Gouranga

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Gouranga (pronounced /ɡʊˈrʌŋɡə/^[1]) is a term popularized by the Hare Krishna movement as a word meaning 'be happy'. It is derived from "Gauranga" गौराङ्ग (IAST gaurāṅga), literally 'light/golden-limbed', a name of Krishna in Puranic literature, and in Gaudiya Vaishnavism in particular a name of Caitanya Mahaprabhu (considered a reincarnation of Krishna^[2]).

Stickers bearing the word Gouranga or stating "Call out Gouranga and be happy!" began appearing on bridges over motorways and railways in Scotland, the North of England and Wales from the mid-nineties onwards. Stickers and fridge magnets with the phrase have also been handed out by Hare Krishna monks at music festivals throughout the UK, such as Glastonbury and Download.

Contents 1 In Vaishnavism 2 See also 3 Footnotes 4 External links

[edit] In Vaishnavism

The Sanskrit term gaurāṅga is a bahuvrihi meaning "golden-limbed" or "having a white or yellowish body" (Monier-Williams), from gaura "white, shining, beautiful" and aṅga "limb".

Within Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition it is taken to refer to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's golden skin complexion, and it is said that whoever hears, reads, or speaks the name gaurāṅga is blessed with fortune and happiness due to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's extraordinary saintly nature.^[3] Caitanya Mahaprabhu was born in Mayapur, West Bengal, in 1486. His activities and teachings are described in detail in the book "Teachings of Lord Caitanya" and the multi-volume Chaitanya Charitamrita.

The term predates Caitanya as an epithet of incarnations of Vishnu-Krishna, appearing in various Vaishna Puranas, for example in the Agni Purana (before 1100 CE),

prasantātma lambakanṭhas / gaurāṅgas ca sura-vṛtaḥ

"the supreme Self, long-necked / and golden-limbed, surrounded by sages"

[edit] See also

• Hare Krishna
• Nityananda
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
• Siksastaka
• Svayam Bhagavan

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[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ according to urbandictionary.com (includes an MP3 file illustrating pronunciation)
2. ^ see commentary by Prabhupada on Bhagavata Purana 11.5.32: Gauranga is a-krishna "not black" = gaura or hari "bright/golden", a "chromatic complement", as it were, that is also encountered in the hare krishna mantra
3. ^ "O infallible and most famous person, whose name, when chanted, spreads all good fortune!" from BhaP 8.17.8. "It should be noted in this connection that the holy names of Lord Krishna and Gaurasundara are both identical with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore one should not consider one name to be more potent than the other." A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada from Chaitanya Charitamrita purport, Adi-Lila, Chapter 8, Text 31. ISBN 0-947259-06-6.

[edit] External links

• "Vedic Encyclopedia"
• "On Siksastakam" Satsvarupa das Goswami wwww.iskcon.com