DOCSLIB.ORG

The "Bhagavad Gita"

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Lives of Great Religious Books The Bhagavad Gita Lives of Great Religious Books TheDead Sea Scrolls, John J. Collins TheBhagavad Gita, Richard H. Davis TheBook of Mormon, Paul C. Gutjahr The Book ofGenesis , Ronald Hendel TheBook of Common Prayer, Alan Jacobs The Book ofJob , Mark Larrimore The Tibetan Book of the Dead, Donald S. Lopez, Jr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’sLetters and Papers from Prison, Martin E. Marty Thomas Aquinas’sSumma theologiae, Bernard McGinn The I Ching, Richard J. Smith TheYoga Sutras of Patanjali, David Gordon White Augustine’s Confessions, Garry Wills Forthcoming: The Book ofRevelation , Timothy Beal Confucius’s Analects, Annping Chin and Jonathan D. Spence Josephus’s Jewish War, Martin Goodman John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, Bruce Gordon TheLotus Sutra, Donald S. Lopez, Jr. C. S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, George Marsden The Greatest Translations of All Time: TheSeptuagint and the Vulgate, Jack Miles The PassoverHaggadah , Vanessa Ochs The Song of Songs, Ilana Pardes TheDaode Jing, James Robson Rumi’s Masnavi, Omid Safi TheTalmud , Barry Wimpfheimer The Bhagavad Gita A Biography Richard H. Davis PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS Princeton and Oxford Copyright © 2015 by Princeton University Press Published by Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 In the United Kingdom: Princeton University Press, 6 Oxford Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1TW press.princeton.edu Jacket illustration © B. G. Sharma. www.bgsharmaart.com All Rights Reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Davis, Richard H., 1951– The Bhagavad Gita : a biography / Richard H. Davis. pages cm — (Lives of great religious books) Summary: “The Bhagavad Gita, perhaps the most famous of all Indian scriptures, is universally regarded as one of the world’s spiritual and literary masterpieces. Richard Davis tells the story of this venerable and enduring book, from its origins in ancient India to its reception today as a spiritual classic that has been translated into more than seventy-five languages. The Gita opens on the eve of a mighty battle, when the warrior Arjuna is over- whelmed by despair and refuses to fight. He turns to his charioteer, Krishna, who counsels him on why he must. In the dialogue that follows, Arjuna comes to realize that the true battle is for his own soul. Davis high- lights the place of this legendary dialogue in classical Indian culture, and then examines how it has lived on in diverse settings and contexts. He looks at the medieval devotional traditions surrounding the divine character of Krishna and traces how the Gita traveled from India to the West, where it found admirers in such figures as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Aldous Huxley. Davis explores how Indian nationalists like Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda used the Gita in their fight against colonial rule, and how contemporary inter- preters reanimate and perform this classical work for audiences today. An essential biography of a timeless masterpiece, this book is an ideal introduc- tion to the Gita and its insights into the struggle for self-mastery that we all must wage”— Provided by publisher. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-691-13996-8 (hardback) 1. Bhagavadgita—History. 2. Bhagavadgita—Criticism, interpretation, etc. I. Title. BL1138.66.D38 2014 294.5'92409—dc23 2014023890 British Library Cataloging- in- Publication Data is available This book has been composed in Garamond Premier Pro Printed on acid- free paper. Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 contents list of illustrations vii acknowledgments ix introduction 1 chapter 1 TheBhagavad Gita in the Time of Its Composition 10 chapter 2 Krishna and His Gita in Medieval India 43 chapter 3 Passages from India 72 chapter 4 Krishna, the Gita, and the Indian Nation 115 chapter 5 Modern Gitas: Translations 154 chapter 6 TheGita in Our Time: Performances 178 epilogue TheBhagavad Gita in Great Time 204 notes 211 glossary of sanskrit terms 227 select english translations of the bhagavad gita 229 further readings 233 index 237 vi illustrations Figure 1 Kurukshetra Utsav: Gita Jayanti Samaroh, poster, 2011 5 Figure 2 Sampurna Viratsvarup (Krishna in his supernal form), chromolithograph by B. G. Sharma, ca. 1965 