Sarasvati : riverine goddess of knowledge : from the manuscript-carrying vina-player to the weapon-wielding defender of the Dharma / by Catherine Ludvik.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ludvik, Catherine.

Series:

Brill's Indological library ; v. 27.

Brill's Indological library, 0925-2916 ; v. 27

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Sarasvati (Hindu deity).

Sarasvatī (Buddhist deity).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xviii, 374 pages, [16] pages of plates) : illustrations.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This is a fascinating depiction of the transformation of the Indian riverine goddess from the manuscript-carrying vīṇā -player to the Buddhist weapon-wielding defender of the Dharma. Drawing on Sanskrit and Chinese textual sources, as well as Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist art historical representations, this book traces the conceptual and iconographic development of the riverine goddess of knowledge Sarasvatī from some time after 1750 B.C.E. to the seventh century C.E. Through the study of Chinese translations of no longer extant Sanskrit versions of the Buddhist Sutra of Golden Light the author sheds light on Sarasvatī's interactions with other Indian goddess cults and their impact on one another.

Contents:

Preliminary Materials / C. Ludvik

Introduction / C. Ludvik

Vedic Literature / C. Ludvik

Chapter One. Ṛg Veda / C. Ludvik

Chapter Two. Atharva Veda / C. Ludvik

Chapter Three. Yajur Veda / C. Ludvik

Chapter Four. Brāhmaṇas / C. Ludvik

Vedic Sarasvatī In Retrospective / C. Ludvik

Epic And Puranic Literature / C. Ludvik

Chapter Five. Mahābhārata / C. Ludvik

Chapter Six. Purāṇas / C. Ludvik

Epic And Puranic Sarasvatī In Retrospective / C. Ludvik

Sarasvatī In Buddhist Sutras / C. Ludvik

Chapter Seven. Sutra Of Golden Light / C. Ludvik

Chapter Eight. Great Eloquence Deity / C. Ludvik

Chapter Nine. Bath / C. Ludvik

Chapter Ten. Kauṇḍinya’s Praises / C. Ludvik

The Sutra’s Sarasvatī In Retrospective / C. Ludvik

Identification Of Images And Goddesses / C. Ludvik

Chapter Eleven. Early Images Of Sarasvatī / C. Ludvik

Chapter Twelve. Images Corresponding To Yijing’s Goddess / C. Ludvik

Images In Retrospective / C. Ludvik

Conclusion / C. Ludvik

Appendix A Sarasvatī Chapter Of The Sutra Of Golden Light / C. Ludvik

Appendix B Herb Lists For The Bath Taught By Sarasvatī In The Sutra Of Golden Light / C. Ludvik

Bibliography Of Sources And Works Cited / C. Ludvik

Index / C. Ludvik.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [317]-337) and index.

ISBN:

1-281-92633-7

9786611926335

90-474-2036-5

OCLC:

646788949

Publisher Number:

10.1163/ej.9789004158146.i-390 DOI