Class and Religion in Ancient IndiaA fascinating read for scholars and general readers alike, 'Class and Religion in Ancient India' highlights the interdependence between the class structure and the Vedic and Brahmanical form of religion in ancient India. It seeks to demolish the myth that religiosity and spirituality were the distinctive characteristics of ancient Indian civilization. The author demonstrates that religion was a superstructure of class relations used primarily by the ruling class and the state to perpetuate a predatory class structure based on exploitation and oppression. |
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Common terms and phrases
Advaita philosophy Agni Anarya ancient India anti-Vedic Arthashastra Arya Arya society asuras atheist avatar Brahma Brahmanas Brahmanas and Kshatriyas Brihaspati Buddhism chaturvarnya class interests class of Brahmanas class of Vedic class structure class-caste structure composed concept cows cultural dakshina dasas dasyus destroy developed dharma dharmashastras discourse earth enemies epics four Vedas Gita gods historical human society hymn ideology Indra injunctions interpolated Kama karma killed king knowledge Kshatriya class Kshatriyas Lokayata Mahabharata Manu Manusmriti masses metaphysical mythology occupations oppressive and exploitative perform sacrifices performance of sacrifices political prayer to Indra prevailing social order priestly class priests propagated Puranas Purusha Sukta rakshasas Rama Ramayana religious ruling class Samhitas Sanskrit says Shri Bhagawan Shudra class Shudras socio-economic Soma soul status structure of Vedic supplicants Supreme swadharma tenth Mandala universe Upanishads Vaishya Vaishya and Shudra varnas Vedic literature Vedic religion Vedic society verse Vishnu wealth worldly Yuga
Bibliographic information
| Title | Class and Religion in Ancient India Anthem South Asian studies |
| Author | Jayantanuja Bandyopadhyaya |
| Publisher | Anthem Press, 2007 |
| ISBN | 1843313324, 9781843313328 |
| Length | 264 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |