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Guru and Disciple



The world of Vaisnava literature is replete with philosophy, theology, hymns, narratives, poetry and advanced instruction written by the associates and followers of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Vaisnava literatures are not mental concoctions. They are authorized literatures based entirely on the conclusions of the Vedas. The writings of the Gaudiya Vaisnava sampradaya are meant to direct those who are unable to form their own opinions on Vedic philosophy, leading them to self-realization by the light of revealed truth.

"We have often heard the phrase "love of Godhead." How far this love of Godhead can actually be developed can be learned from the Vaisnava philosophy. Theoretical knowledge of love of God can be found in many places and in many scriptures, but what that love of Godhead actually is and how it is developed can be found in Vaisnava literature. It is the unique and highest development of love of God that is given by Caitanya Mahaprabhu."

Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi lila, Introduction

"This is the process for writing transcendental literature. A sentimentalist who has no Vaisnava qualifications cannot produce transcendental writings. There are many fools who consider krsna-lila to be a subject of art and write or paint pictures about the pastimes of Lord Krsna with the gopis, sometimes depicting them in a manner practically obscene. These fools take pleasure in material sense gratification, but one who wants to make advancement in spiritual life must scrupulously avoid their literature. Unless one is a servant of Krsna and the Vaisnavas, as Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami presents himself to be in offering respects to Lord Caitanya, His associates and His disciples, one should not attempt to write transcendental literature."

Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi lila, 9:4

"To write about the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not an ordinary endeavor. Unless one is empowered by the higher authorities, or advanced devotees, one cannot write transcendental literature, for all such literature must be above suspicion, or, in other words, it must have none of the defects of conditioned souls, namely, mistakes, illusions, cheating and imperfect sense perceptions. The words of Krsna and the disciplic succession that carries the orders of Krsna are actually authoritative. To be empowered to write transcendental literature is a privilege in which a writer can take great pride. As a humble Vaisnava, Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, being thus empowered, felt very much ashamed that it was he who was to narrate the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu."

Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi lila, 8:72





Baladeva Vidyabhusana

Bilvamangala Thakura

Govinda Das

Jagadananda Pandit

Jayadeva Goswami

Kavi Karnapura

Krsnadas Kaviraj Goswami

Narahari Das Thakur
Narottam Das Thakur

Nityananda Das

Prabodhananda Saraswati

Svarupa Damodara

The Six Gosvamis

Vaisnava Songs

Viswanath Cakravarti

Vrindaban Das
Lives of the Vaisnava Saints (RTF)



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