30 Figure 3 Sri Jnanesvara (Jnanadeva composing Jnaneshvari), chromolithograph by Mulgaonkar, ca. 1960 67 Figure 4 Sir Charles Wilkins, by James Godsell Middleton, ca. 1820 78 Figure 5 Friedrich Schlegel, by Franz Gareis, 1801 88 Figure 6 Swami Vive Kananda, the Hindoo Monk of India, poster, 1893 110 Figure 7 Shrimad Bhagavad Gita Mandir, Mathura 117 vii Figure 8 B. G. Tilak Composing Gita Rahasya, mural by Gopal Damodar Deuskar 131 Figure 9 Mahatma Gandhi at evening prayer, Sabarmati Ashram, 1930 138 Figure 10 Mahatma Gandhi, chromolithograph 144 Figure 11 Aurobindo Ghose in Pondicherry, ca. 1915 151 Figure 12 Prayer Grounds at Sevagram Ashram, Wardha 182 Figure 13 Subhash Gethe at Alandi 187 Figure 14 Swami Parthasarathy in Mumbai 192 Figure 15 Shri Krishna Arjun Rath, bronze sculpture by Ram Sutar and Anil Sutar, 2007 202 viii list of illustrations acknowledgments I am grateful to Fred Appel for asking me to work on a biography of the Bhagavad Gita. His invitation set me on a journey that has been challenging and rewarding, and it is not over yet. In the course of my work on this biography, I’ve prof- ited from the conversations, enthusiasm, and suggestions of many friends and colleagues. At Bard College, my col- leagues Sanjib Baruah, Bruce Chilton, and Carolyn De- wald all read portions of this work and gave valuable comments. Kristin Scheible read through a full draft of the manuscript with her class on “Reading Religious Texts,” to see how well it would work as an undergraduate course book. I appreciate the comments and advice of Dennis Dalton, Joshua Greene, Brian Hatcher, Jack Hawley, Gene Irschick, Jon Keune, Steve Lindquist, Donald Lopez, Christian Novetzke, Phil Oldenberg, Rosane Rocher, Steve Rosen, Gordon Stavig, and Tom Trautmann on various portions of this work. I am also grateful for the thoughtful suggestions of the anonymous readers at Princeton University Press. In India, many people helped me during work on this project; I can single out only a few. In Delhi, I appreciate the invitation of Jyotindra Jain and Kavita Singh to pres- ent some of my work at Jawaharlal Nehru University, and the vigorous comments of the faculty and students there. In Mumbai, Rashmi Poddar and Shekhar Bajaj gave me much needed assistance, and in Wardha, I was aided by Bharat Mahodaya and Ashok Mehre. For my visits to Kurukshetra, I am grateful for the help and friendship of Rajendra S. Rana and Anand Pal Tomar. For my time in Pune and Alandi, I thank Sucheta Paranjpe for her assistance. I have been lucky to have the opportunity to present talks growing out of my work on the biography of the Gita at Barnard College, Brown University, Harvard University, Luther College, Tufts University, the Univer- sity of Michigan, and Yale University. I thank audiences at all of these talks for their stimulating questions. I am grateful to the National Endowment for the Humanities for a fellowship that enabled me to work full-time on this book, and to Bard College for its sup- port of continuing faculty research. Finally, I wish to ac- knowledge my gratitude to the students at Bard College over many years who have patiently read through the Bhagavad Gita with me and who have engaged in their own dialogues with Krishna. x acknowledgments Lives of Great Religious Books The Bhagavad Gita xi Introduction Dhritarashtra asked: “When my troops and the Pandavas met together, itching for battle, at Kurukshetra, the field of dharma, what happened, Sanjaya?” — Bhagavad Gita 1.1 The Bhagavad Gita opens on a field of battle. At Kuru- kshetra, two massive armies led by the Pandavas and Kauravas have assembled. All the rulers along with the entire warrior class of India are involved, siding with one camp or the other. Leaders blow thunderously on conch shells, while drums and cymbals create a cacophonous roar. Warriors are slapping their arms in eager anticipa- tion. Nearby, packs of jackals and flocks of crows have also assembled, looking forward to a feast of human flesh. Just as the battle is about to commence, Arjuna, the leading warrior of the Pandava side, asks his charioteer Krishna to station his vehicle in between the two vast forces. “I want to look at the men arrayed here so eager for war,” he explains, and Krishna drives his chariot into the no- man’s- land. At this moment, Arjuna is overcome with anxiety and despair. He drops his bow and threatens to renounce the battle altogether. It is Krishna’s task to persuade Arjuna to overcome his doubts. The