Pure nectar from Caitanya Mangala

[Paramananda das]

PAMHO

AGTSP

Here is the description of Narahari Sakhara the Guru of Locana Das Thakura:

http://www.bvml.org/SBBTM/p_snst.html

and Locana das Thakura:

http://nitaaiveda.com/All_Scriptures_By_Acharyas/Biographical_Works...

In Jaiva Dharma Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has described the vaisnavas in Navadvipa   where in ecstasy hearing this Caitanya Mangala after all day long having chanted the Mahamantra 1 -2  or 3 lahks. 64 rounds -128 or 192 rounds.

Something very unusual is there in the line of Locana das Thakura ,and this is Gauranga Nagara ,seeing Lord Caitanya as the enjoyer.

In this above description by  Bhakti Ratna Sadhu Maharaja he writes

"According to the opinion of some scholars and devotees, Locan das Thakur specifically wanted to compose his Chaitanya Mongal, to glorify his spiritual master's relationship with Lord Chaitanya, since Brindaban das Thakur had declined to so much as mention Narahari Sorkar Thakur's name in his Chaitanya Bhagabat. Apparantly Brindaban das Thakur didn't approve of the relationship (Gaurnagar bhab) which Narahari Sorkar Thakur had with Mahaprabhu. In actuality however, we can understand that Brindaban das Thakur's main point is that the very elevated mood of Narahari Sorkar Thakur was not something which could be imitated by the common man."

There is a very deep and interesting article: http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET0507/ET22-8812.html

Lord Caitanya and Gadadhara Pandit would on rare occasions exhibit that they themselves are Radha Krsna ,and a very few confidential liberated souls , knew of this. Anyhow it is a long and deep discussion .And if anyone has any questions about it I will gladly discuss it with them.In general this Gauranga Nagari is considered like sahajiya, because preactically no jiva in Kali yuga can enter that realm when Gaura Gadadhara enters that mood that they are Radha Krsna themselves.One rare excpetion was Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura that understood all this confidential worship of Gaura Gadadhara, and Srila Narahari Sakar Thakura and Srila Locana das Thakura also has some confidential bhajans about this.So Gauranga nagari was not unbonafide for them. 

Anyhow in Kali yuga everyone is engrossed in sensegratification and economic development and have no or little time to even relish and dive into the sweet Lilas of Lord Caitanya.

Dear devotees  kindly also read this

http://www.vrindavan.org/English/VSaints/LocanadasaThakura.html

there is an important summary from part of Caitanya Mangala:

