20210610 The Muslim Governor Chants the Holy Names and Renders Service to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation By His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on 10th June 2021 in Śrīdhāma 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! Dear Devotees! Today we will continue with the compilation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book. Today's chapter is entitled:

The Muslim Governor Chants the Holy Names and Renders Service to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

Under the Section: The Lord’s Attempt to Go to Vṛndāvana

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.178

amātyera ei ānanda saṁvāda-dāna, mochalemera chadma-hinduveśe prabhu-darśanārtha āgamana:—

‘viśvāsa’ yāñā tāṅhāre sakala kahila
hindu-veśa dhari’ sei yavana āila

Translation: The secretary returned to the Muslim governor and informed him of this news. Dressing himself like a Hindu, the Muslim governor then came to see Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.179

dūra haite prabhu dekhi’ bhūmete paḍiyā
daṇḍavat kare aśru-pulakita hañā

Translation: Upon seeing Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu from a distant place, the Muslim governor fell to the ground and offered obeisances. Tears came to his eyes, and he was jubilant with ecstatic emotions.

Jayapatākā Swami: Such was the potency of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya that simply from a distance seeing Him, the Muslim Governor felt ecstasy, tears came to his eyes, his hairs was standing on end and He was feeling jubilation.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.180

prabhura nikaṭe āsiyā mochalemera kṛṣṇa-nāma-grahaṇa:—

mahā-pātra ānila tāṅre kariyā sammāna
yoḍa-hāte prabhu-āge laya kṛṣṇa-nāma

Translation: Arriving in that way, the Muslim governor was respectfully brought before Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu by the mahā-pātra. The governor then stood before the Lord with folded hands, and he chanted the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa! Kṛṣṇa!

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.181

svīya mochalema-janme dhikkāra o nirvedokti:—

adhama yavana-kule kena janma haila
vidhi more hindu-kule kena nā janmāila

Translation: The governor then submissively asked, “Why was I born in a Muslim family? This is considered a low birth. Why didn’t supreme Providence grant me a birth in a Hindu family?

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.182

prabhura padaprāpti vyatīta mṛtyu-vāñchā:—

‘hindu’ haile pāitāma tomāra caraṇa-sannidhāna
vyartha mora ei deha, yāuka parāṇa”

Translation: If I had taken birth in a Hindu family, it would have been easy for me to remain near Your lotus feet. Since my body is now useless, let me die immediately.”

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.183

tāhāra khedokti-śravaṇe rāja-karmacārīrao prabhu-stuti:—

eta śuni’ mahā-pātra āviṣṭa hañā
prabhuke karena stuti caraṇe dhariyā

Translation: Upon hearing the governor’s submissive statement, the mahā-pātra was overwhelmed with joy. He clasped the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and began to offer the following prayers

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.184

bhagavan-nāma-śravaṇa-phalei antyajerao śucitva-lābha:—

‘caṇḍāla—pavitra yāṅra śrī-nāma-śravaṇe
hena-tomāra ei jīva pāila daraśane

Translation: Simply by hearing Your holy name, a caṇḍāla, the lowest of men, can be purified. Now this conditioned soul has received Your personal interview

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.185

bhagavad-darśana-phale mochalemera uddhāra tata veśī vismayakara naheḥ:—

iṅhāra ye ei gati, ithe ki vismaya
tomāra darśana-prabhāva ei-mata haya

Translation: It is no wonder that this Muslim governor has attained such results. Simply by seeing You, all this is possible.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.186

bhagavan-nāmera śravaṇa, kīrtana vā smaraṇei antyajerao śuddhi,
sākṣāt darśane ta’ kathāi nāi:—
Śrīmad-Bhagavatam (3.33.6)—

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

Translation: ‘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 becomes immediately 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.’

Purport: This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.33.6) According to this verse, it does not matter what position a person holds. One may be the lowest of the low — a caṇḍāla, or dog-eater — but if he takes to chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord, he is immediately eligible to perform Vedic sacrifices. This is especially true in this Age of Kali. harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā (Bṛhan-nāradīya Purāṇa 38.126) “In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, the only means of deliverance is the chanting of the holy names of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.” A person born in a brāhmaṇa family cannot perform Vedic sacrifices until he is properly purified and has attained his sacred thread. However, according to the present verse of Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta (quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam), it is understood that even a lowborn person can immediately perform sacrifices if he sincerely chants and hears the holy name of the Lord. Sometimes envious people ask how Europeans and Americans in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement can become brāhmaṇas and perform sacrifices. They do not know that the Europeans and Americans have already been purified by chanting the holy name of the Lord — Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. So This is the proof. One may be born in a family of dog-eaters, but he can perform sacrifices simply by chanting the mahā-mantra. Those who find fault in the Western Vaiṣṇavas should consider this statement from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the commentary on this verse by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī. In this regard, Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī has stated that to become a brāhmaṇa one has to wait for purification and undergo the sacred thread ceremony, but a chanter of the holy name does not have to wait for the sacred thread ceremony. We do not allow devotees to perform sacrifices until they are properly initiated in the sacred thread ceremony. Yet according to this verse, an offenseless chanter of the holy name is already fit to perform a fire ceremony, even though he is not doubly initiated by the sacred thread ceremony. This is the verdict given by Devahūti, the mother of Lord Kapiladeva, when He was instructing her in pure Sāṅkhya philosophy.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, such is the power of the chanting of the holy name that immediately one becomes qualified and can perform all types of Vedic rituals. It is not necessary for one according to this verse, if they are chanting the holy names, to take the sacred thread ceremony. Devahūti devī had realized this in the verse given in the Śrīmad-bhāgavatam.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.187

