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The Place of the Hidden Moon

Erotic Mysticism in the Vaisnava-Sahajiya Cult of Bengal

The Vaisnava-sahajiya cult that arose in Bengal in the sixteenth century was an intensely emotional attempt to reconcile the sensual and the ascetic. Exploring the history and doctrine of this cult, Edward C. Dimock, Jr., examines the works of numerous poets who are the source of knowledge about this sect. Dimock examines the life of the saint Caitanya, the mad Baul singers, the doctrines of Tantrism, the origins of the figure of Radha, and the worship of Krishna. His study will appeal to students of the history of religion as well as of Indian culture. This edition includes a new Foreword by Wendy Doniger.

"This is a magnificent book—painstakingly researched and gracefully written. . . . Professor Dimock’s book is one of the most rewarding and stimulating studies to appear in recent years."—G. Richard Weldon, Journal of Asian Studies

332 pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 | © 1989

Anthropology: Cultural and Social Anthropology

Asian Studies: South Asia

Religion: South and East Asian Religions

Table of Contents

Foreword, by Wendy Doniger
Note to the 1989 Edition
Preface
Note on Transliteration
Abbreviations
1. The Vaisnava-sahajiya Synthesis
2. Further Historical Observations
3. Castle, Women, and the Sahajiya Movement
4. The Ideal Man in Society
5. Man and Super-man: Physical and Metaphysical Bases for the Sahajiya Sadhana
6. Principles of Sadhana
7. A Hint of Immortality
8. The Bauls of Bengal
Bibliography
Index

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