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 acknowl-
edge, “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 phil-
osophy. 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
