Dutt, Romesh Chunder: The literature of Bengal: being an attempt to trace the progress of the national mind in its various aspects, as reflected in the nation’s literature from the earliest times to the present day ; with copious extracts from the best writers (Calcutta, 1877)

CHAITANYA. 73
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all classes were struck with the zeal and piety of the
new sect; many joined it, and people of all castes and
denominations were welcomed to seek salvation through
faith in Krishna. .

In the meanwhile, the rise of this sect raised violent
opposition in,many quarters. The Hindus looked with
distrust and fear on a religion which ignored all rites and
distinctions of caste', while the Muhammadan Kazi of the
town ordered all Sankirtans to be forthwith stopped.
Chaitanya, however, boldly met the Kazi, and the result
of the interview ( we are assured ) was, that the Kazi
himself pronounced the holy name of Krishna and was
saved. Many miracles are ascribed to Chaitanya about
this period; but we pass them by.

Thus passed the first twenty-'four years of the life of
Chaitanya; and now he felt within him a powerful call
#to proclaim the light that was in him through the length
and breadth of India. It was the small stili*voice which he
could not resist, it was the call of duty, and could not
be silenced by the entreaties of friends or the tears of a
mothei". In vain did »Sachi attempt with many tears to
dissuade her only friend on earth from leaving her a for-
lorn helpless widow ; in vain did even the devout follow-
ers of Chaitanya persuade him not to leave his native
town. Chaitanya's heart was fixed and unmoved; early
in. 1509 A. D. (January or February) he became a
Sanyasi, and left his native town never to return again.
During the remaining twenty-four years of his life he
wandered, as the apostle of Vaishnavism, and preached
the faith of Krishna from the banks of the Cavery to