History of Bengali Language and Literature c9.s2.85

c9.s2.85

His wonderful emotion and tenderness display however only one phase of the character of Chaitanya Deva. He was an ascetic of the truest type, and was always keenly alive to the holiness of the ascetic's vow. If any one amongst his companions showed the least worldliness, he was unsparing in his treatment of him. He used to sleep on the bare floor of the Puri temple and when Jagadānanda once brought a pillow for him, he indignantly said "Bring me a couch, Jagadānanda, if you desire me to taste the comforts of this world. Don't you know that I am an ascetic, that as such I ought to sleep on the bare earth and that luxury is inconsistent with my vows." One of his followers Chota Hari Das accosted a beautiful woman named Madhabi in a tender manner. Chaitanya Deva said "He has taken the ascetic's vow and still follows after women. I will not look at him again." He never again allowed Chota Hari Das to come into his presence and the man is said to have died of a broken heart. Sanātan a rich man, who became his disciple came to meet him wearing a blanket which he had purchased for Rs. 3. It was the cold season and the bare body of Chaitanya Dev and of his followers were exposed to the shivering cold but they looked contented and joyful inspite of it. Chaitanya Deva talked with Sanātan but kept his eyes fixed on his blanket. The look was too much for Sanātan who escaped it by giving the blanket to a beggar and then joined the order of the ascetics. Govinda Dās offered half his portion of a *haritaki* to Chaitanya Deva after his dinner, and kept the other half for the next day. On seeing the other half, the next day he enquired of Govinda Dās where he got it. The latter replied that it was the remnant of the day before; "Would you store up things for the morrow like a worldly man? You cannot then be admitted into the order of the ascetics." He was made to retire to his home for this act. A bottle of perfumes was presented by an admirer in Puri. It was broken on the spot by his order and the perfume allowed to soak into earth. The ascetics were required to clean a temple one day at Puri. It was observed that the dust carried away by Chaitanya Deva were larger than those of the servants employed at the same task.