ensuing dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna goes far beyond a rationale for war. It touches on many of the ethical dilemmas, religious practices, and philosophi- cal issues that concerned Indian elites of ancient times. As Krishna instructs Arjuna, he draws on ideas from the many contending schools of thought in classical India, and seeks to integrate them within his own overarching agenda. In the course of their conversation, Krishna re- veals to Arjuna that he is the Supreme Lord. Hence this work has long been known by the title Bhagavad Gita, the song (gita) of the Lord (bhagavan). One can visit the spot in India where this famous dia- logue took place. Nowadays a small pilgrimage center, Kurukshetra lies in the fertile plains of Haryana state, in northwestern India, along the course of the dried- up Sarasvati River, once a tributary of the Indus River. In and around the town are numerous sites where signifi- cant events in the great battle are supposed to have oc- curred.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • New Form IEPF-2
    Note: This sheet is applicable for uploading the particulars related to the unclaimed and unpaid amount pending with company. Make sure that the details are in accordance with the information already provided in e-form IEPF-2 CIN/BCIN L28900MH1985PLC035822 Prefill Company/Bank Name D & H INDIA LIMITED Date of AGM 30-Sep-2020 FY-1 FY-2 FY-3 FY-4 FY-5 FY-6 FY-7 Sum of unpaid and unclaimed dividend 186934.00 191414.50 214283.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Number of underlying Shares 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sum of matured deposits 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sum of matured debentures 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sum of application money due for refund 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sum of interest on matured deposits 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sum of interest on matured debentures 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sum of interest on application money due for refund 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Redemption amount of preference shares 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sales proceed for fractional shares 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sum of Other Investment Types 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Validate Clear Is the Is the shares Proposed Date of Investment Investor Middle Investor Last Father/Husband Father/Husband Father/Husband Last DP Id-Client Id- Amount Joint Holder transfer from Investor First Name Address Country State District Pin Code Folio Number Investment Type transfer to IEPF PAN Date of Birth Aadhar Number Nominee Name Remarks (amount / shares Financial Year Name Name First Name Middle Name Name Account Number transferred Name unpaid suspense (DD-MON-YYYY) )under any account (Yes/No) litigation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mahabharata
    ^«/4 •m ^1 m^m^ The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924071123131 ) THE MAHABHARATA OF KlUSHNA-DWAIPAYANA VTASA TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH PROSE. Published and distributed, chiefly gratis, BY PROTSP CHANDRA EOY. BHISHMA PARVA. CALCUTTA i BHiRATA PRESS. No, 1, Raja Gooroo Dass' Stbeet, Beadon Square, 1887. ( The righi of trmsMm is resem^. NOTICE. Having completed the Udyoga Parva I enter the Bhishma. The preparations being completed, the battle must begin. But how dan- gerous is the prospect ahead ? How many of those that were counted on the eve of the terrible conflict lived to see the overthrow of the great Knru captain ? To a KsJtatriya warrior, however, the fiercest in- cidents of battle, instead of being appalling, served only as tests of bravery that opened Heaven's gates to him. It was this belief that supported the most insignificant of combatants fighting on foot when they rushed against Bhishma, presenting their breasts to the celestial weapons shot by him, like insects rushing on a blazing fire. I am not a Kshatriya. The prespect of battle, therefore, cannot be unappalling or welcome to me. On the other hand, I frankly own that it is appall- ing. If I receive support, that support may encourage me. I am no Garuda that I would spurn the strength of number* when battling against difficulties. I am no Arjuna conscious of superhuman energy and aided by Kecava himself so that I may eHcounter any odds.
