Hinduism Books
LOTUS BRANDS INC The Nakshatras The Lunar Mansions of Vedic
Book SynopsisHindu mythology plays an important role in understanding the meaning of the nakshatras. This guide shows how the nakshatras can be used in both natal chart analysis and muhurtha, or electional astrology. An additional section also explores the role of nakshatras in relationship compatibility.
£12.59
New World Library The Yoga of Sound: Healing and Enlightenment
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£14.24
Penguin Books Ltd The Bhagavad Gita
Book SynopsisPart of the ancient Hindu epic The Mahabharata, The Bhagavad Gita is one of the enduring religious texts of the worldThe Bhagavad Gita is an early poem that recounts the conversation between Arjuna the warrior and his charioteer Krishna, a manifestation of God. In the moments before a great battle, Krishna sets out the important lessons Arjuna must learn to understand his own role in the war he is about to fight. Krishna reveals to Arjuna his true cosmic form and counsels the warrior to act according to his sacred obligations. Ranging from instructions on yoga to moral discussion, the Gita has served for centuries as an everyday, practical guide to living well. Translated with an introduction by Laurie L. Patton
£9.49
Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd Rudra
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£11.63
Oxford University Press Handbook of Hindu Mythology
Book SynopsisUnlike many other ancient mythologies, Hinduism thrives in the modern world. One billion followers and countless others have been captivated by its symbolic representations of love, karma, and reincarnation. Handbook of Hindu Mythology offers an informative introduction to this dauntingly complex mythology of multifaceted deities, lengthy heroic tales, and arcane philosophies-all with a 3,000-year history of reinterpretations and adaptations. Williams offers a number of pathways by which to approach Hinduism''s ever-changing gods and goddesses (e.g., Brahmâ, Vishnu, Siva), spiritual verses (such as the vedas), secular epics (including the Râmâyana and the Mahâbhârata), myths within myths, devotional and esoteric traditions, psychic and yogic disciplines, and magical practices. With this handbook, readers can explore the history of Hindu mythology, follow a detailed timeline of key episodes and historical events, and look up specific elements of historical or contemporary Hinduism in a
£19.34
Mandrake Isis: Goddess of Egypt & India
£14.24
Mandala Publishing Group The Gita Deck
Book SynopsisThe marriage of Bhagavad Gita's profound wisdom and India's premier artists culminates in The Gita Deck: Wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita. Sixty-eight jewel-like verses of spiritual understanding adorn beautiful art cards depicting India's rich spiritual heritage. Each card showcases a verse from the Gita under headings including Individuality, True Leaders, Winds of Desire, Maintaining Balance, Determination, Eternal Soul, and Fall from Grace. The cards are a unique and inspirational way to access the timeless teachings of the Gita, in a portable and easily referenced box set.
£13.91
Not Stated Avadhuta Gita
Book SynopsisThe Avadhata Gita is a text of Vedanta representing extreme Advaita or Nondualism. It is ascribed te Dattatreya (Datta, son of Atri), who is looked upon as an Incarnation of God. Unfortunately, we possess no historical data concerning when or where he was born, how long he lived, or how he arrived at the knowledge disclosed in the text. Some of the Puranas mention him, and of these, the Mar kandeya contains the longest reference; but even this is legendary and by no means very informative.
£5.32
Blue Dove Press,U.S. The Experience of Nothingness: Sri Nisargadatta
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£12.59
State University Press of New York (SUNY) The Stanzas on Vibration The SpandaKarika with
Book SynopsisIn his Doctrine of Vibration, the author presents a synthesis of Kashmir Shaivism-an overview with Spanda as the central theme. Spanda is the vibratory dynamism of the absolute consciousness. In this book the author focuses on the school of Kashmir Shaivism that presents this doctrine as its cardinal principle and whose literature consists essentially of the works translated here.In his Introduction and in his exposition of the four commentaries, the author shows both how the Spanda tradition contributes to the other schools of Kashmir Shaivism and how it is different from them. He presents for the first time a detailed treatment of this tradition and an analysis of its development. The aim is to offer a method that affords access by the general reader to the wonderful world of the Spanda Yogi through which she travels to the liberating realization of her authentic identity vibrant with the vitality of the universal pulse of Shiva.
