Strictness of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is celebrated as the most magnanimous incarnation, having descended to distribute the love of Godhead freely. However, alongside His limitless mercy, He maintained a standard of strictness that was harder than a thunderbolt, particularly regarding the principles of the renounced order and the purity of philosophical understanding. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this strictness was not a lack of compassion, but a necessary protection for His devotees, safeguarding them from the pitfalls of material existence and guiding them toward unalloyed devotional service.
Dealings with Women
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu set the perfect example for the renounced order of life by maintaining a safe distance from feminine association. Even though He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in His role as a sannyāsī, He demonstrated that one must be extremely cautious to avoid any opportunity for falldown or public criticism.
- The ideal sannyasi was Lord Caitanya Himself, and we can learn from His life that He was very strict in regards to women.
- A sannyasi is restricted from even hearing a woman’s name, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu conducted Himself very strictly in His vow.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu never even joked with others' wives. As soon as He saw a woman coming, He would immediately give her ample room to pass without talking. He was extremely strict regarding the association of women.
- After accepting the sannyasa order of life, He (Lord Caitanya) was very, very strict about avoiding association with women, but still He taught that there is no better method of worshiping Krsna than that conceived by the gopis.
Rejection of Junior Haridāsa
The incident of Junior Haridāsa serves as a stern warning to all spiritual aspirants regarding the severity of maintaining one's vows. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that despite being a personal associate, Junior Haridāsa was banished for a subtle deviation, proving that the Lord tolerates no hypocrisy or lustful behavior in the guise of renunciation.
- With His followers in the renounced order Lord Caitanya was very strict. He even banished Junior Haridasa, an important kirtana leader, for glancing lustfully at a woman.
- Somehow or other Chota Haridasa looked lustily on a young woman, and Lord Caitanya was so strict that He at once rejected him from the society of His personal associates.
- Although Caitanya Mahaprabhu was soft like a flower, He was also strict like a thunderbolt, and everyone was afraid to allow Mukunda to come again into the presence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Danger of Māyāvāda Philosophy
One of the most critical aspects of Lord Caitanya's strictness was His uncompromising stance against impersonal philosophy. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites the Lord's warning that hearing the Māyāvāda-bhāṣya (impersonal commentary) inevitably dooms a devotee's spiritual progress, cutting the very root of bhakti.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu has strictly forbidden to associate with Mayavadi. Mayavadi bhasya sunile haya sarva-nasa (CC Madhya 6.169): "Anyone who has associated with the Mayavadi, his spiritual life is finished." Sarva-nasa.
- He (Lord Caitanya) strictly warned, mayavadi-bhasya sunile haya sarva-nasa: "Anyone who follows the principles of Mayavada philosophy is certainly doomed." Such a fool needs to be reformed by punishment.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has therefore strictly forbidden us to associate with Mayavadi philosophers. Mayavadi-bhasya sunile haya sarva-nasa: if one associates with the Mayavada philosophy, his devotional life is doomed.
Avoidance of Materialists
For those serious about spiritual life, intimate association with materialistic people is detrimental. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Lord Caitanya taught by example to avoid "monied men" and worldly talk (grāmya-kathā), emphasizing that a renunciant must remain aloof from material entanglements to focus solely on Kṛṣṇa.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu strictly prohibits that if you have become niskincana, renounced order, with a idea of going forward, bhava-sagarasya, on the other side of the ocean, then aspiring after money and women is lower than dying, committing suicide.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very strict. He refused to see King Prataparudra, who was naturally always engaged in political and economic affairs.
- Ubhe sandhye ca yata-vak (SB 7.12.2). You should not talk nonsense. Mahaprabhu has very strictly forbidden, gramya katha na kahibe (CC Antya 6.236). We talk. That has become our training.
Personal Discipline
The Lord's strictness extended to His own personal conduct, rejecting bodily comforts and strictly adhering to the orders of the spiritual master. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu showed that spiritual advancement requires the humility to follow instructions implicitly and the discipline to reject personal sense gratification.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu declared Himself a strict sannyasi. A sannyasi is not supposed to take help from anyone. Retaining a masseur to give Him massages would indicate His dependence on others.
- The Lord wanted to tour all the places of pilgrimage alone and strictly observe the duties of the renounced order.
- According to the calculations of the spiritual master, Lord Caitanya appeared to be a fool; therefore he said that He should not indulge in the study of Vedanta but should continue chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. Lord Caitanya strictly obeyed this order.
Conclusion
The strictness of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is an essential expression of His divine love. While He opened the storehouse of love of God to everyone without discrimination, He simultaneously established the rigorous ethical and philosophical standards required to maintain that love. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches us that by understanding the Lord's strict avoidance of illicit association, Māyāvāda philosophy, and material entanglement, we can appreciate the depth of His commitment to our deliverance. To follow His footsteps is to embrace both His merciful instructions on chanting the Holy Name and His thunderbolt-like strictness against māyā.
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 Strictness. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.