https:\/\/girirajswami.com\/blog\/?p=17150<\/a>)<\/p>\nBy Giriraj Swami<\/strong><\/p>\nToday we continue our observance of Candana-yatra. We are reading from Sri Caitanya-caritamrta<\/em>, Madhya-lila<\/em>, Chapter Four: \u201cSri Madhavendra Puri\u2019s Devotional Service,\u201d which describes how Madhavendra Puri traveled by foot from Govardhana to Jagannatha Puri to procure sandalwood to grind and mix with camphor and place on the body of the Deity Gopala whom he had installed on the top of Govardhana Hill. After Madhavendra Puri installed Gopala on the top of Govardhana Hill, two brahmans came, and he initiated them and engaged them in the service of the Deity. When he was satisfied that the two brahmans could conduct the worship nicely, he left for Jagannatha Puri. The Deity Gopala appeared in a dream to Madhavendra Puri and told him, \u201cAlthough you have made so many arrangements for My worship and service, still My body is burning because of the heat. So please go to Jagannatha Puri and bring Malayan sandalwood.\u201d<\/p>\nMadhavendra Puri was pleased to receive that service from Gopala, and he proceeded toward Jagannatha Puri. When he reached Remuna, he took darshan of the Deity Gopinatha. The arrangements at the temple were excellent, and the offerings of sweet rice, known as gopinatha-ksira<\/em>, were particularly famous. Because the sweet rice tasted as good as amrta<\/em>, nectar, it was called amrta-keli<\/em>. So, Madhavendra Puri just had a thought\u2014that if he could taste some of the amrta-keli<\/em>, he could prepare similar sweet rice for Gopala.<\/p>\nAs soon as Madhavendra Puri had that thought, however, he became ashamed. Although actually there had not been any fault, out of his extreme humility he considered that he had been lusty in wanting to taste the Deity\u2019s sweet rice. And so, without saying anything to anyone, he left the temple and went into a vacant marketplace in the town and began to chant the holy name. He was just chanting and chanting and eventually, toward the morning, he dozed off.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Deity Gopinatha appeared in a dream to the pujari<\/em> and said, \u201cI have stolen a pot of sweet rice and kept it hidden behind the curtain in the Deity room. Please come and get it and go into the town to the marketplace and find the sannyasi named Madhavendra Puri and deliver the sweet rice to him.\u201d So, the pujari<\/em> bathed, went into the Deity room, and found that indeed the Deity had hidden the pot of sweet rice behind the curtain, and he took the sweet rice into the town, as he had been instructed. And, holding up the pot of sweet rice, he called out, \u201cWill he whose name is Madhavendra Puri please come and take this pot. Gopinatha has stolen this pot for you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nTEXT 134<\/p>\n
ksira lana sukhe tumi karaha bhaksane
<\/em>toma-sama bhagyavan nahi tribhuvane<\/em><\/p>\nTRANSLATION<\/p>\n
The priest continued, \u201cWould the sannyasi<\/em> whose name is Madhavendra Puri please come and take this pot of sweet rice and enjoy the prasada<\/em> with great happiness! You are the most fortunate person within these three worlds!\u201d<\/p>\nPURPORT by Srila Prabhupada<\/p>\n
Here is an example of a personal benediction by Krsna\u2019s immoral activity. By Gopinatha\u2019s stealing for His devotee, the devotee becomes the most fortunate person within the three words. Thus even the Lord\u2019s criminal activities make His devotee the most fortunate person. How can a mundane rascal understand the pastimes of Krsna and judge whether He is moral or immoral? Since Krsna is the Absolute Truth, there are no mundane distinctions such as moral and immoral. Whatever He does is good. This is the real meaning of \u201cGod is good.\u201d He is good in all circumstances because He is transcendental, outside the jurisdiction of this material world. Therefore, Krsna can be understood only by those who are already living in the spiritual world. This is corroborated in the Bhagavad-gita<\/em> (14.26):<\/p>\nmam ca yo \u2019vyabhicarena bhakti-yogena sevate
<\/em>sa gunan samatityaitan brahma-bhuyaya kalpate<\/em><\/p>\nOne who engages in full devotional service, who does not fall down in any circumstances, at once transcends the modes of material nature and thus comes to the level of Brahman.\u201d (Gita<\/em> 14.26)<\/p>\nOne who is engaged in unalloyed devotional service to the Lord is already situated in the spiritual world (brahma-bhuyaya kalpate<\/em>). In all circumstances, his activities and dealings with Krsna are transcendental and thus not understandable by mundane moralists. It is therefore better not to discuss such activities among mundane people. It is better to give them the Hare Krsna maha-mantra<\/em> so that they will be gradually purified and then come to understand the transcendental activities of Krsna.<\/p>\nCOMMENT by Giriraj Swami<\/p>\n
In the Bhagavad-gita<\/em> Krishna says, bhaktya mam abhijanati<\/em>, yavan yas casmi tattvatah<\/em>\u2014He can be understood only by devotional service. Ordinary people cannot understand Krishna; He is always hidden from them by the curtain of Yogamaya. They see Him superficially and misunderstand Him. Therefore, we do not generally discuss Krishna\u2019s pastimes publicly before an audience of ordinary people or a mixed audience but rather give them the Hare Krishna maha-mantra to chant.<\/p>\nDevotees\u2014pure devotees who are surrendered to Krishna\u2014can understand Krishna because they are on the same platform, the Brahman platform. As Srila Prabhupada mentions in the purport, even the activities of the transcendental devotees are incomprehensible to the mundane moralists, because the transcendental devotees are also acting on the spiritual platform and are not bound by ordinary rules and regulations but are impelled by Krishna. Krishna is free, and therefore the devotee is also free to act according to Krishna\u2019s desire.<\/p>\n
