Average customer rating:
- get this book!
- Fun & Educational for everyone
- Wah Wah Ramji!
- best living room book ever ;-)
- the best little explaination of a complex religion
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The Little Book of Hindu Deities: From the Goddess of Wealth to the Sacred Cow (Little Book)
Sanjay Patel
Manufacturer: Plume
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0452287758 |
Book Description
In The Little Book of Hindu Deities, Pixar animator Sanjay Patel brings to life Hinduism's most important gods and goddesses in fun, full-color illustrations, each accompanied by a short, lively profile. The stories of Hindu mythology cover everything from love and jealousy to petty grievances and epic battles, with characters ranging from monsters and demons to noble warriors and divine divas. Find out why Ganesha has an elephant's head (his father cut it off!) and why Kali, the Goddess of Time, is known as “The Black One” (she's a bit goth).
Customer Reviews:
get this book!.......2007-10-17
with highly original illustrations and a beautiful layout from mr. patel, this book makes a perfect gift or coffee table book...
Fun & Educational for everyone.......2007-10-04
I am going to echo the other praises here. What a lovely book to give to any child. It is colorful, entertaining and educational. I could even see this as a really cool coffee table book.
Wah Wah Ramji!.......2007-09-19
This is an entertaining and educational book concerning the Hindu Pantheon. Although it has the appearance of a children's book, this is actually aimed towards a teenage audience and regardless of your age this is just a great introduction and pictorial glossary of the Hindu gods and goddesses. Anyone that's attempted to take on the Bhagavad-Gita or heaven-forbid the entire Mahabharata without having at least a rudimentary knowledge of the Hindu Pantheon will no doubt find themselves confused.
This book isn't written for children as the language is about middle school to high school level, not to mention the many Hindi words the book introduces. The book is easily laid out as an easy resource guide that you can turn to whenever you need a refresher concerning a particular god, goddess, or avatar. Each pair of pages is an illustration of the god or subject being discussed with the description on the other.
Table of contents
10 Introduction
14 Ganesha
19 Trimurti - Hindu Trinity
27 Manifestations of Shiva
39 Mother Goddess (Mahadevi)
52 Ten Avatars of Vishnu
74 Hindu Epics
83 Demigods
102 Nine Planets
123 Animal Gods
132 Chronology of Creation
The 'Samurai Jack' style illustrations are well done and add a personality that is easy to identify with. Using this book will add a element of fun to your studies of Hindu literature or perhaps just help you to know just what the heck they are always talking about in those Bollywood movies. Whatever your purpose, the only time you will be disappointed with this book is when you turn the last page.
best living room book ever ;-).......2007-08-17
Everyone that comes to my place falls in love with this little book, children, adults and "even" hindus, we always have a great time going through the wonderful illustrations and reading it aloud.
I sometimes think of keeping a spare one at home to lend/give/trade/sell.
the best little explaination of a complex religion.......2007-07-16
Looking for an introductory text on the Hindu pantheon I stumbled on _The Little Book of Hindu Dieties_. While a bit corny (the illustrations are reminiscent of "Hello, Kitty" and the stories behind them are geared towards a younger audience), this book is more than an encyclopedic of the major Hindu dieties - it is also explains the Hindi epics Mahabharata (including a separate section on the Baghavad Ghita) and Ramayana in addition to several demigods, the Indian solar system, and animal gods. In short, it is a fabulous introduction to Hinduism's major dieties and literature - quite an achievement, and worthy of 5 stars.
Book Description
The Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible is designed as a major work of reference on the gods, angels, demons, spirits and semi-divine heroes whose names occur in the biblical books. Arranged in the order of the Latin alphabet, the more than four-hundred names are those found in the books of the Hebrew and the Greek Bible, Old and New Testament, including the Apocrypha. There are entries on divine names recognized as such by the biblical authors; divine names in theophoric toponyms and anthroponyms; secular terms which occur as divine names in neighbouring civilizations, conjectural divine names, at times based on textual emendation, proposed by modern scholarship; and humans who acquired a semi-divine status in tradition. A full-fledged entry contains a discussion of the pertinent name, its meaning, the religio-historical background, relevant biblical passages and an up-to-date bibliography. Owing to the comprehensive coverage of names and its religio-historical emphasis, the Dictionary of Deities and Demons provides crucial information concerning the spiritual world in which the Peoples of the Book have lived. Extensive indices and cross-references provide easy access to the rich information of the dictionary. The Dictionary of Deities and Demons is the fruit of a common effort of a group of more than a hundred international scholars from a variety of traditions. Chosen for their special competence, the contributors write about those deities or demons for which their research makes them eminently qualified. Acting as advisors are Hans Dieter Betz (Chicago), Andre Caquot (Paris), Jonas C. Greenfield (Jerusalem), Erik Hornung (Basel), Michael Stone (Jerusalem), and Manfred Weipert (Heidelberg).
Customer Reviews:
Excellent in its element.......2006-03-23
This book is excellent for what it is. The book has been invaluable to me in helping to research various biblical / judeo-christian myth cycles. It is well worth the price, especially with the hefty discount given by Amazon (paid full price for mine in 1999).
Oh Soooooooooooo Bad!!!!!!!!.......2005-11-11
I am a researcher and a student. I bought this book thinking it would be a great addition to my library. I read this book and was thoroughly disappointed.
First off I of course went to look at passages of demons and deities I knew about. One of those demons was Lilith. Her story was awful. The authors failed to explain anything about her beside the fact she was Adam's first wife. I mean this demoness was so much more than that (for the record I am not a Satanist). There was more on what her name meant than about her herself. I found this to be true with almost all of the passages. Just like Sammael, mate to Lilith, his story was more he was only mentioned twice, in two sentences in this large book. A lot of the "demons" were downplayed, the stories that were given, were not the whole story. This book to say the least was disappointing to a researcher. This book is also not for the layman reader. Also this book states more opinions than anything else it seems.
I wouldn't even give this book one star, but I am forced to do so. The list of deities and demons in this book is somewhat impressive, but also I would have liked to see a book cover more than those demons in the bible, it should have covered demons from all over the world.
A helpful resource for students of the Bible.......2004-07-24
One reviewer notes that this book is highly liberal (ie, its theology tends to minimalize the text of scripture, biblical historicity is challenged, etc.), which may be a fair crop in many cases. This work is multi-authored and edited. Having said that, varying opinions will arise in some of the articles.
Without too much criticism, I feel this book is helpful for conservatives AND liberals. Liberals can feel free to glean what they may from the majority of the articles herein, as one reviewer states here, without too much 'gut-wrenching conservatist interpretation.' However, the articles in this book are helpful for the conservative in that they allow him/her to engage the deities and demons of the bible from a centrist to leftist perspective, which is helpful when developing a working hypothesis in research. Why? Because good students and/or scholars are ones that can amalgamate opinions from all opinions to arrive at a sound conclusion. DDD helps both sides of the theological spectrum come together and gain access to some of the traditions of interpretation of virtually all the deities/demons of the Bible under one cover.
Due to its liberal swing, I would argue that DDD **HEAVILY** relies on archaeological interpretation and critical examination of textual information--as these tools are most commonly employed by theological liberals (often times to the point of exaggeration) in their arguments. The previous reviewer seemed to distance himself/herself from liberal viewpoints to the extent that he/she doesn't even know or recognize their more common methodologies and presuppositions.
I find DDD a very helpful tool if I need quick information on beings such as 'Ishtar,' 'Isis,' 'Baal,' etc. Entries such as 'El Shaddai,' 'YHWH,' and 'Elohim' will most surely carry a leftist perspective, which, as I state above, can be hated (as one reviewer noted), or taken into careful consideration.
The other reviewer sites ABD as a better source for the information presented in this book. This may come as a shock to him/her, but ABD is not only missing key terms that should have been included (where's the entry for 'wine-making' or oenology?), but ABD suffers from a vast array of various thinkers within the theological spectrum. For example, the article written on 'Abortion' was written by a 7th-Day Adventist and the articles '(OT) Holiness' and 'Unclean and Clean' and 'Laying on of Hands (OT)' and others were written by an individual who was a Mormon at that time (thereby representing at least two denominations mostly distrusted by orthodox Christians). Furthermore, ABD is a six-volume set (and very expensive)?one advantage of DDD is the wealth of information it provides under one cover. I wonder if the previous reviewer's opinion regarding ABD and/or DDD would change considering some of these facts.
I recommend DDD for any serious student of the Bible.
Speculation and bias prevents it from reaching it potential.......2004-06-29
The DDD has an impressive scope from AB to Zur. I was able to find all deities related to the Bible that I could think of. The articles are signed and there is a list of entries contained in the Dictionary.
As such, the dictionary does a good job "interacting" with extra-biblical sources and material (however, I must qualify what I mean by interaction).
The DDD is geared toward hard core liberals and should be of little use to conservative (including evangelicals), or to moderates or event those merely interested by the pure presentation of facts without overbearing and one sided interpretation
In other words, the nature of this work requires that one readily espouses the presuppositions and bias of the authors
The DDD suffers from flaws beyond repair when it comes to methodology
The DDD does not stop at describing what the relevant texts (biblical and extra-biblical), or archeological evidences clearly say or reveal about a particular deity, instead, the DDD relies on the dubious findings of source, redaction, and historical criticisms to speculatively reinterpret the material and come up with some dubious results that would make the Jesus seminar proud.
Without ever justifying its assumptions, the DDD takes for granted and unashamedly bases it findings on the documentary theory (read J E D P, which has being challenged recently even by liberal scholars), antisupernaturalistic bias is ever present (all account of the miraculous or even God's interventions are treated as myths and legends whose fictitious nature is beyond doubt). The DDD pushes parallelomania to its extremes and makes a point to find foreign influences in almost every single story and traditions in the Bible.
For example Samson is said to "belong to the Levantine Heracles tradition" and all his exploits are said to have been inspired by Greek legends
The Jesus of the book of Hebrews is said to have been modeled "at least in parts on Heracles as a savior figure" (p 404)
The accounts from the gospels are said to have been "often formed and supplemented by the post Easter experience" and have little or no historical value. The alleged divisions of the gospels and NT writings into different layers from various heterogeneous fragments led the various authors to reconstruct an alternative theology of variety of Christian beliefs about Christ in sharp contrast with the gospels and the NT.
