Vaisnavi Women and the Worship of Krishna

This volume explores the delicate subject of gender and religion with honesty and clarity-focusing on one of mankind's earliest and most textually-rich religious traditions, Vaishnavism. Steven J. Rosen has brought together eight essays by leading academics, poets and practitioners, who shed light on the lives and teachings of specific female saints throughout history. This book also examines general principles regarding the worship of Krishna and how such principles impact on the lives of both men and women today.

Extract from review

The editor of the book, Steven J. Rosen has brought together eight essays by leading academics who shed light on the lives and teachings of specific female saints throughout history, such as Meerabai and Andal.

About the Author

Steven Rosen (Satyaraj Das) is a freelance writer and author living in the New York area. Among his more popular books are Food for the Spirit: Vegetarianism and the World Religious; India's Spiritual Renaissance: The Life and Times of Lord Chaitanya; The Six Goswamis of Vrindavan; Om Shalom; Judaism and Krishna Consciousness; and The Lives of the Vaishnava Saints: Shrinivas, Narottam, and Shyamananda.

Mr. Rosen frequently contributes to academic journals and other magazines such as Vegetarian Times, The Animals' Agenda, Dance Pages, and Back to Godhead, the magazine of the Hare Krishna movement.

From the back of the Book

"Vaisnavism: Contemporary Scholars Discuss the Gaudiya Tradition" focuses on an ancient religious heritage in the light of modern scholar-ship. Through a series of lively conversations, Steve J. Rosen and twenty-five distinguished academics explore the many sides of Gaudiya Vaisnavism - its literature, historical development, theology and practice. Thoughtful and indeed illuminating perspectives emerge as these scholars reveal insight based on current research in their fields. In discussing subjects such as the nature of the Absolute, bhakti poetry, mysticism, and mantra meditation, the profundity and beauty of this venerable East Indian tradition are revealed for all.

Contents:

Introduction

Nancy Martin 
Mirabai: Inscribed in Text, Embodied in Life

Andrew Schelling 
"Where's My Beloved?" Mirabai's Prem Bhakti Marg

Jan Brzezinski
Women Saints in Gaudiya Vaisnavism

Kim Knott
The Debate about Women in the Hare Krishna Movement

Steven J. Rosen
Raganuga Bhakti: Bringing Out the Inner Women in Gaudiya Vaisnava Sadhana 

Mary McGee 
Bahinabai: The Ordinary Life of an Exceptional Woman, or, the Exceptional 
Life of an Ordinary Woman

Dennis Hudson 
Antal's Desire

Nancy Ann Nayar
The "Other" Antal: Portrait of a 12th Century Srivaisnava Woman

Katherine K. Young
Theology Does Help Women's Liberation: Srivaisnavism, A Hindu Case Study 

About the Contributors