The Bhakti Ratnākara describes in connection with Śrīla Raghunātha Dās Gosvāmī how siddha mahātmās show physical symptoms of their transcendental mental activities -
“Aha Śrīnivāsa! One day Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī mentally ate some offered sweet rice and thus got indigestion and overweight. No one could understand how he (such an austere person) could get obese like that. When Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī’s friend Śrī Viṭṭhalanātha, the son of Śrī Vallabha, heard this he called for two doctors who felt his pulse and confirmed time and again: “He has become obese due to overeating on sweet rice”. In astonishment Śrī Viṭṭhalanātha said: “It is impossible for him to eat sweet rice (let alone overeat). Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī, however, confirmed “They speak the truth – I ate sweet rice within my mind.” Everyone was astonished to hear this. Such are the activities of Raghunātha Dāsa Gosvāmī – what more can I say?”
This translation is added to my anthology of Bhakti Ratnākara-translations at the tab-link 'Literature' on www.madangopal.com, followed by my old translation of the story of the leaf-cup.
Radhe Radhe Advaitaji!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your translation of mukta carita I have developed fondness for Das Goswami (and heightened attraction for Tungavidya and Vishakha Sakhis as well as Sri Radha). Thank you!
Yesterday I read the story on your blog about Das Goswami getting indigestion from eating sweet rice in the leela. The story referred to his "friend Vitthalnath, the son of Sri Vallabh."
In pushti marg's tradition, Vitthalnath ("Sri Gusainji") is known as the incarnation of Candravali Sakhi. I find it very sweet that the two were friends in sadhaka form, while competitors in the leela.
Jaya Prema Bihari!