The Kirtan Avatar—Shri Chaitanya Gives Divine Love
(this blog is recorded on the full page: quick time player needed)
[I am reposting this blog from 3-6-12 which includes not only a general introduction to Shri Chaitanya, but also, in the comments section, many prayers and pastimes.]The appearance day of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has come upon us with the rising of the full moon. Those unfamiliar with the significance of Lord Chaitanya, and/or who want to gain a deeper appreciation for Him—not just intellectually, but practically, personally, and factually within themselves, are recommended to not only study about His life and teachings, but to also chant the Hare Krishna mantra very intently in personal meditation (japa), or with others in loud, melodious song and dance, sankirtan. The ideal environment for this is with those of faith and spiritual standing in the practices Shri Chaitanya taught. If this is not available, you can create a sanctified area in your home, dedicated solely for spiritual practice, praying for good association. The real fruit of knowledge is receptivity, and inspiration to engage in loving devotional service, and chanting brings about both, as it is the means and end of perfection. My teacher, Shrila Prabhupada, using the idea of science to verify theories by experiment, often encouraged us to experiment with chanting.
Prabhupada personally experimented with the holy name when he came first came to the United States in 1965, by chanting with those who had no background in Krishna consciousness, or the Vedic conclusions. Due to his spiritual purity, desire to help others, empowerment by Lord Chaitanya, and full faith in the power of the holy name, his experiment with the Hare Krishna mantra succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Many souls were touched by the ecstatic practice of glorifying and remembering Krishna though chanting, and as they awakened, they further advanced by following Prabhupada’s lead to encourage everyone to chant the holy name. They took to the streets in sankirtan to share their good fortune since Shri Chaitanya taught that the more the chanting of Hare Krishna is distributed, the more its potency increases!
Our early spring in the Southern United States, is a good metaphor for the appearance of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in our lives, as He may surprise us in unexpected ways, with early blooms of our divine, beautiful spiritual potential. Known in our tradition as the most merciful or “munificent” aspect of God, Shri Chaitanya is worthy of our attention in order to deepen our understanding of the exceedingly valuable and rare gift He came to give: divine love (prema) for Krishna. Most of us have heard the popular saying that “love makes the world go ‘round,” so it should be no surprise that the purest divine love is the energy that sustains spiritual life, and what attracts Krishna. Love of Krishna is considered even more powerful than Krishna, since it attracts Him, impelling Him to give Himself to those who love Him! Krishna is the Lord of love and the supreme taster of its nectarean mellows (rasaraja), and so he is supremely moved by pure love.
We may note that material love is compared to iron, whereas prema is compared to the purest, rare gold. Material love means selfish, self-centered, conditional love, though there are gradations. The selfless love of a mother for her baby gives us a clue of the nature of spiritual love, which has no conditions or thought of personal gain, and is directed to the Supreme Lovable person, Krishna. The gopi cowherd girls in particular, as spoken about in the superlative devotional scripture Shrimad Bhagagavatam, have been acknowledged by Shri Chaitanya as the greatest lovers of Krishna. They were willing to forgo everything to please Him, giving up their homes, families, reputation—everything—when called by His flute song to share their hearts with Him. Those who follow such great lovers of God, make their primary object of affection and love, Krishna, and those who are dear to Him. All other loves revolve around this center, and thus a pure devotee loves everyone and everything in relationship to their source, the love of their hearts, Shri Krishna.
Sometimes it seems curious that we don’t give more emphasis in our outreach or classes about Lord Chaitanya, since He is the incarnation of God for this age, the originator of the principle means of self-realization (congregational chanting of the holy name), and the mercy upon which we know anything about the deeper, esoteric aspects of Krishna. Thinking about this, it seems to me that if Shri Chaitanya appears to be in the background, it is due to his particular mission, and spiritual nature. He is considered a hidden avatar who is only indirectly mentioned in the Vedas, and His lila, or divine play, is that of a devotee of Krishna--although a super-extraordinary one. In the last years of his life He was a divine madman in rapturous love for God, unparalleled in any religious literature in the world.
Specifically Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is not only God, as wondrous as that is, but is Krishna Himself in the mood of Shri Radha, His greatest devotee and other Self. However, despite his unique spiritual position, His personal practice would be to always deny His divinity since that was contrary to his mood and purpose. In addition, had He expressed His divinity openly, that would have encouraged some philosophers to use His example to rationalize their shallow view that through Vedic knowledge a human being realizes their identification with God in all respects (the monistic conception). The goal of such persons is not devotional service, but is merging into the impersonal Brahman effulgence (the white light of Spirit in some traditions).
Since Shri Chaitanya is Krishna in the mood of His greatest devotee Radha (the divine compassionate feminine), the external purpose of His advent on the Earth was to encourage everyone to be conscious of, and lovingly serve Krishna. His full sannyasi (renounced monk) name, “Krishna Chaitanya,” means “Krishna consciousness.” Although wanting to keep Himself in the background, He was a walking broadcaster of all topics about, and glorification of, Radha and Krishna. And today, we have the opportunity to love, serve, and understand Krishna, only on account of the supreme mercy of Shri Chaitanya and His followers in his guru-parmapara (disciplic succession of teachers). While He may seem in the background of the Krishna conscious movement, He is its foundation, and there can be no consciousness of Krishna, without the mercy of Shri Chaitanya and his associates.
Although my allotted words are up, I will end with a small part of a pastime during Shri Chaitanya’s life which shows his humility and role as a spiritual teacher. This was the first chapter of the Chaitanya Charitamrita that was published and has always been a favorite pastime for me, as it was also mentioned in brief in the introduction to Shrimad Bhagavatam.
