā vayaṁ śaśvan
niṣkiñcana-jana-priyāḥ
tasmā tprāyeṇa na hy āḍhyā
māṁ bhajanti su-madhyame

“We have no material possessions, and We are dear to those who similarly have nothing. Therefore, O slender one, the wealthy hardly ever worship Me.” The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (8.22.26) also states:

janma-karma-vayo-rūpa-
vidyaiśvarya-dhanādibhiḥ
yady asya na bhavet stambhas
tatrāyaṁ mad-anugrahaḥ

“If a human being is born in an aristocratic family or a higher status of life, if he performs wonderful activities, if he is youthful, if he has personal beauty, a good education and good wealth, and if he is nonetheless not proud of his opulences, it is to be understood that he is especially favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

Jayapatākā Swami: Good birth, noble family, pious activity, or material wealth, cannot award one the treasure of pure love of Godhead. Only by intense desire can one achieve Lord Kṛṣṇa. So, by material qualifications, one cannot achieve Kṛṣṇa. Only by intense love for Kṛṣṇa can one achieve Kṛṣṇa. Many times, people tell us that, “I am chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, but my marriage is not successful, or this thing is not successful, I am not feeling happy.” But they have no desire for Kṛṣṇa, they are thinking of material happiness, and by loving Kṛṣṇa by serving Kṛṣṇa, you get a different type of happiness. So, if one has his love of Kṛṣṇa, their material life can also be very peaceful, but they should be focused on serving Kṛṣṇa. That is the real purpose of life. Just as it says, material birth, wealth, aristocracy, etc., are not qualifications to achieve Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, austerities, and penances and sacrifices, they alone cannot achieve Kṛṣṇa. One needs to have a very intense desire to serve Kṛṣṇa, to love Kṛṣṇa. If one is very proud of their aristocracy or their being rich, or being very expert in fruitive activities, they cannot achieve Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet. We heard the prayers of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. He attained Kṛṣṇa because he is very humble. Because he thought that he didn’t have any qualification. But he had intense desire to achieve Kṛṣṇa.

In the Padyāvalī it is stated:

“Pure devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot be had even by performing pious activities for millions of lives. It can be attained only by paying one price—that is, intense greed to obtain it. If it is available somewhere, one must purchase it without delay.”

In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (1.8.26) it is stated:

“My Lord, Your Lordship can easily be approached, but only by those who are materially exhausted. One who is on the path of [material] progress, trying to improve himself with respectable parentage, great opulence, high education and bodily beauty, cannot approach You with sincere feeling.”

It is also stated in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (10.60.14):

“We have no material possessions, and We are dear to those who similarly have nothing. Therefore, O slender one, the wealthy hardly ever worship Me.”

One devotee approached a Kazi. Said you are very rich, aristocratic, religious and praised him in so many ways. Can I just request one thing of you? The Kazi said, sure, what is that?  Forget all this, and just chant Hare Kṛṣṇa! Ha! Ha! Ha! Then he said, I will chant Hare Kṛṣṇa tomorrow! And the devotee started dancing! Ha! Ha! YOU HAVE ALREADY STARTED! DON’T STOP NOW! HARIBOL!

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.100

vaiṣṇava ye-kona kulodbhūta haileo sarvaśreṣṭha, tatpramāṇa— avarakulodbhūta haridāsera brahmādira duṣprāpyavastu lābha—

ye te kule vaiṣṇavera janma kene nahe
tathāpiha sarvottama sarva-śāstre kahe

Translation: “All the scriptures declare that a Vaiṣṇava may be born in any family, but he is certainly situated in the topmost position.

