Alternative Krishnas: Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu DeityGuy L. Beck 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 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. |
Other editions - View all
Alternative Krishnas: Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu Deity Guy L. Beck Limited preview - 2005 |
Alternative Krishnas: Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu Deity Guy L. Beck Limited preview - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
According alternative appears associated Balarāma beauty become Bengal Bhāgavata bhakti body Braj brother called canon century chapter character Chicago considered context cultural dance Daūjī deity Delhi described desire devotion discussion divine early erotic example experience express Gauḍīya gives goddess gopis hand Hariaudh Hindi Hindu Holi human important India Jaina Jñāndev Johnson karma Kārtik king known language literary literature lives marriage married means metaphor Nāmdev nature normative participants performed perhaps personality play poetic poetry popular practice present Press Priyapravās pūjā Purāṇa Rādhā Rādhā and Krishna refer relation relationship religion religious remains ritual role Sahajiyā Sampradaya Sanskrit sense sexual social songs South Śrī statues story Studies suggests takes Tantric temple term theology tion Tīrthāvalī tradition trans Tulsi University University Press Vaishnava various Vārkarī Vasudeva verses village Vishnu Vitthal wife women worship