An important word in Sanskrit is yadrcchaya<\/em>, which is often translated \u201csomehow or other.\u201d The implication of the word is that Krishna is free and Krishna\u2019s devotees are free. Yadrcchaya<\/em> is sometimes translated as \u201cby His own sweet will.\u201d Srimad-Bhagavatam<\/em> (1.6.37) describes how Narada Muni, after instructing his disciple Vyasadeva, played upon his stringed instrument, the vina<\/em>, and left to travel through the universe yadrcchaya<\/em>\u2014by his own sweet will. In the purport Srila Prabhupada explains that the pivot in devotional service is freedom: \u201c[A] full-fledged free soul like Narada, always engaged in chanting the Lord\u2019s glory, is free to move not only on earth but also in any part of the universe, as well as in any part of the spiritual sky. We can just imagine the extent and unlimitedness of his freedom, which is as good as that of the Supreme Lord. There is no reason or obligation for his traveling, and no one can stop him from his free movement. Similarly, the transcendental system of devotional service is also free. It may or may not develop in a particular person even after he undergoes all the detailed formulas. Similarly, the association of the devotee is also free. One may be fortunate to have it, or one may not have it even after thousands of endeavors. Therefore, in all spheres of devotional service, freedom is the main pivot. Without freedom there is no execution of devotional service. The freedom surrendered to the Lord does not mean that the devotee becomes dependent in every respect. To surrender unto the Lord through the transparent medium of the spiritual master is to attain complete freedom of life.\u201d So, everything about Krishna consciousness is based on freedom\u2014ultimately Krishna\u2019s freedom and the freedom of those who are surrendered to Him.<\/p>\nDharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam<\/em>. Dharma<\/em> is the order of Krishna. Whatever Krishna orders, that is dharma. He gives the orders, but He is not obliged to follow them. So His activities may appear to be immoral according to mundane calculation, but actually Krishna is on the absolute platform. He is the Absolute Truth. He is all good absolutely, and whatever he does is good for everyone, and especially for his devotees. Here the example is Madhavendra Puri. Krishna stole the sweet rice for him and thus transgressed ordinary ethical principles, but by His stealing for His devotee, His devotee became the most fortunate person in the three worlds.<\/p>\nOf course, it is superficial to say, \u201cKrishna stole.\u201d Actually, everything belongs to Krishna. He danced with other men\u2019s wives, with unmarried girls, but everyone belongs to Him. Once, a man criticized Krishna, telling Srila Prabhupada, \u201cKrishna is a debauchee, an adulterer. He enjoyed with the wives of others.\u201d Srila Prabhupada replied, \u201cDoes not everything belong to Krishna?\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d the man replied. \u201cThen does your wife not also belong to Krishna? Then who is the adulterer?\u201d<\/p>\n
TEXT 135<\/p>\n
eta suni\u2019 puri-gosani paricaya dila
<\/em>ksira diya pujari tanre dandavat haila<\/em><\/p>\nTRANSLATION<\/p>\n
Hearing this invitation, Madhavendra Puri came out and identified himself. The priest then delivered the pot of sweet rice and offered his obeisances, falling flat before him.<\/p>\n
PURPORT<\/p>\n
A brahmana<\/em> is not supposed to offer his obeisances by falling flat before anyone because a brahmana<\/em> is considered to be in the highest caste. However, when a brahmana<\/em> sees a devotee, he offers his dandavats<\/em>. This brahmana<\/em> priest did not ask Madhavendra Puri whether he was a brahmana<\/em>, but when he saw that Madhavendra Puri was such a bona fide devotee that Krsna would even steal for him, he immediately understood the position of the saint. As stated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: kiba vipra, kiba nyasi, sudra kene naya<\/em>\/ yei krsna-tattva-vetta, sei \u2018guru\u2019 haya<\/em>. (Cc<\/em> Madhya<\/em> 8.128) Had the brahmana<\/em> priest been an ordinary brahmana<\/em>, Gopinatha would not have talked with him in a dream. Since the Deity spoke to both Madhavendra Puri and the brahmana<\/em> priest in dreams, practically speaking they were on the same platform. However, because Madhavendra Puri was a senior Vaisnava sannyasi<\/em>, a paramahamsa<\/em>, the priest immediately fell flat before him and offered obeisances.<\/p>\nCOMMENT<\/p>\n
Here we see the humility of advanced devotees. Amanina manadena<\/em>. They do not want honor for themselves; rather, they are ready to offer all respects to others. Once, in Mayapur, Srila Prabhupada had finished his lunch and his servant had taken the plate with Prabhupada\u2019s remnants into the servants\u2019 area, which is just near Prabhupada\u2019s room. After some time, Srila Prabhupada heard shouting coming from the next room. Apparently, his secretaries and servants were arguing. So he sent Hari-sauri to see what was happening. Hari-sauri went and returned and informed Srila Prabhupada that one of the secretaries who was more senior had said that he was sick and could not eat the regular temple prasada<\/em> and should therefore get all of Prabhupada\u2019s remnants. The other secretary thought that Prabhupada\u2019s remnants should be shared equally with everyone and not be taken all by one person.<\/p>\nSrila Prabhupada told Hari-sauri to call them into his room, and when he had heard from both parties, he said, \u201cIt is not enough to be the servant of the spiritual master. But one should be the servant of the servants of the spiritual master. Devotees should be humble.\u201d In Bengal, at least previously, he related, if a saintly person would come to a village, all the villagers would rush out to receive him. They would offer obeisances. They would take the dust from his feet. They would invite him to their homes and do their best to serve him and please him, thinking, \u201cHere is a saintly person. I want to serve him and please him and get his mercy.\u201d And the sadhu was thinking, \u201cI\u2019m just an ordinary person. Why are they all coming and offering obeisances to me and taking the dust at my feet and wanting to serve me? I am just an ordinary person.\u201d And because both parties were humble, Srila Prabhupada explained, both made great spiritual advancement.<\/p>\n
Here we see that in the dealings between Madhavendra Puri and the priest from the temple of Gopinatha, both were extremely humble. There was no fault in Madhavendra Puri, but he thought that he had lusted after the Deity\u2019s sweet rice. His only purpose had been to taste it so he could prepare similar sweet rice for Gopala, but still, he felt ashamed and left the temple. The pujari<\/em> also was very humble, as seen by the fact that he offered dandavats<\/em> to Madhavendra Puri. Generally, brahmans don\u2019t offer dandavats<\/em> to people, because they are in the highest order in terms of varna<\/em>. But the priest was humble and could understand how exalted Madhavendra Puri must be for the Lord to have stolen sweet rice for him.<\/p>\nThis is the nature, the mood, of devotees, and this is how devotees make advancement\u2014by being humble. Srila Prabhupada asked us to address each other as \u201cPrabhu.\u201d Prabhu<\/em> means \u201cmaster.\u201d So, naturally, if the other is my prabhu, what am I? I am his servant. Prabhupada introduced that system so that we would see other devotees as our masters and ourselves as their servants. That is how we make advancement and how we have congenial relationships. Once, a devotee asked Srila Prabhupada what to do when there were conflicts between devotees\u2014how to solve the problem. Srila Prabhupada said, \u201cIf each devotee thinks that he is the servant of the servant, then there will be no problem.\u201d But it should be heartfelt. Everything we do is meant to be heartfelt. As Prabhupada said, \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t say, \u2018Oh Prabhu, can you please bring me my slippers.\u2019\u201d That is not the meaning of prabhu<\/em>.<\/p>\nTEXT 136<\/p>\n
