Foremost amongst these intimate associates of the Lord is  Sri Advaita Acarya. His character is unfathomable and only a few devotees know his transcendental position and how close he is to the Lord. Lord Caitanya spoke out in a voice that resembled a thunderclap, “Advaita, You are dearer to Me than My own body and any disrespect shown to you is dealt by Me with severity. Even if a sannyasi offends a pure devotee, he falls down from his vow and deviates from his religious practices.” ( Sri Caitanya Bhagavat-Madhya Kanda)

The glories of Advaita Acarya are very deep subject matter and endless. We were fortunate to hear the nectar of life & pastimes of Sri Advaita Acarya by HH Bhakti Charu Swami. Maharaja led the beautiful kirtan of Advaita Astakam prayers and also the kirtan during afternoon Maha Arthi.  Sri Advaita Acarya was offered variety of garlands and also he was having a new silver white beard. Incidentally in the class there was a question to the speaker on the beard of Advaita Acarya. Bhakti Charu Maharaja replied that although in Shantipur and other places, one can have darshan of Advaita acarya without beard, it was Srila Prabhupada’s instruction for us is to worship in this form. HG Jananivas Prabhu added that once Prabhupada told that it is distinguish between Srivas Thakur and Advaita Acarya. A maha abhisheka took place at 11.30 a.m., followed by bhoga offering, Pushpanjali & Maha arthi.

 Mahaprabhu proclaimed that “If anyone so much as takes the smallest shelter at your feet, be he an insect, worm, animal or bird and even if he commits a million offences against Me, I will still grant him my blessing.” ( Sri Caitanya Bhagavat)

Sri Advaitastakam Prayers

1) I meditate upon the lotus feet of the husband of Sita, Shri Advaita, who begged the Supreme Lord with a thundering voice and day and night prayed to Him, "O Krishna, O Radhika-natha!" Decorating the Lord in the form of a Shalagrama-shila with sandalwood paste and musk, He worshipped the Lord with incense and a lamp.  

2) He offered Ganga water mixed with Tulasi leaves und manjaris. Tears of love incessantly flow from His eyes as He meditates upon Krishna and sings His glories. He prays to the Supreme Lord, who is an ocean of mercy, to descend to this world. I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita the husband of Sita.

3) Again and again He loudly sings, „Krishna! Krishna!“  Begging Him, "O Natha! Deliverer of the universe (jagatrata)! O merciful Lord! Kindly show Yourself to Me in Your easily accessible two-armed form!" Thus, I am absorbed in thoughts upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita the husband of Sita.

4) Due to the prayers of Shri Advaita,  mercyful Shri Caitanya  appeared as the son of Saci and Jagannatha Mishra. Thus, in the association of Advaita and other associates He exhibited His Kirtan pastimes. I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita the husband of Sita.

5) I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita, the husband of Sita. These feet are the cherished object of my study and meditation. Thus I always keep the dust of these feet on my head. O Jagan-natha! Lord of the Universe, please protect this unworthy soul and grant him access into the process of pure bhakti.

6) I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita, the husband of Sita. He is the Lord of my life (praneshvara). By His blessings everything can be attained. This most merciful Master at once bestows bhakti upon those who meditate upon His lotus feet.

7) I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita, the husband of Sita, by whose glorious call Shri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and the very merciful Nityananda Prabhu appeared. Although all of Them belong to the same category of Vishnu-tattva, They manifest as three persons, going through all different phases of life – childhood, adolescence etc, To deliver all living entities, They sang loudly the holy name, sometimes roaring like thunder, laughing and crying in ecstasy. Thus They gave them the transcendental knowledge about bhakti.

8) He bestows loving devotional service (prema-bhakti) even upon the most fallen, the degraded, he obstinate and others. He who grants all benedictions, Shri Advaita the patron of Shantipur, frees one from the bondage of material attachments, bad association, selfish work, mystical yoga and the attempt for liberation (moksha). Thus, I meditate upon the lotus feet of Shri Advaita, the husband of Sita.