Cradle Tales of Hinduism

by Sister Nivedita

This book is a collection of traditional Indian nursery-tales told by Sister Nivedita in her inimitable style. Myths and legends are the vehicle of high philosophy and metaphysics, especially so in India. The heroes and heroines of ancient India presented here are not only noted for their valour or beauty, but for their strength of character and nobility. The characters depicted herein have been the unconscious moulders of the complex Indian social body. Thus this book is not only meant for children but for all those who wish to feel the pulse of the Indian conscience.

Genres: Mythology, Religion, India, Hinduism, Nonfiction

329 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 1972

About the author

Sister Nivedita, born as Margaret Elizabeth Noble, was a Scots-Irish social worker, author, teacher, and disciple of Swami Vivekananda. She met Vivekananda in 1895 in London and traveled to Calcutta, India (present-day Kolkata), in 1898. Swami Vivekananda gave her the name Nivedita (meaning "Dedicated to God") when he initiated her into the vow of Brahmacharya on March 25, 1898. She had close associations with the newly established Ramakrishna Mission. However, because of her active contribution in the field of Indian Nationalism, she had to publicly dissociate herself from the activities of the Ramakrishna Mission under the then president Swami Brahmananda. She was very intimate with Sarada Devi, the spiritual consort of Sri Ramakrishna and one of the major influences behind Ramakrishna Mission and also with all brother disciples of Swami Vivekananda. Her epitaph aptly reads, "Here reposes Sister Nivedita who gave her all to India."

Nivedita wrote in 1904 to a friend about her decision to follow Swami Vivekananada as a result of her meeting him in England in November 1895:

"Suppose he had not come to London that time! Life would have been like a headless dream, for I always knew that I was waiting for something. I always said that a call would come. And it did. But if I had known more of life, I doubt whether, when the time came, I should certainly have recognized it.

"Fortunately, I knew little and was spared that torture. . . . Always I had this burning voice within, but nothing to utter. How often and often I sat down, pen in hand, to speak, and there was no speech! And now there is no end to it! As surely I am fitted to my world, so surely is my world in need of me, waiting — ready. The arrow has found its place in the bow. But if he had not come! If he had meditated, on the Himalayan peaks! . . . I, for one, had never been here."

"The mother's heart, the hero's will The sweetness of the southern breeze, The sacred charm and strength that dwell On Aryan altars, flaming, free; All these be yours and many more No ancient soul could dream before- Be thou to India's future son The mistress, servant, friend in one." —A benediction to Sister Nivedita by Swami Vivekananda

Reviews

[Narendrāditya Nalwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whole generation of kids have been bereft of these beautiful tales due to blind westernisation. The govt should make these stories a part of our curricula scattered over classes 5 to 10.

[Ritumbhara Ashish Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much revered Sister Nivedita has put together valuable tales from Mahabharata,Ramayana and the puranas.

Few are the tales of Parikshit ( Mighty Arjuna's grandson ), Savitri, Sati, Nala & Damayanti, Rama and Krishna which need to be taught to children. A beautiful book.

[Lalit Mohan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something magical about stories which are not trying to teach you anything . All the classics we read and heard as kids re visited witha. Beautiful balance of depth and brevity. Best pre bed time reading.

[Srav · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't exactly read the whole book in perfect detail because many of these stories are told and retold from a Hindu person's childhood up until the day they die. The mighty Krishna and his Bhagavat-Gita to the humble Rama who happily takes on an exile to the forest-- all the same stories in very antique, sophisticated language.

The book does contain some small lesser known tales such as the tale of Gopala- the poor, yet hopeful child of a farmer who realizes he has befriended Krishna himself. The merciless search of Dhruv the Pole Star for the Lotus-Eyed one, and the fate of the villagers against their harsh circumstances, these were my favorite tales.

Yet this book really is transparent in how the author's early Christian life has transformed her view of Hindu tales. Many of her explanations for the Krishna tales almost make him a Jesus figure there to save his children, yet many Hindus know that, although Krishna is a saviour, he is a devout believer in the role of fate in our lives. Likewise, her Christian life projects itself in her views of how certain characters should be. Wives, like Sati, should be like this and the men, like this. It flattens many of the dynamic characters Hindu tales have and gives them a rather flat portrayal.

Also, this book made me realize how oddly existentialist Hindu teachings can be. All of our teachings and many Carnatic music compositions follow this existentialist notion. Our lives are formed by unforeseen circumstances, so it's that the past sins you have done make your life. You are trapped in the unfortunateness of your very own circumstance. It's not God to blame. Or, to distrust. It's not the universe. It's what you did and that means that your life really has no meaning except going through the notions again, again, and again. And, again. So, what matters? As Annamacharya says, "My life is a play. Birth and death are real, but in between? It is a play." So, then comes in the next level of existentialism. Make your own meaning: you have a chance to break the cycle of karma and have jubilation. But, that is your choice. You can go through these meaningless lives and motions over and over and over. That is the meaning.

Overall, I really felt a little dulled by this book. But, I am truly grateful that I could realize the extent of existentialist, and moreover how I've always been a little bit of an existentialist on the inside the whole time.

[Jessica✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only had to read page 52. So again, I'm counting it as read. With what little I did read. I found it entertaining and a lot easier to read then Myths of Hindus and Buddhists. It's for children so it's more simple to understand the other is more complex and difficult. If you have no prior knowledge to the material, I would suggest reading this first to get the general idea.

[Evan Dilauro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sister Nivedita shares classic tales from the lore of the Hindu tradition. The tellings are dated and it is obvious that she's projecting a lot of her christian childhood into the stories, but still, its a nice, easy, interesting foray into the tales for the uninitiated.

[Arun Kumar Thiruvel Murugaesan Nehru · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple book, loaded with stories our grannies used to tell.. nice one, give a shot.

[Harshith Bangera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book on Hinduism that I bought, read, and fell in love 20 years back. I loved it so much that I started buying books on our history more often. 20 years later, that book still with me, in a good condition and I re-read it. The language is definitely not that subtle as kids could read but can give a try. There is a bit of Shakespearean language here and there which is a pain at times. Apart from that, it's simple and the stories selected are also wonderful.

There's the shortened story of the Ramayana, parts of Mahabharata, Krishna's stories and then there are stories on women in Hinduism which includes Sati, Savitri, Nala-Damayanti, stories on kings - Shibi Rana, Bharata, the Judgement seat of Vikramaditya and Prithvi Raj and the Nagas - stories on the snakes, Parikshit's curse, Janamejaya's sacrifice, etc.

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a teen when I read this book, I'm 26 now, still, the stories are fresh in my memory. The book starts with the story of Nala-Damayanti, the king who was tormented by Shani, God of obstacles, he loses his handsome appearance, his kingdom and at one point of the story even his wife, who followed him through thick and thin. There are many more Indian folk tales which have been sincerely retold to children by mothers and grandmothers. One of the must-read books if you want to acquaint yourself with the Indian way of story telling.

[A. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utterly adored this book. A nice compendium of tales from the Indian myth cycle, with some gorgeous drawings to accompany them. All the classic tales are here!

[Anju Saha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of tales we aare all familiar with. Written about a century ago, the style was certainly different and made for an interesting reading

[Alison Palumbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely an insightful and interesting introduction to Hinduism, but I'm not sure if I'd read it again.

[Sga]

Missionary re-tellings of Hindu "children's tales". It's a pretty amazing/appalling artifact.