Bangalore, December 8, 2024: 
Vishwambhara, authored by Dr. Na Mogasale, an acclaimed poet, novelist and Karnataka Sahitya Academy Awardee, was released at ISKCON Bangalore, Hare Krishna Hill, Rajajinagar. This is the first-ever biographical novel of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the golden incarnation of Lord Krishna, in the Kannada language.
The name Vishwambhara, which means “the one who nourishes and protects the universe,” reflects Mahaprabhu’s mission. Dr. Mogasale offers a profound narrative about the life of Lord Chaitanya, the Yugavatari and philosopher who initiated the Harinama Sankirtana movement and brought about a spiritual revolution in India.
Thawar Chand Gehlot, Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, was the Chief Guest of the event. HH Vidya Sreesha Teertha Swamiji, Peetadhipati of Vyasaraja Matha, HH Stoka Krishna Swami, President, ISKCON Mysore, Dr. Mallepuram Venkatesh Ji, Former Vice Chancellor, Karnataka Sanskrit University, Prakash Belawadi Ji, Renowned Actor and Director, Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, Sr Vice President, ISKCON Bangalore and other important dignitaries graced the event.
Speaking on the occasion, the Hon’ble Governor said, “I appreciate the members of ISKCON Bangalore, led by Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa and Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, who have been following the footsteps of Srila Prabhupada and propagating Sanatana Dharma for over three decades. I congratulate the author Dr. Na Mogasale and the entire team involved in the release of ‘Vishwambhara’. I hope everyone will make use of the wonderful opportunity to read this biography of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and apply His sublime teachings in their lives. This book has been published very well. I want this to be translated into other languages so that many more people can benefit from reading it.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a great saint, social reformer, and devotee of Krishna from the Bhakti movement. In his era, he guided society towards the divine spiritual path through love and devotion. He shared many inspiring teachings. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu desired that the name of Lord Krishna be glorified in every city and village. Srila Prabhupada further carried forward this vision globally”.
HH Sri Vidya Sreesha Teertha Swamiji said, ” This is the first book in Kannada written about Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This book’s narrative contains many aspects we have not explored before. Lord Krishna’s incarnation as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is unique among the various divine incarnations. Known by various names such as Gauranga and Nimai, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu became renowned in different ways. During his youth, he was a great scholar in his region. With the support of scholars in Navadvipa, he mastered all the scriptures. Later, renouncing everything, he dedicated himself entirely to the worship of Krishna and became Vishwambhara”.
Dr. Na Mogasale, the book author said, ” Vishwambhara was the name given to Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu during his childhood by his parents. This work is my small effort to bring the essence of that name into the novel. In 2018, Prof. Mallepuram Venkatesh introduced me to ISKCON Bangalore’s project on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. ISKCON Bangalore provided me with 18 volumes of information on the life of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to read. I also visited Navadvipa, His birthplace and Jagannatha Puri, where he spent 18 years of his life. This, combined with the 8,000 pages of information provided by ISKCON Bangalore, made it possible to write this work. This novel focuses on spiritual seekers, and I wanted it to stand out from my other works. I thank Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa and Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa, who encouraged me to write this novel”.
Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa said, “I thank Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot Ji for releasing Vishwambhara, the first biographical novel of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the classical Kannada language. I appreciate Dr. Na Mogasale’s efforts to create awareness among Kannada readers about Lord Chaitanya’s life and contributions to humanity. This book is a literary and spiritual treasure that will inspire people, especially youth, to discover a higher purpose through Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings. I encourage everyone to read this biography and join us in carrying forward the divine mission of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to spread the holy names of Lord Krishna and promote Indian culture all over the world.”
