20141216 Viśvarūpa’s Sannyāsa

Viśvarūpa’s Sannyāsa

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi 15.11

tabe miśra viśvarūpera dekhiyā yauvana
kanyā cāhi’ vivāha dite karilena mana

Translation: Thereafter, seeing that Viśvarūpa was a grown-up youth, Jagannātha Miśra wanted to find a girl and arrange a marriage ceremony for Him.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi 15.12

viśvarūpa śuni’ ghara chāḍi palāilā
sannyāsa kariyā tīrtha karibāre gelā

Translation: Hearing of this, Viśvarūpa immediately left home and went away to accept sannyāsa and travel from one place of pilgrimage to another.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi 15.13

śacī o miśrera duḥkha o prabhukartṛka sāntbanā—

śuni, śacī-miśrera duḥkhī haila mana
tabe prabhu mātā-pitāra kaila āśvāsana

Translation: When Śacīmātā and Jagannātha Miśra heard of the departure of their elder son, Viśvarūpa, they were very unhappy, but Lord Caitanya tried to console them.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi 15.14

kṛṣṇa-bhajanārthe santānera sannyāse mātṛpitṛkulera uddhāra –

bhāla haila, — viśvarūpa sannyāsa karila
pitṛ-kula, mātṛ-kula, — dui uddhārila

Translation: “My dear mother and father,” the Lord said, “it is very good that Viśvarūpa has accepted the sannyāsa order, for thus He has delivered both His father’s family and His mother’s family.”

Purport: It is sometimes said that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu disapproved of the acceptance of the sannyāsa order in this Kali-yuga because in the śāstra it is said:

aśvamedhaṁ gavālambhaṁ
sannyāsaṁ pala-paitṛkam
devareṇa sutotpattiṁ
kalau paṣca vivarjayet

“In this Age of Kali, five acts are forbidden: the offering of a horse in sacrifice, the offering of a cow in sacrifice, the acceptance of the order of sannyāsa, the offering of oblations of flesh to the forefathers, and a man’s begetting children in his brother’s wife.” (Brahma-vaivarta Purāṇa, Kṛṣṇa-janma-khaṇḍa 185.180)

Nevertheless, we see that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu Himself accepted sannyāsa and approved of the sannyāsa of His elder brother, Viśvarūpa. It is clearly said here, bhāla haila, — viśvarūpa sannyāsa karila/ pitṛ-kula, mātṛ-kula, — dui uddhārila. Therefore, should it be thought that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu made statements that are contradictory? No, actually He did not. It is recommended that one accept sannyāsa to dedicate his life for the service of the Lord, and everyone must take that kind of sannyāsa, for by accepting such sannyāsa one renders the best service to both his paternal and maternal families. But one should not accept the sannyāsa order of the Māyāvāda school, which has practically no meaning. We find many Māyāvādī sannyāsīs simply loitering in the street thinking themselves Brahman or Nārāyaṇa and spending all day and night begging so they can fill their hungry bellies. Māyāvādī sannyāsīs have become so degraded that there is a section of them who eat everything, just like hogs and dogs. It is such degraded sannyāsa that is prohibited in this age. Actually, Śrīla Śaṅkarācārya’s principles for the acceptance of sannyāsa were very strict, but later the so-called Māyāvādī sannyāsīs became degraded because of their false philosophy, which propounds that by accepting sannyāsa one becomes Nārāyaṇa. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu rejected that kind of sannyāsa. But the acceptance of sannyāsa is one of the items of the varṇāśrama-dharma. How then can it be rejected?

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi 15.15

prabhura āśvāse mātāpitāra santoṣaḥ—

āmi ta’ kariba tomā’ duṅhāra sevana
śuniyā santuṣṭa haila pitā-mātāra mana

Translation: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu assured His parents that He would serve them, and thus the minds of His father and mother were satisfied.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.118

agraja taṅhāra viśvarupa mahāśaya
alpakāle sarbaśāstra jāne guṇamaya

Translation: In a short time, Lord Gaura’s saintly elder brother, Viśvarūpa, became learned in all the scriptures.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.119

taṅhāra mahimā-tattva ke kahite pāre
yāhār anuja mahāprabhu viśvambhare

Translation: Who has the power to describe His glories? His younger brother is Viśvambhara, Lord Mahāprabhu.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.422

sindhuḍā—rāga
akalaṅka kalānidhi udaya nadīyā
eikhāne eka kathā kahiba ekhana
murārite dāmodara ye haila kathana

Translation: Refrain: A moon with no dark spots has risen in Nadīyā.

Now I will describe a conversation of Murāri Gupta and Dāmodara Paṇḍita.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.423

murārike puchilā paṇḍita dāmodara
eka nivedana cira vedanā antara

Translation: Dāmodara Paṇḍita asked Murāri Gupta: I would like to ask one question I have long considered in my heart.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.424

kaha kaha guptabejhā pucho tora ṭhāñi
kati gela viśvarūpa-ṭhākurera bhāi

Translation: Dear Murāri Gupta, this question I ask you: How did the Lord’s brother, Viśvarūpa, leave home and accept sannyāsa?

