Epic Hinduism

Contents: Preface. 1. Popular Hinduism. 2. Popular entertainment. 3. Cult of serpent worship. 4. Shalabhanjika: Bride of tree. 5. Sankarshana-Balaram. 6. Veda of love. 7. Ras: a fertility ritual. 8. Pranishirshi Devata. 9. Mythology of spirits. 10. Popular mother Goddesses. 11. Ahimsa in epic of war. 12. Sun God Surya. 13. Ghatotkacha. 14. Shanti Path.

The Indian Epics- Ramayana and Mahabharata- were the harbinger of popular Hinduism which is practiced today. On the one side it covered the ancient Vedic religion and on the other assimilated in it’s fold various religious streams originated in India. Number of diverse influences went into it’s composition. The book gives the history of this process spread over several centuries. In addition number of essays on related subjects are included in the book to make it more comprehensive. (jacket)