A person who is engaged with love in the service of Viṣṇu may take birth in any family, but this does not hamper the execution of his devotional service. All the scriptures declare that a Vaiṣṇava is superior to a person who is intoxicated with pride resulting from birth, family, activities, and wealth. The eternal goal of a living entity is love for Kṛṣṇa. When one is qualified in that love, material considerations like inferiority, superiority, and contradictions do not hinder him. In Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (3.33.6-7) it is stated:

yan-nāmadheya-śravaṇānukīrtanād
yat-prahvaṇād yat-smaraṇād api kvacit
śvādo 'pi sadyaḥ savanāya kalpate
kutaḥ punas te bhagavan nu darśanāt

aho bata śva-paco 'to garīyān
yaj-jihvāgre vartate nāma tubhyam
tepus tapas te juhuvuḥ sasnur
āryābrahmānūcur nāma gṛṇanti ye te

“To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him. Oh, how glorious are they whose tongues are chanting Your holy name! Even if born in the families of dog-eaters, such persons are worshipable. Persons who chant the holy name of Your Lordship must have executed all kinds of austerities and fire sacrifices and achieved all the good manners of the Āryans. To be chanting the holy name of Your Lordship, they must have bathed at holy places of pilgrimage, studied the Vedas and fulfilled everything required.” In Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (6.16.44) it is said:

na hi bhagavann aghaṭitam idaṁ
tvad-darśanān nṛṇām akhila-pāpa-kṣayaḥ
yan-nāma sakṛc chravaṇāt
pukkaśo 'pi vimucyate saṁsārāt

“My Lord, it is not impossible for one to be immediately freed from all material contamination by seeing You. Not to speak of seeing You personally, merely by hearing the holy name of Your Lordship only once, even caṇḍālas, men of the lowest class, are freed from all material contamination. Under the circumstances, who will not be freed from material contamination simply by seeing You?” In Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (7.9.9) it is stated:

manye dhanābhijana-rūpa-tapaḥ-śrutaujas-
tejaḥ-prabhāva-bala-pauruṣa-buddhi-yogāḥ
nārādhanāya hi bhavanti parasya puṁso
bhaktyā tutoṣa bhagavān gaja-yūtha-pāya

“Prahlāda Mahārāja continued: One may possess wealth, an aristocratic family, beauty, austerity, education, sensory expertise, luster, influence, physical strength, diligence, intelligence and mystic yogic power, but I think that even by all these qualifications one cannot satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, one can satisfy the Lord simply by devotional service. Gajendra did this, and thus the Lord was satisfied with him.” In the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (10.127) it is stated:

na me 'bhaktaś catur-vedī
mad-bhaktaḥ śva-pacaḥ priyaḥ
tasmai deyaṁ tato grāhyaṁ
sa ca pūjyo yathā hy aham

“Even though a person is a very learned scholar of the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless he is pure in devotional service. However, even though a person is born in a family of dog-eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee who has no motive to enjoy fruitive activity or mental speculation. Indeed, all respect should be given to him, and whatever he offers should be accepted. Such devotees are as worshipable as I am.” In the Padma Purāṇa (Svarga-khaṇḍa, Chapter Twenty-four) it is stated:

pukkasaḥśvapaco vāpi  
ye cānye mleccha-jāta
yaḥte 'pi vandyā mahābhāgā  
hari pādaika-sevakāḥ

“Whether one is a pukkasaḥ, a dog-eater, or a mleccha, if he takes shelter of the lotus feet of Śrī Hari with pure devotion and serves Him with attachment, he is to be considered most fortunate and highly worshipable.” In the Padma Purāṇa (Uttara-khaṇḍa, Chapter Thirty-nine) it is stated:

viṣṇor ayaṁ yato hy āsīt  
tasmād-vaiṣṇava ucyate
sarveśāṁ caiva varṇānāṁ  
vaiṣṇavaḥśreṣṭhaḥ ucyate

“One who is related to Viṣṇu through devotion is known as a Vaiṣṇava. A genuine Vaiṣṇava is superior to all the varṇas and is the best of all.” In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (1.18.18-19) it is stated:

sūta uvāca

aho vayaṁ janma-bhṛto 'dya hāsma
vṛddhānuvṛttyāpi viloma-jātāḥ
dauṣkulyam ādhiṁ vidhunoti śīghraṁ
mahattamānām abhidhāna-yogaḥ

kutaḥ punar gṛṇato nāma tasya
mahattamaikānta-parāyaṇasya
yo 'nanta-śaktir bhagavān ananto
mahad-guṇatvād yam anantam āhuḥ

