Handbook of Hindu Mythology - by George M Williams (Hardcover)

About the Book

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 culture
• An illustrated A-Z section with entries on major deities, characters, themes, rituals, and beliefs of Hinduism in cultural context

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"[T]his elegantly crafted work is designed for the general reader and will be a reliable reference standard for all library collections." --Library Journal

"Williams has compiled a learned text based on sound knowledge of the Hindu religion. His methodical coverage of variant spellings, pronunciation, and capitalization in the preface is a valuable guide to writers and researchers . . . Overall, the handbook is a prize catch for public, church, temple, school, and college libraries." --Booklist

"This handbook will be helpful to the novice in Hindu mythology . . . accessible to the general reader." --American Reference Books Annual

"Williams's introduction is an extraordinary piece that should be recommended to any student first approaching Hindu mythology . . . recommended without reservation to all libraries . . . highly recommended; general and academic readers." --Choice

About the Author