Compared to the two previous Avatars of Vishnu, Matsya the Fish and Kurma the Tortoise, Varaha, Vishnu’s third “official” incarnation, isn’t given much backstory. Historically, there are… Read more “Got the Whole World On His Tusks: Varaha, Vishnu’s Third Avatar”
Category: Hindu Mythology
A Folktale from India: the Brahmin and the Gruel Pot
The following tale is a fable from the Panchatantra, a collection of folktales penned between 300 BCE and 550 CE (the earlier date is preferred by most… Read more “A Folktale from India: the Brahmin and the Gruel Pot”
Rahu and Ketu: Hindu Eclipse Mythology
In Hindu mythology, solar eclipses are caused by the decapitated head (Rahu), or lifeless body (Ketu) of the demon Svarbhānu, otherwise known as: “He who darkens the… Read more “Rahu and Ketu: Hindu Eclipse Mythology”
The Nectar of Immortality: Kurma, Vishnu’s Second Avatar
As we saw in a prior post, Vishnu’s first manifestation was a fish named Matsya; this was a flood tale, where as in many a flood tale,… Read more “The Nectar of Immortality: Kurma, Vishnu’s Second Avatar”
A Big Fish Story: Matsya, the First Avatar
Mythologicaly speaking, the Hindu God Vishnu had ten Earthly incarnations. While the two of us at Mythcrafts have gotten fairly burned out on doing series (for example,… Read more “A Big Fish Story: Matsya, the First Avatar”
Ganesha: Benevolent, Like Most Elephants
Imagine you’re a child, made from the dead skin of a Goddess. Imagine you’ve been given one instruction: don’t let Him in. Not while I’m bathing, showering… Read more “Ganesha: Benevolent, Like Most Elephants”
Sita Sings The Blues
Who is Sita, and why is she singing the blues? In the Hindu epic poem the Ramayana, we come across Sita. Born of the Earth, she was… Read more “Sita Sings The Blues”
