• UGI USER
  • Oct 19, 2023
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Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Q. The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss.

Approach:

  • Discuss in brief about the Bhakti movement.
  • Discuss about the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
  • Conclude accordingly. 

Answer:

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a 15th-century Indian saint who, according to his disciples and numerous scriptures, was the conjoined embodiment of Radha and Krishna. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu”s style of worshiping Krishna via ecstatic song and dance had a significant impact on Bengali Vaishnavism.

About Chaitanya Mahaprabhu:

  • On the evening of Phalguni Purnima in the year 1486 AD, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared at Sridham Mayapur in the city of Navadvipa in Bengal.
  • He was given the name Vishwambhara, then Nimai Pandita, and finally Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu after accepting the renounced order of life.
  • He was a devout Krishna follower who popularized the “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna” chant.
  • He popularized the practice of worshiping Radha and Krishna simultaneously. He taught the philosophy of Achintaya Bheda-Abheda.
  • He was a Saguna who popularized “Kirtans” (religious songs) as a means of worship.
  • He was well-known in Eastern India, and he spent the majority of his life in Puri, Odisha.

Philosophy and Teachings of Chaitanya

Though Chaitanya Mahaprabhu did not write down his teachings or philosophy, he did ask a few of his devotees (the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan) to explain his teachings in a methodical manner in their own works.

  • Despite being admitted into the Madhvacharya tradition, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu”s ideology differs slightly from those of other Madhvacharya followers and teachers.
  • However, one of his disciples recorded his words, which became known as ”Siksastaka” (eight verses).
  • The doctrine of Gaudiya Vaishnavism is said to be included in these eight verses.
  • Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu preached the Srimad-Bhagavatam and spread the Bhagavad-teaching gita”s in the most practical way possible.

Achintya Bheda-Abheda Philosophy

  • Achintya-Bheda-Abheda is a Vedic school that represents the doctrine of incomprehensible oneness and diversity.
  • In Sanskrit, achintya means ”inconceivable,” bheda means ”different,” and abheda means ”non-difference.”
  • The phrase is used in the Gaudiya Vaishnava religious tradition to refer to the relationship of creation and creator (Krishna, Svayam Bhagavan), between God and his forces.
  • It may be regarded as a synthesis of Madhvacharya”s stringent dualist (dvaita) theology and Ramanuja ‘s qualified monism (vishishtadvaita).
  • Vrindavana-dhama is identical to the Lord and hence worshipable in the same way.
  • The damsels of Vrajabhumi exemplified the ultimate form of transcendental worship to the Lord.
  • The Srimad-Bhagavata Purana is pure literature for comprehending the Lord.
  • The ultimate objective of human life is to achieve prema, or divine love.

The teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are separated into ten points and are centered on the adoration of Lord Krishna.

    • Krishna is the absolute truth.
    • Krishna possesses all energies.
    • Lord Krishna is the source of everything.
    • Atman (soul) is a part of the Lord.
    • Souls are influenced by matter in physical form.
    • Souls are not influenced by matter in liberated state.
    • The Atman is different and identical to the Paramatman.
    • Atman practices pure devotion.
    • Attaining Krishna’s love is the ultimate goal.
    • Lord Krishna is the only blessing to be received.

The message of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu or Gaudiya School of thought is now propagated through ISKCON Movement across the world. It has the participation of devotees from around the world. In other words, it can be said that Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu not only revolutionized the Bhakti movement but also universalized it.