Gaura Purnima 2021

“Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Shri Krishna as they are given in the Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad-Bhagavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.” (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 7.128)

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यारे देख, तारे कह ऽकृष्णऽ-उपदेश
आमार आज्ञाय गुरु हञा तारऽ एइ देश

yāre dekha, tāre kaha ‘kṛṣṇa’-upadeśa
āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra’ ei deśa

It is something we may not realize. The understanding is always in the explicit sense. Outgoing, directly interacting with others, with a purpose. Teaching them this lesson or that. Instructing others in a way to improve their standing in life, perhaps even touching upon the afterlife.

Often overlooked is our ability to influence by simply being who we are. Living life a certain way. Waking up at a certain time. Carrying out specific duties. The eloquence with which we speak. The way we treat others, especially those who cannot do anything for us. The things we value most, and those things we don’t consider to be of utmost importance or relevance.

On the occasion of Gaura Purnima we celebrate the golden avatara of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu left a lasting legacy in His short travels in this realm of birth and death. Unlike previous incarnations of the Supreme Lord, He instructed mostly through example.

His life was hari-kirtana, from start to finish. While still an infant, He induced others to chant the holy names of Hari, which is one way to address the Almighty, specifically referencing His feature of removing obstacles and distresses from the path of devotion.

Baby Nimai, as He was known then, would only stop crying when others would engage in kirtana. As struggling parents will admit, they are willing to do practically anything to pacify an infant who is upset. Whether it be rocking them to sleep, placing them in the car seat and driving around the neighborhood, placing the bassinette next to a humming appliance in the home, or simply singing lullabies.

In the home of Jagannatha Mishra, Nimai would only respond to the holy names. He did not yet have the ability to speak, yet He was still able to communicate an important message. This proves the truth that bhakti-yoga is ahaituki and apratihata. Unmotivated and uninterrupted, nothing can check the outpouring of pure devotion.

This is because God Himself is in control. A life dedicated to Him may find ups and downs, bumps along the road, but reaching the destination is guaranteed. The mode of transport could be something as simple as repeating those holy names, which Mahaprabhu chose to make prominent.

Gaurahari, as He was also known, gave others the formula for becoming a guru in the explicit sense. Wherever you go and to whomever you meet, simply explain Krishna and His transcendental instructions, such as found in Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam.

His verbal instructions were brief by comparison, as Mahaprabhu taught mostly through example. The way He lived, always chanting and dancing, showing endless compassion and mercy to others, not judging based on circumstances of birth, but at the same time adhering to the basic social etiquette of the time.

Through His example, we know that we similarly have the ability to influence. If we are always chanting the holy names, others may not immediately follow, but at least the example will be set. The surrounding walls and non-human life will hear the transcendental sound: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

I may try to instruct others directly, but no one is listening. I may see everyone around me mired in sin, but if I remain pure then there is a higher standard for someone to compare. One day they might take an interest, and when they do the subsequent liberation they achieve will be due to the grace of Shri Chaitanya, who is the most munificent avatara to ever appear in this world.

In Closing:

Out of mercy came here,
For holy names to hear.

And my life to save,
Showing way to behave.

That always in devotion immersed,
Holy names widely dispersed.

Mahaprabhu getting credit all,
For my future standing tall.

Gaura Purnima 2020

“According to their karma, all living entities are wandering throughout the entire universe. Some of them are being elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going down into the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Krishna. By the mercy of both Krishna and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service.” (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 19.151)

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ब्रह्माण्ड भ्रमिते कोन भाग्यवान् जीव
गुरु-कृष्ण-प्रसादे पाय भक्ति-लता-बीज

brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva
guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja

If you have heard the maha-mantra you are very fortunate. You fall into the category of “bhagyavan jiva”, as expressed in a wonderful Bengali verse by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatara appearing specifically to rescue the souls lost in this dark age of quarrel and hypocrisy, Kali-yuga. The occasion of Gaura Purnima falls on the day of the year of His appearance, based on the lunar calendar .

The seed of the creeper of devotion, bhakti, arrives through the via medium of the spiritual master. Such contact is not a chance occurrence. A person must be very fortunate; they have to be favored by the Almighty, who is known as Bhagavan since He possesses every fortune simultaneously and to the fullest extent.  He is also known as Krishna since He is all-attractive.

In the form of the human body I can find myself in a variety of situations. We notice the vast difference between taking birth in a poor country versus living in a place full of modern amenities, where there is no shortage of food or clothing.

I could be surrounded by sense gratifiers; people who are only interested in the animal activities of eating, sleeping, mating and defending. Increasing the degree of indulgence in each area, but never finding true happiness. Considering this life to be everything; not preparing for the next. Having no idea of the distinction between body and spirit; overjoyed at acceptance and deeply saddened at separation.

On the other side, I could know the differences. Confirming my suspicions aroused through many years of experience, I learn that simply engaging the senses will never make a person happy. Not that dry renunciation will help much, either.

I must have a higher goal. I must work towards the satisfaction of the master of all senses, Hrishikesha. He is all-attractive, so the effort to please Him is not devoid of fun and excitement. The bliss only increases, with the reservoir impossible to fill, as confirmed by Maharishi Valmiki in his conversation with Shri Rama wonderfully presented in the work of Goswami Tulsidas known as the Ramacharitamanasa.

If I know the futility of material life and how serving God is everything, I have been blessed by higher powers. The spiritual master has reached my world to influence me. Another person may not be so lucky. They may not be favored, in spite of being blessed with the same auspicious human form.

Because of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, so many more people have become fortunate. Rather than wait for the possible meeting, the Supreme Lord increases the chances of it happening. He does not remain satisfied with creating a system of parampara and supporting it with sacred texts like Bhagavad-gita and Shrimad Bhagavatam.

