Sonic Liturgy

"An informative, thorough, and insightful successor and companion to Beck's earlier book, Sonic Theology, on the theory of sound and music and its relationship to religious ideas, his current study turns to the sacred function of sound and music in Vedic and sectarian Hindu ritual and devotional praxis. With this book on sonic liturgy, scholars of religion will learn much about the history and function of sacred music in India; scholars of music will learn much about Vedic and Hindu religious ideas, perspectives and practice; and scholars in liturgical studies have an excellent resource for their understanding of this important relationship between religion and music in India."—William K. Mahony, Charles A. Dana Professor of Religion, Davidson College

"Sonic Liturgy reminds us of the tremendous accomplishments of musical culture in India. This is a challenging task: to do justice to an ocean of music in practice—the subtleties and nuances, the massiveness of the whole—but Beck's orderly overview succeeds with accuracy and grace. His book helps us to recognize what is possible when fine energies are marshaled by consciousness to achieve almost superhuman goals."—William J. Jackson, Journal of Dharma Studies