Thus did the faithful beguile some days in the Acharya's house in great bliss. At last the Master told them, "Go you all to your own homes; there make Krishna's _sankirtan_. We shall meet again; sometimes you will go to Puri, at others I shall come to you at the Bathing in the Ganges." Goswámi Nityánanda, Pandit Jagadananda, Pandit Damodar, and Mukunda Datta, these four[2] were sent by the Acharya to bear the Master company. Comforting His mother, He bowed at her feet, walked round her, and then set off. The cry of lamentation rose in the Acharya's house, but the Master quickened His pace, heedless of it. Adwaita followed Him some distance weeping, when He turned back with clasped hands, solaced him, and spoke these gentle words, "You should comfort my mother and look after the congregation, for if you give way to grief they will all die!" Embracing He turned Adwaita back, and passed on freely. To the bank of the Ganges He went with the four, and then to Puri by way of Chhatrabhog.[3] [_Madhya Lilá_, text, canto 3.] [1] From the Brahman mendicant's speech reported in the _Shrimad Bhágabat_, XI. xxiii. verse 53. [2] The _Chaitanya Bhágabat_ mentions two others, Govinda and Gadadhar, (III. 2). [3] _Chhatrabhog_. A village where the Ganges divides into innumerable branches before falling into the sea. It is famous for its submerged Shiva styled _Ambu-linga_. [Illustration] CHAPTER II. The Miracles of Madhav Puri So the Master went to the Niláchal, with His four companions, absorbed in the _kirtan_ (singing) of Krishna. One day He entered a village and brought back a large quantity of rice by personally begging for alms. On the way the ferrymen did not refuse Him a crossing. He blessed them and came to Remuna, [1] where He devoutly visited the charming image of Gopinath. As He bowed down at the feet of the image, the bunch of flowers on its crown dropped upon His head. At this Master rejoiced and danced and sang long with the faithful. The attendants of Gopinath marvelled at His power, ardour, beauty, and accomplishments, and served Him in many ways. There He passed the night, in desire of the _kshir prasád_ (condensed milk) of which He had heard from Ishwar Puri before. The god was known as the _Gopinath who stole the kshir_, because, as the devotees told the tale, he had once stolen _kshir_ for Madhav Puri.