Lord Chaitanya: Mercy of Lord Chaitanya

Q. 1. I'm having difficulty understanding the divinity of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

Q. Why is Srila Prabhupada awarded the title Acharya - doesn't one of the meanings of acharya mean one who has started something new? We call Madhvacharya or Shankaracharya as acharya and not swami because he started something new, isn't it? But Srila Prabhupada didn't start something new, he just brought it to the western world, so what is the understanding why he is given the title Acharya? I would really appreciate your answer to this question.

Q. Did Caitanya Mahaprabhu also accept that Madhvacarya was Jagat guru or did he disregard that fact because as He is the incarnation of God, He can do anything. Why don't you celebrate Madhva Navami when even Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Himself claimed Himself to be a follower of Madhva? I would really appreciate the answers to these Questions.

Q. I am from Southern part of India and it is true that the deities in South Indian style temples are different from our ISKCON deities. I have heard some people making comments about this and also the way deities are dressed/decorated. One person even asked me if I believe in north Indian Gods and their kind of worship. How should one answer such questions?

Q. I heard that Gaura-Nitai is the most merciful incarnation of Krishna for this age of Kali. Being born in India, I have been seeing Radha and Krishna since birth. So I feel somewhat connected there. It is not the same with Gaura-Nitai or Jagannath-Baladev-Subhadra Maharani. But unless we get mercy from Gaura-Nitai, it is very difficult to get taste for chanting. Please let me know how I can make myself better so that my prayers to Gaura-Nitai become more heartfelt.

Q. In Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 3, page 30 - Srila Prabhupada says, "The killer of the soul is destined to enter the darkest region of ignorance to suffer perpetually." Does perpetual here mean forever or eternally? Do such living entities ever have hope again or are they condemned forever in the lower planetary regions?

Q. Can you explain me the significance of the mahamantra? Is it more effective than devotional songs and Vedas?

The sixteen syllable Hare Krishna mahamantra is a plea to the internal potency (Hare) of the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Krishna, Rama) - namely to Srimati Radharani, to be engaged in the service of Krishna. The Upanisads mention this mahamantra as the means of perfection especially in this age of Kali.

Q. In Hindu culture, in all pujas we used to pray first for Ganesa but we are not following this. Why?

Q. What should I do if someone says that my behavior in Krishna consciousness is weird, just because I get up at 3am and eat only Krishna prasadam, I do not allow any mundane social gatherings at my home and do not socialize with any mundane people? This person claims that it is mental torture on him. Did I commit an offense for first trying to turn this person into Krishna consciousness and then after years of effort gave up? Is Lord Caitanya who is the savior of the most fallen mad at me for giving up?

Q. How about the Mayavadis (Shankarites) can they attain self realization? Can at any point of time a Mayavadi become a vaishnava (by association of a Uttama adhikari) is it possible?

Yes, by the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the sannyasis of Benares and Sarvabauma Bhattacarya became pure devotees, and thus self-realized.