Mrinal Das Gupta

Early Vritism and NarayanIya Worship

By Mrinal Das Gupta

Early Visnuism and Narayaniya Worship

By Mrinal Das Gupta

In this substantive essay the author explores early forms of Viṣṇu worship and the emergence of the Nārāyaṇīya cult. Beginning with the Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad and early sections of the Mahābhārata,…

Early Visnuism and Narayaniya Worship

By Mrinal Das Gupta

This article continues an examination of the origins of Viṣṇu worship and the relationship between Viṣṇu and Nārāyaṇa in the Mahābhārata. The author begins by noting that the epic does not present…

Early Visnuism and Narayaniya Worship

By Mrinal Das Gupta

The development of Early Visnuism and Narayaniyya worship reflects a gradual evolution of theistic tendencies within Upanisadic thought, culminating in the conception of a personal god. This shift…

Sraddha and Bhakti in Vedic Literature

By Mrinal Das Gupta

In the transition from older to younger Vedas and Brihmanas, Vedic worship shifted from nature-centered hymns to ritualistic sacrifice dominated by priestly expertise. The earlier focus on praise and…

Sraddha and Bhakti in Vedic Literature

By Mrinal Das Gupta

The term *sraddha* (Sanskrit: श्रद्धा) emerges in Vedic literature as a religious concept rooted in "trust, confidence, belief, or truth," with no inherent implication of loving devotion to a…

The Candidas-Problem

By Mrinal Das Gupta

This article addresses the scholarly debate over the identity and chronology of the Bengali poet Caṇḍidāsa, to whom numerous Vaishnava lyrics are attributed. Several medieval poets used the name,…