Chapter Summary - Chaitanya-bhagavata - Adi-khanda Ch. 17
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Nimai Pandita goes to Gaya-dhama to properly worship His deceased father.  He
teaches a lesson about the importance of the Braminical class, meets Sri Ishvari Puri,
received initiation from him, Love of God has fully manifested upon His Holy body,
finally the Lord returns to Nabadwip, no longer Nimai the boy scholar.
 

Brief Summary:  

This is the final chapter of the Adi-kanda section; but more of a beginning than an ending because it was during this pastime that Nimai Pandita the scholar morphs into Nimai the great lover of God.  Precipitated by a trip to Gaya-dhama, by His divine arrangement, the Lord manifest a fever which only goes away by drinking the foot-bath water of a brahmin.  Nimai then meets face-to-face with the exalted  Ishvari Puri.  A wonderful description of their meeting is given where Nimai serves Ishvari Puri with food, message, and great attention.  Later Ishvari Puri initiates Nimai Pandita with a ten syllable mantra.  It is described in several places in Chapter 17 how the Lord started to manifest ecstatic symptoms of love within His body.  Although at first He didn't want to return to His home in Nabadwip, but rather seek out Krishna in Mathura, after hearing a divine voice, once again the residents of Nabadwip are blessed by the Lord's personal association.  The Adi-Kanda ends with the author glorifying his own spiritual master, Sri Nityananda Prabhu, telling his readers how only by Nitai's mercy is he able to write anything, at all.

 
Most Memorable:  

Ishvara-chandra Puri was also overjoyed to see Lord Gaura-chandra and he embraced him very lovingly. They couldnot control their intense joy of meeting each other and tears flowed profusely from their eyes drenching each other. Lord Gauranga said, Now that I have seen your lotus feet, My visit to Gaya has become successful and worthy. Oblations offered in a place of pilgrimage, for the liberation of the departed souls of forefathers, effect only those who they are intended for, but just by your presence you have liberated so many innumerable souls of departed forefathers. Therefore no place of pilgrimage can be compared to you, in fact you are the purifier of even the places of pilgrimage. So kindly save me from drowning in the ocean of material existence, because I am surrendering my heart and soul and body to your feet. The only benediction that I desire from you is that you make me drink the nectar from Sri Krishna's lotus feet; ...Sri Chaitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead acting like an ideal disciple went to see the place of appearance of Sri Isvara Chandra Puri. The Lord said, "I offer my obeisances to the village Kumarahatta where Sri Isvara Puri appeared." The Lord was so spiritually moved by this place that he shed profuse tears of love for Isvara Puri and continuously repeated his name. He picked
up a handful of earth and tied it to the corner of his cloth. The Lord said, "This handful of earth from
the place of Sri Isvara Chandra Puri's appearance is my most precious possession;" ...The time was slowly approaching for the Lord to reveal to the world the reason for accepting this incarnation, His love for Krishna manifested increasingly day by day. One day the Lord sat in a solitary place chanting and meditating on His specific mantra. The Lord was lost in the ecstatic world of meditation on the Supreme Lord, and when His consciousness returned He began lamenting and calling out to the Lord: His object of meditation. "O my Krishna, My dear Lord. O Lord Hari, you are my life and soul! You have stolen my heart, now which way have you run away? In which direction can I find My beloved Lord?"  The Lord cried out in intense separation from His beloved Lord and wept bitterly. The Lord was totally absorbed in relishing the nectar of love of Krishna and rolling on the ground, His body was covered with dust. He cried out as if greatly afflicted, "where is My beloved Krishna and where has He gone leaving me?" Lord Nimai, who for so long was a grave and serious scholar teacher, now exhibited extreme restlessness becoming stunned by the arrow of love of God. He rolled about on the ground and cried out loudly and floated on the waves of ecstasy from intense separation from Himself. Soon his students returned and treated the Lord with great care, they brought him back to normal condition; ...One can associate with Lord Krishna simply by hearing the transcendental activities of Lord Krishna and this association with the Lord is eternal because the Lord will never leave such a pure devotee. I am able to describe some of the transcendental pastimes of Lord Chaitanya in this book just because my beloved Lord and master Nityananda Prabhu is sitting on the throne in my heart and dictating all this to me. It is only by his mercy that I can write these wonderful transcendental activities of Lord Chaitanya, independently it would be impossible to write all this. I am just a wooden doll made to dance by the magic spell of a Supreme magician, the Supreme Lord Gaura Chandra for he is making me speak about his transcendental pastimes. Lord Chaitanya's transcendental activities are eternal and limitless, without a beginning and without a end so it is unfathomable for me, I am simply writing
somehow.
 

Quiz: (see answers below)

1.   At this point in the book, the author tells how the human society had deteriorated to such an extent that there was an increase of atheistic people, and the process of devotional service had become very rare. The mischievous and sinful population continued to hurl abuses at the Vaishnava devotees.  Besides this, what was the other reason why the Vaishnavas were despairing?

A.  Because Nimai Pandit had taken a wife. 
B.  Because many of the Vaishnavas were loosing faith in Lord Krishna.
C.  Because all the village astrologers were seeing in the stars that bad things would soon befall upon Nimai.
D.  Because Lord Chaitana was so engrossed in His scholastic pursuits rather than acting as their leader.


2.   The Supreme Lord Gaurasundara desired within his heart that the time was now ripe to reveal his true identity and manifest His transcendental pastimes.   But first the Lord wanted to do what?

A.  Go to Vrndavana.
B.  Take up the renounced order of life.
C.  Visit area known as Gaya-dham.
D.  Meet with Advaita Acharya

3.  Half way to Gaya-dham, what happened to the Lord?
 
A.  He went into a trace for three days.
B.  He developed a fever.
C.  He was bitten by a snake.
D.  He took initiation from Ishvara Puri

4.  The author uses the name, Sevaka-vatsal, to describe the Lord.  What does it mean?

A.  The top-most scholar.
B.  The destroyer of all who are envious of the Vaishnavas.
C.  One who is very affectionate to His servitors.
D.  The friend of the poor.

5.  What was the Lord's reasoning for drinking the foot-bath water of a brahmin to cure His fever?

A.  Because it is the remedy for all suffering.
B.  Due the the severe drought and scarcity of drinking water, this was the most prudent thing to drink.
C.  Since the bath water also had Tulasi leaves mixed in with it, and since Tulasi leaves are a powerful medicine, the footbath water would act like a tonic and cure his fever.
D.  Specifically, Lord Chaitanya requested the foot-bath water from the priest on Mandara Hill, whose waters were famous for it's healing properties, much like the famous healing waters found in France, today.

6.  Under what circumstance does the Lord readily accept defeat?

A.  If doing so will lesson the suffering of others.
B.  If He has been proven to be wrong in His opinion.
C.  If it saves His honor.
D.  If it increases the name and position of his surrendered devotee.

7. What was in the temple at Chakra-tirtha that the Lord went to see?

A.  A chariot wheel used by Lord Krishna as a weapon during the fierce battle of Kurukshetra.
B.  The impressions of the lotus feet of Lord Visnu.
C.  Krishna's flute
D.  A mystic yogi who always levitated above a sacred fire, never once being burned by the flames.

8.  What other great soul was also in the temple at Chakra-tirtha when, for the benefit of the entire human society, for the good fortune for all living entities, Supreme Lord Gaura-chandra now began to manifest the process of devotional service, love of Godhead?

A.  Lord Nityananda
B.  Lord Shiva
C.  Srila Madavendra Puri
D.  Srila Isvara Puri

9.  What does Ishvara Puri tell Nimai Pandita is the reason why he has concluded that Vishvambhara is none other than God?

A.  "...the bliss one experiences in Lord Krishna's presence I am expressing that fully in Your presence."
B.  "...how is it possible to possess ...such a transcendental nature as you have?"
C.  "...how is it possible to possess vast learning...as you have?"
D.  " I had a dream last night of meeting the Supreme Lord, and now meeting You, that dream has been fulfilled."

10.  When they met again, shortly thereafter, in what mood did Sri Isvari Puri enter the room where Lord Chaitanya was cooking?

A.  Great anxiety
B.  Blissfulness
C.  Very angry.
D.  As if he were drunk.

11.   Here is a statement from this final chapter of the Adi-khanda: These transcendental activities of the Lord and His devotees are so wonderful that anyone who hears them with faith and sincerity is immediately granted unalloyed devotional service at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.  What specific activities is this referring to?

A.  Lord Chaitanya worshiping the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu.
B.  The Lord and Ishvara Puri playing in the water together. 
C.  The Lord cooking rice and serving Ishvari Puri when this great saint unexpectedly arrived to see the Lord.
D.  The ecstatic moment when Lord Nityananda arrived to eat rice with Ishvari Puri and Lord Chaitanya

12.  What is the name of the village where Ishvari Puri was born?

A. Kumarahatta
B. Buron
C. Chakra-tirtha
D. Hari Nadi

13.  How many syllables were contained in the mantra give by Ishvari Puri to Lord Chaitanya?  

A.  4
B.  10
C.  16
D.  2

14.  Where did Lord Chaitanya desire to go when His pastimes with Ishvari Puri at Gaya-dham had reached their end?

A.  Back home to Nabadwip to see His mother and wife.
B.  Mathura
C.  South India
D.  East Bengal

15.  What prevented the Lord from traveling?

A.  A divine voice
B.  A tremendous storm that flooded all the roads
C.  Ishvari Puri told the Lord not to go.
D.  Lord Nityananda appeared and took Nimai back to Nabadwip with him

16.  At the end of the Adi-khanda section of this Sri Chaitanaya-bhagavata, Vrndavana dasa Thakura speaks about the greatest jewel that eternally remains within his heart.  What is this jewel?

A.  Nimai Pandita
B.  Mother Saci
C.  Sri Ishvari Puri
D.  Lord Nityananda Prabhu

Scriptures Quoted: 

Devotee Mentioned:  Isvara Puri

Blessings:   

The Lord immediately left his cooking in the kitchen and offered his respectful obeisances and sat him down comfortably. Laughing Srila Isvara Chandra Puri said, "O Pandita, I have come certainly at the right time." The Lord replied, "Good fortune has smiled upon me today by sending you here. I pray that you will please accept some rice prasada." Srila Puripada smiled and said, "But then what will you have?" The Lord replied, "I will cook some rice for me now." Srila Puripada asked, "What is the use of cooking again? Whatever you have already cooked, let us share that amongst ourselves." Smiling the Lord replied, "Whatever is already prepared that is all for you, in no time I can prepare something afresh, please do not feel hesitant, you eat first." Offering to Isvara Puri what he had cooked for himself the Lord went back into the kitchen and began preparing food once again. Feeling great happiness the Lord exhibited so much mercy to Isvara Chandra Puri, and Sripada Puri also had no other thought in mind other than Krishna.  The Lord served Sripada Puri with his own hands and Sripada Puri relished the Lord's cooking with great delight. While this was going on Rama Devi, Laksmi Devi, the Goddess of fortune personally appeared and cooked for the Lord, unseen by anyone in the kitchen. Seeing to that Sripada Puri was fully satisfied the Lord sat down to eat. These transcendental activities of the Lord and His devotees are so wonderful that anyone who hears them with faith and sincerity is immediately granted unalloyed devotional service at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna; ...Whoever hears this narration about the Lord going on a pilgrimage to Gaya with devotion and faith, Lord Gaura Chandra will appear in his heart; Whoever hears these narrations of Lord Chaitanya as described in the Adi Khanda of this book will certainly receive the full benediction of Sri Gaurachandra.

  Answers: 

 1-D;  2-C;  3-B;  4-C;  5-A;  6-D;  7-B;  8-D;  9-ALL;  10-D;  11-C;  12-A;  13-B;  14-B;  15-A;  16-D   

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. Buron
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  

Chapter Summary - Chaitanya-bhagavata - Adi Lila Ch. 15
 

Personal  character of Nimai Pandita continues - Marriage to Vishnupriya described in detail

Brief Summary:   

Chapter 15 opens with the author briefly reviewing Nimai Pandita's character, on one hand a strict teacher with His students and His behavior toward women - while on the other hand still a troublemaker when it came to taunting certain individuals, even to the point of having to appear before the Nabadwip magistrate for misbehavior.   The Chapter then moves on to the marriage of Visvambhara to the beautiful Visnupriya, the daughter of Sanatana Misra.  Again arranged by the Lord's mother, once the marriage was set, the very weathly Buddhimanta Khan stepped forward and paid for all the necessary details that eventually made this particular wedding the most expensive and elaborate ever seen in Nabadwip's history.  The author touches on many aspects of the wedding ceramony, even telling how certain men would purposefully take more than their fair share of gifts and how the Lord countered them with even greater generosity.

