This reprint of an original work (first published in 1932) is an interpretative study of Indian costume that attempts to show how the concept of a supernatural cosmic power dominates popular practice.
The author believes that this cosmic power is Sakti to the Hindu and Kudrat to the Muslims. And this all-pervasive force acts both good and for evil. In a sense main's whole endeavour in magic and religious rituals is to obtain control of this power for his own benefit and accumulate a fund of it as a source of all forms of blessing.
After given his key concept, the author explains keys of Power or Keys of Punya, those axioms and rules of conduct that man frames in his effort to control power for his own purposes, to preserve it, to transfer it, to coerce it or invoke it. He has also sketched the factors that destroy power. Accordingly, he devotes separate chapter on the power of man, woman, evil-eye, ground, fire, metal, salt, stones, time, colours, numbers, sweet things, trees, grain, bread and animals. There are also chapters on the ritual of agriculture, spirits, and curses and oaths.
This comprehensive work that contain an astonishing wealth of customs covers both Hindus and Muslims. A useful glossary, numerous diagrams and an exhaustive index further enhance the value of this work for both the scholar and the general reader.
About the Author
John Abbott, B. A. (Oxon), was born in1884. He joined the Indian Civil Service in 1908 and served in various positions in the Bombay Presidency, retiring in December 1932.
He is also the author of Sind: a Re-interpretation of the Unhappy Valley (OUP, 1924). Part of this book had appeared in Calcutta Review and Pioneer.
Contents:
Preface Glossary I Life and Power II The Power of Man III The Power of Woman IV The Power of Evil-Eye V The Power of The Ground VI The Power of Water VII The Power of Fire VIII The Power of Metals IX The Power of Salt X The Power of Stones XI The Power of Time XII The Power of Colours XIII The Power of Numbers XIV The Power of Sweet Things XV The Power of Trees XVI The Weather XVII The Ritual of Agriculture XVIII The Power of Grain XIX The Power of Bread XX The Power of Animals XXI Spirits XXII Curses and Oaths XXIII The Invocation of Power XXIV Totemism and the Maratha 'Devak' Appendix 1. Dev aks Appendix 2. The Pancpalvi Appendix 3. The Halgamba XXV The Coercion of Power XXVI The Destruction of Power APPENDICES A. Hindu and Muhammadan Charms B. Hindu Festival on which certain Forms of Himsa are forbidden or allowed C. Utara in the Deccan D. Restriction of Intermarriage between kul of the Katkaris E. The Power of the Cardinal Points INDEX
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