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.425

tāhāra caritra kichu pucho mo sādare
kahaye murāri baḍa hariṣa antare

Translation: This question I respectfully ask about His qualities and pastimes.” With a happy heart Murāri Gupta replied:

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.426

śuna śuna dāmodara paṇḍitapradhāna
ye jāno mo kahon kichu tora vidyamāna

Translation: Please listen. Listen, O Damodara, O best of the panditas, and I will tell whatever I know.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.427

viśvambhara jyeṣṭha viśvarūpa guṇadhāma
ki kahiba tāra guṇa-carit-bākhāna

Translation: Viśvarūpa was Lord Viśvambhara’s elder brother. He was the abode of transcendental virtues. How can I describe all His virtues and pastimes?

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.428

alpakāle sarva-śāstra jānaya sakala
svadharme tatpara buddhi saṁsāre virala

Translation: In a short time He became learned in all the scriptures. He was devoted to duty and detached from matter.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.429

svacchanda-hṛdaya dvija-deva-guru-bhakta
pitā-mātāra sevā kare ati anurakta

Translation: He was happy at heart. He was devoted to His spiritual master, the Supreme Lord, and the brāhmaṇas. He very affectionately served His mother and father.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.430

vedānta-siddhānta jāne sarva-dharma marma
viṣṇu-bhakti vinu se nā kare kona karma

Translation: He understood the conclusion of Vedānta. He knew the secret heart of all duties. He knew that no pious deed is separate from devotional service to Lord Visnu.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.431

sarvalāka-priya se parama mahā-siddhi
antare vairāgya tattva-jñāne niṣṭha buddhi

Translation: He was loved by everyone. He was very perfect. In his heart lived renunciation, spiritual knowledge, spiritual faith, and true intelligence.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.432

samādhyāyi-sane kathā-puthi vāmahāte
jagannāthapitāye dekhilā rājapathe

Translation: One day as, a book in his left hand, he conversed with a fellow student as they walked on the royal path, Jagannātha Miśra noticed Him.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.433

ṣoḍaśabariṣa putra bhela vayaḥkrama
vivāhera yogya rūpa-yauvana-sampanna

Translation: Jagannātha Miśra thought: “My son is 16 years old. Now, in the prime of his youth, he should be married.”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.434

ei manaḥkathā pitā hṛdaye karila
viśvarūpa-yogya kanyā mane vicārila

Translation: Father Jagannātha Miśra thought in his heart: “I should consider what girl will be suitable for Viśvarūpa.”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.435

cintite cintite dvija āilā nijaghara
viśvarūpa-vibhā diva cintita antarara

Translation: Thinking and thinking, the brāhmaṇa Jagannātha Miśra returned to his home. In his heart he was thinking of Viśvarūpa’s marriage.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.436

kathokṣaṇe viśvarūpa dvija āilā ghara
suvismita pitā dekhi bujhila antara

Translation: At that moment the brāhmaṇa Viśvarūpa also returned home. His father was surprised to see Him. Viśvarūpa knew what was in His father’s heart.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.437

tabe seimate viśvarūpa dvijavarya
suvismita pitā dekhi bujhilena kārya

Translation: Glancing at him, the great brāhmaṇa Viśvarūpa knew what His surprised father was planning.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.438

antare jānila-mora vivāhera tare
cintita hailā doṅhe kārya karibāre

Translation: In His heart Visvarupa thought: “He is thinking how to arrange My marriage.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.439

vivāha kariba āmi-nahe ta ucita
nahe vā jananī duḥkha pābe viparīta

Translation: “It is not right for Me to marry. But if I don’t marry, mother will be very unhappy.”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.440

eimane anumāni rātri-suprabhāte
bāhira haiyā gelā puthi vāmahāte

Translation: As He thought of all this, night turned to sunrise. Then, a book in His left hand, He left home.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.441

gaṅgājala-santaraṇa kari pāra hailā
gata-mātra mahāśaya sannyāsa karilā

Translation: Saintly Visvarupa crossed the Ganga and accepted sannyasa.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.442

paṭhamañjarī—rāga.
tṛtīya-prahara belā, kene putra nā āilā,
pitā mātā cintita-hṛdaya
jagannātha khoṅja kare, cāhe prati ghare ghare,
nā pāilā āpana tanaya

Song 13 (Paṭha-mañjarī rāga)

Translation: In their hearts Mother Saci and Father Jagannātha Miśra thought: “Nine hours have passed. Why has our son not returned?” Jagannātha Miśra searched for Him. He went to every house, but he did not find His son.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.443

jane jane kānākāni, kāryya haila jānājāni,
biśbarūpa-sannyāsakaraṇa
to-kāṇi mo-kāṇi kathā, śuni jagannātha pitā,
ācambita harila cetana

Translation: From person to person, from ear to ear, the news circulated: Viśvarūpa accepted sannyāsa. The news went to you and also to me. Finally hearing it himself, father Jagannātha Miśra fell unconscious.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.444

viśvarūpa bali ḍāke, āisa putra dekhi toke,

ki lāgiyā hailā virakta

Translation: When Śacī-devī heard it, she also fell unconscious to the ground. For them a blinding darkness covered the three worlds. “Viśvarūpa!”, Śacī called out. “Son, come back. We want to gaze on You. Why did You leave home and accept sannyāsa?”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.445

se hena sundara gā, se hena sundara pā,
kemane hāṅṭiyā yābe pathe
prahareka bhoga tumi, tileka sahite nāra,
ākhaṭi karibe āra kākhe

