Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 12.45
Advaita Ācārya Sees Punishment as Favor
“The favor You have shown Kamalākānta is so great that even to Me You have never shown such favor. What offense have I committed at Your lotus feet so as not to be shown such favor?”
What the purport teaches
- Advaita Ācārya described the favor shown to Kamalākānta as greater than any shown to Himself. He asked what offense had kept Him from receiving such favor.
- Previously, Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu had beaten Advaita Ācārya while He was reading Yoga-vāśiṣṭha. The Lord had not, however, forbidden Him to come into His presence.
- Kamalākānta had been ordered not to come into the Lord’s presence. Advaita Ācārya therefore presented Kamalākānta’s punishment as the greater favor.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining why Advaita Ācārya called Kamalākānta’s punishment greater favor.
Ask yourself
What surprises me about Advaita Ācārya’s way of speaking about the Lord’s punishment?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.