Poetry as Prayer in the Sanskrit Hymns of Kashmir (AAR Religion in Translation)

This book investigates the history of a popular genre of Sanskrit devotional poetry in Kashmir: the __stotra__, or hymn of praise. Such hymns demonstrate and frequently reflect upon the close link between literary and religious expression in South Asia—the relationship between poetry and prayer. This study presents an overview and reassessment of the __stotra__ genre, including its definition and history, focusing on literary hymns in Kashmir from the eighth to the twentieth century. Investigating these hymns as theological texts, it argues for their pedagogical potential and their particular appeal for non-dualistic authors. Analyzing such hymns as prayers, it unpacks the unique capabilities of the __stotra__ form and challenges persistent assumptions in the study of Hindu prayer. The book argues for the literary ambition and creativity of many __stotra__s across the centuries, and it complicates standard narratives about the vitality and so-called death of Sanskrit in the region. Śaiva poets also engaged with the rich discourse on aesthetics in Kashmir, and this study charts how they experiment with the idea of a devotional “taste” (__bhaktirasa__) long before Vaiṣṇava authors would make it well known in South Asia. Finally, it presents new perspectives on the historiography of __bhakti__ traditions and “Kashmir Śaivism.” Overall, this book reveals the unique nature and history of __stotra__ literature in Kashmir; demonstrates the diversity, flexibility, and persistent appeal of the __stotra__ genre; and introduces new sources and ways of thinking about these popular texts and the comparative study of devotional poetry and prayer. This Book Investigates The History Of A Popular Genre Of Sanskrit Devotional Poetry In Kashmir: The Stotra, Or Hymn Of Praise. Focusing On Literary Hymns From The Eighth Century To The Twentieth, It Studies The Close Link Between Literary And Religious Expression In South Asia--the Relationship Between Poetry And Prayer-- Historically, Kashmir Was One Of The Most Dynamic And Influential Centers Of Sanskrit Learning And Literary Production In South Asia. In Poetry As Prayer In The Sanskrit Hymns Of Kshmir, Hamsa Stainton Investigates The Close Connection Between Poetry And Prayer In South Asia By Studying The History Of Sanskrit Hymns Of Praise (stotras) In Kashmir. The Book Provides A Broad Introduction To The History And General Features Of The Stotra Genre, And Charts The Course Of These Literary Hymns In Kashmir From The Eighth Century To The Present. In Particular, It Offers The First Study In Any European Language Of The Stutikusumãñjali, A Major Work Of Religious Literature Dedicted To The God Śiva And One Of The Only Extant Witnesses To The Trajectory Of Sanskrit Literary Culture In Fourteenth-century Kasmir. The Book Also Contributes To The Study Of Śaivism By Examing The Ways In Which Śaiva Poets Have Integrated The Traditions Of Sanskrit Literature And Poetics, Theology (especially Non-dualism), And Śaiva Worship And Devotion. It Substantiates The Diverse Configurations Of Śaiva Bhakti Expressed And Explored In These Literary Hymns And The Challenges They Present For Standard Interpretations Of Hindu Bhakti. More Broadly, This Study Of Stotras From Kashmir Offers New Perspectives On The History And Vitality Of Prayer In South Asia And Its Complex Relationships To Poetry And Poetics. --dust Jacket Inside Front Flap. Introduction -- Stotra Literature: An Overview -- Literary Hymns From Kashmir -- Poetry As Theology -- Poetry As Prayer -- Stotra As Kavya -- Devotion As Rasa -- Stotra As Tradition -- Conclusion. Hamsa Stainton. "Historically, Kashmir was one of the most dynamic and influential centers of Sanskrit learning and literary production in South Asia. In Poetry as Prayer in the Sanskrit Hymns of Kshmir, Hamsa Stainton investigates the close connection between poetry and prayer in South Asia by studying the history of Sanskrit hymns of praise (stotras) in Kashmir. The book provides a broad introduction to the history and general features of the stotra genre, and charts the course of these literary hymns in Kashmir from the eighth century to the present. In particular, it offers the first study in any European language of the Stutikusumãñjali, a major work of religious literature dedicted to the god Śiva and one of the only extant witnesses to the trajectory of Sanskrit literary culture in fourteenth-century Kasmir. The book also contributes to