Cmp 47. Jnana Or Bhakti, Which Is Superior Poem by Rajaram Ramachandran

CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU

Lord Chaitanya, in His angry mood,
Asked, "Which is superior and good? "
Jnana, knowledge, one aspires for
Or Bhakti, devotional service, one is for? "

"Speculative knowledge is superior,
As devotional service goes inferior
Without knowledge, " so replied
Advaita in his pensive mood.

The Lord shouted at him
And repeatedly bet him
For his wrong answer
And He said thereafter:

"I was resting on Milk Ocean
You disturbed my sleep then.
You stood for devotional service,
But now you've opposite views."

"If it's your real intention,
Why have you brought me then
To this world with no purpose.
You deceived me in all respects."

"It was Kamsa, whom I had to kill,
Also I lifted the Govardhana Hill,
To favour Prahlada, my devotee,
I had to destroy Hiranyakashipu."

Thus he narrated his pastime,
One by one, to convince him.
Advaita fell at His lotus feet,
Accepting honorably his defeat.

The Lord felt ashamed
At His having chastised
Advaita Acharya so severely
That he regretted humbly.

He said, "Under your lotus feet
If anyone falls, be it an insect,
Worm, animal, bird, or in any case,
I'll grant him my blessings."

This way, the Lord was pleased
And all his devotees, He praised
For their devotional services
And gave them all His blessings.