Heinrich Robert Zimmer Myths and Symbols in Indian Art Publisher

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Jan 08, 2012 Riku Sayuj rated it it was amazing

The most reverent, lyrical and aesthetically pleasing treatment of Indian thought that I accept run into since The Discovery of Republic of india. Zimmer was a genius much ahead of his time.

una notte rabbi Eisik fece united nations sogno che gli ordinava di andare lontano, nella capitale boema, a Praga. Lì avrebbe scoperto un tesoro sepolto sotto il ponte principale che conduceva al castello dei re. Il rabbino cercò di trascurare il sogno, ma questi si ripresentò tre volte due east allora si fece coraggio e partì in cammino per la città di Praga. Quando arrivò, il rabbino vide che sul ponte half dozen erano delle sentinelle e not osò scavare, ma rimase a studiare il modo per farlo. Sorpreso dalla sua ostinaz una notte rabbi Eisik fece united nations sogno che gli ordinava di andare lontano, nella capitale boema, a Praga. Lì avrebbe scoperto un tesoro sepolto sotto il ponte principale che conduceva al castello dei re. Il rabbino cercò di trascurare il sogno, ma questi si ripresentò tre volte e allora si fece coraggio e partì in cammino per la città di Praga. Quando arrivò, il rabbino vide che sul ponte vi erano delle sentinelle e not osò scavare, ma rimase a studiare il modo per farlo. Sorpreso dalla sua ostinazione, il capo delle guardie gli si avvicinò e gli chiese cosa ci facesse lì e se avesse perduto qualcosa, allora Eisik gli raccontò senza esitare il sogno. Il capo delle guardie si fece una grossa risata e disse: "davvero ti sei consumato le scarpe facendo tutta questa strada solo per un sogno? quale persona di senno darebbe retta a un sogno?". E continuò dicendo che anche lui aveva fatto un sogno, che gli diceva di fare un pellegrinaggio contrario al suo, nella direzione apposta, quella voce nel sogno gli aveva ordinato di andare a Cracovia a casa di un rabbino chiamato Eisik figlio di Jekel perché in un angolo sporco della sua casa, dietro una stufa, c'era una tesoro. Ma figuriamoci! andare a Cracovia per cercare Eisik figlio di Jekel lì pigeon metà popolazione ebrea si chiama Eisik o Jekel. E rise di cuore. Il rabbino ascoltò, ma senza dare a vedere, dopo aver ringraziato ritornò a casa sua, scavò in quell'angolo di casa sua dietro la stufa eastward trovò il tesoro che pose fine alla sua miseria.
H.R.Zimmer racconta questa storia e ci die che i veri tesori non sono lontani da noi. not bisogna cercarli lontano. giacciono sepolti nel recesso più segreto della nostra stessa casa. dietro la stufa, dietro quel centro che effonde luce e calore; ma c'è qualcosa in più in questa storia, spesso è solo dopo un viaggio che scopriamo per bocca di qualcuno a noi estraneo, di un paese lontano e straniero, quel qualcosa che non sapevamo di avere così vicino. the inner lite, come up diceva George Harrison, in quel celebre brano.

http://youtu.exist/eCYJVkR0C2U
"...Più lontano si viaggia
Meno si conosce
Meno si conosce veramente

Arriva senza viaggiare
Vedi tutto senza guardare
Fai tutto senza fare..."

...more

Feb 14, 2018 Patricia rated it actually liked it

I've read this book several times (four or 5 at to the lowest degree) over the past years, and each fourth dimension I walk abroad sated. The volume of essays was actually compiled/written by one of Zimmer's students, the famous Joseph Campbell, who spent nearly a decade collecting and publishing Zimmer's works posthumously. Zimmer himself was a refugee from Nazi Germany who ended up instruction in the US and passed abroad in the early on 1940s.

This isn't a history of Indian art, but articles virtually key aspects of Indian religion

I've read this volume several times (four or five at least) over the past years, and each time I walk away sated. The volume of essays was actually compiled/written by 1 of Zimmer'south students, the famous Joseph Campbell, who spent nearly a decade collecting and publishing Zimmer'due south works posthumously. Zimmer himself was a refugee from Nazi Germany who ended upwards teaching in the US and passed away in the early 1940s.

This isn't a history of Indian fine art, but articles about key aspects of Indian organized religion--the gods and their vehicles, lotus, elephants, the triad of Brahma, Siva and Vishnu, the wheel of rebirth, the Mother Goddess...inspired by the myths lonely, although using some sculptures and art works as illustrations. (His apparent 'disinterest' in such forms later was the cause of most of the criticism of his work by later on scholars. The great scholar of Indian temple architecture, Stella Kramrisch, noted for example that Zimmer had never fifty-fifty seen a Hindu temple.)

