A study of the impact of caste and class on conceptions of gender, this book focuses on the lower castes/classes of South India. Examining the lives and work of ‘untouchable’ women in a village in Tamilnadu, the author explores the recently articulated critique of feminism that race, caste, and class may be more important factors than gender in a p

A study of the impact of caste and class on conceptions of gender, this book focuses on the lower castes/classes of South India. Examining the lives and work of "untouchable" women in a village in Tamil Nadu, the author explores the recently articulated critique of feminism that race, caste, and class may be more important factors than gender in a person's consciousness. She finds that in South India, caste and class construct gender, at the same time that gender constructs class and caste.

This book examines two subordinated groups??untouchables? and women?in a village in Tamilnadu, South India. The lives and work of ?untouchable? women in this village provide a unique analytical focus that clarifies the ways in which three axes of identity?gender, caste, and class?are constructed in South India. Karin Kapadia argues that subordinate

Scholars of popular Hindu religion in India have always been fascinated by oral texts and rituals, but surprisingly only few attempts have as yet been made to analyse the relationship between rituals and texts systematically. This book contributes to the filling of this gap. Focusing on the dynamics of a local (non-Brahmanical) ritual, its modular organisation and inner logic, the interaction between narrative text and ritual, and the significance of the local versus translocal nature of the text in the ritual context, the study provides a broad range of issues for comparison. It demonstrates that examining texts in their context helps to understand better the complexity of religious traditions and the way in which ritual and text are programmatically employed. The author offers a vivid description of a hitherto unnoticed ritual system, along with the first translation of a text called the Icakkiyamman-Katai (IK). Composed in the Tamil language, the IK represents a substantially longer and embellished form of a core versio which probably goes as far back as the seventh century C.E. Unlike the classical source, this text has been incorporated into a living tradition, and is being constantly refashioned. A range of text versions have been encapsulated in the form of a conspectus, which will shed light on the text's variability or fixity and will add to our knowledge of bardic creativity. Includes a film by the author on DVD.

Do you believe in ghosts? Chances are you're either too willing, or not willing enough, to believe that personal consciousness survives after bodily death. Some underestimate the evidence for life after death, not realizing how impressive the most convincing cases are. Others overestimate it, rejecting alternative explanations too readily. In fact, several non-survivalist explanations—hidden or latent linguistic or artistic talents, extreme memory, even psychic abilities—are as interesting as the hypothesis of survival, and may be more plausible than their critics realize. Immortal Remains takes a fresh look at some of the most puzzling cases suggesting life after death, and considers how to tell evidence for an afterlife from evidence for exotic things (including psychic things) done by the living. Author Stephen E. Braude, who has done extensive research in parapsychology and dissociation, explores previously ignored issues about dissociation, creativity, linguistic skills, and the nature and limits of human abilities. He concludes that we have some reason, finally, for believing in life after death.

In Untouchable Bodies, Resistance, and Liberation, Joshua Samuel constructs an embodied comparative theology of liberation by comparing divine possessions among Hindu and Christian Dalits in South India. Critiquing the problems inherent in prioritizing texts when studying religious traditions, Samuel calls for the need to engage in body and people centered interreligious learning. This comparative theological reading of ecstatic experiences of the divine in Dalit bodies in Hinduism and Christianity brings out the powerful liberative potential inherent in the bodies of the oppressed, enabling us to identify alternative modes of resistance and new avenues of liberation among those who are dehumanized and discriminated, and to find deeper and meaningful ways of speaking about God in the context of oppression.

A powerful reimagining of the story of Ganga, goddess of the river, and her doomed mortal son, from Vaishnavi Patel, author of the instant New York Times bestseller Kaikeyi. A mother and a son. A goddess and a prince. A curse and an oath. A river whose course will change the fate of the world. Ganga, joyful goddess of the river, serves as caretaker to the mischievous godlings who roam her banks. But when their antics incur the wrath of a powerful sage, Ganga is cursed to become mortal, bound to her human form until she fulfills the obligations of the curse. Though she knows nothing of mortal life, Ganga weds King Shantanu and becomes a queen, determined to regain her freedom no matter the cost. But in a cruel turn of fate, just as she is freed of her binding, she is forced to leave her infant son behind. Her son, prince Devavrata, unwittingly carries the legacy of Ganga’s curse. And when he makes an oath that he will never claim his father’s throne, he sets in motion a chain of events that will end in a terrible and tragic war. As the years unfold, Ganga and Devavrata are drawn together again and again, each confluence another step on a path that has been written in the stars, in this deeply moving and masterful tale of duty, destiny, and the unwavering bond between mother and son.