He arrives in this manifest world as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to display how to live the principles of those important works composed in the Sanskrit language. He distributes the mercy of the Divine to every person, irrespective of their pedigree determined by birth. He does not discriminate between man or woman, as every person is an individual soul eternally tied to the Supreme Lord.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu creates auspicious circumstances through the sankirtana movement, which is the chanting of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Chaitanya earns the honor of being the most munificent avatara of the Almighty, and on Gaura Purnima we take special time to remember and serve Him.

In Closing:

So fortunate is He,
Chaitanya’s form to see.

Because then easily to understand,
That identity not from leg or hand.

That spiritual life with purpose meant,
From village to village Gaura went.

So that every person getting the chance,
Their fortunes greatly to enhance.

Gaura Purnima 2019

“Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's special mission is the deliverance of all fallen souls in Kali-yuga. Devotees of Krishna must persistently seek the favor and mercy of Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to become fit to return home, back to Godhead.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 14.16 Purport)

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Kali-yuga is like an ocean of faults. No one has a complete understanding of just how deep the difficulties stretch. There is one problem after another, with forces impeding genuine progress on all sides. The material world itself is like a vast ocean of suffering that is difficult to cross, and in the age of quarrel and hypocrisy the degree of difficulty increases significantly.

Thankfully, someone special once arrived on a full moon night in the month of Phalguna. Soon to be known as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, He induced others to chant the holy names right from the beginning. Penetrating through the barriers presented by the age, He showed the way towards transcendence.

Taking the situation of a person who has made the decision to take up spiritual life, the road ahead is not easy. So many problems arise, and the stresses mount to the point that it seems like a higher authority is giving the message to quit, to abandon the pursuit.

Family responsibilities

I have to care for my spouse and children. There is no one else invested with the responsibility. They may have their own affairs to tend to, but in the isolated case the burden is entirely with me.

I am up to the task, but then sacrifices have to be made. I like to engage in reading scriptural works like Shrimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita and Ramayana, but the young children wake me up early in the morning. This is the most ideal reading time for me, since I have the most energy to dedicate.

Yet that is not a possibility in my case. I have to tend to affairs in the home since there are no other hands available to help. This means that should any time free up later in the day, I might be too tired to pick up a book.

Fear of taking to the life of a beggar

Of course, one solution is to take to the renounced order, sannyasa. Maybe not become one in the official sense, but at the very least run away and go live in a temple. Then there are no responsibilities. No family members to demand this and that. No spouse to nag at you over trivial issues.

The problem is that a person may not be willing to become publicly identified in such an occupation. They would rather take up spiritual life gradually, without making a show of it. Wearing a certain dress and living in a house of worship can invite scrutiny at a time when it cannot be properly handled.

Maintaining a steady income

Back to the home life it is. In addition to the daily responsibilities, there is the “umbrella” issue of an income. In other words, how are you going to pay for stuff? The house doesn’t come for free. Food doesn’t put itself on the table.

A professional must stay up to date in their respective field. There is a certain success track, which involves progressing from one job to the next, with hopefully higher incomes along the way. This may mean changing locations, which is another heavy task to complete, uprooting the family and shifting to a new place.

Fighting lethargy

The easy way to spend the day is to sit on the sofa and watch television. There is enough programming available to consume many lifetimes over. If you’re feeling overly tired, lay down in bed and do the same.

As there is the saying that a body at rest tends to stay at rest, success in the difficult endeavor of spiritual life requires motion. That is to say something has to be done. Even the supposedly passive activity of hearing requires that a person be awake and alert. How to fight off lethargy when there are so many forces causing fatigue on a daily basis?

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in this world on the occasion soon to be known as Gaura Purnima. He is an avatara of the Supreme Lord, but with a unique purpose. Instead of actively defending the saintly class from outside attack, He shows the way towards transcendence. He freely gives away Krishna-prema, or love of God.

Even if others are not enthusiastic in the beginning, not ready to make the journey to see Him, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu creates a mechanism whereby the prema comes to them. This is the sankirtana movement, the congregational chanting of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Every person can set aside some time each day to engage in this practice. The most merciful Mahaprabhu, who pays no attention to offenses committed in the process, guarantees a successful result. He unlocks the pathway to liberation in this most degraded age.

In Closing:

Kali’s forces so attacking me,

That no hint of success to see.

Genuine interest inside,

But with responsibilities to reside.

This need and that always pressing,

Situation bleak and depressing.

Thankfully Chaitanya for rescue to dedicate,

The full moon this darkness to eradicate.

Gaura Purnima 2018

“The difference between the singular living entity and the plural living entities is that the singular living entity is the Lord of all. Lord Chaitanya is that supreme living entity, and He descended to reclaim the innumerable fallen living entities. In other words, the specific purpose of Lord Chaitanya's advent was to establish the Vedic fact that there is one Supreme Personality of Godhead predominating over and maintaining the innumerable personalities of all living entities.” (Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, Ch 17)

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Does God really exist? Is He a figment of the imagination? Is the concept merely a coping mechanism, used for dealing with the harsh reality of inevitable death? But is it really inevitable or can that formidable force be defeated? Is man made in the image of God or the other way around? Are we all Divine in a sense, just unaware at the moment?

With so many competing and sometimes contradicting philosophies, it is understandable for a person to be confused. Rather than follow any sort of religion, hope is placed in material accumulation. Increase power, fame, beauty or possessions and then look for happiness. If that doesn’t work, go in the opposite direction. Give up the world, live renounced, and maybe elusive peace will finally arrive.

Who better to clear the confusion than the Almighty Himself? On the occasion of Gaura Purnima we celebrate the appearance of the golden avatara, who is beautiful in every way, Gaurasundara. Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, playing a role unique among His innumerable other descents. Rather than annihilating the miscreants through physical weapons, He destroys ignorance through the fullest representation of pure knowledge: the holy name.

The fundamental truth revealed and established without doubt through the life and teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is that there is one living entity supporting all the other living entities. Like with the newborn child which requires constant attention in order to develop and grow, no one could continue to live without the support of the Almighty. From the tiniest ant up to the most powerful demigod in heaven, the underlying source of the strength is God. He is the sanctioning authority for every decision made.

