Caitanya Carita Kavi karnapure chapter 3

[Paramananda das]

Chapter Three
1 Kam ad e v a crowned as the ruler of the kingdom of youth Lord Caitanya,
whose graceful and youthful limbs were a nectar flood of youthful handsomeness.
2 The Lo r d s t u d ied under a cheerful, learned, expert teacher named Visnu
dasa. By considering this pandita His teacher, the Lord gave great mercy to him.
How can anyone be the Lord's teacher 

3 The Lo r d a lso studied diligently under the grammarian Ganga-dasa, who
was the teacher of many brahmanas.
4 H appi l y j o k ing with His devotees, the Lord manifested His pastimes. He
was a jewel shining among the brahmanas of the world.
5 One d a y th e fair Lord went to saintly Vanamali Acarya's home, where He
enjoyed the nectar of discussing the scriptures.
6 After t h ei r conversation the Lord departed. On the pathway a certain girl
who was like a golden vine or a stream of nectar became the guest of His eyes.
7 W alk i n g w i t h her friends on their way to bathe in the Ganges, that girl who
was the daughter of Vallabhacarya and was also and incarnation of Goddess
Laksmi, entered the path of the Lord's eyes.
8 Seei n g Hi s eternal beloved, the Lord became plunged in an ocean of
happiness. Who does not become happy when he falls in love7
cI Seeing the goddess of fortune, the Lord who is an ocean of mercy became
happy at heart. A golden necklace is not beautiful without the ornament of a rare
and precious jewel.
10 O n e f o o t still in childhood, the goddess stood at the boundary of
adolescence. Gazing at the Lord, she became filled with restlessness and shyness.
She rejoiced again and again.
11 Joking with His friends and gazing at her, the Lord approached His
beloved. The Supreme Lord who enjoys confidential, eternal and delightful
pastimes, shone with great splendour.
12 O n a n o t her day the great-hearted, modest, and pure devotee named
Vanamali Acarya came to the Lord's home. Bowing down before Mother Saci, he
said to her:
13 "Vallabhacarya's young daughter is fortunate, virtuous, beautiful, graceful,
and pious. She is like Goddess Laksmi descended to the earth. 0 beautiful lady,
she should be married to your son."
14 "0 beautiful one, if you wish, this beautiful faultless jewel of a girl, who is
glorious like a goddess, will be, without any further effort, at once married to your
jewel of a son."
15 H e a r in g these words, Mother Saci became silent. She said nothing. Not
believing the words she heard, she was not inclined to arrange this marriage for
her son.
16 N o t h e a r ing any words from Mother Saci, Vanamali Acarya became
unhappy and left. The unhappiness in his heart written all over his face, he
happened to see Lord Mahaprabhu.
17 S e e ing saintly Vanamali Acarya, moon-faced Lord Caitanya, the young
moon of Navadvipa, who was glorious like thousands of moons, became happy,
bowed down before him, tightly embraced him, and spoke to him the following
words:
18 "0 noble-hearted one, where did you go7 Why are you so unhappy7" He
replied, "I went to see Your mother's feet. Now I am unhappy."
lcI Hearing this, the Lord, who is an ocean of mercy, did not give any reply,
but merely returned to His home. He was now very unhappy with His mother.
20 R e t u r n ing home and now speaking words like thunder, the Lord asked His
mother, "0 mother, what words did you speak that Vanamali Acarya is now so
unhappy7"
21 "Why did you not agree with whatever he said7 Why were you not pleased
with what he said7 To please a saintly person is to perform a very pious deed."
22 U nde r s t anding that her son had just agreed to the proposal, mother Saci
happily sent a messenger to bring Vanamali Acarya at once. What is not quickly
accomplished by the Lord's desire7
23 H ur r i e dly entering, Vanamali Acarya bowed before Mother Saci and said,
"What does the goddess command7" He bowed his head and said, "Order me. I
am your servant."
