Caitanya's Reaching - Journeys of the Golden Avatāra
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes are filled with constant movement, as He traveled throughout India to deliver the fallen souls. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that wherever the Lord went, He sanctified that place. Whether reaching the house of a magistrate to protest injustice or reaching a holy river to bathe, every step of the Lord was a benediction for the world. His "reaching" also refers to His ultimate spiritual goal and His unique physical characteristics.
Travels in Navadvīpa and Bengal
Before accepting the renounced order, Lord Caitanya performed the pastime of reaching the Chand Kazi’s house to protest the ban on saṅkīrtana. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how the Lord led a massive procession through the streets of Simuliya. Later, to save the world, He reached Kaṭwa (Kaṇṭaka-nagara) to accept sannyāsa, and eventually traveled to Śāntipura and Pānihāṭi, showing mercy to all He met.
- After reaching Simuliya, the Lord (Caitanya) proceeded toward the Kazi’s house, and in this way He reached the door of Chand Kazi.
- Thereafter, when Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu reached the Kazi's house, He sat down by the doorway and sent some respectable persons to call for the Kazi.
- He (Lord Caitanya) reached Kantaka-nagara, or Katoya (Katwa), where He accepted ekadanda-sannyasa according to the Sankarite system.
- The Lord finally reached Panihati, and as an act of mercy He gave the captain of the boat one of His personal garments.
The Journey to Jagannātha Purī
After taking sannyāsa, the Lord traveled to Jagannātha Purī. Śrīla Prabhupāda details the specific route the Lord took, passing through various holy places in Orissa such as Remuṇā, Kaṭaka, and Bhuvaneśvara. Despite the presence of tax collectors and rivers, the Lord's journey was unimpeded, and He finally reached the abode of Lord Jagannātha to engage in deep ecstasy.
- Passing through all these (Orissa, Prayaga-ghata, the Suvarnarekha River; Remuna; Yajapura, Dasasvamedha-ghata, Vaitarani River, Kataka (Cuttak), Mahanadi River, Bhuvanesvara, Bindu-sarovara) and other places, He (Caitanya) reached Jagannatha Puri.
- There were many rivers on the way, and at each river there was a tax collector. The tax collectors did not hinder the Lord, however, and He showed them mercy. Finally He reached the village of Remuna.
- After taking prasadam, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu remained there for the night. Early in the morning He began walking, and finally He reached Bhuvanesvara.
- After reaching the city of Kataka, He saw the temple of Gopala, and a brahmana there named Svapnesvara invited the Lord to eat.
South India and Meeting Associates
Lord Caitanya’s tour of South India was a significant period of preaching. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the Lord reached holy places like Śrī Raṅga-kṣetra and the banks of the Godāvarī. It was upon reaching the Godāvarī that the historic meeting with Rāmānanda Rāya took place, where they discussed the highest limits of devotional service. Similarly, He reached Prayāga to instruct Rūpa Gosvāmī.
- As previously, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu converted to Vaisnavism many people He met on the road. After some days, the Lord reached the banks of the river Godavari.
- After visiting the temple of Jiyara-nrsimha, the Lord proceeded further south into India and ultimately reached the bank of the Godavari.
- After visiting the holy place named Siva-ksetra, Caitanya Mahaprabhu arrived at Papanasana and there saw the temple of Lord Visnu. Then He finally reached Sri Ranga-ksetra.
- After leaving Mathura, the Lord began to walk along the path on the bank of the Ganges, and finally He reached the holy place named Prayaga (Allahabad). It was there that Srila Rupa Gosvami came and met the Lord.
Divine Features and Spiritual Goals
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that Lord Caitanya is distinguished by specific bodily features, such as arms that extend down to His knees. Furthermore, His "reaching" refers to His spiritual destination. Unlike the impersonalists who wish to merge, Lord Caitanya wanted to reach Vṛndāvana and the personal service of Kṛṣṇa. His intensity was such that He felt He was reaching Kurukṣetra whenever He saw Lord Jagannātha.
- His arms are long enough to reach His knees, His eyes are just like lotus flowers, His nose is like a sesame flower, and His face is as beautiful as the moon.
- After accepting sannyasa, Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to reach Vrndavana. He was unlike the Mayavadi sannyasis, who desire to merge into the existence of the Absolute.
- Because Lord Caitanya could not meet the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, His mind burned. He began to ask Krsna about the means by which He could reach Him.
- When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would see Jagannatha along with Balarama and Subhadra, He would immediately think that He had reached Kuruksetra, where all of them had come.
Conclusion
The travels of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu were not ordinary journeys; they were a means to distribute mercy to the entire world. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches us that by hearing about the places the Lord reached—from the Kazi’s door to the banks of the Godāvarī—our minds can also reach the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
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