Translation: “Your limbs are so beautiful! Your feet are so beautiful! How can You travel on long journeys, walking on the roads? You cannot let even three hours pass without eating. Now You will not find even a single sesame seed. Before whom will You place Your requests now?”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.446

paḍibāre yāo pute, soyāstha nā pāṅa cite,
beli cāhoṅ takhane takhana
snāna karibāre yāo, tathā sthira nāhi pāṅa,
biśbarūpa āsibe ekhana

Translation: “Now that my son has gone there is no peace in my heart. Moment after moment I yearn for His return. When I go to bathe, I am not peaceful. I think: My Viśvarūpa may return.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.447

tumi mā baliyā ḍāka, sei dhana lākholākha,
mukha cāñā pāśaroṅ āpanā
nā jāni ki duḥkha pāñā, mora mukhe āgi diyā,
sannyāsa karili dīnapanā

Translation: “When You call out, `Mother!’, that sound is more dear to me than millions and millions of treasures. When i gaze at Your face I forget myself. What sufferings did You feel that now You throw fire at my face, that now You have become a poverty-stricken sannyasi? I do not know.”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.448

kati gelā tāra pitā, yāu viśvarūpa yathā,
dhariyā ānaha putra ghare
ye baluka se baluka loke, putra āni deha moke
punaḥ upavīta dimu tāre

Translation: “O father of Viśvarūpa, wherever Viśvarūpa went, go there. Go and bring my son home. Let the people say whatever they say. Bring my son back. Again, I will arrange for His sacred-thread ceremony.”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.449

jagannātha bole vāṇī, śuna deri śacīrāṇī,
sthira kara āpana antara
śoka nā kariha āra, mithyā saba saṁsāra,
viśvarūpa supuruṣabara

Translation: Then Jagannātha Miśra said: “O goddess, O queen Śacī, please listen. Please be peaceful at heart. Don’t lament any more. This whole material world is a lie. Viśvarūpa is a very exalted person.”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.450

āmāra vaṁśera bhāgya, viśvarūpa putra yogya,

ākumāra karila sannyāsa
ei āśīrvāda kara, sei pathe hauka sthira,

sannyāsa karuka anāyāsa

Translation: “Good fortune has now come to our families. Viśvarūpa is a very good son. From childhood He was always a sannyāsī in spirit. Please give Him your blessings. Bless Him that He will be always steady on the spiritual path, that He will easily maintain His vow of sannyāsa.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.451

sampade vipad yena, nā māniha ihā śuna,
śoka nā kariha akāraṇa
ekaṭi sannyāsa kare, koṭi kula nistāre,
viśvarūpa puruṣaratana

Translation: “Listen. Don’t think in terms of calamity or good fortune. Don’t lament without reason. When a man accepts sannyāsa he delivers ten million of his kinsmen. Viśvarūpa is a jewel among men.”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.452

śuni jagannātha vāṇī, punaḥ kahe śacīrāṇī,
ki kahile kaha mahāśaya
ekaṭi sannyāsa kare, koṭi kula nistāre,
bhāla kaila āmāra tanaya

Translation: Hearing Jagannātha Miśra’s words, Śacī again said: “What did you say? Please say it again, O saintly one.” Jagannātha Miśra repeated: “When a man accepts sannyāsa he delivers ten million of his family members. Therefore, our son has done good.”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.453

eimate duijane, hariṣa-viṣāda mane,
goṅāilā kathoka samaya
ki kahiba se mahimā, bhāgyapatha nāhi sīmā,
viśvambhara pāila tanaya

Translation: In this way the two of them felt both grief and joy in their hearts. How can I describe their glories? Their good fortune has no end. They had Viśvarūpa as their son.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.454

kahila murāri-gupta, dāmodara supaṇḍita,
śuna viśvarūpera sannyāsa
punarapi puche kathā, viśvambhara-guṇagāthā,
kahe ei e locana dāsa

Translation: Murāri Gupta then said to Dāmodara Paṇḍita: Now you have heard the story of Viśvarūpa accepting sannyāsa. Repeating the conversation of those two, Locana dāsa sings this song glorifying Lord Viśvarūpa.

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.455

viśvambhara henakāle, basiyā māyera kole,
nehāraye vāpera bayāna
kati gelā mora bhrātā, śuna śuna pitā mātā,
āmi tora kariba pālana

Translation: At that time Lord Viśvambhara sat on His mother’s lap. She gazed at her dear son’s face. He said: “Where did My brother go? Listen. Listen, O mother and father. I will protect you.”

Caitanya-maṅgala Ādi 2.456

ehena śuniñā vāṇī, jagannātha śacīrāṇī,
doṅhe meli putra kaila kole
dekhi viśbambhara-mukha, pāśarila yata duḥkha,
e kathā locana dāsa bole

Translation: Hearing these words, Jagannātha Miśra and Śacīrāṇī hugged their son. Gazing at Lord Viśvambhara’s face, they forgot all their sorrows. Locana dāsa recounts this story.

Caitanya Bhagavata, 1.7.70-100

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.70

svayaṁ bhagavadvigraha viṣṇu haiyāo śuddha-kṛṣṇa-sevādarśa o jīvoddhāra-līlā-pradarśanārtha sevaka-jīvābhimānī viśvarūpera kṛṣṇetara prākṛta gṛha-dharme virakti—

vivāhera udyoga karaye pitāmātā
śuni’ viśvarūpa baḍa mane pāya vyathā

Translation: When His mother and father spoke of arranging His marriage, Viśvarūpa felt great mental pain

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.71

kṛṣṇānbeṣaṇārtha prākṛta saṁsāra-bhogarūpa duḥsaṅga varjane saṅkalpa—

“chāḍiba saṁsāra’, viśvarūpa mane bhāve
“cali’ yāṅa vane”, mātra ei mane jāge

Translation: Viśvarūpa thought to Himself, “I will leave home and go to the forest.”

