Returning to HQ
[Madhya 10]
Note: The beginning sections of Chapters 10-14 narrate the story of King Prataparudra. This entire episode will be discussed later in this chapter.
Having extensively toured South India, Sri Caitanya now focused His energies on cementing the sankirtana movement in Jagannatha Puri. Maharaja Prataparudra, the King of Orissa, had arranged residence for Sri Caitanya at Kasi Misra’s home, where the community of devotees all came to meet Him. After that jubilant meeting, Sri Caitanya ordered the errant Kala Krishnadasa, His personal servant who had been allured by tribal women, to discontinue his service. Feeling compassion for Krishnadasa, the devotees proposed he travel to Navadvip and inform the community that Sri Caitanya had arrived in Puri. In this way, Krishnadasa would remain in the association of devotees.
Arriving in Navadvip, Kala Krishnadasa excitedly informed everyone of Sri Caitanya’s return to Jagannatha Puri. They immediately prepared to visit. Two special personalities travelled with them:
• Svarupa Damodara – formerly known as Purushottama Acarya, he possessed a profound understanding of Krishna’s qualities, activities and relationships. Being expert in the nuances of transcendental mellow, Svarupa eventually became the personal secretary of Sri Caitanya, assisting the Lord in times of devotional ecstasy.
• Govinda das – was a humble disciple of Isvara Puri, who was instructed to become Sri Caitanya’s personal servant. Sri Caitanya reluctantly accepted this service from His godbrother, and Govinda became a shining emblem of selflessness and unwavering dedication.
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