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Cosmogony (Hinduism)

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Hinduism and Tribal Religions

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Indian Religions ((EIR))

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Synonyms

Pratisarga; Sarga

Definition

Hindu cosmogony has to do with the process of manifestation of the universe, not properly a creation, out of some sort of primeval stuff. Generally a figure of divine demiurge (Indra, Brahmā, or other names and characters) is involved. This process assumes different undertones in different contexts. The three main contexts being under exam are the Vedic, the Purāṇic, and the tribal one. A lot of myths and borrowings from the philosophical schools (mainly sāṃkhya) contribute to enrich the frame.

Cosmogony (Hinduism)

Ancient civilization cosmogonies concentrate upon the question of the origin of the universe and find in myths and legends answers to this theme, generally involving a process of creation, often individuating a divine character directly or indirectly responsible for this primordial event. In Indian civilization, due to the fact that very early a cyclic conception of time prevailed, the very same question of the origin of the universe...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Studi umanistici StudiUm, Università degli studi di Torino, Torino, Italy

    Alberto Pelissero

Authors
  1. Alberto Pelissero
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Correspondence to Alberto Pelissero .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Anthropology, The University of North Texas Dept of Anthropology, Denton, Texas, USA

    Pankaj Jain

  2. The Graduate Theological Union , Berkeley, California, USA

    Rita Sherma

  3. Jamia Millia Islamia, Centre for the Study of Comparative Reli Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India

    Madhu Khanna

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Pelissero, A. (2018). Cosmogony (Hinduism). In: Jain, P., Sherma, R., Khanna, M. (eds) Hinduism and Tribal Religions. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_208-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1036-5_208-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-024-1036-5

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