Service Attitude – Govinda
[Antya 10 & 13]
After meeting the devotees at Narendra Sarovar, Sri Caitanya engaged everyone in congregational chanting and began to dance in unbounded ecstasy. The kirtan continued for a long time, and seeing everyone gradually become fatigued, Sri Caitanya eventually stopped. He then took prasadam and lay down to rest in the doorway of the Gambhira.
Every day, after Sri Caitanya had finished honouring prasadam, His servant Govinda would come to massage His legs and thereafter accept the Lord’s remnants as his meal. On this occasion, however, he couldn’t get into the room because Sri Caitanya was blocking the entrance. He repeatedly requested the Lord to move to one side, but Sri Caitanya flatly refused. Govinda then reluctantly stepped over Sri Caitanya’s body – an act which is generally considered a serious breach of etiquette. He proceeded to massage the Lord’s legs, and patiently waited till the Lord awoke. When He did, Sri Caitanya questioned why he had not taken prasadam. Govinda replied that Sri Caitanya was blocking the door and that he could not pass through to reach the prasadam. Although Govinda stepped over Sri Caitanya’s body for the purpose of service, he refused to step back over the Lord’s body for his own ends. Thus, the glory of Govinda’s service attitude became known to all. Govinda continued to oversee the arrangements for Sri Caitanya’s daily meals whilst the Lord resided in Puri.
Once, Sri Caitanya heard someone beautifully singing the Gita-govinda, and was spontaneously drawn toward the voice. When He began running in the direction of the singer, Govinda quickly intercepted and grabbed Sri Caitanya, explaining that it was a lady who was singing. Sri Caitanya was deeply grateful for Govinda’s ever-alert service attitude, and requested His godbrother to always remain by His side for protection.
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