IndiaPost.com - The non-dual absolute Truth is two-in-one

Among philosophical traditions, the Vedic section is unparalleled in both intellectual sophistication and aesthetic profundity. In other words, the ancient sages of India have given this world the highest thoughts and the sweetest perceptions of Divinity. And among all the divisions of Vedic knowledge, the devotional school called bhakti-yoga certainly reigns supreme for all who seek rasa, the nectarine mellows of spiritual beauty and love.

Of all forms of God, the Divine Couple Sri Radha-Krishna are enthroned as the fullest revelation of such rasa, and Their astonishing, combined avatar as Sri Krishna-Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the epitome of pure bhakti. That radiant, golden-complexioned Sri Caitanyadev is the Supreme Lord, Bhagavan Sri Krishna Himself, absorbed in relishing the loving moods of His topmost devotee Sri Radha.

Krishna appears in this beautiful golden form in the role of His own devotee in order to experience the limitless ecstasy of bhakti-yoga. Pure love of God is the pinnacle of pleasure. The Vedas describe it as a shoreless ocean of bliss compared to the tiny puddle of peace achieved by dry yogis, who want to dissolve their identity in the impersonal Brahman.

Thus, God Himself comes to taste the incredible happiness of His own worship. The Golden Lord Sri Caitanya appeared in Navadwip dhama, West Bengal, in the year 1486. At the time of His birth the full moon was eclipsed, and so millions of people all over India were standing in the Ganga's sacred waters loudly chanting the name of Hari until the darkness passed from Chandra-deva's face.

Thus, the Lord's mission to spread pure bhakti through congregational chanting of Hari-nama was revealed the moment He appeared from the womb of Srimati Saci-devi. In every age, Bhagavan descends to give humanity the yuga-dharma-the contemporary process for enlightenment and liberation. In this Kali-yuga, He has given us His own holy name as the supreme spiritual medicine. Especially, the Lord teaches us to chant the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. One jewel of insight espoused by Lord Caitanya is called acintya-bhedabheda-tattva, or "the divine truth of simultaneous oneness and difference."

He explained that because the soul has come from God, the two of them are one in substance, but also eternally separated as distinct entities. God is an eternal divine person, each soul is also an eternal person, and our loving bond with God is similarly eternal although we have forgotten it under the spell of Maya (illusion).

This is an essential truth for all who seek true love. Some persons speak about prema and bhakti-divine love and devotion-but ultimately they aspire to merge with an abstract idea of non-dualism. But love is a mutual exchange of tenderness, which necessarily requires two persons.

The Brahman aspect of God cannot reciprocate affectionately with itself; it does not think or feel anything at all. But the complete realization of God, Bhagavan the Supreme Person, can enjoy an everlasting festival of love with the liberated souls. By practicing bhakti-yoga under a qualified guru, the soul regains her original position as a pure blissful servant of Krishna, and thereafter she is freed from material bondage and goes home to play with the Lord of her heart in the spiritual world.

Therefore, all spiritual seekers desirous of the greatest possible reward will carefully examine the life and teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who removes all confusion about the true nature of the self and reveals the brilliant and joyful path of pure bhakti.

His instructions are so sublime and so full of bliss because He is Sri Krishna Himself, the very source of all pleasure, combined with Sri Radha, the original fountainhead of all love and affection. Thus, the non-dual Absolute Truth is Two (Radha-Krishna) in One (Sri Caitanya), and all souls are the unlimitedly fortunate servants of that mysterious Two-in-One Divinity.