Mahāprabhu's Love for the Unseen Devotee (Part Two)

(Read Mahāprabhu's Love for the Unseen Devotee (Part One) here.)

Thus, the whole day unfolded and drew to a close. Then evening arrived, bringing with it a feeling of great excitement. (124) Bearing fragrant incense and glowing lamps, the assembled devotees began to perform arcana of the Lord’s sacred lotus feet. (125) Conch shells, bells, karatālas, small cymbals (mandirā), and mṛdaṅga drums were played in various ways, causing diverse ecstatic moods to arise. (126)

Gauracandra’s Silent Majesty

Lord Gauracandra remained seated in His full glory. He spoke nothing, simply observing whatever His devotees were doing. (127) Offering various kinds of flowers upon His lotus feet, everyone cried out, “Trāhi prabho! Save us, O Lord!” and fell down, offering full prostrated obeisance. (128)

Some uttered humble prayers, others raised cries of “Jaya! Victory!” In every direction, nothing could be heard but the sounds of ecstatic weeping. (129) Oh, what wondrous bliss manifested with the arrival of the night! Whoever entered that assembly felt as though they had stepped directly into Vaikuṇṭha. (130) The Lord revealed His magnificent divine opulence (mahā-aiśvarya-prakāśa). All His eternal servants stood before Him, their palms respectfully joined. (131) Casually resting His divine limbs upon His devotees and extending His lotus feet amongst them, Gaura-siṁha, the Golden Lion, blissfully engaged in His līlā, full of eagerness. (132) Śrī Gaurasundara became disposed to grant blessings. All His devoted followers remained standing with folded hands [in anticipation]. (133) Absorbed in the twenty-one-hour ecstasy (sāta-prahariyā-bhāva), the Lord showered His genuine mercy upon every single person present. (134)

A Command to Find a Special Devotee

Mahāprabhu then gave the command, “Go quickly and bring Śrīdhara! Let him come and behold this display of My divine manifestation. (135) Thinking of Me constantly, he undergoes great distress in separation. Let him come and see Me directly. Go swiftly now and bring him.” (136)

The Lord instructed the devotees on how to find Śrīdhara: “Go towards the outskirts of Navadvīpa town and wait there. The person whom you hear calling out My name—grab him and bring him here.” (137)

Hearing the Lord’s command, some Vaiṣṇavas ran at once and hastened swiftly towards Śrīdhara’s humble home.

The Kholā-vecā of Navadvīpa

Now please hear some description of this Śrīdhara. He maintained his humble existence by selling products from the banana tree. (139) He would purchase a whole banana plant at a time. Then, cutting it carefully piece by piece, he would sell the various parts (the bananas, leaves, flowers, and the stem). (140) From whatever little income he managed to earn during the day through this trade, he used half of it for offerings to the Gaṅgā. (141) The remaining half was just barely enough for his subsistence. Such is often the test faced by a true devotee of Lord Viṣṇu. (142)

He was supremely truthful (mahā-satya-vādī), like King Yudhiṣṭhira himself. Whatever price he stated for an item, he would never deviate from it, not even slightly. (143) Now and then, a person who understood Śrīdhara’s true nature and integrity would buy his goods, accepting his stated price without question. (144) In this manner, this great soul lived in Navadvīpa. But considering him merely a ‘kholā-vecā’ (seller of banana products), no one recognized who he truly was. (145)

For the entire duration of the night (cāri prahara), he never slept, absorbed as he was in chanting Kṛṣṇa’s names. He would call out “Hari!” in a loud, sustained cry. (146)

All the atheistic people (pāṣaṇḍīs) would complain, saying, “Because of Śrīdhara’s loud chanting, we get no sleep at night! Our ears are splitting! That son of a farmer probably doesn’t get enough rice to fill his belly; afflicted by hunger, he stays awake all night and wails.” (147–148)

Thus the impious pāṣaṇḍīs wasted away, speaking ill, while Śrīdhara, oblivious and joyful, simply carried on with his own devotional practices. (149) As Śrīdhara kept calling out “Hari!” deep in the night, his voice rose higher still, carried by prema. (150)

The Devotees Find and Bring Śrīdhara

The devotees had run only halfway towards his dwelling when, stopping right where they were, they clearly heard Śrīdhara’s distinctive, loud call. (151) Following the sound of his voice, the devotees proceeded and, at that very moment, found and gently took hold of Śrīdhara. (152)

