Question

Write a short note on the contribution of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to the Bhakti Movement.

Answer 1

Instructions: The answer to this question should talk about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s early life, followed by talking about how his activities furthered integration and brotherhood among the people.

Solution:

• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, born in 1485 C.E. in Bengal, served as the last guru in the acharya tradition of Vaishnavism.
• He attained popularity due to his love for meditation and his intense devotion.
• He popularised the chant of the Hare Krishna maha mantra, which gradually spread to the whole of Bengal.
• People, irrespective of their caste, flocked to Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s ‘Kirtan Mandali’.
• He popularised the message of ‘Krishna bhakti’ across different cities, without any distinctions of caste, colour, or creed.
• These activities furthered integration and brotherhood among the people.