One time Narada saw that with the coming of the age of Kali the living beings had fallen into great suffering. He began to worry about how they could be delivered and the principles of dharma restored. Thinking in this way, he decided that only Krishna's descent into this world would deliver the fallen souls and restore the principles of religion. Wanting to appeal to Krishna to descend as an avatara, he set out for Dwaraka dham. At that time, Krishna was staying in the palace of Sri Rukmini devi.
Just then, upon learning that Sri Krishna would soon appear on earth in a golden form, with the golden luster and devotional mood of Radharani, Rukminidevi became deeply troubled. Feeling separation from the Lord, she fell at the lotus feet of Krishna and began praising the qualities of Sri Radha - whose devotion was so glorious that Krishna wanted to honor her by assuming her luster and mood. At that time Narada entered the room. He explained to Krishna the reason for his trip - that he wanted Krishna to descend to the earth planet in order to deliver the fallen souls. At that time, Krishna revealed to him how in the future he would appear as the son of Sacidevi and Jagannatha Mishra in Nabadwipa dham: in a golden form with all his transcendental associates.
Having seen that golden form revealed, Narada was overwhelmed with ecstasy. Constantly thinking of this golden form and the Lord's plans to appear in Navadwipa dhama as Sri Gauranga, Narada the best of munis went to visit Naimisharanya, all the while singing the glories of the Lord. There, in answer to Uddhava's inquiries about the welfare of the living beings, he explained how in Kali-yuga - the best of all ages because of Sri Gauranga's advent - Krishna would appear in a golden form as Sri Gauranga and perform the kirtan of the holy name of Hari. Narada told Uddhava how the Lord would come to establish the Sankirtana of the holy name of Krishna as the yuga-dharma, the religious principle for the age of Kali. Narada explained the glories of kirtana.
Thereafter, Narada Muni related to Uddhava the discussion that had previously taken place when he had gone to Kailasa and visited Lord Shiva, the best of Vaishnavas. There, Narada and Parvati discussed the glories of Mahaprasada, having heard of the glories of Mahaprasada from Narada, Parvati had performed 12 years of Lakshmi-seva. By her mercy, Parvati got some of Laksmidevi's own mahaprasada and also gave shiva a small bit of that prasada. Not able to tolerate the dancing of Lord Shiva upon obtaining this Mahaprasada, the earth came before Parvati, begging her to give the Mahaprasada of the Vaishanvas to all the jivas. With this proposal, Parvati explained how the Gaura-avatara would come in kaliyuga and distribute Mahaprasada to all the fallen souls.
After this, Narada went to Brahma and discussed the Gaura-avatara with him. Brahma, the creator, at that time explained to him the essential subject of the Shrimad Bhagavatam, and showed him how the version of the Bhagavatam supported the gaura-avatara. After this, Narada began wandering here and there. As he went from place to place he became concerned about he sufferings of the jivas. As he was worrying about the living entities in this way, he came near Jagannatha Puri. There he heard a divine voice discussing the avatara of Jagannatha. On the order of the divine voice he went to Puri. From there, the Lord ordered him to go to Goloka. First he came to Vaikuntha. After this, he arrived in Goloka, where he saw many pastimes of the Lord. There he saw the Lord in his golden form as Sri Gaura, and fainted in ecstasy. After this, he went all over the universe, informing all the gods of the news.
In Shwetadwipa he saw the supernatural pastimes of Balarama, the very figure of service. After this, all the demigods began taking birth on earth. As previously mentioned by Krishna in his conversation with Rukmini, the Lord, along with Satyabhama, Rukmini, and all his eternal associates from the spiritual world came with the luster and mood of Radharani in a golden form as Sri Gauranga. He came to spread the sankirtan of the holy name of Krishna.
Balarama came as Nityananda, Shiva came as Advaita Prabhu, and other great souls descended as his other eternal associates like Murari, Mukunda, Shrivasa, Raya Ramananda, Ishvara Puri, and Madhavendra Puri. Locana Dasa Thakur concludes the chapter by praising the glories of his guru, Sri Narahari Sarakara Thakura, and his nephew Raghunandana Thakura.

\Anyhow please note this part from the Bhakti Ratna Sadhu Swami's article:

ataeb yoto mahamahim sakale | gauranga nagor heno stab nahi bole ||

jaddapi sakal stab sambhabe tahane| tathapiho svabhab se gay budhajane ||

[C.B.Adi 15.30-31]

"Therefore those who are truly dignified, will never glorify Shri Gauranga as a nagor (gallant, paramour, philanderer). Though all eulogization has its possible existence in Him, those who are truly wise will sing His glories according to His svabhab (natural character)."

Here Brindaban das Thakur is however admitting, by saying, jaddapi sakal stab sambhabe tahane, that "everything is possible in Him."

Brindaban das Thakur is emphasizing that the devotee should try to complement the svabhab or mood of Shri Gaursundor. Though of course Lord Chaitanya did spend the majority of His time relishing the mood and sentiments of Shrimati Radharani, we know from some of the padas (songs) of the Mahajons, that He also, on some rare occasions, did relish the position of Krishna Himself. At these times he took Gadadhar Pandit with Him and sat at the base of a tree and while Narahari fanned Them with a camara, Gadadhar offered the Lord tambul (pan), totally absorbed in his eternal identity as Shrimati Radharani. Otherwise, during the times when Lord Chaitanya was relishing the position of Shri Radhika Himself, Gadadhar assisted Him as Anuradha (a name for Lalita which means literally, the follower of Radha). Bhaktivinode Thakur was also a follower of Narahari Sorkar Thakur in that he worshipped the Divine Couple as Shri Shri Gadai Gauranga.

