The bhagavad gita is not as nice a book as some americans think. The hindus an alternative history by wendy doniger penguin books november 2010 isbn10. There has been much handwringing in india about wendy donigers book, the hindus. This book is a collection of essays on hinduism by the author wendy doniger. Full text of the hindus an alternative history by wendy doniger see other formats. It has seven sections based on the different themes. Scholars and intellectuals across the board are critical and worried about penguins. The hindus an alternative history is an utterly wonderful book. An alternative history is a diachronic study of hinduism that highlights the complexity and diversity of the religion. This is the first part of a scholarly critique of wendy donigers the hindus. For those who already know and admire wendy doniger s work, this is a handy if hefty compendium of. Wendy donigers the hindus is a classic example of leftliberal scholarship on hinduism. May 07, 20 through this magisterial volume which she calls the book of my books wendy doniger, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest and most original scholars of hinduism, enlarges our understanding.
She is a former president of the american academy of religion, now leads religious studies at the university of chicago, chairs many academic and. Through this magisterial volume which she calls the book of my books wendy doniger, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest and most original scholars of. An analysis of hinduism studies in america publisher. The real reason wendy donigers book on hindus was banned in. An alternative history was withdrawn from circulation by penguin india this week after a legal battle with a group of nationalists who said it hurt the feelings. Feb 14, 2014 wendy donigers scholarship was critiqued at a roundtable panel in hawaii for two hours.
The decision from publishing house penguin to pull and pulp all copies of historian wendy donigers the hindus. Many nonhindu westerners have ideas about what hindus believe. Wendy doniger books list of books by author wendy doniger. A sourcebook translated from the sanskrit penguin classics, and more on. How is wendy donigers book the hindu in its quality of. In the light of foregoing, it is incumbent upon contemporary hindus and hindu scholars to regain the initiative and using indigenous historiography and cognitive categories and to institute a framework to generate in multiple volumes a genuine and authentic. Publishers weekly clear and direct this will stand as a reliable resource to return to frequently. Penguin blames indian laws for removal of wendys book india news. On hinduism paperback wendy doniger oxford university press. Feb 03, 2014 doniger concludes with four concise autobiographical essays in which she reflects on her lifetime of scholarship, hindu criticism of her work, and the influence of hinduism on her own philosophy of life.
It is shoddy, it peddles the lies of it s predecessors and tries to convert a lie into a fact by repeating it over multiple times. Wendy doniger published her book entitled the hindus. She is an american indologist with dozens of publication under her name. In any controversy, the participants cannot decide who is right or wrong. Unlike her previous work this was specifically aimed at the indian audience. It poses no threat because it is too large, flaccid, and in the wrong place to be useful for sexual purposes. It is shoddy, it peddles the lies of its predecessors and tries to convert a lie into a fact by repeating it over multiple times. Wendy doniger book blogs, comments and archive news on. Dec 01, 2016 wendy donigerss anti hindu hate thesis its ganesas trunk is the displaced phallus, a caricature of sivas linga. Since there are so many books about hinduism, the author of yet another one.
Wendy donigers scholarship was critiqued at a roundtable panel in hawaii for two hours. Full text of the hindus an alternative history by wendy. Wendy donigers book is at once deeply engaged with textual details, historical sweep, theoretical concerns, and contemporary politics. Another book on hinduism by american indologist wendy doniger has come under attack from the same delhibased group which had compelled the. Textual sources for the study of hinduism textual sources for the study of religion, issn 17592739. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Prasannarajan, india today this tremendously spirited, agile and learned book should be the standard history of hinduism for many years to come. A democracy has a process in place to settle these disputes. In this magisterial volume of essays, wendy doniger enhances our understanding of the ancient and complex religion to which she has devoted herself for half a century. The narrative sweep is epicwendy doniger, with exceptional brio, tells us how the story of hinduism continues to multiply. Mar, 2014 there has been much handwringing in india about wendy donigers book, the hindus.
Prasannarajan, india today this tremendously spirited, agile and learned book should be the standard history of hinduism. While in high school, she studied dance under george balanchine and martha graham. An alternative history is a book by american indologist, wendy doniger. The book was initially published by viking penguin in 2009 and later in india by penguins indian subsidiary, penguin india. She gives the other side of the story concerning indian religious history. Like some of her predecessors, she appreciates the sexual freedom involved, but then she also tends to stress two aspects. What exactly is wendy donigers agenda about the hindu. Banning wendy donigers the hindus by koenraad elst.
Feb 17, 2014 wendy doniger s the hindus is a classic example of leftliberal scholarship on hinduism. The material traces of ritual art must vanish in order that mental traces may remain intact forever, writes wendy doniger in her opus on hinduism, the hindus. Includes more than 60 essays and lectures spanning the decadeslong career of one of hinduisms most prominent scholars. Censorship by the batra brigade nyr, may 8, wendy doniger touches on a number of issues when it comes to the academic study of religion and larger questions of representation. For those who already know and admire wendy donigers work, this is a handy if hefty compendium. The author, wendy doniger, has two doctorates, one in sanskrit and one in indian studies, so she is exceedingly well qualified to write meaningfully on this topic. The real reason wendy donigers book on hindus was banned in india. Wendy doniger is the mircea eliade distinguished service professor of the history of religions at the university of chicago and the author of over 30 books, most. Nov 30, 2010 wendy doniger s book is at once deeply engaged with textual details, historical sweep, theoretical concerns, and contemporary politics.
