A passage from Ch.Bh.

[madanmohandas]

From Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata, Sesha Kanda, Chapter 2.164-185

Nor sooner had they travelled forth that day,
A Toll man, quite ill favoured, barred the way,
And held them back, their onward course delayed,
Until they had the toll and custom payed. 164

But as he on the Lord refulgent gazed,
He was with wonder struck and sore amazed;
And questioned him with all reverence due,
'How many of these people follow you?' 165

'In all the world', the Lord said, 'I have none.
And nor do I belong to anyone;
Truly I am One without a second.'
Thus he and tears in torrents did descend. 166/167

The toll man said, 'Lord, you may take your way,
The others may follow after they pay.' 168

The Lord from there a certain distance came,
And sat him down, chanting Govinda's name. 169

But when they saw they had been left behind,
His devotees felt joy and grief combined. 170

Seeing his detachment they were beguiled,
And in amusement at each other smiled; 171

But after, when the thought to them occurred,
He might leave them, they were with sorrow stirred. 172

But Lord Nityananda said, 'do not grieve,
The Gosai our company will not leave. 173

'Ye do not travel with that Sannyasi',
Said the toll man, 'and you must pay the fee.' 174

The Lord himself from them some distance kept,
And with head resting on his knees, he wept. 175

Even the wood and stone his sorrow felt,
And hearing his weeping, began to melt.
The toll man was with astonishment fraught,
And musing, gan to entertain a thought. 176

‘This man’, thought he, ‘ is no mere man it seems;
What man is there could shed such tears in streams?177

He said to them with all respect forsooth,
‘Who are you, and of whom? Tell me the truth.’ 178

They all replied, ‘He is the Lord of all,
And him we Sri Krishna Chaitanya call. 179
We are all his servants,’ but as they spoke,
Into flooding torrents of tears they broke. 180

Which seeing the toll man felt much surprise,
And tears began to flow from his own eyes. 181

Then sudden with humble repentance meet,
The toll man came and fell at the Lord’s feet; 182

‘A million million births of piety,
By seeing you today, accrue to me. 183

Forgive my transgression and my disgrace,
O boundless ocean of mercy and grace!
With all good speed, without further delay,
To see Blue mountain’s Lord betake your way.’ 184

The Lord upon the toll man cast his look
Of mercy, and his onward way betook;
And as he went, on Hari’s name did call;
He is indeed the Supreme Lord of all. 185

[madanmohandas]

Another passage from Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata, Sesha Kanda, Ch. 3. 442-460

At such time a brahman came to entreat,
And caught hold firmly of the Master's feet. 442

The twice-born said, 'Master, I have come here
With but one earnest prayer, if you would hear. 443

'This sinner did not know devotion's fame,
I loaded Vaishnavas with scorn and blame. 444

'Who in Kali's age,' I was wont to say,
Can be a Vaishnav, why sing anyway? 445

'But now, Lord, as my vile sins are recalled,
My mind is always burning and appalled. 446

'Yet you, the Lion saviour in your pride,
Say how from sin I may be purified?' 447

The Lord, hearing the Vipras word sincere,
Sachi's son told him the means with good cheer. 448

'O twice-born, list, if poison hath been ta'en,
Then let the same consume nectar again. 449

'The poison nullified, the life revives,
And by the power of nectar it thrives;
In what way this is effected and how,
I shall explain to you, so listen now. 450

'The blasphemies you spoke in ignorance,
Was to take poison of dread virulence. 451

'But now the sweets of Krishna's name describe,
The nectar of his qualities imbibe;
And with the mouth wherewith you did blaspheme,
Drink to your fill that ambrosial stream. 452

'From the mouth with which Vaishnavs you did blame,
Now glorify and sing the Vaishnav's fame. 453

'The glory of pure devotees rehearse,
Make songs, O Vipra, write exquisite verse! 454

'Krishna's sweet glory and fame cultivate,
And blasphemous poison eradicate. 455

'Truly, I say, you are free from offence,
Since what you said, you said in ignorance; 456

And if one would evil karmas erase,
Then always Vishnu and Vaishnavas praise; 457

Since by this means all sins are driven hence,
And not by atonement and much penance. 458

'Go forth, O twice-born, high praises begin
Of devotees, and wipe away all sin!' 459

