260 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Madhya-lila, Ch. 21

SYNONYMS

tara tale—below the spiritual world; bahya-dvasa—external abode; virajara
para—on the other side of the River Viraja; ananta brahmanda—unlimited num-
ber of universes; yahan—where; kothari—apartments; apara—unlimited.

TRANSLATION

“On the other side of the River Viraja is the external abode, which is full of
unlimited universes, each containing unlimited atmospheres.

TEXT 53

‘Haaty aia SIA, HN aia aA |
wasn aife’ ace Wal Tal HAT 1 oo |

‘devi-dhama’ nama tara, jiva yara vasi
jagal-laksmi rakhi’ rahe yahan maya dasi

SYNONYMS

devi-dhama—the place of the external energy; nama—named; tara—its; jiva—
the conditioned living entities; yara—of which; vasi—the inhabitants; jagat-
laksmi—the material energy; rakhi’—keeping them; rahe—exists; yahan—
wherein; mayd—the external energy; dasi—maidservant.

TRANSLATION

“The abode of the external energy is called Devi-dhama, and its inhabitants
are conditioned souls. It is there that the material energy, Durga, resides with
many opulent maidservants.

PURPORT

Because he wants to enjoy the material energy, the conditioned soul is allowed
to reside in Devi-dhama, the external energy, where the goddess Durga carries
out the orders of the Supreme Lord as His maidservant. The material energy is
called jagal-laksmi because she protects the bewildered conditioned souls. The
goddess Durga is therefore known as the mother, and Lord Siva, her husband, is
known as the father. Lord Siva and goddess Durga are therefore known as the ma-
terial father and mother. Goddess Durga is so named because this material world
is like a big fort where the conditioned soul is placed under her care. For material
facilities, the conditioned soul tries to please the goddess Durga, and mother
Durga supplies all kinds of material facilities. Because of this, the conditioned souls
are allured and do not wish to leave the external energy. Consequently they are
continuously making plans to live here peacefully and happily. Such is the material
world.
