Exploring Indian Mythology
From the Set Current Topics by ReferencePoint
Picturesque landscapes, magnificent palaces, bloody battles, divine interventions, and magical powers abound in the fantastical tales that make up the mythology of India. Though the stories originated in ancient times, they still play a central role in modern Indian life and culture. Exploring Indian Mythology tells many beloved and engaging stories of creation, good and evil, war, destiny, and fabled animals.
Exploring Indian Mythology - School Library Journal
Gods, warriors, religion, and customs intertwine in a new series exploring world mythologies. These short, colorfully illustrated books provide an insightful introduction to a country’s mythology, key tenets, practices, and deities. In Chinese Mythology, the entry delineates how these stories have influenced many aspects of contemporary China, such as religious practices and observances, such as the “Celebration of the Moon Goddess.” There are love stories too, which resulted in a rich history of poetry and folktales, such as the tale of “The Butterfly Lovers.” Indian Mythology features from the elephant-headed god Ganesha to the universe creator Brahma. Hindu mythology is filled with themes of good versus evil, karma, mythological creatures, and gods and warriors; here, the author presents the magic-filled stories ranging from the creation of the universe and humanity to religious devotion to bloody wars. This book also dives into the theology of Hinduism as a religion, showing some parallels and differences with Christianity and other religions. The myths—or at least their themes—endure. As the author notes, it’s a “living” mythology, informing life today. Informative sidebars, pull-out explanations, and colorful illustrations make these texts accessible.VERDICT Either of these is an excellent starting point for those seeking more information about world religions, folklore, and cultural history.