Transcendental Inspiration - Part 4

Date: 2021-07-21 Author: Sudarshana devi dasi

Hare Prabhujis and Matajis, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva.

This is in continuation of the previous offering titled, "Transcendental Inspiration" wherein we were meditating on verse 4.9.4 of Srimad Bhagavatam. In the previous offering we saw how Lord gave transcendental inspiration to Dhruva Maharaj, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Baladev Vidyabhyshana and many devotees who sincerely desire to glorify Him and attempt to serve Him either by speech, writing or through any other service.

Today we shall meditate on the glorious life of Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj - the author of Sri Caitanya Caritamrta.

Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami had been living with his family in Katwa, a small town in the district of Burdwan, in Bengal. He worshiped -Krishna with his family, and once when there was some misunderstanding among his family members about devotional service, he was advised by Nityananda Prabhu in a dream to leave home and go to Vrindavana. Although he was very old, he started out that very night and went to live in Vrindavana. In Vrindavana, he met Sri Raghunatha dasa Gosvami one of the principal disciples of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Sri Raghunatha dasa Goswami was earlier staying in Puri and had the good association of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his eternal associate Svarup Damodar Goswami and had heard from him about the pastimes of Lord Caitanya in Puri. On the request of Sri Rupa and Sanatana , Raghunath das Goswami shared these pastimes with them and Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami was also fortunate to hear the same from him. Later devotees requested him to write these pastimes.

It is very important for us to understand the time, place and circumstances under which Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami wrote this great sublime literature, Sri Caitanya Caritamrta. In this great book, Antya lila Chapter 20 verses 92-98 he says,

"I infer that “I have written” is a false understanding, for my body is like a wooden doll. I am old and troubled by invalidity. I am almost blind and deaf, my hands tremble, and my mind and intelligence are unsteady. I am infected with so many diseases that I can neither properly walk nor properly sit. Indeed, I am always exhausted by five kinds of diseases. I may die at any time of the day or night. I have previously given an account of my inabilities. Please hear the reason why I nevertheless still write. I am writing this book by the mercy of the lotus feet of Śrī Govindadeva, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Lord Nityānanda, Advaita Ācārya, other devotees and the readers of this book, as well as Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī, Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrī Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, who is my spiritual master, and Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī. I have also been specifically favored by another Supreme Personality."

For conditioned souls like us, a small fever, pain in hands or legs or any other silly anxieties in life is very good reason to take a break from devotional service, sadhana etc. But here we find Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami in such failing health conditions, when it is not possible for him to sit or walk, even when his hands were trembling wrote this great voluminous nectarean literature. All the acaryas say that this is a great miracle. And how this miracle was possible is also further revealed by Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami in the next couple of verses (Antya lila 20.99-100) śrī-madana-gopāla more lekhāya ājñā kari’ kahite nā yuyāya, tabu rahite nā pāri nā kahile haya mora kṛta-ghnatā-doṣa dambha kari bali’ śrotā, nā kariha roṣa

Śrī Madana-mohana Deity of Vṛndāvana has given the order that is making me write. Although this should not be disclosed, I disclose it because I am unable to remain silent. If I did not disclose this fact, I would be guilty of ingratitude to the Lord.

So herein again we see how Lord transcendentally inspires and makes it possible for His dear devotees to write His glories in all conditions of life.

All glories to the all merciful Lord. Krishna willing we shall meditate further on this topic in the subsequent offering.

Hare Krishna. Thank you very much. Yours in service of Srila Prabhupada and Srila Gurudeva, Sudarshana devi dasi