The Mercy of Gaura-Nitai
“I offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda, who are like the sun and moon. They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauḍa to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all.”
(Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.2)
“Without the protection of Gaura-Nitāi—Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma—one cannot get out of the dark well of ignorance in material existence. This is indicated here by the word nocet, which means that one will always remain in the dark well of material existence. The living entity must get strength from Nitāi-Gaura, or Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma. Without the mercy of Nitāi-Gaura, there is no way to come out of this dark well of ignorance. As stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (CC Adi 1.2):
vande śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-
nityānandau sahoditau
gauḍodaye puṣpavantau
citrau śandau tamo-nudau
‘I offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda, who are like the sun and moon. They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauḍa to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all.’ This material world is a dark well of ignorance. The fallen soul in this dark well must take shelter of the lotus feet of Gaura-Nitāi, for thus he can easily emerge from material existence. Without Their strength, simply attempting to get out of the clutches of matter by speculative knowledge will be insufficient.”
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.15.46, Purport)
“There are offenses to be considered in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, but there are no such considerations in chanting the names of Gaura-Nityānanda. Therefore, if one chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra but his life is still full of sinful activities, it will be very difficult for him to achieve the platform of loving service to the Lord. But if in spite of being an offender one chants the holy names of Gaura-Nityānanda, he is very quickly freed from the reactions to his offenses. Therefore, one should first approach Lord Caitanya and Nityānanda, or worship Guru-Gaurāṅga, and then come to the stage of worshiping Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, our students are first advised to worship Guru-Gaurāṅga, and then, when they are somewhat advanced, the Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Deity is installed, and they are engaged in the worship of the Lord.”
(Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 8.31, Purport)
“Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally renovated Vṛndāvana-dhāma and advised His chief disciples, Rūpa and Sanātana, to develop it and open it to attract the spiritual vision of the general populace. At present there are about five thousand temples in Vṛndāvana, and still our society, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, is constructing a huge, magnificent temple for the worship of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma, along with Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and Guru-Gaurāṅga. Since there is no prominent Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma temple in Vṛndāvana, we are attempting to construct one so that people will be attracted to Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma, or Nitāi-Gauracandra. Vrajendra-nandana yei, śacī suta haila sei. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says that Balarāma and the son of Mahārāja Nanda have advented Themselves as Gaura-Nitāi. To propagate this fundamental principle, we are establishing a Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma temple to broadcast to the world that worship of Gaura-Nitāi is the same as worship of Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma.”
(Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 16.281, Purport)
“So I am very glad to see this Miami temple. Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda has come here. It is great fortune for you. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared for delivering all kinds of fallen souls in this age. Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura sings, pāpī-tāpī yāta chilo, hari-nāme uddhārilo, tāra sākṣī jagāi and mādhāi. So brajendra-nandana yei, śacī-suta hoilo sei, balarāma hoilo nitāi. The same Kṛṣṇa and same Balarāma… Kṛṣṇa has appeared as the son of mother Śacī, and Balarāma has appeared as Nityānanda, and Their business is to deliver all fallen souls, especially in this age, Kali-yuga. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mission was that He should be present by His name, by His form, by His pastime, in every town and village of the world. And you are fulfilling His mission. So undoubtedly, you will be blessed and you will get Kṛṣṇa’s mercy through the mercy of Caitanya Mahāprabhu.”
(Srila Prabhupada Arrival Address, Miami, February 25, 1975)
“So this benediction is offered by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who has very kindly come here, Nitāi-Gaura. So you take advantage of His mercy. You are very fortunate that Nitāi-Gaura is here. If you simply chant Nitāi-Gaura and dance, then you’ll become happy. There is no difficulty. There is no difficulty. And you are chanting, ‘Jaya Śacīnandana.’ This simple chanting, ‘Jaya Śacīnandana,’ ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa,’ this chanting and dancing, yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtanair prayaiḥ yajanti hi sumedhasaḥ (SB 11.5.32), this is not I am manufacturing. It is the injunction of the śāstra. In this age, simply by chanting and dancing, yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtanair prayaiḥ, you get complete spiritual service.
So I am very glad you are taking care of Nitāi-Gaura so nicely, They are so nicely dressed. So continue these activities, and even if you cannot do anything, simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and dance and ‘Jaya Śacīnandana.’ That will make your life perfect.”
(Srila Prabhupada Arrival Address, Baltimore, July 7, 1976)
“Gaura Nitai can be established anywhere, and it is simple to worship Them simply chant before Their Lordships. He doesn’t mind that you have not decorated very nicely, but if you chant and dance He is very pleased.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, April 21, 1976)
“Gaura-Nitāi is worshiped simply by kīrtana.”
(Srila Prabhupada Conversation, Tehran, August 9, 1976)
“Keep yourself always engaged in the service of Gaura-Nitai and that will keep you liberated from material contamination.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, October 28, 1976)
“Then as Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says, gṛhe vā banete thāke hā gaurāṅga bole ḍāke. Hā gaurāṅga, ‘Always chanting Nitāi-Gaura or thinking of Nitāi-Gaura,’ such person, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says… Gṛhe vā… ‘He may be a sannyāsī, or he may be a gṛhastha. It doesn’t matter. Because he is absorbed in the thought of Nitāi-Gaura.’ So narottama māge tāṅra saṅga: ‘Narottama is always desiring to associate with such person.’ Gṛhe vā banete thāke, hā gaurāṅga bole ḍāke, narottama māge tāṅra saṅga. Narottama is always desiring the society of such person.”
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Vrindavan, March 17, 1974)
“Gaura incarnation, parama karuṇa—very, very merciful. Parama koruṇa, pahū dui jana: ‘Two Lords, Nitāi-Gaura.’ Parama koruṇa, pahū dui jana. Dui jana means two. Parama koruṇa, pahū dui jana, nitāi gauracandra: ‘Nityānanda and Caitanya Mahāprabhu, or Gaura Hari.’ Saba avatāra, sāra śiromaṇi kevala ānanda-kanda: ‘There are many incarnation, but Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda—simply ānanda, bliss.’ Ānanda, bliss, kevala ānanda-kanda.”
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Los Angeles, December 4, 1973)
“Śrīla Locana dāsa Ṭhākura has also sung, parama karuṇa, pahuṅ dui jana, nitāi-gauracandra: ‘The two brothers Nitāi and Gaura are so kind that no one can compare to Them.’ Similarly, Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura has sung:
vrajendra-nandana yei, śacī-suta haila sei,
balarāma ha-ila nitāi,
dīna-hīna yata chila, hari-nāme uddhārila,
tā’ra sākṣī jagāi-mādhāi
‘Just to deliver all the sinful persons of this age by propagating the chanting of the holy name, Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma have advented as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu. Jagāi and Mādhāi are evidence of Their success.’ Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s special mission is the deliverance of all fallen souls in Kali-yuga. Devotees of Kṛṣṇa must persistently seek the favor and mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to become fit to return home, back to Godhead.”
(Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 14.16, Purport)
“You have asked about Balarama Krsna deities. No, Balarama and Krsna are already there as Caitanya and Nitai: Vrajendranandana yei, saci suta hailas sei… The best thing is to establish Gaura Nitai deities. In Vrindaban we are establishing Balaram Krsna deities because most of the temples there have Radha Krsna and there is not Balaram-Krsna. That has a different purpose. We should not imitate that. Better to have Gour-Nitai, Radha-Krsna, and Lord Jagannath—that system must continue.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, January 12, 1974)
“Now you have got Gaura Nitai Deities, so you can go ahead and get Prabhupada and Bhaktisiddhanta Deities immediately. Guru and Gauranga worship is standard for all our temples.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, January 7, 1976)
“Regarding the worship of our Gaura Nitai by women pujaris, we worship Lord Caitanya in His householder life when He was with His wife, and not as a sannyasi. So, it is alright for women to do this service. But, besides this, service is spiritual and there can be no material designation.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, August 13, 1974)
“Regarding the installation of Gour-Nitai deities, whether it be a GBC man, president, or sannyasi it does not matter. The important thing is that he be a senior qualified man. That is the most important thing.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, February 21, 1973)
“It is a very good idea that you have to be more attached to the Deities above marriage. But, it is not good to live at home because there is where meat is eaten. That will be offensive, so how can you worship the Deity under such circumstances. If your whole family become devotees, then that is another thing.
