Little David and His Best Friend by Crystal Bowman

Little David and His Best Friend by Crystal Bowman

For the first time, this influential study by Ludwig Alsdorf is made available to an English speaking audience, translated by Bal Patil. It focuses on two of the most pertinent issues in Indian religion, the history of vegetarianism and cow-veneration, and its historical approach remains relevant to this day.

With reference to significant brahminical texts, such as key chapters of the Book of Manu, the book centres on the author's analysis of the role of Jinism in the history of vegetarianism. The author explores the history of meat-eating in India and its relationship to religious thought and custom, and searches for solutions to the problem of cattle veneration. Besides a comprehensive translation of the original German manuscript Beitr ge zur Geschichte von Vegetarismus und Rinderverehrung in Indien, four important articles directly related to Alsdorf's work by Kapadia, Heesterman and Schmidt are made available in this new edition.

These additional contributions and careful notes by the editor Willem Boll e add a modern perspective to a study that remains a key reference for students and scholars of Religious Studies, Asian Studies and History.

Crystal Bowman is a bestselling, awarding-winning author of over 100 books for women and children. Her books have been translated into eight languages and are distributed worldwide. She and her husband have three children and seven grandchildren. They live in Michigan and Florida--wherever the weather is best.

Meghann Bowman is mom to a long-awaited son and daughter. Prior to joining the ranks of motherhood, she enjoyed a professional career as a real estate attorney. Meghann is a runner and a traveler. She and her husband make their home near Washington, D.C.