Most Memorable:  

The residents of Nabadwip were fortunate to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead in person as He swayed past them in His palanquin; ...The Joy Raja Pandita felt was indescribable and the love and respect he felt for the Lord was visible on his face as he escorted Nimai Pandita into his house; ...Having completed all of his ceremonial duties Raja pandita returned home. The relatives of Nimai Pandita then went to Raja Pandita's house to perform the same adhivas ceremony for Visnupriya; ...Raja Pandita came forward to receive the Lord from
the palanquin, helped Him step down and took him inside where a seat had been prepared. The Joy Raja Pandita felt was indescribable and the love and respect he felt for the Lord was visible on his face as he escorted Nimai Pandita into his house. He showered flowers on the Lord as a blessing and welcome; ...Laksmi Dev placed a flower garland at the lotus feet of her Lord offering Him her life and soul. The Lord picked up the flower garland and smiling sweetly, placed it around her neck. Again the divine couple was drowned in a shower of flower petals; ...Thousands of lamps shed bright light everywhere and the loud and joyous sounds of song and
instruments filled the sky.

Quiz: (see answers below)

1.  Vedic literature compares the forehead of a person which does not bear the mark of tilaka as being as good as what?

A.  A barren field
B.  A crow
C.  A place of death
D.  The skull of a leper

2.   After returning from E. Bengal, Nimai Pandita has settled down into role of a respected scholar.  In whose house does He teach his students?

A.  Advatia Acharya
B.  Mukunda Sanjaya
C.  Purushottam Dasa 
D.  Buddhimanta Khan 

3. Under Nimai's instruction, how long did it take a student to become a full-fledged scholar well versed in
scriptural conclusions.  

A.  1 year 
B.  6 months
C.  2 years
D.  3 years

4.  Why did Nimai use Mukunda Sanjaya house as the place to teach His students?

A.  Mukunda Sanjaya was also a teacher and had extra room.
B.  He was the uncle of Vishnpriya, Nimai's second wife, and wanted to be helpful.
C.  He had a daughter who hoped to marry Nimai and she asked her father to offer Nimai use of their house.
D.  His son, Purushottam Dasa, was one of Nimai Pandita's students.

5.  Although every kind of eulogy is applicable to the Lord, knowledgeable, pure devotees glorify the specific nature that the Lord manifests in a particular incarnation. In Nabadwip the Supreme Personality of Godhead was Nimai Pandita and the best eulogy to describe Him is that he... 

A.  Defeated the Digvijaya
B.  Was married to the most beautiful girl in the entire town of Nabadwip.
C.  He was a scholar
D.  He was the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

6.  Although Nimai Pandita was arrogant and full of mischief, one thing he never did was...

A.  Steal from others.
B.  Interfere with others if they were praying to God.
C.  Have to go before the town magistrate.
D.  Joke or be loose around women.

7.  Who was the father of Vishnupriya, Nimai's second wife?

A.  Sri Sanatan Misra   
B.  Buddhimanta Khan
C.  Kasinath Pandita
D   Tapan Misra

8.  What was Sri Sanatan Misra qualities?

A.  A scholar, earning him the title of, Raja Pandita.     
B.  A gentleman
C.  Provider for the poor
D   A nobleman by birth

9.  Who was Buddhimanta Khan?

A.  Niami's greatest student   
B.  Laxmi devi's uncle
C.  A rich gentleman
D   A famous scholar

10.  What did Buddhimanta Khan do?

A.  Paid Nimai's wages as a teacher.    
B.  Gave Mother Saci a great sum of money.
C.  Paid for the property that Nimai Pandita used as His classroom.
D.  Paid for the entire cost of the Lord's expensive wedding to Laxmi devi.

11. During the Adhivas, (a important ceremony before the day of the marriage), some of the men were acting sinful by taking gifts from the Lord more than once, ...more than their share.  How did Vishvambhara react to this cheating on the day of His wedding?
  
A.  Went into a rage and threw those guilt out of the house.  
B.  Had them taken before the local magistrate and turned in a thieves.
C.  Ordered that all guest be given gifts three times over, thus shaming the guilty ones plus freeing everyone of any possible sin.
D.  Kindly asked that they return any extra gifts they may have mistakenly taken.  Otherwise, there would not be enough gifts for the very large number of guest that arrived.

12.  Beautiful designs were drawn to the floors for the wedding.  These were made from what substance?
  
A.  coconut and mango pulp    
B.  charcoal from the sacred fires of the naga babas.
C.  vegetables
D.  rice

13.  How did the Lord arrive at the house of Raja pandita (Sanatana Misra), for the evening wedding?
  
A.  On an elephant    
B.  The Lord walked there with his many friends
C.  The Lord took a boat
D.  On a beautiful palanquin provided by Buddhimanta Khan.

14. Besides his daughter, what else did Raja Pandita offer the Lord on His wedding day?
  
A.  Nice cows full of milk, land and property, beds and furniture, maids and servants, and other valuable gifts.    
B.  A school building.
C.  A trunk full of gold.
D.  His youngest daughter, also.

15. What was the actual opulence of the residents of Nabadwip?
  
A.  By the Lord's arrangement, every home in Nabadwip was free of suffering.   
B.  They each received a beautiful flower garland from the Lord, personally.
C.  They were able to actually see the Supreme Lord and His eternal consort. 
D.  During the wedding the Lord distributed food to them with His own hands.

16.  Out of His love and appreciation to Buddhimanta Khan for providing the Lord with such a wonderful wedding, what gift did he give Duddhimanta Khan?
  
A.  A tight and affectionate embrace, leaving Buddhimanta Khan in indescribable ecstasy.      
B.  He gave him His personal audience for over an hour. 
C.  The Lord and His wife had a private dinner with Buddhimanta Khan, expressing their deep thankfulness.
D.  He gave Buddhimanta Khan a secrete mantra to chant.

17.  Did Nimai, the Lord of all known worlds, both material and spiritual, ever have to face the magistrate of Nabadwip for His misbehavior toward certain citizens?

A.  No
B.  Yes

 

Devotee Mentioned:  Mukunda Sanjaya (is the father of) Purushottam Dasa (both mentioned); Sri Sanatan Misra (aka Sanatana Pandita, aka Raja Pandita); Kasinath Pandita (went on Mother Saci's request to ask Sanatan Misra for his daughter's hand in marriage to Niamai Pandita); Visnupriya; Buddhimanta Khan;

Blessings:   One achieves devotional service to the Supreme Lord just by hearing the wonderful pastimes of Sri Chaitanya;  Whoever hears or reads these transcendental activities of the Supreme Lord can certainly reside in Lord Gaura Chandra's eternal association. 

Misc. Facts:  Vedic literature says that the forehead which does not bear the mark of tilaka is as good as a crematorium...Although every kind of eulogy is applicable to the Lord, knowledgeable, pure devotees glorify the nature that the Lord manifests in a particular incarnation. In Nabadwip the Supreme Personality of Godhead was Nimai Pandita, the scholar; ...So magnanimous is the Supreme Lord that one becomes completely free from all sinful activities and their reactions just by looking at the transcendental luster of the Lord. Moreover, he becomes eligible to enter the spiritual sky, the Vaikuntha planets. Everyone from all walks of life could see the Lord and His spiritual effulgence. Therefore He has been called the most compassionate, the only friend of the fallen souls.

Words: 

1. acquiesce (submit or comply silently or without protest)
2. pusillanimous (lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.)
3. invectives (Denunciatory or abusive language)
4. dearth (an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack)
5. eulogy (a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing)

Answers To Quiz:

 1-C   2-B ;  3-A ;  4-D ;  5-C ;  6-D ;  7-A ;  8-ALL ;  9-C ;  10-D ;  11-C ;  12-D ;  13-D ;  14-A ;  15-C ;  16-A   

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Chapter Summary - Chaitanya-bhagavata - Adi Lila Ch. 14
 

 Success as the greatest scholar -14 Sannyasis guests - Perfect householder - Trip to E. Bengal - Meets Tapan Misra and instructs him - Laxmi Devi's departure  

Brief Summary:   

...every person unquestioningly accepted Nimai Pandita as the superior scholar and teacher in Nabadwip...Rich, influential and aristocratic men would immediately take a humble position upon seeing Nimai...Nimai Pandita would frequently receive gifts from various classes of people in Nabadwip...Whenever Nimai saw a poor person, He would kindly offer him food, clothing or money...An endless stream of guests visited the Lord's house...Once twenty sannyasis came at one time...taught the world how to behave as a perfect householder;  The author takes time to explain the qualities and actions of a perfect householder, rich or poor, and how Niamai was the perfect example...The Supreme repeatedly asked his guests if they had any further needs or if they were satisfied...The twenty sannyasi who were guests in the house of Lord Nimai had become a subject of conversation amongst the people. Someone said, Those guests could not have been ordinary persons; Laksmi devi's activities and good qualities are mentioned; some of the interactions between the Lord and Laksmi devi are described;...Without any prior indication, Lord Gauranga one day announced His desire to visit Bangladesh, the eastern part of Bengal... The Lord of Vaikuntha, enjoyed traveling in East Bengal immersed in the mood of a scholar...The Supreme Lord Sri Gaura Hari personally visited each of the residents and after taking leave, He started for Nabadwip. Many students decided to accompany the Lord to Nabadwip where they could study under him...Tapan Misra (was a pure devotee and was well versed in the conclusions of the Vedas. Met Nimai Pandita during the Lord's trip to East Bengal...The Lord speaks to and embraces him, blessing Tapan Misra with perfect knowledge and happiness...The Lord's wife ends her pastimes on earth...Nimai Pandit returns to Nabadwip and comforts His mother and realatives.  

Most Memorable:  I humbly request everyone to please listen faithfully and attentively to the wonderful activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna, in His form as a young brahmana boy...The Supreme Personality of Godhead set the example of a perfect householder and repeatedly asked his guests if they had any further needs or if they were satisfied. Those guests of course were the mostfortunate souls, for Srimati Laksmi Devi, the Goddess of Fortune, and Supreme Personality of God, Narayana, the proprietor of the entire cosmic manifestation, personally fed them. Because of the wonderful activities of the Supreme Lord, that divine food which is cherished by great souls like Lord Brahma and other demigods was distributed to common people and ordinary citizens in Nabadwip...Frequently Laksmi Devi would sit for long hours massaging the Lord's lotus feet on her lap. At times when she served her Lord like that, Mother Saci could see a brillant effulgence emanating from the feet of GauraChandra. At other times the fragrance of lotus flowers would fill the entire house, and although Mother Saci would search everywhere, she could not find the source of the fragrance.

Quiz: (see answers below)

1.  Nimai Pandita would frequently receive gifts from various classes of people in Nabadwip.  What would he often do with these gifts.

A.  Give them to His mother so that she could afford all the bhoga she needed to feed all the Lord's guest.
B.  Would give it to an orphanage.
C.  Would keep everything in a special room next to His temple.
D. Whenever Nimai saw a poor person, He would kindly offer him food, clothing or money. In this way Nimai generously distributed gifts to the poor.

2.  How many sannyasis guest came at one time to visit the Lord?

A.  50
B.  100
C.  20
D.  50

3.   What is the most important duty of a householder?

A.  The foremost duty of a householder is to serve his guest. 
B.  A householder should always focus on charity.
C.  Educating the children.
D.  Giving to the temple.

4.  The author comments that even those who have insufficient means to be hospitable can at least offer a place to sit, some water and a place to rest. Shrila Vrindavana dasa Thakura says that simple hospitality is sufficient to satisfy any guest if it is offered with....what? 

A. A mood of devotion to Lord Krishna.
B. Instructions for their guest to chant Hare Krishna
C. Love and affection
D  Holy Scriptures to read.

5.   What did the Lord do with his guest which expressed the perfect duties of a perfect householder?

A.  Gave each of them a gift. 
B.  He embraced each one as they left, setting the example of physical affection.
C.  He repeatedly asked his guests if they had any further needs or if they were satisfied.
D   Instructed each one of his guests privately on chanting the maha-mantra.

6.  Who actually fed the 20 sannyasis when they visited the Lord's home?

A.  As was the custom, servants served the guest while Nimai and Laksmi Devi provided entertainment.
B.  Mother Saci served everyone
C.  All the relatives of Nimai Pandita did the actual serving to give the Lord time to preach to His guest.
D   Srimati Laksmi Devi and Nimai Pandita

7.  Often times Laksmi Devi would sit for long hours massaging the Lord's lotus feet on her lap.  What would Mother Saci sometimes observe during these special moments?

