3 Review(s)

This is an authoritative and accessible A-to-Z guide to the mythologies and legends of India, Tibet and Sri Lanka. It contains over 160 alphabetical entries describe the central mythical figures of the area and their importance in the ancient world. Superb pictorial feature spreads illustrate the themes and symbols at the heart of each culture, such as the Avatars of Vishnu, the Mother Goddess, the Life of the Buddha, and Bodhisattvas and Tirthankaras. It is a unique and indispensable reference to the exciting tales and ancient legends of the Indian sub-contentinent and the surrounding areas. Organised in an immediately accessible A-to-Z structure, fully cross-referenced throughout, the book covers the pantheon of gods of South and Central Asian mythology, from Aditi to the Yidams of Tibet. It includes over 150 colour pictures of all the key characters, signs, symbols and events, such as mythical mountains, sacred rivers, the Mother Goddess and the life of the Buddha, many taken from original sources. Central to the book are detailed tales of gods, spirits and demons not only from India, but Tibet and Sri Lanka.Included are legends of gods and people who have shaped religious and philosophical thinking throughout the world for thousands of years, to the present day. The book is punctuated with colourful feature spreads that tie together the key themes that run through the different mythological traditions.