The Goddess Laksmi: The Divine Consort in South Indian Vaisnava Tradition

Sri Laksmi in history, Pancaratra Agamas, the writings of Yamuna and Ramanuja; Tradition, continuity and change; other texts and references. American Academy of Religion, Academy Series (Paper), No 95. See Cover

The Way of Kings: Ancient Wisdom from the Sanskrit Vedas

This book offers a great collection of wisdom for anyone to who wants to be a successful leader, and gain the respect of their subordinates. It is not a long book, but is a series of quotes and thoughts related to being a respectable leader. It is ogranized into different sections on virtue, protocol, wealth, fairness, daily routine, etc. Provides excellent quotes from the Vedas that can be used to bridge eastern and western understanding of dynamic relatonship.

Sanskrit Play Production in Ancient India (Performing Arts Series)

The present work moves through three levels of understanding: (a) Components of the traditional Natya production as described in Natyasastra and other ancient Indian works; their interrelation and employment for the Rasa-oriented Sanskrit plays; (b) the evidence for the practice of these ancient techniques in the present-day traditional and folk forms in India and South Asia; and (c) the relevance and possibility of using these techniques today.

Iconography of Vaisnava Images in Orissa

This work is a well-researched attempt to analyse the Vaisnava iconography of Orissa which is unique in that there are to be found an overwhelming number of Visnu images in the region despite paucity of Visnu temples and inscriptional evidence suggesting royal patronage. Dr. Donaldson here undertakes a detailed study under four heads: Vaisnava iconography proper including Hari-Hara and other composite images and those of Visnu’s female consorts; images of Visnu in his different avataras; depiction of Balarama, Krsna and Jagannatha; and iconography of what are termed ‘secondary figures’ like Garuda and Hanumana. He presents various iconographic charts throughout the book on the basis of textual description of the many images and their representations in sculpture with a number of photographs of the images studied, he provides details on the physical attributes of each group of images and specific images and their evolving iconographic and stylistic peculiarities; such as the decline of a particular motif and the emergence of another depending on the popularity of sects. The author also traces with keen interest the influence of Vaisnavism on the iconographic programme and rituals of Saiva temples, resulting in even joint worship of Visnu and Siva. For each type of iconography, the book cites examples of different Orissan temples and discusses the images in them.

Journal Of Vaisnava Studies [MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION]

Allows scholars to publish academic papers concerning the religion, philosophy, history and culture of all forms of Valsnavism.