Asvamedha: The Rite and its Logic [Hardcover]

Subhash Kak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

This essay describes the 'Asvamedha' rite and its symbolism to explain distinctive aspects of the Vedic sacrifice system.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English

About the Author

Subhash Kak is an acclaimed scientist, historian and Vedic scholar. Currently a professor at Louisiana State University, he has authored thirteen books and more than 200 research papers in the fields of information theory, neural networks and Indic studies.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 71 pages
• Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers of India; 1st edition (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8120818776
• ISBN-13: 978-8120818774
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 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: #1,942,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breakthrough Scholarship!, October 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Asvamedha: The Rite and its Logic (Hardcover)

This is one of the most important books on ancient Indian culture to have been published in recent years. It takes up the problem of the "horse sacrifice" which was an important ritual of ancient India. It shows that originally this sacrifice was concerned with the motions of the Sun as the celestial horse. The sacrifice here refers to the symbolic regeneration of the Sun during the winter solstice.

The book also presents a novel view of the Indian conception of the State and the nature of social organization. I recommend this book very strongly!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book!, January 27, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Asvamedha: The Rite and its Logic (Hardcover)

I found the book illuminating. Didn't know of this interpretation of the famous rite..

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Significant Vedic scholarship, December 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Asvamedha: The Rite and its Logic (Hardcover)

This is a book of first-rate scholarship, that explains many mysteries of ancient Indian ritual. Although its concern is with the "horse-sacrifice", the most important rite of royal ritual in Vedic India, the book successfully explains the basis of all ancient ritual.