Next morning the Master with His party visited Jagannáth at Gundichá, and then returned to the temple eager to behold the Horá-Panchami festival. Kashi Mishra with great honour seated the Master and His party in a good position. Chaitanya wished to hear about a particular emotion and smilingly asked Swarup, "Though Jagannáth lives at Dwaraka, manifesting his natural be-pretext of a ride in his car. From the temple he goes to visit Brindában. The parks here resemble Brindában; he longs to see them therefore, and leaves his temple on the pretext of a ride in his car. From the temple he goes to Gundichá and there disports day and night in the many gardens. But why does he not take Lakshmi with him?" Swarup answered, "Listen, Master, to the reason. Lakshmi has no access to Brindában, as Krishna's playmates there are milk-maids. So none but the latter can ravish Krishna's heart." The Master continued, "Krishna sets out on the plea of a ride. Subhadra and Baladev accompany him. His dalliance with the milk-maids is done in secret in the parks, unknown to others. Krishna does not overt offence. Why then does Lakshmi fly into a rage at his journey to Gundichá?" Swarup replied, "Such is the nature of a loving mistress. Indifference on the part of her sweetheart rouses her anger."
Just then Lakshmi arrived in an angry mood at the Lion Gate, riding a golden litter set with many gems, and accompanied by rows of men bearing flags, fly-whiskers, umbrellas and standards, with many musicians, and preceded by the dedicated dancing-girls (devdási). A hundred richly dressed hand-maids bearing betel-leaf caskets, goglets of water, fans and fly-whiskers, and much display of wealth and retinue came in her train. Her maids chained the chief servitors of Jagannáth and dragged them to her feet, punishing them like thieves and fining them heavily. She beat them till they almost fainted, and abused them in feigned anger. The Master's followers laughed hiding their faces with their hands as they beheld the forwardness of Lakshmi and her maids. [Swarup gave a long explanation of Lakshmi's mood, with illustrative quotations from Sanskrit treatises on love].
At his words Shribas laughed and said "Hark you, Dámodar! behold the vast wealth of my Lakshmi. Brindában can boast of only flowers, leaves, hills, peacock plumes, and the Gunchhá fruit. And yet Jagannáth has gone to visit Brindában! Lakshmi might naturally suspect Krishna's motive in leaving such wealth for poor Brindában." As he was laughing Lakshmi turned to chastise him, saying "Behold, your god has left such splendour and gone to the Gundichá garden for the sake of flowers, leaves and fruits! Why does the chief of the wise act thus? Bring your lord before Lakshmi!" So saying, Lakshmi's handmaids brought the Master's attendants tied with their waist-bands, made them bow at her mercy. They beat (Jagannáth's) car with their sticks, and treated Jagannáth's officers like thieves, until they cried with folded hands, "To-morrow shall we produce Jagannáth before you." Then Lakshmi was pacified and returned to her abode. . . [Swarup again shows Lakshmi's conduct as natural in a true lover].
The Master listened with absorption to his exposition of the pure emotion of Radha, and began to dance in rapture while Swarup sang. "Sing on! Sing on!" He cried with ears on the alert. His enthusiasm welled forth on hearing the song of the love-making at Brindában, and He flooded the village of Puri with devotion. Lakshmi went back to her own place in time, but the Master danced on till the third quarter of the day. The four parties grew tired with singing, but His ardour became doubly intense. Under the influence of Radha's love He became an image of the passion. Nityánanda seeing Him from afar prayed to Him, but came not near in consideration of His ecstasy. None but Nityánanda could hold the Master [and force Him to stop dancing]. His ecstasy did not cease, and the kirtan therefore had to continue. So, Swarup by gesture informed Him how the party was exhausted. At this the Master came to Himself, and returned to the garden. After taking rest He had His midday bath and dined pleasantly with His party on the many dishes sent from Jagannáth's and Lakshmi's prasád. In the evening He bathed again and visited Jagannáth, dancing and singing before the god.
He sported in the Narendra tank with His bhaktas, and held a picnic in the garden. Thus He spent eight days, after which came the return journey of Jagannáth in his car to his temple, at which the Master in supreme delight danced and sang as during the outward ride.
When Jagannáth again occupied his throne, the Master returned with His followers to His quarters. [Text, canto 14.]
CHAPTER XIII
The Dinner at Sárvabhauma's House
Thus did the Master live at the Niláchal with His followers, engaged in dancing, singing, and delight. In the first year (of His stay) He used to visit Jagannáth to whom He bowed, hymned, danced and sang. When the god's Upala-bhog was offered, He issued from the temple and took Haridas home with Himself, and there chanted Hari's name.
Adwaita arriving there adored the Master, washed His feet with perfumed water, rubbed Him all over with fragrant sandal-paste, placed a garland round His neck and the tufted Tulsi flower on His head, prostrated himself at the Master's feet, and adored Him with folded palms. The Master adored the Acharya with the flowers and Tulsi leaves left over on the ritual tray, and recited the verse "I bow to thee, that art what thou art!" Then He made a playful sound with His lips and had a laugh at the Acharya. Thus did the two honour each other. The Acharya repeatedly asked the Master to dinner. . . The Master with His party dined at the houses of the different bhaktas on successive days. Thus did they spend four months in His company, witnessing all the festivals of Jagannáth.