48 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Antya-lila, Ch. 11

He conducted a great festival to celebrate the passing away of Haridasa
Thakura.

TEXT 105

WSitas Sfarin—rtag-faary |
8 CMSA fa? Stitt SAT Slats Soe t

mahda-bhagavata haridasa ——parama-vidvan
e saubhdagya lagi’ age karila prayana

SYNONYMS

maha-bhagavata—great devotee; haridésa—Haridasa Thakura; parama-vid-
van—the most learned; e saubhdagya lagi’—because of his great fortune; age—
first; karila prayana—he passed away.

TRANSLATION

Haridasa Thakura was not only the topmost devotee of the Lord, but also a
great and learned scholar. It was his great fortune that he passed away before
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

PURPORT

Haridasa Thakura is mentioned here as the most learned scholar, parama-vid-
van. Actually, the most important science to know is the science of getting out of
the clutches of material existence. Anyone who knows this science must be con-
sidered the greatest learned person. Anyone who knows the temporary situation
of this material world and is expert in achieving a permanent situation in the
spiritual world, who knows that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is beyond
the jurisdiction of our experimental knowledge, is understood to be the most
learned scholar. Haridasa Thakura knew this science perfectly. Therefore, he is de-
scribed in this connection as parama-vidvan. He personally preached the impor-
tance of chanting the Hare Krsna mahd-mantra, which is approved by the revealed
scriptures. As stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.24):

iti pumsarpita visnau

bhaktis cen nava-laksana
kriyeta bhagavaty addha

tan manye ‘dhitam uttamam

There are nine different processes of devotional service to Krsna, the most impor-
tant being sravanam kirtanam—hearing and chanting. Haridasa Thakura knew this