24 M oth e r Saci said,"0 dear one, you proposed this marriage and now you
may make the arrangement that it will be performed. You are very dear to us. You
are a friend. You are our kinsman."
25 H e a r i n g Saci's words, saintly and pure-hearted Vanamali Acarya, who was
learned in all the scriptures, at once left to make arrangements for the wedding.
26 H i s h e art filled with happiness, he hurried to the home of Vallabhacarya,
who at once rose from his seat to honour his saintly visitor.
27 O ff e r in g a nice seat to his guest, who was the jewel ofbrahmanas, saintly
and humble-hearted Vallabhacarya asked the following question:
28 "You have always been kind to me. Now you have come to my h0ome.
What is your mission7 0 noble-hearted one, please tell."
29 H e a r i n g these words, saintly and pure-hearted Vanamali, whose bodily
hairs were now erect with joy, and who had come to arrange the Supreme Lord's
wedding, spoke the following auspicious words:
30 "Jagannatha Misra's son is filled with virtues. He is a Kamadeva among
men. His handsome form charms the people of the three worlds.
31 "Collecting together all the handsomeness in the world, the expert creator
Brahma created the nectar form of Jagannatha Misra's son.
32 "Creating the moonlike face of Jagannatha Misra's son, the creator Brahma
could understand that he had made the best of all faces. Again and again with his
four mouths he declared, "Well done! Well done!"
33 "The handsome form of Jagannatha Misra's son pleases all the people of the
world. As a kalpa-vrksa tree is the perfect match for a kalpa-valli vine, and as
precious jewel is the perfect match for a precious pearl, so He is the perfect match
for your daughter."
34 H ea r i n g these words, saintly and famous Vallabhacarya thought for a
moment and then spoke to the jewel of the brahmanas the following friendly and
auspscsous words:
35 "0 noble-hearted one, great good fortune has now come upon me. As you
have spoken, so may it be. Your proposal is very pleasing to my heart.
36 "If a person like this becomes the husband of my daughter, then either the
Supreme Personality of Godhead is very kind to me, or I must be very fortunate, or
my daughter must have performed many pious deeds. That is my conclusion."
37 "As the union of a precious jewel and a golden necklace is very glorious, so
the union of these two will be very glorious."
38 P le a se to hear these humble words, Vanamali Acarya said, "They who are
saintly and humble like you attain all suspiciousness."
39 H i s h e art trembling with happiness for the wedding to come, the very
fortunate and exalted brahmana Vanamali Acarya returned to Saci's home and told
her everything.
40 W h e n sh e learned of all this, mother Saci felt her body become filled with
happiness. Thinking of how personified good-fortune had come to her, in a
secluded place she said to her jewel son:
41 "Now is the happy and auspicious time of Your marriage." Hearing this,
the most wise Lord at once understood what was to be.
42 B y M o t h e r Saci's order many beautiful ingredients for the ceremony were
brought to a secluded place. The time of the ceremony, a time decorated with
auspicious arrangements of the stars, came.
43 The r e w ere tumultuous waves of mrdanga music. There was jubilant
dancing.
44 W i th s o u nds everywhere of brahmanas chanting the Vedas, sounds of
mrdangas, sounds of "Jaya!" and the scents of sandal paste, aguru, asusira and
incense, that time shone with great splendour.
45 A s t h e n e ctar moon-god shines with his wife Rohini by his side, so the
Supreme Lord shone with the splendid goddess of fortune, a jewel placed among
the brahmanas of the earth, by His side.
46 Th e n t h e Lord gave garlands, sandal paste, and betel nuts to the brahmanas,
who with smiling faces dove into an ocean of happiness.
47 Acc o m p a n ied by many brahmanas and brahmanis, and bearing scents and
fragrant garlands, wise Vallabhacarya approached and gave his blessings to Lord
Mahaprabhu.
