There is no clear start point for Hinduism, no single prophet or messiah who taught people how to worship and the forms to follow. Nor is there a single text containing the universal truths; instead, there are many different practices and innumerable variants of common myths and tales. From the ancient Sanskrit texts of the Upanishads, Vedas, Mahabharata and Ramayana, the characters, gods and narratives of Hinduism emerged to demonstrate the moral precepts, duties and correct behaviour of Hinduism. Learn about Vedic cosmology, which is divided into four cyclical Yugas, or epochs, and which has no beginning or end; or the creation myth of Varaha, a powerful boar who saved the earth from primordial waters; or the legend of Rama, who against great odds rescues his love Sita from the demon-king Ravana; or Vishnu, the greatest god in the Hindu Trimurti (triad), who takes the form of nine different avatars and stops the earth from being destroyed through preserving Atman, the unchanging ultimate reality. Illustrated with 120 photographs and artworks, Hindu Myths is an accessible, engaging and highly informative exploration of the complex mythology underlying one of the world's oldest and most influential religions.
There is no clear start point for Hinduism, no single prophet or messiah who taught people how to worship and the forms to follow. Nor is there a single text containing the universal truths; instead, there are many different practices and innumerable variants of common myths and tales. From the ancient Sanskrit texts of the Upanishads, Vedas, Mahabharata and Ramayana, the characters, gods and narratives of Hinduism emerged to demonstrate the moral precepts, duties and correct behaviour of Hinduism. Learn about Vedic cosmology, which is divided into four cyclical Yugas, or epochs, and which has no beginning or end; or the creation myth of Varaha, a powerful boar who saved the earth from primordial waters; or the legend of Rama, who against great odds rescues his love Sita from the demon-king Ravana; or Vishnu, the greatest god in the Hindu Trimurti (triad), who takes the form of nine different avatars and stops the earth from being destroyed through preserving Atman, the unchanging ultimate reality. Illustrated with 120 photographs and artworks, Hindu Myths is an accessible, engaging and highly informative exploration of the complex mythology underlying one of the world's oldest and most influential religions.
Contents:
Introduction
1. Cosmology and Lore
Rigveda
Brahmanas
Upanishads
2: Deities
Trimurti, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Parvati,
Ganesha, Murugan, Indra, Kali, Ganga, Sita
3. The Major Epics 1: The Ramayana
The Ramayana is a magnificent narration of the story of Rama. It
chronicles the life of Rama from his birth in the kingdom of
Ayodhya to his decisive victory over his evil nemesis Ravana. The
epic speaks volumes on the virtue of true brotherhood, love, and
the nature of sacrifice one has to make to defeat evil. The
Vanara.
4. The Major Epics 2: The Mahabharata
Apart from its glorious narration of the fight between the
Kauravas, the descendants of King Kuru, and the Pandavas, the five
sons of Pandu, the Mahabharata also details the scripts of the
Bhagavad Gita, a dialogue between Pandava prince Arjuna and his
guide and charioteer Krishna.
5: The Puranas
Brahma Purana, Brahmanda Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Garuda Purana,
Vishnu Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, Markandeya Purana
,Matsya Purana, Padma Purana, Vayu Purana
6: Sages, Kings and Other Personalities
Saptarishis, Bhrigu, Angira, Atri, Gautama, Kashyapa, Vashistha,
Agastya, Pitrs, Bharata, Krishna, Lakshmana, Hanuman
Index
A highly-illustrated and engaging exploration of the world of Hindu mythology
Martin J. Dougherty is the author of Roman Myths, Norse Myths and Greek Myths, among many other books. A former defence consultant, he also writes on personal self-defence and modern military technology. He lives in northern England.
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