The Rising Sun
[Adi 13]
Having prefaced the Caitanya-Caritamrita in the first twelve chapters, Krishnadasa now proceeds to narrate the life story of Sri Caitanya. He begins by summarising the most noteworthy events. Faced with the uncertainty of old age and ailing health, Krishnadasa wanted to ensure that should he pass away before completing the book, the summaries would still be available for the reader.
Prior to Krishna’s advent, His eternal associates take birth in the world to 'prepare the ground'. Krishnadasa outlines the most notable of those personalities, each with their own special role to play in the divine drama. Advaita Acarya, who was born fifty-two years prior to Sri Caitanya, was the one who fervently worshipped the Lord, petitioning Him to personally descend.
The parents of Sri Caitanya, Jagannatha Misra and Sachimata, were formerly Nanda and Yashoda, the parents of Krishna. Both of them grew up in pious families that had migrated to Navadvip, West Bengal. The couple had suffered greatly, having lost eight daughters who had all died at birth. Their fortunes eventually changed when they gave birth to a son who did indeed survive; they named him Visvarupa, and He became their life and soul.
The Lord was now ready to descend. When Krishna entered the womb of Sachimata, there was a string of good omens and everyone marvelled at her spiritual radiance. She underwent 13 months of pregnancy before the Lord decided to advent Himself. In February 1486, in the midst of an auspicious astronomical constellation, Sri Caitanya divinely appeared in this world. The atmosphere was surcharged with devotional fervour and all the locals were chanting the holy name! In the distant village of Shantipur, Advaita Acarya began jubilantly dancing, intuitively sensing that his long-cherished desire had finally been fulfilled.
Various villagers came to offer gifts, and among them was Sita Thakurani, the wife of Advaita Acarya, who immediately detected the divinity of the child. Out of maternal affection she gave Him the name 'Nimai', which would ward off any unfavourable influences. Nilambhara Chakravarti, a renowned astrologer, predicted the transcendental influence of the child and named Him 'Visvambhara', the maintainer of the entire universe. The local villagers affectionately called Him ‘Gauranga’ due to His beautiful golden complexion. The sun of Sri Caitanya had finally arisen to dissipate the darkness of kali-yuga.
As the maintainer of the universe, Visvambhara taught the world what life’s priority really is. Though maintenance of the body is essential, one should not forget the necessity of the soul: to reawaken pure love of God. The great teacher Visvanath Chakravarti Thakur thus summarises Shri Chaitanya’s precepts: 'The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the son of Nanda Maharaja, is to be worshipped along with His transcendental abode, Vrindavana. The most pleasing form of worship for the Lord is that which was performed by the gopis of Vrindavana. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the spotless authority on everything, and pure love of God is the ultimate goal of life for all men. These statements, for which we have the highest regard, are the opinion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.'
To summarise, Sri Caitanya came to teach four things:
• The goal of life: pure love of God.
• The object of love: Sri Krishna (who resides in Vrindavana).
• The shining example of love: Gopis of Vrindavana.
• The guidebook for developing love: Srimad-Bhagavatam.
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