“Come, come, O great soul!” they urged him. “Go and see the Lord! We feel blessed just by your touch!” (153)

Simply hearing the name of his beloved Lord, Śrīdhara fainted. Utterly overwhelmed by ecstatic bliss, he collapsed upon the ground. (154) Gently and carefully, the devotees lifted the unconscious Śrīdhara and carried him into the presence of Lord Viśvambhara, supporting him tenderly. (155) Seeing Śrīdhara, the Lord was deeply pleased. “Come, Śrīdhara! Come!” He began to call out. (156)

"You have worshipped Me extensively, Śrīdhara. For countless lifetimes, you have laid down your very life, out of prema for Me. And in this lifetime, too, you have served Me so much. I always eat My meals off of your banana leaves. (158) Indeed, I have eaten many things that came from your hands. Have you forgotten the argumentative replies you used to give Me?” (159)

Nimāi’s Playful Bargaining

[Here, Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura pauses again to recount the earlier interactions the Lord referred to:] Back when the Lord was engaged in His pastimes of study, appearing like an exceedingly proud young student, He would, in that concealed identity, interact with Śrīdhara. On the pretext of haggling over banana products, He enjoyed many playful and sportive exchanges. (160–161)

Every day, He would go to Śrīdhara’s little stall and purchase various items: banana stalks, bananas, banana flowers, and banana leaves. (162) Every day, they would argue back and forth for nearly an hour and a half before the Lord would finally purchase the goods, paying only half the quoted price. (163) The ever-truthful Śrīdhara would quote the actual, fair price, but Mahāprabhu, giving only half that amount, would snatch the items away. (164) Śrīdhara would jump up and try to snatch the items back, leading to a tussle. Such was the regular commotion between the Lord and Śrīdhara Ṭhākura. (165)

The Lord would tease, “Why, brother Śrīdhara, my ascetic friend, it appears to Me that you are hoarding much treasure. (166) Why are you snatching things right out of My hand? After all this time, do you still not realize who I am?” (167)

But Śrīdhara, being deeply devoted to the brāhmaṇas, would never become truly angry. Seeing the Lord’s captivating face, he would ultimately let Him take all the items He desired. (168)

The form of Gaurāṅga-sundara was so enchanting, it bewildered even Madana (Cupid). On His forehead, the captivating vertical Vaiṣṇava tilaka shined brilliantly. (169) His dhotī was beautifully worn in the trikaccha style (tucked in three places), and His curling locks of hair glistened. His very nature and His two eyes were supremely restless (cañcala). (170) A white sacred thread—Lord Anantadeva Himself in a subtle form—gracefully encircled His divine body. (171) With lips reddish from chewing betel nut, He smiled as He glanced towards Śrīdhara. Once more, He personally picked up the banana products He desired. (172)

Śrīdhara then said, “Listen, O Brāhmaṇa Ṭhākura! Please forgive me; I am simply your dog.” (173)

The Lord retorted playfully, "Oh, I know you are extremely clever! You must have amassed abundant wealth from selling these banana leaves!” (174)

“Are there no other market stalls available?” Śrīdhara retorted. "Go there and buy your banana leaves cheaper then!” (175)

Mahāprabhu replied, “I won’t give up My supplier. Just give Me the banana stalk and bananas, and take the payment.” (176)

Seeing the Lord’s captivating form, Śrīdhara became enchanted and simply smiled, while Viśvambhara, with great delight, would shower him with playful abuses. (177)

“Every day you buy items just to offer to the Gaṅgā,” the Lord said. “So why not give Me something too—free of charge? (178) The very Gaṅgā whom you worship so devotedly—I am her father! I am telling you the absolute truth!" (179)

Covering his ears, Śrīdhara exclaimed, “Viṣṇu! Viṣṇu!” Seeing the Lord’s arrogant behavior, he gave Him the banana leaves He desired. (180)

Thus, day after day, the Lord instigated these playful quarrels. Śrīdhara’s simple understanding was just, "This brāhmaṇa boy is extremely fickle and restless!” (181)

Śrīdhara would eventually say, “Alright, I give up! I’ve lost to you. I’ll give you something for free. Excuse me. (182) I’ll give you one piece of banana bark, one piece of the stalk, one of the banana flowers—so, do you still find any fault in me?” (183)

