Female Ascetics in Hinduism

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Female Ascetics in Hinduism

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Lynn Teskey Denton - Author

SUNY series in Hindu Studies

Price: $65.50
Hardcover - 228 pages

Release Date: August 2004

ISBN10: 0-7914-6179-3
ISBN13: 978-0-7914-6179-2

Price: $29.95
Paperback - 228 pages

Release Date: August 2004

ISBN10: 0-7914-6180-7
ISBN13: 978-0-7914-6180-8

Price: $29.95
Electronic - 228 pages

Release Date: February 2012

ISBN10: N/A
ISBN13: 978-0-7914-8462-3

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Summary

Provides both a first-hand look at and an insightful analysis of a little-known world—that of female ascetics in India.

Female Ascetics in Hinduism provides a vivid account of the lives of women renouncers—women who renounce the world to live ascetic spiritual lives—in India. The author approaches the study of female asceticism by focusing on features of two dharmas, two religiously defined ways of life: that of woman-as-householder and that of the ascetic, who, for various reasons, falls outside the realm of householdership. The result of fieldwork conducted in Varanasi (Benares), the book explores renouncers' social and personal backgrounds, their institutions, and their ways of life. Offering a first-hand look at and an insightful analysis of this little-known world, this highly readable book will be indispensable to those interested in female asceticism in the Hindu tradition and women's spiritual lives around the world.

"Although renunciation and asceticism in India have received much attention, female asceticism—both historical and contemporary—has not. This is an important work, which makes a significant contribution to this topic." — Patrick Olivelle, author of Rules and Regulations of Brahmanical Asceticism

Lynn Teskey Denton (1949–1995) was Assistant Professor of Religion at Concordia University and also taught at McMaster University.

Table of Contents

Foreword
by Steven Collins

Introduction

1. The Religious Life of Woman-as-householder

2. The Woman Who Is Not a Householder: Widowhood, Unmarriageability, and Female Asceticism

3. Unity and Diversity I: Basic Terminology

4. Unity and Diversity II: Sectarian Affiliation, Spiritual Path, and Ascetic Mode

5. Socioreligious Aspects of Female Asceticism in Varanasi

6. Sainthood, Society, and Transcendence: Legends and Poetry of Women Saints

Notes

Glossary of Hindi and Sanskrit Terms

Bibliography

Supplemental Bibliography
by Meena Khandelwal

Index

Related Subjects

Asian Religion and Philosophy
Hindu Studies
Women in Religion

42891/42892(NE/MS/AV)