85. Damanaka in the Gaudiya Vaishnava literature

Damanaka in the Gaudiya Vaishnava literature:

In Gaudiya Vaishnava literature, there are a number of references to damanaka. Srila Prabodhananda Saraswati in his Sri Caitanya-candamrta (7.69) glorifies Lord Gaurasundar as follows:

uddama-damanaka-dama ganabhiramam 
arama-ramam avirama-grhita-nama
karunya-dhama kanakojjvala-gaura-dhama
caitanya-nāma paramam kalayami dhama

"That self-willed, impetuous soul is decorated with garland of fragrant damanaka blossoms, He is the source of absolute bliss and causeless mercy for the common people. Immersed in happiness, He incessantly chants the holy names of Krishna in a solitary garden. I meditate on the radiant, golden abode of Gaura, the treasure chest of compassion, Sri Chaitanya, the foremost shelter for all."

Kavi Karnapura gives a similar description of Mahaprabhu being decorated with damanaka (Sri Caitanya-candrodaya 8.63):

kanaka-parigha-dirgha-dirgha-bahuh sphutatara-kancana-ketaki-dalabha nava-damanaka-malya-lalyamana- dyutir 
ati-caru-gatih samujjihite

"His arms like long golden clubs, His complexion like glistening golden ketaki flowers, and His transcendental form splendidly decorated with a fresh damanaka garland, gracefully walking Sri Krishna Chaitanya has now appeared before me."



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