Dynamics between the philosophy and practice in the Lakulisa Pasupata cult
By
Geetika Kaw Kher
1Introduction:
The aim of this study is to look at religion as a construct, a living-breathing phenomenon constantly in the state of flux, either appropriating new concepts or getting appropriated in a stronger system. One often wonders how new aspects and at times totally contrary ones are accepted and even legitimized in a belief system hence raising interesting questions about the dynamics between different religious systems, which come in contact with each other.
One of the most exciting periods in Indian history where one can study this dynamics to the maximum are the few centuries before and after the beginning of the Christian era. This is the time when Jainism and Buddhism had already challenged the supremacy of Vedas and lot of people especially from the Vaisya and Shudra class got converted into the former systems. Meanwhile the highly philosophical and abstract religion of Vedas was becoming more and mor ...