A. C. Coomaraswamy - Traditional Art and Symbolism

Re Coomaraswamy 1: SELECTED PAPERS TRADITIONAL ART AND SYMBOLISM Roger Lipsey of BOLLINGEN SERIES LXNXIX PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESSCopyright © t6p7 9p Princexon Crivesig Pro Pied by Prinecton Valvetsy Pees riseeto, New Jetsey 9 the tukca Kings, Peamston Ualvesiy Pres, Gauileord, Susrey ‘To Tone Vins Wonk 18 sar Bugury Nisa hi Stes Siosoussa #7 Boteivens Foewourow Liteasy of Congeess Cataloging i2 Peblication Data wi ibe found om the last printed page of this Bock ‘his book bas been eamposte #9 Lnaype Grain Printed in the United Suites of Arneice by Princeton Univesary Press, Princeton, New Teeey Editor's Note “The fiky-ss assays in these volumes have been chosen. fom among many hhuncred.* Without exception, they were mstten in the period 1932 1947, corresponding te Coomaraswamy’® tenure 2s a Resecrch Fellow at the Museum of Pine Arts, Boston, @ position that gave him time for the speculation aad ser:ptural research to wich he was particularly drawn in lower yeurs. These yours were Indlypuably Cooutarsswaunys high pov, by whic He snust aud would wish co be judged; his corresponderce and conversation corroborate this point. Asticles dealing wth specific works of ot fave in general heer excluded from there volumes besauce, al though Coomaraswary continued inthis period o write dota‘ed accounts of museum objec's, his more characteristic work lay elsewhere, To the hest of my knowledge, all the esscys have been out of print Cor isany years er were never proviously published. AMfter a gap of more tama cwentyive years, it is a privilege to present che series of essays at the erd cf Volume 2 which, lchoula anpublished in Coomerasvamy’'s lifetime, bear the stamp of finished wons,Finclly, regarding the . Bage Carrying Youth a Taian sel impreston, sth czngury s2, Lays Corts Pund, sourery the Mises of Biss Aes. ost § Rape of a Nagi 332 roma Sanghio (after Geinwedel). 8, Garuda and Sega as Medineat Taian to, Garuda and 3 owe Nepgevonrmic Photn by Cietthildnerks ue “A‘vetand™ i The Apocalyptic Lamb 3 ‘Wall pining, Museo ds Atee de Catanf, Raredora, Photo Mis The SeveaRayed Sura ee TA. As represented on Tadian purcheaatked ecg, afer John Alla, Catsopu of the Coins of cient Inia (Lond Britsh Mitetm, 1990948 fom the Navy in the eaurch of San Matorann in Sic (ktal after the mons. IZA. Se-Called “Cotton Bale” Symbol 8 GBA. Reloed Motifs from Westera Asiatic Seals B ‘8 Hane van der Osten, Asciot Crionel Seals in the Newall Col- Teun (aneag, s934)e BL ZO Moe 1935 © Beni hse TyLIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS sno. 3595 D- and E. from a CypeoMyeenasan yindzr, Arthur Evans, "Njeenecn Tree and flr Ct” JES, roo; F. Can) Henze, Mister st aymbolesbursines (Antwerp, 193), Bs 18: G. Wacd, Seal Cin esl Bp ener te G31), Pees Hest Ue Osay ren) Ose nal Seas, p 109, Bg. 4, no. 05 T Hem af. Symbol ov a Coin ftom Herapois 1H, A. Sueng and J. Garstang, The Syria Cndders (Landoc, 1912) ag, Hen Hypaethral Tree Shines Front and side view, fora O, Jam, Briqner o¢ abet cframiues Juntniney de Pipnane der How aptartenaat 3 (Lene Gk (Pari, 1936), Bh vhs Be 15. Jade tng Ross Collecion, Courceey of the Mascom af Fire Arts, Boston. 26. Jade Courtesy of the Smithonia: (nsioton, Pree Gallery of Art, Wash- ingnn, BE. ay Han Grave Siah ‘After O. Jans, Drigace o objet camigueslenéraivs de Fépogue des as appurtenant C.T. Loo ct Cie. (Bai, 102), Bs £8. 18, Egyptian World Door and Suadoor Tea Sovard avi, Dap egyptcte TadrenBuck (Basi, 80), igh a8, and TI. Sehikes, Aeypniche snd hcaige Kurt und Welt elie Zar alten gypcr (Dern, 1908). ab 22-24 1gAy B, Hieronymur Leach: A) Entrance to the Celestial Parse dies B) The Earthly Paradise Wing panel fom 2 let alearpiee or sltarpisee. Palace ofthe Doses, Vener: photo Alina. 429. Christ Pantelers Dome ofthe hutch et Daphais photo T. Paneth at. Sarcophagas from Ravenna Tifth on ith cemary. . Srygowih, Spb sndosermenichen loebons ia der hacen Rant isbn, 19330 9895 22 The Heavenly Ladder Byzaning early sat century, From a Klinex MS, courtesy of the Srrituonian Iniitton, Foeer Gallery of Art Washington, DG. 23 Solar Tree (aivattha, Ficus religion), with Stn-Disk and Guardian Diagors. rom an tna Valley sal, 3rd mllenitm we 4 a5 a5 a ea ro ap 494 506 Abbidharmehots Abbinaye Darpana Angelus Silesius Ariagia Apuleius Acvinas Arisode Areafctra List of Abbreviations and Shorr Tirles The Book of the Gradnal Seyiagr (AnguitaraNi faye), of, Be 2, Weadwand wal E. vals, Landoa, 1ygz-t930 (PTS). diteroye Aranyaka, 2, A. 8. Keith, Osiord, 1909 (= Aitavesa Brohmane\. Rigreda Boslmar The Aisaneye snd Korat Brahraaryas oj the Riz veda, cl As By Keita, Cambedge, Mess, 1920 (HOS XXV), LiAthidhermokuis ste Varubandia, + Louie de le ValléePoussin, 6 cols, Pers, 1933-193: The Miroy of Gesture: Feing the Abhinaya Da pena of Nendilstrors, od 8. K. Coomarawamy, Swith Gopals Keisteaya Duggials, Lampecge, Mass. 1917 Ia Nawck (sce below). (Aisa Upseisad\. In The Tneven Pein Cipel Upanishads, oo, BK. Hume, and ed. 10% London, 1930 (Joraan Schaller) Cherubinsccher Wandersmarm, new ed, Munich, 1949. 1 (erutini” Wanaere, schations u, W. R Trask. New Yorks, 1953 ‘he Bhagcwadgits, with the Sonatcugérva, and the Avagiti od Rishinith Teimiak Telang, Oslord, 1882 (SBE VIII). The Goiden sz, tr, W. Adlington, revised by & Gusdlee (LCL). 1 Semeh Lnernve guinaris, docs nglsi, pore anemia od fidem options edition a 1873, rar gn yl er See sin al tao Be snmne We Hae (ACL) Tie Mepis, ws gh Teenie (0) Tae Nchonacere Elion ty HL Rebs on 4 Te Phin RnB Comfort (LCL 2 Te Poel. W Haman 9 (2) Fant’ Stare oaAyabhats Aohoaton Avicenna Avenedhea) BARA saudhayans 0h. su BD SERED Bosthias Bokhari Desh SOS VATIONS AND SHORT TITLES. Anyabhatiya, te, Walter Eugene Clars, Chicnzo, 193. 1 Kard udDin Attar, The Conference of rhe ‘inde (Maatag We sate) Go. Not from Me Fieach of Gargin de Tasy, London, 1 2. Maas Uric, ow le langage des evens te Gargin de Tae, Pars, 1855, 3 Saline ond bad with a Bir nye Voew of FaridUddin Avor's Bid Parianens, by Ei sratd Fitageald, Boson, 1859. De Expositor (dbaslini}s Buddhoghoc's Core snentacy onthe Dhararauanyan el. P, Mang Tin and CAP, Rhys Davide, 2 vols, London, 1920- rat (PTS). 1 Atharia Veda, ed. W, D. Whitney and C.K Lenmia, Cambridge, Mass, 1g05 (HOS VI, vill. 2. The Homan of she AsharveVedu, ol, RTTL Grits, 3 ves, and o, Rennes 1916-1917- Morsphysces compendium, Rome, 936. (Solomon Thn Gabizul) For Pitz, see Fonte fof Life te. Are’ 8. Jaen, Pade 1053. Eulerin de VOMSce Taersaionle des Testis @Archtoiegre ob d Hite ar Dis Beudsarae Dhan nse, hs Tags Taken Leng, 529 Tie Brhad Devesd of Seurcka, ed. A A. Mac onal, Cambricge, Mass. 2904 (HOS V1). Bresin de Ecole Frangase @'Bxiréme Orient (Hanci). The Bhagevrd Gia, eA. Saami Nikblanceds, [New York, 1044 The Theological Trotete: and the Constr of Philswophy, ec. HB. Stewart and ELK Road aren Mularmmad. ibotsmé_sl-Bulkari, Avctice and Islamic. it. Vs Sayles Londen, 1940 (= Brahma Sarco Bhizya) The ih the’ Commentary by Sephe Tribau, 2 vols, Oxford, 1890-1896 (SBE 34,38) Duilesin yj she Schoat of Oriental and dis ABBREVIATIONS AND SHORT TITLES BU chuangeee Cicero Clasdien, Sulicéo Clement Cloud of Unknawing Cope Cnestie Trestice cu D Da ‘Damascae Dante (=Lphadivepyake Upasisad) tn The Thirteen Principel Upnoheds, ed, XE Hume, and edy Landon, 1g3. huang Fs; Mute, aMorair, ane Socal Re former, ed. Hl, A. Giles, Lendoa, 2835, Academica, o. KL. Restars (LCL), Bruits we C, 1, Hendvieloon (LCL). De new decor ts Ul, Rackhain (LCL), De offeis, we. Waker Miler (LCL). Pro Pubha Quisctia, ts. John Hency Freie gen 6, Twsedan Dispeastions, te. J. E. King (LCL) On Suilche's Concabsip, t. Mousse Phunever, Lendan and Corbridge, Mash, 2958 1 Maelanen, Pc. Hare a8 Je B. Meson Lend, 2903 2. The Clementine Homan, SmeNicene Chris fam Vibowy, val XVI, Ralrhangh, son A Fak of Contemplation the Whick is Cited the Cloud of Unkuowing in he Waich Soul ic Oned sith God, anon, ed. E, Underhill, Landoo, #913 A Cope Gnocic Promise Contsined in the Codex Braciznas, ed. Charloce A. Baynes, Carb, 1938. (m Chindagye Upaniond) In The Thirscen Dr's cipal Upunishods, ed. RB, Hume, 200 ed, Lon fon 193: (= DighaNikasa) Diclogues of the Buddha, ed Wend CAP. Rhys Davide 3 vols Landon, 189g-1gar (PTS) nghe hae Atak Sumangol- auiis Rudhogous Commovary on the Dighe Nikaya,e6.'T. W. Rhys Davide and. Esti Car penser Gol, I), and W Sede (cols. and “TD, London, c886-1932 (PTS) 3 Joan vl Daraseus, Soe Migoe, FG, Vals. S10 1. Convito (1529); facsimile edition, Rome, 1932. Dents and His Conta: 4 Study with Tran:la toms WNC Rewats Tender 1gt0 a, Dents Aighien Epivloe: The Lenter of Donte el P. Toynbee, Oxford, 1965 4 The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri, w Chasiee Elis: Noten, 9 toey Boron and NesANIREVIATIONS AND SHORT TITLES Dataropa be DRA, Dionysius Diryaondina Dpv Epiphanius Ecigens Euripides Gudha Up. Garuda Posage op Grasemann Greek Antholegy Horivanse York, 1895-1897. (This ip AKCs pefeted edi tion, bot he had 4 Actnary of Dante’ Tuan Td may have done trations on his own in SCLion w asing Norton; Re also used the Tex ple Classes) Te Deiuripa: a Tres 29 Hinds fe 6.2.0. Hse, New York, 2083 The Dhommapede, ol, 8, Radhakesbnan, Loran, 1650. (= Dhammapada Astsatetha) Diemmapada Come Irenary, Cee Hs Ge NozMEs 4 YNby T9154 (PTs). 1. De cosets heraehia, ce La Hiérrchie eee, ol G Tell ard Me de Gandls, Pars, 1958 (Sources réicnnes LY, De diviie nominibus and De reatca hele see The Livine Names and The Mysted! The: Sey 0. B, Pal Fomian, 900 4, Epes, sce Suit Denys L'drdopegite, Orwres, fo8 Mgr. Duboy. Pars. 1932 Divyauading, cd. EB Cow Cambria, 180 Diparamce, e8, H. OWenbetg, London, 189. Epiphowie (Aacoranes tnd Penarior oes. K. Holl, Lepaig, 915-932 Joan Scoras Engen, See Migue, PL, Vol 22 1. Ewiides,¢. 8. 8. Way (LCL. 2: Frogmenis i Nance Garbhe Upusizad) tn Thirty Minar Upon yaoasini, Mads, 1904 1. The Gurade Pareanm, 1 M.N. Duty Caleun ret 2. The Garuda Peri, tt Exnest Wood aad SU. frnanyam, Allibsbse, 2orx (SBE! IX). Copaske Prabeat, ed. R. Mitea and H. Vidyie bres, Lasuttay aya (Sensket ely), H. G. Grossmann, Wort-rhach zum Rig-Vedin Taipan 1873 (ch also RigVedas ihereet und smi icon and ceiaseracon Aamerkungen et Johor, 2 vom Liipeig, 1876-1897). The Creek Anthology, te. W. R. Paton (LCL). Farearish, ed, MN, Dove, Caleta, 1897 (prox Eaglan eemsation), amature, and 2 A. Nel, Mama Up. Heracsitany Fr. Heres Hew Hippocrates BIAS. Homer Homeric Hymes Hone ns TPES iv jacob Boshae ABDREVIATIONS AND SHORT TITLES Hoyssa Uponised\ In Thirty Minor Upone studs, wc. K, Naciyanasviual, Madias, e912. Heradliti Epheri Retiguice, ed. Ingram Bywater, Ostord, 1837 (See modern etitions by G. 8. Kick vright; Coomneraswary umber cording 10 Bywater) Hecretica The Auciont Greek sna Fatin Writ which Contin Religious ar Pauesophic Texchings Aucriked 10 Fiermes Totimegisns, ed, WT Soc, 40k, 1924 1936, Tarogeny wad Werks anal Daye Tale Ce Boe ya. Waite (LCL), Works, r, WHS. Jenes (LCL). Heveard Journal of Asiatic Studies. The thad and The dyer, (ic). Homerie Hymne, te. Hugh G. Evelyn Wale ac) Erinn ad Phones ( ton Faiceough (707), Harvard Oriental Serine Tahrbuch fiir prikisterische und ethnogrophische Kut, Ls, o¢ Lévviya, Upmisrd) In The Thirteon Prmeipel Upenishads, ed. Ke i, Hurne, and ed, London, 1931, (= isnstoko) Lhe Minor Anshologies of the Pals Ganon, Part He Udine: Verses of Uplift, and It austalic As Te Was Send, ed, F. 1, Wooewarc, Tandon, 1935 (PTS). The [atake, or Stories of the Budd's Former shy, hE, B, Cowell, & ysis Casubaidye, gym 07 1 Signatwa rerun, sce The Signature of Ail Things, and Osher Writings, new ed, Londony 089 (ineludes Of the Supereeren! Ife and The Wey jrom Darkness 19 True Maminston) 2. Sie Theosophie Points, and Other Writings, fd J. R, Barle, Aan Asher, 2098 43. The Wey t0 Carist, new e&., London, 1964 Lawitih, A Treatise on Sufirn, cd. E. Hi. Wine field and M. M. Kezving, Londos, 906. Tewrusd of the Aracrisan Oriental Sonity. ACT. Morey ire Peeticn), cH, Rushaes 1B JBS JISOA Jan van