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[Read or Return to Part 1 by clicking on this link:  http://harekrsna.livejournal.com/

 Part 3 - [click here]
Part 4 - [click here]
 

  • Jun. 16th, 2009 at 12:45 PM
     


 Ever Increasing Faith - Part 2
 Written by Rohini-suta dasa
 
 
     In the same way that God, whom we read about in the Holy Bible, empowers angels to act on His behalf, this same idea is also present in the writings of the great Vaishnava authors (followers of  Lord Chaitanya) . They may not call them angels but the name can be easily adapted. In fact, I find it rather amazing how although vastly different in quantity, and with far-far less detail, what the Bible does say about the prophesy, preparation, and reasons concerning the birth Lord Jesus Christ, resonates in many ways with the beautiful story you are about to hear. For example, you will find thunderous voices from Heaven in both accounts
     Now focusing on just the prophesy, preparation, and reasons concerning the birth Lord Caitanya, this LiveJournal entry [Ever Increasing Faith] is a spontaneous response on my part to having just read the prologue that occupies the first 54 pages of the Sri Caitanya Mangala.  I feel like I have been given a glimpse of the Holy Motherload.  Other books on the life and teachings of Lord Caitanya are easily available for the inquisitive, such as the Caitanya Bhagavata by Srila Vrindavana dasa Thakura and the Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, by Srila Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami.  They, too, provide a significant amount of material on this very subject, but those references are not included here.

 
 
 
     From the start, the author of the Sri Caitanya Mangala [Sri Lochana dasa Thakura] credits his source material: a recorded conversation between Murari Gupta and Damodhara Pandita. [see Chapter 1, pages 4 & 5].  Before posting my summary of this conversation, a short note about the title I’ve used here: Ever Increasing Faith. This is actually the title of a wonderful book by the 19th century, English minister, Smith Wigglesworth.  I like to say that he is the great-great grandfather of the Pentecostal Movement.  I’ve read it several times and boy, would old Wigglesworth be grinning now if he could see how one of his biggest fans has borrowed his title! Today, for my faith, these three words are more relevant than ever before. Ever-increasing faith is exactly what I am writing about.  
     For example, there are many consequences and changes that one experiences when a person, like myself, “gets the bug” for the teachings of Lord Caitanya. There are literally thousands of men and women just like myself who were not born in India, who most likely only knew Jesus, but eventually came to accept Mahaprabhu [Lord Caitanya] as God Almighty.  When this occurs, thing begin to rapidly increase. For example, in the Book of John, Jesus acknowledges the existence of Abraham.  For a Christian, then, they, too, must accept Abraham as depicted in the Holy Bible and accepted by Jesus.  Not only is faith in Jesus required for a new Christian, faith in Abraham is also required, which is an example of ever-increasing faith.  When a man marries a woman, whatever debt she entered into the marriage with, now becomes his: a student loan, car payment, etc. Her debts are legally tied to her. Accepting her, he absorbs her debts as his own.  
     I have accepted Lord Caitanya as the same God that Jesus prays to in the Bible  ["My Father”]  but comparing the massive amount of eye-witness material compiled on Mahaprabhu's life, to the life of Jesus Christ, is like comparing a small pocket dictionary to a massive, Random House Unabridged Dictionary that contains 315,000 entries. You can still see 500-year old articles of clothing that belonged to Him. 

 

Lord Caitanya gave these shoes to the great saint,
Srila Raghunatha Bhagavatacharya

 

Hopefully you can now appreciate why I have chosen this title:  Ever Increasing Faith.  The things that I must now accept as true, because I accept Lord Caitanya, is staggering. 

     Oh, and who is Murari Gupta?  [“Lochana credits a recorded conversation between  Murari Gupta and Damodhara Pandita”] He was also a doctor and while living in Navadvipa, the birthplace of Lord Caitanya, he was witness to the Lord’s birth and childhood pastimes.  So we, too, should be allowed to say that we can equally read Murari Gupta’s testament with confidence, knowing that what he recorded was written by an educated man of sound character and that he had a clear and thoughtful mind.
     Knowledgeable in Sanskrit, Murari expertly recorded in his Karcha Diary the authorized history of Lord Caitanya’s childhood and boyhood pastimes. As one begins to understand Sanskrit and its vast superiority to our other natural languages, one might ask, “what in the world were the ancestral people of India doing with such a highly advanced language?”  In 1985, scientist Rick Briggs asked this very question while studying at NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffet Field, California. His answers were published in the article, Knowledge Representation in Sanskrit and Artificial Intelligence. “If nothing else,” Mr. Briggs wrote, “Sanskrit represents man’s most perfect attempt for the clearest and most unambiguous means of communication ever devised.”  [RICK  BRIGGS, The A.I. Magazine, 1985]
     As I have just said, as an aspiring devotee of Lord Caitanya, I have both amused and amazed myself by asking the very serious question, who and what must I ALSO believe in, with unflinching faith?  Obviously, all the characters and events I am writing about.  Just keep this in mind.  It is a real eye opener and something that is not slipping past me unnoticed.
     The conversation between Murari Gupta and Damodhara Pandita is not a simple one, but this is not meant to imply that it is difficult to understand; there‘s just a lot to it.  Instead of a tale woven with only one thread, there are three different colored threads.  This makes for a much more detailed story.  Having taken a closer look, I see at least thirty different aspects to it; all together telling the wonderful events that reveal the prophesies, preparations, and reasons behind Lord Caitanya’s birth as Nimai; an affectionate name given to the Lord right after His birth.
     
