An envious Brahmin and a forgiving Bhakta Srivas Pandit

1 Jul 2024 · 2 min

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The speaker recounts a passage from the Caitanya‑caritāmṛta describing how an envious Brahmin, jealous of the exalted status of the devotee Śrīvāsa (also called Srivas Pandit), attempts to defame him by placing Durga‑worship paraphernalia, including a liquor bottle and contaminated food, at Śrīvāsa’s doorstep. Despite the scandal, Śrīvāsa remains composed, proclaiming his devotion to Durga, but others doubt him. The Brahmin later contracts leprosy as a karmic consequence and seeks forgiveness from Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Caitanya initially refuses, urging the Brahmin to endure further suffering. After prolonged penance, Caitanya directs the Brahmin to approach a devotee, who graciously forgives him. The narration concludes with a devotional chant of Hare Kṛṣṇa and Hare Rāma, underscoring the themes of envy, divine justice, repentance, and the power of forgiveness within Gaudiya Vaishnavism.

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In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta about a brahmin who was very envious of the exalted position of Śrī Vāsudeva, he made a plan by which he would defame. And what did he do? He kept all the paraphernalia for worshipping Goddess Durga in front of his house. So in the morning when Śrīvāsa got up and opened his door, he found a liquor bottle and all contaminated food that is normally offered to Goddess Durga. Of course Śrīvāsa was a great devotee, so he had no problems. He said, "Look, everyone come and see." that I am a devotee of Durga. But nobody would believe him. A little later, then Brahman was trying to defame this great devotee. So he got affected with leprosy and he approached Caitanya Mahāprabhu. But Caitanya Mahāprabhu refused to pardon him. He said, "You should suffer even more." Then again, so he suffered, suffered, suffered. Again, then after Caitanya Mahāprabhu kept sannyāsa, he fell at His feet. And Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "I cannot forgive you, but if you go to My devotee." And then the devotee gladly forgave him. Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Hare, Hare. Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma. Lama, lama le ale.