Introduction -- The snake and the mongoose at the horizon of Indian history -- Taming the snake and the mongoose of Indian history -- The Brahman as a celibate renunciant -- The Brahman as the head of a household -- The emergence of the snake and the mongoose -- Losing an argument by focusing on being right -- Conclusion.
Summary:
"[This is the] first scholarly work on early India that abandons the meta-historical assumption of a dichotomy between 'Brahmanical' and 'non-Brahmanical.' [It] analyzes all three major early Indian traditions (Buddhism, Jainism, and Brahmanism), and makes use of all forms of written evidence, including Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, and Chinese. [It is] useful not only for specialists in early Indian religions, but also teachers of world religions in general, as well as non-academic audiences (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain) whose narratives of identity are affected by the 'Brahmanical' vs. 'non-Brahmanical' distinction." -- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.