Lord Caitanya's Spreading the Saṅkīrtana Movement
Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared five hundred years ago to inaugurate the saṅkīrtana movement, the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord. As the Golden Avatār predicted in the scriptures, His primary mission was to deliver the fallen souls of the age of Kali through this sublime process. This article explores how He systematically established and spread this movement throughout India, overcoming opposition and setting the foundation for a worldwide spiritual revolution.
Incarnation and Purpose
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Lord Caitanya is the scientifically authorized incarnation for the current age, as predicted in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. His method of deliverance is unique; unlike other incarnations who may use weapons to subdue demons, Lord Caitanya liberates the conditioned souls simply by distributing the mercy of kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana, making it the most glorious activity for human society.
- As stated in the Srīmad-Bhagavatam, the incarnation in the age of Kali is Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who spread the worship of Krsna by the sankirtana movement (congregational chanting of the holy names), and spread Krsna consciousness throughout India.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's movement consists of spreading krsna-sankirtana. Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam: "All glories to the Sri Krsna sankirtana!" Why is it so glorious? This has also been explained by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya is the initiator of sankirtana (congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord). One who worships Him through sankirtana is fortunate indeed.
Strategies of Propagation
To spread the movement effectively, Lord Caitanya traveled extensively, demonstrating that a preacher must go to the people rather than waiting for them. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that whether He was in East Bengal or accepting prasādam in a householder's home, the Lord utilized every interaction to convert people to saṅkīrtana and instruct them to become spiritual masters themselves.
- After some days the Lord went to East Bengal, and wherever He went He introduced the sankirtana movement.
- At whosever house Sri Caitanya accepted His alms by taking prasadam, He would convert the dwellers to His sankirtana movement and advise them just as He advised the brahmana named Kurma.
- Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in Bengal and spread the sankirtana movement - singing, dancing, and chanting the names of God - throughout India.
- It is through Him (Advaita Acarya) that Lord Caitanya spread the sankirtana movement and through Him that He delivered the world.
Distinction and Opposition
The introduction of the saṅkīrtana movement was a revolutionary act that disturbed the status quo of the strict caste brāhmaṇas and impersonal philosophers. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that while critics complained about the Lord breaking religious conventions, Lord Caitanya distinguished Himself from the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs by remaining fixed in devotional service and boldly establishing the yuga-dharma.
- Coming to me, the Hindus complained, 'Nimai Pandita has broken the Hindu religious principles. He has introduced the sankirtana system, which we never heard from any scripture.
- When He (Caitanya) had been spreading the sankirtana movement as a family man, many Mayavadi sannyasis did not take His movement very seriously.
- He will take the fourth order of spiritual life (sannyasa) and will be very much self-controlled. He will be distinguished from Mayavadi sannyasis in that He will be fixed in devotional service and will spread the sankirtana movement.
Global Mission and Legacy
Although begun in India, the Lord's desire was for the saṅkīrtana movement to be spread to every town and village in the universe. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this mission is now being carried forward globally, fulfilling the Lord's prediction and proving that the movement is empowered by Kṛṣṇa Himself to bring true happiness to all humanity.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in this age of Kali, and He will be easily satisfied if the sankirtana movement is spread vigorously all over the world. This will also make people happy without a doubt.
- To make people Vaisnava, pure Vaisnava, and to spread the sankirtana movement, this is the mission of Caitanya, and we are trying our best. Actually, it was the duty of the Indians, but fortunately, the Americans have taken up instead of Indians.
- You have spread the sankirtana movement of Krsna consciousness. Therefore it is evident that You have been empowered by Lord Krsna. There is no question about it.
- The sankirtana movement was first set in motion five hundred years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s desire that it spread all over the universe.
Conclusion
The saṅkīrtana movement is not a temporary religious sentiment but the eternal function of the soul, revived by the Supreme Lord Himself for the benefit of the entire world. Lord Caitanya's personal efforts in spreading this movement demonstrate His immense compassion and His desire to reclaim all conditioned souls. By participating in and vigorously spreading this movement, one satisfies the Lord and achieves the ultimate success of life.
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 Spreading the Sankirtana Movement. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.