When the story about the pot of sweet rice was explained to him in detail, Sri Madhavendra Puri at once became absorbed in ecstatic love of Krsna.<\/p>\n
TEXT 137<\/p>\n
prema dekhi\u2019 sevaka kahe ha-iya vismita
<\/em>krsna ye inhara vasa,-haya yathocita<\/em><\/p>\nTRANSLATION<\/p>\n
Upon seeing the ecstatic loving symptoms manifest in Madhavendra Puri, the priest was struck with wonder. He could understand why Krsna had become so much obliged to him, and he saw that Krsna\u2019s action was befitting.<\/p>\n
PURPORT<\/p>\n
A devotee can bring Krsna perfectly under his control. This is explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam<\/em>: ajita jito \u2019py asi tais tri-lokyam<\/em> (Bhag<\/em> 10.14.3). Krsna is never conquered by anyone, but a devotee can conquer Him through devotional service. As stated in the Brahma-samhita<\/em> (5.33): vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau<\/em>. One cannot understand Krsna simply by reading Vedic literature. Although all Vedic literature is meant for understanding Krsna, one cannot understand Krsna without being a lover of Krsna. Therefore along with the reading of Vedic literature (svadhyaya<\/em>), one must engage in devotional worship of the Deity (arcana-vidhi<\/em>). Together these will enhance the devotee\u2019s transcendental understanding of devotional service. Sravanadi suddha-citte karaye udaya<\/em> (Cc<\/em> Madhya<\/em> 22.107). Love of Godhead is dormant within everyone\u2019s heart, and if one simply follows the standard process of devotional service, it is awakened. But foolish mundane people who simply read about Krsna mistakenly think that He is immoral or criminal.<\/p>\nCOMMENT<\/p>\n
This verse cited by Srila Prabhupada in the purport from the Tenth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam<\/em>\u2014jnane prayasam udapasya namanta eva<\/em>\u2014is from the prayers of Lord Brahma to Krishna. Brahma says that one should completely give up the attempt to understand God through speculative endeavors. Namanta eva<\/em>: but one should become submissive and hear about Krishna from bona fide devotees. San-mukharitam<\/em>: then if one does so, offering respects with body, mind, and words, Krishna who is Ajita, unconquerable, becomes conquered.<\/p>\nSrila Sanatana Gosvami explains in his commentary that this compound word tanu-van-manobhir<\/em>\u2014tanu<\/em> means \u201cbody\u201d; vak<\/em> means \u201cwords\u201d; and manobhih<\/em> means \u201cmind\u201d\u2014can be read in different ways. The devotee conquers Krishna, and Krishna\u2019s body, mind, and words are conquered. Thus Krishna with His body always remains by the side of the devotee. With His words, He is always glorifying His devotee, and with His mind He is always thinking of His devotee. And the devotee conquers with his body, mind, and words. With his body he offers obeisances to the messages of Krishna and to the place where the messages are recited and to the preachers who speak the messages, with his words he repeats and glorifies the messages of Godhead, and with his mind he reflects on the messages of Godhead and takes great pleasure in such messages. The same three words also apply to nondevotees, because there are many words in Sanskrit such that when different words are connected to other words in different ways, which is all legitimate according to the rules of Sanskrit grammar, one derives different meanings. So, the devotee offers respects with his body, mind, and words, and Krishna\u2019s body, mind, and words are conquered by His devotee. And nondevotees? Now we are coming to that word ajita<\/em>, that Krishna is unconquerable. Nondevotees cannot conquer Krishna\u2014not by their bodies, no matter how strong or powerful they are; not by their words, no matter how eloquent they are as orators; and not by their minds, by their mental gymnastics or speculative processes. They cannot conquer Krishna.<\/p>\nThis is very encouraging. And the verse says, sthane sthitah<\/em>: you can remain in your position, in varnasrama-dharma<\/em>. You don\u2019t have to change your position; you just hear the messages of Krishna from pure devotees and offer respects with body, mind, and words, and you can conquer Krishna, who is unconquerable. This is the point here: the Deity was conquered by Madhavendra Puri\u2019s pure love and stole the sweet rice for him. Therefore Srila Prabhupada says, \u201cThe Mayavadis want to become one with God, but we can become controllers of God out of love, pure love.\u201d<\/p>\nTanu-van-manobhir<\/em>. The devotee can conquer Krishna with his body, mind, and words. With his body he can touch Krishna; he can catch Him and touch Him. With his words he can call Krishna, \u201cCome, come. Come Krishna. Come.\u201d And with his mind he can capture Krishna in his heart. So many meanings from one verse; the words can be read in so many different ways.<\/p>\nTEXTS 138\u2013142<\/p>\n
The priest offered his obeisances to Madhavendra Puri and returned to the temple. Then, in ecstasy, Madhavendra Puri ate the sweet rice offered to him by Krsna.<\/p>\n
After this, Madhavendra Puri washed the pot and broke it into pieces. He then bound all the pieces in his outer cloth and kept them nicely.<\/p>\n
Each day, Madhavendra Puri would eat one piece of the earthen pot, and after eating it he would immediately be overwhelmed with ecstasy. These are wonderful stories.<\/p>\n
Having broken the pot and bound the pieces in his cloth, Madhavendra Puri began to think, \u201cThe Lord has given me a pot of sweet rice, and when the people hear of this tomorrow morning, there will be great crowds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thinking this, Sri Madhavendra Puri offered his obeisances to Gopinatha on the spot and left Remuna before morning.<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
Earlier we read that Madhavendra Puri followed the path of ajagara-vrtti<\/em>. He would not make any effort to get food. He followed the process of the python, who just lies with his mouth open and if something comes in his mouth he eats and if nothing comes then he fasts. So, Madhavendra Puri followed that process. If Krishna sent food, he would eat, and if Krishna didn\u2019t send food, he would fast. He depended entirely on Krishna\u2019s mercy, but he kept the pieces of the earthen pot which were part of the Deity\u2019s paraphernalia and had been given to him by the Deity\u2019s mercy and love, and he felt great ecstasy taking a little piece of the pot every day. But Madhavendra Puri reasoned that news of the incident would spread and the next morning there would be great crowds, and he didn\u2019t want crowds of people around him. He didn\u2019t want name or fame. He just wanted to peacefully worship the Lord, chant the holy name, and do his service to Gopala and bring the sandalwood.<\/p>\nStill, as we will see later, Madhavendra Puri\u2019s reputation spread. He left Remuna before the morning because he wanted to escape the crowds. He wanted to go to Jagannatha Puri, but when he arrived in Puri the news had already reached there and people were very eager to see him and offer him their respects and worship.<\/p>\n
