Swami Purana

This fun and inspirational collection of mythology takes the reader on a transformational journey as the characters battle the forces of duality, take refuge in the divine and fulfill their dharma, the ideal of perfection we all seek to follow. A great introduction to the wisdom of the Vedas and Upanishads, from the marriage of Shiva and Parvati to the birth of Krisna and much more. Swami Satyananda Saraswati does a beautiful job conveying the knowledge and bliss of these ancient Indian myths. It's a blessing to find such wisdom available in our modern western society. I would recommend sharing these short stories with the entire family. It was a great joy reading Swami Purana and I plan to read it again and again.

The Swami Purana, written and translated with unparalleled erudition and devotion by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, is a brilliant anthology of some of the tales that illustrates the wisdom and classical teachings of the "Sanatana Dharma." This particular collection of folklore is an excellent resource for people from all walks of life, from those who are scholars in the field to those who are looking for an introduction to Hinduism. Swamiji provides us with a handy and clear explanation of Sanskrit pronunciation in all his books, including this one. The stories themselves exist on several layers of meaning. One could read them as mythology or allegory, depending on the context. However one chooses to read the Swami Purana, all will derive great enjoyment and pleasure and will learn much about the vast and rich heritage of Hinduism.

This book is so much fun! Swamiji has gathered stories of the Gods and Goddesses of India and presented them in a lively fashion which invites the reader to enter into their play. This is a book you will read again and again and want to share with your family and friends. The stories are full of delight, adventure and spiritual instruction. It is enjoyable to read them aloud (to yourself or others). My copy is almost worn out from the many times I have revisited it and I have given copies as well-received gifts. Treat yourself to the stories of the Hindu heritage told by a Master Storyteller.

This compendium of ancient stories is a delightful way to learn more about the rich history of the Indian heritage. Each story is short and engagingly told by Swami Satyananda. I found these stories to be conscise and easy to read with an undercurrent of cosmic humor. You can read the whole book from beginning to end to get a chronological view of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. You could also read stories randomly or choose a particular section that appeals to you and not lose the impact of these wonderful tales.You can feel the oral traditions that these stories spring from as you read through this book. You can almost hear village elders reading these stories aloud around a communal fire. This evocative quality made the Swami Purana, for this reader, a different kind of reading experience. This is not a ponderous philisophical treatise . Instead, it carries the warmth and joy of reading a bed time story to your children. At the same time there are many nuggests of profound truths hidden within each story. This is a good book to help you understand Indian religion and philosophy as well as a fun book to share with your children. Highly recommended.

This compendium of ancient stories is a delightful way to learn more about the rich history of the Indian heritage. Each story is short and engagingly told by Swami Satyananda. I found these stories to be concise and easy to read with an undercurrent of cosmic humor. You can read the whole book from beginning to end to get a chronological view of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. You could also read stories randomly or choose a particular section that appeals to you and not lose the impact of these wonderful tales.You can feel the oral traditions that these stories spring from as you read through this book. You can almost hear village elders reading these stories aloud around a communal fire. This evocative quality made the Swami Purana, for this reader, a different kind of reading experience. This is not a ponderous philosophical treatise . Instead, it carries the warmth and joy of reading a bed time story to your children. At the same time there are many nuggets of profound truths hidden within each story. This is a good book to help you understand Indian religion and philosophy as well as a fun book to share with your children. Highly recommended.Steven Newmark, Ph.D. author of Maharaji's Darshan