Mythology – Vakils Publication

SRI MUKUNDAMALA

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 13:06:51 +0000

The forty verse poem, Sri Mukundamala written by the great Vaishnavite saint, Kulasekhara Alwar is not merely a chant in praise of Lord Krishna, it is an expression of the bhakti marga, the path of devotion, so explicitly enunciated in The Bhagavad Gita, by God himself, when he said,
Abandon every means of support fearlessly,
Permit me to be your sole security,
I shall purify every negative tendency,
Destroy your sorrows immediately.

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GANESHA

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:40:35 +0000

Among the many Gods worshipped in India, Ganesha has a pride of place – as the Lord of Beginnings, the Remover of Obstacles, the endearing elephant-headed deity. But was Ganesha always our beloved God? How then did He weave his way into a country’s affections? Moving effortlessly between legend and history, parables and archaeology, the book sheds light on the rise of a God. With Profusely illustrated photographs and attractive line-drawings, this book speaks as effectively through visual as it does through words.
Ganesha is today the most popular and loved of the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Nothing auspicious takes place without invoking his name. Was this always so? If not, how did he rise into prominence? These and so many more questions have exercised the minds of those interested in Hindu religion and philosophy.

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SHIVA

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:32:52 +0000

The book is an attempt at demystifying one of the chief deities in the Hindu triumvirate, Shiva, the Transformer. As Gangadhara, the carrier of the Ganges, as Pashupati, the Lord of cattle, as Bhairav, the Spirit of austere penance, the book delves into the many identities of a paradoxical Godhead. This book takes the reader on a journey through Shaivite philosophy, history, folklore, ritual and myth. It attempts to understand the meaning of Shiva worship in our time, by exploring various pictorial images of Shiva iconography. Written in a simple narrative style and interspersed with stories, the book reaches out to young and old alike. The highlights include lucid explanations and a pictorial key to numerous symbols associated with Shaivite rituals and festival practices, a map of India showing important Shiva temples including the twelve jyotirlingas, a list of 108 sacred names of Shiva with their meanings, a bibliography for those interested in learning more, and over 150 illustrations of which many are in colour.

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KRISHNA

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:30:37 +0000

The book, Krishna, A Joyous Celebration of the Divine, is a loving tribute to the Blue God. Beginning with his tumultuous birth in a prison cell, it travels through his numerous journeys, uncovering his enchanting personality through story and song. It weaves anecdotes and myths, legends and folklore, from sources like the Bhagavata Purana, the Harivamsa and the Mahabharata, to piece together, the awe-inspiring picture of Vishnu’s avatara (manifestation) the alluring One, Krishna.
The book is a celebration of Krishna, in many ways. It pays tribute to the long and unbroken tradition of Krishna paintings, from the exquisite miniatures of north India to the extravagant Tanjore paintings of the south, enlivening each page with their spiritual euphoria. The book goes further, bringing a selection from the rich cornucopia of bhakti (devotional) poetry – verses of singers and saints, poets and philosophers. Written in lucid and lyrical language, one idea emerges through the book with clarity – Krishna is relevant, more relevant today, than even when he first walked the earth as man.

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VISHNU

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:28:03 +0000

Vishnu: An Introduction attempts to highlight the many aspects of the Preserver of the cosmos. As the sustainer of the elements, the Lord of ten principal avatars, and a Being with a thousand names – Rama, Krishna, Varaha, Narasimha, Narayana – Vishnu is an enigma, and an intellectual challenge. The book then untangles the bulk of this Godhead’s philosophy. Through a narrative that is eminently simple, and images that compliment the text, the book guides the reader through Vaishnava belief, history, folklore and myth.

This is an attempt to understand the meaning of Vishnu worship in our time. The author has tried to reach out to young and old alike, retelling familiar legends of Rama and Krishna as well as unfamiliar ones like those of Vishnu’s consort and son.

