204 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Madhya-lila, Ch. 18
SYNONYMS
soro-ksetre—to the holy place named Soro-ksetra; dge—first, beyond; yaia—
going; kari’ ganga-snana—having taken bath in the Ganges; sei pathe—that way;
prabhu lafid—taking Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; kariye payana—let us go.
TRANSLATION
“After going to the holy place named Soro-ksetra, and taking bath in the
Ganges, let us take Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that way and go.
TEXT 145
ATTA etfs, ca ale EH |
TSCA LANT-Bia SS fa NVcw nyse ui
magha-masa lagila, ebe yadi ydiye
makare prayadga-snana kata dina paiye
SYNONYMS
magha-masa lagila—the month of Magha has begun; ebe—now; yadi-—if;
ydiye —we go; makare—during the Makara-sankranti; prayaga-sndna—bathing at
Prayaga; kata dina—for a few days; paiye—we shall get.
TRANSLATION
“It is now the beginning of the month of Magha. If we go to Prayaga at this
time, we shall have an opportunity to bathe for a few days during Makara-
sankranti.”’
PURPORT
Bathing during the month of Magha at Magha-mela still takes place. This has
been a very old mela (assembly) from time immemorial. It is said that the Lord in
the form of Mohini took a bucket of nectar and kept it at Prayaga. Consequently
Magha-mela has been observed, and there is an assembly of holy men there every
year. Every twelfth year there is a Kumbha-mela, a great festival, and all the holy
men from all over India assemble there. The brahmana wanted to take advantage
of the Magha-mela and bathe there.
Bathing at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna near the fort at
Allahabad, Prayaga, is mentioned in revealed scriptures:
mdaghe msi gamisyanti
gangd-yamuna-sangamam
