Overview
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (born Vishvambhara Mishra, 18 February 1486 – 14 June 1534) was an Indian Hindu saint from Bengal and the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. He is regarded within his tradition as an incarnation of Krishna, and at times as the combined avatar of Radha and Krishna. On account of his fair, golden complexion he is also known as Gauranga or Gaura, and as Nimai, owing to his birth under a Neem tree.
Chaitanya is considered the chief proponent of the Vedantic philosophy of Achintya Bheda Abheda, the doctrine of inconceivable difference in non-difference between the divine and the world. This concept was elaborated later by Jiva Goswami in works such as the Bhagavat Sandharbha and the Sarva-samvadini.
His mode of worshipping Krishna through bhajan, kirtan and ecstatic dance had a deep influence upon Vaishnavism in Bengal. He expounded Bhakti yoga and popularised the chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra as a central devotional practice. He is also credited with composing the Shikshashtakam, a set of eight devotional prayers that remain important within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.
His birth anniversary is observed as Gaura-purnima by followers of the tradition he founded.