02821namaa2200469uu 4500 doab32963 oapen 20260305123942.0 m o d cr|mn|---annan 210210s2016 xx |||||o ||| 0|eng d 9781781791288; 9781781791295; 9781781794364; 9781781794371 oapen oapen eng dc JF bicssc Ferrari, Fabrizio M. edt Soulless Matter, Seats of Energy Metals, Gems and Minerals in South Asian Traditions Equinox 2016 1 online resource (316 p.) text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Free-to-read Unrestricted online access star Soulless Matter, Seats of Energy: Metals, Gems and Minerals in South Asian Traditions investigates the way in which Indian culture has represented inorganic matter and geological formations such as mountains and the earth itself. The volume is divided into four sections, each discussing from different angles the manifold dimensions occupied by minerals, gems and metals in traditions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. The various chapters offer a rigorous analysis of a variety of texts from different South Asian regions from a range of perspectives such as history, philology, philosophy, hermeneutics and ethnography. The themes discussed include literature (myth and epics), ritual, ethics, folklore, and sciences such as astrology, medicine, alchemy and cosmetics. The volume critically reflects on the concept of "inanimate world" and shows how Indian traditions have variously interpreted the concept of embodied life and lifelessness. Ranging from worldviews and disciplines which regard metals, minerals, gems as alive, sentient or inhabited by divine presences and powers to ideas which deny matter possesses life and sentience, the Indian Subcontinent proves to be a challenge for taxonomic investigations but at the same time provides historians of religions and philosophers with stimulating material. H2020 European Research Council All rights reserved http://oapen.org/content/about-rights English Society & culture: general bicssc customs folklore metals minerals mythology religion South Asia Dähnhardt, Thomas W.P. edt Dähnhardt, Thomas W.P. oth Ferrari, Fabrizio M. oth DOAB Library. https://directory.doabooks.org/handle/20.500.12854/32963 0 Free-to-read: DOAB: description of the publication 92464 92464