Narasinha Mehta of Gujarat : A Legacy of Bhakti in Songs and Stories

Exploring medieval manuscripts, Gandhi's writings, and performances in multiple religious and non-religious contexts, Narasinha Mehta of Gujarat demonstrates how over five centuries, performers and audiences of devotional songs and hagiographic narratives associated with the saint-poet Narasinha Mehta have sculpted them into popular sources of moral inspiration. Taking Gandhi's use of these works in his social reconstruction programs as an example, the book suggests that when religious forms such as songs and hagiographies of saint-poets of South Asia acquire dimensions of popular culture, they offer a platform for communication among diverse groups. An illuminating study that provides a vivid picture of the Narasinha tradition, Narasinha Mehta of Gujarat will be a crucial resource for anyone seeking to understand the power of religious performative traditions in popular media. Introduction Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Introduction Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Abstract and Keywords Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction The Narasinha Tradition The Region and the Language Introduction Introduction The Milieu of Emergence Introduction Introduction Integrative Devotion Introduction Integrative Aesthetics Introduction (p.12) Evolution of the Tradition Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction The Issue of Authorship Introduction Bhakti and Rasa—Devotion and Aesthetic Delight Introduction Introduction Introduction Rasa in Aesthetic Theories Introduction Religious Understanding of Bhakti-rasa Introduction Rasa in Non-Hindu Devotional Contexts Introduction Rasa and Modern Scholarship Introduction Introduction Bhakti, Rasa, and Saint-poet Traditions Introduction Introduction The Shaping and Plan of the Book Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Notes: Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Introduction Lyrics of Play Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Lyrics of Play Krishna in the Human World Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Abstract and Keywords Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Krishna-līlā in Narasinha's Lyrics Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play The Divine Child among Cowherds Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play The Mystery of Passionate Love Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play The Flute—The Call of Love Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play The Rās Dance—The Circle of Love Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Longing as a Way of Love Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play (p.64) Union—The Body and Beyond Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play The Erotic and the Meditative Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Notes: Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Play Lyrics of Awakening Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Lyrics of Awakening Mysticism and Moral Reflection Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Abstract and Keywords Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening The Sporting of the Ineffable Supreme Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening (p.82) Roads to Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Counsel for Moral Perfection Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Jnān-bhakti and Krishna-līlā Songs Formation of a Corpus Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Notes: Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Lyrics of Awakening Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Narasinha Mehta in Narratives Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Abstract and Keywords Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti The Oral and Written Sources Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti (p.104) Narasinha Mehta's Life in Traditional Sources Initiation into Krishna-bhakti by Shiva Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Narasinha's Son's Wedding Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti The Promissory Note The Ceremony for the Pregnant Daughter Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti (p.107) The Garland of Damodar (p.108) Narasinha's Association with the “Untouchables” Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Narasinha's Last Days (p.109) Narasinha in Regional and Transregional Performative Texts Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Dual Grace and Ecumenical Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti “Sharing” and the Equality of All Devotees Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Abundance in Generosity Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti (p.122) Popular Narrative Songs, Legends, and Monument Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Hagiography as a Source and Enhancer of Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Notes: Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Exemplary Singing, Exemplary Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Singing as Bhakti Narasinha's Lyrics in Musical Performances Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Abstract and Keywords Singing as Bhakti Singing in Saint-poets' Traditions Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Musical Aspects of Narasinha's Songs Singing as Bhakti Melodies Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Structures of Rhythm Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Narasinha's Lyrics in Performance Singing as Bhakti Garbī Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Dhoḷ Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Prabhātiyā̃ Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Vaiṣṇavajana to Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Narasinha in an Urban Underprivileged Community Singing as Bhakti A Bharatnatyam Medley Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Performative and Poetic Meanings Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Notes: Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti Singing as Bhakti The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets Neelima Shukla-Bhatt The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Narasinha Tradition in Gujarat and Beyond Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Abstract and Keywords The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets Narasinha Mehta and the Sectarian bhakti Milieu of Gujarat The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets Narasinha beyond Hindu Gujarat The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets Narasinha's Poetic Heritage The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets (p.166) The “First Poet” of the Gujarati Language The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets Notes: The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets The Saint of the Threshold, the First of Poets A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma Neelima Shukla-Bhatt A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma Narasinha Mehta and Gandhi Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Abstract and Keywords A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma Gandhi's Quest—Devotional Aesthetics and Moral Fervor A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma (Re) discovering Devotional Roots A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma The Saintly Paradigm for Personal Piety and Social Reform A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma Songs of a Saint in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma Vaiṣṇavajana to—From a Popular Bhajan to a Gandhi Anthem A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma What Is in a Name? “Vaiṣṇavajana” and “Harijan” A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma Gandhi's Narasinha—A Cultural Resource A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma Notes: A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma A Saint-poet in the Making of a Mahatma Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Narasinha Mehta in Popular Culture Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Abstract and Keywords Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Popular Culture Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Narasinha's Songs in Recorded Form Songs and the Saint in Modern Media The Saint in Celluloid—The Hindi Film Narsi Bhagat (1940) Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Film as Hagiographic Scroll Songs and the Saint in Modern Media The Vijay Bhatt Film Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media (p.220) Narsaiyo—Gujarati Television Serial Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Narsaiyo and the Rasa of Bhakti Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media The Saint in Cyberspace—Narasinha on YouTube Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Vaiṣṇavajana to Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Other Narasinha Songs Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Narasinha Narratives on YouTube Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Notes: Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Songs and the Saint in Modern Media Concluding Remarks Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Concluding Remarks Neelima Shukla-Bhatt Abstract and Keywords Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks Notes: Concluding Remarks Concluding Remarks Neelima Shukla-Bhatt offers an illuminating study of Narsinha Mehta, one of the most renowned saint-poets of medieval India and the most celebrated bhakti (devotion) poet from Gujarat, and shows how the songs and sacred narratives associated with the saint-poet have been sculpted into a popular source of moral inspiration by performers and audiences.