Sri Caitanya Bhagavat with Commentary by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura (7 Volume set)
Author: Srila Vrndavana Dasa Thakura; Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
Translated by: Bhumipati Dasa
Publisher: Touchstone Media
Format: Hardback
The Sri Caitanya Bhagavata, written by Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura, is a significant work in Gaudiya Vaishnavism that documents the life and teachings of Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It stands as the primary text detailing the divine pastimes of Sri Caitanya.
To accurately capture the activities of an incarnation of the Supreme Lord like Sri Krishna, one needs a truly exceptional author. Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura demonstrates remarkable skill in this regard, confirming the scriptural assertions that he is no less than an incarnation of Srila Vedavyasa, the compiler of the Vedas.
The Sri Caitanya Bhagavata is divided into three sections: the Adi-lila (beginning), Madhya-lila (middle), and Antya-lila (later pastimes). The Adi-lila covers the Lord's childhood and academic endeavors leading up to His initiation from Isvara Puri. The Madhya-lila recounts the inauguration of the sankirtan movement, introducing prominent figures such as Nityananda Prabhu, Advaita Acarya, Srivasa Thakura, Haridasa Thakura, Gadadhara Prabhu, and others who played key roles in Mahaprabhu's sankirtan movement. The Madhya-lila concludes with Mahaprabhu taking sanyassa, or the renounced order of life, at the age of 24. The Antya-lila depicts Sri Caitanya's life as the supreme renunciant, as He travels from Bengal to Puri, demonstrating the highest sentiments of a devotee who has attained love for Krishna, and His journeys beyond Orissa and Bengal.
In addition to detailing the life and pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the three sections of the Sri Caitanya Bhagavata also provide comprehensive accounts of Sri Nityananda Prabhu, who is non-different from Lord Balarama.
The esteemed Vaishnava scholar and spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, has penned a full commentary on this esteemed scripture. Without this commentary, a true understanding of the life and pastimes of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates would remain obscured.
The Sri Caitanya Bhagavata is released in seven volumes.
