Chakradhar Swami

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Sarvadnya Shri Chakradhar Swami (also known as Kunwar Haripaladeva^[1]) was a spiritual master, and one of the most important exponents of the Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism. He is the founder of Mahanubhava Sampradaya of Krishnaite Vaishnavism. Shree Chakradhar Swami advocated worship of Lord Krishna and preached Dvaita. He did not recognize caste distinctions, and like Buddha had only two others viz the householder and recluses.^[2] Some sources claim that Chakrapani Prabhu and Govinda Prabhu as the originators of Mahanubhava doctrine and Chakradhara as the first apostle who systematized Mahanubhava as a school of Bhakti philosophy^[3]

Life[]

Chakradhar Swami was born in a Samavedi Brahmin family^[4][5] in Bharuch, Gujarat. Although he was a Gujarati, he had excellent command of the Marathi language. He moved among all sections of society. He discoursed his philosophy extremely effectively among the people in their own language. He used formulaic language full of meaning in a compact style. He insisted that his disciples should write only in Marathi and therefore, Marathi literature became rich with the teachings of Chakradhar Swami and Mahanubhava Sampradaya.^[6]

Philosophy[]

One of the most important aspects of the philosophy propounded by him is asceticism. His fourfold teachings are: non-violence, celibacy, asceticism and bhakti. And the different aspects of Gods incarnations to be worshipped are: name, form, activity, deeds, place, vachans (Shruti), memories (Smriti) and the blessing of God incarnate.

One can practice bhakti by memorizing deeds of the Almighty. The aspirant for salvation must sacrifice his country, village and his relations and offer his life to God. Chakradhar Swami also taught the disciple of the sect when, where, how, how much alms they should be beg for. The central theme of his teaching was, "Feel the soul and not the body". Living the life of mendicant and practicing asceticism severely, the devotee should live according to principle, "God is mine and I am God’s". The core of his code of behaviour is summed up in the following line for the benefit of his followers: "Even if the head is cut off, the body should worship God".

Besides teaching strict vegetarianism, the Mahanubhava Pantha forbids the use of alcohol and teaches non-violence.^[7] The religion survives to the present. It teaches that Krishna is the only ultimate of Gods and all the other gods are just powers of him. It is understood to various literatures in mahanubhav panth that nirvana (Moksha) can only be achieved by knowing and worshiping Krishna as the lone ultimate and thus one must give up on worshiping and getting involved unconsciously in the other powers of ultimate, It can be relatively explained as one should not be satisfied in loving the creation but love the creator.^[8]

References[]