taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih
One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind,
thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige, and should be ready to offer respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.
krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam
sangopangastra-parsadam
yajñaih sankirtana-prayair
yajanti hi su-medhasah
In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the names of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krsna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.
Sri Karabhajana
SB 11.5.33-34
dhyeyam sada paribhava-ghnam abhista-doham
tirthaspadam siva-viriñci-nutam saranyam
bhrtyarti-ham pranata-pala bhavabdhi-potam
vande maha-purusa te caranaravindam
My dear Lord, You are the Maha-purusa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and I worship Your lotus feet, which are the only eternal object of meditation. Those feet destroy the embarrassing conditions of material life and freely award the greatest desire of the soul, the attainment of pure love of Godhead. My dear Lord, Your lotus feet are the shelter of all holy places and of all saintly authorities in the line of devotional service and are honored by powerful demigods like Lord Siva and Lord Brahma. My Lord, You are so kind that You willingly protect all those who simply bow down to You with respect, and thus You mercifully relieve all the distress of Your servants. In conclusion, my Lord, Your lotus feet are actually the suitable boat for crossing over the ocean of birth and death, and therefore even Lord Brahma and Lord Siva seek shelter at Your lotus feet."
Sri Karabhajana
tyaktva su-dustyaja-surepsita-rajya-laksmim
dharmistha arya-vacasa yad agad aranyam
maya-mrgam dayitayepsitam anvadhavad
vande maha-purusa te caranaravindam
O Maha-purusa, I worship Your lotus feet. You gave up the association of the goddess of fortune and all her opulence, which is most difficult to renounce and is hankered after by even the great demigods. Being the most faithful follower of the path of religion, You thus left for the forest in obedience to a brahmana's curse. Out of sheer mercifulness You chased after the fallen conditioned souls, who are always in pursuit of the false enjoyment of illusion, and at the same time engaged in searching out Your own desired object, Lord Syamasundara.
Prediction of Lord Gauranga's advent:
** 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."
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According to the authoritative statements of the great purva-acharyas [previous authorized bona fide spiritual masters] such as Srila Rupa Goswami, Srila Sanatana Goswami, Srila Jiva Goswami, Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami, Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur, and His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the foremost representative of all the Acharyas in the Gaudiya Sampradaya, and many other great Acharyas and pure devotees, Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Yuga-Avatar, and the incarnation of Sri Sri Radha and Krishna combined who has appeared to taste the transcendental mellow bliss experienced by Srimati Radharani. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This transcendental conclusion is supported by the statements of the Vedas, the Srimad-Bhagavatam, various puranas, upa-puranas, the Mahabharata, various Samhitas, Tantras and Pancaratric texts.
Is there any specific reference in the Vedas as to when in this yuga, the Supreme Lord's Avatar- Sri Krishna Chaitanya was scheduled to appear?
** In the Atharva-Veda; Purusa-Bodini-Upanisad, it is said:
saptame gaura-varna-visnor ity aena sva-saktya
caikyam etya pratar avatirya saha svaih sva-manum siksayati
"In the seventh manvantara, in the beginning of the Kali-Yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will, accompanied by His own associates, descend in a golden form to the earth. He will teach the chanting of His own names."
When exactly does He come in the kali-yuga, and where does He specifically appear and what will He do?
** In the Atharva Veda, the Supreme Person says:
itotham krta sannyaso'vatarisyami sa-guno nirvedo
niskamo bhu-girvanas tira-atho' lakanandayah kalau
catuh-sahasrabdhopari panca-sahasrabhyantare
gaura-varno dirghangah sarva-laksana-yukta isvara
prarthito nija-rasasvado bhakta-rupo misrakhyo
vidita-yogah syam
I will descend on the earth after the passage of four thousand years in the Kali-Age, [kalau chatuh sahasrabdhopari] and before the passage of five thousand years [pancha sahasra abhyantare].
I will come on the earth on the bank of the Ganges, [tira-sthah alakanandayah]. I will be a tall and saintly Brahmana devotee. I will have all the auspicious symptoms of an exalted person [dirghangah sarva-laksana-yuktah].
