Women and the Puranic Tradition in India (Hardcover)

This book analyses the diverse ways in which women have been represented in the Puranic traditions in ancient India - the virtuous wife, mother, daughter, widow, and prostitute - against the socio-religious milieu around CE 300-1000. Puranas (lit. ancient narratives) are brahmanical texts that largely fall under the category of socio-religious literature which were more broad-based and inclusive, unlike the Smrtis, which were accessible mainly to the upper sections of society. In locating, identifying, and commenting on the multiplicity of the images and depictions of women's roles in Puranic traditions, the author highlights their lives and experiences over time, both within and outside the traditional confines of the domestic sphere. With a focus on five Mahapuranas that deal extensively with the social matrix Visnu, Markandeya Matsya, Agni, and Bhagavata Puranas, the book explores the question of gender and agency in early India and shows how such identities were recast, invented, shaped, constructed, replicated, stereotyped, and sometimes reversed through narratives. Further, it traces social consequences and contemporary relevance of such representations in marriage, adultery, ritual, devotion, worship, fasts, and pilgrimage. This volume will be of interest to researchers and scholars in women and gender studies, ancient Indian history, religion, sociology, literature, and South Asian studies, as also the informed general reader.

General

Imprint:	Routledge India
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	August 2018
First published:	2019
Authors:	Monika Saxena
Dimensions:	216 x 138 x 24mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	288
ISBN-13:	978-1-138-28641-2
Categories:	Books > Language & Literature > Literature: history & criticism > General Books > Reference & Interdisciplinary > Interdisciplinary studies > Cultural studies > General Books > Humanities > History > Asian / Middle Eastern history > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > General > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social groups & communities > Religious groups Books > Humanities > Philosophy > Western philosophy > Ancient Western philosophy to c 500 > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Gender studies > Women's studies > General Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social institutions > Family & relationships > General Books > History > Asian / Middle Eastern history > General Books > Philosophy > Western philosophy > Ancient Western philosophy to c 500 > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > General > General Promotions
LSN:	1-138-28641-9
Barcode:	9781138286412

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