Author: Sushil Mittal
Gene Thursby/
Editor(s): Sushil Mittal / Gene Thursby
Publisher: Foundation Books
Year: N/A
Language: English
Pages: 668
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0415215277
Description
The Hindu World is the most authoritative and up-to-date single volume on Hinduism available today. In twenty-four chapters, written by leading international scholars, it provides a comprehensive and critical guide to the various literatures, traditions, and practices of Hinduism. Ideally tailored as an introduction to key topics in Hinduism and for use as a definitive reference source, the book offers fresh insights into many aspects of Hindu life that are organized under six headings-Oral Teachings and Textual Traditions, theistic and Devotional Movements, Cosmic Order and human Goals, Social Action and Social Structure, vitality in Persons and in Places, and Linguistic and Philosophic Analysis.
The Hindu World contains new research that defines the currents study of Hinduism. It reflects upon the impact of recent poststructuralist approaches while emphasizing Hinduism’s classical heritage and everyday customs in ways that will be familiar to Hindus themselves. Exploring the enormous diversity of Hinduism’s multidimensional culture while considering its status as a category for analysis, the book achieves a distinctive creative balance between scholarly outsider perspectives, and the beliefs and values of practicing Hindus.
REVIEW
A well-chosen spread of articles by a galaxy of outstanding scholars on the main topics within the Hindu traditions-It all adds up to the most exciting as well as informative guide yet.
-John Brockington, Professor of Sanskrit, The University of Edinburgh
Contents
NOTE ON TRANSLITERATION
CONTRIBUTORS
BHUMIKA
PART I-INTRODUCING THE HINDU WORLD
On Hinduism and Hinduisms-The way of the banyan
PART II-ORAL TEACHINGS AND TEXTUAL TRADITIONS
Veda and Upanisad
Mahabharata
Ramayana
Purana
PART III-THEISTIC AND DEVOTINAL MOVEMENTS
Saiva
Sakta
Vaisnava
Bhakti
PART IV-COSMIC ORDER AND HUMAN GOALS
Dharma
Artha
Kama
Moksa
PART V-SOCIAL ACTION AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Karma
Samskara
Varna and Jati
Asrama
PART VI-VITALITY IN PERSONS AND IN PLACES
Anna
Grama
Alaya
Tirtha
PART VII-LINGUISTIC AND PHILOSOPHIC ANALYSIS
Bhasa
Darsana
Kala
REFERENCES CITED
INDEX