I will exhibit renunciation. I will have all auspicious signs. I will be a devotee, practicing bhakti yoga. I will taste the rasa of My own devotional service.
** In the Sama Veda, the Supreme Lord says:
tathaham krta sannyaso bhu-girvano 'vatarisye
tire'lakanandayah punah punah isvara-prarthitah sa-
parivaro niralambo nirdhuteh kali-kalmasa-kavalita-
janavalambanaya
I shall come to the earth, accompanied by My associates, in a place by the bank of the Ganges. I will advent to save the people who are afflicted and devoured by the sins of the age of Kali. I will manifest as an Avadhut Brahman Sannyasi.
What is the name of the place where the Supreme Lord appears?
** The Chandogya Upanisad describes the place of advent of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya.
This is explained by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, in the Sabadvipa Dham Mahatmya (text 5):
tan-madhye daharam saksan
mayapuram itiryate
tatra vesma bhagavatas
chaitanyasya paratmanah
tasmin yas tv antarakaso
hy antardvipah sa ucyate
The spiritual city in the shape of a lotus has the abode of Sri Mayapur as its heart. Sridham Mayapur is the divine abode of Lord Chaitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the middle of Mayapur is the place called Antardvip.
(ACBSPN Note: One needs to catch a local train to "Krishna Nagar" from "Sealdah Station" in Calcutta. After the 3 hour train journey, you got to catch a bus for Mayapur, which will take another hour or so. Alternatively, you could catch a local train from Howrah for Navadvip. These trains are very rare - about 4 or 5 a day, so its better to go thru Sealdah. From Navadvip station you got to take a cycle-rickshaw to the "Ghat" [Bank of Ganges]. Then you cross the Ganges and reach Mayapur. The half an hour motorized boat ride may cost you about 1 to 2 Rupees!)
Are there any other relevant scriptural references in the vedas describing the appearance or qualities of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?
** The Svetasvatara Upanisad (Ch. 6, text 7) describes the qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Chaitanya:
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."
** Svetasvatara Upanisad Ch 3 text 12, 14
mahan prabhur vai purusah
sattvasyaisa pravartakah
sunirmalam 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 brahmajyoti. "
** Sri Chaitanya Upanisad (Chaitanyopanisad), text 5:
jahnavi-tire navadvipe golokakhye dhamni govindo
dvi-bhujo gaurah sarvatma maha-puruso mahatma
maha-yogi tri-gunatitah sattva-rupo bhaktim loke
kasyatiti. tad ete sloka bhavanti
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda, the supreme enjoyer, whose form is transcendental, who is beyond the touch of the three modes of material nature, and who is all pervading Supersoul residing in the-hearts of all living entities, will appear again in the Kali-age. Appearing as the greatest devotee, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will assume a two-armed form of golden complexion in His abode of Goloka Vrindavan manifested on the bank of the Ganga at Navadvip. He will disseminate pure devotional service in the world. This incarnation of the Lord is described in the following verses."
In what color will the Lord appear in the Kali-yuga, and what will He do?
** Sri Chaitanya Upanisad text 6:
eko devah sarva-rupi mahatma
gauro rakta syamala-sveta-rupah
chaitanyatma sa vai chaitanya-saktir
bhaktakaro bhakti-do bhakh-vedyah
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the master of all transcendental potencies, and who may be known only by devotional service, [bhakti vedyah] appears in innumerable transcendental forms. He has appeared in red, white and black complexions, [gauro rakta syamala sveta rupah] and He will also appear in the golden form of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He will assume the role of a perfect devotee [bhakta akarah] and He will teach the conditioned souls the path of pure devotional service [bhakti dah].
What is the nature of the form of Lord Chaitanya and how is He understood?
** Chaitanya Upanisad. text 7:
namo vedanta vedyaya
krmaya paramatmane
sarva chaitanya rupaya
chaitanyaya namo namah
I offer my respectful obeisances unto Him, who is understood by Vedanta [namo vedanta vedyaya], who is Lord Krishna [Krishnaya], the Supersoul [paramatmane], whose form is fully transcendental and conscious of everything [sarva-chaitanya-rupaya]. We offer our humble obeisances again and again. [chaitanyaya namo namah]
What is the result of understanding the divine position of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?
