The Samnyasa Upanisads: Hindu Scriptures on Asceticism and Renunciation
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Author Description
The first readable and accurate translation of twenty of the most authoritative Hindu documents pertaining to ascetic ideals and the ascetic way of life, this text opens to students a major source for the study of the Hindu ascetical institutions and of the historical changes they underwent during a period of a thousand years or more. Beginning with an analysis of the historical context that gave rise to Indian ascetical institutions and ideologies, Patrick Olivelle moves on to elucidate the meaning of renunciation--the central institution of holiness in most Hindu traditions--and the function and significance of the various elements that constitute the rite of renunciation. The Samnyasa Upanisads will be an unparalleled source of information and insight for students of Hinduism and Indian eticism, mysticism, and holiness.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates the historical and ideological foundations of Hindu asceticism through the translation and analysis of twenty primary Upanisadic texts. Patrick Olivelle, a scholar of Indian religions, provides a rigorous framework for understanding the institution of renunciation within the Hindu tradition. By examining these documents, the author elucidates the evolution of ascetic practices and the symbolic significance of the rites associated with the renouncer's life over a millennium of Indian history.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Translations of twenty authoritative Hindu documents concerning asceticism and renunciation.
- Historical analysis of the development of Indian ascetical institutions and ideologies.
- Detailed examination of the rites and symbolic elements defining the renouncer's path.
- Contextual study of holiness and mysticism within the broader framework of Hindu traditions.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of Indian religion frequently cite this volume as a foundational resource for accessing primary source material on asceticism. Experts highlight the clarity and precision of the translations, noting that it serves as an essential reference for understanding the historical shifts in Hindu monastic and renunciation practices.
Page Count:
336
Publication Date:
1992-02-13
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0195070453
ISBN-13:
9780195070453
History
Spirituality
Religion
Philosophy
Hinduism
Asceticism
