Alain Daniélou

The Myths and Gods of India (eBook, ePUB)

The Classic Work on Hindu Polytheism from the Princeton Bollingen Series

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

The study of Hindu mythology explores the significance of the most prominent Hindu dieties as they are envisioned by the Hindus themselves. Referred to by its adherents as the "eternal religion," Hinduism recognizes for each age and each country a new form of revelation--and for each person, according to his or her stage of development, a different path of realization.

This widely praised study of Hindu deities reveals the message of tolerance and adaptability at the heart of this ancient religion.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Simon + Schuster LLC
• Seitenzahl: 512
• Erscheinungstermin: 1. Dezember 1991
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781594777332
• Artikelnr.: 49184878

Autorenporträt

Alain Daniélou was an intimate of Stravinsky, Cocteau, and Nabokov in his early years, then spent twenty years in India studying music and philosophy with eminent scholars of the Hindu tradition. He is the author of more than thirty books on the religion, history, and arts of India and the Mediterranean, including While the Gods Play, Gods of Love and Ecstasy, Yoga: Mastering the Secrets of Matter and the Universe, and The Complete Kama Sutra. Daniélou was the founder and director of the International Institute for Comparative Musicology in Berlin, and was a Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and Officier du Mérite National.

Inhaltsangabe

Foreword List of Illustrations Note on Translation of the Sanskrit Note on Pronunciation ONE: Philosophy 1. The Theory of Polytheism The Language of Symbols
The Representation of the Transcendent
The Nondual Principle 6 Monotheism and Polytheism
Nondualism and Monism
The Equivalence of Religions 2. The Nature of the Ultimate The Origin of Existence
The Perceptible Continua: Space, Time, and Thought
The Three Modes of Being: The Substrata of Space, Time, and Consciousness
The" r and the Self
The Realization of the Soul
Immensity (brahman), the Common Substratum
The Three Fundamental Qualities and the Trinity
The Three States of Experience
The Three Qualities and Manifestation
The Power-of-Illusion (maya)
Illusion and Ignorance
Nature
The Living Individuality as the Power That Can Oppose Nature
The Power of Nature as the Obstacle to Knowledge
The Fundamental Duality
"God" (Isvara) and the Illusion of Divine Unity
Life as the One Deity
The Relationship of "God" and the Universe
The Causal Word
Dangers of Applied Metaphysics 3. The Cosmic Being Macrocosm and Microcosm
Cosmic Duration
Cosmic Location
The Nature of Manifestation
The Appearance of the Universe
Cosmic Consciousness
The Personification and the Description of the Cosmic Being TWO: The Gods of the Vedas 4. The Cosmic Sacrifice Fire and Offering, Agni and Soma
The Relation of the Spheres
The Ritual of Sacrifice (yajna)
The Forms of the Sacrifice
The Technique of the Sacrifice
The Creation of Man
The Last Sacrifice
The Way of the Gods
The Way of the Fathers
Divinity as the Embodiment of the Sacrifice
The Image of the Sacrifice
The Inner Yajna of the Yogi 5. The Thirty-Three Gods The Three Spheres of Agni
The Three Aspects of Deities
The Number of the Gods 6. The Spheres and Their Deities The Eight Spheres of Existence, the Vasus
The Earth
Agni (Fire)
The Ten Forms of Fire
The Sphere of Space and the Lord-of-Wind (Vayu)
The Sky (Dyaus)
The Sun (Surya)
The Image of the Sun
Dawn (Usas)
The Constellations (naksatra)
The Moon, the Cup-of-Offerings ( Soma)
The Story of the Moon 7. The Divinities of the Sphere of Space The Divinities of Space and Life, the Maruts and the Rudras
The Maruts (Immortals)
A Legend of the Maruts
Indra, the Ruler of Heaven 8. The Adityas, the Sovereign Principles Aditi (the Primordial Vastness), Source of the Adityas
Mitra ( Friendship), Solidarity
Aryaman (Chivalry)
Bhaga (the Inherited Share)
Varuna (the Coverer or Binder), the Mysterious Law of the Gods
Daksa ( Ritual Skill)
Amsa (the Share of the Gods)