The DDD makes abundant use of the evolutionary view of the history of religions to paint a very polytheist picture of Ancient Israel (not just as a result of Idolatry but as the basis for the various names of God, who are in fact more than names but evidences of various deities that were later, much later combined to create a monotheist God after and during the exilic period)
For example, Yahweh "and his cult" originated from Edom and Midian before spreading to Palestine. A late dating of not only the Pentateuch but also of the supposed traditions underlining it (post exilic dating), leads some authors to conclude that Yahweh was known in Edom and Seir in the 14th and 13th centuries, well before it came to Palestine (and thus Israel) (p 911ff)
The DDD makes the dubious conclusion that the Bible itself confirms that Yahweh and his cult originated from Edom ( using Judge 5:4; Deut 33:2; Hab 3:3)
The DDD also advances the thesis that the Exodus did not happen but that the Israel were always in Canaan and invented the Exodus to create a national identity.
The DDD advances that the cult of Yahweh to Palestine and Israelites "by traders along the Caravan routes from the South to the East" (p 913)
As a result the articles discard the biblical explanation for Yahweh etymology found in Exodus calling it "evidently a piece of theology rather than a reliable etymology"
In comparison the treatment of "Yahweh" in ABD is far more balanced and useful than what is found in DDD for "Yahweh". The later requires a much greater agreement with the highly speculative premises of the DDD to benefit from and accept the conclusion of DDD about etymology and the theology concerning a specific deity in the ANE.
In the end, unless you are one that mostly agree with the standard liberal view about the history of religion and the non- historicity of the Bible and its underlining traditions, this book will be of little use for you when it comes to finding out what people of the ANE believed and said about deities and demons.
The DDD was a great disappointment
A better approach would have been to compile what the Bible and ANE documents said about each particular deity or demons, along with archeological findings (with all primary sources properly referenced for further study ) and let the reader process the information and reach his or her own conclusions about the underlining theology and etymology of each deity or demons,.
Thus emphasizing facts presentation about biased interpretation and the tiring rehashing of what this or that scholars said about it without always presenting the rational for it.
Critical thinking does not need such babysitting
it should have been renamed the Liberal view on
Deities and Demons in the Bible, since it says more about Liberal reinterpretations than what the people of the ANE really believed
Principalities and rulers of this world.......2003-07-30
An excellent guide to the unseen world as presented in Scripture. This is a guide that deals with real supernatural beings and the traditions/beliefs of a number of past civilizations. It is intended for the serious biblical scholar, bible student or those wanting a better understanding of near east demon/deity belief history. The cross references relate back to specific passages of scriptue. NOT for an audience outside of these descriptions ie. The Dungeons & Dragons type role player etc.
Book Description
Worship of the Egyptian goddess Isis dates as far back as 2500 B.C. and extended at least until the fifth century A.D. throughout the Roman world. The importance of her cult is attested to in Apuleius's Golden Ass, and evidence of its influence has been found in places as far apart as Afghanistan and Portugal, the Black Sea and northern England. The first study to document the extent and complexity of the cult's influence on Graeco-Roman and early Christian culture, R. E. Witt's acclaimed Isis in the Ancient World is now available in paperback.
Customer Reviews:
great all around.......2005-08-07
I love the book, It came quickly, it arrived in great shape, and it's a great read. Thanks a lot!
Perhaps the most interesting book I have ever read.......2004-04-07
This book is extremely interesting if you have any questions about where Western religious traditions come from. This book clearly dispels the myth that the religion of Isis was merely some kind of fringe 'mystery cult'. It was instead the world religion of the Mediterranean before Christianity. Isis is not given enough credit by modern historians of religion. It was highly organized with its priesthood and liturgies. Abstinence from wine, porc and sex was required of priests for the sake of cleanliness. Bathing and ritual washing were performed several times a day. Hymns were sung at specified times; holy water from the Nile was sprinkled about; a baptism was performed when being initiated as a believer; Isis gave birth to Horus, who is really the earthly incarnation of the All-Father Osiris, on the 23rd of December, etc... Its evolution into/influence upon Christianity can be traced. In fact the dog-headed God Anubis is still worshipped as a saint on a Greek Island to this day; and the festival of Isis being carried to the sea-shore to bless the start of the sailing season, called the "Carrus Navalis" has turned into the "Carnival" that we see today all over the Mediterranean (a false etymology was thought up for it to explain it as the 'carne levare' when the original meaning for the celebration was forgotten). This book clearly shows how Christianity was hardly a rude intruder from an overlooked little corner of the world, and how it instead grew feeding upon the millennia of experience of Isis, first as official religion of Egypt under the pharaohs, and then extending to the entire Medditerranean and European worlds through the Ptolemies and through the Empire of Rome. In relgious anthropology, Isis is the 'missing link' between Christianity and paganism, proving that it was a very mild transition from the one to the other. I can hardly express how fascinating this book is.
THE sourcebook for Isis Sleuths.......1999-06-08
Witt's study of the Isis cult focuses primarily on her fame outside of Egypt, but his research is impeccable and always fascinating in its detail. Isis in Rome. Isis in Santorini. Isis in Gaul. Isis just about everywhere in the Mediterranean world. Witt does an excellent job when gathering information about her festivals, cult objects and practices, and her place in widespread popular piety as a precursor of the Vigin Mary figure. There's also info on the gods of Isis' Egyptian entourage--Osiris, Anubis, Horus, Nephthys--and their respective places in the cult outside Egypt. All in all, a marvelous and ample treatment of one of the ancient world's most influential and enduring religious traditions.
Book Description
To understand who God really is, we need to align our images of God with the truth found in the Bible. The Deity Formerly Known as God helps readers release the destructive images they’ve created of God while embracing the constructive images shown in Scripture.
