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Handbook of Hindu Gods, Goddesses and Saints Popular in Contemporary South India

H. Daniel Smith, Sundeep, 1997, Reprint, xvi, 308 p, figs, ISBN : 81-7574-000-0, $50.00 (Includes free airmail shipping)
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Contents: Introduction. I. Lord of beginnings: 1. Ganapati (or, Ganesa). Notes to section one. II. Siva and his associates: 2. Siva-Linga. 3. Siva-Mahayogin. 4. Siva-Nataraja. 5. Siva-Somaskanda. 6. Parvati. 7. Manikkavacakar (9th century). 8. Sankara (8th century). 9. Ramalinga (b. 1823). Notes to section two. III. Visnu and associated figures: 10. Rama, Sita and Laksmana. 11. Hanuman. 12. Balakrsna. 13. Krsna Venugopala. 14. Krsna Gitacarya. 15. Krsna with Rukmini and Satyabhama. 16. Krsna Guruvayurappan. 17. Ranganatha (at Srirangam). 18. Venkatesvara. 19. The Salagrama-stone. 20. Nammalvar (8th century). 21. Ramanuja (11th century). 22. Madhva (early 14th century). 23. Raghavendra (b. 1601). Notes to section three. IV. Selected Goddesses: 24. Devi Durga. 25. Devi Kali. 26. Devi Kamaksi. 27. Devi Laksmi. 28. Devi Mariyamman. 29. Devi Minaksi. 30. Devi Sarasvati. Notes to section four. V. Other figures and forms widely worshipped: 31. Aiyanar. 32. Ayyappan. 33. Murukan. 34. The Nagas and their worship. 35. The Tulasi plant (the sacred basil plant). Notes to section five. Appendix: Hymns of adoration. Glossary. Suggestions for further study. Index.

"The 35 brief essays in this book provide glimpses of the variety that is most characteristic of Hinduism in urban south India today. By examining selected objects widely revered in contemporary Dravidian country Gods, Goddesses, historical figures, sacred plants and stones--the authors succeed at once in disclosing to attentive readers what in the South mirrors Hindu norms throughout India and what remains ineluctably local. Beyond that, distinctive details of worship provided here document subtly different nuances in beliefs and practices upheld even among the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada speakers within the region.

"The volume is instructively arranged with essays pertaining to conventional sectors of Hindu faith grouped together. Many readers may wish to read from beginning to end following the order of presentation. Yet most essays also stand as discrete entities. Thus it is appropriate for some readers to start with any essay in the book that captures initial interest and, from it, to move to other essays as curiosity dictates. Either way will prove a pleasure. Admirers of this book in its earlier edition will be pleased to know of its availability in this newly updated, revised and enlarged, second edition." (jacket)

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