DOCSLIB.ORG

The Sacred Mission of the Golden Avatar Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to Save the Modern World

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Sacred Mission of the Golden Avatar Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to Save the Modern World The Sacred miSSion of The Golden avaTar chaiTanya mahaprabhu To Save The modern world Chaitanya Gaudiya Math Compiled By 14th Lecture Series Dr. G.C. Dutt, IPS At Kolkata on 5th Sep, 2018 FD – 424, Salt Lake City (Teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) Kolkata – 7001106 (M – 9735001819) The Sacred miSSion of The Golden avaTar chaiTanya mahaprabhu To Save The modern world Discourse with Advaita Acharya, Lord Nityananda, Sarvabhauma Bhattacharjee, Ramananda Ray, Rupa Goswami, Sanatan Goswami, Raghunath Das Goswami, Jagadananda Pandit, Haridas Thakur and others. -:Research Source Materials used in present thesis :- 1. Sri Caitanya Caritamrta by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami, Iskcon Publication. 2. Teachings of Lord Caitanya The Golden Avatara by A.C.B. Swami Prabhupada. 3. Sri Caitanya Mangala by Locana Dasa Thakura. (H.H. Sohag Swami Maharaj, Isk) 4. Sri Caitanya Bhagavata by Vrndavana dasa Thakura (Purna Prajna Das, Isk.) 5. Srimad Bhagvatam by Vyasa Deva, Iskcon Publication. (A.C.B. Swami Prabhupad, Isk) 6. Ontological & Morphological Concepts of Lord Sri Chaitanya By T.S.B Prajnan Yati 7. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu His Life & Precepts by Thakur Bhaktivinode INDEX (Part 1) 1. Introduction 2. Who is Supreme Lord? 1 3. Lineage of Lord Krishna Parampara & Sampradaya 2 4. Which Sastras mention Lord Chaitanya appearance 3-4 5. Origin of Bhagwat Dharma Laid out By Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 5 (How to reach to the platform of Bhakti Yoga.) Bhagwat Puran Canto 1. 6. Lord Chaitaanya Mahaprabhu propounds Bhagwat Dharma (Supreme Lord of KaliYuga: 6-7 Lord Jagannath) 7. How Jivas have to suffer in Kaliyuga 8 8. The ik䁠䁠৬aka Prayers and its meaning 9-11 9. Navada Bhakti Yoga Method of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 12 (SB – 7.5.23-24) Prahlads Teachings) 10. What is Yoga According to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 13 11. Stages of Sadhna Bhakti 14 12. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu outlines personal relationship with Supreme Lord (Various Rasa) 15-16 13. Srimad Bhagavatam (Evolution of a Devotee) (Kanistha to Uttam) 17 14. The Process of Saranagati according to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu 18 15. The Mahamantra is the Yugadharma 19-22 16. Ten Offenses against chanting the Holy Name 23 17. Divine path Attracts supreme Lord’s Blessing and protection and Ends All Misery. 24-25 18. Conclusion (Qualities of a Perfect Gaudiya Vaisnav) 26 Part 2 PART – A CC ADI LILA 23RD PHALGUN 1407SAKABDA (18TH FEB 1486) Pg. (UPTO AGE 24) CC Ādi 3: The External Reasons for the Appearance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu 1-4 Included: Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu His Life & Precepts by Bhaktivinode Thakur CC Ādi 4: The Confidential Reasons for the Appearance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu 5-6 PART – B CC MADHYA LILA (AGE FROM 24 TO32 YRS) 6YEARS CC Madhya 6: Re ieration of rYaRauKa RaDDcra 7-11 1st Discourse Included: Teachings of Lord Caitanya by A.C.B. Swami Prabhupad Sri Caitanya Bhagavata by Vrndavana dasa Thakura Sri Caitanya Mangala by Locana Dasa Thakura. Srimad Bhagvatam First Canto Introduction (Sarvabhauma Battacarya Meeting) CC Madhya 8: alks etween Śrī Caitana MaRpraRu and RKnanda Ra 12-16 2nd Discourse Included: Teachings of Lord Caitanya by A.C.B. Swami Prabhupad Srimad Bhagvatam First Canto Introduction (Ramananda Ray Meeting) CC Madhya 19: ord Śrī Caitana MaRpraRu Instructs Śrīla Rūpa GosYKī 17-21 3rd Discourse Included: Teachings of Lord Caitanya by A.C.B. Swami Prabhupad Srimad Bhagvatam First Canto Introduction (Rupa Goswami Meeting) CC Madhya 20: ord Śrī Caitana MaRpraRu Instructs antana GosYKī in tRe cience 22-29 4tR Discourse of tRe Asolute rutR Included: Teachings of Lord Caitanya by A.C.B. Swami Prabhupad CC Madhya 25: ow All tRe Residents of rasī ecaKe aiLaYas 30-35 5tR Discourse Included: Teachings of Lord Caitanya by A.C.B. Swami Prabhupad PART – C CC ANTYA LILA (AGE FROM 32 TO 48 (18YRS) PURI CC Antya 3: Re Glories of Śrīla aridsa Rkura 36-38 6tR Discourse Included: Sri Caitanya Bhagavata by Vrndavana dasa Thakura CC Antya 6: Re Meeting of Śrī Caitana MaRpraRu and RagRunatRa dasa GosYKī 39 7tR Discourse CC Antya 7: The Meeting of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and allaRa RaDD 40 8tR Discourse CC Antya 13: PastiKes witR agadnanda Pa৆ita and RagRuntRa RaDDa GosYKī 41-42 9tR Discourse Conclusion Further Reading/ Bibliography Introduction How Chaitanya Mahaprabhu impacted all the luminaries of India:- The life and past times of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu dates back 500 years back 1486 – 1534. He was the torch bearer for later revolutionary movements in India a. The non-cooperation movement of Mahatma Gandhi was earlier practiced by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu against Muslim rulers who disallowed Harinam Sankirtan. b. Sri Ramkrishna teachings as enumerated in Kathaamrita by Master outlines Chapter by Chapter How Lord Sri Ramkrishna was drawn to the worship of Hari & to Harinam Sankirtan. Girish Ghosh was a witness in Ramkrishna’s search for Hari’s transcendental Love. c. Swami Vivekanand address in Chicago addressed everyone as brother & sisters and his speech on Indians being frog in the well was taken from Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Bhagwat Dharma teachings to Brahman of Benaras. d. Rabindra Nath Tagore writings on decadent Western Culture emphasized that Vaishnavism & Buddhism could bring peace in the World. This led to birth of Brahmo Samaj. This concept of Asian Universalism was born out of his above convictions. e. Amartya Sen and Dalai Lama and Pope Francis Sufi Saints talked of revival of Brotherhood of man, Compassion, humility & tolerance which is deeply imbedded in the teachings of Siksastakam. Who is Supreme Lord? KRISHNA IS MENTIONED AS SUPREME LORD IN THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES:- Kali Santarana Upanisad from Krishna Yajur Veda, Srimad Bhagavatam, Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Agni Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Upadeshmitra, Padma Purana, Ananta Samhita, Susloka Satakam, Chaitanya Bhagavata Madhya Kanda, Naradiya Purana, Skanda Purana, Visnu Dharma, Vaisnava cintamani, Brhan Naradiya Purana, Bhakti Sandarbha, Brahma Yamala, Brahmanda Purana, Kali Santarana Upanisad. These scriptures clearly state that in this evil iron age we should only participle in the Yuga Dharma which is Harinam Sankirtan to Krishna & his expansions only. 1 2 Sastra’s mention Lord Chaitanya Appearance CC Adi 2: Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 2.22 seita govinda saksac caitanya gosani jiva nistarite aiche dayalu ara nai That Govinda personally appears as Caitanya Gosani. No other Lord is as merciful in delivering the fallen souls. The author of Sri Caitanya-caritamWta 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 UpaniQad (5): gauraG 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 (3) From the Mundaka Upanisad (3.1.3): yada pasyah pasyate rukma-varnam kartaram isam puruam 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 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.5.33-34 and 7.9.38): 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 nava-dvipe bhavisyami saci-sutah. "I shall appear in the holy land of Navadvīpa as the son of Saci-devi." (6) From the Vayu Puraa: 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." 3 (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 Maheśvarī." 4 Origin of Bhagwat Dharma Laid out By Chaitanya Mahaprabhu How to reach to the platform of Bhakti Yoga. 1. What is Sanatan Dharma or Bhagawat Dharma or Varnasram dharma. 4 Principals of Religion (Canto 1 Parikshit and Kali) a) Austerity (Tapah) – Fasting, No intoxication, No Liquor, No Gambling, No Onion, No Garlic, No Tea Coffee, Wake up in Brahama Muharat. b) Cleanliness (Soucha) – No illegal Sex, Prostitution. c) Mercy (Daya) – No Meat Eating. d) Truthfulness (Satya) – Supreme Truth is to please lord. 2. 4 Defects of humans: 1. The difference between a conditioned soul and a liberated soul is that the conditioned soul has four kinds of defects.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Chaitanya-Charitamrita Compact
