CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Whi
NYO =
SYAS,

The Conversations With

Prakasananda

According to the principles of the Mayavadi Sannyasis, singing, dancing,
and playing on musical instruments are strictly prohibited; they are called
three kinds of sinful activities. The Mayavadi Sannyasi is supposed to engage
his valuable time simply in the matter of Vedanta study. When the Mayavadi
Sannyasis in Benares saw that Lord Chaitanya was indulging in singing,
dancing and playing musical instruments, and was always chanting Hare
Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare, they concluded that this Sannyasi was not educated,
and, out of sentiment, He was misleading some of the followers. Sankaracharya
has said that a Sannyasi should always be engaged in studying Vedanta, and
should be satisfied simply having one cloth and nothing more. Lord Chaitanya
was neither studying Vedanta in formality, nor did He cease from singing
and dancing, and so He was criticized by all the Sannyasis at Benares, as well
as by their householder followers.

Lord Chaitanya got this news from His students and disciples, and when

165