A.  Ghost-like figures floating in the house.
B.  A brillant effulgence emanating from the feet of GauraChandra. At other times the fragrance of lotus flowers would fill the entire house,
C.  Music coming from nowhere. 
D.  She would often see flower petals floating down and later would find them where Nimai and Laxmi were resting.  

8.  Where did Lord Gauranga announce that he wished to go and visit?

A.  Vrndavana
B.  Puri
C.  East Bengal
D.  Varanasi

9.  What river did Lord Gaurasundara enjoy seeing and playing in?

A. Padmavali
B. Ganges
C. Yamuna
D. Godavari

10.  Why are the residents of East Bengal attracted to the Holy Name and engage in congregational chanting even today?

A.  Because of the fame of Nimai Pandita spread to East Bengal after He defeated the Digvijaya.
B.  Because many of the Lord's disciples had homes in East Bengal and naturally told everyone there about the Holy Name.
C.  Because of the Lord's visit
D.  Because the was where Laxmi Devi family lived.


11. As the Lord traveled East Bengal, what was His mood?

A.  That of a conqueror, having just defeated the greatest scholar in all of India
B.   In the mood of a scholar.
C.   This is where Nimai finally revealed for all to see that He was in fact the Supreme Lord, so His mood was that of the Almighty Lord.
D.  As a saint.

 
12.  Laksmi devi was feeling the pangs of separation from her Lord. She never spoke of her loneliness to anyone. She served Mother Saci very lovingly. She also did what?

A.  Barely ate any food.
B.  Would not go outside.
C.  Would not go to the temple.
D.  Would not speak to her brother.

13  Why was Tapan Misra upset?

A.  Because his wife had recently been bitten by a poisonous snake and died.
B.  Becasue the Digvijaya was his brother and he was upset thought that Nimai Pandita had somehow cheated him during their debate
C.  Because he was a devotee of Lord Rama and did not want to worship Lord Krishna.
D.  Becayse he could find no one to answer his questions on the perfect spiritual path and the ultimate and absolute worshipable object.

14.  Nimai Pandita instructed Tapan Misra that in Kali Yuga, the recommended & authorized religious practice is congregational chanting of Krishna's Name.  What does this process also include?

A.  Different breathing techniques.
B.  All the other previous processes, from other ages.
C.  Ways to achieve material prosperity.
D.  A guaranteed way to be 100% from all sinful reaction, forever.

15.  Some in the West may argue that there is no such thing as a Holy River; that this is just some ancient myth.  What is the best proof that the Ganges is in fact a sacred river?

A.  It flow out of the Himalayan Mountians.
B.  The Vedas say it is.
C.  There are countless temples on its banks.
D.  Nimai Pandita joined them in offering deep and repeated obeisances to the Ganga.

Devotee Mentioned:  Pradyumna Misra (aka Jugannata Misra); Sri Paramananda Puri; Tapan Misra (was a pure devotee and was well versed in the conclusions of the Vedas. Met Nimai Pandita during the Lord's trip to East Bengal. However, he could find no one to answer his questions on the perfect spiritual path and the ultimate and absolute worshipable object. He constantly chanted the holy name of Krishna, yet he felt dissatisfied in the
absence of proper spiritual practice)

Blessings:   

Just by remembering His name (Sri Gaura Hari) one becomes free from material entanglement; even by simply remembering His servant one becomes victorious in every sphere of life.

Lord Siva and Parvati: 

Misc. Facts:

The foremost duty of a householder is to serve his guest and responsible householders live by that standard. The householder who does not serve and satisfy his guests properly is worse than an animal or a bird. Even those who because of their previous impious activities have insufficient means to be hospitable can at least offer a place to sit, some water and a place to rest. That simple hospitality is sufficient to satisfy any guest if it is offered with love and affection. A householder who is pious maybe poverty stricken and possess very little with which to serve a guest, but his disposition should behospitable. He can offer drinking water and water with which the guest can wash his feet. He can offer a grass mat on which the guest can sit or rest to become refreshed and he can offer sweet words to please the  ears of the traveler. The host must endeavor with all humility to keep the guest from leaving his house and beg forgiveness for any mistakes in his humble hospitality. A householder who sincerely tries to satisfy his guests even though his means are meager is considered hospitable...From the moment the Lord entered East Bengal the land became blessed and remains so, even today..."Because of bodily attachment one is regarded as a husband or son. These illusory relationships arecaused by misunderstandings. O mother, why do you feel sad? How can you hope to change that which is ordained by the Lord's desire? No one can check the passage of time, and all relationships in this (material realm) are temporary. This is the verdict of the Vedas. The activities of the entire cosmic creation rest in the hands of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Who but our Lord can bring people together and then separate them? Why should these arrangements of the Supreme Lord, make you so unhappy? It is fortunate for the wife if she can leave before her husband. This is proof that she was a very pious woman."

   Answers:

 1-D;  2-C;  3-A;  4-C;  5C;  6-D;  7-B;  8-C;  9-A;  10-C;  11-B;  12-A ;  13-D;  14-B;  15-D  

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Chapter Summary - Chaitanya-bhagavata - Adi Lila Ch. 13
Back to Chaitanya-bhagavata  · Table of Contents
 

Brief Summary: 

All glories to the emperor of the brahmanas and the crest jewel among all teachers. All glories to the society of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's devotees; The Lord of Vaikuntha, Nimai, was immersed in the mellow of an insolent and arrogant scholar; Their sport was debate and in their intolerant and impatient ways they did whatever was required to win an argument. Even if a well-respected superior scholar made valuable points, others would disagree with him; Lord Nimai's habit was to constantly rebuke the other scholars and refute their arguments right in front of them. There was no teacher in Nabadwip who could confront the Lord's arguments and offer a second opinion; Yet His illusionary energy prevented anyone from knowing Him in truth; This chapter pretty much concentrates solely on the episode between Nimai Pandita and the famous scholar holding the title Digvijaya; By the brahmana's desire and fortune he received benediction from her (Mother Sarasvati) to become a Digvijaya scholar. All the scriptures were on the tip of his tongue. No one in this world could challenge him. Many could not even follow his introduction to the main dissertations, so he went unchecked and unchallenged everywhere; Nabadwip bustled with excitement as time for the trial of intellectual strength drew near; After offering his obeisances to the Ganga, the Digvijaya moved a little closer to the Lord. On noticing him, Nimai smiled at him and affectionately offered him a seat. Having already conquered all the scholars in the land, the Digvijaya Pandita was naturally fearless, yet in the presence of the Lord he was filled with awe. By the design of the omnipotent Supreme Lord, whoever approaches Him in a challenging mood will feel both awe and fear;  Upon the Lord's request the Digvijaya spent over an hours using poetry to glorify the River Ganges, but upon inspection the Lord point out three areas of fault, eventually rendering the Digvijaya's facilities to zero;  While the Digvijaya Pandita was struggling to swallow his ignominious defeat, the students began laughing and giggling excitedly. The Lord immediately stopped them and spoke soft, soothing words to the Pandita, "Today let us stop here. Please return to your home and tomorrow we can continue our discussion. You must be tired after composing such a lengthy recitation. It is also very late now; soon it will be time to sleep;"  In his dream Mother Sarasvati looked compassionately upon the brahmana and spoke confidentially to him. "O learned brahmana, listen to me. I will now reveal to you that knowledge which is undisclosed even in the Vedas. If for any reason you reveal this secret to anyone, you will immediately forfeit your body. The person who defeated you today is actually the Supreme Lord of the entire cosmic manifestation. I am an eternal servant at His lotus feet, and out of shyness I hesitate to stand before Him; To become the greatest of all the scholars of the world is not the real result of chanting the mantra I gave you. You have received the factual result; you were able to see in person the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the entire cosmic creation; "O brahmana, go quickly to him and take shelter of His lotus feet. Surrender yourself completely to Him. Do not imagine my advice to be a dream or hallucination. The power behind the mantra you chant has brought me here and forced me to reveal the most esoteric knowledge of the Vedas."

Sri Gaura Sundara replied, "O learned brahmana, you are very fortunate because Mother Sarasvati resides
on the tip of your tongue. But conquering the world with mundane knowledge is not a suitable
objective for one with true wisdom. Knowledge becomes valuable only when it augments the worship
the Supreme Lord. Try to carefully understand. When death strikes and the soul is forced from the
body, no one can take his material knowledge or opulence. The learned and self- realized souls
completely reject this transient phenomenal existence and engage with unalloyed faith in the Lord's
devotional service. Now O brahmana, leave aside all extraneous (introduced or coming from without; not belonging or proper to a thing) engagements and utilize your time worshipping the lotus feet of Sri Krishna for the remainder of your life. Remember that the fruit of true knowledge is tasted when the heart and mind are unflinchingly attached to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. Of all activities, devotional service to the Supreme Lord Vishnu, is the only manifestation of absolute truth. This is the advice I offer you."

Within moments the brahmana's arrogance and vanity diminished and he grew as humble and meek as a blade of grass. He renounced everything - his elephants, horses, palanquins, money and the undesirable associates he has
previously kept; Lord Gaurasundara's wonderful defeat of the Digvijaya and the Pandita's subsequent conversion was soon known in all corners of Nadia; The Lord's illusory potence was so strong that in spite of witnessing His miracles, no one could perceive His true identity. From that time on the people of Nadia could only discuss Nimai's victory over the Digvijaya.

Most Memorable:  

The hundreds of Bhattacarya scholars residing in Nabadwip were distraught with anxiety and abandoned all activities; Nabadwip bustled with excitement as time for the trial of intellectual strength drew near. He entered Nabadwip in a great procession of horses, elephants, palanquins and men; To become the greatest of all the scholars of the world is not the real result of chanting the mantra I gave you. You have received the factual result; you were able to see in person the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Lord of the entire cosmic creation (Mother Sarasvati  to Digvijaya); The Supreme Lord does not tolerate anyone Who indulges in continual insolence. Whenever He finds someone burdened by arrogance over some personal quality, He invariably removes the cause of their pride. A fruit-laden tree and a person endowed with good qualities will inevitably bend down in humility;  You defeated me three times, yet You kept my honor intact. Is such behavior possible for anyone other than the Supreme Lord? I am convinced that You are that Supreme Personality of Godhead. I have traveled far and wide - Bengal, Trihatta, Kasi, Gujarat, Vijaya Nagara, Anga, Banga, Tailanga, Udra and many other places. The most qualified scholars in each place were defeated by me. They could not even understand my discourses, let alone find fault with them. But in your presence all my education and intellect seemed to flee - I know not where. I now realize that this was not an extraordinary feat for you, because you are the Lord and master of Mother Sarasvati. She personally revealed this to me;

Quiz: (see answers below)

1. In regards to the brahmana race, what object is Lord Chaitanya referred to as? 

A-  The emperor
B-  The crown jewel
C-  The brightest lamp
D-  The best of 

2.  What was the common practice of Nimai Pandita when confronted with the scholars of Nabadwip?

A-  He would arrange for a formal debate with them.
B-  He would have His servant speak to the scholar first.
C-  He would get right in their face and challenge them on the spot.
D-  He would wait until they approached Him for a debate and them smash them.

3.  What is the meaning of the title, Digvijaya?

A-  One who has conquered scholars in all directions
B-  The servant of Mother Sarasvati
C-  The master of all knowledge
D-  He who is undefeatable

 
4.  What is the relationship between Mother Sarasvati and Laksmi Devi

A-  Since Mother Sarasvati is the goddess of learning, she is the servant of Lasmi Devi
B-  She is non-different from Laksmi Devi, the eternal consort of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Narayana.
C-  Laksmi Devi is Mother Sarasvati's daughter.
D-  Laksmi Devi gives Mother Sarasvati her knowledge.

5.  At the time, what was Nabadwip famous for?

A-  Being situated on the banks of the Ganges. 
B-  The birthplace of Lord Chaitanya.
C-  Its large banana plantations.
D- The most famous center of learning in the entire world.

6.   What is the potential inspiration that can manifest if one turns to the Supreme Personality of Godhead? 

A-  Devotional Service
B-  A deep hatred for Maya
C-  The deepest feelings of ecstasy in the hearts of all His devotees.
D-  Love of all Mankind

7.  How can one come to understand and know the Lord's true identity?

A-  By studying the Vedas
B-  By severe austerity
C-  By living as a devotee for many births.
D-  Only when the Lord reveals Himself of His own volition can one understand His real identity.

