Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in this world in 1486, in Mayapur, West Bengal, India. Srila Rupa Goswami has glorified Lord Chaitanya as being the most munificent Lord, because He freely distributed life's most precious gift -- pure love of Godhead. He is praised as being the most merciful Lord because He distributes His mercy without discrimination to all, without any consideration of whether one is qualified or not.

Although He is the Supreme Lord, Krishna, He posed as a devotee, and revealed the most sublime sentiments and the natural disposition of a devotee. He taught us by His own example how to establish a connection with the Lord through the practice of pure devotion.

When Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in this world, He brought His dearest servitors with Him, personalities such as Lord Nityananda Prabhu, Sri Advaita Acharya, Sri Gadadhar Pandit, Srivas Thakur, and other exalted associates, and along with these devotees He spread the Yuga-dharma, or the practice most recommended for the attainment of pure love for Sri Sri Radha-Krishna. That process is Harinam Sankirtan, or the congregational chanting of the Holy Names of the Lord:

[Please also see A Tragedy of Separation for a description of Mahaprabhu's Sannyas ceremony.]