The Return to Bengal
Pratap Rudra grew sad when he heard that the Master wished to visit
Brindaban; calling Sarvabhauma and Ramananda, the king entreated them,
"The Master's mind is inclined to go away from Puri. Try to keep Him
here. Without Him this kingdom is of no delight to me. Try every means
to detain the hermit." When the Master was taking counsel with the two
about making a pilgrimage to Brindaban, they said, "Wait to see the Car
Festival, and set out in the month of Kartik." In Kartik they urged, "It
is mid-winter now. Better set out after witnessing the Swinging
Festival." So they plied all arts to put off His departure; and gave not
their consent in fear of parting with His company. True, the Master was
a free agent, under nobody's control. Yet He did not depart against the
wishes of His followers.
In the third year of His stay, the Bengal followers wished to go to
Puri. So, they all resorted to Adwaita Acharya, who set out joyfully to
see the Master. Nityananda, though charged by Him to stay in Bengal and
preach the faith of love, nevertheless went to see Him. Who can
understand the display of Nityananda's love? Who can number the _bhaktas_
that started? Acharya Ratna, Vidyanidhi, Shribas, Ramai, Vasudev,
Madhav, and Govinda (the three brothers), Raghav Pandit with his casket
fitted up, the residents of the Kulin village with their striped silk
cloth (for Jagannath), Narahari and Raghunandan of Khanda, in short all
of the _bhaktas_ went; who can count them? Shivananda Sen made
arrangements about the stages of the road, and guided the whole party in
comfort, supplying all their needs and securing lodgings, as he knew all
about the road to Orissa.
That year the ladies too set out to visit the Master: With the Acharya
went Achyuta's mother, Malini with Shribas Pandit, with Shivananda his
wife and son named Chaitanya-das, with Acharya Ratna his wife. All the
ladies took from their houses all kinds of choice things formerly dear
to Him, to feed the Master with. Shivananda looked after their needs,
provided them with lodgings by winning over the officers of the halting
stations (_ghatial_), and everywhere nourished them with provisions.
At Remuna they saw Gopinath (idol), at whose temple the Acharya danced
and sang. Nityananda knew all the servitors of the god; so they highly
honoured the party. The night was passed there; Nityananda distributed
among them the twelve pots of condensed milk (_bhog_) presented by the
servitors. Then Nityananda told them the whole story of Madhav Puri, the
installation of the Gopal, the begging of sandal by Gopal, the stealing
of _kshir_ by Gopinath for the Puri,--as he had heard it from the
Master. The Vaishnavs rejoiced.
So they wended their way to Katak. After visiting the Witness Gopal they
spent the night there. Nityananda told the legend of the god, to the
increased delight of the Vaishnavs, who pushed on to Puri, eager at
heart to meet the Master. When they reached Athara-nala (Bridge of 18
spans), Govinda, sent by the Master with two garlands to welcome them,
met the party and placed the garlands on the necks of Adwaita and
Abadhut Goswami, to their intense bliss. There the two began the
_sankirtan_ of Krishna and advanced dancing. Next Swarup and other
followers, sent by the Master, received them with garlands at the
Narendra Tank. When they reached the Lion Gate, Chaitanya Himself came
out to meet them all. He took them to see Jagannath, and then led them
to His own lodgings. With His own hands He served them the _prasad_
brought by Vaninath and Kashi Mishra. They were then sent to take rest
in the houses respectively occupied by them in the previous year.
Thus the _bhaktas_ spent four months at Puri, joining in His _kirtan_.
When the season of the Car Festival arrived, He took them, as on the
last occasion, to wash the Gundicha temple, presented to Jagannath the
striped silk brought by the people of the Kulin village, danced long
before the car, and then returned to the garden. While He was reposing
on the bank of the tank, Krishna-das, a Brahman of West Bengal (Rarh)
and a disciple of Nityananda, was so fortunate as to pour on the
Master's head a pot of water, to His great relief.
The Master dined with all His followers on the numerous dishes of
_Balgandi bhog_ sent to Him. As before, they witnessed the Car
procession and the _Hora-Panchami_ procession with Him. The Master was
invited to dinner by Acharya Goswami, at which a rain storm burst. Then
Shribas invited Him, and the Master's favourite dishes were cooked by
Malini, who was His handmaid in devotion, but a mother in tenderness.
Acharya Ratna and other leading disciples gave dinners to the Master at
intervals. When the four months were over He again took counsel in
secret with Nityananda. The Acharya whispered to the Master mystic
hints; he seemed to be muttering and none could know his meaning.