So, we can see the difference. Vallabha Bhatta was proud. He wanted people to respect him, but the result was that no one respected him, because he was proud. And Madhavendra Puri was humble. He didn\u2019t want respect. He didn\u2019t want honor. He didn\u2019t want to have a good reputation. He didn\u2019t want any sort of reputation; he wasn\u2019t interested in reputation. But his fame as a devotee spread, and honor came to him even without his desiring it.<\/p>\n
We should also be careful to avoid duplicity. Hearing what I just said, someone might think, \u201cPeople don\u2019t like those who are proud; they like those who are humble. So if I pretend to be humble, people will like me and honor me.\u201d But that duplicity is a great obstacle. We have to be genuine in everything we do. I think of a statement by P.T. Barnum, the famous American entertainer and co-founder of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He said, \u201cThe main thing in show business is sincerity. If you can fake sincerity, you\u2019ve got it made.\u201d<\/p>\n
TEXTS 143\u2013146<\/p>\n
Walking and walking, Madhavendra Puri finally reached Jagannatha Puri, which is also known as Nilacala. There he saw Lord Jagannatha and was overwhelmed with loving ecstasy.<\/p>\n
When Madhavendra Puri was overwhelmed in the ecstasy of love of Godhead, he sometimes stood up and sometimes fell to the ground. Sometimes he laughed, danced, and sang. In this way he enjoyed transcendental bliss by seeing the Jagannatha Deity.<\/p>\n
When Madhavendra Puri came to Jagannatha Puri, people were aware of his transcendental reputation. Therefore crowds of people came and offered him all sorts of respect in devotion.<\/p>\n
Even though one may not like it, reputation, as ordained by providence, comes to him. Indeed, one\u2019s transcendental reputation is known throughout the three worlds.<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
We sing every morning to Srila Prabhupada: ebe yasa ghusuk tri-bhuvana<\/em>, that his fame is spread all over the three worlds.<\/p>\nTEXT 147<\/p>\n
pratisthara bhaye puri gela palana
<\/em>krsna-preme pratistha cale sange gadana<\/em><\/p>\nTRANSLATION<\/p>\n
Being afraid of his reputation [pratistha<\/em>] . . .<\/p>\nCOMMENT<\/p>\n
It is very interesting: that same word was also used in relation to Vallabha Bhatta. He wanted pratistha<\/em>, distinction, and here the same word is used.<\/p>\nTRANSLATION<\/p>\n
Being afraid of his reputation [pratistha<\/em>], Madhavendra Puri fled from Remuna. But the reputation brought by love of Godhead is so sublime that it goes along with the devotee, as if following him.<\/p>\nPURPORT<\/p>\n
Almost all the conditioned souls within the material world are envious. Jealous people generally turn against one who automatically attains some reputation. This is natural for jealous people. Consequently, when a devotee is fit to receive worldly reputation, he is envied by many people. This is quite natural. When a person, out of humility, does not desire fame, people generally think him quite humble and consequently give him all kinds of fame. Actually a Vaisnava does not hanker after fame or a great reputation. Madhavendra Puri, the king of Vaisnavas, bore his reputation, but he wanted to keep himself outside of the vision of the general populace. He wanted to cover his real identity as a great devotee of the Lord, but when people saw him overwhelmed in ecstasy in love of Godhead, they naturally gave credit to him. Actually a first-class reputation is due Madhavendra Puri because he was a most confidential devotee of the Lord. Sometimes a sahajiya<\/em> presents himself as being void of desires for reputation (pratistha<\/em>) in order to become famous as a humble man. Such people cannot actually attain the platform of celebrated Vaisnavas.<\/p>\nTEXT 148<\/p>\n
Madhavendra Puri wanted to leave Jagannatha Puri because the people were honoring him as a great devotee; however, this threatened to hinder his collecting sandalwood for the Gopala Deity.<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
In other words, he didn\u2019t like the name and fame that he got in Jagannatha Puri. He didn\u2019t like all the honor and respect. So, for himself, he would have left, but he wasn\u2019t there for himself. He was there for the service of Gopala. So he tolerated all the name and fame and respect and honor of the crowds of people for the sake of his service.<\/p>\n
TEXTS 149\u2013151<\/p>\n
Sri Madhavendra Puri told all the servants of Lord Jagannatha and all the great devotees there the story of the appearance of Sri Gopala.<\/p>\n
When all the devotees at Jagannatha Puri heard that the Gopala Deity wanted sandalwood, in great pleasure they all endeavored to collect it.<\/p>\n
Those who were acquainted with government officers met with them and begged for camphor and sandalwood, which they collected.<\/p>\n
PURPORT<\/p>\n
It appears that malayaja-candana<\/em> (sandalwood) and camphor were used for the Jagannatha Deity. The camphor was used in His aratrika<\/em>, and the sandalwood was used to smear His body. Both these items were under government control; therefore the devotees had to meet with the government officials. Informing them of all the details, they attained permission to take the sandalwood and camphor outside Jagannatha Puri.<\/p>\nCOMMENT<\/p>\n
We all have this experience when we sincerely try to serve the Lord. People sometimes help in unexpected ways\u2014or people we would not expect to help, help. Every major festival has such stories. Madhavendra Puri is on the highest platform of devotional service, which we can hope to attain, by the mercy of the Lord and the devotees, only in some far distant future. But still, because we are trying to serve such devotees, trying to serve Srila Prabhupada and the disciplic succession with all sincerity, without duplicity, we also get some of the same results because, as we often say, bhakti is one substance, pure devotion is one entity, and the different stages from sraddha<\/em> to prema<\/em> are just different degrees of maturity of the same entity: bhakti, or sraddha<\/em>. Therefore one gets the same results to some extent all along the way. It is just that the results increase as one progresses.<\/p>\nTEXTS 152\u2013160<\/p>\n
