Caitanya's Power - The Force of Transformation
The power of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is unique in the history of spirituality. While other incarnations may display weapons to kill demons, Lord Caitanya displays the power of mercy to kill the demoniac mentality. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this power is evident in the Lord's ability to transform the most fallen people into exalted Vaiṣṇavas. Whether it is the logic-chopping scholar Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya or the people of the modern Western world, the influence of Caitanya's power brings about a complete revolution in consciousness.
The Power of Transformation
Śrīla Prabhupāda compares Lord Caitanya to a touchstone that turns iron into gold. His power is demonstrated not by physical force, but by the miraculous change in the hearts of those who come in contact with Him. From the intellectual transformation of Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya to the cultural upliftment of people in Africa and the West, the Lord's power purifies even the most "unclean" candidates.
- The Lord is like a touchstone, for by His grace He can turn iron into gold. After his conversion, everyone marked a great change in Bhattacarya, and they concluded that this change was made possible only by the inconceivable power of Lord Caitanya.
- Let me offer my respectful obeisances to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by whose mercy even unclean yavanas become perfectly well bred gentlemen by chanting the holy name of the Lord. Such is the power of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- As evidence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy, we are experiencing that the people of Africa are taking to Krsna consciousness, chanting and dancing and taking prasadam like other Vaisnavas. This is all due to the power of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- Although less intelligent men cannot understand it (CC Adi 17.1), this is the special power of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Actually, the body of a Krsna conscious person changes in many ways.
Empowering the Preachers
To spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement worldwide requires more than human ability; it requires the specific empowerment of Lord Caitanya. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that anyone who successfully preaches the glories of the Lord is an āveśa-avatāra, or empowered incarnation. This power enables a devotee to write profound literature, like Rūpa Gosvāmī, or to deliver the message of Godhead to demoniac populations.
- The same principles can be applied to demoniac persons, even though they be in the sampradaya of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Without receiving the Lord’s special power, one cannot preach His glories all over the world.
- Persons who do so (spread Hare Krishna worldwide) are empowered. Therefore they are sometimes called avesa-avataras, or empowered incarnations, for they are endowed with the power of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- Without Your mercy such poetic expressions would be impossible for an ordinary living being to write. My guess is that You have given him (Rupa Gosvami) the power.
- We (Rupa and Sanatana) are the most fallen; therefore by showing us Your (Caitanya's) mercy, Your mercy is most successful. Let the power of Your mercy be exhibited throughout the entire universe.
Inconceivable Features and Humility
The power of Lord Caitanya is described as acintya, or inconceivable. He is the lion-like incarnation who simultaneously acts as the gardener, the trunk, and the branches of the tree of devotion. Yet, in a display of supreme humility, this all-powerful Lord submits that "Alone, I have no power." This duality of infinite strength and meekness is a hallmark of His divine character.
- Thus the lionlike Lord Caitanya has appeared in Navadvipa. He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a lion, and the loud voice of a lion.
- By His inconceivable powers, the Lord became the gardener, the trunk and the branches simultaneously.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the inaugurator of this movement five hundred years ago, although He is accepted as Krsna Himself, still, He says that, "Alone, I have no power or strength." Ekaki amara nahi paya (Ohe Vaisnava Thakura). This is the humble submission.
- Struck with wonder by the influence of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's intellectual prowess, many hundreds of students came to the Lord and began studying under His direction.
The Power of Love and Mercy
Ultimately, Caitanya's power is the power of mercy. It overwhelms devotees like Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī with ecstatic love and ensures the success of their endeavors without their own exertion. However, this power also respects the free will of the pure devotee; Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that even the Lord could not detain Haridāsa Ṭhākura when he decided to leave his body, showing the intricate exchange of love between the Lord and His servant.
- Thus I have described the powerful mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by which Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami remained constantly overwhelmed with ecstatic love for Krsna.
- How powerful is the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu! Without even inquiring about the King, the Lord made everything successful.
- My wife and I did not especially exert ourselves in the cooking. He by whose power the food has been prepared knows everything.
- When Haridasa Thakura wanted to leave this material world, it was not within My power to detain him.
Conclusion
The power of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the hope for the conditioned souls of Kali-yuga. It is a power that does not conquer lands but conquers hearts, turning the dry desert of material existence into a flourishing garden of devotion. By taking shelter of this power, anyone can be empowered to attain the highest perfection 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 Power. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.