Author: Vinay Sitapati
Publisher: Penguin UK
ISBN: 9386057727
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 379
Book Description
When P.V. Narasimha Rao became the unlikely prime minister of India in 1991, he inherited a nation adrift, violent insurgencies, and economic crisis. Despite being unloved by his people, mistrusted by his party, and ruling under the shadow of 10 Janpath, Rao transformed the economy and ushered India into the global arena. With exclusive access to Rao’s never-before-seen personal papers and diaries, this definitive biography provides new revelations on the Indian economy, nuclear programme, foreign policy and the Babri Masjid. Tracing his early life from a small town in Telangana through his years in power, and finally, his humiliation in retirement, it never loses sight of the inner man, his difficult childhood, his corruption and love affairs, and his lingering loneliness. Meticulously researched and brutally honest, this landmark political biography is a must-read for anyone interested in knowing about the man responsible for transforming India.
Half - Lion
Author: Vinay Sitapati
Publisher: Penguin UK
ISBN: 9386057727
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 379
Book Description
When P.V. Narasimha Rao became the unlikely prime minister of India in 1991, he inherited a nation adrift, violent insurgencies, and economic crisis. Despite being unloved by his people, mistrusted by his party, and ruling under the shadow of 10 Janpath, Rao transformed the economy and ushered India into the global arena. With exclusive access to Rao’s never-before-seen personal papers and diaries, this definitive biography provides new revelations on the Indian economy, nuclear programme, foreign policy and the Babri Masjid. Tracing his early life from a small town in Telangana through his years in power, and finally, his humiliation in retirement, it never loses sight of the inner man, his difficult childhood, his corruption and love affairs, and his lingering loneliness. Meticulously researched and brutally honest, this landmark political biography is a must-read for anyone interested in knowing about the man responsible for transforming India.
Publisher: Penguin UK
ISBN: 9386057727
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 379
Book Description
When P.V. Narasimha Rao became the unlikely prime minister of India in 1991, he inherited a nation adrift, violent insurgencies, and economic crisis. Despite being unloved by his people, mistrusted by his party, and ruling under the shadow of 10 Janpath, Rao transformed the economy and ushered India into the global arena. With exclusive access to Rao’s never-before-seen personal papers and diaries, this definitive biography provides new revelations on the Indian economy, nuclear programme, foreign policy and the Babri Masjid. Tracing his early life from a small town in Telangana through his years in power, and finally, his humiliation in retirement, it never loses sight of the inner man, his difficult childhood, his corruption and love affairs, and his lingering loneliness. Meticulously researched and brutally honest, this landmark political biography is a must-read for anyone interested in knowing about the man responsible for transforming India.
NARASIMHA : THE FIERCE PROTECTOR
Author: Yamini Malhotra
Publisher: SGSH Publications
ISBN: 9366315046
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 89
Book Description
In the vast pantheon of Hindu deities, Lord Narasimha stands out as an embodiment of divine fury with ultimate protection. He is the fierce fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born in a moment of cosmic need to vanquish the formidable demon king Hiranyakashipu and restore the balance between good and evil. His form—a lion-headed, human-bodied god—evokes both awe and reverence, representing the transcendence of the divine, beyond the limitations of human comprehension. The story of Lord Narasimha is etched in the hearts of devotees across ages, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness and faith over oppression and tyranny. His incarnation was catalyzed by the unshakable devotion of Prahlada, a young boy who, despite immense suffering inflicted by his own father, Hiranyakashipu, never wavered in his faith in Vishnu. When all seemed lost, when the forces of darkness appeared insurmountable, Lord Vishnu manifested in a fearsome, unique form—Narasimha—emerging from a pillar to honour the boon given to Hiranyakashipu while circumventing its limitations. In his terrifying form, Lord Narasimha tore apart the tyrant with his bare hands, at twilight, on the threshold of a palace—fulfilling the conditions of Hiranyakashipu’s boon in a way that only the divine could. This episode, immortalized in sacred texts such as the Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana, is not just a story of destruction but of divine intervention for the protection of the faithful and the restoration of cosmic balance. But the glories of Lord Narasimha do not end with this dramatic victory. His essence continues to inspire countless devotees as a reminder of divine protection, even in the darkest moments. He is worshiped not only for his fearsome aspect but also for his grace. After slaying Hiranyakashipu, Narasimha’s rage did not subside until the touch of his devotee, Prahlada, calmed his ferocity, reminding the world that the ultimate nature of the divine is not destruction, but peace and love. The worship of Lord Narasimha takes on many forms, from grand temple rituals to humble personal prayers. His devotees see him not just as a fierce protector, but as a compassionate guardian who safeguards them from the trials and tribulations of life, granting peace and security to those who seek his blessings. This book delves deep into the multifaceted glories of Lord Narasimha—his appearance, his divine leelas, his significance in Hinduism, and the enduring relevance of his story in today’s world. We will explore the layers of his symbolism, from his role as the protector of dharma to the metaphysical insights his form offers. Through scriptures, stories, and the accounts of devotees, we hope to illuminate the profound lessons hidden within the roar of this divine lion. As you turn these pages, may you be inspired by the ferocity of Narasimha’s love, his promise to protect the righteous, and the eternal truth that no force, however dark, can stand against the divine will. In Narasimha’s glories, we find both the strength to stand firm in our beliefs and the solace that we are never alone in the face of adversity. May the blessings of Narasimha be with you always. Jai Sri Sarva Vighna Vinashkari Srila Narasimha Dev ji ki Jai!