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written a beautiful bhajan hearing and reciting it melts the heart:

official Name: Sri Godruma Candra Bhajanopadesa

Author: Bhaktivinoda Thakura

Book Name: None

Language: Sanskrit

LYRICS:

(1)

yadi te hari-pāda-saroja-sudhā-

rasa-pāna-paraḿ hṛdayaḿ satatam

parihṛtya gṛhaḿ kali-bhāva-mayaḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(2)

dhana-yauvana-jīvana-rājya-sukhaḿ

nahi nityam anukṣaṇa-nāśa-param

tyaja grāmya-kathā-sakalaḿ viphalaḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(3)

ramaṇī-jana-sańga-sukhaḿ ca sakhe

carame bhayadaḿ puruṣārtha-haram

hari-nāma-sudhā-rasa-matta-matir

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(4)

jaḍa-kāvya-raso nahi kāvya-rasaḥ

kali-pāvana-gaura-raso hi rasaḥ

alam any-kathādy-anuśīlanayā

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(5)

vṛṣabhānu-sutānvita-vāma-tanuḿ

yamunā-taṭa-nāgara-nanda-sutam

muralī-kala-gīta-vinoda-paraḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(6)

hari-kīrtana-madhyagataḿ svajanaiḥ

pariveṣṭita-jāmbunadābha-hariḿ

nija-gauḍa-janaika-kṛpā-jaladhiḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(7)

girirāja-sutā-parivīta-gṛhaḿ

nava-khaṇḍa-patiḿ yati-citta-haram

sura-sańgha-nutaḿ priyayā sahitaḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(8)

kali-kukkura-mudgara-bhāva-dharaḿ

hari-nāma-mahauṣadha-dāna-param

patitārta-dayārdra-sumūrti-dharaḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(9)

ripu-bāndhava-bheda-vihīna-dayā

yad abhīkṣṇam udeti mukhābja-tatau

tam akṛṣṇam iha vraja-rāja-sutaḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(10)

iha copaniṣat-parigīta-vibhur

dvija-rāja-sutaḥ purṭābha-hariḥ

nija-dhāmani khelati bandhu-yuto

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(11)

avatāra-varaḿ paripūrṇa-phalaḿ

para-tattvam ihātma-vilāsa-mayam

vraja-dhāma-rasāmbudhi-gupta-rasaḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(12)

śruti-varṇa-dhanādi na yasya kṛpā-

janane balavad-bhajanena vinā

tam ahaituka-bhāva-pathā hi sakhe

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(13)

api nakra-gatau hrada-madhya-gataḿ

kam amocayad ārta-janaḿ tam ajam

avicintya-balaḿ śiva-kalpa-taruḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(14)

surabhīndra-tapaḥ-parituṣṭa-mano

vara-varṇa-dharo harir āvirabhūt

tam ajasra-sukhaḿ muni-dhairya-haraḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(15)

abhilāṣa-cayaḿ tad abheda-dhiyam

aśubhaḿ ca śubhaḿ ca tyaja sarvam idam

anukūlatayā priya-sevanayā

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(16)

hari-sevaka-sevana-dharma-paro

hari-nāma-rasāmṛta-pāna-rataḥ

nati-dainya-dayā-paramāna-yuto

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(17)

vada yādava mādhava kṛṣṇa hare

vada rāma janārdana keśava he

vṛṣabhānu-sutā-priyanātha sadā

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(18)

vada yāmuna-tīra-vanādri-pate

vada gokula-kānana-puñja-rave

vada rāsa-rasāyana gaura-hare

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(19)

cala gaura-vanaḿ nava-khaṇḍamayaḿ

paṭha gaurahareś caritāṇi mudā

luṭha gaura-padāńkita-gāńga-taṭaḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

(20)

smara gaura-gadādhara-keli-kalāḿ

bhava gaura-gadādhara-pakṣa-caraḥ

śrṇu gaura-gadādhara-cāru-kathāḿ

bhaja godruma-kānana-kuñja-vidhum

TRANSLATION

1) If you want you heart to be always absorbed in drinking the ambrosial mellows of the lotus feet of Lord Hari, then give up household life, which is full of quarrels and strife, and just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

2) Material riches, youth, long duration of life, and royal happiness — none of these are eternal. At any moment they may be destroyed. Give up all useless topics of mundane conversation and just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

3) O Friend, ultimately the pleasure to be had in the company of beautiful young women turns to fearfulness and distracts one from the real goal of life. Just worship LordGaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers with your mind intoxicated by the nectarine mellows of the holy name.

