Hinduism: sacred texts and revered writings Books

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Book SynopsisSeekers the world over intuitively perceive India as the land of spirituality. As such, there exists an inherent curiosity to understand its ancient knowledge systems through Hinduism. In its heritage are the rarest of holy treasures revealed to the rishis of yore through mystical practices and divine grace. For sharing their glimpses of the Absolute Truth with humankind, these elevated sages composed many sacred works, called the Vedic scriptures. They include the Puranas, Ramayan, Mahabharat, Brahma Sutras, Nyaya Darshan, Yog Darshan, and many more. All these holy books are elaborations of the Vedas, which occupy the highest place amongst Hindu scriptures. The Vedas refer to the eternal knowledge of God. And hence, the religion they describe is called Sanatan Dharma, or the Eternal Religion'. However, the prevailing the understanding of Hindu thought is vague and clichéd.

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Book SynopsisThe Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is widely regarded as the most authoritative text on yoga. It comprises a collection of 196 Indian sutras ("threads" - as sutra translates from Sanskrit) written 1,700 years ago. These threads or aphorisms were compiled by the Indian sage Patanjali and offer guidelines for living a meaningful and purposeful life. The book is organized into four parts and provides descriptions of the eight limbs of yoga, such as pranayama and asana. The translated text is presented alongside a clear and insightful commentary by Swami Vivekananda, which makes them more accessible to the modern reader and yoga practitioner. His message of universal brotherhood and self-awakening remains relevant today, especially in the current backdrop of widespread political turmoil around the world.

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Book SynopsisThe Hanuman Chalisa is a rich repertoire of the incredible deeds and acts of valour by Lord Hanuman. This enriching edition brings to you the same holy text only manifold more immersive as each word of the dohas comes alive, explained as it is by way of the stories from Valimiki's Ramayana, Tulsidas's Ramacharitramaanas, and the folklore of India.

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Book SynopsisThe earliest of the four Hindu religious scriptures known as the Vedas, and the first extensive composition to survive in any Indo-European language, the Rig Veda (c. 1200-900 BC) is a collection of over 1,000 individual Sanskrit hymns. A work of intricate beauty, it provides a unique insight into early Indian mythology, religion and culture. This selection of 108 of the hymns, chosen for their eloquence and wisdom, focuses on the enduring themes of creation, sacrifice, death, women, the sacred plant soma and the gods. Inspirational and profound, it provides a fascinating introduction to one of the founding texts of Hindu scripture - an awesome and venerable ancient work of Vedic ritual, prayer, philosophy, legend and faith.

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Book SynopsisTranslator Swami Paramananda was a mystic, poet and one of the first Indian teachers to travel to the United States to teach the Hinduism. In the United States, Paramananda founded a non-sectarian ashrama in California, and another in Massachusetts, establishing himself as a spiritual leader devoted to building communities committed to learning Vedanta. During his life, he published many works, including translations of Hinduism's seminal texts from the original Sanskrit such as The Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. Swami Paramananda died in 1940 but his work has remained popular among practising Hindus, students and scholars alike.

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Book SynopsisIn this sutra-by-sutra translation and study of the Yoga Sutras, Hindu Studies scholar Nicholas Sutton offers an accessible guide to the complex philosophical ideas on which the ancient practice of Yoga is based, illuminating the meaning of Patañjali’s seminal Yoga treatise and the manner in which it seeks to integrate Yoga into life as a whole.The Yoga Sutras, composed by Patañjali nearly two millenia ago, is foundational to the Yoga systems, and widely regarded as a seminal text for students and practitioners of Yoga alike. While Patañjali’s work is centrally concerned with the exposition of a practice aimed at self-realisation, it is as much interested in the philosophical ideas that underpin the forms of practice it advocates. In Exploring the Yoga Sutras, Nicholas Sutton offers a new translation of the text accompanied by a systematic examination of its ideas, with reference to some of the principal traditional commentaries. Unpacking the layers of meaning embedded in the text, Sutton demonstrates how the Yoga Sutras weaves the philosophy and practice of Yoga together in a subtle blend that provides a framework for understanding the position of the embodied living being within this world and the means by which the world may be transcended. Discussing each sutra, both individually and in the context of different passages, Exploring the Yoga Sutras strives to make the complex ideas of this Yoga classic accessible to the modern reader who may not have a prior grounding in the study of Indian philosophy. OXFORD CENTRE SERIES: The Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies Publishing Series offers authoritative yet accessible introductions to a wide range of subjects in Hindu Studies. Each book in the series aims to present its subject matter in a form that is engaging and readily comprehensible to persons of all backgrounds - academic or otherwise - without compromising scholarly rigour. The series thus bridges the divide between academic and popular writing by preserving and utilising the best elements of both. Other books in the series include The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation and Study Guide; The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape; and Women in the Hindu World. EXPERT AUTHOR: Nicholas Sutton is the Director of the Continuing Education Department of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, an academy for the study of Hindu cultures, societies, philosophies, religions, and languages. He received his PhD from Lancaster University, writing his doctoral dissertation on the Mahabharata, and currently develops and tutors online courses on Hindu religious traditions. EDUCATION AID: This book serves as a comprehensive resource for both classwork and independent study. With the integration of suggested further reading, and glossary of Sanskrit terms, and images throughout, Exploring the Yoga Sutras offers an accessible introduction to a foundational Yoga classic.

