Quotes: Mood of Separation (Srila Prabhupada)

Navadvépa in an ocean of lamentation over His separation

SB Introduction. Introduction

The Lord, after accepting the sannyäsa order, at once wanted to start for Våndävana. For three continuous days He traveled in the Räòha-deça (places where the Ganges does not flow). He was in full ecstasy over the idea of going to Våndävana. However, Çréla Nityänanda diverted His path and brought Him instead to the house of Advaita Prabhu in Çäntipura. The Lord stayed at Çré Advaita Prabhu's house for a few days, and knowing well that the Lord was leaving His hearth and home for good, Çré Advaita Prabhu sent His men to Navadvépa to bring Mother Çacé to have a last meeting with her son. Some unscrupulous people say that Lord Caitanya met His wife also after taking sannyäsa and offered her His wooden slipper for worship, but the authentic sources give no information about such a meeting. His mother met Him at the house of Advaita Prabhu, and when she saw her son in sannyäsa dress, she lamented. By way of compromise, she requested her son to make His headquarters in Puré so that she would easily be able to get information about Him. The Lord granted this last desire of His beloved mother. After this incident the Lord started for Puré, leaving all the residents of Navadvépa in an ocean of lamentation over His separation.

How Sri Caytanya teach as of feeling separation

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Ādi-līlā 13.39

A person who is advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness always feels separation from Kṛṣṇa because such a feeling of separation excels the feeling of meeting Kṛṣṇa. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, in His last twelve years of existence within this world at Jagannātha Purī, taught the people of the world how, with a feeling of separation, one can develop His dormant love of Kṛṣṇa. Such feelings of separation or meeting with Kṛṣṇa are different stages of love of Godhead. These feelings develop in time when a person seriously engages in devotional service. (https://vedabase.io/en/library/cc/adi/13/39/).

The Transcendent Science of the Mood of Separation

Radhastami: Srimati Radharani's Appearance Day. August 29, 1971, London

These are, of course, very transcendental, great science. One who is advanced in Krsna consciousness and well conversant with the sastras, they can understand. But still, we can discuss from the sastra. When Krsna wanted to understand Himself, He took the tendency of Srimati Radharani. And that is Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Radha-bhava-dyuti-suvalitam [Cc Adi 1.5]. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna, but He has accepted the propensities of Radharani. As Radharani is always in feelings of separation of Krsna, similarly, in the position of Radharani, Lord Caitanya was feeling separation of Krsna. That is the teachings of Lord Caitanya, feelings of separation, not meeting. The process of devotional service taught by Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His disciplic succession is how to feel separation from Krsna. That is Radharani's position, always feeling the separation.

The Gosvamis, they also, when they were in Vrndavana, they never said that "I have seen Krsna." Although they were the most perfect, they never said that "I have seen Krsna." Their prayers were like this: he radhe! vraja-devike! he nanda-suno! kutah. He radhe, Radharani, he radhe! vraja-devike! ca. Radharani does not remain alone. He [She] remains always with His [Her] friends, vraja-devi, Lalita or Visakha and other damsels of Vrndavana.

So the Gosvamins are praying, in their mature stage, when they were living at Vrndavana, they were praying in this way, he radhe! vraja-devike! ca lalite! he nanda-suno! kutah: "Where, Radharani, where You are? Where are Your associates? Where You are, Nanda-suno, the son of Nanda Maharaja, Krsna? Where you are, all?" They were searching after.

They never said, "I have seen Krsna dancing with the gopis. Last night I saw." [laughter] This is sahajiya. This is not mature devotee. This is called... They are called sahajiya. They take everything very cheap -- Krsna very cheap, Radharani very cheap -- as if they can see every night.

No. The Gosvamis do not teach us like that. They're searching after.

he radhe! vraja-devike! ca lalite! he nanda-suno! kutah

sri-govardhana-padapa-tale kalindi-vane kutah

"Are you there under the Govardhana Hill or on the banks of the Yamuna?" Kalindi-vanye kutah. Ghosantav iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair maha-vihvalau. Their business was crying like this, "Where You are? Where You are, Radharani? Where you are, Lalita, Visakha, the associates of Radharani?

Where You are, Krsna? Are You near Govardhana Hill or on the bank of the Yamuna?" Ghosantav iti sarvato vraja-pure. So throughout the whole tract of Vrndavana they were crying and searching after them, khedair maha-vihvalau, as if madman. Khedair maha-vihvalau. Vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau.

So we have to follow the footprints of the Gosvamis, how to search out Krsna and Radharani, Vrndavana, or within your heart. That is the process of Caitanya Mahaprabhu's bhajana: feeling of separation, vipralambha, vipralambha-seva.

Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu, feeling the separation of Krsna, He was falling down on the sea. He was coming out of His rest room, or His bedroom, and going out at dead of night. Nobody knew where He has gone. So that was His searching.

This process of devotional service is taught by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Not that very easily, "We have seen Krsna or seen Radharani in rasa-lila." No, not like that. Feel the separation. The more you feel separation from Krsna, you should understand that you are advancing. Don't try to see Krsna artificially. Be advanced in separation feeling, and then it will be perfect. That is the teachings of Lord Caitanya.

Because with our material eyes we cannot see Krsna. Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc Madhya 17.136]. With our material senses we cannot see Krsna, we cannot hear about Krsna's name. But sevonmukhe hi jihvadau, when you engage yourself in the service of the Lord...

Where the service begins? Jihvadau. The service begins from the tongue, not from the legs, eyes or ears. It begins from the tongue. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. If you begin service through your tongue... How? Chant Hare Krsna. Use your tongue. Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. And take krsna-prasadam. The tongue has got two business: to articulate sound, Hare Krsna, and take prasadam. By this process you'll realize Krsna.

Devotee: Haribol!

Prabhupada: Don't try to see Krsna. You cannot see Krsna with your material eyes. Neither you can hear about Him with your material ears. Neither you can touch. But if you engage your tongue in the service of the Lord, then He'll reveal Himself to you: "Here I am." That is wanted.

Devotees: Haribol!

Prabhupada: So feel separation of Krsna just like Radharani, as Lord Caitanya teaches us, and engage your tongue in the service of the Lord; then one day when you are mature, you'll see Krsna eye to eye.

Thank you very much.

I am disqualified

Lecture [Partial Recording]. March 29, 1967, San Francisco

Govinda dasi: Could you tell about Lord Caitanya asking where is Krsna and falling in the water? Or would that be not be [indistinct]?

Prabhupada: Yes, yes. Very nice. Your question is very nice. I'm very glad. Lord Caitanya, He was the greatest symbol of krsna-bhakta, a devotee of Krsna. So just see from His life. He never said that "I have seen Krsna." He never said, "I have seen Krsna." He was mad after Krsna. "Where I can see Krsna. Where is Krsna? Where is Krsna?"

He was mad after Krsna. That is the, I mean to say, process of Caitanya philosophy. It is called viraha. Viraha means separation. Separation. "Krsna, You are so good, You are so merciful, You are so nice. But I am so rascal, I am so full of sin, that I cannot see You. I have no qualification to see You."

So in this way, if one feels the separation of Krsna, that "Krsna, I want to see You, but I am so disqualified that I cannot see You," these feeling of separation will make you enriched in Krsna consciousness. Feeling of separation. Not that "Krsna, I have seen you. Finished. All right. I have understood You. Finished. All my business finished." No! Perpetually think of yourself that 'I am unfit to see Krsna." That will enrich you in Krsna consciousness.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu displayed this, these feelings of separation. This is Radharani's separation. When Krsna went from Vrndavana to His place, His father's place, and Radharani was feeling in that way, always mad after Krsna. So Krsna Caitanya, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, took the separation feeling of Radharani. That is the best way of worshiping Krsna, or becoming Krsna conscious.

So you know that Lord Caitanya fell on the sea. "Krsna, if You are in the sea? Krsna, if You are here? Krsna, if You are here?" Similarly, the next devotees, Lord Caitanya's direct disciples, Gosvamis, Rupa Gosvami, Sanatana Gosvami, they also, the same disciplic succession, they also worship Krsna in that separation feeling. There is a nice verse about them: [sings]

he radhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-suno kutah

sri-govardhana-kalpa-padapa-tale kalindi-vane kutah

ghosantav iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair maha-vihvalau

vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau

[Sri Sri Sad-gosvamy-astaka]

These Gosvamins also, later on, when they were very much mature in devotional service, what they were doing? They were daily in the vrndavana-dhama, just like a mad man: "Krsna, where You are?" That is the qualification. It is very nice question.

I am insignificant

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.14. June 27, 1973, Mayapur

Real Caitanya Mahaprabhu sampradaya is that he should be feeling like Caitanya Mahaprabhu, separation. Not sambhoga. Vipralambha. Vipralambha-seva: "Oh, I am so wretched, I could not serve Krsna. How I can see Krsna? It is not possible." In this way. That is the teaching of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. "But even though I do not see Him, neither it is possible for me to see Him..." Means: "What I am? I am insignificant person. Why Krsna come and see me?" This is right. "Why shall I aspire after seeing Krsna? What qualification I have got?" This is bhajana. This is bhajana. Why should I be proud that "Now I shall see Krsna"? What I am?

That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam marma-hatam karotu va adarsanat [Cc Antya 20.47]. Adarsana. "Without giving me audience, You kill me, You break my heart; still, You are my Lord, You are my worshipable Lord, nobody else." This is love. This is love. Asena krsna galaya diba na hale bejara thakaba.

Not like that. "Krsna may not come. I may not see Krsna for thousands and thousands of life. I may rot in the hellish condition of life for many, many births. That doesn't matter. Still, I cannot give up Krsna consciousness." This is required. I may be sent to hell, heaven; it doesn't matter. What qualification I have got that I want to see back to home, back to Godhead? It is not so easy thing. So why should I be sorry for that? I should be happy even in the hell, simply by thinking of Krsna. That is wanted. That is wanted. That is Krsna consciousness.

So here is the example. Tears by force are coming out: "Oh, Krsna is going away." At the same time, they want to check: "There may not be any inauspicity for Krsna." They're thinking Krsna, for Krsna, not for personal self. "Oh, I am now crying. I have become very much fortunate. I am crying for Krsna." No. "My crying will create inauspicity to Krsna. I must check it." This is Krsna consciousness.

Humbleness of acaryas

The Nectar of Devotion. October 23, 1972, Vrndavana

But when you are raised to the highest platform of devotional service, then there is no more dvisatsu. No more friend, no more dvisat. Everyone, a maha-bhagavata sees that "Everyone is engaged in the service of the Lord except myself." That is maha-bhagavata's vision. But we should not imitate that. Just like I was, I was giving the example of Caitanya-caritamrta author, Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami. He's speaking that,

jagai madhai haite muni se papistha

purisera kita muni se lagistha

[Cc Adi 5.205]

He's not imitating or he's speaking falsely. He feels like that. A maha-bhagavata feels like that, that "I am the lowest." Just like Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung, amara jivana sada pape rata nahika punyera lesa[?]. He says like that, that "My life is always engaged in sinful activities. I've not a trace of pious activity." Amara jivana sada ape rata nahika punyera lesa. "I have given so much distress to all other living entities." He's representing common man, but he's feeling like that. It is not that artificially speaking. He's feeling like that.

Just like Radharani. She thinks always Herself as the lowest of the devotees. She thinks always. She sees always that the gopis, other gopis, they are better qualified to serve Krsna, and She is not qualified, so much qualified. Therefore in Vrndavana, you'll find the devotees approach Radharani: "Jaya Radhe," because if Radharani advocates for him to Krsna, it is very easily accepted. And Radharani says... If Radharani's pleased, then He [She] represents the devotee's case that "Here is a devotee. He's better than Me. Kindly accept his service, Krsna." So Krsna cannot deny. So maha-bhava. Radharani is maha-bhava.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu displayed that maha-bhava. That maha-bhava is not possible for ordinary man. It is especially prerogative of Srimati Radharani and who played the part of Radharani, although He's Krsna, Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So maha-bhava, the ecstasies, that is not to be imitated by us, but to be aware of this fact that how maha-bhagavata, maha-bhava, they treat with Krsna.

Don't try to see but

Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.16. February 23, 1976, Mayapur

So Krsna is always kind, but when He sees that you are very eager to go to Krsna, He calls. He calls. Just like He explained to Arjuna, "My dear Arjuna, because you are My very dear friend," sarva-guhyatamam, "I am just disclosing the most confidential part of knowledge." [Bg 18.64] Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg 18.66]: "This is the most confidential part of knowledge. Don't be entangled with this pavarga. Take shelter of Me." So this is calling Arjuna. So Prahlada Maharaja expecting, "When the Lord will call me?" That is real mercy. You cannot call God, or Krsna, "Please come me and save me." Krsna is not your servant; He does not agree to be your servant. But when He's pleased, He says, He calls you, "Please come and surrender unto Me." Therefore we must expect, "When the master will call me?" Don't try to see God, but act in such a way that God will call you, "Please come here." That is wanted. That is bhakti, not that "O God, please come. I will see You." Why God will come to see you? He is very busy. What you have done that you want to see God? If you say, "O Indira Gandhi, please come here. I'll see you," she will come? Be qualified, and she will see you. Similarly, don't try... This is not bhakti. Naciye naciye aire gopala. [Bengali saying] No. Gopala is not anyone's servant that He'll come dancing and dancing. You be qualified, and He'll see you. He'll call you, "Yes, come back. Come back home, back to home, back to Godhead." Be qualified. [aside:] Why you are standing? Stand here.

So this is Prahlada Maharaja's instruction. Everyone should be anxious how Krsna will call him back to home, back to Godhead. And that is done, that is possible, when you are engaged in service. Otherwise it is not po... Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah [Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu

separation from the Spiritual Master or Krishna

Letter to : Krsna dasa, Seattle, 21 October, 1968

To feel separation from the Spiritual Master or Krishna is very good position. That means one who is in pure love with Krishna and His Representative, Spiritual Master, he thinks always of Them. And this thinking process is Krishna consciousness. If we can think always of Krishna even in separation, that is Krishna Consciousness. And in the absolute platform, there is no difference of separation and meeting. The separation is also meeting, rather in separation one relishes the loving relationship more tasty. So don't be disappointed that you are separated from me, I am also always thinking of you how you are making progress there. And I am always expecting your letters that you have already opened a center there, and you are working very nicely.

Letter to : Uddhava

--

Los Angeles

5 March, 1968

68-03-05

My Dear Uddhava,

Please accept my blessings. I am just in receipt of your letter forwarded from New York. Please be happy in separation. I am separated from my Guru Maharaja since 1936 but I am always with him so long I work according to his direction. So we should all work together for satisfying Lord Krishna and in that way the feeling of separation will transform into transcendental bliss.

greater ecstasy than meeting with Spiritual Master

Letter to : Jadurani. Los Angeles. 13 January, 1968

Yes, the ecstasy of separation of Spiritual Master is even greater ecstasy than meeting with Him.

Please continue your excellent service and I will always be so pleased with your sincere service, as I am so much happy with you.

contact with guru through vibration

Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.12. August 18, 1968, Montreal

Rukmini: I feel so far away from you, you know, when you're not here.

Prabhupada: Oh, that you should not think. If... The words... There are two conceptions: the physical conception and the vibration conception. So physical conception is temporary. The vibration conception is eternal. Just like we are enjoying, or we are relishing, the vibration of Krsna's teachings. So by vibration He is present.

As soon as we chant Hare Krsna or chant Bhagavad-gita or Bhagavata, so He is present immediately by His vibration. He's absolute. Therefore vibration is more important than physical presence. When you feel separation from your spiritual master, you just try to remember His words of instruction; you'll not feel separation. You'll feel that He is with you.

So we should associate by the vibration, and not by the physical presence. That is real association. Sabdad anavrtti [Vedanta-sutra 4.4.22]: by sound. Just like we are touching Krsna immediately by sound, sound vibration. So we should give more stress on the sound vibration, either of Krsna or of the spiritual master. Then we'll feel happy and no separation. When Krsna departed from this world, at that time Arjuna was overwhelmed with sorrow, and he began to remember the instruction of Bhagavad-gita. You'll find in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Then he was pacified. He immediately began to remember the teachings which was taught to him in the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, and he was pacified. He was his constant friend, so when Krsna went to His abode he was feeling overwhelmed, but he began to remember His teaching. So whenever we shall feel separation, the best thing is to remember the teachings. Then it will be very nice.

He is still distributing

Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.30. November 30, 1974, Bombay

So they were mad after Krsna: "Where is Krsna?" They never said, "We have seen Krsna." And Caitanya Mahaprabhu also, He said, "I was dreaming of Krsna, and why you awake Me? I have lost the chance." In this way they were making bhajana. This is called viraha-bhajana, viraha-bhajana, separation. That is very recommended process. So we should be awakened, awaken our consciousness, Krsna consciousness, in such a way that being separated from Krsna, we shall become mad after Him. This is called krsna-prema. That prema was being distributed by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And He is still distributing.

So how this prema can be awakened easily, that has been recommended by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, quoting from Lord Brahma's prayer to Krsna, jnane prayasam udapasya namanta eva. Don't try to understand Krsna by your teeny knowledge. We are imperfect. How we can speculate on Krsna? That is not... Because there are certain persons, jnanis, they want to know. Just like theosophists: they want to know the Absolute Truth by speculation. But that is not possible.

Everything is vacant, but Krsna consciousness is there

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.39. May 1, 1973, Los Angeles

Just like in Vrndavana. In Vrndavana, when Krsna left Vrndavana for Mathura... So in the sastra it is said, vrndavanam parityajya na padam ekam gacchati: Krsna does not go even one step from Vrndavana. He doesn't go. He's so much attached to Vrndavana. Then we see that Krsna left Vrndavana, went to Mathura. So how is that, He went so far away? And did not return for many years? No. Krsna actually did not leave Vrndavana. Because since Krsna left Vrndavana, all the inhabitants of gopi, they were simply thinking of Krsna and crying. That's all. That was their business. Mother Yasoda, Nanda Maharaja, Radharani, all the gopis, all the cows, all the calves, all the cowherd boys, their only business was to think of Krsna and cry. Absence, separation.

So Krsna can be felt, Krsna can be present more acutely in separation. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's teaching: to love Krsna in separation. Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu in separation: govinda-virahena me. Sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda-virahena me [Siksastaka 7]. He was thinking that "Everything is vacant without Govinda, without Krsna." So everything is vacant, but Krsna consciousness is there. Krsna consciousness is there. That is the highest perfectional... When we'll see everything is nothing, simply Krsna consciousness is there, that is the highest. That is the gopis'...

Therefore gopis are so exalted. Not for a single moment they could forget Krsna. Not for a single moment. Krsna was going in the forest with His cows and calves, and gopis at home, they were disturbed in the mind: "Oh, Krsna is walking bare-footed. There are so many stones and nails. There is pricking Krsna's lotus feet, which is so soft that we think our breast as hard when Krsna puts His lotus feet. Still He's walking." They are absorbed in this thought. And they are crying. So they are so anxious to see Krsna back home in the evening that they are standing on the way, on the roof: "Now Krsna is coming back with His..." This is Krsna consciousness. This is... Krsna cannot be absent from a devotee when he's too much absorbed in Krsna thought. This is the process of Krsna consciousness.

So here Kuntidevi is very much anxious that Krsna will be absent. But the effect will be, when Krsna will be absent physically, He will be more, I mean to say, accurately present within the mind of the devotee. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu's teaching is that vipralambha-seva. By His practical life. He's finding out Krsna: govinda-virahena me. Sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda-virahena me. What is that verse? Caksusa pravrsayitam. Caksusa pravrsayitam, sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda-virahena me. He's crying like torrents of rain coming out of the eyes, and He's feeling everything vacant for want of Krsna. Separation. Vipralambha. So sambhoga and vipralambha. There are two stages of meeting Krsna. Sambhoga means when He's personally present. That is called sambhoga. Personally talking, personally meeting, personally embracing, that is called sambhoga. And there is another, vipralambha. The two ways a devotee can be benefited.

Разлука и святое имя

Room Conversation with George Harrison & the Shankars. August 5, 1973, London.

Because Krsna is always engaged with the gopis, so the Gosvamis, they are searching, "Now I have come to Vrndavana. Where you are?" He radhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-suno kutah. Kutah means "Where you are all?" Just like the same thing: "Krsna, where You are?" [laughter] It is very nice. Vira. This bhajana is recommended by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, to feel separation for Krsna. That is best motive, to feel separation. The more you feel..Y

So just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu demonstrated, for want of Krsna He was becoming mad, ecstatic. This is Radharani's attitude when Krsna went to Vrndavana, er, Mathura, leaving the gopis in Vrndavana. So Krsna knew that "All the gopis will be overwhelmed on account of My separation," so He sent Uddhava to pacify them. At that time Radharani displayed just like mad. So these songs are following the footsteps of Radharani, feeling the separation of Krsna. I think this morning I have explained one verse,

ayi dina-dayardra natha he

mathura-natha kadavalokyase

[Cc Antya 8.34]

So this bhajana in separation of Krsna, that is our Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy: to feel separation from Krsna. Caitanya Mahaprabhu, govinda-virahena me.

yugayitam nimesena

caksusa pravrsayitam

sunyayitam jagat sarvam

govinda-virahena me

[Siksastaka verse 7]

Yugayitam nimesena, "In one moment is appearing to me just like twelve years," yugayitam nimesena caksusa pravrsayitam, "and tears coming down just like torrents of rain." Sunyayitam jagat sarvam: "The whole world appears to be vacant." Why? Govinda-virahena me: "On account of separation from Govinda." So this bhajana is very perfect bhajana: feeling separation of Krsna, "Krsna, where You are? Krsna, where You are?" This is our bhajana. It is not that "Krsna I have now seen; my business is finished." No. [laughter] We should always feel separation. That is best. That will advance us in Krsna consciousness very nicely.

So it is very nicely sung. So always feel separation of Krsna. That will make our life very successful in understanding Krsna.

... You are distributing Krsna's name and feeling separation. Which will have effect to the people. And Krsna name and Krsna is not different. Krsna is absolute. So when we utter Krsna's name, that means Krsna is on my tongue, present.

nama cintamanih krsnas

caitanya-rasa-vigrahah

[Cc Madhya 17.133]

The name cintamani, spiritual. Nama cintamanih krsnas caitanya, full spiritual, conscious. Nama cintamanih krsnas caitanya-rasa-vigrahah: the personality of all mellows. Nitya suddho..., nitya suddha-mukto, abhinnatvan nama-naminoh: there is no difference between the name and the person Krsna. There is no difference. Therefore if we chant Krsna's name, especially in vira, in separation, that is the greatest perfection of life. So Krsna is purnam. Krsna's name is also purnam, complete. So chanting Krsna's name, we get complete benefit as by meeting Krsna. As by meeting Krsna. This will be realized as we go on thinking of Krsna. So it is very nice attempt.

It is maha-bhava

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.39. July 20, 1975, San Francisco.

