His Life

Among the medieval saints, Chaitanya was and extra-ordinary champion of the Bhakti Movement.ne was born in 1485 in the city of Navdwip or Nadia in Bengal. His father was Jagannatha Mishra., and mother, Sachi Devi. His early names were Biswambhara, Gauranga and Nimai. Born in a learned Brahmin family, Chaitanya acquired deep knowledge from the holy books from and early life. The worldly life had no attraction for him. He searched the path for as higher spiritual life.

At the age of 24, he became as sanyasi. It was from that time that he became famous as Sri Chaitanya.He decided to preach Bhakti to wider masses of people .Love to the creatures and devotion to the God became the message of Chaitanya.

For his missionary activities, Chaitanya found the holy city of Puri with the Great Temple of Jagannatha as the most ideal place. The Gajapati King of Orissa, Prataprudra Dev, received the saint with respect. In all, Chaitanya spent long 18 years in Orissa as a preacher. In other places, such as, South India, Vrindabana and Bengal, he spent another those years of his life. His entire career, since he became as sanyasi, was developed to the preaching of devotional love to God. Chaitanya died in 1533 at Puri.

His Preaching

Chaitanya wanted to draw the human soul towards God through devotion. There was no better way than the Bhakti. God could be felt and realized only through Bhakti. For the devotee there should be no vanity or ego. His conduct should been one of surrender and humbleness’ true Vaishnava should be as man of absolute humility. He prayed to Krishna.

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“Neither do I want followers, nor wealth, nor learning, nor poetical power. Give unto my soul a beat of devotion for Thee. Great pride never produces any good .how will He who is called the vanquisher of proud bear with your pride!”

Chaitanya was a champion of social liberalism. His message of love and peace was meant for the lowly and the humble, as well as learned and the wise. He embraced the fallen, the sinner, and the so-called chandala, and the socially oppressed. His magnetic personality attracted thousands to him. As a reformer, he opened his arms to people of all castes. One of his close disciples Haridas, who was a Muslim.

Chaitanya preached his doctrines in simple words. Religion, in fact, was brought to its easiest form. God or Krishna was to been adored with soul’s love. Thought in Krishna’s feet would liberate the mind from worldly illusions. Utterance of God’s name should be the true duty of devotee. As he said: “Listen to the recitation of God’s Name. Recollect his kindness Bow to Him and worship Him. Do what He will as a servant, believe Him to been friend, and then dedicate yourself to Him.”

Chaitanya laid the highest emphasis on the Name of Hari or Krishna. He preached this Name through devotional songs. As he moved with his followers with dance and song, the melody of devotion touched the tender heart of the listeners. Numerous men followed the Master as he sang the love of God.

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Chaitanya’s message carried as universal appeal. Vaishnavism became as mighty force. To see all in the same eye, to regard man as brothers, to give up pride and anger, to show kindness to all creatures, to escape the chains of wealth and power, and to utter the Name of the Lord, formed the substance of Chaitanya’s preaching. To his disciples, he was an apostle of love and kindness.

The Bhakti Movement of Chaitanya almost became a mass movement in any places. Its influence proved deep and durable. From the monopoly of the priests and the learned, religion came down to the common people. A spiritual awakening showed itself. For generations after Chaitanya his movement continued. Its influence continues even till to-day.