Mrtyu, Concept of Death in Indian Traditions: Transformation of the Body and Funeral Rites-Gian Giuseppe Filippi-9788124600726
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Yama, in Hindu
mythology, is the eschatologist and god of death. And is, thus, dreaded. Even
in today’s India, there is a fearful hesitancy, if not conscious avoidance,
of any talk about him. Yet, paradoxically, the phenomenon of death does not
evoke a similar fear in the Indian psyche — accepted, as it is, a natural
event, a part of life: just like poverty, sickness and old age. Here is an
insightful, at once compelling exposition of the phenomenon of death, based
on plurimillennial tradition of the Hindus — which, despite the affirmation
of Western attitudes in certain elitist sections of the urban society, has
endured since the times of the Vedas and Indic Civilization. Exploring,
contextually, the age-old Indian view of mortal existence: from the very
moment of an individual’s conception to his/her journey to the Kingdom of
Yama — through the major phases of birth, growth and ageing, Professor
Filippi unveils a complex network of sentiments, beliefs, scriptural
references, customs, hopes, ritualistic practices and much else — relevant to
the ‘great adventure’ of death. Notwithstanding the sentimental undertones of
the mrtyu-theme, Dr. Filippi’s work outstands for its rare scientific
objectivity. It has grown from years of his rigorous research effort
involving not only his extensive studies of Indian literature: classical as
well as modern, but also his interviews with Indian samnyasins, brahmanas,
relatives of the dead, and the persons living around the cremation grounds.
Together with visual material, bibliographic references, and a glossary of
non-English terms, the book holds out as much appeal to the general reader as
to the specialist. |
Book |
ISBN |
9788124600726
|
PUBLISHER |
DKPD |
Binding |
HARDCOVER |
Edition |
2005 |
Language |
ENGLISH |
Tags:
Mrtyu,
Concept of Death in Indian Traditions: Transformation of the Body and Funeral Rites-Gian Giuseppe Filippi-9788124600726