Hinduism Books

Book SynopsisThis widely praised study of Hindu deities reveals the message of tolerance and adaptability at the heart of this ancient religion.Trade Review"A pleasure to behold and an invigorating experience to read." * American Anthropologist *"If you read only one book on Hinduism, it must be Danielou's Myths and Gods of India." * Tyr, August 2002 *" . . . sheds light on more than just Hindu philosophy and practices, but also on how the Western 'Orientalphiles' have been clearly selective in what they put forward as their vision of India." * Institute of Hermetic Studies, Sep 2008 *Table of Contents Foreword List of Illustrations Note on Translation of the Sanskrit Note on Pronunciation ONE: Philosophy 1. The Theory of Polytheism The Language of Symbols; The Representation of the Transcendent; The Nondual Principle 6 Monotheism and Polytheism; Nondualism and Monism; The Equivalence of Religions 2. The Nature of the Ultimate The Origin of Existence;The Perceptible Continua: Space, Time, and Thought;The Three Modes of Being: The Substrata of Space, Time, and Consciousness; The" r and the Self; The Realization of the Soul; Immensity (brahman), the Common Substratum; The Three Fundamental Qualities and the Trinity; The Three States of Experience; The Three Qualities and Manifestation; The Power-of-Illusion (maya); Illusion and Ignorance; Nature; The Living Individuality as the Power That Can Oppose Nature; The Power of Nature as the Obstacle to Knowledge; The Fundamental Duality; "God" (Isvara) and the Illusion of Divine Unity; Life as the One Deity; The Relationship of "God" and the Universe; The Causal Word; Dangers of Applied Metaphysics 3. The Cosmic Being Macrocosm and Microcosm; Cosmic Duration; Cosmic Location; The Nature of Manifestation; The Appearance of the Universe; Cosmic Consciousness; The Personification and the Description of the Cosmic Being TWO: The Gods of the Vedas 4. The Cosmic Sacrifice Fire and Offering, Agni and Soma; The Relation of the Spheres; The Ritual of Sacrifice (yajna); The Forms of the Sacrifice; The Technique of the Sacrifice; The Creation of Man; The Last Sacrifice; The Way of the Gods; The Way of the Fathers; Divinity as the Embodiment of the Sacrifice; The Image of the Sacrifice; The Inner Yajna of the Yogi 5. The Thirty-Three Gods The Three Spheres of Agni; The Three Aspects of Deities; The Number of the Gods 6. The Spheres and Their Deities The Eight Spheres of Existence, the Vasus; The Earth; Agni (Fire); The Ten Forms of Fire; The Sphere of Space and the Lord-of-Wind (Vayu); The Sky (Dyaus); The Sun (Surya); The Image of the Sun; Dawn (Usas); The Constellations (naksatra); The Moon, the Cup-of-Offerings ( Soma); The Story of the Moon 7. The Divinities of the Sphere of Space The Divinities of Space and Life, the Maruts and the Rudras; The Maruts (Immortals); A Legend of the Maruts; Indra, the Ruler of Heaven 8. The Adityas, the Sovereign Principles Aditi (the Primordial Vastness), Source of the Adityas; Mitra ( Friendship), Solidarity; Aryaman (Chivalry); Bhaga (the Inherited Share); Varuna (the Coverer or Binder), the Mysterious Law of the Gods; Daksa ( Ritual Skill); Amsa (the Share of the Gods); Tvastr (the Shaper), Craftsmanship, the God of Industry; Pusan (the Nourisher), Security, the Protector of Cattle; Vivasvat, the Ancestor, the Embodiment of Morality or Ancestral Law; Savitr (the Vivifier), the Magic Power of Words; Sakra (the Mighty), the Divinity of Courage and Outer Security; Visnu, the All-pervading Light of Knowledge, the Cosmic Law Pervading the Three Worlds 9. Other Vedic Deities The Asvins, the Twin Horse-headed Gods of Agriculture and Physicians of the Gods; The Regents