The life and thought of Kedarnath Dutta Bhaktivinode: A Hindu encounter with modernity

This study of Kedarnath Dutta Bhaktivinode concentrates primarily on Bhaktivinode's devotional development in the context of the nineteenth century Bengal Renaissance. The work is divided into six chapters. The first chapter describes some of the important undercurrents that affected Bhaktivinode's thinking and situates his place within the Bengal Renaissance. It also traces the connection between Bhaktivinode and some of the important personalities and events that shaped the social, cultural and intellectual environment in which he lived.;Chapter Two is biographic and is divided into two parts. The first part spans the years 1838 to 1869, from Bhaktivinode's birth until his adoption of Caitanya Vaishnavism. The second part spans the years 1870 to 1914, from the time of his involvement with Caitanya Vaishnavism until his passing away in Calcutta in 1914.;The third, fourth and fifth chapters systematically examine Bhaktivinode's interpretation and application of Caitanya Vaishnavism in the context of modern thought. The third chapter, entitled "Foundational Issues: Reason and Religious Faith", describes the religious and intellectual basis of Bhaktivinode's reconciliation of traditional Caitanya Vaishnava theology and nineteenth century modern thought.;The fourth chapter, entitled "Systematic Theology: Perceptions of Divine Manifestation", deals with Bhaktivinode's interpretation of categories of Vaishnava theology including: the primacy of direct spiritual insight, sahaja-samadhi; holy scripture (sastra); divine sport (lila); sacred image (srimurti); and divine name (nama). It also deals with Bhaktivinode's understanding of human language and religious symbolism, and human ability to comprehend what is sacred.;The fifth chapter, entitled "The Sadhana of Kedarnath Dutta Bhaktivinode", describes Bhaktivinode's approach to devotional practice within the Caitanya movement. It especially studies his understanding of the esoteric practices relating to raganuga-bhakti-sadhana and the controversial issue of Bhaktivinode's guru succession.;The sixth chapter, entitled "Nama-hatta and the West", is a short conclusion and epilogue that summarizes the issues discussed in this dissertation and considers briefly the impact of Bhaktivinode and the implications of his life and thought on the recent development of Caitanya Vaishnavism as it has appeared in the West.