Vishnu An Introduction

by Devdutt Pattanaik

This is an attempt to understand the meaning of Vishnu worship in our time.Written in simple narrative style,it takes us through Vaishnava imagery,philosophy,beliefs,customs, history,folklore and myth. The book reaches out to young and old alike,retelling familiar legends of Rama and Krishna as well as unfamiliar ones like those of Vishnu's consort and son.Also included are tales of his lesser known incarnations such as Prithu,Hamsa,Hayagriva and Mandhata. Highlights include lucid explanations and a pictorial key to numerous symbols associated with Vaishnava customs and rituals,a map and showing important Vishnu temples,a bibliography for those interested in learning more and over 200 illustrations of which many are in colour. Vishnu-Narayana Let me meditate on the supreme god who rests on the serpent of Time,who rides the bird of light,whose dazzling form contains every dimension of Space,who holds in his four hands a couch,a discus,a mace and a lotus,who is pleasure and discipline,fulfilment and forgiveness,as his devotee desires,who delights the mind and delivers the soul,who is the source and goal of lifeand who will embrace all creaturesat the end removing the fear of death.

Genres: Mythology

130 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1998

About the author

Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik (born December 11, 1970) is an Indian physician turned leadership consultant, mythologist and author whose works focus largely on the areas of myth, mythology, and also management. He has written a number of books related to Hindu mythology, including Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology, a novel, The Pregnant King, and Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata (2010).
He is the Chief Belief Officer of Future Group, one of India’s largest retailers, bringing the wisdom of Indian mythology into Indian business, especifically in human resource management. He also writes a column for the newspaper MID DAY.
He has also written a novel based on a tale from the Mahabharata titled 'The Pregnant King' published by Penguin Books India

Reviews

[Jyoti · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of Vishnu; has many small stories on Vishnu and his avatars; carries his 108 names; his coloured and BW images; notes on his festivals; his main temples in the country; and advises that a personal relationship between Vishnu and his devotee can be through Shravanam (by hearing about the lord), Vandanam (by praising the lord through bhajans), Smaranam (by chanting his 1008 names or one name 1008 times) and Sevanam (by serving the lord through rituals of bathing, feeding etc.).

[Anushree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful. It touched every aspect of Vishnu that I hoped it would and then some. Being born into Hinduism, I was expecting this book to be a refresher on the information I already knew. Instead I was greeted with so much new, fascinating information that I felt like my eyes had been opened up to a whole new face of my religion. I can’t wait to read more by this author!!

[Vinay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for initial knowledge. As Vishnu is very famous god in our culture we are aware most of the stories, but it is good to read them in chronological order. There are also stories which are not so famous. I liked the way author ended the book with telling us what is the meaning of Vishnu in today modern world.

[SHVETAL · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive compilation of Vishnu's folklore !

[Anjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read. I learned something new. Thank you! ❤️

[Sri Harsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall the book is not very much like devdutt writings but a very good book and apt to the title not very much into depth as author mentioned prior. Good for new mythology readers.As a devdutt fan not up to the expectations.

As a fan very excitingly I have started reading the book and finished it in just a day.It is not like other devdutt books but very apt to the title(introduction).

As I started the book the stories are good but comparatively the research that devdutt made for this book is very optimal or may he just very much stick to the tittle.The at the ending the comparison of the vishu's life cycle with human's is very interesting and close to what he does in his other books.

The main drawback is the completed the stories first and next came to the moral(philosophies) unlike the other books, in which the story and the morals run parallel. The pros are way he explains the myths is ultimate and no modern writer can explain GOD such simple and transparent.

[Vadiraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became fan of vishnu after reading this.