In this book the author discusses the place of science in rituals and mantras. Using structural analysis he shows that rituals in general, whether religious, political, social or otherwise, have common structural patterns. These patterns are shared by poetry, music, dance and gymnastics, but not by language. Consideration of animal rituals and pathological (compulsive) rituals leads him to propose a general theory which unifies all ritual-like activities. Part I makes a brief survey of ancient Indian culture. In addition to rituals and mantras, it also discusses tantra and yoga. Part II deals with such topics as Knowledge, Science, Meaning and Interpretation, Structures and rituals in general. Though these topics appear disparate, they provide the necessary tools for structural analysis. Part III presents structural analysis of rituals and mantras, but also includes language, verse and music with which ritual patterns are compared. Worship rituals are studied in detail. Of all the types of religious rituals, these are most amendable to what may be called abstract formulation.
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