of the Directions; Yama (the Binder), the Lord of Death; Manifold-Secret (Citra-gupta), the Scribe of the Lord of Death; Kubera, the Lord of Riches; The Yaksas, Guardians of the Earth's Treasures; Misery (Nirrta); Nirrti, the Goddess of Misery; Trita (the Third) or Aptya, the Water Deity 10. Gods and Antigods The Antigods (asura); The Gods of Pre-Vedic India; Description of the Antigods; Different Kinds of Asuras; The Gods (sura) or the Resplendent-Ones (deva); The Age and the Felicity of the Gods THREE: The Trinity 11. Visnu, the Pervader Sattva, the Cohesive Tendency; The Name Visnu; The Nature of Visnu; The State of Dream; All Religion Is of Visnu; The Names of Visnu 12. The Image of Visnu The Four Arms; The Twenty-Four Icons of Visnu; The Conch; The Discus; The Lotus; The Bow, Arrows, and Quiver; The Mace; The Jewel Treasure of the Ocean; The Lock of Hair Beloved of Fortune; The Garland of the Forest; The Earrings, the Armlets, and the Crown; The Yellow Veil and the Sacred Thread; The Chariot; The Dark Color; The Whisk, the Fan, the Flag, and the Parasol; The Sword and Sheath; The Bird Wings of Speech; The Serpent Remainder; The Attendants of Visnu 13. The Avatars, or Incarnations, of Visnu The Planets; The Incarnations of the First Age, the Satya Yuga (Age of Truth) The Fish-Incarnation (Matsya-avatara); The Tortoise-Incarnation (Kurma-avatara); The Boar-Incarnation (Varaha-avatara); The Man-Lion-Incarnation (Nr-simha-avatara) The Incarnations of the Second Age, the Trela Yuga; The Dwarf-Incarnation (Vamana-avatara); Rama-with-the-Ax (Parasu-Rama); THE TALE OF RENUKA; Rama (Ramacandra), the Charming, the Embodiment of Righteousness; THE MANTRA "RAMA"; THE IMAGE OF RAMA Krsna, the Incarnation of the Third Age; Rama-the-Strong (Bala-Rama); The Incarnations of the Fourth or Present Age, the Kali ruga (Age of Strife); Buddha; Kalki 14. The Minor Incarnations of Visnu Nara and Narayana, Devotion; Kapila, Philosophy; Dattatreya, Magic; Yajna (Ritual Sacrifice); Rsabha (the Bull), Morality; Dhanvantari, Medical Science; Hayasirsa (the Horse-headed), Protector of the Scripture; Vyasa, the Compiler of the Scripture; Prthu, the First King - Agriculture and Social Order; Dhruva (the Immovable), Will Power 186 Visnu as Rescuer of the Elephant-King in Response to His Faith; Mohini (the Enchantress), Lust; Narada, Music 15. Siva, the Lord of Sleep The Origin of Saivism; The Tendency toward Disintegration (tamas); The Many Aspects of Siva; The Fearful and Auspicious God; Rudra, the Lord of Tears, the Destroyer; The Name Rudra; The Personification of Anger; The Fire That Kills; Bhairava (the Terrible); The Lord-of Elements or Lord-of-Ghosts (Bhutesvara); Death, the Remover (Hara) Siva, the Auspicious, the Lord of Sleep; The Lord of Knowledge, Mahesvara; The Maheivara Sutra; Time (Kala), the All-Destroyer; The Divinity of Time; The Lord of Yoga; Sankara (the Giver of Joy) and Sambhu (the Abode of Joy); The Hermaphrodite 16. The Forms of Rudra-Siva The Elemental Forms of Rudra 1. The Archer (Sarva) 2. Existence (Bhava) 3. The Herdsman (Pasupati) 4. The Ruler (Isana) 5. The Tremendous (Bhima) 6. The Lord-of-Tears (Rudra) 7. The Great-God (Maha-deva) 8. The Fearful (Ugra), or the Thunderbolt (Asani) The Five Components (kala) of Siva and the Manifestation of Speech 1. The Conqueror-of-Death (Mrtyum-jaya) 2. The Southern-Image (Daksina-murti) 3. The Lord-of-Lust (Kamesvara) 40. The Herdsman (Pasupati) 5. The Lord-of-the-Elements (Bhutesa) The Ruler of Space, the Five-faced 1. The Ruler (Isana) 2. The Supreme-Man (Tat-purusa) 3. The Nonfearful (Aghora) 4. The Left-hand-Deity (Vama-deva) 5. The Suddenly-born (Sadyojata) 17. The Image of Siva The White Color; The