35. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu

35. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu:

“All glories to Lord Śrī Gaurāṅga and His associates. One receives loving devotion to the Supreme Lord simply by hearing transcendental topics about Lord Caitanya.” (Caitanya Bhagavata)

Names of Lord Caitanya:

Nārada Muni said, “In Kali-yuga, he who takes Gaura’s name will get the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, and finally get to live in Vṛndāvana. He who goes on worshiping Kṛṣṇa without taking the name of Gaura will get Kṛṣṇa only after a very long time. But he who takes Gaura’s name quickly gets Kṛṣṇa, for in Gaura’s name the offenses do not persist.

“In Hari Harā Kṣetra, a part of Navadvīpa dhāma, Lord Śiva resides with his consort. Here Lord Śiva continually dances and chants the name of Gaura, begging his followers to accept Kṛṣṇa-bhakti. At the time of leaving his body, a devotee will be delivered by Śiva, who will shout the name of Gaurāṅga in his ear.” (Navadvipa Dhama Mahatmya)

“Whether a sannyāsī or a gṛhastha, a person who somewhere in Navadvīpa calls out “Gaura!” will always enjoy all transcendental bliss.” (Urdhvamnāya Tantra)

“I eternally meditate on Lord Gaura, who purified the age of Kali, and became known by the names Viśvambhara, Prabhu, Hari, Dvija, Gauracandra, Nimāi, and Īśa in the kingdom of Gauda-desh (West Bengal).” (Gaurāṅga-līlā-smaraṇa-maṅgala stotra)

“One day Nimāi Paṇḍita and Jagadānanda Paṇḍita were running along the bank of the Gaṅgā. Suddenly they saw a splendid parrot perched on a fragrant bakula tree. Catching hold of him, Nimāi said, ‘Hey Śuka! Son of Vyāsa, sing the glories of Rādhā-Mādhava and thereby increase our bliss. Ignoring the Lord’s request, the parrot shrieked excitedly ‘Gaura! Gaura! Gaura!’ Feigning anger, the Lord hurled the parrot away.

“The parrot continued to sing, ‘Gaura! Gaura!’ ‘Why won’t you sing about Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa?’ insisted Nimāi. The parrot replied, ‘Vṛndāvana has now been transformed into Navadvīpa, and I see Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in the form of Gaurahari. I am a parrot living in this forest, simply surviving on the chanting of the holy name of Gaura. You are my Kṛṣṇa and Gadādhara is my Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.’” (Prema Vivarta)

Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains that the name “Kṛṣṇa Caitanya” means He who makes the whole world chetana (alive) to the concerns of Kṛṣṇa. It also means He who fills everyone with blissful life by giving them the name and service of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa Caitanya means He is the all-attractive living force. (Śrī Caitanya’s Teachings)

“Chant Lord Gaurāṅga’s holy name because His name is omnipotent. All other names of demigods, goddesses, and Viṣṇu-tattvas are perfectly harmonised and contained in His name.” (Prema Vivarta)

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