4) The taste of mundane poetry does not afford the sweet taste of actual poetry. The sweet mellows of true poetry are found in descriptions of Lord Caitanya, the savior of all souls in the Kali yuga. Enough with the study of any other topics! Just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

5) Krishna, the transcendental paramour, stands on the banks of the Yamuna with Radha, the daughter of Vrsabhanu, on His left side. He is absorbed in the pastime of playing soft, melodious songs on His flute. Just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers, Lord Caitanya, who is non-different from the son of Nanda.

6) He is Lord Hari, shining like molten gold and surrounded by His loving devotees in the midst of hari-kirtana, He is the only ocean of mercy for the Gaudiya Vaisnavas. Just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

7) Just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers — Lord Caitanya, who along with His beloved wife Visnu-priya is glorified by all demigods and saintly persons. His home, Navadvipa, is surrounded by the river Ganga, the daughter of the Himalayas. He is the Lord of Navadvipa and the stealer of the hearts of all sannyasi’s.

8) Lord Gauranga is like a powerful hammer which smashes the sin and oppression of the mad-dog of the Kali-yuga. and He is absorbed in distributing the holy name ofKrishna, which is the greatest medicine to release one from the material existence. His transcendental form is beautiful , and His heart is full of compassion for the suffering, fallen souls of this world. Just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

9) Compassion which is free from the duality of “Friend” and “enemy” is always manifest of his lotus face. He is the son of Maharaja Nanda — Krishna, who has appeared in a golden form in the land of Navadvipa. Just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

10) In this world and in the Upanishads He is celebrated as the all-pervading Supreme Lord. He appeared as the son of a brahmana and is Lord Hari Himself, with a shining complexion of molten gold. In His own abode He sports with His cowherd boy friends. Just worship this Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

11) He is the most wonderful of all avataras because He is the source of all other expansions of God. He is the Supreme Truth, enjoying His pastimes here in this world. He is the embodiment of the most confidential flows that exist in the ocean of rasa.

12) Without strong devotional worship and service, mere mundane scholarship, high family lineage , wealth and so on are not effective for invoking the causeless mercy of the Lord. O friend, just worship Lord Gaura, the beautiful moon of Godruma’s forest bowers, by the path of unmotivated devotion.

13) In His appearance as Hari, the Lord liberated Gajendra, the king of elephants, from the grasp of the crocodile in the lake, and in His appearance as Sri Caitanya, He delivered King Gajapati Prataparudra from the jaws of the kali-yuga crocodile who was lying in the lake of politics. Lord Sri Caitanya is unborn, possesses inconceivable power ,and is likened to an auspicious desire tree. Just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

14) Lord Krsna, who was pleased with the penances and austerities of Indra and the Surabhi cow, appeared in this world as Lord Caitanya, possessing a golden complexion. He is eternal happiness and the captivator of the intelligence of all learned sages. Just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

15) Give up all worldly desires, monistic meditation and relative conceptions of inauspiciousness and auspiciousness. In a favorable mood, with loving devotion, just engage yourself in just worshipping Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

16) Remaining devoted to the service of the Vaishnava’s, being addicted to drinking the sweet nectar of the name of Hari, and with a mentality endowed with modesty, humility, and compassion, just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

17) Always worship Lord Gaura, the beautiful moon of Godruma’s forest bowers, and call out to the Lord,” O Yadava, ! O Madhava O Krishna, O Hari, O Rama O Janardana, OKeshava, O beloved Lord of Radha!”

18) Just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers and call out to the Lord “O Lord of the Vrindavana forest, which lies along the banks of the Yamuna! O Lord of Govardhana Hill! O sun of the forest of Gokula! O giver of life to the rasa dance.! O Gaurahari!

19) Go to Navadvipa, the land of Lord Caitanya, Read and recite with great joy the wonderful pastimes of Lord Gaurahari. Roll about in ecstasy on the banks of the Ganges, which are marked with the footprints of Lord Caitanya, and just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers. Remember the wonderful pastimes of Gaura andGadadhara.

20) Become a servant of Gaura and Gadadhara. Listen to the beautiful narration’s concerning Gaura and Gadadhara and just worship Lord Gaura, the moon of Godruma’s forest bowers.

