Significance of Śrī Caitanya's Smile
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead appearing as His own devotee, utilized every aspect of His behavior to instruct humanity, including His enchanting smile. Śrīla Prabhupāda illuminates that the Lord's smile was never mundane; it was a manifestation of His internal spiritual mood, ranging from deep compassion to supreme detachment. Through the varied instances of His smiling, we gain insight into His merciful nature, His method of dealing with criticism, and His supreme pleasure in the saṅkīrtana movement.
Response to Criticism and Blasphemy
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the Lord's exemplary behavior when faced with the harsh criticisms of the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs in Benares. rather than becoming angry or defensive, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu smiled, demonstrating the perfect detachment and tolerance of a pure Vaiṣṇava who is unaffected by personal insults while simultaneously planning to deliver the offenders.
- Because the blasphemy was cast against Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself, He did not feel sorry, and therefore He was smiling. This is ideal Vaisnava behavior.
- All these criticisms were carried to Lord Caitanya when He was at Benares, and He was not at all surprised at them (the Mayavadi philosophers). He even smiled when the news was carried to Him.
- Hearing all this blasphemy, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu merely smiled to Himself, rejected all these accusations and did not talk with the Mayavadis.
- Tapana Misra and Candrasekhara appealed to the lotus feet of the Lord regarding their grief at the criticism of Him by the sannyasis in Benares. Caitanya Mahaprabhu merely smiled, yet He wanted to fulfill the desires of His devotees.
Preaching and Philosophical Defeat
In His interactions with scholars, logicians, and those of opposing schools, Śrī Caitanya's smile often served as a prelude to their spiritual enlightenment. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the Lord would smile to disarm pride or acknowledge a valid point, using His charm to prepare the listener for the conclusive truths of Vedānta and bhakti.
- The Kazi concluded, "The reasoning and arguments in the scriptures of the meat-eaters are not very sound." Upon hearing this statement, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu smiled and inquired from him as follows.
- After hearing the Mayavadi sannyasis speak in that way, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu smiled slightly and said, "My dear sirs, if you don't mind I can say something to you regarding Vedanta philosophy."
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu could understand that the Tattvavadis were very proud of their Vaisnavism. He therefore smiled and began to speak to them.
- The Bhattacarya explained the atmarama verse in nine different ways on the basis of scripture. After hearing his explanation, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, smiling a little, began to speak.
Intimacy with Associates
The Lord's smile is a source of immense jubilation for His confidential devotees, confirming their service and deepening their loving relationships. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes these exchanges to show how the Lord reciprocates with the specific moods of His associates, from the reverence of Rāmānanda Rāya to the fraternal humor shared with Lord Nityānanda.
- Being very satisfied, Lord Caitanya smiled and showed Ramananda His real form as the combination of Sri Radha and Krsna. Thus Lord Caitanya was Sri Krsna Himself with the external features of Srimati Radharani.
- Seeing the face of Advaita Acarya, Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu smiled. Understanding that the Lord had accepted the proposal, Advaita Acarya started to dance.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, also smiling, took a morsel of food, pushed it into the mouth of Nityananda and laughed as He made Lord Nityananda eat it.
- Smiling, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Raghunatha dasa, I have already appointed Svarupa Damodara Gosvami as your instructor.
Pleasure in Sankirtana
Nothing pleases Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu more than the spreading of the saṅkīrtana movement. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that from His childhood pastimes to His role as the transcendental Gardener, the Lord's smile is the reward for those who chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and participate in distributing the fruits of love of God.
- The transcendental gardener, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, distributed handful after handful of fruit in all directions, and when the poor, hungry people ate the fruit, the gardener smiled with great pleasure.
- When Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the great gardener, sees that people are chanting, dancing and laughing and that some of them are rolling on the floor and some are making loud humming sounds, He smiles with great pleasure.
- As long as the ladies continued to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, the Lord (Caitanya) would not cry but would very pleasingly smile upon them.
- May the SPG in the form of Lord Sri Caitanya bestow His causeless mercy upon us. His smiling glance at once drives away all the bereavements of the world, and His very words enliven the auspicious creepers of devotion by expanding their leaves.
Conclusion
The smile of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is a window into the nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It signifies His absolute autonomy, His affectionate nature towards His devotees, and His masterful handling of opposing elements. Whether He is smiling in tolerance of the ignorant, in love for the devoted, or in ecstasy during the chanting of the Holy Names, His expression conveys the essence of spiritual perfection. By meditating on these instances, one can understand that the Lord's satisfaction is intimately linked to the sincerity of service and the propagation of the saṅkīrtana movement.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Caitanya's Smile. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.