SRI SRI PREMA DHAMA DEVA STOTRAM

by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj

— Verse 1 —

deva-siddha-mukta-yukta-bhakta-vrnda-vanditam
papa-tapa-dava-daha-dagdha duhkha-khanditam
krsna-nama-sidhu-dhama-dhanya-dana-sagaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

The universal gods, perfected beings, salvationists, mystic yogis, and exalted servitors of the Absolute Truth, Sri Krishna, constantly chanted the glories of Sri Gaurasundar.

In regard to Lord Chaitanya's Pastimes, Srila Rupa Goswami has mentioned the following verse in his Sri Chaitanyastakah:

sadopasyah sriman dhrta-manuja-kayaih pranayitam
vahadbhir gir-vanair girisa-paramesthi-prabhrtibhih

"The gods, headed by Lord Siva and Lord Brahma, accepted the garb of ordinary men in the Pastimes of Sri Chaitanyadev in order to eternally worship Him with heartfelt affection." Sri Chaitanyadev is the embodiment of that vast nectarine ocean found in Lord Krishna's Holy Name, which is none other than Sri Gauranga's own pure Name. Sri Chaitanyadev is compared to that grand milk ocean which, after being churned, produced nectar. The nectar Mahaprabhu distributes is Lord Krishna's Holy Names, which extinguish all the miseries of material existence, such as anxieties arising from sinful activities performed in direct opposition to the Lord, and the three-fold sufferings which fuel the grand forest fire that scorches those in search of sense gratification, salvation, and mystic yoga perfections. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 2 —

svarna-koti-darpanabha-deha-varna-gauravam
padma-parijata-gandha-vanditanga-saurabham
koti-kama-murchchhitanghri-rupa-rasa-rangaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

The charming aura of Sri Gaurasundar's divine figure resembles the reflection of millions of radiant golden mirrors. Furthermore, the personified sweet fragrance of the earthly and heavenly lotus flowers humbly offer their prayers before the aromatic scent which permeates the air from the beautiful form of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Millions and millions of Cupids fall unconscious before the feet of Sri Chaitanyadev's elegant figure. They are severely shocked because their sense of universal fame arising from their beautiful splendor is checked. While performing His joyful Pastimes of dancing, the divine form of Sri Gaurangadev playfully sways to and fro. The flowing pulsations of the Lord's limbs move in rhythm with the various charming moods of devotional sentiments, bhava, overwhelming His graceful figure. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 3 —

prema-nama-dana-janya-pancha-tattvakatmakam
sanga-divya-parsadastra-vaibhavavatarakam
syama-gaura-nama-gana-nrtya-matta-nagaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

By manifesting His five-fold aspect of divinity, Pancha-tattva, Sri Gaurangadev was able to widely distribute the sweet Names of Lord Krishna, which is the means to the ultimate attainment in human life: unalloyed love for the Absolute Truth, Sri Krishna, the fifth end. (The 'fifth end' refers to that which is beyond the attainment of religiosity, economic development, sense gratification, and liberation.) The Lord personally incarnated on the Earth planet with His expansions such as Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Acharya, His intimate associates such as Gadadhar Pandit, and His other general associates such as Srivasa Thakura. When the Lord appears, He comes armed with the weapon of the Holy Name of Krishna. While dancing in the deepest ecstasies of pure love, Lord Gaurangadev, although none other than Syamasundara, chanted His own Names just like an ordinary citizen in the Nadiya district. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 4 —

santi-puryadhisa-kaly-adharma-duhkha-duhsaham
jiva-duhkha-hana-bhakta-saukhyadana-vigraham
kaly-aghaugha-nasa-krsna-nama-sidhu-sancharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Appearing in His Deity form, Sri Gaurangadev removed the miserable condition of the living entities and increased the devotional pleasure of His devotees. The Lord incarnated because He was unable to tolerate the griefstricken condition of Sri Advaita Acharya, the master of that charming village of Santipura. Sri Advaita Acharya was lamenting about this era being overtaken by the ugly influence of irreligious practices. Thus, in order to arrest the immoral activities in Kali-yuga, the Lord profusely distributed the sweet nectar of Lord Krishna's Holy Names. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 5 —

dvipa-navya-ganga-banga-janma-karma-darsitam
srinivasa-vasa-dhanya-nama-rasa-harsitam
sri-haripriyesa-pujyadhi-sachi-purandaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Sri Gaurangadev appeared in West Bengal in the sacred place known as Nabadwip on the banks of the Ganges River. Revealing His household Pastimes in the holy abode of Nabadwip, Sri Gaura benedicted the beautiful courtyard surrounding Srinivas Pandit's residence, and pleased His dearmost associates when He manifested His nocturnal Pastimes of congregational chanting in the deepest mellows of pure dedication. The controlling life-force of Laksmi Priya Devi and Vishnu Priya Devi was Sri Gaurasundar, whose intelligence was couched in deep parental adoration for His mother and father, Sachi Devi and Jagannath Misra. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 6 —

sri-sachi-dulala-balya-bala-sanga-chanchalam
akumara-sarva-sastra-daksa-tarka-mangalam
chhattra-sanga-ranga-digjigisu-darpa-samharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Sri Gaurangadev, the son of Sachi Devi, always performed mischievous childhood Pastimes in the association of the naughtiest boys. (Nimai was like baby Krishna, the son of Mother Yasoda.) Nimai's Pastimes, although naughty, were not only pleasing to Him, but also gladdened the hearts of His devotees.

During His adolescent years, the Lord acquired unrivaled mastery over the conclusions of the ancient scriptures. With unexcelled logic at His command, Lord Visvambhar artfully established the auspicious doctrine of suddha-bhakti, unalloyed dedication unto the Sweet Absolute Truth, Lord Krishna, thereby defeating the doctrine of dry logic studied at that period by the proud, expert logicians who were all nearly atheistic scholars. Later, in the course of His adolescent Pastimes, the Lord vanquished the pride of the most famous Sanskrit scholar of all times, the Digvijayi Pandit, in the company of His grammar students, on the banks of the Ganges River. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 7 —

varjya-patra-sarameya-sarpa-sanga-khelanam
skandha-vahi-chaura-tirtha-vipra-chitra-lilanam
krsna-nama-matra-balya-kopa-santi-saukaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

During His childhood Pastimes, Nimai sat amongst discarded clay pots which had been used to cook preparations for Lord Vishnu. He would also play with unclean animals such as puppies, and on one occasion He laid upon a cobra, treating it as if it were Anantashesh. Once, Nimai was stolen away by two thieves who were intent on robbing the ornaments decorating His charming figure. Placing Nimai on their shoulders, they enticed the small boy to come with them and then quickly fled away with Him. However, due to the Lord's Yogamaya potency, they suddenly found they had arrived at Nimai's house.

Later, a well-known mendicant brahman visited the residence of Jagannath Misra. When the brahman began to offer some preparations he had cooked to Lord Gopal, Nimai spoiled the offering by eating the foodstuffs while the mendicant was offering them in meditation. After having done this to the brahman three times, the Lord revealed His eight-armed form to him.

Whenever the child Nimai angrily cried, He could only be pacified by the chanting of Lord Krishna's Holy Names. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 8 —

snana-ganga-vari-bala-sanga-ranga-khelanam
balikadi-parihasya-bhangi-balya-lilanam
kuta-tarka-chhattra-siksakadi-vada-tatparam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

In His childhood Pastimes Nimai would sportively play in the waters of the Ganges River in different ways with His schoolmates. Sometimes Nimai, with various laughing gestures, would also tease the young girls who came to swim in the Ganges. This same small boy, however, often presented shrewd arguments and counterarguments before His classmates and professors. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 9 —

sri nimai-panditeti-nama-desa-vanditam
navya-tarka-daksa-laksa-dambhi-dambha-khanditam
sthapitartha-khanda-khanda-khanditartha-sambharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

During the Lord's adolescent Pastimes, He became known and respected far and wide as the greatest scholar, Nimai Pandit. The Lord would dismantle the false pride of millions of conceited scholarly logicians. Rendering them speechless by canceling and reversing their forestated conclusions, the Lord would then rebuke His own opinion and rejustify their foregone logic. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 10 —

sloka-ganga-vandanartha-digjigisu-bhasitam
vyatyalankrtadi-dosa-tarkitartha-dusitam
dhvasta-yukti-ruddha-buddhi-datta-dhimadadaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

After that grand Sanskrit scholar Kesava Kasmiri had intellectually conquered all ten directions, he came before Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu on the banks of the Ganges River. At the Lord's request, he spontaneously composed and recited many wonderful prayers in glorification of the sacred Ganges. Sri Gaurangadev then amazed the scholar when He recollected and pointed out several rhetorical errors in his compositions. Kesava Kasmiri skillfully presented many logical arguments in his own favor, but was ultimately defeated. Finally, when Kesava Kasmiri's incompetence was exposed and his intelligence was totally perplexed, Lord Gauranga compassionately respected him in a manner befitting a great scholar by preventing His students who were present from laughing at the pandit. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 11 —

sutra-vrtti-tippanista-suksma-vachanadbhutam
dhatu-matra-krsna-sakti-sarva-visva-sambhrtam
ruddha-buddhi-panditaugha-nanya-yukti-nirddharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Elaborately explaining the aphorisms taught in Sanskrit grammar and the science of logic, Sri Gaurasundar would draw out their apparent and subtle meanings. The Lord's beautiful style of deriving the inner significance of the sutras completely amazed all the learned circles. The Lord demonstrated that the seven thousand verbal root sounds contained in Sanskrit grammar reach the zenith of their expression when realized as potencies existing within the Krishna conception of reality. As the learned scholars sat in utter amazement, their powerful intellects were paralyzed by Lord Gauranga's intriguing explanation. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 12 —

krsna-drsti-pata-hetu-sabdakartha-yojanam
sphota-vada-srnkhalaika-bhiti-krsna-viksanam
sthula-suksma-mula-laksya-krsna-saukhya-sambharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Sri Gaurasundar proved that the Supreme Lord's sweet will and well-wishing glance is the background cause governing each sound's concomitant meaning The Lord's sanction is the fundamental element deciding the orderly arrangement and harmony shared between sound and its meaning, and not the mundane endeavors of the prominent grammarians headed by the sages like Panini, who try to affix sounds with word meanings. This is because the purpose of everything animate or inanimate in existence is ultimately to please the Supreme Lord by enhancing His charming Pastimes. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 13 —

prema-ranga-patha-bhanga-chhattra-kaku-kataram
chhattra-sanga-hasta-tala-kirttanadya-sancharam
krsna-nama-sidhu-sindhu-magna-dik-characharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

The Lord began to teach Sanskrit to His students again after returning from Gaya. However, when emotions arising from pure love overwhelmed the Lord, He was unable to continue teaching them. Nimai's personal students, bereft of the opportunity to learn from the Lord, condemned themselves as unfortunate. Lamenting, they humbly praised the unparalleled genius of the Lord's teachings. Although the Lord experienced grief due to sympathetic feelings towards His students, He acted as their ever well-wisher when He inaugurated the happy glorification of Lord Krishna by chanting "Haraye Namah Krsna" as they clapped in unison. In the wake of the congregational chanting, the moving and nonmoving living entities in all ten directions were immersed in the surging waves of that grand ocean of sweet devotional mellows. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 14 —

arya-dharma-pala-labdha-diksa-krsna-kirtanam
laksa-laksa-bhakta-gita-vadya-divya-nartanam
dharma-karma-nasa-dasyu-dusta-duskrtoddharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Sri Gaurasundar respected the Vedic principles and inaugurated the congregational chanting of the Lord's Holy Names after taking full shelter of His spiritual master. The Lord would continuously chant and distribute Lord Krishna's Holy Names, dancing in the most joyful manner in the association of thousands of devotees. In this way He delivered the greatest of demons such as Jagai and Madhai, and other demoniac groups who destroy religious principles and the rules governing the social and spiritual orders of society. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 15 —

mlechchha-raja-nama-badha-bhakta-bhiti-bhanjanam
laksa-laksa-dipa-naisa-koti-kantha-kirtanam
sri-mrdanga-tala-vadya-nrtya-kaji-nistaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Once, a great Mohammedan city magistrate named Chand Kazi obstructed the devotees from performing congregational chanting of the Lord's Holy Names. In retaliation, Lord Chaitanyadev dispelled the devotees' fear by leading a nocturnal chanting procession ornamented with thousands of burning torches and lamps. Millions of persons simultaneously joined in the ecstatic wave created by Lord Gaurasundar's dancing to the sweet melody of the mrdanga drums and cymbals, as musical instruments resounded in every direction. When the powerful Mohammedan witnessed this, his false sense of covetousness was cleansed, and the Lord embraced him as His very own. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 16 —

laksa-lochanasru-varsa-harsa-kesa-kartanam
koti-kantha-krsna-kirtanadhya-danda-dharanam
nyasi-vesa-sarva-desa-ha-hutasa-kataram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

While showers of tears fell from the eyes of millions, He delighted in having His beautiful hair shaved away. Millions of voices sang the glories of Lord Krishna as Sri Krishna Chaitanya accepted the staff of renunciation. From that time, wherever He went, whoever saw Him in the garment of a sannyasi cried in grief. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 17 —

sri-yatisa-bhakta-vesa-radhadesa-charanam
krsna-chaitanyakhya-krsna-nama-jiva-taranam
bhava-vibhramatma-matta-dhavamana-bhu-dharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Newly dressed as a renunciate, the supreme controller of the sannyasis, Sri Krishna Chaitanya, wandered all over the province of West Bengal purifying the land with the touch of His lotus feet. After accepting the new name "Sri Krishna Chaitanya," the Lord rescued the living entities by offering them Krishna's Holy Names. Intoxicated with ecstatic emotions erupting from the deepest planes of dedication's mellows, He appeared like a golden mountain as He continuously ran here and there in every direction. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 18 —

sri-gadadharadi-nityananda-sanga-varddhanam
advayakhya-bhakta-mukhya-vanchhitartha-sadhanam
ksetra-vasa-sabhilasa-matr-tosa-tatparam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Bestowing further prosperity to all, the association of Sri Chaitanya enhanced those grand personalities like Sri Gadadhar Pandit, Lord Nityananda, and others. When Lord Chaitanya incarnated on the Earth planet, He fulfilled the desires of the principal mahabhagavat devotee Sri Advaita Acharya. Also, the Supreme Lord agreed to reside in Jagannath Puri just to please His mother Sachi Devi. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 19 —

