The Vedic Origins of Karma

Herman W. Tull is Assistant Professor of Religion at Rutgers University.

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Vedic Origins of the Karma Doctrine

A Note on Texts, Method, Terms, and Translations

Chapter 1. The Problem of Karma and the Textual Sources

The Brahmanas and Upanisads in the View of Nineteenth Century Indology

The Upanisads and the Vedic Origins of the Karma Doctrine

The Earliest Notice of the Doctrine of Karma and Rebirth in the Brhadaranyaka and Chandogya Upanisads

Conclusion: The Karma Doctrine in the Context of Brahmanic Thought

Chapter 2. The Cosmos as Man: The Image of the Cosmos in Vedic Thought

The Cosmic Image and Its Vicissitudes in Vedic Thought

Purusa and the Creation of the Cosmos

The Reenactment of the Cosmogony

Prajapati and the Creation of the Cosmos

Conclusion: The Reenactment of the Cosmogony

Chapter 3. The Fire Altar (Agnicayana) as Man and Cosmos

The Problem of Sacrifice

The Problem of Sacrifice and the Agnicayana

The Construction of the Fire Altar

Conclusion: Man and Cosmos in the Fire Altar

Chapter 4. From Death to Rebirth

The Agnicayana and the Smasanacayana

Conclusion: The Karma Doctrine in the Context of Brahmanic Thought

Abbreviations of Vedic Texts

Notes

Bibliography

Index