Pancha – five, tattva – truths. Pancha-tattva – the Absolute Truth in five aspects.
Sri Pancha Tattva Pranama
pañca-tattvātmakam kṛṣṇaṁ
bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam
bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ
"I offer my obeisances unto the Supreme Lord, Krishna, who is non-different from His features as a devotee, devotional manifestation, devotional incarnation, pure devotee and devotional energy."
In the image: Lord Chaitanya Mahāprabhu stands in the center, Lord Nityananda to His left, Srila Advaita Acharya to the left of Nityananda, Gadadhara Pandita to the right of Chaitanya, and Srivasa Thakura to the right of Gadadhara.
🙏 Pancha Tattva Maha Mantra
śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda
śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda
Chanted before the Hare Krishna maha-mantra
📜 Pancha Tattva Table
| Position | In Chaitanya's Pastimes | In Krishna's Pastimes |
|---|---|---|
| bhakta-rūpa (Devotee) | Sri Chaitanya Mahāprabhu | Krishna |
| svarūpaka (Expansion) | Nityananda Prabhu | Balarama |
| bhaktāvatāra (Manifestation) | Advaita Acharya | Maha Vishnu |
| bhaktākhya (Pure Devotee) | Srivasa Thakura | Narada Muni |
| bhakta-śaktika (Energy) | Gadadhara Pandita | Srimati Radharani |
Lord Sri Krishna Chaitanya
The Lord is one only, but in order to enjoy Himself, He expands Himself into many expansions. Lord Krishna descended into this world as Sri Chaitanya Mahāprabhu in His pancha-tattva aspect.
🌍 External Reasons
- Introduced yuga dharma – public chanting of the Holy Names
- Teaches how to be a devotee by His own example
- Destroys the mentality of atheists and Mayavadis
- Responded to the call of Advaita Acharya
💖 Internal Reasons
Lord Krishna wanted to experience the mood of Radharani when She lovingly serves Him. Therefore, Chaitanya appeared as Radha and Krishna in one person.
✨ Names of Chaitanya
Gaura Hari – Golden Lord • Gauranga – possessing golden limbs • Gaurasundara – of golden beauty • Gaurachandra – golden moon • Sachinandana – Son of Sachi devi • Mahāprabhu – the great master
Nityananda Prabhu
Nityananda Prabhu is the first expansion of Lord Chaitanya. He is the same Balarama who appeared as Chaitanya's companion. Nityananda is svarūpaka – the Lord's personal form.
🔵 Qualities of Nityananda
- The first servant and expansion of the Lord
- Adi-guru – the original spiritual master
- Most merciful – does not accept offenses
- Bestows love for Chaitanya
Advaita Acharya
Advaita Acharya is an incarnation of Maha Vishnu. He is bhaktāvatāra – the devotional manifestation. It was his call and worship that compelled Lord Chaitanya to descend into this world.
🟢 The Role of Advaita
Advaita Acharya saw how people suffer in the material world, and began to worship Krishna with tulasi leaves and Ganges water, calling for the Lord to descend. His call was so powerful that Krishna could not remain indifferent.
Gadadhara Pandita
Gadadhara Pandita is bhakta-śaktika – the devotional energy. He is the incarnation of Srimati Radharani in Chaitanya's pastimes.
🌹 Qualities of Gadadhara
Gadadhara Pandita was Chaitanya's closest companion. He spent his entire life in Jagannatha Puri, worshiping the Tota-Gopinatha Deities and serving Lord Chaitanya.
Srivasa Thakura
Srivasa Thakura is bhaktākhya – the pure devotee. He is the incarnation of Narada Muni. It was in his house that the first sankirtanas – collective chanting sessions – took place.
💜 Srivasa's Home
In Srivasa's angan (courtyard), Lord Chaitanya and His companions chanted and danced in ecstasy every night. This place is known as the birthplace of sankirtana.
Tattva Types
Vishnu Tattva
God Himself and His full expansions: Chaitanya, Nityananda, Advaita
Shakti Tattva
The interior energy of the Lord: Gadadhara Pandita (Radharani)
Jiva Tattva
Pure devotees: Srivasa Thakura and other devotees
Why chant the Pancha-tattva mantra?
For materialistic people, reciting the maha-mantra with offenses, it is recommended to recite the Pancha-tattva maha-mantra before it, since it is said that the name of Krishna accepts offenses, while the names of Gauranga and Nityananda never accept offenses.
By turning to them we sort of apologize for those offenses we make while reciting the Hare Krishna mantra.
Questions
Self-Check Questions
- What is Pancha Tattva?
- List the five members of the Pancha Tattva and their positions.
- Why should the Pancha-tattva mantra be repeated before the Hare Krishna mantra?
- What are the three types of tattva?