6
Teachings of Lord Chaitanya
tion. But there is no stoppage of talk there, as the  Mayavadis  would have it. The real talk only begins. As is stated in the  Vedanta Sutra , “Now talking begins. Now we can inquire into the Supreme Absolute Truth.” Rupa Goswami writes: “Your incarnation is greater than all. What You have given! It is the highest form of devotional service.”
One who accepts the existence of God is in devotional service. To acknowledge, “God is great” is something—but not much. Chaitanya preached like an  Acharya , a great teacher, up to the point of friendship. In the  Gita , Krishna showed Arjuna His Universal Form because he was a dear friend; but Arjuna asked forgiveness for this friendship on seeing Krishna as the Lord of the Universes. Through Lord Chaitanya you can become a friend of Krishna, where there is no limit. You can become a friend, not in adoration, but in complete freedom. You can also be related to God as His father. This is  Srimad Bhagwatam  philosophy. There is no other literature in the world where God is treated as the devotee’s son. Usually He is the Father Who supplies the demands of the son. Chaitanya is the first to treat God as a son. How? By  service . The son demands, and the father supplies. You don’t take the supply, you give. Krishna’s mother, Yasoda, said to the Lord: “Here—eat or You’ll die. Eat nicely.” Krishna will depend on your mercy. This is such a uniquely high level of friendship. And you can believe that you are His father.
And, above all, you can treat Krishna as your Lover, as if He’s so much attached to you that He expresses His inability to reciprocate. “I cannot repay your love. I have no more assets to return.” Krishna was thus so obliged to the Gopis, that He felt His inability to return their love. Devotional service is such an excellent platform—and this was given by Chaitanya. It was never given by any previous incarnation or Acharya.
“Devotional service itself is the highest platform—the glorious platform which You have contributed. You are Krishna, yellowish,  Sachinandan , son of Sachi.  Chaitanya Charitamrita  hearers may keep You in their hearts. Then it will be easy to understand Krishna through Chaitanya.” Chaitanya came to deliver Krishna. Rupa Goswami writes: “You are the most charitable Personality. You are delivering Krishna  Prema , unalloyed love for Krishna. And so I offer You my respects.”
We have heard the phrase, “Love of Godhead.” How far this love of Godhead can actually be developed we can learn from the  Vaishnava  philosophy. Simply theoretical knowledge of love of God you can find in many places and many Scriptures; but what that love of Godhead actually is, and