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THE PADKALPATARU, or 'wish-granting tree of song,' may be considered as the scriptures of the Vaish.nava sect in Bengal. In form it is a collection of songs written by various poets in various ages, so arranged as to exhibit a complete series of poems on the topics and tenets which constitute the religious views of the sect. The book has been put together in recent times, and takes the reader through the preliminary consecration, invocations and introductory ceremonies, the rise and progress of the mutual love of Radha and K.rish.na, and winds up with the usual closing and valedictory hymns.
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Bhaktivinode's life straddled contemporary British society and ancestral Hindu culture. One was a modern, analytical world which demanded rational thought. The other was a traditional world of Hindu faith and piety, which seemingly allowed little room for critical analysis. Could he play a meaningful role in modern society and at the same time maintain integrity as a Hindu? This book systematically examines his reinterpretation and application of Hinduism in the context of rational thought. In this well-researched, comprehensive, and objective study Dr. Shukavak begins with a discussion of the "crisis of faith" many Hindus experienced during British rule in India. This is followed by a biographic narration of the life of Kedarnath Dutta concentrating primarily on his devotional development and struggle with the problems of tradition and modernity. Shukavak identifies the inner logic of Bhaktivinode's approach as it points backward to Caitanya and the Goswamis and forward to the challenges of rationalism and universalism.Kedarnath Dutta Bhaktivinode (1838-1914) was an English-educated member of the Bengali bhadralok in 19th century British India. He was an associate of such noteworthy men as: Kashiprasad Ghosh, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Keshub Chandra Sen, Michael Madhusudan Datta, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Sisir Kumar Ghosh and the Tagore family. In his late twenties he discovered his "Eastern Savior", Caitanya Mahaprabhu (1486-1533) and became a leader of the Caitanya Vaishnava movement in Bengal. He made a lifelong study of Vaishnava philosophy, theology, and literature; and he wrote or edited almost a hundred books in Bengali, Sanskrit, and English.Bhaktivinode's spiritual insights which divide religion into two constituent parts, the phenomenal and the transcendent allowed him to combine critical rational analysis with the best of Hindu mysticism, Krishna lila. This created a unique synthesis of tradition and modernity. Instead of relinquishing modernity, he utilized it in his writings; instead of rejecting the Hindu tradition in the presence of rational thought, he strengthened it. This is the first scholarly biography and exposition written in English on the life and thought of Kedarnath Dutta Bhaktivinode. Bhaktivinode is presented from the perspective of his own times and in his own words. His writings, theology, and religious practices are thoroughly and systematically examined from a nonhagiographic viewpoint and the entire work is carefully annotated. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Must Read
If you are interested in Hinduism but would like to approach it from the context of modernity, I believe that Bhaktivinoda Thakur is the gateway for the project.For his time he was a very forward-looking thinker.His theology is quite sophisticated and can serve one to achieve a deeper understanding of Krishna-centered religion.Shukavak Dasa is an incredibly clear and persuasive writer.This book can also serve as a comprehensive introduction to Chaitanya-centered bhakti thought and practice in general.

Ideal book for aspirants in spiritual life
This books gives very detailed accounting about Bhaktivinoda Thakura's teachings. I would not say that this book gave me new understanding but certainly it is worth to read. ... Read more

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Major study of a Hindu religious site, temples, symbolism, architecture. includes maps, glossary ... Read more

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Profiles devotees of the Hindu Lord Krishna, whose lives "set the ideal example of how to follow the godly way of life," either through personal devotion or through public works of compassion. ... Read more