The Lord would reply, “Good, good! That settles it, no more dispute!” And daily, the Lord would eat His meals off of Śrīdhara’s banana leaves. (184)

This is how the Lord relishes things offered by His devotees. Yet, even if crores of opulent items are offered by a non-devotee, the Lord does not even turn His glance toward them. (185)

Lord Caitanya had the intention, “I shall perform this līlā.” And it was solely for the purpose of facilitating this pastime that Śrīdhara sold banana leaves. Who indeed can truly understand the divine līlā exchanged between Viṣṇu and His Vaiṣṇava devotees? (186–187) Unless the Lord Himself reveals it, no one can know these truths. The Lord caused everyone to remember this principle. (188)

Behold My Form!

[Now, returning to the pastime of the Lord’s 21-hour ecstasy:] The Lord declared, “Śrīdhara, behold My form! Today I shall grant you the eight great mystic perfections!” (189)

Lifting his head, the great soul Śrīdhara gazed upon the Lord. He beheld that same Viśvambhara, now manifest with a divine complexion as dark and beautiful as a Tamāla tree. (190) In His hand He held the enchanting flute, and to His right stood Lord Balarāma. Śrīdhara saw all this manifest before him, pervaded by a magnificent divine effulgence. (191) Goddess Kamalā (Lakṣmī-devī) offered fresh tāmbūla into His hand, while Caturmukha Brahmā and Pañcamukha Śiva stood before Him offering reverential prayers. (192) The great serpent Lord Ananta-śeṣa held His thousand hoods as an umbrella above the Lord’s head. Śrīdhara also saw the great sages Sanaka, Nārada, and Śukadeva Gosvāmī present, offering prayers. (193) All the personified divine energies of the Lord (His consorts), supremely beautiful goddesses, stood on all sides with folded hands, offering eloquent prayers. (194) The moment he beheld that divine vision, Śrīdhara, overwhelmed with astonishment, collapsed on the spot, falling to the ground. (195)

“Arise, Śrīdhara, arise!” the Lord commanded. Upon hearing the Lord’s words, Śrīdhara immediately regained consciousness. (196)

The Lord instructed, “Śrīdhara, now offer prayers unto Me.” Śrīdhara humbly replied, “O Prabhu, I am simply a dull-minded fool. (197) What prayers do I possibly know? What ability do I possess?"

The Lord encouraged him, “Your simple words themselves are prayers enough for Me.” (198)

Śrīdhara Ṭhākura’s Prayers

At the Lord’s command, Sarasvatī, the mother of the universe, entered Śrīdhara’s tongue, and he began to offer prayers. (199)

“jaya jaya mahāprabhu, jaya viśvambhara
jaya jaya jaya navadvīpa-purandara (200)

“All glories, all glories to You, Mahāprabhu! All glories, Viśvambhara! All glories, all glories, all glories to You, the Supreme Lord of Navadvīpa!

“jaya jaya ananta-brahmāṇḍa-koṭi-nātha
jaya jaya śacī-puṇyavatī-garbha-jāta (201)

“All glories, all glories, O Lord of innumerable crores of universes! All glories, all glories to You, born from the blessed womb of the virtuous Mother Śacī!

“jaya jaya veda-gopya, jaya dvija-rāja
yuge yuge dharma pāla’ kari’ nānā sāja (202)

“All glories, all glories to You, who are unknown to the Vedas! All glories, O King among the twice-born! In age after age, You protect eternal religious principles, appearing in various divine forms.”

“gūḓha-rūpe sāmbhāilā nagare nagare
vinā tumi jānāile ke jānite pāre (203)

“In a hidden form, You wandered from town to town. Unless You reveal Yourself, who could possibly recognize You?

“tumi dharma, tumi karma, tumi bhakti, jñāna
tumi śāstra, tumi veda, tumi sarva-dhyāna (204)

“You are dharma, You are karma, You are bhakti, and You are jñāna. You are the śāstras, You are the Vedas, You are the object of all meditation.

“tumi siddhi, tumi ṛddhi, tumi bhoga, yoga
tumi śraddhā, tumi dayā, tumi moha, lobha (205)

“You are mystic perfection, You are prosperity, You are worldly enjoyment and yoga. You are faith, You are compassion; You are even illusion and greed.

