Indian Mythology: Tales, Symbols, and Rituals from 2024 the Heart of the Subcontinent

An exploration of 99 classic myths of India provides a fresh understanding of the Hindu spiritual landscapes and pantheon of gods and goddesses. Two 16-page color inserts.

A medical doctor by training, Devdutt Pattanaik moved away from clinical practice to nurture his passion for mythology. His unorthodox approach is evident in his books, which include introductions to Shiva and Vishnu and The Goddess in India. He lives in Mumbai, India, where he works as a health communicator and writes and lectures on Hindu narratives, art, rituals, and philosophy.

Introduction



Chapter 1--Mythology: Studying Myth

Vishnu and the Earth Cow (Bhagavata Purana)



Myth and Mythology



Expressions of Myth

Renukas Umbrella (Mahabharata) • Renukas Infidelity (Mahabharata) • Renukas Head (Yellamma Mahatmya) • Arjuna and the Navagunjara • (Orissan folklore based on the Mahabharata) • The Half-Woman God (Tamil Temple Lore) • A Golden Effigy of Sita (Uttara Ramayana) • Lakshmis Symbols (Orissan folklore)



The Function of Myth

Ramas Ring (Folklore based on the Ramayana) • A Palace for Indra (Brahmavaivarta Purana) • Shambuka Beheaded (Uttara Ramayana) • The Beheading of Brahma (Shiva Purana)



Coping Through Mythmaking



Conclusion



Chapter 2--Mythosphere: Comparing Myths



The Idea of God

Harishchandra (Bhagavata Purana) • The Past Life of Yashoda and Nanda (Padma Purana) • The Doorkeepers of Vishnu (Bhagavata Purana)



Devils and Demons

Why Rama Went into Exile (Ramayana) • The Curse of Gandhari (Mahabharata) • The Offering of Bel Leaves (Linga Purana) • Indra Seduces Ahalya (Ramayana) • Churning the Ocean to Find Shri (Bhagavata Purana)



Creation with a Difference

The Birth of the Three Gods (Folklore) • Brahma Opens His Eyes (Vishnu Purana) • Brahmas Mind-Born Sons (Brahmavaivarta Purana) • Brahma Splits Himself (Shiva Purana) • The Creation of Death (Mahabharata) • Transformations of the Daughter (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)



Heaven or Hell

The Birth of Urvashi (Bhagavata Purana) • Mahabhisha (Mahabharata) • Agastyas Ancestors (Mahabharata) • Heaven for Markandeya (Linga Purana) • The Death of Yama (Rig Veda) • Vishnu Cursed (Padma Purana) • Fish to the Rescue (Matsya Purana)



Conclusion



Chapter 3--Mythopoesis: Transforming Myth



March of the Vedic Hymns

The Beheading of Vishwarupa (Mahabharata) • Durvasas Curse (Padma Purana) • Mount Vindhya Bows (Uttara Ramayana) • The Birth of River Kaveri (Kaveri Mahatmya) • Repelling Taraka (Ramayana) • Rama Befriends the Monkeys (Ramayana) • The Burning of Khandavaprastha (Mahabharata) • The Marriage of Marisha (Bhagavata Purana) • The Body of Society (Rig Veda) • Vishwamitra Becomes a Rishi (Bhagavata Purana) • Ekalavya (Mahabharata) • Atoning for Killing Ravana (Rishikesh Sthala Purana) • Ammaverus Husband (South Indian folklore) • The Birth of Krishna (Harivamsa)



The Ascetic Ideal

Parashurama Destroys the Warrior Race (Vishnu Purana) • The Golden Mongoose (Mahabharata) • Yagnavalkya Rebels (Brahmanda Purana) • Nachiketa Questions Yama (Katha Upanishad) • Viduras Past Life (Mahabharata) • Shiva Enlightens Matsyendra-nath (Nav-Nath-Charitra) • The Destruction of Dakshas Yagna (Skanda Purana) • Kapilas Fiery Glance (Ramayana) • Trishanku (Vishnu Purana) • Kumbhakarnas Asceticism (Ramayana) • Dadhichis Head (Jaiminya Brahmana) • Dadhichis Bones (Mahabharata) • Vishwamitra and Menaka (Bhagavata Purana) • The Seduction of Rishyashringa (Mahabharata) • The Birth of Skanda (Skanda Purana) • Shilavatis Chastity (Brahmanda Purana)



The Birth of God

Krishna Humbles Indra (Bhagavata Purana) • Kalis Tongue (Kalika Purana) • Vishnu Enlightens Brahma (Vishnu Purana) • Shiva the Dancer (Skanda Purana) • The Return of Vyasas Son (Devi Bhagavata Purana) • The Death of Parikshit (Bhagavata Purana) • The Power of Ramas Name (Ramayana) • The Idol in the Termite Hill (Temple lore) • The Marriage of Valli (Skanda Purana) • The Descent of Ganga (Shiva Purana) • The Pillar of Fire (Shiva Purana) • Mohini to the Rescue (Vishnu Purana) • The Birth of Ayyappa (Sabarimalai Sthala Purana) • God Turns for Kanaka Dasa (Udipi Sthala Purana) • The Hunters Eye (Periyar Purana)



Invasions and Immigrations

The Death of the Pandavas (Mahabharata) • Manikantha and Vavar (Sabarimalai Sthala Purana) • Ranganathas Muslim Bride (Shrirangam Sthala Purana)



Conclusion



Chapter 4--Mythography: Interpreting Myth



History and Prehistory

The Sons of Kadru and Vinata (Mahabharata) • Yudhishtiras Horse Sacrifice (Mahabharata) • Krishnas Early Life (Harivamsa) • Krishnas Later Life (Mahabharata) • The Sacrifice of Sunahshepas (Mahabharata) • The Children of Vichitravirya (Mahabharata) • Oghavatis Obedience (Mahabharata) • Gandharis Children (Mahabharata) • Krishna Curses Ashwathama (Mahabharata) • Shiva Destroys Tripura (Linga Purana)



Strategic Charters

The Churning of Venas Corpse (Bhagavata Purana) • Shvetaketus Law (Mahabharata) • The Marriage of Draupadi (Mahabharata) • Shiva Blesses Draupadi (Mahabharata) • Vrindas Chastity (Shiva Purana) • Sitas Chastity (Uttara Ramayana) • Three Boons for Kaikeyi (Ramayana) • How Mountains Came into Being (Bhagavata Purana) • Dhruva (Folklore based on the Bhagavata Purana) • Donations for Venkateshwara (Tirumalai Sthala Purana) • Jayadevas Verse (Folklore)



This in Terms of That

Chandra and the Nakshatras (Somnath Sthala Purana) • Rudra and Prajapati (Shatapatha Brahmana) • Sapta Rishis and Their Wives (Mahabharata) • Krishnas Rasa Leela (Gita Govinda) • The Rescue of the Elephant King (Bhagavata Purana) • Shivas Erect Manhood (Shiva Purana)



Metaphors of the Mind

Kuntis Magic Formula (Mahabharata) • The Sons of Yayati (Mahabharata) • Devavratas Vow of Celibacy (Mahabharata) • Arjunas Exile (Mahabharata)



Conclusion



Glossary



Bibliography



Index