Similarly, with words of praise and repeated embraces did the Master receive Acharya Ratna, the Vidyanidhi, Gadadhar Pandit, Gangadas, Hari Bhatta, and Purandar Acharya. Then He asked, "Where is Haridas?" But Haridas lay prostrate far away on the edge of the public road, whence he had first beheld Chaitanya. He had not resorted to the Master's reception, but stopped at a distance. The devotees hurried there to lead him in, but Haridas said, "I am a low person, of no caste, and debarred from going close to the temple. If I can get a little retired space in the garden, I shall lie there and pass my time in loneliness, so that no servitor of Jagannáth may have anv occasion to touch me. That is my prayer."
At the report of this speech the Master was pleased. Just then Kashi Mishra and the Parichha arrived and did obeisance to the Master. Delighted to see so many Vaishnavs, they were introduced to all with due courtesy. Then they entreated the Master, "Permit us to make arrangements for these Vaishnavs. We have chosen lodgings for all and shall serve them with the mahá-prasád." The Master replied, "Gopinath! take the Vaishnavs with you and bestow them in the lodgings chosen for them. Deliver the mahá-prasád to Vaninath, who will distribute it to all. Close to my place is a very lonely house in this flower-garden. Let me have it, as I need it for lonely meditation." Then Mishra said, "All is thine, and this begging is needless. Take whatever houses you please. We two are slaves waiting for your bidding. Be pleased to command us in whatever you wish for."
The two now left with Gopinath and Vaninath; the former was shown all the lodging-houses, and the latter was given immense quantities of the mahá-prasád (for the whole party). Thereafter Vaninath returned with the consecrated rice and cakes, and Gopinath after cleaning the lodgings. The Master said, "Hear, all ye Vaishnavs! Go to your respective lodgings. After bathing in the ocean and gazing at the pinnacle of the temple, come here for your dinner." After bowing to the Master, they were led away to their quarters by Gopinath.
Then He came to receive Haridas, who was chanting God's name in rapture. Haridas fell flat at the Master's feet, who clasped him to His bosom. Both wept in fervour of love,—the Master overcome by the disciple's merits and the disciple by the Master's. Haridas cried, "Touch me not, Master, I am a low untouchable wretch." But the Master answered, "I touch you to be purified myself, because I lack your pure religion. Every moment you acquire as much piety as by bathing in all holy places, or by performing sacrifice, austerities, and alms-giving, or by reading the Vedas. You are holier than a Brahman or a sannyasi! Vide Bhágabat III. xxxiii. 7." So saying He took Haridas into the garden and gave him a room all apart, adding, "Live here, chanting His name. Daily will I come and join thee. Bow to the discus on the top of the temple of Jagannáth (which you can see from here). The prasád will be sent to you here." Nityánanda, Jagadananda, Damodar, and Mukunda rejoiced on meeting with Haridas.
After bathing in the sea the Master returned to His quarters. Adwaita and his party also bathed in the sea, gazed (reverently) at the pinnacle of the temple, and came to the Master's house for dinner. Chaitanya seated them in proper order and Himself distributed the food. So lavish was His hand that He gave two or three men's food to each. But all the faithful held their hands back from the dinner so long as the Master fasted. Swarup reported this to Him, saying, Unless you sit down to meal, none else will dine. Gopinath Acharya has invited the party of sannyasis to dine with you. He has brought the prasád, and the Puri and Bhárati were waiting for you. Do you sit down to dinner with Nityánanda, while I serve the Vaishnavs." Then the Master carefully sent the prasád to Haridas by the hand of Govinda, and Himself sat at meals with all the sannyasis, while the Acharya served them in delight. Swarup Damodar and Jagadananda served the Vaishnavs, who ate all sorts of cakes and syrups, joyously shouting Hari's name every now and then.
After they had dined and washed their hands, the Master gave each a garland and a sandal-paste mark. They then retired to their lodgings for rest. In the evening they came to Him again, when Rámánanda also arrived. The Master introduced him to all the Vaishnavs. With the whole party He went to Jagannáth's temple, and began to chant (kirtan). After the burning of evening incense He began a sankirtan. The Parichhá presented Him with a garland and sandal-paste.
Four parties sang on four sides, while in their midst danced Shachi's darling. Eight dholes and 32 cymbals were played on. All shouted "Hari! Hari!" and cheered. The blissful sound of kirtan penetrated through the 14 regions to the empyrean. As the kirtan began, devotion welled out; the people of Puri ran thither and marvelled at the singing, having never seen such transports of love before.
Next the Master went round Jagannáth's temple, dancing and singing, while the four parties of chanters preceded and followed Him. As He was falling down, Nityánanda held Him up. Men wondered as they beheld His weeping, tremour, perspiration, and deep shouting. The tears ran down His cheeks like jets from a syringe and bathed the men around. After dancing round the temple for a long time, He performed kirtan behind it, the four parties singing in a high pitch, while Chaitanya danced wildly in the middle. After dancing long He stopped and permitted the four Apostles to dance with the four parties, Nityánanda, Adwaita Acharya, Vakreshwar Pandit, and Shrinibas while the Master from the centre gazed on. Here He manifested a miraculous power: every one who danced around Him saw that the Master was gazing only at him! He manifested this power only because He wished to behold the dance of the four. Every one noticed His attentive gaze but did not know how He could gaze on four sides! Just as at the feast on the Jamuna's bank, Krishna in the midst of his comrades seemed to be gazing at every one of them at the same time.
As each came up to Him dancing, the Master firmly clasped him to His bosom. The people of Puri swam in a sea of delight as they beheld such grand dancing, devotion, and sankirtan. The king himself on hearing of the splendour of the kirtan, ascended to the terrace of his palace with his Court to gaze at it. The sight increased his admiration and his eagerness to be introduced to the Master.
After finishing the chanting and beholding the ceremony of showering flowers on Jagannáth, the Master returned home with all the Vaishnavs. The Parichha brought to Him plenty of prasád which He divided among all. Then he dismissed them and retired to bed. All the time they were with Him, they daily performed kirtan in this style. [Text, canto n.]