One brahmana<\/em> and one servant were given to Madhavendra Puri just to carry the sandalwood. He was also given the necessary traveling expenses.<\/p>\nTo get past the toll collectors along the way, Madhavendra Puri was supplied with the necessary release papers from government officers. The papers were placed in his hand.<\/p>\n
In this way Madhavendra Puri started for Vrndavana with the burden of sandalwood, and after some days he again reached the village of Remuna and the Gopinatha temple there.<\/p>\n
When Madhavendra Puri reached the temple of Gopinatha, he offered his respectful obeisances many times at the lotus feet of the Lord. In the ecstasy of love, he began to dance and sing without cessation.<\/p>\n
When the priest of Gopinatha saw Madhavendra Puri again, he offered all respects to him and, giving him the sweet rice prasada<\/em>, made him eat.<\/p>\nMadhavendra Puri took rest that night in the temple, but toward the end of the night he had another dream.<\/p>\n
Madhavendra Puri dreamed that Gopala came before him and said, \u201cO Madhavendra Puri, I have already received all the sandalwood and camphor.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow just grind all the sandalwood together with the camphor and then smear the pulp on the body of Gopinatha daily until it is finished.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no difference between My body and Gopinatha\u2019s body. They are one and the same. Therefore if you smear the sandalwood pulp on the body of Gopinatha, you will naturally also smear it on My body. Thus the temperature of My body will be reduced.<\/p>\n
PURPORT<\/p>\n
Gopala was situated in Vrndavana, which was far from Remuna. In those days, one had to pass through provinces governed by the Mohammedans, who sometimes hindered travelers. Considering the trouble of His devotee, Lord Gopala, the greatest well-wisher of His devotees, ordered Madhavendra Puri to smear the sandalwood pulp on the body of Gopinatha, which was nondifferent from the body of Gopala. In this way the Lord relieved Madhavendra Puri from trouble and inconvenience.<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
We can see the beautiful relationship between the Lord and the devotee. Madhavendra Puri was ready to do anything for the service of the Lord; he didn\u2019t mind any trouble or inconvenience. But the Lord, out of affection for His pure devotee, wanted to save him from all the trouble and inconvenience he would have faced along the way. So He appeared to him again in a dream and explained, \u201cIf you grind the sandalwood and mix it with camphor and smear the pulp on the body of Gopinatha, the heat in My body will be reduced because Gopinatha and I are the same. My body is the same as Gopinatha\u2019s.\u201d Gopala continued:<\/p>\n
TEXTS 161\u2013178<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should not hesitate to act according to My order. Believing in Me, just do what is needed.\u201d<\/p>\n
After giving these instructions, Gopala disappeared, and Madhavendra Puri awoke. He immediately called for all the servants of Gopinatha, and they came before him.<\/p>\n
Madhavendra Puri said, \u201cSmear the body of Gopinatha with this camphor and sandalwood I have brought for Gopala in Vrndavana. Do this regularly every day.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the sandalwood pulp is smeared over the body of Gopinatha, then Gopala will be cooled. After all, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is completely independent; His order is all-powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The servants of Gopinatha became very pleased to hear that in the summer all the sandalwood pulp would be used to anoint the body of Gopinatha.<\/p>\n
Madhavendra Puri said, \u201cThese two assistants will regularly grind the sandalwood, and you should also get two other people to help. I shall pay their salary.\u201d<\/p>\n
In this way Gopinathaji was supplied ground sandalwood pulp daily. The servants of Gopinatha were very pleased with this.<\/p>\n
In this way the sandalwood pulp was smeared over the body of Gopinatha until the whole stock was finished. Madhavendra Puri stayed there until that time.<\/p>\n
At the end of summer Madhavendra Puri returned to Jagannatha Puri, where he remained with great pleasure during the whole period of Caturmasya.<\/p>\n
Thus Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally praised [this story was actually told by Lord Chaitanya when He was traveling to Jagannatha Puri and came to the temple of Gopinatha in Remuna on the way] the nectarean characteristics of Madhavendra Puri, and while He related all this to the devotees, He personally relished it.<\/p>\n
Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked Nityananda Prabhu to judge whether there was anyone within the world as fortunate as Madhavendra Puri.<\/p>\n
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, \u201cMadhavendra Puri was so fortunate that Krsna personally appeared before him on the plea of delivering milk. Three times the Lord gave orders to Madhavendra Puri in dreams.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing obliged because of the loving affairs of Madhavendra Puri, Lord Krsna Himself appeared as the Gopala Deity, and, accepting his service, He liberated the whole world.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn account of Madhavendra Puri, Lord Gopinatha stole the pot of sweet rice. Thus He became famous as Ksira-cora [the thief who stole the sweet rice].<\/p>\n
\u201cMadhavendra Puri smeared the sandalwood pulp over the body of Gopinatha, and in this way he was overpowered with love of Godhead.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the provinces of India governed by the Mohammedans, there was much inconvenience in traveling with sandalwood and camphor. Because of this, Madhavendra Puri might have come into trouble. This became known to the Gopala Deity.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lord is very merciful and attached to His devotees, so when Gopinatha was covered with sandalwood pulp, Madhavendra Puri\u2019s labor became successful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Caitanya Mahaprabhu placed the standard of Madhavendra Puri\u2019s intense love before Nityananda Prabhu for judgment. \u201cAll his loving activities are uncommon,\u201d Caitanya Mahaprabhu said. \u201cIndeed, one is struck with wonder to hear of his activities.\u201d<\/p>\n
PURPORT<\/p>\n
When the living entity feels spiritual separation from Krsna (krsna-viraha<\/em>), he has achieved the prime success of life. When one becomes uninterested in material things, he is simply experiencing the other side of attraction for material things. However, feeling separation from Krsna and engaging in the service of the Lord to fulfill His mission constitute the best example of love of Krsna. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to point out this intense love of Krsna exhibited by Madhavendra Puri. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu\u2019s devotees later followed in the footsteps of Madhavendra Puri, serving the Lord without personal considerations.<\/p>\nTEXTS 179\u2013186<\/p>\n
