The Nature and Degree of Bhakti in Chaitanya's Thought

Subject Areas : Christianity

Mahdie Aminzadeh Gohari ¹ , Aboulfazl Mahmoudi ²

1 - PhD Candidate of Comparative Religion and Mysticism, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Associate Professor of Comparative Religion and Mysticism, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2021-12-17 Accepted : 2021-12-17 Published : 2021-08-23

Keywords: Chaitanya, Bhakti, Krishna, Love,

Abstract :

Chaitanya (1585-1485) is one of the prominent figures of the Vaishnavite Hinduism. Some of the believers consider him the embodiment of Krishna. Bhakti is the path of love and devotion, and according to the followers of this path, only through Bhakti one can achieve the knowledge of God. From Chaitanya's point of view, love is divided into five categories: Shanta Rati (quiet and gentle love), Dasia Rati (love based on service), Sakia Rati (respectful love), Vatsalia Rati (fatherly and motherly love), and Madhuria Rati (marital love).   In this article, an attempt has been made to answer the question of what is the nature of this love and what is the method of reaching the highest degrees of Bhakti from the perspective of Chaitanya?

References:

داسگوپتا، سورندراناته، سیر تحول عرفان هندی، مترجم ابوالفضل محمودی، نشر سمت، 1394.

رادا کریشنان، سروپالی، تاریخ فلسفه شرق و غرب، ترجمۀ خسرو جهانداری، چاپ دوم، ج: 1، تهران: انتشارات علمی فرهنگی،1367.

شاتوک، سی بل، دین هندو، ترجمه حسن افشار، نشر مرکز، تهران،1381 .

مجتبائی، فتح الله، پیوندهای فرهنگی ایران و هند در دوره اسلامی، ترجمه ابوالفضل محمودی، موسسه پژوهشی حکمت و فلسفه ایران، تهران، 1389.

Bhaktivinoda, Śrīla Thakura, Swami, A.C., BhaktiVedanta: Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, Calcutta India, 1895.

Bhandanrkar, R.G., Vaiṣnavism, Śaivism and Minor Religious Systems, Strassburg, 1913.

Bhattachatyya. N., Medieval Bhakti Movements in India, New Delhi: Mushiram Publishets,1999.

Chatterjee, A.N, Sri Chaitanya and His Sect, Proceedings of the Indian History Congress, Vol. 41, 1980.

Cunningham, John M,"Chaitanya Movement", Encyclopaedia Britannica, Jun, 2010.

Dasgupta. S., A History of Indian Philosophy, vol 2.3.4.5.Cambridge: Motillal Banatsidass Publishers, vol.4, 1970.

Mukherjee, Prasenjit, Indian Literature, Vol.22, No.1, OriaLiterature (January-February 1979.

Prentiss, Karen Pechilis, The Embodiment of Bhakli, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1999.

Sarabhai, Mrinalini, An Affirmation of Wholeness Krishna Ghaitanya, India International Centre, 1986.

Śrīla Thakura Bhaktivinoda, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu His Life and Precepts, Published by Gaudiya Press, 1987.

Steven j. Rosen, Sri Chaitanya's Life and Teachings the Golden Avatara of Divine, Lexington Books, 2017.

Swami Prabhupada, A.C. Bhaktivedanta, Sri Chaitanya Caritamrta, Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, California, 1975.

The Bhagavad Gita, Translated by S. Radhakrishnan, NewDelhi, USB Publishers, 1977.

Tridandibhiksu, Bhakti Pradipa Tirtha, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Aloa, Bengal, 1939.