Chapter 1 of Ranchor Prime reading from "The Birth of Kirtan: The Life and Teachings of Chaitanya", a biography of a mystic saint who pioneered devotional yoga (Bhakti) in sixteenth-century India and started the practice of sacred chanting (kirtan) that has now spread around the world.

While Chaitanya’s practice has become a global movement over the last five hundred years, little is generally known about this spiritual reformer, as the two principal texts recounting his life were written in Bengali in the sixteenth century. 

In The Birth of Kirtan, Bhakti scholar and teacher Ranchor Prime adapts these two narratives into a moving and emotionally charged English-language biography for a modern audience. His poetic retelling is complemented by full-color reproductions of never-before-published nineteenth-century paintings of Chaitanya’s life.

This episode highlights Advaita’s prayers to Krishna and the Divine birth of Chaitanya


BIRTH OF KIRTAN Chapter 1: Moon Rise

Chapter 4 of Ranchor Prime reading from "The Birth of Kirtan: The Life and Teachings of Chaitanya", a biography of a mystic saint who pioneered devotional yoga (Bhakti) in sixteenth-century India and started the practice of sacred chanting (kirtan) that has now spread around the world.

While Chaitanya’s practice has become a global movement over the last five hundred years, little is generally known about this spiritual reformer, as the two principal texts recounting his life were written in Bengali in the sixteenth century.

In The Birth of Kirtan, Bhakti scholar and teacher Ranchor Prime adapts these two narratives into a moving and emotionally charged English-language biography for a modern audience. His poetic retelling is complemented by full-color reproductions of never-before-published nineteenth-century paintings of Chaitanya’s life.

In this episode child Chaitanya causes mischief at the banks of the Ganges. Chaitanya bewilders his own parents and the villagers with His love.

"Who is this child of ours who at once enchants and maddens everyone? He must be someone special. Perhaps Krishna Himself has been born among us. Thus their hearts filled with love and endless bliss."


BIRTH OF KIRTAN Chapter 4: Mischievous Child

Krishna teaches deeper knowledge. He is the light of the sun and the moon, the taste in water. The worlds depend upon Him as pearls strung on a thread. A rare soul surrenders to Him and is released forever from birth and death.

"This Universe is enlivened, brought to life by the presence of the countless living beings - which is all of us, who are tiny sparks of Krishna's splendour... Krishna says 'I am not either this or that, I am the source of it all'. 

If there is some way I could be aware of my relationship with that Supreme source, because that Divine source is also present in my heart and is my friend. What Krishna Conciousness is really about is recognising that I am not alone - ever. I always have the blessing and the protection of my dearest Friend who I have forgotten."



BHAGAVAD GITA Chapter 7: God and His energies

Chapter 5 of Ranchor Prime reading from "The Birth of Kirtan: The Life and Teachings of Chaitanya", a biography of a mystic saint who pioneered devotional yoga (Bhakti) in sixteenth-century India and started the practice of sacred chanting (kirtan) that has now spread around the world.

While Chaitanya’s practice has become a global movement over the last five hundred years, little is generally known about this spiritual reformer, as the two principal texts recounting his life were written in Bengali in the sixteenth century.

In The Birth of Kirtan, Bhakti scholar and teacher Ranchor Prime adapts these two narratives into a moving and emotionally charged English-language biography for a modern audience. His poetic retelling is complemented by full-color reproductions of never-before-published nineteenth-century paintings of Chaitanya’s life.

This episode highlights two prominent turning points in the life of young Chaitanya

THE BIRTH OF KIRTAN Chapter 5: Losing of a brother and a father

Chapter 6 of Ranchor Prime reading from "The Birth of Kirtan: The Life and Teachings of Chaitanya", a biography of a mystic saint who pioneered devotional yoga (Bhakti) in sixteenth-century India and started the practice of sacred chanting (kirtan) that has now spread around the world.

While Chaitanya’s practice has become a global movement over the last five hundred years, little is generally known about this spiritual reformer, as the two principal texts recounting his life were written in Bengali in the sixteenth century.

In The Birth of Kirtan, Bhakti scholar and teacher Ranchor Prime adapts these two narratives into a moving and emotionally charged English-language biography for a modern audience. His poetic retelling is complemented by full-color reproductions of never-before-published nineteenth-century paintings of Chaitanya’s life.

In this episode, young Chaitanya feels the sorrow of losing his father and in a fit of rage he destroys the family house. 

BIRTH OF KIRTAN Chapter 6: Restless Spirit

Chapter 7 of Ranchor Prime reading from "The Birth of Kirtan: The Life and Teachings of Chaitanya", a biography of a mystic saint who pioneered devotional yoga (Bhakti) in sixteenth-century India and started the practice of sacred chanting (kirtan) that has now spread around the world.

While Chaitanya’s practice has become a global movement over the last five hundred years, little is generally known about this spiritual reformer, as the two principal texts recounting his life were written in Bengali in the sixteenth century.

