20210313 Mahārāja Pratāparudra’s Determination

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on March 13th, 2021 in Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur, India.

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

Hare Kṛṣṇa! Today we will continue with the compilation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya book today's chapter is entitleda as:

Mahārāja Pratāparudra’s Determination 
Under the section, the Beda kīrtana pastimes of Caitanya Mahāprabhu

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.130

prabhura kāśī-miśra-gṛhe avasthāna—
hena-mate śrī-gaurasundara nīlācale
rahilena kāśī-miśra-gṛhe kutūhale

Jayapatākā Swami: In this way Lord Śrī Gaurasundara joyfully resided in Nīlācala in the house of Kāśī Miśra.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.131

prabhura nīlācala-līlā—
nirantara nṛtya-gīta-ānanda-āveśa
prakāśena gauracandra, dekhe sarva-deśa

Jayapatākā Swami: Constantly Lord Gauracandra performed dancing kīrtana in great spiritual ecstasy and this was seen by people from all provinces, how Lord Caitanya became overwhelmed with ecstasy.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.132

kakhano nācena jagannāthera sammukhe
tilārdheko bāhya nāhi premānanda-sukhe

Jayapatākā Swami: Sometimes Lord Caitanya would dance in front of Lord Jagannātha and He would manifest such ecstatic love that He showed no external consciousness.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.133

kakhana nācena kāśī-miśrera mandire
kakhana nācena mahāprabhu sindhu-tīre

Jayapatākā Swami: Sometimes Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu danced in the Kāśī Miśra’s house, and sometimes He would dance on the shore of the ocean.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.134

e-mata nirantara premera vilāsa
tilārdheko anya karma nāhika prakāśa

Jayapatākā Swami: In this way Lord Caitanya, constantly He was enjoying ecstatic pastimes. He did not engage in any other activity for even a moment.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.135

pāṇi-śaṅkha bājile uṭhena sei kṣaṇa
kapāṭa khulile jagannātha-daraśana

Jayapatākā Swami: When the conchshell was blown in the temple He was there and when the doors opened, He was there to greet Lord Jagannātha and have His darśana.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.136

jagannātha dekhite ye prakāśena prema
akathya adbhuta!—gaṅgādhārā vahe yena

Jayapatākā Swami: The ecstatic love Lord Caitanya manifested while seeing Lord Jagannātha was wonderful and indescribable. Tears of love flowed from His eyes like the river Ganges.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.137

dekhiyā adbhuta saba utkalera loka
kāro dehe āra nāhi rahe duḥkha-śoka

Jayapatākā Swami: The people of Utkala, Orissa were amazed to see this, and as a result they did not experience in their body any distress or lamentation.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.138

ye dike caitanya mahāprabhu cali’ yāya
sei dike sarva-loka ’hari hari’ gāya

Jayapatākā Swami: On whatever path Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu traveled, everyone on the way began to chant the holy name of Lord Hari. (Hari Bol!)

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.139

prabhu-sandarśanārtha svīya rājadhānī ‘kaṭaka’ haite pratāparudrera āgamana—
pratāparudrera sthāne haila gocara
“nīlācale āilena śrī-gaurasundara”

Jayapatākā Swami: Soon Mahārāja Pratāparudra came to know that Lord Śrī Gaurasundara had come to Nīlācala, Jagannātha Purī.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.140

sei kṣaṇe śuni’ mātra nṛpati pratāpa
kaṭaka chāḍiyā āilena jagannātha

Jayapatākā Swami: As soon as he heard the news, the King Pratāparudra left Cuttack and came to Jagannātha Purī. So, when King Pratāparudra heard that Lord Caitanya was in Jagannātha Purī, he did not waste any time and immediately decided to go there.

Purport by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhāta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura: Pratāparudra, who was a king in the Gaṅgā dynasty, lived in his capital of Cuttack during the time of Mahāprabhu. On hearing the news of Gaurasundara’s arrival, he came from Cuttack to Purī.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.141

rājāra prabhu darśane ārti, kintu prabhura audāsīnya—
prabhure dekhite se rājāra baḍa prīta
prabhu se nā dena daraśana kadācita

Jayapatākā Swami: Although the King had a great desire to see Lord Caitanya, the Lord would not give permission to see him under any circumstances.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.142

prabhura sahita sākṣāt karāibāra nimitta rājāra sārvabhaumādira nikaṭa anurodha—
sārvabhauma-ādi sabā-sthāne rājā kahe
tathāpi prabhure keha nā jānāya bhaye

Jayapatākā Swami: Although the King requested Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya and others to arrange his meeting with the Lord, in spite of this no one would tell Lord Caitanya out of fear.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.99: A Voice from Behind the Scenes: There is King Prataparudra, come for the Ratha-yātrā festival of Lord Jagannātha, and there is Lord Caitanya, the golden-complexioned leader of the sannyāsīs. I will try to arrange for Them to meet.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.100: Gopīnātha: Ah! I hear the words of the Bhaṭṭācārya. He must have come here with King Pratāparudra. It is almost time for the Ratha-yātrā festival. For now, I will see Lord Jagannātha, and then I will return.

