Murari Gupta

çré-muräri gupta çäkhä——premera bhäëòära
prabhura hådaya drave çuni’ dainya yäìra

TRANSLATION
Muräri Gupta, the twenty-first branch of the tree of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, was a storehouse of love of Godhead. His great humility and meekness melted the heart of Lord Caitanya.

PURPORT
Çré Muräri Gupta wrote a book called Çré Caitanya-carita. He belonged to a vaidya physician family of Çréhaööa, the paternal home of Lord Caitanya, and later became a resident of Navadvépa. He was among the elders of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Lord Caitanya exhibited His Varäha form in the house of Muräri Gupta, as described in the Caitanya-bhägavata, Madhya-lélä, Third Chapter. When Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu exhibited His mahä-prakäça form, He appeared before Muräri Gupta as Lord Rämacandra. When Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu and Nityänanda Prabhu were sitting together in the house of Çréväsa Öhäkura, Muräri Gupta first offered his respects to Lord Caitanya and then to Çré Nityänanda Prabhu. Nityänanda Prabhu, however, was older than Caitanya Mahäprabhu, and therefore Lord Caitanya remarked that Muräri Gupta had violated social etiquette, for he should have first shown respect to Nityänanda Prabhu and then to Him. In this way, by the grace of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Muräri Gupta was informed about the position of Çré Nityänanda Prabhu, and the next day he offered obeisances first to Lord Nityänanda and then to Lord Caitanya. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu gave chewed pan, or betel nut, to Muräri Gupta. Once Çivänanda Sena offered food to Lord Caitanya that had been cooked with excessive ghee, and the next day the Lord became sick and went to Muräri Gupta for treatment. Lord Caitanya accepted some water from the waterpot of Muräri Gupta, and thus He was cured. The natural remedy for indigestion is to drink a little water, and since Muräri Gupta was a physician, he gave the Lord some drinking water and cured Him.
When Caitanya Mahäprabhu appeared in the house of Çréväsa Öhäkura in His Caturbhuja mürti, Muräri Gupta became His carrier in the form of Garuòa, and in these pastimes of ecstasy the Lord then got up on his back. It was the desire of Muräri Gupta to leave his body before the disappearance of Caitanya Mahäprabhu, but the Lord forbade him to do so. This is described in Caitanya-bhagävata, Madhya-lélä, Chapter Twenty. When Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu one day appeared in ecstasy as the Varäha mürti, Muräri Gupta offered Him prayers. He was a great devotee of Lord Rämacandra, and his staunch devotion is vividly described in the Caitanya-caritämåta, Madhya-lélä, Fifteenth Chapter, verses 137 through 157. (A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. Ädi-lila 10.49. purport.)

Adi 10:50
pratigraha nähi kare, nä laya kära dhana
ätma-våtti kari’ kare kuöumba bharaëa

TRANSLATION
Çréla Muräri Gupta never accepted charity from friends, nor did he accept money from anyone. He practiced as a physician and maintained his family with his earnings.
PURPORT
It should be noted that a gåhastha (householder) must not make his livelihood by begging from anyone. Every householder of the higher castes should engage himself in his own occupational duty as a brähmaëa, kñatriya or vaiçya, but he should not engage in the service of others, for this is the duty of a çüdra. One should simply accept whatever he earns by his own profession. The engagements of a brähmaëa are yajana, yäjana, paöhana, päöhana, däna and pratigraha. A brähmaëa should be a worshiper of Viñëu, and he should also instruct others how to worship Him. A kñatriya can become a landholder and earn his livelihood by levying taxes or collecting rent from tenants. A vaiçya can accept agriculture or general trade as an occupational duty. Since Muräri Gupta was born in a physician’s family (vaidya-vaàça), he practiced as a physician, and with whatever income he earned he maintained his family. As stated in Çrémad-Bhägavatam, everyone should try to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead through the execution of his occupational duty. That is the perfection of life. This system is called daivé-varëäçrama. Muräri Gupta was an ideal gåhastha, for he was a great devotee of Lord Rämacandra and Caitanya Mahäprabhu. By practicing as a physician he maintained his family and at the same time satisfied Lord Caitanya to the best of his ability. This is the ideal of householder life. (A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. Ädi-lila 10.50. purport.)

