Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

vande sri-krishna-caitanya-nityananda sahoditau
gauḍodaye puspavantau citrau sandau tamo-nadau

I offer my respectful obeisances unto Sri Krishna Chaitanya and Lord Nityananda, who are like the sun and moon. They have arisen simultaneously on the horizon of Gauda to dissipate the darkness of ignorance and thus wonderfully bestow benediction upon all. Caitanya Caritamrita Adi Lila 1.2

I have always appreciated the simple yet profound meaning of this verse. Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai are revealing an ecstasy and realization that already exists in our hearts. Just as the luminous orbs in our skies reveal our surroundings that would otherwise be covered by darkness, the two dancing avataras reveal our true ecstatic nature by their very presence in our life. Not only that, but the Supreme Lord in His form as Lord Nityananda falls to the ground on His knees and begs us to take this mercy. This is a far cry from the mood in our favorite story from English literature: Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.

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