The Feminine Principle in the Sikh Vision of the Transcendent (Cambridge Studies in Religious Traditions, Series Number 3)

This work is an original and critical interpretation of Sikh literature from a feminist perspective. It analyzes the rich feminine imagery and symbolism that pervades the divine-human encounter in this literature, and gives a new authenticity to a relatively neglected religious tradition. Nikky Singh shows convincingly that Sikh Gurus and poets did not want the feminine principle to serve just as a figure of speech or literary device, but was intended, rather, to pervade the whole life of the Sikhs. Her work thus reverses an androcentric approach to Sikhism. This Study Explores The Presence Of The Feminine In The Sikh Conception And Perception Of Transcendent Reality. Sikh Scriptures, Transitional Writings Of The Sikhs, And Their Modern Secular Literature Constitute The Sources Transitional Writings Of The Sikhs, And Their For The Investigation. Within These Extensive Parameters, Nikky-guninder Kaur Singh Closely Analyzes Feminine Imagery, Tone, And Symbolism, And In So Doing Recovers A Holistic Pattern Of Imagining And Experiencing The Sacred Which Can Serve As A Mode Of Empowerment For Women. The Book Is Divided Into Eight Chapters Which Approach The Sikh Vision Of The Transcendent From Historical, Scriptural, Symbolic, Mythological, Romantic, Existential, Ethical And Mystical Perspectives. Each Of These Discloses The Centrality Of The Woman, And Enables The Author To Reverse What She Regards As The One-sided Androcentric Hermeneutics Which Has Prevailed In Sikh Scholarship. The Author Maintains That The Sikh Gurus And Poets Did Not Want The Feminine Principle To Serve Just As A Figure Of Speech Or Literary Device; It Was Rather Intended To Pervade The Whole Life Of The Sikhs. Her Work Bolsters The Claim That Literary Symbols Should Be Translated Into Social And Political Realities, And Gives Expression, Too, To A Powerful New Voice In Religious Studies, Whose Fresh Treatment Of A Religious Tradition That Has Been Relatively Neglected In Scholarly Literature Will Give New Direction And Authenticity To Feminists Worldwide.--book Jacket. 1. The Primal Paradox: Seeing The Transcendent -- 2. Mother: The Infinite Matrix -- 3. The Bride Seeks Her Groom: An Epiphany Of Inter-connections -- 4. Durga Recalled: Transition From Mythos To Ethos -- 5. The Maiden Weaves: Garlands Of Songs And Waves -- 6. The Woman Asks: What Is Life? -- 7. Sundari: The Paradigm Of Sikh Ethics -- 8. Rani Raj Kaur: The Mystical Journey. Nikky-guninder Kaur Singh. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 288-297) And Index. This work is a critical analysis of Sikh literature from a feminist perspective. It begins with Guru Nanak's vision of Transcendent Reality and concludes with the mystical journey of Rani Raj Kaur, the heroine of a modern Punjabi epic. The eight chapters of the book approach the Sikh vision of the Transcendent from historical, scriptural, symbolic, mythological, romantic, existential, ethical and mystical perspectives. Each of these discloses the centrality of the woman, and show convincingly that Sikh Gurus and poets did not want the feminine principle to serve merely as a figure of speech or literary device; it was intended rather to pervade the whole life of the Sikhs. The present work bolsters the claim that literary symbols should be translated into social and political realities, and in so doing puts a valuable feminist interpretation on a religious tradition which has remained relatively unexplored in scholarly literature