mochalema-śāsakake kṛpā-pūrvaka kṛṣṇa-nāma-grahaṇe ādeśa:—

tabe mahāprabhu tāṅre kṛpā-dṛṣṭi kari’
āśvāsiyā kahe,—tumi kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’ ‘hari’

Translation: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu then glanced with mercy at the Muslim governor. Giving him assurance, He asked him to chant the holy names “Kṛṣṇa” and “Hari.”

Purport: It is Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy that He advises everyone — even caṇḍālas, mlecchas and yavanas — to chant the holy name of the Lord. In other words, one who has taken to chanting the holy names “Kṛṣṇa” and “Hari” has already received Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy. The Lord’s request to chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa is now extended to everyone in the world through the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Whoever follows Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s instructions will certainly be purified, and one who sincerely chants the holy name offenselessly is already more than a brāhmaṇa. Unfortunately there are many fools and rascals in India who do not allow Western Vaiṣṇavas to enter certain temples. Such rascals do not clearly understand the Vedas. As stated previously, yan-nāmadheya-śravaṇānukīrtanād . . . savanāya kalpate.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, His Divine Grace Śrīla AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda was uplifting everyone throughout the world by giving them the chanting of the holy name. One may be born in a mleccha, yavana or caṇḍāla family, one may be of any gender or any background but by the will and mercy of Lord Caitanya, one can chant the holy name and thus be purified.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.188

mleccha śāsakera pāpa-mocana o prabhura sevā-yācñā:—

sei kahe,—‘more yadi kailā aṅgīkāra
eka ājñā deha,—sevā kari ye tomāra

Translation: The Muslim governor then said, “Since You have so kindly accepted me, please give me some order so that I can render You some service.”

Purport: If one is purified by following Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s orders — that is, by chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa — that is, by chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa — one must certainly be eager to render service to the Lord. This is the test. When one engages enthusiastically in the Lord’s service, it is to be understood that he is reaping the results of chanting the names of Kṛṣṇa and Hari.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, the Muslim Governor was eager to render service, this was the symptom of His receiving the mercy of Lord Caitanya.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.189

go-brāhmaṇa-vaiṣṇave hiṁsā karyāchi apāra
sei pāpa ha-ite mora ha-uka nistāra

Translation: The Muslim governor then prayed for liberation from the unlimited sinful reactions he had previously incurred by being envious of brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas and killing cows.

Purport: By chanting the holy names Kṛṣṇa and Hari, one is certainly liberated from the reactions to such sinful activities as killing cows or insulting brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas. It is most sinful to kill cows and insult brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas. The karma incurred by such activity is very great, but one can immediately nullify all this karma by surrendering to Lord Kṛṣṇa and chanting His holy name. After being released from one’s sinful reactions (karma), one becomes eager to serve the Lord. This is the test. Since the Muslim governor was immediately purified in the presence of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he could utter the names of Kṛṣṇa and Hari. Consequently he was eager to render some service, and the Lord, eager to fulfill his desires, immediately had the devotee Mukunda Datta inform the governor that there was some service to render.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.190

laukika-līlābhinayakārī prabhura janya mukundera yātrā-pathe sahāyatā-prārthanā:—

tabe mukunda datta kahe,—’śuna, mahāśaya
gaṅgā-tīra yāite mahāprabhura mana haya

Translation: Mukunda Datta then told the Muslim governor, “My dear sir, please hear. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wishes to go to the bank of the Ganges.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.191

tāhāṅ yāite kara tumi sahāya-prakāra
ei baḍa ājñā, ei baḍa upakāra’

Translation: Please give Him all assistance so that He can go there. This is your first great order, and if you can comply, you will render a great service.”

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.192

mleccha-śāsakera svīkāra o sadainye sakalake praṇāmānte vidāya-grahaṇa:—

tabe sei mahāprabhura caraṇa vandiyā
sabāra caraṇa vandi’ cale hṛṣṭa hañā

Translation: After this, the Muslim governor offered prayers to the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, as well as to the lotus feet of all His devotees. After that, the governor departed. Indeed, he was very pleased.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.193

rāja-karmacārīra sahita tāṅhāra milana o bandhutva:—

mahā-pātra tāṅra sane kaila kolākuli
aneka sāmagrī diyā karila mitāli

Translation: Before the governor left, the mahā-pātra embraced him and offered him many gifts. He thus established a friendship with him.

