CHAPTER 3
The Glories of Srila Haridasa Thakura

A summary of this Third Chapter of Antya-lild is given by Srila Bhaktivinoda
Thakura as follows. A beautiful young brahmana girl in Jagannatha Puri had a very
handsome son who was coming every day to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This was
not very much to the liking of Damodara Pandita, however, who therefore told Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu, “If You display so much love for this boy, people will doubt
Your character.” Hearing these words from Damodara Pandita, the Lord sent him
to Navadvipa to supervise the affairs of His mother, Sacidevi. He also especially re-
quested Damodara Pandita to remind His mother that He was sometimes going to
her home to accept the food she offered. Thus, following the order of Sri Caitanya
Mahdaprabhu, Damodara Pandita went to Navadvipa, taking with him all kinds of
prasada from Lord Jaganndatha.

On another occasion, Sti Caitanya Mahaprabhu once inquired from Hariddsa
Thakura, who was known as Brahma Haridasa, how the yavanas, or persons bereft
of Vedic culture, would be delivered in Kali-yuga. Haridasa Thakura replied that
their deliverance would be possible if they very loudly chanted the Hare Krsna
mantra, for hearing the Hare Krsna mantra chanted loudly, even with but little
realization, would help them.

After describing this incident, the author of Caitanya-caritamrta also describes
how Hariddsa Thakura was tested at Bendpola, a village near Santipura. A person
named Ramacandra Khan, who was envious of Haridasa Thakura, sent a profes-
sional prostitute to attempt to defame him, but by the mercy of Haridasa Thakura,
even the prostitute was delivered. Because of offending a pure Vaisnava, Rama-
candra Khan was later cursed by Nityananda Prabhu and ruined.

From Bendpola, Haridasa Thakura went to the village known as Candapura,
where he lived at the house of Balarama Acarya. Thereafter, Haridasa Thakura was
received by two brothers known as Hiranya and Govardhana Majumadara, but in
the course of a discussion he was offended by a caste brahmana known as Gopala
Cakravarti. Because of this offense, Gopala Cakravarti was punished by being
afflicted with leprosy.

Haridasa Thakura later left Candapura and went to the house of Advaita
Acarya, where he was tested by Mayadevi, the personification of the external en-
ergy. She also received his favor by being blessed with the chanting of the Hare
Krsna mahd-mantra.

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