Jaya Gadai Gauranga !

Chapter 1

Prayers of Invocation

    All glories to Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the crest-jewel of all sannyasis. In Kali-yuga, He appears in His complete form to give the priceless jewel of love of Godhead to the surrendered souls. The Lord delivers the devotees and satisfies them with this rare gift ofprerna bhakti, pure love of God. But, roaring like a thunderbolt, He crushes the atheists of the world to dust.

    I pray to Shri Vighnanasana, Lord Ganesa, who has the body of a huge elephant with one tusk. He brings success in all endeavors. All glories to Lord Ganesa, the son of Parvati Devi.

    With folded hands, I pray to Lord Siva and Parvati. Let us all fall at their feet, offering our respects. Lord Vishnu is the only master of the three worlds. Lord Siva and Parvati can award anyone the boon of Vishnu-bhakti.

    I pray that Goddess Sarasvati will play on my lips so that they will glorify Gaurahari, who is as yet unknown in the three worlds. May the wonderful topics of the golden-hued Lord of Sarasvati flow from my mouth.

    I humbly beg the demigods and all my superiors that nothing will obstruct my attempt to glorify Lord Gaurahari. Let me not ask for the boon of wealth; for I am fallen and sinful. But please allow me to complete this book without any difficulty.

    Let me glorify the pure devotees of Lord Vishnu, and the most fortunate mahabhagavatas. These exalted devotees purify the world with their divine qualities. They are merciful to all and everyone loves them. Such devotees are the most auspicious personalities in the world.

    I am a totally unqualified person, incapable of telling right from left. Yet I'm trying to catch the sky with my hands, like a blind man trying to see a cintarnani gem on a nearby mountain. I don't know what the result will be.

SRI CAITANYA MANGALA

    I have but one hope -- that Lord Gauranga will be merciful, because He doesn't consider whether one is good or bad. Overlooking disqualifications, the Lord freely gives everyone the shelter of His lotus feet.

     Please listen 'to the description of the behavior of a pure devotee. Dedicating his life for others, he gives his causeless mercy to all living entities. He becomes happy by making others happy. This Locana Dasa has only one hope. I want to attain the lotus feet of Narahari Sarakara Thakura [his spiritual master], who is my lord and the owner of my life. Although most fallen, I desire to 'glorify the indescribable qualities of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. To achieve this perfection, I hold the lotus feet of Narahari Thakura within my heart eternally.

Prayers to Lord Gauranga and His Associates

     All glories to Shri Krishna Chaitanya, Shri Nityananda Prabhu, Shri Advaita Candra, and all the Gaura-bhaktas.

     All glories to Narahafi and Gadadhara Pandita, the lords of my heart. Please cast your most merciful and auspicious glance upon me.

    Gauranga's golden transcendental form embodies all compassion. With many select prayers, I will glorify His soothing, reddish lotus feet. Let the devotees sit together and be blessed by the touch of Gauranga's lotus feet. O Lord, darling of Sacimata, let us offer our respectful obeisances to You. Please look favorably upon us and bestow a drop of Your mercy.

    All glories to Advaita Acarya, the crest-jewel of all lords. The world became fortunate by the mercy of your lotus feet. O Sita-Prananatha! [Lord of the heart of his wife, Sita] With folded hands, I praise you and beg for your mercy.

    I worship Shri Nityananda Prabhu, the son of Rohini Devi, the avadhuta, who is non-different from Lord Chaitanya.

    First of all, let me glorify the lotus feet of Gargacarya, who, taking pride in his grandson Gauranga, goes mad in ecstasy when he praises His qualities.

    I worship Jagannatha Misra, the father of Visvambhara, and Saci Thakurani, His mother.

    I worship Laksmi Thakurani, who was bitten by the snake of separation from Lord Chaitanya.

    I worship Vishnupriya Devi, who accepts the reddish lotus feet of Lord Gauranga as Her ornament.

    Joyfully, I glorify Pundarika Vidyanidhi, for whom Mahaprabhu cried in ecstasy.

    I glorify the lotus feet of Madhavendra Puri, Isvara Puri; and Shri Pandita Gosvami.

    I worship Govinda Gosai and Vakresvara Pandita who are like maddened bees after the sweet nectar of Gauranga's lotus feet.

