The Conception of Bhakti in the Gaudiya Vaisnva Philosophy by Dr. Santosh Gupta

The Conception of Bhakti in the Gaudiya Vaisnva Philosophy
by Dr. Santosh Gupta, M.A. Ph.D (H.E.S.I) 

Introduction
According to ancient tradition there were two parallel currents of religio-philosophical thinking that emanated from the Supreme God-Head and they were known as the Nigama and Agama. The former includes the Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanisads etc. and also the later orthodox schools of Indian philosophy that are based on them heads, (i) the Vaisnava agamas (ii) The Sanskrit agamas, and (iii) The Saiva agamas. Both these currents are said to be anadi, i.e without beginning.

Historically speaking however these currents have datable origin. The Vaisnava current, for instance, is said to have developed from the Bhagavata – current the latter being in existence in forth century B.C. Dr. R.G. Bhandarakar in his book, ‘Vaisnavism, Saivism and minor Religious system’, has referred to certain literary and archaeological evidences to show that the worshippers of Vasudeva, who were called Bhagavatas, existed about three or four century before Christ. The Narayaniya-section of Mahabharata gives detailed description of such religious worshippers of Narayana, krsna, Vasudeva etc. and Bhakti as their mode of worship, through certain stories. There is also an evidence of existence of vast literature all over the country belonging to their particular school of thinking viz. Bhagavata Sampradaya. Pancaratras and Satvatas were two parallel streams of thought which enriched the Bhagavata-religion

Vaisnava current is relatively modern in the sense that this term is not found in the ancient literature. It is generally believed that Vaisnava way of thinking developed out of Bhagavata stream which includes Pancaratras, Ekantins and Satvatas etc. It is true that nothing can be said finally about this, as there is a great deal of controversy among scholars.

Publisher: Sri Radha Madhava Prakashan, Vrindavan, India

Printed by Nice Printing Press, Delhi, India

First Edition, 500 copies

Hardcover with a dust jacket

Book Condition: Used, Good: The book does not look new and has been read but is in good condition. It has minimal damage to the cover, including scuff marks, but no holes or tears. As seen in pictures.