Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Ādi 11.8
Understand Vīrabhadra Gosāñi’s identity and disciples
“After Nityānanda Prabhu, the greatest branch is Vīrabhadra Gosāñi, who also has innumerable branches and subbranches. It is not possible to describe them all.”
What the purport teaches
- After Nityānanda Prabhu, Vīrabhadra Gosāñi is the greatest branch, with innumerable branches and subbranches. He was the direct son of Śrīla Nityānanda Prabhu and Vasudhā, and a disciple of Jāhnavā-devī.
- Vīrabhadra Gosāñi is an incarnation of Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. He is therefore nondifferent from Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
- Gopījana-vallabha, Rāmakṛṣṇa and Rāmacandra were disciples celebrated as his sons. Their different dynasties, surnames and places of residence show that they cannot be accepted as his actual sons.
Try this today
Write one short note distinguishing Vīrabhadra Gosāñi’s parents, his spiritual teacher and the three disciples celebrated as his sons.
Ask yourself
How does the purport clarify both Vīrabhadra Gosāñi’s divine identity and his family relationships?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.