Lord Śiva's Song : The Īśvara Gītā

Acknowledgments; Introduction; The Historical Background of the Iśvara Gītā; Intertextuality and Hinduism: The Iśvara Gītā, the Bhagavad Gītā, and the Yoga Sūtras; Action and Renunciation; Philosophy and Practice: The Pāśupata Path of Godhood; Mainstreaming Pāśupata Practice; The Yoga of the Pāśupatas; Unity and Diversity Among the Gods; Notes on Translation; Guide to Sanskrit Pronounciation; Suggestions for Further Reading; Notes; Translation; Chapter One: The Arrival of the Gods; Chapter Two: The Changeless Self; Chapter Three: The Unmanifest Lord; Chapter Four: The God of Gods. A translation of the Īśvara Gītā, a parallel text to the Bhagavad Gītā that promotes religious inclusion. While the Bhagavad Gītā is an acknowledged treasure of world spiritual literature, few people know a parallel text, the Īśvara Gītā. This lesser-known work is also dedicated to a god, but in this case it is Śiva, rather than Kṛṣṇa, who is depicted as the omniscient creator of the world. Andrew J. Nicholson’s Lord Śiva’s Song makes this text available in English in an accessible new translation. A work of both poetry and philosophy, the Īśvara Gītā builds on the insights of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtra and foreshadows later developments in tantric yoga. It deals with the pluralistic religious environment of early medieval India through an exploration of the relationship between the gods Śiva and Viṣṇu. The work condemns sectarianism and violence and provides a strategy for accommodating conflicting religious claims in its own day and in our own. Andrew J. Nicholson is Associate Professor of Asian and Asian American Studies at Stony Brook University, State University of New York. He is the author of Unifying Hinduism: Philosophy and Identity in Indian Intellectual History. While the Bhagavad Gita is an acknowledged treasure of world spiritual literature, few people know a parallel text, the Isvara Gita. This lesser-known work is also dedicated to a god, but in this case it is Siva, rather than Krsna, who is depicted as the omniscient creator of the world. Andrew J. Nicholson’s ‘Lord Siva’s Song’ makes this text available in English in an accessible new translation. A work of both poetry and philosophy, the Isvara Gita builds on the insights of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra and foreshadows later developments in tantric yoga. It deals with the pluralistic religious environment of early medieval India through an exploration of the relationship between the gods Siva and Visnu. The work condemns sectarianism and violence and provides a strategy for accommodating conflicting religious claims in its own day and in our own A Work Of Peotry And Philosphy, The Iśvar Gītā Builds On The Insights Of Patañjali's Yoga Sūtra And Foreshadows Later Developments In Tantric Yoga. It Deals With The Pluralistic Religious Environment Of Early Medieval India Through An Exploration Of Relationship Between The Gods Śiva And Viṣṇu. The Arrival Of The Gods -- The Changeless Self -- The Unmanifest Lord -- The God Of Gods -- The Lord's Dance -- The Glory Of Lord Śiva -- The Master Of Beasts -- The Hidden Lord -- Brahman's Powers -- Brahman And The Lord -- The Highest Yoga -- Commentarial Notes -- Sanskrit Text -- List Of Concordances -- Glossary Of Sanskrit Names And Terms. Translated With An Introduction And Notes By Andrew J. Nicholson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Translated From Sanskrit. Review: "A work of poetry and philosophy, the Īśvara Gītā builds on the insights of Patañjali's Yoga Sūtra and foreshadows later developments in tantric yoga. It deals with the pluralistic religious environment of early medieval India through an exploration of relationship between the gods Śiva or Viṣṇu "A work of poetry and philosophy, the Iśvar Gītā builds on the insights of Patañjali's Yoga Sūtra and foreshadows later developments in tantric yoga. It deals with the pluralistic religious environment of early medieval India through an exploration of relationship between the gods Śiva and Viṣṇu."