nyasi-raja-nila-saila-vasa-sarvabhaumapam
daksinatya-tirtha-jata-bhakta-kalpa-padapam
rama-megha-raga-bhakti-vrsti-sakti-sancharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Arriving in the sacred place of pilgrimage, Sri Nilachala, the valiant king of the renounced order, Sri Chaitanyadev, saved the most powerful scholar recognized throughout the length and breadth of India. Sri Vasudeva Sarvabhauma, the most dynamic intellectual of all time in the vast Vedantic doctrine and school of logistics, was rescued by the Lord from the impersonal well of Sankar Acharya's transformation theory, vivartavad. Later, the Lord travelled to southern India, where He encountered the followers of various philisophical doctrines. Wherever He travelled, the aspirations of the devotees met their highest fulfillment, as the Lord was like a desire tree. On the banks of the Godavari River, the Lord met that deep raincloud of pure dedication Sri Ramananda Ray, and instructed him to shower upon others the sweet raindrops of rasa which exist in the land of spontaneous devotion, Vraja. Sri Ramananda Ray also answered the questions the merciful Lord posed with the essence of all instruction. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 20 —

prema-dhama-divya-dirgha-deha-deva-nanditam
hema-kanja-punja-nindi-kanti-chandra-vanditam
nama-gana-nrtya-navya-divya-bhava-mandiram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

The tall divine figure of Sri Gaurangadev enhances the joy of the universal gods as He is the charming embodiment of pure love. The radiant aura emanating from His beautiful form insults millions of golden lotuses while winning the respect of that effulgent personality Chandradeva. Sri Gauranga is the background stage of all spiritual Pastimes as exhibited in the ever-fresh dynamic moods of satvika-bhava as seen in His joyful dancing when congregationally chanting Lord Krishna's Holy Names. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 21 —

dhvasta-sarvabhauma-vada-navya-tarka-sankaram
dhvasta-tad-vivarta-vada-danaviya-dambaram
darsitartha-sarva-sastra-krsna-bhakti-mandiram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

The grand intellectual Sarvabhauma tried his level best to establish the impersonal doctrine of Sankar Acharya, which is in direct opposition to the conclusions of pure dedication. Sarvabhauma used the most deceitful means in the art of word jugglery. He tried to pervert the sense of words, he idly heckled the arguments or assertions of the Lord without attempting to prove the opposite side, and he tried to find the weak points in the Lord's arguments. However, Sri Chaitanya, whose charming figure was cloaked in the fresh garments of a radiant renunciate, presented consistent arguments in conjunction with the Vedic literatures, and easily checked and destroyed the scholar's atheistic interpretations. The Lord loudly proclaimed that the doctrine of Sankar Acharya known as vivartavad is practised by followers in the ascending method of understanding who are interested in their external self-adoration. Such worship is the product of a demoniac intellect and backed by atheistic perseverance. All importance given to the nonmanifest aspect of material nature was refuted when Lord Gaurasundar established that spiritual variegatedness in the Supreme Lord's personality is the highest reality taught in the Vedic literature.

This was shown in the Lord's explanation of the Upanisads, where it is stated:

apanipado javano grahita
pasyatyacaksuh sa srnotyakarnah

"The Lord has no hands or legs, yet He walks and touches. The Lord has no eyes or ears, yet He sees and hears."

Lord Gaurasundar also explained the atmarama verse which is found in the grandest of all famous literature, Srimad Bhagavatam. He clearly showed that the Vedas, Puranas, Vedanta, and all other existing scriptures, which are like a magnificent temple where the Supreme Lord's wonderful Pastimes are eternally resounded, support the conclusion that everything in this world is a reflection of the eternal variegatedness found in the spiritual realm. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 22 —

krsna-krsna-krsna-krsna-krsna-nama-kirtanam
rama-rama-gana-ramya-divya chanda-nartanam
yatra-tatra-krsna-nama-dana-loka-nistaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Later, the Supreme Lord travelled to the holy places of pilgrimage in South India with the clever intention of delivering the fallen souls. Appearing as a beautiful young renunciate, He distributed the sweet Names of the Lord, singing: "Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna Krishna he," as He strolled down the different pathways, entered temples, and visited homesteads during the sacred pilgrimage. Infused with an inconceivable type of divine inspiration, the Lord freely chanted "Rama Rama" and joyfully danced with the most charming gestures. Irrespective of time or personal qualification, the assembled bystanders were delivered by the Lord, who inspired them to chant Krishna's Holy Names. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 23 —

godavarya-vama-tira-ramananda-samvadam
jnana-karmma-mukta-marma-raga-bhakti-sampadam
parakiya-kanta-krsna-bhava-sevanakaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

The famous conversation of Lord Gaurasundar with Ramananda Ray on the banks of the Godavari River is known as the Ramananda-samvad in the Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta. In those discussions, the highest form of dedication is pure love of God in a heart free from fruitive aspirations and scriptural calculation. Also, Lord Krishna, who appeared as the son of Nanda Maharaj, was ascertained as the sole recipient of the sweetness relished in the mellows of parakiya-rasa. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 24 —

dasya-sakhya-vatsya-kanta-sevanottarottaram
srestha-parakiya-radhikanghri-bhakti-sundaram
sri-vraja-sva-siddha-divya-kama-krsna-tatparam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Lord Chaitanya showed that there are various relationships which exist in connection with Lord Krishna. Those relationships begin with servitude, and progress to friendship and parental love, extending to a conjugal relationship. But the epitome of charm and beauty is reserved for the son of Nanda Maharaj in the forest groves of Vrindavan. That is service to Srimati Radharani in conjugal love, and is known as parakiya. Sri Gaurangadev embodied this sort of divine aspiration. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 25 —

santa-mukta-bhrtya-trpta-mitra-matta-darsitam
snigdha-mugdha-sista-mista-sustha-kuntha-harsitam
tantra-mukta-vamya-raga-sarva-sevanottaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Lord Gaurangadev explained that a devotee in passive adoration enjoys the happiness of being free from all material miseries, and a devotee in servitude relishes the pleasure of contentment. A devotee in friendship becomes overwhelmed with happiness arising from close affection, whereas a devotee in the parental mood is free from any trace of calculation, experiencing deepened affection in ecstatic joy. Lord Chaitanya further revealed that the devotee in conjugal love known as svakiya only partially relishes the sweetness of this mellow, due to a tinge of scriptural etiquette. However, when the conjugal mellow is beyond scriptural restrictions, then spontaneity and freedom, added by the mood of vamya, the highest expression of divine pleasure in the Lord's service, is bestowed. Sri Gaurangadev gave license to these high ideals. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 26 —

atma-navya-tattva-divya-raya-bhagya-darsitam
syama-gopa-radhikapta-kokta-gupta-chestitam
murchchhitanghri-ramaraya-bodhitatma-kinkaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Sri Chaitanya revealed the nature of the ever-fresh Pastimes which He performed in Nabadwip to Ramananda Ray, whose fortune is beyond this world. Lord Chaitanya also manifested His form as the cowherd boy Syamasundara, which was endowed with the mood and luster of Sri Radha and couched in pure dedication. When Ramananda Ray glimpsed the matchless beauty of the Lord's figure, he fainted before the tender lotus feet of the Lord. Following this, Sri Gaurangadev restored His eternal servant's consciousness. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 27 —

