20210612 Lord Caitanya Reaches Rāghava Bhavana in Pānihāṭi Part 2

The following is a Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book Compilation given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on June 12th,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! Dear Devotees! Today we will continue with the compilation of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Book. Today's chapter is entitled as:

Lord Caitanya Reaches Rāghava Bhavana in Pānihāṭi Part 2

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.65

Translation: Hearing that the ocean of mercy was coming, Pratāparudra had the bathing spots cleansed by hand.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.66

Translation: Decorated in all his limbs, bright with sweet effulgence. Gopīnātha shone like the poetic ornaments of a poet.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.67

Translation: The beautiful king at every moment became more youthful with fresh longing and shone like the beautiful spring.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.68

Translation: The devotees with pleased face joyfully entered the temple of Gopīnātha.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.69

Translation: The servants of the deity, holding canes, with great affection brought the devotees who were devoid of other desires into the room.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.70

Translation: Seeing the deity with great prema, they were greatly pleased. One brāhmaṇa came and offered food to Paramānanda.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.71

Translation: Just at that time, Gauracandra, shining like a million moons, dazzling like a golden mountain, arrived, as if rising over the horizon.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu was all-attractive and His coming was like the shinning of million moons. So He attracted everyone by His transcendental appearance.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.72

Translation: Seeing attractive Gopīnātha, like the personification of Cupid, the ocean of mercy became joyful.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.73

Translation: A brāhmaṇa named Svapneśvara offered Mahāprabhu food and brought him to his house.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, some of these pastimes were described in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta and some other details which may not be described, so these things should be combined.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.74

Translation: Rāmānanda Rāya brought the devotees headed by Jagadānanda, all in bliss, to his house.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.75

Translation: He brought the devotees to an attractive garden, which gave benefit to the house, bliss and happiness. It was an excellent garden near the house, giving the continual joy of a forest.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.76

Translation: Making the devotees happy in the garden, Rāmānanda quickly went to the king, who gives happiness to the people.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Pratāparudra Mahārāja was very eager to serve Lord Caitanya and by His Kṛṣṇa conscious rulership, he made all the people in His kingdom happy.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.77

Translation: Making the devotees happy in the garden, Rāmānanda quickly went to the king, who gives happiness to the people.

Translation: After resting, the devotees began cooking. Paramānanda, after begging, came with the Lord.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.78

Translation: In that garden there was a very tall bakula tree, giving extensive, dense shade. It was the best among bakula trees.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, bakula has very small leaves and gives a very dense shade. It was quite common, that Haridāsa Ṭhākura, he was staying under a bakula tree and Lord Caitanya, He would sit under a bakula tree. So bakula had this advantage, small leaves, small flowers and highly scented flowers.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.79

Translation: The tree was huge, bigger than all other trees, and was surrounded by lotuses, giving life to the forest.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.80

Translation: Sitting under the bakula tree, the Lord shone with his smiling face. He defeated the jambu tree with his golden form.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.81

Translation: At that time, the crest jewel of kings, most glorious Pratāparudra, came to see the lotus feet of Gauracandra.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, here in Kaṭaka the king directly approached Lord Caitanya.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.82

Translation: Accompanied by Rāmānanda, he was like Cupid with spring. He eventually arrived with the four parts of his army (elephants, horses, chariots and foot soldiers).

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.83

Translation: Alighting from the elephant’s shoulders, Pratāparudra endowed with elephant shoulders, went to the garden with affection, shining radiantly.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.84

Translation: Surrounded by a wealth of soldiers, horses, and huge elephants exuding mada, he appeared splendid.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.85

Translation: The horses shook the earth with their hooves, proclaiming loudly, “There is not king equal to him in Svarga, or on earth.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, these details of the King's arrival are not given in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta. It shows that King Pratāparudra he moved with great majesty.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.86

Translation: Like the moon with the sun, the king, holding the arm of Rāmānanda, went here and there, engaging his ministers.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.87

Translation: Like the earth surrounded by a ring (of islands), he shone radiantly, being surrounded by ministers, like devatās, who first entered the garden.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.88

Translation: On the outside were foot soldiers, beyond that, the horses and beyond that, the elephants. This was the arrangement of the whole array.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, this is on the outside of the garden.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.89

Translation: Seeing the Lord’s lotus feet, the king’s heart melted. He fell to the earth with tears of joy in his eyes.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, although the King had his soldiers, ministers, horses and elephants, as soon he saw Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he offered his prostrated obeisances to Lord Caitanya.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.90

Translation: Offering respects many times, the king drank with his eyes the lotus face of the Lord. But he could not be satisfied. This is the astonishing nature of Gaurāṅga.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Gaurāṅga's transcendental beauty embodied of sac-cid-ānanda could be seen again and again. But one would never be satiated, so there was always a new taste to be had by seeing the Lord.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.91

Translation: Gauracandra profusely sprinkled him with sweet words in affection, while embracing him in every limb.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, King Pratāparudra, at first he could never approach Lord Caitanya, but by his humble service, by sweeping the road in front of Lord Jagannātha, and offering service to the Vaiṣṇava, gave them a place to stay and prasāda, and allowing Rāmānanda Rāya to serve Lord Caitanya, giving him retirement with the same pension, so that he could serve Lord Caitanya, and many other services, and therefore Lord Caitanya became very affectionate with him and now He embraced King Pratāparudra.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.92

Translation: Gauracandra profusely sprinkled him with sweet words in affection, while embracing him in every limb.

Translation: Finishing his duties, and by the order of the Lord, he gave orders to his followers and pleased them. All the ministers then entered to see the Lord.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.93

Translation: The king ordered his good servant, knowing the mind of Gaurāṅga. “The Lord, beautiful as a lotus, desires to go across the Citropala River to the ocean.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.94

Translation: “O Maṅgarāja, quickly go with Haricandana across the great river, following Mahāprabhu.”

