ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book looks at several factors indicative of how, if at all, and to what degree, if any, the Caitanya Vaisnava movement and the community it gave rise to affected the basic structure of the Brahmana-dominated Hindu society in Bengal, especially in the pre-colonial period. It deals with understanding how the doctrinal and psychological aspects of the Caitanya Vaisnavas’ devotion to Krsna affected their basic social orientation. The book focuses on social integration while only lightly touching on Caitanya Vaisnava contributions to cultural integration in Bengal, especially via their extensive and attractive literature, song, music and drama. It examines how Caitanya Vaisnava authors of sacred biographies viewed Muslims. The book provides a critical assessment of the continuing value and the limitations of the social implications of the Caitanya Vaisnava devotional tradition in Bengal.
