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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > Religions of Indic & Oriental origin > Hinduism

Dios Habla Con Arjuna: El Bhagavad Guita, Vol. 1 - La Ciencia Suprema de La Unin Con Dios (English, Spanish, Paperback):... Dios Habla Con Arjuna: El Bhagavad Guita, Vol. 1 - La Ciencia Suprema de La Unin Con Dios (English, Spanish, Paperback)
Paramahansa Yogananda
R615 R542 Discovery Miles 5 420 Save R73 (12%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days
The Law Code of Manu (Paperback): Patrick Olivelle The Law Code of Manu (Paperback)
Patrick Olivelle
R395 R321 Discovery Miles 3 210 Save R74 (19%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

'Manu was seated, when the great seers came up to him: "Please, Lord, tell us the Laws of all the social classes, as well as of those born in between..."' The Law Code of Manu is the most authoritative and the best-known legal text of ancient India. Famous for two thousand years it still generates controversy, with Manu's verses being cited in support of the oppression of women and members of the lower castes. A seminal Hindu text, the Law Code is important for its classic description of so many social institutions that have come to be identified with Indian society. It deals with the relationships between social and ethnic groups, between men and women, the organization of the state and the judicial system, reincarnation, the workings of karma, and all aspects of the law. Patrick Olivelle's lucid translation is the first to be based on his critically edited text, and it incorporates the most recent scholarship on ancient Indian history, law, society, and religion. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume VII - Uttarakanda (Hardcover): Robert P. Goldman, Sally J Sutherland... The Ramayana of Valmiki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume VII - Uttarakanda (Hardcover)
Robert P. Goldman, Sally J Sutherland Goldman; Introduction by Robert P. Goldman, Sally J Sutherland Goldman
R4,295 R3,745 Discovery Miles 37 450 Save R550 (13%) Ships in 12 - 17 working days

The seventh and final book of the monumental R?m?ya?a of V?lm?ki, the Uttarak???a, brings the epic saga to a close with an account of the dramatic events of King R?ma's millennia-long reign. It opens with a colorful history of the demonic race of the r?k?asas and the violent career of R?ma's villainous foe R?va?a, and later recounts R?ma's grateful discharge of his allies in the great war at Lank? as well as his romantic reunion with his wife S?t?. But dark clouds gather as R?ma, confronted by scandal over S?t?'s time in captivity under the lustful R?va?a, makes the agonizing decision to banish his beloved wife, now pregnant. As R?ma continues as king, marvelous tales and events unfurl, illustrating the benefits of righteous rule and the perils that await monarchs who fail to address the needs of their subjects. The Uttarak???a has long served as a point of social and religious controversy largely for its accounts of the banishment of S?t?, as well as of R?ma's killing of a low-caste ascetic. The translators' introduction provides a full discussion of these issues and the complex reception history of the Uttarak???a. This translation of the critical edition also includes exhaustive notes and a comprehensive bibliography.

Hinduism For Dummies (Paperback, New): A. V. Srinivasan Hinduism For Dummies (Paperback, New)
A. V. Srinivasan
R464 Discovery Miles 4 640 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Your hands-on guide to one of the world's major religions

The dominant religion of India, "Hinduism" refers to a wide variety of religious traditions and philosophies that have developed over thousands of years. Today, the United States is home to approximately one million Hindus.

If you've heard of this ancient religion and are looking for a reference that explains the intricacies of the customs, practices, and teachings of this ancient spiritual system, "Hinduism For Dummies" is for you Provides a thorough introduction to this earliest and popular world belief systemInformation on the rites, rituals, deities, and teachings associated with the practice of HinduismExplores the history and teachings of the Vedas, Brahmans, and UpanishadsOffers insight into the modern daily practice of Hinduism around the world

Continuing the Dummies tradition of making the world's religions engaging and accessible to everyone, "Hinduism For Dummies" is your hands-on, friendly guide to this fascinating religion.