The 12 long years research of Vedas and decoding the hidden scientific formulas have been put in a story form in easy understanding of the hard to get facts that benefits the readers. The reader will find the critical and vital difference between some of the Prominent Works on Lord Shiva Goddess Parvati and their children in this work that to demystify the myths. This work lucidly brings out the teachings of Ganesh-Geeta and retold the mythology in an amazing way for the benefit of all. The readers will love to chew and remember for the ages. — Sivkishen, Author It is believed that a mere glance at Sri Chakra gives the result of performing hundred Vedic rituals then what if the goddess is Meditated upon, Praised and Glorified as purest form of Consciousness ? This book does exactly that! Imagine the power of her 'Supreme Brilliance' guiding you through the darkest alleys towards all round Success ... Imagine receiving an ocean of Compassion... I urge the readers to give themselves a chance to carve a fulfilling life under the Divine Mother's Cosmic Direction .. Kudos to Kishenji for being the channel and making that happen." —Karuna Gopal (President, Futuristic Cities) "A must-read for anyone who wants to get on the "way of life", this 'Kingdom of Shiva' provides right orientation and knowledge to face the challenges of life by aligning them of valuable life." - Prof. S P Garg "The one book on authentic Mythological classic epic stories is 'Kingdom of Shiva'. This is Eastern Wisdom a must to have at least one." — Prof. Surendera Kala "In the Epic story of 'Kingdom of Shiva', the great Goddess advocates that 'a beautiful mind and beautiful heart sparks bright ideas. One can't just dream but should believe in the self and face challenges of Life Battles with courage. You have the POWER to ACHIEVE IT.' This is the 'Glow of Hope' and every one must read." -Shanti Singh B.Com. LLB, Director, Vidyadayani Junior and Degree College for Women, Hyderabad India

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MONTY PYTHON Who was the real Brian? Who was the real Jesus? Did the Romans build the Jerusalem Aqueduct? Were the Magi really wise? And were the Peoples Front of Judea, splitters? All the crucial issues this book dares to confront. 'Life of Brian' editor Julian Doyle, not only reveals some telling information about the filming process but also compares each and every hysterical scene of the film with the actual Biblical events and comes to some extraordinary conclusions, including the well held belief that 'Life of Brian' is the most accurate Biblical film ever made. A must not only for Python fans but film students wishing to understand the process of comedy editing.

The traditional understanding of Shiva told through stories and teachings from the Shiva Mahapurana • Explains Shiva’s contradictory forms, such as destroyer or benefactor, and how his form depends on the needs of the devotee • Reveals how Shiva’s teachings allow one to see through the illusions at the root of all grief and alienation in human life • Explores Shiva’s relationships with Durga, Shakti, Sati, and Parvati and with his sons Ganesha and Kartikeya Shiva, the most ancient and complex deity of the Hindu pantheon, has been portrayed in many contrasting lights: destroyer and benefactor, ascetic and householder, wild demon slayer and calm yogi atop Mount Kailash. Drawing from the Hindu sacred text the Shiva Mahapurana--said to be written by Shiva himself--Vanamali selects the essential stories of Shiva, both those from his dark wild side and those from his benevolent peaceful side. Vanamali discusses Shiva’s many avatars such as Shambunatha and Bhola, as well as Dakshinamurti who taught the shastras and tantras to the rishis. She explores Shiva’s relationships with Durga, Shakti, Sati, and Parvati and with his sons Ganesha and Kartikeya. Examining Shiva’s acceptance of outsiders, Vanamali explains why ghosts and ghouls are his attendants and why his greatest devotees are demon kings, like Ravana. She includes famous Shiva stories such as the Descent of the River Ganga and Churning the Milky Ocean as well as those that reveal the origin of the festival of lights, Diwali; his creation of the cosmic couple, or hierogamos; and how Shiva and Parvati taught the world the secrets of Kundalini Shakti. The author also draws upon Shaivite teachings to illustrate the differences between Western science and Vedic science and their explanations for the origins of consciousness. Integrating Shiva’s two sides, the fierce and the peaceful, Vanamali reveals that Shiva’s form depends on the needs of the devotee. Understanding his teachings allows one to see through the illusions at the root of all grief and alienation in human life, for Shiva is the wielder of maya who does not fall under its spell. While Ganesha is known as the remover of obstacles, Shiva is the remover of tears.