Customer Reviews:
Great Book to Help Understand the Nature of God.......2007-03-14
One of the most formative Classes I ever took at Northwest College was Old Testament Metaphors for God. This class taught me a lot more than word pictures. It taught me about how people think. Generally we think in pictures and when it comes to a topic like God, pictures are really the only way to come to understand God. This was a huge eye-opening moment for me as a christian and as an aspiring Pastor. It changed the way I read the Bible, it changed the way I pray, it helped me to see God in many different lights. It was a brilliant class, taught by a brilliant prof. Dr. Stallman.
Anyway, that class is what drew my eye years later to The Diety Formerly Known as God by Jarrett Stevens. In the book the author sets out to examine the commonly held views of God, such as Cosmic Cop, our Parents on steroids, an all you can eat buffet, etc. But he doesn't just leave it there. He also goes on to examin some of the pictures of God that we get from the Bible, such as Tired-Eyed Father, a Gardner, etc.
Stevens does a great job of breaking down this metaphors in a clear easy read sort of way. I was reminded over and over again about OT Metaphors, and I loved each chapter. This book is a great introduction to some really basic theology, and metaphor thinking. This book, or the ideas from the book, would be a great resource for a sermon series about the Image of God. I think I will have to come back and revisit that notion.
On a 1-10 scale, I'm giving this book a solid 7. Not the best book I've ever read, but really fun to read, the Author comes across as an actual person and not just words on a page.
BUY THIS BOOK IF YOU LIKE IT WHEN PEOPLE STEAL YOUR STUFF!!!.......2007-03-10
one of the most compelling things about this book was the way stevens seemed to connect with people who become disinterested when they read as well as his depth to challenge the most avid reader. his ability to speak to those who are far from God and those who are well versed on the topic of religion is also an incredible gift for a first time author. once i finished my copy of the book it made its way to a friend who saw it on my shelf and borrowed it. he recently told me that he let a friend of his borrow it now too. i'm not expecting to get my book back anytime soon. that's the sign of a great book!
2 enthusiastic thumbs way up.......2007-02-28
i read this book, along with many in our warehouse at work, to familiarize myself with our products. this book stood out to me and it became one of my favorite Christmas presents to give last year. if you've ever heard jarrett speak, you know his passion for his subject. jarrett writes the way he speaks, and that has always impressed me in a writer. the content of this book is uncannily insightful. jarrett says what we're all thinking, and poses these ideas in such a nonthreatening way that it compells us to stop and consider what role we have placed God in in our lives. Your God is Too Small has been a personal favorite over the last few years. stevens' book sits next to it on my shelf at home and is held in high regard. great book. highly recommended!
Highly Recommended!!!.......2007-01-18
With humor and insight Jarrett Stevens inspired me to spend some time with God and continue my journey of knowing and relating to Him. As I read this book I could not help but take a look at the views I personally have of God and begin deconstructing the negative and dysfunctional views. I laughed out loud and even cried a few tears about how personal and honest Jarrett was. Truly, his vulnerability and ability to tell a great story will win you over, page after page! Young or old, you will finish this book with a new [and healthy] perspective of the amazing faithfulness and goodness of God!
Inspiring, Real, & Insightful.......2007-01-16
I loved this book! I read it in less than 1 week. Stevens does an incredible job making JB Philips book come to life for a new generation. He speaks theology for dummies, but doesn't dumb down his audience. Stevens does a great job identifying what our issues are with God & why we've acquired them. He speaks a universal language. But he doesn't allow us to stay in our "stuck images" of God, but rather gently leads us to construct healthier images based on who God REALLY is. Jarrett Stevens does a masterfully honest job in speaking from his own journey so his book doesn't come across as preachy, but as a fellow sojourner who loves Jesus & is committed to knowing him as he's meant to be known. His personal stories combined with true theology moved me to want to identify my own unhealthy images of God & do the hard but rewarding work of rebuilding a better perception of my Creator. Thank you, Jarrett, for writing such an inspiring, real, & insightful book.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent synthesis of 20th century scholarship.......2007-08-13
This is a fantastic synthesis of 20th Century scholarship on the religion of Israel in the period of the Judges and early monarchy. The Smith surveys the literature and provides his own theory of the the relationship between Israelite religion and that of other Canaanites. (One thing you will learn is that contrary to the way the situation is portrayed in the Bible, there is little to distinguish between the Israelites and Canaanites.) It deals with the issue of monolatry versus monotheism, did God have a wife?, are there various names of God in the Bible because originally they stories were about different gods?, and what of the ritual and cult in early Israelite religion.
Smith definitely draws heavily on the scholarship of Frank Moore Cross, Jr. and Marvin H. Pope, and their students, such as John Day (e.g., Molech: a god of human sacrifice in the Old Testament) and W.R. Garr (e.g., Dialect Geography of Syria-Palestine: 1100-586BC).
The book is extremely well footnoted, making it valuable even if you don't buy all his arguments.
More of a Brilliant Mind.......2007-05-10
See my review of The Memoirs of God. This is the same.
how "God" got started.......2006-07-26
excellent disclosure of the evolution of the understanding of God in early Israelite history. book assumes a high degree of previous knowledge of early Israelite history within an historical / critical understanding of biblical studies. If you are a "literalist," save your money ... you won't like it!