“O God, although we are born in a mixed caste, we are still promoted in birthright simply by serving and following the great who are advanced in knowledge. Even by conversing with such great souls, one can without delay cleanse oneself of all disqualifications resulting from lower births. And what to speak of those who are under the direction of the great devotees, chanting the holy name of the Unlimited, who has unlimited potency? The Personality of Godhead, unlimited in potency and transcendental by attributes, is called the ananta [Unlimited].” In the Padma Purāṇa it is said:

ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ
viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param
tasmāt parataraṁ devi  
tadīyānāṁ samarcanam

“O Devī, the most exalted system of worship is the worship of Lord Viṣṇu. Greater than that is the worship of tadīya, or anything belonging to Viṣṇu.” In the Kāśī-khaṇḍa it is stated:

brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyaḥ
śūdro vā yadi vetaraḥ
viṣṇu-bhakti-samāyukto
jñeyaḥ sarvottamaś ca saḥ

“Whether a person is born in the family of brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, śūdras, or outcastes, he is better than the best if he is engaged in the devotional service of Viṣṇu.” In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (11.14.21) it is stated:

bhaktyāham ekayā grāhyaḥ
śraddhayātmā priyaḥ satām
bhaktiḥ punāti man-niṣṭhā
śva-pākān api sambhavāt

“Only by practicing unalloyed devotional service with full faith in Me can one obtain Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I am naturally dear to My devotees, who take Me as the only goal of their loving service. By engaging in such pure devotional service, even the dog-eaters can purify themselves from the contamination of their low birth.” In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (2.4.18) it is stated:

kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā
ābhīra-śumbhā yavanāḥ khasādayaḥ
ye 'nye ca pāpā yad-apāśrayāśrayāḥ
śudhyanti tasmai prabhaviṣṇave namaḥ

“Kirāta, Hūṇa, Āndhra, Pulinda, Pulkaśa, Ābhīra, Śumbha, Yavana, members of the Khasa races and even others addicted to sinful acts can be purified by taking shelter of the devotees of the Lord, due to His being the supreme power. I beg to offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.” In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Antya 4.66-67) it is stated:

nīca-jāti nahe kṛṣṇa-bhajane ayogya
sat-kula-vipra nahe bhajanera yogya
yei bhaje sei baḍa, abhakta—hīna, chāra
kṛṣṇa-bhajane nāhi jāti-kulādi-vicāra

“A person born in a low family is not unfit for discharging devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, nor is one fit for devotional service simply because he is born in an aristocratic family of brāhmaṇas. Anyone who takes to devotional service is exalted, whereas a nondevotee is always condemned and abominable. Therefore, in the discharge of devotional service to the Lord, there is no consideration of the status of one's family.” It is stated in the Dvārakā-māhātmya as follows:

saṅkīrṇa-yonayaḥ pūtāḥ  
ye bhaktā madhusūdane
mleccha-tulyā kulīnās te  
ye na bhaktā janārdane

“Those who are devotees of Madhusūdana, even though born in low-class families, become purified, while brāhmaṇas who possess all qualities are no better than uncivilized mlecchas if they are not devotees of Śrī Janārdana.”

Jayapatākā Swami: No matter what family a Vaiṣṇava is born in, all the śāstras declare that certainly he is in the topmost position. So, someone who serves Viṣṇu or Kṛṣṇa, in pure love, he is born in the family, it does not hamper his advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. So, all the scriptures state, how a Vaiṣṇava is certainly situated in the topmost position. It is much different from the person who is intoxicated with pride, resulting from birth, family, activities and wealth. The real goal of the living entity is to have love of Kṛṣṇa. If one is actually qualified in that love, the material considerations like inferiority, superiority or any such contradictions do not hinder him.

In Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (3.33.6-7) it is stated: “To say nothing of the spiritual advancement of persons who see the Supreme Person face to face, even a person born in a family of dog-eaters immediately becomes eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices if he once utters the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or chants about Him, hears about His pastimes, offers Him obeisances or even remembers Him. Oh, how glorious are they whose tongues are chanting Your holy name! Even if born in the families of dog-eaters, such persons are worshipable. Persons who chant the holy name of Your Lordship must have executed all kinds of austerities and fire sacrifices and achieved all the good manners of the Āryans. To be chanting the holy name of Your Lordship, they must have bathed at holy places of pilgrimage, studied the Vedas and fulfilled everything required.”