Publisher: SGSH Publications
ISBN: 9366315046
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 89
Book Description
In the vast pantheon of Hindu deities, Lord Narasimha stands out as an embodiment of divine fury with ultimate protection. He is the fierce fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, born in a moment of cosmic need to vanquish the formidable demon king Hiranyakashipu and restore the balance between good and evil. His form—a lion-headed, human-bodied god—evokes both awe and reverence, representing the transcendence of the divine, beyond the limitations of human comprehension. The story of Lord Narasimha is etched in the hearts of devotees across ages, symbolizing the triumph of righteousness and faith over oppression and tyranny. His incarnation was catalyzed by the unshakable devotion of Prahlada, a young boy who, despite immense suffering inflicted by his own father, Hiranyakashipu, never wavered in his faith in Vishnu. When all seemed lost, when the forces of darkness appeared insurmountable, Lord Vishnu manifested in a fearsome, unique form—Narasimha—emerging from a pillar to honour the boon given to Hiranyakashipu while circumventing its limitations. In his terrifying form, Lord Narasimha tore apart the tyrant with his bare hands, at twilight, on the threshold of a palace—fulfilling the conditions of Hiranyakashipu’s boon in a way that only the divine could. This episode, immortalized in sacred texts such as the Bhagavata Purana and the Vishnu Purana, is not just a story of destruction but of divine intervention for the protection of the faithful and the restoration of cosmic balance. But the glories of Lord Narasimha do not end with this dramatic victory. His essence continues to inspire countless devotees as a reminder of divine protection, even in the darkest moments. He is worshiped not only for his fearsome aspect but also for his grace. After slaying Hiranyakashipu, Narasimha’s rage did not subside until the touch of his devotee, Prahlada, calmed his ferocity, reminding the world that the ultimate nature of the divine is not destruction, but peace and love. The worship of Lord Narasimha takes on many forms, from grand temple rituals to humble personal prayers. His devotees see him not just as a fierce protector, but as a compassionate guardian who safeguards them from the trials and tribulations of life, granting peace and security to those who seek his blessings. This book delves deep into the multifaceted glories of Lord Narasimha—his appearance, his divine leelas, his significance in Hinduism, and the enduring relevance of his story in today’s world. We will explore the layers of his symbolism, from his role as the protector of dharma to the metaphysical insights his form offers. Through scriptures, stories, and the accounts of devotees, we hope to illuminate the profound lessons hidden within the roar of this divine lion. As you turn these pages, may you be inspired by the ferocity of Narasimha’s love, his promise to protect the righteous, and the eternal truth that no force, however dark, can stand against the divine will. In Narasimha’s glories, we find both the strength to stand firm in our beliefs and the solace that we are never alone in the face of adversity. May the blessings of Narasimha be with you always. Jai Sri Sarva Vighna Vinashkari Srila Narasimha Dev ji ki Jai!
