Homo ritualis : Hindu ritual and its significance for ritual theory Machine generated contents note: Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations Plates and Figures Pronunciation of Indian Words Introduction Part I: Framing 1. The Beginning of Rituals 1.1 The Solemn Intention (samkalpa) 1.2 Greeting and Ritualized Greeting (namaskara) Conclusion Part II: Formality 2. Repetitive Rules (vidhi) 2.1 The Grammar of Rituals 2.2 A Preliminary Grammar of Newar Life cycle Rituals 2.3 Rituals in Handbooks (paddhati) 3. Agency in Ritual 3.1 Ritual Competency (adhikara) 3.2 Atonements for Ritual Mishaps (prayascitta) 3.3 The Comic Side of Ritual Formality 4. Performed and Played Rituals (lila) 4.1 Music and Ritual Music 4.2 Dance and Ritual Dance 4.3 Emotions and Ritual Emotions Conclusion Part III: Modality 5. Individualized and Domestic Rituals (samskara) 5.1 The Boys Initiation 5.2 The Girls Initiation 5.3 The Marriage 5.4 Death Rituals and Redemption 6. Collective and Public Rituals 6.1 Temple Festivals (utsava) 6.2 Vows (vrata) 6.3 Pilgrimages and Processions (yatra) 7. Transcendence in Rituals 7.1 The Vedic Sacrifice (yajña) 7.2 The Fire Sacrifice (homa) 7.3 Worship and Prayer (puja) 7.4 E darshan and Cyber puja Conclusion Part IV: Meaning 8. Meaning and Function 8.1 The Cultural Studies Approach 8.2 The Cognitive Sciences approach 9. The Purvamimamsa Theory of Ritual Efficacy Conclusion Part V: The Hindu Path of Ritual Summary Appendix: Automatic Detection of Ritual Structures Glossary References This book describes and analyzes various forms of Hindu rituals and examines various conceptional components of (Hindu) rituals such as framing formality modality and theories of meaning. It is asked how indigenous terms and notions of ritual modifies ritual theory. The book thus is the first attempt to present a Hindu theory of rituals Are the richness and diversity of rituals and celebrations in South Asia unique Can we speak of a homo ritualis when it comes to India or Hinduism Are Indians or Hindus more involved in rituals than other people If so what makes them special Homo Ritualis is the first book to present a Hindu theory of rituals. Based on extensive textual studies and field work in Nepal and India Axel Michaels argues that ritual is a distinctive way of acting which as in the theater can be distinguished from other forms of action. The book analyzes ritual in these cultural specific and religious contexts taking into account how indigenous terms and theories affect and contribute to current ritual theory. It describes and investigates various forms of Hindu rituals and festivals such as life cycle rituals the Vedic sacrifice vows processions and the worship of deities (puja). It also examines conceptual components of (Hindu) rituals such as framing formality modality and theories of meaning