Scribd
Upload
644 views7 pages

Magic in Ancient India

This document discusses magical practices in ancient India as described in various Sanskrit texts. It outlines theories of magic and then examines the use of magic in Vedic texts like the Atharvaveda, which contained spells and their explanations. It also looks at sections on magic in mainstream scriptural texts that describe the use of empowered objects made from human, animal or plant parts for purposes like manipulating people or gaining supernatural abilities. Finally, it analyzes the portrayal of magic in Tantric texts, which involved practices like mantras, deity worship, magical objects, exorcism and alchemy.

Uploaded by

Krystian Kosowski
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
644 views7 pages

Magic in Ancient India

This document discusses magical practices in ancient India as described in various Sanskrit texts. It outlines theories of magic and then examines the use of magic in Vedic texts like the Atharvaveda, which contained spells and their explanations. It also looks at sections on magic in mainstream scriptural texts that describe the use of empowered objects made from human, animal or plant parts for purposes like manipulating people or gaining supernatural abilities. Finally, it analyzes the portrayal of magic in Tantric texts, which involved practices like mantras, deity worship, magical objects, exorcism and alchemy.

Uploaded by

Krystian Kosowski
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Magical practices in ancient India

Theories and definitions of magic

Classical theories of magic

evolutionists and intellectualists (Tylor, Frazer)

sociological theories (Durkheim, Mauss, evy!"ruhl,


#e$er)

Field %ork $ased theories

literalism (Malino%ski, &adcliffe!"ro%ne)

sym$olism ('vans!(ritchard)

Magical practices in )anskrit te*ts

Magic in +edic te*ts

Magic in mainstream ,-stra te*ts

Magic in Tantric te*ts



Magic in the +edas

Magical character of the +edic sacrifice


("r-hma a ideology)

Magic in the .tharvaveda (spells / their


e*plication in the 0au,ikas1tra)

Magical practices in sastra te*ts

)ections devoted to magic in mainstream


sastra te*ts (e2g2 Arthastra, Kmastra)

3se of magic o$4ects (o$tained from human,


animal or plant parts) empo%ered $y means of
magic practices (spells, sacrifices, fasts)

'ntering the ta$oo sphere

3se for manipulating and effecting people and


o$4ects, o$taining supernatural a$ilities,

Magic in Tantric te*ts

T%ofold divison (magical tantras and tantras


including magic practices as an au*illiary)

3se of mantras and other forms of deity


%orship

3se of magical o$4ects

(seudo!medical practices (e*orcism, antidotes)

.lchemy

.strology

T5.60 783 F8& 783&
.TT'6TI86

You might also like