Avatars, Gods and Goddesses of Vedic Culture
Understanding the Characteristics, Powers and Positions of the Hindu Divinities
by Stephen Knapp
Understanding the assorted Divinities or gods and goddesses of the Vedic or Hindu pantheon is not so difficult as some people seem to think when it is presented simply and effectively. And that is what you will find in this book. This will open you to many of the possibilities and potentials of the Vedic tradition, and show how it has been able to cater to and fulfill the spiritual needs and development of so many people since time immemorial. Here you will find there is something for everyone.
This takes you into the heart of the deep, Vedic spiritual knowledge of how to perceive the Absolute Truth, the Supreme and the various powers and agents of the universal creation. This explains the characteristics and nature of the Vedic Divinities and their purposes, powers, and the ways they influence and affect the natural energies of the universe. It also shows how they can assist us and that blessings from them can help our own spiritual and material development and potentialities, depending on what we need.
Some of the Vedic Divinities that are explained include Lord Krishna, Vishnu, Their main avatars and expansions, along with Brahma, Shiva, Ganesh, Murugan, Surya, Hanuman, as well as the goddesses of Sri Radha, Durga, Sarasvati, Lakshmi, and others. This also presents explanations of their names, attributes, dress, weapons, instruments, the meaning of the Shiva lingam, and some of the legends and stories that are connected with them. This will certainly give you a new insight into the expansive nature of the Vedic tradition.
COVER PHOTO: A print of Lord Narayana (Vishnu) and Goddess Lakshmi (the Goddess of Fortune). Lord Vishnu, in His bluish complexion, holds His mace, disc or Sudarshan chakra, a conch shell, and a lotus. Lakshmi holds two lotus flowers and blessings. The Om is in the center. (This print is from the author’s personal collection.)
Numerous color prints and photographs of the various Vedic Divinities can be seen, downloaded or printed for your perusal, meditation or use from the author’s website at: www.stephen-knapp.com.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE
WHY SO MANY GODS?
Two Ways to View the Vedic Divinities
CHAPTER TWO
SRI KRISHNA
Differences in Realization and Perception of the Supreme * Who is Sri Krishna *
What Sri Krishna Says About Himself * The Mistake of Accepting Krishna As a
Representation of Something Higher * Krishna is the Source of all Creation *
Krishna is the Source of all Avatars of God * Why Lord Krishna Descends into
this World * How Lord Krishna Took Birth in the Material World * Janmastami–Krishna’s
Birth Festival * Misunderstanding the Activities of Lord Krishna * The Beauty of
Krishna * How to Understand God * The Result of Failing to Know Krishna *
Krishna’s Eternal Spiritual Abode
CHAPTER THREE
THE AVATARS OF LORD KRISHNA
The Lord Appears in Each Universe * The Main Avatars of the Supreme Being * The
Manu Avatars * The Yugavatars * The Shaktyavesha-Avatars * Conclusion
CHAPTER FOUR
LORD VISHNU
Lord Vishnu is an Expansion of Lord Krishna * The Functions of Lord Vishnu
CHAPTER FIVE
LORD BRAHMA
Brahma’s Main Function * How Brahma is Manifested From Lord Vishnu * Brahma and
the Dawn of Creation
CHAPTER SIX
THE IDENTITY OF LORD SHIVA AND GODDESS DURGA
Krishna Devotees are Dear to Shiva and Shiva is Dear to Them * Lord Shiva’s
Position * How Lord Shiva Appeared in this World * Shaivism * The Shivaratri
Festival * The Shiva-Lingam * The Goddess Durga * The Identity of Durga and
Difference Between Mahamaya and Yogamaya * The Two Energies of Material and
Spiritual * The Shaktas and Tantrism * The Tantras * How Shiva and Durga are
Considered the Mother and Father of the Universe * How Lord Shiva Assists in the
Universal Destruction * Lord Shiva’s Ultimate Spiritual Advice
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE GODDESSES
Lakshmi * Sarasvati * Meaning of Navaratri * Gayatri * Srimati Radharani
CHAPTER EIGHT
GANESH AND MURUGAN
Ganesh * Murugan * Ayyappan
CHAPTER NINE
THE REMAINING DEMIGODS
Adityas * Agni * Asvins * Indra * Kubera * Maruts * Soma * Varuna * Vasus * Vayu
* Visvadevas * Yama * The Navagrahas * Surya * Hanuman
CONCLUSION
APPENDIX ONE
SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU: THE MOST RECENT AVATAR
APPENDIX TWO
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DEITIES AND DEITY WORSHIP
APPENDIX THREE
DEITY WORSHIP FROM THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO
REFERENCES
GLOSSARY
INDEX
ORDERING INFORMATION
To Order Your Copy: This is $17.95 retail, 6" x 9" trim size, 230 pages, 11 black & white photos, ISBN: 1453613765, EAN: 9781453613764. This is available at your bookstore through special orders, or you can easily order it as follows:
FROM AMAZON.COM: http://www.amazon.com/Avatars-Gods-Goddesses-Vedic-Culture/dp/1453613765/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277244684&sr=1-1
AVAILABLE AS PAPERBACK OR KINDLE EBOOK AT THE FOLLOWING AMAZON LOCATIONS IN LOCAL CURRENCIES (Click on the letters):
E-BOOK VERSION from LULU.COM for $7.00 can be downloaded from www.lulu.com, or see all of Stephen's books offered in pdf format at: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=Stephen+Knapp
To get the latest version of Adobe Reader to read the E-book, use this link: http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/.
IN INDIA: You can also find this book in India through Amazon's outlet at: https://www.amazon.in/Hindu-Gods-Goddesses-Stephen-Knapp/dp/8184953666/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=stephen+knapp&qid=1688832499&s=books&sprefix=Stephen+Knapp%2Caps%2C171&sr=1-9
THE INDIA EDITION by Jaico Publishing in Mumbai, available at:
https://www.jaicobooks.com/shop/religion-philosophy/hinduism/hindu-gods-goddesses/
for Rs. 359, under the title of HINDU GODS & GODDESSES.
Available through other outlets as well.
[More information at www.stephen-knapp.com]