Gaurang Mahaprabhu: The Incarnation of Divine Love

(Speech delivered by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on the auspicious occasion of Mahaprabhu Jayanti)

Approximately 500 years ago, Gaurang Mahaprabhu incarnated on this earth. Understanding His divine nature transcends mere explanation or discussion. However, as referenced in sacred scriptures and elucidated by saints, a brief introduction is presented here.

Shri Krishna, the Lord of countless Brahmands (vast cosmic worlds), is all-seeing, all-controlling, all-witnessing, the friend of all, the Lord of all, and the all-powerful Supreme Being. Countless deities such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shankar are under His dominion. This same Shri Krishna, an ocean of bliss, descended out of His intrinsic Grace and compassion.

Throughout history, each divine incarnation has exhibited unique characteristics. Lord Ram embodied certain virtues; Lord Krishna displayed different attributes; Lord Buddha had His distinct qualities; and Lord Narsingh manifested yet another set of traits. The incarnation that occurred 500 years ago, known as Gaurang Mahaprabhu or Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, possessed an exceptionally extraordinary characteristic. Such a manifestation had never occurred in this way before.

Firstly, the reason for God’s descension that is very popular and widespread is stated in the Bhagavad Gita. Lord Krishna declares: “I descend in every age to protect the holy, to destroy the demons, and to re-establish dharma (righteousness).” This is God’s proclamation in the Gita.

However, the uniqueness of Gaurang Mahaprabhu’s incarnation lies in His vow to refrain from wielding weapons. Instead, He chose to alleviate the earth’s burden and uplift souls by bestowing divine love upon all, including those with demonic tendencies. “I will grant divine love to souls without taking up weapons.” And He resolved to grant divine love even to demons.

Eliminating demons with weapons and sending them to His divine abode is not a significant feat, for those demons are then deprived of divine love, attaining only liberation without experiencing its bliss. Demons killed by God receive liberation, but not the bliss of divine love. Therefore, Lord Krishna resolved that in this incarnation He would bestow divine love upon everyone, regardless of whether they were devotees or demons.

Consequently, He vowed that the destruction of demons – previously accomplished with weapons in other incarnations – would not occur in this one. An exception, or perhaps a deliberate act, occurred in the case of Jagai and Madhai. In moments of exceptional distress befalling a devotee, God may set aside His own vow. He reflects, “I do not care about My vow; at most I will be defamed – what else?” Such defamation does not diminish His divinity.

On this occasion, He invoked His divine discus (Chakra) but refrained from using it. Devotees reminded Him, “O Lord, You have entered into a trance; please return to a normal state and recall Your vow of non-violence.” Heeding their plea, Gaurang Mahaprabhu emerged from His trance and commanded the divine disc to withdraw.

Gaurang Mahaprabhu is renowned as the only divine incarnation who vowed to abstain from wielding weapons, choosing instead to bestow divine love upon all souls. For this reason, He is recognized as foremost among all descensions. In each incarnation, God establishes ideals suited to the prevailing circumstances.

For instance, during the Treta Yuga, Lord Ram exemplified the path of Karma Yoga, guiding souls toward welfare through selfless action. He demonstrated how to lead a householder’s life while progressing toward the ultimate spiritual goal.

During His incarnation as Lord Krishna, He embraced dual roles. In Dwarika, He exemplified the life of a householder, guiding souls along the path of Karma Yoga. Conversely, in Braj, He bestowed the profound bliss of divine love upon deserving souls- a bliss so exalted that even liberated Paramhansas (yogarooh) find it unattainable. This transcendental experience, known as Maharas, is beyond the grasp of intellect. Even if one were to contemplate its essence for countless eons, comprehension would remain elusive. Such is the ineffable nature of the bliss of Maharas.

In the age of Kaliyug, human beings are in a pitiable condition. Recognizing this, Shri Krishna pondered, “What can be done for the welfare of these souls? How can even the most fallen attain their ultimate goal?” Thus, setting aside all other practices, He established and propagated congregational chanting (sankirtan) of God’s names, forms, qualities, pastimes, abodes, and so forth. Alongside sankirtan, He emphasized the importance of roop-dhyan, meditative visualization of the divine form, as a powerful means of spiritual elevation.

Although Gaurang Mahaprabhu accepted Sanyas, He did not adhere strictly to its traditional rules. Observance of such rules requires a controlled and conscious mind. However, when one is immersed in a divine love trance – or any profound state of absorption – the intellect does not function in its usual manner, making strict adherence to the prescribed norms of the Varnashram system difficult. When someone enters divine love trance, or even worldly trance, the intellect does not operate normally.

