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 | 36 |
Transmigration | 45 |
4 | 51 |
5 | 68 |
6 | 82 |
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A. L. Basham Agni ancient Indian Aryans ascetic Aśoka aśvamedha Atharva-veda avatāras Bhagavad-gītā bhakti Brahman brāhmaṇic brāhmaṇs Bṛhadaranyaka Buddhism Calcutta century B.C.E. chapter Charles Craig classical Hinduism collector common era composed cosmic cosmos cult culture death Delhi demons developed devotion Dharma Dharma Śāstras divinities doctrine of transmigration earlier early earth edited epic evidence evil Ganges gods Hanumat heaven heterodox Hindu human hymns impersonal important Indra Indus Jain Jainism karman king known Kṛṣṇa later Vedic Lord Mahābhārata Manu modern Motilal Banarsidass mystical numerous original orthodox Oxford Pāṇḍavas passage period poem pūjā Purāna Purāņas Rāma Rāmāyaṇa rebirth referred religion religious Ṛg-veda rites ritual sacred sacrifice sages Sanskrit Santucci sects sense Sītā Śiva smṛti soma soul South Asia South India Śrauta Śrī story Studies śūdra Sutras Tamil temple theistic tion tradition trans translated University Press Upanisad Vedas Vedic Vedic literature verses Vişņu vols worship Yājñavalkya Yoga