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The evidence of Sruti in connection with Sriman Mahaprabhu
4. 1
mahan-prabhur vai purusam sattvasyesu pravarttakam
surnimalam imam santisano jyotiravyam
The Personality of Godhead [Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu] is
brilliantly effulgence [like molten gold], and he is
imperishable. He is the Supreme Controller. He controls the
mode of goodness and [through the performance of sankirtana]
he bestows upon the living beings [the] spiritual
intelligence [by which they can understand devotional
service]. [In his acarya-lila, as a sannyasi] He is the
source of spiritual purity and of liberation. He is therefore
known as "Mahaprabhu." (Svetasvatara Upanisad 2.12)
The Sruti establishes that The Supreme Lord
will appear in a golden form as Sri Gauranga
4. 2
yada pasyam pasyate rukma-varnam kartaram isam purusam
brahma-yonim
tada vidyan punya-pape vidhuya nira-janam pramam samyam
upaiti
When one realizes the golden form of that Lord [Sri Gauranga]
who is the ultimate actor and the source of the Supreme
Brahman, he attains the highest knowledge, transcends both
pious and impious activities, becomes free from wordly
bondage and gains entrance into the divine abode of the Lord.
(Mundaka Upanisad 3.3)
The evidence of Srimad-Bhagavatam
4. 3
krsna-varnam tvisa-'krsnam sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaim sankirtana-prayair-yajanti hi sumedhasam
In the age of Kali, Krsna appears in a golden form, [as Sri
Gauranga] chanting the two syllables krsna. He descends along
with his weapons [The holy name of Krsna, Srimad-Bhagavatam,
kirtana, and mahaprasada ], His limbs [His expansions and
avataras such as Nityananda, Advaita, and His divine energies
(saktis) such as Gadadhara, Svarupa Damodara, and Ramananda
Raya ], and eternal confidential associates [like Srivasa
hakura, Haridasa hakura, and other devotees]. Those who are
advanced in transcendental intelligence worship Him by
performing sankirtana. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.32)
4. 4
"krsna" - ei dui varna sada ya-'ra mukhe
athava krsnake ti-ho varne nija sukhe
dehakantye haya ti-ho akrsna-varana
"akrsna" - varane kahe pita-varana
The two syllables "krsna" are always in His mouth, or He
always describes Krsna with great pleasure. These are two
meanings of the words "krsna-varna." Indeed, nothing but
Krsna issues from His mouth. If someone tries to describe Him
as being of blackish complexion, the next adjective,
"tvisakrsnam" immediately restricts him. His complexion is
certainly not blackish. Indeed, His not being blackish
indicates that his complexion is golden. (Caitanya
Caritamrta-Adi 3.53,56)
4. 5
asan varnastrayo'hyasya grhnato'nuyugam tanum
suklo-raktas-tatha-pita idanim krsnatam gatam
This boy, Krsna, has three other colors: white, red, and
yellow, as he appears in different ages. Now, in this
Dvapara-yuga, he has appeared in a transcendental blackish
color. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.13)
4. 6
sukla, rakta, krsna, pita - krame cari varna
cari varna dhari' "krsna" karena yugadharma
In the four ages, (yugas) Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali,
Krsna accepts four different colors: white, red, black, and
yellow respectively. These are the colors of the different
incarnations of Krsna in different milleniums. (Caitanya
Caritamrta Madhya 20.330)
4. 7
itham nr-tiryag-rsi-deva-jhasavataraair
lokan vibhavayasi hamsi jagat-pratipan
dharmam mahapurusa pasi yuganuvrttam
channam kalau yad-abhavas tri-yugo 'tha sa tvam
[Prahlada said] O Krsna! In this way you appear in various
incarnations: as a human being, an animal, a great saint, a
demigod, a fish, or a tortoise. Thus maintaining the entire
creation in different planetary systems. In this way,
according to the age,You protect the principles of religion.
