In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Reviewed by:
  • The Hindu World (Routledge Worlds), and: The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism
  • Aaron Peron Ogletree
The Hindu World (Routledge Worlds). By Suhil Mittal and Gene Thursby. Routledge, 2004. 672 pages. $235.00.
The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism. By Gavin Flood. Blackwell Publishing, 2005. 616 pages. $34.95.

These volumes analyze the various traditions, literatures, and practices of Hinduism, explaining the significance of these aspects of Hinduism while providing detailed accounts of historical developments in Hinduism using anthropological, philosophical, theological, and cultural-critical approaches. In doing so, both volumes support the existence of Hinduism, though recent scholarship suggests otherwise. Unfortunately, these volumes repeatedly go off topic with discussions of Buddhism and Jainism. Additional consideration of how Hindu practices function to legitimate the subordination of people based on gender, caste, and class.

Sushil Mittal's and Gene Thursby's The Hindu World is an accessible and intellectually sound volume on twenty-four topics of Hinduism. Part I, "Introducing the Hindu World," provides a critique of what is characterized as Hinduism and advocates replacing it with a polycentric approach. Part II, "Oral Teachings and Textual Traditions," provides an overview of Valmiki Ramayana, Purana, Mahabharata, Veda, and Upanisad. Part III, "Theistic and Devotional Movements," describes the ritual observance and theology of Saiva, Sakta, Vaisnava, and Bhakti traditions. Part IV, "Cosmic Order and Human Goals," examines the different meanings of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksa as well as the major role of these terms in the ethics and religion of Hindus. Part V, "Social Action and Social Structure," analyzes concepts of Karma, Samskara, Varna, Jati, and Asrama to provide a framework for judging [End Page 214] actions in Hindu society. Part VI, "Vitality In Persons and In Places," considers practices of Anna, Grama, and Alaya, and pilgrimages to Tirtha sites. Part VII, "Linguistic and Philosophic Analysis," presents manifestation of Bhasa expression, and Dasana and Kala philosophical systems.

The volume effectively supports the existence of Hinduism describing it in an accessible way, and the complexities of theoretical debates are simplified without distortion. Poststructuralist and postmodernist assumptions find the terms "Hindu" and "Hinduism" problematic because such generalizations are signs of unwarranted reification. The volume counters that the "basic terms of inquiry in the social sciences and humanities" are also contended and "never settled" (2).

But perhaps the most important contribution of the volume is the discussion of the powerful social influence of Valimiki Ramayana in India. To R. P. Goldman and S. J. Sutherland Goldman, Ramayana serves as a basis in India "for the assertion and reinforcement of the power of patriarchal attitudes" (85). Within their analysis, they outline why Rama is considered the embodiment of exemplar Hindu masculinity and Sita is idealized as the model of feminity.

Inside the volume, authors examine the significance of Hindu social actions. For example, Herman W. Tull exhorts that the karma doctrine that the value of actions are determined in relationship to the person who performs them. This view is confronted by Mary McGee's article on samskara and McKim Marriott's article on varna and jati on the relationship between the value of social action and whether the action is performed in accordance with religious duties. These issues are central to debates about leading a moral and socially responsible life—a lifestyle with several contributions (Tull, McGee, and Marriott) directly take issue.

The book edited by Gavin Flood is a similar kind of undertaking. Twenty-seven articles, two of which were previously published, are organized in four parts and cover historical trajectories of the traditions that have led to Hinduism and to present accounts of developments of Hinduism along with the "contemporary traditions that comprise it" (xii). The contributions of some of the most influential Western scholars in the discipline are presented as pieces of a whole.

The purpose underpinning the volume is to consider the links and issues that reoccur in the history of Hinduism. Part I, "Theoretical Issues," critically examines the nexus of British colonialism to Hinduism and postcolonial critiques of Hinduism. Part II, "Text and Tradition," outlines major textual traditions in Sanskirt and provides examples of traditions in Indian vernacular languages. Part III, "Systematic Thought," analyzes systematic aspects of Hindu thought. Part IV, "Society, Politics...

pdf

Share