20200930 The Residents of Navadvīpa see Mahāprabhu in Phuliyā

Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation By His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on 30th September 2020 in Śrīdhāma Māyāpur, India

govardhanadharam vande
gopālam goparūpiṇam
gokulotsavam īśānam
govindam gopikāpriyam

mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim
yat-kṛpā tam ahaṁ vande śrī-guruṁ dīna-tāraṇam
paramānandaṁ mādhavaṁ śrī caitanya iśvaram

Hariḥ oṁ tat sat!

Introduction: Today’s topic is,

The Residents of Navadvīpa see Mahāprabhu in Phuliyā

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.197

gaṇa-mukhe ucca haridhvani-saṁkīrtana-pitā gaurasundarake ākarṣaṇa—

śuniyā apūrva ati ucca hari-dhvani
bāhira hailā tabe nyāsi-śiromaṇi

Jayapatākā Swami: When the crest jewel of sannyāsīs heard the incomparable very high very loud chanting of the names of Lord Hari. He came outside to greet everyone.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.198

nāma-kīrtanapara gaurasundarera sakalake darśana dāna—

ki apūrva śobhā se kahile kichu naya
koṭi-candra hena āsi' karila udaya

Jayapatākā Swami: It is impossible to describe beauty of the wonderful beauty of Lord’s appearance. It was as if millions of full moons had arisen giving their effulgence.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.199

sarvadāśrī-mukhe `hare kṛṣṇa hare hare'
balite ānanda-dhārā niravadhi jhare

Jayapatākā Swami: Constantly from His divine mouth Lord Caitanya chanted the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. As He was chanting, tears of ecstasy incessantly flowed from His eyes. So, when Lord Caitanya appeared to the scene of the loud chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rama, Hare Hare. He was effulgent like millions of moons and tears of love was flowing from His eyes. So this was a very beautiful scene which the author is saying that he has not begin to describe it.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.200

lokera ārti—

catur-dige sarva loka daṇḍavata haya
ke kāra upare paḍe nāhi samuccaya

Jayapatākā Swami: All the people in all directions offered Lord Caitanya prostrated obeisances. There is no information on how many people fell on others?

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.201

kanṭaka-bhūmite loka nāhi kare bhaya
ānandita sarva-loka daṇḍavata haya

Jayapatākā Swami: People were not concerned about the thorns on the ground and all the people happily offered their prostrated obeisances.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.202

sarva loka `trāhi trāhi' bale hāta tuli'
e-mata karaye gauracandra kutūhalī

Jayapatākā Swami: All the people raised their hands and exclaimed, “Save us! Save us!” In this way such are the wonderful pastimes of Lord Gauracandra.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.203

ananta arbuda loka ekatra haila
ki prāntara kibā grāma sakala pūrila

Jayapatākā Swami: Unlimited millions of people gathered together there. What open places and in what villages were all filled with people.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.204

nānā grāma haite loka lāgila āsite
keho nāhi yāya ghara se mukha dekhite

Jayapatākā Swami: Different People began arriving from various different villages, and when they saw the lotus face of the Lord no one cared to go to their homes.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.205

phuliyāya lokāraṇya o gauracandramukha-darśana—

haite lāgila baḍa lokera gahana
‘phuliyā’ pūrila saba nagara-kānana

Jayapatākā Swami: Huge crowds of people gathered and overflooded the town of Phuliyā and all the town and forest.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.206

dekhi' gauracandrera śrī-mukha manohara
sarva loka pūrṇa haila bāhira antara

Jayapatākā Swami: On seeing the enchanting lotus face of Lord Gauracandra, irs standing on end. everyone felt internally and externally completely satisfied.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.4.13 Everyone rejoiced in a grand festival of saṅkīrtana, considering that Gaurāṅga's auspicious presence was the actual festival, immersed in transcendental trance, they wept, they trembled, and hairs standing on end.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.4.14 The Navadvīpa-vāsīs saw that Gaura Hari's golden body was dressed in saffron cloth, and He held the staff of a sannyāsī. He glowed with great reddish-gold potency like Mount Meru.
Jayapatākā Swami: So, the Navadvīpa-vāsīs are seeing Lord Caitanya as sannyāsī for the first time. They were totally satisfied by having the darśana of the Lord.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.4.15 His servants fell flat like rods to the ground and offered obeisances to Nṛhari. They appeared like the senses of the body offering homage to the life-force. Then those great souls took delight as they contemplated the lotus flower of His lovely countenance.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.4.16 Tears cascaded from their eyes, covering their bodies, which became covered by pulakas, and their throats became choked-up out of jubilation. The all-opulent Lord, the ocean of mercy, glanced over them, and by the shower of those glances, their bodies became adorned.
Jayapatākā Swami: Pulaka means ‘hairs were standing on end’. So all the devotees of the Lord they were feeling transcendental ecstasy of pure love.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.4.17 By His touch, by His smiles, by His speech, by the firm grip of His hands, Śrī Gaurāṅga, whose face with its smiles of love resembled a divine lotus, made the devotees very happy, and they felt that all their desires were fulfilled.
Jayapatākā Swami: So the devotees had been in great separation for twelve days. Lord Caitanya had His mercy on them. By having His darśana they were completely satisfied. They felt that all their desires had been fulfilled.

Murāri Gupta Kaḍaca 3.4.18 Their hearts were engladdened and their hairs and every limb of their bodies became covered by pulakas. Hairs standing on end. Suddenly Gaura Bhagavān with the bhaktas appeared to be Śrī Viṣṇu, the Lord of all godly beings accompanied by the demigods.
Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Gaurāṅga being the Supreme Lord, He would manifest different realizations to the viewers. In this way they were all blessed.

Caitanya-bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 1.207

prabhura phuliyā haite śāntipure advaita-bhavane gamana—

tabe prabhu kṛpā-dṛṣṭi kariyā sabāre
calilena śāntipura-ācāryera ghare

Jayapatākā Swami: Then Lord Gaurāṅga glanced mercifully on everyone and proceeded to the house of Advaita Ācārya in Śāntipura.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 5.17½ - 18

Do you know the way to Vṛndāvana. What path goes there?

Nityānanda: (jubilant) This is My opportunity. (bringing one boy from the group) Child, tell Him: "This is the path to Vṛndāvana."

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 3.16

nityānandera cāturya o bālakagaṇake gopane upadeśa:—

gupte tā-sabāke āni’ ṭhākura nityānanda
śikhāilā sabākāre kariyā prabandha

Translation: Calling all the boys in confidence and telling a reasonable story, Nityānanda Prabhu instructed them as follows.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 3.17

prabandha—susaṅgata galpa-racanā

vṛndāvana-patha prabhu puchena tomāre
gaṅgā-tīra-patha tabe dekhāiha tāṅre

Translation: If Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu asks you about the path to Vṛndāvana, please show Him the path on the bank of the Ganges instead.”

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 3.18–19

prabhura vṛndāvanapatha jijñāsāya bālakagaṇera nitāira kathāmata navadvīpa-patha pradarśana:—

tabe prabhu puchilena, — ‘śuna, śiśu-gaṇa
kaha dekhi, kon pathe yāba vṛndāvana’

Translation: When the cowherd boys were questioned by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu about the path to Vṛndāvana...

śiśu saba gaṅgā-tīra-patha dekhāila
sei pathe āveśe prabhu gamana karila

Translation: the boys showed Him the path on the bank of the Ganges, and the Lord went that way in ecstasy.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 5.19

A boy: As You (Nityānanda) order, my Lord. (approaching Mahāprabhu) O Lord, this is the path to Vṛndāvana. (Thus, he shows the path as instructed by Lord Nityānanda).

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 5.20 - 21

(Possessed with bliss Bhagavān walks on that path.)

(The Boys bow down to offer respects, and then exit.)

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 5.22

Nityānanda: I am saved. At present, My desire is fulfilled. On this very path it will be possible to take Him to Advaita's home. (He walks a little on the path, and then reflects) Why does the Lord not recognize Me? He slightly recognizes others (by His interaction with the cowherd boys). I will look for my good fortune. (He approaches the Lord).
Jayapatākā Swami: So it is two versions, in one Lord Caitanya tells to Nityānanda to tell all the devotees to go to Śāntipura and meet Him there and in this version He looks for Vṛndāvana and He was directed by the boys to South, the wrong way. After He goes Nityānanda floats down to Navadvipa and then it seems to be the story is same.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 11.64 Going there, Nityānanda joyful joyfully related the Lord’s words and quickly brought everyone to Śāntipura. Śacī also, in great pain but in great joy, also went there. What more can be said? The whole of Navadvīpa went there.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 11.65 The next day, the Lord, holding his pot and daṇḍa, wearing two pieces of red cloth, flashing like a host of lightning bolts, appeared like a golden mountain radiating golden light.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 11.66 Translation: Becoming fixed in ātmā and slightly fixed in Paramātmā, as established by the previous sages, I shall cross over the insurmountable ocean of nescience by service to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. (ŚB 11.23.57)

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 11.67 Seeing the Lord as he recited this verse repeatedly on the road, while dancing passionately, with tears flowing over his body, the people, seemingly long dead, revived their life airs. Filled with joy, they fell on the earth offering respects. etāṁ samāsthāya parātma-niṣṭhām adhyāsitāṁ pūrva-tamair maharṣibhiḥ ahaṁ tariṣyāmi duranta-pāraṁ tamo mukundāṅghri-niṣevayaiva (Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 5.1 “I will cross over the insurmountable ocean of nescience by being firmly fixed in the service of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. This was approved by the previous ācāryas, who were fixed in firm devotion to the Lord, Paramātmā, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” and so on) Ah! The sannyāsī (could be Avantī-brāhmaṇa but as per the commentator it is Keśava Bhāratī) spoke well: "I will cross over the ocean of nescience by being firmly fixed in the service of Kṛṣṇa, but not by meditating on the Supersoul. One should only have regard for meditating on the Supersoul, but this is not the destination.” Therefore, going to Vṛndāvana and serving Lord Kṛṣṇa should be done. (He looks at the sky) Ah! How far is it to Vṛndāvana?

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 5.24 - 25

Nityānanda: (approaching) Lord, Vṛndāvana will be reached in a day.

Bhagavān: (As if having entered the intermediate stage of dreaming and awakening, with surprise). Ah! Are You Śrīpāda Nityānanda?

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 5.26

Nityānanda: O Lord, I am He. (Halfway through His words his throat becomes choked with tears).

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 5.27 - 28

Bhagavān: Śrīpāda, tell Me: From where did You come?

Nityānanda: I heard the Lord desired to travel to Vṛndāvana. I also wish to see Vṛndāvana, so I am travelling there with You.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 5.29 - 30

Bhagavān: Good! Good! Come! We will go together. (Saying this, blissfully walks).

Nityānanda: This way Lord. (He brings Him a certain distance) O Lord, the Goddess Yamunā River is a little distance from here. We should bathe in her waters.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 5.31 - 32

Bhagavān: Ah! Today I will see the Yamunā?

Nityānanda: Yes. This way Lord. (He brings Him a certain distance) O Lord, the Goddess Yamunā River is a little distance from here. We should bathe in her waters.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 3.20

samudaya prayojana-nirabāhera o caturdike āgamanavārtā divāra janya
/ candraśekharake nitāira śāntipure preraṇa—

ācāryaratnere kahe nityānanda-gosāñi
śīghra yāha tumi advaita-ācāryera ṭhāñi

Translation: As the Lord proceeded along the bank of the Ganges, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu requested Ācāryaratna [Candraśekhara Ācārya] to go immediately to the house of Advaita Ācārya.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 3.21

prabhu laye yāba āmi tāṅhāra mandire
sāvadhāne rahena yena naukā lañā tīre

Translation: Śrī Nityānanda Gosvāmī told him, “I shall take Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to the bank of the Ganges at Śāntipura, and Advaita Ācārya should carefully stay there on shore with a boat.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 3.22

tabe navadvīpe tumi kariha gamana
śacī-saha lañā āisa saba bhakta-gaṇa

Translation: After that, Nityānanda Prabhu continued, “I shall go to Advaita Ācārya’s house, and you should go to Navadvīpa and return with Mother Śacī and all the other devotees.”

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 3.23

mahāprabhura sammukhe nitāira haṭhāt āgamana:—

tāṅre pāṭhāiyā nityānanda mahāśaya
mahāprabhura āge āsi’ dila paricaya

Translation: After sending Ācāryaratna to the house of Advaita Ācārya, Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu went before Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and gave notice of His coming.

Caitanya Carita mahā Kāvya 11.68 Showing affection for his devotees who were attached to his lotus feet by speaking, smiling sweetly, glancing with mercy, touching them with joy, the Lord, filled with happiness and great mercy, went to Advaita’s house.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 3.24

nityānanda-darśane prabhura jijñāsā o nitāira chalanā:—

prabhu kahe, — śrīpāda, tomāra kothāke gamana
śrīpāda kahe, tomāra saṅge yāba vṛndāvana

Translation: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was in ecstasy, and He asked where Nityānanda Prabhu was going. Nityānanda replied that He was going with Him toward Vṛndāvana.

Jayapatākā Swami: So two versions are there, generally Caitanya-caritāmṛta is accepted as the most authoritative but normally the descriptions are more just fill in the details which others don’t. Here the Caitanya-bhāgavata talks about Lord Caitanya going to Phuliya and from Phuliya walking to Śāntipura. While in Caitanya-caritāmṛta, the lord is walking to Śāntipura, and meets Advaita Ācārya near the river. So both the pastimes are very amazing somehow Lord Nityānanda in one pastime He convinces Śacī to break her fast and cook for Him. Then He takes all the devotees to Phuliya and then to Śāntipura. In other līlā He takes Lord Caitanya to Śāntipura. Since Lord Nityānanda is the source of the Supersoul, If, we want He can be present in two places or more. Who knows that he did both the pastimes at the same time?

Thus Ends the Chapter, The Residents of Navadvīpa See Mahāprabhu in Phuliyā