Hindu Literature

Much of today's uncertainty over mantras stems from the debate about their intrinsic meaningfulness or meaninglessness. The source of the issue is our prevalent modern conception of language. Language is regarded to be really and most completely experienced in its oral form in Indian tradition, but the modern approach tends to limit language to the recorded word and then examine it for a one-to-one connection with objective reality. In this book, we review instances of ancient Hindu philosophy of language that was used to investigate the nature of ceremonial utterances against the backdrop ...

Kumarasambhava, Kalidasa's second epic poem, is often regarded as his finest work and a defining example of kavya poetry. The style it used to express spring would go on to dominate nature metaphors in Indian literature for ages to come. This work translates select cantos from the original poem that narrates and celebrates the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the birth of their son Kumara or Kartikeya, and concludes with the slaying of Taraka.

The daughter of a star and a mortal, Sheetal is used to keeping secrets. Pretending to be “normal”. But when an accidental flare of her starfire puts her human father in the hospital, Sheetal needs a full star’s help to heal him. A star like her mother, who returned to the sky long ago. Sheetal’s quest to save her father will take her to a celestial court of shining wonders and dark shadows, where she must take the stage as her family’s champion in a competition to decide the next ruling house of the heavens - and win, or risk never returning to Earth at all.

Fresh off the exciting discovery that her sketches of a beautiful kingdom and band of rebel kids have come to life in another world, Kiki Kallira has an unexpected visitor. One of those rebel kids has come into the real world to ask for her help—again. The river Kaveri, a crucial source of water for Mysore, has suddenly vanished! With no water to grow food or for wildlife to drink, Kiki's kingdom is doomed. Kiki enters her sketchbook once again, and her search for answers reveals the origin of the Kaveri.

The Vedas are often regarded as ceremonial writings. Both ritual and sacrifice play an essential role in this. Vedic religion is first and foremost a liturgy, and only secondly a mythical or philosophical system; we must therefore analyze it as a liturgy. This book introduces the reader to the various Vedic ceremonies, including many that are still practiced today in India.

Chanakya Niti or Cāṇakya Nīti (IAST) (चाणक्य नीति) is a compilation of Sanskrit (संस्कृत) verses, known as aphorisms by Chanakya (आचार्य चाणक्य: 375–283 BCE). He was a teacher, author, strategist, philosopher, economist, jurist and a royal advisor. He authored the ancient Indian political treatise, the Arthashāstra (अर्थशास्त्र). He is considered the pioneer in the field of political science and economics in India. Around 321 BCE, Chanakya assisted the first Mauryan emperor, Chandragupta, in his rise to ...

The God Agni, the holy Fire, is the primary expression of consciousness. He is the ultimate, unchanging, and inextinguishable consciousness that endures through and beyond all changes, the flame that never dies, even in the deepest darkness; he is the force that moves everything, the fundamental light and energy that lies behind all transformations. In this book we introduce the reader to the spiritual and theological significance of Agni, and examine select verses from the Rig Veda dedicated to him.

Who is Devdhwaja: Nagendra or Om? Parimal and LSD struggle to trust each other while Nagendra is resurrected from the dead, unharmed and more powerful than ever before. Parashurama and Kripacharya are trapped in the collapsed Om's past while Vrishkapi is fighting against certain death, which has already consumed Milarepa. Leaving the mighty Ashwatthama clueless, the other immortals are dismantled from all fronts.

We briefly examine the theological conceptions of Father, Mother, son, and daughter in the Vedas. We expand upon the translations of select Rig Vedic verses. These showcase the anthropomorphic relation and reverence for divinity within the conceived context of ancient Vedic civilization. Beyond the bounds of time, these Hymns call out to remind us of the ultimate purpose of existence and Human existence.