nasta-kustha-kurma-vipra-rupa-bhakti-tosanam
rama-dasa-vipra-moha-mukta-bhakta-posanam
kala-krsna-dasa-mukta-bhattathari-pinjaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Lord Gaurasundar embraced the brahman devotee named Vasudev, who was afflicted with leprosy in Kurmaksetra near Jagannath Puri. By the Lord's grace the brahman was cured, and he obtained a beautiful body and mental satisfaction. Later Lord Gauranga liberated the South Indian brahman known as Ramadas from the misconception that Sita Devi's chastity was spoiled by the touch of a demon. The Lord cited the Kurma Purana to prove that the Absolute Truth existing on the spiritual platform is beyond material perception. In this way the Lord nourished His devotee with instructions pertaining to pure devotion. The Supreme Lord also delivered Kala Krishna Dasa from the illusory influence of the false renunciates in the province of Malabara who were in the corrupt nomadic community called Bhattathari. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 28 —

ranganatha-bhatta-bhakti-tusta-bhangi-bhasanam
laksmya-gamya-krsna-rasa-gopikaika-posanam
laksmya-bhista-krsna-sirsa-sadhya-sadhanakaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

The Lord once visited Rangaksetra in South India on the banks of the Kaveri River, which is the most important place of worship for the Vaishnav devotees who adore Sri Sri Laksmi-Narayana and believe Them to be the utmost object of their devotional practices. When the Lord visited the father of Sri Gopal Bhatta, Sri Venkata Bhatta, He was very satisfied with his family's service attitude. Cunningly, the Lord smiled and instructed them that even Sri Laksmi Devi, after prolonged penances, could not enter into the rasalila Pastimes of Lord Krishna. This is because only the cowherd maidens can actually incite those Pastimes. Therefore, the cowherd boy Krishna, who is the original form of Lord Narayana, and who attracts the heart of Laksmi Devi, is the Supreme Truth and the fundamental object of all devotional practices. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 29 —

brahma-samhitakhya-krsna-bhakti-sastra-dayakam
krsna-karna-sidhu-nama-krsna-kavya-gayakam
sri-prataparudra-raja-sirsa-sevya-mandiram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

While travelling in South India, Lord Gaurasundar discovered the famous literature Sri Brahma-samhita, which is rich with devotional conclusions, and presented it to His devotees. Overwhelmed by the deep ecstasies of pure dedication, the Lord also sweetly sang the charming verses of the Sri Krishna-karnamrita, in which the wonderful Pastimes of Vraja are glorified by that grand poet of South India, Sri Bilvamangal Thakur. And it was the tender lotus feet of Lord Chaitanya which was placed upon the head of the great King Prataparudra, who had full dedication at his command. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 30 —

sri-rathagra-bhakta-gita-divya-nartanadbhutam
yatri-patra-mitra-rudraraja-hrch-chamatkrtam
gundichagamadi-tattva-rupa-kavya-sancharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Surrounded by innumerable devotees, Lord Gaurasundar displayed His divine and wonderful dancing figure in front of the Rathayatra cart while performing congregational chanting of the Lord's Holy Names. The Lord's personality totally charmed the hearts of Prataparudra Maharaj, the assembled pilgrims, and all the other dear friends of the King. The Lord also revealed the inner purport of Lord Jagannath's Pastime of riding the cart to the Gundicha temple when He mentioned the verse by Srila Rupa Goswami:

priyah so 'yam krsnah saha-chari kuru-ksetra-militas
tathaham sa radha tad idam ubhayoh sangama sukham
tathapy antah-khelan-madhura-murali-panchama-juse
mano me kalindi-pulina-vipinaya sprhayati

"O My dear friend, now I am at last reunited with My most beloved Krishna in Kuruksetra. I am the same Radharani, and He is the same Krishna. We are enjoying Our meeting, but still I wish to return to the banks of the Kalindi, where I could hear the sweet melody of His flute sounding the fifth note beneath the trees of the Vrindavan forest." I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 31 —

prema-mugdha-rudra-raja-saurya-virya-vikramam
prarthitanghri-varjitanya-sarva-dharma-sangamam
lunthita-pratapa-sirsa-pada-dhuli-dhusaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

When northern India was under Muslim rule, that great kingly emperor of the independent state of Orissa, Prataparudra, was completely wonderstruck and overtaken by the magnanimity, prowess, and activities that Lord Chaitanya exhibited in pure love of Godhead. The great King Prataparudra rejected all his earlier ties with traditional religiosity and his valiant kingly nature, and he threw himself before the lotus feet of Sri Chaitanyadev in full surrender. The merciful Lord then bathed the surrendered emperor's head with the sacred dust of His tender lotus feet. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 32 —

daksinatya-suprasiddha-panditaugha-pujitam
srestha-raja-rajapatra-sirsa-bhakti-bhusitam
desa-matr-sesa-darsanarthi-gauda-gocharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

The Supreme Lord was adored by the famous scholarly class of men in South India. The greatest princes and their ministers viewed the Lord with deep faith, and treated Him like the crest jewel recipient of their respect. According to the correct principles set forth in the bonafide disciplic succession, the Lord came to West Bengal to see the sacred Ganges. He also came to see His birthplace and His mother Sachi Devi, as if it were for the last time. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 33 —

gaura-garvi-sarva-gauda-gauravartha-sajitam
sastra-sastra-daksa-dusta-nastikadi-lajitam
muhyamana-matrkadi-deha-jiva-sancharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

During His travels, Lord Gaurangadev's fame flooded the length and breadth of Bengal. Therefore, when He returned to Nabadwip five years after accepting sannyas, all of Bengal, which was proud of Lord Gauranga, became enthusiastic to glorify His extraordinary personality. Even the proud atheistic class of scholars were embarrassed about their vile natures when they observed how the ordinary people in all walks of life had such resolute faith in the Lord. When Mother Sachi and the Lord's other family members, who were lifeless due to separation from their Lord, had another glimpse of Sri Chaitanyadev, their life's substance was rejuvenated. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 34 —

nyasa-pancha-varsa-purna-janma-bhumi-darsanam
koti-koti-loka-lubdha-mugdha-drsti-karsanam
koti-kantha-krsna-nama-ghosa-bheditambaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Returning to His birthplace after five long years of sannyas, the Supreme Lord was met by millions, young and old alike. Everyone's eyes were overwhelmed with eagerness to see the Lord, who was attracting their innermost heart of hearts. The Lord's ecstatic presence excited the multitudes to continuously resound the Names of Lord Hari, and they created an uproar that reverberated in every direction, beyond the limits of the sky. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 35 —

arta-bhakta-soka-santi-tapi-papi-pavanam
laksa-koti-loka-sanga-krsna-dhama-dhavanam
rama-keli-sagrajata-rupa-karsanadaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Sri Gaurangadev eased the anxiety the devotees had experienced due to His long separation and forgave many sinful, offensive, anxiety-ridden souls such as Gopal Chapal and others. The Lord then began to run towards Vrindavan along the banks of the Ganges. An ocean of people pursued the Lord up to the capital of Bengal, which at that time was known as Ramakeli. At Ramakeli, Lord Gauranga was attracted by His two eternal associates who appeared to be ministers in the Muslim government. The Lord showed deep affection for Srila Rupa Goswami and his elder brother, Srila Sanatana Goswami. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 36 —

