Guru in Indian Tradition: Institutions, Icons and Relics

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction: The Guru and Vishwa Guru. 2. The Guru in Institutions. 3. Rise of Saiva Mathas. 4. Vedanta Mathas. 5. Guru in Icons. 6. The Guru in Relics. 7. Origins of the Icon/ Relic of the Guru. 8. Symbolic Significance of the Vrndavana. 9. Conclusion. Appendices. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

The book is a comprehensive analysis of the institutionalization of the Guru during the medieval period. It provides a historical, religious and artistic background for the origin of the visual representations of the Guru in Vedanta Dvaita Madhwa mathas as vrndavanas that defy the boundaries between the Guru and God. It is indeed an example of the importance of visual culture for the study of religious studies.