The Fourth Jewel
Gaura-tattva
The Gauranga Principle
The evidence of Sruti in connection with Sriman Mahaprabhu

4. 1
mahan-prabhur vai purusam sattvasyesu pravarttakam
surnimalam imam santisano jyotiravyam
The Personality of Godhead [Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu] is brilliantly effulgence [like molten gold], and he is imperishable. He is the Supreme Controller. He controls the mode of goodness and [through the performance of sankirtana] he bestows upon the living beings [the] spiritual intelligence [by which they can understand devotional service]. [In his acarya-lila, as a sannyasi] He is the source of spiritual purity and of liberation. He is therefore known as "Mahaprabhu." (Svetasvatara Upanisad 2.12)

The Sruti establishes that The Supreme Lord
will appear in a golden form as Sri Gauranga

4. 2
yada pasyam pasyate rukma-varnam kartaram isam purusam brahma-yonim
tada vidyan punya-pape vidhuya nira-janam pramam samyam upaiti
When one realizes the golden form of that Lord [Sri Gauranga] who is the ultimate actor and the source of the Supreme Brahman, he attains the highest knowledge, transcends both pious and impious activities, becomes free from wordly bondage and gains entrance into the divine abode of the Lord. (Mundaka Upanisad 3.3)

The evidence of Srimad-Bhagavatam

4. 3
krsna-varnam tvisa-'krsnam sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaim sankirtana-prayair-yajanti hi sumedhasam
In the age of Kali, Krsna appears in a golden form, [as Sri Gauranga] chanting the two syllables krsna. He descends along with his weapons [The holy name of Krsna, Srimad-Bhagavatam, kirtana, and mahaprasada ], His limbs [His expansions and avataras such as Nityananda, Advaita, and His divine energies (saktis) such as Gadadhara, Svarupa Damodara, and Ramananda Raya ], and eternal confidential associates [like Srivasa hakura, Haridasa hakura, and other devotees]. Those who are advanced in transcendental intelligence worship Him by performing sankirtana. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.5.32)

4. 4
"krsna" - ei dui varna sada ya-'ra mukhe
athava krsnake ti-ho varne nija sukhe
dehakantye haya ti-ho akrsna-varana
"akrsna" - varane kahe pita-varana
The two syllables "krsna" are always in His mouth, or He always describes Krsna with great pleasure. These are two meanings of the words "krsna-varna." Indeed, nothing but Krsna issues from His mouth. If someone tries to describe Him as being of blackish complexion, the next adjective, "tvisakrsnam" immediately restricts him. His complexion is certainly not blackish. Indeed, His not being blackish indicates that his complexion is golden. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 3.53,56)

4. 5
asan varnastrayo'hyasya grhnato'nuyugam tanum
suklo-raktas-tatha-pita idanim krsnatam gatam
This boy, Krsna, has three other colors: white, red, and yellow, as he appears in different ages. Now, in this Dvapara-yuga, he has appeared in a transcendental blackish color. (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.8.13)

4. 6
sukla, rakta, krsna, pita - krame cari varna
cari varna dhari' "krsna" karena yugadharma
In the four ages, (yugas) Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali, Krsna accepts four different colors: white, red, black, and yellow respectively. These are the colors of the different incarnations of Krsna in different milleniums. (Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.330)

4. 7
itham nr-tiryag-rsi-deva-jhasavataraair
lokan vibhavayasi hamsi jagat-pratipan
dharmam mahapurusa pasi yuganuvrttam
channam kalau yad-abhavas tri-yugo 'tha sa tvam
[Prahlada said] O Krsna! In this way you appear in various incarnations: as a human being, an animal, a great saint, a demigod, a fish, or a tortoise. Thus maintaining the entire creation in different planetary systems. In this way, according to the age,You protect the principles of religion. But O, Mahaprabhu! In the age of Kali, [when you come to preach the holy name of Krsna, you do so as a devotee and therefore] You do not assert Yourself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because your Godhood is hidden in the age of Kali You therefore known as Triyuga, or the Lord who manifests his Supremacy in only three ages. [And for this reason many sastras have also kept your appearance in Kaliyuga a secret.] (Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.38)

