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A few, jealous of Mahaprabhu's fame, were waiting for an opportune moment to afflict trouble to him. To correct such people, Mahaprabhu wished to get Sanyãsa soon. He had a deep desire to correct his enemies and make them attain the feet of the Lord.

One day, while Prabhu was on his way to bath in the Ganges along with his devotees, a few of his enemies ridiculed him openly. Laughing loudly, Prabhu said, "The 'pipal' fruit was broken in half to cure the disease. However the result was the other way round. Instead of subsiding, the disease increased!" None of them understood the import of Prabhu's words. Only Nityãnand understood that Prabhu was implying something deep. He asked Prabhu, "Prabhu! You are mysterious these days. Why does it seem to me that your words are abstract and hide something?"

Prabhu replied, "Sripãd! What do I have to hide from you? Are you not my external life-force? I am not in my control. I am going to embrace ascetic life and through sheer love, am going to win over those that nurture ill-thoughts about me. Those who are jealous of my handsomeness and my devotees' Bhakti are going to repent on seeing me going door to door begging for food and seeing my head with curly hair tonsured. I shall not accept any offerings. You are a Sanyãsi yourself. So please don't obstruct my decisions!"

Saddened by Prabhu's words, Nityãnand replied, "Prabhu! You are all powerful! Who am I to stop you? But how will you live without devotees around? Ah! Ah! What is the state of Vishnupriya? What would the aged Sachi Mãta do? She will sacrifice her life in your very memory. Even her last wish will go unsatisfied. She will lose the opportunity of being cremated by her only beloved son! Prabhu! Mother will not survive without you! "

Prabhu replied, "Sripãd, you are a Jnãni yourself. All creatures are bound by their Karma. The relationships last only as long as they are supposed to. Everything happens according to 'Prãrabda'". Nityãnanda could not speak any further.

Then Prabhu approached Mukunda Dutt. Mukunda Dutt had a mellifluous voice. He listened to his kirtans intently. On seeing Prabhu, he paid his respects and offered him a seat. Prabhu asked him to sing. Hearing him sing, and immersed in deep devotion, Prabhu embraced him and cried, "Oh Mukunda Dutt! How will I listen to such songs anymore?". Surprised, Mukunda Dutt instantly replied, "Prabhu! I am your servant. I shall sing immediately on your orders!"

Tear-filled, Prabhu replied, "Mukunda! I have decided to renounce Navadweep, tonsure my head, take up ochre robes, go begging for food and spend my days in temples or huts. I have decided to renounce my home and become a 'bairãgi'". This was a blow to Mukunda Dutt. He swooned. Later he reconciled, wept unbearably and pleaded, "Prabhu! Why do you utter such heart-breaking words! Did you nurture this friendship for this sake? Did you, for this sake, embrace us, sit with us and exchange the secrets of divine love with us and tie us in the bond of devotion and love? How would we survive without you, who has been the sole reason for our existence? Please pity us! Kindly re-consider your decision!"

Prabhu embraced the weeping Mukund and wiping of his warm tears, said, "Mukunda! You should not lose your courage. My heart is close to bursting, seeing you weep. I shall never go away from you. You always remain in my heart!"

Then Prabhu went to Gadhãdhar's house.

To be continued...

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