What do you think?
Rate this book
God of Justice: Ritual Healing and Social Justice in the Central Himalayas
In God of Justice, anthropologist William S. Sax offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of cursing, black magic, and ritual healing in the Central Himalayas of North India. Based on ten years' ethnographic fieldwork, God of Justice shows how these practices are part of a moral system based on the principle of family unity.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2008
6 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 22, 2024
William Sax's "God of Justice" delves into the fascinating world of Bhairava worship in the Central Himalayas. Unlike the dominant Hindu deities often associated with upper castes, Bhairava is seen as a protector of the downtrodden. Those who face social and economic exploitation, turn to Bhairava for intervention against injustice. Rituals associated with Bhairava often involve seeking his intervention to inflict misfortune or illness upon oppressors, pressuring them to mend their ways and offer amends.
Rituals serve as a form of healing for the victims of social injustice. By expressing their suffering and seeking Bhairava's intervention, individuals and communities find a sense of empowerment and a path towards restoring social balance. Sax highlights the tension between the cultural emphasis on family unity and the reality of internal conflicts within families, even among the marginalized communities. Bhairava rituals can be used to address these internal disputes, particularly when they involve abuse or exploitation.
Although Bhairava is a local deity specific to the Central Himalayas, his role as a champion of the disadvantaged resonates with broader themes of social justice. The book suggests that Bhairava worship offers a unique perspective on how marginalized communities navigate social structures and seek redress for injustices.
By offering an alternative source of power and social control, Bhairava worship subtly challenges the established social hierarchy. Overall, Sax's analysis of Bhairava paints a complex picture. This deity represents not just a source of vengeance but also a facilitator of healing, social justice, and a challenge to the existing power structures.
Rituals serve as a form of healing for the victims of social injustice. By expressing their suffering and seeking Bhairava's intervention, individuals and communities find a sense of empowerment and a path towards restoring social balance. Sax highlights the tension between the cultural emphasis on family unity and the reality of internal conflicts within families, even among the marginalized communities. Bhairava rituals can be used to address these internal disputes, particularly when they involve abuse or exploitation.
Although Bhairava is a local deity specific to the Central Himalayas, his role as a champion of the disadvantaged resonates with broader themes of social justice. The book suggests that Bhairava worship offers a unique perspective on how marginalized communities navigate social structures and seek redress for injustices.
By offering an alternative source of power and social control, Bhairava worship subtly challenges the established social hierarchy. Overall, Sax's analysis of Bhairava paints a complex picture. This deity represents not just a source of vengeance but also a facilitator of healing, social justice, and a challenge to the existing power structures.
Displaying 1 of 1 review