Download or read book Hindu Myth Hindu History Religion Art and Politics written by Heinrich von Stietencron and published by Orient Blackswan. This book was released on 2005 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Drawing Upon Varions Sources And Currents Folk, Tribal, And The Multilayered Sanskritic Tradition The Author Offers In This Volume, Major Insights Into The Complex Cultural History Of Hindu Traditions.
Download or read book Cultural Identity in Hindi Plays written by Diana Dimitrova and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2022-10-15 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book deals with the interface between identity, culture and literature. It aims at studying questions of cultural identity and gender in Hindi plays of the 19th- and 20th- centuries and the interplay of poetics and politics, as revealed in the work of several influential playwrights. The book explores questions related to the ways in which seven representative playwrights imagine India and its identity and the ways, in which this concept is revealed in the "narratives of the nation", its postcolonial contentions and the politics of identity, as revealed in the production of various cultural discourses. The chapters explore various aspects of the ongoing process of constructing and narrating culture, gender, the nation and identity. There has been no monograph on the questions of cultural identity in Hindi drama. This is a pioneering project and a desideratum in the field of Hindi literature, South Asian Studies, and broadly, in the study of theatre of India and of South Asian cultures and literatures.
Download or read book Religion in Literature and Film in South Asia written by Diana Dimitrova and published by Springer. This book was released on 2010-02-15 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This innovative, interdisciplinary collection of essays by scholars based in Europe and the United States offers stimulating approaches to the role played by religion in present-day South Asia.
Download or read book Divine Descent and the Four World Ages in the Mah bh rata or Why Does the K a Avat ra Inaugurate the Worst Yuga written by Simon Brodbeck and published by Cardiff University Press. This book was released on 2022-10-12 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This monograph approaches the Mahābhārata as a single work of literature, and the method is that of close textual study. Key verses are quoted in the original Sanskrit and in English translation. The title problem has been recognised before, but no detailed solution has been forthcoming. The monograph’s objective is to try to articulate a Mahābhārata theology of time. In Chapter 1, the monograph’s argument and synchronic methodology are summarised. In Chapter 2, the cycle of four yugas (world-ages) is outlined and discussed on the basis of the textual evidence. Each yuga is shorter and less moral than the last, and between them they constitute a repeating 12,000-year cycle. In Chapter 3, the Mahābhārata war is shown to be located at the junction between the third and fourth yugas. The idea of God Viṣṇu-Nārāyaṇa descending to improve the world is introduced, and the title question is properly posed: Why does God’s descent as Kṛṣṇa (to make the Mahābhārata war happen) inaugurate the worst yuga? In Chapter 4, the various descents (avatāras, ‘crossings-down’) of God Viṣṇu-Nārāyaṇa are discussed. Also discussed is a theory suggesting that the passage between yugas always requires a divine descent to effect it. The limitations of this theory are described and an alternative sketched. In Chapter 5, two general functions of divine descent are identified: to improve the world morally by killing demons, and to help the personified Earth by reducing the human weight upon her. These two functions are correlated with the two extremities of the four-yuga cycle, between which time oscillates. But the Mahābhārata war is not located at either extremity. Central to the monograph is a survey and discussion of the reasons given for this particular descent. These passages combine the two functions of divine descent, neither of which is entirely appropriate to this moment. It is argued that the descent here represents what happens over the course of the whole cycle. The discussion draws on Vedic literature, touches on gender issues, and shows how the two functions play out in the story of the war. In Chapter 6, the progress of the fourth yuga is tracked through the Mahābhārata’s various characters and then the ancient audience, who would anticipate the start of the next cycle. It is hypothesised that this was to occur through the long-term action of the Mahābhārata, as more and more people would put into practice the teachings presented by Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavadgītā. The Kṛṣṇa avatāra would thus inaugurate the worst yuga because the seed planted there takes time to ripen. Chapter 7 reflects summarily upon the monograph’s explorations, the theory of divine descent, and the text’s theology of time. By employing a resolutely synchronic methodology the monograph makes a significant contribution on an important and latterly overlooked issue.
Download or read book The Origins of Evil in Hindu Mythology written by Wendy Doniger and published by Motilal Banarsidass Publ.. This book was released on 1988 with total page 438 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This work deals at length with various theories about relgion prevalent at the time when Megasthenes visited India very interesting and scholarly views have been put forth regarding investigations of Megasthenes their reliability and the reliability of his reporters.