£24.93
Motilal Banarsidass, Insights into the Bhagavad Gita
Book SynopsisBhagavad Gita deals with the organic wholeness of Life; and the inbuilt complexity of Life. It affirms the interplay between the microcosm and macrocosm and persuades us to remain united with the ultimate reality, not only to intellectual understanding, but through everything that we do, at every moment.
£19.47
Motilal Banarsidass, SpandaKarika: The Divine Creation Pulsation, the
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£18.38
Sterling Publishers Pvt.Ltd Age of Shirdi Sai
Book SynopsisA lot has been written about Shirdi Sai Baba, the Master of the Age. Here is a book that explains his teachings and lessons in a rational and sagacious manner. Spiritual philosophies are explained logically and in a simple language. The author also introduces the concept of Sai-ism in the book. This book contains thoughts and messages from the author which have been published in magazines like The Heritage of Shri Shirdi Sai and Others. These articles, in quintessence, are based on the spiritual precepts of Baba, which are further elucidated from a devotee''s perspective. Some of the articles related to different concepts of religion and spiritualism for proper appreciation of the divine role of Sadguru Shri Sai Baba. Each concept is explained in a elucidative and lucid style for the easy understanding of the readers. The excellent clarity and presentation of the thoughts indicate the author''s immense popularity as a guru, guide, speaker and a leader of the global Sai movement. A must-read for all those who want to understand Shirdi Sai Baba.
£9.49
Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers Vive Sin Miedo Despierta la Fuerza Interior de Tu
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£12.15
Shambhala Living with Kundalini Autobiography of Gopi
Book SynopsisThe complete autobiography of a kundalini master and one of the most influential texts on spiritual awakening—now expanded with new materialThis classic first-person account of spiritual awakening was first published under the title Kundalini: The Evolutionary Energy in Man—here expanded with two-thirds new material drawn from the author's writing to make a complete autobiography. Gopi Krishna was an ordinary Indian householder who, at the age of thirty-four, after years of unsupervised meditation, suddenly experienced the awakening of kundalini during his morning practice. The story of this transformative experience, and the author's struggle to find balance amid a variety of powerful physiological and psychic side effects, forms the core of the book. His detailed descriptions of his dramatic inner experiences and symptoms such as mood swings, eating disorders, and agonizing sensations of heat—and of how, with the help of his wife,
£24.00
Integral Yoga Publications Living Gita
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£16.14
Lotus Press Astrology of the Seers A Guide to VedicHindu
Book SynopsisThis expanded, updated edition is a gateway to the cosmic wisdom of India's ancient sages.
£15.75
Edaf Antillas Yoga-Sutra de Patanjali
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£10.66
Sterling Publishers Pvt Ltd Promises of Shirdi Sai Baba
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£6.17
State University of New York Press Many Maha772bha772ratas
Book SynopsisA major contribution to the study of South Asian literature, offering a landmark view of Mahabharata studies. Many Mahabharatas is an introduction to the spectacular and long-lived diversity of Mahabharata literature in South Asia. This diversity begins with the Sanskrit Mahabharata, an early epic poem that narrates the events of a catastrophic fratricidal war. Along the way, it draws in nearly everything else in Hindu mythology, philosophy, and story literature. The magnitude of its scope and the relentless complexity of its worldview primed the Mahabharata for uncountable tellings in South Asia and beyond. For two thousand years, the instinctive approach to the Mahabharata has been not to consume it but to create it anew. The many Mahabharatas of this book come from the first century to the twenty-first. They are composed in nine different languages-Apabhramsha, Bengali, English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu. Early chapters illuminate themes of retelling within the Sanskrit Mahabharata itself, demonstrating that the story's propensity for regeneration emerges from within. The majority of the book, however, reaches far beyond the Sanskrit epic. Readers dive into classical dramas, premodern vernacular poems, regional performance traditions, commentaries, graphic novels, political essays, novels, and contemporary theater productions-all of them Mahabharatas. Because of its historical and linguistic breadth, its commitment to primary sources, and its exploration of multiplicity and diversity as essential features of the Mahabharata's long life in South Asia, Many Mahabharatas constitutes a major contribution to the study of South Asian literature and offers a landmark view of the field of Mahabharata studies.