8.  Nimai praised the Digvijaya for ability of his?

A-  The Digvijaya's great memory.
B-  His mastery of grammar.
C-  His ability to defeat any and all scholars.
D-  His poetry.

9. Where did Nimai, the Lord of Vaikuntha, find fault in the Digvijaya's statements.

A-  The very last verse.
B-  Three mistakes - one in the beginning, one in the middle and one towards the end of the Pundit's composition.
C-   The poetry was perfect.  It was in the Digvijaya's explanation that fault was found.
D-   Figures of speech.

10.  What was Nimai's mercy upon the Digvijaya?

A-  He made it appear to all that the Digvijaya had actually won the debate.
B-  He made everyone leave so that only the Digvijaya and the Lord would know the outcome of their debate.
C-  He embraced the Digvijaya and immediately released him from material bondage.
D-  The Lord was so merciful that despite His victory, He did not dishonor the great scholar.

11.  What was Srila Rupa Goswami's name before meeting Lord Chaitanya?

A-  Ghaazi
B-  Izz Udeen
C-  Dabir Khas
D-  Abdul-Baari

Analogies:  All glories to Lord GauraChandra, the brightest lamp in the brahmana race; Listen brothers, and I will tell you the actual situation. The Supreme Lord does not tolerate anyone Who indulges in continual insolence. Whenever He finds someone burdened by arrogance over some personal quality, He invariably removes the cause of their pride. A fruit-laden tree and a person endowed with good qualities will inevitably bend down in humility;

Devotee Mentioned: 

Srila Rupa Gosvami - who was also known as Dabir Khas

Flowery Language:  A sweet smile decorated the glowing moon-like face of the Lord, and His two beautiful eyes
showered transcendentally merciful glances. Pearls were lack-luster in comparison with His teeth and
His radiant lips were easily mistaken for the rising sun. With His soft and delicate body, He was the
personification of compassion. His perfect head was covered with raven black curls; His graceful,
lion-like neck rested perfectly on His beautiful broad shoulders. He was dressed in divinely exquisite
clothes, His perfectly proportioned body was large and his heart was ruled by His munificent nature.
The brahmana's thread hanging loosely across his shoulders was the bow of Ananta Sesha. His long
arms extended gracefully to his knees and the Urdhapurna tilaka decorating His wide forehead enraptured the hearts of everyone. With His dhoti tied elegantly at His waist, Sri Gauranga sat in the cross-legged posture of a yogi; Remember that the fruit of true knowledge is tasted when the heart and mind are unflinchingly attached to the lotus feet of Lord Krishna. 

Blessings:  

Whoever faithfully and attentively hears this pastime of the Lord defeating Digvijaya Pandita will always be victorious, and whoever hears about His captivating pastimes as a scholar will immediately become His eternal servant.  

Misc. Facts:

Nabadwip town itself in those days was an institution, housing many scholars and teachers well versed
in all branches of the scriptures. Titles like Bhattacarya, Cakravarty, Misra or Acarya were common
and the only work of these scholars was teaching. Their sport was debate and in their intolerant and
impatient ways they did whatever was required to win an argument. Even if a well-respected superior
scholar made valuable points, others would disagree with him; Yet His illusionary energy prevented anyone from knowing Him in truth. Only when the Lord revealed Himself of his own volition could one understand His real identity; Mother Sarasvati is actually the universal mother; she is non-different from Laksmi Devi, the eternal consort of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Narayana.By the brahmana's desire and fortune he received benediction from her to become a Digvijaya scholar. For her (Mother Sarasvati) to give such a boon was quite easy, for she is capable of benedicting anyone with even the raregift of transcendental devotional service to the Supreme Lord Narayana.

That mercy (from Lord Chaitanya) could make a king leave his palace and take up a beggar's bowl. The remarkable example of this was Srila Rupa Gosvami who was also known as Dabir Khas. He left his kingly position and lived in the forests of Vrndavana. A servant of Krishna can ignore the material wealth, position and
prestige which are desired by the common people. Any person who has not realized the value of
devotional service to the Supreme Lord will naturally consider the position of a king most comfortable and enviable. But for the devotee of Krishna, even the happiness derived from liberation is insignificant, therefore mere kingly comfort is of no consequence whatsoever. Reality and true happiness lie solely in the merciful glance of the Supreme Lord, and therefore the Vedas advise everyone to serve Him.

Words:

obsequious- servilely compliant or deferential
supercilious- haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression.
propitiatory- serving
eclat- showy or elaborate display
ignominious- marked by disgrace; dishonor; public contempt
elucidate- to make lucid or clear; throw light upon; explain
extemporarily- done, spoken, performed, etc., without special advance preparation; impromptu: an extemporaneous speech.
extraneous- introduced or coming from without; not belonging or proper to a thing

  Answers:  1-C;   2-C;  3-A;  4-B;  5-D;  6-C;  7-D;  8-D;  9-B&D;  10-C&D;  11-C; 

Chapter Summary - Chaitanya-bhagavata - Adi Lila Ch. 12
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Brief Summary:  This Chapter concentrates completely on Nimai Pandita, the consummate scholar of Nabadwip.  Nimai was fully engaged in performing His transcendental pastimes as a scholar in Nabadwip. Always with a book in hand, He went about Nabadwip challenging all the scholars and teachers to debate on
practically any subject matter, but no one could meet His challenge. The Lord was supposed to have studied only grammar. Yet He regarded acclaimed and titled scholars with disdain; Several new names are added to, Devotees Mentioned;  Nimai Pandita meets Gadadhara Pandita who agrees to the Nimai's challenge. The Lord asks, Tell me the symptoms of liberation; Gadadhara could only think of escaping Nimai's association; Everyone now recognized Nimai as an erudite scholar; The only thing that disheartens me is that He does not worship Lord Krishna; The Vaishnavas often prayed for Nimai's welfare, especially that He become attached to Lord Krishna; The Lord affectionately replied, "I am truly very fortunate that all of you are so intent about teaching Me the path of devotional service to Krishna. Within My heart I know that whoever receives your blessings is most fortunate; The citizens of Nabadwip were equally happy to meet Sri Gaura Chandra and whenever they saw him they offered respect; After holding class for several hours, Gaurasundara and his students would break at midday for their bath in the Ganga. After that the Lord would return home for His daily worship of Lord Vishnu. He offered water to Tulasi Devi, circumambulated her, and then sat down to eat his meal while chanting the name of Lord Hari;

Laksmi Devi served the prasada to her Lord while mother Saci looked on, drinking in the Lord's beauty to her full satisfaction. After eating the Lord chewed some betel leaf and lay down while Laksmi massaged His lotus feet. For a while He would rest in a transcendental sleep, and upon rising He would again take his books in His hand and leave the house. Out in the street, Gaurasundara gave and received great pleasure in talking with anyone He met.

Each of the townspeople saw the Lord according to his own mentality. With His disciples the Lord would walk wherever He desired, visiting the weaver, milkman, perfumer, florist, pan dealer, conch-shell dealer, and astrologer - with emphasis given by the author on the milkman and astrologer. The milkmen brought milk, clarified butter, yogurt, cream and curd and offered it to the Lord.

This chapter covers a variety of areas from the pastimes of Nimai Pandita. In the Most Memorable section five more important summaries are mentioned; pastimes with Sridhara, Nimai's air disorder, supernatural things Mother Saci witnessed, the zenith of all the Lord's activities, and wonderful prayers and thoughts by the author.

Most Memorable:   1) The Lord's dealings with Sri Sridhara are especially nice along with the author's brief descriptions of various supernatural occurrences witnessed by Mother Saci.  2)  People continued to try to cure the Lord by applying a variety of oils over His head and body. He dripped with oil.  3) I am not going to touch Your hidden wealth now: that I will get later, assured Nimai. But if you give Me banana root and some banana stalks right now without taking money, then I will not fight with you any more.  Yes that is a very satisfactory agreement, said Nimai. There should be no further fights, but please see to it that I get good quality bananas, banana stalk and radish. Daily the Lord ate with Sridhara from his leaf cups, relishing his bananas, banana stalks, radishes and Sridhara's cooking, in general. Sridhara thought to himself, "He is a very aggressive brahmana. Someday He might even beat me. But even if He does beat me, what can I do? I really cannot afford to give him whatever He wants free each day. But I see He has a godly form; He is not an ordinary personality by any means. If He takes my things by force or by some other tricky means, then He is free to do so. I think this is my good fortune, and in spite of my poverty I will continue to give Him whatever He wants." 4) In His Nabadwip pastimes the Lord liked to be very arrogant, in fact, no one could match that arrogance. Whenever the Supreme Lord performed any pastime, His activities could not be equaled by anyone. When the Lord feels like performing His chivalrous pastimes, then there is no one to challenge His mastery over weapons. And when He wants to reveal His amorous pastimes, then He captivates the hearts of millions of beautiful damsels. When He wants to enjoy opulence, then His opulence and magnificence is unmatched. Now in His pastimes as an erudite scholar there is no one to match His insolent arrogance, and when the same Lord accepts the renounced order of life, then who can excel Him in devotion, dedication and renunciation? Is there anyone in the three worlds to match Him? Yet in all His incarnations and pastimes the zenith of all activities is voluntary loving defeat by the hands of His pure unalloyed devotees. 5) Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura prays: There was no way to gauge the amount of good fortune that those people accumulated and the bliss they experienced just by seeing the Lord ...But alas for me, I have taken a sinful and wretched birth. I could not be born at that time. My life is bereft of that beautiful transcendental sight of Lord Gaurasundara. In spite of all this, O Lord Gaura Chandra, please grant me the mercy that I may remember this pastime of yours in every birth. Wherever You and my Lord Nityananda perform your transcendental pastimes with your eternal associates, may I also be present there as your humble and insignificant servant.

Quiz: (see answers below)

1. One day Nimai Pandita quite unexpectedly met Mukunda on the road and quickly engaged him in debate, letting Mukunda decide the subject matter.  After being defeated at every turn, what did Mukunda think to himself?

A-  That even though he wasn't the one to overcome Him, one day Nimai would meet His match and be defeated because there is always one who is greater that comes along.
B-  "It is not possible for a human being to posses such knowledge,"
C-  Since Nimai knew everything, He must actually be Lord Krishna.
D-  "I must immediately tell everyone that the Lord has arrived."

2.  Sri Gadadhara Pandita was another Vaishnava that Nimai Pandita enjoyed tormenting with His game of questions.  How did Gadadhara explain to the Lord how liberation was attained.

A- Ony by the mercy of Sri Guru.
B- Only by chanting Hare Krishna.
C- Only after the result of extreme suffering.
D- By bathing in the Ganga and other holy rivers.

3. What would the Lord take from the Vaishnavas of Nabadwip?

A- Their clothes
B- Their food
C- Their blessings, knowing that only through such blessings could love of Krishna be achieved.
D- Their pride

4.  What did Buddhimanta Khan do to the Lord?

A-  Soundly defeated Him in debate.
B-  Gave him gold to pay off his many debts.
C-  Rushed to Nimai's aid when the Lord fell unconscious from a "wind disorder".
D-  Gave Him some food that made Nimai ill.

5.  What was the most spiritual aspect of Nimai Pandita's illness?

A-  That harassing Vaishnava's lead to sickness.
B-  That food should never be accepted from a non-devotee.
C-  That Nimai was not God because the true Lord never gets sick.
D-  Nimai revealed His real identity during His illness but still no one recognized Him because of the Lord's internal potency.

6.  What was the main treatment used to cure the Lord?

A-  Oils were rubbed all over Him.
B-  Hot cloths were applied to His feet.
C-  He was given banana roots to chew.
D-  He was given copious amounts of Ganges water to drink

7.  What would the Milkmen call Nimai Pandita?

A-  Uncle
B-  Lord
C-  Gurudeva
D-  Nimai

8.  What did the Lord want from the Astrologer?

A-  He wanted to know if His recent illness was going to return.
B-  He wanted to know how long He would live, asking as a form of hidden joke just to see how the astrologer would reply
C-  He wanted to know who He was in His previous birth.
D-  Since He was married to Laxmidevi, He wanted to know how many children they would have.

9.  When Nimai Pandita asked the astrologer who He was in a previous birth, the astrologer chanted his Gopala mantra and began to meditate.  What happened next?

