The essays in this volume explore the myriad ways in which caste (varna and jati) has been theorized and critiqued in multiple philosophical, religious, logical and narrative traditions in India. Spanning ancient, medieval and modern times, and in diverse classical and vernacular languages, the chapters show how the social fact of caste, and imaginations of kinship, community and humanity were historically subject to epistemological, spiritual, and existential debate in both elite and popular circles in India. Textual Lives of Caste Across the Ages seeks to bridge the interdisciplinary gap between historians and sociologists by focusing on texts that help us think across the sociological and philosophical, the political and the religious, the epistemological and the aesthetic, and indeed, the elite and the popular. The volume also sets up a conversation between scholars specializing in different regions, archives, and historical periods and demonstrates how caste imaginaries have been deeply diverse and contested in India's past. Reconstructing these diverse traditions of social and existential criticism helps us in our contemporary struggles against caste hierarchy and untouchability and enriches our contemporary critical repertoire.

The Book Makes A Fascinating Study Of The Unique Philosophical Tradition Revolving Around The Concept Of The Sunya Purusa The Ineffable, Indescribable And Non-Dual Reality That Originated In Medieval Orissa. Examining A Range Of Philosophies, It Throws Light On The Theories Of This Rare School Of Vaisnavism That Was Vaisnavite In Form But Buddhistic In Essence.

A Critical Analysis of Bhima Bhoi and the Mahima Cult is a rare compendium of insightful essays by eminent Indian scholars on the Mahima Cult, its genesis, and its growth. The volume focuses on Bhima Bhoi, the poet-philosopher and the prime interlocutor of the Renegade Faith, who started a revolt from below to champion human rights. To critically appreciate the Saint-poet Bhima Bhoi and the Mahima Cult (Dharma of Glory), the history of the 19th-century Indian sociocultural system, especially that of Odisha and its adjoining states, needs to be reconstructed. Since there is no surviving oral and written text authored by the founder of the cult, Mahima Swami, it is only the unlettered genius Bhima Bhoi, who produced innumerable prayers, hymns, and poetic recitals of profound philosophical import, which made him the legend, the poet-archivist, and historiographer of the Mahima Cult. Bhima was simultaneously the poet of the soul and the soil, who used theology and social experience to provide a supportive sub-structure to a transcendent, ecstatic vision. This volume asserts that Mahima Dharma is an autochthonous reform movement and a regional variation of the Indian Bhakti tradition and mystical poetry.

Study of Mahima Dharma and other religions in Orissa.

A Comprehensive History Of Vaishnavism In Orissa.

Buddhist Acharya Padmasambhava of the Vajrayana school of Mahayana sect, being invited by the king of Tibet, went there during the first half of the eighth century AD. He firmly established this esoteric form of Buddhism there and other Himalayan lands, which is known as “Lamaism”. He is deified and celebrated in Lamaism as Buddha himself, even more than that. As a direct result of Padmasambhava’s efforts, the people of Tibet were elevated to a state of unsurmountable spiritual culture. He is, therefore, truly one of the greatest of the world’s culture heroes. He is most revered and is honoured as the Second Buddha. He belongs to India and hails from Uddiyana. Therefore, he is popularly known as Uddiyana Guru. But, a holy personality known all over the world, a Great Guru, is almost a forgotten name in India, least remembered, not in history, not in literature, not anywhere even among the Buddhist circles in India. Padmasambhava originally belongs to Uddiyana, the location of this place has been disputed by some scholars to be in Swat Valley within the ancient Gandhara region, which is not tenable. The present work is an attempt to study all aspects pertaining to this Guru, starting from his magical appearance and penances to his mystical life, his works and achievements all through the Himalayan region along with Tibet. That leads to establish strongly that the home of the Uddiyana Guru is nowhere else but in Odisha. Focus has been laid to establish facts and all evidences showing that Uddiyana is but Odisha. This may be considered as the exclusive and exhaustive compilation, published for the first time in India.