vyaghra-varanaina-vanya-jantu-krsna-gayakam
prema-nrtya-bhava-matta-jhadakhanda-nayakam
durga-vanya-marga-bhatta-matra-sanga-saukaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Leaving Ramakeli, the Lord continued through Bengal towards Jagannath Puri. After leaving Puri Dhama, Lord Chaitanya passed through the Jhadakhanda forest on His way to Vrindavan. There He inspired the jungle animals such as tigers, deer, and elephants to join in the congregational chanting of Lord Krishna's Holy Names. Intoxicated by the sweet Names of the Lord, the animals joyfully danced along with the Lord, who was madly absorbed in the deepest devotional ecstasies. The Supreme Lord experienced profound realizations in solitary worship as He walked down the deep and impenetrable jungle paths of Jhadakhanda with Balabhadra Bhattacharya. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 37 —

ganga-yamunadi-bindu-madhavadi-mananam
mathurartta-citta-yamunagra-bhaga-dhavanam
smarita-vrajati-tivra-vipralambha-kataram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Lord Gaurasundar showed great honor towards the Deities along the Ganges-bank in Kasi, and unto Bindu Madhava at the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna in Prayag. Following the current of the Yamuna, the Lord began to quickly run along her banks in anxious pursuit of a glimpse of the sacred place known as Mathura. As divine thoughts of Vrindavan's Pastimes overwhelmed His memory and caused intolerable feelings of separation, Lord Gaurasundar fell unconscious. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 38 —

madhavendra-vipralambha-mathuresta-mananam
prema-dhama-drstakama-purva-kunja-kananam
gokuladi-gostha-gopa-gopika-priyankaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Lord Chaitanya stated that the mood of deep separation that Madhavendra Puri was able to taste, as depicted in the following beautiful verse first spoken by Srimati Radharani, is the zenith point and desirable object of pure adoration:

ayi dina-dayardra natha he
mathura-natha kadavalokyase
hrdayam tvad-aloka-kataram
dayita bhramyati kim karomy aham

"O my Lord! O most gracious master! O master of Mathura! When will I see You again? Because of my not seeing You, my agitated heart has become unsteady. O most beloved one, what shall I do now?" After the Lord entered into Vraja, the background stage where Pastimes of pure love are enacted, He became overwhelmed to His heart's full satisfaction. The Lord was charmed to see the beautiful gardens and forest groves that served as His playground for spiritual Pastimes in a previous era. While visiting the twelve forests of Vrindavan, the Lord exhibited various different dealings with the cowherd boys and maidens. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 39 —

prema-gunjanali-punja-puspa-punja-ranjitam
gita-nrtya-daksa-paksi-vrksa-laksa-vanditam
go-vrsadi-nada-dipta-purva-moda-meduram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

While strolling through the forest groves of Vrindavan, the Lord was joyfully welcomed by swarms of humming bumblebees busily engaged in discussion about pure love as they hovered over the blooming flowers. Millions of trees lining the forest groves harmoniously offered their respects unto Lord Gaurasundar in unison with a variety of birds that were expertly singing and dancing in sheer delight. The Lord's mind became overflooded by loving feelings due to remembering how the cows, calves, and oxen of the holy abode of Vrindavan would affectionately call for Him in previous Pastimes, thereby elating His emotions in pure love. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 40 —

prema-buddha-ruddha-buddhi-matta-nrtya-kirtanam
plavitasru-kanchananga-vasa-chaturanganam
krsna-krsna-rava-bhava-hasya-lasya-bhasvaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Hopelessly overwhelmed by a surge of pure love, Lord Gaurasundar madly danced and chanted the Holy Names of Krishna. A profuse current of flowing tears streamed from His eyes, passing over the radiant luster of His giant golden form, over His brilliant garments that resembled the sun, and over the ground in all four directions. The Lord's joyful Pastimes were ecstatically enhanced by such gestures as His loudly mispronouncing the Holy Name of Krishna in a delirious state, or His roaring with laughter due to being ecstatically absorbed in deep emotion. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 41 —

prema-mugdha-nrtya-kirtanakularitantikam
snana-dhanya-vari-dhanya-bhumi-kunda-desakam
prema-kunda-radhikakhya-sastra-vandanadaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Surcharged with the confusing dictations of pure love of God, Lord Gaurasundar, dancing in ecstasy, anxiously approached the sacred place of Radha Kunda, which was unmanifest at that time. The Lord hastily took bath in that flooded paddy field, sanctified the water, and revealed it to be Sri Radha Kunda. In deep humility, the Lord began to carefully recite verses from the Scriptures depicting Sri Radha Kunda as the divine embodiment of pure love.

yatha radha priya visnos
tasyah kundam priyam tatha
sarva gopisu saivaika
visnor-atyanta vallabha

"Just as Sri Radha is very dear to Lord Krishna, similarly Her divine pond, Sri Radha Kunda, is dear to the Lord. Of all the cowherd maidens, She is the dearmost consort to Lord Krishna." I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 42 —

tintidi-talastha-yamunormi-bhavanaplutam
nirjanaika-radhikatma-bhava-vaibhavavrtam
syama-radhikapta-gaura-tattva-bhitikakaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

As the Lord was visiting various places in Vrindavan where Lord Krishna performed His Pastimes, He visited that famous tamarind tree that existed during the Dvapara era. Sitting beneath the tamarind tree, the Lord's memory of His confidential water-sporting Pastimes with the cowherd maidens was aroused when He saw the dancing gestures of the Yamuna's waves. The Lord's entire being was captured by tasting the sweetness of Sri Radha within the depths of His heart. Identifying with that selfsame sweetness and emotion that possessed His entire self, the Lord's entire existence was stolen away. This place is indicated to be the place of origin of Gaura-tattva, for it was here that Lord Syamasundara became greatly absorbed in the divine mood of Srimati Radharani. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Himself the origin of all, eternally resides in this place. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 43 —

sarika-sukokti-kautukadhya-lasya-lapitam
radhika-vyatita-kamadeva-kama-mohitam
prema-vasya-krsna-bhava-bhakta-hrch-chamatkaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Lord Gauranga mentioned a witty conversation that was carried on between a parrot and his mate. In their talk, Lord Krishna, the transcendental Cupid, is described to be illusioned due to His deep feelings of separation from Sri Radha.

radha-sange yada bhati
tada 'madana-mohanah'
ayatha visva-moho 'pi
svayam 'madana-mohitah'

The female parrot said, "When Lord Krishna is with Radharani, He is the enchanter of Cupid; otherwise, when He is alone, He Himself is enchanted by amorous feelings, even though He enchants the whole universe." By this Pastime, Lord Gauranga charmed the devotees' hearts by showing that Lord Krishna's sweetness and charm ultimately lies in the fact that He can be subdued by pure love. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 44 —

sri-prayaga-dhama-rupa-raga-bhakti-sancharam
sri-sanatanadi-kasi-bhakti-siksanadaram
vaisnavanurodha-bheda-nirvisesa-panjaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

