Lesser-Known Verse Predicting Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

Cited by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Prabhupada in Commentary to Sri Chaitanya Bhagavat, Antya Kanda, Chapter 1, Texts 262-265 (English translation by Bhumipati dasa):

In the Visnu-sahasra-nama of the Atharva Veda, Third Kanda, it is stated:

ity aham krta-sannyaso ‘vatarisyami kalau catuh-sahasrabdopari pancasahasrabhyantare gaura-varno dirghangah sarva-laksana-yukta isvaraprarthito nija-rasasvado misrakhyo vidita-yogo ‘syam.
“I will descend from Goloka-dhama and appear on the earth planet during the first sandhya of Kali-yuga—after four thousand and before five thousand years have passed—in Mayapur, Navadvipa, on the banks of the Ganges. I will appear in the form of a brahmana with a large, golden complexioned body measuring four cubits in height and in breadth, endowed with the thirty-two signs of a maha-purusa, and bearing the title Misra. Then, decorated with all the auspicious qualities of a mahabhagavata, endowed with renunciation, devoid of worldly desires, and learned in the science of pure devotional service, I will accept sannyasa, as a devotee relishing the mellows of ecstatic love for Krsna.”

Full Texts 262-265 with Commentary

muni karon satya-yuge tapasya pracara
treta-yuge yajna lagi’ karon avatara

ei muni avatirna haiya dvapare
puja-dharma bujhailun sakala lokere

kata mora avatara vede o na jane
samprati ailun muni kirtana-karane

kirtana-arambhe prema-bhaktira vilasa
ataeva kali-yuge amara prakasa//CB, Antya 1.262-265//
TRANSLATION
“I taught the process of austerity in Satya-yuga. I incarnated to teach the process of sacrifice in Treta-yuga. I incarnated in Dvapara-yuga to teach everyone the process of Deity worship. Even the Vedas do not know how many incarnations I have taken. I have now advented to inaugurate the process of chanting the holy names. I relish devotional service in ecstatic love by inaugurating the sankirtana movement. Therefore I have appeared in the age of Kali.
COMMENTARY
In the Srimad Bhagavatam (12.3.52) it is stated:
krte yad dhyayato visnum
tretayam yajato makhaih
dvapare paricaryayam
kalau tad dhari-kirtanat
“Whatever result was obtained in Satya-yuga by meditating on Visnu, in Treta-yuga by performing sacrifices, and in Dvapara-yuga by serving the Lord’s lotus feet can be obtained in Kali-yuga simply by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra.” In the Srimad Bhagavatam (11.5.32) it is stated:
krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam sangopangastra-parsadam
yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah
“In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the name of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krsna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons, and confidential companions.” In the Visnu-sahasra-nama of the Atharva Veda, Third Kanda, it is stated:
ity aham krta-sannyaso ‘vatarisyami kalau catuh-sahasrabdopari pancasahasrabhyantare gaura-varno dirghangah sarva-laksana-yukta isvaraprarthito nija-rasasvado misrakhyo vidita-yogo ‘syam.
“I will descend from Goloka-dhama and appear on the earth planet during the first sandhya of Kali-yuga—after four thousand and before five thousand years have passed—in Mayapur, Navadvipa, on the banks of the Ganges. I will appear in the form of a brahmana with a large, golden complexioned body measuring four cubits in height and in breadth, endowed with the thirty-two signs of a maha-purusa, and bearing the title Misra. Then, decorated with all the auspicious qualities of a mahabhagavata, endowed with renunciation, devoid of worldly desires, and learned in the science of pure devotional service, I will accept sannyasa, as a devotee relishing the mellows of ecstatic love for Krsna.”