JAPA TIME — Lord Caitanya meets Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya

Pramāṇa (Śāstra reference)

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 6.120–124 states that Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya affectionately began instructing Lord Caitanya in Vedānta philosophy. Mahāprabhu respectfully accepted his proposal and listened silently for seven continuous days. On the eighth day, Sārvabhauma asked why the Lord had expressed neither approval nor objection.

Saṅkṣepa (short meaning)

In Jagannātha Purī, the learned Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya cares for the young sannyāsī and proposes that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu regularly hear the Vedānta-sūtra. The Lord answers humbly and accepts his instruction. For seven days Mahāprabhu sits before the Bhaṭṭācārya and listens attentively without speaking. His silence leads Sārvabhauma to ask a question on the eighth day, opening their profound discussion of Vedānta.

Śāstra-pramāṇa (key points from the text)

Sārvabhauma begins the explanation

The Bhaṭṭācārya begins instructing the Lord in Vedānta philosophy with affection and concern (6.120).
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 6.120)

Advice for the young sannyāsī

Sārvabhauma says that hearing Vedānta is an important duty of a sannyāsī (6.121).
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 6.121)

The Lord's humble reply

Mahāprabhu receives the elder scholar's words as mercy and agrees to hear him (6.122).
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 6.122)

Seven days of attentive hearing

The Lord sits and listens for seven days without calling the explanation right or wrong (6.123).
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 6.123)

A question on the eighth day

Puzzled by Mahāprabhu's silence, Sārvabhauma asks Him about the seven days of hearing (6.124).
(Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 6.124)

Tattva (essential teaching) — with śāstra

Hearing calls for attention

Mahāprabhu outwardly demonstrates calm, continuous hearing without turning the exchange into a hasty argument (6.123).

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 6.123

Humility does not cancel truth

The Lord respectfully accepts Sārvabhauma's concern; the later discussion reveals scripture's meaning without disrespecting the speaker (6.122).

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 6.122

Knowledge should lead to bhakti

This meeting begins the great scholar's liberation and his turn toward devotional service (context of Madhya 6).

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 6.120

Mercy works through association

Contact with Mahāprabhu gradually transforms Sārvabhauma's heart while preserving the seriousness of śāstric dialogue.

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 6.124

Sevā today (practice for this day)

1. Hear without arguing inwardly

During japa and reading, first hear the Holy Name or passage fully before moving to your own conclusions.

2. Join knowledge with service

Choose one truth heard today and embody it in one concrete, kind act of service.

3. Read the five verses

Read Cc. Madhya 6.120–124 in order and open the exact source beneath each key point.

For seven days Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu simply sat and attentively heard the explanation of Vedānta.

— Brief paraphrase of Cc. Madhya 6.123

How to use this darśanam page

View the image, read the narration and śāstra-pramāṇa, contemplate the tattva, and complete the practice through seva. Follow the sequence: darśana → śravaṇa → manana → seva.