Caitanya Mahaprabhu continued, \u201cSri Madhavendra Puri used to remain alone. He was completely renounced and always very silent. He was uninterested in everything material, and for fear of talking about mundane things, he always lived without a companion.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter receiving the transcendental orders of Gopala, this great personality traveled thousands of miles just to collect sandalwood by begging.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough Madhavendra Puri was hungry, he would not beg food to eat. This renounced person carried a load of sandalwood for the sake of Sri Gopala.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout considering his personal comforts, Madhavendra Puri carried one maund<\/em> [about eighty-two pounds] of sandalwood and twenty tolas<\/em> [about eight ounces] of camphor to smear over the body of Gopala. This transcendental pleasure was sufficient for him.<\/p>\n\u201cSince there were restrictions against taking the sandalwood out of the Orissa province, the toll official confiscated the stock, but Madhavendra Puri showed him the release papers given by the government and consequently escaped difficulties.<\/p>\n
\u201cMadhavendra Puri was not at all anxious during the long journey to Vrndavana through the provinces governed by the Mohammedans and filled with unlimited numbers of watchmen.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough Madhavendra Puri did not have a farthing with him, he was not afraid to pass by the toll officers. His only enjoyment was in carrying the load of sandalwood to Vrndavana for Gopala.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the natural result of intense love of Godhead. The devotee does not consider personal inconveniences or impediments. In all circumstances he wants to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.<\/p>\n
PURPORT<\/p>\n
It is natural for those who have developed intense love for Krsna not to care for personal inconvenience and impediments. Such devotees are simply determined to execute the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His representative, the spiritual master. In all circumstances, even amidst the greatest dangers, they undeviatingly carry on with the greatest determination. This definitely proves the intense love of the servitor. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam<\/em> (10.14.8), tat te \u2019nukampam su-samiksamanah<\/em>: those who seriously desire to get free from the clutches of material existence, who have developed intense love for Krsna, are worthy candidates for going back home, back to Godhead. An intense lover of Krsna does not care for any number of material comforts, scarcity, impediments, or unhappiness. It is said that when one sees apparent unhappiness or distress in a perfect Vaisnava, it is not at all unhappiness for him; rather, it is transcendental bliss. In His Siksastaka<\/em> (8), Caitanya Mahaprabhu has also instructed, aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam<\/em> [Cc<\/em> Antya<\/em> 20.47]. The intense lover of Krsna is never deviated from his service, despite all difficulties and impediments brought before him.<\/p>\nCOMMENT<\/p>\n
Srila Prabhupada also exhibited this mood of intense love for Krishna and willingness to endure any difficulty for the sake of His mission. Once, in 1971, there were a number of difficulties in the Calcutta temple. The temple president had started a business to raise funds for the temple and had become preoccupied with it, and as a result, the temple was being neglected. In spite of the business, the temple was quite poor. It wasn\u2019t the fault of the business; the temple was just very poor. So, the devotees were disturbed, and they were waiting for Srila Prabhupada to come.<\/p>\n
When, eventually, Srila Prabhupada came to Calcutta, he invited all the devotees to come and speak with him. They expressed their concerns\u2014their complaints and grievances\u2014and he listened with great sympathy. Then he appointed three officers and said they should meet every week and discuss all the problems and issues, and whatever they decided should be written down in a book of minutes and be followed.<\/p>\n
But although Srila Prabhupada listened with great, genuine sympathy and concern, at a certain point his mood changed. He said that his policy\u2014his personal policy\u2014was always \u201cEverything for Krishna; nothing for myself.\u201d He said that when he had traveled to America on the Jaladuta, he had suffered two heart attacks and had thought that if he suffered a third he would die. And then when he got to America there had been so many difficulties and he had suffered physically with headaches and ringing in his ears. He said that he had suffered very intensely\u2014\u201cI do not wish to discuss the details.\u201d But, he told us, \u201cI never complained, because my policy was always, \u2018Everything for Krishna; nothing for myself.\u2019 \u201d He said that there would always be difficulties in the material world and that if we became too absorbed with the difficulties, talking about the difficulties, complaining about the difficulties, we would become diverted from our Krishna consciousness; we would become absorbed in mundane talks. So, it is better to remain absorbed in Krishna consciousness and engage in krsna-katha<\/em>.<\/p>\nWhen I think of what Srila Prabhupada said and what he endured, I see that it is not less than what Madhavendra Puri did and endured. Prabhupada\u2019s crossing the Atlantic on the Jaladuta is certainly comparable to Madhavendra Puri\u2019s walking to Jagannatha Puri and starting back to Vrindavan. And the difficulties Prabhupada faced on the way\u2014the seasickness, vomiting, and heart attacks\u2014and then the difficulties he faced in America\u2014moving from place to place, living with hippies who sometimes went crazy on drugs and wanted to attack him\u2014were no less than the difficulties Madhavendra Puri faced with the Mohammedan officers and toll collectors on the way from Puri to Vrindavan. It is the same spirit: intense love for Krishna and manifest externally in a willingness to do anything and everything required for Krishna\u2019s service without personal consideration. Even Prabhupada\u2019s followers, by his mercy and by his immense spiritual presence, were able to act in a similar mood. We might not have had the full realization, but we had the same type of mood of being ready to do whatever was required for Krishna\u2019s service on Prabhupada\u2019s order.<\/p>\n