Adi 7.49
“While Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was instructing Sanatana Gosvami, both Chandrasekhara and Tapana Mishra became very unhappy. Therefore they submitted an appeal unto the lotus feet of the Lord. ‘How long can we tolerate the blasphemy by Your critics against Your conduct? We should give up our lives rather than hear such blasphemy. The Mayavadi sannyasis are all criticizing Your Holiness. We cannot tolerate hearing such criticism, for this blasphemy breaks our hearts.’
“While Tapana Misra and Chandrasekhara were thus talking with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, He only smiled slightly and remained silent. At that time a brahmana came there to meet the Lord. The brahmana immediately fell at the lotus feet of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and requested Him to accept his proposal in a joyful mood.
“‘My dear Lord, I have invited all the sannyasis of Benares to my home. My desires will be fulfilled if You also accept my invitation. My dear Lord, I know that You never mix with other sannyasis, but please be merciful unto me and accept my invitation.’
“Lord Chaitanya smiled and accepted the invitation of the brahmana. He made this gesture to show His mercy to the Mayavadi sannyasis. The brahmana knew that Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu never went to anyone else's house, yet due to inspiration from the Lord he earnestly requested Him to accept this invitation. The next day, when Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu went to the house of that brahmana, He saw all the sannyasis of Benares sitting there.”
“As soon as Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu saw the sannyasis He immediately offered obeisances, and then He went to wash His feet. After washing His feet, He sat down by the place where He had done so. After sitting on the ground, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu exhibited His mystic power by manifesting an effulgence as brilliant as the illumination of millions of suns. When the sannyasis saw the brilliant illumination of the body of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, their minds were attracted, and they all immediately gave up their sitting places and stood in respect. The leader of all the Mayavadi sannyasis present was named Prakashananda Sarasvati, and after standing up he addressed Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as follows with great respect.”
“Please come here. Please come here, Your Holiness. Why do You sit in that unclean place? What has caused Your lamentation?"
“The Lord replied, ‘I belong to a lower order of sannyasis. Therefore I do not deserve to sit with you."
“Prakashananda Sarasvati, however, caught Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu personally by the hand and seated Him with great respect in the midst of the assembly. Prakasananda Sarasvati then said, ‘I understand that Your name is Shri Krsna Chaitanya. You are a disciple of Shri Keshava Bharati, and therefore You are glorious. You belong to our Shankara-sampradaya and live in our village, Varanasi. Why then do You not associate with us? Why is it that You avoid even seeing us? You are a sannyasi. Why then do You indulge in chanting and dancing, engaging in Your sankirtana movement in the company of fanatics? Meditation and the study of Vedanta are the sole duties of a sannyasi. Why do You abandon these to dance with fanatics? You look as brilliant as if You were Narayana [God] Himself. Will You kindly explain the reason that You have adopted the behavior of lower-class people?’"
“Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu replied to Prakasananda Sarasvati, ‘My dear sir, kindly hear the reason. My spiritual master considered Me a fool, and therefore he chastised Me. “You are a fool,” he said. “You are not qualified to study Vedanta philosophy, and therefore You must always chant the holy name of Krsna. This is the essence of all mantras, or Vedic hymns. Simply by chanting the holy name of Krsna one can obtain freedom from material existence. Indeed, simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra one will be able to see the lotus feet of the Lord. In this Age of Kali there is no religious principle other than the chanting of the holy name, which is the essence of all Vedic hymns. This is the purport of all scriptures.'
"’After describing the potency of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, My spiritual master taught Me another verse, advising Me to always keep it within My throat.
harer nāma harer nāma
harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva
nāsty eva gatir anyathā
“For spiritual progress in this Age of Kali, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative to the holy name, the holy name, the holy name of the Lord.”
"'Since I received this order from My spiritual master, I always chant the holy name, but I thought that by chanting and chanting the holy name I had been bewildered. While chanting the holy name of the Lord in pure ecstasy, I lose Myself, and thus I laugh, cry, dance and sing just like a madman. Collecting My patience, therefore, I began to consider that chanting the holy name of Krsna had covered all My spiritual knowledge. I saw that I had become mad by chanting the holy name, and I immediately submitted this at the lotus feet of my spiritual master.
"‘My dear lord, what kind of mantra have you given Me? I have become mad simply by chanting this maha-mantra! Chanting the holy name in ecstasy causes Me to dance, laugh and cry.' When My spiritual master heard all this, he smiled and then began to speak.
"‘It is the nature of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra that anyone who chants it immediately develops his loving ecstasy for Krsna. Religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation are known as the four goals of life, but before love of Godhead, the fifth and highest goal, these appear as insignificant as straw in the street. For a devotee who has actually developed bhava, the pleasure derived from dharma, artha, kama and moksa appears like a drop in the presence of the sea. The conclusion of all revealed scriptures is that one should awaken his dormant love of Godhead. You are greatly fortunate to have already done so.
"‘It is a characteristic of love of Godhead that by nature it induces transcendental symptoms in one's body and makes one more and more greedy to achieve the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. When one actually develops love of Godhead, he naturally sometimes cries, sometimes laughs, sometimes chants and sometimes runs here and there just like a madman.
“’Perspiration, trembling, standing on end of one's bodily hairs, tears, faltering voice, fading complexion, madness, melancholy, patience, pride, joy and humility -- these are various natural symptoms of ecstatic love of Godhead, which causes a devotee to dance and float in an ocean of transcendental bliss while chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. It is very good, my dear child, that You have attained the supreme goal of life by developing love of Godhead. Thus You have pleased me very much, and I am very much obliged to You. My dear child, continue dancing, chanting and performing sankirtana in association with devotees. Furthermore, go out and preach the value of chanting Krishna-nama, for by this process You will be able to deliver all fallen souls.'”
