History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v3.c41.s7.5

v3.c41.s7.5

We are not concerned here with the further development of the Rādhā cult wherein she becomes a wife of Krishna; as this belongs to a period later than 1200 A. D. In the days of Lakshmaṇasena this Rādhā cult was just rising and probably the Vaishnavism which came to Bengal in his days from Orissa was without Rādhā. But that it was full of lascivious teaching can not be denied. As we have said above, the Hindu mind had swung at this time towards Epicurianism from asceticism and the extreme prosperity of the Hindu kingdoms at this time tended in the same directions and we have already adverted to the popularity of the Alamkāra Śāstra at thit time. This is a question which has to be carefully sifted yet; but we have no doubt that the Vaishnavism of Bengal and Orissa of this time fully countenanced the legends of the amours of Śrikrishna and the Gopīs, and in general placed enjoyment above asceticism.* Though Vallabha and Chaitanya had still to come and to debase or refine this amorous aspect, the seed was sown at this time. This epicurian aspect of Vaishnavism coupled with its Ahimsā must have appealed more to the people than Jainism and thus prevented the spread of the latter in Northern India.