Gaṇeśa, the Enchanter of the Three Worlds

Gaṇeśa, the Enchanter of the Three Worlds

Author: Paul Martin-Dubost

Publisher:

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 440

ISBN-13:

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In the vast Hindu pantheon, Ganesa is Ganapati, the first among the Gods. This book presents the iconography of Ganesa in India. Each of the forms (there are 32 principal forms) is specified by the alteration of the attributes of the hands, the colour of a particular vehicle, and more.


Gaṇeśapurāṇa

Gaṇeśapurāṇa

Author: Greg Bailey

Publisher: Otto Harrassowitz Verlag

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 720

ISBN-13: 9783447054720

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This book offers a translation of the seven thousand verses of the second book of the medieval Hindu text, the Ganesa Purana, one of two Puranas dedicated to the important elephant-headed god. In this book the reader is given many narratives about Ganesas ascent to earth in order to kill demonic figures who threaten to overthrow the correct world order. In addition, these narratives contain myths about Ganesa's birth and family as well as some extended and quite humorous myths about ideal devotees of the god.The translation is preceded by a long introduction offering a geographical and historical context for the GanesaPurana. Following the translation are very extensive notes which bring our points of philological interest, but focus mainly on the literary structure of the text and the methods used to present the many myths and narratives in a coherent and fully integrated manner.


99 Thoughts on Ganesha

99 Thoughts on Ganesha

Author: Devdutt Pattanaik

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Published: 2015-01-27

Total Pages: 235

ISBN-13: 8184951523

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In the game of cricket, having scored 99 runs, when a batsman stands poised on the threshold of that much coveted century, he experiences the moment that is best associated with Ganesha. Fear and uncertainty envelope him; between him and his achievement stand hurdles, both real and imaginary: a possible spin from the bowler can overwhelm him, his own anxiety can paralyze him, cheering fans can distract him. He needs divine intervention then. He needs to focus, get rid of all hurdles, perform, get the final run, and achieve what he so longs for. In other words, he needs to think of Ganapati. This book brings together 99 meditations to better understand the stories, symbols and rituals of that adorable elephantheaded Hindu god who removes hurdles and brings prosperity and peace. Known variously as Ganapati, Gajanana, Vinayaka or Pillayar, he can help all of us score a century in the game called life.


The Man Who Was a Woman and Other Queer Tales from Hindu Lore

The Man Who Was a Woman and Other Queer Tales from Hindu Lore

Author: Devdutt Pattanaik

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-01-09

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13: 131776630X

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A god transforms into a nymph and enchants another god. A king becomes pregnant. A prince discovers on his wedding night that he is not a man. Another king has children who call him both father and mother. A hero turns into a eunuch and wears female apparel. A princess has to turn into a man before she can avenge her humiliation. Widows of a king make love to conceive his child. Friends of the same sex end up marrying each other after one of them metamorphoses into a woman. These are some of the tales from Hindu lore that this unique book examines. The Man Who Was a Woman and Other Queer Tales from Hindu Lore is a compilation of traditional Hindu stories with a common thread: sexual transformation and gender metamorphosis. In addition to the thought-provoking stories in The Man Who Was a Woman and Other Queer Tales from Hindu Lore, you'll also find: an examination of the universality of queer narratives with examples from Greek lore and Irish folklore a comparison of the Hindu paradigm to the biblical paradigm a look at how Hindu society and Hindu scripture responds to queer sexuality a discussion of the Hijras, popularly believed to be the “third gender” in India--their probable origin, and how they fit into Hindu society With the telling of each of these tales, you will also learn how the author came upon each of them and how they relate to the context of dominant Hindu attitudes toward sex, gender, pleasure, fertility, and celibacy.


THAKUR VIJAYAM:Spectrum of History, Culture and Archaeological Studies

THAKUR VIJAYAM:Spectrum of History, Culture and Archaeological Studies

Author: Prof. P. CHENNA REDDY

Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers

Published: 2023-01-09

Total Pages: 399

ISBN-13:

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Thakur Vijayam: Spectrum of History, Culture and Archaeological Studies is a Commemoration Volume presented to Prof. Vijay Kumar Thakur was a renowned Historian in India, on his Eighty second birth anniversary (15th July 1941). These articles are in other way serve as garland of flowers to decor Prof. Vijay Kumar Thakur. A great scholar in History, Buddhism, Epigraphy, Archaeology, andCulture. There are more than 35 articles shedding light on History, Culture and Archaeological Studies. This prestigious volume contains a wide spectrum of research articles covering Archaeology, History, Art, Architecture, Epigraphy and Numismatics, Buddhism, Religion and Philosophy Tourism, Modern History and Economic history, Folklore, literature and culture, This volume was edited by Prof. Pedarapu Chenna Reddy who is already well-known for similar volumes in honour of Prof. B. Rama Raju, Dr. P. V. P. Sastry, Prof. R. Soma Reddy, Dr. I. K. Sarma, Dr. V. V. Krishna Sastry, Dr. Robert G. Bednarik, Prof. A. Sundara, Dr. Deme Raja Reddy, Dr. Annapareddy Venkateswara Reddy, Prof. K. V. Raman, Dr. Janumaddi Hanumath Sastry, Prof. K. Rajayyan, Prof. Alan Dundes, Prof. Bhakthavathsala Reddy, Prof. K. K. N. Kurup, Dr. A. K. V. S Reddy, Dr. Y. Gopala Reddy, Prof. M. L. K. Murty, Dr. M. D. Sampath, Prof. Katta Narasimha Reddy, Prof. Hampa Nagarajaiah etc.


Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Encyclopedia of Hinduism

Author: Denise Cush

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2012-08-21

Total Pages: 1129

ISBN-13: 113518979X

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Covering all aspects of Hinduism, this encyclopedia includes more ethnographic and contemporary material in contrast to the exclusively textual and historical approach of earlier works.


Myth = Mithya

Myth = Mithya

Author: Devdutt Pattanaik

Publisher: Penguin UK

Published: 2014-07-11

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 8184750218

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A decoding of Hindu mythology Hindus have one God. They also have 330 million gods: male gods; female gods; personal gods; family gods; household gods; village gods; gods of space and time; gods for specific castes and particular professions; gods who reside in trees; in animals; in minerals; in geometrical patterns and in man-made objects. Then there are a whole host of demons. But no Devil. In this groundbreaking book Dr Devdutt Pattanaik; one of India’s most popular mythologists; seeks an answer to these apparent paradoxes and unravels an inherited truth about life and death; nature and culture; perfection and possibility. He retells sacred Hindu stories and decodes Hindu symbols and rituals; using a unique style of commentary; illustrations and diagrams. We discover why the villainous Kauravas went to heaven and the virtuous Pandavas (all except Yudhishtira) were sent to hell; why Rama despite abandoning the innocent Sita remains the model king; why the blood-drinking Kali is another form of the milk-giving Gauri; and why Shiva wrenched off the fifth head of Brahma. Constructed over generations; Hindu myths serve as windows to the soul; and provide an understanding of the world around us. The aim is not to outgrow myth; but to be enriched and empowered by its ancient; potent and still relevant language.


EARLY ASSAM SHAPING OF THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

EARLY ASSAM SHAPING OF THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

Author: NILKAMAL SINGHA

Publisher: Clever Fox Publishing

Published: 2022-04-16

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13:

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Landscape being the rarely studied of the subjects. The book is about the ever changing cultural landscape of Assam due to human intervention beginning from prehistoric to the dawn of medieval period. It deals with the changes in the landscape chronologically through various cultural and archaeological phases. The book highlights the effects of prehistoric, megalithic, historic, architectural and various socio-religious activities on the shaping and reshaping of cultural landscape of early Assam. It also emphasize on the sacred geography depicted in Yogini Tantra, Kalika Puran and inscriptions and the role of rice cultivation in fashioning cultural landscape construct of Assam.


Symbols in Arts, Religion and Culture

Symbols in Arts, Religion and Culture

Author: Farrin Chwalkowski

Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing

Published: 2016-12-14

Total Pages: 620

ISBN-13: 1443857289

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We are a product of nature. Every single cell of our body is made of, and depends, on nature. Our inner soul is heavily influenced by nature. We feel sad if the sun is not shining for a few days, and feel pleasure when drawn to the wonder of flowers and uplifted by the song of birds. We came from nature; we are part of nature. In short, we are nature. Nature has been an intimate part of the human experience from the earliest times. Different religions and cultures, from all corners of the world, have honoured and worshipped nature in art, ritual and literature in their own unique ways. This book shows how we learn about our own human nature, our own sense of identity and how we fit into the larger scheme of life and spirit when we come to better understand how our human ancestors, through art, symbol and myth, expressed their relationship with the natural world.


The Book of Ram

The Book of Ram

Author: Devdutt Pattanaik

Publisher: Penguin UK

Published: 2015-03-31

Total Pages: 188

ISBN-13: 8184753322

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He is Eka-vachani, a king who always keeps his word; Eka-bani, an archer who strikes his target with the first arrow; and Eka-patni, a husband who is eternally and absolutely devoted to a single wife. He is maryada purushottam Ram, the supreme upholder of social values, the scion of the Raghu clan, jewel of the solar dynasty, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, God who establishes order in worldly life. Hindus believe that in stressful and tumultuous times chanting Ram’s name and hearing his tale, the Ramayan, brings stability, hope, peace and prosperity. Reviled by feminists, appropriated by politicians, Ram remains serene in his majesty, the only Hindu deity to be worshipped as a king.