In The Birth of Kirtan, Bhakti scholar and teacher Ranchor Prime adapts these two narratives into a moving and emotionally charged English-language biography for a modern audience. His poetic retelling is complemented by full-color reproductions of never-before-published nineteenth-century paintings of Chaitanya’s life.

This episode highlights Shri Chaitanya's wedding to Lakshmi Devi

BIRTH OF KIRTAN Chapter 7: The Bank Of The Ganges

Chapter 8 of Ranchor Prime reading from "The Birth of Kirtan: The Life and Teachings of Chaitanya", a biography of a mystic saint who pioneered devotional yoga (Bhakti) in sixteenth-century India and started the practice of sacred chanting (kirtan) that has now spread around the world.

While Chaitanya’s practice has become a global movement over the last five hundred years, little is generally known about this spiritual reformer, as the two principal texts recounting his life were written in Bengali in the sixteenth century.

In The Birth of Kirtan, Bhakti scholar and teacher Ranchor Prime adapts these two narratives into a moving and emotionally charged English-language biography for a modern audience. His poetic retelling is complemented by full-color reproductions of never-before-published nineteenth-century paintings of Chaitanya’s life.

In this episode Shri Chaitanya wins over the heart of arrogant but devoted scholar Mukunda –

One day Nimai cornered Mukunda and took him by the hand. 
“Why do you avoid me?” asked Nimai. “Is it because I don’t talk about Krishna?”

Saying this Nimai turned to his friends and as the students gathered round he promised:  “The time will soon come when I will speak of nothing but Krishna”

It was on that day Mukunda became his student

BIRTH OF KIRTAN Chapter 8: Master Of Navadvip

Chapter 9 of Ranchor Prime reading from "The Birth of Kirtan: The Life and Teachings of Chaitanya", a biography of a mystic saint who pioneered devotional yoga (Bhakti) in sixteenth-century India and started the practice of sacred chanting (kirtan) that has now spread around the world.
While Chaitanya’s practice has become a global movement over the last five hundred years, little is generally known about this spiritual reformer, as the two principal texts recounting his life were written in Bengali in the sixteenth century.
In The Birth of Kirtan, Bhakti scholar and teacher Ranchor Prime adapts these two narratives into a moving and emotionally charged English-language biography for a modern audience. His poetic retelling is complemented by full-color reproductions of never-before-published nineteenth-century paintings of Chaitanya’s life.

This episode explores Shri Chaitanya’s meeting with Digvijay, an expert Sanskrit scholar. Digvijay’s pride is gently crushed and transformed into love for God.


BIRTH OF KIRTAN Chapter 9: Youthful Success

Chapter 10 of Ranchor Prime reading from "The Birth of Kirtan: The Life and Teachings of Chaitanya", a biography of a mystic saint who pioneered devotional yoga (Bhakti) in sixteenth-century India and started the practice of sacred chanting (kirtan) that has now spread around the world.
While Chaitanya’s practice has become a global movement over the last five hundred years, little is generally known about this spiritual reformer, as the two principal texts recounting his life were written in Bengali in the sixteenth century.
In The Birth of Kirtan, Bhakti scholar and teacher Ranchor Prime adapts these two narratives into a moving and emotionally charged English-language biography for a modern audience. His poetic retelling is complemented by full-color reproductions of never-before-published nineteenth-century paintings of Chaitanya’s life.

In this episode Shri Chaitanya returns home after a 2 month teaching tour of East Bengal. As he travelled from village to village, people gathered to see him, his fame grew. Attracted by his knowledge and commanding personality many became his students. During this tour he started teaching people to chant the names of Krishna as he had first done during his childhood.

BIRTH OF KIRTAN Chapter 10: Travels

Chapter 11 of Ranchor Prime reading from "The Birth of Kirtan: The Life and Teachings of Chaitanya", a biography of a mystic saint who pioneered devotional yoga (Bhakti) in sixteenth-century India and started the practice of sacred chanting (kirtan) that has now spread around the world.

While Chaitanya’s practice has become a global movement over the last five hundred years, little is generally known about this spiritual reformer, as the two principal texts recounting his life were written in Bengali in the sixteenth century.
In The Birth of Kirtan, Bhakti scholar and teacher Ranchor Prime adapts these two narratives into a moving and emotionally charged English-language biography for a modern audience. His poetic retelling is complemented by full-color reproductions of never-before-published nineteenth-century paintings of Chaitanya’s life.

In this episode Shri Chaitanya marries Vishnu Priya on the insistence of his mother. A grand wedding is sponsored by Buddhimanta Khan, an admirer of Chaitanya

BIRTH OF KIRTAN Chapter 11: Remarriage

Bhagavad Gita: Talks Between the Soul and God

Spiritual teacher, author and kirtan singer

Ranchor Prime

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