Ganesa: Lord of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings by Courtright (English) Paperback

Description: Ganesa by Courtright In this first comprehensive study of Ganesa--the elephant-headed god popular throughout India and Hindu Southeast Asia--Courtright explores the gods many and changing dimensions, covering not only the mythology but also the ritual, the political uses, and the modern and Vedic manifestations of the deity. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Part animal and part intellectual, an image found in virtually every Indian home, Ganesa, the elephant-headed god, is one of the most important and popular gods throughout India and Hindu Southeast Asia. In this, the first comprehensive, full-length study of Ganesa, Courtright covers not merely the mythology but also the ritual, the political uses, and the modern as well as the Vedic manifestations of the god. The book begins with a consideration of the variousmyths of Ganesa, stories of his birth, his beheading by his father Siva, and his subsequent restoration as the lord who gives, or withholds, success in undertakings. In the end, the author turns to therole Ganesa has played in recent Indian history as the patron deity of some formulations of neotraditionalist values and ideology. Throughout the book, Courtright portrays both the complexity of the deitys many roles and stories and the integrated manner in which they come together. Excerpt from the Preface by Wendy OFlaherty: "Ganesa has everything that is fascinating to anyone who is interested in religion or India or both: charm, mystery, popularity, sexual problems,moral ambivalence, political importance, the works. One can start from Ganesa and work from there in an unbroken line to almost any aspect of Indian culture." Author Biography Courtright is Professor of Religion and Chair of the Department at Emory University. His work has focused on Hindu mythologies and ritual practices in the context of social and cultural life. Currently he is researching the relationship between scholarship and ideology in 19th century colonial India. Review "Excellent intro text."--W. Sax, University of Canterbury (New Zealand)"Reads easily...informative. Gives alternative views, balanced, clear. Recommended as a good source book."--Forrest Wood, University of Southern Mississippi"Paul Courtrights ingenuity and skill have produced a comprehensive, interesting study about one of Indias most popular gods....Definately a must for the mythologist and indologist alike. It is a critical, thorough study that has been long overdue."--New Canadian Review"Balances rich textural, anthropological, and interpretive resources....An opulent exposition of Ganesa and his worship."--Choice"Intelligent and eminently readable."--Religious Studies Review"Seasoned and insightful, obviously based on many years of thought, research, writing, and rewriting....Crammed full of information, well organized, and still a delight to read....Masterful."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion"Another of [the] years treasures." -- Commonweal"Courtright has collected much primary material, especially from the Puranas, presented some possible ways of understanding it, and culled the best of the secondary literature. In these respects, the book contributes significantly to the study of Sanskritic Hinduism and its regional realization."--Journal of Religion Long Description Part animal and part intellectual, an image found in virtually every Indian home, Ganesa, the elephant-headed god, is one of the most important and popular gods throughout India and Hindu Southeast Asia. In this, the first comprehensive, full-length study of Ganesa, Courtright covers not merely the mythology but also the ritual, the political uses, and the modern as well as the Vedic manifestations of the god. The book begins with a consideration of the variousmyths of Ganesa, stories of his birth, his beheading by his father Siva, and his subsequent restoration as the lord who gives, or withholds, success in undertakings. In the end, the author turns to therole Ganesa has played in recent Indian history as the patron deity of some formulations of neotraditionalist values and ideology. Throughout the book, Courtright portrays both the complexity of the deitys many roles and stories and the integrated manner in which they come together. Excerpt from the Preface by Wendy OFlaherty: "Ganesa has everything that is fascinating to anyone who is interested in religion or India or both: charm, mystery, popularity, sexual problems,moral ambivalence, political importance, the works. One can start from Ganesa and work from there in an unbroken line to almost any aspect of Indian culture." Review Text "Excellent intro text."--W. Sax, University of Canterbury (New Zealand)"Reads easily...informative. Gives alternative views, balanced, clear. Recommended as a good source book."--Forrest Wood, University of Southern Mississippi"Paul Courtrights ingenuity and skill have produced a comprehensive, interesting study about one of Indias most popular gods....Definately a must for the mythologist and indologist alike. It is a critical, thorough study that has been long overdue."--New Canadian Review"Balances rich textural, anthropological, and interpretive resources....An opulent exposition of Ganesa and his worship."--Choice"Intelligent and eminently readable."--Religious Studies Review"Seasoned and insightful, obviously based on many years of thought, research, writing, and rewriting....Crammed full of information, well organized, and still a delight to read....Masterful."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion"Another of [the] years treasures." -- Commonweal"Courtright has collected much primary material, especially from the Puranas, presented some possible ways of understanding it, and culled the best of the secondary literature. In these respects, the book contributes significantly to the study of Sanskritic Hinduism and its regional realization."--Journal of Religion Review Quote "Seasoned and insightful, obviously based on many years of thought,research, writing, and rewriting....Crammed full of information, well organized,and still a delight to read....Masterful."--Journal of the American Academy ofReligion Details ISBN0195057422 Language English ISBN-10 0195057422 ISBN-13 9780195057423 Media Book Format Paperback Year 1989 Subtitle Lord of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings Country of Publication United States Imprint Oxford University Press Inc Place of Publication New York Pages 304 Short Title GANESA REV/E Edition Description Revised DOI 10.1604/9780195057423 UK Release Date 1989-03-30 AU Release Date 1989-03-30 NZ Release Date 1989-03-30 US Release Date 1989-03-30 Author Courtright Publisher Oxford University Press Inc Publication Date 1989-03-30 DEWEY 294.5211 Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. 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