Chakradhar Swami

Chakradhar(a) (चक्रधर), also known as (Sarvajna Shri) Chakradhar(a) Swami or Kunwar Haripaladeva was an Indian Hindu saint and philosopher, who was the founder of Mahanubhava sect of Krishnaism. Chakradhar advocated worship of the god Krishna and preached a distinct philosophy based on Bhakti. He was an exponent of the Dvaita philosophy within Hinduism.

Chakradhar did not recognize caste distinctions, and distinguished only between the householder and recluses. Some sources claim that Chakrapani Prabhu and Govinda Prabhu as the originators of Mahanubhava doctrine and Chakradhara as the first apostle who systematized Mahanubhava as a school of Bhakti philosophy. Chakradhara is considered as an avatar of Krishna by his disciples. Chakradhara's incarnation day is observed on the Tithi of Bhadrapada Shukla Dwitiya.

Life
Chakradhar was born into a Gujarati Samavedi Brahmin family in Bharuch, Gujarat. According to his biography Lilacharitra, he was the son of a royal minister of Gujarat. He took Sannyasa at a young age and left his home for pilgrimage to Ramtek. During his journey, he received initiation from his guru Govinda Prabhu at Ridhapur in modern-day Amravati district. For twelve years, he stayed in forests of Vindhya mountain as an ascetic. After attaining the awakening, he started preaching a new philosophy, Mahanubhava tattvajnana to the common people. Although his native language was Gujarati, he had excellent command over Marathi. Chakradhar moved among all sections of society. He discoursed his philosophy effectively among the people in their own language. The Lilacharitra confirms that he also spoke fluent Sanskrit along with Gujarati and Marathi. Chakradhar used formulaic language full of meaning in a compact style. He insisted that his disciples should write only in Marathi. Thus the teachings of Chakradhar and Mahanubhava Sampradaya are found in Marathi literature.

Philosophy
Chakradhar's philosophy focused on asceticism and renunciation. His fourfold teachings were: non-violence (ahimsa), celibacy (brahmacharya), asceticism (sannyasa) and devotion (bhakti). He prescribed different aspects of God to be worshipped: name, form, activity, deeds, place, vachanas (Shruti), memories (Smriti) and the blessing of God's incarnation. He considered five forms of God as Supreme called "Pancha Krishna": Dattatreya, Krishna, Chakrapani, Govinda Prabhu and Chakradhar himself.

As per Chakradhar, one can practice bhakti by memorizing deeds of God. The aspirant for salvation must sacrifice his country, village and his relations and offer his life to God. Chakradhar also taught his disciple when, where, how, how much alms they should be beg for. The central theme of his teaching was, "Feel the soul and not the body". Living the life of mendicant and practicing asceticism severely, the devotee should live according to principle, "God is mine and I am God’s". The core of his code of behaviour is summed up in the following line for the benefit of his followers: "Even if the head is cut off, the body should worship God".

Besides teaching strict vegetarianism, the Mahanubhava Sampradaya forbids the use of alcohol and teaches non-violence. It teaches that Krishna is the ultimate God; other deities are his powers. As per scriptures of Mahanubhava Sampradaya that Nirvana (Moksha) can only be achieved by knowing and worshiping Krishna as the lone ultimate and thus one must give up on worshiping and getting involved unconsciously in the other powers of ultimate, It can be relatively explained as one should not be satisfied in loving the creation but love the creator.