Three Eyes; The Moon; The Ganges; The Matted Hair; The Tiger Skin; The Four Arms; The Trident; The Spear Pasupata; The Ax, the Bow (Pinaka), and the Club Khatvanga; The Serpent; The Noose and the Garland of Skulls; The Ashes; The Hourglass-shaped Drum, the Damaru; The Bull; The Lion; Kasi, the Resplendent City 18. The Linga The Linga Is the Universe; The Yani; The Union of the Principles; The Divine Lust; The Father, Owner of the Linga; Bija, the Seed; The Worship of the Linga; Different Forms of Linga; The Linga of the Universe; The Cosmic Egg; The Formless Mass; The Altar's Fire; The Arrow; The Linga of Light; The "Supreme Sign," Maha-linga; The Self-born, Svayambhu; The Phallic Image; The Triangle 19. Brahma, the Immense Being Brahma, the Space- Time or Revolving Principle; The Names of Brahma; The Worship of Brahma; The Tales of Brahma; The Brahma Icon; The Golden Embryo, Hiranyagarbha; The Lord-of-Progeny (Praja-pati); The Creation of the World; The Myth of Creation; The Creation of Man; The Creation of the Ritual Sacrifice; The Opening of the Cosmic Egg; The Duration of the Universe FOUR: The Divine Power (Sakti) as the Goddess 20. Sakti, the All-pervading Energy Power as Divinity; Origin and Worship of the Goddess 21. The Consorts of the Three Gods The Progenitors of the Gods; The Flowing-One (Saras-vati), the Divinity of Knowledge; The Divinity of Speech, Vac; The Goddess of Fortune, Laksmi; Destiny or Transcendent Fortune, Maha-Laksmi; Success (Radha), the Personification of Devotion; The Powers of Procreation, Development, and Destruction, Parvati, Sakti, and Kali; The Power-of-Enjoyment (ahladini-sakti); The Amorous, Lalita; The Divinity of Lust, KameSvari; The Names of the Goddess 22. The Ten Objects-of-Transcendent-Knowledge (maha-vidya) The First Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Kali, the Power of Time, and the Night-of- Eternity (Maha-ratri) The Cycles of Time; The Eternal Night; Kali, the Power of Time; The Image of Kali; THE CORPSE; THE FEARFUL APPEARANCE; THE LAUGHTER; THE FOUR ARMS; THE SWORD; THE SEVERED HEAD; THE HAND REMOVING FEAR; THE GIVING HAND; THE GARLAND OF SKULLS; THE NAKEDNESS; THE FUNERAL PYRE; THE BLACK COLOR; The Dual Aspect of Kali" The Second Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Tara, the Star, the Power of Hunger, and the Night-of-Anger (Krodha-ratri); Tara and Kali; The Representation of the Void; Other Aspects of Tara; The Image of Tara; The Worship of Tara The Third Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Sodasi the Girl-of-Sixteen, the Power of Perfection, and the Divine-Night (Divya-ratri); The Fourth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Bhuvanesvari, the Lady of the Spheres, the Power of Knowledge, and the Night-of-Realization (Siddha-ratri); The Fifth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Chinnamasta, the Beheaded, the Power of the Sacrifice, and the Night-of- Courage (Vira-ratri); The Sixth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Bhairavi, the Fearful Goddess, the Power of Death, and the Night-of-Death (Kala-ratri); The Seventh Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Dhumavati, the Smoky-One, the Power of Poverty, and the Night-of-Frustration (Daruna-ratri); The Eighth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: The Deceitful, Crane-headed Bagala, the Power of Cruelty, and the Second Night-of-Courage (Vira-ratri); The Ninth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Matangi, the Elephant Power, the Power of Domination, and the Night-of-Delusion (Moha-ratri); The Tenth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: The Lotus-Girl, Kamala, the Power of Wealth, and the Night-of-Splendor (Maha-ratri) 23. Some Other Aspects of the Goddess Uma; The Unborn or the She-Goat (Aja); The Destroyer-of-the-Genii (Camunda); The Coiled-Energy (Kundalini); The Mother (Ambika); The Seven-Mothers (Sapta-Matrkas); Indrani; The Destroyer of the Buffalo-Demon (Mahisa-asura-mardini); Minor Forms of the Goddess: Yoginis, Dakinis, Grahis, Bhairavis, and Sakinis FIVE: Secondary Gods 24. The Sons of Siva Ganapati or Ganesa, the Lord of Categories; The Cult and the Names of Ganapati; The Birth of Ganapati; The Meaning of Ganapati and Its Relation to the Number Principle; Elephant and Man; Thou Art That; The Remover of Obstacles; The Image of Ganapati; THE TUSK; THE TRUNK; THE FOUR ARMS; THE MOUSE; Kumara, the Adolescent 25. Minor Gods and Genii The Attendants of Siva; The Universal-Principles (Visvas or Visvadevas); The Satisfied (Tusitas); The Shining (Abhasvaras); The Means-of-Realization (Sadhyas); The Realized (Siddhas); The Skillful-Craftsmen (Rbhus); The Bearers-of-Wisdom (Vidya-dharas); The Essences (apsaras); The Fragrances (gandharva); The Wanderers (carana); The Heavenly-Humans (kinnara); The Village- Angels (grama-devata) and Village-Goddesses (grama-kali); The Ancestors (pitr); Genii (daitya and danava); The Serpents or Dragons, the Ever-Moving (naga); The Night-Wanderers (raksasa); The Eaters-of-Raw-Flesh (pisaca); The Sorcerers (yatu or yatudhana); The Vampires (vetala); The Ghosts (preta); The Wandering-Souls (bhuta); The Fearful-Spirits (bhairava) 26. Other Deities Kama (Eros), the Divinity of Lust; The Seed-of-Lust (Kamabija); The Architect-of-the- Universe ( Visva-karman); The Architect-of-the-Antigods (Maya); The Seizer (Rahu); The COW; The Seers (rsi); The Fiery (Angiras); The Owner-of-Wealth (Vasistha); The Universal-Friend (Visvamitra); Ritual-Skill (Daksa); The Crack-of-Fire (Bhrgu); The Mover-of-Mountains (Agastya); The Devourer (Atri); Inspiration (Kratu); The Giver-of-Advice (Narada); Light (Marici); Vision (Kasyapa); Brhaspati (the Great Master), the Teacher of the Gods; Sukra, the Teacher of the Genii; Prthu, the First King; Manu, the Lawgiver SIX: The Representation and the Worship of Deities 27. The Representation of Deities The Worship of the Manifest Forms; The Representation of Deities; Other Kinds of or Seed Mantras 28. The Thought-Forms, or Mantras The Basic- Thought-Forms (bija-mantra); Mantras; The Chief Basic Thought-Forms or Seed Mantras 1. The Seed-of-the-Immensity (brahma-bija) or Thought-Form-of the-Knowledge-of-the-Immensity (brahma-vidya mantra) 2. The Seed-of-Consciousness or Seed-of-Speech (vag-bija) 3. The Seed-of-Illusion ( maya-bija) or Seed-of-Energy (sakti-bija) 4. The Seed-of-Existence or Seed-of-Fortune (laksmi-bija) 5. The Seed-of-Desire (kama-bija) 6. The Primordial-Seed (adya-bija) or Seed-of-the-Power-of-Time (kan-bija) Other Seed Mantras; The Seed Mantras of the Elements; The Expanded Mantras The Mantra of the Supreme-Energy (para Sakti); Flying through the Void (khecari bija); Giiyatrl (the Protector of the Vital Energies); Brahma Gayatri; Brahma Mantra; Rudra Mantra; The King-of-Mantras (mantra-raja); The Pacifying of Misfortune; The Calming-of-Anger (krodhasanti); The Fire-Mantra (agni-prajvalana); The Fire extinguishing Mantra (agni-stambhana); The Prevention-of-Sleep (nidra-stambhana); The Siva Mantra of Five-Letters (pancaksara); Hamsa-mantra, the Thought-Form of the Swan of Knowledge; The Thought-Form of Eight-Syllables (astaksrar) of Visnu; The Thought-Form of Fifteen-Syllables (pancadasi) of the First Goddess 29. The Yantras, or Magic Diagrams The Constituent Elements of the Yantras; The Point; The Straight Line; The Triangle; The Circle; The Hexagon; The Square; The Pentagon (Star); The