** Sri Chaitanya-Upanisad. text 8:
vedanta vedyam purusam puranam
chaitanyatmanam visva-yonim mahantam
tam eva viditva' mrtyum eti
nanyah pantha vidyatetyanaya
"Knowing Him who is the object of knowledge in the Upanisads, the oldest person, the embodiment of consciousness, the source of the universe and the greatest of all, one crosses over death. There is no other path for going there."
What will Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu do in this incarnation ?
** Sri Chaitanya-Upanisad. text 9:
sva-nama mula-mantrena sarvam hladayati vibhuh
The Supreme powerful [vibhuh] Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya appears in His golden form, and He will fill the universe with bliss [hladayati] by the chanting of His own holy names [sva-nama-mula-mantrena].
Which mantra will this yuga avatar chant?
** Sri Cartanya Upanisad text 10.
sa eva mula-mantra japati harir iti krishna iti rama iti
Sri Krishna Chaitanya will chant the maha-mantra comprised of the divine names of Hari, Krishna and Rama. i.e.,
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
(ACBSPN Note: the pronunciation of "Rama" is "rAma" or "rAm" and *not* "rAmA" as commonly misunderstood.)
Does Lord Chaitanya appear in every day of lord brahma? Just like the original Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna does appear once in every day of Lord Brahma.
** Answer: Srila Prabhupada once explained in Melbourne, Australia, in answer to the question of how long it would be before Lord Krishna would come to this planet again in His personal form: after 8 billion, 600 milion years.
Devotee: How long do you say it is before Krishna comes to this planet again in His physical form?
Srila Prabhupada: Now, calculate, I have already given the duration of one day, twelve hours, of Brahma means 4,300,000 years multiplied by one thousand....the eight billion.
Devotee (2): 600,000,000.
Srila Prabhupada: So Krishna comes after this period in one day, after one day of Brahma, He appears.
Devotee: Srila Prabhupada, does Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also appear every day of Brahma?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, following Krishna. Krishna comes in the Dvapar-Yuga. There are four sets of yugas: Satva, Treta, Dvapar, Kali. So Krishna comes at the end of Dvapar-Yuga, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu comes in the Kali-Yuga so almost the same year, same circulation... Similarly, Krishna appears in rotation in this universe after so many years, eight billion years. So next He goes to another universe....
[Melbourne Australia. 22nd May 1975.]
Did the Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavat-Puran), the foremost of all Vedic literatures predict the appearance of Lord Chaitanya Maraprabhu?
** In the seventh canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Prahlad Maharaj directly hints at the hidden nature of the Supreme Lord's appearance. Because the Supreme Lord is also called Tri-Yuga, or one who appears in only three yugas (satya, dvapara, treta), He is sometimes said to appear in a concealed form, in the age of Kali.
channah kalau yad abhavas tri-yugo'tha sa tvam
(Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.38)
Are there any more direct references in the Simad Bhagavatam, than the above reference?
** In the Tenth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, chapter eight, Gargamuni the family priest of Nanda Maharaja, explains that the young boy Sri Krishna has three colors - white, red and yellow - when He appears in His transcendental form in different ages. In the current incarnation of Krishna, He has appeared ...as black.
asan varnas trayo hy asya grhnatotnvyugam tanuh
suklo raktas tatha pita idanim krmatam gatah
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.13)
Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami, the celebrated author of the Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta, explains that the three colors of white, red and yellow are the three bodily colors which the Supreme Lord assumes in the ages of Satya, Treta and Kali respectively.
sukla rakta pita-varna ei tina dyuti
satya-treta-kali-kale dharena sri-pati
The Bhagavatam explains in the conversation between Karabhajan Muni and King Nimi, that in the Dvapara-Yuga, the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead appears in a blackish form [dvapare bhagavan syamah]. He has a yellow dress and carries His own weapons [pita-vasa-nija-ayudhah]. He is beautified with the mark of Srivatsa and the Kaustubha jewel [sri vatsa-adibhih ankais ca laksanaih]. This is the actual description of His characteristics [upalaksitah].
