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 |
O CASING Ala? SCT SireT] SAT see I
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 maha-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