Ruysbroeck JAS. jus Kav. Up. SB Kena Up, Kindred Sane SS xe Lalite Vitae Fankfyatira Store ke Tecan 1 The fanntBrahmnu of the Semveda R. Virs and L, Chandra, Nagpus, 1954 (San few 1. Dav imine Brahman m sch, rex a Germ ston by W. Cand, Amserdsn, 1516 Ioana f Hates Bade Journal of the Indion Soi of Oneal Ar The sdonment of the Sprtal Mariage: Lhe iting Spee Phe Boot of Suave Tra OR Gasca anya Under. London, ue Taare ef He Roya Asti Scie. Iurnya Upinsee Bother) Toe imps Ean Upmied Behan oH, Oct urn oh he mohcanOrinnd Say XV (Cath 9 0 vanht Upniud) Ys The Tintaen Pres (G Uponiiedea WP. Bure and ely Loosen, rox. vruks Reker Rigmde Recimanat: The Sect and Kent Bsns of he Rigvedn CORR elem Camtridg, la, 1929 (08 savy : na Upon) sn Th PA Pip posted cd 8B. Hume, and el, London, C udhgpthe) The Minor Readings, The Finn Bock of he Minor Cttenon (Ktadatone ood nk Binks Niowoly Landon, 9 Or ses "Tawney, Caleuta, 1880 18872 20 Karke Upaniied) tn The TKinees Priacipal Upenashad, ed, RE. Hure, and ec., London, 3h 2. Kathe Upuniged, of, Joseph N, Rowson, Oxtord, rot Lalita Pista 8, 8, Leftnann, 2 Vell Hille, 1992 08 Lapkivatira Stra, ed. Buyin Nanfio, Kyow, 1923. Tosh Classical Library. De Syria Dea, te. A. M, Harmon (1.CL). ANHAPVIATIONS AND SHORT TITLES Mohowaras Nagd. Up, Marsiqu! Tair Manasira Manjutincilshalps Mune Marcus Aurelius Morkadeyo Ponine Mothnste bh Malate: Eekdoet MPA Bullesin Nv Migne Mil Mimanaet Nstya Prakeia MU (—MajikimaNikiye) The Middle Leagth Say- ings (Majjhime-Nikaya), ed. 1. B. Hommes, 3 vulsy Landon, 954-1959 (PTS), See Mis. (© Mandilye Upenited) In The Thirten Prine cipal Upanistads, el. BE. The, aad, Lem Ste, coo See "Aus, Fvida'e Din Avchtectave of Minasirs. wx, Bresana Kuma ‘chaiya, Lenden, 2935 Mosini's dn Untperial History of tne ino San. shit Text od, Ven, Rtbala Segkryiyuns, Labore, 134 ‘itnaes Dharmastare) The Laws of Maney fx G, Biles, Onfnd, 1950 (SBE XV). Mavens Aurciias, tr. C. R. Haines (LCL). Movkondisa Penna ol) Weneaie, Tandon, 93 The Matsnoni oj [odbeddin Rimi, ed RA N cholo, # vols, Leiden ne Landon, 1935-940. 1 Mahatbanste. "The Mahabborats of Rrivhn Davsipayana Vyora, ed. B.C. Roy, Caleotay 1893-1394. 2, Mahabhavas, ed. Vishow 8, Sukuk, Poo, rox. [es tole ear] 1. Meier Eekarty ol. B. Mcitle glk od, Gite ingen, “9r) (crediaeval Geresan ee. es Meseer Lutfanse Ce Ds Keay ool London, 3324-1037 (English). Boiletin of the Museum of Pine Arts, Boston, The Mokavmcs. or The Groas Chronicle of Cex lop, 3&7. Geiger, London, 1908 (PTS). Jacques Paul Mine, Patriogiae cursus complerur 1 IP.G | Sevee Grace, Paris, 1857-1805, x62 vols BP dol Seite Lane, Pay Bags, ans vole (= Mitude Parte) The Ouenions of King Min fined TW. Rhye Devils, 2 wl, Oend, T90 (SEE XXXV, XXXVT). The Mirsosat Nyaya Pasals of Apadern, sd. B Edgeran, New Haven, 19, (— Mates Upeaivad) Iw The Thies Princip Upensheds, 08. BB, Huma and dy London 13Mend. Up, Me Nariyane Up. Néiys Sas Nawck NIA Nicholas of Cusa Nivwher Origen o on Potesdatt Vorenantoa Paraiara Pansanias Des, Philo ABDREVIATIONS AND SHORT TITTES, Mandiaku Uponized) Ta The Thirteen Princ Sn Ee. Hse a ede Lencen, Sot (= Mehivugge) Vineye Text ed, VT. W. Rhys Davids and H. Oldenberg, 2 vols, Oxford, 2881~ 1883 (SBE XITT, XVID) [= Narayone Upaniged) tn TBtsy Muroe Upon shade, ol BN. Alvar, Malas, 014 ‘The Nanya Saute of Bharata, ed. MM. Ramakeishis Kavi, Barada, 1926 (Sanskrit) ‘Aupae Nauck, Trazicorunm Groecoruna Frogries- Leipzig, «856. New Indian Antiquary (= Nirolens Cusunus) 1 (De visiove Dei) The Vision af God, 8. B. G. Salter, London, 924 3, De filiatione De, in Schriften des Nikolaus vor (Ces, Lake, 1936, YoU ‘Die Nighaptu ond Nirwhaa of Yarke, ec. L. Sav Osierd, ayer Writings uf Ovigeos ee. Pederiee Cromble, 1 vol Edinburga, 1869, ». Basti try Sie ames George Praze: (LCL). Menevterphosen te, Beark sts Miller (LCL). Ostacoseche Feisscbrife. Paichadusi, A Pocm on Vedinta Philosophy, 2 fete Arthur Venis, ia Pandit, V-VICT (1885-1885). line Panchetanire Revurotimered, o& Frankia Edgerton, New Haven, rg2y. American Oriente) Seri II ‘The Ashadhyiy: of Pitini, ed. S.C. Vasu, 8 vol. Allchakad, s8yi-r68. “The Pavone Dharmas Samhite, or, Pariare Soars cd Pandit Virmon SGet5 Ts:imaparkar, 2 vols. Bombay, 1990956 Pauszoas, te. WHS. Jones (LCL) Payrkoregehyaectiras, ts, HL Oliver, Oxford a6. 1. Complere wurks published in LULs Vols. tox fd FHL Colson: Supplements 1,1, ed. R. Mae us, All works cited by fll tile wath exception of a) Aes. (On ghe Enernty of the World, vl. IR) b) Congr. (On the Pretiminary Studs, vo. Phiestatys, Din dp Pindar Piste Sophia Plato Plotiaus Pls PMLA Peaina Ups Prema Sigare vrs Pytangoras Popa Paarua Mimarece ‘Sieras Quiesian Riraiyane Rm, Doda wy s AHBREVIATIONS AND SHORT ‘TITLES LV): ) Deters (The Worse Attacks the Better wal, 11); d) Heres. (Who 1s the Her, vl. LV), 2) Imannt. (Om the Unchongrableness of God. fou tu Feius Pilessamus, The Life und Times of Ape Joni of Tyan, x. Chaves P lis, Stanord 1933. The Pues nj Pikes te chao Tattiore, Ch 280, 1957 1. Fiwis Sophis, A Gooutic Mocellny, ed. & GIRS. Mew Landa, ree. ed. 1921: 1647. 2. Pate soping eb J. FL Peers, Be The Celicted Dialogues of Peso, inctuding ihe Leer, ed. dich Hamsiton and Fontington Ginme Princeton. 