The evidence of Mahabharata

4. 8
suvarna-varna hemango varangas-candanangadi
sannyasa-krcchamam santo nistha-santi-parayanam
[The following explanation of this verse is given by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswat and is based on the commentary by Baladeva Vidyabhusana on the Visnu-sahasra-nama-stotram found in Mahabharata. These remarks are mentioned by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami in his translation of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati hakura's anubhasya commentary on Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 3.49 - 52)] When the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna appears as Sri Gauranga, in his early pastimes His complexion is gold (suvarna-varna ), his limbs are are the color of molten white gold (hemanga), his body is extremely beautiful (varangas), and he is decorated with sandalwood pulp (candanangadi). [These four are the symptoms of His grhastha-lila.] Another meaning of the description of the Lord as having a golden hue is that Lord Caitanya's personality is as fascinating as gold is attractive.
Sri Caitanya accepts the sannyasa order of life (sannyasa-krt), and shows equanimity (sama) in different ways: by describing the mysteries of devotion to Sri Krsna, and by satisfying everyone by knowledge and attachment to Krsna. (santa). He is peaceful because he renounces all topics not related to the service of Krsna. His mind is always fixed on Krsna, and thus He is fixed (nistha ) in performing the great sacrifice of the holy name of Krsna. He silences the nondevotees and impersonalists who are opposed to the service of the Lord, by promoting the cause of devotion. Thus he distributes real peace. He is therefore an abode of the highest spiritual peace and devotion (mahabhava-parayana).(Mahabharata, Tadanadharma 149)

The evidence of the Puranas

4. 9
aham eva kvacid brahman sannyasnasramamnasritam
hari-bhaktim grahayami kalau papa-hatan-naran
[The Supreme Lord said to Sri Vyasadeva] O learned brahmanas, sometimes I accept the renounced order of life to induce the fallen people of the age of Kali to accept devotional service to the Lord. (Caitanya Caritamrta Adi 3.81)
4. 10
aham eva dvija-srestha nityam pracchana-vigraham
bhagavad-bhakta-rupena lokan raksami sarvada
O best of the brahmanas! My disguised form is eternal. In this way, with my own form hidden from ordinary sight, I take the form of a devotee and appear among the people in general in order to establish and protect religious principles. (Adi Purana )

The version of the Goswamis

4. 11
antam krsnam bahir-gauram darsitangadi-vaibhavam
kalau sankirtanadyaim smam krsna-caitanyamnasritam
I take shelter of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is Krsna Himself, thinking of Himself. He is internally Krsna - blackish - but externally, he appears with the golden complexion [of Sri Radha]. In this age of Kali, Krsna appears as Krsna Caitanya, simultaneously manifesting His eternal associates, opulences, expansions, and incarnations. In this way, he preaches the process of Krsna consciousness by performing sankirtana. (Tattva-Sandarbha 2)

Sri Gauranga is the fountainhead of all avataras

4. 12
sutiya acchinu ksira-sagara-bhitare
mora nidra bhanileka nadara hunkare
[While sitting on the altar of Visnu in the house of Srivasa, Sri Caitanya Maharabhu said] Lying within ocean of milk, My transcendental slumber broke, as I awoke to hear the loud cries of my devotees. Thus I [Lord Visnu] have come [as Sri Caitanya]. (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya 22.16)

4. 13
sei krsna avatari vrajendra-kumara
apane caitanya-rupe kaila avatara
ata eva caitanya gosa-i paratattva sima
ta-re ksirodasayi kahi ki ta-ra mahima
sei ta bhaktera vakya nahe vyabhicari
sakala sambhave ta-'te ya-'te avatari
avatarira dehe saba avatarera sthiti
keho kona mata kahe yemama ya'ra mati
That same Lord Sri Krsna who is the fountainhead of all avataras is the son of the king of Vraja. He has descended personally as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore Sri Caitanya Maharabhu is the supreme absolute truth. To call Him Ksirodaksayi Visnu does not add to His glory. But such words from the lips of a sincere devotee cannot be false. All possibilities abide in Him because He is the primeval Lord. All other incarnations are potentially situated in the original body of the primeval Lord. Thus according to one's opinion one may address Him as any one of the avataras. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 2.109-112)
He is transcendental truth: he cannot be attained by wordly knowledge