Chaitanya laughed at seeing the gestures of his face. This the Acharya
took to be a mark of assent, and he began to dance in delight; none knew
what the request and the consent were. But the Master embraced and
dismissed him.
Then He addressed Nityananda, "Listen, Shripad! I pray thee grant this
request of mine. Don't come to Puri every year, but stay in Bengal to
carry out my will, for I see none else who can do the work. You alone
can accomplish my hard undertaking." Nityananda replied, "I am but the
body; you are the life of it. It is admitted that the body cannot live
apart from life; yet you, by your incomprehensible power, are performing
such an impossibility. Well, I shall do whatever you make me. I am not
subject to any [other] law." The Master embraced and gave him leave, and
so to the other _bhaktas_ too.
The pilgrims from the Kulin village begged, as before, "Master, appoint
us our duty," to which He replied, "Serve Vaishnavs, chant Krishna's
name. These two will lead you soon to Krishna's feet." The men asked,
"By what signs can a Vaishnav be known?" The Master knew their real
thoughts, smiled, and answered, "He is the true Vaishnav, who has
Krishna's name ever on his lips. Adore his feet." Next year they put the
very same question, and the Master by His answer taught them the
gradations of Vaishnavs: "Know him to be the besf of Vaishnavs, the
sight of whom brings Krishna's name on your tongue." Thus did He
describe in succession the three grades of Vaishnavs: good, better, and
best.
All the Vaishnavs returned to Bengal. Vidyanidhi alone stayed at Puri
that year. He formed a close friendship with Swarup, and the two lived
together engaged in discourse on Krishna. He gave _mantra_ anew to
Gadadhar Pandit. On the day of _Orani Shashthi_ he witnessed the
procession, and felt contempt at beholding Jagannath wearing a cloth
with the size not washed out of it. That very night Jagannath and
Balaram visited him [in his sleep] and laughingly slapped his cheeks.
Vidyanidhi was inly glad at finding his cheeks swollen. . . .
Thus did the _bhaktas_ of Bengal come every year and witness the god's
procession in the Master's company. I shall describe only the years in
which something special happened. Four years did the Master pass in this
way: two years [after He took the monastic vow] were taken up by the
pilgrimage to the South and the return; the next two years He [stayed at
Puri] wishing to go to Brindaban, but unable to stir at Ramananda's
opposition. In the fifth year the Bengal pilgrims returned home
immediately after witnessing the Car Festival without staying [for four
months].
Then the Master embraced Sarvabhauma and Ramananda and said, "Very eager
am I to visit Brindaban. At your objection I have not set out these two
years. I _must_ go now. Do you both consent, for I have no other refuge
save you. In Bengal my two refuges are my mother and the river Ganges,
both gracious ones. On my way I shall see them. Permit me freely to
depart."
At these words they reflected, "It is not good to oppose Him too much,"
and then told Him, "It is now the rainy season, which makes travel
impossible. You will certainly depart on the _Vijaya-dashami_."
On that day the Master set out, taking with Himself all the _prasad_ of
Jagannath that had been given Him, and also the sandal wood and coloured
threads. Taking leave of Jagannath, He started in the morning, and sent
back the Oriya disciples who were following Him. With His men He reached
Bhabanipur, Ramananda Ray coming behind in his litter. They spent the
night there, feeding on the copious _prasad_ sent by Vaninath. Next day
the Master reached Bhubaneshwar. At Katak He saw the [Sakshi-] Gopal
image. Here a Brahman named Swapneshwar bade Him to dinner, while
Ramananda Ray invited His followers. The Master lodged in the outer
garden, and after dinner reposed under the _Bakul_ tree.
Ramananda Ray went to inform King Pratap Rudra, who hastened thither in
joy and repeatedly prostrated himself at the Master's feet in ecstasy,
and prayed to Him with tremour and tears. The Master, pleased with his
faith, rose up and embraced him. The king hymned and bowed to Him again,
his body bathed with the tears of the Master's grace. Ramananda composed
and seated the king, and the Master showed His favour to him in body
mind and speech. So great was the favour shown that He became famous in
the world under the name of "the Saviour of Pratap Rudra." The royal
ministers adored the Master, who then dismissed the king. Coming out
Pratap Rudra sent letters to all officers in his kingdom, bidding them,
"Build new houses in different villages [on the route]; fill six or
seven such rooms with provisions. There lodge the Master and wait on Him
day and night with your rods [of authority] in hand." His ministers
Harichandan and Mangraj he ordered, "Conduct all this business. Bring a
new boat to the river [Mahanadi] bank. When the Master after bathing
crosses the river, plant a staff there to mark the spot as a holy
_tirtha_. I shall daily bathe there. May I die there. Hang out fine new
cloths at the four gates. Ramananda, go you back to the Master." The
king heard that the Master would resume His journey in the evening. So
he transported his wives in covered litters on the backs of elephants,
which were drawn up in a line along the route. In the evening the Master
proceeded with His followers and bathed at the _ghat_ of the
Chitrotpala [Mahanadi] river. The queens bowed when they saw Him, and at
the sight of Him they were filled with devotion, chanting Krishna's name
with tears in their eyes. In the three worlds has not been heard of such
another gracious saint, whose very view from a distance inspires love of
Krishna.