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HANUMAN CHALISA

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 11:27:06 +0000

To truly know the significance of Hanuman Chalisa one needs only hear the words of Neem Karoli Baba, one of the most mystical voices of the 20th century. “Every line of the Hanuman Chalisa,” he said, “is a mahamantra (a great chant).” Certainly, Goswami Tulsidas’ Hanuman Chalisa is filled with lofty, spiritual thought, giving us glimpses of Hanuman the devotee but also his ultimate transformation into Hanuman the deity.
This book, Hanuman Chalisa, a Bhakta’s Quest for the Divine is a perceptive commentary on these oft-recited verses. It is unique for a variety of reasons. It underlines the deep, philosophical foundation of this text, as also the life lessons that Hanuman’s character unfolds for us, making Hanuman Chalisa as relevant today as when it was first written. The book is significant also because it uses story-telling as a means to comprehend Tulsi’s words, through a cornucopia of tales from The Ramayana, The Mahabharata, The Puranas, folklore, oral traditions, magazine articles and even anecdotes from supplicants.

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NANAK

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 06:18:11 +0000

This book seeks to celebrate the timelessness of Nanak’s teachings and its relevance to modern- day issues. Hailed as one of the greatest spiritual leaders of mankind, Guru Nanak’s message of unconditional faith and unremitting generosity was path-breaking. It resulted in the formation of India’s youngest religion, Sikhism. The book unfolds the life of a thinker, reformer and spiritualist, while explicating the teachings of the Guru Granth. With beautiful illustrations, an uncomplicated narrative, and English translations of Sikh prayers, the book is a must-buy for every curious reader.
A unique feature is the inclusion of the English re-edition of the Japuji (the morning prayer of the Sikhs that presents Nanak’s vision of God and his cosmic ideas) alongwith its original Punjabi text and Devnagiri transliteration.

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BALAJI VENKATESHWARA

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 06:17:09 +0000

Balaji-Venkateshwara: An Introduction attempts to unravel the life of one God and study one temple, nestled in the hills of South India. It is said that Lord Vishnu, to rescue a world in distress, took the form of Balaji-Venkateshwara, the Destroyer of all Sins. Yet, who really was Balaji? What is the legend behind His incarnation? What are the stories behind His temple’s origin? What are the meanings behind the rituals He demands? The book attempts to answer these questions, and more, for the pilgrim-soul.
The temple of Balaji or Venkateshwara on Tirumala hill above the town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh has become a focal point of contemporary religion in India, attracting numerous devotees.

Not much is known about the God, except his ability to answer prayers and perform miracles. This book is a collection of the folk legends about Venkateshwara, the sacred Tirumala hill and its many lakes, waterfalls, the beautiful rituals and festivals associated with him.

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DEVI

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 06:13:47 +0000

An Introduction attempts to unravel the mysteries behind Goddess worship. With stories on Adi-Maya-Shakti, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Parvati, Kali, Durga, the book speaks of India’s long association with female deities, and the relevance of Shakti in these modern times. Drawing from a rich tradition of Shakta imagery, Indian philosophy, history, folklore and myth, Devi is one of the finest introductions to feminist theology.

This is an attempt to understand the meaning of goddess worship in our time. Written in simple narrative style, it takes us through Shakta imagery, beliefs and customs.

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HANUMAN

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 06:12:47 +0000

Brother of Bhima, Son of Vayu, Guardian of Sita, Devotee of Rama, Hanuman is at once, the Lord of strength and the Lord of devotional surrender. The book takes the reader through the life and philosophical impetus of India’s beloved Monkey God. Drawing from a rich pool of sources – the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Puranas – and juxtaposing text with image, the book is an exploration of one of Hinduism’s most popular deities.
Hanuman, the Lord of monkeys, is one of the few gods in Hinduism to be worshipped across, caste lines by followers of the Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakta orders. He is admired for his strength, wisdom, humility and celibacy. This book is a single narrative on the life of the monkey-god woven out of ideas and events in the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas.

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