Book Review

The History and Literature of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas by Sambidananda Das;
Published by Sri Gaudiya Math
Gaudiya Mutt Road, Chennai 600 014;
Price: Rs.150.

This book covers a wide range of topics connected with Chaitanya’s philosophy namely, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, besides the systems of Ramanuja, Madhva, Nimbarka and Valabha.

The term ‘Bhakti’ originates from the Sanskrit root ‘Bhaj’ which means ‘to serve’. The loving service of the most beautiful personal God is Bhakti. It is the single-minded devotion to the Lord of the senses, with all the senses free from the adjuncts of Maya.

Bhakti begins with faith (sraddhaa) in Krishna. A neophyte, in whose heart faith arises, should always seek the companionship of veterans to learn the 64 devotional processes that start with surrendering oneself at the feet of Guru.

A few references mention that, "having assumed the form of a tortoise, Prajapati created offspring", and again that "in the form of the great Boar He raised the earth from the bottom of the ocean." The Brahmanas in the Vedas state that "Vishnu assumed the form of a Dwarf to recover the Earth for the gods, from the Asuras by taking his three strides."

The Radha Krishna tradition represents a further stage in the development of devotional urge to strike a close fellowship with God in the spirit of woman’s relation with her husband or lover. This tendency is striking in the Alwars’ Divya Prabandham. Andal, the famous woman saint, is believed to have attained the divine union with Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam.

Sri Chaitanya does not place Lakshmi in the category of Jiva. She is the predominant aspect of the Absolute. These two aspects of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism make Him "Raso Vai Sah". Without the She-God, eternal active bliss is not possible.

Ramanuja gives the first distinct principle of devotion as "Master and servant" in the relation of God to man. This excellent treatise will be useful for Vaishnavites to get a glimpse of their derived wisdom.

The author deserves praise for bringing out this concise volume highlighting Gaudiya Vaishnavism and its relation to the other medieval schools of Vaishnavism.

VKSN Raghavan

© "The Hindu" (dated June 13, 2006). Reprinted with permission.

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