Religious Doctrines in the Mahābhārata

Religious Doctrines in the Mahābhārata PDF Author: Nicholas Sutton
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publ.
ISBN: 9788120817005
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 506

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Book Description
exhorting his audience to shed their delusions, pretensions and empty

Religious Doctrines in the Mahābhārata

Religious Doctrines in the Mahābhārata PDF Author: Nicholas Sutton
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publ.
ISBN: 9788120817005
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 506

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Book Description
exhorting his audience to shed their delusions, pretensions and empty

The Bhagavadgita

The Bhagavadgita PDF Author: Angelika Malinar
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139469053
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
The Bhagavadgita is one of the most renowned texts of Hinduism because it contains discussions of important issues such as liberation and the nature of action as well as the revelation of the Krishna as the highest god and creator of the universe. It is included in the ancient Indian Mahabharata epic at one of its most dramatic moments, that is, when the final battle is about to begin. In contrast to many other studies, this book deals with the relationship between the Bhagavadgita and its epic contexts. On the basis of a thorough analysis of the text Angelika Malinar argues that its theology delineates not only new philosophical concepts and religious practices but also addresses the problem of righteous kingship and appropriate use of power. Malinar concludes by considering the Bhagavadgita's historical and cultural contexts and those features of the text that became paradigmatic in later Hindu religious traditions.

The Bhagavadgita

The Bhagavadgita PDF Author: Angelika Malinar
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521122115
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The Bhagavadgita is one of the most renowned texts of Hinduism because it contains discussions of important issues such as liberation and the nature of action as well as the revelation of the Krishna as the highest god and creator of the universe. It is included in the ancient Indian Mahabharata epic at one of its most dramatic moments, that is, when the final battle is about to begin. In contrast to many other studies, this book deals with the relationship between the Bhagavadgita and its epic contexts. On the basis of a thorough analysis of the text Angelika Malinar argues that its theology delineates not only new philosophical concepts and religious practices but also addresses the problem of righteous kingship and appropriate use of power. Malinar concludes by considering the Bhagavadgita's historical and cultural contexts and those features of the text that became paradigmatic in later Hindu religious traditions.

Divine Descent and the Four World-Ages in the Mahābhārata – or, Why Does the Kṛṣṇa Avatāra Inaugurate the Worst Yuga?

Divine Descent and the Four World-Ages in the Mahābhārata – or, Why Does the Kṛṣṇa Avatāra Inaugurate the Worst Yuga? PDF Author: Simon Brodbeck
Publisher: Cardiff University Press
ISBN: 1911653431
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
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.

Argument and Design: The Unity of the Mahābhārata

Argument and Design: The Unity of the Mahābhārata PDF Author:
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004311408
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 494

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Book Description
Argument and Design features fifteen essays by leading scholars of the Sanskrit epics, the Mahābhārata and the Rāmāyaṇa, discussing the Mahābhārata’s upākhyānas, subtales that branch off from the central storyline and provide vantage points for reflecting on it.

Gender and Narrative in the Mahabharata

Gender and Narrative in the Mahabharata PDF Author: Simon Brodbeck
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 113411995X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 332

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Book Description
The Sanskrit Mahabharata is one of the most important texts to emerge from the Indian cultural tradition. At almost 75,000 verses it is the longest poem in the world, and throughout Indian history it has been hugely influential in shaping gender and social norms. In the context of ancient India, it is the definitive cultural narrative in the construction of masculine, feminine and alternative gender roles. This book brings together many of the most respected scholars in the field of Mahabharata studies, as well as some of its most promising young scholars. By focusing specifically on gender constructions, some of the most innovative aspects of the Mahabharata are highlighted. Whilst taking account of feminist scholarship, the contributors see the Mahabharata as providing an opportunity to frame discussion of gender in literature not just in terms of the socio-historical roles of men and women. Instead they analyze the text in terms of the wider poetic and philosophical possibilities thrown up by the semiotics of gendering. Consequently, the book bridges a gap in text-critical methodology between the traditional philological approach and more recent trends in gender and literary theory. Gender and Narrative in the Mahabharata will be appreciated by readers interested in South Asian studies, Hinduism, religious studies and gender studies.

