Bøger af Lavanya Vemsani

Reframing India in World History breaks the stereotypical portrayal of India based on misconstrued historical theories. Based on new evidence-based research Lavanya Vemsani brings forward comprehensive understanding of Indian history from the beginnings to the present.

Balarama in Hindu and Jain Mythology is the most comprehensive study of the God Balarama to date. The book analyzes historical understanding of Balarama through comparative analysis of mythology of Balarama from Hindu and Jain texts. Examination of Balarama in Hindu and Jain mythology demonstrates that cultural and religious symbolism is deeply rooted in the myths of Balarama. A comparison of Hindu and Jain myths indicates that although there are similarities between the two traditions, Jain traditions demonstrate sufficient differences to postulate that they may have been derived from an independent historical tradition separate from Hindu tradition.

Narasimha is one of the least studied major deities of Hinduism. Furthermore, there are limited studies of the history, thought, and literature of middle India. Lavanya Vemsani redresses this by exploring a range of primary sources, including classical Sanskrit texts (puranas and epics), and regional accounts (sthalapuranas), which include texts, artistic compositions, and oral folk stories in the regional languages of Telugu, Oriya, and Kannada. She also examines the historical context as well as contemporary practice. Moving beyond the stereotypical classifications applied to sources of Hinduism, this unique study dedicates chapters to each region of middle India bringing together literary, religious, and cultural practices to comprehensively understand the religion of Middle India (Madhya Desha). Incorporating lived religion and textual data, this book offers a rich contribution to Hindu studies and Indian studies in general, and Vaishnava Studies and regional Hinduism in particular.