Volume 3 - Prabhupada Books

54 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Madhya-lila, Ch. 7
TRANSLATION
Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not manifest His spiritual potencies at
Navadvipa, but He did manifest them in South India and liberated all the
people there.
PURPORT
At that time there were many smartas (nondevotee followers of Vedic rituals) at
the holy place of NavadvTpa, which was also the birthplace of Lord SrT Caitanya
Mahiiprabhu. Followers of the smrti-sastra are called smartas. Most of them are
nondevotees, and their main business is following strictly the brahminical prin­
ciples. However, they are not enlightened in devotional service. In NavadvTpa all
the learned scholars are followers of the smrti-sastra, and Lord Caitanya
Mahiiprabhu did not attempt to convert them. Therefore the author has remarked
that the spiritual potency Lord SrT Caitanya Mahiiprabhu did not manifest at
Navadvipa was by His grace manifest in South India. Thus everyone there became
a Vai�r;�ava. By this it is to be understood that people are really interested in
preaching in a favorable situation. If the candidates for conversion are too disturb­
ing, a preacher may not attempt to spread Kr�r;�a consciousness amongst them. It
is better to go where the situation is more favorable. This Kr�r;�a consciousness
movement was first attempted in India, but the people of India, being absorbed in
political thoughts, did not take to it. They were entranced by the political leaders.
We preferred, therefore, to come to the West, following the order of our spiritual
master, and by the grace of Lord Caitanya Mahiiprabhu this movement is becom­
ing successful.
TEXT 110
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