Sri Gaura-Tattva From the, Sri Gaudiya Kanthahara
The evidence of Sruti in connection with Sriman Mahaprabhu 4. 1
mahan-prabhur vai purusam sattvasyesu pravarttakam
surnimalam imam santisano jyotiravyamThe Personality of Godhead [Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu] is brilliantly effulgence [like molten gold], and he is imperishable. He is the Supreme Controller. He controls the mode of goodness and [through the performance of sankirtana] he bestows upon the living beings [the] spiritual intelligence [by which they can understand devotional service]. [In his acarya-lila, as a sannyasi] He is the source of spiritual purity and of liberation. He is therefore known as "Mahaprabhu." (Svetasvatara Upanisad 2.12)
The Sruti establishes that The Supreme Lord will appear in a golden form as Sri Gauranga
4. 2
yada pasyam pasyate rukma-varnam kartaram isam purusam brahma-yonim
tada vidyan punya-pape vidhuya nira-janam pramam samyam upaitiWhen one realizes the golden form of that Lord [Sri Gauranga] who is the ultimate actor and the source of the Supreme Brahman, he attains the highest knowledge, transcends both pious and impious activities, becomes free from wordly bondage and gains entrance into the divine abode of the Lord. (Mundaka Upanisad 3.3)
The evidence of Srimad-Bhagavatam
4. 3
krsna-varnam tvisa-'krsnam sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaim sankirtana-prayair-yajanti hi sumedhasamIn the age of Kali, Krsna appears in a golden form, [as Sri Gauranga] chanting the two syllables krsna. He descends along with his weapons [The holy name of Krsna, Srimad-Bhagavatam, kirtana, and mahaprasada ], His limbs [His expansions and avataras such as Nityananda, Advaita, and His divine energies (saktis) such as Gadadhara, Svarupa Damodara, and Ramananda Raya ], and eternal confidential associates [like Srivasa hakura, Haridasa hakura, and other devotees]. Those who are advanced in transcendental intelligence worship Him by performing sankirtana. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.32)
4. 4
"krsna" - ei dui varna sada ya-'ra mukhe
athava krsnake ti-ho varne nija sukhe
dehakantye haya ti-ho akrsna-varana
"akrsna" - varane kahe pita-varanaThe two syllables "krsna" are always in His mouth, or He always describes Krsna with great pleasure. These are two meanings of the words "krsna-varna." Indeed, nothing but Krsna issues from His mouth. If someone tries to describe Him as being of blackish complexion, the next adjective, "tvisakrsnam" immediately restricts him. His complexion is certainly not blackish. Indeed, His not being blackish indicates that his complexion is golden. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 3.53,56)
4. 5
asan varnastrayo'hyasya grhnato'nuyugam tanum
suklo-raktas-tatha-pita idanim krsnatam gatamThis boy, Krsna, has three other colors: white, red, and yellow, as he appears in different ages. Now, in this Dvapara-yuga, he has appeared in a transcendental blackish color. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.13)
4. 6
sukla, rakta, krsna, pita - krame cari varna
cari varna dhari' "krsna" karena yugadharmaIn the four ages, (yugas) Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali, Krsna accepts four different colors: white, red, black, and yellow respectively. These are the colors of the different incarnations of Krsna in different milleniums. (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.330)
4. 7
itham nr-tiryag-rsi-deva-jhasavataraair
lokan vibhavayasi hamsi jagat-pratipan
dharmam mahapurusa pasi yuganuvrttam
channam kalau yad-abhavas tri-yugo 'tha sa tvam[Prahlada said] O Krsna! In this way you appear in various incarnations: as a human being, an animal, a great saint, a demigod, a fish, or a tortoise. Thus maintaining the entire creation in different planetary systems. In this way, according to the age,You protect the principles of religion. But O, Mahaprabhu! In the age of Kali, [when you come to preach the holy name of Krsna, you do so as a devotee and therefore] You do not assert Yourself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because your Godhood is hidden in the age of Kali You therefore known as Triyuga, or the Lord who manifests his Supremacy in only three ages. [And for this reason many sastras have also kept your appearance in Kaliyuga a secret.] (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.38)
The evidence of Mahabharata
4. 8
suvarna-varna hemango varangas-candanangadi
sannyasa-krcchamam santo nistha-santi-parayanam[The following explanation of this verse is given by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswat and is based on the commentary by Baladeva Vidyabhusana on the Visnu-sahasra-nama-stotram found in Mahabharata. These remarks are mentioned by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami in his translation of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati hakura's anubhasya commentary on Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 3.49 - 52)] When the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna appears as Sri Gauranga, in his early pastimes His complexion is gold (suvarna-varna ), his limbs are are the color of molten white gold (hemanga), his body is extremely beautiful (varangas), and he is decorated with sandalwood pulp (candanangadi). [These four are the symptoms of His grhastha-lila.] Another meaning of the description of the Lord as having a golden hue is that Lord Caitanya's personality is as fascinating as gold is attractive.