An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism (Hardcover, 3rd Revised edition): Raymond Brady Williams An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism (Hardcover, 3rd Revised edition)
Raymond Brady Williams
R2,653 Discovery Miles 26 530 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

An Introduction to Swaminarayan Hinduism, third edition, offers a comprehensive study of a contemporary form of Hinduism. Begun as a revival and reform movement in India 200 years ago, it has now become one of the fastest growing and most prominent forms of Hinduism. The Swaminarayan Hindu transnational network of temples and institutions is expanding in India, East Africa, the UK, USA, Australasia, and in other African and Asian cities. The devotion, rituals, and discipline taught by its founder, Sahajanand Swami (1781-1830) and elaborated by current leaders in major festivals, diverse media, and over the Internet, help preserve ethnic and religious identity in many modern cultural and political contexts. Swaminarayan Hinduism, here described through its history, divisions, leaders, theology and practices, provides valuable case studies of contemporary Hinduism, religion, migrants, and transnationalism. This new edition includes up-to-date information about growth, geographic expansion, leadership transitions, and impact of Swaminarayan institutions in India and abroad.

The Bhagavad Gita - A New Translation (Paperback, 1st pbk. ed): Stephen Mitchell The Bhagavad Gita - A New Translation (Paperback, 1st pbk. ed)
Stephen Mitchell
R429 R329 Discovery Miles 3 290 Save R100 (23%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Stephen Mitchell is widely known for his ability to make ancient masterpieces thrillingly new, to step in where many have tried before and create versions that are definitive for our time. His celebrated version of the Tao Te Ching is the most popular edition in print, and his translations of Jesus, Rilke, Genesis, and Job have won the hearts of readers and critics alike. Stephen Mitchell now brings to the Bhagavad Gita his gift for breathing new life into sacred texts.

The Bhagavad Gita is universally acknowledged as one of the world's literary and spiritual masterpieces. It is the core text of the Hindu tradition and has been treasured by American writers from Emerson and Thoreau to T. S. Eliot, who called it the greatest philosophical poem after the Divine Comedy. There have been more than two hundred English translations of the Gita, including many competent literal versions, but not one of them is a superlative literary text in its own right.

Now all that has changed. Stephen Mitchell's Bhagavad Gita sings with the clarity, the vigor, and the intensity of the original Sanskrit. It will, as William Arrowsmith said of Mitchell's translation of The Sonnets to Orpheus, "instantly make every other rendering obsolete."


From the Hardcover edition.

The Yogasutra of Patanjali - A New Introduction to the Buddhist Roots of the Yoga System (Paperback): Pradeep P Gokhale The Yogasutra of Patanjali - A New Introduction to the Buddhist Roots of the Yoga System (Paperback)
Pradeep P Gokhale
R1,268 Discovery Miles 12 680 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

This book offers a systematic and radical introduction to the Buddhist roots of Patanjala-yoga, or the Yoga system of Patanjali. By examining each of 195 aphorisms (sutras) of the Yogasutra and discussing the Yogabhasya, it shows that traditional and popular views on Patanjala-yoga obscure its true nature. The book argues that Patanjali's Yoga contains elements rooted in both orthodox and heterodox philosophical traditions, including Sankhya, Jaina and Buddhist thought. With a fresh translation and a detailed commentary on the Yogasutra, the author unearths how several of the terms, concepts and doctrines in Patanjali's Yoga can be traced to Buddhism, particularly the Abhidharma Buddhism of Vasubandhu and the early Yogacara of Asanga. The work presents the Yogasutra of Patanjali as a synthesis of two perspectives: the metaphysical perspective of Sankhya and the empirical-psychological perspective of Buddhism. Based on a holistic understanding of Yoga, the study explores key themes of the text, such as meditative absorption, means, supernormal powers, isolation, Buddhist conceptions of meditation and the interplay between Sankhya and Buddhist approaches to suffering and emancipation. It further highlights several new findings and clarifications on textual interpretation and discrepancies. An important intervention in Indian and Buddhist philosophy, this book opens up a new way of looking at the Yoga of Patanjali in the light of Buddhism beyond standard approaches and will greatly interest scholars and researchers of Buddhist studies, Yoga studies, Indian philosophy, philosophy in general, literature, religion and comparative studies, Indian and South Asian Studies and the history of ideas.

God Talks with Arjuna - The Bhagavad Gita (Paperback, Boxed set, 2nd Revised edition): Paramahansa Yogananda God Talks with Arjuna - The Bhagavad Gita (Paperback, Boxed set, 2nd Revised edition)
Paramahansa Yogananda
R1,057 R998 Discovery Miles 9 980 Save R59 (6%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

A two-volume translation of and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, offering a comprehensive examination of the science and philosophy of yoga. It seeks to break new ground as a revelation of the Gita's most profound spiritual, psychological and metaphysical truths, long obscured by metaphor and allegory. The author outlines the Gita's balanced path of meditation and right activity, and shows how we can create for ourselves a life of spiritual integrity, serenity, simplicity and joy. Included are Sanskrit transliterations of each verse, along with subject guides and a 37-page index.

The Holy Science (Hardcover, New edition): Swami Sri Yukteswar The Holy Science (Hardcover, New edition)
Swami Sri Yukteswar
R387 R320 Discovery Miles 3 200 Save R67 (17%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

This extraordinary treatise explores parallel passages from the Bible and the Hindu scriptures to reveal the essential unity of all religions. Swami Sri Yukteswar, the revered guru of Paramahansa Yogananda, outlines the universal path that every human being must travel to enlightenment. He also explains the vast recurring cycles of civilization, affording a profound understanding of history and the ever-changing panorama of turbulent world events.

The Ashtavakra Gita (Paperback): John Richards The Ashtavakra Gita (Paperback)
John Richards
R160 Discovery Miles 1 600 Ships in 10 - 15 working days
Hinduism Beliefs and Practices - Volume II -- Religious History and Philosophy (Paperback): Jeaneane Fowler Hinduism Beliefs and Practices - Volume II -- Religious History and Philosophy (Paperback)
Jeaneane Fowler
R845 Discovery Miles 8 450 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Originally published in 1997 "A wonderful balance of detail and clarity with excellent introductory essays on the Indus Valley civilization, the Vedic Period, the Upanishads, and devotional Hinduism," Religious Studies Review; Choice Outstanding Academic Book selling over 10,000 copies, and now revised and expanded to two volumes (Volume I: Major Deities and Social Structures) Herewith an outstanding introduction to the development of the religion of Hinduism from earliest times. While historical tradition is explored from as far back as pre-Aryan times in the fascinating ancient civilization that existed in India a few thousand years BCE, later expressions of religion and philosophy that informed early Hindu tradition are gleaned from its sacred texts. The author examines how present beliefs and practices have been informed by past traditions, and the resulting accommodation in Hinduism today. The book serves as an introduction to the two strands of theism and philosophical thought that emerged from early scriptures as they are expressed independently in Hinduism as well as in those traditions where they are woven together to create new religious movements. No prior knowledge of Hinduism is required. Contents include: The Indus Valley Civilization; The Vedic Period; Vedanta; The Advaita Vedanta of Sankara; Influential Theories (Samkhya and Yoga); Devotional Hinduism; The Bhagavad Gita; Songs of the Poets; The theistic philosophy of Ramanuja; The devotional theism of Caitanya; Unity and diversity.

Digital Hinduism (Hardcover): Xenia Zeiler Digital Hinduism (Hardcover)
Xenia Zeiler
R3,913 Discovery Miles 39 130 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Digital Religion does not simply refer to religion as it is carried out online, but more broadly studies how digital media interrelate with religious practice and belief. This collection explores Digital Hinduism and consequentially studies how Hinduism is expressed in the digital sphere and how Hindus utilise digital media. Highlighting digital Hinduism and including case studies with foci on India, Asia and the global Hindu diaspora, this book features contributions from an interdisciplinary and international panel of academics. The chapters focus on specific case studies, which in summary exemplify the wide variety and diversity of what constitutes Digital Hinduism today. Applying methods and research questions from various disciplinary backgrounds appropriate to the study of religion and digital culture, such as Religious Studies, South Asian Studies, Anthropology and Media and Communication Studies, this book is vital reading for any scholar interested in the relationship between religion and the digital world.

Classical Indian Philosophy - A history of philosophy without any gaps, Volume 5 (Paperback): Peter Adamson, Jonardon Ganeri Classical Indian Philosophy - A history of philosophy without any gaps, Volume 5 (Paperback)
Peter Adamson, Jonardon Ganeri
R388 R323 Discovery Miles 3 230 Save R65 (17%) Ships in 9 - 15 working days

