About the Book

In explaining the meaning and relevance of Samskaras, the book presents a fine blending of the traditional and modern systems of knowledge construction. While explaining the meaning and relevance of samskaras, the books digs deeper into the Vedic cosmogony to uncover the real import of samskaras and their relationship with culture and its inspiration from the Vedic srishtividya. It demonstrates the significance of samskaras for man and his world. The author marshals well chiselled arguments for demonstrating the substantive import of society as a cosmion, that is, a small replica of the cosmos and the crucial role of samskaras in preserving the character of society as a cosmion.

The books makes a unique and durable contribution to the body of literature dealing with samskaras. It is a valuable reading for both social scientists and traditional scholars who seek to understand the nature of Hindu social system.


4th October 2003


US$ 35
 

About Author

Prof. Ramashray Roy is an eminent political philosopher who has, through his numerous writings, opened new vistas not only in different areas of social sciences but also in Vedic studies. Trained as a Political Scientist, Dr. Roy turned gradually to exploring deeper philosophical questions and their relevance today for man's existence and modes of knowledge construction.

He has published more than two dozen books and over fifty articles in Journals in India and outside. He worked as a Senior Fellow as well as director of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi, Director of the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi as well as its National Fellow and Fellow of the Indian Institute of Advance Study, Shimla. He is currently the Fellow of the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi. He has also taught in a few American Universities such as, University of Texas, Austin, University of California, Los Angeles, etc. He is one of the recipients of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru National Award of the Madhya Pradesh Government in Social Sciences.

At present, he is the Chairman of the Centre for the Study of Indian Traditions, Madhubani (Bihar) where he is seeking to build a bridge between the traditional and modern knowledge systems.

 

Contents

Preface
Abbreviations
Society as Cosmion
The substance of Society
Society and Samskara
The Significance of Samskaras
Dharmaa, Morality and Samskaras
Marriage as Samskara
Marriage -- The Question of Genealogical Suitability
Marriage Rituals -- Shastriya and Laukika
Overview
Index

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