332 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Madhya-lila, Ch. 19

SYNONYMS

brahmanda bhramite—wandering in this universe; kona—some; bhagyavan—
most fortunate; jiva—living being; guru—of the spiritual master; krsaa—of Krsna;
prasade—by the mercy; paya—gets; bhakti-lata—of the creeper of devotional
service; bija—the seed.

TRANSLATION

“According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the
entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary
systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of
many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an
opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of
Krsna. By the mercy of both Krsna and the spiritual master, such a person
receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.

PURPORT

When we speak of brahmanda, we refer to the whole universe, or to the cluster
of many millions of universes. In all universes, there are innumerable planets and
innumerable living entities upon those planets in the air and in the water. There
are millions and trillions of living entities everywhere, and they are engaged by
maya in suffering and enjoying the results of their fruitive activity life after life. This
is the position of the materially conditioned living entities. Out of many of these
living entities, if one is actually fortunate (bhagyavan), he comes in contact with a
bona fide spiritual master by Krsna’s mercy.

Krsna is situated in everyone's heart, and if one desires something, Krsna fulfills
one’s desire. If the living entity by chance or fortune comes in contact with the
Krsna consciousness movement and wishes to associate with that movement,
Krsna, who is situated in everyone’s heart, gives him the chance to meet a bona
fide spiritual master. This is called guru-krsna-prasada. Krsna is prepared to bestow
His mercy upon all living entities, and as soon as a living entity desires the Lord’s
mercy, the Lord immediately gives him an opportunity to meet a bona fide
spiritual master. Such a person is fortified by both Krsna and the spiritual master.
He is helped from within by Krsna and from without by the spiritual master. Both
are prepared to help the sincere living being become free from this material
bondage.

How one can become this fortunate can be seen in the life of Srila Narada Muni.
In his previous life he was born of a maidservant. Although he was not born into a
prestigious position, his mother was fortunately engaged in rendering service to
some Vaisnavas. When these Vaisnavas were resting during the Caturmasya
period, the boy Narada took the opportunity to engage in their service. Taking
compassion upon the boy, the Vaisnavas offered him the remnants of their food.