But O, Mahaprabhu! In the age of Kali, [when you come to
preach the holy name of Krsna, you do so as a devotee and
therefore] You do not assert Yourself as the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. Because your Godhood is hidden in the
age of Kali You therefore known as Triyuga, or the Lord who
manifests his Supremacy in only three ages. [And for this
reason many sastras have also kept your appearance in
Kaliyuga a secret.] (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.38)
The evidence of Mahabharata
4. 8
suvarna-varna hemango varangas-candanangadi
sannyasa-krcchamam santo nistha-santi-parayanam
[The following explanation of this verse is given by Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswat and is based on the commentary by
Baladeva Vidyabhusana on the Visnu-sahasra-nama-stotram found
in Mahabharata. These remarks are mentioned by A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami in his translation of Srila
Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati hakura's anubhasya commentary on
Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 3.49 - 52)] When the Supreme
Personality of Godhead Krsna appears as Sri Gauranga, in his
early pastimes His complexion is gold (suvarna-varna ), his
limbs are are the color of molten white gold (hemanga), his
body is extremely beautiful (varangas), and he is decorated
with sandalwood pulp (candanangadi). [These four are the
symptoms of His grhastha-lila.] Another meaning of the
description of the Lord as having a golden hue is that Lord
Caitanya's personality is as fascinating as gold is
attractive.
Sri Caitanya accepts the sannyasa order of life
(sannyasa-krt), and shows equanimity (sama) in different
ways: by describing the mysteries of devotion to Sri Krsna,
and by satisfying everyone by knowledge and attachment to
Krsna. (santa). He is peaceful because he renounces all
topics not related to the service of Krsna. His mind is
always fixed on Krsna, and thus He is fixed (nistha ) in
performing the great sacrifice of the holy name of Krsna. He
silences the nondevotees and impersonalists who are opposed
to the service of the Lord, by promoting the cause of
devotion. Thus he distributes real peace. He is therefore an
abode of the highest spiritual peace and devotion
(mahabhava-parayana).(Mahabharata, Tadanadharma 149)
The evidence of the Puranas
4. 9
aham eva kvacid brahman sannyasnasramamnasritam
hari-bhaktim grahayami kalau papa-hatan-naran
[The Supreme Lord said to Sri Vyasadeva] O learned brahmanas,
sometimes I accept the renounced order of life to induce the
fallen people of the age of Kali to accept devotional service
to the Lord. (Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 3.81)
4. 10
aham eva dvija-srestha nityam pracchana-vigraham
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena lokan raksami sarvada
O best of the brahmanas! My disguised form is eternal. In
this way, with my own form hidden from ordinary sight, I take
the form of a devotee and appear among the people in general
in order to establish and protect religious principles. (Adi
Purana )
The version of the Goswamis
4. 11
antam krsnam bahir-gauram darsitangadi-vaibhavam
kalau sankirtanadyaim smam krsna-caitanyamnasritam
I take shelter of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna
Himself, thinking of Himself. He is internally Krsna -
blackish - but externally, he appears with the golden
complexion [of Sri Radha]. In this age of Kali, Krsna appears
as Krsna Caitanya, simultaneously manifesting His eternal
associates, opulences, expansions, and incarnations. In this
way, he preaches the process of Krsna consciousness by
performing sankirtana. (Tattva-Sandarbha 2)
Sri Gauranga is the fountainhead of all avataras
4. 12
sutiya acchinu ksira-sagara-bhitare
mora nidra bhanileka nadara hunkare
[While sitting on the altar of Visnu in the house of Srivasa,
Sri Caitanya Maharabhu said] Lying within ocean of milk, My
transcendental slumber broke, as I awoke to hear the loud
cries of my devotees. Thus I [Lord Visnu] have come [as Sri
Caitanya]. (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya 22.16)
4. 13
sei krsna avatari vrajendra-kumara
apane caitanya-rupe kaila avatara
ata eva caitanya gosa-i paratattva sima
ta-re ksirodasayi kahi ki ta-ra mahima
sei ta bhaktera vakya nahe vyabhicari
sakala sambhave ta-'te ya-'te avatari
avatarira dehe saba avatarera sthiti
keho kona mata kahe yemama ya'ra mati
That same Lord Sri Krsna who is the fountainhead of all
avataras is the son of the king of Vraja. He has descended
personally as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore Sri Caitanya
Maharabhu is the supreme absolute truth. To call Him
Ksirodaksayi Visnu does not add to His glory. But such words
from the lips of a sincere devotee cannot be false. All
possibilities abide in Him because He is the primeval Lord.