    I worship Paramananda Puri, Vishnu Puri, and Gadadhara Dasa, holding their feet on my head.

    With a heart full of joy, I pray .to Murari Gupta. Please bless me so that I can properly glorify Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

      I glorify Shrivasa Thakura and Haridasa Thakura. I only desire to obtain the feet of the brothers, Vasudeva Datta and Mukunda Datta. I glorify Raya Ramananda who is an abode of love. Let me constantly praise Jagadananda Pandita.

    I worship Rupa, Sanatana, and Damodara Pandita. I also offer my repeated obeisances to Raghava Pandita.

    I worship Shri Rama, Sundarananda, Gauridasa, and all followers of Lord Nityananda.

    I glorify my worshipable lord, Narahari Thakura, who protects me in this world and the next. Except him I have no friend in the three worlds. So let me worship Narahari Thakura who is an ocean of Gauranga's qualities.

    With folded hands, let me fall on the ground to offer my obeisances to Govinda, Madhava, and Vasu Ghosh.

    I whole-heartedly glorify Shri Vrndavana Dasa Thakura, who enchanted the world with the words of his Chaitanya-Bhagavata.

    My dear brother, we should always glorify the family Deity of Raghunandana. As a boy, Raghunandanda Thakura fed a laddu to his Krishna Deity. Who would dare consider that boy an ordinary person?

     I worship his father, Shri Mukunda Dasa, who has unalloyed faith in the path shown by Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

    I worship all the known and unknown devotees of the Lord. I keep their feet on my head as a crown jewel.

    I worship the mahantas and their followers. I always sing the glories of their feet.

    Don't mind if I mention someone's name first and another's later. There is no precise alphabetical order. If, by mistake, I forget to glorify someone' s name, I beg forgiveness by offering them a hundred obeisances.

    I glorify all the devotees, both on the earth and in the heavens. One by one, I offer my obeisances to everyone.

    Desiring to attain love of Godhead, let us happily glorify the transcendental qualities of Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

    I, Locana Dasa, my heart brimming with joy, sing the transcendental glories of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

The Source of Chaitanya-Mangala

    First, let me beg the blessings of all the mahabhagavatas. Then I can properly sing the glories of the Lord. I am the lowest of the low, so how can I explain the greatness of Shri Chaitanya's transcendental character? Since I don't know anything, what's the use of my incoherent words? If, without knowing the highest truths about Lord Chaitanya, I try to say something, I will suffer embarrassment before the great souls.

    Although I'm not qualified and full of faults, I cherish an intense desire to sing about the sweet qualities of Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu.

    While living in Navadvipa, Shri Murari Gupta had the opportunity to remain always in the company of Gaurachandra. Who can describe his greatness? He is known throughout the word as Hanuman. After crossing the ocean to Lanka, Hanuman burned Ravana's palace to the ground. Then Hanuman brought Rama the good news about His beloved Sita. He revived Laksmana by bringing visalya-karani [a medicinal herb]. That same Hanuman now resides in Nadia as Murari Gupta.

    Being highly realized, Murari Gupta knows all truths. As an eternal associate of the Lord, he is fixed at the lotus feet of Shri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. He expertly told all of Lord Chaitanya's childhood and boyhood pastimes in his great Sanskrit epic, Shri-Krishna-Chaitanya-carita mahakavya, [also called Karcha, diary].

    At the behest of Shri Damodara Pandita, Murari Gupta explained Gauranga's transcendental pastimes from beginning to end, and how the Lord mercifully distributed love of Godhead. Damodara Pandita recorded these as slokas in his Karcha [diary].

    Reading this book inspired me to write a biography of Lord Gauranga, using a form of Bengali verse called Panchali. Although I'm not qualified to write this biography, please don't neglect it or get angry with me. As an ignorant child wants to touch the moon upon seeing it, who wouldn't want to taste nectar when it comes before him? Similarly, I want to glorify Lord Gaurasundara, and therefore I need the mercy of the Vaishnavas.

     Let me offer my obeisances to the lotus feet of the Vaishnavas. My heart yearns to sing about Gauranga's wonderful qualities. My worshipable lord is Narahari Sarakara Thakura. With a humble heart, I beg him to please fulfill my desire.

