Striving for Harmony in Indian Culture and Society

This volume originates from the seminar 'Striving for Harmony in Indian Culture and Society,' organized by the Chair of South Asian Studies at the University of Warsaw's Faculty of Oriental Studies, held from September 21 to 23, 2023. This event is part of a longstanding collaboration spanning over 25 years among Indology centers at Charles University in Prague, the University of Milan, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, the University of Warsaw, and the University of Cagliari, with a one-time partnership with the University of Calicut in India. These annual seminars rotate among the institutions, bringing together researchers who investigate the rich tapestry of Indian traditions from antiquity to the present. The source material ranges widely in terms of language, genre, and period, and each seminar delves into a central theme that is further explored in a subsequent publication. The volume contains contributions from seasoned and up-and-coming Indologists, focusing on themes of harmony, balance, and unity—or the lack thereof. These concepts are examined through a variety of lenses including literary studies, linguistics, philosophy, history, cultural studies, and religious studies, highlighting their broader social and cultural relevance.