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This edition is written in English. However, there is a running Persian (Farsi) thesaurus at the bottom of each page for the more difficult English words highlighted in the text. There are many editions of Chaitanya and the Vaishnava Poets of Bengal. This edition would be useful if you would like to enrich your Persian (Farsi)-English vocabulary, whether for self-improvement or for preparation in advanced of college examinations. Webster's edition of this classic is organized to expose the reader to a maximum number of difficult and potentially ambiguous English words. Rare or idiosyncratic words and expressions are given lower priority compared to "difficult, yet commonly used" English words. Rather than supply a single translation, many words are translated for a variety of meanings in Persian (Farsi), allowing readers to better grasp the ambiguity of English without using the notes as a pure translation crutch. Having the reader decipher a word's meaning within context serves to improve vocabulary retention and understanding. Each page covers words not already highlighted on previous pages. This edition is helpful to Persian (Farsi)-speaking students enrolled in an English Language Program (ELP), an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) program, an English as a Second Language Program (ESL), or in a TOEFL® or TOEIC® preparation program. Students who are actively building their vocabularies in Persian (Farsi) or English may also find this useful for Advanced Placement® (AP®) tests. TOEFL®, TOEIC®, AP® and Advanced Placement® are trademarks of the Educational Testing Service which has neither reviewed nor endorsed this book. This book is one of a series of Webster's paperbacks that allows the reader to obtain more value from the experience of reading. Translations are from Webster's Online Dictionary, derived from a meta-analysis of public sources, cited on the site. ... Read more

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This edition is written in English. However, there is a running Persian (Farsi) thesaurus at the bottom of each page for the more difficult English words highlighted in the text. There are many editions of Chaitanya and the Vaishnava Poets of Bengal. This edition would be useful if you would like to enrich your Persian (Farsi)-English vocabulary, whether for self-improvement or for preparation in advanced of college examinations. Webster's edition of this classic is organized to expose the reader to a maximum number of difficult and potentially ambiguous English words. Rare or idiosyncratic words and expressions are given lower priority compared to "difficult, yet commonly used" English words. Rather than supply a single translation, many words are translated for a variety of meanings in Persian (Farsi), allowing readers to better grasp the ambiguity of English without using the notes as a pure translation crutch. Having the reader decipher a word's meaning within context serves to improve vocabulary retention and understanding. Each page covers words not already highlighted on previous pages. This edition is helpful to Persian (Farsi)-speaking students enrolled in an English Language Program (ELP), an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) program, an English as a Second Language Program (ESL), or in a TOEFL® or TOEIC® preparation program. Students who are actively building their vocabularies in Persian (Farsi) or English may also find this useful for Advanced Placement® (AP®) tests. TOEFL®, TOEIC®, AP® and Advanced Placement® are trademarks of the Educational Testing Service which has neither reviewed nor endorsed this book. This book is one of a series of Webster's paperbacks that allows the reader to obtain more value from the experience of reading. Translations are from Webster's Online Dictionary, derived from a meta-analysis of public sources, cited on the site. ... Read more

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Publisher: New York : Eaton ... Read more

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systematic guide to holdings and films, Adyar Library, Bodleian library, American University Library. includes critical introduction. ... Read more

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There is a steady and growing scholarly, as well as popular interest in Hindu religion – especially devotional (bhakti) traditions as forms of spiritual practice and expressions of divine embodiment. Associated with this is the attention to sacred images and their worship.

Attending Krishna's Image extends the discussion on Indian images and their worship, bringing historical and comparative dimensions and considering Krishna worship in the context of modernity, both in India and the West. It focuses on one specific worship tradition, the Chaitanya Vaishnava tradition of the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries, as it develops and sustains itself in two specific locales. By applying the comparative category of ‘religious truth’, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of a living religious tradition. It successfully demonstrates the understanding of devotion as a process of participation with divine embodiment in which worship of Krishna’s image is integral. ... Read more

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The Chaitanya Vaishnava tradition is famous for its depth of devotion to Krishna, the blue-hued Deity. Chaitanya Vaishnavas are known for having refined the practice and aesthetics of devotion into a sophisticated science. This imposing devotional edifice was constructed upon a solid foundation of philosophical argument and understanding. In this book, Ravi Gupta sheds new light on the contribution of Chaitanya Vaishnavism to the realm of Indian philosophy. He explores the hermeneutical tools employed, the historical resources harnessed, the structure of the arguments made, and the relative success of the endeavor. For most schools of Vaishnavism, the supporting foundation consists of the philosophical resources provided by Vedanta. The Chaitanya tradition is remarkable in its ability to engage in Vedantic discourse and at the same time practice an ecstatic form of devotion to Krishna. The prime architect of this balance was the scholar-devotee Jiva Gosvami (ca. 1517 - 1608). This book analyses Jiva Gosvami's writing concerning the philosophy of the Vedanta tradition. It concludes that Jiva's writing crosses 'disciplinary boundaries', for he brought into dialogue four powerful streams of classical Hinduism: the various systems of Vedanta, the ecstatic bhakti movements, the Puranic commentarial tradition, and the aesthetic rasa theory of Sanskrit poetics. With training in and commitments to all of these traditions, Jiva Gosvami produced a distinctly Chaitanya Vaishnava system of theology.

