Chaitanya's Life And Teachings Part 10

Thereafter when Ramananda Ray came back from the South and entreated the king to let him stay with the Master, the king gladly consented, and pressed him to entreat the Master, whose favourite he was, to grant him an interview. Then the two arrived at Puri, and Ramananda waited on the Master and reported to Him the king's love and devotion. He repeatedly took occasion to mention the subject, being a minister expert in diplomacy, and succeeded in softening the Master's mind.

Pratap Rudra could not contain himself in his eagerness, and again pressed Ramananda, who begged the Master to show His feet only once to the king. But the Master replied, "Judge for yourself, Ramananda, whether a hermit ought to receive a king. Such an interview ruins a hermit in this world and the next, and makes him a b.u.t.t of ridicule."

Ramananda pleaded, "You are G.o.d and your own master; whom fear you? You are subject to none!" The Master replied, "I am a _sannyasi_ living in human habitations, and I fear worldly dealings with all my soul and body. Even the most trifling failing of a _sannyasi_ is talked of by all men, just as a spot of ink on a white cloth cannot be hidden." The Ray urged, "You have saved (by your touch) many a sinner, while this king is a devotee of G.o.d and your _bhakta_." The Master parried the argument thus, "Just as a jar full of milk is shunned if it contains even one drop of wine, so is Pratap Rudra, clad in all the virtues, defiled by his t.i.tle of King. Still, if you are keen about it, introduce his son to me. The Shastras say, _the son is one's own self born again_. My interview with the son will be equivalent to a meeting with the father."

The Ray reported it to the king and conducted the Prince to the Master.

The royal youth was handsome and dark, clad in a yellow robe and jewels, --so that he reminded one of Krishna. On seeing him, the Master thought of Krishna, lovingly received him, and said, "A very pious personage is this youth, the sight of whom makes all men remember the Darling of Braja's lord. Blessed am I that I have seen him." So saying He repeatedly embraced the Prince, who was transported by the touch and began to perspire, tremble, weep, exult and stand inert, and (then) danced and wept chanting Krishna's name. The _bhaktas_ present praised his good fortune. Then the Master composed him and bade him come there daily.

The Ray took the Prince away to the king who rejoiced at his son's exploit, and in embracing his son felt the touch of the Master's person as it were. Thenceforth the lucky Prince was numbered among the Master's _bhaktas_.

So did He pa.s.s His time blissfully in ceaseless _sankirtan_ with His followers. He was feasted with His companions by the Acharya and others successively. Thus some time pa.s.sed and the day of the Car Festival approached. At the outset He called for Kas.h.i.+ Mishra, the _Parichha_ minister and Sarvabhauma, and smilingly said, "I beg to undertake the service of cleansing the Gundicha temple." The _Parichha_ replied, "We are all your servants, bound to do whatever you wish for. On me has been laid the special command of my king to quickly perform whatever you bid.

Cleaning the temple is not a task worthy of you; but it is one of your playful acts; do whatever you like. But many pitchers and brooms will be required. Permit me to bring them here to-day." So he delivered to the Master a hundred new pitchers and brooms.

Next morning the Master rubbed His followers over with sandal-paste, gave each a broom and went with them to the Gundicha temple to clean it.

First He swept and cleaned the inside, the roof, and the throne. The two temples, large and small, were swept and washed, and then the dancing-hall in front. The hundred _bhaktas_ plied their brooms, the Master in the middle guiding them by His own manner of sweeping.

Following Him they gleefully chanted Krishna's name while at work. The dust covered His fair form; now and then His tears washed the ground.

The G.o.d's dining-hall was swept and then the court-yard. At last all the rooms were cleaned. He made a bundle of the collection of straw, dust and pebbles in His outer clothing and threw them outside. So did His followers, too. The Master said, "I shall learn the amount of the labour done by each from the size of his bundle of sweepings." So their bundles were heaped together, but the Master's own bundle was seen to exceed the entire heap.

After cleansing the interior, He divided the work again among them, telling them to make the place thoroughly tidy by removing all the fine dust, small straws and gravel. He rejoiced to see the cleansing finished a second time by His party of Vaishnavs. A hundred other followers had been waiting with a hundred pitchers of water from the outset, for their turn. As soon as the Master called for water they placed the hundred pots before Him. He first washed the temple, top-floor, wall, and the throne in the interior. The water was dashed in earthen cups on to the top, and thus the upper walls were washed. He Himself washed the throne, while the _bhaktas_ washed the inner shrine, and scrubbed it with their own hands. Some poured water on the Master's hands, some on His feet, and some covertly drank up the water (so consecrated). Some begged this water from others. After the temple had been cleansed they poured water into the drain and thus the court-yard was submerged. With His own cloth the Master wiped the building and the throne. It took a hundred pitchers of water to wash the temple.

The purified temple became spotless, cool and delicious, like His own mind laid bare to view. A hundred filled their pitchers at the tank, or, if crowded out, at the well. A hundred _bhaktas_ brought the filled pitchers in, while another hundred ran off with the empty ones. Only Nityananda, Adwaita, Swarup, the Bharati, and the Puri did not draw water. (In their hurry) many pitchers were knocked together and broken, but men brought hundreds of new pots to replace them. They shouted _Krishna! Krishna!_ as they filled their pots, or broke them, delivered the filled pitchers or begged for new ones. No other word was uttered there; Krishna's name became a mystic word to express all their different purposes. In ecstasy of devotion the Master chanted Krishna's name and did alone the work of a hundred men, as if He had put forth a hundred arms in was.h.i.+ng and scrubbing. He also went up to each to instruct him, praising those whose tasks were well done and gravely chiding those who were slovenly. "You have done well, teach others to do the like,"--at these words of His they were put on the alert and did their work with all their heart. Then they washed the _Jagmohan_[1] the dining room, the dancing-hall, the court-yard, the kitchen, the environs of the temple, and all nooks and private places.

Just then an honest simple Bengali emptied his pitcher at the Master's feet and drank the water. At this the Master turned angry and sorry. He inly felt pleased, but for the instruction of others outwardly professed anger, calling out to Swarup "Look at the conduct of your _Gauriya_. He has washed my feet in G.o.d's temple and drunk the water. From this sin where can I hope for salvation? Your Bengal man has caused me this misery." Then Swarup took the man by the nape of his neck, shoved him out of the temple, and on his return entreated the Master to pardon the man. The Master was now satisfied. He seated all in two rows and sat in the middle, picking up straws and brambles with His own hands. "I shall see what a heap the gleaning of each can make. He whose collection is small must forfeit his cake and syrup to me!" Thus was the temple made clean, cool and pure, like His own mind. The water running down the drain looked like a new river flowing to the ocean.

He then cleansed the Man-lion temple in and out, rested a little, and then set up dancing. And in the same manner He swept the roads in front of the temple. The _bhaktas_ danced around, while the Master danced in their midst like a raging lion, perspiring, trembling, turning pale, being thrilled, and roaring. After was.h.i.+ng His body He marched in advance, showering down tears, while the _bhaktas_ washed themselves clean, like unto the deluge of rain from the clouds in the month of _Shravan_. The loud _sankirtan_ filled the sky, the vigorous dance of the Master shook the earth. The resonant singing of Swarup pleased the Master, who danced wildly in delight. After dancing thus, He took rest at the proper time.

Shri Gopal, the son of the Acharya, when allowed by the Master to dance, was so overcome by devotion that he fell down in a fit. The father hurriedly took him up in his arms, and was afflicted to see his breathing stopped. Uttering with a sky-splitting roar the "spell of Nrisingha" he dashed water on the youth's face. But the youth did not regain consciousness, in spite of all their efforts. The Acharya wept, the _bhaktas_ wept too. Then the Master laid His hand on the youth's breast and cried out, "Rise Gopal!" and lo! at the cry Gopal came round.

The _bhaktas_ danced chanting Hari's name.

After a short rest, the Master disported with His followers in the tank.

On rising from the water He put on dry clothes, bowed to Nrisingha, and went to sit in the garden, with His followers around Him. Then Vaninath, accompanied by Kas.h.i.+ Mishra and Tulsi _Parichha_, brought to Him the _maha-prasad_, rice, cakes, and syrup, enough to feed five hundred men.

