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Within Hinduism a large number of personalities or 'forms', are worshipped as murtis. These beings are either aspects of the supreme Brahman, avatars of the supreme being, or significantly powerful entities known as devas. The exact nature of belief in regards to each deity varies between differing Hindu denominations and philosophies. Often these beings are depicted in humanoid, or partially-humanoid forms, complete with a set of unique and complex iconography in each case. In total, there are 330,000,000 (33 crores or 330 million) of these supernatural beings in various Hindu traditions. ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! According to Hindu mythology, Makara, a mythical creature, is the vahana of Ganga and Varuna. It is also the insignia of Kamadeva, a god representing love and lust, and Kama's flag (dhwaja) is known as Karkadhvaja, that is, a flag having makara depicted on the flag. Traditionally, a makara is considered to be an aquatic creature, and some traditional accounts identify it with crocodile, whereas some other accounts identify it with dolphin. Still others portray it as a fish body with an elephant's head. The tradition identifies the makara with water, the source of all existence and fertility. In astrology, it is the sign of Capricorn, one of the twelve symbols of the Zodiac. ... Read more

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HINDU MYTHOLOGY. THE VEDIC DEITIES. CHAPTER I. THE VEDAS. BEFORE speaking of the Vedic Deities, it is necessary that something be said concerning the Vedas themselves, the source of our information respecting these deities. The root of the word is vid, "to know:" hence the term Veda signifies k1lowledge ,. and as at first these books were not written, it signifies knowledge that is heard, or orally communicated. The Vedas are not supposed to be the work of a single perSOll, but it is believed that they were communicated to a number of Rishis or saints, who in their turn transmitted them to their disciples. The instruction contained in these writings is said to have been breathed forth by God Himself. At other times it is said to have issued from Him like smoke from fire. Sometimes the Vedas are said to have sprung from the elements. The accounts of their origin differ in form, but agree in teaching that they were the direct gift of God to man; and hence they are reg

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CON TEN T S; PART I-THE VEDIC DEITIES; CHAP I-THE VEDAS; " II-THE VEDIC GODS GENERALLY; " lII-DYAUS AND PRITHIVI; " IV-ADITI AND THE ADITYAS ; " V-AGNI; " VI-SUN OR LIGHT DEITIES-; 1 SURYA ; 2 PUSHAN; 3 MITRA AND V ARUNA; 4 THE ASVINS; 5 USHAS; " VII-THE STORM DEITIESI; INDRA; 2 INDRANI; 3 PARJANYA; 4 VAYU; 5 THE MARuTs; " VIIl-SoMA; "; "; CHAP; "; "; IX-TvASTRI OR VISVAKARliA ; X-YAlIA; PART II-THE PURANIC DEITIES; I-THE PURANAS; II-BRAHMA; III-BRAHMA ?; SARASVATI; PAGE; 3; 7; 10; 14; 18; 25; 30; 31; 37·; 40; 45; 53; 54; 55; 57; 59; 64-; 67; 77; 80; 84; 91; (-; XlI CONTENTS ; CHAP IV-VISHNU; LAKSHMI; "; "; "; V-THE INCARNATIONS OR AVATARAS OF VISHNUJ; THE MATSYA OR FISH AVATARA; 2 THE KURMA OR TORTOISE AVATARA; 3 THE VARAHAR OR BOAR AVATARA; 4 THE NRISINGHA OR MAN-LION AVATARA; 5 THE VAMANA OR DWARF AVATARA; 6 THE PARASURAMA AVATA ... Read more

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The Discworld is the fictional setting for all of Terry Pratchett's Discworld fantasy novels. It consists of a slightly convex disc (complete with edge-of-the-world drop-off and consequent waterfall) resting on the backs of four huge elephants which are in turn standing on the back of an enormous turtle, named Great A'Tuin (similar to Chukwa or Akupara from Hindu mythology) as it slowly swims through space. The Disc is heavily influenced by magic and while similar to planet Earth, it generally conforms to its own laws of narrative causality. Pratchett first explored the idea of a disc-shaped world in the novel Strata (1981). ... Read more

