The Life of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

In this abridged biography of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Swami B. B. Bodhayan informs how Śrī Kṛṣṇa appeared in the form of Lord Chaitanya to deliver all fallen souls by distributing His love without discrimination. He taught his devotees how to surrender by His own example and how surrender is the soul of devotional practice.

Many scriptures describe Lord Chaitanya as non-different from Lord Kṛṣṇa; although Lord Chaitanya is Kṛṣṇa Himself, He took the role of being His own devotee to deliver the people of the world. To spread the chanting of the holy name of the Supreme Lord, which will ultimately give us the taste of divine love, Lord Chaitanya took the renounced order (sannyāsa). Thus, He gave the order to everyone to spread His name: Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.

We have seen Lord Chaitanya, Himself, preach and inspire people to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahāmantra. But personally, He did not give initiation. He also did not establish any temples. He taught us to spread sankīrtana without having any ulterior motives. Our spiritual lineage all follow in the footsteps of Lord Chaitanya. If anyone follows the principle of “first preserve then propagate,” then one shall definitely be delivered from this material world.