Caitanya Caritamrta Compact
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  • Welcome to Caitanya Caritamrta Compact Online!
  • The Flow Of Nectar
  • Copyright
  • Dedication
  • Contents
  • Introduction
    • The God who Dances
    • Postgraduate Spirituality
    • A Humble Offering
  • Overview
    • Breakdown of Sri Chaitanya's Life
    • Layout of Book
  • ADI-LILA
    • Invocation
      • Auspicious Prayers
      • A Safe God
      • The Golden Opportunity
      • Five Stars
      • Writing Chaitanya-Charitamrita
      • The Desire Tree
    • Incarnation
      • The Rising Sun
      • Greatness and Sweetness
    • Education
      • Life Lessons
      • The Greatest Scholar
    • Transformation
      • The Turning Point
      • Birth of Kirtan
      • Exhibitions of Divinity
      • Overcoming the Opposition
      • The World is My Family
  • MADHYA-LILA
    • Renunciation
      • Snapshot
      • An Emotional Meeting
      • Lessons on the Road to Puri
      • Sarvabhauma’s Salvation
    • Propagation
      • The South Indian Tour
      • Returning to HQ
      • Preparations for Rathayatra
      • The Ecstatic Festival of Chariots
      • King Prataparudra’s Strong Desire
      • Expanding the Mercy
    • Aspiration
      • An Unfulfilled Aspiration
      • The Journey Home
      • Vraja Mandala Parikrama
    • Organisation
      • Systematic Documentation
      • Rupa and Sanatana’s Escape
      • Teachings to Rupa Goswami
      • Teachings to Sanatana Goswami
      • Essential Instructions to the Goswamis
      • Prakashananda and the Mayavada Sannyasis
  • ANTYA-LILA
    • Appreciation
      • Humility and Empowerment – Rupa Goswami
      • Devotion – Pradyumna Brahmachari
      • Pure Chanting – Haridas Thakur
      • Surrender and Vaishnava Etiquette – Sanatana Goswami
      • Renunciation – Raghunath das Goswami
      • Remembrance of Krishna – Gopinath & Vaninath
      • Service Attitude – Govinda
      • Spontaneous Love - Jagadananda Pandita
      • Following instructions – Raghunath Bhatta Goswami
    • Correction
      • Inappropriate Association - Chota Haridas
      • Dangers of Mayavada Philosophy – Bhagavan Acharya & Bengali poet
      • Criticism and Faultfinding – Damodara Pandita & Ramachandra Puri
      • Superficial Discrimination – Pradyumna Mishra
      • Respecting Teachers – Vallabha Bhatta
    • Intoxication
      • Feelings of Separation
      • Lessons in Eagerness
      • Instances of Ecstacy
    • Instruction
      • Shikshastakam
      • Closing Pastimes
      • Concluding Words
  • APPENDIX
    • Cover
    • Mangalacharana Breakdown
    • Ramananda-Samvada
    • CC Family Tree
    • Shikshastakam Breakdown
    • References & Extra Reading
    • End Notes
    • Shri Chaitanya's Travels
    • The Author
    • Wisdom That Breathes
    • Support this work
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  1. MADHYA-LILA
  2. Propagation

King Prataparudra’s Strong Desire

[Madhya 10-14]

PreviousThe Ecstatic Festival of ChariotsNextExpanding the Mercy

Last updated 1 year ago

Maharaja Prataparudra was the King of Orissa, and though a powerful political figure, was also a meek and humble Vaishnava. Chapters Ten to Fourteen describe his ardent desire to meet Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and the various means he employed to receive that special audience.

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After hearing about Shri Chaitanya, Prataparudra requested Sarvabhauma to arrange a personal interview with Him. As a renunciant, however, Shri Chaitanya strictly avoided the intimate company of those involved in worldly affairs. Nevertheless, Sarvabhauma agreed to place the request before Shri Chaitanya upon His return from South India. Prataparudra was happy to wait, and arranged the house of Kasi Mishra as a suitable residence for Shri Chaitanya in Jagannatha Puri.

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When Shri Chaitanya arrived back, Sarvabhauma welcomed Him and waited for an opportune moment to present Prataparudra’s request. When he did, Shri Chaitanya flatly refused, adamant that it was inappropriate for a renunciant to meet royalty. Sarvabhauma explained that the King was a great devotee, but Shri Chaitanya was not willing to budge. Later, Ramananda Raya arrived in Jagannatha Puri to reside with Shri Chaitanya, having been granted full retirement from government duties by Prataparudra. Ramananda thus began to express his immense gratitude for the king’s magnanimity and broadmindedness. Shri Chaitanya appreciated the king’s selfless service, and assured Ramananda that it would bring him great fortune. Meanwhile, however, Prataparudra was devastated by Shri Chaitanya’s refusal to see him and resolved to end his life. Sarvabhauma requested the king to be patient, advising him to meet Shri Chaitanya at the conclusion of the Rathayatra.

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Prataparudra eagerly requested the devotees to submit another petition to Shri Chaitanya on his behalf. Headed by Sarvabhauma, they went to the residence of Shri Chaitanya and again expressed the intense desire of the king. Although Shri Chaitanya’s heart was softened, He was still hesitant. When Nityananda suggested that the Lord send His garment as a consolation, Shri Chaitanya agreed, and Prataparudra was very happy to receive it. Later, when Ramananda petitioned on behalf of Prataparudra, Shri Chaitanya agreed to meet the king’s son, explaining that meeting the son was as good as meeting the father. Although grateful for these gifts of mercy, Prataparudra still yearned for a personal audience with his worshipable Lord.

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On the day of Rathayatra, Prataparudra spontaneously swept in front of Lord Jagannatha’s cart. Shri Chaitanya was pleased with his meek and humble approach and thus awarded Prataparudra a transcendental vision during the procession. As the carts progressed towards Gundicha, Shri Chaitanya fell to the ground in ecstasy and Prataparudra spontaneously caught Him. The Lord feigned anger to instruct His associates, and though the king became fearful, Sarvabhauma reassured him that everything would work out.

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At the conclusion of the procession, Shri Chaitanya went to rest in the Gundicha gardens. Dressed as a common man, Prataparudra arrived there and began massaging Shri Chaitanya’s feet. When he recited the exquisite verses from the Tenth Canto of Shrimad-Bhagavatam, Shri Chaitanya went into an ecstatic state and spontaneously embraced him. Prataparudra was overjoyed, knowing that he had finally received the full mercy of the Lord.

The saga of Maharaja Prataparudra is very instructive for all spiritual practitioners. His ultimate success was due to three principle qualities which he perfectly embodied:

• Desire: the king developed a burning desire to see Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Fully convinced that his kingdom, wealth, power and position could not bring him happiness, he instead switched his focus towards the spiritual.

• Direction: in his endeavours for spiritual success, the king enlisted the help of saintly persons. Such spiritual company offers guidance, inspiration and access to God. Their devotional fervour can overflow onto us and their good wishes can attract divine attention.

• Determination: Prataparudra possessed unbreakable determination and perseverance, and all setbacks simply fuelled his spiritual desire. Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal. Without determination and focus, even small and insignificant issues can seem like insurmountable stumbling blocks in our spiritual journey.

10.1-10.23
11.1-11.60
12.1-12.68
13.52
13.62
13.180
13.188
14.1-14.22