It was in the sacred place of Prayag, in the bathing area known as Dasasvamedha Ghat, that Lord Gauranga taught Srila Rupa Goswami that the ultimate objective of one's devotional practices is to relish the sweet mellows found in Sri Vrindavan, and the Lord instructed him to widely distribute that sweetness. Later in Kasi, the Lord elaborately described to Srila Sanatana Goswami many topics of pure dedication, such as knowledge of proper acquaintance with the environment, the means of applying that knowledge, and the ultimate goal of obtaining pure love of Godhead. Also, at the special request of a Maharastrian brahman and Tapana Misra and other devotees, the Lord destroyed the ignorant conception of the mayavadi renunciates in Varanasi. Lord Gaurangadev personally met the impersonalists there in a public assembly, and pointed out that their mode of self-adoration was ultimately based on enviousness and narrow-mindedness. In this way the Lord established that factual independence was exhibited by those worshipping the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 45 —

nyasi-laksa-nayaka-prakasananda-tarakam
nyasi-rasi-kasi-vasi-krsna-nama-parakam
vyasa-naradadi-datta-vedadhi-dhurandharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

While en route to Jagannath Puri from Vrindavan, the Lord met and instructed Srila Rupa Goswami in Prayag. Following this, Lord Gauranga arrived in Varanasi where He found Prakasananda Saraswati to be the leader of millions of impersonalist renunciates who were followers of Sri Sankar Acharya. By His pure and affectionate personality, Lord Gauranga rescued Prakasananda Saraswati from the deep well of the transformation theory of Sankar Acharya and intoxicated the sannyasis and residents of Kasi by engaging them in the glorification of Lord Krishna's Holy Names. Sri Gaurangadev was the transcendental expert who granted their passage over the material ocean, like a vessel carrying the nectar of all the scriptural conclusions handed down in the disciplic line from the sage Narada to Srila Vyasadev. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 46 —

brahma-sutra-bhasya-krsna-naradopadesakam
sloka-turya-bhasananta-krsna-samprakasakam
sabda-vartananta-hetu-nama-jiva-nistaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

When Lord Chaitanyadev was in Kasi, He taught a grand assembly of the impersonalist renunciates that the Srimad Bhagavatam, as taught in the bonafide disciplic succession from Lord Krishna to Narada and handed down by Srila Vyasadev, is the factual commentary on the conclusions of the Vedanta-sutras. Sri Gauranga also explained the four fundamental verses of the Srimad Bhagavatam and revealed Lord Krishna as the ultimate reality beyond all duality and the original principle of the entire universal arrangement. By the Vedic aphorism "anavrttih sabdat anavrttih sabdat," Lord Chaitanya established that conscious sound in its highest expression is Lord Krishna's Holy Name, and that it bestows the utmost benefit by releasing the soul from its conditioned state of existence. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 47 —

atma-rama-vachanadi-nirvisesa-khandanam
srauta-vakya-sarthakaika-chidvilasa-mandanam
divya-krsna-vigrahadi-gauna-buddhi-dhikkaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

By explaining the famous atmarama verse of the Srimad Bhagavatam sixty-one times, Lord Gauranga sliced to pieces the impersonalist doctrine propagated by Sankar Acharya. The Lord also recited many references from the Upanisads, such as apani-pado javano grahita pasyaty achaksuh sa srnoty akarnah, whereby He revealed the charming sweet nature of the Absolute Truth's spiritual Pastimes. Lord Chaitanya fully censured the hateful conception of the impersonalists that Lord Krishna's transcendental form, name, qualities, Pastimes, and Deity manifestation are simply an imaginary transforrnation of the illusory energy maya. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 48 —

brahma-paramatmya-laksanadvayaika-vachanam
sri-vraja-svasiddha-nanda-lila-nanda-nandanam
sri-rasa-svarupa-rasa-lila-gopa-sundaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

When Lord Gauranga referred to the verse brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate in the Srimad Bhagavatam, He harmoniously accommodated the conception of the nondifferentiated aspect of reality, brahman, the ultimate goal of the impersonalists, with the conception of the localized aspect of reality, paramatma, the goal of the mystic perfectionists. The Lord adjusted these two truths by showing that they are included within and surpassed by the ultimate conception of the nondualistic Absolute Truth, bhagavan, who is the primeval principle of reality. When revealing this axiomatic truth in connection with the joyful and confidential nature of the Supreme Lord's spiritual Pastimes, Lord Gauranga pointed out the divine nature of Vraja, which is existing above the Vaikuntha planets.

vaikunthaj janito vara madhu-puri tatrapi rasotsavad
vrndaranyam udara-pani-ramanat tatrapi govardhanah
radha-kundam ihapi gokula-pateh premamrtaplavanat
kuryad asya virajato giri-tate sevam viveki na kah

"Superior to the spiritual realm of Vaikuntha is Mathura, where Sri Krishna first appears. Superior to Mathura is the Vrindavana forest where Krishna enjoyed the rasa dance. Better still is Govardhana Hill, which was the site of even more confidential Pastimes of love. But best of all is Radha Kunda, which is situated at the foot of Govardhana Hill, and holds the supreme position because it is overflooded with the nectar of the highest kind of divine love. Who, acquainted with the science of devotion, will not aspire for the divine service of Srimati Radharani at Radha Kunda?" Initially, Lord Gauranga revealed the nature of pure loving service rendered unto the son of Nanda Maharaj in the parental relationship. But when considering the flow of dedication's sweet mellows, Lord Gauranga described the ultimate aspect of the Supreme Lord's personality to be Sri Gopijanavallabha, whose divine figure is the unlimited reservoir of all the primary and secondary mellows tasted in pure devotion. Sri Gauranga also hinted that the joyful and charming rasa-lila Pastimes are an all-conscious reality, none other than the personal potency of Srimati Radharani. Such transcendental Pastimes are found within the superexcellent and inconceivable spiritual world, and are the highest conception of spiritual existence, auspiciousness, and beauty. Lord Gauranga suggested this to be the supreme achievable object of the living entities. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 49 —

radhika-vinoda-matra-tattva-laksananvayam
sadhu-sanga-krsna-nama-sadhanaika-nischayam
prema-sevanaika-matra-sadhya-krsna-tatparam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

In this manner Lord Gaurangadev taught that all scriptural conclusions, as perfectly passed down by the various spiritual preceptors through the medium of sound, culminate in the embodiment of Sri Radhavinoda, the all-encompassing basis of proper acquaintance with the environment. The means by which one may reach Lord Krishna is by chanting His Holy Names in the association of pure devotees, while the ultimate goal in pure love is service to Lord Krishna, who is so dear to the cowherd maidens of Vrindavan. Lord Gaurangadev taught these essential scriptural conclusions in the assembly of scholarly persons. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 50 —

atma-rama-vachanaika-sastikartha-darsitam
rudra-samkhya-sabda-jata-yad-yad-artha-sambhrtam
sarva-sarva-yukta-tat-tad-artha-bhuridakaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Lord Gaurasundar explained this famous verse of the Srimad Bhagavatam sixty-one times to Srila Sanatana Goswami, and later to Prakasananda Saraswati:

atmaramas cha munayo
nirgrantha apy urukrame
kurvanty ahaitukim bhaktim
ittham-bhuta guno harih

