Introduction:
This is the first English translation of Locana Das Thakura’s 16th century Bengali classic. The language flows like music as it poetically depicts the teachings and inner ecstatic life Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Every incident comes alive as the reader immerses in Sri Caitanya’s blissful pastimes from His boyhood days to His taking Sannyasa. Like a master musician, Locana Das Thakura uses words to carry one to the land of lila, wherein the Golden Avatara of Love Divine shares the most intimate exchanges with His loving devotees. Enter the land of eternal love by turning the pages of this devotional classic!
Hardcover
Language: English
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sample Chapter:
Page 278
Page 278
Krishna Returns to Vraja as Gauranga
All the Vaisnavas eagerly gazed at Gauranga. Although they saw Lord Caitanya only once, they could not forget Him. Due to transcendental affection, they couldn’t control themselves. Old men, boys, women, men and even the fools all agreed that Lord Caitanya was surely Lord Sri Krishna Himself.
One Vrajavasi said, “Krishna has returned to Mathura to see His places of pastimes.” Another said, “If He isn’t Krishna, then why does He stand in a three-fold bending form and call out the name of Radha?”
The Vrajavasis stayed with Gauranga throughout the day and night. They didn’t want to leave Him for even a second. Lord Caitanya saw each and every tree and lila-sthana [pastime place], one after the other. Everything in the forest of Vrndavana is completely full of love.
Lord Caitanya manifested Himself in each and every house in Mathura-mandala. Some saw Him as a child, others saw Him enjoying His youthful pastimes. Someone heard Him playing His enchanting flute. Another, maddened in prema, embraced Gauranga as her husband. Everyone considered Him to be his own.
When Gaurahari wandered in the forest, the trees, creepers and flowers melted in ecstasy. The bees, cuckoos, and peacocks quickly came near the Lord. They raised their heads to relish the nectar of Gauracandra’s face. The Lord reciprocated with all the creatures by glancing lovingly at them.
Everyone knew that Gauranga was actually Krishna in the disguise of a sannyasi. Thus, Mahaprabhu finished His tour of Mathura and returned to Nilacala. Locana Dasa takes great delight in describing Gauranga’s blissful pastimes in Mathura-mandala.
Page 279
Lord Caitanya Returns to Nilacala
Gauranga Gives Jewels for Buttermilk
In a joyful mood Lord Caitanya moved quickly toward Nilacala. In ecstatic love He exclaimed, “Ha Jagannatha!” Absorbed in Krishna-prema, Gauranga moved with the determination of a lion. He was moving so fast that His associates couldn’t keep up. The Lord came to a small village in the forest and met a cowherd boy who was carrying a pot full of buttermilk to sell in the market.
Gauranga said, “O dear cowherd boy. I’m thirsty, can you give Me some buttermilk?”
Falling down at the Lord’s feet, the boy said, “Please take this buttermilk, and drink as much as You want.”
Lord Caitanya drank the whole pot of buttermilk. Then that so-called sannyasi walked away while saying, “You stay here and collect the money from My colleagues who are following Me.”
The Lord moved on quickly and the boy sat down, thinking to himself. After some time the Lord’s followers arrived there and inquired of that boy, “Did you see a sannyasi?”
The cowherd boy said, “Yes, He drank all my buttermilk. He said that you would pay for it. If you have any money, then please pay me so I can go home.”
Surprised, Gauranga’s associates looked at each other and said, “Where will we get money? We don’t have any money with us.”
The cowherd boy said, “That’s all right, just forget it. Just tell that sannyasi that this was my humble offering to His lotus feet.” Then the boy tried to lift his empty milk pot and go home. For some reason, he couldn’t budge the pot. Removing the lid, he saw that it was full of precious jewels and gold.
The cowherd boy ran down the road in the direction of Lord Caitanya. He found the Lord waiting for His associates a short distance away.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------