ABSTRACT
This chapter examines a less common form of devotionalism—śāstric bhakti–in the Maharashtrian Datta sampradāya. The tradition’s main scripture, the Gurucaritra (sixteenth century.), promotes a very articulate vision of ritual activity and devotion to the guru. Although Muslims do appear in the Gurucaritra and later historians assumed that Muslims were the Other that most concerned the Datta sampradāya, this chapter shows that the depictions traffic mainly in common stereotypes rather than historical figures. A closer reading that is less biased by modern preconceptions reveals that the Gurucaritra displays much more concern about the conduct of other Hindus, and especially unorthodox Brahmins, whose errant behavior falls short of the śāstric norms prescribed by the tradition. This improper behavior includes overlooking caste distinctions—a hallmark of other Maharashtrian bhakti traditions. The Gurucaritra thus portrays a particular vision of bhakti that is in explicit and direct opposition to more widely known and popular forms of devotionalism.