    Chaitanya-Charitamrita Compact A summary study of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s life story By Sutapa das Based on Shri Chaitanya-Charitamrita translated by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Founder Acharya: International Society for Krishna Consciousness O devotees, relish daily the nectar of Shri Chaitanya-Charitamrita and the pastimes of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, for by doing so one can merge in transcendental bliss and attain full knowledge of devotional service. (Antya-Lila 5.89) © 2015, Bhaktivedanta Manor Text: Sutapa Das Design & Graphics: Prasannatma Das Layout: Yogendra Sahu Artwork courtesy of The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International, Inc. www.krishna.com. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness Founder Acarya: His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada College of Vedic Studies Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hilfield Lane, Watford, WD25 8EZ 01923 851000 www.krishnatemple.com [email protected] Dedicated to: Shrila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Goswami, who, being requested by the Vaishnava community, was divinely empowered to compose this spotless biography. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who carried the message of Shri Chaitanya to the Western world, established the ISKCON movement, and kindly translated this priceless literature into English. Kadamba Kanana Swami, who nurtured my interest in Chaitanya-Charitamrita, and provides ongoing inspiration and guidance in my spiritual journey. Contents Introduction ..........................................................................7 The God
    [Show full text]
  • Bhagavata Purana
    Bhagavata Purana The Bh āgavata Pur āṇa (Devanagari : भागवतपुराण ; also Śrīmad Bh āgavata Mah ā Pur āṇa, Śrīmad Bh āgavatam or Bh āgavata ) is one of Hinduism 's eighteen great Puranas (Mahapuranas , great histories).[1][2] Composed in Sanskrit and available in almost all Indian languages,[3] it promotes bhakti (devotion) to Krishna [4][5][6] integrating themes from the Advaita (monism) philosophy of Adi Shankara .[5][7][8] The Bhagavata Purana , like other puranas, discusses a wide range of topics including cosmology, genealogy, geography, mythology, legend, music, dance, yoga and culture.[5][9] As it begins, the forces of evil have won a war between the benevolent devas (deities) and evil asuras (demons) and now rule the universe. Truth re-emerges as Krishna, (called " Hari " and " Vasudeva " in the text) – first makes peace with the demons, understands them and then creatively defeats them, bringing back hope, justice, freedom and good – a cyclic theme that appears in many legends.[10] The Bhagavata Purana is a revered text in Vaishnavism , a Hindu tradition that reveres Vishnu.[11] The text presents a form of religion ( dharma ) that competes with that of the Vedas , wherein bhakti ultimately leads to self-knowledge, liberation ( moksha ) and bliss.[12] However the Bhagavata Purana asserts that the inner nature and outer form of Krishna is identical to the Vedas and that this is what rescues the world from the forces of evil.[13] An oft-quoted verse is used by some Krishna sects to assert that the text itself is Krishna in literary
    [Show full text]
  • Gaura Lila Notes 43 Chaitanya Bhagavata – Madhya Lila 26 Descriptions of the Mercy Bestowed on Suklambara and Vijaya and the Lord’S Desire to Take Sannyasa
    Gaura Lila notes 43 Chaitanya Bhagavata – Madhya Lila 26 Descriptions of the Mercy Bestowed on Suklambara and Vijaya and the Lord’s Desire to Take Sannyasa LCM requests rice from Suklambara p One day LCM asks Suklambara Brahmacari to prepare rice p “I have a strong desire to eat your rice. Do not fear. p SB emotionally pleas w/ LCM: p “I am a sinful, wretched beggar & you are the personification of religious principles from which I have fallen p You should give me shelter at your lotus ft, although I am lower than an insect, you are trying to deceive me. p LCM: Do not think this is deception. p I have a strong desire to taste your cooking. p Go home and