Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists

by Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, Sister Nivedita

Gathered together in a single volume, here are the most important stories of Indian mythology, taken mainly from the epic poems the Mahabharata & the Ramayana, with additional tales from the purana & vedas from assorted narratives of Krishna, Buddha & Shiva. The stories range from the initial stages of mythos to the final, mature state. Includes 32 illustrations by Abanindro Nath Tagore & others.
Preface
Illustrations
Mythology of the Indo-Aryan races
The Ramayana
The Mahabharata
Krishna
Buddha
Shiva
Other stories from the Puranas, epics & vedas
Conclusion

Genres: Mythology, Religion, Buddhism, India, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Spirituality

414 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1913

About the author

Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy was a Ceylonese philosopher and metaphysician, as well as a pioneering historian and philosopher of Indian art, particularly art history and symbolism, and an early interpreter of Indian culture to the West. In particular, he is described as "the groundbreaking theorist who was largely responsible for introducing ancient Indian art to the West." (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Ο σιδεράς · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ο Ράμα έμεινε ατάραχος, σαν ωκεανός που του αφαιρούν μια κούπα νερό." 

Εγώ πάλι όχι' αυτό το βιβλίο μού πρόσφερε κάμποσες κούπες ινδικού μελιού.. 

Απ όλα έχει η ινδική μυθολογία και θεογονία. Πίστευα ότι το φαντάζι έφτασε σε κορυφή με τον άρχοντα των δακτυλιδιών μέχρι που συνάντησα τα  κείμενα για τον Άρχοντα των προσευχών, τον Κρίσνα.. Αρκετές οι κοινές με την αιγυπτιακή, ελληνική και  μεσοποτάμια μυθολογία αναφορές, ίσως οι δημιουργοί τους να σύχναζαν στα ίδια σύννεφα.. 

Θα έλειπε ο ερωτισμός από τη μυθολογία λαού που πρόσφερε στους υπόλοιπους το κάμα σούτρα ; Οχι, το αντίθετο - χειρότεροι κι απ' τους Έλληνες:

"Λέγεται ότι τον μήνα του μέλιτος συνήθιζαν να περιπλανιούνται κάτω από το φεγγαρόφωτο. Μια νύχτα ζεστή και μαγευτική πήγαν ως τις όχθες της λιμνούλας που λαμπύριζε από τα άνθη του λωτού. 

Ο Ράμα είπε: "Αγαπημένη μου έχεις τη χάρη του λωτού, τα μαλλιά σου είναι σαν μεταξένια βρύα, τα μάτια σου σαν όμορφες μέλισσες' λάμπει το πρόσωπο σου σαν την απαλή αντανάκλαση του φεγγαριού στα νερά, τα χέρια σου είναι μίσχοι λωτών, το στήθος σου μοιάζει με τα μπουμπούκια του γλυκού λωτού, ασύγκριτη γυναίκα μου". 

Βούτηξαν μαζί στα δροσερά, φεγγαρόλουστα νερά, και ο Ράμα έραινε τη γυναίκα του με όμορφα νερολούλουδα. Η Σίτα υποχωρούσε εμπρός του, ώσπου βυθίστηκε ολόκληρη στο νερό' έπειτα αγκάλιασε γλυκά τον Ράμα πλέκοντας τα χέρια της γύρω στο λαιμό του κι εκείνος δεν βιάστηκε να την απομακρύνει, τόσο πολύ αγαπούσε το αγκάλιασμα της. Έπαιζαν κρυφτό ανάμεσα στα άνθη που έπλεαν"...

[Harish Challapalli · Rating 2 out of 5]

A big book of errors!! I suggest not to read this book!! I am shocked that RK math is promoting a book like this!! No. Of errors are less but they are unexcusable errors!!

I request the publishers to correct those and reprint!!

[Dhananjay Ashok · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just one version of many others, and there are a few redactions and alterations that I noted and did not appreciate (Draupadi's attempted disrobing for example was redacted, perhaps to make the story more PG). Nonetheless the stories are really fun, and this is a good abridged version and stepping stone into basic Hindu mythology.

