Author: H Daniel Smith
M Narasimhachari/
Publisher: Sundeep Prakashan
Year: 1997
Language: English
Pages: 308
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8175741643
Description
The thirty-five brief essays in this book provide glimpses of the variety that is most characteristic of Hinduism in urban south India today. By examination, selected objects widely revered in contemporary Dravidian country gods, goddesses, historical figures, sacred plants and stones are discussed.
The expert integration into each essay of K S Ramu's line drawings serves as vivid illustrations to the text.
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
INTRODUCTION
SECTION OONE : LORD OF BEGINNINGS
1. Ganapati (or Ganesa)
Notes to Section one
SECTION TWO : SIVA AND HIS ASSOCIATES
2. Siva-Linga
3. Siva-Mahayogin
4. Siva-Nataraja
5. Siva-Somaskanda
6. Parvati
7. Manikkavacakar (9th century)
8. Sankara (8th century)
9. Ramalinga (b. 1823) Notes to Section Two
10. Rama, Sita and Laksmana
11. Hanuman
12. Balakrsna
13. krsna Venugopala
14. krsna Gitacarya
15. Krsna with Rukmini and Satyabhama
16. krsna Guruvayurappan
17. Ranganatha (at Srirangam)
18. Venkatesvara
19. The Salagrama-Stone
20. Nammalvar 98th century)
21. Ramanuja (11th century)
22. Madhva (early 14th century)
23. Raghavendra (b 1601) Notes to Section Three
SECTION FOUR : SELECTED GODDESSES
24. Devi Durga
25. Devi Kali
26. Devi Kamaksi
27. Devi Laksmi
28. Devi Mariyamman
28. Devi Minaksi
30. Devi Sarasvati
Notes to Section Four
SECTION FIVE : OTHER FIGURES AND FORMS WIDELY WORSHIPPED
31. Aiyanar
32. Ayyappan
33. Murukan
34. The Nagas and Their Worship
35. The Tulasi Plant (The Sacred Basil Plant)
NOTES TO SECTION FIVE
APPENDIX : HYMNS OF ADORATION
GLOSSARY
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY
INDEX