PLATE EIGHT

“There were many gardens near the Gundica temple, and Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu and His devotees used to perform the pastimes of
Vrndavana in each of them. In the lake named Indradyumna, He sported
in the water. The Lord personally splashed all the devotees with water,
and the devotees, surrounding Him on all sides, also splashed the Lord.
Sometimes two would pair off to fight in the water. One would emerge
victorious and the other defeated, and the Lord would watch all this
fun. The first sporting took place between Advaita Acarya and Nityanan-
da Prabhu, who threw water upon one another. Advaita Acarya was de-
feated, and He later began to rebuke Nityananda Prabhu, calling Him bad
names. Svaripa Damodara and Vidyanidhi also threw water upon one
another, and Murari Gupta and Vasudeva Datta also sported in that way.
Another duel took place between Srivasa Thakura and Gadadhara Pan-
dita, and yet another between Raghava Pandita and Vakresvara Pandita.
Thus they all engaged in throwing water. Indeed, Sarvabhauma Bhat-
tacarya engaged in water sports with Sri Ramananda Raya, and they both
lost their gravity and became like children.” (pp.260-263)
