Women Saints in Gaudiya Vaishnavism

Abstract

Jan Brzezinski's "Women Saints in Gaudiya Vaishnavism" challenges prevailing feminist critiques that goddess worship does not necessarily improve women's social status, by exploring the historical role and spiritual achievements of women within the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. While acknowledging initial scholarly views that the Caitanyaite movement, despite its emphasis on Radha, may have adhered to Puranic traditions regarding women, Brzezinski argues for a more nuanced understanding. He notes that the Caitanya-caritamrita avoids overt misogyny, and while strict ascetic standards, like those seen in the case of Junior Haridas, highlight sexual segregation, they emphasize the strength of the senses for all practitioners, rather than solely denigrating women.

The article categorizes the history of Gaudiya women saints into three periods: early (contemporary with Caitanya), middle (early post-Caitanya), and modern (19th and 20th centuries). Brzezinski details the lives of prominent women from the early period, such as Saci Devi and Visnupriya Devi, highlighting their revered status derived primarily from their relationships with Caitanya. He illustrates Saci's deep maternal love and her eventual spiritual instruction from Caitanya, and Visnupriya's iconic role as an ideal widow, her rigorous ascetic practices (like counting japa with rice grains), and her initiation of the worship of a Caitanya image. The article also touches upon Sita Thakurani, the wife of Advaita, and her fearless woman disciple Jangali, whose transformative powers confounded societal norms. Brzezinski tentatively concludes that the status of women, particularly in leadership roles, peaked in the middle period with figures like Jahnava Devi, suggesting a more democratic attitude towards religious practice within the broader bhakti movement, often at odds with stricter ascetic interpretations.