Caitanya

Caitanya, also known as Caitanya Mahaprabhu, was a Vaishnava saint and reformer who lived in eastern India during the 15th and 16th centuries. He is widely considered to be the most important exponent of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism tradition. Born in Mayapur, Bengal, in 1486, he was named Vishwambhar Mishra. Early in his life, he was a renowned scholar of Sanskrit and logic.

Caitanya's teachings emphasized the importance of *bhakti yoga*, or devotional service to God, particularly through the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. He advocated for the worship of Krishna as the supreme form of God and taught that love for God could be attained through ecstatic chanting, singing, and dancing. He believed that all living beings were equal and that devotion was accessible to everyone, regardless of caste or social status.

He traveled extensively throughout India, spreading his message of divine love and encouraging congregational chanting. Caitanya's movement gained significant popularity, attracting many followers from diverse backgrounds. He is credited with establishing a distinct philosophical and theological framework for Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which continues to be practiced today by millions worldwide. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is revered as an avatar of Krishna by his followers and is central to their spiritual practice and understanding of divine revelation. He passed away in Puri, Odisha, around 1534.