Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu appeared in Bengal, India in 1486 and is recognized as a direct incarnation of Lord Krishna. He is known as the most merciful manifestation of God, who came to deliver the most fallen souls of this age through the chanting of the holy names.

Though He is Krishna Himself, Lord Chaitanya appeared in the mood of a devotee to teach by His own example how to develop pure love of God. He inaugurated the sankirtana movement, which focuses on the congregational chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

Lord Chaitanya's teachings emphasize that in the current age of Kali (characterized by quarrel and hypocrisy), the most effective means of spiritual advancement is through the chanting of God's holy names. He taught that anyone, regardless of social position, caste, or religious background, can develop love of God through this simple practice.

His philosophy, known as Achintya Bheda Abheda Tattva, describes the soul's relationship with God as simultaneously one and different. This means that while we are qualitatively one with God (as spiritual beings), we are quantitatively different (God is infinite, while we are infinitesimal).

Lord Chaitanya's life and teachings are documented in texts like Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita and Chaitanya Bhagavata. His movement spread throughout India during His time and has now expanded worldwide through the efforts of His followers, particularly His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who established ISKCON.