Hearing from his own lips a speech like this,
The Vaishnavas were overwhelmed with bliss;
And to express their immense joy and glee,
They cried, 'all hail, all hail to Sri Hari!' 460

[madanmohandas]

A worthy father and a worthy son. A pleasant and profound passage from Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata, 3.4.139-178

One day a great sannyasi of high fame
To see the wise teacher Advaita came. 139

Seeing Advaita he stood modestly;
Advaita seated him respectfully. 140

Advaita said, 'Lord take alms here today.'
The monk said, 'Give to me the alms I pray.' 141

I have a doubt of which I would inquire,
The answer to which is all I desire.' 142

Advaita said, 'first take your alms from me,
Then I shall answer your inquiry.' 143

The monk said, 'first answer as seemeth fit.'
To which Advaita said, 'well, so be it.' 144

The monk said, 'this Keshava Bharati;
To Sri Chaitanya what and who is he?' 145

Great Advaita considered in his mind,
And thought of the two perspectives combined;
The one according to conventions' laws,
The other as the high ultimate cause. 146

'Mother, father, the Supreme Lord hath none,
And yet we praise him as Devaki's son. 147

'He hath no guru in the highest view,
And all praise him whatever he may do. 148

'Why first tell of the highest conception?
First I will speak as beseems convention.' 149

Thus thinking, he without further ado,
'Sri Bharati is Chaitanya's Guru. 150

'Know you this of Keshava Bharati,
Why do you therefore even question me?' 151

As soon as Advaita had made reply,
Acyutananda to that place did fly. 152

He was but five years old, of beauty rare,
And clad in raiment of ambient air;
Delightsome and playful he there appeared,
His limbs with dusty particles besmeared. 153

Like Kartikeya, handsome in each limb,
Most beautiful and non-distinct from him;
Omniscient, a supreme devotee,
Vested with all power and potency. 154

When he 'Chaitanya has a Guru', heard,
He laughed aloud with indignation stirred. 155

'O father dear, what have I heard from you?
Think you Sri Chaitanya has a Guru? 156

'How could you dare to say such a rash thing?
It is quite beyond my understanding! 157

'Since such speeches from your own mouth proceed,
I know it is now Kali's age indeed. 158

'Else Chaitanya's Maya, hard to subdue,
Confusing Brahma and Shankara too; 159

Vishnu's Maya has overcome your sense;
Who can cross o'er Chaitanya's influence? 160

'If you, "Chaitanya has a Guru," say,
You have been subjected to Maya's sway. 161

'The countless worlds from Chaitanya appear
By his will, from his follicles of hair. 162

'Alone Chaitanya his self-bliss displays,
While he upon the cosmic waters plays. 163

'Lo! even great ones due to conscious pride,
Know not themselves and remain mystified. 164

'By that Chaitanya's inscrutable power,
Sits Brahma on his navel lotus flower, 165

'And though he did not have power to see,
He in the end became his devotee. 166

'Pleased with his devotion, the Lord had ruth,
And thence to him imparted supreme truth. 167

'Then Brahma took that teaching on his head,
Created all the world, and wisdom spread. 168

From Brahma, Sanaka that wisdom gained,
And with his brethren that wisdom explained. 169

'The one from whom all wisdom doth ensue,
How can you think or say he has a Guru? 170

''Father, I am to learn from you, forsooth,
But seems it that you deviate from truth.' 171

Then Acyuta was quiet saying this,
Which hearing, Advaita was full of bliss. 172

'My dear boy,' Advaita said with delight,
Besprinkled him with tears and held him tight. 173

'You are the father, I the child, dear one,
Who have come to instruct me as my son. 174

'Forgive me my son, wipe away the stain,
And I will not say such a thing again.' 175

Hearing himself praised by all that was said,
Acyuta, in modesty, hung his head. 176

The monk heard what Acyuta did relate,
And straightway fell down on the ground prostrate. 177

The sannyasi said, 'O the worthy one!
Ah me! As is the father, so the son!' 178

[madanmohandas]

A well known narrative from the Bhagavata as told in Chaitanya Bhagavata, 3.9.316-

On Sarasvati's bank in days of yore,
An host of seers gathered on the shore;
To undertake a sacrificial rite,
And listen to the scriptures with delight. 316

