Mahanubhava

Mahanubhava (also known as Jai Krishni Pantha) refers to Krishnaite Hindu denomination in India that was founded by Sarvadnya Shri Chakradhar Swami (or Shri Chakradhara Swami),an ascetic and philosopher who is considered as a reincarnation of Krishna by his devotees Some sources list the founders as Chakrapani (Chāngadeva Rāuḷ) and Govinda Prabhu (Gunḍama Rāuḷ) with Chakradhara as the first "apostle" and propagator of Mahanubhava Pantha. Mahanubhava Sampradaya was formally formed in modern-day Varhad region of Maharashtra in 1267 CE. It has different names such as Jai Krishni Pantha in Punjab and Achyuta Pantha in Gujarat. Mahanubhava Pantha was also known as Paramarga by its followers in 13th century. Nagadevacharya, also known as Bhatobas, became the head of Sampradaya after Chakradhara. In Mahanubhava, all members are accepted, irrespective of their castes, and the traditional ritualistic religion is rejected. Mahanubhava survives to the present. It teaches that Krishna is the supreme god. Mahanubhava Sampradaya has 13 different Amnaya (it is ancestral big family tracing their roots backwards). These traditions were founded by 13 different acharyas which include some disciples of Nagadevacharya and various successors in their lineages. Shri Chakradhar Swami propounded the philosophy of Mahanubhava Sampradaya for the first time. He theorized the idea of "Five Krishnas" as the main figures for Mahanubhavas to worship which includes (Shri Gopala Krishna, Shri Dattatreya Prabhu, Shri Chakrapani, Shri Govinda Prabhu and Shri Chakradhar Swami himself. Shri Chakradhar Swami was born in Bharuch, Gujarat in 1194 CE. Though he was a Gujarati by birth, he had excellent command over Marathi language. He moved among all sections of society. He discoursed his philosophy to the people in their own language. He used formulaic language full of meaning in a compact style. He exhorted his disciples to write only in Marathi. According to the Mahanubhava Philosophy, there are 4 permanent realities in the universe which are Paramesvara (god), Jiva (soul), Devata (deities and supernatural beings) and Prapancha (world).