The Philosophy And Religion Of Sri Caitanya (The Philosophical Background Of The Hare Krishna Movement)

This is a comprehensive, critical and comparative study of all aspects of the philosophy and religion of Sri Caitanya. In the first three chapters the history of the Vaisnava religion is traced from the earliest Vedic period to pre-Caitanya Vaisnavism in Bengal and some controversies regarding the life of Sri Caitanya and the Sampradaya or the sect to which he belongs are set at rest. In the succeeding chapters the problems of philosophy and religion are discussed in detail. It is shown how Sri Caitanya breathes a new spirit into philosophy and religion by transcending the narrow and mutually conflicting 'isms' and dogmas and reconciling them in a higher synthesis by means of the concept of the absolute as Bhagavan and the doctrine of Acintya-bhedabheda or inconceivable identity-indifference. The importance of Bhakti as the exclusive means of attaining God is His highest and sweetest form is stressed. Prema or divine love is distinguished from eroticism and established as the highest end. The doctrine of Rasa or transcendental relish is explained and Parakiya Rasa is established as the highest Rasa.