Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Bengal, from Sanskrit and Bengali Sources c9.s1.14

c9.s1.14

Having regard to the peculiar method and standpoint of the Bengal school of Vaiṣṇavism, it would not be possible for us to refer in detail to the large mass of texts cited in the works of the Gosvāmins for scriptural justification and interpretation. The more or less scholastic disquisition of words and phrases are neither profitable nor possess general interest. The learning displayed in these works is amazing, but it is learning of a limited sectarian kind. The theological acumen is praiseworthy, but the whole discussion and its pot-pourri method are marked more by intellectual subtlety than intellectual virility. All that we can do here is to give a rapid résumé of the main dogmas and doctrines, and indicate only generally the way in which these are sought to be established. As our object is chiefly historical, we shall, as far as possible, avoid criticism and discussion, and confine ourselves to a descriptive exposition of the essential features of its philosophical and theological ideas. Historically again, Bengal Vaiṣṇavism derives a great deal, in an eclectic spirit, from previous Vaiṣṇava systems, especially from the doctrines of the Rāmānuja sect; but with our limited object in view, it will be necessary for us to avoid all comparative observations and maintain an attitude of descriptive objectivity. We shall also limit ourselves to an account of the subject chiefly derived from the theological and philosophical works of Rūpa, Sanātana and Jiva, excluding its further development in the much later works (18th century) of Viśvanātha Cakravartin and Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa.