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Books by Bruce M. Sullivan

Research paper thumbnail of Sacred Objects in Secular Spaces:  Exhibiting Asian Religions in Museums.

https://bloomsbury.com/us/sacred-objects-in-secular-spaces-9781472590800/

Research paper thumbnail of Krsna Dvaipāyana Vyāsa and the Mahābhārata: A New Interpretation (Leiden: Brill, 1990).

It is with pleasure that I thank those who have encouraged me to reprint this book, originally pu... more It is with pleasure that I thank those who have encouraged me to reprint this book, originally published as K~?J,a Dvaipayana Vyasa and the Mah_ abharata: A New Interpretation (Leiden, The Netherlands: EJ. Brill, 1990), The title for this second edition is the one I originally proposed to Brill, but their suggestion prevailed. I would especially like to take note of the persistence over several years of Mr. N.P. Jain of Motilal Banarsidass, who repeatedly asked to publish this work. I considered extensively revising it for publication, as so much excellent work has been done on the Mahiibhiirata in the past decade since this work went to press originally, but decided instead to reprint the book with only a few c9rrections. I am hopeful that this reprinted edition of my work will be of use to others interested in the Mahabharata.

Research paper thumbnail of The Wedding of Arjuna and Subhadrā:  The Kūtiyāttam Drama "Subhadrā-Dhanañjaya.”

Research paper thumbnail of Historical Dictionary of Hinduism (Lanham, MD:  Rowman & Littlefield, 1997).

Research paper thumbnail of The Sun God's Daughter and King Samvarana:  “Tapatī-Samvaranam” and the Kūtiyāttam Drama Tradition.

Papers by Bruce M. Sullivan

Research paper thumbnail of "Mahābhārata Dialogues on Dharma and Devotion with Kṛṣṇa and Hanūman”

In Dialogue with Classical Indian Traditions: Encounter, Transformation and Interpretation. Edited by Brian Black & Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of An Overview of Mahābhārata Scholarship: A Perspective on the State of the Field

"An Overview of Mahābhārata Scholarship" --- Errata: In the above published article, errors in... more "An Overview of Mahābhārata Scholarship" --- Errata:
In the above published article, errors introduced in the production process were identified on pages 165 and 174 and are detailed as follows:
1. In the last line of the abstract there is a free-standing ‘h’. It should read ‘Mbh’ (the
abbreviation for the text as indicated in the first line of the abstract).
2. In the reference section ‘Brodbeck (2007)’ should read ‘Brodbeck & Black, eds. (2007)’.

Research paper thumbnail of "The Tale of an Old Monkey and a Fragrant Flower:  What the Mahābhārata’s Rāmāyaṇa may Tell Us about the Mahābhārata”

Argument and Design: The Unity of the Mahābhārata, V. Adluri & J. Bagchee, editors, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Experiencing Sanskrit Dramas in Kerala: Epic Performances and Performers

Studying Hinduism in Practice, edited by Hillary Rodrigues, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Kerala's Mahabharata on Stage: Texts and Performative Practices in Kutiyattam Drama

The Journal of Hindu Studies vol. 3, no. 1 (April, 2010): 1-19., Apr 1, 2010

This article concerns the performance of Kūṭiyāṭṭam enactments of Mahābhārata narratives and the ... more This article concerns the performance of Kūṭiyāṭṭam enactments of Mahābhārata narratives and the written texts on which those performances are based. The Kūṭiyāṭṭam tradition of Sanskrit drama enactment in Kerala has been recognised by UNESCO as a 'masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity' but is also profoundly concerned with written texts. I argue that the ways Kūṭiyāṭṭam performers have modified and elaborated upon the dramas' texts have resulted in enactments more devotionally oriented than are the texts themselves, and that this distinctively devotional performative practice has contributed to the tradition's longevity. I also argue that performances in secular settings in recent decades represent both an opportunity and a danger to the tradition. devānāmidamāmananti munayaḥ śāntaṃ kratuṃ cākṣuṣaṃ / … nāṭyaṃ 'Sages regard drama as the visible and pacifying sacrifice to the Gods….' Kālidāsa, Mālavikāgnimitra (1.4)