Brief Outline of Subjects in Chaitanya Mangala

    First, I'll describe the wonderful pastime of how Advaita Acarya, the best of the brahmanas, worshiped Sacimata's womb. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the Lord of the three worlds, appeared on the earth along with His eternal associates.

    I' 11 narrate His childhood pastimes, His name-giving andsgrain-eating ceremonies. Although He didn't wear ankle-bells, Saci heard them when Nimai crawled about. Against His mother's will, Nimai would touch dirty objects. Then He would preach high philosophy to justify His action.

     To test His strength, the local ladies would ask Nimai to fetch a coconut. Surprisingly, within seconds He would manifest one. I will describe how the Lord played with a puppy, bringing joy to the neighbors. Murari Gupta watched Nimai playing in the street with His friends. The people of Nadia greatly relished the Lord's dancing and chanting of Hari-nama along with His boyfriends.

     His father taught Nimai how to write with chalk on a stone slab. Whoever hears this pastime obtains relief from all suffering.

    Now listen carefully as I tell about Visvambhara's playing with His eider brother, Visvarupa. These two brothers were just like Indra and Upendra who were born of the same mother. I will describe Visvarupa's sannyasa, and how Visvambhara consoled His mother and father.

    Visvambhara loved to play all day on the sandy banks of the Ganges with His friends. Seeing this, His father, Jagannatha Misra, became angry and disappointed. He dragged Visvambhara into the house and rebuked Him for wasting His time in frivolous sports.

    Please listen attentively as I describe how Nimai bestowed mercy to His father in a dream. Next, I will tell of the Lord's ear-piercing, sacred thread, and other ceremonies. After completing His boyhood pastimes He started His pastimes of youth. During this period, He gradually manifested love of Godhead.

    Visvambhara, along with His classmates, began studying at the feet of His teacher. The Lord would laugh at the Bengali dialect spoken by some of the students. Later, I will describe how Nimai Pandita asked Sacimata to observe Ekadashi. When Jagannatha Misra left this world Nimai cried over the loss of His father.

    I will tell you the beautiful story of Lord Gaura's marriage ceremony, which gives unlimited happiness to everyone. I' 11 describe a confidential incident that occurred on the Lord's way to the Ganges. Gauranga's trip to East Bengal [Bangladesh] and how Laksmipriya Devi, His wife, left this world will be told. Upon returning, the Lord re-married, taught His students, and traveled to Gaya. You'll receive immense pleasure by attentively hearing these narrations.

     When the Lord returned from Gaya He constantly displayed symptoms of ecstatic love of God. O brother! You'll derive profuse pleasure from hearing the pastimes in Madhya-khanda. Your hair will stand on end as you relish these transcendental subjects, which are just like solidified nectar. I feel great ecstasy within my heart even before I describe how, by discussing Krishna katha in the association of devotees, one will manifest ecstatic love of God.

    Madhya-khanda tells about Gauranga's Navadvipa pastimes of preaching and distributing love of Godhead. These topics flow like streams of nectar. Lord Chaitanya manifested matchless pastimes, never seen in any previous yuga. I'll tell how the devotees met the Lord in Navadvipa.

    You will hear how Sacimata received the gift of prema, and how one night Gaura heard the sound of Shri Krishna's flute. Hearing that flute, the Lord became overwhelmed with ecstatic love, when suddenly, a divine message vibrated in the sky.

    Lord Chaitanya revealed His Varaha rupa to give mercy to Murari Gupta. Lord Brahma and the demigods became blissful upon seeing this. I'll narrate how Suklambhara Brahmacad attained love of Godhead. Receiving Gauranga's mercy, Gadadhara Pandita cried all day and night in ecstatic love.

Immediately after sowing a mango seed, Lord Gaurasundara satisfied the devotees by distributing mango prasada. Anyone who hears this will become free from all doubts.

     Covering His spiritual identity, Shri Chaitanya manifested ecstatic love of God. Although the depth of the Lord's love is unfathomable, still He revealed it to everyone. I'll tell the wonderful pastime of Shri Gauranga's meeting Shri Nityananda Prabhu and also Haridasa Thakura. The meeting of Advaita Acarya with Lord Nityananda is especially sweet.

