Real Duḥkha

Mahāprabhu was feeling acute pangs of separation from Haridāsa. He was crying again and again, because that is the real duḥkha, distress. It is very acute distress. When Mahāprabhu asked Rāmānanda Rāya the question, “Duḥkha-madhye kona duḥkha haya gurutara – what type of distress is most severe?” what was the answer that Rāya Rāmānanda gave? He answered, “Kṛṣṇa-bhakta-viraha vinā duḥkha nāhi dekhi para’ – when a kṛṣṇa-bhakta departs, that is the most acute distress.” Therefore Mahāprabhu cried, because He was feeling such acute pangs of separation from Haridāsa Ṭhākura. (Excerpt from Icchā-Mṛtyu – Simply by His Will a Pure Devotee Leaves)

Icchā-Mṛtyu

Simply by His Will a Pure Devotee Leaves

With great humility Haridāsa said, ‘O my Lord, I have one prayer. I have the desire to catch hold of Your two lotus feet, and place them on my heart. While looking at your lotus-like face and while uttering the name ‘Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya’ I want to pass away, leave this body and leave this planet. This is my desire.’ He expressed this desire to Mahāprabhu, ‘Because after You have passed away it will be very, very difficult for me to survive.’ He understood that Mahāprabhu was very soon going to pass away. Therefore he developed that desire. Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord, He fulfils whatever a pure devotee desires, and therefore he is known as bhakta-vāñchā-kalpataru, a desire-fulfilling tree. Thus Haridāsa Ṭhākura’s desire was granted. It was granted the very next day.”