Page:Chaitanya and His Age.djvu/323

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Sanatan, as a scholar
287

fit to hold the torch of brotherhood and social reformation. Hence if any one came from Bengal and complained to him against Nityananda's conduct in mixing with low-class men and receiving presents from them, Chaitanya spoke with firmness in the following way "Even if I were to hear that Nityananda was a drunkard and had great moral vices, I should not lose faith in him. I know the metal he is made of."

Thus we see that he was behind the great machinery of social reformation set on foot, guided and controlled by him at every stage of the advancement of the cause of Vaishnavism in this great province. Do these acts look like those of one lacking in sanity and poise and could such results be ever achieved by one of such description?

According to the unanimous opinion of Vaishnava scholars Sanatan was the most learned amongst them in Hindu Jurisprudence. Chaitanya had once told Ram Ray about Sanatan, "Where will you find another scholar in the whole world as learned as Sanatan?[1]" This man who had renounced his high status in life and vast fortune and turned a Vaishnava ascetic was appointed by Chaitanya to write an elaborate work of jurisprudence by which the new Vaishnava community, founded by him, was to be


  1. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Antya I, verse 114.