The Wonderful Teachings of Mahabharata

The Wonderful Teachings of Mahabharata PDF Author: Suthanthira Kannan R
Publisher: Notion Press
ISBN: 1637147910
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 112

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Book Description
Every Indian should know at least the essence of The Mahabharata and The Gita, irrespective of their religion because it teaches more of management principles in life. In this busy world, we do not have time to read even essential books. Also, most of the youngsters do not have the opportunity to read our scriptures. With that idea, this book was created to have a reading in 100 minutes. If you are interested and need more clarifications, you can always refer to standard books. Importance is given to express the concepts and morals rather than the entire story. In the end, even the principles of The Gita are explained in a nutshell. In fact, religion can only be experienced and not taught. This book endeavors to demonstrate how Hinduism has been wrongly quoted by many and it aims to bring forth the truth. There are so many myths also. When Atma is same in all living beings can there be a superior one or an inferior one. Even a dog is not inferior to human being. How can God separate human beings and bring castes? If so, is He a God? We can’t blame God for all the egoistic mistakes done by humans in the name of God. God has no form. But Hinduism says you can make innumerable forms as you like as everything is God. In Mahabharata all these questions are answered, including who is a Brahmin? Can a Brahmin by birth superior? Etc. The approach to various religions may differ. That is the nature of God’s creation so that there is diversity in everything. Imagine the number of languages we have. Like that, even though the ultimate principles of religions are same, they were modified simplified as per the norms of the local people. The problem with simplification is that it creates controversy. The advantage of simplicity is that it is easily understandable. People take only the problems in their hand and cause in-justice to their own religion and humanity. If people are egoistic of religion, they are one of the worst criminals in the world, because all religions teach peace, love and harmony.

Mahabharata Now

Mahabharata Now PDF Author: Arindam Chakrabarti
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317342143
Category : Philosophy
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
The Mahabharata is at once an archive and a living text, a sourcebook complete by itself and an open text perennially under construction. Driving home this striking contemporary relevance of the famous Indian epic, Mahabharata Now focuses on the issues of narration, aesthetics and ethics, as also their interlinkages. The cross-disciplinary essays in the volume imaginatively re-interpret the ‘timeless’ classic in the light of the pre-modern Indian narrative styles, poetics, aesthetic codes, and moral puzzles; the Western theories on modern ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, psychoanalysis, and philosophy of science; and the contemporary social, ethical and political concerns. The essays are all united in their effort to situate the Mahabharata in the context of here and now without violating the sanctity of the ‘written text’ as we have it today. The book will be of interest to scholars and students of Indian and comparative philosophy, Indian and comparative literature, cultural studies, and history.

Mahabharata

Mahabharata PDF Author:
Publisher: NYU Press
ISBN: 0814794068
Category : Epic poetry, Sanskrit
Languages : en
Pages : 588

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Book Description


Rethinking the Mahabharata

Rethinking the Mahabharata PDF Author: Alf Hiltebeitel
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 9780226340531
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 380

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Book Description
The ancient Indian Sanskrit tradition produced no text more intriguing, or more persistently misunderstood or underappreciated, than the Mahabharata. Its intricacies have waylaid generations of scholars and ignited dozens of unresolved debates. In Rethinking the Mahabharata, Alf Hiltebeitel offers a unique model for understanding the great epic. Employing a wide range of literary and narrative theory, Hiltebeitel draws on historical and comparative research in an attempt to discern the spirit and techniques behind the epic's composition. He focuses on the education of Yudhisthira, also known as the Dharma King, and shows how the relationship of this figure to others-especially his author-grandfather Vyasa and his wife Draupadi-provides a thread through the bewildering array of frames and stories embedded within stories. Hiltebeitel also offers a revisionist theory regarding the dating and production of the original text and its relation to the Veda. No ordinary reader's guide, this volume will illuminate many mysteries of this enigmatic masterpiece. This work is the fourth volume in Hiltebeitel's study of the Draupadi cult. Other volumes include Mythologies: From Gingee to Kuruksetra (Volume One), On Hindu Ritual and the Goddess (Volume Two), and Rethinking India's Oral and Classical Epics (Volume Three).