Is He God? Krishna’s brother? Lord Chaitanya’s brother? All three? Who is He?

Lord Nityananda (also known as Nityananda Prabhu, Nitai, Nityananda Balarama) appeared as Lord Chaitanya’s principal associate for spreading the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. He especially spread the holy name of the Lord throughout Bengal. He is considered an incarnation of Lord Balarama.

This year, Nityananda Prabhu’s appearance day is January 28th. Devotees of Lord Nityananda celebrate by fasting until noon, cooking a feast, and chanting the glories of Nitai.

Find out more about Lord Nityananda:

• Lord Nityananda—Adapted from “Sri Panca-tattva: The Five Features of God,” by Satyaraja Dasa (Steven J. Rosen)
• Pastimes of Lord Nityananda—Lord Nityananda’s Pastimes from the Sri Chaitanya Bhagavata, by Srila Vrindavan Das Thakura, narrated by Harinam Chintamani dasi.
• Find out how Lord Nityananda fits in the chain of disciplic succession coming down from Krishna
• Read a whole lot more about Lord Nityananda in the Chaitanya Charitamrita (Adi-lila, Chapter 5)