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.72

niraṅkuśa svatantreccha māyādhīśera līlā-tātparya-māyā-vaśyera acintya, kṛṣṇera vipralambha-bhajanārtha viśvarūpera sannyāsa-līlābhinaya—

īśvarera cittabṛtti īśvara se jāne
viśvarūpa sannyāsa karilā kata dina

Translation: The heart of the Lord is known only to the Lord. Thus after a few days Viśvarūpa left to take sannyāsa.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.73

kṛṣṇānbeṣaṇarūpa kṛṣṇa-bhajana-pathe śrī śaṅkarāraṇyera yātrā-līlā —

jagate vidita nāma “śrī śaṅkarāraṇya
calilā ananta-pathe vaiṣṇavāgragaṇya

Translation: He then became known throughout the world as “Śrī Śaṅkarāraṇya.” As He traversed the path of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, He became celebrated as the topmost Vaiṣṇava.

viśvarūpa śrī-śaṅkarasampradāye sannyāsa grahaṇa kariyā śrī-śaṅkarāraṇya nāme prasiddhi lābha karena. tatkāle śaṅkara-sampradāye daśanāmi sannyāsīra pracalana chila. ‘araṇya’ sei daśanāmera anyatama. ai daśanāmi-sannyāsigaṇa pūrvakāle viṣṇusvāmi sampradāyera antargata chilena. ekadaṇḍi-śivasvāmigaṇera sahita vivāda-phale pariśeṣe tāṅhārā śaṅkara-sampradāyera madhye praviṣṭa haiyāchilena. Ādi-viṣṇusvāmi sampradāye aṣṭottaraśata vaidika sannyāsī vartamāna chilena. śivasvāmi-sampradāyera pariṇāmaphale śrī-śaṅkarācāryera paravartikāle vaidika sannyāsīra saṁkhyā daśa nāme pariṇata haya.

Śrī-śaṅkarāraṇya nānādeśa paryaṭana kariyā pariśeṣe bombāipradeśera śolāpura-jelāra antargata pāṇḍuraṅgapura vā pāṇḍhara pura nāmakasthāne bhīmā-nadīra tīre samādhistha hana. kathita āche, —śrī-viṭhṭhalanātha vā viṭhobā-deve yatirāja śrī-śaṅkarāraṇya praveśa karena. ihāra bahuvarṣa pare (1433 śakābde) śrī-caitanya mahāprabhu dākṣiṇātye bhramaṇa karite karite pāṇḍharapure āsiyā avasthāna kāle śrī-raṅgapurīra nikaṭa śrī viśvarūpera tathāya niryāṇa-lābhera kathā śravaṇa kariyāchilena. tatkāle pāṇḍharapura ekaṭī prasiddha tīrtha o bahu sādhu vaiṣṇavera adhyuṣita bhūmi chila.

Commentary: Viśvarūpa accepted sannyāsa in the Śrī Śaṅkara-sampradāya and became famous by the name Śrī Śaṅkarāraṇya. At that time there were ten names for sannyāsīs being used in the Śaṅkara-sampradāya. The name Araṇya is one of those ten names. These ten names for sannyāsīs were previously used in the Viṣṇusvāmī-sampradāya. After these Viṣṇusvāmī sannyāsīs had a quarrel with the ekadaṇḍi-sannyāsīs from the Śivasvāmi-sampradāya, they entered into the Śaṅkara-sampradāya. In the original Viṣṇusvāmī-sampradāya, however, there were 108 names used for sannyāsīs. By the influence of the Śivasvāmi-sampradāya, the Vedic sannyāsī names were reduced to ten after the time of Śaṅkarācārya.

After traveling throughout the country, Śrī Śaṅkarāraṇya arrived at Pāṇḍarapura, in the district of Sholapur, near Bombay, and took samādhi on the bank of the Bhīmā River. It is said that Śrī Śaṅkarāraṇya, the king of sannyāsīs, entered the Deity of Śrī Viṭhṭhalanātha, or Śrī Viṭhobā. While traveling to South India many years later (in 1511), Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu went to Pāṇḍarapura and heard from Śrī Raṅga Purī about Śrī Viśvarūpa’s disappearance. At that time Pāṇḍarapura was a famous place of pilgrimage and populated by many sadhus and Vaiṣṇavas.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata. Ādi 7.74

viśvarūpera sannyāsa-grahaṇa-pūrvaka gṛha-tyāga-phale sagoṣṭhī miśra o śacīra bhaktaputra-virahe krandana—

calilena yadi viśvarūpa-mahāśaya
śacī-jagannātha dagdha hailā hṛdaya

Translation: Viśvarūpa’s departure from home left Śacī and Jagannātha grief-stricken.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata. Ādi 7.75

agrajarūpī sevakabarera virahe tatprema-sevā-vaśa gaura-kṛṣṇera mūrcchā-līlābhinaya—

goṣṭhī-saha krandana karaye ubharāya
bhāira virahe mūrcchā gelā gaura-rāya

Translation: Śrī Gaurāṅga cried loudly along with His family members and eventually fell unconscious out of separation from His brother.

urdhvarāya ubharāya,—uccaiḥsvare.