All other incarnations are potentially situated in the
original body of the primeval Lord. Thus according to one's
opinion one may address Him as any one of the avataras.
(Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 2.109-112)
He is transcendental truth: he cannot be attained by wordly
knowledge
4. 14
bhagavata-bharata-sastra agama purana
caitanya krsna-avatara prakata pramana
pratyakse dekhaha nana prakata prabhava
alaukika karma, alaukika anubhava
dekhiya na dekhe yata abhaktera gana
uluke na dekhe yena suryera kirana
Srimad-Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, the Puranas, and other Vedic
literatures all give evidence to prove that Sri Caitanya is
the avatara or descent of Krsna Himself. One can also
directly see Sri Caitanya's manifest influence in His
uncommon deeds and uncommon Krsna conscious realization. But
faithless unbelievers do not see what is clearly evident,
just as owls do not see the rays of the sun. (Caitanya
Caritamrta-Adi 3.83 - 85)
Sri Krsna Caitanya Tattva: the Lord's sixfold nature
4. 15
sakala vaisnava suna kari' ekamana
caitanya-krsnera sastre yemata nirupana
krsna, gurudvaya, bhakta, avatara prakasa
sakti - ei chayarupe karena vilasa
I advise all my Vaisnava readers to read and hear with rapt
attention this narration of the pastimes of Sri Krsna
Caitanya as inculcated in the revealed scriptures. Lord Krsna
enjoys His pastimes by manifesting Himself (krsna) as the
spiritual masters (guru), His devotees (bhakta), His diverse
energies (sakti), His incarnations (avatara), and His full
expansions (prakasa). (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.31 - 32)
Sri Gauranga is the supreme truth
4. 16
yad advaitam brahmopanisadi tad-apy-asya tanubha
ya atmantaryami purusa iti so'syamsa-vibhavam
sad-aisvaryaim purno ya iha bhagavan sa svayam-ayam
na caitayanyat krsnaj-jagati paratattvam param iha
What the Upanisads describe as the impersonal absolute
(brahman) is but the effulgence of His (Sri Caitanya's) body.
The Lord who is known as the Supersoul (paramatma) is but his
localized expansion. He is the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, Krsna Himself, (bhagavan), full in six opulences. He
is the Absolute Truth, one without a second. There is no
truth superior to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Caitanya
Caritamrta-Adi 1.3)
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the jagad-guru
4. 17
caudda-bhuvanera guru caitanya gosa-i
ta-'ra guru anya, ei kona sastre nai
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the jagad-guru, the spiritual
master of the fourteen worlds. No other guru can compare with
Him. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 12.16)
Sri Gauranga is the best of all
4. 18
saundarye kama-kotim sakala-jana samahladane
candrakotir
vatsalye matrkotis tridasavitapinam kotir audarya-sare
gambhirye 'mbodhi-kotir madhurimani
sudha-ksira-madvhika-kotir
gaurodevam sa jiyat ya-rasapade
darsitascarya-kotim
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is lovelier than millions of cupids,
mellower than millions of moons, dearer than millions of
mothers, kinder than millions of wish-fulfilling trees,
deeper than millions of oceans, and sweeter than millions of
nectarine drinks. All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the
Supreme Lord who displays millions of amazing sentiments of
madhurya-bhakti, the most exalted mellow of pure love of
Godhead. (Caitanya-Candamrta 101)
Sri Gauranga's principle, name, form, qualities and
pastimes:
(tattva, nama, rupa,guna, lila)
4. 19
namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te
krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namam
His nature (tattva) is that He is Krsna Himself. His name
(nama) is "Krsna Caitanya." His form (rupa) is golden. His
quality (guna) is that He is the most magnanimous of all
Personalities of Godhead. His pastime (lila) is to distribute
the highest love of Godhead: krsna-prema. I offer my
obeisances unto that most generous Lord, Sri Krsna Caitanya
Mahaprabhu. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Madhya 19.53)
Sri Gauranga delivers everyone by distributing the holy name of Krsna
4. 20
sankirtana-pravartaka sri krsna caitanya
sanirtana-yaj-e ta-'re bhaje sei dhanya
sei ta' sumedha ara kubuddhi samsara
sarva-yajna haite krsna-nama sara
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu inaugurated the sankirtana movement.
