They had so much treasures, but they always felt ashamed for serving the sinful king. They were always in deep separation from Lord Krishna and Sri Vrindavana Dhama. They constructed a replica of Vrindavana - Shyama kunda, Radha kunda, Kadamba Kanana. They astonished everyone because although they were in the highest positions, they would beg everyone with folded hands for blessings to attain pure devotional service to Sri Sri Radha and Krishna. They never caused harm to anyone, and never in their lives did they ever insult anyone.
They desperately sought the shelter of Lord Caitanya’s mercy. They wrote several letters to Lord Caitanya that they wanted to surrender their lives to Lord and His mission. They were also householders [grihastha], but later they became gosvamis [those who control their sense gratification and serve Lord Caitanya].
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, while on His journey to Vrindavana, specifically travelled way off the proper route just to meet Rupa and Sanatana in Ramakeli. As Lord Caitanya was travelling towards Ramakeli, hundreds and thousands of people followed Him. Whoever saw the beauty of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s dance and whoever accepted His mercy in the form of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra found his heart swelling with uncontrollable ecstatic love for Lord Krishna! Ramakeli was the capital city of Nawab Hussein Shah, who was a very cruel and wicked king. King had made very strict punishable laws against anyone who publicly practiced any other religion but his own.
However, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was fearlessly dancing and chanting, with hundreds and thousands and at times millions and millions of people, throughout Ramakeli. A police officer told him, “Someone has come to our kingdom. He is very beautiful, He has a complexion like resplendent gold. He is constantly crying and with arms raised loudly chants Hare Krishna. This great prophet as completely intoxicated everyone - the Hindus, the Muslims. I have seen so many saintly persons of different religions, but no one has the power, the beauty, and the influence of this persons love.”
Nawab’s heart became so transcendentally affected, he said, “Whom the Vedas call Krishna, and the Koran calls Allah, that same Supreme Truth, the ultimate worshipable object of everyone, has come to our kingdom to give love of God. On this day I proclaim a law that this great prophet, be allowed to dance, chant, and preach wherever He wants. He should not be disturbed in any way. I will personally torture and take the life of anyone who disturbs Him.”
At the dead of night Sanatana, Rupa and Anupam met Lord Caitanya who was sitting under the tamal and kadamba tree. In great humility they took bunches of straw between their teeth and binding a cloth around their neck, fell down like rods before the Lord. Upon seeing Lord Caitanya they were overwhelmed with joy, and out of humility, they began to cry.
They humbly offered their prayers with folded hands. “All glories to Sri Krishna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the most merciful saviour of the fallen souls. All glories to the Supreme Personality. Sir, we belong to the lowest class of men and our associates and employment are of the lowest type. Therefore, we cannot introduce ourselves to You. We feel very much ashamed standing here before You. Dear Lord, let us inform You that no one is more sinful than us, nor are there any offenders like us. Even if we wish to mention our sinful activities, we would immediately become ashamed, what to speak of giving them up.”
Hearing their prayers, Lord Caitanya said, “You are My very old servants. Please abandon your humility for your humility is breaking My heart. You have written Me several letters showing your humility and I can understand your transcendental behaviour from those letters. Therefore, just in order to teach you a lesson, I sent you that verse. I really had no business coming here to Ramakeli. I came just to see you two brothers. Everyone is asking Me, why did You go to Ramakeli? No one knows My real intentions. It is very good that you brothers have come to see Me. Now you can go home, you have nothing to fear. Birth after birth you are My eternal servants. Today I give you the names Rupa, Sanatana, and Anupam. I am sure that Krishna will deliver you very soon.”
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to instruct the whole world about the importance of the principle of humility through His dear-most and favourite associates Sri Rupa and Sanatana. Lord Caitanya taught that everything we are looking at for happiness in this material world is going to be the very cause of our suffering, fear and anxiety. Real happiness is achieved by following in the footsteps of the humble six Gosvamis of Vrindavana.
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