Vishnu - An Introduction

by Devdutt Pattanaik

An Introduction attempts to highlight the many aspects of the preserver of the cosmos. As the sustainer of the elements, the lord of ten principal avatars, and the god of a thousand names – Rama, Krishna, Varaha, Narasimha, Narayana – Vishnu is an enigma and an intellectual challenge. The book untangles the bulk of this Godhead’s philosophy. Through a narrative that is eminently simple, and images that compliment a lucidly-written text, the book guides the reader through Vaishnava belief, history, folklore and myth.

Genres: Mythology

Paperback

Published January 1, 2007

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.