The Master delighted at the sight. On the terrace He sat down to meal with the Puri, Brahmananda Bharati, Adwaita Acharya, Nityananda, Acharya-Ratna, Acharya-Nidhi, Shribas, Gadadhar, Shankar Nyayacharya, Raghav, Vakreshwar and Sarvabhauma. Then the _bhaktas_ sat down in the successive terraces below them, in due order. The garden was filled with them. The Master repeatedly called for Haridas, who from afar off replied, "Partake of thy repast with the _bhaktas_, Master. I am all too unworthy to sit with thee. Govinda will afterwards give me _prasad_ outside the gate." Knowing his intent, the Master did not press him further. The food was served up by Swarup, Jagadananda, Damodar, Kas.h.i.+shwar, Gopinath, Vaninath and Shankar, while the _bhaktas_ shouted _Hari! Hari!_ at intervals. The Master remembered the picnic on the Jamuna bank which Krishna had held of yore. He checked, as inopportune, the rapture of devotion which seized His mind (at the thought), and said, Serve me with sauce and fry only, and let the _bhaktas_ have the sweets. Being omniscient He knew who liked which dish, and directed Swarup to serve each according to his taste. Jagadananda, in the course of his serving, dropped sweet things unawares on the Master's plate, and though the Master angrily protested, he supplied more by force or cunning, as such serving was his delight. As Jagadananda came there on his rounds again and gazed at the sweets he had served before, the Master in fear of him ate a little of them, lest Jagadananda should himself fast! Swarup with his hands full of sweet _prasad_ stood before the Master praying "Taste a little of this _maha-prasad_ and see what Jagannath has eaten!" He placed them on the plate, and the Master moved by his kindness, ate a little. Thus did these two _bhaktas_ repeatedly show their wonderful tender regard for Him. Sarvabhauma, who sat at the Master's side, smiled at their loving conduct. The Master ordered sweets to be served to Sarvabhauma and repeatedly pressed him to eat. Gopinath Acharya placed nice dishes before Sarvabhauma and said sweetly, "Bhattacharya! where is your former line of conduct now? Whence do you feel such supreme bliss? Answer me that." Sarvabhauma replied, "I was a sophistical disputant. Your grace has made me attain to this fortune.

The Master is the only Gracious One. Who else could have turned a crow (like me) into a _garuda_ (the favourite bird of Vishnu)? Formerly I used to howl with the sophist jackals, and now out of the same mouth I utter Krishna's name! What was my former concourse with externalist logician disciples, and what is this society of saints like merging in the ocean waves!" The Master said, "Your devotion to Krishna had already matured (before I met you). It is your society that has made us all devoted to Krishna!" There is none like the Master, in the three worlds, to exalt the glory of the _bhakta_ and to soothe a _bhakta's_ heart. Then the Master sent cakes and syrup from the leavings of His plate, to each _bhakta_ by name.

Adwaita and Nityananda, sitting together began a mock quarrel, the former saying, "I have dined in the same row with a hermit (_abadhut_).

Who knows what my fate will be in the next world? The Master Himself is a _sannyasi_, and as such is above defilement from food-contact (with a casteless man like an _abadhut_), for so the Shastras say. But I am a Brahman householder, and therefore liable to defilement. It has been a great sin on my part to dine in the same row with a man whose birth, pedigree, conduct and character are unknown to me!"

Nityananda replied, "You are Adwaita Acharya. According to the theory of _Adwaita_ system (Monism), the duty is abstract _bhakti_. He who accepts your theory recognizes only one principle and no second. With such a person as you have I dined! I know not what led me to join your company." So they wrangled, really praising one another in the garb of abuse.

After the dinner, the Vaishnavs rose up shouting _Hari_ loudly enough to split earth and heaven. The Master gave to each of them a garland with His own hand. Next the waiters, Swarup and the other six, sat down to their repast within the room. Govinda laid aside the leavings of the Master's plate, to be given to Haridas. The _bhaktas_ and even Govinda himself took a little of this hallowed food. Various are the sports of the free G.o.d, such as this ceremony of was.h.i.+ng and cleaning.

For a fortnight the people had been denied sight of the G.o.d Jagannath [while his image was being painted anew]; and their grief changed into joy when, at the expiry of the period, the eye-painting (i.e., the last stage) being over, they could again see him. The Master went thither with all His followers. First marched Kas.h.i.+shwar, making a lane through the crowd, next went Govinda with a bowl of water. In front of the Master walked the Puri and the Bharati, and by His side Swarup and Adwaita, the other _bhaktas_ bringing up the rear. Anxiously did He go to Jagannath's temple and in pa.s.sion of longing stepped beyond the rules, asking to see the fair face of the G.o.d in the dining room. The thirsty eyes of the Master ardently drank in the face of Krishna, like a pair of bees sucking in a lotus. The G.o.d's eyes surpa.s.sed the blooming lotus in beauty, his cheeks flashed radiance like a polished turquoise mirror, his lower lip was sweet as the Bandhuli flower, a light smile spread a ripple of nectar over his form. As the _bhaktas_ gazed on, the charm of the G.o.d's countenance increased every moment; their thirst increased with its gratification; their eyes could not move from that face. Thus did the Master with His following gaze at the G.o.d till noon, perspiring, trembling, weeping incessantly, and again checking these outbursts in order to have a clearer view of the deity. At the time of _bhog_ He began to sing _kirtan_, forgetful of everything else in the bliss of gazing.

