Handbook of Hindu Mythology (World Mythology)

A guide to Hinduism through the ages, offering readers an accessible way of exploring its complex deities, mythological characters, and ideas.Handbook of Hindu Mythology offers a number of pathways by which to approach Hinduism's ever-changing gods and goddesses (e.g., Brahmâ, Vishnu, Siva), spiritual verses (such as the vedas), secular epics (including the Râmâyana and the Mahâbhârata), myths within myths, devotional and esoteric traditions, psychic and yogic disciplines, and magical practices.With this handbook, readers can explore the history of Hindu mythology, follow a detailed timeline of key episodes and historical events, and look up specific elements of historical or contemporary Hinduism in a beautifully illustrated dictionary section. It is the ideal introduction to the origins of Hinduism, the culture that shaped it from antiquity to the present, and the age-old stories, ideas, and traditions that speak to the human condition as eloquently today as ever.A chronology of the mythological universe and the history of Hinduism, explaining the working and purpose of time and mythic time within the cultureAn illustrated A–Z section with entries on major deities, characters, themes, rituals, and beliefs of Hinduism in cultural context Handbook of Hindu Mythology offers a number of pathways by which to approach Hinduism's ever-changing gods and goddesses (e.g., Brahm‚, Vishnu, Siva), spiritual verses (such as the vedas), secular epics (including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata), myths within myths, devotional and esoteric traditions, psychic and yogic disciplines, and magical practices.||With this handbook, readers can explore the history of Hindu mythology, follow a detailed timeline of key episodes and historical events, and look up specific elements of historical or contemporary Hinduism in a beautifully illustrated dictionary section. It is the ideal introduction to the origins of Hinduism, the culture that shaped it from antiquity to the present, and the age-old stories, ideas, and traditions that speak to the human condition as eloquently today as ever. Unlike many other ancient mythologies, Hinduism thrives in the modern world. One billion followers and countless others have been captivated by its symbolic representations of love, karma, and reincarnation. This is a dauntingly complex mythology of multifaceted deities, lengthy heroic tales, and arcane philosophies, with a 3,000-year history of reinterpretations and adaptations. George M. Williams is Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at California State University, Chico. He was one of the founders of the Religion in Modern India section of the American Academy of Religion and its first chair. A Guide To Hinduism Through The Ages That Explores Its Complex Deities, Mythological Characters, And Ideas. Introduction -- Mythic Time, Space, And Causality -- Characters, Theme, And Concepts -- Selected Print And Nonprint Resources. George M. Williams. Includes Glossary Of Terms. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 311-333) And Index. Hindu mythology is a complex mythology of multifaceted deities, lengthy heroic tales, and arcane philosophies, with a 3000-year history of reinterpretations and adaptations. This text looks at the connections between the structure of myth cycles and Indian storytelling and music traditions A guide to Hinduism through the ages, offering readers an accessible way of exploring its complex deities, mythological characters, and ideas.;Introduction -- Mythic time, space, and causality -- Characters, theme, and concepts -- Selected print and nonprint resources.