In many ways, we today are still very close to this most extraordinary personality, to Srila Prabhupada, and we should be mindful of who he was and as much as possible try to take up the same mood\u2014not imitating, but following. I have been listening to Tamal Krishna Goswami\u2019s tapes Matchless Memories<\/em>, and he made a point about taking risks for Krishna, taking risks for spreading Krishna consciousness. When we take risks, he said, we have to depend more on Krishna and that Krishna will manifest Himself to the devotee who takes risks for Him. It doesn\u2019t matter what a devotee\u2019s position is or what a devotee\u2019s service is\u2014it can vary greatly from one devotee to another. Whatever a devotee\u2019s position or service, he or she should be ready to take risks for Krishna. In the course of taking risks for Krishna, the devotee will naturally have to depend on the Lord, and the Lord will reciprocate and the devotee will feel the Lord\u2019s reciprocation and thus their relationship will become firmly established\u2014thick.<\/p>\nTEXTS 187\u2013188<\/p>\n
\u201cSri Gopala wanted to show how intensely Madhavendra Puri loved Krsna; therefore He asked him to go to Nilacala to fetch sandalwood and camphor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith great trouble and after much labor, Madhavendra Puri brought the load of sandalwood to Remuna. However, he was still very pleased; he discounted all the difficulties.<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
That is the nature of the pure servant\u2014that he is always happy in his service, however difficult it may be.<\/p>\n
hantayam adrir abala hari-dasa-varyo
<\/em> yad rama-krsna-carana-sparasa-pramodah
<\/em>manam tanoti saha-go-ganayos tayor yat
<\/em> paniya-suyavasa-kandara-kandamulaih<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cOf all the devotees, this Govardhana Hill is the best! O my friends, this hill supplies Krsna and Balarama, along with Their calves, cows and cowherd friends, with all kinds of necessities\u2014water for drinking, very soft grass, caves, fruits, flowers and vegetables. In this way the hill offers respects to the Lord. Being touched by the lotus feet of Krsna and Balarama, Govardhana Hill appears very jubilant.\u201d (SB<\/em> 10.21.18)<\/p>\nIn this verse, sung by the gopis<\/em>\u2014our acharyas say it was actually sung by Srimati Radharani\u2014they glorify Govardhana Hill as hari-dasa-varyo<\/em>, the best among the servants of Hari, Krishna, and they describe him as pramoda<\/em>, jubilant. He offered his body for the service of the Lord and devotees. Go-ganayos<\/em>. He served not only Krishna and Balarama but go-ganayos<\/em>, the cows and cowherd people, the cowherd boys and the gopis<\/em>, by providing them fresh grass, water, fruits, herbs\u2014so many things. And in doing so, he was pramoda<\/em> (jubilant). When the servant serves the master in a jubilant mood, the master is pleased. Someone may serve in a complaining mood; that\u2019s not so pleasing to the master. But when the servant serves in a happy mood, the master is pleased. And when the servant sees that the master is pleased, he becomes more happy. And when the master sees that the servant is happy, he becomes more pleased. And then the servant becomes happier and the master becomes even happier and the servant becomes happier still\u2014pramoda<\/em>.<\/p>\nMadhavendra Puri had that jubilant mood. Although externally he had to go through so many difficulties, internally he was jubilant, and that pleased Gopala very much.<\/p>\n
TEXT 188<\/p>\n
\u201cWith great trouble and after much labor, Madhavendra Puri brought the load of sandalwood to Remuna. However, he was still very pleased . . .<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
Here the word is ananda<\/em>.<\/p>\nTRANSLATION (concluded)<\/p>\n
. . . he discounted all the difficulties.<\/p>\n
TEXT 189<\/p>\n
\u201cTo test the intense love of Madhavendra Puri, Gopala, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, ordered him to bring sandalwood from Nilacala, and when Madhavendra Puri passed this examination, the Lord became very merciful to him.<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
This is Lord Chaitanya speaking.<\/p>\n
TEXTS 190\u2013193<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch behavior exhibited in loving service between the devotee and the devotee\u2019s lovable object, Sri Krsna, is transcendental. It is not possible for a common man to understand. Common men do not even have the capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n
After saying this, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu read the famous verse of Madhavendra Puri. That verse is just like the moon. It has spread illumination all over the world.<\/p>\n
By continuous rubbing the aroma of Malaya sandalwood increases. Similarly, by considering this verse its importance increases.<\/p>\n
As the Kaustubha-mani is considered the most precious of valuable stones, this verse is similarly considered the best of mellow poems.<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
Rasa-kavya<\/em>\u2014\u201cmellow poems.\u201d<\/p>\nTEXTS 194\u2013195<\/p>\n
Actually this verse was spoken by Srimati Radharani Herself, and by Her mercy only was it manifest in the words of Madhavendra Puri.<\/p>\n
Only Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has tasted the poetry of this verse. No fourth person is capable of understanding it.<\/p>\n
PURPORT<\/p>\n
This indicates that only Srimati Radharani, Madhavendra Puri, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu are capable of understanding the purport of this verse.<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
This is Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami speaking now.<\/p>\n
TEXT 196<\/p>\n
Madhavendra Puri recited this verse again and again at the end of his material existence. Thus uttering this verse, he attained the ultimate goal of life.<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
This is the verse:<\/p>\n
TEXT 197<\/p>\n
ayi dina-dayardra natha he
<\/em> mathura-natha kadavalokyase
<\/em>hrdayam tvad-aloka-kataram
<\/em> dayita bhramyati kim karomy aham<\/em><\/p>\nTRANSLATION<\/p>\n
\u201cO My Lord! O most merciful master! O master of Mathura! When shall I see You again? Because of My not seeing You, My agitated heart has become unsteady. O most beloved one, what shall I do now?\u201d<\/p>\n
PURPORT<\/p>\n
