Sixteenth-century Hindu theologian Rupa Gosvamin established a technique by which, in imitating one of the significant figures in Krishna's dramatic world, a devotee might actually become the character whose part he or she was playing. Haberman here demonstrates that the Hindu view of reality accepts such role playing, called raganuga bhakti sadhana, as the preeminent way to salvation. He argues that Hindu devotional religion is not entirely a religion of grace, as many scholars have held, but one which requires discipline and effort. Throughout the book, Haberman explores Indian dramatic theory, Rupa's unique application of that theory to devotionalism, developments in the practice of this technique, and its contemporary manifestations.
- ISBN10 0195053214
- ISBN13 9780195053210
- Publish Date 24 November 1988
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 13 August 1997
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 227
- Language English