Lord Caitanya freely distributes love of God without condition, transforming souls from all backgrounds onto the spiritual platform.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Sunday Feast Lecture — March 2, 1975, Atlanta 750302LE-ATLANTA [80:53 Minutes] LE-750302LE-ATLANTA Prabhupāda: namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanyanāmne gaura-tvise namaḥ [Cc. Madhya 19.53] This is a prayer offered by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, the first ācārya in the line of Caitanya Mahāprabhu's Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. He was prime minister in the government, [indistinct] government, Muhammadan, Chand Ka.., Hussain Shah, the governor of Bengal. So when Caitanya Mahāprabhu started His movement, he and his brother Sanātana Gosvāmī resigned from the ministership of the government and became disciple of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
So when they first met Caitanya Mahāprabhu, they offered this prayer: namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanyanāmne gaura-tvise namaḥ [Cc. Madhya 19.53] These ministers were, by caste, brāhmaṇa, but because they accepted the service in Muhammadan government, they were rejected from the brāhmaṇa society. And they also became like Muhammadans. They changed their names to Sākara Mallika and Dabira Khāsa.
Practically they became Muhammadan. And in those days many other Muhammadans, they also became this follower of Caitanya cult, especially Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Haridāsa Ṭhākura was born in Muhammadan family. These Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī, they were born in high-class brāhmaṇa family, but on account of their service in the Muhammadan government they were rejected from the brāhmaṇa society.
So that is Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's special mercy, that this Haridāsa Ṭhākura, who was actually born in Muhammadan family, he was made nāmācārya. We offer our respect, "Nāmācārya Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura." And we offer our respect to Sanātana Gosvāmī, vande rūpa-sanātanau... Eh? Devotee: ...raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau. Prabhupāda: Raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu's cult is special cult.
And He wanted to preach not only in India but all over the world. We have several times discussed this point, pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi-grāma [CB Antya-khaṇḍa 4.126], this cult, Caitanya Mahāprabhu's cult. And what is that cult? Kṛṣṇa-prema: to love Kṛṣṇa, or God.
God... In many religions they have got different names of God. And in Vedic scripture there are many demigods and incarnation of God. But Kṛṣṇa is the original name of God.
Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam. Ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam [SB 1.3.28]. There is list of incarnations, and in the conclusion the śāstra says, "In this long list there are many names, but the name 'Kṛṣṇa' is particularly to be noted, that He is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead." "God" means He is not like us. He can expand Himself.