Page 178 - Hinduism

Later in Northern India, there arose the Chaitanya movement. Nimbarka had already elevated Radha, the consort of Krishna, to the highest position. Jayadeva, the author of Gita-Govinda, and other poets like Vidyapati, Umapati and Chandidas, adopted the Radha-Krishna cult. Chaitanya, the great Vaisnava teacher of the 15th century transformed the Vaishnava faith and extended his influence in most parts of Northern India. He accepted converts from Islam, the foremost among them being Haridas, Rupa and Sanatana. Salvation, according to his doctrine, consists in the eternal experience of God's love. Chaitanya exercised great influence over later Indian thought.
IX.18 Shaktism
The cult of Shakti or the mother aspect of Godhead had its roots in the Vedas. The Rig-Veda describes Shakti as the embodiment of power and the upholder of the universe. Shakti is represented as the sister of Krishna and the wife of Siva. She is worshipped as Devi, who is one with Brahman. The literature of Shaktism, called the Tantra, gives a high place to women and reacts strongly against caste distinctions. According to the doctrines of the Shakta cult (embodied in 77 Agamas), Siva or the supreme entity is impersonal and beyond activity. Sankara in his Saundarya1ahari stated that, Siva is able to function when united with Shakti, otherwise he is inert. The Shakta cult and philosophy has had great
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