Parvati is an incarnation of the Divine Mother, Goddess Durga and wife of Lord Shiva. She is the gentler form of Goddess Durga and is a home-maker, with a husband and children. However, Goddess Parvati herself is very accomplished and skilled enough to fight the demons single-handedly. She too is considered to be a supreme goddess from whom other shaktis (divine energies) are derived. This book tells the tale of how Parvati won Lord Shiva as her husband and how she helped her husband during times of trouble. The book, apart from narrating wisdom tales from Indian mythology, introduces the child to the world of new words. The words have been carefully chosen by a panel of experts and are explained in detail at the end of the book in a glossary.
Goddess Durga was created out of the combined power of all gods to destroy the evil demon Mahishasura who had overthrown the gods from their heavenly abode. This book details the several demons who posed a threat to the very existence of the race of the gods and man and how each one met a dastardly end at the hands of this supreme divine mother!
The Goddess of knowledge and learning, Saraswati is Lord Brahma s first and most perfect creation. She was the one who helped Lord Brahma create the universe. Saraswati is not a warrior goddess but she uses her wisdom and intellect to help the race of gods and her devotees during times of trouble sometimes by even taking on the form of a river!
The book, apart from narrating wisdom tales from Indian mythology, introduces the child to the world of new words. The words have been carefully chosen by a panel of experts and are explained in detail at the end of the book in a glossary.
Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Vishnu's consort, is a versatile goddess who functions at two levels. She is a source of strength and inspiration for Lord Vishnu and helps him whenever he is called upon to save the world from evil. And at another level, she showers blessings on all her devotees who worship her with love and devotion, and turns her back on all those who are immoral and deceitful. The stories in this book explore her multi-faceted persona centred around both these roles. The book, apart from narrating wisdom tales from Indian mythology, introduces the child to the world of new words. The words have been carefully chosen by a panel of experts and are explained in detail at the end of the book in a glossary.
This is the extraordinary true tale of a middle-class, gay American's path to encounters with the Great Mystery that is God/dess/Self. The way to the Great Unknown was intricately intertwined with his humanity with all its foibles, and with human relationships. Therefore this story has to include those relationships, revealing ultimately how a one's personal identity and relationships become vehicles for enlightenment. This inspiring account of struggle, travel to exotic lands, suffering, and transcendence holds out hope for anyone who has ever felt outcaste, broken, or unworthy, demonstrating for our modern times that enlightenment lies within reach of us all.
The traditional understanding of Shiva told through stories and teachings from the Shiva Mahapurana • Explains Shiva’s contradictory forms, such as destroyer or benefactor, and how his form depends on the needs of the devotee • Reveals how Shiva’s teachings allow one to see through the illusions at the root of all grief and alienation in human life • Explores Shiva’s relationships with Durga, Shakti, Sati, and Parvati and with his sons Ganesha and Kartikeya Shiva, the most ancient and complex deity of the Hindu pantheon, has been portrayed in many contrasting lights: destroyer and benefactor, ascetic and householder, wild demon slayer and calm yogi atop Mount Kailash. Drawing from the Hindu sacred text the Shiva Mahapurana--said to be written by Shiva himself--Vanamali selects the essential stories of Shiva, both those from his dark wild side and those from his benevolent peaceful side. Vanamali discusses Shiva’s many avatars such as Shambunatha and Bhola, as well as Dakshinamurti who taught the shastras and tantras to the rishis. She explores Shiva’s relationships with Durga, Shakti, Sati, and Parvati and with his sons Ganesha and Kartikeya. Examining Shiva’s acceptance of outsiders, Vanamali explains why ghosts and ghouls are his attendants and why his greatest devotees are demon kings, like Ravana. She includes famous Shiva stories such as the Descent of the River Ganga and Churning the Milky Ocean as well as those that reveal the origin of the festival of lights, Diwali; his creation of the cosmic couple, or hierogamos; and how Shiva and Parvati taught the world the secrets of Kundalini Shakti. The author also draws upon Shaivite teachings to illustrate the differences between Western science and Vedic science and their explanations for the origins of consciousness. Integrating Shiva’s two sides, the fierce and the peaceful, Vanamali reveals that Shiva’s form depends on the needs of the devotee. Understanding his teachings allows one to see through the illusions at the root of all grief and alienation in human life, for Shiva is the wielder of maya who does not fall under its spell. While Ganesha is known as the remover of obstacles, Shiva is the remover of tears.
