Reflections on Resemblance, Ritual and Religion

by Brian K. Smith

The classical Vedic texts that deal with large-scale sacrificial ritual and those writings that deal with domestic ritual have traditionally been treated as unrelated. The former are devoted to the explication of rituals that are dominated by wealthy male elites; the latter concern humble private ceremonies more open to famale participation.

Reflections on Resemblance, Ritual and Religion argues that there is in fact, a fundamental connection between these two large and important bodies of Indic religious literature.

About the Author:

Brian K. Smith is also the author of Classifying the Universe: The Varna System and the Origins of Caste and the co-translator of The Laws of Manu. He has taught the religious of India at Barnard College (Columbia University) and the University of California, Riverside.