One who worships Him through sankirtana is fortunate indeed.
Such a person is truly intelligent, whereas others, who have
but a poor fund of knowledge, must endure the cycle of
repeated birth and death. Of all sacrificial performances,
the chanting of the Lord's holy name is the most sublime.
(Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 3.76 - 77)
Sri Gauranga is the giver of Krsna-prema
4. 21
uchalila premavanya caudike vedaya
stri-vrddha-balaka-yuva sakali dubaya
sajjana, durjana, pangu, jata andhagana
premavanyaya dubaila jagatera jana
The flood of love of Godhead distributed by Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu swelled in all directions and thus, young men, old
men, women, and children were all immersed in that
inundation. The Krsna consciousness movement begun by Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu will inundate the entire world and drown
everyone, whether one be a gentleman or rogue, or even lame,
invalid, or blind. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 7.25,26)
4. 22
patrapatra-vicara nahi, nahi sthanasthana
yei ya-ha paya, ta-ha kare prema dana
lutiya khaiya diya bandara prema sataguna vade
In distributing love of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and
his associates did not consider who was fit and who was
unfit; nor where such distribution should or should not take
place. They may no such conditions. Rather, wherever they got
the opportunity, the members of the pa-ca-tattva distributed
love of Godhead. Although the members of the pa-ca-tattva
plundered the storehouse of love of Godhead and ate and
distributed its contents, there was no scarcity, for this
wonderful storehouse is so complete that as the love is
distributed, the supply increases hundreds of times.
(Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 7.23,24)
Who would cheat themselves out of love of godhead?
4. 23
mayavadi karma-nistha kutarkikagana
nindaka pasandi yata paduya adhama
sei saba mahadaksa dhaina palaila
sei vanya ta' sabare chuite narila
The impersonalists, fruitive workers, false logicians,
blasphemers, nondevotees, and lowest among the student
community are very expert in avoiding the Krsna consciousness
movement. Therefore the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in
the form of this Krsna consciousness movement, cannot reach
them. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 7.29,30)
By the mercy of Sri Gauranga one can know the proper conclusions of scripture.
4. 24
sri caitanya prabhum vande balo'pi yad-anugrahat
taren-nanamata-grahavyaptam siddhanta-sagaram
I offer my obeisances unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by whose
mercy even an ignorant child can swim across the ocean of
conclusive truth which is filled with the crocodiles of
various theories. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 2.1)
4. 25
hrdaye dharaye ye caitanya nityananda
ei saba siddhante sei pai be ananda
ei saba siddhanta haya amrera pallava
bhaktagana usthrera ithe nahaya pravesa
tabe citte haya mora ananda visesa
[Krsna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami says] Anyone who has captured
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu within his
heart will become blissful by hearing all these
transcendental conclusions. All these conclusions are like
the newly grown twigs of a mango tree: they are always
pleasing to the devotees, who in this way resemble cuckoo
birds. The camel-like nondevotees, however, cannot enter into
these topics, and therefore there is special jubilation
within my heart. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 4.233,235)
Sri Gauranga's preaching pastimes
4. 26
sannyasi panditaganera karite garvanasa
nica-sudra-dvara kare dharmera prakasa
bhakti-tattva prema kahe raye kari vakta
apani pradyumna-misra saha haya srota
haridasa-dvara nama-mahatmya-prakasa
sanatana-dvara bhaktisiddhanta-vilasa
sri rupa-dvara vrajer rasa-prema-lila
ke kahite pare gambhira caitanyera khela
To vanquish the false pride of so-called sannyasis and
learned scholars, he spread real religious principles, even
through a sudra, or lowborn person. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
preached about devotional service, ecstatic love, and the
absolute truth by making Ramananda Raya, a grhastha born in a
low family the speaker. Then Mahaprabhu Himself, the exalted
brahmana sannyasi, and Pradyumna Misra, the purified
brahmana, both became the hearers of Ramananda Raya. Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu exhibited the glories of the holy name of
the Lord through Haridasa hakura, who was born in a Muslim
family, and similarly He exhibited the essence of devotional
service through Sanatana Goswami, who had almost been
converted into a Muslim. The Lord also fully exhibited the
ecstatic love and transcendental pastimes of Vrndavana
through Srila Rupa Goswami. Considering all this, who can
understand the deep plans of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu?