Cross; The Svastika; The Star Hexagon; The Lotuses; The Principal Yantras; The King-of-Tantras (yantra-raja); The Tantra "Guarded on all Sides" (sarvatobhadra); The Remover-of-Desire (smarahara); The Remover of Desire ( Second Form); The Yantra-of-Liberation (mukti); The Sri Cakra; The Ganapati Yantra; The Visnu Yantra 30. The Images (murti) of Deities The Principal Elements of the Images of Deities; The Purpose of Image Worship; The Forms of the Images; Image Worship 31. The Worship of Deities The Object of Worship; The Kinds of Worship; The Stages of Worship 32. Ritual Life as a Ritual; The Rituals of Worship; The Technique of Worship; The Place of Worship; The Main Features of Individual-Worship (pujana); The Purification and Dedication of the Body; Removing Obstacles; The Praise of the Deity; Meditation; Japa, the Repetition of Mantras; The Accessories of Worship; The Water; The Ornaments; The Perfume; The Flowers; The Incense; The Lamp; The Edibles; The Rice; The Lauds; The Waving of Lights; The Obeisance; Right- and Left-hand Ways Selective Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisAn exploration of 99 classic myths of India from an entirely non-Western paradigm that provides a fresh understanding of the Hindu spiritual landscape.Trade Review"Further calls on the ability of the Western mind to see from another point of view." * ForeWord, 2004, Vol.7 No.1 *"I cannot praise this book highly enough. Pattanaik is a gifted teacher and writer." * Alicia Elkins, Rambles, May 2004 *Table of Contents Introduction Chapter 1--Mythology: Studying Myth Vishnu and the Earth Cow (Bhagavata Purana) Myth and Mythology Expressions of Myth Renuka's Umbrella (Mahabharata) • Renuka's Infidelity (Mahabharata) • Renuka's Head (Yellamma Mahatmya) • Arjuna and the Navagunjara • (Orissan folklore based on the Mahabharata) • The Half-Woman God (Tamil Temple Lore) • A Golden Effigy of Sita (Uttara Ramayana) • Lakshmi's Symbols (Orissan folklore) The Function of Myth Rama's Ring (Folklore based on the Ramayana) • A Palace for Indra (Brahmavaivarta Purana) • Shambuka Beheaded (Uttara Ramayana) • The Beheading of Brahma (Shiva Purana) Coping Through Mythmaking Conclusion Chapter 2--Mythosphere: Comparing Myths The Idea of God Harishchandra (Bhagavata Purana) • The Past Life of Yashoda and Nanda (Padma Purana) • The Doorkeepers of Vishnu (Bhagavata Purana) Devils and Demons Why Rama Went into Exile (Ramayana) • The Curse of Gandhari (Mahabharata) • The Offering of Bel Leaves (Linga Purana) • Indra Seduces Ahalya (Ramayana) • Churning the Ocean to Find Shri (Bhagavata Purana) Creation with a Difference The Birth of the Three Gods (Folklore) • Brahma Opens His Eyes (Vishnu Purana) • Brahma's Mind-Born Sons (Brahmavaivarta Purana) • Brahma Splits Himself (Shiva Purana) • The Creation of Death (Mahabharata) • Transformations of the Daughter (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) Heaven or Hell The Birth of Urvashi (Bhagavata Purana) • Mahabhisha (Mahabharata) • Agastya's Ancestors (Mahabharata) • Heaven for Markandeya (Linga Purana) • The Death of Yama (Rig Veda) • Vishnu Cursed (Padma Purana) • Fish to the Rescue (Matsya Purana) Conclusion Chapter 3--Mythopoesis: Transforming Myth March of the Vedic Hymns The Beheading of Vishwarupa (Mahabharata) • Durvasa's Curse (Padma Purana) • Mount Vindhya Bows (Uttara Ramayana) • The Birth of River Kaveri (Kaveri Mahatmya) • Repelling Taraka (Ramayana) • Rama Befriends the Monkeys (Ramayana) • The Burning of Khandavaprastha (Mahabharata) • The Marriage of Marisha (Bhagavata Purana) • The Body of Society (Rig Veda) • Vishwamitra Becomes a Rishi (Bhagavata Purana) • Ekalavya (Mahabharata) • Atoning for