Breaking Boundaries with the Goddess

Humes, Cynthia Ann [u.a.] (Hrsg.):
Breaking boundaries with the Goddess : new directions in the study of Śaktism : essays in honor of Narendra Nath Bhattacharyya / edited by Cynthia Ann Humes, Rachel Fell McDermott. - New Delhi : Manohar Publishers & Distributors, 2009. - xxxiv, 386 S., [1] Taf. : Ill., Kt.
[Gedenkband für Narendra Nath Bhattacharyya (1934-2001)]
ISBN 978-81-7304-760-2 / 81-7304-760-X
Rs. 995,00
US$ 21,63 (Eastern Book Corp.)
US$ 43,35 (D.K. Agencies)

Beschreibung
This book is a commemorative volume to N.N. Bhattacharya, an internationally recognized master interpreter and an encyclopedic expert in the field of ancient Indian history. Part one of this volume is devoted to research that examines familiar texts or familiar figures, not only to further scholarly inquiry but also to tap hitherto unutilized resources. A second set of essays, grouped together in Part II under the heading 'Rethinking Blood, Cadavers, and Death', presents new perspectives-historical field-oriented, and textual on sacrifice. From texts and contexts, Part III turns to art history. Final essays in Part IV share a common interest in power: the transformations possible through Sakti, and through the Goddess as Sakti, in the experiences of Hindu men and women. Each of the essayists in this volume urges those engaged in the study of Saktism to push out in new directions. [Verlagsinformation]

Inhalt
Cynthia Ann Humes and Rachel Fell McDermott: Introduction
PART I: SURPRISING FINDS IN FAMILIAR TEXTS
1. Kumkum Roy: Engendering alternative power relations: the Viraj in the Vedic tradition. 3
2. Sanjukta Gupta: Once Upon a Time the Supreme Power: The Theological Rise and Fall of Lakshmi in Pancaratra Scriptures. 15
3. Thomas B. Coburn: Sita fights while Rama swoons: a Sakta perspective on the Ramayana. 35
PART II: RETHINKING BLOOD, CADAVERS AND DEATH
4. Francesco Brighenti: Traditions of human Sacrifice in Ancient and Tribal India and their Relation to Saktism. 63
5. June McDaniel: Sitting on the corpse's Chest: the Tantric ritual of Sava Sadhana and its variations in Modern Bengal. 103
6. David R. Kinsley: Corpses, Severed Heads, and Sex: Reflections on the Dasamahavidyas. 137
PART III: THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF ART HISTORY
7. Bratindra Nath Mukherjee: The Northernmost Representation of an Indian Goddess of Power. 163
8. Gautam Sengupta: An unnoticed form of Devi from Bengal and the challenges of art historical analysis. 177
PART IV: EXPERIENCING SAKTA POWER
9. Rachel Fell Mcdermott: A Festival for Jagaddhatri and the power of Localised Religion in west Bengal. 201
10. Jeffery J. Kripal: Shashibhushan Dasgupta's Lotus: Realizing the Sublime in contemporary Tantric Studies. 223
11. Miranda Shaw: Magical Lovers, sisters and Mothers: Yaksini Sadhana in Tantric Buddhism. 265
12. Cynthia Ann Humes: The Power of Creation: Sakti, Women, and Goddess. 297
Select bibliography.
Index.

Herausgeberinnen
Cynthia Ann Humes, Associate Professor of Philosophy/Religious Studies, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont Calif. Profile page.
Rachel Fell McDermott, Associate Professor and Chair of the Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures Department, Barnard College, New York. Profile page.

Quellen: Manohar; D.K. Agencies; Eastern Book Corp.; Vedams Books; WorldCat.