Gaura-tattva

Gauranga!!

The Evidence From Sruti for Lord Caitanya

4.1

mahan-prabhur vai purusah sattvasyesa pravarttakah

surnimalam imam santimisano jyotiravyah

            The Personality of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, is brilliantly

effulgent and imperishable like molten gold. He is the Supreme Controller. He

controls the mode of goodness and through sankirtana bestows spiritual intelli-

gence on the living beings. In the guise of a sannyasi, He is the source of spiri-

tual purity and of liberation. He is therefore known as "Mahaprabhu".

(Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.12)

4.2

yada pasyah pasyate rukma-varnam

kartaram isam purusam brahma-yonim

tada vidyan punya-pape vidhuya

niranjanah paramam samyam upaiti

            When one realizes the golden form of Lord Gauranga, who is the ultimate

actor and the source of the Supreme Brahman, he attains the highest knowl-

edge. He transcends both pious and impious activities, becomes free from worldly

bondage, and enters the divine abode of the Lord. (Mundaka Upanisad 3.3)

Evidence From Bhagavatam for Lord Caitanya

4.3

krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam sangopangastra-parsadam

yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi su-medhasah

            In the age of Kali, Krsna appears in a golden form, chanting the two syl-

lables krs-na. He descends along with His weapons, limbs, saktis, and eternal

confidential associates. Those with intelligence worship Him with the sankirtana

yajna. (Bhag. 11.5.32)

4.4

'krsna' ei dui varna sada yanra mukhe

athava, krsnake tinho varne nija sukhe.

krsna-varna-sabdera artha dui ta pramana

krsna vinu tanra mukhe nahi aise ana.

deha-kantye haya teoho akrsna-varana

akrsna-varane kahe pita-varana.

            The two syllables krs-na 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 blackish, the next adjective, tvisakrsnam, immediately restricts him. His

complexion is certainly not blackish. Indeed, His not being blackish indicates a

golden complexion. (Cc. Adi 3.54,55,57)

4.5

asan varnas trayo hy asya grhnato 'nuyugam tanuh

suklo raktas tatha pita idanim krsnatam gatah

            This boy, Krsna, has three other colors: white; red, and yellow, as He ap-

pears in different ages. Now, in this Dvapara-yuga, he has appeared in a tran-

scendental blackish color. (Bhag. 10.8.13)

4.6

sukla-rakta-krsna-pita krame cari varna

cari varna dhari' krsna karena yuga-dharma

            In the Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali yugas, Krsna accepts four different

colors: white, red, black, and yellow respectively. These are the colors of the

different incarnations in different millenniums. (Cc. Madhya 20.330)

4.7

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

            [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, ac-

cording to the age, You protect the principles of religion, but, O Mahaprabhu,

in the age of Kali, You do not assert Yourself as the Supreme Personality of

Godhead. Because Your incarnation is hidden in the age of Kali You are known

as Triyuga, or the Lord who manifests His supremacy in only three ages.

(Bhag. 7.9.38)

Evidence From Mahabharata for Sri Caitanya

4.8

suvarna-varno hemango varangas-candanangadi

sannyasa-krcchamah santo nistha-santi-parayanah

            When Krsna appears as Lord Gauranga, in His early pastimes His com-

plexion is golden (suvarna-varna), His limbs are the color of molten white gold

(hemanga), His body is extremely beautiful (varangas), and He is decorated

with sandalwood pulp (candanangadi).

            Sri Caitanya accepts sannyasa (sannyasa-krt), and shows equanimity (sama).

He is peaceful (santa). His mind is always fixed on Krsna, and thus He is nistha,

or fixed, in performing the great sacrifice of the holy name of Krsna. He silences

the non-devotees 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.