Commentary: The word ubharāya means “loudly.”

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.76

kṛṣṇa-bhakta-vicchedaduḥkha-samudramagna miśra bhavana—

se viraha varṇite vadane nāhi pāri
haila krandanamaya jagannāthapurī

Translation: I am unable to describe their feelings of separation, by which Jagannātha Miśra’s entire house became inundated with crying.

jagannātha purī, miśra bhavana arthāt śrī māyāpurera antargata vartamāna yogapīṭha

Commentary: The word jagannātha-purī refers to the house of Jagannātha Miśra, or the present day Yogapīṭha in Śrī Māyāpur.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.77

advaitādi bhakta-vṛndera bhakta-viśvarūpera biccheda o adarśane krandana —

viśvarūpa-sannyāsa-dekhiyā bhaktagaṇa
advaitādi sabe bahu karilā krandana

Translation: Understanding that Viśvarūpa has taken sannyāsa, Advaita and the other devotees all began weeping.

sannyāsa, śrīman mahāprabhura prakaṭakāle maharṣi-pāṇini-prokta gauḍapura vā navadvīpanagare vedādi-śāstrera prabhūta anuśīlana haita. svādhyāya vyatīta jīvera ye saṁsārā-sakti dūra haya nā, ihā dekhāivāra janya śrī gaurasundarera agraja śrī viśvarūpa-pramukha anekei sannyāsa-grahaṇa pūrvaka tātkālika vidyāpīṭha gauḍapurera mahimā vardhana kariyāchilena. Śrī gaurasundara o śrī puruṣottama-bhaṭṭācāryera sannyāsa-grahaṇera udyogaparabādi vividha gauḍīya-bhakti-śāstre ullikhita dekhā yāya. etadvyatīta śrī mādhavendra purīpādera śiṣya yatirāja śrī īśvara purī prabhṛti vidbacchiromaṇigaṇa vidyāpīṭha gauḍapure gamanāgamana karitena. Śrī nityānanda prabhuo svīya yatigurura sahita nānātīrtha bhramaṇopalakṣe ei gauḍapurei śrī gaurasundarera sākṣātkāra lābha karena. keśavabhāratī o śrī mādhavendra purīpādera anugata navanidhi sannyāsigaṇa tātkālika varṇāśrami-samājera turyāśrama grahaṇa-panthā ujjvalīkṛta kariyāchilena. prakāśānanda sarasvatī kāśīte bahu māyāvādi-sannyāsī-pariveṣṭita haiyā aśrauta-vicāra-vitaṇḍāya kālakṣepa karitena. śrī rāmānujīya tridaṇḍi-yatirāja śrīmatprabodhānanda sarasvatī evaṁ śrī mādhavācārya prabhṛti tridaṇḍipādagaṇa sarvajña ādi viṣṇusvāmīra dhārāya tridaṇḍagrahaṇa-panthā svīkāra kariyā harisevā nirata chilena. tātkālika varṇāśrami-samāje sannyāsera ādara o gaurava sarva vādisammata chila. paravarti samaye vilāsa nirata dāri –sannyāsigaṇera āsaba pānādi o matsya-māṁsādi pañca ma-kāra’ sādhanā yatidharmake yerūpa kadarya o vikṛta kariyāche, tāhā—prakṛtaprastābe śocanīya. ei glāni-nirasa -kalpe śuddha-gauḍīya-bhakta-samāje ukta śabda-mātre paryavasita tridaṇḍa sannyāsa-vidhira panaḥ pracalana adhunā vaiṣṇava-samājera parama-hitakara o sukhaprada baliyā vibecita o kathita haiteche.

Śrī advaitādi ye krandana kariyāchilena, tāhā lokacakṣe viraha sūcaka haileo miśrera bandhubāndhavagaṇera āśvāsoktidvārā ihāi bujhā yāya ye, uhāte tattvavidgaṇera samullāsa upasthita haiyāchila. naiṣkarmarūpa sannyāsa-virodhī gṛhāsaktajanagaṇera śokāśru evaṁ mukundāṅighra-niṣevaṇamūlaka sannyāsa priya bhaktagaṇera ānandāśru samajātīya nahe.

Commentary: At the time of Śrīmān Mahāprabhu, the study of Vedic scriptures was prominent in Navadvīpa, which was referred to as Gauḍapura by Maharṣi Pāṇini. In order to demonstrate that one’s material attachment is not destroyed without such study, many personalities headed by Śrī Gaurasundara’s elder brother, Śrī Viśvarūpa, accepted sannyāsa and thus increased the glories of Gauḍapura, the center of education at that time. The acceptance of sannyāsa by Śrī Gaurasundara and Śrī Puruṣottama Bhaṭṭācārya is mentioned in many Gauḍīya devotional scriptures. Apart from them, many other jewel-like scholars like Śrī Īśvara Purī, the disciple of Śrī Mādhavendra, often visited Gauḍapura, the center of education. After traveling to the holy places with His sannyāsa guru, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu also came to Gauḍapura and met Śrī Gaurasundara. The sannyāsī disciples of both Keśava Bhāratī and Śrī Mādhavendra Purīpāda illuminated the path of accepting sannyāsa for members of the varṇāśrama society. Surrounded by many Māyāvādī sannyāsīs, Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī of Kāśī simply wasted his time in arguments based on mental speculation. Śrīmad Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī, a tridaṇḍi-sannyāsī of the Śrī Rāmānuja-sampradāya, and other tridaṇḍipādas like Śrī Madhvācārya accepted tridaṇḍi-sannyāsa and engaged in the service of Lord Hari as practiced in the line of the original Sarvajña Viṣṇusvāmī. In the varṇāśrama society of that time, respect and honor was offered to sannyāsīs by all communities. Later on the dāri-sannyāsīs engaged in pañca-makāra 1 like eating fish and meat and drinking wine and thus brought deformation and harm to the principles of the sannyāsa order. This is certainly a matter of great concern. In order to check this degradation, the pure Gauḍīya devotees have now reintroduced the process of tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa, which was more recently present in this world by name only, and thus bestowed happiness and great auspiciousness on the community of Vaiṣṇavas.

