The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c26.s7.3

c26.s7.3

The greatest saint of the bhakti movement was Chaitanya who was born in a learned Brahman family of Nadia in Bangal in 1485. From his early life he showed literary ability of a high order. At the age of twenty-four he renounced the world, became a *sadhu* and spent the rest of his life in preaching his message of love and devotion. He travelled over most parts of the country, both in the north and in the south, and spent a considerable time at Vrindaban. The essence of his teaching has been summed up thus: “If a creature adores Krishna and serves his *guru*, he is released from the meshes of illusion and attains to Krishna’s feet...” This leads him to rise above the fetters of this world. “He believed that through love and devotion, song and dance, a state of ecstasy could be produced in which the personal presence of God would be realised.” Chaitanya was opposed to the domination of the priests and to outward forms and ceremonies of religion. He preached to all irrespective of caste and creed. His influence was so profound and lasting that he is considered by his followers as an incarnation of Vishnu. He died in 1533.