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Book SynopsisThe Bhagavad Gita, a timeless text exploring life's mysteries through a dialogue between the soul and God, is made accessible and relevant to all by Ranchor Prime's non-sectarian approach. His commentary guides spiritual seekers to a personal understanding of the Gita's teachings.

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Book SynopsisThere is everything you need to know about them in an easy-to-read and accessible way making it of special interest to Hindus and those from other religions and nations, and even those who are agnostic or atheistic.

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Book Synopsis A new selection from the national epic of India Originally composed in Sanskrit sometime between 400 BC and 400 AD, The Mahabharata-with one hundred thousand stanzas of verse-is one of the longest poems in existence. At the heart of the saga is a conflict between two branches of a royal family whose feud culminates in a titanic eighteen-day battle. Exploring such timeless subjects as dharma (duty), artha (purpose), and kama (pleasure) in a mythic world of warfare, magic, and beauty, this is a magnificent and legendary Hindu text of immense importance to the culture of the Indian subcontinent.For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative textTable of ContentsThe MahabharataPrefacePronunciation of SanskritIntroductionThe Mahabharata1. Beginnings2. The Hall3. The Forest4. Virata5. Perseverance6. Bhisma7. Drona8. Karna9. Salya10. The Night-raid11. The Women12. Tranquillity13. Instruction14. The Horse Sacrifice15. The Hermitage16. The Clubs17. The Great Journey18. The Ascent to HeavenVariant Readings AdoptedKey to Names and GlossaryFurther ReadingMap: The India of the MahabharataGenealogical TablesIndex

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Book Synopsis“A true translation whose literary qualities make it stand out from the rest.” –Daniel Gold, Cornell UniversityTrade Review"The well-balanced synergy between Professor Flood’s impeccable scholarship and the literary sensitivity of award-winning poet/translator Charles Martin delivers us a remarkable new verse translation of the ancient Hindu Scripture." -- The Bookseller

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Book SynopsisThe Bhagavad Gita, a timeless text exploring life's mysteries through a dialogue between the soul and God, is made accessible and relevant to all by Ranchor Prime's non-sectarian approach. His commentary guides spiritual seekers to a personal understanding of the Gita's teachings.

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Book SynopsisVyasa was an ancient Indian sage who wrote many of the key texts of Hinduism, including the Vedas, the Mahabharata and the Puranas.Sir Edwin Arnold (10 June 1832 - 24 March 1904) was an English poet and journalist, educated at King's College London and University College, Oxford. His most famous work was the classic narrative poem The Light of Asia, an exploration of Buddhist philosophy, which earned him widespread acclaim. His journalistic career, which spanned more than 40 years, culminated in his serving as editor-in-chief of The Daily Telegraph. During his lifetime, he was also honoured with decorations by the rulers of Japan, Persia, Turkey and Siam.

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Book SynopsisAn interlinear edition of the spiritual classic that provides devanagari, transliterated Sanskrit, and English versions of the Gita.