Killing Ravana (Rishikesh Sthala Purana) • Ammaveru's Husband (South Indian folklore) • The Birth of Krishna (Harivamsa) The Ascetic Ideal Parashurama Destroys the Warrior Race (Vishnu Purana) • The Golden Mongoose (Mahabharata) • Yagnavalkya Rebels (Brahmanda Purana) • Nachiketa Questions Yama (Katha Upanishad) • Vidura's Past Life (Mahabharata) • Shiva Enlightens Matsyendra-nath (Nav-Nath-Charitra) • The Destruction of Daksha's Yagna (Skanda Purana) • Kapila's Fiery Glance (Ramayana) • Trishanku (Vishnu Purana) • Kumbhakarna's Asceticism (Ramayana) • Dadhichi's Head (Jaiminya Brahmana) • Dadhichi's Bones (Mahabharata) • Vishwamitra and Menaka (Bhagavata Purana) • The Seduction of Rishyashringa (Mahabharata) • The Birth of Skanda (Skanda Purana) • Shilavati's Chastity (Brahmanda Purana) The Birth of God Krishna Humbles Indra (Bhagavata Purana) • Kali's Tongue (Kalika Purana) • Vishnu Enlightens Brahma (Vishnu Purana) • Shiva the Dancer (Skanda Purana) • The Return of Vyasa's Son (Devi Bhagavata Purana) • The Death of Parikshit (Bhagavata Purana) • The Power of Rama's Name (Ramayana) • The Idol in the Termite Hill (Temple lore) • The Marriage of Valli (Skanda Purana) • The Descent of Ganga (Shiva Purana) • The Pillar of Fire (Shiva Purana) • Mohini to the Rescue (Vishnu Purana) • The Birth of Ayyappa (Sabarimalai Sthala Purana) • God Turns for Kanaka Dasa (Udipi Sthala Purana) • The Hunter's Eye (Periyar Purana) Invasions and Immigrations The Death of the Pandavas (Mahabharata) • Manikantha and Vavar (Sabarimalai Sthala Purana) • Ranganatha's Muslim Bride (Shrirangam Sthala Purana) Conclusion Chapter 4--Mythography: Interpreting Myth History and Prehistory The Sons of Kadru and Vinata (Mahabharata) • Yudhishtira's Horse Sacrifice (Mahabharata) • Krishna's Early Life (Harivamsa) • Krishna's Later Life (Mahabharata) • The Sacrifice of Sunahshepas (Mahabharata) • The Children of Vichitravirya (Mahabharata) • Oghavati's Obedience (Mahabharata) • Gandhari's Children (Mahabharata) • Krishna Curses Ashwathama (Mahabharata) • Shiva Destroys Tripura (Linga Purana) Strategic Charters The Churning of Vena's Corpse (Bhagavata Purana) • Shvetaketu's Law (Mahabharata) • The Marriage of Draupadi (Mahabharata) • Shiva Blesses Draupadi (Mahabharata) • Vrinda's Chastity (Shiva Purana) • Sita's Chastity (Uttara Ramayana) • Three Boons for Kaikeyi (Ramayana) • How Mountains Came into Being (Bhagavata Purana) • Dhruva (Folklore based on the Bhagavata Purana) • Donations for Venkateshwara (Tirumalai Sthala Purana) • Jayadeva's Verse (Folklore) This in Terms of That Chandra and the Nakshatras (Somnath Sthala Purana) • Rudra and Prajapati (Shatapatha Brahmana) • Sapta Rishis and Their Wives (Mahabharata) • Krishna's Rasa Leela (Gita Govinda) • The Rescue of the Elephant King (Bhagavata Purana) • Shiva's Erect Manhood (Shiva Purana) Metaphors of the Mind Kunti's Magic Formula (Mahabharata) • The Sons of Yayati (Mahabharata) • Devavrata's Vow of Celibacy (Mahabharata) • Arjuna's Exile (Mahabharata) Conclusion Glossary Bibliography Index

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisA vivid journey back to the time of Krishna, his holy city, and the Mahabharata War Transporting us back five thousand years to the time of Krishnavatara, the age in which Krishna lived, Vanamali leads us on a journey alongside Lord Krishna as he reigns over the ancient port city of Dwaraka and helps the Pandavas through the Mahabharata War. Recounting ecstatic celebrations, Krishna’s love for his wives and sons, and events surrounding the epic war, the author stresses Krishna’s ability to contain all opposites and stand above duality like a lotus leaf floating on a running stream. Offering