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.95

Translation: On his order, Maṅgarāja, Haricandana and Rāmānanda Rāya, taking Mahāprabhu, got in a large boat.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.96

Translation: At that time the full moon rose up, cleaning the whole path with its rays.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Kaṭaka was an island so there were rivers on both sides. So in order to leave Kaṭaka, one has to cross the river. That, King Pratāparudra made arrangement for the safe transport for Lord Caitanya and all His associates.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.97

Translation: After Gaurāṅga left, the king’s servant came there. Understanding king’s order, he spoke to the local people.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.98

Translation: “O great people! Hear what the king has ordered. Erect a pillar here so that this place becomes a place of pilgrimage.”

Jayapatākā Swami: So, we should see that the pillar is there, so that we can go there to celebrate Lord Caitanya’s appearance there. May be we can establish a Lotus footprint of Lord Caitanya there.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.99

Translation: Hearing the king’s order, the people erected a pillar there. Having placed the Lord in a boat, the people worshipped him with joy.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 19.100

Translation: Crossing the river, the Lord came to Caturdvāra. At the night he slept in the deity’s outer hall covered with the attractive canopy. There, even hundreds of thousands of people could not enter.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.1

Translation: Hearing the birds chirping, “O Lord! Night has ended. Rise from bed,” with eyes closed from sleep, he woke up, and waving his hand to silence them, rose quickly.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, even the birds are acting as alarm clock to wake the Lord.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.2

Translation: Seeing with joy the garland and food remnants, which had suddenly arrived, he performed his daily rites. Eating rice, drinks and sweets and being satisfied, he departed.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya is continuing on his journey North to Bengal and gradually towards Vṛndāvana.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.3

Translation: He dismissed the two officers (Maṅgarāja and Haricandana). They shed tears and their bodies became thin. What is the power of the creator?

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.4

Translation: The king sent orders through letters before the Lord arrived to the various places, in order make new, pure houses, with furnishings.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, in every place Lord Caitanya would stay they constructed new houses for the Lord and His associates.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.5

Translation: Wherever the Lord went, hundreds of thousands of people worshipped him with their lotus eyes and humble words in joy, without creating any obstacles.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, people we relining up on the roads and seeing the Lord pass by, so it was like a great procession.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.6

Translation: “He will come today or tomorrow.” “He is coming.” “He has arrived.” There were loud shouts of joy in this manner before his arrival.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.7

Translation: Some of the elders said, “Where is Kṛṣṇa Caitanya?” Mahāprabhu and Paramānanda then showed each other to the people.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.8

Translation: When dawn came, acting according to the king’s order, all the people in all houses, in all places, cleansed their houses and, in bliss, brought auspicious items.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya was given a royal reception at every place.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.9

Translation: Rāmānanda went as far as Badreśvara, the Lord dismissed him and he went back to Purī, feeling pain in separation. Gaurāṅga proceeded north.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Badreśvara is the ancient name of Bhadraka and there Lord Caitanya and Rāmānanda Rāya departed.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.10

Translation: Through all of Orissa, the people acted according to the king’s letter, and in the morning brought abundant items including incense worthy of a king and deity remnants.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, Lord Caitanya had no shortage of prasāda, all people were offering Him all facilities.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.11

Translation: Realizing that the Lord had reached Bengal and would come to the Gaṅgā, the people were overcome with prema. Their hearts joyful affectionate because of impending contact with him, they increased in beauty, being pleased, even in their houses.

Caitanya Carita Mahā Kāvya 20.12

Translation: Like the moon rising on the eastern horizon, he came to Rāghava’s house (in Pānihāṭi). Joyful and full of prema, he was satisfied with the fragrances, garlands, incense and gifts.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, how Lord Caitanya went from Rūpa-nārāyaṇa to the Ganges is described in Caitanya-caritāmṛta and then from there He went up to Pānihāṭi.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.202

prabhura sei naukāya pāṇihāṭīte rāghava-bhavane āgamana, mājhike kṛpā:—

sei naukā caḍi’ prabhu āilā ‘pānihāṭi’
nāvikere parāila nija-kṛpā-sāṭī

Translation: The Lord finally reached Pānihāṭi, and as an act of mercy He gave the captain of the boat one of His personal garments.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, He had been given a new boat with a house on it, by the Muslim Governor and that boat took Him all the way up to Pānihāṭi. So, Pānihāṭi is on the Ganges and He got out and went to the house of Rāghava Paṇḍita.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.203

prabhura āgamane janasaṅgha:—

‘prabhu āilā’ bali’ loke haila kolāhala
manuṣya bharila saba, kibā jala, sthala

Translation: The place called Pānihāṭi was located on the bank of the Ganges. After hearing that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu had arrived, all kinds of men assembled both on land and on the water.

Purport: The village of Pānihāṭi is situated on the banks of the Ganges near Khaḍadaha.

Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 16.204

janatāhetu atikaṣṭe prabhuke rāghavera svagṛhe ānayana:—

rāghava-paṇḍita āsi’ prabhu lañā gelā
pathe yāite loka-bhiḍe kaṣṭe-sṛṣṭye āilā

Translation: At length Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu was taken away by Rāghava Paṇḍita. There was a great crowd assembled along the way, and the Lord reached Rāghava Paṇḍita’s residence with great difficulty.

Jayapatākā Swami: So, one can see the road and Rāghava Pandita's house still today. We have a temple there, established by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami and every year they have the ciḍā-dadhi festival in Pānihāṭi.

Thus ends the chapter entitled, Lord Caitanya Reaches Rāghava Bhavana in Pānihāṭi, Part-2