of alchemy, with the Hindu school
known as dhatuvada. The reported dif-
ference is that the latter relied solely on
the consumption of mercurials, whereas
the former used mercurials only to pro-
long life until the body could be trans-
muted through meditation, ritual, and
extramaterial means. Despite these dif-
fering conceptions of the end of the
process, the two schools overlap consid-
erably on many other points. Both also
probably draw from a common alchem-
ical tradition. For further information
see David Gordon White, The Alchemical
Body, 1996.
Rashtrakuta Dynasty
(8th–10th c.) Central Indian dynasty
whose core area was in the middle of
Maharashtra, and whose capital was
the Maharashtrian city of Achalpur. The
Rashtrakutaswere originally vassals of
the Chalukya dynasty, but overthrew
them in the middle of the eighth century
and remained the premier power south
of the Vindhya Mountains until the
middle of the tenth century. The dynasty
directly ruled most of the modern states
of Maharashtra and Karnataka, along
with parts of the states of Andhra
Pradeshand Tamil Nadu, but had vassal
states through the entire Deccan
plateau, southern India, and Ceylon.
Their hegemony ended in 973, when
they were overthrown by the later
Chalukya dynasty. The Rashtrakutas’
greatest monument is the Kailasanatha
temple at Ellora in the state of
Maharashtra, which was completed late
in the eighth century.
Rashtriya Svayamsevak Sangh
(“National Volunteer Corps,” hereafter
RSS) Hindu nationalist organization
founded in 1925 by Dr. K. B.
Hedgewar. Since its inception the RSS
has ascribed to the ideals of Hindutva,
the notion that the Hindus are a
nation despite their regional, linguis-
tic, and cultural differences. The RSS
has historically characterized itself as
a cultural and character-building
organization and, for much of its exis-
tence, has shunned direct political
involvement, although it has exercised
considerable influence through its
many affiliated organizations.
RSS training stresses loyalty, obedi-
ence, discipline, and dedication to the
advancement of the Hindu nation, but
does not encourage the development of
independent thought. The heart of its
program are the daily meetings of its
neighborhood units known as shakhas
(“branches”). At these meetings mem-
bers, known as svayamsevaks(“volun-
teers”), spend part of their time playing
games, part of their time practicing mar-
tial drill—including sparring with
sticks—and part of their time discussing
and absorbing RSSideals. The shakhas in
any given area are overseen by a full-
time RSSworker known as a pracharak
(“director”), who serves as a liaison
between the local units and the RSSlead-
ership and who oversees RSSactivity in
his area.
As an organization, the RSSis pro-
foundly elitist, and its self-proclaimedRashtriya Svayamsevak SanghIn their daily meetings, members of the Rashtriya
Svayamsevak Sangh practice martial drills that
include sparring with sticks.