(Mahabharata, Dan-dharma ch.149)

Evidence of the Puranas for Lord Caitanya

4.9

aham eva kvacid brahman sannyasasramam asritah

hari-bhaktim grahayami kalau papa-hatan naran

            [The Supreme Lord said to Vyasadeva] O learned brahmana, sometimes I

accepted the renounced order of life to induce the fallen people of the age of

Kali to accept devotional service to the Lord. (Cc. Adi 3.83)

 4.10

aham eva dvija-srestha nityam pracchana-vigrahah

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 Gosvamis

4.11

antah krsnam bahir-gauram darsitangadi-vaibhavam

kalau sankirtanadyaih smah krsna-caitanyam-asritah

            I take shelter of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna Himself,

thinking of Himself. He is internally krsna blackish but externally, he appears

in golden complexion. 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

performing sankirtana. (Tattva-sandarbha 2)

Sri Gauranga is the Source of all Avataras

4.12

sutiya acchinu ksira-sagara-bhitare

mora nidra bhanga haila nadara huokare

            [While sitting on the altar of Visnu in the house of Srivasa, Lord Caitanya

said] Lying within the 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

Lord Caitanya]. (C.Bhag. Mad. 22.16)

4.13

sei krsna avatari vrajendra-kumara

apane caitanya-rupe kaila avatara.

ataeva caitanya gosani paratattva-sima

tanre ksiroda-sayi kahi, ki tanra mahima

sei ta' bhaktera vakya nahe vyabhicari

sakala sambhave tmnte, yate avatari.

avatarira dehe saba avatarera sthiti

keho kona-mate kahe, yemana yara mati.

            That same Lord Krsna, who is the fountainhead of all avataras is the son of

the king of Vraja. He has descended personally [as Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu].

Therefore Lord Caitanya is the Supreme Absolute Truth. To call Him

Ksirodakasayi 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 origi-

nal body of the primeval Lord. Thus according to one's opinion one may ad-

dress Him as any one of the avataras. (Cc. Adi 2.109-112)

Sri Gauranga is Unattainable by Worldly Knowledge

4.14

bhagavata, bharata-sastra, agama, purana

caitanya-krsna-avatare 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 litera-

ture all give evidence to prove that Lord Caitanya is the avatara of Krsna. Also,

one can directly see Lord 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.

(Cc. Adi 3.84-86)

Lord Caitanya's sixfold Nature

4.15

sakala vaisnava, suna kari' eka-mana

caitanya-krsnera sastra-mata-nirupana.

krsna, guru, bhakta, sakti avatara, prakasa

krsna ei chaya-rupe karena vilasa

            I advise all my vaisnava readers to read and hear with rapt attention this

narration of the pastimes of Lord Krsna Caitanya as inculcated in the revealed

scriptures. Lord Krsna enjoys His pastimes by manifesting Himself as the spiri-

tual masters (guru), His devotees (bhakta), His diverse energies (sakti), His

incarnations (avataras) and His full expansions (prakasa). (Cc. Adi 1.31,32)

Sri Gauranga is the Supreme Truth

4.16

yad advaitam brahmopanisadi tad apy asya tanu-bha

ya atmantaryami purusa iti so 'syamsa-vibhavah

sad-aisvaryaih purno ya iha bhagavan sa svayam ayam

na caitanyat krsnaj jagati para-tattvam param iha

            What the Upanisads describe as the impersonal absolute is but the

effulgence of His (Sri Caitanya's) body. The Lord who is known as the Supersoul

is but His localized expansion. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead,

Krsna Himself, full in six opulences. He is the Absolute Truth, one without

second. There is no truth superior to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Cc. Adi 1.3)

Lord Caitanya is the Jagad-guru

4.17

caudda bhuvanera guru caitanya-gosani

tanra guru anya, ei kona sastre nai

            Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the jagad-guru, the spiritual master of the four-

teen worlds. No other guru can compare with Him. (Cc. Adi 12.16)

Lord Gauranga is the Best of all

4.18

saundarye kama-kotih sakala-jana samahladane candrakotir

vatsalye matrkotis tridasavitapinam kotir audarya-sare

gambhirye 'mbodhi-kotir madhurimani sudha-ksira-maddhavihvika-kotir

gaurodevah sa jiyat pranaya-rasapade darsitascarya-kotih

            Caitanya Mahaprabhu is lovelier than millions of cupids. He is 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 nectarean drinks. All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Lord,

who displays millions of amazing sentiments of madhurya-bhakti, the most ex-

alted mellow of pure love of Godhead. (Caitanya Candramrta 101)