Then He crossed over in a boat, and in the moonlit night reached "the
four gates" (_chatur dwar_). Here He passed the night, and next morning
bathed and ate the _maha-prasad_ of Jagannath, which the Parichha used
to send Him daily in huge quantities at the king's command by means of a
host of servants.
Then the Master wended His way, served by Ramananda, Mangraj, and Hari
Chandan, the three [officers of the king]. He was accompanied by the
Puri Goswami, Swarup Damodar, Jagadananda, Mukunda, Govinda, Kashishwar,
Haridas Thakur, Vakreshwar Pandit, Gopinath Acharya, Damodar Pandit,
Ramai, Nandai and many other _bhaktas_, of whom I have named the chief
only, for who can count them all? When Gadadhar Pandit followed Him, the
Master forbade him to quit the seat of his monastic devotions. The
Pandit pleaded, "Where you are, there is my Puri. Let my seat of
monachism go to wrack and ruin." The Master said, "Stay here,
worshipping Gopinath;" but the Pandit insisted, "The sight of thy feet
is worth ten million worship of gods." The Master argued, "If you give
up the worship, mine will be the sin. Stay here and worship, if you want
to please me." The Pandit answered, "Let the entire sin rest on me. I
shall go alone, and not in your company. I am going [to Nadia] to see
the Mother, and not to bear you company. I am ready to bear the sin of
quitting the worship I had vowed to perform." So saying the Pandit
proceeded alone. At Katak the Master called him. The Pandit's devotion
to Chaitanya passes comprehension: he gave up the vowed worship of
Krishna as lightly as a straw. The Master was inly pleased at his
conduct, but in loving anger He told him, holding his hand, "Your object
of quitting your promised worship has been fulfilled, as you have
already arrived far [from the temple of your god at Puri]. By wishing to
stay with me, you are seeking your (selfish) pleasure. I grieve to see
you losing both your _dharmas_ (duties). If you wish to make me happy,
return to Puri. I shall swear an oath, if you insist any further." So
saying the Master embarked, while the Pandit swooned away on the bank.
He bade Sarvabhauma lead the Pandit away. Sarvabhauma said, "Get up!
such is the Master's play. You know how Krishna broke his own vow to
keep the vow of his adorer Bhishma. _Vide Bhagabat_, I. ix. 34.
Similarly the Master has endured separation from you in order to keep
your vow sacred." So saying he consoled Gadadhar, and the two returned
full of grief to Puri. For His sake His _bhaktas_ renounced their
religious and earthly duties, but the Master could not bear that they
should sin thus.
At Jajpur He dismissed the two royal ministers who had been escorting
Him, after talking day and night about Krishna. At every village (on the
way) the royal officers, under orders, entertained the Master with
various things in the newly built houses. So faring forth He reached
Remuna [1], where He dismissed Ramananda Ray. The Ray fell down on the
ground in a dead faint; the Master took him up in His arms and wept.
Then He reached the boundary of the Odhra country, where the royal
officer met Him, tended Him for three or four days, and told Him about
the path in front. "Before you lies the land of a wine-bibing Muslim
king, through fear of whom none can travel on the road. His territory
extends to Pichhalda. None dares cross the river in awe of him. Stay
here for some days, while we negotiate with him to secure a safe voyage
for you." Just then an Oriya servant of the Muslim had visited Katak in
disguise. This Hindu spy, witnessing the wonderful deeds of the Master,
reported to his king, "A monk has come from Jagannath, with many pious
persons in his train. They sing of Krishna incessantly, laughing,
dancing, singing, weeping. The people flocked in _lakhs_ to see Him,
but after once seeing Him they could not return home, as they became
almost mad, chanting Krishna's name, dancing, weeping and rolling on the
ground. He cannot be described in words, but has to be seen, to be
understood fully. His power shows that He is God." So saying the spy
chanted _Hari! Krishna!_ laughing, weeping, and dancing like mad. This
turned the Muslim king's mind. He sent his own confidential Hindu
minister to the Oriya king's [frontier] officer. The man bowed to the
Master and became overwhelmed with love as he cried _Krishna! Krishna!_
Then he composed himself and spoke to the Oriya king's officer, "The
Muslim governor has sent me to you to seek your permission for him to
come here and meet the Master. He is very anxious to do it, and entreats
you. Fear not any attack, it will be a peaceful journey." At this the
frontier-officer cried out in wonder, "A Muslim's heart! Who could have
done this to it? Surely the Master Himself turned his heart, as the
sight and (even) thought of Him saves the world. Then he turned to the
confidential minister and said, "He is lucky. Let him come here to see
the Master, unarmed and with only six or seven attendants, if I am to
trust in him."
