Epilogue

This famous discussion (Ramananda-samvad) is recorded by Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami in his sublime account of the life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta (Madhya-lila, Chapter 8: «Talks between Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Ray»). It is mentioned in this talk only briefly by Srila Sridhar Maharaj, but we give its reference for the reader, because this Ramananda-samvad was most beloved to, and often quoted by, Srila Sridhar Maharaj. On the order of his Guru, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, Srila Sridhar Maharaj discovered the location where this historic discussion took place on the bank of the Godavari River (Andhra Pradesh, India) and established a Temple there. He many times pointed out that the entire theological basis of Gaudiya (Chaitanyite) Vaisnavism is contained therein.

The golden gift

śrī-kṛṣṇa-chaitanya prabhu nityānanda
śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi gaura-bhakta-vṛnda

golokera prema dhana hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana

The golden gift brought to this world from the topmost planet of the spiritual sky, Goloka Dham, by the golden Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Hare Krishna mahamantra (great chant for deliverance):

hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare
hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam
kaulau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā

«The Holy Name! The Holy Name! The Holy Name! Without chanting of the Holy Name in this Age of Kali, there is certainly no means of deliverance. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.»

kaliṁ sabhājayanty āryā guṇajñā sāra-bhāginaḥ
yatra saṅkīrtanenaiva sarvaḥ svartho ’bhilabhyate

«Those who are actually advanced in knowledge are able to appreciate the essential value of this Age of Kali. Such enlightened persons worship Kali-yuga because in this fallen age, all perfection of life can easily be achieved by the performance of sankirtan, the congregational chanting of the Lord’s Holy Names.»

tṛṇād api sunīchena taror iva sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ

«One who is humbler than a blade of grass, more forebearing than a tree, who gives due honour to others without desiring it for himself is qualified to always chant the Holy Name of Krishna.»

mahāprabhu śrī-chaitanya rādhā-kṛṣṇa nahe anya
rūpānuga janera jīvana

«Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is none other than Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, the life and soul of the true followers of Srila Rupa Goswami.»

«As much as you surrender to the lotus feet of Sri Gauranga, you’ll find yourself safely situated in the service of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda. Don’t try to approach Them directly. If you do, there may be some difficulty. But the lotus feet of Sri Gauranga will take you there safely.»

prabuddhe jñāna-bhaktibhyām ātmany ānanda-chinmayī
udety anuttamā bhaktir bhagavat-prema-lakṣaṇā

«When transcendental experience awakens by means of knowledge and devotion, the highest devotion symptomised by love for the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, the beloved of the soul, awakens in the devotee’s heart.»