     Narada’s Conclusion & What God Doesn‘t Know: Let me begin saying a few words about Narada Muni.  


 


     He is the son of the first created being in the universe, Brahma, who is the Lord of the universe [material world]. Narada is an angelic figure, made famous throughout the Vedas [Scriptures] for many reasons, especially his ability to travel at his own sweet will to any place of his choosing; either in the material or spiritual worlds. In my first book, Krsna and the Art of Bicycle Maintenance, I begin Chapter 6 with a nice story about Narada Muni:

[http://www.cedarpost.com/kataobm/Chapter6.htm]  

     Another unique characteristic of his, is that Narada holds a musical instrument called a vina and while playing it he is always singing the glories of the Lord’s Holy Name.

 

     A long time ago, while observing the massive slide of humanity into irreligion and with no hope for redemption, out of his great compassion and wisdom Narada reached the conclusion that only God Almighty, Himself [The Savior] was capable of re-establishing religion upon the earth. Narada saw that the venomous snake of Kali had bitten everyone, infecting all with the poison of Maya [illusion].  Everywhere he looked, mankind was madly pursuing sense gratification.
     In order to tell the Lord about his conclusion, Narada headed for the spiritual planet of Dwarka [the number of spiritual planets are infinite in name and number].  Just prior to his arrival, Lord Krishna, the primeval Lord, had decided to visit His Queen, the faithful and chaste, Rukmini.  Anticipating Lord Krishna's arrival, Rukmini quickly arranged for expert musicians, fragrant incense and sacred water. Dressed beautifully, she greeted her Lord and master.  Although Krishna would have expected to find His Queen the perfection of composure, instead she was crying volumes of tears as waves of spiritual love and ecstasy consumed her. [Remember, material language is used to describe spiritual descriptions, but in the spiritual world, crying is ecstasy ...not pain].
 
     Radha’s Love:  Composing herself, Rukmini understood Lord Krishna’s curiosity and in order to explain herself she proceeds to tell Him that although He is God, and that although He knows everything, He does not, however, fully know the kind of  love that His most beloved Queen of all, Srimati Radharani, feels for Him.

 


     Rukmini then goes on to describe the Lord’s glories as seen through the eye and heart of Radharani, the topmost lover of God.  She tells Him that her own tears are the result of her personal cultivation of the kind of love that Radha feels for Krishna.  She tells Him that only by cultivating this Radha-bhava can He ever hope to know and feel what they do.  Rukmini tells Lord Krishna that serving His lotus feet is the topmost spiritual activity; perfection beyond any other form of religion.  
     As Rukmini pours her heart out to her Lord, she describes over and over again this perfection ...how this service is sought after by numerous great souls, but that only Radha understands, fully, the happiness achieved by it. Radha knows that it is the door to an unlimited supply of spiritual nectar, enveloping all those who follow this path of pure ecstatic love of God; something far more desirable than any kind of liberation.
 
     Narada’s speaks to the Lord: At this point, Narada Muni enters the Queen’s chambers. Because of his troubled observations of Kali-yuga, Lord Krishna asks Narada what is wrong, able to see His devotee in obvious distress.  Narada then addresses the Lord and tells Him about the great concern he has for mankind, struck senseless by the ruthless snake of maya.  Narada tells Lord Krishna how he reached the conclusion that only He, the Lord, Himself, can save mankind.  Smiling at both His Queen and at Narada Muni, Lord Krishna finally speaks. What He says fully satisfies Narada, accomplishing several important things dear to the Lord’s heart.
 
     Four achievements & One Apparition:  Lord Krishna tells the great sage that yes, indeed, He will appear on earth soon, in the guise of His own devotee.  Not only will he save mankind by introducing the proper religion for the age, he will also taste the Radha-bhava that Rukmini had just described to Him. Furthermore,  His advent will also fulfill a promise He made to Parvati, the wife of Lord Siva. Specifically, Lord Krishna tells Narada that He will be born in the village of Navadvipa in Bengal and that His mother will be Sacimata.  He will grow tall with a molten gold color and have long, beautiful arms. At that instant, as Narada looked at Lord Krishna, the Lord’s form instantly transformed into the incomparable beauty of Gaura Hari [golden God].  Stunned in spiritual ecstasy, Narada falls unconscious, only to awaken; looking at the beautiful face of Lord Krishna once again.

 
 
Sri Caitanya

 
     Narada Departs:  Lord Krishna then instructs Narada to travel to the abode of his father [Lord Brahma] and then, after that, visit Lord Siva. He tells Narada to inform everyone of His plans to take birth as a human child and for everyone to also take birth upon the earth to assist Him, in what is about to happen.  Lord Krishna also instructs Narada to remind Lord Siva’s wife, Parvati, about a promise that He had once made to her. After explaining to Narada the details, Narada felt the embrace of the Lord as he begged His permission to leave.
 