In the Ardha Kumbha-melā in Prāyaga, Śrīla Prabhupāda was lecturing on this. And one of the devotees from America raised his hand and asked a question, you said, that one goes through all these austerities, sacrifices, but in my life, I see that haven’t done any of these things, so how am I chanting the holy names and how am I in devotional service? So Śrīla Prabhupāda said, I have made your good fortune for you! Śrīla Prabhupāda ki Jaya!

In the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa (10.127) it is stated: “Even though a person is a very learned scholar of the Sanskrit Vedic literatures, he is not accepted as My devotee unless he is pure in devotional service. However, even though a person is born in a family of dog-eaters, he is very dear to Me if he is a pure devotee who has no motive to enjoy fruitive activity or mental speculation. Indeed, all respect should be given to him, and whatever he offers should be accepted. Such devotees are as worshipable as I am.”

In the Padma Purāṇa (Svarga-khaṇḍa, Chapter Twenty-four) it is stated: “Whether one is a pukkasaḥ, a dog-eater, or a mleccha, if he takes shelter of the lotus feet of Śrī Hari with pure devotion and serves Him with attachment, he is to be considered most fortunate and highly worshipable.”

So, Lord Śiva was asked there are so many different kinds of worship, so what is the best?

In the Padma Purāṇa it is said:

ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ
viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param
tasmāt parataraṁ devi  
tadīyānāṁ samarcanam

“O Devī, the most exalted system of worship is the worship of Lord Viṣṇu. Greater than that is the worship of tadīya, or anything belonging to Viṣṇu.”

Since the devotees belong to Kṛṣṇa, worshipping the devotees of Viṣṇu, is considered as more important. If people worship Lord Śiva as the greatest of all Vaiṣṇavas, then that worship is very pleasing to Kṛṣṇa. But if they worship Him as an independent deva or demigod, thinking Him as the Supreme Person or something, that is not pleasing to Him.

It is stated in the Dvārakā-māhātmya as follows: “Those who are devotees of Madhusūdana, even though born in low-class families, become purified, while brāhmaṇas who possess all qualities are no better than uncivilized mlecchas if they are not devotees of Śrī Janārdana.”

So, we see from these verses, that the real qualification is being a devotee of the Lord. And if one is not a devotee, then all these other qualifications will not help. So, therefore, Lord Caitanya, He is appreciating and promoting devotional service. And this is the way to achieve all success. Haribol!

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.101

ei tāra pramāṇa—yavana haridāsa
brahmādira durlabha dekhila parakāśa

Translation: Yavana Haridāsa is the prime example of this, for he saw the Lord's manifestation, which is rare for even the demigods headed by Lord Brahmā.

Haridāsa was born in a non-Hindu family, but he obtained the Supreme Lord's most rare darśana, which Brahmā, the grandfather of the universe, is deprived of.

Jayapatākā Swami: The evidence of this is, Yavana Haridāsa. Haridāsa who was born in a lowly family, he achieved what is rare for even Lord Brahmā and the different devas, demigods, seeing the Lord directly.

Haridāsa was born in a non-Hindu family, but he obtained the Supreme Lord's most rare darśana, which Brahmā, the grandfather of the universe, is deprived of.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.102

vaiṣṇave jātibuddhite adhogati-lābha—

ye pāpiṣṭha vaiṣṇavera jāti-buddhi kare
janma janma adhama yonite ḍubi' mare

Translation: A sinful person who considers that Vaiṣṇavas belong to a particular caste suffers in the lowest species of life, birth after birth.

If through external vision one considers a Vaiṣṇava is poor and devoid of respect due to caste or family, then he greatly increases his sinful life. As a result, he becomes polluted and takes birth in a lower species. The Padma Purāṇa says:

śūdraṁ vā bhagavad-bhaktaṁ  
niṣādaṁśva-pacaṁ tathā
vīkṣate jāti-sāmānyāt  
sa yāti narakaṁ dhruvam

“One who considers a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who was born in a family of śūdras, niṣādas or caṇḍālas to belong to that particular caste certainly goes to hell.

