The book presents the multi-faceted Hindu deity. Dattatreya from his Puranic emergence up to modern times. Dattatreya’s Brahmanical portrayal, as well as his even more archaic characterization as a Tantric antinomian figure, combines both Vaisnava and Saiva motifs. Over the course of time, Dattatreya has come to embody the roles of the immortal guru, yogin and avatara in a paradigmatic manner. From the sixteenth century Dattatreya’s glorious characterization ...
This book makes available for the first time to readers in North America and much of the English-speaking world an account of one of the most important Indian saints of recent times. It also has the merit of treating its subject in a manner that is scholarly and at the same time respects both the greatness of its subject and the limitations of his accessibility. I found it informative, thought-provoking and a great joy to read. The author combines the best ...
Is 'shaman' a magical operator? Or could he be a psychic, an exorcist, a bio-energo- therapeutist, a fortune teller, an intermediary between the world of spirits and a human collectivity, a cultural hero, or just a mysterious, nameless person? Notwithstanding decades of extensive researches into the bewildering shamanic practices, we are still looking for a precise, acceptable description of this thaumaturge, called shaman — leave alone a valid explanation of ...
The book, containing papers presented at a conference held in Venice, Italy, examines the relevance attached to the institution of the guru with special reference to the religions and philosophies of India. It explores the nature and function of the guru figure ad the master-disciple integration in religious traditions of the world including those of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Confucianism and native American traditions. It delves into the dynamics of the ...