The great sage continues his instruction to King Nimi by saying that people in general in the age of Dvapar-Yuga worshiped the Lord of the Universe [iti dvapara urvisam stuvanti jagad isvaram]. In the age of Kali, they worshipped the Supreme Person by the regulation of the scriptures [tantra vidhana].
krishna varnam tvisakrmam sangopangastra parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.32)
"In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the holy name of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions."
How does this verse refer to the advent of Lord Chaitanya, since his name is not directly mentioned there?
** Just as the symptoms and characteristics of the various previous incarnations are mentioned in the scriptures, similarly the symptoms of the appearance of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are described.
Krishna-varnam indicates that He belongs to the category of Krishna. Krishna varnam also means one who constantly repeats and sings the name of Krishna. The main business of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was the chanting of the holy name of Krishna. Thus the words Krishna varnam and Krishna Chaitanya are equivalent.
Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami has elucidated the two meanings of the words Krishna varnam by stating:
krishna ei dui varna sadayanra mukhe
athava krmake h'nho varne nija sukhe
Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu always sings the two syllables Krish & na [Krishna ei dui varna sada yanra mukhe], or He always relishes great transcendental pleasure while describing Lord Krishna [athava krmake tinho varne nija-sukhe].
Is there any hint or explanation of His bodily characteristics?
His bodily complexion is not black [tvisa akrishnam]. Lord Chaitanya appeared in a very light, golden like complexion. His complexion was yellow [akrma-varane kahe pita-varana]. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is very beautiful.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is often described as Gaurasundara. Gaura means fair and Sundar means beautiful. Sometimes He is also called Gauranga or one who has a very fair complexion.
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Thus it is clearly established from the various Vedic Literatures and also by the various writings of the great Acaryas, that Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, whose appearance and birthplace were predicted and whose activities were also foretold.
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Thanks to ISKCON Temple Washington DC for the following post.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Sri Krishna Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
He appeared in the Kali yuga (the present age), 513 years ago in 1486 AD, in the
mood of His own greatest devotee, Srimati Radharani. The fact that Caitanya
Mahaprabhu is non different from Krishna is substantiated by the scriptures such
as the Srimad Bhagvatam (11.5.32), by the sadhus (saintly persons) such as Srila
Advaita acarya, Nityananda prabhu and the six Goswamis of Vrindavan. Finally it
is substantiated by all the gurus in bona fide disciplic successions. Since it
is independently verified by the scriptures, sadhus and guru, we should also
accept that Caitanya Mahaprabhu is an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in this yuga to demonstrate the means for
the people to return to Godhead. In the present age of Kali, that began about
5000 years ago, people have short life spans, weak intellect and a propensity to
quarrel and cheat. Out of compassio!
n for the fallen souls in this age, Sri Krishna incarnated, as Caitanya
Mahaprabhu, to establish the process of Sankirtan Yajna to help people return
back, back to Godhead. To enact His mission, He appeared with His associates.
Thus Sri Krishna Caitanya is often worshipped in His form as pancha-tattva,
accompanied by His immediate expansions, Nityananda prabhu, Advaita acarya,
Gadadhar pandit and Srivasa Thakur.
Sankirtan is chanting the holy name of the Lord. It could be done
congregationally, as kirtans, or it could be done softly in solace, as japa.
Japa is the process of chanting the maha-mantra:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
on the 108 tulasi beads of the japa-mala. Caitanya Mahaprabhu established that
the name of Krishna is non different from Krishna Himself. He established this
on the basis of authorized scriptures and explained to the mass of people the
philosophy of 'acintya-bhedabheda-tattva', which maintains that the Supreme Lord
is simultaneously one with and different from His creation. He demonstrated it
by practicing the chanting of the holy name Himself, and explained that the holy
name is the sound incarnation of the Lord Himself, and since the Lord is
absolute, there is no difference between His holy name and His transcendental
body.