4. 14
bhagavata-bharata-sastra agama purana
caitanya krsna-avatara prakata pramana
pratyakse dekhaha nana prakata prabhava
alaukika karma, alaukika anubhava
dekhiya na dekhe yata abhaktera gana
uluke na dekhe yena suryera kirana
Srimad-Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, the Puranas, and other Vedic literatures all give evidence to prove that Sri Caitanya is the avatara or descent of Krsna Himself. One can also directly see Sri Caitanya's manifest influence in His uncommon deeds and uncommon Krsna conscious realization. But faithless unbelievers do not see what is clearly evident, just as owls do not see the rays of the sun. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 3.83 - 85)

Sri Krsna Caitanya Tattva: the Lord's sixfold nature

4. 15
sakala vaisnava suna kari' ekamana
caitanya-krsnera sastre yemata nirupana
krsna, gurudvaya, bhakta, avatara prakasa
sakti - ei chayarupe karena vilasa
I advise all my Vaisnava readers to read and hear with rapt attention this narration of the pastimes of Sri Krsna Caitanya as inculcated in the revealed scriptures. Lord Krsna enjoys His pastimes by manifesting Himself (krsna) as the spiritual masters (guru), His devotees (bhakta), His diverse energies (sakti), His incarnations (avatara), and His full expansions (prakasa). (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.31 - 32)

Sri Gauranga is the supreme truth

4. 16
yad advaitam brahmopanisadi tad-apy-asya tanubha
ya atmantaryami purusa iti so'syamsa-vibhavam
sad-aisvaryaim purno ya iha bhagavan sa svayam-ayam
na caitayanyat krsnaj-jagati paratattvam param iha
What the Upanisads describe as the impersonal absolute (brahman) is but the effulgence of His (Sri Caitanya's) body. The Lord who is known as the Supersoul (paramatma) is but his localized expansion. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna Himself, (bhagavan), full in six opulences. He is the Absolute Truth, one without a second. There is no truth superior to Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.3)
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the jagad-guru

4. 17
caudda-bhuvanera guru caitanya gosa-i
ta-'ra guru anya, ei kona sastre nai
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the jagad-guru, the spiritual master of the fourteen worlds. No other guru can compare with Him. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 12.16)

Sri Gauranga is the best of all

4. 18
saundarye kama-kotim sakala-jana samahladane candrakotir
vatsalye matrkotis tridasavitapinam kotir audarya-sare
gambhirye 'mbodhi-kotir madhurimani sudha-ksira-madvhika-kotir
gaurodevam sa jiyat pranaya-rasapade darsitascarya-kotim
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is lovelier than millions of cupids, mellower than millions of moons, dearer than millions of mothers, kinder than millions of wish-fulfilling trees, deeper than millions of oceans, and sweeter than millions of nectarine drinks. All glories to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Lord who displays millions of amazing sentiments of madhurya-bhakti, the most exalted mellow of pure love of Godhead. (Caitanya-Candamrta 101)

Sri Gauranga's principle, name, form, qualities and pastimes:
(tattva, nama, rupa,guna, lila)

4. 19
namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te
krsnaya krsna-caitanya-namne gaura-tvise namam
His nature (tattva) is that He is Krsna Himself. His name (nama) is "Krsna Caitanya." His form (rupa) is golden. His quality (guna) is that He is the most magnanimous of all Personalities of Godhead. His pastime (lila) is to distribute the highest love of Godhead: krsna-prema. I offer my obeisances unto that most generous Lord, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Madhya 19.53)

Sri Gauranga delivers everyone by distributing the holy name of Krsna

4. 20
sankirtana-pravartaka sri krsna caitanya
sanirtana-yaj-e ta-'re bhaje sei dhanya
sei ta' sumedha ara kubuddhi samsara
sarva-yajna haite krsna-nama sara
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu inaugurated the sankirtana movement. One who worships Him through sankirtana is fortunate indeed. Such a person is truly intelligent, whereas others, who have but a poor fund of knowledge, must endure the cycle of repeated birth and death. Of all sacrificial performances, the chanting of the Lord's holy name is the most sublime. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 3.76 - 77)

