Indian Mythology - Tales, Symbols, and Rituals from the Heart of the Subcontinent

Sep 20, 2026

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Indian Mythology: Tales, Symbols, and Rituals from the Heart of the Subcontinent presents major Hindu myths through clear thematic lenses: how myth is studied, the idea of god, and the function of myth in shaping understanding and coping. It moves across expressions, comparison, mythopoesis, and mythography, drawing examples from texts such as the Bhagavata Purana, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Shiva Purana, Vishnu Purana, and related folklore. The book connects creation, heaven and hell, ascetic ideals, and interpretive approaches to enduring symbols and rituals.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages258

Reading Time10 h 50 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Chapter 1: Mythology - Studying Myth

MYTH AND MYTHOLOGY

EXPRESSIONS OF MYTH

THE FUNCTION OF MYTH

COPING THROUGH MYTHMAKING

Chapter 2: Mythosphere - Comparing Myths

THE IDEA OF GOD

DEVILS AND DEMONS

CREATION WITH A DIFFERENCE

HEAVEN OR HELL

Chapter 3: Mythopoesis - Transforming Myth

MARCH OF THE VEDIC HYMNS

THE ASCETIC IDEAL

THE BIRTH OF GOD

INVASIONS AND IMMIGRATIONS

Chapter 4: Mythography - Interpreting Myth

HISTORY AND PREHISTORY

STRATEGIC CHARTERS

Indian Mythology This page intentionally left blank. Indian Mythology Tales, Symbols, and Rituals from the Heart of the Subcontinent Devdutt Pattanaik Inner Traditions Rochester, Vermont Inner Traditions International One Park Street Rochester, Vermont 05767 [www.InnerTraditions.com](www.InnerTraditions.com) Copyright © 2003 by Devdutt Pattanaik All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Pattanaik, Devdutt. Indian mythology : tales, symbols, and rituals from the heart of the Subcontinent / Devdutt Pattanaik. [p. cm](p. cm). Includes bibliographical references and index. ebook ISBN 978-1-59477-558-1 print ISBN 978-0-89281-870-9 1. Mythology, Hindu. I. Title. BL2001 .3.P37 2003 294.5'13—dc21 2003000048 Printed and bound in the United States at Lake Book Manufacturing Inc. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Text design and layout by Rachel Goldenberg This book was typeset in Veljovic and Avenir Contents Introduction Chapter 1 * Mythology: Studying Myth Vishnu and the Earth Cow (Bhagavata Purana) MYTH AND MYTHOLOGY EXPRESSIONS OF MYTH Renuka’s Umbrella (Mahabharata)• Renuka’s Infidelity (Mahabharata)• Renuka’s Head (Yellamma Mahatmya)• Arjuna and the Navagunjara (Orissan folklore based on the Mahabharata)• The Half-Woman God (Tamil Temple Lore)• A Golden Effigy of Sita (Uttara Ramayana)• Lakshmi’s Symbols (Orissan folklore) THE FUNCTION OF MYTH Rama’s Ring (Folklore based on the Ramayana)• A Palace for Indra (Brahmavaivarta Purana)• Shambuka Beheaded (Uttara Ramayana)• The Beheading of Brahma (Shiva Purana) COPING THROUGH MYTHMAKING CONCLUSION Chapter 2 * Mythosphere: Comparing Myths THE IDEA OF GOD Harishchandra (Bhagavata Purana)• The Past Life of Yashoda and Nanda (Padma Purana)• The Doorkeepers of Vishnu (Bhagavata Purana) 1 7 9 14 34 56 62 64 70 DEVILS AND DEMONS Why Rama Went into Exile (Ramayana)• The Curse of Gandhari (Mahabharata)• The Offering of Bel Leaves (Linga Purana)• Indra Seduces Ahalya (Ramayana)• Churning the Ocean to Find Shri (Bhagavata Purana) CREATION WITH A DIFFERENCE The Birth of the Three Gods (Folklore)• Brahma Opens His Eyes (Vishnu Purana)• Brahma’s Mind-Born Sons (Brahmavaivarta Purana)• Brahma Splits Himself (Shiva Purana)• The Creation of Death (Mahabharata)• Transformations of the Daughter (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad) HEAVEN OR HELL The Birth of Urvashi (Bhagavata Purana)• Mahabhisha (Mahabharata)• Agastya’s Ancestors (Mahabharata)• Heaven for Markandeya (Linga Purana)• The Death of Yama (Rig Veda)• Vishnu Cursed (Padma Purana)• Fish to the Rescue (Matsya Purana) CONCLUSION Chapter 3 * Mythopoesis: Transforming Myth MARCH OF THE VEDIC HYMNS The Beheading of Vishwarupa (Mahabharata)• Durvasa’s Curse (Padma Purana)• Mount Vindhya Bows (Uttara Ramayana)• The Birth of River Kaveri (Kaveri Mahatmya)• Repelling Taraka (Ramayana)• Rama Befriends the Monkeys (Ramayana)• The Burning of Khandavaprastha (Mahabharata)• The Marriage of Marisha (Bhagavata Purana)• The Body of Society (Rig Veda)• Vishwamitra Becomes a Rishi (Bhagavata Purana)• Ekalavya (Mahabharata)• Atoning for Killing Ravana (Rishikesh Sthala Purana)• Ammaveru’s Husband (South Indian folklore)• The Birth of Krishna (Harivamsa) THE ASCETIC IDEAL Parashurama Destroys the Warrior Race (Vishnu Purana) • The Golden Mongoose (Mahabharata)• Yagnavalkya Rebels (Brahmanda Purana)• Nachiketa Questions Yama (Katha Upanishad)• Vidura’s Past Life (Mahabharata)• Shiva 86 96 104 113 115 116 127 Enlightens Matsyendra-nath (Nav-Nath-Charitra)• The Destruction of Daksha’s Yagna (Skanda Purana)• Kapila’s Fiery Glance (Ramayana)• Trishanku (Vishnu Purana)• Kumbhakarna’s Asceticism (Ramayana)

FAQs

What central question does the book address in its study of Indian mythology?

It examines how myth is studied and understood, using structured themes like expressions of myth, the function of myth, and how myth helps people cope.

Which themes organize the comparison of myths in Chapter 2?

Chapter 2 groups myths around ideas of god, devils and demons, different forms of creation, and notions of heaven or hell.

How does Chapter 4 approach interpreting myth?

Chapter 4 presents mythography through history and prehistory narratives, followed by strategic charters that organize key myth episodes and related traditions.

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Noah