Unit information: Yoga and Devotion: Hindu Paths of Practice in 2012/13

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name Yoga and Devotion: Hindu Paths of Practice
Unit code THRS20030
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Emeritus Professor. Gethin
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department Department of Religion and Theology
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

This unit focuses on three of the principal paths of Hindu religious practice: yoga, bhakti and tantra. We begin by looking at the theory and practice of yoga, the quintessential renouncer’s practice, as found in the classic exposition of Patanjali's Yoga-sūtras. We then turn to Hindu devotionalism (bhakti) as exemplified by the trope of the cowgirls and Rādhā’s love for Krishna in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa and Gītagovinda (also taking a brief look in this context at Indian painting and music). Finally we consider the history and development of the transgressive practices associated with the sexualized rituals and yoga of Hindu Tantra.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students will be expected to have:

  • an understanding of the nature of Hindu yoga, devotionalism and tantra;
  • a sense of how the ideas and practices associated with Hindu yoga, devotionalism and tantra interconnect and inform the dynamic of Hinduism more generally;
  • direct experience of some primary Hindu textual materials in translation.

Teaching Information

A one-hour lecture given by the unit tutor followed by a one-hour seminar discussion of primary sources in smaller seminar groups with individual seminar presentation by students.

Assessment Information

One summative coursework essay of c.2500 words (50%) and one exam of 90 minutes (50%).

Reading and References

Biernacki, Loriliai, Renowned goddess of desire: women, sex, and speech in Tantra (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007)

Bryant, Edwin F., Krishna: the beautiful legend of God (London: Penguin, 2003)

Eliade, M., Yoga, Immortality and Freedom, Second edn (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1969)

Bryant, Edwin F., The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (New York: North Point Press, 2009)

Miller, B. S., Gītagovinda of Jayadeva: Love Song of the Dark Lord, (Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1984)

Urban, Hugh B., The power of Tantra: religion, sexuality and the politics of South Asian studies (London: I.B. Tauris, 2010)

Related links