Acknowledged is that there is a God and He supports everyone, but what is the position of the individual? Chaitanya Mahaprabhu reveals the philosophy of achintya-bhedabheda-tattva. The truth is that the individual and the Supreme are simultaneously one and different. This contradictory position is impossible to understand, achintya.

Rather than attempt to know theoretically, the truth has to be experienced. How? Simply by serving. What is the best way to serve? Just chant the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. This chanting is connecting with the Divine, the union of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul. The union is known as yoga.

Not a mere sentimentalist, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu describes the highest philosophy, in-depth, to anyone with doubts. He relies on the authority of Vedic texts like the Bhagavad-gita, Shrimad Bhagavatam and Brahma-samhita. There is proof that from all angles of vision the decision for bhakti-yoga is the proper one.

But how effective can speech really be? I take a class on how to start making money in real-estate investing. I am enthusiastic after learning the various principles, but nothing will happen until I take action. Prior to that the achievement, saphala, is only in the potential state.

In a similar manner, every living entity already has the potential to make perfect the link in yoga. The remaining step is to take up the process. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has made the path very easy. He advises to simply chant the holy names. There are many authorized names for the Almighty, so Gaurahari is not even strict about specifically saying the names of Krishna. Any name for God will suffice.

The aim is to make the connection, to always be conscious of the one who is the supreme consciousness, supporting everyone else. All other philosophies are flawed, and the depth of their invalidity corresponds directly with the degree of deviation from the simultaneous-oneness philosophy described by Chaitanya. The most merciful golden avatara arrives in this dark age of Kali to shine light into our hearts, and anyone who takes His shelter is always protected.

In Closing:

An amazing truth to reveal,

That even beyond God is real.

To this world as Chaitanya came,

To teach both different and the same.

The living entity and God forever,

Understood through mind never.

From practice only, in bhakti’s union to see,

Through His grace Kali at distance to be.

Gaura Purnima 2017

“In jubilation everyone was chanting the holy name of the Lord – ‘Hari! Hari!’ - and Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu then appeared, after first causing the appearance of the holy name.” (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi, 13.21)

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I need something to look forward to. Otherwise the days simply repeat themselves. Get up; reluctantly at that. Go through the morning routine. Brush teeth, take shower, put on clothes, eat breakfast, rush out the door. Then at night it’s simply relaxation. At least that is the hope. The next day go through the exact same thing.

One of the things I look forward to is spending time with my friends. I naturally expect the association of my friends to bring me some kind of happiness. Otherwise why would I seek out their company?

Though the Supreme Lord is difficult to define through mental speculation alone, since He is all-pervading it is assumed that He cares for everyone. Universal affection implies friendship. If He is such a good friend, I should expect some type of good feeling from His association. The occasion of Gaura Purnima provides an example of how He brings great joy to others.

The English word “God” is quite vague. One Sanskrit equivalent is Ishvara. This means “great controller.” Ishvara can apply to me and you, also. Ishvara is purusha at the local level, which can mean “person” or “enjoyer.” Take the example of playing in a sandbox. The person moving the sand is Ishvara. They are also purusha. The sand is prakriti, or “that which is enjoyed.” One dominating force exercising its authority over another, inferior entity.

A better Sanskrit word for the Almighty is Bhagavan. From here we start to see separation between the many Ishvaras and the one who controls everyone. Bhagavan is an individual, distinct from you and me. He is a person, purusha, but the topmost; hence one name for Him being Purushottama. He is a controller, Ishvara, but of a supreme variety, Parameshvara.

Bhagavan specifically means that God the person possesses different fortunes. “Fortunes” means attributes, and some of those attributes are beauty, wealth, strength, fame, wisdom and renunciation. Bhagavan has these attributes in full and simultaneously.

Such a person who has everything naturally brings affection to others. Of course the determining factor is mood. The space heater in the living room should bring me comfort in the winter. It is there to help. But unless I plug it in and turn it on, I will remain in the misery caused by the frigid air.

As recently as five hundred years ago Bhagavan the person descended to earth. He came in a special golden form whose Divine nature was hidden from practically everyone. The surrendered souls, the ishvaras who understood the existence and superiority of Parameshvara, got to enjoy His company.

This golden form was known as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, and from the Chaitanya Charitamrita we learn that when Bhagavan appeared in this form as a small child the people in the community were very happy. Just how much bliss did they feel? They couldn’t help but chant the name of Hari over and over.

Lord Chaitanya fulfilled His mission even before His birth. The golden avatara’s objective was to get people to chant the holy names of God, especially those found in the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Not just a way to direct people into meditation. Not some sentimental attachment to a specific sound produced by the Sanskrit language. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu knows that everyone will become so happy as a result of this chanting.

He caused the people of Navadvipa to chant Hari, which is another name for God. Only then did Chaitanya appear. In that childhood form He would provide even more bliss to the people around Him. This is the effect of God’s association. On the occasion of Gaura Purnima, we remember the best friend to all living entities, who once displayed the most beautiful golden form to give bliss to the surrendered souls.

In Closing:

How to bring bliss to them knowing,

So beautiful golden form showing.

 

Mission accomplished even before,

Then childhood form to adore.

 

“Hari Hari” for Him just say,

In Kali’s age no other way.

 

Mahaprabhu golden avatara came,

To share glories of holy name.

Gaura Purnima 2016

“Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was an ideal acharya. An acharya is an ideal teacher who knows the purpose of the revealed scriptures, behaves exactly according to their injunctions and teaches his students to adopt these principles also. As an ideal acharya, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu devised ways to capture all kinds of atheists and materialists.” (Shrila Prabhupada, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi 7.37 Purport)

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In the Bhagavad-gita, Shri Krishna says that what a great man does, others follow. The example he sets is the one others look up to. In other words, the leader has the responsibility to behave in an exemplary manner. If they behave poorly, it is license for others to do the same. Some five hundred years ago in Mayapur, the Supreme Lord Himself appeared on earth to set the best example for the acknowledged leaders in society. On the occasion of Gaura Purnima we celebrate His life and pastimes.

yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas

tat tad evetaro janaḥ

sa yat pramāṇaṁ kurute

lokas tad anuvartate

“Whatever action is performed by a great man, common men follow in his footsteps. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 3.21)

The head, the arms, the belly and the thighs - we know these to be important aspects of the body. Of these four the head is the most important, because the living being couldn’t continue without it. From the spiritual science that is Vedic philosophy we know that the essence of life, the spirit soul, actually resides within the heart. Nevertheless, the significance of the head is no secret.