     The deliverance of Jagai and Madhai will be narrated. I will explain how Gauranga bestowed mercy upon a brahmana and his son. The followers of Lord Siva received Gaura's mercy. Lord Chaitanya once jumped into the Jahnavi [Ganges] immediately after seeing a brahmana's misconduct. Hearing this pastime will astonish the heart of anyone in the three worlds.

     Listen to Gauranga's unparalleled pastime of cleaning the Gundica temple. Hear the miracle of how He cured a leper. You' 11 taste unlimited bliss hearing about Gauranga's assuming the mood of Lord Balarama.

     Once while enacting a drama in Candrasekhara's house, Gauranga manifested such prema that its influence spread throughout the land and sky.

      I'll explain the confidential topic of Gauranga's adopting an incredible mood of renunciation. Upon seeing Shri Kesava Bharati in Navadvipa, the Lord felt delighted in His heart. At that moment, He decided to take sannyasa from him. Heating about Gauranga's sannyasa, Sacimata and Vishnupriya became drowned in an ocean of distress. The Lord left Navadvipa and took the renounced order of life from Kesava Bharati in Katwa.

    In Advaita Acarya's house, the Lord met the devotees, consoled everyone, and began His travels. On the way to Purusottama Ksetra [Jagannatha Puri], He stopped in Remuna and shared an intimate pastime. Everyone will feel joyful as they hear me tell each of Lord Chaitanya's transcendental pastimes.

    On the way to Jajipura, Gauranga exhibited a wonderful pastime in Ekam nagar. I'll tell the ecstasy Gauranga felt upon seeing Lord Jagannatha, and how Lord Chaitanya showed His divine form to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya.

    The topics of Madhya-khanda are the essence of all nectar; but you must also hear the pastimes in the Sesh- khanda. Madhya-khanda ends with Gauranga's manifesting pure love of Krishna. Joyfully, Locana Dasa explains these subjects.

    All glories to Shri Krishna Chaitanya who descends on earth as an incarnation. Ah! How fortunate are the residents of earth. Mother Bhumi was blessed to be ornamented with His divine lotus feet.

    To give mercy, the light of the universe appeared in Navadvipa. The anxious devotees, who had been waiting for a long time, now ran to Shriman Mahaprabhu to receive His gift of love. The devotees were like eager bees flying swiftly toward a lotus full of honey, or like cakora birds drinking the rays of the full moon. The devotees were maddened cataki birds that sing joyfully upon seeing rain clouds.

    Immersed in bliss, Gauranga dances madly and sometimes roars like a lion, while giving out love of God. The devotees, feeling just like men who have recovered their long-lost wealth, began worshiping the Lord with their tears of happiness. As elephants jump into a lake to get relief from a forest fire, the devotees forgot their miseries by drowning in the nectar ocean of Krishna-prema.

    In ecstasy someone cried out the name, 'Thakura!' In a joking mood, someone else hiked up his dhoti tightly between his legs, and slapped his arms like a wrestler preparing to attack. Everyone forgot themselves in the bliss of love of God. That same love which Laksmi Devi hankers after with folded hands, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was now freely distributing without discrimination.

    What more can I describe than this? Lord Ananta Sesa, who holds the universes on his head, appeared as Nitai to taste the sweet rasa of Krishna-prema. Shri Nityananda Prabhu, being totally enraptured in prema-raSa, couldn't recognize friend or foe. He therefore gave love to everyone. Walking with the gait of a maddened elephant, Nitai caused the earth to lose its balance.

    Listen to the matchless character of Mahesa [Lord Siva] who appeared as Shri Advaita Acarya. His glories are unlimited. Advaita Acarya forgot his knowledge ofjnana by constantly discussing topics ofprema rasa with Lord Chaitanya.

    Without restriction, Advaita relished transcendental pastimes with other rasika-Vaishnavas. After tasting the loving mellows of Krishnao prema, Advaita Acarya and his associates joyfully distributed them to everyone without opposition. Without these two Lords, Shri Nityananda and Shri Advaita Prabhu, no one would have received such mercy.

     Gauranga appeared on earth for this purpose. All glories to the auspicious moment when the whole world, desiring pure love of Krishna, will chant the holy name of Hari. Even Brahma finds difficulty in attaining Krishna-prema. Locana Dasa happily describes these trancendental pastimes.

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