<p>Pages 22 and 156 have no text in the original hard copy other than the title at the top and the page number.</p> / <p>This dissertation undertakes an analysis of the two concluding books of the Sanskrit <em>Mahābhārata</em> or "Great Epic of India." Although the <em>Mahābhārata</em> is traditionally understood as a <em>smrti</em> or "remembered" work in contradistinction to the Vedic corpus of "heard" (<em>śruti</em>) scripture, I argue in this thesis that we can best understand the content and configuration of the<em> Māhābhārata</em>'s two final books by reading them against a background of Vedic ritual and myth. Adopting this hermeneutical approach, I treat the two key narrative issues which we find developed at the <em>Mahābhārata'</em>s conclusion: the manner in which the poem's principal characters die (chapters two and three of the thesis), and the account of their afterlife fates (chapter four of the thesis). In chapter two I argue that a Vedic ritual called the<em> yātsattra</em> helped to shape the substance and sequence of the narrative account of the epic heroes' deaths. In chapter three I pursue this issue further, arguing that, as elsewhere in the<em> Mahābhārata,</em> the <em>yātsuttra</em> in Books 17 and 18 is tied to the later ritual institution of circumambulatory pilgrimage or <em>tīrthayātrā</em>, a rite also figuring in the account of the characters' deaths. In treating the second narrative issue in chapter four, I examine the backdrop of Vedic myth which underlies the narrative of the entire <em>Mahābhārata</em>, and which is restated at the conclusion of the poem. As in chapters two and three, I argue that in order to understand the <em>Muhābhāratu</em>'s final scenes, we must appreciate the extent to which the poem has been fashioned against the paradigm of the Veda and its ritual and mythic world.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A palavra liberdade pertence a um caleidoscópio de semânticas e interpretações plurais. Este trabalho tem como objetivo fazer uma investigação interdisciplinar entre Psicologia, Antropologia e Filosofia sobre a liberdade como categoria, para compreender sua configuração no horizonte de sentido islâmico, tendo como base o Alcorão, e alguns dos hadices do Profeta Muhammad e o método hermenêutico do filósofo Franz George Gadamer. Mediante uma revisão bibliográfica, foi feita uma justaposição da concepção de liberdade que existe tanto no contexto islâmico quanto no Ocidente. Nesta análise pretende-se investigar a ideia de que o desconhecimento da cultura, tradições e maneiras de interpretar esta noção no mundo islâmico tem acarretado inúmeros preconceitos originando, por sua vez, apontamentos, discriminação e agressões, na tentativa de impor a ideia própria de liberdade sobre a do outro. É fundamental tomar as ferramentas das que dispõe a Psicologia, a Filosofia e a Antropologia, para ter um horizonte de sentido mais amplo sobre o conflito, e que nos permita analisar essas questões, porque a pergunta pela liberdade abrange a construção da pessoa, além de ser um dos seus direitos humanos fundamentais, está conformado pela interpretação de si próprio e do outro num contexto complexo, mediado pelas relações de poder, os enfrentamentos e conflitos políticos, assim como os religiosos. / The word freedom belongs to a kaleidoscope of semantics and plural interpretations. In this diversity are several spheres as moral where freedom is defined by knowledge, however, freedom in social, political and even religion, has different dimensions. A hermeneutical process that aims to understand how freedom is configured in Islam has its basis in the comprehension of the text because it contains the structure and the way people build their religious experience and how they give it full meaning. The understanding of the sacred text is attached to the knowledge of the religion\'s precepts as it can be said that the principles for the believer are based to her/his spiritual experiences. When considering the importance of the Qur\'an to the Muslim, it could be said that out of Islam (for that one that is Muslim) can be neither peace nor freedom nor justice outside Islam because the knowledge to help to achieve these other topics is the revealed message itself as a life code. According to this interpretation made the right way, the faith in God and the humbleness in recognizing the wisdom of Allah and accepting the authority of the prophets and the message, are fundamental elements that configure the existence and meaning of the contexts of the believer in Islam. For understanding what is freedom in Islam we need to see what the Muslims understand for freedom according to their horizon of meaning.