The uncontaminated devotees who strictly depend on the Vedanta philosophy are divided into four sampradayas<\/em>, or transcendental parties. Out of the four sampradayas<\/em>, the Sri Madhvacarya-sampradaya was accepted by Madhavendra Puri. Thus he took sannyasa<\/em> according to the parampara<\/em>, disciplic succession. Beginning from Madhvacarya down to the spiritual master of Madhavendra Puri, the acarya<\/em> named Laksmipati, there was no realization of devotional service in conjugal love. Sri Madhavendra Puri introduced the conception of conjugal love for the first time in the Madhvacarya-sampradaya, and this conclusion of the Madhvacarya-sampradaya was revealed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu when He toured southern India and met the Tattvavadis, who supposedly belonged to the Madhvacarya-sampradaya.<\/p>\nWhen Sri Krsna left Vrndavana and accepted the kingdom of Mathura, Srimati Radharani, out of ecstatic feelings of separation, expressed how Krsna can be loved in separation. Thus devotional service in separation is central to this verse. Worship in separation is considered by the Gaudiya-Madhva-sampradaya to be the topmost level of devotional service. According to this conception, the devotee thinks of himself as very poor and neglected by the Lord. Thus he addresses the Lord as dina-dayardra natha<\/em>, as did Madhavendra Puri. Such an ecstatic feeling is the highest form of devotional service. Because Krsna had gone to Mathura, Srimati Radharani was very much affected, and She expressed Herself thus: \u201cMy dear Lord, because of Your separation My mind has become overly agitated. Now tell Me, what can I do? I am very poor and You are very merciful, so kindly have compassion upon Me and let Me know when I shall see You.\u201d Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was always expressing the ecstatic emotions of Srimati Radharani that She exhibited when She saw Uddhava at Vrndavana. Similar feelings, experienced by Madhavendra Puri, are expressed in this verse. Therefore, Vaisnavas in the Gaudiya-Madhva-sampradaya say that the ecstatic feelings experienced by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu during His appearance came from Sri Madhavendra Puri through Isvara Puri. All the devotees in the line of the Gaudiya-Madhva-sampradaya accept these principles of devotional service.<\/p>\nCOMMENT<\/p>\n
As we read about how Madhavendra Puri would take darshan of the Deities in the temples, Gopinatha in Remuna and Jagannatha in Puri\u2014how he would chant and dance in ecstasy, how he would fall to the ground and rise up again\u2014we are reminded of Lord Chaitanya and how He would chant and dance in ecstasy when He would see various Deities in different temples and especially when He saw Lord Jagannatha in Nilacala. That external manifestation of love of Godhead comes from the internal state of love of Godhead of separation from Krishna and ecstasy in meeting Him. That is the mood of Radharani, and Madhavendra Puri had that mood, and through disciplic succession that mood was conveyed through Isvara Puri to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. So Madhavendra Puri is really the origin of that mood of separation from Krishna in the mood of Radharani after Krishna left Vrindavan. Madhavendra Puri is so important.<\/p>\n
TEXTS 198\u2013203<\/p>\n
When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu recited this verse, He immediately fell to the ground unconscious. He was overwhelmed and had no control over Himself.<\/p>\n
When Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu fell to the ground in ecstatic love, Lord Nityananda took Him on His lap. Crying, Caitanya Mahaprabhu then got up again.<\/p>\n
Exhibiting ecstatic emotions, the Lord began to run here and there, making resounding noises. Sometimes He laughed, and sometimes cried, and sometimes danced and sang.<\/p>\n
Caitanya Mahaprabhu could not recite the whole verse. He simply said, \u201cAyi dina! Ayi dina!<\/em>\u201d repeatedly. Thus He could not speak, and profuse tears were in His eyes.<\/p>\nTrembling, perspiration, jubilant tears, shock, fading of the bodily luster, disappointment, moroseness, loss of memory, pride, joy, and humility were all visible in Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu\u2019s body.<\/p>\n
This verse uncovered the door of ecstatic love, and when it was exhibited, the servants of Gopinatha saw Caitanya Mahaprabhu dance in ecstasy.<\/p>\n
COMMENT<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a little bit more, but I think we\u2019ll conclude the reading. Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami says:<\/p>\n
TEXT 211<\/p>\n
ei ta\u2019 akhyane kahila donhara mahima
<\/em>prabhura bhakta-vatsalya, ara bhakta-prema-sima<\/em><\/p>\nTRANSLATION<\/p>\n
Thus I have described both the transcendental glories of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu\u2019s affection for His devotees and the highest limit of ecstatic love of God.<\/p>\n
TEXT 212<\/p>\n
sraddha-yukta hana iha sune yei jana
<\/em>sri-krsna-carane sei paya prema-dhana<\/em><\/p>\nTRANSLATION<\/p>\n
One who hears this narration with faith and devotion attains the treasure of love of Godhead at the lotus feet of Sri Krsna.<\/p>\n
TEXT 213<\/p>\n
sri-rupa-raghunatha-pade yara asa
<\/em>caitanya-caritamrta kahe krsnadasa<\/em><\/p>\nTRANSLATION<\/p>\n
Praying at the lotus feet of Sri Rupa and Sri Raghunatha, always desiring their mercy, I, Krsnadasa, narrate Sri Caitanya-caritamrta<\/em>, following in their footsteps.<\/p>\nThus end the Bhaktivedanta purports to Sri Caitanya-caritamrta<\/em>, Madhya-lila<\/em>, Fourth Chapter, describing Sri Madhavendra Puri\u2019s devotional service.<\/p>\nCOMMENT<\/p>\n
I will be leaving Dallas now. That\u2019s definitely in line with the mood of separation: I feel separation from Sri Sri Radha-Kalachandji and Their servants. But I am sure the separation will purify me and inspire me for my return journey in six weeks, which sounds like six millennia right now. And in the meantime, we will try to take shelter of the holy names and the devotees. Hare Krishna.<\/p>\n[A talk by Giriraj Swami on April 28, 2009, in Dallas]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
![](\"https:\/\/i.imgur.com\/Mu7lpFP.jpg)
By Giriraj Swami<\/strong><\/p>\nAs we read about how Madhavendra Puri would take darshan of the Deities in the temples, Gopinatha in Remuna and Jagannatha in Puri\u2014how he would chant and dance in ecstasy, how he would fall to the ground and rise up again\u2014we are reminded of Lord Chaitanya and how He would chant and dance in ecstasy when He would see various Deities in different temples and especially when He saw Lord Jagannatha in Nilacala. That external manifestation of love of Godhead comes from the internal state of love of Godhead of separation from Krishna and ecstasy in meeting Him. That is the mood of Radharani, and Madhavendra Puri had that mood, and through disciplic succession that mood was conveyed through Isvara Puri to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. So Madhavendra Puri is really the origin of that mood of separation from Krishna in the mood of Radharani after Krishna left Vrindavan. Madhavendra Puri is so important. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-95410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=95410"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95428,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95410\/revisions\/95428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=95410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=95410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=95410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/p>\n