Are you still wondering if God exists or not? And if you know He exists, are you still not sure who He is and how to find Him? Do you only believe in something through research and scholarly opinions? Waste no more time. After many years of in-depth research, the scholars at Vedic schools have given their conclusion for the benefit of all sincere seekers of spiritual perfection. Based on the evidences found in the scriptures they unanimously agree that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Later in this article we will see how they come to this conclusion.
The word Veda means knowledge. Vedas are the the most authentic source of knowledge, both material and spiritual. Vedas are considered a manual for understanding life and the universe we live in. Being what they are, Vedas not only give a comprehensive and concluding information on what God is, who God is, what His attributes and activities are, but they also inform us when God comes to Earth, where He appears, how He looks during a particular visit, what He does during His visit and so on. It is like when the president of a country is scheduled to visit a certain place, announcements are made by government agencies detailing when he will come, how he will come, what his schedule will be and so on. In the past all the information found in the Vedas have come true and there is no doubt among Vedic scholars that all that is predicted in the Vedas will also come true. This makes Vedic knowledge matchless.
Just as one cannot see the president of a country without going through the process outlined by the government, considering the Vedas as the highest authority, God cannot be seen, perceived or even understood unless we follow the process given in the Vedas to know Him.
One may ask why only Vedas? What about Quran, Bible and other scriptures? A simple answer is, while other scriptures do talk about God, the Vedas give amazingly accurate and in-depth information on God. As mentioned above, Veda describe God’s transcendental attributes, His eternal abode, His pastimes, His various energies and their functions like creation, maintenance and annihilation of innumerable universes and so on. Vedas show us how God’s expansions appear, why they appear and when they appear. Vedas also give a complete education on how to achieve God’s abode, blissfully be with Him, render loving devotional unto Him, and how God magnanimously reciprocates with His devotees’ service attitude. Vedas give a fascinating yet scientific description of both material and spiritual worlds. And no surprise they are capable of delivering such knowledge as Lord Krishna says in Bhagavad Gita (15.15): “By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed, I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas.”
It may not be considered a fault if the word “God” sounds like an imagination to some. In fact this is expected of conditioned souls, as Lord Krishna, who, according Vedic scriptures, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, declares in Bhagavad Gita – naham prakasah sarvasya yoga-maya-samavrtah mudho ‘yam nabhijanati loko mam ajam avyayam, meaning “I am never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them I am covered by My internal potency, and therefore they do not know that I am unborn and infallible.”
Vedic scriptures unanimously declare Lord Krishna as the Supreme Lord, but to know that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who is generally known by historians as a saintly person who propagated the cult of prema bhakti, or loving devotional service, is none other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, is certainly an exciting revelation.
In the following lines we bring to you a compilation of verses from Vedic scriptures that predict Lord Krishna’s advent as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Kaliyuga, in Sri Mayapur, during this period. You can see it for yourself how the Vedic scriptures predicted all detail of God’s arrival and how accurately Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu matched the description. The overwhelming number of evidences make the text a little long but it’s worth reading if you are serious about this most important subject matter. Sanskrit verses are followed by their translation, and explanation as applicable.
Sriptures quoted are: Bhagavat Purana | Adi Purana | Kurma Purana | Garuda Purana | Narasimha Purana | Padma Purana | Narada Purana | Brahma Purana | Bhavisya Purana | Agni Purana | Matsya Purana | Vayu Purana | Markandeya Purana | Varah Purana | Vaman Purana | Upa Purana | Ananta Samhita | Mahabharat | Atharva Ved | Sama Ved | Chaitanya Upanishad | Chandogya Upanishad | Svetasvatar Upanishad | Purusa-Bodini-Upanisad
Prediction of Lord Gauranga’s advent in the form of a brahmana.
In the Adi-Puran and in the Narada Puran, the Supreme Lord says:
aham eva dvija-srestho nityam pracchanna-vigrahah
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena lokam raksami sarvada
I shall advent in the form of a Brahmana devotee [aham eva dvija-srestho] and I shall hide my factual identity [prachanna vigrahah]. I shall deliver all the worlds [lokam raksami sarvada].