Not so much.......2005-10-08
This book is chock full of excellent references to both biblical and non-biblical texts. The combined references make a convincing case that the Isrealite tradition was originally steeped in the early canaanite polytheism. Smith's book would be an excellent reference but is not itself a satisfying read. Smith frequently sites verses in books as old as Psalms (written in the 11th century bce? Smith doesn't say) in the same paragraph with verses in books as new as the Talmud (written in the 3rd centry ce?). That is, he gives us no historical context to understand how people in the time the Psalms were writen would have understood the polytheistic references vs. how poeple in the time when the Talmud began to form would have understood polytheistic references.
A large percentage of the pages have only a few lines of text with small-print reference notes, albeit good ones, occupying the remainder of the page. Smith supplies ample biblical references throughout this book, often dozens in a single paragraph, but he rarely includes any quotes from the references. The reader has to look them up if he is to understand the argument.
Academic.......2005-05-07
Scholarly is another descriptive word for this book. Mr. Smith posits that Yahweh was one of several Cannanite dieties worshiped by the Hebrews. Of course Yahweh's realtionship to his fellow gods changed as time passed and Mr. Smith tries to account for how and why this happened.
This is no easy task, and this is what made reading/skimming this book arduous. There is a lot of weighing of pros and cons of a particular supposition, citation of relevant texts and close reasoning. There is nothing wrong with this. As a matter of fact this kind of work is very important. It is preferable to some yo-yo just throwing something outrageous on the table and saying "trust me." This kind of work provides the foundation of our knowledge of the past. It is a step or two up from the bedrock of primary sources, and therefore is pretty close to the bone.
I was expecting something a lil farther removed from proofs, something a lot more popular. I'm not able to evaluate whether he has proven his points because I was not inclined to follow them closely. I do know that Mr. Smith did the work, and for that I am grateful.
I am also grateful for what I did learn from this book.
A good source, maybe The source, for Cannanite myths are the Ugaritic texts, so translations of these will go on my reading list.
El was a Cannanite god. Wow. That makes reading about the Elohim in Genisis kind of a mind boggling experience.
I am extremely grateful that I checked this book out of the library instead of buying it. I'm glad it's no longer on my wish list. I'm also glad it's been publsihed and is available.
Book Description
Part of a series on Indian gods and goddesses
Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, is easily the most recognizable and loveable of Hindu deities. But pinpointing his various attributes is not quite so simple. He is at once the portly, merry, childlike god and the sage, complex philosopher. He is the presiding deity of material wealth and the lord of spirituality. He removes all impediments for his devotees but creates all manner of difficulties for the transgressors, man or god. And associated with every aspect of Ganesha -- be it his extraordinary birth, his elephant head, his broken tusk, his vehicle (the mouse), his appetite, his anger -- are scores of myths, each more colorful than the other.
Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, is easily the most recognizable and loveable of Hindu deities. But pinpointing his various attributes is not quite so simple. He is at once the portly, merry, childlike god and the sage, complex philosopher. He is the presiding deity of material wealth and the lord of spirituality. He removes all impediments for his devotees but creates all manner of difficulties for the transgressors, man or god. And associated with every aspect of Ganesha-be it his extraordinary birth, his elephant head, his broken tusk, his vehicle (the mouse), his appetite, his anger-are scores of myths, each more colourful than the other. In this thoroughly researched and delightfully narrated book, Royina Grewal gives us the many stories of Ganesha, exploring their significance and how they reflect the times and the cultures during which they originated.
Customer Reviews:
my favorite in this series..........2007-08-09
a great introduction to Ganesha, this small book is packed with great stories and subtle detail. the author's presentation of Ganesha's journey from a primitive concept to his current grand stature is tremendous. his journey also provides a small window into the continuous flux that is the Hindu spiritual path. the retelling of Ganesha's many myths are well written and wonderfully entertaining. i have already suggested this book to others and will continue to do so.
Fun, Informative and easy to read.......2004-04-26
This book was a nice easy read. It is well written and flows. My knowledge of hinduism is fairly limited. This book was a good start on learning more about Ganesha, his role in the religion and worship. This book is perfect for someone who does not know much about Ganesha and would like an intro to his stories. I only wish the books in this series were available in paperback.
Customer Reviews:
Exactly what I was looking for........2006-01-02
I absolutely love this book! She gives you lots of facts about how the original priests worshiped Isis and then gives you advice on how to use that in a modern way. Oodles of stuff to keep you active like recipes, rituals, great chants, meditations and how to craft your own ritual tools. Truly a great and essential book if you are drawn to Isis and are looking for a way to bring more of Her into your life.
Truely magical in all respects!.......2005-08-23
I absolutely adore this book! It is basically a handbook for Egyptian devotees who have an affinity for Isis as the great Mother. It is well researched but not too scholarly or longwinded like most books on the subject.
Within are charming rituals, recipies for making natron(special bath),ritual tools, how to make a shrine to Isis, healing rites, dinner recipies, virtually everything under the sun about this multi purpose diety! It is all done with great love and devotion to Isis.
It is true there is not much else about the other gods of Egypt but it says right on the cover-Mysteries of Isis! This is all about the great mother, who faithfully answers most cries. I cannot think of any other goddess who was so revered in popular Western society since Roman times. Maybe the virgin Mary? who is really an emanation of Isis. I remember being in Paris at the old Roman site of her temple, now a Christian church. Her presence was still very strong!
