{"product_id":"divine-descent-and-the-four-world-ages-in-the-mah-257-bh-257-rata-or-why-does-the-k-7771-7779-7751-a-avat-257-ra-inaugurate-the-worst-yuga","title":"Divine Descent and the Four World-Ages in the Mah\u0026#257;bh\u0026#257;rata - or, Why Does the K\u0026#7771;\u0026#7779;\u0026#7751;a Avat\u0026#257;ra Inaugurate the Worst Yuga?","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis monograph approaches the \u003cem\u003eMahābhārata\u003c\/em\u003e as a single work of literature, and the method is that of close textual study. Key verses are quoted in the original Sanskrit and in English translation. The title problem has been recognised before, but no detailed solution has been forthcoming. The monograph's objective is to try to articulate a \u003cem\u003eMahābhārata\u003c\/em\u003e theology of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Chapter 1, the monograph's argument and synchronic methodology are summarised. In Chapter 2, the cycle of four \u003cem\u003eyugas\u003c\/em\u003e (world-ages) is outlined and discussed on the basis of the textual evidence. Each \u003cem\u003eyuga\u003c\/em\u003e is shorter and less moral than the last, and between them they constitute a repeating 12,000-year cycle. In Chapter 3, the \u003cem\u003eMahābhārata\u003c\/em\u003e war is shown to be located at the junction between the third and fourth \u003cem\u003eyugas\u003c\/em\u003e. The idea of God Viṣṇu-Nārāyaṇa descending to improve the world is introduced, and the title question is properly posed: Why does God's descent as Kṛṣṇa (to make the \u003cem\u003eMahābhārata\u003c\/em\u003e war happen) inaugurate the worst \u003cem\u003eyuga\u003c\/em\u003e? In Chapter 4, the various descents (\u003cem\u003eavatāras\u003c\/em\u003e, 'crossings-down') of God Viṣṇu-Nārāyaṇa are discussed. Also discussed is a theory suggesting that the passage between \u003cem\u003eyugas\u003c\/em\u003e always requires a divine descent to effect it. The limitations of this theory are described and an alternative sketched.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Chapter 5, two general functions of divine descent are identified: to improve the world morally by killing demons, and to help the personified Earth by reducing the human weight upon her. These two functions are correlated with the two extremities of the four-\u003cem\u003eyuga\u003c\/em\u003e cycle, between which time oscillates. But the \u003cem\u003eMahābhārata\u003c\/em\u003e war is not located at either extremity. Central to the monograph is a survey and discussion of the reasons given for this particular descent. These passages combine the two functions of divine descent, neither of which is entirely appropriate to this moment. It is argued that the descent here represents what happens over the course of the whole cycle. The discussion draws on Vedic literature, touches on gender issues, and shows how the two functions play out in the story of the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Chapter 6, the progress of the fourth \u003cem\u003eyuga\u003c\/em\u003e is tracked through the \u003cem\u003eMahābhārata's\u003c\/em\u003e various characters and then the ancient audience, who would anticipate the start of the next cycle. It is hypothesised that this was to occur through the long-term action of the Mahābhārata, as more and more people would put into practice the teachings presented by Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavadgītā. The Kṛṣṇa avatāra would thus inaugurate the worst yuga because the seed planted there takes time to ripen. Chapter 7 reflects summarily upon the monograph's explorations, the theory of divine descent, and the text's theology of time. By employing a resolutely synchronic methodology the monograph makes a significant contribution on an important and latterly overlooked issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=AUTH-15699455\"\u003eSimon Brodbeck\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Ubiquity Press (Cardiff University Press)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/12\/2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 212\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.64lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.45d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781911653394\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1911653393\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBISAC Categories:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=CAT-REL\"\u003eReligion\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=BISAC-REL032030\"\u003eHinduism | Sacred Writings\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=CAT-LIT\"\u003eLiterary Criticism\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=BISAC-LIT008020\"\u003eAsian | Indic\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=CAT-PHI\"\u003ePhilosophy\u003c\/a\u003e | \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/sureshotbooks-com.myshopify.com\/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage\u0026amp;q=BISAC-PHI033000\"\u003eHindu\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis title is not returnable\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ubiquity Press (Cardiff University Press)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44426650583277,"sku":"9781911653394","price":17.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0550\/8097\/6621\/products\/img_72b1f310-2375-432e-ac87-0981e7b22e9a.jpg?v=1699987028","url":"https:\/\/sureshotbooks.com\/products\/divine-descent-and-the-four-world-ages-in-the-mah-257-bh-257-rata-or-why-does-the-k-7771-7779-7751-a-avat-257-ra-inaugurate-the-worst-yuga","provider":"SureShot Books Publishing LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}