An exploration of 99 classic myths of India from an entirely non-Western paradigm that provides a fresh understanding of the Hindu spiritual landscape• Compares and contrasts Indian mythology with the stories of the Bible; ancient Egypt; Greece; Scandinavia; and Mesopotamia• Looks at the evolution of Indian narratives and their interpretations over the millennia• Demonstrates how the mythology; rituals; and art of ancient India are still vibrant today and inform the contemporary generationFrom the blood-letting Kali to the mysterious Ganesha; the Hindu spiritual landscape is populated by characters that find no parallel in the Western spiritual world. Indian Mythology explores the rich tapestry of these characters within 99 classic myths; showing that the mythological world of India can be best understood when we move away from a Western; monotheistic mindset and into the polytheistic world of Hindu traditions.Featuring 48 artistic renderings of important mythological figures from across India; the author unlocks the mysteries of the narratives; rituals; and artwork of ancient India to reveal the tension between world-affirming and world-rejecting ideas; between conformism and contradiction; between Shiva and Vishnu; Krishna and Rama; Gauri and Kali. This groundbreaking book opens the door to the unknown and exotic; providing a glimpse into the rich mythic tradition that has empowered millions of human beings for centuries.
#5305753 in Books Oxford University Press; USA 1981-05-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.70 x .60 x 5.70l; 1.11 #File Name: 0891307028312 pages
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