Sanyas is Varnashram dharma, traditionally regarded as the fourth ashram or stage of life in Hindu philosophy. Although Gaurang Mahaprabhu embraced Sanyas, due to His profound divine love trance He could not strictly observe its disciplines. Nevertheless, He followed them to the extent possible and encouraged others to do the same.

A paramount aspect of Gaurang Mahaprabhu’s life was His unwavering devotion to His Guru. All Hindu scriptures, from the Vedas to the Ramayana, proclaim that devotion to Shri Krishna and devotion to one’s Guru yield the same spiritual fruit. Yet devotion to Shri Krishna can be challenging, for we have not seen Him directly; our understanding comes only through scriptures and teachings that describe Him –  “Shri Krishna is like this, like that.” We form an idea based on what we hear, but it remains conceptual.

Since time immemorial, the mind has been accustomed to loving and worshipping forms with attributes, making it difficult to develop affection for Shri Krishna directly. For practitioners of raganuga bhakti, kevala bhakti, or vishuddha bhakti, the principles presented by Ved Vyas in the Puranas emphasize that everything is attained through devotion to the Guru. Along with this, keep doing devotion to Shri Krishna. While devotion to Shri Krishna offers support, ultimate attainment is realized through Guru bhakti.

Gaurang Mahaprabhu emphasized unwavering obedience to the Guru. In one instance, a disciple slightly deviated from his Guru’s instruction. Having embraced Sanyas – which entails strict vows such as wearing saffron robes, maintaining a shaved head, and carrying a staff – ascetics are forbidden from approaching women to beg for alms.

However, with pure intention and seeing the woman as a mother, the disciple sought alms from her solely to prepare a meal for Gaurang Mahaprabhu. He collected rice, cooked it, and offered it to his revered master. Gaurang Mahaprabhu inquired, “Where did you obtain the rice?” The disciple replied, “From that motherly lady.” Mahaprabhu asked, “Why did you go there to beg?” The disciple answered, “For You, my Lord.”

Mahaprabhu admonished him: “Whether for Me or anyone else, when did I permit you to violate the rules of Sanyas Dharma on My behalf? Could you not find another source for alms? I am now disowning you for the rest of your life.”

It has only been 500 years since then. How would we fare today if a saint adhered so strictly to discipline? The disciple bore no inner malice, yet outwardly he disobeyed the directive. This raises the question: why was the order not followed completely? And yet we aspire to attain God-realization.

Even if one sheds tears and falls unconscious for countless eons, nothing can be attained if the grave offense of disobeying the Guru’s order has been committed. This principle is proclaimed by every scripture and saint.

Therefore, take refuge in God’s names, qualities, pastimes, and so forth. Regarding His personal form, consider the Guru to be the very embodiment of God. In accordance with Vedic principles, worship the Guru exactly as you would worship God.

Gaurang Mahaprabhu strictly enforced this principle within His community. He disciplined His followers to prevent future transgressions. He cautioned that while today a disciple may, with noble intention, seek alms from a woman seeing her as a mother, tomorrow others might imitate the practice. If any fall were to occur, it would reflect upon Him, suggesting that despite being an ascetic, He failed to discipline His disciple.

Punishment is administered for an offense. While the disciple may not have committed an overt wrongdoing, disobedience of the Guru’s command is itself a grave transgression. There is no greater offense. One’s intellect must remain aligned with the Guru’s instructions at every moment. A single moment of disconnection can result in the loss of all spiritual progress.

Therefore, do not harbor pride over your devotional practices or the tears you have shed, for such arrogance is intolerable to God. He established these principles and, out of love for His devotees, abides by them.

I have taken much of your time, and by now you must have understood. Some consider Him an incarnation of Shri Krishna; others believe He is an incarnation of Radha. In essence, it is the same. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who appeared 500 years ago, embodies both divine aspects.

By Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

A brief introduction of Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj*

(Known by His devotees as Shri Maharaj Ji)

The original title of Jagadguruttam (Greatest Spiritual Teacher of the World) was bestowed upon Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj on January 14, 1957, by Kashi Vidvat Parishad (a council of 500 greatest scholars saints of India). He composed divine texts like Prem Ras Madira, Prem Ras Siddhant, and Radha Govind Geet to lead us on the right path of devotion. He also gave priceless monuments as gifts to the world which include Bhakti Mandir located in Bhakti Dham, Mangarh, Prem Mandir located in Vrindavan Dham, and Kirti Mandir located in Barsana Dham. Shri Maharaj Ji also built hospitals for the impoverished, the Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Vrindavan, Jagadguru Kripalu Chikitsalaya in Barsana, and another one in Pratapgarh. All three help millions of underprivileged to gain free access to medical care. His Kindergarten, School, and College for impoverished girls Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat Education is located in Kunda and provides completely free education. To stay updated with all the news and events of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat, visit www.jkp.org.in/jkpwhatsapp.