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I want to study Gaudiya Vaishnavism in deep. So I want to know the principal texts of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. I already know Bhagavatam enjoys great prominence. Here I am asking about texts by acharyas which are written to establish the school. I am interested in knowing the works written till 18th century only.

Providing an English translation or Hindi translation or both translations is appreciated.

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  • Why till 18th century only? Baladeva's books such as a commentary on Vedanta sutra and all other his books I think were written in the 18th century. Mar 28, 2019 at 16:43
  • i didn't exclude him. thats why i wrote till 18th century, I need his books s well. Mar 28, 2019 at 16:48
  • It is subjective which is better . What's the problem in studying deep? I like Krishna. @Wikash_hindu Mar 31, 2019 at 17:09
  • I do think that the Gaudiya Vaishnavism consists of conflicting truths and conveniently leaving out some important scriptures but if you like Krishna go for it. @Krishna Varna
    – Wikash_
    Mar 31, 2019 at 20:48
  • @Wikash_hindu they don't leave out scriptures. They explain in different way. Can you cite example where they conveniently left out? And other sects don't leave out... Apr 1, 2019 at 0:51

2 Answers 2

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I will post what I consider key books. I am limiting to very few though it is not that others are less important. For some of the books I didn't give English links, because free online versions are not available for the whole book. Such books can be bought online if need be.

1.Bhagavata Sandarbha also known as Sat Sandarbhas: (Jiva Goswami)

The first four Sandarbhas deal primarily with sambandha-jñAna, that is, knowledge of God, the living entities, the world, and the relationships between them. The Bhakti-sandarbha covers abhidheya, or the means of reviving the personal relationship between the living entity and Bhagavan, while the final book, Priti-sandarbha, describes prayojana, the ultimate perfected state of pure love for Krishna.

The first three Sandarbhas address questions of ontology in a relatively non-sectarian way, using criteria of knowledge and proof-texts that would be acceptable to an audience much broader than the followers of Caitanya. Only when major issues regarding the status of the world, the personal nature of divinity, and the individuality of the jiva have been settled does Jiva Gosvami go on (in the Krishna-sandarbha) to identify that divinity with Krishna and describe his unique characteristics, relying on scriptural sources that are more internal to the tradition. This is interesting, for it means that Jiva exhaustively describes Bhagavan without seriously describing Krishna; that he explains the concept of lilA without addressing rasa; and that he establishes the status of the internal energy (antarangA sakti) without mentioning Sri Radha. Of course, in the process of elaborating the qualities and characteristics of Bhagavan, Jiva broadly identifies him with Vishnu/Krishna, but this is an assumption that many Vedantic writers will make, if only for the sake of demonstrating the applicability of general principles. Vishnu/ Krishna is present throughout the first three Sandarbhas, but not in the way Caitanya Vaishnavas know him.

a. Translation by HH Bhanu Swami(English)

Tattva-sandarbha

Bhagavat-sandarbha

Paramatma-sandarbha

Krishna-sandarbha

Bhakti-sandarbha

Priti-sandarbha

With commentary of Baladeva Vidyabhusna on Tattva Sandarbha and auto commentary by Jiva Goswami on first 4 sandarbhas

b. Translation by Haridasa Shastri (Hindi)

Tattva-sandarbha

Bhagavat-sandarbha

Paramatma-sandarbha

Krishna-sandarbha

Bhakti-sandarbha

Priti-sandarbha

2.Brihad Bhagavatmrita of Sanatana Goswami:(English)

3.Laghu Bhagavatamrita of Rupa Goswami:

Hindi(with commentary of Baladeva Vidyabhusana) and English

4.Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu of Rupa Goswami: English

5.Hari Bhakti Vilasa of Sanatana Goswami(Hindi), Translated by Hari dasa Shastri Volume 1 and Volume 2

6.Gayatri Bhasya of Jiva Goswami with expanded commenatary by the translator Haridasa Shastri in Hindi

7.Brahma Sutra bhasya (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)

a. Govinda Bhasya translated by Srisa Chandra Vasu Vidyarnava English

b. Govinda Bhasya translated by Kushakrita dasa English

c. Brahma Sutra Karika Bhasya translated by Dr.Demian Martins English

d.Govinda Bhasya translated by Krsnadasa Baba Hindi

8.Bhagavad Gita bhasya :

a. Saratha Varshini Tika (Vishwanath Chakravarthy Thakur)

Translation by HH BHanu Swami English

b. Gita Bhusana (Baladeva Vidyabhusana)

Translation by HH BHanu Swami English

9.Ishopanishad Bhasya of Baladeva Vidyabhusana:

Hindi and English(can only be read)

10.VishnuSahasraNama Bhasya of Baladeva Vidyabhusana:

Hindi English

11.Siddhanata Darpana of Baladeva Vidyabhusana:

It is about controversies around Bhagavatam. Starting from saying it is authored by Vopadeva, not one of the 18 puranas, etc...

Hindi

12.Gopala Champu of Jiva Goswami translated by Shri Vanamali Das Shastri in Hindi)

The Gopala-campu narrates the pastimes as found in the Srimad-bhagavatham with the addition of rasa. It describes the pastimes of Krsna from his appearance until his return to Vraja.

13.Ananda Vrindavan Champu of Kavi Karnapur translated by Shri Vanamali Das Shastri in Hindi

This book elaborately follows Srimad Bhagavatam to describe Krishna playing with calves and stealing butter, frolicking with the cows and cowherd boys, and finally His sweet intimate pastimes with Sri Radha and the Vraja gopis, with many details and pastimes in between.

14.Sarartha Darshini, commentary on Srimad Bhagavatam by Vishwanath Chakravarthy Thakur English Translated by HH Bhanu Swami

15.Chaitanya Hagiographies:

a. Chaitanya Bhagavata in English(with commentary of Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakur) Adi khanda Madhya khanda Antya khanda

Chaitanya Bhagavata Hindi

b. Chaitanya Charitamrita with commentary of Srila Prabhupada

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Apart from the Srimad-Bhagavatam the key Gaudiya Vaishnava texts are:

Chaitanya Charitamrita by Krishnadasa Kaviraj. You can buy it here in nine volumes (along with the commentary of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada) here.

Chaitanya Bhagavatam by Vrindavana Dasa. You can read it here.

Chaitanya Mangala by Lochana Dasa. You can read it here.

Sri Krishna Chaitanya Charitra Mahakavyam by Murari Gupta. You can read it here.

Brahma-Samhita. You can read it here with the commentary of Jiva Goswami here.

Kali-Santarana Upanishad. You can read it here.

Sarartha Varsini Tika, Vishvanatha Chakrabarti Thakura's commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita. You can read it in English here.

Gita Bhusana, Baladeva Vidyabhusana's commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita. You can read it in English here.

Sattvata Tantra. You can read it here.

Prameya Ratnavali by Baladeva Vidyabhusana. You can read it here.

Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu by Rupa Goswami. You can read it here.

Ujjvala-nilamani by Rupa Goswami. You can read it here.

Upadesamrta by Rupa Goswami. You can read it here.

Brhat-bhagavatamrta by Sanatana Goswami. You can read it here.

Hari-bhakti-vilasa by Sanatana Goswami. You can read it here.

Aisvarya Kadambini by Baladeva Vidyabhusana. You can read it here.

Vedanta Syamantaka by Baladeva Vidyabhusana. You can read it here.

Govinda Bhashya, a Gaudiya commentary on the Brahma Sutras, by Baladeva Vidyabhusana. You can read it here.

Sat Sandarbhas by Jiva Goswami:

1) Tattva Sandarbha. You can read it here.

2) Bhagavata Sandarbha. You can read it here.

3) Paramatma Sandarbha. You can read it here.

4) Krishna Sandarbha. You can read it here.

5) Bhakti Sandarbha. You can read it here.

6) Priti Sandarbha. You can read it here.

All works given above are in English.

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  • What about garga samhita and Vasudeva Upanishad? I guess these two also.
    – user6981
    Mar 29, 2019 at 2:26
  • Which Gaudiya Vaishnava Acharya quotes Vasudeva Upanishad? And do you know any English translation of Garga Samhita? @KrishnaShweta
    – user9969
    Mar 29, 2019 at 7:21
  • I dont know anything about vasudeva upanishad. I read it here hinduism.stackexchange.com/a/17099/6981 .
    – user6981
    Mar 29, 2019 at 7:47
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    @KrishnaShweta I think early Gaudiya Vaishnava acaryas did not quote from the Garga Samhita. And Jiva Gosvami has quoted from the Vasudeva Upanishad in his Sandarbhas, see at harekrsna.com/sun/features/06-08/features1033.htm But those two are not considered to be the principal texts of Gaudiya Vaishnavism which is asked about in the question. Mar 29, 2019 at 11:41
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    I think Kalisantarana Upanishad was not quoted by the early Gaudiya Vaishnava authors, and thus it is not considered to be the principal text of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Mar 30, 2019 at 19:53

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