Prakasananda and his disciples were transformed into devotees of Krishna after talking to Shri Chaitanya and experiencing His spiritual potency. I urge you to read the above passage in the context of the whole chapter, which is full of deep meaning, and consider the explanations given by Shrila Prabhupada. Although we don’t artificially try to imitate these ecstatic symptoms, and great devotees may suppress there appearance, they are a natural reaction of the body to internal ecstatic feelings of love for Krishna. May you feel the mercy of Shri Chaitanya on his appearance day, and always, by joyfully singing and dancing to the holy name of Krishna!
ɧɑɾɛ kɾɩʂɧɳɑ ɧɑɾɛ kɾɩʂɧɳɑ kɾɩʂɧɳɑ kɾɩʂɧɳɑ ɧɑɾɛ ɧɑɾɛ ɧɑɾɛ ɾɑɱa ɧɑɾɛ ɾɑɱa ɾɑɱa ɾɑɱa ɧɑɾɛ ɧɑɾɛ!
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Eight Prayers Describing Nectar Pastimes in a Dream
Sri Svapna-vilasamrtastaka
Eight Prayers Describing Nectar Pastimes in a Dream
(by Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)
1
priya svapne drsta saridina-sutevatra pulinam
yatha vrndaranye natana-patavas tatra bahavah
mrdangadyam vadyam vividham iha kascid dvija-manih
sa vidyud-gaurangah ksipati jagatim prema-jaladhau
Srimati Radharani said: Beloved, in a dream I saw a river shore like
the Yamuna here. There were many expert dancers as in Vrndavana. There were
mrdangas and other instruments. There was a brahmana jewel as splendid as
lightning who was tossing the universe into an ocean of pure love.
2
kadacit krsneti pralapati rudan karhicid asau
kva radhe ha heti svasiti patati projjhati dhrtim
nataty ullasena kvacid api ganaih svaih pranayibhis
trnadi-brahmantam jagad atitaram rodayati sah
Sometimes He calls out: "O Krsna!" and sometimes He sighs: "O
Radha, where are You?" Sometimes He falls to the ground, sometimes He acts
wildly, losing all composure, and sometimes He dances ecstatically with His
loving associates. He has made all the residents of this world, from the
blades of grass up to Lord Brahma, loudly call out the name of Krsna.
3
tato buddhir bhranta mama samajani preksya kim aho
bhavet so 'yam kantah kim ayam aham evasmi na parah
aham cet kva preyan mama sa kila cet kvaham iti me
bhramo bhuyo bhuyan abhavad atha nidram gatavati
As I gazed at Him, My intelligence became bewildered. If He is my
lover, where am I? If He is I, where is My lover? If He is My lover, where
am I? As I slept, I became more and more bewildered.
4
priye drstva tas tah kutukini maya darsita-cari
ramesadya murtir na khalu bhavati vismayam agat
katham vipro vismapayitum asakat tvam tava katham
tatha bhrantim dhatte sa hi bhavati ko hanta kim idam
Sri Krsna said: O inquisitive girl, when I showed You Narayana and
My other forms You were not surprised. Why does this brahmana surprise You?
Why does He bewilder You so You say "Who is He?"
5
iti procya prestham ksanam atha paramrsya ramano
hasann akuta jnam vyanudad atha tam kaustubha-manim
tatha diptim tene sapadi sa yatha drstim iti tad
vilasanam laksmam sthira-cara-ganaih sarvam abhavat
After speaking these words to His beloved, the smiling lover, Krsna,
touched His Kaustubha jewel. The jewel, understanding the Lord's intent,
glowed and then showed all the same pastimes and all the moving and non
moving entities She saw in her dream.
6
vibhavyatha proce priyatama maya jnatam akhilam
tavakutam yat tvam smitam atanuthas tattvam asi mam
sphutam yan navadir yad abhimatir atrapy aham iti
sphuranti me tasmad aham api sa evety anumime
Srimati Radharani reflected for a moment and said: Beloved, I know
what is in Your heart now that makes You smile. You are He. What You have
said and thought is now clear to Me, and therefore I think I am also He.
7
yad apy asmakinam rati-padam idam kaustubha-manim
pradipyatraivadidrsad akhila-jivan api bhavan
sva-saktyavirbhuya svam akhila-vilasam pratijanam
nigadya premabdhau punar api tadahasyasi jagat
Making this Kaustubha jewel, which is so delightful to Us, shine in
this way, You have revealed Yourself to all living entities. By Your own
transcendental potency You will appear, display Your pastimes, teach
everyone, and again plunge the world into the ocean of pure love.
8
yad uktam gargena vraja-pati-samaksam sruti-vida
bhavet pito varnah kvacid api tavaitan na hi mrsa
atah svapnah satyo mama ca na tada bhrantir abhavat
tvam evasau saksad iha yad anubhuto 'si tad-rtam
In the king of Vraja's presence, the learned Vedic scholar
Gargacarya said that You will appear with a yellow complexion. He did not
lie. This dream of Mine is true. It is not an illusion. In this dream I
have directly seen You.
9
pibed yasya svapnamrtam idam aho citta-madhupah
sa sandeha-svapnat tvaritam iha jagarti su-matih
avaptas caitanyam pranaya-jaladhau khelati yato
bhrsam dhatte tasminn atula-karunam kunja-nrpatau
If the bumble-bee of the reader's mind drinks the nectar of this
Svapna-vilasamrta, then that intelligent reader will quickly awaken from the
dream of materialistic doubt. Such a reader will attain Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu. He will sport in the ocean of pure love. He will attain the
peerless mercy of the king of Vrndavana.
