Select Contents of Oriental Journals

Summary

“Select Contents of Oriental Journals” provides readers with concise summaries of noteworthy articles appearing in other scholarly periodicals. It functions as an annotated bibliography that alerts researchers to developments across the broad field of Oriental studies. Each entry identifies the journal, volume and article title and then offers a brief description of the subject and principal findings. Topics covered in this issue range widely. Notes from Acta Orientalia include discussions of the meaning of the Buddha’s jala‑lakṣaṇa (webbed fingers), corrections to Keith’s translation of the Kauṣītaki Brāhmaṇa, etymological studies of Sanskrit words and interpretations of ancient sculptures from Amarāvatī. From Indian journals come summaries of essays on meteorological proverbs in Bengal, demon worship cults, ancient stories preserved in Bengali vrāta‑kathā traditions and examinations of kingship in ancient India. European journals contribute articles on the structure of society in Hindu political texts, social‑scientific readings of the Śukranīti and sociological analyses of caste. The section also notes items from Man in India and other ethnological publications that describe tribes, ornaments and cultural affinities between India and the Pacific. In each case the summaries are succinct, enabling busy scholars to identify articles relevant to their interests without having to consult every journal individually. By compiling these synopses, the journal fosters an awareness of international scholarship and encourages cross‑cultural dialogue. Researchers can trace how ideas circulate across linguistic and national boundaries and can follow up on works that complement or challenge their own studies.