The Vedic Deities

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The book incorporates outlines of most of the important Hindu Goddesses, in religion, thought and literature. Hinduism, a religion which has never converted into its philosophies and the one which has always given out and never taken in, forms the first chapter makes a mention of different Goddesses Vedic, Brahmanical and in Hinduism. Chapter third is an account of Vedic Goddesses Aditi, Diti, Prithivi, Saranyu, on which published literature, so far, is scanty. Saraswati, Ganga and Yamuna have been further described, published literature on these on Lakshmi, Devi, sati, Parvati, Durga and Kali give their broad aspects, origin, power, legends and worship. Bibliographical references as foot notes show the authenticity of the text and are a guide for those interest in detailed studies. In order to make the artistic symbolism of the Goddesses, a few illustrations have been included. The index at the end provides a ready hasty reference to the text. The book will be found interesting by those curious to gain knowledge of Hindu mythology, in its true aspect. It will also be of interest to tourists, philanthropists, indologists and artists interested in mythological art.

Hinduism was, Hinduism is and Hinduism will be in existance inspite of the inroads of other and perhaps higher forms of belief. It has no founder. Buddhism, Jainism, Judaism, Christianity, Zorastrianism, Confucianism, Islam, Sikhism, all acknowledge a holyman as leader, founder or legislator. But Hinduism is really an anthropological process to which, by a strange irony of fate, the name of religion has been given. According to Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Hinduism is called Sanatana Dharma, 'which means a religion that endures for all times. Nothing however, can endure for all times unless it retains its identity throughout and changes only its name and forms as it passes'. American philospher J.B. Pratt in a published article in philosphy says, 'Of all the religions in the World, vedic religion (Hinduism) is the only one which tends to survive while all others have either died or are on their death beds in the age of science and reason. Reason for the immortality of the vedic religion of Hinduism is that while retaining its spiritual identity, it has been changing its outwards form in accordance with the demands of the time, through which it has passed and particularly because it is the only religion which has been able to meet the challenge of science which governs the thought and life of the people of the Modern age.' Hinduism in its marvellous catholicity and elasticity is essentially a cosmogony' rather than a code of ethics, has its origin farback in the prehistory of India, when a High Civilisation flourished at Harappa and Mohenjodaro (Indus: Pakistan) 5000 years back or still many more thousands. Later the Aryans incursion took place, in several groups. First batch in 2500 BC, defeated Indus Civilisation and settled there calling that area "Aryavartha". By 1500 BC. the Indus Civilisation collapsed and the cities were aban-doned. Till about 1000 BC this civilisation existed in villages but at that time they were conquered by nomadic Aryan tribes, whose homeland was far to the Northwest, near the Caspian Sea. They had their sacred book R' gveda with them and occupied Ganges, Yamuna plains. Later another group invaded from Iran, occupied Indus and brought in Atharvaveda, Vedas, at that time were not in written script but were sustained by Oral tradition. Thus two cultures Aryan and Non Aryan merged, marital relation-ships developed, this confluence is found depicted in Mahabharatta. As such Aryans adopted the Gods of Non Aryans and the later likewise began to follow the traditions and customs of Aryans. In addition to Aryans and Non Aryans (Indus valley population), there was a third source: the Dravidians in the South. 'Dravidian' is a linguistic term identifying the group of languages (Tamil, Telegu, Malyalam and Kannad) spoken in Southern India, which do not belong to the family of Aryan languages. They have a past which go back to Pre Aryan times. They are an important and influential component of Hinduism. Later Alexandar's greeks (Yuvans), Huns, Sakas, Dasyas, Kinneras, Gandharvas were all admitted into Aryan Society and accord-ingly beliefs, customs, rites, changed in Hinduism from time to time. Hinduism has been adversely criticised by some authors. 'Sanskrit (or its authenticated English Version) is the master Key to Hindu religion and those who do not derive their knowledge from such scriptures are likely to commit them-selves to mischevious and misleading statements in regard to Hinduism (Religious, moral and Intellectual). They are liable to imbibe very false notions in regard to the real scope and meaning of the religious thought and life in Hinduism and thus do serious harm by propagating about men, who compiled the laws of Manu, one of the most remarkable literary produc-tions of the World; who thought out systems of ethics, worthy of any other religion; who composed the Ramayana & Mahabharatta, Out rivalling any epic in any other language; who invented for themselves the Science of Grammer' arith-metic, astronomy, logic, rotation and preservation of earth, Ayurvedic system of medicine, planetary system, use of Machines (Steel, iron, guns, swords etc.); Universal patrio-tism, Diplomacy, good Government, democracy, peaceful coexistance and who elaborately independently expounded six most subtle systems of philosophy. Generally people, in particular Westerners do not understad Hinduism, its com-prehensiveness, its superior subtlety and its recuperative hydra like vitality, embodied in its sacred literature, stretching over a period of more than 3000 years.

About the Authors Prof. (Dr.) Chitralekha Singh Dr. Chitralekha Singh is an academician who has indepth study of not only of Art in which she is the first D Lit woman in the world, but also in Mythology and theology, which is an allied basis for ART and CULTURE. She is a writer of National/International importance and has published many books and contributed research papers to different journals. She has a brilliant career and MA First Class, Ph D and D Litt in Drawing & Painting. She is an educationist of 5 teaching experience as Lecturer to HOD & Directors, Deans, Director General even after retirement till today with the experience of total 55 years journey of life, a social worker, a charming conversationalist and a research guide. 100 Scholars have been awarded PhD & 215 M Phil under her supervision. She has a personal library CHITRALIPT with more than a thousand books on History, Culture, Religion & Fine Arts. She is a memorable mimic strict disciplinarian, being a unique combination of civils & military being a captian in NCC and the holder of Defence Secretary's Commendation Card In addition to her books on art which 'Painting on Śiva in Indian Art' is a classic on Art & Mythology she has published illustrated books 'Hindu Goddesses, Hinduism, Ganesa, Drawings of Rajasthan, Encyclopedia History of Indian Art (5 Volumes) Elementary History of Indian Art, 1008 names of Siva the Art of Japan, the Great Religion of the world, Saraswati, Hindu Festivals Fairs & Fast. Hindu Manners Custom & Ceremony, Ganga the Goddess the holy river, Captain Speaks. Hanuman, Durga, Kali the Goddess, Jainism. Aesthetics, Art Critical History, In Hindi she has written on Chini Chitrakala, Kala, Kala Shiksha, Kala Shikshan, 'Kala Shikshan, Shikshakavam Shikshatri Bhartiya Chitrakala Mein Siva, Chiya-Chitra Yatra, Purush aur Prakriti, Jainwad, Shikha main Naatak avam Kala, Adhunik Bhartiya Samkaleen Kala, Shiksha main Kala avam Saundarya, Bhartiya

Prem Nath Shri Prem Nath with an academic career in Science Medecine, Law and Studies in History & Religion, is a prolific reader and a writer, a co-author of the books Hindu Goddesses, Hinduism, and Ganesa. His approach to the topic is scientific, authenticated and based on historical facts. He is aregular contributor to research journals on different aspects of History & Civilization.