Prediction of His advent as a Sannyasi (A person in renounced order of life)
In the Upa-Puranas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna speaks to Srila Vyasadeva:
aham eva kvacid brahmansannyasa asramam asritah
hari bhaktim grahayami kalau papa-hatan naran
O Brahmana, I occasionally take the Sannyas Asram [sannyasa asrama asritah] in an attempt to bring the fallen people of Kali Yuga to take up the path of Bhakti or devotional service to Lord Krishna [hari bhaktim grahayami].
Prediction of His actual time of incarnation
In the Kurma-Purana, it is stated:
kalina dahyamanam uddhararaya tanu-bhrtam
janma prathama sandhyayam bhavisyati dvijalaye
The Supreme Person will appear in the first part of the age of Kali [janma prathama sandhyayam]. He will appear in the home of a Brahmana [bhavisyati dvijalaye], to save the embodied conditioned souls [uddharaya tanu-bhrtam] burning in the troubles of Kali-Yuga.
Description of the purpose of Sri Chaitanya’s incarnation.
In the Garuda-Purana, the Supreme Person says:
kalina dakyamananam paritranaya tanu-bhrtam
janma prathama sandhyayam karisyami dvijatisu
In the first part [prathama sandhya] of the age of Kali, I will come among the brahmanas [karisyami dvijatisu] to save the fallen souls, [paritranaya tanu-bhrtam] who are being burned by the troubles of the age of Kali [kalina dahyamananam].
Prediction of the name of His mother and the actual name of His future
birthplace.
In the Garuda-Purana, the Supreme Lord says:
aham purno bhavisyami yuga-sandhyau visesatah
mayapure navadvipe bhavisyami sachi sutah
I will take birth as the son of Sachi [bhavisyami sachi sutah], in Navadvip-Mayapur [mayapure navadvipe]. I will come in my complete spiritual form in the first part of Kali-Yuga.
Prediction of the name of His future first wife and His future assumption of the sannyasa order
In the same Garuda-Purana, it is Also stated:
kaleh prathama sandhyayam lakshmi- kanto bhavisyati
daru-brahma-samipa-sthah sannyasi gaura-vigrahah
In the first part of Kali-Yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a gold-like form. First He will become the husband of Lakshmi [Srimati Lakshmi Devi, Lord Chaitanya’s first wife]. Then He will become a sannyasi, near Lord Jagannatha who will appear in a divine wooden form.
Prediction of the bodily color of Sri Chaitanya and the nature of His
future activities.
In the Nrsimha-Purana, it is said:
satye daitya-kuladhi-nasa-samaye simhordhva-martyakrtis
tretayam das-kandharam paribhavan rameti namakrtih
gopalan paripalayan vraja-pure bharam haran dvapare
gaurangah priya-kirtanah kali-yuge chaitanya-nama prabhuh
The Supreme Personality of Godhead who in the Satya-Yuga appeared as a half-man, half-lion to cure a terrible disease that had ravaged the daityas, and who in the Treta-Yuga appeared as a person named Rama [Lord Ramachandra], the person who defeated the ten-headed Demon Ravana, and who in the Dvapara-Yuga removed the earth’s burden, and protected the Gopa [cowherd men] people of Vraja-pura, will appear again in the Kali-Yuga. His form will be golden, He will delight in chanting the Lord’s holy names, and His name will be Chaitanya.
Prediction of the future advent of Sri Chaitanya by His direct name
In the Padma-Purana, it is said:
yatrayogesvarah saksad yogi-cintyo janardanah
chaitanya vapur aste vai sandranandatmakah
The Supreme Personality, Janardana, who is the object of the yogis’ meditation [yogi-chintyo- janardanah], who saves the devotees from various sufferings, and who is the master of all yogic practices [yogesvarah], who is always full of divine transcendental ecstasy and bliss [sandra-ananda-atmakah], will advent in His own divine form of Sri Chaitanya [Chaitanya-vapah].
Description of the time and place Sri Chaitanya’s future advent
In the Padma-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself states:
kaleh prathama-sandhyayam gaurangotham mahi-tale
bhagirathi-tate ramye bhavisyami sachi-sutah
I shall appear on this earth [mahi-tale] in the first part of Kali-Yuga [kaleh prathama sandhyayam] in a beautiful place on the bank of the Bhagirathi [bhagirathi-tate ramye]. I shall have a golden form [gaurangah], and I shall take birth as the son of Sachi [bhavisyami sachi-sutah].
