A study of the Bhagavadgita as an example of Indian oral-literate tradition.
Loading...
Date
1995
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
India has complex and sophisticated oral tradition which ha s
developed over millennia. The Sanskrit language has had an
enormous influence over the whole of India, especially its oral
tradition. The advent of the literate tradition in India which
began approximately five thousand years ago preserved (in
writing) much of the oral style elements. In chapter I of this
dissertation the influence of the Sanskrit language and its oral
transmission to various parts of the globe are briefly traced.
Marcel Jousse, in the early part of this century, developed
theories involving the anthropological basis governing human
expression. These are rooted in mimism, bilateralism and
formulism. Chapter 2 of this dissertation briefly outlines the
principles of Jousse's theories and provides a brief overview of
orality - literacy studies. The views of other experts in the
field like Parry, Lord, Finnegan and Ong are also discussed.
The Bhagavadgita (the chosen text) is a popular religious text
among Indians. Its style encapsulates the oral style elements of
Sanskrit literature. A brief summary of the first six discourses
which cover the philosophy of Karma Yoga are provided in Chapter
3. Selected slokas (couplets) of these discourses are used as a
basis to discuss certain formulaic techniques like a dialogue
within a dialogue, application of the Parry-Lord theory, use
of imagery (including simile, comparison and metaphor), use of
honorific names and the significance of numbers as mnemotechnical
devices. All these are elements of oral style.
The discussion of the philosophy of Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of
Devotion) takes up the next six discourses (discourses 7-12)
of the Bhagavadg1ta. Chapter 4 provides a brief summary of these
discourses. The elements of oral style which are i dentified and
discussed among slokas (couplets) in these discourses are the
propositional geste, parallelism, key words in a recitation and
contextual meaning.
The final chapter (chapter 5) deals with the philosophy of Jnana
Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge). The slokas (couplets) of the next six
discourses (13 - 18) which cover this philosophy are used as a
basis to identify and discuss the nine characteristics of oral
style as described by Ong, borrowing from other sources,
alliteration and assonance which are further elements of the oral
style.
This dissertation concludes that the oral formulaic style has
played a significant role in preserving the uniqueness, freshness
and originality of the Bhagavadgita.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.
Keywords
Bhagavadgita--Criticism, interpretation, etc., Sanskrit literature--History and criticism., Oral-formulaic analysis., Theses--Orality-literacy studies., Hinduism--Sacred books.