196: (Bollingen Series LXXt) Metiras, The Ennead, Srepher MacKenne, 3rd cds ross by B, &, Boge, Lendon, 2gba 1. Mond, te, Frank Cole Babbie: and others ine shades De genre Socrates (LLL) 2. Peveler,i Léve, te. Beradbnte Pers (LCI Pubiceions oj he Modern Largrage Avvvoton (= Peeina Dpenizad) Yo The Thirteen Principal Upenishade, 8K Flame, and ea, Tondon, 1951. Brera Sigonn, oh ane te Edward B Fastwick Wentminste 97. ali Text Society Teansaton Series. Goiden Vertes, se Les Vers dar pyteayuiciens, SUC, vu doe oem, Lagden, 932 Pugeste poston arhataths, el. G, Lansberg and GAB. Rhys Davide, Lancon, 1914 (Pal). The Parca Mimamst Sara: of Tainini ec. M. Ganganti Tho, Alahabad, 1916 (SDH 3) Inia Oratory we. HE. Daler (LCL) The Ramana, ed. M. N. Dott, Ceuta 185t= oe. Selected Poems from the Divand Shams Tabi cl RA, Neholon, Cambridge, 58 The Myson oj the Rgveds, oA TH GoiBch 2 vol th c6., Berares, 1965. The Book oj the Kintied Sayings SemytNi- faye), ed, CAN, Rhye Luvids and FL. Wood Tard sels Landon, gep-aggo (P73)ADDREVIATIONS ANT) SHORT ga sew Sedna. Brahocana Sehitye Dorper Sonata Sanatnuidiye Sasapeths Brdhmnone ‘Sijana 8B SBB SBE SH Sextus Empiricas Shamei Tabrie Seadnontamueeavait Siender Namo Saperaine Sa Stokhivane drayoks, cd. A. Bs Kethy London, ae) Qtech a) The Ret af Sade 8. BS words, London, 1381, Sideinie DrBbrps) Davstctranhan and Shuahogshcrumbons of she Samvedh ath te Commins of Snes hays el Dal Ve foago Coby, 185 The Minar of Composition, A Treatie on Posted Chinen, ane ae Enash, Dronioion of the Siiiseivigns of Vioanarbs Renn 2) Baleryoe ead 2D. Mies, Caeate1875 (= Primed Beans 2556 vrei dann of Reid, 8 MT Pine tests Becky 965 The Bhogeedi with she Sent and he ‘hgitietas Ke ke Telng, Ont, 1682 SBE sii See 88 Fg Veda Sembi, with Soars Comment, Seitadben, Pleven 539 Supa Potion, . Fagakog.§ vale, O% ford restigoe, (SBE. BIL, AV XL, LAL xu) “The Shred Buoks othe Buedhins, London “The Sucre Books the Es, Oxford ‘he Sued rks of he Has, Albhabad see He. Sextus Epica ©. 8G. Bary (LOL) Se Romi Dist wpa dann Siathttonn ka of Pr Tinga, rio Veni i The Pena, Besa, ye 2 Te j Re Balan, Caan, 5 Sinn atin Abu Motessmae Siac Sir Nowe bare Sets, Clarke Loan, He ‘he Sita tS Kamin ed Mehimoho eye Capen Sher, Pandas 1 3 The SwtiaNipda, cds V. Fao, Oxford 188: (aoe 8 ATIREVIATIONS AND 5 Sn, sp SH Sikee St Augustine St, Bernord St, Bonaventura Se Se, Cyril of Terusaiem St, Jerome SL Toba af che Cross Subhenati Usb Subvanitcire Sure, Theat. T TITLES Suita Nipate Atibakathi, ed, H. South, 2 vols Landaa, 1p161917 (PTS). Pho Godtharma Bunda, ar the Lntac af the True Law, ed, 4, Keer, Oxtord, 1999 (SBE XX) The Purasha Suite, Sivar, Mads, 2858, 1. The City of Ged agninit she Pagans, tt. Wl lam M, Green (LCL). 4 Sclet Library of the Nicons and PostNicene Fathers of tie Christus Chueh, ed Philip Schaff, Neve York. 1886-1890. vols [-VL. Col- eted Works oj St. Augustine (ox Bagbsh tr) St. Besnard of Chairvaas, Opera omnia in Migne, Series toting, Nels. 182-185 (154-1555). t. The Works of Bonscenrave, Cardinal, Seraphie Doctor, oud Ssint, =. José de Vine, Paterson, 1966- fia progress): Vol Il, Ozwscuia, Secand Serer, 2956, includes “On Reveasing the ‘Ans to Theclogy” (De vedeetione arsum ed theologians. 5, Dovsorir Sovephics 8, Bowseensnrve 8. BE Epor. con Cardinals opera omnia... Florence, 883— 1993, 20 voles vole, LIV, Sententionon Pei Lombardi {abbreviated 1 Scnty ete) See Clement A Select Library of Mreene and PostNicone Fathers, fand sor. ed, Philip Sehel? and Henry Wace, New Yor, 189g. Vel. VIL S. Busch Hieronymé opere omnia, in Migne, Series feats, vols, 22-30. The Curaslese Works of Saine Joh of he Crocs, Doctor of the Church, ed. and ct. E. Allison Peers, Weathampstead, 19 Buddhist Texts jrom japan ed. F. Max Mile aad Buayie Noajie, Onleid, all (verre oranieneia, Aryan Series 1) The Sudanit) of Subsdctrya, ed, B. K. Sarker, Allahalad, sg14 (SBII XID. The Summa Theologica oj St. Thomas Aquinas. Literly uesleeed Ly Fades of che Euglish Dominican 2rovince. London, 1913-1042, 29 Vols. ‘Ales in Parma 24, 78695 se AgricSuporasdnyeya Seitorasarapapa vet, Ope TA Tait Rye Teo Te Ching TB Termin Theragatha Thengik Tu ud aa, ABBREVIATIONS AND SHURE ILLES Die Supsrnsaage, ed. J. Charpentier, Upp, tosa (Shinkai text, German tetdation, commen Bn) The Suirsts Sombits, tc. Udoy Chand Dut 2nd Avgbereluuder Chanopadbya, 3 fasc, Caleusta 885-1801. Seiee! Works of Sei Sankeracharya, tz, S. Venkata amania, Macias, 1011 ineicdes Sedtma nira- pers) ( fesstuvetire Upasicad) Ye The Thien Hone ‘pol Upanishads, el. B, © Tame, snd ed, Lon on, 193% The Tainiriys Aronyuke of the Bleck Yayur Veds ith the Commentary o} Supumactsirye), «3. Rs ‘Miura, Calutta,r8p2 (Sonekrc), The Thssviya Prgdthye, with its Commentary, the Tobhachvaretna. ek, W, D. Whitaer, 108, IX (:8p1), 463. Arthur Wiley, The Way und lis Power, Londos, 1954 The Latnraa Bruhmans of the Black Yajur Vesa, with the Commentary of Sayrom Archarivey ee. R Nitta, 3 Yes, Caleuts, 1859-130 (Sanskrit) The Wenge of OSE Tertullanus, w. 8. Thel all, er ws 5 vols, Eeinbargh, 1866-1879 1 Prsinas of the Karly Buhay, 1. Paar of the ‘Sihety My Past of the Brezhren, CA. Rhye Davids, qin ee Fandom, 1954 (PTS). 2, The Theta and Ther? gaoki, cl. 11, Olderburg, London, 2883 (PTS) Toiniviya Semhinds The Vede of she Black Yajur Sthool, 2d. A.B. Kitt, Caubaica, Maso 2955 (Hos XVII, Xx) (= Toisiniga Uponisad) tu The Thirteen Prin cipal Upanarhods, 08, RF. Hume, 2d ob Lone on, 293% (—Uéina) The Mimor Anthologies of the Pali Ganga, bart I: Tidane: Verves of Uplift. wed Mix onmckos te I Wee Sade BT. Woodatls London, 1998 (PTS). Udine Atshakathd) Peramattha Dipoai UB aithakoths (Udine Consmeniary) of Dharam Jlceariya, eG. By Le Wawnwass, Tandon, 1936 (PTS). Uoteegs Darto Vibha. Vikeanvoreatt Vin Vie Virwudiermotara isp Ponda ARRREVIATIONS AND SHORT TITLES Uedsege Dasso, 8. WA. Gore, Foon’, 1953. (= Vibhange Atéshesha) Buddhaghosa, Sam- ooksnantani Aoaidhan mariah Vidhensstie ost ol cP, Buddhadste Thero, Londen, 7933 TS) ‘The Viteamorvesye of Kalidasa, rand 3, Chara Deva Stay Lalnasy 3949 (= Vinoye Pitohs) The Book of the Diriptine (Winaya Paka), e618, Horne, § vals, Londo, aggh-tg52 (PTS). Tr Viewtdhi Maga of Budahaphose, ol. CAP. Rhys Dov, London, 1920-1981 (PTS). The Vishaudermonara, ed, 8, Kuamiixk, 2nd eo. Gales gem The Vilna Parene: & Systere of Hinde Mythot gy and Treditom, od, HH. Wilsou, Loudon, SsaeaNr. Viasusegi Sonia: The White Yaar Ved, el RTH. GiriBith, 28d ed, Renares, 1027. Cemens Bacumker, Witlo, iv Phizoph snd Nenujorcher dor HIN Jaiehenderte (oath test of nis Like de inceligents), Master, 1908. 1. Menvabii, i E, ©. Maeebane (LCL). 