The Little Book of Hindu Deities
Written and illustrated by Sanjay Patel, published by Penguin
A colorful book describing the exploits of Hindu deities; their strengths and weaknesses; their likes and dislikes; and what endears them to us mortals.
There are a large number of Hindus who have left India and have settled in lands with a culture different from their own. The second and third generations of such people face a clash of two cultures. As Patel puts it they become American Born Confused Desis. There is a tendency to ignore, and even condemn, the original culture due to peer pressure. But this is not easy because the original culture provides an identity formed over generations, an identity that is in the genes and in the soul.
There is a need to inculcate in the Hindu diaspora an understanding and respect for Hinduism, and a need to do this at a fairly early age. Hence Patel’s illustrated book The Little Book of Hindu Deities published by the Penguin Group, ideally suited for children, comes as a boon to the Hindu diaspora.
Patel is in the animation profession and it is no wonder that his illustrations are beautiful. In a style suited to attract the attention of children they portray the main characteristics of the deities and perfectly complement the text. So we have Indra, the king of the demigods, regally aloft the elephant Airavata holding the thunderbolt in his hand. Another praiseworthy feature of the book is the pronunciation key that goes with each name. It is difficult, if not impossible to pronounce Hindi words correctly from their English spellings and this key will be a great help.
Patel covers the entire range of Hindu deities starting from the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and their many manifestations. He writes about the Goddesses who share an equal platform in Hindu religion. The demigods, animal deities, the Navagrahas with their astrological significances, the scriptures, Creation and the four Yugas all find a place in his book. The style is “fun and lighthearted” without crossing the bounds of reverence. For example Patel writes, “Ganesh also has a sweet tooth, so be sure to share your ladoos (sweets) with him”. The message is clear. The deities are friends but they need to be respected.
Patel has woven different aspects of the religion and mythology into one integrated fabric. The many references to the mythological anecdotes form the core of the book. The stories of the creation of Durga and of Narasimha circumventing Brahma’s boon to slay Hiranyakashipu make for interesting reading. These tales are interspersed with rituals and theologies. The ritual of prayer described by Patel in the beginning is for many the essence of the religion. Ganesh circling his parents when asked to go around the world shows the high esteem that parents are held in.
Children will undoubtedly enjoy this book, but this does not imply that the book is for children alone. There is food for thought for the mature but discerning reader as well. Nor is this book for Hindus only. The Internet and the electronic media have made the world a smaller place. Hinduism is arousing a lot of curiosity, which if not properly addressed will give rise to misconceptions. This book will give people of other religions some basic insights into Hinduism and its multifarious aspects.
