Research Catalog

Title

Viraha-bhakti : the early history of Kṛṣṇa devotion in South India / Friedhelm Hardy.

Author

Hardy, Friedhelm, 1943-2004

Publication

Delhi ; NewYork : Oxford University Press, 2001.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xxi, 692 p. : ill.; 22 cm.

Summary

"The Lord Krsna abandoned his earthly mistresses who then spent their days of separation pining for his return. This powerful theme found expression not only in myth, but also in the devotion and poetry of a religious culture which evolved in South India. Viraha-bhakti, as the author styles this type of Krsna religion, imbued the theme of separation with erotic and ecstatic features and evolved as one of the highlights of Indian religion and culture. This work is a detailed study of the multifarious origins of viraha-bhakti in South India and its developments up to the point at which it entered the pan-Indian scene." "The study suggests a revision of the monolithic image of Indian religion implied in much scholarly literature. It differentiates a great variety of interacting traditions and milieux, and demonstrates the dynamism of Indian culture. By identifying a specific type of religion and reflecting on its significance, the author attempts to go beyond purely textual and historical considerations. This book will be of interest to any student of Indian religion and culture."--Jacket

Series Statement

Oxford India paperbacks

Uniform Title

Oxford India paperbacks.

Subjects

• Krishna (Hindu deity)
• Bhakti

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. [655]-673) and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

General Introduction -- myths of Krsna and the milkmaids in Northern literature (up to the eleventh century) -- Mayon: the god of the jasmine landscape (Krsnaism in cankam literature) -- Mayon mysticism: the Alvars -- Bhagavata Purana -- Emotional Krsna bhakti: prolegomena to an evaluation -- App. I. Harivamsa 63, 15-35 -- App. II. Krsna's hallisaka in the Balacaritam -- App. III. gopi story in the Brahma- and Visnu-Purana -- App. IV. rasa dance -- App. V. Early cankam fragments -- App. VI. ancient Pantiya kings and Netiyon -- App. VII. Extracts from the Cilappatikaram, Kalittokai and Akananuru -- App. VIII. Bullfight and kuravai -- App. IX. Bull-catching and shouting dance among the Todas -- App. X. Aycciyarkuravai 11] to 14] -- App. XI. Evidence for the South Indian origin of the BhP -- App. XII. Parallel passages in the BhP and the Prabandham -- Original sources in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Apabhramsa -- Original sources in Tamil and Manipravala.

ISBN

0195649168

OCLC

• 49789497
• SCSB-10634270

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library