Teachings to Sanatana Goswami

[Madhya 20-24]

[20.94-20.107]

Sanatana Goswami humbly presented his inquiries before Sri Caitanya, who patiently spent two months discussing different aspects of Krishna’s enchanting personality. A multitude of topics were discussed in that period:

[20.108-20.151]

Energies of the Lord – Sri Caitanya describes the material, spiritual and marginal energies of Krishna. With the help of sadhus and sastra, the living entity can disentangle himself from the material energy and re-establish his eternal relationship with Krishna. Sri Caitanya cites the story of ‘Sarvajna the astrologer’ to illustrate how this invaluable treasure of a relationship with Krishna can be reawakened through bhakti-yoga.

[20.152-20.404]

Aspects of the Absolute Truth – Sri Caitanya discusses the three aspects of the Absolute Truth, namely brahman, paramatma and bhagavan, and gives a full description of the various Vishnu expansions. He elucidates the six varieties of avatars (purusa, lila, guna, manvantara, yuga and saktyavesa) and establishes Krishna as svayam-bhagavan, the original source of everything. Krishna performs His eternal pastimes in multiple universes simultaneously, although His most confidential and intimate pastimes are exclusively enacted in Shri Vrindavana dham.

[21.1-21.146]

Spiritual & Material universes – Sri Caitanya gives a description of Devi dham, Mahesha dhama, Hari dhama and Goloka dhama (and he inner divisions of Gokula, Mathura, Dvaraka). He extensively describes the qualities and opulence of Krishna which enchants everyone in these universes. The full extent of Krishna’s greatness, however, is unfathomable, even to Brahma.

[22.1-22.103]

Process of devotional service – Sri Caitanya reiterates that devotional service, triggered by the association of devotees, is the means to reconnect with Krishna. By describing the various gradations and qualities of a devotee, Sri Caitanya teaches how to derive maximum benefit when in spiritual company.

[22.104-23.68]

Regulated & spontaneous devotion – Sri Caitanya defines the stages of vaidhi-bhakti (regulative devotional service) and raganuga-bhakti (spontaneous devotional service). Expanding on regulative devotion, Sri Caitanya delineates the 64 items of devotional service that awaken one’s dormant consciousness of Krishna. He then discusses spontaneous devotion, the unique character of Vrindavana’s residents, the symptoms of advanced love (bhava and prema), and the various components of rasa.

[23.69-23.93]

Qualities of God – Sri Caitanya lists the 64 transcendental qualities of Krishna, comparing them with the qualities of Narayana, Siva and ordinary living entities. He also describes the 25 divine qualities possessed by Srimati Radharani.

[24.1-24.323]

Explanation of Atmarama verse – On the request of Sanatana, Sri Caitanya explains this famous verse in 61 different ways. In the process, He also cites the famous story of ‘Mrigrari the hunter’.

[24.324-24.345]

Outline for Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa – Sri Caitanya gives Sanatana the outline for Hari-Bhakti-Vilasa, a book which details the behaviour, etiquette and standard practices of a Vaishnava.