On hearing this, the Muhammadan governor arrived in a Hindu dress, and
prostrated himself with tears of joy on seeing the Master from afar. The
frontier-officer led him forward with due honour, and the governor with
folded palms stood before the Master reciting Krishna's name and saying,
"Why have I been born in a low Muhammadan family? Why did not Fate send
me to earth as one of the Hindu race, for then I could have come near
thy feet? My life is useless. Let me die!" The frontier-officer, moved
by these words, praised the Master after clasping His feet, "This man
has got a view of thee, whose very name when heard purifies a Chandal.
What wonder that he will be saved? Such is the efficacy of looking at
thee!" Witness the _Bhagabat_, III. xxxiii 6.
Then the Master looked benignly at the Muslim and in soothing terms told
him to repeat Krishna's name. The governor replied, "As I have found
acceptance with thee, bid me serve thee. Let me earn deliverance from
the sin of hurting Brahmans, cows and Vaishnavs, of which I have been
too often guilty." Then Mukunda Datta broke in, "Listen, Sir, our Master
wishes to reach the bank of the Ganges. Help Him to go there. It is a
great command and a good service."
The Muslim bowed to the Master and His party and set off gleefully. The
frontier-officer embraced him, formed a friendship with him, and gave
him many presents. Next morning the Muslim governor sent out many
decorated boats with his Hindu minister to escort the Master. The Oriya
frontier-officer, too, accompanied Him. The Master placed His men in the
cabin of a new boat, and dismissed the frontier-officer, who stood on
the bank gazing at the voyagers with tears in his eyes. The governor
after bowing at the Master's feet, started the flotilla, with ten
boat-loads of soldiers as a defence against pirates. He crossed the
terrible river Mantreshwar, and proceeded to Pichhalda, at which
(frontier) village the Master sent him back. The new disciple's
expressions of devotion on the occasion were indescribable.
In that boat the Master reached Panihati, and robed the captain in the
robe of His favour. The report of His coming created a sensation: men
crowded together on land and water. Raghav Pandit came and led the
Master to his house, making their way through the press of men with
great difficulty. The Master halted there one day. Next morning He
reached Kumarhati, where Shribas dwelt. Thenoe He proceeded to the
houses of Shivananda and Vasudev. When lodging with the Vachaspati, He
one night fled to the Kulia village shrinking from the crowd. Here in
the house of Madhav-das millions had a view of Him, and here He stayed a
week saving all the sinners. Thence He went to the Acharya's house at
Shantipur, where He met mother Shachi for soothing her grief. Thence He
visited Ramkeli and the dancing-hall, returning to Shantipur for a ten
days halt. Here Raghunath-das met Him. There were two brothers, Hiranya
and Govardhan-das, the owners of Sapta-gram and twelve _lakhs_ of
Rupees. Both were very charitable and rich Brahmans, well-behaved,
high-born, and foremost in piety, the support of the Brahmans of
Navadwip, whom they helped with land and money. Their guru was Nilambar
Chakravarti, who treated them like his brothers. As they had formerly
served Purandar Mishra, they were well-known to the Master.
Raghunath-das was the son of this Govardhan, and averse to the world
from his childhood.
On the Master's coming to Shantipur after turning hermit, Raghunath had
come and fallen down at His feet in a rapture of love. The Master had
graciously touched him with His toe. Raghunath's father always did good
turns to the Acharya who did Raghunath a favour, helping him to eat the
leavings of the Master's dinner. After staying at the Master's feet for
a week, he had been sent away by the Master when He went to Puri.
Raghunath returned home, turned mad with love, and repeatedly ran away
from his father's house to go to Puri. But his father seized him on the
way and kept him tied up, with five watchmen to guard him day and night
and four servants and two cooks, in all eleven guards.
