Indian Myth and Legend

by Donald A. Mackenzie

This volume deals with the myths and legends of India, which survive to us in the rich and abundant storehouse of Sanskrit literature, and with the rise and growth of Brahmanism, Buddhism, Jainism, &c. The reader is introduced to the various sacred works of the Hindus, including the ancient invocatory hymns of the four Vedas, the later speculative and expository "Forest Books" in which "the Absolute is grasped and proclaimed," and those great epic poems the Ramayana, which is three times longer than the Iliad, and the Mahabharata, which is four times longer than the Ramayana. In no other country have the national poets given fuller and finer expression to the beliefs and ideals and traditions of a people, or achieved as a result wider and more enduring fame. At the present day over two hundred million Hindus are familiar in varying degrees with the legendary themes and traditional beliefs which the ancient forest sages and poets of India invested with much beautiful symbolism, and used as mediums for speculative thought and profound spiritual teachings.

Genres: Mythology, India, Nonfiction, Religion, Short Story Collection

412 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1913

About the author

Donald Alexander Mackenzie was a Scottish journalist and folklorist and a prolific writer on religion, mythology and anthropology in the early 20th century.

Reviews

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myths and fables have always interested me. As a child the heroic tales captured my imagination but as an adult I have seen them as clues to new old worlds and civilizations and backdrops for scientific developments.

[Vaishali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not entirely accurate when compared to actual Sanskrit texts, but still an interesting read.

[katy p · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to DNF this book but I pushed through. This is not because it’s a bad book I’m sure others would enjoy it but personally the writing style didn’t speak to me, for a book that’s about myths it didn’t transport me. It wasn’t magical. Instead I just kept getting annoyed over how the women were treated, and a little bored elsewhere.

[Charles Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels slightly dated now, and the archaeology of the early Indian civilisations will have moved on. However, a good introduction to the major Indian sagas.