Rites of the God-King

Santi and Ritual Change in Early Hinduism

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, Customs & Traditions, Religion & Spirituality, Eastern Religions, Hinduism
Cover of the book Rites of the God-King by Marko Geslani, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Marko Geslani ISBN: 9780190862909
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: June 8, 2018
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Marko Geslani
ISBN: 9780190862909
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: June 8, 2018
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Scholars of Vedic religion have long recognized the centrality of ritual categories to Indian thought. There have been few successful attempts, however, to bring the same systematic rigor of Vedic Scholarship to bear on later "Hindu" ritual. Excavating the deep history of a prominent ritual category in "classical" Hindu texts, Geslani traces the emergence of a class of rituals known as santi, or appeasement. This ritual, intended to counteract ominous omens, developed from the intersection of the fourth Veda - the oft-neglected Atharvaveda - and the emergent tradition of astral science (Jyotisastra) sometime in the early first millennium, CE. Its development would come to have far-reaching consequences on the ideal ritual life of the king in early-medieval Brahmanical society. The mantric transformations involved in the history of santi led to the emergence of a politicized ritual culture that could encompass both traditional Vedic and newer Hindu performers and practices. From astrological appeasement to gift-giving, coronation, and image worship, Rites of the God-King chronicles the multiple lives and afterlives of a single ritual mode, unveiling the always-inventive work of the priesthood to imagine and enrich royal power. Along the way, Geslani reveals the surprising role of astrologers in Hindu history, elaborates conceptions of sin and misfortune, and forges new connections between medieval texts and modern practices. In a work that details ritual forms that were dispersed widely across Asia, he concludes with a reflection on the nature of orthopraxy, ritual change, and the problem of presence in the Hindu tradition.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Scholars of Vedic religion have long recognized the centrality of ritual categories to Indian thought. There have been few successful attempts, however, to bring the same systematic rigor of Vedic Scholarship to bear on later "Hindu" ritual. Excavating the deep history of a prominent ritual category in "classical" Hindu texts, Geslani traces the emergence of a class of rituals known as santi, or appeasement. This ritual, intended to counteract ominous omens, developed from the intersection of the fourth Veda - the oft-neglected Atharvaveda - and the emergent tradition of astral science (Jyotisastra) sometime in the early first millennium, CE. Its development would come to have far-reaching consequences on the ideal ritual life of the king in early-medieval Brahmanical society. The mantric transformations involved in the history of santi led to the emergence of a politicized ritual culture that could encompass both traditional Vedic and newer Hindu performers and practices. From astrological appeasement to gift-giving, coronation, and image worship, Rites of the God-King chronicles the multiple lives and afterlives of a single ritual mode, unveiling the always-inventive work of the priesthood to imagine and enrich royal power. Along the way, Geslani reveals the surprising role of astrologers in Hindu history, elaborates conceptions of sin and misfortune, and forges new connections between medieval texts and modern practices. In a work that details ritual forms that were dispersed widely across Asia, he concludes with a reflection on the nature of orthopraxy, ritual change, and the problem of presence in the Hindu tradition.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Hesiod's Theogony by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Advice by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book Spirits of Place in American Literary Culture by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book The Monk's Cell by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book Moonshadows by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book Born Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book Love & Theft by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book The Paradox of German Power by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book The Social Construction of Crime: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book The Rise of Network Christianity by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book Privacy by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book A Catholic Modernity? by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book Sex, Religion, and the Making of Modern Madness by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book Economy and Consumption: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Marko Geslani
Cover of the book Overfishing by Marko Geslani
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy