The Origins and Development of Classical HinduismThe late A.L. Basham was one of the world's foremost authorities on ancient Indian culture and religion. Modeled on his monumental work The Wonder That Was India, this account of the origins and development of classical Hinduism represents a lifetime of reflection on the subject, and offers an intriguing introduction to one of the richest of all Asian traditions. Synthesizing Basham's great knowledge of the art, architecture, literature, and religion of South Asia, this concise history traces the spiritual life of India from the time of the Indus Culture (around 2700 B.C.E) through the crystallization of classical Hinduism in the first centuries of the common era. It chronicles as well the rise of other mystical and ascetic traditions, such as Buddhism and Jainism, and follows Hinduism's later incarnations in the West, making it an especially comprehensive introduction to the subject. Unlike Christianity or Islam, Hinduism was not inspired by single great prophet but rather evolved organically. The wide range of influences and sources--along with the great number of sacred texts in ancient languages--can make the Hindu system of faith and practice seem almost impenetrable to the uninitiated. With its vivid presentation of Hinduism's sources--from the warrior Aryans to the wandering ascetics--and its clearly written explanations and analyses of the major Hindu texts--among them the Rg-veda, the Brahmanas, Upanishads, and the Mahabharata and Ramayana--The Origins of Classical Hinduism clarifies much of Hinduism's enduring mystique. With an especially helpful bibliography, numerous illustrations of Hindu art never before published, and a lucid, accessible style, this book is must reading for anyone who has ever been intrigued by this fascinating religion. |
Contents
The Beginnings of Religion in South Asia | 1 |
Early Speculations and the Later | 20 |
The Development of Philosophy and the | 36 |
The Mystical and Ascetic Traditions | 51 |
Orthodoxy and the Epic Tradition | 68 |
The Bhagavadgītā and the Triumph of | 82 |
The Ritual and Dharma Literature and | 98 |
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A. L. Basham Agni ancient Indian Aryans ascetic Aśoka aśvamedha ātman avatāras Bhagavad-gītā bhakti Brahmā Brahman Brāhmaņas brāhmaņic Buddhism Calcutta century B.C.E. chapter Charles Craig classical Hinduism collector common era composed cosmic cosmos culture death Delhi demons developed devotion Dharma Dharma Śāstras divinities doctrine of transmigration earlier early earth edited epic evidence Ganges gods Hanumat heaven heterodox Hindu human hymns impersonal important Indra Indus Jain Jainism karman king known Krsna kṣatriya later Vedic Lord Mahābhārata Manu modern Motilal Banarsidass mystical North India numerous original orthodox Pandavas Pārvatī passage pūjā Purāṇa Purāņas Puruşa Rāma Rāmāyaṇa rebirth referred religion religious Rg-veda rites ritual sacred sacrifice sages Śaiva samsāra Sanskrit Santucci sects sense Sītā Śiva smrti soma soul South Asia Śrauta Śrī story Studies śūdra Sūtras Tamil temple theistic tion tradition trans translated University Press Upaniṣad Vedas Vedic Vedic literature verses Vişņu Vols worship Yājñavalkya Yoga