Customer Reviews (1)

Very detailed
I find that sometimes going in too much detail may be not too helpful, but in this case it was well done. I skipped the bits where the author goes in almost mathematical comparison of different versions of a key manuscript. But the start of the book is certainly well researched and is representative of the best Vaisnava scholarship. ... Read more

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To a disenchanted America of the 1960s, seeking alternatives to materialism, Sâdhupâda's devotional singing and exotic Hindu religious doctrine of love for Lord Krishna found instant appeal. In its fertile field Sâdhupâda found space to fulfil his guru dream of spreading Krishna consciousness to the materialist West.Founder of the Worldwide Organisation for Awareness of Krishna Consciousness, the religious message he preached, and the organisation he founded to spread the word, became mired in rigid formalism, plain perversion and grotesque distortion. The Organisation, far from spreading Krishna consciousness in the West, turned out to be a mere euphemism for self-seeking greed and other malpractices at the hand of senior devotees.Abiding faith in, and unbound love for, the personal godhead of Krishna made devotees like Pracodayât and his wife turn away from the perverted WOAK to strive for spiritual advancement following Sâdhupâda's original teachings and Hindu religious scriptures.'Devotee Farm' is a lucid narrative that describes the distortions of original Hindu philosophy at the hands of successors of Swami Sâdhupâda. Claiming themselves to be the representatives of Hindu religion, they used it as a camouflage to realise their base instincts, deceiving simple faithful devotees who went to them to find spiritual succour. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

An accurate description
I was a member of ISKCON for many years and I can recognize many of the things the author describes in this book. "Devotee Farm" is obviously a fictional story about a fictional cult, but it is clearly based of the true stories and scandals of ISKCON and its splinter groups.

As a former member, I can say that the description of the leaders' mentality, and their manipulation of the cult members, is very accurate, although the author has changes some details.

This book is a good reading for anybody who wants to know the manipulation and abuse that takes place in cults.

Weak and poorly researched !
The writing here is pretty lame.As a cult buster I have studied the Hare Krishnas and this book reallly distorts the facts about them. It is worse than a cheap romance novel.

Basic facts are wrong
I have only read the cover review of this book and I am not a devotee of Hare Krishna, but the founders name was NOT Sâdhupâda, his name was Srila Prabhupada.He didn't found the World Organization for Awareness of Krishna (WOAK), he founded the International Society for Krisha Consciousness (ISKCON).

If the author messed up on such basic facts as the name of the founder and the name of his organization, how can we trust anything else he says? ... Read more

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THE PADKALPATARU, or 'wish-granting tree of song,' may be considered as the scriptures of the Vaish.nava sect in Bengal. In form it is a collection of songs written by various poets in various ages, so arranged as to exhibit a complete series of poems on the topics and tenets which constitute the religious views of the sect. The book has been put together in recent times, and takes the reader through the preliminary consecration, invocations and introductory ceremonies, the rise and progress of the mutual love of Radha and K.rish.na, and winds up with the usual closing and valedictory hymns.
... Read more

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In writing ths narrative, which relates to the decisive campaign which freed the Northern States from invasion, it may not be out of place to state what facilities I have had for observation in the fulfilment of so important a task.
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These instructional and often hilarious devotional accounts, translated for the first time here in English, shed light on the way these great practitioners lived their lives, the practices they did, and the circumstances that led to their yogic God-realizations. ... Read more

