Teachings of Lord Caitanya: The Golden Avatara (The Great classics of India) [Hardcover]

A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997 | Series: The Great classics of India

Taking the role of His own devotee, Lord Sri Krsna appeared about five centuries ago in Bengal, India, and began a revolution in spiritual consciousness that has profoundly affected the lives of millions worldwide. His conversations with the great scholars, kings, and mystics of the day form the basis of Teachings of Lord Caitanya, which is a summary study of the dialogues recorded in His biography, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, also available from the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. The extensive references in Teachings make it an invaluable compendium of devotional Indian philosophy.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 440 pages
• Publisher: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0902677012
• ISBN-13: 978-0902677012
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #260,637 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Review of The Teachings of Lord Caitanya, April 13, 2000

By 

Michael Aigen (Vestal, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teachings of Lord Caitanya: The Golden Avatara (The Great classics of India) (Hardcover)

"The Teachings of Lord Caitanya" by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami informs the reader of the theological tradition begun over 500 years ago in India by Sri Caitanya Saraswati. Some of the major themes discussed include anthropomorphism, polymorphism, and transcendant relationships. The book is structured as conversations with five individuals, reflecting the five modes of relationship defined by Caitanya: passive, servitude, friendship, parental care, and conjugal love.

The most prominent theme in the book is the promotion of anthropomorphism. A strong didactic tone is used to deride impersonalists, those who identify the impersonal Brahman as the Ultimate Reality. In this sense, Caitanya can be classified as a Hindu fundamentalist. In every case, literal meaning is preferred to metaphorical interpretation, and sophistication is castigated.

One problem in this presentation is the difficulty in translation to English. Not all of the Sanskrit terms are translated, leaving the reader with only a vague understanding. For example: "The personal form of Krsna can be divided into two: svayam-rupa and svayam prakasa. As far as His svayam-rupa (or pastime form) is concerned, it is in that form that He always remains in Vrndavana with the inhabitants of Vrndavana."(p 73) "There are also forms of Krsna which are a little different, and these are called tadekatma-rupa forms. These may be further divided into the vilasa and svamsa forms, which in turn have many different features and can be divided into prabhava and vaibhava forms." (p 75) Although sufficient examples are given to support the theological concept of polymorphism, some of the terms (such as prakasa and tadekatma) remain undefined.

One of the least comprehensible portions of the book is the discussion of the relationship between Sri Caitanya and Ramananda Raya. The basis of the depth of their embarrasingly emotional relationship is not clear, and the strange episode establishing Caitanya's divinity is not particularly convincing.

This book is pleasant to read. Each chapter flows nicely into the next. But the reader needs to be tolerant of the difficulties mentioned above in order to get the spiritual benefit of the teachings of one of the world's greatest mystics, Sri Caitanya Saraswati.

Mike Aigen

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very powerful book!, June 5, 1999

By 

Andrej - See all my reviews

This review is from: Teachings of Lord Caitanya: The Golden Avatara (The Great classics of India) (Hardcover)

Anyone who can find and read this book is a very lucky person. I can only say the best about this book which changed my life. And thanks to Prabhupada for putting this book in such a easy-to-read format.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AS Deep And Transformational As It Gets, September 1, 2005

By 

Edward Pattillo (Eungella, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Teachings of Lord Caitanya: The Golden Avatara (The Great classics of India) (Hardcover)

read this book and you will be very happy!