Introduction: Bodily Transformations Across Indian Religions

Abstract

The three articles included in this collection are diverse in nature as detailed explorations of the distinctive traditions of Hindu bhakti (Karen Pechilis' article), Hindu Tantra (Lorillai Biernacki's article), and Indian Islam (Carla Bellamy's article). In the Indian context these traditions each have their own sacred texts, beliefs, and practices; yet, at the same time, there is considerable interaction and mutual influence among them. As Selva Raj has cogently argued with respect to Indian religions in a paper presented at the Drew University Interfaith Forum, in the Indian milieu religious traditions have an impetus to maintain difference on the level of ecclesiastical or orthodox institutional authority, yet there are considerable opportunities for "popular inculturation" on the level of practice, especially through pilgrimage, life-cycle ceremonies, and devotional exercises.1 Significantly, these popular practices foreground the body. The traditions discussed in this volume share these popular categories of religious practice and their attention to bodily