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Since Mahãprabhu's presence in the Navadweep, his cool rays of love appeased the heat of the masses and gave them boundless joy. His melodious kirtans on Krishna was always ringing amongst the people.

After the pleasant change in Jagayi and Madhayi, people realized the importance of Nãma Kirtan. Thousands of people would come in search of Mahãprabhu and offer him a variety of things. In response to all the doubts put forth by them, Prabhu would ask them to practise Nãma Kirtan with love. He used to say, "What learning has one to do in order to do Nãma Kirtan? No knowledge or education is needed for this. Everyone can follow this. Clap both your hands and sing the name of the Lord. That is all. Five or ten other people would join you. Lovingly, do Nãma Kirtan together continuously and you can see ever-increasing joy in just a month's time". Hearing this, immediately the people would start performing Nãma Kirtan in front of him, hearing which he used to become happy. Thus, all those who received upadesa from him, started forming Satsang and men, women, children - everyone joined in the Kirtan. Mahãprabhu too would perform Nãma Sankirtan along with his Bhaktas throughout the night.

Early in the morning, after having slept for a couple of hours, at sunrise, he would head for bathing in the Ganges accompanied by his Bhaktas. Prabhu's bhaktas would always enjoy the bliss due to his boundless affection. They would play for hours together in the Ganges. Then, taking everyone with him, Prabhu would return home. After performing the daily duties, he would come for food along with a few Bhaktas. He would never have his food alone. While having his food, he would tell his mother, "Mother! your daughter-in-law has some magic in her hands! All the dishes taste sweet! Even the vegetables taste sweet!". He would ask the Bhaktas, "Am I not right? Are your vegetables not sweet too?" The bhaktas would smile. Vishnupriya would smile in her heart too.

After food, Prabhu would rest for a while and then share Krishna's stories with those gathered. He would expound different subjects like Bhãgavatam, Gita Govindam, Padma Purana and the Shãstras. In the evening, he would go to the city with the bhaktas. Everyone's eyes would remain fixed on Prabhu's countenance, enjoying every single expression exhibited by his face.

A few became jealous of the glory of Prabhu. They understood that he could not inflict sorrow on any being. Hence they were bent on causing some political problems. They approached certain Muslim people and told them, "Nimãyi is doing certain deeds against the Shãstras. We are losing sleep because of his high pitch of Nãma Kirtan day and night. We should punish them somehow." Instantly, with the intention of battling with the Hindus, and as the then rule was in the hands of the Muslims, they approached the emperor of Bengal and requested him to somehow frame laws that bans Nama Kirtans. Shantkhan was the then Kãji of Navadweep. He would not vent his anger against the Hindus for no reason. He also had a special respect for Mahãprabhu. So he did not lend ears to these requests. But time and again, some Muslims would come and report that the Nama Kirtan disturbs their sleep and peace. This slowly started changing him. Why should they perform kirtan so loudly? Why not do it at a lower tone? Thinking so, he, along with his men, reached the place where Nama Kirtan was going on, and asked them to stop it.

The passionate devotees as they were, did not heed to his words and kept singing kirtans loudly. This angered him and his men. They went in and destroyed the instruments. They warned,"beware! Henceforth, if you make any noise, I shall put all of you in jail." The Bhaktas were frightened. Kãji's men went to all those places where kirtans were performed and stopped them. The whole city was gripped with tension and fear. People started talking different things. Some said, "this is Muslim rule. We should go out of Navadweep and do Nãma Kirtan somewhere else." Others opined that they should do Japa silently.

Everyone approached Mahãprabhu and explained all the happenings to him in detail. They said, "Prabhu! you asked us to do Nãma Sankirtan. But we are facing such obstacles. If you will, we shall leave this city and go somewhere else to do Nãma Kirtan peacefully. Otherwise we shall stop doing Nãma Kirtan."

Prabhu said in a steady tone, "You neither need to leave this city, nor stop doing Nãma Kirtan. Continue to do Kirtan the same way you have been doing so long. I shall take care of the Kãji who is trying to stop Nãma Kirtan. Who is he to stop it? You need not fear!" They returned peacefully, yet, had their own fears. Knowing this Prabhu felt sorry that they were under fear to do Nãma Kirtan. He determined to correct the Kãji.

We shall see, how, without the might of wealth, weapons, military or government, Nimãyi, who is a lover of non-violence, a synonym of peace, a lover of Namakirtan enjoined by music, clapping and dance, subdued the Kãji.

To be continued...

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