Prediction of the purpose of Sri Chaitanya’s advents
In the Narada-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
aham eva kalau vipra nityam prachanna-vigrahah
bhavavad-bhakta-rupena lokan raksami sarvada
O Vipra, in the age of Kali, I will come disguised [nityam prachanna vigraha] as a devotee [bhagavad-bhakta-rupena] and I will save all the worlds [lokan raksami sarvada].
Prediction of His mother’s name and the nature of His specific preaching method [sankirtana]
The Supreme Personality of Godhead states in the Narada-Purana:
divija bhuvi jayadhvam jayadhvam bhakta rupinah
kalau sankirtana arambhe bhavisyami sachi-sutah
O Divija (demigods), please come and advent as devotees on this earth [bhuvi jayadhvam jayadhvam] in the age of Kali-Yuga. I will incarnate as the son of Sachi [bhavisyami sachi-sutah] to inaugurate the congregational chanting of the name of Krishna [kalau sankirtana arambhe].
Prediction of the revelation of Sri Chaitanya’s form
In the Brahma-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
kaleh prathama sandhyayam gaurangotham mahi-tale
bhagirathi-tate bhumni bhavisyami sachi-sutah
I will reveal my eternal golden form [gaurangotham mahi-tale] in the first part of Kali- Yuga [kaleh prathama sandhyayam]. I will advent on the earth on the bank of the Bhagirathi [bhagirathi-tate bhumni] as son of Mother Sachi [bhavisyami sachi-sutah].
Prediction of the future sannyasi role and ecstasy of Sri Chaitanya
In the Bhavisya-Purana, the Supreme Lord says:
anandasru-kala-roma harsa-purnam tapo-dhana
sarve mama eva draksyanti kalau sannyasa-rupinam
O austere sage, you should know that in the age of Kali, everyone will see my transcendental form as a sannyasi [kalau sannyasa rupinam]. I will be exhibiting symptoms of ecstasy like shedding tears of bliss and hairs standing in ecstasy [anandasru-kala-roma-harsa-purnam].
Prediction of the color of Sri Chaitanya and the nature of His future associates.
In the Agni-Purana, it is said:
prasantatma lamba-kanthas gaurangas ca suravrtah
The Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a golden form [gaura-anga], full of peace [prasantatma], and a beautiful long neck [lamba-kanthah]. He will be surrounded by many saintly devotees [sura-avrtah]. (Note: This is an indirect prediction of the future advent of the members of the Pancha-Tattva.)
Prediction of the characteristics of Sri Chaitanya.
In the Matsya-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
mundo gaurah su-dirghangas tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah
dayaluh kirtana-grahi bhavisyami kalau-yuge
In the age of Kali, I shall advent [bhavisyami kalau yuge] where the three rivers meet [tri-srotas-tira-sambhavah]. I shall have a shaven head [mundah]. I shall have a golden complexion [gaurah]. I will be very kind and always chant the holy name of Krishna [dayaloh kirtana-grahi].
Prediction of the name of the river where Sri Chaitanya will take his birth and other characteristics
In the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead states:
suddho gaurah-su-dirghango ganga-tira-samudbhavah
dayaluh-kirtana-grahi bhavisyami kalau yuge
In the age of Kali-Yuga, I shall come [bhavisyami kalau yuge] in a place on the bank of the Ganges [ganga-tira-samudbhavah]. I will be very pure [suddhah], have a golden complexion [gaurah], and be very tall [su-dirghangah] and chant the holy names of Krishna. [Vyau Puran next quote]
Prediction that the Supreme Lord will leave Goloka and come in a golden form
In the Markandeya-Purana, the Supreme of Godhead declares:
golokam ca parityajya lokanam trana-karanat
kalau gauranga-rupena lila-lavanya-vigrahah
In the Kali-Yuga, I will leave Goloka and, to save the people of the world, I will become the handsome and playful Lord Gauranga.
Prediction of one of the purpose of Sri Chaitanya’s appearance
In the Varaha-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
aham eva dvija-srestho lila-pracurya-vigrahah
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena lokan raksami sarvada
I shall come as the best of the brahmanas [aham eva dvija-srestha]. I will exhibit many pastimes [lila-pracurya-vigrahah] in the form of a devotee [bhagavad-bhakta-rupena]. I shall deliver the people of the world [lokan raksami sarvada].
