Adi-tila, Chapter 8 167
SYNONYMS

$ri-krsna-caitanya—Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; daya—His mercy; karaha—just
put into; vicara—consideration; vicara—when such consideration; kari/e—will be
done by you; citte—in your heart; pabe—you will get; caomatkara—striking wonder.

TRANSLATION

If you are indeed interested in logic and argument, kindly apply it to the mercy
of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. If you do so, you will find it to be strikingly
wonderful.

PURPORT

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvatt Thakura comments in this connection that people
in general, in their narrow-minded conception of life, create many different types
of humanitarian activities, but the humanitarian activities inaugurated by Srt
Caitanya Mahaprabhu are different. For logicians who want to accept only that
which is proven through logic and argument, it is a fact that without logic and
reason there can be no question of accepting the Absolute Truth. Unfortunately,
when such logicians take to this path without the mercy of Srf Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
they remain on the platform of logic and argument and do not advance in spiritual
life. However, if one is intelligent enough to apply his arguments and Iogic to the
subtle understanding of the fundamental spiritual substance, he will be able to know
that a poor fund of knowledge established on the basis of material logic cannot help
one understand the Absolute Truth, which is beyond the reach of imperfect senses.
The Mahabharata therefore says: acintyadh khalu ye bhava na tams tarkena yojayet
(Mahabharata, Bhisma Parva. 5.22). How can that which is beyond the imagination
or sensory speculation of mundane creatures be approached simply by logic? Logic
and argument are very poor in spiritual strength and always imperfect when applied
to spiritual understanding. By putting forward mundane logic one frequently comes
to the wrong conclusion regarding the Absolute Truth, and as a result of such a con-
clusion one may fall down to accept a body like that of a jackal.

Despite all this, those who are actually inquisitive to understand the philosophy
of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu through logic and argument are welcome. Krsnadasa
Kaviraja Gosvami addresses them, ‘‘Please put Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mercy to
your crucial test, and if you are actually a logician you will come to the right con-
clusion that there is no personality more merciful than Lord Caitanya.” Let the
logicians compare all the results of other humanitarian work with the merciful
activities of Lord Caitanya. If their judgment is impartial, they will understand
that no other humanitarian activities can surpass those of Sti Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Everyone is engaged in humanitarian activities on the basis of the body, but from
Bhagavaa-gita (2.18) we understand, antavanta ime deha nityasyoktah Saririnah:
The material body is ultimately subject to destruction, whereas the spiritual soul is
eternal. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s philanthropic activities are performed in connec-
tion with the eternal soul. However one tries to benefit the body, it will be destroyed,
and one will have to accept another body according to his present activities. If one
