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Plate 180

Saṅkīrtana: a Call to the People of Kālī-Yuga

Snil Bhakuwiacd Thakun sing Whadhr ese aoriae ecae riei wih te rature that heralds the rising of the sun, the jewel among the brāhmaṇas, Lord Caitanya, imme-

diately awakened. Taking His devotees with Him, He journeyed through the towns and villages of Nadia. The mrdangas resounded 'tāthai, tāthai,' and the cymbals in that kīrtana played in time. Lord Gaurānga's golden form slightly trembled in ecstatic love of Godhead, and His footbells jingled.

"Lord Caitanya called out to the townsfolk, 'You spend your nights uselessly sleeping and your days decorating your bodies! Now just fill your mouths with the holy names, chanting "Mukunda!" "Mādhava!" "Yadava!" "Hari!" without offense. You have achieved this rare human body. Don't you care for this gift? If you do not worship the darling of mother Yaśodā now, then great sorrow awaits you at the time of your death. With every rising and setting of the sun, a day passes and is lost. Why then do you remain idle and not serve the Lord of the heart? You should understand this essential fact: life is temporary and filled with various kinds of miseries. Therefore carefully take shelter of the holy name and remain always engaged in His service as your eternal occupation. Desiring to bless all living entities, this sweet name of Kṛṣṇa has descended to this material universe and shines like the sun in the sky of the heart, destroying the darkness of ignorance.'

"Drink the pure nectar of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa and thus satisfy the soul of Ṭhākura Bhaktivinoda. There is nothing except the holy name within all the fourteen worlds."

Painting by RĀMADĀSA-ABHIRĀMA DĀSA (1984)

Saṅkīrtana: a Call to the People of Kālī-Yuga