Do the categories such as God and religion as used in English and in the Western discourse capture the meaning and intent in Indian religions in order for them to be used effectively in the context of Indian religions? The book attempts to interrogate the categories used in Western discourse in the study of religion. In doing so, the book outlines a broad overview of the discussions on issues relating to the methods and theories in the study of religion, with a special focus on the study of Indian religions. It attempts to introduce students of religion in India to the academic study of religion as it developed in the West and at the same time provides an insight into some of the key issues that need clarity in dealing with Indian religions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Penumala Pratap Kumar
Penumala Pratap Kumar (b. 1952) has studied in India for his undergraduate and postgraduate levels and received his PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA. He is the author of The Goddess Lakshmi: The Divine Consort in South Indian Vaishnava Tradition (Scholars Press, 1997), Hindus in South Africa (University of Durban-Westville, 2000) and has, together with Knut Jacobsen edited the volume on South Asians in teh Diaspora (E.J. Brill, 2004). He is also the Series Editor for the Numen Book Series of the International Association for the History of Religions. He is a Professor and Director of the School of Religion and Theology at the University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. He is currently the Academic Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, UK.
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