Gauranga's Tattva, Nama, Rupa, and Lila

4.19

namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te

krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namah

            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 incarnations. 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. (Cc. Mad. 19.53)

Gauranga Delivers All by Distributing Nama

4.20

sankirtana-pravartaka sri-krsna-caitanya

sankirtana-yajne tanre bhaje, sei dhanya.

sei ta' sumedha, ara kubuddhi samsara

sarva-yajna haite krsna-nama-yajna sara

            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 en-

dure the cycle of repeated birth and death. Of all sacrificial performances, the

chanting of the Lord's holy name is the most sublime. (Cc. Adi 3.77,78)

Gauranga is the Giver of Krsna-prema

4.21

uchalila prema-vanya caudike vedaya

stri, vrddha, balaka, yuva, sabare duvaya.

saj-jana, dur-jana, pangu, jada, andha-gana

prema-vanyaya dubaila jagatera jana

            The flood of love of Godhead distributed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

swelled in all directions. 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, rogue, lame, invalid, or blind. (Cc. Adi 7.25,26)

4.22

patrapatra-vicara nahi, nahi sthanasthana

yei yanha paya, tanha kare prema-dana

lutiya, khaiya, diya, bhandara ujade

ascarya bhandara, prema sata-guna bade

            In distributing love of Godhead, Lord 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 made no such conditions.

Rather, wherever they got the opportunity, the members of the Panca-tattva

distributed love of Godhead. Although they plundered the storehouse of love of

Godhead, 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. (Cc. Adi 7.23,24)

Who Cheat Themselves out of Love of God

4.23

mayavadi, karma-nistha kutarkika-gana

nindaka, pasandi, yata paduya adhama

sei saba mahadaksa dhasm palaila

sei vanya ta-sabare chunite narila

            The impersonalists, fruitive workers, false logicians, blasphemers, non-

devotees, and lowest of the student community are very expert in avoiding the

Krsna consciousness movement. Therefore the mercy of Lord Caitanya

Mahaprabhu cannot reach them. (Cc. Adi 7.29,30)

One can Know the Conclusion of Scripture

by Sri Gauranga's Mercy

4.24

sri-caitanya-prabhum vande balo 'pi yad-anugrahat

taren nana-mata-graha-vyaptam 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. (Cc. Adi 2.1)

4.25

hrdaye dharaye ye caitanya-nityananda

e-saba siddhante sei paibe ananda.

e saba siddhanta haya amrera pallava

bhakta-gana-kokilera sarvada vallabha.

abhakta-ustrera ithe na haya pravesa

tabe citte haya mora ananda-visesa.

            [Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami says] Anyone who has captured Sri Caitanya

Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu within his heart becomes blissful by hear-

ing all these transcendental conclusions. These conclusions are like the newly

grown twigs of a mango tree in that they are always pleasing to the devotees,

who in this way resemble cuckoos. The camel-like non-devotees, however, can-

not enter into these topics, and therefore there is special jubilation within my

heart. (Cc. Adi 4.233-235)

Lord Gauranga's Preaching Pastimes

4.26

sannyasi pandita-ganera karite garva nasa

nica-sudra-dvara karena dharmera prakasa.

'bhakti', ' prema', 'tattva' kahe raye kari' 'vakta'

apani pradyumna-misra-saha haya 'srota'.

haridasa-dvara nama-mahatmya-prakasa

sanatana-dvara bhakti-siddhanta-vilasa.

sri-rupa-dvara vrajera prema-rasa-lila

ke bujhite 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. Lord Caitanya preached

about devotional service, ecstatic love, and the Absolute Truth by making

Ramananda Raya, a grhastha from a low family, the speaker. Then the Lord,

an exalted brahmana sannyasi, and Pradyumna Misra, the purified brahmana,

both heard from Ramananda Raya. The Lord exhibited the glories of the holy

name of Krsna through Haridasa Thakura, who was born in a Muslim family.

