Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists

About this book

Vishnu descends into the world in changing forms. Shiva destroys and renews. The Buddha's story becomes part of a broad illustrated introduction to the myths of India.

Sister Nivedita and Ananda K. Coomaraswamy retell Hindu and Buddhist traditions for an English-language audience. Thirty-two colour plates by Indian artists working under Abanindranath Tagore bring the episodes into an equally rich visual tradition. The book's period perspective sometimes compresses distinct beliefs into one narrative, yet its episodes retain vivid characters and conflicts. The original artwork deserves attention as carefully as the text.