Hindu Gods And Goddesses

"This elegantly got up handy volume of a couple of hundred pages draws the reader into a fascinating labyrinth of symbols and mythology, philosophic speculation and spiritual insight.

Swami Harshananda presents here quite a comprehensive spectrum of the VIP's in the Hindu Pantheon. His erudition sits lightly on him for though full of facts and ideas the book -is almost conversational in style.

After dealing succinctly with the multiplicity of divine forms, Swami Harshananda underlines that all of them ultimately point to the indivisible Infinite. Altogether a delightful volume to read and to treasure."

-THE HINDU 9-6-1981

"The author finds a successful clue to the understanding of the Hindu pantheon in the employment of symbolic interpretation. According to that clue, he elaborates the significance of divine figures and forms, ornaments and weapons, vehicles and retinue. He interprets the bewildering variety of Hindu gods on the principle that "the gods are doorways leading to one Godhead." Once their "symbolic significance" is understood, he maintains that the gods and goddesses can help a great deal in meditative and contemplative exercises. They can lead the aspirant to 'more profound levels of Spiritual experience.'

"One of the important features of the book is the copious illustrative sketches of the different gods, and goddesses; they are simple and graphic. They enhance the usefulness of the book to the general readers. It deserves a wide audience."

-WORLD FAITHS-INSIGHT

New Series, University of Virginia. 1981.

Contents:

   List of Illustration 
   Key of Transliteration
   Bibliography
   Foreword
   Preface to the Second Edition
   Preface
1. Introduction
2. The Concept of God in Hinduism
3. A General Note on the Gods of Hinduism
4. The Vedic Gods
5. The Trinity
    Brahma
6. The Trinity (Continued)
    Visnu
    Avatars of Visnu
    Caturvyuthas 
    Minor Incarnations
    Other Aspects of Visnu Commonly Worshipped 
    Minor Deities Associated with Visnu
7. The Trinity (Continued)
    Siva
    Sivalinga
    Aspects of Lord Siva
    Minor Deities Associated with Siva
8. Shakti or the Divine Power as the Goddess
    Sarasvati
    Lakshmi
    Samudramathana (Churning of the Ocean)
    Aspects of Lakshmi
    Eight Saktis of Visnu
    Alaksmi
    Parvati
    Aspects of Parvati-Saptamatrkas
    Dasamahavidyas
    Durga
    Kali
    Lalita
    Other Aspects of Parvati
9. Minor Deities
    Ganapati
    Icons of Ganapati
    Subrahmanya
    Sasta
    Navagrahas
    Astadikpalakas
    Other Deities
10.From Gods to Godhead