PROLOGUE

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THE LIFE OF CHAITANYA MAHAPRABHU

by
Srila Thakur Bhaktivinode

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was born in Mayapur in the town of Nadia, just
after sunset on the evening of the 23rd Falgoon 1407 Sakabda, answering
to the 18th February 1486 of the Christian Era. The moon was eclipsed at the
time of His birth, and the people of Nadia were then engaged, as is usual on
such occasions, in bathing in the Bhagirathi with loud cheers of Haribol.
His father, Jagannath Misra, was a poor Brahmin of the Vaidic order, and
His mother, Sachi Devi, was a model good woman, both descended from
Brahmin stocks originally residing in Sylhet. Mahaprabhu was a beautiful
child and the ladies of the town came to see Him with presents. His mother’s
father, Pandit Nilambar Chakravarti, a renowned astrologer, foretold that
the Child would be a great personage in time; and he, therefore, gave Him
the name Vishwambhar. The ladies of the neighbourhood styled Him Gour
Hari on account of His golden complexion, and His mother called Him Nimai
on account of the Nim tree near which He was born. Beautiful as the Lad
was, everyone heartily loved to see Him every day. As He grew up He be-

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