A palavra liberdade pertence a um caleidoscópio de semânticas e interpretações plurais. Este trabalho tem como objetivo fazer uma investigação interdisciplinar entre Psicologia, Antropologia e Filosofia sobre a liberdade como categoria, para compreender sua configuração no horizonte de sentido islâmico, tendo como base o Alcorão, e alguns dos hadices do Profeta Muhammad e o método hermenêutico do filósofo Franz George Gadamer. Mediante uma revisão bibliográfica, foi feita uma justaposição da concepção de liberdade que existe tanto no contexto islâmico quanto no Ocidente. Nesta análise pretende-se investigar a ideia de que o desconhecimento da cultura, tradições e maneiras de interpretar esta noção no mundo islâmico tem acarretado inúmeros preconceitos originando, por sua vez, apontamentos, discriminação e agressões, na tentativa de impor a ideia própria de liberdade sobre a do outro. É fundamental tomar as ferramentas das que dispõe a Psicologia, a Filosofia e a Antropologia, para ter um horizonte de sentido mais amplo sobre o conflito, e que nos permita analisar essas questões, porque a pergunta pela liberdade abrange a construção da pessoa, além de ser um dos seus direitos humanos fundamentais, está conformado pela interpretação de si próprio e do outro num contexto complexo, mediado pelas relações de poder, os enfrentamentos e conflitos políticos, assim como os religiosos. / The word freedom belongs to a kaleidoscope of semantics and plural interpretations. In this diversity are several spheres as moral where freedom is defined by knowledge, however, freedom in social, political and even religion, has different dimensions. A hermeneutical process that aims to understand how freedom is configured in Islam has its basis in the comprehension of the text because it contains the structure and the way people build their religious experience and how they give it full meaning. The understanding of the sacred text is attached to the knowledge of the religion\'s precepts as it can be said that the principles for the believer are based to her/his spiritual experiences. When considering the importance of the Qur\'an to the Muslim, it could be said that out of Islam (for that one that is Muslim) can be neither peace nor freedom nor justice outside Islam because the knowledge to help to achieve these other topics is the revealed message itself as a life code. According to this interpretation made the right way, the faith in God and the humbleness in recognizing the wisdom of Allah and accepting the authority of the prophets and the message, are fundamental elements that configure the existence and meaning of the contexts of the believer in Islam. For understanding what is freedom in Islam we need to see what the Muslims understand for freedom according to their horizon of meaning.

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / ‘n Praktiese teologiese probleem is in die bediening geïndentifiseer: die man wie se vrou ‘n mastektomie gehad het, word nie pastoraal ondersteun nie. Hierdie probleem is deur middel van kwalitatiewe navorsing ondersoek. Met die kennis uit die navorsing en die literatuurstudie is daaraan die navorsingsdoelstelling beantwoord. Hierdeur is die praktiese teologie op ‘n unieke wyse verryk, deur ‘n wetenskaplike bydrae om die pastorale berader beter te bekwaam. Borskanker is ‘n lewensbedreigde siekte waarop geen man voorberei is nie. Met die verlies van ‘n kosbare liggaamsdeel van die vrou en haar behoefte aan ondersteuning van haar man, begin hy om sy ware-man wees (identiteit) te bevraagteken. Die verlies het ook trauma by die man tot gevolg. As die man deur sy emosies oorweldig word en hy nie oor die vermoë beskik om dit te verwerk nie, kan hy in wanhoop verval. Die man lewe in die postmoderne era. Die uitdagings en onsekerhede van hierdie era het ‘n bydrae tot die ontwikkeling van die “Post-foundational” praktiese teologiese benadering gelewer. Daarom het die navorser besluit om hierdie benadering in die studie te volg. Hierdeur is ‘n gesprek tussen die praktiese teologie, mediese- en geesteswetenskappe vanuit ‘n transversale perspektief moontlik, om die invloed van die mastektomie op die man te bepaal. Duidelike behoeftes en vrae kom navore wat vereis dat die berader homself sal onderskei in kennis van die onderskeie pastorale benaderings en tegnieke, toepaslike mediese, Bybel- en geestes wetenskappe. Die omstandighede waarin die man hom bevind het die bevraagtekening van sy spiritualiteit tot gevolg. Sy spiritualiteit kan vir hom van groot waarde wees. Die doel van die beradingsmodel is om die man te fasiliteer om sy ware identiteit in Christus te ontdek. Deur die genade van die Here word geloofsvolwassenheid in die man ‘n waarheid. Daardeur vind transendering ten opsigte van ‘n “bevraagde identiteit” na ‘n “identiteit van betekenis en hoop” plaas. Deur die werking van die Heilige Gees word die man op die vervulling van God se heilsbeloftes vir die nood waarin verkeer verseker. Die doel van hierdie beradingsmodel vir die praktiese teologie, is ‘n geloofsvolwasse man met ‘n nuwe toekomsverhaal. / A practical theological problem was identified in the ministry: a husband whose wife undergoes a mastectomy does not receive pastoral care. This problem was investigated through a qualitative research study. The research objective was answered by doing research and a literature study. This scientific research enriches the practical theology in an unique way so that the pastoral counsellor is supported and can be more competent. Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease that no husband is prepared for. The wife loses an intimate part of her body and needs to be supported by her husband. He starts to question his own manhood (identity). This loss is also a traumatic experiences for him. He is overwhelmed by his emotions and can fall into despair if he does not have the ability to process the problem. We live in the post-modern era. This has lead to the development of the Post-foundational practical theological approach. The researcher therefore decided to follow this approach in his study. This help to determine the influence of the disruption and uncertainties in the life of the man through a discourse between the practical theology, medical- and human science from a transversal perspective. Evident questions were raised for which the counsellor needs to distinguish himself with knowledge about the various pastoral approaches and techniques, appropriate knowledge of the Bible, medical- and human science. The circumstances in which the man finds himself raise questions about the meaning of his spirituality. Spirituality can be of great help for the husband. The aim of this counseling model is to facilitate the husband through the narrative approach to find the meaning of his true identity in Christ. Through the grace of God the husband becomes spiritually mature. The dependence on God through a process of transcendence changes the ‘question identity’ to an ‘identity of value and hope’. Through the work of Holy Spirit the husband is reassured of the fulfillment of the promises of salvation by God. The aim of this counseling model for the practical theology is a spiritually matured husband with a new future story. / Practical Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / ‘n Praktiese teologiese probleem is in die bediening geïndentifiseer: die man wie se vrou ‘n mastektomie gehad het, word nie pastoraal ondersteun nie. Hierdie probleem is deur middel van kwalitatiewe navorsing ondersoek. Met die kennis uit die navorsing en die literatuurstudie is daaraan die navorsingsdoelstelling beantwoord. Hierdeur is die praktiese teologie op ‘n unieke wyse verryk, deur ‘n wetenskaplike bydrae om die pastorale berader beter te bekwaam. Borskanker is ‘n lewensbedreigde siekte waarop geen man voorberei is nie. Met die verlies van ‘n kosbare liggaamsdeel van die vrou en haar behoefte aan ondersteuning van haar man, begin hy om sy ware-man wees (identiteit) te bevraagteken. Die verlies het ook trauma by die man tot gevolg. As die man deur sy emosies oorweldig word en hy nie oor die vermoë beskik om dit te verwerk nie, kan hy in wanhoop verval. Die man lewe in die postmoderne era. Die uitdagings en onsekerhede van hierdie era het ‘n bydrae tot die ontwikkeling van die “Post-foundational” praktiese teologiese benadering gelewer. Daarom het die navorser besluit om hierdie benadering in die studie te volg. Hierdeur is ‘n gesprek tussen die praktiese teologie, mediese- en geesteswetenskappe vanuit ‘n transversale perspektief moontlik, om die invloed van die mastektomie op die man te bepaal. Duidelike behoeftes en vrae kom navore wat vereis dat die berader homself sal onderskei in kennis van die onderskeie pastorale benaderings en tegnieke, toepaslike mediese, Bybel- en geestes wetenskappe. Die omstandighede waarin die man hom bevind het die bevraagtekening van sy spiritualiteit tot gevolg. Sy spiritualiteit kan vir hom van groot waarde wees. Die doel van die beradingsmodel is om die man te fasiliteer om sy ware identiteit in Christus te ontdek. Deur die genade van die Here word geloofsvolwassenheid in die man ‘n waarheid. Daardeur vind transendering ten opsigte van ‘n “bevraagde identiteit” na ‘n “identiteit van betekenis en hoop” plaas. Deur die werking van die Heilige Gees word die man op die vervulling van God se heilsbeloftes vir die nood waarin verkeer verseker. Die doel van hierdie beradingsmodel vir die praktiese teologie, is ‘n geloofsvolwasse man met ‘n nuwe toekomsverhaal. / A practical theological problem was identified in the ministry: a husband whose wife undergoes a mastectomy does not receive pastoral care. This problem was investigated through a qualitative research study. The research objective was answered by doing research and a literature study. This scientific research enriches the practical theology in an unique way so that the pastoral counsellor is supported and can be more competent. Breast cancer is a life-threatening disease that no husband is prepared for. The wife loses an intimate part of her body and needs to be supported by her husband. He starts to question his own manhood (identity). This loss is also a traumatic experiences for him. He is overwhelmed by his emotions and can fall into despair if he does not have the ability to process the problem. We live in the post-modern era. This has lead to the development of the Post-foundational practical theological approach. The researcher therefore decided to follow this approach in his study. This help to determine the influence of the disruption and uncertainties in the life of the man through a discourse between the practical theology, medical- and human science from a transversal perspective. Evident questions were raised for which the counsellor needs to distinguish himself with knowledge about the various pastoral approaches and techniques, appropriate knowledge of the Bible, medical- and human science. The circumstances in which the man finds himself raise questions about the meaning of his spirituality. Spirituality can be of great help for the husband. The aim of this counseling model is to facilitate the husband through the narrative approach to find the meaning of his true identity in Christ. Through the grace of God the husband becomes spiritually mature. The dependence on God through a process of transcendence changes the ‘question identity’ to an ‘identity of value and hope’. Through the work of Holy Spirit the husband is reassured of the fulfillment of the promises of salvation by God. The aim of this counseling model for the practical theology is a spiritually matured husband with a new future story. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Th. (Practical Theology)