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. |
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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 |
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According alternative appears associated Balarāma beauty become Bengal Bhāgavata bhakti body Braj brother called canon century chapter character considered context cultural dance Daūjī deity Delhi described desire devotion discussion divine early example experience express female Gaudīya gives goddess gopīs hand Hariaudh's Hindi Hindu Holī human important India Jaina Jñāndev Johnson karma Kārtik king known language literary literature lives Marāthī marriage married means metaphor Nāmdev nature normative Pandharpūr participants performed perhaps personality play poetry popular practice present Press Priyapravās pūjā Purāņa Rādhā Rādhā and Krishna refer relation relationship religion religious remains ritual river role Sahajiyā Sampradāya Sanskrit sense sexual social songs South Śrī statues story Studies suggests takes Tantric temple term theology tion tradition trans Tulsi University Vaishnava various Vārkarī Vāsudeva verses village Vishnu Vitthal wife women worship