Ädi 10.51
cikitsä karena yäre ha-iyä sadaya
deha-roga bhäva-roga,——dui tära kñaya

TRANSLATION
As Muräri Gupta treated his patients, by his mercy both their bodily and spiritual diseases subsided.
PURPORT
Muräri Gupta could treat both bodily and spiritual disease because he was a physician by profession and a great devotee of the Lord in terms of spiritual advancement. This is an example of service to humanity. Everyone should know that there are two kinds of diseases in human society. One disease, which is called adhyätmika, or material disease, pertains to the body, but the main disease is spiritual. The living entity is eternal, but somehow or other, when in contact with the material energy, he is subjected to the repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. The physicians of the modern day should learn from Muräri Gupta. Although modern philanthropic physicians open gigantic hospitals, there are no hospitals to cure the material disease of the spirit soul. The Kåñëa consciousness movement has taken up the mission of curing this disease, but people are not very appreciative because they do not know what this disease is. A diseased person needs both proper medicine and a proper diet, and therefore the Kåñëa consciousness movement supplies materially stricken people with the medicine of the chanting of the holy name, or the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra, and the diet of prasäda. There are many hospitals and medical clinics to cure bodily diseases, but there are no such hospitals to cure the material disease of the spirit soul. The centers of the Kåñëa consciousness movement are the only established hospitals that can cure man of birth, death, old age and disease. (A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. Ädi-lila 10.51. purport.)

"All the devotees worshiped Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu in this way, and the Lord remained in ecstasy for seven praharas, or twenty-one hours. He took this opportunity to show the devotees that He is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, who is the source of all other incarnations, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gétä (10.8): ahaà sarvasya prabhavo mattaù sarvaà pravartate. All the different forms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or viñëu-tattva, emanate from the body of Lord Kåñëa. Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu exposed all the private desires of the devotees, and thus all of them became fully confident that Lord Caitanya is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
"Some devotees call this exhibition of ecstasy by the Lord säta-prahariyä bhäva, or “the ecstasy of twenty-one hours,” and others call it mahäbhäva-prakäça or mahä-prakäça. There are other descriptions of this säta-prahariyä bhäva in the Caitanya-bhävagata, Chapter Nine, which mentions that Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu blessed a maidservant named Duùkhé with the name Sukhé. He called for Kholävecä Çrédhara, and showed him His mahä-prakäça. Then He called for Muräri Gupta and showed him His feature as Lord Rämacandra. He offered His blessings to Haridäsa Öhäkura, and at this time He also asked Advaita Prabhu to explain the Bhagavad-gétä as it is (gétära satya-päöha) and showed special favor to Mukunda. (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. Ädi-lila 17.18. purport.)

varäha-äveça hailä muräri-bhavane
täìra skandhe caòi’ prabhu näcilä aìgane

TRANSLATION
One day Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu felt the ecstasy of the boar incarnation and got up on the shoulders of Muräri Gupta. Thus they both danced in Muräri Gupta’s courtyard.
PURPORT
One day Caitanya Mahäprabhu began to cry out, “Çükara! Çükara!” Thus crying out for the boar incarnation of the Lord, He assumed His form as the boar incarnation and got up on the shoulders of Muräri Gupta. He carried a small gäòu, a small waterpot with a nozzle, and thus He symbolically picked up the earth from the depths of the ocean, for this is the pastime of Lord Varäha. (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita. Ädi-lila 17.20. purport.)

