title: Handbook of Hindu Mythology (World Mythology)
author:  George M. Williams 
description: Williams has compiled a learned text based on sound knowledge of the Hindu religion. His methodical coverage of variant spellings, pronunciation, and capitalization in the preface is a valuable guide to writers and researchers. The division of the subject into periods and themes in the introduction simplifies the task of comprehending beliefs and rituals that evolved over five millennia. The text is meticulously compiled, with ample cross-referencing. Attractive illustrations contribute to the understanding of Indian lore in art.<P><i>A-Z</i> entries on "Characters, Themes, and Concepts," among them <i>Brahma, Mahabharata, Parvati, Vishnu,</i> and <i>Yoga,</i> make up the bulk of the text. An appendix charts Vedic gods by periods as a handy guide to development of the Hindu pantheon. A summary of resources suggests readings at various levels, including children's books. The annotated bibliography lists works as old as James Hastings' revered <i>Encyclopaedia of Religion</i> <i>and Ethics</i> (1908-1929) and as recent as online Sanskrit dictionaries. A seven-page glossary offers uncomplicated definitions of 246 pivotal terms. The work concludes with a detailed index containing numerous cross-references for maximum accuracy.<P>Overall, the handbook is a prize catch for public, church, temple, school, and college libraries. In the style of a patient, respectful teacher, Williams has introduced one of the world's long-lived belief systems. <i>RBB</i><br><i>Copyright &#169; American Library Association. All rights reserved</i>
zlib_text: English One
   
  Unit 9 
   
  Page # 129 
   
  Unit 9 
  Myths and Literature 
   
   
    Objectives  
  After the completion of this unit, you will –  
  • be introduced with various kinds of mythical stories.  
  • be familiarized with Jibanananda Das’s styles of writing.  
  • know how Jibanananda Das has used Bengali ways of life in his poem.  
   
  Overview 
  Lesson 1: Bengal's Face 
  Lesson 2: Orpheus 
  Lesson 3: The Legend of Gazi 
  Lesson 4 : Hercules 
   
   Answer Key 
   
  
  HSC Programme 
  Unit-9 
   
  Page # 130 
  Lesson 1 : Bengal's Face 
   
   
  1.   Warm-up activity: 
  • Myths are ancient stories that have become very popular and ideal. Look at the above 
  mythical pictures and try to compare them with any mythological stories you heard from 
  your parents or grandparents in your childhood.  
  2. Now read the following poem by Jibanananda Das (1899-1954) in an English 
  translation and then attempt to answer the questions that follow either by 
  responding to your classroom teacher in English or by trying to write down 
  an