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This dissertation seeks to draw the theistic tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, a 16th century devotional Hindu sect, into dialogue with two Western theoretical approaches-Deconstruction and Deconstruction. The issue of faith figures prominantly and a serves as the linchpin that connects these diverse discourses which are drawn from different cultural and historical contexts. While faith connects, it also challenges the boundaries and axioms of these individual fields of knowledge, offering a unique comparative examination of this contemporary topic.Using the rubric of postmodernity and the principles of identity and difference, this dissertation argues that the ancient theological doctrine of the Gaudiya faith, acintya-bhedabheda-tattva, meaning simultaneously oneness and difference, underscores how faith comes to be experienced not as an identity but as a difference from God. Faith as lack as understood by this medieval theistic school brings it closer to the postmodern view of faith articulated by Jacques Derrida. ... Read more

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Chapters: Radha Krishna. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 46. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Radha Krishna (IAST , Sanskrit ) is a Hindu deity. Krishna is often referred as svayam bhagavan in Gaudiya Vaishnavism theology and Radha is a young woman, a gopi who is Krishna's supreme beloved. With Krishna, Radha is acknowledged as the Supreme Goddess, for it is said that she controls Krishna with Her love. It is believed that Krishna enchants the world, but Radha "enchants even Him. Therefore She is the supreme goddess of all. Radha Krishna". While there are much earlier references to the worship of this form of God, it is since Jayadeva Goswami wrote a famous poem Gita Govinda in the twelfth century of the Common Era, that the topic of the spiritual love affair between the divine Krishna and his devotee Radha, became a theme celebrated throughout India. It is believed that Krishna has left the circle of the rasa dance to search for Radha. The Chaitanya school believes that the name and identity of Radha are both revealed and concealed in the verse describing this incident in Bhagavata Purana. It is also believed that Radha is not just one cowherd maiden, but is the origin of all the gopis, or divine personalities that participate in the rasa dance. Krishna (left) his consort RadhaRadhaKrishna can be broken into two Krishna (Devanagari:), the eighth incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu., and his consort Radha (Devanagari: ). Krishna in Vrindavana is sometimes depicted with Radha standing on his left, on whose bosom sits Laksmi. The common derivation of Shakti and saktiman, i.e. Female and Male principle in god implies that Sakti and saktiman are the same. Each and every god has its partner, 'betterhalf' or Sakti and without this Sakti, is sometimes viewed being without essential power. It...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=5875450 ... Read more

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Chapters: Jarāmaraṇa, Bhava, Vaishnava-Sahajiya, Circumambulation, Sparśa, Saṃjñā, Trataka, Badwa, Vicara, Vitakka, Lighthouse Center, Samvriti, Aaiyyanism, Perfect Karma, Adharma, Arupa, Cit, Sahavas, Thuvayal Thavam, Panchachara. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 57. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Jarmaraa is Sanskrit and Pli for "old age" () and "death" (). In Buddhism, jaramarana refers to the inevitable end-of-life suffering of all beings prior to their rebirth in the cycle of . Synonyms: The goal of Buddhism is liberation from suffering (dukkha). The Buddha's prescription for achieving this liberation can be found in his Four Noble Truths (dukkhasacca). In his First Noble Truth, he describes what is meant by "suffering" using the following formula found repeatedly in the Buddhist scriptures: "The Noble Truth of Suffering (dukkha), monks, is this: Birth is suffering, aging is suffering..., death is suffering, association with the unpleasant is suffering, dissociation from the pleasant is suffering, not to receive what one desires is suffering in brief the five aggregates subject to grasping are suffering."Elsewhere in the canon the Buddha further elaborates: "And what is aging? Whatever aging, decrepitude, brokenness, graying, wrinkling, decline of life-force, weakening of the faculties of the various beings in this or that group of beings, that is called aging."And what is death? Whatever deceasing, passing away, breaking up, disappearance, dying, death, completion of time, break up of the aggregates, casting off of the body, interruption in the life faculty of the various beings in this or that group of beings, that is called death." Jarmaraa is the last of the Twelve Nidnas (see graphic, upper-right), directly conditioned by birth (jti), meaning that all who are born are ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=4959013 ... Read more