Today's Lila: Haridāsa Ṭhākura chants the Holy Name

Darśanam images on JAPA TIME are original devotional artistic renderings created to support remembrance of Krishna. They are inspired by śāstric descriptions and are not official BBT or ISKCON illustrations. If any senior Vaiṣṇava or responsible authority notices an inaccuracy, we will gratefully correct it.

Pramāṇa (Śāstra reference)

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Antya 3.99 says that Haridāsa Ṭhākura stayed for some time in the forest of Benāpola after leaving home. Antya 3.100 describes the cottage he built, his service to tulasī and his chanting of 300,000 Holy Names day and night. Verse 3.101 says that he begged food from a brāhmaṇa's home for bodily maintenance and was respected by the people nearby. This scene is in Benāpola, not the later meeting of Haridāsa with Mahāprabhu in Jagannātha Purī.

Saṅkṣepa (short meaning)

After leaving home, Haridāsa Ṭhākura stays in the secluded forest of Benāpola. He plants tulasī before a simple cottage and, while serving her, chants the Holy Name throughout the day and night. His life centers on nāma-saṅkīrtana rather than comfort or reputation. The illustration shows this quiet practice described in Antya 3.99–100.

Śāstra-pramāṇa (key points from the text)

Seclusion in Benāpola

After leaving home, Haridāsa stays for some time in the forest of Benāpola (Antya 3.99).
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya 3.99)

A simple cottage

He builds a modest dwelling for his practice in a secluded forest (3.100).
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya 3.100)

Serving tulasī

Haridāsa plants tulasī before the cottage and serves her (3.100).
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya 3.100)

Constant chanting

He chants the Holy Name day and night; the text names 300,000 Names daily (3.100).
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya 3.100)

Simple maintenance

For bodily maintenance he accepts alms at a brāhmaṇa's home (3.101).
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya 3.101)

Tattva (essential teaching) — with śāstra

The Holy Name at the center

Haridāsa devotes his time to nāma-saṅkīrtana while living simply (3.100).

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya 3.100

Service to tulasī

His chanting takes place before the tulasī plant that he serves (3.100).

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya 3.100

Faithfulness, not imitation

The purport to 3.100 warns against imitating his extraordinary count; the lesson is to follow one's practice faithfully.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya 3.100

Humility without display

Haridāsa maintains his body with simple food and continues his service (3.101).

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya 3.101

Sevā today (practice for this day)

1. Hear the Name

During today's japa, calmly listen to each Holy Name you pronounce.

2. Honor tulasī

Offer your respects to tulasī and, if possible, serve her without haste.

3. Read the source

Open Cc. Antya 3.99–101 in the JAPA TIME scripture library, especially verse 3.100.

Before tulasī, Haridāsa Ṭhākura chanted the Holy Name day and night.

— Brief paraphrase of Cc. Antya 3.100

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