Handbook of Hindu Gods, Goddesses and Saints

by H.Daniel Smith and M.Narsimhachary

The thirty-five brief essays in this book provide glimpses of the variety that is most characteristic of Hinduism in urban south India today.

By examination, selected objects widely revered in contemporary Dravidian country ³ gods, goddesses, historical figures, sacred plants and stones are discussed.

The expert integration into each essay of K.S. Ramu`s line drawings serves as vivid illustrations to the text.

About the Author:

H. Daniel Smith is perhaps best known in North America for his eleven documentary films on south Indian urban religious rites and celebrations, Image India: The Hindu Way (1969). Elsewhere, however, his most often-cited works have been his bibliographical studies of Pancaratra Agama texts in Sanskrit of (Baroda, Gaekwad`s Oriental Series 158 & 168, 1975 & 1980) and of works in English based on Valmiki`s Ramayana (Syracuse, 1983 & Bombay, 1989). Prior to his retirement in 1993 after 35 years of teaching at Syracuse University (USA) Professor Smith examining contemporary Hindu religious life. His research enabled him, to visit India a number of times during the Period spanning the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s,.
Earlier collaborations between these coauthors resulted in publications based on Valmiki`s Ramayana (1981) and on Pancaratra Agama texts (1969).

M. Narasimhachary is a Sanskrit scholar with particular interests in among other things the classical literary works of Valmiki, Vyasa and Kalidasa, the teachings of the Sri Vaishnava Agamas, the traditions of the Visistadvaita school, and the philosophical theology of the 10th century figure, Yamunacarya. A native of Andhra, he has lived most of his life in Madras. Prior to his appointment more than a decade age as Professor and Head of the newly-founded (1984) Department of Vaishnavism at the University of Nadras, Dr. Chary taught at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and at Vivekananda Collage in Madras. Among his many books articles and reviews, Dr. Chary`s most often-cited works are his critical edition and study of Yamuncarya`s Agamaparamanya (Baroda, Gaekwad`s Oriental Series 160, 1976) and contribution of Yamuna to Visistadvaita (Prof. M. Rangacharya Memorial Trust, Madras, 1971).