Como voltar ao supremo: práticas devocionais na tradição do Vaiṣṇavismo Gauḍīya de acordo com o Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

Abstract

The present work is a study of the devotional practices of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism, a religion originating in India, in the region of West Bengal. The main objective of this dissertation is to demonstrate that the ritualistic and contemplative activities of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism make up a performative devotional method, where the adept performs his practices performing his relationship with the divine, in order to be completely in communion with the supreme. To do this, I analyze the scripture that is the basis of the theology and philosophy of this religion, the sacred text Srimad Bhāgavatam, also known as Bhāgavata Purana. I also pay attention to the translation and comments on the text made by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, master of this tradition and responsible for bringing this Indian religious lineage to the West in the 1960s. Based on the sacred text and the notes made by this exponent of religiosity, we can understand what are the main devotional activities established by this doctrine, their importance and how they should be carried out. This, together with the example of mythical and historical archetypes, shows us that the Gauḍīya tradition creates a systematic way of demonstrating and developing the practitioner's devotion to the supreme, based on the performative act of loving expression. By demonstrating their feelings of love for God, through the method guided by tradition, the devotee achieves communion with the divine.