Religions of India in Practice

CONTENTS BY TRADITIONS

As explained in the introduction, this volume is organized thematically, rather than by tradition, in order to suggest the interactions, intersections, and confluences in the religious practices of India. It is useful, nonetheless, to see also how the works included in this volume might be organized by tradition. Such an organization presents certain difficulties, as evidenced by the title of chapter 45, “Satya Pīr: Muslim Holy Man and Hindu God,” which has been classed as “Hindu” below because Satya Pīr is more widely revered today by Hindus than by Muslims. There are three chapters, however, which are not listed below because they elude such classification: “Bāul Songs” (there are both Hindu and Muslim Bāuls), “Tamil Song to God as Child” (with songs to Muḥammad, Jesus, and Śiva’s son), and “Kabīr.” Kabīr (1398-1518) was an orphan raised by low-caste Hindu weavers who may have only recently converted to Islam. His guru was a devotee of Rāma. In his poetry, Kabīr criticized both Hindus and Muslims. According to a popular story, upon his death his body was claimed by both Hindus and Muslims. When they pulled back his shroud they found only petals.

Buddhist

The Litany of Names of Mañjuśrī 104

The Power of Mantra: A Story of the Five Protectors 227

The Bodhisattva Vajrapāṇi’s Subjugation of Śiva 547

Hindu

Bengali Songs to Kālī 55

Poems of Tukārām 92

Devotional Hymns from the Sanskrit 133

Tamil Game Songs to Śiva 145

Royal Temple Dedications 235

How to Partake in the Love of Kṛṣṇa 244

Women’s Songs for Auspicious Occasions 269