It is easy to see how this goddess is so accesible to many, pagan or otherwise. She is truely the springtime of the human heart! Also within is the first incarnation of the scarab oracle. This is a very special connection to the mother for those who cannot hear her soft voice already...
Wonderful for Isis, Terrible for all others.......2003-09-23
In looking for books on Egypt, I had thought this would help. If I was an Isis worshiper, this would have been an invaluable resource in my libary. I recommend this book for all who wish to devote only to Isis.
However, to anyone else looking for information on any other God/dess or Egypt itself, this book is sorely lacking. Osiris, Horus, Re and other male gods were hardly mentioned except in cursory references to Isis. Hathor, Nebt-het, Sekmet/Bast and other Goddesses were demeaned only as aspects of Isis rather than the true Goddesses they are. In this and the History of Egypt, this book is lacking.
Wow, what Great Source Book on all things Isis.......2002-11-15
I am a Priestess Devoted to Isis and I have to say tht Ms Regula has outdone herself! If you like all things Isis and if you are interested in learning her Mysteries, Festivals, Magick, and New forms of Divination, this is the Book you need for your Library..She really gives some very true statements regarding initation and What it means to be a Priestess of Our Most Holy Queen Isis!
Isis Bless
Nefer Em Pet Sat Ast, Meryt Imhotep
Nice Mix.......2001-12-09
This is one of my favorate books about the worship of Isis. The Aurthor is very close to her subject. She mixes history, current thougths, and her own ideas very well. The book is set up as hours of the day, and include sections on divination, meditations, healing, etc. It also makes a great reference book.
Average customer rating:
- one of the best in this series....
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The Book of Devi (Indian Gods and Goddesses)
Bulbul Sharma
Manufacturer: Penguin Global
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Binding: Hardcover
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The Book of Ganesha (Indian Gods and Goddesses)
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The Book of Hindu Imagery: The Gods and Their Symbols
ASIN: 0670049050 |
Book Description
Part of a series on Indian gods and goddesses
Devi, Mother and Protector of the World, is one of the most loved figures of Hindu iconography. Her essence encompasses the ferocity of Durga, the compassion of Lakhsmi, the erudition of Saraswati and the terrible thirst for battle of Kalika. In her various incarnations Devi is warrior, mother, faithful wife and the fount of knowledge, delivering all that her devotees ask of her. Bulbul Sharma tells the fascinating story of Devi in this book, drawing upon the many strands of myth and legend contained in ancient scriptures and also in folklore. She looks at how these stories were created, how they changed down the ages, and the vision of the world they uphold. Rich in drama and symbolism, these stories live today with the same intensity as they did when they were first told.
Devi, Mother and Protector of the World, is one of the most loved figures of Hindu iconography. In her various incarnations, Devi is warrior, mother, faithful wife, and the fount of knowledge, delivering all that her devotees ask of her. Bulbul Sharma tells the fascinating story of Devi in this book, drawing upon the many strands of myth and legend contained in ancient scriptures and also in folklore. She looks at how these stories were created, how they changed down the ages, and the vision of the world they uphold. Rich in drama and symbolism, these stories live today with the same intensity as they did when they were first told.
Customer Reviews:
one of the best in this series...........2007-08-09
the author of this small but potent volume chose to present the Devi in different incarnations through the retelling of several traditional stories. via these stories and small amounts of commentary we learn much concerning the importance of the Devi within the Hindu religion, enjoy many adventures and encounter the moral lessons given with a soft touch. the telling of stories concerning Durga and Kali were exceptional. i would definitely recommend this to others.
Average customer rating:
- The Work of A LifeTime
- The Work of A LifeTime
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Ancient Deities: An Encyclopedia
Charles Russell Coulter , and
Patricia Turner
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
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ASIN: 0786403179 |
Product Description
Throughout history, humans have pondered the question of their existence. In nearly every society, part of the answer has included some form of god or goddess who was involved in the creation of their universe or controlled some aspect of it. For the Mayans, one such deity was Ajtzak, who tried to create humans from wood; for the Yorubas of Africa, Shango was the storm god who controlled the thunder and lightning. The Chinese of the Shang dynasty era worshipped Shang Ti, their supreme god. Evil deities were also part of the answer, as in the case of the Kuvera, the Hindu chief of evil in the Vedic period, and Tu, the Persian or Islamic demon of fatal accidents. All of the known ancient gods, many heretofore obscure or known only from mythological literature, are included in this exhaustive reference work. The focus is on their origins, histories, and functions. The people who believed in each deity are identified, along with alternate names or spellings both old and modern. The descriptions that follow are of the functions, origins and physical nature of the deities. In many cases, entries include other deities, often in other societies or cultures, that are similar. Extensive cross references are provided for alternate spellings and names.
Customer Reviews:
The Work of A LifeTime.......2001-03-19
Charles Coulter had a passion for the Gods. For 10 years, he collectedbooks, magazines, reference material and devoured all the informationabout the dieties of the ancient worlds.
Coulter painstakinglycataloged and cross-referenced every bit of information about theGods. Many times, he would find stories and references about Godsunder a variety of names - but he was able to identify them as thesame diety. So, often, you'll be able to see if your favorite mythicalgod had counterparts in other cultures and other lands.
This reallywas the work of a lifetime. When he finished the book and selected theart for the cover, Chuck decided that he was too ill to go on. And hewent to join the Gods.
The book was published two years after hisdeath.