[Anakin Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Ramayana specifically, but as others have stated, will definitely need to go back and read a better translation.

[William Schram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful series of stories about Indian deities in general. It talks about the cosmology and noble gods and goddesses and other such things. Some of the scenes and events would make a fantastic movie or series of movies. For instance, when Haruman the Monkey God tries to find Sita, the wife of Rama and the adventures he goes on are really cool. It would be a pretty hard R if it turned out the way I imagined it. There is so much gore and Monkey Death.

I would read this again, since it was quite enjoyable.

[Dennis · Rating 2 out of 5]

ENGLISH REVIEW:

I have read comments that this book alters some of the facts narrated in the stories of Indian mythology which it shares, as well as being a poor translation of them. However, after reading it you can quickly and superficially access to some of the most important stories of Indian culture. There are no stories from Buddhism except the one about the Buddha, the rest is all from the Vedic religion or Hinduism. It was a curious read, but not entirely enlightening, and at times a bit confusing. Nevertheless, I generally enjoyed it.

REVIEW EN ESPAÑOL:

He leído comentarios de que este libro altera algunos de los hechos narrados en las historias de la mitología India que comparte, además de ser una mala traducción de las mismas. No obstante, tras leerlo puedes acceder de forma rápida y superficial a algunas de las historias más importantes de la cultura India. Del budismo no expone ninguna historia salvo la de Buda, el resto es todo perteneciente a la religión Védica o el Hinduismo. Ha resultado una lectura curiosa, pero no del todo amena, y a veces un poco confusa. No obstante, en general lo he disfrutado.

[Islomjon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I was looking for... After reading The Hero With a Thousand Faces I was eager to explore more about Hinduism with its colorful and quite fantastic mythology. This book encompasses major myths retold into modern language. Although the book does not contain all Indian writings, it is interesting to briefly familiarize yourself with eposes such as Mahabharata and Ramayana, and some opinions towards particular cult of Shiva or Krishna.

[Gabrielle Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I really loved the history that came with these stories and their ties to Hindu and Buddhist religion, I had a very hard time being able to stay on track with it. Perhaps it is because it is because I am not as well versed in this area of mythology and religion as I should have been. But there was also no map or pronunciation guide to help the reader understand the context and language a little better. Those would have been much more helpful for me to be able to read through the stories effectively.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains stories of Indian Mythology, mainly from “The Mahabharata” and “The Ramayana.”

This book also contains several illustrations related to Indian Mythology.

I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Asian Culture, including Indian Mythology.

[Déborah F. Muñoz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Serán narraciones tradicionales... pero a la mayoría no le he visto ni emoción ni sentido.

[CHETAN SURI · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an easy read. The Writing isn't too terse, and the stories were eye opening.

[Ron Me]

First book on the subject I found to be short enough to be comprehensible. Not exactly PC anymore, but that shouldn't deter you

[Betty Ho · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always fun to learn about the legends and myths of different religions - these stories breeze new life into the temples and monuments which are otherwise just a bunch of beautiful architecture to those non-believer such as myself.

This books collect most legends of Hinduism and Buddhism, including the must-read epics - the Mahabharat and Ramayana. It also tries to explain the meaning behind each stories.

However, sometimes I found it quite hard to follow as it keeps changing the names of Gods throughout the book. Also, there are quite a few typographical errors in the edition I read.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried to read this but didn't get beyond 1st chapter.

Quite confusing and I couldn't quite follow what the author was going on about.

There must be a better book that describes the Hindu texts and Buddhist philosophy??

[Liam Malone · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the required readings in Comp Lit 108: Comparative Mythology at Penn State.

[Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An eye-opener in college that I probably should, but won't, go back to.

[Jessica✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only had to read to page 322 for my class. So I'm putting it as read. I would like to say I enjoyed it, but I found it rather hard to get into.