The Myths of Narasiṁha and Vāmana
Author: Deborah A. Soifer
Publisher: State University of New York Press
ISBN: 1438420633
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
The Sanskrit Puranas and epics are replete with stories of the avatars, incarnations of the god Visnu in various forms to rid the universe of malevolent forces and to restore the proper cosmic balance. As Narasimha, half-man half-lion, Visnu finds a loophole in the pact of invulnerability the demon Hiranaipu has received from god Brahma, and rends the demon apart with his claws. As the brahmin dwarf, Vamana, Visnu deceives the demon Bali with his diminutive appearance and thwarts Bali's attempt to gain universal sovereignty. After carefully analyzing the myths of Vamana and Narasimha, Deborah Soifer grounds her study in the textual history of each avatar and its myth, in their religious contexts, and in the intricate cosmology of the classical period of Hinduism. Contrasting the bestial persona of Narasimha with Vamana's priestly appearance and his associations with early cosmologic themes, she finds complementarity and significance in this pair as they are viewed in the larger context of periodic cosmic destructions and recreations. While focusing primarily on these two mythological figures, Soifer's work explores the relationship between dharma and the 'devious' acts of gods; the interplay between cosmic and 'sociocosmic' levels of reality; and the relationship between cosmology, theology, and soteriology in a religious worldview.
Publisher: State University of New York Press
ISBN: 1438420633
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
The Sanskrit Puranas and epics are replete with stories of the avatars, incarnations of the god Visnu in various forms to rid the universe of malevolent forces and to restore the proper cosmic balance. As Narasimha, half-man half-lion, Visnu finds a loophole in the pact of invulnerability the demon Hiranaipu has received from god Brahma, and rends the demon apart with his claws. As the brahmin dwarf, Vamana, Visnu deceives the demon Bali with his diminutive appearance and thwarts Bali's attempt to gain universal sovereignty. After carefully analyzing the myths of Vamana and Narasimha, Deborah Soifer grounds her study in the textual history of each avatar and its myth, in their religious contexts, and in the intricate cosmology of the classical period of Hinduism. Contrasting the bestial persona of Narasimha with Vamana's priestly appearance and his associations with early cosmologic themes, she finds complementarity and significance in this pair as they are viewed in the larger context of periodic cosmic destructions and recreations. While focusing primarily on these two mythological figures, Soifer's work explores the relationship between dharma and the 'devious' acts of gods; the interplay between cosmic and 'sociocosmic' levels of reality; and the relationship between cosmology, theology, and soteriology in a religious worldview.
Crossing the Healing Zone
Author: Bedi, Ashok, M.D.
Publisher: Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
ISBN: 0892542039
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 246
Book Description
The medicine of the 20th century was about the treatment of illness. The medicine of the 21st century is about wellness. Crossing the Healing Zone advances the new concepts of the emerging frontiers of integrative medicine, bringing together Eastern and Western healing traditions and merging body, mind, and spirit in a Jungian perspective. The journey through the Healing Zone that Dr. Bedi proposes is guided by archetypes and myths, active imagination, dreams and synchronicities, and the neuroplastic mysteries of our complex physical reality. The Healing Zone can be described in many ways—as the fourth dimension of consciousness, as quantum consciousness, as Jung’s “psychoid space,” as the Buddhist Third Way, or as the “gap” between the ego and the soul. Here, we can access all three areas of the triune brain—reptilian, limbic, and neocortical—all of which must be addressed in order to achieve full integration and healing. The Healing Zone is a bridge between the ego and the soul—a bridge that we can cross to reach the healing wisdom of the universe. Dr. Bedi outlines how to work with psychological and soul processes in moving from illness to wellness, and provides practical methods and techniques that can help readers access and engage the Healing Zone. The book contains informative and visual guidelines and practices that can help us create and manage our own personal wellness programs and become full and active partners in our own journeys from illness to wellness.
Publisher: Nicolas-Hays, Inc.
ISBN: 0892542039
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 246
Book Description
The medicine of the 20th century was about the treatment of illness. The medicine of the 21st century is about wellness. Crossing the Healing Zone advances the new concepts of the emerging frontiers of integrative medicine, bringing together Eastern and Western healing traditions and merging body, mind, and spirit in a Jungian perspective. The journey through the Healing Zone that Dr. Bedi proposes is guided by archetypes and myths, active imagination, dreams and synchronicities, and the neuroplastic mysteries of our complex physical reality. The Healing Zone can be described in many ways—as the fourth dimension of consciousness, as quantum consciousness, as Jung’s “psychoid space,” as the Buddhist Third Way, or as the “gap” between the ego and the soul. Here, we can access all three areas of the triune brain—reptilian, limbic, and neocortical—all of which must be addressed in order to achieve full integration and healing. The Healing Zone is a bridge between the ego and the soul—a bridge that we can cross to reach the healing wisdom of the universe. Dr. Bedi outlines how to work with psychological and soul processes in moving from illness to wellness, and provides practical methods and techniques that can help readers access and engage the Healing Zone. The book contains informative and visual guidelines and practices that can help us create and manage our own personal wellness programs and become full and active partners in our own journeys from illness to wellness.