These four parts are compared to the four varnas, or occupational divisions. The Sanskrit word varna also means “color.” It is a way to understand the variety in the human species. The four divisions are brahmana, kshatriya, vaishya and shudra. The brahmana translates to the head of society, the kshatriya the arms, the vaishya the belly and the shudra the thighs or legs. The head commands the other body parts, not the other way around. You need all the parts, but since everything starts at the head, it is relatively speaking the most important.

What exactly makes a brahmana? Is it determined by birth? The caste, or jati, is certainly by birth, and there are some scriptural statements to support this method of classification. On the other hand, the actual varna of brahmana, which is an occupation, is determined by guna and karma, which are quality and work respectively. Shri Krishna is the basis for this form of classification. Since He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is the final word to settle any disputes on complex points in Vedic philosophy.

cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ

guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ

tasya kartāram api māṁ

viddhy akartāram avyayam

“According to the three modes of material nature and the work ascribed to them, the four divisions of human society were created by Me. And, although I am the creator of this system, you should know that I am yet the non-doer, being unchangeable.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.13)

Whichever way a person wants to determine the brahmana, it is undoubtedly true that the priestly class should set the best example. They should help the other three classes. We know that the brahmana typically has six different kinds of duties. They read the scriptures, teach them to others, perform sacrifices, teach others to do the same, accept charity and also distribute it. The word “brahmana” itself means one who knows Brahman, which is the impersonal spiritual energy. Everything that is living is Brahman. In the present world the sparks of Brahman enter a covering of matter, known as prakriti. It is not easy to see Brahman through the illusion of maya; therefore the genuine brahmana deserves a lot of respect.

According to the opinion of author Vrindavana Dasa Thakura, the crest-jewel of brahmanas is Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This isn’t simply a way to flatter the famous saint from Bengal. It isn’t high praise borne of mere sentiment. The opinion is actually a fact since Lord Chaitanya showed the ideal behavior of a brahmana. More than anything, the role of the head in society is to elevate everyone else to the highest platform that is pure consciousness of God.

bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ

sarva-loka-maheśvaram

suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ

jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati

“The sages, knowing Me as the ultimate purpose of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attain peace from the pangs of material miseries.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 5.29)

In the Bhagavad-gita, Shri Krishna says that He is the best well-wishing friend of the living entities. By extension, this means that the person who helps others to reunite with their best friend residing within the heart is doing the best welfare work for society. Any person can lead in this way; they don’t necessarily have to belong to the brahmana class.

Yet those in the occupation that is equated with the head of society have a natural advantage due to the respect they get. Lord Chaitanya, who is actually a combined incarnation of Radha and Krishna, or the energy of God and God Himself, took advantage of this respected position to start the sankirtana movement. The movement wasn’t really introduced; it was more a revival of sorts. The Vedas themselves are sankirtana; they are praise of the glories of God the person.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in a brahmana family in an area reputed for its population of scholars. He also took to the ashrama of sannyasa at a young age. From the material point of view He was to be highly respected. Then His words and actions gave further proof of His divine nature. Not wanting respect for Himself, considering Himself lower than the blade of grass and more tolerant than the tree, He asked others around Him to simply chant the names of God: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

He was wildly successful in this mission. Since He is the Supreme Lord Himself, He could have completed everything during His time. Yet He was so kind that He left the work unfinished so that future generations could take up the cause and feel the bliss of devotion. On the day of Gaura Purnima we remember the crest jewel of brahmanas, who combined with His spiritual brother Nityananda is the life and soul of Vrindavana Dasa.

In Closing:

A sannyasi brahmana from home departed,

By Him the sankirtana movement started.

 

Bringing to others the precious gift,

Spirits with holy name to uplift.

 

In priestly family acting as the head,

Giving best example for society to be led.

 

Celebrating Him on Gaura Purnima day,

Follow Him in Kali Yuga, no other way.

Gaura Purnima 2015

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto the full-moon evening in the month of Phalguna, an auspicious time full of auspicious symptoms, when Lord Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu advented Himself with the chanting of the holy name, Hare Krishna.” (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi 13.19)

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sarva-sad-guṇa-pūrṇāṁ tāṁ

vande phālguna-pūrṇimām

yasyāṁ śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanyo

'vatīrṇaḥ kṛṣṇa-nāmabhiḥ

To anyone who has ever sang the maha-mantra with attention, faith and love, the occasion of Gaura Purnima is very special. It marks the anniversary of when Gauranga Mahaprabhu descended to this world. He singlehandedly altered the landscape of the present age by introducing a time-honored tradition to the world in a new way, a way that would bring the people together at a time when they were finding any way possible to remain divided. That way addressed the true nature of the individual and the common bond they share with all other individuals.

In the Bhagavad-gita we learn that a wise soul applies an equal vision to the different species. From recent history we know that man has the tendency to discriminate. Wars have taken place simply over differences in race. Nations have sailed to other lands, found the people to be different, and then decided to make slaves out of them. The flawed notion is that the difference, which is only at the bodily level, makes the people themselves either superior or inferior.

vidyā-vinaya-sampanne

brāhmaṇe gavi hastini

śuni caiva śva-pāke ca

paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ

“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 5.18)

With this history in mind, it is not surprising that in formal education the idea of equality is presented. The Bhagavad-gita completes the idea by extending the vision of equality to all species. The humble sage, using his true knowledge, understands that the cow, the dog, the dog-eater, the elephant and the wise priest are all the same constitutionally. They are spirit soul at the core, which means that at the level which matters most, there is equality.