(Caitanya Caritamrta-Antya 5.84 - 87)
4. 27
vraje ye vihare purve krsna-balarama
koti candra-surya jini' do-hara nija dhama
sei dui jagatere haiya sadaya
gaudades purva saile karila udaya
sri krsna caitanya ara prabhu nityananda
ya-hara prakase sarva jagata ananda
surya-candra hare yaicche saba andhakara
bastu prakasiya kare dharmera pracara
ei mata dui bhai jivera ajnana
tamonasa kari' kare vastu-tattva dana
suryacandra bahirera tamo se vinase
bahirvastu ghatapata adi se prakase
dui bhai hrdayera ksali' andhakara
dui bhagavata-sane karan saksatkara
Sri Krsna and Balarama, the Personalities of Godhead who
formerly appeared in Vrndavana and who were millions of times
more effulgent than the sun and moon have arisen over the
eastern horizon of Gauda-desa, being compassionate for the
fallen state of the world. The appearance of Sri Caitanya and
Nityananda has surcharged the world with happiness. As the
sun and moon drive away darkness by their apperance and
reveal the nature of everything, these two brothers dissipate
the darkness of the living beings' ignorance and enlighten
them with knowledge of the Absolute Truth.By the grace of Sri
Caitanya and Nityananda, all darkness is removed, and the
truth is brought to light. The sun and moon dissipate the
darkness of the external world and thus reveal material
reality. But these two brothers dissipate the darkness of the
inner core of the heart, and thus help one to meet the two
kinds of bhagavatas, [Srimad-Bhagavatam and the pure
devotee.] (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.85 - 99)
Sri Gauranga's example and precept
4. 28
hare-krsnetucchaim sphurita-rasano namaganana-
krta-granthi-sreni-subhaga-kati-sutrojjvala-karam
visalakso dirghargala-yugala-khela-cita-bhujam
sa caitanyam kim me punarapi drsoryasati padam
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chants the Hare Krsna mantra in a
loud voice. The holy name dances on his tongue as he counts
his number of recitations with His effulgent hands. His eyes
are large, and His long arms, which bend as He performs his
pastimes, reach down to His knees. When will he again become
visible before me? (Stava-mala verse 5 - Sri Rupa Goswami)
Sri Gauranga's principle and ultimate goals
4. 29
ei mata caitanya-krsna purna bhagavan
yuga-dharma-pravartana nahe ta-'ra kama
kona karane yabe haila avatare mana
yugadharma kala haila se kale milana
dui hetu avatari' laina bhaktagana
apane asvade prema-nama-sankirtana
sei dvare acandale kirtana-sa-care
ei mata bhakta-bhava kari' angikara
apani acari' bhakti karila pracara
[Just as Sri Krsna really appeared in order to manifest His
Vrndavana pastimes whereas his supression of demons was
incidental,] in the same way, for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
promulgating the dharma for the age is an incidental reason
for his appearance. When the Lord desired to appear for
another reason, the time for promulgating the religion of the
age also arose. Thus with two intentions, the Lord appeared
with His devotees and tasted the nectar of prema with the
congregational chanting of the holy name. Thus he spread
kirtana even among untouchables. He wove a wreath of the holy
name and prema with which he garlanded the entire world. In
this way, assuming the sentiment of a devotee, he preached
devotional service while practicing it Himself. (Caitanya
Caritamrta-Adi 4.37 - 41)
Sri Gauranga is like a lion
4. 30
caitanya-simhera nabadipe avatara
simha-griva simhaviraya simhera hunkara
sei simha vasuk jivera hrdaya-kandare
kalmasa-dviradanasa ya-jara hunkare
Thus the lionlike Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has appeared in
Nabadwipa-dhama. He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers
of a lion, and the loud voice of a lion. May that lion be
seated in the core of the heart of every living being. Thus
with His resounding roar, may he drive away one's elephantine
vices. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 3.30 - 31)
Sri Gauranga's external reasons for appearing
4. 31
anarpitacarim cirat karunayavatirnam kalau
samarpayitum-unnatojjvala-rasam sva-bhakti-sriyam
harim purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipitam
sada hrdaya-kandare sphuratu vam sacinandanam
May that Lord who is known as the son of Srimati Sacidevi be
transcendentally situated in the inner-most chambers of your
heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, he has
appeared in the age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow
what no incarnation ever offered before: the most sublime and
radiant spiritual knowledge of the mellow taste of his
service. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.4, Vidagdha-Madhava 1.2)
Sri Gauranga's ultimate and confidential reason for appearing
4. 32
sri radhayam ya-mahima kidrso vanayaiva-
svadyo yenadbhuta-madhurima kidrso va madiyam
saukhya-casya madanubhavatam kidrsam veti lobhat-
tad-bhavadyam samajani saci-garbha-sindhau harindum
Desiring to understand the glory of Srimati Raharani's love,
the wonderful qualities in Him that she alone relishes
through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She
realizes the sweetness of His love, The Supreme Lord Hari,
richly endowed with Her emotions, appears from the womb of
Srimati Sacidevi as the moon appears from the ocean.
(Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.6)
Internally he has the mood of Sri Radha, externally he preaches the holy name
4. 33
sei radha-bhava laina caitanya-avatara
yuga-dharma nama-prema kaila paracara
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared with the sentiments of Sri
Radha. He preached the dharma of this age, the chanting of
the holy name of Sri Krsna, and pure love of Godhead
(krsna-prema). (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 4.220)
The pastimes of Sri Gauranga are eternal
4. 34
adyapiha caitanya ei saba lila kare
ya'ra bhagye thake se dekhaye nirantare
As yet, no one can completely see the opulences of all the
pastimes performed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, because they
are without limit in time and space. They are unlimited and
eternal. (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya 23.513)
Materialistic and demonic persons are envious of Sri Gauranga
4. 35
purve yena jarasandha adi rajagana
veda-dharma kari' kare visnura pujana
krsna nahi mane ta'te daitya kari' mani
caitanya na manile taiche daitya ta're jani
hena krpamaya caitanya na bhaje yei jana
sarvottama haile ta're asure ganana
Formerly, even kings like Jarasandha strictly followed the
Vedic rituals, thus worshiping Lord Visnu. One who does not
accept Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead is
certainly a demon. Similarly, one who does not accept Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu as Krsna, the same Supreme Lord, is also
to be considered a demon. One who does not show respect unto
this merciful Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu or does not
worship Him should be considered a demon, even if that person
is very "exalted" in human society. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi
8.8,9,12)
Sri Gauranga in his acarya-lila is not the enjoyer of the rasa dance ("Gauranga-nagari")
4. 36
ei mata capalya karena saba sane
sabe strimara nadekhena drsthikone
"stri" hena naa prabhu ei avatare
sravane o na karila - vidita samsare
ata eva yata maha-mahima sakale
"gauranga nagara" hena staqva nahi bale
The Lord was apt to indulge in such indiscrimate merciful
behavior towards all, except that he never looked at a women,
even by a sidelong glance. During this avatara, it is known
to all the world that the Lord did not even allow the name of
a women to enter his ear. Therefore, those who are His real
devotees never address Sri Gauranga as "Gauranga-nagari" or
the enjoyer of women. Although all forms of praise are
applicable to the Lord, the wise sing only what is in
accordance with His nature. (Caitanya Bhagavata Adi 15. 28 -
31)
The glories of the mercy of Sri Gauranga and Nityananda
4. 37
caitanya nityanande nahi ei' saba vicara
nama laite prema dena, bahe asrudhara
svatantra-isvara prabhu atyanta udara
ta-'re na bhajile kabhu nahaya nistara
If one only chants with some slight faiththe holy names of
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda, very quickly he is
cleansed of all offenses. Thus, as soon as he chants the Hare
Krsna mantra, he feels the ecstasy of love of Godhead. Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the independent Supreme Personality of
Godhead is greatly magnanimous. Unless one worships Him, one
can never be liberated. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 8.31-32)
The unfortunate position of those who cheat themselves out of Sri Gauranga's mercy.
4. 38
caitanyavatare bahe premarta-vanya
saba jiva preme bhase, prthivi haila dhanya
ei-vanyaya ye na bhase, sei jiva - chara
koti kalpe tabe ta'ra nahika nistara
There is now a flood of the eternal nectar of love of
Godhead, because of the incarnation of Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu. All living entities are floating in that flood.