Prediction of the name of the mother of Sri Chaitanya and His future role as the deliverer of the darkness of Kali-Yuga.
In the Vamana-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead declares:
kali-ghora-tamas-channat sarvan acara varjitan
sachigarbhe ca sambhuya tarayisyami narada
O Narada Muni, I will take birth in the womb of Sachi [sachi-garbhe ca sambhuya]. I shall save the people, who will give up all proper good conduct [sarvan acara varyitan], from the terrible darkness of the age of Kali-Yuga [kali-ghora-tamas-channan].
Prediction of the future advent of Sri Chaitanya, His birth time, His mother, His birth city, His name and His mission
In the Vayu-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
paurnamasyam phalgunasya phalguni-rksa-yogatah
bhavisye gaura-rupena sachi-garbhe purandarat
svarnadi-tiram asthaya navadvipe janasraye
tatra dvija-kulam prapto bhavisyami janalaye
bhakti-yoga-pradanaya lokasyanugrahaya ca
sannyas-rupam asthaya krishna-chaitanya-nama-dhrk
tena lokasya nistaras tat kurudhvam mamajnaya
dharitri bhavita cabhir mayaiva dvija-dehina
I shall advent in the month of Phalguna, when the star Phalguni is conjoined with the full moon. I shall incarnate in a golden complexion in the womb of Sachi and Purandara Misra. I will be born in the city of Navadvipa,on the Ganges’s shore, in a Brahmana’s family. I shall take the renounced order of life [sannyasa] and show kindness to the people in general and engage them in Bhakti. I will be known as Sri Krishna Chaitanya. All of you should follow My order and deliver the people of the world. I shall appear as a Brahmana. I shall make this earth fearless.
Prediction of Sri Chaitanya’s birth city, the name of the river close to His birth site, the name of His mother, His close associates and their divine roles in His lila (pastimes), His divine reason for incarnating as well as different names by which Sri Chaitanya will be known.
In the Ananta-Samhita, it is said:
svarnadi-tiram asritya navadvipe dvijalaye
sampradatum bhakti-yogam lokasyanugrahaya ca
sa eva bhagavan krmo radhika-prana-vallabhah
srsty-adau sa jagannatho gaura asin mahesvari
avatirno bhavisyami kalau-nija-ganaih saha
sachi-garbhe navadvipe svardhuni-parivarite
aprakasyam idam guhyam na prakasyam bahir mukhe
bhaktavataram bhaktakhyam bhaktam bhakti-pradam svayam
man-maya-mohitah kecin na jnasyanto bahir-mokhah
jnasyanti mad-bhakti-yuktah sadhavo-nyasinotmalah
krmavatara-kale-yah striyo ye purusah priyah
kalau te’vatarisyanti sridama-subaladayah
catuh-sasti-mahantas te gopa dvadas balakah
caitanyera simhera…
dharma-samsthapanarthay a viharisyami tair aham
kale nastam bhakti-patham sthapayisyamy aham punah
gacchantu bhuvi te putrah jayantam bhakta-rupinah
dharma-samsthapanam kale kurvantu te mamajnaya
krishnas chaitanya-gaurango gaurachandrah sachi-sutah
prabhur gauro gaura-harir namani-bhakti-dani me
“To show mercy to the people and give them devotional service, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear in a Brahmana’s home in Navadvip by the Ganges’ shore. The Supreme Person, Sri Krishna Himself, who is the life of Srimati Radharani, and is the Lord of the universe in creation, maintenance, and annihilation, appears as Gaura, O Mahesvari.
In Kali-Yuga, I will descend to the earth with My associates. In Navadvip, which is surrounded by the Ganges, I will take birth in Sachi-devi’s womb.
They who are bewildered by My illusory potency will not understand the great secret of the appearance in this world of Me in My personal form,
in My form as the incarnation of devotion,
in My form as the incarnation of a devotee,
in My form bearing the name of a devotee,
in My form as a devotee, and
in My form as the giver of devotional service.
This secret is not to be revealed to them. Only the saintly, pure, renounced devotees, diligently engaged in My devotional service, will be able to understand Me in these five forms.
My dear male and female associates, headed by Sridama and Subala, who came to this world at the time of My advent as Lord Krishna, will come again during the Kali-Yuga.
