Adi-lila, Chapter 1 29
ei tina thakura gaudiyake kariyachena atmasat
e tinera carana vandon, tine mora natha
SYNONYMS

ei—these; tina—three; fhdkura—Deities; gaudiyadke—the Gaudiya Vaisnavas;
kariyachena—have done; Gtmasat—absorbed; e—these; tinera—of the three; carana—
lotus feet; vandon—I| worship; tine—these three; mora—my; natha—Lords.

TRANSLATION

These three Deities of Vendavana [Madana-mohana, Govinda and Gopinatha]
have absorbed the heart and soul of the Gaudiya Vaisnavas [followers of Lord
Caitanya]. 1! worship Their lotus feet, for They are the Lords of my heart.

PURPORT

The author of 5:7 Caitanya-caritamrta offers his respectful obeisances unto the
three Deities of Vrndavana named Sri Radhda-Madana-mohana, Sri Radha-
Govindadeva and Sri Radha-Gopinathaji. These three Deities are the life and soul of
the Bengali Vaisnavas, or Gaudiya Vaisnavas, who have a natural aptitude for re-
siding in Vendavana. The Gaudiya Vaisnavas who follow strictly in the line of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu worship the Divinity by chanting transcendental sounds
meant to develop a sense of one’s transcendental relationship with the Supreme
Lord, a reciprocation of mellows (rasas) of mutual affection, and, ultimately, the
achievement of the desired success in loving service. These three Deities are wor-
shiped in three different stages of one’s development. The followers of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu scrupulously follow these principles of approach.

Gaudiya Vaisnavas perceive the ultimate objective in Vedic hymns composed of
eighteen transcendental letters that adore Krsna as Madana-mohana, Govinda and
Gopijana-vallabha. Madana-mohana is He who charms Cupid, the god of love,
Govinda is He who pleases the senses and the cows, and Gopijana-vallabha is the
transcendental lover of the gopis. Krsna Himself is called Madana-mohana, Govinda,
Gopijana-vallabha and countless other names as He plays in His different pastimes
with His devotees.

The three Deities-Madana-mohana, Govinda and Gopijana-vallabha—have very
specific qualities. Worship of Madana-mohana is on the platform of reestablishing
our forgotten relationship with the Personality of Godhead. In the material world
we are presently in utter ignorance of our eternal relationship with the Supreme
Lord. Pangoh refers to one who cannot move independently by his own strength,
and manda-mateh is one who is less intelligent because he is too absorbed in material-
istic activities. It is best for such persons not to aspire for success in fruitive activities
or mental speculation, but instead simply to surrender to the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. The perfection of life is simply to surrender to the Supreme. In the
beginning of our spiritual life we must therefore worship Madana-mohana so that
He may attract us and nullify our attachment for material sense gratification. This
relationship with Madana-mohana is necessary for neophyte devotees. When one
wishes to render service to the Lord with strong attachment, one then worships
Govinda on the platform of transcendental service. Govinda is the reservoir of all
