The Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, founded by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu (1486–1534), is a devotional movement within the broader Vaiṣṇava lineage that emphasizes the worship of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, particularly in the mood of divine love (bhakti). This tradition traces its philosophical and theological roots to the Bhāgavata Purāṇa and the teachings of earlier Vaiṣṇava saints, but it was deeply shaped and systematized by a series of influential teachers, or ācāryas.
The Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava ācāryas played a crucial role in defining the movement’s theology, writing extensive commentaries, composing devotional poetry, and establishing temples and institutions to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Some of the most prominent among them include:
1. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu – Considered an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa, he propagated the congregational chanting of the holy names (sankīrtana) and a theology of divine love centered on Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa.
2. The Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana – Rūpa, Sanātana, Jīva, Raghunātha Dāsa, Raghunātha Bhaṭṭa, and Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who formalized the theology, wrote key scriptures, and established the major Vṛndāvana temples.
3. Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura – A major theologian who clarified and defended Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava philosophy in the face of challenges.
4. Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa – Known for writing the Govinda-bhāṣya, a commentary on the Vedānta-sūtra, to establish the philosophical credibility of the tradition.
5. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura – A 19th-century reformer who revived and modernized the movement, making Kṛṣṇa consciousness accessible to a global audience.
6. Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura – The son of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, he established the Gauḍīya Maṭha and emphasized preaching, printing, and the need for strict adherence to Vaiṣṇava principles.
7. A.C. Bhaktivedānta Swami Prabhupāda – The founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), who brought Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism to the world stage.
These ācāryas have ensured the continuity and vitality of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition, making its teachings accessible across centuries and cultures.