2 deeonomices, WE. C. Matchamt (CL), Zeivchrje der deutschen morgenianaichen Ge selcha ‘The Zohar, ed, LL Speng and ML Simon, 5 vo | andl, 198-769List of Works by A. K. Coomaraswamy Cited in These Volemes “Angel and Than: An Psy in Vedic Onelogys” JAOS, LY (1955), 575-4 Gee Jas, LV apis) arts The Darker Side of Dusn, Smithonizs Misclleneone Collen XCIV diyssh 3 ae. “tak Regs” Yearbook of Oriental drt and Cater (193-12), 29-% MEuly dndba Archeecuaes L Cives and Cy Cotes, «fy Th Bodhigaray Enters rt T (3950), 208355 45 84s. “UL, Palaces,” Latesn Ar, TIL Ciggn), tdteaty, & aie. “an acy Patage om Indian Daining” Boe 1, WT (43303, eno “Este” Speriem, XI (1939), AT Flemeni of Budd Ieovogrephy. Foreword by Walter E, Chak, Cambridge, Mass, 1955, 95 PP» 15 pls. igus of each ev Fires of Thangs Leadon: (Sodaion tne Becrions Tf, MARV Cr9uds Sradtion cr Bslution: 1 fa SXXVU (1905), 87-94 Hinder and Budahiin. New Yar, 1933, 86 30 ‘Te Icanoyrapny ck Duse's “Kuot sad Lenaitee’s “Conzatssen’™ re ‘Quarter, Vl (4) 199-28 19 is The indiog Costoman, arewond by C. RAs, Landon, 1609. 139 pp Mecjaceal Sais rt Proud Campden, 1998340 9055p (425 coRs) 1 New doovoc tothe Vedor: do Boy 00 Twain end Booger Lat dn, 1933. 116 + xp. “rNiemana Kaya," JRAS (1538), ph. AY Now en the Atamedhoc ssehiv Onenteli, VIL (2035), 308" teh on the Katka Upanizads? NIA, T (0938)y 48 26 83108, 196-213 “On Being in One's Rit Mid” Review of Religion, VIC (102), 3 40. “The Pagtins Way” Journal ofthe hikr and One Rerearch Seieyy. NSM (coat), ga “Peanecet” TRAS (29:8). BP. 105 109. “The Reinterprewtion uf Buddhism,” NIA, If (1939), 575-0. “sir Gawain and the Grom Knight: Indra and Naw,” Specular, XIX Coy es some Soares of Buddhist Kconographs.” in H.C, Lew Polame, Poona, 2945 BP. 46-76, Siva Asriy smal Terspond Bows in the Indien Thery of Cover mens ew Hat i$he 8) Wn 1 Be Sonal Pater and the PUpperarpies;" Prychizey, VI (1548). 287-97. “The Sinks JAOS, LX. (940). 46 “The Symbolism of Aweheiy" vie Camas K (2548), 105 39,{Works BY COOMARASWANOY sth Tecmigue sod Thooy of Tr, Punting” Tera! Studien TE (2994) 3080.2 fiz, tin aD Ens Mii Ant Mesegrys Seon ane rs htve in Ane Cube, Mens 2854 (2nd cy at Toskan and Unibrelia,” cons Oriensain OT (1998) werph ne 8, Avon, yen spigscion Icon Putin 5959 (095) 84s 5° A Introduction ‘Althouga Ananda K. Cocmaraswamy's longer works are nor dificult ta find, many of the best articles have been inaccestible to zeedors at a distance from major libraries. He wrote many hundzed articles, eviews, nd books, aad contributed ro Eastern and Western periodicals of every descripcion, The present selection is a gathering of what was scattered so widely; i€ should nove be peeible €o meet Caomarsswamy’s mind 25 ‘unknown, and to discover vividly, wirhour doubi, what his fell range ‘was, The selztivn is drawn from the yeary 1032-2947, that is fram the last penicd of his life (typ i947), when ne hac reached his unique balance of meraphysical conviction and scholarly ecudition, To published witings ofthis period have been adéed si previously unpeblithed cxsay, leat un uf which (On the Indinn and Tredivional Prycholouy. of tovher Pheumatology") deserves w be ranked among his mastespietes the unpubl shed esicys generally date into the 1040s and would ave coon print in the snemal eonre cf rings, hal he lived loner, Sova after Coomaraswamy’s death, Bollingen Foundation interesied ieself in spom soring an elton of selected writings (cf. Editor's Note), bur the project, id not come to term unt row, nearly thirty years later, when there exists a much broader public interest in te cealms of knowledge that Coomeraswamy investigated, Dring the yeare ashen these essays were written, Cecmaraswamy lived in the town of Neecham, nese Hoston, Massachusetts; since 1917 hhe hac been a curstor in the Department of Asiatic Art at the Bostor ‘Muscum of Fine Acts. The peth 's intricate that ked from his birchplace, Colonie, Ceylon (wo Sai Lavsha)s Ur New Englaad. Bo nent Ceylonese legislator and his English wife, Coomarasiramy was raised in England. The death of his facher shen he was only a few years fof hie rnorhor litle ronenmn tn serie to Ceylon. Tn his early Coeuties after sudying peology at che University of London, he went to Ceylon with the incention of surveying its minera! resources. His work prospered and gained government sponsorsip, and his published findings served of an emiINTRODUGHON as 2 portion of the decioral dissertation in gcology chat wen him a D: si the University of London in gos. Just ac this point, however, he passe dhrough one oF the changes tat aceurred pesiod cally in his fe. Lhey ‘were not subtle changes Ieaving the surtace smooth while the deaths Mlerod, but somethig far more inclusive and visible, Extensive wavel in Seyler on bis geclogical tussion convinced him shu ts saliionsl eo ture had beca onfusifiably wealseaed by the English ané Western cultare cxported to it by the British (Ceylon had been a colony snce the early niteuceush eevtay): The assondingly stared @ meverent tor colinrat rostral siiler in character to she natonelst ovement in India Known as swadesh, but less poitieel, He ako found himself drawn toward soudy ithe erations! ans ond refts of Ceylon, then still precticed to some stent and evident in objets of art that hed survived rom the preolonial Kendyen kingdom. Coomaraswamy’s inulination toward arc had been repared ia youth by the infuence of Willian: Morr, the craftsman, posts and humanitariaa sodalist who dominated an entre sector af Vie~ torian teller Ties as sxnt as Coomarasseray began to wre about are aud is social setting, he seemed an astern Wiliam Mors, His Life ft thie period ean be best undertece 2s an [mutatis of Williara Mo=ris, 2 missionary extension ew.watl of Morris's hardy chetone and incense concern for erafts (as opposed toindusteal prodtcet on). Coomarasvarny's professional interest 19 yeukaay Ciupped eway «> sit historiany writer, Teccurer, axl socal ceformer appeared “The nest sigrificant phase in Coomariswamy’s life occurred in Cal: cexsts and neath India, to which be sas drawn hy Phe extremely cctve sei movement, The Bengali poet, Rabincranath Tegore, among chess, helped to provide an intllee-nal and romantic characzer to the rawrment, which