Myths of Narasiṁha and Vāmana

Two Avatars in Cosmological Perspective

AvDeborah A. Soifer

Häftad, Engelska, 1991

Del i serien SUNY series in Hindu Studies

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Beskrivning

The Sanskrit Puranas and epics are replete with stories of the avatars, incarnations of the god Visnu in various forms to rid the universe of malevolent forces and to restore the proper cosmic balance. As Narasimha, half-man half-lion, Visnu finds a loophole in the pact of invulnerability the demon Hiranaipu has received from god Brahma, and rends the demon apart with his claws. As the brahmin dwarf, Vamana, Visnu deceives the demon Bali with his diminutive appearance and thwarts Bali's attempt to gain universal sovereignty.After carefully analyzing the myths of Vamana and Narasimha, Deborah Soifer grounds her study in the textual history of each avatar and its myth, in their religious contexts, and in the intricate cosmology of the classical period of Hinduism. Contrasting the bestial persona of Narasimha with Vamana's priestly appearance and his associations with early cosmologic themes, she finds complementarity and significance in this pair as they are viewed in the larger context of periodic cosmic destructions and recreations.While focusing primarily on these two mythological figures, Soifer's work explores the relationship between dharma and the 'devious' acts of gods; the interplay between cosmic and 'sociocosmic' levels of reality; and the relationship between cosmology, theology, and soteriology in a religious worldview.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:1991-11-22
Mått:152 x 229 x 25 mm
Vikt:431 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Serie:SUNY series in Hindu Studies
Antal sidor:321
Förlag:State University of New York Press
ISBN:9780791408001

Utforska kategorier

Hinduism inom Filosofi och religion

Mer om författaren

Deborah A. Soifer is Lecturer in the Asian Studies Program at Bowdoin College.

Recensioner i media

"The book's strength is its in-depth analysis of two neglected figures in Hindu mythology: Vamana and Narasimha. Treating them comparatively along the trajectories of creation and eschatology is original and illuminating. The book also has insights about myth in relation to cosmology and ideology that are subtle and sophisticated." — Paul B. Courtright

Innehållsförteckning

List of FiguresAcknowledgmentsA Note on Translations and Abbreviations1. Introduction2. Vedic Antecedent to the Avataric Nature of Visnu3. Brahmanic Antecedents to the Avataric Nature of Visnu4. The Blink of an Unblinking Eye5. Myths of the Narasimhavatara: Motif Analysis and Discussion6. Myths of the Vamanavatara: Motif Analysis and Discussion7. ConclusionAppendix I. Translations of Narasimha Myths Brahmanda Purana II.5.3-29Brahma Purana 213.44-79Visnudharmottara Purana I.54Matsya Purana Ch. 161-163Padma Purana V (Uttara).42Skanda Purana VII.2.18.6—130 (see Vanama myths: SK.P. VII. 2.14-19) Appendix II. Translations of Vamana Myths Bhavisya Purana 4.76.1-27 Brahman Purana 73 Brahman Purana 213.80-105 Brahmanda Purana II.73.75-87 Matsya Purana Ch. 244-246 Narada Purana I.10-11Padma Purana Srstikhanda 25Padma Ourana Uttarakhanda 266-267 Skanda Purana I.1.18-19 Skanda Purana V.1.74Skanda Purana VII.2.14-19 Skanda Purana VII.4.19.10-14 Vayu Purana 98.59-88 Visnudharmottara Purana I.21Visnudharmottara Purana I.55 Bibliography Index