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The Devotional Poetry of SvÄmÄ« HaridÄs
A Study of Early Braj BhÄá¹£Ä Verse
Series: - Groningen Oriental Studies, Volume: 12
Author:
The 16th-century North Indian religious devotee, poet and musician, SvÄmÄ« HaridÄs, composed lyrics in Braj BhÄá¹£Ä, dedicated to the divine couple RÄdhÄ and Ká¹á¹£á¹a. One hundred twenty-eight of them were later compiled in two anthologies: the didactic Aá¹£á¹ÄdaÅ siddhÄnta and the rapturous KelimÄl, and became the theological basis of the HaridÄsÄ« sampradÄya, a sect which still flourishes in Vrindaban, U.P. Neither of these important works has hitherto been edited, properly translated or studied academically.
The focus of this book is the text of HaridÄsâs poetry: its transmission, edition and interpretation. Sixteen 18th-19th century manuscripts are collated for the edition and classified with the help of computer programmes originally employed in taxonomy. The apparatus criticus is followed by an annotated English translation in which readings are assessed and points of linguistic interest discussed. The language of HaridÄsâs text is thoroughly examined, and a comprehensive etymological glossary is included to enhance our knowledge of Braj.
Going beyond textual criticism, the book sets HaridÄsâs verses in a broader context. The introductory chapter discusses the theological views of the HaridÄsÄ« tradition against the background of bhakti, analyses the sources of information about HaridÄs, and attempts to reconstruct his life. Since HaridÄsâs lyrics were composed to be sung some of their musical features are analysed. The text of the KelimÄl is also examined through the sectarian concerns of its main commentaries. This study will be an important source of information to all scholars of Braj language and Ká¹á¹£á¹a devotionalism.
The focus of this book is the text of HaridÄsâs poetry: its transmission, edition and interpretation. Sixteen 18th-19th century manuscripts are collated for the edition and classified with the help of computer programmes originally employed in taxonomy. The apparatus criticus is followed by an annotated English translation in which readings are assessed and points of linguistic interest discussed. The language of HaridÄsâs text is thoroughly examined, and a comprehensive etymological glossary is included to enhance our knowledge of Braj.
Going beyond textual criticism, the book sets HaridÄsâs verses in a broader context. The introductory chapter discusses the theological views of the HaridÄsÄ« tradition against the background of bhakti, analyses the sources of information about HaridÄs, and attempts to reconstruct his life. Since HaridÄsâs lyrics were composed to be sung some of their musical features are analysed. The text of the KelimÄl is also examined through the sectarian concerns of its main commentaries. This study will be an important source of information to all scholars of Braj language and Ká¹á¹£á¹a devotionalism.
Lucy Rosenstein studied Indology in Sofia, Hamburg and London and gained her PhD in Hindi from SOAS, London University, in 1996. At present she is lecturing in Hindi at SOAS.