Prayers glorifying Lord Chaitanya
Sri Navadvipacandra-stavaraja
(by Srila Raghunandana Thakura)
Text 1
May Lord Caitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. His charming, graceful form is as
effulgent as gold, and He has enchanted the minds of all. He is the abode of
perfect beauty, and He is greatly agitated the mind of the monarch Cupid.
Text 2
May Lord Caitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. Your hair is beautiful and You are
both charming and affectionate to all. Chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra,
You have captured the minds of the elderly women of Navadvipa. Beautifully
dressed in various garments, You have made the entire country of Bengal
appear full of splendor.
Text 3
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. As beautiful as fully blossomed
lotus flowers, Your affectionate, charming, and restlessly moving eyes are
moistened with pure love of Krishna. Your character and pastimes are very
sweet, and Your beautiful limbs are resplendent.
Text 4
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. You appears like a sandalwood tree
from the Malayan Hills. Yous smile is pure, and the edge of Your garment is
decorated is red. You are the full incarnation of Godhead, and You have
descended to this world to perform jubilant transcendental pastimes as the
greatest of devotees.
Text 5
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. You are the abode of auspiciousness
and youthfulness, and you are expert in all the transcendental mellows. You
have become famous for Your jubilant dancing, and Your pastimes are full of
all happiness, You purify the heart of the great burden of materialism, and
the chanting of Your holy names brings complete transcendental dilight to
all.
Text 6
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. Tears ceaselessly glide down Your
cheeks. Instructing the world in the chanting of the Lord Krsna's holy
names, You have innundated every country with thousands of flooding rivers
of pure love of Krsna. The expansion of Your fame has liberated the
residents of the entire world.
Text 7
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. Impelled by the ecstasy of pure love
of Krsna, the hairs of Your body stand up, making You appear like a kadamba
tree. Appearing like large pearls, the tears from Your eyes bathe Your
chest. In the agony of intense separation from Krsna, You calls out,'Alas!
Alas!' You are full of compassion, and Your form is very handsome. Your fame
is spread throughout the entire universe.
Text 8
May Lord Caitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. You are the maintainer of all the
universes and the destroyer of all the impurities born of the age of Kali.
You remove the sufferings of the poor conditioned souls and protect them
from the calamity of material existence. You grant them the unlimited
transcendental bliss of the sankirtana movement, which glorifies the singing
of Your own holy names.
Text 9
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. You are the dear friend of the
saintly and thoughtful devotees, and You alone are the ocean of devotional
service in pure love of God. Yous aromatic and delightful lotus feet are the
abode of all beauty and opulence. You dance with a slow gracefulness, and
You are the most austere of sannyasis.
Text 10
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. You are the essence of the Vedas and
the perfect incarnation of pure love of Krsna. You are a deep reservoir full
of all auspicious transcendental qualities, and You are the most learned
philosopher, whose sankirtana movement has brought peace and spiritual
brotherhood to the entire world. Appearing like an overflooding ocean of
mercy, You are the friend of the most fallen souls.
Text 11
May Lord Chaitanya, the moon of Navadvipa, who is the king of
dancers, appear splendidly in my heart. You are the most charming, handsome,
and wonderfully youthful person, the all-knowing expert of enthusiastic
dancing, and a great reservoir of pure love of Krsna. You are always very
eager to chant Your own holy names.
Text 12
These prayers glorify Lord Gauranga, the king of dancers, and grant
all benedictions to the devotees. Those who delight in reading these prayers
will become able to relish the transcendental bliss of pure love of God.
Predictions about incarnation of Sri Chaitanya
This is rather long, but you might find it interesting to go through. It was sent to me, and I am passing it on. You can always cut and paste for later at your convenience.
Prediction of Lord Gauranga's advent in the form of a brahmana.
** In the Adi-Puran and in the Narada Puran, the Supreme Person says:
aham eva dvija-srestho
nityam pracchanna-vigrahah
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena
lokam raksami sarvada
I shall advent in the form of a Brahmana devotee [aham eva dvija-srestho]
and I shall hide my factual identity [prachanna vigrahah]. I shall deliver
all the worlds [lokam raksami sarvada].
Prediction of His advent as a sannyasi.
** In the Upa-Puranas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna
speaks to Srila Vyasadeva:
aham eva kvacid brahman
sannyasa asramam asritah
hari bhaktim grahayami
kalau papa-hatan naran
O Brahmana, I occasionally take the Sannyas Asram [sannyasa asrama asritah]
in an attempt to bring the fallen people of Kali Yuga to take up the path of
Bhakti or devotional service to Lord Krishna [hari bhaktim grahayami].
Prediction of His actual time of incarnation.
** In the Kurma-Purana, it is stated:
kalina dahyamanam
uddhararaya tanu-bhrtam
janma prathama sandhyayam
bhavisyati dvijalaye
The Supreme Person will appear in the first part of the age of Kali [janma
prathama sandhyayam]. He will appear in the home of a Brahmana [bhavisyati
dvijalaye], to save the embodied conditioned souls [uddharaya tanu-bhrtam]
burning in the troubles of Kali-Yuga.
Description of the purpose of Sri Chaitanya's incarnation.
** In the Garuda-Purana, the Supreme Person says:
kalina dakyamananam
paritranaya tanu-bhrtam
janma prathama sandhyayam
karisyami dvijatisu
In the first part [prathama sandhya] of the age of Kali, I will come among
the brahmanas [karisyami dvijatisu] to save the fallen souls, [paritranaya
tanu-bhrtam] who are being burned by the troubles of the age of Kali [kalina
dahyamananam].
