Alternative Krishnas: Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu DeityKrishna widely venerated and adored in the Hindu tradition is a deity of many aspects. An ancient manifestation of the Supreme God Vishnu, or the Godhead itself, Krishna is the bringer of Yoga philosophy and the creator of the universe, the destroyer of evil tyrants, and the hero of the epic Maha?bha?rata. He is also described in classical Sanskrit texts as having human characteristics and enjoying very human pursuits: Krishna is the butter thief, cowherd, philanderer, and flute player. Yet even these playful depictions are based upon descriptions found in the Sanskrit canon, and mostly reflect familiar, classical Pan-Indian images. In this book, contributors examine the alternative, or unconventional, Krishnas, offering examples from more localized Krishna traditions found in different regions among various ethnic groups, vernacular language traditions, and remote branches of Indian religions. These wide-ranging, alternative visions of Krishna include the Tantric Krishna of Bengal, Krishna in urban women s rituals, Krishna as monogamous husband and younger brother in Braj, Krishna in Jainism, Krishna in Mara?thi? tradition, Krishna in South India, and the Krishna of nineteenth-century reformed Hinduism. |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Other editions - View all
Alternative Krishnas: Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu Deity Guy L. Beck Limited preview - 2006 |
Alternative Krishnas: Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu Deity Guy L. Beck Limited preview - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
alternative Krishna Ascarya avatara Balarama beloved Benares Bengal Bhagavata Purana bhakti Brahmanical Braj Bhasha canon century chapter Cilappatikaram context Dauji deity Delhi devotion Digambara divine Draupadi Dvaraka erotic Gaudiya Vaishnava Gita goddess gopis Hariaudh's Harivamsa Hawley Helen Johnson Hemacandra Hindi Hindu Hinduism Hita Holi human Jaina Jaina Krishna Jnandev karma Kartik puja king Krishna stories Krishna traditions Krishnology kuravai dance Lakoff literary literature Manimekalai Marathi marriage married medieval metaphor miracles mythology Naga Namdev narrative nature Neminatha normative North India orthodox Pandas Pandharpur pilgrimage play poetic poetry Priyapravas puja puja participants Radha Radha and Krishna Radhavallabha rasa rasa-lila refer relationship religion religious ritual role sakhi Sampradaya Sanskrit sects sexual social songs statues Svetambara Tamil Tantric Tantric Traditions temple term theology tion Tirthamkara Tlrthavall trans Tulsi University Press Varkari Varkari tradition Vasudeva vernacular verses village viraha Vishnu Vitthal Vrindaban wedding women worship