Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Biography
(Founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism)
Birthday: February 18, 1484 (Aquarius)
Born In: Navadvipa, India
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was a Bengali spiritual teacher believed by his devotees to be Lord Krishna himself. He was a proponent for the Vaishnava school of Bhakti yoga which emphasizes on loving devotion to God, and is considered the most benevolent manifestation of Lord Krishna. Born in Mayapur in the town of Nadia to a devout Brahmin couple, he was a very beautiful child who enamored everyone who came to see him. His maternal grandfather, a prominent astrologer, foretold that the child was destined for greatness. Named Vishambhar at birth, he was drawn towards the name of the lord from a young age. Brilliant and hard working, he excelled in his studies and became a scholar at a young age. Once on a trip to Gaya he met his guru, the ascetic Ishvara Puri, from whom he received initiation with the Gopala Krishna mantra. On his return to Bengal, he became a religious preacher and was soon the eminent leader of the Vaishnava group within Nadia. Married by now, he left his family and entered the sannyasa order. He spent several years travelling throughout India, chanting the divine names of Lord Krishna and spreading the message of divine love. He spent the last 24 years of his life in Puri, Odisha.