The Artful Universe: An Introduction to the Vedic Religious Imagination (S U N Y Series in Hindu Studies) (Suny Series, Hindu Studies) [Paperback]

William K. Mahony (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mahony, a professor of religion at Davidson College in North Carolina, offers a lively introduction to the 3500-year-old Vedic tradition, which has played a formative role in Indian civilization in general and Hinduism in particular. Central to the Vedic religion, Mahony contends, are the ideas of "transcendent universal order and harmony" expressed through ritual performances and mythic narratives. Using selections from the Vedic writings, especially the Rig Veda and the Upanishads, Mahony demonstrates how the Vedic imagination represents the principle of harmony in the construction of a meaningful world. In three particularly enlightening chapters, Mahony focuses on the poet as the "visionary artist of the verbal imagination," the priest as the "artist of universal drama and the liturgical imagination" and the "inward seer as enacting the liberating power of the contemplative imagination." Although Mahony uses sometimes complex literary and philological approaches to the Vedic texts, his thoughtful prose is engaging and draws readers into the practices and history of an ancient religion.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (January 31, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791435806
• ISBN-13: 978-0791435809
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Hinduism > Vedas

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For artists, poets, performers, July 30, 2002

By 

svairini (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Artful Universe: An Introduction to the Vedic Religious Imagination (S U N Y Series in Hindu Studies) (Suny Series, Hindu Studies) (Paperback)

This is a wonderful guide to an ancient philosophy which holds that the creation of art by humans is part of the greater process of the creation of the universe by the gods and goddesses. It's written in an accessible style and includes lovely translations of hymns and verses from the Vedas. I found it affirming, inspiring, deeply thought-provoking. I underlined phrases on almost every page!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eloquent language and subject mastery, June 22, 2000

By 

tim helfrich (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Artful Universe: An Introduction to the Vedic Religious Imagination (Suny Series in Hindu Studies) (Hardcover)

In this book which explores both the origins and some later traditions of the Hindu religion (focussing on the Vedas and the Upanisads), William Mahony's mastery of the subject is clear and captivating through his poetic prose and his ability to draw on language which is memorable and at times stunning. A wonderful read for anyone interested in the subject. This book can serve as an introduction for a beginner or an insightful piece for any scholar.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars artful writing, November 4, 2010

By 

Dr. Jessie J. Mercay (Boulder, CO, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Artful Universe: An Introduction to the Vedic Religious Imagination (S U N Y Series in Hindu Studies) (Suny Series, Hindu Studies) (Paperback)

This is one of the best books on the topic of the Veda that I have ever read. The author's translations are careful and insightful - far better than most others I have read. The crux of the theme is that the creativity of humans is really born of Brahmam - the source of the material world. The author speaks of the human urge to merge with the Universal Being. The author investigates the structure of the sacred universe, the creative process - or more aptly put - the process of revelation and the function of ritualas as part of the scheme of divine revelation. There is a verse from the Rig veda that can be roughly translated "He who is awake, the gods seek him out." This refers to the divine revelation or Sruti that arises as an individual awakens to that still yet dynamic Inner Being that is also the unbounded outer Being. The key to understanding the Veda is inner awakening - the key to inner awakening is understanding the Veda. Interestingly enough, I have found numerous links between the writings of this author and the writings of the great sage Mayan the scientist, poet, philosopher, and architect who wrote the Aintiram, Surya Siddanta, and the first veda - The Pranava VEda (not to be confused with a book called pranava vAda) which I myself have written about.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has even the slightest interest in Vedic knowledge. In it you will find that the "gods" are really creative impulses within the body of God much like waves on the ocean. And that the Veda is not really about worshiping numerous "gods" it is about The One in the form of many qualities. One will observe that Vedic "religion" is not a heathen belief or practice that focuses on worshiping any number of lesser "gods" - in fact it is an understanding that transcends religion, in which the Rishis or Seers were awakened sufficiently enough to become aware of the innumerable qualities that exist within the body of Brahmam - including qualities known as trees, rocks, dogs, cows, human beings and the entirity of the material and non material world.

One of the most important aspects of this book is that the author has given thoughtful and careful attention to the translation of the vedic verses he illustrated. His translation far exceeds the translations by Max Muller and the many others who have slashed and burned this amazing body of literture. He, among others, (the University of TX Austin ancient sanskrit program,for example) are beginning to make headway in the proper translation of the Veda. I have the highest praise for this book and its author. In addition to its scholarly content, I was deeply touched and inspired by this book. I feel indebted to the author for producing such a remarkable work.

For those interested in thes genre I would also suggest The Strides of Vishnu as another well thought out and amazing book on this general topic.The Strides of Vishnu: Hindu Culture in Historical Perspective