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Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
15th-century Indian Vaishnavite Hindu saint / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (Bengali: মহাপ্রভু শ্রীচৈতন্য দেব, Sanskrit: श्री चैतन्य महाप्रभु), born Vishvambhara Mishra (IAST: Viśvambhara Miśra),[1] (1486–1533 CE)[2] was an Indian Hindu saint from Bengal and the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mode of worshipping Krishna with bhajan-kirtan and dance had a profound effect on Vaishnavism in Bengal.
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu | |
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![]() Wooden murti of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Nabadwip | |
Personal | |
Born | Vishvambhara Mishra (1486-02-18)18 February 1486 |
Died | 14 June 1534(1534-06-14) (aged 48) |
Religion | Hinduism |
Spouse | Lakshmi Priya (first wife) and Vishnupriya |
Known for | Expounded Gaudiya Vaishnavism, kirtan |
Organization | |
Founder of | Gaudiya Vaishnavism Achintya Bheda Abheda |
Philosophy | Bhakti yoga, Achintya Bheda Abheda |
Religious career | |
Guru | Swami Isvara Puri (mantra guru); Swami Kesava Bharati (sannyas guru) |
Disciples | |
Literary works | Shikshashtakam |
He is considered the chief proponent of the Vedantic philosophy of Achintya Bheda Abheda. However, the concept of inconceivable difference in non-difference, known as achintya-bhedabheda, was developed later by Jiva Gosvami in his book Bhagavat Sandharbha.[3]
Mahaprabhu founded Gaudiya Vaishnavism (a.k.a. the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya Sampradaya). He expounded Bhakti yoga and popularised the chanting of the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra.[4] He composed the Shikshashtakam (eight devotional prayers).
Chaitanya is sometimes called Gauranga (IAST: Gaurāṅga) or Gaura due to his molten gold–like complexion.[5] His birthday is celebrated as Gaura-purnima.[6][7] He is also called Nimai because he was born underneath a Neem tree.[8]