Prologue

In the ancient scriptures, we find descriptions of many incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Yet in the present age of Kali-yuga (the Age of Quarrel and Hypocrisy), under the influence of time, this complete knowledge of dharma (eternal spiritual duty and righteous conduct) appears to be gradually disappearing. In Kali-yuga, few people are naturally inclined toward spirituality, and even those who sincerely wish to study and advance are often confused, as they do not receive scripturally authorized guidance.

The most magnanimous incarnation—Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu (also known as Gaurāṅga Mahāprabhu), the combined form of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī—revived and widely re-established this timeless knowledge of dharma. His eminent follower, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Ṭhākura, established the Gauḍīya Maṭha (a Vaiṣṇava monastic mission) to distribute this divine knowledge and to propagate the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra (the great mantra for deliverance in Kali-yuga).

By the grace of the Supreme Lord and the prayers of the Vaiṣṇavas, I received the opportunity to learn this knowledge of dharma and to progress spiritually through the authorized lineage of guru-paramparā (disciplic succession)—the Brahmā–Madhva–Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava sampradāya (the disciplic line descending from Brahmā, through Madhvācārya, to the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition).

Whatever authoritative spiritual understanding has come to an ordinary person like me has been received by the loving blessings of a dear disciple of Śrīla Prabhupāda and the Pratiṣṭhācārya (founder/establishing ācārya) of the Śrī Gopīnātha Gauḍīya Maṭha group—my Param Gurudeva, Tridaṇḍi Svāmī Paramahaṁsa Śrī Śrīmad Bhakti Pramode Purī Gosvāmī Ṭhākura—and by the affectionate guidance of the present Maṭhācārya (current spiritual head of the maṭha) and Chairman nominated by him, my most beloved Gurudeva, Tridaṇḍi Svāmī Śrī Śrīla Bhakti Bibudha Bodhāyana Gosvāmī Ṭhākura.

I have accepted the service of writing this book with the intention of following the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the entire guru tradition. I pray that there may be no mistake or offense in my effort to serve the mission of Śrī Guru-varga (the assembly of spiritual masters) through the publication of this book.

Safala Ekadashi                                                        Dasanudas,

Sri Gaurabda 539                                                     Sadananda Das

15 December 2025