Sri Murari Gupta in all humility in his Chaitanya Mangala presentation of Lord Chaitanya's pastimes first begs for the blessings of all 'mahabhagavatas'. "Then I can properly sing the glories of the Lord. I am the lowest of the low, so how can I explain the greatness of Sri Caitanya's transcendental character? Since I don't know anything, what's the use of my incoherent words? If, without knowing the highest truths about Lord Caitanya, I try to say something, I will suffer embarrassment before the great souls.
 Although I am not qualified and full of faults, I cherish an intense desire to sing about the sweet qualities of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu."
 "While living in Navadwip, Sri Murari Gupta had the opportunity to remian always in the company of Gaurachandra. Who can describe his greatness? He is known throughout the world as Hanuman. After crossing the ocean to Lanka, Hanuman burned Ravan's palace to the ground. Then Hanuman brought Rama the good news about His beloved Sita. He revived Laksmana by bringing 'visalya-karani' (a medical herb). That same Hanuman now resides in Nadia as Murari Gupta.
 Being highly realised, Murari Gupta knows all truths. As an eternal associate of the Lord, he is fixed at the lotus feet of Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu. He expertly told all of Lord Caitanya's childhood and boyhood pastimes in his great Sanskrit epic, 'Sri-Krishna-Caitanya-carita-mahakavya',(also called 'Karcha', dairy.).(Caitanya Mangala. 1994. Mahanidhi Swami, page 4.)

Murari Gupta begged Lord Caitanya (Gauranga) to "please be merciful, please give me ecstatic love of God!"
 "Lord Gauranga said, 'Listen Murari, You have love for Me. So just serve the 'Parabraman' appearing in the human form, having the colour of an 'indranila' gem(blue sapphire). He stands most attractively in His three-fold bening form, carrying a flute in His hand. Worship Srimati Radharani, the golden comlexioned daughter of King Vrshabhanu. She is the original energy of the Lord, and Her effulgence defeats the colour of 'gorachana' (bright yellow).
 "Engage yourself in the service of the 'gopis', and you'll attain the son of Nanda. In 'cintamani-bhumi', Vrindavana-dham, He sits on a jewelled throne resting upon a gem-studded platform surrounded by 'kalpa-vrksha' trees. By His inconceivible potency, 'Kama-dhenu' (surabhi-cows) wander everywhere fulfilling all desires. His glittering bodily effulgence is known as the formless 'Brahman'. You should know that this is the sweet truth about Krishna."
 'The devotees felt transcendental joy to hear these talk from Lord Gauranga. I a mood of submission, Murari Gupta requested, "My lord, I want to see the Lord's form as Raghunatha (Lord Rama)."
 Within a second, Murari saw Lord Ramachandra in His beautiful body the colour of fresh green grass. Sitadevi, Laksmana, bharata and Satrughna stood around the Lord. Murari rolled on the ground in astonishment. Gaurasundara pacified him with the touch of His lotus hand while blessing him. "May you become saturated in love of God. Actually Murari, you are no one other than Hanuman, and I am the same Lord Rama." After saying this, the Lord entered the temple."(Caitanya Mangala. Locan dasa Thakura.; Mahanidhi Swami. 1994. page 134.)
 Once Lord Caitanya asked Murari Gupta to recite some verses he had composed, "For My pleasure, please recite that verse you composed."
 'Murari Gupta cited his book Sri Krishna Caitanya-carita: "I worship the blessed Lord and master of the three worlds, Sri Ramachandra. He wears a brilliant crown covered with a strand of jewels whose shining lights up all directions. His dazzling earings defeat the brilliance of Sukra and Brhaspati. his beautiful face looks like a pure spotless moon.
 "I worship the lotus feet of the master of the three worlds, Sri Ramachandra, whose charming eyes appear like blossoming lotus flowers. his red lips look like 'bimba' fruits, and His well-shaped nose attracts eveyone. His wonderfull smile embarrasses the moonlight."
 After hearing these verses, Gaura put His feet on Murari's head. Then He wrote the name "Ramadasa" on his forehead. Prabhu said, "Murari, from today on, by My mercy, you'll be known as Ramadasa. Without Raghunatha, you can't live a moment. Know for certain that I am that same Lord Raghunath (Rama)."
 To the surprise of everyone present, Lord Gauranga showed His transcendental form as Lord Ramachandra, long with Janaki (Sita), Laksmana, Hanuman, and other associates. Instantly, Murari fell at the Lord's feet and praised Gauranga. "All glories to Raghavira. He's the same as the darling of Sacimata." Then Murari rolled in the dust. Crying in happiness, he offered more prayers.
 Showing mery, Mahaprabhu said, "Murari, you should worship Me, and forget anything other than 'bhakti'. Although I am your worshippable Lord Raghunatha, still you should worship the lord of Radha. Perform 'sankirtan', attentively hear the glories of Radha and Krishna, and be devoted to Me."(Caitanya Mangala. Locana dasa Thakura.; Mahanidhi Swami, page 153-154.)