Peter Adamson and Jonardon Ganeri present a lively introduction to one of the world's richest intellectual traditions: the philosophy of classical India. They begin with the earliest extant literature, the Vedas, and the explanatory works that these inspired, known as Upanisads. They also discuss other famous texts of classical Vedic culture, especially the Mahabharata and its most notable section, the Bhagavad-Gita, alongside the rise of Buddhism and Jainism. In this opening section, Adamson and Ganeri emphasize the way that philosophy was practiced as a form of life in search of liberation from suffering. Next, the pair move on to the explosion of philosophical speculation devoted to foundational texts called 'sutras,' discussing such traditions as the logical and epistemological Nyaya school, the monism of Advaita Vedanta, and the spiritual discipline of Yoga. In the final section of the book, they chart further developments within Buddhism, highlighting Nagarjuna's radical critique of 'non-dependent' concepts and the no-self philosophy of mind found in authors like Dignaga, and within Jainism, focusing especially on its 'standpoint' epistemology. Unlike other introductions that cover the main schools and positions in classical Indian philosophy, Adamson and Ganeri's lively guide also pays attention to philosophical themes such as non-violence, political authority, and the status of women, while considering textual traditions typically left out of overviews of Indian thought, like the Carvaka school, Tantra, and aesthetic theory as well. Adamson and Ganeri conclude by focusing on the much-debated question of whether Indian philosophy may have influenced ancient Greek philosophy and, from there, evaluate the impact that this area of philosophy had on later Western thought.

Gods and Goddesses Deck - Mantras, Blessings and Meditations (Cards): Editors of Mandala Publishing Gods and Goddesses Deck - Mantras, Blessings and Meditations (Cards)
Editors of Mandala Publishing 1
R459 R354 Discovery Miles 3 540 Save R105 (23%) Ships in 10 - 15 working days

Each card in this deck highlights a particular deity in the Hindu pantheon and provides corresponding mantras, meditations, prayers and blessings. These cards reveal a who's who in the spiritual world, and identify which roles particular gods and goddesses play in the universe. For greater intelligence, petition Saraswati or for the removal of obstacles, invoke the presence of Ganesh by chanting his mantra.

The Last Hindu Emperor - Prithviraj Chauhan and the Indian Past, 1200-2000 (Paperback): Cynthia Talbot The Last Hindu Emperor - Prithviraj Chauhan and the Indian Past, 1200-2000 (Paperback)
Cynthia Talbot
R1,006 Discovery Miles 10 060 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

This fascinating new study traces traditions and memories relating to the twelfth-century Indian ruler Prithviraj Chauhan; a Hindu king who was defeated and overthrown during the conquest of Northern India by Muslim armies from Afghanistan. Surveying a wealth of narratives that span more than 800 years, Cynthia Talbot explores the reasons why he is remembered, and by whom. In modern times, the Chauhan king has been referred to as 'the last Hindu emperor', because Muslim rule prevailed for centuries following his defeat. Despite being overthrown, however, his name and story have evolved over time into a historical symbol of India's martial valor. The Last Hindu Emperor sheds new light on the enduring importance of heroic histories in Indian culture and the extraordinary ability of historical memory to transform the hero of a clan into the hero of a community, and finally a nation.

The Future of Hindu-Christian Studies - A Theological Inquiry (Paperback): Francis Clooney The Future of Hindu-Christian Studies - A Theological Inquiry (Paperback)
Francis Clooney
R629 Discovery Miles 6 290 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

The field of Hindu-Christian studies revives theology as a particularly useful interreligious discipline. Though a sub-division of the broader Hindu-Christian dialogue, it is also a distinct field of study, proper to a smaller group of religious intellectuals. At its best it envisions a two-sided, mutual conversation, grounded in scholars' knowledge of their own tradition and of the other. Based on the Westcott-Teape Lectures given in India and at the University of Cambridge, this book explores the possibilities and problems attendant upon the field of Hindu-Christian Studies, the reasons for occasional flourishing and decline in such studies, and the fragile conditions under which the field can flourish in the 21st century. The chapters examine key instances of Christian-Hindu learning, highlighting the Jesuit engagement with Hinduism, the modern Hindu reception of Western thought, and certain advances in the study of religion that enhance intellectual cooperation. This book is a significant contribution to a sophisticated understanding of Christianity and Hinduism in relation. It presents a robust defense of comparative theology and of Hindu-Christian Studies as a necessarily theological discipline. It will be of wide interest in the fields of Religious Studies, Theology, Christianity and Hindu Studies.

