শ্রী গৌड़िয-কন্ঠহার
Gaudiya Kanṭhahāra:
The Jeweled Necklace of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas
Being a compendium of quotations from revealed scriptures
concerning the truths about the cult of Chaitanya Mahāprabhu
Compiled under the authority and direction of
His Divine Grace
Bhaktisiddhānta Sāraswāti Goswāmī
Prabhupada
Translated and edited, with original Sanskrit and Bengali and Roman transliteration by
B. V. Mahāyogi, Michael Dolan
The 4th Jewel:
GAURA-TATTVA
The Evidence From Śruti for Lord Caitanya
४.१
महान्-प्रभुर् बै पुरुषः सत्त्बस्येष प्रबर्त्तकः
सुर्निमलाम् इमं शान्तीम् ईशानो ज्योतिरब्यः
4.1
mahān-prabhur vai puruṣaḥ sattvasyeṣa pravarttakaḥ
surnimalām imaṁ śāntīm īśāno jyotiravyaḥ
The Personality of Godhead, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, is brilliantly effulgent
and imperishable like molten gold. He is the
Supreme Controller. He controls
the mode of goodness and through saṅkīrtana bestows spiritual intelligence on
the living beings. In the guise of a sannyāsī, He is the source of spiritual purity
and of liberation. He is therefore known as
"Mahāprabhu".
(Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 3.12)
४.२
यदा पश्यः पश्यते रुक्म-बर्णं
कर्तारम् ईशं पुरुषं ब्रह्म-योनिम्
तदा बिद्बान् पुण्य-पापे बिधूय
निरञ्जनः परमं साम्यम् उपैति
4.2
yadā paśyaḥ paśyate rukma-varṇaṁ
kartāram īśaṁ puruṣaṁ brahma-yonim
tadā vidvān puṇya-pāpe vidhūya
nirañjanaḥ paramaṁ sāmyam upaiti
When one realizes the golden form of Lord Gaurāṅga, who is the ultimate actor
and the source of the Supreme Brahman, he attains the highest knowledge. He
transcends both pious and impious activities, becomes free from worldly
bondage, and enters the divine abode of the Lord. (Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad 3.3)
Evidence From Bhāgavatam for Lord Chaitanya
४.३
कृष्ण-बर्णं त्बिषाकृष्णं साङ्गोपाङ्गास्त्र- पार्षदम्
यज्ञैः सङ्कीर्तन-प्रायैर् यजन्ति हि सु- मेधसः
4.3
kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇaṁ sāṅgopāṅgāstra- pārṣadam
yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair yajanti hi su- medhasaḥ
In the age of Kalī, Kṛṣṇa appears in a golden form, chanting the two syllables
kṛṣ-ṇa. He descends along with His weapons, limbs, śaktis, and eternal
confidential associates. Those with intelligence worship Him with the saṅkīrtana
yajña. (Bhāg. 11.5.32)
৪.৪
ঽকৃষ্ণঽ এই দুই বর্ণ সদা যওর মুখে অথবা,
কৃষ্ণকে তিঙ্হো বর্ণে নিজ সুখে.
কৃষ্ণ-বর্ণ-শব্দের অর্থ দুই ত প্রমাণ কৃষ্ণ বিনু তাঙ্র মুখে নাহি আইসে আন.
দেহ-কান্ত্যে হয তেঙ্হো অকৃষ্ণ-বরণ অকৃষ্ণ-বরণে কহে পীত-বরণ.
4.4
'kṛṣṇa' ei dui varṇa sadā yaora mukhe athavā,
kṛṣṇake tiṅho varṇe nija sukhe.
kṛṣṇa-varṇa-śabdera artha dui ta pramāṇa kṛṣṇa vinu tāṅra mukhe nāhi āise āna.
deha-kāntye haya teṅho akṛṣṇa-varaṇa akṛṣṇa-varaṇe kahe pīta-varaṇa.
The two syllables kṛṣ-ṇa are always in His mouth, or He always describes
Kṛṣṇa with great pleasure. These are two meanings of the words "kṛṣṇa
varṇa." Indeed, nothing but Kṛṣṇa issues from His mouth. If someone tries to
describe Him as blackish, the next adjective, tviṣākṛṣṇam, immediately restricts
him. His complexion is certainly not blackish. Indeed, His not being blackish
indicates a golden complexion.
(Cc. Ādi 3.54,55,57)
४.५
आसन् बर्णास् त्रयो ह्य् अस्य गृह्णतो ऽनुयुगं तनूः
शुक्लो रक्तस् तथा पीत इदानीं कृष्णतां गतः
4.5
āsan varṇās trayo hy asya gṛhṇato 'nuyugaṁ tanūḥ
śuklo raktas tathā pīta idānīṁ kṛṣṇatāṁ gataḥ
This boy, Kṛṣṇa, has three other colors: white; red, and yellow, as He appears in different ages. Now, in this Dvāpara-yuga, he has appeared in a transcendental blackish color. (Bhāg. 10.8.13)
৪.৬
শুক্ল-রক্ত-কৃষ্ণ-পীত ক্রমে চারি বর্ণ
চারি বর্ণ ধরিঽ কৃষ্ণ করেন যুগ-ধর্ম
4.6
śukla-rakta-kṛṣṇa-pīta krame cāri varṇa
cāri varṇa dhari' kṛṣṇa karena yuga-dharma
In the Satya, Treta, Dvāpara, and Kalī yugas, Kṛṣṇa accepts four different
colors: white, red, black, and yellow respectively. These are the colors of the
different incarnations in different millenniums. (Cc. Madhya 20.330)
४.७
इत्थं नृ-तिर्यग्-ऋषि-देब-झषाबतारैर् लोकान्
बिभाबयसि हंसि जगत्-प्रतीपान् धर्मं
महा-पुरुष पासि युगानुबृत्तं
छन्नः कलौ यद् अभबस् त्रि-युगो ऽथ स त्बम्
4.7
itthaṁ nṛ-tiryag-ṛṣi-deva-jhaṣāvatārair lokān vibhāvayasi
haṁsi jagat-pratīpān dharmaṁ mahā-puruṣa pāsi yugānuvṛttaṁ
channaḥ kalau yad abhavas tri-yugo 'tha sa tvam
[Prahlāda said] O Kṛṣṇa, in this way You appear in various incarnations: as a
human being, an animal, a great saint, a demigod, a fish, or a tortoise, thus maintaining the entire creation in different planetary systems. In this way, according to the age, You protect the principles of religion, but, O Mahāprabhu,
in the age of Kalī, You do not assert Yourself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because Your incarnation is hidden in the age of Kalī You are known as Triyuga, or the Lord who manifests His
supremacy in only three ages.