śva-pākam iva nekṣeta  
loke vipram avaiṣṇavam
vaiṣṇavo varṇo-bāhyo 'pi  
punāti bhuvana-trayam

“If a person born in a brāhmaṇa family is an avaiṣṇava, a nondevotee, one should not see his face, exactly as one should not look upon the face of a caṇḍāla, or dog-eater. However, a Vaiṣṇava found in varṇas other than brāhmaṇa can purify all the three worlds.

arcye viṣṇau śilā-dhīr guruṣu
nara-matir vaiṣṇave jāti-buddhir
viṣṇor vā vaiṣṇavānāṁ kali-mala-
mathane pāda-tīrthe 'mbu-buddhiḥ

śrī-viṣṇor nāmni mantre sakala-kaluṣa-he
śabda-sāmānya-buddhir
viṣṇau sarveśvareśe tad-itara-
sama-dhīr yasya vā nārakī saḥ

“One who thinks the Deity in the temple to be made of wood or stone, who thinks of the spiritual master in the disciplic succession as an ordinary man, who thinks the Vaiṣṇava in the Acyuta-gotra to belong to a certain caste or creed or who thinks of caraṇāmṛta or Ganges water as ordinary water is taken to be a resident of hell.”

Jayapatākā Swami: That sinful person who considers that a Vaiṣṇava belong to some particular caste, birth after birth, they suffer in the lowest species of life. So, we shouldn’t think a Vaiṣṇava even if he is poor or disqualified materially, should not consider him of being in any material condition. We should see that because he is situated in the pure devotional service of Kṛṣṇa, he is glorified. If we see him as belonging to some material caste or situation, our consciousness becomes polluted, and we can take birth in a lower species.

So, in the Padma Purāṇa it states: “One who considers a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who was born in a family of śūdras, niṣādas or caṇḍālas to belong to that particular caste certainly goes to hell.

The Padma Purāṇa says, “One who thinks the Deity in the temple to be made of wood or stone, who thinks of the spiritual master in the disciplic succession as an ordinary man, who thinks the Vaiṣṇava in the Acyuta-gotra to belong to a certain caste or creed or who thinks of caraṇāmṛta or Ganges water as ordinary water is taken to be a resident of hell.”

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.103

haridāsera stuti o varaprāpti-ākhyānera phalaśruti—

haridāsa-stuti-vara śune yei jana
avaśya milibe tāre kṛṣṇa-prema-dhana

Translation: Anyone who hears the prayers of Haridāsa and the benediction he received will certainly obtain the treasure of kṛṣṇa-prema.

Jayapatākā Swami: Haribol! Who hears the prayers of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and the benediction he received, that person certainly receives the great treasure of kṛṣṇa-prema or love for a Kṛṣṇa!

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.104

e vacana mora nahe, sarva-śāstre kaya
bhaktākhyāna śunile kṛṣṇete bhakti haya

Translation: This is not my statement, this is the verdict of all the scriptures. Simply by hearing topics about the devotees, one develops devotion for Kṛṣṇa.

One should discuss Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (1.2.17-18, 1.5.28, 2.2.37, 2.8.4, 3.9.11, 10.33.39 and 12.3.12).

Jayapatākā Swami: This is not my statement; this is the opinion of all the scriptures. To hear the topics of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees, simply one achieves pure devotion for Lord Kṛṣṇa.

According to the different sastras, Śrīmad Bhāgavatam following verses are cited: 1.2.17-18, 1.5.28, 2.2.37, 2.8.4, 3.9.11, 10.33.39 and 12.3.12.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.105

haridāsa-smaraṇera phala—

mahā-bhakta haridāsa ṭhākura jaya jaya
haridāsa saṅaraṇe sarva-pāpa-kṣaya

Translation: All glories to the great devotee Haridāsa Ṭhākura! By remembering Haridāsa, all one's sinful reactions are vanquished.

