Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit

by Various

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Mythology, Short Stories, Spirituality, Philosophy, Hinduism

106 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

About the author

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If an editor is known, however, Various is not necessary. List the name of the editor as the primary author (with role "editor"). Contributing authors' names follow it.

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Reviews

[Kumari de Silva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love fairy tales. This could have been a great book full of stories that may not be familiar to people in the West, but the translation was more dry than charming. I think I would have liked the stories better with a different translator, one who values beautiful sentences and words as much as meaning. These felt like they were translated word for word. Perhaps there is more poetry to the original because the tales are seated within their own language and culture.

[GoldenjoyBazyll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection of stories from India. They each had a thread that connected them. Someone was not truthful - a magical situation occurred- justice was achieved. I particularly loved the first story about the man who went into the forest and came upon a camp of fairies. These faires told him that his family would be taken care of if he would only stop with them. Then they showed him their magic pitcher. Each time you thought of something wonderful to eat you could reach in and out it would come. He stayed for a long time and meanwhile his family worried but had to figure out how to go on without their father. The story goes on and the man decides to leave the fairies and they want to give him a gift. Never did they dream the man would want to take their precious pitcher from them. Try as they might to get him to take one of the other treasures in their possession- he wants the pitcher and so they must honor their promise to give him the gift of his choice. Of course the man decides not to share the fortune with his family. He hides the pitcher in the woods and daily visits it to get what his family and friends want. Finally after pulling tasty wine from the pitcher and over indulging with his family and friends he agrees to show everyone where all the lovely food and drink has been coming from. Unfortunately- if only he could have remembered all things in moderation his fate might not have been so bad. Of course... if I finished the story here you would have no reason to read it so..... enjoy the search for the perfect ending to this lovely tale. Either read the book or make one up of your own! ;)

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of stories, much akin to fairy tales, with questions for introspection suitable to children. Not being well versed with Hindu philosophy, I felt as if I may not be fully appreciating the background morality for the tales but still enjoyed them. They seem instructional, however, and perhaps a quote in the forward can serve to provide insight.

"Seek to know thyself by means of thyself, keeping thy mind, intellect and senses, under control; for self is thy friend as it is also thy foe." ~~ Vidura

A suitable book to have my daughter read and write an essay regarding the questions from one of the stories, I think.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice overview of Hindu Tales but nothing outstanding. I would be interested in reading about their stories more. Another text might be more interesting. The presentation of the stories in this book are dry and unimaginative. Dull.

[Zachary Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best set of fairy tales I've read. The questions to ask children about the story were ok I guess.

[Rupinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of 9 short stories collected from various sources. IMHO, the stories were a bit too simplistic. However, that may be because young children were the target audience of this book, who would love these stories.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful tales. Questions for after each chapter help to understand the morality and meaning of the stories. One of the best fable books yet.