[God has many names and many forms and can even create different-identical forms for Himself to use, or interact with.  Each one is non-different from one-another and each is without source.  This is part of the inconceivable nature of God.  Material reason cannot figure this out. Of course, what else do we have to think with?  Because we must,  please think of God as a Supreme Actor. Because He is God, He is not, nor has He ever been created.  He just is.  But on the other hand, this unlimited, Supreme Actor has unlimited-supreme forms that He is able to morph into at His own sweet will.  The part that is difficult to grasp [because we are “human”] is that all His forms are, and are not, different.  One is never superior over another, but they are.  Again, the saints tell us that God is inconceivable.  Of course He is.  And this is what I like the most about the life and teaching of Lord Caitanya; I am constantly being exposed to this inconceivableness, in the most wonderful and unusual way.]
 
     Narada visits Uddhava: On his journey to see his father [Lord Brahma] Narada first visited the great saint Uddhava, at Naimisaranya, and tells him all that has happened. Narada, now considering the drastic turn of events, namely the most auspicious and pending birth of the Lord, tells Uddhava that instead of Kali-yuga being the worst of the yugas [ages], rather, it is the best.  In the other three great yugas, spiritual redemption took a along time and much care, whereas now, by the Lord’s mercy, great austerities and learning is replaced by singing the Holy Names of God [Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare].  This is accompanied by dance, feasting, and discussing the Lords pastimes with one another.  Narada then went on to tell Uddhava about the incredible form of the Lord, Gaura Hari, that Krishna had manifested in Queen Rukmini’s palace.  Lord Krishna had told Narada that instead of appearing with weapons to destroy the atheist, as He had done previously, this time his weapons would be His Love and humbleness; all part of His divine plan to taste the kind of love only known to His beautiful Radha.  
 
Radha

     Upon hearing from Narada the description of  what he had seen with Queen Rukmini, Uddhava began to manifest many ecstatic symptoms.  Narada then asked everyone to prepare themselves to take birth upon the earth, just as the Lord had wanted. 

 

Ever Increasing Faith - Part 3
 Written by Rohini-suta dasa

 

     Narada Visits Lord Siva: Unable to forget the incomparable beauty of Gaura Hari that he had seen in Dwarka, and before making his way to see his father, Lord Brahma ...in complete bliss Narada arrived at Lord Siva’s abode. Embraced by his loving friends, Narada has much to tell them.  He related to Siva and Parvati the turn of events and how everyone should prepare to take birth upon the earth. Lord Gauranga’s lotus feet would soon be decorating the banks of the Holy Ganga [Ganges River]. Not forgetting what Lord Krishna had mentioned, it was time for Narada to remind Siva and Parvati of a very special promise the Lord had made and would now keep. 

 

Lord Siva

 

    
     Glories Of Maha-Prasadam: Smiling at his two friends, Narada began telling them how a long time ago, Uddhava had also questioned Lord Krishna about the earth's fate, once the Lord had departed. Would any devotees remain?  How would the people of Kali Yuga be saved?  In the course of this discussion, Uddhava mentions to Narada how he, personally, was able to conquer Maya [illusion] by directly eating small amounts of food, taken directly off the Lord’s plate.  This great mercy is called maha prasadam. Narada had no idea that the Lord’s maha prasadam was so valuable and immediately desired to eat some, himself.
 
     Narada Serves Laxmi: It was then that Narada conceived of a plan to acquire some maha prasadam for himself. Since Laxmi Devi [the Goddess of Fortune] is very dear to the Lord, Narada decided to render very pleasing service to her, who would then, in turn, grant Narada whatever he wished for.  The plan worked perfectly and eventually Laxmi Devi, very happy with Narada, asked him if there was anything he wanted.  Of course, this is when he asked for some maha prasadam and even though Lord Krishna had told her NOT to give anyone His maha prasadam, still she could not refuse Narada Muni. But she also told him that it would take awhile for her to get it.

    Laxmi’s Promise: Time passed and being the faithful wife that she is, Laxmi confided in her Lord the quandary that she now found herself in; having promised, and then given, something that she was not suppose to. Providence acts in strange ways and by pure mercy, Narada ate all the maha prasadam that Laxmi had given him.    

     [Using a footnote here to help understand the twist and turns of this amazing story, it was during a prior and ancient exchange between Siva and Narada Muni that the great sage had told him how he had received and eaten all the Lord maha prasadam. But instead of making Lord Siva happy when he told him this, instead Siva became infuriated ...wanting to know just how his dear friend could have eaten everything without even the slightest consideration toward himself.  How difficult would it have been for Narada to place a small quantity of the mercy aside for him?  Greatly ashamed of himself, Narada suddenly remembered that in fact, he had set aside a very small morsel of the maha prasadam.  Watching Lord Siva eat the maha-prasadam, Narada became struck with wonder as he then observed Siva become mad with ecstasy. After eating the maha-prasadam, Siva began to dance about wildly.  In fact, so much so that the earth was in danger of being driven into destruction. Understanding the situation, Parvati spoke a few harsh words to break her husband’s trance.  With the earth out of danger, Parvati asked Siva what was the reason behind his unusually bright effulgence, which seemed to her as bright as ten million suns.  Siva, suddenly understanding that he had failed to share the maha prasadam with his devoted wife, said words to her that only infuriated her.  He told Parvati that she had no right to the maha prasadam. Now inflamed with anger, Parvati made a tremendous vow and that if the Lord granted her wish, she would, in fact, distribute His maha prasadam to everyone, even to the dogs. As Parvati finished speaking her mind, Lord Vishnu [another form of the Lord] appeared in all His Glory and promised that one day Parvati’s promise would come true.  The Lord said, "One day I will personally distribute My maha prasadam to everyone."  He then went on to tell Parvati about a very secrete and confidential fact that very few knew about.  This was something that happened when the demons and demigods were churning the ocean of milk.  As a result of that churning, the first thing produced was a very special kalpa-taru tree.  Within that divine tree there was a transcendental effulgence emanating from the beautiful form of Lord Caitanya, who is the supreme abode of pure mercy. He is the fountainhead of all incarnations and will appear in the future in Navadvipa. There, with his many associates, love of Krishna will be freely distributed to everyone, thus fulfilling Parvati's vow.]
   