What a great place to start exploring the foundation oftoday's cultures, societies and frames of reference.
Oh yes, alongthe way, Chuck's sense of humor being irrepressible, he wrote a totalspoof about the romping of the gods in modern-day Greece - if you wantto laugh out loud while you're reading, pick up a copy of 'Ponce'sFountain" (and NO, it is not totally out of print. His wife stillhas about 100 copies, plus about 30 that were autographed before Chuckdied.)
The Work of A LifeTime.......2001-03-19
Charles Coulter had a passion for the Gods. For 10 years, he collected books, magazines, reference material and devoured all the information about the dieties of the ancient worlds.
Coulter painstakingly cataloged and cross-referenced every bit of information about the Gods. Many times, he would find stories and references about Gods under a variety of names - but he was able to identify them as the same diety. So, often, you'll be able to see if your favorite mythical god had counterparts in other cultures and other lands.
This really was the work of a lifetime. When he finished the book and selected the art for the cover, Chuck decided that he was too ill to go on. And he went to join the Gods.
The book was published two years after his death.
What a great place to start exploring the foundation of today's cultures, societies and frames of reference.
Oh yes, along the way, Chuck's sense of humor being irrepressible, he wrote a total spoof about the romping of the gods in modern-day Greece - if you want to laugh out loud while you're reading, pick up a copy of 'Ponce's Fountain" http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1569015074/ (and NO, it is not totally out of print. His wife still has about 100 copies, plus about 30 that were autographed before Chuck died.)
Book Description
The original Ramayana—a classic tale of war between absolute Good and Evil—was written 3,000 years ago by Valmiki, a reformed thief-turned-sage. Now, with breathtaking imagination, Indian novelist Ashok K. Banker has recreated this epic tale for modern readers everywhere. For 13 years, Rama and his companions in exile have defended themselves against the brutal incursions of the rakshasas. Finally, in the bitter battle of Janasthana, he achieves the long-sought victory, retiring to the sunny glades of Panchvati to wait out the last months of exile. But unknown to Rama, the demoness Surpanakha has survived and escaped—back to the hellish island kingdom of Lanka. There, she provides the key to resurrect her stricken cousin Ravana, lord of the rakshasas. And the resurrected Ravana seeks only one thing—vengeance against Rama.
Customer Reviews:
PLEASE READ THE INDIAN EDITIONS INSTEAD.......2007-07-10
If you are reading my Ramayana series, then I gently urge and request you to please not buy the UK or US editions, even if they're available at bargain prices. Which they probably are, since the publishers there have more or less put the books out of print, due to a lack of interest by non-Indian readers.
The Indian editions are the definitive editions of my work, containing a lengthy Introduction by me titled 'Retelling the Ramayana', which provides an essential perspective on the work, the final versions of all the books--including some small but significant changes, particularly in some book endings--no glossary, thank God, and are generally the best-edited, designed and published versions, in my opinion at least. In short, they're the Author's Preferred Edition, particularly the new hardcover omnibus editions, which represent the story in the way I had originally intended and are truly sumptuous to hold (and behold). Also, significantly, they aren't packaged as 'Fantasy' or 'SF' like the firang ones, which is a ridiculously transparent attempt at cashing in on the commercial success of the fantasy genre a la LoTR and Harry Potter. Please, people, my Ramayana series is a retelling of an epic, and that's exactly what it should be called, 'Epic'. I'd venture to call it 'Itihasa', but even Mythology, which is the label Penguin uses for the books here in India, is acceptable. But certainly not Fantasy as in one of the ubiquitous Tolkien rip-offs that are churned out in droves by western publishers, or even SF, both genres that can sometimes be wonderful in their own right, but are totally inappropriate in the context of an epic that pre-dates Tolkien by some thousands of years, and the entire tradition of western literature as well!
Frankly, I feel so strongly about this that I'd even go so far as to say, if you can't get the Indian editions, then don't read the books! That's why I'm currently in the process of re-acquiring the rights to the US and UK editions and they will soon be out of print everywhere but India. Which is how it ought to be: this is a quintessentially Indian story, written by a contemporary Indian for other contemporary Indians to read. And the Indian editions are really the only way to go.
Ashok K. Banker
www.ashokbanker.com
Not as good as its predecessors, but still amazing!.......2006-05-30
This book wasn't as good as I expected it to be, and by Banker's standards, it was definitely below his usual talent. I especially didn't like the description of Hanuman as a scrawny, small vanar without any confidence. I also expected a mace fight between the exiled vanar king Sugriva and the evil usurper Vali. But no, instead, Sugriva never encounters Vali in a one-on-one, and the usurper is killed in a different fashion (how I will not tell you). However, that is not to say that the book is bad. In fact, if you did not have as high of expectations as I did, you will really enjoy it. The book starts off with the riveting conclusion to the Battle of Janasthana (which goes on for seven, awesome chapters). The abduction of Sita is superbly written, and I could read that part over and over again and still get chills. All in all, this book is highly recommended, but keep in mind (for those Ramayana fans) that this book does have its flaws.
Onward to Lanka !!!!.......2006-04-08
Armies of Hanuman, the fourth book in the Ramayana series by Ashok Banker, retains all the qualities which have made the first three books so popular -- gripping storyline, believable characters, a strong philosophical background rooted in the Vedic way of life, and a fresh treatment of the epic.
