ABSTRACT
Situated at the interface of anthropological fieldwork and philosophical scrutiny, this chapter explores relations among sounds, bodies, and texts through the prism of an internal sonic physiognomy. Analyzing texts of Indian philosophy and ritual, and descriptions of lived experiences of religious sounds by sonic meditators, instrument craftsmen, and players, the chapter describes complex methods of constructing and experiencing the body. The body emerges as an auditory vessel, its inner space of breath paths and listening acumen embodying a distinctive religious capacity: to mirror and indeed become the devotional instrument. The author explores rare discourses of cultivation of the sound-perfect, meditative, tantric/yogic body and its relations to three instruments of substantial importance: the flute, the clay drum, and the conch.
