Back to Search Start Over

'Prithak Pranav', the Krishna-Kali Conundrum: Historical and Literary Complexities of Sectarian Bengal.

Authors :
Sarbadhikary, Sukanya
Source :
South Asian History & Culture; Oct2023, Vol. 14 Issue 4, p504-528, 25p
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

This paper studies historical and literary constructions of deity-figures like Krishna and Kali, and the sects representing them, that is, vaishnavas and tantra-predominant shaktas, in Bengal. While the overarching historical lens posits these deities/sects as radically different, even antagonistic, with syncretic attempts following periods of intense strife; literary archetypes, developed in proximate association with regional philosophy, intuit the most subtle traditions of deity/sectarian equivalence. I focus on three kinds of texts of the early modern period and analyse varieties of divine correspondence represented therein: Krishna-Shiva sharing souls, Kali becoming Krishna, Krishna becoming Kali, Kali-Shiva as the same essential energy, Kali-Krishna sexual union, and this synthesis understood variously as Kali's/Krishna's play with herself/himself, etc. These divinities are equated essentially as transformations (prithak) of the original cosmic buzz (AUM/pranav), and complex practices of sonic philosophy ground these equivalent deities within esoteric bodies. These practices and texts thus fuse Kali/Shiva/Krishna, and this tantric-devotional, shakta-vaishnava, prakriti/purusha continuum encompasses a longue-durée ethical habitus including idols, songs, poems, proverbs, theatre, pictures, manuscripts, and bodies. This lifeworld of sacred interchangeability enables, responds to, as well as supersedes historical realities of sectarian difference, opposition, and syncretism, rather than only mirroring immediate temporal concerns. Literary ontology thus nestles and surpasses historical religious constructions in Bengal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjects

Subjects :
KALI (Hindu deity)
GODS

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19472498
Volume :
14
Issue :
4
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
South Asian History & Culture
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
172291269
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/19472498.2022.2075207