The story begins with the last battle between Rama and the Rakshasas of Dandakaranya. From the first page itself, it is clear that this is yet another un-puttable book from Mr Banker :). the action is taut and original, providing ample glimpses of the author's uncanny ability to create images from words. every scene in this battle, and the rest of the story, jumps out of the pages. The reader cannot help but swing from tree to tree, with the beloved hanuman, watching the bloodbath unfold. After a exhausting battle, he pauses to catch his breath -- only to realize that there are at least 300 more pages to go !! such is the tapestry woven with words that every strand resonates with clarity of thought!
Mr Banker does exploit artistic liberty, especially for a retelling, in the episode of Vali vs Rama, where he portrays Vali as a vanar who has crossed over to the dark side, and hence needs to be eliminated. It is a very original (am I using this word too much in this review? Hmm . wonder why ??? :) ) take on a traditionally controversial topic, and gives some food for thought.
This book introduces two new social systems into the "Rama-verse" (Ramayana's Universe) -- Lanka and Kishkindha, the cities of the Rakshasas and the Vanars. We have certainly been to lanka before, but it is in this book that we are intimately introduced to characters other than Ravana himself and Jatayu, his erstwhile hench-vulture -- Mandodari, Vibhishana, Ravana's sons, and of course - Surpanakha, who plays an important role in the story. The vanar city is beautifully rendered, with detailed descriptions of the various species and sub-species of Vanars.
what sets this retelling aside from all other retellings is the strength of sita's character. Sita exudes confidence befitting an Arya princess, even in the wilderness. She is not shy to pick up a sword to fend off Ravana's advances, and at the same time, displays "stree-sulabh bhav" , yearning for motherhood and a simple life with her husband.
I am eagerly waiting the release of the next book !!
Ashok's Ramayana. By far the Best........2006-02-04
I have read all the five parts of the Ramayana and here's my review:
It all started with my reading the Prince of Ayodhya. I picked it up from the bookstores as I wanted to plunge into the epics of India and chose a rather unknown author for taking forward this quest of mine.
The first chapter on the 15-year old Rama being tormented by Ravana in a nightmare was captivating. But when I proceeded further on Ashok's descriptions about Dasaratha and his amorous tastes for wine and women, I was wondering whether this is a fantasized version of the great epic. I put down the book for a few days (for no fault of the book or its author, I now realize!) and then picked it up again to read on. I could, thereafter, never stop reading. The entire book was interesting because it was fresh, it was a modern way of retelling, the characters were live.
I quickly purchased all the parts and read them without much of breaks.
I realized that Ashok is a gifted storyteller; he has done enormous research of the epics to be so much in control over this complex subject; his mix of the religious philosophy with fiction and drama is perfect. It's over a month since I read the last part viz. Bridge of Rama and I'll capture here my memories of the epic tale from this master storyteller:
1. Rama's pristine purity is amazing. While being a very strong and brave person that he naturally is, his being humble in the presence of his parents, brothers, countrymen is a lesson every reader would love to emulate. Rama is portrayed in full colour epic hero that he really was and is.
2. When Rama shares the sorrow of his father's demise with Guha, the description of the scenario makes you weep for Rama and Lakshman.
3. Sita's depiction as a brave, bold lady ever ready to challenge an opponent, is refreshing.
4. Ravana making a proposal to Sita that he can give a royal pardon if she were to only admit to the Lankan public that the seed of the child she was bearing was that of Ravana's, was well portrayed.
5. The battlefield scenes were rather gory and I felt so much detailing could have been avoided. Despite this the suspense at the battlefield were thrilling at times. One example is: Rama finding a way at last to defeat the Beserkers in the battlefield, which lifted me off my feet.
6. Rama negotiating peace with the demon cousins of Supanaka where in one breath he apologizes for the error of Lakshman slicing of rakshasi's nose and ears while at the same time pardons her illicit advances towards him was glorious.
7. Rama motivating a humble vanar into a mighty Hanuman was amazing. After reading those parts I visited the Nanganallur Anjaneya Temple in Chennai where people worship a 32 feet mighty Hanuman statue. Prostrating before that mighty but humble statue gave me a new meaning of Maruti. And the surname 'Whiteleaf' was again refreshing.
8. The characters: Bearface Ratnakar (who is sure to turn Valmiki), scheming Mantara, boisterous Guha, angry young vanar Angad, mischievous vanar Sakra, terrible Supanaka, cowardly Mareech, more terrible Ravana, ever-obedient and angry Lakshman, sagely Vishwamitra, lustful Kaikeyi... are all very well portrayed by the author. So much so that the characters jump off the book and play the tale before you.
The depiction is like a large canvas painting where the master painter has ensured that he paints even the characters and objects in the far background in vivid detail an colour.
Overall, all parts blend well to make it a great epic. The storyline is consistent and actually improves with each part.
My Teenager Finally Reads Ramayana.......2006-02-01
I am a teacher at the local Indian Sunday School who's faces the challenge of making Ramayana and other epics more interesting and palatble to NRI teens. Ashok has finaly done that. For that I am eternally grateful. The first such book of this genre that I had read was Elaine Aaron's Samraat, many years ago and more recently KM Munshi's Krishnavatara. This retelling of the epic is complete, engaging and is the winner of the ultimate compliment: My teenager wants to read all of the novels after reading the first one. I of course have finished reading all of them, some of which I had to order from Amazon UK since they were not yet available in the US. Thank you Ashok
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