An Emotional Meeting
[Madhya 3]
Having completed his introductory summaries, Krishnadasa proceeds to the main narration. After His sannyasa ceremony, Sri Caitanya 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, Sri Caitanya established unmotivated and uninterrupted devotional service as the supreme perfection of life.
As a Vaisnava renunciant, Sri Caitanya’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, Sri Caitanya arrived at the Ganges under the impression that it was the Yamuna. Upon seeing Advaita Acarya waiting in a boat, Sri Caitanya was puzzled and inquired how he had come to Vrindavana. The Acarya famously replied, “Wherever You are, that is Vrindavana!” Sri Caitanya understood He had been tricked, and Advaita Acarya 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 Sri Caitanya’s arrival, they flocked to Advaita Acarya’s home. There was a spontaneous festival of chanting, dancing and feasting, causing an eruption of emotion that was never seen before. When Sri Caitanya 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 Sri Caitanya 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. Sri Caitanya 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 Sri Caitanya 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. Sri Caitanya gladly fulfilled both desires.
After pacifying His Navadvip associates and respectfully circumambulating His mother, Sri Caitanya began His journey to Jagannatha Puri. As the reality of His renunciation dawned, there was tumultuous crying in the home of Advaita Acarya. Their lives would never be the same again. Sri Caitanya 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 illusory. 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 uninterested, to embody spiritual gravity without being cold and impersonal, and to maintain a philosophical outlook without losing sight of human emotion. Sri Caitanya’s interactions with Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Acarya and Sachimata demonstrate the beauty of spiritual relationships.
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