Modern Hindu Personalism

Modern Hindu Personalism explores the life and works of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati (1874-1937) a Vaishnava guru of the Chaitanya school of Bengal. Ferdinando Sardella examines Bhaktisiddhanta''s background motivation and thought especially as it relates to his creation of a modern traditionalist institution for the successful revival of Chaitanya Vaishnava bhakti. Sardella provides the historical background as well as the contemporary context of the India in which Bhaktisiddhanta lived and functioned in the process shedding light on such topics as colonial culture and sensibilities the emergence of an educated middle-class the rise of the Bengal Renaissance and the challenge posed by Protestant missionaries. Bhaktisiddhanta''s childhood education and major influences are examined as well as his involvement with Chaitanya Vaishnavism and the practice of bhakti. Sardella places Bhaktisiddhanta''s life and work within a taxonomy of modern Hinduism and compares the significance of his work to the contributions of other major figures such as Swami Vivekananda. Finally Bhaktisiddhanta''s work is linked to the development of a worldwide movement that today involves thousands of American and European practitioners many of whom have become respected representatives of Chaitanya bhakti in India itself.