Dancing in Shackles

On Translating the Caitanya Caritāmṛta of Kṛṣṇadās Kavirāj

Abstract

This article reflects on the profound experience of translating the Caitanya Caritāmṛta (CC), a foundational text of Bengali Vaiṣṇavism, offering insights into the intellectual and personal transformation involved. The author, in collaboration with Edward C. Dimock, Jr., details the intricate process of rendering the text from Bengali and Sanskrit into English, grappling with lexical and cultural nuances, particularly theological terms. The piece emphasizes the CC's enduring influence on Bengali religious and literary sensibilities, its role in consolidating diverse Vaiṣṇava communities, and its status as a "classic." The author also shares autobiographical reflections on the translation's deep impact on their own academic and personal life, highlighting the challenges and rewards of engaging with such a theologically and historically rich work.