Sri Sri Guru Gaurangau Jayatah

In Answer to Questions regarding
Sriman Mahaprabhu's Sannyasa-Lila

Having received several enquiries regarding the dates of Sriman Mahaprabhu's sannyasa-lila and His subsequent breaking fast at the house of Advaita Acharyya, Sripad Bhakti Prapanna Tirtha Maharaj researched the answer.

The conclusion is that the *actual* date of sannyasa is not recorded. But we are following Srila Guru Maharaj's way to maintain strict austerity for three days. It is not in our panjika (Vaishnava Calendar) or anywhere that we make a festival corresponding with the day Mahaprabhu broke His fast at the house of Advaita Acharyya.

There is some difference in the Scriptures between the descriptions in the Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat and Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita. However it is understood that Nimai left on the day of Sankranti during the brahma-muhurta. He walked throughout the day and reached Katwa. He spent that night chanting and dancing with devotees. No date is mentioned in Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita, but on the following day the month of Magh starts, so it is considered Nimai took sannyasa that day (corresponding to 15th January this year, 2003). After that Srila Guru Maharaj considered Mahaprabhu didn't take any Prasadam for another three days.

Sripad Tirtha Maharaj consulted with Sripad Damodar Maharaj, and others. Damodar Maharaj in turn asked Srila Govinda Maharaj because he expressed his wish to make a festival in our Kaikhali Temple. However Srila Govinda Maharaj didn't specifically approve the date or the festival. Instead he pointed out that in Srila Guru Maharaj's time, Srila Guru Maharaj reflected the sadness in separation of the devotees of Nabadwip for three days with no breakfast and only one preparation at noon and evening. He did not make a particular festival for the day Mahaprabhu broke fast at Advaita Acharyya's house.

In Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita is mentioned that after three days He came to Shanitpur and Sachi Mata cooked. In the Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat it says he stayed the night in Katwa then he left. So it is not clear which calculation is to be used. Also, in Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, 'dvadas upavas' is mentioned, that after twelve days the Lord took Prasadam -- again without a date. In his commentary Srila Saraswati Thakur mentions this fast of 12 days by the Lord.

We express our appreciation to Sripad Tirtha Maharaj for his assistance with the answer to this enquiry, as well as to Sripad Bhakti Sudhir Goswami Maharaj who checked this response.

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