The Chaitanya-charitamrita
The stories of Chaitanya's life are mixed with philosophical conversations detailing the process of bhakti yoga, with special attention given to congregational chanting of the names of God.
Despite a first english translation of Chaitanya's life in 1913, his teachings will only reach mainstream Western audiences with the emergence of the Hare Krishna Movement in the mid-sixties. In 1974, A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada ---founder of the International Society For Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)--- published Śrī Caitanya-charitāmrta as a 17-volume set, with elaborate commentaries. This significantly popularized Krishna bhakti in the Western world, making it accessible to an international audience.
Chaitanya and Nityananda
Nityananda Prabhu was Shri Chaitanya's friend and disciple. They are known affectionately as Gaura-Nitai, eternal brothers. Once, a depraved ruler wounded Nityananda on the head, prompting Chaitanya to react with fury. However Nityananda interceded in favor of his assailant saying: "Punnishing him would go against your reputation as the most merciful Avatar, so I insist that this man be forgiven instead." After urging the man to chant Krishna's name, he miraculously abandonned his demoniac ways and became a fervent devotee.
Shri Shikshastakam
Text 1
Glory to the Sri Krishna Sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss and enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.
Text 2
O my Lord, You have hundreds and thousands of names in which are invested all Your transcendental energies. There are no hard and fast rules for chanting these names by which You enable us to easily approach You, but I am so unfortunate that I have little attraction for them.
Text 3
One should chant the holy name in all humility, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street, feeling more tolerant than a tree. And, devoid of all sense of false prestige one should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.
Shri Chaitanya
(This article borrows from modified excepts in Wikipedia)
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534) was an Indian Vaishnava saint from Bengal, often considered to be an incarnation of Shri Krishna. He expounded the Yoga of Devotion (bhakti Yoga), and popularised the chanting of God's names accross cultures as the best means of spiritual realization in the modern age.
The religious hagiographies of the Chaitanya's lineage are the only sources available for the reconstruction of his life. The Chaitanya-charitamrita, which is regarded as the final word on Gauḍīya Vaishnava history and theology, includes the Shikhastakam, the only eight verses written by Chaitanya himself (reproduced below).
Congragational public chanting of holy names
Text 4
I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women or any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service birth after birth.
Text 5
O Lord, I am Your eternal servitor, yet I have somehow fallen into this ocean of rebirth. Please pick me up and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.
Text 6
When will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant? When will my voice choke, and the hairs on my body stand on end at the recitation of Your names?
Text 7
O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, every moment seems like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.
Text 8
I know no one but You as my Lord, and You shall remain so even if You handle me roughly by Your embrace or make me brokenhearted by not being present before me. You are completely free to do anything and everything, for You remain my worshipful Lord unconditionally.
