The eightfold gymnastics of mind: a preliminary report on the idea and tradition of aṣṭāvadhāna
The eightfold gymnastics of mind: a preliminary report on the idea and tradition of aṣṭāvadhāna
Author(s): Lidia Sudyka, Cezary GalewiczSubject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: KSIĘGARNIA AKADEMICKA Sp. z o.o.
Keywords: literary cultures; performing arts; aṣṭāvadhāna; avadhāna; intellectual literary games; Kāmasūtra; kavigoṣṭhi
Summary/Abstract: The present paper stems from a field study initiated in 2006-2008 in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It aims at drawing a preliminary image of the hitherto unstudied art of avadhāna (Skt.: ‘attentivness, concentration’) of which aṣṭāvadhāna (literally: eightfold concentration) seems to be a better known variety. The paper presents a selection of epigraphic and literary evidence thereof and sketches a historical and social background of avadhāna to go with a report on the present position of its tradition of performance as well as prevailing set of rules.
Journal: Cracow Indological Studies
- Issue Year: 2012
- Issue No: 14
- Page Range: 169-192
- Page Count: 24
- Language: English