4 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Antya-lila, Ch. 16
maha-bhdagavata tenho sarala udara
krsna-nama-‘sankete’ calaya vyavahdara
SYNONYMS
maha-bhagavata—a highly advanced devotee; tehho—he; sarala udara—very
simple and liberal; krsma-ndma-sarikete—with chanting of the holy name of
~ Krsna; calaya—performs; vyavahdra—ordinary dealings.
TRANSLATION
Kalidasa was a very advanced devotee, yet he was simple and liberal. He
would chant the holy name of Krsna while performing all his ordinary
dealings.
TEXT 7
CRSCACS CSA AEH tees Ce |
‘aca Ser’ “Sa” sin AMS tA 9H
kautukete tenho yadi pasaka khelaya
‘hare krsna’ ‘krsna’ kari’ pasaka calaya
SYNONYMS
kautukete—in jest; tenho—he; yadi—when; pasaka khelaya—plays with dice;
hare krsna—the holy name of the Lord; krsna—Krsna; kari’—chanting; pasaka
calaya—throws the dice.
TRANSLATION
When he used to throw dice in jest, he would throw the dice while chanting
Hare Krsna.
PURPORT
In this connection Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura warns the men of this
age not to imitate the jesting of a maha-bhdgavata like Kalidasa. If someone imi-
tates him by playing with dice or gambling while chanting the Hare Krsna mahd-
mantra, he will certainly become a victim of offenses unto the holy name. As it is
said, hari-ndma-bale pape pravrtti: one must not commit sinful activities on the
strength of chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. Playing with dice is certainly
gambling, but it is clearly said here that Kalidasa did this only in jest. A mahd-
bhagavata can do anything, but he never forgets the basic principles. Therefore it
is said, vaisnavera kriyd-mudra vijfieha na bujhaya: “No one can understand the
activities of a pure devotee.” We should not imitate Kalidasa.
