February 15, 2009
Doniger's "alternative history" of Hinduism takes a closer look at how outsiders contributed to its evolution. The term "outsiders" is used very broadly here. Some have been the marginalized people within mainstream Hinduism itself, such as tribal people and "Dalits" (Untouchables) or women (within a strongly patriarchal society). Others have been believers in other religionsnotably Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Sikhismor alien conquerors and rulers, such as the Greeks, Moghals, and British. All these and more have influenced Hindu faith and practice and have in their turn been influenced by the Hindus. As shown here, outsiders and mainstream Hindus have dealt with one another at times violently and at times peacefully. A respected historian and a translator of several important Sanskrit works (e.g., "Hindu Myths"), Doniger (history of religions, Univ. of Chicago) takes particular pains to show the outsider influences in Hindu literature, a tall order at which she mostly succeeds. There are times when the reader may feel overwhelmed by the wealth of information, so this sizable text is not for the casual reader. Recommended for academic and public libraries with strong religion collections.James F. DeRoche, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
March 1, 2009
Note that Doniger is the Mircea Eliade Distinguished Service Professor of Religions at the University of Chicago and the author of many books. Note that alternative neatly defines her. Learned, fluent, and entertaining in spite of the complexity of this ambitious undertaking, Doniger is also controversial, a role she embraces, confident that fresh viewpoints are essential to understanding the worlds that shaped the Hindu tradition, and the ways Hindus shaped society. While Doniger delves deeply into the Vedas and the two great poems, Ramayana and Mahabharata, she searches other spheres for clues to the lives of women and the lower castes. She also analyzes depictions of animals, which are central to Hindu tales and the cultural ideal of nonviolence. As she energetically parses the relationships between gods and humans, karma and renunciation, asceticism and sensuality, priests and kings, men and women, she is also seeking glimpses into everyday Hindu life during each of Indias empires. Lavishly detailed, dynamic, and encompassing, Donigers multidimensional history celebrates Hindu wisdom, diversity, and pluralism with knowledge, insight, and passion.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)