The Gopas will become the sixtyfour mahantas and the twelve gopalas. To establish the truth of religion, I will enjoy many pastimes with them.
In this way I will again reveal the path of devotional service, which has been destroyed in the course of time. My sons should also descend to the earth, assume the forms of devotees, and, by My order, also work to re-establish the principles of true religion.
At this time My names will be: Krishna Chaitanya, Gauranga, Gaurachandra, Sachisuta, Mahaprabhu, Gaura and Gaurahari. Chanting these names will bring devotion to Me.”
Other major Vedic literature describing characteristics of the advent of Sri Chaitanya
The Great Epic Mahabharata (Dana-Dharma, Visnu-Sahasra-Nama Stotra) points out the divine characteristics of Sriman Mahaprabhu’s appearance.
suvarna varna hemango varangas candanangadi
sannyasa krt-chamah santo nistha shanti parayanah
He has a golden complexion [suvarna varnah]. His limbs are very beautiful [vara-anga] and are smeared with sandalwood pulp [candana-angadi]. He has the appearance of molten gold [hema-anga].
The Supreme Lord Chaitanya accepts the renounced order of life [sannyasa-krt]. He is fully sense-controlled or equipoised [sama], and is completely peaceful [santa]. He is completely fixed (in the chanting of the holy name of Lord Krishna), [nistha]. He is the highest abode of devotion and transcendental peace. (He silences the mayavadi impersonalists) [nistha santi parayanah].
The sanskrit words suvarna-varna indicate one who has gold-like complexion. The Vedic text to support this point is: yada pasya pasyate rukma-varnam kartaram isam purusam brahma-yonim. The words rukma-varnam kartaram isam refer to the Supreme Person [Sri Chaitanya] who has a complexion like molten gold.
Is there any specific reference in the Vedas as to when in this yuga, the Supreme Lord’s Avatar- Sri Krishna Chaitanya was scheduled to appear?
In the Atharva-Veda; Purusa-Bodini-Upanisad, it is said:
saptame gaura-varna-visnor ity aena sva-saktya
caikyam etya pratar avatirya saha svaih sva-manum siksayati
“In the seventh manvantara, in the beginning of the Kali-Yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will, accompanied by His own associates, descend in a golden form to the earth. He will teach the chanting of His own names.”
When exactly does He come in the kali-yuga, and where does He specifically appear and what will He do?
In the Atharva Veda, the Supreme Person says:
itotham krta sannyaso’vatarisyami sa-guno nirvedo
niskamo bhu-girvanas tira-atho’ lakanandayah kalau
catuh-sahasrabdhopari panca-sahasrabhyantare
gaura-varno dirghangah sarva-laksana-yukta isvara
prarthito nija-rasasvado bhakta-rupo misrakhyo
vidita-yogah syam
I will descend on the earth after the passage of four thousand years in the Kali-Age, [kalau chatuh sahasrabdhopari] and before the passage of five thousand years [pancha sahasra abhyantare]. I will come on the earth on the bank of the Ganges, [tira-sthah
alakanandayah]. I will be a tall and saintly Brahmana devotee. I will have all the auspicious symptoms of an exalted person [dirghangah sarva-laksana-yuktah].
I will exhibit renunciation. I will have all auspicious signs. I will be a devotee, practicing bhakti yoga. I will taste the rasa of My own devotional service.
In the Sama Veda, the Supreme Lord says:
tathaham krta sannyaso bhu-girvano ‘vatarisye
tire’lakanandayah punah punah isvara-prarthitah sa-
parivaro niralambo nirdhuteh kali-kalmasa-kavalita-
janavalambanaya
I shall come to the earth, accompanied by My associates, in a place by the bank of the Ganges. I will advent to save the people who are afflicted and devoured by the sins of the age of Kali. I will manifest as an Avadhut Brahman Sannyasi.
What is the name of the place where the Supreme Lord appears?
The Chandogya Upanisad describes the place of advent of the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya. In the Sabadvipa Dham Mahatmya (text 5) Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur explains:
tan-madhye daharam saksan mayapuram itiryate
tatra vesma bhagavatas chaitanyasya paratmanah
tasmin yas tv antarakaso hy antardvipah sa ucyate
The spiritual city in the shape of a lotus has the abode of Sri Mayapur as its heart. Sridham Mayapur is the divine abode of Lord Chaitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the middle of Mayapur is the place called Antardvip.
