Disappearance of Srila Kaliya Krsna Dasa (Nov 25th)

Disappearance of Srila Kaliya Krsna Dasa, an associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu 

Friday, November 25, 2016 in Los Angeles

Disappearance of Kaliya Krsnadas, an associate of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

KALIYA KRSNADAS

In Madhya 7.39 Srila Prabhupada mentions: “This Krsnadasa, known as Kala Krsnadasa, is not the Kala Krsnadasa mentioned in the Eleventh Chapter, verse 37, of the Adi-lila. The Kala Krsnadasa mentioned in the Eleventh Chapter is one of the twelve gopalas (cowherd boys) who appeared to
substantiate the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is known as a great devotee of Lord Nityananda Prabhu. The brahmana named Kala Krsnadasa who went with Sri Caitanya to South India and later to Bengal is mentioned in the Madhya-lila, Tenth Chapter, verses 62″“79. One should not take these two to be the same person.”

Of the 37 principle associates of Mahaprabhu who lived with Him in Puri, the Adi lila chapter 10.145 mentions Krsnadasa:

The twenty-second devotee, Krsnadasa, was born of a pure and respectable brahmana family. While touring southern India, Lord Caitanya took Krsnadasa with Him.

PURPORT

Krsnadasa is described in the Madhya-lila, chapters Seven and Nine. He went with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to carry His waterpot. In the Malabar state, members of the Bhattathari cult tried to captivate Krsnadasa by supplying a woman to seduce him, but although Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu saved him from being harmed, when they returned to Jagannatha Puri He ordered that Krsnadasa remain separate from Him, for the Lord was never favorably disposed toward an associate who was attracted by a woman. Thus Krsnadasa lost the personal association of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Madhya 10.62 onwards:

Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya then asked all the people to leave. Afterward, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu called for Kala Krsnadasa, who had accompanied the Lord during His South Indian tour. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “My dear Bhattacarya, just consider the character of this man who went with Me to
South India. He left My company to associate with the Bhattatharis, but I rescued him from their company and brought him here. Now that I have brought him here, I am asking him to leave. Now he can go wherever he likes, for I am no longer responsible for him.”

PURPORT

Kala Krsnadasa was influenced and allured by nomads or gypsies, who enticed him with women. Maya is so strong that Kala Krsnadasa left Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s company to join gypsy women. Even though a person may associate with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he can be allured by maya and leave the Lord’s company due to his slight independence. Only one who is overwhelmed by maya can be so unfortunate as to leave Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s company, yet unless one is very conscientious, the influence of maya can drag one away, even though he be the personal assistant of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And what to speak of others? The Bhattatharis used to increase their numbers by using women to allure outsiders. 

This is factual evidence showing that it is possible at any time to fall down from the Lord’s association. One need only misuse his little independence. Once fallen and separated from the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s association, one becomes a candidate for suffering in the material world. Although rejected by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Kala Krsnadasa was given another chance, as the following verses relate.

Hearing the Lord reject him, Kala Krsnadasa began to cry. However, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, not caring for him, immediately left to take His noon lunch. After this, the other devotees — headed by Nityananda Prabhu, Jagadananda, Mukunda and Damodara — began to consider a certain plan.

PURPORT

Even though a person is rejected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the devotees of the Lord do not reject him; therefore the Lord’s devotees are more merciful than the Lord Himself. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura thus sings, chadiya vaisnava-seva nistara peyeche keba: one cannot be relieved from the material clutches without engaging in the service of pure devotees.

The Lord Himself may sometimes be very hard, but the devotees are always kind. Thus Kala Krsnadasa received the mercy of the four devotees mentioned above.

The Lord’s four devotees considered, “We want a person to go to Bengal just to inform Sacimata about Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s arrival at Jagannatha Puri. After hearing news of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s arrival, devotees like Advaita and Srivasa will certainly come to see Him. “Let us therefore send Krsnadasa to Bengal.” Saying this, they kept Krsnadasa engaged in the service of the Lord and gave him assurance.

PURPORT

Because Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu rejected him, Kala Krsnadasa became very, very sorry and began to cry. Therefore the Lord’s devotees took compassion upon him, gave him assurance and encouraged him to continue to engage in the Lord’s service.