The _bhaktas_ led Him back to His quarters at noon. The servitors offered to the G.o.d a double quant.i.ty of prasad, knowing that the Car Festival would take place next morning. [Text, canto 12.]

[1] A quadrangle in front of the inner shrine, where the wors.h.i.+ppers stand when gazing on the idol.

CHAPTER XI

The Dance before Jagannath's Car.

Next day the Master took care to bathe with His followers before it was dawn. Pratap Rudra himself accompanied by his Court showed the Master's _bhaktas_ the ceremony of Jagannath leaving his throne to take his seat in the car. Girt round by Adwaita, Nityananda and other _bhaktas_, the Master delightedly witnessed the scene. The stout _pandas_ [attendants on an idol] like so many wild elephants, conveyed Jagannath in their arms, some holding the G.o.d's neck and some his feet. A strong thick rope was fastened to his waist, and the _pandas_ raised the image by pulling at the two ends of the rope. Thick and high heaps of cotton were placed at different points, and the G.o.d was raised from one and quickly rested on another of them; but the touch of his feet broke up the heaps and scattered the cotton with a loud sound. (In fact) Jagannath supports the universe; who can move him? He moves of his own will, to disport himself. Shouts of "Great Lord! Master! Master!" rose up, but nothing could be heard amidst the clang of many instruments of music. Then Pratap Rudra, with his own hands, swept the path with a golden broom-stick, and sprinkled sandal water on the ground. He was a king accustomed to sit on the throne, but in as much as being so high he did such lowly services, he gained Jagannath's grace. The Master rejoiced at the sight, and this lowly service of the king gained for him the Master's regard.

Men marvelled as they beheld the trappings of the car. It was covered with fresh gold and high as the Sumeru mountain. Hundreds of fly-whiskers and polished mirrors hung from it; above were flags and a pure canopy. The _ghagar_ rattled, bells jingled on it. Many coloured silk cloths covered it. Jagannath mounted one car, Subhadra and Balaram two others.

For fifteen days had Jagannath remained (behind a screen), dallying in secret with Lakshmi, and now with her leave he came out for a ride in his car to give delight to his adorers. The fine white sand on the road suggested a river bank, and the gardens on both sides made the place look like Brindaban. Jagannath went along in his car, pleased with what he saw on both sides. Bengali athletes dragged the car joyfully. It sped at one time, slackened at another, and sometimes stopped altogether. In fact it moved of its own will, and not under the force of men.

Then the Master with His own hands gave to the _bhaktas_ sandal paste and garlands Then He divided the chanters (_kirtanias_) into four parties, consisting in all of 24 singers and eight men playing on the _khol_, their chiefs being Swarup and Shribas. Then He bade Nityananda, Adwaita, Haridas, and Vakreshwar dance. In the first party Swarup was the leading singer, while the other five were Damodar, Narayan, Govinda Datta, Raghav Pandit and Shri Govindananda; with them danced Adwaita. Of the second party the spokesman was Shribas, his followers being Gangadas, Haridas, Shriman, Shuvananda, and Shri Ram Pandit. Here danced Nityananda. Mukunda led the third party, consisting of Vasudev, Gopinath, Murari, Shrikanta, and Vallabh Sen, with Haridas Thakur as the dancer. The fourth party was composed of Haridas, Vishnudas, Raghav, Madhav Ghosh and his brother Vasudev Ghosh, their leader being Govinda Ghosh, and their dancer Vakreshwar Pandit. Other parties of _kirtan_ singers were formed by the pilgrims from the Kulin village, (with Ramananda and Satyaraj as their dancers), the Acharyas of Shantipur (with Achyutananda as their dancer), the men of Khand (with Narahari and Shri Raghunandan as their dancers). In short four parties preceded the car of Jagannath, two walked on the flanks, and one in the rear. These seven parties played on 14 _khols_ in all, the music of which maddened the Vaishnavs present. The cloud of Vaishnav enthusiasm melted in showers, their eyes dropped tears along with the nectar of _kirtan_.