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Book SynopsisA fresh English translation laid out facing the original Sanskrit for easy reference and accompanied by a wealth of essential ancillary materials that make this book a complete course on the Bhagavad-Gītā in a single volume.     This translation stands out from the many others first of all in its careful faithfulness to the original language, but also for the extensive tools for understanding it provides. It is accompanied by detailed explanatory notes, as well as by the entire Sanskrit text on facing pages--both in the original Devanagri alphabet and in a romanized version that allows the reader to approximate the sounds of this work (a pronunciation guide is also provided). Also included is a literal, word-for-word translation for comparison; extensive material on the background, symbolism, and influence of the Gītā; and an exhaustive glossary of terms.

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Book SynopsisThe Ramayana tells the tale of Rama and his beloved Sita, but its narratives and intent, as with all great literature, point to the grand themes of life, death and righteousness. Originally written in ancient Sanskrit, the elegant, epic work is a key part of the canon of both Hinduism and Buddhism. It continues to inspire art, theatre, poetry and temple architecture, dominating the spiritual landscape of the vast Indian sub-continent and the diaspora throughout the rest of the world. This deluxe new edition revives Ralph T. H. Griffith's evocative verse translation and abridges it for the modern reader – bringing the gripping narrative to the forefront. The Flame Tree Gothic Fantasy, Classic Stories and Epic Tales collections bring together the entire range of myth, folklore and modern short fiction. Highlighting the roots of suspense, supernatural, science fiction and mystery stories, the books in Flame Tree Collections series are beautifully presented, perfect as a gift and offer a lifetime of reading pleasure.

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Book SynopsisThe Bhagavad Gita is one of the most widely read Hindu scriptures in the Western world. Taking the form of a dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and the divine Krishna on the eve of battle, it is concerned with the most profound aspects of social and religious duty, and the relationship of human beings to God. In its eighteen short chapters it explores the spiritual struggle of the human soul and the search for both the true self and eternal life, culminating in an unparalleled vision of God the omnipotent.

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Book SynopsisIn this revelatory volume, Roberto Calasso, whom the Paris Review has called 'a literary institution', explores the ancient texts known as the Vedas. Little is known about the Vedic people who lived more than three thousand years ago in northern India: they left behind almost no objects, images, ruins. Only a 'Parthenon of words' remains: verses and formulations suggesting a daring understanding of life. 'If the Vedic people had been asked why they did not build cities,' writes Calasso, 'they could have replied: we did not seek power, but rapture.' This is the ardor of the Vedic world, a burning intensity that is always present, both in the mind and in the cosmos. With his signature erudition and profound sense of the past, Calasso explores the enigmatic web of ritual and myth that define the Vedas. Often at odds with modern thought, he shows how these texts illuminate the nature of consciousness more than neuroscientists have been able to offer us up to now.

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Book SynopsisIn this insightful rendition of the Bhagavad Gita, Swami Nikhilananda provides a profound interpretation of the sacred text. Exploring the timeless wisdom and teachings of Lord Krishna, he illuminates the path to self-realization and offers practical guidance for navigating life''s challenges. Gain profound wisdom from the timeless teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Discover practical guidance for finding purpose and fulfilment in life. Explore the profound insights of Lord Krishna on duty and righteousness. Learn to overcome challenges and attain inner peace and harmony. Experience the transformative power of the Bhagavad Gita''s teachings.

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Book Synopsis''To read Ka is to experience a giddy invasion of stories - brilliant, enigmatic, troubling, outrageous, erotic, beautiful'' The New York Times''Who?'' - or ''ka'' - is the question that runs through Roberto Calasso''s retelling of the stories of the minds and gods of India; the primordial question that continues to haunt human existence. From the Rigveda to the Upanishads, the Mahabharata to the life of Buddha, this book delves into the corpus of classical Sanskrit literature to re-imagine the ancient Indian myths and how they resonate through space and time.''The very best book about Hindu mythology that anyone has ever written'' Wendy Doniger''Dazzling, complex, utterly original ... Ka is his masterpiece'' Sunday TimesTrade ReviewIf you want a dazzling, complex, erotic and utterly original European novel of ideas, Calasso is your man, and Ka his masterpiece * Sunday Times *To read Ka is to experience a giddy invasion of stories - brilliant, enigmatic, troubling, outrageous, erotic, beautiful ... these stories are superbly narrated -- Sunil Khilnani * New York Times Book Review *Passage[s] of such ecstatic insight and cross-cultural synthesis-simply, of such beauty * The New York Review of Books *The very best book about Hindu mythology that anyone has ever written ... A magnificent reading of Hindu texts. Its power arises in part through strong, vivid writing and in part through stunning, unexpected metaphors -- Wendy Doniger * The New Republic *Magnificent ... A moving, exhilarating, extraordinary book ... An astonishing synthesis of myths and legends, philosophical inquiry, and speculative narrative -- Shashi Tharoor * Washington Post Book World *A scintillatingly challenging book ... Its opening sentences are as startling as any in all of literature -- Thomas McGonigle * Los Angeles Times *All is spectacle and delight, and tiny mirrors reflecting human foibles are set into the weave, turning this retelling into the stuff of literature ... Calasso's erudition and his capacity for invention appear to be limitless * The New Yorker *

