Glimpses of Caitanya From Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka of Kavikarṇapūra

Abstract

This article explores the portrayal of Caitanya in Kavikarṇapūra's Sanskrit drama, Caitanya-candrodaya-nāṭaka, focusing on key "glimpses" of his divine nature in Acts II and III. The analysis highlights how the play emphasizes the inefficacy of traditional spiritual paths in the Kali Yuga, affirming Caitanya's unique role as a divine incarnation and the spontaneous, unconditional nature of his grace, even for the most marginalized. Furthermore, the article delves into the dramatic strategies, particularly the "play within a play," used to reveal Caitanya's ultimate identity as the embodiment of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, and how this intricate layering invites the audience into a deeper, ecstatic participation in the divine līlā.