Tattva-viveka
Caitanya Mahaprabhu's 6- and 4-armed form
Nandini Dasi - October 28, 2013 10:37 pm
I was reading Sri Caitanya Caritamrita, and in the Adi Lila, chapter 17, verses 11 to 16, there’s an interesting moment in the house of Srivasa Thakura when Caitanya Mahaprabhu shows Lord Nityananda first his six-armed form, then his four-armed form, and finally his two armed form of Krsna, “simply playing on His flute, His bluish body dressed in yellow garments.”
I may be wrong about this, but one of the purports (Adi 17.12) indicates this might be the first meeting between Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda.
My question(s) are as follows:
1. If this is true (even if it’s not true), why would Caitanya Mahaprabhu show his forms in this progression to Lord Nityananda?
2. Are there other places in Caitanya-caritamrita or in Caitanya-bhagavat where Caitanya Mahaprabhu shows his four-armed or six-armed forms?
I did some searching on Tattva-vivek, and while I didn’t find an answer to this question, I did find some interesting information on the importance of Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s limbs (specifically from a post Vrndaryana dasi wrote a while back -- I added the bold parts for emphasis)
“Jiva Goswami gives one interpretation of sangopangastra as sa-anga--arms; upanga--ornaments; astra--weapons. Therefore, Mahaprabhu’s weapons, unlike other avatars’ weapons (bow, arrows, etc.), are his arms (anga), which he holds up in kirtana and enchants the world with, or his beauty, which defeats the demons by converting them into devotees. This is the first interpretation that Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami gives.”
Here's the link to the above conversation:
3. My final question 
-- If Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s weapons are unique in that they are “weapons” of beauty, then how does that impact the significance of his act here, showing Lord Nityananda his 6-, 4-, then 2-armed form?
Madan Gopal Das - October 29, 2013 1:11 am
I'll think about the other two questions some more, but in answer to #2, Caitanya Mahaprabhu gives sad-bhuja (6 arms) darsana to Sarvabhauma in Caitanya Bhagavata
Swami - October 29, 2013 11:04 pm
Gaura exhibits the maryada of Rama in his sannyasa lila for the purpose of shedding light on the fact that Krsna is not immoral as he might seem as first. How can one meditate on the immoral acts of another and maintain such strict adherence to the standards of the sannyasa ashram? Gaura is Krsna in his acarya lila with the morality of Rama. This is how I think about his sad bhuja form. He showed this form as well as his four armed form to Nitai and Sarvabhauma. This demonstrates that he is Rama. He is Krsna. He is God, a manifestation of his aisvarya. Whereas he showed his Rasaraja Mahabhava form to Ramananda. This form is all about rasa tattva and madhurya. And Ramananda is Visakha, whereas Nitai is Balarama and Sarvabhauma is often identified with Brihaspati. Just a few thoughts on the subject. I know of now commentator who has shed light on the answers to your questions 1 and 3.
Guru-nistha Das - October 30, 2013 4:17 pm
Did Mahaprabhu show his Sad-bhuja form in the 21-hour prakasha lila at Srivasa's house? I can't remember.
Gaurasundara Dasa - October 31, 2013 7:48 pm
It seems like the progression is similar to the Bhagavad Gita. Many arms to 4 arms to 2 arms.
Most opulent to most human. Mahaprabhu as Nimai Pandit in Nadia is the highest form and the ultimate goal.