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6 - Women in Love

from Introduction: Locating Devotion in Dissent and Dissent in Devotion A Thematic Overview

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 October 2014

Vijaya Ramaswamy
Affiliation:
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Vijaya Ramaswamy
Affiliation:
Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
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Summary

The fragrance mingling in the breeze

Like pleasure in intercourse given freely where there is love;

This is the path of bhakti,

Is it not, Nastinatha?

Love is central to the path of devotion. In striking contrast to sectarian and communal schisms and conflicts which are hate driven, the path of devotion has been marked by love that is intensely physical and at the same time, transcendental. Humanism and universal compassion are often the most pronounced features of the devotional way of religion. The chief moods of bhakti are union (sayujyam) and separation (viraha). This, on the one hand, results in love poetry that is often characterized by viraha or separation and unrequited love. On the other hand, devotional poems in the love mode can be passionately sensual and filled with the ecstasy of union. Scholars of religion and spirituality term the intense love of the devotee for God as ‘bridal mysticism’, although bridal mysticism is only one, albeit the most sensual, of the many ways in which the devotees relate to the Supreme. Karaikkal Ammaiyar, whose love for Shiva is expressed in praise of his cosmic dance on the cremation grounds of Tiruvalangadu, is a striking example of love that is couched in the metaphor of the terrible with the saint herself as the ghoulish figure presiding over the cremation ground. Here, love is passionate but horrific and awe inspiring rather than sensual.

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Publisher: Foundation Books
Print publication year: 2014

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  • Women in Love
  • Edited by Vijaya Ramaswamy, Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
  • Book: Devotion and Dissent in Indian History
  • Online publication: 05 October 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9789384463090.010
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  • Women in Love
  • Edited by Vijaya Ramaswamy, Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
  • Book: Devotion and Dissent in Indian History
  • Online publication: 05 October 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9789384463090.010
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Women in Love
  • Edited by Vijaya Ramaswamy, Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
  • Book: Devotion and Dissent in Indian History
  • Online publication: 05 October 2014
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9789384463090.010
Available formats
×