"Even the liberated souls fully satisfied in the self are irresistibly attracted by the superexcellent qualities of Krishna and surrender to Him with unalloyed devotion." The Lord separately combined each of the eleven words found in that verse and established that each one is an enormous storehouse of unlimited wealth supporting the conclusion of pure devotion. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 51 —

sri sanatananu-rupa-jiva-sampradayakam
lupta-tirtha-suddha-bhakti-sastra-supracharakam
nila-saila-natha-pitha-naija-karya-saukaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Lord Gaurasundar revealed His disciplic line by inspiring Srila Sanatana Goswami, his younger brother Srila Rupa Goswami, and Srila Jiva Goswami. The Lord requested them to excavate the lost places of pilgrimage and compose pure devotional literature which describes the application of spiritual practices and spontaneous devotion. Lord Gauranga also lovingly revealed His worshipable personality to the servitors of Sri Jagannathdev at Nilachal (Sri Puri Dham). I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 52 —

tyaga-bahya-bhoga-buddhi-tivra-danda-nindanam
raya-suddha-krsna-kama-sevanabhi-nandanam
raya-raga-sevanokta-bhagya-koti-duskaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Lord Gaurasundar strongly condemned those who externally accepted the dress of a renunciate yet, like monkeys, actually harbored desires for sense pleasures. On the other hand, He honored that great devotee Ramananda Ray's devotional efforts to intimately teach some young girls a form of dance drama for the pleasure of Lord Jagannath. Considering Ramananda's service to be on the platform of spontaneous devotion, the Lord proclaimed that such a level of service was a great fortune attainable only after millions of births. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 53 —

sri-prayaga-bhatta-vallabhaika-nistha-sevanam
nila-saila-bhatta-datta-raga-marga-radhanam
sri gadadhararpitadhikara-mantra-madhuram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

The famous spiritual preceptor of the Vishnu Swami disciplic succession suddhadvaita, Sri Vallabha Bhatta, lived in the village of adhaila in sacred Prayag, and personally served Lord Gaurangadev with resolute devotion in his residence. Later in Jagannath Puri, Lord Gauranga allowed Vallabha Bhatta to enter into and relish the sweet taste experienced in parental attachment to baby Krishna. The Lord also arranged for him to learn the appropriate mantras for his worship from Sri Gadadhar Pandit. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 54 —

sri-svarupa-raya-sanga-gambhirantya-lilanam
dvadasabda-vahni-garbha-vipralambha-silanam
radhikadhirudha-bhava-kanti-krsna-kunjaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Diving deep into the reality of His own beauty and sweetness, Lord Govinda stole the mood of Radharani and, garbing Himself in Her brilliant luster, appeared as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. For the last twelve years of His manifest Pastimes He was deeply absorbed in union and separation, and He shared His heart's inner feelings with His most confidential devotees such as Swarupa Damodara and Ramananda Ray: bahire visajvala haya, antare anandamaya.

"The wonderful characteristic of divine love of Krishna is that although externally it works like fiery lava, internally it is like sweet nectar that fills the heart with the greatest joy." Volcanic eruptions of ecstasy flowed from the heart of Sri Gauranga in the agony of separation from Krishna. This Golden Lord, who appeared like an intoxicated elephant, is none other than Lord Govinda. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 55 —

sri-svarupa-kantha-lagna-mathura-pralapakam
radhikanu-vedanartta-tivra-vipralambhakam
svapnavat-samadhi-drsta-divya-varnanaturam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Sri Gaurangadev, embracing the neck of Sri Swarupa Damodara, began to sorrowfully recite the prayers Srimati Radharani had previously spoken in the agony of separation when Lord Krishna left Vrindavana for Mathura. The Lord would continuously taste the mood of Srimati Radharani, who was experiencing untold agony from the burning fire of Her tragic separation from Lord Krishna. With a heavy heart, the Lord would describe what He was directly realizing in divine trance. Those realizations are just like dreams to ordinary men. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 56 —

satvikadi-bhava-cihna-deha-divya-sausthavam
kurma-dharma-bhinna-sandhi-gatra-puspa-pelavam
hrasva-dirgha-padma-gandha-rakta-pita-panduram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

The eightfold symptoms depicting the moods of pure dedication would decorate and radiantly enhance the beauty of the Lord's bodily parts. Sometimes He appeared like a tortoise who had withdrawn his limbs into his shell, and at other times His body appeared elongated due to His joints becoming dislocated. Sometimes Lord Gaurasundar's figure was as tender and aromatic as a lotus flower. At other times the Lord's body would appear red, yellow, or brilliant with the white hue of the jasmine flower. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 57 —

tivra-vipralambha-mugdha-mandiragra-dhavitam
kurma-rupa-divya-gandha-lubdha-dhenu-vestitam
varnitali-kula-krsna-keli-saila-kandaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Grief-stricken and overwhelmed with tragic feelings of separation, Lord Chaitanya quickly ran to the lion-gate of Lord Jagannath's grand temple. Moments later, the Lord fell to the ground. In deep separation He manifested the form of the tortoise incarnation Kurmadev, and an extraordinarily sweet fragrance began to emanate from the Lord's unconscious figure. This attracted the telangi cows who resided at Lord Jagannath's Temple, and they surrounded the Lord. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 58 —

indu-sindhu-nrtya-dipta-krsna-keli-mohitam
urmi-sirsa-supta-deha-vata-ranga-vahitam
yamunali-krsna-keli-magna-saukhya-sagaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Once on a moonlit night, Lord Gaurangadev, relishing the sweet mellows of Lord Krishna's Pastimes, was wandering along the ocean's shore with His associates. Suddenly the Lord saw the reflection of the moon dancing upon the rolling waves. Unexpectedly, the Lord became overwhelmed by recollections of Lord Krishna's Pastimes in the Yamuna River and fell unconscious. Next, Lord Gauranga's body, unseen by the devotees, became as light as a piece of dried wood and was gracefully carried away by the wind-god while lying upon the crest of the ocean's rolling waves in a divine trance. Realizing Lord Krishna's water-sport Pastimes in the Kalindi River with His dearmost cowherd-maiden friends, the Lord dove deep into an ocean of divine ecstasy. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 59 —

ratri-sesa-saumya-vesa-sayitardra-saikatam
bhinna-sandhi-dirgha-deha-pelavati-daivatam
sranta-bhakta-chakratirtha-hrsta-drsti-gocharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

After searching for the Lord throughout the night, the exhausted devotees finally found Him at night's end near Chakratirtha, His elongated form lying upon the moist sand. The devotees' eyes were filled with joy as they glanced upon the delicate and serene figure of their Lord. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 60 —

artta-bhakta-kantha-krsna-nama-karna-hrdgatam
lagna-sandhi-susthu-deha-sarva-purva-samatam
ardha-bahya-bhava-krsna-keli-varnanaturam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

As the anxious devotees began to loudly chant the Holy Names of Krishna, this divine vibration entered the Lord's ears and touched the depths of His heart. Immediately the Lord's dislocated joints reunited, and He displayed the beautiful figure which their eyes were accustomed to relishing. In a semiconscious state, the Lord began to describe with deep feelings of separation what He had seen while absorbed in divine trance. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 61 —

yamunambu-krsna-radhikali-keli-mandalam
vyakta-gupta-drpta-trpta-bhangi-madanakulam
gudha-divya-marma-moda-murchchhana-chamatkaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

