Concluding Words

Krishnadasa begins the Caitanya-Caritamrita with an invocation, philosophically preparing the reader to hear the sweet pastimes of Sri Caitanya. The next chapters describe the incarnation and education of Nimai, who became renowned as the greatest of scholars. His true purpose, however, was to spread the movement of nama-sankirtan, and this only manifested after a pronounced transformation – initially by His mantra-initiation and later through His sannyasa-initiation.

Now known as Sri Caitanya, He settled into His life of renunciation, making Jagannatha Puri His headquarters. From here, He journeyed all over India in mass propagation of the sankirtana mission. As years went by, His desire to visit Vrindavana kept growing, until He finally fulfilled that long-cherished aspiration. On His return journey to Jagannatha Puri, Sri Caitanya strategically met Rupa and Sanatana Goswamis, carefully instructing them on the organisation of the sankirtana mission.

Retiring to Jagannatha Puri for the final years of His life, Sri Caitanya resided with His devotees, offering appreciation and correction to practically establish the culture of Vaishnavism. After extensively doing that for six years, Sri Caitanya retreated to the house of Kasi Misra and absorbed Himself in the spiritual intoxication of Srimati Radharani. In these final days, Sri Caitanya offered eight stanzas of instruction to carefully guide future generations in the beautiful process of bhakti.