Research paper thumbnail of Dying on the stage in the Nāṭyaśāstra and Kūṭiyāṭṭam: perspectives from the Sanskrit theatre tradition

Asian Theatre Journal 24, no. 2 (Fall, 2007): 422-39., Oct 1, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of How Does One Study a 'Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity'? Ethnographic Reflections on Kerala's Kutiyattam

Method & Theory in the Study of Religion , Jan 1, 2009

Th is article presents issues encountered in ethnographic fi eldwork in Kerala, south India, on a... more Th is article presents issues encountered in ethnographic fi eldwork in Kerala, south India, on a tradition of Sanskrit theatre called Kūṭ iyāṭ ṭ am. Key issues include recent changes in both the audience and performing troupes as Kerala's society has become more egalitarian, and reduced ritual activity by priests. Kūṭ iyāṭ ṭ am has been transformed from a devotional off ering in temples to a cultural performance viewed as an art form. Ethnographic research on this tradition has contributed to international recognition and patronage. In this case, ethnographic fi eldwork aff ects both the researchers and the subjects of their research.

Research paper thumbnail of The Mahābhārata: Perspectives on Its Ends and Endings

International Journal of Hindu Studies, 15, no. 1 (April 2011): 1-7, Apr 1, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of The ideology of self-willed death in the epic Mahābhārata

Journal of Vaishnava Studies, 14, no. 2 (Spring, 2006): 61-79, Mar 1, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of The religious authority of the Mahābhārata: Vyāsa and Brahmā in the Hindu scriptural tradition

Journal of The American Academy of Religion, 62, no. 2 (Summer, 1994): 377-401, Jun 1, 1994

Research paper thumbnail of “Fluid Selfhood, Human and Otherwise:  Hindu and Buddhist Themes in Science Fiction.”

Implicit Religion,17.4 (Dec. 2014): 489-508.

However, this fiction also presents science and technology as implicitly religious, as being mean... more However, this fiction also presents science and technology as implicitly religious, as being means to attain traditional religious goals such as immortal life.

Research paper thumbnail of “Religions of the World at the Phoenix Art Museum”

Material Religion: The Journal of Objects, Art, and Belief, Dec 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Tantroid Phenomena in Early Indic Literature: An Essay in Honor of Jim Sanford

Pacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies (2007): 9-21, Jan 1, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of “The Whale Avatar of the Hindoos in Melville’s Moby Dick,”

Literature & Theology 15, no. 4 (2001), 2001

Research paper thumbnail of Temple rites and temple servants: Religion's role in the survival of Kerala's Kūṭiyāṭṭam drama tradition

International Journal of Hindu Studies 1, no. 1 (1997): 97-115., Jan 1, 1997

Research paper thumbnail of Sacred Objects in Secular Spaces:  Exhibiting Asian Religions in Museums.

https://bloomsbury.com/us/sacred-objects-in-secular-spaces-9781472590800/

Research paper thumbnail of Krsna Dvaipāyana Vyāsa and the Mahābhārata: A New Interpretation (Leiden: Brill, 1990).

It is with pleasure that I thank those who have encouraged me to reprint this book, originally pu... more It is with pleasure that I thank those who have encouraged me to reprint this book, originally published as K~?J,a Dvaipayana Vyasa and the Mah_ abharata: A New Interpretation (Leiden, The Netherlands: EJ. Brill, 1990), The title for this second edition is the one I originally proposed to Brill, but their suggestion prevailed. I would especially like to take note of the persistence over several years of Mr. N.P. Jain of Motilal Banarsidass, who repeatedly asked to publish this work. I considered extensively revising it for publication, as so much excellent work has been done on the Mahiibhiirata in the past decade since this work went to press originally, but decided instead to reprint the book with only a few c9rrections. I am hopeful that this reprinted edition of my work will be of use to others interested in the Mahabharata.

Research paper thumbnail of The Wedding of Arjuna and Subhadrā:  The Kūtiyāttam Drama "Subhadrā-Dhanañjaya.”

Research paper thumbnail of Historical Dictionary of Hinduism (Lanham, MD:  Rowman & Littlefield, 1997).

Research paper thumbnail of The Sun God's Daughter and King Samvarana:  “Tapatī-Samvaranam” and the Kūtiyāttam Drama Tradition.

Research paper thumbnail of "Mahābhārata Dialogues on Dharma and Devotion with Kṛṣṇa and Hanūman”

In Dialogue with Classical Indian Traditions: Encounter, Transformation and Interpretation. Edited by Brian Black & Chakravarthi Ram-Prasad, 2019

Research paper thumbnail of An Overview of Mahābhārata Scholarship: A Perspective on the State of the Field

"An Overview of Mahābhārata Scholarship" --- Errata: In the above published article, errors in... more "An Overview of Mahābhārata Scholarship" --- Errata:
In the above published article, errors introduced in the production process were identified on pages 165 and 174 and are detailed as follows:
1. In the last line of the abstract there is a free-standing ‘h’. It should read ‘Mbh’ (the
abbreviation for the text as indicated in the first line of the abstract).
2. In the reference section ‘Brodbeck (2007)’ should read ‘Brodbeck & Black, eds. (2007)’.

Research paper thumbnail of "The Tale of an Old Monkey and a Fragrant Flower:  What the Mahābhārata’s Rāmāyaṇa may Tell Us about the Mahābhārata”

Argument and Design: The Unity of the Mahābhārata, V. Adluri & J. Bagchee, editors, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Experiencing Sanskrit Dramas in Kerala: Epic Performances and Performers

Studying Hinduism in Practice, edited by Hillary Rodrigues, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of Kerala's Mahabharata on Stage: Texts and Performative Practices in Kutiyattam Drama

The Journal of Hindu Studies vol. 3, no. 1 (April, 2010): 1-19., Apr 1, 2010

This article concerns the performance of Kūṭiyāṭṭam enactments of Mahābhārata narratives and the ... more This article concerns the performance of Kūṭiyāṭṭam enactments of Mahābhārata narratives and the written texts on which those performances are based. The Kūṭiyāṭṭam tradition of Sanskrit drama enactment in Kerala has been recognised by UNESCO as a 'masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity' but is also profoundly concerned with written texts. I argue that the ways Kūṭiyāṭṭam performers have modified and elaborated upon the dramas' texts have resulted in enactments more devotionally oriented than are the texts themselves, and that this distinctively devotional performative practice has contributed to the tradition's longevity. I also argue that performances in secular settings in recent decades represent both an opportunity and a danger to the tradition. devānāmidamāmananti munayaḥ śāntaṃ kratuṃ cākṣuṣaṃ / … nāṭyaṃ 'Sages regard drama as the visible and pacifying sacrifice to the Gods….' Kālidāsa, Mālavikāgnimitra (1.4)

Research paper thumbnail of Dying on the stage in the Nāṭyaśāstra and Kūṭiyāṭṭam: perspectives from the Sanskrit theatre tradition

Asian Theatre Journal 24, no. 2 (Fall, 2007): 422-39., Oct 1, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of How Does One Study a 'Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity'? Ethnographic Reflections on Kerala's Kutiyattam

Method & Theory in the Study of Religion , Jan 1, 2009

Th is article presents issues encountered in ethnographic fi eldwork in Kerala, south India, on a... more Th is article presents issues encountered in ethnographic fi eldwork in Kerala, south India, on a tradition of Sanskrit theatre called Kūṭ iyāṭ ṭ am. Key issues include recent changes in both the audience and performing troupes as Kerala's society has become more egalitarian, and reduced ritual activity by priests. Kūṭ iyāṭ ṭ am has been transformed from a devotional off ering in temples to a cultural performance viewed as an art form. Ethnographic research on this tradition has contributed to international recognition and patronage. In this case, ethnographic fi eldwork aff ects both the researchers and the subjects of their research.