The Rough Guide to India Make the most of your time on Earth with the ultimate travel guides. World-renowned 'tell it like it is' travel guide, now with free eBook. Discover India with this comprehensive and entertaining travel guide, packed with practical information and honest recommendations by our independent experts. Whether you plan to look for leopards in Kanha National Park, visit the world's greatest building, the Taj Mahal, or explore the immaculately preserved temples of Khajuraho, The Rough Guide to India will help you discover the best places to explore, eat, drink, shop and sleep along the way. Features of this travel guide to India: - Detailed regional coverage: provides practical information for every kind of trip, from off-the-beaten-track adventures to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas - Honest and independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, our writers will help you make the most from your trip to India - Meticulous mapping: practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys. Find your way around Delhi, Mumbai and many more locations without needing to get online - Fabulous full-colour photography: features inspirational colour photography, including the phenomenal Lotus Temple and the vibrant Pichola Lake - Time-saving itineraries: carefully planned routes will help inspire and inform your on-the-road experiences - Things not to miss: Rough Guides' rundown of Gokarna, Udaipur and Madurai's best sights and top experiences - Travel tips and info: packed with essential pre-departure information including getting around, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more - Background information: comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter provides fascinating insights into India, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary - The ultimate travel tool: download the free eBook to access all this from your phone or tablet - Covers: Delhi; Rajasthan; Uttar Pradesh; Uttarakhand; Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh; Himachal Pradesh; Jammu and Kashmir; Punjab and Haryana; Gujarat; Mumbai; Maharashtra; Goa; Kolkata and West Bengal; Bihar and Jharkhand; Sikkim; The Northeast; Odisha; Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; The Andaman Islands; Tamil Nadu; Kerala; Kamataka You may also be interested in: The Rough Guide to Nepal, The Rough Guide to Sri Lanka, The Rough Guide to Myanmar (Burma) About Rough Guides: Rough Guides have been inspiring travellers for over 35 years, with over 30 million copies sold globally. Synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and a trustworthy 'tell it like it is' ethos, the Rough Guides list includes more than 260 travel guides to 120+ destinations, gift-books and phrasebooks.
The Buddhist Trail in Himachal takes the traveler through the magnificent landscape of the world s youngest mountains sheltering some of its oldest monasteries. From the near perfect beauty of Lower Kinnaur to the austere splendour of Lahaul-Spiti, this highly visual guidebook charts both the majesty of the setting and the strength of spirit and faith that has allowed for habitation, and travel, here.
Whether you want to explore the Gardens by the Bay, hit the beaches of Sentosa Island, or shop on Orchard Road, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Singapore are here to help! Fodor’s In Focus Singapore guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor’s In Focus Singapore travel guide includes: AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time MORE THAN 10 DETAILED MAPS to help you navigate confidently COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust! HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, side trips, and more PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “Singapore’s Best Hotel Pools,” “Singapore’s Best Speakeasy Bars,” “Singapore’s Outdoor Activities and Beaches” and more TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, politics, art, cuisine, and more SPECIAL FEATURES on “What to Watch and Read Before You Visit” and “What to Eat and Drink in Singapore” LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: Sentosa Island, Gardens by the Bay, Raffles Singapore, Marina Bay Sands, Orchard Road, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Chinatown, the CBD, Little India, Kampong Glam, Tion Bahru, hawker centers, and more Planning on visiting Thailand? Check out Fodor’s Essential Thailand: with Cambodia and Laos. *Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!