Sri Gauranga is the giver of Krsna-prema

4. 21
uchalila premavanya caudike vedaya
stri-vrddha-balaka-yuva sakali dubaya
sajjana, durjana, pangu, jata andhagana
premavanyaya dubaila jagatera jana
The flood of love of Godhead distributed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu swelled in all directions and thus, young men, old men, women, and children were all immersed in that inundation. The Krsna consciousness movement begun by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu will inundate the entire world and drown everyone, whether one be a gentleman or rogue, or even lame, invalid, or blind. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 7.25,26)

4. 22
patrapatra-vicara nahi, nahi sthanasthana
yei ya-ha paya, ta-ha kare prema dana
lutiya khaiya diya bandara prema sataguna vade

In distributing love of Godhead, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and his associates did not consider who was fit and who was unfit; nor where such distribution should or should not take place. They may no such conditions. Rather, wherever they got the opportunity, the members of the pa-ca-tattva distributed love of Godhead. Although the members of the panca-tattva plundered the storehouse of love of Godhead and ate and distributed its contents, there was no scarcity, for this wonderful storehouse is so complete that as the love is distributed, the supply increases hundreds of times. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 7.23,24)

Who would cheat themselves out of love of godhead?

4. 23
mayavadi karma-nistha kutarkikagana
nindaka pasandi yata paduya adhama
sei saba mahadaksa dhaina palaila
sei vanya ta' sabare chuite narila
The impersonalists, fruitive workers, false logicians, blasphemers, nondevotees, and lowest among the student community are very expert in avoiding the Krsna consciousness movement. Therefore the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, in the form of this Krsna consciousness movement, cannot reach them. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 7.29,30)

By the mercy of Sri Gauranga one can know the proper conclusions of scripture.

4. 24
sri caitanya prabhum vande balo'pi yad-anugrahat
taren-nanamata-grahavyaptam siddhanta-sagaram
I offer my obeisances unto Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by whose mercy even an ignorant child can swim across the ocean of conclusive truth which is filled with the crocodiles of various theories. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 2.1)

4. 25
hrdaye dharaye ye caitanya nityananda
ei saba siddhante sei pai be ananda
ei saba siddhanta haya amrera pallava
bhaktagana usthrera ithe nahaya pravesa
tabe citte haya mora ananda visesa
(Krsna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami says) Anyone who has captured Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu within his heart will become blissful by hearing all these transcendental conclusions. All these conclusions are like the newly grown twigs of a mango tree: they are always pleasing to the devotees, who in this way resemble cuckoo birds. The camel-like nondevotees, however, cannot enter into these topics, and therefore there is special jubilation within my heart. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 4.233,235)

Sri Gauranga's preaching pastimes

4. 26
sannyasi panditaganera karite garvanasa
nica-sudra-dvara kare dharmera prakasa
bhakti-tattva prema kahe raye kari vakta
apani pradyumna-misra saha haya srota
haridasa-dvara nama-mahatmya-prakasa
sanatana-dvara bhaktisiddhanta-vilasa
sri rupa-dvara vrajer rasa-prema-lila
ke kahite pare gambhira caitanyera khela

To vanquish the false pride of so-called sannyasis and learned scholars, he spread real religious principles, even through a sudra, or lowborn person. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu preached about devotional service, ecstatic love, and the absolute truth by making Ramananda Raya, a grhastha born in a low family the speaker. Then Mahaprabhu Himself, the exalted brahmana sannyasi, and Pradyumna Misra, the purified brahmana, both became the hearers of Ramananda Raya. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu exhibited the glories of the holy name of the Lord through Haridasa hakura, who was born in a Muslim family, and similarly He exhibited the essence of devotional service through Sanatana Goswami, who had almost been converted into a Muslim. The Lord also fully exhibited the ecstatic love and transcendental pastimes of Vrndavana through Srila Rupa Goswami. Considering all this, who can understand the deep plans of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu? (Caitanya Caritamrta-Antya 5.84 - 87)

