Visiting times: Mon – Sat 10.00am – 1.00pm and 4.00pm – 7.30pm | Sun 10.00am – 7.30pm
Caitanya Caritamrta Compact
Date: Sundays 21st January - 10th March 2024
Time: 10:00 - 13:00
Location: Online Zoom and onsite: Nitai Room above the Goshalla, Bhaktivedanta Manor, Dharam Marg, Hilfield Lane, Watford, WD25 8HE
Course Description
In 1965, when Srila Prabhupada suffered sea sickness and multiple heart attacks on his voyage to America, his reading of Caitanya-caritamrta brought him great solace. He said it was the “nectarine of life” and his “source of vitality.” As Gaura Purnima approaches we want everyone to understand the greatest gifts given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Srila Prabhupada also recollects how Caitanya-caritamrta was his spiritual master’s favourite book. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur had predicted that a time would come when people would learn the Bengali language simply to relish this classic composition of Krisnadasa Kaviraja Goswami.
At present, however, Caitanya-caritamrta remains a relatively unexplored literature. Since the studies of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam are vast in and of themselves, many neglect the opportunity to bathe in the delightful narrations of Sri Caitanya’s life.
In 8 sessions, we aim:
- To present an easy-to-follow overview of Sri Caitanya’s life
- To provide a ‘road map’ and framework for anyone who desires to explore the Caitanya-Caritamrta in greater detail
Please Note: A foundational understanding of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam is recommended before undertaking this course.
Teacher Profile
Coming from a Hindu Bengali family in South London, Niskincana Caitanya das has often grappled with notions of identity, morality, in-depth vedic knowledge and its relevance to modern social discourse. However, overriding all these areas of enquiry, was the question of our nature of existence. What is our true identity? Where are we coming from? Where are we going? These were the questions that really preoccupied Niskincana's interests. After many years of seeking avenues to real happiness, he finally came across the teachings of Srila Prabhupada, the founder of the Hare Krishna movement. Having served as a monk for over ten years at the Bhaktivedanta Manor temple, Niskincana has seen how the Krishna conscious way of living can truly benefit people in all facets of existence from the social and political to the emotional, psychological and, of course, the spiritual level. Through the School of Bhakti, Niskincana's focus is to build up and bring the magic of Krishna conscious education into people's lives in a contemporary and relevant manner. He is also an avid amateur stage actor and loves entertaining people with Krishna conscious dramas!