Merely this isn't why one reads this volume. One reads it for the absolutely wondrous way Zimmer relates these classic myths of Hinduism. He is the complete storyteller, every bit in the tale of the holy man Markandeya, who is described in a creation myth every bit "wandering inside the god, over the peaceful world, as an aimless pilgrim, regarding with pleasure the edifying sight of the ideal vision of the world...[until] an accident occurs. In the course of his aimless, unending promenade, the sturdy old man slips, inadvertently out through the mouth of the all-containing god. Vishnu is sleeping with lips a little open; breathing with a deep, sonorous rhythmical audio, in the immense silence of the night of Brahma. And the astonished saint, falling from the sleeper'southward behemothic lip, plunges headlong into the cosmic bounding main." (p. 38)

I can think of no better volume to brainstorm with for those commencing a study of classical Indian art through its myths than this one. In their telling, they reveal the major teachings of Hinduism and each story's meaning as a component of the whole. Every bit explained in the introduction, its "purpose is to fathom the major areas and issues, the dominant symbols and most significant features of the abundant world of Hindu myth". This it does admirably and is the reason why I keep returning.

...more

Really by default, I was expecting this to exist extremely dated orientalist garbage that I would however find to exist an interesting work of scholarship in some regards. Instead, and aside from some exceedingly pocket-size semantic allowances, it'southward a deeply genuine, passionate, well-researched, artistic, and appropriately-but-not-slavishly reverent exploration of its subjects presented through startlingly strong prose. Actually by default, I was expecting this to be extremely dated orientalist garbage that I would even so discover to be an interesting piece of work of scholarship in some regards. Instead, and aside from some exceedingly minor semantic allowances, information technology's a deeply genuine, passionate, well-researched, artistic, and accordingly-simply-not-slavishly reverent exploration of its subjects presented through startlingly stiff prose. ...more

I volition let it all settle in; and revel in the mighty imagination of the folks who dared to envision the circularity of events and the multiple, disorienting manifestations of that which has 'no other'. Dr. Zimmer, gifted with extraordinary neatness of words, and a scholar of remarkable depth, has my greatest regards.

A book total of wonder. The retelling of the myths is detailed with restrained but illuminating analysis & interpretation. This book brings even more life to my readings of the Upanishads and the Bhagavadgita (et al). The descriptions of the plates and artifacts are animated and superbly effective. A must read for anyone curious about myths & symbols in Indian art and culture.

From the conclusion:

"At present the real treasure, to cease our misery and trials, is never far away; information technology is not to be sought

A book full of wonder. The retelling of the myths is detailed with restrained just illuminating assay & interpretation. This book brings even more life to my readings of the Upanishads and the Bhagavadgita (et al). The descriptions of the plates and artifacts are animated and superbly constructive. A must read for anyone curious about myths & symbols in Indian fine art and civilization.

From the conclusion:

"Now the real treasure, to end our misery and trials, is never far away; it is not to be sought in whatever distant region; information technology lies buried in the innermost recess of our ain home, that is to say, our own being. And it lies behind the stove, the life-and-warmth giving center of the structure of our existence, our heart of hearts -- if we could only dig." (Heinrich Zimmer)

This volume gives readers a plethora of tools to start digging.

...more

Wow. Okay.
The real treasure lies buried in the innermost recess of our ain dwelling house.

Reading Indian myths and symbols enriches my listen and soul, the way a healthy and nutritious meal enriches the torso.
A very good read.

Sep 25, 2011 Aryanne rated it it was amazing

The work is clear, concise and well-ordered. It really gives yous a piece of the film when it comes to the mentality of the people behind this beautiful art and symbolism.

April 23, 2011 David Melbie rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: Lovers of myth

Recommended to David past: Joseph Campbell

This volume is crawly. I am e'er fascinated by Bharat's rich spiritual heritage. They utilize some pretty grotesque symbols to convey certain concepts, and the art is sublime. A practiced read. This book is crawly. I am always fascinated past India's rich spiritual heritage. They use some pretty grotesque symbols to convey sure concepts, and the fine art is sublime. A good read. ...more than

Apr 16, 2022 Dr G Bhas rated information technology it was amazing

This review has been subconscious because it contains spoilers. To view information technology, click here. 'With the enlargement of perspective every aspect of life shifted value' . Zimmer

Read this book as a journey through a philosophical supersystem :

of scintillating ideas, a rediscovery of thoughts that reverberate through time and space in the realms of aboriginal Indian art , philosophy and mythology which then proceeds through an inquiry of that which transcends time and space.

Hither you lot will travel in the wisdom of aboriginal Indian philosophers conveyed through the poetry of fine art in rock- sculptur

'With the enlargement of perspective every aspect of life shifted value' . Zimmer

Read this book as a journey through a philosophical supersystem :

of scintillating ideas, a rediscovery of thoughts that reverberate through time and infinite in the realms of ancient Indian art , philosophy and mythology which and then proceeds through an research of that which transcends fourth dimension and space.

