Books with author KAMALA CHANDRAKANT

Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is considered the god of wisdom. The devotees worship him at the start of any new undertaking for its success. The god is special in that he carries the head of an elephant. Ganas were attendants of Shiva and Parvati. Once Parvati, alone at home and going for a bath, asked one of the Ganas to stand as guard and not allow anyone in. The Gana made an exception of Shiva, which made Parvati angry. Shiva told her to have her own Gana. She made one out of the saffron paste on her body, called him her son and posted him as guard. This Gana boy refused entry to Shiva, fought Shiva`s Ganas and even the gods that came to assist them. Finally, Shiva beheaded him, only to find Parvati extremely angry for Shiva had harmed her son. Shiva revived the Gana with the head of the first creature found, which was an elephant.

In Puranic lore, Vishnu is the preserver of the universe and the cosmic order. The Dasha Avatar is the Puranic story of the ten incarnations of Vishnu who descends to the terrestrial world to establish stability and order, time and again. The avatars occur in a sequence – the first was matsya or fish representing life in water, followed by kurma or turtle signifying life in water and on land, then varaha or boar alluding to terrestrial life and so on. The sequence of the avatars could be taken to symbolise various stages in the evolution of life culminating in the advent of the perfect being.

Prahlad drove his monstrous father to a murderous rage. He insisted on praising Lord Vishnu who was considered a sworn enemy by his father Hiranyakashipu. When he tried to punish his disobedient son, Hiranyakashipu's potent poisons turned to nectar while his lethal weapons fell harmlessly away. In this tale of bloodthirsty revenge, Prahlad's only defence is his devotion which dramatically puts an end to all evil.

When the king saw a strapping lad astride the aged shoulders of his guru, he knew something was amiss. Soon he realised that, if young Raman was around, it was best to expect the unexpected. This village bumpkin was no fool-even the fiery goddess Kali had given in to his wiles. wheeding his way into the mighty vijayanagaa court, it was but a short step into the heart of King Krishnadeva Raya, who welcomed a laugh or to to lighten his busy day

Kadambari is one of the best known Sanskrit romantic novels. It was written by Banabhatta, the court poet of King Harshavardhana, in the early 7th Century AD. It is said that after Banabhatta died, leaving the long text unfinished, his son Bhushanabhatta completed it. The original has a hugely complex plot, with Kadambari herself appearing only half-way through. The story is a popular one – a version can be found in the Kathasaritsagara, amongst many other ancient favourites. It continues to be translated into various Indian languages. Kadambari is often said to be one of the first novels – and the word kadambari has come to mean a novel in many Indian languages today.

It was a time when the earth was ravaged with violence and bloodshed. The Kshatriya kings had forgotten their duty to rule with compassion. Instead, they subdued the people by unleashing a reign of brutal terror. At such a time the sixth incarnation of Vishnu was born. Parashurama, axe-weilding warrior-saint, strode across the age to destroy evil and liberate good.

Superbly skilled, speedy and strong, Arjuna boasted that he was the world’s greatest warrior. But, despite his unquestionable courage, this honourable Pandava prince realised he could not confront Lord Indra’s power – or even the wiles of a cheeky monkey – without help. He needed divine weapons, such as the Gandiva bow, with its inexhaustible supply of arrows, and a special war chariot. Most importantly, he needed the blessings of the gods, especially Lord Vishnu.

The demon, Vajranabha, performs severe penance. Pleased, Brahma grants him the city of Vajra, and says that not even air will enter the city, unless Vajranabha wants it to. Now, powerful in his impregnable city, Vajranabha turns his sights on Indra's kingdom. Indra goes to Krishna for help. What Vajranabha does not realise is that his daughter, Prabhavati, has set her heart on marrying Pradyumna, the son of Krishna.