Who Am I? (Paperback): Sri Ramana Maharshi Who Am I? (Paperback)
Sri Ramana Maharshi
R195 Discovery Miles 1 950 Ships in 10 - 15 working days
Arjuna-Odysseus - Shared Heritage in Indian and Greek Epic (Hardcover): N.J. Allen Arjuna-Odysseus - Shared Heritage in Indian and Greek Epic (Hardcover)
N.J. Allen
R3,937 Discovery Miles 39 370 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Bringing together the study of the Greek classics and Indology, Arjuna-Odysseus provides a comparative analysis of the shared heritage of the Mahabharata and early Greek traditions presented in the texts of Homer and Hesiod. Building on the ethnographic theories of Durkheim, Mauss, and Dumont, the volume explores the convergences and rapprochements between the Mahabharata and the Greek texts. In exploring the networks of similarities between the two epic traditions, it also reformulates the theory of Georges Dumezil regarding Indo-European cultural comparativism. It includes a detailed comparison between journeys undertaken by the two epic heroes - Odysseus and Arjuna - and more generally, it ranges across the philosophical ideas of these cultures, and the epic traditions, metaphors, and archetypes that define the cultural ideology of ancient Greece and India. This book will be useful to scholars and researchers of Indo-European comparativism, social and cultural anthropology, classical literature, Indology, cultural and post-colonial studies, philosophy and religion, as well as to those who love the Indian and Greek epics.

Words for the Heart - A Treasury of Emotions from Classical India (Hardcover): Maria Heim Words for the Heart - A Treasury of Emotions from Classical India (Hardcover)
Maria Heim
R774 Discovery Miles 7 740 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

A richly diverse collection of classical Indian terms for expressing the many moods and subtleties of emotional experience Words for the Heart is a captivating treasury of emotion terms drawn from some of India's earliest classical languages. Inspired by the traditional Indian genre of a "treasury"-a wordbook or anthology of short texts or poems-this collection features 177 jewel-like entries evoking the kinds of phenomena English speakers have variously referred to as emotions, passions, sentiments, moods, affects, and dispositions. These entries serve as beautiful literary and philosophical vignettes that convey the delightful texture of Indian thought and the sheer multiplicity of conversations about emotions in Indian texts. An indispensable reference, Words for the Heart reveals how Indian ways of interpreting human experience can challenge our assumptions about emotions and enrich our lives. Brings to light a rich lexicon of emotion from ancient India Uses the Indian genre of a "treasury," or wordbook, to explore the contours of classical Indian thought in three of the subcontinent's earliest languages-Sanskrit, Pali, and Prakrit Features 177 alphabetical entries, from abhaya ("fearlessness") to yoga ("the discipline of calm") Draws on a wealth of literary, religious, and philosophical writings from classical India Includes synonyms, antonyms, related words, and suggestions for further reading Invites readers to engage in the cross-cultural study of emotions Reveals the many different ways of naming and interpreting human experience

The Holy Science (Paperback): Swami Sri Yukteswar The Holy Science (Paperback)
Swami Sri Yukteswar
R165 Discovery Miles 1 650 Ships in 10 - 15 working days
Goddess Traditions in Tantric Hinduism - History, Practice and Doctrine (Paperback): Bjarne Wernicke Olesen Goddess Traditions in Tantric Hinduism - History, Practice and Doctrine (Paperback)
Bjarne Wernicke Olesen
R1,532 Discovery Miles 15 320 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Hinduism cannot be understood without the Great Goddess and the goddess-orientated Sakta traditions. The Goddess pervades Hinduism at all levels, from aniconic village deities to high-caste pan-Hindu goddesses to esoteric, tantric goddesses. Nevertheless, the highly influential tantric forms of South Asian goddess worship have only recently begun to draw scholarly attention. This book addresses the increasing interest in the Great Goddess and the tantric traditions of India by exploring the history, doctrine and practices of the Sakta tantric traditions. The highly influential tantric forms of South Asian goddess worship form a major part of what is known as 'Saktism', and is often considered one of the major branches of Hinduism next to Saivism, Vaisnavism and Smartism. Saktism is, however, less clearly defined than the other major branches, and the book looks at the texts of the Sakta traditions that constitute the primary sources for gaining insights into the Sakta religious imaginative, ritual practices and history. It provides an historical exploration of distinctive Indian ways of imagining God as Goddess, and surveys the important origins and developments within Sakta history, practice and doctrine in its diversity. Bringing together contributions from some of the foremost scholars in the field of tantric studies, the book provides a platform for the continued research into Hindu goddesses, yoga, and tantra for those interested in understanding the religion and culture in South Asia.

