Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 13.24
The Lord Comes Out to Please Devotees
“Having taken permission from the goddess of fortune, the Lord came out to ride on the Ratha car and perform His pastimes for the pleasure of the devotees.”
What the purport teaches
- As an ideal husband, Lord Jagannātha remained fifteen days with the supreme goddess of fortune. Taking her permission, He came out to give happiness to His devotees.
- The Lord’s conjugal love in svakīya-rasa relates to the regulative principles observed in Dvārakā, where He has married queens. In Vṛndāvana, His conjugal love with His girlfriends, the gopīs, is called parakīya-rasa.
- Lord Jagannātha leaves His secluded enjoyment in svakīya-rasa and goes to Vṛndāvana to enjoy parakīya-rasa. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains that the Lord’s pleasure in parakīya-rasa is superior.
Try this today
Pause today to remember Lord Jagannātha coming out to ride on the Ratha car for His devotees’ pleasure.
Ask yourself
What does the Lord’s desire to give happiness to His devotees help me appreciate about Him?
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.