Text 195] The Beda-kirtana Pastimes 311

TEXT 195

afacaa om cafe’ fae eietts |
98 Sifes corara erifacs epriata i see tl

mandirera cakra dekhi’ kariha pranama
ei thafii tomara asibe prasadanna

SYNONYMS

mandirera—of the temple of Jagannatha; cakra—the wheel on the top;
dekhi’—seeing; kariha pranama—offer your obeisances; ei thafi—in this place;
tomara—your; asibe—will come; prasdda-anna—remnants of foodstuff of Jagan-
natha.

TRANSLATION

“Remain here peacefully and look at the cakra on the top of the temple and
offer obeisances. As far as your prasada is concerned, | shall arrange to have
that sent here.”

PURPORT

Since he was born in a Mohammedan family, Stila Haridasa Thakura could not
enter the temple of Jagannatha due to temple restrictions. Nonetheless, he was
recognized by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as Namacarya Haridasa Thakura. Haridasa
Thakura, however, considered himself unfit to enter the Jagannatha temple. Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu could have personally taken Haridasa Thakura in the Jagan-
natha temple if He wished, but the Lord did not like to disturb a popular custom.
Consequently the Lord asked His servant simply to look at the Visnu wheel on top
of the temple and offer obeisances (namaskdra). This means that if one is not
allowed to enter the temple, or if he thinks himself unfit to enter the temple, he
can look at the wheel from outside the temple, and that is as good as seeing the
Deity within.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu promised to come daily to see Srila Haridasa Thakura,
and this indicates that Srila Haridasa Thakura was so advanced in spiritual life that,
although considered unfit to enter the temple, he was being personally visited by
the Lord every day. Nor was there any need for his going outside his residence to
collect food. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu assured Haridasa Thakura that the rem-
nants of His foodstuffs would be sent there. Yoga-ksemam vahamy aham
(Bg. 9.22). As stated in Bhagavad-gita, the Lord arranges all life’s necessities for His
devotees.

One reference is made here for those who are very anxious to imitate the
behavior of Thakura Haridasa in an unnatural way. One must receive the order of