4. 27
vraje ye vihare purve krsna-balarama
koti candra-surya jini' do-hara nija dhama
sei dui jagatere haiya sadaya
gaudades purva saile karila udaya
sri krsna caitanya ara prabhu nityananda
ya-hara prakase sarva jagata ananda
surya-candra hare yaicche saba andhakara
bastu prakasiya kare dharmera pracara
ei mata dui bhai jivera ajnana
tamonasa kari' kare vastu-tattva dana
suryacandra bahirera tamo se vinase
bahirvastu ghatapata adi se prakase
dui bhai hrdayera ksali' andhakara
dui bhagavata-sane karan saksatkara

Sri Krsna and Balarama, the Personalities of Godhead who formerly appeared in Vrndavana and who were millions of times more effulgent than the sun and moon have arisen over the eastern horizon of Gauda-desa, being compassionate for the fallen state of the world. The appearance of Sri Caitanya and Nityananda has surcharged the world with happiness. As the sun and moon drive away darkness by their apperance and reveal the nature of everything, these two brothers dissipate the darkness of the living beings' ignorance and enlighten them with knowledge of the Absolute Truth.By the grace of Sri Caitanya and Nityananda, all darkness is removed, and the truth is brought to light. The sun and moon dissipate the darkness of the external world and thus reveal material reality. But these two brothers dissipate the darkness of the inner core of the heart, and thus help one to meet the two kinds of bhagavatas, [Srimad-Bhagavatam and the pure devotee.] (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.85 - 99)

Sri Gauranga's example and precept

4. 28
hare-krsnetucchaim sphurita-rasano namaganana-
krta-granthi-sreni-subhaga-kati-sutrojjvala-karam
visalakso dirghargala-yugala-khela-cita-bhujam
sa caitanyam kim me punarapi drsoryasati padam
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu chants the Hare Krsna mantra in a loud voice. The holy name dances on his tongue as he counts his number of recitations with His effulgent hands. His eyes are large, and His long arms, which bend as He performs his pastimes, reach down to His knees. When will he again become visible before me? (Stava-mala verse 5 - Sri Rupa Goswami)

Sri Gauranga's principle and ultimate goals

4. 29
ei mata caitanya-krsna purna bhagavan
yuga-dharma-pravartana nahe ta-'ra kama
kona karane yabe haila avatare mana
yugadharma kala haila se kale milana
dui hetu avatari' laina bhaktagana
apane asvade prema-nama-sankirtana
sei dvare acandale kirtana-sa-care
ei mata bhakta-bhava kari' angikara
apani acari' bhakti karila pracara
[Just as Sri Krsna really appeared in order to manifest His Vrndavana pastimes whereas his supression of demons was incidental,] in the same way, for Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, promulgating the dharma for the age is an incidental reason for his appearance. When the Lord desired to appear for another reason, the time for promulgating the religion of the age also arose. Thus with two intentions, the Lord appeared with His devotees and tasted the nectar of prema with the congregational chanting of the holy name. Thus he spread kirtana even among untouchables. He wove a wreath of the holy name and prema with which he garlanded the entire world. In this way, assuming the sentiment of a devotee, he preached devotional service while practicing it Himself. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 4.37 - 41)

Sri Gauranga is like a lion

4. 30
caitanya-simhera nabadipe avatara
simha-griva simhaviraya simhera hunkara
sei simha vasuk jivera hrdaya-kandare
kalmasa-dviradanasa ya-jara hunkare
Thus the lionlike Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has appeared in Nabadwipa-dhama. He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a lion, and the loud voice of a lion. May that lion be seated in the core of the heart of every living being. Thus with His resounding roar, may he drive away one's elephantine vices. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 3.30 - 31)

