Vedic Origins of Karma

Herman W. Tull is Assistant Professor of Religion at Rutgers University.

"To anyone interested in the Vedic literature or the idea of karma, this book is fascinating. The prose is crisp and clear, well-ordered and lively. The arguments are clearly presented. Tull shows convincingly that the beginning of karma theory are to be found in the Brahmanas. And he helps us to see the logic of these texts more clearly than anyone else." — John M. Koller"The book is clearly written and organized. He uses primary materials intelligently and raises questions of significance. The author discusses some of the central areas in the study of Hinduism: the idea of karma, the relationship of the Upanisto the rest of the Veda, the interpretation of the Upanisand the meaning of the Vedic rites. He also challenges a number of received views, especially concerning the interpretation of karma in the Upanisand offers alternatives which are quite provocative. He lays out his arguments and evidence in a way that allows his readers to evaluate them." — Joel P. Brereton

• Acknowledgments Introduction The Vedic Origins of the Karma DoctrineA Note on Texts, Method, Terms, and TranslationsChapter 1. The Problem of Karma and the Textual Sources The Brahmanas and Upanisads in the View of Nineteenth Century IndologyThe Upanisads and the Vedic Origins of the Karma DoctrineThe Earliest Notice of the Doctrine of Karma and Rebirth in the Brhadaranyaka and Chandogya UpanisadsConclusion: The Karma Doctrine in the Context of Brahmanic ThoughtChapter 2. The Cosmos as Man: The Image of the Cosmos in Vedic Thought The Cosmic Image and Its Vicissitudes in Vedic ThoughtPurusa and the Creation of the CosmosThe Reenactment of the CosmogonyPrajapati and the Creation of the CosmosConclusion: The Reenactment of the CosmogonyChapter 3. The Fire Altar (Agnicayana) as Man and Cosmos The Problem of SacrificeThe Problem of Sacrifice and the AgnicayanaThe Construction of the Fire AltarConclusion: Man and Cosmos in the Fire AltarChapter 4. From Death to Rebirth The Agnicayana and the SmasanacayanaConclusion: The Karma Doctrine in the Context of Brahmanic ThoughtAbbreviations of Vedic Texts Notes Bibliography Index