We will be studying the Mahabharata in English translation, and relate this text to other philosophical and religious texts and traditions. The following syllabus outlines some of the themes we will learn to recognize in the epic.
ANCIENT TRADITION
1) Veda
(Ancient Indians: Indigenous or Migrant? Concepts of Polytheism,
Ritual, Saving the phenomena: Sun, Fire, Waters, Language and
Mortals. Man as "seer-poet".)
1. Hymn to Savitri (Mind, Thought, Word)
2. Creation Hymn ( Nature and Language)
3. Purusa Sukta (Cosmology and Ritual)
4. Hymn to Funeral Fire (Doctrine of Indic Triple Fire)
2) Upanishads
(Problems with Ritualism, Contemplation and Logic, The turn inward,
Renunciation, Ontology of "I am that". The philosopher
ideal)
1. Katha Upanishad
2. Kena Upanishad
3. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
EPIC TRADITION
(The political universe, genealogy, "great war", idea
of "hero", Myth vs. history)
1. Mahabharata
2. Gita
HETERODOX TRADITIONS
(Problems with organized indic religion: suffering individual,
laws of action, contemplation, non-violence and love, idea of
community)
1. Buddhism
a. Life of Buddha
b. Questions of King Milinda
c. Verses from Dharmapada : Doctrine of Karma
d. Nagarjuna
2. Jainism
DEISTIC TRADITION
(Henotheism, Social, existential and ecstatic religion, Rise
of Temple culture, Modern Hindusim)
1. Vishnu: Mythology of Incarnation
2. Siva: Creation, Time, Death
3. Devi: Feminine Cosmology, Doctrine of Matter.
ASPECTS OF HINDUISM (conclusions)
(Myth of Tradition)
1. Ritual: Vedic Continuity?
2. Bhakti: God or Individual?
Texts:
1. Handouts
2. Patrick Oleville, Upanishads
3. van Buitenan, Gita in the Mahabharata
4. Sources of Indian Tradition, Columbia Univ. Press.
Requirements:
1. Midterm take home exam
2. Midterm Oral exam (Schedule with me)
Final Paper (No final exam)