Sri Caitanyadeva and the Devotional Reawakening in Medieval India

Abstract

Sri Caitanyadeva emerged as a transformative figure in the medieval Bhakti movement, particularly in Bengal and Odisha, advocating a deeply emotional, inclusive, and experiential form of devotion centered on Krishna. Born in 1486 in Navadvipa, his spiritual journey evolved from scholastic excellence to an ecstatic and mystical devotion after his initiation by the Vaiṣṇava saint Isvara Puri. Through his teachings, kirtan-led practices, and radical rejection of caste and ritualistic formalism, Caitanyadeva redefined Hindu devotionalism. His philosophy of Acintya Bhedābheda (inconceivable simultaneous oneness and difference) offered a nuanced theological framework that bridged the divide between monism and dualism. Though he authored no texts, his legacy was preserved and spread by his followers through literature, music, and lived tradition. This paper explores the life, philosophy, and socio-religious impact of Sri Caitanyadeva, highlighting his relevance in promoting spiritual egalitarianism, religious tolerance, and the inner transformation of the self – ideals that resonate deeply in today’s fragmented world.