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Hardcover Ka: Stories of the Mind and Gods of India Book

ISBN: 0679451315

ISBN13: 9780679451310

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Format: Paperback

Condition: Like New

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Book Overview

In the very best book about Hindu mythology that anyone has ever written (The New Republic) Calasso plunges Western readers into the mind of ancient India. He begins with a mystery: Why is the most important god in the Rg Veda, the oldest of India's sacred texts, known by a secret name--Ka, or Who? What ensues is not an explanation, but an unveiling. Here are the stories of the creation of mind and matter; of the origin of Death, of the first sexual union and the first parricide. We learn why Siva must carry his father's skull, why snakes have forked tongues, and why, as part of a certain sacrifice, the king's wife must copulate with a dead horse. A tour de force of scholarship and seduction, Ka is irresistible. This description may be from another edition of this product.

Customer Reviews

1 customer rating | 1 review

Rated 5 stars
Oh, my

Calasso's works tend to be illuminating and humbling in equal portions, and this is no exception. If you've read any of the ancient stories in more traditional forms -- Hamilton's mythology, or a translation of the Bhagvad-gita for example, you're in for a big surpise. Get ready. And if you think of yourself as reasonably well read, Calasso will make you feel illiterate. This man seems to have read, and digested everything.In...

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Rated 5 stars
Incredible for all interested in Hinduism

I cannot understand why anyone would give this book a single star. Having grown up Hindu, I can say that Calasso has given me a retelling of stories from my childhood, and given my valuable insights into those stories.The book is as much a history as it is a novel. It is the history of Indian thought told as a story would be, and with each step Calasso gives us another beautiful conclusion or observation. If there was one...

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Rated 5 stars
Very good!

This book brings Indian mythology to life. Should be read in conjunction with the acclaimed IN SEARCH OF THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION by Feuerstein et al. to obtain perspective on history, archaeology, and connections between India and the West.

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Rated 5 stars
Beautiful writing, wierd & wonderful, hard to put down.

Revolutionizes the telling of these stories. Most translations are academic, over anylized and basically better than sleeping pills. This is a telling so heartfelt, poetic, strong and sensuous. He tells the stories with proper details and brevity and never bores. Great to read aloud.

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Rated 5 stars
Outstanding work, the best, if not unique!

In the manner of Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony, Ka is an exposition of the inner meaning of Indian mythology, theology. It has a brilliance that comes directly from what Roberto Calasso writes about. In our world that has so little understanding of what the ancient world was, reading Calasso is an inspiration. Spend time with this book and reread many times. Best regards, Kalev Pehme

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