An alternative history, a sweeping history of hinduism from its origins in 2500 b. On hinduism is the culmination of over forty years of scholarship from a renowned expert on one of the world s great faiths. Includes more than 60 essays and lectures spanning the decadeslong career of one of hinduism s most prominent scholars. Full statement from penguin india in the issue of withdrawal of wendy donigers book the hindus you have reached your limit for free articles this month. See all books authored by wendy doniger, including kama sutra les, and hindu myths. Wendys book was positioned as an alternative history of hinduism, since according to the author mainstream history was written from a male.
I am still reading this book, which has provoked both nonviolent and violent protests against it within the hindu world, much to wendys dismay see this. An alternative history was withdrawn from circulation by penguin india this week after a legal battle with a. This book published by penguin was withdrawn by the publisher in an out of court settlement owing to a case filed in a delhi court by shiksha bachao andolan and a. Wendy doniger is the mircea eliade distinguished service professor of the history of religions in the divinity school at the university of chicago, where she is also a professor of south asian languages and civilizations. Amongst other things, here is what she says on the bhagavad gita the bhagavad gita is not as nice a book as some americans thinkthroughout the mahabharata. Wendy doniger was born in new york city to immigrant nonobservant jewish parents, and raised in great neck, new york, where her father, lester l. Examines a rich array of hindu conceptspolytheism, death, gender, art, contemporary puritanism, nonviolence, and many more. Wendys children and the struggle for the hindu past pdf, asian studies. Ramayana is read as a book of prayer in many hindu. Wendy donigers book is a tribute to hinduisms complexity, not an insult this article is more than 6 years old. The protesters argued that wendy donigers book contains numerous factual errors, mischaracterizations, and shows an undercurrent of deep contempt for hindus. Wendy doniger has 73 books on goodreads with 35307 ratings.
Wendy doniger and her children contribute to many articles on hinduism and india in. Nov 30, 2010 wendy doniger s enthralling and encyclopaedic book reveals her vision of a hindu culture that is plural, varied, generous, and inclusive. She is scholarly, persuasive in her interpretations, especially bringing to light the suppressed presence of women, tribals, and untouchables, and witty, providing great reading pleasure and knowledge. Hinduism, in her view, is an intricate weave of the diverse localities and communities of indian culture.
An alternative history is a book by american indologist, wendy doniger which the author describes as an alternative to the narrative of hindu history that they tell. The real reason wendy donigers book on hindus was banned. She frames the debate over her book, as well as other topics when it comes to hinduism, as one between hindu rightwing activists and scholars. Her translations for penguin classics include the rig veda, the laws of. This series of interconnected essays and lectures surveys the most critically important and hotly contested issues in hinduism over 3,500 years, from the ancient time of the vedas to the present day. About wendy doniger oflahertys translation of the rig. Act 1 of the risa lila deals with the eroticisation of hinduism by wendy doniger v, who is undoubtedly the most powerful person in academic hinduism studies today, and by others inspired by her.
Since there are so many books about hinduism, the author of yet another one has a duty to answer the potential readers passover question. Amongst other things, here is what she says on the bhagavad gita the bhagavad gita is not as nice a book as some americans thinkthroughout the mahabharata krishna goads human beings into all sorts of murderous and selfdestructive behaviors such as war. Textual sources for the study of hinduism wendy doniger. Wendy doniger oflaherty was born in new york in 1940.
This is a rich text that will encourage dialogue and conversation among a wide range of scholars. Oct 26, 2015 the narrative sweep is epicwendy doniger, with exceptional brio, tells us how the story of hinduism continues to multiply. Wendy doniger and the hindus by murali balaji the new. Doniger has been masquerading as a scholar on hinduism and in the sanskrit language. Wendy donigers enthralling and encyclopaedic book reveals her vision of a hindu culture that is plural, varied, generous, and inclusive. Wendy donigers book is a tribute to hinduisms complexity. In the light of foregoing, it is incumbent upon contemporary hindus and hindu. Wendy doniger book latest breaking news, pictures, videos, and special reports from the economic times. Feb 12, 2014 wendy doniger s book is a tribute to hinduism s complexity, not an insult this article is more than 6 years old.
Wendy doniger is a celebrated indologist and has written many books on hinduism. For anyone seeking a deeper and more nuanced understanding of hinduism, this book is a must read. Right or wrong, wendy donigers the hindus should be. Doniger instead portrays the history of hinduism from the point of view of. A list of the numerous errors in wendys book has been compiled by vishal agarwal, an indo. Wendy donigerss anti hindu hate thesis its ganesas trunk is the displaced phallus, a caricature of sivas linga. Apr 23, 2009 the material traces of ritual art must vanish in order that mental traces may remain intact forever, writes wendy doniger in her opus on hinduism, the hindus. Wendy doniger and the bhagavad gita hinduism stack exchange.
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