Author: Steven G Darian
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2001
Language: English
Pages: 219
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8120817613
Description
The inspiration of poets and artists for centuries, the mysterious Ganga is the essence of the Divine Mother bringing increase and salvation, but also death and destruction. The author writes of the human experience and the legendary myths that surround the Ganges.
No river has kindled Man’s imagination like the Ganges.
From its icy origins high in the Himalayas, this sacred river flows through the holy cities and the great plains of northern India to the Bay of Bengal.
In a country where the red heat of summer inspires prayer for the coming monsoon, the life-giving waters of the Ganges have assumed legendary powers in the form of the Hindu goddess Ganga, the source of creation and abundance. Pilgrims flock to her shores to cleanse and purify themselves, to cure ailments, and to die that much closer to paradise.
Steven Darian writes of the human experience and the legendary myths that surround the Ganges. The inspiration of poets and artists for centuries, the mysterious Ganga is the essence of Divine Mother bringing increase and salvation, but also death and destruction.
Nowhere are her powers felt more than in Bengal where Hindu and Moslem practices coalesce in worship of the capricious Ganga. Here the shifting riverbed of the great Ganges has built and plague as well as life and benediction to the people.
While collecting material for this book, Dr. Darian lived by the Ganges, explored her shores, and was a pilgrim to the Ganga Sagar festival at Sagar Island off Calcutta where the sacred river and the ocean merge.
Contents
Illustrations
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledge
1. The Source
2. The Waters of Creation
3. The Indus Legacy
4. The Settlers
5. Ganga and Sarasvati: The Transformation of Myth
6. Ganga and Artemis: Two Versions of a Single Theme
7. The New Vision
8. The Rise of Ganges Civilization
9. Ganga, Shiva, and the Hindu Temple
10. The Image of Ganga in Indian Art
11. The Ganges in Bengal
12. The Image of Ganga in the West
Notes
Bibliography
Index