Krishna: the Beautiful Legend of God

(Srimad Bhagavata Purana Book X)

Author Anonymous
Introduction by Edwin F. Bryant
Translated by Edwin F. Bryant
The Beautiful Legend of God contains the tenth and most significant book in the popular Indian epic Srimad Bhagavata Purana, which is the principal source for the story of Krishna, worshipped by many Hindus as the Supreme Being. Devoted to Krishna’s miraculous incarnation, this collection of sacred tales recounts his childhood and adolescence in the forests of Vrindavan: playing with his friends, dallying amorously with cowherd maidens, and stealing butter to feed the monkeys. Krishna emerges from these episodes as an immediately engaging figure, and the stories have inspired generations of artists, musicians, poets, sculptors, and dramatists. They also contain valuable insights into Hindu views on such matters as creation, cosmography, and the history of the subcontinent.

Making its first appearance as a Penguin Classic, this edition of The Beautiful Legend of God includes an introduction, glossary of Sanskrit terms, pronunciation guide and bibliography. 

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Krishna: The Beautiful Legend of GodAcknowledgments
Introduction
Note on Translation and Method

Krishna: The Beautiful Legend of God

Srimad Bhagavata Purana Book X
Part One
Part Two
Book XI, Chapters 1, 6, and 29-31

Notes
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms and Names
Pronunciation Guide
List of Primary Sources Mentioned in the Text
Bibliography

About

The Beautiful Legend of God contains the tenth and most significant book in the popular Indian epic Srimad Bhagavata Purana, which is the principal source for the story of Krishna, worshipped by many Hindus as the Supreme Being. Devoted to Krishna’s miraculous incarnation, this collection of sacred tales recounts his childhood and adolescence in the forests of Vrindavan: playing with his friends, dallying amorously with cowherd maidens, and stealing butter to feed the monkeys. Krishna emerges from these episodes as an immediately engaging figure, and the stories have inspired generations of artists, musicians, poets, sculptors, and dramatists. They also contain valuable insights into Hindu views on such matters as creation, cosmography, and the history of the subcontinent.

Making its first appearance as a Penguin Classic, this edition of The Beautiful Legend of God includes an introduction, glossary of Sanskrit terms, pronunciation guide and bibliography. 

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

Table of Contents

Krishna: The Beautiful Legend of GodAcknowledgments
Introduction
Note on Translation and Method

Krishna: The Beautiful Legend of God

Srimad Bhagavata Purana Book X
Part One
Part Two
Book XI, Chapters 1, 6, and 29-31

Notes
Glossary of Sanskrit Terms and Names
Pronunciation Guide
List of Primary Sources Mentioned in the Text
Bibliography

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