If a wise human being can have this vision, then most certainly it already belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is something even more important that links all the souls: their relationship to God. The Supreme, who is spirit also but of a higher quantitative potency, resides within each heart as the Supersoul. So not only is every living thing a spirit soul, but they also have the origin of all living things within them.

The present age of Kali features quarrel and hypocrisy. Though we all have the two previously mentioned features in common, we find any which way to make differences. Our focus is only on svartha, or personal interest, and not paramartha, or supreme interest. Svartha changes as the body changes, and since the individual bodies are different and in changing circumstances, svartha is never fixed. With different desires, there are bound to be clashes; hence the division.

Paramartha is the same for everyone. That supreme interest derives from the relationship between individual spirit and supreme spirit. How do we describe that relationship? Lord Chaitanya, the bright moon to dissipate the darkness of Kali’s age, descends to teach us. He presents the philosophy of achintya-bheda-bheda. This truth says that the living individual spirit is simultaneously one with and different from the Supreme Spirit. This combination is impossible to grasp fully; it is inconceivable.

If it’s achintya, then how are people going to learn? We have evidence right now of one way to acquire something similar to the vision of equality without consulting philosophy. We can take the example of the famous musician or band. They are known for the music they play. Their songs touch the hearts of so many that there is interest across the world to have them perform live. Thus the famous recording artist or band embarks on world tours, playing to sold out arenas in every major city.

The members of the band may have prejudices going in. They may be victims of the tendency to divide based on clashing self-interests. They may even have disagreements within the band, looking at their fellow mates as colleagues instead of friends. Through touring the world, however, they accidentally stumble upon the fact that people share something in common. Regardless of language, age or ethnicity, the fans seem to like the songs that the band plays. They offer praises, kind words, and even gifts. How are the band members to maintain their prejudices then? If they have yet to get rid of them, they still have to think twice before speaking up, for they know that their fans are not limited to only one group of people.

The philosophy of simultaneous oneness and difference can similarly be spread through music. Lord Chaitanya was famous for His ability to chant and dance. He only had one set of lyrics, though. There was only one song He would sing, to different melodies and tunes. That song was the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

On the outside this mantra seems different from God. For starters, it is simply a set of words. It has no physical form. It can only be heard. Even when read, the final result is hearing. Words are nothing more than markers to help create sounds. Yet these words are non-different from God. The person hearing them does not have to know these things right away. They don’t have to know that Krishna means “all-attractive” or that Rama means “the reservoir of all transcendental pleasure.” They don’t need to know that they are meeting their paramartha by chanting these names. Simply hearing will be sufficient.

There is every risk involved in teaching others about the science of self-realization. The important topic of worshiping the Supreme Lord should be benign, but it brings great opposition. There are so many divisions already, and if the recipient develops a flawed understanding they could end up offending God and His devotees. Why take the risk, then?

Lord Chaitanya saw the dreadful condition of the people of the age of Kali. He wanted to unite them, regardless of what divisions they had already created. He found the perfect way in the sankirtana movement, the congregational chanting of the holy names. While people have been singing the glories of God for centuries, it was never done in such an assertive and open way. Lord Chaitanya went to the people instead of the people coming to Him. His spiritual descendants follow the same example, for they know that everyone is intimately linked to God and that they will find true happiness only through connecting with Him. On the occasion of Gaura Purnima we remember and honor the beautiful son of mother Shachi, who worked to bring the people of the world together, to unite them in the peace that is bhakti-yoga.

In Closing:

On this day Gaura Purnima to fall,

Remember the golden savior of all.

 

Who to Supreme Lord the same,

To teach bhakti philosophy came.

 

To the people He fearlessly went,

Sounds of holy names to them sent.

 

From this highest awareness coming,

In harmony of bhakti age golden becoming.

Gaura Purnima 2014

“Most of his contemporary biographers have mentioned certain anecdotes regarding Chaitanya which are simple records of his early miracles. It is said that when he was an infant in his mother's arms he wept continually, and when the neighboring ladies cried Haribol he used to stop. Thus there was a continuation of the utterance of Haribol in the house, foreshewing the future mission of the hero.” (Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, Prologue)

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“Haribol!” This is the request of Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden avatara of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who appeared in the age of Kali to deliver the fallen souls, who were deep in the clutches of the illusory energy of God, maya. Committing errata after errata by considering the material energy to be superior, by worshiping for temporary rewards instead of seeking transcendence, and by denying the transcendental form of the Supreme, the people in Kali had become most unfortunate. Fortunately, in the month of Phalguna on the full moon night during the year of 1486, the rescuer of the fallen souls arrived in this realm, bringing with Him His closest associates, who would save the people through begging them to chant the holy names of the Lord.

“Do it for me.” This is the line used by those who really want to get something done in a circumstance where other forms of persuasion are less effective. This line works when there is mutual affection. If I have a friend who is particularly dear to me, they may not be friends with all of my other friends. In the hypothetical situation of a gathering I am having at my home, this friend may not want to attend. “I hate that other guy who is coming to your house,” they will tell me. “If he’s coming, then I’m not. Sorry, man.”

I can try different means of persuasion. “It’ll only be for a few hours. You won’t have to talk to him. You guys should just bury the hatchet, reconcile and become friends again.” If his animosity is so great, these words will not persuade him. If I lean on his affection for me, however, I might get somewhere. “Okay, I know you don’t like this person, but what about me? Can you do this for me? We’ve been friends for so long. I would feel awful if you didn’t come. Don’t let your quarrel with him take away from our relationship. It would mean so much to me if you could cast aside your differences for one night.”

When all else fails, this method has the greatest likelihood of succeeding. Now imagine if the situation is one where I’m persuading someone to do something that will be to their benefit. Perhaps the persuasion is for a child who doesn’t want to go to school. Or maybe it is for someone who is too afraid to take an exam, but that exam is what they need to pass in order to enter their respective field. In such cases, I will lean on my good relationship as leverage for getting that person, who is near and dear to me, to do what is ultimately for their own good.