Prediction of the name of His mother and the actual name of His future
birthplace.
** In the Garuda-Purana, the Supreme Lord says:
aham purno bhavisyami
yuga-sandhyau visesatah
mayapure navadvipe
bhavisyami sachi sutah
I will take birth as the son of Sachi [bhavisyami sachi sutah], in
Navadvip-Mayapur [mayapure navadvipe]. I will come in my complete spiritual
form in the first part of Kali-Yuga.
Prediction of the name of His future first wife and His future assumption of
the sannyasa order.
** In the same Garuda-Purana, it is Also stated:
kaleh prathama sandhyayam
lakshmi- kanto bhavisyati
daru-brahma-samipa-sthah
sannyasi gaura-vigrahah
In the first part of Kali-Yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will come
in a gold-like form. First He will become the husband of Lakshmi [Srimati
Lakshmi Devi, Lord Chaitanya's first wife]. Then He will become a sannyasi,
near Lord Jagannatha who will appear in a divine wooden form.
Prediction of the bodily color of Sri Chaitanya and the nature of His future
activities.
** In the Nrsimha-Purana, it is said:
satye daitya-kuladhi-nasa-samaye
simhordhva-martyakrtis
tretayam das-kandharam
paribhavan rameti namakrtih
gopalan paripalayan vraja-pure
bharam haran dvapare
gaurangah priya-kirtanah
kali-yuge chaitanya-nama prabhuh
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead who in the Satya-Yuga appeared as a
half-man, half-lion to cure a terrible disease that had ravaged the daityas,
and who in the Treta-Yuga appeared as a person named Rama [Lord
Ramachandra], the person who defeated the ten-headed Demon Ravana, and who
in the Dvapara-Yuga removed the earth's burden, and protected the Gopa
[cowherd men] people of Vraja-pura, will appear again in the Kali-Yuga. His
form will be golden, He will delight in chanting the Lord's holy names, and
His name will be Chaitanya."
Prediction of the future advent of Sri Chaitanya by His direct name.
** In the Padma-Purana, it is said:
yatrayogesvarah saksad
yogi-cintyo janardanah
chaitanya vapur aste vai
sandranandatmakah
The Supreme Personality, Janardana, who is the object of the yogis'
meditation [yogi-chintyo- janardanah], who saves the devotees from various
sufferings, and who is the master of all yogic practices [yogesvarah], who
is always full of divine transcendental ecstasy and bliss
[sandra-ananda-atmakah], will advent in His own divine form of Sri Chaitanya
[Chaitanya-vapah].
Description of the time and place Sri Chaitanya's future advent.
** In the Padma-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself states:
kaleh prathama-sandhyayam
gaurangotham mahi-tale
bhagirathi-tate ramye
bhavisyami sachi-sutah
I shall appear on this earth [mahi-tale] in the first part of Kali-Yuga
[kaleh prathama sandhyayam] in a beautiful place on the bank of the
Bhagirathi [bhagirathi-tate ramye]. I shall have a golden form [gaurangah],
and I shall take birth as the son of Sachi [bhavisyami sachi-sutah].
Prediction of the purpose of Sri Chaitanya's advents.
** In the Narada-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
aham eva kalau vipra
nityam prachanna-vigrahah
bhavavad-bhakta-rupena
lokan raksami sarvada
O Vipra, in the age of Kali, I will come disguised [nityam prachanna
vigraha] as a devotee [bhagavad-bhakta-rupena] and I will save all the
worlds [lokan raksami sarvada].
Prediction of His mother's name and the nature of His specific preaching
method [sankirtana].
** The Supreme Personality of Godhead states in the Narada-Purana:
divija bhuvi jayadhvam
jayadhvam bhakta rupinah
kalau sankirtana arambhe
bhavisyami sachi-sutah
O Divija (demigods), please come and advent as devotees on this earth [bhuvi
jayadhvam jayadhvam] in the age of Kali-Yuga. I will incarnate as the son of
Sachi [bhavisyami sachi-sutah] to inaugurate the congregational chanting of
the name of Krishna [kalau sankirtana arambhe].
Prediction of the revelation of Sri Chaitanya's form.
** In the Brahma-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
kaleh prathama sandhyayam
gaurangotham mahi-tale
bhagirathi-tate bhumni
bhavisyami sachi-sutah
I will reveal my eternal golden form [gaurangotham mahi-tale] in the first
part of Kali- Yuga [kaleh prathama sandhyayam]. I will advent on the earth
on the bank of the Bhagirathi [bhagirathi-tate bhumni] as son of Mother
Sachi [bhavisyami sachi-sutah].
Prediction of the future sannyasi role and ecstasy of Sri Chaitanya.
** In the Bhavisya-Purana, the Supreme Lord says:
anandasru-kala-roma
harsa-purnam tapo-dhana
sarve mama eva draksyanti
kalau sannyasa-rupinam
O austere sage, you should know that in the age of Kali, everyone will see
my transcendental form as a sannyasi [kalau sannyasa rupinam]. I will be
exhibiting symptoms of ecstasy like shedding tears of bliss and hairs
standing in ecstasy [anandasru-kala-roma-harsa-purnam].
Prediction of the color of Sri Chaitanya and the nature of His future
associates.
** In the Agni-Purana, it is said:
prasantatma lamba-kanthas gaurangas ca suravrtah
The Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a golden form [gaura-anga],
full of peace [prasantatma], and a beautiful long neck [lamba-kanthah]. He
will be surrounded by many saintly devotees [sura-avrtah].
Note: This is an indirect prediction of the future advent of the members of
the Pancha-Tattva.
Prediction of the characteristics of Sri Chaitanya.
