20. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the Gaudiya Vaishnava Lineage

The Historical Practice of Gaudiya Vaishnavas

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486–1534), the Golden Avatara of Bhagavan Sri Krishna who inaugurated the Sankirtana movement, established the benchmark of pure devotional conduct (Vaishnava-achara).

Throughout the biographical scripture Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, compiled by Srila Krishnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, there are extensive descriptions of the daily meals and prasadam feasts shared by Lord Caitanya and His associates.

Exquisite Feasts in the Mode of Goodness

In the Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, Chapter 10, Verses 100-135, we find detailed descriptions of the feasts prepared by Svarupa Damodara, Govinda, and the devotees of Bengal for Lord Caitanya:

• Fragrant shali rice cooked with ghee.
• Bitter melon (sukta) cooked with ginger and spices.
• Ten varieties of leafy spinach (shak) cooked with black pepper and hing.
• Dals simmered with turmeric and tempered with cumin and mustard seeds.
• Preparations of plantain flowers (mocha-ghanta), roasted squash, and coconut curries.
• Sweet rice (paramanna), sandesh, rasagullas, and condensed milk sweets (ksheera).

Not a single allium is ever mentioned in any preparation offered to Lord Jagannatha or honored by Lord Caitanya!

Instructions to Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami

In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, Chapter 6, Text 236, Lord Caitanya gave His intimate disciple Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami the quintessential instruction for spiritual perfection:

grāmya-kathā nā śunibe, grāmya-vārtā nā kahibe
bhāla nā khāibe āra bhāla nā paribe
amānī mānada hañā kṛṣṇa-nāma sadā la'be
vraje rādhā-kṛṣṇa-sevā mānase karibe

"Do not talk like people in general, and do not hear what they say. Do not eat luxurious or tamasic foods, and do not dress elegantly. Always chant the Holy Name of Lord Krishna, giving all respect to others without expecting respect for oneself. In this way, render eternal service to Radha and Krishna in Vrindavan within the mind."

Following in the footsteps of Lord Caitanya, all genuine Gaudiya Vaishnavas completely abstain from alliums, delighting only in the pure mercy of Krishna-prasadam.