    [Show full text]
  • Väkivallan Muodot Ja Sen Kuvaamisen Keinot Arundhati Royn Teoksessa the God of Small Things Ja Bernardine Evariston Runoromaanissa the Emperor’S Babe
    TAMPEREEN YLIOPISTO Raisa Aho Miten kertoa kivusta? Väkivallan muodot ja sen kuvaamisen keinot Arundhati Royn teoksessa The God of Small Things ja Bernardine Evariston runoromaanissa The Emperor’s Babe Yleisen kirjallisuustieteen pro gradu -tutkielma Tampere 2011 Tampereen yliopisto, Kieli-, käännös- ja kirjallisuustieteiden yksikkö AHO, Raisa: Miten kertoa kivusta? Väkivallan muodot ja sen kuvaamisen keinot Arundhati Royn romaanissa The God of Small Things ja Bernardine Evariston runoteoksessa The Emperor’s Babe Pro Gradu -tutkielma, 128 s. Yleinen kirjallisuustiede Huhtikuu 2011 Yleisen kirjallisuustieteen pro gradu -tutkielmassani tarkastelen erilaisia väkivallan ilmenemismuotoja ja niiden kuvaamisen keinoja kahdessa kaunokirjallisessa teoksessa, eli Arundhati Royn romaanissa The God of Small Things (1997) ja Bernardine Evariston runoromaanissa The Emperor’s Babe (2001). Päädyin tarkastelemaan juuri näitä kahta teosta rinnakkain sekä sisällöllisistä, temaattisista, kirjallisuushistoriallisista että kerronnallisista syistä. Ne molemmat kuuluvat niin sanotun postkoloniaalisen kirjallisuuden traditioon, mutta eri tavoilla. Molemmissa käsitellään väkivaltaa ja sen traumatisoivaa luonnetta, mutta kertojaratkaisujen erot tuovat väkivallan kuvauksiin erilaisia painotuksia. Tutkimukseni lähtee liikkeelle sekä ruumiillisen kivun että traumaattisen kokemuksen kieltä pakenevasta luonteesta. Molempia ilmiöitä on tarkasteltu siitä lähtökohdasta, että ne ovat symboloimattomia, ja niiden sanoiksi pukeminen on vaikeaa, ellei peräti mahdotonta. Kivun
    [Show full text]
  • Sri​ ​Panchamukha​ ​Hanuman​ ​Temple Special​ ​Pooja​ ​List
    SRI PANCHAMUKHA HANUMAN TEMPLE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ SPECIAL POOJA LIST ​ ​ ​ ​ ❖ The following is a list of all special poojas performed and temple fees. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ❖ The fees listed below do not include dakshina or offering to the priest. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ❖ Checks to be drawn in favor of ‘Hanuman Temple’. Please indicate the service rendered on the check. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ❖ An additional charge of $.55/mile applies when priest travels more than 15 miles from the temple to reach ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ the location. ​ ​ AT AT SEVA TEMPLE HOME THE FOLLOWING POOJAS CAN BE PERFORMED ANY TIME DURING ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ TEMPLE HOURS ​ ​ Archana (to any deity - Shiv, Ganesha, Venkateshwara, Lakshmi, Navagraha, Ayyappa, Sai ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Baba - Archana will include prasad and hanuman Rakshai) $21 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Sindhoora Archana $21 ​ ​ Vadamala Pooja (devotee brings 108 vadai to temple) $31 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ DEVOTEE CAN PARTICIPATE IN/SPONSOR THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ POOJAS THAT TAKE PLACE AT THE TEMPLE. PLEASE SEE WEBSITE ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ FOR POOJA SCHEDULE. ​ ​ ​ ​ Maha Abhishekam to Lord Hanuman (main deity) - First Saturday of the month, in the ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ morning $101 Hanuman Abhishekam (Utsava Moorthi ) - Every Tuesday evening $51 ​ ​ ​
    [Show full text]
  • SACRED SPACES and OBJECTS: the VISUAL, MATERIAL, and TANGIBLE George Pati