     Siva’s & Parvati’s Bliss: Having heard from Narada the very ancient story that had been lost to memory, great happiness swept through the home of Lord Siva and Paravati, now knowing what had so very very long ago been forgotten.  Again, everyone prepared to take birth upon the earth for Lord Caitanya’s divine appearance.  With great joy, Narada bid everyone farewell and began the final leg of his journey to see his father. As he left Mt. Kailasa, everyone could hear his vina playing sweet music.
 
     Narada Reaches Brahmaloka: Lost in great joy and forgetting to rest while on the way to see his famous father, arriving before Lord Brahma, Narada’s body was dotted with transcendental drops of perspiration. Wondering about his illustrious son, Lord Brahma wanted to know all that Narada had been doing; Whom have you met, and what have you experienced? 
 

Lord Brahma
 
     Narada then told his father everything; how he had become overwhelmed with concern for the fallen souls of kali yuga and how they would never be able to escape the forces of maya.  He related how he had then visited with Lord Krishna, who said that in order to save everyone, He would personally intervene on Narada’s behalf.  The Lord had said, Narada, although the age of Kali is full of faults, just by chanting My Holy Names, one will obtain freedom from material existence.  Now please go the abodes of Brahma, Siva, and the others.  Tell them to take birth upon the earth and in the form of Lord Gauranga, the embodiment of compassion, I will also descend.
 
          Disturbing Questions: Understanding the depth and glory of Narada’s great compassion, his father, Lord Brahma, embraced his son, and asked him to listen to something that had just occurred.  His father told Narada how recently a number of great personalities had visited him, including some of Narada’s brothers and other great sages. They had a question they wanted to ask Lord Brahma, a question about Krishna’s behavior that was disturbing their peace.  When Lord Brahma heard their question, he, too, became full of morose, also unable to fathom the Lord’s transcendental sporting with the damsels of Vrindavana.  Although the Lord is unborn, still it appears that He takes birth in the material world where he enjoys transcendental mellows with the young maidens of Vraja - even conjugal affairs and acting like an ordinary, lusty man.  But yet, as expressed by the Saints and Scriptures,  God is within everyone’s heart, men and women alike.  This was the great mystery that seemed beyond everyone’s grasp.
 
       Hamsa Avatara Appears:  Lord Brahma then told Narada how in the midst of his quandry, suddenly God appeared as the Hamsa Avatara [the Lord in the form of a swan] and told Brahma that the solution to everyone’s question was located in the catuh-sloki [4 verses] of the sacred Srimad-Bhagavatam [The Beautiful Stories of the Lord - which at that point in time, were not yet written].  
 
     Catuh-Sloki [Brahma to Vyasa to Narada]: Lord Brahma then went to tell his son that long ago in an ancient forest, the great sage and literary incarnation, who is known as Vyasadeva, underwent great suffering due to dissatisfaction, even after having just sung the Mahabharata and the Puranas [scriptures]. Brahma continued that the Lord, who is all-knowing and all-compassionate, took mercy on Vyasa.   First the Lord summoned Brahma before Him and then, once in his presence, the Lord chanted the beautiful catuh-sloki.  Krisna then told him to go repeat it to Vyasadeva, who was still unable to find happiness.
     The Lord’s pastimes and dealings with His pure devotees are inconceivable.  In fact, it was this very truth that had mystified everyone.  The Lord told Brahma to chant the catuh-sloki to Vyasadeva; and to then instruct Vyasa to sit down and write the Srimad-Bhagavatam, using those four verses as it’s basis and inspiration. The Lord then told Brahma to tell Vyasadeva that when he had completed his literary mission, to then summon Narada Muni and chant everything to him. There is no better person to hear Vyadadeva because it is on the tongue of Narada where the Goddess of Learning [Sarasvati] eternally resides.  No matter when or in what age, Narada is always the most merciful to the living entities.
     [note: I am struck reading this again how not only is the prophecy, reasons and preparations of Lord Caitanya's birth elaborately told here, but we are even given the foundations that show how and why the Srimad-Bhagavatam was written.  As we will see, it is within this great book that we find the prophesies for Lord Caitanya's birth.]
 
     Srimada-Bhagavatam: Looking at his beloved son, Lord Brahma had more in his heart to say. Narada, no other scripture compares with the Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is completely transcendental.  You should teach this Bhagavata in order to deliver all living entities.  There is not other subject contained in it other than the glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna.
 
