Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas
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Getting to know the Sanskrit Puranas
Translating versions of classic Hindu tales that had not, or rarely, been translated before - this anthology is a great reader not just for those who are interested in Hinduism, but also for the expert who doesn't want or isn't able to read the originals. We meet Visnu, Krishna (aka Krsna), Siva, the Goddess, seers, kings, rivers and supernaturals not previously mentioned.
Organized by topic, each chapter starts with an excellent introduction by Cornelia Dimmitt. As in: you get the essence of the background, the myths, the themes and the context of Hinduism as a whole. If there is such a thing.
Which brings me to the one disadvantage to this anthology - by putting all these myths into one book, it suggests a unity to 'Hinduism' that is probably not quite an accurate picture of religion in India when these Puranas were composed, nor or religion in India since.
Contents at a Glance
Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas
By Cornelia Dimmitt and J.A.B. van Buitenen
Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas
Amazon Price: $36.14 (as of 02/16/2012)
Origins
Hindu myths about the start of it all...
In this chapter you'll find some interestingly creative answers to these questions - and you won't be spared contradictions between the puranas much.
Learn about yugas, Brahma, Vishnu and the Cosmic Egg.
Visnu
Vishnu
What connects the many myths of Visnu is that he comes whenever humanity has need of him. Whether it's to save the world from drowning (he literally saves the Earth from the bottom of a primal ocean), or incarnates as Krishna to inspire humanity - the one constant is helping humanity. You'll read about the four forms of Vishnu, the twelve avatars, the 22 avatars - and a few of the stories of individual avatars.
Avatars in this context are the incarnations of Vishnu.
Krishna
Krsna, Krshna
We follow Krishna from childhood, through youth, into adulthood and ultimately to destruction.
Krishna as a child is playful and divinely powerful. As a youth he is playful still, but in a romantic sense. As an adult he is a leader whose ultimate defeat is seen as just what had to happen: all those involved went to heaven after all!
Shiva
Siva
Shiva wins himself a wife, reluctantly, but then proceeds to kill his child - which is then saved by getting an elephant head... Ganesha is since one of the most popular Gods in Hinduism, with both wisdom and protection as his qualities.
The Goddess
When a goddess IS independent, she is usually violent, powerful and hard to stop. She is needed for certain jobs, but once unleashed she may wreak havoc all over...
Seers, Kings and Supernaturals
Rivers, pilgrimage, Vedic Gods, and more
We see some Vedic Gods make an appearance. Indra for instance has ants to deal with... Gods and demons fight it out... For some reason it all just doesn't make very interesting reading. No doubt these stories were important in the Puranas, so they need to be represented here, but I skipped many of them.
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