20 Sri Caitanya-caritamrta [Madhya-lila, Ch. 15
SYNONYMS

4caryere—unto Advaita Acarya; ajfa dila—ordered; kariya sammana—with
great respect; d-candala—even to the lowest of men, known as the candala;
adi—beginning with; krsna-bhakti—Krsna consciousness, or devotional service to
Lord Krsna; dio—deliver; déna—in charity.

TRANSLATION

With great respect, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu requested Advaita Acarya,
“Give Krsna consciousness, devotion to Krsna, even to the lowest of men
(candalas].’’

PURPORT

This is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's order to all His devotees. Krsna-bhakti, devo-
tion to Krsna, is open to everyone, even low-class men like candalas. One should
follow this order in the disciplic succession stemming from Sri Advaita and Nitya-
nanda Prabhu and distribute Krsna consciousness without discrimination
throughout the world.

There are different kinds of men, beginning with the brahmana and going down
to the lowest platform known as canddla. Whatever one’s position, everyone in
this age of Kali needs to be enlightened in Krsna consciousness. That is the
greatest need of the day. Everyone is acutely feeling the pangs of material exis-
tence. Even in the ranks and files of the American Senate, the pinpricks of material
existence are felt, so much so that April 30, 1974, was actually set aside as Prayer
Day. Thus everyone is feeling the resultant pinpricks of Kali-yuga brought about
by human society's indulging in illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication.
Now is the time for the members of the International Society for Krishna Con-
sciousness to distribute krsna-bhakti all over the world and thus follow the orders
of Sti Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The Lord has ordered everyone to become a guru
(Cc. Madhya 7.128): amdara ajfidya guru hafid tara’ ei desa. Everyone in every
town and village should be enlightened by the instructions of Sri Caitanya
Mahdprabhu. Krsna consciousness should be distributed to everyone in-
discriminately. In this way, the entire world will be peaceful and happy, and
everyone will glorify Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, as He desires.

The word candala actually refers to a dog-eater, who is considered the lowest
of men. Even candalas can be enlightened in Krsna consciousness due to Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s benedictions. Krsna-bhakti is not the monopoly of a cer-
tain caste. Everyone is eligible to receive this great benediction given by Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Everyone should be given a chance to receive it and be
happy.

The word dana, meaning “charity,” is also significant in this verse. Whoever
engages in the distribution of Krsna consciousness is a charitable person. Profes-
