The Religious Enterprise: Studies In Early Indian Religions (2 Volumes Set)

The Contemporary Milieu Of India Is Resonating With Religious Frenzy And Attempts Are Being Made To Define IndiaS Identity In Terms Of Exclusive And Monolithic Mould Of Hinduism. Political Hindutva Is Being Conflated With Historical Hindusim In A Completely Ahistorical Manner. The Non-Brahmanical Components Of Even Historical Hinduism Are Being Sought To Be Downplayed Or Brahmanised. Given Such A Background, It Becomes Necessary That Differing Processes Of The Formation Of Several Religious Identities Of Indian People Through Several Millennia Are Unfolded And Situated In Their Overall Historical Contexts. The Present Anthology Is An Attempt In That Direction. Thirteen Essays Included In This Anthology Focus On Ahistorical Character Of Such Historical Consciousness That Tends To Delineate The Identity Of India Exclusively On The Basis Of Religion (Hinduism). Second, All Contributions Are Marked By The Demonstration Of The Impact Of Material Advancements And Transformations On Mutations In Religious Forms. The Dynamics Of Interactions Amongst Brahmanical (Braahmana) And Non-Brahmanical (Shramana) Cultural Streams Has Been Accorded Due Consideration. Similarly, Dialectics Of Religion, Ideology And Society In The Writings On Indian Religions In The Last Two Hundred Years Has Also Been Highlighted. Fresh Light Has Been Thrown On The Concepts Of Dark Age And Age Of Reason. The Anthology Highlights (A) Absence Of Continuity Between Harappan Religions And Vedic Religions; (B) Transformations From Vedism To Brahmanism; (C) Fluidity And Adaptability Of Religions In The So-Called Dark Age After C.200 Bce; (D) Growth Of Smaarta And Puranic Religion; (E) Hints Of Emergence Of Hinduism After The Advent Of The Turks; (F) Persistence Of Heretical Tendencies Throughout The Four Millennia Covered In These Volumes; (G) Inter-And Intra-Religious Sectarian Conflicts; And Finally, (H) Emergence Of True Spirit Of Religious Identities In India.