£24.93
New Age Books The Hindu Mind
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£18.99
Sterling Publishers Pvt.Ltd Let's Learn Hindi: with English-Hindi Dictionary
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£6.29
Rupa Publications India Pvt Ltd. Autobiography of a Yogi
Book SynopsisAutobiography of a Yogi is the life story of Paramahansa Yogananda, detailing his spiritual journey from childhood to becoming a monk and spreading Kriya Yoga teachings in America. It emphasizes self-realization, simple living, and has been a spiritual classic for over 70 years, translated into 40+ languages.
£13.29
Sentient Publications Bitten by the Black Snake: The Ancient Wisdom of
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£17.09
Jewish Lights Publishing Selections from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna:
Book SynopsisRamakrishna experienced the truth of all religions, inspiring seekers of every creed. Now his “gospel” is made accessible to all readers. Ramakrishna is India’s greatest example of God-consciousness and mystical ecstasy in recent history. He became known to the world not merely as a saint but as a divine incarnation and a “supremely realized self.” His message has inspired millions of devotees for more than a century—and now his teachings are made accessible to many more. Introduces the fascinating world of the Indian mystic and the universal appeal of his message. Now, readers can explore this classic text without any prior knowledge of Hinduism. Selections from the original text and insightful yet unobtrusive facing-page commentary highlight the most important and inspirational teachings, including: How to see God and how to live in the world. Religious harmony. The dynamics of spiritual awakening. The spiritual power of the Feminine. Prayer and meditation.
£19.79
Inner Traditions Bear and Company The Complete Life of Rama: Based on Valmiki's
Book SynopsisDrawing on the original Sanskrit words of the great poet Valmiki, enhanced with tales from the oral tradition, Vanamali retells the complete Ramayana, the ancient Indian tale of love, duty, and sacrifice, for a modern audience. Detailing the life and dharma of the seventh incarnation of Vishnu, Lord Ramachandra, she explains how Rama became divine through strict adherence to dharma, the law of cosmic righteousness. Considered one of the greatest love stories of all time, the Ramayanamost famously recounts Rama’s heroic journey, with the help of his loyal friend the monkey god Hanuman and his devoted brother Lakshmana, to rescue his beloved wife Sita from the demon king Ravana. Rama’s battle with the forces of evil provides powerful examples of heroic strength and loyalty, the dangers of spiritual delusion and false attachment, and the power of love, both human and divine. Capturing the mystical spirit and transcendental wisdom of this immortal story, Vanamali explains how the character of Rama has captivated devotees through the millennia because his story depicts eternal truths that appeal to the best in human nature. She reveals how even though Rama is an avatar of Vishnu, he still possesses many human weaknesses, such as attachments, desires, and anger. His greatness lies in the fact that he rose above these traits, put his spiritual duty above all personal considerations, and perfected himself to become a super human capable of saving those he loved most. Rama’s life shows that however weak we may be, each of us is capable of amazing feats through devotion, loyalty, perseverance, and love.Table of ContentsForeword by His Holiness Sri Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj Foreword by His Holiness Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj Introduction Book OneBala KandaBook of BoyhoodCanto I. Valmiki Canto II. The Avatara Book TwoAyodhya KandaBook of AyodhyaCanto I. Impending Coronation Canto II. Kaikeyi Contrives Canto III. The Banishment Canto IV. Bharata’s Vow Book ThreeAranya KandaBook of The ForestCanto I. The Forest Dwellers Canto II. Panchavati Canto III. The Night Rangers Canto IV. The Demon King Canto V. The Golden Deer Canto VI. The Abduction of Sita Canto VII. Rama Bereft Canto VIII. The Painful Trek Book FourKishkinda KandaBook of KishkindaCanto I. The Famous Encounter Canto II. Pact with Sugriva Canto III. The Search for Sita Canto IV. The Eagle’s CounselBook FiveSundara KandaBook of BeautyCanto I. Leap to Lanka Canto II. The Ashoka Grove Canto III. Hanuman’s Wrath Book SixYuddha KandaBook of BattleCanto I. March of the Monkeys Canto II. Causeway to Lanka Canto III. The Siege of Lanka Canto IV. The Mighty Battle Canto V. Hanuman to the RescueCanto VI. Indrajit Canto VII. The End of Ravana Canto VIII. Trial by Fire Canto IX. Return to Ayodhya Book SevenUttara KandaThe Aftermath: The Best BookCanto I. Sita Abandoned Canto II. Dharma Triumphs Epilogue Phala-Shruti--List of Benefits Alphabetical List of Mantras Glossary of Sanskrit Terms Glossary of Names and Places Index
£14.39
Torchlight Publishing,U.S. Miracle on Second Avenue: Hare Krishna Arrives in
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£20.89
North Atlantic Books,U.S. Breaking the Death Habit: The Science of
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£14.24
Mandala Publishing Group Colonial Hinduism: An Introduction
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£26.25
Motilal Banarsidass, The Upanayana: The Hindu Ceremonies of the Sacred
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£11.50
Scholastic The Best Diwali Ever CBB
Book SynopsisThis year, Ariana has plans to make Diwali an extra special celebration,with yummy sweets, divas around the house, pretty clothes,fireworks and... the rangoli competition, of course. Everything would go perfectly to plan if it weren't for Rafi, herlittle brother, always up to mischief...and always being clumsy!Will he ruin Diwali too?
£7.59
Rowman & Littlefield Tales from the Kathasaritsagara
Book SynopsisThe Kathasaritsagara is a combination of simultaneously innocent and sophisticated folk stories bringing forth both common sense and highly sophisticated Sanskrit writing. It paints a vivid picture of a most particular part of India at one moment in history, and yet it tells stories that are the Indian variants – often the Indian sources – of stories told around the world. Arisha Sattar’s translations bring these stories to life in a modern way, while retaining their ancient meanings.
£31.50
Fingerprint! Publishing Patanjali's Yoga Sutras
Book Synopsis Yoga is restraining the mind-stuff from taking various forms. From concentration, its spiritual uses and practice, to manifestation and the process of attaining liberation, the aphorisms state the path to self-realization. One of the key texts of classical yoga, this classic hardbound edition of Patanjali? s Yoga Sutras is a translation by Swami Vivekananda. This classic is a must-read for all! ? It is a comprehensive text on the theory and practice of yoga ? It includes the Sanskrit text, its transliteration, and translation ? It comprises an in-depth commentary of each sutra ? This hardbound edition comes with gilded edges, a ribbon bookmark, and beautiful endpapers ? It is perfect for gifting and will make a good addition to any library
£11.39
Chronicle Books Hindu Deities Poster: 12 Removeable Prints
Book SynopsisTHE HINDU DEITIES POSTER BOOK features dozens of iconic Hindu deities come to life with Pixar animator and director Sanjay Patel’s cute-meets-modern graphic style in this deluxe portfolio of twelve removable prints. The set includes many of the most famous moments and characters from Hindu mythology—from Ganesha and his mouse to Sita and the magic deer, Krishna playing his flute, and Lakshmi holding her elegant lotus—all drawn with unforgettably original color and design. Each double-sided print features a concept sketch and a brief history of the deity on the reverse side. And the inside of the set’s sturdy envelope enclosure is teeming with still more divinely colorful artwork.
£15.99
Oxford University Press Indian Philosophy
Book SynopsisIndia has a long, rich, and diverse tradition of philosophical thought, spanning some two and a half millennia and encompassing several major religious traditions.This Very Short Introduction emphasizes the diversity of Indian thought, and is structured around six schools which have achieved classic status. Sue Hamilton explores how the traditions have attempted to understand the nature of reality in terms of an inner or spiritual quest, and introduces distinctively Indian concepts such as karma and rebirth. She also shows how Indian thinkers have understood issues of reality and knowledge -- issues which are also an important part of the Western philosophical tradition. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.Trade ReviewIndian Philosophy by Sue Hamilton, the perfect gift for anyone who wishes to sort out their karma and nirvana * The Independent Weekend Review 02/06/01 *Table of ContentsPreface ; Introduction ; 1. The Brahmanical beginnings: Vedic sacrifice and the early Upanisads ; 2. Beyond Brahmanism: the Buddha and other renouncers ; 3. Issues and justifications: language, grammar, and the emerging of polemics ; 4. Nyaya and Vaisesika ; 5. Developments in Buddhist thought: Abhidharma, Madhyamaka, and Yogicara ; 6. Yoga and Samkhya ; 7. Grammar again, and the exegetical traditions: Bhartrhari, Mimamsa, and Vedanta ; Further reading ; Index
£9.49
Penguin Books Ltd The Upanishads
Book SynopsisThe Upanishads, the earliest of which were composed in Sanskrit between 800 and 400 bce by sages and poets, form part of the Vedas - the sacred and ancient scriptures that are the basis of the Hindu religion. Each Upanishad, or lesson, takes up a theme ranging from the attainment of spiritual bliss to karma and rebirth, and collectively they are meditations on life, death and immortality. The essence of their teachings is that truth can by reached by faith rather than by thought, and that the spirit of God is within each of us - we need not fear death as we carry within us the promise of eternal life.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 texts enhanced by introductions and notes
£8.54
Penguin Random House India The Upanisads
Book SynopsisThe Upanisads'' is the Hindu equivalent of the Christian New Testament. It is a collection of spiritual treatises written in Sanskrit between 800 and 400 BCE. This title focuses on understanding the inner meaning of the religion.
£14.24
Penguin Books Ltd Hindu Myths
Book SynopsisRecorded in sacred Sanskrit texts, including the Rig Veda and the Mahabharata, Hindu Myths are thought to date back as far as the tenth century BCE. Here in these seventy-five seminal myths are the many incarnations of Vishnu, who saves mankind from destruction, and the mischievous child Krishna, alongside stories of the minor gods, demons, rivers and animals including boars, buffalo, serpents and monkeys. Immensely varied and bursting with colour and life, they demonstrate the Hindu belief in the limitless possibilities of the world - from the teeming miracles of creation to the origins of the incarnation of Death who eventually touches them all.
£10.44
Penguin Books Ltd Hinduism
Book SynopsisThe essential guide to one of the world''s most diverse and fascinating faiths, with a Foreword by Amartya SenK. M. Sen discusses the evolution of Hinduism''s central systems of belief and codes of conduct, as well as popular cults and sects such as Bhakti, Tantrika and the mystics of North India, and describes the varying incarnations of its supreme deity, Krishna and Rama among them. He recounts its history from the Indus Valley civilization c.2500 BC and the Vedic age nature gods to its relationship with Buddhism and Jainism and the impact of western culture. And he describes the day-to-day practice of Hinduism - customs, festivals and rituals; the caste system; and its philosophies and exponents. The author''s grandson Professor Amartya Sen brings his work right up to date, examining the role of Hinduism in the world today.
£10.44
Penguin Putnam Inc The Hindus
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£22.50
Penguin Random House India The Mahabharata
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£17.95
Penguin Random House India The Mahabharata
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£17.95
Penguin Random House India The Mahabharata Vol 7
Book SynopsisThe Mahabharata is a story of war between cousins, the Pandavas and Kouravas, centered on conflicts of dharma with no clear right or wrong. Characters face immense and varied dilemmas, showcasing every human emotion. Bibek Debroy's acclaimed translation captures the epic's enduring hold on imagination.
£14.99
Penguin Random House India The Daughter from a Wishing Tree
Book SynopsisThe women in Indian mythology might be fewer in number, but their stories of strength and mystery in the pages of ancient texts and epics are many. They slayed demons and protected their devotees fiercely. From Parvati to Ashokasundari and from Bhamati to Mandodari, this collection features enchanting and fearless women who frequently led wars on behalf of the gods, were the backbone of their families and makers of their own destinies.
