Visnuism and Sivaism: A Comparison

This book contains a detailed discussion of some of the historical, doctrinal, ritual and literary aspects of both Vaishnavism and Shaivism, as first presented - then as Visnuism and Sivaism - at the 1969 Jordan Lecture in Comparative Religion. By comparing both religions, the main characteristics of each tradition is delineated and questions regarding their origins, theological doctrines and practices are reconsidered. Special emphasis is laid on their various interrelations, for example, the partly parallel and often divergent development of their rituals and philosophies.

Jan Gonda was one of the 20th century’s leading scholars of Asian language, literature and religion, who held professorships at the universities of Utrecht and Leiden, The Netherlands.