Lessons in Eagerness

Antya 14 and 16

Nestled in these ecstatic narrations are some instructive stories on the quality of eagerness and enthusiasm. This eagerness is the natural characteristic of an advanced Vaishnava, and the cultivation of such eagerness is the fuel which drives forward our spiritual journey.

[14.17-14.30]

Woman from Orissa – when she entered the Jagannatha Temple, her intense desire to see the Deity prompted her to climb onto the Garuda Stambha by placing her foot on Shri Chaitanya’s shoulder! Both acts were a serious breach of etiquette, and Govinda immediately went to correct her. Shri Chaitanya, however, interjected, and instead appreciated her great eagerness to see Lord Jagannatha, praying that He develop a similar enthusiasm. She finally came to her senses, realised her mistake, and quickly stepped down, begging forgiveness for her unconventional behaviour.

[16.1-16.64]

Kalidasa – was the uncle of Raghunath das Goswami who visited Jagannatha Puri along with the Bengali Vaishnavas. In addition to his incessant chanting, he was renowned for his great eagerness to honour the prasadam remnants of Vaishnavas. He would hide while the Vaishnavas ate, and then secretly relish the leftovers from their rejected plates. Once, he ate the remnants of the saintly Jhadu Thakur, and later received great mercy from Shri Chaitanya for his enthusiastic disposition. He even managed to drink the water that had washed Shri Chaitanya’s feet, thus accruing valuable spiritual blessings.

The Orissan woman was so eager to see the Deity that she climbed onto the Garuda Stambha by placing her foot on Shri Chaitanya’s shoulder.