Although the crying of Śrī Advaita Prabhu appeared to be caused by feelings of separation, it is understood by the solacing words of Jagannātha Miśra’s friends that the learned scholars were overjoyed from this incident. The tears of lamentation of the attached householders, who are averse to the sannyāsīs’ renunciation, and the tears of ecstasy of the devotees, who are fond of the sannyāsīs’ service at the lotus feet of Mukunda, are not of the same nature.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.78

navadvīpavāsī śuddha-kṛṣṇa-bhakta mātrerai viśvarūpa-virahe duḥkha —

uttama, madhyama, ye śunila nadīyāya
hena nāhi,—ye śuniyā duḥkha nāhi pāya

Everyone in Nadia who heard about the incident—whether ordinary or exalted devotee—all felt unhappy.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.79-80

kṛṣṇa-bhakta-putra-saṅgalābhārtha tadvirahārta miśra-śacīra uccaiḥsvare viśvarūpake āhvāna —

jagannātha śacīra bidīrṇa haya buka
nirantara ḍāke “viśvarūpa! viśvarūpa!’

paramārthavit ātmīya-svajana-vargera miśrake sāntvanā-dāna—

putraśoke miśracandra hailā vihvala
prabodha karaye bandhu-bāndhava sakala

Translation: Jagannātha Miśra and Śacīdevī were both heart-broken and continually cried out, “Viśvarūpa! Viśvarūpa!” Śrī Miśra was overwhelmed with lamentation for his son, so his friends and relatives all tried to pacify him.

Commentary: Jagannātha Miśra’s display of affliction due to lamentation for his son like that of a ordinary father for his son was actually to deceive persons who are bewildered by material objects like their sons. The glorification of Śrī Viśvarūpa’s acceptance of sannyāsa and engagement in worshiping Kṛṣṇa increased the prestige of the daiva-varṇāśrama sannyāsīs, who destroy the lamentation born of material enjoyment.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.81

kṛṣṇa-bhajanārtha gṛharūpa duḥsaṅgatyāga-phalei kṛṣṇa-bhajanecchura tatkuloddhāra-sādhana—

‘sthira hao, miśra, duḥkha nā bhāviha mane
sarvagoṣṭhī uddhārilā sei mahājane

Translation: “Dear Miśra, please control yourself. Do not feel sad, for that great personality has delivered us all.”

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.82

tatpuṇyabale tadvaṁśīyagaṇera nitya-maṅgala lābha —

goṣṭhīte puruṣa yā’ra karaye sannyāsa
trikoṭi-kulera haya śrī vaikuṇṭhe vāsa

Translation: “When someone takes sannyāsa, millions of family members are promoted to Vaikuṇṭha.”

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.83

vidyāvadhujīvana kṛṣṇera bhajanārtha bhogāyatana gṛhavratadharma tyāgei vidyābhyāsera sārthakatā—

hena karma karilena nandana tomāra
saphala haila vidyā sampūrṇa tāhāra

Translation: “Your son has perfected his education by this act.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.84

duḥsaṅga varjanapūrvaka putrarūpi-vaiṣṇavera kṛṣṇa-bhajana ceṣṭā-darśane pratyeka pitamātarūpi-vaiṣṇavera harṣalābhaucitya—

ānanda viśeṣa āro karite yuyāya
eta bali sakale dharaye hāte-pā’ya

Translation: “Therefore it is befitting for you to feel even more happy than before.” Saying this, they all held the hands and feet of Jagannātha Miśra.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.85

viśvambharake kulacandramārūpe pradarśanapūrvaka sāntvanā pradāna —

“ei kūlabhūṣaṇa tomāra viśvambhara
ei putra haibe tomāra vaṁśadhara

Translation: “Your son Viśvambhara is the ornament of your dynasty.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.86

viśvambharera nyāya anupama putralābhe miśrera duḥkha-nivṛtti-sambhāvanā—

im̐hā haite sarva duḥkha ghucibe tomāra
koṭi-putre ki karibe, e putra yāhāra?”

Translation: “He will eradicate all your suffering. If one has a son such as Him, what is the need for millions of sons?”