A-  The astrologer suddenly got up and began dancing.
B-  Tears began to stream down the astrologer's face.
C-  He told the Lord that instead of the past that he could only see Nimai's future.
D-  He had vision after vision of all the different manifestations of Lord Krishna: the dark, monsoon-cloud complexion of the four-handed form of Lord Krishna,  the Lord bathed in divine effulgence, Krishna as a newborn baby in kamsa's prison and Sri Vasudeva carrying Him to Gokula for safety, as a charming two-handed little boy without any clothes, the curved form of Lord Syamananda Krishna playing His flute while the gopis around Him played on different musical instruments, the Lord holding a bow, as Varaha the boar, he saw Lord Nrsimhadeva,  Vamana, Matsya, Lord Balarama carrying His divine plough, Jagannatha and Balarama with Subhadra standing between them

10.  What did Nimai Pandita accuse His dear-most  friend, Sridhara of?

A-  Keeping the best vegetable back for himself and thus not offering them to Him to eat.
B-  Being an impersonalist.
C-  Hiding great wealth in his house.
D-  Harboring jealousy toward Him.

11.  What was growing on Sridhara's roof top that the Lord had Sridhara cook into a special preparation made with milk and hot spices?

A-  a gourd
B-  a pumpkin
C-  yellow squash
D-  carrots

12.  What esoteric truth did Nimai Pandita reveal to His dearest friend, Sridhara

A-  That in a previous birth He was Govinda, the cowherd boy.
B-  That He is the husband of the Goddess of Fortune and that He would tell her to bring blessing upon Sridhara.
C-  The He is the source of the Holy Ganges River.
D-  That He was the Yuga-avatar for Kali-yuga.

13.  What musical instrument did Nimai play?

A- mirdunga
B- sitar
C- flute
D- Kartyls

14.  Mother Saci would often see supernatural occurrences in her home: many people singing, dancing and playing instruments; she saw divinely beautiful ladies; effulgent demigods who would appear and disappear within a moment.  What were the divinely beautiful ladies holding in their hands?  

A-  pots of yogurt
B-  flower garlands
C-  incense
D-  lotus flowers

15.  How does Srivasa Pandita attempt to correct Nimai Pandita?

A-  By reading part of the Srimad Bhagavatam to Him.
B-  By angrily scolding Him.
C-  By introducing Nimai to Nabadwip's greatest Saint who is then able to put Nimai onto the path of devotional service.
D-  By asking Nimai five questions followed by a few words of encouragement.

16.  Vrndavana das Thakura finally settles on just one analogy to best describe Nimai Pandita with His students on the bank of the Ganges.  Which one is it?

A-  He looked like the moon surrounded by a starry firmament.
B-  He is as beautiful as Cupid.
C-  On the banks of the Jamuna, Sri Nandakumar Krishna sat surrounded by his young cowherd boyfriends. That same Krishna Chandra and the same cowherd boys were also sitting on the banks of river Ganga.
D-  It was as one were seeing the great sage, Brhaspati.

Lord Chaitanya aka:  Sri Sacinandana;  Gaurasundara;

Devotee Mentioned: Sanjaya; Buddhimanta Khan

Mother Saci:   Mother Saci's visions were certainly not imagination. She was the embodiment of devotional service to the Supreme Lord Krishna and all the Vedas glorify her. Merely her glance on any person could purify him so that he could also have the same transcendental visions.

Analogies:   The author writes: It seems that all analogies are inappropriate except the one which is readily accepted by my heart. On the banks of the Jamuna, Sri Nandakumar Krishna sat surrounded by his young cowherd boyfriends. That same Krishna Chandra and the same cowherd boys were also sitting on the banks of river Ganga. Whoever beheld the charming face of the Lord at that time experienced inexplicable ecstasy.

Words:
extirpation - to remove or destroy totally; do away with; exterminate
erudite - characterized by great knowledge
cynosure - something that strongly attracts attention by its brilliance, interest, etc.

 Answers:  1-B;  2-C;  3-C;  4-C;  5-D;  6-A;  7-A;  8-C;  9-D;  10-C;  11-A;  12-C;  13-C;  14-D;  15-D;  16-C  

Chapter Summary - Chaitanya-bhagavata - Adi Lila Ch. 11
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Brief Summary:  Chapter 11 is pure nectar for the heart.  Twice while reading it I had to stop reading to make a little note in the margin to express my delight; it opens with Nitai Pandita a full-fledged, young scholar, the most formidable intellect in all of Nabadwip;  however, depending on "their eyes," the different segments of society perceived Nitai Pandita differently: 1) The materialistic fruitive workers who were attached to family and home saw Him as the Lord and experienced an inexplicable wonder. "How remarkable that every house He graces should always have prosperity," 2) The ladies saw Him as the most attractive cupid. 3) The scholars were convinced that Brhaspati, the most learned priest of the demigods, had taken birth on earth. 4) The atheists He struck fear as the God of death.  5) The Vaishnavas were seriously concerned about Gauranga and His behavior. "He is endowed with such sublime physical beauty," they sadly commented, "yet He shows no attraction for Lord Krishna. What will all His learning and erudition bring Him except years of wasted time."; Mukunda had become a respected scholar by such meetings with the Lord, and he would argue with the Lord, presenting pros and cons to establish his arguments. Of course the Supreme Lord recognized His devotees and enjoyed such exchanges; Chaitanya also harassed Srivasa in the same manner whenever He saw him, so most of the Vaishnavas tried to avoid meeting the Lord which simply wasted their time in useless sophistry and argument; One day when Nimai Pandita observed His beloved Mukunda sneaking off the main road to avoid meeting Him, Nimai Pandita made this prediction: Alright Mukunda, we will see how long you can avoid me," laughed the Lord. Let me catch you another day and you will see how much of a Vaishnava I am. I will become such a Vaishnava devotee that Siva and Lord Brahma will come and stand at My doorstep. So my brothers, now hear from Me carefully. I will become the most famous Vaishnava. Those who are running away at the sight of me now will also sing my glories; The author next writes about the offensive materialist of Nabadwip and their insults to the Vaishnava community, criticizing their devotional dancing, emotions, loudness... They are singing only with the hope of filling their bellies; Advaita Acarya's was the leader of the Nabadwip Vaishnavas and his house was their main headquarters;  {Now the suspense builds: Advaita Acarya Prabhu could hardly tolerate insults to the devotees and grew enraged like an incarnation of Lord Rudra, the destroyer of the material world. He roared furiously, "I shall destroy everyone! ...My dear brothers, please remain patient a little longer, then here in Nadia itself you shall see Krishna reveal His wonderful pastimes; The remainder of Chapter 11 covers the visit to Nabadwip of the giant of a Saint, Sri Isvara Chandra Puri - dressed as a ekadandi sannyasa, he was a magnanimous personality, always absorbed in tasting the nectar of love of Krishna.  He is the esteemed disciple of Madhavendra Puri.  Several episodes describe Nimai Pandita meeting with Sri Isvara Puri; In one of their interactions, Isvari Puri was triumphant in arguing with the Visvambhara.  The Lord was overjoyed that his servant and devotee was victorious over Him. That was the Lord's magnanimous nature through which He always increased the name frame and victory of his disciples;  Regarding a book that Isvara Puri had written and his asking Nimai Pandita to critique it, the Lord responded by saying: "These are descriptions of Lord Krishna by a pure devotee," replied Nimai. If anyone finds any mistake, then he is a sinful offender. The pure devotee never writes anything from his imagination, devoid of a scriptural basis. These writings are bonafide and always pleasing to Lord Krishna. When offering obeisances in the temple an ignorant person might make a grammatical mistake in addressing Lord Krishna while a learned scholar would address him using proper grammar. But the Supreme Lord Krishna accepts both their obeisances. The Supreme Lord is not impressed with mere learning, but He is supplicated by the inner mood of surrender of the living entities. Whoever looks for faults in your writings is actually at fault himself because Krishna is fully satisfied by the writing of this pure devotee. Whatever you have written is an expression of your love for Krishna. Who has the audacity to find some discrepancy in it?"  Chapter concludes with nice blessing for the reader.

Most Memorable:

1. At Advaita Acarya's house the Vaishnavas described the insults they had received from the Nabadwip community. Advaita Acarya Prabhu could hardly tolerate insults to the devotees and grew enraged like an incarnation of Lord Rudra, the destroyer of the material world. He roared furiously, "I shall destroy everyone! My Lord, the carrier of the Sudarsana disc will soon appear here in Nadia and then everyone will see what He does. I shall report all these offenses to my Supreme Lord Krishna. Then only will
this slave Advaita be worthy to be called the servant of Krishna. My dear brothers, please remain patient a little longer, then here in Nadia itself you shall see Krishna reveal His wonderful pastimes."

2. Sri Puripada would read Krishna Lilamrta which he had composed himself and then explain the different esoteric truths. Lord Chaitanya visited Isvara Puri every evening after teaching his students. Isvara Puri was always glad to see him. Although he did not know that Nimai was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his love and affection for him flowed unrestrained. He spoke affectionately to the Lord, "I know you are a
great scholar. I have written a book about Lord Krishna. I want you to go through it and find the mistakes. This will please me very much."

"These are descriptions of Lord Krishna by a pure devotee," replied Nimai. If anyone finds any mistake, then he is a sinful offender. The pure devotee never writes anything from his imagination, devoid of a scriptural basis. These writings are bonafide and always pleasing to Lord Krishna. When offering obeisances in the temple an ignorant person might make a grammatical mistake in addressing Lord Krishna while a learned scholar would address him using proper grammar. But the Supreme Lord Krishna accepts both their obeisances. The Supreme Lord is not impressed with mere learning, but He is supplicated by the inner mood of surrender of the living entities. Whoever looks for faults in your writings is actually at fault himself because Krishna is fully satisfied by the writing of this pure devotee. Whatever you have written is an expression of your love for Krishna. Who has the audacity to find some discrepancy in it?"

Isvara Chandra Puri felt ecstasy surge through his entire body with the explanation of Nimai Pandita. Yet he affectionately persisted, "I know you are not critical but in my works there may be so many types of errors. Please point them out to me." Such discussions between Sri Puri and Nimai Pandita were a daily occurrence and everyone enjoyed such occasions together.

Quiz: (see answers below)

1.  What factor made Nimai Pandita the unquestioned leader among His friends.

A-  His beautiful features.  
B-  Because their teacher told them that Nimai deserved the utmost respect.
C-  Nimai Pandita had a library at His home that nobody could come close to matching.  Many of the book had once belonged to His father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
D-  On the strength of His superior intelligence and learning.

2.   In all of Nabadwip there was only one person capable is discussing with Nimai Pandita.  Who was this person?

A-  Mother Saci 
B-  The brahmana Gangadasa Pandita 
C-  His wive, Laksmi Devi
D-  Sri Banamali

3.  How did the materialistic, fruitive workers who were attached to family and home view Nimai Pandita?

A-  As a rebel rouser  
B-  Only as a smart student  
C-  As the famous troublemaker of Nabadwip that everyone knew so well.
D-  They saw Him as the Lord and experienced an inexplicable wonder. "How remarkable that every house He graces should always have prosperity," they exclaimed.

4.  How did the Vaishnava community view Nimai Pandita?

A-  As a great saint.  
B-  As the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
C-  The Vaishnavas were seriously concerned about Gauranga and His behavior. "He is endowed with
such sublime physical beauty," they sadly commented, "yet He shows no attraction for Lord Krishna.
What will all His learning and erudition bring Him except years of wasted time."
D-  They considered him an incarnation of Vyasadeva.

5.  What was Nabadwip famous for at this time?

A-   Best climate in India 
B-   The oldest temple in India was located there. 
C-   Enormous banana plantations
D-   A center for scholars, from all over India.

6.  Why was Sri Mukunda so loved by all the other Vaishnavas?

A-  Because of his beautiful singing he could melt anyone's heart.   
B-  Because only Mukunda could defeat Vishvambhara in debate  
C-  Because everyone recognized Mukunda as the greatest saint in all of Nabadwip.
D-  Because of the delicious prasadam he always gave out to the Vaishnavas.

7.  How did Sri Mukunda become a respected scholar?

A-  There was nobody in all of India who could defeat Mukunda's logic in debates.  
B-  By his famous poetry. 
C-  By becoming the best teacher in all of Nabadwip.
D-  By often engaging Nimai Pandita in debate.

8.  Why did Mukunda sneak away to avoid meeting Nimai Pandita on the road?

A-   Because he owned Nimai 2 talas of gold and did not have them.   
B-   To avoid Nimai's habit of constantly asking him to engage in mundane arguments.
C-   He was sick and did not want to infect the Lord.
D-   Because of his great shame at loosing a recent debate.

