Deity and Spirit Possession in South Asian Literature and Civilization
by Smith, Frederick M
- Used
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
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Portland, Oregon, United States
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About This Item
New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 2009. First Indian Edition. Hardcover in pictorial boards. Thick octavo. xxvii + 701pp. A near fine copy. Frederick M. Smith proposes that positive oracular or ecstatic possession is the most common form of spiritual expression in India, and that it has been linguistically distinguished from negative, disease-producing possession for thousands of years. In South Asia possession has always been broader and more diverse than in the West, where it has been almost entirely characterized as "demonic." At best, spirit possession has been regarded as a medically treatable psychological ailment and at worst, as a condition that requires exorcism or punishment. In South (and East) Asia, ecstatic or oracular possession has been widely practiced throughout history, occupying a position of respect in early and recent Hinduism and in certain forms of Buddhism. Smith analyzes Indic literature from all ages-the earliest Vedic texts; the Mahabharata; Buddhist, Jain, Yogic, Ayurvedic, and Tantric texts; Hindu devotional literature; Sanskrit drama and narrative literature; and more than a hundred ethnographies. He identifies several forms of possession, including festival, initiatory, oracular, and devotional, and demonstrates their multivocality within a wide range of sects and religious identities. Possession is common among both men and women and is practiced by members of all social and caste strata. Smith theorizes on notions of embodiment, disembodiment, selfhood, personal identity, and other key issues through the prism of possession, redefining the relationship between Sanskritic and vernacular culture and between elite and popular religion. Smith's study is also comparative, introducing considerable material from Tibet, classical China, modern America, and elsewhere. This exhaustive work provides careful new translations of rare material and is the most comprehensive study in any language on this subject.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Richard Bishop, Bookseller (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 6270
- Title
- Deity and Spirit Possession in South Asian Literature and Civilization
- Author
- Smith, Frederick M
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Indian Edition
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- Motilal Banarsidass
- Place of Publication
- New Delhi
- Date Published
- 2009
- Bookseller catalogs
- Occult & Esoterica;
Terms of Sale
Richard Bishop, Bookseller
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About the Seller
Richard Bishop, Bookseller
Biblio member since 2022
Portland, Oregon
About Richard Bishop, Bookseller
Offering a fine selection of modern and antiquarian books on magic, witchcraft, the occult, esoteric traditions from around the world, Egyptology, mythology, folklore, etc., with occasional forays into other areas. Additional photos of most items are available at our website (richardbishopbookseller.com). While visiting the website, make sure you join our mailing list in order to receive notices of special sales and other timely information. Contact us at rarebooks@airpost.net with any questions.
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