Podcast Summary

Podcast: New Books Network – Indian Religions
Episode: Knut A. Jacobsen, Hinduism in the World: Migrations and Global Presence (Routledge, 2025)
Host: Dr. Raj Balkaran
Guest: Dr. Knut A. Jacobsen, Professor at University of Bergen
Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features Dr. Knut A. Jacobsen discussing his new book, Hinduism in the World: Migrations and Global Presence. The conversation centers on how Hinduism has expanded globally through a multitude of migration patterns, the creation and sacralization of new sacred geographies, and the unique traditions and challenges faced by diasporic Hindu communities. Dr. Jacobsen highlights both historical and contemporary trends, offering insights into Hinduism’s plurality, adaptability, and global presence beyond South Asia.

Key Discussion Points

1. Genesis of the Book & Research Focus

• Dr. Jacobsen’s interest began with fieldwork in India but shifted toward the global spread of Hinduism.

• He aims to present less-known empirical material and stories, moving beyond well-trodden narratives (e.g., Vivekananda).

• Main areas of investigation:

  • Early Hindu gurus in Europe.
  • Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu diasporas and temple building.
  • Shakta (goddess-oriented) traditions in Europe.
  • The expansion of Hindu sacred geography and pilgrimage.
  • The impact of Hindu nationalism’s global vision.

  Quote:
  “I was thinking I would use some empirical material that were kind of less known because the story is much bigger… when some of these stories are told, it tends to use the same material and speak about the same persons the whole time.” (03:09, Dr. Jacobsen)

2. Empirical Case Studies

• First Hindu Guru in Europe:
  • Came from Bengal to Europe in 1912, then settled in Norway (1917–1945).
  • Most material on him in Norwegian; Jacobsen explores his under-appreciated influences and unique teachings.
• Sri Lankan Tamil Diasporas:
  • Largest Hindu groups & temple builders in several European countries.
  • Developed a Shaiva-centric religious identity distinct from Indian Tamils, focused on religious revival rather than secular or linguistic mobilization (06:38).
• Shakta Traditions:
  • Notable for minority goddess worshippers in diaspora, including female leaders claiming goddess embodiment.
• Sacred Geography:
  • Pilgrimage and mythological mapping are reimagined globally.
  • The tendency for diasporic Hindus to sacralize their new locales—temples and ritual spaces replicate South Asian sacred geography, sometimes attributing Puranic events to places like California (see California as “Capilonia,” 09:56).

3. The Sacralization of Space

• Deep analysis of how Hinduism ‘sacralizes’ anywhere its practitioners settle:

  • Rituals incorporate local geography directly into proceedings (e.g., reciting “Toronto Nagare” in North American rituals to localize sacred time and space—08:48).
  • Temples and whole sites become living replicas of South Asian sacred geography, not just transplanted buildings.

  Quote:
  “So the whole world is, in a way, Hindu space.” (09:56, Dr. Jacobsen)

4. Chronicization and Myths Transposed

• Fascinating case: Shankaracharya of Kanchi claimed in the 1930s that California is the mythic “Capilonia,” home of sage Kapila, reinterpreting Puranic narratives for global relevance—blending mythology with modern geography (09:56).

5. The Concept of the “Spiritual Migrant”

• Dr. Jacobsen proposes a new category: the spiritual migrant, distinguishing between missionary and spiritual purpose.

  • Examples: Sri Anandacharya, Paramahamsa Yogananda, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami (ISKCON founder).
  • Some Brahmin priests moving between global temples also considered within this framework.

  Quote:
  “So his migration had spiritual purpose… this teaching needed to be taught other people, that in a way the whole world needed the teaching of Hindu spirituality.” (14:43, Dr. Jacobsen)

6. Emerging Trends and Surprises in Global Hinduism

• Plurality: Expands in numerous ways—migrant communities, missions, sacred geography, yoga, and reinterpretations.
• Innovation in Diaspora:
  • Priestly lineages born and ordained abroad (e.g., Toronto-born Vedic priests, 22:48).
  • The transformation of caste and ritual transmission, previously unthinkable outside India.
• Continuity and Change:
  • Historically, dying outside India was seen as spiritually problematic; beliefs in karma and reincarnation are continually debated and negotiated (18:23).
• Expanding Sacred Geography:
  • Whole landscapes, not just temples, are now reimagined as sacred—a trend seen in temple design and prana-pratishtha ceremonies (26:56).

7. Future Trajectories of Global Hinduism

• The expansion is ongoing and likely irreversible, with an increasing pluralization of traditions and interpretations.

• Hindu spirituality is being adopted by non-Indian backgrounds and communities (28:16).

• Diasporic communities (from Sri Lanka, Bali, etc.) are creating new centers of Hindu culture and practice.

• Predicting the specific future is challenging; change is unpredictable and driven by both heritage preservation and novel adaptations.

  Quote:
  “It’s being pluralized. It’s expanding in very many different ways. But what will happen next? I’m open for surprises also.” (29:53, Dr. Jacobsen)

8. Intended Audience and Takeaways

• For Whom:

  • Students and scholars of Hinduism, migration, or global religions.
  • Readers interested in new, under-documented stories and empirical case studies.

• Key Messages:

  • The global expansion of Hinduism is longstanding and multifaceted, not just a recent phenomenon.
  • Understanding contemporary global Hinduism requires examining more than classical texts; current practices and innovations offer crucial insights.

  Quote:
  “Many of these definitions of Hinduism… need to be read together with these modern developments, these global developments, to put these ideas into a kind of a contemporary context.” (33:00, Dr. Jacobsen)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Rituals in Diaspora:
  “Any temple, even in North America, you will hear the Sankalpa… they will literally just infix the local names into this ritualization of sacred space. And I find that so fascinating.” (08:48, Dr. Balkaran)
• On The New Generation of Priests:
  “I don't think you realize that you are innovation in flesh… never in the history of your vamsa has there been a full fledged Vedic priest of your lineage born on another continent.” (22:48, Dr. Balkaran)
• On the Global Nature of Hinduism:
  “The whole world is becoming a kind of a Hindu sacred place that wherever Hindus live is part of the kind of the Hindu sacred lands.” (24:23, Dr. Jacobsen)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:10 – Origins of Dr. Jacobsen’s research; overview of materials and case studies
• 06:29 – The sacralization of space and identity formation among diaspora Hindus
• 09:56 – Mythological re-mapping: California as Capilonia
• 14:43 – The “spiritual migrant” explained; differences from missionaries
• 18:23 – Bird’s eye view of contemporary trends and anecdote from Mauritius
• 22:48 – Inter-generational transmissions & new priestly lineages
• 26:56 – Sacred geography in the West—replicating entire sacred landscapes
• 28:16 – The likely future of global Hinduism
• 30:41 – Takeaways and intended audience

Final Thoughts

Dr. Jacobsen’s work provides a rich, empirically grounded study of the flexibility, plurality, and dynamism of global Hinduism. Listeners come away with an appreciation for the lived realities, ongoing negotiations, and creative adaptations that mark Hinduism’s worldwide journey—reminding us that sacred traditions are continually remade far beyond their place of origin.