the study of Śaivism by examing the ways in which Śaiva poets have integrated the traditions of Sanskrit literature and poetics, theology (especially non-dualism), and Śaiva worship and devotion. It substantiates the diverse configurations of Śaiva bhakti expressed and explored in these literary hymns and the challenges they present for standard interpretations of Hindu bhakti. More broadly, this study of stotras from Kashmir offers new perspectives on the history and vitality of prayer in South Asia and its complex relationships to poetry and poetics" -- University Press Scholarship Online Historically, Kashmir was one of the most dynamic and influential centers of Sanskrit learning and literary production in South Asia. In Poetry as Prayer in the Sanskrit Hymns of Kashmir , Hamsa Stainton investigates the close connection between poetry and prayer in South Asia by studying the history of Sanskrit hymns of praise ( stotra s) in Kashmir. The book provides a broad introduction to the history and general features of the stotra genre, and it charts the course of these literary hymns in Kashmir from the eighth century to the present. In particular, it offers the first major study in any European language of the Stutikusum=a�jali , an important work of religious literature dedicated to the god 'Siva and one of the only extant witnesses to the trajectory of Sanskrit literary culture in fourteenth-century Kashmir. The book also contributes to the study of 'Saivism by examining the ways in which 'Saiva poets have integrated the traditions of Sanskrit literature and poetics, theology (especially non-dualism), and 'Saiva worship and devotion. It substantiates the diverse configurations of 'Saiva bhakti expressed and explored in these literary hymns and the challenges they present for standard interpretations of Hindu bhakti . More broadly, this study of stotras from Kashmir offers new perspectives on the history and vitality of prayer in South Asia and its complex relationships to poetry and poetics. Historically, Kashmir was one of the most dynamic and influential centers of Sanskrit learning and literary production in South Asia. In Poetry as Prayer in the Sanskrit Hymns of Kashmir, Hamsa Stainton investigates the close connection between poetry and prayer in South Asia by studying the history of Sanskrit hymns of praise (stotras) in Kashmir. The book provides a broad introduction to the history and general features of the stotra genre, and it charts the course of these literary hymns in Kashmir from the eighth century to the present. In particular, it offers the first major study in any European language of the Stutikusumāñjali, an important work of religious literature dedicated to the god Śiva and one of the only extant witnesses to the trajectory of Sanskrit literary culture in fourteenth-century Kashmir. The book also contributes to the study of Śaivism by examining the ways in which Śaiva poets have integrated the traditions of Sanskrit literature and poetics, theology (especially non-dualism), and Śaiva worship and devotion. It substantiates the diverse configurations of Śaiva bhakti expressed and explored in these literary hymns and the challenges they present for standard interpretations of Hindu bhakti. More broadly, this study of stotras from Kashmir offers new perspectives on the history and vitality of prayer in South Asia and its complex relationships to poetry and poetics. Historically, Kashmir was one of the most dynamic and influential centers of Sanskrit learning and literary production in South Asia. In this text, Hamsa Stainton investigates the close connection between poetry and prayer in South Asia by studying the history of Sanskrit hymns of praise (stotras) in Kashmir. It provides a broad introduction to the history and general features of the stotra genre, and charts the course of these literary hymns in Kashmir from the ninth century to the present. In particular, it offers the first study in any European language of the Stutikusumanjali, a major work of religious literature dedicated to the god Siva and one of the only extant witnesses to the trajectory of Sanskrit literary culture in fourteenth-century Kashmir Cover Series Poetry as Prayer in the Sanskrit Hymns of Kashmir Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Abbreviations 1. Introduction 2. Stotra Literature: An Overview 3. Literary Hymns from Kashmir 4. Poetry as Theology 5. Poetry as Prayer 6. Stotra as Kāvya 7. Devotion as Rasa 8. Stotra as Tradition 9. Conclusion References Index