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The enduring legacy of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was shaped and sustained by the dedicated efforts of his followers, who transformed his spiritual vision into a living tradition. Central to this continuation was the work of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, particularly Rupa and Sanatana Goswami, who became the principal architects of Gaudiya Vaishnava theology. Through their systematic writings, they codified the philosophy of bhakti and established devotional practices, ensuring that Chaitanya’s teachings would be preserved and accessible to future generations.
Literary preservation played a vital role in this process. The followers of Chaitanya composed extensive theological treatises and biographical accounts, with works such as the Chaitanya Charitamrita serving as foundational texts. These writings not only documented his life and teachings but also articulated the principles and rituals that defined the movement, providing a clear doctrinal framework for practitioners.
Institutional and communal structures further anchored the tradition. Temples and holy sites, especially in Vrindavan, became centers of pilgrimage, worship, and learning, embodying the sacred geography central to Gaudiya Vaishnavism. The establishment of a continuous lineage of spiritual teachers ensured that the transmission of teachings, initiations, and devotional practices remained unbroken, fostering both monastic and householder communities devoted to the path of bhakti.
At the heart of the movement, the practice of sankirtan—congregational chanting of the holy names—remained a defining feature. This communal expression of devotion, emphasized by Chaitanya himself, was perpetuated through organized gatherings and festivals, serving as both a spiritual discipline and a means of spreading the tradition’s message. Through these intertwined efforts—scholarly, institutional, and devotional—Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s followers ensured that his spiritual movement would not only survive but flourish across regions and generations.