Alternative Krishnas : Regional and Vernacular Variations on a Hindu Deity

by Beck, Guy L.

• ISBN13: 9780791464151
• ISBN10: 0791464156
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-04-07
• Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr

Summary

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 Mahabharata. He is also described in classical Sanskrit texts as having human characteristics and enjoying very human pursuits: Krishna is the butter thief, cowherd, philandere, 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.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Chapter 1. Introduction	1	(18)
Guy L. Beck
Chapter 2. Contemporary Metaphor Theory and Alternative Views of Krishna and Radha in Vaishnava Sahajiya Tantric Traditions	19	(14)
Glen Alexander Hayes
Chapter 3. Folk Vaishnavism and the Thakur Pancayat: Life and Status among Village Krishna Statues	33	(10)
June McDaniel
Chapter 4. Domesticating Krishna: Friendship, Marriage, and Women's Experience in a Hindu Women's Ritual Tradition	43	(22)
Tracy Pintchman
Chapter 5. Krishna as Loving Husband of God: The Alternative Krishnology of the Radhavallabha Sampradaya	65	(26)
Guy L. Beck
Chapter 6. Holf through Dafljrs Eyes: Alternate Views of Krishna and Balarama in Dauji	91	(22)
A. Whitney Sanford
Chapter 7. A Family Affair: Krishna Comes to Pandharpur and Makes Himself at Home	113	(26)
Christian Lee Novetzke
Chapter 8. Dance before Doom: Krishna in the Non-Hindu Literature of Early Medieval South India	139	(12)
Anne E. Monius
Chapter 9. Hero of Wonders, Hero in Deeds: Vasudeva Krishna in Jaffna Cosmohistory	151	(26)
Jerome H. Bauer
Chapter 10. Epiphany in Radha's Arbor: Nature and the Reform of Bhakti in Hariaudh's Priyapravas	177	(32)
Valerie Ritter
Contributors	209	(4)
Index	213