Nimai Spoils Murari’s Lunch
Adapted from Srila Lochan Das Thakur’s
Śrī Caitanya-maṅgala
Ādi-khaṇḍa, Bālya-līlā, texts 373-403

One day, the learned scholar and physician Murari
Gupta visited Nabadwip, accompanied by his followers.
While walking down the road, they were discussing
yoga-sāstras. The young boy Nimai, walking directly
behind Murari Gupta, began mimicking Murari’s way
of speaking. Murari noticed this from the corner of his
eyes but continued speaking to his followers.
Nimai and his friends then increased their mocking
of Murari by exactly imitating both his walking style
and hand-gestures. Finally, Murari became furious and
rebuked Nimai, “Who says that this boy is well-behaved?
I recognize him. He is the son of Jagannath Mishra. Everywhere
I have heard his glories. His name is Nimai.”
Hearing his words, out of kindness to his devotee
Murari Gupta, Lord Gaurahari became angry. Knitting
his eyebrows, the eloquent young boy said, “When
you take your meal I will teach you something.”
Bewildered by this oblique statement, Murari
returned to his residence. He became absorbed in
his domestic activities and forgot about the incident.
At noon he sat down to peacefully take his meal.
Meanwhile, Viswambhar Hari clad himself in opulent
garments, wrapped a sash around his waist, tied his hair
in a triple topknot, and placed a string of tulasī beads and
a strand of large pearls around his neck. He anointed his
eyes with black kajjala, and decorated his body with glistening
golden ornaments. Then, carrying lādus made
of condensed milk in his hand, Viswambhar entered the
house of the king of doctors and, with a thunderous
voice, called out, “Murari!” Hearing that sound, Murari
remembered what Nimai had said earlier. Feeling a
bit surprised, Murari said, “What are you doing here?”
Nimai replied, “Oh, don’t get up. It’s only I. Carry on
with your meal.” As Murari Gupta became absorbed
in eating, Nimai slowly moved closer. Then, suddenly,
he began passing urine on Murari’s plate. “Ah! Ah!
What are you doing? Shame, shame on you,” Murari
cried as he jumped up. Gaura Ray began clapping
his hands and dancing. He gleefully said to Murari:

“Giving up the path of bhakti, you have adopted the
path of yoga and move about making funny gestures.
Give up karma and jnana, and just worship Krishna
with all your heart! Become a rasika-bhakta, expert
in tasting transcendental bliss. One who is attached to
material things can’t do kṛṣṇa-bhajana, and his consciousness
remains low and impure.
“Lord Hari is supremely merciful. Not only does he
possess all powers but he is the father of all souls and
from him the eternal Brahman is manifested. He is the
treasure and very life of the gopīs of Vrindavan. Why do
you not dedicate your life to worshiping him?”
After saying this, the golden jewel, Gaurahari, suddenly
vanished. Murari Gupta couldn’t find him anywhere.
Again and again in his heart, Murari thought,
“Sachi’s son is the Supreme Lord himself!” Thinking in
this way, Murari Gupta hurriedly left his house. Due to
being overwhelmed with joy, he couldn’t walk properly.
Somehow he arrived at the house of Jagannath Mishra.
There he found Jagannath Mishra and Sachidevi
caressing, kissing, and speaking affectionately to
their son Nimai. They told him, “You are the nectarean
treasure of our lives. Whatever sufferings
we experience, we forget all of them as soon as
we gaze at the moon of your face.”
Murari Gupta was overcome with bliss. Although
Jagannath and Sachidevi welcomed him, Murari
didn’t say a word. He only gazed at the beautiful
face of Gaurachandra.
From his head to his feet, the hairs of his body
stood erect. Streams of tears flowed from his eyes,
drenching his body. His voice faltered, and his eyes
reddened like the rising sun. He fell like a stick before
Gauranga’s feet, again and again bowing before him.
Acting as if he didn’t understand what Murari was
doing, Viswambhar climbed up on his mother’s lap.
Sachimata then spoke to the elder and respected Murari
Gupta, “Murari, please bless our son. Did he do
something to offend you? Everyone knows that you
are one of the best doctors. Please tell me what offense
our son has committed. Let any suffering come to us,
but give us the blessing that our son may live forever.”
Speaking these words, Sachidevi and Jagannath
humbly held Murari’s hand and bowed before him.
Smiling, Murari Gupta said, “Your son Viswambhar
is the master of the master of all the demigods.
In the future, the boy that you are raising will reveal
his true identity to you. You are the most fortunate
parents in the world. Take care of him and protect
him. Remember my words, your Viswambhar is
actually the Supreme Lord.” After saying this, Murari
quickly left the house of Jagannath Mishra.

His heart bursting with bliss, Murari went to visit Adwaita
Acharya, the universal teacher and reservoir of bhakti.
Falling at his feet, Murari said, “You
are the greatest devotee. You are a wish-fulfilling tree
that can fulfill all desires. I just saw a most wonderful
boy in the home of Jagannath Mishra. His name is
Nimai Pandit Viswambhar. He is totally transcendental
to this material world. Yet, he plays happily with his
friends just like an ordinary boy.”
Upon hearing this, Adwaita Acharya, the jewel
among the brahmins, made a great roaring sound,
while on every limb of his body his hairs stood erect.
Adwaita said, “Murari, listen! This is a great secret.
Nimai Pandit is the Supreme Lord, the reservoir of all
rasas and the embodiment of transcendental beauty.”
Then Adwaita Acharya and Murari Gupta joyfully
embraced and forgot everything.