(Bhāg. 7.9.38)
Evidence From Mahābhārāta for Śrī Caitanya
४.८
सुबर्ण-बर्णो हेमाङ्गो
बराङ्गश्-चन्दनाङ्गदी
सन्न्यास-कृच्छमः शान्तो
निष्ठा-शान्ति- परायणः
4.8
suvarṇa-varṇo hemāṅgo
varāṅgaś-candanāṅgadī
sannyāsa-kṛcchamaḥ śānto
niṣṭhā-śānti- parāyaṇaḥ
When Kṛṣṇa appears as Lord Gaurāṅga, in His early pastimes His complexion is golden (suvarṇa-varṇa), His limbs are the color of molten white gold (hemāṅga), His body is extremely beautiful (varāṅgaś), and He is decorated with sandalwood pulp (candanāṅgadī). Śrī Caitanya accepts sannyāsa (sannyāsa-kṛt), and shows equanimity (śama). He is peaceful (śānta). His mind is always fixed on Kṛṣṇa, and thus He is niṣṭha, or fixed, in performing the great sacrifice of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa.
He silences the non-devotees and impersonalists who are opposed to the service of the Lord, by promoting the cause of devotion. Thus He distributes real peace. He is therefore an abode of the highest spiritual peace and devotion.
(Mahābhārāta, Dāna-dharma ch.149)
Evidence of the Purāṇas for Lord Caitanya
४.९
अहम् एब क्बचिद् ब्रह्मन् सन्न्यासाश्रमम् आश्रितः
हरि-भक्तिं ग्राहयामि कलौ पाप-हतान् नरान्
4.9
aham eva kvacid brahman sannyāsāśramam āśritaḥ
hari-bhaktiṁ grāhayāmi kalau pāpa-hatān narān
[The Supreme Lord said to Vyāsadeva] O learned brāhmaṇa, sometimes I
accepted the renounced order of life to induce the fallen people of the age of
Kalī to accept devotional service to the Lord.
(Cc. Ādi 3.83)
४.१०
अहम् एब द्बिज-श्रेष्ठ नित्यं प्रच्छन- बिग्रहः
भगबद्-भक्त-रूपेन लोकान् रक्षामि सर्बदा
4.10
aham eva dvija-śreṣṭha nityaṁ pracchana- vigrahaḥ
bhagavad-bhakta-rūpena lokān rakṣāmi sarvadā
O best of the brāhmaṇas. My disguised form is eternal. In this way, with My own
form hidden from ordinary sight I take the form
of a devotee and appear among the people in general in order to establish and protect religious principles. (Adi
Purāṇa)
The Version of the Gosvāmīs
४.११
अन्तः कृष्णं बहिर्-गौरं दर्शिताङ्गादि- बैभबम्
कलौ सङ्कीर्तनद्यैः स्मः कृष्ण-चैतन्यम्- आश्रिताः
4.11
antaḥ kṛṣṇaṁ bahir-gauraṁ darśitāṅgādi- vaibhavam
kalau saṅkīrtanadyaiḥ smaḥ kṛṣṇa-caitanyam- āśritāḥ
I take shelter of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is Kṛṣṇa Himself,
thinking of Himself. He is internally Kṛṣṇa blackish but externally, he appears
in golden complexion. In this age of Kalī, Kṛṣṇa appears as Kṛṣṇa Caitanya,
simultaneously manifesting His eternal associates, opulences, expansions, and
incarnations. In this way, he preaches the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness by
performing saṅkīrtana. (Tattva-sandarbha 2) Śrī Gaurāṅga is the Source of all Avatāras
৪.১২
শুতিযা আচ্ছিনু ক্ষীর-সাগর-ভিতরে
মোর নিদ্র ভাঙ্গ হৈল নাডার হুওকারে
4.12
śutiyā ācchinu kṣīra-sāgara-bhitare
mora nidra bhāṅga haila nāḍāra huokāre
[While sitting on the altar of Viṣṇu in the house of Śrīvasa, Lord Caitanya said]
Lying within the ocean of milk, My transcendental slumber broke, as I awoke to hear the loud cries of My devotees, thus I [Lord Viṣṇu] have come [as Lord
Caitanya].
(Cb. Madhya 22.16)
৪.১৩
সেই কৃষ্ণ অবতারী ব্রজেন্দ্র-কুমার আপনে চৈতন্য-রূপে কৈল অবতার.
অতএব চৈতন্য গোসঞি পরতত্ত্ব-সীমা তাঙ্রে ক্ষীরোদ-শাযী কহি, কি তাঙ্র মহিমা সেই তঽ ভক্তের বাক্য নহে ব্যভিচারী সকল সম্ভবে ত্ংঙ্তে, যাতে অবতারী. অবতারীর দেহে সব অবতারের স্থিতি
কেহো কোন-মতে কহে, যেমন যার মতি.
4.13
sei kṛṣṇa avatārī vrajendra-kumāra āpane caitanya-rūpe kaila avatāra.
ataeva caitanya gosañi paratattva-sīmā tāṅre kṣīroda-śāyī kahi, ki tāṅra mahimā sei ta' bhaktera vākya nahe vyabhicārī sakala sambhave tṁṅte, yāte avatārī. avatārīra dehe saba avatārera sthiti
keho kona-mate kahe, yemana yāra mati.
That same Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is the fountainhead of all avatāras is the son of the
king of Vrāja. He has descended personally [as
Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu]. Therefore Lord Caitanya is the Supreme Absolute
Truth. To call Him Kṣīrodakaṣāyī Viṣṇu does not add to His glory, but such words from the lips of
a sincere devotee cannot be false. All possibilities abide in Him because He is
the primeval Lord. All other incarnations are potentially situated in the original
body of the primeval Lord. Thus according to one's opinion one may address
Him as any one of the avatāras. (Cc. Ādi 2.109-
112)
Śrī Gaurāṅga is Unattainable by Worldly
Knowledge
৪.১৪
ভাগবত, ভারত-শাস্ত্র, আগম, পুরাণ চৈতন্য-কৃষ্ণ-অবতারে প্রকট প্রমাণ. প্রত্যক্ষে দেখহ নানা প্রকট প্রভাব অলৌকিক কর্ম, অলৌকিক অনুভাব. দেখিযা না দেখে যত অভক্তের গণ উলূকে না দেখে যেন সূর্যের কিরণ
4.14
bhāgavata, bhārata-śāstra, āgama, purāṇa caitanya-kṛṣṇa-avatāre prakaṭa pramāṇa. pratyakṣe dekhaha nānā prakaṭa prabhāva alaukika karma, alaukika anubhāva. dekhiyā nā dekhe yata abhaktera gaṇa ulūke nā dekhe yena sūryera kiraṇa
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Mahābhārāta, the Purāṇas, and other Vedic literature all
give evidence to prove that Lord Caitanya is the avatāra of Kṛṣṇa. Also, one can
directly see Lord Caitanya's manifest influence in His uncommon deeds and
uncommon Kṛṣṇa conscious realization, but faithless unbelievers do not see
what is clearly evident, just as owls do not see the rays of the sun. (Cc. Ādi 3.84-
86)
Lord Caitanya's sixfold Nature
৪.১৫
সকল বৈষ্ণব, শুন করিঽ এক-মন চৈতন্য-কৃষ্ণের শাস্ত্র-মত-নিরূপণ. কৃষ্ণ, গুরু, ভক্ত, শক্তি অবতার, প্রকাশ কৃষ্ণ এই ছয-রূপে করেন বিলাস
4.15
sakala vaiṣṇava, śuna kari' eka-mana caitanya-kṛṣṇera śāstra-mata-nirūpaṇa. kṛṣṇa, guru, bhakta, śakti avatāra, prakāśa kṛṣṇa ei chaya-rūpe arena vilāsa
I advise all my Vaiṣṇava readers to read and hear with rapt attention this
narration of the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa Caitanya as inculcated in the revealed
scriptures. Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoys His pastimes by manifesting Himself as the
spiritual masters (guru), His devotees (bhakta),
His diverse energies (śakti), His incarnations (avatāras) and His full expansions
(prakāśa). (Cc. Ādi 1.31,32)
Śrī Gaurāṅga is the Supreme Truth
४.१६
यद् अद्बैतं ब्रह्मोपनिषदि तद् अप्य् अस्य तनु- भा
य आत्मान्तर्यामी पुरुष इति सो स्यांश-बिभबः
षड्-ऐश्बर्यैः पूर्णो य इह भगबान् स स्बयम् अयं
न चैतन्यात् कृष्णाज् जगति पर-तत्त्बं परम् इह
4.16
yad advaitaṁ brahmopaniṣadi tad apy asya tanu- bhā
ya ātmāntaryāmī puruṣa iti so 'syāṁśa-vibhavaḥ
ṣaḍ-aiśvaryaiḥ pūrṇo ya iha bhagavān sa svayam ayaṁ
na caitanyāt kṛṣṇāj jagati para-tattvaṁ param aha
What the Upaniṣads describe as the impersonal absolute is but the effulgence of
His (Śrī Caitanya's) body. The Lord who is known as the Supersoul is but His
localized expansion. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa Himself,
full in six opulences. He is the Absolute Truth, one without second. There is no
truth superior to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Chaitanya Mahāprabhu. (Cc. Ādi 1.3)
Lord Caitanya is the Jagad-guru
চৌদ্দ ভুবনের গুরু চৈতন্য-গোসাঞি তাঙ্র গুরু অন্য, এই কোন শাস্ত্রে নাই
caudda bhuvanera guru caitanya-gosāñi tāṅra guru anya, ei kona śāstre nāi
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the jagad-guru, the spiritual master of the
fourteen worlds. No other guru can compare with
Him. (Cc. Ādi 12.16)
Lord Gaurāṅga is the Best of all
४.१८
सौन्दर्ये काम-कोटिः सकल-जन समह्लादने चन्द्रकोटिर्
बात्सल्ये माटृकोटिस् त्रिदशबिटपिनां कोटिर् औदर्य-सारे
गाम्भिर्ये ऽम्बोधि-कोटिर् मधुरिमणि सुधा- क्षीर-माद्धबिह्बिक-कोतिर्
गौरोदेबः स जीयात् प्रणय-रसपदे दर्शिताश्चर्य-कोटिः
4.18
saundarye kāma-koṭiḥ sakala-jana samahlādane candrakoṭir
vātsalye māṭṛkoṭis tridaśaviṭapināṁ koṭir audarya-sāre
gāmbhirye 'mbodhi-koṭir madhurimaṇi sudhā- kṣīra-māddhavihvika-kotir
gaurodevaḥ sa jīyāt praṇaya-rasapade darśitāścarya-koṭiḥ
Caitanya Mahāprabhu is lovelier than millions of cupids. He is mellower than
millions of moons, dearer than millions of mothers, kinder than millions of wish- fulfilling trees, deeper than millions of oceans, and sweeter than millions of nectarean drinks. All glories to Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu, the Supreme Lord, who displays millions of amazing sentiments of madhurya-bhakti, the most
exalted mellow of pure love of Godhead. (Caitanya Candrāmṛta 101)
