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Mahaprabhu was worshipped in different ways. Among the devotees present, some lighted incense, some lighted lamps and some offered all varieties of fruits and eatables to Mahaprabhu. They decked Prabhu’s body with many beautiful clothes of fine quality and varied colors. Some of them gave Him sweets. “Prabhu! Eat this! Accept this!” - such was the way in which the devotees offered “Bhog” (royal food) competing with one another. Prabhu accepted everything leaving out none and pleased everybody. There was no limit to the amount he ate! In the end, Srivas Pundit offered sweet smelling betel leaves (pan). Prabhu ate that also! Immediately all the devotees offered betel leaves (pan). He accepted them with a touch and returned those betel leaves, which the devotees accepted as prasad. What a divine scene it was!

With reddened lips, Prabhu cast caring glances at all his devotees. Later, he began to speak with tenderness. Those were nectarine words. The devotees, who had assembled there early in the morning itself, bereft of all worldly thoughts even after the sun had set, sat there in the room being bound by chords of love and affection. Srivas Pundit lit the lamps as night had set in but they appeared dull in front of Prabhu’s radiance. Those gathered there saw their Ishta Devatã (favorite deities) in the form of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. First of all, Prabhu graced Srivas Pundit - “Srivas! You are a recipient of my grace! Do you remember? When you fainted due to ecstasy (Bhava Avesha ) while listening to the Bhãgavata lessons in Devanand Pundit’s house, neither the pundits present there, nor their disciples understood your state. It was only I who could understand it and remove your unconsciousness.

Srivas Pundit was astonished to hear Prabhu describe this secret incident that had happened in his life. Soon Prabhu said - “Oh! Advaitacharya! Do you remember! I gave you my own commentary for a verse of the Gita?” Advaitacharya was transfixed. Just then the devotees decided to perform Ãrati for Prabhu in a wonderful manner by placing the Ãrati in Shachi Mata’s hands and Srivas Pundit asked her to take Ãrati to Prabhu. She too performed the Ãrati for Prabhu with trembling hands. Different instruments sounded. Later they escorted Shachi Mata to her house very carefully. Now came the occasion for all devotees to ask for boons.

To be continued...

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