Here you will travel in the wisdom of aboriginal Indian philosophers conveyed through the poetry of art in stone- sculptures and reliefs ,some more than a grand years onetime to contemplate on the paradox of beingness , the harmonious union of anatagonistic principles, the philosophy and psychology of 'Maya' - the microcosm and the macrocosm in its total dynamism of growth, decay and destruction.

How does ancient Indian philosophy explore those questions that cycle through the dynamic ' Cycle of Time'?

Who am I? Why am I here?

Zimmer wonders 'The two profiles are happening; the universe is happening; the private is happening. But in what sense are they happening? Do they really happen?

How does a civilization view space and time? How does ane comprehend the polarities of nature and her enigma ? How is reality represented on diverse metaphysical planes?

Through the personification of philosophical principles in myth and art , nosotros go a glimpse of that infinitude of Space and endlessness of Time- a glimpse of the invisible 'Bindu' that Zimmer explores in the volume .

...more

Aug 16, 2015 Jeff rated it liked it

While not exactly the nearly heady read you lot're likely to run across, Zimmer's book on the circuitous mythology that underlies the art and architecture of India is a very valuable book for those interested in improve agreement Indian culture. So much of Indian fine art is religious in field of study matter, trying to wait at information technology without an understanding of the stories involved is like trying to understand Western religious fine art with no notion of who Jesus is. If anything, the situation is even more complicat While not exactly the most heady read you're probable to encounter, Zimmer's book on the circuitous mythology that underlies the fine art and architecture of Republic of india is a very valuable book for those interested in better understanding Indian civilization. So much of Indian art is religious in bailiwick matter, trying to await at it without an understanding of the stories involved is like trying to understand Western religious art with no notion of who Jesus is. If anything, the situation is even more complicated in Indian art, where the gods and goddesses change shape and form with frightening regularity. Vishnu is sometimes Shiva as well, and also turns into Krishna. And the Goddess manifests in innumerable forms. Even the Buddha, in some cases, is seen as an incarnation of Vishnu. Luckily, Zimmer is extremely helpful in sorting out how all these variant incarnations and avatars are related, and the visual forms they take. This is totally old school scholarship, and the book was assembled after Zimmer'south death by colleague, based on lecture notes he left backside, so it is not direct or systematic similar a text volume. But for all that, an indispensable guide to a very complex culture. ...more

Jan 21, 2022 Ludo-Van rated it it was amazing

A wonderful introduction to Indian symbolism and iconography. The more "poetic" passages are undoubtedly very well written, and brand the whole experience much lighter (although I personally prefer a drier way, only this is very subjective). I did not fully get the philosophical bits, but I am an ogre who drinks beer and howls at the moon, and so I gauge the more sensible reader will sympathize them.
This volume for sure helps interpreting the Indian sacred fine art (Hindu and, to a bottom extent, Buddhist) A wonderful introduction to Indian symbolism and iconography. The more than "poetic" passages are undoubtedly very well written, and make the whole experience much lighter (although I personally prefer a drier style, but this is very subjective). I did not fully become the philosophical bits, but I am an ogre who drinks beer and howls at the moon, then I guess the more than sensible reader will understand them.
This book for certain helps interpreting the Indian sacred art (Hindu and, to a lesser extent, Buddhist), whose symbols are otherwise obscure to the Western eye.
The only mutter is that it is too short, I wanted more! only again this is a posthumous collection of Dr. Zimmer'south notes and seminars nerveless and made into a coherent text by the editor Joseph Campbell with the back up of the author's colleagues. And then, Dr Zimmer, you are forgiven! ...more

Nov 01, 2019 Paritosh rated it actually liked it

Insightful in interpreting the symbolism implicit in Indian mythological art and architecture. Understanding this symbolism is a step forward in refining our faith in the pantheon of Indian gods and goddesses.

A very respectful take on the Indian traditions

Dec 09, 2021 Anurag rated it really liked it

Expert read for anyone interested in Indian iconography.

Anybook that attempts to translate Indian motif to the Western mind will exist criticised by some of the subcontinent. Indian sysmbol is so diverse and expressive after all.

As an overview this is a beautiful attempt for a non India to gain some grasp to build on if he ver seeks to submerge himself in the bounding main of Indian idea.

