Welcome! Whether you’re curious about Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism, exploring bhakti with a questioning mind, or simply seeking clarity on your spiritual path—you’re in the right place.
This page offers a clear, śāstra-based overview of Caitanya Vaiṣṇava theology, for those seeking substance beyond slogans.
What is Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism? Who is the founder of Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism?
Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism was founded by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Its theological foundations were established primarily by Śrī Rūpa Goswami, Śrī Sanātana Goswami and Śrī Jīva Goswami. Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism propounds that Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Bhagavān, the one absolute non-dual reality.
Who is Kṛṣṇa?
Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the one and only independent reality, the original source of everyone and everything in existence.
What is the purpose of existence?
The purpose of existence is to acquire prema or love for Śrī Kṛṣṇa (beyond mokṣa).
What is the philosophy of Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism?
The philosophy is acintya-bheda-abheda, which means that everything in our world is Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa because it is His energy and is dependent on Him for its existence, but at the same time it is different from His svarūpa or intrinsic nature; and this simultaneous difference and non-difference with Bhagavan is inconceivable.
Who is a Caitanya Vaiṣṇava?
A Caitanya Vaiṣṇava is one who follows the bhakti tradition propounded by the Goswamis and performs rāgānugā bhakti following the mood of the Vrajavāsīs. A Caitanya Vaiṣṇava accepts Śrī Caitanya as Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself in the mood of a devotee.
What are the most important texts which explain Caitanya theology?
Foundational books of Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism are the Bhakti Rasamṛta Sindhu by Śrī Rūpa Goswami and the Six Sandarbhas written by Śrī Jīva Goswami. These books explain the essential truths of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, which is the primary pramāṇa for the Caitanya school.
Are there any distinguishing features of a Caitanya Vaiṣṇava?
- Taking dikṣā from a guru in the paramparā.
- Reciting confidential dikṣā mantras and the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.
- Wearing kanthi-mālā and twelve-fold tilak
- Staying in or aspiring to stay in Vṛndāvana, India.
- Performing daily worship of Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Do Caitanya Vaiṣṇava worship all devatās?
Caitanya Vaiṣṇavas specifically focus their worship on Śrī Kṛṣṇa as He appears in Vṛndāvana, the source of all His other forms such as those in Dvārakā.
As Śrī Kṛṣṇa explains in the Bhagavad-Gītā, He is the source of all other devatās, and the source of their power. However, Caitanya Vaiṣṇavas accept other devatas as devotees of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and as such have great respect for them. Disrespecting other devatās is considered an offense to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Does Bhagavān have a form?
Yes, Śrī Kṛṣṇa has unlimited forms, which He reveals according to the mood of the worshipper.
What is the significance of a Guru in Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism?
The guru is of singular importance in Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism because the guru teaches śāstra. A central precept is that without surrender to a genuine guru, one cannot perform bhakti, nor will any attempts to practice bhakti bear fruit. The guru is considered to be a manifestation of Kṛṣṇa who gives the disciple the seed of bhakti in the form of sraddhā or faith in bhakti’s scriptures. The guru is vital to clear misconceptions, give proper understanding of one’s relation with Kṛṣṇa (sambandha), the means to actualize that relationship (abhidheya) and the goal to be achieved (prayojana or the completion stage of abhidheya). When a disciple takes shelter of the guru and serves without any duplicity, then the disciple will ultimately achieve the prayojana, prema.
How does one recognize a guru?
The guru must:
– Belong to an unbroken lineage going back to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s associates.
– Be deeply versed in the foundational scriptures of Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism.
– Have a strong grasp of disciplines like Sanskrit grammar and nyāya (logic), which support accurate understanding of śāstra.
This guide is a starting point. If you’re new to Caitanya Vaiṣṇavism or rethinking what you’ve been taught, take your time. Feel free to browse around.
The Caitanya tradition is deep, coherent, and meant for thoughtful engagement.
Categories: Definitions, Q/A
Why is God giving so much power to Maya? Maya traps the living beings of the infinite universe and also give them trouble.
Maya has been powerful since beginningless time. So the question of why does not arise.
But although Maya has been powerful since time immemorial, why does the living being not have enough power to escape from Maya?
Time immemorial is an incorrect translation of anadi. The correct translation is beginningless.
The Jiva has enough power. See 3.42 and 3.43 of Gita.
Pranams,
Could you pls clarify the translation of anu 153 of bhakti sandarba regarding king Nrga
Babaji’s translation
From the above statement, it is apparent that King Nṛga was guilty of
considering the glories of bhakti as artha-vāda, otherwise he would not
have been transferred to the abode of Yama in spite of having
performed acts of devotion. In fact, his being sent to the abode of Yama
contradicted the order of Yama himself:
Bring me only the unrighteous who perform no acts of service to
Bhagavān Viṣṇu, whose tongues do not utter His name or qualities,
whose minds do not reflect on His lotus feet, and whose heads
never bow down even once before Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa. (SB 6.3.29)
10
The sense is that in spite of having heard the conclusions of scripture,
had King Nṛga not considered the glories of bhakti to be artha-vāda, he
would not have set aside his enthusiasm for the service of Bhagavān
and attached so much importance to the mere act of giving charity.
Rather, like Śrī Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, he would have been absorbed in
the execution of bhakti, which truly possesses the greatness spoken of in
scripture.
Haridas sastri maharaj’s translation
Pls chk 300 th pg of his book
What is your confusion?
In hindi reading of maharaji ‘s translation,it is said he didn’t do arthavada but still went to hell due to vyakti visesa..which I didn’t understand..if you could pls see pg 300 and clarify..Idk but archive link iam trying to paste is not taking my comment on this site.
Thankyou
I cannot help unless I can see the section. You can type it in Hindi here perhaps?
Your Hindi typing is full of errors. Hold on to this question – I will have to study Maharajji’s writings. I will reply to you in a post
I just copy pasted from archive btw..it takes too much time to type the whole page.Thankyou