Vaisnavism : Texts, Traditions, Practices

Distinguished scholar of religion and leading Vaisnava specialist Mans Broo offers a tour de force exploration of the history, philosophy, and lived practice of Vaisnavism in all its depth and richness.

Vaisnavism—or worship of the deity Visnu in his many forms, such as Rama and Krsna—is a major strand of what we know today as Hinduism, with roots traceable to the earliest layers of Vedic literature. The millennia-long development of Vaisnavism encompasses a sweeping range of traditions, texts, practices, and individuals, all united by their focus on Visnu, in one or several of his divine entities. In Vaisnavism: Texts, Traditions, Practices, distinguished scholar of religion and leading Vaisnava specialist Mans Broo offers a tour de force exploration of the history, philosophy, and lived practice of Vaisnavism in all its depth and richness. In Broo's expert hands, readers are guided through the complex landscape of Vaisnavism—from early textual expressions in the Vedas, Epics, and Puranas, through pivotal figures and movements across South and North India, to the diverse modes of devotion and worship that have shaped its unfolding over the centuries. The journey culminates in a lucid account of the major forms Vaisnavism takes today, both within India and across the globe. Amply furnished with primary source readings, and grounded in current scholarship and original insight, this comprehensive yet approachable book is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to understand one of Hinduism's most vital and enduring traditions.