Page 49 - Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (English)

The Adolescent Scholar 19

outstanding success.” Innumerable people offered
abundant gifts to Nimäi—gold, silver, waterpots,
sitting mats, rugs, and many varieties of clothing.
Each happily presented the best of his possessions
to the Lord.
In East Bengal lived a brähmaëa named
Tapana Miçra. Eager to determine the meaning
of life and how to attain it, he studied many
books, but the more he read the more he became
confused. One night in a dream a divine being
directed him, “Miçra, why are you reading so
many books? Nimäi Paëòita is nearby. He can
answer all your questions and solve all your
problems. Go visit Him.” The next morning
Tapana Miçra approached Nimäi and told Him of
his situation.
Nimäi explained that the meaning of life
cannot be ascertained by becoming a bookworm; in
Kali-yuga one should simply chant the holy names
of the Lord. As stated in Båhan-näradiya Puräëa:

harer näma harer näma harer nämaiva kevalam
kalau nästy eva nästy eva nästy eva gatir anyathä

“In this Age of Kali the only means of
deliverance is to chant the holy names, chant the
holy names, chant the holy names of Lord Çré Hari.