Jayapatākā Swami: All glories to Haridāsa Ṭhākura, the great devotee! All glories, all glories! By remembering Haridāsa Ṭhākura, all one’s sinful reactions are vanquished.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.106

haridāsera svarūpa—

keha bale,—“caturmukha yena haridāsa”
keha bale,—“prahlādera yena parakāśa”

Translation: Someone said, “Haridāsa is like four-headed Brahmā.” Another person said, “He is the manifestation of Prahlāda.”

Jayapatākā Swami: Someone said, that Haridāsa Ṭhākura is like the four-headed Brahmā. Another person said, Haridāsa Ṭhākura is the manifestation of Prahlada Mahārāja.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.107

sarva-mate mahā-bhāgavata haridāsa
caitanya-goṣṭhīra saṅge yāhāra vilāsa

Translation: Haridāsa is certainly an exalted devotee. He enjoys his pastimes amongst the associates of Lord Caitanya.

Jayapatākā Swami: Everyone’s opinion is that Haridāsa Ṭhākura is a great devotee, a mahā-bhāgavata, an exalted devotee. And that, he enjoys the pastimes of Lord Caitanya, amongst the Lord’s associates.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.108

aja-bhaverao haridāsa-saṅga vāñchanīya—

brahmā, śiva haridāsa-hena bhakta-saṅga
niravadhi karite cittera baḍa raṅga

Translation: Personalities like Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva constantly desire to associate with a devotee such as Haridāsa.

Brahmā, the grandfather of the universe, and Śiva, the destroyer of the universe, always express a desire to achieve the association of Haridāsa.

Jayapatākā Swami: Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva constantly desire to associate with devotees like, such as Haridāsa Ṭhākura.

Brahmā, the grandfather of the universe, and Śiva, the destroyer of the universe, always express a desire to achieve the association of Haridāsa.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.109

haridāsa-sparśa vāñchā kare deva-gaṇa
gaṅgā o vāñchena haridāsera majjana

Translation: The demigods desire the touch of Haridāsa, and even Gaṅgā desires Haridāsa's bath in her waters.

Gaṅgā, the deliverer of the fallen souls, desires that Haridāsa take bath in her waters. In descriptions on the strength of sādhana, the dust of the devotees' feet and the water that has washed the devotees' feet are said to be supreme. The Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Antya 16.60) states: “The dust of the feet of a devotee, the water that has washed the feet of a devotee, and the remnants of food left by a devotee are three very powerful substances.” In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (9.9.6) it is stated:

śrī-bhagīratha uvāca

sādhavo nyāsinaḥ śāntā
brahmiṣṭhā loka-pāvanāḥ
haranty aghaṁ te 'ṅga-saṅgāt
teṣv āste hy agha-bhid dhariḥ

“Those who are saintly because of devotional service and are therefore in the renounced order, free from material desires, and who are pure devotees, expert in following the regulative principles mentioned in the Vedas, are always glorious and pure in behavior and are able to deliver all fallen souls. When such pure devotees bathe in your water, the sinful reactions accumulated from other people will certainly be counteracted, for such devotees always keep in the core of their hearts the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can vanquish all sinful reactions.”

Jayapatākā Swami: All the demigods desire the touch of Haridāsa Ṭhākura. And the Ganges, Gaṅgā, desires that Haridāsa Ṭhākura bathe in her waters. So, we have read previously that the Caitanya Caritāmṛta states three things are very powerful – the dust of the devotee’s lotus feet, the water that washes the devotee’s feet and the remnants of prasādam that the devotee leaves. So even the Ganges desires to have the dust of Haridāsa’s lotus feet.

Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 9.9.6 states: “Those who are saintly because of devotional service and are therefore in the renounced order, free from material desires, and who are pure devotees, expert in following the regulative principles mentioned in the Vedas, are always glorious and pure in behavior and are able to deliver all fallen souls. When such pure devotees bathe in your water, the sinful reactions accumulated from other people will certainly be counteracted, for such devotees always keep in the core of their hearts the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can vanquish all sinful reactions.”