** In the Matsya-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
mundo gaurah su-dirghangas
tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah
dayaluh kirtana-grahi
bhavisyami kalau-yuge
In the age of Kali, I shall advent [bhavisyami kalau yuge] where the three
rivers meet [tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah]. I shall have a shaven head
[mundah]. I shall have a golden complexion [gaurah]. I will be very kind and
always chant the holy name of Krishna [dayaloh kirtana-grahi].
Prediction of the name of the river where Sri Chaitanya will take his birth
and other characteristics.
** In the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead states:
suddho gaurah-su-dirghango
ganga-tira-samudbhavah
dayaluh-kirtana-grahi
bhavisyami kalau yuge
In the age of Kali-Yuga, I shall come [bhavisyami kalau yuge] in a place on
the bank of the Ganges [ganga-tira-samudbhavah]. I will be very pure
[suddhah], have a golden complexion [gaurah], and be very tall
[su-dirghangah] and chant the holy names of Krishna. [Vyau Puran next quote]
Prediction that the Supreme Lord will leave Goloka and corne in a golden
form.
** In the Markandeya-Purana, the Supreme of Godhead declares:
golokam ca parityajya
lokanam trana-karanat
kalau gauranga-rupena
lila-lavanya-vigrahah
"In the Kali-Yuga, I will leave Goloka and, to save the people of the world,
I will become the handsome and playful Lord Gauranga."
Prediction of one of the purpose of Sri Chaitanya's appearance.
** In the Varaha-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
aham eva dvija-srestho
lila-pracurya-vigrahah
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena
lokan raksami sarvada
I shall come as the best of the brahmanas [aham eva dvija-srestha]. I will
exhibit many pastimes [lila-pracurya-vigrahah] in the form of a devotee
[bhagavad-bhakta-rupena]. I shall deliver the people of the world [lokan
raksami sarvada].
Prediction of the name of the mother of Sri Chaitanya and His future role as
the deliverer of the darkness of Kali-Yuga.
** In the Vamana-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
kali-ghora-tamas-channat
sarvan acara varjitan
sachigarbhe ca sambhuya
tarayisyami narada
O Narada Muni, I will take birth in the womb of Sachi [sachi-garbhe ca
sambhuya]. I shall save the people, who will give up all proper good conduct
[sarvan acara varyitan], from the terrible darkness of the age of Kali-Yuga
[kali-ghora-tamas-channan].
Prediction of the future advent of Sri Chaitanya, His birth time, His
mother, His birth city, His name and His mission.
** In the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
paurnamasyam phalgunasya
phalguni-rksa-yogatah
bhavisye gaura-rupena
sachi-garbhe purandarat
svarnadi-tiram asthaya
navadvipe janasraye
tatra dvija-kulam prapto
bhavisyami janalaye
bhakti-yoga-pradanaya
lokasyanugrahaya ca
sannyas-rupam asthaya
krishna-chaitanya-nama-dhrk
tena lokasya nistaras
tat kurudhvam mamajnaya
dharitri bhavita cabhir
mayaiva dvija-dehina
I shall advent in the month of Phalguna, when the star Phalguni is conjoined
with the full moon. I shall incarnate in a golden complexion in the womb of
Sachi and Purandara Misra. I will be born in the city of Navadvipa,on the
Ganges's shore, in a Brahmana's family. I shall take the renounced order of
life [sannyasa] and show kindness to the people in general and engage them
in Bhakti. I will be known as Sri Krishna Chaitanya. All of you should
follow My order and deliver the people of the world. I shall appear as a
Brahmana. I shall make this earth fearless. [Vayu Puran previous quote]
Prediction of Sri Chaitanya's birth city, the name of the river close to His
birth site, the name of His mother, His close associates and their divine
roles in His lila, His divine reason for incarnating as well as different
names by which Sri Chaitanya will be known.
** In the Ananta-Samhita, it is said:
svarnadi-tiram asritya
navadvipe dvijalaye
sampradatum bhakti-yogam
lokasyanugrahaya ca
sa eva bhagavan krmo
radhika-prana-vallabhah
srsty-adau sa jagannatho
gaura asin mahesvari
avatirno bhavisyami
kalau-nija-ganaih saha
sachi-garbhe navadvipe
svardhuni-parivarite
aprakasyam idam guhyam
na prakasyam bahir mukhe
bhaktavataram bhaktakhyam
bhaktam bhakti-pradam svayam
man-maya-mohitah kecin
na jnasyanto bahir-mokhah
jnasyanti mad-bhakti-yuktah
sadhavo-nyasinotmalah
krmavatara-kale-yah
striyo ye purusah priyah
kalau te'vatarisyanti
sridama-subaladayah
catuh-sasti-mahantas te
gopa dvadas balakah
Caitanyera Simhera...
dharma-samsthapanarthay
a viharisyami tair aham
kale nastam bhakti-patham
sthapayisyamy aham punah
gacchantu bhuvi te putrah
jayantam bhakta-rupinah
dharma-samsthapanam kale
kurvantu te mamajnaya
krishnas chaitanya-gaurango
gaurachandrah sachi-sutah
prabhur gauro gaura-harir
namani-bhakti-dani me
"To show mercy to the people and give them devotional service, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead will appear in a Brahmana's home in Navadvip by the
Ganges' shore. The Supreme Person, Sri Krishna Himself, who is the life of
Srimati Radharani, and is the Lord of the universe in creation,
rnaintenance, and annihilation, appears as Gaura, O Mahesvari.
In Kali-Yuga, I will descend to the earth with My associates. In Navadvip,
which is surrounded by the Ganges, I will take birth in Sachi-devi's womb.
