Prabhu Nityananda, Shri Krsna Chaitanya
Aug 10, '07 CALGARY—
One day, our dear Nimai Pandita decided to take a stroll in Navadwipa. At this time in His pastimes, He was still living at home and involved in learning, teaching, and debate. In fact, His incredible scholarship was becoming well known throughout the entire region. His arguments were unmatcheable, and many lesser scholars were soundly defeated by Viswambhara's lucid and impeccable debating abilities. His fame spread throughout the lands.
Walking along the avenue, Nimai could see Mukunda Prabhu, a great scholar in his own right, and a devotee of Krishna, and Nimai's friend, coming up the same road, towards Him. The Lord was looking forward to meeting Mukunda. Suddenly, however, Mukunda turned up a side street, apparently in order to avoid meeting the Lord.
Mukunda was a Vaisnava, and he felt some dissatisfaction debating Nimai on so many points not directly related to devotional service. He did not wish to be further involved in logical debate and points of grammar. Nimai the Pandita was most expert in such logic and rhetoric. So, to avoid meeting the Lord, he turned and went another direction.
Seeing him do this, Sri Vrndava dasa Thakura in Caitanya Bhagavata, describes that the Lord thought to Himself, "Ah, that Mukunda! He thinks that by turning aside, he can avoid debating with me. He does not care for scholarship so much as devotional service, so he avoids me. Well ! I will show him! I will become such a Vaisnava that even the demigods will come to take my association! I will become such an exalted devotee as is rarely seen in this world!"
And He did! Taking initiation from Srila Isvara Puri of Gaya, who instructed him to chant the Name of Krsna always, He shed whole flower-beds full of tears of love of Godhead. The residents of Bengal were astonished to see the changes in the Lord's behaviors. Now for Him, everything indicated Krsna. The balance of His life established Him as the greatest of all devotees.
In this way, if we just ponder for a moment... We are all struggling hard to make advancement in spiritual life. No one can rise to pure devotional service without deep commitment and dedication, often over many lifetimes, and even then, hardly anyone rises to the topmost levels. But Nimai, simply at His will, becomes the most exalted Vaisnava, just like that! Even Lord Indra cannot do this! No one can do this just on the moment, by dint of their will. All must have full sanction from the highest devotional authorities, from the liberated advanced pure devotees, and by allowance of Godhead. But Nimai, just like that, He decides, and it is done.
No one but God can just decide, on the spot, to be the greatest Devotee. This is entirely impossible for the ordinary man, or even a great demigod, or anyone other then the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself !
Comments
So this is Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy that you are becoming Krishna conscious. Otherwise, it is not so easy thing; very, very difficult. Kecit kevalaya bhaktya [SB 6.1.15]. So stick to this principle. Chant sri- Krishna -chaitanya prabhu nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda. By their favor, by their mercy, we can chant Hare Krishna. And as soon as we chant Hare Krishna, we are vasudeva-parayanah. There is no more fear. That is required. So you stick to this principle, do not forget. We have already given our ways and instruction. So don't deviate from it. Then everything is perfect and your life is successful.(Srila Prabhupada)