Sri Gauranga's external reasons for appearing

4. 31
anarpitacarim cirat karunayavatirnam kalau
samarpayitum-unnatojjvala-rasam sva-bhakti-sriyam
harim purata-sundara-dyuti-kadamba-sandipitam
sada hrdaya-kandare sphuratu vam sacinandanam
May that Lord who is known as the son of Srimati Sacidevi be transcendentally situated in the inner-most chambers of your heart. Resplendent with the radiance of molten gold, he has appeared in the age of Kali by His causeless mercy to bestow what no incarnation ever offered before: the most sublime and radiant spiritual knowledge of the mellow taste of his service. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.4, Vidagdha-Madhava 1.2)

Sri Gauranga's ultimate and confidential reason for appearing

4. 32
sri radhayam pranaya-mahima kidrso vanayaiva-
svadyo yenadbhuta-madhurima kidrso va madiyam
saukhya-casya madanubhavatam kidrsam veti lobhat-
tad-bhavadyam samajani saci-garbha-sindhau harindum
Desiring to understand the glory of Srimati Raharani's love, the wonderful qualities in Him that she alone relishes through Her love, and the happiness She feels when She realizes the sweetness of His love, The Supreme Lord Hari, richly endowed with Her emotions, appears from the womb of Srimati Sacidevi as the moon appears from the ocean. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 1.6)

Internally he has the mood of Sri Radha, externally he preaches the holy name

4. 33
sei radha-bhava laina caitanya-avatara
yuga-dharma nama-prema kaila paracara
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu appeared with the sentiments of Sri Radha. He preached the dharma of this age, the chanting of the holy name of Sri Krsna, and pure love of Godhead (krsna-prema). (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 4.220)

The pastimes of Sri Gauranga are eternal

4. 34
adyapiha caitanya ei saba lila kare
ya'ra bhagye thake se dekhaye nirantare
As yet, no one can completely see the opulences of all the pastimes performed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, because they are without limit in time and space. They are unlimited and eternal. (Caitanya Bhagavata Madhya 23.513)

Materialistic and demonic persons are envious of Sri Gauranga

4. 35
purve yena jarasandha adi rajagana
veda-dharma kari' kare visnura pujana
krsna nahi mane ta'te daitya kari' mani
caitanya na manile taiche daitya ta're jani
hena krpamaya caitanya na bhaje yei jana
sarvottama haile ta're asure ganana
Formerly, even kings like Jarasandha strictly followed the Vedic rituals, thus worshiping Lord Visnu. One who does not accept Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead is certainly a demon. Similarly, one who does not accept Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as Krsna, the same Supreme Lord, is also to be considered a demon. One who does not show respect unto this merciful Lord, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu or does not worship Him should be considered a demon, even if that person is very "exalted" in human society. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 8.8,9,12)

Sri Gauranga in his acarya-lila is not the enjoyer of the rasa dance ("Gauranga-nagari")

4. 36
ei mata capalya karena saba sane
sabe strimara nadekhena drsthikone
"stri" hena naa prabhu ei avatare
sravane o na karila - vidita samsare
ata eva yata maha-mahima sakale
"gauranga nagara" hena staqva nahi bale
The Lord was apt to indulge in such indiscrimate merciful behavior towards all, except that he never looked at a women, even by a sidelong glance. During this avatara, it is known to all the world that the Lord did not even allow the name of a women to enter his ear. Therefore, those who are His real devotees never address Sri Gauranga as "Gauranga-nagari" or the enjoyer of women. Although all forms of praise are applicable to the Lord, the wise sing only what is in accordance with His nature. (Caitanya Bhagavata Adi 15. 28 - 31)

The glories of the mercy of Sri Gauranga and Nityananda

4. 37
caitanya nityanande nahi ei' saba vicara
nama laite prema dena, bahe asrudhara
svatantra-isvara prabhu atyanta udara
ta-'re na bhajile kabhu nahaya nistara
If one only chants with some slight faiththe holy names of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda, very quickly he is cleansed of all offenses. Thus, as soon as he chants the Hare Krsna mantra, he feels the ecstasy of love of Godhead. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the independent Supreme Personality of Godhead is greatly magnanimous. Unless one worships Him, one can never be liberated. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Adi 8.31-32)

The unfortunate position of those who cheat themselves out of Sri Gauranga's mercy.

