Chand Kazi: When Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was in Mayapur, Chand Kazi was the Chief Magistrate of Navadvipa. It is described in Sri Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, when Lord Nityananda Prabhu while taking Jiva Gosvami on Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama, entered Chand Kazi’s Village, Lord said, "O Jiva, hear My words. The Chand Kazi's village is none other than Mathura. After performing kirtana, Gauranga gave love of God to the Kazi and liberated him. Mathura's King Kamsa of Krishna-lila became Chand Kazi in Gaura-lila. For that reason Gauranga addressed the Kazi as His maternal uncle, and out of fear the Kazi took shelter of Gauranga's lotus feet. Under orders from Hussain Shah, who was the king of the Bengal empire, the Kazi caused disturbance during kirtana performance by breaking the mrdangas. The Lord, appearing in the form of Nrsimhadeva put fear in the Kazi's heart. Like Kamsa, the Kazi cowered in fear. Sri Caitanya, however, gave him prema and thus made the Kazi a great devotee. The very fortunate hear this story of the Kazi's liberation.”
"Just see the difference between Vraja-tattva and Navadvipa-tattva. Those who offend Krishna are liberated by merging into the Lord's effulgence, whereas in Navadvipa the offenders receive the treasure of love of God. Therefore, Lord Gauranga's pastimes are considered the highest. Gauranga's abode, name, form, and qualities do not consider offense; rather, they expertly deliver one from any offense. If the devotee has some offense in his heart, then Krishna's name and abode will deliver him only after a long time. But Gauranga's name and abode immediately bestow prema on the devotee, for offenses create no obstacle and are easily overcome. O Jiva, see the Kazi's samadhi. By seeing this samadhi the living entities' old age and disease are vanquished."
“Khol Banga Danga” the place where mrdanga was broken by Chand Kazi at Srivasa Pandita’s house to stop Harinam Sankirtana
Lord Caitanya started His sankirtana movement and preached to all the citizens of Navadvipa to chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. In each and every home devotees began performing sankirtana regularly. When the sankirtana movement thus started, no one in Navadvipa could hear any other sound except the words "Hari! Hari!". Hearing the continuous chanting of the Hare Krishna, the local Muslims became very disturbed and submitted a formal complaint to the Chand Kazi, who was the Chief Magistrate of Navadvipa.
Drama: Chand Kazi’s soldiers beating the devotees performing Harinama Sankirtana
Chand Kazi was a devout and strict Muslim who was well versed in the Koran. As the Chief Magistrate, he kept law and order for the king Hussein Shah. He was a tyrannical ruler and the Hindus were oppressed in their religious practices. Angry that devotees were not obeying his order forbidding chanting of the Holy names during the kirtana, Chand Kazi went with two boats of soldiers to Srivasa Pandita's house to personally enforce his ordinance.
When Chand Kazi saw kirtana going on, he broke the mrdanga drum. He spoke as follows: "For so long you all did not follow the regulative principles of the Hindu religion, but now you are following them with great enthusiasm. May I know by whose strength you are doing so?" He then threatened, "No one should perform sankirtana on the streets of the city. Today I am excusing the offense and returning home. The next time I see someone performing such sankirtana, I shall certainly chastise him by not only confiscating all his property but also converting him into a Muslim."
Entrance to Chand Kazi’s Samadhi at Simantadvipa in Navadvipa Dhama. “O Near that place (Simantadvipa, where Paravati had darshana of Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu) is the city of Mathura, where in the age of Kali, Kamsa took birth in a yavana family.” (Navadvipa-dhama-mahatmya, Pramana-khanda 4.34). The place of the Kazi is compared to the city of Mathura. Here Gauranga Mahaprabhu delivered Chand Kazi by giving him the jewel of Krishna.
The devotees were greatly shocked that they were forbidden to chant Hare Krishna. They went to the Lord Caitanya and reported to Him, “We have stopped our kirtana out of fear for the Kazi, whose men in hundreds search the streets and houses. We will have to leave Navadvipa and settle elsewhere, we have come to tell You this.” When Lord Caitanya heard that someone was trying to stop the Sankirtana movement He became infuriated, He looked awesome, almost like Lord Siva at the time of the cosmic annihilation. He roared loudly like the rumbling of thunder and the devotees afraid of this sudden change in the Lord held their ears as if begging forgiveness from the Lord for a mistake they had not committed.
Champaka Tree at Chand Kazi’s Samadhi. This tree witnessed this pastime with the Lord. Even though truck of this tree is hallow, it is still in full bloom and gives champaka flowers all year round, even when it is not flowering season.
The Lord said, “Nityananda! Be prepared, go immediately to all the Vaishnavas, and assemble them on the streets. I shall bring out a kirtana party and take it all over Navadvipa. I will see what anyone can do to Me. You will see how I burn the Kazi's house down. Today I shall shower incessant rains of love of Godhead on everyone. Today the atheist's will face the final hour. So do not waste a moment My brothers go and deliver this message to everyone. Tell them that if they are desirous of seeing Krishna's mystic potency in action then let them bring a flaming torch with them. I will smash the Kazi's palace and I will do kirtana all along. The entire creation is full of My devotees and when I am present here then what is there to fear! Go and put a stop to your anguish! Come and assemble in the afternoon after lunch.”
Transcendentalists discussing Lord Caitanya and Chand Kazi’s pastimes during annual Navadvipa-Mandala Parikrama
The devotees dispersed right away, each going his way in great anticipation not caring about eating or anything. Excited talks filled every home that, “Nimai Pandita will take out a Sankirtana and dance in the streets of Navadvipa.” For the many thousands who were lamenting for so long that they could not see Nimai Pandita's dancing, this news was cause of great rejoicing. So everyone prepared their own torch. Huge barrels of oil were kept in readiness. Navadvipa in those days was very thickly populated. The constant flow of people with torches poured out of the houses onto the streets. The women, children, and old men were excited with great anticipation. Slowly the clusters of devotees moved towards Nimai Pandita 's house.
Drama performance of Lord Caitanya and Chand Kazi’s pastimes
When Lord Caitanya heard that all the Vaishnavas had assembled, He went to meet them and organize them in groups. Advaita Acarya was to head up a group, Haridasa Thakura was the leader of another group and was backed by a kirtana group. Another group was to be led by Srivasa Pandita. The Lord's eyes fell on Nityananda and immediately He said, “I will not leave Your side My Lord. My only duty is to always be near You. I can never leave Your lotus feet imbedded in My heart. What power do I possess to dance independently away from You. My devotional service to You is I am always with You.” When Lord Caitanya saw the streams of ecstasy flowing from Nityananda's eyes He embraced Him and kept Him near Him.
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