They were well read in holy scriptures' page,
Their wealth was in strict penance to engage;
And there began they to deliberate,
And on Brahman held a lively debate. 317

'Of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshvara, who
Is the foremost? to whom is worship due?'
The seers thus raised this inquiry,
To know the eminent among the three. 318

Some one said, 'It is Brahma I attest'
Some other said, 'Maheshvara is best.'
While others said, according to their view,
'The one surpassing all is Lord Vishnu.' 319

What though the Puranas speak diversly,
One text may not with another agree;
Some maintain that Lord Shiva is greatest,
And others that Narayana is best. 320

The seers gathered in that hermitage,
The mighty seer Bhrigu did engage,
To ascertain with certainty and proof,
In answer to their inquiry the truth. 321

"You are the mind-born son of Brahma lord,
Our elder, by us honoured and adored;
You are in all doctrines well conversant,
And of the great you are pre-eminent. 322

Go forth, consider, and for us find out,
Which having done, return and solve our doubt. 323

We shall accept with all solicitude,
Whatever on this as truth you conclude."
On hearing this Bhrigu was well content,
And sans delay, to Brahma's world he went. 324

To Brahma's court his eager way addressed;
Bhrigu, of contemplative saints the best;
And coming to his father Brahma's side,
He stood before him scornful, full of pride. 325

When Brahma had of his dear son the sight,
He was immensely pleased and took delight;
And questioned, while Bhrigu before him stood,
About his welfare and if all were good. 326

Now, Bhrigu of Brahma's dear sons the best,
His father's temperament to see and test;
Paid not the slightest heed unto his word,
And slighted him, as if he had not heard. 327

He did not of his praises make a sound,
Nor bowed he with respect upon the ground;
Nor any polite conduct as becomes;
Of respect owed to fathers by their sons. 328

Seeing his son's conduct, infuriate,
Lord Brahma raged like fire incarnate. 329

Of being turned into ashes the dread,
Which seeing Bhrigu from his father fled. 330

All there in the assembly did entreat
The Lord Brahma, and clasped his holy feet;
"Wherefore this rage extreme, O noble one?
Why give way to anger against your son?" 331

Then with his wonted affection once more,
Gave up anger, and his peace did restore;
As rising flames that blaze are only quenched,
When they with plenty of water are drenched. 332

[madanmohandas]

Continuing the adventure of Bhrigu. Having examined Brahma, the sage proceeds test Shiva. From Chaitanya Bhagavata, Antya Kanda, Ch.9

Then Bhrigu, having Brahma's patience tried,
To see Maheshvara, to Kailash hied. 333

When Maheshvara saw Bhrigu draw near,
He was joyful to see his brother dear;
And quickly rising, with Parvati too,
He paid him welcome with all honour due. 334

With an affectionate big brother's grace,
The Three-eyed one came forward to embrace. 335

Said Bhrigu, "O Mahesh, do not touch me!
Who wear the signs of incivility; 336

With whatever ghosts and devils are found,
Fiends and infidels, you yourself surround. 337

Your unconventional conduct and deeds,
Cause disturbance whence confusion proceeds;
And where has it been in the scripture said,
To wear the bones and ashes of the dead? 338

If you touch me I shall incur the stain,
And have to bathe and wash myself again;
Away, away, O Lord of demon hosts!
Away, away, companion of the ghosts!" 339

This speech, of course, was by Bhrigu addressed,
In playful humour, his patience to test;
Bhrigu did not in earnest such declaim,
Nor would he blessed Shiva really blame. 340

But when the Three-eyed heard Bhrigu the sage,
He flew into an all consuming rage;
He lifted up his mighty three pronged pike,
And was prepared at once Bhrigu to strike. 341

As mighty Shankara indignant grew,
Forgot affection from an elder due,
With indignation he was all consumed,
His form as the Terminator assumed. 342

He took his three pronged pike Bhrigu to kill,
But the Devi caught him to hold him still. 343

And clasping his feet in humility,
He was admonished by Maheshvari;
"You are his elder brother Lord, his own,
Why should there be such anger to him shown?" 344

This speech the divine Goddess having made,
Shankara was ashamed; his wrath allayed.
Then Bhrigu, fond of penances and vows,
Repaired to Vaikuntha, Sri Krishna's house. 345