     Lord Caitanya Revealed In: Softly smiling, Lord Brahma - the first created being - then began to show his son the glorious appearance of Lord Caitanya as described within the pages of that very Scripture, the Srimad-Bhagavatam.  He showed Narada how it first discusses the different aspects of the Lord’s many Names and incarnations, such as Lord Ramachandra, Lord Sankarsana, Yogesvara, Dharma, Prishnigarbha, and Vrishakapi, to name just a few. Later, Lord Brahma analyzed with great care the use and specific order of certain words found in the Srimad-Bhagavatam which clarify even further the greatness of this inspired Scripture: The other yuga avataras are either parts or expansions of the parts of Lord Sri Krishna.  Krishna, Himself, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.  He is not an incarnation as proven in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [1.3.28].
 
     But what of  the fallen age of Kali Yuga, Narada?  In this age, the fallen souls, whom you so rightly lament over and wish well, are all afflicted with such unspeakable suffering?  Here is what the great saint Karabhajana has said within the mighty Bhagavatam.
 
     Lord Brahma then quoted from the Eleventh Canto, Chapter 5,  Verse 32, as his son sat listening in rapt attention.

     In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead, who constantly sings the names of Krishna.  Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krishna Himself.  He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons, and confidential companions.
 
     Further explaining, Lord Brahma revealed how the order of words used in this verse [akrishna] means that Krishna’s color in this instance is golden and thus everyone sings, Gaura, Gaura, Gaura [golden].  His name is Lord Sri Krishna Caitanya and during His manifest appearance, the names and identities of His “earthly following” would be told for all to hear and remember.
     As simple as the process is of singing and dancing to the Lord’s Holy Names, nevertheless, the sage Karabhajana says that only intelligent people will understand the transcendental beauty and mercy of Lord Caitanya’s religious doctrine.  By this process of chanting the Holy Names of Lord Krishna, who incarnates as them, the intelligent people of Kali yuga will taste ecstasy.
     With great love between father and son, Lord Brahma explained to Narada how the Srimad-Bhagavatam describes that Lord Krishna manifests Himself as Lord Sri Krishna Caitanya, the Gauranga Avatara [incarnation] who propagates the chanting of the Holy Names as the greatest standard of worship for the age of Kali; pronouncing to all that this is the only religion that He prescribes. 

So powerful is this process that charity, sacrifice, austerity, self-control, studying of the Scriptures, renouncing material desires, and all other religious principles are automatically and joyfully attained by the sincere chanting of: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.  The unlimited glories and qualities of Krishna’s Holy Names destroy and free one from the horrible cycle of birth and death. Actually, my son, Kali-yuga is the most wonderful age because of this one quality.  From any position that man finds himself in, he can attain salvation simply by performing Hari-nama [God’s Name] sankirtana [congregational chanting].
 

     The more Lord Brahma spoke, the more ecstatic both men felt. Tears flowed from their eyes. Brahma then quoted from the Mahabharata

     ...When Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appears as Sri Gauranga, His complexion is gold in His early pastimes.  His limbs are the color of molten white gold.  His body is extremely beautiful, and He is decorated with sandalwood pulp. The Lord will take sanyasa [the renounced, celibate order of life]; will be equal to all by universally describing the mysteries of devotion to Lord Krishna; He will renounce all topics not related to the service of Lord Krishna; His mind will always be fixed in the performance of chanting the Holy Names of Krishna; He thus teaches pure loving devotional service and is the abode of  the highest caliber of spiritual peace and devotion.
 

     Sounding as if he was possessed,  Lord Brahma chanted verse after verse after verse, describing the advent Lord Krishna’s incarnation as Sri Krishna Caitanya, the golden avatara, and the process of chanting the Holy Names of God.  All of this had been predicted.  Yes, actually the most degraded age is the most auspicious time to be alive.  Hari-nama sankirtanaa [chanting the Holy Names of the Lord]  is like a big ax, used to cut the hard knot of sinful activities.  The age of Kali is so special that people from previous ages [yugas] want to take birth in this age [kali yuga]. What other avatara would give prema [love of God] to everyone, including the undeserving and those not surrendered to His Lotus Feet?  Listen my son, a religious man accumulates great benefits and destroys his sins by doing pious works, going on pilgrimages to the holy places, and by following religious rituals; but none of these compare with chanting Hare Krishna.  Therefore, Narada, it is quite clear that Kali-yuga is the best of all ages.  
 
     Love Of God: Finally, before continuing on his sacred mission, and reminding his father to summon all the great souls to take birth upon the earth, Lord Brahma listened as his saintly son, Narada Muni, spoke about the quality of Love [of God] that Lord Caitanya would freely give to all takers of the Holy Name.  Actually there are many levels of love, fully described by the great Vaishnava Saints.  Of all the types of love, only one conquers the Lord and even leaves the thought and promise of liberation [mukti] as an unwanted consequence.  Of all the different mellows of spiritual love, it is gopi-bhava that controls the Lord, just as a child’s love controls a great king.  Taking his father hand, Narada tells him how Lord Krishna’s dear friend, Uddhava, wanted to take birth as a mere forest creeper, simply so that he could receive the dust from the lotus feet of the gopis [village girls devoted to Lord Krishna]. The simply, spontaneous love that the gopis of Vrindavana have for Krishna is unmatched anywhere in all of creation; on heaven and earth. Their love is the matchless gift that Lord Caitanya carried with him.  Father, Narada Muni said, although this love sometimes resembles the mundane attraction and feelings of lust, between ordinary men and women, their love is unmistakably totally pure and transcendental.  In fact, other queens of Lord Krishna had never even fathomed such love before, and yet, it would be Sri Krishna Caitanya's only message!

