Articles — Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math
Srimad Bhagavatam

Mahaprabhu’s Mercy on King Prataparudra on the Rathayatra Day

Sreela Bhakti Ballabh Tirtha Goswami Maharaj2 min read
Srimad BhagavatamKrishnaJagannathMahaprabhuRath Yatra

There is a spot about halfway between the Lord Jagannath temple and Gundicha, or halfway between Sraddha Balu and Ardhasani Devi, which is called Balgandi. On the Rathayatra day, Lord Jagannath’s chariot stops here at midday. Devotees also take rest here to be freed from their tiredeness. The custom is that all devotees, whether important or not, can make food offerings to Him on this occasion. Because of the large crowds which normally accumulate, Mahāprabhu would go to rest in a flower garden by a coconut grove. King Prataparudra remembered Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya’s counsel and approached the Lord in the dress of a Vaishnava and began to massage His feet. He began to recite the following two verses from Rāsa-pañcādhyāya of Bhagavat:

jayati te ’dhikaṁ janmanā vrajaḥśrayate indirā śaśvad atra hidayita dṛśyatāṁ dikṣu tāvakāstvayi dhṛtāsavas tvāṁ vicinvate

The gopis said, “The glories of Vraja-bhūmi have increased ever since You took birth here; ever since then, the goddess of fortune has taken up residence here. O beloved! We whose lives depend completely on You are searching for You, please show Yourself to us. (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.31.1).

tava kathāmṛtaṁ tapta-jīvanaṁkavibhir īḍitaṁ kalmaṣāpahamśravaṇa-maṅgalaṁ śrīmad-ātataṁbhuvi gṛṇanti te bhūridā janāḥ

Nectarean discussions about You give life to those who are suffering from your separation. The great devotees like Prahlad, Dhruva and others glorify You always. Such discussions destroy all of one’s sins. Listening to them brings auspiciousness and bring the fortune of love for Kṛṣṇa. Those who distribute these wonderful words throughout the world are the most generous. (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.31.9)

As soon as Mahāprabhu heard this verse, He became ecstatic with love and embraced the King, while repeating the word bhūridā (“most benevolent”) from the verse. Though the Lord is all-knowing, He asked the King his identity. Prataparudra answered that He was the servant of the servant of the Lord. Satisfied with the King, the Lord revealed to Him a glorious divine form. All the devotees were overjoyed to see that the King had finally received the Lord’s mercy.

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