Durga, as this powerful warrior-goddess is known, has nine special forms - each one unique, not just a clone. Shailaputri, Brahmacharini and Chandraghanta, Kushmanda and Skandamata, Katyayani and Kaalratri, Maha Gauri and Siddhidatri... They are the Nava Durga, worshipped during Navaratri, the festival of nine nights and nine days that's celebrated across India and the world in myriad ways to praise the goddesses and their glory. This is their story!

When his brother Kartikeya challenges him to a race around the world, Ganesha knows he cannot win with speed. He may not be as fast as Kartikeya, but clever Ganesha knows that every problem has more than one solution! A celebration of the dynamic bond between siblings and a loving tribute to family, Ganesha’s Great Race is the story of their most famous contest and will delight readers with a tale of muscles, mangoes, and the meaning of the world.

Kiki Kallira has always been a worrier. Did she lock the front door? Is there a terrible reason her mum is late? Recently her anxiety has been getting out of control, but one thing that has always soothed her is drawing. Kiki's sketchbook is full of fantastical doodles of the Hindu myths and legends her mother has told her since she was tiny. One day, her sketchbook's calming effect is broken when her mythological characters begin springing to life and Kiki is pulled into the mystical world she drew.

एक सहज और स्वाभाविक प्रश्न है, क्या मनुष्य अमर हो सकता है? इसका जवाब इतना आसान नहीं है, क्योंकि आज भी मनुष्य उन सीमाओं के पार नहीं पहुँच सका है, जो उसे अमर बना दें। हाँ, कभी-कभी कुछ विशेष व्यक्तियों के लिए प्रकृति ने अपने नियम जरूर बदले हैं। ऐसे ही विशेष महामानव हैं-सात चिरंजीवी। ये सात चिरंजीवी इसलिए कहलाए, क्योंकि सातों जीवन-मृत्यु के चक्र से ऊपर उठकर अमर हो गए। इन सात चिरंजीवियों में परशुराम, बलि, विभीषण, हनुमान, महर्षि वेदव्यास, कृपाचार्य और अश्वत्थामा हैं।.

Detective Inspector Sara Nayar is a goddess. Literally. A Hindu goddess accidentally brought to England during Queen Victoria's reign. Working now as a police detective, Sara survives on humanity's innate faith in law and order. Sheffield is a city of many gods, however, and when Sara witnesses a murder, she knows the perpetrator is divine. As a goddess of order, she must solve the crime before the god can kill again, but thousands of years living as a human has left her spiritually weak.

I read this story first time when I was about 12 years old. I could never forget the story. To the generation next, all grown up and on their own, perhaps the story had moved even farther away from their regular orbit of interest. My intention is to give the essence of the story so that it captures the attention of even 12-year-olds. But, I am sure this story will touch the hearts of all booklovers.

Riya loves Diwali for the tasty treats but not the darkness and loud fireworks. Can Riya be brave and find a way to celebrate Diwali with her family without being scared? Presented as a 'Once Upon a Time' bedtime story, children will learn the origin of Diwali and how it came to be a celebration of light over darkness and good over evil. Diwali is a five-day long celebration beginning from purchasing silver and gold items, to decorating the home with lights and candles, to preparing baked goods and visiting friends and family, to ending the holiday with fireworks and a celebration of siblings.

Join the festival of colour in this collection of stories celebrating the Hindu festival of Holi. With tasty treats and bonfire tales, these stories are fun and informative stories for 3-7 year olds. These stories are perfect for young children celebrating Holi with their friends and family, or wanting to learn about different Hindu traditions.

Selection of finest stories from Mahabharat for Children

Selection of finest stories from Mahabharat for Children.

Sona Sharma's house is full of three generations of people who joke often and argue sometimes. Relatives come over unannounced, the phone rings frequently, and friends drop by all the time. Then one day, Amma tells Sona that she is going to have a baby. Is that good? Sona isn’t so sure. She doesn’t want to share her room or her things with a new baby, not to mention the attention of Amma, Appa, Thatha, and Paatti. And despite Amma's assurance that the sky always has room for new stars, Sona doesn’t feel stretchy or big-hearted like the sky.