Rules and Regulations of Brahmanical Asceticism

By Patrick Olivelle

Subjects: India And South Asian Studies
Series: SUNY series in Religious Studies
Paperback : 9780791422847, 458 pages, October 1994
Hardcover : 9780791422830, 458 pages, November 1994

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Table of contents

Preface

Introduction

The Author: His Life and Works

Yatidharmasamuccaya and the Ascetic Literary Tradition

Structure and Contents

The Domestication of Asceticism

The Character of Ancient Indian Asceticism

The Asrama System as a Structure for Inclusion

The Domestication of Asceticism in Yadava

Translation

1
The Rule Sanctioning Itinerant Asceticism

2
Age of Eligibility of a Candidate for Itinerant Asceticism

Renunciation after Marriage

Renunciation Permitted at Any Time

Renunciation before Marriage Only for the Handicapped

Renunciation before Marriage for Detached People

Renunciation When Death Is Imminent

3
Examination of the Insignia

Bodily Insignia

External Insignia

Description of the External Insignia

4
The Procedure of Renunciation

Renunciation When Death Is Imminent

5
Principal Activities

Renouncers Who Abandon Vedic Rites

Mendicant Renouncers

Samkhya

Yoga

6
Daily Practices

Morning Duties

Midday Duties

Begging

Procedure of Eating

Rites Following the Meal

Evening Duties

Behavior toward Ascetics

7
Proper Conduct

8
Rules on Insignia and Related Penances

9
Wandering and Rain Residence

Rain Residence

10
Penances

11
The Procedure of an Ascetic's Funeral

Text

Introduction to the Critical Edition

Description of the Manuscripts

Genealogical Relation of the Manuscripts

Constitution of the Text

1
parivrajyavidhih

2
parivrajyadhikaridasanirupanam

3
lingnirupanam

4
samnyasaprayogah

5
mukhyakarmavidhih

6
ahoratrakriya

7
acarah

8
lingadharmaprayascittavidhih

9
gatisthitinirupanam

10
prayascittavidhih

11
yatisamskaravidhih

Appendix 1: Long Variant Readings

Appendix 2: Index of Authors Cited

Appendix 3: Index of Citations

Abbreviations and Bibliography

Index

This translation of a twelfth-century Sanskrit text is the most comprehensive presentation of Hindu ascetic practices available in English. It is also the clearest.

Description

Rules and Regulations of Brahmanical Asceticism is the critical edition and translation of a twelfth-century Sanskrit text written by Yadava Prakasaa, whose life and activities are of historical interest because, according to tradition, he was the teacher of the great Vais'n'ava theologian Ramanuja.

This text is the oldest and most comprehensive example of medieval Sanskrit literature devoted to examining the duties of ascetics. Yadava Prakasaa is the only one who explicitly examines the thorny question of whether asceticism is a legitimate way of life for Brahmins. His topics include the people qualified to become ascetics; the rite for becoming an ascetic; the clothes and belongings of an ascetic; techniques of meditation; daily routines such as bathing, divine worship, and begging; proper conduct and etiquette; the manner of wandering; residence during the rains; expiatory penances; and the funeral.

In his introduction, Patrick Olivelle examines the place of Yadava's text within the literary and institutional history of Brahman'ical asceticism. He discusses the origins of asceticism in India; its incorporation into the Brahman'ical mainstream; and its variations within Hindu sects, as well as in Buddhist and Jain traditions.

Patrick Olivelle is Professor of Sanskrit and Indian Religions at the University of Texas, Austin.

Reviews

"Many exotic and strange things pass for Eastern religions today. Books like this help call attention to the traditional and authentic aspects of the religions of the East. This work is very authentic, and it evidences and embodies first-rate scholarship in the historical-critical, literary, and philosophical senses. It will be an excellent addition to modern scholarly literature in the field." -- John G. Arapura, Professor Emeritus, McMaster University