[Nectar] Appearance day of Sri Advaita Acarya

[Guest guest]

"In the age of Kali, intelligent people perform congregational

chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead, who constantly sings

the names of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is

Krishna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants,

weapons, and confidential companions."

 

 

This verse from the Vaisnava scripture Srimad-Bhagavatam predicts the

arrival of Sri Caitanya, from the spiritual realm, with His close

companions. His mission: to introduce the chanting of Krishna's

sacred names as the easiest and most potent method of self-realisation;

a special "remedy" for this difficult age.

 

Advaita Acarya was one of the close companions who helped Lord Caitanya

spread His message "to every town and village". In fact, he plays a

particularly important role in bringing this about.

 

Advaita Acarya was born in Bengal in 1434, fifty years before the

advent of Sri Caitanya. He spent most of his adult life in the town of

Shantipur, with his wife and family, and became the well-respected

leader of the brahmana community there. At Shantipur, he taught the

philosophy of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, and encouraged

everyone to follow the path of bhakti - loving service to Sri

Krishna.

 

 

As time went by, however, Advaita Acarya became increasingly saddened

as he saw the growing tendency for people to abandon their spiritual

practices, for materialistic goals - the pursuit of wealth and the

medieval equivalents of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.. He saw clearly

that this would lead to a dysfunctional society of unhappy individuals,

and after due thought, concluded that the only solution was to beg the

Supreme Lord to come Himself and attract people back to the joyfulness

of spiritual life.

 

Advaita Acarya prayed fervently to the Lord for several months - it

is said that he cried out very loudly and worshipped the Lord with

sacred tulasi leaves and Ganges water. At the end of thirteen months,

at an eclipse of the full moon, the Acarya's prayers were answered:

Sri Caitanya advented in the district of Mayapur, as the son of Mother

Sachi.

 

Many of Advaita Acarya's activities are described in scriptures such

as Sri Caitanya-caritamrta and Sri Caitanya-bhagavata. On his feast

day, Gaudiya Vaisnavas enjoy reading and discussing these pastimes, and

remember Advaita Acarya with gratitude, for taking such compassion on

the people of Kali-yuga.

 

 

--~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~

You received this message because you are d to the Google Groups

"ISKCON - Hare Krishna - Nectar of devotion group" group.

To post to this group, send email to nectarofdevotion (AT) googl (DOT) com