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Book SynopsisThe Bhagavad Gita has been called India’s greatest contribution to the world. For more than five thousand years, this great scripture has shown millions in the East how to fill their lives with serenity and love. In these pages, Jack Hawley brings these ancient secrets to Western seekers in a beautiful prose version that makes the story of the Gita clear and exciting, and makes its truths understandable and easy to apply to our busy lives.The Gita is a universal love song sung by God to His friend man. It can’t be confined by any creed. It is a statement of the truths at the core of what we all already believe, only it makes those truths clearer, so they become immediately useful in our daily lives. These truths are for our hearts, not just our heads.The Gita is more than just a book, more than mere words or concepts. There is an accumulated potency in it. To read the Gita is to be inspired in the true sense of the term: to be “in-spirited,” to inhale the ancient and ever-new breath of spiritual energy.

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Book SynopsisRevel in the tales of the most enigmatic deity in Hinduism. This book is a hoard of the knowledge of the God of gods, who teaches about humanity, love, and companionship. He is the embodiment of the ultimate principles of creation, destruction, and transformation! Hanuman Chalisa is one of his best sellers. More titles by Shubha Vilas: Hanuman Chalisa, Mystical Tales for a Magical Life: 11 Unheard Fantastic Vedic StoriesExplore the world of the ancient Hindu god Shiva!