Gaurāṅga's Tattva, Nāma, Rūpa, and Līlā
४.१९
नमो महा-बदान्याय
कृष्ण-प्रेम-प्रदाय ते
कृष्णाय कृष्ण-चैतन्य
- नाम्ने गौर-त्बिषे नमः
4.19
namo mahā-vadānyāya
kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te
kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya
- nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ
His nature (tattva) is that He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. His name (nāma) is Kṛṣṇa
Caitanya. His form (rūpa) is golden. His quality
(gūna) is that He is the most magnanimous of all incarnations. His pastime
(līlā) is to distribute the highest love of Godhead kṛṣṇa-prema. I offer my obeisances unto that most generous
Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
(Cc. Madhya 19.53)
Gaurāṅga Delivers All by Distributing Nāma
৪.২০
সঙ্কীর্তন-প্রবর্তক শ্রী-কৃষ্ণ-চৈতন্য সঙ্কীর্তন-যজ্ঞে তাঙ্রে ভজে,
সেই ধন্য. সেই তঽ সুমেধা, আর কুবুদ্ধি সংসার সর্ব-যজ্ঞ হৈতে কৃষ্ণ-নাম-যজ্ঞ সার
4.20
saṅkīrtana-pravartaka śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya saṅkīrtana-yajñe tāṅre behave,
sei dhanya. sei ta' sumedhā, āra kubuddhi saṁsāra sarva-yajña haite kṛṣṇa-nāma-yajña sāra
Caitanya Mahāprabhu inaugurated the saṅkīrtana movement. One who
worships Him through saṅkīrtana is fortunate indeed. Such a person is truly
intelligent, whereas others, who have but a poor fund of knowledge, must
endure the cycle of repeated birth and death. Of all sacrificial performances, the
chanting of the Lord's holy name is the most sublime. (Cc. Ādi 3.77,78)
Gaurāṅga is the Giver of Kṛṣṇa-prema
৪.২১
উছলিল প্রেম-বন্যা চৌদিকে বেডায
স্ত্রী, বৃদ্ধ, বালক, যুবা, সবরে ডুবায.
সজ্-জন, দুর্-জন, পঙ্গু, জদ,
অন্ধ-গণ প্রেম-বন্যায ডুবাইল জগতের জন
4.21
uchalila prema-vanyā caudike veḍāya
strī, vṛddha, bālaka, yuvā, sabare ḍuvāya.
saj-jana, dur-jana, paṅgu, jada,
andha-gaṇa prema-vanyāya ḍubāila jagatera jana
The flood of love of Godhead distributed by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu swelled in all directions. Young men, old men, women, and children were all immersed in that inundation. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement begun by Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu will inundate the entire world and drown everyone, whether one
be a gentleman, rogue, lame, invalid, or blind. (Cc. Ādi 7.25,26)
৪.২২
পাত্রাপাত্র-বিচার নাহি, নাহি স্থানাস্থান যেই যাঙ্হ পায,
তাঙ্হ করে প্রেম-দান লুটিযা, খাইযা, দিযা,
ভাণ্ডার উজাডে আশ্চর্য ভাণ্ডার, প্রেম শত-গুণ বাডে
4.22
pātrāpātra-vicāra nāhi, nāhi sthānāsthāna yei yāṅha pāya, tāṅha kare prema-dāna luṭiyā, khāiyā, diyā, bhāṇḍāra ujāḍe āścarya bhāṇḍāra, prema śata-guṇa bāḍe
In distributing love of Godhead, Lord Chaitanya Mahāprabhu and His associates did not consider who was fit and who was unfit, nor where such distribution should or should not take place. They made no such conditions. Rather,
wherever they got the opportunity, the members of the Pañca-tattva distributed
love of Godhead. Although they plundered the storehouse of love of Godhead, ate and distributed its contents, there was no scarcity, for this wonderful storehouse is so complete that as the love is distributed, the supply increases
hundreds of times. (Cc. Ādi 7.23,24)
Who Cheat Themselves out of Love of God
৪.২৩
মাযাবাদী, কর্ম-নিষ্ঠ কুতার্কিক-গণ নিন্দক, পাষণ্ডী, যত পডুযা অধম সেই সব মহাদক্ষ ধাষ্ং পলাইল
সেই বন্যা তা-সবারে ছুঙিতে নারিল
4.23
māyāvādī, karma-niṣṭha kutārkika-gaṇa nindaka,
pāṣaṇḍī, yata paḍuyā adhama sei saba mahādakṣa dhāṣṁ palāila
sei vanyā tā-sabāre chuṅite nārila
The impersonalists, fruitive workers, false logicians, blasphemers, non-devotees,
and lowest of the student community are very expert in avoiding the Kṛṣṇa
consciousness movement. Therefore the mercy of
Lord Chaitanya Mahāprabhu cannot reach them. (Cc. Ādi 7.29,30)
One can Know the Conclusion of Scripture by Śrī Gaurāṅga's Mercy
৪.২৪
শ্রী-চৈতন্য-প্রভুং বন্দে বালো ঽপি যদ্- অনুগ্রহাত্
তরেন্ নানা-মত-গ্রাহ- ব্যাপ্তং সিদ্ধান্ত- সাগরম্
4.24
śrī-caitanya-prabhuṁ vande bālo 'pi yad- anugrahāt
taren nānā-mata-grāha- vyāptaṁ siddhānta- sāgaram
I offer my obeisances unto Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, by whose mercy even an ignorant child can swim across the ocean of conclusive truth, which is filled with the crocodiles of various theories. (Cc. Ādi
2.1)
৪.২৫
হৃদযে ধরযে যে চৈতন্য-নিত্যানন্দ এ-সব সিদ্ধান্তে সেই পাইবে আনন্দ.
এ সব সিদ্ধান্ত হয আম্রের পল্লব ভক্ত-গণ-কোকিলের সর্বদা বল্লভ.
অভক্ত-উষ্ট্রের ইথে না হয প্রবেশ তবে চিত্তে হয মোর আনন্দ-বিশেষ.
