Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu As Kṛṣṇa Caitanya

The name Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is not a mere designation; it is the transcendental sound vibration that reveals the identity and mission of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the Age of Kali. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Lord Caitanya, formerly known as Nimāi Paṇḍita, received this name upon accepting the renounced order of life. It signifies that He is Kṛṣṇa Himself, appearing to awaken the dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness of all living entities.

The Name and its Origin

The name "Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya" was given by Keśava Bhāratī, the Lord's sannyāsa-guru. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains a subtle theological point regarding this name. In the Śaṅkara-sampradāya, sannyāsīs often think they have become the Supreme Brahman. To avoid this misconception, the Lord kept the name "Kṛṣṇa Caitanya" (Kṛṣṇa Consciousness) to position Himself as an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, rather than claiming to be the Undifferentiated Consciousness.

• Because a sannyasi in the Sankara-sampradaya thinks that he has become the Supreme, Lord Caitanya, wanting to avoid such a misconception, kept the name Sri Krsna Caitanya, placing Himself as an eternal servitor.
• Lord Caitanya accepted sannyasa from Kesava Bharati. When He first approached Kesava Bharati, He was accepted as a brahmacari with the name Sri Krsna Caitanya Brahmacari. After He took sannyasa, He preferred to keep the name Krsna Caitanya.
• On the next day (of Caitanya's accepting sannyasa) He became a regular sannyasi, with one rod (ekadanda). From that day on, His name was Sri Krsna Caitanya. Before that, He was known as Nimai Pandita.

Identity as the Supreme Lord

Although He played the role of a devotee, scriptural evidence confirms that Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. He is the basis of the impersonal Brahman and the source of all incarnations. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that "Kṛṣṇa Caitanya" means the original living force, Kṛṣṇa, who has appeared in a golden form to teach the science of love of God.

• Krsna Caitanya is the basis of Brahman and the Supreme Personality of Godhead as well. As the Supreme, He is full in six opulences: wealth, fame, strength, beauty, knowledge and renunciation.
• People mistake Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu because by misfortune they understand Krsna Caitanya as a devotee or just like so-called sadhu or yogi, like that. That is mistake. Krsna Caitanya means the original living force, Krsna.
• In the Western world where the glories of Lord Caitanya are relatively unknown, one may inquire, "Who is Krsna Caitanya?" The scriptural conclusion in answer to that question is that He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The Most Magnanimous

Rūpa Gosvāmī offered his obeisances to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya as the most magnanimous incarnation (mahā-vadānyāvatāra). He bestows what no other avatār has ever given: pure love of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by taking shelter of His lotus feet, one can easily attain the platform of transcendental service, which is superior even to liberation.

• Rupa Gosvami said, "I offer my respectful obeisances unto the Supreme Lord Krsna Caitanya, who is more magnanimous than any other avatara, even Krsna Himself, because He is bestowing freely what no one else has ever given - pure love of Krsna"
• Any person who takes shelter of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is most glorified because by the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu he is able to get promotion to the platform of loving service to the Lord, which is transcendental to salvation.
• Srila Rupa Gosvami quoted one verse which was later found in the book Govinda-lilamrta (1.2): Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu delivers those souls who are merged in ignorance and offers them the highest gift, love of Krsna, and thus makes them mad for Krsna consciousness.

Chanting the Holy Name

The name of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is non-different from Kṛṣṇa Himself. Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that before chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, one should chant the names of the Pañca-tattva (beginning with śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya). This invocation clears offenses and allows the devotee to experience the ecstasy of the holy name.

• By chanting these two holy names - sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda - one immediately becomes ecstatic, and if he then chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra he becomes free of offenses.
• Sri Krsna Caitanya and maha-mantra the same. Krsna and His name is same. Sri Krsna Caitanya and Hare Krsna is the same. Sri-krsna-caitanya radha-krsna nahe anya. Sri Krsna Caitanya is combination of Hare and Krsna. So there is no difference.
• With my tongue I shall chant Your holy name, 'Sri Krsna Caitanya!' That is my desire. Kindly let me give up my body in this way.

Conclusion

Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the Golden Avatār who embodies the perfection of spiritual life. He is God, guru, and Devotee all in one. By understanding His identity and chanting His name, the fallen souls of Kali-yuga can easily cross the ocean of material existence and enter into the eternal pastimes of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.

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