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What does Sriman Chaitanya Deva symbolize?
Gaudiya Vaishnavism has set the precedents of Pure Bhakti in the world. Who other than the Lord of Lords Sriman Chaitanya Mahaprabhu can qualify as the great teachers of the world? Sriman Mahaprabhu comes down as the “teacher undercover”, advising only the fortunate ones.
Mahaprabhu represents Sri Rama, the Maryada Purshottam. Sriman Mahaprabhu is available to everyone, provided we take steps towards knowing and subsequently loving the Supreme Lord. Sri Rama symbolizes the Supreme Being in the mood of a human being.
He is the bridge that connects humanity. Mahaprabhu symbolizes Krishna, the Leela Purshottam. Sri Krishna is the Lord in His original all-pervasive mood. Sriman Mahaprabhu also reflects Veda Vyasa, the composer of the Srimad Bhagavatham. The Bhagavatham is the highest ideal. It is the King amongst all Scriptures.
Mahaprabhu also gave the world the hidden secret of the Rasas in Goloka Dhama
Chaitanya Deva is the personification of Dharma
Sriman Mahaprabhu’s life is the beacon that lights up an ardent and sincere devotee’s path. The tale of Mahaprabhu and Chota Haridas reminds one of Sri Rama. The Lord sacrificed His personal pleasure to uphold Dharma, His Dharma as the ruler of Ayodhya.
Sri Rama never compromised with what is authentic, right, even if the whole universe disagreed with Him. The Lord, therefore, represents Dharma directly. He is the very personification of Dharma.
Sriman Mahaprabhu’s intimate associate Chota Haridas lived for Mahaprabhu.
For him, Mahaprabhu was everything. The great Lord too loved Chota Haridas. Yet the Lord never compromised with the principles of Sanyasa.
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The Prasadam Leela of Chaitanya Deva
On a certain day, Mahaprabhu partook Prasadam (Offed foodstuff) at Sri Advaitacharya’s residence.
The rice was fragrant and Sriman Mahaprabhu partook to His heart’s content. He inquired about the rice, particularly. He asked the Acharya, “This rice is tasty.
It fills my soul. How did you procure it?” The Acharya replied, “Chota Haridas got this rice, begging alms.” Chota Haridas had been to Madhave Mahiti’s house.
He got the alms from her house.
Madhave Mahiti, Devotee of Lord Gauranga (Chaitanya Deva )
Madhave Mahiti, a great devotee of Sriman Mahaprabhu and Sri Krishna was 75-80 years old. She spoke only Krishna Katha. She fasted on Ekadashi days, after offering good foodstuff to Sri Krishna.
None could match her Bhakti. Sriman Mahaprabhu proclaimed that she is an eternal associate of Srimati Radharani in the spiritual realm.
Such was her exaltation.
Mahaprabhu declines to see Chota Haridas
That day, Mahaprabhu returned from Advaita Acharya’s residence. He ordered His associates thus, “Do not let Chota Haridas meet me. I do not want to see His face, ever again.” This startled all of the Lord’s associates.
What crime had Chota Haridas done to endure such a grave punishment, people wondered. Mahaprabhu said, “None shall ask me and no one will talk on this subject further.”
Chota Haridas is Heart-broken
Later, as some days passed by, the close associates got to know the reason why, Mahaprabhu, had given such strict orders.” Chota Haridas sometimes spent time talking to Madhave Mahiti.
He spoke only Hari Katha and discussed with her, the glories of Krishna. Then why is Chota Haridas given such a severe punishment? Meanwhile, Chota Haridas was devastated. He could not meet his Lord.
He stopped partaking Prasadam, in separation from His dear Lord Gauranga.
The Lord does not compromise with His principles
But Chaitanya Deva never relented. He remained resolute and hard. Swarupa Damodar, the Lord’s eternal associate, tried to convince Him. He spoke about Haridasa’s purity of intention and his undeniable innocence. Mahaprabhu never budged and remain unshakable, like a rock.
What is wrong if a pure devotee spoke to another pure devotee, about Krishna Leela? Chota Haridas just exchanged a few words, discussing the Lord’s pastimes.
Haridas compromises with Sanyasa Standards
Chota Haridas was a sanyasi, in the fourth and highest order of the Varna Ashrama system. He was an exalted devotee from every angle. The event of Lord Gauranga not seeing Chota Haridas is one of the highlights of “Chaitanya Leela”
The Lord had set very highest standards. Sriman Mahaprabhu had already set the standards for the Brahmacharya and Grihastha Ashrama. Now he was setting the standards for the Vanaprastha and Sanyasa Ashrama. Lord Gauranga never compromised with the lofty standards of Sanatana Dharma.
He wanted all his associates to follow Him and expected them to set the precedent for upcoming generations.
How should a Sanyasi behave?
A Sanyasi should never speak to a woman. He should silently wait for alms, collect them and leave. He should not talk to anyone, especially women, even if a woman is 100 years old. The Shastras proclaim that if a man stays with a wooden doll, in the form of a woman, soon he shall develop lusty tendencies.
This is the fragility of being a human. The one in Sanyasa Ashrama should be setting lofty standards for society. A sanyasi should never gossip and through his actions inspire society. He must adapt and adopt the lofty principles of Sanatana Dharma.
Only then shall society survive and proliferate in the positive direction. A sanyasi should be steadfast in his resolutions and never ever compromise.
He should only stand for the right and never give way, in the name of “So-called compassion.”
Mahaprabhu’s relationship with Chota Haridas
Does this mean that Mahaprabhu hated Chota Haridas? Never. The Lord is the epitome of transcendental love. Chota Haridas had the special mercy of the Lord.
But in the “Nara Leela” (Human pastimes), Mahaprabhu did not compromise and never saw the face of Chota Haridas again. This is a Leela between Nara (Human, Chota Haridas) and Narayana (The Lord, Sriman Mahaprabhu). Chota Haridas leaves for the Spiritual World
Chota Haridas gave up his life unable to bear separation from Sriman Mahaprabhu. The news reached the Lord. He remained unmoved. He did not relent. Mahaprabhu also sent a resounding warning to mankind, following this event.
Mahaprabhu warns the world
He said, “It is my wish that none after me should take up Sanyasa. Sanyasa is hard for the weak jivas of this Iron Age. By taking Sanyasa many may fall and set the wrong examples to other fallen ones. Kaliyuga is contaminated by Maharaj Kali.
None shall be able to endure the blows of Kaliyuga. Let me be the last Sanyasi.” However, this message of Mahaprabhu never took effect. Even today, millions are taking up Sanyasa in the Parampara of Mahaprabhu. Mahaprabhu’s order is being decried.
Mankind is facing the brunt. Even Sanyasa Ashrama has lost its purity, in these corroding times.
Chota Haridas unites with Mahaprabhu in the Spiritual realm
Now, what happened to Chota Haridas, following his death? Who said Chota Haridas died? He never did. Chota Haridas left His body in separation from Lord Gauranga. He simply entered the eternal Nawadwip Dhama, in the spiritual realm.
The great devotee united with Sriman Mahaprabhu once and for all. He continued making his service contributions towards the eternal pastimes of our great Lord, Gauranga.
A beautiful inner meaning of this pastime is also found here
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