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Hindu Myths: A Sourcebook Translated from the Sanskrit (Penguin Classics) Paperback – September 28, 2004

by Anonymous (Author), Wendy Doniger (Editor, Translator, Introduction)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 152 ratings
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Recorded in sacred Sanskrit texts, including the Rig Veda and the Mahabharata, Hindu Myths are thought to date back as far as the tenth century BCE. Here in these seventy-five seminal myths are the many incarnations of Vishnu, who saves mankind from destruction, and the mischievous child Krishna, alongside stories of the minor gods, demons, rivers and animals including boars, buffalo, serpents and monkeys. Immensely varied and bursting with colour and life, they demonstrate the Hindu belief in the limitless possibilities of the world - from the teeming miracles of creation to the origins of the incarnation of Death who eventually touches them all.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    358 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Classics
  4. Publication date
    September 28, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    7.8 x 5.08 x 0.87 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0140449906
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0140449907
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wendy Doniger holds doctoral degrees in Indian literature from Harvard and Oxford Universities and is the Mircea Eliade Professor of the History of Religions at the University of Chicago. Her publications include translations of The Rig Veda and The Laws of Manu for the Penguin Classics, and the acclaimed Kama Sutra for OUP.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Classics; unknown edition (September 28, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 358 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140449906
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140449907
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.8 x 5.08 x 0.87 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 152 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
152 global ratings
Enclosed Image of the Lord Shiva Descending from Heaven
1 Star
Enclosed Image of the Lord Shiva Descending from Heaven
What a way to sell a book! Without understanding Hindu culture and literature, without having been immersed in it the way a Hindu can only know, this woman gives a scurrilous and morbid idea of the Hindu faith without understanding the meaning of it then causes ripples in the Hindu community knowing it is largely a faith built on the precepts of peace. It is a Hindu that will step to make way for peace when the time calls for it. I once saw a European man reciting Sanskrit in my temple and he became part of the everyday prayers held at the temple that you have to wonder what made him choose the faith so much this way because he went beyond what a Hindu would do and chose to sit and recite Sanskrit mantras to show his love for the faith. As someone who has been touched by the miracles of the Hindu and Christian faith and is able to produce images to prove the existence of Shiva, Parvathi and Krishna as well as Shanmuga, I know that Hinduism is real. If people want to continue denigrating a faith, go on. The test for Hinduism stays. For centuries, Hindus have been persecuted by the Moslems and Christians, deeply wronged by two faiths which wanted complete control over a land that developed its own course of history and destiny. History shows that the Moslems even waged war to make it a point to kill 6,000 Hindus a day and we still live. A distinguished Syrian Christian I know once confided in my family that he is where he is because his Brahmin family was forced into conversion to embrace the Christian faith because the British forced conversions threatening Indian lives. I guess he feels very much on the crossroads now knowing where his roots take him.I am sorry this woman calls herself an authority on the Hindu faith but she forgets one thing. When she walks into the temple to pray, not a Hindu would stone her but if she dares denigrate another's faith, only hostility would surmount her. And therein lies the integrity and greatness of a faith. You will not be able to change Hinduism with thousands of books created by Wendy Doniger. If it suits your purpose to read worthless publications to harness some amusement, go on. It would do nothing to change the Hindu man or woman.
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Top reviews from the United States

RUTH
5.0 out of 5 stars thumbs up!
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2013
Verified Purchase
I ordered this book for a class im taking and was thrilled when i received it. Although i received an older version of the book all the same information was present in the text so i didnt mind. The book was also very well maintained and looked like one of those old library treasures that was hidden on some shelf for many a year until just recently found... nonetheless very happy. Oh and the myths in the book are pretty interesting too; its a fun read that can make you think.
12 people found this helpful
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Alicia MN
5.0 out of 5 stars I am fairly unfamiliar with Hindu mythology, so I ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2017
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I am fairly unfamiliar with Hindu mythology, so I was very excited to get this collection. I can't speak for the translation job, but it was an enjoyable read.
2 people found this helpful
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Anne Mahoney
4.0 out of 5 stars good scholarly source on ancient Sanskrit (not modern Hinduism)
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2010
This is not a book on Hinduism, but on the traditional stories of the Vedic religion. Doniger O'Flaherty is a competent, respected scholar who knows this material inside out and, of course, knows Sanskrit extremely well. Her translations are readable and her notes are good. She gives readers a path through the luxuriant jungles of ancient Sanskrit literature and scholarship.

If you're looking for a devotional aid, this isn't it; if you're looking for modern Hinduism, it's not that either. But if you're interested in what stands behind the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Rig Veda, this is a good place to start. There are copious references to Sanskrit sources and there is a good bibliography (though as the book is now 35 years old, the bibliography is getting a bit dated).
35 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast shipping..quality product
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
Shipped very fast. New book with no marks or highlights. Very pleased! Thank you.
One person found this helpful
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Gary W
3.0 out of 5 stars Too many gods
Reviewed in the United States on September 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a deep dive in to Hindu Myths.You have to get use to extra gods springing for main gods.As the Greeks & Romans you have gods for everything.It wore me out trying to get the names about half way through.
One person found this helpful
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jy12
5.0 out of 5 stars book delivery/condition
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2012
Verified Purchase
It came on time and it was in very good condition! almost brand new. it came faster than i expected.
2 people found this helpful
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rudyd
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2016
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Very good specific read
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Beans
2.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, just not what I was looking for
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2021
Verified Purchase
It’s a little hard to read because it’s all old text reference - small passages - with stories that include the gods. I was hoping for something that explained the mythology, explain how all the gods are connected, why they represent the things they do. Anyone have recommendations for that?
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Erin
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Collection of Mythos
Reviewed in Canada on September 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
Came undamaged. I enjoy myth and comparative mythology, the annotations help with context for the myths for better understanding. Lots of great tales.
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genauhinschauen
5.0 out of 5 stars Standardwerk
Reviewed in Germany on July 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
Donigers sorgfältig kommentierte Textauswahl aus Puranas und Epen gilt seit 50 Jahren als Standardwerk. Zu Recht.
Amüsant, wenn hier offenbar fundamentalistische Hindus (Pseudonym "Govinda") behaupten, die führende Indologin könne kein Sanskrit. Wer den Bollywood- Hinduismus über die ("heiligen") Texte stellt, mag so etwas behaupten. Und sollte besser selbst Sanskrit lernen und seine vollmundige Kritik an Text überprüfen.
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Dr Binay Kumar Pattnaik
5.0 out of 5 stars very well served
Reviewed in India on July 21, 2022
Verified Purchase
Very well served. keep it up.
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Susan Jennifer Leach
2.0 out of 5 stars Libro con polvo adentro
Reviewed in Spain on January 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
Libro antiguo deteriorado con hojas sueltas y un especie de ponía con polvo adentro del libro. Esperaba un libro usado pero en mejor estado.
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Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars Hindu Myths
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
Book in excellent condition. A fast & reliable service. Arrived on thime. A very good price, i would recommend this book yo anyone who wants to enrich their knowledge of eastern culture.
One person found this helpful
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