in Covmaraswanny’s view raised it above mere politics Coomsraswarny lived in Calcetea for several years and achieved independent stacure asa spokesman for Indian values, There was at chis point Suuuetbing very accomplished, refned, smooth about the aman he had become: his writings on Indian manufaceares, ruc, dete Yer bal elegerce ane emotional wara—give the impression of oae who had found hime, found his place. “ateanwhile he was boing at) st Wllaon iad dole are biseoriel research in that rclaxed, ematewr way that seems hardly pesuible now, alehouh it led co such graeiavs works ax Henry Adams’ Monin Painting (Ox target on cartier amides, he disin- Michel and Chertrec and vs Coomacacwams's ov Rajp ford, 1916). In this book, whic INTRODUCTION guished for the fire time between Rajput and Moghal painting and demonstzated, in pur. through bis own collection of Rajput works, the spectacular variety and profundity of the peri! of Hind art ‘Thennghowt the years prior ro World War 1, Coomaraswamy lived cffortlesty between England and India: an English country gentleman in Ensland, radical but not subversive; an Indian cultural eacer in India ‘This harmonious moveraea: was broken by he war, Coomeraswaeny could not conecive why Indians and Ceylonese should participate ia. a European war on behalf of their colonial oppressor, althmngh he hy no sicus sympath zed with the enemies of the British Empice, Le declared himself a conscientious objeecor. This stiitude edged him toward legal confer with the government, dosbcless because he argued for pub- [At the same ime, In Inéla, he wes unable c generae enough iu cereit in his new project to found a National Museum ef Indian Ar. Friling gain sympathy among che politically infucnsial Euglish, he alae found thes leading Indien nationclite hod litle interect ia what they’ soak ta be a merely “cultural” project thar promised ne pabtieal grin Indice philanthropists apparently hesitated te associate themselves with his povwona somewhar soz grata. however well conc=-ed his projet At the same time, in England he was threatened with the unpleasant realsent meted out © war dissenters. The personal streses of chis period can easily be imagined, but there is litle sign of them in bio- [graphical saurces® Whar i cleat is rhar Ceemaraswary, now forty years old, emerged with 2 briliant new epportanity to continas hs work in the young field of Indian ar: Denman W. Ress, a pazton of the Mv seurs of Fine As an Boston, atrenged for Coorraraswainy Lo couse there with his entice are collesion to found che frst subdepestment of Indian fart in an Ames Cantaasvraisy sete i Pasion sil Ingaone a gFeae a historian rot merely a lucky and tasteful ore, such as he had been in the Calewta yeats. He outgrew the rineeenth-cenury, amateur mede of art historiog~ raphy and forged the stnny series of oils, articles, and caralepves that make him still « principal figuse ané acenowledged founding father of this branch of scholarship. The aanual meeting on Indian ant held uncer 2 Yhe Tamil, «, south Tan, ancy of his father enabled Air: to Aen logy wit Iodine with Cogls3 ° #1 anot make this rematk without adding that now Dograplisel source always appear: Coomeesewsm’ ls, s» Ltccontrae , kronen #0 me laygely sheesh "Re important resect an Ameren.the auspices of the College Art Association of Atacsica in 1973 was intro duced with the idea, somewhat tongue in cheeky that all ue meetings must start by elther agreeing or diagtevinng wi fo some mister. THe was a ell known figure iu the Muscum of Fine Ans, strict wich hull wad others but alco semembered far kinlnewes ‘There was a remantic touch to him :Iiough this timc: photograghs shew him seared sreraly at his desk in the department offces, but many who Kaew him eee onnther raea, typified by 2 friend's memory of tae tall, lanky Coe smaraswamy studing ir. a white suit at serse: on the broad steps oF the tnseum, with his pair of superb AZghan dogs or his side, Again, there vac a certaia fulness of identity: be was a centeal figure in world scholar Ship, with an erudition and Keenness that required no alteration. His tind was richly furnished with things to think about fur « whole lite through. Good company was never lacking, Beneath the surface, how- fever, Coomaraswamy was dissanstied, Into blind dackness enter they ‘That worship ignorance; Into derkness greater than chat, as it were, they ‘That delight in kaowledge* st wees nor, of enue, this pesthulas verse chat distuched the apparent completeness of the man he was in the late rgaoe: but i was verses of this Kind, with all thst they imply, Felling. on a st after all not corn plete thet led tosward ana.ker metamorphors. In addition to the Indian {sligious tradition, to which Coomaraswamy had never turned bis back, there was a second influence ar work: the widiags of the Western meta physician Reaf Guéuon, whom Coomaraswamy began to read in this period. In Guénon’s study of the Vedanta and his powerful analysis of the eoticual emptiness af the West Coumaraswamy came ia touch with ‘universe of discourse,” to use aterm that ne brings to lie in the essay fan Socrates in Volusne 2 fr which he had 2 deep essential predispostee. Once asin, the personal stesses of Coomararsvimy’s transformation are almost entirely hidden beyond zecch of biographical inquiry, but die eruts come into view with ie publications uf 1952: abandoning none of 378 Up. ux SCE Rene Cénon, Inroduerion kéutade w Féeade des doctrines hindower (Pato tg}, Or aes Decten CPate, song Honan et ean decent ton Te ead (BER, ons), and Le Cre de merce madesne as, 1927) INTRODUCTION his scholarly discipline and breadth of reading, he acquired a new dimen sion, religious and metaphysical “The writings en art now cended 1 be theoreital ané concep-ual, el: though rich illustrated wich examples. They shed light on questions of most general significance, suck as the nature of vision, of the creative process, of religious art che arca’s relationship with his talent, the role GfLant in otker societise and