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Mahadev
A little girl asks who Shiva is and it is the beginning of a family journey through stories and incidents across the expanse of Shivbhumi-all the way from the mystical Mount Kailash to the fabled Ocean of Milk and the netherworld.
Story after story from across India takes us closer to this elusive but much-loved god of gods, the Mahadev-his avatars and his lilas; his drinking the Kalakuta poison to save the world and his grief at the passing of Sati; his restoration as a householder and his eternal identity as the Mahayogi; his temples and their history; and his quirky, tender and wholly unpredictable involvement with the mortals who love him.
Writing in the Harikatha style of traditional storytelling, Renuka Narayanan builds a unique narrative to draw the reader into the loving, giving world of Mahadev.
Story after story from across India takes us closer to this elusive but much-loved god of gods, the Mahadev-his avatars and his lilas; his drinking the Kalakuta poison to save the world and his grief at the passing of Sati; his restoration as a householder and his eternal identity as the Mahayogi; his temples and their history; and his quirky, tender and wholly unpredictable involvement with the mortals who love him.
Writing in the Harikatha style of traditional storytelling, Renuka Narayanan builds a unique narrative to draw the reader into the loving, giving world of Mahadev.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 27, 2020
The book is interesting if you are a Mythology person. The reason I bought it was its COVER !! The book contains stories of Vishnu Kartikeya Shakti Parvati.. & den MAHADEV !!
I thought it would wholly focus of Mahadev so was little disappointed. Rather its a good read for Devdutt Patnaik Readers !!
I thought it would wholly focus of Mahadev so was little disappointed. Rather its a good read for Devdutt Patnaik Readers !!
April 18, 2021
Many art forms exist - music, dance, sculpture, paintings, poetry, literature, story-telling. These art forms depict the history of our culture. We have all grown up listening to the vivid lilas of our beloved devi-devatas. There is a lot of literature on the sthala puranas associated with their temples. We have a treasure-house of accounts of some of the most ardent devotees of our devi-devatas. The art of storytelling is something that is a characteristic of every civilization. Bharata has had no dearth of its storytellers. Throughout the history of our culture, we have had the most trend-setting storytellers. Their art has kept alive the ethos of our civilization. Storytelling has been the most effective means of distilling the eternal truths of our scriptures. Our Vedas the fountainhead of all knowledge contain many stories. Most bhakti sampradayas use storytelling to great effect, evoking devotion in the masses. It helps to transcend the mind, it's vagaries and immerse oneself in the divine.
This book too, is one such attempt to use the same age-old art of story-telling. The author mentions using the Harikatha style of storytelling. She narrates some of the most heartwarming lilas of Mahadev or Bhagavan Shiva. The narrative is set in a simple Delhi household. A family consisting of the grandparents, their son and his wife, and their inquisitive grand-daughter. It unfolds with the grand-daughter probing her elders on who Shiva is. The family Guru during his visit to their house is also posed the same question. He then begins to answer to quench the curiosity of the tiny tot. The Guru narrates a few stories which increases the curiosity of the tiny tot multi-fold. These narrations also kindle the spark of devotion in the elders of the family. What began as an one off question then transpires into a weekly Monday satsang with their Guru. The Guru unravels the lilas of Mahadev and his dearest devotees, one after the other. This leaves the kid, the family elders enraptured, and immersed in the divinity of each story. I would say it left me enraptured too!
The author narrates some inspiring, some moving accounts of the choicest of Bhaktas. Not naming them, as they would end up being spoilers. These bhaktas, who through their sincerity, steadfastness, innocence and devotion were able to witness, experience the physical presence of Bhagavan Shiva or his divine consort Maa Parvati, or his children, Kartikeya or Ganapati. It is in these accounts where I found the Harikatha style of narration leaving me teary-eyed. The Guru also narrates about the sthala puranas (in brief) of some of the temples. Discussions veer into vivid descriptions of the geographical aspects of the pilgrimage locations. This makes the narrative all the more interesting. There were tidbits of interesting, unknown facts, information in almost every chapter. As i read, i felt being a part of the family listening to the various stories. The disappointment the family felt as their satsangs were coming to a close towards the book-end was palpable. It left me yearning for more.