Satata-yuktanam, and twenty-four hours anxious, "How to serve Krsna? How to serve Krsna?" To become mad after Krsna, such person. Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda-virahena me [Siksastaka 7]: "I see everything vacant being separated from Govinda." This is called love. So, of course, it is not possible to come to that position like Caitanya Mahaprabhu. That is maha-bhava, maha-bhava. It is not for any human being to come to that stage. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu has shown how to become mad after Krsna by His life when He was in Jagannatha Puri, Caitanya. At night He would go out and fall down on the sea or somewhere. Nobody knows. The door was closed, and still, He would get out and go, and, "Where is Krsna? Where is Krsna?" Then His assistants, secretaries, would go out and find out Him. So for eighteen years He was in that way in Jagannatha Puri. That is called maha-bhava. So it is not possible for human being. But at least, not maha-bhava but bhava, that we can.

Ecstasy in separation of Caitanya Mahaprabhu

Discourse on Lord Caitanya Play. Between Srila Prabhupada and Hayagriva. April 5-6, 1967, San Francisco.

This is the, in the fifth act, "Ecstasy." At night Caitanya Mahaprabhu would become mad in separation of Krsna. He would dash His head on the floor. Sometimes He would write with His nails, and sometimes He would go away. Although the house was locked, He would go away, and sometimes He would be found amongst the cowshed of Jagannatha Puri. Sometimes He would be seen in the seashore.

One day it was so found that He fell in the ocean and some fisherman caught Him on the net. And as soon as He was in the net and the fisherman touched Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he also began to dance, "Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare." And his brothers, his fellow men, thought, "Oh, he's caught ghost, haunted."

So in the meantime, His secretary, Damodara Svarupa, came to the seashore and he saw that the fisherman was dancing. Then he could understand that he must have some connection with Caitanya Mahaprabhu, [laughs] otherwise why this fisherman is dancing and "Hare Krsna"? Then asked him, "What has happened to you?" He said, "Sir, I do not know. I am a fish-catcher. Now this morning I caught one big fish, and as soon as I caught I am haunted. So I am dancing."

So Svarupa Damodara, "Where is that fish, big fish? Let me see." So he saw in the net Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He saw Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then he told him, "Yes. I'll chant some mantra so the ghost will go away." So he made him some show. "All right. Now your ghost is over."

So he took away Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and when Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw, He told Svarupa Damodara, "Why you have brought Me in the seaside? Oh, I was seeing rasa dance of Krsna. I was enjoying." In this way He was always in ecstasy.

And in the last stage, the same ecstasy, He entered Jagannatha temple and He never came back. That is the end of [voice trails off] Caitanya Mahaprabhu's... So you have to [indistinct] scenes and sounds. That's all.

More relishable than the actual meeting

Ädi 4.31 p.

The spontaneous attraction of Çré Kåñëa for His dearest parts and parcels generates an enthusiasm that obliges Çré Kåñëa and the gopés to meet together. To celebrate this transcendental enthusiasm, there is need of a sentiment of separation between the lover and beloved. In the condition of material tribulation, no one wants the pangs of separation. But in the transcendental form, the very same separation, being absolute in its nature, strengthens the ties of love and enhances the desire of the lover and beloved to meet. The period of separation, evaluated transcendentally, is more relishable than the actual meeting, which lacks the feelings of increasing anticipation because the lover and beloved are both present.

Separation is simply another feature of meeting

Letter to : Brahmananda. San Francisco 3 April, 1969

So there is no cause of becoming sad. Our meeting and separation in the material world is like the flowing tide of the river. During the flowing tide of the river, so many different floating articles meet together, and with the flowing, they again become separated by the movement of the waves. That is the way of the material life. But our separation, although it resembles exactly in the material way, it is completely different. In the spiritual world, separation is more relishable than meeting. In other words, in spiritual life, there is no separation. Separation is eternal, and meeting is also eternal. The separation is simply another feature of meeting.