Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
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An avtaar?
Can a human being be regarded as being god-like, say, as an avatar, in the present day and age? Sanatana dharma clearly specifies three minimum conditions for someone to be regarded and revered as god-incarnate: first, Shastra Pramana, references from scriptures; second, specific auspicious symbols on the physical body of that person; and third, the 32 bodily characteristics found in such an individual.
Vaishanvaites regard Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who appeared in West Bengal at Mayapur, Nabadwip in 1486, on the day of Falguni Purnima as the most recent incarnation of god. He is regarded as a great saint from Bengal who inaugurated the Sankirtana Movement and propagated the chanting of the Hare Krishna mahamantra. But when we refer to the scriptures, we find that his identity has been ascertained as the original supreme personality of godhead, more exalted, perhaps, than even an avatar. A verse in the Garuda Purana says, “In the first part of Kaliyuga, I will appear in my complete spiritual form in Mayapura, Navadvipa and become the son of Sachi.”
Another verse from the Garuda Purana describes his complexion, gives the name of his wife, describes his life of renunciation and gives information about his residence and other details. “In the first part of Kaliyuga, the Supreme with golden complexion, will become the husband of Lakshmi. Then he will become a sannyasi and reside near Jagannatha.”
It’s quite possible that this evidence can be refuted if it’s only coming from one Purana. But more than 10 clear refer ences are there about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s birth, parentage, activities and philosophy in the Srimad Bhagavatam, Narada Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Narasimha Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, Vayu Purana and Vishnu Sahasranamam from Mahabharata.
The second evidence is that of specific auspicious symbols found on the body of such a Mahapurusha. In Chaitanya Charitamrita, the most authentic biography available on the life of Chaitanya, the following story is narrated: His mother Sachi saw that her son leaves footprints containing impressions of auspicious symbols such as lotus, conch shell and disc. Struck with wonder, she shared this information with her husband, Jagannath Mishra, who conveyed this to his father-inlaw, Nilamber Chakravarthy, who was a renowned Vedic astrologer of his time. Quoting from Saamudrika scriptures, and his astrological analysis, Chakravarthy mentioned that there are 32 bodily marks that indicate a great personality, and he said, “I see all those marks on the body of this child. Five of his bodily parts are large, five fine, seven reddish, six raised, three small, three broad and three grave.”
Iskcon founder, Acharya AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, mentions that the five large parts are the nose, arms, chin, eyes and knees. The five fine parts are the skin, fingertips, teeth, hair on the body and hair on the head. The seven reddish parts are the eyes, soles, palms, palate, nails and upper and lower lips. The six raised parts are the chest, shoulders, nails, nose, waist and mouth. The three small parts are the neck, thighs and male organ. The three broad parts are the waist, forehead and chest. The three grave parts are the navel, voice and existence. Altogether these are the 32 symptoms of a great personality. (Today is the 534th birth anniversary of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. The writer lives at Iskcon, Mayapur)
