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
alternative Krishna avatāra Balarāma beloved Bengal Bhagavad Gītā Bhāgavata Purāṇa bhakti Brahmanical Braj Braj Bhāshā canon century chapter Chicago Cilappatikāram darśana Dās Daūjī Daūji's deity Delhi devotion Digambara divine Draupadi Dvārakā erotic goddess gopis Hariaudh Hawley Helen Johnson Hemacandra Hindi Hindu Hinduism Hita Harivaṁśa Holi human Jaina Jaina Krishna Jñāndev John Stratton karma Kārtik pūjā king Krishna stories Krishna traditions Krishnology kuravai dance līlā literary literature Mahābhārata Manimekalai Marāṭhī marriage medieval metaphor mythology Nāga Nāmdev nature normative North India orthodox Paṇḍās Pandharpur pilgrimage play poetic poetry Priyapravās pūjā participants Purāņas Rādhā Rādhā and Krishna Rādha's Rādhāvallabha rasa rāsa-līlā refer relationship religion religious ritual role sakhi Sampradaya Sanskrit sects sexual Śiva social songs Śrī statues Sūtra Śvetāmbara Tamil Tantric temple term theology tion Tīrthamkara Tīrthāvalī trans Tulsi University Press Vaishnava Vārkarī tradition Vasudeva vernacular verses village viraha Vishnu Vitthal Vrindaban women worship Yakṣa