7 (Seven) Secrets of Vishnu
Language: English
Published by Westland Books, 2011
- Softcover
- Used
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.World of Books (was SecondSale)
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Seller Inventory # 00106438827
- Title
- 7 (Seven) Secrets of Vishnu
- Author
- Devdutt Pattanaik
- Publisher
- Westland Books
- Publication year
- 2011
- Condition
- Very Good
- Binding
- Soft cover
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 9380658680
- ISBN 13
- 9789380658681
Authors Note
It is significant that the stories of Vishnu rose to prominence after the rise of Buddhism. Prior to that Hinduism was the religion of the elite based complex rituals known as yagna and esoteric speculations captured in texts known as the Aranyakas and the Upanishads. These seemed very distant to the common man who focused on fertility rituals worship of plants and animals and nature.
Buddhism spoke directly to the common man in the language of the people and addressed every day concerns. It naturally became very popular. But the Buddhist worldview leaned towards Monasticism. By contrast the Hindu worldview made room for both the hermit and the householder. To fire the imagination of the people moving towards monasticism this had to be communicated using a tool that the masses relished stories.
Stories of Vishnu communicate the hindu worldview from the point of view of the householder. This is complemented by stories of Shiva that communicate an equally valid but alternate viewpoint that of the hermit. Since both Vishnu and shiva were forms of God both worldviews that of the Householder and that of the hermit were held in equal regard.
To ensure that these stories were not reduced to entertainment they were deemed sacred and anchored with symbols and rituals. The symbols and rituals of Vishnu are different from the symbols and rituals of Shiva. For example Vishnu is visualized bedecked in gold while Shiva is worshipped smeared in ash Vishnu is offered sprigs of the Tulsi that is grown inside the house while shiva is offered leaves of the bilva that is grown outside the house Vishnu dances with his eyes open while Shiva dances with his eyes shut. Through these differences different ideas were communicated.
Wisdom that was once restri
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Review
Usually authors find it very hard to explain religious stories and events in simple yet thought provoking manner no matter how many books that author has written. This book is NOT one of those. There is a consistent approach to explanation that makes it for the mind very easy to soak message and believe in what that author has written. This is a phenomenal book, at least for me, who has been searching to get a lot of answers regarding Hinduism and the meaning of certain Vishnu-viate events. Indeed a pure pleasure to read. This books lays of very through difference between Shiva and Vishnu and there their purpose and activity, which in no other books I've read so far has been mentioned properly. The author has made a very honest attempt to not confuse the reader or dilute any argument that he put forward plus also highlights the anomalies that exits between Mahabharata and Ramayana (though not that much in depth, it does compel reader to self explore such anomalies). He has succeeded in his effort at almost every level. The book in the end talks about Kalki - last avatar of Vhinu - and describes the events following the end of the world - like rising seas levels, massive volcanic explosions etc - indeed given the current global warming scenario and other tectonic activities the happening seems possible. --Ishan Apr 3, 2012
For all those who find mythological stories appealing, this great piece by Dr Pattanaik will be a feast for the mind. The writer has very finely ellaborated the different avataars of the cosmic administrator Mahavishnu in the simplest and easiest writing style. From Mohini the enticer to Mohan the preacher of the great Bhagwat Geeta, Vishnu has shown the world the Pravarrtti Marga as opposite to Shiva's Niwrratti Marga. Living in the material world with the goal of achieving salvation that is attaining spiritual accomplishments is the gist of all Vishnu stories. Why Laxmi the godess of wealth often refferred as Chanchala and asthira never leaves Vishnu's side, why Ravana despite being a scholar runs into heinious deeds, why the creator Brahma is never worshipped, this wonderful books have answers to all such curious notes. --Geetha Sunil Pillai Dec 16, 2011
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World of Books (was SecondSale)
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