9.  In what manner did Sri Isvara Chandra (moonlike, very soothing)  Puri arrive in Nabadwip?

A-  As a lowly sannyasa.    
B-  On the back of a great elephant. 
C-  Carried on a palanquin
D-  Walked into town with hundreds of his disciples.

10.  How did Advaita Acharya know that Isvara Puri was an exalted devotee of the Lord?

A-  By his large number of disciples. 
B-  By Isvara Puri's efulgence.  
C-  By his unparalleled intelligence.
D-  By the many books he had written.

11.  How often would Nimai Pandita visit Isvara Puri

A-  daily in the evenings after teaching His students. 
B-  seldom  
C-  once every week
D-  Since Gopinatha Acarya's house (where Isvara Puri stayed as a guest) was so far away, Nimai only visited once a month.  Even then it required the use of a small boat to visit him.

12. Why did Nimai Pandita not want to render judgment regarding the book Isvara Puri had written and who had asked the Lord to critique it?

A-   "These writings are descriptions of Lord Krishna by a pure devotee," replied Nimai. "If anyone finds any
mistake, then he is a sinful offender." 
B-   Nimai was concerned with the social etiquette at the time that forbid such a thing on His part.  
C-   Because Isvara Puri was much older than himself, thus to do so would be offensive.
D-   Because Nitai Pandita wasn't knowledgeable enough on the subject and didn't want to be make a mistake.

13.  Why was the Lord overjoyed that his servant and devotee (Isvari Puri) was victorious over Him?

A-  Because Nimai Padita didn't want all the fame.  
B-  Because it showed the world that he was big enough to be wrong some of the time.
C-  Because He always increased the name, frame and victory of His disciples.
D-  By loosing to Isvari Puri proved that Nimai was even handed.

14.  Why did Isvara Chandra Puri have to leave Nabadwip?

A-  Since spring was right around the corner, he wanted to leave before the yearly rains.
B-  It was time to meet his guru, Sri Madhavendra Puri.  
C-  He was sick and needed special medicine that only grew in Vrndavana.
D-  He could never remain long in one place because the restlessness of ecstatic devotional love tugged at his heart.

Devotee Mentioned:  Gangadasa Pandita {No scholar in Nabadwip dared to find faults in His dissertations. Only the brahmana Gangadasa Pandita, a very pious and fortunate soul, was capable of discussing with the Lord.}; Sri Mukunda was especially loved by all the other Vaishnavas because he could melt anyone's heart
with his beautiful singing. Govinda {Nimai Pandita's servant}; Sri Isvara Chandra Puri (aka Sri Puripada); Gopinatha Acarya (Sri Isvara Puri stayed at Gopinatha Acarya's home for 7 months); Srivasa (as Nimai Pandita did with Sri Mukunda, the Lord often engaged Srivasa in materialistic debates;

Blessings:  Whoever is fortunate enough to attentively hear these wonderful narrations about Isvara Chandra Puri is immediately transported to the place where the lotus feet of Lord Krishna are ever offering shelter and mercy. 

Misc. Facts:  Nabadwip was the seat of learning in those days and students and scholars came there from all over. There were many pure Vaishnava devotees amongst them, especially from Chattograma, who had come to live near the bank of the Ganga. By the Lord's desire all those Vaishnava devotees had appeared in Nabadwip; Towards evening, the devotees would gather in Sri Acarya's house and when Mukunda would sing devotional songs to Lord Krishna; Mukunda had become a respected scholar by such meetings with the Lord, and he would argue with the Lord, presenting pros and cons to establish his arguments.

Words:

Chandra: moonlike, very soothing
 

 Answers:  1-D;  2-B;  3-D;  4-C;  5-D;  6-A;  7-D;  8-B;  9-A;  10-B;  11-A;  12-A;  13-C;  14-D  
 

Chapter Summary - Chaitanya-bhagavata - Adi Lila Ch. 10
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Brief Summary:   This chapter focuses on Lord Chaitanya's youthful pastimes as a great scholar at the ripe-old age of 16.  There is nobody more intelligent that God and here we find an excellent purport of this fact in the life of Nimai Pandita.  One of the older students who became an important player in the life of Lord Chaitanya was Murari Gupta.  Exactly how Nimai Pandita won-over His dear friend is explained.  Eventually the Lord became very impressed with Murari Gupta's erudition and this exchange led to Murari accepting Lord Chaitanya as his personal teacher.  Significantly the author mention that Lord Chaitanya at one point (after the Lord accepted defeat from Muraur's magnificent explanations) touched Murari and in so doing surcharged Murari's being. It was in the temple courtyard at Sri Mukunda Sanjaya home (his son was one of Nimai's student) that Nimai would gather with his disciples and teach, on occasion speaking out against the other teachers of Nabadwip.  Nimai looked down upon them for flouting their big titles like Bhattacarya and Misra when in fact they were only kali-yuga men, actually unqualified due to their lack of knowledge regarding the fundamental knowledge about the conjugation of verbs (see below, words); It was also at this time that Mother Saci desired for her son to be married.  It was a brahmana friend of Mother Saci (Sri Banamali) who was instrumental in Nimai's marriage to the daughter of Sri Vallabha Acarya;

Quiz: (see answers below)

1.  What would Nimai Pandita and his friends do at the home of their teacher, Sri Gangadasa?   

A- eat the wonderful prasada that had been offered to their teacher's diety  
B- enjoy nocturnal kirtans  
C- conduct debates  
D- enact Krishna lila plays

2.  The author describes the general mood, the way that Nimai carried Himself and how He projected Himself to His Peers?  How is that described?

A-  a humble servant  
B-  the mood of a valiant, arrogant prince 
C-  full of joy 
D-  transcendental

3.  How did Nimai Pandita treat the students who were not within His circle of close friends?    

A- with great respect  
B- like His equal  
C- would joke with them  
D- Nimai was quick to taunt them.

4.  Older than most of the students, by profession Murari Gupta was:   

A-  a professional singer 
B-  magistrate judge  
C- famous poet   
D- Ayurvedic doctor

5.  How was Murari Gupta's spiritual greatness explained? 

A- He was the partial expansion of Rudra, Lord Siva     
B-  he was an expansion of Lord Brahma  
C- He was the great monkey, Hanuman, who retrieved medicine for Sri Laksmana  
D- he was Lord Vishnu personified

6.  How did Nimai first meet Sri Laksmi devi, who later became His wife? 

A- They met at school   
B- Sri Laksmi devi once met Sri Gaurasundara on the banks of the Ganga when they had each gone for a bath   
C- They were first introduced to each other when they were much younger, by Nimai's father  
D- She was selling bananas at the market and Nimai had gone there on an errand for His mother

7.  What did Laksmi devi do when she first met Nimai Pandita?

A- hid from him  
B-  made fun of his arrogant manners 
C- gave him some prasadam to eat  
D- offered Him prayers as she clasped His lotus feet

8. How did Mother Saci react when Sri Banamali first approached the subject with her concerning the marriage of her son to the beautiful daugher of Vallabha Acarya?

A- With an apathetic reply 
B- With great excitement  
C- With anger 
D- She refused to discuss the idea

9. What made Mother Saci change her mind about the marriage?

A- A chance meeting between Nimai and Sri Banamali  
B- A divine vision  
C- Her neighbors persuaded Her 
D- Her astrologer showed her special signs in Nimai's chart

10. Vallabha Acharya was concerned that he was too poor to offer as a dowry anything other than his daughter along with what five other items? 

A- 5 gold tala bars 
B- 5 sacred cows  
C- 5 pieces of sacred clay  
D- 5 pieces of auspicious hartaki (an auspicious fruit)

11. How many days did the wedding ceremony last? 

A- 2  
B- 7  
C- 3  
D- 5

12.  Other than the actual day of the wedding, what was the main activity mentioned by Vrndavana das Thakura that everyone participated in?

A- Swimming in the Ganga  
B- Eating a special wedding feast 
C- listening to music and watching dancers  
D- circumambulating the village temple

13. At what time of day did the wedding take place? 

A- at dawn  
B- exactly at noon  
C- at midnight 
D- in the evening

14.  According to the marriage customs, Laksmi devi was lifted off the ground and carried how many times around the Lord?

A- 3
B- 7  
C-  5  
D- 12

15.  What mode of transportation was used to take the Lord and His new bride back to Nimai's house?

A- rode in a cart pulled by sacred cows   
B- simply walked with everyone in a huge procession 
C- carried on a palanquin  
D- were taken there by boat

16.  What mystical occurrences did Mother Saci observe right after their marriage ceremony?

A- saintly forms could be seen floating through her house  
B- soft-heavenly music could be heard but there was nobody in the house singing  
C- beautiful lights and the smell of lotus flowers   
D- swirling incense would magically appear with the most wonderful fragrance

 Devotee Mentioned:    Murari Gupta; Sri Mukunda Sanjaya (the father of one of Nimai Pandita's students); Sri Vallabha Acarya (a good and pious brahmana, equal to King Janaka, the father of Sita devi, whose daugher Nimai married); Sri Laksmi devi; Banamali;

Flowery Language:  Sri Laksmi offered Him a garland of flowers at His lotus feet. She worshipped Him, surrendering herself as though she were those very flowers.

Blessings:   Whoever hears the narration of the Lord's marriage with devotion will certainly be able to break the ties of material bondage.

Words:

erudition (scholarship)
Brhaspati (seeks to learn. He then imparts his knowledge to others)
conjugation (the inflection of verbs; the whole set of inflected forms of a verb or the recital or display thereof in a fixed order: The conjugation of the Latin verb amo begins amō, amas, amat; a class of verbs having similar sets of inflected forms: the Latin second conjugation)
oblations (The act of offering something, such as worship or thanks)
 

 Answers: 1-C;  2-B;  3-D;  4-D;   5-A;  6-B;  7-D;   8-A;  9-A;  10-D;  11-A; 12-C; 13-D;  14-B;  15-C;  16-A

Chapter Summary - Chaitanya-bhagavata - Adi Lila Ch. 9
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Brief Summary:  Chapter 9 is the longest encountered so far, mostly covering the life of Lord Nityananda from his birth (1473 A.D.12^th Feb.) till called by Lord Chaitanya to finally join Him;  Lord Nityananda appeared in the village of  Ekacakra . His father was a brahmana named Hadai Pandita (aka: Mukunda Bandyopadhyay ) and his mother was Srimati Padmavati devi; Nityananda was born with a serene disposition and He was highly intelligent; young nitai absorbed Himself playing with His friends, enacting all the famous stories from the ancient history of India, thus hiding His supreme identity from all; Nobody could fathom where in the world such a young child could have learned the stories He and His friends played out with such precise detail;  Not even 13 years old, Nimai leaves home to travel until His 32nd year - all over India visiting the sacred places of pilgrimage.  The author of this book gives a brief, yet detailed description of the many places the Lord traveled to, culminating with his meeting Sri Madhavendra Puri, along with the famous devotees, Isvara Puri & Brahmananada Puri; Sri Madhavendra Puri said, "Nowhere have I found the exhibition of such supramundane love par excellence as in Lord Nityananda. Wherever that love is found becomes the best of all the holy pilgrimages"; the author warns that whoever harbors even a tinge of apathy for Lord Nityananda is forever cast aside by Lord Krishna; Nitai Chandra is devoted exclusively to Lord Caitanya so no one can attain His shelter without His blessings.

Quiz: (see answers below)

1.  As a child, Lord Nityananda concealed His true identity by: 

A - Reading the Holy Scripture all the time   
B - Going to school   
C - Playing with the children of His village   
D - Memorizing the Bhagavada-gita

2.  What was the main question that those living in Ekacakra had about Lord Nityananda 

A - How could such a young boy play for so many long hours    
B - Why did Nitai always fight with the other boys?  
C - Was Nitai an incarnation of Lord Krsna?   
D - How does a mere child know so many transcendental pastimes of Lord Krishna?

3.  Enacting the pastimes of Lord Krishna, at times Nitai would... 

A - Beat the ground with a stick  
B - He would cry so intensely that tears flowed like a gushing river    
C - He would jump incessantly for hours on end  
D - He would stay outside all night and not come home.

4.  In one of His plays, Lord Nityananda and his friends enacted the pastime of Lord Ramachandra's monkey army throwing rocks into the ocean to build a bridge.  What did the Nitai and His friends use to make his pretend bridge?  