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.87

ātmīyasvajanagaṇera prabodha-sattveo miśrera duḥkhalāghavābhāva—

eimata sabe bujhāyena bandhugaṇa
tathāpi miśrera duḥkha nā haya khaṇḍana

Translation:In this way all of Jagannātha Miśra’s friends tried to pacify him, but his distress remained unmitigated.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.88

konarūpe sthira haiyā viśvarūpa smaraṇe miśrera punadhairyacyuti —

ye-te-mate dhairya dhare miśra-mahāśaya
viśvarūpa-guṇa smari’ dhairya pāsaraya

Translation: If somehow or other he regained his composure, as soon as he remembered Viśvarūpa’s qualities, he again lost his patience.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.89

bhāvi-kāle viśvambharera gṛhasthadharma svīkāre miśrera saṁśaya—

miśra bole,—“ei putra rahibeka ghare
ihāte pramāṇa mora nā laya antare

Translation: Śrī Miśra said, “I have no reason to believe that this son will remain at home.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.90

tattvavit miśrera svamanaḥprabodhana; svecchānusāre sṛṣṭi nāśa-kartā kṛṣṇera nikaṭe ekānta śaraṇāgati—

dilena kṛṣṇa se putra, nilena kṛṣṇa se
ye kṛṣṇa-candrera icchā, haiba sei se

Translation: “Kṛṣṇa gave me a son, and then He took Him away. Whatever Kṛṣṇa desires, that is what will happen.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.91

janmasthitināśa-viṣaye jībera svataḥkartṛtvābhāva; sarvaśaktimān svatantra kṛṣṇe miśrera sarvasva nivedana —

svatantra jīvera tilārdheka śakti nāi
dehendriya, kṛṣṇa, samarpilum̐ tomā’ ṭhāñi

Translation: “Independent of You, the living entities have no power whatsoever. Therefore, O Kṛṣṇa, I’m surrendering my body and senses unto You.”

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.92

kṛṣṇe ekānta śaraṇāgati-prabhāve paramajñānī miśrera svacittasthairya-sampādana —

eirūpe jñānayoge miśra mahādhīra
alpe-alpe cittavṛtti karilena sthira

In this way the most sober Jagannātha Miśra gradually controlled his mind through the process of jñāna.

prākṛta putrera prākṛta pitāra nyāya jagannātha miśra putra śoke kātara haibāra ye abhinaya pradarśana kariyāchilena, uhā putrādi prākṛtavastura mohe ācchanna vyaktike vañcanā evaṁ viśvarūpera kṛṣṇabhajanapara sannyāsera mahimā-sūcaka vākyadvārā daiva-varṇāśrami samājera nikaṭa bhogottha śokanāśaka sannyāsera gaurava pradarśana karibāra nimittai, jānite haibe.

viśvarūpera sannyāsa-grahaṇe pitā jagannātha miśrera prāpañcika vicārottha vātsalya rasera vikāra apanodita haiyā nityasatya vigraha śrī viṣṇuvastute ye putropalabdhi ghaṭila, tāhāi prākṛta vātsalya-rasa-bandhana-nivāraka prakṛta sannyāsa.

Commentary: Jagannātha Miśra’s modified form of vātsalya-rasa that was born from physical consideration was destroyed when Viśvarūpa took sannyāsa, and he realized that the eternal Absolute Truth, Lord Viṣṇu, was his son. Such realization frees one from the shackles of mundane parenthood and is real sannyāsa.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.93

mūlasaṅkarṣaṇa śrī nityānanda rāmābhinna vigraha mahāsaṅkarṣaṇa viśvarūpa prabhura gṛhatyāga-līlā—

henamate viśvarūpa hailā bāhira
nityānanda svarūpera abheda-śarīra

Translation: That is the story of how Viśvarūpa, who is nondifferent from Nityānanda Svarūpa, left home.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.94

kṛṣṇa-sevādarśa pradarśaka śrī viśvarūpera jīvahitārtha sannyāsalīlā śravaṇe vimukha-jīvera gṛhavratadharmarūpa saṁsārānartha nivṛtti o kṛṣṇasevā-prāpti —

ye śunaye viśvarūpa-prabhura sannyāsa
kṛṣṇa-bhakti haya tāra chiṇḍe karmaphām̐sa

Translation: Whoever hears the pastimes of Viśvarūpa’s acceptance of sannyāsa attains devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa and freedom from the bondage of fruitive work.

viśvarūpaprabhu-saṁkarṣaṇa-tattva, tajjanya śrī nityānanda-svarūpera sahita abhinna. mūla saṅkarṣaṇa śrī baladeva-nityānanda prabhura mahā vaikuṇṭhe ye ‘prakāśa’ avasthita, tinii gauralīlāya viśvarūpa.

viśvarūpera sannyāsa-līlā śravaṇa karile jīvera karmabandhana haite vimukti lābha ghaṭe. śrī viśvarūpera aṁśratraya yathākrame prathama puruṣāvatāra kāraṇodaśāyi-viṣṇu, dvitīya-puruṣāvatāra garbhodaśāyi viṣṇu evaṁ tṛtīya- puruṣāvatāra kṣīrodaśāyi viṣṇu; ei viṣṇutrayera sandhāna arthāt tattvajñāna lābha karilei jīva prapañca-darśana haite mukti lābha karite pārena.

Commentary: Śrī Viśvarūpa Prabhu is Saṅkarṣaṇa and is therefore nondifferent from Śrī Nityānanda Svarūpa. The prakāśa expansion of Mūla-saṅkarṣaṇa Śrī Baladeva-Nityānanda Prabhu in Mahā-Vaikuṇṭha has appeared as Viśvarūpa in gaura-līlā.

