An Emotional Meeting
[Madhya 3]
Having completed his introductory summaries, Krishnadasa proceeds to the main narration. After His sannyasa ceremony, Shri Chaitanya recited the famous verse which describes the spirit of renunciation; to fully engage one’s body, mind and words in the service of Krishna, and thereby cross the ocean of material existence . Thus, although He accepted the sannyasa order in a tradition that advocated impersonalism, Shri Chaitanya established unmotivated and uninterrupted devotional service as the supreme perfection of life.
As a Vaishnava renunciant, Shri Chaitanya’s natural inclination was to travel towards Vrindavana. Nityananda Prabhu, however, misdirected Him to Shantipur so His friends and family could see Him once again. Absorbed in spiritual stupor, Shri Chaitanya arrived at the Ganges under the impression that it was the Yamuna. Upon seeing Advaita Acharya waiting in a boat, Shri Chaitanya was puzzled and inquired how he had come to Vrindavana. The Acharya famously replied, “Wherever You are, that is Vrindavana!” Shri Chaitanya understood He had been tricked, and Advaita Acharya immediately took the Lord to his home, where a variety of delicious foods had been prepared. While the new renunciant was hesitant to accept the opulent feast due to His strict sannyasa vows, Nityananda Prabhu angrily demanded more! The loving quarrels between Advaita and Nityananda demonstrate how spiritual life is full of individuality, humour and joyful exchange.
When the locals heard of Shri Chaitanya’s arrival, they flocked to Advaita Acharya’s home. There was a spontaneous festival of chanting, dancing and feasting, causing an eruption of emotion that was never seen before. When Shri Chaitanya would collapse in ecstasy, Mukunda would recite devotional stanzas which further enraptured the Lord. To everyone’s delight, the spontaneous festival continued for ten days.
Thereafter, Chandrashekhar seated Sachimata on a palanquin and brought her to Advaita’s house. Ordinarily, a sannyasi would strictly refuse to see family members, but Shri Chaitanya made an exception in this case. Feeling the natural affection of a mother, Sachimata cried to see her son in the garb of a renunciant. Shri Chaitanya lovingly pacified her, humbly submitting that He was ready to fulfil her wishes. She first requested the exclusive privilege of cooking for Him while He remained in Shantipur. Understanding He would eventually leave, she then requested Shri Chaitanya to make Jagannatha Puri His headquarters. Since devotees from Navadvip would frequently visit Jagannatha Puri, this arrangement would ensure she regularly received news of her son. Shri Chaitanya gladly fulfilled both desires.
After pacifying His Navadvip associates and respectfully circumambulating His mother, Shri Chaitanya began His journey to Jagannatha Puri. As the reality of His renunciation dawned, there was tumultuous crying in the home of Advaita Acharya. Their lives would never be the same again. Shri Chaitanya was unmoved, and, accompanied by Nityananda Prabhu, Jagadananda Pandita, Damodara Pandita and Mukunda Datta, He resolutely travelled toward Jagannatha Puri.
This world is likened to a river of names; floating strands of straw join for some time, but downstream they all separate and go their own ways. On the soul’s journey through different bodies, we form relationships with others, yet the passage of time invariably changes everything. Even if people stay together for decades, the inevitability of death will separate them.
That said, we should be careful not to neglect relationships, thinking them to be temporary, mundane and inconsequential. The spiritual world is not impersonal – it’s a place of spiritual emotions, deep friendships and loving interactions. How can we enter that realm if we haven’t learnt the art of relationships here? Genuine spiritualists transcend the world and simultaneously remain completely ‘down to earth.’ They lovingly engage with others, seeing them as spirit souls in relation to God. This helps them to be detached without being irresponsible, to embody spiritual gravity without being cold and impersonal, and to maintain a philosophical outlook without losing sight of human emotion. Shri Chaitanya’s interactions with Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Acharya and Sachimata demonstrate the beauty of spiritual relationships.
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