United nations libro introductorio al pensamiento hinduísta, escrito con una prosa que juega con el éxtasis de la poesía. Además de tener láminas y unas maravillosas interpretaciones de la inconografía, relata muchos de los mitos de los diversos textos hindúes mas no los aísla, sino que se atreve a compararlos con los mitos de las religiones de occidente. Por otro lado, la historia de la construcción del libro añade ciertos trazos dramáticos a su lectura: siendo conferencias que Heinrich Zimmer dio en Colum United nations libro introductorio al pensamiento hinduísta, escrito con una prosa que juega con el éxtasis de la poesía. Además de tener láminas y unas maravillosas interpretaciones de la inconografía, relata muchos de los mitos de los diversos textos hindúes mas no los aísla, sino que se atreve a compararlos con los mitos de las religiones de occidente. Por otro lado, la historia de la construcción del libro añade ciertos trazos dramáticos a su lectura: siendo conferencias que Heinrich Zimmer dio en Columbia tras su emigración de Europa por causa de la persecución de su esposa (judía) durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial, el autor no tuvo oportunidad de compilar los textos, pues un día enfermó y a la semana murió súbitamente por una neumonía. Otro titán del estudio del Mito, Joseph Campbell, se encargó de revisar los textos de Zimmer para darle la forma terminal al océano de pensamientos. Dos cosas (además de las obvias) rescato de este texto: la transmisión de la pasión que siente Zimmer por el pensamiento de India y un proceso de transformación interna conforme uno avanza en la lectura, un proceso de transformación precipitado por united nations maravillarse más tirado a la imaginación y las concepciones religiosas que a la sorpresa de la razón. Sin duda, libro de cabecera. ...more

And then far the take on Indian myth (from a person with a thoroughly Western background and perspective) is interesting and valuable. Indian myth is a weak area in my knowledge of world myth as a whole, and this book is a good introduction. Obsessively taking notes as I go, and only reading in my spare time lately, but I don't see myself putting this one down. So far the take on Indian myth (from a person with a thoroughly Western groundwork and perspective) is interesting and valuable. Indian myth is a weak expanse in my noesis of earth myth as a whole, and this book is a good introduction. Obsessively taking notes equally I go, and just reading in my spare time lately, but I don't see myself putting this one down. ...more than

Aug 28, 2008 Nikki rated information technology really liked information technology

Very interesting read. I enjoyed that the text was written past Zimmer simply edited by Campbell. Since the written report of Hinduism is completely new to me, there was a lot to have in with this text. However, I am fascinated by it all!! The only thing that I didn't like well-nigh the text is that the great images of the Indian fine art are small and in the back of the book and in blackness and white. Very interesting read. I enjoyed that the text was written past Zimmer but edited past Campbell. Since the report of Hinduism is completely new to me, there was a lot to take in with this text. Notwithstanding, I am fascinated by information technology all!! The just thing that I didn't like virtually the text is that the great images of the Indian art are pocket-sized and in the back of the book and in blackness and white. ...more

Sep sixteen, 2010 Ross rated it it was amazing

Bright and thought provoking. Offers stimulating interpretation of mythic iconography of varying kinds, while relating information in an easynto follow format. It's got pictures too, WOOT! Vivid and thought provoking. Offers stimulating interpretation of mythic iconography of varying kinds, while relating data in an easynto follow format. Information technology's got pictures too, WOOT! ...more

Heinrich Robert Zimmer (1890-1943) was an Indologist & historian of S Asian art. He began his career studying Sanskrit & linguistics at the Univ. of Berlin where he graduated in 1913. Betwixt 1920-24 he lectured at the Univ. of Greifswald, moving to Heidelberg to fill up the Chair of Indian Philology. In 1938 he was dismissed by the Nazis. He emigrated to England where between 1939-twoscore he taught a Heinrich Robert Zimmer (1890-1943) was an Indologist & historian of South Asian fine art. He began his career studying Sanskrit & linguistics at the Univ. of Berlin where he graduated in 1913. Between 1920-24 he lectured at the Univ. of Greifswald, moving to Heidelberg to fill up the Chair of Indian Philology. In 1938 he was dismissed past the Nazis. He emigrated to England where between 1939-twoscore he taught at Balliol Higher, Oxford. In 1942 he moved to NY to take a Visiting Lecturer position in Philosophy at Columbia Univ. Ane of his students during this fourth dimension menstruum was Joseph Campbell. He died at that place, of pneumonia, in 1943. His method was to examine religious images using their sacred significance every bit a primal to their psychic transformation. His use of (Indian) philosophy & religious history to interpret fine art was at odds with traditional scholarship. His vast knowledge of Hindu mythology & philosophy (peculiarly Puranic & Tantric works) gave him insights into the art, insights that were appreciated by Campbell among others. Campbell edited many of Zimmer's writings subsequently his expiry. The psychiatrist C,Thousand, Jung also developed a long-standing relationship with Zimmer, & edited a book of Zimmer's entitled Der Weg zum Selbst (the two men 1st met in 1932, subsequently which Zimmer, forth with Richard Wilhelm, became one of the few male friends of Jung). Zimmer is credited by many for the popularizing of South Asian art in the Westward. ...more

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