Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism ─ Society, Religious Specialists, Religious Traditions, Philosophy

This is the third volume of a five-volume reference that aims to offer in-depth yet clear and accessible information, for a broad audience of scholars, students, and general readers. The approach encompasses "the mosaic and network of Hindu traditions in all their multiplicity, and as both historical and contemporary institutions...," states editor Knut A. Jacobsen (history of religions, U. of Bergen, in the preface. Rather than a dictionary-like compendium of alphabetically arranged-short entries--a format that is essentially redundant with the Internet, where definitions and short descriptions are easily found--the encyclopedia is much more intelligently and usefully designed as a collection of in-depth research articles, arranged thematically. Volume one focused on regions, pilgrimage, deities; and volume two, on sacred text, ritual traditions, arts, concepts. Volumes four and five will include historical periods, philosophers, poets, saints, relation to other religions and traditions, contemporary issues, religious symbols, migration, and modern religious groups and teachers. The fifth volume will also contain a comprehensive index for the entire set. This third volume and the others in the set comprise an authoritative, indispensable, core reference. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)