prepare an offering p p Still SB in anxiety so inquired from devs as to what to do p Devs: Why are you afraid? From the spiritual point of view no one is separate from the Lord. p He always begs food from those who worship him w/ unflinching devotion p Although Vidura was the son of a sudrani, b/c of his ds the L personally begged food from him p It is the nature of the L to beg food from His devs p Just go and offer him lunch w/ great devotion. p If you feel fearful then don’t touch the food while you cook p You are most fortunate to receive such mercy p p SB returns home p After taking bath SB boiled scented water p Then put rice and banana stem in water w/o touching and then folded his hands in prayer p SB began to joyfully sing: Jaya K, Govinda, Gopala, Vanamali p At that moment Laksmidevi glanced over SB’s rice p Rice became exactly like nectar p p LCM arrives at this time accompanied by Nt.
    [Show full text]
  • The Divine Name
    THE DIVINE NAME by Raghava Chaitanya Das Published by BHAKTI VIGYAN NITYANANDA BOOK TRUST SRI KRISHNA CHAITANYA MISSION (Regd.) SRI BHAKTI VINOD ASHRAM BERHAMPUR-6(GM) (INDIA) SRI GAUR JAYANTI 24 March 1997 (WWW Edition - Vamana dvadasi 2007) All Rights Reserved By BHAKTI VIGYAN NITYANANDA BOOK TRUST CONTENTS PREFACE........................................................................................................9 DIVINE NAME AND ITS EFFICACIES.................................................................14 DIVINE NAME - THE SWEETEST OF ALL..........................................................................................14 DIVINE NAME - THE SOLE REMEDY FOR ALL ILLS...............................................................................15 DIFFERENT DIVINE DISPENSATIONS..............................................................................................15 DIVINE NAME - THE BEST IN KALI YUGA.......................................................................................16 AGE OF MACHINES................................................................................................................16 AGE OF FREE CONTROVERSY......................................................................................................17 ABODES OF KALI..................................................................................................................17 DIVINE GRACE - ESSENTIAL......................................................................................................18 SELF-SURRENDER - WAY
    [Show full text]
  • Why I Became a Hindu
    Why I became a Hindu Parama Karuna Devi published by Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center Copyright © 2018 Parama Karuna Devi All rights reserved Title ID: 8916295 ISBN-13: 978-1724611147 ISBN-10: 1724611143 published by: Jagannatha Vallabha Vedic Research Center Website: www.jagannathavallabha.com Anyone wishing to submit questions, observations, objections or further information, useful in improving the contents of this book, is welcome to contact the author: E-mail: [email protected] phone: +91 (India) 94373 00906 Please note: direct contact data such as email and phone numbers may change due to events of force majeure, so please keep an eye on the updated information on the website. Table of contents Preface 7 My work 9 My experience 12 Why Hinduism is better 18 Fundamental teachings of Hinduism 21 A definition of Hinduism 29 The problem of castes 31 The importance of Bhakti 34 The need for a Guru 39 Can someone become a Hindu? 43 Historical examples 45 Hinduism in the world 52 Conversions in modern times 56 Individuals who embraced Hindu beliefs 61 Hindu revival 68 Dayananda Saraswati and Arya Samaj 73 Shraddhananda Swami 75 Sarla Bedi 75 Pandurang Shastri Athavale 75 Chattampi Swamikal 76 Narayana Guru 77 Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru 78 Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha 79 Ramakrishna Paramahamsa 79 Sarada Devi 80 Golap Ma 81 Rama Tirtha Swami 81 Niranjanananda Swami 81 Vireshwarananda Swami 82 Rudrananda Swami 82 Swahananda Swami 82 Narayanananda Swami 83 Vivekananda Swami and Ramakrishna Math 83 Sister Nivedita
    [Show full text]
  • Is the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya Connected to the Madhva Line?
