Sharanagati

“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu remained for some days at Ālālanātha. In the meantime, He received news that all the devotees from Bengal were coming to Jagannātha Purī. When the devotees from Bengal arrived at Jagannātha Purī, both Nityānanda Prabhu and Sārvabhauma Bhattācārya greatly endeavored to take Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu back to Jagannātha Purī. When Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu finally left Ālālanātha to return to Jagannātha Purī, He was overwhelmed both day and night due to separation from Jagannātha. His lamentation knew no bounds. During this time, all the devotees from different parts of Bengal, and especially from Navadvīpa, arrived in Jagannātha Purī. After due consideration, all the devotees began chanting the holy name congregationally. Lord Caitanya’s mind was thus pacified by the ecstasy of the chanting.“[1]

Here it is described that Mahaprabhu was very sad due to separation from the Supreme. So if you feel a little sad, it is not a bad sign, maybe you taste the ecstasy of separation. Then immediately that is sweet. But I think we all have some experience about the pain of separation. And sometimes we have experience of the pain of association. But separation is more intensive, I tell you.

But what was the remedy for this distress of Mahaprabhu? This was the holy name. And also the good news: “Devotees are coming.” Although Jagannath Puri is just like an exotic place – palm trees, the ocean, beautiful scenery – without the devotees this is just like Rajastan, a desert. But when you have the good news, when you have the hope: “Ah, devotees are coming!” then the desert starts to turn into an oasis. Haven’t you had that feeling sometimes – going to the temple or expecting a spiritual guest, or waiting for your spiritual master, you have such an excitement, that even the normal stupid insignificant things of life turn into magic! That is illusion. Illusion in that sense, when you don’t perceive the magic. Because these moments are the real ones!

So, the good news that devotees are coming were soothing the burning heart of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. And when they finally arrived, then they started this chanting process. And Shrila Prabhupada says: “Being absolute in all circumstances, Lord Jagannath’s person, form, picture and kirtan are all identical. Therefore when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu heard the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, He was pacified. Previously he had been feeling very morose, due to His separation from Jagannath, The conclusion is that whenever a kirtan of pure devotees take place, the Lord is immediately present. By chanting the holy names of the Lord, we associate with the Lord personally.”

So take it just like an advice, brothers and sisters.

(to be continued)