Alternative Krishnas : regional and vernacular variations on a Hindu deity / / edited by Guy L. Beck

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910953720403321
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: Albany, : State University of New York Press, c2005
• ISBN: 9780791483411; 079148341X; 9781423744061; 1423744063
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (226 p.)
• Altri autori (Persone): BeckGuy L. <1948->
• Disciplina: 294.5/512
• Soggetti: Hinduism - Customs and practices
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• Nota di contenuto: Front Matter -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- Contemporary Metaphor Theory and Alternative Views of Krishna and Rādhā in Vaishnava Sahajiyā Tantric Traditions -- Folk Vaishnavism and the Thākur Pañcāyat Life and Status among Village Krishna Statues -- Domesticating Krishna: Friendship, Marriage, and Women’s Experience in a Hindu Women’s Ritual Tradition -- Krishna as Loving Husband of God The Alternative Krishnology of the Rādhāvallabha Sampradāya -- Holī through DaūjOE’s Eyes Alternate Views of Krishna and Balārama in Daūjī -- A Family Affair Krishna Comes to Pandharpuūr and Makes Himself at Home -- Dance before Doom Krishna in the Non-Hindu Literature of Early Medieval South India -- Hero of Wonders, Hero in Deeds Vasudeva Krishna in Jaina Cosmohistory -- Epiphany in Rādhā’s Arbor Nature and the Reform of Bhakti in Hariaudh’s Priyapravās -- Contributors -- Index
• Sommario/riassunto: Krishna—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 Mahabharata. 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 Marathi tradition, Krishna in South India, and the Krishna of nineteenth-century reformed Hinduism.