Book Review: Krishna in History, Thought and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Lord of Many Names
- In Book Reviews
- 09:38 PM, Sep 25, 2016
- Myind Staff
Krishna is the central God of Hinduism, referred to as sarvantaryami (universal soul/present in all) and bhagavan (the Bright One/Luminous One). Krishna is not merely an avatara (incarnation) of the supreme God, Vishnu, but a personified earthly appearance of the absolute divinity in Hinduism epitomized by the abstract cosmic phenomenon denoted by terms: Bhagavan, Purusha, Narayana, and Vishnu (all of these terms are treated in detail in this encyclopedia). In his incarnation on the Earth, Krishna is the historical hero (Pancaviras) of Varshni clan in ancient India, the founder-ruler of Dwaraka, and hence Krishna is the representation the living presence of the supreme God (Bhagavan) in Vraja, a sentiment, which is still echoed in the devotional practices and demonstration of the divine presence in multifold ways in Krishna temples in Mathura. Hence, taking up the subject of Krishna, this book is undertaking the gigantic task of attempting to examine seemingly disparate and allied subjects on Krishna simultaneously. Understanding religion is complex, especially it is so with Hinduism with its accumulated wisdom spanning across thousands of years. One way of understanding religion for a common practitioner often occurs in the form of discovering one’s favorite deity of a religion. Academic endeavors are not much different. Academic efforts also begin with something small as everyone has to start with something manageable. If one were to embark on a quest to learn Hinduism, there is no better way to start the quest than starting it with Krishna. Therefore, to is appropriate that this encyclopedia, appropriately named, Krishna in History, Thought and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Lord of Many Names, supplies all the necessary information to support one in the quest for knowledge.
The book contains nearly 195 entries of 300-3,500 words in length. It provides an exhaustive survey of topics on all things related to Krishna from narratives, to art and architecture to philosophy and devotional traditions. All the entries are written in simple and accessible style avoiding jargon. The book is aptly illustrated with sculptural depictions, paintings of Krishna, and photographs of festivals of Krishna, spanning across the wide spectrum of time periods and styles of art. What is lined out for readers is the unusual situation in which Krishna's parents start a family and the forests where the child Krishna plays (about 40 entries on family and life of Krishna). We can follow him on a Herculean round of monster killing (about 10 entries), playing with Gopis and Grazing cows with Gopas in Vraja and Brindavana. Many bad snakes are to be found in the book, as well as the good snake Sesha, who is incarnated (avatara) as his elder brother Balarama also known as the Vyuha Samkarshana (about 4 entries). The reader will find Krishna’s birth parents, Krishna’s adoptive parents, Krishna's eight principle wives and sixteen thousand (plus) 'princesses;' his water-logged city Dwaraka... then on to the cows, the cowgirls (Gopis), and cowboys (Gopas) of the present time (about 20 entries). The reader is treated to the narrative elements and could also explore each topic further with the list of related topics included at the end of each entry, which will help the reader explore eacg topic further in bredth and in depth. The topics are not only examined from Hindu texts, but also from Jain texts as well as Buddhist sources.
Texts of literary as well as philosophical nature are discussed as well as the philosophical concepts associated with Krishna from advaita to yoga. One may sit down with this book and read for information and pleasure, and there's also the hopeful prospect that this volume will find a place in not only university classrooms and libraries but also in secondary schools. It is perhaps with this consideration that there's little mention of tantra yoga, which is only slightly noted in a lone entry, the sahajiya tradition. However, there are clues to point one in the right path of exploration, which is indicated in the form of a reference (in the list of further readings on page.172) to tantra for anyone interested in exploring that topic further.
There are some hidden gems in this book. Some topics do not have individual entries, but nevertheless mentioned. For example, India’s favorite cow, Bahula, is in there, but one must look with diligence for her: neither the index nor the glossary mentions Bahula, but Bahulavana is detailed, which contains her story, which is included not under the entry 'Forests of Krishna' but under the entry titled 'Twelve Forests of Braj.' Her story on the surface exemplifies keeping one's promises and, more deeply, talks about who is to be carnivorous and who is to not. There are also topical entries on cow shelters (Gosalas), as well as the earthly and divine realms of Krishna and aspects of animal and environmental consciousness of Krishna devotion (about 10 entries). Ethics, theological concepts, devotional traditions, followers of Krishna and how other world religions included Krishna or concepts of Krishna within their traditions. Art and architectural traditions, including major pilgrimages, music and dance traditions are also discussed.
The book, Krishna in History, Thought and Culture, is a far handier tool for student research than although, given student mode of browsing the Internet for sources endlessly is common among most students. However, the inclusion of carefully selected electronic resources would have been an asset to the book, although I cannot fault the book for this as this might be easier said than done in the ever changing world of website ecology.
It would be quite possible for a book of this breadth to become a ragged hodgepodge of topics, but Lavanya Vemsani's focus on broad vision for the book centering on Krishna has assured that an evenness is maintained throughout the book, and one is not overwhelmed. The book succeeded in providing an excellent map of for all subjects related to Krishna and leading one on the right path of acquiring knowledge.
As Vemsani explained in the introduction, the book helps both of those groups of seekers of knowledge, “who seek academic understanding and those who seek to walk more personally with Krishna.” Hence, this is a starting point for anyone intending to learn about the multi-fold aspects of Krishna and therefore Hinduism. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about Hinduism as part of academic pursuits in colleges or for anyone interested to study Hinduism from personal interest.
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