Download or read book Political Violence in Ancient India written by Upinder Singh and published by Harvard University Press. This book was released on 2017-09-25 with total page 617 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Foundation -- Transition -- Maturity -- War -- The wilderness.
Download or read book Portraiture in Early India written by Vincent Lefèvre and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2011-07-12 with total page 290 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book highlights the specificities of Indian portraiture in sculpted and painted images, its relationship with divine images and aims, with the help of textual and epigraphical references, to understand the development of Indian imagery. It questions also the social and religious implications related to this issue.
Download or read book Hinduism and Hindi Theater written by Diana Dimitrova and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-08-18 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the representation of Hinduism through myth and discourse in urban Hindi theatre in the period 1880-1960. It discusses representative works of seven influential playwrights and looks into the ways they have imagined and re-imagined Hindu traditions. Diana Dimitrova examines the intersections of Hinduism and Hindi theatre, emphasizing the important role that both myth and discourse play in the representation of Hindu traditions in the works of Bharatendu Harishcandra, Jayshankar Prasad, Lakshminarayan Mishra, Jagdishcandra Mathur, Bhuvaneshvar, Upendranath Ashk, and Mohan Rakesh. Dimitrova’a analysis suggests either a traditionalist or a more modernist stance toward religious issues. She emphasizes the absence of Hindi-speaking authors who deal with issues implicit to the Muslim or Sikh or Jain, etc. traditions. This prompts her to suggest that Hindi theatre of the period 1880-1960, as represented in the works of the seven dramatists discussed, should be seen as truly ‘Hindu-Hindi’ theatre.
Download or read book The Nay Science written by Vishwa Adluri and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2014-06-03 with total page 513 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Nay Science offers a new perspective on the problem of scientific method in the human sciences. Taking German Indological scholarship on the Mahabharata and the Bhagavadgita as their example, Adluri and Bagchee develop a critique of the modern valorization of method over truth in the humanities. The authors show how, from its origins in eighteenth-century Neo-Protestantism onwards, the critical method was used as a way of making theological claims against rival philosophical and/or religious traditions. Via discussions of German Romanticism, the pantheism controversy, scientific positivism, and empiricism, they show how theological concerns dominated German scholarship on the Indian texts. Indology functions as a test case for wider concerns: the rise of historicism, the displacement of philosophical concerns from thinking, and the belief in the ability of a technical method to produce truth. Based on the historical evidence of the first part of the book, Adluri and Bagchee make a case in the second part for going beyond both the critical pretensions of modern academic scholarship and the objections of its post-structuralist or post-Orientalist critics. By contrasting German Indology with Plato's concern for virtue and Gandhi's focus on praxis, the authors argue for a conception of the humanities as a dialogue between the ancients and moderns and between eastern and western cultures.
Download or read book The Making of a Modern Temple and a Hindu City written by Deonnie Moodie and published by Paperbackshop UK Import. This book was released on 2019 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Middle-class Hindus have worked to modernize Kālīghāṭ - the most famous Hindu temple in Kolkata - over the past long century. Rather than being rejected with the onslaught of European modernity, the temple became a facet through which Hindus could produce and publicize their modernity, as well as their cities' and their nation's"--
Download or read book Change Continuity and Complexity written by Jae-Eun Shin and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-05-30 with total page 289 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Mahāvidyās are the representative Tantric feminine pantheon consisting of ten goddesses. It is formed by divergent religious strands and elements: the mātṛ and yoginī worship, the cult of Kālī and Tripurasundarī, Vajrayāna Buddhism, Jain Vidyādevīs, Śaiva and Vaiṣṇava faith, Śrīvidyā, the Brahmanical strand of Puranic traditions, etc. This volume is the first attempt to explore the historical process, through which these traditions culminated in the Mahāvidyā cult and the goddesses with different origins and contradictory attributes were brought into a cluster, with special reference to socio-political changes in the lower Gaṅgā and Brahmaputra Valley between the 9th and 15th centuries CE. Based on a close analysis of Purāṇas, Tantras and inscriptional evidence, and on extensive field research on archaeological remains as well as sacred sites, Jae-Eun Shin discusses the two trajectories of the Mahāvidyās in eastern Śākta traditions. Each led to the systematization of Daśamahāvidyās in a specific way: one, as ten manifestations of Durgā upholding dharma in the cosmic dimension, and the other, as ten mandalic goddesses bearing magical powers in the actual sacred site. Their attributes and characteristics have neither been static nor monolithic, and the mode of worship prescribed for them has changed in a dialectical religious process between Brahmanical and Tantric traditions of the region. This is the definitive work for anyone seeking to understand goddess cults of South Asia in general and the history of eastern Śākta traditions in particular. To aid study, the volume includes images, diagrams and maps. Please note: Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the Hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Download or read book The Hindus written by Wendy Doniger and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2009-03-19 with total page 800 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From one of the world?s foremost scholars on Hinduism, a vivid reinterpretation of its history An engrossing and definitive narrative account of history and myth that offers a new way of understanding one of the world?s oldest major religions, The Hindus elucidates the relationship between recorded history and imaginary worlds. Hinduism does not lend itself easily to a strictly chronological account: many of its central texts cannot be reliably dated even within a century; its central tenets?karma, dharma, to name just two?arise at particular moments in Indian history and differ in each era, between genders, and caste to caste; and what is shared among Hindus is overwhelmingly outnumbered by the things that are unique to one group or another. Yet the greatness of Hinduism?its vitality, its earthiness, its vividness?lies precisely in many of those idiosyncratic qualities that continue to inspire debate today. Wendy Doniger is one of the foremost scholars of Hinduism in the world. With her inimitable insight and expertise Doniger illuminates those moments within the tradition that resist forces that would standardize or establish a canon. Without reversing or misrepresenting the historical hierarchies, she reveals how Sanskrit and vernacular sources are rich in knowledge of and compassion toward women and lower castes; how they debate tensions surrounding religion, violence, and tolerance; and how animals are the key to important shifts in attitudes toward different social classes. The Hindus brings a fascinating multiplicity of actors and stories to the stage to show how brilliant and creative thinkers?many of them far removed from Brahmin authors of Sanskrit texts?have kept Hinduism alive in ways that other scholars have not fully explored. In this unique and authoritative account, debates about Hindu traditions become platforms from which to consider the ironies, and overlooked epiphanies, of history.
Download or read book Hindu Mysteries of Vedic India written by Henry Romano and published by DTTV PUBLICATIONS. This book was released on with total page 187 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Hinduism of today is a vast and diverse religion, but its roots can be traced back thousands of years to the Vedas. The Rig Veda is an ancient text that outlines the beliefs of early Hindus, including their pantheon of deities. There are many different types of gods in the Hindu tradition (more than 330 million). Still, some hold special significance in the ancient texts: Rudra, Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva are just some examples. The word "Hinduism" is derived from Sindhu, which means river. The Indus River flows through Pakistan and the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. The religion is also called Sanatana Dharma (Eternal Law) or Bhagavata Dharma (Divine Faith). Hinduism is the world's oldest living major religion. Ancient India's first civilization developed around 2200 B.C., with its roots in Vedic civilization dating back to 1500 B.C. It has no founder, but various sages have written many religious texts over some time, including Vedas (the hymns), Upanishads (philosophical treatises), Puranas(mythology), Ramayana, and Mahabharata epics, as well as treatises on ethics like Manusmriti. The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas and one of India's most important ancient texts. It is a collection of over 10,000 Sanskrit hymns that many different poets wrote. The hymns are dedicated to the gods and goddesses of ancient India, including Indra, Agni (the God of fire), Ushas (Dawn), Sarasvati (Goddess of wisdom), Soma (Moon), and Varuna (God). There are many deities in Hinduism, but they can be broadly categorized into two main groups: Devas (gods) and Asuras (demons). The Devas represent the forces of good, while the Asuras represent the forces of evil; however, there is often an overlap between these two categories. Some well-known Devas include Brahma (the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver), Shiva/Rudra/Pashupati (the Destroyer), Indra/Agni (king of gods who controls rain and thunderstorms), etc. Some well-known Asuras include Vritra ("dragon"), Hiranyaksha ("golden arm"), and Hiranyakashipu ("lord with golden arms"). The names of these deities may vary from region to region depending on which text you reference; for example, Vishnu may also be known as Narayana or Hari among some communities within South India.