So, one day when Śrīla Prabhupāda was taking his morning walk, he went by the Ganges. He said why don’t we take a bath? We said we don’t have any bathing wears. He looked around and said there are not ladies here, so we can go with our kaupīnas. He took his top piece and put it around his waist, and the sannyāsīs went with their kaupīnas. Then Śrīla Prabhupāda took his bath and we were all with Śrīla Prabhupāda. And then some devotees started to splash on Śrīla Prabhupāda. Śrīla Prabhupāda was looking very seriously at him, being too familiar! Anyway, Śrīla Prabhupāda was bathing in the Ganges, while he kept Kṛṣṇa in his heart! So, he was purifying the Ganges from all the accumulated sinful reactions left by other people. This is mentioned in the Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, that devotees who bathe in the Ganges, relieve the sinful reactions left by the other people, and you will know them because they chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Haribol!

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.110

haridāsa-darśanera phala—

sparśera ki dāya, dekhilei haridāsa
chiṇḍe sarva-jīvera anādi-karma-pāśa

Translation: What to speak of his touch, just by the sight of Haridāsa all of one's bondage from time immemorial is cut to pieces.

Churning the essence of all scriptures, the author states: “By seeing a Vaiṣṇava, all good fortune is awakened.” The living entities are bound by the ropes of karma due to material desires from time immemorial. If they see the supremely liberated Haridāsa, then their thirst for material enjoyment will be destroyed and they will be freed from all anarthas, or unwanted things. If such a thing happens just by seeing such a person, then one can certainly expect more auspiciousness from his touch. This is loudly proclaimed in the scriptures. Śrīla Narottama Ṭhākura has sung: gaṅgāra paraśa haile paścāte pāvana, darśane pavitra kara ei tomāra guṇa—“After bathing in the waters of the sacred Ganges many times, one becomes purified, but just by the sight of you, the fallen souls are purified. This is your great power.” In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (1.1.14) it is stated:

āpannaḥ saṁsṛtiṁ ghorāṁ
yan-nāma vivaśo gṛṇan
tataḥ sadyo vimucyeta  
yad bibheti svayaṁ bhayam

“Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, which is feared by fear personified.” In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (1.19.33-34) it is stated:

yeṣāṁ saṁsmaraṇāt puṁsāṁ
sadyaḥ śuddhyanti vai gṛhāḥ
kiṁ punar darśana-sparśa-
pāda-śaucāsanādibhiḥ

sānnidhyāt te mahā-yogin
pātakāni mahānty api
sadyo naśyanti vai puṁsāṁ
viṣṇor iva suretarāḥ

“Simply by our remembering you, our houses become instantly sanctified. And what to speak of seeing you, touching you, washing your holy feet and offering you a seat in our home? Just as the atheist cannot remain in the presence of the Personality of Godhead, so also the invulnerable sins of a man are immediately vanquished in your presence, O saint! O great mystic!” Also, in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (10.48.31) it is said:

na hy am-mayāni tīrthāni
na devā mṛc-chilā-mayāḥ
te punanty uru-kālena
darśanād eva sādhavaḥ

“No one can deny that there are holy places with sacred rivers, or that the demigods appear in deity forms made of earth and stone. But these purify the soul only after a long time, whereas saintly persons purify just by being seen.”

Jayapatākā Swami: What to speak of touching, Haridāsa Ṭhākura, if you just see Haridāsa Ṭhākura, all the bondage to this material world from time immemorial, is cut to pieces! As it is said,

sādhu saṅga sādhu saṅga sarva śāstra kaya
lavamātra sādhu saṅge sarva siddhi haya

Even by seeing a Vaiṣṇava for a moment, all the good fortune is achieved. So, by seeing Śrīla Prabhupāda, people all over the world were changed. Their good fortune was awakened. Since we are bound in this material world due to material desire, if we see a pure devotee, someone like Haridāsa Ṭhākura, then the thirst for material enjoyment will be destroyed, and we will be freed from all material contaminations. So, if one achieves that by seeing a pure devotee, what to speak if one touches a pure devotee! Narottamadāsa Ṭhākura claims that you have to bathe in the Ganges many times to becomes purified, but just by seeing a pure devotee, one immediately gets purified.

In the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (1.1.14) it is stated: “Living beings who are entangled in the complicated meshes of birth and death can be freed immediately by even unconsciously chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, which is feared by fear personified.”

Also, in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (10.48.31) it is said: “No one can deny that there are holy places with sacred rivers, or that the demigods appear in deity forms made of earth and stone. But these purify the soul only after a long time, whereas saintly persons purify just by being seen.”

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.111

daityakulajāta prahlāda o paśukulajāta hanumānera vaiṣṇavatāra nyāya haridāsera vaiṣṇavatāo sarvasiddha—

prahlāda ye-hena daitya, kapi hanuman
ei-mata haridāsa `nīca-jāti' nāma

Translation: As Prahlāda was born in a demon family and Hanumān was born in a monkey family, Haridāsa was born in a “low-class family.”

Prahlāda was the son of the demon Hiraṇyakaśipu, therefore he is not renowned as a devatā, or a godly person. Hanumān was born in an animal family, so he also cannot be called a civilized person. Just as it is most essential to accept Prahlāda and Hanumān as the greatest Vaiṣṇavas, it is also most essential to accept Ṭhākura Haridāsa, who was born in a non-Hindu low-class family, as a mahā-bhāgavata.

Jayapatākā Swami: So Prahlāda Mahārāja was born in the family of demons. And Hanumān was a monkey, or born in a monkey family. So, like that Haridāsa Ṭhākura was born in a so-called low-class family. So, by their material birth, one might think that Prahlāda or Hanumān are not qualified, but since Prahlāda and Hanumān are the greatest Vaiṣṇavas, it is essential to accept them as such. Similarly, it is most essential to accept Haridāsa Ṭhākura as a mahā-bhāgavata, even though he was born in a non-Hindu family.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Madhya-khaṇḍa 10.112

śrī mahāprabhura vākyaśravaṇe haridāsa, murāri o śrīdharera ānandāśru—

haridāsa kānde, kānde murāri-śrīdhara
hāsiyā tāmbūla khāya prabhu viśvambhara

Translation: As Haridāsa, Murāri, and Śrīdhara cried, Lord Viśvambhara smiled and ate betel nuts.

After hearing all these topics, Haridāsa, Murāri, and Śrīdhara began to shed tears of love.

Jayapatākā Swami: As Haridāsa, Murari Gupta and Śrīdhara all cried in loving ecstasy, Lord Viśvambhara smiled and ate betel nuts. So, after hearing all these topics, Haridāsa, Murāri Gupta, Kholāvecā Śrīdhara, began to shed tears of love.

Thus ends the chapter The Result of Hearing Prayers of Haridāsa Ṭhākura and Mahāprabhu's Boon (Phalaśṛtī).

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We hope you are enjoying the Boat festival of the deities, and the Candana-yatra. Especially Lord Narasiṁhadeva, every day, He gets more and more sandal wood! Ha! Ha! Actually, Lord Narasiṁhadeva, it is described that He is golden in color. We don’t see that normally, because His mūrti is made of black stone. But now we can see Him in His golden form, as He is covered with the sandalwood pulp!! Sometimes Lord Mādhava covered with sandalwood pulp, looks like Lord Gaurāṅga! Ha! So, it is a very special darśana! Hare Kṛṣṇa. So, remember Haridāsa Ṭhākura, because just by remembering him, we get special benefit. And what to speak of chanting His holy name, Haridāsa!

Mahā Varāha dāsa: Hare Krsna! There is a devotee named Nimāi prabhu, very wonderful and dedicated devotee, served at ISKCON Toronto for a long time. For a couple of years after retirement, he moved into the temple. Even in his 70s he used to be very active. He used to do pūjārī services, he used to do maṅgalārati every morning for Their Lordships Jagannātha, Baladeva, Subhadra deities every day. He used to grow organic vegetables in Rādhārāṇī’s garden behind the temple. He was also in charge of performing havan in the temple. He used to be the senior most disciple of Guru Mahārāja in Toronto. On every Vyāsa-pūjā of Guru Mahārāja, he used to perform abhiṣeka for Guru Mahārāja’s picture and do havan. Later when his health deteriorated, he was moved to a seniors’ home. Devotees from the Devotee Care team of ISKCON Toronto used to visit him and take prasādam for him. This devotee, he left his body recently. So, we request devotees to please pray for him so that he can go back home back to Godhead. Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare!