Conclusion

Abstract

Abstract The final section summarizes the previous four chapters and ties them back to the issues discussed in introduction. This book contributes to genealogical study in South Asian culture by examining the idea of tradition or sampradāya in the early modern period. This focus on the early modern period in turn shows that in the realm of Vedānta too there was a lively production of Sanskrit texts, as pointed out by the Sanskrit Knowledge Systems Project. One of the unique featires of Vedānta in this period was its focus on the Purāṇas, as demonstrated in the works of Madhva, Śrīdhara, Jīva, and of Baladeva. Therefore this study shows a deep influence of Purāṇic texts on Vedānta, which has not received much attention to date. Finally, this work contributes to the establishment of Hindu theology as a legitimate intellectual category. The writings of the Gauḍīya authors evidently fit well with three definitions of theology.