Similarly, He exhibited the essence of devotional service through Sanatana

Gosvami, who was almost converted to Islam. The Lord also fully exhibited the

ecstatic love and transcendental pastimes of Vrndavana through Srila Rupa

Gosvami. Considering all this, who can understand the deep plans of Caitanya

Mahaprabhu? (Cc. Antya 5.84-87)

4.27

vraje ye vihare purve krsna-balarama

koti-surya-candra jini doohara nija-dhama.

sei dui jagatere ha-iya sadaya

gaudadese purva-saile karila udaya.

sri-krsna-caitanya ara prabhu nityananda

yanhara prakase sarva jagat ananda.

surya-candra hare yaiche saba andhakara

vastu prakasiya kare dharmera pracara.

ei mata dui bhai jivera ajnana-

tamo-nasa kari' kaila tattva-vastu-dana.

yanhara prasade ei tamo haya nasa

tamo nasa kari' kare tattvera prakasa.

surya candra bahirera tamau se vinase

bahir-vastu ghata-pata-adi se prakase.

dui bhai hrdayera ksali' andhakara

dui bhagavata-sange karana saksatkara.

            Krsna and Balarama, 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 on 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 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 exter-

nal 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. (Cc. Adi 1.85-89,95,97,98)

Sri Gauranga's Example and Precept

4.28

hare-krsnety uccaih sphurita-rasano namaganana-

krta-granthi-sreni-subhaga-kati-sutrojjvala-karah

visalakso dirghargala-yugala-khelancita-bhujah

sa caitanyah kim me punarapi drsor yasyati padam

            Caitanya Mahaprabhu chants the Hare Krsna mantra in a loud voice. The

holy name dances on His tongue as He counts His recitations with His effulgent

hands. His eyes are large and His long arms, which bend when He performs

His pastimes, reach down to His knees. When will he again be visible before

me? (Stava-mala 5 Rupa Gosvami)

Gauranga's Principle and Ultimate Goals

4.29

ei vancha yaiche krsna-prakatya-karana

asura-samhara anusanga prayojana.

ei mata caitanya-krsna purna bhagavan

yuga-dharma-pravartana nahe tanra kama.

kona karane yabe haila avatare mana

yuga-dharma-kala haila se kale milana.

dui hetu avatari' lana bhakta-gana

apane asvade prema-nama-sanakirtana.

sei dvare acandale kirtana sancare

nama-prema-mala ganthi' paraila samsare.

ei-mata bhakta-bhava kari' angikara

apani acari' bhakti karila pracara.

            Just as Krsna appeared in order to manifest His Vrndavana pastimes and

His suppression of demons was incidental in the same way promulgating the

dharma for the age is an incidental reason for Lord Caitanya's appearance.

When He 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 along with the congregational

chanting of the holy name. He spread sankirtana 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. (Cc. Adi 4.36-41)

Sri Gauranga is Like a Lion

4.30

caitanya-simhera nava-dvipe avatara

simha-griva, simha-virya, simhera huokara

sei simha vasuk jivera hrdaya-kandare

kalmasa-dvirada nase yanhara huokare

            Thus the lion-like Caitanya Mahaprabhu has appeared in Navadvipa-

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

and with His resounding roar, may He drive away their elephantine vices.

(Cc. Adi 3.30,31)

Sri Gauranga's Eternal Reason for Appearing

4.31

anarpita-carim cirat karunayavatirnah kalau

samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasam sva-bhakti-sriyam

harih purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipitah

sada hrdaya-kandare sphuratu vah saci-nandana

            May that Lord who is known as the son of Srimati Sacidevi be transcen-

dentally 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.

(Cc. Adi 1.4)

Lord Gauranga's Confidential Reason for Appearing

4.32

sri-radhayah pranaya-mahima kidrso vanayaiva-

svadyo yenadbhuta-madhurima kidrso va madiyah

saukhyam casya mad-anubhavatah kidrsam veti lobhat

tad-bhavadhyah samajani saci-garbha-sindau harinduh

            Desiring to understand the glory of Srimati Radharani's love, the wonder-

ful qualities in Him that she alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness

she feels when she realizes the sweetness of His love, Lord Hari, richly en-

dowed with Her emotions, appears from the womb of Sacidevi as the moon

appears from the ocean. (Cc. Adi 1.6)