ours, the psychology of the good spectator, ocho is not only delighted hy high arc bur led to reexatnive the chieroscura of his life, Coommaraswaray constructed wha: can without exaggeration be deserbed as a new world of Ideas regarding art Yee tis a ecsiain sense 4 mistake, an inevitable one, w speak of his deas as new, Zor chey ate in ths fist place his aynehess (and often quotction) of ideas formu. Jated in Indian, Platoose, end ether annrcers and vecond, they are indeed dhs observations, but based on such sources and in intimate agreeren: svth them. Nevertheless, to this second category mest be assigned much ‘of what ic ireplaerahie in rhe esseys on art. To aifam this is by no anzans to take au “entitiditional” cond, a stand that values the receiving in. dividual while zeraiaing blind to the given knowledge. Coomaraswamy expressed what he called the “traditional” theory af a, expresed it in his own manner with his own formidable strengths, ard from time to time his own weaknesses. The gift from rtadiion vizs extraordinary. his gifts were extraordinary like to point to several recurrent chemes in Volume 1 lignis of the work of art in Coomar stud the uncful objects The Seony het image or painted head of Chriss is a “supyost of contemplation”: through its traditionally prescribed iconographie fectures, brought to life and beauty hy the onic, the apecator or sunrsh'pper ie reminder! af an aspect of truth, Ic is a tea that enters fast by way of vision as aa image, but it is intended to circulate more deeply in him and to transform, mainviel, his janes life. The mseful objecr “well and cruly made”*—ow textile, or house—is conceived as both physically efficient ed metaphysicaly inked to the inner Ife of 2 people by its form or ornamentstion. Roth kinds of work uf an are funetional, cortespondizg wo diferent huraan ‘beeds, Goomaraswamy often attacked, cn the one hand, works of "ne The epressian “wl! and truly made" ie often weed io the art studies; rls to Ceemaaruwamn’sdeseand foe well rade sears that fraly wll, an an external ‘erties aad wspyTRONUETION amt thet are merely pleasurable to cok at, but Jack higher meoning, and, fn the other, useful objects that are merely furetiol, without qualities that wuuls waa. a une pats the ebjocte to we, “Throughout the at studies ofthis period, Coomaraswamy was as much concerned with expounding Wue punciples as with presenting tue ort hhimorica dats radtinnal works of art from Hinéw, Baddhist, mediceval Christen, Muslim, arid many other premocern sources appeared to kien to be expressions of cud, uth decidedly more complets, intellectual, ‘and mioving than such cruth as he generally fourd in Western arc since the death of Leonarin Furthermore, ne did not sex these traditional ct roves as fundamentally opposed to each other in their conceptions af truth, although their means of expression and cheir emphasis differed consigerdaiy. His wae sn cccumenital mind nce of che cheap seat Une asvumes oue thing 70 be mach lke another and so not wortk fighting lover, but of a sort that exarnines myriads of details. His concer with {uth led hina sl fomuulations as, *Coanciecourthip rightly nde xl cats ke achieved only by « recreation of the whale personilicy, rot by the meze sudy and collecting of works of as." and tothe siviog Fre paraueaphs of “The Natwer of Buddhist Arc” (see Volume «). Fel low art kisterians have not beea wrong to read n such passages a cal- lenge to sterdaré procedure. Coomaraswamy was both ar histerian and pilaritn, pilgrim among the reat religious and metaphysical dees; it was noc an ingsonsibe amalgam, for knowledge of ar: enriched his account of ideas by giving him con- tucteness of =xpression—a sense tor the materia:y and deccripvability of jdeas—while nowledge of metaphysics put his asthistorical wricings in torch with essences end principles, Inso‘ar as he followed his inner neces- sicy end merely “reported” to others through his writings, he as 22. istucbing to the canmuuity uf vuleis, “The objest is @ paint of de panure and a signpost.” “a0 splendor but the spleador veritatis" —these tse the dlomeless sayings of a pilgrim, Fur when this pilgrin turned toward the sore saticnsry (os dillerenly direred) community around him, he was apt to seem, apt to be, a prophet, speaking harshly against the status quo. This wae n part Coomaraswatay’s fac; he delighted in i, tual could not evade it. The sslative unponularity of bis approach, the lukewarm prase from many (for which the intensity of cettaia of his frievdships among seekers and scholars amply compensated) charpeacd ‘he Pare of Apt in Taian Like Volume « 95 “the Neuse of Buathie Are Vavine f 154 262 INTRODUCTION his mind. And so there came fom him the veritable cascade of aphosisms and the ceeply poetic ba: precisely formulated pessagee that are the sas. at hie bet Coomaraswamy’s treatment of literary symrhrism deserves brief enn rent, In several esuiys at the end of Volume 1, he develops 2 repertoise 6f taditional symbols or Fizures, each immemorially oldy well known in smyth, epie, romance, and fairy rale. ‘They acquire Layers of mecning thioagh analysis and cermparative study, and finally soocar to be por sessed of immense potential ‘or expressicn, inexhaustible by any paricular work of art, The dangerous gate, the brid. disguising, forgetting, the cerdeal, the boon—these are a few of the motifs, keyed to traditional re Lbgious and metaphysical principles, that he exarsines, They (end them- selses to independent study as if works of art themselves, separable from the literary works in which they eppear. It is possible to drown in the dex Is of Coomarasnsamy’s eseays nn traditional licracuzes this conesprion cf recae aymbelie motif, migrating from tale to tale, may be in keeping oat It would be useful to consider whether Coomaraswarny was @ cone sevvative, and if s, whether his conservatism impedes our contemporary steivings. Certainly his single-minded interest in traditional religions art, aud the psychology of che actsty and patrons who needed