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
According alternative appears associated Balarama beauty become Bengal Bhagavata bhakti body Braj brother called canon century chapter character Chicago considered context cultural dance Dauji deity Delhi described devotion discussion divine early example experience express Gaudiya gives goddess gopis hand Hariaudh's Hindi Hindu Holi human important India Jaina Jnandev Johnson karma Kartik king known language literary literature lives Marathi marriage married means metaphor Namdev nature normative Pandharpur participants performed perhaps personality play poetry popular practice present Press puja Purana Radha Radha and Krishna Radhavallabha refer relation relationship religion religious remains ritual river role Sahajiya sakhi Sampradaya Sanskrit sense sexual social songs South specific statues story Studies suggests takes Tantric temple term theology tion tradition trans Tulsi University Vaishnava various Varkari Vasudeva verses village Vishnu Vitthal wife women worship
Bibliographic information
| Title | Alternative Krishnas: Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu Deity |
| Editor | Guy L. Beck |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | SUNY Press, 2005 |
| ISBN | 0791464156, 9780791464151 |
| Length | 217 pages |
| Subjects | › › Religion / Eastern Religion / Hinduism / General Religion / History |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |