Myths and Legends of India

by J.M. Macfie

Classic collection of folklore, legends, religious and culture themes. used widely as an introduction to India, text

Genres: Nonfiction, India, Religion, Mythology

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1993

Reviews

[Ensiform · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book told many tales from the Puranas, the Ramayana and mostly the Mahabarata. I remembered quite a few from my readings of the two latter, but many were new to me. The trouble is that, although the author takes a lot of pride in his supposed impartiality and fairness in depicting Hinduism's strengths as well as weaknesses, he takes quite a racist or at least a haughty, pedantic view in his descriptions, calling – for example – the presence of Shiva lingams "revolting and obscene"; calling Indian thought "arrested"; claiming that India's caste system constitutes "the most rigorous and cruel" color bar in history (a dubious claim, perhaps); and just generally adopting a mocking tone when describing inconsistencies in the stories and so on. But they are told well and I enjoyed the book anyway for the information it contains.

[Ludo-Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the edition that I own the subtitle "An Introduction to the Study of Hinduism" is missing from the cover, but that is an important piece of information, as the book is a selection not of myths and legends as in folk tales, but rather as in myths of the post-vedic scriptures. So for me they are myths, for others these might be religious tales.
Mostly the two main messages of the myths are:
1. The world of a Brahmin is command. No matter who you are, you have to submit to the Brahmin
2. Women are so subordinated to men, that their husband is equal to a god

Wow. I doubt any modern Hindu would take these messages seriously, but they are important if one tries to understand the Hindu religion, the same way as tales from the bible are important to understand Judaism or Christianity.
And yes certain tales are quite humoristic

[Ankit Agarwal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter nonsense. The author wants to seem unbiased when he says the book is about strength and weakness of Hinduism. But as you read along you understand the intentions of the author. He has a clear agenda to incite the caste system. Call the shiv-ling obsence is his filthy opinion of Hinduism. The stories he chose to write is written with a very sarcastic tone and don't really form the crux. He just tried to cover up his ill intention by keeping Mahabharat and Ramayan in the loop.He could have chosen a hell lot of other stories which really reflect the essence of Hinduism.
Absolutely flawed...

[cks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing book, very nice way of putting the stories together..
i still remember my mother used to tell these stories when i was a child...
as a child I enjoyed them and now after reading this book I feel these are well put facts!!

[Abhishek · Rating 3 out of 5]

J.M.Macfie deserves a special mention in the successful rendition of the Indian Godly faiths & beliefs, though being a Westerner. The good thing about the book is it being very vastly informative, though certain exaggeration over castes & racism makes you feel a usual western boss over act.