This explains the situation of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to some degree. The comparison is not completely accurate because what Mahaprabhu begs for others is that which will give them the highest benefit. He persuades others into following their constitutional occupation, which is devotional service, or bhakti-yoga. Moreover, He is a friend to everyone. He has love for every single creature, whether they praise Him or curse Him. To those who are obstinate, He begs in the humblest manner. He persuades them through His own chanting of the holy names: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

“One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.” (Lord Chaitanya, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Adi 17.31)

Lord Chaitanya is unlike any other avatara, or incarnation, of the Supreme Lord, for He takes the impetus to arouse people from their sleep in maya, or illusion. Other incarnations appear amongst devotees and use force to rid the world of evil influences. The devoted souls then have accounts of activities to remember in limitless ways. They also receive teachings to apply in their daily lives. As Lord Chaitanya, God accepts a humble guise, one that is more difficult to envy. In an apparently weaker position, He has more leverage in getting others to follow His instructions. He goes to “where the sinners are,” as the saying goes, instead of having the sinners come to Him. He inspires countless future generations to follow the same example, and they do so without receiving much fame or appreciation. Just like Lord Chaitanya, they know that if others say the names of Hari, or God, everyone will be supremely benefitted.

Lord Chaitanya accomplished this task even as an infant. Shortly after appearing from the womb of mother Shachi, He sometimes would cry on purpose. The well-wishing members of the community would then try every which way to pacify Him. But only one method would work. When they had failed with everything else, they chanted the names of Hari. Hearing that sound, the child, who was known as Nimai, immediately would stop crying. He gave them the secret to His heart. Without offering a single word of instruction, without delivering a single sermon or pointing them to a single book, He got them to follow the eternal instruction of “Haribol.”

On the occasion of Gaura Purnima, we remember Lord Chaitanya and the ocean of mercy He created, one that continues to flow to this very day. We say the names of Hari over and over again to please Him. And by pleasing Him, we bring the ultimate benefit to ourselves, finally breaking free of the illusion that has tricked us for too long into following so many erroneous paths.

In Closing:

As child, crying was His way,

To get others Hari to say.

 

Other methods work did not,

Only by hearing Hari crying to stop.

 

As adult following method the same,

Humbly begging others to chant holy name.

 

His ocean of mercy flows to this day,

Pleases Him when names of Hari we say.

Gaura Purnima 2013

“In the Age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.” (Shrimad Bhagavatam, 11.5.32)

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Young children instinctively know that they are not supposed to play the day away in front of the television. If they indulge in video games for too long, they will get yelled at by their parents. In the odd chance that the admonishment is absent, it means that the parents are either not around or not doing their job. Later on in life, the husband hears similar harsh words if he shirks his responsibilities in favor of “fun time.” Though the culprits have reason to feel guilty in these situations, the same does not apply with genuine spiritual life. In chanting the holy names, in reading books describing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and in thinking of the sacrifices made by His servants, there is no detriment to endless engagement. Keenly aware of this, Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu freely distributed the wonderful gift of bhakti-yoga to as many people as possible, teaching His disciples the same art so as to further increase the scope of distribution. Occasions such as Gaura Purnima allow us to reflect on that wonderful benevolence.

The rebuke from the parents is understandable. They see us as young children wasting the day away in front of the television. They are in a position of authority. They understand what it takes to make sure there is enough money to have a television and video games in the first place. They know that if they followed the behavior of the children, there wouldn’t be anyone responsible around. Therefore just seeing us playing these games for an extended period can get them angry.

“Enough already. You’ve been playing for too long. Did you do your homework? If not, then do it right now. If you did it already, then read a book. Why don’t you read more? Did you know that such and such’s son scored very high on that standardized exam? You can do better, but you don’t apply yourself. Also, have you cleaned your room? I walked in there yesterday and it was a mess. You need to be more responsible. I shouldn’t have to tell you to do these things. You should know on your own.”

It is natural for a husband to see his friends less frequently after he gets married. Instead of being able to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, he now has to check with someone else first. As soon as you have to ask permission, you’re inviting the chance of rejection. And if you don’t ask permission and just act unilaterally, you have to face the angry paramour later on.

“I can’t believe you spent the whole night at your friend’s place. What were you guys doing over there? There is a ton of laundry piled up here, and we still have dishes in the sink. You were supposed to call someone to fix that leak in the roof. How can you be so irresponsible? And you want to go on a road trip with your friends next week? So I will be left here all alone with the kids? No way, pal. If you do go, you might want to call here before you come back. You might want to check to see if you still have a wife.”

If all we have to rely on is mental speculation, we may eventually come to the conclusion that life is about love. The purpose to an existence is to serve someone else. Service is what makes us happiest. We can spin around the wheel of existence for a large number of times in order to eventually reach this conclusion, or we can get it immediately from the Vedas, the original scriptural tradition of India. Since they are so old, they are not taught in the same way in each time period. For instance, people from thousands of years ago had different frames of reference, so key concepts were explained to them in a particular way.

In the modern age, the situation is considered so degraded that the primary and most effective method of instruction is the simple sound vibration representation of the Absolute Truth. This should make sense if we think about it. Just the mere mention of religion draws scowls and frowns today. As sense gratification in fruitive activity is the ultimate aim of the non-religious person, if the same is taught within the bounds of spiritual life, the instruction is not taken seriously. “Why should I have to pray for stuff when others already get everything without praying? Why should I surrender to someone just so that I won’t go to hell in the afterlife? It doesn’t make sense for religion to be based on fear.”

The holy name, of which there are many, describes the Supreme Absolute Truth. In the Vedas the name Krishna is considered the best. It means “all-attractive.” Something that is attractive is pleasing to others. There is no other purpose to attraction. In fact, something cannot be attractive unless it invites others into association. Right away, we see that saying the name Krishna creates some sort of relationship. The person identified is attractive, and so is the name. Rama is another holy name, and it means the source of all-pleasure and also one who gives pleasure to others with His association. Hare is the energy belonging to Krishna or Rama.