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Book SynopsisAn Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology provides a comprehensive doctrinal account of the Swaminarayan tradition's belief system, drawing on its rich corpus of theological literature, including the teachings of Swaminarayan himself and classical commentaries on canonical Vedantic texts.Trade Review'[This] is a ground-breaking book that will be widely appreciated by scholars and believers in India and the West. It is a welcome addition to the growing field of Swaminarayan studies, distinguished by its clear focus on the teachings of the tradition, with close attention to philosophical and theological foundations. Written by an erudite insider and practitioner, it is an excellent example of Hindu theology, as Swami Paramtattvadas speaks with the authority of his experience, practice, and with the benefit of many years of traditional learning. The book exemplifies constructive religious thinking, as he points to areas where new thinking is required, to understand ever more deeply the mysteries of God and scripture, the human and the world, as the tradition grows globally. This work will be prized by members of the Swaminarayan community, by scholars interested in contemporary Hinduism and in the self-representation of faith traditions with an increasing global presence, and by theologians of all faiths committed to the global interreligious conversation.' Francis X. Clooney, Director, Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard University, Massachusetts'Swaminarayan Hinduism is rapidly becoming the most prominent form of Hinduism in many countries. This constructive presentation of Swaminarayan theology is an essential text for Swaminarayan and Hindu studies and a valuable resource for comparative theology and interreligious dialogue. Swaminarayan developed a theology, an ethical discipline and a reform movement in a time of rapid social and political change in the early nineteenth century that continues to inspire and guide Hindu followers in the twenty-first century. Contemporary migration movements expand his influence across strong transnational networks and through social media in cyberspace, making this book even more relevant in helping us understand what this dynamic global community believes. Swami Paramtattvadas' Western education at Oxford and classical Hindu studies in India enable him to present this important Hindu theology with academic rigor, depth and clarity. His introduction is an accessible and major contribution to the study of modern Hinduism.' Raymond Brady Williams, Wabash College, Indiana, author of An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism'In this welcome introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu theology, Swami Paramtattvadas has succeeded in presenting the fundamental beliefs of his tradition in a lucid, meticulous and methodical exposition. This book, while standing within Swaminarayan Hinduism, seeks to engage with a broader, rational discourse and to stimulate discussion beyond the bounds of Hindu communities. The writing of this book has been a large scholarly task, aiming to systematise key themes from an extensive network of the tradition's authoritative texts in Gujarati and Sanskrit. As such it is an important contribution to theology and religion and, to my knowledge, is the first Hindu systematic theology written in English. It is also a welcome contribution to Hindu theology and to the emerging discussion of comparative theology. I am sure it will find a wide readership among both the academic and Hindu communities.' Gavin Flood, Senior Research Fellow, Campion Hall, University of Oxford and Visiting Yap Kim Hao Professor of Comparative Religious Studies, Yale-NUS, Singapore'This book provides a brilliant introduction to the theology of the Swaminarayan tradition, one of the most dynamic and visible forms of Hinduism in India and abroad. It comprehensively narrates the key doctrines and beliefs of the tradition drawing on canonical Hindu texts, original teachings of the tradition's founder, and exegetical works of other teachers of the tradition. After delineating the sources for his research, the author intelligibly expounds upon the five central entities of the tradition. It also opens vistas of mutual understanding and comparative studies with other religious traditions. The book stands as an essential tool for understanding the belief system of this vibrant Hindu tradition.' Diwakar Acharya, Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics, University of Oxford'In this engagingly written book, Swami Paramtattvadas looks at the complex ways in which the Swaminarayan tradition interpreted the critical and hallowed terminology of Vedānta, thereby developing its own unique system from the early modern period onwards. At the same time, by approaching the thought of the tradition from within, he also raises interesting questions about the relationship between the categories of theology, metaphysics, the philosophy of religion, and the practices of Hindu devotion. This book does an excellent job of bringing the Swaminarayan tradition into conversation not only with English-language studies of modern Vedānta, but with comparative theology more generally.' Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad FBA, Lancaster University'This monograph by Swami Paramtattvadas fills a longstanding need for a detailed and systematic exposition of the theology of the Swaminarayan tradition. It makes accessible the fundamental theological assumptions and claims of the tradition, while contextualizing and discussing these within the rich diversity of Hindu intellectual thought. The author brings to his exposition both the depth of traditional learning and practice as well as the tools of contemporary Western scholarship. This is an excellent contribution to the field of Hindu theology exemplifying the creativity of commitment and critical inquiry. It is a valuable resource for understanding and engaging with one of India's most visible and rapidly growing global religious traditions.' Anantanand Rambachan, Saint Olaf College, Minnesota'An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology is a ground-breaking work which provides a comprehensive theological overview of the belief system of the Swaminarayan tradition, one of the fastest growing and most visible Hindu groups in India and in the West. The book indicates the author's deep immersion in traditional Hindu styles of theological reasoning and also his ability to situate the themes of God, humanity and the world within the wider frames of 'Hindu theology' and 'comparative theology'.' Ankur Barua, University of Cambridge'A key marker of a religious tradition's health is its ability to articulate, renew and reapply its doctrines and scriptures for each succeeding generation. This is the work of theology. There is still a great dearth of Hindu theological writing in English that takes into account our global, interreligious context. Not only does this book offer a superb example of such writing within the Swaminarayan tradition, it also issues a call for others to join the conversation and grow the field of Hindu theology. An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hindu Theology provides a thorough, balanced and incisive analysis of the tradition's key sources, doctrines and practices, written in a clear and accessible style. I commend Swami Paramtattvadas on this signature achievement.' Ravi Gupta, Charles Redd Chair of Religious Studies, Utah State UniversityTable of ContentsForeword Gavin Flood; 1. Prolegomenon; Part I. Sources and Tools of Swaminarayan Hindu Theology: 2. Introduction: the imperceptibility and ineffability of God; 3. Revelation: the exclusive source of Swaminarayan Hindu theology; 4. Reason, praxis and tradition: the tools of Swaminarayan Hindu theology; Part II. Themes of Swaminarayan Hindu Theology: 5. Introduction: the five eternal entities of Swaminarayan Hinduism; 6. Parabrahman; 7. Akṣarabrahman; 8. Jīva; 9. Īśvara; 10. Māyā; 11. Mukti; 12. Afterword: the way forward; Appendix: theological principles of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha: creedal statement by Pramukh Swami Maharaj; Glossary.