Tvastr (the Shaper), Craftsmanship, the God of Industry
Pusan (the Nourisher), Security, the Protector of Cattle
Vivasvat, the Ancestor, the Embodiment of Morality or Ancestral Law
Savitr (the Vivifier), the Magic Power of Words
Sakra (the Mighty), the Divinity of Courage and Outer Security
Visnu, the All-pervading Light of Knowledge, the Cosmic Law Pervading the Three Worlds 9. Other Vedic Deities The Asvins, the Twin Horse-headed Gods of Agriculture and Physicians of the Gods
The Regents of the Directions
Yama (the Binder), the Lord of Death
Manifold-Secret (Citra-gupta), the Scribe of the Lord of Death
Kubera, the Lord of Riches
The Yaksas, Guardians of the Earth's Treasures
Misery (Nirrta)
Nirrti, the Goddess of Misery
Trita (the Third) or Aptya, the Water Deity 10. Gods and Antigods The Antigods (asura)
The Gods of Pre-Vedic India
Description of the Antigods
Different Kinds of Asuras
The Gods (sura) or the Resplendent-Ones (deva)
The Age and the Felicity of the Gods THREE: The Trinity 11. Visnu, the Pervader Sattva, the Cohesive Tendency
The Name Visnu
The Nature of Visnu
The State of Dream
All Religion Is of Visnu
The Names of Visnu 12. The Image of Visnu The Four Arms
The Twenty-Four Icons of Visnu
The Conch
The Discus
The Lotus
The Bow, Arrows, and Quiver
The Mace
The Jewel Treasure of the Ocean
The Lock of Hair Beloved of Fortune
The Garland of the Forest
The Earrings, the Armlets, and the Crown
The Yellow Veil and the Sacred Thread
The Chariot
The Dark Color
The Whisk, the Fan, the Flag, and the Parasol
The Sword and Sheath
The Bird Wings of Speech
The Serpent Remainder
The Attendants of Visnu 13. The Avatars, or Incarnations, of Visnu The Planets
The Incarnations of the First Age, the Satya Yuga (Age of Truth) The Fish-Incarnation (Matsya-avatara)
The Tortoise-Incarnation (Kurma-avatara)
The Boar-Incarnation (Varaha-avatara)
The Man-Lion-Incarnation (Nr-simha-avatara) The Incarnations of the Second Age, the Trela Yuga
The Dwarf-Incarnation (Vamana-avatara)
Rama-with-the-Ax (Parasu-Rama)
THE TALE OF RENUKA
Rama (Ramacandra), the Charming, the Embodiment of Righteousness
THE MANTRA "RAMA"
THE IMAGE OF RAMA Krsna, the Incarnation of the Third Age
Rama-the-Strong (Bala-Rama)
The Incarnations of the Fourth or Present Age, the Kali ruga (Age of Strife)
Buddha
Kalki 14. The Minor Incarnations of Visnu Nara and Narayana, Devotion
Kapila, Philosophy
Dattatreya, Magic
Yajna (Ritual Sacrifice)
Rsabha (the Bull), Morality
Dhanvantari, Medical Science
Hayasirsa (the Horse-headed), Protector of the Scripture
Vyasa, the Compiler of the Scripture
Prthu, the First King - Agriculture and Social Order
Dhruva (the Immovable), Will Power 186 Visnu as Rescuer of the Elephant-King in Response to His Faith
Mohini (the Enchantress), Lust
Narada, Music 15. Siva, the Lord of Sleep The Origin of Saivism
The Tendency toward Disintegration (tamas)
The Many Aspects of Siva
The Fearful and Auspicious God
Rudra, the Lord of Tears, the Destroyer
The Name Rudra
The Personification of Anger
The Fire That Kills
Bhairava (the Terrible)
The Lord-of Elements or Lord-of-Ghosts (Bhutesvara)
Death, the Remover (Hara) Siva, the Auspicious, the Lord of Sleep
The Lord of Knowledge, Mahesvara
The Maheivara Sutra
Time (Kala), the All-Destroyer
The Divinity of Time
The Lord of Yoga
Sankara (the Giver of Joy) and Sambhu (the Abode of Joy)
The Hermaphrodite 16. The Forms of Rudra-Siva The Elemental Forms of Rudra 1. The Archer (Sarva) 2. Existence (Bhava) 3. The Herdsman (Pasupati) 4. The Ruler (Isana) 5. The Tremendous (Bhima) 6. The Lord-of-Tears (Rudra) 7. The Great-God (Maha-deva) 8. The Fearful (Ugra), or the Thunderbolt (Asani) The Five Components (kala) of Siva and the Manifestation of Speech 1. The Conqueror-of-Death (Mrtyum-jaya) 2. The Southern-Image (Daksina-murti) 3. The Lord-of-Lust (Kamesvara) 40. The Herdsman (Pasupati) 5. The Lord-of-the-Elements (Bhutesa) The Ruler of Space, the Five-faced 1. The Ruler (Isana) 2. The Supreme-Man (Tat-purusa) 3. The Nonfearful (Aghora) 4. The Left-hand-Deity (Vama-deva) 5. The Suddenly-born (Sadyojata) 17. The Image of Siva The White Color
The Three Eyes
The Moon
