The World is My Family
[Adi 17]
[17.247-17.274]
One day, absorbed in the sentiments of Krishna’s greatest devotees, Nimai began chanting “Gopi! Gopi!” When a young student overheard this he rebuked Nimai, instructing Him to chant Krishna’s names instead. Nimai was taken aback by the boy’s impudence and angrily chased him away, but this only aggravated the situation further. The boy told all his friends who then launched a barrage of criticism against Nimai. Troubled by their immature disregard, Nimai considered that He may have to adjust his social position to command more respect. Accepting the order of sannyasa (renunciation) would offer Him greater authority, and people would be more inclined to submissively hear from Him. Life as an itinerant preacher would open up many more opportunities to inundate the world with the chanting of Krishna’s name. It was a painful choice, but one that Nimai deemed necessary. Aged twenty-four, Nimai travelled to Katwa to meet the great saint Keshava Bharati. In the company of a few intimate followers and friends, He shaved His head, donned saffron robes, severed Himself from all social ties, and entered the order of sannyasa. He would now be known as Shri Krishna Chaitanya.
Although Nimai had made considerable missionary progress in Navadvip, His vision for the sankirtan movement was much bigger. To facilitate this expansion and increase His circle of influence, Nimai decided to formally accept the sannyasa order of life. His mother and wife wept bitterly when they heard of His plans – Vishnupriya was only 16 years old, and Sachimata over 70. Though soft in heart, Nimai was also a strong person in principle. He was determined to give up the small world of family life, and instead embrace the entire world as His family.
Although scriptural injunctions forbid the acceptance of sannyasa in kali-yuga, Shri Chaitanya nevertheless proceeded. His higher purpose was to uplift humanity through spiritual welfare work, and thus He was not subject to this restriction. Interestingly, Shri Chaitanya deliberately accepted the sannyasa initiation in an impersonal tradition, although He was vehemently opposed to impersonal philosophy. This affiliation was strategically planned, since it would afford Him greater opportunities and authority to preach. Above and beyond everything, Shri Chaitanya wanted to inundate the world with love of Krishna.
This concludes the Adi-Lila of Chaitanya-Charitamrita, which closes with the two most transformative junctures in Shri Chaitanya’s life: His mantra-initiation from Ishvara Puri, which infused Him with the nectar of the holy name, and His sannyasa-initiation from Keshava Bharati, which marked the beginning of His extensive travelling and preaching. These historic events set the scene for the Madhya-Lila.
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