7.1
agaty-eka-gatim natva
hinarthadhika-sadhakam
sri-caitanyam likhyate ’sya
prema-bhakti-vadanyata
SYNONYMS
agati—of the most fallen; eka—the only one; gatim—destination; natva—after offering obeisances; hina—inferior; artha—interest; adhika—greater than that; sadhakam—who can render; sri-caitanyam—unto Lord Sri Caitanya; likhyate—is being written; asya—of the Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu; prema—love; bhakti—devotional service; vadanyata—magnanimity.
Let me first offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is the ultimate goal of life for one bereft of all possessions in this material world and is the only meaning for one advancing in spiritual life.
Thus let me write about His magnanimous contribution of devotional service in love of God.
PURPORT
A person in the conditioned stage of material existence is in an atmosphere of helplessness, but the conditioned soul, under the illusion of maya, or the external energy, thinks that he is completely protected by his country, society, friendship and love, not knowing that at the time of death none of these can save him.
The laws of material nature are so strong that none of our material possessions can save us from the cruel hands of death.
In the Bhagavad-gita (13.9) it is stated, janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanudarsanam: one who is actually advancing must always consider the four principles of miserable life, namely, birth, death, old age and disease.
One cannot be saved from all these miseries unless he takes shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is therefore the only shelter for all conditioned souls.
An intelligent person, therefore, does not put his faith in any material possessions, but completely takes shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord.
Such a person is called akincana, or one who does not possess anything in this material world.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead is also known as Akincana-gocara, for He can be achieved by a person who does not put his faith in material possessions.
Therefore, for the fully surrendered soul who has no material possessions on which to depend, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the only shelter.
Everyone depends upon dharma (religiosity), artha (economic development), kama (sense gratification) and ultimately moksa (salvation), but Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, due to His magnanimous character, can give more than salvation.
Therefore in this verse the words hinarthadhika-sadhakam indicate that although by material estimation salvation is of a quality superior to the inferior interests of religiosity, economic development and sense gratification, above salvation there is the position of devotional service and transcendental love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the bestower of this great benediction.
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, prema pum-artho mahan: “Love of Godhead is the ultimate benediction for all human beings.” Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, the author of Caitanya-caritamrta, therefore first offers his respectful obeisances unto Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu before describing His magnanimity in bestowing love of Godhead.