So these yogīs, or the sannyāsīs, they were traveling all over the world or all over the country or all over the province . . . their business is traveling. But during rainy season, because it is very difficult . . . formerly, there was no aeroplane. Or might be, but they were not traveling, walking. So for these four months, rainy season, they used to take shelter at a nice place in a pilgrimage and wait. Until the rainy season is finished, they would not go out. That is called cāturmāsya. This is the meaning of cāturmāsya. So Nārada Muni got this opportunity. Now, you can calculate. This is knowledge. Then he had the opportunity to serve these yogīs for four months only—not more than that—and he became Nārada. Just understand how much powerful is service to the Vaiṣṇava, devotees. And that is also confirmed in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam:
- kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā
- ābhīra-śumbhā yavanāḥ khasādayaḥ
- ye 'nye ca pāpā yad-apāśrayāśrayāḥ
- śudhyanti . . .
- (SB 2.4.18)
Yad-apāśrayāśrayāḥ means if anyone takes the shelter of the devotee, apāśrayāśrayāḥ . . . a devotee takes the shelter of Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet, and if somebody else takes the shelter of the lotus feet of the devotee—śudhyanti, becomes purified. This is our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
And who becomes purified? Kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā ābhīra-śumbhā ya . . . all the people who are less than the śūdras. They are called pañcamas, fifth grade. First grade, brāhmaṇa; second grade, kṣatriya; third grade, vaiśya; fourth grade, śūdra; and all others—fifth grade. They are called caṇḍālas. The caṇḍālas: the sweeper, the cobbler, and the . . . low grade. Still, in India, these fifth-grade persons only, they eat meat—pigs, and sometimes cows. Fifth grade. Now it has become a practice, and he's a first-grade man. So just see. What was the business of the fifth-grade men, that has become the business of the so-called politicians. You see? So if you are ruled by the fifth-grade men, then how you can be happy? That is not possible. How there can be any social tranquillity? That is not possible. But even the fifth-grade man, he can be purified by Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Therefore there is great need of this movement. Because at the present moment there is no first-class men, no first-grade men, no second-grade men. Maybe third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, like that. But they can be purified. That is . . . the only process is this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Anyone can be purified. Māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ (BG 9.32). They are called pāpa-yoni, born in low-grade, sinful family. Pāpa-yoni. Kṛṣṇa says, ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ. "Never mind what kind of pāpa-yoni," māṁ hi pārtha vyapā . . . "If he takes shelter of Me, then . . ." That shelter can be taken because Kṛṣṇa's representative is canvassing.
So there is no scarcity. Simply one has to take shelter of him. That's all. Just like Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission is to create this canvasser: "Go everywhere." Āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra' ei deśa (CC Madhya 7.128). "Go." He used to send Nityānanda Prabhu, Haridāsa Ṭhākura and . . . to canvass, "Please chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Please chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Please surrender to Kṛṣṇa." Also, there was a crowd on the street. Nityānanda Prabhu and Haridāsa Ṭhākura saw, and they asked, "What is this crowd?" "No, there are two brothers, Jagāi and Mādhāi, very troublesome. They are drunkards, woman-hunters and meat-eaters, and they are . . . create always trouble." So Nityānanda Prabhu immediately decided, "Why not deliver these person first? Then My Lord's name will be glorified. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's name will be glorified." This is the business of the disciple, how to glorify the spiritual master, paramparā. I glorify my spiritual master, you glorify your spiritual master. If we simply do that, glorify, then Kṛṣṇa is glorified. That was the decision of Nityānanda Prabhu, that "Why not deliver these fallen souls first?" Because Caitanya Mahāprabhu's incarnation is to deliver the fallen souls. And in . . . and there is no scarcity of fallen souls in this age.
- patita-pāvana-hetu tava avatāra,
- mo sama patita prabhu nā pāibe āra
Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura is placing himself to the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu that, "My dear Lord, Your incarnation is to reclaim all these fallen souls. But I am the lowest of the fallen souls, so my claim is first. Kindly deliver me." Mo sama patita prabhu nā pāibe āra. "You are . . . your determination is to deliver the fallen. So I am the first-class fallen. Please accept me."