The shout of _kirtan_ filled the three worlds and drowned all other sounds. The Master visited the seven positions shouting "Hari" and "Glory to Jagannath!" with uplifted arms.

Another miracle did He manifest: at the same moment He was present with all the seven parties, so that each cried out, "The Master is with us.

Out of His grace for us He has not gone elsewhere." No one can describe the inscrutable power of the Master, only the pure-souled esoteric _bhakta_ can know it.

Jagannath, pleased with the _sankirtan_, stopped his car. At this Pratap Rudra marvelled exceedingly and became overcome with excess of devotion. He spoke of the Master's greatness to Kas.h.i.+ Mishra, who replied, "You are, O King, fortunate beyond limit." The king and Sarvabhauma exchanged glances, as none else knew the secret manipulation of Chaitanya;--only those whom He favours can know Him; without His grace even Brahma cannot recognize Him. He had been delighted with the lowly service done by the king, and for that reason had revealed His mystery to him. True, He had shown Himself to the king only indirectly; but who can pierce through this illusion of Chaitanya? Sarvabhauma and Kas.h.i.+ Mishra were amazed at the grace shown to the king.

Thus did the Master play for some time, singing and making His followers dance, now a.s.suming one form, now many, ever putting forth His powers according to the work to be done. In the ardour of play He forgot Himself, and wished not to put a stop to it. Every moment did He do supernatural feats, as He had in a preceding birth performed _rasa_ and other sports at Brindaban.

Dancing thus, the Master swept the people away on the wave of enthusiasm As Jagannath was going to the Gundicha garden-house, the Master performed _kirtan_ before the G.o.d for a long time. First He made His _bhaktas_ dance, and then, wis.h.i.+ng to dance Himself, united the seven parties, placed nine men (Shribas, Ramai, Raghu, Govinda, Mukunda, Haridas, Govindananda, Madhav, and Govinda) under Swarup to sing and move in the Master's company, while the other parties sang around Him.

After bowing to Jagannath, with folded palms and uplifted face the Master prayed:

_"Salutation to Shri Krishna! who is the divine G.o.d, the protector of brahmans and kine, and benefactor of the universe. To Krishna, to Govinda, I bow again and again!"_ (_Vishnu Puran_, pt. I. xix. 48.)

_"Victory attend Devaki's son, the Lamp of the Vrishni race, the lord!

Deep blue like the clouds is his colour, tender are his limbs. He is the Redeemer of the world from its load of sin. Victory to him! Victory!"_ (_Padavali_, c. 108.) Also _Bhagabat_, X. xc. 24 and _Padavali_, c. 63.

Reciting these verses the Master bowed low again, while the _bhaktas_ with folded palms adored G.o.d. Dancing impetuously with loud roars, He moved in circles, like a lathe. Wherever His feet touched the ground, the "earth with its hills and oceans trembled. He manifested stupor, perspiration, joyous weeping, tremour, turning pale, all sorts of helplessness, pride, exultation and humility. Stumbling He rolled on the ground, like a golden hill thrown on the earth. Nityananda and Adwaita hastened to raise Him up in their arms, shouting _Hari! Hari!_ Three circles were formed to keep the crowd back. The first was formed by Nityananda, the second was composed of Kas.h.i.+shwar, Mukunda and other _bhaktas_ locking their hands together. Outside Pratap Rudra with his ministers formed another ring to keep the spectators in check. The king, with his hand resting on the shoulder of his prime-minister, was gazing in absorption at the Master's dance. As Shrinibas, sunk in devotion, was standing before the king, the prime-minister touched him and said "Step aside." But Shrinibas in the ardour of his dancing was forgetful of all else. He was pushed repeatedly and at last grew angry and slapped the minister to stop his pus.h.i.+ng. At this the minister in anger wanted to rebuke him, but Pratap Rudra checked him saying, "Blessed art thou, to be touched by him. Such happiness has not been my share!"

