Behind Kas Smile (Paperback)

Antonio Rigopoulos

ISBN 10: 143849968X / ISBN 13: 9781438499680

Published by State University of New York Press, Albany, NY, 2025

About this Item

Paperback. Examines Ka's hint of laughter (prahasann iva) in the Bhagavadgita, its interpretations in the Vedanta commentarial tradition, and its significance in Kaite iconography and literature.Behind Ka's Smile offers a wholly original perspective on the celebrated Bhagavadgita, or "Song of God." The book investigates Ka's hint of laughter (prahasann iva) in Bhagavadgita 2.10, which is generally understood to be the turning point of the famous poem, signaling the outpouring of his grace and teaching to Arjuna. Remarkably, it is from this verse that Sakara and other leading theologians begin to write their commentaries. In addition to exploring the momentousness of Ka's hint of laughter and its impact on the poem's central teachings, Behind Ka's Smile provides a crucial interpretation of Ka's prahasann iva in the Vedanta commentarial tradition, from Sakara up to modern times. The book also considers the meanings of the stock phrase prahasann iva in the larger epic framework of the Mahabharata and Ramayaa. Moreover, the book offers the first comprehensive review of the significance of Ka's smile in Kaite iconography and literature, demonstrating that there is a unified canon bringing together the literary and performative dimensions of Kas hint of laughter. Examines Ka's hint of laughter (prahasann iva) in the Bhagavadgita, its interpretations in the Vedanta commentarial tradition, and its significance in Kaite iconography and literature. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781438499680

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Behind Kas Smile (Paperback)
• Publisher: State University of New York Press, Albany, NY
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 143849968X
• ISBN 13: 9781438499680
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Examines Kṛṣṇa's hint of laughter (prahasann iva) in the Bhagavadgītā, its interpretations in the Vedānta commentarial tradition, and its significance in Kṛṣṇaite iconography and literature.

Behind Kṛṣṇa's Smile offers a wholly original perspective on the celebrated Bhagavadgītā, or "Song of God." The book investigates Kṛṣṇa's hint of laughter (prahasann iva) in Bhagavadgītā 2.10, which is generally understood to be the turning point of the famous poem, signaling the outpouring of his grace and teaching to Arjuna. Remarkably, it is from this verse that Śaṅkara and other leading theologians begin to write their commentaries. In addition to exploring the momentousness of Kṛṣṇa's hint of laughter and its impact on the poem's central teachings, Behind Kṛṣṇa's Smile provides a crucial interpretation of Kṛṣṇa's prahasann iva in the Vedānta commentarial tradition, from Śaṅkara up to modern times. The book also considers the meanings of the stock phrase prahasann iva in the larger epic framework of the Mahābhārata and Rāmāyaṇa. Moreover, the book offers the first comprehensive review of the significance of Kṛṣṇa's smile in Kṛṣṇaite iconography and literature, demonstrating that there is a unified canon bringing together the literary and performative dimensions of Kṛṣṇa’s hint of laughter.

About the Author

Antonio Rigopoulos is Professor of Sanskrit Language and Literature at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy. His previous books include The Hagiographer and the Avatar: The Life and Works of Narayan Kasturi and Dattātreya: The Immortal Guru, Yogin, and Avatāra, both published by SUNY Press. Gianni Pellegrini is Associate Professor of Sanskrit Language and Literature and Indian Philosophy and Religions at the University of Turin, Italy.