4.25
hṛdaye dharaye ye caitanya-nityānanda e-saba siddhānte sei pāibe ānanda.
e saba siddhānta haya āmrera pallava bhakta-gaṇa-kokilera sarvadā vallabha.
abhakta-uṣṭrera ithe nā haya praveśa tabe citte haya mora ānanda-viśeṣa.
[Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī says] Anyone who has captured Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu within his heart becomes blissful by
hearing all these transcendental conclusions. These conclusions are like the
newly grown twigs of a mango tree in that they are always pleasing to the
devotees, who in this way resemble cuckoos. The camel-like non-devotees,
however, cannot enter into these topics, and therefore there is special jubilation
within my heart. (Cc. Ādi 4.233-235)
Lord Gaurāṅga's Preaching Pastimes
৪.২৬
সন্ন্যাসী পন্ডিত-গণের করিতে গর্ব নাশ নীচ-শূদ্র-দ্বারা করেন ধর্মের প্রকাশ.
ঽভক্তিঽ, ঽ প্রেমঽ, ঽতত্ত্বঽ কহে রাযে করিঽ ঽবক্তাঽ আপনি প্রদ্যুম্ন-মিশ্র-সহ হয ঽশ্রোতাঽ.
হরিদাস-দ্বারা নাম-মাহাত্ম্য-প্রকাশ সনাতন-দ্বারা ভক্তি-সিদ্ধান্ত-বিলাস.
শ্রী-রূপ-দ্বারা ব্রজের প্রেম-রস-লীলা
কে বুঝিতে পারে গম্ভীর চৈতন্যের খেলা?
4.26
sannyāsī panḍita-gaṇera karite garva nāśa nīca-śūdra-dvārā karena dharmera prakāśa.
'bhakti', ' prema', 'tattva' kahe rāye kari' 'vaktā' āpani pradyumna-miśra-saha haya 'śrotā'. haridāsa-dvārā nāma-māhātmya-prakāśa sanātana-dvārā bhakti-siddhānta-vilāsa.
śrī-rūpa-dvārā vrajera prema-rasa-līlā
ke bujhite pāre gambhīra caitanyera khelā?
To vanquish the false pride of so-called sannyāsīs and learned scholars, He
spread real religious principles, even through a śudra. Lord Caitanya preached
about devotional service, ecstatic love, and the Absolute Truth by making
Rāmānanda Rāya, a gṛhastha from a low family, the speaker. Then the Lord, an
exalted brāhmaṇa sannyāsī, and Pradyumna Miśra, the purified brāhmaṇa,
both heard from Rāmānanda Rāya. The Lord exhibited the glories of the holy
name of Kṛṣṇa through Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who was born in a Muslim family.
Similarly, He exhibited the essence of devotional service through Sanātana
Gosvāmī, who was almost converted to Islam. The Lord also fully exhibited the
ecstatic love and transcendental pastimes of Vṛndāvana through Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. Considering all this, who can understand the deep plans of Caitanya Mahāprabhu?
(Cc. Antya 5.84-87)
৪.২৭
ব্রজে যে বিহরে পূর্বে কৃষ্ণ-বলরাম
কোটী-সূর্য-চন্দ্র জিনি দোওহার নিজ-ধাম. সেই দুই জগতেরে হ-ইযা সদয
গৌডদেশে পূর্ব-শৈলে করিল উদয.
শ্রী-কৃষ্ণ-চৈতন্য আর প্রভু নিত্যানন্দ যাঙ্হার প্রকাশে সর্ব জগৎ ানন্দ.
সূর্য-চন্দ্র হরে যৈছে সব অন্ধকার বস্তু প্রকাশিযা করে ধর্মের প্রাচার.
এই মত দুই ভাই জিবের অজ্ঞানতমো- নাশ করিঽ কৈল তত্ত্ব-বস্তু-দান.
যাঙ্হার প্রসাদে এই তমো হয নাশ তমো নাশ করিঽ করে তত্ত্বের প্রকাশ.
সূর্য চন্দ্র বাহিরের তমঊ সে বিনাশে বহির্-বস্তু ঘট-পট-আদি সে প্রকাশে.
দুই ভাই হৃদযের ক্ষালিঽ অন্ধকার
দুই ভাগবত-সঙ্গে করান সাক্ষাৎকর.
4.27
vraje ye vihare pūrve kṛṣṇa-balarāma
koṭī-sūrya-candra jini doohāra nija-dhāma.
sei dui jagatere ha-iyā sadaya
gauḍadeśe pūrva-śaile karila udaya.
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya āra prabhu nityānanda yāṅhāra prakāśe sarva jagat ānanda.
sūrya-candra hare yaiche saba andhakāra vastu prakāśiyā kare dharmera prācāra.
ei mata dui bhāi jivera ajñānatamo- nāśa kari' kaila tattva-vastu-dāna. yāṅhāra prasāde ei tamo haya nāśa tamo nāśa kari' kare tattvera prakāśa.
sūrya candra bāhirera tamaū se vināśe bahir-vastu ghaṭa-paṭa-ādi se prakāśe. dui bhāi hṛdayera kṣāli' andhakāra
dui bhāgavata-saṅge karāna sākṣātkara.
Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who formerly appeared in Vṛndāvana and who were millions of times more effulgent than the sun and moon, have arisen over the
eastern horizon of Gauḍa-deśa, being compassionate on the fallen state of the world.
The appearance of Śrī Caitanya and Nityānanda has surcharged the world with happiness. As the sun and moon drive away darkness and reveal the nature of everything, these two brothers dissipate the darkness of the living
beings ignorance and enlighten them with knowledge of the Absolute Truth.
By the grace of Śrī Caitanya and Nityānanda, all darkness is removed and the
truth is brought to light. The sun and moon dissipate the darkness of the
external world and thus reveal material reality, but these two brothers dissipate
the darkness of the inner core of the heart, and thus help one to meet the two
kinds of Bhāgavatas.
(Cc. Ādi 1.85-89,95,97,98)
Śrī Gaurāṅga's Example and Precept
४.२८
हरे-कृष्णेत्य् उच्चैः स्फुरित-रसनो नामगणनाकृत-
ग्रन्थि-श्रेणी-सुभग-कटि-सूत्रोज्ज्बल-करः बिशालाक्षो
दीर्घार्गल-युगल-खेलाञ्चित-भुजः स चैतन्यः
किं मे पुनरपि दृशोर् यास्यति पदम्
4.28
hare-kṛṣṇety uccaiḥ sphurita-rasano nāmagaṇanākṛta-
granthi-śreṇī-subhaga-kaṭi-sūtrojjvala-karaḥ viśālākṣo
dīrghārgala-yugala-khelāñcita-bhujaḥ sa caitanyaḥ
kiṁ me punarapi dṛśor yāsyati padam
Caitanya Mahāprabhu chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra in a loud voice. The holy
name dances on His tongue as He counts His recitations with His effulgent
hands. His eyes are large and His long arms, which bend when He performs His
pastimes, reach down to His knees. When will he again be visible before me?
(Stava-mālā 5 Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Gaurāṅga's Principle and Ultimate Goals
৪.২৯
এই বাঞ্ছা যৈছে কৃষ্ণ-প্রাকট্য-কারণ অসুর-সংহার আনুষঙ্গ প্রযোজন.
এই মত চৈতন্য-কৃষ্ণ পূর্ণ ভগবান্ যুগ-ধর্ম-প্রবর্তন নহে তাঙ্র কাম.
কোন কারণে যবে হৈল অবতারে মন
যুগ-ধর্ম-কাল হৈল সে কালে মিলন.
দুই হেতু অবতরিঽ লঞা ভক্ত-গণ আপনে আস্বাদে প্রেম-নাম-সঙ্কীর্তন.
সেই দ্বারে আচণ্ডালে কীর্তন সঞ্চারে
নাম-প্রেম-মল গাঙ্থিঽ পরাইল সংসারে.
এই-মত ভক্ত-ভাব করিঽ অঙ্গীকার
আপনি আচরিঽ ভক্তি করিল প্রচার.
4.29
ei vāñchā yaiche kṛṣṇa-prākaṭya-kāraṇa asura-saṁhāra ānuṣaṅga prayojana.
ei mata caitanya-kṛṣṇa pūrṇa bhagavān yuga-dharma-pravartana nahe tāṅra kāma.
kona kāraṇe yabe haila avatāre mana yuga-dharma-kāla haila se kāle milano.
dui hetu avatari' lañā bhakta-gaṇa āpane āsvāde prema-nāma-saṅkīrtana.
sei dvāre ācaṇḍāle kīrtana sañcāre nāma-prema-mala gāṅthi' parāila saṁsāre.
ei-mata bhakta-bhāva kari' aṅgīkāra āpani ācari' bhakti karila pracāra.
Just as Kṛṣṇa appeared in order to manifest His Vṛndāvana pastimes and His suppression of demons was incidental in the same way promulgating the dharma for the age is an incidental reason for
Lord Caitanya's appearance.
When He desired to appear for another reason, the time for promulgating the
religion of the age also arose.
Thus with two intentions, the Lord appeared with His devotees and tasted the nectar of prema along with the congregational
chanting of the holy name. He spread saṅkīrtana even among untouchables.
He wove a wreath of the holy name and prema with which He garlanded the entire
world. In this way, assuming the sentiment of a devotee, He preached devotional
service while practicing it Himself.
(Cc. Ādi 4.36-41)
Śrī Gaurāṅga is Like a Lion
৪.৩০
চৈতন্য-সিংহের নব-দ্বীপে অবতার
সিংহ-গ্রীব, সিংহ-বীর্য, সিংহের হুওকার
সেই সিংহ বসুক্ জীবের হৃদয-কন্দরে কল্মষ-দ্বিরদ নাশে যাঙ্হার হুওকারে
4.30
caitanya-siṁhera nava-dvīpe avatāra
siṁha-grīva, siṁha-vīrya, siṁhera huokāra
sei siṁha vasuk jīvera hṛdaya-kandare kalmaṣa-dvirada nāśe yāṅhāra huokāre
Thus the lion-like Caitanya Mahāprabhu has appeared in Navadvīpa-dhāma.
He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a lion, and the loud voice of a lion.
May that lion be seated in the core of the heart of every living being and with
His resounding roar, may He drive away their elephantine vices.
(Cc. Ādi 3.30,31)
Śrī Gaurāṅga's Eternal Reason for Appearing
४.३१
अनर्पित-चरीं चिरात् करुणयाबतीर्णः कलौ समर्पयितुम् उन्नतोज्ज्बल-रसां स्ब-भक्ति- श्रियम्
हरिः पुरट-सुन्दर-द्युति-कदम्ब-सन्दीपितः सदा हृदय-कन्दरे स्फुरतु बः शची-नन्दन
4.31
anarpita-carīṁ cirāt karuṇayāvatīrṇaḥ kalau samarpayitum unnatojjvala-rasāṁ sva-bhakti- śriyam
hariḥ puraṭa-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandīpitaḥ sadā hṛdaya-kandare sphuratu vaḥ śacī-nandana
May that Lord who is known as the son of Śrīmatī Śacīdevī be
transcendentally situated in the inner-most chambers of your heart. Resplendent
with the radiance of molten gold He has appeared in the age of Kalī by His
causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation ever offered before the most
sublime and radiant spiritual knowledge of the mellow taste of His service.