A - Used cushions that floated like rocks  
B - Threw boulders into the water that they found at a rock quarry  
C - Felled some castor oil trees and threw them on the water  
D- Used palm branches that naturally float and were plentiful all throughout the forest

5.  During the children's games of enacting the pastime of killing Indrajit, what was thrown at Nitai that made him go unconscious? 

A- a rock that accidentally hit Him on the head   
B- a lotus flower    
C- a coconut   
D- A hollow basket

6.  Where did the medicine come from that revived little Nimai? 

A- His family's doctor 
B- From nearby watercress growing in a stream 
C- Gandharva hill  
D- coconut juice

7.  At what age did Nimai leave His beloved home? 
A- 22   
B- 21 
C- 14 
D- 12

8.  What is Lord Nityananda famous for? 

A- He once walked on water 
B- Going into a trance for three entire days  
C- Inundating the universe with love of God     
D-  as Lord Caitanya's spiritual master

9.  Who is the original or first devotee of Lord Caitanya?   

A- Brahma   
B- Mother Saci 
C- Lord Nityananda  
D-Madhavendra Puri 

10.  What does the author of the Caitanya-bhagavata wish to do in the company of his spiritual master, Lord Nityananda? 

A- He desires to study Srimad Bhagavatam in Lord Nityananda's presence  
B- He desires to go swimming in the Ganges River with Lord Nityananda  
C- He desires to sing with Lord Nityananda  
D- He desires to re-trace with the Lord the same pilgrimage that Nityananda made for 20 years

Devotee Mentioned:   Isvara Puri ;  Brahmananada Puri ;  Sri Madhavendra Puri  (Lord Chaitanya often remarked that Sri Madhavendra Puri was the main trunk of the tree of nectarine devotional mellows); [the author, Vrndavana dasa Thakura gives a second warning in the chapter when he mentions that "those who misinterpret the remarks of Advaita Acarya Prabhu or Lord Nityananda as criticism of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu should realize that those remarks were in fact shaded glorifications of my Lord. All the Vaishnava associates of Lord Chaitanya are externally liberated and enlightened souls. What is wrongly understood to be disturbing arguments or abusive language used between them is actually one way they express their deep love for each other. An ordinary person is therefore discouraged from taking sides in such a mock fight, for if he criticizes anyone then he places himself in a precarious position."]

Lord Nityananda aka:   Nitai Chandra

Blessings:  Those faithful souls who hear this narration of the wonderful meeting between Sri Madhavendra and Lord Nityananda will surely attain the highest perfection, love of Krishna; One can obtain full devotion at Lord Chaitanya's lotus feet simply by worshipping Lord Nityananda;  All obstacles and misfortunes in life are extirpated as soon as the knowledge of the truth about Lord Nityananda dawns upon one; Whoever hears these narrations with devotion is crowned with the most precious gem of success - love of Godhead. 

Misc. Facts:  Hanuman, who is also known as Mahavira; Sri Advaita Acarya Prabhu is foremost amongst Sri Madhavendra Puri's disciples, Isvara Puri, Brahmananada Puri; Nimai's father's name was also Mukunda Bandyopadhyay 

Words:
percipience:  perception

 Quiz Answers: 1-C;   2-D;   3-B;   4-D;   5-B;    6-C;   7-D;    8-C;   9-C;   10-A
 

Chapter Summary - Chaitanya-bhagavata - Adi Lila Ch. 8
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Brief Summary:  Chapter 8 begins by describing the events surrounding young Nimai being awarded the sacred thread by his father. This led to Niamai being accepted as a student by the crown jewel of Nabadwip's numerous teachers, Sri Gangadasa Pandita; Overnight, Nimai became the best student in all of Nabadwip, able to argue a subject from many different points of view, often refuting his own arguments to show off; As a young student, Nimai love to pick arguments with the other boys, challenging them to debate that often ended up in splashing each other, throwing sand and fighting; because the Lord swam daily in the Holy Ganga River, finally finally this sacred river was able to achieve what the  Jamuna River experienced when She had Lord Krishna blessing her waters when He was present on earth 5000 years ago; Jugganatha Misra tells Saci of a dream he had where Nimai shaves off his sikha, dressed beautifully in sannyasi robes and is followed by millions chanting the Holy Names.  Even Advaita Acharya was following Nimai in Sri Misra's dream; Because of the pain the author feels discussing Nimai's father's passing away it is only briefly mentioned, which occurred when Nimai was just a boy;  As a growing boy, Nimai had a quick temper and was quick to lash out and break things if his wishes were not immediately fulfilled; an amazing story of Niamai's anger at not immediately receiving the things from His mother that he had asked for is described.  The Lord broke everything and then fell into a divine slumber upon the ground that made up the courtyard of His home; Later Nimai gave His mother 2 tolas gold pieces to buy more bhoga for their house; the fallen condition of the inhabitants of the Nabadwip region is given; ends with description of devotee lamenting fallen condition of everyone as they pray to The Lord for a blessing.

Quiz: (see answers below)

1.  What did Nimai carry in his hand as he went from house to house begging alms as part of His sacred-thread ceramony? 

A -Pot   
B-Tulasi leaf   
C-Stick    
D-Sack to put everything in

2.  In the mood of who did Nimai assume during His sacred-thread ceramony?

A- Lord Siva    
B- The Gopies  
C- Ananta Sesa   
D- Lord Vamana

3.  What was the name of Nimai's first teacher? 

A- Sri Gangadasa Pandita  
B- Sri Murari Gupta   
C- Jagadisa Pandita   
D- Sri Chandrasekhar

4.  What would Nimai often give his mother so she could buy more bhoga  and other household items after his father passed away? 

A- Diamonds  
B- tala gold pieces  
C- Rupees  
D- coins from begging alms.

5.  Before he passed away, Jugganatha Misra had a dream about his Son, Lord Caitanya.  What did the Lord do in this dream?

A- Exhibit his four-arm form    
B- Go to Vrndavana    
C- Turn into Vamana Deva   
D-  Shave off his SikhaLord Chaitanya aka:   Visvambhara Raya; Sri Gaura Chandra; Sacinandana; Nimai Thakura;

Devotee Mentioned:  Sri Sarasvati devi - Sri Parvati devi [and the chaste and dedicated wives of other great sages appeared on the scene for Nimai's sacred-thread ritual of begging door-to-door]; Sri Gangadasa Pandita [Nimai's teacher, crown jewel amongst teachers]; [fellow students: Sri Murari Gupta - Sri Kamla Kanta -  Sri Krishnananda]

Blessings:   Just by hearing the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya, devotional service to the Supreme Lord is immediately achieved; Anyone who hears the narration of Lord Visvambhara accepting the sacred thread attains the supreme shelter of Sri Chaitanya-Chandra's lotus feet.

Misc. Facts:  The author, Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura, makes this prediction: Just by hearing the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya, devotional service to the Supreme Lord is immediately achieved;  Impediments of any sort never appear in the life of any person who remembers your lotus feet, my Lord;

Quiz Answers: 1-C;   2-D;   3-A;   4-B;   5-D
 

Chapter Summary: Chaitanya-bhagavata    Adi Lila Ch. 7
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Brief Summary:  Chapter 7 transitions from Nimai rebellious years to the opening of a new page in His life of a young scholar.  The author explains this new era more fully in chaper 8.  This chapter, while leading there, instead concentrates on things that occurred just before Nimai's official period of studies.  While still touching briefly on Nimai's mischievous behavior, the first part of Chapter 7 is dedicated to Nimai's brother, Sri Visvarupa and His sadness and departure as a sannyasi. "Because of the inherent characteristics of the supersoul, Lord Krishna is able to attract the affection of the Gopis. This fact is applicable only to the devotees for a non-devotee can never feel affection for the Lord. Lord Krishna resided within the heart of Kamsa and other demons, so why were they envious and inimical towards Him? The reason was that these demons had committed grievous offenses in their previous lives. Everyone agrees that the sweetness of sugar is easily discernible; only a diseased person will find its taste bitter. The tongue is diseased; it is not the fault of the sugar. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Chaitanya is the sweetest of all."  The last part of this chapter addresses Nimai schooling and how He overcame Hid father's grief-filled logic of keeping Nimai away from study, all together.  This brought about a final spat of misbehavior and finally triumph so that He could once and for all begin his student life in all earnest and put rest forever His pastimes of tormenting the citizens of Nadia.
 

Most Memorable: 

1.  One day when Mother Saci had completed her cooking she told Sri Visvambhara to bring His elder brother home to eat. Bearing that instruction, Lord Visvambhara ran to Sri Advaita Acarya's residence to retrieve His brother. At the Acarya's house He saw the assembly of Vaishnavas discussing the most auspicious topics of Krishna lila.

Sri Gaurasundara, who is Lord Krishna Himself, felt satisfied to hear the devotees glorify Him, and He captivated them with His glances. Every line of the Lord's transcendental form seemed to defy the extremities of delicate beauty; the radiance of millions upon millions of moons lost their luster when compared to the effulgence of even one of the Lord's finger nails.

Bare-chested and covered with dust, Visvambhara smiled and addressed His elder brother. "Brother, come to eat. Mother is calling you." He caught hold of Visvarupa's dhoti and together they walked home. Sri Visvambhara's enchanting beauty held the devotees in a trance. They stared at Him in wonder, unable to move. The devotees entered into meditation, experiencing the ecstasy of love of Godhead. Even the discussions on Krishna could not be continued.

2.  Sri Visvarupa's disappearance left the hearts of Mother Saci and Sri Misra in intense grief. With the other family members and friends, the parents wailed in lamentation. Sri Visvambhara was unable to bear the separation of His brother and He fell unconscious. I am unable to depict the scene of intense grief and lamentation which struck the house of Sri Misra. 

Quiz: 

1. Though His mother tried to correct Him with sweet advice and in the presence of good instruction, How did Nimai respond to the pleas of His Loving Parents?

A.  He said he was sorry and would never behave poorly again.
B.  He went to the forest to meditatate.
C.  He created twice as much mischief.
D.  He prayed to His family Deity for forgiveness.

2. Although the Lord feared no one, there was one person who Nimai humbled Himself before, who was that?

A.  The chief of police.
B.  The family Salagram Sila
C.  When he would meet is teacher.
D.  In the presence of His elder brother Visvarupa, He became soft and humble.

3.  How is Visvarupa described in the Chaitanya-bhagavata?

A.  He was Narada Muni who had taken his birth in Nadia just to be with his beloved Lord.
B.  He was actually Lord Brahma.
C.  He was the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
D.  He was a very pious Brahmin who achieved greatness by studying the Bhagavada-gita.

4.  What was Visvarupa's favorite pastime?

A.  He love to swim.
B.  Visvarupa was always found in the association of pure Vaishnava devotees discussing topics about Krishna, engaging in Krishna's service or worshipping the Lord in devotion.
C.  He loved to debate amongst all the scholars that lived in Nadia.
D.  He would take long walks and meditate on the Supersoul.

5. How would the materialistic people of Nadia treat the Vaishnavas when they saw them?

A.  They would taunt them with words.
B.  They would always pay them great respect.
C.  The custom was to fold their hands and bow down before theses Saintly personalities.
D.  They would always engage them in debates

6.  What would Visvarupa do each day?

A.  Go to the forest and meditate.
B.  Go to school where He was a teacher.
C.  Stay home with His wife.
D.  Each day at dawn, after a bath in the Ganga, Sri Visvarupa would visit the house of Sri Advaita Acarya Prabhu.

7. What is the most definitive statement by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura regarding the identity of Sri Visvarupa?

A.  That in a previous birth he was Hanuman.
B.  When Lord Krishna played with his friends in the forests and hills of Vrndavana, Sri Visvarupa was one of the Lords cowherd boyfriends.
C.  Sri Visvarupa is the non-different, direct expansion of Lord Nityananda, the original Sankarsana.
D.  Sri Visvarupa is none other than the great wandering Saint Narada Muni, thus explaining why Visvarupa was unable to stay in one place for long.

8.  The Vaishnava community was devastated by sudden disappearance of Sri Visvarupa, their life and soul.  What did Advaita Acharya tell them to do?

A.  "Go and happily sing Lord Krishna's Holy Name."
B.  "Those of you who cannot tolerate the abuse of the atheists should go to the forest and follow Visvarupa.  Those who are able to remain must go the the Gunga and after bathing call upon Lord Krishna to protect Visvarupa as he wanders to the Holy places of pilgrimage."
C.  "Go to Jugannatha Misra and Mother Saci and console them as their hearts are broken."
D.  "Since Visvarupa has chosen the most glorious path, let us celebrate with an enormous feast in his honor."

