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Nation, Nationalism ...
Nation, Nationalism and Social Structure in Ancient India
A Survey Through Vedic Literature by: Shiva AcharyaThis book analyses various aspects of Vedic culture, exploring the origin of the concepts of rastra (nation) and rastrabhakti (patriotism). It presents the salient features of nation and nationalism in ancient Indian culture culture- based and not political which helped India to emerge successful.
₹720.00
ISBN: 9788186921296
Year Of Publication: 2005
Edition: 1st
Pages : xxx, 433
Bibliographic Details : Appendices; Bibliography; Index
Language : English
Binding : Hardcover
Publisher: Decent Books
Size: 23 cm.
Weight: 825
The concepts of nation and nationalism are generally considered as having their genesis in western modes of thought. However, in this book, Dr. Shiva Acharya attempts to show that the theories of nation and nationalism can be traced to the Vedic era on the basis of a painstaking study of the Vedic culture and civilization. The book analyses the social, political, civil and military, economic, religious and philosophical aspects of the Vedic culture to explore the origin of the concepts of rashtra (nation), motherland and rashtrabhakti (patriotism), parliaments, the notion of all-round development, democratic educational system, equality of peoples and economic growth for prosperity in Vedic times. Citing from the Vedas and other Vedic literature and a host of modern scholarly researches on the subject, it presents the salient features of the nation and nationalism theories as found in ancient Indian culture such as their stress on culture-based nationalism rather than political. It points out that these features have enabled India to continue with its past traditions and culture and emerge as a successful nation in modern times. The volume will prove indispensable to all students and scholars of Indology and general readers as it unravels the immense contributions of ancient Indian thought to ideas and philosophies that hold great sway in modern times.
Foreword
by Thaneswar Sharmah
Preface
Key to Transliteration
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Nationa and Nationalism
Rashtra as it is defined
Nation and Nationalism: Foreign View
Characteristics of Rashtra: A Vedic View
Geographical Evidences
Evolution of Rashtra
Patriotism or Rashtrabhakti
Importance of Organization and Unity
How this Rashtra came into Existence
Vedic Nationalism: Outside India
Difference between Rashtra and Rajya
2. Political Aspects States and Kingship
Types of States
Kingship
The King
3. Political Aspects: Parliaments
Sabha
Samiti
Vidatha: A Very Important Unit of Administration
4. Social Aspects (Varnashrama Vyavastha)
Varna Vyavastha
Ashrama Vyavastha
Importance of Ashramas
Brahmacaryashrama
Grihasthashrama
Vanaprasthashrama
Samnyasashrama
5. Socio-Political Aspects
All-Round Development
Education
6. Socio-Cultural Aspects
Women in Vedic India
Marriage Institution
7. Vedic Economics
Theories
Agriculture
Industry
Trade and Commerce
8. Needs
Primary Needs
Secondary Needs
9. Religion and Philosophy
Religion
Yajnas or Sacrifices
Philosophy
10. Military Aspect
Formation of Army Troops
Uniform
Division of Army
Drum or Dundubhi
Protection
Types of Wars
Forts
11. Miscellaneous
Lipi in the Vedic Age
geography
Theory of Aryan Race
Conclusion
Appendices
Appendix I: Culture — Definition and Aspects
Appendix II: Elements of Science in the Vedas
Appendix III: Christian Conspiracy of Misinterpreting Indian Literatures
Appendix IV: Range of the Vedic Literature
Bibliography
Index
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Sale!Bharatiya Chau-Nritya ₹3,420.00
Chhau dance has an unbroken relation with the essence of Indian culture. This dance form that flourishes in the forest-areas of Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal has already attained widespread acclaim, internationally, as an art. By its distinct confluence of the classical and folk traditions, this art form has carved a niche for itself of being counted as the dance of the traditional and classical discipline. It is based on the foundation of martial art techniques. The most striking features are the multi-coloured, splendid, artistic and attractive masks and magnificent headgears that form part of the decoration and costume design. It consists of dance movements called as nritta-karanas as described in Bharata’s Natyashastra and hand gesticulations as found in Nandikeshvara’s Narityashastra, and is also endowed with varied regional movements of folk forms. This dance form depicts movements of day-to-day activities, gaits of animals and birds, and symbolic gestures accompanied by the war-drums and music giving an experience of the sweet fragrance of the regional music forms. The plot is generally drawn from the Ramayana, Mahbaharata, and various other Puranas and poetry. It is thus a combination of a rich tradition of artistic creativity that has naturally attracted the mind of all age-groups at the national and international arena.
The author has collected authentic information by visiting those places where this dance form is traditionally taught and practised. The author has met the teachers of chhau dance, the designers of masks and costumes, and spent time to gather information to be made available in a single place. In the present text, chhau dance has been presented for the first time elaborately with indepth and authentic details. Along with the presentation of the historical and cultural aspects of chhau dance, its performing aspect, content of plot, costumes, physical gesticulation, instruments and instrumentalists, regional styles, the three distinct styles of chhau its history, folk tradition and other details are elaborated in nine sections. The 200 photographs in this edition reiterate the richness of this art with greater authenticity and thus prove to enliven this traditional art form.
