Book Review

Abstract

The article presents George A. James’s evaluative review of the edited volume Alternative Krishnas, compiled by Guy L. Beck. James highlights the book’s contribution to broadening academic and devotional understandings of Kṛṣṇa by showcasing lesser-known regional, sectarian, and textual traditions that diverge from classical Vaiṣṇava portrayals. The volume includes studies of traditions such as Kṛṣṇa worship in Jainism, regional cults like Jagannātha, and southern bhakti movements. James praises the effort to present a “pluriform” image of Kṛṣṇa that challenges the dominance of Gauḍīya and other pan-Indian depictions, arguing that this diversification deepens our grasp of Hindu religiosity. However, he also notes variability in scholarly rigor and thematic coherence across the contributions. The review ultimately positions Alternative Krishnas as a significant entry in both Indological and theological discourse, particularly in rethinking the relationship between regional practice and textual orthodoxy in the Kṛṣṇa tradition.