Antoinette Denapoli and June McDaniel, "Gurus, Priestesses, Saints, Mediums and Yoginis: Holy Women as Influencers in Hindu Culture" (MDPI, 2024)

Applying the "influencer" concept to the study of religion, Gurus, Priestesses, Saints, Mediums and Yoginis: Holy Women as Influencers in Hindu Culture (MDPI, 2024) explores the varieties of strategies that holy women use for gaining and expressing power in diverse roles. It examines different concepts of holiness and leadership for men and women, the role of charisma, and the arenas of activity and accomplishment for holy women in India and abroad. By relating a new idea-that of the 'influencer'-to the study of women and religious authority, the Issue contributes fresh and refined analyses and explanatory models toward a greater understanding of women's evolving relationship to the Hindu tradition.  This book is available open-access here.  Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/indian-religions