    SACRED SPACES AND OBJECTS: THE VISUAL, MATERIAL, AND TANGIBLE George Pati BRAUER MUSEUM OF ART | APRIL 13 — MAY 8, 2016 WE AT THE BRAUER MUSEUM are grateful for the opportunity to present this exhibition curated by George Pati, Ph.D., Surjit S. Patheja Chair in World Religions and Ethics and Valparaiso University associate professor of theology and international studies. Through this exhibition, Professor Pati shares the fruits of his research conducted during his recent sabbatical and in addition provides valuable insights into sacred objects, sites, and practices in India. Professor Pati’s photographs document specific places but also reflect a creative eye at work; as an artist, his documents are also celebrations of the particular spaces that inspire him and capture his imagination. Accompanying the images in the exhibition are beautiful textiles and objects of metalware that transform the gallery into its own sacred space, with respectful and reverent viewing becoming its own ritual that could lead to a fuller understanding of the concepts Pati brings to our attention. Professor Pati and the Brauer staff wish to thank the Surjit S. Patheja Chair in World Religions and Ethics and the Partners for the Brauer Museum of Art for support of this exhibition. In addition, we wish to thank Gretchen Buggeln and David Morgan for the insights and perspectives they provide in their responses to Pati's essay and photographs. Gregg Hertzlieb, Director/Curator Brauer Museum of Art 2 | BRAUER MUSEUM OF ART SACRED SPACES AND OBJECTS: THE VISUAL, MATERIAL, AND TANGIBLE George Pati George Pati, Ph.D., Valparaiso University Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6:23 Only in a man who has utmost devotion for God, and who shows the same devotion for teacher as for God, These teachings by the noble one will be illuminating.
    [Show full text]
  • Bhagavad-Geeta-Jayanti
    Sri RanganAtha Temple ( Sri Ranganatha Seva Samithi Inc., ) ( Regd. Non-Profit, Tax-Exempt, Religious Organization ) 8-Ladentown Road, Pomona, NY-10970. USA. Phone: 845-364-9790. www.ranganatha.org On behalf of the Great Acharyas - Bhagavad Sri Ramanauja, Sri Vedanta Board Of Trustees: st th th Desika, the 1 , 44 and the present 45 Srimad Azhagiyasingars of Sri Venkat Kanumalla Ahobila Mutt, the Devotees, Volunteers, Board of Trustees and Executive Chairman Committee Members of Sri Ranganatha Temple invite you all to come and Participate in the Celebrations of John Laxmi Vice-Chairman & Treasurer BHAGAVAD-GEETA-JAYANTI Janakiramprasad Edara On Saturday, Dec 22, 2007 at 2 PM. Secretary ( sarva dharmAn parityajya mAm ekam saraNam vraja Murali Thyagarajan ahamtvA sarva pApebhyo mOkshayishyAmi mAsuch: ) Joint Secretary & and receive the blessings of the Divya Dampatis– Sri Maha Lakshmi and Cultural Committee Chairman Lord Sri Ranganatha & geetAchArya – Lord Sri Krishna-PurushOttama. Bharathi Hodarkar Joint Treasurer Sadagopan Varadachari Fund-Raising Committee Chairman Dwarakanath Bangalore Maintenance Committee Chairman Murthy Ayyala Religious CommitteeChairman Arun Krishnmachari Computerization Corrdinator Hemwati Panhani EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE : President: Venkat Kanumalla Secretary: John Laxmi Treasurer: Krishna Kuchibhotla Legal Advisor: Indra Pal Fund-Raising Coordinator: Program: 2 PM: Invocation, Sri Krishna SmaraN & Geeta-Prasasti: Ravee Srinivas 2.30 to 7.30 PM: Geeta Recitation by Children - by age groups: Religious Coordinator: 4 – 6 Years, 6-8; 8-10; 10-12; 12-14; 14-16; 16-18 & above 18 years. Srinivas Tanikella Prizes / Certificates will be presented to all participating children: Volunteers Coordinator: ALL children, below 18, who memorized & recite ALL 701 Venkatesh Shenoy verses of Bhagavad-Gita will get $701= & with meaning, for Youth & Cultural Coordinator: ALL 701 verses, will get $1,402= as scholarship.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Name of Krishna: the Cultural Landscape of a North Indian Pilgrimage Town