Author:
Publisher: Apkallu Press
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 474
Book Description
The Apocalypse of Enoch and Bhuśunda The Apocalypse of Enoch and Bhuśunda challenges the underlying assumptions of the classical roots of civilization by restoring the original context of creation mythology. In this second volume of A Chronology of the Primeval Gods and the Western Sunrise, ancient myths from multiple geographies are correlated to spikes in cosmic rays over the past 120,000 years – as documented in ice core data. The chronology and content of these myths tell us that the primary forces behind these cataclysms were the most ancient gods - hyper-nova at the Galactic Center associated with Sgr A*(The Dragon), Sgr West (The Beast) and Sgr East (Hiranyâksha and Hiranyakas'ipu), with secondary supernova seen as the birth of new, destructive gods. Ancient myth has documented the cataclysmic destruction of the world on at least twenty occasions with four major geo-polar migrations, which has resulted in a shift of the earth’s equator on at least one occasion. Multiple myths are shown to represent a view of the sky that can only be seen from the Antarctic region. Multiple versions of the myths of Orion are analyzed, showing clear linkages between the Vedic myth of Trisanku, the Book of Genesis, Senmut's Tomb, and the myths of Prajāpati Daksa representing the oldest version of the Orion myth – older than Trishanku and Genesis by 20,000 years! The stunning conclusion explains how the “Watchers” of Enoch were the Vedic descendants of Ila and Iksvaku. These descendants of the seventh Manu had been observing and recording the stars as a source of cataclysm for at least 15,000 years prior to Enoch, thus allowing Enoch to prophesize a ‘new heaven.’ That prophecy became the foundation for St John’s Book of Revelations, which is shown to be a description of a series of cataclysms attributed to Sgr West. The book offers a new theory for explaining geo-polar migration. That theory suggests small shifts in the location of the earth’s center of gravity underlie each migration, but that there are multiple causes for the shifts.
Publisher: Apkallu Press
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 474
Book Description
The Apocalypse of Enoch and Bhuśunda The Apocalypse of Enoch and Bhuśunda challenges the underlying assumptions of the classical roots of civilization by restoring the original context of creation mythology. In this second volume of A Chronology of the Primeval Gods and the Western Sunrise, ancient myths from multiple geographies are correlated to spikes in cosmic rays over the past 120,000 years – as documented in ice core data. The chronology and content of these myths tell us that the primary forces behind these cataclysms were the most ancient gods - hyper-nova at the Galactic Center associated with Sgr A*(The Dragon), Sgr West (The Beast) and Sgr East (Hiranyâksha and Hiranyakas'ipu), with secondary supernova seen as the birth of new, destructive gods. Ancient myth has documented the cataclysmic destruction of the world on at least twenty occasions with four major geo-polar migrations, which has resulted in a shift of the earth’s equator on at least one occasion. Multiple myths are shown to represent a view of the sky that can only be seen from the Antarctic region. Multiple versions of the myths of Orion are analyzed, showing clear linkages between the Vedic myth of Trisanku, the Book of Genesis, Senmut's Tomb, and the myths of Prajāpati Daksa representing the oldest version of the Orion myth – older than Trishanku and Genesis by 20,000 years! The stunning conclusion explains how the “Watchers” of Enoch were the Vedic descendants of Ila and Iksvaku. These descendants of the seventh Manu had been observing and recording the stars as a source of cataclysm for at least 15,000 years prior to Enoch, thus allowing Enoch to prophesize a ‘new heaven.’ That prophecy became the foundation for St John’s Book of Revelations, which is shown to be a description of a series of cataclysms attributed to Sgr West. The book offers a new theory for explaining geo-polar migration. That theory suggests small shifts in the location of the earth’s center of gravity underlie each migration, but that there are multiple causes for the shifts.