The Ganges
The Matted Hair
The Tiger Skin
The Four Arms
The Trident
The Spear Pasupata
The Ax, the Bow (Pinaka), and the Club Khatvanga
The Serpent
The Noose and the Garland of Skulls
The Ashes
The Hourglass-shaped Drum, the Damaru
The Bull
The Lion
Kasi, the Resplendent City 18. The Linga The Linga Is the Universe
The Yani
The Union of the Principles
The Divine Lust
The Father, Owner of the Linga
Bija, the Seed
The Worship of the Linga
Different Forms of Linga
The Linga of the Universe
The Cosmic Egg
The Formless Mass
The Altar's Fire
The Arrow
The Linga of Light
The "Supreme Sign," Maha-linga
The Self-born, Svayambhu
The Phallic Image
The Triangle 19. Brahma, the Immense Being Brahma, the Space- Time or Revolving Principle
The Names of Brahma
The Worship of Brahma
The Tales of Brahma
The Brahma Icon
The Golden Embryo, Hiranyagarbha
The Lord-of-Progeny (Praja-pati)
The Creation of the World
The Myth of Creation
The Creation of Man
The Creation of the Ritual Sacrifice
The Opening of the Cosmic Egg
The Duration of the Universe FOUR: The Divine Power (Sakti) as the Goddess 20. Sakti, the All-pervading Energy Power as Divinity
Origin and Worship of the Goddess 21. The Consorts of the Three Gods The Progenitors of the Gods
The Flowing-One (Saras-vati), the Divinity of Knowledge
The Divinity of Speech, Vac
The Goddess of Fortune, Laksmi
Destiny or Transcendent Fortune, Maha-Laksmi
Success (Radha), the Personification of Devotion
The Powers of Procreation, Development, and Destruction, Parvati, Sakti, and Kali
The Power-of-Enjoyment (ahladini-sakti)
The Amorous, Lalita
The Divinity of Lust, KameSvari
The Names of the Goddess 22. The Ten Objects-of-Transcendent-Knowledge (maha-vidya) The First Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Kali, the Power of Time, and the Night-of- Eternity (Maha-ratri) The Cycles of Time
The Eternal Night
Kali, the Power of Time
The Image of Kali
THE CORPSE
THE FEARFUL APPEARANCE
THE LAUGHTER
THE FOUR ARMS
THE SWORD
THE SEVERED HEAD
THE HAND REMOVING FEAR
THE GIVING HAND
THE GARLAND OF SKULLS
THE NAKEDNESS
THE FUNERAL PYRE
THE BLACK COLOR
The Dual Aspect of Kali" The Second Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Tara, the Star, the Power of Hunger, and the Night-of-Anger (Krodha-ratri)
Tara and Kali
The Representation of the Void
Other Aspects of Tara
The Image of Tara
The Worship of Tara The Third Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Sodasi the Girl-of-Sixteen, the Power of Perfection, and the Divine-Night (Divya-ratri)
The Fourth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Bhuvanesvari, the Lady of the Spheres, the Power of Knowledge, and the Night-of-Realization (Siddha-ratri)
The Fifth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Chinnamasta, the Beheaded, the Power of the Sacrifice, and the Night-of- Courage (Vira-ratri)
The Sixth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Bhairavi, the Fearful Goddess, the Power of Death, and the Night-of-Death (Kala-ratri)
The Seventh Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Dhumavati, the Smoky-One, the Power of Poverty, and the Night-of-Frustration (Daruna-ratri)
The Eighth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: The Deceitful, Crane-headed Bagala, the Power of Cruelty, and the Second Night-of-Courage (Vira-ratri)
The Ninth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: Matangi, the Elephant Power, the Power of Domination, and the Night-of-Delusion (Moha-ratri)
The Tenth Object of Transcendent Knowledge: The Lotus-Girl, Kamala, the Power of Wealth, and the Night-of-Splendor (Maha-ratri) 23. Some Other Aspects of the Goddess Uma
The Unborn or the She-Goat (Aja)
The Destroyer-of-the-Genii (Camunda)
The Coiled-Energy (Kundalini)
The Mother (Ambika)
The Seven-Mothers (Sapta-Matrkas)
Indrani
The Destroyer of the Buffalo-Demon (Mahisa-asura-mardini)
Minor Forms of the Goddess: Yoginis, Dakinis, Grahis, Bhairavis, and Sakinis FIVE: Secondary Gods 24. The Sons of Siva Ganapati or Ganesa, the Lord of Categories
The Cult and the Names of Ganapati
The Birth of Ganapati
The Meaning of Ganapati and Its Relation to the Number Principle
