Science of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness According to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the entire scientific basis of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement rests upon the authoritative teachings of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This article explores the essential principles established by the Lord, ranging from the universal qualification of a spiritual master to the philosophical refutation of impersonalism, all designed to awaken the dormant love of God within the heart of every living being.
Qualification of a Spiritual Master
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that according to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, external social status such as being a brāhmaṇa or sannyāsī is not the criterion for becoming a guru; rather, deep knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa is the only true qualification. This revolutionary instruction opens the door for anyone conversant in transcendental science to deliver others, regardless of their material background.
- According to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, anyone who is conversant in the transcendental knowledge, or the science of Godhead, be he a brahmana or a sudra, a householder or a sannyasi, is eligible to become a spiritual master.
- According to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: A person may be a brahmana, a sannyasi, a sudra or whatever, but if he is well conversant in the science of Krsna, he can become a guru - Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 8.128.
- According to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s philosophy, anyone who knows the science of Krsna can become a spiritual master, without reference to whether or not he is a brahmana or sannyasi.
Universal Mission to Preach
The mission of human life, especially for those born in the holy land of India, is to perfect their existence and spread the message of Godhead to the entire world. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights Lord Caitanya's specific order that the holy name must be broadcast in every town and village to revive the dormant consciousness of the living entities.
- According to Lord Caitanya every Indian is competent to do good to the rest of the world. Provided such Indian has fulfilled the mission of life. And the mission of life is to revive the dormant divine consciousness in every living being.
- According to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s intentions, prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama.
- We are trying to create a position that not only the Indians have got this responsibility, but according to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, anyone - prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama (CB Antya-khanda 4.126) - they should take up this missionary work.
Philosophical Truths and Danger of Impersonalism
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu establishes the perfect philosophy of acintya-bhedābheda-tattva, explaining that the living entity is simultaneously one with and different from the Lord, while strongly warning against the Māyāvāda interpretation which considers the Lord's form material. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly warns that hearing from impersonalist offenders who twist the Vedānta is dangerous and can completely ruin one's spiritual life.
- According to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s philosophy of acintya-bhedabheda-tattva, the living entity and the Supreme Lord are accepted as one and different at the same time.
- According to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Lord is full in six opulences and the rascal impersonalists says that the Lord has no form and the most dangerous accusation for the Lord that He assumes a material form when he descends.
- I am very much concerned that there is a Mayavadi Sannyasi among yourselves. According to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, anything spoken by the Mayavadis is very, very dangerous.
- According to Lord Caitanya, those who try to give personal interpretations to the Vedic statements are not at all intelligent. They mislead their followers by inventing their own interpretations.
Process of Hearing and Chanting
Spiritual realization does not depend on prior purification or intellectual prowess but begins immediately with the hearing and chanting of the holy name. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that according to Lord Caitanya, simply giving people a chance to hear about Kṛṣṇa is sufficient to awaken their dormant love for God.
- According to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s instructions, one should not wait to purify himself before chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. Whatever our condition may be, we should begin chanting immediately.
- According to His (Caitanya's) method, if people are simply given a chance to hear about Krsna, certainly they will gradually develop their dormant awareness, or love of Godhead. Sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya - Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 22.107.
- Because most people are fallen and because there is no time to elevate them by a gradual process, the best course, according to Caitanya, is to let them remain in whatever condition they are in but to engage them in hearing of the activities of the God.
Conclusion
The science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, as delineated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, offers a practical and sublime method for spiritual realization in the modern age. By following His instructions regarding the qualification of the guru, rejecting speculative interpretations, and engaging in the sankīrtana movement, one acts on the platform of true spiritual understanding. As Śrīla Prabhupāda affirms, following these injunctions ensures that one is not on the material platform but is actively reviving their eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord.
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 According to Caitanya. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.