In the "Journal for Vaiṣṇava Studies", fall 2003, page 151, Mans Broo writes that Haribhakti Vilāsa is written for all Sampradāyas, hence there is no worship of Gaura mentioned. He claims that non-Gauḍīyas would object or feel no need for it. This is not true. There ARE prayers to Gaura in the opening of each chapter, so it IS sectarean, and if worship of Gaura was to be done (in the elaborate separate way of the last few centuries), why isnt that mentioned in any of the other Gosvāmīs' books either, like Bhakti Rasāmṛta Sindhu, Ujjvala Nīlamaṇi, Laghu Bhāgavatāmṛta, Bṛhad Bhāgavatamṛta, the Six Sandarbhas etc. etc.?
Yes, there are prayers to Caitanya (which, by the way, the commentator every single time points out can be understood in a more general way, referring to the "Lord of consciousness" or something similar), but there is no worship of Caitanya described there -- and none for Radha either.
ReplyDeleteBTW, it was nice bumping into you at Krishna-Balarama! I had to return to Finland because of a family emergency, but perhaps we will meet again somewhere else.
Haha I had no idea that you were Mans Broo, Bhrigu! Pity you had to leave, we could have had some firm discussions I am sure. As to your reaction, well whatever glossary has been given to the word Caitanya, the mukhya vritti is very obvious, huh?
ReplyDeleteSure, and I agree of course that there is no (explicit at least) Gaura-upasana anywhere in the Goswami granthas. To me it seems that that developed separately, in Bengal, and it wasn't until later that the Vrindavan and Bengal styles of worship were harmonised.
ReplyDeleteBut I stand behind my original point re. the HBV. As I see it, the Gaudiyas had not developed into a clear-cut sampradaya of their own in Vrindavana when it was written.
I disagree. Mahaprabhu Himself told Sanatan Gosvami to write it in Caitanya Caritamrita, madhya 24, very elaborately. So the purpose and mandate of Sanatan Gosvami was very clear. Anyway, you do agree with my main point, thats what matters.....
ReplyDeleteVishnupriya devi installed Sri Gauranga deity.
ReplyDeleteThe first Deities of Gaura-Gadadhara were established at Campahati by Dvija-Vaninatha, the brother of Gadadhara Pandita and the first Deities of Gaura-Nitai were established by Gauridasa Pandita.
This is the love of the personal associates of Sriman Mahaprabhu, and their privilege. We,however, must follow Rupa Goswami, who was appointed by Mahaprabhu to teach us worship. And he, of course, never prescribed separate Gaur worship.
ReplyDelete