48 The n , as dawn was decorated with the glorious sun, the Lord bathed and
properly performed nandimukha-sraddha to worship the pitas.
49 Th e n t h ere was a great sound of brahmanas reciting the Vedas, musicians
playing mrdangas and panavas, and beautiful girls trilling ululas.
50 W h e n t h e brahmana ladies worshipped her, Mother Saci told them,"What
is the use of worshipping me7 I am only a woman who has lost the lotus feet of
her husband. Better that you worship my son."
51 H e a r i n g His mother's sad words, the Lord remembered His father.
Overcome with grief, He shed great-pearl tears that flowed from His eyes to His
broad chest.
52 A cc o m p a nied by the other ladies, mother Saci gazed at her son. She said,
"0 son, why do you make this auspicious moment inauspicious with these tears
from Your eyes7"
53 H e a r i n g these words, the Lord gave out a long sigh. His broad chest wilting
and the moon of His face fading like the moon at daybreak, the Lord spoke the
following sad words:
54 "I have neither wealth nor followers. 0 mother, you have described My
plight. I am very poor and miserable. Tell Me: What should I do7"
55 "At once distribute to the brahmanas and devotees what you see of wealth,
betel nuts, fragrant flower garlands, garments, and ornaments.
56 "I have no father. I am weak. 0 mother, what shall I say7 Although We
have the power to perform duties to please the demigods, still We perform these
worldly duties instead."
57 W h e n sh e heard this, mother Saci comforted her son with many sweet
words. Then she anointed His chest with sandal and aguru.
58 D e c o r a ted with ornaments, flower garlands, and fragrant ointments,
glorious with the sweetness of the three worlds, filled with the glory of
handsomeness, and His face sweetly smiling, the Lord shone with great splendour.
5cI Then the brahmana Vallabhacarya performed the duties to please the pitas
and demigods. Then he decorated his daughter with many valuable ornaments.
60 T h e n m any brahmanas were sent to bring the bridegroom, who was the
most handsome of men. To Him they spoke the following auspicious and elegant
words:
61 "0 child ma Your ath alwa s be aus icious". Then the ha Lord
entered a palanquin and travelled in the company of His relatives and the
brahmanas and devotees.
62 T h e n th e Lord entered Vallabhacarya's home, which was splendid with
many shining lamps. Vallabhacarya considered himself very fortunate.
63 V a l l a b h acarya honoured the Lord of Navadvipa by worshipping Him with
padya and other offerings. His form the most graceful and handsome in the three
worlds, Lord Mahaprabhu shone with great splendour.
64 H i s b r oad arms splendid with golden armlets and bracelets, charming Lord
Gauracandra eclipsed the handsomeness of golden Mount Meru and the
handsomeness of the kalpa-druma tree of all glory and splendour.
65 T h e n V a l l abhacarya offered his nicely decorated daughter, who was
splendid like the autumn moonlight destroying the darkness of all directions, to
Lord Mahaprabhu.
66 T h e g i r l gazed at the Lord's lotus feet, which she had long yearned to attain.
She was splendid like beautiful Goddess Laksmi when that goddess voluntarily
accepted Lord Narayana as her husband.
67 D e c o r a ted with many sumanah flowers, They gazed at each other, Their
glances exchanging the nectar of Their love. They were like the wonderful glory of
two glistening moons.
68 P ro p e rly sitting to offer his daughter to the Lord, learned Vallabhacarya
offered padya to the bridegroom. With eyes of love he offered the affection that
was in his heart.
6cI Then pure-hearted Vallabhacarya offered arghya decorated with
madhuparka to the Lord, and then he offered a beautiful seat to the Lord, who is
the greatest of the greatest and whose transcendental form is the most glorious.
70 T h e n V a l l abhacarya offered his daughter to the glorious Supreme Lord.
Vallabhacarya became very happy in his heart. The hairs of his body stood erect
with his joy.
71 W h e n t h e glorious wedding festival came to an end, the Lord, who is a
great ocean of mercy, departed with His beloved. His face shone like the moon
filled with moonlight.
72 L o r d M a h a prabhu, who maintains all the universes removed everyone's
suffering and showered happiness on everyone in the world. Taking with Him the
beautiful goddess of fortune, who had appeared in the form of Vallabhacarya's
daughter, the Lord went to His own home.
73 A cc o m p a nied by a host of brahmana ladies and filled with happiness
because of her son s wedding, Mother Saci made her son and His bride enter Their
home.
y p y p ppy
74 Jubilant Mother Saci gave abundant wealth, many precious garments, and
much sandal paste to the brahmanas. When all this was done exalted Mother Saci
became very happy.
75 R e s i d ing at home, the Lord was always enchanted by His beloved, the
beautiful goddess of fortune. Reminded by His mother, he carefully fulfilled the
duties of household life.
76 T ouc h i n g the limbs of her beloved, Vallabhacarya's daughter became
flooded with streams of nectar. The tree of desire in her heart blossoming into
many flowers, she shone with great splendour.
77 A r e t h ese two lotus buds growing on the lake of her chest7 Are they two
beautiful fruits growing on the vine of her necklace7 Are the two baby koka birds
playing in the ocean of beauty7 Are they the two bulging frontal lobes on
Kamadeva's elephant7
78 A r e t h ey two golden pitchers the creator Brahma fashioned to show his skill
in making beautiful things7 The two jewellery cases of her youthful breasts
bringing great happiness to the Lord, Vallabhacarya spoke to Him the following
words:
79 E mp l o y in g her face, shy and gentle glances, splendid smiles, and smiling
cheeks white like madhuka flowers, she stole the heart of He who was already the
ruler of her heart.
80 E mpl o y in g her large flower-bud breasts, slender waist marked with three
folds of skin, and graceful hips and thighs, this beautiful girl stole the heart of He
who was already the ruler of her heart.
81 I n t h i s way she made the cool nectar stream of her beauty flow before fair
Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu.
82 H o w m a n y d ays did the Lord, an ocean of mercy, stay there to give His
mercy to the people7 Finally, accompanied by the devotees rich in the wealth of
His mercy, He went on a journey.
83 W her e ver the Lord, splendid like a hundred moons and unlike any person
ever seen before, went, the people became enchanted by gazing at the nectar of His
handsomeness.
84 Altho u g h again and again they drank with their eyes the sight of the moon
of the Lord's face, a moon rising from the nectar ocean of His handsomeness, the
people still could not reach the farther shore of their thirst.
85 Th e y s aid among themselves,"Whose son is He7 Who is the happy and
pious woman that carried Him in Her womb7
86 "He is Kamadeva personified. He is twice as handsome as Kamadeva. No
one like Him has ever come before our ears and eyes."
87 Dr ink i n g w ith their eyes the nectar of the Lord s face, the women said,
"Who is this person7 With the glory of His limbs He crushes the pride of
Kamadeva.
88 "What peerless vine of playfulness has sprouted from the treasure of His
good fortune7 He brings a bliss that places Goddess Rati in the shadows.
89 H ea r i n g the enchanted women speak, the Lord who is a young moon
shining in Navadvipa gave them a splendid glance.
90 S i m p l y by hearing His holy name the people cross the great ocean of
repeated birth and death. Who can describe the great mercy Lord Mahaprabhu
grants when He walks on the pathway of one's eyes7
91 B a t h i n g in her waters, the merciful Lord made the earthly Ganges very
fortunate. Accompanied by many saintly devotees, Lord Mahaprabhu stayed by
her shore and touched her waters.
Note: The word Padmavati (Ganges) here refers to the eastern part of the Ganges,
which flows through East Bengal (Bangladesh).
92 F loo d e d with the nectar of the Lord's touch, the tall-banked earthly Ganges
at once became like the Ganges in the world of the devas.
