Female ascetics in Hinduism / Lynn Teskey Denton ; [edited by Steven Collins].

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Denton, Lynn Teskey, 1949-1995.

Contributor:

Collins, Steven, 1951-

Series:

SUNY series in Hindu studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hindu women--Religious life--India--Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).

Hindu women.

Asceticism--Hinduism.

Asceticism.

Ascetics--India--Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).

Ascetics.

Hindu monastic and religious life--India--Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh).

Hindu monastic and religious life.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (229 p.)

Place of Publication:

Albany : State University of New York Press, c2004.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Female Ascetics in Hinduism provides a vivid account of the lives of women renouncers—women who renounce the world to live ascetic spiritual lives—in India. The author approaches the study of female asceticism by focusing on features of two dharmas, two religiously defined ways of life: that of woman-as-householder and that of the ascetic, who, for various reasons, falls outside the realm of householdership. The result of fieldwork conducted in Varanasi (Benares), the book explores renouncers' social and personal backgrounds, their institutions, and their ways of life. Offering a first-hand look at and an insightful analysis of this little-known world, this highly readable book will be indispensable to those interested in female asceticism in the Hindu tradition and women's spiritual lives around the world.

Contents:

Intro

Female Ascetics in Hinduism

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

1. The Religious Life of Woman-as-householder

2. The Woman Who Is Not a Householder: Widowhood, Unmarriageability, and Female Asceticism

3. Unity and Diversity I: Basic Terminology

4. Unity and Diversity II: Sectarian Affiliation, Spiritual Path, and Ascetic Mode

5. Socioreligious Aspects of Female Asceticism in Varanasi

6. Sainthood, Society, and Transcendence: Legends and Poetry of Women Saints

Notes

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Glossary of Hindu and Sanskrit Terms

Bibliography

Supplemental Bibliography by Meena Khandelwal

Index

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 191-207) and index.

ISBN:

9780791484623

0791484629

9781423739562

1423739566

OCLC:

62756116