(He exits).

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 11.41

sārvabhaumake rājāra svīya prabhu-kṛpā-prāpti-viṣaye jijñāsā:—
kṣetre āsi’ rājā sārvabhaume bolāilā
sārvabhaume namaskari’ tāṅhāre puchilā

Translation: When King Pratāparudra returned to Jagannātha Purī, he called for Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya. When the Bhaṭṭācārya went to see the King, the King offered him respects and made the following inquiries.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.101: 

(Bhattacarya enters). 

Bhaṭṭācārya: As I was coming, King Pratāparudra called for me. He is very eager to see Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. (He walks and looks) Ah! This, this the king! Let me approach him.

(He approaches).

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.102: 

(The king enters and sits on a throne. His ministers also enter).

King: (Filled with longings, he says to himself) I no longer wish to perform my royal duties. For me, the enjoyment of happiness has become a disease. If He will not see me, I will not maintain my life.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.103: Sarvabhauma: I see the king is absorbed in thought. Even though I am right before him, he still does not see me. I will examine him. All glories, all glories to the king!

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.104: King: (notices Sārvabhauma) Here is Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya. Come here. Come. (He bows down).

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.105: (Sārvabhauma offers blessings and then sits down).

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 11.42

mora lāgi’ prabhu-pade kaile nivedana?
sārvabhauma kahe,—kainu aneka yatana

Translation: The King asked, “Have you submitted my petition to the Lord?” Sārvabhauma replied, “Yes, with much endeavor I have tried my best.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.106

Translation: Bhaṭṭācārya, did you place my request before Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya?

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.107: Sārvabhauma: Yes.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.108: King: What did he say?

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.109: Sārvabhauma: What will I say?

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.110: King: (unhappily) Since you did not enthusiastically come and say, I have understood. Alas! Alas!

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 11.43

sārvabhauma-karttṛka prabhura dṛḍha o acalā vitṛṣṇā-jñāpana:—
tathāpi nā kare teṅha rāja-daraśana
kṣetra chāḍi’ yābena punaḥ yadi kari nivedana

Translation: “Yet despite my great endeavor, the Lord would not agree to see a king. Indeed, He said that if He were asked again, He would quit Jagannātha Purī and go elsewhere.”

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 11.44

rājāra gabhīra vilāpa o khedokti:—
śuniyā rājāra mane duḥkha upajila
viṣāda kariyā kichu kahite lāgila

Translation: Hearing this, the King became very unhappy and, greatly lamenting, began to speak as follows.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 11.45

pāpī nīca uddhārite tāṅra avatāra
jagāi mādhāi teṅha karilā uddhāra

Translation: The King said, “Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has descended just to deliver all kinds of sinful, lowborn persons. Consequently, He has delivered sinners like Jagāi and Mādhāi.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 11.46

pratāparudra chāḍi’ karibe jagat nistāra
ei pratijñā kari’ kariyāchena avatāra?

Translation: “Alas, has Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu incarnated to deliver all kinds of sinners with the exception of a king named Mahārāja Pratāparudra?

Purport His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission is thus described by Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura: patita-pāvana-hetu tava avatāra, mo-sama patita prabhu nā pāibe āra. If Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu descended to reclaim sinners, then one who is the most sinful and lowborn is the first candidate for the Lord’s consideration. Mahārāja Pratāparudra considered himself a most fallen soul because he had to deal with material things constantly and enjoy material profits. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s business was the deliverance of the most fallen. How, then, could He reject the King? The more fallen a person is, the more he has the right to be delivered by the Lord — provided, of course, he surrenders unto the Lord. Mahārāja Pratāparudra was a fully surrendered soul; therefore the Lord could not refuse him on the grounds that he was a worldly pounds-shillings man.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Mahārāja Pratāparudra was considering that he could be delivered by Lord Caitanya because he is sinful. But he was lamenting that Lord Caitanya came to deliver all the sinful people with the exception of the king called Pratāparudra. He was lamenting how he was so unfortunate.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 11.47 and Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.111

adarśanīyān api nīca-jātīn
saṁvīkṣate hanta tathāpi no mām
mad-eka-varjaṁ kṛpayiṣyatīti
nirṇīya kiṁ so ’vatatāra devaḥ

Translation: “‘Alas, has Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu made His advent deciding that He will deliver all others with the exception of me? He bestows His merciful glance upon many lower-class men who are usually not even to be seen.’”

