By Vaishnavanghri Sevaka Das
Srila Krishna dasa kaviraja Goswami, the author of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam (CC), allowed his readers to know the date of completion of scripture’s compilation in the book itself through the final verse of Antya Lila, which reads as, “In Vrindavana in the year 1537 Shakabda Era (A.D. 1615), in the month of Jyaistha (May-June), on Sunday, the fifth day of the waning moon, this Chaitanya Charitamritam has been completed” (CC. Antya Lila 20.157). Thus the great scripture completes its 400 years on 9thMay 2015 as per the details given in the verse. Indeed, this is a great information for all Gaudiya Vaishnavas all over the world. Following in the footsteps of Srila Krishna dasa kaviraja Goswami Srila Prabhupada also allowed all the readers to know the completion date of his translation work of CC through “concluding words” in the last volume of CC, which reads, “Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purports to Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam, dated November 10, 1974, at the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, Hare Krishna land, Juhu, Bombay”. Srila Prabhupada’s translation work was made available to the readers in 1975 as 17 volumes series in English. Thus Srila Prabhupada’s translation work also completes 40 years of its appearance!
Basis for Krishna consciousness philosophy is Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam, which propounds the Achintya bhedabheda Tattva philosophy. For this basic reason, Srila Prabhupada introduced his famous book “ Teachings of Lord Chaitanya” in the beginning days of Krishna consciousness movement itself, when CC translation was not available, to English speaking people all over the world. Contents of CC were given in condensed form in that book. Four hundred years before three majors works namely, Chaitanya Charita, Chaitanya Mangala and Chaitanya Bhagavata were only the authentic books to know the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Amongst those three Srila Vrindavan das Thakura’s Chaitanya Bhagavatam was considered the top most. However, aspiring to hear more about the renounced order pastimes of Lord Chaitanya all the vaishnavas of Vrindavan entrusted the responsibility of compiling those pastimes to Srila Krishna dasa kaviraja Goswami. With great effort and dedication Srila Krishna dasa kaviraja Goswami then compiled the great scripture Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam. With the blessings from Madanmohan Deity of Vrindavan the compilation work was initiated and moved till completion without any obstacles.
Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam has been the most inspiring and guiding scripture to all Gaudiya vaishnavas. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura wrote a special commentary on CC in Bengali language with name “Amrita Pravaaha Bhashya”. Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to read only CC in his leisure time. He used to say that a time would come when foreigners would learn the Bengali language to read CC. Srila Prabhupada also kept a copy of CC with him while sailing in cargo to USA as Krishna’s emissary during the historical journey. Thus all our Acharyas demonstrated their fondness for CC unequivocally.
Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam occupies its unique place in the kingdom of all scriptures. Its compilation work itself was a wonderful feat of Lord Krishna. We can experience it through the words of the author who said, “I am old and troubled by invalidity. I am almost blind and deaf, my hands tremble, and my mind and intelligence are unsteady. I am infected with so many diseases that I can neither properly walk nor properly sit. Indeed, I am always exhausted by five kinds of diseases. I may die at any time of the day or night. I have previously given an account of my inabilities. Please hear the reason why I nevertheless still write”. In that way CC miraculously got compiled under the divine power of Sri Madanmohan Deity of Vrindavan. Presently Srila Prabhupada’s translation work on CC is available in many languages of the world and Telugu language (South Indian) edition is under preparation. We just finished the translation work. Bhaktivedanta Book Trust is making all the arrangements to release Telugu version of CC during the golden jubilee celebration of ISKCON.
Srila Krishna dasa kaviraja Goswami mentioned that the pastimes of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu are full of nectar, and the pastimes of Lord Krishna are like camphor. When one mixes these together they taste very sweet. By the mercy of pure devotees whoever tastes them can understand the depths of that sweetness. After giving this wonderful information the author also warned the devotees sternly. He said, “Men become strong and stout by eating sufficient grains, but the devotee who simply eats ordinary grains but do not taste the transcendental pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Krishna gradually becomes weak and fall down from the transcendental position.” Hence daily reading of Srimad Bhagavatam and Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam is indispensible for all devotees. The author also declared that the Chaitanya Charitamritam pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu constitute a very secret literature, it is the life and soul of all devotees; however, those who are not fit to relish this literature, who are envious like hogs and pigs, will certainly not adore it.” The author, Srila Krishna das kaviraja Goswami, wished enhanced enjoyment for all those saintly devotees who with clear hearts relish this wonderful scripture Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam.
We have released a special edition of Telugu BTG (Bhagavaddarshan) to commemorate the 400th compilation year of CC for May 2015 month. We tried to cover various topics related to CC for the pleasure reading of readers. One 12 stanzas glorification song is composed for CC and will be uploaded (in a couple of days) for your pleasure aural taste. Melodious karnatic tune, excellent video presentation and English subtitles for meaning should make this glorification song a nice feast to your ears, eyes, mind and soul on the occasion of the wonderful 400th compilation year. We have also planned a grand festival at Sri Sri Radha Madanmohan mandir, ISKCON, Navi Mumbai (India) on 9th May 2015 evening to celebrate the event. BBT trustee HG Bhīma Prabhu agreed to grace the occasion as the chief guest. We will report the festival experiences next week with photos and video clippings.
Author: H.G. Vaishnavangri Sevaka das is an initiated disciple of H.H. Gopalkrishna Goswami Maharaja. He holds Ph.D. in Polymer science, working as technology specialist in Polymer Industry at Mumbai, India. He is actively serving BBT in translating Srila Prabhupada’s books into Telugu (South Indian language) and Telugu BTG (Bhagavaddarshan).