    Is the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya connected to the Madhva line? Is the Gaudiya Vaishnava sampradaya connected to the Madhva line? – Jagadananda Das – The relationship of the Madhva-sampradaya to the Gaudiya Vaishnavas is one that has been sensitive for more than 200 years. Not only did it rear its head in the time of Baladeva Vidyabhushan, when the legitimacy of the Gaudiyas was challenged in Jaipur, but repeatedly since then. Bhaktivinoda Thakur wrote in his 1892 work Mahaprabhura siksha that those who reject this connection are “the greatest enemies of Sri Krishna Chaitanya’s family of followers.” In subsequent years, nearly every scholar of Bengal Vaishnavism has cast his doubts on this connection including S. K. De, Surendranath Dasgupta, Sundarananda Vidyavinoda, Friedhelm Hardy and others. The degree to which these various authors reject this connection is different. According to Gaudiya tradition, Madhavendra Puri appeared in the 14th century. He was a guru of the Brahma or Madhva-sampradaya, one of the four (Brahma, Sri, Rudra and Sanaka) legitimate Vaishnava lineages of the Kali Yuga. Madhavendra’s disciple Isvara Puri took Sri Krishna Chaitanya as his disciple. The followers of Sri Chaitanya are thus members of the Madhva line. The authoritative sources for this identification with the Madhva lineage are principally four: Kavi Karnapura’s Gaura-ganoddesa-dipika (1576), the writings of Gopala Guru Goswami from around the same time, Baladeva’s Prameya-ratnavali from the late 18th century, and anothe late 18th century work, Narahari’s
    [Show full text]
  • Final Senior Fellowship Report
    FINAL SENIOR FELLOWSHIP REPORT NAME OF THE FIELD: DANCE AND DANCE MUSIC SUB FIELD: MANIPURI FILE NO : CCRT/SF – 3/106/2015 A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TWO VAISHNAVISM INFLUENCED CLASSICAL DANCE FORM, SATRIYA AND MANIPURI, FROM THE NORTH EAST INDIA NAME : REKHA TALUKDAR KALITA VILL – SARPARA. PO – SARPARA. PS- PALASBARI (MIRZA) DIST – KAMRUP (ASSAM) PIN NO _ 781122 MOBILE NO – 9854491051 0 HISTORY OF SATRIYA AND MANIPURI DANCE Satrya Dance: To know the history of Satriya dance firstly we have to mention that it is a unique and completely self creation of the great Guru Mahapurusha Shri Shankardeva. Shri Shankardeva was a polymath, a saint, scholar, great poet, play Wright, social-religious reformer and a figure of importance in cultural and religious history of Assam and India. In the 15th and 16th century, the founder of Nava Vaishnavism Mahapurusha Shri Shankardeva created the beautiful dance form which is used in the act called the Ankiya Bhaona. 1 Today it is recognised as a prime Indian classical dance like the Bharatnatyam, Odishi, and Kathak etc. According to the Natya Shastra, and Abhinaya Darpan it is found that before Shankardeva's time i.e. in the 2nd century BC. Some traditional dances were performed in ancient Assam. Again in the Kalika Purana, which was written in the 11th century, we found that in that time also there were uses of songs, musical instruments and dance along with Mudras of 108 types. Those Mudras are used in the Ojha Pali dance and Satriya dance later as the “Nritya“ and “Nritya hasta”. Besides, we found proof that in the temples of ancient Assam, there were use of “Nati” and “Devadashi Nritya” to please God.
