Singing Krishna: Sound Becomes Sight in Paramanand's Poetry [Hardcover]

A. Whitney Sanford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0791473953 | ISBN-13: 978-0791473955 | Publication Date: March 6, 2008

Introduces Paramânand, one of India's poet-saints, his work, and this work's use in ritual.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Singing Krishna introduces Paramânand, one of north India's greatest medieval poet-saints, whose poetry has been sung from the sixteenth century to the present in ritual service to the Hindu deity Krishna. A. Whitney Sanford examines how hearing Paramânand's poetry in ritual context serves as a threshold for devotees between this world and Krishna's divine world. To "see Krishna" is a primary goal of the devotee, and Paramânand deftly constructs a vision through words. Sanford employs the dual strategies of interpreting Paramânand's poems--which sing the cycles of Krishna's activities--and illustrating the importance of their ritual contexts. This approach offers insight into the nature of the devotional experience that is not accessible by simply studying the poetry or rituals in isolation. Sanford shows that the significance of Paramânand's poetry lies not only in its beauty and historical importance but finally in its capacity to permit the devotee to see through the ephemeral world into Krishna's world.

"The beautiful lyrics of Paramânand's poetry are a welcome addition to the growing body of Indic poetry in translation. Sanford's excellent book guides us through the poetry and takes us right to its sources." -- Constantina Rhodes Bailly, author of Shaiva Devotional Songs of Kashmir: A Translation and Study of Utpaladeva's Shivastotravali

About the Author

A. Whitney Sanford is Assistant Professor of Religion at the University of Florida.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 207 pages
• Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr (March 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791473953
• ISBN-13: 978-0791473955
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,325,227 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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