Jayapatākā Swami: We see that the Muslim Governor he was satisfied by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and He was accepted by Lord Caitanya’s devotees and the māhā-pātra also embraced Him and gave him gifts establishing a friendly relationship. So, these are all very auspicious signs.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.194

mlecchakarttṛka prāte prabhura yātrāra sahāyatā-vidhāna, prabhuke sagaurabe āhvāna:—

prātaḥ-kāle sei bahu naukā sājāñā
prabhuke ānite dila viśvāsa pāṭhāñā

Translation: The next morning the governor sent his secretary with many nicely decorated boats to bring Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to the other side of the river.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.195

rāja-karmacāri-saṅge prabhura gamana o snecchera prabhu-vandana:—

mahā-pātra cali’ āilā mahāprabhura sane
mleccha āsi’ kaila prabhura caraṇa vandane

Translation: The mahā-pātra crossed the river with Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and when they reached the other shore, the Muslim governor personally received the Lord and worshiped His lotus feet.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.196

sarva-suvidhā-viśiṣṭa kariyā ekaṭī nūtana naukā-pradāna:—

eka navīna naukā, tāra madhye ghara
sva-gaṇe caḍāilā prabhu tāhāra upara

Translation: One of the boats had been newly constructed, and it had a room in the middle. It was on this boat that they put Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and His associates.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.197

rāja-karmacārīke prabhura nadītaṭe vidāya-dāna, tāhāra krandana:—

mahā-pātre mahāprabhu karilā vidāya
kāndite kāndite sei tīre rahi’ cāya

Translation: Finally Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bade farewell to the mahā-pātra. Standing on the riverbank and looking at the boat, the mahā-pātra began to cry.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya touched the heart of everyone, even the māhā-pātra, he was also crying and crying feeling separation from the Lord. The Muslim Governor was changed. Since His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda was empowered by Lord Caitanya, he also had the effect on different people, and wherever he went, people became purified and changed just by seeing him.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.198

prabhu-bhakta sei snecchera prabhu-rakṣā-vidhāna-pūrvaka ‘mantreśvara’ - nada pāra haiyā ‘pichalndā’ paryanta gamana:—

jala-dasyu-bhaye sei yavana calila
daśa naukā bhari’ bahu sainya saṅge nila

Translation: The Muslim governor then personally accompanied Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Because of pirates, the governor took ten boats full of many soldiers.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.199

‘mantreśvara’-duṣṭa-nade pāra karāila
‘pichaldā’ paryanta sei yavana āila

Translation: The Muslim governor accompanied Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu past Mantreśvara. This place was very dangerous due to pirates. He took the Lord to a place named Pichaldā, which was near Mantreśvara.

Purport: The very wide mouth of the Ganges near present-day Diamond Harbour was called Mantreśvara. Through the Ganges, the boat entered the Rūpa-nārāyaṇa River and reached the village of Pichaldā. Pichaldā and Mantreśvara are located very close together. After passing Mantreśvara, the Muslim governor accompanied the Lord as far as Pichaldā.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Rūpa-nārāyaṇa river is very wide and merges with the Ganges, and at that point the Ganges is also very wide. So, the Muslim Governor, he accompanied the Lord upto the place of Pichaldā.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.200

pichaldāya tāṅhāke vidāya-dāna, tāṅhāra adbhuta ārtti:—

tāṅre vidāya dila prabhu sei grāma haite
se-kāle tāṅra prema-ceṣṭā nā pāri varṇite

Translation: Finally Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bade the governor farewell. The intense ecstatic love exhibited by the governor cannot be described.

Purport: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu bade farewell to the Muslim governor at Pichaldā. Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī herein states that the governor experienced symptoms of ecstatic love due to being separated from Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. These symptoms, he admits, cannot be described.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, this Governor was so fortunate that He had the personal association of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He chanted the holy name, he experienced the ecstatic symptoms and He could offer some personal service. He was very fortunate.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.201

caitanya-līlā-śravaṇakārīi sārthaka-janmā:—

alaukika līlā kare śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya
yei ihā śune tāṅra janma, deha dhanya

Translation: Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes are all uncommon. Whoever listens to His activities becomes glorious, and his life becomes perfect.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, by hearing about the pastimes of Lord Caitanya, one becomes glorious, his life becomes perfect. This is the blessing given by Kṛṣṇadāsa Kaviraja, whoever hears the pastimes and activities of Lord Caitanya. Hari Bol! Hari Bol!

Thus ends the chapter entitled, The Muslim Governor Chants the Holy Names and Renders Service to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Under the Section: The Lord’s Attempt to Go to Vṛndāvana.

It is such a great mercy to hear about the activities of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. This gives us unlimited mercy, and by hearing how He would change the heart of different people, our life may become perfect and our heart may also be changed. All glories to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya! Hari Bol! Gaurāṅga!