This famous discussion (Ramananda-samvad) is recorded by Srila Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami in his sublime account of the life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Sri Chaitanya-charitamrta (Madhya-lila, Chapter 8: «Talks between Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Ray»). It is mentioned in this talk only briefly by Srila Sridhar Maharaj, but we give its reference for the reader, because this Ramananda-samvad was most beloved to, and often quoted by, Srila Sridhar Maharaj. On the order of his Guru, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, Srila Sridhar Maharaj discovered the location where this historic discussion took place on the bank of the Godavari River (Andhra Pradesh, India) and established a Temple there. He many times pointed out that the entire theological basis of Gaudiya (Chaitanyite) Vaisnavism is contained therein.
sri-krsna-chaitanya prabhu nityananda
sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi gaura-bhakta-vrnda
golokera prema dhana hari-nama-sankirtana
The golden gift brought to this world from the topmost planet of the spiritual sky, Goloka Dham, by the golden Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is the Hare Krishna mahamantra (great chant for deliverance):
hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam
kaulau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha
«The Holy Name! The Holy Name! The Holy Name! Without chanting of the Holy Name in this Age of Kali, there is certainly no means of deliverance. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.»
kalim sabhajayanty arya gunajna sara-bhaginah
yatra sankirtanenaiva sarvah svartho ’bhilabhyate
«Those who are actually advanced in knowledge are able to appreciate the essential value of this Age of Kali. Such enlightened persons worship Kali-yuga because in this fallen age, all perfection of life can easily be achieved by the performance of sankirtan, the congregational chanting of the Lord’s Holy Names.»
trnad api sunichena taror iva sahisnuna
amanina manadena kirtaniyah sada harih
«One who is humbler than a blade of grass, more forebearing than a tree, who gives due honour to others without desiring it for himself is qualified to always chant the Holy Name of Krishna.»
mahaprabhu sri-chaitanya radha-krsna nahe anya
rupanuga janera jivana
«Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is none other than Sri Sri Radha-Krishna, the life and soul of the true followers of Srila Rupa Goswami.»
«As much as you surrender to the lotus feet of Sri Gauranga, you’ll find yourself safely situated in the service of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda. Don’t try to approach Them directly. If you do, there may be some difficulty. But the lotus feet of Sri Gauranga will take you there safely.»
prabuddhe jnana-bhaktibhyam atmany ananda-chinmayi
udety anuttama bhaktir bhagavat-prema-laksana
«When transcendental experience awakens by means of knowledge and devotion, the highest devotion symptomised by love for the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, the beloved of the soul, awakens in the devotee’s heart.»