Download or read book Between Hindu and Christian written by Kerry P. C. San Chirico and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2023-01-13 with total page 361 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Between Hindu and Christian examines a movement of low caste and Dalit devotees worshipping Jesus in Catholic spaces in Varanasi, the purported heart of Hindu civilization. Through thick description and analysis, the author examines the worldview and ways of life of these devotees, along with the Catholic priests and nuns who mediate Jesus, Mary and other members of the Catholic pantheon in a place never associated with Christianity. The author places this movement within the context of the devotional history of Varanasi, the history of Indian Christianity, the rise of low caste and Dalit emancipatory struggles, and the ascendance of Hindu nationalism to demonstrate, among other things, that religious categories are not nearly as self-evident as they often seem"--
Download or read book A History of India written by Hermann Kulke and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2016-05-27 with total page 556 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Presenting the grand sweep of Indian history from antiquity to the present, A History of India is a detailed and authoritative account of the major political, economic, social and cultural forces that have shaped the history of the Indian subcontinent. Hermann Kulke and Dietmar Rothermund provide a comprehensive overview of the structural pattern of Indian history, covering each historical period in equal depth. Fully revised throughout, the sixth edition of this highly accessible book has been brought up to date with analysis of recent events such as the 2014 election and its consequences, and includes more discussion of subjects such as caste and gender, Islam, foreign relations, partition, and the press and television. This new edition contains an updated chronology of key events and a useful glossary of Indian terms, and is highly illustrated with maps and photographs. Supplemented by a companion website (www.routledge.com/cw/kulke), it is a valuable resource for students of Indian history.
Download or read book The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Hinduism written by Gavin Flood and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2022-05-23 with total page 660 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An accessible and up-to-date survey of scholarly thinking about Hinduism, perfect for courses on Hinduism or world religions The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Hinduism examines the historical trajectories that have led to the modern religion of Hinduism. Covering main themes such as philosophy, practice, society, and science, this comprehensive volume brings together a variety of approaches and perspectives in Hindu Studies to help readers better appreciate the richness, complexity, and diversity of Hinduism. Essays by acknowledged experts in the field present historical accounts of all major traditions, analyze key texts, engage with Hindu theology and philosophy, address contemporary questions of colonialism and identity, and more. Throughout the text, the authors highlight the links, common threads, and issues that reoccur in the history of Hinduism. Fully revised and updated, the second edition of the Companion incorporates the most recent scholarship and reflects the trend away from essentialist understandings of Hinduism. New chapters examine the Goddess tradition, Hindu diaspora, Hinduism and inter-religious comparison, Hindu philosophy, and Indian astronomy, medicine, language, and mathematics. This edition places further emphasis on the importance of region-specific studies in analyzing Hinduism, discusses important theoretical issues, and offers fresh perspectives on current discourse in Hindu society and politics. Provides a thorough overview of major texts, their histories, and the traditions that preserve them Describes the major textual traditions in Sanskrit with examples in different Indian vernacular languages Addresses major issues and contemporary debates about the nature and study of Hinduism Discusses the importance of systematic, rational thinking in Indian sciences, philosophy, and theology Examines key socio-political themes in Hinduism that are of particular relevance to the modern world The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Hinduism, Second Edition is an excellent text for undergraduate courses on Hinduism in Religious Studies and Philosophy departments, and an invaluable resource for scholars and researchers in Hindu Studies.
Download or read book The Thought of Bal Gangadhar Tilak written by Robert E Upton and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2024-03-14 with total page 337 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This work is a systematic study of Bal Gangadhar Tilak's thought, focusing on his views on 'communal' relations within the Indian polity, on caste and reform in Hindu society, and on political ethics regarding violence and non-cooperation. The Thought of Bal Gangadhar Tilak adopts a contextualist approach, situating his ideas in local Maharashtrian as well as pan-Indian and global cultural-intellectual contexts. The approach blends Tilak's quotidian journalism and speeches alongside his canonical texts on Aryan history and on the Bhagavad Gita. The work marks a departure from current interpretations, emphatically arguing that he is misappropriated and/or misunderstood as a proto-Hindutva thinker. Instead, he is revealed to be a radical liberal who supports counter-autocratic violence, a majoritarian pluralist in terms of intercommunity relations, a self-strengthening reformer who focuses on masculinity, and a Brahmin supremacist who is committed to reshaping India for the challenges of modernity. This book lays emphasis on his remarkable recognition as the nation's 'founding father' and particularly demonstrates how this later appropriation by Gandhi was contested by those celebrating Tilak's approach to contest him during the crucial mid-1920s period when he was indelibly linked to re-emerging Hindutva. More recently, growing ahistorical demi-official insistence on his social progressivism illustrates a change in India's public culture, as does the use of popular or even legal pressure to de-legitimize perennial criticism of Tilak's socio-political positions.