9.  Following the departure of His beloved brother, how did Nimai react?

A.  He became wild with grief and his restless way increased even more.  Nobody could now check how the Lord tormented the people of Nadia.
B.  He would not speak to anyone for an entire month.
C.  After much grief, Nimai set off in search of His brother, searching all the forest caves and mountains.
D. Lord Visvambhara minimized His restless and mischievous behavior. Nimai stayed by the side of His mother and father to mitigate their grief in separation from Visvarupa.

10.  Instead of being happy upon hearing about the unparalleled intelligence of his son, Nimai, Jugannatha Misra felt intense anxiety.  What was the reason for his grief?

A.  Jugannatha Misra was unhappy because he could not find a suitable wife for Nimai because there were no girls in all of Nadia who would be able to understand his intelligent son.
B.  He felt that Nimai would reach the same conclusion about the material world as did Visvarupa and follow in His footsteps and also leave.
C.  Jugannath Misra was sad because he could see that those who possess extraordinary intelligence are never happy and thus his son was destined to be miserable.
D.  Jugannath Misra knew that there was always someone more intelligent in life and thus Nimai would surely one day meet his match and have to surrender to another, even having to pay and monthly tithe to that person for the remainer of Nimai's life, thus burdening him with a tax upon His shoulders that would forever keep his son poor.

11. How did Jagannatha Misra decide to resolve his grief? 

A.  To send Nimai to a special school located in  South India where the girls there are renowned for their intelligence, thus Nimai would surely find happiness.
B.  To only allow Nimai to study classical Indian dance, in this way with His mind off deeper subjects of life, surely Nimai would remain a householder and stay in Nadia forever.
C.  He forbid his son to study, thus thinking that if he kept Nimai ignorant He would just become a simple brahmin and stay at home.
D.  Jagannatha Misra decided to place Nimai in a school for Ayurvedic Medicine where the long hours of complicated study would keep Nimai's attention off of leaving home.

12.  With idle time on His hands now that Nimai was no longer in school, one day He and His friends spotted a banana plantation full of delicious bananas and decided to raid it one night.  The hid under a blanket to escape all blame.  What did the owner of the plantation think was destroying his crop?

A.  A bull
B.  A mad elephant
C.  A tiger
D.  A cow

13.  Sometimes Nimai and His friends tied the neighbor's doors from the outside so that they could not leave the house to use the outdoor lavatory.  Day and night the Lord of Vaikuntha and His friends performed endless pranks. How was this segment of Nimai's childhood pastimes finally put to rest?

A.  As He became older in time, Nimai simply outgrew His mischievous ways.
B.  Jagannatha Misra finally made good on his threats to beat the Supreme Lord and this put an end to His misbehavior.
C.  Nimai finally felt sorry for all the trouble He was causing His parents.
D.  The Lord sat atop a pile of contaminated cooking pots.

14.  Even though Mother Saci's neighbors pointed out that whatever Lord Krishna desires will always come to true, still they presented a good argument for Nimai to return to schooling.  What did they say?

A.  Since, unlike most children who do not desire to study, and because Nimai genuinely wanted to learn, Jagannatha Misra and Mother Saci should be very pleased and realize how fortunate they were and encourage Nimai to study, rather than keeping him away from his schooling.
B.  If Nimai was kept ignorant of the ways of the world, He would never be able to support a proper wife.
C.  Only by becoming educated would Nimai ever hope to find a suitable wife to match his extraordinary intelligence.  Smart girls would not be interested in an uneducated man.
D. If Nimai didn't continue studying, how would he learn the Vedic Mantras necessary in the life of any Brahmin.  Without schooling Nimai would be relegated to the chores of a sudra. 

Lord Chaitanya aka:  The Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Narayana; Navadvipa-candra (the moon of Navadvipa); Sri Sacinandana Chaitanya (is the supersoul within everyone's heart); Sri Gaurasundara; Lord GauraChandra

Advaita Acharya:   aka: Advaita Mahasaya

Blessings:  Whoever hears the pastime of Sri Visvarupa accepting the sannyasa order of life is freed from the noose of karma and attains devotional service to Lord Krishna; Devotional service to Lord Krishna is perfected by sincerely hearing this story: sitting on the pile of contaminated pots.

Misc. Facts:  Nimai's brother: Sri Visvarupa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was the treasure house of all divine qualities and a renunciate from His very birth. Visvarupa explained that the essence of all scriptures was the path of devotional service to the Supreme Lord. No one has ever had the power to refute His explanations. He was totally absorbed in Lord Krishna and by engaging His hearing, speech, mind and all other senses in the service of the Lord, He grew disinterested in anything else; Sri Visvarupa in particular felt great anguish over the absence of kirtana of the name of His beloved Krishna Chandra; Each day at dawn, after a bath in the Ganga, Sri Visvarupa would visit the house of Sri Advaita Acarya Prabhu; The materialistic person is unable to comprehend the Lord's transcendental activities of attracting and alluring the hearts of His devotees; a non-devotee can never feel affection for the Lord; Everyone agrees that the sweetness of sugar is easily discernible; only a diseased person will find its taste bitter. The tongue is diseased; it is not the fault of the sugar; Sri Visvarupa took the renounced order of sannyasa with the name Sri Sankararanya; If any member in the family takes the sannyasa order of life, then innumerable generations become eligible to live in the transcendental abode of Vaikuntha; Sri Visvarupa  is the non-different, direct expansion of Lord Nityananda, the original Sankarsana; From the day Sri Visvarupa left the house to become a sannyasi, Lord Visvambhara minimized His restless and mischievous behavior; After studying any aphorism once, (a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”) Nimai mastered it so well that when questioned on it, He bettered everyone else; {After Visvarupa took sannyasi and left home, Lord Caitanya's father forbid him to continue his studies in fear that He, too, once he reached an understanding of the Holy Scriptures - just as Visvarupa, Nimai would also leave home.  So Jugganatha Misra wanted to keep Nimai ignorant of the Scriptures and have him stay at home for good.  This pushed Nimai back into his restless ways and dressed as a bull under a blanket, with friends He raided a banana grove}; While sitting on contaminated pots outside his house, Nimai spoke the non-dual absolute truth in the mood of His previous incarnation Lord Dattatreya; Misra Mahasaya is another name that Jagannatha Misra was called by the author;

Words:
mirthful: joyous; gay; jolly
reprobate: morrally depraved, bad
aphorism: a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely



 

 Answers:  1-C;  2-D;  3-C;  4-B;  5-A;  6-D;  7-C;  8-A;  9-D;  10-B;  11-C;  12-A;  13-D;  14-A

Chapter Summary: Chaitanya-bhagavata    Adi Lila Ch. 6

 

Brief Summary:  Chapter six make a final bridge from Niamis childhood pastimes to His activities as a boy between 7 and 10 years old.  A nice story is told of Nimai's refusal to stop crying until the delicious food being offered by two local brahmins and friends of Jugannatha Misra was brought to Nimai to eat. The author then jumps to Nimai as a young boy, acting more like Dennis the Menace rather than the God He is. Vrndavana das Thakura writes the rest of this chapter around Nimais abusive manner and behavior toward the residents of his village while all are taking bath at the sacred river.  The list of complaints are numerous: stealing clothes, offerings, scriptures, deities, and flowers; splashing, spitting, contaminating, touching, spoiling, disturbing, eating, pulling, climbing on, making cry, throwing sand, lying, quarreling, and shouting at.  Those who he offended were actually His eternal associates and a mundane person cannot understand such activities of the Lord.

Most Memorable:   "Everything was just as it should be. His body was covered with dust, He was dressed in the same clothes and they were dry. His hair was also dry and he had His books."

Physical descriptions:   His body covered in grayish dust and speckled with drops of black writing ink.

Lord Chaitanya aka:  Sri Sacinandana Chaitanya is the supersoul within everyone's heart; Sri Gaurasundara; Nimai;

Quiz:

1. Jagadisa Pandita and Hiranya Pandita both were friends of Jugannatha Misra and his wife, Mother Saci.  Their homes were nearby.  One day little Nimai wouldn't stop crying.  How were these two brahmins involved in soothing Nimai's feeling so that he no longer cried and cried?
A.  They were both magicians and little Nimai wanted to see their magic show.
B.  They also had little boys and if they would only come visit, then Nimai would have friends to play with and wouldn't have to cry.
C.  Nimai said if He could only eat their offerings to their Deities, then He would become healthy and calm and be able to act normal and not cry.
D.  These were the two best singers in the entire province and if only if they would come to His home and sing the Lord's Names, then would little Nimai become happy.

2.   Only by  developing  spiritual intelligence can  one perform devotional service.  And only through devotional service can the Supreme Lord, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, be known as He is. How is this spiritual intelligence obtained?
A.  By chanting japa.
B.  By only eating food offered to Lord Krishna.
C.  By Krishna's mercy.
D.  By worshiping tulsai.

3.  As Nimai grew into a boyhood, he was often seen with what kind of marks all over His body?
A. Tumeric drops from helping His mother cook.
B. As a young brahmin, Nimai worshiped their family Deity day and night.  Often he was covered in sandalwood paste marks which everyone noticed.
C. At the place where Nimai and His friend would go swimming every day there was a lot of dark clay and wherever the Lord went people could see this dark clay on his body.
D. Drops of black writing ink.

4.  Where did Nimai mostly get into trouble?
A.  At the open-air market place where all the young girls sold vegetables.
B.  At the Ganga where everyone came to bath and worship.
C.  In His own house is where He mostly got into trouble.
D.  At school where the older boys picked on the Lord out of jealousy since Nimai was so much smarter than they were.

5.  What did Nimai do with okada seeds?
A.  He would throw them in the girls hair because they were very difficult to comb out.
B.  He would put them in their shoes which would make their feet hurt.
C.  He would put them in their food and make everything too bitter to eat.
D.  He would squeeze them and get a red liquid out of the seeds and throw it at everyone.  This would stain their skin red.

6.  What did Jugannatha Misra find odd about the events surround Nimai's misbehavior?
A.  Nobody would accuse Nimai of bad behavior directly to him.  There were only rumors.
B.  All the accusers soon changed their minds about Nimai's guilt.
C.  Sri Misra saw that Nimai was covered with dust and there were no signs of His having taken a bath.  Everything was just as it should be. His body was covered with dust, He was dressed in the same clothes and they were dry. His hair was also dry and he had His books.
D.  Only the most pretty girls in Nimai's village would accuse Him of misbehavior.

 
7.   What is the best way to understand the residents of Nabadwip, who as a young boy Lord Caitanya would treat so harshly.
A.  They deserved being treated that way because in previous births they fought against Lord Krishna.
B.  As described in the opening chapters of this book, the citizens of Nadia were sinful and thus deserved this punishment from the Lord.
C.  All of those who experience Nimai's torment were simply working of their bad karma.
D.  The personalities of Nadia were eternal devotees and associates of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna. The Supreme Lord performed various transcendental pastimes with His intimate servitors; a mundane person cannot understand such activities of the Lord.

Devotee Mentioned:  {Jagadisa Pandita & Hiranya Pandita (two brahmins who little Nimai summoned so that He could eat their offerings: "If you want to save my life, then quickly go to the houses of the two brahmins Jagadisa Pandita and Hiranya Pandita. "I am very attracted to the homes of these two pure devotees, and if I could eat their offerings I would become healthy and calm and I could behave normally." Jagadisa Pandita and Hiranya Pandita were topmost Vaishnava devotees and inseparable friends of Sri Jagannatha Misra. When they heard Nimai's request they were filled with joy. The two brahmin Vaishnavas said, "This is a very extraordinary story. We have never seen such an intelligent child. How could He know that today was Ekadasi and that a large variety of food had been offered to the Lord?};

Flowery Language:  Shining brightly like the moon, he carried beautiful books in His hands. Blotches of writing ink on different parts of Nimai's body appeared like decorations on His golden complexion. It looked as though a sweet smelling golden champaka flower had attracted a swarm of black bumblebees; 

Misc. Facts:   Only by Krishna's mercy can one develop the spiritual intelligence to perform devotional service; Only through devotional service can the Supreme Lord, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, be known as He is; One of His worst tricks is that while the women and men are bathing He mixes up their clothes and when they want to dress they become quite disturbed;

Words:
cogitations (concerted thought or reflection; meditation; contemplation)

 Answers: 1-C;  2-C;  3-D;  4-B;  5-A;  6-C;  7-D