Lord Chaitanya and Ramananda Roy 245

him, and both of them became overwhelmed with ecstasy. The Brahmins who
accompanied Ramananda Roy were surprised that these two persons were
overwhelmed with transcendental ecstasy simply by embracing. The Brahmins
were all stalwarts of the rituals, and they could not understand the meaning
of these devotional symptoms. They were rather surprised to see that a great
Sannyasi could touch a Sudra, and they were also surprised that Ramananda
Roy, who was a great governor, and practically king of that province, was
crying simply by touching a Sannyasi. While the Brahmins were considering
this, Lord Chaitanya understood the unfavorable situation, and He pacified
Himself.

After this, Lord Chaitanya and Ramananda Roy both sat down together,
and Lord Chaitanya informed him that, “Sarbabhouma Bhattacharya has
spoken very highly of you, so I have come to see you.”

Ramananda Roy replied, “Sarbabhouma Bhattacharya considers myself as
one of his devotees, and therefore he very kindly recommended You to see me.”
Ramananda Roy very much appreciated the Lord’s behavior for His touching
a man of wealth. A king or governor or any politician is always absorbed
in thoughts of political affairs and pounds-shilling-pence; therefore, such
persons are avoided by a Sannyasi. But Lord Chaitanya knew Ramananda
Roy to be a great devotee, and so He did not hesitate to touch and embrace
him. Ramananda Roy was surprised by the behavior of Lord Chaitanya, and
he cited a nice verse from Srimad Bhagwatam, in which it is stated that, “The
great personalities and sages appear in the houses of worldly men just to show
them mercy.”

Lord Chaitanya’s special treatment of Ramananda Roy indicated that,
although Ramananda Roy was born of a family who were not Brahmins,
still he was far, far advanced in spiritual knowledge and activity. Therefore
he was more respectable than a Brahmin who happens to born in a Brahmin
family. Although Sri Ramananda, out of his meek and gentle behavior,
accepted himself as born of a lower Sudra family, still Lord Chaitanya con-
sidered him to be situated in the highest transcendental stage of great devo-
tion. The devotees never advertize themselves as being great, but the Lord
is very anxious to advertize the glory of the devotee. Ramananda Roy and
Lord Chaitanya, just acquainted for the first time that morning at the bank
of the Gudabudee, separated, and there was an engagement made that
Ramananda Roy would come in the evening to see the Lord.

In the evening, when the Lord was seated after taking His bath, Ramananda
Roy came to see Him with a servant. He offered his respects and sat down