Internally He has the Mood of Sri Radha,

Externally He Preaches the Holy Name

4.33

sei radhara bhava lana caitanyavatara

yuga-dharma nama-prema kaila paracara

            Lord Caitanya appeared with the sentiments of Sri Radha. He preached

the dharma of this age, the chanting of the holy name of Krsna, and pure love of

Godhead (krsna-prema). (Cc. Adi 4.220)

The Pastimes of Sri Caitanya 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 Lord

Caitanya performed, because they are without limit in time and space. They

are unlimited and eternal. (C.Bhag.Mad. 23.513)

Materialistic and Demonic Persons are Envious of Sri Gauranga

4.35

purve yaiche jarasandha-adi raja-gana

veda-dharma kari' kare visnura pujana

krsna nahi mane, tate daitya kari' mani

caitanya na manile taiche daitya tare jani

hena krpamaya caitanya na bhaje yei jana

sarvottama ha-ileo tare 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 Lord Caitanya as Krsna, the same Supreme Lord, is also considered a

demon. One who does not show respect to 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. (Cc. Adi 8.8,9,12)

Gauranga is not the Enjoyer of the Rasa Dance

4.36

ei mata capalya karena saba sane

sabe strimatra na dekhena drstikane

"stri" hena na prabhu ei avatare

sravane o na karila vidita samsare

ata eva yata maha-mahima sakale

"gauranga nagara" hena stava nahi bale

            The Lord was apt to indulge in indiscriminate, merciful behavior towards

all, except that He never looked at a woman, even by a sidelong glance. It is

known to all the world that He did not even allow the name of a woman to enter

His ear. Those who are His real devotees, therefore, 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. (C.Bhag. 15.28-31)

The Glories of the Mercy of Gaura-Nitai

4.37

caitanya-nityanande nahi esaba vicara

nama laite prema dena, bahe asrudhara

svatantra isvara prabhu atyanta udara

tanre na bhajile kabhu na haya nistara

            If one only chants with some slight faith the holy names of Lord Caitanya

and Lord 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 liberated.

(Cc. Adi 8.31,32)

The Position of Those who Cheat Themselves out of Lord Gauranga's Mercy

4.38

caitanyavatare vahe premamrta-vanya

saba jiva preme bhase, prthivi haila dhanya.

e-vanyaya ye na bhase, sei jiva chara

koti-kalpe kabhu tara nahika nistara

            There is now a flood of the eternal nectar of love of God because of the

incarnation of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. All living entities are floating in

that flood. The entire world is now thankful to the Lord. Whoever does not

float in this inundation is most condemned. Such a person cannot be delivered

for millions of lifetimes of Lord Brahma. (Cc. Antya 3.254, 255)

4.39

avatara sara, gaura-avatara

kena na bhajili ta're

kari' nire vasa, gela na piyasa

apana karama phere

kantakera taru ,sadai sevili amrta paibara

 ase prema kalpataru (sri) Gauranga amara

tahare bhavili vise

saurabhera ase, palasa sunkili,

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 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 nectarean fruits of love

of Godhead distributed by Lord Gauranga, however, I turned them away, think-

ing 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. 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, all my

attempts at enjoyment proved false.

            Admitting defeat, wasted, and worn out, I await the snake of death. De-

claring 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 indul-

gence (Mahajana-giti).

Gauranga Appears as 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 thani tora putra rahu avilambe

            [Lord 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

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 the earth. In both

these forms I am worshiped, and in these two features I have appeared in

order to spread the sankirtana movement. (C.Bhag.Mad. 27.47)

Gauranga's Teachings in a Nutshell.

4.41

aradhyo bhagvan brajesa-tanayas-tad-dhama vrndavanam

ramya kacid-upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena ya kalpita

srimad-bhagavatam pramanam-amalam prema pumartho mahan

sri caitanya mahaprabhur-matam-idam tatradaro nah parah

            It is the conclusive opinion of Lord Caitanya that Sri Krsna, who is

Vrajendra-nandana, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, the top-

most worshipable Deity; Vrndavana-dhama which is an expansion of Krsna and

is nondifferent from Him is the highest worshipable abode; the gopis 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 Thakura)