potent spiritual lessons throughout her story, she shows how the truly spiritual individual is able to unreservedly accept all dimensions of life and rise above all dualities of existence, war and peace, love and hate, sex and abstinence, action and meditation. She also provides a historical timeline for the Mahabharata War and the sinking of Krishna’s city beneath the sea--3126 BCE and 3090 BCE, respectively--and shows how the Mahabharata War occurred under circumstances quite similar to those of the present day, both politically and astrologically. Through her vivid tale and her personal connection with Krishna across many lifetimes, Vanamali shows how the magic and mystery of Krishna’s ancient holy city live on through his spiritual teachings.Trade Review“Vanamali transports the reader to Lord Krishna’s heavenly kingdom of Dwaraka. Her devotion invites the reader to make a leap in consciousness and to join her on an ecstatic pilgrimage to the heart of Mother India’s legendary wisdom.” * Arvind Bruce Burger, author of Esoteric Anatomy: The Body as Consciousness *“In the Lost City of Sri Krishna is an enthralling journey from India’s leading female mystic. Vanamali’s intricate accounts of higher Vedic civilizations and culture will entertain and satisfy not only students of yoga but all those interested in the secrets of India, which only adept mystics can reveal.” * Nischala Cryer, author of The Four Stages of Yoga and cofounder of Ananda University *“This inspired book by Vanamali not only brings to life the events at the time when Sri Krishna ruled over Dwaraka but also imparts profound wisdom and uplifts spiritually. It lovingly connects us to one of the main pillars of India’s great tradition, Sri Krishna.” * Maria Wirth, writer/researcher of India’s heritage and spiritual traditions *“Which of us has not imagined ourself as a character in His great play? In In the Lost City of Sri Krishna the author envisions herself as a direct witness to Lord Krishna’s sojourn in Dwaraka. In doing so she masterfully transports the reader into that time, giving each of us a personal glimpse of what it may have been like to walk beside Him.” * Nitya Menon, LL.M., diplomat and international lawyer *"Using data from archeological and astronomical studies as well as maritime explorations, Vanamali builds a strong case that Lord Krishna and his life-narrative are not simply a part of Indian mythology, but they constitute an indisputable part of India's rich and varied history. Bravo." * Vatsala Sperling, MS, PhD, PDHom, CCH, RSHom, author of Arjuna *Table of ContentsForeword by Sri Bhakti Yog Swamiji Introduction Dwarakanatha, the Lord of Dwaraka 1 Dwarakadhish 2 The Wedding 3 Badarikashrama 4 The Kurus 5 Draupadi Swayamvara 6 The Abduction of Rukmini 7 Satyabhama and Jambavati 8 The Grand Elopement 9 Krishna’s Wives 10 Sons of Krishna 11 Various Episodes 12 Indraprastha 13 Jarasandha 14 Rajasuya 15 Salva 16 Pandavas17 Kamyaka 18 Dwaitavana 19 Dwaraka 20 The Himalayas 21 Duryodhana 22 Trials 23 Matsya 24 The Cattle Rustlers25 Upaplavya26 Ambassador to the Kurus 27 Radheya 28 Preparations for War 29 The Mahabharata War30 Succeeding Days of Battle 31 Bhishma 32 Abhimanyu 33 Drona 34 Aswatthama35 Karna 36 Suyodhana 37 Drauni 38 The Dowager Queens 39 Devavrata 40 Parikshit 41 Vidura 42 Yadavas 43 Uddhava 44 Purushottama Glossary of Sanskrit Terms Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis book explores the rise of the Great Goddess by focusing on the development of saakti (creative energy), maya (objective illusion), and prakr(materiality) from Vedic times to the late Puranic period, clarifying how these principles became central to her theology.

