Contemporaneity of the Mahabharata Narrative
Contemporaneity of the Mahabharata Narrative

Author: Anirban Bhattacharjee

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2024-09-02

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13: 1040125654

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Notwithstanding its renowned comprehensive narrative encapsulation of the Indic culture, the Mahabharata keeps on posing a challenge to its contemporary readers: how do we relate to something over two-millennia old in today’s context without freezing it in time? This volume looks at the problem from diverse periods and standpoints and shows us that this challenge is, in fact, a legacy of the Mahabharata and the responses to this challenge are what makes the text ever-contemporary to different readers of different times and positions. It traces the evolution of the Mahabharata from its inception in the fifth century BCE to twenty-first century, spanning classical Sanskrit tradition, Persian and Bengali adaptations, the Mahabharata as a serialized TV show to more recent graphic narratives. By attempting to analyse this diversity, this volume further delves into how the issues in the Mahabharata resonate across time, from the world of ancient sages to contemporary struggles of women. The essays in this book adopt a dual perspective to appreciate both the Mahabharata’s historical context, its exploration of war, heroes and heroines, gender, psychology, philosophy, and its implications for the future. This book will be of interest to scholars and researchers of Indian literature, ancient literature and philosophy, English literature, cultural studies, visual studies, gender studies, and translation studies.

River and Goddess Worship in India
River and Goddess Worship in India

Author: R.U.S. Prasad

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-08-09

Total Pages: 170

ISBN-13: 1351806548

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Sarasvati assumes different roles, a physical river and a river goddess, then as a goddess of speech and finally that of a goddess of learning, knowledge, arts and music. References to Sarasvati in the Vedas and the Brahmanas, the Mahabharata and the Puranas and her marked presence in other religious orders, such as Buddhism, Jainism and the Japanese religion, form the basis of discussion as regards her various attributes and manifestations. In Jainism, her counter-part is Sutra-devi, in Buddhism it is Manjusri and Prajnaparamita and in the Japanese religion, Benten is the representative goddess. The physical presence of Sarasvati in various iconic forms is seen in Nepal, Tibet and Japan. Tantrism associated with Sarasvati also finds reflection in these religious traditions. Sculptors and art historians take delight in interpreting various symbols her iconic forms represent. The book examines Sarasvati’s origin, the course of her flow and the place of her disappearance in a holistic manner. Based on a close analysis of texts from the early Rig-Veda to the Brahmanas and the Puranas, it discusses different view-points in a balanced perspective and attempts to drive the discussions towards the emergence of a consensus view. The author delineates the various phases of Sarasvati’s evolution to establish her unique status and emphasise her continued relevance in the Hindu tradition. The book argues that the practice of pilgrimage further evolved after its association with the river Sarasvati who was perceived as divinity personified in Hindu tradition. This, in turn, led to the emergence of numerous pilgrimage sites on or near her banks which attracted a large number of pilgrims. A multifaceted and interdisciplinary analysis of a Hindu goddess, this book will be of interest to academics researching South Asian Religion, Hinduism and Indian Philosophy as also the general readers.

Heaven and Your Spiritual Evolution
Heaven and Your Spiritual Evolution

Author: Barbara Y. Martin

Publisher: SCB Distributors

Published: 2020-10-20

Total Pages: 383

ISBN-13: 1954944055

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When we think of heaven and the hereafter, we think of the moment when we die. Yet the Great Beyond is so much more. Heaven is the foundation to your spiritual unfoldment here in physical life. It is the master key to the spiritual mysteries. Heaven and Your Spiritual Evolution inspires you to make your soul's growth an even stronger priority in your life. Based on fifty years of clairvoyant experience, Martin and Moraitis take you on an extraordinary journey through the many dimensions that exist in the world of spirit. They offer a clear picture of how spiritual growth is the process of evolving through the many inner realms of life, what the road to heaven looks like, and how the destiny of every soul is to reach the spiritual pinnacle. Learn effective meditations with Divine Light to increase your connection to the heaven worlds, unlock your creative potential, and accelerate your spiritual unfoldment. Complete with full-color illustrations by fine artist Jonathan Wilshire, the breadth and splendor of the spiritual worlds come vividly alive in this life-changing book. Discover: • The process of evolving to the heaven worlds and to your ultimate destination. • What the various spiritual realms are like including the astral, mental, causal, and etheric as well as the heavenly dimensions. • How you are receiving inspiration from the heavenly realms now. • Practical guidelines and meditative exercises to better align with your spiritual growth and the incredible Divine Plan you are part of. • The role reincarnation, angels, Divine Light, and your auric field play in the evolutionary process. • Ways to avoid psychic dangers and pitfalls on the spiritual path. • Answers to such questions as: • What is life like in the hereafter? • How do I climb up the spiritual ladder? • Do my actions here really determine what my life will be like on the other side? • Are there cultures and societies on the other side? • Do we see loved ones? Do we see God?