Understanding Mantra - Softcover

Alper, Harvey P.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 8120818962 ISBN 13: 9788120818965

Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publications, 2003

Synopsis

Understanding Mantras explores the origin, nature, function, and significance of mantras within the bounds of the Hindu tradition. It analyzes the use of mantras in the Vedic age, in the great theistic movements of Saivism and Vaisnavism, and in Tantra. A brief introduction by Alper outlines the major controversies in Western scholarship concerning the nature of mantras and gives an insightful and suggestive paradigm for resolving the issues. The essays provide enlightenment into the Indian mantric tradition, and into Western attempts to understand that tradition. They also discuss the issues surrounding the debate over whether mantras should count as instances of language.

Of immeasurable worth is the comprehensive bibliographical and methodological essay and list contributed by Professor Alper. This essay covers more than 1600 items and situates mantra contextually in Indian history, society, and culture. It approaches a bibliography of all of Hinduism and will serve as an invaluable tool for future research.

Harvey P. Alper was Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University from 1974 to 1987. As a Sanskritist, his primary interest was the religious traditions of South Asia. He served as editor of the SUNY series on Saiva Traditions of Kashmir. Professor Alper died suddenly on April 4, 1987 after completing the editorial work on the present volume.

About this title

Synopsis

This book explores the origin, nature, function and significance of mantras within the bounds of the hindu tradition. It analyses the use of mantras in vedic age in the great theistic movements of Saivism and Vaishanavism and in Tantra. The introduction outlines the controversies in western scholarship concerning the nature of mantras and gives an insighhtful paradigm for resolving the issues. these essays provide enlightenment into the indian mantric tradition. Of immeasurable worth is the comprehensive bibliographical essay and list contributes by Prof. Alper. It covers more than 1600 items and situates mantra contextually in indian history, society and culture. It approaches a bibliography on all of hinduism and will serve as an invaluable tool foe future research.

About the Author

Harvey P. Alper was Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University from 1974 to 1987. As a Sanskritist, his primary interest was the religious traditions of South Asia. He served as editor of the SUNY series on Saiva Traditions of Kashmir. Professor Alper died suddenly on April 4, 1987 after completing the editorial work on the present volume.

Edition details

• Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publications
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 8120818962
• ISBN 13: 9788120818965
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 546