93 W i t h t h e h ands that were her waves, the eyes that were the saphari fish in
her waters, and the hips that were her broad banks, the beautiful doe-eyed goddess
of the Ganges always pleased her Lord.
94 W alk i n g l ike an intoxicated elephant, the Lord who delights the saintly
devotees enjoyed many blissful pastimes that charmed the hearts of the people in
the world.
95 T h e g e n t le-hearted Lord, who was splendid like ten million moons and
whose moonlike face delighted all the people, stayed there for a few months. The
He enjoyed pastimes of teaching.
96 M ea n w h i le, the goddess of fortune stayed at home. Always thinking of the
Lord of her life, she diligently served her mother-in-law, massaging and washing
her lotus feet, and pleasing her in many ways.
97 F o r a l on g time she yearned for the return of the Lord of her life. She
served Him, cleaning and anointing the Lord's house.
98 H ea r i n g her words sweet and pure like a cooling flood of nectar, Saci
thought her son's bride was like another goddess of fortune personified.
99 S t a y ing with her daughter-in-law and loving her as she loved her own son,
Saci became rapt in thinking of her son s return. In this way a long time passed.
100 As the Lord enjoyed pastimes, the goddess of fortune became rapt in
thinking of Him. She was afflicted with the disease of His absence.
101 Th en, pushed by destiny, a very cruel, wicked, and hard-hearted snake
plunged its sharp fangs into the feet of the goddess of fortune, feet fragrant like
autumn lotus flowers.
102 Seeing what had happened, Saci tried to drain the poison. Filled with love
for her daughter-in-law, Saci stayed always with her and tried to care for her.
103 M any different attempts were made to counteract the poison. They all
failed. Understanding that this was all ordained by fate, everyone became
bewildered and unhappy.
104 T h i n k ing that this was all arranged by the Supreme Lord Himself, Saci took
her delicate limbed daughter-in-law to the Ganges shore. Overcome with love and
burning with grief, Saci created another Ganges of her tears.
105 T hen a splendid airplane descended from the sky, the demigods in heaven
showered flowers, and the goddess of fortune, tightly embracing her husband's
lotus feet, left her body.
106 Gr i eving Saci placed her daughter-in-law on her lap. Weeping, she spoke
these heavy words in a choked voice:
107 My son, who is now far away and who is very dear to you, gave you to me.
Now I am the home of all sufferings. Will I ever see my son's face again7
108 You loved Him. You served Him with great respect and devotion. How is it
that You could not see Him now7
109 You called me mother. Why do you now not reply with words of happiness
or fear, or with smiles, devotion, or shyness. I am weeping with grief. Why do
you not speak to me7
110 If you do not have even a little love for me, still it is my son who is the
Lord of your life. 0 girl who speaks sweetly, it is because you did not see Him that
you left7
111 0 a f f ectionate one, He who is the Lord of your life was always affectionate
to you, still, you have not even a little love for Him. 0 mo ther, why have you
done this7
112 0 g i r l w ith the beautiful eyebrows, 0 girl whose eyes filled with tears as
you waited for your husband's return, please glance at frightened me and shyly
wipe the tears from my eyes.
113 Your heart burning with pain in the absence of He who is the Lord of your
life, every day you frightened and embarrassed me. You should be ashamed.
114 Th e lotus flower of your heart blossomed in the moonlight of your Lord's
face. 0 hard-hearted one, how can you gaze at His face and then go away7 Where
will you go7
115 0 c r u e l -hearted snake, my daughter-in-law was very gentle at heart. Why
did you bite her and make her leave me7 You have not the slightest touch of any
kindness.
116 Her limbs were soft like a sirisa flower. Her limbs were so soft they were
troubled by the slight touch of a bunch of flowers. Now those limbs are burning
with tears. 0 snake, how could you have burned those limbs with the unbearable
fire of your poison. Now I also am dead.
117 In t his way unhappy Saci grieved. With tears from her eyes again and again
she washed the moon of her daughter-in-law's face.
118 W e eping, she returned home and with difficulty resumed her household
duties. Unhappy, she thought, "How can I look at my jewel son when his home
no longer holds His bride7"
119 A f ter delivering the people of Bangladesh, the fair moon of Lord Caitanya
returned home. He yearned to removed His mother's sufferings.
120 Saci did not become happy when she saw her long-absent son. The
unbearable absence of her daughter-in-law made her suffering very great.
121 T hen the Lord offered dandavat obeisances and touched the dust of His
mother's feet. He gazed at her, saw that she was unhappy, and asked what had
happened.
122 Showering her with the nectar of His words, the Lord said to His mother,
"0 mother, why are you unhappy7 Please tell."
123 Th e stream of tears flowing from her eyes spoke to Him. Smiling Lord
Mahaprabhu at once understood.
124 Your daughter-in-law was not a human girl. She came to this earth to fulfil
a mission and now she has returned to the world of spirit.
125 I k now why she came to the earth and also why she left. 0 mother, please
give up your bewilderment.
126 H e aring these words, Saci became happy. She was happy with her son, her
good fortune, and her kinsmen. She was happy like the wife of Indra.
127 Her thoughts filled with plans for her jewel-son s marriage, glorious Saci
met with Kasinatha, the best of brahmanas.
128 At o nce she said to the brahmana,"I wish to arrange for my son's marriage.
Please ask the great brahmana named Sanatana to give his daughter to my son."
12cI Hearing these words, the brahmana at once went to Sanatana and happily
repeated Saci s suggestion for the auspicious marriage.
130 H e aring these words, and then conferring with his kinsmen, Sanatana
became happy. "A time should be arranged," he said.
131 A f ter hearing these words the brahmana happily returned and told Saci
everything. When she heard it, fortunate Saci became filled with happiness.
132 T hen the brahmana Sanatana sent a messenger who bowed down before
Saci and said, "Sanatana requests that his beautiful and virtuous daughter be given
to your son."
133 "The girl Visnupriya is appropriately named. May your son marry her.
May the two of Them be happy like Siva and Parvati."
134 W hen the messenger returned and told all he had heard, the learned
brahmana Sanatana became filled with eternal bliss.
135 Hi s heart trembling with joy, the brahmana famous for his purity collected
many auspicious articles. Setting an early date for his daughter s wedding, he was
filled with happiness.


136 T h en, at an auspicious moment, noble-hearted Sanatana fulfilled all the
desires of the saintly brahmanas.
137 Then he gave gifts ofbetelnuts, sandal paste, and flower garlands to many
exalted brahmanas. Accompanied by them, he went to his son-in-law and blessed
Him with many mantras.
138 At su nrise of the following day the Lord bathed in the Ganges and
performed His daily duties. For how long did the brahmanas anoint Him with
sandal paste and fragrances7
13cI They said, "0 saintly one, all glories to You. Now is the auspicious time of
Your wedding." Hearing these words, the merciful Lord mounted a beautiful
palanquin.
140 Sitting on the palanquin the Lord's glorious form at once defeated the white
autumn clouds, the ocean of milk, and the summit of Mount Sumeru.
141 Th e hairs of his body erect with joy, Sanatana approached his son-in-law,
offered Him padya, a seat, and other gifts, and placed his daughter before Him.
142 Then the brahmana ladies respectfully offered arati to the Lord with
auspicious incense and lamps, and then Sanatana offered his daughter to the Lord's
lotus feet.
143 Then there was a great sound of patahas, dhakkas, and mardala drums,
there were graceful calls of "Victory!" and there was a shower of flowers. Smiling
at each other, the Lord and His bride shone with great splendour.
144 Ac c ompanied by the music of instruments and calls of "Victory!", the Lord
took His bride home. Then joyful Saci invited the jewel of girls into her home.