Chapter Summary
The eighth chapter of ÅšrÄ« Caitanya-caritÄmá¹›ta is summarized by ÅšrÄ«la Bhaktivinoda ṬhÄkura in his Amá¹›ta-pravÄha-bhÄá¹£ya. In this chapter the glories of ÅšrÄ« Caitanya MahÄprabhu and NityÄnanda are described, and it is also stated that one who commits offenses in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra does not achieve love of Godhead, even after chanting for many years. In this connection, ÅšrÄ«la Bhaktivinoda ṬhÄkura warns against artificial displays of the bodily symptoms called aá¹£á¹a-sÄttvika-vikÄra. That is also an offense. One should seriously and sincerely continue to chant the Pañca-tattva names Å›rÄ«-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityÄnanda Å›rÄ«-advaita gadÄdhara Å›rÄ«vÄsÄdi-gaura-bhakta-vá¹›nda. All these ÄcÄryas will bestow their causeless mercy upon a devotee and gradually purify his heart. When he is actually purified, automatically he will experience ecstasy in chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahÄ-mantra. Previous to the composition of ÅšrÄ« Caitanya-caritÄmá¹›ta, ÅšrÄ«la Vá¹›ndÄvana dÄsa ṬhÄkura wrote a book called ÅšrÄ« Caitanya-bhÄgavata. Only those subjects which were not discussed by ÅšrÄ«la Vá¹›ndÄvana dÄsa ṬhÄkura in his Caitanya-bhÄgavata have been taken up by KṛṣṇadÄsa KavirÄja GosvÄmÄ« to be depicted in ÅšrÄ« Caitanya-caritÄmá¹›ta. In his very old age, KṛṣṇadÄsa KavirÄja GosvÄmÄ« went to Vá¹›ndÄvana, and by the order of ÅšrÄ« Madana-mohanajÄ« he wrote ÅšrÄ« Caitanya-caritÄmá¹›ta. Thus we are now able to relish its transcendental bliss.