    [Show full text]
  • Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
    Chaitanya Mahaprabhu February 19, 2021 Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a 15th century Vedic spiritual leader, who is considered an avatar of Lord Krishna by his followers. Chaitanya founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which is a religious movement that promotes Vaishnavism or worship of Lord Vishnu as the Supreme Soul. Gaudiya Vaishnavism teaches the acceptance of Bhakti yoga as a method to realize the ultimate truth. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is credited with popularizing the ‘Maha Mantra’ or ‘Hare Krishna Mantra.’ He is also known for composing in Sanskrit a prayer of eight verses, known as ‘Siksastakam.’ Said to have been born with features similar to that of Lord Krishna, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a child prodigy, and became a scholar at a very young age. He even opened a school and had thousands of followers very early in his life. Though not much about his sudden and mysterious disappearance or demise is known, a few scholars and researchers believe that he might have died of epilepsy. However, this conclusion is still debatable as there are other accounts that suggest various other theories, including a theory of murder and magical disappearance. The Tour For many years, Chaitanya travelled the length and breadth of India, advocating Bhakti yoga. Chanting the name of Krishna, Chaitanya would travel on foot to various places in a state of absolute bliss or ecstasy. In 1515, Chaitanya visited Vrindavan, believed to be the birth place of Lord Krishna. The main objective of Chaitanya’s visit was later said to be ‘reinvention,’ as Chaitanya wanted to identify important places associated with Lord Krishna, in Vrindavan.
    [Show full text]
  • The Essence of Spiritual Knowledge
    Çré Vijaya Ekadäsé Issue no:130 19th February 2020 THE ESSENCE OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE THE SCIENCE OF THE SUPREME LORD SPONTANEOUS UNAlloYED DEVotION Srila Vrindavan Das Thakura Srila Vishvanatha Chakravarti Thakura THE EssENCE OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE THE GloRIES OF LORD CHAITANYA His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada MAHAPRABHU'S ARRIVAL IN GokULA Srila Jagadananda Pandita Circulaton 29, 621 Issue no 130, Page — 2 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä THE SCIENCE OF THE SUPREME LORD names of Hari. Everyone was maddened with Srila Vrindavan Thakura pride on account of their high birth, opulence, knowledge, and beauty. At that time Sri Advaita The science of the Supreme Lord and His Acharya Prabhu, along with pure devotees like various incarnations is difficult to understand. Srivasa, loudly chanted the names of Lord Hari. What to speak of ordinary living entities, even But people who were averse to the Lord con- Lord Brahma cannot fathom this science without tinually harassed and teased the non-envious the mercy of the Lord. The statement of Lord pure devotees. When the compassionate Sri Brahma in the Çrémad Bhägavatam is the evi- Advaita Prabhu saw people’s extreme aversion dence in this regard. Although the cause of the to Krishna cause great distress to the devotees, Supreme Lord’s appearance is most confidential, He began to worship Krishna with water and the statements of Bhagavad-gétä reveal that Lord tulasi with a vow to bring about the advent of Visnu appears in every millennium in order to Krishna. Before the advent of Lord Gaurahari, Sri protect the pious people, deliver the miscreants, Nityananda Prabhu—who is nondifferent from and reestablish the principles of religion.