“tumi indra, tumi candra, tumi agni, jala
tumi sūrya, tumi vāyu, tumi dhana, bala (206)

“You are Indra, You are the Moon, You are Agni and Varuṇa. You are Surya, You are Vayu, You are wealth and strength.

“tumi bhakti, tumi mukti, tumi aja, bhava
tumi vā ha·ibe keno, tomāra·i ĵe saba (207)

“You are devotion, You are liberation; You are Brahmā and Śiva. Yet why speak of You ‘being’ them? Indeed, they all belong to You.

“pūrve mora sthāne tumi āpane bolilā
‘tora gaṅgā dekho mora caraṇa-salilā’ (208)

“Previously, at my place, You Yourself told me plainly, ‘Look, your revered Gaṅgā emanates from the water that washes My feet.’

“tabu mora pāpa-citte nahila smaraṇa
nā jānilo mui tora amūlya caraṇa (209)

“Yet, even then, remembrance did not dawn in my sinful heart! Alas, I failed to recognize the infinite value of Your sacred feet!

“ĵe tumi karilā dhanya gokula-nagara
ekhane hailā navadvīpa purandara (210)

“You, who previously blessed the town of Gokula, have now appeared as the supreme Lord and master of Navadvīpa!

“rākhiyā veḓāo bhakti śarīra-bhitare
heno bhakti navadvīpe ha·ilo bāhire (211)

“Previously You wandered about, keeping bhakti concealed within Your body. Now, that very same bhakti has become externally manifest here in Navadvīpa.

“bhakti-yoge bhīṣma tomā jinilo samare
bhakti-yoge yaśodāya bāndhilo tomāre (212)

“Through the power of bhakti-yoga, Bhīṣma conquered You on the battlefield. Through bhakti-yoga, Mother Yaśodā bound You up.

“bhakti-yoge tomāre vecilo satyabhāmā
bhakti-vaśe tumi kāndhe kaile gopa-rāmā (213)

“Through bhakti-yoga, Satyabhāmā sold You. Controlled by bhakti, You carried the cowherd boy Balarāma upon Your shoulders.

“ananta brahmāṇḍa-koṭi vahe ĵāre mane
se tumi śrīdāma-gopa vahilā āpane (214)

“That very You—by whose mere thought countless millions of universes are sustained—personally carried the cowherd boy Śrīdāma on Your shoulders.

“ĵāhā haite āpanāra parābhava haya
sei baḓo gopya, loke kāhāre nā kaya (215)

“Those instances where one experiences defeat are usually kept most secret; people do not readily speak of such things to others.

“bhakti lāgi’ sarva-sthāne parābhava pāĩyā
jiniyā veḓāo tumi bhakti lukāiyā (216)

“Yet You, for the sake of bhakti, accept defeat in all circumstances. Although You are always victorious, You wander about, keeping bhakti hidden.

se māyā ha·ilo cūrṇa, āra nāhi lāge
hero dekho sakala-bhuvane bhakti māge (217)

“But now that illusion [of hiding Your devotional nature] is shattered; it applies no longer! Behold! Look now! Throughout all the worlds, everyone is now begging for that bhakti!

“se kāle hārilā jana dui cāri sthāne
e-kāle bāndhibo tomā sarva jane jane” (218)

“In those previous ages, You were defeated by [the bhakti of] only a few individuals. But in this current age, each and every person will be able to bind You [with their loving devotion]!”

The Devotee’s Only Desire

Hearing these supremely pure words flow from Śrīdhara’s mouth, inspired by Goddess Sarasvatī, all the prominent Vaiṣṇavas present were struck with utter astonishment. (219)

The Lord said, "Śrīdhara, choose now and ask for your boon. Today I shall bestow the eight mystic perfections upon you, right before your eyes.” (220)

Śrīdhara replied, “My Lord, are You trying to trick me again? Rest assured, You won’t succeed this time! (āra nā pāribā!)” (221)

The Lord insisted, “Darśana of me never goes in vain. You must certainly receive a boon—whatever your heart desires.” (222)

“Ask! Ask! (māgo māgo!)” Viśvambhara urged him again and again. Śrīdhara finally replied, ”My Lord, then please grant me this boon…" (223)

“ĵe brāhmaṇa kāḓi’ nilo mora kholā pāta
se brāhmaṇa hauka mora janma janma nātha (224)

“…that same brāhmaṇa boy who used to snatch away my banana leaves—may He alone be my Lord and Master, birth after birth.

