Most accounts of Hinduism posit a radical difference between the aniconic fire sacrifice (yajña) and temple-based image worship (pūjā). The historical distinction between ancient Vedism and medieval Hinduism is often premised on this basic ritual opposition. Through an exacting …
Most accounts of Hinduism posit a radical difference between the aniconic fire sacrifice (yajña) and temple-based image worship (pūjā). The historical distinction between ancient Vedism and medieval Hinduism is often premised on this basic ritual opposition. Through an exacting …
Rites of the God-King offers a critical revision of mainstream Hinduism from the perspective of the life of a single ritual from medieval India. Drawing theoretical connections to modern ethnographies, it raises questions about the nature of kingship and priesthood, image-worshi…