Abstract
This paper delves into the vibrant social praxis of religious reading in Hinduism through an in-depth analysis of the Gurucaritra, the cornerstone text of the Dattātreya Sampradāy, a devoted community of followers of the Hindu god Dattātreya. During my fieldwork in the religious community of devotees of the Dattātreya in Pune, India, readers of the Gurucaritra emphasized various aspects of getting their body “ready” such as taking a shower before each session, not using the restroom during the reading session, particular clothing, practicing celibacy, consuming only certain foods. Readers’ choices and desire to follow these actions during the parayan cycle were based on the idea of making their body pure before engaging in the reading practice. Readers’ choices during the pārāyaṇa cycle were rooted in the idea of making the body pure, aligning with Mary Douglas’s theory of purity and pollution, which underscores the regulation of bodily boundaries to maintain spiritual integrity. As Axel Michaels asserts, bodily rituals from bathing to fasting, serve to purify both body and mind, creating a sanctified space for interacting with the divine. These practices uphold the sacredness of the text and play a critical role in shaping and enhancing the religious community and identity. In response to the urbanization and shrinking spaces, the readers gather at temples and community centers during the reading course. Thus, religious reading leads to forming social networks in urban environments.
Presenters
Mugdha YeolekarAssociate Professor, Religious Studies, California State University at Fullerton, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Religious Community and Socialization
KEYWORDS
Purity, Hindu, Religious Reading, Community, Socialization in Religious Communities