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High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Yali also known as Vyalam or Sarabham in Sanskrit, is a mythical creature seen in many Hindu temples, often sculpted onto the pillars. Yali is a mythical lion, and it has been widely used in south Indian sculpture. Descriptions of and references to yalis are very old, but they became prominent in south Indian sculpture in the 16th century. Yalis are believed to be more powerful than the lion or the elephant. In its iconography and image the yali has a catlike graceful body, but the head of a lion with tusks of an elephant (gaja) and tail of a serpent. Sometimes they have been shown standing on the back of a makara, another mythical creature. Some images look like three-dimensional representation of yalis. ... Read more

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Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Aṅkuśa, Vajra, Asi, Chakram, Trishula, Sudarshana Chakra, Vel, Khaṭvāńga, Parashu, Brahmastra, Chentu, Arrow of Brahma, Gandiva, Danda, Narayanastra, Shiva Dhanush, Pashupatastra, Varunastra, Sharanga. Source: Wikipedia. Free updates online. Not illustrated. Excerpt: The Akua (Sanskrit) is an accoutrement employed in the handling and training of elephants, the largest land animals. It consists of a hook (usually bronze or steel) which is attached to a two- or three-foot handle. The hook is inserted into the elephant's sensitive skin, either slightly or more deeply, to cause pain and induce the elephant to behave in a certain manner. A relief at Sanchi and a fresco at the Ajanta Caves depict a three person crew on the war elephant, the driver with an ankusha, what appears to be a noble warrior behind the driver and another attendant on the posterior of the elephant. Nossov and Dennis (2008: p. 19) report that two Ankusha, perfectly preserved were recovered from an archaeological site at Taxila and are dated from 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE according to Marshall. The larger of the two is 65 cm long. Nossov and Dennis (2008: p. 16) state: An ankusha, a sharpened goad with a pointed hook, was the main tool for managing an elephant. The ankusha first appeared in India in the 6th-5th century BC and has been used ever since, not only there, but wherever elephants served man. Elephants at a California wildlife sanctuary and a handler holding an ankus.'Ankua' (Sanskrit; Wylie: lcags-kyu) becomes 'ankus' (Hindi) due to non-vocalization of the final phoneme. The Ankua may also be orthographically rendered Ankusha, Ankush, Ankusa, Ankus. The Ankua is also known as a goad or hook. Sometimes more specifically a bullhook, elephant hook, or elephant goad. The handle can be made of any...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=2046473 ... Read more

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And An Appendix Comprising The Minor Avatars And The Mythological And Religious Terms Of The Hindus. ... Read more

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This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

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Chapters: Soma, Asura, Amrita, Yasoda, Trisiras, Hindu Mythological Wars, Shankha, Shakti Peethas, Origin of Jat People From Shiva's Locks, Hamsa-Sandesha, Vimana, Samagana, Samudra Manthan, Hiranyagarbha, Urubhanga, Syamantaka, Jadabharata, Devadatta, Tandava, Shakambhari, Kayavarohan, Charaka, Dhruva, Dakshinapatha, Gandaberunda, Śuka, Chir Batti, Kakawin, Legend of Dhruv, Vish Kanya, Kāliyā, Devapi, Tamil Mythology, Cintamani, Vedic Mythology, Boons Offered to Kaliyan, Sarpa Kavu, Deva Samhita, Karana Dance, Karadi Madasamy, Parijaat Tree, Kintur, Gaja, Siddhashrama, Gauri Kund, Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend, Ocean of Milk, Purusha Mruga, Jaya-Vijaya, Kumārasambhava, Lopamudra, Bhasmasur, Aleya, Shakdvipa, Halahala, Nidhi, Vibhandak Rishi, Guhan, Pralaya, Kushadhwaja, Rahu Kala, Vaijayanti, Karkotaka, Devayani, Kabandha, Kalananda, Malini, Agama, Payovrata, Bodhi Stones, Suparnas, Kadru, Vinata, Panchajanya, Ashwapati. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 299. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The Wars of Hindu history depict great heroes and demons in battles of celestial proportions, filled with the awesome force of celestial weapons, religious mysticism, magic, celestial and supernatural beings. Overriding the awesome battles and wondrous features is a deep driving purpose of religion and fate. While no Hindu Epic or scripture fails to describe the horrors of war and its fallout, major wars are fought with a religious purpose: often to eliminate demonic beings, or lords and rulers who pursue war wantonly for ambition and domination. The most destructive wars in Hindu Lore are driven with the mission of good triumphing over evil. Hindu teachings prescribe war as the final option, to be employed only after all peaceful methods are exhausted. But when this time comes, war is t...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=3225415 ... Read more