Caitanya’s “Better Half”

Viṣṇupriyā in Vaiṣṇava Tradition and History

Abstract

This article examines the role and perception of Viṣṇupriyā, the second wife of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, within the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition. It traces her depiction in medieval hagiographies, where she is primarily portrayed as a devoted and suffering wife, embodying ideals of feminine virtue and self-sacrifice. The article then explores her re-emergence as a significant figure in the colonial period, particularly through the works of authors like Haridās Gosvāmī, who advocated for the joint worship of Caitanya and Viṣṇupriyā (yugal-arcanā). This new theological perspective emphasized Viṣṇupriyā's role as Caitanya's divine consort and a source of devotional inspiration, reflecting changing social sensibilities about marriage and the role of women. The article analyzes the literary and cultural context that led to the elevation of Viṣṇupriyā's image and the development of a distinct Gaura-Viṣṇupriyā devotional practice.