03019namaa2200553uu 4500 oapen29634 oapen 20251217011857.0 a||||fo|||||||||0| cr|mn|---annan 240424s2016a||||fo|||||||||0|eng d 1051781129 OCoLC 9781781791288 9781781791295 9781781794364 9781781794371 (OCoLC)1051781129 oapen oapen eng dc J thema JB thema Dähnhardt, Thomas W.P. aut Soulless Matter, Seats of Energy Metals, Gems and Minerals in South Asian Traditions Equinox 2016 1 online resource (316 p.) text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Free-to-read Unrestricted online access star Soulless Matter, Seats of Energy: Metals, Gems and Minerals in South Asian Traditions investigates the way in which Indian culture has represented inorganic matter and geological formations such as mountains and the earth itself. The volume is divided into four sections, each discussing from different angles the manifold dimensions occupied by minerals, gems and metals in traditions such as Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. The various chapters offer a rigorous analysis of a variety of texts from different South Asian regions from a range of perspectives such as history, philology, philosophy, hermeneutics and ethnography. The themes discussed include literature (myth and epics), ritual, ethics, folklore, and sciences such as astrology, medicine, alchemy and cosmetics. The volume critically reflects on the concept of "inanimate world" and shows how Indian traditions have variously interpreted the concept of embodied life and lifelessness. Ranging from worldviews and disciplines which regard metals, minerals, gems as alive, sentient or inhabited by divine presences and powers to ideas which deny matter possesses life and sentience, the Indian Subcontinent proves to be a challenge for taxonomic investigations but at the same time provides historians of religions and philosophers with stimulating material. Funded by: H2020 European Research Council Open licence https://oapen.org/article/rights eng Society & culture: general. bicssc Society and culture: general thema Society and Social Sciences thema customs folklore metals minerals mythology religion South Asia Dähnhardt, Thomas W.P. edt Ferrari, Fabrizio M. edt OAPEN Library. https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/29634 Free-to-read: OAPEN Library/DOAB: description of the publication 0 37501 37501