The Bhagavad-gita: A Critical Introduction

by Ithamar Theodor (Editor)

Overview

This volume is a systematic and comprehensive introduction to one of the most read texts in South Asia, the Bhagavad-gītā. The Bhagavad-gītā is at its core a religious text, a philosophical treatise and a literary work, which has occupied an authoritative position within Hinduism for the past millennium.

This book brings together themes central to the study of the Gītā, as it is popularly known – such as the Bhagavad-gītā’s structure, the history of its exegesis, its acceptance by different traditions within Hinduism and its national and global relevance. It highlights the richness of the Gītā’s interpretations, examines its great interpretive flexibility and at the same time offers a conceptual structure based on a traditional commentarial tradition.

With contributions from major scholars across the world, this book will be indispensable for scholars and researchers of religious studies, especially Hinduism, Indian philosophy, Asian philosophy, Indian history, literature and South Asian studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367556372
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/01/2020
Pages:	172
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Ithamar Theodor is an associate professor of Hindu studies at Zefat Academic College, Safed, Israel, and the director of the Hindu-Jewish studies programme at Bar-Ilan University, Israel. His publications include Exploring the Bhagavadgītā: Philosophy, Structure and Meaning (2010), The Fifth Veda in Hinduism: Philosophy, Poetry and Devotion in the BhÄ\x81gavata Purāṇa (2016) and Dharma and Halacha: Comparative Studies in Hindu-Jewish Philosophy and Religion (2018).

Table of Contents

List of contributors ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgements xx

Pronunciation guide xxi

1 The Bhagavad-gita and its contents Ithamar Theodor 1

2 The structure of the Bhagavad-gita Ithamar Theodor 17

3 Bhagavad-gita: its philosophy and interpretation Arvind Sharma 28

4 Sahkara's deconstruction of the Bhagavad-gita grounded in his preunderstanding Carl Olson 51

5 The soteriology of devotion, divine grace, and teaching: Bhagavad-gita and the Srivaisnavas Aleksandar Uskokov 68

6 Karma in the Bhagavad-gita: Caitanya Vaisnava views Joseph T. O'Connell 80

7 The greatness of the Gita, as icon and mantra Richard H. Davis 94

8 The Bhagavad-gita and Indian nationalist movement: Tilak, Gandhi, and Aurobindo James D. Ryan 104

9 The Gita of the gurus: the Bhagavad-gitd since Indian independence J.E. Llewellyn 118

10 Arjuna and Acyuta: the import of epithets in the Bhagavad-gita Raj Balkaran 137

Index 145