    In the Name of Krishna: The Cultural Landscape of a North Indian Pilgrimage Town A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BY Sugata Ray IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Frederick M. Asher, Advisor April 2012 © Sugata Ray 2012 Acknowledgements They say writing a dissertation is a lonely and arduous task. But, I am fortunate to have found friends, colleagues, and mentors who have inspired me to make this laborious task far from arduous. It was Frederick M. Asher, my advisor, who inspired me to turn to places where art historians do not usually venture. The temple city of Khajuraho is not just the exquisite 11th-century temples at the site. Rather, the 11th-century temples are part of a larger visuality that extends to contemporary civic monuments in the city center, Rick suggested in the first class that I took with him. I learnt to move across time and space. To understand modern Vrindavan, one would have to look at its Mughal past; to understand temple architecture, one would have to look for rebellions in the colonial archive. Catherine B. Asher gave me the gift of the Mughal world – a world that I only barely knew before I met her. Today, I speak of the Islamicate world of colonial Vrindavan. Cathy walked me through Mughal mosques, tombs, and gardens on many cold wintry days in Minneapolis and on a hot summer day in Sasaram, Bihar. The Islamicate Krishna in my dissertation thus came into being.
    [Show full text]
  • Dharma and Caste in the Mahabharata
    TIF - Dharma and Caste in the Mahabharata RUDRANGSHU MUKHERJEE February 5, 2021 Assembly of Warriors, illustration to the Gemini Ashwamedha of the Mahabharata | Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Francis H. Burr Memorial Fund and Friends of the Fogg Art Museum Fund The Mahabharata is peopled by the ‘higher’ castes but there are important personages from the ‘lower’ castes whose presence gives a radical salience to ‘dharma’ as set out in the epic, to the point of even suggesting a subversion of the dominant ideology. There is a scholarly consensus that below the apocalyptic events---covered in five of the 18 books--- that form the core of the epic, the idea of dharma serves as a principal theme. Many dimensions of the idea are explored through characters, sub-tales and events; even transgressions of dharma illuminate it.1 In comparison, the great book has very little to say explicitly about caste or varna in the sense that it does not address the question of inequality that the operation of the caste system inevitably engenders. It need hardly be emphasized that most of the main characters come from the two top castes and the language of the epic is Sanskrit, the language of these two castes. The second caste, kshatriyas, not surprisingly, dominates the epic. According to one calculation, there are as many as 175 references to kshatriyadharma in the epic (Hiltebeitel: 2014: 528). In contrast, the vaisyadharma and sudradharma receive nine and six references respectively (Hiltebeitel: 2014: 528). Page 1 www.TheIndiaForum.in February 5, 2021 The argument that this essay seeks to present through the narration of certain episodes and characters, is that the lower castes do make significant appearances in the epic and that those appearances are not unrelated to the epic’s approach to dharma—in fact, those appearances give a radical salience to the question of dharma.
