Spontaneous Love - Jagadananda Pandita
[Antya 12 & 13]
As with previous years, the devotees from Bengal came to see Sri Caitanya in Jagannatha Puri. Although it was a difficult journey, their intense love spontaneously drew them there. Infused with the same deep affection, Nityananda and Advaita also came to Jagannatha Puri, even though Sri Caitanya had forbade them to leave their places of preaching. Such single-minded attraction actually conquered the Lord’s heart.
When Jagadananda Pandita inappropriately instructed Sanatana Goswami, Sri Caitanya became angry and sent him away from Puri. Jagadananda returned the following year with a gift of scented oil, but as a strict sannyasi Sri Caitanya refused to personally use it, instead instructing Govinda to utilise it in the worship of Lord Jagannatha. When Govinda again offered the oil on Jagadananda’s plea, Sri Caitanya became agitated, insisting that his sannyasa principles not be compromised. Out of transcendental anger, Jagadananda came before the Lord, smashed the pot of oil, and then angrily locked himself in his room. To lovingly pacify the irate Jagadananda, Sri Caitanya requested him to cook a grand feast. Jagadananda prepared and served the prasadam with great enthusiasm, and Sri Caitanya relished the variety of preparations, eating ten times more than normal!
Considering it unbefitting for a sannyasi, Sri Caitanya refused to use a quilt and pillow that Jagadananda had made for Him. Later, when Sri Caitanya accepted a different pillow made by Svarupa Damodara, Jagadananda became incensed and requested permission to leave Puri and visit Vrindavana. Since Sri Caitanya thoroughly relished these loving interactions with Jagadananda, which were free from reverence and formality, He requested Jagadananda to stay. Later, however, He consented, offering instruction and advice on how Jagadananda should conduct his pilgrimage. Jagadananda thus spent two months with Sanatana Goswami in Vrindavana and later returned to Jagannatha Puri with more gifts.
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