Shiva: Stories and Teachings from the Shiva Mahapurana
Product ID: 4714925
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The traditional understanding of Shiva told through stories and teachings from the Shiva Mahapurana • Explains Shiva’s contradictory forms, such as destroyer or benefactor, and how his form depends on the needs of the devotee • Reveals how Shiva’s teachings allow one to see through the illusions at the root of all grief and alienation in human life • Explores Shiva’s relationships with Durga, Shakti, Sati, and Parvati and with his sons Ganesha and Kartikeya Shiva, the most ancient and complex deity of the Hindu pantheon, has been portrayed in many contrasting lights: destroyer and benefactor, ascetic and householder, wild demon slayer and calm yogi atop Mount Kailash. Drawing from the Hindu sacred text the Shiva Mahapurana --said to be written by Shiva himself--Vanamali selects the essential stories of Shiva, both those from his dark wild side and those from his benevolent peaceful side. Vanamali discusses Shiva’s many avatars such as Shambunatha and Bhola, as well as Dakshinamurti who taught the shastras and tantras to the rishis. She explores Shiva’s relationships with Durga, Shakti, Sati, and Parvati and with his sons Ganesha and Kartikeya. Examining Shiva’s acceptance of outsiders, Vanamali explains why ghosts and ghouls are his attendants and why his greatest devotees are demon kings, like Ravana. She includes famous Shiva stories such as the Descent of the River Ganga and Churning the Milky Ocean as well as those that reveal the origin of the festival of lights, Diwali; his creation of the cosmic couple, or hierogamos; and how Shiva and Parvati taught the world the secrets of Kundalini Shakti. The author also draws upon Shaivite teachings to illustrate the differences between Western science and Vedic science and their explanations for the origins of consciousness. Integrating Shiva’s two sides, the fierce and the peaceful, Vanamali reveals that Shiva’s form depends on the needs of the devotee. Understanding his teachings allows one to see through the illusions at the root of all grief and alienation in human life, for Shiva is the wielder of maya who does not fall under its spell. While Ganesha is known as the remover of obstacles, Shiva is the remover of tears. Review: Clarified the Shiva Mahapurana! - Explained and filled in many blanks in my knowledge about Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Brahma, and the ancient Hindu pantheon. We have been watching Hindu videos on You Tube without knowing the Hindi language and wanted to understand what was going on better. Reading this book clarified a lot! I especially appreciated the transliterated mantras, the extra lists and the glossary. My meditations have really been enhanced and I feel more intimate with the massive active consciousness of the Lord of the Cosmos. A little old lady wrote this book, you can find racier versions of this material. Being a little old lady myself, I was much relived at the dignity with which the stories were presented. I only wish the book could have been much thicker with more in depth intricacies, but that would not be one book. Good job condensing the essentials! I will re-read this one. Aum, Namah Shivaya! Review: Really complimentary, well written, well put together, thoughtful book on Shiva - The author is clearly a bright soul! It’s not surface level, or overly complicated and theological. It’s a beautifully written, thoughtful book, and the physical quality of the book and paper is good too. No tiny print or cheap scans. You’ll agree within your first 5 or 10 minutes reading it. Great purchase, I’m very satisfied.
| Best Sellers Rank | #359,218 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #35 in History of Hinduism #39 in Hindu Theology (Books) #446 in Other Eastern Religions & Sacred Texts (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 324 Reviews |
V**D
Clarified the Shiva Mahapurana!
Explained and filled in many blanks in my knowledge about Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu, Brahma, and the ancient Hindu pantheon. We have been watching Hindu videos on You Tube without knowing the Hindi language and wanted to understand what was going on better. Reading this book clarified a lot! I especially appreciated the transliterated mantras, the extra lists and the glossary. My meditations have really been enhanced and I feel more intimate with the massive active consciousness of the Lord of the Cosmos. A little old lady wrote this book, you can find racier versions of this material. Being a little old lady myself, I was much relived at the dignity with which the stories were presented. I only wish the book could have been much thicker with more in depth intricacies, but that would not be one book. Good job condensing the essentials! I will re-read this one. Aum, Namah Shivaya!
N**E
Really complimentary, well written, well put together, thoughtful book on Shiva
The author is clearly a bright soul! It’s not surface level, or overly complicated and theological. It’s a beautifully written, thoughtful book, and the physical quality of the book and paper is good too. No tiny print or cheap scans. You’ll agree within your first 5 or 10 minutes reading it. Great purchase, I’m very satisfied.
M**.
Great Book
I love this book. It tells of Shiva which is my favorite of Trimurtis. It explains many different aspects of Shiva instead of him just being the destroyer, which is more realistic. If he was just the destroyer he be more akin to a messenger or angel than a personification of the one God. Iy even tells you how you can worshio him/her and even speaks of Shakti/Shivaa. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in eastern religion.
V**H
A nice read
This is a very easy read for first timers with no exposure to the Shiva Mahapuranam... very well narrated! However, I am still looking for a more elaborate translation of Shiva Mahapuram and then compare it with this book
M**G
Best Book on Shiva?
My two favorite books on Shiva are Shiva: Stories and Teachings from the Shiva Mahapurana by Vanamali and Shiva: The Lord of Yoga by Frawley.
S**R
Inspiring
Another inspiring book by this devout writer. I truly felt a personal connection with Mahadev after reading this beautiful text.
D**O
An awesome account of the stories of Shiva
An awesome account of the stories of Shiva. Vanamali is superb in her rendering of such an ancient knowlege to the ordinary person..would recommend it whole heartly to anyone searching for truth.
A**R
Life will transform in a good way.
Very interesting! Everyone who believes in Lord Shiva must definitely read this.. Life will transform in a good way.
D**L
Nice Book to read.
If you are interested in knowing the stories of Shiva puran, this book will guide you through all the experiences in a simplified and interesting manner. Btw paper quality was good, recommended for buying.
B**A
Enchanting book on lord Shiva
Great book! While other writers use poetry or incomprehensible language to explain stories this book is clear and concise. Using simple prose the author transports you to the mountains of Kailasa Shiva’s abode. This is a great book to read to children also as a bedtime story. The tales of the Shiva Mahaparanas are beautifully told. Also there is a handy glossary at the back that readers can easily access the meanings of any Sanskrit terms used.
S**R
Wunderbar
Dieses Buch ist einfach wunderbar. Es ist sprachlich sehr ausgefeilt und es erfüllt einen, die Geschichten um und über Lord Shiva zu lesen, einzutauchen in eine andere Gefühls- und Gedankenwelt, mit Liebe und Tiefe. Om Namashivaya!
S**N
Are we looking at Nataraja or Rudra?
It is a very well written text by an author who literally lives the subject matter. She is a devotee of Krishna who is a close relative to Shiva in a convoluted manner. This text does not even claim to be objective on the subject matter, but it does make for a fascinating read.
A**ー
日本語翻訳版がほしい
日本にはシヴァ神について書かれた本がとても少ないので思い切って海外の本を購入してみました。 英語が苦手なのでアプリで翻訳しながら読んでますが細かい部分がよく解らなかったりして歯がゆいです。 内容が素晴らしいのでぜひ日本語翻訳版を出版してほしいです。 よろしくお願いします！
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