Showing papers by "Jonathan Parry published in 1981"
TL;DR: In this paper, the relationship between the notions that Kashi is both the origin-point and a microcosm of the universe, that it stands outside space and time yet all space is contained within it, and that it provides for the attainment of all the goals of human existence (the purusarthas): in life for the realisation of dharma, artha, and kama and above allin death for moksa or mukti.
Abstract: Kashi (Kagi) is the pious Hindu’s name for Varanasi and is one of the seven sacred cities (puris) of India. This paper arises from fieldwork which focused primarily on the various groups of sacred specialists who earn their living on or around the burning ghdts of the city (see Parry 1980); and represent a preliminary and tentative attempt to describe certain key aspects of its transcendental identity which the specialists promulgate in their dealings with the pilgrims and mourners they serve. My aim is to show how these sacred characteristics can be seen as a logically interconnected set. More specifically, I consider the relationship between the notions that Kashi is both the origin-point and a microcosm of the universe; that it stands outside space and time yet all space is contained within it; and that it provides for the attainment of all the goals of human existence (the purusarthas): in life for the realisation of dharma, artha, and kama andabove allin death for the realisation of moksa or mukti.
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