4. 38
caitanyavatare bahe premarta-vanya
saba jiva preme bhase, prthivi haila dhanya
ei-vanyaya ye na bhase, sei jiva - chara
koti kalpe tabe ta'ra nahika nistara
There is now a flood of the eternal nectar of love of Godhead, because of the incarnation of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. All living entities are floating in that flood. The entire world is now thankful to the Lord. Anyone who does not float in this inundation is most condemned. Such a person cannot be delivered for millions of lifetimes of Lord Brahma. (Caitanya Caritamrta-Antya 3.252-253)

4. 39
avatara sara, gaura-avatara
kena na bhajili ta're
kari' nire vasa, gela na piyasa,
apana karama phere
kantakera taru, (sri) gauranga amara,
tahare bhavili vise
saurabhera ase, palasa su-kili,
nasate pasila kita
iksudanda bhavi' katha cusili,
kemane paibi mitha
hara baliya, galaya parili,
samana-kinkara-sapa
sitala baliya aguna pohali,
paili bajara-tapa
samsara bhajili, (sri) gauranga bhulili,
na sunili sadhura katha
iha-para-kala, du'kala khoyali,
khaili apana matha
Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu is the essence of all avataras. Why didn't I worship Him? It is as if I was surrounded by water and dying of thirst but I denied myself a drink. I chewed the thorns on the tree of worldly life and took the blood that flowed through my mouth to be nectar. When I was offered the nectarine fruits of love of Godhead distributed by Sri Gauranga, however, I turned them away, thinking them to be poison. Wishing to smell perfume I sniffed at what I thought was the fragrant flower of material enjoyment. Alas, that flower was odorless, like the palasa flower. And when I tried to sniff its illusory aroma, a bee flew up my nose and stung me. Thinking material life to be as sweet as sugarcane, I tried to taste its nectar. Instead, as I sucked, I found it juiceless and dry. In this way, I found that all my attempts at enjoyment proved false. In this way, all my attempts at enjoyment proved false.
Admitting defeat, wasted and worn out, I await the snake of death. Declaring it to be cool and soothing, I have embraced the fire of material life, only to suffer intense miseries, as if struck by lightning. Worshiping family and material life I forgot Gauranga and didn't listen to the words of the saints. Now, in my final days I realize that I am twice dead, for not only am I casting off this mortal body, but I am dead while living, having wasted my life in material indulgence(Mahajana-giti).

Sri Gauranga appears in the form of His holy name and as His deity

4. 40
ara dui janma ei sankirtanarambhe
haiba tomara putra ami avilambe
mora arca-murti mata, tumi se dharani
jihvarupa tumi mata, namera janani
ei dui janma mora sankirtanarambhe
dui tha-i tora putra avilambe
[Sri Caitanya told Saci] Birth after birth you are my mother. Again, in this birth, I have come to begin the sankirtana movement, and so I have become your son. My appearance in this world is twofold: I appear as the arca-murti, the deity form of the Lord, and as the holy name. In this way I appear upon the tongue in the form of sound, and as the deity made from the elements drawn from earth. In both of these forms I am worshiped, and in these two features I have appeared in order to spread the sankirtana movement.
(Caitanya-Bhagavata Madhya 27.47)

The teachings of Sri Gauranga in a nutshell

4. 41
aradhyo bhagavan brajesa-tanayas-tad-dhama vrndavanam
ramya kacid-upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena ya kalpita
srimad-bhagavatam pramanam-amalam prema pumartho mahan
sri caitanya mahaprabhor-matam-idam tatradaro nam param
It is the conclusive opinion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu that: Sri Krsna, who is Vrajendra-nandana, the son of the king of Vraja, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, the topmost worshipable Deity; Vrndavan-dhama which is an expansion of Sri Krsna and is nondifferent from Him is the highest worshipable abode; The gopis of Vrndavana are the highest example of the worship of Sri Krsna Srimad-Bhagavatam is the spotless evidence for knowing the absolute truth; Krsna-prema is the fifth and highest goal of life. These are the teachings of Sri Caitanya in a nutshell. (Visvanatha Cakravarti hakura)

Thus ends the fourth jewel of the Gaudiya Kanthahara entitled Gaura-tattva

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