In the sacred waters of the Yamuna in Vrindavana, Sri Radha Govinda, along with Their dearmost cowherd-maiden friends, perform various charming water-sport Pastimes. These divine Pastimes are sometimes revealed, sometimes hidden, sometimes in opposition to each other, and sometimes harmonious. In this way the Lord's Pastimes are couched in different gestures which bring about different types of divine hankering. The melodious tune of this confidential spiritual treasure which astounds the entire universe was distributed by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 62 —

asya-gharsanadi-chatakadri-sindhu-lilanam
bhakta-marma-bhedi-tivra-duhkha-saukya-khelanam
atyachintya-divya-vaibhavasritaika-sankaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Upon glancing at the Chatak hill, intolerable feelings of separation overwhelmed the Lord, and different Pastimes in the mood of profound adoration were incited, whereby the Lord began to rub His beautiful face on the ground. When Sri Gauranga would remember the water-sport Pastimes of Lord Krishna, He would jump into the ocean and exhibit the divine symptoms of one intoxicated by pure love. By performing these Pastimes, the Lord would inundate the devotees' hearts with waves from the grand ocean of love of Krishna. Those desperate waves carried both transcendental anxiety and joy up onto the shore of the devotees' hearts. Such inconceivable auspiciousness was bestowed only upon the Lord's most surrendered associates. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 63 —

srotra-netra-gatyatita-bodha-rodhitadbhutam
prema-labhya-bhava-siddha-chetana-chamatkrtam
brahma-sambhu-veda-tantra-mrgya-satya-sundaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is not only beyond the mundane experiences of sight and sound, but He also arrests all intellectual endeavors to know Him. Being situated in pure love of Godhead, He remains a mystery and astonishes even those living entities who are fixed in self-realization. The revealed Vedas of Lord Brahma and the Tantric literatures of Lord Shiva are simply searching after Sri Gaurasundar, reality the beautiful. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 64 —

vipra-sudra-vijna-murkha-yavanadi-namadam
vitta-vikramochcha-nicha-sajjanaika-sampadam
stri-pumadi-nirvivada-sarvavadikoddharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

By freely distributing the Holy Name of Krishna, Sri Gaurangadev purified the scholarly intellectual class, the laborer class, the illiterate, and even the lowest sections of society. The Lord alone was the embodiment of the greatest wealth for all sincere and gentle souls, both the rich and the poor, the aristocratic and the lowborn. Therefore, Lord Chaitanya is respected and honored by men and women alike as the savior of all, in both the mundane and spiritual worlds. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 65 —

sindhu-sunya-veda-chandra-saka-kumbha-purnima
sandhya-chandrakoparaga-jata-gaura-chandrama
snana-dana-krsna-nama-sanga-tat-paratparam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Like a golden moon, Sri Gaurachandra appeared in the year 1407 Sakabda (1486 A.D.), at the onset of a lunar eclipse on a full-moon evening in the month of March. When the Absolute Truth Sri Gaurangadev incarnated in the beautiful courtyard of Sacidevi, the residents of Mayapura were bathing in the sacred Ganges, congregationally chanting the Holy Names of Hari, and making offerings of various types of jewels to the Lord. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 66 —

atma-siddha-savalila-purna-saukhya-laksanam
svanubhava-matta-nrtya-kirtanatma-vantanam
advayaika-laksya-purna-tattva-tat-paratparam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

This is the all-conquering conclusion: the highest conception of the Ultimate Reality must also be the highest form of ananda, ecstasy. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna, ecstasy Himself, tasting His own sweetness and dancing in ecstatic joy. His own Holy Name is the cause of His ecstasy, expressed as dancing, and the Holy Name is the effect of His ecstasy, expressed as chanting. The cause is the effect. The dynamo is creating ecstatic energy which makes Him dance, and His chanting distributes that ecstasy to others. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 67 —

sri-purisvaranukampi-labdha-diksa-daivatam
kesavakhya-bharati-sakasa-kesa-raksitam
madhavanudhi-kisora-krsna-sevanadaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

Sri Isvara Puri became very fortunate when Lord Gauranga exhibited His causeless mercy by accepting initiation from him. Sri Kesava Bharati was similarly favored in that in his presence, Lord Gauranga shaved His beautiful curly hair and accepted from him the garments of a renunciate. And Lord Chaitanya gave undivided attention to Sri Madhavendra Puri, stating that his attachment for serving Lord Krishna's Kisora form in conjugal love was the highest expression of dedication. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 68 —

sindhu-bindu-veda-chandra-saka-phalgunoditam
nyasa-soma-netra-veda-chandra-saka-bodhitam
vana-vana-veda-chandra-saka-lochanantaram
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

I offer my respects unto Sri Gaurangadev, who rose like a golden moon in Sri Mayapura in 1407 Sakabda, revealed the Pastime of accepting the garments of the renounced order, sannyas, in 1431 Sakabda in order to benedict the entire material universe, and disappeared beyond the ordinary vision of the people of this world in 1455 Sakabda. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 69 —

sri-svarupa-raya-sanga-harsa-sesa-ghosanam
siksanastakakhya-krsna-kirtanaika-posanam
prema-nama-matra-visva-jivanaika-sambharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumigaura-sundaram

With great joy Sri Gaurasundar told His dearmost associates Sri Swarupa Damodara and Ramananda Ray that the process of congregationally chanting the Holy Names of Krishna bestows the highest benediction upon the living entities in this age of Kali:

harse prabhu kahena, "suna svarupa-rama-raya
nama sankirtana kalau, parama upaya"

In His famous composition Sri Siksastakam also, Lord Gauranga has placed the chanting of Lord Krishna's Names on the topmost level of importance. The Supreme Lord further taught that chanting Lord Krishna's Names in pure love of Godhead perfectly nourishes and fully satisfies all the living entities in the universe. I offer my obeisances to that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 70 —

prema hema-deva dehi-dasaresa manyatam
ksamyatam mahaparadha-rasiresa-ganyatam
rupa-kinkaresu ramananda-dasa-sambharam
prema-dhama-devam eva naumi gaura-sundaram

O my Golden Lord! (Suvarna-varna hemanga) O ocean of prema! Kindly grant me the wealth of Your divine love! Please give some slight attention to this fallen soul and pardon his unlimited offenses. There are so many servants of Sri Rupa who are so dear to You. My only aspiration is that You count me as one of those servitors. O Gaurasundar, You are the sole protector and embodiment of good fortune for me, Ramananda Dasa. I offer my obeisances to you, O Gaurangasundar, my most beautiful Golden Lord, the divine form of Krishna prema.

— Verse 71 —

sasraddhah sapta-dasakam prema-dhameti-namakam
stavam ko 'pi pathan gauram radha-syama-mayam vrajet

Whoever faithfully recites this composition of seventy prayers known as Sri Sri Prema Dhama Deva Stotram will be granted the opportunity to serve that beautiful Golden Lord, Gaurangasundar, who is none other than Syamasundara Himself covered by the heart and halo (bhava and kanti) of Srimati Radharani.

— Verse 72 —

panchame sata-gaurabde sri-siddhanta-sarasvati
sridharah ko 'pi tach chhisyas tridandi-nauti-sundaram

These prayers have been composed in the fifth century after the appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu by a certain sannyas disciple of Srila Saraswati Thakura named Sridhara [Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Dev-Goswami Maharaj].