Rethinking the Upanisadic Vamsas

This paper takes a literary approach to the major vamsas in the Brahmanas and Upanisads. I will demonstrate that the vamsas follow a number of structural and compositional conventions, which are employed to construct sacred histories, indicate different branches of descent, combine different lineages, and claim authoritative transmissions vis-à-vis other lineages. By treating the vamsas as a literary genre, rather than as an empirical historical record, I hope to invite a new appreciation for their form and creativity, as well as to open up new ways for reading them

Art · Construct (python library · Creativity · Linguistics · Literary genre · Literature · Political science · Reading (process · Chinese history and philosophy · Computer Science · Indian and Buddhist Studies · Study and Philosophy of Religion · History · Law · Philosophy