Chaitanya was born in 1486 in Sri Dham Mayapur, in the district of Nadia, West Bengal, India. Through his character, Chaitanya exemplified the purest morality and integrated this into his philosophy as a crucial aspect of spiritual growth.

The principle that ‘There is none to vie with the Absolute Truth’ forms the core of Chaitanya’s philosophy. With his teaching he showed the difference between the worship of Absolute Truth and idolatry.

According to Chaitanya, thoughts can be categorised into four classes: atheistic, pantheistic, indifferent, and theistic. His teachings reject the first three as harmful and advocate for pure theism.

In his own early life, Chaitanya highlighted the significance of providing assistance in various forms to those in need. Leading by example, he demonstrated that those who have the means should support the education of others and contribute to improving the world.

Chaitanya taught that social principles should serve spiritual growth of an individual. This means that the social and spiritual aspects of life should coexist harmoniously and support each other, as long as social rules do not prevent our spiritual growth.

He passionately advocated for equality, saying that everyone should have an equal chance for spiritual development. In this way he promoted a sense of unity among all people and especially among Vaishnavas, whom he viewed as pioneers of spiritual growth. He believed that one’s thoughts should not be confined by narrow religious beliefs.

As a revolutionary teacher, Chaitanya led by example through his teachings and his saintly life. He was known for his kindness towards all and was uncompromising in fulfilling his duties. Chaitanya was resolute and fearless in pursuing his goals.

The philosophy that Chaitanya propagate is universal and inclusive. Everyone, regardless of their level of knowledge, can embrace it. Those who are knowledgeable can grasp the intricate details of sambandha-tattva, a philosophical concept that explores the connections between the Absolute, living beings, and the world. However, even those who may not possess extensive knowledge can benefit by simply chanting the Name of the Absolute (kirtan) and associating with Vaishnavas. The practice of kirtan welcomes people from all walks of life, regardless of caste or community, to enrich their spiritual lives. This inclusive approach promises to form a global spiritual community, replacing the divisive nature of traditional religious institutions that often restrict access based on social or religious criteria.

In this way, Chaitanya encouraged his followers to not only recite his teachings by words but to embody it.

We leave it to our readers to decide how to deal with Chaitanya. The Vaishnavas recognise Him as the embodiment of the Absolute Truth, indistinguishable from Sri Krishna. Others see him as an incarnation devoted to the Absolute. For those who are still exploring, he can be revered as a noble and holy teacher.

We understand if some are skeptical about the miraculous aspects of his life; after all, miracles alone do not confirm divinity. Historical figures like Ravana also performed miracles, yet this does not qualify them as divine. What truly distinguishes Chaitanya is his boundless divine love (prema). His essence is such that it draws people to serve and embrace this love irresistibly. Even skeptics find it hard to remain untouched by his charismatic presence. In his manifestation as Sri Krishna, he naturally attracts the love and devotion of all who encounter Him.