Caitanya Mahaprabhu, (1486-1534)-Lord Krsna in the aspect of His own devotee. He appeared in Navadvipa, West Bengal, and inaugurated the congregational chanting of the holy names of the Lord to teach pure love of God by means of sahkirtana. Lord Caitanya is understood by Gauḍiya Vaisnavas to be Lord Krsna Himself; The Golden Avatara of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who descended into the material world 500 years ago at Sridhama Mayapur. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu inaugurated the yuga-dharma of sahkirtana. Together with His associates Nityananda, Advaita, Gadadhara and Srivasa, Lord Caitanya is worshiped by the Gauḍiya Vaisnavas as the Panca-tattva (five-fold Absolute Truth). Within the Panca-tattva, Mahaprabhu is the isa-tattva, the Supreme Lord. Nityananda is the prakasa-tattva, the feature of isvara who controls the kriya-sakti, out of which the kala and karma potencies expand. Advaita is the avatara-tattva, the incarnation. Gadadhara is sakti-tattva, a feature of the original, spiritual prakrti. Srivasa is jiva-tattva. See Avatara, Gauḍiya Vaisnava, Īsvara, Sahkirtana. Caitanya-caritamrta-translated as "the character of the living force in immortality," it is the title of the authorized biography of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu written in the late sixteenth century and compiled by Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, presenting the Lord's pastimes and teachings. Written in Bengali, with many Sanskrit verses as well, it is regarded as the most authoritative book on Lord Caitanya's life and teachings; Written by Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, this biography of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the single most important text of Gauḍiya Vaisnava philosophy. Caitanya-caritamrta means the immortal character of the living force. It is the postgraduate study of spiritual knowledge, and so is not intended for the novice. Ideally, one begins with Bhagavad-gita and advances through Srimad-Bhagavatam to the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. Although alI these great scriptures are on the same absolute level, for the sake of comparative study Sri Caitanya-caritamrta is considered to be on the highest platform. See Bhagavad-gita, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Gauḍiya Vaisnava, Srimad-Bhagavatam. Choko-Used in Mexican, Chinese, and Indonesian cooking, this delicate, pale-green, pear-shaped vegetable, which is related to the gourd family, originally came from Mexico, where it is known as chayote. When buying chokos, look for young tender ones with pale, green, almost translucent skin. The spikes on the skin should be short and soft. Chokos add a subtle flavour and an apple-like texture to any dish. Consciousness-This term is derived from the Latin conscire, to know or be aware of. The equivalent Sanskrit term is cetana. Consciousness is the irreducible symptom of the self. It knows, it feels, and it wills. There are many theories about the relation of consciousness to matter (see Mind/body problem), but all of them are conceived in the conscious mind. Take away consciousness and theories are impossible. Then what is the use of speculation about dead matter as the source of consciousness? Subtle mind, intelligence and false ego are imposed upon consciousness by the three modes of nature. Similarly, due to these modes, wakefulness, dreaming and swoon occur against the background of consciousness. But though the modes cover it, consciousness remains essentially pure, eternally. In the liberated state, consciousness displays a non-material mind, intelligence, pure ego and perfect form. There are two orders of consciousness: vibhu and anu. The first is the level of God's consciousness, which is all-pervading. God knows everything in totality and everything in particular. His consciousness is never influenced by matter, although matter cannot exist apart from His consciousness. The anu (limited) order of consciousness belongs to the jiva. Because it is limited, matter can cover it, unless the jiva remains under the shelter of the Supreme Consciousness. See Ecstasy, False ego, Gross body, Intellect, Jiva, Mind, Mind/body problem, Modes of nature, Soul, Subtle body, Supersoul.