Siva: The Erotic Ascetic (Galaxy Books) (Paperback)

by Wendy Doniger O'Flaherty (Author) "'THAT which cannot be found here exists nowhere'-this was the boast of the author of the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, and it is an..." (more)
Key Phrases: aiva mythology, ascetic ornaments, ithyphallic yogi, Pine Forest, Seven Sages, Early Indian Mythology (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Extremely useful as an entree into an otherwise practically incomprehensible collection of original texts."--Brannon M. Wheeler, Macalester College

"A cause for celebration....A book that can be read for enjoyment, as well as enlightenment, by Indologists and laymen alike....One of the half-dozen most important studies of Indian religion and culture in modern times."--Journal of Asian Studies

Product Description
Originally published under the title Asceticism and Eroticism in the Mythology of Siva, this book traces the development of an Indian approach to an enduring human dilemma: the conflict between spiritual aspirations and human desires. The work examines hundreds of related myths and a wide range of Indian texts--Vedic, Puranic, classical, modern, and tribal--centering on the stories of the great ascetic, Siva, and his erotic alter ego, Kama.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 28, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195202503
• ISBN-13: 978-0195202502
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #693,056 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, November 12, 1998

By	R. Apte (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This wonderful review of the literature of Siva, by far one of the most interesting and misunderstood of the Indic gods, is already a classic. The contrasts between asceticism and eroticism are carefully and precisely laid out, without the quackery of popular psychological babble. The stories are well translated, with full notes, in such a way as to leave the ambiguities of the original intact. Absolutely lovely.

6 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor academics., February 25, 2008

By	Mr. Eddie (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Wendy Doniger's life's work purportedly covers topics that would be of great interest to curious Westerners looking to expand the horizons of their world view and personal morality. Her books lead one to believe that she has through an outstanding intellect decrypted ancient myths and uncovered the underlying truths of our contemporary behavior.

The only problem is that there is a growing body of evidence as to her pathetic scholarship and outlandish deviation from Hinduism's tenets to support her personal convictions. This issue unfortunately pops up all too often in the works of prominent 20th Century US anthropology-inspired researchers such as Joseph Campbell and Margaret Mead. But unlike Campbell, Doniger is a tedious writer, a pompous lecturer, and an even worse professor.

I do not claim to be an expert nor do I have the time to myself refute each of Doniger's arguments. But having read both sides of this issue, it is quite clear to me that this so-called "academic" is untrustworthy. Even a cursory listen to one of her lecturers or introduction by her proteges is embarassingly bush-league; she deals in a facile synthesis of culture that bewitches those desperately seeking intellectual stimulus. it's because of phonies like Doniger that so many of us have abstained from entering the academic realms of the United States. Do yourself a favor and read a British author instead. It pains me to say it.

Go to wikipedia, input her name, and read all of the articles under the "criticism" section.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars biased garbage, April 24, 2008

By	Arya (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

If you would like to read about how to denigrate hinduism, wendy doniger is your woman. She has in all her books insulted hinduism. Her lack of intellectual background or cultural understanding and pure racial bias are very obvious in her writings.