 

Ever Increasing Faith - Part 4
Written by Rohini-suta dasa
 

     Narada Visits Earth:  Embracing his father as they bid farewell, Narada Muni departed and once again approached earth as his destination.  Arriving, once again Narada was struck by the degraded conditions he found. For thousands of years, carrying the banner of God and righteousness from one end of the earth to another, mankind was slaughtering their fellow brothers and sisters with every increasing ferocity: the crusades, the conquest of the Americas, Muslim tyranny in India, World Wars, everywhere and every kind of abomination. Again the great sage Narada felt overwhelmed with sorrow. His majestic vina began to slip from his hand and his shoulders slackened.
 
     A Voice From Heaven: It was at that precise moment that a thunderous voice from Heaven pierced the firmament, jolting Narada from his deep moroseness.  The voice said, "I am Lord Jagannatha and to fulfill the vow of Parvati to distribute My maha prasadam to everyone, I have assumed my wooden form [daru brahma] and am now residing in Nilacala beside the sea [Puri, India].  Oh great and saintly Narada, come to Jagannatha Puri and obey my orders.

Nilacala [Puri], India

 

    Lord Jagannatha: Immediately Narada Muni changed direction and soon entered the massive temple where, upon an altar of splendid stone, he saw the beautiful, blackened face of Lord Jagannatha.  Looking at Him, Narada understood that this was the very same Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who, in order to fulfill the vow of Katakana [Parvati], that he had been told about, had now assumed the wooden form standing before him; smiling and all merciful.

 

Lord Jagannatha [far right]

 

     How the Lord chooses to act is inconceivable and as Lord Jagannatha touched Narada Muni’s hand He spoke these words:  Narada, now you should go to Gokula and meet with Lord Gauranga who waits for you. There you will find Him surrounded by countless servants, headed by Rukmini, Satyabhama, and Radharani.  The Supreme Lord will soon come to Puri as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu [great master] to distribute His mercy. He will have a tall golden form.  By freely giving His mercy He will mitigate everyone’s suffering.  He will preach, chant, and glorify the Holy Name.  He will distribute the bliss of pure Krishna-prema to deliver all people in Kali-yuga.  Go now, Narada, and see Him before His birth.
 
     Narada Travels Gokula: As Narada traveled to Gokula, the very planet where Gauranga roams freely, he could only think that on this day he was going to see a place that is even beyond the knowledge of his father and the Holy Vedas [scriptures].  Moving quickly, Narada transcended the material world and entered Vaikuntha [spiritual world], dominated by unlimited spiritual planets. 
 
     Lord Narayana: Entering one of the spiritual planets, Lord Krishna, in His form an Narayana, was sitting on a jeweled throne surrounded by His eternal associates.  Seeing the Lord of Vaikuntha, in all His splendor, Narada fell prostrate and offered sweet prayers. The Lord, in turn, greeted Narada with great love, asking him His heart’s desire, which the Lord was eager to fulfill.  
    With folded hands Narada then explained to the Lord, how, in the His divine daru brahma [wooden] form, He had told him about yet another form of His: "Lord Jagannatha told me about a wonderful form of Yours. Now I want to see that form."
     Smiling sweetly at his devoted servant, Lord Narayana said, The form that you want to see is My original form, replete with many different energies standing like a shadow.  These many energies serve Him, in His unlimited number of incarnations.
    Lord Narayana then proceeded to explain to Narada that on the Vaikuntha planet, where they were standing, how it was actually an expansion of the original, topmost spiritual planet called, Goloka Vrindavana, or Maha [great] Vaikuntha.  On that great spiritual planet - in that spiritual realm - only pure, spontaneous, loving-devotional service exists.  Go there, oh great sage, and you will find Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!  Go there, oh best of the saints, and you will find Srimati Radharani, His original energy, manifest before your very eyes!  Go there now, My blessed child.
 
