Studies in Hinduism IV On the Mutual Influences and Relationship of Visistadvaita Vedanta and Pancaratra

The religious tradition of Pancaratra and the philosophical school of Visistadvaita Vedanta have played an essential role in the development of the tradition of the Srivaisnavas, which is still present in South India today. However, in addition to this role, they also influenced each other in many respects. This fourth volume in the series Studies in Hinduism is devoted to these mutual influences and the contribution both traditions made to the formation of the Srivaisnavas. It includes the following papers: G. OBERHAMMER: The Influence of Orthodox Vainavism on Visistadvaita Vedanta and Pancaratra; J.B. CARMAN: Illuminating the Relation Between Pancaratra and the Early Srivaisnavas Community; H. MARLEWICZ: The Question of the Unity of karmakanda and jnanakanda According to Ramanuja; M. SCHMUECKER: The vyuha as the "State of the Lord" (bhagavadavastha): Vedantic Interpretation of Pancaratra Doctrines According to Venkatanatha; P.Y. MUMME: Pancaratra Texts in the Tenkalai-Vatakalai Dispute; D.D. HUDSON: The vyuhas in Stone; K.K. YOUNG: Brahmanas, Pancaratrins, and the Formation of Srivaisnavism; S. RAMAN: Initiation and Conversion in Medieval South India: pancasamskara as Historical Practice in the Srivaisnava Post-Ramanuja Hagiographical Literature; M. RASTELLI: Service as an End in Itself: Visistadvaitic Modifications of Pancaratra Ritual.