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.
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"Bhaktivinode's explanation of human comprehension of the divine not only sheds light on Vaishnavism but also blasts many ridiculous stereotypes held by some Westerners. ... those earnestly pursuing an understanding of Indian religion, history and culture-especially devotional yogic practice-will find this book vitally interesting." -- Jeff Ahrens, American Library Association Booklist 10/97
"Dr. Shukavak has written a clear analysis of the strains between traditional faith and modern critical thought and the distinctive ways that Kedarnath sought to resolve these tensions. He examines how Kedarnath, a modern, sophisticated man could understand, experience and explain lucidly the complex theology and simple faith of devotion to Radha-Krishna in the Caitanya Vaishnava fashion." -- Joseph T. O'Connell, University of Toronto
"I have read Dr. Shukavak's work with great interest and enjoyment. I find it to be an excellent work of scholarship: carefully researched, convincingly argued, and very well written. This book is an important scholarly contribution to our knowledge of modern India and of the Hindu tradition in the modern world." -- Thomas J. Hopkins, Franklin & Marshall College
"Shukavak Das acknowledges his own identification with the spiritual lineage of Kedarnath Dutta. He at the same time stands back from offering a hagiographic exposition and says so openly at the outset. If I were studying a figure from my own tradition, I would do the very same thing. In my view, Shukavak's book displays real intellectual integrity on this point." -- Willard G. Oxtoby, University of Toronto
"Shukavak Das demonstrates both excellent research skills and scholarly integrity in bringing to light a much more complete - and much more compelling - account of Bhaktivinode's religious development than hagiographies have previously told us, and, that he (Bhaktivinode) had perhaps the broadest ranging religious experience of anyone of his generation...Variety of experience, of course, does not in itself produce great religious thought; it must be synthesized in the mind of a spiritual genius. Shukavak Das leaves little doubt that Bhaktivinode was such a genius, a devotee whose vision transcended his culture and his time.""Shukavak's assessment of these issues and his analysis of Bhaktivinode's solutions is quite simply the best I have seen... The result is a clarification of Bhaktivinode's thought from a scholarly perspective without in the least infringing on his integrity as a devotee." -- Thomas J. Hopkins, Franklin & Marshall College
"Dr. Shukavak has written a clear analysis of the strains between traditional faith and modern critical thought and the distinctive ways that Kedarnath sought to resolve these tensions. He examines how Kedarnath, a modern, sophisticated man could understand, experience and explain lucidly the complex theology and simple faith of devotion to Radha-Krishna in the Caitanya Vaishnava fashion." -- Joseph T. O'Connell, University of Toronto
"I have read Dr. Shukavak's work with great interest and enjoyment. I find it to be an excellent work of scholarship: carefully researched, convincingly argued, and very well written. This book is an important scholarly contribution to our knowledge of modern India and of the Hindu tradition in the modern world." -- Thomas J. Hopkins, Franklin & Marshall College
"Shukavak Das acknowledges his own identification with the spiritual lineage of Kedarnath Dutta. He at the same time stands back from offering a hagiographic exposition and says so openly at the outset. If I were studying a figure from my own tradition, I would do the very same thing. In my view, Shukavak's book displays real intellectual integrity on this point." -- Willard G. Oxtoby, University of Toronto
"Shukavak Das demonstrates both excellent research skills and scholarly integrity in bringing to light a much more complete - and much more compelling - account of Bhaktivinode's religious development than hagiographies have previously told us, and, that he (Bhaktivinode) had perhaps the broadest ranging religious experience of anyone of his generation...Variety of experience, of course, does not in itself produce great religious thought; it must be synthesized in the mind of a spiritual genius. Shukavak Das leaves little doubt that Bhaktivinode was such a genius, a devotee whose vision transcended his culture and his time.""Shukavak's assessment of these issues and his analysis of Bhaktivinode's solutions is quite simply the best I have seen... The result is a clarification of Bhaktivinode's thought from a scholarly perspective without in the least infringing on his integrity as a devotee." -- Thomas J. Hopkins, Franklin & Marshall College
From the Publisher
Bhaktivinode envisioned the modern Hindu as the saragrahi (essence seeker). One who could appreciate the truth held within all religious perspectives.In this well-researched, comprehensive, and objective study Dr. Shukavak systematically examines Bhaktivinode's reinterpretation and application of Hinduism in the context of rational thought. 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 Hindu tradition in the presence of rational thought, he strengthened it.
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This review is from: Hindu Encounter with Modernity: Kedarnath Datta Bhaktivinoda, Vaishnava Theologian (Hardcover)
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.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ideal book for aspirants in spiritual life,
By Kaspars Melkis (Latvia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Hindu Encounter with Modernity: Kedarnath Datta Bhaktivinoda, Vaishnava Theologian (Hardcover)
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.
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