The Myths of Narasimha and Vamana
Author: Deborah A. Soifer
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 9780791408001
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
The Sanskrit Puranas and epics are replete with stories of the avatars, incarnations of the god Visnu in various forms to rid the universe of malevolent forces and to restore the proper cosmic balance. As Narasimha, half-man half-lion, Visnu finds a loophole in the pact of invulnerability the demon Hiranaipu has received from god Brahma, and rends the demon apart with his claws. As the brahmin dwarf, Vamana, Visnu deceives the demon Bali with his diminutive appearance and thwarts Bali's attempt to gain universal sovereignty. After carefully analyzing the myths of Vamana and Narasimha, Deborah Soifer grounds her study in the textual history of each avatar and its myth, in their religious contexts, and in the intricate cosmology of the classical period of Hinduism. Contrasting the bestial persona of Narasimha with Vamana's priestly appearance and his associations with early cosmologic themes, she finds complementarity and significance in this pair as they are viewed in the larger context of periodic cosmic destructions and recreations. While focusing primarily on these two mythological figures, Soifer's work explores the relationship between dharma and the 'devious' acts of gods; the interplay between cosmic and 'sociocosmic' levels of reality; and the relationship between cosmology, theology, and soteriology in a religious worldview.
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 9780791408001
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 340
Book Description
The Sanskrit Puranas and epics are replete with stories of the avatars, incarnations of the god Visnu in various forms to rid the universe of malevolent forces and to restore the proper cosmic balance. As Narasimha, half-man half-lion, Visnu finds a loophole in the pact of invulnerability the demon Hiranaipu has received from god Brahma, and rends the demon apart with his claws. As the brahmin dwarf, Vamana, Visnu deceives the demon Bali with his diminutive appearance and thwarts Bali's attempt to gain universal sovereignty. After carefully analyzing the myths of Vamana and Narasimha, Deborah Soifer grounds her study in the textual history of each avatar and its myth, in their religious contexts, and in the intricate cosmology of the classical period of Hinduism. Contrasting the bestial persona of Narasimha with Vamana's priestly appearance and his associations with early cosmologic themes, she finds complementarity and significance in this pair as they are viewed in the larger context of periodic cosmic destructions and recreations. While focusing primarily on these two mythological figures, Soifer's work explores the relationship between dharma and the 'devious' acts of gods; the interplay between cosmic and 'sociocosmic' levels of reality; and the relationship between cosmology, theology, and soteriology in a religious worldview.
The Body of God
Author: D Dennis Hudson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 019536922X
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 687
Book Description
Although Hudson died without completing 'The Body of God', the work has been edited and brought to fruition by Margaret Case. The book is a detailed study of a renowned Tamil Hindu temple, the Vaikuntha Perumal (ca. 770 CE). Hudson uses this temple as an illustration of a major current and historical stage in South Indian Vaisnava religion.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 019536922X
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 687
Book Description
Although Hudson died without completing 'The Body of God', the work has been edited and brought to fruition by Margaret Case. The book is a detailed study of a renowned Tamil Hindu temple, the Vaikuntha Perumal (ca. 770 CE). Hudson uses this temple as an illustration of a major current and historical stage in South Indian Vaisnava religion.
Criminal Gods and Demon Devotees
Author: Alf Hiltebeitel
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 9780887069819
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 512
Book Description
The Hindu sacred order is guarded by the very gods who violate it and the demons who oppose it. This book is a who's who of such transgressive figures, both familiar and unfamiliar, showing their place within the Hindu order that they violate. It is also a reflection of the serious scholarly debate over the nature and composition of this Hindu order. The chapters range from pan-Hindu deities such as Bhairava and Virabhadra to guardian gods of specific regions and lineages and of different goddess cults. Chapters cover violent themes in SAaivite hagiography, the position of Brahmans in relation to cultic carnivorism, guardian heroes in folk epic, the deified dead, the royal mythology of a "criminal caste," and a wide-ranging overview of transgressive sacrality.