Read more less

Book SynopsisChanting of Sri Sai Ashtothara, the 108 names of Shirdi Saibaba, is the most chosen and popular way of worshipping Baba. The Ashtothara was compiled, originally, by Pujya Sri Narasimha Swamiji, an ardent Sai devotee. Sai Ashtothara is chanted daily in Shirdi during Kakad (Morning) Arti. However, no attempt has been undertaken to make one relate these sacred names to the memorable miracles and leelas of his grace and protection. This is a prayer book and an attempt to explore the deeper inner significance of each name. Hopefully it will be helpful to every Sai devotee to win his grace and blessings.

Read more less

Book SynopsisShows that traditionalism and modernity reinforce each other among the priests at the Minakshi Temple. This book also shows that the priests have become more 'professional' and modern-minded while also insisting on the legitimacy of tradition. It concludes by critiquing the analysis of modernity and tradition in social science.Trade Review"This book is beautifully written in a clear style that will make even the most arcane aspects of the priestly profession accessible to undergraduate readers. At the same time, it is a theoretically sophisticated work that will be read widely. No one can write about the Minakshi temple priests with the authority that Dr. Fuller brings to the task. As ethnography the book is unique."—Mattison Mines, author of Public Faces, Private Voices"In this book, C. J. Fuller has cumulated ethnographic experience and data for twenty-six years and has thus made himself into the consummate ethnographer of the priests of one of the most magnificent temples of South India."—Peter van der Veer, author of Religious NationalismTable of ContentsFigures and Tables ix Preface xi Note on Transliteration xv Key to Figures 1 and 2 xvii Chapter One: The Priests and the Minakshi Temple's Renovation Ritual 1 Chapter Two: Rights,Duties,and Work 19 Chapter Three: Family and Domestic Life 57 Chapter Four: The Agamas and Priestly Education 80 Chapter Five: Religious Politics and the Priests 114 Chapter Six: Modernity,Traditionalism,and the State 152 Notes 169 Glossary 191 Bibliography 195 Index 205

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe Spandakarika, the ""Tantric Song of the Divine Pulsation,"" is said to have been transmitted directly to the sage Vasugupta from the hands of Shiva on Mount Kailas. In his commentary on these fifty-two stanzas, the sage Ksemaraja described them as the heart of the Mahamudra. The oldest masters of Spandakarika viewed everything in the universe, including matter, as consciousness and created a yoga practice in accordance with this realization. The sacred dance of Yoga Spandakarika, Tandava, is extremely subtle and difficult, requiring thousands of hours of practice to master, yet it surpasses any other physical practice, allowing the practitioner to touch the divine inner pulse. Once its third stage has been mastered, the yogi or yogini is able to manifest the dance of Shiva in space, a tradition visible in the statuary of Tantric temples in India and Tibet. Energy is no longer contracted by the perception of duality, and the mind and body become unbounded, forming a sphere that contains all that was formerly outside. In Yoga SpandakarikaDaniel Odier passes on these vanishing teachings as he received them from his Tibetan master, Kalu Rinpoche, and Kashmiri yogi Lalita Devi.Trade Review"The Yoga Spandakarika helped me realize how my human feelings are key tools to understanding this divinity, and that the Divine can be as close as a shiver of joy." * Gef Temblay, Ascent, Issue 27 *Table of ContentsPreface The Ancient Text Spandakarika: The Tantric Song of the Sacred Tremor The Commentary First Flow (Stanzas 1-16): The Instructions Concerning the Independent Existence of the Self Second Flow (Stanzas 17-27): The Direct Perception of One’s Own Fundamental Nature Third Flow (Stanzas 28-52): The Universal Nature Reflected in the Power of One’s Own Nature Conclusion: Should One Practice Mahamudra? Appendix 1: Vijnanabhairava Tantra Appendix 2: The Natural Liberation through Naked Vision, Identifying Intelligence Notes

Read more less