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The state of Prabhu after his return from the Gaya pilgrimage was strange, indeed. While eating or walking on the street or while lying down he would suddenly sing loudly, “Ha! Krishna! Ha! Krishna!” and begin to dance about. He had lost his sleep at night. He was not in a position to carry out any sort of work.

In the Patasala he would repeatedly tell his students, “It is only Sri Krishna who is the shelter for all creatures of this world. Of all Names it is only the Name of Sri Krishna that is full of essence. What is contained in this dry Shastra jnãna?” For all questions he had only one reply, “One should perform Krishna Nãma Sankirtan”.

Achãrya Gangadãs advised Nimayi, “Are you not a learned Pundit? Being a great scholar how can you dance and sing about like this without any control over your actions? You should teach the students who have come to you trustfully, like you used to before.” Nimayi also humbly accepted his advice. But the very next day he forgot himself in the class. Repeatedly he said to the students, “Sri Krishna Kirtan is the highest of all. There is no way other than this for the jivas. The only way for peace and joy is Krishna Nãma.” The students developed love for Krishna by hearing this from Prabhu and they also became filled with bhakti.

A little while later Prabhu himself informed the students in a choked voice, “Henceforth it is not possible for me to teach you. Please approach some other teacher.” The students cried out, “We have none but you”. Prabhu, “What can I do? The little bewitching dark Gopala is holding sway over me by playing his flute melodiously, ever in front of me. Listening to it I lose myself. I cannot teach you all anything as before.” He further added, “All of you were with me all these days. Just once why don’t you all perform Krishna Nãma Kirtan with me? It is very easy.” And Prabhu Himself clapping his hands in tune, sang in his melodious voice,

“Hare Haraye Namah Krishna yãdava Namah!
Gopãla Govinda Rama Sri Madhusudhana!”

Thus began his first Nãma Sankirtan in his Patasala. Everyone present sang and danced in a trance. After a while, coming out of the Bhãva, Prabhu remained silent. The students, too, remained quiet. Prabhu then embraced each one of them. All shed tears touched by the devotion filled atmosphere.

The people of Nawadweep had different opinions about the change found in Prabhu. Some said that it must be because of gastric problem. Some applauded the devotion of Prabhu. Some suggested medical treatment. But Srivãs Pundit alone said, “Who says Nimayi is afflicted with gastric problem? Only those who feel so are afflicted with gastric problem. The ‘paripoorna’ state that is much sought after by Siva, the Sanakas and the Devas has been achieved by the son of Sashi Mata. Blessed indeed is she who has begotten such a son!” The mother was highly pleased to hear this.

Within a short while Prabhu restrained his Bhãva while performing Nãma Sankirtan. Just as it is said, ‘Kalau Kesava Kirtanãt’ - In Kali Kesava Kirtan is the only way - Instead of moving away from people Sri Chaitanya Maha Prabhu who incarnated in the world for the sake of Nãma Sankirtan stayed in Nawadweep and laid the foundation for the ‘madhura’ Krishna Kirtan amidst the people of Nawadweep. Within a few days devotees began to throng his presence just as the bees hover around a lotus.

Nãma Sankirtan was conducted regularly all through the night in Srivãs Pundit’s house. Within two or three months it became so popular that every night people thronged his doors to see and enjoy it. But during the performance of the kirtan the door was bolted from within. Only very close devotees of Prabhu who knew him well remained inside. All were not permitted to go inside. This is because they adhered to the rule that only the right ‘adhikãriis’ (those eligible) should go inside.

The virtuous ones, those who were devoted to Prabhu adhered to the rules laid and with much patience awaited permission to enter. Seeing their patience and interest Prabhu used to take them in. Gossipmongers and those who posed irrelevant and teasing questions were not permitted in. These people were more interested in gossip than devotion. They began to speak ill about Nãma Sankirtan. Some even hurled abuses. Some complained that Prabhu and his group’s loud chanting of “Hari bol! Hari bol!” all through the night disturbed their sleep. They criticized that while there were so many other ways such as Yoga, tapas, japa why should they create such noise?

Some lodged a complaint against him with the muslim ruler of Gowdadesa. Some devotees feared problem from the King. Srivãs Pundit was a great devotee of Lord Nrisimha. He was also filled with such apprehension. But he said to all boldly that Lord Nrisimha would protect them. When the matter was reported to Prabhu it did not worry him at all. Instead he decided to protect the devotees who were in fear of the king. The next day he dressed himself up very well and with the lips reddened due to eating ‘tamboola’ (the betel leaf and nut) he walked on the streets performing Nãma Sankirtan. The attire only added to the natural charm of Prabhu. Every one who saw him was astounded. All were taken aback by his bold venture of performing Nãma Sankirtan on the streets. Some Pundits advised and warned Prabhu that this might earn the antagonism of the King. However, Prabhu said without any fear, “Any virtuous deed will have to face opposition. Let us see who wins.”

One day Srivãs Pundit was performing Lord Nrisimha puja in his house when there was a loud knocking at the door. Srivãs Pundit called out from where he sat in the puja, ”Who is it?” He received the reply, “Come out and see directly the one whom you are worshipping!” With the body trembling Srivãs Pundit rushed to the door and opened it only to find the most charming, beautiful Prabhu standing there. Prabhu rushed inside the open door and sat on the throne. To Srivãs Pundit he appeared like Lord Vishnu with Shanka, Chakra, Gada, Padma wearing a Vaijayanti garland around his neck. The Pundit froze in fear.

Prabhu in the roaring voice of Lord Nrisimha asked Srivãs Pundit, “Do you not recognize me? My devotees will never face any difficulty. I will punish everyone who maks trouble. Do not fear. Now without any apprehension worship me.” Immediately, Srivãs Pundit chanted Nrisimha stuti from the Prahlada charitra in Srimad Bhãgavatam. Then he called out, “Hail Viswambara! Hail Sashimãta! Hail Nrisimha Murti who destroys all fears!” Prabhu said, “Worship me along with your family and seek any boon!”

The elderly Srivãs Pundit totally forgot that this young Nimayi was only the son of his friend Jaganatha Misra and realized him to be none other than his Lord Nrisimha and worshipped him along with his family. Prabhu blessed every one of them by placing his palm on his/her head. Then he said, “Srivãs! Do not worry over anything. Perform Nãma Sankirtan without any fear. What can the Bãdsha do? If the order is placed to arrest the Vaishanvas I will be first to go. I will make the Khaji perform Nãma Sankirtan! I will make everyone, the Hindu, the Muslim, the animal and the bird shout out “Krishna! Krishna!” Be courageous.”

He then called Srivãs Pundit’s four-year-old daughter Nãrãyani, “Child! Be drowned in Krishna Prema and perform Nãma Sankirtan!” The child immediately forgot everything around and performed the kirtan of Krishna and fell down in a swoon. All those who witnessed this were filled with tears of surprise. Smilingly, Prabhu said, “I will make everyone perform Krishna Kirtan this way!” Prabhu then fell down in a swoon. After a while he woke up as if from sleep and asked Srivãs in a tone of wonder, “Pundit! How did I come here? What happened? Did I commit any wrong here? You are like my father. If I have done anything wrong please bear with me and pardon me.” But Srivãs Pundit in a choked tone said, “Prabho! Please do not drown me in wonder. I understand who you really are. Please bless me with pure devotion to Your Lotus Feet.” Pleased within but feeling shy Prabhu left for his own home.

To be continued......

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