Actually I think that you can move from the Lord Jagannatha Deities to the Gaura Nitai Deities if that is your desire. That will be best.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, August 7, 1975)
“Gaura Nitai deities should not be taken into university classrooms. The professors and students will think we are fanatics. It is better to keep a big picture of Gaura Nitai which can be seen by everyone, rather than taking deities into a classroom.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, January 5, 1976)
“Why was Gaura-Nitai and Radha-Krsna Deities put on the Ratha cart in Chicago? Who has sanctioned this? This is not authorized. It does not mean that we shall make Rathayatra a conglomeration. Everything should be done by proper sanction.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, June 30, 1976)
“There is no restriction for preachers, they may travel everywhere all over the world. Nitai-Gaura means world wide preaching, because Lord Caitanya appeared to spread this movement to every town and village of the world, and by the grace of good souls like yourself the desire of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is being fulfilled in the modern age.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, October 25, 1976)
“Baladeva means who gives strength for spiritual advancement. Nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.23), nāyam ātmā balahinena labhyaḥ. These are the Vedic injunction.
So without Baladeva’s or Nityānanda’s grace, one cannot make advancement.
āra kabe nitāi-cānda karuṇā koribe
saṁsāra vāsanā mora kabe tuccha…
(Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura)
This is the grace of Nityānanda Prabhu. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura explains, āra kabe nitāi-cānda, karuṇā koribe. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura is aspiring for the day when Nityānanda Prabhu will be pleased upon him. Just like Jagāi-Mādhāi was delivered by the mercy of Śrī Nityānanda Prabhu, so we have to pray Nityānanda Prabhu. He’s very merciful. He’s so kind, Baladeva, He gives spiritual strength. Then we can approach the Supreme Lord. Therefore we chant ‘Nitāi-Gaura.’ This is the process. We cannot change this policy. Pañca-tattva must be worshiped; otherwise wherefrom we shall get…? The spiritual master… Nityānanda Prabhu is the spiritual master. Or spiritual master is the replica, representation, of Nityānanda Prabhu. So when Nityānanda Prabhu is pleased, then we become detached from this material attraction.”
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Mayapur, March 4, 1974)
“Chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra before Gaura-Nitāi will make them very quickly advanced in spiritual consciousness. Very quickly. There is no offense. He does not take any offenses. Whatever little service they do, it is accepted by Gaura-Nitāi. Pāpī tāpī yata chilo, hari-nāme uddhārilo. So if you can do this, it will be very nice. Let them at least keep Gaura-Nitāi there in their room. They’ll see. That will be benefit. And if they offer little respect and offer prasādam and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, oh then what to…? It will be very nice. Otherwise, if they simply see the Gaura-Nitāi pair, they will advance.”
(Srila Prabhupada Conversation, Bhuvanesvara, February 2, 1977)
“Simply you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and dance, and Caitanya Mahāprabhu will be very pleased. He introduced this dancing and chanting, and this is the easiest process for God realization. So as far as possible… If possible, twenty-four hours. If that is not possible, at least four times, six times, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra before Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and you will get success in your life. This is a fact.”
(Srila Prabhupada Arrival Address, Miami, February 25, 1975)
“So Caitanya Mahāprabhu is very kind. Parama karuṇa, pahū dui jana.Two Lords, Nitāi-Gauracandra, Nityānanda Prabhu and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, They are very kind, you see? They have appeared just to reclaim the fallen souls of this age. So They are more kind than Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa, He is also very kind. He comes to deliver. But Kṛṣṇa demands that first of all surrender. Caitanya Mahāprabhu even does not demand surrender. He is so kind. So take shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and be happy. Thank you very much.”
(Srila Prabhupada Arrival Address, Atlanta, February 28, 1975)