Are there any other relevant scriptural references in the vedas describing the appearance or qualities of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?
The Svetasvatara Upanisad (Ch. 6, text 7) describes the qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Chaitanya:
tam isvaranam paramam mahesvaram tam devatanam paramam ca daivatam
patim patinam paramam parastad vidama devam bhuvanesam idyam
“O Supreme Lord, you are the Supreme Mahesvara, the worshipable Deity of all the demigods and the Supreme Lord of all Lords. You are the controller of all controllers, the Personality of Godhead, the Lord of everything worshipable.”
Svetasvatara Upanisad Ch 3 text 12, 14
mahan prabhur vai purusahsattvasyaisa pravartakah
sunirmalam imam praptim isano jyotir avyayah
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead is Mahaprabhu, who disseminates transcendental enlightenment. Just to be in touch with Him is to be in contact with the indestructible brahmajyoti. ”
Sri Chaitanya Upanisad (Chaitanyopanisad), text 5:
jahnavi-tire navadvipe golokakhye dhamni govindo
dvi-bhujo gaurah sarvatma maha-puruso mahatma
maha-yogi tri-gunatitah sattva-rupo bhaktim loke
kasyatiti. tad ete sloka bhavanti
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda, the supreme enjoyer, whose form is transcendental, who is beyond the touch of the three modes of material nature, and who is all pervading Supersoul residing in the-hearts of all living entities, will appear again in the Kali-age. Appearing as the greatest devotee, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will assume a two-armed form of golden complexion in His abode of Goloka Vrindavan manifested on the bank of the Ganga at Navadvip. He will disseminate pure devotional service in the world.
The appearance of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is further predicted in the following verses
Sri Chaitanya Upanisad text 6 says in what color the Lord will appear in the Kali-yuga, and what He will do:
eko devah sarva-rupi mahatma gauro rakta syamala-sveta-rupah
chaitanyatma sa vai chaitanya-saktir bhaktakaro bhakti-do bhakh-vedyah
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the master of all transcendental potencies, and who may be known only by devotional service, [bhakti vedyah] appears in innumerable transcendental forms. He has appeared in red, white and black complexions, [gauro rakta syamala sveta rupah] and He will also appear in the golden form of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He will assume the role of a perfect devotee
[bhakta akarah] and He will teach the conditioned souls the path of pure devotional service [bhakti dah].
Chaitanya Upanisad, text 7 predicts the nature of the form of Lord Chaitanya and how He is understood
namo vedanta vedyayakrmaya paramatmane
sarva chaitanya rupaya chaitanyaya namo namah
I offer my respectful obeisances unto Him, who is understood by Vedanta [namo vedanta vedyaya], who is Lord Krishna [Krishnaya], the Supersoul [paramatmane], whose form is fully transcendental and conscious of everything [sarva-chaitanya-rupaya]. We offer our humble obeisances again and again. [chaitanyaya namo namah]
What is the result of understanding the divine position of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?
Sri Chaitanya-Upanisad. text 8:
vedanta vedyam purusam puranam chaitanyatmanam visva-yonim mahantam
tam eva viditva’ mrtyum eti nanyah pantha vidyatetyanaya
“Knowing Him who is the object of knowledge in the Upanisads, the oldest person, the embodiment of consciousness, the source of the universe and the greatest of all, one crosses over death. There is no other path for going there.”
What will Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu do in this incarnation?
Sri Chaitanya-Upanisad. text 9:
sva-nama mula-mantrena sarvam hladayati vibhuh
The Supreme powerful [vibhuh] Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya appears in His golden form, and He will fill the universe with bliss [hladayati] by the chanting of His own holy names [sva-nama-mula-mantrena].
Which mantra will this yuga avatar chant?
Sri Cartanya Upanisad text 10.
sa eva mula-mantra japati harir iti krishna iti rama iti
Sri Krishna Chaitanya will chant the maha-mantra comprised of the divine names of Hari, Krishna and Rama, i.e., Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Quotations of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s bodily features according to some of the great devotees present at the time
Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, one of the foremost disciples of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in Jagannath Puri, composed an entire series of prayers describing in detail the various features of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, called Sri Gauranga-Prati-Anga-Varnanakhya-Stava-Rajah, or the King of Prayers, proclaiming the glory of each limb of Sri Gauranga. Let us carefully present a few of these divine gems.