Sri Caitanya accepts the sannyasa order of life (sannyasa-krt), and shows equanimity (sama) in different ways: by describing the mysteries of devotion to Sri Krsna, and by satisfying everyone by knowledge and attachment to Krsna. (santa). He is peaceful because he renounces all topics not related to the service of Krsna. His mind is always fixed on Krsna, and thus He is fixed (nistha ) in performing the great sacrifice of the holy name of Krsna. He silences the nondevotees 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 (mahabhava-parayana).(Mahabharata, Tadanadharma 149)The evidence of the Puranas
4. 9
aham eva kvacid brahman sannyasnasramamnasritam
hari-bhaktim grahayami kalau papa-hatan-naran[The Supreme Lord said to Sri Vyasadeva] O learned brahmanas, sometimes I accept the renounced order of life to induce the fallen people of the age of Kali to accept devotional service to the Lord. (Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 3.81)
4. 10
aham eva dvija-srestha nityam pracchana-vigraham
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena lokan raksami sarvadaO best of the brahmanas! My disguised form is eternal. In this way, with my own form hidden from ordinary sight, I take the form of a devotee and appear among the people in general in order to establish and protect religious principles. (Adi Purana )
The version of the Goswamis
4. 11
antam krsnam bahir-gauram darsitangadi-vaibhavam
kalau sankirtanadyaim smam krsna-CaitanyamnasritamI take shelter of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna Himself, thinking of Himself. He is internally Krsna - blackish - but externally, he appears with the golden complexion [of Sri Radha]. In this age of Kali, Krsna appears as Krsna Caitanya, simultaneously manifesting His eternal associates, opulences, expansions, and incarnations. In this way, he preaches the process of Krsna consciousness by performing sankirtana. (Tattva-Sandarbha 2)
Sri Gauranga is the fountainhead of all avataras
4. 12
sutiya acchinu ksira-sagara-bhitare
mora nidra bhanileka nadara hunkare[While sitting on the altar of Visnu in the house of Srivasa, Sri Caitanya Maharabhu said] Lying within ocean of milk, My transcendental slumber broke, as I awoke to hear the loud cries of my devotees. Thus I [Lord Visnu] have come [as Sri Caitanya]. (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya 22.16)
4. 13
sei krsna avatari vrajendra-kumara
apane Caitanya-rupe kaila avatara
ata eva Caitanya gosa-i paratattva sima
ta-re ksirodasayi kahi ki ta-ra mahima
sei ta bhaktera vakya nahe vyabhicari
sakala sambhave ta-'te ya-'te avatari
avatarira dehe saba avatarera sthiti
keho kona mata kahe yemama ya'ra matiThat same Lord Sri Krsna who is the fountainhead of all avataras is the son of the king of Vraja. He has descended personally as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore Sri Caitanya Maharabhu is the supreme absolute truth. To call Him Ksirodaksayi Visnu does not add to His glory. But such words from the lips of a sincere devotee cannot be false. All possibilities abide in Him because He is the primeval Lord. All other incarnations are potentially situated in the original body of the primeval Lord. Thus according to one's opinion one may address Him as any one of the avataras. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 2.109-112)
He is transcendental truth: he cannot be attained by wordly knowledge
4. 14
bhagavata-bharata-sastra agama purana
Caitanya krsna-avatara prakata pramana
pratyakse dekhaha nana prakata prabhava
alaukika karma, alaukika anubhava
dekhiya na dekhe yata abhaktera gana
uluke na dekhe yena suryera kiranaSrimad-Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, the Puranas, and other Vedic literatures all give evidence to prove that Sri Caitanya is the avatara or descent of Krsna Himself. One can also directly see Sri Caitanya's manifest influence in His uncommon deeds and uncommon Krsna conscious realization. But faithless unbelievers do not see what is clearly evident, just as owls do not see the rays of the sun. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 3.83 - 85)
Sri Krsna Caitanya Tattva: the Lord's sixfold nature
4. 15
sakala vaisnava suna kari' ekamana
Caitanya-krsnera sastre yemata nirupana
krsna, gurudvaya, bhakta, avatara prakasa
sakti - ei chayarupe karena vilasaI advise all my Vaisnava readers to read and hear with rapt attention this narration of the pastimes of Sri Krsna Caitanya as inculcated in the revealed scriptures. Lord Krsna enjoys His pastimes by manifesting Himself (krsna) as the spiritual masters (guru), His devotees (bhakta), His diverse energies (sakti), His incarnations (avatara), and His full expansions (prakasa). (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.31 - 32)
Sri Gauranga is the supreme truth
4. 16
yad advaitam brahmopanisadi tad-apy-asya tanubha
ya atmantaryami purusa iti so'syamsa-vibhavam
sad-aisvaryaim purno ya iha bhagavan sa svayam-ayam
