• Born and schooled in Nadia (Bengal), which was the centre of Vedantic rationalism, Chaitanya’s tenor of life was changed, when he visited Gaya at the age of twenty-two and was initiated into the Krishna cult by a recluse. He became a god-intoxicated devotee, who incessantly uttered the name of Krishna.

• Chaitanya is said to have travelled all over India, including Vrindavan, where he revived the Krishna cult. But most of his time was spent at Gaya.

• He exerted an extraordinary influence, particularly in the eastern parts of India and attracted a wide following, including some Muslims and people from the low castes.

• He did not reject the scriptures or idol-worship, though he cannot be classified as a traditionalist.