“ĵe brāhmaṇa mora saṅge karilo kandala
mora prabhu hauka tā̃ra caraṇa-yugala” (225)

“May that very brāhmaṇa who quarreled with me… may He be my only worshipable Lord, may His two feet forever be mine.”

As he continued to speak, prema swelled within Śrīdhāra, and raising both arms, he began to weep loudly. (226) Witnessing Śrīdhara’s profound devotion, all the assembled Vaiṣṇavas became overwhelmed and also began to weep. (227)

Bestowal of Veda-Gopya Bhakti

Smiling gently, Lord Viśvambhara declared, "Listen, Śrīdhara! I shall make you the sovereign ruler of a vast and magnificent kingdom.” (228)

Śrīdhara replied, "I desire absolutely nothing, my Lord. O Prabhu, please just make such an arrangement that I may constantly sing Your holy names.” (229)

Mahāprabhu said, “Śrīdhara, you are My eternal servant. You have witnessed all these divine manifestations of mine. (230) Yet despite seeing all this opulence, your mind remained steady and undeviated. Therefore, I now bestow upon you that pure devotional service (bhakti-yoga) which is concealed even from the Vedas.” (231)

Cries of “Jaya! Jaya! All glories!” resounded throughout the assembly of Vaiṣṇavas as they heard the benediction given to Śrīdhara. (232)

Śrīdhara’s Unseen Treasure

He had no wealth, no followers, and no education—who can possibly recognise these intimate servants of Lord Caitanya? (233) Of what use are education, wealth, beauty, fame, or high birth? They simply increase one’s pride, and everything essential is destroyed at the root. (234) That supreme treasure which Śrīdhara obtained simply by selling bananas and banana flowers—even a billionaire will not glimpse it, though he may strive for billions of years. (235)

In material pursuits, there exist only pride and malice. One engrossed in them does not realize that the inevitable result, which comes later, is degradation and falling down. (236) He who laughs at a saintly person, seeing him as poor or ignorant, is cast into the hell of Kumbhīpāka by the weight of his own karma. (237)

Who possesses the power to truly recognize a Vaiṣṇava? Though all mystic perfections reside within them, externally they may sometimes appear to be experiencing misfortune. (238)

The story of Śrīdhara, the banana leaf seller, stands as a powerful testament to this truth: he embraced bhakti alone, completely disregarding the offer of the eight great mystic perfections. (239)

ĵato dekho vaiṣṇavera vyavahāra-duḥkha
niścaya jāniho sei parānanda-sukha (240)

Whatever apparent worldly difficulties or distress you may observe in the life of a Vaiṣṇava, know for certain that [internally] they are experiencing the highest spiritual bliss.

Those who are blinded by the intoxication of material sense enjoyment know nothing of these truths. Puffed up with pride, due to their learning or wealth, they fail to recognize a true Vaiṣṇava. (241)

Even after reading the Bhāgavatam, some people’s intelligence remains corrupted. If they dare to blaspheme Lord Nityānanda, they will surely head towards destruction. (242)

Conclusion: By Avoiding Offenses, One Gains Kṛṣṇa

Whoever listens to this narration of Śrīdhara’s prayers, and the benediction he received, will surely attain the treasure of prema. (243) For one who never blasphemes a Vaiṣṇava, prema-bhakti for the Lord’s lotus feet awakens in the heart, and he attains Kṛṣṇa. (244)

There is absolutely no positive result from engaging in blasphemy; one only gains sin. Therefore, the most highly fortunate souls never engage in finding fault with others. (245)

aninduka ha·i’ ĵe sakṛt ‘kṛṣṇa’ bole
satya satya kṛṣṇa tāre uddhāribo hele (246)

Whoever stops criticizing and says ‘Kṛṣṇa’ even once—truly, truly, Kṛṣṇa will easily deliver that person.

At the feet of all the Vaiṣṇavas, I offer my humble obeisances. May Śrī Caitanya and Śrī Nityānanda be my very life and soul. (247) Accepting Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and the moonlike Nityānanda as my life and soul, Vṛndāvana dāsa sings the glories of Their divine lotus feet. (248)

Part Three of this series will come next Ekādaśī. Śrīdhara Ṭhākura ki jaya!