Visnuism and Sivaism: A Comparison

This expanded version of Professor Gonda's Jordan lectures, given at the School of Oriental and African Studies in the University of London in 1969, presents, not a regular account of the history of Visnuism and Sivaism, but rather a detailed discussion of some of those historical, doctrinal, ritual, and literary aspects of both religious currents which do not seem to have attracted the attention they deserve. Being comparative in character it is an attempt to delineate the main characteristics of each tradition and to reconsider some vexed problems relating to their origin and the history of their theological doctrines and practices. Special emphasis is laid upon their various interrelations, upon those many features which have their roots in the Vedic past, and upon the partly parallel and often divergent development of their rituals and philosophies.