Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava is a significant festival in the Vaishnava tradition, deeply cherished by ISKCON followers and Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu devotees. Observed on the 18th of September, this auspicious day commemorates the life and sannyasa (renunciation) of Lord Chaitanya’s elder brother, Visvarupa, and also marks the day when ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada took sannyasa in 1959. This festival not only celebrates historical events but also honours the eternal principles of devotion, surrender, and renunciation embodied in the teachings of Lord Krishna and His Universal Form.
Significance of Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava
For multiple reasons, Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava holds a unique place in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. First, it commemorates Visvarupa’s renunciation at the age of sixteen. According to the Gaudiya Vaisnava Abhidana, Visvarupa accepted sannyasa from Sripada Krishna Bharati in Kasi (Varanasi) in 1491, taking the name Shri Sankararanya. His departure deeply influenced Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who later took sannyasa and spread the sankirtana movement.
However, there are differing accounts regarding Visvarupa’s disappearance. Some sources suggest that in 1509 or 1510, he left the world by merging into the deity of Shri Viththalanatha in Pandharpur. Others believe that both events—his sannyasa and departure—occurred in different years but on the same auspicious day. According to Chaitanya-Bhagavata and Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s commentary, hearing about Visvarupa’s renunciation and subsequent departure frees one from the bondage of fruitive activities.
Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava is also important for ISKCON devotees, as it marks the day in 1959 when Srila Prabhupada took sannyasa under the guidance of Srila Bhaktiprajnana Kesava Maharaja in Mathura. This event connected Visvarupa’s renunciation with Prabhupada’s mission to spread Krishna consciousness globally, reinforcing the timeless value of sannyasa as a vehicle for propagating the eternal teachings of Lord Krishna.
The Divine Identity of Visvarupa
Visvarupa is described in various scriptures as an incarnation of Lord Sankarsana, who belongs to the quadruple manifestation of the catur-vyuha. In the Chaitanya Charitamrita (Adi-Lila 13:74), Srila Prabhupada explains that Visvarupa, as an expansion of Sankarsana, is both the ingredient and immediate cause of the material creation. He is nondifferent from Lord Chaitanya, the part (amsa) and whole (amsi) being identical.
Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura’s commentary further clarifies that Visvarupa is a manifestation of Maha-Sankarsana, who appears in Gaura-lila. After His so-called demise, Visvarupa remained mixed within Nityananda Prabhu, just as Baladeva merged into Rohininandan Rama. HH Narayana Maharaja offers a reconciliatory perspective, stating that Visvarupa was like Maha-Sankarsana. However, he was not as fortunate to perform all lilas alongside Lord Chaitanya as Nityananda Prabhu did.
The Gaura-candrodaya mentions that Visvarupa continues to exist in divine union with Nityananda even after leaving his physical form. This emphasises the nondifference between these expansions of Lord Balarama, as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu referred to Visvarupa as His elder brother, embodying the divine relationship between Krishna and Balarama in this material world.
How to Celebrate Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava
The celebration of Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava is deeply spiritual and involves devotion, meditation, and worship. Devotees begin the day by reflecting on Visvarupa’s life and his great sacrifice in renouncing the material world to dedicate himself entirely to the Lord. Temples and ISKCON centres across the world hold special programs that include chanting the holy names of the Lord through congregational kirtan, offering prayers to the Universal Form of the Lord (Visvarupa), and listening to discourses about Visvarupa’s sannyasa and his divine identity.
A special part of the celebration is the Visvarupa Darshan, where devotees offer their respects to the Universal Form of the Lord, representing Krishna’s omnipresence and omnipotence. Temples adorn their deities to reflect the cosmic Visvarupa’s grandeur, emphasising the day’s divine nature.
Offering prasadam (sanctified food) is another essential aspect of the festival. Devotees prepare special offerings distributed among the congregation, symbolising the compassion and inclusivity embodied by the Universal Form of the Lord.
The day often concludes with a spiritual discourse or discussion on the principles of Lord Chaitanya and His teachings on renunciation and devotion. This helps deepen the understanding of the festival’s spiritual significance and encourages devotees to follow in the footsteps of great personalities like Visvarupa and Srila Prabhupada.
Honouring the Universal Form of the Divine
The Universal Form, or Visvarupa, is a central concept in Vaishnavism, particularly revered during Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava. Lord Krishna revealed His Visvarupa to Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita, where He displayed His cosmic form, representing His all-encompassing nature. This divine manifestation is honoured during the festival as devotees meditate on Krishna’s omnipresence, understanding that everything in the universe manifests His divine energy.
Through this contemplation, devotees transcend the material conception of life, recognising the Lord’s presence in all aspects of creation. This meditation is said to grant liberation from the cycle of birth and death, as stated by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura: “If one hears the pastime of Visvarupa’s accepting sannyasa, he will attain freedom from the bondage of fruitive activities.”
Conclusion
Sri Visvarupa Mahotsava celebrates renunciation, devotion, and divine realisation. It connects historical events with eternal spiritual principles, inviting devotees to honour the legacy of Visvarupa and Srila Prabhupada. By meditating on the Universal Form of the Lord and participating in the spiritual practices associated with this festival, devotees purify their hearts and deepen their connection with the Supreme.
In the words of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, “My elder brother, Visvarupa, has taken sannyasa and gone to South India. Now I must go search for Him” (Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya-Lila 7.44). Just as the Lord sought His brother, we, too, seek the divine presence in our lives through devotion and surrender on this sacred day.
