Release of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam in Telugu Language – A Golden Jubilee Offering to Srila Prabhupada!

By Vaishnavanghri Sevaka Das

By the unlimited mercy of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Sri Guru Parampara ISKCON devotees of Telugu speaking land could offer Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam in Telugu (South Indian language) in the beginning of Golden Jubilee celebrations of ISKCON to the Founder Acharya His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Four hundred years old Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam got manifested in English about 40 years back for the pleasure reading of people around the world by the divine mercy of Srila Prabhupada. The Telugu version of the same scripture appeared on Sankranti day (15th January 2016) the day of Lord Chaitanya accepting renounced order of life. Release of Telugu version in Tirupati, where Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu moved around for preaching purpose, is another significance of this event. Though the release function was planned for morning session, somehow the program got shifted to evening. This signifies another important point. Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in this world in the evening, thus eliminating the dark world with the light of Krishna Consciousness. Since Chaitanya Charitamritam is non-different from Lord Chaitanya Himself, appearance of Telugu version of Chaitanya Charitamritam in the evening time indicated a great hope of wider spreading of Krishna Consciousness activities in Telugu speaking land. It is clearly mentioned in Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam that Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in this world to distribute the topmost mellow known as conjugal love to all people. Release of Telugu version by the lotus hands of Sri Radha Govinda and Ashta Sakhi at Tirupati ISKCON marked the real purpose of Chaitanya Charitamritam.

Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu travelled longer distance in Telugu speaking land only. Instructions like “yare dekha tare kaha” were given in Telugu land only by Him. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur established foot prints of Lord Chaitanya at eight places during his life time. It is heartening to know that four out of those eight are located in Telugu speaking land. Lord Chaitanya met His most confidential associate Srila Ramananda Raya in Telugu land only. Discovery of Srikrishna Karnamritam book and defeating of Buddhist monk took place in Telugu land. In this way Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has shown special pastimes and special mercy in Telugu speaking land. Telugu version of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam also experienced the similar special mercy during its manifestation as under:

Lord Madanmohan is the hero of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam compiled by Srila Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami 400 years ago. The Telugu translation was also commenced under the shelter of Sri Radha Madan Mohan ISKCON Kharghar (Navi Mumbai, India).
Srila Prabhupada completed English commentary of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam in Mumbai on Sunday. Telugu translation also got completed in Mumbai on Sunday.
Entire typing work of Telugu version got completed on the 400th appearance day of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam.
ISKCON Kharghar celebrated 400th appearance day of Sri Chaitanaya Charitamritam in a big pandal.
Telugu version of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam was released on Sankranti day, the time of Lord Chaitanya accepting renounced order of life, in the land where Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu travelled.
During the release celebration 75 sets of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam in Telugu were distributed to eagerly awaiting devotees.
A special Telugu Bhagavaddarshan (BTG) magazine issue was released to commemorate the release of the Telugu version of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam.

All the Telugu speaking ISKCON devotees offered the release function of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam to Srila Prabhupada on the occasion of ISKCON Golden Jubilee celebrations. ISKCON Tirupati temple President HG Revati Raman Das enthusiastically arranged an elaborate and gorgeous function. A special feast was arranged for all devotees with items mentioned in Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam which were offered by Sri Advaitacharya to Lord Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda. This gesture gave an opportunity to remember 500 years old pastimes of Lord Chaitanya. Chief Guest Sri GSR Krishna Murthy spoke about Lord Chaitanya. Another important guest Sri Hare Krishna Satpathy spoke about the greatest benediction offered by Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. HG Revati Raman Prabhu gave the message of Lord Chaitanya’s eight verses. Translator and editor HG Vaishnavanghri Prabhu reminded all the devotees about the great responsibility given by Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to the Telugu speaking people. A special cake was made in the form of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam book, thus giving delight to all devotees.

ISKCON Vijayawada temple President HG Rammurari Das, Ghana (South Africa) temple President HG Hanuman Das, ISKCON Narasarao Pet temple President HG Rupeshwar Chaitanya Das, Srimad Bhagavatam Editor Dr. Mudigonda Veereshalingam Garu, noted singer Sriman Dr. Venukapalli Tirupathiah Garu and many senior devotees added glory to the release function of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam. After cake cutting ceremony Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam sets were distributed to devotees. Later sumptuous feast was arranged for all devotees. All senior devotees took the opportunity to share happy moments by honoring prasadam with great delight. All the above events are captured and converted into a video for the pleasure viewing of all Vaishnavas all over the world. We request all Maharajas, Prabhus and Matajis to bless all the Telugu devotees to distribute Telugu version of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam profusely for the pleasure of Srila Prabhupada. Hare Krishna!
About the author: Vaishnavanghri Sevaka das, Ph.D. (Translator and Editor – Telugu Language, The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust) is a disciple of H.H. Gopalkrishna Goswami Maharaja. He translated Srila Prabhupada’s Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam into Telugu language. His translation work of Sri Chaitanya Charitamritam just completed and got released. He translated entire story of Prabhupada Lilamrita for publishing in Bhagavaddarshan (Telugu version of BTG).