Elephant and Man
Thou Art That
The Remover of Obstacles
The Image of Ganapati
THE TUSK
THE TRUNK
THE FOUR ARMS
THE MOUSE
Kumara, the Adolescent 25. Minor Gods and Genii The Attendants of Siva
The Universal-Principles (Visvas or Visvadevas)
The Satisfied (Tusitas)
The Shining (Abhasvaras)
The Means-of-Realization (Sadhyas)
The Realized (Siddhas)
The Skillful-Craftsmen (Rbhus)
The Bearers-of-Wisdom (Vidya-dharas)
The Essences (apsaras)
The Fragrances (gandharva)
The Wanderers (carana)
The Heavenly-Humans (kinnara)
The Village- Angels (grama-devata) and Village-Goddesses (grama-kali)
The Ancestors (pitr)
Genii (daitya and danava)
The Serpents or Dragons, the Ever-Moving (naga)
The Night-Wanderers (raksasa)
The Eaters-of-Raw-Flesh (pisaca)
The Sorcerers (yatu or yatudhana)
The Vampires (vetala)
The Ghosts (preta)
The Wandering-Souls (bhuta)
The Fearful-Spirits (bhairava) 26. Other Deities Kama (Eros), the Divinity of Lust
The Seed-of-Lust (Kamabija)
The Architect-of-the- Universe ( Visva-karman)
The Architect-of-the-Antigods (Maya)
The Seizer (Rahu)
The COW
The Seers (rsi)
The Fiery (Angiras)
The Owner-of-Wealth (Vasistha)
The Universal-Friend (Visvamitra)
Ritual-Skill (Daksa)
The Crack-of-Fire (Bhrgu)
The Mover-of-Mountains (Agastya)
The Devourer (Atri)
Inspiration (Kratu)
The Giver-of-Advice (Narada)
Light (Marici)
Vision (Kasyapa)
Brhaspati (the Great Master), the Teacher of the Gods
Sukra, the Teacher of the Genii
Prthu, the First King
Manu, the Lawgiver SIX: The Representation and the Worship of Deities 27. The Representation of Deities The Worship of the Manifest Forms
The Representation of Deities
Other Kinds of or Seed Mantras 28. The Thought-Forms, or Mantras The Basic- Thought-Forms (bija-mantra)
Mantras
The Chief Basic Thought-Forms or Seed Mantras 1. The Seed-of-the-Immensity (brahma-bija) or Thought-Form-of the-Knowledge-of-the-Immensity (brahma-vidya mantra) 2. The Seed-of-Consciousness or Seed-of-Speech (vag-bija) 3. The Seed-of-Illusion ( maya-bija) or Seed-of-Energy (sakti-bija) 4. The Seed-of-Existence or Seed-of-Fortune (laksmi-bija) 5. The Seed-of-Desire (kama-bija) 6. The Primordial-Seed (adya-bija) or Seed-of-the-Power-of-Time (kan-bija) Other Seed Mantras
The Seed Mantras of the Elements
The Expanded Mantras The Mantra of the Supreme-Energy (para Sakti)
Flying through the Void (khecari bija)
Giiyatrl (the Protector of the Vital Energies)
Brahma Gayatri
Brahma Mantra
Rudra Mantra
The King-of-Mantras (mantra-raja)
The Pacifying of Misfortune
The Calming-of-Anger (krodhasanti)
The Fire-Mantra (agni-prajvalana)
The Fire extinguishing Mantra (agni-stambhana)
The Prevention-of-Sleep (nidra-stambhana)
The Siva Mantra of Five-Letters (pancaksara)
Hamsa-mantra, the Thought-Form of the Swan of Knowledge
The Thought-Form of Eight-Syllables (astaksrar) of Visnu
The Thought-Form of Fifteen-Syllables (pancadasi) of the First Goddess 29. The Yantras, or Magic Diagrams The Constituent Elements of the Yantras
The Point
The Straight Line
The Triangle
The Circle
The Hexagon
The Square
The Pentagon (Star)
The Cross
The Svastika
The Star Hexagon
The Lotuses
The Principal Yantras
The King-of-Tantras (yantra-raja)
The Tantra "Guarded on all Sides" (sarvatobhadra)
The Remover-of-Desire (smarahara)
The Remover of Desire ( Second Form)
The Yantra-of-Liberation (mukti)
The Sri Cakra
The Ganapati Yantra
The Visnu Yantra 30. The Images (murti) of Deities The Principal Elements of the Images of Deities
The Purpose of Image Worship
The Forms of the Images
Image Worship 31. The Worship of Deities The Object of Worship
The Kinds of Worship
The Stages of Worship 32. Ritual Life as a Ritual
The Rituals of Worship
The Technique of Worship
The Place of Worship
The Main Features of Individual-Worship (pujana)
The Purification and Dedication of the Body
Removing Obstacles
The Praise of the Deity
Meditation
Japa, the Repetition of Mantras
The Accessories of Worship
The Water
The Ornaments
The Perfume
The Flowers
The Incense
The Lamp
The Edibles
The Rice
The Lauds
The Waving of Lights
The Obeisance
Right- and Left-hand Ways Selective Bibliography Index