     Narada Visit To Goloka Vrindavan & Mahaprabhu: As instructed, Narada proceeded to Goloka Vrindavana, playing his vina while singing the glories of Gauranga Mahaprabhu.  Overflowing with ecstatic symptoms, sometime Narada advanced and sometimes he faltered, his transcendental body transformed again and again by different manifestations of love of God.  Suddenly he felt a soothing breeze sweep over him and in the distance Narada saw the most attractive effulgence he had ever witnessed: bright, but more cooling than a million moons. Once again Narada became stunned as he smelled the delicate fragrance lofting off the Lord’s lotus feet. What words can be used to describe that sweet smell?  Inconceivable?
     Exactly as described in the Brahma Samhita [that Lord Caitanya would one day rescue [in part] from a famous temple and have it copied] …as Narada looked toward the effulgence he saw and endless number of gopis, all the embodiment of bliss, busy serving their beloved Lord. Thousands of Cupids surrounded the Lord, waiting to serve Him.  Their bodily features were all very attractive.  Their talking was a shower of nectar-singing, and their walking was a beautiful dance. Desire trees, that grant any wish and surabhi cows that supply unlimited milk dotted the landscape. Noticing some flowering vines, Narada thought of his friend Uddhava and how he had once prayed to simply take birth as one of the forest creeper of Vrindavana. As Narada moved closer he saw a secluded grove sheltering a jeweled-studded platform and upon that brilliant golden throne sat God in His original, golden form; Sri Gauranga - Sri Chaitanya - Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.  
    The beautiful place where Mahaprabhu sat was shaded by a large and beautiful desire tree [Kalpa-vrksa tree], everything around Him illuminated by a bejeweled lamp.  Narada could see the Lord sitting peacefully with an ecstatic smile.  His left toe was touching a waterpot.  To Lord Chaitanya’s right  stood His most loved, Radha and Her gopi friends.  On His left, holding water pots containing jeweled water, stood Rukmini and Her lovely maidservants.  As Narada looked, one of the waterpots was handed from one gopi to another.  Finally Rukmini began to bathe Lord Gauranga with the holy water.  Then a different water pot was passed along, finally reaching Radharani who also poured the water over Him.  Narada could see other items of worship being brought forward: celestial scents, cloth, garlands, various ornaments and a pot full of water from the holy Ganges, steeped in precious jewels.  Everywhere Narada could see celestial ladies bringing items for Lord Caitanya’s pleasure.  Minstrels sung His praises with select prayers that sounded like pure nectar and the beautiful body of the Lord shone like molten gold.  
     Still standing at a short distance, Narada stood awash in ecstasy as he saw Gauranga’s long and graceful arms. Now Mahaprabhu’s  eyes rested on the great sage who fell flat at the Mahaprabhu's lotus feet. Lord Caitanya gathered Narada in His embrace. The great sage began to speak. My dear Lord, I’ve never seen such amazing things.  Now my life is perfect.  Never have I seen such beauty compressed into one form.  Even my father, Lord Brahma [Lord of the material world] cannot understand you. You are completely indescribable.  Some say You are the supreme effulgence.  Others say Your existence defies definition.  There is no example to describe the character and qualities of Your beautiful effulgent.  Some say that You are the topmost-supreme personality.  However, no amount of speculation can measure You.  Ananta, with all his thousands of mouths, cannot reach the end of Your transcendental qualities.  Although he is trying, he cannot properly glorify you.  Now, as I stand here, my Lord, it is only by your mercy that I am beholding Your form as Lord Gauranga Mahaprabhu.  Thank you My Lord.  Without Your blessing, it would be impossible for me to perceive otherwise. Dear Lord, please give me the mercy of Your lotus feet.  I feel great anguish.  My Lord, just let me die in this holy place and be reborn so that I can attain life here, with You.
 
     Sending Narada To Balarama: After listening to Narada, the Supreme Personality of Godhead then spoke to the great sage and said, Oh Narada, just come with Me.  Let us go to Navadvipa and together we will deliver the people of Kali-yuga and your great anguish over their suffering will cease. Now I want you to go see My elder brother, Balarama, who is sporting in the ocean of milk with His wife, Revati.  Go now, great sage!  You will find Him on Svetadvipa where He is served by Lord Shiva and the eleven Rudras.  Go quickly and ask the Lord to take the name of Nityananda and meet me upon the earth.  Ask him to appear with all his associates.   Together we shall all meet.
   
     Mahaprabhu Addresses The Gopis: After Narada left, Lord Caitanya turned to the gopis and spoke these words:

     I always think about the welfare of the world.  In every age I appear in the material world to deliver the saints and re-establish religion.  Seeing the appalling condition of Kali-yuga I feel compassionate.  I will personally incarnate in order to manifest My love.  I will sit face-to-face with men from all over India, and beyond.  I will personally teach them the difference between religion and irreligion.  Oh damsels of Goloka, in the village of Navadvipa on the bank of the holy Ganges, I will appear, Myself, as the son of Jagannatha Misra and Saci Mata.  In My previous incarnations I took fierce forms and powerful weapons to obliterate many huge and invincible demons such as Ravana.  In Kali-yuga, however, I will use the weapons of My Holy Names, qualities, and the potency of My prema-bhaktas [pure devotees].  With these I shall conquer the people’s demoniac mentalities and award them pure-devotional service to Radha and Krishna.  So please Me hear now.  Without further discussion, everyone just come with Me and together we will destroy the sinful activities of the age of Kali.  With the ever sharp and powerful chopper of nama-sankirtana [chanting the Holy Names of God] I’ll slice through the hard knots of demoniac desires and remove them from the hearts of everyone.  Even if the sinful flee or reject Me, still they will get the mercy.  I will empower My followers to spread the cult of Bhakti [loving devotion] to all four corners of the world.  I will inundate the entire universe with My love.
 

     Meanwhile, unable to think of anything else but the ecstatic form of Sri Caitanya, the great sage approached Svetadvipa like a drunken lion.  Once there Narada noticed strands of pearls hung across every doorway.  Nothing was found undesirable and the planet was surcharged with pure goodness and loving friendship.