Vol. 1 ISBN: 8124606463, 9788124606469
Vol. 2 ISBN: 8124606471, 9788124606476 -
Sale!Affinities ₹810.00
This volume is comprised of the proceedings of an international conference on IndiaKorea Relations: Past and Present, dealing with India’s relationship with Korea since ce 48. While Buddhism was the amblical cord of Indian relationship with Korea in the first millennium, the end of Cold War has helped to scale up their relations to a new league. Complimenting their bilateral relationship are the Look East Policy of India and the New Asia Initiative of Korea.
These economic giants of Asia have many things in common to share, give and take in the post-colonial era. The rag to richess story of the miracle on the Han River gives impetus to India’s surge in the economic front. From a hermit-kingdom image, Korea now stands tall among the Asian countries with its rapid socio-economic progress and a per capita income of US $ 22,000. Its advancements in education, science and technology, and defence deserve kudos.
The book thus delves deep into all aspects of bilateral relationship commercial, cultural, economic, educational, historic, language and literature, political, science and technology, and trade. Both the countries have experienced drastic economic progress, increase in trade volumes, Korean corporates investing in India vis- -vis Indian companies in Korea. A target-trading volume of US $ 40 billion by the year 2015 tells a vibrant story. Also, both are committed in making Asia the most happening region.
The book provides a graphic account of all these developments, shedding light on India’s low per capita income of US $ 1,219 and suggesting to put her acts together, to lead Asia from the front. -
Sale!“Celebrating India through Hindu Eyes” ₹1,796.00
This book is a celebration of India through Hindu eyes. Those eyes are of sages and kings, artists and artisans, potters and poets, rasikas and bhaktas. In that journey we remember the almond-shaped eyes of Shrinathji, the round eyes of Jagganathji. Those are human eyes through which we have received the darshan of our gods and goddesses and also the blessings of our elders and teachers. Those eyes are ancient and have witnessed magnificent kingdoms and trackless empires. They have watched the creations of monumental temples as well as charming havelis. They have travelled through the pages of history and chronicled the glory of the raja and the praja. Hindu eyes see the past even when they watch the present for they guide us through linear time but when we close our eyes we contemplate in circular time. Our eyes delight in asserting the finite but they rest when they find the infinite. They rejoice in the various akritis but they direct us to our sanskriti. They have been witness to our love stories and heroic sagas. They have smiled and spoken, invited and whispered. Hindu eyes belong to our mind which is buddhi pradhan but they throb with our heart which is bhava pradhan. They are the eyes of a people for whom adornment is beautiful but the serenity of ananda is blissful, for those eyes are the windows of our atman forever seeking the Brahman. Join us in this celebration.
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Sale!Borobudur ₹4,680.00
Borobudur was constructed during the eighth century as a guide to the Noble Path of the Buddha. Born from silence and unfolding into the serenity of the other shore, it expresses the glory of Indonesia’s awareness and creativity, the smile of her plastic forms over the centuries as well as her travels along the edge of thoughts that cross the endless corridors of memory.
Though the Western world rediscovered this magnificent structure almost 200 years ago, this sacred place nonetheless remains seated in its enigmatic depth, engulfed in vaporous illusions, waiting for someone to find the base simplicity of its Truth. This book is a catalyst and invites adventurous minds to find new directionJs by bringing into focus the vast universe of the Borobudur in order to cultivate the Way to weeding out error. The questions posed or solutions offered herein are like water and waves: different yet identical in essence. They stir discussion.
One of the special contributions of this book lies in its correlating the cyclical movements of the Sun and Moon with the numerical symbolism of Borobudur. The authors cite the magical effect of the Sun suddenly appearing out of the volcano Merapi and empowering the Borobudur-mountain with its radiant energy in poetic imagery. This magic moment of satori or enlightenment echoes the experiences of the unknown Shailendra monarch who had commissioned the monument’s construction and the inspiration that made the architect envision this Buddhist wonder.
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Sale!Reflections on Indian Thought ₹765.00
This anthology, consisting of fourteen essays, deals with a variety of themes that are of central importance for an authentic appreciation of the philosophical core of the Indian culture. The readers will find here illuminating discussions on various issues that bear witness to the critical thinking and deep reflection on the part of the author that have enabled her to carefully expose the subtle internal divergences that nourish the Indian conceptual world.
Based on arduous and painstaking research, these essays focus on a range of topics. There are several essays on multiple aspects of the large themes of time and consciousness, penetrating analysis showing how in the ancient discourse ideas of klesha (affliction), abhyasa (practice) and karuna (compassion) as well as on women and values are dealt with. There are also deliberations on the themes of religious diversity and the need for an encounter of world religions along with the attempt to explore India’s self-image. All these have contemporary relevance, as these essays clearly bring out the distinctive character of a living culture.