Lord Chaitanya’s bodily luster:
Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacharya, a great scholar of his time, who later became a disciple of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, has described the complexion of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s body.
tapta hema dyutim vande kali-krishnam jagad-gurum
caru-dirgha-tanum srimac chaci-hrdaya-nandanam
I worship Lord Krishna, the spiritual master of the universe, who appears in the age of Kali with a luster like molten gold. His body is beautiful and tall. He is like molten gold, and He is the delight and the son of Sachidevi.
Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati Thakura also describes Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s golden complexion.
ananda lilamaya vigrahaya hemabha-divya-cchavi-sundaraya
“O Lord Chaitanyachandra, O Lord whose form is full of blissful pastimes, O Lord whose complexion is as splendid as gold…”
Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami similarly describes Lord Chaitanya:
tapta hema sama kanti prakanda sarira
“…the luster of His expansive body resembles molten gold…”
Prabodhananda Sarasvati further describes Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s golden complexion.
svayam devo yatra-kanaka-gaurah karunaya
“His complexion is as fair as molten gold.”
Sri Chaitanya’s beautiful hair:
lasan-mukha-lata-naddha charu-kuncita-kuntalam
“His lovely curling locks are interwoven with creepers of glistening pearls…”
Sri Chaitanya’s shoulders and chest:
Prabhodananda Sarasvati Thakura describes the shoulders of Sriman Mahaprabhu as simha skandham…“whose shoulders are like a lion…”
Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami also points out the nature of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s shoulders and voice: simha griva simha-virya simhera hunkar – “He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a lion, and the loud voice of a lion.”
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s arms reach all the way to His knees: ajanulambita bhumau kanaka vadatau
And kankanangada-vidyoti-janu-lambi-bhaja-dvayam – “….His two arms, glittering with bracelets and bangles, extend down to His knees.”
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s face:
prema-pravaha-madhura raktotpala-vilocanam
h la-prasuna-susnigdha nutanayata-nasikam
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s beautiful eyes are just like reddish lotus flowers. They are most beautiful, just like lakes of Krishna Prema. His nose is arched and is resplendent just like the sesame flower.
sri-ganda-mandollasi ratna-kundala-manditam
savya-karna-suvinyasta sphurac-caru-sikhandakam
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s cheeks are round and they shine brilliantly. He wears jeweled earrings. He has a peacock feather placed near His left ear.
madhura-sneha-susnigdha praraktadhara-pallavam
isad-danturita-snigdha sphuran-mukta-radoijvalam
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s lips are tender and very lustrous. They resemble reddish blossoming flowers. He reveals his pearl-like teeth out His kindness.
Chaitanya-charitamrita, Adi-Lila 3.77
sankirtana-pravartaka sri krma-chaitanya sankirtana-yajne tanre bhaje sei dhanya
“Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya is the initiator of sankirtana [congregational chanting of the holy name of Lord Krishna]. One who worships Him through sankirtana is fortunate indeed”
Susloka-Satakam -59- Sri Gauranga Mahima
vintala-kamala-vaktrah pakva-bi nbadharosthas
tila-kusu na-su-nasah katnbu-kanthah su-dirghah
suvaliuta-bhuja-dando nabhi-gambhira-rupah
sphuratu hrdaya-madhye gaura-candro-natendrah
“His face is flawless like a blooming lotus and His lips are red as ripe as bimba fruits. His nose is as beautiful as the sesame flower and his neck is like a three-ringed conch. He is very tall and His rod-like arms make artistic movements while He dances. His navel is
very deep. May my Lord Gaura Chandra, the king of dancers, reveal Himself in the core of My heart.”
Some interesting questions answered:
Does Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appear in every day of lord brahma? Just like the original Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna does appear once in every day of Lord Brahma.
Answer: Srila Prabhupada once explained in Melbourne, Australia, in answer to the question of how long it would be before Lord Krishna would come to this planet again in His personal form: after 8 billion 600 milion years.
Devotee: How long do you say it is before Krishna comes to this planet again in His physical form?
Srila Prabhupada: Now, calculate, I have already given the duration of one day, twelve hours, of Brahma means 4,300,000 years multiplied by one thousand….the eight billion.
Devotee (2): 600,000,000.
Srila Prabhupada: So Krishna comes after this period in one day, after one day of Brahma, He appears.
Devotee: Srila Prabhupada, does Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also appear every day of Brahma?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, following Krishna. Krishna comes in the Dvapar-Yuga. There are four sets of yugas: Satva, Treta, Dvapar, Kali. So Krishna comes at the end of Dvapar-Yuga, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu comes in the Kali-Yuga so almost the same year, same circulation…Similarly, Krishna appears in rotation in this universe after so many years, eight billion years. So next He goes to another universe….[Melbourne Australia. 22nd May 1975.]
Did the Srimad-Bhagavatam (Bhagavat-Puran), the foremost of all Vedic literatures predict the appearance of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu?
In the seventh canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Prahlad Maharaj directly hints at the hidden nature of the Supreme Lord’s appearance. Because the Supreme Lord is also called Tri-Yuga, or one who appears in only three yugas (satya, dvapara, treta), He is sometimes said to appear in a concealed form, in the age of Kali.
channah kalau yad abhavas tri-yugo’tha sa tvam (Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.38)
Are there any more direct references in the Simad Bhagavatam, than the above reference?
In the Tenth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, chapter eight, Gargamuni the family priest of Nanda Maharaja, explains that the young boy Sri Krishna has three colors – white, red and yellow – when He appears in His transcendental form in different ages. In the current incarnation of Krishna, He has appeared …as black.
asan varnas trayo hy asya grhnatotnvyugam tanuh
suklo raktas tatha pita idanim krmatam gatah
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.13)
Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami, the celebrated author of the Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta, explains that the three colors of white, red and yellow are the three bodily colors which the Supreme Lord assumes in the ages of Satya, Treta and Kali respectively.
sukla rakta pita-varna ei tina dyuti satya-treta-kali-kale dharena sri-pati
The Bhagavatam explains in the conversation between Karabhajan Muni and King Nimi, that in the Dvapara-Yuga, the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead appears in a blackish form [dvapare bhagavan syamah]. He has a yellow dress and carries His own weapons [pita-vasa-nija-ayudhah]. He is beautified with the mark of Srivatsa and the Kaustubha jewel [sri vatsa-adibhih ankais ca laksanaih]. This is the actual description of His characteristics [upalaksitah].
The great sage continues his instruction to King Nimi by saying that people in general in the age of Dvapar-Yuga worshiped the Lord of the Universe [iti dvapara urvisam stuvanti jagad isvaram]. In the age of Kali, they worshipped the Supreme Person by the regulation of the scriptures [tantra vidhana].
krishna varnam tvisakrmam sangopangastra parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.32)
“In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the holy name of Krishna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.”
How does this verse refer to the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, since his name is not directly mentioned there?
Just as the symptoms and characteristics of the various previous incarnations are mentioned in the scriptures, similarly the symptoms of the appearance of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are described.
Krishna-varnam indicates that He belongs to the category of Krishna. Krishna varnam also means one who constantly repeats and sings the name of Krishna. The main business of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was the chanting of the holy name of Krishna. Thus the words Krishna varnam and Krishna Chaitanya are equivalent.
Srila Krishna das Kaviraj Goswami has elucidated the two meanings of the words Krishna varnam by stating:
krishna ei dui varna sadayanra mukhe athava krmake h’nho varne nija sukhe
Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu always sings the two syllables Krish & na [Krishna ei dui varna sada yanra mukhe], or He always relishes great transcendental pleasure while describing Lord Krishna [athava krmake tinho varne nija-sukhe].
As we can see the evidences that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and so is non-different from Lord Sri Krishna are compelling as the predictions made in the scriptures and the advent and activities of Lord Chaitanya perfectly match. This is apart from the fact that many of Lord Chaitanya’s associates recognized Him as the Supreme Lord and have written volumes of books and prayers glorifying His transcendental activities. Sri Chaitanya charitamrita, Chaitanya Bhagavat and Chaitanya mangal are some of the most famous literature in this regard.
Since Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in Sri Mayapur dham, the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness decided to establish ISKCON’s headquarters in Sri Mayapur. All Gaudiya vaishnavas celebrate the appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, known as Gaura purnima, with great festivities and devotional programs along with days long kirtan and ecstatic chanting of the maha-mantra, recommended by Bhagavan Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu- Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Note: Sastric Quotes Sourced mainly from here and here
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