Singing Krishna-Sound Becomes Sight in Paramanand's Poetry/A. Whitney Sanford - Author=Lala Murari Lal Chharia Oriental Series

 

Singing Krishna:

Sound Becomes Sight in Paramanand's Poetry

A. Whitney Sanford

 

Introduces Paramānand, one of India's poet-saints, his work, and this work's use in ritual. Singing Krishna introduces Paramānand, one of north India's greatest medieval poet-saints, whose poetry has been sung from the sixteenth century to the present in ritual service to the Hindu deity Krishna. A. Whitney Sanford examines how hearing Paramānand's poetry in ritual context serves as a threshold for devotees between this world and Krishna's divine world. To "see Krishna" is a primary goal of the devotee, and Paramānand deftly constructs a vision through words. Sanford employs the dual strategies of interpreting Paramānand's poems—which sing the cycles of Krishna's activities—and illustrating the importance of their ritual contexts. This approach offers insight into the nature of the devotional experience that is not accessible by simply studying the poetry or rituals in isolation. Sanford shows that the significance of Paramānand's poetry lies not only in its beauty and historical importance but finally in its capacity to permit the devotee to see through the ephemeral world into Krishna's world. "…Sanford's analysis of Paramānand's work is certainly valuable and goes a long way toward unpacking the intense devotional experience of bhakti and the traditions of the Vallabha Sampraday." — Religion "The beautiful lyrics of Paramānand's poetry are a welcome addition to the growing body of Indic poetry in translation. Sanford's excellent book guides us through the poetry and takes us right to its sources." — Constantina Rhodes Bailly, author of Shaiva Devotional Songs of Kashmir: A Translation and Study of Utpaladeva's Shivastotravali A. Whitney Sanford is Assistant Professor of Religion at the University of Florida.

Table of Contents Acknowledgments Introduction A Critical Perspective The Research Context The Experience of the Temple Situated Poetry: Sound Becoming Sight Plan for the Book: Following the Cycles 1. Paramānand's Poetic World About Paramānand's Poetry Paramānand's Poetic Environment Serving Krishna Synaesthesia, Metaphor, and Transformation 2. The End of the Night: Poetry, Memory, and Culture Śayan: While Braj Sleeps Paramānand's World Theater of Memory Mangalā—Krishna Rises Śrngār—Ornamentation 3. Krishna's Morning Games: Creating Intimacy through Treachery Gvāl—Boyhood Play The Gopī's Complaints to Yaśodā Mixed Bhāvas Shattered Boundaries and Spilled Milk: Metonymies of Love 4. Afternoon: Experiencing the Food of Love Rājbhog—A Lunchtime Tryst in the Forest Mahātmya: Separation during the Afternoon Watch Public and Private Līlā Utthāpan—Āvanī: Krishna's Arrival in Braj Exemplars of Bhāva: The Cows and the Gopīs Bhog and Sandhyāratī—The Connoisseur of Rasa Eats and Goes to Bed 5. Night: Playing the Game of Love Śayan Māna—Divine Jealousy The Sakhī's Counsel to Rādhā about Her Sulking and Pride Setting the Stage: A Romantic Evening and the Beauty of the Lovers The Sakhī's Warning The Sakhī's Message to Krishna The Resolution of Māna Krishna's Māna The Sakhī in Māna Poems 6. Autumn to Spring: Gopīs, Birds, and the Moon Śarad: The Autumn Full Moon Hemant: Vows of the Cold Winter Vasant: Spring and Holī 7. Summer—Seeing Reality: The Synaesthetic Transformation Grīsma: The Hot Season Vars: The Rainy Season   Back to the Beginning Notes Works Cited Index

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