19.27

eta suni’ gaudesvara uthi’ ghare gela

palaiba bali’ sanatanere bandhila

SYNONYMS

eta suni’—hearing this; gauda-isvara—the Nawab of Bengal; uthi’-standing up; ghare gela—went back home; palaiba—I shall run away; bali’-because of this; sanatanere bandhila—he arrested Sanatana.

Hearing this, the Nawab of Bengal stood up and returned to his home.

He ordered the arrest of Sanatana Gosvami so that he would not be able to leave.

PURPORT

It is said that the relationship between the Nawab of Bengal and Sanatana Gosvami was very intimate.

The Nawab used to consider Sanatana Gosvami his younger brother, and when Sanatana Gosvami showed a very strong intention to resign, the Nawab, feeling familial affection, essentially said, “I am your elder brother, but I do not look after the state management.

My only business is attacking other states with my soldiers and fighting everywhere as a plunderer.

Because I am a meat-eater (yavana), I am used to hunting all kinds of living beings.

In this way I am destroying all kinds of living entities in Bengal.

While engaged in this destructive business, I am hoping that you will tend to the administration of the state.

Since I, your elder brother, am engaged in such a destructive business, you, being my younger brother, should look after the state management.

If you do not, how will things continue?” This talk was based on a family relationship, and Sanatana Gosvami also replied in an intimate and joking way.

Essentially he told the Nawab, “My dear brother, you are the independent ruler of Bengal.

You can act in whatever way you like, and if someone commits fault, you can punish him accordingly.” In other words, Sanatana Gosvami was saying that since the Nawab was accustomed to acting like a plunderer, he should go ahead and take action.

Since Sanatana was not showing much enthusiasm in performing his duty, the Nawab should dismiss him from his service.

The Nawab could understand the intention of Sanatana Gosvami’s statement.

He therefore left in an angry mood and ordered Sanatana Gosvami’s arrest.