  

     Entering Swetadvipa: Entering Lord Balarama’s palace, there Narada saw the moonlike, white form of Lord Krishna’s older brother.  It is Lord Balarama who assists Lord Krishna in His unlimited pastimes on earth.  Both Lords have but one mind, just like the king and his minister.  Both Lords would also expand themselves into other divine forms, who would also take birth upon the earth to assist Mahaprabhu.  
     One day, Narada would tell others of the beautiful form of Lord Balarama; His finely shaped lips and half-closed eyes. Jeweled necklaces of pearls, coral and rubies hung around His beautiful neck while others remained hidden under His clothes.  Narada would one day tell them how Revati folded betal-nut refreshments and put them into the Lord’s lotus mouth.  
     Although Lord Balarama wanted to hear from Narada, the great sage was quick to point out that since Balarama is located in everyone hearts, He already knew where he had been. The Lord knew what he had seen and heard.

"My Master, the age of Kali is full of the most heinous-sinful activities.  People do not know how to be delivered.  Mahaprabhu has now decided to appear on earth  to re-establish religious principles and maintain His devotees.  He will accept the mood of Radharani so as to know and feel what only she has tasted. 
     Mahaprabhu ordered me here to announce that along with His friends, girlfriends and numerous devotees, your brother, Gauranga, will soon appear upon the earth and completely absorb Himself in the mood of Radha.  He will purposefully open the flood gates and inundate the world with the mood of Vraja-bhava [spontaneous love of God]. Please take the name, Nityananda, with all your devotees.  But of course, my Lord, you already know all of this. Nevertheless, I have spoken the will of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
 
     The Drama Begins: Following the orders of Sri Krishna Chaitanya, no one could calculate the countless number of angels who took birth on planet earth. Lord Siva [Maha-Mahesvara] appeared in a priestly family of loving parents. As a child he was called Kamalaksana.  Later he would receive the title, Advaita Acharya. Common men were unable to discern his true identity. Some would even speak ill of him.  But Lord Siva would prevail, devoted to Lord Krishna.
     Siva and Parvati are never separated and to accompany her Lord, she also took birth, given the name, Sita.  The Goddess Katakana [Parvati] married Advaita Acharya and together they both spread the mercy of Lord Gauranga according to His wishes.
     Along with Advaita, others took birth before the Lord‘s appearance in Navadvipa.  Lord Balarama took birth as the son of Hadai Pandita and his loving wife, Padmavati.  They called Him Kuvera Pandita but was later called Nityananda. He was the source of unlimited bliss.
      So many associates of the Lord took birth that no one has been able to write all their names down. Rama Dasa, Gauri Dasa, Sundara, Krishna Dasa, Purusottama, Sri Kamalakara, Kala Krishna Dasa and Uddharana Datta are but a small twig on the massive Chaitanya tree that covered the entire universe.  Some appeared right at the beginning of Lord’s pastimes while others came later.
 
     Sri Narahari Sarakara Prabhu: One who did come at the beginning was Sri Narahari Sarakara Prabhu [the spiritual master of Locana Dasa Thakura].  Living in the village of Sri Kanda, he became famous as Narahari Chaitanya.  He was constantly immersed in love of God and never strayed from the teaching of Lord Chaitanya.  Besides being one of the Lord’s main associates, it was revealed by Mahaprabhu that Narahari was actually Madhumati, a very dear friend of Shrimati Radharani [Narahari was born in a male body but his eternal, spiritual form was that of a beautiful gopi maidservant of Radharani]
 
     Raghunandana: Now a word about Narahari’s nephew, who was the world famous devotee, Raghunandana, whom Lord Chaitanya once spoke these words: Raghunandana, you are my life and soul.  As a child, Raghunandana once fed his Deity a laddu right out of his own hand, watching it disappear as the Lord ate it.  During his life, without condition, Raghunandana showered affection on all he met. Beautiful, intelligent, and saturated with love of God, he has been immortalized within the pages of the Sri Chaitanya Mangala by its renowned author, Locana Dasa Thakura.  It should also be noted that Raghunandana’s father was the great saint Mukunda Dasa who had unflinching faith in Mahaprabhu.

The End

 

     I have thus tried to accomplish several things in this essay, although it is most likely way, too, long. Even after every attempt to make it shorter, how is it possible to stop writing without stumbling into an inconclusive outcome. I think this is all just the tip of the iceberg of eternity.
     As I mentioned, believing in Lord Caitanya has completely forced me to increase my faith in the most inconceivable ways, such as: an ocean of milk. I doubt that the Rev. Smith Wigglesworth would have dreamt in a thousand years that I would quote the title of his book, but Ever Increasing Faith says it perfectly for me.  
     I have also wanted to show the tremendous difference between what the Holy Bible says about the preparations, reasons, and prophesies concerning the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, compared to what has been written about the holy appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in the place called Navadvip, India. What you have just read is simply an attempt on my part to tell this story, as I have been so blessed to read.  To keep the length of what I am writing from being called a book, I have only mentioned the highlights of what I have read.  Plus, I am only covering the material from one account.  As I have mentioned, in their books, both Shrila Vrindavana dasa Thakura and Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami have covered volumes of material on this very same subject, not mentioned here.   

Hare Krsna,
rsd 7.02.2009

 

http://harekrsna.livejournal.com/

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