Hindu Theology in Early Modern South Asia : The Rise of Devotionalism and the Politics of Genealogy

## Abstract Focusing on the idea of genealogical affiliation (sampradāya), this book explores the interactions between royal power and priestly authority in eighteenth-century north India. Specifically, it examines how the religious policies of Jaisingh II (1688–1743) of Jaipur influenced the self-representation of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas, as articulated by Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa (c.1700–1793). Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas centred around the God Kṛṣṇa was initiated by Caitanya (1486–1533) and quickly became one of the most influential Hindu devotional movements in early modern South Asia. In the increasingly volatile late Mughal period, Jaisingh II tried to establish the legitimacy of his kingship by resorting to moral discourse. As a part of this strategy, he demanded that religious traditions in his kingdom conform to what he conceived of as Brahmanically normative. In this context the Gauḍīya school was forced to deal with their lack of clear genealogical affiliation, lack of an independent commentary on the Brahmasūtras, and their worship of Goddess Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, who, according to the Gauḍīya, were not married. Based on a study of Baladeva’s Brahmasūtra commentary, the book examines how the Gauḍīya responded to the king’s demand, and thereby contributes to (1) genealogical studies; (2) the study of early modern South Asia; (3) Purāṇic studies, and (4) the study of Hindu theology. Focusing on the idea of genealogical affiliation ( sampradāya ), this book explores the interactions between royal power and priestly authority in eighteenth-century north India. Specifically, it examines how the religious policies of Jaisingh II (1688-1743) of Jaipur influenced the self-representation of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas, as articulated by Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa ( c .1700-1793). Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas centred around the God Kṛṣṇa was initiated by Caitanya (1486-1533) and quickly became one of the most influential Hindu devotional movements in early modern South Asia. In the increasingly volatile late Mughal period, Jaisingh II tried to establish the legitimacy of his kingship by resorting to moral discourse. As a part of this strategy, he demanded that religious traditions in his kingdom conform to what he conceived of as Brahmanically normative. In this context the Gauḍīya school was forced to deal with their lack of clear genealogical affiliation, lack of an independent commentary on the Brahmasūtra s, and their worship of Goddess Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa, who, according to the Gauḍīya, were not married. Based on a study of Baladeva’s Brahmasūtra commentary, the book examines how the Gauḍīya responded to the king’s demand, and thereby contributes to (1) genealogical studies; (2) the study of early modern South Asia; (3) Purāṇic studies, and (4) the study of Hindu theology Focusing on the idea of genealogical affiliation (sampradaya), Kiyokazu Okita explores the interactions between the royal power and the priestly authority in eighteenth-century north India. He examines how the religious policies of Jaisingh II (1688-1743) of Jaipur influenced the self-representation of Gaudiya Vaisnavism, as articulated by Baladeva Vidyabhusana (ca. 1700-1793). Gaudiya Vaisnavism centred around God Krsna was inaugurated by Caitanya (1486-1533) and quickly became one of the most influential Hindu devotional movements in early modern South Asia. In the increasingly volatile late Mughal period, Jaisingh II tried to establish the legitimacy of his kingship by resorting to a moral discourse. As part of this discourse, he demanded that religious traditions in his kingdom conform to what he conceived of as Brahmanicaly normative. In this context the Gaudiya school was forced to deal with their lack of clear genealogical affiliation, lack of an independent commentary on the Brahmasutras, and their worship of Goddess Radha and Krsna, who, according to the Gaudiyas, were not married. Based on a study of Baladeva's Brahmasutra commentary, Kiyokazu Okita analyses how the Gaudiyas responded to the king's demand. Focusing on the idea of genealogical affiliation (sampradāya), Kiyokazu Okita explores the interactions between the royal power and the priestly authority in eighteenth-century north India. He examines how the religious policies of Jaisingh II (1688-1743) of Jaipur influenced the self-representation of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism, as articulated by Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa (ca. 1700-1793). Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism centred around God Kṛṣṇa was inaugurated by Caitanya (1486-1533) and quickly became one of the most influential Hindu devotional movements in early modern South Asia. In the increasingly volatile late Mughal period, Jaisingh II tried to establish the legitimacy of his kingship by resorting to a moral discourse. As part of this discourse, he demanded that religious traditions in his kingdom conform to what he conceived of as Brahmaṇicaly normative. In this context the Gauḍīya school was forced to deal with their lack of clear genealogical affiliation, lack of an independent commentary on the Brahmasūtras, and their worship of Goddess Radha and Kṛṣṇa, who, according to the Gauḍīyas, were not married. Based on a study of Baladeva's Brahmasūtra commentary, Kiyokazu Okita analyses how the Gauḍīyas responded to the king's demand. In the increasingly volatile late Mughal period, Jaisingh II tried to establish the legitimacy of his kingship by resorting to a moral discourse. As part of this discourse, he demanded that religious traditions in his kingdom conform to what he conceived of as Brahmanicaly normative. In this context the Gaudiya school was forced to deal with their lack of clear genealogical affiliation, lack of an independent commentary on the Brahmasutras, and their worship of Goddess Radha and Krsna, who, according to the Gaudiyas, were not married. Based on a study of Baladeva's Brahmasutra commentary, Kiyokazu Okita analyses how the Gaudiyas responded to the king's demand. --Publisher description Kiyokazu Okita explores the historical development of a Hindu devotional movement in early modern South Asia. He provides a rigorous philological analysis of Sanskrit texts, which is combined with a detailed examination of the specific historical circumstances which led to their formation This book explores the historical development of a Hindu devotional movement in early modern South Asia. Provides a rigorous philological analysis of Sanskrit texts, which is combined with a detailed examination of the specific historical circumstances which led to their formation.