Research paper thumbnail of The Mahābhārata: Perspectives on Its Ends and Endings

International Journal of Hindu Studies, 15, no. 1 (April 2011): 1-7, Apr 1, 2011

Research paper thumbnail of The ideology of self-willed death in the epic Mahābhārata

Journal of Vaishnava Studies, 14, no. 2 (Spring, 2006): 61-79, Mar 1, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of The religious authority of the Mahābhārata: Vyāsa and Brahmā in the Hindu scriptural tradition

Journal of The American Academy of Religion, 62, no. 2 (Summer, 1994): 377-401, Jun 1, 1994

Research paper thumbnail of “Fluid Selfhood, Human and Otherwise:  Hindu and Buddhist Themes in Science Fiction.”

Implicit Religion,17.4 (Dec. 2014): 489-508.

However, this fiction also presents science and technology as implicitly religious, as being mean... more However, this fiction also presents science and technology as implicitly religious, as being means to attain traditional religious goals such as immortal life.

Research paper thumbnail of “Religions of the World at the Phoenix Art Museum”

Material Religion: The Journal of Objects, Art, and Belief, Dec 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Tantroid Phenomena in Early Indic Literature: An Essay in Honor of Jim Sanford

Pacific World: Journal of the Institute of Buddhist Studies (2007): 9-21, Jan 1, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of “The Whale Avatar of the Hindoos in Melville’s Moby Dick,”

Literature & Theology 15, no. 4 (2001), 2001

Research paper thumbnail of Temple rites and temple servants: Religion's role in the survival of Kerala's Kūṭiyāṭṭam drama tradition

International Journal of Hindu Studies 1, no. 1 (1997): 97-115., Jan 1, 1997

Research paper thumbnail of Theology and Ecology at the Birthplace of Krsna

Purifying the earthly body of God: Religion & Ecology in Hindu India, Jan 1, 1998

Research paper thumbnail of Tapatī-Samvaranam, a Kūtiyāttam Drama by Kulasekhara Varman. Introduced by Bruce M. Sullivan. Translated, with notes, by Bruce M. Sullivan and …

Asian Theatre Journal 13, no. 1 (Spring, 1996): 26-53., Apr 1, 1996

Research paper thumbnail of The Unworshipped Avatār: Vyāsa’s Relationship to Vishnu and Brahmā

Research paper thumbnail of The Epic's Two Grandfathers, Bhisma and Vyasa

Essays on the Mahabharata. Leiden: EJ Brill, Jan 1, 1991

Research paper thumbnail of Paradise polluted: religious dimensions of the Vrindavana ecology movement

This sacred earth. Religion, nature, environment., Jan 1, 1996

Research paper thumbnail of Argument and Design: The Unity of the Mahābhārata

Argument and Design features fifteen essays by leading scholars of the Sanskrit epics, the Mahābh... more Argument and Design features fifteen essays by leading scholars of the Sanskrit epics, the Mahābhārata and the Rāmāyaṇa, discussing the Mahābhārata’s upākhyānas, subtales that branch off from the central storyline and provide vantage points for reflecting on it.

Contributors include: Vishwa Adluri, Joydeep Bagchee, Greg Bailey, Adam Bowles, Simon Brodbeck, Nicolas Dejenne, Sally J. Sutherland Goldman, Robert P. Goldman, Alf Hiltebeitel, Thennilapuram Mahadevan, Adheesh Sathaye, Bruce M. Sullivan, and Fernando Wulff Alonso.

Research paper thumbnail of Reviews of The Nay Science

International Journal of Dharma Studies (2016) 4:10