Sri GAURA PURNIMA

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu [pronounced Chaitanya] was born in Navadvipa, Bengal, on a full moon night during a lunar eclipse. His parents, Jagannatha Misra and Sachidevi, gave Him the name of Vishvambhara, meaning the support of the universe, because astrologers had predicted His superhuman qualities and that He would deliver the people of the world. He was also nicknamed Nimai because He had been born under a nima tree. During His childhood He exhibited extraordinary qualities, even having philosophical discussions with His mother. While growing, His brilliant intelligence began to become apparent. While still a child, He mastered Sanskrit and logic to the point of defeating local pundits, and established the truth of His spiritual and Vedic philosophy. He became so well known that many logicians of various religious and philosophical persuasions began to fear His presence and refused to debate with Him. Thus, Sri Caitanya established the authority of the Vaishnava tradition through the process of debate and logic. Gaura Purnima means "golden full moon," signifying that: 1) Lord Chaitanya was “born” during a full moon, and 2) The Lord blesses everyone with the soothing, moon-like rays of His sublime teachings. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krishna Himself, appearing as His own devotee, to teach us that we can gain full enlightenment simply by chanting the holy names of the Lord: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare Lord Chaitanya encouraged everyone to follow this same process. He taught that anyone—regardless of background or spiritual qualification—can develop their innate love of God and experience great spiritual pleasure by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. His followers generally observe this festival by fasting and chanting the holy names all day. At moon rise, a special multi-course feast is offered to the Lord and then enjoyed by all.