Inquiries into the Absolute: Digest 48

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Digest 48, Dec 20, 2002

 

Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja

 

Caitanya Mahaprabhu

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Q.1) Why is Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu not mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam

First canto, where all other incarnations are included?

 

Answer:

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is a hidden incarnation. Krishna appears in the age of

Kali in the disguised form of His own devotee in order to teach everyone

devotional service unto Himself by example, and moreover because He Himself

wanted to experience and relish the mood of a devotee. So in this incarnation,

He does not show Himself to be God in front of the general people. References

to His incarnation are also therefore highly confidential within the Vedas.

 

Although not openly declared, Lord Chaitanya is indirectly referred to in many

places, even in the Bhagavatam. For example, Prahalad Maharaja in his famous

prayers to Lord Narasimhadev says, "You appear in every age in different forms,

but because You do not assert Yourself as the Supreme Lord in the age of Kali,

and advent as a channa-avatara (covered incarnation), therefore You are known

as Triyuga, or the Lord who appears in three yugas." (Cf. SB 7.9.38) In the

Tenth Canto, while Garga Muni is describing to Nanda Maharaja the other

appearances of his son Krishna, he indicates that the Lord appears in a yellow

complexion, (Cf. Krsna Book, pg 94) and great devotees have ascertained that

this refers to Lord Chaitanya.

 

The Vishnu Sahasranama also indicates a golden-complexioned incarnation in the

form of a sannyasi (suvarna-varno hemango & sannyasa krc-chama santah) Again

the Bhagavatam states that in the age of Kali, intelligent persons would

worship the incarnation of Godhead who is Krishna Himself although His

complexion is not blackish, by performing congregational chanting." (SB

11.5.32) In the Vayu purana and various other scriptures, His appearance as the

son of Mother Saci in the land of Navadvipa and other such details are

mentioned.

 

By the potency of yogamaya, however, His identity was kept concealed so as to

not disturb the purpose and the mood or bhava of His incarnation. Even while

manifesting His pastimes, only among close associates would He reveal His real

identity as the Supreme Lord, but would strongly deny it whenever so addressed

in public.

 

Krishna

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Q.2) If Krishna knows everything that is going to happen, and has complete

control of everything, then how is this leela fun for Him? Wouldn't it be

entertainment for Krishna only if there was some degree of suspense?

 

Answer:

By the agency of His own yoga-maya potency, Krishna knows everything, yet

occasionally seems to not know -- that is His inconceivable greatness! I will

attempt to explain this enigmatic statement. The Supreme Lord has innumerable,

inconceivable potencies. Everything is executed by His mere will through the

agency of these multifarious energies, who are all always eager to increase His

pleasure. Krishna does not have to exert Himself to even think, plan or execute

every detail of what He wants to accomplish. Through His yogamaya potency He

arranges His leela, and under the influence of yogamaya, to enhance His

pastimes, sometimes even Krishna forgets Himself! Thus the Supreme, Infallible,

All-knowing Lord becomes momentarily 'bewildered' when His dear cowherd friends

enter the mouth of Aghasura, or in the madness of ecstasy of love for Radha He

sometimes tries to milk a bull instead of a cow. He is not just pretending, but

He actually experiences these bewildered states, whi!

ch is absolutely inconceivable! Krishna is the ultimate master of His own

yogamaya, but He also comes under yoga-maya's sway according His will and thus

enjoys His suspense- filled pastimes.

 

The contradiction you have pointed out and all other contradictions are all

reconciled in the Supreme Personality.

 

 

 

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----- Festivals over the next week ------

Dec 23 2002, Monday Disappearance Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura

(Fast)

(Fasting till noon)

 

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