The Sanskrit Hero: Karna in Epic Mahahabharata (Brill's Indological Library, V. 20, 20)

The Mahâhabhârata, a vital Indic epic and a flourishing influence on Indian culture past and present, has surprisingly enough hardly got much attention from scholars in the West. This latest volume in Brill’s Indological Library convincingly fills this hiatus. At that, at the hand of the hero Karna, Kevin McGrath develops a view on the nature and function of the hero in epic Indic poetry. Making use of models taken from Indo-European and preliterate studies, a model emerges for ‘heroic religion’, having to a large extent shaped not only the Indic epics, but also cognate Indo-European epics, such as Homer’s Iliad. As a result this work goes beyond Indology, but is of importance to classicists and comparative religionists as well. Focusing Upon The Hero Karna, Kevin Mcgrath Develops A View On The Nature And Function Of The Hero In Epic Indic Poetry. Making Use Of Models Taken From Indo-european And Preliterate Studies, A Scheme Emerges For 'heroic Religion', Having To A Large Extent Shaped Not Only The Indic Epics, But Also Cognate Indo-european Epics, Such As Homer's Iliad. As A Result This Work Goes Beyond Indology And Is Also Intended For Classicists And Comparative Religionists.--book Jacket. Methods Of Approach -- The Text -- Karna Kaunteya -- A Brief Life -- The Name Of Karna -- Epic & Ksatriya -- Simile & Vision -- Contention & Identity -- Arjuna -- Bhisma -- Duryodhana -- Six Speeches -- Surya -- Indra -- Krsna -- Kunti -- Krpa -- Salya -- Heroic Counterpoint -- Heroes & Sons -- Arjuna: Agni, Indra, & Siva -- Yudhisthira & Dharma -- Bhima -- Closure -- Karna Today -- A Song Of Karna -- A Story Of Karna. By Kevin Mcgrath. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [247]-258) And Index. The Mahāhabhārata, a vital Indic epic and a flourishing influence on Indian culture past and present, has surprisingly enough hardly got much attention from scholars in the West. This latest volume in Brill's Indological Library convincingly fills this hiatus. At that, at the hand of the hero Karna, Kevin McGrath develops a view on the nature and function of the hero in epic Indic poetry. Making use of models taken from Indo-European and preliterate studies, a model emerges for 'heroic religion', having to a large extent shaped not only the Indic epics, but also cognate Indo-European epics, such as Homer's Iliad. As a result this work goes beyond Indology, but is of importance to classicists and comparative religionists as well