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Book SynopsisThe Bhagavad-gita is a spiritual text by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, guiding self-realization. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's edition offers chapter summaries, glossary, Sanskrit text, translations, and purports for deep insights on consciousness, self, universe, and the Supreme.

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Book SynopsisThis book is the first in any language to follow the evolution of rasa, or taste, the word Indian intellectuals chose to describe art's aesthetics. A Rasa Reader ranges from rasa's origins in dramaturgical thought—a concept for the stage—to its flourishing in literary thought—a concept for the page.Trade ReviewA Rasa Reader is the product of enormous erudition in both the Indian and European traditions of the philosophy and science of aesthetics, and it will make a unique and powerful contribution to scholars in several areas. No other work of which I am aware enables even the lay reader to grasp the elusive concept of rasa, its relationship to the psychology of emotion, and the way in which successive authors redefined the meaning and locus of the aesthetic response. -- Robert Goldman, University of California, Berkeley A Rasa Reader marks a serious contribution to scholarship on rasa and promises to shape the field for a long time to come. There is certainly no one work in English or any other language that covers anything like the ground this one does. -- Lawrence McCrea, Cornell University A Rasa Reader is a monumental achievement not only in giving clear translations of difficult Sanskrit texts on aesthetics but also in making complicated arguments comprehensible to the general reader. It is the missing cornerstone in the increasing availability of premodern South Asia literature in reliable translation. It is now possible for the curious reader to find his or her way with some depth into a once impenetrable field. -- Stephen Owen, Harvard University Framed by Sheldon Pollock's magisterial introduction and commentary, A Rasa Reader opens out a panoramic view of one of the world's great aesthetic traditions, whose adherents blend philosophical rigor and poetic insight as they advance, dispute, and refine theories of the nature and effects of artistic expression. Discerning readers of this luminous anthology will 'become intoxicated by it'-as the great poet-critic Dandin said of poetry-'like bees by honey.' -- David Damrosch, Harvard University Pollock recounts the core aesthetic concept of rasa by tracking its transformations, extensions, and exclusions. From its early appearance as a term specific to drama to its flowering as a hybrid concept bringing together emotion, eroticism, cuisine, devotion, authenticity, and response, rasa makes sense of aesthetic experiences but in a way that doesn't and shouldn't reduce to any of its near-equivalents in Greek or German philosophies of the beautiful. Comparative literature gains immensely from this detailed, historically differentiated anthology with its illuminating introduction. -- Haun Saussy, University of Chicago In this bold, comprehensive, and bracing foray into classical India, Pollock confirms his reputation as a pioneering intellectual historian-the rare kind that creates a vast new field of inquiry and scholarship while provoking reappraisals of existing ideas, assumptions, and concepts. -- Pankaj Mishra, author of From the Ruins of Empire: The Intellectuals Who Remade AsiaTable of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments English Translations of Sanskrit Titles List of Abbreviations Introduction: An Intellectual History of Rasa 1. The Foundational Text, c. 300, and Early Theorists, 650-1025 2. The Great Synthesis of Bhoja, 1025-1055 3. An Aesthetic Revolution, 900-1000 4. Abhinavagupta and His School, 1000-1200 5. Continuing the Controversies Beyond Kashmir, 1200-1400 6. Rasa in the Early Modern World, 1200-1650 English-Sanskrit Glossary Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe Ramayana is one of the great epics of the ancient world, with versions spanning the cultures, religions and languages of Asia. Its story of Rama''s quest to recover his wife Sita from her abduction by Raavana, the Lord of the Underworld, has enchanted readers and audiences across the Eastern world for thousands of years. Daljit Nagra was captivated by his grandparents'' Punjabi version as a child, and has chosen to rejuvenate the story for a new generation of multicultural, multi-faith readers. By drawing on scenes originating in versions such as those from Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, as well as the better-known Indian Ramayanas, and by incorporating elements of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain and secular versions, Nagra creates a consciously multicultural Ramayana. This dazzling version is both accessible and engaging, written in Nagra''s typically vibrant and eclectic language, and bursting with energy, pathos and humour.

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