Gods, Demons, and Others

Gods, Demons, and Others
Author: R. K. Narayan
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 252
Release: 1993-05-15
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0226568253

Following in the footsteps of the storytellers of his native India, R. K. Narayan has produced his own versions of tales taken from the Ramayana and the Mahabarata. Carefully selecting those stories which include the strongest characters, and omitting the theological or social commentary that would have drawn out the telling, Narayan informs these fascinating myths with his urbane humor and graceful style. "Mr. Narayan gives vitality and an original viewpoint to the most ancient of legends, lacing them with his own blend of satire, pertinent explanation and thoughtful commentary."—Santha Rama Rau, New York Times "Narayan's narrative style is swift, firm, graceful, and lucid . . . thoroughly knowledgeable, skillful, entertaining. One could hardly hope for more."—Rosanne Klass, Times Literary Supplement

The Indian Epics Retold

The Indian Epics Retold
Author: R. K. Narayan
Publisher: Penguin Books India
Total Pages: 652
Release: 2000
Genre: Epic literature, Indic
ISBN: 9780140255645

One Of India s Finest Novelists Retells The Two Great Indian Epics As Well As Some Well-Known Tales From Hindu Mythology And Folklore. While The Eleventh Century Tamil Poet Kamban s Version Inspires His Ramayana, Narayan S Mahabharata Is Based On Vyasa S Monumental Work. In Gods, Demons And Others, He Includes Stories From Kalidasa S Sanskrit Classic Abhijnana Shakuntalam, The Tamil Epic Silappadikaram, The Shiv Purana And The Devi Bhagwatam.

Mahabharata

Mahabharata
Author:
Publisher: Univ of California Press
Total Pages: 452
Release: 2000
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9780520227040

William Buck's stirring retelling of a classic Indian epic--in its original Sanskrit, probably the largest epic ever composed.

The Mahabharata and Indian Mythology

The Mahabharata and Indian Mythology
Author: StoryBuddiesPlay
Publisher: StoryBuddiesPlay
Total Pages: 57
Release: 2024-05-17
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

Delve into the epic world of the Mahabharata, the longest poem ever written and a cornerstone of Indian mythology. This SEO description entices readers with the vastness of the story while offering specific entry points for those unfamiliar with the tale. Unravel the grandeur of the Mahabharata: Explore the clash between the righteous Pandavas and the power-hungry Kauravas. Witness the divine intervention of Krishna, delve into the profound wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, and grapple with complex moral dilemmas. Unmask the iconic characters: From the valiant Yudhishthira to the fiery Draupadi, meet the unforgettable heroes and villains who bring the Mahabharata to life. Uncover their motivations, witness their triumphs and tragedies, and learn timeless lessons about duty, justice, and the human condition. Journey beyond the battlefield: Discover how the Mahabharata weaves its magic into the fabric of Indian mythology. Explore interconnected stories like the Ramayana and gain a deeper understanding of the themes that resonate across generations. Witness the epic's influence on art, music, and social discourse in India. Find meaning in the modern world: Though ancient in origin, the Mahabharata's themes remain strikingly relevant. The struggle between good and evil, the importance of ethical conduct, and the devastating consequences of war – these issues continue to resonate in our times. Learn from the epic's timeless wisdom and find inspiration to navigate the complexities of life. Embrace a captivating adventure: Explore the Mahabharata for the first time or revisit its familiar paths with fresh eyes. Beginner-friendly resources unveil the core narrative, while deeper analysis delves into philosophical questions and cultural significance. Whether you seek a thrilling adventure or profound insights, the Mahabharata offers a journey unlike any other.

Ramayana Versus Mahabharata

Ramayana Versus Mahabharata
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
Publisher: Rupa
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2017-01-03
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 9789353332303

RAMAYANA MAHABHARATA Also available as an e-book Non-fiction/Philosophy RAMAYANA vs DEVDUTT PATTANAIK MAHAB HARATA

Sita

Sita
Author: Devdutt Pattanaik
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 343
Release: 2013-10-20
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 9351183254

It is significant that the only character in Hindu mythology, a king at that, to be given the title of ekam-patni-vrata, devoted to a single wife, is associated with the most unjust act of abandoning her in the forest to protect family reputation. This seems a deliberate souring of the narrative, made even more complex by Ram’s refusal to remarry despite the pressure on royalty to produce an heir. The intention seems to be to provoke thought on notions of fidelity, property and self-image. And so mythologist and illustrator Devdutt Pattanaik narrates the Ramayan, drawing attention to the many oral, visual and written retellings composed in different times by different poets, each one trying to solve the puzzle in their own unique way. This book approaches Ram by speculating on Sita—her childhood with her father, Janak, who hosted sages mentioned in the Upanishads; her stay in the forest with her husband who had to be a celibate ascetic while she was in the prime of her youth; her interactions with the women of Lanka, recipes she exchanged, emotions they shared; her connection with the earth, her mother; her role as the Goddess, the untamed Kali as well as the demure Gauri, in transforming the stoic prince of Ayodhya into God.

The Mahabharata

The Mahabharata
Author: R. K. Narayan
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 213
Release: 2016-02-12
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 022605747X

“Narayan makes this treasury of Indian folklore and mythology readily accessible to the general reader . . . he captures the spirit of the narrative.”—Library Journal The Mahabharata tells a story of such violence and tragedy that many people in India refuse to keep the full text in their homes, fearing that doing so would invite a disastrous fate upon their house. Covering everything from creation to destruction, this ancient poem remains an indelible part of Hindu culture and a landmark in ancient literature. Centuries of listeners and readers have been drawn to The Mahabharata, which began as disparate oral ballads and grew into a sprawling epic. The modern version is famously long, and at more than 1.8 million words—seven times the combined lengths of the Iliad and Odyssey—it can be incredibly daunting. But contemporary readers have a much more accessible entry point to this important work, thanks to R. K. Narayan’s masterful, elegant translation and abridgement of the poem. Now with a new foreword by Wendy Doniger, as well as a concise character and place guide and a family tree, The Mahabharata is ready for a new generation of readers. Narayan ably distills a tale that is both traditional and constantly changing. He draws from both scholarly analysis and creative interpretation and vividly fuses the spiritual with the secular. Through this balance he has produced a translation that is not only clear, but graceful, one that stands as its own story as much as an adaptation of a larger work.

Indian Mythology

Indian Mythology
Author: Pradeep Sanjeev
Publisher:
Total Pages: 188
Release: 2017-03-15
Genre: Hindu mythology
ISBN: 9780692840580

In this work, an endeavor has been made to compile the long-felt want of an illustrated Indian Mythological Character Encyclopedia. This has encyclopedic descriptions of most of the characters from the three epics, the Ramayana, the Bhagavata, and the Mahabharata and hopefully, serves as a resource how different characters are related to or not to each other and also includes the genealogies of Rama, Krishna, Ravana, and Kuru dynasty.

Hindu Myths

Hindu Myths
Author: Wendy Doniger
Publisher: Penguin UK
Total Pages: 602
Release: 2004-06-24
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0141903759

Recorded in sacred Sanskrit texts, including the Rig Veda and the Mahabharata, Hindu Myths are thought to date back as far as the tenth century BCE. Here in these seventy-five seminal myths are the many incarnations of Vishnu, who saves mankind from destruction, and the mischievous child Krishna, alongside stories of the minor gods, demons, rivers and animals including boars, buffalo, serpents and monkeys. Immensely varied and bursting with colour and life, they demonstrate the Hindu belief in the limitless possibilities of the world - from the teeming miracles of creation to the origins of the incarnation of Death who eventually touches them all.