Page 26 - Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (English)

12 Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu

When Viçvarüpa heard that his parents were
trying to arrange his marriage, he clandestinely
left home and took sannyäsa with a vow never
to return. Nimäi consoled His lamenting parents
by assuring them that Viçvarüpa’s renunciation
was auspicious for the family, and by promising to
remain at home to care for them in their old age.

When a beggar once came around, banging his
drum and chanting the glories of Lord Çiva, young
Nimäi assumed the form of Lord Çiva and danced
on that devotee’s shoulders.

In due course of time Jagannätha Miçra
performed the sacred thread ceremony for Nimäi
and sent Him to the school of Gaìgädäsa Paëòita.
Quickly mastering logic, grammar, and philosophy,
Nimäi soon became noted as a competent scholar.
Yet during this period He suffered the grief of
His father’s sudden passing away. Thereupon
Çacémätä, who was already much attached to
Nimäi, her only son living at home, became wholly
dependent on Him.

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