praphulla-kamala jini' nayana-yugala
nÄ«lamaṇi-darpaṇa-kÄnti gaṇá¸a jhalamala

 praphulla-kamala - blossoming lotus flower; jini' - conquering; nayana-yugala - two eyes; nÄ«lamaṇi - sapphire; darpaṇa - mirror; kÄnti - luster; gaṇá¸a - neck; jhalamala - bright.


Text

The eyes of Lord JagannÄtha conquered the beauty of blossoming lotus flowers, and His neck was as lustrous as a mirror made of sapphires.

Purport

Lord ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu usually saw Lord JagannÄtha from a distance, standing behind the column of Garuá¸a. But because he had not seen Lord JagannÄtha for fifteen days, Caitanya MahÄprabhu felt great separation from Him. In great eagerness, Caitanya MahÄprabhu crossed the meeting hall and entered the room where food was offered, just to see the face of Lord JagannÄtha. In verse 210, this action is called maryÄdÄ-laá¹…ghana, a violation of the regulative principles. This indicates that one should not come very near a superior. Both the Lord’s Deity form and the spiritual master should be seen from a distant place. This is called maryÄdÄ. Otherwise, as it is said, familiarity breeds contempt. Sometimes coming too near the Deity or the spiritual master degrades the neophyte devotee. Personal servants of the Deity and the spiritual master should therefore always be very careful, for negligence may overcome them in their duty.

Lord ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu’s eyes have been compared to thirsty bumblebees, and ÅšrÄ« JagannÄtha’s eyes have been compared to blossoming lotus flowers. The author has made these comparisons in order to describe Lord ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu while the Lord was deeply absorbed in ecstatic love for Lord JagannÄtha.