Not to speak of the people, even Jagannath himself wondered at the dancing of the Master, stopped his car, and gazed at the dance with winkless eyes. Subhadra and Balaram smiled in delight at the sight of the dance. A strange change came over the Master while dancing with all His might: all the eight spiritual phases (_satwik bhab_) manifested themselves at the same time. His hair stood on end, with their roots in the skin bulging out, like a _s.h.i.+mul_ tree girt round with thorns. His teeth clashed together fearfully, as if they would be dislocated. Blood and sweat ran over His body. He lisped _ja--ja--ga--ga_ inarticulately.

His eyes poured down tears like syringes, and moistened the men around.

Fair was His complexion, at times turning into rosy, at times resembling the _Mallika_ flower. At times He stood inert, at times He rolled on the ground; at times motionless like a dry wood, at other times prostrate on the ground and breathing faintly, to the alarm of His _bhaktas_. At times water oozed out of His eyes and nostrils and foam out of His mouth,--as the moon sheds bubbles of nectar. Shuvananda, mad with pa.s.sion for Krishna, collected and drank up that froth; highly fortunate was he.

After dancing violently for some time the Master wished to manifest another mood. Leaving the dance He bade Swarup sing. Swarup, knowing His taste, began,--

_"I have met the lord of my life, For whose sake I had been withering in the fire of Cupid."_

Loudly did Swarup sing this burden, while the Master in delight danced tenderly. Slowly Jagannath's car moved on, Shachi's son dancing before it. With eyes fixed on Jagannath all danced and sang. (At times) the Master walked behind the car with the party, of _kirtan_ singers,--His arms making the action of song. When Chaitanya lagged behind, Jagannath stopped his car; when the Master walked ahead the G.o.d propelled his car slowly. Thus did the two urge each other on!

In the course of dancing another change of mood came over the Master: with uplifted arms He loudly recited the following stanza.

(_Kavya-prakash_, I. canto 4 and also _Padavali_ c. 380).

Again and again did He read the stanza, of which the meaning was known to Swarup only. It meant in effect that as the milkmaids at Kurukshetra were delighted to see Krishna, so was the Master gratified at the sight of Jagannath. Under that emotion He had the burden sung (by Swarup). At last Radha prays to Krishna, "You are the same [beloved] and I am the same [lover, as during your incarnation as Krishna], and yet Brindaban steals my heart. Appear at Brindaban again! Here there are crowds and the din and bustle of elephants, horses and chariots;--there only flowery woodlands, the bee's murmur, the cuckoo's cooing! Here you are dressed as a King girt round by warriors, there you were a cow-boy, in the company of flute players! Here I have not a drop of the ocean of bliss I used to taste in thy society at Brindaban. Take me with thee to dally at Brindaban again. Thus only can my heart be gratified." In the ardour of His devotion the Master recited the stanzas of the _Bhagabat_, voicing Radhika's longing. But other people could not understand the verses; Swarup alone knew their meaning but spoke not. (Afterwards) Rup Goswami proclaimed the sense. (_Vide Bhagabat_ X. lx.x.xii. 35 and 31).

In Swarup's company had the Master day and night enjoyed the sense of these verses in His house. During His dance the same emotion overcame Him; so He recited the stanzas and danced gazing at Jagannath.

Swarup,--fortunate beyond expression in being absorbed body and soul in the Master,--sang, while the Master drank in his music in abstraction.

Under pa.s.sion's sway the Master sat down and with bowed head traced letters on the ground with His finger. Lest His finger should be hurt, Swarup prevented Him. Swarup's song was in exact accord with the Master's emotion; he gave a vocal shape to every mood of the Master's heart.

As He gazed at Jagannath's lotus-like face, flas.h.i.+ng in the sunlight, his beautiful eyes, his perfumes, robes, garlands and ornaments, the ocean of joy surged up in the Master's heart, a wild storm swept through Him; rapture and wildness raised a tumult, the different emotions fought in Him like hostile armies. A pa.s.sion rose, a pa.s.sion subsided, it came to terms with another, and at last His normal mood of spirituality (_satwik_) a.s.serted itself. The Master's body was a pure hill of gold; His emotion a tree with every flower in bloom. The sight drew the hearts of all; with the nectar of love He moistened their minds. All the servitors of Jagannath, all the courtiers of the king, the pilgrims, and the residents of Puri,--all marvelled at the Master's dance and rapture, and all felt devotion to Krishna. In enthusiasm they danced, sang, and set up a din. The pilgrims by joining the dance increased the happiness fourfold. Jagannath hiniself moved on slowly to witness the Master's dance.