    [Show full text]
  • The Science Behind Sandhya Vandanam
    || 1 Sri Nrisimha Priya (Volume 8 – Issue 7) July 2020 Sri Vaidya Veeraraghavan – Nacchiyar Thirukkolam - Thiruevvul 2 Sri Nrisimha Priya (Volume 8 – Issue 7) July 2020 �ी:|| ||�ीमते ल�मीनृिस륍हपर��णे नमः || Sri Nrisimha Priya ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AN AU T H O R I S E D PU B L I C A T I O N OF SR I AH O B I L A M A T H A M H. H. 45th Jiyar of Sri Ahobila Matham H.H. 46th Jiyar of Sri Ahobila Matham Founder Sri Nrisimhapriya (E) H.H. Sri Lakshminrisimha H.H. Srivan Sathakopa Divya Paduka Sevaka Srivan Sathakopa Sri Ranganatha Yatindra Mahadesikan Sri Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikan Ahobile Garudasaila madhye The English edition of Sri Nrisimhapriya not only krpavasat kalpita sannidhanam / brings to its readers the wisdom of Vaishnavite Lakshmya samalingita vama bhagam tenets every month, but also serves as a link LakshmiNrsimham Saranam prapadye // between Sri Matham and its disciples. We confer Narayana yatindrasya krpaya'ngilaraginam / our benediction upon Sri Nrisimhapriya (English) Sukhabodhaya tattvanam patrikeyam prakasyate // for achieving a spectacular increase in readership SriNrsimhapriya hyesha pratigeham sada vaset / and for its readers to acquire spiritual wisdom Pathithranam ca lokanam karotu Nrharirhitam // and enlightenment. It would give us pleasure to see all devotees patronize this spiritual journal by The English Monthly Edition of Sri Nrisimhapriya is becoming subscribers. being published for the benefit of those who are better placed to understand the Vedantic truths through the medium of English. May this magazine have a glorious growth and shine in the homes of the countless devotees of Lord Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha! May the Lord shower His benign blessings on all those who read it! 3 Sri Nrisimha Priya (Volume 8 – Issue 7) July 2020 4 Sri Nrisimha Priya (Volume 8 – Issue 7) July 2020 ी:|| ||�ीमते ल�मीनृिस륍हपर��णे नमः || CONTENTS Sri Nrisimha Priya Owner: Panchanga Sangraham 6 H.H.
    [Show full text]
  • Reg. No Name in Full Residential Address Gender Contact No
    Reg. No Name in Full Residential Address Gender Contact No. Email id Remarks 20001 MUDKONDWAR SHRUTIKA HOSPITAL, TAHSIL Male 9420020369 [email protected] RENEWAL UP TO 26/04/2018 PRASHANT NAMDEORAO OFFICE ROAD, AT/P/TAL- GEORAI, 431127 BEED Maharashtra 20002 RADHIKA BABURAJ FLAT NO.10-E, ABAD MAINE Female 9886745848 / [email protected] RENEWAL UP TO 26/04/2018 PLAZA OPP.CMFRI, MARINE 8281300696 DRIVE, KOCHI, KERALA 682018 Kerela 20003 KULKARNI VAISHALI HARISH CHANDRA RESEARCH Female 0532 2274022 / [email protected] RENEWAL UP TO 26/04/2018 MADHUKAR INSTITUTE, CHHATNAG ROAD, 8874709114 JHUSI, ALLAHABAD 211019 ALLAHABAD Uttar Pradesh 20004 BICHU VAISHALI 6, KOLABA HOUSE, BPT OFFICENT Female 022 22182011 / NOT RENEW SHRIRANG QUARTERS, DUMYANE RD., 9819791683 COLABA 400005 MUMBAI Maharashtra 20005 DOSHI DOLLY MAHENDRA 7-A, PUTLIBAI BHAVAN, ZAVER Female 9892399719 [email protected] RENEWAL UP TO 26/04/2018 ROAD, MULUND (W) 400080 MUMBAI Maharashtra 20006 PRABHU SAYALI GAJANAN F1,CHINTAMANI PLAZA, KUDAL Female 02362 223223 / [email protected] RENEWAL UP TO 26/04/2018 OPP POLICE STATION,MAIN ROAD 9422434365 KUDAL 416520 SINDHUDURG Maharashtra 20007 RUKADIKAR WAHEEDA 385/B, ALISHAN BUILDING, Female 9890346988 DR.NAUSHAD.INAMDAR@GMA RENEWAL UP TO 26/04/2018 BABASAHEB MHAISAL VES, PANCHIL NAGAR, IL.COM MEHDHE PLOT- 13, MIRAJ 416410 SANGLI Maharashtra 20008 GHORPADE TEJAL A-7 / A-8, SHIVSHAKTI APT., Male 02312650525 / NOT RENEW CHANDRAHAS GIANT HOUSE, SARLAKSHAN 9226377667 PARK KOLHAPUR Maharashtra 20009 JAIN MAMTA
