The Milinda Panha is, with good reason, a famous work of Buddhist literature, probably compiled in the first century B.C. It presents Buddhist doctrine in a very attractive and memorable form as a dialogue between a Bactrian Greek king, Milinda, who plays the `Devil`s Advocate` and a Buddhist sage, Nagasena. The topics covered include most of those questions commonly asked by Westerners such as If there is no soul, what is it that is reborn? and If there is no soul, who is talking to you now? This abridgement provides a concise presentation of this master-piece of Buddhist literature.
The Candellas of Bundelkhand formed one of the most prominent dynasties that flourished for some centuries before the establishment of Islam as an Imperial Power in this sub-continent. They are known in history not only for their political sagacity, but also for their direct association with the art and architecture that developed in Khajuraho and its neighbourhood. The book deals, in a comprehensive manner, with the history of the early rulers of Khajuraho, in fourteen chapters. Chs. I and II deal with the origin of the Candellas and define their territory. Ch. III traces their history from Nannuka to Harsa. Chs. IV to VII recount the rise of their power under Yasovarman and Dhanga, their struggles with the Muslims under Ganda and Vidyadhara and their conflicts with Cedis under Vijayapala, Devavarman and Kirtivarman. Ch. VIII is devoted to the rulers from Sallaksanavarman to Madanavarman. Ch. IX describes Caha-mana- Candella rivalry and the fall of Mahoba. Ch. X deals with the temporary restoration of Candella power under Trailokya-varman. Chs. XI to XIV give a vivid picture of political, social, eco-nomic, religious and cultural life of Bundel-khand and offer a survey of its magnificent temples and sculptors.
The kiratas janapadas, kingdoms, principalities, urban culture, subjugation by the contemporary rulers, dynastic rule in northern India and Nepal, based on a large number of rare sources have received extensive and deep attention in a subtle and penetrating way. The author has brought to light several valuable facets relating. The work is based on interdisciplinary research. The author has critically examined the relevance of historical, anthropological and linguistic data. The work is of immense academic value not only for historians but also for anthropologists and linguists.
This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1976.
The essays in this collection explore ideas about women and their positions in Indian society from the earliest history to the present day. It is designed to provide primary material from literary, historical and sociological sources and to guide critical exploration of specific issues.
This book provides the first full-scale English-language study of Pradyumna, the son of the Hindu god Krsna. Often represented as a young man in mid-adolescence, Pradyumna is both a handsome double of his demon-slaying father and the rebirth of Kamadeva, the God of Love. Sanskrit epic, puranic, and kavya narratives of the 300-1300 CE period celebrate Pradyumna's sexual potency, mastery of illusory subterfuges, and military prowess in supporting the work of his avatara father. These materials reflect the values of an evolving Brahminical and Vaisnava tradition that was deeply invested in the imperatives of family, patrilines, the violent but necessary defense of the social and cosmic order, and the celebration of beauty and desire as a means to the divine. Pradyumna's evolving narratives, almost completely absent from existing studies of Hindu mythology, provide a point of access to the development of Krsna bhakti and Vaisnava theism more broadly. Conversely, Jain sources cast Pradyumna as an exemplary figure through whom a pointed rejection of these values can be articulated, even while sharing certain of their elementary premises. Pradyumna: Lover, Magician, and Scion of the Avatara assembles these narratives, presents key Sanskrit materials in translation and summary form, and articulates the social, gender, and religious values encoded in them. Most importantly, the study argues that Pradyumna's signature two-handed maneuver--the audacious appropriation of a feminine partner, enabled by the emasculating destruction of her demonic male protector--communicates a persistent fantasy of male power expressed in the language of a mutually implicating sex and violence.
Revisiting India’s Past is Commemoration Volume presented to Prof. Vijay Kumar Thakur, He was a renowned Historian in India, on his Eighty two birth anniversary (15th July 1941). These articles are in other way serve as garland of flowers to decor Prof. Vijay Kumar Thakur. A great scholar in History, Buddhism, Epigraphy and Culture. There are more than 30 articles shedding light on Indian Historical studies. This prestigious volume contains a wide spectrum of research articles covering History, feudalism, science and technology, Epigraphy and Numismatics, Buddhism, Historiography, Tourism, Modern History and Trade, Economic history, Folklore, literature and culture. This volume containing a good collection of research papers contributed by renowned authors will serve as an important source of information and reference book for research students and teachers as well. Incidentally, this volume also highlights the love and affection of Prof. Vijay Kumar Thakur enjoys in the intellectual world.
De bijdragen in dit boek onderzoeken welke rol vrouwen van diverse religieuze achtergronden hebben gespeeld in revoluties en sociale veranderingen. Er wordt nagegaan hoe religies de deelname van vrouwen aan het sociale veranderingsproces stimuleren of belemmeren. Alle grote wereldgodsdiensten en hun verschillende lokale invullingen komen aan bod.
This volume focuses on the religious shrine in western India as an institution of cultural integration in the period spanning 200 BCE to 800 CE. It presents an analysis of religious architecture at multiple levels, both temporal and spatial, and distinguishes it as a ritual instrument that integrates individuals and communities into a cultural fabric. The work shows how these structures emphasise on communication with a host of audiences such as the lay worshipper, the ritual specialist, the royalty and the elite as well as the artisan and the sculptor. It also examines religious imagery, inscriptions, traditional lore and Sanskrit literature. The book will be of special interest to researchers and scholars of ancient Indian history, Hinduism, religious studies, architecture and South Asian studies.
