Chapter Summary - Chaitanya-bhagavata - Adi-khanda Ch. 16
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The degraded nature of society is described throughout the entire
chapter as His Holiness Haridasa Thakura is introduced.

Brief Summary:  

This is  the longest chapter of the Adi Lila, full of nectar, 7 blessings, and amazements as the author introduced us to Haridasa Thakura, a Muslim devotee of Lord Krishna.  There are many details about Haridasa Thakura written here, and in each one the shining brilliance of Haridasa Thakura's pure heart and love for Lord Krishna shines brightly.  I found myself not wanting the chapter to end.  In rapid order in this summary, areas described are Haridasa's punishment by the Muslim government; his eventual freedom and forgiveness; his taking up residence in a snake-polluted cave, his pastime with a snake charmer; confronting evil bramanas who confronted him for chanting the Holy Names loudly and their eventual  fate; and finally Haridasa's arrival in Nabadwip.     

Most Memorable:  

Srila Haridasa Thakura passed his time wandering on the banks of the Ganga chanting the name of the Supreme Lord Krishna. Haridasa had absolutely no attraction for material enjoyment. The Holy Name of Lord Krishna
continuously vibrated on his tongue, creating an extraordinary beauty about his mouth. Never for a moment did he feel any apathy towards his chanting of the Holy Name of Krishna; he remained absorbed, tasting the nectar of devotional service. He occassionally danced in ecstasy or cried in lamentation while other times he lay still in a state of unconsciousness. Sometimes he spoke in mysterious languages, and later explained the meaning of his words. All the ecstatic symptoms of love of Krishna were manifest in him - profuse crying horripilation, laughing, fainting, perspiring, etc. It was common to see Srila Dasa Thakura dancing while he sang the glories of Lord Krishna's Name. People would gather around him just to see the unrestricted tears of love of Godhead that flowed profusely from his eyes, drenching his entire body. Even the strictest atheists marveled at his behavior.
Horripilations swelled across his body like thousands of blooming flowers and even Lord Brahma and
Lord Siva were amazed by his devotion; ...Haridasa had already drowned in the ocean of love of
Lord Krishna, and he had no perception of the world around him. He knew not if he were still
embodied, or wandering somewhere in the universe, or deep in the water of the Ganga. Just like
Prahlad Maharaja, Haridasa Thakur had the spiritual ability to constantly remember the Supreme Lord.
Such an extraordinary capability was not surprising for Haridasa's heart was the permanent residence
of Lord Gaura Chandra; ..."I have been living in this cave for a long time, and I have never been inconvenienced by these vapors you speak of," replied Haridasa. "But if none of you can remain in the cave and it causes you such distress, then I shall leave here tomorrow. If it is true that a snake lives here, and if he doesn't leave by
tomorrow, then I shall certainly go. I can assure you that one of us will leave this cave by tomorrow.
Please do not worry about this problem any longer. I am concerned that all of you not waste your time
in futile, mundane talks; every moment should be utilized discussing topics on Krishna consciousness.  In the course of this discussion, a miracle occurred. Evening had gradually descended around the brahmanas and Haridasa when the snake slithered out of its hole. Its huge, frightning body, crossed with effulgent red, yellow and blue stripes and crowned with a brilliant gem, slid quietly past the brahmanas and left the cave forever.;" ...The brahmana threw himself on the ground and feigned unconsciousness as though he had fallen into
trance. But as soon as he touched the ground, the dancing snake charmer became furious, picked up a
stick and began beating the brahmana relentlessly. He struck him again and again on every part of his
body until the brahmana, howling in agony, got up and ran away just to save his life; ...

Quiz: (see answers below)

1.  Both in the beginning and end of this chapter, Vaishnava's are strongly rebuked by the irreligious of their day.  What is a constant theme in their chastisement of the devotees?

A.  That they are not actual scholars
B.  That they beg food to fill their bellies
C.  That their activities are not authorized
D.  That they only chant to attract low-class women into their camp.

2.  What village was Srila Haridasa Thakura born in?

A. Budhana
B. Hari Nadi
C. Phulia
D. Nabadwip

3.  Even though suffering abuse, during this period the Vaishnava devotees would still gather. In what manner did they gather?

A.  They would chant loudly at all the places of bathing to purify the general populace.
B.  They would go from temple to temple loudly chanting the Holy Names.
C.  They had a secrete hiding place deep in the forest where they would meet and read.
D.   They would gathter away from the public view, to clap their hands and chant the holy name in ecstasy.

4.  How was it possible that Haridasa Thakura did not suffer while being beat in 22 market places?

A.  Because one of his fellow prisoners gave Haridasa a special mantra to chant that would make him not feel pain.
B. Haridasa Thakura was so absorbed was he in the fervent chanting that he did not feel any pain. 
C. Because the guards that beat him knew that Haridasa was a great saint and did not use much force when punishing him.
D. Haridasa has the mystic ability to go unconscious whenever he wanted and after the first market-place beating he used this ability to escape noticing what was happening to him.

5. What was Haridasa's attitude toward the men who were beating him?

A.  Throughout his ordeal, Haridasa's one emotion was pity for the sentries. "O Lord Krishna, please
be merciful upon these poor souls so they may not be punished.
B.  Since Lord Krishna did not personally appear and stop his beating, Haridasa felt abandoned and all alone.
C.  Unable to stop the men, Haridasa felt great sorrow.
D.  In extreme anger, Haridasa cursed each one to eternal hell.

6.  What lesson was taught by the events of Haridasa being whipped in 22 market places?

A.  That everyone must suffer eventually.
B.  That mystic powers can overcome pain.
C.  To forgive no matter what is the offense.
D.  Despite the extreme miseries of life, one must never stop chanting the name of Krishna.

7.  What other great historical figure also prayed to God asking Him to forgive his tormentors?

A.  Buddha
B.  Jesus Christ
C.  Mohammed
D.  Dali Lama

8.  Why did Haridasa Thakura think he deserved the punishment he had to endure by the Muslim rulers?

A.  Because he was born a Muslim
B.  Because of his sinful activities in a previous birth.
C.  Because it was the will of Allah that he be punished for worshiping a lesser God.
D.  Because he had listened to blasphemy of his Lord (Krishna) when held captive and confronted by the Muslim rulers.

9. After the incident with the Muslim rulers, where did Haridasa move to?

A.  A cottage in the forest.
B.  A cave along the bank of a river.
C.  A nice house that was given to him by the Muslim ruler.
D.  Under a tree.

10. There was a horrible, vaporous stench coming from Haridasa's new home.  What was the cause of this?
 
A.  A snake
B.  A dead water buffalo
C.  A sulfur spring under the cave
D.  By his mystic powers, Haridasa was burning off all the sinful reactions that had accumulated over millions of births.  As these sinful reactions left, the emitted a horrible smell.

11.  Visitors who came the cave were unable to stay due to the horrible vapors.  What was Haridasa's biggest concern for his guest.

A.  That his guest would begin to think he was mad because he was never bothered by any vapors while his guest complained bitterly.
B.  That his guest not waste their time in futile, mundane talks (about the condition of his cave) because he said that instead, every moment should be utilized discussing topics on Krishna Consciousness.
C.  That soon he would never have any visitors.
D.  That they would become sickened by the vapors.

12. What does Krishna do when he sees Srila Haridasa Thakura? 

A.  Falls down in front of him. 
B.  The Lord immediately starts to chant Vedic Hymns.
C.  The Lord dances.
D.  He summons Balarama.

13. Why did such an elevated soul as Haridasa take birth as a Muslum?

A.  The Muslim ruler was actually a great devotee of the Lord and Haridasa's birth was arranged by the Lord just so that the two would meet, thus fulfilling an old boon that had been given the Nawab in a previous yuga.
B.  To be an example to devotees on how to be humble.
C.  So that finally, due to this one, last act, Haridasa would be free of all karmic reactions and be eligible to later meet Lord Chaitanya.
D.  Just to teach human society that material designations like caste, creed, birth status, and family position are all
 illusory and pursuing them is futile.

14.   One day Haridasa came upon a snake charmer and before long Haridasa was displaying all the ecstatic symptoms of Love of God.  What brought this about?

A.  The same snake that had been living in his cave had now been captured by the snake charmer and upon seeing his old friend, who was actually Ananta Sesha, Haridasa was overcome by love of God
B.  The snake charmer's flute playing reminded Haridasa of Lord Krishna playing the flute and thus rembering Lord Krishna, Haridasa began to dance.
C.  Although the snake charmer was an ordinary human being, by the influence of his mantra he could dance as though he were possessed by the spirit of the king of thesnakes, Ananta Sesha. With an enchanting melody he sang about the pastime of Lord Krishna in the lake called Kalidasha where the Lord vanquished an evil serpent called Kalia.  Haridasa listened intently to the pastime of his beloved Lord Krishna, and suddenly moved by ecstasy, he fell unconscious to the ground.
D.  The mantra that the snake charmer was chanting was actually a the same mantra that Krishna had given Haridasa in a previous birth with the benediction that one day he would hear it again and when he did, love of God would spontaneously manifest within his body.

15.  People in often taunted and jeered the Vaishnavas who simply wanted to engage in kirtan.  Why was this?

A.  Because of a general apathy toward the Holy Name, the mood of devotional service was absent.
B.  Because of the influence of Kali Yuga.
C.  Because the sound of the Kirtan kept them awake and made their children upset.
D.  Because chanting loudly was not the custom of the land.

16.  Villages often threw very strong arguments toward the devotees of the Lord, proving that their loud chanting was wrong.  What was the case they used in their effort to prevent the Vaishnavas from chanting?

A. They would show them a verse from the Puranas that glorified the virtues of silent meditation.
B. They would often cite the example of Lord Shiva who always sat in silent meditation and was worshiped throughout India.
C.  They would challenge the Vaishnavas to show them where in the Scriptures loud chanting was encouraged.
D. That Lord Vishnu takes rest during the rainy season and that they will just disturb Him, and in irritation He will send some natural calamity.

17. What is the principle effect of chanting the Name of God loudly?

A.   The principle effect of chanting the name of God loudly is that will excuse one of any sinful act.
B.   The principle effect of chanting the name of God loudly is that any animal who hears the Holy Name being chanted will get a human birth it's next life. 
C.   The principle effect of chanting the name of God loudly is that it forces the Lord to descend to the earth.
D.   The principle effect of chanting the name of God loudly is that it purifies the soul one thousand times more than any other form of worship.

18. Finish this statement that Haridasa Thakura spoke to an arrogant brahmana: "O brahmana, please try to understand that when any living entity - be it human, animal, insect or bird - hears the Holy Name chanted by a pure devotee of the Lord,  _____________________."

A.  "...he is granted any boon he so desires."
B.  "...he goes directly to the spiritual world, Vaikuntha, after leaving this body."
C.  "...he only has to take one more birth in the material world before being liberated."
D.  "...he gets to choose any of the pastime of Lord Krishna and participate in it with the Lord, even choosing what role he wants.  The pastimes of the Lord are eternal and never ending.  In some part of the material world they are even today being witnessed."

19.  How can you determine who or what person is more advanced?

A.  By who chants the Holy Name the loudest.
B.  By the person's body effulgence.
C.  A selfish person is interested in his own welfare, but a selfless devotee is concerned with everyone's
welfare. 
D.  The more elevated person is most able to control his tongue.

20.  After accusing Haridas of simply going around pretending to be a holy man...thus deceiving people so that they would feed him for free, what did the arrogant brahmana from the village of Hari Nadi threaten to do to Haridasa Thakura if he found any unauthorized statements used by Haridasa in his defense of chanting the Holy Name of the Lord loudly.

A.  Have him arrested and taken to the Muslim authorities.
B.  He would seize Haridasa and have elephants trample him to death.
C.  He would drown him in the Ganga.
D. Cut off his ears and nose.

21.  What does the Varaha Purana say about demons in Kali yuga?

A. "In the age of Kali, demons will be vanquished by the millions by Lord Gaurahari."
B. "Demons in Kali yuga are superior over devotees."
demons will be born as brahmana who harass and offend pious people.
C. "In the Kali yuga, demons find shelter in brahmana families and torture the
transcendentalists who are rare souls."
D "In Kali yuga the only shelter will be the demoniac class of men."

22.  A few days after this incident with Haridasa, what happened to the arrogant brahmana who was so offensive toward the Holy Name and Srila Haridasa Thakura?

A. The brahmana became blind.
B. The fallen brahmana contracted such a severe illness that his nose fell off.
C. His two children died.
D. He was forgiven by Haridasa Thakura and went on to become a great devotee.

23.  Why did Haridasa leave for Nabadwip?

A. To escape all the demons that were around him.
B. To meet with Lord Chaitanya.
C. For a long time he had desired the association of other pure devotees.
D. Haridasa had a brother who lived in Nabadwip and wanted to visit him.

Scriptures Quoted: In the Srimad Bhagavatam, 10th canto, chapter 34, verse 18, it says: "O Lord when your name is chanted by the unalloyed devotee who has been purified by the touch of your lotus feet, and that holy name is heard even once by any living entity, it can immediately purify both the chanter and the listener. There is nothing disputable in the matter of the unalloyed devotee purifying other living entities. Lower species which do not possess the ability to chant the Lord's name can be liberated simply by hearing the name chanted by a pure
devotee. One who chants the holy name to himself liberates himself only, but one who chants the
Lord's name loudly liberates anyone who hears him. The sound of the Lord's name is beneficial for
everyone. Therefore the scriptures all assert that loud chanting of the Lord's name is a thousand times
more effective then any other religious process. Again, in the Naradiya Purana there is a quote from
Prahlada Maharaja saying, `I see perfect logic in the fact that a person who chants the Lord's name
loudly is a thousand times more pious that the person who chants to himself; one who chants softly
liberates only himself but one who chants loudly liberates himself and any other living entity who
hears him.'...The Varaha Purana says, "In the Kali yuga, demons find shelter in brahmana families and torture the
transcendentalists who are rare souls." ...Padma Purana it is mentioned, "There is no need for a detailed explanation: those brahmanas who are not devotees of the Lord should neither be respected nor touched by anyone." ...(Hairdasa Thakura speaking): In one scripture it says: Loud chanting of Lord Krishna's name is a thousand times better than silent chanting.

Devotee Mentioned: 

Srila Haridasa Thakura (aka Dasa Thakura); Indrajit (Ravana's son, had sent the Brahmastra, a weapon given to him by Lord Brahma,
to capture Hanuman); Nagaraj, the snake charmer;

Blessings:   

One is elevated to the platform of pure devotional service simply by hearing His (Lord Sri Krisha Chaitnaya)transcendental pastimes sincerely; ...Now I will narrate the wonderful activities of Srila Haridasa Thakura. Whoever hears this narration will receive the full shelter of Lord Krishna; ...whoever remembers this story of Srila Haridasa will also be saved from the miseries of life; ...If one simply remembers the name of Haridasa - not to mention his terrible ordeal at the hands of the Moslems - he becomes free from his own pain and misery;  ...one who sees a devotee who has taken shelter at the lotus feet of Srila Haridasa Thakura is also granted freedom from material bondage; ...Anyone who listens with faith and devotion to these narrations will find eternal shelter at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord Sri GauraChandra; ..."O brahmana, please try to understand that when any living entity - be it human, animal, insect or bird - hears the holy name chanted by a pure devotee of the Lord, he goes directly to the spiritual world, Vaikuntha, after leaving this body.

Misc. Facts:
  
Most certainly Srila Haridasa Thakura was one of the closest and most important associates of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Chaitanya Chandra; ...The Supreme Lord's transcendental name, activities, qualities, associates, abode, etc. are glorified according to different classes of spiritual instruction. But irrespective of the manner in which He is worshipped, the Lord accepts everyone's individual mood of surrender towards Him. However, if one living entity feels hatred or envy toward another, he ultimately reflects those emotions in his relationship with the Lord.

Words:

capricious (governed or characterized by a sudden, impulsive, and seemingly unmotivated notion or action)
equipoised (an equal distribution of weight; even balance)
 

  Answers:

1-B;  2-A;  3-D;  4-B;  5-A;  6-D;  7-B;  8-D;  9-B; 10-A;  11-B;  12-C;  13-D;
  14-C; 15-A ;  16-D; 17-D; 18-B; 19-C; 20-D; 21-C; 22-B; 23-C