Sociological

Gitagovinda is a masterpiece of Sanskrit literature that was very influential among the Vaishnavites of Bengal. It was considered to be Chaitanya’s favorite work, and stories tell of his relish for the songs of this book. It also influenced the Vaishnavite Sahajiyas, a tantra-influenced sect that saw sexuality as an expression of Krishna’s liaisons with Radha. The Sahajiyas esoteric practice joined a man with a woman not his wife as part of the realization of the mysterious union of Radha and Krishna.