Item – Theses Canada

​
OCLC number
530972208
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
LAC copy
Author
Sharma, Shital,1981-
Title
Restoring Ānanda : philosophy, aesthetic experience, and ritual in Puṣṭimārga Vaiṣṇavism.
Degree
M.A. -- McGill University, 2007
Publisher
Ottawa : Library and Archives Canada = Bibliothèque et Archives Canada, [2008]
Description
2 microfiches
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
This thesis examines the interrelation between ritual ('seva ̄'), aesthetic experience, and philosophy in the Pustimar̄ga Vaisnava 'bhakti' tradition of Vallabha (ca.1479-1531). In Vallabha's Súddhad̄vaita ("pure non-dual") philosophy, Krsna is described as the embodiment of bliss or 'an̄anda.' At the moment of creation, Krsna manifests the world and individual souls ('jiv̄as') out of himself, but conceals the 'an̄anda' within the ' jiv̄as,' and subjects them to his power of ignorance (' avidya'̄). Thus, 'jiv̄as' are in the search for restoring their 'an̄anda,' which can only occur as a result of being in Krsna's presence. I argue that it is by performing ritual that Pustimar̄ga devotees experience Krsna's eternal ' lil̄a'̄ ("play" or "sport"), transcend their states of ' avidya,̄' and permanently restore their 'an̄anda. ' In Pustimar̄ga, emotion ('bhav̄a ') is both the path to experiencing Krsna and the goal of this path in and of itself. Pustimar̄ga theologians validate the salvific role of emotion by invoking Sanskrit aesthetic theory. I argue that aesthetic experience is central to Pustimar̄ga ritual (including offerings of music, food and ornamentation) on the one hand, and also qualifies liberation itself on the other.
ISBN
9780494325612
0494325615