£8.50
Penguin Random House India Life Is a Battlefield
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£15.19
Oxford University Press Roots of Hinduism
Book SynopsisHinduism has two major roots. The more familiar is the religion brought to South Asia in the second millennium BCE by speakers of Aryan or Indo-Iranian languages, a branch of the Indo-European language family. Another, more enigmatic, root is the Indus civilization of the third millennium BCE, which left behind thousands of short inscriptions in a forgotten pictographic script. Discovered in the valley of the Indus River in the early 1920s, the Indus civilization had a population estimated at one million people, in more than 1000 settlements, several of which were cities of some 50,000 inhabitants. With an area of nearly a million square kilometers, the Indus civilization was more extensive than the other key urban cultures of the time, in Mesopotamia and Egypt. Yet, after almost a century of excavation and research the Indus civilization remains little understood. What language did the Indus people speak? How might we decipher the exquisitely carved Indus inscriptions? What deities diTrade Review"Written with scholarly rigor and great erudition, this volume will be warmly received by supporters of the views that the Indus Valley script is a proto-Dravidian language and that continuities exist between IVC and Hinduism. Highly recommended."--CHOICE "A highly innovative and welcome volume, bringing together the linguistic and archaeological evidence for the cultures that underlie Hinduism. Asko Parpola is uniquely well qualified to undertake this, through his major research on the Vedas and Vedic ritual and on the Indus Civilization, combined with an excellent understanding of the archaeological evidence beyond India itself. No one interested in any of these fields can afford to miss it." --J.L. Brockington, Emeritus Professor of Sanskrit, University of Edinburgh; Vice President, International Association of Sanskrit Studies "The Roots of Hinduism is undoubtedly a major contribution -- like Parpola's earlier book on deciphering the Indus script -- to the understanding of the Indus civilisation, the Aryan migrations into India, and the development of Hinduism." --Current World ArchaeologyTable of ContentsPreface ; Introduction ; 1. Defining 'Hindu' and 'Hinduism' ; 2. The early Aryans ; 3. Indo-European linguistics ; 4. The Indus civilization ; 5. The Indus religion and the Indus script ; Part I: The Early Aryans ; 6. Proto-Indo-European homelands ; 7. Early Indo-Iranians on the Eurasian steppes ; 8. The BMAC of Central Asia and the Mitanni of Syria ; 9. The Rigvedic Indo-Aryans and the D?sas ; 10. The Asvins and Mitra-Varuna ; 11. The Asvins as funerary gods ; 12. The Atharvaveda and the Vratyas ; 13. The Kuru kingdom and the great epics ; Part II: The Indus Civilization ; 14. The language of the Indus civilization ; 15. Fertility cults in folk religion ; 16. Astronomy, time-reckoning and cosmology ; 17. Dilmun, Magan and Meluhha ; 18. Royal symbols from West Asia ; 19. The Goddess and the buffalo ; 20. Early Iranians and 'left-hand' Tantrism ; 21. Religion in the Indus script ; Conclusion ; 22. The prehistory of Indo-Aryan speech and Aryan contributions to Hinduism ; 23. Harappan religion in relation to West Asia and later South Asia ; 24. Retrospect and prospect ; Bibliographical notes ; References ; Index
£37.99
Oxford University Press Homo Ritualis
Book SynopsisAre the richness and diversity of rituals and celebrations in South Asia unique? Can we speak of a homo ritualis when it comes to India or Hinduism? Are Indians or Hindus more involved in rituals than other people? If so, what makes them special? Homo Ritualis is the first book to present a Hindu theory of rituals. Based on extensive textual studies and field-work in Nepal and India, Axel Michaels argues that ritual is a distinctive way of acting, which, as in the theater, can be distinguished from other forms of action. The book analyzes ritual in these cultural-specific and religious contexts, taking into account how indigenous terms and theories affect and contribute to current ritual theory. It describes and investigates various forms of Hindu rituals and festivals, such as life-cycle rituals, the Vedic sacrifice, vows processions, and the worship of deities (puja). It also examines conceptual components of (Hindu) rituals such as framing, formality, modality, and theories of meaniTrade ReviewMichaels's book is a positive contribution to ritual studies and to the study of Hindu ritual