[madanmohandas]

The Lord reclined on a bejewelled seat,
With Lakshmi in attendance at his feet. 346

At such time Bhrigu crept up secretly,
And kicked him on the chest irrev'rently. 347

When Mahaprabhu, the Great Master, saw
Bhrigu, he rose up with respectful awe;
And with his wonted and fond affection,
The Lord bowed to him in salutation. 348

The Lord with Lakshmi did Bhrigu entreat,
And with delight they washed his holy feet. 349

He had brought in an elevated chair,
And with profound honour seated him there;
And with his own bounteous hands he graced
Bhrigu, and smeared his limbs with sandal paste. 350

And like a guilty one, without pretense,
He begged Bhrigu to forgive his offence. 351

"I knew not, inadvertent, while at rest,
Of your arrival, O my honoured guest;
And hospitality I thus transgress,
Do pardon me and grant your forgiveness. 352

This your foot wash is fraught with sanctity,
Affording holy places purity. 353

[madanmohandas]

Whatever cosmic Brahma-shells exist,
And all the gods, in my body subsist; 354

Now all of these today are purified
By your foot wash, and you are glorified. 355

This dusty foot print of your foot I bear,
I shall, delighted, on my bosom wear. 356

As I have granted on my chest a place,
For Lakshmi, of the rare beauty and grace,
Which as 'Srivatsa-sign' is glorified
In the Vedas, your print shall there abide." 357

The Lord's eloquent speech thus having heard,
Endued with modesty in phrase and word,
He knew him above all pre-eminent,
Sans lust, greed, anger and bewilderment. 358

The great seer was fraught with wonderment,
And lowered his head in embarrassment. 359

[madanmohandas]

Concluding the adventure of Bhrigu from Chaitanya Bhagavata, Antya Kanda, Ch 9. 360-378.

He was not the agent of what was done,
But acted he on some inspiration. 360

He regained outward sense with faith endued,
At what he saw gained high beatitude;
Which did his relish of pure love enhance,
Then he, in ecstasy, began to dance. 361

He laughed, trembled and swooned, by love inspired,
He bristled with devotion and perspired; 362

"Krishna is Lord of all and everyone!"
This truth proclaiming, danced Brahma's dear son. 363

Observing Krishna's deep tranquility,
His humble conduct and serenity;
Such divine love, prema, ineffable,
In any other is impossible. 364

Stunned with profound devotion he became,
And not a word or statement could he frame;
As he in joyous vast rapture was steeped,
He shed tears from his eyes and only weeped. 365

He was dedicated, in truth confirmed,
And to that host of great seers returned. 366

When they of Bhrigu had again the sight,
The sages felt immense boundless delight. 367

They said, "Come Bhrigu, tell us truthfully,
What sort of deeds and conduct did you see?
We take as true whatever you might say."
Then mighty Bhrigu did his tale relay. 368

Of Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshvara, three,
He told them the essence eloquently. 369

"Surpassing all is Sri Vaikuntha's Lord
Hight Narayana, worshipful, adored;
Truly, truly, I say to you forsooth,
This is indeed the quintessential truth! 370

Krishna is Lord and the father of all,
Brahma and Shiva serve at duty's call. 371

The one as creator, destroyer famed,
The source of all is Narayana named;
Without misgivings and with faith complete,
Worship and contemplate his holy feet. 372

Virtue and knowledge, fame for piety,
Dispassion, lordliness, as they might be,
The soul's high exultation as contrived,
Are all from his mighty power derived. 373

Know you then without doubt or misgiving,
All come from Krishna, hence, his glory sing. 374

And also know Krishna of all revered,
As Almighty Chaitanya hath appeared;
And in the exploit of kirtan to play,
He doth the revels of kirtan display. 375

The seers when Bhrigu's discourse they heard,
With admiration approving were stirred;
Enlivened and by doubts no more oppressed,
And acknowledged Narayana as best. 376

Bhrigu was honoured with reverence then,
By the congregation of holy men;
"By knotty doubts we are no more confined,
And you have brought wellbeing to our mind." 377

With steadfast consciousness they all became,
Devoted to Krishna of holy fame;
And they worshipped with care divinities
Like Brahma and Shiva as devotees. 378