The maha-mantra, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare,” is the best way to hear and create the holy names. It is the best method for being introduced to genuine spiritual life. It is the best way for remaining connected in a loving relationship to the Absolute Truth. And it is also the best way to find enjoyment when on the highest platform of consciousness.

The parent is superior because they serve in a more refined manner. They are wiser than the children, and in that wisdom they know how to serve their dependents. The person on the highest platform of consciousness can be thought of as the wisest guardian. With full knowledge they can engage in serving the Absolute Truth. They do so through the aforementioned hearing and chanting. If they are so inclined, they also worship, offer prayers, become friends, and surrender everything. Any one of these processes is sufficient, but chanting and hearing are considered the most effective.

The maha-mantra is the vehicle for liberation liberally distributed throughout society by Lord Chaitanya and His associates. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the same Absolute Truth, but He appears in a more merciful outward form, one that is easily accepted into the heart. In Kali Yuga, the current age of quarrel and hypocrisy, we mistakenly overvalue wealth and prestige, and so we tend to envy others we think are superior to us in these areas. Mahaprabhu’s goal is not to create another source of envy. He appears in a very renounced garb, thereby diminishing the chance for envy. In a humble way He kindly begs everyone to say the names of Krishna and Rama. He gives Himself over to anyone who does so.

And being with Mahaprabhu is the same as being with God. He explains the confidential purports to the shastras, or scriptures, through His association. He personally arrives through His causeless mercy, an extension of which is the kind work of His followers, who travel from village to village throughout the world to distribute the holy names. Those who are more philosophically inclined are given the same association through written word. The Bhagavad-gita and the Shrimad Bhagavatam are the instructions and descriptions of God. They are the preferred works for Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, whose birth is celebrated on Gaura Purnima. On that magnificent day some five hundred years ago, the golden avatara came to show us how to live a guilt-free life, where we can indulge in service without cessation. It is in our constitution to serve, so when it is directed at God there is no reason to feel any guilt.

In Closing:

Rather live life guilt-free,

So that happy you’ll be.

 

Never good for too much play,

The wise guardians to us will say.

 

Responsibilities at home don’t shirk,

Lest be reprimanded by wife as a jerk.

 

In bhakti-yoga offer service without end,

Your kind sentiments to Supreme Lord send.

 

How to practice this ancient art Lord Chaitanya taught,

When His magnificence to this world He brought.

 

Gaura Purnima 2012

“Shri Svarupa Damodara used to read the poems of Vidyapati and Candidasa and Jayadeva Gosvami's Shri Gita-govinda. He used to make Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu very happy by singing these songs.” (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 10.115)

Lord Chaitanya is the preacher incarnation of Godhead who first made His mark on this earth some five hundred years ago in India, and His influence continues to spread across the world today. As the kindest saint, He had love and compassion for all creatures of the earth, and He sacrificed everything to spread the gospel of love and devotion to God to everyone, regardless of whether they gave a kind reception in return or not. If I know what others really need, what will bring them true happiness, wouldn’t it be selfish of me to keep that knowledge confidential? Even if others scoff at my suggestions and curse me for my openness in speaking, shouldn’t the nature of that knowledge trump whatever reactions I personally receive? In this way Shri Gaurahari is known as the most munificent incarnation of the Lord, for He gave love of God freely to everyone; something never before done.

“O most munificent incarnation! You are Krishna Himself appearing as Shri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. You have assumed the golden color of Shrimati Radharani, and You are widely distributing pure love of Krishna. We offer our respectful obeisances unto You.”  (Shrila Rupa Gosvami, Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya 19.53)

Shrila Rupa Gosvami, soon to become one of the most famous saints of the bhakti tradition, once offered a very nice prayer to Lord Chaitanya, which addressed the fact that the son of mother Shachi and Jagannatha Mishra freely distributed prema for Lord Krishna, making Him more magnanimous than any previous incarnation. There are many avataras of the Supreme Personality of Godhead listed in the Vedic texts, and there are many unauthorized pseudo incarnations claiming divinity as well. Lord Chaitanya’s divine nature is hinted at in the Mahabharata and Shrimad Bhagavatam, but His mission had nothing to do with making followers recognize His supremacy.

“Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion-at that time I descend Myself.”  (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-gita, 4.7)

In the Bhagavad-gita, the original form of Godhead, Lord Krishna, explains that whenever there is a widespread discrepancy in the practice of religion, or dharma, and the rise of irreligion, He personally descends to earth. In the past this has meant Krishna appearing in some sort of fighting role, where a strong personality is defeated by divine weapons. Hiranyaksha was defeated by Lord Varaha, Hiranyakashipu by Narasimhadeva, Ravana by Lord Rama, and Kamsa by Krishna Himself. These enemies were originally devotees in the spiritual sky, but due to the will of Providence and the uncontrollable hand of fate, they made transgressions that caused their descent to the material world.

Only in a land full of duality can a previously devoted soul take on the opposite role of miscreant. These villains played their parts perfectly, and they were so vile that they caused the saintly class to petition for Krishna’s direct intervention. So many tasks are carried out through Bhagavan’s personal presence. With His various avataras, Krishna showed His splendid beauty, His immense strength, and His dedication to protecting the innocent. Since the events relating to these avataras are documented in the Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana and several other sacred texts, they can still be enjoyed to this day by people looking for the same protection that those persecuted in the past by the worst miscreants desired.

As Shri Gaurahari, Krishna appeared as a combined incarnation; both He and His pleasure potency together. The result was the Supreme Lord and His number one devotee taking on different moods at different times. The enemy this time was the seed of impurity implanted by the time period: Kali Yuga. Instead of using His tusks, fists, arrows, or nails, as Lord Chaitanya Krishna used the power of the holy name and its ability to melt the hardest hearts to defeat the enemy of impiety.

