My in the Bhgavata Pura: Human Suffering and Divine Play

The idea of My pervades Indian philosophy. It is enigmatic, multivalent, and foundational, with its oldest referents found in the Rig Veda. This book explores My's rich conceptual history, and then focuses on the highly developed theology of My found in the Sanskrit Bhgavata Pura, one of the most important Hindu sacred texts. Gopal K. Gupta examines My's role in the Bhgavata's narratives, paying special attention to its relationship with other key concepts in the text, such as human suffering (dukha), devotion (bhakti), and divine play (ll). In the Bhgavata, My is often identified as the divine feminine, and has a far-reaching influence. For example, My is both the world and the means by which God creates the world, as well as the facilitator of God's play, paradoxically revealing him to his devotees by concealing his majesty. While Vednta philosophy typically sees My as a negative force, the Bhgavata affirms that My also has a positive role, as My is ultimately meant to draw living beings toward Krishna and intensify their devotion to him. See more