History of Bengali Language and Literature c9.s2.65

c9.s2.65

together by his teachings and by his wonderful devotion, consisted of people from all ranks of society. They mixed freely and distinction of caste was no barrier to them. The Bhaṭṭāchāryyas who represented the orthodox community harassed him by all means that lay in their power. "Look at these men", they said, "we cannot sleep at night for their screamings. This uproar that they create is certainly no prayer to God." They applied to the Kāzi (Mahammadan Magistrate) to issue a rule prohibiting the march of the Saṅkīrtana-Party, as his procession was called, through the town. The Kazi did so. That day in the evening Nimāi with his followers, who now numbered hundreds of men, made a grand procession and led it to the very door of the Kāzi, who though at first very much enraged at this breach of orders, yet felt a desire to see the procession. When he came down, a strange spectacle met his eyes. Hundreds of men with flags and musical instruments were chanting the name of God in chorus, and in the midst of them, like a vision of heaven, young and beautifull Nimāi stood God-like,—his face beaming with superhuman light and eyes like two stars, floating in a fountain of tears. He heeded not any earthly obstruction and was evidently lifted into divine ecstacy. The Kazi said, he was delighted to see the procession.