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 9780887069819
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 512
Book Description
The Hindu sacred order is guarded by the very gods who violate it and the demons who oppose it. This book is a who's who of such transgressive figures, both familiar and unfamiliar, showing their place within the Hindu order that they violate. It is also a reflection of the serious scholarly debate over the nature and composition of this Hindu order. The chapters range from pan-Hindu deities such as Bhairava and Virabhadra to guardian gods of specific regions and lineages and of different goddess cults. Chapters cover violent themes in SAaivite hagiography, the position of Brahmans in relation to cultic carnivorism, guardian heroes in folk epic, the deified dead, the royal mythology of a "criminal caste," and a wide-ranging overview of transgressive sacrality.
Curious Poses
Author: Lucy Greeves
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472991494
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 197
Book Description
Deepen your practice and discover the myths, gods, sacred animals and imagery that lie hidden in your favourite yoga postures Meet the monks and maharajas, gods and gymnasts who shaped yoga as we know it. Have you ever wondered why yoga postures look the way they do, or how they got their names? From Lotus to Warrior, Cobra to Happy Baby, this book takes a fresh look at the stories behind 30 familiar poses. By drawing in on Hindu scripture, mythology and the animals, birds and flowers the original Indian yogis saw around them, Curious Poses explores the symbolism of yoga postures many of us practise every week and offers inspiration to regular practitioners and yoga teachers alike. Let this book take you on a journey into a treasure trove of yoga history, mythology, philosophy and pop culture that enlightens and entertains by turns. Featuring full-colour illustrations, Curious Poses is an ideal mat companion for the curious yoga enthusiast.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472991494
Category : Health & Fitness
Languages : en
Pages : 197
Book Description
Deepen your practice and discover the myths, gods, sacred animals and imagery that lie hidden in your favourite yoga postures Meet the monks and maharajas, gods and gymnasts who shaped yoga as we know it. Have you ever wondered why yoga postures look the way they do, or how they got their names? From Lotus to Warrior, Cobra to Happy Baby, this book takes a fresh look at the stories behind 30 familiar poses. By drawing in on Hindu scripture, mythology and the animals, birds and flowers the original Indian yogis saw around them, Curious Poses explores the symbolism of yoga postures many of us practise every week and offers inspiration to regular practitioners and yoga teachers alike. Let this book take you on a journey into a treasure trove of yoga history, mythology, philosophy and pop culture that enlightens and entertains by turns. Featuring full-colour illustrations, Curious Poses is an ideal mat companion for the curious yoga enthusiast.
Animals in Religion
Author: Barbara Allen
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1780236050
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 555
Book Description
Animals in Religion explores the role of animals within a wide range of religious traditions. Exploring countless stories and myths passed down orally and in many religious texts, Barbara Allen—herself a practicing minister—offers a fascinating history of the ways animals have figured in our spiritual lives, whether they have been Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or any number of lesser-known religions. Some of the figures here will be familiar, such as St. Francis of Assisi, famous for his accord with animals, or that beloved remover of obstacles, Ganesha, the popular elephant god in the Hindu pantheon. Delving deeper, Allen highlights the numerous ways that our religious practices have honored and relied upon our animal brethren. She examines the principle of ahimsa, or nonviolence, which has Jains sweeping the pathways before them so as not to kill any insects, as well as the similar principle in Judaism of ts’ar ba’alei chayim and the notion in some sects of Islam that all living creatures are Muslim. From ancient Egypt to the Druids to the indigenous cultures of North America and Australia, Allen tells story after story that emphasizes the same message: all species are spiritually connected.
Publisher: Reaktion Books
ISBN: 1780236050
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 555
Book Description
Animals in Religion explores the role of animals within a wide range of religious traditions. Exploring countless stories and myths passed down orally and in many religious texts, Barbara Allen—herself a practicing minister—offers a fascinating history of the ways animals have figured in our spiritual lives, whether they have been Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or any number of lesser-known religions. Some of the figures here will be familiar, such as St. Francis of Assisi, famous for his accord with animals, or that beloved remover of obstacles, Ganesha, the popular elephant god in the Hindu pantheon. Delving deeper, Allen highlights the numerous ways that our religious practices have honored and relied upon our animal brethren. She examines the principle of ahimsa, or nonviolence, which has Jains sweeping the pathways before them so as not to kill any insects, as well as the similar principle in Judaism of ts’ar ba’alei chayim and the notion in some sects of Islam that all living creatures are Muslim. From ancient Egypt to the Druids to the indigenous cultures of North America and Australia, Allen tells story after story that emphasizes the same message: all species are spiritually connected.