Krishna Caitanya, as He is often also called was born in a brahman family in
Navadvipa, West Bengal as Vishvambhara, His birth was accompanied by an almost
universal chanting of Haribol, since it coincided with a total lunar eclipse. As
a child, the only way His parents, Sacidevi and Jagannatha Misra, could get Him
to stop crying was by chanting the holy name. Therefore, from the beginning, He
was inducing the people to chant to names of God. He was also called 'Gauranga'
on account of His golden body complexion and 'Nimai' partly because He was born
under a neem tree.
Though He had no need for it, He followed the established practice of studying
scriptures under the guidance of a guru in a tol (school). As a young boy, He
acquired a formidable reputation as a logician and vedantist. At a very young
age, he defeated Kesava Kashmiri, a digvijaya (unconquerable) brahman from
Kashmir. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu then moved on to immerse Himself completely in
the devotional worship of Krishna. He then conclusively established over and
over again to prominent Vedic scholars of His time, that Krishna can never be
approached by the dint of mental speculation, specially in the present age where
people have limited intellect, but can be only approached in the mood of love
and surrender - the mood of a devotee.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu also demonstrated that any one can become a devotee. He
glorified Haridas Thakur, a Moslem by birth, who daily chanted 300,000 names of
the Lord. In fact He showed that any living creature, may it be a learned
brahman, a fallen shudra, a criminal or even animals can become spiritually
elevated by chanting or hearing the names of Lord. He thus showed that love of
Godhead is an intrinsic quality of the spirit soul, and can be awakened from its
dormant stage by the process of chanting and kirtan. As one practices the
process of chanting, he passes through three stage: the offensive stage, wherein
one may desire all kinds of material happiness, the clearing stage, when the
material contamination's are cleared and finally the transcendental stage, one
of pure love of Godhead. Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught and showed that this is the
highest stage of perfection for the human beings.
The immediate followers of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, chief amongst them being the six
Goswamis, wrote several authoritative books based on Vedic scriptures. They
wrote this based on the personal instructions given by Caitanya Mahaprabhu to
demonstrate that bhakti or love of Krishna is the ultimate goal of the Vedas.
Krsnadas Kaviraj Goswami and Vrndavan dasa Thakura wrote authoritative
biographies of Sri Krishna Caitanya known as Caitanya Caritamrita and Caitanya
Bhagvata.
Though He inspired His followers to prolific writing, Caitanya Mahaprabhu left
behind the essence of His teaching in only eight verses called the 'Siksastaka'.
Each of this verse is a pearl of spiritual wisdom, which if understood properly,
under the guidance of a qualified teacher, can elevate a person from the mundane
plane of materialism to the highest form of devotion - prema bhakti. In addition
to this, Caitanya Mahaprabhu lived an exemplary life that served as a model for
people in the Kali yuga to follow and return to Godhead.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu predicted that the holy name of the Lord would be spread to
every village and town all over the world. He propagated the chanting of the
maha mantra which He directly took from the scriptures. In the Brhan-naradiya
Purana says:
harer nama harer nama harer namaivia kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha
'Chant the Holy name, chant the Holy name, chant the Holy name. In the Kali
yuga, there is no other way, no other way, no other way!'
The Kalisantarana Upanishad says that the 16 word, 32 syllable Hare Krishna maha
mantra is the most effective way of counteracting the contaminating effects of
the Kali yuga. Many of His empowered devotees, like Bhaktivinoda Thakura,
Bhaktisiddhantha Saraswati Thakura have since appeared to further this holy
mission. The latest, prominent personality in this line is His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of acarya of ISKCON. In following
the instructions of his spiritual master and the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
Prabhupada propagated the chanting of the name of Krishna well beyond the
borders of India, in countries all over the world, a mission that is still being
carried forward by his disciples in ISKCON.
Recommendations for interested readers :
Readers who are not already chanting are strongly encouraged in begin the all
auspicious activity of japa meditation, this spiritually uplifting process which
cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated over years, enabling one to fully
taste the nectar of the holy name.
Further Reading:
Caitanya Caritamrita by Krsnadas Kaviraja Goswami, translated into English by
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Caitanya Bhagavata by
Vrndavana dasa Thakura.
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