If one hears the pastime of Viśvarūpa’s accepting sannyāsa, he will attain freedom from the bondage of fruitive activities. Śrī Viśvarūpa has three expansions—the first puruṣa incarnation, Kāraṇodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, the second puruṣa incarnation, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, and the third puruṣa incarnation, Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. If a living entity understands these three Viṣṇu forms in truth, he can attain freedom from the material concept of life.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.95

kṛṣṇabhajanārtha viśvarūpera sannyāsa o tadbiccheda smaraṇe bhaktagaṇera yugapat harṣa o viṣāda—

viśvarūpa-sannyāsa śuniyā bhaktagaṇa
hariṣe viṣāda sabe bhāve anukṣaṇa

Translation: As the devotees heard about Viśvarūpa’s accepting sannyāsa, they simultaneously felt happiness and lamentation.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.96

svatantra kṛṣṇera icchāya vaiṣṇava viśvarūpera saṅga-vañcita bhaktagaṇera kṛṣṇa-kīrtana-śravaṇābhāva-smaraṇe tadvirahe kheda o vilāpa —

“ye vā chila sthāna kṛṣṇa-kathā kahibāra
tāhā kṛṣṇa harilena āmā” sabākāra

Translation: They said, “Whatever little opportunity we had for discussing the topics of Kṛṣṇa together, Kṛṣṇa has taken away.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.97

viśvarūpera anusaraṇe tākālika kṛṣṇa-vimukha janasaṅga-varjane bhaktagaṇera saṅkalpa—

āmarāo nā rahiba, cali’ yāṅa vane
e pāpiṣṭha-loka-mukha nā dekhi yekhāne

Translation: “Let us also leave home and go to the forest, then we will not see the faces of these sinful people.

pāpiṣṭha-loka-mūkha,—kṛṣṇa-vimukha bhogapara saṁsāra-nipuṇa janagaṇera mukha.

Commentary: The phrase pāpiṣṭha-loka-mukha refers to the faces of persons who are averse to Kṛṣṇa and expert in material life.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.98

tātkālika viṣṇu-vaiṣṇavadveṣī asat lokasamājera durācāra-varṇana—

pāṣaṇḍīra vākyajvālā sahiba vā kata
nirantara asatpathe sarva-loka rata

Translation: “How long must we tolerate the burning words of these atheists? They are all continuously engaged in materialistic activities.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.99

kṛṣṇanāmoccāraṇa-tyāgī indriyatarpaṇa-sukhalālasā-magna pāṣaṇḍi-samāja—

‘kṛṣṇa’ hena nāma nāhi śuni kā’ro mukhe
sakala saṁsāra ḍubi’ mare mithyā sukhe

Translation: “We do not hear the name of Kṛṣṇa from anyone’s mouth. The entire world is absorbed in illusory happiness.

mithyā- sukha-anitya indriyatarpaṇamūlaka sukha. ātmārāmadigerai prakṛta nityasatya sukha vā bhagavadviṣṇudāsyānanda, āra baddha viṣṇuvimukha jīvera naśbara sukhalābhe indriyera abhighāta upasthita haile, athavā bhoga-sukhera viṣaya vinaṣṭa haile ai anitya-sukhai duḥkhe pariṇata haya.

Commentary: The words mithyā sukha refers to the temporary happiness derived from sense gratification. Only the ātmārāmas, or self-satisfied souls, can experience the eternal happiness of serving Lord Viṣṇu. When the perishable sensual happiness of the conditioned souls who are averse to Viṣṇu is checked, or when the object of their happiness is destroyed, that same temporary happiness turns into misery.

Śrī Caitanya-Bhāgavata, Ādi 7.100

paraduḥkhaduḥkhī bhaktagaṇera amṛtera sandhānapradāna sattveo viṣaya-viṣabhakṣaṇarta pāṣaṇḍigaṇera tadvinimaye upahāsa —

bujhāile keha kṛṣṇa-patha nāhi laya
ulaṭiyā āro se upahāsa karaya

Translation: “Even if they are instructed, they will not take to devotional life. On the contrary, they taunt us, saying:

pratyakṣavādigaṇa naśbara jaḍa sukhe matta thākāya, pāramārthikasatya bujhite nā pāriyā uhāte anādaravaśataḥ hāsya kare; kintu prakṛtaprastāve tāhārā prakṛta indriya-jñāna bale adhokṣaja kṛṣṇera sevā bujhiyā uṭhite pāre nā. kṛṣṇa-bhakti ye jīvera ekamātra nitya prayojanīya vyāpāra, tāhā nā bujhiyā, viparīta viśvāsa-krame jaḍajagate āsakta o phala bhogavādī haiyā paḍe.

Commentary: The materialists were maddened with temporary material happiness. They could not understand the Supreme Absolute Truth, and as a result, they became scornful and laughed. But actually, they were unable to understand the service of Adhokṣaja Kṛṣṇa by the strength of their sensual knowledge. Rather than understanding that devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa is the only necessity, such materialists become attached to this world and the fruits of their work.

Jayapatākā Swami: I think, start over with Caitanya-caritāmṛta, then go to Caitanya-maṅgala till Viśvarūpa takes sannyāsa and then go to Caitanya-Bhāgavata.

One point in Caitanya-Bhāgavata is where Jagannātha Miśra says, “Kṛṣṇa gave and Kṛṣṇa took” and he is telling his wife…