By: Mahanidhi Swami

We are very fortunate to have been born in a Kali-yuga wherein svayam bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa has united with the bodily complexion [dyūti] and sentiment [bhāva] of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī to appear in His most merciful form as Rasarāja Mahābhāva, who is none other than Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Unlike so many Lord Caitanya’s that have appeared in previous Kali-yugas, Mahāprabhu is freely giving the most rarely attained gift of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa prema-bhakti.

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in 1486 A.D. on the sacred banks of the Gaṅgā in Śrī Dhāma Māyāpur within the Nadia district of West Bengal. The Lord appeared on a Sunday at dusk during a lunar eclipse of the Phālgun full moon [February-March]. Because of the eclipse, the entire town of Navadvīpa was vibrating with the melodious sound of hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana.

“During the eclipse, limitless millions of children, adults, women, saints and sinners bathed in the Gaṅgā calling out, ‘Hari bol! Hari bol! Hari! Hari!’ The sound of Hari’s holy name filled the four directions of Nadia and all the universes. The demigods beat drums and roared ‘Jai! Jai!’ while showering flowers everywhere. Seeing this wonderful event, the devotees cheered, ‘May this eclipse last forever.’ ” (CB)

May we realize our good fortune to be living just a few moments after this most-merciful Golden Avatāra, sincerely surrender to Him, and purely chant the yugala-mantra for obtaining Vraja-prema:

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare!

Sri Gauranga Sundara ki jai!