Lord Chaitanya and Ramananda Roy
245
him, and both of them became overwhelmed with ecstasy. The Brahmins who accompanied Ramananda Roy were surprised that these two persons were overwhelmed with transcendental ecstasy simply by embracing. The Brahmins were all stalwarts of the rituals, and they could not understand the meaning of these devotional symptoms. They were rather surprised to see that a great Sannyasi could touch a Sudra, and they were also surprised that Ramananda Roy, who was a great governor, and practically king of that province, was crying simply by touching a Sannyasi. While the Brahmins were considering this, Lord Chaitanya understood the unfavorable situation, and He pacified Himself.
After this, Lord Chaitanya and Ramananda Roy both sat down together, and Lord Chaitanya informed him that, "Sarbabhouma Bhattacharya has spoken very highly of you, so I have come to see you."
Ramananda Roy replied, "Sarbabhouma Bhattacharya considers myself as one of his devotees, and therefore he very kindly recommended You to see me." Ramananda Roy very much appreciated the Lord's behavior for His touching a man of wealth. A king or governor or any politician is always absorbed in thoughts of political affairs and pounds-shilling-pence; therefore, such persons are avoided by a Sannyasi. But Lord Chaitanya knew Ramananda Roy to be a great devotee, and so He did not hesitate to touch and embrace him. Ramananda Roy was surprised by the behavior of Lord Chaitanya, and he cited a nice verse from  Srimad Bhagwatam , in which it is stated that, "The great personalities and sages appear in the houses of worldly men just to show them mercy."
Lord Chaitanya's special treatment of Ramananda Roy indicated that, although Ramananda Roy was born of a family who were not Brahmins, still he was far, far advanced in spiritual knowledge and activity. Therefore he was more respectable than a Brahmin who happens to born in a Brahmin family. Although Sri Ramananda, out of his meek and gentle behavior, accepted himself as born of a lower Sudra family, still Lord Chaitanya considered him to be situated in the highest transcendental stage of great devotion. The devotees never advertize themselves as being great, but the Lord is very anxious to advertize the glory of the devotee. Ramananda Roy and Lord Chaitanya, just acquainted for the first time that morning at the bank of the Gudabudee, separated, and there was an engagement made that Ramananda Roy would come in the evening to see the Lord.
In the evening, when the Lord was seated after taking His bath, Ramananda Roy came to see Him with a servant. He offered his respects and sat down