The book is divided into three sections: Early Pastimes, Middle Pastimes, and Final Pastimes.

Adi-lila (early pastimes)

The Adi-lila explains Chaitanya's unique theological identity as Krishna, appearing in the mood and complexion of His consort Radharani (golden). It describes the dual identity of Radha and Krishna using both direct statements and metaphorical explanations. The section also details Chaitanya's early associates and his life before he embraced the renounced order.

Madhya-lila (middle pastimes)

This is the longest section and it covers Chaitanya's becoming a life-long monk (sannyasi); the life of his predecessor Madhavendra Puri; and his philosophical debate with an Advaitin scholar, whereby he convinces him of the supremacy of bhakti (spiritual devotion) over impersonal worship. It also details Chaitanya's pilgrimage to South India, and the Ratha-yatra festival in Puri. A significant portion of this section contains Chaitanya's instructions on the process of bhakti to his two principal disciples Rupa and Sanatana.

Antya-lila (final pastimes)

This section focuses on Chaitanya's increasing agony of separation from Krishna in a devotional mood known as "the ecstacy or separation". It concludes with the Shikshastakam, Chaitanya's only written words (Eight verses, reproduced in our article Shri Chaitanya). While there was an earlier biography focussing on Chaitanya's youth, the Chaitanya-charitamrita covers his later years, when he detailed the all important philosophy of the Rasas (see our article "The 5 Rasas").