They who are bewildered by My illusory potency will not understand the great
secret of the appearance in this world of Me in My personal form,
in My form as the incarnation of devotion,
in My form as the incarnation of a devotee,
in My form bearing the name of a devotee,
in My form as a devotee, and
in My form as the giver of devotional service.
This secret is not to be revealed to them. Only the saintly, pure, renounced
devotees, diligently engaged in My devotional service, will be able to
understand Me in these five forms.
My dear male and female associates, headed by Sridama and Subala, who came
to this world at the time of My advent as Lord Krishna, will come again
during the Kali-Yuga.
The Gopas will become the sixtyfour mahantas and the twelve gopalas. To
establish the truth of religion, I will enjoy many pastimes with them.
In this way I will again reveal the path of devotional service, which has
been destroyed in the course of time. My sons should also descend to the
earth, assume the forms of devotees, and, by My order, also work to
re-establish the principles of true religion.
At this time My names will be: Krishna Chaitanya, Gauranga, Gaurachandra,
Sachisuta, Mahaprabhu, Gaura and Gaurahari. Chanting these names will bring
devotion to Me."
What other major vedic literatures also describe characteristics of the
advent of Sri Chaitanya?
** The Great Epic Mahabharata (Dana-Dharma, Visnu-Sahasra-Nama Stotra)
points out the divine characteristics of Sriman Mahaprabhu's appearance.
suvarna varna hemango
varangas candanangadi
sannyasa krt-chamah santo
nistha shanti parayanah
In His early activities Lord Chaitanya comes as a householder. He has a
golden complexion [suvarna varnah]. His limbs are very beautiful [vara-anga]
and are smeared with sandalwood pulp [candana-angadi]. He has the appearance
of molten gold [hema-anga].
The Supreme Lord Chaitanya accepts the renounced order of life
[sannyasa-krt]. He is fully sense-controlled or equipoised [sama], and is
completely peaceful [santa]. He is completely fixed in the chanting of the
holy name of Lord Krishna, [nistha]. He is the highest abode of devotion and
transcendental peace. He silences the mayavadi impersonalists [nistha santi
parayanah].
The sanskrit words suvarna-varna indicate one who has gold-like complexion.
The Vedic text to support this point is:
yada pasya pasyate rukma-varnam
kartaram isam purusam brahma-yonim
The words rukma-varnam kartaram isam refer to the Supreme Person [Sri
Chaitanya] who has a complexion like molten gold.
** Quotations of Lord Chaitanya's bodily features according to some of the
great devotees present at the time:
Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, one of the foremost disciples of Sri
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Jagannath Puri, composed an entire series of prayers
describing in detail the various features of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,
called Sri Gauranga-Prati-Anga-Varnanakhya-Stava-Rajah, or the King of
Prayers, proclaiming the glory of each limb of Sri Gauranga. Let us
carefully present a few of these divine gems.
** Lord Chaitanya's bodily luster.
Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya has described the complexion of Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu's body.
tapta hema dyutim vande
kali-krishnam jagad-gurum
caru-dirgha-tanum srimac
chaci-hrdaya-nandanam
I worship Lord Krishna, the spiritual master of the universe, who appears in
the age of Kali with a luster like molten gold. His body is beautiful and
tall. He is like molten gold, and He is the delight and the son of
Sachidevi.
Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura also describes Sri Chaitanya
Mahaprabhu's golden complexion.
ananda lilamaya vigrahaya
hemabha-divya-cchavi-sundaraya
"O Lord Chaitanyachandra, O Lord whose form is full of blissful pastimes, O
Lord whose complexion is as splendid as gold..."
Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami similarly describes Lord Chaitanya:
tapta hema sama kanti prakanda sarira
"...the luster of His expansive body resembles molten gold..."
Prabodhananda Sarasvati also further describes Sri Chaitanya's golden
complexion.
svayam devo yatra-kanaka-gaurah karunaya
"His complexion is as fair as molten gold."
** Sri Chaitanya's beautiful hair.
lasan-mukha-lata-naddha
charu-kuncita-kuntalam
"His lovely curling locks are interwoven with creepers of glistening
pearls..."
** Sri Chaitanya's shoulders and chest.
Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura describes the shoulders of Mahaprabhu.
simha skandham...
"May Lord Chaitanya, whose shoulders are like a lion..."
Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami also points out the nature of Sri
Chaitanya's shoulders and voice.
simha griva simha-virya simhera hunkar
"He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a lion, and the loud voice of
a lion."
** Sri Chaitanya's arms.
ajanulambita-bhuja
His arms reach all the way to his knees.
ajanulambita bhumau kanaka vadatau
Their arms (of Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda) reach all the way to
their knees.
kankanangada-vidyoti-janu-lambi-bhaja-dvayam
"....His two arms, glittering with bracelets and bangles, extend down to His
knees."
** Sri Chaitanya's face
prema-pravaha-madhura
raktotpala-vilocanam
h la-prasuna-susnigdha
nutanayata-nasikam
His beautiful eyes are just like reddish lotus flowers. They are most
beautiful, just like lakes of Krishna Prema. His nose is arched and is
resplendent just like the sesame flower.
sri-ganda-mandollasi
ratna-kundala-manditam
savya-karna-suvinyasta
sphurac-caru-sikhandakam
His cheeks are round and they shine brilliantly. He wears jeweled earrings.
He has a peacock feather placed near His left ear.
madhura-sneha-susnigdha
praraktadhara-pallavam
isad-danturita-snigdha
sphuran-mukta-radoijvalam
His lips are tender and very lustrous. They resemble reddish blossoming
flowers. He reveals his pearl-like teeth out His kindness.
** Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi-Lila 3.77
sankirtana-pravartaka sri krma-chaitanya
sankirtana-yajne tanre bhaje sei dhanya
"Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya is the initiator of sankirtana [congregational
chanting of the holy name of Lord Krishna]. One who worships Him through
sankirtana is fortunate indeed"
** Susloka-Satakam -59- Sri Gauranga Mahima
vintala-kamala-vaktrah pakva-bi nbadharosthas
tila-kusu na-su-nasah katnbu-kanthah su-dirghah
suvaliuta-bhuja-dando nabhi-gambhira-rupah
sphuratu hrdaya-madhye gaura-candro-natendrah
"His face is flawless like a blooming lotus and His lips are red as ripe as
bimba fruits. His nose is as beautiful as the sesame flower and his neck is
like a three-ringed conch. He is very tall and His rod-like arms make
artistic movements while He dances. His navel is very deep. May my Lord
Gaura Chandra, the king of dancers, reveal Himself in the core of My heart."
More quotes from Vedic texts about Shri Chaitanya
Srila Prabhupada gives the following in his purport to CC, Adi 2.22:
The author of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta most emphatically stresses that Lord
Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Sri Krsna Himself. He is not an expansion of the prakasa
or vilasa forms of Sri Krsna; He is the svayam-rupa, Govinda. Apart from the
relevant scriptural evidence forwarded by Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami,
there are innumerable other scriptural statements regarding Lord Caitanya’s
being the Supreme Lord Himself. The following examples may be cited:
(1) From the Caitanya Upanisad (5): gaurah sarvatma maha-puruso mahatma
maha-yogi tri-gunatitah sattva-rupo bhaktim loke kasyati. “Lord Gaura, who is
the all-pervading Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appears as a
great saint and powerful mystic who is above the three modes of nature and is
the emblem of transcendental activity. He disseminates the cult of devotion
throughout the world.”
(2) From the Svetasvatara Upanisad (6.7 and 3.12):
tam isvaranam paramam mahesvaram
tam devatanam paramam ca daivatam
patim patinam paramam parastad
vidama devam bhuvanesam idyam
“O Supreme Lord, You are the Supreme Mahesvara, the worshipable Deity of all
the demigods and the Supreme Lord of all lords. You are the controller of all
controllers, the Personality of Godhead, the Lord of everything worshipable.”
mahan prabhur vai purusah
sattvasyaisa pravartakah
su-nirmalam imam praptim
isano jyotir avyayah
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead is Mahaprabhu, who disseminates
transcendental enlightenment. Just to be in touch with Him is to be in contact
with the indestructible brahma-jyotir.”
(3) From the Mundaka Upanisad (3.1.3):
yada pasyah pasyate rukma-varnam
kartaram isam purusam brahma-yonim
“One who sees that golden-colored Personality of Godhead, the Supreme Lord, the
supreme actor, who is the source of the Supreme Brahman, is liberated.”
(4) From Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.5.33-34 and 7.9.38):
dhyeyam sada paribhava-ghnam abhista-doham
tirthaspadam siva-virinci-nutam saranyam
bhrtyarti-ham pranata-pala-bhavabdhi-potam
vande maha-purusa te caranaravindam
“We offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of Him, the Lord, upon
whom one should always meditate. He destroys insults to His devotees. He
removes the distresses of His devotees and satisfies their desires. He, the
abode of all holy places and the shelter of all sages, is worshipable by Lord
Siva and Lord Brahma. He is the boat of the demigods for crossing the ocean of
birth and death.”
tyaktva sudustyaja-surepsita-rajya-laksmim
dharmistha arya-vacasa yad agad aranyam
maya-mrgam dayitayepsitam anvadhavad
vande maha-purusa te caranaravindam
[SB 11.5.34]
“We offer our respectful obeisances unto the lotus feet of the Lord, upon whom
one should always meditate. He left His householder life, leaving aside His
eternal consort, whom even the denizens of heaven adore. He went into the
forest to deliver the fallen souls, who are put into illusion by material
energy.”
Prahlada said:
ittham nr-tiryag-rsi-deva jhasavatarair
lokan vibhavayasi hamsi jagat-pratipan
dharmam maha-purusa pasi yuganuvrttam
channah kalau yad abhavas tri-yugo ’tha sa tvam
“My Lord, You kill all the enemies of the world in Your multifarious
incarnations in the families of men, animals, demigods, rsis, aquatics and so
on. Thus You illuminate the worlds with transcendental knowledge. In the Age of
Kali, O Mahapurusa, You sometimes appear in a covered incarnation. Therefore
You are known as Tri-yuga [one who appears in only three yugas].”
(5) From the Krsna-yamala-tantra: punya-ksetre navadvipe bhavisyami saci-sutah.
“I shall appear in the holy land of Navadvipa as the son of Saci-devi.”
(6) From the Vayu Purana: kalau sankirtanarambhe bhavisyami saci-sutah. “In the
Age of Kali when the sankirtana movement is inaugurated, I shall descend as the
son of Saci-devi.”
(7) From the Brahma-yamala-tantra:
atha vaham dharadhame
bhutva mad-bhakta-rupa-dhrk
mayayam ca bhavisyami
kalau sankirtanagame
“Sometimes I personally appear on the surface of the world in the garb of a
devotee. Specifically, I appear as the son of Saci in Kali-yuga to start the
sankirtana movement.”
(8) From the Ananta-samhita:
ya eva bhagavan krsno
radhika-prana-vallabhah
srsty adau sa jagan-natho
gaura asin mahesvari
“The Supreme Person, Sri Krsna Himself, who is the life of Sri Radharani and is
the Lord of the universe in creation, maintenance and annihilation, appears as
Gaura, O Mahesvari.”