Raghunath was brooding over his failure to go to Puri, when he heard of
the Master's present visit to Shantipur and begged his father thus: "Let
me go and see the Master's feet, or my soul will quit my body." His
father then sent him with many men and things and an order to return
soon. Raghunath spent a week at Shantipur in the Master's company, ever
pondering on his heart's wish, "How shall I escape from my guards? How
shall I go to Puri with the Master?" The omniscient Chaitanya, knowing
his mind, told him soothingly by way of instruction, "Peace! go home.
Turn not wild. It is only gradually that men reach the shore of the
world-ocean. Don't ape renunciation of the world, in order to make a
show before the people. Enjoy your worldly possessions duly, without
setting your heart on them. Cherish piety in your heart, while outwardly
you discharge your temporal affairs. Soon will Krishna deliver you. When
I return here from Brindaban on my way to Puri, come to me by some
device. Krishna will at that time inspire you with the device. Who can
hold back one whom Krishna favours?"
Raghunath returned home, followed the Master's advice, outwardly gave up
his mania and other-worldliness, and did his proper work without being
absorbed in it. His parents were pleased at the change and relaxed their
rigour.
Here at Shantipur, the Master embraced Adwaita and other _bhaktas_ one
by one and said, "Permit me, ye all, to go to Puri. As I have met you
all here, you need not go to Puri this year. From this place I will
proceed to Brindaban. Grant your permission, so that my journey may be
safe." Holding His mother's feet He long entreated her and got her
consent to visit Brindaban, and then sent her back to Navadwip.
He then set out for Puri with His followers, being served on the way by
the same men as before. On His arrival at Puri there was a bustle in
that village: His joyful _bhaktas_ came and were all embraced by
Him,--Kashi Mishra, Ramananda, Pradyumna, Sarvabhanma, Vaninath, Shikhi,
Gadadhar Pandit and others. To them He said, "I wanted to go to
Brindaban by way of Bengal, after seeing my mother and the Ganges. When
I arrived in Bengal a thousand followers gathered round me; myriads of
people flocked there to see the fun. The crowd blocked the roads.
Wherever I put up, the houses and walls were broken down by their
pressure. Wherever the eye rested there was a sea of heads. With great
difficulty I reached the Ramkeli village, where two brothers Rup and
Sanatan came to me. They were foremost of devotees, winners of Krishna's
grace, outwardly royal ministers and governors, old in knowledge faith
and wisdom, and yet behaving as meeker than grass. Their humility could
have pierced a stony (heart). Highly pleased I gave them leave saying,
'It is good to be lowly and curb one's own pride. Soon will Krishna
deliver you.' When going away Sanatan spoke a riddle: 'To be followed by
a million men is not the right manner of visiting Brindaban.' At that
time I did not mind the saying, and next morning reached a village named
Kanai's Dancing-hall. Here at night I pondered over Sanatan's dark
saying and it struck me, 'He has spoken well. With so many men following
me, people will point at me as parading saint-ship. Lonely is that
Brindaban, hard to win, difficult of access. I must go there alone or
with only one companion.' Madhavendra Puri had gone there all alone, and
(hence) had Krishna appeared to him on the pretext of serving him with
milk. And I,--I am going there like a travelling showman. It is not fit
to visit Brindaban with a host. A pilgrimage thither accords only with
solitary travelling. Instead of my going there alone (as is proper), an
army is accompanying me beating drums! O Shame on me! O Shame on me! So
saying I became unsettled, gave up the journey and returned to thfe
Ganges. Leaving my _bhaktas_ at different places I have arrived here
with only five or six. Favour me and give me your counsel how I may
peacefully go to Brindaban. I have failed to reach Brindaban because I
left Gadadhar behind here and thus pained him!" At this Gadadhar in
rapture seized the Master's feet and spoke meekly, "Wherever you are,
there is Brindaban, there Jamuna, Ganges and all holy places. You are
going to Brindaban only to give an object-lesson to men. You will do
what your heart likes. The rainy season is coming. Spend these four
months at Puri. Thereafter do as you list. Go or stay as you like. Who
can prevent you?" The other _bhaktas_ joined in and said, "Gadadhar has
voiced our thoughts." Yielding to their wishes, the Master stayed there
four months. Pratap Rudra was glad to hear of it. That day Gadadhar
feasted the Master and His _bhaktas_. [Text, canto 16.]
[1] The author, however, tells us in canto 1 that Ramananda Ray
accompanied the Master to Bhadrak. Remuna is 5 miles west and Bhadrak 28
miles south of Baleshwar.