Gauranga Jala Keli

 
Mahanidhi Swami

Mahaprabhu was personally always immersed in madhurya-rasa, thinking of Radha-Krishna lila, radha sange krishna lila ei haila jnana, adha sange krishna lila, ei rase magna prabhu haila apane. (Cc. 2.14.74) The example set by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the cherished goal of every raganugiya-sadhaka.

While wandering in Jagannatha Puri, Mahaprabhu would often enter various gardens with His devotees and reenact Krishna’s Vraja-lila. One day, Sri Chaitanya entered the cooling waters of Indradyumna sarovara (lake), and enjoyed sporting in the water with His devotees, bhakta-sange vrindavana-lila, indradyumna sarovare kare jala-khela.

Mahaprabhu splashed water on the devotees, and from all sides they splashed Him back. While standing in the water they would form one or many circles. Then they would play karatalas and slap the water in a clever way to sound like the croaking of frogs, jala-manduka-vadye.

Sometimes two devotees would pair off and have water fights. Whoever splashed the most would win and the other would lose. Mahaprabhu enjoyed watching the fun.

Advaita and Nityananda squared off first, splashing uproariously. Defeated, Advaita Acharya rebuked Nitai with bad names, kare galagali. Sportive water fights also broke out between Swarupa Damodara and Vidyanidhi; Murari Gupta-Vasudeva; Srivasa Thakura-Gadadhara Pandita; and Raghava Pandita-Vakreshvara Pandita.

While furiously splashing each other, Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya and Raya Ramananda lost their gravity and became like children, shishu-praya. Observing their restlessness, Mahaprabhu smiled and spoke to Gopinatha Acharya, the brother-in-law of Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya:

“Acharyaji, they are playing just like restless children, bala-chanchalya. Ask them to stop, because they are both very wise, grave and authoritative persons, pramanika jana.”

Gopinatha replied, “Prabhu, it appears that a drop of mercy has risen from the vast ocean of Your krpa and drowned these fortunate souls. We see that tasteless, dry cakes remain after oil has been extracted from seeds. Our Bhattacarya had passed his life in eating these cakes until You mercifully made him drink the nectar of lila!”

Smiling, Mahaprabhu called for Advaita Prabhu and asked him to assume his form as Shesha Naga. Mahaprabhu lied on Nada and floated about on the water, displaying His aishvarya-lila as Sheshashayi Vishnu.

After frolicking in the water (jala-krida) for some time, Mahaprabhu returned to quarters accompanied by His devotees. (Cc. 2.14.74-91)
Gauranga jala-keli ki jai!     Jai Jai Sri Radhe!