na caitayanyat krsnaj-jagati paratattvam param ihaWhat the Upanisads describe as the impersonal absolute (brahman) is but the effulgence of His (Sri Caitanya's) body. The Lord who is known as the Supersoul (paramatma) is but his localized expansion. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna Himself, (bhagavan), full in six opulences. He is the Absolute Truth, one without a second. There is no truth superior to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.3)
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the jagad-guru
4. 17
caudda-bhuvanera guru Caitanya gosa-i
ta-'ra guru anya, ei kona sastre naiSri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the jagad-guru, the spiritual master of the fourteen worlds. No other guru can compare with Him. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 12.16)
Sri Gauranga is the best of all
4. 18
saundarye kama-kotim sakala-jana samahladane candrakotir
vatsalye matrkotis tridasavitapinam kotir audarya-sare
gambhirye 'mbodhi-kotir madhurimani sudha-ksira-madvhika-kotir
gaurodevam sa jiyat pranaya-rasapade darsitascarya-kotimSri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is lovelier than millions of cupids, 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 nectarine drinks. All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Lord who displays millions of amazing sentiments of madhurya-bhakti, the most exalted mellow of pure love of Godhead. (Caitanya-Candamrta 101)
Sri Gauranga's principle, name, form, qualities and pastimes:
(tattva, nama, rupa,guna, lila)
4. 19
namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te
krsnaya krsna-Caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namamHis nature (tattva) is that He is Krsna Himself. His name (nama) is "Krsna Caitanya." His form (rupa) is golden. His quality (guna) is that He is the most magnanimous of all Personalities of Godhead. His pastime (lila) is to distribute the highest love of Godhead: krsna-prema. I offer my obeisances unto that most generous Lord, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Madhya 19.53)
Sri Gauranga delivers everyone by distributing the holy name of Krsna
4. 20
sankirtana-pravartaka sri krsna Caitanya
sanirtana-yaj-e ta-'re bhaje sei dhanya
sei ta' sumedha ara kubuddhi samsara
sarva-yajna haite krsna-nama saraSri Caitanya Mahaprabhu inaugurated the sankirtana movement. One who worships Him through sankirtana is fortunate indeed. Such a person is truly intelligent, whereas others, who have but a poor fund of knowledge, must endure the cycle of repeated birth and death. Of all sacrificial performances, the chanting of the Lord's holy name is the most sublime. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 3.76 - 77)
Sri Gauranga is the giver of Krsna-prema
4. 21
uchalila premavanya caudike vedaya
stri-vrddha-balaka-yuva sakali dubaya
sajjana, durjana, pangu, jata andhagana
premavanyaya dubaila jagatera janaThe flood of love of Godhead distributed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu swelled in all directions and thus, young men, old men, women, and children were all immersed in that inundation. The Krsna consciousness movement begun by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will inundate the entire world and drown everyone, whether one be a gentleman or rogue, or even lame, invalid, or blind. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 7.25,26)
4. 22
patrapatra-vicara nahi, nahi sthanasthana
yei ya-ha paya, ta-ha kare prema dana
lutiya khaiya diya bandara prema sataguna vadeIn distributing love of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his associates did not consider who was fit and who was unfit; nor where such distribution should or should not take place. They may no such conditions. Rather, wherever they got the opportunity, the members of the pa-ca-tattva distributed love of Godhead. Although the members of the pa-ca-tattva plundered the storehouse of love of Godhead and 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. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 7.23,24)
Who would cheat themselves out of love of godhead?
4. 23
mayavadi karma-nistha kutarkikagana
nindaka pasandi yata paduya adhama
sei saba mahadaksa dhaina palaila
sei vanya ta' sabare chuite narilaThe impersonalists, fruitive workers, false logicians, blasphemers, nondevotees, and lowest among the student community are very expert in avoiding the Krsna consciousness movement. Therefore the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in the form of this Krsna consciousness movement, cannot reach them. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 7.29,30)
By the mercy of Sri Gauranga one can know the proper conclusions of scripture.
4. 24
sri Caitanya prabhum vande balo'pi yad-anugrahat
taren-nanamata-grahavyaptam siddhanta-sagaramI offer my obeisances unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by whose mercy even an ignorant child can swim across the ocean of conclusive truth which is filled with the crocodiles of various theories. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 2.1)