    [Show full text]
  • Spiritual Successors of the Six Goswamis
    All glory to Sri Guru and Gauranga Spiritual Successors Of The Six Goswamis By the Grace of the Founder-President-Acharya Of Nabadwip Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Ananta sri vibhusita Nitya-lila-pravistha Om Vishnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakarchary kula chudamani Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev Goswami Maharaj Under the Divine Guidance and Inspiration Graciously Granted by His Most Beloved Attendent and Authorized Successor Om Vishnupada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya Astottara-sata Sri Srimad Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev Goswami Maharaj This book was published from Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Sridhar Mission, Sydney Australia, by Muralidhar das. Contents Vande Rupa Sanatana......................................................................3 Sri Srinivas Acharya .......................................................................6 Srila Narottam das Thakur ............................................................11 Srila Shyamananda Prabhu ...........................................................16 Sri Vishnupriya Devi..................................................................... 20 The Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya............................................24 The Gaura Purnima festival at Kheturi..........................................29 After the Kheturi festival...............................................................36 Srila Visvanatha Chakravarti Thakur ........................................... 41 The clash of Spirituality and Sectarianism.................................... 47 Srila Baladeva Vidyabhusan .........................................................52
    [Show full text]
  • Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja
    SRILA BHAKTISIDDHANTA SARASVATI GOSWAMI MAHARAJA INTRODUCTION FOR THE BOOK ON BHAKTISIDDHANTA Sarasvati THAKURA During the late '70's and '80's, preaching duties in Bengal now and then broughtme in contact with direct disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and also with disciples of his disciples. From them I heard stories and teachings of Sarasvati Thakura. Hearing little bits here and there, my heart filled with wonder, and also pride on being connected with such a powerful transcendental personality. My eagerness to hear more increased. From my very beginning days in Krsna consciousness I--and surely all others in ISKCON also--was attracted by the personality of Saraswati Thakura. I would often look up at the big painting of him on the wall of our Bury Place (London) temple. It was as if his serious gaze came down directly from Goloka Vrindavana. He was known as "singha-guru"--a spiritual master as fearsome to non-devotees as a lion. Who would not be impressed on hearing of his austerity, learning, strictness, and above all his unflinching devotion to the lotus feet of Sri-Sri Gaura-Nitai and Sri-Sri Radha-Krsna, and his uncompromising, determined preaching of Their glories? Our own glorious spiritual master, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Srila Prabhupada, was another transcendental "superman." Srila Prabhupada was utterly surrendered at the lotus feet of his guru, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, and always considered himself a humble servant of his spiritual master. Those of unbiased mind understand both to be empowered acaryas, saktyavesa-avataras. By his unbreakable bond of devotion to Srila Saraswati Thakura, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada has, by initiating us, linked us also eternally to his spiritual master.
    [Show full text]
  • Women Saints in Gaudiya Vaishnavism​
    Women Saints in Gaudiya Vaishnavism - Jagadananda Das - ​ ​ ​ There are few traditional societies in which women have played a dominant historical role. In this respect, Gaudiya Vaishnavism is no different. The egalitarianism of bhakti movements, which stress the universality of devotion and deny any disqualifications based on birth, sex, or caste, seems to have had limited real effects on the actual social circumstances of any of these classes of people. There are some, including the eminent Bengali historian, Ramakanta Chakravarti, who feel that the status of women was improved in Chaitanya Vaishnavism, mainly due to the singular example of Jahnava Devi. (1) Indeed, it does ​ ​ appear that literacy rates among women (and men) in Vaishnava castes in Bengal were somewhat higher than in other, comparable groups, but this evidence is far from overwhelming. Today, some women may be found playing the role of guru, especially ministering to other women, and there are some Chaitanya Vaishnava women who sing padavali kirtan or give discourses on Vaishnava texts. On the whole, however, despite their dominant numbers at most religious events, the role of women continues to be a supporting one and subordinate to that of men. One question that needs analysis is whether the importance of Radha in the Vaishnava pantheon and the general weight given to the female principle and feminine virtues in the Gaudiya Vaishnava culture has had any influence on the status of women. Many feminist analysts have pointed out that the worship of goddesses has no proven relation to any such amelioration in societies where such worship is conducted.
    [Show full text]