During Lord Chaitanya’s time, medieval India, the mediums for mass distribution of information were not available. He could not broadcast the holy names in the maha-mantra, “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”, through a radio signal. He could not record this sacred mantra, the greatest weapon against ignorance and deceit, onto a CD and then sell it through stores throughout the world. There was no internet and no television. With these conditions, obviously one would think the task of bringing large numbers of people to the cult of devotional service, the eternal and constitutional engagement of the spirit soul, would be impossible.

Yet just as the formidable Hiranyaksha was defeated by the strange form of a large boar, the veil of ignorance created by Kali Yuga was no match for Shri Gaurahari, a mendicant without any material wealth. Hiranyakashipu tried to safeguard his life by receiving so many boons from Lord Brahma. He was not allowed to be killed in so many ways, but Krishna as Narasimhadeva foiled the demon’s plans by killing him in just the perfect method. Ravana was similarly immune from all kinds of attack, so Bhagavan took the form of a human being to do away with him. Kamsa thought he was safe after killing so many innocent children of his sister Devaki, but Krishna can never be killed, and when He decides that someone else’s time is up, nothing can be done to save them.

In the same way, the impediments of the time period were no match for Shri Gaurahari, who as a renounced mendicant went across India and infused the spirit of devotion into so many people. He did not go around the country giving people material gifts. He was not interested in distributing temporary wealth, though as the Supreme Lord He was capable of granting any benediction. He distributed something much more valuable: the holy name.

Why is this more valuable than tangible wealth? The holy name doesn’t put food on the table. It doesn’t pay the bills every month. It doesn’t even give me any knowledge on how to earn a living. Ah, but these aspects of life essentially take care of themselves. If you had to, you could eat the fruits that fall off the trees. You could use simple rags for clothes and live in isolated caves. The animals can find the necessities of life without any problem, without any outside intervention. There are no welfare programs for the animals and no redistribution of wealth schemes to look after their welfare.

Krishna, through His impersonal energy of material nature, takes care of the needs of every living entity. Thus the real wealth one can find has nothing to do with matter. The holy name is the direct incarnation of Bhagavan, who is every single person’s best friend. The ability to recite this name, to hold on to it for dear life, to take comfort in it, and to happily repeat it over and over again, is the real boon of the human form of life. Well aware of this, Lord Chaitanya tried to distribute that holy name to as many people as possible.

What would happen after someone met Lord Chaitanya? The devotional spirit would take over that kind-hearted soul. That spirit would then guide the rest of their activities. If I have a powerful torchlight, no matter how dark the environment may be, I can bring that light with me wherever I go and thus see whatever I need to see. With one light I can do so many other things. In a similar manner, with just one mantra, which contains the most potent names of Krishna and Rama, one can find a peaceful, enlivening, and enlightening activity under any circumstance.

Ideally, we would seek out a spiritual master, or guru, to get the confidential information of the Vedas. That knowledge is valuable because of its ability to positively effect change. At the same time, the guru doesn’t want to openly distribute it to others, because not everyone will understand the information properly. Take one or two shlokas out of context and suddenly you have a worldwide movement trying to ban your system of religion. The mood of the worshiper must be proper; they must be humble and submissive in their learning. Only then will the power of the devotional path be revealed to them.

Lord Chaitanya was so merciful that He did not wait for others to approach Him. Through basic singing and dancing, the congregational style of chanting known as sankirtana, He brought the ancient art of divine love to anyone who was within audible range. He had a wife and family at home too, but for the good of humanity, He sacrificed personal pleasure. In favor of delivering the fallen souls looking for a real and legitimate religion to follow, Lord Chaitanya took sannyasa at a very young age and thus blazed the trail for future generations of preachers to follow.

Gaura Purnima celebrates Lord Chaitanya and His sublime mission. He was not on this earth for very long, but His influence is still felt to this day because of the sincere followers He inspired. His line of disciplic succession boasts some of the most intelligent, kind, and dedicated saints in history. Lord Chaitanya was not a sentimentalist. Though He preached primarily through chanting and dancing, that was just the best way to reawaken the devotional attitude in others. The foundation of that dedication in preaching was a keen understanding of Vedanta, the difference between matter and spirit, and the real meaning to religion.

With all that Lord Chaitanya sacrificed, what actually pleases Him? Aside from seeing others chant the names of Krishna and Rama in divine ecstasy, Lord Chaitanya’s primary source of pleasure was hearing about Krishna. When He was in the bhava of Shrimati Radharani, Krishna’s eternal consort, Shri Gaurahari felt the pains of separation from the darling of Vrajabhumi. Only when His closest associates would read poems from the likes of Jayadeva and Vidyapati would Lord Chaitanya feel some relief. His favorite Vedic text was the Shrimad Bhagavatam, for its sacred tenth canto has wonderful descriptions of Krishna’s pastimes along with the prayers and heartwarming thoughts of the gopis of Vrindavana. Lord Chaitanya also preferred the Brahma-samhita and Krishna Karnamrita, two other works glorifying Krishna and devotion to Him.

Just as Gaurahari derived pleasure from hearing Krishna praised, so the sincere souls affected by Lord Chaitanya’s preaching efforts take tremendous delight in hearing about His hearing about Krishna. Anyone who has ever chanted “Hare Krishna” or “Hare Rama” has enjoyed the mercy of Lord Chaitanya, who proclaimed those phrases to be the most powerful weapons against illusion in the Kali Yuga. His influence continues to this day through the hard work of His dedicated followers, those who appear in the line of disciplic succession that He made prominent. On Gaura Purnima, we remember that most merciful incarnation of Godhead and hope to always put a smile on His face with our chanting.

In Closing:

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, of mother Shachi’s delight,

Appeared on earth on day of full moon bright.

 

Would spread to the world wisdom’s light,

At a time when irreligion at its height.

 

Message of divine love through sound was spread,

No difficult methods, chant holy names instead.

 

So many were pleased upon seeing Mahaprabhu,

His pleasure came from hearing about Krishna and gopis too.

 

For His honor names of Krishna and Rama we say,

Follow His path of bhakti day after day.