WJEC/Eduqas Religious Studies for A Level Year 1 & AS - Hinduism (Paperback): Huw Jones WJEC/Eduqas Religious Studies for A Level Year 1 & AS - Hinduism (Paperback)
Huw Jones
R786 Discovery Miles 7 860 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

Endorsed by WJEC/Eduqas, the Student Book offers high quality support you can trust. / Written by an experienced teacher and author with an in-depth understanding of teaching, learning and assessment at A Level and AS. / A skills-based approach to learning, covering content of the specification with examination preparation from the start. / Developing skills feature focuses on what to do with the content and the issues that are raised with a progressive range of AO1 examples and AO2 exam-focused activities. / Questions and Answers section provides practice questions with student answers and examiner commentaries. / It provides a range of specific activities that target each of the Assessment Objectives to build skills of knowledge, understanding and evaluation. / Includes a range of features to encourage you to consolidate and reinforce your learning.

The Fifth Prapathaka of the Vadhula Srautasutra - Introduction to the Edition, Translation, and Commentary (Hardcover):... The Fifth Prapathaka of the Vadhula Srautasutra - Introduction to the Edition, Translation, and Commentary (Hardcover)
Francois Voegeli
R1,076 Discovery Miles 10 760 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

The Fifth Prapathaka of the Vadhula Srautasutra includes a critical edition, followed by a translation and a commentary, of the fifth chapter (prapathaka) of the Vadhula Srautasutra. This chapter is dedicated to the description of the so-called "independent" animal sacrifice (nirudhapasubandha) in Vedic ritual. This series of short monographs relates to particular aspects of the animal sacrifice described in the Veda and to problems of exegesis of Vedic texts. The first part of this edition presents the translation and commentary, while the critical edition makes up the second part. The commentary highlights the peculiarities of the Vadhula version of the nirudhapasubandha. In the conclusion of the first part, the ancientness of the Vadhula school is discussed, as well as its place within the corpus of Taittiriya texts.

The Archaeology of Hindu Ritual - Temples and the Establishment of the Gods (Paperback): Michael Willis The Archaeology of Hindu Ritual - Temples and the Establishment of the Gods (Paperback)
Michael Willis
R1,175 Discovery Miles 11 750 Ships in 10 - 15 working days

In this groundbreaking study, Michael Willis examines how the gods of early Hinduism came to be established in temples, how their cults were organized, and how the ruling elite supported their worship. Examining the emergence of these key historical developments in the fourth and fifth centuries, Willis combines Sanskrit textual evidence with archaeological data from inscriptions, sculptures, temples, and sacred sites. The centre-piece of this study is Udayagiri in central India, the only surviving imperial site of the Gupta dynasty. Through a judicious use of landscape archaeology and archaeo-astronomy, Willis reconstructs how Udayagiri was connected to the Festival of the Rainy Season and the Royal Consecration. Under Gupta patronage, these rituals were integrated into the cult of Vishnu, a deity regarded as the source of creation and of cosmic time. As special devotees of Vishnu, the Gupta kings used Udayagiri to advertise their unique devotional relationship with him. Through his meticulous study of the site, its sculptures and its inscriptions, Willis shows how the Guptas presented themselves as universal sovereigns and how they advanced new systems of religious patronage that shaped the world of medieval India.

Modi's India - Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy (Hardcover): Christophe Jaffrelot Modi's India - Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of Ethnic Democracy (Hardcover)
Christophe Jaffrelot; Translated by Cynthia Schoch
R812 Discovery Miles 8 120 Ships in 12 - 17 working days

A riveting account of how a popularly elected leader has steered the world's largest democracy toward authoritarianism and intolerance Over the past two decades, thanks to Narendra Modi, Hindu nationalism has been coupled with a form of national-populism that has ensured its success at the polls, first in Gujarat and then in India at large. Modi managed to seduce a substantial number of citizens by promising them development and polarizing the electorate along ethno-religious lines. Both facets of this national-populism found expression in a highly personalized political style as Modi related directly to the voters through all kinds of channels of communication in order to saturate the public space. Drawing on original interviews conducted across India, Christophe Jaffrelot shows how Modi's government has moved India toward a new form of democracy, an ethnic democracy that equates the majoritarian community with the nation and relegates Muslims and Christians to second-class citizens who are harassed by vigilante groups. He discusses how the promotion of Hindu nationalism has resulted in attacks against secularists, intellectuals, universities, and NGOs. Jaffrelot explains how the political system of India has acquired authoritarian features for other reasons, too. Eager to govern not only in New Delhi, but also in the states, the government has centralized power at the expense of federalism and undermined institutions that were part of the checks and balances, including India's Supreme Court. Modi's India is a sobering account of how a once-vibrant democracy can go wrong when a government backed by popular consent suppresses dissent while growing increasingly intolerant of ethnic and religious minorities.

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