(Cc. Ādi 1.4)
Lord Gaurāṅga's Confidential Reason for
Appearing
४.३२
श्री-राधायाः प्रणय-महिमा कीदृशो बानयैबास्बाद्यो
येनाद्भूत-मधुरिमा कीदृशो बा मदीयः सौख्यम् चास्य
मद्-अनुभबतः कीदृशम् बेति लोभात्
तद्-भाबाढ्यः समजनि शची-गर्भ-सिन्दौ हरीन्दुः
4.32
śrī-rādhāyāḥ praṇaya-mahimā kīdṛśo vānayaivāsvādyo
yenādbhūta-madhurimā kīdṛśo vā madīyaḥ saukhyam cāsya
mad-anubhavataḥ kīdṛśam veti lobhāt
tad-bhāvāḍhyaḥ samajani śacī-garbha-sindau harīnduḥ
Desiring to understand the glory of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī's love, the wonderful
qualities in Him that she alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness she
feels when she realizes the sweetness of His love, Lord Hari, richly endowed
with Her emotions, appears from the womb of Śacīdevī as the moon appears from the ocean. (Cc. Ādi 1.6)
Internally He has the Mood of Śrī Rādhā, Externally He Preaches the Holy Name
৪.৩৩
সেই রাধার ভাব লঞা চৈতন্যাবতার যুগ-ধর্ম নাম-প্রেম কৈল পরচার
4.33
sei rādhāra bhāva lañā caitanyāvatāra yuga-dharma nāma-prema kaila paracāra
Lord Caitanya appeared with the sentiments of Śrī Rādhā. He preached the dharma of this age, the chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, and pure love of Godhead (Kṛṣṇa-prema).
(Cc. Ādi 4.220)
The Pastimes of Śrī Caitanya are Eternal
৪.৩৪
অদ্যাপিহ চৈতন্য এই সব লীলা করে যাঽর ভাগ্যে থাকে সে দেখযে নিরন্তরে
4.34
adyāpiha caitanya ei saba līlā kare yā'ra bhāgye thāke se dekhaye nirantare
As yet, no one can completely see the opulences of all the pastimes Lord
Caitanya performed, because they are without limit in time and space. They are
unlimited and eternal.
(Cb. Madhya 23.513)
Materialistic and Demonic Persons are Envious of Śrī Gaurāṅga
৪.৩৫
পূর্বে যৈছে জরাসন্ধ-আদি রাজ-গণ বেদ-ধর্ম করিঽ করে বিষ্ণুর পূজন কৃষ্ণ নাহি মানে, তাতে দৈত্য করিঽ মানি চৈতন্য না মানিলে তৈছে দৈত্য তারে জানি হেন কৃপাময চৈতন্য না ভজে যেই জন সর্বোত্তম হ-ইলেও তারে অসুরে গণন
4.35
pūrve yaiche jarāsandha-ādi rāja-gaṇa veda-dharma kari' kare viṣṇura pūjana kṛṣṇa nāhi māne, tāte daitya kari' māni caitanya nā mānile taiche daitya tāre jāni hena kṛpāmaya caitanya nā bhaje yei jana sarvottama ha-ileo tāre asure gaṇana
Formerly, even kings like Jarāsandha strictly followed the Vedic rituals, thus
worshiping Lord Viṣṇu. One who does not accept Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead is certainly a demon. Similarly, one who does not accept Lord Caitanya as Kṛṣṇa, the same Supreme Lord, is also considered a demon.
One who does not show respect to this merciful Lord, Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu or does not worship Him, should be considered a demon, even if
that person is very exalted in human society. (Cc. Ādi 8.8,9,12)
Gaurāṅga is not the Enjoyer of the Rasa Dance
৪.৩৬
এই মত চাপল্য করেন সবা সনে সবে
স্ত্রীমাত্র না দেখেন দৃষ্টিকাণে "স্ত্রী" হেন
না প্রভু এই অবতারে শ্রবণে ও না করিলা
বিদিত সংসারে অত এব যত মহা-মহিম সকলে
"গৌরাঙ্গ নাগর" হেন স্তব নাহি বলে
4.36
ei mata cāpalya karena sabā sane sabe
strīmātra nā dekhena dṛṣṭikāṇe "strī" hena
nā prabhu ei avatāre śravaṇe o nā karilā
vidita saṁsāre ata eva yata mahā-mahima sakale
"gaurāṅga nāgara" hena stava nāhi bale
The Lord was apt to indulge in indiscriminate, merciful behavior towards all,
except that He never looked at a woman, even by a sidelong glance. It is known
to all the world that He did not even allow the name of a woman to enter His
ear. Those who are His real devotees, therefore, never address Śrī Gaurāṅga as
"Gaurāṅga-nāgarī," or the enjoyer of women. Although all forms of praise are
applicable to the Lord, the wise sing only what is in accordance with His nature.
(Cb. 15.28-31)
The Glories of the Mercy of Gaura-Nitāi
৪.৩৭
চৈতন্য-নিত্যানন্দে নাহি এসব বিচার নাম
লৈতে প্রেম দেন, বহে অশ্রুধার স্বতন্ত্র ঈশ্বর
প্রভু অত্যন্ত উদার তাঙ্রে না ভজিলে কভু না হয নিস্তার
4.37
caitanya-nityānande nāhi esaba vicāra nāma
laite prema dena, bahe aśrudhāra svatantra īśvara
prabhu atyanta udāra tāṅre nā bhajile kabhu nā haya nistāra
If one only chants with some slight faith the holy names of Lord Caitanya and
Lord Nityānanda, very quickly he is cleansed of all offenses. Thus, as soon as he
chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, he feels the ecstasy of love of Godhead. Śrī
Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the independent Supreme Personality of Godhead is
greatly magnanimous. Unless one worships Him, one can never liberated.
(Cc. Ādi 8.31,32)
The Position of Those who Cheat Themselves out of Lord Gaurāṅga's Mercy
৪.৩৮
চৈতন্যাবতারে বহে প্রেমামৃত-বন্যা
সব জীব প্রেমে ভাসে, পৃথিবী হৈল ধন্যা.
এ-বন্যায যে না ভাসে, সেই জীব ছার
কোটি-কল্পে কভু তার নাহিক নিস্তার
4.38
caitanyāvatāre vahe premāmṛta-vanyā
saba jīva preme bhāse, pṛthivī haila dhanyā.
e-vanyāya ye nā bhāse, sei jīva chāra
koṭi-kalpe kabhu tāra nāhika nistāra
There is now a flood of the eternal nectar of love of God because of the
incarnation of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. All living entities are floating in
that flood. The entire world is now thankful to the Lord. Whoever does not float
in this inundation is most condemned. Such a person cannot be delivered for
millions of lifetimes of Lord Brahmā.
