Perfect Exemplar - Following What Caitanya Used To Do
Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu is described by Śrīla Prabhupāda as the most munificent incarnation because He teaches the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness through His own actions. By observing what Lord Caitanya used to do, we find the perfect application of Vedic principles in the age of Kali. From His childhood pastimes to His final years of intense ecstasy in Purī, every habit and instruction serves as a guide for those seeking to return to Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the Lord’s personal behavior is the highest standard of teaching for every devotee.
Devotional Practices and Preaching Methods
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Lord Caitanya’s preaching method was simple yet profound, focusing mainly on kīrtana and prasāda distribution. While He was a master of philosophy, He used to reserve deep philosophical discussions for specific audiences, whereas He encouraged everyone to chant. He set a personal example of constant remembrance by chanting the holy name while walking on the road and even while counting on His fingers. Furthermore, He was very strict regarding Vaiṣṇava appearance, noting that a face without tilaka was comparable to a cremation ground.
- Kirtana and prasada distribution. This is our preaching mainly. And if they hear little philosophy, that is very good. Otherwise simply kirtana and prasada distribution is sufficient. Caitanya used to do that. He was not speaking philosophy to everyone.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to count on His fingers. While one hand was engaged in chanting, the other hand kept the number of rounds.
- Tilaka is our position. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's stricture. He would not see one face if there is no tilaka. He used to say it is cremation ground. Yes, without tilaka. Pasanta mukha. Tilaka must be there.
- This (chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra can relieve one from sinful reactions) is confirmed in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 12.3.51): kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has also taught us this. While passing on the road, He used to chant.
Intensity of Ecstatic Separation
During His final years in the Gambhīrā at Jagannātha Purī, Lord Caitanya remained absorbed in the mood of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī’s separation from Kṛṣṇa. At night, He used to experience such intense spiritual agony that He would cry and even sustain injuries by grinding His face against the walls. To nourish this internal mood, He used to read and relish the confidential songs of Jayadeva and Vidyāpati, but He did so only with His most intimate associates, Svarūpa Dāmodara and Rāmānanda Rāya. He never discussed these high levels of rasa publicly, as He used to teach that these subject matters are not for the general public or professional reciters.
- The small room beyond the corridor is called the Gambhira. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to stay in that room, but He did not sleep for a moment. All night He used to grind His mouth and head on the wall, and His face sustained injuries all over.
- He (Caitanya) used to discuss these dealings (of Krsna with the gopis) only with three confidential friends. He never discussed rasa-lila publicly, as the professional reciters do, although they do not understand Krsna or the nature of the audience.
- During the day, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu engaged in various activities with His devotees, but at night He felt great separation from Krsna and used to cry.
- The senses of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu were identical with the senses of Svarupa. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to become fully absorbed in tasting the singing of Svarupa Damodara.
Interactions with Devotees and Society
Lord Caitanya’s interactions with His devotees revealed the sweetness of spiritual relationships. He used to treat elders like Purandara Ācārya with parental affection and addressed Nityānanda Prabhu as His elder brother. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the Lord used to submit Himself to the love of His devotees. For example, He used to tell Vasudeva Datta that He was his man and could be sold anywhere by him. Even in His childhood, His faults like stealing food from neighbors were actually means to bless them with His association. In every stage of life, He used to observe the highest standards of social and religious etiquette to show the world how to act.
- Purandara Acarya is to be considered most fortunate because the Lord (Caitanya) used to greet him by addressing him as His father and embracing him in great love.
- In the Caitanya-bhagavata it is described that Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu was so pleased with Vasudeva Datta and so affectionate toward him that He used to say - I am only Vasudeva Datta’s man. My body is only meant to please Vasudeva Datta, and he can sell Me anywhere.
- A sannyasi is recommended to beg from the house of a brahmana. Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to do that, because a brahmana is always suci; they are not unclean.
- There is a nice description of the faults of Sri Caitanya in His childhood in the Caitanya-bhagavata, Adi-khanda, Chapter Three, where it is said that as a child the Lord used to steal all kinds of eatables from the houses of neighboring friends.
Teaching Through Personal Behavior
The science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness was taught by Lord Caitanya through His own behavior. He used to attend the upala-bhoga ceremony daily and offered His prayers near the Garuḍa-stambha column. He used to honor His spiritual master by keeping the earth from His birthplace and even eating a small portion of it daily. Despite being God Himself, whenever people addressed Him as such, He used to block His ears with His hands and chant the name of Lord Viṣṇu to teach the humility required of a devotee. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that this responsibility to teach through personal behavior is inherited by everyone who spreads the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
- At noon, when there was an upala-bhoga offering in a place called bhoga-vardhana-khanda, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would go outside the temple. Before going outside, He used to stand near the Garuda-stambha column and offer His obeisances and prayers.
- Sri Caitanya was God Himself according to the indication of the revealed scriptures, but He played the part of a devotee. People who knew Him to be God addressed Him as God, but He used to block His ears with His hands and chant the name of Lord Visnu.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to teach every devotee by His personal behavior. Everyone who spreads the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepts a similar responsibility.
- This (earth from Isvara Puri's birthplace) He (Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu) kept very carefully, and He used to eat a small portion of it daily. This is stated in the Caitanya-bhagavata, Adi-khanda, Chapter Seventeen.
Conclusion
Understanding the personal habits and pastimes of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is essential for any serious practitioner of spiritual life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Lord did not merely give instructions; He demonstrated how to live those instructions in every moment. Whether He used to chant on the road, cry in separation, or honor His devotees, every action was a lesson in pure devotion. By following the path Lord Caitanya used to walk, we can purify our own lives and eventually attain the same platform of ecstatic love for Kṛṣṇa that He so perfectly exhibited. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission is to bring the entire world to the feet of the Lord who used to dance in ecstasy for the benefit of all living entities.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Caitanya Used To. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.