by Anonymous
First published 1975
These seventy-five myths from ancient Sanskrit sources reveal a universe where gods walk among mortals and chaos threatens creation itself. Vishnu appears in countless incarnations to pull humanity back from the brink of annihilation. The playful child Krishna delights and confounds with his divine mischief. Minor deities clash with demons while sacred rivers flow through realms populated by mystical creatures. Boars, buffalo, serpents and monkeys play crucial roles in cosmic dramas. Even Death takes physical form and walks the earth, eventually claiming all living beings. The stories span from the first moments of creation to the endless cycles of destruction and renewal. Each tale reveals the Hindu understanding that reality contains infinite possibilities, where miracles emerge from everyday life and divine forces shape mortal destinies.
Genres: mythology, folklore, ancient, hinduism
Vibes: lyrical, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: divine-intervention, epic
Setting: India
Period: Ancient
358 pages · Paperback · Penguin Classics