Page 65 - History of Tirupathi Balaji and comparison of Sri Vaishnava

Narayana and Krishna

Lord Caitanya visited Sri Rangam and stayed in the house of Venkata Bhatta,
one of the chief priests of that temple, during the four months of Caturmasya.
During His stay, He had many profound philosophical discussions with Venkata
Bhatta. Lord Caitanya broached the subject of Krishna and Narayana. Their
conversation follows:

CC Madhya 9.109 — Being a Vaisnava in the Ramanuja-sampradaya, Venkata
Bhatta worshiped the Deities of Laksmi and Narayana. Seeing his pure devotion, Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very satisfi ed.

CC Madhya 9.110 — Constantly associating with each other, Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu and Venkata Bhatta gradually developed a friendly relationship. Indeed,
sometimes they laughed and joked together.

CC Madhya 9.111 — Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told the Bhattacarya: Your
worshipable goddess of fortune, Laksmi, always remains on the chest of Narayana, and she
is certainly the most chaste woman in the creation.

CC Madhya 9.112 — However, my Lord is Lord Sri Krsna, a cowherd boy who is
engaged in tending cows. Why is it that Laksmi, being such a chaste wife, wants to associate
with My Lord?

CC Madhya 9.113 — Just to associate with Krsna, Laksmi abandoned all
transcendental happiness in Vaikuntha and for a long time accepted vows and regulative
principles and performed unlimited austerities.
CC Madhya 9.114 — Caitanya Mahaprabhu then said: O Lord, we do not know how
the serpent Kaliya attained such an opportunity to be touched by the dust of Your lotus feet.
Even the goddess of fortune, for this end, performed austerities for centuries, giving up all
other desires and observing austere vows. Indeed, we do not know how the serpent Kaliya got
such an opportunity.
CC Madhya 9.115 — Venkata Bhatta then said: Lord Krsna and Lord Narayana are
one and the same, but the pastimes of Krsna are more relishable due to their sportive nature.

CC Madhya 9.116 — Since Krsna and Narayana are the same personality, Laksmi’s
association with Krsna does not break her vow of chastity. Rather, it was in great fun that
the goddess of fortune wanted to associate with Lord Krsna.

CC Madhya 9.117 — Venkata Bhatta continued: According to transcendental
realization, there is no difference between the forms of Narayana and Krsna. Yet in Krsna
there is a special transcendental attraction due to the conjugal mellow, and consequently He
surpasses Narayana. This is the conclusion of transcendental mellows.
CC Madhya 9.118 — The goddess of fortune considered that her vow of chastity would
not be damaged by her relationship with Krsna. Rather, by associating with Krsna she could
enjoy the benefi t of the rasa dance.
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