This compendium of ancient stories is a delightful way to learn more about the rich history of the Indian heritage. Each story is short and engagingly told by Swami Satyananda. I found these stories to be concise and easy to read with an undercurrent of cosmic humor.
You can read the whole book from beginning to end to get a chronological view of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. You could also read stories randomly or choose a particular section that appeals to you and not lose the impact of these wonderful tales.
You can feel the oral traditions that these stories spring from as you read through this book. You can almost hear village elders reading these stories aloud around a communal fire. This evocative quality made the Swami Purana, for this reader, a different kind of reading experience. This is not a ponderous philosophical treatise . Instead, it carries the warmth and joy of reading a bed time story to your children. At the same time there are many nuggets of profound truths hidden within each story. This is a good book to help you understand Indian religion and philosophy as well as a fun book to share with your children. Highly recommended.
Steven Newmark, Ph.D.