within the larger conversation of ritual theory. The ethno-Indological approach taken by Michaels is, furthermore, an innovative and rewarding method for the study of Hindu ritual, particularly as these two fieldsethnography and Indologyhave sometimes been seen as at odds with each other. * Adam Newman, Reading Religion *Michaels's key contributions are twofold: first, he offers a unifying theory of the complex structure and variety of South Asian ritual performances in their own hermeneutical terms, and second he demonstrates that a theoretically sophisticated understanding of such rituals can make significant contributions to the field of ritual studies. * Jarrod Whitaker, Journal of Religion *Table of ContentsPreface ; Acknowledgements ; Abbreviations ; Plates and Figures ; Pronunciation of Indian Words ; Introduction ; Part I: Framing ; 1. The Beginning of Rituals ; 1.1 The Solemn Intention (samkalpa) ; 1.2 Greeting and Ritualized Greeting (namaskara) ; Conclusion ; Part II: Formality ; 2. Repetitive Rules (vidhi) ; 2.1 The Grammar of Rituals ; 2.2 A Preliminary "Grammar" of Newar Life-cycle Rituals ; 2.3 Rituals in Handbooks (paddhati) ; 3. Agency in Ritual ; 3.1 Ritual Competency (adhikara) ; 3.2 Atonements for Ritual Mishaps (prayascitta) ; 3.3 The Comic Side of Ritual Formality ; 4. Performed and Played Rituals (lila) ; 4.1 Music and Ritual Music ; 4.2 Dance and Ritual Dance ; 4.3 Emotions and Ritual Emotions ; Conclusion ; Part III: Modality ; 5. Individualized and Domestic Rituals (samskara) ; 5.1 The Boy's Initiation ; 5.2 The Girl's Initiation ; 5.3 The Marriage ; 5.4 Death Rituals and Redemption ; 6. Collective and Public Rituals ; 6.1 Temple Festivals (utsava) ; 6.2 Vows (vrata) ; 6.3 Pilgrimages and Processions (yatra) ; 7. Transcendence in Rituals ; 7.1 The Vedic Sacrifice (yajna) ; 7.2 The Fire Sacrifice (homa) ; 7.3 Worship and Prayer (puja) ; 7.4 E-darshan and Cyber-puja ; Conclusion ; Part IV: Meaning ; 8. Meaning and Function ; 8.1 The Cultural Studies Approach ; 8.2 The Cognitive Sciences approach ; 9. The Purvamimamsa Theory of Ritual Efficacy ; Conclusion ; Part V: The Hindu Path of Ritual-Summary ; Appendix: Automatic Detection of Ritual Structures ; Glossary ; References
£43.20
Oxford University Press Inc Savoring God Comparative Theopoetics
Book SynopsisTrade ReviewSavoring God is an intensely personal book, the fruits of Gloria Maité Hernández's mature investment in two poems that she knows so very well, the Cántico espiritual of Saint John of the Cross and the Bhāgavata Purāṇa's Rāsa Līlā. This book is an exemplary instance of comparative reading, remarkably sophisticated in its attentiveness to each poem, a savoring of each word and every verse as these contribute to a cumulative passion for God. Savoring God is thus too an exemplary instance of comparative theology, the reading of texts intensified by mastery of and surrender to poetic form and suggestion. * Francis X. Clooney, SJ, Parkman Professor of Divinity, Harvard University *Although separated by great distances of time and geography, the Rāsa Līlā and the Spiritual Canticle * two classics of devotional love poetryilluminate each other in this extraordinary study by Gloria Maité Hernández. Hernández pays close attention to the rich tradition of commentary and theology that these texts have inspired, while never losing sight of their poetic and devotional power. As a work of both theological and poetic depth, Savoring God is a feast for all the senses.Ravi M. Gupta, Charles Redd Professor of Religious Studies, Utah State University *Young women seek their hidden lovers in a forest. From this thematic coincidence in St. John of the Cross's Cántico espiritual and the Hindu Rāsa Līlā, Gloria Maité Hernández weaves an appreciation of poetry's capacity through sensorial devices to suggest the 'savoring' of divine encounter. Her reading and comparison of texts in Spanish and Sanskrit elucidates the poetry and the dense commentary that accompanies it. I learned from this book, about a poet I thought I knew well, and about a religious and poetic tradition about which I knew very little. * Ignacio Navarrete, Professor of Spanish, University of California, Berkeley *Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Note on Translation and Citation Introduction: Reading between Granada and Vrndavana Chapter 1 Savoring Theopoetics Chapter 2 Absent and Present Chapter 3 Sensorial Theopoetics Chapter 4 Secretly Together Conclusions Reading, Comparing, and Savoring List of Works Cited Spanish Glossary Sanskrit Glossary General Bibliography
£75.19