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 11.48

prabhu kṛpā nā pāile rājāra prāṇa-tyāge saṅkalpa:—
tāṅra pratijñā—more nā karibe daraśana
mora pratijñā—tāṅhā vinā chāḍiba jīvana

Translation: Mahārāja Pratāparudra continued, “If Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is determined not to see me, then I am determined to give up my life if I do not see Him.

Purport His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda: A devotee with Mahārāja Pratāparudra’s determination will certainly be victorious in advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrī Kṛṣṇa confirms this in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.14):

“Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.”

These are the symptoms of a mahātmā engaged in the Lord’s service in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Thus Mahārāja Pratāparudra’s determination is very much exalted and is called dṛḍha-vrata. Because of this determination, he was finally able to receive Lord Caitanya’s direct mercy.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the determination of Mahārāja Pratāparudra would finally lead him to get the mercy of Lord Caitanya.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 11.49

yadi sei mahāprabhura nā pāi kṛpā-dhana
kibā rājya, kibā deha,—saba akāraṇa

Translation: “If I do not receive Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy, my body and my kingdom are certainly useless.”

Purport His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda: This is an excellent example of dṛḍha-vrata, determination. If one does not receive the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s mercy, one’s life is defeated. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (5.5.5) it is said: Unless one inquires into spiritual life, everything is useless. Without spiritual inquiry, our labor and the object of our labor are simply a waste of time.

Jayapatākā Swami: Devotees should see this purity of inquiring into the spiritual purpose of life, without that material life is simply a waste.

Caitanya Candrodaya Nāṭaka 8.112

Translation: (He reflects for a moment). Listen. I know what He must have said. What He has said is the truth. Now I will say something. I say that either His lotus feet enter the pathway of my eyes, or I will give up my life.

(He sheds tears).

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 11.50

rājāra prabhuprīti-darśane sārvabhaumera vismaya:—
eta śuni’ sārvabhauma ha-ilā cintita
rājāra anurāga dekhi’ ha-ilā vismita

Translation: Hearing King Pratāparudra’s determination, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya became thoughtful. Indeed, he was very much astonished to see the King’s determination.

Purport His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda: Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya was astonished because such determination is not possible for a worldly man attached to material enjoyment. The King certainly had ample opportunity for material enjoyment, but he was thinking that his kingdom and everything else was useless if he could not see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This is certainly sufficient cause for astonishment. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is stated that bhakti, devotional service, must be unconditional. No material impediments can actually check the advancement of devotional service, be it executed by a common man or a king. In any case, devotional service rendered to the Lord is always complete, despite the devotee’s material position. Devotional service is so exalted that it can be executed by anyone in any position. One must simply be dṛḍha-vrata, firmly determined.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.143

rājā bale,—“tumi-saba, yadi kara bhaya
agocare āmāre dekhāha mahāśaya”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the King said, “If you are all afraid, then at least arrange that I may see the Lord without His knowledge.

Purport by Śrīla Bhaktisiddhāta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura: It is prohibited for a sannyāsī to see and converse with a king or a woman. A person who desires to fulfill his sense gratification by obtaining a king’s favor desires to meet the king. To establish the principles of proper etiquette, Mahāprabhu neither saw or conversed with women, who are objects of enjoyment, or the king, who is approached for obtaining favors. That is why none of the devotees dared to take the King of Utkala to see Mahāprabhu; they were too afraid.

Caitanya-Bhāgavata Antya-khaṇḍa 5.144

rājāra ārti o bhaktagaṇera yuktidāna —
dekhiyā rājāra ārti sarva bhakta-gaṇe
sabe meli’ ei yukti karilena mane

Jayapatākā Swami: All of the devotees saw the great eagerness of the King to see Lord Caitanya, they all got together and made a plan. King Pratāparudra was completely determined to see Lord Caitanya but no one could bring it up to Lord Caitanya. So somehow the devotees had to save the life of King Pratāparudra so they made a plan how to pacify the King.

Thus ends the chapter entitled, Mahārāja Pratāparudra’s Determination, Under the section, the Beda kīrtana pastimes of Caitanya Mahāprabhu