    [Show full text]
  • The Upanishads, Vol I
    The Upanishads, Vol I Translated by F. Max Müller The Upanishads, Vol I Table of Contents The Upanishads, Vol I........................................................................................................................................1 Translated by F. Max Müller...................................................................................................................1 PREFACE................................................................................................................................................7 PROGRAM OF A TRANSLATION...............................................................................................................19 THE SACRED BOOKS OF THE EAST........................................................................................................20 TRANSLITERATION OF ORIENTAL ALPHABETS,..............................................................................25 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................26 POSITION OF THE UPANISHADS IN VEDIC LITERATURE.......................................................30 DIFFERENT CLASSES OF UPANISHADS.......................................................................................31 CRITICAL TREATMENT OF THE TEXT OF THE UPANISHADS................................................33 MEANING OF THE WORD UPANISHAD........................................................................................38 WORKS ON THE UPANISHADS....................................................................................................................41
    [Show full text]
  • The Divine Qualities of Maharaja Prithu Features the Divine Qualities of Maharaja Prithu Sri Maitreya Rsi
    Çré Kämikä Ekädaçé Issue no: 42 30th July 2016 The Divine Qualities of Maharaja Prithu Features THE DIVINE QUALITIES OF MAHARAJA PRITHU Sri Maitreya Rsi PRITHU MAHARAJA MILKS THE EARTH PLANET Sriman Purnaprajna Das MAHARAJA PRITHU AND SRI NAVADVIPA DHAM Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE HAppY AND PROSPEROUS ? His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Issue no 42, Page — 2 nityaà bhägavata-sevayä direct incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and all your activities are liberal and ever laudable. This King, Maharaja Prithu, is the best amongst those who are following religious principles. As such, he will engage everyone in the pursuit of religious principles and thus protect those principles. He will also be a great chastiser to the irreligious and atheistic. This King alone, in his own body, in due course of time will be able to maintain all living entities and keep them in a pleasant condition by manifesting himself as different demigods who perform various activities in universal maintenance. Thus he will maintain the upper planetary system by inducing the citizens to perform Vedic sacrifices. In due course of time he will also maintain this earthly planet by discharging proper rainfall. Muralidhara Dasa This King Prithu will be as powerful as the sun- god, and just as the sun-god equally distributes sunshine to everyone, King Prithu will distribute his mercy equally. Similarly, just as the sun-god evaporates water for eight months and, during the rainy season, returns it profusely, this King will also exact taxes from the citizens and return these monies in times of need.
    [Show full text]