(Cc. Antya 3.254, 255)
৪.৩৯
অবতার সার, গৌর-অবতার কেন না ভজিলি তাঽরে
করিঽ নীরে বাস, গেল না পিযাস আপন করম ফেরে
কণ্টকের তরু ,সদাই সেবিলি অমৃত পাইবর আশে প্রেম কল্পতরু (শ্রী)
গৌরাঙ্গ আমার তাহারে ভাবিলি বিষে
সৌরভের আশে, পলাশ শুঞ্কিলি, নাসাতে পশিল কীট
ইক্ষুদণ্ড ভাবিঽ কাঠ চুষিলি কেমনে পৈবি মিঠ
হার বলিযা, গলায পরিলি, শমন-কিঙ্কর-সাপ
শীতল বলিযা আগুন পোহলি, পাইলি বজর-তাপ
সংসার ভজিলি, (শ্রী) ঙৌরাঙ্গ ভুলিলি, না শুনিলি সাধুর কথা
ইহ-পর-কাল, দুঽকাল খোযালি, খাইলি আপন মাথা
4.39
avatāra sāra, gaura-avatāra kena nā bhajili tā're
kari' nīre vāsa, gela nā piyāsa āpana karama phere
kaṇṭakera taru ,sadāi sevili amṛta pāibara āśe prema kalpataru (śrī)
gaurāṅga āmāra tāhāre bhāvili viṣe
saurabhera āśe, palāśa śuñkili, nāsāte paśila kīṭa
ikṣudaṇḍa bhāvi' kāṭha cuṣili kemane paibi miṭha
hāra baliyā, galāya parili, śamana-kiṅkara-sāpa
śītala baliyā āguna pohali, pāili bajara-tāpa
saṁsāra bhajili, (śrī) Gaurāṅga bhulili, nā śunili sādhura kathā
iha-para-kāla, du'kāla khoyāli, khāili āpana māthā
Śrī Gaurāṅga is the essence of all avatāras. Why didn't I worship Him? It is as
if I was surrounded by water and dying of thirst but I denied myself a drink. I
chewed the thorns on the tree of worldly life and took the blood that flowed
through my mouth to be nectar. When I was offered the nectarean fruits of love
of Godhead distributed by Lord Gaurāṅga, however, I turned them away,
thinking them to be poison. Wishing to smell perfume I sniffed at what I thought
was the fragrant flower of material enjoyment. Alas, that flower was odorless
like the palāśa flower. When I tried to sniff its illusory aroma a bee flew up my
nose and stung me.
Thinking material life to be as sweet as sugarcane, I tried to
taste its nectar. Instead, as I sucked I found it juiceless and dry. In this way, all
my attempts at enjoyment proved false. Admitting defeat, wasted, and worn out, I await the snake of death. Declaring it
to be cool and soothing, I have embraced the fire of material life, only to suffer
intense miseries, as if struck by lightning. Worshiping family and material life I
forgot Gaurāṅga and didn't listen to the words of the saints. Now, in my final
days I realize that I am twice dead, for not only am I casting off this mortal
body, but I am dead while living, having wasted my life in material indulgence
(Mahājana-gīti).
Gaurāṅga Appears as His Holy Name and as His
Deity
৪.৪০
আর দুই জন্ম এই সঙ্কীর্তনারম্ভে হৈব তোমার পুত্র আমি অবিলম্বে
মোর অর্চা-মূর্তি মাতা, তুমি সে ধরণী জিহ্বারূপা তুমি মাতা, নামের জননী
এই দুই জন্ম মোর সঙ্কীর্তনারম্ভে দুই ঠঞি তোর পুত্র রহু অবিলম্বে
4.40
āra dui janma ei saṅkīrtanārambhe haiba tomāra putra āmi avilambe
mora arcā-mūrti mātā, tumi se dharaṇī jihvārūpā tumi mātā, nāmera jananī
ei dui janma mora saṅkīrtanārambhe dui ṭhañi tora putra rahu avilambe
[
Lord Caitanya told Śacī] Birth after birth you are My mother. Again, in this
birth, I have come to begin the saṅkīrtana movement, and so I have become your
son. My appearance in this world is twofold: I appear as the arca-mūrtī and as the holy name. In this way I appear upon the tongue in the form of sound, and as the Deity made from the elements drawn from the earth. In both these forms I
am worshiped, and in these two features I have appeared in order to spread the
saṅkīrtana movement. (Cb. Madhya 27.47)
Gaurāṅga's Teachings in a Nutshell.
४.४१
आराध्यो भग्बान् ब्रजेश-तनयस्-तद्-धाम बृन्दाबनं
रम्या काचिद्-उपासना ब्रज-बधू-बर्गेण या कल्पिता
श्रीमद्-भागबतं प्रमाणम्-अमलं प्रेमा पुमर्थो महान्
श्री चैतन्य महाप्रभुर्-मतम्-इदं तत्रादरो नः परः
4.41
ārādhyo bhagvān brajeśa-tanayas-tad-dhāma vṛndāvanaṁ
ramyā kācid-upāsanā vraja-vadhū-vargeṇa yā kalpitā
śrīmad-bhāgavataṁ pramāṇam-amalaṁ premā pumartho mahān
śrī caitanya mahāprabhur-matam-idaṁ tatrādaro naḥ paraḥ
It is the conclusive opinion of Lord Caitanya that
Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is Vrajendranandana, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, the topmost
worshipable Deity; Vṛndāvana-dhāma which is an expansion of Kṛṣṇa and is
nondifferent from Him is the highest worshipable abode; the gopīs are the
highest example of the worship of Śrī Kṛṣṇa; Śrīmad-bhāgavatam is the
spotless evidence for knowing the absolute truth; kṛṣṇa-prema is the fifth and
highest goal of life. These are the teachings of Śrī
Caitanya in a nutshell. (Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura)
Thus ends the Fourth Jewel of the Gauḍīya Kaṇṭhahāra, entitled Gaura-tattva
