HANDBOOK OF HINDU GODS, GODDESSES AND SAINTS

The 35 brief essays in this book provide glimpses of the variety that is most characteristic of Hinduism in urban south India today. By examining selected object widely revered in contemporary Dravidian country gods, goddesses, historical figures, sacred plants and stone -the authors succeed at once in disclosing to attentive readers what in the South mirror Hindu norms throughout India and what remains ineluctably local. Beyond that, distinctive details of worship provided here document subtly different nuances in beliefs and practices upheld even among the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada speakers within the region.

The co-authors bring to this project the two quite different perspectives of "insider" and " outsider." As scholars, moreover, they bring to bear the testimony of history and literature, sociology and the arts, as long-time teachers they provide information and insights important for students to keep in mind while they become more familiar with Hindu traditions. Their expert integration into each essay of K.S. Ramu's line-drawings servers as an invitation to readers to follow them imaginatively into a vibrant and widely-shared symbol system in which it become possible to "see" those Hindu images -just as, perhaps, their votaries do as exquisitely meaningful representations of the divine.

The volume is instructively arranged with essays pertaining to conventional sectors of Hindu faith grouped together. Many readers may wish to read from beginning to end following the order of presentation. Yet most essays also stand as discrete entities. This it is appropriate for some readers to start with any essay in the book that captures initial interest and, from it, to move to other essays as curiosity dictates. Either way will prove a pleasure. Admirers of this book in its earlier edition will be pleased to know of its availability in this newly updated, revised and enlarged, second edition.

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 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 ago as Professor and Head of the newly-founded (1984) Department of Vaishnavism at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur and at Vivekananda College in Madras. Among his many books, articles and reviews, Dr. Chary's most often -citied works are his critical edition and study of Yamunacharya's Agamapramanya (Baroda, Gaekwad's Oriental Series 160, 1976) and Contribution of Yamuna to Visistadvaita (Prof. M. Rangacharya Memorial Trust, Madras, 1971).

H. Daniel Smith is perhaps best known in North America for his eleven documentary films on south Indian urban religious rites and celebrations, IMAGE WAY (1969). Elsewhere, however, his most often-cited works have been his bibliographical studies of PancaratraAgama texts in Sanskrit (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 specialize-ed in undergraduate courses examining contemporary Hindu religious life. His research enabled him to visit India a number of times during the period spanning the 1959s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Earlier collaborations between these coauthors resulted in publications based on Valmiki's Ramayana(1981) and on Pancaratra Agama texts (1969).

K.S. Ramu, who provided the incisive line-drawings for this volume, died in the early 1980swhile the book was still in its formative stages. Prior to his untimely death, he was one of the leading commercial artists in Madras.

Acknowledgments
Introduction

SECTION ONE: LORD OF BEGINNINGS
1. Ganapati (or, Ganesa)
   Notes to Section One
   SECTION TWO: SIVA AND HIS ASSOCIATES
2. Siva-Linga
3. Siva-Mahayogin
4. Siva-Nataraja
5. Siva-Smaskanda
6. Paravati
7. Manikkavacakar (9th century)
8. Sankara (8th century)
9. Ramalinga (b. 1823)
   Notes to Section Two
   SECTION THREE: VISNU AND ASSOCIATED FIGURES
10. Rama, Sita and Laksmana
11. Hanuman
12. Balakrsna
13. Krsna Venugopala
14. Krsna Gitacarya
15. Krsna with Rukmini and Satyabhama
16. Krsna Guruvayurappan
17. Ranganatha (at Srirangam)
18. Venkatesvara
19. The Salagrama-Stone
20. Nammalvar (8th century)
21. Rasmanuja (11th century)
22. Madhva (early 14th century
23. Raghavendra (b. 1601)
    Notes to Section Three
    SECTION FOUR: SELECTED GODDESSES
24. Devi Durga
25. Devi Kali
26. Devi Kamaksi
27. Devi Laksmi
28. Devi Mariyamman
29. Devi Minaksi
30. Devi Sarasvati
    Notes to Section Four
    SECTION FIVE: OTHER FIGURE AND FORMS WIDELY WORSHIPPED
31. Aiyanar
32. Ayyappan
33. Murukan
34. The Nagas and Their Worship
35. The Tulasi Plant (The Sacred Basil Plant)
    Notes to Section Five

    Appendix : Hymns of Adoration
    Glossary
    Suggestions for Further Study
    Index