CC daily 51 – M 202-207 – Devotional culture means loving reciprocation

Thank you Madhavendra Puri's past time is now going towards its conclusion describing Chaitanya Charitamut Madhya Leela chapter 4 text 202 is describing the ecstasy that Madhavendra Puri narrating Madhavendra Puri's past time and reciting the verse that he recited the ecstasy that kindled in Lord Chaitanya so he trembled he shed sweat his jubilation and tears shock and loss of colour was there Nirveda disappointment moroseness Jadya Jadya is loss of pride joy Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went through a whole panorama of emotions it was as if the emotions were dancing through him and it was in complete ecstasy with the emotions being what moved him without any shaking of anything This shloka got opened by the devotee Gopinatha Seva it opened the door of love for lord Chaitanya Gopinatha Seva And then, when this, it was like the, if there is a treasury in some, in some cupboard, when the door is closed, one cannot see the jewels and the effulgence of those jewels, but once the door is opened, then everyone can see.

So like that, premera kapat, now if there is a cupboard, the cupboard needs to be opened with the key. The key for opening that treasure chest of Lord Chaitanya's love, that key was this verse and as Lord Chaitanya recited the verse, and that treasure chest opened and the jewels started shining apart, shining all over and Gopinath sevak dekhe, so all this is happening in the temple of Kheerchor Gopinath. Lord Chaitanya told the story over there and afterwards, normally people will hear the story and they will, they will appreciate and that's the end of it.

So the Gopinath sevaks, they were not really paying much attention when the story was being told. But when suddenly, Jaitanya Mahaprabhu started dancing, falling on the ground, crying, shedding tears, they could not but notice, Gopinath tere sevak dekhe, Prabhura premanaat, so Jaitanya Mahaprabhu was dancing wildly and the servants of Gopinath, the pujaris, the other servants, they all started beholding, what amazing love, what beautiful dance, what extraordinary ecstasy. Lokera sanghata dekhi, Prabhura bhaiya haila, Thakurera bhogasari, arati bhajila, Lokera sanghata dekhi, so when Lord Chaitanya saw that, so many people had assembled over there, sanghata, accumulation.

When he saw that, dekhi, Prabhura bhaiya haila, Prabhu, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, bhaiya haila, they came to external consciousness. And now, when Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was lost in inner consciousness, then how did he notice that there are so many people? Actually, as we discussed, it was an external devotional stimuli, that is a recitation of the verse, that transported him to a realm of ecstasy. And Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, although he was lost in ecstasy, he was also aware of his role and responsibility as a sanyasi.

And he did not like to exhibit his ecstasy to people in general. So, with his devotees who could appreciate that exaltedness, he would let his ecstasy come out unchecked. But whenever he would see other people, people will question, what is this? They will not be able to understand.

Some of them may either think that he is just making a show or others may think that, oh, I will also imitate like this. I will also act as if I have ecstasy. So, he did not want all this.

He did not want people who are not advanced enough to surgically imitate him. So, in general, time and again, we will see that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu exhibits his highest ecstasy either in private or in the company of his intimate devotees. Otherwise, he does not usually exhibit his ecstasy to the public.

Of course, in some occasions he does, like in the Ratha Yatra, when he would dance, this ecstasy would be there for everyone to see. Although Chaitanya Mahaprabhu would practically not see anyone who has just been seeing Jagannath and dancing for the pleasure of Jagannath. So, here, Prabhu Rabha Yahaila Chaitanya Mahaprabhu came to external consciousness.

And then at that time, what happened? The Arati. Thakurera bhogasari. Arati bhajila.

So, bhogasari. The bhoga that has been offered to the Lord that got over. Thakurera for the Lord.

So, here, Gopinath is being referred to by the name Thakur. Thakur was also referred to by the name Gopal here. Bhogasari.

It got over and then Arati bhajila. Then Arati was performed. Now, in Arati, there are bells that are rung, sometimes drums are played and various shahnai and other instruments are played.

So, Arati bhajila. So, the Arati, the instruments are played and the Arati was performed resoundingly. Such was the devotionally intense atmosphere that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu internally was in ecstasy, but externally also there was a devotionally rich atmosphere.

He was in a temple and he was beholding the Arati of the Lord. Thakurera shayan karaya, pujari hai labahir, prabhura aghyani, dheela prasad bharakshir. So, Thakurera shayan karaya.

He, the pujari of the Arati got over. He arranged for the deity of the Lord to rest. Thakurera shayan karaya, pujari hai labahir.

Pujari, the one who was doing the Gopinathera sevak, the servant of Gopinath who was actually doing the deity worship. He came out and although he was inside and he was absorbed in the service of Gopinath, he could not but notice that here outside such intense ecstasy was there and such a great person was there who was exhibiting such ecstasy. So, prabhura aghyani, he came before Mahaprabhu and ani, dheela prasad bharakshir.

He gave him the prasad. What did he give prasad? Bharakshir. He gave all the twelve pots to him.

So, he, Prachaitanya Mahaprabhu is such a great devotee that he deserves the best of everything. So, now it is not just one or two pots he gave, he gave everything to Mahaprabhu. Prasad bharakshir and bharakshir.

He gave this way and what happened? All the pots are given now. It is an extraordinary expression. Normally, the pujaris in the temple will not give everything to a guest and certainly they realized that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is such a great person that they gave all the twelve pots.

Now, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says, Now, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu says, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was already in ecstasy but his ananda, his joy, his ecstasy increased further when he saw the kshira. So, when he saw the kshira, his ecstasy increased more and more. So, for honoring himself with his devotees, he took five pots.

So, normally, whenever something is offered to devotees, generally the hosts are cultured and devotional inclined, they will offer a lot. And the cultured recipient doesn't accept everything. Now, he or Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also saw that actually they have offered everything.

At one level, that is a matter of honor but also it is a matter of etiquette that the kheer they may want to distribute to others also. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu very graciously accepted five and he returned the remaining. So, that's how there is loving reciprocation between the Lord and his devotees.

So, seven pots he gave back to the pujari. So, now why did he take five? Because Chaitanya Mahaprabhu had come there with his four associates. So, and together, the five pots, they ate the kheer.

So, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, as he tasted the kheer, he was tasting the love of Madhavendra Puri for Gopinath and the love of Gopinath for Madhavendra Puri.