it, was con servative and backward looking. He viewed the modem word as a cnledeesce. Yer he wished very moch for 9 bright convinuarion 10 cul: ture, Ir was this thar gave him so muck energy to examine the artstic principles and forms of the premodern world. He had, I thiak, very tie nove for the modem wor, yer he acted as af he wuld contribute to a splendid new dav, In this paracox is the men: his mind told hin thar the truth of the Vedic rishis, the severe psychology and comaae sionate hing uf dae Dudas ie oka Tigi of Blaivy the visonery randeur of Mlotinas, the Christian insigh: into God's intimacy with ‘Buan—that all of shese, and che arts that expressed thera, are deze letters in the modern world Br: hic writings betray hope that thew thines ‘could be assimilated. In his wish that we “somehow get back to fest Peinciples’—purticulaly ia the disarmed sinylicvy of this phuase, whicl he used at times—it can be recognized tha: he did nor krow how the mod: ‘a world could make this change, bur thar he knew whar sort f change With regard to ar irself: he damned madern ast, no daubt unfairly, bos ths negative view is redeemed many timss over by his briliant andINTRODUCTION pesiive scovan of erdtional at The painters Albert Glezss and Mare pe Graves the composer Jon Cage, the sculptor and typograpker Erie Gur the chersograpler Brick Hlawesins, the goet Kathleen Rates tay wot be the only arists of this century who can find themseixes at home with his ideas and find in them greunds for some pare of their saya vere ot manne ta pile laure petsonal evebution as artists. Ts tupoa the dead, bu: to quicken the living, ‘Tae uistaphysical ssaye af Volume 9 mprecent the other balf af his sya theds of culture. There is not here a smeotaly integrated system, aor can it be denied that the eseays themselves ore more shan that; they re- fin separate essays, separate aveaues of approach to a common goal— uniform, but got unified ke che chapters of a book. Nonetheless, we fencouncer a consistent “Toncign” culture, Cocmacaewamy's eve as it foctned late ie life. Certain kinds of knowledge are propescd for study, fu well 3¢ sources and methods fo study, the whole accompansec by it warning that this constitutes only “intllectucl preparation,” wayfar-ngy fn nor journey’s end ‘The ngaags of his coeur ane its eypical ideas will convince many readers that they hve tssye into a foreign land, although Coomarsswamy argues from the very beginning thet this foreign land is really our forgotten humeland, Becoming is not a contzadiction of being but the epiphany of being.’ From one point of view, embodiment is a humiliation, end from another a royal pireession (Our life is 2 combustion." fon weimate “end” is accomlished in. him who understands (asiha, pu evar eidedn), tha befalls rot in persit ot any end but bys diordesing of anything te any end, as an act of undersanding, nocot wall? he phase, an important one fer Coamarswamy, is med ia cera lets sjunel ie Rog Lipsey, Coomaraseaay: Hi je and Work (Psineeon, 17) and itttrengl ined by sacha dscuoion as that which ccncuces "Wo ix 'Sten’ and Swucie 9 Lies ¢¥edwne 3) On the Indian and ditional Deycelogy, or rather Pnesatolegs,” Volume > sin : 2 oterary Symes.” Volunc 1, 52 Fe RU Gar Trechinwed Ryko” Volume 2, 900 1EThe Part of tn Ten Lit” Velame 95m INTRODUCTION Coomarasweamy sought knowledge ef being, parc of which is knowledge cof becoming. As piece a‘ter picce became clear to him intellectually, he swratm of The acaye are atten eneyrinneric, and only fring in chis respect: an uniendly eric would liken then in places to en overworked tcleshone swi:chboced. Bue withis the intricate mass of references to Indian, Greek, Christin, Maslin, and Gnostic souress, chere are suddet clearings, ements when Coomensswamy syethesizes the meanings thet hhave been steained or refs 3 thought to the poin: that it shines, For «example, Christians may recognize in h's sentence on excbodineat, quoted just above, a suenag evocation of the meaning of the Iearaaon, Goomariswamy Gid aot with to be quite the emuscary of the culture he found ir cradiional celigious wn metaphysical writings; he dd aot travel Lightly, ay eiissarice do. Ow te wateuty, he biousht his eneee Iibravy witk bir. His mird was soch thar, when he wished, he could ‘write without references an¢ sill eommunicete hig order of meanings cevsral of the eceaye, parteilarly amnng the intenehicary and snpiblished comes adapted fre Irvures, make chis clear. Bur yenerally he investigated a theme as itis seated in a multiplicity of trusted sources, giving the reader not only his own reflections ut the assages themselves where che theme appeets. This makes him ar fics difficult to seatl—here is a hhsbit to be acquired bur in the long ron one is gratetul to have the texts. Their presence, and tha: of sill mote href references rhat might be euusulted, anaker the esszys nearly limitless in inscruction: one can [Fursue ideas to their limit, to one’s litt. ‘he major conceptions of traditional metaahysies have been thought and rerought through centuries, often net diluted or distorted by percnracion, bus beter underside «sss foster an appetze to kaow chese cevisions of understanding. Sac ficed for the sake of comprehensiveness is at times 2 cert Leavy of form, but Coomersswamy lightene even the mort eneyelopedie study by the exquisite goetry of the cccasional pascage or the scannin, cof a sammy, This isin sum, a working literature, at times as inclegant 6 a manual. and as useful Coomaraswamy nonetheless knew that beauty of exprestiva is nut just 4 superficial criterion to be applied when one judges che velue of less Figh-minded suraore than hime; it cor also he the measure of an author’s sepose iat his subject, of the degiee to which his being 9 o:cu- Pied by his theme. ‘The essays would be much the poorer hac Coomara. swauny excluded che Kinds of phrases cha surely just “came w bias bathe, who wrote w moviugly of dhe mesniaye of Maun end Vas, Mind

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