Madhya 11.152
prathame muräri-gupta prabhure nä miliyä
bähirete paòi’ äche daëòavat haïä
meeting; bähirete—outside; paòi’—falling down; äche—was there; daëòavat—falling flat like a stick; haïä—becoming so.
TRANSLATION
Muräri Gupta at first did not meet the Lord but rather remained outside the door, falling down like a stick to offer obeisances.

Madhya 11.153
muräri nä dekhiyä prabhu kare anveñaëa
muräri la-ite dhäïä äilä bahu-jana

TRANSLATION
When Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu could not see Muräri amongst the devotees, He inquired about him. Thereupon many people immediately went to Muräri, running to take him to the Lord.

Madhya 11.154
tåëa dui-guccha muräri daçane dhariyä
mahäprabhu äge gelä dainyädhéna haïä

TRANSLATION
Thus Muräri Gupta, catching two bunches of straw in his teeth, went before Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu with humility and meekness.

Madhya 11.155
muräri dekhiyä prabhu äilä milite
päche bhäge muräri, lägilä kahite

TRANSLATION
Upon seeing Muräri come to meet Him, Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu went up to him, but Muräri began to run away and speak as follows.

Madhya 11.156
more nä chuìiha, prabhu, muïi ta’ pämara
tomära sparça-yogya nahe päpa kalevara

TRANSLATION
“My Lord, please do not touch me. I am most abominable and am not fit for You to touch because my body is sinful.”

Madhya 11.157
prabhu kahe,—muräri, kara dainya saàvaraëa
tomära dainya dekhi’ mora vidérëa haya mana

TRANSLATION
The Lord said, “My dear Muräri, please restrain your unnecessary humility. My mind is disturbed to see your meekness.”

Madhya 11.158
eta bali’ prabhu täìre kaila äliìgana
nikaöe vasäïä kare aìga sammärjana

TRANSLATION
Saying this, the Lord embraced Muräri and had him sit down by His side. The Lord then began to cleanse his body with His own hands.

Madhya 11.159-160
äcäryaratna, vidyänidhi, paëòita gadädhara
gaìgädäsa, hari-bhaööa, äcärya purandara
pratyeke sabära prabhu kari’ guëa gäna
punaù punaù äliìgiyä karila sammäna

TRANSLATION
Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu then again and again embraced all the devotees, including Äcäryaratna, Vidyänidhi, Paëòita Gadädhara, Gaìgädäsa, Hari Bhaööa and Äcärya Purandara. The Lord described their good qualities and glorified them again and again.

Madhya 15.137
muräri-guptere prabhu kari’ äliìgana
täìra bhakti-niñöhä kahena, çune bhakta-gaëa

TRANSLATION
Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu then embraced Muräri Gupta and began to speak about his firm faith in devotional service. This was heard by all the devotees.

"There was a devotee of Caitanya Mahäprabhu. His name was Muräri Gupta. He was physician to the then Nawab, Muslim Nawab. Now, they were sitting. The Nawab was going some hunting excursion or something like that, but he was Nawab’s physician. He was to accompany him. So they were sitting on the back of the elephant. In the meantime that Muräri Gupta saw one peacock, and as soon as he saw the peacock, the feather, he at once remembered Kåñëa and at once fainted and fall down. This is called älambana. This is called älambana. Älambana means anything to the context, immediately he remembers his Lord and becomes ecstatic. This is the first-class stage of Kåñëa consciousness." (A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. 17th March 1967. Srimad Bhagavatam lecture 7:7:32-35. San Francisco.)