Comments on: Darsan: Seeing the Divine Image in India http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india Sat, 27 Mar 2010 05:22:06 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Daniel Raphael http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india/comment-page-1#comment-89 Daniel Raphael Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:41:43 +0000 http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india#comment-89 Not only does this book explain the way Hindus view the iconic (formed) and aniconic (abstract) images of the gods, but also the corollary view and conception of temples and holy personages. The title and key idea in all this is "darsan," which means not only viewing the sacred, but simultaneously being viewed by the gods. The way in which the statues (murtis) are treated with continuous attendance in the form one would typically associate with a human guest--bathing, feeding, clothing, putting to rest, etc.--is made comprehensible via this small book's explanation. The statue, image, or the temple itself is the body of the divine, in which the sacred consents to be present to humans...thus, treating the sacred body with reverence and devotion is deemed appropriate and important. <br /> <br />This book is useful not only to Hindus and those interested in better understanding the Hindu religion, but also any thoughtful person who wishes to consider the relationship of sacred to symbol, and the way in which the divine might be present to us. Rating: 5 / 5 Not only does this book explain the way Hindus view the iconic (formed) and aniconic (abstract) images of the gods, but also the corollary view and conception of temples and holy personages. The title and key idea in all this is “darsan,” which means not only viewing the sacred, but simultaneously being viewed by the gods. The way in which the statues (murtis) are treated with continuous attendance in the form one would typically associate with a human guest–bathing, feeding, clothing, putting to rest, etc.–is made comprehensible via this small book’s explanation. The statue, image, or the temple itself is the body of the divine, in which the sacred consents to be present to humans…thus, treating the sacred body with reverence and devotion is deemed appropriate and important.

This book is useful not only to Hindus and those interested in better understanding the Hindu religion, but also any thoughtful person who wishes to consider the relationship of sacred to symbol, and the way in which the divine might be present to us.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Will Jerom http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india/comment-page-1#comment-88 Will Jerom Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:01:35 +0000 http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india#comment-88 Having read this book twice, it simply is not for me, nor would I strongly recommend it. While the scholarship is evidently good, I can't see anything in here which an accomplished scholar of Hinduism wouldn't already know, nor can I see this as a particularly helpful introduction to Hinduism for beginners. Yes, it does get the idea of "Darsan - seeing the divine" down well, and debunks the Western criticisms and shallow reactions to Hinduism. I cannot see, however, how this would be useful to an introductory student of Hinduism, because it is far too brief and the manuscript wanders freely from topic to topic, asking far too many questions, giving too little context and in-depth answers. I feel like this was originally a scholarly essay which turned into a book, and which probably worked better as a shorter scholarly essay. A good topic, but not the best read I would say. Rating: 2 / 5 Having read this book twice, it simply is not for me, nor would I strongly recommend it. While the scholarship is evidently good, I can’t see anything in here which an accomplished scholar of Hinduism wouldn’t already know, nor can I see this as a particularly helpful introduction to Hinduism for beginners. Yes, it does get the idea of “Darsan – seeing the divine” down well, and debunks the Western criticisms and shallow reactions to Hinduism. I cannot see, however, how this would be useful to an introductory student of Hinduism, because it is far too brief and the manuscript wanders freely from topic to topic, asking far too many questions, giving too little context and in-depth answers. I feel like this was originally a scholarly essay which turned into a book, and which probably worked better as a shorter scholarly essay. A good topic, but not the best read I would say.
Rating: 2 / 5

]]> By: David Fowler http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india/comment-page-1#comment-87 David Fowler Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:17:58 +0000 http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india#comment-87 This is a required text for just about every introductory course on Hinduism. Essential reading for anyone wishing to understand how Hindus worship and see the divine. Rating: 5 / 5 This is a required text for just about every introductory course on Hinduism. Essential reading for anyone wishing to understand how Hindus worship and see the divine.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: didi02453 http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india/comment-page-1#comment-86 didi02453 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:27:48 +0000 http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india#comment-86 This book really captures the incredible beauty of Hindu devotional practices. I treasured this book. Rating: 5 / 5 This book really captures the incredible beauty of Hindu devotional practices. I treasured this book.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india/comment-page-1#comment-85 Anonymous Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:56:15 +0000 http://www.hrinindia.org/darsan-seeing-the-divine-image-in-india#comment-85 The book was interesting, especially the way the photographs were incorporated in with the text, however for a person with knowledge of the Hindu religion, it is a boring and redundant book. Concepts and ideas are greatly simplified for the uninformed reader, so the book is not very appropriate for one with much knowledge of Hinduism. Ideas tended to be overstated and overexplained. In my opinion, the book could've been half its size and still been just as clear, concise and in-depth. Rating: 3 / 5 The book was interesting, especially the way the photographs were incorporated in with the text, however for a person with knowledge of the Hindu religion, it is a boring and redundant book. Concepts and ideas are greatly simplified for the uninformed reader, so the book is not very appropriate for one with much knowledge of Hinduism. Ideas tended to be overstated and overexplained. In my opinion, the book could’ve been half its size and still been just as clear, concise and in-depth.
Rating: 3 / 5

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