The entire world is now thankful to the Lord. Anyone who does
not float in this inundation is most condemned. Such a person
cannot be delivered for millions of lifetimes of Lord Brahma.
(Caitanya Caritamrta-Antya 3.252-253)
4. 39
avatara sara, gaura-avatara
kena na bhajili ta're
kari' nire vasa, gela na piyasa,
apana karama phere
kantakera taru, (sri) gauranga amara,
tahare bhavili vise
saurabhera ase, palasa su-kili,
nasate pasila kita
iksudanda bhavi' katha cusili,
kemane paibi mitha
hara baliya, galaya parili,
samana-kinkara-sapa
sitala baliya aguna pohali,
paili bajara-tapa
samsara bhajili, (sri) gauranga bhulili,
na sunili sadhura katha
iha-para-kala, du'kala khoyali,
khaili apana matha
Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu is the essence of all avataras. Why
didn't I worship Him? It is as if I was surrounded by water
and dying of thirst but I denied myself a drink. I chewed the
thorns on the tree of worldly life and took the blood that
flowed through my mouth to be nectar. When I was offered the
nectarine fruits of love of Godhead distributed by Sri
Gauranga, however, I turned them away, thinking them to be
poison. Wishing to smell perfume I sniffed at what I thought
was the fragrant flower of material enjoyment. Alas, that
flower was odorless, like the palasa flower. And when I tried
to sniff its illusory aroma, a bee flew up my nose and stung
me. Thinking material life to be as sweet as sugarcane, I
tried to taste its nectar. Instead, as I sucked, I found it
juiceless and dry. In this way, I found that all my attempts
at enjoyment proved false. In this way, all my attempts at
enjoyment proved false.
Admitting defeat, wasted and worn out, I await the snake of
death. Declaring it to be cool and soothing, I have embraced
the fire of material life, only to suffer intense miseries,
as if struck by lightning. Worshiping family and material
life I forgot Gauranga and didn't listen to the words of the
saints. Now, in my final days I realize that I am twice dead,
for not only am I casting off this mortal body, but I am dead
while living, having wasted my life in material
indulgence(Mahajana-giti).
Sri Gauranga appears in the form of His holy name and as His deity
4. 40
ara dui janma ei sankirtanarambhe
haiba tomara putra ami avilambe
mora arca-murti mata, tumi se dharani
jihvarupa tumi mata, namera janani
ei dui janma mora sankirtanarambhe
dui tha-i tora putra avilambe
[Sri Caitanya told Saci] Birth after birth you are my mother.
Again, in this birth, I have come to begin the sankirtana
movement, and so I have become your son. My appearance in
this world is twofold: I appear as the arca-murti, the deity
form of the Lord, and as the holy name. In this way I appear
upon the tongue in the form of sound, and as the deity made
from the elements drawn from earth. In both of these forms I
am worshiped, and in these two features I have appeared in
order to spread the sankirtana movement.
(Caitanya-Bhagavata Madhya 27.47)
The teachings of Sri Gauranga in a nutshell
4. 41
aradhyo bhagavan brajesa-tanayas-tad-dhama vrndavanam
ramya kacid-upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena ya kalpita
srimad-bhagavatam pramanam-amalam prema pumartho mahan
sri caitanya mahaprabhor-matam-idam tatradaro nam param
It is the conclusive opinion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that:
Sri Krsna, who is Vrajendra-nandana, the son of the king of
Vraja, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, the
topmost worshipable Deity; Vrndavan-dhama which is an
expansion of Sri Krsna and is nondifferent from Him is the
highest worshipable abode; The gopis of Vrndavana are the
highest example of the worship of Sri Krsna Srimad-Bhagavatam
is the spotless evidence for knowing the absolute truth;
Krsna-prema is the fifth and highest goal of life. These are
the teachings of Sri Caitanya in a nutshell. (Visvanatha
Cakravarti hakura)
Thus ends the fourth jewel of the Gaudiya Kanthahara entitled
Gaura-tattva
GAUDIYA KANTHAHARA page
Gaura-tattva: the Gauranga principle page