This is an attempt to understand the meaning of Shiva worship in our time exploring various pictorial images of Shiva iconography, taking us through Shaivite philosophy, beliefs, history, folklore and myth. Written in a simple narrative style , and interspersed with familiar and unfamiliar tales retold, 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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Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik graduated in medicine from Bombay University and conducts stress-management workshops for various organizations. His abiding interest in Indian myths led him to the formal study of comparative mythology.
About the Author
Devdutt Pattanaik
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent introduction to Shiva in all His forms,
By Sreemala Setty (Anaheim, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Shiva - An Introduction (Paperback)
Shiva, an Introduction, is truly a product of divine inspiration. Dr. Pattanaik writes lucidly and simply. He takes us through all the layers of Hinduism - the Puranic stories, the philosophy, the symbolism, the worship rituals, famous devotees and pilgrimage centers. His narration is complemented by a wonderful variety of illustrations. Pictures of South Indian bronzes, Pahari paintings, modern calendar prints, and much more, all attest to the enduring love with which Hindus have protrayed Shiva over the centuries. Dr. Pattanaik ends his narrative with the 108 names of Lord Shiva. To find out the meanings of the names, the stories behind them and enjoy Shiva in all his aspects, read this book!
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful Introduction to Shiva,
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This review is from: Shiva - An Introduction (Paperback)
The book is delightfully written and as much fun as it is informative to read. The book radiates with the author's love and care to present nuggets of information from the scriptures related to many different aspects of Shiva and to support the stories with lots of beautiful black and white and color prints from different parts of India. The book is a genuine treasure.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good item,
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This review is from: Shiva - An Introduction (Paperback)
I guess many stories/ tales may have been passed on within the families itself for thousands of years but since this has stopped in modern India, we are left with no choice but to fall back on books to understand religion in a clearer manner. For someone who has absolutely no idea about Shiva and have no clue about the history and stories behind Shiva, this books provides an excellent start. The language is extremely simple, easy to understand and the excellent use of photographs at proper places gives a very good perspective of Shiva. Once you complete the book, you can either thirst for more (and thereby become a more serious student) or you can decide to give up religion totally (and taking the modern view deriding these stories as myths). To be in such a position however, you need to therefore start with this book. Since Devadutt has written other books on other Gods also (Vishnu, Durga, etc.) it would have been good if all these books were consolidated into a single book.
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Inside This Book
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Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs):
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subtle node, three flying cities, deodar forest, rudraksha beads, calendar print, temple carving, cosmic spirit, great devotee Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Tamil Nadu, Central Indian, North Indian New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
subtle node, three flying cities, deodar forest, rudraksha beads, calendar print, temple carving, cosmic spirit, great devotee Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Tamil Nadu, Central Indian, North Indian New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 2
books:
- Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition by David R. Kinsley in Back Matter
- Towards Understanding Hindu Myths by Sadashiv A. Dange in Back Matter
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