GAURA PURNIMA

Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is described in the Vedic scriptures as a covered incarnation of Lord Krishna, known as the Golden Avatar (“Gaura” or “Gauranga”). With the complexion of molten gold and the mood of an unparalleled devotee of God, he descended to earth on a full-moon night (Purnima) in the month of Phalguna more than five hundred years ago. Through his life and teachings, he epitomized that the essence of spiritual thought and enlightenment is love of God, which he widely broadcast through his disciples and followers. He initiated the sankirtan movement (“sanga” meaning group or community, and “kirtan” meaning chanting of God’s names) to encourage people to come together to glorify the Lord, which would be more potent than praying or chanting on one’s own. Through his campaigning efforts and desires to propagate Lord Krishna’s message, Lord Chaitanya transformed the lowest of men into servants of God. Therefore, it is easier to approach the Lord through His merciful incarnation of Lord Chaitanya.