I would have loved to read and hear more stories.
- Aspects like the significance of Pradosham, Rudram-Chamakam.
- More sthala-puranas - Murudeshwar, Vaikom, the other Jyotirlingas not discussed
- Kailash and Kailash Yatra
- Arjuna's encounter with Shiva for obtaining the Pasupatastra
- Select, interesting stories from the 63 Nayanmars
I'm sure there would be many more not covered in this book. Loved reading the book so much that would like the author to come up with a sequel to this book. Could begin with the Guru returning from his yatra, wanderings and sharing his experiences. From thereon, we could traverse once again, exploring the infinity that is Mahadev!
This book too, is one such attempt to use the same age-old art of story-telling. The author mentions using the Harikatha style of storytelling. She narrates some of the most heartwarming lilas of Mahadev or Bhagavan Shiva. The narrative is set in a simple Delhi household. A family consisting of the grandparents, their son and his wife, and their inquisitive grand-daughter. It unfolds with the grand-daughter probing her elders on who Shiva is. The family Guru during his visit to their house is also posed the same question. He then begins to answer to quench the curiosity of the tiny tot. The Guru narrates a few stories which increases the curiosity of the tiny tot multi-fold. These narrations also kindle the spark of devotion in the elders of the family. What began as an one off question then transpires into a weekly Monday satsang with their Guru. The Guru unravels the lilas of Mahadev and his dearest devotees, one after the other. This leaves the kid, the family elders enraptured, and immersed in the divinity of each story. I would say it left me enraptured too!
The author narrates some inspiring, some moving accounts of the choicest of Bhaktas. Not naming them, as they would end up being spoilers. These bhaktas, who through their sincerity, steadfastness, innocence and devotion were able to witness, experience the physical presence of Bhagavan Shiva or his divine consort Maa Parvati, or his children, Kartikeya or Ganapati. It is in these accounts where I found the Harikatha style of narration leaving me teary-eyed. The Guru also narrates about the sthala puranas (in brief) of some of the temples. Discussions veer into vivid descriptions of the geographical aspects of the pilgrimage locations. This makes the narrative all the more interesting. There were tidbits of interesting, unknown facts, information in almost every chapter. As i read, i felt being a part of the family listening to the various stories. The disappointment the family felt as their satsangs were coming to a close towards the book-end was palpable. It left me yearning for more.
I would have loved to read and hear more stories.
- Aspects like the significance of Pradosham, Rudram-Chamakam.
- More sthala-puranas - Murudeshwar, Vaikom, the other Jyotirlingas not discussed
- Kailash and Kailash Yatra
- Arjuna's encounter with Shiva for obtaining the Pasupatastra
- Select, interesting stories from the 63 Nayanmars
I'm sure there would be many more not covered in this book. Loved reading the book so much that would like the author to come up with a sequel to this book. Could begin with the Guru returning from his yatra, wanderings and sharing his experiences. From thereon, we could traverse once again, exploring the infinity that is Mahadev!
May 2, 2022
Book is about mythology stories narrated by a guru to a family and a enthusiastic child. If u like to know about mythological discriptions this book would some how severe you. I bought this book by the title and i like to know more about lord Siva... Iam not yet satisfied. Like to read more about him if u know any suggest me. And I was not ok with some mentions in the book. Especially when author comments about Lakshman (Rama's brother) in few paragraphs she totally upsets me. It took too long for me to make a grip with the book.
November 24, 2022
This is surely one of the best books on Mahadev! Once you start reading it, you'll find stories centering Mahadev that you have never heard before. Thats the level of facts and excitement it carries!!
Moreover, the culture followed by the South Indians is so beautifully described here that you'd feel like visiting and exploring its richness!💛
Moreover, the culture followed by the South Indians is so beautifully described here that you'd feel like visiting and exploring its richness!💛
March 28, 2021
This book isn't a mythological fiction exactly. It started my enumerating certain myths and theories revolving Shiva and his family and later tilted more towards describing the formation of certain temples of India.
August 11, 2023
Can anyone please tell from where we can read this book i am not able to find any button...
August 11, 2024
Depicts the story of mostly South India and the history of hindu gods.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews